WBCSMadeEasy

1. India and Bangladesh physically transferred 162 enclaves/chitmahals located on Indo-Bangladesh.
Under the historic exchange, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves merged with India, while 111 Indian enclaves from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram merged with Bangladesh.
The transfer took place in pursuant to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and its Protocol of 2011 between both neighbouring countries. The exchange comes after the instruments for accession were ratified by both countries during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in June 2015.
This exchange gave citizenship identity to over 52,000 people of either country, thus giving them access to all legal rights and civic amenities. Earlier people in these enclaves were living a stateless existence for 68 years.
Earlier under the LBA, a joint nationality preference survey was conducted in order to give the choice of nationality to the residents. Data from the survey is now being verified by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to facilitate the trouble-free moving of residents before the stipulated deadline of 30th November 2015.

2. India’s first Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala.
First of its kind system in the country is part of initiatives to strengthen and beef up coastal security in the western coastline.
About Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS)
Designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Consists of advance sensors, coastal surveillance radars and sound navigation and ranging systems (SONAR).
Capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and generating warning for all types of underwater and surface threats to harbour security.
The integrated system can detect presence of divers and under water threats with the help of this automatic system.
The system has been contracted by Integrated Headquarters of Union Ministry of Defence in 2012. Henceforth it will operate under the control of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Kerala).
Presently, similar kind of systems are fitted in over 150 locations across the world including in South America, Caribbean, Mediterranean countries and Africa.

3. Union Government has conferred Arjuna Award on Indian cricket team off-spinner bowler Ravichandran Ashwin. With this Ashwin became 48th cricketer to receive the prestigious award.
He was presented with award by Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a special function organised in New Delhi.
The award was bestowed upon R Ashwin in 2014, but he was not present during the Award Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in August 2014. During that time he was a part of the India One Day International (ODI) team, which was touring England.
About Ravichandran Ashwin
R Ashwin hails from southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Till date in his international cricket career he has taken 139 wickets in 99 ODIs, 124 wickets in 25 Tests and 26 wickets in 25 T20 internationals.
He is the fastest Indian bowler to reach the 100 and 50 wicket mark in International Test cricket and 5th fastest bowler in Test history to bag 100 wickets.
Presently, he plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Indian Premier League (IPL) and Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket.
He was BCCI’s international cricketer of year for the 2012-13 season.
About Arjuna Award
Established: It was instituted in 1961.
Given by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to sportsperson in recognition of their outstanding achievement in National sports.
Award carries: Bronze statuette of Arjuna, a scroll and a monetary award of 5 lakh rupees.

4. Maharashtra Government has announced construction of 800 kms long Nagpur-Mumbai expressway. This expressway will be called as Communication Super-expressway or Nagpur-Amravati-Aurangabad-Ghoti-Mumbai expressway.
It is considered a major move in the surface transportation in Maharashtra as it connects both major cities of state each located on east and west end.
This project would be completed in coming five years at the cost of 30,000 crore rupees. This expressway will reduce the travel time between the state capital and second capital from present 14 hours to 10 hours.
This super-expressway will be a 6-lane road and in the 1st phase a four lane road will be constructed. It will be equipped with CCTV cameras,wi-fi facility and optical fibre network. It will also play important role in development of backwards regions of northern Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Besides this, state government is also planning to develop Information Technology (IT) parks, smart cities and education hubs along the road.

5. India’s 14 year old Prabhroop Sekhon has won two gold medals in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held at Los Angeles, US. He won the medals in 300 metre and 500 metre Roller Skating event.
Sekhon hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Earlier he was coached and selected for various camps at State and National level. He is an Autistic student and is son of a serving Indian Air Force Officer, Group Captain BS Sekhon.
Special Olympics World Summer Games: They are an international sporting competition organized by Special Olympics for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to celebrate the talents, perseverance and achievements of those with intellectual disabilities.

6. Major tour operator Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has acquired Sri Lanka based destination management company Luxe Asia Pvt. Ltd.
The acquisition was done in undisclosed deal was made through Thomas Cook (India) Ltd’s wholly owned subsidiary Thomas Cook Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. After this deal, Luxe Asia will be operated as an independent entity.
This acquisition will help Thomas Cook (India) Ltd to increase its significant presence in Sri Lanka along with destination management capabilities.
Luxe Asia is primarily focussed on inbound tourism from key global market. It services both traveller segments and tour operator across its 10 destinations in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) and Asia.

7. Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has revised Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with an effect from 1 April, 2015.
The scheme aims for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs. The development will be based on Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) Plan prepared on the basis of assessment of their requirements by the concerned State Governments.
Under the Scheme, priority has been accorded for the protection of PVTGs and their improvement in terms of the social indicators like education, health, nutrition and livelihood in order to decrease their vulnerability.
Development of PVTG was Central Sector scheme but after revival Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Ministry will provide 100% financial assistance to these tribal groups through the State Governments.
Financial assistance under this scheme will be utilized for activities like housing, agricultural development, land distribution and land development, animal husbandry, installation of non-conventional sources of energy, construction of link roads or other innovative activity.
Presently, there are 75 tribal groups identified and categorized as PVTGs (earlier it was known as Primitive Tribal Groups). They are spread across 15 states /UTs viz. Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand,Uttar Pradesh, West-Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

8. Every year 7th August will be celebrated as National Handloom Day. It was announced by Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar in both the Houses of Parliament.
Observance of this day aims at development of handloom weavers in the country. It also seeks to promote genuine, global quality handloom in international market.
August 7 was chosen to mark launch day Swadeshi Movement which was officially proclaimed on 7 August, 1905. It was proclaimed after the passage of Boycott Resolution in a massive meeting held in Calcutta Town hall. Swadeshi movement was proclaimed to boycott British products and revive domestic products and production processes.

