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INDEX
TOPIC
PIC
Page No.
1. Appointments ...................................................................................
...................................................................................3
2. Scheme Launched By Government .....................................................
.....................................................8
3. Bill Enactment .................................................................................
.................................................................................14
4. National News................................................................................
................................................................................ 18
5. International Agreements and News .........................................
...............................................25
6. Defence..........................................................................................
.......................................................................................... 30
7. Deaths............................................................................................
............................................................................................ 37
8. Awards ...........................................................................................
...........................................................................................39
9. Sports ............................................................................................
............................................................................................43
10.Science & Technology ....................................................................
....................................................................49
11.Finance Sector ...............................................................................
...............................................................................56
12.Important Days ..............................................................................
..............................................................................62
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APPOINTMENTS (National)
 Nasim Zaidi took over as New CEC
On 19th April 2015, Nasim Zaidi assumed charge as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He
succeeded H.S. Bramha who retired on 18th April 2015 after completing his term. After taking the charge he
said,
id, "I feel privileged and honoured that I have been given this responsibility to lead one of the finest
institutions that the Indian Constitution has provided. I am conscious of the onerous task in hand"
Career Background
1. He has served as the Permanent
Representative of India on the Council of
ICAO from November 2005 to October 2008.
2. He has served as the Director General of Civil
Aviation.
3. He retired from IAS as Secretary to the
Government of India in Ministry of Civil
Aviation on 31 July 2012
.
 Justice S.K.Sinha Appointed as Chief Justice of Sikkim
On 30th March 2015, Justice Sunil Kumar Sinha was appointed as the Chief Justice of the
Sikkim High Court. In accordance with the Article 217 (1) of the Constitution of India,
President Pranab Mukherjee appointed him. He was serving as as the acting Chief Justice
of the Sikkim HC since October 2014
As per Article 217 (1) of the constitution of India, the president of India
appoints chief justice of a high court after consultation with the Chief Justice
of India and the Governor of the State.
 K.N.Tripathi as Governor of Mizoram
Mr. K.N Tripathi has been given the additional charge of Mizoram thus he became 16th Governor of
Mizoram. Mr. K.N Tripathi
thi is already Governor of West Bengal and Bihar. K.N Tripathi replaced Aziz Qureshi
who was sacked last week.


Indian constitution article 153 is associated with appointments of Governors.
A governor takes oath in the presence of the Chief Justice of the
the High Court exercising jurisdiction in
relation to the State, or, in his absence,the senior most Judge of high court.
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Rajeev Shukla Appointed as Chairman of IPL Governing Council
Rajeev Shukla was re-appointed as the chairman of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) Governing Council by
the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Former Union Minister and Congress leader Shukla was the
IPL chairman till 2013 when he resigned from the post in the aftermath of the IPL spot-fixing Scandal.
Saurav Ganguly was a new entrant to the IPL Governing Council while the senior national selection
committee led by Sandeep Patil was retained. Ravi Shastri, Team India Director also remained in the IPL
Governing Council.
IPL Governing Council
1.
Rajeev Shukla - Chairman
2.
Head the Marketing Committee – Chetan Desai
3.
Chairman of the Technical committee – Anil Kumble
4.
Head the powerful finance committee - Jyotiraditya Scindia
5.
Incharge of the Tours and Programmes Committee - Gokaraju Gangaraju
6.
Head of the Media Committee - Biswarup Dey
7.
Affiliations Committee head - Anurag Thakur
8.
Chair the Constitution Review Committee – Jagmohan Dalmiya
 M.Annadurai new Director of ISRO Satellite Centre.
Mayil swami Annadurai was appointed as Director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru. He succeeded Dr
SK Shivakumar who antiquated on 31st March 2015.
Mayilsamy Annadurai will be responsible for the development of satellite technology and implementation of
satellite systems for scientific, technological and application missions
Before this Appointment- since 2011, at the ISAC he had been the Programme Director of Indian Remote
Sensing Satellites (IRS) and Small Satellite Systems (SSS).
The ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) is the leading centre of ISRO for design, development, fabrication and testing
of all Indian made satellites. It was established in the year of 1972 as Indian Scientific Satellite Project (ISSP) in
Peenya Industrial Estates of Bengaluru
 A.K.JHA Appointed as CEO of KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission)
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions appointed Arun Kumar Jha as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC). Jha is a 1985-batch Indian Economics Service (IES) officer.
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As the CEO of KVIC, Jha will look after the day-to-day functioning of the commission and report about its
activities to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Prior to this appointment,
he had been working as the Director General of National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Development (NIESBUD).
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed by the Government of
India, under the Act of Parliament, 'Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956'. It is an apex
organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village
industries within India, which seeks to - "plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and
development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in
rural development wherever necessary."
 Jusctice Meenaskhi Madan Rai Sworn as First Lady Judge of Sikkim HC
Meenakshi Madan Rai sworned in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim HC. Her oath of the office was directed
by the Governor Srinivas Patil at Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok. She is also the third High Court
judge who belongs from the small border state
Justice M. Fathima Beevi was the first female judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India
(1989) and the first Muslim woman to be appointed to any higher judiciary.
 Sumit Majumdar elected as the President of confederation of Indian Industry for
the Year 2015-2016
Sumit Mazumder on 7 April 2015 was elected as the President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for
the year 2015-16. He succeeded Ajay Shriram. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of the TIL Limited,
India’s largest manufacturer of material handling equipment.
Mazumder is also the Executive Chairman of TIPL (Tractors India Pvt. Ltd.) which is a distributor for
Caterpillar, USA, in India, Nepal and Bhutan for earthmoving, construction, mining equipment and power
systems.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is an association of Indian businesses which works to
create an environment conducive to the growth of industry in the country.
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization, playing a
proactive role in India's development process. Founded in 1895
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industry-led and industry
 Dr. Mohan Kumar appointed as ambassador of India to France.

Dr. Mohan Kumar was appointment as Ambassador of India to France. Dr. Mohan Kumar is a 1981batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, earlier he was serving as Ambassador of India to Bahrain.
He will be succeeding Arun Kumar who was appointed Ambassador to the United States

He had also served as Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian Diplomatic Mission in Colombo, Sri
Lanka in 2001.
 Pedro Cateriano appointed as new Prime
Minister of Peru

Defence Minister of Peru Mr. Pedro Cateriano has been named
as new Prime Minister of Peru. He was named as new Prime
Minister by President Ollanta Humala .
 IOC President Thomas Bach is named ambassador of HeForShe by UN
Women

UN Women announced the president of
International Olympic Committee (IOC),
Thomas Bach as an ambassador of
HeForShe campaign. HeForShe is a
unanimity campaign for gender equality
established by United Nations (UN)
Women

In September 2014, the campaign was
launched by UN Women Global Goodwill
Ambassador Emma Watson. HeForShe
campaign motivate boys and men to join
in on the fight for women's rights and
gender equality all over the globe. Their
motive of the campaign is to engage one billion men and boys to become advocates for women's rights
worldwide.
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SCHEMES LAUNCHED BY GOVT
 PM Launch National Air Quality Indiex in 10 cities
On 6th March 2015, to tackle the threat of air pollution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a National
Air Quality Index (NAQI). The information on the quality of air of 10 major cities in the country on a real-time
basis will be provided by National Air Quality Index. The ten cities where the quality of air can be monitored
are Lucknow, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Faridabad, Chennai, Delhi, Agra, Bangalore and Varanasi. Later the index
will be extended to 22 State capitals and 44 other cities with a population exceeding one million.
The index was launched in New Delhi before the inauguration of the Conference of State Environment and
Forest Ministers. State environment and forest ministers will attend the conference.
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 PM LAUNCH MUDRA Bank under PM Jan Dhan Yojana to fund the small
business person
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA)
Bank to fund the small business person. The Bank was launched under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan
Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). The bank will provide credit of up to 10 lakh rupees to small entrepreneurs and act as
a regulator for Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs).
The role of MUDRA Bank
1. Building a good architecture of Last Mile Credit Delivery to micro businesses
2. Assign policy guidelines for micro enterprise financing business
3. Registration of MFI entities
4. Maintain promotional & development activities in the sector
5. Accreditation/rating of MFI entities
6. Establish responsible financing practices to ward off over indebtedness and ensure proper client
protection principles and methods of recovery
7. Standardised set of covenants governing last mile lending to micro enterprises should be expanded
8. Encouraging right technology solutions for the last mile
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9. A Credit Guarantee Scheme for providing guarantees to the loans/portfolios which are being
extended to micro enterprises should be formulated.
 Indian Railways Launched to monitor Rail Projects online (E-Samiksha)
Indian railways launced online monitoring mechanism named E-Samiksha to monitor rail projects. This was
designed by NIC (National Informatics Centre) and will be used by Cabinet Secretariat, Prime Minister's
Office and other Ministries for monitoring progress implementation of various programmes and follow-up of
meetings.
Its basic aim is to monitor implementation of various ongoing projects of Indian Railways on real-time basis
including Rail Budget proposals.
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 Railways Launched Mobile App for paperless unreserved ticket (UTSON Mobile)
a mobile application named utsonmobile has been launched by the Railway Ministry for paperless
unreserved tickets. The aim of the mobile app is to eliminate the need for printing of unreserved tickets.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu launched the application in New Delhi as a pilot project. It will cover 15
stations between Egmore and Tambram suburban sections in Chennai of the Southern Railway.
Feature of the application1. This app will enable the passengers to buy a ticket on the move
2. Passengers can board the train with the ticket secured on their mobile phone
3. Necessary on-screen alerts are provided by the app to guide the passenger during the booking
process
4. With the help of Railway Wallet feature in the App passengers can make the payment for the ticket
5. Every day, the ticket will have distinct colour scheme and it cannot be forwarded to another mobile
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 Tourist Visa on Arrival renamed as “e-Tourist visa”
Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme was
renamed as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme by Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
MHA decided to change the name of the scheme after it observed that the name of the
scheme (TVoA-ETA) created confusion among tourists and also it had received requests
of name change from some Indian embassies.
 Union Government Launched Gave it Campaign
On 25th March 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Give it Up campaign at the annual energyfocussed summit Urja Sangam 2015.
Objective of this Campaign
1. to extort the better off sections of society to surrender their LPG subsidy, which would be employed in
providing subsidised LPG connections to the poor.
2. Gas cylinders waived by them would be transferred to the poor who use wood for cooking purpose
3. The Give it Up campaign should be taken up on the lines of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Swacch Bharat
initiatives
 Kerala Govt. Launched Subodham Project to end Liquor Abuse
On 19th April 2015, Subodham project has been launched by State Government of Kerala to help people in
the state to vanquish enslavement to liquor. Founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravishankar and
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy launched the project in Kochi.
Aims of Subodham Project
1. To obliterate the peril of substance addiction from society
2. To release one lakh people each year from alcohol addiction, through various awareness campaigns.
The project chase to achieve the purposeful target of making the state totally alcohol free over the
next 10 years.
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 Orissa Government has launched AAHAR Scheme
Odisha Government has launched ‘Aahar’- cheap meal scheme for providing subsidised food to non-rural
poor. On the occasion of the foundation day of the state i.e. Utkala Dibasa, Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen
Patnaik initiated the scheme at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Facts about Aahar- cheap meal scheme
1. The aim of the scheme is to provide meal at Rs. 5 to the non-rural
poor.
2. In the first phase, the scheme was launched simultaneously in five
cities of state including Sambalpur, Berhampur, Cuttack, Rourkela and
Bhubaneswar.
3. The meals under this scheme will be provided at four crowded places each in these five cities to
people visiting urban areas for various work.
 Punjab Govt. Launched mission Padho Punjab-Khelo Punjab
Punjab Government has launched ‘Padho Punjab- Khelo Punjab Mission’ also known as the Learn Punjab- Play
Punjab Mission. According to this mission, school students will pe provided a separate period in the curriculum
for playing along with academics. The objective of the mission is to inspire more youngsters towards sports to
produce eminent players for the country.
Features of this Mission
1. A 40 to 50 minute special period is to be assigned for sports.
2. to inspire more youngsters towards sports to produce eminent players for the country.
3. Students of middle schools will be taught various games including the games played locally during the
interval of this period.
Education Minister of Punjab, Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema launched the Mission’s pilot project at a government girl’s
school in Rupnagar district of Punjab. For the purpose of Padho Punjab-Khedo Punjab Mission, five teachers have
been trained to give training to other teachers to train students in sports physically
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Bill Enactment
 Parliament passes Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014
Parliament has passed Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014. It was first passed in Lok Sabha on
December 22, 2014 and later in Rajya Sabha on April 28, 2015. This bill amends Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
and aims to strengthen the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and deepen their financial inclusion.
Key facts about Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014
 Authorised capital: This amendment bill increases the authorised capital of each Regional Rural Bank (RRB)
from Rs 5 crore to Rs 2000 crore divided into Rs 200 crore of fully paid share of Rs 10 each. As per the
parent Act the Rs 5 crore share capital of RRBs is split into 5 lakh shares of Rs 100 each. Issued capital.
 It also provides that the authorised capital issued by any RRB’s shall not be reduced below Rs 1 crore and
shares in all cases to be fully paid up shares of Rs 10 each.
 Shareholding: The Bill allows RRBs to raise capital from sources other than the central and state
governments, and sponsor banks. Board of directors: The Bill adds provision that any person who is a
director of an RRB is not eligible to be on the Board of Directors of another RRB.
 It also mentions that directors will be elected by shareholders based on the total amount of equity share
capital issued to such shareholders.
 Tenure of directors: The bill raises the tenure of directors to 3 years from existing 2 years. The Bill also
states that no director can hold office for a total period exceeding six years.
 Closure and balancing of books: The parent Act had provision which mentioned that the balance books of
RRBs should be closed and balanced by 31st December every year. However this amendment bill changes
this date to 31st March in order to bring RRB’s balancing of books in uniformity with the financial year. It
should be noted that the parent Act of 1976 mainly has provisions for the incorporation, regulation and
winding up of RRBs
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 Rajya Sabha passes The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014

