GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 2

GENERAL AWARENESS
OCTOBER 2014
Year: 2014 Vol. 3, I ssue 04


A PUBLICATION OF GYANM EDUCATION &
TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD.
SCO 13-14-15, 2
ND
FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH

CONTENTS

CURRENT AFFAIRS
J UNE TO AUGUST 2014
1-22
BULLET NEWS
MARCH to MAY 2014
24-32
IBPS PO MODEL TEST
PAPER
33-50
SSC CGL TEST PAPER 52-64
HISTORY & ALGEBRA Qs. 65-77
LATEST GK BYTES 79-96

FIGURES TO REMEMBER

REPO RATE 8.00%
REVERSE REPO RATE 7.00%
MARGINAL STANDING FACI LI TY
RATE
9.00%
STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATI O 22%
CASH RESERVE RATI O 4.00%
BANK RATE 9.00%
BASE RATE(s)
(of various banks)
9.80%
10.25 %

INDIAS RANK I N

Human Development I ndex 135
th

Global I nnovation I ndex 76
th

Economic Confidence I ndex 01
st

Choice for FDI 4
th

Global Peace I ndex 143
rd

Press Freedom I ndex 2014 78
th

Ease of Doing Business (World Bank) 134
th

Social Progress I ndex 102
nd

World Press Freedom Index 140
th

Environment Performance I ndex 155
th

Index for Nuclear Safety 23
rd

Index of Economic Freedom 120
th

Rank in Energy Usage 69
th

Ease of Doing Business (Forbes) 98
th

Corruption Perception Index 94
th

World Prosperity I ndex 106
th

Global Hunger I ndex 2013 63
rd


NATIONAL NEWS

AUGUST 2014
INDIA SAYS NO TO WTO TRADE AGREEMENT
At the recent WTO meet at Geneva,
India blocked a deal on "Trade
Facilitation Agreement", a worldwide
streamlining of customs rules that
would cut container handling times,
guarantee standard procedures for
getting goods to and from their
destinations and kill off vast amounts of
paperwork at borders around the world.
Some estimates said it would add $1
trillion to the world economy as well as 21 million jobs, 18 million of them in
developing countries. ( See article on next page)

MODI VISITS NEPAL
Prime Minister Mr Modi visited Kathmandu, Nepal and addressed the Constituent
Assembly. India agreed to provide Nepal with $ 1 billion as concessional line of
credit for various development purposes. Modi suggested HIT formula for Nepals
development, implying H for highways, I for I-ways (for digital revolution) and T for
Transways (for electricity transmission). He said that India will focus on the 4 Cs -
cooperation, connectivity, culture and constitution - to enhance bilateral ties.

U K DY P M VISITS INDIA
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of UK visited India. He met Prime Minister and
expressed his desire to work with India in realising the new governments goal of
economic and social transformation through greater collaboration in areas such as
clean energy, infrastructure development and cleaning of rivers.

WORLDs HIGHEST PILLAR BRIDGE
Northeast Frontier Railway (NRF) has started construction of a bridge with highest
pillars in the world, near Noney in Manipur, with height of pillars upto 141 metres.
The bridge is part of the J iribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line to connect the capital of
Manipur with the Broad Gauge network of the country.

Rs. 8,000 CRORE SUPPORT FOR J &K
Prime Minister waived off Rs. 60-crore
liability of J ammu and Kashmir towards
the Food Corporation of India and
announced Central assistance of Rs.
8,000 crore for four major road projects
connecting J &K with rest of the country.

OVER 28 % CHILDREN ARE MALNOURISHED
A report released by the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) about
anganwadis says that about 2.3 crore children in India, up to 6 years of age, are
suffering from malnourishment and are under-weight. This staggering number
amounts to over 28% of the 8 crore children who attend anganwadis across India.
The situation is worst in Bihar where roughly 50 per cent children in 0-6 age group
are malnourished.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 4
NEW DOMAIN NAMES ENDING WITH .BHARAT
Indian domain names will now make their debut with the
extension .Bharat which will be in Devanagari script. The
facility wil be available in Indian languages like Hindi, Dogri,
Konkani, Maithalai, Marathi, Nepali and Sindhi.

RUN FOR AWARENESS FOR BREAST CANCER
Pinkathon Delhi 2014 - a run for cause was organised in
Delhi with the slogan "Each One, Kheench One" urging all
men to encourage at least one special woman in their life to
run for a good cause. The event raises awareness of breast
cancer among women.

Sushma Swaraj , the External Affairs Minister visited
Vietnam on August 24 to give a fillip to bilateral ties in
keeping with Prime Ministers Look East policy.
India's first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and
Technology (IIEST) inaugurated at Shibpur, Howrah in
West Bengal
Prime Minister to visit J apan on 30
th
August to take the
relations of the two countries to a new level and
increase cooperation in various fields.
47th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)
Foreign Ministers meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw,
Myanmar, on 8
th
August, attended by Sushma Swaraj.
India to construct a pipeline for supply of petroleum
products from Raxual, Bihar to Amlekhganj, Nepal; to
be extended to Kathmandu later on.

J ULY 2014
FOREST COVER CROSSES 24 PER CENT
As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2013 the total
forest and tree cover of the country is 78.92 million hectare,
24.01 percent of the geographical area of India.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover of 77522
square kilometer, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, 67321
square kilometer. In terms of percentage, Mizoram has
highest cover at 90.38 percent, followed by Lakshadweep-
84.56 percent. Punjab retains the distinction of having the
lowest area under Forest cover with only 3.52% of its area
under forest cover while Haryana is a little better with
3.59% of its area under forest cover.
AREA
( MILLION HA)
AREA
(IN %)
Forest Cover 69.79 21.23
Tree Cover 9.13 2.78
Total 78.92 24.01
INDOCHINA ENCYLOPEDIA RELEASED
India and China have jointly released the first encyclopedia
on their age-old cultural contacts, tracing back their history
to over 2,000 years, starting from the visit of Chinese
scholar Huen Tsang to India in the 7th century to bring
Buddhist scriptures to China.

INDIA RATIFIES MARRAKESH TREATY
India has become the first country to ratify the Marrakesh
Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons
who are visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled. The
Treaty was adopted by 79 member countries of the World
Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in J une 27, 2013
at Marrakesh, Morocco.

INDIA RANKED 76
th
IN INNOVATION
India has slipped ten places
in the Global Innovation
Index 2014 to the 76th rank.
Switzerland topped the 142-
nation list. The index ranks
countries on innovation,
based on a survey done by
INSEAD, Cornell University
and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

ULTRA RICH GROW FAST IN POOR INDIA
The number of ultra-high networth individuals (UHNIs) in
Indiahaving an investible surplus of over Rs 25 crore rose
16 per cent to 1.17 lakh last fiscal, and this is estimated to
triple to 3.43 lakh in the next three years, says a wealth
report by the Kotak group and Ernst & Young.

DELHI 2
nd
MOST POPULOUS CITY IN WORLD
A recent UN study World Urbanization Prospects by U.N.
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has
ranked Tokyo as the worlds most populous city with 38
million inhabitants, followed by Delhi with 25 million
inhabitants. The study has projected rapid urban growth in
India, China and Nigeria.

INDIA RANKS 135
TH
IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Indias ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI)
remained unchanged at 135 in 2013, reflecting little
improvement in the living standard of its people. The report
is topped by Norway, followed by Australia and Switzerland.
Countries at the bottom of index are Niger, Congo and
Central African Republic.
The HDI reflects long-term progress in three basic
dimensions of human lives - a long and healthy life, access
to knowledge and a decent standard of living. It covers 187
countries and is published annually by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).

DILIPS HOUSE IS NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE
Legendary actor Dilip Kumars ancestral home at Mohalla
Khudadad in Peshawar, Pakistan has been declared as a
national heritage monument by the Pak government. After
acquiring the house, the government is plans to convert it
into a museum.

World Bank Group President, J im Yong Kim visits India.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 5
J UNE 2014
PANJAB UNIVERSITY BEST IN INDIA
Panjab University, Chandigarh, is the highest ranked Indian
higher educational institution in the globally recognized
Times Higher Educations Asia rankings. Placed 32nd in
Asias top 100 institutions, PU has outperformed IITs on all
ranking parameters. University of Tokyo tops the list.

INDIA SIGNS WASHINGTON ACCORD
Indian students with accredited technical education degrees
will now find it easy to get academic recognition and jobs in
17 major nations across the world, including the US, the UK,
Canada, Australia, J apan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore,
South Africa, Turkey and Russia as India has become a
permanent signatory to the Washington Accord (WA), a
global agreement that covers mutual recognition in respect
of tertiary-level engineering qualifications among the
signatory countries.

INDIA HOUSE TO 1.56 LAKH MILLIONAIRES
According to the World Wealth Report 2014, released by
Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management, there were
1,56,000 high net worth individuals in India in 2013, up
from 1,53,000 in 2012. India has been ranked 16th in the
list of countries with highest number of HNWI population,
the US topping the chart with 40,06,000 millionaires,
followed by J apan (23,27,000).

U N AWARD FOR MOBILE SEVA
'Mobile Seva', an initiative conceptualised by Indian
governments Department of Electronics and Information
Technology for delivery of public services electronically
through the mobile platform has been awarded a United
Nations Public Service Award.

INDIA NO 1 IN ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE
In a 25 nation-list compiled by global research firm Ipsos,
India has been placed at number one rank in terms of
economic confidence of citizens. As many as 60 per cent
Indians surveyed have predicted that domestic economy
would be stronger in the next six months, making it the
most confident nation.

INDIA 4
th
CHOICE OF MNCs FOR INVESTMENT
Unctad's annual World Investment Report 2014 shows that
China remained the first choice of MNCs, followed by the
US. But, Indonesia has overtaken India as the third most
preferred destination for 2014-16. A series of policy flip-
flops and harsh tax measures commonly referred to as "tax
terrorism", have dented India's image.

P M VISITS BHUTAN ON FIRST FOREIGN TRIP
Prime Minister Mr. Modi
made his first overseas
trip by visiting Bhutan. He
inaugurated the new
Supreme Court building at
Thimpu, constructed with
Indian assistance. He also
laid the foundation for a 600 megawatt hydroelectric power
station as part of an energy cooperation plan.
PROJECT MAUSAM FOR INDIAN OCEAN
Union Ministry of Culture has launched the Project Mausam
at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee held in
Doha, Qatar. The Project aims to explore the diversity of
cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian
Ocean region.