9. Delhi Government has notified Witness Protection Scheme 2015, a policy regarding protection of witnesses with provisions for a protection fund.
With this, Delhi becomes the first state/union territory in India to notify such policy to ensure protection of witnesses in crucial cases.
It deals categorisation of witnesses, types of protection, creation of witness protection fund, and procedure for processing such request by the competent authority.

10. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon issue 10 rupee denomination coins to commemorate International Yoga Day which is being observed every year on 21 June.

11. Cyclone Komen made landfall in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. The cyclone has caused heavy rains that inundated vast areas of the coastal towns of Bangladesh, West Bengal and Odisha.
Land affected areas due Cyclone Komen include eastern countries north in Bay of Bengal. They are Bangladesh, Myanmar, East India and Northeast India.

12. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cancelled licence of Sahara asset Management Company (AMC). The license will stand cancelled after sixty days from the date of the order.
The apex market regulator took this decision as Sahara AMC is not fit to carry out the business of mutual fund.
It has directed the company
Not to take any new subscription from the investors including existing investors in systematic investment plans.
Not levy any penalties on the investors for not depositing the installments.
Background
Presently, Sahara Group is in financial crisis due to its involvement in a legal tussle with the SEBI over optionally fully convertible debentures. SEBI has directly ruled that these debentures are illegal and has directed Sahara group to refund the money collected through fully convertible debentures to investors along with interest. The matter is currently before the Supreme Court.

13. The two leading financial news operations from Europe and Asia are now together, as Nikkei Japanese media group is going to buy the Financial Times from Britain’s Pearson in a $1.3 billion.
Financial Times acquisition is a triumph for Nikkei as this is the biggest acquisition ever by any Japanese media organisation.
This acquisition has brought an opportunity to Nikkei newspaper to expand its readers outside its home market.
Pearson a 171-year-old international media company sold FT as it wanted to expand its education business. Pearson owned FT for nearly 60 years.
It should be noted that the FT’s acquisition does not include its 50 percent stakes in The Economist magazine and nor its headquarters at London.
About Financial Times:
FT printed its first pink paper 127 years ago in 1893. It is one of the world’s leading business news and information organisation that is recognised internationally for its accuracy, authority, and integrity.
About Nikkei:
Nikkei the employee owned firm is Asia’s largest independent business media group that owns the flagship newspaper Nikkei which has over 3 million circulations for its morning edition alone and enjoys a must-read reputation for financial and business news in Japan.
Nikkei is involved in other operations from magazines and books to digital media and also operates database services and broadcasting.
Note: The main stock market index in Japan is named after Nikkei.

14. Forbes Asia Fabulous 50 list released on the eve of its 10th Anniversary has listed 10 Indian companies which stands second after China in terms of number of companies listed.
This year’s list was also dominated by Chinese companies, over 25 Chinese companies made to the list against 16 last year.
China’s Tencent continued to be at the top on chart, which now worth $ 176.5 bn. South Korea has third highest number of companies with four firms after China and India, whereas Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines have two firms each and Japan, Indonesia have one firm each on the list.
Indian companies that made to the list are: HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Aurobindo Pharma, Lupin, Sun Pharma Industries, Motherson Sumi Systems, Tech Mahindra, Tata Motors and Titan.
Among the fifty companies HDFC Bank was named as Asia Fab 50’s “brightest star” as it has made to the list nine times that is more than any other company in the list.
Note: Forbes selects The ‘Fab 50′ companies from the pool of 1,116 firms that have at least $ 3 billion in annual revenue or market cap.

15. Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL) has signed three strategic agreements with Kazakhstan companies in order to deepen its roots in Central Asia.

16. India is going to become the most populous nation in the world by surpassing China in 2022.
It was revealed in recently released United Nation’s report titled ‘World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision’ indicating India’s population growth within next seven years.
Key highlights from report
India will become most populous nation, six years earlier than it was previously forecasted and will retain the top spot till year 2100.
At present, China which is world’s populous country with approximately 1.38 billion population while, India has 1.31 billion.
India’s population around and after 2022, is projected to grow for several decades. It will be around to 1.5 billion in 2030 and 1.7 billion in 2050.
Life expectancy: In case of India life expectancy at birth will also improve over the next decades. It will grow from 71.7 years in 2025-2030 to 75.9 years in 2045-2050. It will be around 84.6 years in 2095-2100.
China’s population: It is expected to remain fairly constant till 2030s, after which it is expected to decrease slightly.
World Population forecast: Half of the world’s population growth is expected to be concentrated in 9 countries during 2015-2050. They are India, Pakistan, US, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Congo, Indonesia and Uganda.
It should be noted that, as per earlier population forecast issued in 2013, India was expected to surpass China’s population by 2028.

