Sree Current Affairs NOVEMBER-32pages

CONTENTS
Honours & Awards News Makers Places in News Science Snippets Defence Space Science Summits Committees Deaths Economic Scenario Sports NationalRound-Up International Round-Up Knowledge Capsules Banking Awareness (For Bank PO & Clerks Exams) Current MCQ Capsules 28 2 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 14 16 20 24 26
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each year for the best original fulllength novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and success. The selection process for the winner of the prize commences with the formation of an advisory committee which includes an author, two publishers, a literary agent, a bookseller, a librarian, and a chairperson appointed by the Booker Prize Foundation. Nayudu Award Committee met on 25 October and decided to confer the honour on the legendary opener, a release from BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said. The award comprises a trophy, citation and a cheque for Rs 25 lakh.
Honours & Awards British Writer Hilary Mantel won Booker Prize for Second Time
British Writer Hilary Mantel on 16 October 2012 won the prestigious literary prize, the Booker Prize for her novel Bring up the Bodies, the second in a historical trilogy set during the reign of King Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel had earlier won the Booker prize in 2009 for "Wolf Hall," the first novel in the trilogy. Hilary Mantel is the third author to win the prize twice, alongside South-African-born J.M. Coetzee and Australian Peter Carey. With this she also became the first British author, and the first woman, to achieve a double Booker Prize. Bring Up the Bodies is also the first sequel to win the prize. Bring up the Bodies and Wolf Hall are parts of a planned trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, the powerful and ambiguous chief minister to King Henry VIII.
Sharmila Tagore gets honorary degree from Edinburgh University

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Edinburgh Napier University for her outstanding contribution to Indian
Gavaskar to receive BCCIs lifetime achievement award

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar will be conferred the Col C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award at the annual BCCI awards function. The BCCI's Col C K
Narayana Murthy receives 2012 Hoover Medal

Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy has been conferred with the prestigious 2012 Hoover Medal in recognition of his philanthropic activities in India. Former US Presidents Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower and James Earl Carter are among some of the prominent recipients of this annual award established in 1930 to recognize great, unselfish and non-technical services by the engineers to humanity. Murthy was awarded with the prestigious award at the Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in Seattle. The 70th recipient of the award, Murthy was recognized for establishing a foundation that forges outstanding improvements in healthcare, social rehabilitation, rural uplift and education following his formation of Infosys, an innovative company that provides business consulting, technology, and engineering services in over 30 countries.
Man Booker Prize:

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded

cinema. The 67-year-old actress, who is the great grand-niece of noted poet Rabindranath Tagore, joined leading figures from the world of foreign affairs, education and almost 1000 students at the ceremony to collect the award. "It is indeed a privilege to be conferred an Honorary Degree by Edinburgh Napier University.
Sachin Tendulkar to be awarded Order of Australia membership

Sachin Tendulkar is set to another feather to his already crowded cap as Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on October 16 announced that the iconic Indian cricketer will be conferred the membership of the Order of Australia, an honour rarely awarded to non-Australians. Sachin Tendulkar will become only the second Indian after former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee to get the honour. Mr. Sorabjee was made an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to Australia-India bilateral legal relations in 2006. Tendulkar is not the first cricketer to be made an Order of Australia AM as in 2009, West Indies legend Brian Lara was also made an honorary member. Another West Indies legend, Clive Lloyd, is an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia, having been conferred the award way back in 1985. The righthanded Tendulkar, considered the finest batsman in contemporary cricket, has 15,533 runs in 190 Tests besides a mammoth 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs. accepted the award from director Shyam Benegal, said there comes a time in an artistes life when heor-she shies away from accolades and she was doing that in the past. However, this time she decided to accept since the honour was from her own fraternity, at an international film festival and in the 100th year of cinema. She dedicated the award to her colleagues in the film industry. Ms. Rehman has acted in 84 films in a career spanning six decades and has been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Is Ada Se Aaj' and 'Kafian Bulleh Shah'. During her career, Abida has been awarded both the 'Pride of Performance' and the 'Sitara-eImtiaz' by the Government of Pakistan.
Kahaani wins Best Film award in Fiji

Vidya Balan starrer 'Kahaani' has been named the best film at the International Film Festival in Fiji. The two-week long film festival, which was partnered with Indian High Commission and organized by Fiji National University and Film Fiji, was held in Labasa. The Indian feature and documentary films were also a part of festival where 'Kahaani' received the award in 'Best Film' category. The Fiji Film Festival featured a range of diverse international and local film entries including French, Russian, Middle Eastern films, Bollywood blockbusters and Bengali classics as well. These films were screened from all over the country from October 5 to 18.
British military dog gets posthumous medal

A British military dog who died in Afghanistan has been awarded the highest bravery award for an animal for finding hidden weapons and improvised explosive devices planted by the Taliban. Theo, a springer spaniel, died from an undiagnosed seizure hours after his handler Lance Corporal Tasker was killed on March 1, 2011 in a firefight. Theo worked for five months in Afghanistan with Royal Army Veterinary Corps, searching out roadside bombs. Theo has now been recognised with the Dickin Medal by the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). It is the highest award any animal can receive and is given for gallantry or devotion to duty in military conflict. The PDSA Dickin medal recognises that in finding IEDs and bomb-making equipment, Theo prevented soldiers and civilians
Waheeda Rehman conferred with the life achievement award

Waheeda Rehman was conferred with the life achievement award at the closing function of the 14th Mumbai Film Festival on October 25. The weeklong festival, during which over 200 films were screened, concluded with the screening of Pablo Bergers Blancanieves. Ms. Rehman, who
Pakistani singer Abida Parveen recieves lifetime achievement award

Sufi legend Abida Parveen was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by Kaladharmi Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal. Abida is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani singer of Sindhi descent and one of the foremost exponents of Sufi music. Her songs include mainly ghazals, Urdu love tracks and her forte, Kafis, a classical form of Sufi poetry. Some of her hits are 'Duma Dum Mast Qalandar', 'Teray Ishaq Nachaya', 'Latthe Di Chadar', 'Kuch

from being killed or wounded. Theo is the 64th animal to receive the PDSA Dickin Medal. Other recipients include 27 other dogs, 32 pigeons, three horses and a cat. protected areas category. The programme was hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.The award recognizes the outstanding models of biodiversity governance across the country. The award was actually presented at ministerial reception of Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. With the presentation of Award, the Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan announced that the India Biodiversity Awards will now be given annualy, to mark International Biodiversity Day on 22 May each year.
Gov. of Bangladesh Awarded Babu Jagjivan Ram with Friends of Liberation War Honour
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of India, Babu Jagjivan Ram was awarded with the Friends of Liberation War Honour by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution in the 1971 War. He was given the honour by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina and President of Bangladesh, Mohammad. Zillur Rahman. The award was received by Babuji's grandson, Anshul Avijit at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka. Anshul Avijit, is a journalist and academician and also the son of Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar. Babu Jagjivan Ram as the Defence Minister and chief strategist of India in 1971, helped in liberation of Bangladesh. He assured that the war for liberation of Bangladesh ended in the remarkably short time of 13 days.
Singham Bravery Awards

An Indian Police Service officer who was crushed to death by mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh and several security personnel who have laid down their lives fighting for the country were honoured posthumously with Singham Bravery Awards on October 20. The awards, instituted by All India Anti-Terrorist Front led by M. S. Bitta, were handed over to the bereaved families by reel-life Singham Ajay Devgn, film-maker Rohit Shetty and former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director-General K. Vijay Kumar. Narendra Kumar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, was crushed to death under a stone-laden tractor trolley belonging to the mining mafia in Chambal district of Madhya Pradesh on March 8 while on inspection.
First Ever India Biodiversity Award Presented in Hyderabad

The Government of India in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) announced Biodiversity award 2012 in Hyderabad on 17 October 2012. The winners of the awards were: Pir Jahania Jungle Suraksha Samiti from Odisha in the community stewardship category, Shankarpur Village Gram Panchayat from Maharashtra in the category of decentralised management, Van Utthan Sansthan from Rajasthan in the category of co-management and Periyar Tiger Reserve in the
Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu Awards

President of India Pranab Mukherjee with Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma on 5 October 2012 presented awards to exporters on the occasion of the presentation of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The President gave away 52 awards 46 Niryat Shree Awards was given to exporters for their performance in 12 different categories, which includes agriculture, plantation products; chemicals, drugs, pharmacy and allied products; engineering; gems and jewellery, handicrafts, carpets; textiles, leather, service providers; and 6 Niryat Bandhu Awards were given to Export Promotion Councils and Banks for their support to the exporting community. Among the Niryat Shree awardees that were presented a gold trophy was MIOT Hospitals Limited for being the highest foreign exchange earner in the country among all service providers. The award was received by company chairperson Mallika Mohandas. Reliance Industries was also awarded a gold trophy for earning the highest foreign exchange. PC Jewellers was awarded a silver trophy in the Gems and Jewellery category. In the Niryat Bandhu category for banks, the winners were Canara Bank which got gold trophy followed by Bank of India and Punjab National Bank getting silver and Bronze trophy respectively.
President Presents L.B. Shastri National Award

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferred on Smt. Tessy Thomas, the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Academics and Management: 2012 at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 1.
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methods have enabled this field of research to take the very first steps towards building a new type of super fast computer based on quantum physics, the academy said.
Nobel Prizes 2012

British, Japanese scientists win Nobel Prize for Medicine
Two scientists from different generations won the Nobel Prize in medicine on October 8 for the groundbreaking discovery that cells in the body can be reprogrammed to become completely different kinds, potentially opening the door to growing customized tissues for treatments.
European Union wins Nobel Peace Prize

The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe despite being in the midst of its biggest crisis since the bloc was created in the 1950s.
Lefkowitz, Kobilka win Nobel chemistry prize

Americans Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka won the 2012 Nobel Prize in chemistry on October 10 for studies of protein receptors that let body cells sense and respond to outside signals. Such studies are key for developing better drugs.
The work of British researcher John Gurdon and Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka who was born the year Mr. Gurdon made his discovery has raised hopes of developing transplant tissue to treat diseases like Parkinsons and diabetes. And it has spurred a new generation of laboratory studies into other diseases, including schizophrenia, that may lead to new treatments.
Haroche, Wineland win Nobel prize for physics

Frenchman Serge Haroche and American David Wineland have won the 2012 Nobel Prize in physics for inventing and developing methods for observing tiny quantum particles without destroying them. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited the two scientists for groundbreaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems. Their ground-breaking
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the two researchers had made ground breaking discoveries on an important family of receptors, known as G-protein-coupled receptors. About half of all medications act on these receptors, so learning about them will help scientists to come up with better drugs. The human body has about 1,000 kinds of such receptors, which let it respond to a wide variety of chemical signals, like adrenaline. Some receptors are in the nose, tongue and eyes, and let us sense smells, tastes and vision.
The Norwegian prize committee said the EU received the award for six decades of contributions to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The EU rose from the ashes of World War II, born of the conviction that ever-closer economic ties would make sure that century-old enemies never turned on each other again. Its now made up of 500 million people in 27 nations, with other nations lined up, waiting to join.
Two Americans win Nobel economics prize

Americans Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley were awarded the Nobel economics prize for research that helps explain the market processes at work when doctors are assigned to hospitals, students to schools and human organs for transplant to recipients. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited the two economists for "the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design". Roth, 60, is a professor at Harvard University in Boston. Shapley, 89, is a professor emeritus at University of California Los Angeles.
Mo Yan wins Nobel Prize for Literature

Chinese author Mo Yan has been awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for literature. The Swedish Academy praised his work which "with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contem porary". Mo Yan is the first Chinese resident to win the prize. Chineseborn Gao Xingjian was honoured in 2000, but is a French citizen. Mo is the 109th recipient of the prestigious prize.
News Makers Hyderabad Last Nizam Named All time Richest Indian
Osman Ali Khan the last Nizam of Hyderabad on 16 October 2012 was named in list of the 25 richest people across the world who ever lived by US website Celebrity Networth. Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam, who ruled Hyderabad between 1886-1967, was ranked sixth in world and the richest in India with $236 billion. He died in 1967 at age of 80. The list declared by US website Celebrity Networth was compiled after adjusting the fortunes of people across history for inflation. For example, $100 million in 1913 is equivalent to $2299.63 billion in 2012. As per the report, The 25 richest who ever lived had a combined fortune of $4.317 trillion, of which 14 are American.
Ajit Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women

Senior IAS officer Ajit M Sharan was appointed as Member Secretary in National Commission for Women (NCW) on 3 October 2012. Ajit Sharan is a 1979 batch officer of Haryana cadre. He is going to be in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also appointed Rajiv Mehrishi, an IAS officer of 1978 batch of the Rajasthan cadre, as Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in the vacancy of Parvez Dewan, a 1977 batch IAS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre. Rajiv Mehrishi is presently Special Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture.
Planet to visit in 2013 are San Francisco, Amsterdam, Hyderabad, Derry/Londonderry, Beijing, Christchurch, Hobart, Montreal, Addis Ababa and Puerto Iguazu. Earlier in 2011, New York Times rated Hyderabad among the 41 top destinations to visit in the world.
North East biggest mosque to be inaugurated in Shillong