AIR INDIA J OINS STAR ALLIANCE
National carrier Air India has joined Star Alliance - a group
of 26 (now 27) carriers with as many as 4,338 aircraft flying
to 1,328 destinations across 195 countries. It is an
agreement between member airlines to use each others
existing routes and facilities. For an Air India passenger it
means simpler transit through single booking across
multiple airlines to places where Air India does not operate.

ANSARI VISITS CHINA
Vice-President Hamid Ansari visited China to meet President
Xi J inping and Vice-President Li Yuanchao. He unveiled the
first jointly compiled two - volume encyclopaedia,
chronicling a 2,000-year history of cultural exchanges
between India and China.

TELANGANA - THE 29
th
STATE OF INDIA

J une 2, 2014 witnessed the birth of 29
th
state of India
Telangana. Formed by carving out 10 districts of erstwhile
Andhra Pradesh, the new state will have an area of 1.14
lakh sq kms and a population of over 3.5 crore. Telugu and
Urdu are the main languages in the region. City of
Hyderabad will continue to remain the joint capital of both
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for next ten years.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti President K. Chandrasekhar Rao
(KCR) is the new Chief Minister of the state.

INDIA 143
RD
IN TERMS OF PEACE
Global Peace Index (GPI) 2014 released by the Institute for
Economics and Peace released in London has placed India
at 143
rd
place in list of 162 countries. Syria is the least
peaceful nation while Iceland is the most peaceful country
in the world.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Dhaka,
capital of Bangladesh on her first solo overseas visit.
The Narmada Control Authority gave its nod to Gujarat
for raising the height of the Narmada dam to a level of
138.72 metres from the present 121.92 metres.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 6
NEWS FROM STATES

AUGUST 2014
FOUR NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED
Kalyan Singh Rajasthan
Vajubhai Vala Karanatka
C Vidyasagar Rao Maharashtra
Mridula Sinha Goa

Sheila Dikshit resigned as Governor of Kerala
K Sankaranarayanan quits as Governor of Maharashtra
Kamala Beniwal sacked as Mizoram Governor
V K Duggal resigned as Manipur Governor

HIMALAYAN KUMBH STARTS IN UKHAND
The 20-day Nanda Devi Raj J at yatra, also called the
Himalayan Kumbh, began amid religious customs and
traditions from Nauti village in Chamoli district in
Uttarakhand on 18
th
August. The yatra, which is dedicated
to the Nanda Devi the reigning deity of Uttarakhand
takes place once in 12 years, and involves a 280-kilometre
difficult hilly trek.

Sikkim has become the first choice of foreign tourists in
the north-eastern states of the country, attracting
31698 tourists in 2013, followed by Arunachal Pradesh.

J ULY 2014
AMITABH BACHCHAN: The Indian Megastar was
appointed as Brand Ambassador of Maharashtra for
promoting horticulture sector of the state.

SANIA MIRZA: International tennis star was appointed
Brand Ambassador of the Telangana State

J UNE 2014
U K AWARD FOR BENGALs GIRL SCHEME
Kanyashree Prakalpa, a West Bengal government scheme
that provides scholarship to girls from economically-
backward backgrounds, has been given international
recognition jointly by the United Kingdoms Department for
International Development and UNICEF.

MUMBAI BECOMES 4
TH
CITY TO GET METRO
Mumbai became the fourth city in the country to have Metro
rail operations, besides Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore. The
11.4 km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar section, connecting
western suburbs with eastern suburbs, will carry around 11
lakh passengers every day.

$100 MN WORLD BANK LOAN FOR HIMACHAL
World Bank will provide $
100 million to Himachal
Pradesh for promoting
development of sustainable
hydropower adapt and
mitigate the effects of
climate change and
empower local communities to conserve their watersheds.
SIKKIM TO GIVE J OBS TO BPL CANDIDATES
Sikkim government has announced 12 per cent reservation
in all state government jobs and posts in public sector
undertakings for candidates of Sikkimese origin living below
poverty line, with immediate effect.

GAURAVI TO HELP WOMEN IN STRESS
Indias first One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) named Gauravi
was launched in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 16 J une 2014.
It was launched by the Bollywood actor Amir Khan. The
centre is first of its kind in India for women who are victims
of violence. It will provide help and assistance to rape
survivors and victims of dowry harassment, domestic
violence and other atrocities on women, all under one roof.

Gujarat has become the first state in India to
implement 33 per cent reservation for women in the
police force, across all cadres.


GOVERNMENT
INITIATIVES

AUGUST 2014
BILL PASSED FOR J UDICIAL COMMISSION
On 13
th
August, the Lok Sabha passed the National J udicial
Appointments Commission Bill, 2014 to scrap the collegium
system of appointing Supreme Court and High Court
judges. Along with it, the 99th Constitution Amendment Bill
was also passed which gives constitutional status to the
proposed Commission. The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha
also on14th August. ( SEE THE ADJOI NI NG BOX)

FDI IN DEFENCE RAISED TO 49%
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for raising
FDI limit in Defence from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. In
Railways, the proposal is to allow up to 100 per cent FDI in
infrastructure projects such as high-speed train systems,
suburban corridors and dedicated freight line that are to be
executed under public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

FLIPKART MoU WITH HANDLOOM WEAVERS
Union Textiles Ministry has signed a MoU with online
shopping company Flipkart to provide online marketing
platform to handloom weavers all over India. It aims to help
weavers and artisans on areas such as deciding on the right
selling price, payment automation, proper packaging,
transportation, and brand building etc. at the national level.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 7
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW JUDICIAL BILL 2014
A six member panel for appointment of judges to the Supreme Court &
High Court
CJI will head the panel which will have 2 SC judges, 2 eminent
persons and lawminister
Constitutional amendment status to stop easy change in current
legislation by future govts.
Eminent persons will be selected by CJI, PM & Open party in Lok
Sabha
One of eminent persons will be nominated from persons belonging to
SC/STs OBCs. Minorities or women
Term of eminent person will not exceed 3 years will not be re-
nominated
If two members are panel do not agree appointment will not happen
President can return recommendation for reconsideration once

ADVANTAGES
Judges no more will choose themselves. Armed with expertise of legal
luminaries. Parliament to have a significant say
With the dearance of bill. Government to lay down a set procedure for
appointment of judges to higher judiciary
Government vested with more powers no more to remain a post office
can flag objections at elementary stage of selection and shoot down a
candidature
More transparency, consistency and accountability in judicial
appointments

CRITICISM
Moe political interference likely in recommendation of suitable
candidates for elevation to the bench
Given the composition of the commission executive can have its way
by attainting majority in the committee intelligence reports can be cited
by political parties to scuttle chances of a candidate who may not find
favour with political parities
Procedural delay for appointment of Judges, Thereat to judicial
independence as political parties may strike a deal over a candidate

HISTORY OF THE COLLEGIUM SYSTEM
Putting an end to interference of political parties and the executive, the
collegium system was introduced in 1993 under which no outsider had
any role to play in selection and appointment of judges to HCs and SC
Under the current system, a collegium of three senior most judges of a
high court, headed by the CJ of the said court, recommends name of
lawyers / lower court judges to the Supreme Court of elevation to the
bench. The law ministry or the government has little say in the entire
selection process. Even if the executive objects to a candidature it has
little choice but to accept the same after the SC relterates its decision.

ADVANTAGES
Aware of performance of lawyers and lower judiciary, HC/SC judges
better placed to recommend names
Performance as a lawyer / lower court judge sole consideration for
recommending or selecting
Total judicial independence without any interference of political party or
executive
Minimal delay in the selection process as all main decisions to be
taken by HCs & SC

PITFALLS
Executive can object but only to a limited extent. Final word lies with
the Supreme Court
Abject lack of transparency in selection as grounds for clearing or
rejecting remains unknown
Larger room for arbitrary and whimsical decisions
CABINET NOD FOR DIGITAL INDIA PROJ ECT
Union Cabinet has approved the Digital India Programme to
transform the Indian economy into a digitally empowered
knowledge economy. The project aims to provide thrust to
nine growth areas that include - Broadband highways,
Everywhere Mobile Connectivity, Public Internet Access
Programme, e-Governance, e-Kranti for electronic delivery
of services, Information For All, Electronics Manufacturing,
IT for J obs and early harvest programmes.

RASHTRIYA GOKUL MISSION LAUNCHED
Govt has launched a nationwide scheme by the name
Rashtriya Gokul Mission to promote conservation and
development of indigenous breeds of cows in a focused and
scientific manner. The Mission is a focused project under
National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy
Development.

AGE OF J UVENILE LOWERED TO 16
The Union Cabinet has cleared a historic, all new juvenile
justice law under which 16 to 18 year olds who commit
heinous offences such as rapes and robberies can be tried
as adults. Heinous offence has been defined as an offence
for which the minimum punishment under the IPC or any
other law is imprisonment for seven years or more. The bill
is yet to be passed by the Parliament.

EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Govt has approved the constitution of the Expenditure
Management Commission to be headed by former RBI
Governor Bimal J alan. The commission will suggest ways to
reduce food, fertiliser and oil subsidies and narrow the fiscal
deficit. The subsidy bill on food, petroleum and fertilisers is
estimated at Rs 2.51 trillion for 2014-15,
The Union Cabinet has lifted the restriction of one LPG
cylinder per month for domestic use, within the overall
limit of 12 cylinders in a year.
Govt. has set up R. Ramanujam committee to identify
obsolete laws which hamper governance by creating
avoidable confusion.
J ULY 2014
WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR PUBLIC GOVERNANCE









Prime Minister has launched a website, mygov.nic.in to
help people contribute in governance of the country by
giving their views on important issues. Initially three
suggested topics include

Creative engagement with govt. departments
Suggest ideas to boost girl child education
Suggest a roadmap to clean the Ganga
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 8
FDI IN INSURANCE HIKED TO 49%
The Union Cabinet has hiked FDI cap in insurance sector
from 26 to 49 per cent, liberalizing foreign investments, a
move that will cheer foreign investors and facilitate funds
flow. It will provide a boost for the pension sector also as
the FDI cap in pension has been linked to insurance.