17. App based Cab service provider Ola has made entry into on-demand grocery delivery service by launching a new app named ‘Ola Store’.
Specifications:
App promises to deliver all groceries from the local vendors within 60 minutes at the door step of the customers.
Initially launched for Android users and will soon be launched for iPhone.
Initially this service will be available only in Bengaluru between 9 am to 11 pm.
Peppertap and Grofer currently provide on-demand grocery delivery service like Ola Store.
About Ola:
Ola initially started as cab service provider mobile app launched in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal (currently CEO) and Ankit Bhati. Today it runs total 2 lakhs cabs in over 200 cities in India.
Daily more than 150,000 bookings are placed and commands 60 percent of the market share in India.
Note: Recently on 1st March 2015, Ola acquired TaxiForSure for $ 200 million, later its service was also available on Ola mobile application. It is already in food delivery service under name Ola Café.

18. Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) launched a mobile banking app ‘Kotak Bharat’ aiming to provide mobile banking services to customers in the remotest regions of India.
Specifications:
The Android-based app is specifically designed to provide banking service to customers in the under-banked and un-banked regions with provision to use service in their preferred language.
Initially the service will be provided in Hindi and English language and would also be available in Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil and Kannada in few months.
Customers can manage their savings/current accounts and credit cards through this app.
Initially will be launch in prominent Hindi belt centre starting from Lucknow and will spread its service in other state in few months.
The app is compatible on SMS banking keyword process platform where customers could download the app on their registered mobile number without any separate registration process.
It also facilitates other value added propositions such as recharging mobile/DTH services, finding Kotak ATMs & branches, linking Aadhaar number to the account, and even facilitates to avail services of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana etc

19. Procter & Gamble (P&G) has appointed its company veteran David Taylor as the new CEO by replacing A G Lafley on 29 July 2015.
However, A G Lafley the existing CEO who has led the P&G from 2000 will remain as the chairman of the company.

20. World’s second largest automaker General Motors (GM) has announced to invest USD 1 billion (6, 400 crore rupees) in India by 2020 and has decided to close its loss making plant at Halol, Gujarat. This announcement was part of its prior decision to invest over USD 5 billion in global markets like China, India, Brazil and Mexico.
On priority company to make investments to expand capacity of Talegaon Plant in Maharashtra from 1,30,000 to 2,20,000 units per year by 2025.
GM is India’s eighth largest carmaker that forayed in Indian auto market in 1996 and established its first plant at Halol, Gujarat. Second plant was established at Talegaon (Maharashtra) in 2010 and has invested USD 1 billion in India up till now.
GM decided to close its Halol facility by 2016 due to labour unrest and operational losses, which has a manufacturing capacity of 1,10,000 units per year. First labour strike to place in 2010 lasted for 3 days and second in 2011 that lasted for six weeks.
It should be noted that GM chose expansion of Talegaon facility due to its good infrastructure and favourable ecosystem for production and is also aiming to export 30 per cent by 2025.

21. Two Indians Sanjiv Chaturvedi and Anshu Gupta have been awarded prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2015.
They are among the total five awardees have been conferred with this year’s award which is often regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize.
Recipients of 2015 Ramon Magsaysay Award are
Sanjiv Chaturvedi: He has been bestowed with this award in recognition of his exemplary integrity, tenacity and courage in uncompromisingly exposing and investigating corruption in public office.
Chaturvedi is an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and presently working as deputy secretary of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). From 2012-14, he had served as a Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at AIIMS.
Anshu Gupta: He has been awarded for his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India and for his enterprising leadership in treating in cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor.
He is founder of NGO Goonj based in Delhi which was established in 1999. The NGO is operational in 21 Indian states and primarily works in disaster relief, community development and humanitarian aid.
Kommaly Chanthavong: She hails from Laos and has been chosen for her indomitable spirit in reviving and developing the ancient Laotian art of silk weaving, Loa’s priceless silken cultural treasure.
It had led in creating livelihoods for thousands of war-displaced, poor people and the dignity of women in Laos.
Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa: She hails from Philippines and has been recognized for her crusade in preserving the endangered artistic heritage classical dance form called pangalay (gift offering) of southern Philippines and propagating a dance form which celebrates and spread the sense cultural identity.
Kyaw Thu:He hails from Myanmar and was recognized for his generous efforts of compassion in addressing the fundamental needs of people of Myanmar both the living and the dead regardless of their religion or class for greater social good.
About Ramon Magsaysay Award
It is Asia’s highest honor and often regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Established: in 1957 in the memory of Philippines’ 3rd President Ramon Magsaysay who had died in air disaster in March 1957.
It was established by trustees of the New York City based Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Philippine government.
It is awarded annually to individuals or organizations from Asia region for their altruistic and philanthropic service.
Award carries: Medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, cash prize and a certificate.

