. Current Affairs week 42- 43Pdf.

11 Oct 25 October 2015

Best of Current Affairs Desk

26 October

IN THIS WEEK

Dear Readers,
WHAT'S NEW NIRDESHAK.COM

Nobel Prize 2015

Man Booker Prize 2015
mVisa Mobile payment
service
Indias Fiscal balance
turned from deficit to
surplus
RUSSIAN F1 Grand Prix
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Ravindra Jain
First ever visit of Indian
President to three
countries
National Judicial
Appointments Commission

Recently we have initiated Best of Nirdeshak

Current Affairs (BNCA) with weekly pdf update.
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In the following two weeks, Nobel Prizes
were announced, many initiative, policy and
activity took place for banking, and financial
world, along with this many international news
were very crucial. Further know more about key
personalities of the week, government policies
and foreign relations with neighbours.
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Nobel Prize - 2015

Nobel Peace in Economics Angus Deaton (US)
To Know: Angus Deaton is a professor of Princeton
University, New Jersey (US). He was awarded this
prestigious award "for his analysis of consumption,
poverty, and welfare".

By linking detailed individual choices and aggregate outcomes, Deatons

research

has

helped

transform

the

fields

of

microeconomics,

macroeconomics, and development economics. The work for which he is

being awarded with the Nobel, revolves around three central questions: a)
How do consumers distribute their spending among different goods? b) How
much of society's income is spent and how much is saved? andc) How do we
best measure and analyze welfare and poverty?
The Economics Nobel Prize is officially known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in
Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It wasnt created by Nobel, but
by Swedens central bank in 1968. Though its handed out along with the
other prizes and the criteria for selecting winners are the same, its not a
Nobel Prize in the same sense.
2015
(Nobel Prize for Economics)
12 2015 ? -
- Angus Deaton ( )
:
( Princeton University)

(consumption), (poverty) (welfare)

, -

:
)

? )

? ) ?
(Alfred Nobel)
1968
- (Bank of Sweden)


:

Defence
Hand-in Hand Indo-China Joint Exercise
The Indo-China joint military training exercise, featuring
infantry sub-unit and a formation headquarter of Indian
Army and similar participation from the Chinese Army,
commenced from 12 October 2015 at Kunming (China).
To Know: Hand-in-Hand 2015 is the fifth exercise in the
Hand-in-Hand series, which started in 2007. This biennial joint exercise
seeks to strengthen and broaden interoperability & cooperation between both
the Armies as well as complement a number of other exchanges between the
two forces.
This joint exercise is being held at Kunming Military Academy, Yunnan, China
and will conclude on 23 October 2015. Over the years, the two India and
China have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the
combined training.
( Indo-China joint military
training exercise) 12 2015 (Kunming)

? - "--" (Hand-in-Hand)
: "--" (Handin-Hand) 2007

"-- 2015"

"-- 2015" (

Yunnan)

(Kunming Military Academy) 12- 23

2015

Book
Neither a Hawk nor a Dove

An Insiders Account of Pakistans Foreign Policy

The book written by former Pakistani foreign
minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri that was released
on 12 October 2015 in India amidst the incident
of black

oil

paint being

thrown

on

SudheendraKulkarni, the organizer of the book

release event.
To Know: An event was organized by Observer
Research Foundation (ORF) in Mumbai on the
occasion of book release of K.M. Kasuris new book Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insiders Account of

Pakistans Foreign Policy. However, Shiv Sena

opposed the release of a Pakistani leader in India and as a mark of protest around
15 activists of Shiv Sena threw black oil paint on the face of SudheendraKulkarni, the
chairman of ORF. But Kulkarni announced that the launch ceremony of the book will
be held as per the schedule.
(

Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri)

12 2015
( SudheendraKulkarni)
? - Neither a Hawk nor a Dove:

An Insiders Account of Pakistans Foreign Policy

: (

Observer Research

Foundation - ORF)
PMO ORF
12 2015 15

My Journey to Connect India

Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect Indiaautobiography by Sam
Pitroda
To Know: Sam Pitroda (full name SatyanarayanGangaramPitroda) is
often known as the person who heralded the telecom revolution in
India. His autobiography Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect
India was launched on 22 October 2015 by MukeshAmbani.
In the 1980s Pitroda was entrusted with the task to extend digital
telecommunications to every corner of the country, including remote
villages, by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
He launched the Center for the Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and
served as Advisor to the Prime Minister on Technology Missions related to
water, literacy, immunization, oil seeds, telecom, and dairy. He is also the
founding Chairman of Indias Telecom Commission.
Pitroda has also started several businesses as a serial entrepreneur
(Wescom Switching, Ionics, MTI, Martek, WorldTel, C-SAM, etc.) in the US
and Europe.

Award
Man Booker Prize 2015
Marlon James (Jamaica) for Fiction
To Know: 44-year Marlon James was named as
the winner of this prestigious prize for his novel A

Brief History of Seven Killings, which is inspired by

an attempt to kill reggae star Bob Marley in 1976. It
is the third novel by James. He thus became the
first-ever Jamaican to win this coveted literary prize.
Jamess novel was chosen from a shortlist of six titles. The prize carries a top
cash award of 50,000 ($76,000). Earlier Man Booker Prize was given only to
writers in English from the commonwealth countries. But a rule change two
years ago, writers in English from all over the world can to compete for the
prize.
2015 (Man Booker Prize) -

Marlon James

() , 13 2015
: 44- " "
A Brief History of Seven Killings 13
2015 (

reggae star)

(Bob Marley) 1976

50,000
( 76,000 ) "
" (Commonwealth)
2014

Dalip Kaur Tiwana

First writer to return Padma Shri honour
To Know: Noted Punjabi writer DalipKaurTiwana was conferred with the
Padma Shri, Indias fourth highest civilian honour, in 2004. On 13 October
she announced her decision to return her Padma Shri in protest against the
rising communal tension in the country. She became the first Padma Shri
awardee to return the honour in the ongoing protest of writers against the
attacks

on

countrys

pluralist

voice.