GOVT TO LAUNCH 4 NEW VACCINES
Four new vaccines will be introduced in India as part of the
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to reduce child
mortality by two-thirds by next year. The 4 vaccines are
against rotavirus, rubella and polio (injectable) and an adult
vaccine against J apanese encephalitis

RS. 7060 CR FOR 100 SMART CITIES
Govt plans to allocate Rs 7,060 crore in this financial year
for developing 100 smart cities' in the country as satellite
towns of larger cities and for modernising the existing mid-
sized cities. The new cities need to be developed to
accommodate the burgeoning number of people, otherwise,
the existing cities would soon become unliveable.

PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI
SINCHAYEE YOJ ANA
The government plans to launch
a nationwide rural irrigation
scheme to insulate farmers from
excessive dependence on
monsoon. Rs 1,000 crore will be
spent on creating infrastructure
for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana to provide
assured water to farmers.

SOIL HEALTH CARD
LAUNCHED FOR FARMERS
Govt plans to provide 'Soil Health
Card' to all farmers for optimum
utilization of resources and right
selection of crops. The Card will
give crop-wise recommendations
of nutrients/fertilizers required
for a particular village to help the
farmers improve productivity by
wise use of inputs.

KISAN TV FOR FARMERS
Government to launch Kisan TV' dedicated to the interests
of agriculturists and allied sectors and has allocated Rs 100
crore for this purpose. The channel will provide real time
information on farming techniques, water conservation and
on new technologies to help the farmers.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR 50 CRORE BY 2022
Government has set a target to develop skills of 50 crore
people by 2022 under the National Policy on Skill
Development (NPSD). This target will be distributed among
20 ministries and National Skill Development Corporation
(NSDC). Government has set up a National Skill
Development Agency (NSDA) to coordinate and harmonise
the skill development efforts of the government and the
private sector.
VALIDITY OF INDUSTRIAL LICENCES EXTENDED
The Government has extended the validity period of an
industrial licence to three years from present two years,
with a provision for further extension by two years. The
licence will, however, lapse automatically after five years, in
the absence of commencement of commercial production

PLAN TO MERGE 3 SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
The Ministry of Labour and Employment plans to launch a
pilot in 20 districts from J anuary 1, 2015 to enable
unorganised workers to avail benefits of the Rashtriya
Swastha Bima Yojana (RSBY), Aam Aadmi Bima Yojan
(AABY) and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
(IGNOAPS) via one single smart card. The pilot project
would be funded from the National Social Security Fund.

GOVT TO SET UP 660 NIRBHAYA CENTRES
Women and Child Development Ministry has advised that at
least 660 rape crisis centres will be established across the
country and named as Nirbhaya centres, as a tribute to the
victim of December 16, 2012 Delhi gangrape case.
The Nirbhaya Centres will act as one stop centre for
women victims of molestation, rape, sexual assault,
domestic violence and provide them medical assistance,
police assistance, psycho-social support and counselling,
legal aid and temporary shelter.
To protect investors, the Cabinet has cleared the SEBI
Bill, to empower SEBI to initiate action against ponzi
schemes and investment frauds.
J UNE 2014
NO TRANSFERS FOR PARENTS OF DISABLED
Central govt has decided that all the govt employees who
have differently abled children to take care of, will be
exempted from routine transfers and they will not be asked
to take voluntary retirement on refusing such postings.

GOMs AND EGOMs SCRAPPED
With a view to improve accountability and responsibility,
govt has decided to abolish, with immediate effect, all the
Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Groups of
Ministers (EGoMs) set up by the previous UPA-II govt.

FOOD BUDGET RAISED FOR POWER SPORTS
Govt. has decided to increase the
daily food supplement budget from
Rs 280 to Rs 750 for the power
games which include boxing,
wrestling, weightlifting, judo and
boxing. The decision was taken
keeping in mind the Commonwealth
Games & Asian Games this year
and Rio Olympics in 2016.

12000 LABOUR CHARGES TO POOR FOR HOUSE
The Centre has decided to give Rs 12,000 per household as
labour charges to the poor for building their homes under
Indira Awaas Yojna-IAY. Govt. provides Rs. 75,000 for
construction of a house under IAY in hilly areas and Rs
70,000 in plains, of which 20% is the labour component.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 9
ECONOMIC INDICATORS

AUGUST 2014
GDP GROWTH J UMPS TO 5.7%
Latest data from CSO shows
that Indias Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) grew at 5.7
per cent during April-J une,
the highest in past 10
quarters. The boost came
from increase in factory
output with the latter
showing a big jump from
1.2% in the last year to 3.5
% growth this quarter.
Electricity output grew robust 10.2 per cent as compared to
3.8 per cent in same quarter this year.

RBI PUTS GDP GROWTH RATE AT 5.5%
With improvement in economic activity and revival of
sentiments, the RBI has projected that GDP growth in the
current fiscal may rise up to 5.5% from 4.7% in the last
financial year as there are early signs of modest
strengthening of corporate sales and business flows.

UN REPORT PUTS INDIAs GROWTH AT 5.5%
A report from the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) says that
Indias economy is expected to record stronger growth
momentum of 5.5 per cent in the current fiscal,
underpinned by "solid expansion" in industrial and services
sectors, and impetus to economic reforms by the new
government.

CORE SECTOR UP BY 7.3%
Core sector growth hit a 9-month high of 7.3% in J une 2014
following good show by coal, crude oil, cement and
electricity. During April-J une, growth in the eight core
industries grew by 4.6% from 3.7% in the year-ago period.

Global rating agency Moodys has projected a better
growth outlook for India saying that the countrys GDP
would grow by 5% this year.
Indias exports grew by 7.33% to $27.72 billion in J uly,
while imports rose by 4.25% to $39.95 billion resulting
in trade deficit of 12.22 billion
The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by
$810.7 million to $318.579 billion for the week ended
August 22, on account of drop in foreign currency
assets.
J ULY 2014
NOMURA PREDICTS 6% GROWTH FOR INDIA
According to the J apanese brokerage firm Nomura, India is
set to be Asia's biggest turnaround story and the country's
GDP growth is expected to rise to over 6 per cent in FY
2015 and over 7 per cent in FY 2016. The Indian economy
is starting to turn around as inflation is abating, the current
account deficit is narrowing, forex reserves are
accumulating and growth is just starting to rise.
ADB PUT INDIAS GROWTH AT 5.5 %
Asian Development Bank has upgraded Indias economic
growth forecast to 6.3 per cent in 2015-16 on hopes of
speedy reform process. However, it has retained forecast
of 5.5 per cent growth for the current year.

FITCH PROJ ECTS 5.5 % GROWTH FOR INDIA
International rating agency Fitch has improved India's
economic growth forecast to 5.5 per cent this financial year
and 6.5 per cent in FY16 due to the clear mandate received
by the pro-reform Narendra Modi government.
The agency said there will be significant risks to growth if
the monsoon turns out to be much weaker than expected.

J UNE 2014
GDP GROWS @ 4.7% IN 2013-14
Latest data released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO)
has estimated value of Indias GDP at current market prices
at Rs. 113.55 lakh crore, achieving a growth rate of 4.7
percent in 2013-14 as against 4.5 percent achieved in 2012-
13. This is the first time in 26 years after 1987-88 that GDP
has grown at sub 5% in two successive years. The per
capita income at current prices during 2013-14 is estimated
to have attained a level of Rs.74,380.

INDIA TO GROW @ 5.5% - WORLD BANK
The World Bank has projected a 5.5% growth for India in
2014-15, estimating that this will accelerate to 6.3% in
2015-16 and 6.6% in 2016-17.


ECONOMY

AUGUST 2014
S C REJ ECTS COAL BLOCK ALLOCATION
Supreme Court on 25
th
August ruled that all coal blocks
allocated since 1993 were illegal and arbitrary as the
allocation done by screening committee was "not fair and
transparent".

The allocation of coal block licenses has been the subject of a CBI
investigation that is being monitored by the Supreme Court. It
became a major political issue when CAG Vinod Rai in his report
in 2012 stated that around Rs. 1.83 lakh crore has been lost
because coal blocks were not auctioned openly.

PHONE USERS REACH 943 MILLION
The number of telephone subscribers in India increased by
0.49 per cent over May 2014 to 942.95 million at the end of
J une, 2014. The share of urban subscribers was 59.36%.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 10
SEBI SETS 15 MINUTE LIMITS
SEBI has proposed that all listed companies should intimate
decisions on dividends, bonus, fund-raising and buyback,
among others, within 15 minutes of closure of the board
meetings. The move is part of SEBI's effort to ensure 'timely
and adequate' disclosures by listed companies to avoid
chances of insider trading.

Retirement fund body EPFOs trustees have decided to
retain interest payment on provident fund deposits for
2014-15 at 8.75 per cent.
Vistara: Brand name of the new joint venture airline
of the Tata Sons-Singapore Airlines.
Countrys first seaplane service was launched on
Mumbai-Lonavla short route (80 kms) from the J uhu
aerodrome on 25
th
August.

J ULY 2014
RANGARAJ AN PANEL REPORT ON POVERTY
As per Dr. C Rangarajan panel estimates, a person spending
less than Rs 1,407 a month (Rs 47/day) in urban areas and
Rs 972 a month (Rs 32/day) in rural areas would be
considered Below Poverty Line. The number of poor in India
stood at 36.3 crore (29.5%) in 2011-12, down from 45.4
crore (38.2%) in 2009-10, as per the Rangarajan panel
norms.
As per Tendulkar Committee, these figures were fixed at Rs
1,000 a month (Rs 33/day) in cities and Rs 816 a month (Rs
27/day) in villages.
INDIA HAS WORK FORCE OF OVER 47 CRORE
As per NSSO survey result for 2011-12, the estimated
workforce in India is 47.41 crore persons of which 82.7 per
cent is in unorganised sector and 17.3 percent is in
organised sector.