22. US Software giant Microsoft launched its new operating system Windows-10 with a host of new features. It was launched by Microsoft’s India-born CEO Satya Nadella at a global launch event held in Kenya.
Windows 10 includes features such as
Cortana: Microsoft’s voice-based smart assistant similar to Apple’s Siri and Google’s Iris.
Xbox app: for gaming
Microsoft Edge: new web browser which has replaced Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
Windows Hello: It will offer a fast, password-free, secured way to log in with face recognition.
Enhanced Windows Defender and SmartScreen: It will help to safeguard against viruses, malware and phishing.
Windows-10 will be available in 190 countries as a free upgrade or with new PCs and tablets. . Microsoft has mentioned that the Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever.

23. Debjani Ghosh took charge as new president of MAIT (the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology), the apex body of India’s Information technology hardware industry.
Ghosh is the first woman President of MAIT since its inception 32 years ago. She is vice-president sales and marketing group and managing director of Intel Corporation, South Asia and will succeed Amar Babu the chief operation officer at Lenovo for Asia Pacific and chairman of Lenovo India.

24. India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael have partnered to produce Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) in India.
In this regard both the entities have formed a manufacturing Joint Venture (JV) and this move is considered to deepen India-Israel strategic cooperation.
The manufacturing JV will be as per the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) guidelines which means that the 51% ownership stake in JV will hold by the Kalyani Group.
The FDI proposal in this regard was cleared by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in October 2014 which was chaired by then Defence Minister Arun Jaitley. The FDI deal was worth 3,200 crore rupees and comprises order of 300 plus launchers and 8,000 plus Spike ATGM missiles.
Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM): It is a 3rd generation, man-portable, fire-and-forget, anti-tank missile. Designed and developed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
In case of India’s requirement, there is need of about 40,000 missiles to equip the Indian Army’s 382 infantry battalions and 44 mechanised regiments.

25. India inked a loan agreement worth US 300 million dollar with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Union Government’s flagship program of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
It is ADB’s first health project in India and the loan funds will be used to
Reinforce on-going efforts of government to develop health systems.
Deliver quality health related services and reach the urban poor and vulnerable sections.
Strengthen primary healthcare and promote better coordination between healthcare services and urban sectors and opportunities for public-private partnerships (PPP).
The loan has been provided from the ADB’s Ordinary Capital Resources. It has a 20-year term and includes a grace period of 5 years. The interest rate will be determined in accordance with ADB’s LIBOR-based lending facility.
About National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)
NUHM is Union Government’s flagship program which aims at improving health status of the urban population in the country.
It is a sub-mission of National Health Mission (NHM) being implemented by Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, Women & Child Development Ministry and Ministry of Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.

26. Facebook, the social networking leader has unveiled a new compressed version of its application called ‘Facebook Lite’ in India to reach out its users who have slow data connections.
The motive for launching this version in India is to expand the reach of Facebook to a much wider user who do not necessarily use high-end smart phones.
Further it will be roll out across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe; till date Facebook has 1.4 bn people on its network globally.
Application of Facebook Lite:
The application size of Facebook Lite is 430 KB as against the full version which is of 30 MB.
It performs faster even in 2G network and consumes less data.
Most of the core features are present in this app as of regular application such as News Feed, photos, notifications and status updates.
Note: There are over 1 billion 2G network user across the world, whereas India has 874 million 2G network users that account roughly 80 per cent of its overall subscribers.

27. The Kolkata-based private sector wagon manufacturer Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL) has acquired Italian coach manufacturing company Firema Trasporti for 25 million Euros. This purchase will help out TWL to venture into the metro coach and high-speed train manufacturing business.

28. Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange’ (SDiX) the first ever diamond exchange is all set to function from September 2015.
Till now diamonds were traded on mutual basis where the retailers or jewellers used to buy diamonds from the polishers and consumers were supposed to buy it from the retailer.
Now under the SDiX customers can physically trade in diamond under one roof.
About Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Pte Ltd (SDiX)
The concept of SDiX is brainchild of an entrepreneur and investor Alain Vandenborre.
This will be the first-of-its-kind business-to-consumer (B2C) platform for electronic diamond exchange where customers can also avail diamonds physically.
It has capacity to handle five lakh transactions per second.
It will facilitate customers to trade or invest in diamonds with transparent pricing at wholesale rate.
For payment settlement United Overseas Bank is selected.
India’s twenty five large diamond companies are its ‘pioneer members’.
SDiX is also planning to launch ‘forward trading’ and ‘futures trading’ in diamonds.

29. IndusInd Bank has acquired the diamond and jewellery (bullion) financing business and related deposit portfolio of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for 4,100 crore rupees on 28 July 2015.
Britain’s largest public bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was in talks with IndusInd Bank to sell off its bullion financing business and had signed a non-binding agreement in April 2015.

30. India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero Motocorp’s wholly owned subsidiaries in U.S is to buy certain tangible and intangible assets worth of USD 2.8 million of U.S based Erik Buell Racing (EBR). This purchase is a part of the settlement deal with court-appointed receiver in the bankruptcy matter.

31. Dr Suniti Solomon, pioneer of Human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) research and treatment in India passed away in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Her team was the first to document evidence of HIV/AIDS infection in India in 1986 and had successfully led research into the treatment of the deadly virus.
Dr Solomon had set up the first voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counselling centre named as Y R Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) in Chennai. She was Professor of Microbiology at the Madras Medical College (MMC) and also served as the President of the AIDS Society of India.