The north-east biggest and a unique mosque is all set to be opened up for devotees for prayers from October 18. Named as Medina Masjid with an imposing and resplendent structure of glass dome and glass minarets. The four storey structure on the Umshyrpi College campus an institution run by Shilong Muslim Union (SMU), is an architectural marvel in itself. With 120-foot width and 61-footbreath, the building fitted with glittering glass work houses a mosque besides an orphanage, Islamic library and a Markaz (Islamic theological institute). At night the mosque is an eye catching spectacle as brilliant ligh work set the entire area glowing. The Shillong Muslim Union was formed in 1905 in erstwhile East Bengal, which stretched from Siliguri to Cox's Bazar and Chittagong to Dibrugarh. After India's partition in 1947, SMU narrowed down its activities to Assam. Since Meghalaya's formation in 1972, its activities have been limited to the state.
Places in News Hyderabad Named world Third Best City to Visit in 2013
The City of Hyderabad was named as World Third best city to visit in 2013 by Travel guide book Lonely Planet published on 22 October 2012. Hyderabad the capital city of Andhra Pradesh was described as "elegant and blossoming" by the Lonely Planet. The top 10 cities according to Lonely
Chavez re-elected to 6year term in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was re-elected on October 7 to a fourth term, which would bring his total years in office to 20, according to preliminary official results made public by the National Electoral Council. Mr. Chavez received 54.42 per cent of the votes with about 90 per cent of the ballots counted while Henrique Capriles, the unified opposition candidate, received 44.97 per cent. The results would secure Mr. Chavez another six-year mandate, taking his term of office through 2019.
Monisha Kalterborn Became the First Woman Team Principal in Formula one
Indian born, Monisha Kalterborn Became the First Woman Team Principal in Formula one on 11 October 2012 after taking the control of team Sauber, a swiss Formula one team with the stepping down of team founder Peter Sauber from day to day management. The news of Monisha Kalterborn appointment came after Peter Sauber made it clear that he did not wish to run the team, which he built more than fourty years ago. Monisha Kalterborn joined Sauber in 2000 as head of its legal department and has been its CEO since January 2010. Monisha secured her bachelors degree in law from the University of Vienna in 1995 and also holds a Masters degree in International Business Law from the London School of Economics which she did in 1996.
Science Snippets Humanoid Robot called Baxter designed in USA

A humanoid robot with common sense, designed to work safely alongside its human coworkers on factory production lines, was unveiled in the US. Baxter could apply common sense, adapt to its environment and be trained in less than 30 minutes to complete specific tasks. It is capable of superhuman speed and precision. To teach Baxter a new job, a human guides its arms to simulate the desired task, and presses a button to program in the pattern, the report said. The robot responds with a confused expression, if it does not understand.
New species of coelacanth fish discovered

Scientists have discovered a new species of coelacanth fish whose tiny pieces of fossil skull are 100 million years old. The coelacanth has one of the longest lineages, 400 million years, of any animal. The discovery, made in Texas, is significant because it is most closely related to vertebrates, including humans. The Southern Methodist University (Dallas) specimen is the first coelacanth in Texas from the Cretaceous (period), extending from 146 million years ago to 66 million years ago, said John F. Graf, the palaeontolgist who identified the fossil and named it Reidus hilli. Previously, the youngest was a 200 million-year-old coelacanth from the Triassic. Reidus hilli is the first coelacanth ever identified from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to a Southern Methodist statement. Coelacanth fossils have been found on every continent except Antarctica. The species has eluded extinction for 400 million years. Scientists estimate the coelacanth reached its maximum diversity during the Triassic. the gases that resulted in the formation of any particular star. Pulsars and quasars can also be identified by the telescope with an ease pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge of the mankind ahead of the physical laws of nature. The principle of radioastronomy can provide the details of the beginning of the universe. Basically the antennas of the telescope spread across the rocky terrain would be used for collection of the radio signals of the cosmic phenomenon. Being 50 times more powerful, when compared to other radio devices, it can easily detect the exploding stars. Hence can be of a great use in establishing the facts related to the formation of the universe that happened about 14 billion years ago. health freaks favourite. But its dengue-fighting properties have only recently been discovered. Chymopapin and papin-j enzymes in the papaya leafhelp revive platelet count, say experts. The juice has to be prepared from fresh papaya leaves. De-vein the leaves and grind the green, pulpy part into a paste. You can also use a mixer. The paste is very bitter and you would probably have to mix it with fruit juice. Doctors recommend 20-25 ml (about four to five teaspoons), twice a day, for at least a week to get the best results.
Australian Scientists unveiled the Colossal Radio Telescope

Australian Scientists on 5 October 2012 unveiled a colossal radio telescope with abilities of exploring the depths of universe with unparalleled precision. The telescope will increase the abilities of astronomers in mapping black holes, survey the universe, and cracking the new light across the galaxies to an exponential level. At present the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope having 36 antennas with diameter of 12 meters each is placed at the remote Murchison RadioAstronomy observatory in the deserts of West Australia. Designed and developed by making investments of Australian $ 140 million has facilities of surveying the sky at a much faster speed than any other telescope available in the world. The sensitive antennas of the telescope are quite sensitive to the faint radiations of Milky Way hence is able to detect the galaxies far away. The radio waves generated from this telescope can provide details of the cosmos far away and
Giant telescope with most advanced mirror to probe universe

Scientists have developed the most challenging astronomical mirror - ten times more powerful than any other ever made - for a giant telescope to explore the outer space and early universe. Researchers at the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory, University of Arizona and in California, working underneath a football stadium have been polishing an 8.4-meter diameter mirror with an unusual, highly asymmetric shape. By the standards used by optical scientists, the degree of difficulty for this mirror is 10 times that of any previous large telescope mirror.
Home cure for dengue

The juice of the humble papaya leaf has been seen to arrest the destruction of platelets that has been the cause for so many deaths due to dengue. Ayurveda researchers have found that enzymes in the papaya leaf can fight a host of viral infections, not just dengue, and can help regenerate platelets and white blood cells. Scores of patients have benefited from the papaya leaf juice, say doctors. Papaya has always been known to be good for the digestive system. Due to its rich vitamin and mineral content, it is a
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throughout its flight path. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have developed Prithvi-II for the Indian Air Force for deep interdiction and the missile can be armed with a nuclear warhead weighing 500 kg. In this flight, it carried conventional explosives. Prithvi-II is a user-friendly missile which has a completely guided trajectory. The SFC had earlier launched it on August 25, 2012 and the flight was successful. The Indian Army is already armed with the single-stage Prithvi-II, which uses liquid propellants. From July 2012 onwards the Strategic Forces Command had launched a series of strategic missiles including Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III. It is one of the five missiles that were developed under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. sodium food kits to clothing and computer hard drives. It's scheduled to return in late October with about 2,000 pounds of cargo, including scientific experiments and failed equipment that can be repaired and sent back The Dragon spacecraft is supposed to catch up with the space station early Wednesday. Station Commander Sunita Williams and Aki Hoshide from the Japanese Space Agency will use the robotic arm to grab Dragon and berth it to the station.
Defence India tests nuclearcapable ballistic missile Dhanush

India successfully test-fired nuclear capable Dhanush, the naval version of Prithvi short-range ballistic missile, from a warship off Odisha coast on October 5.
ISRO plans 58 space missions during 12th Plan

ISRO plans to launch 58 space missions, including sending spacecraft to moon and Mars, an exclusive satellite to keep a roundthe-clock watch on the country and deploy 500 transponders in the next five years. The space agency also aims to deploy its own version of the Global Positioning System by putting into orbit a constellation of seven satellites which would form the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS). According to the 12th Five Year Plan, approved by the Cabinet last week, the Indian Space Research Organisation plans to add 400 transponders to the existing 187 to meet the growing demand from DTH operators, satellite mobile communications and new generation broadband VSAT systems. An indicative plan outlay of Rs 39,750 crore for the 12th Plan has been made for the Department of Space. Missions initiated in the 11th Plan like Chandrayaan-II, Astrosat-1 and Aditya-1 are also expected to set forth on their respective destinations into space over the next five years. As part of ChandrayaanII, ISRO plans to land a rover on the lunar surface and put a satellite in an orbit around the moon. The mission is expected to be launched in 2014.
The indigenously deve loped naval version of the Prithvi short-range ballistic missile has a strike range of up to 350 km and can carry 500 kg of conventional or nuclear warhead. "Dhanush was test-fired from a naval ship off Odisha coast. The test was conducted by the strategic force command (SFC) of the Indian Navy. The trial was a complete success and all the mission objectives were accomplished. Developed by the DRDO, the missile is about 8.53 metre in length and 0.9 metre in diameter. This single stage missile uses liquid propellant.
Space Science First commercial cargo flight heading to International Space Station
The SpaceX rocket, the first commercial flight to the International Space Station, lifted off October 7 carrying an unmanned cargo capsule. The Falcon 9 rocket with its Dragon capsule launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. About 10 minutes into the flight, the Dragon separated from the rocket and was on its way to the space station. Mission control called it "a picture-perfect launch and a flawless flight of Falcon." It is is the first of a dozen NASA-contracted flights to resupply the International Space Station, at a total cost of $1.6 billion. The launch comes nearly five months after a demonstration mission in which a Dragon capsule successfully berthed at the station and returned to Earth. The unmanned capsule is packed with about 1,000 pounds of cargo -- everything from low-
Nuclear Capable Prithvi II Missile Sucessfully Test Fired

India on 4 October 2012 successfully test fired its indigenously developed, nuclearcapable ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range in Odisha. The missile was test fired by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. All the radars and electrooptical systems along the coast have monitored the missile
Summits International Conference of CAPAM

The three day International Conference of Commonwealth Association of Public Admini stration and Management (CAPAM) and the fourth Common Public Service Ministers Forum concluded at New Delhi on October 27 with a call for efficient and effective public administration that can enhance the role of just and honest government to spur socioeconomic and political development, leading to transfor mation of societies. The Ministers Forum agreed on the important role of public policy in improving governance and strengthening public admini stration in support of national development objectives and to meet international challenges. They acknowledged the need for developing countries to address challenges posed by a globalised economy, the competi tiveness of markets and the capability of member countries to retain their comparable advan tages. The three day CAPAM conference was attended by Ministers and senior officials from 21 countries besides India. The theme of the Conference was A Public Service Fit for the Future. During the conference learned scholars made important presentations on the challenges of good governance and public service excellence.
CoP - Leading the Way Forward

Following are the highlights of the CoP-11 Conference on Biodiversity concluded in Hyderabad on 19 October, 2012: Largest ever such conference organised in India. 170 countries participated. The number of pre registered delegates around 15000. Minister/Vice Minister level participation around 80. More than 400 side events many organised by the World Bank, UNDP, GEF, other countries and International and national NGOs. The elements of successful CoP were flawless logistics, strategic thinking in the development of Agendas content, participation of a large number of stakeholders and persuasive yet effective negotiations. One of the most important outcomes of the CoP is the commitment of the Parties to double the international financial flows for Bio Diversity by 2015. This will translate into additional financial flows to the developing countries to the tune of about US $ 30 billion equivalent to about Rs. 1,50,000 crore over the next 8 years. This is a major achievement especially in the context of . 1. Global economic downturn 2. Contentious stands regarding the robust baseline and the reporting mechanism 3. Absence of any such target in the recommendation sent to the CoP by WGRI 4. With no proposal from Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI) the Parties would not have come with the required clearance from the respective Finance Ministries. India rectified the situation by her initiatives 1. Suggested a two track solution envisaging a preliminary target and a road map. 2. Co sponsored informal dialogue to promote better Understanding among the parties of the issues involved. 3. Co sponsored India UK High Level Panel to assess the requirement of funds. 4. Worked closely with the Bureau to introduce a specific element of preliminary target, so that the parties come prepared with mandates from their Finance Ministries. 5. During the CoP India led the efforts of the Parties to find a satisfactory outcome briefed the other on their respective defence and security policies in the background of each countrys security environment. The next and the 3rd round of the India Japan 2+2 Dialogue will be held at New Delhi at a mutually convenient date. on Agriculture and Forestry meeting to showcase technologies of the region to further promote and intensify cooperation between India and ASEAN nations in agriculture, forestry and allied sectors. The Expo displays exhibits from different Indian institutes such as the test kit for detection of antibiotic residues in milk at dairy farm and new colour based test for anionic detergent in milk developed by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Exhibits from institutes of ASEAN countries are also on display at the Expo.
Second India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue held in Tokyo

The 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue was held in Tokyo on 22 October, 2012. These 2+2 consultations at Senior Official level are mandated by the Action Plan to Advance Security Cooperation concluded between India and Japan in December 2009. The first India- Japan 2+2 Dialogue was held at New Delhi in June 2010. The two countries
ASEAN- India Agri Expo

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar October 17 inaugurated the ASEAN-India Agri Expo along with Ministers and representatives of the ASEAN member countries. The Exposition has been organised concurrently with the Second ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting
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Committees PM constitutes National Committee on Direct Cash Transfers

The Union Government on 25 October 2012 constituted a National Committee on Direct Cash Transfers. The committee would be responsible to coordinate in development of the process for making the transfer of the cash directly to the individuals, being provided under different types of government schemes and programs. The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh would be the Chairperson of the committee and the group of members would include eleven Cabinet Ministers, two Ministers of State with independent charge, the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, the Chairman UIDAI, the Cabinet Secretary with the Principal Secretary to the PM as the convenor. The Prime Minister can invite some more officers, minister or any expert for the committees meet. The National Committee on Cash Transfers will be assisted by an Executive Committee on Direct Cash Transfers chaired by the Principal Secretary to PM and the Secretaries of the concerned Ministries and the DG UIDAI. The Secretary Planning Commission will be the convenor.
Shome Committee
The Parthasarathi Shome Committee report on General AntiAvoidance Rules (GAAR) has recommended the postponement of GAAR by three years and abolition of short-term capital gains tax.
Deaths King of romance Yash Chopra died

King of romance, master of the emotion-laden weepie and lover of beautiful people and beautiful locations are some of the terms being showered on Yash Chopra, who died on October 21.
Rangarajan panel recommends deregulation of sugar sector