DISINVESTMENT TARGET - RS. 58,425 CRORE
The government has set a target of mopping Rs 43,425
crore from stake sale in PSU firms and an additional Rs
15,000 crore from sale in other entities such as SUUTI
(Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India). The bulk
of the Rs 15,000 crore would be from offloading shares in
Axis Bank
MSP FOR KHARIF CROPS 2014-15
CROP MSP PER QUINTAL
PADDY 1360
J OWAR 1530
BAJ RA 1250
MAIZE 1310
GROUNDNUT 4000
TUAR AND URAD DAL 4350
MOONG 4600
SUNFLOWER 3750

SAHOO PANEL PROPOSES BhDRs
A government panel led by M S Sahoo has proposed a new
class of securities, 'Bharat Depository Receipts (BhDRs)', for
foreign firms to raise money in India, to provide more
choice to domestic investors. A BhDR would be a rupee
denominated instrument issued by domestic depository
against listed equities of a foreign company.
FDI IN DEFENCE, INSURANCE RAISED TO 49%
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence manufacturing
has been hiked from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. The
ownership of such joint ventures will stay with Indian
companies. FDI in insurance sector has also been hiked to
49 per cent from 26 per cent.

W B LOAN FOR ROAD CONNECTIVITY
World Bank has sanctioned $500 million loan for Indias
National Highways Inter-connectivity Improvement Project
(NHIIP) to improve the national highway network
connectivity to less-developed states.

INDIA SIGNS FATCA WITH USA
India and the US have agreed to implement Foreign
Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), a US law that
targets tax non-compliance by US taxpayers with foreign
accounts. As per FATCA, it is compulsory for US taxpayers
to report about their offshore assets and accounts.
Similarly, foreign financial institutions are required to report
about accounts held by US taxpayers.

INDUSTRIAL MoU SIGNED WITH CHINA
India and China have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) that allows Chinese companies to
invest in industrial parks and zones in India. This way
Indian firms will get the benefit of learning economies of
scale and inventory management from the Chinese firms.

TCS REACHES MARKET CAP OF 5 TRILLION
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has become first Indian
company to achieve a market capitalization of Rs. 5 lakh
crore rupees. TCS is followed by Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC) at 3.5 lakh crore rupees and Reliance
Industries at 3.3 lakh crore rupees.

World Bank to provide $153 million (Rs 920 crore) loan
for the Odisha Disaster Recovery Project to restore and
improve housing and public services in Odisha.
The ADB has approved a multi-tranche loan facility of
$300 million to help Assam continue its drive to
eliminate power sector inefficiencies.
Britain has granted one billion pound ($1.68 billion)
credit line for investment in Indian infrastructure
projects.
The government has granted Navratna status to
Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).


GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 11
J UNE 2014
SOLO EVENTS NOT PART OF CSR
The Corporate Affairs Ministry has clarified that one-off
events such as marathons / awards / charitable contribution
/advertisement / sponsorships of TV programmes etc would
not be qualified as part of Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) expenditure. Activities like housing for Economically
Weaker Sections, slum clearance, disaster management,
rural development, road safety, skill development of
agriculture labour can be considered under the CSR.
CSR rules are applicable to companies having at least Rs 5
crore net profit, or Rs 1,000 crore turnover or Rs 500 crore
net worth. As per CSR rules, such companies are required
to shell out at least two per cent of their three-year annual
average net profit towards CSR activities.

BAN ON MILK PRODUCTS FROM CHINA
The government has extended the ban on imports of milk
and its products from China for one more year till J une
2015. The ban was first imposed in September 2008 due to
presence of melamine in milk products, a chemical used for
making plastics and fertilisers.

F I OF 10% TO BE TREATED AS FDI
Foreign investment of 10 per cent or more in a listed
company will now be treated as foreign direct investment
(FDI) as the government has accepted the Finance
Secretary Arvind Mayaram committees recommendations on
rationalising definitions of FDI and FII.


NEW SEBI NORMS FOR DEBT SECURITIES
SEBI has issued new norms for public issuance of debt
securities (debentures, bonds etc.) under which such offers
will have to be of minimum Rs 100 crore and the companies
will have to attain at least 75 per cent subscription.

ISRAEL TO HELP IN AGRICULTURE
Israel is planning to open two centres of excellence at
Nalanda and Vaishali in Bihar in the field of vegetables and
mango respectively to help cultivators increase their produc-
tivity. In these centres, Israeli agricultural experts along
with local farm scientists would impart knowhow of the
latest technology to growers to help them raise the
production level.

PSUs TO HAVE 25% PUBLIC HOLDING
SEBI has said that public sector undertakings listed on stock
exchanges to have should also adhere to the mandatory
25% public shareholding norms that are applicable to
private companies. At present, private sector companies
are compulsorily required to have at least 25% public
shareholding, while for government-owned companies,
minimum threshold level is only 10%.
India has overtaken Germany and Italy to emerge as
the world's second largest textile exporter. But it lags
China, whose exports are nearly seven times higher.
The World Bank has approved funding of USD 107
million (nearly Rs 650 crore) for a road project in
Mizoram, connecting Myanmar and Bangladesh.

BANKING & FINANCE

AUGUST 2014


PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJ NA
Prime Minister has announced a new financial scheme -
Pradhan Mantri J an Dhan Yojna to provide a bank account
to every poor in the country, and the account holder will be
provided a debit card and a life insurance cover of Rs 1
lakh. To begin with over 1.84 crore accounts were opened
on launch date 28
th
August. The government has set a
target of 15 crore new accounts by 2018, ensuring at least
two bank accounts per family.

The salient features of the scheme are:
The scheme will be launched in two phases first from
15.8.14 to 15.8.15 and second from 16.8.15 to 15.8.18,
each phase targeting opening of 7.5 crore bank
accounts.
The accounts will be opened with zero balance with no
minimum balance condition.
Every account holder will get a accidental insurance
cover of Rs. One lac.
Persons opening account upto 26
th
J anuary, 2015 will
also get a life insurance cover of Rs. 30,000.
All account holder will be issued Rupay debit card to
facilitate ATM withdrawals.
All account holders will get mobile banking facility for
easy money transfer.
Accounts runs satisfactorily for 6 months will be allowed
to have over draft facility of Rs. 5000.

Of the 24.67 crore households in the country, 10.19 crore do not
have access to banking services. In rural areas, 44 per cent
households and in urban areas 33 per cent still do not have a
bank account. The present banking network of the country
comprises of a branch network of 1,15,082 and an ATM network
of 1,60,055.

SLR SLASHED TO 22 PER CENT
RBI has reduced the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) of
scheduled commercial banks by 50 basis points from 22.5
per cent to 22.0 per cent with effect from the fortnight
beginning 9th August, 2014, unlocking around Rs 40,000
crore of bank funds. All other rates Repo, Reverse repo,
MSF and Bank Rate have been left unchanged.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 12
FREE ATM TRANSACTIONS LIMITED TO 5/ 3
Banks have been
advised to provide their
savings bank account
holders with at least
five free transactions
per month at their own
ATMs. Beyond this,
banks may decide to
levy transaction charges
(not exceeding Rs 20).
The number of free
transactions on ATMs set up by other banks had been
reduced to three, from five earlier, in Mumbai, New Delhi,
Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

BHARAT BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM
For the convenience of people to pay school fees and
municipal taxes and utility bills through an integrated
platform, the Reserve Bank proposes to set up an "anytime
anywhere" bill payment system by the name Bharat Bill
Payment System.
Bill payment is a major component of the retail payment
transactions as over 3,080 crore bills amounting to more than
Rs 6,00,000 crore are generated each year in the top 20 cities in
the country.
The Reserve Bank has approved the transfer of surplus
(profit) amounting to Rs 526.79 billion for the year
ended J une 30, 2014 to the Government of India.
India post announced the launch of over 1000 ATMs in
the near feature. It will also enable core banking
solution at its 25000 offices over the next year.

J ULY 2014
RBI MOOTS PAYMENT BANK AND SMALL BANK
The Reserve Bank has issued guidelines for setting up of
Payment Bank and Small Banks. A minimum paid-up capital
of Rs.100 core will be required for setting up of these
banks. Both the banks will have to comply with the CRR and
SLR requirements.
Payment Banks will be allowed only acceptance of demand
deposits and payments and remittances services to migrant
labour workforce, low-income households, small businesses and
other unorganised entities. They will not be allowed to
undertake lending activities.
Small Bank shall primarily undertake basic banking activities
of acceptance of deposits and lending to small farmers, small
businesses, micro and small industries and unorganised sector
entities. The area of operations of the small bank will be
restricted to contiguous districts in a homogenous cluster of
States.

REVISED KYC NORMS FROM RBI
RBI has revised its "know your customer" guidelines where
a main change is that it has now specified "officially valid
documents" to be the Aadhaar card, voter ID card,
permanent account number (PAN) card, driving licence,
passport, or the NREGA card. The Ration Card has been
dropped from the list. Now, Banks are no more authorized
to accept any other document as proof of identity.
Rs. 5000 OD FOR NEW BANK ACCOUNT
To promote financial inclusion, govt proposes to sanction an
overdraft (OD) facility of Rs 5,000 by the bank to individuals
who open an account with them. But there is a caveat for
those availing of the OD: customers should be willing to
take financial literacy lessons from lenders. A Rs 1,000-crore
credit guarantee fund will be set up by NABARD for this
purpose. The OD offer is part of 'Sampoorn Viteeyea
Samveshan' (SVS) or Comprehensive Financial Inclusion to
ensure that every earning citizen opens a bank account.

Rs. 5000 CR LYING IN UNCLAIMED ACCOUNTS
Parliament has been advised that Banks had Rs 5,124 crore
in unclaimed deposits (accounts with no operations for 10
years) lying with them as of December 31, 2013. This
amount will be transferred to the Depositor Education and
Awareness Fund to be utilized for promotion of depositors'
interests.
The Reserve Bank has from time to time advised banks to
play a more pro-active role in finding the whereabouts of
the people whose accounts have remained inoperative.
Banks are required to transfer the unclaimed amount to
Reserve Bank of India every month.
RBI TO IDENTIFY LARGE BANKS
The Reserve Bank has said that Banks having size equal to
or more than 2 per cent of GDP will be designated as
domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and they
will be subject to higher capital requirements. Additionally,
five largest foreign banks, based on their size, will also be
added to the sample for identification of D-SIBs.
D-SIBs are perceived as banks that are Too Big To Fail
(TBTF). This perception of TBTF creates an expectation
of government support for these banks at the time of
distress. Due to this perception, these banks enjoy certain
advantages in the funding markets.

PSBs TO ISSUE RUPAY CARDS
Govt has urged public sector
banks to issue RuPay cards
to all existing customers
who do not have debit cards
as well as to new clients.
Banks have also been told
to "encourage" merchant
establishments to install point of sale terminals for RuPay
cards. Already, 20 million cards have been issued.