She

was

also

awarded

the

SahityaAkademi in 1971.

""

:



"" (

Padma Shri)

13 ""

"" 2004 1971

Banking & Finance

Yes Bank
Approved by RBI to set up a mutual fund, asset
management company (AMC) and a trustee
company.
To Know: Presently the fifth largest private bank
in India. The bank hopes that the AMC will
channelize savings of retail and institutional
investors in equity and debt capital markets. The
approval for mutual fund is expected to complement Yes Banks retail
liabilities strategy and also allow the AMC to leverage the Banks distribution
network for customer acquisition.
RBI 12
2015
(AMC)

mVisa Mobile payment service
ICICI Bank is the first bank to globally launch a mobile
app-based mVisa service.
To Know: A service to enable customers to make
electronic payments from their smartphones at physical
stores, e-commerce and other deliveries at home, radio
taxis, and utility billers, among others. This service is based on mVisa, Visas
new mobile payment solution.

With this service, users of Pockets, ICICI Bank's app, can make cashless
payments from their smartphones using their debit card by simply scanning an
mVisa Quick Response (QR) code at a merchant location without swiping the
card at an EDC machine. This service thus provides customers the
convenience of speed to complete a transaction along with enhanced security
as the card remains in the possession of the customer.
To start with, this facility has been introduced in Bengaluru with 1,500
merchants and will shortly be extended to other cities.
2015 (Visa)
"-" (M-Visa)
? ICICI (ICICI
Bank)
: ICICI Visa
"-" (M-Visa)
, - ,

ICICI (Pockets)
- - ( Quick Response - QR)



1500

7 Banks under Enforcement Directorate scan for illegal transfer of funds

ING Vysya Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Indusind Bank,
Dhanlaxmi Bank, YES Bank and DCB Bank
To Know: These 7 banks were alleged to have been used for illegal fund
transfer transactions during the period between 2010 to 2014.

The ED also cracked another module related to the money laundering case,
by arresting Manish Jain. He was charged with illegal transfer of funds
between 2006 and 2014 through the Oriental Bank of Commerce.
According to ED, Jain had 66 accounts in the Oriental Bank of Commerce,
Rajpur Branch Ghaziabad and Rs 505 Crore were deposited and remitted
abroad through this bank during the period 2006 to 2010.
It is worth mentioning that earlier Bank of Baroda was found guilty in illegal
fund transfer case valued at Rs. 6,172 crore.
(Enforcement Directorate - ED) 15 2015

? ING
, ICICI , , - ( Indusind Bank), ,
DCB
: 2010
2014

(OBC)
() 2006 2010 505

(BOB) 6,172


Corpus for Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced total corpus of the new Financial
Inclusion Fund (FIF) on 15 October 2015 to be - Rs. 2,000 crore.
To Know: Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) will be setup to support
developmental and promotional activities like financial inclusion and research
and transfer of technology. It will be primarily used creating of financial
inclusion infrastructure across the country, capacity building of stakeholders

and creation of awareness to address demand side issues. The fund will not
be utilized for normal business/banking activities.
Earlier the RBI had two funds - Financial Inclusion Fund and Financial
Inclusion Technology Fund for the similar objectives. It has now been decided
to merge the two funds. The new fund will be in operation for another three
years or till such period as may be decided by the RBI and the Government in
consultation with other stakeholders.FIF will be administered by the
reconstituted Advisory Board constituted by Union Government and will be
maintained by NABARD.
(FIF)
(RBI) 15 2015 (Financial Inclusion)
- (

Financial Inclusion

Fund - FIF)
? - .2,000
: (FIF) (Financial
Inclusion)
(technologytransfer)




- (Financial InclusionFund)
(Financial InclusionTechnology Fund)
RBI
(FIF)


(NABARD)

Long-term Government Securities

Union Govt. is poised to issue long-term government securities (G-secs),
which will be the longest tenure securities to be brought out by the
government. What will be tenure of these G-secs, as announced by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 19 October 2015? 40 years
To Know: The proposal to bring G-secs with 40-year maturity will give it a
longer time horizon to fund growth at lower costs. Till date, gilts with the
longest tenure were of 30 years.
One important factor associated with 40-year G-secs would be that these are
being brought at a time when the rate of interest is heading south. The move
by the government to issue 40-year G-secs is timed with the RBIs decision to
increase debt limit for foreign investors in government securities. This is
expected to attract long-term foreign fund managers like pension funds,
sovereign funds and insurance companies to buy these papers, market
players said.
A large chunk of investments by these institutions are usually parked in very
long-term instruments with maturities of 20, 30, 40 years and more.
According to RBI data, at present the G-secs with the longest maturity is of 30
years, which is scheduled to be redeemed in June 2045 and has an
outstanding maturity amount of Rs. 30,000 crore.

Policy - To unlock the potential for capital goods sector and establish India as
a global manufacturing powerhouse
The Department of Heavy Industry released the draft of a National Policy on
Capital Goods on 23 October 2015. This is the first time that a policy on
Capital Goods is being framed.
To Know: The Draft National Policy on Capital Goods has been framed in
active consultation with industry associations & bodies. It was released on 23
October 2015 and has been put on public domain for seeking comments,
views and suggestions of stakeholders/ public in general. The comments on
draft policy are being sought till 31 October 2015.

Capital goods consist of plant machinery, equipment and accessories

required, either directly or indirectly, for manufacture or production of
goods or for rendering services, including those required for replacement,
modernization, technological upgradation and expansion of manufacturing
facilities.

The growth and development of capital goods is critical for India to achieve
the vision of Make in India by increasing share of manufacturing to 25%
of Gross Value Added. This in turn will help generate additional jobs,
improve Indias trade balance and increase domestic self-reliance. The
National Policy on Capital Goods is envisaged to unlock the potential of
this promising sector and establish India as a global manufacturing
powerhouse.

