January 2013 To June 19th 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

SBI PO 2013 PREPARATION
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January 2013 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
Palestinian Authority to be Named State of Palestine
On 7 January Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a decree changing
the name of the Palestinian Authority to the State of Palestine," according to the
organizations official news agency.
Pakistani Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister
On 15 January 2013 Pakistans Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister in
connection with a corruption case linked to power projects. The Supreme Court gave authorities
24 hours to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and 16 others.This is the first in the history
of Pakistan to arrest a Prime Minister. The orders of the Court came following the allegations in
connection with a corruption case linked to power projects, done during his office of the Water
and Power Minister.
Obama Signed 23 Executive Orders on Gun Safety
On 16 January President Barack Obama announced 23 executive actions on gun control laws,
making them stricter,which would come into effect immediately after his signatures. One of
these measures include requiring the target shooters to keep their guns locked and also to ban
military-style assault weapons, high capacity magazine as well as to make the background
check mandatory.Obama announced that this was his attempt to keep children safe, keeping in
view the massacre of Newtown where 20 first grade children along with six adults were killed.
140 Nations Agreed On Global Mercury Limits
On 19 January , More than 140 nations have agreed on the first legally binding treaty to curb
mercury pollution.Delegates at UN discussed in Geneva approved measures to control the use
of the highly toxic metal, which is widely used in chemical production and small-scale mining, in
order to limit mercury emissions.The governments agreed to ban the production, export and
import of a range of products containing mercury by 2020.The treaty has been discussed for
four years, but it is only now that the negotiators agreed over the final version of the document.
The treaty, known as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, provides controls and reductions
across a range of products and processes where mercury is used, released and emitted.
Milos Zeman Elected as Czech Republic new President
On 25 January A leftist candidate Milos Zeman won the Czech Republics first presidential
election decided by direct vote.Milos Zeman, a former prime minister and head of the Citizens
Rights Party, won with 54.8% of the vote.He defeated Karel Schwarzenberg, an aristocratic
foreign minister with the TOP09 party, who garnered 45.2%.Zeman replaces Vaclav Klaus, who
must step down after serving the maximum of two terms.


INDIA & WORLD
India Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Units Lists
On 1 January India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units lists , as it is customary since
20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged
between India and Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from
aiming the nuclear installations of each others nations.
Thousands of illegal Indian Migrants in UK
According to a 2012 UK Home Office report, India has been named along with Pakistan, China,
Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Brazil and Iran as the main sources of
illegal immigration to Britain.What the report does not mention is how many of the 863,000
illegal migrants that it says are living in the UK are students. This is a contentious area because
critics of the coalition government claim it is counting students among overall immigrants.
World Economic Forums Global Risks Report
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report , India ranks lowest among the worlds
major economies for its preparedness to tackle global environmental risks and second-lowest
for economic risks.Switzerland is best placed among the worlds 10 major economies for
adapting to or recovering from global economic and environmental risks.While India is ranked
9th in terms of its ability to tackle global economic risks, it comes last at 10th position for
environmental risks.However, India fared relatively better at 6th position in terms of the
governments risk management effectiveness.The US and China were ranked fourth and fifth
respectively.
Indians Top the List of Working in Dream Jobs
According to survey conducted by networking website LinkedIn,Indians have emerged at the top
of the list of people working in their dream job.The dream job league table:1. India 44 percent
2. Indonesia 42 percent 3. United Arab Emirates 35.7 percent 4. Germany 33 percent 5.
Brazil 32 percent 6. Austria 31 percent 7. Switzerland 30 percent 8. USA 29 percent 9.
France, Canada, Sweden, South Africa 28 percent 13. Singapore, Hong Kong 27 percent
15. Australia 26 percent 16. New Zealand 25 percent 17. UK 21 percent
India Vietnam Signed on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
On 15 January India and Vietnam signed an MoU aimed at building capacity for developing
institutional framework and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and
medium enterprises in this country.The MoU was signed here between the Ministry of Planning
and Investments of Vietnam and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of
India .
India and Sri Lanka signed Anti-terror, Tax evasion Agreements
On 22nd January India and Sri Lanka signed two separate agreements on combating
international terrorism and avoidance of double taxation, eyeing elevation of robust bilateral

ties to building of a special economic partnership.The two key accords were signed after the 8th
India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting held at New Delhi , both countries discussed
enhanced cooperation in a range of areas including civil nuclear energy.At the meeting, the
Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid while the Lankans were led by
his counterpart G.L. Peiris.During the meet, both the parties also decided setting up of the
Special Economic Zone at Trincomali and a textile and pharmaceutical cluster in Sri Lanka.
International Tea Producers Forum formed
On 22 January India, along with five other tea producing countries, has formed the International
Tea Producers Forum (ITPF) at Colombo.Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D
Purandesari signed the joint communique on behalf of India along with representatives of
Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Rwanda and Malawi in Colombo.The ITPF will initially be an
independent body but in future may get affiliated to Food & Agriculture Organisation of United
Nations.
India , Bangladesh Signed Extradition and Visa Agreements
On 28 January Bangladesh and India signed an extradition treaty and struck a deal to relax
business visa restrictions between the neighbouring countries. However, refusal provisions were
incorporated into the extradition treaty.Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde signed the
agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir at the end of their bilateral
talks.
India Dropped to 140th Rank in Press Freedom
According to the report Reporters Without Borders India has dropped nine places to the 140th
rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index.China (173rd, +1)
shows no sign of improving. Its prisons still hold many journalists and netizens, while
increasingly unpopular Internet censorship continues to be a major obstacle to access
information.As last year, the list is topped by three European countries Finland, Netherlands
and Norway.Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea continue to be at the bottom of the list as
has been in the last three years.

NATIONAL
Govt Launched Direct Cash Transfer Scheme in 20 Districts
On 1 January 2013 The government launched its scaled down Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) in
20 districts,but food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. All 26
schemes are ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due in
the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the direct benefit transfer
system using the UIDAI platform.The scheme is going to be rolled out in 43 districts by 1 March
2013, 20 districts from January 1, 11 districts from February 1 and 12 districts from March 1. By
end of 2013, the direct cash benefit transfer will be rolled out in all the districts of the country.
PA Sangma launched National Peoples Party

PA Sangma, who broke away with the NCP in 2012 to contest the presidential elections, though
unsuccessfully, on 05 January 2013 launched National Peoples Party (NPP), and chosen a
book as its symbol. Sangma has chosen to align his party with the BJP-led National Democratic
Alliance (NDA).
President Released Stamps on Swami Vivekananda
On 12 January The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released the Commemorative Postage
Stamps, at the Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, in New
Delhi .
Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012
On 17 January According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012 report has
found that learning levels have dipped to an all-time low. So, almost half the 6-7 year-olds
(Class I) in India cannot read even one letter in any language, over 57% cannot read any
English while almost 40% cannot recognize numbers between 1 and 9.The 12.8% children
between Class I and V could not read a single letter while 10.7% could not recognize numbers 1
to 9. The number of children in Class V who could read Class II text fell from 53.7% in 2010 to
46.8% in 2012. In 2010, seven out of 10 children could solve a two-digit subtraction problem
with borrowing. This has come down to five out of 10 in 2012.

STATES
Odisha Launched Public Service Delivery System
On 2 January The Odisha government launched the much-sought after Public Service Delivery
System for citizens under the Odisha Right to Public Service Act, 2012.Under the new act,
people will get services like issue of driving license, birth and death certificates, passport and
trade license within a stipulated time.Odisha is among the 12th state to implement the law.
Haryana Government announced Kanyadan Scheme for Bride participants of Mass
Marriages
The Government of Haryana on 3 January 2012 announced its plan of launching a Kanyadan
Scheme in the state for brides participating in the mass marriage ceremony, which would be
organised by any of the registered NGO or the Red Cross Society. The scheme would carry an
incentive amount of 11000 rupees and would come into effect from 1 April 2012. The incentive
amount of 11000 rupees would be given to brides from all castes, creeds, race, religion and the
income category to which the girl belongs.
Arunachal Pradesh Collaborated with NSDL for Adoption of National Pension Scheme
On 9 January The state of Arunachal Pradesh entered into an agreement with signing of MoU
with National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), permitting it to work as a Central Record
Keeping Agency (CRA) for adoption of the National Pension System (NPS).National Pension

Scheme NPS is an initiative of the Union Government of India and Arunachal Pradesh is the
26th State to adopt it.
Gujarat Tops List of Indian States on Economic Freedom Policy
According to the Economic Freedom of States in India report which was released by former
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and present Rajya Sabha Member Bimal Jalan.The top
state in India in (terms of) economic freedom in 2011 was western Indian state Gujarat. It
displaced southern Indian state Tamil Nadu which had been at the top in 2009.Gujarat freedom
index has been rising fast and estimated at 0.64 points. The biggest improvement has been
registered by Madhya Pradesh with freedom index score rose from 0.42 in 2009 to 0.56 in 2011
enabling it to move up from sixth to third position.
Assembly polls in Tripura,Meghalaya and Nagaland on Febrauary
Assembly elections in Tripura will be held on February 14 and in Meghalaya and Nagaland on
February 23 and their results will be out on February 28, the Election Commission announced
on 10 January 2013.The EC also announced byelections to nine assembly constituencies in
Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab on February 23 and in Assam, Bihar and
Maharashtra on February 24, but their results will be out together on February 28.
Presidents Rule Imposed on Jharkhand
On 18 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India imposed Presidents Rule in
Jharkhand under Article 356(1) of the Constitution.The Presidents Rule for the third time since
its formation 12 years ago.The decision came as a follow up of the recommendation made by
the Union Cabinet of India and fall of the state machinery in form of Government on 8 January
after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha the supporting party to BJP led Coalition Government
withdrew its support from it. The state was placed under Presidents Rule in 2009 and 2010.
Three New High Courts for North East
The Centre has constituted three new High Courts in the northeast Meghalaya, Manipur and
Tripura taking the total number of High Courts in the country from 21 to 24.According to Law
Ministry sources, the strength of judges in each High Court will be as follows: Tripura 4
(including the Chief Justice), and Meghalaya and Manipur: three each (including the Chief
Justice).

CONFERENCES
100th Indian Science Congress held in Kolkata
The 100th Indian Science Congress was held from 3 to 7 January in Kolkata (West Bengal)
.The theme of the session is Science for Shaping the Future of India .The session was
inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee the President of India .In the session Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh released The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy(STI) 2013 .On
4 January Former President Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated a Children Science Congress

as part of the 100th Indian Science Congress .The 100th Indian Science Congress (ISC 2013)
is also organized a special programme Women empowerment for the development of the
country to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology.This is the 13th time
the Indian Science Congress is being hosted by Kolkata
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Kochi
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held from 7- 9 January at Kochi (Kerala).Mauritius
President Rajkeswur Purryag was the chief guest of this official inaugural session.2000
delegates from 40 countries attended the convention.The theme for this years Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas is Engaging Diaspora the Indian Growth Story.On 7th January in the event
they discussed on problems that people from Kerala face in the region.Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh will inaugurated the annual flagship event and released the postage stamp on
Ghadar Movement on 8 January and President Pranab Mukherjee will delivered the valedictory
address on January 9 and also presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.Pravasi
Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of
overseas Indian community in the development of India.The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the first of
its kind involving the Indian Diaspora, was held in 2003 at New Delhi.
Fourth Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers held in Vientiane
The Fourth meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Minister (4th M-ATM+ India) was held in
Vientiane, Lao PDR from 21 to January in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013
(ATF2013).The Meeting was jointly co-chaired by H.E. Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara,
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR, and H.E. Dr. K. Chiranjeevi, Minister for
Tourism, Government of India.In the meeting Both the Ministers have signed the Protocol to
amend the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and India on Strengthening
Tourism Cooperation.
World Economic Forum Summit Held in Davos
The 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held from 23 27 January at Davos-Klosters
in Switzerland.The annual forum, which has been running for over 40 years, provides a platform
for decision-makers in politics, non-governmental organisations and businesses to gather and to
exchange views on the worlds most pressing problems.The World Economic Forum (WEF)
unites international political leaders, business leaders and journalists from across the globe to
discussed and shape global, regional and industrial agendas with regards to economics, health
and the environment.The WEF was founded in 1971 as a non-profit organization by the German
Klaus Schwab, a business professor at the University of Geneva.

AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala won 2012 Tipperary International Peace Award
On 3 January Malala Yousafzai, the teenaged Pakistani school girl shot by a Taliban gunman
last year , has been awarded the 2012 Tipperary International Peace Award from Ireland for
her courage and determination to speak out in support of equal access to education for

children.Malala is the second Pakistani to get the award. In 2007, it was given to late Benazir
Bhutto.
Malala honored with the French Simone de Beauvoir Prize
On 9 January Malala Yousafzai (15), the schoolgirl from Pakistan shot by Taliban for
campaigning girls education, received Frances Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Womens
Freedom in Paris. Malalas father Ziaudin Yousafzai received the honour on her behalf. he
award is accompanied with 2.5 million RupeTes honorarium.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2013
On 9 January Pranab Mukherjee President of India presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
(Awards) 2013 to 14 people, included Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Mauritius
President Rajkeswur Purryag, He was also the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
2013. In accordance to Tradition, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Awards) 2013 have been given to
notable Indians living abroad.
The other awardees are Prof Dr Gurusharan Singh Chhatwal of Germany for science, Dr Rasik
Vihari Joshi (Mexico) for Literature, Gilbert Canabady Moutien (Reunion Island) and Mohammed
Rabeeh Karuvanthodi (Saudi Arabia) for business, Patricia Maria Rozario(UK) for Music, Dr
Narendra Ramakrishna Kumar (USA) for Healthcare, Subash Razdan (USA) and Islmail
Ebrahim (South Afrcia) for Public service.
Dr Satendra Kumar Singh (New Zealand), Australia India Society of Victoria (Australia) and
Bava Pandalingal (UAE), Ashok Shambhomal Vaswani (Guinea), Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait
for community service, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon from Malaysia for Community service, are
among others on the list of awardees.
Mamata Banerjee gets gift from PCB
Overwhelmed by the hospitality at the Eden Gardens during India-Pakistan second ODI in
Kolkata, the PCB sent the gift as a silver-coated Quran to the Cricket Association of Bengal who
handed it over to the CM during a function at the Netaji Indoor in Kolkata on 10 January 2013.
Mahaveer Golechha Bags Award for Alzheimers Drug
On 17 January The London-based Indian researcher Mahaveer Golechha, was selected to be
felicitated for an award that includes his work on a drug that can be a potential cure of
Alzheimers disease.In the study conducted by Golechha, he found discovered that naringin has
essential anti-Alzheimer activity.
70th Golden Globe Awards 2013
On January 13 The 70th Golden Globe Awards honored the best in film and television of 2012,
was presented in California .
Best Film : Argo

Best Actor : Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best Actress : Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty)
Best Director - Ben Affleck (Argo)
Best Musical or Comedy -: Les Miserables
Best Foreign Language Film : Amour
Best Animated Feature Film -: Brave
Krishi Karman Awards 2011- 2012
On 15 January President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Krishi Karman awards for the year
2011-12 at an award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented to the
State Governments for their excellent performance in increasing the production of food grains in
their respective states.
Awards in Different Segments :-
- The Awards for Special Contribution to Total Food Grains Production - Madhya Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland
- Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Rice Bihar
- Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Wheat - Haryana
- Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Pulses - Jharkhand
- Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Coarse Cereals Uttar Pradesh
58th Filmfare Awards
The 58th Filmfare Awards were held honoring the best films of 2012 from the Hindi -language
film industry (commonly known as Bollywood). The ceremony was held on January 20, 2013 at
Mumbai.
Best Movie :- Barfi!
Best Actor :- Ranbir Kapoor (Film -Barfi!)
Best Actress :- Vidya Balan (Film Kahaani )
Best Director :- Sujoy Ghosh (Film Kahaani )
Lifetime Achievement Award :- Yash Chopra (After Death)

Prof C N R Rao awarded by Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences was awarded Prof C N R Rao, National Research Professor
and Honorary President of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
(JNCAR), the prestigious International Scientific Cooperation Award 2012. The award is
designed to acknowledge outstanding scientists for their contribution to science and for
promoting global networking of international science cooperation.
Padma Awards 2013
President of India Approved the Conferment of 108 Padma Awards
On 25 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of Union of India approved conferment of 108
Padma Awards. Four people have been conferred with Padma Vibhusan, twenty four are
conferred with Padma Bhushan and 80 people would be receiving Padma Shree Awards. Out of
all the awardees twenty-four are ladies and 11 people belong to categories like NRIs, PIOs,
Foreigners and Posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan
Raghunath Mohapatra, Art, Orissa
S Haider Raza, Art, Delhi
Prof Yash Pal, Science and Engineering, Uttar Pradesh
Prof Roddam Narasimha, Science and Engineering, Karnataka
Padma Bhushan
Sharmila Tagore, Art, Delhi
Dr (Smt) Saroja Vaidyanathan, Art, Delhi
Late Rajesh Khanna, Art, Maharashtra
Late Jaspal Singh Bhatti, Art, Punjab
Adi Burjor Godrej, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra
Prof Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Literature & Education USA
Rahul Dravid, Sports, Karnataka
H Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, Sports, Manipur
Padma Shri
Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, Sports, Karnataka ,

Subedar Major Vijay Kumar, Sports, Himachal Pradesh
Yogeshwar Dutt, Sports, Haryana
B Jayashree, Art, Karnataka
Sridevi Kapoor, Art, Maharashtra
Ramesh Gopaldas Sippy, Art, Maharashtra
359 Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced
On 26 January President Pranab Mukherjee has approved awards of 359 Gallantry and other
Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 64th Republic
Day Celebrations .This includes 01 Kirti Chakra, 11 Shaurya Chakra, 56 Sena Medal
(Gallantry), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Vayu
Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 03 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 06 Bar to
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 44 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 12 Yudh Seva Medal, 02 Bar to Sena
Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal
(Devotion to Duty), 07 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to
Duty), 04 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 116 Vishisht Seva Medal..Major Abup J Manjali of the
Rashtriya Rifles was selected for the award of Kirti Chakra for his extraordinary bravery efforts
in counter- terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taiwan Business Magnate Launched Tang Prize (Asian Noble Prize)
On 28 January Samuel Yin , A business magnate tycoon from Taiwan has launched the Tang
Prize(Asian Noble prize) for outstanding achievements in natural and social sciences.He
announced that he would establish Tang Prize Foundation which would have an initial donation
of 103 million dollar.Tang Prize Foundation was decided that the prizes under the Tang Prize
Foundation will be awarded every alternate year to the international leaders in sustainable
development, biopharmaceutical science, the rule of law as well as the study of China.

SPORTS & GAMES
Kohli is CEAT International Cricketer of the Year
On 4 January Vice-captain of Indian Cricket team Virat Kohli was named the International
Cricketer of the Year while Pakistan cricket team was named as the Best International Cricket
Team in the 2011-2012 season at the CEAT cricket awards in New Delhi. Unmukt Chand, who
led India to the U-19 World Cup win last year, got the inaugural Indian Youngster of the Year
award.The Former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas received the Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Uttarakhand won 63rd National Basketball Championship

On 4 January Uttarakhand won 63rd National basketball championship mens title after defeated
Punjab in the final at Ludhiana (Punjab).In the womens section, Railways won the titl e against
by first-time finalist Tamil Nadu in the final.
Tipsarevic won Chennai Open Tennis Title
On 6 January Second-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia has won the ATP Chennai Open Title
after defeated Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain in the final at Chennai.Tipsarevic won the
chennai open title for the first time in his career.
Nicol David won World Series Squash Title
On 6 January Nicol David won the World Series Squash Finals womens title after defeated
Englands Laura Massaro in the final at London.In the mens final, Egypts Amr Shabana came
from behind to beat Englands Nick Matthew .
Australia Won Test Against Sri Lanka
Australia secured a five-wicket won in the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka on 6
January at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) .
Brisbane International Tennis Winners 2013
Womens Singles :Serena Williams (USA) won the WTA Brisbane International womens
singles title on 5 January with a straight sets demolition of Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Mens Singles : In the Mens singles Category Andy Murray from scotland won the title after
defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov .
Womens Doubles : Sania Mirza and her partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the womens
doubles trophy by winning against Kveta Peschke and Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Mens Doubles : Marcelo Melo Tommy Robredo won the doubles title after defeated Eric
Butorac Paul Hanley .
Pakistan won the Three Match Series
On 6 January Pakistan won the three-match series by 2-1 against India.With this win over
Pakistan, India lost the three matches one day series .Nasir Jamshed of Paksitan was declared
as the Player of the tournament.MS Dhoni was once again chosen as the Player of the match.
Lionel Messi, the man of the four Golden Balls
Lionel Messi became the first four-time winner of the FIFA Player of the Year award after
shattering the world record with 91 goals last year(2012) for Barcelona and Argentina.His 91
goals topped Gerd Muellers mark of 85 for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
Bangar quits first-class cricket

Former India player and Railways captain Sanjay Bangar announced his retirement from first-
class cricket after guiding his team to a 122-run victory over Bengal in the final league game of
the Ranji Trophy on 01 January 2013 in Kolkata.He played 165 first class matches amassing
8342 runs at an average of 33.35 and has 300 wickets to his credit.
National Table Tennis Championship Winners
On 11 January Soumyajit Ghosh became the youngest national champion after he defeated
six-time winner Achanta Sharath Kamal in the summit clash of the 74th National Table Tennis
Championship mens singles final at Raipur.Shamini Kumaresan won the womens singles
title.Sourav Chakraborty and Ganeshan Sathiyan won the doubles title.In the Women doubles
category K. Spoorthy and Nikhat Banu (AP) defeated Madhurika Patkar and Pooja
Sahasrabudhe in the final and got the title.
Haryana girls retain U-20 hockey title
Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 1-0 to retain their under-20 women hockey national
championship at the Gachibowli Stadium on 16 January 2013.
Kerala won 61st National Volleyball Championship Title
On 16 January Kerala defeated Tamilnadu to retain the mens title in the 61st Senior National
Volleyball Championship at the Sawai Man Singh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.In the womens
section, Railways defeated Kerala and won the title in the final.
Malaysian Open Badminton Championship Winners
Mens Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Indonesia) won the Mens singles title after defeated Sony
Dwi Kuncoro in the final at Kuala Lumpur on 20 January.
Mens Doubles: Mohd Ahsan (Indonesia) -Hendra Setiawan (China) defeated Ko Sung-hyun-
Lee Yong-dae (Malaysia) in the final.
Womens Singles: Tai Tzu-ying (Thailand) won the womens singles title after defeated Yao
Xue (Korea)
Womens Doubles: In the event Bao Yixin-Tian Qing (China) won the title after defeated
Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (Japan)
Lalith Babu takes top honours
Lalith Babu defeated Swapnil Dhopade in the final round to clinch the Chennai Super Kings
International Grandmaster chess tournament that concluded at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai
on 23 January 2013.Lalith Babu won Rs.200,000 and the trophy after becoming the first Indian
player to claim the Chennai Open
Australian Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners

Womens Singles :- Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the Womens Singles title of the
Australian Open Tennis tournament after defeated Li Na of China in the final at Melbourne on
26 January .
Mens Singles:- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has won the mens singles title after defeating Andy
Murray (Britain) in four sets. This is Djokovics fourth Australian Open and over all six Grand
Slam single title.
Womens Doubles:- Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci won the title, defeating wild
cards Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the final.
Mens Doubles : Top seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan won the mens doubles
title. Americans Mike and Bob Bryan won their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating
the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling .
Magnus Carlsen Won Tata Steel Chess Championship
Magnus Carlsen won Tata Steel 2013 Chess tournament title in the final at Netherlands on 27
January .In the final round tournament, he scored 10 points , winning clear first ahead of
second-place finisher Aronian (Armenia).World champion Viswanathan Anand at third position.
Mumbai won 40th Ranji Trophy Title
On 29 January Mumbai won its 40th Ranji Trophy title against Saurashtra by an inning and 125
runs in the final at Wankhede at Mumbai .Wasim Jaffar was declared Man of the Match. Ajit
Agarkar was the captain of the winning team.

ECONOMY
Philippines introduced sin tax
A sin tax on cigarettes and alcohol was introduced in the Philippines on 01 January 2013, as
part of a government bid to boost finances.Many stores started selling tobacco and drink at
inflated prices before midnight , ahead of the official implementation of the tax hikes on January
01, hitting partygoers in the pocket.Tax on cigarettes will gradually be raised to 30 pesos ($0.72)
per pack by 2017, roughly doubling the current price to around 52 pesos.Duty on alcohol will
also increase gradually until 2017, increasing the price of a bottle of beer by 23.50 pesos, with
varying levels for other drinks including wine and spirits.
LIC Launched New Jeewan Nidhi & Flexi Plus Policies
The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India launched two new Insurence policies New Jeevan
Nidhi, a pension scheme, and Flexi Plus on 3 January .New Jeewan Nidhi provides the facility
of insurance coverage of full amount while the insured person keeps depositing premiums.The
Flexi policy is a unit linked insurance product. The plan not only provides a lump sum benefit on
death but also maturity benefit irrespective of survival of the policy holder

Mukesh Ambani 18th richest man in world
Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani is the 18th richest person in the world with a personal
wealth of $24.7 billion in 2012, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of
the worlds 100 wealthiest individuals. Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim
remained the worlds richest person last year holding a personal fortune of more than $70
billion.Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the founder of fashion retailer Zara, Amancio Ortega, got
a second and third places respectively.
Indian Companies Top Globally in R&D Investment
According to the European Commission report Indian companies have come on the top globally
when it comes to growth in their research and development (R&D) investments, leaving their
counterparts in the US and Europe far behind.Indian firms rank far below when it comes to
absolute R&D investments made by them and the top-ranked company from the country.These
are the only 14 Indian companies present in a list of top-1500 entities worldwide in terms of their
annual R&D investments.The top-ranked Indian company is Infosys at 329th place and
Japanese company Toyota Motor appears at the top of the ranking in the 2012 Scoreboard.
IMF forecasted Indian Economic Growth Rate to be 5.9 percent in 2013
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 23 January 2013 pegged Indias economic growth
rate in 2013 at 5.9 per cent and projected a higher growth of 6.4 per cent next year in line with
the gradual strengthening of global expansion.
World Banks Global Economic Prospects 2013 Report
According to the World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2013 report , Indias growth is
expected to inch closer to that of China in near future, in which the economies of developing
countries like India, China and Brazil are projected to be recovering and higher growth rate.The
World Bank expects that by 2015, the growth rate of China would be 7.9% and that of India
7%.While the growth of the world economy growth is projected to inch up from 2.3% in 2012 to
2.4% in 2013, with the high-income countries remaining at the same level of growth of 1.3% in
both 2012 and 2013, it is the emerging markets like India, China and Brazil that would show
significant signs of recovery.They are expecting a recovery in India from 5.1% growth in 2012 to
6.1% growth in 2013.
India 119th on Economic Freedom Index
According to the Heritage Foundation 2013 Index of Economic Freedom survey report , India
has been ranked as the 119th freest country in the world and Indias economic freedom score
stood at 55.2, as its institutional shortcomings continue to undermine the foundations for long-
term economic development.The top ten countries in the list include Hong Kong, Singapore,
Australia, New Zealand, Switzarland, canada, Chili, Mauritius, Denmark and US.
India second in steel production globally
India is second only to China in terms of steel production. In the last 5 years Indias production
grew by 33 percent, thus making it behind China among the top 5 steel producing nation. World
Steel Association (WSA) data has revealed that Chinas production grew by 39 per cent during

2008-2012, Indias by 33 percent and Indias production grew constantly in the last five years
from 57.8 MT in 2008 to 63.5 MT in 2009, 69 MT in 2010, 73.6 MT in 2011 and 76.7 MT in 2012
RBI cuts CRR, Repo Rates
On 29 January The Reserve Bank of India slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per cent and
released 18000 crore rupees additional liquidity into the system to perk up growth through
reduced cost of borrowing. RBI in its third quarter monetary policy review surprised the market
by cutting short-term lending rate called repo, by 0.25 per cent to 7.75 per cent and Cash
Reserve Ratio (CRR) by similar margin to 4 per cent.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
US approved First new Tuberculosis Drug
On 1 January The US Food and Drug administration approved a Johnson & Johnson
tuberculosis drug in 40 years .This is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection in more
than four decades.The disease is rare in the US, but kills about 1.4 million people a year
worldwide.
Spiral galaxy IC 2233
Astronomers had captured one of the flattest galaxies known in the universe, sitting like a silver
needle in the haystack of space. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope produced a beautiful
image of the spiral galaxy IC 2233, one of the flattest galaxies. The IC 2233 is located about 40
million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy was earlier discovered by British astronomer
Isaac Roberts in 1894.
Immune system booster may hit cancer
Japanese research where stem cells were used to clone and produce large numbers of a
specialized type of white blood cell. These cells, known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are
produced by the immune system and are able to recognize specific markers on the surface of
various tumour cells, causing them to launch an attack to kill the tumour cells.The researchers
are succeeded in using stem cells to mass-produce CTLs in laboratory conditions.
Chinese Biologists Discovered Antibiotic In Panda Blood
Chinese biologists have discovered that the blood of the endangered giant panda includes a
compound called Cathelicidin-AM which acts as a natural antibiotic. The nature of the blood
compound makes it an attractive treatment for so-called superbugs, those strains of disease
that have become immune or resistant to traditional antibiotics.
India to make worlds largest solar telescope
India is likely to begin construction of the worlds largest solar telescope on the foothills of the
Himalayas in Ladakh to understand the fundamental processes taking place on the Sun by

year-end.A 2-metre class, state-of-the-art National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), built by
Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), will permit Indian scientists to carry out
cutting edge research aimed to study Suns atmosphere.
Internet emits 830 mt of carbon dioxide annually
According to Researchers from the Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications (CEET) and
Bell Labs, Internet and other components of information communication and technology (ICT)
industry annually produces more than 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main
greenhouse gas, and is expected to double by 2020
Lakshya Missile Successfully Tested
Indias indigenously developed, Lakshya was sucessfully tested on 7 January .It was launched
from the Integrated Test Range ITR, at Odisha .25 meters in length, 100 km away from the
target to the missile .
17 billion Earth-sized planets in Milky Way
The Milky Way contains at least 17 billion planets the size of Earth.Astronomers using NASAs
Kepler spacecraft found that about 17 percent of stars in our galaxy have a planet about the
size of Earth in a close orbit.The Milky Way is known to host about 100 billion stars, meaning
that about one of every six has an Earth-sized planet around it.
Brahmos cruise missile test fired in successfully
Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos scored once again in its 34th launch on 09 January 2013 off
Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal, hitting a decommissioned vessel with accuracy.As it took
off vertically from a naval warship, reached an altitude of 14 km, levelled out and started
cruising at three times the speed of sound, it performed a double manoeuvre in S-form and hit
the decommissioned ship, about 290 km away.
Astronomers Found NGC 6872 Largest known Spiral Galaxy
A team of astronomers from the United States, Chile and Brazil has crowned it the largest-
known spiral galaxy, a spectacular behemoth five times bigger than our own Milky Way, based
on archival data from NASAs Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) mission.The title-holder is
now NGC 6872, a barred spiral found 212 million light-years away in the southern constellation
Pavo. The distance between NGC 6872s two huge spiral arms is 522,000 light-years,
compared to about 100,000 light-years for the Milky Way.
Indian Scientists Discovered Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science
at Bangalore, have identified a molecule which they claim will revolutionise the cure for
cancer.The molecule has been named after Sathees as SCR7 and a detailed account of it has
been carried in the international scientific journal Cell".Scientists world over believe that the
double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in
drastic consequences such as genome instability, and cancer.

Largest Space structure in the Universe:Large Quasar Group
An international team lead by astronomer Roger Clowes of the University of Central Lancashire
in England discovered the largest known structure in the universe, a clump of active galactic
cores that stretches 4 billion light-years from end to end.This is the largest Space structure in
the Universe.This structure is known as a Large Quasar Group(LQG).
Indian Scientists Discovered Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science
at Bangalore, have identified a molecule which they claim will revolutionise the cure for
cancer.The molecule has been named after Sathees as SCR7 and a detailed account of it has
been carried in the international scientific journal Cell".Scientists world over believe that the
double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in
drastic consequences such as genome instability, and cancer.
Worlds First Global Renewable Energy Atlas Launched
On 13 January Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched
the worlds first clean energy atlas at IRENAS General Assembly , currently offers open-access
information on solar and wind power throughout the world and the creators plan to expand to
other renewable energy resources over the next two years.The atlas includes information on
clean energy resources in 37 countries, including those which have no diplomatic relations with
the United Arab Emirates.The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is working in
partnership with the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) to build a
qualitative and quantitative data framework for renewable energy in developing countries.
Ancient River Found on Mars
On 17 January The European Space Agency scientists have revealed a 1500 km long and 7
kilometre wide river that once ran across Mars.The images which were captured by the ESAs
Mars Express showed Reull Vallis, the river-like structure, which is believed to have formed
when water ran from the surface of Mars in distant past. The structure which surprised the
astronomers stretches for around 900 miles or 1500 km across the Martian surface and also
shows various tributaries. These structures, it is believed, were formed somewhere around 3.5
billion years ago.
India Increased Rafale Fighter Jets Order
India could buy up to 189 of the Rafale fighter jets currently being used by France to bomb
Islamist militants in Mali, sources close to negotiations on the multi-billion dollar deal .The
possibility of an additional 63 jets being added to an expected order for 126 was raised by India
.The Indian press has estimated the value of the deal for 126 Rafales at $12 billion (nine billion
euros).A 50 per cent increase in the number of planes ordered would take it to around $18
billion, in a huge boost for the French defence industry.
Japan to replace Fukushima plant with worlds largest wind farm
In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan had decided to build the worlds
largest offshore wind farm to replace the crippled nuke plant.The country plans to build a total of

143 wind turbines on platforms 16 kilometres off the coast of Fukushima by 2020, which is
home to the stricken Daiichi nuclear reactor that hit the headlines in March 2011 when it was
damaged by a severe earthquake and tsunami.The wind farm will generate 1 gigawatt of power
once completed, and is part of a national plan to increase renewable energy resources following
the post-tsunami shutdown of the countrys 54 nuclear reactors.The wind farm will surpass the
504 megawatts generated by the 140 turbines at the Greater Gabbard farm off the coast of
Suffolk, UK currently the worlds largest farm.
India, US finalise Rs 3,000 crore deal for jet engines
India and the US have finalised a Rs 3000-crore deal for supplying 99 jet engines to be used in
the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas being developed by the DRDO.Around two years
ago, India had selected the American company General Electric over its rival European Eurojet
2000 for the LCA Mark II programme expected to be ready around 2014-15.The deal worth Rs
3,000 crore has been finalised with the US for procuring 99 engines for the LCA Tejas MkII.As
per the contract, the order could be for 99 engines initially but India will have the option of
ordering another 100 engines in the future.
INS Saryu Inducted into Indian Navy
On 21 January Air Marshal PK Roy, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command,
commissioned INS Saryu into the Indian Navy at Goa .INS Saryu is the lead ship of the
indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) Project designed and built by Goa Shipyard
Limited, the ship aptly demonstrates the immense potential of the countrys indigenous
designing and ship building capabilities.Capable of carrying a helicopter (ALH) onboard, the
ships weapon and sensor outfit includes a SRGM 76.2 mm gun with an electro-optic fire control
system, two 30mm guns as close in weapon systems, latest navigational and early warning
radars, chaff launchers for self protection and an integrated ESM system to undertake all
assigned missions.
MIT researchers Created Moisture Powered Polymer
MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology ) researchers have created a new polymer film
that can generate electricity by drawing on a ubiquitous source: water vapor.The new material
changes its shape after absorbing tiny amounts of evaporated water, allowing it to repeatedly
curl up and down. Harnessing this continuous motion could drive robotic limbs or generate
enough electricity to power micro- and nanoelectronic devices, such as environmental sensors.
India Sucessfully Test Fired K-5 Ballistic Missile
On 27 January India successfully test fired medium range K-5 ballistic missile ,with a strike
range of around 1500 kilometres, from an underwater platform in Bay of Bengal.K-5 is part of
the family of underwater missiles being developed by Defence Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) for the Indian strategic forces underwater platforms.
Iran successfully sent monkey into space
Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had successfully send a monkey to the space.It also
declared that the monkey come back to the Earth successfully.The rocket called Pishgam

(meaning Pioneer) reached at a height of 120 km (75 miles) for a sub-orbital flight before
returning its shipment intact. The first country to launch the primate into space was US.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Asif Ibrahim appointed as chief Intelligence Bureau
Indian Police Service officer SA Ibrahim appointed as chief of the Intelligence Bureau on 01
January 2013 and he becoming the first from the countrys main minority community(Muslim
Community) to hold the post. Ibrahim, an IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken
over as from Nehchal Sandhu who retired December 31. He will hold the post for two years.
Urjit Patel appointed as RBI deputy governor
On 02 January 2013 Urjit Patel, a consultant at Boston Consulting Group, had been appointed a
deputy governor at the Reserve Bank of India, succeeding Subir Gokarn who was aiding the
governor in shaping the monetary policy.
YV Reddy to head 14th Finance Commission
On 02 January 2013 former RBI governor YV Reddy was appointed chairman of the 14th
finance commission to suggest principles of sharing of revenues between the Centre and the
states and insulate pricing of public utilities like electricity, water and public transport from policy
fluctuations.
Ami Bera and Tulsi Gabbard Sworn In As US Lawmakers
On 4 January Indian American physician from California, Ami Bera, and the young Iraq war
veteran from Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard, created history after being sworn in as new members of the
US House of Representatives.Bera is only the third Indian American have ever been elected to
the House of Representatives.Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu ever to won the Congressional
election.
Malalas Father Appointed as Education Attache in Birmingham
On 3 January Malalas father Ziauddin Yousafzai has been appointed as the education attache
at the Pakistan consulate in Birmingham, England.The job is believed to be for up to three
years.
Indian American Srinivasan re-nominated as Federal Judge
On 4 January Srikanth Srinivasan a brilliant Indian American legal mind has been re-
nominated by US President Barack Obama to serve as Federal Judge for the District of
Columbia Circuit.In June 2012 he was nominated by Obama to serve on the US Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Justice D K Jain appointed new Law Commission chief
The Union Cabinet of India on 7 January 2013 appointed Justice D K Jain as Chairman of
20th Law Commission of India. He gives advice to the government on complex legal issues.
Justice Jain, 64, will take over as the chief of the law panel on January 24 after retiring from the
Supreme Court on the same day.
John Brennan as a CIA director
U.S. President Barack Obama announced on )7 January 2013 John Brennan wasnominated
as director of the American Intelligence Agency(CIA) and Chuck Hagel as a Defense
secretary. John Brennan played a key role in encounter the Osama Bin Laden.
Indian-origin politician to be Singapores first woman speaker
Indian-origin politician Halimah Yacob elected as the first woman Speaker of Singapores
Parliament on 08 Janauary 2013.She take charges from 14 January 2013.Halimah, a former
labour lawyer, is a member of Parliament from the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP).
Kulwant Singh Gill Took charge as new Commandant of NDA
On 8 January Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill took charge as the new commandant of the
National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune.The NDA provides three-year training
in defence and academics to its cadets before they move on to their respective officers training
academies for another one-year course and get commissioned into the armed forces.
R.K. Dubey Took Charge as Canara Banks new CMD
On 11 January R.K. Dubey has assumed charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of
Canara Bank .Mr. Dubey was previously worked as a Punjab National Bank General Manager in
2008 and was appointed as Executive Director of Central Bank of India in 2010.
Rajkumar Goyal Took Charge as Central Bank of India new ED
On 11 January Rajkumar Goyal has took charge as Executive Director (ED) of Central Bank of
India (CBI).He was previously with the bank of India as the General Manager of Human
Resources Department
Obama nominated Jack Lew as new Treasury Chief
On 11 January President Barack Obama nominated his chief of staff, Jack Lew, to become the
next Treasury secretary and succeed Timothy Geithner.Last year, Lew was named Obamas
chief of staff, and before that he had served as the White House budget director.
First Gujarati in UK cabinet
Lord Dolar Popat has appointed a minister in the UK cabinet .He become the first Gujarati
taking his place in the UK cabinet .Popat was appointed minister for business, innovation &
skills and transport.