GOVT PLANS UBIs MERGER WITH IDBI
The government has asked IDBI Bank and Kolkata based
United Bank of India to prepare a consolidation plan in view
of poor performance of UBI. Govt also plans to approve the
merger plan of SBI and State Bank of Patiala.
SIX NEW DRTs TO BE SET UP
To expedite the process to recover bad bank loans, govt
proposes to set up six new Debt Recovery Tribunals. The
Government of India had constituted 33 Debts Recovery
Tribunals and five Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunals
across the country. These six additional tribunals will make
total number of tribunals to 39.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 13
NO 60% CUT OFF FOR EDUCATION LOANS

The Madras High Court has ruled that banks cannot fix 60%
cut off of minimum marks in Plus Two as condition for
extending education loan to students joining engineering
courses. Once a candidate has been admitted in a course,
banks should consider his request for loan on genuine
grounds of need and not on basis of marks obtained at plus
two level.

RBI TO SWAP GOLD
RBI plans to swap some of the old gold lying in its Nagpur
vault since pre-Independence times and whose quality is
not exactly top grade with purer gold. The operation
would "standardise the gold available with RBI in India with
respect to international standards" and the gold acquired
would be delivered to its overseas custodian, the Bank of
England.

MFIs CAN NOT CHARGE MORE THAN 27.75%
RBI has advised that the lending rate ceiling for micro
finance companies will continue at their present level - at
27.75% for the J uly to September quarter. This is the
highest rate MFIs can charge to their borrowers in the next
quarter. They may have to charge less if their cost of funds
is lower than 17.75%.
The Non Banking Finance Companies engaged in Micro
Finance are required to be registered with RBI as NBFC-
MFIs and have to follow the guidelines for maximum rate
of interest they can charge on loans.

BANK CREDIT GROWTH MORE THAN DEPOSITS
Bank deposits grew 13.24
per cent year-on-year to
Rs 79,96,060 crore during
the fortnight ended J uly
11 and credit growth was
13.67 per cent reaching
Rs 61,21,418 crore during
the same period.
The RBI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Monetary Authority of Hong Kong for exchange
of supervisory information of banking.
The Reserve Bank will soon put to circulation Rs 10
denominated coins on the occasion of diamond jubilee
of Coir Board.
RBI has allowed Non Banking Financial Companies
(NBFCs) to accept e-KYC service to verify identity and
address proof of customers to reduce risk of fraud.
J UNE 2014
RBI CUTS SLR DOWN TO 22.5 %
RBI in its second bimonthly policy statement reduced
statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) to 22.5% from 23%, freeing
almost Rs 40,000 crore of resources. Interest rates on home
and auto loans are unlikely to fall soon, but they could
gradually ease as the banks may lend more to companies
and individuals rather than buy government securities.
SLR is the mandatory provision for banks to block a certain
prescribed percent of their total deposits in government
securities.
INTEREST ON UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS
RBI has advised that Interest on unclaimed deposits
transferred to a newly set up fund for educating depositors
shall be payable only from the date of their transfer to the
fund. Banks will transfer the accounts to the fund after
applying up-to-date accrued interest.

PROOF OF LOCAL ADDRESS NOT REQUIRED
RBI has advised that for opening of bank accounts, in case
the proof of address furnished by the customer is not the
local address or address where the customer is currently
residing, the bank may take a declaration of the local
address on which all correspondence will be made by the
bank with the customer. No proof is required for this local
address.

ECR REDUCED TO 32 PER CENT
The Reserve Bank has reduced the availability of funds
under the export credit refinance (ECR) window from 50 per
cent of export credit outstanding to 32 per cent with
immediate effect. To compensate for the resulting reduction
in liquidity, RBI has introduced a special term repo facility
up to 0.25 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities-
NDTL (total deposits).

RBI ALLOWS ENGAGING NBFCs AS BC
The Reserve Bank has permitted non-banking finance
companies -NBFCs to act as business correspondents (BCs)
of banks, allowing them to offer limited services with the
aim of spreading financial inclusion. The RBI said the
existing guidelines on the appointment of BCs were
reviewed taking into account recommendations of the
Nachiket Mor Committee.

LIMIT RAISED TO CARRY CURRENCY ABROAD
The Reserve Bank has permitted residents and non-
residents, except Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, to carry up to
Rs 25,000 in Indian currency notes while leaving the
country as against Rs 10,000 earlier.

IndusInd Bank has launched video branch - a unique
service allowing customers to interact face-to-face with
their bank branch using desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Reserve Bank has raised the annual overseas
investment ceiling for individuals to $ 125,000 from
present $ 75,000.
The Reserve Bank has asked banks to disclose sector
wise loans in their financial statements from 2014/15
onwards.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 14
DEFENCE, SCIENCE
& TECHNOLOGY

AUGUST 2014
INDO RUSIA J OINT AIR DRILL

India and Russia conducted their first-ever joint Air Force
exercise Avia Indra-2014 in Astrakhan region located
north of the Caspian Sea. Beginning on 25
th
August, the
exercise will continue till 5
th
September.

CHINA DISPLAYS ICBM DONGFENG - 41
China has unveiled its next generation Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Dongfeng 41 (DF-41). The
missile with an operation range varying between 12000 km
to 15000 km is amongst the worlds longest range missiles.

INDARC OBSERVATORY DEPLOYED IN ARCTIC
Countrys first multi-sensor moored observatory IndARC was
successfully deployed in Kongsfjorden Fjord of the Arctic
region, roughly halfway between North Pole and Norway on
J uly 23. A team of scientists from the Earth System Science
Organisation-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-
NIOT) Chennai and ESSO-National Centre for Antartic and
Ocean Research (NCAOR) termed the same as a milestone
in Indias scientific endeavours in the Arctic region.

MARS ROVER CREATES TRAVELLING RECORD
NASAs Mars exploration rover Opportunity set the record
of maximum distance covered by a rover in one go when it
travelled a distance of 157 feet (48 meters) on 27 J uly 2014
on the surface of Mars. The 384-pound rover landed on
Mars on J anuary 25, 2004.

ROSETTA CREATES SPACE HISTORY
After travelling a distance of 6.4 billion kilometres since it
was launched in March 2004, Rosetta- space vehicle by
European Space Agency made history on August 6 when it
became the first spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet
67P/Churyumov - Gerasimenko, a 4.5-km-long object. It
will airdrop a lander Philae on the comet.

DRAUGHT PREDICTIONS BY SATELLITE
NASA scientists have developed Soil Moisture Active Passive
(SMAP) satellite that can predict the severity of droughts
worldwide and help farmers maximize the crop yield. This
mission is scheduled to launch in November 2014.
REVERSE VENDING MACHINES IN UAE
An integrated environment and waste management
company will install reverse vending machines designed to
collect and recycle domestic light bulbs and batteries across
the UAE, making the Gulf country the second nation in the
world, after the UK to adapt this technology.

J ULY 2014
INS KOLKATA J OINS INDIAN NAVY

The Indian Navys largest ever destroyer INS Kolkata was
inducted in to service on 10
th
J uly. It is Indias first
domestically built guided missile destroyer to feature a
Western-style air search radar and stealth technology.

ADVANCED BRAHMOS TEST FIRED
An advanced version of the 290-km range Brahmos
supersonic cruise missile was successfully tested off the
coast of Odisha, giving the country the capability to hit
enemy targets hidden behind mountains or in a cluster of
buildings with pinpoint accuracy. The missile travelled its
full strike range of 290 km in 500 seconds.

INDIA LAUNCHES FIVE FOREIGN SATELLITES
India successfully launched five foreign satellites from four
countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket on J une 30. The five
satellites, launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota, included two from Germany, and one each from
France, Canada and Singapore.
PSLV: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

HIGH SPEED DATA TRANSFER BY LI-FI
A Mexican software company has managed to transmit
audio, video and Internet data across the spectrum of light
emitted by LED lamps at a data transfer rate of 10
gigabytes per second. The technology called Li-Fi or light
fidelity can illuminate a large work space, such as an office,
while providing full mobile Internet to every device that
comes into the range of the light spectrum.

OBJ ECTS SPOTTED BEYOND PLUTO
Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have
discovered two new objects beyond Pluto for NASAs New
Horizons spacecraft to visit. New Horizons spacecraft,
launched in 2006, is on track to become the first probe to
visit Pluto in J uly 2015, some 4.7 billion miles from Earth in
the Kuiper Belt.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 15
CARBON GEL WORLDs LIGHTEST MATERIAL
The world's lightest solid material - carbon aerogel - created
by Chinese scientists has fetched a staggering $1.6 million
at an auction. With a density of just 0.16 milligrams per
cubic centimeter, a sixth of air's density, the carbon aerogel
was developed by scientists at Zhejiang University last year.

NASA SATELLITE TO TRACK CO2
American space agency NASA has successfully launched a
satellite -Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), designed
to track atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, a leading human-
produced greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
Warships, submarines, aircrafts and helicopters of
India, US and J apan participated in the trilateral
Malabar naval exercise from 24
th
J uly in North Western
Pacific Ocean.
J UNE 2014
INS KAMORTA TO J OIN INDIAN NAVY
Indias first indige-nously - built anti submarine warfare
corvette INS Kamorta will be commissioned into the Indian
Navy next month. Built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders &
Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, it will be the first warship
armed with an indigenous rocket launcher for anti
submarine warfare.

BRAHMOS MISSILE TEST FIRED
Indian-Russian joint venture Brahmos Aerospace test-fired
its 290-km range supersonic missile from the stealth
destroyer INS Kolkata off India's west coast near Karnataka.

GARUDA-V: AIR EXERCISE WITH FRANCE
The fifth Indo-French bilateral air exercise Garuda-V was
held at the J odhpur Air Base. It is aimed at enhancing
operational cooperation and validating capabilities. During
the war games, both the Air Forces will practice aerial
warfare, including manoeuvres to carry out surgical strikes.

NASA TO BUILD WORLDs LARGEST TELESCOPE
NASA plans to build worlds most powerful telescope -
Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope
(ATLAST) to analyse the environment of other planets and
ability to track existence of aliens life. It will be able to track
life which is as far as thirty light years away.