32. nion Government has announced to roll out e-tourist visa facility to Chinese nationals from July 30, 2015. Hong Kong and Macao nationals will also be provided with e-tourist visa facility along with Chinese citizens.
This decision was taken in lines with promised made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard during his visit to China in May 2015. It should be noted that PM Modi had made this announcement notwithstanding frequent issuance of stapled visa by Chinese to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

33. Former South African all-rounder cricketer Clive Rice passed away in Johannerburg, South Africa. He was 66 and was suffering from brain tumour.

34. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed fine of 420 crore rupees on the local unit of Hyundai Motor Co.
The fined was imposed after CCI investigation had found that Hyundai was engaged in anti-competitive practices. The fine imposed on Hyundai is 2 per cent of its annual turnover in India in past 2 year viz. 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.
CCI also had found other carmakers like Mahindra Reva Electric Car Company and Premier Ltd in violation of competitive practices but did not impose fine on them.
The CCI has notified Hyundai to deposit the penalty within 60 days from the order date and has warned these 3 carmakers to take corrective measures.
Anti-competitive practices: CCI in its investigation had found that Hyundai, Reva and Premier were restricting access to diagnostic tools and genuine spare parts in the market which distorted fair competition. This act had resulted in repairing and servicing of cars of these companies more expensive for consumers.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI)
CCI quasi-judicial statutory body whose predecessor was the MRTPC (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission).
It was established 2003 as per the provisions of The Competition Act, 2002 and became fully functional only by 2009.
It was established with an aim to eliminate anti-competitive practices that adversely affect competition in different industries/areas and protect interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade and also to give opinions to statutory authorities.

35. Kazakhstan, a member of the Russia-led economic blocks became 162th member of World Trade Organization (WTO). Kazakhstan’s entry has ended its long wait of 20 years to become a member of WTO as its accession talks were initiated in 1996.
The agreement of accession was signed between the WTO Director General Robert Azevedo and Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev at Geneva.
The final accession will be done when the membership agreement is ratified by Kazakhstan Parliament on 31 October 2015.
The path of Kazakhstan to become WTO member was difficult because of the complexity of process and it is also a member of two economic blocks led by Russia;
The Eurasian Economic Union, which has member nation like Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.
Customs Union, which has members like Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Advantages for Kazakhstan:
The economy of Kazakhstan is still dependent on resource-based income; the accession will help it to diversify its trade in other sectors and to strengthen its economy.
The foreign trade:
Kazakhstan currently trades with 185 countries and after being the WTO member its trade will spread on much larger canvas.
Kazakhstan’s trade is mainly directed toward European Union that accounts share of more than 54 per cent in its foreign trade. Other sizeable partners in trade are Russia, the United States, China, Canada and some other countries.
Being the WTO member Kazakhstan economy will become stronger and more liberal; as its trade was more prominent with post-Soviet states in mid 1990s.
Regional development:
Big advantage for regional trading groups like the Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Union as its WTO membership will be helpful for bilateral relations in the sectors that are not regulated by the Economic Union agreements.
Note: The 161st nation to become member of WTO was Seychelles and the next country from the Eurasian Economic Union taking steps towards its accession to the WTO is Belarus, which is expected to happen in near future.

37. The population of Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans region of Bangladesh has declined sharply to 106 from 440 in 2004. It was revealed in recently released new Tiger census 2015 of Bangladesh.
The Tiger Census was conducted by Bangladesh-India Joint Tiger Census Project. It was carried under the initiative of Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project. Financial support to this initiative was provided by the World Bank.
Methodology: Census 2015 was conducted by using modern technology of hidden cameras to count tigers. Previous methodology was based on count of counting pug marks. The camera tapping method is more accurate than past method.
Reasons for decline in Population: The rapid decline in population was attributed to loss of habitat, lack of proper forest management, unchecked wildlife poaching and animal-human conflict in the world’s largest mangrove forests of Sunderbans.
It should be noted that in Bangladesh, Sunderbans are spread over 6097 sq.km and it is only natural habitat of Royal Bengal tigers. There are around 74 tigers on the Indian side of the Sundarbans which stretches for nearly 4,000 miles across both countries.
Royal Bengal tiger species: It is one the 6 surviving and 3 extinct subspecies of tiger mainly found in India. It is present in smaller populations in Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan Myanmar and China.

38. Government of Sri Lanka inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with search engine giant Google to launch the Google Loon project in the country.

39. South Korea has declared the deadly outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in the country has over.
It was announced by South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn.

40. Union Government has appointed former IAS officer Ashish Bahuguna as the chairman of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
He will have tenure of three years. He is an IAS officer 1978 batch of Rajasthan cadre and had retired in February 2015. Prior to retirement, he was Agriculture Secretary.
The position of chairman of FSSAI was lying vacant since January 2015 after the tenure of then chairman K Chandramouli ended. During this vacancy, Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma was temporarily in-charge of the post.