Mohan Pieris assumes duties as 44th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
On 15 January 2013 ,Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed his cabinets legal
advisor as the countrys new Chief Justice to succeed Shirani Bandaranayake. Rajapaksa
sworn in new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris to replace Sri Lankas first woman chief justice who
was impeached by the parliament in a controversial move.Peiris, a British qualified solicitor who
retired in 2011 as the Attorney General was serving as the legal advisor to the Cabinet.
Ved Prakash is UGC chairman
Ved Prakash, serving as acting chairman of the University Grants Commission, had been
appointed as its chairman on 18 January 2013.The chairmans post remained vacant ever since
S. Thorat retired in February 2011. Since then Mr. Prakash had been the acting chairman.
Obama Sworn in as the US President for Second Term
On 20 January US President Barack Obama Barack Obama was sworn in as the President of
the country for a second four-year term.Obama as the 44th president of the United States and
also he is the third consecutive president to win two terms, after Bush and Clinton. Joe Biden
sworn-in for second term as US vice-president.
Suchitra Ella, Founding Chairwoman of CIIs women wing
Suchitra K. Ella, Joint Managing Director, Bharat Biotech International, had been nominated as
the Founding Chairwoman of the Indian Women Network of CII. The network aims to provide a
platform for working women to come together and discuss issues and opportunities and share
best practices. She is currently the Chairperson of CII Andhra Pradesh State Council for 2012-
13. She had earlier been elected to the CII Andhra Pradesh State Council. She has been
awarded the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge award 2007 by the Chamber of
Commerce of Barcelona, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the FLO GR8 Women
Achievers Award 2008 for entrepreneurial excellence.
B)RESIGNS
Jharkhand CM Arjun Munda resigned
Political uncertainty deepened in Jharkhand on 08 January 2013, with Chief Minister Arjun
Munda submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Ahmed. On 07 January 2013, the Jharkhand
Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced the withdrawal of its support to the BJP-led government.
Rajapaksa Dismissed First Woman Chief Justice of the Country
On 13 January Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka dismissed the first woman chief
justice of the country, Shirani Bandarnayake after endorsing her impeachment by the
Parliament that caught her guilty on the corruption charges.She appointed as a chief Justice on
May 2011.
C)DEATHS

Violin maestro MSG passes away
M.S. Gopalakrishnan legendary violinist known for his mastery of both the Carnatic and
Hindustani systems of classical music passed away on 03 January 2013 in Chennai.In his
career spanning 75 years, he not only broke new ground as an accompanist, but also rose to
become one of the best solo violinists in the country, along with Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and T.N.
Krishnan. The three are considered the violin trinity of south Indian classical music.Despite
enviable success and accolades that came in the form of national honours such as the Padma
Bhushan and Padma Shri, and innumerable titles, including the Sangita Kalanidhi title awarded
by The Music Academy, Chennai.
Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum is no more
Renowned Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum died on 19 January 2013.Mehnaz specialized in
ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal, drupad and reciting salam, noha and marsiya.Mehnaz was the
daughter of popular sub-continental singer Kajjan Begum.She sang over 2,500 songs for radio
television and films in a variety of genres like ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal and drupad.
D)VISITORS
Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag Visited India
Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag visited India from 3 10 January .During the visit
Purryag met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee on 4 January in New
Delhi. In Bihar , he visited his ancestral village , Bojeetpore near Patna.President Purryag also
the chief guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas .He attended the 3 days event 11th Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas held in Kochi (Kerala).
Vice President Hamid Ansari Visited Vietnam
Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Vietnam from 14 to 17 January.During the visit Ansari met
Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and discussed the both countries bilateral issues
, signed several agreements .Ansari attended the closing ceremony of the celebrations to mark
the 40th anniversary of the India-Vietnam diplomatic ties.
Bhutan King Wangchuck Visited India
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India from 23-30
January.During the visit he attended the Indias Republic Day celebrations as a Chief
Guest.Wangchuck met President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the
United Progressive Alliances Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.This is the fourth time since 1954 that
a Bhutanese King will be a Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Ex-Haryana CM Chautala, son get 10 years jail
Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay had been sentenced to
10 years in jail in connection with a teachers recruitment scam.Special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar

sentenced the Chautalas and seven others to 10 years in jail while one convict was given five
years in jail and 45 others four years in jail.
Swaminarayan sect opens $100-million quake-proof temple near Hollywood
One of the biggest Hindu temples in the US, built at a whopping cost of $100 million near the
Hollywood city in Los Angeles .The 68th Swaminarayan temple of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar
Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) had been built using 35,000 pieces of
meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink Sandstone.
Premlata Conquers Summit of Mt Vinson in Antarctica
On 17 January Premlata Agrawal, the oldest woman in India to have climbed Mt. Everest, has
conquered Mt. Vinson in Antarctica in pursuit of the Mountaineering Challenge of climbing the
Seven Summits.She completed her Mt. Vinson expedition on January .The person successful
in conquering all the seven summits is considered a member of the Hall of Fame for
mountaineers.Premlata will become the first Indian woman and one of the oldest in the world to
conquer all seven summits.
Ex-ISRO chairman Inducted in to Satellite Hall of Fame
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced its former chairman and
Department of Space secretary Prof U R Rao by inducting him as the member of the prestigious
Satellite Hall of Fame , Washington.Since 1987, the SSPI Hall of Fame has been recognising
the invaluable contribution of the visionaries who have transformed life on planet earth for the
better through satellite technology. Members of the Hall of Fame are recognised pioneers in
communications, satellite related aerospace scientific research or development and delivery of
applications for business, institutions and government via satellite.
David Headley sentenced for 35 years for 26/11 role(Mumbai attacks)
Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist David Headley was on 24 January 2013
sentenced to 35 years in jail by a Chicago court for his unquestionable role in the massacre of
166 people in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Forbes India Celebrity 100 List
According to the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List The Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh
Khan, topped the inaugural Forbes India Celebrity 100 list.Forbes India estimates, the total
earning of Shah Rukh from October 2011 and September 2012 was 202.8 crore Rupees.The
ranking was given based on the popularity as well as income of the biggest entertainers of India.
Second on the list was Salman Khan and MS Dhoni followed in the third position.The special
edition of Forbes India judged in eight different categories directors, film actors, TV
personailities, models, comedians, sports stars, authors and singers/musicians.The youngest
celebrity in the list of Forbes India was Saina Nehwal, aged 23 years.
Switzerland best place to be born, India 66th

Switzerland has been called the best place in the world to be born in 2013 according to the The
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister company of The Economist. The worst place for a
baby to start life was violence-hit African country Nigeria. The survey included 80 nations and
Australia ranked second followed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Singapore, Netherlands,
Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand were also ranked among top 10. India was ranked 66th
place.The survey included significant parameters to judge the best country to be born and these
factors included demography, geography, cultural and social characteristics, state of economy,
future income per head as well as public policy.

PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Quake in Indonesia
On 22nd January A strong, shallow earthquake rocked parts of western Indonesia early killed
30 persons and panicking residents and ruining homes. Several other people were
injured.Indonesias meteorology and geophysics agency put the preliminary magnitude at 6.0
and said the inland quake caused no tsunami. It was centered southwest of the city of Banda
Aceh and 10 miles (6 kilometers) beneath the earths crust, according to the U.S. Geological
Survey..
233 People Killed in Brazil Night Club Fire Accident
On 27 January The blaze in the university town of Santa Maria nightclub fire killed at least 233
people in southern Brazil .Most of those who died were suffocated by toxic fumes that rapidly
filled the crowded club after sparks from pyrotechnics used by the band for visual effects set fire
to soundproofing on the ceiling.

ABBREVIATIONS
CBT-Cash Transfer Benefit
EIUEconomist Intelligence Unit
CBSCentral Bureau of Statistics
NLST-National Large Solar Telescope
CEET-Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications
CIAAmerican Intelligence Agency
WEF-World Economic Forum
PBSPravasi Bhartiya Divas

MSMEMinistry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
BWFBadminton World Federation

BOOKS IN NEWS
Swami Vivekananda The Monk as Man Book Released
The renowned Bengali writer Shankar wrote a The Monk as Man book on Swami
Vivekananda ,who spread the message of Indias spiritual heritage across the world.In the book
Shankar described Vivekananda used to emphasise greatly on physical strength and is known
for the shocking statement Better to play football than read the Gita.
McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir Book Released
General Stanley McChrystal, the former American commander in Afghanistan, wrote a My
Share of the Task: A Memoir, book which was released on 7 January .In the book Chrystal
explained that tensions between the White House and the Pentagon were evident in the Obama
administration from its opening months in office.This book is not just for aficionados of military
history or for students of American foreign policy .

COMMITTEES
Vijay Kelkar Committee for Fiscal Consolidation
The Vijay Kelkar Committee, which was appointed by Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for
fiscal consolidation, has suggested immediate hike in fuel prices and complete deregulation of
diesel prices by start of 2014-15 fiscal.It also suggested raising kerosene and LPG rates.Now
the Kelkar committee recommendation is still at proposal stage.
Justice Verma Committee Submitted Report
On 23 January The three-member committee included former Chief Justice of India, J S Verma,
who headed the committee, Justice (Retd.) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal
Pradesh High Court and Gopal Subramanian, former Solicitor General of India , set up to
suggest ways to make rape laws stronger in the country, has submitted its report with
recommendations to enhance and amend existing laws dealing with cases of sexual crime.The
Justice Verma panel recognised failure of governance as primary cause of sexual crimes.The
Panel suggested Trafficking should be made punishable with imprisonment ranging from not
less than 7 years to 10 years .There was a need for the separate Bill of Rights for women that
will make sure that women would have their own rights for having sexual autonomy.
January 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank
INTERNATIONAL

1. On 7 January who is the country Palestinian Authority President has issued a decree
renaming the organization the State of Palestine ?
Ans:- Mahmoud Abbas
2. On 16 January 2013 Which country Cargo Ship MV Amina fled away from the waters of Sri
Lanka after suffering detention by its Navy for about two months ?
Ans:- Iran
3. Which country president signed into law the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012 on
January 2013 ?
Ans:- America
4. Which country Bar Council recently Suggested Chemical Castration for Repeated Sex
Offenders ?
Ans:- Malaysia
INDIA & WORLD
1. According to the which country 2012 Home Office report, India is among 10 countries that
are the main sources of illegal immigration ?
Ans:- Britain
2. On 30 January 2013 which country Pledged Humanitarian Assistance of 2.5 Million US
Dollars to Syria ?
Ans:- India
3. India asked to avoid Violence Prone Areas in which country on 19 January 2013 ?
Ans: Nigeria
4. Which two countries agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control
(LoC) on 16 January 2013 ?
Ans:- India and Pakistan
5. What is the name of the Tibetan Monk got sentenced to death by the Chinese Court for
encouraging the self-Immolations?
Ans:-Lorang Konhok
NATIONAL

1. In how many districts Government of India launched Direct Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) on 1
January 2013 ?
Ans:- 20 districts
2. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012 report which class
students could read Class II text fell from 53.7% in 2010 to 46.8% in 2012
Ans:- Vth class
3. Who released the Commemorative Postage Stamps, at the Commemoration of the 150th
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, in New Delhi on 12 January 2013 ?
Ans:- President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee
4. Government of India how much crore of the MGNREGA linked Post Office Accounts would be
used under the Direct Cash Transfer Scheme on January 2013 ?
Ans:- 3.5 Crore
STATES
1. What is the name of the system launched by Odisha government on 2 January 2013 for
citizens under the Odisha Right to Public Service Act, 2012 ?
Ans:- Public Service Delivery System
2. In which state the first Shariat panchayat is scheduled to be inaugurated on 3 March 2013 ?
Ans:- Punjab
3. Which state high court stayed the state governments decision for giving 4 per cent additional
reservation to Gurjar on 29 January 2013?
Ans:- Rajasthan High Court
4. On 20 January Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated Ghat Ki Guni tunnel at Jaipur.
CONFERENCES
1. What is the name of the 100th Indian Science Congress theme which was held from 3 to 7
January 2013 at Kolkata ?
Ans:- Science for Shaping the Future of India
2. The 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held from 23 27 January at -
Ans:- Davos-Klosters in Switzerland

AWARDS & HONOURS
1. Who is the Mauritius President was received the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on 9
January 2013 ?
Ans:- Rajkeswur Purryag
2. Who is an Indian researcher selected for a prestigious Young Investigator Scholarship
Award for his work on a drug to cure Alzheimers?
Ans:- Mahaveer Golechha
3. Who got the Best Actor award at the 58th Idea Filmfare Awards held in Mumbai on 20
January 2013?
Ans:- Ranbir Kapoor
4. Who honoured with the prestigious International Scientific Cooperation Award 2012?
Ans:- C N R Rao
5. Who launched a Tang Prize(Asian Noble Prize) on 28 January 2013 ?
Ans:- Samuel Yin
6. Who was selected for the Order of Australia Medal award on 30 January 2013?
Ans:- Krishna Arora
SPORTS & GAMES
1. Who is a former India player announced his retirement from first class cricketer on 01
January 2013?
Ans:- Sanjay Bangar
2. Who got the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year 2011-12 on 03 January 2013?
Ans:- Virat Kohli
3. Who won the WTA Brisbane International trophy on 5th January 2013?
Ans:- Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek
4. Who defeated the Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov to get a Brisbane International title on 06
January 2013?
Ans:- Andy Murray

5. Who won the Chennai Open Tennis Title on 6 January 2013 ?
Ans:- Tipsarevic
6. Which country won in the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka on 6 January 2013 ?
Ans:- Australia
7. Who is an Australian cricketer suspended for one match and $4500 at MCG on 07 January
2013?
Ans:- Shane Warne
8. Who got the FIFA Player of the Year award consecutively four times?
Ans:- Lionel Messi
9. Who got the youngest national table tennis championship award on 11 January 2013?
Ans:- Soumyajit Ghosh
10. Which country won the Test series with 2-0 between South Africa and New Zealand?
Ans:- South Africa
11. Who is from Andhra Pradesh selected to represent India at the World Cup fencing
championship in Doha (Qatar), to be held from January 19 to 21?
Ans:- Y.Hala
12. To whom the International Olympics Committee (IOC) asked to return the Olympic Bronze
Medal and Certificate of 2000 Sydney Games on 17 January 2013 after found guilty of doping?
Ans:- Lance Armstrong
13. Who won the Malaysian Open Badminton Championship Womens singles title on 20
January 2013 ?
Ans:- Tai Tzu-ying
14. Who won the Australian Open Tennis Tournament Mens singles title in the final on January
2013 ?
Ans:- Novak Djokovic
15. Who got the first place in the womens singles rankings in the Badminton World Federation
(BWF) rankings released on 31 January 2013?Ans:- Lee Juri

ECONOMY
1. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index Who is the 18th richest person in the world?
Ans:- Mukesh Ambani
2. Which country company Toyota Motor appears at the top ranked in the top-1500 Global R&D
investments list ?
Ans:- Japan
3. On 29 January 2013 The Reserve Bank of India slashed Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from
4.5% to -
Ans:- 4 percent
4. On 23 January 2013 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that the economic
growth rate of India in 2013 would be ?
Ans:- 5.9 percent
1. NASA/ESA Astronomers had captured one of the flattest galaxies known in the universe,
sitting like a silver needle in the haystack of space using Hubble Space Telescope.What is the
name of the galaxy?
Ans:- IC 2233
2. What cells in White blood cells having the capacity to kill the tumour (Cancer) cell?
Ans:- T lymphocytes
3. What is the name of the rocket used to launch a Mars Orbiter Mission in the mid-October
2013?
Ans:- PSLV-XL
4. How many earth size plantes are found in a Milky way Glaxy?
Ans:- 17 billion
5. What is the name of the missile successfully test fired by the Indian Navy on09 January 2013
at Visakhapatnam?
Ans:- Brahmos
6. What is the name of the largest Space structure found in the Universe?

Ans:- Large Quasar Group(LQG)
7. What is the name of the underwater ballistic missile India successfully test fired on 27
January 2013?
Ans:- K-15.
8. What is the name of the multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) weapon system, was
successfully test fired from a defence base at Chandipur-on-sea on 30 January 2013?
Ans:- Pinaka
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
1. Who is the first minority community person appointed as a chief of the Intelligence Bureau?
Ans:- Asif Ibrahim
2. Who is appointed a deputy governor at the Reserve Bank of India on 02 January 2013?
Ans:- Urjit Patel
4. Who is the present chairman of 20th Law Commission?
Ans:- Justice DK Jain
5. Who is the first woman speaker and Indian-origin elected for the Singapores Parliament on
08 Janauary 2013?
Ans:- Halimah Yacob
6. Who is the new Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank?
Ans:- RK Dubey
7. Who is the new executive director of Central Bank of India appointed on 11 January 2013?
Ans:- Raj Kumar Goyal
8. Who is the Founding Chairwoman of CIIs women wing
Ans:- Suchitra Ella
9. Who is the present Secretary of State of America?
Ans:- John Kerry

10. Who is the present President of Czech?
Ans:- Milos Zeman
B) RESIGNS
1. Who is the first woman chief justice SriLanka dismissed by the Sri Lankan President?
Ans:- Shirani Bandamayake
C) DEATHS
1. Who is the oldest surviving woman of the world, died at the age of 115 years in a town near
Tokyo, Japan on 12 Jan. 2012 ?
Ans:- Koto Okubo
2. Who is the the former all-rounder of India from Surat died on 13 January 2013 in Mumbai ?
Ans:- Rusi Framroze Surti
3. Who is the co-founder of Reditt committed suicide on 11 January 2013 ?
Ans:- Aaron Awartz
D) VISITORS
1. Which village was visited by Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag in Bihar near patna on
January 2013 ?
Ans:- Bojeetpore
2. Who visited Vietnam on January 2013 from India ?
Ans:- Vice President Hamid Ansari
3. Who visited the India from Bhutan on 23 January 2013?
Ans:- Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
E)MISCELLANEOUS
1. In which case Ex-CM of Haryana Om Prakash Chautala arrested on 16 January 2013?
Ans:-Teachers Recruitment Scam
2. Who is the oldest Indian woman conquer the 6 Summits,the highest mountains of each of the
six continents?

Ans:- Premlata Agarwal
3. What is the name of the Tibetan Monk got sentenced to death by the Chinese Court for
encouraging the self-Immolations?
Ans:- Lorang Konhok
PLACES IN NEWS
1. On 27 January 2013 In which country 233 People Killed in Night Club Fire Accident ?
Ans:- Brazil
ABBREVIATIONS
1. What is the abbreviation of WEF?
Ans:- World Economic Forum
BOOKS IN NEWS
1. Who is the author of My Share of the Task : A Memoir Book ,which was released on 7
January 2013 ?
Ans:- General Stanley McChrystal
COMMITTEES
1. What is the name of the committee set up to recommend measures to improve laws dealing
with sexual offences on 23 December 2012?
Ans:- JS Verma
February 2013 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
UK, Afghan, Pakistan Leaders Hold Talks in Britain
On 4 February The leaders of Britain, Afghanistan and Pakistan pushed for the Taliban to come
to the table for peace talks to end Afghanistans protracted conflict and gave themselves a six-
month deadline to get a deal.British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted Afghanistans
President Hamid Karzai and Pakistans President Asif Zardari for trilateral talks on Afghanistans
floundering peace and reconciliation process.
UNICEF Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report
On 8 February According to the UNICEF (United Nations Childrens Fund )Syria Crisis
Humanitarian Situation Report, The vaccination effort in collaboration with the Ministry of Health

is well underway, with over 53,000 children receiving measles vaccinations, over 44,000
receiving vitamin A supplements, and over 10,000 polio doses administered.
Pakistan to Renamed Sindh Province to Sind
On 12 February 2013, the Sindh Assembly approved a bill to rename the southern Pakistani
province as Sind.The assembly approved the Sindh Laws Amendment Bill of 2012, whereby the
letter h will be removed from the name of the province.
Russia Rejected U.S. Nuclear Warheads Proposals
On 14 February Russia rejected U.S. president Barack Obama proposals , which deployed
nuclear warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear
submarines a cut of about 60%.In 2010 Russia and the United States signed on New
START agreement.The New Start treaty limits each side to no more than 800 deployed nuclear
warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines a cut
of about 50%.
Rafael Correa Re-elected for 3rd term as Ecuadors President
On 17 February Ecuadoreans president Rafael Correa has been re-elected for a third term with
more than 50 percent of votes in his favour.As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent
while his closest competitor Guillermo could secure only 23.3 percent.Correa is a socialist
leader who was first elected in 2006 December and he was sworn in on 15 January 2007 as the
56th president of Ecuador.Correa was re-elected to a second term in 2009.
Pakistan Hands Over Strategic Gwadar Port To China
On 18 February Pakistan and China signed an agreement to hand over control of the strategic
Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea to a Chinese company.Under the agreement for transfer of
concession rights, the deep sea port will remain the property of Pakistan while the Chinese
company will share profits from its operation. China Overseas Port Holdings Limited will fully
assume responsibility for Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
Israels Netanyahu Announced Coalition Deal with Tzipi Livni
On 19 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced a coalition deal with former Foreign
Minister and the rival centrist Hatnua Party Chairwomen Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the
deal agreement, Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister and will oversee the peace efforts
with the Palestinians.Tzipi Livni is an Israeli Politician and the first women to be the leader of
opposition in Israel. She is the leader of the new centrist party, Hatnuah. She served Israel as
its Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009.
Russia and Brazil Signed on Defence Cooperation Agreements
On 20 February Russia and Brazil signed a Defence, Energy and Agricultural agreements
.Brazil agreed to negotiate the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries on the
condition that Russia transfer the technology to Brazilian defense companies without

restrictions.The agreements are signed by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff .
Nicos Anastasiades Elected as Cyprus New President
On 24 February the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party leader Nicos Anastasiades,
has won the presidential elections of Cyprus with 57.5 percent votes.Nicos Anastasiades had a
very easy going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes
in the election.
Raul Castro re-elected for Second Term as Cubas President
On 25 February Raul Castro has been re-elected as Cubas president officially to his last five-
year term.The National Assembly of Peoples Power approved, in the capital Havana, Army
General Raul Castro Ruz as president of the Council of State, and elected Miguel Diaz-Canel
Bermudez, as its first vice president.Raul Castro became interim president when his brother,
revolution icon Fidel, took ill in 2006. He then formally became president in 2008.

INDIA & WORLD
India-Malaysia Double Taxation Agreement in Force
On 2 February India and Malaysia signed on double-taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA).
Dividends paid by Indian companies to Malaysian investors or entities will attract a lower
withholding tax of 5 percent against 10 per cent earlier. The new agreement has also, in line
with international practice, introduced a new article for taxing capital gains from alienation of
property.
India Failed To Curb Sexual Violence Against Women
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2013 India has been accused of
failure to curb incidents of sexual violence against women and for restrictions on right to free
speech, India has a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent judiciary, the city-
based rights group said in its assessment of rights abuses in India.
Six Indian Institutes in Global 150 Top Think-Tanks
On 3 February Six Indian research institutes, including Centre for Civil Society (CCS), are
among top 150 global think tanks in the annual list released by the University of Pennsylvania
for the year 2012.The list was topped by Brookings Institution (United States) followed by
Chatham House (United Kingdom) and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (United
States).Other Indian think-tanks featured in the list are:- Institute for Defence Studies and
Analysis , Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations , The Energy and
Resources Institute , Observer Research Foundation and Development Alternatives.
India and Austria Signed a Social Security Agreement

On 5 February India and Austria signed a social security agreement at Vienna, under which the
Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security
contribution of the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer
signed on the agreement.
India Pledges $100m For Mali Reconstruction
On 5 February India pledges $100m for Mali reconstruction .India has committed to giving $1
million for the upgrade of the Malian army with a pledge to ramp up contributions for
reconstruction to $100 million after the situation stabilizes.
India and China Tourists Triple Australian Visits
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report , Chinese and Indian visitors, with tourist
numbers from those countries tripled in the past decade.630,000 visits from Chinese tourists in
2012 compared with 190,000 in 2002. Indian visits went from 45,000 to 160,000 in the same
period.Despite a high Australian dollar, Australias short-term visitor numbers were up by nearly
five percent since 2011 with 6.1 million short trips made to Australia 270,000 more than in 2011.
Special Purpose Vehicle Formed for TAPI Pipeline Project
On 7 February The Union Cabinet gave its approval for formation of the Special Purpose
Vehicle (SPV) for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project and to
permit GAIL India Ltd. to join the SPV. The four countries involved in the TAPI Gas pipeline
project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement along with a Gas Pipeline Framework
Agreement (GPFA).Turkmenistan and Pakistan agreed to the formation of TAPl Ltd. The 1,680
km pipeline will carry 90 million metric standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas, and is
scheduled to become operational in 2018.
India and Japan to Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Sector
India and Japan have resolved to strengthen cooperation in tourism sector. This was decided at
a meeting between the visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama
and Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi on 12 February 2013.
India and France Signed 22 Agreements
On 14 February France and India have signed on 22 agreements after French President
Francois Hollandes meetings with the Indian president and the prime minister in New
Delhi.Both nations exchanged views on a number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral issues
and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to facilitate technical cooperation
in Railways to each other.Chairman, Railway Board, India and Chairman and CEO SNCF from
the French side signed this MoU.Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short
range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India. They also agreed on the need to
reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countries.
India and Bangladesh Signed Land Boundary Agreement

On 16 February India and Bangladesh held the second Joint Consultative Commission meeting
in Dhaka .After the meeting , both countries exchanged one strip map as part of the process of
the implementation of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between them.In
addition, two MOUs were also signed for the construction of a rail link to connect Akhaura in
Bangladesh to Agartala in India and for setting up a thinktank to be called Bangladesh-India
Foundation.The India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission is an interministerial body of
the two countries headed by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of
Bangladesh.
CBI probe Ordered into Rs 3700 crore Italian Chopper Deal Scam
In February 2010, India had inked the deal with Italain Finmeccanica to acquire the 12 three-
engine AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for IAFs elite Communication Squadron
,which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs.The deal came under the scanner of
Italian agencies after allegations of kickback given in India surfaced.The agencies arrested
Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica as part of their
probe related to international corruption.Around 50 million euros , about 10 per cent of the deal,
were alleged to have been given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.On
February The Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe into alleged scam in a Rs 3600 crore
defence helicopter deal after arrest of head of Italian firm Finmeccanica on charges of bribery.
India and Britain Discussed on Nuclear Cooperation
On 19 February Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Britain Prime Minister David
Cameron discussed on regional and global issues ,which included key issues of nuclear energy
cooperation, security, terrorism and trade .The two sides have also decided to commence
negotiations on a bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement.Britain has assured that it will extend all
cooperation to any Indian probe into the multi-million-dollar helicopter scam which involves
Italian defense giant Finmeccanicas UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland.David Cameron
announced that his country is going to introduce sameday visa service for Indian businessmen
in a bid to accelerate the bilateral trade between the two sides.
India won Kishanganga Case Against Pakistan
On 18 February the Court of Arbitration at the Hague allowed India to go ahead with the
Construction of the Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North
Kashmir, the court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960
Indus Water Treaty.The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders
stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a
tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption
of the drawdown technique of flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river
project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330
MW power facilities.

NATIONAL
President Gave Assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013

On 3 February President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2013 which provides for, amongst other things, stricter punishment for crimes
against women. The Ordinance was to be largely based on the recommendations of the Justice
Verma Committee.However, the Ordinance will have to be passed by Parliament within six
months otherwise the same shall lapse.
All Juvenile Crimes 64% by 16-18 yr Old Age Group
On 4 February According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that most
juvenile crimes are committed by those in the age group of 16-18 years.In 2011 the growth in
rape by juveniles (34%) over 2010 was again among the highest.In 2011, 64% of all juvenile
criminals fall in the age group of 16-18. In 2011, 33,887 juveniles were arrested for 25,178
instances of crime.All together make for over 50% of all rape cases by juveniles.
Aero India 2013 Held in Bangalore
The Asias biggest airshow Aero India 2013, a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held
from 6 10th February at the Yelehanka Air Force Station in Bangalore .In the event displays
magnificent aerobatic skills and belongings that created a chance of winning potential business
tieups and networking. Defence Minister of India, A K Antony inaugurated the Air Show on 6
February .In the event 53 civil and military aircraft and 27 countries participated and 78
delegations attended from US, Israel and Russia.The first Edition of the show was organised for
the first time in 1996.The next Aero India show is scheduled to be held from 18 February to 22
February 2015 at Bangalore.
Cabinet Approved Rs.38500 cr Rural Road Development Plan
On 7 February The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 38,500 crore rupees for road connectivity
under the Prime Ministers Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).The schemes approved were mainly
for connectivity to villages in tribal areas, desert and hilly areas, with a population of at least 250
each.In 82 areas hit by Naxalite violence, villages with less than 250 people are also to be
connected under the scheme.
Parliament Attack Case Convict Afzal Guru Hanged
On 9 February in a top secret operation , the 2001 Parliament attack case convict Mohammed
Afzal Guru was hanged in Delhis Tihar jail.Afzal Guru was given the death sentence by the
Supreme Court in 2004.The President rejected the Afzal Gurus mercy petition on 23 January
2013.The code name of the secret operation was Operation Three Star .
Centre Notified Cauvery Dispute Tribunal Award
After six years,on the directions of the Supreme Court, the Central Government of India has
notified the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on sharing the waters
of the Cauvery system among the basin States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and
Union territory of Puducherry on 20 February.The Tribunal, comprising chairman Justice N.P.
Singh and members N.S. Rao and Sudhir Narain, in a unanimous award in February, 2007 had
determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic
(TMC) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site.In, what was then described as a balancing act,
the Tribunal gave Tamil Nadu 419 TMC of water (as against the demand of 562 TMC);

Karnataka 270 TMC (as against its demand of 465 TMC); Kerala 30 TMC and Puducherry 7
TMC.After the issuance of the notification, institutions like the Cauvery River Authority (CRA)
chaired by the Prime Minister and the CMC will cease to exist.

STATES
Sonia Gandhi Launched Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram Scheme
On 6 February Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched Rashtriya
Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a new children health care project initiative in Palghar, a
tribal block in Thane district of Maharashtra.The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of
the National Rural Health Mission of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The
scheme is aimed at improving overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth
defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are among key factors for child mortality.
Maharashtra Promulgates Ordinance To Amend Cooperative Societies Act
On 15 February the Maharashtra Government promulgated an ordinance to amend the
Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, which aims to promote voluntary formation,
autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative
societies.The ordinance is to amend the Act to make it in consonance with the 97th
constitutional amendment by Parliament last year.
Indias First Geothermal Plant in Chhattisgarh
On 17 February Chhattisgarh has signed an agreement with the National Thermal Power
Corporation (NTPC) to set up the countrys first geothermal power plant in its newlyformed
Balrampur district.A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between
the NTPC and the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). The plant
will come up at Tata Pani in Balrampur, a district located in extreme northern region of the state.
Rajasthan Constituted a Task Force to Check the Spread of Swine Flu in State
On 19 February the State Government of Rajasthan decided to constitute a task force to control
Swine Flu effectively. Chief Secretary of the State, CK Matthew was appointed as the head of
the task force constituted.The state had witnessed 148 cases of death and 834 positive cases
since April 2012. A central team that constitutes of five doctors and microbiologist is on the state
visit and would pay a visit to Jodhpur, Ajmer and Bikaner, areas worst affected from the
disease.
Cabinet Approved NTPC Power Project in Jharkhand
On 20 February the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) approved the setting up of the
1,980 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand by the National Thermal
Power Corporation (NTPC).The Cabinet committee of investment also agreed for restoring the
original coal linkage for the project and declared that the project will be based on environment
friendly super-critical technology. This supply will be made available in the 13th Five Year Plan.

Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly Elections Results
Northeastern states of Tripura ,Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly election was released on 28
February .The Assembly elections in the three states, having 60 seats each, were held February
14 and February 23.In Tripura the CPI-M on its own won 49 seats out of the total 60 seats and
stormed back to power in Tripura for the fifth straight term.Chief Minister Manik Sarkar won from
Dhanpur by a margin of around 5,000 votes. It was Sarkars sixth win.Meghalaya The Indian
National Congress here has won 29 seats in the election to the 60-member Meghalaya
Assembly with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, winning with huge margins.Nagaland Ruling
Naga Peoples Front combine returned to power with an absolute majority in Nagaland winning
39 seats in the 60-member Assembly.The ruling NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland
(DAN) alliance will form government for a third consecutive term.Congress managed to win
eight seats. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio won from Northern Angami II seat by defeating
his nearest Congress rival Kevise Sogotsu of Congress by 12,671 votes.
Desalination Plant in Tamil Nadu Commissioned
On 22 February J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu inaugurated a desalination plant at
Nemmeli in Kanchipuram district of the state.The plant which will benefit over 15 lakh residents
in Velachery, Pallipattu and Tiruvanmiyur areas of south Chennai has been set up with an
investment of Rs 871 crore. About 265 million ltrs of water will be drawn from the sea to realise
100 million ltrs per day of drinking water through the plant spread over 40 acre.

CONFERENCES
13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS)
The 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) concluded on 2 February at
NewDelhi.The theme of the summit is The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and
Development.Among from 30 countries Heads of Governments , research institutions, policy-
makers, NGOs and corporates attended the summit.The Summit organized annually since 2001
by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), is an international platform for exchange of
knowledge on all nuances of sustainable development.

AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala Yousafzai nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Malala Yousafzai, who was shoot by the Talibans against the girl education was nominated for
this years Nobel Peace Prize, as the deadline expired on 01 February 2013. French, Canadian
and Norwegian MPs have all separately nominated Malala.This years award will be announced
in early October, but speculation was already underway as the deadline for nominations ran out
on 1 February .
L. N. Tallur won Skoda Art Prize 2012

On 1 February Karnataka artist L. N. Tallur, whose works depict majorly the underbelly of India,
has won the Rs 1 million Skoda Prize 2012 for contemporary art, from among a shortlist of four
artists including an artist collective.
13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) Awards
Sustainable Development Leadership Award :- The Seychelles President, Mr James Michel has
been awarded the Sustainable Development Leadership Award at the Delhi Sustainable
Development Summit . Georgescu roegen Award : The award is Kozo Mayumi (Professor at
Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokushima). The co-winners of the
Georgescu-Roegen Award (bioeconomic practice) are Accion Ecologica and Oilwatch.
South Sudan Bishop Taban won UN Peace Award
On 9 February A South Sudans Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban has won a coveted 2013 UN
peace prize ( Sergio Viera de Mello Prize ) in recognition of his efforts to build trust among
warring communities in the conflict-torn region.Vieira de Mello, the UNs former human rights
chief, was killed in a bombing in Iraq in 2003. The annual prize in his honour is awarded to a
person, community or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to reconciliation of
communities or groups in conflict, and whose example can be duplicated elsewhere.
Pandit Ravi Shankar honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award
Sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award,
which was jointly accepted by his daughters Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones on 9 February
2013.He was posthumously awarded the best world music album trophy at the 55th Grammys,
a day after being honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by The Recording Academy.He
got 55 Grammy award for his album The Living Room Sessions Part 1 .
National e-Governance award for Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh had been conferred upon the prestigious National e-Governance Gold Award
for 2012-13, for its Sparsh Abhiyan aimed towards the disabled and the aged.
Amartya Sen honoured with Frances highest civilian award
The French president Mr Francois Hollande honoured the Amartya Sen with the Frances
highest civilian award, Commandeur de la Legion dHonneur (Legion of Honour) after
delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on 15 February 2013.The
prestigious honour is the reason for his enormous contribution to the field of economics and for
his exchanges with French academic institutions would also be recognised.
Paul Hansen Won 2012 World Press Photo Award
On 15 February Swedish photographer Paul Hansen has won the 2012 World Press Photo
award with a picture of two Palestinian children killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to
their funeral.The picture shows a group of men marching the dead bodies through a narrow
street in Gaza City.World Press Photo, one of photojournalisms most prestigious contests,
issued awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32 nationalities.

63rd Berlin Film Festival Awards
The awarding ceremony of the 63rd Berlinale ended on 16 February in Berlin.Romanian film
Childs Pose won the Golden Bear, the top jury prize awarded to the best film in the Berlin
International Film Festival.
Best Film :- Childs Pose ( Romania )
Best Actor :- Nazif Mujic in Life of an Iron Picker (Bosnia/France/Slovenia)
Best Actress :- Paulina Garcia in Gloria (Chile/Spain)
Best Director :- David Gordon Green for Prince Avalanche (US)
Best ScreenPlay :- Jafar Panahi for Parde (Closed Curtain) Iran.
Ela Bhatt honoured with Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
Ela Bhatt, founder of the Self Employed Womens Association (SEWA), was presented with the
Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2011 by the
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 18 February
2013.Ela Bhatt was honoured for her life time achievements in empowering women, promoting
grassroot level entrepreneurship and for her contribution towards promoting equitable
development and peace.
Ratan Tata receives E&Y lifetime award
Former Tata Group head Ratan Tata is this years recipient of the life time achievement award
instituted by Ernst & Young, for asserting a greater role for Indian entrepreneurs on the global
business landscape.The entrepreneur of the year (2012) award went to Godrej Group
Chairman Adi Godrej.The entrepreneur of the year is the only business award to be based on
self-nomination.
Oscars Awards-2013
85th Oscar awards presentation ceremony held in Los Angels on 25 February 2013.In this
ceremoney Life of Pi cinema got a 4 Oscar awards.
Best Picture: Argo
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Best Supporting Actress:Anne Hathaway (Les Misrables)
Best Directing: Ang Lee(Life of Pi)

Best Adapted Screenplay:Chris Terrio( Argo)
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)
Best Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
Best Original Song:Skyfall from Skyfall, music and lyrics by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Best Original Score: Life of Pi
Best Animated Feature: Brave
Best Cinematography:Life of Pi
Best Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Best Documentary Short Subject:Inocente
Best Film Editing:Argo
Best Foreign Language Film:Amour (Austria)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Les Misrables
Best Production Design:Lincoln
Best Short Film (Animated): Paperman
Best Short Film (Live Action): Curfew
Best Sound Editing: Skyfall (TIE), Zero Dark Thirty (TIE),
Best Sound Mixing: Les Misrables
Best Visual Effects: Life of Pi

SPORTS & GAMES
Leander Paes, Jaideep Mukherjee Received Davis Cup Commitment Award
On 2 February Indian tennis legends Leander Paes and Jaideep Mukherjee were felicitated by
the All India Tennis Association (AITA) at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium , when they were
presented with the Davis Cup Commitment Trophy.Mukherjee made his Davis Cup debut in
1960 against Thailand and had a 62-35 win-loss record while Paes is currently playing his 49th
Davis Cup tie here against South Korea.

Graeme Smith Captains his 100th Test
On 4 February South African test cricket team captain Graeme Smith has created a unique
record by leading the side in 100th test.As the South African captain Graeme Smith stepped on
the field against Pakistan, he became the only captain in the world to have led the team in 100
test matches.Earlier, the record for captaining in most number of test matches was held by
former Australian skipper Allan Border. Allan Border led the Australian test cricket team in 93
test matches. Sourav Ganguly holds the record of captaining Indian test team in most number of
test matches. Sourav played as skipper in 49 test matches. Now, Graeme Smith is the only
cricketer to play as captain in 100 test matches.
India Won Record 46 Medals in Special Olympics
On 6 February Indias differently-abled athletes returned with the largest haul of medals in the
2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games at Pyeong Chang, South Korea.The Indians won
46 medals 13 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze from among mentally-challenged 2200 athletes
from over 120 nations in the Games .India doubled its medal tally from the World Winter Games
2009.The Games are being competed in eight sports .
Sachin Equaled Sunil Gavaskars First Class Cricket Record
On 8 February Sachin Tendulkar equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class
hundreds in first class cricket at Mumbai. He managed to equal Gavaskars record after scoring
an unbeaten 140 runs in Irani Trophy against Rest of India in the first innings of the tournament
of Mumbai team.When he reached 106, Tendulkar also completed 25,000 runs in first class
cricket.
Wrestling Dropped From 2020 Olympic Games List
On 12 February the International Olympic Committee (IOC) leaders dropped wrestling from the
2020 Olympic Games.Wrestling will be included at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.The
IOC board acted after reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one
sport allows the IOC to add a new sport to the program later this year.Wrestling will now join
seven other sports in applying for inclusion in 2020. The others are a combined bid from
baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu.
They will be vying for a single opening in 2020.The last sports removed from the Olympics were
baseball and softball, voted out by the IOC in 2005 and off the program since the 2008 Beijing
Games. Golf and Rugby will be joining the program at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Victoria Azarenka won Qatar Open Tennis Title
On 18 February Defending champion Victoria Azarenka from Belarus defeated Serena Williams
(America) to won the Qatar Open tennis title in the final at Doha.
Sania Mirza won Dubai Tennis Championship Title
On 23 February Indias Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands won the
Dubai Tennis Championship title. The Indo-American duo defeated the second seeded Russian-
Slovenian combination of Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik. Sania bagged her second
Doubles title of the season.