Rajya Sabha on 24 April 2015 unanimously passed The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill,
2014 by voice vote. It should be noted that it was a private member’s bill moved by DMK MP
Tiruchi Shiva to protect the rights of transgender persons.

Key features of the Bill Seeks to provide framework for the formulation and implementation of a
comprehensive national policy for ensuring overall development of the transgender persons and
their welfare. Two percent reservation in primary, secondary and higher education and in
government jobs. Establishment of Employment Exchange, National and State Commissions for
Trasngender Persons and Special Transgender Rights Courts. No child who is transgender will
be separated from his or her parents on the grounds of being a transgender except on an order
of competent court. Penalty for hate speech against transgender persons includes imprisonment
extending upto one year and with fine. This bill will help government take necessary steps in
order to ensure that transgender persons enjoy the right to life with dignity and to personal
liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. It should be noted that 29 nations and leading
democracies in the world including US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Italy and Singapore
have legislations protecting rights of transgender persons.
It is the first private members bill to be passed in 46 years. In the past, 14 Private Members’
Bills have been passed. Now, the bill will go to the Lok Sabha for the passage.
 National Judicial Appointment Commission Act, 2014 comes into force

Union Government has brought into force the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act,
2014 along with the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014.

In this regard, notification to effect from 13 April 2015 was issued by the Union Law Ministry. With this
new law the collegium system to appoint members to the higher judiciary has come to an end. Now
President will appoint judges in the Supreme Court (SC) and 24 High Courts (HCs) in consultation with
the NJAC. Facts about NJAC Act, 2014 Composition of NJAC As per Article 124A, NJAC is a 6 member
constitutional body.

Consisting of Chairman- Chief Justice of India (CJI). Members- Two senior most Judges of the Supreme
Court, the Union Minister of Law and Justice and two eminent persons. Two eminent persons will be
nominated by committee led by Prime Minister of India, the CJI, and the Leader of the Opposition in the
House of the People. As per 124B, functions of NJAC are Recommend persons for appointment as CJI,
Judges of SC, Chief Justices and other Judges of High Courts.

Recommend transfer of Chief Justices and other Judges HCs from one HC to another HC. About
Collegium system Previously, under the collegium system, five top judges of the Supreme court
recommended transfer and elevation of judges to Supreme
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 Union Cabinet gives nod to Real Estate Regulation Bill to curb
malpractices in real estate

The Union Cabinet on 7 April 2015 approved amendments to the Real Estate (Regulation and
Development) Bill, 2013 to protect the interests of consumers and curb the malpractices in the real
estate sector.

Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The bill seeks to create a uniform regulatory mechanism across the country and enhance the growth of
construction sector.

It also ensures to bring transparency and accountability in the real estate sector to access capital and
financial markets essential for its long term growth. Facts about Real Estate (Regulation and
Development) Bill, 2013 Regulates transactions in real estate projects between the promoters and
buyers. Establishes state level regulatory authorities called Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs)
and tribunals called Real Estate Appellate Tribunals to settle disputes.

Promoters and real estate agents must register project details with RERAs who intend to sell any plot,
apartment or building. All information for registered projects must be disclosed on website of the RERA.
It will include details of promoters, land status, layout plan, schedule of execution and status of various
approvals.

The bill enforces the contract between the developer and buyer and fast track the mechanism to settle
disputes. 50% of the amount collected from buyers for a project must be maintained in a separate bank
account and must only be used for construction of that project. The Bill was initially introduced in Rajya
Sabha by then UPA-2 government led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It was only applicable
only for residential real estate and is still pending in Rajya Sabha. The approved amendments by current
Union Government seeks to bring commercial real estate under the ambit of bill.
 President Pranab Mukherjee gives assent to re-promulgation of Land
Ordinance
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President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 April 2015 gave his assent to re-promulgate the Land Acquisition Ordinance as
per Article 123 of Constitution.
Earlier, in this regard Union Cabinet had made a recommendation to President as present Land Acquisition
Ordinance promulgated in December 2014 is going to lapse on 5 April.
The new ordinance includes 9 amendments that were part of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in
Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
Lok Sabha had passed the bill in the budget session in March 2015. However, the bill is pending before the Rajya
Sabha, where government is in minority.
Earlier, President had prorogued the 234th session of the Rajya Sabha in order to pave the way for re-issuing of
the Ordinance as per provisions of Constitution.
Article 123 of Constitution It gives legislative power to President. He can issue ordinances when Parliament is in
recess i.e. not in session if there is urgent need to have a law on some urgent public matter. The ordinance has
similar effect to an act of parliament. However, every ordinance must be laid and approved by both houses of
the parliament within 6 weeks from the reassembling. If not placed and approved by both houses of the
parliament after reassembling it becomes invalid or lapses.
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NATIONAL NEWS
 India elected to four United Nations agencies
On 8th April 2015, India was elected among the four important United Nations (UN) agencies. The four agencies
include : The Governing Council of UN-Habitat, World Food Program (WFP), Commission on Crime Prevention
and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). At the UN headquarters in New York,
USA, India was elected to these bodies at the Coordination and Management Meeting (CMM) of UNECOSOC (the
United Nations Economic and Social Council).
India was elected by a form of election that doesn’t use a ballot

Results of Elections
1. India was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) along with thirteen
other nations, for a period of 13 years starting from January 2016.
2. India, along with 5 other nations was re-elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP)
for a period of two year starting from January 2016.
3. India, along with 19 other nations was elected to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
(CCPCJ) for a period of three year commencing from January 2016. Saudi Arabia Austria, United States,
France, Sweden, Iran and Pakistan are some of the other nations that were elected to CCPCJ.
4. India, along with 13 other nations was re-elected to the Governing Council of the United Nations Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for a period of three year commencing from January 2016.
 India ranked 119 according to 2015 FM Global Resilience Index
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 3rd April 2015, In recently released 2015 FM Global
Resilience Index, India has been ranked 119 out of 130 countries. India despite having scope and global
potential was ranked 119 compared to 112th rank in 2014 Global Resilience Index
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Top 10 Countries in 2015 FM Global Resilience Index are Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Finland and United States
Facts about India’s ranking
1. India is ranked 115 on the economic parameter that takes into account oil intensity, political risk and
GDP and is same as in 2014.
2. India is ranked 109 in the risk quality factor, for its quality of fire risk management and natural
hazard. A slight improvement has been shown by India in this parameter as India was ranked 113th
in 2014.
3. India is ranked 89th position in the supply chain category that looks at local supplier quality,
infrastructure and corruption control. India has fallen 11 steps in ranking from the previous year
2014.
 Gujarat leads in implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) during
2014-15
On 3rd April 2015, Union Ministry of Urban Development’s
assessment of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
implementation released in which Gujarat is placed at the
top performing state/Union Territory (UT) for 2014-15
financial year. Gujarat constructed 60% of the household
toilets built in the entire country.
About Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
SBM was launched on 2 October 2014 with the objective of ensuring cleanliness in all the 4041 statutory cities
and towns of the country by 2 October 2019 which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Construction of toilets is accorded priority under the Mission to enable open defecation free urban areas
The mission is to be implemented at a total cost of 62009 crore rupees with a targeted establishment of 1.04
crore household toilets, 2.55 lakh public toilet seats and 2.51 lakh community toilet seats besides provide aid
of 37 crore urban people in solid waste management
 Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry constituted Ajay Shankar
committee to simplify clearances
On 7th April 2015, to suggest simplified compliance for establishing new industries, an expert committee has
been set up under the chairmanship of Ajay Shankar by The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Ajay
Shankar is former Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP)
Terms of Reference of the committee
1. Analysing the requirement of various prior permissions with an exhaustive inventory of such
permissions
2. Possibility of replacing these prior permissions with a pre-existing (proposed) regulatory mechanism
should be inspected
3. Discovering safeguards to be put in place while replacing the system of prior permission and
integrating these safeguards in the proposed regulatory mechanism
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4. A framework of the proposed regulatory mechanism is to be suggested
5. Draft the proposed legislation
 Relief measures has been announced by PM for distressed farmers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced two major measures aimed at providing relief to distressed
farmers due to unseasonal weather conditions in the rabi season.
As per the relief measures
1. If 33 percent of the crop has been damaged due to unforeseen weather conditions then farmers will
be eligible for input subsidy
2. Input subsidy will be enhanced by 50% of the existing amounts for the distressed farmers.
3. The Relief measures were announced in the backdrop of crop damage due to unseasonal weather
conditions in winter in North and Central India. According to an evaluation about 16% or 113 lakh
hectares of total crop area in the country has damaged
 Visit Kerala 2015 has been initiated to promote Kerala tourism
Visit Kerala 2015 campaign has been launched to promote Kerala tourism by Union Minister of State for
Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma . Visit Kerala 2015 campaign is a strategy of Kerala's Government to enhance
state-specific tourism products including Spice route, Responsible Tourism and Ayurveda.
Visit Kerala 2015 Campaign
1. The aim of the campaign is to increase the number of tourist to over 1.37 crore in the state in the
year 2015.
2. The period from April 2015 to March 2016 has been declared as the Visit Kerala Year.
3. Kerala-Home of Ayurveda, the second phase of Kerala Tourism’s campaign will be launched in
selected national and international markets.
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4. To market Kerala’s veritable cuisine, food festivals will be organized in cities like New Delhi and
Mumbai.
5. A new set of Kerala memento will be drafted and will be sold to travelers with the support of
Kudumbashree units
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs suspended Greenpeace India Society
(GIS) registration for 180 days
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the registration of Greenpeace India Society (GIS) for
180 days for acting against public and economic interests of the country.
The decision of suspension has been made after an on-site inspection of the accounts and records of
GIS in September 2014 which disclosed that it has utilised its funds for unauthorised purposes as per
the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, under which it is registered in India.
All seven bank accounts of GIS in Yes Bank, ICICI Bank and IDBI Bank have been frozen as per the
order.
About Greenpeace India Society (GIS)