41. Maharashtra government to exempt small cars from paying toll tax for all build operate transfer (BOT) road projects that worth over 200 crore rupees. Similar relief also given for road projects developed by the state Public Works Department (PWD) that cost below 200 crore rupees.

42. Israel’s largest drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical agreed to buy generic drugs business of Allergan Plc for USD 40.5 billion. According to the agreement Teva will make cash payment of USD 33.75 billion and USD 6.75 billion of its stock for Allergan.
This is the largest acquisition done by any company in Israel’s history. The acquisition will consolidate Teva’s position as world’s largest generic drug maker. Earlier Teva had projected to buy Mylan pharmaceuticals for USD 40 billion but later dropped the deal.
This deal will place Teva into list of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies of the world.

43. Former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passed away due to massive cardiac arrest in Shillong, Meghalaya. He was 83.
He was widely acclaimed as the ‘People’s President’ and the ‘Missile man’ of India. He was was one of India’s most eminent scientists.
About A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (A.P.J) Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu.
DRDO career: In 1960, he had joined Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist and started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army.
ISRO career: In 1969, he had joined India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the project director for India’s first indigenous satellite launch vehicle programme.
Under his leadership and vision, India entered into the elite space club after Rohini satellite was place into the orbit in 1980.
He was a pioneer and instrumental in development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India’s space workhorse.
Missile Man: In 1980, he was appointed Chairman of Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and was brain behind developing Agni and Prithvi missiles.
Thus he came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile
Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA): He was appointed CSA to Prime Minister and Secretary of DRDO in 1992 and remained till 1998.
Pokhran II Nuclear Test: He was Chief Project Coordinator of Pokhran II Nuclear Test i.e. Operation Shakti which was conducted on 11 May 1998.
President: He was the 11th President of India and was in office from 2002 to 2007. He was India’s most popular President and famously known as People’s President.
Awards and Honours: Bharat Ratna (1997), Padma Vibhushan (1990), Padma Bhushan (1981).
He has unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. United Nations had recognised his 79th birthday as World Student Day.
Switzerland has declared 26 May as ‘Science Day’ to commemorate visit of A P J Abdul Kalam to the country in 2005.
His famous books: India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998), Wings of Fire: An Autobiography by A P J Abdul Kalam (1999), Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (2002), The Luminous Sparks (2004), Mission India (2005), Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future (2015) etc.

44. Cyclist Chris Froome from Britain of Team Sky has won the 102nd edition Tour de France, an annual three-week multiple stage bicycle race at Champs Elysees in Paris.
This is second time Froome has won Tour de France title and for the first time he had won it 2013.With this victory, he became the first cyclist from Britain to win the Tour de France for the second time.

45. World Hepatitis Day is being observed every year on July 28 around the globe.
Focus of the day: To spread awareness about viral hepatitis, that causes acute and chronic disease and kills around 1.4 million people every year. It also seeks to encourage diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Hepatitis.
2015 Theme- Prevent Hepatitis: It’s up to You.

46. Eminent Indian physicist Dr Parameswaran Hariharan passed away in California, United States. He was 89.

47. The third phase of e-auction of Frequency Modulation (FM) Radio has fetched around 395 crore rupees of the first day of auction.
In this phase, first batch of 135 channels of 69 cities which are part of the private FM Radio Phase III expansion were auctioned. In all 26 bidders were allowed to participate in the auction.
The bidding took place in 4 rounds on the first day and as many as 78 Channels spread over 54 cities provisionally had won the bidding. It fetched cumulative price of around 395 crore rupees against the aggregate reserve price of about 357 crore.
It should be noted that, the ongoing auction of III phase FM Radio Channels is a Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) e-auction. It was conducted online from Auction Control Room No. 404 B Wing, Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi.

48. Anil Ambani led Reliance Group – Oil & Gas Business appointed Ashok Kumar Balyan as its new CEO by on 27 July 2015.
Mr. Balyan previously had worked for decades with the public sector giant Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) and followed by a dedicated performance in Petronet LNG.

49. The IT Secretary Ram Sevak Sharma was appointed as the chairman of telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 27 July 2015.
He will take place of Rahul Khullar who had retired in May 2015. However, Sharma is also set to retire in September 2015 as secretary for department of electronics and information technology.
Sharma’s appointment assumes importance in the wake of debate over net neutrality in recent time. He seems to be the reasonable choice because of his familiarity with the telecom and information technology sector.
About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
It was established in 1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom services in India, which was introduced in wake of entry of private sector in telecom industries. TRAI is an independent regulator that regulates telecommunication services; it also fixes or revises the tariffs for telecom services in India.
Its main purpose is to deliver a fair and transparent environment for fair competition in telecom market. It was constituted with the motive to create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunication sector in India and to enable the country to have a leading role in the emerging global information society.

50. Jorge Sampaio and Helena Ndume have been awarded with the inaugural Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
The award was bestowed upon them as part of the annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day (observed every year on 18 July).

51. Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung approved appointment of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Swati Maliwal as Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

52. Computer Science Corporation (CSC) and Hindustan Computer Limited (HCL) to big IT companies have signed an agreement to form a new company to provide technology services and solutions to the banking industry.

