CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/27/2015

1. 11.2% RISE IN BANKING-RELATED COMPLAINTS IN FY15

i. Reserve Bank of India stated that number of complaints received by Banking Ombudsmen in 2014-15 has rised upto 11.2 percent.

ii. The maximum number of complaints recieved are from banks' failure to meet commitments and for not following fair practices code.

iii. The Deputy Governor of RBI S S Mundra stated the rise in complaints is a sign of awareness about the banking ombudsmen scheme.

2. RBI PERMITTED FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTORS TO BUY DEFAULTED BONDS

i. The Reserve Bank of India has allowed the Foreign Portfolio Investors to buy fully or partly defaulted bonds.

ii. The permission was given to promote investments by FPIs in corporate bonds.

iii. The RBI granted the permission to the FPIs under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

3. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TO PLAY THE HISTORIC FIRST DAY-NIGHT TEST MATCH

i. First day-night Test will be played at the Adelaide Oval with a pink Kookaburra ball between Australia and New Zealand.

ii. It is for the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played with at night with a ball that is not red.

4. BIHAR GOVERNMENT BANS SALE OF LIQUOR FROM 1^ST APRIL 2016

i. Bihar Government has banned sale of liquor in the state from 1^st  April 2016.

ii. This decision of government will make Bihar as 6th dry state/UT in the country.

iii. Some states had already banned liquor consumption in the states of Gujarat, Nagaland, Manipur and Kerala and Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

5. SOUTH ASIAN ANNUAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT EXERCISE 2015 HELD IN DELHI

i. The South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise was concluded by the Union Government in Delhi.

ii. It was the first-ever joint exercise to be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force of India.

iii. This joint exercise was attended by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation member countries.

iv. The member countries are Bhutan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

v. The exercise aims to synchronise efforts to institutionalise regional cooperation on disaster response among SAARC member countries.

6. UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED 3120 CRORE RUPEES INVESTMENT FOR AMRUT IN 102 CITIES

i. The Ministry of Urban Development approved an investment of 3120 crore rupees investment plans under Atal mission for rejuvenation and urban transformation.

ii. The fund is approved for basic urban infrastructure boost for 102 cities.

iii. AMRUT scheme will help cities in improving sewerage network services, storm water drains, water supply, non-motorised transport and availability of public spaces in 102 cities.

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/26/2015

1. 26 NOVEMBER OBSERVED AS NATIONAL MILK DAY

i. 26 November is observed as National Milk Day to mark birth anniversary of Dr.Verghese Kurien.

ii. He is also known as the Father of the White Revolution Dr.Verghese Kurien.

iii. The main aim of observing National Milk Day is to boost milk production.

 iv. He had also started Operation Flood which was the world’s largest agricultural development programme which had helped Indian to transform from a milk-deficit country into the world’s largest milk producer.

2. ANJU BOBBY GEORGE APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF TOP SCHEME

i. Anju Bobby George was appointed as the Chairperson of Target Olympic Podium Scheme  by Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.

ii. She will replace Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament and Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India who had resigned from this post.

iii. Anju Bobby George was first Indian athlete who had won bronze medal in the World Athletics Championships in 2003

iv. Target Olympic Podium Scheme was started with an objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects sportspersons for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

3. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OBSERVED ON 25 NOVEMBER

i. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was observed on 25 November.

ii. The day is observed to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for women community.

iii. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women will be marked by organisation of an event called Orange the world: End violence against women and girls across the world.

4. 10TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT HELD IN KUALA LUMPUR 

i. The 10th East Asia Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

ii. Theme of the summit was Our People, Our Community, and Our Vision.

iii. The summit was chaired by the PM of Malaysia Najib Razak and attended by Australia, India, China, japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia and the United States of America.

5. WRITER AND JOURNALIST MAHIP SINGH PASSED AWAY

i. Mahip Singh, the famous Hindi writer and journalist, passed away  in Gurgaon, Haryana.

ii. Mahip Singh was known for his collection of short stories, the first being Subah ke Phool, which was published in 1959.

iii. He had also written novels and some of his famous novels include Ye Bhi Nhi, Abhi Shesh Hai and Bich ki Dhoop.