GIS is an Indian chapter of Greenpeace International, which is a non-profit environmental
organization having presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

GIS has been working in India since 2001 on various issues related to the environment
 India has signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on transportation
with USA
On 8th April 2015, US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Union Road Transport and
Highways minister Nitin Gadkari signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in New Delhi for
deepening partnership in the area of transport between the two countries.
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Importance of MoC
1. For projects like multi-modal hub and developments of waterways, India will be to make use of
world’s latest technology available with the USA.
2. It aims to foster cooperative work on key issues of mutual interest for all modes of transportation
and coordinating public and private sector resources and expertise to advance efficient, secure and
integrated transportation systems.
3. It covers areas like fuel efficiency, intermodal transportation, vehicle and behavioral safety, highway
transportation, urban transportation, rail transportation, maritime shipping and safety and
environmental protections
 "Songs and Dances of the North East" festival on April 11, 2015
inaugurated by - President Pranab Mukherjee
A cultural festival named "First Songs and Dances of the North East" was inaugurated by President
Pranab Mukherjee in the New Delhi. This festival was organized by Government of Meghalaya and
sponsored by the North Eastern Council
This was organized with an aim to show the culture of India's northeast region and highlight the
immense contribution made by the people of the region in nation building.
 Baba Ramdev to be accorded the status of Cabinet Minister by Haryana
Government
On 13th April 2015, State Government of Haryana decided to accord the Yoga guru Baba Ramdev with
the status equivalent to a Cabinet Minister. Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar made this
decision at a meeting of Ministers.
On 21st April 2015, Ramdev will be honoured by Haryana government in Panchkula. Apart from this,
Haryana government also decided to develop herbal forest in which thousands of species of ayurvedic
herbs would be grown in the state under the supervision of Baba Ramdev
Yogshalas will be build in all the towns and villages of Haryana under the guidance of Baba Ramdev
 Haryana Government notified forests in Aravalli range are not a forest
On 14 April 2015, a notification that forests in Aravalli ranges are not a forest has been released by
Haryana Government. As per the latest order, Mangarbani grove, including the vast region of forests of
Aravalli range, will not be considered as a forest
Mangarbani grove is often considered as the last remaining virgin forest in Delhi NCR and held sacred by
local villagers. The notification states that, while carrying out ground truthing exercise in Aravalli region,
only recorded forests will be shown/marked as forests
Therefore after this order, the forest clearance regulations which currently prevent the lands from being
diverted for any other activity would not apply on these lands, making it a cake walk for real estate and
other industries to chop the forests to use the lands.
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 Vankadarath Saritha has joined as first woman bus driver of the DTC
On 17th April 2015, Vankadarath Saritha became the first woman bus driver of the Delhi Transport
Corporation (DTC). She is a 30-year-old driver from Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh. From 20th April 2015,
she will start working officially in day-time duty at the Sarojini Nagar depot.
Saritha has worked as a bus driver earlier in Hyderabad and has started her career as an autorickshaw
driver. Prior to her selection in DTC, she was working as a taxi driver in Delhi.
 Taskforce on farm development has been established by Maharashtra
Government
The State Government of Maharashtra constituted a taskforce on agriculture development and poverty
alleviation to address the issues.
A Government Resolution (GR) said that the 12-member taskforce on agriculture development will be
headed by the Additional Chief Secretary. Administrators of the water resources, dairy development,
water conservation, departments of cooperation, forest, and finance, planning are the members of the
taskforce on agriculture.
A separate GR said that Principal Secretary (Social Justice Department) will head the taskforce on
poverty alleviation. Taskforce comprises of following representatives from public health, labour,
secretaries of departments of tribal development, rural development, housing, urban development and
finance.
 Supreme Court ordered free treatment for - acid attack victims
The Supreme Court (SC) of India instructed all the private hospitals in
the country to provide full and free medical treatment to acid attack
victims
The judgement was given by a social justice bench of the court
comprising Justices UU Lalit and Madan B Lokur in the Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) Laxmi vs Union of India filed under the Article 32 of the
Indian Constitution
The court, in its judgment, stated that the term treatment includes
free medicines, bed, rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery and aftercare. The recent order is in
continuation of a series of orders delivered by the court to deal with acid attack cases such as,
1. Insertion of a special section to deal with issues related to acid attacks in IPC (Indian Penal Code). In
February 2013, the Union Government inserted the Section 357C into the IPC.
2. A minimum compensation 3 lakh rupees to the acid attack victims.
3. Complete ban on over sale of acid.
 Operation Maitri has been launched by India to help the earthquake
victims in Nepal
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India launched a relief and rescue operation in Nepal named Maitri for earthquake casualities. 24
choppers and military aircraft along with bus services through road route are involved in the rescue
operations
India also pressed nearly 1000 trained personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
into service after Nepal on 25th April 2015 was struck by the worst earthquake in 80 years in which
more than 2500 people were killed
Parts of the Operation Maitri
1. Multi National Coordination Centre has been initiated
2. Head quarters are constituted for relief operations in PPO Pokhra.
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INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS &
NEWS
 China signed five agreements - Sri Lanka
To deepen development partnership between
the two countries, China and Sri Lanka signed
five agreements. Sri Lankan president
Maithripala Sirisena signed the agreements in
Beijing during the maiden visit to China after
assuming the office in January 2015
Consequences of the Sri Lankan president’s visit to
China
1. Both the countries restated the shared loyalty
of the two countries to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence or Pancha Sheela.
2. Five agreements were signed related to cooperation for special aid in public health, development of
water treatment methods and technologies in kidney disease affected areas, research and
development of the coconut industry and refurbishment of the Superior Courts Complex in Sri
Lanka.
3. Third round of negotiations will be kicked start to conclude the proposed China-Sri Lanka Free Trade
Agreement (FTA).
4. China invited Sri Lanka to become a founding-member of the Chinese proposed Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB).
5. 2000 training opportunities for new scientists of Sri Lanka wiil be provided by China in the next five
years.
6. Chinese language training centres will be settled up in Sri Lanka to deepen cultural partnership
between both the countries.
 Myanmar Government signed draft cease-fire agreement with - 16 Ethnic
Rebel Groups.
a draft nationwide cease-fire agreement was signed by Myanmar Government and 16 ethnic rebel
groups. The aim of the draft is to end more than 65 years of civil unrest and armed conflict in the
country
The agreement was signed between the Union Peace-making Working Committee and the
Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team at the Myanmar Peace Centre in Yangon. Myanmar's
President U Thein Sein witnessed the agreement
The agreement was signed after seven rounds of meetings since 2013, accorded at resolving four points of
dispute. These include amongst others
1. Recruitment by the armed groups should come to a halt.
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2. Armed rebel groups’ territory and status were confirmed.
3. The nature and configuration of the political dialogue.
4. Now the mediator from the armed rebel groups will confer with their leaders before giving final
approval to the draft.
5. The motive behind the draft ceasefire agreement is to bring all the rebels into a process that will
lead on to talks on greater devolution of power and resources which is something that has been
resisted by the Myanmar government since 1948
 Russia-Argentina signed agreements on economic & energy co-operation
Russia and Argentina signed a series of agreements on economic and energy co-operation. The
agreements were signed during the two-day visit of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de
Kirchner to Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kirchner termed the agreements as a comprehensive strategic
partnership between the two countries.
The agreements include
1. Russia agreed to provide financial support to the hydroelectric plant in Argentina’s Neuquen River
2. At Argentina’s Atucha 3 nuclear power plant, a new reactor will be built as agreed by Russia’s
Rosatom nuclear corporation
3. A Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) was signed on defence.
 India has signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on transportation
with USA
On 8th April 2015, US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Union Road Transport
and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in New
Delhi for deepening partnership in the area of transport between the two countries
Importance of MoC
1. For projects like multi-modal hub and developments of waterways, India will be to make use
of world’s latest technology available with the USA.
2. It aims to foster
cooperative work
on key issues of
mutual interest for
all modes of
transportation and
coordinating
public and private
sector resources
and expertise to
advance efficient,
secure and
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integrated transportation systems.
3. It covers areas like fuel efficiency, intermodal transportation, vehicle and behavioral safety,
highway transportation, urban transportation, rail transportation, maritime shipping and
safety and environmental protections.
 Ninth Meeting of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Council
India was nominated to chair the 9th meeting of the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) council
which is to be held for two days starting from 10th June
2015 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates.
India will head the 21 member council meeting, which will
guide the agency’s future programmes and activities and helps set the agenda for the meeting of the
annual Assembly to be held in January 2016
About IRENA
 On 26th January 2009, IRENA was established as an intergovernmental organization to supports
countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future.
 It serves as the platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of
policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.
 India is a founder-member of the organization and it has 140 other members.
 IRENA has two main governing structures-IRENA Assembly and IRENA Council.
 The IRENA Assembly takes decisions at the macro level and gives overall policy direction to IRENA.
 It is the main Governing Body of the Agency, which is responsible for implementing decisions of the
Assembly.
 Adnan Z. Amin, a national of Kenya is the Director-General of IRENA.
 India signed agreement on supply of Uranium with Canada

India and Canada signed a nuclear agreement as a result India will
get supply of uranium. This major agreement was signed between
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper during the PM three-day official visit to Canada

As per the agreement Canadian Cameco Corporation will supply 7.1
million pounds of uranium concentrate to India till 2020 and this
deal worth 350 million US dollars
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 BHEL signed MoU with INTMA Russian firm to set power plant in
Kazakhstan –

BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) signed a MoU with Russian company INTMA to set up a
gas-based power project in Kazakhstan and as per this deal both
will assist each other in the implementation of this

With this MoU BHEL will able to further its presence in the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

BHEL is a major integrated power plant equipment manufacturer
and had attained Maharatna status in 2013. It manufactures power
plant equipment like gas turbines, steam turbines, hydro turbines
and boilers. BHEL also has robust experience in construction of power plants in India and overseas.
It has presence in 76 countries while executing 23 major projects in 16 countries.
 Tennessee House voted to make Bible as official state Book

The Tennessee House of Representatives voted to make Andrew
Jackson's Bible as the official book of Tennessee. The book will become
an Official book of the state if the bill passes in Senate.

