Latest current Events – current Affairs for Competitive Exam

First National Handloom Day to be observed on 7 August 2015

On this occasion a new India Handloom brand for better market positioning of quality handloom products would be launched.

Tamil Nadu government instituted youth award in name of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Tamil Nadu government also announced that Dr Kalam’s birthday on October 15th would be celebrated as the Youth Revival Day.

Union Government released the Census data on Highest Educational Level Attained

The improvements at higher educational levels along with decline in percentage share at below-Primary and Primary level are indication of educational advancement in the country during the decade 2001-11.

Sri Lankan government decided to renovate temples destroyed in Nepal quake

It will undertake the repair of Buddhist temple in Swayambhunath and Hindu temple of Rato Machindranath in Lalitpur.

1974 Land Border Agreement between India and Bangladesh came into effect

The transfer helped about 50000 people to get citizenship of either country, bringing them access to all legal rights and civic amenities.

14-year-old Lucknow boy Prabhroop Sekhon won 2 Gold at Special Olympics World Games

Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 is the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

Maharashtra government announced construction of 800-km Nagpur-Mumbai expressway

The Nagpur-Amravati-Aurangabad-Ghoti-Mumbai expressway, also called Communication Super-expressway, would be build at the cost of 30000 crore rupees.

Union Government formulated Draft Rules for Mass Emission Standards for Bio-diesel fuelled vehicles

The Draft rules further seek to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and these Rules may be called Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2015.

Indo-UK Bilateral Air Exercise Indradhanush concluded

The 10-day exercise that started on 21 July 2015 was the fourth edition which commenced in Britain

Beijing chosen to host 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

With this, Beijing became the first city to host both the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics. It hosted Summer Olympics in 2008.

Punjab Government to create Beas Belt near Harike Patan as habitat for Gharials

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as the gavial, and the fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian of the family Gavialidae, native to the Indian Subcontinent.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons observed across the world

According to UNODC’s biennial Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, at least 152 countries of origin and 124 countries of destination are affected by trafficking in persons.

Microsoft launched Windows 10 operating system

This operating system will be available for free to Windows 7 and 8.1 users who reserved the copy. This upgrade will be available for free for one year.

SC upheld the commutation of death sentence of convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case

The decision was made on the curative plea against the dismissal of the 11-year delay in deciding on their mercy petitions.

RBI decided to issue 10 rupees coins to commemorate International Day of Yoga

The reverse of the coin bears the logo of “International Day of Yoga”, with inscription “सामंजस्य एवं शान्ति के लिए योग” in Devnagri Script and “YOGA FOR HARMONY AND PEACE” around the logo and design.

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SALt, a lamp that runs eight hours on water and salt, developed

The battery will work for eight hours a day for six months, which is a considerable upgrade from the constant refills required by paraffin lantern, the developers said.

Kotak launched mobile banking app named Kotak Bharat

At present, the application is available in Hindi and English language, but by end of August 2015 it will have other languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Kannada.

Film Talvar to be premiered at Toronto International Film Festival

Talvar written by Vishal Bhardwaj revolves around the sensational murder of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar and 45-year-old Hemraj Banjade, a domestic help in Noida, India.

Cyclone Komen formed over Bay of Bengal

The MeT department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rains in Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha of India.

Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund

The fund will have an initial corpus of 20000 crore rupees which can be leveraged by infrastructure companies and was proposed by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget 2015-16

Nepal banned animal Sacrifice at Gadhimai Festival

The temple authorities have announced the end of the centuries-old Hindu tradition of slaughter that attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers.

‘Visaarnai’ became first Tamil film to enter Venice film festival

Visaaranai is second film produced by Dhanush that will get international recognition after the critically acclaimed Kaaka Mutta.

India to become most populous nation by 2022: UN World Population Prospects

The world population reached 7.3 billion as of mid- 2015, implying that the world has added approximately one billion people in the span of the last twelve years.

CCI imposed penalty upon three Film & TV association of Karnataka

Considering the recurring violation of the provisions of the Act, KFCC, KTVA and KFPA were imposed a penalty of 1682204 rupees, 174293 rupees and 168124 rupees, respectively.

e-Tourist Visa scheme extended to China, Hong Kong and Macau

With the inclusion of these countries/territories, the total number of countries/territories covered under the e-Tourist Visa scheme will go up from 74 to 77.