ECONOMY
BHEL and GAIL Granted Maharatna Status
On 1 February The Union Government of India granted Maharatna status to BHEL (Bharat
Heavy Electricals Ltd ) and GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited), a development which will
provide them greater financial and functional autonomy and also ensure better valuation for
shares of the two public sector undertakings.Ideally any Maharatna firm has a capacity to take
investment decision of around 5000 crore Rupees without taking assistance from the
government. On the other hand, forms with Navratna status have the capability of 1000 crore
Rupees.For any company to qualify for Maharatna status, the annual turnover should be over
25000 crore Rupees in past three years, as per the guidelines issued by Department of Public
Enterprises.
Per capita Monthly Income Growth Eases to 14% in 2011-12
On 1 February According to the the revised data of national accounts the per capita monthly
income, a measure to assess standard of living, grew at a slower rate of 13.7 per cent to Rs
5,130 in 2011-12 at current prices compared to Rs 4,513 in 2010-11.On the Gross Domestic
Saving (GDS) front, the data revealed that the growth at current prices in 2011-12 slowed to
30.8 per cent of GDP at market prices against 34 per cent in the previous year.The gross
domestic capital formation has increased from Rs 28,71,649 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 31,41,465
crore in 2011- 12 at current prices.It further revealed that the per capita private final
consumption expenditure (PFCE) at current prices in 2011-12 is estimated at Rs 42,065 as
against Rs 36,677 in the year 2010-11, showing an increase of 14.7 per cent against an
increase of 15.7 per cent in the previous year.
Argentina Censured by the IMF for Economic Data
On 3 February The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has censured Argentina for the quality of
its official inflation and GDP data.Inflation in Argentina is estimated by private economists to be
at 25% a year and rising but the government reported it at 11% or less for last year.Argentina
became the first country to be censured by the International Monetary Fund for not providing
accurate data on inflation and economic growth under a procedure that can end in expulsion.
Mumbai Is Worlds Cheapest City
Mumbai shares the title of the worlds cheapest city with Karachi, in Pakistan, according to the
Worldwide Cost of Living 2013 survey by the Economist Groups Economic Intelligence
Unit.After Mumbai and Pakistan comes Delhi ,Algiers, Bucharest, Colombo and Panama
City.According to the report, the five most expensive cities in the world are Tokyo and Osaka in
Japan, Sydney, Oslo and Melbourne.
Railway Budget 2013-14
On 26 February Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the 2013-14 Railway Budget
in the Loksabha . Railway Budget 2013-14 Highlights :-

2013-14 Railway Budget Estimates Rs.42,210 crores
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores in 2013-14
Good Earnings Rs.93,554 crores
Good Traffic Receipts Rs.1,43,742 crores
Total Revenue Receipts Rs.1,46,626 crores
Ordinary Working Expenses Rs.96,500 crores
Operating Ratio to be 87.8%. -
A new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli, Coach Manufacturing Unit in Sonepat District
(Haryana) ,Midlife Rehabilitation Workshop at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), new wagon
maintenance workshop in Kalahandi (Odisha).
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores
5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013-14
Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13.
67 new Express trains to be introduced.26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5
MEMU services to be introduced. Run of 57 trains to be extended. Frequency of 24 trains to be
increased.22 new rail lines to be taken up in 2013-14
Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-ministerial
consultation stage. Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision for freight tariff to be
implemented from 1st April 2013.
72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
An independent Rail Tariff Authority has been formalised
ndian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad
Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in
railways this year. 47000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up
soon
By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors
Economic Survey of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors.
Union Budget 2013-14
On 28 February Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram Presented the Rs.16,65 279
Crore(Planed Expenditure Rs. 5,55,322 crore , Non Planed Expenditure Rs 11,09,975 crore)

Union budget in the Lok Sabha for the financial year 2013-14.This is the 82nd Budget for India
and 8th Budget for the Finance Minister P Chidambaram.In the past, former Prime Minister
Morarji Desai presented the Union Budget 8 times as Finance Minister. The Highlights of Union
Budget 2013-14: Total budget expenditure seen at 16.65 trillion rupees in 2013-14.
on-plan expenditure estimated at about 11.1 trillion rupees in 2013-14.
Indias 2013-14 plan expenditure seen at 5.55 trillion rupees
Revised estimate for total expenditure is 14.3 trillion rupees in 2012-13, which is 96 point of
budget estimate
Expect 133 billion rupees through direct tax proposals in 2013-14
Expect 47 billion rupees through indirect tax proposals in 2013-14
Target 558.14 billion rupees from stake sales in state-run firms in 2013-14
Expect revenue of 408.5 bln rupees from airwave surcharges, auction of telecom spectrum,
licence fees in 2013-14
But will give some tax relief of Rs. 2000 for every person who has an annual income of up to Rs.
5 lakh
RBI expected GDP growth of 5.5% for Financial Year 2013-14
Rs.1000-crore Nirbhaya Fund announced for the empowerment of women
Rs.6,000 crore to be allocated for rural housing fund
Defence allocation increased to Rs. 2.03 lakh crore
Rs. 6,275 crore to ministry of science and technology, Rs. 5,880 crore to Department of Atomic
Energy
Rs.27,049 crore allocation to the Agriculture Ministry
Rs. 37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Rs.110 crore to be allocated to the department of disability affairs
Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Rs.14000 crore will be provided for PSB recapitalization. He will constitute a panel on
transaction costs, and financial policies.
Rs.6,5867 crore for Education , an increase of 17 percent over RE for 2012- 13.
Rs 6275 crore to Ministry of Technology

Rs.2 trillion for defence sector
Rs.15,260 crore to be allocated to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Rs.14,873 crore for JNNURM for urban transportation
Rs.80,194 crore allocation for Ministry of Rural Development
Rs.33,000 crore for MGNREGA
Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Rs.13215 crore for mid-day meal programme
Rs.41,561 crore for SC plan and Rs 24,598 crore for tribal plan.
3511 crore allocation to minorities which is 12 per cent hike over budget estimates, 110 crore
rupees allotted for welfare of disabled.
65867 crore rupees have been allocated to the Ministry of Human resources development which
is 17 per cent hike over the revised estimates.
A surcharge of 10 percent on persons (other than companies) whose taxable income exceeds
Rs.1 crore have been levied.
Relief of Rs. 2000 for the tax payers in the first bracket of 2 to 5 lakhs.

Iran launches new fighter jet
Iran had unveiled a new home-made combat aircraft on 02 February 2013.Iran announced that
this is the most Sophisticated aircraft in the world.The name of this aircraft was Qaher F313
(Dominant F313).Qaher F313 was designed using the Advanced Electro-Aviation System.
Worlds Largest Prime Number Discovered with 17,425,170 digits
Researchers from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg discovered the largest
prime number of the world, Contains 17 Million Digits. This is the 48th Mersenne prime found so
far. However there are certain rare kinds of prime numbers called Mersenne primes which have
the form 2 multiplied by itself p times minus 1, where p denotes a prime number. The new
largest prime is 2 multiplied by itself 57885161 times minus 1.
First Complete Bionic Man Unveiled in U.K
On 7 February The worlds first complete Bionic Man named Rex was unveiled at Londons
Science Museum. The bionic man was created using 1 million US dollar limbs as well as

organs.Rex has a human face with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly
with assistance from 18 universities and companies.
Rudra Inducted into the Army
On 8 February The first indigenously built Weapon System Integrated Advanced Light
Helicopter, Rudra was handed over to the Indian Army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) .Rudra is the Mk-IV variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter designed and manufactured
by HAL. The helicopter is fitted with weapons, targeting systems, warning and counter-measure
systems and survivability features.This is the first of the 60 armed helicopters provided to the
army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after the Defence Ministry handed over the
control of all attack helicopters to the land force.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajratan Commissioned
On 11 February Indian Coast Guard ship Rajratan , the fifth in a series of eight Inshore Patrol
Vessels (IPVs), was commissioned by Indian Coast Guard.The vessel has been indigenously
built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata.The 50m long IPV can achieve a
maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an economical speed
of 16 knots.
North Korea conducted third nuclear test
On 12 February 2013,North Korea successfully conducted a third underground nuclear test
with the violation of United Nations sanctions.In the past North Korea two times conducted
nuclear tests but this is most powerful than those tests.North Korea announced that,a
miniaturised nuclear device had been detonated successfully at the test site.The test was
reported to have taken place at a test site in the North Hamgyeong province, where the
Punggye-ri nuclear complex that conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 is located.
Asteroid 2012 DA14 Passed Very Near To Earth
The small Asteroid named 2012 DA14 with an estimated diameter of 50 meters (160 ft) and
an estimated mass of 190,000 metric tons passed within about 3.5 Earth radii of the Earths
surface on February 15.During its 2013 close passage, the asteroid passed 27,700 km (17,200
mi) from the surface of Earth. Scientists at NASA estimated that an asteroid the size of 2012
DA14 flies this close to Earth about once every 40 years. A 2012 DA14-size asteroid impacts
Earth once every 1,200 years, on average.
PSLV-C20 Successfully Launched SARAL and 6 Other Satellites
On 25 February ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dawan Space
centre at SPSR Nellore in Sriharikota , launched the Indo-French satellite SARAL along with
six commercial payloads from Austria, Britain, Canada and Denmark into a 785-km polar
sunsynchronous orbit.It was the 23rd mission of PSLV, which has an impeccable record of 21
consecutive successful flights.
About SARAL:- The Saral mission results from the common interest of both ISRO and CNES
in studying the ocean from space. For instance, it can provide information on seasonal

forecasting, study on animal migration, locating buoys and fishing vessels, collecting
environmental data such as ocean temperature profiles and currents.
Besides Saral, the PSLV-C20 has put into orbit two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE (both
from Austria), AAUSAT3 from Denmark and STRaND from UK. It also carried one micro-
satellite (NEOSSat) and one mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada.With a lift-off mass of 407
kg, Saral is the 56th satellite to be launched by PSLV.The six commercial payloads from abroad
together have a lift-off mass of 259.5 km.PSLV-C20 is the ninth PSLV in core alone
configuration (without solid strap-on motors).

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Mo Yan and Jackie Chan Selected As Members of Chinese Parliament
On 3 February Mo Yan, the winner of Nobel Prize for literature, 2012 and Jackie Chan, the
movie star were given a political role in China by being selected as members of the Chinese
Peoples Political Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament.
Prachanda elected as Maoist president of ruling UCPN-Maoist party
Prachanda, the powerful Maoist leader who became prime minister after toppling the 239-year-
old monarchy in Nepal, was elected as the president of the ruling UCPNMaoist party on 08
February 2013.58-yearold Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Indian American Subra Suresh Appointed as President of Carnegie Mellon
On 9 February US President Obamas top science official and Indian American Padma Shri
awardee Dr Subra Suresh has been appointed as the new president of Carnegie Mellon
University. He will succeed Dr. Jared L. Cohon, who led the university to unprecedented growth
during his 16-year tenure. Dr Suresh will assume office on July 1 after Dr Cohon would step
down on June 30, this year.
Ratan Tata Elected To National Academy of Engineering
On 9 February Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, has been elected as a
member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering of the US along with 10 new
foreign members.This is the highest professional distinction accorded to an engineer in the
US.Ratan Tata has been selected for his outstanding contributions to industrial development in
India and the world.
B)RESIGNS
D.C.Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi To Resign

Indian American, Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial officer (CFO) of Washington DC
,announced his resignation on 1 February.He will resign on 1 June 2013.Gandhi has held the
office since 2000 and was appointed to a new, five-year term last year.
Solicitor-General Rohinton Nariman resigns
Solicitor-General of India Rohinton Nariman resigned 04 February 2013.Mr. Nariman was
appointed as the second most senior law official of the country on July 23, 2011 following the
resignation of Gopal Subramanium on July 14, 2011.
Obamas Top Science Official Suresh Resigned
On 6 February US President Barack Obamas top science official and Padma Shri awardee
Subra Suresh has resigned from his current position to join the prestigious Carnegie Mellon
University as its chief.As director of National Science Foundation (NSF) since 2010, Suresh was
responsible for driving scientific research of the country.Suresh has co-authored more than 240
journal articles, registered 21 patents and written three widely used materials science books.
Nagaland Home Minister resigns
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen was resigned from the ruling Naga Peoples Front
(NPF) government on 19 February 2013.Mr. Imchen put in his papers after the Election
Commission authorities seized cash amounting to more than Rs.1 crore and weapons from his
vehicle on 18 February by troopers of Assam Rifles at Sathupang area in Wokha district.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigned
On 28 February Pope Benedict XVI a position in which he serves dual roles as Sovereign of the
Vatican City State and leader of the Catholic Church resigned his post.Pope Benedict XVIs
birth name is Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger.Benedict XVI was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal
conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took possession of his
cathedral, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May 2005. A native of Bavaria, he has both
German and Vatican citizenship.
C)DEATHS
Former Puducherry CM Shanmugam passes away
Former Chief Minister of Puducherry P. Shanmugam passed away at the Karaikal Government
Hospital on 02 February 2013.A bachelor, Shanmugam was the chief minister of Puducherry
from March 22, 2000 to Oct 27, 2001 and represented the union territory in the Lok Sabha
between 1980-1991.
Chinas Table Tennis Legend Zhuang Zedong Died
On 10 February the chinas table tennis legend , Zhuang Zedong died in Beijing .Zhuang
Zedong is a three-time world table tennis champion.Zhuang Zedong remained a crucial figure in
ping-pong diplomacy of 1971 and is popularly also called the Architect of Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Pingpong diplomacy means exchange of the table tennis (ping-pong) players between China
and US
American Philosopher and Legal Scholar Dworkin Died
Ronald Dworkin a renowned American philosopher and a Constitutional Law expert died on 14
February at London .He wrote books named A Matter of Principle, Laws Empire and Justice for
Hedgehogs.
Radhakishan Malviya former Union Minister died
Former Union Minister and senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Radhakishan Malviya died
on 19 February 2013 in Indore.Malviya was elected MLA from Sanver in Indore district in 1972.
A three-time Rajya Sabha MP, he was Labour Minister in the Rajiv Gandhi government in mid-
1980s. Malviya was Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president during 1998-2003 when
Digvijay Singh was the chief minister.
D)VISITORS
Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley Visited India
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Y Thinley visited India from 7 9 February.During his three-days
visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at NewDelhi and discussed on developmental
issues of his country with the Indian leadership, and sought financial assistance for the 11th five
year plan of his country.
Frances President Francois Hollande Visited India
Frances President Francois Hollande Visited India from 14th and 15th February.During the 2
day visit he met manmohan singh at NewDelhi and discussed the sale of Rafale fighter jets ,
bilateral issues , after signed the both nations on several agreements .
Britains PM David Cameron Visited India
David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ,
visited India from 18 20 February.During the visit on 18 February he attended India Britain
delegations meeting in Mumbai .On 19 February Cameron met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
in New Delhi and discussed bilateral and global issues.The British Prime Minister last visited
India in July 2010.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Three Year Old Girl Joins Mensa After Taking IQ Test in Russian
A brainy 3 year old girl Clever Alice Amos has been unveiled as the youngest new member of
Mensa with a higher IQ than Stephen Hawking.Amos has been granted full membership of the
brain box society after scoring an incredible 162 on an IQ test she took in Russian.Her IQ of
162 ranks her higher than a list of the worlds greatest luminaries dead and living.Former US

presidents Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and Bill Clinton could only muster 128, 160 and
137 respectively.
Mohamed Nasheed Took Refuge In Indian High Commission
On 13 February the former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed took refuge in the Indian
High Commission in Capital Male to evade arrest, a year after he was toppled.He turned up at
the single-storey Indian mission around noon to evade arrest warrant issued by a court in a
case concerning the detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court during his Presidency in
January last year.The Indian government has permitted him to stay in Mission.
Queen Elizabeth II named Britains Most Powerful
According to the BBC power list of Britains most influential women, Queen Elizabeth II has
been named the most powerful woman in Britain, while two Indian-origin women also found a
place in the list of UKs 100 most powerful women. Two Indian-origin women who featured
among the 100 most powerful British women were Kolkata-born Pinki Lilani, founder of the
Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the UK, and human rights champion and director of
Liberty Shami Chakrabarti.
Worlds oldest woman is Misao Ookawa
Misao Ookawa,the oldest woman in the world receives a Guinness World Records certificate in
Osaka, Japan,on 27 February 2013.She will ready to celebrate its 115th birth anniversary on 5
March 2013. The oldest man in the world,Jiroemon Kimura(115) also belongs to Japan.

PLACES IN NEWS
Strong 6.6 Magnitude Quake Hits Solomon Islands
On 6 February a strong 6.6-magnitude tremor struck the Solomon Islands , the latest in a series
of aftershocks from a powerful earthquake that triggered a tsunami The quake hit 36 kilometres
south-southwest of Lata, the main town on the remote island of Ndende.At least six people were
confirmed dead and some 3,000 left homeless but the national disaster management office has
been struggling to get a clear picture of the scale of destruction on the island, more than 600
kilometres from the capital Honiara.The Solomons are part of the Ring of Fire, a zone of
tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions.
Snow Storm Nemo Hits US and Canada
On 8 February Seven people have been killed in the United States and Canada as the massive
blizzard Winter Storm Nemo dumped nearly two feet of snow in New England and knocked out
power to more than a half a million homes.Throughout the Northeast, more than 600,000 homes
and businesses lost electricity. Airlines cancelled more than 5,300 flights today, and New York
Citys three major airports and Bostons Logan Airport closed.

Huge Meteorite Hits The Russia
On 15 February A huge meteor hits the Russia, injuring more than 1000 people, many hurt by
broken glass, and causing explosions.Fragments of the meteor fell in a thinly populated area of
the Chelyabinsk region.The meteorite, which weighed about 10 metric tons and may have been
made of iron, entered Earths atmosphere and broke apart 30-50 km (19-31 miles) above
ground.The meteorite explosion, a very rare spectacle, also unleashed a sonic boom.The
energy released when it entered the Earths atmosphere was equivalent to a few kilotonnes, the
power of a small atomic weapon exploding.

ABBREVIATIONS
DSDS Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
BHEL Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd
GAIL Gas Authority of India Limited
TERI The Energy and Resources Institute
EIU Economist Intelligence Unit
NSF National Science Foundation
TAPI TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia
POTA Prevention of Terrorism Act
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
CAIR Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
CITU Centre of Indian Trade Unions
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation
HDI Human Development Index
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS

Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life Book Released
On 2 February The indomitable Khushwant Singh has released a new book named
Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life on his 98th birthday in which he writes about his life,
lessons it has taught him, politics, future of India and what religion means to him.The book,
published by Penguin Books India, is dedicated to Kaur who is a close friend of the
author.Khushwant Singh was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986. He was awarded the
Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the storming of
the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian Army. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma
Vibhushan.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany Book Released
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose new book named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Germany
released on 6 February.The First copy of the book by Professor Anita B. Pfaff was given to the
President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan at NewDelhi. The book was brought
out by the Federation of Indo-German Societies in India.The book is a collection of the records
shared by Professor Anita Pfaff as well as other known biographers and writers.The book
portrayed some interesting facets of the life of Netaji and his extraordinary contribution to Indias
freedom struggle.

COMMITTEES
Padmanabhan Committee To Help Boost Bank Finance For Exports
On 3 February The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a technical advisory committee to
iron out existing issues and boost bank finance for exports.The committee will be headed by
RBI Executive Director G Padmanabhan.The committee look into the issues related to
exporters, we have decided to constitute a technical working group which will also look non-cost
issues like transaction costs, accounting norms, documentation required, procedural difficulties.
February 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank
INTERNATIONAL
1. Which 3 countries leaders set out 6 months goal for peace, urge Taliban to dialogue on 4
February 2013 ?
Ans: Britain , Afghanistan , Pakistan.
2. What is the new name for Sindh province?
Ans: Sind
3. On February 2013 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a financial aid of $
278.8 million to ?

Ans: Bangladesh
4. On February 2013 Regional African leaders signed UN-brokered accord which aims to bring
peace to the troubled eastern region of the ?
Ans: Democratic Republic of Congo
5. Which country prohibited its security forces from taking any air support from the International
Forces on 18 February 2013 ?
Ans: Aghanistan
6. Who had been elected as Cyprus new President on 24 February 2013 ?
Ans: Nicos Anastasiades
INDIA & WORLD
1. For which country reconstruction India pledges $100m on 5 February 2013 ?
Ans: Mali
2. On 7 February 2013 the Union Cabinet approved for which project formation of Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV )?
Ans: TAPI pipeline
3. On february 2013 the Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe into how much crore alleged
scam in a defence helicopter deal ?
Ans: Rs 3600 crore
4. India and which country discussed on the issues of nuclear energy cooperation, security,
terrorism and trade on 19 February 2013 ?
Ans: Britain
5. Which two countries have exchanged strip maps as part of the process of the implementation
of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between the two countries ?
Ans: India & Srilanka
6. Which country will make initial investments of $2 billion in infrastructure projects in India on
February 2013 ?
Ans: The United Arab Emirates
7. Which country wins Kishanganga case against Pakistan at the Hague court on 18 February
2013 ?

Ans: India
NATIONAL
1. Who was signed MoU with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Highlight Issues related
to AIDS on 14 February 2013 ?
Ans: NACO
2. Who was ordered to cease operations to the telecom companies that failed to win or
participate in the November 2012 2G Auction?
Ans: Supreme Court of India
3. Which programme was launched by the I&B Ministry for Real Time Engagement with Citizens
on 7 February 2013 ?
Ans: My India Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme
4. Who constituted a panel to Examine issues of Certification under Cinematograph Act 1952 on
4 February 2013 ?
Ans:I&B Ministry
STATES
1. What is the name of the scheme launched by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for
providing comprehensive care to children in India?
Ans: Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram
2. In which state the 1,980 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant was approved by
the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) on 20 February 2013 ?
Ans: Jharkhand
3. Which state government was decided to issue a complete ban on sale and consumption of
tobacco products in the state on 15 February 2013?
Ans: Manipur
4. Which State Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was launched the Direct Benefits
Transfer scheme in Sonepat and Ambala districts on 1 February 2013 ?
Ans: Haryana
5. On 21 February 2013 the UTTIPEC started efforts for developing vision for successful
implementation of the plans for mass-rapid transport system in

Ans: Delhi
6. Which party won maximum number of seats in Maghalaya Assembly elections?
Ans: Congress
7. Which party got the full majority in Tripura Assembly elections held on 14 February 2013?
Ans: CPM-led Left Front
CONFERENCES
1. What is the theme of 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS)?
Ans: The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development
AWARDS & HONOURS
1. The Pakistani girl was shoot by the Talibans against the girl education was nominated for this
years Nobel Peace Prize.Who is she?
Ans: Malala Yousafzai
2. Who is the Karnataka Artist had won the Rs 1 million Skoda Prize 2012 for contemporary art
on 1 February 2013?
Ans: L. N. Tallur
3. Who had been received the Georgescu roegen Award at the Delhi Sustainable Development
Summit on February 2013?
Ans: Kozo Mayumi (The University of Tokushima)
4. Who got Lifetime Achievement Grammy award after his death?
Ans: Pandit Ravi Shankar
5. Which picture got the best picuter award in 85th Oscar awards ceremony?
Ans: Argo
6. Who is the Eminent Hindi litterateur had been selected for the prestigious Vyas Samman for
2012 for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati on 22 February 2013 ?
Ans: Narendra Kohli
SPORTS & GAMES

1. Who were the two players honoured with Davis Cup Commitment Award on 2 Febraury
2013?
Ans: Leander Paes, Jaideep Mukherjee
2. Who is the Indian cricketer equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class hundreds in
first class cricket at Mumbai on 8 February 2013 ?
Ans: Sachin Tendulkar
3. Which two games will be joining the program at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro ?
Ans: Golf and Rugby
4. Who won the National Grasscourt Tennis Championship Mens single title on 16 February
2013?
Ans: Ramkumar Ramanathan
5. Who won the Grenke Chess Classic Trophy on 17 February 2013 ?
Ans: Viswanathan Anand
ECONOMY
1. Which of the companies selected for the Maharatna status on 1 February 2013?
Ans: BHEL and GAIL
2. On 7 February 2013 the Indias Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed that the economic
growth of India is estimated to fall to in 2012- 2013 FY ?
Ans: 5 percent
3. Which scheme was launched by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 9 February 2013 in
Mumbai ?
Ans: Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme
4. Indias Economic Survey for 2012-13 pegs the countrys growth at 6.1-6.7% and inflation at

Ans: 6.2-6.6%
5. How many crores are allocated for the Agriculture Ministry in the Union Budget 2013-14?
Ans: Rs.27,049 crores

1. What is the name of the most sophisticated fighter jet launched by the Iran?
Ans: Qaher F313 (Dominant F313)
2. What is the name of the worlds first complete Bionic Man which was unveiled recently at
Londons Science Museum ?
Ans: Rex
3. What is the name of the first indigenously built Weapon System Integrated Advanced Light
Helicopter was inducted in to the Indian army on 8 February 2013?
Ans: Rudra
4. What is the name of the fifth ship in a series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) was
commissioned by Indian Coast Guard on 11 February 2013 ?
Ans: Rajratan
5. What is the use of SARAL satellite launched by the ISROs PSLV-C20 rocket on 25 February
2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota?
Ans: Oceanographic Study
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
1. Who had been selected as members of the Chinese parliament on 2 February 2013 ?
Ans: Mo Yan and Jackie Chan
2. Who is the Indian american and Padma Shri awardee had been appointed as the new
president of Carnegie Mellon University on 9 February 2013?
Ans: Dr Subra Suresh
3. Who is the Tata Group Chairman Emeritus had been elected as a member of the US
prestigious National Academy of Engineering on 9 February 2013 ?
Ans: Ratan Tata
4. Who is the former Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation, has took over as the new
Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) on 21 February 2013
?
Ans: T.S. Vijayan

B) RESIGNS
1. Who is the Solicitor-General of India resigned on 04 February 2013 ?
Ans: Rohinton Nariman
2. Who is the author of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany Book ?
Ans: Prof. Anita B Pfaff
3. Who is the Nagaland Home Minister has resigned on 19 February 2013 ?
Ans: Imkong L. Imchen
C) DEATHS
1. Who was the Ex-CM of Puducherry passes away on 02 February 2013?
Ans: P.Shanmugam
2. Who is the Chinas table tennis legend died on 10 February 2013 in Beijing ?
Ans: Zhuang Zedong
D) VISITORS
1. Who is the Frances President visited India from 14th and 15th February 2013 ?
Ans: Francois Hollande
E)MISCELLANEOUS
1. Who had been named in the BBC power list of Britains most influential women ?
Ans: Queen Elizabeth II
2. In which state unveiled the worlds tallest bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi
Maidan on 15 February 2013 ?
Ans: Bihar
3. Who is the 3 year old girl had been unveiled as the youngest new member of Mensa with a
higher IQ than Stephen Hawking ?
Ans: Clever Alice Amos
PLACES IN NEWS

1. Which country hits by snow storm Nemo on 8 February 2013 ?
Ans: America
ABBREVIATIONS
1. What is the full form of TAPI ..
Ans: TurkmenistanAfghanistan PakistanIndia
BOOKS IN NEWS
1. What is the name of the Sania Mirza new autobiography book ?
Ans: Against All Odds
2. Who is the author of Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life Book ?
Ans: Khushwant Singh
COMMITTEES
1. Who was constituted a G Padmanabhan technical advisory committee to iron out existing
issues and boost bank finance for exports ?
Ans: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
IMPORTANT DAYS & DATES
1. National Maritime Day observed on ?
Ans: April 5

March 2013 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
UN Imposed New Sanctions on North Korea
On 7 March The UN Security Council approved a new regimen of sanctions against North Korea
for conducting an underground nuclear test recently, imposing penalties on North Korean
banking, travel and trade in a unanimous vote that reflected the countrys increased
international isolation. The resolution, which was drafted by the United States and China, was
passed in a speedy vote hours after North Korea threatened for the first time to launch a pre-
emptive nuclear strike against the United States and South Korea.
Obama Signed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act 2013

On 8 March the US President, Barack Obama signed the reauthorization of the Violence
Against Women Act 2013 on the eve of International Womens Day. The Violence Against
Women Act was first passed in 1994. Reauthorised since then, the new Act offers support to the
organisations which serve to the victims of domestic violence.
Uhuru Kenyatta Won Kenya Presidential Election
On 9 March In Kenya, Deputy Prime Minister Kenyatta has won presidential election with a slim
margin of 50.03 percent of votes. He defeated his rival Raila Odinga.
Japan & Ten EU Countries Exempted from US Iran Sanctions Act
On 13 March The US has renewed the exemptions for Japan and ten European Union countries
from tough American sanctions imposed on nations buying oil from Iran.The third six-monthly
exemption to Japan, under the Iran Sanctions Act.The 10 European Union countries, Belgium,
the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the UK,
have also qualified for a renewal of the exemption from sanctions because they have not
purchased Iranian oil since July , 2012.
Pakistan Parliament Completes Full 5 Year Term
On 16 March Pakistans Parliament has made history by becoming the first National Assembly
in the countrys history to complete a full term of five years, with the conclusion of the Houses
50th session, setting the stage for the holding of elections.Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
announced that general elections would be held on 11 May 2013.
Cyprus Gets New Bailout Deal
Cyprus secured a 10 billion ($16.2 billion) bailout from its international creditors on 24 March
2013.Eurozone finance ministers had also approved a new bailout plan for Cyprus, putting an
end to uncertainties over the fate of the Mediterranean island country in the euro area.The new
bailout program includes deep restructuring of the countrys two biggest banks, Bank of Cyprus
and Popular Bank of Cyprus.Under the new agreement, all bank deposits under 100,000 will be
secured and guaranteed by the state.
South Africa, China Sign Deals To Boost Cooperation
On 26 March South African President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met
in Pretoria ahead of the fifth BRICS Summit.The two leaders signed a number of agreements,
focusing on trade, tourism, education and social cooperation.The two sides agreed on future
collaboration on research and development initiatives, manufacturing, marketing and the
construction of cross-border infrastructure throughout the continent.
North Korea Declares State of War with South Korea
On 29 March North Korea declared that it had formally entered a state of war with South
Korea.The announcement was made in a joint statement attributed to all government bodies
and institutions.The two Koreas have thus technically remained at war for decades.

INDIA & WORLD
India, South Korea Hold Security Talks
On 1 March 2013 India and South Korea hold discussions over emerging dynamics of global
and regional security, cooperation in cyber security, defense and space sectors and reviewing
bilateral ties. Arvind Gupta,Director General of IDSA, led the Indian side while Lt.G (retd.) Bang,
Hyo-Bok president of KIDA and former vice army chief,represented the Korean side in the talks.
India,UK Signed MOU To Strenghen Cooperation In Earth Sciences
On March 1, India and UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their
cooperation in Earth Sciences and environmental research by sharing information on
meteorology,hydrology and climate variability.The MoU between the Earth System Science
Organisation of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and UKs Natural Environment Research Council
was inked in New Delhi in the presence of Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy .
India and Bhutan signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
On 4 March India and Bhutan signed the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), a move
that will facilitate exchange of information on banking between the two nations and help check
tax evasion.This is the first ever DTAA for Bhutan with any country. The treaty was signed by
Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Wangdi Norbum, on
behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
India and Republic of Portugal Signed a Social Security Agreement
On 4 March A Social Security Agreement (SSA) was signed between India and Republic of
Portugal ,after the both countries meeting end at NewDelhi.The agreement was signed by
Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas,
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
India Worlds Third Largest Spam Spewing Nation
On 6 March According to statistics from SophosLabs ,India has been placed third on the list of
the countries distributing spam across the world.US is still firmly on the top, distributing more
spam than any other country in the world.China took the second spot and India the third, with
8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the worlds spam.
Indias Tourism Industry Competitiveness 65th in World
According to the fifth Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report by the WEF, India has moved
up by three notches to 65th out of 140 countries in terms of the competitiveness of the travel
and tourism industry.India has been ranked in the 11th place in the region and 65th overall,
gaining three positions since the last edition.
India and Romania Signed Two Agreements

On 8 March India and Romania signed on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of
Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.The agreement was signed after External
Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid held talks with his Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean
on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
India and Bhutan Signed $100m Currency Swap Agreement
On 8 March India and Bhutan signed a currency swap agreement for up to $100 million to
further economic co-operation between the two countries.The currency swap arrangement was
signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
(RMAB).
Iran and Pakistan Launched Gas Pipeline Project
On 11 March Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali
Zardari was officially inaugurated the final construction phase of the multi-billiondollar Iran-
Pakistan gas pipeline project.The 1,244-mile pipeline would each day transport more than 750
million cubic feet of natural gas to Pakistan from Irans South Pars gas field in the Persian
Gulf.This Project was started from Chabahar city in Iran to Karachi in Pakistan with $7.5 Billion.
Initially they have an idea to extend this project to New Delhi in India but India was dropped
from this project in 2009.
Britain & India Signed Agreement To Support R&D Projects
On 13 March Britain and India have signed an agreement to launch a joint programme to
encourage industry and business in the two countries to work together towards
commercialisation of research leads in a range of key areas, including energy and health
care.As part of the deal, Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) sponsored by the
Indian governments Department of Science and Technology and UKs Technology Strategy
Board (TSB) will support UK and Indian businesses and academics in joint R&D and innovation
projects over a three-year period.
India Ranks 136 in Human Development Index
On 14 March According to the Human Development Report 2013 released by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ,India has been ranked 136 among 187 countries
evaluated for human development index (HDI).Norway (1st rank), Australia (2nd rank) and the
Netherlands (3rd rank) lead the Human Development Index (HDI).The other countries ranks
are:- Netherlands (4th rank) , Japan (10th rank), Denmark (15th rank) , South Korea (12th rank).
China Unveils 5-Point Formula To Improve Ties With India
On 18 March Chinas new President Xi Jinping has unveiled a five-point formula to improve
relations with India, and that the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two nations
wont be easy and pending its final settlement peace and tranquility should be maintained on
the border without affecting the overall ties. The Xi Jinping 5 Points are :- 1. First,to maintain
strategic communication and keep bilateral relations on the right track. 2. Second, we should
harness each others comparative strength and expand win winwin cooperation in infrastructure,
mutual investment and other areas. 3. Third, we should strengthen cultural ties and constantly
increase mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. 4. Fourth, we should

expand coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs to jointly safeguard the legitimate
rights and interests of developing countries and tackle global challenges. 5. Fifth, we should
accommodate each others core concerns and properly handle problems and differences
existing between the two countries.
India Egypt Signed Seven Agreements
On 19 March In a bid to deepen ties and strengthen economic bonds, India and Egypt signed 7
agreements after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy
held bilateral talks in New Delhi.The seven agreements included a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) in the field of cyber security, cooperation in the field of protection of
intellectual property rights and prevention of illicit traffic of antiquities besides others.The two
leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in Defence and in international forums like UN.
India Signed Social Security Agreements With 18 Countries
On 20 March India has signed Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with Belgium,France,
Germany (social insurance for posted workers only), Switzerland, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway, Germany,
Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria and Portugal.Bilateral labour Memorandum of
Understandings (MoUs) have also been signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan,
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Bahrain for ensuring protection and welfare of overseas
Indian workers.
India Votes Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC
On 21 March India has voted for the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights
Council session in Geneva.The UN Human Rights Council adopted a US-sponsored resolution
on human rights violation in Sri Lanka.The 47-member Geneva forum adopted the resolution
with 25 countries in favour, including India.13countries opposed it, including Pakistan. 8
abstained and one delegation was absent.The US-backed resolution that addresses alleged war
crimes by Lankan forces during the countrys civil war with the Tamil Tigers.The 26-year civil
war that ensued, which ended with the LTTEs military defeat in 2009.
Japan Grants India $2.32 Billion Aid For Infrastructure Building
On 27 March India and Japan have agreed to promote their bilateral strategic and global
partnership especially in economic and security areas, with Tokyo granting a $2.32 billion aid for
infrastructure building. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ,External Affairs Minister
Salman Khurshid discussed about both countries bilateral issues the meeting held at Tokyo
.During the meeting Kishida unveiled a 220 billion yen (USD 2.32 billion) aid to India for
infrastructure building and a 71-billion-yen loan ($753.17 million) for the subway project in
Indias financial capital Mumbai.

NATIONAL
Cabinet Approves Bill for Time-Bound Services to Citizens

On 7 March the government gave its nod to a Bill aimed at providing time-bound delivery of
services like passports, pensions and birth and death certificates, among others, to the
citizens.The Right of Citizens for Time- Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of
their Grievances Bill, 2011, was approved by the Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh .
President Released the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi
On 8 March the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee released the Commemorative Postage
Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi on occasion of his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New
Delhi.Sahir Ludhianvi died on 25 October 1980 and was a renowned Urdu poet.He fought for
recognition of lyric writers through the Film Writers Association.
Indias First All-Women Post Office
After announcing Indias all women public bank, the central government on 08 March 2013
started an all women post office in New Delhi on the occasion of the International Womens
Day. Communications & Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal inaugurated the post office
at Shastri Bhawan the hub of central government offices in central Delhi. All the employees in
these post office are women only.
Cabinet Approved Electronic Delivery of Services Bill
On 18 March the Union Cabinet approved a bill that aims to provide access to all central and
state government services such as passport, ration card and driving licences electronically.The
Bill requires public authorities to deliver all public services electronically within a maximum
period of 8 years.
Cabinet Approved Food Security Bill
On 19 March the union cabinet has approved the National Food Security Bill which aims to give
the right to food to around 67% of Indias 1.2 billion people.The bill was introduced in the Lok
Sabha in December 2011 and had been sent to a parliamentary standing committee for further
consideration.In the bill, the government had proposed 7 kg of grain per month per person to
priority households and at least 3 kg of foodgrain at half the price for general households.
Rajya Sabha Passed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013
On 21 March the Rajya Sabha passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013 that provides
for capital punishment in cases of brutal rape, and also deals with several other crimes against
women.On 19 March Lok Sabha passed the Bill with an aim of providing a strong deterrent
against rapes and gang rapes, the Bill states that an offender can be sentenced to rigourous
imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 20 years, but which may extend to life,
meaning imprisonment for the remainder of that persons natural life and with a fine.
Supreme Court upholds Death for Yakub Memon
On 21 March the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon in
the 1993 Mumbai blasts case that had claimed 257 lives and left 713 injured.The Supreme

Court also upheld the conviction of actor Sanjay Dutt under the Arms Act in the terror attack and
sent him to five years in prison.The capital punishment of the other 10 death row convicts was
commuted to life sentence by a bench of justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan which also
upheld the life term awarded to 16 out of 18 convicts.
68 million Indians Living in Slums
On 21 March According to the first such census report on slum households prepared by the
Registrar General of India, approximately 68 million Indians are living in slums. In all 1.73 crore
census houses have been reported in houselisting blocks, categorised as slums in India,
comprising 1.37 crore slum households.The report also noted that in 19 cities with million-plus
population, 25 per cent of households live in slums.A majority-71 per cent- of these are located
in six states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, west Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and
Uttar Pradesh.90 per cent of slum households use electricity, 70 per cent slum households have
television, 72.7 per cent have telephone facility while 10.4 per cent households have computer
or laptop in their house.

STATES
HPCL signed MoU for Rajasthan Refinery
On 14 March Min of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
and Rajasthan Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Jaipur for
setting up a Rs 37,320cr refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Barmer, Rajasthan. The project
will be a joint venture between HPCL and Rajasthan State Refinery Limited, apart from other
equity partners.The MoU was signed by Subhash Pant, Secretary Mines and Petroleum,
Government of Rajasthan and K.Murli, Director (Refineries) of HPCL.
Madhya Pradesh Spice Park Inaugurated in Guna
On 16 March In Madhya Pradesh, Union power ministry inaugurated a Spice Park in Mawan
area of Guna district. This spice park has been built at a cost of fifty five crore rupees.
Delhi Launched a Comprehensive Five-In-One Vaccine
On 12 March the Chief Minister of Delhi,Sheila Dikshit launched a comprehensive five-in-one
vaccine in order to provide protection to children against certain diseases such as tetanus,
diphtheria and pertusis.The CM announced that instead of three injections, now there will be a
requirement of only one injection for providing protection against the diseases.
Karnataka State Assembly Elections Schedule Released
On March 20 The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for Karnataka
Assembly Elections 2013.The elections will be a single-phase election and counting would take
place on May 8.The Polls would be held on May 5.
Three High Courts Opened in Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya

Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur on 23 March 2013 got their own High Courts. Justice Abhay
Manohar Sapre, Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court took oath as the first Chief Justice of
Manipur High Court on 23 March 2013. Justice Deepak Gupta along with three other judges
would be administered the oath to the High Court of Tripura .Justice Meena Kumari took oath as
the first Chief Justice of Meghalaya. With the opening of the three high Courts in the North
Eastern states of India, the total number of high Courts in India has gone up to 24 from previous
21.
Arunachal Pradesh Became the First State to Introduce e-GPF
Arunachal Pradesh became the first state to introduce e-GPF or electronic GPF.The state
Finance Department facilitated the online access to 34000 GPF accounts through its redesigned
Web site, which was launched by Chief Minister of Arunachal Pardesh Nabam Tuki.
Housing stock, Amenities and Assets in Slums Report
On 29 March Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation released the report on
Housing stock, Amenities and Assets in slums based on Houselisting & House Census,
2011.Registrar General presented the important features of the report and outlined its
importance.In all 1.73 Crore Census houses have been reported in the House listing Blocks
categorized as Slums in India, comprising 1.37 Crore slum households.There are 19 cities with
million plus population where more than 25% households live in slums.A majority (71%) of these
are located in six States namely, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Out of these 19 cities, five cities namely, Vishakhapatnam,
Jabalpur, Mumbai, Vijayawada and Meerut have more than 40% slum households.Out of total
slum houses, 92.7% are occupied and 7.3% are vacant.84.9% Census Houses are used for
residence/residence-cum-other use.58.4% residential census houses are in good condition,
37.5% are livable and rest 4.0% are in dilapidated condition.70.2% Slum households are
owned.
Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Top in Well Being Index
According to the Tata Strategic Management Group Survey report , Punjab, Delhi, Himachal
Pradesh and Haryana have been ranked at the top of the Well Being Index,while southern
states, Gujarat and most of the north-eastern states emerged as the most secure ones for
women in the Female Security Index.The states of Punjab, Delhi, HP, Haryana and Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh were ranked at the top of the Well Being Index. On the Female
Security Index, Chennai and Bangalore were at the top.

CONFERENCES
24th Arab League Summit Held in Doha
The 24th summit was held in Doha (Qatar) from 21 to 26 March 2013.A total of 15 heads of
state of Arab countries attended the summit.The Arab League currently consist of 21 countries,
after Syria was suspended form the league due to excessive violence during the Arab Spring.
However, the Syrian opposition umbrella organization, the Syrian National Coalition, will attend
this years summit and will be offered a seat formerly occupied by Damascus.The Arab League

summit called for an international conference in the framework of the United Nations for Syrias
reconstruction. The Qatari leader meanwhile proposed a mini- Arab summit, led by Egypt and
leaders of Fatah and Hamas, in Cairo as soon as possible to achieve Palestinian national
reconciliation. He also called for Arab countries to establish a fund of 1 billion U.S.dollars to
support the Palestinians, pledging that his country will offer a quarter of the amount. The Arab
League was formed in 1945.
5th BRICS Summit Held in Durban
The 5th BRICS Summit was held in Durban, South Africa from 26 to 27 March 2013. The
summit an international relations conference attended by the head of states or heads of
government of the five member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.Theme of
the summit was , BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and
Industrialisation.BRICS Leaders President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff ,Russian president Vladimir
Putin,Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singhm,Chinese president Ji Xinping, South Africas
president Jacob Zuma also discussed swap arrangements among the national currencies as
well as reserve pooling. BRICS nations have decided to establish a new development bank to
finance infrastructure projects and to create a USD 100 bn contingency fund to tackle any
financial crisis in emerging economies, in what is seen as a major win for Indias campaign to
reform global financial architecture. BRICS Summit took place in South Africa for the first time.
BRICS, originally BRIC before the inclusion of South Africa in 2010, is the title of an
association of emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
(BRICS).