53. Infrastructure Development Financing Company (IDFC). Ltd became second lender to enter the banking sector since 2004, as the Reserve Bank of India granted Banking licence on 24 July 2015.
It was Yes Bank that got banking licence in 2004. However, IDFC and Microfinance Company Bandhan Financial Services Pvt Ltd were granted preliminary bank permits by RBI in April 2014 and Bandhan got Banking licence from RBI in June 2015 and plans to start its operations from August 2015, whereas IDFC plans to start operations from 1 October 2015.
IDFC will start its operations with 20 branches and with initial loan book of 55,000 crore rupees.
About IDFC
IDFC is a leading public limited infrastructure finance company that provides end to end infrastructure financing and project implementation services. It was incorporated in 1997 with main motive to provide finance for infrastructure projects and advisory services for asset management and investment banking. Its independent director is ex- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Mr. Vinod Rai.

54. The Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) became the front runner in the Dun & Bradstreet’s ‘India’s Top PSUs Awards 2015 in the category of electrical and electronic equipment sector.
The award was received by Chairman and Managing Director of BEL Mr. S K Sharma along with Anandi Ramalingam the General Manager-National Marketing for BEL.

55. Nestle India’s MD Etienne Benet has step down from his post, he will be replaced by Nestle Philippines Chairman and CEO Suresh Narayanan.
Etienne Benet will be relocated to Nestle’s head office in Switzerland while Mr. Narayanan will take over from August 1.

56. European Union (EU) has banned the marketing of around 700 generic medicines among its member countries.
This is the largest suspension imposed on the sales and distribution of generic drugs ordered by EU which will come into effect on August 21, 2015 and it will be applicable to all 28 member nations.
These generic medicines were banned after it was found that the clinical trials conducted by Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical research company GVK Biosciences were manipulated.
European commission had taken decision in this regard in response to a recommendation given by the EU’s nodal drug regulator European Medicines Agency (EMA) in January 2015. In its recommendations EMA had mentioned that the marketing authorisations of these drugs were based on clinical trial data which was allegedly manipulated by the Indian company.
With this ban, medicines 700 generic medicines will lose their validity for use in the EU from and no longer they will be distributed or sold by pharmaceutical companies, drugs stores wholesale dealers and other outlets.

57. Indian women’s wrestling team has won the silver medal after finishing second in the fifth Senior International Wrestling Tournament (also known as Cup of the President of Republic of Kazakhstan).

58. Union Government launched Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY) in Patna, Bihar.
The flagship scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to provide 24×7 uninterrupted electricity supply to each rural household across the country by 2022.
Facts about Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY)
It focuses on feeder separation for rural households and agricultural purpose.
Seeks to strengthen the distribution and sub-transmission infrastructure, including metering at all levels in rural areas.
Major components of the new scheme: strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network, feeder separation, Metering at all levels including at input points, feeders and distribution transformers.
It also seeks to strengthen Micro grid and off grid distribution network of rural electrification.
Funds: The scheme has budgetary outlay of 76,000 crore rupees for implementation of the projects of which Union Government will provide grant of 63,000 crore rupees.
It should be noted that, this scheme replaces Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), which was launched by previous UPA government led by then PM Manmohan Singh.
Apart from launching this scheme, Prime Minister also
Flagged off Patna-Mumbai AC Suvidha Express and Rajgir-Bihar Sharif-Daniawan-Fatuha passenger train.
Inaugurated the Daniawan-Bihar Sharif new railway line.
Inaugurated campus of Indian Institute of Technology, Patna Campus.

59. China has successfully tested the power system of Long March-5, a fifth generation of carrier rocket belonging to China’s Long March family of rockets.
This announcement was after Long March-5 rocket carrier, entered a runoff phase.
Facts about Long March- 5th Generation
Long March-5 has the carrying capacity twice of the payload compared to other present carriers of China.
It has payload capacity of 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit and 25 tonnes to low Earth orbits.
It will serve the final chapter in building China’s manned space stations and 3 step current program of orbiting, landing and returning lunar.
Long March-5 is scheduled for flight in 2016 and its capacity will be equivalent to that of mainstream carrier rockets presently used around the world.
About Long March rocket family
It should be noted that since 1970s, the Long March rocket family of China has completed more than 200 missions. China’s first satellite, Dong Fang Hong (the East is Red)-1 was successfully put into Earth orbit by Long March-1 on 24 April 1970 (after one failed attempt in November 1969).

60. World Trade Organisation (WTO) members reached a landmark Information Technology (IT) trade deal in order to add more than 200 products to the list dealing with zero-tariff and duty-free trade.
In this agreement, products covered will include new-generation semi-conductors, medical products which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, GPS navigation systems, machine tools for manufacturing printed circuits, touch screens and telecommunications satellites.
Facts about agreement
Covers more than 200 IT products worth US 1.3 trillion dollars in annual global trade which is larger than combined global trade automotive products, textiles, clothing, iron and steel.
Contains a commitment to tackle non-tariff barriers in the IT sector and keep the list of products covered under review for further expansion to reflect future developments.
The majority of tariffs will be eliminated on these IT products within next 3 years, starting from 2016.
By the end of October 2015, each of the participating members will submit to the other participants a draft schedule which deals with terms of the agreement to be met.
Background
This agreement dealing with zero-tariff and duty-free trade in IT sector is an expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), 1996 which involves 81 members.
In 2012, members had urged that there is need to cover IT products which are not the part of existing agreement. Negotiations in this regard began in 2012 to expand the coverage of the accord.