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Union Cabinet approved Rajya Sabha panel’s amendments on GST Bill, 2014

The amendments include compensation to the states for 5 years instead of up to 5 years for any revenue loss due to introduction of GST.

UNSC failed to adopt proposal to create tribunal on crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17

The resolution sought to establish an international tribunal to prosecute persons responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed on 17 July 2014 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.

Yakub Memon executed as SC rejected his fresh plea in pre-dawn hearing

The State Government of Maharashtra has decided to hand over his body to his relatives, after completion of formalities.

SEBI cancelled Certificate of Registration of Sahara Mutual Fund

Sahara has been asked to make efforts to transfer its activities to a new Sponsor and a SEBI approved Asset Management Company at the earliest.

Hockey India appointed Roelant Oltmans as coach of Men’s national team

The 69-year old Dutchman will be at the helm of affairs at least till 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

First National Handloom Day to be observed on 7 August 2015

On this occasion a new India Handloom brand for better market positioning of quality handloom products would be launched.

Tamil Nadu government instituted youth award in name of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Tamil Nadu government also announced that Dr Kalam’s birthday on October 15th would be celebrated as the Youth Revival Day.

Union Government released the Census data on Highest Educational Level Attained

The improvements at higher educational levels along with decline in percentage share at below-Primary and Primary level are indication of educational advancement in the country during the decade 2001-11.

Sri Lankan government decided to renovate temples destroyed in Nepal quake

It will undertake the repair of Buddhist temple in Swayambhunath and Hindu temple of Rato Machindranath in Lalitpur.

1974 Land Border Agreement between India and Bangladesh came into effect

The transfer helped about 50000 people to get citizenship of either country, bringing them access to all legal rights and civic amenities.

14-year-old Lucknow boy Prabhroop Sekhon won 2 Gold at Special Olympics World Games

Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 is the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

Maharashtra government announced construction of 800-km Nagpur-Mumbai expressway

The Nagpur-Amravati-Aurangabad-Ghoti-Mumbai expressway, also called Communication Super-expressway, would be build at the cost of 30000 crore rupees.

Union Government formulated Draft Rules for Mass Emission Standards for Bio-diesel fuelled vehicles

The Draft rules further seek to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and these Rules may be called Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2015.

Indo-UK Bilateral Air Exercise Indradhanush concluded

Published on: 01-AUG-2015

The 10-day exercise that started on 21 July 2015 was the fourth edition which commenced in Britain

Beijing chosen to host 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

With this, Beijing became the first city to host both the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics. It hosted Summer Olympics in 2008.

Punjab Government to create Beas Belt near Harike Patan as habitat for Gharials

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as the gavial, and the fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian of the family Gavialidae, native to the Indian Subcontinent.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons observed across the world

According to UNODC’s biennial Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, at least 152 countries of origin and 124 countries of destination are affected by trafficking in persons.

Microsoft launched Windows 10 operating system

This operating system will be available for free to Windows 7 and 8.1 users who reserved the copy. This upgrade will be available for free for one year.

SC upheld the commutation of death sentence of convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case

The decision was made on the curative plea against the dismissal of the 11-year delay in deciding on their mercy petitions.

RBI decided to issue 10 rupees coins to commemorate International Day of Yoga

The reverse of the coin bears the logo of “International Day of Yoga”, with inscription “सामंजस्य एवं शान्ति के लिए योग” in Devnagri Script and “YOGA FOR HARMONY AND PEACE” around the logo and design.

SALt, a lamp that runs eight hours on water and salt, developed

The battery will work for eight hours a day for six months, which is a considerable upgrade from the constant refills required by paraffin lantern, the developers said.

Kotak launched mobile banking app named Kotak Bharat

At present, the application is available in Hindi and English language, but by end of August 2015 it will have other languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Kannada.

Film Talvar to be premiered at Toronto International Film Festival

Talvar written by Vishal Bhardwaj revolves around the sensational murder of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar and 45-year-old Hemraj Banjade, a domestic help in Noida, India.

Cyclone Komen formed over Bay of Bengal

The MeT department has forecasted heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rains in Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha of India.

Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund

The fund will have an initial corpus of 20000 crore rupees which can be leveraged by infrastructure companies and was proposed by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget 2015-16

Nepal banned animal Sacrifice at Gadhimai Festival

The temple authorities have announced the end of the centuries-old Hindu tradition of slaughter that attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers.

‘Visaarnai’ became first Tamil film to enter Venice film festival

Visaaranai is second film produced by Dhanush that will get international recognition after the critically acclaimed Kaaka Mutta.

India to become most populous nation by 2022: UN World Population Prospects

The world population reached 7.3 billion as of mid- 2015, implying that the world has added approximately one billion people in the span of the last twelve years.

CCI imposed penalty upon three Film & TV association of Karnataka

Considering the recurring violation of the provisions of the Act, KFCC, KTVA and KFPA were imposed a penalty of 1682204 rupees, 174293 rupees and 168124 rupees, respectively.

e-Tourist Visa scheme extended to China, Hong Kong and Macau

With the inclusion of these countries/territories, the total number of countries/territories covered under the e-Tourist Visa scheme will go up from 74 to 77.

Union Cabinet approved Rajya Sabha panel’s amendments on GST Bill, 2014

The amendments include compensation to the states for 5 years instead of up to 5 years for any revenue loss due to introduction of GST.

UNSC failed to adopt proposal to create tribunal on crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17

The resolution sought to establish an international tribunal to prosecute persons responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed on 17 July 2014 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.

Yakub Memon executed as SC rejected his fresh plea in pre-dawn hearing

The State Government of Maharashtra has decided to hand over his body to his relatives, after completion of formalities.

SEBI cancelled Certificate of Registration of Sahara Mutual Fund

Sahara has been asked to make efforts to transfer its activities to a new Sponsor and a SEBI approved Asset Management Company at the earliest.

Hockey India appointed Roelant Oltmans as coach of Men’s national team

The 69-year old Dutchman will be at the helm of affairs at least till 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

Team Sky cyclist Chris Froome of Britain won 102nd Tour de France

With this, Froome became the first Briton to win the Tour de France for the second time.

PR Chari, the nuclear disarmament advocate, died

He was a former IAS officer who served two terms in the Defence Ministry and was also a former Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analysis (IDSA) from 1975 to 1980.

Veteran Congress leader Bijoy Krishna Handique passed away

Handique was first elected to Assam Legislative Assembly in 1972, he then became a member of All India Congress Committee in 1973.

16th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas observed across the country

The Kargil war was also called Operation Vijay, which was the name of the Indian operation that cleared the Kargil sector, which is situated 205 kilometer from Srinagar in J&K.

Former Bihar Governor Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai passed away

It was to Gavai’s credit that the Deekshabhoomi turned into a world class memorial to Ambedkar and his historic conversion to Buddhism.

PM Narendra Modi launched Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana in Patna

The Scheme has an outlay of 76000 crore rupees for implementation of the projects under which Union Government shall provide Grant of 63000 crore rupees.

Helena Ndume, Jorge Sampaio awarded with first-ever Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize

The award ceremony was a part of the annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day, which is observed on 18 July every year.

Union Government constituted All India Council of Sports

The advice rendered by the council will be duly considered by the government, but it will not be binding and obligatory on the government.

Ramachandra Guha chosen for Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize 2015

The prize will be conferred upon him on 17 September 2015 in Fukuoka International Congress Center in Japan, following which the awardees will be deliberating lectures at high-schools and universities across the city.

Ajay Mathur appointed as Director-General of TERI

Currently, Mathur is working as the Director General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of the Union Government.

WTO members sealed a deal to cut tariffs on $1 trillion worth IT products

The deal was agreed as part of need to update the 18-year old Information Technology Agreement (ITA) as it has become redundant. The ITA was finalised in 1997.

Earth-like exoplanet Kepler 452b discovered

In addition to Kepler 452b, the Kepler Mission also discovered 11 yet-to-be-confirmed candidate planets that appear to be small, rocky and potentially suitable for life.

FSSAI proposed Draft on regulating sale of Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals

There is need for safety norms as about 60-70 per cent supplements in the nutraceuticals market, which has potential to grow to 12.2 billion US dollars in the next five years, is fake.

Reliance Group, Augur Overseas Operation signed MoU to manufacture Aerostats and Airships

As per the MoU, both the parties will collaborate on new technologies for the civil and military market as part of the Make in India initiative of Union Government.