The Rangarajan Committee in its latest report, submitted to the Prime Minister, recommended deregulation of the sugar sector, the only remaining industry that continues to be controlled by the government, by giving freedom to mills to sell sugar in the open market. It has also suggested doing away with the system of levy sugar, under which the mills are required to sell 10 per cent of their production to the government at below market price for running ration shops. Levy sugar is meant for distribution in the ration shops, while non-levy sugar is for sale in the open market. While other sectors of the economy have been freed, the sugar industry continues to remain under the government control, right from the level of production to distribution. The Centre fixes the quantity of sugar that mills can sell in the open market and ration shops. The industry has been for a long time demanding the government do away with the systems of regulated release mechanism and levy sugar obligations. The expert committee was set up by the Prime Minister to examine issues related to decontrolling the sugar sector.
Kelkar Committee
The Kelkar Committee was set up by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to chalk out a roadmap for fiscal consolidation. It was headed by Mr Vijay Kelkar, former Finance Secretary. The report was warned there is an urgent need to take immediate corrective measures to fix the fiscal deficit to prevent the economy from slipping in to a situation worse than 1991.
Chopras oeuvre tracks that arc, beginning with the aftermath of Partition and the effect it had on ordinary people to the lifestyles of the rich and famous who live as easily in London and Ludhiana, Jalandhar and New Jersey. At all times, however, they remain Punjabi and that too a certain kind of Punjabi living life king size, wearing their heart on their sleeves, hosting huge weddings and, sticking to Indian Traditions in which the women, pretty and gorgeously dressed, carried designer bags and let the men be men. Though the new generation will identify him with films like Chandni, Dil to Pagal Hai and Veer Zara all directed by him and blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), directed by his talented son Aditya but with the fathers unmistakable stamp on it, one must look way back into history to really understand the Yash Chopra journey.
Jaspal Bhatti died in a road accident

A pall of gloom descended on the streets in Chandigarh as word spread about the tragic demise of satirist and filmmaker Jaspal Bhatti, whose mortal remains were consigned to flames following his death in a road accident. Bhatti, who became popular with his satirical shows during the golden days of Doordarshan, was on a tour to promote his upcoming film 'Power Cut' when the accident took place.
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Economic Scenario Indian government debt jumped 3.6%

The government's debt in the July-September period in this financial year grew by 3.6 per cent to Rs 39,00,386 crore from Rs 37,63,264 crore in the previous quarter. The total public debt (excluding liabilities that are not classified under public debt) of the Government had grown by 5.2 per cent in April-June quarter. "This represented a Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) increase of 3.6 per cent (provisional) compared with an increase of 5.2 per cent in the previous quarter (Q1 of FY13)," the Quarterly Report on Debt Management released by the Finance Ministry said. Internal debt in July -September quarter constituted 90.4 per cent of public debt, compared with 89.6 per cent at the end of June. The internal debt at Rs 35,27,405 crore constituted 34.7 per cent of GDP. It was 33.2 per cent at end-June 2012. During the second quarter of the fiscal, liquidity conditions in the economy remained generally tight, though the deficit was within the Reserve Bank's stated comfort zone of about one per cent of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) of scheduled commercial banks. The net amount provided under Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) operations, the report added, witnessed some oscillations during the quarter. It further said that the cash position of the government during the second quarter was
AP ranks 4th in share of private investments

Andhra Pradesh ranks fourth in terms of share in the total private sector investments, including from foreign private players across India. A study by industry body Assocham revealed that the State had a share of over 8 per cent in the total private sector investments as of June this year. Gujarat, Odisha and Maharashtra with a share of 12.5 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 8.9 per cent, respectively, figure ahead of Andhra Pradesh. Out of the total outstanding investment of over Rs 12.3 lakh crore in the State, private sector accounts for over Rs 6.9 lakh crore, accounting for a share of 56 per cent, the study reveals. In fact, at the national-level, private sector investments account for a share of 86.6 per cent of the total outstanding investments. At the other end of the spectrum, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam, have the least share in Indias total private sector investment, which is even less than one per cent, the study said. generally comfortable and remained in positive territory for a major part of the period under review. Gross tax collections during the April-August at 26.4 per cent of budget estimates were higher than 25.8 per cent a year ago. In the direct taxes, collections from corporation tax and personal income tax at Rs 64,900 crore and Rs 58,249 crore, respectively, showed healthy growth rates of 25.8 per cent and 30.3 per cent against 13.9 per cent growth rate budgeted for each during FY13. Among the major indirect taxes, growth in collections from customs and excise duties decelerated to 3.4 per cent and 10.8 per cent, respectively, against budgeted growth rates of 22.0 per cent and 29.1 per cent. However, service tax collections increased by 33.5 percent during April-August 2012-13 as against BE growth rate of 30.5 per cent. the cost of new projects, if any, that may be approved by the Empowered Committee, (ii) continuing the Special Plan for the Kalahandi-BolangirKoraput (KBK) districts of Odisha in 2012-13 with an allocation of Rs.250 crore, and (iii) continuing the special package for implementing drought mitigation strategies in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in 2012-13 with an Additional Central Assistance of Rs.1400 crore.
Background:
The Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) is being finalized. The possibility of restructuring the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) including the District Component as well as the State Component for the period 2013-14 to 2016-17 is being considered. Pending completion of this exercise, it is necessary to continue the BRGF (District Component and State Component) in its present form in 2012-13. The district component of BRGF as well as the special plan for West Bengal and the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for selected tribal and backward districts under the State component of BRGF are already approved for continuation in 2012-13. Since the present approval to the special plan for Bihar, special plan for the
Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on October 25 approved the proposal for : (i) continuing the Special Plan for Bihar in 2012-13 with an allocation of Rs.1500 crore, based on the enhanced level of cost of Rs.9985.54 crore of all existing projects, revised cost of existing projects, and

KBK districts of Odisha and Bundelkhand package is valid only for the Eleventh Five Year Plan period i.e. 2011-12, it is now proposed to continue these programmes in 2012-13 in its present form. make dealing with construction permits easier for local firms since 2005. In the past year India established strict time limits for preconstruction approvals, reducing the time needed to process permit applications.
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earlier this year. BSE is also credited with launching the firstever live Carbon Index BSEGREENEX in India, earlier in 2012. The index measures the performances of companies in terms of carbon emissions. "BSE is committed to working with investors, companies and regulators in playing a transformative role towards enhancing sustainability in Indian capital markets.
India ranks 132nd in ease of doing business among 185 economies

India lags behind neighbours Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal in the rankings on ease in doing Business, despite carrying out most reforms since 2005, a survey by International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of World Bank shows. A new IFC and World Bank report- Doing Business- finds that India has improved the regulatory environment for local entrepreneurs more than any other economy in South Asia since 2005. In the past eight years India implemented a total of 17 institutional or regulatory reforms making it easier to do business. 'Doing Business' analyzes regulations that apply to an economy's businesses during their life cycle, including start-up and operations, trading across borders, paying taxes, and protecting investors. The aggregate ease of doing business rankings are based on 10 indicators and cover 185 economies. But in terms of ranking, India lags Sri Lanka ( 81), Maldives (95) and Bangladesh (129) and is ranked 132 globally in terms of doing business. The report finds that India is the first economy in the region to
BSE joins UN's Sustainable Stock Exchanges global initiative

The Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd (BSE) announced that it has joined the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative. The SSE initiative was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi in 2009 at UN headquarters in New York City. The BSE has been the first amongst global peers to join five other leading exchanges that have publicly committed to promoting sustainable investment practices. Other exchanges include the Brazilian stock exchange BM & FBOVESPA, Egyptian Exchange (EGX), Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and NASDAQ OMX made a commitment towards improving sustainability at the Sustainable Stock Exchanges 2012 global dialogue in Rio de Janeiro
More powers to FMC

In a reforms boost to the commodity futures market, the Union Cabinet, on October 4, cleared amendments to the Forward Contract (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill, 2010, which provides for autonomy and power to the regulator. The amendments are based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs. The Act provides for regulation of futures markets in India and establishment of the Forward Markets Commission. The Bill was meant to give more teeth to the regulator and also benefit farmers, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs K.V. Thomas told journalists after the Cabinet meeting.
India among fastest growing Internet market

India is among the top three fastest growing Internet markets in the world, a study by industry body Assocham and ComScore has said. "Among the Bric nations, India has been the fastest growing market adding over 18 million Internet users and growing at an annual rate of 41 percent," the study said. The Internet user base in the country is approximately 125 million, the study added. "China added over 14 million users to reach 336 million Internet users by the end of July 2012. Russia and India show similar trends in online usage patterns along with similarities in e-commerce and payment types," it said. India is also among the top three fastest growing markets worldwide in the last 12 months, the study said. The top five popular categories accessed online are social networking, portals, search, entertainment and news sites, the study said. "Out of the approximate 125 million Internet user base, the female population accounts for almost 40 percent," it added. The study said the average transaction size online in India across both travel and retail category is USD 31 between April-June 2012. This amount is set to increase with consumer confidence in buying high priced products in the coming months, it said.
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RBI Expanded the Lending Norms on Priority Sectors

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 18 October 2012 extended the lendings on the Priority sectors like housing, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and expanded the scope of bank loans for these sectors up to 2 crore Rupees. These ammendments would be in effect from 20 July 2012. The banks were permitted by the central bank to offer loans up to an aggregate limit of 2 crore Rupees, to corporate that includes farmers producer companies, cooperatives and partnership firms of famers indulged in agricultural and allied activities including animal husbandry, bee-keeping, dairy, fishery and sericulture. The Priority loan would also be made available for pre-harvest and post-harvest activities like weeding, spraying, grading, harvesting and sorting. Export Credit loans for exporting ones own farm produce would also be made available. The lending scheme fulfills the criterion mentioned under the MSMED Act2006. Bank loans to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) those are engaged in providing services would be eligible for the direct finance of up to 2 crore Rupees per borrower per unit under priority sector. In case the loan amount per borrower increases the limit of 2 crore rupees, than it can be considered as the indirect finance for agriculture.
Union Cabinet Approved setting up of National Automotive Board

The Union Cabinet on 18 October 2012 gave its nod for setting up of the National Automotive Board (NAB). The body will be responsible for promoting the research and development activities of the industry and act as a facilitator in between the industry and the government. NAB would also be responsible as a specialized body to promote sustainable development of the Nations Auto Sector along with skill development for the automobile sector.
19th livestock census report by Aug 2013

The 19th livestock census will be completed by November-end in all the States and the final report will be presented by August 2013, the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) said. The livestock census is conducted once in five years. The last census report was finalised in 2007.The 19th livestock census was launched on September 15 except in Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir. The census will be completed in all the States by November-end and the final report will be presented by August 2013, CSO Director-General S. K. Das told. At present, information about livestock population has been collected in 18 States and the process is midway in the remaining 17 States.
India topples Thailand as world's largest rice exporter

India has the emerged as the world's largest rice exporter in 2012 beating its Asian counterpart Thailand with shipment of 9.75 million tonnes, according to USDA's latest report. Thailand was the top rice exporter with exports of 10.65 million tonnes in 2011.
However, its volume slipped to 6.5 million tonnes in 2012. "On the export side, India's exports were raised 1.75 million tonnes to a record 9.75 million tonnes based on a record pace of shipments to date and larger supplies. This makes India the largest rice exporter in 2012, a first for India," the USDA report said. India is followed by Vietnam, which shipped 7 million tonnes of rice, Thailand (6.5 million tonnes), Pakistan (3.75 million tonnes) and the US (3.5 million tonnes), it added. India moved to the top slot from the third place in 2011 buoyed by record production of 104.32 million tonnes on the back of good monsoon rains. The US agency said with India's shipments rising this year it had to revise its global trade estimates upwards by 1.85 million tonnes. "Global trade for 2012 was raised 1.85 million tonnes to a record 37.7 million tonnes, with India accounting for the bulk of the upward revision in exports," it said. The global rice production in 2012 is estimated at 464.87 million tonnes in 2012. India is the world's largest grower.
South Africa agrees to host planned development bank for BRICS

South Africa indicted that it was ready to host a planned development bank for the BRICS grouping of five emerging economies, including India. Officials from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are working on feasibility studies for the creation of a BRICS bank expected to mobilise resources for infrastru c t u r a l develop m e n t projects in developing nations.
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annihilated the Lions with eight fours and five sixes in his 42-ball 82 while Haddin blasted four boundaries and a six in his 33-ball 37. The opening duo was particularly harsh on Chris Morris and Aaron Phangiso as the two conceded 54 in just four overs. The Sydney Sixers became the second Australian team, after New South Wales Blues to win the Champions League. They were tested by the Nashua Titans in the second semi-final but apart from that, they have been outstanding throughout the tournament. The Sixers take away the trophy, Lumb takes away the Golden Bat and Mitchell Starc takes away the Golden Wicket. Man-of-the-match: M. Lumb; Man-of-the-tournament: M. Starc.
Sports Pankaj Advani wins Billiards world title (Time format)

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani proved his class once again as he notched up his seventh World Billiards Championship title after comprehensively beating defending champion and seasoned Englishman Mike Russell in the final. The celebrated cueist stamped his dominance with 1895-1216 win. title rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Mark Webber of Red Bull, who had to relinquish second place late in the race with problems with the Kers power boost system. Alonso led Vettel by 39 points but the German turned the deficit into a 13-point lead into the final three races with victories in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and India. Vettel has 240 points to Alonsos 227, with Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus (173) and Webber (167) with only a mathematical chance. McLarens Lewis Hamilton (165) and Jenson Button (141) are now officially out of the title race after coming fourth and fifth, respectively.
Minatsu Mitani wins French Open Title