AWARDS & HONOURS
Indian-Origin Writer Anil Ananthaswamy Won British Physics Journalism Prize
On 1 March Anil Ananthaswamy, a London based Indian origin writer, has won the inaugural
Physics Journalism Prize sponsored by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Science and
Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The Edge of Physics, has won the prize for his article
Hip Hip Array, which focuses on the Square Kilometre Array, an international project to design
and build the largest radio telescope ever conceived.
Pranab Mukherjee Honoured with the Bangladesh Liberation War Award
On 4 March The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee was conferred with the Liberation War
Honour Award by the President of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman. The award was given away to
Pranab Mukherjee for contributions to the Liberation War.
Indian Women Selected For State Dept Award For Environment Awareness
On 5 March Dr Shubhalaxmi Vaylure has been selected for the US State Departments
International Exchange Alumni Member of the Month for March for her dedication to build
greater environmental awareness in India. Shubhalaxmi first came to the US in 2003 as part of
the Fulbright Indo-American Environmental Leadership Programme which took her to the
University of Montana to study educational nature centers.Upon eturning from this programme,

she drew inspiration from her Fulbright programme as she implemented innovative educational
programs at the Mumbai Conservation Education Center.
Arun Jaitley, Karan Singh, Sharad Yadav Best Parliamentarians
On 6 March Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Congress veteran Karan Singh and JD(U) chief
Sharad Yadav have been selected for the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.Jaitley, who is
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, gets the award for the year 2010, Karan Singh for
2011 and Sharad Yadav for 2012. The Indian Parliamentary Group had instituted the award in
1994 which is conferred each year.
Tagore Award For Ravi Shankar
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the first annual Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony to
late Pandit Ravi Shankar at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 07 Marchi 2013.Sukanya Shankar, wife of
Ravi Shankar, received the award.
Stree Shakti Award For Nirbhaya
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Stree Shakti award on International Womens Day(
08 March 2013) for Nirbhaya. Stree Shakti award as a tribute to her courage and strength.The
award was recevied by her family members.As a measure of recognition of achievements in
individual women in the field of social development, the government had instituted of 6 national
awards which are called Stree Shakti Puraskar. The awards are in the name of the eminent
women personalities namely Devi Ahalya Bai Holkar, Kannagi, Mata Jajabai, Rani Gaidinliu
Zeliang, Rani Lakshmi Bai and Rani Rudramma Devi (which is open to both men and women).
Nirbhaya was honoured with the Sree Shakti award of Rani Lakshmi Bai.The Rani Rudramma
Devi Award for the year 2012 was awarded to Smt. Pranita Talukdar from Assam. She was
honoured for her commendable work for the overall development of women.
US Bravery Award for Nirbhaya
The Delhi gang-rape victim, Nirbhaya was honoured by the US government with an International
Women of Courage Award for 2013.In this year this award was given to 10 women in
Washington on March 8, which is also International Womens Day.
National Tourism Award Winners 2011-12
National Annual Tourism Awards for 2011-12 was announced by Tourism Ministry on 12 March
2013. The Ministry announced 86 awards in 36 Categories. The awards presented by President
of India on 18th March. Winners of National Tourism Awards for 2011-12 :-
Best State/ UT Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India): Andhra Pradesh
(First Prize) Rajasthan (Second Prize) Gujarat (Third Prize)
Best State/ UT Comprehensive Development of Tourism (North East, Jammu and Kashmir)
Jammu & Kashmir

Best Civic Management of a Destination Category B City Municipal Council of Mandav
(Mandu),District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh
Best Heritage City Warangal City, Andhra Pradesh
Best Airport ( Class X Cities) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
Best Airport (Rest of India) VishakhapatnamAirport, Vishakhapatnam The special National
Tourism Awards for Yann Martel, author of the book, Life of Pi, for promoting the county
(Puducherry and Munnar) through the film as well.
Tan Twan Eng Declared Winner of 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize
Tan Twan Eng on 14 March 2013 was announced as a winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary
Prize. With this, he became the first Malaysian author to win the most prestigious literary prize
of Asia.Tan Twan Eng won the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Garden of
Evening Mists.
Poetess Sugathakumari Selected For Saraswati Samman Award
On 17 March Sugathakumari, the Malayalam poetess was selected for the Saraswati Samman
2012 for the poetry collection Manalezhuthu, which means The Writing on the Sand in English.
The Saraswati Samman is constituted by K. K. Birla Foundation.
60th National Film Awards
On 18 March The prestigious 60th National Film Awards for the year 2012 were announced in
New Delhi.Irrfan has won the Best Actor award for his powerful performance in Tigmanshu
Dhulias Paan Singh Tomar and Marathi actress Usha Jadhav has won the Best Actress award
for Dhag.
The List of Award Winners :-
Best Feature Film: Paan Singh Tomar
Best Actor: Irrfan for Paan Singh Tomar and Vikram Gokhale for Anumati (Marathi)
Best Actress: Usha Jadhav for Marathi film Dhag
Best Child Artist: Virendra Pratap for Dekh Indian Circus (Hindi) and Minon for 101 Chodiyangal
(Malayalam)
Best Popular Film for wholesome entertainment: Vicky Donor (Hindi), Ustad (Malayalam)
Best Animation Film: Delhi Safari
Best Childrens Film: Dekh Indian Circus
Best Film on Social Issues: Spirit (Malayalam)

Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film On National Integration: ThanichallaNjan (Malyalam)
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: Chittagong (Hindi) and 101 Chodiyangal
(Malayalam)
Best Special Effects: Eega (Telugu)
Best Hindi Film: Filmistan Best Telugu Film: Eega
Reliance Industries Bags Refiner of the Year Award
On 23 March Reliance Industries has been awarded the prestigious International Refiner of the
Year 2013 at HART Energys 27th World Refining & Fuel Conference at San Antonio, Texas,
USA.This is the second time that RIL has received this Award for its Jamnagar Refinery, the first
being in 2005.
Indian Manish Kumar Among 28 Naturalised at White House Ceremony
Manish Kapoor from India was one among the lucky 28 to be granted the American citizenship
at the White House in the presence of the US President, Barack Obama.List of 28 service
members, who were naturalised at the White House ceremony included three from South Asia
Manish Kapoor, Nazo Raoufi from Afghanistan and Mohammed Hossain from Bangladesh.
Paris Honours Nelson Mandela
On 26 March the city of Paris made antiapartheid hero Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen, but
refused to grant an honour to Venezuelas late leftist firebrand leader Hugo Chavez.
2013 Abel Prize To Belgian Pierre Deligne
Belgian mathematician Pierre Deligne who is regarded as one of the most celebrated
mathematicians of the 20th century, has been chosen for this years prestigious Abel Prize in
Mathematics.Award is given to him for his seminal contributions to algebraic geometry and for
their transformative impact on number theory, representation theory and related fields.
Veteran Lensman Pranlal Patel Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
On 28 March The 2nd National Photo Awards- 2011-12 were conferred by the Speaker, Lok
Sabha, Ms. Meira Kumar to eminent photojournalists at a function held in Vigyan Bhavan, New
Delhi.The Life-Time Achievement Awards were given to eminent photographers Shri Pranlal
Patel, Shri T.S. Nagarajan and Shri T.N.A. Perumal.In the Professional Category, the Best
Professional Photographer of the Year 2011-12 has been given to Shri Salil Bera.

SPORTS & GAMES
Duty Free Dubai Tennis Championship-2013

Mens Singles: On 2 March Serbian Novak Djokovic won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis Mens
singles title after defeated the Czech Republican Tomas Berdych in the final at Dubai .
Womens Singles : This title was won by Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic). In final she defeated
the Sara Errani(Italy).
ATP Mexican Open 2013 Tennis Tournament Winners
Mens Singles: Rafael Nadal won ATP Mexican Open 2013 Tennis Title after he defeated the
top seed and defending champion David Ferrer on 2 March 2013 in the final. This is the 38th
clay court title of Nadal.
Womens singles : In the womens singles Italys Sara Errani won the title after defeated Carla
Suarez-Navarro (Spain) in the final.
Services Won Santosh Trophy Title
On 3 March Services team won the final of the 67th Santosh Trophy in Kochi at the Jawaharlal
Nehru Stadium by beating hosts Kerala .The Man of the Match title was clinched by Services
striker Lalian Mawia. The Services team bagged their third Santosh Trophy title
Delhi Won Vijay Hazare Trophy
On 3 March Delhi team won Vijay Hazare Trophy after defeated Assam in the final at the ACA-
VDCA stadium.
All England Open Badminton Championship Winners
Womens Singles : On 10 March Tine Baun (Denmark) won the womens singles title after
defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the All England Open Badminton Championship at
Birmingham.
Mens Singles : Chen Long won the singles title after defeating Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia at
Mens singles final.
Laureus World Sports Awards 2013
On 11 March Laureus World Sports Awards 2013 were organised in Rio de Janeiro.The
Prestigious awards were claimed by sports stars- Jessica Ennis, Usain Bolt , Andy Murray and
Sebastian Coe.
The List of the Awardees :- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year -Usain Bolt Laureus World
Sportswoman of the Year Jessica Ennis Laureus World Team of the Year European
Ryder Cup Team Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Andy Murray Laureus World
Comeback of the Year Feliz Sanchez Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Felix
Baumgartner Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Daniel Dias
Ukrainian Women Won World Chess Championship

On 13 March Womens chess team of Ukraine won the World Chess Team Championship. The
second place went to team from China, and the third to the Russian , Fifth place to India.
India Won Eight Medals in Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship
On 14 March India won a total of eight medals in the inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery
Championship at Bangkok . India won two gold, two Silver and four bronze.
Australia Won Azlan Shah Trophy
On 17 March Australia, the World Champions won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament
title for the seventh time after defeated defeated Malaysia in the final.
Kimi Raikkonen Won Australian Grand Prix
On 17 March Finlands Kimi Raikkonen won the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in
Melbourne.It was the 20th Grand Prix win for Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion.
Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Winners
Mens Singles : On 18 March Rafael Nadal of spain won the Mens singles title after defeated
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the final at California .This is Nadals third Indian Wells
ATP Masters title and first hard court title since 2010.
Womens Singles :- Maria Sharapova defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the womens final in
straight sets to win her second Indian Wells ATP Masters title.
Swiss Open Badminton 2013 Winners
Mens Singles :- On 18 March Wang Zhengming from china won the Swiss Open Badminton
Mens singles title after defeated Du Pengyu in the final at basel.
Womens Singles:- In the Womens singles Wang Shixian from china got the title after defeating
Ratchanok Inthanon (Thailand) in the final.
West Zone Won Deodhar Trophy
On 13 March Defending champion West Zone won the Prof. D.B. Deodhar Trophy for the 12th
time after defeated North Zones challenge in the final at the Nehru Stadium.
Neha Tripathi Won Sixth Leg of Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour 2013
Kolkatas Neha Tripathi won sixth leg of Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour 2013 in Panchkula on 21
March 2013. This is the third victory of Neha Tripathi in 2013 season. With this victory, Neha
Tripathi overtook Smriti Mehra in the Hero Order of Merit 2013.
Sebastian Vettel Won F1s Malaysian Grand Prix

On 24 March Three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix 2013
at the Sepang International Circuit.

ECONOMY
Nine Indian Women in Forbes Asia Power Business Women List
On 1 March ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochchar, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-
Shaw and film producer Ekta Kapoor are among the nine Indian women named in Forbes
magazines inaugural Asia Power Businesswomen list.The list also includes Britannia
Industries Managing Director Vinita Bali ; HT Media Chairman and Editorial Director Shobhana
Bhartia ; AZB & Partners Founder and Senior Partner Zia Mody ; Axis Bank CEO and Managing
Director Shikha Sharma ; and Tractors & Farm Equipment Chairman Mallika Srinivasa; Kapoor,
TV and movie producer.
Mukesh Ambani Is Richest Indian on Forbes list
As per an annual ranking published on 4 March 2013 by business magazine Forbes,Mukesh
Ambani has retained his title as Indias richest person for sixth year in a row,with networth of $
21.5 billion.In the overall rich list of worlds billionaires, Mukesh Ambani is ranked 22nd, while
the second-richest Indian Lakshmi Mittal is at 41st position with a networth of USD 16.5
billion.Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim has topped the rankings with a networth of USD 73
billion, followed by Bill Gates (USD 67 billion), Spains Amancio Ortega (USD 57 billion), Warren
Buffett (USD 53.5 billion) and Larry Ellison (USD 43 billion) in top five.
Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad Airports Among Top 5 in the World
Airports of Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad are among the top five airports in the world providing
international standard services.Airports Council International (ACI),a global body of airports, has
adjudged Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport as second best after Seouls Incheon
airport in the category of airports handling 25-40 million passengers per annum (MPPA) for their
service quality for the year 2012.Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport was
adjudged the third best in this category.Hyderabads Rajiv Gandhi International airport (RGI)
has bagged the second position for their service quality in the category of five to 15 MPPA.
Japans Nagoya airport was adjudged the best in this category. Seouls Incheon ranked first,
Singapores Changi second and Beijing was placed at the third spot.
RBI to Launch Plastic Currency Notes in 5 Cities
On 12 March The Union Government and RBI decided to introduce one billion pieces of 10
Rupees bank notes made of plastic on a field trial basis in five cities.A 10 Rupees note in
polymer/plastic on a field trial basis will be introduced first; Minister of State for Finance .The
field trail is supposed to be conducted in five cities of Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhubhaneswar and
Shimla with varied geographical locations and climatic conditions.As per the RBI, the primary
objective of introduction of polymer notes is to increase its life, it could also help in combating
counterfeiting.
Gujarat Tops in FMCG Consumption

On 12 March According to the Evolution of Indian Rural Markets During 2004-05 to 2009-10
report released by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) ,
Gujarat has garnered maximum growth in per capita food and non-food consumption
expenditure across the country between FY05 and FY10 with growth rate of about 28% and
33% respectively. Besides registering a growth of about 24.69%, Gujarat has also topped in
terms of household consumption of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) during the fiveyear
period.West Bengal has seen least growth of just about 1.6% and about 8% in per-capita food
and non-food consumption expenditure, respectively.The per capita food and non-food
consumption expenditure across India has increased at over 14% and 17%, respectively,
between FY05 and FY10.
India Top Rice Exporter in FY 2011-12
On 13 March As the export price of Indian rice was more competitive than the Thai rice, India
has displaced Thailand from the position of top exporter of rice during 2011-12, Minister of State
Commerce and Industry was informed to Rajya Sabha.In 2010-11, the rice exports stood at
24.71 lakh tonnes from 21.56 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal.Rice exports were at 74.67 lakh
tonnes during April-December 2012 against 71.75 lakh tonnes in the full fiscal year of 2011-12.
India 5th in World Billionaire Rich List
According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2013, India stands 5th among the top 10
countries with the largest number of billionaires with 122 and the number is expected double by
2022.Mumbai has secured the 7th spot in the list of top global cities with a High Net Worth
Individual HNWI population.Presently, the city has 2,105 HNWIs and is expected to touch 4,988
with a 137 per cent rise by 2022. Delhi is not too far behind Mumbai; it ranks 11th with a current
HNWI population of 1,945 which is likely to grow by 120 per cent and reach 4,278 by 2022. In
the cities that that matter to HNWIs , New York and London are the first two places in the list.
India May Become 5th Largest Manufacturing Nation
According to the Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) report titled People productivity-Key to
Indian manufacturing competitiveness, India may become the 5th largest manufacturing nation
from 9th position at present, if the country is able to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP
to 25 per cent.The National Manufacturing Policy envisages that Indias manufacturing sector
should increase its share of GDP from 15 percent at present to 25 percent by 2022, in line with
global peers.It will help India become the fifth-largest manufacturing nation.
Hindujas are Britains Richest Asians
Leading NRI businessmen Srichand Hinduja and Gopi Hinduja, Chairman and Co-Chairman of
the Hinduja Group, have emerged as the richest Asians in Britain in 2013.After playing second
fiddle for years to steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, the Londonbased Hinduja brothers have come
out top this year with net wealth assessed at 12.5 billion pounds up 3 billion pounds on the
2012 figure.
Mumbai Falls to 66th Rank Among Leading Global Financial Hubs
According to the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), Mumbai which is Indias financial
capital has slipped to 66th rank in the list of leading financial centres around the world, with New

Delhi failing to even make a mark.GFCI offers profiles,ratings and rankings for 79 financial
centres around the world positioned Mumbai at the 66th place, which is down three places from
last year when it was ranked 63rd on the much coveted list.Mumbai is the only Indian city on the
list. London topped the list, followed by New York ranking second in the list. Hong Kong and
Singapore in the third and fourth place respectively.
RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 25 Base Points
On 19 March The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5 per
cent from 7.75 percent in its midquarter review of the monetary policy. Consequently, the
reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5 per cent from the earlier 6.75 per cent
and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 8.5 per cent with immediate
effect.The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been retained at 4 per cent.

Spinning Black Hole Observed for the First Time
The Spinning black holes are first identified by Paranal Observatory astronomers in Chile.The
enormous black hole at the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 1365 is spinning about 84 percent
as fast as Einsteins general theory of relativity allows it to, researchers determined. NGC 1365,
located about 56 million light-years from Earth.
Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test-Fired
On 1 March Indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired by Indian army
from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) by an armament establishment from a base at
Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from Balasore.Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range
of 40 km.Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds ,adding that the battery of
six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km.
Large Meteorite Found in Antarctica
On 1 March the international group of researchers has discovered the18-kg meteorite in eastern
Antarctica, the largest found in that area in 25 years.
Astronomer Measured Exact Distance to Our Closest Neighbouring Galaxy
On 7 March Astronomers have for the first time accurately measured the distance to one of the
Milky Ways neighbouring galaxy and it is just 163,000 light-years away.
Japan Pioneers Gas Extraction From Seafloor Methane Hydrate
On 12 March Japan has become the first country in the world to extract natural gas from frozen
methane hydrate successfully off the central coast. According to the Japanese study, it was
estimated that around 1.1tn cubic metres of methane hydrate existed in the offshore deposits.
This is equal to the gas consumption of Japan in more than 10 years.

Worlds Largest Telescope Inaugurated in Chile
On 13 March The worlds largest radio telescope has been inaugurated in Chile on a mountain
high above the Atacama Desert, wielding unprecedented power to peer into the remotest
regions of the universe.The ceremony attended by President Sebastian Pinera and other
dignitaries.The ALMA space observatory consists of 66 antennae creating a telescope array 16
kilometres in diameter.
UAE Inaugurated Worlds Largest CSP Solar Power Plant
On 17 March United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
inaugurated the 100-megawatt solar plant Shams 1 in the desert of Abu Dhabi,the worlds
largest concentrated solar power plant in operation.Covering an area of 2.5 square km, the 600-
million-U.S. dollars project incorporates the latest in parabolic trough technology and features
more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, capable of
delivering green electricity to 20,000 homes.
India Successfully Test Fired Worlds First Underwater Supersonic Cruise Missile
On 20 March India has successfully test fired its submarine-launched version of BrahMos
supersonic cruise missile of the over 290 km-range in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of the
southern port city of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).The launch of Missile is counted as the
first test-firing of an underwater supersonic cruise missile anywhere in the world. The missile
travelled its complete range of over 290 km.
Big Bang Radiation Map Unveiled
On 21 March The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled the most detailed map yet of
relic radiation from the Big Bang,revealing new data it hopes will shed light on the creation and
expansion of our Universe.The map results suggest the universe is expanding more slowly than
scientists thought, and is 13.8 billion years old, 100 million years older than previous estimates.
India and US Agreed for Future Cooperation in Moon and Mars Missions
On 23 March India and the US agreed for cooperation on future missions to the Moon and Mars
after successful collaboration in Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission. The highly successful
Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission which was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) in October 2008 led to strong evidence of the presence of lunar water.
Crew Reaches Space Station in Less than 6 Hours
On 29 March An astronaut from the U. S.with three Russian cosmonauts took a short cut to
reach space station and saved around 45 hours of journey. The crew took only 5 hours and 45
minutes to reach the space station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.This is for the
first time that any crew has used this express route to reach space station in the minimum
possible time.Three members on this Russian Soyuz are Chris Cassidy from NASA, Alexander
Misurkin and Pavel Vinogradov from Russia.
NTPC Commissioned New Solar Power Project in Andaman & Nicobar

On March 30,NTPC Ltd has commissioned a 5-MW solar photo-voltaic power project at Port
Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.It is the first grid-connected solar photo-voltaic project in
these islands and also the first greenfield renewable solar PV project of NTPC.
New Indian Ship ASWC Kiltan Launched in Kolkata
INS Kiltan is an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy built under Project-28. It is
the third of four Kamorta class corvettes under various stages of induction with the Indian Navy.
The ship was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata and launched on
26 March.The ship takes its name from the Kiltan island, a coral island that is part of Indias
archipelagic Union Territory of Lakshadweep.The Kiltan is to be armed with a range of
indigenously developed cutting edge weapons and sensors including a medium range gun,
torpedo tube launchers, rocket launchers and a close-in weapon system.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nagaland , Tripura , Meghalaya new CMs
On 5 March Neiphiu Rio of Naga Peoples Front (NPF) party was sworn in as Chief Minister of
Nagaland for the third straight term. On 5 March Mukul Manda Sangma of Congress party
was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya for the second term. On 6 March
ManikSarkar of CPM party was sworn in as chief minister of Tripura for the fourth consecutive
time .
Panabaka Lakshmi Assumes Additional Charge of Textiles
On 5 March Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Panabaka Lakshmi
assumed additional charge as Union Minister of State for Textiles.Lakshmi was minister of state
for textiles until she was shifted to petroleum and natural gas ministry in the same rank after the
reshuffle in end October 2012.
IAEA Chief Amano Wins Second Term
The UN atomic agencys board of governors on 06 March 2013 approved giving Japanese
director general Yukiya Amano a new four-year term without even resorting to a vote.
Nicolas Maduro sworn in as Venezuelas Interim President
On 8 March Venezuelan Vice- President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in as Venezuelas acting
president, despite the Opposition resistance as it is being considered to the violation of the
countrys constitution.
New Governors For 5 States

On 9 March President Pranab Mukherjee appointed new Governors for 5 states Former CBI
Director, Ashwani Kumar appointed as Governor of Nagaland. Congress veteran SC Jamir
appointed as Governor of Odhisa . Governor of Tripura DY Patil transferred to Bihar Bihar
Governor Devanand Konwar shifted to Tripura Nikhil Kumar, who was serving as Governor of
Nagaland, has been transferred and appointed as Governor of Kerala .
Aung Suu Kyi Re-elected As Opposition NLD Leader
On 10 March Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been re-elected head of the
new executive board of the National League for Democracy at a landmark maiden party
congress.
Jorge Bergoglio Elected As 266th Pope
On 13 March Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is selected as the new leader for 120 crore
Catholics across the world.George was the Buenos Aires Archbishop and he was chosen as the
new Pope by 115 qcardinals.He changed his name as Francis- 1.He is the 266th Pope (head of
the Roman Catholic Church).Francis-1 is the first Pope from the Jesuit community. He is also
the first pope from Latin America. He is also the first pope to be selected from a non European
country in the modern history.There are five Indian also among the cardinal electors.
Xi Jinping Took Over As Chinas New President
On 14 March Xi was elected as President by 3000-strong National Peoples Congress, which
also endorsed his appointment as the Chairman of the Military Commission. Chinas parliament
formally elected Xi Jinping as president, four months after he took charge of the Communist
Party.
Khil Raj Regmi Sworn as Nepal PM
On 14 March Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal
.Khil Raj Regmi will be the head of interim government which will have its elections by 21 June
2013. This is the first time in Nepalese political history that a sitting Chief Justice is being named
as the Head of the Government.
Sundar Pichai To Take Over as Googles Android Chief
Google on 13 March 2013 , announced that Andy Rubin, who was heading the companys
Android division, is stepping down. He will be replaced by SundarPichai, an IITian, who also
heads Googles Chrome division.
Li Keqiang Appointed as Chinas new Prime Minister
On 14 March Li Keqiang was appointed prime minister at the annual session of Chinas National
Peoples Congress.Mr. Li is the latest Communist Party leader. He succeeds Wen Jiabao in a
position that entails steering the economy and government operations through the State
Council, or cabinet.
Bobby Ghosh is Time International Editor

Eminent Indian journalist Bobby Ghosh had been named the new editor of Time International.
Ghosh was appointed on 15 March 2013 as the first non-American world editor in TIMEs
history.
Indian American Appointed Vice Chairman of Illinois Innovation Council
On 18 March Indian-American politician Raja Krishnamurthy has been appointed vice chair of
the Illinois Innovation Council by the Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Krishnamurthyis currently the
president of Sivanathan Laboratories.
Mir Hazar Khan Khoso Sworn in as aretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan
On 25 March Justice Retd. Mir Hazar Khan Khoso took oath as the sixth caretaker Prime
Minister of Pakistan on 25 March 2013 in Islamabad.
Renee Ramaswamy Nominated to the National Council of the Arts
On 22 March Renee Ramaswamy, founder of the Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to the National
Council of the Arts for a fiveyear term.
Obama Appoints First Woman Secret Service Director
On 26 March President Barack Obama chose veteran agent Julia Pierson as Secret Service
director, the first woman to lead the male-dominated agency.
Ralph Waters new World Cup 2015 Chairman
Ralph Waters has been named new chairman of the local organizing committee for the 2015
World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Waters was previously the deputy chairman
of the committee and succeeds James Strong, the previous chairman.
B)RESIGNS
UP minister Raja Bhaiya Resigned
UPs food and civil supplies minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who is an
accused in the murder of a deputy superintendent of police, on 04 March 2013 met chief
minister Akhilesh Yadav and tendered his resignation.
Odisha Law Minister Raghunath Mohanty Resigned
A senior Odisha minister, Raghunath Mohanty, resigned on 16 Marchi 2013, after his daughter-
in-law accused him of torturing her for dowry.
Mukesh Ambani To Exit Board of Bank of America

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani will step down as the
board of director of Bank of America He has served on the Bank of America board since March
2011 and became a director prior to the establishment of the global advisory council.
Five Cabinet Ministers Resigned
On 20 March the 5 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party Cabinet ministers resigned from
the Union Council of Ministers, which were accepted by the Pranab Mukherjee President of
India. Pranab Mukherjee, also allocated the charge of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry to
Srikant Jena who is Minister of State in the same ministry.The five cabinet ministers are :- (i) M
K Alagiri ( Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers) (ii) S S Palanimanickam (Minister of State
(Finance) ) (iii) S. Gandhiselvan (Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare) (iv) S.
Jagathrakshakan (Minister of State for Commerce & Industry) (v) D. Napoleon (Minister of State
for Social Justice and Empowerment).
Italy Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi Resigned
Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi resigned on 26 March, over his governments decision to
return two marines to India to face trial for the murder of local fishermen while on anti-piracy
duty.
C)DEATHS
Venezuelan President Chavez Died
On 5 March Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died at Caracas .Hugo Chavez was the
President of Venezuela from 1999 till his death in 2013. He Served as the President of
Venezuela for three times.A coup attempt was made in Venezuela in April 2002 to overthrow
Hugo Chavez from his office.
Former West Bengal Governor Viren J Shah passed away in Jordan
On March 9th,the former West Bengal Governor and industrialist Viren J Shah died in Jordan.
He was also member of the Rajya Sabha twice from 1975 to 1981 and from 1990 to 1996. He
was the Governor of West Bengal from 1999 to 2004.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman Died
On 20 March Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, died at Singapore .Rahman,
was made the ceremonial head of the state in 2009 after Awami League was elected in the
landmark December, 2008, general elections.
Pietro Mennea, the Italian Athlete Died
Pietro Mennea, the Italian athletics died in Rome on 21 March 2013. Pietro Mennea was the
gold medal winner in the 200m at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Nigerian Author Chinua Achebe Died

On 22 March Renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has died at the age of 82 .One of
Africas best known authors, his 1958 debut novel Things Fall Apart, which dealt with the impact
of colonialism in Africa, has sold more than 10 million copies.
Two Time Pulitzer Winner Anthony Lewis Dies
On 25 March Anthony Lewis, who has died aged 85, was a New York Times columnist and
author who twice won a Pulitzer Prize, the highest award in American journalism.Anthony Lewis
was a prominent public intellectual, who wrote for The New York Times op-ed page and The
New York Review of Books, among other publications.
Grammy Award Winning Producer and Engineer Phil Ramone Died
On 30 March Phil Ramone, the Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer who applied his
platinum touch to recordings with Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon, has died at the age of
72.Ramone won 14 Grammy awards and worked with Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, Stevie
Wonder and Paul McCartney, Elton John and Tony Bennett.
D)VISITORS
President of India Visited Bangladesh
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee visited Bangladesh from 3 5 March .During the visit he
met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and discussed the Teesta and land
border issues.
President Mukherjee Visited Mauritius
The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, visited Mauritius from 11 to 13 March .During the
visit he attended the Mauritius 45th Independence anniversary celebrations as a Chief Guest.
He met the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Rajkeswur Purryag , Prime Minister, Dr.
Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discussed the bilateral double taxation avoidance convention.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim Visited India
Jim Yong Kim the President of World Bank, visited India from 11th to 13th March.During the visit
Jim Yong Kim met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P.Chidambaram and
discussed Indias major initiatives aimed at fostering equitable growth. This is the Kims first visit
to India after taking over as President of the World Bank Group 2012 July.
Egypts President Mohamed Morsi Visited India
Egypts President Mohamed Morsi visited India from 18 to 20 March .During the visit Morsi met
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in NewDelhi and discussed the forge closer cooperation in
economic and other fields.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited South Africa

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited South Africa from 25 to 28 March.During the visit he
attended the BRICS Summit and met Russian president Vladimir Putin and discussed about the
substantive progress being made on the other remaining phases of the joint nuclear energy
programme between India and Russia at Kudankulam. Manmohan Singh also met China new
president Xi Jinping and discussed the issue of Beijings proposal to construct three dams
across the Brahmaputra river on its side.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Salman Rushdie Named in Al-Qaidas Most-Wanted List
Indian-origin British author Salman Rushdie had been named in the most-wanted list of Islam
critics to kill released by al-Qaida in the new issue of its English online magazine. A fatwa was
issued against Rushdie by Irans late leader Ayotollah Khomeini in 1989 over passages in his
book The Satanic Verses.
Maldives Ex-President Nasheed Arrested
On March 5,Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed had been arrested, to face charges
of abuse of power during his tenure, after he failed to appear for a hearing and evaded two
arrest warrants. He is charged with illegally ordering the arrest of a senior judge, a move that led
to his fall from power in 2012.
Czech Senate Accuses President Vaclav Klaus of High Treason
On 5 March Czech President Vaclav Klaus dismissed a decision by lawmakers to press high
treason charges against him as politically motivated.The Senates actions were prompted by an
amnesty granted by President Klaus , which will free over 6,000 prison inmates and halt the
prosecution of prominent business executives and officials charged with asset stripping, bribes
and fraud.
12 Year Old Neha Ramu has IQ Higher than Albert Einstein
On 5 March Neha Ramu, 12-year-old Indianorigin girl in UK has stunned everyone after she
scored an incredible 162 on her IQ test even higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen
Hawking.The score puts the tween in the top one per cent of brightest people in the UK and
means she is more intelligent than physicist Hawking, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and scientist
Albert Einstein, who are all thought to have an IQ of 160.
Navneet Kaur Dhillon Crowned Femina Miss India 2013
On 24 March Navneet Kaur Dhillon was crowned Femina Miss India 2013 in a star studded
grand finale of the 50th edition of the beauty pageant.The first and second runners-up were
Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz respectively.

PLACES IN NEWS

Strong Earthquake in Taiwan
On 27 March a strong earthquake struck central Taiwan , killing at one person and injuring 19
as it damaged buildings on the quake-prone island.The Central Weather Bureau said the
magnitude-6.1 earthquake was felt throughout the island.The U.S. Geological Survey placed the
magnitude at 6.0.Nantou is a rural county about 250 kilometres south of Taipei.

ABBREVIATIONS
BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
AWACS - Airborne Warning And Control System
CMIE - Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy
OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
AICTE - All India Council for Technical Education
NDMA - National Disaster Management Authority
DTC - Direct Taxes Code
AAPSO - Afro-Asian PeoplesSolidarity Organization
TIEA - Tax Information and Exchange Agreement
DTAA - Double taxation Avoidance Agreement
AFSPA - Armed Forces Special Powers Act
NOIDA - New Okhla Industrial Development Authority
IAAI - International Airports Authority of India.
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation

BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President of India Released Walking With Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past

The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari released a book titled Walking with Lions: Tales
from a Diplomatic Past, written by K. Natwar Singh, the former Union Minister for External
Affairs on 1 March 2013. This was Published by Harper Collins India.
Yuvraj Singh The Test of My Life Book Released
On 19 March Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh launched his new memories Auto biography book
The Test of My Life. The Test of My Life is a book that talks about Yuvraj Singhs battle with
cancer and his love for cricket. The book was launched in Mumbai where all his fellow cricketers
came to show their support.
Taliban Shooting Victim Is Publishing A Memoir : I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai, the teenage girl shot by the Taliban for promoting girls education, is to tell
her life story in a book due out later this year.In a deal reportedly worth around $3 million. The
book will be entitled I Am Malala.

COMMITTEES
Govt Appoints Mukul Mudgal Committee To Probe Wal-Mart Lobbying Activities
On 5 March The union government has appointed a one-man Inquiry Committee, headed by
former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Mukul Mudgal, to inquire into
reports on the US lobbying activities of Wal-Mart for access to India market. The Committee has
to submit its report within three months and it is being provided administrative and functional
support by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in its probe.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
May 1 International Labour Day
May 3 World Press Freedom Day
May 3 International Energy Day
May 3 World Asthma Day
May 4 Anti Tobacco Day
May 4 World Athletics Day
May 8 World Red Cross Day
May 11 National Technology Day

May 13 National Solidarity Day
May 17 World Telecommunication Day
May 20 World Metrology Day
May 21 Anti Terrorism Day
May 24 Commonwealth Day
May 31 World No Tobacco Day
March 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank
INTERNATIONAL
1. Which two countries was reached an agreement on Prison Transfer on 23 March 2013?
Ans: US and Afghanistan
2.Which countries finance ministers had approved a new bailout plan for Cyprus,putting an end
to uncertainties over the fate of the Mediterranean island country in the euro area ?
Ans: Eurozone
3. Which country and South Africa signed a number of agreements, focusing on trade, tourism,
education and social cooperation on 27 March 2013 ?
Ans: China
4. On March 2013 South Korean and US troops launched a joint military exercise as
Ans: North Korea
5. In the month of March 2013 which country was declared an environmental state of
emergency in Amazon jungle region ?
Ans: Peru
INDIA & WORLD
1.Which country have signed agreement with India to support R&D Projects on 13 March 2013?
Ans: Britain
2. Which country has signed seven agreements with India on 19 march 2013 ?
Ans: Egypt

3. Which agreement was signed by India and 18 countries on 20 March 2013 ?
Ans: Social Security Agreements (SSAs)
4. In the month of March South Australia rolled out 10-year Plan to Enhance Trade with
Ans: India
5. Which country and India agreed to finalise the plan of bilateral exchanges between their
armed forces and decided that the exchanges would be conducted between the Armies on 22
March 2013?
Ans: China
6. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on 26 March 2013 barred players and officials of
which country from featuring in IPL matches slated to be held in Tamil Nadu?
Ans: Sri Lanka
NATIONAL
1.Who is the renowned Urdu poet commemorative postage stamp was released by President of
India, Pranab Mukherjee on 8 March 2013 ?
Ans: Sahir Ludhianvi
2. Which of the following bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on 19 March 2013 ?
Ans: National Food Security Bill
3. On 21 March 2013 the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of in the 1993 Mumbai
serial blasts case ?
Ans: Yakub Abdul Razzak Memon
4. Which bill was introduced in the Rajyasabha on 23 March 2013?
Ans: National Waterway Bill
5. Which scheme was launched by Ministry of Labour and Employment on 24 March 2013 ?
Ans: Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
6. Union government approved a 1500 crore Rupees proposal for production of more than 2000
rockets for the
Ans: Pinaka multi- barrel weapons system

7. Actor Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to 5-year prison by the Supreme Court on 21 March 2013
for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. What was his crime?
Ans: Illegal possession of arms
STATES
1. Which state Chief Minister has commissioned a biogas plant in the Government Secretariat
campus on 23 March 2013 ?
Ans:Kerala
2. Which state government to start recently monthly stipend for old writers and Litterateurs ?
Ans: West Bengal
3. Which state has became the first state to introduce e-GPF or electronic GPF in the month of
March 2013 ?
Ans: Arunachal Pradesh
4. In the month of March 2013 the Union Ministry for Commerce, Industries and Textiles
accepted Karnatakas proposal to extend Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor upto
Ans: Chitradurga
5. Recently ,which state government has unveiled the state Governments Aerospace policy , the
first such policy statement in the country ?
Ans: Karnataka
6. What is the latest head-count of rhinos in Kaziranga National Park (KNP),Assam as per the
census conducted in the park from 24 -26 March 2013?
Ans: 2,290
7. Aishwarya oil field is located in which state of India, from where Cairn India commenced
commercial oil production and sales on 23 March 2013?
Ans: Rajasthan
CONFERENCES
1. The 24th Arab League Summit was held from 21 to 26 March 2013 at
Ans: Doha (Qatar)
2. What was the name of a summit organized by Google in New Delhi on 21 March 2013?

Ans: Google Big Tent Activate Summit 2013
AWARDS & HONOURS
1. Who is the Indian women selected for US State Dept Award For Environment Awareness on
5 March 2013 ?
Ans: Dr.Shubhalaxmi Vaylure
2. Which Indian film got the 11th Golden City Gate Tourism Media Awards Ceremony held in
Berlin?
Ans: Find What You Seek
3. Who is honoured with International Women of Courage award by American Government on
08 March 2013?
Ans: (Nirbhaya)Jyothi Singh Panday
4. Who won the Best Actor award for Paan Singh Tomar and Vikram Gokhale for Anumati in
60th National Film Awards for the year 2012 ?
Ans: Irrfan
5. Which industries had been awarded by the prestigious International Refiner of the Year 2013
?
Ans: Reliance Industries
6. Which city was declared as the Best Liveable City of India at the First ABP News-IPSOS Best
City Survey and Awards 2013 on 6 March 2013?
Ans: Nagpur
7. Who was honoured with the first annual Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony?
Ans: Pandit Ravi Shankar
SPORTS & GAMES
1. Who won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis Womens singles title on 2 March 2013 ?
Ans: Petra Kvitova
2. Who won the Vijay Hazare Trophy on 3 March 2013 ?
Ans: Delhi

3. Who won the All England Open Badminton Championship Mens Singles Title on 10 March
2013 ?
Ans: Chen Long
4. Who was honoured with Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award on 11 March 2013
?
Ans: Jessica Ennis
5. Which country womens chess team was won the World Chess Team Championship on 13
March 2013 ?
Ans: Ukraine
6. Which place India got in Sultan Azlan Shah hockey Tournment ?
Ans: 5th place
7. Who won the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Mens singles title on 18 March 2013 ?
Ans: Rafael Nadal
8. Who won the sixth leg of Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour 2013 in Panchkula on 21 March 2013
?
Ans: Neha Tripathi
9. Which country won the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2013 ?
Ans: India
10. Who won the Miami womens singles title on 30 March 2013 ?
Ans: Serena Williams
ECONOMY
1. As per an annual ranking published on 4 March 2013 by business magazine Forbes, Who is
the richest Indian?
Ans: Mukesh Ambani
2. Which country has displaced Thailand from the position of top exporter of rice during 2011-12
?
Ans: India

3. What was Mumbais rank in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) released on 26 March
2013?
Ans: 66th rank
4. L&T General Insurance is to be merged with which insurance company, as announced in an
agreement on 26 March 2013?
Ans: Future Generali India Insurance
5. Indias largest bank the SBI recently announced plans to open how many branches spread all
over the country in the next fiscal year?
Ans: 1200
1. On 1 March 2013 the international group of researchers has discovered the18-kg meteorite
recently in
Ans: Eastern Antarctica
2. On 7 March 2013Astronomers have for the first time accurately measured the distance to one
of the Milky Ways neighbouring galaxy and it is just light-years away
Ans: 163,000 light-years
3. In which country the worlds largest radio telescope had been inaugurated on 13 March 2013
?
Ans: Chile
4. What is the name of the research centre of India recently announced of developing the
largest magnet of the world ?
Ans: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
5. In the month of March 2013 Herschel space observatory Founded 15 New Very Young Stars
named as
Ans: Protostars
6. In the month of March 2013 the first operational squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets
passed a major milestone with first short take off and vertical landing at a marine base in
Ans: California
7. On 26 March 2013 the 3rd antisubmarine warfare (ASW) corvette Kiltan was launched in

Ans: Kolkata
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
1. Who was sworn in as chief minister of Tripura for the fourth consecutive time on 6 March
2013 ?
Ans: ManikSarkar
2. Who is the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas was assumed additional charge
as Union Minister of State for Textiles on 5 March 2013 ?
Ans: Panabaka Lakshmi
3. Who is the present Chief of IAEA?
Ans: Yukiya Amano
4. Who took charge as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in National Thermal Power Corporation
(NTPC) on 5 March 2013 ?
Ans: MRP Rao
5. Who was serving as Governor of Nagaland, has been transferred and appointed as Governor
of Kerala on 9 March 2013 ?
Ans: Nikhil Kumar
6. Who was appointed as Chinas new Prime minister on 14 March 2013 ?
Ans: Li Keqiang
7. Who is the Eminent Indian journalist had been appointed as the new editor of Time
International on 15 March 2013 ?
Ans: Bobby Ghosh
8. Who is the Indian-American politician had been appointed as the vice chair of the Illinois
Innovation Council on 18 March 2013 ?
Ans: Raja Krishnamurthy
9. Who is the founder of the Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre in Minneapolis had been
nominated by President Barack Obama to the National Council of the Arts for a fiveyear term ?
Ans: Renee Ramaswamy

10) Who was sworn in as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25 March 2013?
Ans: Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso
B) RESIGNS
1. Who is the UP minister resigned on 4 March 2013 for his ministry due to accused in the
muder of a deputy superintendent of police?
Ans: Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya
2. Who was the Italian Foreign Minister announced his resignation on 26 March 2013 in protest
of his governments decision to send two Italian marines?
Ans: Giulio Terzi
C) DEATHS
1. Who is the President of Bangladesh was died on 20 March 2013 ?
Ans: Zillur Rahman
2. Who is the Italian athlet died in Rome on 21 March 2013 ?
Ans: Pietro Mennea
3. Who is the chairman of local organising committee of the 2015 World Cup died in the month
of March 2013 ?
Ans: James Strong
D) VISITORS
1. In which country President Pranab Mukherjee visited from 11 to 13 March 2013 ?
Ans: Mauritius
2. Who is the President of World Bank visited India from 11th to 13th March 2013 ?
Ans: Jim Yong Kim
3. Who is the chief guest from India at Mauritius national day ?
Ans: Pranab Mukherjee
E)MISCELLANEOUS
1. Who is the former President of Maldives arrested on 5 March 2013?