Draft Note on Setting Monetary Policy:

The Union Government has recently circulated a draft note
pertaining to monetary policy mechanism in the country. It
has proposed clipping the exclusive powers of the RBI
governor in setting monetary policy
Explanation: The draft circulated by the govt. has
proposed some far-reaching steps in countrys monetary
policy mechanism. It has proposed that a seven-member committee should
draft monetary policy.
It has proposed that the committee have four members from the
government and three from the central bank, with the RBI governor, as its
chair, holding no veto power as was earlier bnyhumsuggested, but a
casting vote.
The monetary policy committee will fix the benchmark interest rate of the
RBI and set inflation targets.
Under the current system, the RBI governor has a technical advisory
committee to advise on monetary policy, but can accept or reject the
panels views.
RBI chief RaghuramRajan had earlier said that he favoured doing away
with the veto power of the central bank chief, arguing it would be better for
a committee to decide the key rate rather than one individual.

International
CHINA
Overtaken United States in terms of population of middle class
As disclosed in a latest report on global wealth by Credit Suisse, China has
become worlds largest middle class country.
To Know:The latest Global Wealth Report by Swiss bank Credit Suisse has
disclosed that with 109 million adults China has replaced the United States,
which has around 92 million of its populace under middle class. China now
accounts for a fifth of the world population, while holding nearly 10 percent of
the global wealth. The report said size and wealth of the middle class was a
key factor in economic development, and the middle class was often at the
heart of political movements and new consumption trends.
Overall, the report found that global wealth fell by nearly 5 percent in the year
to mid-2015 to $250 trillion due a strengthening of the US dollar in which
income is compared.
(Credit Suisse) ( Global Wealth
Report)
(middle-class population) ? - (China)
: Global Wealth Report
10.9

9.2
5% -

-

2015 - 5% ,
,

TTIP - Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

The ambitious trade agreement proposed between the United
States and the European Union (EU) for which the 11th round
of negotiations started from October 19, 2015.
To Know: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the
European Union and the United States, with the aim of promoting multilateral
economic growth. It is likely to set standards that would become a base point
for the rest of the world that would want to serve these markets.
The first round of negotiations under TTIP took place from 7 to12 July
2013 in Washington DC. Till now 10 such negotiations have been held.
One important feature of the negotiations taking place under TTIP is that
the negotiations are being carried mostly in secrecy. Almost all information
on negotiations comes from leaked documents and Freedom of
Information requests.
The United States and European Union together represent 60% of global
GDP, 33% of world trade in goods and 42% of world trade in services.
There are a number of trade conflicts between the two powers, but both
depend on the others economic market and disputes only affect 2% of
total trade. A free trade area between the two would represent potentially
the largest regional free-trade agreement in history.

Growth rate of China

Third Quarter- 6.9%
To Know: As per the official data released by the Chinese Govt. on October
19, 2015, China posted its weakest quarterly economic growth since the
global financial crisis. The growth rate during July-September 2015 stood at
6.9%. The GDP growth rate is thus lower than 7% growth achieved during the
first half of 2015. This is the weakest reading since the first quarter of 2009,
when growth tumbled to 6.2%.
These figures further raised the pressure on policymakers to cut interest
rates further and roll out other support measures to avert a sharper
slowdown. Chinese economy now has huge impact on global economy as
it has emerged as the second largest economy after the United States.
Some market watchers believe current growth is much weaker than
government readings, though officials deny allegations that the numbers
are inflated.

Trident Juncture
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on October 19, 2015 started
its biggest and most ambitious military exercise in more than a decade.
To Know: Trident Juncture 2015, the huge military exercise comprising
of around 36,000 troops from more than 30 North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) countries. It is being hosted by Italy, Spain and
Portugal at 16 different locations.
The opening ceremony of Trident Juncture 2015 took place at the Italian
air base of Trapani in Sicily, where NATO showed its air strike power with
Typhoon, F-18, F-16, Tornado and AMX aircraft.
Trident Juncture 2015 will test the new rapid-reaction force of NATO
whose spearhead force will be led by Spain in 2016.

Oil Prices Meeting of eight non OPEC Countries

In an important development pertaining to global oil prices,
Venezuela hosted a special meeting for eight non-OPEC countries
on October 21, 2015 at Vienna. Azerbaijan, Brazil, Colombia,
Kazakhstan, Norway, Mexico, Oman and Russia were invited to
in this meeting to unveil a new oil strategy to stem a tumble in oil
prices.
Explanation: The meeting of these 8 non-OPEC nations was organized by
Venezuela, an OPEC member, to unveil a bold new oil strategy so as to put a
break to sliding oil prices. The meeting was held in shadow of consistently low
oil prices globally. Venezuela has been pushing to stem a tumble in oil prices,
but faces an uphill battle to convince its richer Gulf counterparts and nonOPEC nations.
An oil price recovery would be a boon for recession-hit Venezuela, where
roughly 96% of hard currency income derives from oil.
OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, an
international organization of 12 countries to coordinate and unify the global
petroleum policies and prices.

National- Economy
Indias Fiscal balance turned from deficit to surplus
During August 2015 what landmark achievement was made by the Union
Govt. in the area of fiscal balance? During August 2015 Indias fiscal
balance turned from deficit to surplus for the first time in 8 years
To Know: According to the data released by the Controller-General of
Accounts (CGA) recently, Indias fiscal deficit was (-) Rs. 15,808 crore in
August 2015. The negative figure indicates surplus of revenues over
expenditure. In contrast, the Centre ran up a fiscal deficit of Rs. 73,005 crore
in August 2014.
The total revenue was Rs. 1,47,022crore in August 2015 against Rs. 71,578
crore in July 2015. In contrast, the total expenditure in August 2015 was Rs.
1,31,214crore against Rs. 1,69,986 crore in July 2015.
Fiscal deficit is the excess of the Centres expenditure over its revenues. This
is after 8 years that Indias fiscal deficit has turned negative. A sharp surge in
the Centres revenue receipts as well as a steep decline in its total
expenditures made the fiscal surplus (or negative fiscal deficit) possible.
2015 (Fiscal
position) ? - 8 2015
(Fiscal Deficit) (negative)
: - Controller-General of Accounts - CGA)
2015 (Fiscal
Deficit) (negative) 15,808
(revenue receipts) (expenditures)
8
2014 73,005
2015 1,47,022
1,31,214 2015