Minatsu Mitani of Japan shocked World No. 3 Saina Nehwal of India to record a sensational 2119, 21-11 win in the 39-minute final of the French Open Super Series womens singles in Paris on October 28. Mitani created history of sorts by becoming the first Japanese woman player ever to win the French Open, which also for the first time has not featured any Chinese player in the final. This performance also meant that Mitani denied Saina Nehwal what could have been her third straight titletriumph in Super Series this year having won the Indonesian and the Denmark editions earlier.
This is the eighth overall world title for Pankaj and his seventh in billiards. His first world title in billiards came in 2005 when he created history by becoming the first cueist ever to win the Timed and Points format of the IBSF World Billiards Championship in the same year, a feat he repeated in 2008. He also won the IBSF World Billiards Championship (Timed Format) in 2007 and won World Professional Billiards title 2009. The only active player to compete at the highest level in both Billiards and Snooker, Pankaj made the tough choice of picking the World Billiards Championship over International Snooker Champion ships due to a clash in the dates of the two tournaments.
Sydney Sixers win 2012 Champions League Twenty20

Sydney Sixers produced a clinical all-round display to clinch the Champions League Twenty20 title with a thumping 10-wicket victory over Highveld Lions in a lopsided summit clash at Johannesburg on October 28. Sixers first rode on a brilliant bowling display by spinner Nathan McCullum (three for 24) and pacer Josh Hazlewood (three for 22) to dismiss Lions for a modest 121 after electing to field. The Australian side overhauled the target with 7.3 overs to spare, thanks to some powerful hitting by openers Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin who added 124 runs. Lumb
Rupesh claim World billiards title (point frame)

Rupesh Shah became only the fifth Indian cueist to lift the world title twice after he beat Australias Matthew Bolton 6-2 in the final of the World billiards (point frame) at Leeds. Rupesh had earlier defeated big guns like Mike Russell (in quarterfinals), and Peter Gilchrist (in semifinals).
Vettel wins Indian Grand Prix

Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel had a lonely race from pole to the chequered flag at the Indian Grand Prix as the German took another step towards a Formula One title hat-trick. Vettel got his fourth victory in a row, a first for him, ahead of
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Saina clinches Denmark Open title

Saina Nehwal came up with a near flawless performance to notch up an impressive 21-17, 218 win over Juliane Schenk of Germany in the 35-minute final of the Denmark Super Series badminton championship.
Sun TV Network wins new IPL franchise bid

Sun TV Network has won the Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League for an amount of Rs 85.05 crores per year, putting an end to the process of finding a new team in the wake of the controversial termination of cash-strapped Deccan Chargers. The IPL Governing Council met in Mumbai to open the bids for the new IPL franchise and Sun TV was found to have the highest bid amount. The SUN TV Network bid was substantially higher than the second bid of PVP Ventures, which was Rs 69.03 crores. The BCCI had floated the tenders for a new IPL franchise after terminating Deccan Chargers' contract on 15th September but the team owners DCHL had challenged it at the Bombay High Court.The High Court had ruled in favour of the BCCI after Deccan Chargers Holdings Limited failed to furnish bank guarantee of Rs 100 crore before October 12 5pm deadline. DCHL then approached the Supreme Court which, however, declined on 19th October to interfere with the High Court decision which had set aside the status quo order passed by the arbitrator. 7, 7- 6 ( 13/ 11), 6- 3 victory in the Shanghai Rolex Masters final. With the winning of match Novak Djokovic became the first player to win seven of the nine ATP World Tour 1000 Masters events Also in the Doubles Category, Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek won the Shanghai Rolex Double title by defeating Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna. Novak Djokovic has won five Grand Slam singles titles: the 2008, 2011, and 2012 Australian Open; the 2011 Wimbledon Championships; and the 2011 US Open. By winning three Majors in 2011, Djokovic became the sixth male player in the open era to win three Majors in a calendar year. He is the first male player representing Serbia to win a Major singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events, separately and consecutively. at Doha Asian Games, Rana would be entitled for a salary of 50,000 rupees per month.
The World No. 4 from India was in irresistible form against an opponent who threatened to pose much bigger challenge than many of the opponents lined up in this event against Saina did to level the scores nine-all 10-all at one stage. Saina, playing in her maiden tournament after her bronze-medal winning performance in the 2012 London Olympics, ensured that her return to the big league ended on a triumphant note. Playing without the chief national coach and her mentor Pullela Gopi Chand, the 22-yearold Hyderabadi was just too good for the German opponent, winner of the World championship bronze in 2011 and who ironically finished runner-up in four events this year. The final point of the match when Schenk did not attempt to return the serve from Saina was in a way symbolic of the total domination of the ace Indian shuttler. On the other hand for Saina, this was her sixth Super Series title overall and second this year after the Indonesian Open win.
Olympic Shooter Vijay Kumar Named Services Best Sportsman

London Olympic Shooter and silver medalist Vijay Kumar on 19 October 2012 was honoured with the Services Best Sportsman award for 2012 at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi The award which include trophy and cash award of one lakh rupees is generally given to the best sportsman from the three defence forces of Army, Air Force and Navy. Vijay Kumar is the current world number and had earlier won three gold medals and one silver medal at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. Vijay Kumar won a silver medal at the July-August 2012 London Games in the individual 25 metre rapid fire pistol. Vijay Kumar is from Barsar village of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh and is presently a serving Subedar Major in the Dogra Regiment (16th Battalion) of the Indian Army. He was also awarded with Arjuna Award in 2007 and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2011-12 by the Government of India.
Novak Djokovic won Shanghai Masters

Novak Djokovic beated British Tennis Player Andy Murray, on 14 October 2012 saving five match points to seal a stunning 5-
NRAI appointed Jaspal Rana as Junior Pistol Chief Coach

National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) on 15 October 2012 appointed Jaspal Rana as the chief coach for the Junior Pistol Shooters. The triple Gold Medallist
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National Round-Up 16 States Sign Tripartite Agreements for Laying Digital Highways
The Minister of Communications & IT Sh. Kapil Sibal on October 26 called the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) ---a project, which would connect all the 2, 50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) in two yearsas a paradigm shift which would transform the way India works. Sh Sibal was speaking at a function in New Delhi where 13 State governments and 3 Union territories signed tripartite Memorandums of Understanding for free Right of Way (RoW) with the Central Government and Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL--the SPV incorporated for execution of the project). Calling it the end of distance, the Minister said from people reaching out to the government we have now come to the government reaching out to the people. He emphasized that the content that would be riding on the virtual highway would be equally important, and its success would lay on it being accessible and affordable to the common man. Sh Sibal said it is now upto the State governments to digitize all data, and make it interoperable not just within the state but also inside the country. In all 1,40,727 Gram Panchayats will get covered by Optical Fibre Network in these States and UTs.
Infant Mortality Rate Reduced to 44 Per 1000 Live Births during 2011
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped by 3 points from 47 to 44 infant deaths per 1000 live births during 2011. As per October 2012 bulletin of the Sample Registration System (SRS) released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), the IMR for rural areas has dropped by 3 points from 51 to 48 infant deaths per 1000 live births while the Urban rate now stands at 29 from the previous 31/1000. Among the states, Goa and Manipur have the lowest IMR of 11 infant deaths followed by Kerala with 12 infant deaths per 1000 live births. Madhya Pradesh has the highest IMR of 59/1000 followed by UP and Odisha with 57/1000 IMR. Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Meghalaya have IMRs more than the national average of 44. It may be mentioned that the Sample Registration System (SRS) is a large-scale demographic survey for providing reliable annual estimates of birth rate, death rate and other fertility & mortality indicators at the national and sub-national levels. At present, SRS is operational in 7,597 sample units (4,433 rural and 3,164 urban) spread across all States and Union territories and covers about 1.5 million households and 7.35 million population. Indian Cinema (NMIC). The Museum would be located in the Films Division Complex, Dr. G. Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai and is predicted to come up by June 2013. The development of the museum was planned to mark the occasion of Indian Cinema that will complete its 100 years of journey from the day of first screening of Raja Harishchandra in 1913. messaging and cable television, among others. (b) Penalties to be enhanced to a maximum of three years of imprisonment and fine of between 50000 to 100000 Rupees for first conviction, and imprisonment of not less than two years, but which may extend to seven years, and a fine between 100000 Rupees to 500000 Rupees for second conviction. (c) Police officers not below the rank of Inspectors authorized to carry out search and seizure, in addition to State and Central Government officers authorized by the State or Central Government. The Act was enacted in 1986 to prohibit the indecent representation of women through advertisement, publication, writing, and painting or in any other manner. With the increased use of advanced technology and communication devices in everyday life, the Government felt the scope of the Act should be amended. The amendments were introduced after consultations with stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society organisations, on the draft Bill.
Union Cabinet Approved Amendment of Indecent Representation of Women Act

The Union Cabinet on 11 October 2012 approved the introduction of Amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in Parliament under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The amendments proposed are as: (a) Broaden the scope of the law to cover the audio-visual media and material in electronic form which includes Internet, satellite-based communi cation, multi-media
Mumbai to have First Museum of Indian Cinema

Films Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India on 16 October 2012 announced its plan of establishing a National Museum of
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of the state on 7 October 2012. In the last two surveys conducted in the year 2005 and 1982, the population of this species recorded was 1,600 and 4000 to 5000 respectively. making the country free from open defecation.The yatra will begin from Wardha District of Maharashtra from 3 october 2012 and will go through Indore, Kota, Gwalior, and Gorakhpur and end up in Bettiah district of Bihar on November 17, covering about 2000 km of distance. The Indian Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is the brand ambassador of the campaign.
Arvind Kejriwal Launched Bijli Paani Satyagrah

Indian Social activist Arvind Kejriwal on 6 October 2012 launched a Bijli-Paani Satyagraha in New Delhi to protest against inflated power and water bills and hike in tariffs by restoring electricity connection to the household of a labourer which was disconnected for non-payment of bills. The protest was launched at Tigri Colony in New Delhi where Kejriwal and his supporters restored the power connection of the labourer. The labourer claimed that he got a bill for Rs 15000 last month and connection disconnected as he could not pay it. Arvind Kejriwal told the masses to Stop paying electricity and water bills till Delhi government withdraws tariff hikes.
Construction of Tunnel across Jojila Pass on Srinagar-Leh highway Started

In Jammu and Kashmir, an ambitious project of constructing 6.5 kilometre long tunnel across Jojila Pass on Srinagar- Leh highway started on 4 October 2012. The project on its completion will make Srinagar - Leh road an all weather road and fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Laddakh region. The tunnel project fulfills the long term demand of people in Laddakh region.
Oldest Voter, Highest Polling Booth in Himachal Pradesh

The Election Commission has identified Sh. Shyam Saran Negi as oldest voter in Himachal Pradesh (HP). Sh. Negi, aged 95, lives in Kalpa Tehsil, District Kinnaur. H.P. Sh. Negi retired from Government Primary School in 1975 and his family includes wife, four sons and five daughters. Sh. Negi was among the first to cast his vote in independent Indias first Election in October 1951, of H.P. State Legislative Assembly from 10- Chini Assembly Constituency later renamed as Kinnaur. At that time, election in snow-bound 10- Chini (now Kinnaur) was held ahead of other places in the State. Interestingly, the worlds highest Polling booth will also be located in H.P. at the height of 15000 ft above sea level. This Polling Station will be at Hikkam in Lahaul & Spiti Assembly Constituency located on motorable road. The Hikkam Polling Station will serve 333 voters, comprising 180 male & 153 female voters.
Save Ganga, Save Dolphin campaign initiated in Uttar Pradesh

Save Ganga, Save Dolphin, the three day campaign was initiated on 5 October 2012 by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department in association with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The team also included local volunteers and 14 NGOs. The campaign was a state-initiative to create awareness to conserve the Gangetic Dolphins one of the critically endangered species of the Gangetic River System. These dolphins are scientifically named as Platanista Gangetica. To cover a distance of about 2,800 kilometers in the Gangetic River System that flows within the state, 18 boats were flagged off by Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh, the Transport Minister of the state. The campaign that also aims at identifying the population of the dolphins in the river system and it ended with the declaration by Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister
Ministry of RD Launched Nirmal Bharat Yatra

Ministry of rural development on3 October 2012 started a campaign named Nirmal Bharat Yatra which focuses on
5 October observed as Dolphin Day in Bihar

Bihar on 5 October 2012 observed Dolphin Day. This day was observed in wake of spreading awareness for conservation of the Gangetic Dolphins the rare and endangered species that is found only in the Gangetic River System and its Tributaries. Bihar that observed the World Wildlife Week from 2 to 8 October 2012, decided to observe 5 October as Dolphin Day every year. Sushil Kumar Modi, the Deputy Chief Minister of the state on this occasion declared that the state will come up with a Dolphin Watch Center at places where these rare aquatic species are seen.
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Brahma Chellaney is going to be honoured with $20,000 prize money at a special event to be held at Asia Society's headquarters in New York City. The book Water: Asia's New Battleground" by Brahma Chellaney was selected from nearly 90 nominations submitted by US and Asia-based publishers for books published in 2011. Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Book Award was established in 2009 and is the only award that recognizes non-fiction books for their outstanding contributions to the understanding of contemporary Asia or US-Asia relations. second on the Index with a few other cities as a place to bargain for a good price. The national Capital also scored well on climate and tourist sites, however, its performance was held back by the quality of public transport and the cost of some luxury items such as watches and electrical goods. Global Blue's expanded Globe Shopper Index adds 25 AsiaPacific cities to the existing 33 European cities and ranks them on the experience they provide to international travel shoppers. The rankings are based on five categories covering shops, affordability, convenience, hotels and transport and culture and climate.
Rajat Gupta Got Two Year Jail For Inside Trading