EARTHs LARGEST WATER RESERVOIR FOUND
Researchers at Northwestern University and the University
of New Mexico believe they have found the Earth's largest
water reservoir around 643 km underneath North America,
inside mantle rock. Though not in the familiar liquid form -
the ingredients for water are bound up in rock deep in the
Earth's mantle.

KEPLER 10 C NEW GIANT PLANET
A huge Earth-like planet found by US astronomers has
changed the perception of planet formation. The newly
discovered Kepler-10c planet has been dubbed Mega-Earth
thanks to its diameter of 29,000 kilometers and an
estimated weight 17 times greater than Earth, which has a
diameter of 12,742 kilometers. This makes Kepler-10c the
biggest rocky planet ever discovered.
INTERNATIONAL
AUGUST 2014
EBOLA CATASTROPHE IN WEST AFRICA

Three West Africa nations - Liberia, Guinea and Sierra
Leone, are struggling to control an outbreak of Ebola viral
fever that has claimed over 700 lives in the recent past.
The World Bank has pledged USD 200 million in emergency
funding to contain spread of deadly Ebola.
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola
haemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal illness in
human with almost 90 per cent mortality rate. It is
highly infectious and can spread easily through close
contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other
bodily fluid. The virus was first discovered nearly four
decades ago in Congo in a village near the Ebola River.

NAGOYA PROTOCOL RATIFIED BY 51 MEMBERS
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their
Utilization will enter into force on 12th October 2014
following its ratification by 12 more countries. With this
development, 51 members to Convention on Biological
Diversity that was agreed in October 2010 in Nagoya,
J apan have ratified the treaty.
India is currently the President of CoP till CoP-12 is held
in Pyeongchang, South Korea in October this year. CoP
equal to Conference of the Parties.

BANGLADESH TO J OIN BRICS BANK
Bangladesh has decided to join the newly formed BRICS
Bank, an initiative of the world's five emerging economies -
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Named as 'New Development Bank', BRICS Bank was
formed after an agreement was signed by BRICS countries
during July, 2014 Summit in Brazil, with the aim at easing
financing constraints faced by BRICS and other
developing countries to address infrastructure gaps and
sustainable development needs.

100 YEARS OF WORLD WAR I
Britain observed Lights Out Project on 4 August 2014 to
commemorate 100 years of First World War (WW-1). Under
the project, lights were turned-off for an hour to pay tribute
to all those who died in World War I.
World War I, also called The Great War, took place in and
around Europe from July 1914 to November 1918 involving 135
countries and claiming more than 9 million lives.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 16
WORLDs FIRST ECO TEMPLE
A Hindu temple - Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, claimed to
be the world's first 'eco-temple' featuring solar panels and a
rainwater harvesting system, has been opened in northwest
London in the UK.

THE "ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE"
Over the past several weeks, social media has been flooded
with one of the most effective fund-raising campaigns of all
time - The "Ice Bucket Challenge". It encourages
participants to dump bucket of freezing water on their head
to raise awareness for the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) a debilitating disease. Participants are encouraged
to donate $10 if they complete the challenge or $100 if they
don't. In the past few weeks alone, the ALS Association has
earned more than $88.5 million this way.

The World Health Organization has asked for a ban on
the use of e-cigarettes indoors and its sale to children.
The US government has said that its economy grew at
a brisk annual rate of 4.2 percent in the April-J une
quarter, slightly faster than it had first estimated.

J ULY 2014

6
TH
BRICS SUMMIT HELD AT FORTALEZA, BRAZIL
Prime Minister Mr. Modi visited Fortaleza, Brazil to attend
the 6
th
BRICS Summit. The five countries decided to
establish the New Development Bank with an initial
authorised capital of USD 50 billion which will be equally
shared by the founding members to prevent domination by
any one member. The Bank will work for funding
infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the
BRICS countries. India will have the first Presidency of the
NDB for six years with headquarters in China.

Agreement was also reached on establishing a
Contingency Reserve Arrangement with an initial size
of USD 100 billion to provide additional liquidity protection
to member-nations during balance of payments problems.
Funding of CRA is 41 per cent by China, 18 per cent each
from Brazil, India, and Russia, and 5 per cent from South
Africa.
The 7
th
BRI CS Summit will be held in the Russian city
of Ufa.

ISRAEL OPENS WAR WITH GAZA
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched Operation Protective
Edge against Hamas militants in Gaza strip for their alleged
kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers. In over a month
long conflict, Israeli forces have killed over one thousand
persons in Gaza strip through attack by ground and air
strikes.

MALAYSIAN PLANE SHOT DOWN, KILLING 298
A Malaysian aircraft, flight MH 17 flying from Amsterdam to
Kuala Lumpur was shot down by terrorist using a Russian
Buk missile when it was flying above 33,000 feet over
eastern Ukraine on J uly 17, killing all 295 people aboard.
The disaster is clouded in mystery as both Russia and
Ukraine claim that their forces have not shot the plane.
UKRAINE MOVES TOWARDS EUROPEAN UNION
Ukraine signed a landmark economic trade pact with the
European Union J une 27. The Association Agreement is
expected to boost Ukraines exports to the European Union
but has attracted strong negative reaction from the Russia.
It was a refusal to sign this pact last year by Mr
Poroshenkos predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, which
triggered popular protests in Ukraine, leading to Russias
annexation of the Crimea peninsula

India will host the 7th IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa)
summit in 2015.
J UNE 2014
ISIS LAUNCHES FIERCE ATTACK IN IRAQ

Sunni militants, led by jihadists from the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have since the beginning of J une,
killed thousands of civilians and army personnel in Iraq in
their bid to dethrone the present Shia government led by
Premier Nouri al-Malikii. They have been successful in
gaining control of some major cities like Tikrit and Mosul.
ISIS militants are supporters of Saddam Hussein, ex
president of Iraq who was sentenced to death in 2012.

USA FIRST CHOICE FOR FDI
A survey by global consulting firm A T Kearney has shown
that the USA is the top destination in the world for foreign
direct investment. India has slipped to its lowest position;
seventh, in over a decade.
China plans to shut down over 2,000 small coal mines
to eliminate outdated capacity and improve work safety
and address pollution concerns.
G7 meet of industrialized nations held at Brussels,
Belgium


PERSONS IN NEWS

AUGUST 2014
IROM SHARMILA CHANU: The human rights activist and
former journalist was in news as an Imphal sessions court
on 19th August ordered her release, accepting her plea that
she did not attempt suicide by fasting unto death.
Ironically, after release she again went on protest fast and
was rearrested.
She has been on a fast since November, 2000 when Assam
Rifles men killed 10 persons at Malom area in Imphal in
an alleged encounter with insurgents. She has been
demanding repeal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act (AFSPA), which gives sweeping powers to
armed forces in disturbed areas.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 17
V K DUGGAL: Manipur Governor resigned, the 9th
governor to do so in last few months, following change of
govt at the center.

SHAH RUKH KHAN:
Indian superstar has
been roped in as an
ambassador for Inter-
pols Turn Back
Crime campaign to
promote awareness of
how everyone can
play a role in
preventing crime. The campaign aims at empowering the
public to not to be duped by criminals when buying products
or using the internet.

KAMLA BENIWAL: Governor of Mizoram was in news as
she was sacked by a Presidential order. She was earlier
Governor of Gujarat and shifted to Mizoram on J uly 6 this
year. She was sacked reportedly for certain irregularities
committed by her during her Gujarat tenure.

NIKHIL CHANDWANI: The 20-year-old noted Indian
author and documentary filmmaker, has become the first
Asian to win the prestigious Author of the Year award from
the American Literary Forum Society for his novel 'Coded
Conspiracy.

K. SANKARANARAYANAN: Maharashtra Governor was in
news as he quit his office to protest his transfer to Mizoram.

J OHN KERRY: US Secretary of State (Foreign Minister)
visited in India to hold 5th Indo-US Strategic Dialogue

CHUCK HAGEL: U.S. Defence Secretary (Defence Minister)
visited India to lay the groundwork for the revival of Indo-
U.S. defence ties.

GENERAL PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA: Thailand's coup
leader was in news as he was appointed Prime Minister by a
legislature that was formed by him only, giving the army
chief a veneer of legitimacy to his action.

J ULY 2014
ARSENIY YATSENYUK: Ukraines Prime Minister was in
news as he resigned in a shock move to protest the
disbanding of the ruling parliamentary coalition, plunging
the strife-torn nation into political uncertainty.

AKHOURI SINHA: In a rare honour, the USA has named a
mountain in Antarctica after this eminent Indian-American
scientist whose pioneering biological research expedition to
Antarctica has provided vital data about animal populations
in that area.

NEYMAR: Ace striker of Brazils football team was in news
as he suffered a back bone fracture after being hit by the
Colombian defender J uan Zuniga. Brazils bid to win a sixth
World Cup suffered a devastating blow as Neymar was ruled
out of the rest of the tournament.
J UNE 2014
ARUNADHATI BHATTACHARYA: Chairperson of State
Bank of India has been ranked as most powerful women in
India by the Forbes Magazine. She stood at 36
th
rank.

KIRAN MAZUMDAR-SHAW:
India's biotechnology queen,
Chairperson of Biocon
Industries, has been awarded
the coveted Global Economy
Prize for business by the Kiel
Institute in Germany during its
centenary celebrations. The
annual prize is awarded to three
individuals - a high-ranking policy maker, a renowned
economist and an outstanding entrepreneur.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: 45 year old German Formula
One champion was in news as he emerged out of coma
after almost five and a half months, following his
devastating ski accident in December, 2013.

ANGELA MERKEL: Chancellor of Germany, she has been
declared as most powerful women in the world by Forbes
Magazine.

BOWE BERGDAHL: An US sergeant was in news as he
was released by his Taliban captors in Afghanistan on May
31 to American forces in exchange for five Taliban detainees
from Guantanamo Bay prison in USA.

J UAN CARLOS: Spain's King, who led Spain's transition
from dictatorship to democracy, was in news as he
announced his abdication in favour of his son, Prince
Felipe, making way for a "new generation.


APPOINTMENTS


AUGUST 2014
FOUR NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED
Kalyan Singh Rajasthan
Vajubhai Vala Karanatka,
C Vidyasagar Rao Maharashtra
Mridula Sinha Goa

K.V. THOMAS: Congress MP appointed Chairman of the
Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
The post is given for one year to a member of the largest
opposition party in the Lower House. The committee
scrutinizes the accounts of the government and the
reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
S S MUNDRA: Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of
India for three year term. He is ex CMD of Bank of Baroda.