71,578

1,69,986

2015

Prices of Pulses
Union Government on October 18 2015 imposed stock
limits on four categories of stocks.
Explanation: The Union Government has now withdrawn
exemptions to four categories of stocks of pulses stocks
sourced from imports, held by exporters, by licensed food
processors and large departmental retailers. The step has been taken to
prevent hoarding, follows the spiralling of prices of all the pulses over the past
two weeks on short supplies.
In its earlier order extending the imposition of stock limits on pulses, edible
oils and edible oilseeds for one year up to September 30, 2016, the
government had granted exemption to these four stock categories.
The Centre had earlier announced a ban on pulses exports, extension of zero
import duty, and a further purchase of 5,000 tonnes from overseas markets
under the price stabilisation fund. It also aims to create a 40,000-tonne bufferstock from the new arhar (tur) and urad crops, which will hit the market
between November and early-January.

Sports
Cricket
Younis Khan surpassed JavedMiandad record for most runs for
Pakistan in Test Cricket
To Know: Younis Khan surpassed the record for most runs for Pakistan in
Test cricket during the First Test Match against England being played in Abu
Dhabi. He overtook JavedMiandad's previous mark of 8,832 runs to achieve
this feat. Younis overhauled the record in his 102nd match, taking 22 fewer
than Miandad to set the mark.
13 2015

: 13
2015
8,832
RUSSIAN F1 Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton (UK) won the Russian F1 Grand Prix on 11 October 2015 to
further consolidate his position on way to becoming 2015 F1 champion.
To Know: Force Indias driver Sergio Perez finished third on the Russian F1
Grand Prix to give his team its only third podium finish in its history.Force
India have enjoyed only two podium places before this race and incidentally
the last time also it was Perez who stepped onto the podium for the team at
Bahrain Grand Prix in 2014.
The first ever podium for the team was secured by Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy),
who had finished second in the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix from pole position.
(Lewis Hamilton) (Sochi)
(Russian F1 Grand Prix) 11 2015

(Force India)

(podium finish)
? - Sergio Perez ()
: (

Sergio Perez)

(podium)
( )

2014 (Bahrain Grand Prix)
2009 ( 2009
Belgian Grand Prix)
(Giancarlo Fisichella)

()

() 236
229
302

BOXING - Vijender Singh
Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh started his
professional boxing career with a bang as he
defeated his opponent Sonny Whiting by knockout.
To Know: Vijender Singh showed no nerves in
the debut bout of his professional career against
British professional boxer Sonny Whiting that
was held on 10 October at the Manchester
Arena. He ended the fight in the third round with
a knock-out victory over Whiting.
Vijender, the bronze medalist of the 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing), had
announced his decision to turn professional on 29 June 2015 as he signed a
multi-year agreement with Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports and
Entertainment. This ruled him out of 2016 Olympics as he no longer remains
eligible to represent India.

 (Vijender Singh)
10 2015
- (knock-out)
? - (Sonny Whiting)
: 10 2015
(UK) (Sonny
Whiting) -

2008
29 2015

(Queensberry Promotions)

Virender Sehwag
Swashbuckling batsman VirenderSehwag announced his retirement
from international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) on 20
October 20, 2015. He is the only Indian to have scored triple
century in Test cricket
To Know: VirendraSehwag is the only triple centurion in Tests for
India having scored career-best knock of 319 against Pakistan at
Multan, which also is an Indian record. He is also one of those rare batsmen
to have scored two triple ton with his next one (309) coming against South
Africa.
In a glorious international career spanning over 12 years, Sehwag played
104 Tests scoring 8586 runs at an impressive average of 49.34, hitting 23
centuries and 32 half-centuries. In 251 ODIs, he accumulated 8273 runs at
an average of 35.05 and scored 15 hundreds apart from hitting 38 fifties.
In 19 T-20 internationals, he managed 394 runs with two half-centuries.
His last ODI was against Pakistan at Kolkata in January 2013. He last
played a Test match in March 2013 against Australia at Hyderabad. He
remained out of Indian squad due to poor reflexes and bad luck as also
emergence of numerous more consistent batsmen.

Hockey - Johor Cup

India finished runners-up in Johor Cup mens junior hockey tournament,Great
Britain defeated India to win the tournament.

To Know: The Indian junior mens hockey team ended runner-up in the
Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament after losing nail-biting penalty shootout 3-4 to Great Britain. The teams were level 2-2 after full time in the title
encounter.

India had earlier finished at the top of the table in the league encounter
just losing one match ironically to Great Britain.

Badminton
Indias P.V. Sindhu finished runner-up in the womens singles
badminton title of Denmark Open.
To Know: Olympic badminton champion Li XueruiChina won the
womens singles title as she ended P.V. Sindhus dream run at the
tournament by defeating her easily in the final on 19 October by 21-19, 21-12.

This was the first-ever Super Series final for P.V. Sindhu, the two-time
bronze medallist at the World Championship. Earlier Sindhu had stunned
reigning World champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the semi-finals by
defeating her by 21-15, 18-21, 21-17 on 17 October.

Vivo Mobiles to replace PepsiCo

To Know: The change in IPL sponsorship was necessitated by
beverage giant PepsiCos sudden pullout from a five-year deal
that was to end in 2017. Vivo Mobile was chosen as the IPL
sponsor by BCCIs all-powerful working committee meeting held
on October 18 2015.
Vivo Mobile is a smartphone maker of China.
PepsiCo became title sponsors of the IPL in 2013 after they bid a
whopping Rs. 396.8 crore for five seasons. Before Pepsi, DLF had paid
Rs. 200 crore to become title sponsors of the tournament from 2008 till
2012.
PepsiCos decision to end its deal with IPL was reportedly caused by the
spot-fixing scandal which shook the game in 2013.