House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh along with six other people
abstained from voting, while Only six Democrats voted in favor of the
bill.
 Time Magazine released list of - 100 most influential people in the world
A list of 100 most influential people in the world has been released by Time Magazine. American rapper and
singer Kanye Omari West topped the list. The oldest person on the list is Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi,
who finds himself the steward of the Arab world's youngest democracy at the age of 88 years
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 Foreign Minister of North Korea who visited India - Ri Su Yong

Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India. He was on a three-day visit to
India and this was the first-ever visit of a foreign minister of North Korea to India. The Minister
of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj invited him to visit India.

During the visit, foreign minister level talks were held covering issues of mutual interest
including India’s security concerns. In this regard, India informed Yong about the significance of
peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy.

Yong admired India for its humanitarian assistance provided to North Korea and also sought
additional assistance in this regard, which was agreed by India.
 The Fifth Normandy Group Foreign Ministers meet held Berlin

the fifth meeting of Normandy Group foreign
ministers was held in Berlin, the capital of
Germany. Normandy Quartet or Normandy
Group is a group of four countries including
Ukraine, Germany, Russia and France
The group was formed to facilitate a diplomatic
resolution to the ongoing conflict between the Ukraine Army
and pro-Russia forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
Normandy Group was formed on 6th June 2014 after an
informal meeting of the four heads of state on the sidelines of
commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of D Day.
 Mahatma Gandhi statue defaced Johannesburg

the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was defaced by a group of people calling him a racist in
Johannesburg, South Africa. The group had posters that say: Racist Gandhi must fall.