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/25/2015

1. MAHARASHTRA TO LAUNCH GOPINATH MUNDE FARMERS ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME

i. The Maharashtra government is going to launch Gopinath Munde Farmers Accident Insurance Scheme.

ii.The scheme will cover accidental death of handicap of the farmers.

iii.The insurance scheme is aimed to ensure social and economic security to farmers and their families.

iv.The farmer will get two lakh rupees annual insurance cover.

CM OF MAHARASTRA: DEVENDRA FADNAVIS

2. INDIA AND SINGAPORE ENTERED INTO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

i.India and Singapore have signed a joint declaration for a Strategic Partnership to enhance bilateral relations between both countries.

ii.The focus of the visit included ‘five S plank‘ which includes enhancing  up trade and investment, smart cities, speeding up connectivity, skills development and state focus.

iii.The Partnership aims to promote the strategic relations between both countries for political, defence and security cooperation .

3. NUCLEAR-CAPABLE DHANUSH MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED FROM WARSHIP SUBHADRA

i. The nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile was successfully test fired from warship Subhadra, from Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.

ii. Dhanush missile is One of the five missiles indigenously developed by the DRDO under its strategic Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

iii.Dhanush is surface-to-surface missile  with range of 350 kms.

4. 2019 NEW DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF PMGSY

i. Union Government has reduced the deadline for completion of flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana  for rural connectivity from 2022 to 2019.

ii.The government  is focusing to accelerate the implementation of rural connectivity by reducing the deadline.

iii.Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched in 2000,as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Iv.The main objective of scheme is to provide  road connectivity to all eligible unconnected rural villages.

5. HRD MINISTRY SETS UP EXCLUSIVE PANEL ON SANSKRIT PROMOTION

i. The human Resource Development Ministry has constituted a 13-member expert committee on Sanskrit .

ii.The main of this committee is to revive interest in the ancient language.

iii. The committee is headed by N Gopalaswami, the former chief election

iv.The committee will recommend measures to integrate the study of the ancient language with other disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, medical science and law,and  to promote  Sanskrit education in schools and universities and recommend ways to promote Sanskrit education through modern tools.

HRD MINISTER: SMRITI IRANI

6. DONER MINISTRY TO DEVELOP MIZORAM AS THE ‘BAMBOO STATE OF INDIA

i. Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh stated that the government is going  to develop Mizoram as the ‘Bamboo State of India’.

 ii.The State of Mizoram produces  very high amount of bamboo, which can be used as a source for, not only for furniture but also for paper supply to the country.

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/24/2015

1. KULDIP NAYAR GOT RAMNATH GOENKA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

i. Kuldip Nayar, a veteran journalist and author was honoured with Ramnath Goenka Lifetime Achievement Award in Delhi.

ii. He was awarded this award for his contribution to journalism. 

iii. kuldip nayar has authored many  famous books such as Distant Neighbours: A Tale of the Subcontinent , India after Nehru, India House , The Judgement: Inside story of the emergency in India , The Martyr: Bhagat Singh Experiments in Revolution etc.

2. THE HUMAN COST OF WEATHER RELATED DISASTERS REPORT RELEASED BY UNISDR

i. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction released the report titled The Human Cost of Weather Related Disasters.

ii.The report stated  that the 5 countries United States, China, India, Philippines and Indonesia are mostly hitted by Disasters.

iii. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction was established in December 1999.

iv.UNISDR was established to ensure the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

3. OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE: US MILITARY OPERATION FOR THE INTERVENTION AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA

i. Operation Inherent Resolve was came into news after the Paris terror attack on 13 November in which about 130 people were killed.

ii. Operation Inherent Resolve is the US military operation name for the intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, including campaigning in Iraq and Syria.

iii.The anti-ISIS coalition is a coalition of 65-member nations.

iv. The mission aims to dismantle ISIS, Stabilise Syria and surroundings, to kick start a    political process in Syria

4. ROGER VAN GENT APPOINTED AS STRATEGIC COACH OF INDIAN MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM

i. Dutchman Roger Van Gent was appointed as the strategic coach for the Indian men’s Hockey.

ii. He will be the strategic coach of the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

CAPTAIN OF MEN HOCKEY TEAM: SARDARA SINGH

CAPTAIN OF WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM: RITU RANI

5. SEBI INKED MOU WITH BANGLADESH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

i. Securities and Exchange Board of India signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission on bilateral cooperation and technical assistance.

ii.It will provide training and technical assistance program between the two jurisdictions.

iii.The MoU will promote development of economic links and cooperation between the two Organisations.

iv. It aims to enhance investor protection and creating conditions for an effective development of securities markets in the two countries.