Ans: Mohamed Nasheed
2. Who is the Indian-origin British author had been named in al-Qaidas most wanted list of
Islam critics to kill?
Ans: Salman Rushdie
3. Who is the president of Czech president was dismissed on 5 March 2013 a decision by
lawmakers to press high treason charges against him as politically motivated ?
Ans: Vaclav Klaus
PLACES IN NEWS
1. In which country a strong earthquake killed one person and injured 19 others on 27 March
2013 ?
Ans: Taiwan
ABBREVIATIONS
1. What is the full form of OECD
Ans: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
2. What is the full form of AAPSO ?
Ans: Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization
BOOKS IN NEWS
1. What is the name of the book released by Vice President of India on 19th March 2013?
Ans: The First Woman President of India,Reinventing leadership, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh
Patil
COMMITTEES
1. Which is the committee formed by the information and broad casting ministry to strengthen
and expand the role of public broadcaster Prasar Bharathi?
Ans: Sam Pitrodaa Committee
IMPORTANT DAYS & DATES
1. World Athletics Day is observed on ?
Ans: May 4

2. Which date is World PressFreedom Day ?
Ans: May 3
April 2013 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
China, Russia, Pakistan discuss Afghanistan situation
Officials from China, Russia and Pakistan on 3 April 2013 held talks on the issue of coordination
between their positions on Afghanistan.The officials from three nations backed the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that is grouping to play a great role in Afghanistan after the
withdrawal of NATO Forces in 2014. These talks were held to enhance coordination. The talks
followed a similar meeting India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently, reflecting the
delicate balancing act and increasingly complicated regional dynamics as different
countries look to push their interests in the lead up to 2014.
Malaysia PM Dissolves Parliament
On 3 April Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has dissolved the Parliament ahead of a
general election.This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election.The elections
have to be held before June 2.The Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled Malaysia since
independence in 1957 is expected to face a stiff challenge in the polls from the opposition three-
party Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples Pact).
Tammam Salam named as Lebanon new Prime Minister
On 6 April well-known Sunni lawmaker Tammam Salam has been named Lebanons new prime
minister , after receiving overwhelming parliamentary support.His appointment comes after
previous prime minister Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-
dominated government.
China, Australia Signed Direct Currency Exchange Agreement
On 10 China and Australia have signed a currency swap agreement in a bid to promote bilateral
trade and investment.The agreement makes the Australian dollar the third major currency to
directly trade in Chinas mainland foreign exchange market, after the US dollar and the
Japanese yen.Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard discussed bilateral security issues with
Chinas President Hu Jintao.
China Pledges $548 million Aid To Cambodia
On 10 April China has pledged $548 million in aid to Cambodia for infrastructure and irrigation
systems.Agreements covering $500 million in soft loans and $48 million in grants were signed
during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen .
Nepal Peace Process Ends

On 13 April Nepals much delayed peace process with end of the decade long civil war has
finally reached conclusion.Though the peace process had started on 2006, the Special
Committee was formed in 2008 to oversee the army integration process.The last meeting of the
cross-party Special Committee decided to accept application of 47 Maoist combatants to quit
the Nepal Army training.
Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Election
Nicolas Maduro,Socilist Party member who became Hugo Chavezs protege, was declared the
winner of Venezuelas presidential election on 14 April 2013.Maduro secured 50.8% of votes
while opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski won 49.0%.Maduro got 3 lakhs votes of
majority than Henrique.
New Zealand Approved Gay-Marriage Bill
On 17 April New Zealands parliament has approved the bill to legalise same-sex marriage.New
Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. No other country in the
Asia-Pacific region allows gay marriage.Cheers and applause ring out in parliament building
after 77 of 121 members vote to allow gay couples to wed.New Zealand is now the 13th country
to legalise gay marriage.
U.S Senate Rejects Gun Control Bill
On 18 April The US Senate has rejected a strong gun control bill.US Senators supported the
measure with just 54-46 votes , falling short of the 60 votes required to pass the
amendment.The legislation was considered the best hope for gun control sought by President
Obama in the wake of the mass shooting at Newtown Elementary School last year.Among
them, a vote to ban assault weapons was rejected by 40 votes to 60, while a measure to limit
the size of gun clips received just 46 votes in its favor.
US House of Representatives Passed CISPA
On 18 April The US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber Intelligence
Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA).The aim of CISPA is to fight with the cyber threats, by enabling
the law enforcers to get access to the web data.This is the second time Cispa has been passed
by the House.Senators threw out the first draft, saying it did not do enough to protect
privacy.Senators had earlier rejected the first draft of this bill on the grounds that it wasnt
providing enough for protecting the privacy.
Napolitano Re-elected as Italys President
On 21 April Italys Parliament re-elected Giorgio Napolitano as the Italys President for second
7-year term .Giorgio Napolitano will be the first Italian president to be re-elected to serve a
second term.He got 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory.More than 1,000
national and regional lawmakers had convened to elect the next Italian president, with the
overwhelming majority of them ultimately backing Napolitano.The People of Freedom party of
former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got second place in Italy elections.He is the first
President of Italy to have been a member of the Italian Communist Party and the first to be
elected to a second term as President.Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th President of the Italian
Republic since 2006.

Horacio Cartes Elected as Paraguays new President
On 22 April Businessman Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party has been declared Paraguays
new president.The electoral board announced that Cartes had 46.1 percent of the vote and his
main rival Senator Efrain Alegre of the ruling Liberal Party 36.9 percent.The conservative
Colorados held Paraguays presidency for 60 years until leftist former Catholic bishop Fernando
Lugo was elected in 2008.
French Parliament Approved Gay Marriage Law
On 23 April France parliament approved a new law to allow gay marriage. Parliament passed
the bill by 331 votes for and 225 against.France has become the 14th country to allow gay
marriage..
UK Approved Caste Discrimination Bill
On 25 April Britain has outlawed caste discrimination, after the House of Lords voted for legal
protection to be given to the most vulnerable, mainly in the Indian and Sikh communities.The
UK now looks set to become the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination based on caste.
Cuba and Venezuela Signed 51 Cooperation Projects
On 28 April Cuba and Venezuela have signed at Havana accords for 51 joint projects worth two
billion U.S. dollars.At the close of 13th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Meeting , Cuban
President Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the deals for
projects in such areas as education, health, sports, cultur, food production, construction,
transport, communications, energy and support of social missions.Havana and Caracas agreed
to jointly invest two billion dollars to develop these projects and also signed a memorandum to
establish a bilateral medium- and long-term economic agenda.The investment also covers joint
ventures in vital and strategic economic areas in both countries.
Pakistan court bans Musharraf from contesting polls for life
A four-judge bench of the Peshawar high court headed by chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan
imposed the life ban while dismissing Musharrafs appeal challenging the rejection of his
nomination papers for May 11 general election.The lifetime ban was imposed because
Musharraf had abrogated the Constitution twice and detained judges during the 2007
emergency.

INDIA & WORLD
India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services
On 2 April India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral
air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister
of Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew in Singapore.

India, Azerbaijan ink 3 key pacts
Aimed at creating the necessary legal framework in areas of extradition, India and Azerbaijan on
04 April 2013 inked three key pacts which also included treaties for mutual legal assistance in
criminal and civil matters.Visiting Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov held a
meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde where the extradition treaty was signed.
India and Tanzania Signed Agreement To Explore Mineral Wealth
On 6 April India and Tanzania have signed an agreement for forging an alliance to explore
mineral wealth in the African nation.The agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Steel,
Beni Prasad Verma and Sospeter Muhongo, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, United
Republic of Tanzania at Der es Salaam.
India and Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement
On 10 April India and Russia signed a Regulation defining the structure, functions and
procedure of the Joint Commission at Moscow.The agreement was signed by Vladimir Puchkov,
Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of
Consequences of Natural Disasters and Sushil kumar Shinde, the Union Minister of Home
Affairs.
Two Day India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on Afghanistan ended
The two-day India-China counter-terrorism dialogue ended on 12 April 2013 in Beijing China.
The two nations discussed upon the ways to step up cooperation to counter terror in
Afghanistan as a follow up plan after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014.
India Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation
On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on
cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of
Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman.
India Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation
On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on
cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of
Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman.
Bangladesh Inks $1.6 Billion Power Deal with India
On 20 April India and Bangladesh signed its biggest-ever joint venture agreement with India
involving investment of $1.6 billion for 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be
operational in the next five years.The two countrys signed three deals under a pact to run the
plant at Rampal of Bagerhat while the two others were Power Purchase Agreement and
Implementation Agreement.A supplementary joint venture agreement floating the company was

signed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Abdual Wahab Khan and
NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury while the two others agreements
were signed by officials concerned of the two countries.
Indian origin boy won spelling championship
12 years old Indian origin boy won the very popular spelling competition beating another 30
competitors, held at Singapore. The name of the competition was R.B.H- The Straight Times
National Spelling Championship. The name of the boy is Ashwin Shiv Kumar, who won the top
place in this championship on 27 April 2013 . He is the student of 6th grade at Anglo-Chinese
school. He was awarded by 5000 Singapore Dollars, as a prize he got. He passed through 10
stages and won the competition.

NATIONAL
Prez Pranab Mukherjee clears anti-rape bill
President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to the anti-rape bill which provides for life
term and even death sentence for rape convicts besides stringent punishment for offences like
acid attacks, stalking and voyeurism.Mukherjee accorded his assent to the Criminal Law
(Amendment) Bill-2013 on 03 April 2013.This is called as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act,
2013.The law, passed by Lok Sabha on March 19 and by Rajya Sabha on March 21.
Union Government Approved Project for NOFN Creation in Gram Panchayats
On 12 April The Government of India approved the project for creation of National Optical Fibre
Network (NOFN) connecting all the 250000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through
Optical Cable (OFC). The Union Government decided to fund the project through Universal
Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
Government Approved For 13 Power Projects
On 22 April The Cabinet Committee on Investment cleared 13 power projects that involves
investment of 33000 crore rupees. The projects on which the investments will be made include
one hydro and two thermal project as well as ten transmission projects. 25 oil and gas blocks
with investment commitment of about seven billion US dollars also got approval during the same
meet. Of these 16 blocks were given conditional clearances, while nine blocks were approved
without any condition. Approval of these projects was pending due to the objections raised by
the Ministry of Defence over national security.
Mukherjee Gives Assent To Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill
On 25 April President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Sexual Harassment of
Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2013.Sexual harassment at
workplace is a violation of womens right to gender equality, life and liberty.It creates an
insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages womens participation in work,
thereby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. (ANI)

STATES
Andhra Pradesh Government launched Online Services named Parishkaram for
Entrepreneurs
Andhra Pradesh Government on 1 April 2013 launched the AP Industrial Infrastructure
Corporations online services for entrepreneurs and grievance redressal system. The platform is
proposed to be a link between the APIIC and entrepreneurs which would make the process of
application and registration of land for setting up industries a paperless one.
EC issues notification for Karnataka assembly polls
The Election Commission on April 10 issued the notification for the Karnataka Assembly
polls.The nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 18. The last day for withdrawing the
nominations is April 20. The votes polled on May 5 will be counted on May 8.
Himachal Govt To Connect All Gram Panchayats With Broadband
On 12 April Himachal Pradesh government signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with
Department of Telecommunication, Govt of India (GOI) and Bharat Broadband Network Limited
(BBNL) for providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats of the state by establishing
of an optical fiber network.
Himachal celebrates 66th anniversary
On 15 April 2013 Himachal Pradesh celebrated 66th Himachal Day.Himachal Pradesh came
into existence on 15 April 1948 with the merger of 30 princely states.During the function, the
Chief Minister announced many schemes for the state which are under development phase like
Mukhyamantri Adarsh Krishi Gaon Yojana, Skill Development Allowance. In the skill
development Allowance, the government would provide 1000 rupees per month to educated
unemployed youths and 1500 rupees to persons with disabilities of the state.
Indias first automatic toll collection system launched in Maharashtra
The countrys first interoperable RIFD(Radio Frequency Identification Device )-based electronic
toll system was rolled out on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway and the system would
allow vehicles fitted with electronic tags to sail through six toll plazas automatically.
Tamilnadu Planned Rs.7000 crore Underground Hydel Power Station
On 25 April Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced the government planned a Rs
7,000 crore underground hydel power station in Nilgiris district besides the ongoing related
schemes,which in all will cost over Rs 20,000 crore.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal
Power plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would
start generating power between March 2014.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal Power
plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would start
generating power between this year May and March 2014

CONFERENCES
PM inaugurated CII national conference
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the two-day national conference and annual
general meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on 03 March
2013.Around 1,500 industrialists from across the country will attended the meeting. The theme
for this years deliberations is India tomorrow: Imperatives of growth, security and governance.
Conference of CMs of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New Delhi
Conference of Chief Ministers of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New Delhi on 7
April.The conference presided over by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, aims to address
pressing issues related to the countrys justice delivery system thats often criticised for being
tardy.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the joint conference.Prime Minister, Dr.
Manmohan Singh has called upon the judiciary and executive to work together to make the
Indian judicial system an arrear free.
Hyderabad will host ICSE conference in 2014
The 36th International Conference on Software Engineering, ICSE2014, will be held in
Hyderabad, India from 1 June 2013 to 7 June 2013. India is home to some of the largest
software companies in the world, and Hyderabad is one of the main centers for software
development in India.This conference is going to be a premier software engineering conference
that is going to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and
discuss the most recent innovations, trends, experiences and concerns in the field of software
engineering.This is the first time conducted in India.
UNWTO Conference Held in Hyderabad
United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO) Commissions Conference on
Sustainable Tourism Development and 25th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East
Asia, Pacific and South Asia will be held at Hyderabad from 12th to 14th of this month.The
conference attended by dignitaries belonging to 29 countries spread across in East Asia &
Pacific and South Asia, eight UNWTO affiliate members, two regional organizations as well as
industry organizations. The UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai along with his team of senior
delegates presented at the meeting .The delegates discussed the market trends of the region in
the year 2012 and tourism prospects for the year 2013.The next Joint Meeting would be held in
Philippines and the 21st Session of General Assembly of UNWTO will be held in Cambodia.

AWARDS & HONOURS
National Awards for State Industries

On April 1st ,the state of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) got the National Awards
.In the Research & Development Efforts in MSMEs category includes three Awards (First,
Second and Third) for Micro and Small Enterprises and have gone to entrepreneurs from
Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana respectively.Three National Awards (First, Second and
Third) for Micro Enterprises in Outstanding Efforts in Entrepreneurship category Haryana ,
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh got first,second and third respectively.Three National Awards
(First, Second and Third) for Small Enterprises. First Award has gone to an entrepreneur from
Himachal Pradesh. Second Award has been given jointly to four entrepreneurs from Andhra
Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Third Award has been given jointly to three
entrepreneurs from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka.This awards will be presented by
the President Pranab Mukherjee.
Desmond Tutu Won Prestigious 2013 Templeton Prize
On 4 South Africas Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has won 2013 Templeton Prize for
his life-long work in promoting love and forgiveness.The prize was announced at the
foundations headquarters in West Conshohocken in Pennsylvania and is valued at $1.7-million
(about Rs.15.6-million).Last years prize was awarded to the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual
leader, the Dalai Lama.
ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2012
Chairman of the Awards Jury of the ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) and former
Chief Justice of India Shri Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah in New Delhi on 05 April 2013
presented the ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance -2012 to two
Best Governed Companies:
1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited; and
2. HCL Technologies Limited.
The Awards were presented during the ongoing 2nd CSIA International Corporate Governance
Conference.
ICSI Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2012 was presented to Shri Deepak S. Parekh,
Chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. for translating excellence in
Corporate Governance into reality.Certificates of Recognition were presented to the Top Five
Companies. These are :
1. CMC Limited
2. Engineers India Limited
3. ONGC Limited
4. Persistent Systems Ltd.
5. Powergrid Corporation of India Limited

Barfi! wins top honours at The Times of India Film Awards
Barfi movie was the top winner at the maiden edition of The Times of India Film Awards,
bagging the Best Film, Best Director (Anurag Basu), Best Actor (Ranbir Kapoor), Best Actress
(Priyanka Chopra) and Best Debut Female (Ileana DCruz) trophies. The award for the Best
Debut Male went to Ayushmann Khurrana for Vicky Donor, which also won the Best Supporting
Actor award for Annu Kapoor and the Best Supporting Actress trophy for Dolly Ahluwalia.
Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur got the Critics Choice award for Best Film. Abhishek
Bachchan, who won the Best Actor in a Comic Role award for Bol Bachchan, dedicated the
honour to his wife Aishwarya.
Pran gets Phalke Award
On 12 April 2013,Hindi film actor Pran Krishan Sikand will be conferred with the prestigious
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2012. The 93-year-old actor, popularly known as Pran, will be the
44th recipient of the top-most film award in the country.Pran, who has acted in over 400 films in
his six-decade-long career.The award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dada Saheb
Phalke, will be conferred on Pran on May 3, which will also mark the 100 years of cinema thi s
year.
New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes
The New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes on 15 April 2013, including the award for
investigative reporting for stories that detailed how Wal-Mart used bribery to expand in
Mexico.The Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was awarded the public service Pulitzer
for its reporting on off-duty police officers reckless driving.The Pulitzer in breaking news
photography went to The Associated Press for its coverage of the civil war in Syria.The
Pulitzers, journalisms highest honour, are given out each year by Columbia University on the
recommendation of a board of journalists and others. Each award carries a $10,000 prize
except for the public service award, which is a gold medal.
Raj Chetty won John Bates Clark young economist award
Delhi-born Raj Chetty, the professor in the Department of Economy at the Harvard University
won John Bates Clark medal for 2013, also called Baby Nobel.John Bates Clark medal is
conferred upon the American economist whose age is below 40 years and the one who has
made crucial contribution to economic knowledge and thought.Baby Nobel is one of the most
prestigious awards of economy. Infact, it is second only after Nobel Prize in economic
science.Raj Chetty, 33, is the first Indian-origin person to win this high honour. His areas of work
include social insurance, tax policy as well as education policy.
Telugu writer Ravuri Bharadwaja honoured with Jnanpith award
Telugu writer Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja got the countrys prestigious Jnanpith award for 2012 for
his contributions to Telugu literature over 60 years.He got this award for his novel
Pakudurallu.He is the third recipient of the countrys highest literary award from Andhra
Pradesh, after Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana in 1970 for his Srimad Ramayana
Kalpavriksham and Dr C. Narayana Reddy in 1988 for his book Viswambhara. Eighty six-year-
old Dr Bharadwaja was chosen for the award by a selection Board chaired by poet Sitakant
Mahapatra, said a statement of the Jnanpith award committee.

RGIA is Named the Best Airport in India
On 17 April The GMR Group operated and managed Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)
has been rated as the No.1 airport in India, the fifth best regional airport in Asia and also as the
eighth best airport in the 5 to 10 mppa capacity.The ratings were given at the recently
concluded Skytrax-World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Geneva.
Manmohan Singh, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Named Among Top 5 Most Influential Asians
On 17 April Congress president Sonia Gandhi (2nd Rank), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
(4th Rank) and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi (5th Rank) have been named among top 5 in
the worlds 100 most influential list of Asians topped by Chinas new President Xi Jinping.Among
the other key Indians to make the grade included Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani for
owning Indias most valuable company in ninth place, followed by President Pranab Mukherjee
at 19th place and steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal at 20th position.Indian entries dominated the
Top 100 with 39 names, followed by 15 from China and six from the Philippines.While Infosys
co-founder Narayan Murthy was named Philanthropist of the Year, industrialist Adi Godrej
bagged Entrepreneur of the Year award for his contribution to Indian industry and Ravi Ruia,
vice-chairman of the Essar Group, won in the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability
category, for his companys high sustainability ratings
NRI Kartar Lalvani Received Queens Award
On 20 April Vitabiotics, a company founded by NRI entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani, has received
the coveted Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its research on vitamins.Vitabiotics,
UKs largest supplier of minerals and vitamin supplements to the retail trade, won the award for
the development of its Pregnacare range and in recognition of its successful Pregnacare clinic
research.
Saina Nehwal Selected for Yudhvir Award
Yudhvir Foundation has selected ace badminton player Saina Nehwal for the 22nd Yudhvir
Memorial Foundation Award for the year 2013, which was being given every year to honor the
individuals who excel in some field of human endeavor. The award was established in the name
of late Yudhvir, founder editor of the Hindi Milap daily in 1991 after his demise.Saina Nehwal
was selected for the Award as she won a medal in Olympics in badminton and also the first to
win the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice keeping the countrys image
high abroad.The previous Yudhvir awardees include Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,
Classical maestro Pandit Jasraj, Space Scientist Prof. UR Rao, Amar Chitra Katha founder late
Anant Pai and eminent film maker Shyam Benegal and others.
Asha Bhosle, Mala Sinha to get Phalke Academy awards
The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards will be bestowed on singer Asha Bhosle, actress
Mala Sinha, late filmmaker Yash Chopra, and late superstar Rajesh Khanna among several
others at a ceremony in Mumbai on April 30.Asha, who has regaled music lovers with her
melodious voice in her over six decades old career, will receive the Phalke Ratna Award from
the academy, while Mala Sinha, who has acted in Pyaasa", Maryada" and Hariyali Aur
Rasta" will get the Golden Era Award.

Major Anup Joseph awarded Kirti Chakra, 12 others get Shaurya Chakra
Major Anup Joseph Manjali was on Saturday awarded the second-highest peacetime gallantry
award Kirti Chakra by President Pranab Mukherjee for killing three foreign militants in Jammu
and Kashmir. 12 defence personnel were awarded the Shaurya Charkra for their acts of bravery
including Captain A Rahul Ramesh and Naik Krishna Kumar who were given the honour
posthumously.
Seven South African Indians get National Orders
The awards(National Orders)are presented on the Freedom Day of South Africa that is
celebrated on April 27 to mark the day on which Nelson Mandela took over as the countrys first
democratically-elected President in 1994. Among the recipients of the order was veteran Indian
diplomat Enuga Sreenivasula Reddy who had led the fight against apartheid at the UN since
1963 received the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo(Silver).The second highest award
called the Order of the Baobab was presented to Lenasia-based community worker Suraya
Khan, popularly known to all as Aunty Bibi, while the same order in Silver went to journalist
and community activist Yusuf Abramjee and pioneering skin cloning plastic surgeon Dr Ridwan
Mia. Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her
internationally acclaimed research into HIV Aids.

SPORTS & GAMES
Rahi Sarnobat won a Gold medal in 25-M Pistol Event
Rahi Sarnobat clinched the first gold for India in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
World Cup in Korea on 5 April 2013. She defeated Kyeongae Kim 8-6 in 25m pistol final. She is
the first pistol shooter from India who won the Gold in World Cup.
Indian Womens Cricket Team Won the Twenty20 International Series against
Bangladesh
The Indian womens cricket team finished the Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh
Women with 3-0 clean sweep in Vadodara in the final match on 5 April 2013. India won the final
match by 10 runs against Bangladesh. The T-20 International series against Bangladesh began
on 2 April 2013.
Nanjappa wins bronze in mens 10m air pistol at World Cup
Indias Prakash Nanjappa won a bronze medal in the mens 10m air pistol event at the ISSF
World Cup at Changwon, Korea on 06 April 2013.This is Nanjappas first ever medal in an ISSF
competition. He had also finished eighth at the mens 50 metre pistol final. He scored 180.2
points.The gold was won by Vietnams Xuan Vinh Hoang, the 2012 Asian champion, with a total
score of 200.8 points while the silver went to Chinas Wang Zhiwei, the 2012 Olympic bronze
medallist, who shot 200.1.
Narayanan Srinath Won Asian Junior Chess Title

On 6 April Indias International Master Narayanan Srinath won Asian Junior chess title that
concluded at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.Sahaj Grover of Delhi was second, as he also
remained undefeated just like Srinath.Top seed Grandmaster Salem Saleh of UAE finished third
losing to Srinath and to a Vietnamese.Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vietnam) won the Asian Junior girls
blitz championship title.
Rupesh Shah Won ONGC 12th Asian Billiards championship
On April 7 the world champion Rupesh Shah won the 12th Asian Billiards championship at
Indore Tennis Club,Indore.He defeated Alok Kumar .It is is the 10th Asian Billiards title for
Rupesh Shah.Rupesh Shah already qualified for 2013 World Championship as the defending
champion.
Serena Williams Won Family Circle Cup Tennis Title
On 7 April The top-ranked Serena Williams (USA) won the Family Circle Cup Tennis title after
defeated Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) in the final at Charleston (South Carolina).Williams
successfully defended her title by claiming her third overall Charleston crown.She earned her
49th career singles title.
India got Silver in World Youth Weightlifting Championships 2013
Jamjang Deru gave India the first medal in the World Youth Weightlifting Championships as he
won a silver in the 50kg boys category at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Deru won the silver in clean
and jerk with an effort of 110 kg and finished fourth in the total lift with 195kg. He lifted 85kg in
snatch.In the same category, Deepak Lather finished 12th in total lift with an effort of 174kg
(80+94).
India Women Complete Clean Sweep Over Bangladesh
India Women completed a 3-0 One-Day International series clean sweep over Bangladesh
Women with a 58-run victory in the final match in Ahmedabad.India batted first in the third
match and posted 154.
Pakistan bans two umpires over spot-fixing
Pakistan cricket authorities on 13 April 2013 banned two umpires.The allegations against the
umpires first came up after a television sting operation last year. The PCB set up an inquiry
committee led by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf soon after and passed on its findings to the
boards integrity committee to determine the punishments.Nadeem Ghauri, the Pakistan umpire,
has been handed a four-year ban by the PCB after its integrity committee found him guilty of
being willing to accept money for favourable umpiring decisions. His colleague Anis Siddiqi was
banned for three years.
Ferraris Fernando Alonso wins Chinese Grand Prix 2013
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso won the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix on 14 April
2013.Lotus Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes Lewis Hamilton got second and third positions

respectively.Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel got a 4th position.But Force Indias Paul di Resta got
8th Position.
Adam Scott Won Augusta Masters Golf Tournament
Australias Adam Scott won the 77th Masters (2013 Masters Tournament), become the first
Australian golfer to capture the green jacket.It was Scotts first major championship and the first
time an Australian has won the Masters.
Chandigarh win Hockey India sub-junior mens national championship
Chandigarh defeated Punjab 2-1 to lift the 3rd Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National
Championship (North Zone) title at Sonepat on 15 April 2013.Meanwhile, Haryana won the 3rd
Hockey India Sub-Junior Womens National Championship (North Zone) after getting the better
of Chandigarh, 3-1 in the final.
Amit won gold, three other Indians bag a bronze each
Amit Kumar clinched a gold medal in men`s 55kg category while three other grapplers bagged a
bronze medal each for India in the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi on 20
April 2013.In the women`s category, Vinesh (51kg) and Babita Kumari (55kg) won their bronze
medal bouts while Bajrang (men`s 60kg) pocketed a bronze, to end the day three of the
championships on a high after two medal-less days.
Sebastian Vettel Won Bahrain Grand Prix Title
On 21 April The Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel from Germany won the Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 by
defeating Lotus drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Kimi Raikkonen got second
postion.Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes took fifth position and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was
successful in grabbing the eighth position in the listings
Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title
On 21 April World Number One Novak Djokovic won his first Monte Carlo Masters title.Djokovic
defeated Spains Rafael Nadal in the final.The Serbian inflicted Nadals first defeat in Monte
Carlo in 47 matches and avenged last years final defeat to lift his first Masters title.
Amit Kumar Dhankar won Gold
Amit Kumar Dhankar won Indias second gold medal of the championships in Mens 66kg
Freestyle at KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi on 22 April 2013. India topped the medals tally in
Freestyle division with 2 gold and 2 bronze medals.India finished top of the Mens freestyle
rankings with 2 golds and 2 bronze medals. India got 48 points to br crowned champion for the
first time in the history of the Asian Wrestling Championships.India finished with nine medals 2
gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze.
Chris Gayle Hits Crickets Fastest-ever Century in IPL Match

On 23 April Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, hit the fastest ever century in the history of
cricket by reaching 100 in merely 30 balls during Royal Challengers Bangalore-Pune Warriors
IPL match.Gayle scored a total run of 175 runs in merely 66 balls, which included 17 sixes and
13 boundaries. It is important to note that this is the most number of runs scored in any T20
innings. This was also his fourth century in the IPL career.
Lancashires Jordan Clark hits 6 sixes in 1 over
Lancashire all-rounder Jordan Clark had become only the fifth professional player to hit six sixes
in one over, achieving the feat in a second XI match against Yorkshire on 25 April 2013.
Clark joins an illustrious list that contains former West Indies all-rounder Garfield Sobers (1968),
Indias Ravi Shastri (1985), South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and India all-rounder Yuvraj
Singh (both 2007).
Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala
Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala on 25 April 2013.
Men: 4x100M relay: Andhra Pradesh (K Pavan Kumar, E Gopi, Md Baba, M Manikanand Raj)
41.06 seconds, 1; Tamil Nadu A (Silambarasan, Al Ameen, Vijayakumar, Balamurugan) 41.10,
2; Kerala A (Anuroop John, Jeris Jose, Rahul G Pillai, Renjith KG) 41.39, 3.
Women: 4x100M relay: Chhattisgarh (Niksy Joseph, Shilpa, Priya PK, Sini S) 47.40 seconds, 1;
ONGC A (Mounika Gaddam, Meghna Shetty, Purnima Hembram, Duteechand) 47.78, 2;
Kerala A (Merlin K Joseph, Neethu Mathew, Neethu Rajan, Rengitha C) 48.24, 3.
Dhoni fined for slow over rate
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fined $20,000 for his teams slow
over rate in their 14-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a Indian Premier League (IPL)
encounter in Chennai on 28 April 2013.
India Open Super Series Badminton Tournament Winners
Mens Singles:-On 28 April World number one Lee Chong (Malaysia) won the mens singles title
at India Open Super Series badminton tournament at NewDelhi.In the final Lee Chong defeated
Kenichi Tago of Japan and got the title.
Womens Singles:-Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand won the women`s singles title after defeated
Juliane Schenk of Germany in the final .
Rafael Nadal Won Barcelona Open Tennis Title
On 28 April Rafael Nadal from Spain won the Barcelona Open Tennis title for the eighth time.In
the final at Barcelona ,Nadal defeated Nicolas Almagro from Spain.It was Nadals 54th career
title and fourth this year
Maria Sharapova Won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title

On 28 April Maria Sharapova from Russia won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title.She defeated
Chinas Li Na in the final at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.It was her 16th consecutive
clay court title.

ECONOMY
India Joins The Madrid Protocol System
On 8 April India joined the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property
Organisation (WIPO) by depositing the instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol.India is
the 90th member to join the international trademark system.India is the 90th member to join the
international trademark system and the treaty will enter into force with respect to India on 8 July
2013.The Madrid Protocol system provides for the international registration of trade marks by
way of one application that can cover more than one country. The opportunity of having a single
registration to cover a wide range of countries gives advantages, both in terms of portfolio
management and cost savings, as opposed to a portfolio of independent national registrations.
Yamaha to Develop Cheapest Bike of the World in India
Yamaha, the Japanese two-wheeler company on 9 April 2013 announced that it will soon roll
out the cheapest motorcycle of the world in India. The price of this bike would be around 500 US
dollar or 27000 Rupees approximately.
WTO cuts 2013 global trade growth forecast to 3.3%
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 10 April 2013 cut its forecast for global trade growth in
2013 to 3.3 percent, from the previous prediction of 4.5 percent.
Gujarat Tops in Attracting Private Investment
According to the Composition of Outstanding Private Investments Across States report
released by Assocham ,Gujarat has ranked on top for attracting investment across the country
cornering about 14 per cent of total outstanding private sector investment worth over Rs 75
lakh crore as of December 2012.Odisha ranks second with private investment commitments
worth over Rs 8 lakh crore.With a share of about 9.4 per cent and 9.3 per cent, Andhra Pradesh
and Maharashtra both have attracted private investments worth over Rs 7 lakh crore
respectively.The private sector accounts for over 62 per cent of total outstanding investments
worth about Rs 122 lakh crore attracted by India as of December 2012.Of the total investments
from private sources worth over Rs 75 lakh crore, the domestic private sector accounts for a
majority share of about 58 per cent.Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and
Assam account for a share of less than even one per cent in the total private investment
commitments attracted by India.
IMF slashed Economic Growth Rate of India to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent for 2013

IMF(International Monetary Fund) in its latest release on 16 April 2013 of the World Economic
Outlook (WEO) slashed the growth projection of India from its earlier prediction of 5.9 percent to
5.7 percent for the calendar year 2013.
Ambani Brothers 20th Richest in World
Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Indias leading industrialist brothers, have been together listed as
20th richest in the world in the Sunday Times Rich List 2013.The Walton family of the US, who
own Supermarkets (Walmart), are the richest in the world with a 90 billion pounds fortune in
2013 as against 51 billion pounds last year.The Hinduja brothers, Srichand and Gopichand
Hinduja, Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Hinduja Group, are 47th richest in the
world with a fortune worth 11 billion pounds in 2013 as against 9 billion pounds last year.
Spain Unemployment Rate Hits New Record
On 24 April According to the National Statistics Institute data ,Spains unemployment rate
soared to a new record of 27.2% of the workforce in the first quarter of 2013.The total number of
unemployed people in Spain has now passed the six million figure, although the rate of the
increase has slowed.The jobless rate, which stood at 7.9% in mid-2007, has risen relentlessly
since the collapse in 2008 of a Spains labour-intensive property boom.
India became the worlds eighth most powerful nation
According to Delhi-based Foundation for National Security Research (FSNR), the worlds 10
most powerful countries, India had been ranked 8th. India is ranked eighth in 27 countries.
Professor Satish Kumar says that we study about the selection of powerful countries on several
grounds. Some of these countries had to fulfill the necessary criteria. For instance, were the
countries, whose population was more than 5 million. The level of GDP was over U.S. $ 500
billion. India is one of such countries.Study states that the United States is the worlds most
powerful country and China stood in 2nd position.
Indias GDP likely to improve to 5.7% in 2013: IMF
According to International Monetary Funds(IMF) Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific
report ,the GDP of India in 2013 is 5.7% and in 2014 it is 6.2%.

Cicadas Insect Wings Kills Bacteria
Human eye cells have been grown on cicadas wings after it was found that the wings surface
kills bacteria and boosts cell growth.Dr Greg Watson, a researcher at James Cook University in
Cairns, began looking more closely at cicadas after noticing, while out on a walk more than a
decade ago, that their wings took much longer to decompose than their bodies.It is the first time
scientists have found that tiny features found on a natural surface, rather than chemicals, kill
bacteria.

Supreme Court of India Rejected Novartis Patent Plea for Cancer Drug Called Glivec
The Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2013 rejected the plea of Novartis, the Swiss drug maker,
to patent the updated version of cancer drug called Glivec. A bench of justices Aftab Alam and
Ranjana Prakash Desai dismissed the patent plea to Novartis on the basis that there was no
inventiveness or novelty in the new version of the drug. In its ruling, the Supreme Court of India
declared that because the application for patent on beta-crystalline salt did not meet any
inventiveness or novelty standard, therefore the companys plea for patent was dismissed.
Worlds first solar plane to fly across US
A first of its kind ultra-lightweight plane powered completely by the sun is set to fly coast-to-
coast this spring.The Solar Impulse plane will stop in Dallas city in Texas during its historic
cross-country journey that begins on May 1.The plane, which requires zero fuel and relies solely
on solar panels and battery power, would be the worlds first plane powered purely by solar
energy.
Obama Announced $100 Million Brain Initiative Project
On 2 April US President Barack Obama has announced the BRAIN Initiative a $100 million
brain-mapping project.The BRAIN initiative will attempt to find ways to treat Alzheimers disease
and strokes while also aiding in job growth.
Carbon aerogel worlds lightest material
Chinese scientists have developed the worlds lightest substance carbon aerogel with a
density only one sixth of that of the air.Scientists at Zhejiang University produced the solid
material which has a density of only 0.16 mg/cubic centimetre, breaking the previous record of
the worlds lightest material held by graphite aerogel.The graphite aerogel was developed by
German scientists last year with a density of 0.18 mg/cubic centimetre.
Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Detected Evidence of Dark Matter
On 3 April NASA scientists announced the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) placed on the
International Space Station (ISS) may have detected the elusive dark matter. The scientists
made the announcement after they observed an excess of positrons in the Cosmic Ray Flux,
which can be the reason of the presence of elusive dark matter.
100 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy
Scientists have proposed a new method for finding Earth-like planets in our Milky Way galaxy
and they anticipate that their number may be up to a whopping 100 billion.The strategy devised
by researchers at The University of Auckland uses a technique called gravitational microlensing,
currently used by a Japan-New Zealand collaboration called MOA (Microlensing Observations in
Astrophysics) at New Zealands Mt John Observatory.
German Shipyard Launches Worlds Largest Private Yacht

On 5 April A German shipyard has launched Azzam" , the worlds largest private yacht at 590-
feet long, which also happens to be among the fastest vessels, costing a whopping USD 609
million.The luxury private vessel Azzam with a beam 68-feet high overshadows previous
longest superyacht, The Eclipse, by 57-feet. Designed by Nauta Yachts in Italy and constructed
by German company Lurssen Yachts, Azzam is almost two football fields long and rivals the
size of some cruise ships.It took four years to complete the superyacht from concept to
construction.With 94,000 horsepower generated from two gas turbines and two diesel engines,
the Azzam can reach speeds of over 55.5kph, which makes it one of the fastest yachts in the
world.
New Camera System That Can Captured Images From 1 km Away
In the month of April the team of researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh ,
developed a New Laser powered Camera System that can take image of any object from a
distance of about one kilometer by creating high-resolution 3D images.The technique on which
the camera is based is called Time-of-Flight (ToF) navigation systems for autonomous
vehicles. In this principle of photography, to capture the image of the far away object, a laser
beam is bounced on the object and measure the time that is taken by the beam of light to be
back to the detector.
India test-fires nuclear capable Agni-II missile
The medium-range, nuclear capable Agni-II missile was successfully test-fired with a strike
range of more than 2,000 kms from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast on 07 April 2013.The
trial of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted from a mobile launcher from the Launch
Complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR).The 20-metre-long Agni-II is a two-stage, solid-
propelled ballistic missile. It has a launch weight of 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1,000
kgs over a distance of 2,000 kms.The state-of-the-art Agni-II missile was developed by
Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in
Hyderabad.Agni-II is part of the Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO which includes
Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV with 4,000 km range and
Agni-V with a more than 5,000 km range.
NASA Approved TESS Project
NASA has approved a The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a $200 million mission
to search for Earth-size planets orbiting the nearby stars.Led by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology with seed funding from Google, TESS was one of 11 proposals selected for NASA
funding in September 2011, down from the original 22 submitted in February of that year.TESS,
along with the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER), had been selected for
launch in 2017.
The project will come into full swing within the next four years.
Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Hatf-IV Missile
Pakistan successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Hatf-IV ballistic missile on 10 April 2013.
The missile has a range of 900 km and it can also hit targets in India. Hatf - IV ballistic missile is
also called Shaheen-1.