Rajat Gupta, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) director and McKinsey & Co. Managing director on 25 October 2012 was sentenced to two years in prison for passing inside tips to his business partner. Rajat Gupta was convicted in June 2012 on three counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy. It was alleged by the US prosecutors that Rajat Gupta used his positions on the boards of Goldman and Procter & Gamble, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, to pass information to hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam, who then drew millions of dollars in profit from trading on it. Rajat Gupta, the Indiaborn businessmen in the US who was considered to be an icon is now being called "deceptive and dishonest" after his conviction on insider trading charges.
Delhi among 10 most attractive cities for global shoppers in Asia-Pacific region
Delhi figures among the 10 most attractive cities for international travel shoppers in the Asia-Pacific region, a report says. Delhi came tenth in the Globe Shopper Index, published by Global Blue. A few points behind Seoul and ahead of Manila, while Bangalore ranked fourteenth and Mumbai sixteenth. The length of the city's sales seasons also helped Delhi to a good score. The sales seasons last more than 13 weeks of the year in Delhi, the fourth longest of the cities on the Index. In Delhi, globe shoppers have good opportunities for bargaining and the city ranked
Saibaba Sansthan bans its staff from using mobile phones

The Shri Saibaba Sansthan has banned its staff and security men from using mobile phones after it was found that this caused negligence of their duties. Several Sansthan employees have links to outside businesses and they also facilitate 'darshan' of rich VIPs. After the ban, such activities will be reduced. Earlier, the Sansthan had banned using mobiles in temple premises, but employees and security men failed to maintain the ban, forcing it to impose the ban on its staff and security men.
International rubber conference

The International Rubber Research and Development Board will hold its annual meetings 2012 and the tenth annual rubber conference at Kovalam. The conference will be held from October 29 to November 2. The conference will have technical deliberations focusing on challenges to rubber industry and farm mechanisation. Annual meetings include those of directors, chief executive officers and liaison officers of international board.
Indira Gandhi International Airport Got International Certification

The Indira Gandhi International Airport operator, Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) on 22 October 2012 got an ISO 20000 international certification for eliminating and controlling information technology-related threats. With the getting of ISO certification, Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) became the sixth airport operator to receive the ISO 20000 certification in IT Service Management System (ITSMS) after Dubai, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Incheon and Hyderabad. ISO 20000-1:2011 is a service management system (SMS) standard which specifies requirements for the service provider to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and improve an SMS.
Brahma Chellaney won Bernard Schwartz Award

India's leading strategic thinker and analyst, Brahma Chellaney on 25 October 2012 won the 2012 Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Book Award for his recently published book Water: Asia's New Battleground .
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Global Hunger Report 2012

The report on Global Hunger Index for seventh year was released on 11 October 2012 by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide. The basic theme of the report for the 2012 Global Hunger Index -- The Challenge of Hunger: Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under Land, Water, and Energy Stresses. IFPRI that calculated the global hunger Index analysed the measures based upon multidimensional angles. The published report have shown a proportional growth in hunger reduction of people worldwide but recorded the progress speed was tragically slow and alarming. The report in its findings recorded twenty countries across the world mainly from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to be highly alarming and have highest level of hunger, and showcased the sufferings of millions of poor. As per the report, the nations that had showcased an absolute progress between 1990 Global Hunger Index to 2012 Global Hunger Index were Bangladesh, Angola, Malawi, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Niger, and Vietnam. Whereas there are 15 countries that have managed to reduce it by 50 percent or more. As per the report, India instead of its fast paced economic growth in past two decades has lagged behind in improving its record in Global Hunger Index chart. In the list of 79 countries in the global Hunger
India's milk output may touch new high of 135 mn tonne next year
India's milk production, highest in the world, is estimated to touch a record 135.5 million tonne next year on firming domestic demand and better prices, a study has said. It is expected to be sufficient to meet the local demand, and there may not be significant export volumes of skimmed milk powder (SMP) even as the ban has been lifted on the same in June 2012. "As a result of strong prices, active government support, and growing demand, USDA forecasts 2013 calendar year fluid milk production at a record 135.50 million tonnes, 5 per cent more than 2012," the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in its latest report. Similarly, production of butter and ghee is estimated to increase by 5 percent to 4.75 million tonnes next year. While fluid milk production is expected to continue increasing in 2013, production of non-fat dry milk (NFDM) is only expected to face marginal increases due to large stocks carried over from this year, it added. USDA also noted, "This estimate may fluctuate slightly in response to fodder availability and overall monsoon conditions in 2013." India accounts for about 17 percent of the world's total dairy production, and consumes almost all of it. The report highlighted that over the last several years, India has experienced strong growth in demand for dairy products, which is estimated to be 6-8 percent annually, approximately twice the growth rate of supply. Index, India was ranked 65th behind China that was placed at 2nd place position, Pakistan at 57th and Sri Lanka at 37th position. The report also points out the three countries Bangladesh, India and Timor-Leste constitutes to the highest occurrence of underweight children under the age group of five years, which records to more than 40 percent in each country. India was ranked second with 43.5 percent of the children less than five underweight in the list of the 129 countries compared for underweight child, after TimorLeste. Countries like Ethiopia, Niger, Nepal and Bangladesh followed the chart. poliovirus transmission continues anywhere in the world," says Dr Ajay Khera, Deputy Commissioner at the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while pointing out that among the remaining polio endemic countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, two of them are with close proximity to India. Regular Polio immunisation is being carried out at five border points along the Indo-Pak border, at Baramulla and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, Attari and Wagah in Punjab and Munabo in Rajasthan. To raise public awareness on the ravages of polio and garner support for eradication efforts, World Polio Day will be observed tomorrow across the globe. The health ministry, along with its partners in World Health Organisation (WHO), Unicef and Rotary International, are taking special efforts across the country, particularly in the high-risk areas and among high-risk groups for polio - such as migrant and mobile populations to ensure they are reached with polio vaccines.
India gearing up to be declared polio free by 2014

Having made unpreced ented progress in polio eradication, India is now gearing up to be declared polio free by 2014 by guarding itself against the import of polio virus from neighbouring countries and by boosting routine immunisation. "However, the risk of polio persists as long as
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The gathered represen tatives of 193 countries decided that the developed countries would double the biodiversity-related international funds by 2015, using a baseline figure of the average annual national spending on biodiversity between 2006 and 2010. Back-of-the-envelope calculations peg it to be around $12 billion. The decision took a longdrawn argument with the UK, EU and Canada besides some other developed countries, Indian negotiators said. Union environment and forests minister Jayanthi Natarjan was engaged in several closed-door parleys to convince the developed nations to give into the demand. In a meeting that saw the North-South cleave get deepen, the rich countries demanded that the developing world first make a firmer assessment of needs and also develop elaborate reporting framework before funds are committed. The African nations, particularly, along with several other developing countries like Brazil saw this as a delaying tactic after promises were made last year that rich countries would pledge money at Hyderabad. The last-minute deal also included the decision that greater number of countries would incorporate biodiversity-related concerns in their financial and development plans. All parties agreed to substantially increase domestic expenditures for biodiversity protection over the same period. These targets are not to be reviewed in 2014. In another significant decision, the countries decided to classify marine areas on basis of their ecological or biological significance. This classification is expected to feed into the larger UN process of creating a new global treaty for conservation of biodiversity in international waters. The meet also decided to keep track of and follow the precautionary principle in studying the impact of the new emerging science of synthetic biology an advancement over the existing genetically modified technologies.
International Round-Up India and Spain Sign MoU on Roads and Road Sector
Memorandum of Under standing between India and Spain on Roads and Road Transport Sector was signed by the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Minister of Railways, Dr. C.P.Joshi and visiting Spain Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ms. Ana Pastor Julin at New Delhi on October 26. The objective of MOU include promoting efficient and environmentally sustainable transport systems and to institutionalize a technical and scientific cooperation in the fields of road infrastructure, construction, maintenance and management of roads. It will also include exchange of information between Government officials and specialists of the Highway Departments in the field of transportation by road, and promote and develop the relations between enterprises (consultancy, engineering and road transport service provider companies) to enable transfer of technology in the field of road and road transport.
Tea Board of India Joined hand with European Tea Committee

Tea Board of India Signed a joint Communique with European tea Committee on 17 October 2012. It was agreed with signing of communiqu that both the oraganisation will cooperate and work together in distributing information about the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) registration and its implications in Germany and other tea consuming
India convinces rich nations to commit $12 billion biodiversity conservation

India, backed by vociferous developing countries, ultimately convinced the rich world to double the international funds for conserving biodiversity in the developing world by 2015. The decision was taken at the annual meeting of the UN Convention on Biodiversity, after hard-nosed negotiations with the European Union and some other countries drew the meeting into extra time.
Cultural Carnival to Celebrate Six Decades of IndoGerman Ties

The German Ambassador to India, Michael Steiner on 19 October 2012 announced the event named Indo-German Urban Mela scheduled to start from 27 October 2012 at Delhi. The celebrations are the part of Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities. The nine-day cultural extravaganza that is scheduled to be held at Indraprastha Millenium Park that is meant for commemorating the sixty years of German and Indian ties. The Carnival that is named as Indo-German Urban Mela is partnered by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and other business organizations from Germany and India and aims towards achieving a holistic exchange, of culture, science, entertainment and technology. Before this the Mela travelled through Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai and has followed its journey to the largest show in the capital.

countries within the European Union. Now with the implemen tation of PGI, tea produced only in Darjeeling can be labelled and sold as Darjeeling Tea within the territory of European Union.
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President of Mauritius to be the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The President of Mauritius, Shri Rajkeshwur Purryag will be the Chief Guest of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention, which will be held from 7 to 9 January, 2013 in Kochi. Addressing a press conference here today, Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs said that since the centenary of the Gadar Movement is being celebrated in 2013, the PBD Oration will be on the Gadar Movement and an exhibition on this will also be organized during PBD-2013. He said that PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and the PBD-2013 will be focusing on more connectivity with overseas Indians. He further said that Kerala will be the partner State of the 11th PBD, which would provide the Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture and potential of the State. Kerala has been chosen as the host for the convention since Keralites constitute one of the largest expatriate communities of India. He expressed the hope that more than 2000 delegates would participate in PBD-2013 from all over the world. meeting of finance ministers in Luxembourg. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) will have a full lending capacity of 500bn euros (400bn; $650bn) by 2014. It will initially run alongside, and then eventually replace, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Europe's largest economy, Germany, will make the biggest contribution to the fund, about 27% of its total. The ESM, which is a new European Union agency, will be chaired by Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and chair of the Eurogroup. added 86,000 more jobs in July and August than initially estimated. Alan Krueger, Mr. Obamas Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said the jobs report provides further evidence that the economy is continuing to heal.
India and New Zealand Sign Arrangement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation
India and New Zealand October 17 signed the Arrangement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation. The document was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh and Minister of Economic Development and Tertiary Education Mr. Steven Joyce of New Zealand by Secretary Civil Aviation K.N, Shrivastava and High Commissioner of New Zealand to India Ms. Jan Henderson. Under the Arrangement the two countries will promote and support the development of training and technical cooperation in the field of Civil Aviation. The type of cooperative activities will include civil aviation programmes; sending and receiving experts or instructors for training purposes; acceptance of licenses; acceptance of aeronautical products including but not limited to aircraft, engines, propellers and parts, and aviation services; organization of seminars; exchanging information on activities, policies, practices and laws and regulations concerning civil aviation, including but not limited to safety and environmental matters; and visits and exchanges of technical personnel or other experts. A Joint committee of the two countries will be formed to determine and oversee mutually acceptable cooperation activities.
Facebook surpasses one billion users

Facebook now has more than one billion people using it every month, the company has said.The passing of the milestone was announced by founder Mark Zuckerberg on US television on Thursday. The company said that those billion users were to date responsible for 1.13 trillion "likes", 219 billion photos and 17 billion location check-ins. The site, which was launched in 2004, is now looking towards emerging markets to build its user base further. Statistics released to coincide with the announcement revealed there were now 600 million users accessing the site via a mobile device - up 48 million from 552 million in June this year. Since its early beginnings at Harvard University, Facebook users have befriended each other 140.3 billion times.
Unemployment rate in U.S. at 44-month low

Even as U.S. President Barack Obama fought to dispel the notion that he showed a weaker debate performance in Denver this week , his campaign was buoyed by news of the unemployment rate dropping to 7.8 per cent for September, a 44-month low for the economy. Breaching the psycholo gically important 8 per cent-mark, the joblessness rate faced downward pressure even as the Bureau of Labour Statistics announced here that employers had created 114,000 jobs last month, and further, the economy
Eurozone rescue fund launched

The eurozone's new permanent fund to bail out struggling economies and banks has been formally launched at a
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Delhi Metro chief Mangu Singh received the award in the presence of Shinya Ejima, Chief Representative, JICA, Hiroshi Suzuki, Senior Representative, JICA and M P Singh, Additional Chief Development Specialist. The new age transport system was chosen in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the development of human resources, society and the economy in India and to the enhancement of friendly relations and mutual under standing between India and Japan. the London Array project is fully operational at the end of the year, Britain will have nearly 3 GW of offshore wind capacity in operation.
Tsunami hits Hawaii

A potentially destructive Pacific tsunami hit Hawaii on October 28 after a powerful earthquake struck off the west coast of Canada, triggering calls for urgent action to protect lives as sirens wailed across the archipelago.
Russian vessel carrying 700 tonnes of gold ore goes missing

A Russian cargo vessel, the Amurskaya, went missing on October 28 in the Sea of Okhotsk with 700 metric tonnes of gold ore, the Far Eastern transportation supervising department said in a statement. The bulk freighter was en route from the port Kiran to the port of Okhotsk with a cargo of gold ore weighing 700 tonnes. There supposedly was a crew of nine people," the statement said. The number of people on board of the missing vessel differs according to various sources as earlier media reports said there were 11 crew members, while the emergencies ministry puts the number at eight.
Superstorm Sandy slams into Atlantic coast