Forbes Asia’s Fabulous 50 List of the year 2015 released

The companies from China dominate this year’s list that depicts the region’s best big publicly traded companies.

Mosquirix, world’s first malaria vaccine, approved by European Medicines Agency

The vaccine was approved on basis of trail data released showing reduction in episodes of malaria in babies aged 6-12 weeks by 27 percent, and by around 46 percent in children aged 5-17 months.

No citizen or institution has a fundamental right to affiliation or recognition: SC

The 1993 judicial case says that citizen of India may have a right to establish an educational institution but no citizen, person or institution has a right, much less of fundamental right, to affiliation or recognition.

Shubham Jaglan won IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf event 2015

Shubham Jaglan, IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf, 2015

Haryanavi film ‘Pagdi: The Honour’ made tax free in Haryana

Pagdi: The Honour is the first Haryanvi film which has won two national awards, namely best Haryanavi film and best supporting actor (female) award at the 62nd National Film Awards.

SC allowed States to release life convicts; Rajiv Gandhi assassination case kept out of purview

This power will not apply to cases probed by central agencies like CBI and for those incarcerated under central laws such as Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).

Peter Higgs received Royal Society’s Copley Medal, the world’s oldest scientific prize

Higgs received the Copley Medal for his fundamental contribution to particle physics with his theory explaining the Higgs Boson, which was confirmed by the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012.

Lupin acquired US generics company GAVIS Pharmaceuticals LLC

The deal is cash-free and debt-free and it will be funded by a bridge loan, with 10 crore rupees from existing cash reserves deployed for it.

Maharashtra cabinet approved scheme for development of villages around Tiger reserves

The scheme proposed by Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar aims at creation of comprehensive development of villages in the buffer zones of tiger reserves and around them.

First All Women Trans Continental road expedition from Delhi to London flagged off

The three women participating in the expedition will reach United Kingdom in 55 days via Myanmar, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and France.

Union I&B Ministry approved ENIL proposal to purchase TV Today Network’s Oye FM

The purchase will be subjected to the fulfilment of conditions specified by I&B Ministry that is execution of relevant documents with TVTN and completion of all other relevant formalities.

Indian-American Amitoj Chhabra won Junior Title at US Powerlifting Championships 2015

Chhabra squatted 485 pounds, bench pressed 325 and dead-lifted 573. He has added 100 pounds to his dead-lift in the 2014 championship.

Longtime cartoonist Tom Moore died

Moore began drawing cartoons while serving in the US Navy during the Korean War.

India ranked 12th in terms of power generation from nuclear source

India is positioned at 7th position with 21 reactors, while total capacity wise it was placed at 12th position with generation of 5308 MWe.

61st edition of Fortune 500 list released; 7 Indian companies in the list

The list has been topped by retail giant Walmart and is followed by petroleum refining giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron at 2nd and 3rd place.

National Broadcasting Day observed across the country

Broadcasting in India began in July 1923 with programmes by the Radio Club of Mumbai. According to an agreement of 23 July 1927, the Indian Broadcasting Company started broadcasting from Bombay station.

R.D. Burman: The Prince of Music written by Khagesh Dev Burman

The author through the book has tried to look into life of R.D. Burman and reveals the fact about number of songs and tunes of Burman.

Book titled Ghosts of Calcutta authored by Sebastian Ortiz released

The book not only tells about the Ghosts of Calcutta but also about other characters like friends, associates, passer-bys, who were around him.

Conakry named as World Book Capital for 2017 by UNESCO

With this, Conakry becomes the 17th city to be designated as World Book Capital.

Glenmark launched affordable Type 2 diabetes drug Teneligliptin

Teneligliptin introduced under the brand names Ziten and Zita Plus is effective in suppressing glucagon release and increasing insulin to subsequently lower blood glucose levels.

BEE signed agreement with RECPDCL for Partial Risk Guarantee Fund for Energy Efficiency

PRGFEE, an innovative financing mechanism under Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED), is one of initiatives under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency.

French film The Big Day to showcase Anand Kumar’s Super 30

Super 30 of Anand Kumar came in news because of a 90-minute film, The Big Day, made by famous French director Pascal Plisson.