Indian Astronomer Discovered Blue Super-Giant Star
An Indian scientist Dr. duo Ananda Hota and his Taiwanese colleague Dr. Youichi Ohyama
have discovered a blue super-giant star located in the constellation Virgo, far beyond our Milky
Way Galaxy. Over 55 million years ago, the star emerged in an extremely wild environment,
surrounded by intensely hot plasma (a million degrees centigrade) and amidst raging cyclone
winds blowing at four million kilometres per hour.This star is in small IC 3418 Milky Way Galaxy
and it is about 5.5 billion light-years away from Earth.
Astronomers find most Earth-like planets yet
NASA scientists announced on 19 April 2013 that they discovered two earths like plants which
are 1200 light years far from earth. NASA discovered the five plants which are rotating around
Kepler 62 star using the Kepler Space Telescope. Two of the five planets orbiting a sun-like
star called Kepler-62 are squarely in what astronomers call the habitable zone not too hot,
not too cold and possibly bearing water. These two plants are named as a Kepler-63e and
Kepler 62f.
China Tested Self Developed Biofuel Flight
On 24 April China successfully conducted a first test flight powered by self-developed biofuel
made mainly from palm oil and recycled cooking oil.An Airbus A320 operated by China Eastern
Airlines landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport ,after completing an 85-minute
journey using aviation biofuel produced by Sinopec, the countrys top oil refiner.The success
made China the fourth country after the United States, France and Finland to boast independent
production of bio-jet-fuel.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jonty Rhodes named South African tourism ambassador in India
Former cricketer Jonty Rhodes was named as the brand ambassador of South African Tourism
in India.
Chitra Ramkrishna Took Over as NSE chief
On 1 April Chitra Ramkrishna took over as National Stock Exchange (NSE) new Managing
Director and CEO .As MD and CEO of the NSE, Ramkrishna succeeds Ravi Narain who would
assume the role of non-executive Vice Chairman .She is the first female head of the National
Stock Exchange (NSE) in its nearly 20-year history of operations as a bourse.
Rakesh Bhatia is Catholic Syrian Banks new MD & CEO

Rakesh Bhatia had taken over as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
Catholic Syrian Bank.He was previously the Global Head of HSBCs Trade and Receivables
Finance Division.
2 Indians selected for Yale fellowship programme
Abhik Sen, Managing Editor, The Economist Group, and Prodyut Bora, State General Secretary
of BJP in Assam, have been selected as the two Indian representatives for 2013 Yale World
Fellows Program.About 16 people have been selected for the programme.Since 2002, the
university has welcomed a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of
fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership
training.With the selection of Sen and Bora, the total number of Indian fellows stands at 13.
Infosys S Gopalakrishnan is the new CII President
S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), co-founder and executive co-chairman, Infosys Technologies Limited,
had been elected as the President of CII for the year 2013-14. He succeeds Mr Adi Godrej as
the new President.
S.C. Sinha Appointed as NHRC Member
On 5 April National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief S.C. Sinha has been appointed as a
member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) .S C Sinha, a 1975 batch Haryana
cadre officer.He will now get a five year term at NHRC.
Krishna Kumar Natrajan appointed as the New Chief of NASSCOM
Krishnakumar Natarajan, CEO and Director of Mindtree on 8 April 2013 was appointed as the
Chairman of Nasscom for the year 2013-14. He succeeded N Chandrasekaran, MD and CEO of
TCS, who was the Chairman for the year 2012-13.
First Woman director for IICT
On April 8,Dr. Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam, had been appointed as Director of the Indian
Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), the first woman scientist to head any of the 37
laboratories belonging to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country.
Kenyatta sworn in as Kenyas president
Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as Kenyas fourth president on 09 April 2013, becoming the
second sitting president in the world to be indicted for crimes against humanity and creating a
challenge for western governments keen to sustain links with a strategic east African ally.
PJ Kurien elected Chairman of Asian forum of Parliamentarians
On April 11 Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien was unanimously elected as the
Chairman of the prestigious Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development
(AFPPD) during the during the 73rd Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD at Bangkok. He
replaced Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan as the Chairman of AFPPD. PJ Kurien

at present is also the Chairman of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and
Development.
Five new judges sworn-in
Five new judges to the Andhra Pradesh High Court were sworn-in by acting Chief Justice N.V.
Ramana in Hyderabad on 12 April 2013.The new judges who were administered the oath of
office and secrecy are: Challa Kodanda Ram, A. Rajasekhar Reddy, P. Naveen Rao, A.V.
Sesha Sai and S.V. Bhatt.
Two Judges Sworn in Supreme Court
On 12 April with two more judges sworn in the strength of the Supreme Court has risen to
30.Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde were administered the oath of
office and secrecy by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir.While Justice Sikri was the Chief
Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Bobde was the Chief Justice of Madhya
Pradesh High Court. The sanctioned strength of the apex court is 31 judges including the CJI.
Sunil Kumar Takes over as Managing Director of CRIS
On 16 April 2013,Sunil Kumar took over as the Managing Director of Centre for Railway
Information Systems (CRIS).
Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji appointed as the Permanent Representative of India to the UN
On April 17,Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji, took charges as the Ambassador/Permanent
Representative of India to the United Nations at New York.
CRPF gets first woman Special DG
On April 18, Senior IPS officer Aruna Bahuguna appointed as the Special Director General of
the countrys largest paramilitary force CRPF. This is the first time a woman officer is occupying
the second top post in the hierarchy of the force. She is a 1979-batch IPS officer. She was till
now serving as the Chairman of the AP police housing corporation. Bahuguna is expected to
take charge at the force headquarters in New Delhi within 15 days.
Abdul Hamid elected Bangladesh President uncontested
Abdul Hamid is to be Bangladeshs 20th president after no other candidate was nominated in
the poll to replace President Zilliur Rahman who died on 20 March 2013. Abdul Hamid was
elected uncontested as the 20th President of Bangladesh.
Sunil Bharti Mittal Appointed as Vice Chairman of ICC
On 22 April Sunil Bharti Mittal , the Chairman and Group CEO of Bharti Enterprises appointed
as the Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),which is one of the
worlds oldest global business organisations.With the appointment as the Vice Chairman of ICC,
Mittal became the third business person from India in the history of ICC to be appointed on the
ICC Executive Board.

Ajay Devgn, Runa Laila named SAARC ambassadors for HIV/AIDS
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila and Oscar-winning Pakistani
filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have been named as SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors for
HIV/AIDS.A meeting of the selection committee was held recently at the SAARC Secretariat
and of the 10 nominations received from the member states, the three celebrities were
nominated.
Takehiko Nakao is new ADB President
On 27 April Takehiko Nakao has been unanimously elected president of the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) by the Board of Governors at New Delhi.He succeeds Haruhiko Kuroda, who
resigned in March to take up his assignment as Bank of Japan governor.Nakao assumed office
as ADBs ninth president on 28 April.
Gulzars appointment as chancellor elates Assam University
Lyricist-writer and Padma Bhushan awardee, Gulzar has been appointed the new chancellor of
Assam University.Established in 1994, the Assam University campus is situated in Dargakona,
about 20 km from Silchar.
B)RESIGNS
Kerala minister resigned following domestic violence complaint by wife
Kerala Forest minister K.B.Ganesh Kumar resigned his post on 02 April 2013 due to domestic
violence complaint by wife in the local police station.He is only one Congress person in the
Congress- UPF Coalition Alliance government in Kerala.
Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris Resigns
On 3 April Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris has resigned citing his role as chairman of
Laiki Bank, whose failure was a major contributor to the islands near financial meltdown, as one
of the reasons behind his decision.
UP Goverment suspends cabinet minister Raja Ram Pandey
The Uttar Pradesh government on 13 April 2013 removed cabinet minister of Khadi and
Gramudyog, Raja Ram Pandey for making sexist comments.Pandey had promised to build
roads as smooth as Hema Malinis and Madhuri Dixits cheeks besides giving the states roads
a facial while addressing a function in Pratapgarh on 12 April 2013.UP CM Akhilesh Yadav,
who is now in charge of 63 ministries, has taken charge of Pandeys ministry.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Resigned
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned on 13 April 2013 after falling out with
president Mahmud Abbas. Salam Fayyad was tasked with the role of caretaker for the current
government until a new prime minister is appointed.

Supreme Court bids farewell to Justice Aftab Alam
On April 19,the Supreme Court bid farewell to Justice Aftab Alam marking the end of his five
and a half year tenure at the Supreme Court. Justice Alam enrolled as an Advocate on March
27, 1973. He practised in the Patna High Court and was designated as Senior Advocate by the
Patna High Court on February 1, 1984. He was appointed as Judge of the Patna High Court on
July 27, 1990 and was later transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, where he was
appointed as the Acting Chief Justice on June 06, 2007. He assumed office as Supreme Court
judge on November 12, 2007.
C)DEATHS
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Oscar winner and novelist, died
Oscar, the Booker Prize winner novelist and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, author of Heat
and Dust and many other books set in India, died on 03 April 2013.Jhabvala also worked on
several movie adaptations with filmmakers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, winning two
Academy Awards for her screenplays for 1985 movie A Room With a View and Howards End
in 1992.Jhabvala was born in Germany but emigrated with her family to Britain during the Nazi
regime. She later married an Indian architect and moved to India, where she began to write
about her life there.Jhabvala collaborated with Merchant and Ivory on more than 20 movies
including The Remains of the Day and Mr. And Mrs. Bridge.
Bratindra Nath Mukherjee passes away
A Padmashri winner, Professor Bratindra Nath Mukherjee, renowned historian and an expert in
epigraphy who deciphered several ancient scripts, died in Kolkata on 04 April 2013.
Britains First Female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Died
Margaret Thatcher, Britains first and still only female prime minister has died on 8 April at
London.Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Britain from 1979 to 1990 from Conservative party
of Britain and was the first lady to hold the post of Prime Minister.She was the longest-serving
British Prime Minister of the 20th century and is the only woman to have held the office. A
Soviet journalist called her the Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her
uncompromising politics and leadership style. This first volume of Margaret Thatchers memoirs
book(1993), which encompasses the entirety of her career as Prime Minister.
Test-tube baby pioneer dies
British scientist Robert Edwards, 87, who won the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in in vitro
fertilisation, leading to the birth of the first test- tube baby, died in London on 10 April 2013.He
born in Yarkfire in North England on 27 September 1925.Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe
both proceeded to achieve in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), resulting in the birth of Louise Brown, the
first test-tube baby, on 25 July 1978..
Polio Vaccine Developer Koprowski Died

On 11 April Dr Hilary Koprowski , a Polish researcher who developed the first successful oral
vaccination for polio died in Philadelphia. He was 96 years of age.He was a Polish virologist
and immunologist and was known for developing the first effective polio vaccine. In 2006, he
was conferred with the record 50th grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Justice Chinnappa Reddy dead
Justice O Chinnappa Reddy, one of the highly respected members of the Indian judiciary, died
at his jubilee hills residence in Hyderabad on 13 April 2013. He was born at Gooty in Anantapur
district on September 25, 1922.Justice Reddy was appointed as judge of the Supreme Court
from January 17, 1978 and continued in the post for about 10 years.He retired on 24 September
1987.After his retirement he became chairman of the Karnataka BC commission.
Playback singer PB Srinivas passes away
Veteran playback singer PB Srinivas who rendered more than 3,000 songs in eight languages
died in Chennai on 14 April 2013.He debuted as a singer with Hindi film Mr. Sampath in 1952.
His last song was from the 2010 Tamil film Aayirathil Oruvan.
Ex-CEC, governor VS Rama Devi dead
Former Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Ramadevi, the only woman to head the
Election Commission, died in Bangalore on 17 April 2013.Born on March 15, 1934, Ramadevi
was the Chief Election Commissioner of India from November 26, 1990 to December 11, 1990.
She was the only woman who became the CEC. She was succeeded by T N Seshan.She had
served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh from July 26, 1997 to December 1, 1999 and as
the Governor of Karnataka from December 2, 1999 to May 20, 2002.
Dina Thanthi MD Sivanthi Adithan dead
Veteran journalist and managing director of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi B Sivanthi Adithan died in
Chennai on 19 April 2013.He was also head of the Indian Olympic Association before Suresh
Kalmadi took over and is the former vice president of Olympic Council of Asia. At the time of his
death, Sivanthi Adithan was the life president of IOC and president of the Volleyball Federation
of India.Sivanthi Adithan was honoured with Padmashree in 2008.
Mathematical Genius Shakuntala Devi Died
On 21 April The human computer mental calculator, mathematics whizard Shakuntala Devi
died at Bangalore.Her name was recorded in Guinness Book of World Records for her ability of
making calculations at lightning-speed.In the year 1977, she calculated the 23rd root of digit
number 201 in just 50 seconds.Some of her books were Puzzles to Puzzle You, Mathablit,
Astrology for You, Fun with Numbers and Awaken the Genius in Your Child.
Former England Captain Mike Denness Died
On 19 April Michael Henry Denness, popularly known as Mike Denness, the former England
captain died in London.Mike Denness played county cricket for Essex and Kent. He scored over
25000 runs in the first-class career.He was the captain of Kent to six domestic trophies between

1972 and 1976.He was among first few inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.He was
also named as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1975.
Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma dead
Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma, who headed the government-appointed committee to
frame a tough law to tackle crime against women in the wake of the December Delhi gangrape
incident, died in Gurgaon on 22April 2013.Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India
and served from March 25, 1997 until his retirement on January 18, 1998.He began his legal
career in 1955 and became a Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June-1973. He became
Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June,1986 and also served as Chief Justice of
Rajasthan High Court from September, 1986 to mid-1989.Justice Verma was also a former
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission.He was also the first Chairperson of News
Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Veteran violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman died
Celebrated violinist and composer Lalgudi Jayaraman, who carved out a niche for himself in the
Carnatic music with his unique style, died in Chennai on 22 April 2013. Jayaraman, who began
his music career at the age of 12 as an accompanying artist, later achieved fame as a solo
violinist and also had success as a composer in four languages Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and
Sanskrit.Considering his contribution to the field of music, he was conferred with several awards
including Padma Shri in 1972 and Padma Bhushan in 2001.He was also feted with state
Vidhwan of Tamil Nadu and also fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Legendary Singer Shamshad Begum Died
On 23 April Legendary singer Shamshad Begum died in Mumbai . She was 94 years of age.
She was one of the first few playback singers of the Hindi film industry. She was conferred with
the O P Nayyar award for contribution to Hindi film music, in the year 2009.In 2009 again, she
was conferred with the third-highest civilian honour of India, Padma Bhushan.
Sripathi Rajeswara Rao dead
Former Telugu Desam Minister Sripathi Rajeswara Rao who founded the All India NTR Fans
Association several decades ago, died of kidney ailment at NIMS in Hydearabad on 28 April
2013.
Sailendra Nath Roy died In Zip-Line Ponytail Stunt
Sailendra Nath Roy, a 49-year-old police officer, was attempting to cross the River Teesta in the
state of West Bengal on 28 April 2013 on a 180m (594ft) wire above the water.After attaching
his shoulder-length hair to a pulley on the wire, Mr Roy had completed around half the distance
but then became entangled and found himself unable to move.After sometime he dead. Mr Roy
achieved the Guinness World Record after covering 82.5m (271ft) on a zip-line while attached
by his hair in 2011 at the Neemrana Fort, a heritage hotel in the desert state of Rajasthan.
Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad Passes away

On 29 April 2013 the Scientist, Padma Shri award recipient died in Hyderabad.He got Padma
shri award in 1959 for his Contribution in field of Indias Atomic reactor.The Petrotech 2003
Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Padmashri Dr. Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad for his
contribution to Indias Upstream Petroleum Industry.He is also worked as a Chairman of ONGC.
D)VISITORS
Indian PM schedules UAE visit in August
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pay a stand Alone visit to the United Arab Emirates in
early August, the first by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf nation since Indira Gandhi visited
nearly three decades ago.
PM Manmohan Singh leaves for Germany on a three-day visit
On April 10, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had left India on a three-day official visit to
Germany, where he will co-chair inter governmental consultations and witness the signing of a
series of agreements on education, science and technology and renewable energy.The PM is
leading a high-level delegation to Berlin that includes five cabinet ministers: Salman Khurshid
(external affairs), Anand Sharma (commerce), Farooq Abdullah (renewable energy), MM Pallam
Raju (human resource development) and S Jaipal Reddy (science and technology).
Prime Minister of India Visited Germany: Important Documents Signed
Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh visited Germany from 10 April 2013 to 12 April 2013
for participating in second round of Inter Governmental Consultations with Germany.
During his visit, certain documents were signed. These documents are as follows:
1.Joint Declaration of Intent regarding promotion of German as a foreign language in India
2.Intergovernmental MoU between India & Germany on Cooperation in the field of Higher
Education
3.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German cooperation in the area of Civil Security Research
4.Joint Declaration for the bilateral Kooperations Program of the German Federal Ministry of
Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the National Seeds Association of India and the
German Association of Plant Breeders
5.Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of an Indo-German Working Group on Quality
Infrastructure for Cooperation in Standardisation, Conformity Assessment and Product Safety
6.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German Development Cooperation regarding the
Establishment of Green Energy Corridors
Vice President Hamid Ansari Visited Tajakistan

The Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari visited Tajikistan from 14 April to 17 April
2013.During the visit he was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Minister of
State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries and four Members of Parliament.On 15
April , the Vice President met the President Emomalii Rahmon and Oqil Oqilov the Prime
Minister of Tajikistan.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Downs syndrome boy sets Everest record
A 15-YEAR-OLD American had become the first teenager with Downs syndrome to reach
Everest Base Camp, according to his father, in an attempt to inspire different attitudes towards
disabilities.Eli Reimer, from Oregon, reached the 5364-metres high camp in Nepals Himalayan
mountains in mid-March after 10 days of trekking.Tom Whittaker, a British mountaineer, became
the first person with a disability to summit the peak in 1998 after a car crash almost two decades
earlier had forced him to have his foot amputated.
Abhilash Tomy Becomes First Indian To Sail Round The World
Indian Navys Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo
and non-stop, over a 150-day voyage.He was addressed a function after welcoming Lt Cdr
Abhilash Tomy whose boat INSV Mhadei reached the Gateway of India after commencing its
historic journey from the same spot on November 1 last year.He has sailed around 23,100
nautical miles, crossing the Indian, Southern, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.Lt Cmdr Abhilash
Tomy is the first Indian and the second Asian to do so. Lt Cdr Tomy, a maritime pilot, switched
off his boats engine soon after leaving Mumbai harbour and switched it on again on 6 April to
get the boat alongside the Gateway of India.
K Vishwanath Name in Limca Book Of Records
Legendary director K.Vishwanath is the only Telugu person in the Person of the year 2013
announced by the famous Limca books of Records. This list which contained several other
prominent names like Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, Santosh Sivan, Prabhu Deva, Sreekar
Prasad and Naseeruddin Shah was released on the occasion of Indian cinema completing 100
years. Tabu, Vidya Balan, Shabana Azmi, Kajol and Ranbir Kapoor are also on this list.
Nepali TV Anchor Made Guinness(World) Record for Longest Talk Show
A TV anchor in Nepal set a world record of longest television talk show by staying on air for 62
hours and 12 minutes.The 36 years old Rabi Lamichhane lived in America and came back to
Nepal after hosting the program Lord Buddha Was Born in Nepal.Lamichhane broke the world
record of Pavlo Kuzheyew and Tetiana Danylenko of 22 hours. They made that record in 2011
at the Independence Day anniversary of Ukraine. According to the rules of Guinness World
Record Lamichhane got the break of five minutes after every hour.
Mahatma Gandhi figured among the Top Three Leaders of the World
As per the 16th Annual Global CEO survey, Mahatma Gandhi figured among the top three most
admired leaders of the world.In this list Winston Churchill , Steve Jobs(Co-founder of Apple)
and Mahatma Gandhi got the first,second and third places respectively .

Egypt PM sentenced to one-year jail
On April 17,Egypts Misdemeanor Dokki Court sentenced Prime Minister Hesham Qandil to one
year in prison and ordered his removal from job, accusing him of failing to implement a verdict to
return a privatised company to the state.
Chidambaram, Aamir in Times 100 most influential global list
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and actor Aamir Khan have been named by Time magazine
among the 100 most influential people in the world in its annual list of global achievers that also
includes teenaged Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and US President Barack Obama.
pakistan former president musharraf arrested
The Islamabad High Court on 18 April 2013 ordered Musharrafs arrest for detaining senior
judges when he imposed emergency rule in 2007.So, Pakistani police arrested Musharraf on 19
April 2013.
Gates foundation to put $1.8bn to eradicate polio
Bill Gates announced in Abu Dhabi on 25 April 2013 his foundation will contribute $1.8 billion to
the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a third of the total funds needed. He announced t his
contribution in Global Vaccine summit in Abu Dhabi.
8 killed as bomb targets Syrias prime minister
Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus on 29
April 2013.8 members(including PMs car driver and Personal security) are killed in the blast.

PLACES IN NEWS
7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Papua province in Indonesia on 06 April 2013.But
there was no damage or injuries. It occurred in a north east to Capital of Papua province, about
75 kilometers (46 miles) in depth.
A Powerful earthquake in Iran
On April 9, A powerful earthquake was strucked close to Irans only nuclear power station, killing
at least 37 people and injuring 850 as it destroyed homes and devastated two small villages.Its
epicentre was 89 km south-east of the port of Bushehr.The magnitude of the earthquake on
Richter scale is 6.3.
Strong earthquake hits Japan

A strong earthquake estimated at magnitude 6.3 strucked the western Japan, on 13 April
2013.In this event 23 people were injured in that 7 are serious.The earthquake was centered on
Awaji Island, just south of Kobe, at a depth of 15 kilometres.The quake was in the area where a
magnitude-7.2 temblor killed more than 6,400 people in 1995.
Musharraf disqualified from parliamentary polls
Courts in Pakistan have disqualified former president Pervez Musharraf for contesting
parliamentary elections for suspending the constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 during
his rule.
Earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 Jolted Iran and Pakistan
Earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale struck on 16 April 2013 in Iran killed more
than 40 people leaving behind several injured. Epicenter of the quake was near Pakistan-Iran
Border in the southeastern city of Khash. The tremors of the quake were felt across India,
Middle East and Pakistan.
Fertiliser plant explosion in the US
On April 18, massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the Town of West, in Central Texas. It is
120km far from Dallas town in the Texas state. In this explosion 15 were died and 200 people
were injured
Delhi gets Dildaar Delhi tagline
Delhi got its own tagline Dildaar Delhi. Penned by Amit Anand, a cashier in a small
confectionery shop in Keshavpuram, the tagline was selected out of 12,000 entries of a
competition organized by Delhi government and Delhi Tourism department.
German Bakery blast: Himayat Beg sentenced to death
On April 18, a Pune court sentenced Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig to
death in the German Bakery bomb blast case.The terror attack on the popular pune joint had
killed 17 people and injured 64 in February 2010. On 15 April 2013, Pune sessions court special
judge NP Dhote had held Baig guilty in the case.
China hit by strong earthquake
On 20 April ,China was hit by strong earthquake and killed at least 157 people and injured more
than 5,700.The magnitude 7.0 quake hit a remote mountainous area of southwestern Chinas
Sichuan province at 8:02 a.m. (0002 GMT), close to where an earthquake killed almost 70,000
people in 2008.The quake struck in Lushan county, near the city of Yaan, at a depth of 12 km
(7.5 miles)

ABBREVIATIONS

CII - Confederation of Indian Industry
MSME - Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
SCO - Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
AMS - Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
ICSI - Institute of Company Secretaries of India
TESS - Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released Book titled Religion, Law & Society-Across the Globe
On 12 April 2013,The Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari released a book titled Religion,
Law & Society Across the Globe. The book is authored by Prof. Tahir Mahmood.

COMMITTEES
Uday Kumar Committee To Act as Single Window Clearance for Film Projects
On 15 April the Government of India announced creation of an inter-ministerial panel that will
work as a single window clearance system for international and domestic film projects.The
committee will be headed by I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma .The constitution of the
committee is expected to mainstream a proactive mechanism and coordination process of
granting permissions through a single window provision. Apart from the I&B secretary, the
committee will have joint secretaries from the ministries of I&B, Home Affairs, Tourism, External
Affairs, Culture, Railways, Aviation and Defence on board.

World Health Day was Celebrated on 7th April
World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health
Organization (WHO).
National Safe Motherhood Day Observed across the Country

National Safe Motherhood day was observed across India on 11 April 2013 to create awareness
on proper healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.
April 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank
INTERNATIONAL
1. Who winner of the Venezuelan Presidential elections?
Ans:- Nicolas Maduro
2. When the US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber Intelligence
Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA)?
Ans:-18 April 2013
3. Who is the present Italys President?
Ans:-Giorgio Napolitano
4. Who is the present President of Paraguays?
Ans:-Horacio Cartes
5. Which country is the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination on caste?
Ans:-Britain
6. Which of the two counries have singned for 51 joint projects worth two billion US dollars?
Ans:- Cuba and Venezuela
7. Who got the life ban from any elections in Pakistan by Peshawar high court?
Ans:- Musharraf
INDIA & WORLD
1.Who won the Spelling Championship title held in Singapore?
Ans:-Ashwin Kumar
NATIONAL
1. When the Cabinet Committee was approved for 13 power projects that involves investment of
33000 crore rupees?
Ans:- 22 April 2013

STATES
1. What is the name of the online service launched the Andhra Pradesh Government for
entrepreneurs and grievance redressal system?
Ans:- Parishkaram for Enterpreneurs
AWARDS & HONOURS
1. Who won the Prestigious 2013 Templeton Prize ?
Ans:-Desmond Tutu
2. Which film won the best film award in The Times of India Film Awards?
Ans:- Barfi
3. Who is the Indian-American got the Baby Noble prize(John Bates Clark young economist
award)for the year 2013?
Ans:- Raj Chetty
4. According to Skytrax-World Airport Awards,which Airport rated as the fifth best regional
airport in Asia?
Ans:- Rajiv Gandhi International Airpor,Hyderabad
5. Who received the Queens Award on 20 April 2013?
Ans:-Kartar Lalvani
6. Who will honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award on 30 April 2013?
Ans:- Yash Chopra
7. Who will get the Kirti Chakra from President on 30 April 2013?
Ans:- Anup Joseph
SPORTS & GAMES
1. Who got the Gold medal in ISSF World Cup in Korea on 5 April 2013?
Ans:- Rahi Sarnobat
2. Which country won the T-20 International Series between India and Bangladesh?
Ans:-India

3. Which country won the women One-Day International Series bewteen India and Bangladesh?
Ans:-India
4. Who is head of the committe announced a ban on two Pakistani umpires over spot-fixing?
Ans:- Zaka Ashraf
5. Who won the Augusta 77th Masters Golf Tournament?
Ans:- Adam Scott
6. Who won the gold medal in men`s 55kg category in the Senior Asian Wrestling
Championship in New Delhi on 20 April 2013?
Ans:- Amit Kumar
7. Who won the Monte Carlo Masters title on 21 April 2013?
Ans:-Novak Djokovic
8. Who won the gold medal in Mens 66kg Freestyle at New Delhi on 22 April 2013?
Ans:- Amit Kumar Dhankar
9. Who is Chennai Super Kings Skipper fined due his team slow over rate?
Ans:- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
10 . Who won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title?
Ans:- Maria Sharapova
ECONOMY
1. Which company developed the cheapest bike of the World in India?
Ans:- Yamaha
2. Accorrding to the Sunday Times Rich List 2013,who are the 20th richest persons in the
world?
Ans:- Ambani Brothers
1. What is the name insects found in Australia having the capacity to kill the bacteria with their
wings?

Ans:-Cicadas
2. The Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2013 rejected the plea of Novartis, the Swiss drug
maker, to patent the updated version of the cancer drug. What is the name of the drug?
Ans:-Glivec
3. Who developed a New Laser powered Camera System that can take image of any object
from a distance of about one kilometer?
Ans:- researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh
4. What is the name of the Satellite using the NASA to find earth like planets in the entire
Space?
Ans:- TESS
5. Who discovered the Blue Super-Giant Starlocated in the constellation Virgo, far beyond our
Milky Galaxy?
Ans:- Dr. duo Ananda Hota
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
1. Who is the present CII president?
Ans:- S.GopalaKrishnan
2. Who is the presnt Kenua President?
Ans:-Kenyatta
3. Who is the 20th president of Bangladesh?
Ans:- Abdul Hamid
4. Who is the present ICC Vice Chairman?
Ans:-Sunil Bharti Mittal
5. Who is the SAARC ambassador from India?
Ans:- Ajay Devgn
6. Who is the present ADB president?

Ans:- Takehiko Nakao
7. Who is the present PM of Italy?
Ans:-Enrico Letta
B)RESIGNS
1. Who is the Palestinian Prime Minister resigned on 13 April 2013 after falling out with
President Mahud Abbas?
Ans:- Salam Fayyad
C)DEATHS
1. Who is the Oscar, the Booker Prize winner novelist died on 3 April 2013?(
Ans:-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
2. Who is the Former British Prime Minister died on April 8?
Ans:-Margaret Thatcher
3. Who is the first successful oral vaccination developer for polio died in Philadelphia on 11
April 2013?
Ans:-Dr Hilary Koprowski
4. Who is the Playback singer died on 14 April 2013?
Ans:- PB Srinivas
5. Who is the former woman CEC and former governor of Karnataka died on 17 April 2013?
Ans:-V. S. Ramadevi
6. Who is the Veteran journalist and managing director of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi died on 20
April 2013?
Ans:-B Sivanthi Adithan
7. Who is the Mathematical genius also called as human computer died on 21 April 2013?
Ans:-Shakuntala Devi
8. Who is the former England Captain died on 19 April 2013?
Ans:- Mike Denness

9. Who is the former chief justice of India died on 22 April 2013 in New Delhi?
Ans:- JS Verma
10. Who is the Veteran violinist died on 22 April 2013 in Chennai?
Ans:-Lalgudi Jayaraman
11. Who is the Legendary singer died in Mumbai on 23 April 2013?
Ans:- Shamshed Begum
12 Who is the former Telugu Desam Minister died on 28 April 2013 in Hyderabad?
Ans:- Sripathi Rajeswara Rao
13. Who is the Police officer was attempting to cross the River Teesta in the state of West
Bengal on 28 April 2013 for creating world record?
Ans:- Sailendra Nath Roy
14. Who is the Padma Shri award recipient and ONGC Chairman died in Hyderabad on 29 April
2013?
Ans:- Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad
D)MISCELLANEOUS
1. Who is the first American teenager with Downs syndrome to reach a Everst Base Camp?
Ans:- Eli Reimer
2. Who is the Nepali TV Anchor Made Guinness Record for longest talk show ?
Ans:- Rabi Lamichhane
3. Who is the Egypt PM sentenced to one-year jail in failing to implement a verdict to return
privatised company to the state?
Ans:-Hesham Qandil
4. Who is the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at New York?
Ans:- Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji
BOOKS IN NEWS
1. Who is the author of the book Religion, Law & Society Across the Globe?

Ans:- Prof.Tahir Mahmood
COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1. What is the name of the committee established by the Government of India that will work as a
Single Window clearance system for International and domestic film projects?
Ans:- Uday Kumar committee

May 2013 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
Every year 2,70,000 Pedestrains are died in the World
On May 2 , World Health Organization (WHO) announced that every year 2,70,000 pedestrains
are died in road accidents. In case of pedestrains protection is ignored by goverments.So,every
week 5 thousands of pedestrains are died.
Maryland became the First southern US state to Abolish Death Penalty
Maryland, the U.S. state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, on 2 May 2013
became the first southern US state to abolish the death penalty.The measure on it was signed
by Democratic Governor Martin OMalley on 2 May 2013.The person who was attended was
former Maryland death row inmate Kirk Bloodsworth.He will be the first person in the country
freed from death penalty because of DNA evidence after being convicted in a death penalty
case.On the global level, Maryland is the 18th state to abolish the death penalty.
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Released Somalia Famine Conditions
Report
On 3 May According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) study report, nearly
260,000 people died during the famine that hit Somalia from 2010 to 2012.Half of them were
children under the age of five.The number of deaths was higher than the estimated 220,000
people who died during the 1992 famine.An estimated 4.6% of the total population and 10% of
children under five died in southern and central Somalia.In Lower Shabelle, 18% of children
under five died and in Mogadishu 17%.Somalia was worst hit by the extreme drought in 2011
that affected more than 13 million people across the Horn of Africa.Tens of thousands of people
fled their homes in search of food.
Japan UAE signed Nuclear Agreement
On 3 May Japan and the United Arab Emirates signed on the transfer of nuclear cooperation
agreement .It was the first bilateral nuclear agreement signed by Japan since the 2011
Fukushima nuclear crisis triggered by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.The agreements
was signed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and UAE Vice President and Prime
Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Amazonian Countries Signed Strengthen Regional Cooperation Agreement
On 4 May The representatives of the member countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty
Organization (ACTO) agreed to widen and strengthen regional cooperation to promote the
integral development of those territories.Foreign ministers and representatives of Colombia,
Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and Ecuador signed the Coca Declaration,
by which they agreed to support initiatives as that presented by Ecuador and the establishment
of the Regional Observatory for the Amazon.The countries that signed the document also intend
to facilitate the coordination between OTCA, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean
States (Celac), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Andean Community
(CAN), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM).
Malaysias Barisan Nasional wins parliamentary election
The National Front coalition or Barisan Nasional (BN) led by Prime Minister Najib Razak
triumphed in Malaysias general parliamentary election on 05 May 2013. The BN won 133 seats
in the 222-seat parliament, taking 60% of the votes, while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR)
party secured 89 seats.80% of Malaysias 13.3 million voters cast their ballots in what is being
called the closest race ever in Malaysia.
Russia and U.S. Agreed on Syria Peace Process
On 7 May Russia and the United States agreed to work together to bring the warring sides in
Syria to the negotiating table raising hopes for an end to carnage in the war-torn country and a
thaw in frosty relations between Moscow and Washington.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
met Russian President Vladimir Putin and bid to narrow the differences between Moscow and
Washington on the conflict.
73 Million Youth Will Be Unemployed By 2013
On 8 May According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Global Unemployment
Trends 2007-13 report , more than 73 million young people are unemployed around the world
.The situation is particularly grim in the European Union, West Asia and North Africa.73.4 million
people aged between 15 and 24 would be out of work at the end of the year an increase of 3.5
million since 2007.The youth unemployment rate in South Asia decreased in 2011 by 0.4
percentage points to reach 9.2 per cent, but increased to 9.3 per cent in 2012.The current
jobless rate for the young of 12.6% was expected to keep swelling to 12.8% by 2018, when
more than two million more youths would likely be out of work
Brazil, Argentina Signed Agreement To Build Nuclear Reactors
On 8 May Brazil and Argentina have agreed to extend their nuclear cooperation by jointly
commission will jointly build two research reactors.The agreement, signed by the Brazilian
National Commission for Nuclear Energy (CNEN) and the National Commission of Atomic
Energy (CNEA), is centred on the construction of two reactors.
Argentine Passed Judicial Reform Bill

On 8 May Argentinas Senate passed a Judicial Reform Law, by 38 votes in favor to
30.According to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez it aims at democratizing the judiciary.
Nawaz Sharif Re-elected for Third term as Pakistan PM
On 14 May Two time former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif re-elected as Pakistan
Prime Minister for the third time after won the general elections with a thumping majority.The
Election Commission of Pakistan announced results of 272 National Assembly seats, with
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz heading the count with 126 seats, followed by the Pakistan
Peoples Party with 31 seats.The Sharif, belongs to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) party.
Pakistan Muslim League-N attained an overpowering lead with 130 seats. The first runner up is
Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with 37 seats and the last is Pakistan Peoples
Party (PPP) with 31 seats.Nawaz Sharif previously having been Pakistans 12th and 14th Prime
Minister for two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993 and from February
1997 to October 1999. Sharif is the President of Pakistan Muslim League-N, one of Pakistans
largest political parties.
France became the 14th Country in the World to legalise Gay Marriage
In France now onwards allow same-sex couples to marry. Frances President Francois Hollande
on 17 May 2013 signed into law a controversial bill to legalise gay marriage. It makes France
the ninth in Europe and 14th in the world to do so.
Zimbabwes President Signed New Constitution Into Law
On 22 Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe signed Zimbabwes new constitution into law. The
new constitution was approved overwhelmingly in a referendum in March 2013.The constitution
cut short the powers of the president, limits presidential tenures to two five-year terms and does
away with the post of prime minister.
Afghanistan Parliament Approved new Election Law
On 22 May The Lower House of the Afghan Parliament approved two new Election laws , that
will take effect in the elections next spring. The law contains 79 articles and 16 chapters.
EU Lifted Arms Embargo on Syrian Rebels
On 27 May European foreign ministers have lifted an arms embargo on Syria,, paving the way
for individual EU member states to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels.After long and
continuous hour of talk EU governments failed to agree on extending the arms embargo, which
effectively ends the EUs ban on supplying arms to the rebels.Some other restrictive measures
against Syria , which include financing restrictions, travel bans and asset freezes is also
supposed to be extended for a year, as there is a fear that the entire sanctions regime could fall
over a failure to agree on the arms issue.
Australia the worlds happiest nation: OECD
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released its Better Life Index,
which ranks the worlds most developed economies on jobs, income environment and health.

Australia got first place for the third consecutive year.Sweden, Canada, Norway ,
Switzerland,United States, Denmark, The Netherland Iceland and United Kingdom were also in
the top ten.In Australia 84 percent of the people accepted that their life is happy.So,Australia got
the first place in Better Life Index.

INDIA & WORLD
US, India and Japan hold trilateral cooperation talks
On May 2 ,India, the United States and Japan held their fourth trilateral dialogue at the State
Department in Washington, exchanging views on a wide range of regional and global issues of
mutual interest.These discussions focused on the prospect of greater Indo-Pacific commercial
connectivity and regional and maritime security, and cooperation in multilateral fora.The Indian
delegation was headed by External Affairs Ministry joint secretaries D.B. Venkatesh Varma and
Vikram Doraiswami.The group agreed to meet again in autumn in Tokyo to continue their
deliberations.
17th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting
The 17th Session of the India-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran on May 4, 2013.The
Session was co-chaired by Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran and
by Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister of India.The two sides discussed bilateral and
regional issues of mutual interest.Both countries agreed to study the prospects of joint
investment in both countries.The two sides also signed on MOU between the Government of
India and the Government of Iran on cooperation in the field of water resources management.
India Tops Born to Die same Day List
On 7 May According to the humanitarian organization Save the Children charity in an annual
report entitled State of the Worlds Mothers ,India tops the list of babies that die on the day they
are born.India has the dubious distinction of recording the most first-day deaths of
children.Every year, 3,09,000 children die on the day they are born in India. It accounts for 29%
of all the first-day deaths globally, the highest for any country.India is followed on this grim list
by Nigeria (89,700 deaths, or 9 percent); Pakistan (59,800, or 6 percent); China (50,600, or 5
percent); and Democratic Republic of Congo (48,400, or 5 percent).
Finland Top Ranked in World To Be a Mother
On 8 May According to the annual report called State of Worlds Mothers 2013 was issued by
an international NGO Save the Children , Finland has topped the list of countries where
mothers enjoy the best conditions in the world, while India ranks a low 142nd, below China and
Pakistan.The US places 30th this year while Pakistan was 139th on the list. China ranked at the
68th place.The top ten countries attained very high scores for mothers and childrens health,
educational, economic and political status.The report was featured by a ranking list of Mothers
index, showing the conditions of mothers in 176 countries .Among the reviewed countries,
Finland was ranked the best country for being mothers followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland
while Democratic Republic of Congo was considered to be the toughest place.

Karnataka, Israel Signed Bilateral Agreement
On 8 May Israel and the Indian state of Karnataka have signed an R&D cooperation agreement.
This is the first-ever such agreement between Israel and an Indian state. The agreement aims
to further bilateral business, technology, and economic relations and sees Israel benefiting from
Karnatakas human resources and the Indian state benefitting from Israels innovations.
India Tops Cervical Cancer Deaths
On 10 May According to the Cervical Cancer Global Crisis Card report released by the Cervical
Cancer-Free Coalition, with nearly 73,000 women dying every year, India now tops the world in
cervical cancer deaths .India represents 26.4 per cent of all women dying of cervical cancer
globally, with China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand also showing high death
incidence.The cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year .Cancer Registry
Programme (NCRP) report in 2009 the number of cervical cancer cases were 101938 which has
increased to 107690 in 2012.It is being estimated that the number of cervical cancer cases and
deaths are estimated to increase by 2025 to 203,757 and 115,171, respectively.
Britain launched Super Priority Visa Service for Travellers from India
On 12 May 2013, Britain launched super priority same-day visa service for urgent travellers
from India. Britain launched this kind of service first time for India only . The super priority visa
service was announced by British Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to India in
February 2013.
Google signs MoU to train engineering students in Andhra Pradesh
On May 14,Google India Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Andhra Pradesh government to train engineering students of Jawahar Knowledge Centres
(JKC) in latest technologies like mobile and cloud computing.The MoU was signed between the
IT minister and Nelson Mattos, vice president (Europe & Emerging Markets), Google
Hyderabad. Google will also train the trainers/mentors of AP Society for Knowledge Networks
(APSFKNW) and provide required software, services and training material free of cost.
India and Netherlands Signed MoU on Urban Planning
On 14 May India and Netherlands signed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
Technical Cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management, and Mobility
Management .The agreement was signed by Kamal Nath, Minister for Urban Development &
Parliamentary Affairs, and Ms Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister for Infrastructure and
Environment, Netherlands
UN General Assembly Approved Syria Resolution
On 15 May The U.N. General Assembly approved an Arab-backed resolution calling for a
political transition in Syria and condemning President Bashar al-Assad Government for its
increasing use of heavy weapons. A majority of 107 states voted to adopt the resolution. There
were 12 votes against and 59 abstentions.Russia was fiercely opposed to the resolution, termed
it as unbalanced and inadequate to address adequately atrocities allegedly committed by rebel
groups.The resolution was drafted by Arab states who have supported the rebels.India

abstained from voting on the non-binding resolution on Syria.Pakistan voted in favour of the
resolution.
India Granted Observer Status in Arctic Council
On 15 May India granted observer status in the Arctic Council was successful along with that of
five other countries, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore at a meeting in Kiruna,
Sweden.The council is made up of the eight Arctic nations are Canada, Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.This membership will give India
chances of navigation and oil and gas exploration.The European Union also applied as an
observer, but its final status remained unresolved pending resolution of a dispute with Canada
over trade in seal products.
India, UK Signed Agreement on Health Sector
On 19 May India and Britain have signed an agreement for cooperation in the health sector with
specific focus on strengthening primary health care and technological development.The
agreement was signed by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare India, Ghulam Nabi Azad
and Secretary of State for Health, UK, Jeremy Richard Hunt.
Indians Largest Foreign Born Group in London
On 20 May According to the Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory latest study report ,
Indians have become the largest foreign-born group in London, followed by residents born in
Poland and Ireland.Migration Observatory, 262,247 persons born in India were living in London
in 2011, which represents 8.8 per cent of all foreign-born residents in London.This accounts for
37.8 per cent of all residents that had been born in India resident in England and Wales in
2011.Other important foreign-born groups in London, with more than 100,000 residents, include
those born in Ireland (129,807), Nigeria (114,718), Pakistan (112,457) and Bangladesh
(109,948).
India China Signed 8 Agreements
On 20 May India and Chine signed eight important agreements covering a wide range of issues
like trade, culture and water resources. The agreements were finalised after delegation-level
talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese counterpart Le Keqiang.
The list of eight agreements/memoranda of undrstanding (MoUs):-
(i) Protocol between Indias external affairs ministry and Chinas foreign affairs ministry on
Indian Official Pilgrimage (the Kailash Mansoarovar Yatra) to the Tibet Autonomous Region of
China.
(ii) Work Programmes of the Three Working Groups under Joint Economic Group (JEG)
between Indias commerce and industry ministry and Chinas commerce ministry.
(iii) MoU on Buffalo meat, fishery products and Agreement on feed and feed ingredients
between Indiss Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and

The Marine Products Export Development Authority and Export Inspection Council and Chinas
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).
(iv) MoU between Indias urban development ministry and Chinas National Development and
Reform Commission (NDRC) on cooperation in sewage treatment.
(v) MoU between Indias water resources ministry and NDRC on cooperation in water-efficient
irrigation.
(vi) MoU between the external affairs ministry and Chinas State Administration of Press,
Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) on cooperation in mutual translation and
publication of works, both classic and contemporary.
(vii) MoU between the water resources ministries of both countries for provision of hydrological
information by China to india on the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River during the flood season.
(viii) MoU between the foreign ministries of both countries to promote cooperation and linkages
between the cities and states/provinces of the two countries.
Visa on Arrival facility to passengers travelling through RGIA
The central government has extended Visa-On-Arrival facility to international passengers
travelling through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad managed by the GMR
Group.Visitors from 11 countries will be eligible to get a VoA from May 31 at RGIA.The Centre
had introduced an Indian tourist VoA scheme on January 1, 2010 at certain airports which was
initiated for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, a year later, the facility was extended to a
total of 11 countries viz Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia,
Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.
US Senate Committee Approves Immigration Reform Bill
On 22 May The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a massive immigration reform
bill that grants 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country an earned
path to citizenship.The legislation was passed by a vote of 13 to 5 with three Republicans
joining 10 Democrats to approve it.The bill, which requires major advances in border security
and expansion of a comprehensive e-verify system for employers before any undocumented
worker is allowed to pursue citizenship, will need 60 votes to pass the 100-seat Senate.
US and India Pledge To Collaborate on Combating Terrorism
On 22 May The US has pledged to collaborate with India on developing global approach to
combat increasing terror threats and asked international community to take effective steps to
eliminate sanctuaries and infrastructure that support terrorism.After talks between Home
Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, a joint
communique said the two countries also agreed to enhance bilateral co-operation to combat
terror financing and currency counterfeiting.
India, Japan to speed up talks on civil nuclear deal

On 29 May 2013,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe
decided to speed up talks on a civil nuclear deal to allow Japan to export nuclear reactors to
India and to bolster maritime security cooperation at a time when Chinas postures in the seas
of the regional have caused concerns.A joint statement issued at the end of exhaustive talks
between Singh and Abe said the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear
cooperation between the two countries, while recognising that nuclear safety is a priority for
both governments.In this context, they directed their officials to accelerate the negotiations of an
Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy towards an early conclusion
India and Thailand sign extradition treaty
On 30 May 2013,in a major boost to bilateral security cooperation, India and Thailand signed
the much awaited extradition treaty after 20 years of negotiations.The MoU was signed by
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Thai Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Surapong Tovichakchaikul.The treaty was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra.The treaty provides the legal framework for
seeking extradition of fugitive offenders, including those involved in terrorism, transnational
crimes and economic offences among others.The two countries totally signed on seven pacts.
They are extradition, education,financial intelligence mapping , geospatial technology
applications , investigation of persons suspected of money laundering and criminal activity
related to money laundering and terrorism financing.
UNESCO Declares Nicobar Islands as World Biosphere Reserve
On 31 May The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has
declared and designated the Nicobar Islands in India as a world biosphere reserve .The
International Coordinating Council of UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere Programme added the
Nicobar Islands to the list of eleven other sites which are designated as world biosphere
reserves.Great Nicobar now 9th Indian reserve in Unesco world network.Member countries
establish such reserves. UNESCO recognizes them under the programme to promote
sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.