Superstorm Sandy slammed into the New Jersey coastline and hurled a recordbreaking 4-metre surge of seawater at New York City on October 29, roaring ashore after washing away part of the Atlantic City boardwalk and putting the presidential campaign on hold. At least 10 deaths were blamed on the storm. Sandy knocked out power to at least 3.1 million people, and New Yorks main utility said large sections of Manhattan had been plunged into darkness by the storm, with 250,000 customers without power as water pressed into the island from three sides. The National Hurricane Centre announced that Sandy had come ashore near Atlantic City. It smacked the boarded-up big cities of the Northeast corridor, from Washington and Baltimore to Philadelphia, New York and Boston, with stinging rain and gusts of more than 85 mph (135 kph). The sea surged a record of nearly 4 metre at the foot of Manhattan, flooding the financial district and subway tunnels.
World's biggest offshore wind farm powers up

The world's largest offshore wind farm produced its first electricity on October 29 around 20 kilometres off the east coast of Britain, boosting the country's position as the world's top offshore wind market. The first 151 wind turbines of the London Array project generated electricity for the first time and the remaining 24 will power up by the end of the year, owners DONG Energy (50 per cent), E.ON (30 per cent) and Masdar (20 per cent) said. Britain aims to build around 30 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity at sea by 2020 to make use of high wind speeds for electricity generation to help meet the governments legally binding emissions reduction targets. Once
S. Korea sets new window for rocket launch

South Korea has said it would make another attempt to send a satellite into space on November after a scheduled rocket launch last week was cancelled because of a technical glitch. A Science Ministry statement said the 140-tonne Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 would blast off sometime during a November 9-24 window
Largest Hindu temple from 14th Century discovered in Bali

Archaeologists believe they have discovered the largest ancient Hindu temple ever found in the Indonesian island of Bali. Construction workers were digging a new drainage basinnear a Hindu learning center on Jalan Trengguli, in East Denpasar, when their tools struck a large stone structure one metre underground, the Jakarta Globe reported. The crew then excavated a large stone plate, the first of many discovered at the site. The Denpasar Archeology Agency took over the excavation and uncovered an 11-metre-long structure. The Wasa Temple, which was uncovered in Gianyar in 1986, is 11 metres long and 10 metres wide. Bali archaeologists later found buried 16 sarcophaguses in 2010 in Gianyar. The island is home to most of the Hindus in Indonesia, a country with the world's biggest Muslim population.
Delhi Metro bags Japan International Cooperation Agency President Award

The country's symbol of progress Delhi Metro, which was built with the assistance from Japanese government, has been awarded with this year's Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Award for its contributions to Indo-Japan ties.
Current News & Events India, Spain & Benin to review record of Lankas human rights performance
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from the Naro Space Centre on the south coast. The launch had been slated for last Friday, but was cancelled after engineers detected a broken rubber seal in the connector between the launch pad and the rocket's first stage.
India, Spain and Benin will review the record of Sri Lankas human rights performance under the United Nations Human Rights Commissions periodic review mechanism. The review will be held on November 1 and the report filed by the three countries will be placed for general discussion on November 5. Sri Lanka has already submitted its country report and ninety nine countries have posed questions to Sri Lanka. shoes, an amphibious shoe line. Sohra has an average annual rainfall of about 12,000 mm and by comparison, Hartley Bay, one of the rainiest places in Canada has an annual rainfall of about 4500 mm, which is less than half of what Sohra receives. The highest recorded total annual rainfall was 24,555 mm in 1974. The maximum for a single day was recorded in 1876 in Sohra, when 1,040 mm fell in 24 hours. Sohra also holds the world record for a month's rainfall when 9,300 mm fell in July 1861. While efforts are on to safeguard the natural beauty of Meghalaya, the state government has no control over mining which has threatened the green cover of the state to a large extent. The Meghalaya Mining and Mineral Policy, 2012, approved by the cabinet recently, has, however, failed to put a ban on unscientific mining activity due to the presence of a strong mining lobby. organized by The Energy and Resources Research Institute in partnership with and supported by Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Government of India; the World Bank and the Forum of Federations, Ottawa at New Delhi on October 29.
Australian MPs initiative on anti-Sikh riots

An Australian politician will table a signed petition in Parliament, which would ask the government to recognise the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide. An official statement issued by federal MP Warren Entschs office said, The nations Sikh community has enlisted the help of Entsch to have Australia recognise the November 1984 killings of Sikhs in India as genocide. The issue was first raised by Daljit Singh of Cairns. He said, Every person on this planet who believes in equality and peace for mankind should support this. Justice delayed is justice denied.
World's highest national park opens in Tibet

China has set another tourism record by opening what it dubs "the worlds highest national park". Standing on "the roof of the world," the Qomolangma National Park embraces five eightthousander mountains, including 8,848-meter Mount Everest (known in China as Mount Qomolangma), 8,201-meter Mount Cho Oyo and 8,013-meter Shishapangma. The sky-high attraction also contains 10 mountains rising between 7,000-8,000 meters, as well as glaciers, hot springs and alpine forests. Occupying 78,000 square kilometers, the newly unveiled tourist spot is situated in the Xigaze Prefecture in southern Tibet Autonomous Region, near China's border with Nepal. The national park will be focused on the protection of the ecology and biodiversity and prevention from illegal resource exploitation or land use.
Cherrapunji, a hotspot for international companies

Known for being the wettest place on earth, this sleepy town near India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya has attracted some topnotch companies of the world who test their products there. The tag 'Cherrapunji', Sohra's earlier name, is said to work wonders for the companies' new products, which the buyers instantly associate with trustworthiness and quality. "Tested in the wettest place on earth in monsoons" so goes the blurb in an advertisement for Italian-made Geox waterproof
International Conference on Strengthening Green Federalism

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that culturally, legally, morally and existentially we need to move to a deeper understanding and recognition of the fact that human wellbeing and even economic growth are underpinned by a clean and healthy environment. Delivering inaugural address at the International Conference on Strengthening Green Federalism: Sharing International practices
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Knowledge Capsules
Council of Ministers
Cabinet Ministers
S. No. 1. Portfolio Name of Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Ministry of Planning Department of Atomic Energy Department of Space 2. 3. 4. Minister of Railways Minister of Finance Minister of Agriculture Minister of Food Processing Industries Sharad Pawar 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Minister of Defence Minister of Home Affairs Sushil Kumar Sambhajirao Shinde Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid Minister of Science and Technology Minister of Earth Sciences Jaipal Sudini Reddy Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad 10. Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah 11. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas M. Veerappa Moily 12. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi 13. Minister of Civil Aviation 14. Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge 15. Minister of Human Resource Development M. M. Pallam Raju 16. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal 1. 2. Ajit Singh 29. Minister of Minority Affairs K. Rahman Khan 30. Ministry of Mines 31. Minister of Tribal Affairs Minister of Panchayati Raj V. Kishore Chandra Deo 32. Minister of Steel Beni Prasad Verma Jairam Ramesh 33. Minister of Rural Development Dinsha J. Patel A.K. Antony Pawan Kumar Bansal P. Chidambaram 21. Minister of Shipping 22. Minister of Urban Development Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kamal Nath 23. Minister of Water Resources Harish Rawat 24. Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Kumari Selja 25. Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers M. K. Alagiri 26. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Praful Manoharbhai Patel 27. Minister of Coal 28. Minister of Law and Justice Ashwani Kumar Sriprakash Jaiswal 17. Minister of Commerce Industry and Minister of Textiles 18. Minister of Road Transport and Highways C. P. Joshi 19. Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ajay Maken 20. Minister of Culture Chandresh Kumari Katoch G.K. Vasan Anand Sharma
Ministers of State with Independent Charge

Ministry of Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof. K.V.Thomas Ministry of Statistics Implementation and Programme Srikant Kumar Jena Jayanthi Natarajan Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar Minister of Tourism K. Chiranjeevi Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki 10. Minister of Power Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia 11. Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises K.H. Muniyappa 12. Minister of Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot 18. Ministry of Tribal Affairs 17. Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Food Processing Industries
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14. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Sathyanarayana Sarvey 15. Ministry of External Affairs 16. Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Food Processing Industries Dr. Charan Das Mahant Preneet Kaur
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Tariq Anwar Ranee Narah 19. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Porika Balram Naik 20. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury 21. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Tushar Amarsinh Chaudhary 22. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Milind Murli Deora 23. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Kruparani Killi
Ministers of State
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ministry of External Affairs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare S. Gandhiselvan Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon Ministry of Human Resource Development Jitin Prasada Ministry of Human Resource Development Dr. Shashi Tharoor Ministry of Home Affairs Ramachandran Mullappally Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prime Minister Office 8. 9. V. Narayanasamy Daggubati Purandeswari Ministry of Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury 10. Ministry of Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy 11. Ministry of Textiles 12. Ministry of Finance 13. Ministry of Finance Lakshmi Panabaka Namo Narain Meena S.S. Palanimanickam Ministry of Commerce and Industry E. Ahamed
24. Ministry of Coal
Pratik Prakashbapu Patil Ninong Ering
25. Ministry of Minority Affairs 26. Ministry of Rural Development
Pradeep Kumar Jain Aditya 27. Ministry of Home Affairs Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh 28. Ministry of Planning Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla 29. Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikant Kumar Jena 30. Minister of Urban Development Deepa Dasmunsi 31. Minister of Labour and Employment Suresh Kodikunnil 32. Minister of New and Renewable Energy S. Jagathrakshakan 33. Minister of Civil Aviation 34. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Paban Singh Ghatowar 35. Ministry of Defence 36. Ministry of Defence Jitendra Singh Lalchand Kataria
(As on 29-10-2012)
K. C. Venugopal
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Banking Awareness
For Bank PO
1. Reserve Bank of India cancelled the license of which co-operative bank hit by the scam recently? 1) Andhra Pradesh Gramina Vikas Bank (AP) 2) TN Co-operative Bank (Tamil Nadu) 3) Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank (GUJ) 4) Konkan Mercantile Cooperative Bank (Goa) 5) None 2. As per RBI order on 20th August 2012, ''No frills accounts'' to be called as? 1) Basic Saving Bank Deposit Account 2) Poor Man Saving Bank Deposit Account 3) BPL Account 4) No Pay Account 5) None 3. Banking sector falls under? 1) Agricultural Sector 2) Service Sector 3) Manufacturing Sector 4) Industrial Sector 5) Small Scale Sector 4. Foreign banks operating in India must give ..... percent of Net Bank Credit (NBC) to Export Credit. 1) 12 2) 25 3) 15 4) 50 5) 18 5. Which Act was framed to deal more effectively with the problem of Non Performing Assets (NPAs) in banking system? 1) Banking Regulation Act 2) RBI Act 3) FEMA 4) SARFAESI Act 5) None of these 6. Which bank was imposed Penalty of Rs. 55 Lakh by RBI on 11th October 2012, for contravention of directions and
& Clerks
Exams
12. Interest rate risk is a type of (1) Credit risk (2) Market risk (3) Operational risk (4) All the above (5) None of these 13. Unit Banking means? 1) Individual bank run independently or through offices in limited area 2) Individual bank run with branches in wide area 3) Branch opens in one village 4) Branch not controlled by head office 5) Branch can frame its own rules without following rules of RBI 14. NABFINS means? 1) NBFC Financial Services Limited 2) NABARD Financial Securities Limited 3) NABARD Financial Services Loan 4) NABARD Financial Services Limited 5) None 15. 'Buy now and Pay later' is the principle of? 1) Debit Card 2) Credit Card 3) Now card 4) ABM card 5) AADHAR Card 16. Expand CTS. 1) Cheque Truncation System 2) Cash Transaction System 3) Current Transaction System 4) Credit Truncation System 5) None of the above 17. Which of the following is the purpose of introducing 'Know Your Customer' and AML norms by the banks? 1) To bring more and more people under the banking net 2) Identifying people who do not pay income tax 3) To Identify the customer and identifying the source of funds deposited in banks
instructions issued on KYC norms? 1) Bank of Baroda 2) State Bank of Hyderabad 3) ING Vysya Bank 4) Oriental Bank of Commerce 5) Union Bank of India 7. What is the full form of PIN in ATM card? 1) Personal Index Number 2) Permanent Information Number 3) Personal Identification Number 4) Permanent Identification Number 5) None of these 8. Which of the following term NOT used in Banking? 1) Nomination 2) Over Draft 3) Pasteurization 4) Endorsement 5) Letter of Credit 9. ''Bank Saathi'' is a? 1) Nearest ATM 2) Business correspondent scheme 3) Nearest Internet Centre 4) Account for friend 5) Scheme for wife and husband 10. KYC guidelines followed by banks have been framed on the recommendations of the? 1) Ministry of Home Affairs 2) Ministry of Information Technology and Human Resource Development 3) Indian Banks Association 4) Ministry of Finance 5) Reserve Bank of India 11. The loan taken for not doing of the business, it is usually called? 1) Commercial loan 2) Business torn loan 3) Individual Group loan 4) Virtual loan 5) Non-commercial loan