The statue in Johannesburg is assumed to be the only one in the world showing Gandhi as a
young lawyer in his court robes.
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DEFENCE
 India successfully test-fired Agni III Ballistic Missile from Wheeler Island
On 16th April 2015, India successfully test fired Surface-to-Surface Agni III ballistic missile from the Wheelar
Isalnd off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal. This missile has a range of 3000 km's.
SFC (Strategic Force Command) carried out this test with the support of DRDO (Defence Research and
Development Organisation).
It is equipped with the hybrid navigation, guidance and control systems along with advanced on-board
computer and was inducted in armed forces in June 2011. Specifications
Weight
-
Length
-
22,000 kg (Operational Version)
17 m
Diameter
-
2.0 m
Warhead
Strategic
nuclear (15 to 250 kt) (2000 to
2500
kg),
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 India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Dhanush missile from ship
on 9 April 2015 successfully test fired nuclear weapons-capable Dhanush missile from a ship, off the Odisha
coast. Test- The ship-based missile was launched from an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV), deep inside the
Bay of Bengal to test its full range. It successfully hit the target point with high degree of accuracy
Facts about Dhanush Missile
1. Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
2. The surface-to-surface missile is a naval variant of Prithvi missile.
3. Capable of carrying of 500 to 1000 kilogram conventional as well as nuclear payload.
4. It is a single-stage, liquid-propelled missile and has range of 350 km.
5. Capable to target both land-based and sea-based targets. gives Indian Navy capability to strike enemy
targets with great precision.
Dhanush is one of the 5 missiles developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme (IGMDP).
In Picture- Dhanush Fired from Ship
 Two interceptor boats, FPV commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s
Eastern Fleet
Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named Anagh and Two Interceptor Boats named C-430 and C-417 on 29 March 2015
were commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Fleet. They were commissioned by Lieutenant General
Ajay Kumar Singh (retd), Lt Governor of Puducherry in a traditional ceremony with full military honours in
Chennai. These commissioned ships will enhance Coast Guard’s capability in furthering its mandate of
maritime safety and security, environmental protection. It will also enhance the coastal security capability
and add more teeth to its existing fleet on the Eastern Sea Board. Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Anagh ICGS.
Anagh is a 50 meter long vessel, propelled by water jet high speed FPV with maximum speed of 33 knots and
displacement of 290 tonnes. It is capable to undertake various tasks such as surveillance, search and rescue
operations, interdiction and medical evacuation. Interceptor Boats C-430 and C-417 Both boats have an
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overall length of 27.8 metres and have
maximum speed of 45 knots with
displacement of 101 tonnes. They are
incorporated with twin diesel engine with
twin water jet propulsion. They are
capable of taking on coordinated
operations with other sea-air units,
besides surveillance, interdiction and
search and rescue. These boats are also
fitted with state-of-the-art communication
and navigational equipment along with
main armament of 12.7 mm HMG
(Prahari). ICGS C-430 and C-417 have joined the fleet of 36 interceptor boats of Coast Guard) named Anagh
and Two Interceptor Boats named C-430 and C-417 on 29 March 2015 were commissioned into Indian Coast
Guard’s Eastern Fleet. They were commissioned by Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh (retd), Lt Governor
of Puducherry in a traditional ceremony with full military honours in Chennai. These commissioned ships will
enhance Coast Guard’s capability in furthering its mandate of maritime safety and security, environmental
protection. It will also enhance the coastal security capability and add more teeth to its existing fleet on the
Eastern Sea Board. Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Anagh ICGS Anagh is a 50 meter long vessel, propelled by water
jet high speed FPV with maximum speed of 33 knots and displacement of 290 tonnes. It is capable to
undertake various tasks such as surveillance, search and rescue operations, interdiction and medical
evacuation. Interceptor Boats C-430 and C-417 Both boats have an overall length of 27.8 metres and have
maximum speed of 45 knots with displacement of 101 tonnes. They are incorporated with twin diesel engine
with twin water jet propulsion. They are capable of taking on coordinated operations with other sea-air
units, besides surveillance, interdiction and search and rescue. These boats are also fitted with state-of-theart communication and navigational equipment along with main armament of 12.7 mm HMG (Prahari). ICGS
C-430 and C-417 have joined the fleet of 36 interceptor boats of Coast Guard
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 First indigenously-built Scorpene Submarine Kalvari undocked
First indigenously-built Scorpene Submarine on 6 April 2015 was undocked at the Mazagaon Dockyard
Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The undocked submarine was named Kalvari and is expected to be
commissioned into Indian Navy by September 2016.
The submarine is part of the Indian Navy’s ambitious submarine programme- Project 75. This programme is
undertaken in collaboration
France to build fleet of six such
submarines. Remaining 5
Submarines will delivered by
the MDL to the Indian Navy by
2020 and will form core of the
navy’s submarine arm for the
next two decades Features
about Scorpene submarine Has
superior stealth capability. Can
undertake various operations
including multifarious warfare,
Anti-submarine warfare,
Intelligence gathering, mine
laying, area surveillance etc.
Ability to launch attack on the
enemy using precision guided
weapons. The attack can be
launched from underwater or on surface. Designed to operate in all theatres including the tropics. Built using
special steel that can withstand high yield stress that can withstand high hydrostatic force and enabling to
dive deeper. Equipped with Weapons Launching tubes (WLT) that can carry weapons on board and can be
easily reloaded at sea.
 BSF launches nationwide tele-medicine programme for troops
Border Security Force (BSF) on 14 April 2015 launched nationwide satellite-based tele-medicine programme
for its troops. The programme will address medical and health-related problems of its troops deployed in
far-flung frontier areas and difficult regions in the hinterland in case of an emergency or illness. Facts about
Tele-medicine programme It will be operated and hosted from the BSF’s Kadamtala-based composite
hospital in Siliguri, West Bengal. The full-time team of doctors at hospital will be connected with BSF posts
along the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla frontiers. The hospital has been equipped with required technology
including satellite phones and the VSAT platform to host the programme. BSF’s anti-Naxal operations units in
Chhattisgarh and Odisha will also be linked with the same facility. The programme will be made fully
operational in 2015 which marks 50th year of BSF’s Raising.
 INS Visakhapatnam, stealth destroyer of Indian Navy launched
Visakhapatnam is the Kolkata-class warship and the first of P15-B stealth destroyers which is designed
indigenously and fitted with advanced features. It is the largest destroyer commissioned in India. Features of
INS Visakhapatnam The ship is designed by the Directorate of Naval Design, Indian Navy’s in-house design
organization and made of entirely of Indian steel. It is 163-metre-long vessel and weighs approximately
3,000 tons
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Features of INS Visakhapatnam1. Propelled by four gas turbines, and capable to achieve maximum speed of over 30 knots at a displacement of
approximately 7,300 tons.
2. Propelled by four gas turbines, and capable to achieve maximum speed of over 30 knots at a displacement of
approximately 7,300 tons.
3. Also equipped with the Israeli Multi-Function Surveillance Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR). MF-STAR will
provide it with targeting information to 32 Barak 8 long-range surface-to-air missiles on board the warship.
4. It will also be carrying 8 BrahMos missiles. It has four 30 mm rapid-fire guns which will provide the ship with
close-in-defence capability and also has an MR gun that will enable ship to provide effective naval gunfire
support.
 India and France begin naval exercise ‘Varuna’
10-day naval exercise ‘Varuna’ between India and France began on 23 April 2015 off the Goa coast. It is the
fourteenth edition of this naval exercise which will host of naval assets of both countries and will conclude
on 3 May 2015. Scope of exercise: It will include the entire gamut of various maritime operations from
aircraft carrier operations, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarines warfare exercises to multi-ship
replenishment exercise
KEY FACTS OF VARUNA
FRENCH NAVY
1. Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle with its fighter aircraft Rafael M.
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2. E2C Hawkeye AWACS and helicopters Dauphin.
3. Strike Aircraft Super Etendard and Alouette 3 is going to take part.
4. it two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne.
5. replenishment tanker Meuse and a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 are also going to take part
INDIAN FLEET
1. aircraft carrier INS Virat.
2. destroyer INS Mumbai.
3. stealth frigate INS Tarkash.
4. submarine INS Shankul, guided missile frigate INS Gomati
5. replenishment tanker INS Deepak and a few Fast Attack Craft are also participating.
6. Indian Navy’s carrier-borne fighter aircrafts like Sea Harriers, maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I and Dorniers along with integral helicopters Chetak and Seaking 42B are also be participating.
.
IN PICTURES- INDIAN & FRECH Fleet in WAR
exercising VARUNA
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 Indian Army conducts Akraman–II defense exercise in Rajasthan
26 April 2015 conducted a major exercise ‘Akraman-II’ in Rajasthan. The exercise was conducted by the
Chetak Corps, a part of South Western Command based in Bhatinda, Punjab. The exercise aimed to test a
new generation of weaponry and platforms which are employed in the desert region to provide ‘real time
battle and situational awareness’ to its commanders.
KEY FACTS OF AKRAMAN-II
1. In this exercise more than 300 Combat Vehicles including Main Battle Tanks, Long Range Artillery
Guns participated along with 10,000 troops.
2. The Akraman-II exercise also tested the capabilities of Indian Air Force in launching deep insertion of
helicopter-borne and airborne army units.
3. The exercise envisaged at orchestration of an integrated battle field scenario in network-centric
environment.
4. This orchestrated environment was an integration of reconnaissance, electronic warfare &
surveillance and communication assets in order to provide real time battle and situational
awareness to commanders.
 Russia raised a ban on delivery of S-300 Missile system
Russia raised its earlier ban on delivery of S-300 Missile System. The Missile System is a surface-to-air missile
defense system which can be used against multiple targets including jets and enemy missiles.
Russia raised the ban in the back drop
of an informal agreement reached on
2nd April 2015 between P5+1, the EU
and Iran to prepare the final draft of
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) by 30th June 2015.
Under the agreement, Iran agreed to
stop developing nuclear weapons in
return for lifting economic sanctions
imposed on it by the international
community. This was the only sanction
imposed by Russia on Iran since Iran had announced its nuclear programme in 2010.
 Pakistan and Russia agreed to hold first-ever joint military exercise
Pakistan and Russia as a part of their enhanced defence cooperation agreed to hold first-ever joint military
exercises. Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu signed the
agreement during the meet held in Moscow.
Main features of the Agreement
To intensify cooperation in both defence industry and military training.
Conflicts will be resolved through diplomatic means and use of force must be discouraged and abandoned.
They reached a concord that a multi-polar world would ensure peace and balance in international relations
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DEATHS
 Sunita Tomar passes away, She was the face of Anti-Tobacco Campaign
On 1st April 2015, Famous face of India's anti-tobacco campaign Sunita
Tomar passed away at the age of 28 only. She passed away at her native
village in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh.
she shot a video to tell devastating effect of smokeless tobacco by sharing her
experience. She teamed up with Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) to produce
the video which tells about her struggle with oral cancer
 Malli Mastan Babu Indian ace mountaineer passed away
On 4th April 2015, one of the top mountaineers of India, Malli Mastan Babu died at the age of 40. His dead
body was recovered from Andes Mountains in South America after he went missing from 24th March.
Throughout his endeavour to scale the Cerro Tres Cruces Sur
Mountain he was lost. Cerro Tres Cruces Sur Mountain is the 2nd
highest peak of Chile and has a height of 6749 meter.
Malli Mastan Babu was the first Indian mountaineer and the
fastest in world to climb the seven summits of the world in
record 172 days in 2006.
Between 19 January to 10th July 2006, he scaled the seven
summits of world, viz., Denali (North America), Elbrus (Europe),
Aconcagua (South America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Vinson Massif
(Antarctica) Mt Everest (Asia), and Kosciuszko & Carstenz
(Australia & Oceania).
He was also the prime Indian mountaineer to summit Mt Vinson Massif, the tallest peak in Antarctica and
was also the first person from Andhra Pradesh to scale the Mt Everest.
 Veteran singer EM Hanifa Died at Chennai
On 8th April 2015, Noted singer EM Hanifa whose voice transcended religious lines
passed away at Chennai at the age of 97. Hanifa was known for his song Iraivanidam
Kaiyenthungal (look up to God he never says no) was an evergreen liked by all
crossing across religious barriers.
Hanifa was a well known singer for popularizing the Dravidian ideals and lent his
voice for religious songs. In 2002, he did contest as a DMK Candidate from
Vaniyambadi but could not win.
 Jayakanthan a Tamil Writer Died at Chennai
On 8th April 2015, literary critic, short story writer and Tamil novelist Jayakanthan died in Chennai at the age
of 81 years. The main idea of Jayakanthan writings were mainly against economic inequality and social
injustices in our surroundings. He was presented with Padma Bhushan in 2009, Jnanpith in 2002 and Sahitya
Akademi Award in 1972.
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 Hrushikesh Moolgavkar former Air Cheif Marshal of IAF passed away
On 9th April 2015, Former Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) Hrushikesh Moolgavkar passed away at
the age of 95 in Pune. On 30th November 1940, he was selected and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in Royal
Indian Air Force and on 1st February 1976, he was appointed as the Chief of Air Staff. Leading from the
Cockpit: A Fighter pilot's story is the biography of Hrushikesh Moolgavkar authored by his daughter Jyoti M
Rai was published in 2009.
The fly-past on India’s first Independence Day on 15 August 1947 and Republic Day on 26
January 1951 was led by Moolgavkar as a Squadron Leader.
 Gunter Grass Noble Prize Winner Died at Germany
On 13th April 2015, Nobel laureate German novelist
Gunter Grass died in Luebeck, Germany at the age of
87. He was a graphic artist, sculptor, playwright,
illustrator, novelist, poet and 1999 Nobel Prize in the
field of Literature.
About Gunter Grass
1. Grass was born on 16th October 1927 in the
Free City of Danzig (now Poland’s Gdansk).
2. He started his work in 1950s and is best known
for his work, The Tin Drum published in 1959.
He won Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Palme d'Or in 1979.
 Janaki Ballabh Patnaik Former CM of Odisha passed away
On 21st April 2015, Former Chief Minister of Odisha Janaki Ballabh
Patnaik passed away. He was 89 years old. He had also served as
former Governor of Assam. He was a senior leader of INC (Indian
National Congress).
He was born in Rameshwar, Puri on 3rd January 1927 and has passed
passed out with a degree in Sanskrit from the Utkal University in 1947
and then after he did MA in Political Science from the Banaras Hindu
University in 1949. He became President of the Odisha state unit of the
youth wing of the Congress in 1950 and was Union Minister for
Tourism, Civil Aviation and Labour in 1980's
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AWARDS
 Subadhra Devi was named for 2015 International Achievement Award
On 2nd April 2015, an Indian-origin Singaporean nurse Dr Subadhra Devi Rai was in news after she was
named for the 2015 International Achievement Award by the Florence Nightingale International Foundation
(FNIF) of the International Council of Nurses.
She was named for this prestigious award for her work in the healthcare sector of women and refugees.
 Delhi International Airport Limited won Golden Peacock National Quality
Award 2015
On 5th April 2015, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) won the
prestigious Golden Peacock National Quality Award. On 20th April 2015,
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister for Culture, Youth
and Development will present the award to DIAL at a ceremony to be
held in Dubai.
Delhi International Airport Limited is a joint enterprise of Airports
Authority of India, Fraport and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
(MAHB) and GMR Group.
In 1991, The Golden Peacock National Awards were founded by the Institute of Directors,
India. To stimulate total quality improvements in both manufacturing and service organizations in
India, The National Quality Award Scheme was initiated.
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 Pratap Singh won Institute of Physics Prize for his Cosmic-ray project
On 12th March 2015, a 15-year-old Indianorigin schoolboy, Pratap Singh in the United
Kingdom was awarded with the 500 pounds
Institute of Physics (IOP) Prize. A trip to a
national physics-related activity is also included
in the prize. He was honoured for doing an
experiment that verified an effect of Albert
Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
At the Bing Bang Fair held at the National
Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham he was presented with the award. The participants of the Big Bang Fair,
which was held from 11th to 14th March 2015, 200 students aged 11 to 18 years demonstrated their
projects to thousands of visitors
 Gopaldas Neeraj and Uday Pratap Singh are conferred with Sahitya
Shiromani Samman of Uttar Pradesh
On 8th April 2015, Uttar Pradesh Government conferred Sahitya Shiromani Samman on noted Hindi poet
Gopaldas Neeraj and veteran Hindi litterateur Uday Pratap Singh. Along with the award, the duo was given a
cash prize of 21 lakh rupees.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav conferred the award on Uday Pratap Singh and Gopaldas
Neeraj. Gopaldas Neeraj, for his lifelong service to Hindi literature, will be honoured with the Rashtra RatnSitara-e Hind award. Excluding this, the poetry book of Gopal Das Neeraj named Geetsri was also disclosed
by CM in Lucknow.
 Susanta Lahiri and Kattesh V Katti two chemical scientists received
Hevesy Medal Award 2015
On 12th April 2015, Two scientists Susanta Lahiri and Kattesh V. Katti received Hevesy Medal Award 2015.
They were honoured for their contributions in the fields of radio and nuclear chemistry.
Mr. Susanta Lahiri is a Professor at Chemical Sciences Division, Saha Institute of
Nuclear Physics in Kolkata and he won the award for his contributions to heavy ion
induced radioisotope production, converter targets, green chemistry and tracer
packet technique.
Mr. Kattesh V. Katti is a professor at the Centre for Radiological Research, University
of Missouri in Columbia, the US. His research interests in the domain of Nano
Science and Technology include exploring chemical, biophysical, magnetic and
photo physical properties, which are unique to specific nanoparticulates, toward
the design and development of sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
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 Satya Nadella has been awarded White House Champions of Change
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 16th April 2015,
Microsoft’s Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella was honoured with the White
House Champions of Change. He is among the 12 local Champions of
Change who were honoured for their flawless leadership. The honour is
presented to those who support working families and help make change in
their companies or communities.
Microsoft's first Indian-origin Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Satya Nadella.
 Sangeeta Bhatia has won the 2015 Heinz Award at MIT
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 26th April 2015, Scientist, Sangeeta Bhatia won the
prestigious 2015 Heinz Award, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Employment,
Economy and Technology category. Since 1993, this was the 20th Heinz Award which is given annually.
Artificial human microlivers for drug testing has been developed by Sangeeta Bhatia. She was honoured for
her work in disease detection and tissue
engineering. Microliver is a miniature model
organ that makes it possible to test drug
reactions predictively and efficiently, and could
finally lead to an artificial human liver. Her team
founded the fabrication of artificial human
microlivers, which are used to test the toxicity
of
drug candidates by many biopharmaceutical
companies.
 Bharatiya Mahila Bank won Asian Banker Achievement Award 2015
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 23rd April 2015,
Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) Ltd won the Asian Banker Achievement Award
2015 for Technology Implementation in the category of Best Outsourcing
Project.
The Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BMB, Usha
Ananthasubramanian received the award at a function held during the Asian
Banker Summit 2015 in Hong Kong.
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 Anil Kapoor has been conferred with Master Dinanath Mangeshkar
Award 2015
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 25th
April 2015, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was conferred
with prestigious Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award
2015. Noted historian and writer Babasaheb Purandare
presented him the award.
Besides this, veteran Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar
was also granted with the prestigious Master
Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2015
About Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Award
1. The award was initiated in 1999 in memory of
Dinanath Mangeshkar, father of Lata Mangeshkar.
2. The awards carries a cash prize of Rs 101 001, memento and citation.
 Gopinath Pillai is awarded with ‘Outstanding Service Award’ for his
services in Singapore
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 25th April 2015, Indian-origin diplomat Gopinath
Pillai was awarded ‘Outstanding Service Award’ for his services by the National University of Singapore
(NUS). Current he is serving as Ambassador-at-Large of Singapore and special envoy to Andhra Pradesh.
Pillai has served as a diplomat for more than 25 years to Singapore through his distinguished service. From
1990 to 2008, he had served as the non-resident Ambassador to Iran.
 Shahrukh Khan is honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation
Award 2015

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 21st April 2015, Shah Rukh Khan, for his
performance in the movie Happy New Year was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Film
Foundation Award 2015 in the award
ceremony held in Mumbai
Other Awardees

For outstanding performance in the film
Citylights, Rajkummar Rao won the
reputable award

Huma Qureshi grappled an award for her
memorable performance in the movie
Dedh Ishiqya.