Place
Mumbai
To Have World world-class memorial for Dr.BhimraoAmbedkar
To Know: The memorial for Indias constitution maker Dr.BhimraoAmbedkar
will be established at Indu Mill land in Dadar (Mumbai). The proposed
memorial would have a 40-feet-tall full-size statue of Dr.BabasahebAmbedkar
along with a big stupa with 24 ribs denoting Dhammachakra. The memorial
will be constructed on a 12.5-acre plot near the existing ChaityaBhoomi in
Dadar area, where Ambedkar was cremated.
The project will cost Rs. 425 crore and the project has been given to
ShashiPrabhu, a well-known architect. PM also announced that from now 26
November will be celebrated as Samvidhaan Divas (Constitution Day)every
year.
(Mumbai)
11 2015 - .
(Dr.BhimraoAmbedkar) (memorial) -
-
:
(Dadar) (Indu Mill)
40-

24
12.5
( ChaityaBhoomi)
425
(Shashi Prabhu)
26 " " (Constitution
Day) 1949 26

Personality
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
The new Prime Minister of Nepal by countrys Parliament on
11 October 2015? - K.P. Sharma Oli
To Know: K.P. Sharma Oli was elected as the new Prime
Minister of Nepal as he defeated SushilKoirala by securing 338
votes against Koiralas 249 votes. The votes garnered by Oli
were 39 more than 299 that he needed to be elected as the
Prime Minister. A total of 587 members in the Parliament had
cast their votes.
Oli belongs to Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPNUML, being its Chairman while Koirala belongs to Nepali Congress.
Earlier current Prime Minister SushilKoirala had stepped down as required by
the new constitution, which was adopted on 20 September 2015.
.. (K.P. Sharma Oli)
11 2015
: .. 338 249
( SushilKoirala)
299 39
587
( -) ( CPN-UML)
(Nepali Congress)

APPOINTMENT
Dr.Shekhar Basu
Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and
Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
To Know:Dr.ShekharBasu is a veteran atomic scientist and
has spent almost four decades in Indias atomic energy
programme. He will replace Dr. RK Sinha, the current chief
of the AEC, who retires on 23 October 2015.
Dr.Basu is known for pioneering the highly complex nuclear
reactor for India's first nuclear-powered submarine INS
Arihant. The submarine is undergoing sea trials and is likely
to be inducted into the Navy in about a year. Making a nuclear reactor that is
safe, compact and light weight is a Herculean task and India joined a select
club in 2009 that had manufactured its own indigenously-made nuclearpowered submarine.
Dr.Basu is currently the director of India's main nuclear weapons laboratory
the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai.
.
9 2015 (Chairman)
(Secretary)
: .
. . . (

Dr RK Sinha)

23 2015
. INS (INS
Arihant)

. (BARC)
(Director)

Alok Rawar - The first-ever male member to be appointed as member of the

National Commission of Women (NCW).
To Know: AlokRawat is a former Cabinet Secretary. He was appointed as the
first male member of the NCW by filling the fourth seat in the five-member
body.
He is a 1977-batch Sikkim cadre IAS officer. Apart from being the Cabinet
Secretary, Rawat has served some important posts such as secretary in
ministry of water resources, director/joint secretary in ministry of defence
and ministry of road transport and highways and secretary of UPSC.
The 5-member NCW is led by LalithaKumaramangalam.
Justice Reva Khetrapal - Lokayukta of Delhi
Explanation: RevaKhetrapal is a former Delhi High Court judge.
She was appointed as the new Lokayukta of Delhi on 20
October 2015.
Justice Khetrapal has given judgments in a number of
high-profile cases, including the December 16 gangrape
case, where she upheld the death penalty of the convicts.
The post of Delhi Lokayukta has remained vacant since November 2013,
when retired Justice ManmohanSarin relinquished office.
The decision to recommend Justice Khetrapal to the post was declared
following a meeting of the four-member panel comprising Lieutenant
Governor Najeeb Jung, Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal, Chief Justice of
Delhi High Court G Rohini and Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta.
Later Najeeb Jung recommended her name to President Pranab
Mukherjee for the formal appointment on 20 October.
Justice RevaKhetrapal thus became the 4th Lokayukta of Delhi.
Justin Trudeau - elected as the new Prime Minister of Canada
To Know: Justin Trudeau led his Liberal party to a dramatic win in the
Parliamentary elections that ended the reign of the Conservative Prime
Minister, Stephen Harper.
Trudeaus Liberal Party leaped from third place in opinion polls to a
decisive victory in these elections, taking 184 of the parliaments 338
seats, and roughly 40% of the popular vote. Harpers Conservatives were
dealt a resounding defeat, falling from 166 seats to about 100.
43-year old Justin Trudeau is the son of former Prime Minister Pierre
Trudeau.

DEATH
Ravindra Jain
Noted music director Ravindra Jain passed away at the age of 71 in Mumbai on 9
October 2015. Some of the iconic films having his melodious music were Chitchor
(1976), AnkhiyonKeJharokhon Se (1978), NadiyaKePaar (1982), Ram Teri Ganga

Maili (1985) and Henna (1992). He had introduced which immensely talented
singer of south India to Hindi films? K.J. Yesudas
(Ravindra Jain) 9
2015 71
"" (1976) , " " (1978) , "
" (1982), " " (1985) "" (1992)


? - .. (K.J. Yesudas)
: .. (K.J. Yesudas)
" " "
" (), " " () " " ()
1944 ( )

(Filmfare Award)
2015 "" (

Padmashri)

International Project
SelectUSA
US Government initiative started in India
on 13th Oct 2015.
To Know: In a first-of-its-kind initiative,
the United States Government started its India roadshowwith an aim to attract
Indian investors. SelectUSA is the programme of the US Department of
Commerce through which the US Govt. seeks to highlight the many
advantages the United States offers as a location for business and
investment. It was initiated in 2011. This road show is being held in Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