T M BHASIN: Chairman of the Indian Banks Association
IBA for 2014-15. He is CMD of Indian Bank.

RAJ NI RAZDAN: Chairman, Union Public Service
Commission UPSC.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 18
M. THAMBIDURAI: Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha

K. V. Chowdary: Chairman of Central Board of Direct
Taxes (CBDT)

AHMET DAVUTOGLU: New Prime Minister of Turkey

HAIDAR AL-ABADI: Prime Minister of Iraq

GEN. PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA: Prime Minister of Thailand

J ULY 2014
NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED
Ram Naik Uttar Pradesh.
Kesri Nath Tripathi West Bengal
Om Prakash Kohli Gujarat
Balramji Dass Tandon Chhattisgarh.
Padmanabha Acharya Nagaland.
Kaptan Singh Solanki Haryana

PINKY ANAND: Additional Solicitor-General
FUAD MASUM: President of Iraq

J OKO WIDODO (JOKOWI): President of Indonesia
J EAN-CLAUDE J UNCKER: President of the European
Commission
J UNE 2014
RANJ IT KUMAR: Solicitor General of India

Dr. AJ IT KUMAR DOVAL: National Security Adviser, Govt
of India

ARUN J AITLEY: The Union Finance Minister has been
appointed as India's Governor on the Board of Governors of
the Asian Development Bank.

MADHURI DIXIT: The Bollywood
celebrity has been appointed as
UNICEF's 'celebrity advocate for child
rights'.
VISHAL SIKKA: Chief Executive
Officer, Infosys

SUMITRA MAHAJ AN: Speaker, Lok Sabha

DR. SUDHIR KUMAR MISHRA: CEO & MD, BrahMos
Aerospace Corporation

Arun Mishra, Adarsh Kumar Goel and Rohinton
Nariman: J udge in Supreme Court

N. SRINIVASAN: First Chairman of International Cricket
Council, Dubai

J USTICE VK RAJ AH: Attorney General of Singapore, he is
an Indian-origin judge.

ALEXANDER STUBB: Prime Minister of Finland

REUVEN RIVLIN: President of Israel, from Likud party

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: Elected as President of Syria, for the
third time successively.

PRINCE FELIPE: New King of Spain

ABDUL FATTAH AL-SISI: President of Egypt
AWARDS & HONOURS

AUGUST 2014
OUTSTANDING PARLIAMENTARIAN AWARDS
BJ P leader Arun J aitley for 2010
Congress Veteran Karan Singh for 2011
J D (U) leader Sharad Yadav for 2012
The awards were given by the President Pranab Mukherjee
on 12 August, 2014.

ASHOK CHAKRA: Major Mukund Vardarajan named for
highest peace time gallantry award for showing exemplary
bravery in killing two terrorists in Kashmir before he was
shot dead in April this year.

22ND RAJ IV GANDHI SADBHAVNA AWARD: Noted film
maker Muzaffar Ali, for his outstanding contribution towards
the promotion of communal harmony, peace and goodwill.
The award carries a citation and cash award of Rs 5 lakh.

CORE BANKING SYSTEM INITIATIVE AWARD-2014:
won by Bharatiya Mahila Bank Ltd at the Asian Banking and
Finance - Retail Banking Awards, Singapore.

FIELDS MEDAL: Known as the "Nobel Prize of
Mathematics won by Manjul Bhargava. Four such prizes are
awarded by the International Mathematical Union.

MARYAM MIRZAKHANI: Iranian-born mathematician has
become the first woman to win this prize (Fields Medal).

PARDO DORO (GOLDEN LEOPARD): Award for best film
at the 67th Locarno International Film Festival in Locarno,
Switzerland won by Mula sa kung ano ang noon by Lav
Diaz, Philippines
J ULY 2014
PREM BHATIA AWARD for J ournalism:
SMITA GUPTA, Associate Editor with The Hindu, for
political reporting.

NITIN SETHI, Associate Editor, Business Standard, for
excellence in environmental and development reporting
J UNE 2014
49
TH
J NANPITH AWARD 2013: Noted Hindi poet
Kedarnath Singh. The award includes Rs 11 lakh as cash.

27TH MOORTIDEVI AWARD 2013: Renowned
scientist-turned- Malyalam writer C Radhakrishna for his
book 'Theekkadal Katanhu Thirumadhuram'

Baileys Womens Prize for Fiction: Eimear McBride for
her first novel A girl is a Half-Formed Thing

'LEGION OF FRANCE': Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan
for his contribution to Cinema. It is one of its highest
civilian awards conferred by France.

TANG PRIZE 2014 DECLARED
Dr. Samuel Yin, a business tycoon from Taiwan established
the Tang Prizes in December 2012 in four major fields of
Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science,
Sinology, Rule of Law to encourage research in these fields.
They are given once in two years.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 19
FIELD NAME CONTRIBUTION
Sinology Yu Ying-shih Research in Chinese
cultural, intellectual and
political history
Sustainable
Development
Gro Harlem
Brundtland, Ex.
PM of Norway.
innovation, leadership
and implementation of
sustainable
development
Rule of Law Albie Sachs fight against apartheid
Bio-pharma-
ceutical science
Dr. Tasuku
Honjo & J ames
Allison
fight against cancer

WORLD FOOD PRIZE: won by Sanjaya Rajaram, India
born veteran plant scientist from Mexico, for his contribution
in increasing the wheat production in world. The Prize,
carrying a cash prize of $ 250,000, would be presented
during the U.N. World Food Day on October 16.

DAG HAMMARSKJ OLD MEDAL: Gallantry award given
by UNO to eight Indian soldiers on 29
th
May - International
Day of UN peacekeepers.

Two Indian-Americans Sriram J Hathwar and Ansun Sujoe
jointly won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee
at National Harbour, Maryland (USA).



BOOKS & AUTHORS

AUGUST 2014
Heaven is for real by Todd Burpo &Lynn Vincent
The boys in the boat by Daniel J ames Brown
Orange is the new black by Piper Kerman
The book of life by Deborah Harkness
The goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Half girlfriend by Chetan Bhagat
Simian by Vikram Balagopal
One Life is Not Enough by Natwar Singh
Not just an accountant by Vinod Rai, former CAG of
India
Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: An Inside J ob? by Faraz
Ahmad
Strictly Personal, Manmohan and Gursharan by Ms
Daman Singh
J ULY 2014
The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherjee
Finding Neema by J uliet Reynolds
Half a Rupee Stories by Gulzar
The Substance and The Shadow by Udaya Tara Nayar, a
biography of veteran actor Dilip Kumar
Innovation in India by Shyama V. Ramani
J UNE 2014
Blood Feud: The Clintons vs. The Obamas by Edward Klein
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Americanah
Hannah Kent Burial Rites
Audrey Magee The Undertaking
Eimear McBride A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing
Donna Tartt The Goldfinch


OBITUARY

AUGUST 2014
B K S IYENGAR: 96 years old Padma Vibhushan awardee
Yogacharya, known for his vast contribution in spreading
Indian Yoga all over the world.

U.R. ANANTHAMURTHY: J nanpith awardee and
renowned Kannada novelist and story writer

MADHUKAR SINGH: Eminent Hindi litterateur and novelist
from Bihar

PRAN KUMAR SHARMA: Eminent cartoonist, popularly
known as Pran, who gave life to lovable comic characters
Chacha Chaudhury and his friend Sabu.

RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH: Oscar-winning British
filmmaker and actor, renowned for his critically-acclaimed
biopic Gandhi on Mahatma Gandhi that won eight Oscars,
died at the age of 90.

ROBIN WILLIAMS: Oscar winning famous US comedy
actor dies of suspected suicide.
J ULY 2014
ZOHRA SEHGAL: Legendary actress from Hindi theatre
and cinema, aged over 102 years.
NADINE GORDIMER: South African Nobel Prize-winning
author, one of the most powerful voices against the
injustice of apartheid
J UNE 2014
SULTAN AZLAN SHAH: Known as the 'Father of Malaysian
Hockey' for his colossal contribution to the international
hockey for over 41 years -- both as a player and as an
administrator. He was Sultan of Perak, Malaysia.

GOPINATH MUNDE: Union Minister for Rural
Development and Panchayati Raj, Prominent BJ P leader
from Maharashtra.

GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 20
PLACES IN NEWS

AUGUST 2014
MALIN VILLAGE: A small village in district Pune,
Maharashtra was in news as it was hit by a massive mud
slide, washing out almost entire village, claiming several
lives.

SINDHUPALCHOK: District of Nepal was in news as a
massive land slide near Mankha on 2 August 2014 blocked
the Sunkoshi River and caused maasive damage to local
settlements, claiming at least 156 lives.

MOUNT SINJ AR: place in Nineveh province of northern
Iraq was in news as US forces dropped food packets there
to thousands of Yezidis stranded there as they flee from
nearby areas persecuted by ISIS militants. Hundreds of
Yezidis have been massacred by the ISIS militants for their
refusal to convert to Islam.
Yezidis are a gentle community of ethnic Kurds, whose religious
beliefs are traced to antiquity and the ancient Zoroastrian and
Hindu religions as well as to Christianity and Islam.

LONGTOUSHAN: A town in Ludian county of Yunnan
province of China was in news as it was struck by a 6.5
magnitude earthquake, killing over 400 persons and causing
widespread devastation.

J ULY 2014
NEOGURI: Name of powerful typhoon that lashed J apan's
southern Okinawa islands on 8
th
J uly, forcing over half a
million people to seek shelter, as the typhoon damaged
buildings, downed trees and brought air/sea traffic to a halt.
J UNE 2014
INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: The
airport in Delhi was declared second best in service quality
in world and sixth best airport in the world.

MEHRANGIR: Name of the bungalow of Late J . J . Bhabha,
a pioneer nuclear scientist, at Malabar Hills, Mumbai that
was auctioned for a record price of Rs. 372 crore. Sh.
Bhabha wanted that auction money may be used for the
development and the upkeep of the National Centre for the
Performing Arts- NCPA, a non-profit organization. However,
the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has appealed to
the govt to acquire the property and to maintain it as a
monument.