4) To ensure whether the money deposited in the bank is of an Indian or a foreign national 5) None of these 18. Banks in their daily business face various kinds of risks. Which of the following is one such major risk? 1) Customer Risk 2) Reputation 3) Goodwill Risk 4) Protection Risk 5) Operational Risk 19. Which of the following banks removes minimum balance stipulations for Saving Bank accounts recently? 1) SBI 2) PNB 3) OBC 4) HDFC 5) ICICI 20. A loan taken by the person, not telling the purpose of taking loan is called? 1) Personal Loan 2) No tell loan 3) Purpose loan 4) Group loan 5) Go and Apply Loan 21. Which account in India is called the common man account? 1) Recurring account 2) Fixed deposit 3) Savings account 4) Current account 5) Kiddy account 22. Which of the following committees dealt with reforms in Banking sector? 1) Sachar Committee 2) Yashpal Committee 3) Ranganath Misra Committee 4) Malegam Committee 5) Narasimham Committee 23. Which of the following terms is not associated with banking? 1) NEFT 2) RTGS 3) SLR 4) CRR 5) IRDP 24. Which of the follow ing is not related with banks ? 1) NPA s 2) TRAI 3) CRR 4) Repo 5) Bank rate 25. What is Bancassurance? 1) An insurance scheme for all bank employees 2) Sale of insurance products through a bank 3) An insurance scheme to insure bank deposits 4) A bank deposit scheme for employees of insurance companies 5) None of these 26. Business Correspondents in banking are for? 1) Providing services for the Platinum Customers 2) Providing services for children 3) Serving the educational institutions 4) Serving the weaker sections of society 5) None of these 27. In the given Public Sector banks, which bank has more number of branches? 1) Bank of Baroda 2) Union Bank of India 3) State Bank of Hyderabad 4) Punjab National Bank 5) Bank of India 28. The customers of banks can make a complaint to which of the following offices on the issues related to deficiency in services, if the problems are not resolved at banks' level? 1) Reserve Bank of India 2) Indian Banks' Association 3) Attorney General 4) Ombudsman 5) Comptroller and Auditor General 29. What is ASBA with respect to banking? 1) Application Supported by Blocked Amount 2) Application Supported by Black Amount 3) Application Sign by Blocked Amount 4) Application Supported by Blocked Array 5) None of these 30. Which paper currency note has more circulation? 1) Rs.100 2) Rs.50 3) Rs.10 4) Rs.1000 5) Rs.5 31. Which of the following statements correctly define the meaning of reverse repo rate? 1) The rate at which apex bank RBI lends money to commercial banks.
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2) The rate at which the apex bank RBI borrows money from commercial banks. 3) The amount of funds that the commercial banks have to keep with the RBI. 4) The rate at which apex bank RBI allows finance to commercial banks. 5) None of the above 32. Which of the following organisations / agencies has specifically been set up to boost overall rural development in India? 1) RBI 2) SIDBI 3) NABARD 4) SEBI 5) EXIM 33. In the minting of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 paper currency, RBI uses OVI. OVI means? 1) Oval Variation Ink 2) One Variation Ink 3) Optically Value Ink 4) Optically Variable Ink 5) None 34. Best example for demand deposit is? 1) Current Account and Fixed Deposit 2) Savings Account and Current Account 3) Savings Account and Fixed Deposit 4) Fixed Deposit and Recurring Deposit 5) Fixed Deposit 35. Which is the intermediate rung in the three-tier Cooperative Credit structure? 1) Primary Co-operative Banks 2) State Co-operative Banks 3) National Co-operative Banks 4) District Central Co-operative Banks 5) None
ANSWERS
1. 3 6. 3 11. 5 16. 1 21. 3 26. 4 31. 2 2. 1 7. 3 12. 2 17. 3 22. 5 27. 4 32. 3 3. 2 8. 3 13. 1 18. 5 23. 5 28. 4 33. 4 4. 1 9. 2 14. 4 19. 1 24. 2 29. 1 34. 2 5. 4 10. 15. 20. 25. 30. 35. 5 2 1 2 3 4
28
Current MCQ Capsules

1. 2. 3. Between 16-19 October 2012, 4th OECD World Forum on statistics, knowledge and policy hosted by? 1) Bangalore 2) New Delhi 3) Pune 4) Hyderabad 5) Jaipur Planning Commission sanc tioned Rs. ....... crores for sanitation in the 12th Five Year Plan on 7th June 2012. 1) 36,000 2) 34,000 3) 56,000 4) 74,000 5) 15,000 Who was sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of India on September 29, 2012? 1) Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan 2) Justice J.S. Khehar 3) Justice Altamas Kabir 4) Justice D. Murugesan 5) Justice M.Y. Eqbal The three-day World Economic Forum on India Summit will be held in which of the following cities in November 2012? 1) Panaji 2) Gurgaon 3) Mumbai 4) Kolkata 5) Hyderabad Who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the year 2012 for their work with light and matter at the most fundamental level? 1) Adam Reiss and Brian Schmidt 2) Adam Reiss and Saul Perlmutter 3) Serge Haroche and David J.Wineland 4) Charles K. Kao and Willard S. Boyle 5) Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov Wrestling coach Yashvir Singh, Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, Athletics Coach Virender Poonia, Kabaddi Coach Sunil Davas, Parathletics Coach Dr.Satyapaul and Hockey Coach Harinder Singh received which award? 1) Arjun 2) Khelratna 3) Dronachharya 4) Dhyanchand 5) None Which Committee has recommended deregulation of the sugar sector, by giving freedom to mills to sell sugar in the open market on 12th October 2012? 1) Subhir Gokaran 2) Chaturvedi 3) C.Rangarajan 4) Vijay.C.Kelkar 5) None 8. Who are awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for studies of Gprotein coupled receptors? 1) Thomas Steitz (USA) & Ada Yonath (Israel) 2) Barry Sharpless & William Knowles (USA) 3) Robert Lefkowitz & Brian Kobilka (USA) 4) Peter Agre & Roderick Mackinnon (USA) 5) None 9. Who is the UN-Arab League special envoy for the Syrian conflict? 1) Kofi Annan 2) Lakhdar Brahimi 3) Vannina Maestracci 4) Nabil El Araby 5) None 10. On 20th September 2012, the Union government hiked the foreign investment cap for the broadcasting service providers to? 1) 24 % 2) 49 % 3) 100 % 4) 51 % 5) 74 % 11. Verghese Kurien, who died on 9th September was Honoured as the architect of Indias? 1) Yellow Revolution 2) Green Revolution 3) Blue Revolution 4) White Revolution 5) None 12. India Signed MOU (Memorandum of Under standing) on Tourism with ASEAN on January 12, 2012. The agreement took place in? 1) Indonesia 2) Thailand 3) Malaysia 4) Singapore 5) None 13. Who won the Man of the Seriesaward in 2012 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament held in Sri Lanka recenlty? 1) Shane Watson 2) Chris Gayle 14. 15. 3) Kumar Sangkara 4) Marlon Samuels 5) Mahela Jayawardene According to The Global Gender Gap Report-2011, prepared by the World Economic Forum, India ranks at which of the following positions? 1) 131st 2) 123rd 3) 115th 4) 127th 5) None India has recently been launched its heaviest (3400 kg) communication satellite GSAT-10 from Kourou spaceport. Where is Kourou spaceport situated? 1) Italy 2) France 3) Russia 4) Guyana 5) Kazakhstan Micro finance development equity fund is managed by? 1) RBI 2) NABARD 3) Indian Banks Association 4) Asian Development Bank 5) None Vanuatu joined as the 157th member of which of the following organizations on August 24, 2012? 1) IMF 2) World Bank 3) WTO 4) ILO 5) UNESCO Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) insures the deposits of the bank customers up to 1 lakh. DICGC is the wholly owned subsidiary of? 1) SBI 2) NABARD 3) Union Government 4) RBI 5) IDBI An IPO is? 1) Initial Price Offered by private limited company to its share holders. 2) An offer by an unlisted company for sale of its shares for the first time to the public. 3) Used to increase the share capital of an unlisted company 4) A book building process 5) None Who will be the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas? 1) President of Mauritius 2) President of Trinidad and Tobago
16.
4.
17.
5.
18.
6.
19.
20.
7.

3) Prime Minister of Mauritius 4) PM of Trinidad and Tobago 5) None 21. At the 2012 US Open tennis championships Andy Murray became the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Grand Slam singles tournament when he defeated which of the following players in the final? 1) Marin Cilic (Croatia) 2) David Ferrer (Spain) 3) Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 4) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 5) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 22. Who was appointed as the Chairman of the senior selection committee of BCCI in the place of K. Srikkanth? 1) Sunil Gavaskar 2) Venkatapathi Raju 3) Sandeep Patil 4) Kapil Dev 5) Mohinder Amarnath 23. Nobel peace prize for the year 2012 has been awarded to which of the following international entities/ organisations? 1) EU 2) UNO 3) BRICS 4) SAARC 5) None 24. The 62nd meeting of Nobel Laureates was held in Lindau from July 1 to 6, 2012 that was dedicated to Physics. Lindau is located in which of the following European countries? 1) Italy 2) Portugal 3) Spain 4) Germany 5) France 25. PSLV- C 21 carried which satellites. 1) SPOT-6 of France and Proiteres of Japan 2) Megha - Tropiques of India and Jugnu of Japan 3) RISAT - 1, OCEANSAT-1 of India 4) PROBA of Belgium and METSAT of India 5) ANUSAT of India and ALSAT-2A of Algeria 26. On 18 July 2012, the planning commission reduced the power target for the end of 12th Five Year Plan from 1,00,000 MW to? 1) 84,000 MW 2) 50,000 MW 3) 15,000 MW 4) 95,000 MW 5) 88,000 MW 27. The Cash reserve Ratio (CRR) rate effective from the Sept 22, 2012 is: 1) 4.25 per cent 2) 4.50 per cent 3) 4.75 per cent 4) 5.00 percent 5) 6.00 percent 28. The Reserve Bank of India has constituted a committee to review the existing short term cooperative credit structure (STCCS). The committee is headed by? 1) Prakash Bakshi 2) Umesh Kumar 3) Mona Sharma 4) V.Ramakrishna Rao 5) Y.H.Malegam 29. Govt. approves an ordinance to completely digitise TV Broadcasting. The entire nation has been targeted to be covered by? 1)2013 2)2014 3)2015 4)2016 5) 2017 30. The World Health Organization (WHO) has conferred WHO-South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) Award-2012 to which of the following states for its outstanding achievements in Anti Tobacco Campaign? 1) Haryana 2) Punjab 3) Rajasthan 4) Andhra Pradesh 5) Himachal Pradesh 31. Gyanodaya is the e-Learning Gateway of? 1) Bank of Baroda 2) State Bank of India 3) ICICI 4) Axis Bank 5) Andhra Bank 32. Which Steel Plant won the prestigious Prime Minister's Trophy for the tenth time? 1) Bhopal 2) Ranchi 3) Bhilai 4) Visakhapatnam 5) Durgapur 33. Which is a familiar parameter to measure the healthy economy of the country? 1) More Exports 2) SLR 3) GDP 4) WPI 5) More growth of Service Sector 34. How much percent of the seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions has been reserved for women to bring them in the mainstream of political leadership at the grass root level? 1) 25 % 2) 30 % 3) 33 % 4) 37 % 5) 39 %
29
35. Which of the following countries recently launched Kobalt-M, a spy satellite? 1) China 2) USA 3) Russia 4) Japan 5) North Korea 36. India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) is India's first mortgage guarantee company. It is a joint venture between International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), US based financial security firm Genworth and? 1) SBI 2) RBI 3) SIDBI 4) NHB 5) NABARD 37. Citi Bank headquarters is at ? 1) Mexico City 2) Paris 3) New York 4) Tokyo 5) Tel Aviv 38. According to The 2012 Global Hunger Index (GHI), India ranks at: 1) 43rd 2) 48th 3) 62nd 4) 65th 5) 58th 39. Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley were conferred with Noble Prize 2012 in the field of? 1) Economics 2) Physics 3) Medicine 4) Chemistry 5) Peace 40. Name the Indias Missile Woman who was conferred the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award 2012 recently. a) Sunita Williams b) Tessy Thomas c) Buela M. Sam d) Shashi Bala Singh e) None 41. The 12th Five Year Plan document targets an economic growth of: 1) 8.2 % 2) 8.3 % 3) 8.5 % 4) 8.6 % 5) 8.9 % 42. P-Notes allow foreign HNIs (high networth individuals) and other rich investors to invest in India through already registered FIIs. What does the letter P in P-Notes stands for? 1) Policy 2) Public 3) Purchasing 4) Possession 5) Participatory 43. Identify the mismatched pair with regard to Arjuna Award winners for the year 2012? 1) Sudha Singh-Athletics