Actress Jaya Prada, Tiger Shroff, Shreyas
Talpade, singer Udit Narayan and Pankaj
Udhas were also felicitated with the award
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SPORTS
 21 weightlifters are tested positive and provisionally suspended by IWF
 On 4th April 2015, 21 weightlifters were provisionally suspended after they were tested positive for
banned substances by Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF). This is
one of the biggest doping scandals in recent years.
 Maximum of these wrongdoer were caught in January 2015 at the
National Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships, which was
held in Yamunangar.Sample B of these 21 lifters has been sent by IWF
for test. The first-time offenders could face a ban for four years in case
the sample tests are positive.
 Excluding this, the IWF rules says that if in a 12-month period two or
more doping violations were found in tests conducted by the NADA or
IWF, a state federation could be suspended from participating in any activities of the IWF for a period of
up to two years.
 Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams has won the Miami Open Tennis
Singles 2015

In first week of April, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams won the Miami Open Men’s and women’s
singles titles 2015 respectively. Andy Murray of Britain was defeated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia to
win fifth Miami Open title.

Djokovic became the first player to win at Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back for three continuous
years. Murray and Djokovic have combined to win eight of the past ten Miami Open men’s titles
with this win.

On 4th April 2015, Serene Williams of US won the title for 8th time after defeating the twelfth seed
Suarez Navarro of Spain. Williams has won 66 singles titles with his win.
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 Gujarat has won Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

On 7th April 2015, the 2014-15 Syed Mushtaq
Ali T20 Trophy played at the KIIT Cricket
Stadium, Bhubaneshwar was won by Gujarat
cricket team. Gujarat defeated Punjab by
scoring 123 runs in 19.5 overs whereas Punjab
scored 117 runs in 20 overs in final match.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a domestic Twenty20
cricket championship in India organized by Board of
Control for Cricket in India and is played among the
teams from Ranji Trophy.
 Dronavalli Harika has won bronze in World Women's chess
championship
 On 6th April 2015, Indian Grandmaster Dronavalli
Harika won Bronze medal along with Swedish Grandmaster Pia
Cramling in the World Women’s chess championships held at Sochi,
Russia. In the semi-finals, Mariya Muzychuk defeated Harika.
Dronavalli Harika won the Bronze medal and got 20000 US dollars.
 Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine won the World Women
Chess Championship by defeating Russian Natalija Pogonina.
Muzychuk won 60000 US dollars whereas Pogonina got 30000 US
dollars as an award.
 Jitu Rai Indian ace shooter won bronze at ISSF World Cup

On 12th April 2015, Ace Indian shooter Jitu Rai won bronze medal in the
10m air pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
World Cup which was held in Changwon, South Korea.

He scored 181.1 points in the final to won the bronze. Jin Jongoh of South
Korea won gold medal while Naung Ye Tun of Myanmar won silver medal.
 Yuki Bhambri won $15,000 ITF Futures
tournament title

Yuki Bhambri won 15,000 US Dollar ITF Futures
tournament title after defeating Dzmitry Zhyrmont of
Belarus in the finals. Final match was held at Karshi,
Uzbekistan.

This win also has ensured Yuki's entry into the French
Open qualifying event which will be the Clay Court Grand
Slam that will begin on the 19th May 2015.
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 New Zealand has won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament

the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup men’s
hockey tournament 2015 was on by
New Zealand. At the Sultan Azlan
Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, they
defeated World Champions Australia
in the finals.

Since the establishment of Sultan
Azlan Shah Cup competition in 1983,
New Zealand has won the title for the
second time. In 2012, New Zealand’s
recorded its victory for the first time
against Argentina.

Earlier to this, India secured the Broze medal by defeating South Korea in a penalty shootout. After
India won the Gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games 2014 by defeating Pakistan in the final this is
the first major win for India in Hockey.
About Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Started in 1983, The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is an annual international men's field hockey tournament held in
Malaysia. After 1998, the tournament became an annual event, following its popularity and growth. The
tournament is named after the 9th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah, who was an
passionate fan of field hockey.
 Allan Donald has resigned as South Africa Bowling Coach

On 14th April 2015, the bowling coach of
South Africa Cricket team, Former South
African cricketer Allan Donald resigned. The
resignation concurred with the end of his
four year tenure.

In 2011, he was authorized to the position as
a member of the team’s chief coach Gary
Kirsten’s support staff, which he continued
to fulfill under the current coach Russell
Domingo since August 2013

In 2004, he retired from the first class cricket and he took 330 wickets from 70 Tests and 272 wickets
from 164 ODIs in his career as a right-arm fast bowler
 Sachin Tendulkar elected as member of Laureus Sports Academy

On 15th April 2015, Noted Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was selected as member of prestigious
Laureus Sports Academy at the 16th Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Shanghai, China.

Along with him retired Chinese professional basketball player Yao Ming. Before him Kapil Dev and
Rahul Dravid has received this recognition.
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Laureus was established in 2000 and is a non-political international charity that works to improve the lives of
young people around the world through the use of sport. The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela
 International Paralympic Committee derecognises Paralympic
Committee of India

After the news of shoddy treatment to athletes during
the National Para-Athletics Championships held in
Ghaziabad from March 20 to 22, 2015, The
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has
suspended the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for
indefinite period.

Earlier also Paralympic Committee of India has been
suspended by International Paralympic Committee.

But someone who are worst affected by this decision
are the players who also had to adjust in bad facilities
and also will not able to participate in any event now

Following the ban, the Paralympic Committee of India
has been barred from participating in any event
 Khushbir, Manish, Sandeep three Indian race walkers qualified for 2016
Rio Olympics
On 19th April 2015, Three Indian race walkers, Sandeep Kumar, Manish Rawat
and Khushbir Kaur qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics. During the IAAF Race
Walking Challenge at Rio Maiorin Portugal they qualified for the Olympics.
 Khushbir Kaur beats Rio Olympic qualification time of 1 hour and 35
minutes by getting clocked at 1 hour 33 minute and 58 seconds and
finished at 13th place in the race. She is the National women's 20km walk
record holder.
 Manish Rawat, with a timing of 1 hour 22 minutes and 50 seconds in the men’s 20km race walk and
finished in top 10 in the list.
 Sandeep, clocked 1 hour 23 minute and 32 seconds in the men’s 20km race walk category and finished
14th-place in the race. He is the National 50km race walk record holder.
 Novak Djokovic won Monte Carlo Masters title of Tennis

Noted player of Serbia, Novak Djokovic won Monte-Carlo Masters
title of Tennis played at Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Djokovic and
defeated Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic by 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. This
was second time that Novak Djokovic has lifted this title.

It was 17th straight win for the Novak Djokovic who is also
world's number one. By winning this title he also became the first
player to won the opening three ATP World Tour Masters 1000
events of a season as he already won Indian Wells and Miami titles.
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 Neeraj Kumar has been appointed as Chief Adviser of Anti-Corruption &
Security Unit of BCCI

On 20th April 2015, Former Delhi Police
Commissioner Neeraj Kumar was appointed as chief
adviser of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket)
Anti-Corruption & Security Unit (ACSU). He will be
serving at this post for 1 year. Before Neeraj Kumar
,Ravi Sawant was holding this position.

Neeraj Kumar is a 1976 batch IPS officer of the
AGMU cadre, He was serving as Delhi Police
commissioner till July 2013. Important to mention
here that during his tenure

Cricketer S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested for allegedly getting involved
in spot-fixing.
Ankit Keshri Former Bengal U-19 Cricket captain who passed away

20th April 2015 was a sad day for Indian
Cricket as East Bengal Club cricketer Ankit
Keshri passed away due to an injury
sustained during a match. He was 20 years
old. He was hurt on 17th April during a
match when he was taking a catch and
bumped into another player so hard that he
lost his consciousness and fell.

He was captain of Bengal U-19 team in
Cooch Behar Trophy and has also secured
his name in the 30-member India U-19
probables list for the 2014 Colts World Cup
in the United Arab Emirates.
 Archana, Anezka has won cadet girls’ doubles title at the French Junior
and Cadet Open

On 19th April 2015, the Indo-Czech Republic duo,
Anezka Ilcikova and Archana Girish Kamath, won
the cadet girls’ doubles table tennis title at the
French junior and cadet open held in Metz in
France.

From 15 April to 19 April 2015, French Junior &
Cadet Open, ITTF Premium Junior Circuit 2015 was
held at Metz, France. Archana, who is the prevailing
sub-junior national table tennis champion, also
won a bronze medal in the team event after a loss in the semifinals.
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 Africa T20 Cup tournament initiated by Cricket South Africa
On 21st April 2015, a new tournament known as the Africa T20 Cup was announced by Cricket South Africa
(CSA). The tournament was initiated to encourage the game and nurture young talent in the continent. The
tournament featuring Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and 12 CSA affiliates will run from 4th
September to 4th October 2015.
About Africa T20 Cup
1. The tournament will consist of four groups of four teams each with the winners of each pool
advancing to the semi-finals and eventually to the final.
2. Venues for the matches will be spread across several South African provincial stadiums.
 Wladimir Klitschko has won the heavyweight title of Boxing

On 25th April 2015, Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine successfully secured his world heavyweight boxing
title for the 18th time continuously. Klitschko defeated American Bryant Jennings at Madison Square
Garden in New York.