NATIONAL
National Urban Health Mission Approved By Cabinet
On 1 May The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission
(NUHM) to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to
reproductive health care.The cost of the National Urban Health Mission for 5 years is 22507
crore rupees and the Central government will share 16955 crore rupees.The mission will be
implemented in 779 cities and towns each with the population of more than 50,000 has
expected to cover about 7.75 crore people.The Cabinet also gave its nod to a bill which
provides for confiscating property illegally acquired by corrupt public servants.
19.57 lakh Hectares of Forest Land Encroached
On 1 May According to the latest figures compiled by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
reveal that unchecked encroachment on forest land is on the rise.According to the figures, over

19.57 lakh hectares of forest land is under encroachment in various parts of the country.Madhya
Pradesh tops the list with 4.87 lakh hectares under encroachment. Followed by Assam (3.30
lakh ha), Andhra Pradesh (2.57 lakh ha) and Maharashtra (1.83 lakh ha).
Mobile subscribers largest in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
The countrys most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, accounts for the largest number of mobile
subscribers in the country followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar,
which together account for almost half of the total wireless connections.India, which is the
worlds second largest mobile phone market in terms of subscribers, had a total of 861.66
million mobile connections as on February 2013, data from telecom regulator Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed.Uttar Pradesh has a total of 121.60 million mobile
phone connections, while, Tamil Nadu has 71.81 million subscribers, according to the TRAI
data.Maharashtra is at the third position, with a subscriber base of 67.73 million followed by
Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 64.12 million and 60.73 million, respectively.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant got Approval for Operations by the Supreme Court of
India
On 06 May, the Supreme Court of India directed that the Kudankulam nuclear plant situated in
Tamil Nadu could start its operations now. A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak
Misra issued the directions to the government on safety as well as security of the plant, along
with its operations.
Govt Sets Up 39 Special NIA Courts Across The Country
On 7 May Minister of State for Home R P N Singh announced in the Parliament that under the
National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, the central government has set up the 39 special
courts to take up terror-related cases.
Cabinet Approved Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission
On 16 May The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Gandhi Heritage Sites
Mission with the objective of conserving and restoring the heritage sites associated with Father
of the Nation.Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission will be assigned with the identification, collation
and assessment of the information on Gandhi Heritage material, its management and
deployment.
Indias First Yoga University in Gujarat
On 23 May Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the countrys first yoga university
in Ahmedabad.Lakulish Yoga University, established by Life Mission Trust of Gujarat, is claimed
to be the first ever such private sector self-financed institution in the country.

STATES
Congress Won in Karnataka Assembly Elections

On 8 May Congress has won 121 seats of the 223 seats on which polls were contested in
Karnataka Assembly Elections , the elections were held on 5 May 2013. The ruling BJP and the
JD-S won 40 seats each.The Karnataka Janata Party led by former Chief Minister B.S.
Yeddyurappa bagged a mere six seats.The assembly has 224 elected and one nominated
members. The election took place for 223 seats.
Tamil Nadu Bans Gutka Products
On 8 May The Tamil Nadu government banned the production, possession, distribution and sale
of tobacco products such as pan masala and gutka in the state.Tamilnadu Government had
constituted a separate department Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Medical Administration, after
the Centre announced the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Cabinet Approved 2 Major Ports in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh
On 9 May the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of
Shipping for setting up of two major ports.The ports will come up in West Bengal and Andhra
Pradesh each, through a Public-Private-Partnership mode. As per the proposal, one port will be
developed at Dugarajapatnam, Nellore district, in Andhra Pradesh and second port will come up
at Sagar Island in West Bengal.

CONFERENCES
ADBs 46th Annual Meeting Held in New Delhi
46th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors, held in Delhi,
India, from 2 to 5 May 2013.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , Finance Minister P.
Chidambaram and ADB member board of directors and related financial institutions were
attended the meeting.Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it is going to provide
about 6 billion dollars loan to India over the next three years which was decided at the
concluding day of the 46th annual meeting of the funding agency.

AWARDS & HONOURS
Indian Wildlife Biologist Aparajita Datta Honoured with the Whitley Award 2013
On 2 May An Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Aparajita Datta was honoured with the Whitley award,
also known as Green Oscar, in London . Aparajita Datta, the Indian wildlife biologist was
conferred with the award by Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth, at the Royal
Geographical Society in London for her efforts in order to save the endangered hornbills in
Eastern Himalayas.Aparajita Datta is the head of the program for conservation of the hornbills in
dense tropical forests of Arunachal Pradesh, at Nature Conservation Foundation. The tropical
forests of Arunachal Pradesh are an abode to five hornbill species.
Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi Awarded with Judy Wilkenfeld

On 2 May An Indian doctor of Mumbais Tata Memorial Hospital has been awarded with the
prestigious Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence for his
innovative efforts in reducing tobacco consumption in India.He received the award by the
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids on at a function in Washington.
Indian Police Unit in Congo Gets UN medal
On 17 May An Indian police unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo has received the United
Nations Peacekeeping Medal.The 135 Indian Formed Police Unit-2 (FPU) was honoured with
the medal as an appreciation for their service in Goma/North Kivu.
Malala Yousufzai Selected For Prestigious Global Leadership Award
On 20 May Teenager Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot at last year by the
Taliban for advocating education of girls, has been selected for the prestigious Global
Leadership Award this year.Malala will receive the award for her role as a global activist in
advocating for educating and empowering girls worldwide.She was targeted for her outspoken
views and advocacy on behalf of girls education.
Indian-American Girl Won Americas Top Young Scientist Award
On 20 May An Indian-American girl has invented a super-capacitor device that could potentially
charge a cellphone in less than 20 seconds. The California teen has attracted the attention of
tech giants Google for her potentially revolutionary invention which charges a phone in 20
seconds flat.The super-fast charging device has been dubbed a supercapacitor by 18-year-old
Esha Khare, of Saratoga as she took home $50,000 from the Intel International Science and
Engineering Fair.
American Writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize
On 22 May American writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize for her
innovative and influential writing.This was the fifth Man Booker International Prize.Lydia Davis is
a professor of creative writing at the University of Albany. She is also an accomplished
translator. Her works include The End of the Story and Varieties of Disturbance.The Man
Booker International Prize recognises one writer for his or her achievement in fiction.Worth
60000 ponds, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction
either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English
language.
Carole King Became the First Woman to Receive Gershwin Prize
US singer-songwriter Carole King became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress
Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.The President of America, Barack Obama conferred upon her,
the Gershwin Prize that is given as a lifetime achievement in popular music.
APJ Abdul Kalam Received Wernher Von Braun Memorial Award
On 24 May United States based National Space Societys (NSS) has conferred Wrenher von
Braun Memorial Award upon former president APJ Abdul Kalam in San Diego .The award was

conferred upon Kalam at International Space Development Conference. It was instituted by
NSS, a non-profit organization and is dedicated to the creation of spacefaring civilization.The
honour is given to recognize excellence in management and leadership in a space-related
project, where the project holds significance.
Biological clock scientists share Shaw Prize
On 28 May ,three scientists whose groundbreaking studies using fruit flies helped to uncover the
workings of the human biological clock were named the winners of the $1 million Shaw Prize
.US scientists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young received the award for their
discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms.Biological rhythms govern
behaviour in plants, animals and humans, from flowers opening during the day and closing at
night, to sleep patterns and the effect of jet lag.

SPORTS & GAMES
PV Sindhu won Malaysian Badminton Grand Prix Title
On 4 May,Indias shuttler PV Sindhu won Malaysian Badminton Grand Prix title after winning
Malaysia Open womens final match.In the final, top seed Sindhu defeated lower seed, Gu Juan
of Singapore.This is the first Grand Prix title in her Career.
Aamir Won Asian Squash Championship Title
On 5 May Pakistan`s top seeded player, Aamir Atlas Khan won the Asian Squash individual
championship for the first time in 14 years after he defeated Kuwait`s Abdullah Al Mezayan in
straight sets in Islamabad.Pakistan had last won the Asian individual title in 1998, but since then
has only been able to win the Asian team title in the last Asiad.
Ronnie OSullivan Won World Snooker Championship
On 7 May Ronnie OSullivan claimed his fifth World Snooker Championship crown after
defeated Barry Hawkins at the Crucible in Sheffield.OSullivan is now a five-time Crucible
champion after his wins in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012 to move within one of Steve Davis and
Ray Reardon and two behind Stephen Hendry in the all-time list.
India Bagged 2 Silver and 7 Bronze Medals in Commonwealth Championship
India on 10 May 2013 finished their candidature in the tournament with a record haul of 2 Silver
and 7 Bronze in the 19th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships that concluded in New
Delhi.
Mens Singles :- Zhan Jian (Singapore) won the title after defeated Li Hu from Singapore in the
final at New Delhi
Womens Singles :- Mo Zhang (Canada) won the Womens Singles title after defeated Yu
Mengyu (Singapore) in the final.

Alonso Won Spanish Grand Prix Title
On 12 May Fernando Alonso of Spain won the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona .Kimi
Raikkonen second, Felipe Massa secured third position.It was Alonsos second win in
Barcelona ,the first coming in 2006 and his seventh career podium on the Circuit de Catalunya.
Madrid Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Womens Singles :- On 12 May Serena Williams of the United States bagged her 50th career
Singles title.In the final She defeated Russian Maria Sharapova and got the title .
Mens Singles :-Rafael Nadal from Spain won the Mens Singles title after defeated Swiss
Stanislas Wawrinka in the final.
Womens Doubles:-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ,Lucie Safarova won the Womens Doubles title.
Mens Doubles : Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won their fifth Mutua Madrid Open doubles title . It
was their 87th career trophy and fifth crown of the 2013 ATP World Tour season.
Barcelona Won Spanish League Title
On 12 May Barcelona won the Spanish league title (football) for the 22nd time after closest
rivals Real Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.The title is Barcas fourth in five
seasons and the 22nd of their history. The last team other than Barcelona or Madrid to win the
title was Valencia in 2004.Barcelonas Lionel Messi finished the Spanish League as the top-
scorer.He has already 46 goals, 12 clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished second.
Rome Masters Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Womens Singles :- On 19 May Serena Williams (USA) won her fourth consecutive title of the
year after defeated Victoria Azarenka from Belarus in the Rome Masters final.This is the second
Rome Open title won by Serena, before this Serena won the Rome title 11 years ago in 2002.
Mens Singles :- Rafael Nadal from spain claimed his seventh Rome Masters title after defeated
Roger Federar (Switzerland ) in the final
Mumbai Indians Won 2013 IPL Title
On 26 May Mumbai Indians won the Indian Premier League title for the first time , after defeated
Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs in the final at Eden Gardens.
* Man-of-the-Match Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)
* Most Valuable Player Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals)
* Orange Cap ( (Highest Run Getters) Michael Hussey (Chennai) : 733 Runs
* Purple Cap (Highest Wicket Takers) Dwayne Bravo (Chennai) : 32 Wickets

* Best Youngest Player Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)
* Fair Play Award Chennai Super Kings
* Best catch of the season Gurkeerat Mann Singh (Kings Eleven Punjab)
Rosberg Won Monaco Grand Prix Title
On 26 May The Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won the Monaco Grand Prix title.Rosbergs
team-mate Lewis Hamilton dropped from second to fourth after losing out through the safety
car.Force Indias Adrian Sutil took fifth from McLarens Jenson Button.
China Won Sudirman Cup In Badminton
On 26 May China won their fifth consecutive Sudirman Cup and ninth overall, after defeated
South Korea.At the Putra Stadium Chinas World No. 1 Xu Chen and Ma Jin defeated their
South Korean opponents Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na in straight games in the mixed
doubles.In mens singles, Chinas Chen Long defeated South Korean Lee Dong Keun .In mens
doubles Chinese Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan defeated South Korean players Ko Sung Hyun
and Lee Yong Dae.Huser Ayla, of Switzerland won the Womens Singles after defeated Rankin
Anna, from New Zealand Sudirman Cup is the world mixed team badminton championship
which takes place every two years.

ECONOMY
RBI Cuts Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points
On 3 May The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidi ty
adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points, from 7.5 percent to 7.25 per cent with immediate
effect as part of its annual monetary policy statement 2013-14.The reverse repo rate under the
LAF also stands adjusted to 6.25 per cent. The RBI took this step to boost flagging economic
growth.The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks has however been retained at 4 per
cent of their net demand and time liabilities.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India
Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 5 May 2013 announced that it is going to provide about 6
billion dollars loan to India over the next three years which was decided at the concluding day of
the 46th annual meeting of the funding agency. The bank is working on partnership strategy and
is planning to maintain the level of lending to India.It is important here to note that India is the
biggest borrower of ADB and ADB had extended a 2.4 billion dollars loan to India in 2012
across sectors like transport, energy, commerce, industry, trade and finance.
Delhi Tops in the Creative Index Report 2013
On 6 May According to the Creative Index Report 2013 report ,Delhi has been ranked as the
most creative state in India with the greatest potential for success in todays creative economy.

The ranking is based on the population of creative class. This class is of individuals are often
engaged in either complex problem solving or in the generation of new ideas, new technology,
and new creative content.Chandigarh, Punjab, Kerala, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar
Islands, Puducherry, and Maharashtra round out the top nine.
Mobile Phones To Out Number Human Population By 2014
On 12 May According to the International Telecoms Unions (ITU) report ,The number of mobile
phone subscriptions are set to outnumber the worlds population by the end of 2014.Mobile
phone subscriptions will pass a whopping seven billion early in 2014.Currently, there are 6.8
billion mobile phone subscriptions while the worlds population is 7.1 billion. More than a third of
the global population are online, the ITU World in 2013 report also found. The Commonwealth
of Independent States, the alliance of countries formerly in the Soviet Union, is believed to have
the highest mobile penetration with 1.7 subscriptions for every person.Africa has the least, with
63 subscriptions per 100 people.The report also found that 2.7 billion people, almost 40 per cent
of the worlds population, are online.
Government Raises OBC Creamy Layer Income Limit to Rs 6 Lakh
On 16 May The Union Cabinet gave its approval for increase in the present income criterion of
Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum for applying the Creamy Layer restriction throughout the country, to
avail benefits of reservations in government jobs and admissions to central educational
institutions.The decision came up in a view to increase the income limits in tune with the
increase of the consumer price index. This would enable more people to take an advantage of
reservation benefits that are extended to OBCs. Creamy layer is the income limit beyond which
OBCs are not eligible for quotas
Gujarat Tops in Port Development Projects
On 24 May According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(Assocham) Ports Development in India report ,While 21 PPP projects in the port sector
worth over Rs.43,000 crore are under construction, eight projects worth about Rs.14,000 crore
are under bidding.Gujarat gets first place , accounting for more than 50 per cent of the port
projects completed in India during the last Plan. It has wrapped up 12 projects valued at Rs
12,453 crore, consolidating its presence in the Indian maritime map.Gujarat is followed by
Odisha (2nd place) and Maharashtra (3rd place ), which account for a share of 16.9 per cent
and 15.3 per cent respectively in the completed projects.Odisha saw two projects worth Rs
4,169 crore getting completed, while Maharashtra finished five projects worth Rs 3,772
crore.Andhra Pradesh (4th place) and Tamil Nadu (5th place) each with three projects under
operation have garnered a share between 5-6 percent followed by Kerala (2.8 percent).
Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw in Forbes Philanthropy List
On 30 May According to the Forbes Asia magazines list of Asia-Pacifics most remarkable
givers" , Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, P N C Menon, Vineet Nayar and Ronnie
Screwvala named in 2013 year list of Asia-Pacifics most remarkable givers.The annual list of
Heroes of Philanthropy is compiled by Forbes Asia magazine. It features a total of 48 persons
from the Asia-Pacific region which includes countries like China, Singapore, Hong Kong and
Indonesia.Keeping into view Kiran Mazumdars work on improving cancer care and her pledge
to give away 75 per cent of wealth she was listed as one of the major Philanthropist.

China Launched Zhongxing-11 Satellite
On 2 May China successfully launched a communications satellite called Zhongxing-11 from
Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest Sichuan province. The satellite was launched into
its present orbit from Long March-3B rocket.
Worlds First 3D Printed Gun Successfully Fired
On 4 May The worlds first gun made with 3D printer technology has been successfully fired in
the US.The anti-gun campaigners criticised this project, while the law enforcement of Europe is
monitoring the developments of this project.All 16 parts of the controversial gun, called the
Liberator, are made from a tough, heat-resistant plastic used in products such as musical
instruments, kitchen appliances and vehicle bumper bars.
The new Navy patrol ship Rani Avantibayi
Indian Coast Guard Ship Rani Avantibai, the second Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) built by the
Hindustan Shipyard Ltd for the Coast Guard. This was commissioned into Indian Navy in
Visakhapatnam on 9 May 2013 by Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh in the presence
of Director-General of Indian Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Viranari Rani Avantibayi is
the inshore patrol vessels (IPV) in Madhya Pradesh for Ramgadh Coast Guard.This is used in
Tracking thieves, coastal conservation, marine disaster relief efforts.This is the first in the series
of five inshore patrol vessels (IPV) built by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the Coast Guard.
MiG-29K fighter planes commissions into Navy
On May 11,Defence Minister AK Antony commissioned warfare aircraft MiG-29K Black Panther
squadron into the Indian Navy.The commissioning was held at INS Hansa which would be the
base for Black Panther squadron along with other fighter aircraft squadrons of Indian Navy. The
squadron initially comprising 16 aircraft would be known as IANS 303.
U.S. Launched First Unmanned Aircraft From Carrier Flight Deck
The United States Navy launched an unmanned aircraft from a modern carrier flight deck for the
first time ever on 14 May.The unmanned aircraft was the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System
demonstrator, and its first-ever launch from a modern aircraft carrier represents how manned
and unmanned aircraft on carrier flight decks will be merged in the future.A mission operator
aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) controlled X-47B, showing off how well it works
within a carrier environment. It landed back at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.
Rotavirus Vaccine Developed in India
India developed a Rotavac Vaccine to eradicate the Rotavirus diarrhoea in infants.The
Government of Indias Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Bharat Biotech announced
positive results from a Phase III clinical trial of a rotavirus vaccine.

First Boeing P-8I Aircraft joins Indian Navy
Indian Naval Aviation received a major fillip with the arrival of the first of eight Boeing P-8I Long
Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft at Naval Air Station
Rajali, Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu on 15 May 13. The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-
800(NG) airframe, is the Indian Naval variant of the P-8A Poseidon of the US Navy. The aircraft
is equipped with both foreign as well as indigenous sensors for Maritime Reconnaissance, Anti
Submarine operations and for Electronic Intelligence missions.
Scientists Converted Human Skin Cells Into Embryonic Stem Cells
On 15 May In a major medical breakthrough, researchers at the Oregon National Primate
Research Center (ONPRC) have for the first time ever successfully converted human skin cells
into embryonic stem cells , via a technique called nuclear transfer.Scientists for the first time
converted human skin cells into embryonic stem cells.These embryonic stem cells are capable
of transforming into any other cell type in the human body.This technique involves transplanting
the nucleus of one cell, containing an individuals DNA, into an egg cell that has had its genetic
material removed.
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully Test Fired
On 22 May India successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
from Russian-built INS Tarkash off the coast of Goa.The launch was carried out by the Navy as
part of Acceptance Test Firing (ATF) of the ship.INS Tarkash, which is an advanced Talwar
Class frigate, was commissioned on 9th November, last year.The BrahMos missile jointly
developed by India and Russia.
Indian Air Force Inducted Trainer AirCraft Pilatus PC-7
On 31 May Pilatus, PC 7 Mk II aircraft was formally inducted into the IAF by Jitendra Singh
MoS, Defence at IAFs premier Academy located at Dundigal, Hyderabad.This marked the first
formal flight of the Basic Trainer Aircraft over the skies at the Air Force Academy in
Hyderabad.The induction of PC-7Mk II as Basic Trainer Aircraft in Indian Air Force is a very
important landmark in our nations quest to modernise its Armed Forces.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Sheikh Salman is New AFC President
On 2 May Bahrains Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al-Khalifa was elected as the new president of
Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He replaced disgraced ex-leader Mohamed Hammam.
Najib sworn in Malaysias PM

Najib Razak was sworn in as Malaysias Prime Minister for a second term on 06 May 2013 after
his Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front) coalition won 133 of the 222 Parliament seats in 2013
election.Najib Razak became the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia in year 2009.
Roberto Azevedo Appointed as WTO new Director General
On 8 May Brazils Roberto Azevedo has been named as the new Director General of the World
Trade Organisation, the first Latin American to hold the post.He will take charge of his office
from Pascal Lamy of France in the Geneva-based Body in September 2013.
Siddaramaiah Sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka
On 13 May Congress leader Siddaramaiah was sworn in as the 22nd chief minister of
Karnataka by the Governor H R Bharadwaj.In year 1992 Siddaramaiah was appointed as
Secretary General of Janata Dal.In Year 1994 became the Minister for Finance in the Janata
Dal government headed by Deve Gowda.He served as a Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
twice, first in 1996 when JH Patel became Chief Minister and again in 2004 when JDS formed a
coalition government with Dharam Singh.
Nirbhay Sharma Appointed Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
On 16 May Lieutenant General (retd) Nirbhay Sharma has been appointed as Governor of
Arunachal Pradesh as the term of present incumbent Gen (retd) J J Singh ended in January
2013. He was appointed as Member of UPSC in May 2008 and after completion of his five year
stint .He was also a part of the Airborne Assault Group, the first Indian Army Unit to enter Dacca
(Dhaka) during 1971 war.
Shashi Kant Sharma is the new CAG
On 21 May Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma was appointed as the new Comptroller &
Auditor General (CAG) ,replaced outgoing Vinod Rai.Sharma, an IAS officer from 1976 batch of
Bihar cadre, has earlier assumed various important offices during his tenure as Secretary in the
Department of Financial Services and has spent over 10 years in the Defence Ministry in
various capacities.The CAG is appointed for a term of six years or till the incumbent attains the
age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Indian Origin Srinivasan Appointed as Top US Court Judge
On 23 May The United States Senate voted 97-0 to appoint Srikanth Srinivasan as a Judge of
the prestigious US Court of Appeals.It is the highest judicial appointment to an Indian -American
. Srinivasan has become the first Indian-American to be appointed to the court.He is the
Principle Deputy Solicitor General and defends the policies of US President Barack Obama
before the Supreme Court
Radha Krishna Mathur is new Defence Secretary
On 25 May Senior IAS officer Radha Krishna Mathur has been appointed as new Defence
Secretary.He succeeds Shashikant Sharma who has taken over as Comptroller and Auditor

General (CAG). A 1977-batch IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre, Mathur was serving as
Secretary (Defence Production) in the Defence Ministry.
Justice Raveendran is new NBSA Chief
On 25 May Former Supreme Court judge Justice R V Raveendran has been appointed as the
new Chairman of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) , the self regulatory
initiative of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA).He succeeds justice (Retd.) J.S. Verma,
chairperson of the NBSA, who passed away on 2013 April.NBSA is an independent redressal
body set up by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and has leading TV news channels
as its members.
Kushal Singh Appointed as the Chairperson of NCPCR
On 27 May Mrs. Kushal Singh has been appointed as the Chairperson of National Commission
for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.Mrs.
Kushal Singh has held several high level posts in the Government of Rajasthan and the Central
Government.She was the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan.
PM Manmohan Singh elected to Rajya Sabha
On 30 May 2013 ,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam for
fifth consecutive term.Dr Singh got 49 first preference votes, while the second Congress
candidate bagged 45 votes and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)s Aminul Islam, who
polled 18 votes, lost in the 126-member state Assembly.
B)RESIGNS
Union Railway Minister and Law Minister of India Resigned
On 10 May Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Union Law Minister of India
Ashwani Kumar resigned from their posts.Railway Minister PK Bansal resigned from his office
since his nephew Vijay Singla was arrested for his alleged involvement of bribery of 90 lakh
rupees from the Railway Board Member, with a promise of promotion. Ashwani Kumar the
Union Law Minister submitted his resignation after being into attack by the opposition and the
CBI affidavit submitted to Supreme Court for vetting up the CBI report in the Coal Block
allocation scam.
C)DEATHS
ATP chairman Brad Drewett died
Brad Drewett(54), the former tour player who led the ATP as executive chairman and president
since January 2012 died on 3 May 2013 . He helped in increasing the prize money at Grand
Slam tournaments.
Giulio Andreotti, the former Italian Prime Minister died

On 6th May, the former Italian Prime Minister ,Giulio Andreott(94) was dies in Rome.He was
one of the most powerful figures in the politics of the country after World War II.
Islamic scholar Asghar Ali Engineer Died
On May 14,Leading Islamic scholar, author and activist Asghar Ali Engineer, 74, died at his
Santacruz home in Mumbai. He was born in 1940 and completed his BSc in civil engineering
from Vikram University.From 1980, he edited the journal named the Islamic Perspective and
during 1980s he published a series of books on Islam and communal violence in India. His
books were based on his investigations in the post-independent India. The USA International
Student Assembly and the USA Indian Student Assembly honoured him with Distinguished
Service Award in 1987.
Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh dead
On 30 May 2013,Award-winning Indian film director Rituparno Ghosh was died from a heart
attack in the city of Calcutta.Ghosh directed 18 films in that 12 films got national awards.Ghosh
began his remarkable journey by directing a childrens film Hirer Angti (Diamond Ring) in
1994, which won him an immediate recognition. He shot to fame after his next film Unishe
April (19 April) won the national award in 1995.His other award-winning films include Dahan,
Asukh, Chokher Bali, Raincoat, Bariwali, Antarmahal, Noukadubi, Abohoman,
Chitrangada and Amitabh Bachchan starrer The Last Lear.
Academic Vina Mazumdar Dead
On 30 May 2013,Noted academic and a leading figure of Indias womens movement, Dr Vina
Mazumdar, died in New Delhi.Born in 1927 in a middle-class Bengali household in Kolkata, she
did her schooling in the city and studied in Banaras Hindu University and Calcutta University,
before going to Oxford in 1947, soon after independence. She went back to Oxford University
later and received her D.Phil in 1962.
D)VISITORS
China Prime Minister Li Keqiang Visited India
Chinas new Prime Minister Li Keqiangs visited India on his first foreign trip to India from 19th to
21st May 2013 since taking his office in March 2013. During the visit he met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and discussed India-China border issues , bilateral, regional and global
issues of common interest.After the both countries signed on 8 agreements.The Chinese have
also agreed to provide greater facilitation to Indian pilgrims on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Visited India
Hamid Karzai , President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan visited India from 20-22 May,
2013.During the visit Hamid Karzai was on 20 May conferred an honorary doctorate degree by
President Pranab Mukherjee at a professional university in Phagwara.He met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh at New Delhi and discussed on various key bilateral and regional issues , the
situation in the region in the backdrop of Afghanistans keenness to enhance defence
cooperation with India and get supply of lethal and non-lethal weapons.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
First Woman Named To FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist List
On 3 May Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur), a member of the Black Liberation
Army who killed a New Jersey state trooper 40 years ago and has since fled to Cuba,has been
named as one of the FBIs most wanted terrorists, making her the first woman ever to make t he
list.Chesimard was convicted for killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison. In 1979 she
escaped with the help of the Black Army Liberation and has been on the run ever since.The
U.S. Justice Department announced a doubling of the reward for her capture to $2 million.
Ritankar Das is Centurys Youngest California University Topper
On 10 May An 18-year-old Indian-American has become the youngest graduate topper of the
prestigious University of California in more than a century.Kolkata-born Ritankar Das, has been
named as the University Medalist, the prize which is given to the years top graduating
senior.Das has taken just three years to complete his studies with a double major in
bioengineering and chemical biology and a minor in creative writing f rom the University of
California, Berkeley.Further he is the first student from the College of Chemistry in 58 years,
and the first ever from the Department of Bioengineering.
Sreesanth,Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested
S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan
were arrested by the Delhi police on charges of spot fixing in the ongoing Indian Premier
League.
First Saudi Woman Ever Climbs Mount Everest
On 18 May Raha Moharrak has become the first Saudi Arabian woman to climb Mount Everest.
Moharrak also became the youngest Arab to reach the 8,850-meter peak (29,035 feet). She
was part of a group that included the first Qatari man and the first Palestinian man to reach the
summit.
Indian Sisters First Twins To Climb Mount Everest
On 19 May Two Indian girls have scripted history by becoming the first twins ever to climb
Mount Everest together.Tashi and Nancy Malik from Dehra Dun achieved this feat by
successfully reaching the worlds highest mountain peak at 8,848 meters.The duo were among
other record-makers including the first women from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan who climbed the
Everest on 18 May.
Arunima Becomes First Indian Amputee To Scale Mt Everest
On 21 May Arunima Sinha, a former national level volleyball player who had lost one of her legs
after being thrown off a moving train by, created history by becoming the first Indian amputee to
conquer Mount Everest. Sinha reached the 8,848 metre-high summit of the worlds highest peak
as a member of the Eco Everest Expedition from the Tata Group.Sinha, a resident of Ambedkar

Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.Arunima successfully scaled the 6,622-metre-high Mount Chhamser
Kangri of Ladakh last year, but her ultimate goal was to climb Mount Everest.
Yuichiro Miura, Became Oldest Man to Climb Mount Everest
Yuichiro Miura, the 80-year old mountaineer from Japan reached Mount Everests summit on 23
May 2013. With this, he became the oldest man to climb the highest mountain peak of the
world. Yuichiro Miura climbed the Everest at the age of 70 and 75 as well.
Indian-origin Boy Won National Geographic Bee Contest
On 23 May Sathwik Karnik, a 12-year-old Indian-American boy, has won the prestigious
National Geographic Bee 2013 after gruelling rounds testing his geographic knowledge about
lions in Botswana, mountain ranges in Asia and port cities in England.To clinch the title, Karnik,
12, correctly named Chimborazo as the mountain in Ecuador that represents the farthest point
from the Earths center.US.Karnik took home the spoils of the Bee prize that include a USD
25,000 college scholarship, an all-expenses paid trip to the Galapagos Islands, and a lifetime
membership to the National Geographic Society.
Jiroemon Kimura Becomes Last Living Man Born in 19th Century
The oldest person in the world, Japanese Jiroemon Kimura,116 years Japanese man became
the last male of the 19th century in the world. Jiroemon Kimura was given the title of last male
alive to be born in the 19th century after the death of Barbados in the month of May 2013 at the
age of 113 years and 90 days.Gerontolgy Research Group at University of California, Los
Angeles found out that as far as female were concerned, there are in all 21 women born before
1 January 1901 and they are still alive.But amongst the male, Jiroemon Kimura is the only alive
person of 19th century.Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897.
Premlata becomes the first Indian woman to complete seven summits
Asian woman mountaineer Premlata Agrawal has become the first Indian woman mountaineer
to scale the seven continental peaks after climbing Alaskas McKinley Peak.With this, she
became the first Indian woman mountaineer to step on the highest peak of North America.
Arvind Mahankali Won National Spelling Bee 2013
On 31 May Arvind Mahankali, a 13-year old Indian-American won the Scripps National Spelling
Bee contest, as children from the community scripted history by dominating the prestigious
competition for the sixth year in a row, grabbing top three slots this year.Arvind, from New York,
won the contest by correctly spelling the German word knaidel which means a small mass of
leavened dough, overcoming his fear of German-derived words during his past four
appearances at the contest.This is the sixth consecutive year that an Indian-American has won
the contest, which was watched live by millions of people in the United States.

PLACES IN NEWS

Cyclonic Storm Mahasen Hits Bangladesh
On 16 May The cyclonic storm Mahasen hit Bangladeshs southern Patuakhali coast with wind
speed up to 90 kilometers per hour.More than 48 persons were killed as inflated waters coupled
with gusts started ravaging parts of Patuakhali alongside the other areas adjacent to the Bay of
Bengal in the region.The system is now located in the west-central bay and is likely to intensify
further, move in northeast direction and cross the Bangladesh coast close to Chittagong.

ABBREVIATIONS
NESAC - North Eastern Space Applications Centre
ACTO Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization
ILO International Labour Organization
CNEN National Commission for Nuclear Energy
CNEA - National Commission of Atomic Energy
IPV Inshore Patrol Vessel
BWF - Badminton World Federation

BOOKS IN NEWS
Understanding Bhagat Singh by Prof. Chamanlal released
Understanding Bhagat Singh a book by Prof. Chamanlal was released in the on 3 May
2013.Professor Randhir Singh, Eminent Thinker released the book at School of Social Sciences
(SSS- I) Auditorium, JNU in New Delhi.The book Understanding Bhagat Singh has tried to
explain the soul or spirit of Bhagat Singh like his principle of achieving objectives with dignity,
honesty and fearlessness.
Gandhis Outstanding Leadership Book Released
On 27 May Gandhis Outstanding Leadership , written by former Indian diplomat-turned-
Gandhian Pascal Alan Nazareth, was released at the Peking Universitys Centre.Prof Shang
Quanyu, a history professor with the South China Normal University, translated the book into
Madarin.

COMMITTEES

G Padmanabhan Committee on Services for the Exporters
On 6 May A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee recommended setting up of the Indian Bill
Payment System (IBPS) in the country.The committee chaired by G. Padmanabhan, Executive
Director, RBI, has recommended a cap on interest margins charged by banks lending to
exporters.The committee also recommended that export credit be allowed to be a part of priority
sector lending (PSL) for all commercial banks, including foreign banks, for a period of three to
five years.

National Technology Day was Observed on 11 May 2013
National Technology Day was celebrated on 11 May 2013 as a symbol of quest for scientific
inquiry, technological creativity and the translation of that quest in the integration of Science,
Society and Industry. This day is also celebrated to honour technological innovations and their
successful commercialization which makes fruits of research reach people at large.
June 2013 Current Affairs
1 June 2013 Current Affairs
Pakistans new Parliament sworn in
Fourteen years after his last stint as a parliamentarian, Prime Minister-designate Nawaz Sharif
1st June 2013 returned to Pakistans National Assembly, taking oath with other lawmakers in
the first democratic transition of power in the countrys 66-year history. Sahrif along with the
parliamentarians was administered the oath by outgoing National Assembly Speaker Fehmida
Mirza .

Justice Kaul takes oath as new CJ of Punjab & Haryana high court
On 1st June 2013,Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul took oath as the new Chief Justice of the Punjab
and Haryana High Court in Chindigarh. Justice Kaul was administered the oath of office by
Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia at a ceremony held at Haryana Raj Bhavan. Justice
Kaul, 54, earlier served as the senior most judge of the Delhi High Court and was the acting
Chief Justice there in September last year.

IPL Chairman Resigned
On 1st June 2013,Rajiv Shukla resigned as the Chairman of the Indian Premiere League. He
said he has decided to quit in the wake of recent controversies in the IPL Spot Fixing Scandal.

Ravindra Reddy suspended from cabinet
On 1st June 2013, the health Minister D.L.Ravindra Reddy is suspended from cabinet due to
making statements repeatedly against the Chief Minister in the media. Govenor approved the
DL Ravindra Reddy suspension.

K.V. Rao new Director of HPCL
On 1st June HPCL Executive Director (Corporate Finance) K.V. Rao assumed charge as
Director (Finance).The post fell vacant following retirement of B. Mukherjee. A member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Mr. Rao has wide exposure to the petroleum
industry spanning over 31 years in the areas of corporate finance, treasury management,
internal audit and marketing and refinery finance.

Jagmohan Dalmiya is new Interim President of BCC
On 1 June Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya , a former president of
the BCCI and ICC, has been appointed as the new interim president of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI).

Narayana Murthy Re-elected as Executive Chairman in Infosys
On 1 May NR Narayana Murthy has been re-elected as Executive Executive Chairman of the
Board in Infosys. He would serve as board chairman for 5 years.Narayan Murthy was appointed
as the chairman for the second time. Murthy, who founded Infosys in 1981, had stepped down
from the Board and became Chairman Emeritus in 2011. He has served as companys CEO
from 1981 to 2002.
Indian-origin diplomat is new Australian envoy to Israel
On 2 June 2013 Indian origin diplomat appointed Devanand Sharma appointed as a
Australian envoy to Israel. A 37-year-old Devanand Sharma has made history by becoming the
countrys youngest Ambassador after he was appointed Canberras envoy to Israel.He got
Medicine degree from Sydney University.Mr Sharmas prior international service includes
postings as Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington.

Rami Hamdallah appointed new Palestinian PM

On 2 June 2013,Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Rami Hamdallah, a
politically independent academic, as his new prime minister. Rami Hamdallah replaced
Western-favoured economist Salam Fayyad who had left the office of Prime Minister in April
2013.Rami Hamdallah is a member of Fatah Palestinian National Authority which is headed by
Mahmoud Abbas.He also served as secretary general of the Palestinian central elections
commission.

Earthquake in Taiwan
On 2 June 2013,a 6.3-magnitude earthquake strucked the Taiwan. Due to this earthquake
,killed two persons and injured 21 persons.The quake rattled buildings in central Taipei. Its
epicenter was near Jenai town in Nantou county.

Egypts Top Court Rules Parliament Invalid
On 2 June Egypts Supreme Constitutional Court invalidated the nations upper house of
parliament and a panel that drew up the constitution.The upper house, or Shura Council, holds
legislative powers. It will be dissolved after a new lower house is elected.The court dissolved the
lower house of parliament 2012 June.The constitution was drafted by an Islamist-dominated
assembly in 2012 November and approved by voters in December.

Bangkok Ranked Worlds Top Travel Spot
On 2 June According to a ranking by the MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities study
report ,Bangkok is this years number one city for air travel.While London reached the top spot
in 2012.Now Bangkok becoming the first Asian city to earn the distinction.Visits to Bangkok
were expected to grow by 9.8 percent this year.If all of the top 10 cities maintained thei r current
growth rates, the index predicted that by 2016 Bangkok and London would be followed by
Istanbul in the No. 3 spot, with Paris at No. 4 and Dubai at No.5, with Singapore and New York
behind them.The ranking was based on a citys expected international air travel arrivals and the
amount of money spent in the city by those arrivals.
Poultry plant fire kills 119 in China
On 3 June 2013, fire raged through a poultry plant in north eastern China ,Jilin provinces
Mishazi township trapping workers inside a cluttered slaughterhouse and killing at least 119
people.Another 54 persons are injured.Jilin Baoyuanfeng produces 67,000 tons of processed
chicken per year and employs about 1,200 people. The plant is located outside the city of
Dehui, about 800 kilometers (250 miles) northeast of Chinas capital, Beijing.Established in
2009, the company serves markets in 20 cities nationwide and has won numerous awards for its
contribution to the local economy, according to introductions posted online.

Mahant is Chhattisgarh acting PCC chief
On 03 June 2013,the Congress high command named Union Minister Charan Das Mahant as
acting president of the partys Chhattisgarh unit.Mahants appointment to the top organisational
post came barely a week after the deadly Maoist ambush on a Congress contingent at Bastar,
which claimed the lives of incumbent PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel, senior party leader
Mahendra Karma and 25 Congress workers. An OBC leader, Mahant had earlier served as the
partys working president in the state.He is the only one Congress party member elected in the
2009 Chhattisgarh Lok Sabha elections.

Indian Won six medals in Slovakia Junior Table Tennis
Indian paddlers annexed four gold and two silver medals in the Slovak Junior ITTF Open table
tennis championship in Slovakia.