2) Ashwini PonnappaBadminton 3) Deepika Kumari-Archery 4) Deepika Pallikal-Squash 5) Geeta Phogat-Weightlifting 44. An expert panel set up by the Prime Minister recommended complete decontrol of the sugar industry. Who headed this committee? 1) Kaushik Basu 2) Bimal Jalan 3) C.Rangarajan 4) R.S.Gujral 5) Y.V.Reddy 45. The Government has set up a committee to recommend the framework for cloud computing services under the Chairmanship of? 1) Kapil Sibal 2) Gulshan Rai 3) S. Gopalakrishnan 4) Shiv Nadar 5) None 46. Which country has inaugurated a "mini capital" Sejong City designed to act as a new government hub? 1) North Korea 2) South Korea 3) China 4) Vietnam 5) Malaysia 47. What is the minimum amount for NEFT transaction? 1) Rs.100000 2) Rs. 200000 3) Rs. 50000 4) No minimum limit 5) None 48. Which one of the following has launched guidebook on standards for exporters? 1) RBI 2) SEBI 3) IBA 4) UNIDO 5) UNESCO 49.'Lucknow Boy' is the autobiography of which of the following eminent journalists? 1) Vinod Mehta 2) N.Ram 3) Vir Sanghavi 4) Pritish Nandi 5) M.J.Akbar 50. On 16th August 2012, SEBI made it mandatory that all listed companies must have minimum of .......... percent of public shareholdings by June 2013. 1) 15 2) 74 3) 49 4) 20 5) 25 51. On 5th October 2012, World Bank agreed to provide loan of $ 500 million to India for? 1) Infrastructure projects in the Southern Part of Western Ghats. 2) Upliftment of poor people residing in Andaman Nicobar Islands. 3) Repairing the old dams in the Coastal parts of Karnataka. 4) Providing the water to the region of Bhundelkand. 5) Secondary Education Project named Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). 52. According to the latest Education Development Index (EDI) released by the Human Resource Development Ministry on July 24, 2012 which of the following States/ Union Territories retained the first position? 1) Puducherry 2) Lakshadweep 3) Punjab 4) Mizoram 5) Sikkim 53. ISO 27001: 2005 given to banks in the recognition of .... 1) having best telephone service 2) having good infrastructure 3) having best managers 4) having best security practice 5) having Air-conditioned branches 54. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will launch how many reactors during the 12th Plan period (2012-2017)? 1) 12 2) 16 3) 10 4) 11 5) 13 55. The Reserve Bank of India constituted a Financial Inclusion Advisory Committee (FIAC) to spearhead the efforts towards greater financial inclusion in the country in October 2012. Who is the Cha-irman of this high-level committee? 1) Y.H.Malegam 2) Dipankar Gupta 3) K.R.Kamath 4) K.C.Chakrabarty 5) D.K.Mittal 56. Which of the following statements about the 2012 Man Booker literary prize is not true? 1) British writer Hilary Mantel won this prestigious prize for a second time for her novel 'Bring up the Bodies' on October 16, 2012. 2) She won in 2009 also for 'Wolf Hall'.
30
3) She is the first British author and the first woman to achieve a Booker double. 4) Hilary Mantel joins Peter Carey of Australia and J.M.Coetzee of South Africa as a two-time winner of the prize. 5) Salman Rushdie's 'Joseph Anton' was one of the six short listed books for this year's Booker prize. World Bank has appointed Onno Ruhl as the Country Director for India. He belongs to? 1) Moldova 2) Armenia 3) Nigeria 4) Netherlands 5) Germany Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza visited India and signed three agreements. The capital and Currency of Burundi are? 1) Kampala and Burundi Dollar 2) Bujumbura and Burundi Franc 3) Harare and Burundi Dollar 4) Nairobi and Burundi Franc 5) None Which of the following provides a network that enables financial institutions worldwide to exchange messages about financial transactions in a secure and reliable environment? 1) NEFT 2) RTGS 3) CHAPS 4) SWIFT 5) None In the Forbes magazine's list of the world's 100 most powerful women, Sonia Gandhi got? 1) First rank 2) Second rank 3) Third rank 4) Sixth rank 5) Fifth rank SEBI has been imposed a restriction on money flow in equity through Pnotes. What is the full form of Pnotes? 1) permanent notes 2) purchase notes 3) participatory notes 4) private notes 5) None The 12th annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in June 2012 in which of the following cities? 1) Moscow (Russia) 2) Dushanbe (Tajikistan) 3) Beijing (China) 4) Astana (Kazakhstan) 5) Tashkent (Uzbekistan) The ownership of Dokdo/ Takeshima islands has been disputed for decades. Which two countries claim the islands?
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.

1) Japan& South Korea 2) Japan& Philippines 3) Philippines& China 4) China& Japan 5) None 64. Which of the following Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will start Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Institute of Medical Science and Research? 1) IIT, Bombay 2) IIT, Madras 3) IIT, Hyderabad 4) IIT, Kanpur 5) IIT, Kharagpur 65. The e-TDS prepared by the deductor has to be submitted at 1) TIN Facilitation Centres 2) TAN Facilitation Centres 3) PIN Facilitation Centres 4) PAN Facilitation Centres 5) None 66. Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology will be established in? 1) Jalandhar 2) Amritsar 3) Mysore 4) Ranchi 5) Nagpur 67. Which among the following countries is the first to set up a cardless ATM which will run on palm-scanning biometric technology, which recognizes the unique pattern of veins in a palm? 1) China 2) Japan 3) South Korea 4) USA 5) England 68. Which of the following programs has been rechristened as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan? 1) JNNURM 2) PURA 3) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan 4) Total Sanitation Campaign 5) National Rural Livelihood Mission 69. Who has launched "Oceans Compact", an initiative to protect oceans from pollution, excessive fishing and global warming? 1) Irina Bokova 2) Ban Ki-moon 3) Barack Obama 4) Manmohan Singh 5) Vladimir Putin 70. Navanethem Pillay of South Africa was given a two-year second term in 2012 as the? 1) Director General of ILO 2) Managing Director of IMF 3) Director General of UNESCO 4) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 5) Director General of IAEA 71. In which year, the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)was launched by The Ministry of Women and Child Development? 1) 2007 2) 2008 3) 2009 4) 2010 5) 2011 72. Which country tops the overall rankings in The Global Competitiveness Report 20112012? 1) Sweden 2) Singapore 3) Netherland 4) Switzerland 5) Hong kong 73. K.R. Kamath took charge on October 1, 2012 as the Chairman of Indian Banks' Association (IBA). He is the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of which of the following public sector banks? 1) Bank of India 2) Indian Bank 3) Corporation Bank 4) Punjab National Bank 5) United Bank of India 74. Service Area Approach (SAA) is associated with? 1) Rural and Semi-urban branches of commercial banks 2) Urban branches of commercial banks 3) Branches of commercial banks situated in metro cities 4) Development banks 5) None 75. Which of the following is a correct statement? 1) RBI decides inflation rate. 2) Axis Bank is a public sector undertaking. 3) France is a member of OPEC. 4) Mustard is one of the major food grain crops grown in India. 5) RTE Act ensures that every child gets school education. 76. Who won the 2012 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his novel 'Even the Dogs'? 1) Orhan Pamuk 2) V.S. Naipaul 3) Philip Roth 4) Jon McGregor 5) Julian Barnes 77. Finance Minister proposed to set up National Investment Board (NIB) under the chairmanship of? 1) Prime Minister
31
2) Ministry of Finance 3) RBI Governor 4) CBDT 5) President of India The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 was awarded jointly to Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka for their research related to 1) Ribosome 2) RNA 3) DNA 4) Stem cells 5) None Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal announced the setting up of two Central Universities in Motihari and Gaya in which of the following states? 1) Jharkhand 2) Bihar 3) Odisha 4) West Bengal 5) Uttar Pradesh The Planning Commission constituted an expert group headed by which of the following economists to review the Tendulkar committee methodology for estimating poverty? 1) Y.V.Reddy 2) Kaushik Basu 3) C.Rangarajan 4) Mahendra Dev 5) K.L.Datta The Central Government has approved how many crores of rupees for purchase of high-tech equipment for the National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID? 1) 1500 2) 2500 3) 1100 4) 2300 5) 1600 The Mercosur trade bloc has suspended which of the following countries over the impeachment of President Fernando Lugo? 1) Argentina 2) Brazil 3) Uruguay 4) Paraguay 5) Chile Which of the following does not come under core sector? 1) Crude Oil 2) Natural Gas 3) Coal 4) Electricity 5) Automobile Which of the following is implemented in India in all the districts of the country for providing employment? 1) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana 2) Bharath Nirman 3) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
78.
79.
80.
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82.
83.
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4) Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana 5) None Saina Nehwal won the Denmark Open Super Series Premier badminton title by defeating which player in the final in Odense, Denmark on October 21, 2012? 1) Wang Yihan (China) 2) Jiang Yanjao (China) 3) Juliane Schenk (Germany) 4) Li Xuerui (China) 5) Tine Baun (Denmark) Among the following schemes, which is applicable to senior citizens? 1) Annapurna 2) Bharat Nirman 3) SABLA 4) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan 5) None Which Indian state will set up Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Disposal Facility to manage and handle bio medical waste of government and private hospitals in all of its districts? 1) Karnataka 2) Kerala 3) Punjab 4) Haryana 5) Uttarakhand Paris-based Sanofi developed a vaccine for? 1) Dengue 2) Flu 3) AIDS 4) Swine Flu 5) Cancer Who is the author of the book Bring up the Bodies? 1) Hilary Mantel 2) Peter Carey 3) J.M. Coetzee 4) Gulshan Rai 5) None 90. Who was given the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year Award in September 2012? 1) Billy Bowden 2) Aleem Dar 3) Simon Taufel 4) Rod Tucker 5) Kumar Dharmasena 91. The Electronic Nose, a biomarker used to diagnose which disease? 1) Tuberculosis 2) Influenza 3) Malaria 4) Allergy 5) None 92. Which country recently test fired Shahab-3, a medium range ballistic missile? 1) Syria 2) Pakistan 3) Iran 4) Afghanistan 5) Israel 93. The objective of which of the following programs is to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed and underemployed by encouraging them to set up selfemployment ventures? 1) MGNREGP 2) PURA 3) IAY 4) SJSRY 5) RAY 94. Where the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) held the 'Eleventh Energy Efficient Summit' recently between 22 August 2012 to 25 August 2012? 1) Pune 2) Kolkata 3) Hyderabad 4) Chennai 5) Kanpur 95. Which is the largest stock exchange in the world by dollar volume/market value? 1) Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) 2) London Stock Exchange (LSE) 3) New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 4) Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) 5) None 96. Which of the following has launched 'Maa Thota' scheme in Andhra Pradesh to improve the lot of tribal families? 1) SBI 2) SBH 3) Andhra Bank 4) NABARD 5) None 97. Sachin Tendulkar will become the first Indian sportsperson to be conferred with the Membership of the Order of Australia. He will become only the second Indian after which of the following persons to get the honor?
32
1) Raj Kapoor 2) S.H.Kapadia 3) Satyajit Ray 4) Soli Sorabjee 5) Amitabh Bachchan 98. Who is the present Foreign Secretary of India? 1) Nirupama Rao 2) Ajit Kumar Seth 3) Ranjan Mathai 4) Shiv Shankar Menon 5) Shashikant Sharma 99. Floating / Variable-rate Loan means? 1) the interest rate will change according to the increasing and decreasing movement of interest rates 2) the interest rate depends on the moment of foreign exchange rates fixed by RBI 3) the interest rate fixed by RBI regarding Repo Rate 4) the interest rate varied by RBI in the giving of loans to USA Companies alone 5) None 100. Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was appointed as brand ambassador of which of the following cricket associations to promote and develop cricket in that country? 1) Bhutan 2) Burma 3) Nepal 4) Singapore 5) Malaysia
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86.
87.
88.
89.
ANSWERS
1. 2 6. 3 11. 4 16. 2 21. 4 26. 5 31. 2 36. 4 41. 1 46. 2 51. 5 56. 5 61. 3 66. 4 71. 4 76. 4 81. 3 86. 1 91. 1 96. 4 2. 1 7. 3 12. 1 17. 3 22. 3 27. 2 32. 3 37. 3 42. 5 47. 4 52. 1 57. 4 62. 3 67. 2 72. 4 77. 1 82. 4 87. 4 92. 3 97. 4 3. 3 8. 3 13. 1 18. 4 23. 1 28. 1 33. 3 38. 4 43. 5 48. 4 53. 4 58. 2 63. 1 68. 4 73. 4 78. 4 83. 5 88. 1 93. 4 98. 3 4. 2 5. 3 9. 2 10. 5 14. 1 15. 2 19. 2 20. 1 24. 4 25. 1 29. 2 30.5 34. 3 35. 3 39. 1 40. 2 44. 3 45. 3 49. 1 50. 5 54. 2 55. 4 59. 4 60. 4 64. 5 65. 1 69. 2 70. 4 74. 1 75. 5 79. 2 80. 3 84. 3 85. 3 89. 1 90. 5 94. 3 95. 3 99. 1 100. 3
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CONTENTS

Current News & Events

Sharmila Tagore gets honorary degree from Edinburgh University

Gavaskar to receive BCCIs lifetime achievement award

Narayana Murthy receives 2012 Hoover Medal

Man Booker Prize:

Current News & Events

Sachin Tendulkar to be awarded Order of Australia membership

Kahaani wins Best Film award in Fiji

British military dog gets posthumous medal

Waheeda Rehman conferred with the life achievement award

Pakistani singer Abida Parveen recieves lifetime achievement award

Current News & Events

Singham Bravery Awards

First Ever India Biodiversity Award Presented in Hyderabad

Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu Awards

President Presents L.B. Shastri National Award

Current News & Events

Nobel Prizes 2012

European Union wins Nobel Peace Prize

Lefkowitz, Kobilka win Nobel chemistry prize

Haroche, Wineland win Nobel prize for physics

Two Americans win Nobel economics prize

Mo Yan wins Nobel Prize for Literature

Current News & Events

Ajit Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women

North East biggest mosque to be inaugurated in Shillong

Chavez re-elected to 6year term in Venezuela

Current News & Events

Science Snippets Humanoid Robot called Baxter designed in USA

New species of coelacanth fish discovered

Australian Scientists unveiled the Colossal Radio Telescope

Giant telescope with most advanced mirror to probe universe

Home cure for dengue

Current News & Events

Defence India tests nuclearcapable ballistic missile Dhanush

ISRO plans 58 space missions during 12th Plan

Nuclear Capable Prithvi II Missile Sucessfully Test Fired

Current News & Events

Summits International Conference of CAPAM

CoP - Leading the Way Forward

Second India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue held in Tokyo

ASEAN- India Agri Expo

Current News & Events

Committees PM constitutes National Committee on Direct Cash Transfers

Deaths King of romance Yash Chopra died

Rangarajan panel recommends deregulation of sugar sector

Jaspal Bhatti died in a road accident

Current News & Events

Economic Scenario Indian government debt jumped 3.6%

AP ranks 4th in share of private investments

Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)

Current News & Events

India ranks 132nd in ease of doing business among 185 economies

BSE joins UN's Sustainable Stock Exchanges global initiative

More powers to FMC

India among fastest growing Internet market

Current News & Events

RBI Expanded the Lending Norms on Priority Sectors

Union Cabinet Approved setting up of National Automotive Board

19th livestock census report by Aug 2013

India topples Thailand as world's largest rice exporter

South Africa agrees to host planned development bank for BRICS

Current News & Events