13 2015
, ,

: " " ( SelectUSA) (

US

Department of Commerce)

2011
" "
,
16

Foreign Affairs
First ever visit of Indian President to three countries
The significance of President Pranab Mukherjees three-nation visit to Jordan,
Palestine and Israel that concluded on 15 October 2015, was that it was the
first-ever visit of these three countries by an Indian President.
To Know : President Pranab Mukherjees state visit to three nations - Jordan,
Palestine and Israel was significant because it was the first-ever visit of an
Indian head-of-state to these countries. The President left for the visit on 10
October 2015.
Jordan Visit
The first leg of the visit took the President to the Kingdom of Jordan. This visit
was the first by an Indian President to Jordan in the last 65 years since the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited Jordan in 1988. He met Jordans King
Abdullah-II Ibn Al Hussein and delivered a speech at the University of Jordan.
Palestine Visit
The second leg of Presidents visit was of Palestine, which was also the first
by an Indian Head of State. Reflecting the complicated situation, the President
and his entourage drove from the Ben-Gurion airport of Israel to the Bitunia
checkpoint which divides Israel from the Palestinian territory. At the
checkpoint the President and members of his delegation had to change from
Israeli vehicles to those arranged on the Palestinian side. In Palestine, with
which India shares ties over a long period, the President met his counterpart
Mahmoud Abbas, besides Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
Israel Visit
The third and final leg of the visit was the 3-day visit of Israel. Apart from
becoming the first Indian President to visit Israel, President Mukherjee also
became the first Indian Head of State to address Israeli Parliament Knesset.

India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 and since then the
relationship has evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership.
15 2015 (President Pranab Mukherjee)
(Jordan)

, (Palestine) (Israel)

? -

: ,
10
2015 15
(Jordan)
65
1988


(Palestine)

- (Ben-Gurion)
(Bitunia) -
( Mahmoud
Abbas) ( Rami Hamdallah)

(Israel) :
( Knesset)
1992

Railway
North Central Railway (NCR)
For the first time, as a new initiative, NCR division of the Indian Railways will
get electricity not from a state power utility but from the open market.
To Know : The North Central Railway (NCR) on 15 October signed an
agreement with Adani Power Limited. Under this agreement Adani Power will
supply 50 MW power at a landed tariff of Rs. 3.69 per unit for a period of 3
years. The move is expected to lead to annual saving of about Rs.150 crore in
electricity bill for the Indian Railways. Railways have been procuring power
through the state utilities at an average rate of Rs. 6.75 per unit.In this years
Railway Budget Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu had proposed to procure
power through the bidding process at economical tariff from generating
companies, power exchanges, and bilateral arrangements. This initiative is
likely to result in substantial savings of at least Rs. 3,000 crore in next few
years.
Some time back a PSU named Railway Energy Management Company
Limited (REMCL), on behalf of North Central Railway (NCR), had for the first
time invited open bids for the same, in which Adani Power emerged as the
successful bidder.
- (NCR)
(Indian Railways) (open bidding)
50 15


: - 15 50
(Adani Power Limited)
- 3.69
150


6.75

3,000


( Railway Energy Management Company Limited - REMCL)
-

Science Express Climate Action Special

Special Train about climate change,was flagged off from Delhi.
To Know: Science Express Climate Action Special is a 16-coach airconditioned train that was launched on 15 October from Delhi in the run-up to
the global climate summit in Paris slated for December. The exhibits on the
train would cover specific topics like adaptation, mitigation, Indias action on
mitigation, international climate change negotiations, nature conservation,
innovations in India, science lab, biotechnology applications and others.
Over 190 countries would meet in Paris in December 2015 under the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to strike a
new global climate deal aimed at controlling global carbon emissions for
tackling global warming.
The train will run till 7 May 2016 and during the course of these eight months,
it would stop at 64 locations across India, covering over 19,500 kilometres.
Some of these locations are Patiala, Jaisalmer, Agra, Ambala, New Jalpaiguri,
Vishakhapatnam, Vellore, Rameswaram, Mangalore and Gandhinagar.
" - "
(climate change)
15 2015 (special train)

: " - (Climate Change Special)

16
, ,

, , ,
,

7 2016 19,500 ..
64

2015
(Paris)

George Fernandes Institute of Tunnel Technology

Konkan Railway would establish first-of-kind tunnel
technology institute at Goas Margao town.
To Know: The proposed tunnel technology institute
will be named as George Fernandes Institute of
Tunnel Technology, after former Railway Minister
George Fernandes. Fernandes is said to be the
driving force behind the Konkan Railway.
The institute will be established to enable training for the technology
hitherto unavailable in the country. This will be the first such institute in
India. The objectives of the institute would be a depository of knowledge,
experience and data for tunnels and underground structures, to provide
training of tunnel technology and consultancy services for tunnels and
underground construction.
The training imparted at the institute would be specially adapted to suit the
geology of Indian subcontinent.

Soft loan for countrys first bullet-train network $15 billion

To Know: Indias first bullet-train network has been
proposed to be established between Mumbai and
Ahmedabad. Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) was picked to assess the feasibility of building the
505-kilometre corridor linking the two cities. JICA
recently submitted its feasibility report to Indian Railways
in which it concluded that the project would be
technically and financially viable.
Apart from this, Japan has offered to finance the proposed high speed rail
corridor estimated (to cost about Rs. 90,000 crore) at an interest rate of
less than one per cent. The loan offering by Japan is being seen as a bid
to surpass competition from China and other countries for Indias bullet
train projects. Though there are many countries offering the high-speed
technology for the bullet train project, it is Japan which is offering both
technology and funding together.
It is worth mention that during September 2015 China won the contract to
assess the feasibility of a high-speed train between Delhi and Mumbai, a
1,200-km route estimated to cost twice as much. No loan has yet been
offered.