61. Union Government has constituted All India Council of Sports (AICS), as an advisory body to deliberate on matters relating to the development and promotion of sports in the country.
Government will duly consider the advice rendered by this Council, but it will not be binding and obligatory on the government.
Facts about All India Council of Sports (AICS)
Composition: It will be headed by a president in the rank of Minister of State (MoS). It will include 4 Members of Parliament (MPs), coaches, experts, sports personalities, administrators and Director General (DG) of Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Appointments: President and members, other than ex-officio members will be appointed by the Union Government.
Meeting: It will meet from time to time i.e. at least once in a quarter of year to deliberate on matters related sports and games in the country.
Functions: Popularize sports amongst the youth and increase its outreach to rural and tribal areas along with North East and Jammu & Kashmir, areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
Promote inclusiveness in sports with special focus on women, tribals and differently-abled.
Prevent fraud of age and sexual harassment of women in sports along with drug abuse.
Bring transparency, professionalism and good governance in functioning of National Sports Federations (NFS).
Promote sports sciences and sports medicine and augment the sports infrastructure and ensure its proper utilization.
Tackle the issues arising malpractices in competitive sports especially match fixing and early identification of sports talent and nurturing the identified talent.

62. Patiala House Courts in New Delhi has acquitted all 36 accused persons in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 6 spot fixing case including former cricketer S Sreesanth.
Among the other players acquitted include two prominent IPL players Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan who were on bail like Sreesanth in this case. They were acquitted by the court for lack of evidence against them.
Background
The IPL spot-fixing scandal came into the light in 2013 after the Delhi Police arrested S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila. All of them were representing IPL team Rajasthan Royals. They were alleged for indulging in betting and spot-fixing during then 6th edition of IPL.
Later, Supreme Court had constituted Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha to look into this matter. In January 2015, the Committee in its terms of reference being to announce the quantum of punishment against Meiyappan, Kundra and the two franchisees CSK and Rajasthan Royals.

63. M Damodaran, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched a trust that aims to address challenges faced by non-executive especially independent directors on companies’ board directors on 22nd July.
The idea behind Non-Executive Directors in Conversation (NEDICT) is to promote discussions among non-executive directors and to give viable solution to the concerns faced by them. The main issues faced by them are; Lack of role clarity, absence of domain knowledge and increasing liabilities under the new companies Act. This trust will prepare them to do justice to their role in their respective institutions who has larger diverse responsibilities.
Other members of the trust include; Idea Cellular’s former MD Sanjeev Aga, Infosys’ former global head of human resources Hema Ravichander, Pradeep Dinodia, TN Manoharan and Mukund Chitale.

64. KFC and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have entered into partnership to launch a delivery system for commuters on trains.

65. President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed 2 members of Anglo-Indian Community to Lok Sabha as per the provisions of Article 331 of Indian Constitution.
Nominted Persons are
Professor Richard Hay: He hails from Kerala. Presently, he teaches economics in various academic institutes in India as well as abroad.
George Baker: He hails from West Bengal and is actor by profession. Since 1970s, he has acted in several Assamese and Bengali movies.
His notable film was ‘Chameli Memsaab’ which had won national film award in 1975.
Presently, he is member of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He had unsuccessfully contested for 2014 Lok Sabha election on BJP ticket from Howrah in West Bengal after he had joined BJP in 2014.
Article 331: Representation of the Anglo-Indian Community in Lok Sabha
It says that President may appoint two members from Anglo-Indian Community to Lok Sabha, if in his opinion that this community is not represented adequately, notwithstanding anything mentioned in Article 81 which deals with Composition of Lok Sabha.
Article 81 (1) which was inserted by 35th Constitutional Amendment Act, says that subject to Article 331, Lok Sabha shall consists of 530 directly elected representatives from states and 20 directly elected representatives from Union Territories. Thus, the total strength of Lok Sabha is 552 including two members of Anglo-Indian Community.
Who is Anglo-Indian?
Article 366(2) of the Indian Constitution defines Anglo-Indian as a person who is domiciled within the territory of India, whose father or any of his other male progenitors are in the male line are of European descent.

66. Ajay Mathur has been appointed as Director-General (DG) of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Decision in this regard was taken by TERI’s governing council which comprised prominent corporate personalities like Deepak Parekh, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Naina Lal Kidwai and Hemendra Kothari.
He will succeed Nobel laureate RK Pachauri who was removed from the top most position over sexual harassment charges.
Currently, Mathur is working as the Director General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of the Union Government.

67. Indian pharmaceutical major Lupin has acquired US based Gavis Pharmaceuticals in cash-free and debt-free transaction for 880 million dollars (around 5,606 crore rupees).
In this regard, Lupin has entered into definite agreement with Gavis Pharmaceuticals LLC and its subsidiary Novel Laboratories Inc.