Since November 2014, this was first fight for Klitschko after knocking out previously by unbeaten
Kubrat Pulev. It was also his first session outside Europe since he took the WBO title from Sultan
Ibragimov on 23rd February 2008 at Madison Square Garden.
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Science & Technology
 Port Blair Magnetic Observatory established in Port Blair, Andaman and
Nicobar Islands

On 30th March 2015, at Shoal Bay No. 8 in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Union
Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan initiated Port Blair
Magnetic Observatory (PBMO).

The observatory has been set up by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) under the MultiParametric Geophysical Observatories (MPGO) initiated by the Union Ministry of Science and
Technology and Earth Sciences.

IIG set up network of 14 MPGO, including the PBMO, across the country to monitor seismic and coseismic signals by using multi techniques.
 Minor planet was named after Former Chess grandmaster Vishwanathan
Anand

On 1st April 2015, a minor planet was named as 4538 Vishyanand, to honour India’s first chess
grandmaster, Vishwanathan Anand by Michael Rudenko, a committee member of the Minor Planet
Center.

On 10th October 1988, Kenzo Suzuki in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan discovered the main-belt
minor planet between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The planet was unnamed since its discovery.

With this, Vishwanathan Anand joined former world chess champions Anatoly Karpov and Alexander
Alekhine who have had a similar honour granted to them. Other sports personalities on whom such
honours have been honoured include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Jesse Owens and Donald
Bradman.
 Kochi arachnologists discovered rare spiders

On 3rd April 2015, rare spiders were discovered in Western Ghats by Kochi arachnologists. The
sighting of a huntsman and jumping spider in
Western Ghats was recorded by Researchers
at Division of Arachnology. This rare species of
spiders belong to the Salticidae and
Sparassidae families. The research team
comprise of Pradeep Kumar M.S., Fr. Jobi
Malamel and Dr. Mathew M.J. and were led
by the director of the Division of Arachnology,
Dr. P.A. Sebastian.

The huntsman spider was spotted at Ponmudi,
while the researchers found the jumping
spider at the Malayattoor and
Bhoothathankettu reserve forest. Huntsman spiders are known for their mode of hunting and speed.
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Many of these spiders make a substrate-borne sound deliberately when a chemical left by a nearby
female of their species is detected by them

The males anchor themselves firmly to the surface to which they have crawled and use their legs to
transmit vibrations from their bodies. The pattern of bursts of sound and characteristic frequency of
vibration alert the females, who are interested in mating

Due to the presence of a unique whitish area on the copulatory organ of the male spider, the name
Stenaelurillus albus has been given to them. This discovery is unique because of the presence of
mating plugs that have been reported in only 17 species of the approximate 5800 jumping spiders
recorded till now.
 Endangered species of plant discovered by Scientists from Western Ghats
- Oldenlandia dineshi

On 19th March 2015, Scientists from four research institutions in Kerala discovered a rare species of
plant named Oldenlandia dineshi from Palakkad region
of Western Ghats. The discovery of the shrub was
published in the Kew Bulletin on 19 March 2015. The
scientists came across the plant in a quarry during an
exploration of the Nenmara region south of Palakkad in
the valley of the Nelliyampathy hills.

The plant species named Oldenlandia dineshi is a shrub
with long linear tapering leaves and dark blue flower.
The flowering period is from July to September and
fruiting from September to October. The species has
been named in honour of TK Dinesh Kumar, former
Professor of Botany, University College, Thiruvananthapuram.

The genus Oldenlandia comprises about 248 species of which 27 have been reported from India is
mainly distributed in the southern parts of the Western Ghats and North and North-East India.
Among these, 12 species and one variety have been recorded from various locations in Kerala.
 Name the Global Earth Hour Capital 2015 – Seoul

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 9th April 2015, Seoul city, the capital and
largest metropolis of South Korea, was awarded the title of Global Earth hour Capital 2015 after it
won the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The challenge saw the
participation of 163 cities from 16 countries

Seoul was chosen as the winner by EHCC jury of international experts for its comprehensive
approach to tackle climate change and its determination to ramp up use of renewable energy. Seoul’s
approach to radically reduce emissions includes.
1. Allotment of a sensible budget for expanding the use of solar energy
2. Greener fuels are used to reduce emissions through transport
3. Building more car sharing programs and bus lanes
4. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million tons Seoul has started an ambitious initiative
under which by 2020 it will achieve 20 percent electricity self-reliance/
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 National Earth Hour Capital 2015 by WWF – Thane

On 9th April 2015, Thane, Maharashtra was announced as the National Earth Hour Capital 2015. It
has appeared as winner among the three finalists from India are : Pune, Rajkot and Thane in the
Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Pune for its city mobility plan and solar and waste-to-energy initiatives received a special mention
from the jury. Rajkot was felicitated for the city’s performance in the field of renewable energy.

Actions that helped Thane to be the National Earth Hour Capital 2015 includes
1. Obligatory use of solar water-heating systems for municipal buildings
2. Solar energy is used for lighting and air-conditioning
3. Cities plan for solar rooftop net metering-based power generation and regular energy audits
4. Energy Service Company (ESCO) project like
5. Energy-efficient street lighting
6. Commissioning of a bio-methanation plant to treat municipal solid waste and generate electricity
7. Three cyclic switching units for optimal use of streetlights
 Asteroid 316201 was named after Malala Yousafzai

Youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, who is also
girl's education campaigner was honoured by NASA
after naming an asteroid 316201 after her name. This
asteroid was named as '316201 Malala' by Amy
Mainzer, astronomer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in California, United States under the
International Astronomical Union rules.

This asteroid is located in the Main Belt between Mars
and Jupiter and it orbits around the Sun every 5.5
years and is more-than 2 mile wide
 600 MW thermal unit has been commissioned at Dhabra in Chhattisgarh
by BHEL

On 13th April 2015, State-owned power equipment-maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
commissioned 600 MW thermal unit at Dhabra in Janjgir Champa District of Chhattisgarh for the
Dainik Bhaskar Power Limited. This is the second unit of 2 × 600 MW power project of BHEL. In
2014, BHEL employed the first 600 MW Unit.
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
According to BHEL, cumulative installed capacity in
the state now stands at 11400 MW and its share of the total installed
capacity in the state stands at 68 %. In Chhattisgarh, BHEL has been
a partner in the power development programme.
 Arun Jaitley inaugurated Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode

On 14th April 2015, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the
Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New Broadcasting
House of All India Radio (AIR). The service will be available on 100.1 Mh frequency.

The services of Vividh Bharati of All India Radio will be available to listeners in Delhi on mobile
phones also.
 TERI, FNI, INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE signed MOU to further - Climate &
Development Agenda

TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) signed an agreement with two global research institutes,
namely INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group and Fridtj of Nansen Institute (FNI). The agreement was inked
for exchange of knowledge and cooperation on issues related to climate change.

The nine areas of interest recognized by these three organisations were:
1. Capacity Building
2. National, Regional and Global Policy Advocacy
3. Environment and Development
4. Low Carbon Strategies
5. Institutions and Governance
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6. Well-being of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
7. Green Growth and Resource Efficiency
8. International Cooperation
9. South-South Knowledge Exchange
 Indian surgeons removed world's largest kidney weighing - 2.75 kgs

On 20th April 2015, Indian
surgeons in the 3 hour surgery
removed the world's largest
kidney weighing 2.75 kgs.
Surgeons of Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital (SGRM), Delhi
conducted the operation.

Dr. Manu Gupta along with
the team operated the patient
and took the decision to
remove both the kidneys of the
patient as the person was
suffering from Autosomal
Dominant Polycystic Kidney
Disease (ADPKD).

The procedure was quite
challenging as a normal
kidneys weigh 130 grams
approximately whereas this kidney weighed 2.75 kgs, 20 times more than the actual size and was
stuck to the surrounding intestines.
 Japanese Maglev train has set the world
speed record of 603 kmph
On 21st April 2015, Japanese bullet train Maglev created a new
world speed record of 603 kilometer per hour (kmph) in a test
run. The seven-car maglev train broke its previous record of 580
kilometer per hour created in 2003.
About Maglev
1. Maglev, the name derived from magnetic levitation, is a
delivery method that uses magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground.
2. It levitate 10 centimeters above the tracks and is moved by electrically charged magnets. It helps the
train to lift and move it above a guide way
3. It provides a quiet and smooth ride in almost twice as a traditional high-speed rail
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 The theme for International Mother Earth Day 2015 - It’s Our Turn to
Lead

On 22nd April 2015, International Mother Earth Day was observed globally with the theme It’s our turn
to lead. The theme highlights the need for change and seeks to inform the communities and leadership
that action needs to be taken on climate by promoting a goal of environmental awareness through
developing sustainable initiatives and galvanizing every human to pledge Acts of Green.

This is the 45th anniversary of the day. In December 2015, the world leaders will pass a permanent
climate change treaty in Paris.
 Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand declared as India's 48th Tiger
Reserve

On 21st April 2015, Rajaji National Park in
Uttarakhand is declared as India's 48th Tiger
Reserve after The National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA) granted final approval. With
this announcement, Uttarakhand got its second
tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat while
releasing logo of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve
announced the notification. In 1983, The Rajaji
National Park came into existence and is spread
across three districts of Uttarakhand namely
Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Haridwar in an area over 820 square km.

The National Park is a home to 40 species of reptiles and fish, 400 Asian elephants and 315 bird species.
 Turrialba Volcano erupted in Costa Rica

Among the important International Current Affairs,
On 24th April 2015, Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica
erupted. The eruption of the volcano guided to rise of a
column of gas and ash in the sky.

After the explosion of Calbuco volcano twice on 22nd
April and 24th April 2015 in Chile, the blast from the
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Turrialba volcano in the east of the Central American country came.
About Turrialba volcano
1. Turrialba Volcano is a 3340 m (10958 ft) high stratovolcano (composite volcano) near the Atlantic slope
town of Turrialba
2. Three craters has been created, one of which has sulfur pits and fumaroles. The diameter of the largest
crater is 50 m (160 ft)
3. In October 2014, Turrialba volcano erupted with great force, spewing ash and magma
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FINANCE SECTOR
 Australia's IAG raised stake in SBI General Insurance - from 26% to 49%

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) announced that it will raise its stake in SBI General Insurance (SBIGI)
from 26% to 49%.