National Judiciary
National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)
The Supreme Court on 16 October 2015 struck down on the National Judicial
Appointments Commission (NJAC) law that was meant to replace the twodecade old collegium system of judges appointing judges in higher judiciary.
Which constitutional amendment was associated with creation of the NJAC?
99th Constitutional Amendment
To Know: The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was a
body created to end the two-decade-old Supreme Court Collegium system of
judges appointing judges to the highest courts in the country. For The
parliament had unanimously voted in favour of the NJAC law and the
99thConstitutional Amendment.
One of the contentious provisions of the new law was the inclusion of two
eminent persons to the NJAC which included Chief Justice of India, two senior
most judges of the apex court and the Union Law Minister. The move was
opposed as many saw this as a governmental interference in judicial systems
of the country.
In a collective order, the Supreme Court on 16 October held the 99th
Constitutional Amendment Act and the NJAC Act 2014 "unconstitutional and
void".
(NJAC)
(Supreme Court) 16 2015
-
( Collegium system)
(NJAC)
:

? - 99

: -
(Collegium system)
1993

(National Judicial Appointments Commission - NJAC)




NJAC



NJAC 99

India
Brand Value of India - $2.14 trillion
To Know: Brand Finances 2015 edition of Nation Brands report was released
during October 2015. Indias brand-value was evaluated at $2.14 trillion, a
huge 32% increase as compared with $1.62 trillion last year. Not only has
India's rate of increase been the highest among the top 10 by brand value, it
has also helped the country improve its global ranking by a notch to seventh.
The report measures the strength and value of 100 countries using a method
based on the royalty-relief mechanism employed to value large companies.
Only three Asian nations - China, India and South Korea - figure among the
top 20 most valuable nation brands.
The US remains the most valuable nation brand in the report. Germany, the
third-most-valuable nation brand, has been replaced in the strongest nation
brand by Singapore. This is mainly due to the Volkswagen controversy that
engulfed Germany recently.
(brand value) 2.14
(2.14 )
:

2015
(brand value of nations)
2.14 , 2.14
(2014) 1.62
32%

10 20
- , (US) :
(Germany), ,
(Singapore)
(

Volkswagen)

Adani Groups approval in Australia for Coal mining project

The Australian government on 15 October 2015 gave its approval to
IndiasAdani Group to go ahead with the $7-billion coal mine project.The
approval was given subject to 36 of the strictest conditions in Australian
history. This Adani project, which has been in news for quite some time now,
is in which Australian state? Queensland
To Know: The $7-billion coal mine project comprises of two mines in
Australias state of Queensland the Carmichael Mine and the North Galilee
Basin Rail (NGBR) mine. The project is at the heart of Adani's plans to build a
long-term future with Queensland. The project was given an approval in 2014
but that approval was set aside at the request of the Australian government in
August 2015 as a precautionary measure.
The new approval is based on the protection and improvement of 31,000
hectares of the southern black-throated finch habitat.This will also require $1
million of funding for research programmes to improve conservation of the
threatened species in the Galilee Basin.
(Adani Group) 7
(coal mines project) 15 2015
36

? - (Queensland)
: 7
-
( Carmichael Mine) (

North Galilee Basin

Rail (NGBR) mine)

2014
2015
36
31,000 ( Galilee Basin)
1

National State
"My Brick My Amaravati
Andhra Pradesh government scheme to build new capital for the State.
To Know: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister launched the "My Brick My

Amaravati" scheme on 15 October, for the citizens to purchase e-bricks for

Rs. 10 to financially assist establishing the new capital for the state. Under
this initiative, a person can contribute Rs. 10 per digital brick online and have
his or her name engraved on it and the name of the subscriber will be
registered. One can buy these bricks by paying online through debit, credit
cards and netbanking facility.
The capital-city to be known as Amaravati will become the capital of the
downsized Andhra Pradesh. It lies between Vijayawada and Guntur. The
foundation for this city will be laid on 22 October 2015.
" "
10 - (-)
? - (Andhra Pradesh)
: 15 2015
"" (Amaravati)
" "
- 10
- -
, , -



20,000
22 2015

Amaravathi to be modelled after Singapore

The foundation stone for Andhra Pradeshs new capital Amaravati was laid on
October 22, 2015 by Prime Minister NarendraModi.
To Know: Amravati (or Amaravathi) is a village in the Guntur district of
Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of Krishna River in
Amaravatimandal of Guntur revenue division. The new capital of the
bifurcated Andhra Pradesh is being established at Amravati, with over 30 km
area around it.
Historically, Amaravati was the capital of Satavahanas, the first great
Andhra kings who ruled from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD.
Pitched as a world-class riverfront capital city, Amaravati will be an
energy-efficient and green city with concentration on industrial hubs. It is
being modeled on the pattern of Singapore with the Singapore
Government and agencies taking active role in establishment of this new
capital.
The seed capital plan for the new capital Amaravati, unveiled by the
Singapore agencies, projects the core capital region more as a hub of
financial and business activities than a place to live in.
The foundation-laying ceremony of Amaravati was performed at
Uddandarayunipalem village in Guntur district on 22 October on the
auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.

Maharastra declared as a drought state in 2015.

To Know: The Maharashtra state government on 17 October 2015 identified
14,708 out of 40,053 villages, where the monsoon was deficient by over 50%,
as drought-hit.
The drought-hit villages are spread across 20 of the 35 districts in the
state, including all eight districts of the Marathwada region.
The districts are Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Akola, Yavatmal, Aurangabad,
Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Beed, Jalna, Osmanabad, Hingoli, Pune, Satara,
Sangli, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon and Ahmednagar.
Land revenue due from farmers will be waived along with 33% of the
electricity charges towards agricultural purposes.
Maharashtra thus became the second state after Karnataka to declare
drought in the state. In August 2015, Karnataka govt. had declared
drought in 27 of 30 districts and sought central assistance of Rs. 3,050
crore.