CHAIRMAN OF SEBI: UK SINHA

CHAIRMAN OF BANGLADESH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: DR M KHAIRUL HOSSAIN 

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/23/2015

1. 2ND WORLD CONGRESS ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT HELD AT VISAKHAPATNAM

i. 2^nd World Congress on Disaster Management held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

ii. It was attended by more than 1000 delegates from 40 countries and 20 states.

iii. The 2nd World Congress on Disaster Management Congress ended with the adoption of 'Visakhapatnam Declaration’.

iv. It recommended for building a platform of knowledge management, good practices, innovations.

v. It also recommended for promoting private sector participation to strengthen humanitarian commitments.

2. URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER LAUNCHED PORTAL FOR SMALL TRADERS’ E-LALA

i. Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated ‘E-lala’ an e-commerce portal of Confederation of All India Traders in New Delhi.

ii. The E-lala initiative is aimed to promote small businesses for the rapid expansion of e-commerce in the country.

iii. E-lala will enable physical stores to have their own online stores enabling them to retain their customer base besides additional source of growth in business.

iv. It seeks to eliminate middlemen and in reduced cost of goods and services

3. ARUN KUMAR KAPOOR APPOINTED CEO OF DISH TV

i. Direct-to-home service provider Dish TV appointed Arun Kumar Kapoor as its Chief Executive Officer.

ii. He has replaced Venkateish who resigned from his office in October.

4. MAHATMA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL CENTRE INAUGURATED IN MATALE BY SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT

i. The President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Centre in Matale.

ii. The center is a tribute to the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to humanity and the continuing relevance of his principles and philosophy to mankind.

iii. It was funded by Indian government's Development Cooperation in Partnership with Sri Lanka.

5. SWATI DANDEKAR APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ADB

i. Indian-American politician Swati Dandekar was appointed as executive director to the Asian Development Bank by US President Barack Obama.

ii. Swati Dandekar will replace Robert M Orr.

iii. The Asian Development Bank is an international organization that provides loans, grants, policy aid, technical assistance and equity investments to countries in Asia and the Pacific.

iv. It was established in 1966 which is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/22/2015

1. HARSHAVARDHAN NEOTIA ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF FICCI

i. Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group, was elected as the President of industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry for the year 2016.

ii. He will replace the current FICCI President Jyotsna Suri.

iii.The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry  is an association of business organizations in India.

iv.It was Established in 1927,it is the largest and oldest business organisation in India

2. UTTAR PRADESH IN GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS FOR PLANTATION DRIVE

i. Uttar Pradesh ‘s name has been entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the state government’s green drive.

ii. Under this green drive 10 lakh saplings were planted in one day within a span of eight hours.

CM OF UTTAR PARDESH: AKHILESH YADAV

3. DJOKOVIC BECAME 1ST PLAYER TO WIN ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS FOR 4TH CONSECUTIVE TIME

i.World number one Novak Djokovic  won the ATP World Tour title in London.

ii.Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in finals.

iii.He became the first player to win ATP world tour finals for the fourth consecutive time.

4. INDIA JUNIORS WON 8TH MEN'S JUNIOR ASIA HOCKEY CUP

i. India’s junior men’s hockey team won 8th Men’s Junior Asia hockey cup at Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia after defeating Pakistan.

ii.Harmanpreet Singh was the top scorer with four goals, Armaan Qureshi and Manpreet chipped in with a goal each.

CAPTAIN OF INDIA JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM - HARJEET SINGH

CAPTAIN OF PAKISTAN JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM - AHMAD SHAKEEL BUTT

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/21/2015

1. SYRIAN JOURNALIST ZAINA ERHAIM WINS 2015 REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS PRIZE

i. Syrian woman journalist Zaina Erhaim has been honoured with ‘Reporters without Borders Prize’

ii. The award is announced for her determination and courage covering news in civil war and conflict ravaged Syria which is known as the most dangerous country in the world for journalists.

iii. She has trained about 100 citizen reporters, maximum from them are women of Syria.

 iv. Reporters Without Borders Prize  is given annually by Paris based NGO Reporters Without Borders .

v. It is given to those journalists who have contributed to the defence and promotion of press freedom.