In the backdrop of the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015, IAG decided to increase its stake in SBIGI.
The bill pursues to increase foreign investment limit in local insurers to 49% from 26%.BI General
Insurance is a joint venture between the IAG of Australia and State Bank of India

It was initiated in 2010. This conclusion of IAG will lead to dilution of SBI’s 76% stake in SBI General
Insurance to 51%.
 RBI charged 5 lakh rupees fine for violation of norms - on 16 Central Cooperative Banks
 Among the important National Current Affairs, On 31st March
2015, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary
penalty of five lakh rupees on 16 Central Co-operative Banks
(CCBs)
 The penalty was imposed for inconstancy of the Anti-Money
Laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. The
banks on which the penalty was imposed are :

The Dumka Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Dumka (Jharkhand)

The Gumla Simdega Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., (Jharkhand)

The Dhanbad Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., (Jharkhand)

The Rewari Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Rewari (Haryana)

The Mansa Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mansa (Punjab)

The Jind Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., (Haryana)

The Gopalganj Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Gopalganj (Bihar)

Ajmer Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ajmer (Rajasthan)

Hanumangarh Kendriya Sahakari Bank Ltd., (Rajasthan)

The Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Bikaner (Rajasthan)

The Sirohi Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Sirohi (Rajasthan)

The Bundi Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Bundi (Rajasthan)

The Boudh Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., (Odisha)
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
Bhawanipatna Central Co-operative Bank, (Odisha)

Cuttack Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., (Odisha)

The Sambalpur District Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., (Odisha)

The penalties were charged on these co-operative banks in exercise of powers vested in RBI under
the provisions of Section 47(A) read with Section 46 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As
applicable to Co-operative Societies), for non-adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards.
 Union Ministry of Finance has approved 1500 crore rupees for AP Capital
construction

1500 crore rupees to Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been allocated for the construction of necessary
infrastructure in the new capital by Union Ministry of Finance. Out of the 1500 crore rupees sanctioned
1000 crore rupees are meant for essential amenities and 500 crore rupees for administrative buildings

The Special Financial Support (SFS) is in tune with the section 94(3) of the Andhra Pradesh
Reorganization Act, 2014 which mandates the Union Government to extend financial support to Andhra
Pradesh to construct essential infrastructure including Raj Bhawan, High Court, Government Secretariat,
Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council

The new capital of AP is intended to be constructed in the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri
(VGMT) area on the banks of Krishna river and is named as Amaravathi.
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 Captain Anoop Kumar Sharma has taken over as CEO of Essar Shipping

Captain Anoop Kumar Sharma has taken over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and whole-time director of
Essar Shipping Ltd (ESL). He succeeded Ramakrishnan A. R.
who had retired from service on 31st March 2015. Sharma has
been a part of ESL since August 2008.

Earlier, he was associated with Shipping Corporation of India
(SCI) for 16 years. In SCI he had served as the Senior Vice
President of the Chartering division and was responsible for
exploring global business opportunities for SCI

Sharma was a fellow of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers,
London and is an Alumni of Narsee Monjee Institute of
Management Studies, Mumbai. Captain Anoop Kumar Sharma
is also a member of the Governing council of Narottam
Morarjee Institute of Maritime studies and Services export promotion council.

Essar Shipping Ltd operates a diversified fleet of 15 vessels. It includes very large crude carriers (VLCCs),
Capesize, mini-bulk carriers, Supramaxes, tugs and Mini-capesize.
 Smart Traveller the service launched by Bharti AXA General Insurance

Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited launched Smart Traveller that offers global coverage for
frequent travellers, students, individuals and families. A choice of two major plans catering to Individuals
and Families and frequent travelers through a variant known as Annual Multi Trip International travel
insurance plan is offered by The SmartTraveller Insurance policy.

The Bharti AXA GI Advantage gives individual and family plans for several travel exigencies like medical
emergencies, loss of checked-in baggage, loss of travel documents (Passport, tickets etc.),
compassionate visit in case of financial emergency, medical emergency, daily allowance if hospitalization
is needed.
 Dena Bank inked MoU with - Life Insurance Corporation

Dena Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)
of India to provide insurance cover to all Aadhaar-linked savings account holders of the bank in the
age group of 18 to 50 years

The insurance cover will be provided under the Prime Minister’s Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima
Yojana (PMJBY) scheme. The scheme will come into effect from 1 June 2015.
Features of the PMJBY Scheme
1. Risk of 2 lakh rupees will be covered in
case of death
2. premium sum of 330 rupees per annum
will be auto-debited to the account holder’s account
3. As per the terms of risk coverage, a person has to opt for the scheme every year.
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 Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has constituted Ajay Shankar
committee to simplify clearances

On 7th April 2015, to suggest simplified compliance for establishing new industries, an expert
committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Ajay Shankar by The Union Ministry of
Commerce and Industry. Ajay Shankar is former Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion (DIPP)
Terms of Reference of the committee
1. Analysing the requirement of various prior permissions with an exhaustive inventory of such
permissions
2. Possibility of replacing these prior permissions with a pre-existing (proposed) regulatory mechanism
should be inspected
3. Discovering safeguards to be put in place while replacing the system of prior permission and
integrating these safeguards in the proposed regulatory mechanism
4. A framework of the proposed regulatory mechanism is to be suggested
5. Draft the proposed legislation.
 Snapdeal has acquired mobile recharge service FreeCharge

mobile recharge service FreeCharge has been acquired in a cash and stock deal by Snapdeal. Snapdeal
became the largest mobile commerce company in India after the acquisition of FreeCharge.

According to the deal, Freecharge will
offer many more digital goods in future
and will continue to work as an
independent platform. Snapdeal has
become the company with the highest
daily transactions and the highest user
base with the procurement of
FreeCharge.

Snapdeal and FreeCharge will together
generate more than 1 million daily
transactions and have 40 million users on
the mobile. Snapdeal has bought four
companies over the past six months which
includes logistics service company
GoJavas, luxury fashion marketplace
Exclusively and software provider
Unicommerce.
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 India’s first IFSC became operative - GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat

India’s first International Financial Services
Centre (IFSC) became operativein Gujrat at
GIFT City in Gandhinagar. After the impartment
of the rules and regulations for this global
financial hub by Union Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley at a special ceremony held at Mahatma
Mandir in Gandhinagar, it was made
operational.
Attributes of International Financial Services Centre
(IFSC)
1. It will uplift the economy of Gujarat as well as of the country.
2. The motive of the regulations is to create a resonant IFSC on the lines of those in Singapore and
Dubai.
3. It enables companies incorporated outside India to raise money in foreign currencies by issuance
and listing of their equity on stock exchanges within the IFSC
4. NRIs and institutional and individual investors from India and abroad would be allowed to trade
 Godrej Nature’s Basket unites with Amazon

The food retail arm of the diversified Godrej Group, Godrej Nature's Basket unites with Amazon for
selling its products through the e-commerce giant's platform in India.

In the first phase, the company has showcased a
wide range of products on Amazon's platform and
the range will increase in the coming months

It will sell gourmet products, international cheese
and cold cuts, ice creams, desserts, including fresh
fruits and vegetables, bakery products, fresh madeto-order party snacks and patisserie

The collaboration of both the companies will give a new uplift to gourmet production. With this,
customers in country will get a suitable and easy way to access a wide and unique selection of gourmet
products.
 LIC bought Rs. 300 cr worth of shares in Infosys

LIC which is a state owned life insurer has increased its stake in Infosys to 4.81 percent. LIC purchased
shares worth over Rs 300 crores in the January-March quarter.

Taking into account the current market value of Infosys shares, the 0.12 percentage point hike in LIC's
holding in the company would be worth about Rs 317 crore.
 Union Finance Ministry retained interest rate for GPF at - 8.7 percent for
2015-16
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
Union Finance Ministry retained the rate of interest for General Provident Fund (GPF) and other
related schemes at 8.7% for the year 2015-16.

The 8.7% interest will apply on Provident Funds of railways, defence forces and central government
employees.

The interest rate for senior citizens savings scheme was uplifted from 9.2% to 9.3%

The interest rate for Sukanya Samriddhi Account has been hiked from 9.1% to 9.2%.

The interest earning for Kisan Vikas Patra has been retained at 8.7%.
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IMPORTANT DAYS
 World Health Day - 7th April

World Health Day (WHD) 2015 was observed globally on the theme "From farm to plate, make food
safe".

The theme was selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring focus on growing global
burden of food borne diseases and underscore the need for coordinated cross-border action across
the entire food supply chain i.e. from farm to plate

To mark the day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted various programmes across the
world in close cooperation with government agencies and civil society to spread awareness on food
safety issues related to the entire spectrum of food supply chain

The day is celebrated every year since it was first celebrated in 1950 to mark the anniversary of the
WHO formation in 1948.
 World Hemophilia Day- 17th April

World Haemophilia Day was observed globally with theme "Building a family of support". The day furnish an
occasion to talk to your caregivers, colleagues and extended family and friends to raise awareness and
increase support for those living with an inherited bleeding disorder.

Hemophilia day was established in 1989 with the support of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).
17th April was chosen to honor the founder of WFH, Frank Schnabel, whose birthday falls on the same date.
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 World Heritage Day-18th
April

World Heritage Day was
observed across the world. The
aim of the day is to create an
awareness among the people to
protect and conserve the
cultural heritage and valuable
assets across the world

The day features the
prerequisite of protecting the
historical monuments and sites
located in every part of the
world by making allied efforts at
world level

On 18th April 1982, the
International Council on
Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
in Tunisia celebrated the world
Heritage Day for the first time.
The day was approved by
UNESCO in 1983.
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 Civil Services Day -21st April

Ninth Civil Services Day was observed across India by all Civil Services to re-dedicate and re-commit
themselves to the cause of the people. Two day programme was organised by the Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances to mark this day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi confered awards to winners of outstanding initiatives in Public
Administration for the years 2012 - 13 and 2013 - 14. He also launced a book on "Best Practices Tomorrow is Here" on this occasion.
 International Mother Earth Day- 22nd April

International Mother Earth Day was observed globally with the theme It’s our turn to lead. The theme
highlights the need for change and seeks to inform the communities and leadership that action needs to
be taken on climate by promoting
a
goal of environmental awareness
through developing sustainable
initiatives and galvanizing every
human to pledge Acts of Green.

This is the 45th anniversary of the
day. In December 2015, the world
leaders will pass a permanent
climate change treaty in Paris.
 World Book and Copyright Day -23rd April

United Nations (UN) observed World Book and Copyright Day worldwide. The day is a chance to identify
the power of books to transform our lives for the better and to support books and those who produce
them.

Incheon, South Korea has been appointed as the World Book Capital 2015 by UNESCO in recognition of
its programme to promote reading between people and underprivileged sections of the population.
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
Various programs were organized by UNESCO to promote reading habits between people. The programs
also concentrated on debating various issues concerning the world of publishers, distributors, authors as
well as promoting their works and causes.

On 23rd April 1995, World Book Day was celebrated for the first time and is organised by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote copyright, publishing and
reading.
 World Malaria Day -25th April
World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed with the theme Invest in the Future. Defeat Malaria. The day is
observed to identify the global efforts to control malaria. It is an instance to summit the need for sustained
political commitment and continued investment for malaria control and elimination
During the 2007 World Health Assembly, World Health Organization (WHO) Member States instituted World
Malaria Day. WHO called on the global health community to urgently mark notable gaps in the treatment,
diagnosis and prevention of malaria on the occasion of the 2015 World Malaria Day (WMD).
WHO said in its report that, since 2000 malaria cases and deaths have remarkably declined, but more than a
million lives are still lost due to this preventable disease every year.