Raghav Joneja youngest Indian to climb Everest
Raghav Joneja youngest Indian to climbed the Mount Everest on 21 May 2013.He is one of the
member in Larens school youngest team of mountaineers in the world.Climbing at the age of 15
years and seven months Raghav Joneja broke the record set by Nameirakpam
Chingkheinganba of Manipurs, who climed the everest at the age 16 years seven months and
11 days.Lawrence School in Kasuali became the first school in the world to send a team to the
highest peak .

Lightest Alien Planet Outside Solar System
On 3 June European scientists have discovered a new alien planet orbiting a young star about
300 light years from Earth.The exoplanet, HD 95086 b , was observed directly by the
European Southern Observatorys (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.Nearly 1,000
exoplanets have been detected indirectly through various means such as radical velocity and
transmit method.Of the 12 exoplanets ,the newly discovered HD 95086 b is the least massive
planet to have been directly observed outside the solar system .HD 95086 b orbiting its parent
star, HD 95086, is estimated to have a mass of four to five times that of Jupiter.

China, Pakistan, India Increased Nuclear Arsenals
On 3 June According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute annual report
,China, India, and Pakistan have increased their nuclear arsenals over the past year.India and
Pakistan have each added around 10 new warheads to bring their totals to between 90 and 110

and between 100 and 120 respectively. China now has 250 nuclear warheads, compared to 240
in 2012.Only the two old superpowers have cut their arsenals, with the United States reducing
its warheads from 8000 to 7700, and Russia from 10,000 to 8,500.

65 Countries Signed Arms Trade Treaty
On 3 June More than 65 countries of the world signed signed the Arms Trade Treaty and the
United States announced it will sign soon.The treaty will require countries that ratify it to
establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and components and
to regulate arms brokers, but it will not control the domestic use of weapons in any country. It
prohibits the transfer of conventional weapons if they violate arms embargoes or if they promote
acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

MS Dhoni received ICC ODI Championship Shield
On June 2013,the Indian Skipper MS Dhoni received the ICC ODI Championship Shield and a
cheque of 175000 US dollars for leading the number One ODI team on the annual 1 April cut-off
date. Indian team claimed the number-one spot from England after winning the series 3-2 in
January 2013. India won eight out of 13 ODIs while losing five in the 12-month period between 1
April 2012 and 1 April 2013.his is the first time since the current ranking system was introduced
in 2002 that India finished as the No1 ranked One-Day International (ODI) side. David Morgan,
former President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), presented the Shield to Dhoni.
Sulabh founder Pathak receives French award
Environmentalist Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the famed Sulabh project that provides basic
and affordable toilet access to Indias poor, has been presented with the Legend of Planet
award in Paris. The award was presented to Pathak by the Vice-President of the French
Senate, Chantal Jourdan, at Palais du Luxembourg on 4 June 2013.

Beach volley ball tournament at vizag
Indian Open Beach Volley Ball tournament would be held in September on Visakhapatnam
Beach. As many as 64 leading teams(32 each in mens and womens sections)across the globe
would be battling for four days for a prize of $1,50,000.The event is sponsored by Federation
International De Volleyball (FIVB) at Ramakrishna Beach from September 4 to 8.

Junk food hurting world economy UN

On 4 June 2013, the UNs food agency said obesity and poor nutrition weighed heavily on the
global economy and told governments that investing in food health would bring big economic as
well as social returns. Lost productivity and spiralling health care bills linked to malnutrition
could account for as much as 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to $3.5
trillion a year. About two billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and 1.4 billion
people were overweight of which 500 million were obese.

US Slapped Economic Sanction on Iran
On 4 June The US has slapped new sanctions on Iran ,targeting the countrys already-devalued
currency and automobile industry.This is the ninth set of sanctions that the Obama
administration has imposed against Iran. The executive order also empower the imposition of
new sanctions against those who intentionally engage in major financial or other transactions for
the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of significant goods or services used in connection with Irans
automotive sector. Similar sanctions were earlier imposed on Irans shipping, shipbuilding, and
energy sectors. It is for the first time that the US has directly targeted the Iranian currency.

Union Cabinet Approved Real Estate Regulatory Bill
On 04 June The Union Cabinet approved the (Regulation and Development) Bill 2013.The bill
seeks to make it mandatory for developers to launch projects only after acquiring all the
statutory clearances from the relevant authorities. The Bill has provisions under which all
relevant clearances for real estate projects would have to be submitted to the regulator and also
displayed on a website before starting the construction . The proposed legislation has tough
provisions to deter builders from putting out misleading advertisements related to the projects
carrying photographs of the actual site.
Nawaz Sharif sworn in as Pakistan PM
On 5 June 2013,PML-N leader Nawaz Sharief sworn in as 27 Prime Minister to Pakistan. He
became the first person to serve as prime minister for a third term. Mr Sharif received 244 votes
in the 342-seat parliament and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi received 31 votes while Makdhoom
Amin Fahim received a total of 42 votes.In 1999 Pakistan former PM Prevez Musharaf revolt on
government, so he lost the PM post. After 14 years now he elected to the same PM post.

Susan Rice to be Obamas national security adviser
Tom Donilon is resigning as President Barack Obamas national security adviser and will be
replaced by Susan Rice. Rice is the US ambassador to the United Nations. Since 2008 she
played key role in giving suggestions and advices to Obama in Foreign Affaires.

Andhra Pradesh ties with MIT for better education
Andhra Pradesh is set to sign an MOU with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) to tap its vast resources to help give the states educational system a face
lift,The MOU will help strike the education platform and open courseware of the prestigious
institute located in Boston, to develop alternative learning mechanisms in the wake of serious
dearth of qualified teaching professionals.

Lydia became the first Woman to be Elected to FIFA
Burundis Lydia Nsekera became the first woman to be elected to the FIFA (The Fdration
Internationale de Football Association)Executive Committee (ExCo) for a full term of four
years.Lydia Nsekera is President of the Fdration de Football du Burundi since 2004 and has
been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2009.

Former Slovenia PM sentenced 2 years in prison
The two-time former prime minister of Slovenia, Janez Jansa, has been convicted of corruption
and sentenced to two years in prison.Mr Jansa was accused of soliciting bribes as part of a
defence deal with a Finnish manufacturer in 2006.

348 Million Internet Users Expected In India By 2017
On 5 June According to the Ciscos Visuals Networking Index (VNI) forecast (2012-17) report ,
India has the fastest Internet traffic growth globally and is expected to have 348 million users by
2017.In India, there will be 348 million Internet users in 2017, up from 138 million in
2012.Internet traffic in India will reach 2.5 Exabytes per month in 2017.Worldwide, by 2017, the
number of Internet users will rise to 3.6 billion, which will be more than 48 per cent of the worlds
estimated population of 7.6 billion.

India 4th In World Steel Production
On 5 June According to the World Steel Association (WSA) data , Indias rank in the world order
of steel production remained unchanged at fourth slot with an output of 77.06 MT (million
tonnes) steel produced in 2012.China gets first ranked in world steel production .China
produced 716.05 MT in 2012.Japan produced (2nd rank) 107.02 MT and US (3rd rank) 88.07 Mt
in 2012.


Vishwanath is new CMD of FCI
On 5 June C Viswanath, 1981-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre has been appointed
as the chairman and managing director of the public sector foodgrains distribution company
Food Corporation of India (FCI).He replaced Dr Amar Singh who demitted the office on May 28.
Dhoni ranked 16th on Forbes list of 100 highest-paid athletes
The leading magazine Forbes prepared a list of world top 100 highes-paid athletes.In this list
Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulukar got 16th and 51st places
respectively.This list is prepared based on last year annual income.The annual income of MS
Dhoni is $31.5 million.But he earned $3.5 million from matches and remaining amount from
advertisements and other business.Sachin Tendulkars annual income is $22 million . The
Golfer Tiger Wood(America) got a 1st place in this list with annual income of $78.1 million
followed by tennis star Roger Federer at $71.5 million. Kobe Bryant, American professional
basketball player, is third at $61.9 million.

First all-women police station opens in Arunachal Pradesh
On 4 June 2013 the first all-women police station in Arunachal Pradesh has started functioning
in Itanagar to specifically deal with crimes against women.The plan to set up the maiden all-
women police station was mooted by the state government days after the Delhi gangrape
incident and the proposal was approved by the state cabinet on February 6.

Eating cheese can prevent tooth decay
Consuming dairy products is vital to maintaining good overall health, and its especially
important to bone health. But there has been little research about how dairy products affect oral
health in particular. However, according to a new study published in the May/June 2013 issue of
General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry
(AGD), consuming cheese and other dairy products may help protect teeth against cavities.

Virginius Xaxa appointed as a National Advisory Council member
On 6 June 2013, after Aruna Roys exit, the government has reconstituted the National Advisory
Council by inducting renowned sociologist Virginius Xaxa into the 12-member panel chaired by
Sonia Gandhi.The term of the panel, which has been giving legislative and policy inputs to the
government ranging from the seminal rural jobs scheme to the latest food security bill, has been
made co-terminus with the term of the present government.Xaxa as a Professor at the Tata
Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati.This council continuous till 31 May 2013.

US exempted India & Eight Other Countries for Importing Oil from Iran
On 6 June United States exempted India and eight other countries from sanctions for importing
oil from Iran, noting that these countries have significantly reduced their dependence on Iranian
oil in the last six months.US Secretary of State John Kerry announced ,India, China, Malaysia,
Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Taiwan have qualified for an
exception to sanctions under Americas Iran Sanctions Act.

British Comic Author Tom Sharpe Died
On 6 June British comic novelist Tom Sharpe has died in the coastal town of Llafranc in north-
eastern Spain.His first two books were satires about South Africas apartheid regime. Sharpe
travelled to South Africa in 1951 after leaving Cambridge, to work as a teacher and
photographer. Sharpes other books include Riotous Assembly, Indecent Exposure and
Porterhouse Blue, all written in the 1970s.

TCA Raghavan is Indias new High Commissioner To Pakistan
On 6 June TCA Raghavan has been appointed as the new High Commissioner to Pakistan.A
1982-batch IFS officer, Raghavan is currently serving as Indias high commissioner to
Singapore.Raghavan will replace Sharat Sabharwal, who was on an extension after he retired
last year.

Dard-E-Dil Likhun Kab Tak Book Released by Vice President of India
On 6 June The Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari released a book entitled Dard-e-Dil
Likhun Kab Tak (in Urdu and Hindi) authored by Rukhsar Amrohvi. The book is a compilation of
poems composed by poetess Rukhsar Amrohvi and some rare pictures of the historic moments
of Indian Cinema. This book is a valuable addition to the Urdu Literature.
U.S. and China Hold Bilateral Talks
On 7 June The U.S. President Barack Obama and China President Xi Jinping concluded their
latest round of high-level trade talks. In the meeting both countries agreeing to inject new vitality
to bilateral trade and economic relations. The US and China will work together and with other
countries to use the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the
consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), among other forms of multilateral
cooperation. Both nations agreed to work together on the crucial cyber security issues that have
spiraled tensions between the two nations.

Highest Krishi Vigyan Kendra to be Opened at Nyoma, Leh
Nations highest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) will be set up at Nyoma, Leh district of Jammu &
Kashmir at a height of about 14000 feet.The main aim of the KVK center in the location is to
improve fodder production of the region and provide fine health care to roaming animals in the
area.It also aims towards introducing vegetable production under protected environment and
impart training to women on animal care.

Kevin Barry is 2013 IMPAC winner
Irish writer Kevin Barry has won the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his first novel, City of
Bohane.It is the third time that an Irish author has won the 100,000 prize.The Award is
organised by Dublin City Libraries, on behalf of Dublin City Council and sponsored by IMPAC,
an international management productivity company.The prize was previously awarded to Colm
Tibn in 2006 for The Master and to Colum McCann in 2011 for Let the Great World Spin.

Roshni Scheme Launched In Naxal Affected Districts
Union Government of India launched a placement linked skill development scheme Roshni
targeting 50,000 rural men and women, mostly tribals, in 24 worst affected districts.Under the
scheme, national-level agencies will be designated to act as monitoring and coordinating
agencies in the Naxal-hit districts.The three-year initiative aims at skilling and placement of
50,000 youth from 24 Naxalite-affected districts in nine states.The funding for the Roshni
scheme would be in the ratio of 75:25 to be shared between the Centre and the states.

Researchers Leads To Discovery To Create Early Warning System For Tsunamis
On 7 June Researchers from Stanford University have identified key acoustic characteristics of
the 2011 Japan earthquake that indicated it would cause a large tsunami.In 2011, a magnitude
9.0 undersea earthquake occurred 43 miles off the shore of Japan. The earthquake generated
an unexpectedly massive tsunami that washed over eastern Japan roughly 30 minutes
later.Now, computer simulations by Stanford scientists reveal that sound waves in the ocean
produced by the earthquake probably reached land tens of minutes before the tsunami. If
correctly interpreted, they could have offered a warning that a large tsunami was on the way.

Anil Swarup Committee Set Up To Re-start Stalled Projects
On 7 June Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced a committee has been
appointed to identify and help re-start as many as 215 large projects worth over Rs 7 lakh crore

which have been stalled for years and assured that each of these projects will be off the ground
at the earliest.A committee headed by Anil Swarup.
17% of urban Indians have kidney disease
Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi gathered information from 13 hospitals in 12 cities and
found 17 out of every 100 people suffering from kidney disease. we found 64.5% of the patients
suffering from CKD(chronic kidney disease) also suffered from hypertension, 4.7% from anemia
and 31.6% from diabetes.

Bolt surfaced to second place in Rome Diamond League
Usain Bolts defeat by Justin Gatlin in the 100 metres at the Rome Diamond League. American
Gatlin, bronze medallist at the London Games after a four-year doping ban, ran 9,94 seconds to
edge Bolt by 0,01 in a race that showed the Jamaican has yet to fully recover from the
hamstring injury that dogged him earlier in the season.So, he surfaced to second place in Rome
Diamond League.This is the second defeat to Usain Bolt in his carrier.

Indias First Dedicated Air Ambulance Launched
On 8 June Indias first state-of-the art Air Ambulance, Flying Doctors India, was launched in
NewDelhi.The new aircraft is tailor-made and equipped with a state-of-the-art Intensive Care
Unit on a dedicated chartered aircraft. The goal is to provide critical care even when a patient is
in transit.

Haryana Govt. Launched Priyadarshni Awaas Yojna
On 8 June Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda launched Priyadarshni Awaas
Yojna in the state at Karnal to provide affordable housing facility to the people living in rural
areas.People eligible under Indira Awaas Yojna and those who get 100 square yard plot under
Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna would also be included in the scheme.

French Open 2013 Tennis Title Winners
Womens Singles :-On 8 June Serena Williams from US won the Womens Singles title of
French Open Tennis tournament. In the final, she defeated Maria Sharapova .This is Serenas
second French Open title and 16th grand slam. It was the 31-year-old Americans 16th Grand
Slam title win.At 31 years, 247 days she is the oldest women in the Open Era to win the French
Open title.

Mens Singles :- On 9 June Rafael Nadal won his 8th Mens Singles Tittle of the French Open
Tennis Tournament. In the final at Paris, Nadal defeated Spanish compatriot David Ferrer . With
this, he became the first player to win 8 Singles Titles at the same Grand Slam Tournament. It
was his 12th Grand Slam title overall.
Womens Doubles :- Russian fourth seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina won the
French Open womens doubles title by defeating top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of
Italy in the final.It was a first Grand Slam title for the Russian pair.
American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won the Mens doubles .American twins extended their
record by clinching their 14th Grand Slam trophy after defeated Michael Llodra and Nicolas
Mahut of France in the mens doubles final
Indonesia gifts U.S. a Saraswati statue
On 9 June 2013,Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has
gifted an imposing 16-foot-high statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of education and
wisdom, to the American capital city of Washington DC.The goddess statue, on top of a lotus,
stands tall a block away from the Indian Embassy in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sebastian Vettel wins Canadian Grand Prix
On 9 June 2013 , Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel won the Canadian Grand Prix after defeating
Ferraris Fernando Alonso in Montreal meanwhile, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Ferraris
Fernando Alonso took the third and second position simultaneously.

Srikanth clinched the Thailand Open Badminton 2013
On 9 June 2013,Indias talented youngster Srikanth .K clinched the Thailand Open Grand Prix
Gold Badminton trophy in Thailand. In the Mens Singles title clash played on 9 June 2013, 13th
seed Srikanth defeated top seed and local favourite Boonsak Ponsana in straight games, 21-16,
21-12, to bag his careers maiden title.
ICMR Award for IICT scientist
Prof Upadhyayulu Satyanarayana Murty, chief scientist and head, Biology division of CSIR-
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad has won the ICMR prize for Biomedical
Research Conducted in Under Developed Areas for the year 2010.Dr Murthy has been
conferred with the award for his contribution in the area of Integrated Control of Vectors and
Vector borne diseases like Malaria, Filariasis and Japanese Encephalitis in North Eastern states

of India. The award carries a citation and cash prize of `20,000 to be presented by Ghulam Nabi
Azad, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, in New Delhi.

China to send second woman into space
China is to send its second woman astronaut into orbit on its longest mission yet, space officials
said on 10 June 2013, as the country works towards building a space station.The Shenzhou-10
the name means Divine Vessel will be launched on a Long March rocket on 11 June
2013, Wu Ping, spokeswoman for Chinas manned space programme, told a news
conference.Wang Yaping, 35, the second woman to go to space. The previous Shenzhou
mission, in June 2013, included Chinas first woman astronaut, Liu Yang, who became a
national heroine.

RBI penalises ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and HDFC Bank for violating KYC norms
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and ICICI
Bank for violating guidelines related to know your customer (KYC) rules. The RBI has imposed
a penalty of Rs5 crore on Axis Bank, Rs4.5 crore on HDFC Bank and Rs1 crore on ICICI
Bank.During March and April 2013, RBI said it investigated scrutiny of accounts, compliance
systems, internal control and processes of these banks from the private sector at their corporate
offices and braches. The investigation revealed violation of certain regulations and instructions
including :- non-observance of certain safeguards in respect of arrangement of at par payment
of cheques drawn by cooperative banks. non-adherence to certain aspects of know your
customer (KYC) norms and anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines like risk categorisation and
periodical review of risk profiling of account holders. Non-adherence of KYC for walk-in
customers including for sale of third party products, omission in filing of cash transaction reports
(CTRs) in respect of some cash transactions, sale of gold coins for cash beyond Rs50,000. Not
obtaining of permanent account number (PAN) card details or form 60/61 as required.

Worlds Highest Density Of Millionaires In Qatar
On 10 June According to the Boston Consulting Groups (BCG) 13th Annual Global Wealth
Management Report ,Qatar has the highest density of millionaires in the world, with 14.3 pc of
the oil-rich Gulf nations population holding private wealth of $1 mn.The figure shows 143 out of
every 1,000 households in Qatar holding private wealth of at least $1 million, much higher than
the global average.Kuwait ranks third with 11.5%, while Bahrain (4.9%) and the UAE (4.0%)
rank seventh and ninth, respectively.
Worlds oldest woman dies in China at 127

Luo Meizhen, a woman who Chinese officials say is the worlds oldest person, has died,
relatives said on Tuesday. Chinese officials say Meizhen was born in 1885 and was 127 years
old, but the Guinness Book of World Records never recognized her claim.

V C Shukla no more
Former Union Minister and Congress veteran V C Shukla, who suffered bullet injuries in the
deadly Naxal attack that eliminated Chhattisgarh party leadership over a fortnight ago, died on
11 June 2013 after developing multi-organ failure. Shukla, son of illustrious lawyer, freedom
fighter and veteran Congressman Ravishankar Shukla, was the first Chief Minister of the re-
organized Madhya Pradesh. Elected to Lok Sabha nine times, the first time in 1957, he was
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting under the late Mrs Indira Gandhi and had a
controversial tenure in the ministry during the Emergency. He had sided with VP Singh in the
late 80s and joined the Jan Morcha in the run up to the Parliament elections in 1989. Shukla
became a minister in VP Singh government and later switched to Chandrashekhar to remain a
minister in the shortlived JD (S) government. Then he returned to Congress and became a
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.

Kiran Bedi Received Nomura Award
On 11 June Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was honoured with USD 10,000 Nomura Award at
Singapore for her outstanding humanitarian works.Bedi was given the award constituted by
Nomura Group of Japan for improving the world for future generations. The group is one of the
leading financial services group.

India Ranked 141 in Global Peace Index 2013
On 11 June According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2013 released by Institute for
Economics and Peace (IEP) , India ranks 141st out of 162 in this years Global Peace Index
(GPI).Iceland (First Rank) ,Denamark (2nd rank) , Austria (3rd rank) ,Switzerland (5th
rank).Other important countries ranks in Global Peace Index (GPI) :- Japan (6th rank) ,US
(100th rank) ,China (101 rank) ,Bangladesh (105 rank) , Srilanka (110 rank) ,Iran (137th rank)
,Russia (155th rank) ,Pakistan (157th rank) , Iraq (159th rank) and Afganistan (162 rank) ranks
at bottom.The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an attempt to measure the relative position of
nations and regions peacefulness.

China Successfully Launches Fifth Manned Space Mission
On 11 May China successfully launched its fifth and longest manned space mission with three
astronauts, including a woman, on board Shenzhou-10 as part of the Communist giants efforts
to build a permanent space lab of its own by 2020. Shenzhou-10 (Divine Craft) spaceship

carried the three astronauts blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu
province for a 15-day-long mission during which it would dock with Tiangong-1 space lab
orbiting round the Earth and conduct a host of experiments.Now Chinas fifth manned mission
and would last a fortnight compared to last years 13 days.Wang Yaping the second Chinese
woman to go into space after Liu Yang last year.

India and US Launched Space Solar Power Initiative
In the month of June India and a top US science body have forged an international organisation
to develop space solar power ,an initiative that has the potential of solving humanitys energy
needs and greatly mitigating climate change.In his Address to the 2013 National Space
Societys International Space Development Conference (ISDC 2013) Mark Hopkins asserted to
include specific mechanisms such as the Global Space Knowledge Platform, the International
Virtual Laboratory, and the International Advisory Committee that Abdul Kalam has elaborated
through discussion papers.

Bill Clinton Awarded Father of the Year
On 11 June Former President of the United States Bill Clinton was honored as 2013 Father of
the Year award from the National Fathers Day Committee at a New York City , which
benefitted international NGO Save the Children.
Oldest man in the world, Jiroemon Kimura, died
According to Guinness World Records,the worlds oldest person, 116-year-old Japanese man
Jiroemon Kimura, died on 12 June 2013 in Tokyo.He died after few hours of unofficial world
oldest woman of China , Luo Meizhen died.

Jayaraman is ASL director
Advanced Systems Laboratory, a key missile facility in Hyderabad has a new Director in
Jayaraman. An outstanding Scientist, he took charge as Director of the Defence Research and
Development Laboratory from V.G. Sekharan.A post-graduate in Aeronautical Engineering from
the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, he joined the DRDO in 1982.As System Manager for
Project Agni, he designed and developed Carbon Composite Re-entry Vehicle Structures with
shell-on-shell technique for Agni III.

IAF Gets C-17 Globemaster-III Airlifters

On 12 June The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first of the 10 C-17 Globemaster-III heavy
airlifters it has purchased from the US, and then order six more.Now the Indian Air Force on this
milestone as India joins the worldwide community of C-17 operators.Boeing is on track to deliver
four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.India signed an agreement with the U.S. in
2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the U.S.

Bangladesh Amends Anti-Terror Law
On 12 June Bangladeshs parliament amended the tough anti-terrorism law re-defining
terrorism and allowing courts to accept internet.The (anti-terror) bill suggests provisions to
effectively control terrorism through inter-state cooperation.It offers the central bank the
authority to freeze suspicious accounts without court orders.The law was first enacted in 2009
after the December 2008 elections while it was amended last year incorporating some
provisions.The law was first enacted in 2009 when the incumbent Awami League assumed
office after the December 2008 elections while it was amended last year incorporating some
provisions.

EU Launched New Nuclear Safety Rules
On 12 June The European Commission released a new set of nuclear power safety rules aimed
at eliminating the risk of a Fukushima-type disaster in the region.The directive will require
countries to submit to an international review of their nuclear power systems every six years,
and fix any shortcomings discovered.There are 132 nuclear reactors in operation in Europe.

50 Lakh Child Labours In India
On 12 June According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report , nearly 50
lakh children are eking out their livelihood in the country, of whom 17.5 lakh are in
Uttarakhand.The second-largest share of child labourers comes from West Bengal (5.5 lakh),
Rajasthan (4.05 lakh) and Gujarat (3.9 lakh).The NSSO estimated this figures on the eve of the
World Day against Child Labour.

New Human Cornea Layer Discovered
On 12 June Indian researcher Harminder Dua, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
at the Nottingham University, has found a previously undetected layer in the cornea , the clear
window at the front of the human eye and named Duas layer.Scientists previously believed
the cornea to be composed of five layers, from front to back, the corneal epithelium, Bowmans
layer, the corneal stroma, Descemets membrane and the corneal endothelium.The new layer
that has been discovered is located at the back of the cornea between the corneal stroma and

Descemets membrane.Although it is just 15 microns thick the entire cornea is around 550
microns thick .

Andaman Tsunami Warning System Can Alert In 3 Minutes
On 12 June The Early Tsunami Warning System installed at Rangachang in Andaman and
Nicobar Islands can predict a tsunami immediately after an earthquake.The system can predict
tsunami within 3 minutes after the occurrence of the initial tremors and send alerts.Following the
alerts sent from the Tsunami Warning System, the tsunami alerts can be issued to the risk
zones via Centre in consultation with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services,
INCOIS at Hyderabad.

Shabana Azmi Received Fourth Doctorate
On 12 June National award-winning actress Shabana Azmi received her fourth doctorate from
Simon Fraser University in Vancouver .Shabana has received doctorates from Leeds University
in Britain, the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and the Jadavpur University in Kolkata, previously.

Chandrashekhar Committee To Frame Rules For Foreign Investors
The Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Committee under the
chairmanship of Cabinet secretary KM Chandrashekhar,submitted its report on 12 June.The
committee has recommended doing away with prior direct registration of foreign institutional
investors (FIIs) and sub accounts with Sebi. It also recommended merging FIIs, sub accounts
and qualified foreign investors (QFIs) into a new investor class to be called the foreign portfolio
investor.
Justice Usha Mehra Becomes Full Time Member Of Law Commission
On 13 June Justice Usha Mehra, retired Judge of the High Court of Delhi, has been appointed
as full-time Member of the 20th Law Commission of India.Bijai Narain Mani, eminent law author,
and Gurjeet Singh, Director General of the National Law School and Judicial Academy Assam,
were appointed part-time members of the panel.The panel, which advices government on
complex legal issues, is headed by Justice D K Jain, former judge of the Supreme Court.

26 New Black Holes Found In Andromeda
On 13 June NASA Astronomers have discovered 26 new likely black holes in the neighboring
Andromeda galaxy.The new black holes were discovered using NASAs Chandra X-ray

Observatory, which made 150 separate observations over 13 years to detect them.Many
consider Andromeda (M31) to be a sister galaxy to the Milky Way. The two ultimately will
collide, several billion years from now.The new black hole candidates were formed via powerful
collisions of massive stars and are five to 10 times bigger than the sun.

World Population Projected To Reach 9.6 Billion By 2050
On 14 According to the United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision
report ,The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the
next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050.India is expected to become the worlds largest
country, passing China around 2028, when both countries will have populations of 1.45 billion.
After that, Indias population will continue to grow and Chinas is expected to start decreasing.

World Bank Expected India To Grow 5.7% In FY 13
On 13 June According to the World Bank Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report ,Growth in
India is projected to rise to 5.7 percent in the 2013 fiscal year and firm to 6.5 percent and 6.7
percent in FY2014 and FY2015, respectively.Global GDP is expected to expand about 2.2
percent this year and strengthen to 3.0 percent and 3.3 percent in 2014 and 2015.

Dubai Inaugurated Worlds Tallest Twisted Tower
On 13 June Dubai has inaugurated the worlds tallest twisted tower named Cayan Tower built
at a cost of 272 million US dollar, setting a yet another record for skyscrapers and other
engineering marvels. Earlier it was named the Infinity Tower.The tower was inaugurated in
Dubai Marina.The 310-metre (1,017-foot), 75-storey residential Cayan Tower is twisted at 90
degrees from top to bottom.The developer of this tower is Cayan Real Estate Investment and
Development Company.
S K Roy Appointed New Chairman of LIC
S K Roy has been appointed as the Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).Roy
succeed D.K. Mehrotra, and get a five-year term as chairman.On May 31, 2013, he assumed
charge as Managing Director of LIC along with Thomas Mathew and Sarkar.Roy joined the
largest insurance company in the country in 1981.

India, UK Signed MoU On Cooperation In Healthcare Sector

On 14 June India and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
for strategic and technical cooperation on health care policy and practice.The MoU was signed
by Department of Health Research (DHR) Secretary V M Katoch and UK-based National
Institute for Health and Care (NICE) Excellence chief executive Andrew Dillon in London.

Delhis IGI Airport Gets Worlds Second Best Airport Award
On 14 June Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been named the worlds second best
airport in the 25-40 million passengers category by the Airport Council International. The airport
also has been adjudged as the fourth best in the world among 199 airports across all
categories.IGI has managed to retain its position of second best airport in the 25-40 million
passengers per annum category for 2012 year.

West Bengal Tops Chart In Crime Against Women
On 14 June According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics ,West Bengal is
the most unsafe place for women in India. It tops the list of states with the highest number of
registered cases against women.West Bengal accounted for 12.67 per cent of the total crime
committed against women in the country.Mamatas state is followed by Assam (37.6%) , Kerala
(20.8%), Jharkhand (19.2%) , Bihar (18.5%) ,Uttar Pradesh (15 %) ,Andhra Pradesh (6.2%)
,Madhya Pradesh (5.1%).

Tan Twan Eng Wins The 2013 Walter Scott prize
On 14 June Malaysian writer author Tan Twan Eng has won the 2013 Walter Scott prize for
Historical Fiction for his second novel The Garden of Evening Mists.The Walter Scott Prize for
the historical fiction was founded in the year 2010.
Anish Kapoor Honoured With Knighthood
On 15 June Indian-origin sculptor Anish Kapoor has been honoured with knighthood, one of the
highest honours in Britain, by Queen Elizabeth II in her birthday honours list 2013 for services to
Visual Arts.Kapoor is famous for his monumental public sculptures and his enigmatic sculptural
forms that have been exhibited all over the world.

Veteran Communist Leader Satyapal Dang Died
On 15 June Veteran Veteran communist party leader Satyapal Dang died in Amritsar.Satya Pal
Dang was Born in 1920 in Gujranwala in Pakistan and had married to Vimla, another CPI

leader, in 1952. Vimla died in 2009.Dang had contested his first Vidhan Sabha election in 1966-
67 from Amritsar west constituency.He was elected four times to Punjab assembly from
Amritsar.Satypal Dang was awarded Padma Shri in 1998 for his contribution to the social
sphere, as he, along with Vimla, had fought many relentless battles for the cause of the
downtrodden.However, Satyapal Dang had returned the Padma Bhushan and demanded
abolition of all such awards contending a persons contribution to society is judged by his deeds
and not by honours.

Hasan Rowhani Elected As Irans New President
On 15 June moderate cleric Hasan Rowhani elected as Irans new President.Rowhani has won
the countrys presidential election.Rowhani won with 50.7 percent of the more than 36 million
votes cast.Other contenders such as Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf got 16.5
percent and Hard-line nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili came in third with 11.3 percent of votes.
Another conservative Mohsen Rezaei got 10.6 percent votes.

John Ashe Elected UN General Assembly President
On 15 June John Ashe, the ambassador to the United Nations for Antigua and Barbuda has
been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.He selected as the President of
UN General Assembly for its 68th session.

Union MinistersAjay Maken and CP Joshi Resigned
On 15 June Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation minister Ajay Maken ,Surface
Transport and Highways Minister as well as Railway Minister CP Joshi, resigned from their
offices.Their resignation was accepted by the President Pranab Mukherjee.
Ratan Tata Appointed as Chief Advisor of AirAsia India
On 16 June 2013 AirAsia announced that Ratan Tata, the ex-chairman of the Tata Group was
appointed as the Chief Advisor of AirAsias India board. In the meanwhile, Mittu Chandilya was
named as the CEO of the AirAsia India. Ratan Tata paved the way for creating joint venture
between AirAsia, Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace and the Tata Group.In the joint venture,
AirAsia has 49 percent share, while Tata has 30 percent share. Remaining 21 percent share is
held by Arun Bhatia.

Urban Administration Dept adopts online fund transfer system in MP

In Madhya Pradesh, the Urban Administration Department has adopted online fund transfer
system to ensure transparency and speed in the process of fund transfer to urban bodies.
Funds are now being deposited directly in bank accounts of concerning urban bodies through
electronic transfer.

India Won Silver Medal in Archery World Cup
The Indian players Rajat Chouhan and Manjudha Soy won a silver medal at the World Cup
(Stage-II) Archery competition held in Antalya, Turkey on 16 June 2013.They lost against the
Italian world champions Sergio Pagni and Marcella Toniolli.

India Won 17 Medals at Junior Asian Wrestling Championship
On 16 June Junior Indian wrestlers won 17 medals at the recently concluded Asian Junior
Championships.The grapplers won in freestyle, greco-roman and female categories in the
tourney held June 12-16.The freestyle team won three gold, two silver and two bronze medals
and also took the overall team championship. The girls team won two silver and three bronze
medals while the greco-roman team won a silver and bronze.This is the first time in wrestling
history that Indian juniors bagged 17 medals out of the 24 on offer.

Kuwaits Constitutional Court Dissolved Parliament
On 16 June The Kuwait Constitutional Court has dissolved the Kuwaiti parliament and ordered
new elections.The Constitutional Court had decided not to make a ruling on the constitutionality
of the Emir Sheik Al-Sabahs change to the electoral laws after they had examined and rejected
the challenge.

Indian Artist Selected For Dubai Art Prize
On 16 June Bangalore-based artist Anup Mathew Thomas, whose works featured at the Kochi
biennale, is among five winners of Dubai Abraaj Group Art Prize.The Abraaj Group Art Prize
was established in 2008.

Indonesia Badminton Tournament 2013 Winner
Mens Singles :- On 16 June Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) won the Indonesia Badminton
Tournament Mens Singles title after defeated Germanys Marc Zwiebler in the final.
Womens Singles :- Li Xuerui of China won the title.In the womens singles final Li Xuerui
defeated Juliane Schenk from Germany.

Roger Federer Won Halle ATP Title
On 16 June Roger Federer of Switzerland won Gerry Weber Open Halle ATP title ,after
defeated Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in the final at Halle,Germany.This is the first title won by
Federer in the year 2013 and sixth Halle Title and 77th title of the career.

Worlds Fastest Super Computer: Tianhe-2
Americas fastest-supercomputer reign has ended, toppled by the Tianhe-2 out of Chinas
National University of Defense Technology. Tianhe-2 achieved 33.86 petaflop/s on the Linpack
benchmark, earning it the title of the worlds fastest supercomputer in the world, according to the
41st edition of the twice-annual Top500 List. Tianhe-2, also known as the Milky Way-2, will be
deployed at the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzho, China by the end of 2013 two
years ahead of its expected deployment. The machines achievement marks Chinas first No. 1
crown since Nov. 2010, when Tianhe-1A was the top system.

Ramadorai Named Chairman Of AirAsia India
S Ramadorai, former CEO of Tata Consultancy Services, is the chairman of AirAsia India, Tony
Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia Bhd, said in a Twitter announcement on 17 June 2013.After the
appointment of S Ramadorai,AirAsia team selection was completed.Ramadorai is the fourth
person from the Tata group to hold a position in the airline joint venture after Ratan Tata as
chief advisor, and R Venkataraman (former executive assistant to Ratan Tata) and Bharat
Vasani (chief legal counsel of the Tata Group), who are directors on the board.

Central Cabinet Reshuffled
On 17 June Eight new ministers were inducted into Union council of ministers headed by Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh.4 Cabinet ministers and 4 Ministers of State were administered the
oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati
Bhavan.Mallikarjun Kharge was given the charge of Railways Ministry.With the new induction,
the strength of the Union Council of Ministers has gone up to 77.
Four New Cabinet ministers with their Ministries:-
- Sisram Ola - Labour and Employment Ministry
- Oscar Fernandes - Road Transport and Highways Ministry
- Girija Vyas - Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
- Dr K S Rao - Textiles Ministry
Four New Ministers of State & Their Ministries:-
- Manikrao Gavit - Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment
- Santosh Chowdhury - Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare

- Jesudasu Seelam - Minister of State for Finance and
- E M S Natchiappan - Minister of State for Commerce and Industry

The First Non White-editor For The Independent News Paper
On 17 June 2013, the first non White,Amol Rajan appointed as editor for the The Independent
newspaper in UK .Mr. Amol Rajan moved to Britain at the age of three and grew up in London
where he attended a comprehensive secondary school. He went on to read English at
Cambridge University and edited the prestigious student magazine Varsity.

Manmohan Takes Oath As Rajya Sabha Member
On 17 June 2013,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took oath as member of the Rajya Sabha
after being re-elected in the biennial election from Assam. He took the oath in the chamber of
Chairman Hamid Ansari.He was elected from Assam for the fifth consecutive term.

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Necas Resigned
On 17 June Czech Republic prime minister Petr Necas has resigned ,after a fraud and spying
scandal involving his closest aide, pitching the European Union member state into a period of
uncertainty.Petr Necas is a former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and leader of the Civic
Democratic Party. He was sworn into office in 2010.
Indian-American Srinivasan Sworn In As Top US Court Judge
On 18 June 2013,Indian-American legal luminary Sri Srinivasan was sworn in as a judge in the
US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the second most powerful court in the United States
after the Supreme Court.Srinivasan from Chandigarh has become the first Indian American
judge in the second most powerful court of the country.

Worlds Longest and Widest Cable Bridge Inaugurated By China
The worlds longest and widest multi-pylon cable-stayed bridge has opened in China after seven
years of construction work.The Jiaxing-Shaoxing Sea Bridge stretches 6.2miles (10 kilometres)
over the Hangzhou Bay, in Shaoxing, China.It is mainly supported by two cable-towers, both of
which reach 745ft in the air, and has a main body stretching 2,560ft wide.


First-Ever Chinese Film Festival Inaugurated in New Delhi
The Government of India and Government of China joined hands for organising the first ever
Chinese film festival in India from 18 June 2013 to 23 June 2013 at Siri fort Auditorium, New
Delhi. The Chinese Film Festival is jointly organised by Indo China Economic and Cultural
Council (ICEC), State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and
Peoples Republic of China.

39th G8 Summit Held in North Ireland
The 39th G8 summit was held on 17 and 18 June 2013 at Fermanagh county, Northern Ireland
.The leaders of the G8 countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US, the
UK ,attended the summit.In the G8 countries Summit discussed on syria crisis and
advancement of trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency in the use
of natural resources among countries.At the end of the two day summit, the leaders of G8
nations agreed on the seven point document and released a joint statement on Syria.The G8
leaders also agreed on providing new fund of nearly 1.5 billion US dollar to help the people
affected by the raging conflict. Future of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not made
clear in the released statement.Russia to hold next G8 Summit in Sochi on June 4-5, 2014.
VIT 2nd Best Private University
According to the survey of India today in association with Nielsen, VIT University has been
ranked the second best institution in the country among the private universities, after Birla
Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani, and eighth among all technical higher educational
institutions in the country, the first being Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.

Afghanistan Rejects Talks With Taliban And U.S
On 19 June Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai rejected peace talks with the Taliban in a new
office in Qatar .Karzai also suspended talks on a new U.S.-Afghan security deal that would
allow some American troops to remain in the country after the international combat mission
ends in 2014 to protest the fact that his government was being left out of the initial process.

PM announced Rs 1000 crore Relief Fund For Uttarakhand
On 19 June Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Rs 1,000 crore for disaster relief in
Uttarakhand .Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the
families of those killed in the devastating floods and Rs 50,000 each to those injured from the
Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF). He also announced ex-gratia assistance of Rs

100,000 each to those whose houses have been completely destroyed and Rs 50,000 each to
those whose houses have been damaged from the PMNRF.

World Bank Released Global Warming In India Report
On 19 June According to the World Bank new report prepared by the Potsdam Institute for
Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, the report warns that global warming could
lead to more extreme droughts across large parts of India,over the next few decades.The
impact of a possible global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius in the next few decades
threatened to trap millions of people in poverty.Depicting life in a not-too-distant future shaped
by already present warming trends, the new report warns that by the 2040s, India will see a
significant reduction in crop yields because of extreme heat.The warming will impact significant
reduction in crop yields and some 63 million people may no longer be able to meet their caloric
demand.

New Language Discovered In Northern Australia
Scientists have discovered a new language in northern Australia which contains rare
grammatical innovations and a unique combination of elements from other languages. The
language, now known as Light Warlpiri, is spoken by approximately 300 people in a remote
desert community about 644 kilometres from Katherine, a town located in Australias Northern
Territory, said Carmel OShannessy, a professor in the department of linguistics at the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

India Recorded 2nd Highest Growth In HNI Population
On 19 June According to the World Wealth Report 2013, released by Capgemini and RBC
Wealth Management,India recorded 2nd highest growth of 22.2 percent High Net Worth
Individuals (HNWIs) population in 2012.Hong Kong got top position with 35.7 percent
HNWIs.The investable wealth of the worlds High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) rebounded in
2012, growing by 10 percent to reach a record high of USD 46.2 trillion, after declining 1.7
percent in 2011.In 2012 North Americas population of 3.73 million HNWIs surpassed Asia-
Pacifics 3.68 million, while its HNWI wealth reached USD 12.7 trillion, above the USD 12.0
trillion in the Asia-Pacific.

January 2013 To June 19th 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

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January 2013 To June 19th 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

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SBI PO 2013 PREPARATION

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