2. UNION GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED THE TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

i. Union government has launched the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund under the National Manufacturing Policy.

ii. The Scheme facilitates acquisition of clean & green technologies by micro, small and medium units across the sectors.

iii. Under this scheme financial support will be provided in acquiring of technology or Patent from across the Globe based on applications received from MSMEs.

3. PRESIDENT TO INAUGURATE 1^ST EVER WORLD INDOLOGY CONFERENCE

i. President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 1^st ever World Indology Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

ii. World Indology Conference is organised in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

iii. President Pranab mukherjee will present a Distinguished Indologist Award to Prof. Heinrich Freiherr Von Stietencron from Germany.

iv. The conference is a platform for bringing the best scholars from across the world, to discuss the present state of Indology, its relevance and also the challenges faced by them in India and abroad.

4. 23RD APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS SUMMIT HELD AT MANILA

i. 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Summit was held at Manila, Philippines.

ii. The summit was chaired by Philippines President Benignos. Aquino III.

iii. The theme of the Summit was’ Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World’

iv. Peru will host the next 24th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2016.

v. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 countries to promote free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1989.

5. RBI APPROVAL MANDATORY FOR BUYING OVER 5% STAKE IN PRIVATE BANK

i. RBI has announced it is mandatory for individuals and companies to take prior approval before acquiring shares or voting rights in a private bank for increasing the holding to 5 percent or more than 5%.

ii. RBI has directed banks to report any suspects who may have used dubious methods to get over the ceiling of 5 percent with a view to acquire controlling interest in the bank.

iii. RBI has also stated that the provisions will apply to the existing and proposed major shareholders of the private sector banks and all private sector banks, including Local Area Banks.

6. UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE TO ASHOK AMRITRAJ

i. Ashok Amritraj Tennis champion-turned Hollywood filmmaker, was awarded with an honorary doctorate of Arts by the University of East London.

ii. He was honoured with this award for promoting talented moviemakers from across the world, including India.

iii. The University of East London is a located in London, England.

CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV/20/2015

1. 7TH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION HEADED BY JUSTICE AK MATHUR SUBMITTED ITS REPORT

i. The 7th Central Pay Commission headed by Justice AK Mathur submitted its report to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

ii. The commission has recommended 23.55 percent hike in pay and allowances of government employees.

iii. The recommended pay revision will come into effect from 1 January 2016.

iv. The minimum pay for government employees is recommended to be set at 18000 rupees per month.

v. One Rank One Pension proposed for civilian government employees on line of OROP for armed forces.

2. 2^ND WORLD CONGRESS ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT STARTED IN VISAKHAPATNAM

i. The second World Congress on Disaster Management has started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

ii. It was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

iii. It was jointly hosted by the Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Control Society and Andhra Pradesh government.

3. NITISH KUMAR TO TAKE OATH AS BIHAR CM FOR 5TH TIME

i. Janta Dal United leader Nitish Kumar will be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Bihar for the fifth time today.

ii. Rashtirye Janta Dal president Lalu Prasad's son MLA Tejaswi Prasad Yadav  will sworn in as  deputy Chief Minister.

4. UNHCR SELECTED FOR INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FOR 2015

i. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is chosen for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2015.

ii. The jury was headed by Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari on birth annniversary of Indira Gandhi.

iii. UNHCR was chosen for the award in recognition of its immense contributions in helping millions of refugees in their rehabilitation and resettlement.

iv. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on 1950 by the UN General Assembly with an aim to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.

      Headquarters of UNHCR: Geneva, Switzerland

5. CCEA APPROVED EXTENSION OF INDIAN DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME

i. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved extension of Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme for next five years from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

ii. It was approved by the Prime Minister presiding CCEA in view of continued relevance of the scheme.

iii. The main aim of the scheme is to promote India's strategic political and economic interest abroad by positioning it as an emerging economic power, investor country and partner for developing countries.

6. RAM KRISHAN TRIVEDI, THE FORMER GUJARAT GOVERNOR AND CEC, DIED

i. Former Gujarat Governor Ram Krishna Trivedi died on 19 November after prolonged illness in Lucknow.

ii. He also served as the Chief Election Commissioner from 1982 to  1985.

iii. He was the first person to introduce the voter ID cards in Indian Elections.