Corporate Industry
RCAM to announce takeover of Goldman Sachs
To Know: Reliance Capital Asset Management (RCAM) will acquire Goldman
Sachs Asset Management India (GSAMI), which is the Indian mutual fund
entity of global financial giant Goldman Sachs. The deal will be an all-cash
deal of Rs. 243 crore and with this RCAM will acquire all 12 onshore mutual
fund schemes of GSAMI with total asset under management of Rs. 7132
crore.
The acquisition would also make Reliance MF the exclusive fund manager
for the governments ambitious Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE)
Exchange Traded Fund. GSAMI was given the mandate last year to
manage CPSE ETF through which the government has so far raised Rs.
4,000 crore by selling part of its stake in ten central PSUs as part of its
disinvestment programme.
RCAM is part of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.
Goldman Sachs had entered the Indian mutual fund industry in 2011 with
acquisition of Benchmark Mutual Fund for Rs. 120 crore.
With this, Goldman Sachs becomes the latest foreign player to exit the Rs.
13 lakh crore Indian MF market. In last few years, a number of global
players have exited the Indian mutual fund business. Standard Chartered
sold its mutual fund business in India to IDFC in 2008, Fidelity sold its
mutual fund to L&T Finance in 2012, while last year HDFC MF acquired
Morgan Stanleys fund business here. Besides, Birla Sunlife has acquired
ING Mutual Fund, Kotak MF has bought PineBridge Mutual Fund and
Pramerica has taken over Deutsche Banks mutual fund business in India.

Aditya Birla Group

Launched abof.com, a new online fashion portal.
To Know: Abof.com has been launched by Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya
Birla Group as an online one-stop fashion portal for apparel, footwear and
accessories for men and women. The group thus joined the growing trend of
so-called brick-and-mortar companies seeking to tap a boom in e-commerce.

Abof stands for all about fashion. It will now compete with the likes of
Myntra, a Flipkart unit, and Rocket Internet-backed Jabong. Abof will offer

shoppers brands from both the Aditya Birla Group and other companies. It
will be privately held by Kumar Mangalam Birla in his personal capacity.
Some analysts, such as financial services firm UBS, has said that ecommerce sales can touch $60 billion by 2020 from less than $6 billion
last year, driven by the manifold growth in smartphone users to more than
500 million.

World Nuclear Agreement

Agreement between Iran and Six world powers (P5+10)
To Know: The historic nuclear deal was signed between Iran and 6 world
powers during July 2015. Later Iranian Parliament had given its approval to
the deal on 13 October 2015. 18 October 2015 was set as the date for the
deal to be adopted. Hence this day has been called Adoption day when Iran
is expected to begin executing one of the largest and most complex projects
of nuclear dismantlement in history. The 6 world powers involved in the deal
are the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany, also known as
P5+1.
The historic deal was reached after 20 months of negotiations.
Under the deal, Iranian nuclear engineers have to mothball 12,000 nuclear
centrifuges, ship more than 12 tons of low-enriched fuel, which is 98% of
Irans stockpile, out of the country and destroy the core of a giant
plutonium reactor.
On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is also expected to adopt
similar measures for lifting sanctions against Iran.

Key Reform Health

To allow transfer of blood from one blood bank to another
The Union Health Ministry on October 19, 2015 announced which major
reform in the field of blood banks.
To Know: New guidelines were prescribed by the Union Health Ministry for
proper and efficient transport of blood between banks. Under it two major
initiatives have been announced towards better utilisation of blood and blood
components.
The first initiative is permission for transfer of blood from one blood bank to
another. The transfer of blood from one bank to the other was not allowed
earlier and is expected to help in transfer of blood to places of scarcity.
The second initiative pertains to fixing of an exchange value for surplus
plasma available at some blood banks in the country. In the absence of
this enabling provision, surplus plasma was traded or sold by the blood
banks without any regulation earlier. Now an exchange value of Rs. 1600
per litre of plasma has been fixed and the blood banks with surplus plasma
can exchange it for consumables, equipments or plasma derived products
as per their need.
This step is expected to increase the availability of essential lifesaving
medicines like human albumin, immunoglobulins, clotting factors, etc.
which are all derived from plasma. This step would also reduce the
countrys dependence on import of these products.
Both the initiatives have been taken as per the recommendation of the
National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC).

Policy Telecom
TRAI
New norms on the issue of call drops.
Under this, mobile users will get a compensation of Re 1 for
every dropped call, subject to a maximum of three dropped
calls a day. The norms are to come into effect from which
date? -1 January 2016
To Know: The menace of dropped calls has created huge uproar with the
mobile users as well as the Union Govt. seeking severe penalty from the
telecom operators.

The TRAI announced the compensation mechanism for dropped calls on

17 October. Under this mechanism the mobile operators will need to pay
consumers Re 1 for every dropped call, subject to a maximum of three
such calls in a day, with effect from 1 January 2016.
The compensation would need to be paid to the calling customer who
initiates such a voice call.
Under new rules, the operator will have to send a message to the
customer within four hours of a dropped call with details of the amount
credited to his or her account.
For post-paid customers, the details of the credit would need to be
provided in the next bill.
The call drop has been defined as a voice call, which after being
successfully established, is interrupted prior to its normal completion (and)
the cause of early termination is within the network of the service
provider.
However, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said it felt
disappointed with the new norms as these are expected to result in a huge
monetary outgo for telecom operators.

UN
UN completed 70 years of its establishment on 24 October 2015.
To Know: United Nations (UN), the global intergovernmental organization,
was established as the lead organization to promote international peace and
cooperation on 24 October 1945. Thus the UN completed 70 years of its
establishment on 24 October 2015.
In the wake of catastrophic Second World War (1939-45), and following
months of intense negotiations, representatives of 51 countries laboured in
1945 to overcome differences and founded an enduring global institution
for peace, security and human progress. They called it the United Nations.
The UN replaced the erstwhile League of Nations. The immediate aim of
UN was to prevent another major conflict. At the time it was founded, the
UN had 51 member states. India was one of the founding members of the
UN. It now has 193 member countries.
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of UN numerous programmes are
being held worldwide. Around 200 iconic monuments, buildings, museums,
bridges and other landmarks in nearly 60 countries around the world will
be lit up blue, the official colour of the UN, to mark the occasion.