RANI-KI-VAV, PATAN:
The 11
th
century step
well at district Patan of
Gujarat has been
approved as a World
Heritage site by
UNESCO, describing it as
an exceptional example
of technological
development in utilising ground water resources. Rani-ki-
Vav (queens step well) is a particularly large and complex
example of a stepwell with seven storeys of ornamented
panels and relief representing the height of the Maru-
Gurjara style.

GHNP, KULLU: The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)
in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh has been accorded the
UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its exceptional
natural beauty and conservation of biological diversity.
Some other Indian World Heritage Sites (WHS) include the
Taj Mahal, Ellora Caves, Kaziranga National Park, Keoladeo
National Park, Manas National Park, Nandadevi Biosphere
Reserve and the Sunderbans.

THALOT/ LARJ I: place about 40 km from Mandi in
Himachal Pradesh was in news as 24 engineering students,
including six girls, were washed away in River Beas due to
sudden release of water from the reservoir of Larji
hydropower project on river Beas, some five kilometers
away from the accident site. The students were from a
Hyderabad engineering college on an educational trip. The
accident took place when they were taking photographs on
the bank of the river.

GARIPHEMA: Village in Nagaland was in news as it has
been declared the countrys first tobacco-free village on the
occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31.


SPORTS WORLD
AUGUST 2014
COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014 CONCLUDE
20
th
Commonwealth games came to an end on August 3 at
Hampden Park, Scotlands National Stadium, Scotland.
4,750 athletes from 71 countries participated in 18 sports
over 11 days for 824 medals. The 2018 Commonwealth
Games will be held at Gold Coast, Australia.
India won 64 medals 15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze and
stood at 5
th
rank. England topped the medal tally with 174
medals, including 58 golds.

INDIAs GOLD MEDALS IN CWG - 2014

SR. NO. SPORTS PERSON SPORTS
1 K Sanjita Chanu Weight lifting
2 Sukhen Dev Weight lifting
3 Satish Sivalingam Weight lifting
4 Abhinav Bindra Shooting, 10 m rifle
5 Apurvi Chandela Shooting, 10 m rifle
6 J itu Rai Shooting, 50 m pistol
7 Rahi Sanorbat Shooting, 25 m pistol
8 Sushil Kumar Wrestling
9 Amit Kumar Wrestling
10 Vinesh Phogat Wrestling
11 Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling
12 Babita Phogat Wrestling
13 Vikas Gowda Discuss throw
14 Parupalli Kashyap* Badminton
15 J oshna Chinappa
and Dipika Pallikal**
Squash
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 21
*Parupalli Kashyap became the first Indian male shuttler
in 32 years to win a gold medal in the Commonwealth
Games in Badminton.

**J oshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal won the first
ever medal in squash since 1998, when this game was
included in Commonwealth Games.

NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2014

These awards are announced every year on 29
th
August on
the birthday of legendary hockey wizard Sh. Dhyan Chand,
which is observed as National Sports Day.

DHYAN CHAND AWARDS (FOR LI FETI ME ACHI EVEMENT)

Sl. No. Name Discipline
1. Shri Gurmail Singh Hockey
2. Shri K.P. Thakkar Swimming (Diving)
3. Shri Zeeshan Ali Tennis

DRONACHARYA AWARDS (FOR COACHES)

Sl. No. Name Discipline
1. Shri Mahabir Prasad Wrestling
2. Shri N. Lingappa Athletics Lifetime
3. Shri G. Manoharan Boxing Lifetime
4. Shri Gurcharan Singh Gogi J udo Lifetime
5. Shri J ose J acob Rowing Lifetime

ARJUNA AWARDS

S. No. NAME DISCIPLINE
1. Mr. Abhishek Verma Archery
2. Ms. Tintu Luka Athletics
3. Mr. H.N. Girisha Para-Athletics
4. Mr. V. Diju Badminton
5. Ms. Geetu Anna J ose Basketball
6. Mr. J ai Bhagwan Boxing
7. Mr. R. Ashwin* Cricket
8. Mr. Anirban Lahiri Golf
9. Ms. Mamta Pujari Kabaddi
10. Mr. Saji Thomas Rowing
11. Ms. Heena Sidhu Shooting
12. Ms. Anaka Alankamony Squash
13. Mr. Tom J oseph Volleyball
14. Ms. Renu Bala Chanu Weightlifting
15. Mr. Sunil Kumar Rana Wrestling

TENZING NORGAY AWARDS 2013

Sl. No. Name Discipline
1. Subedar J agat Singh Land Adventure
2. Shri Passang Tenzing
Sherpa
Land Adventure
3. MWO Surender Singh Air Adventure
4. Wing Commander (Retd)
Amit Chowdhury
Life Time
Achievement

ARCHERY WORLD CUP, Wroclaw, Poland: Indian
womens team, led by Deepika Kumari, clinched the recurve
team gold.

THE WORLD KABADDI LEAGUE started in London on
August 9. The league to be played across 16 international
cities, will end on November 30, 2014 in India.

SABINE LISICKI of Germany created a world record of
fastest serve in the womens tennis by serving at 131 miles
per hour at a match played in Stanford, USA.

FRANKIE J ONES: Canadian gymnast was awarded the
David Dixon Award for the best athlete of the Games. She
won six medals, including one gold.

RORY MCLLROY: of Ireland became number one in Golf
by winning the elite World Golf Championships held at
Akron, USA.

USAIN BOLT: J amaican sprint superstar set a new best
time record of 9.98 second for the rarely run 100 meter
indoors at Warsaws national football stadium in Poland.

DANIEL RICCIARDO of Australia won the Belgian Grand
Prix F1 car race for team Red Bull.

BWF World Badminton Championship held in
Copenhagen, Denmark

J ULY 2014
20
TH
CWEALTH GAMES START IN GLASGOW
The 2014 Commonwealth
Games (officially the 20
th

Commonwealth Games) will
be held in Glasgow, Scotland,
from 23 J uly to 3 August
2014. Mascot for the games
has been named Clyde after
the famous Clyde river of
Scotland. It is in the shape of
a thistle plant, not an animal. Shooter Vijay Kumar led
Indian Contingent as flag bearer.

SAINA NEHWAL: Indian shuttler lifted her first Super
Series title in two years, clinching the $ 750,000 Star
Australian Open after outplaying Spain's Carolina Marin at
Sydney, Australia.

PANKAJ ADVANI won his 9
th
world title beating Polands
Kacper Flilpiak in the IBSF World 6-Red snooker
championship at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Ritu Rani to captain Indias women hockey team for the
Commonwealth Games, Glasgow.

GERMANY LIFTS FIFA WORLD CUP 2014
Mario Gotze scored the winning goal for Germany in the
22nd minute of extra time as Germany became the football
world champions when they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final
at Rio-de J aneiro. Germany, who had made the final for the
fourth time in a row, won their first title after 1990.
GENERAL AWARENESS OCTOBER 2014 22
AWARDS FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2014

GOLDEN BALL
Player of the Tournament- Lionel Messi, Argentina

GOLDEN BOOT
Highest Goal Scorer (6) : J ames Rodriguez, Colombia

GOLDEN GLOVE
Best Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer, Germany

The Indian men's football team has been ranked 151th in
the FIFA world rankings, which is topped by recently-
crowned world champions Germany.

Wimbledon Tennis Open, London: Novak Djokovic of
Serbia won the Mens title defeating Roger Federer of
Switzerland.

Womens title was won by Petra Kvitova of Czechslovakia by
defeating Eugenie Bouchard of Canada

VINCENZO NIBALI of Italy won the world famous three
week cycling marathon - Tour de France.

SIM BHULLAR has become the first player of Indian origin
to be a part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in
USA after joining the Sacramento Kings team. The 21-year-
old is 7.5 feet tall and hails from Kapurthala in Punjab.
India clinched their first Test win against England at the
historic Lord's ground in London in nearly three decades.

J UNE 2014
J itu Rai became first Indian
shooter to win three medals in
successive ISSF Shooting World
Cup. Also, by winning his first-
ever Gold medal and one Silver at
the ongoing ISSF World Cup in
Maribor, Slovenia, he became the
first Indian shooter to win two
medals at the same World Cup.

Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil won the gold medal and
silver medal respectively, in wrestling in International
Competition in Sassari city, Italy.

Indian Premier League 7: Kolkata Knight Riders won
the IPL title beating Kings Eleven Punjab at the final played
at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Abhishek Verma has become the
first Indian archer to win three gold
medals in a single international
tournament after a silver medal he
won last year was converted to gold.
Abhishek won a silver in the
compound mens event at the Asian
Archery Championship in Chinese
Taipei in October-November last year.

Viswanathan Anand won the bronze medal at the World
Rapid Chess Championship held at Dubai.
NATIONAL GAMES: The 35th edition of these will be held
in Kerala in J an Feb, 2015. Sachin Tendulkar has been
appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for these games.

FRENCH OPEN TENNIS at Roland Garros, Paris
Rafael Nadal of Spain won the mens title for the ninth time,
and the fifth time in a row, beating Novak Djokovic of
Serbia, Womens title was won by Maria Sharapova of
Russia, defeating Romania's Simona Halep.

Hockey World Cup (men) Australia defeated The
Netherlands to win the cup at The Hague, Netherland.
Womens cup was lifted by The Netherland defeating
Australia

16th Asian J unior Athletics Championship: India won
2 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze medals to finish 5th in final
medal tally at Taipei City, China from 12 J une to 15 J une
2014.

DAYS & DATES

OCTOBER
International Non- violence Day October 02
World Habitat day October 03
World Teachers Day October 05
Indian Air Force Day October 08
World Post Day October 09
World Food Day October 16
United Nation (UN) Day October 24

SEPTEMBER
Teachers Day (Birth Day of
S.Radhakrishnan)
September 05
World Literacy Day September 08
Raj Bhasha Divas (Hindi Divas) September 14
World Deaf Day September 23
World Tourism Day September 27
World Heart Day September 29



AUGUST
World Breast Feeding Week August 1-07
Friendship Day August 05
Hiroshima Day August 06
August Kranti Divas August 09
Nagasaki Day August 09
Dengue Prevention Day August 10
International Youth Day August 12
National Independence Day August 15
World Photography Day August 19
Sanskrit Day August 24
Womens Equality Day August 26
National Sports Day August 29






ALL THE NEWS ITEMS IN THIS MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN SOURCED
FROM VARIOUS NEWS PAPERS AND GOVT. PRESS RELEASES