China returned passport to dissident artist Ai Weiwei

World renowned artist Weiwei is mostly remembered for his famous British installations Sunflower Seeds at Tate Modern in 2010.

Soyuz rocket with 3 astronauts launched towards ISS

The spacecraft blasted off on schedule from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome in the barren Kazakh steppe, carrying cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren and Kimiya Yui of Japan.

36th annual American Book Awards announced

The awards are presented by the Before Columbus Foundation, a non-profit educational and service organisation.

CCEA extended CCTNS deadline to March 2017

CCTNS will integrate all the data and records of crime into a Core Application Software (CAS), which is presently spreading across 29 states and 7 union territories of India

NDRI scientists developed technique to decrease cholesterol level in Ghee

Use of this technique will help to reduce the level of cholesterol in Ghee up to 85 to 90 percent. It also does not affect the taste and quality of the ghee.

Committee to draft bill for protection of indigenous people of Manipur constituted

The committee will be chaired by State Law Minister Thoudam Debendra Singh and other members include Bijoy Singh, N Biren and RK Anand.

SC rejected curative petition of Mumbai serial bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon

It came into news after Mumbai serial bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon’s Curative Petition was rejected by the SC bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu on 21 July 2015.

SC rejected Union Government’s review plea seeking OBC status for Jats

SC in its verdict scrapped the March 2014 notification to include Jats in the central list of the Other Background Classes (OBC) category in nine states.

Union Government extended Interest Subvention Scheme to banks

Cabinet also approved a Central Agricultural University at Samastipur and revival of Banana Research Centre at Goraul in Vaishali, Bihar.

Ananth Narayanan appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Myntra

With the appointment of Narayanan, Bansal will assume the role of Chairman of Board of Myntra and will contribute to Myntra’s vision, strategy and overall direction.

New fish species named Puntius Dolichopterus discovered in Kerala

The fish has received Zoo bank register number from International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature, the official body approving the new names of animals.

Hisao Tanaka resigned as CEO and President of Toshiba

He will be succeeded by Masashi Muromachi, who is presently the Chairman of Toshiba.

India and Singapore signed agreement to enhance maritime cooperation

The agreement was signed during the visit of Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan to Singapore.

Union Government launched Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan

The initiative complements the widely popular multi-media campaign Jago Grahak Jago which empowers the consumers of its rights and demands.

BCCI announced venues for ICC World Twenty20; Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to host final

BCCI also constituted a tournament managing committee with President Jagmohan Dalmiya as its chairman.

Noted Hollywood actor Olaf Pooley passed away

Pooley was most famous for his role as villainous scientist Professor Stahlman in Doctor Who show, which he starred in during the 1970s.

Union Government launched National Career Counselling portal

The portal aims to bring on board around 20 million job seekers already registered with employment exchanges across India. It also aspires to bring 900000 establishments and companies on the portal.

Japanese Cabinet approved Defence White Paper 2015

In the White Paper 2015, the cabinet described the security situation surrounding Japan as increasingly tough. The defence white paper for 2015 examines a range of global threats.

Maurice Obstfeld appointed as Chief Economist of IMF

Obstfeld will succeed outgoing IMF economist Olivier Blanchard.

Workshop held to discuss Pam Rajput Committee’s recommendation on Status of Women

The workshop discussed the recommendations under four groups including Women and Economy; Women and Social Empowerment; Women, Media and Information Technology; Women and Law and lastly, Institutional Mechanism and Governance.

Telugu cartoonist Pamarthy Shankar won Grand Prix World Press Cartoon 2014 Award

He was presented the award at Cascais in Portugal by World Press Cartoon Director Antonio Antunes.

Benoy Behl won the Best Documentary Producer award at Madrid International Film Festival

He was awarded for producing and directing a documentary film titled Indian Roots of Tibetan Buddhism.

UNSC adopted resolution endorsing Iran nuclear deal

The agreement with Iran was reached in 14 July 2015 in Vienna, in which Iran reaffirmed that it will under no circumstances ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.

Bhanu Pratap Sharma appointed as Chairperson of FSSAI

Sharma was given this additional charge of FSSAI for three months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent.

Indian Railways and Odisha Government signed MoU for Dasappla-Bolangir Railway Line

Khurda Road-Bolangir (289 km), new broad gauge line project, was taken up by Indian Railways at an anticipated cost of 3050 crore rupees.

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