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1. India’s first indigenously designed warship INS Godavari has been decommissioned after 32 years of service. It was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai (Maharashtra) after it completed its full life cycle, meeting all responsibilities and duties assigned in 3 decades of service. After decommissioning, the ship would be used as a target to practice missile firing for final burial at sea. About INS Godavari INS Godavari was the first of the three in her Class of guided-missile frigates and was commissioned into Indian Navy on 10 December 1983. The ship was considered as a symbol of India’s growing military might and self-reliance. It was first of three Godavari Class frigates, others being Ganga and Gomati Naval Operations: In its three decades of service, the warship took part in major naval operations including Operation Jupiter (1988) in Sri Lanka, Operation Shield and Operation Bolster (1994) for de-induction of Indian Army from Somalia, Patrol of Gulf of Aden (PoG) in 2009 and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden in 2011. It was also part of ‘Operation Cactus’ in 1988 where India successfully thwarted a coup d’état against the Maldivian government.

2. Indian American professor Dr. Rakesh K. Jain has been selected for 2015 National Medal of Science of the United States. He will be presented this top award along with 16 other winners by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony in January 2016. All of them were chosen for this award for their individual achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology

3. Indian Navy has conducted a large scale Fleet exercise on the eastern seaboard to maintain high levels of combat readiness and counter emerging threats. The exercises were conducted across a vast geographical area on the eastern seaboard extending from Northern Bay of Bengal to Andaman Sea. Key facts In this large scale naval exercise as many as 24 ships, over 10 aircraft and 2 submarines participated. The exercise fleet included the nuclear submarine Chakra as well as units from India’s strategic Andaman and Nicobar Command. The P8I Long Range Maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Hawk Fighter aircraft were also integrated into the exercise. A ship with the Kamov 31 Air Early Warning helicopter from the Western Naval Command was also deployed for the exercise. Two weeks exercise mainly was to hone war fighting skills and concepts of Indian Navy. It also dove-tailed various aspects of maritime warfare. A wide range of weapons were fired from various platforms including Surface to Surface missiles (SSMs), Surface to Air missiles (SAMs) and Land Attack Missiles (LAMs). Chinese activities in IOR The large scale naval Fleet exercise comes amid of increasing Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In the past few years, there have been increased sightings of Chinese submarines in the IOR region including a nuclear attack boat. Indian security establishment have been sceptically about the Chinese presence in IOR, though they are claiming that they have deployed submarines and attack boats as part of their anti-piracy task force.

4. Union Government has adopted the strategy of developing integrated industrial/economic corridors across the country in partnership with respective State Governments for boosting industrial development. This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. It was also announced that National Industrial Corridor Development Authority (NICDA) with its headquarter in Pune (Maharashtra) has not been constituted yet. The five industrial/economic corridors are Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC): The project spans the 6 states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This corridor lies along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) of the railways. It would initially have 8 nodes (cities) in the six DMIC states for development purpose. Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC): It has three industrial nodes (cities) viz. Ponneri (Tamil Nadu), Tumkur (Karnataka) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC): One node (city) has been identified for master planning viz. Dharwad (Karnataka). Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC): Two nodes (cities) for master planning have been identified. They are Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Srikalahasti-Yerpedu (Andhra Pradesh). Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC): Feasibility study with respect to the Inception Report of this corridor has been completed.

5. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes of various denominations by another six months to June 30, 2016. From January 1, 2016 such facility for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes will only be available at identified bank branches and Issue Offices of the RBI. Earlier in June 2015, RBI had set the last date for public to exchange pre-2005 banknotes notes as December 31, 2015. It is fourth time RBI has extended the deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes since March 2014. Till date RBI has shredded over 164 crore pre-2005 currency notes of various denominations, including of Rs 1,000 with the face value of around Rs 21,750 crore in its regional offices. Reasons for withdrawing pre-2005 notes from circulation Security: pre-2005 notes have fewer security features as compared to 2005 and post-2005 currency notes. Thus, lesser will be the chances of its counterfeiting newer currency notes. It will also remove fake currency notes in circulation which were being pumped in Indian economy were copies of pre-2005 notes. Flushing out black money: The spillover effect of the RBI’s decision will be to flush out black money. Money has value only as long as it is a medium of exchange and store of value. It loses its value when it ceases to be a medium of exchange. A disincentive for cash hoarders: With the RBI’s announcement, currency hoarders will be left with no option but to liquidate their unaccounted holdings by spending or exchanging them. Thus, this is a well thought out exercise by the RBI to capture the “money flows’’ into the system and also help flush out counterfeit notes. International standard practice: It is an international standard practice to remove old series notes.

6. Union Government has launched two mobile applications namely Crop Insurance and AgriMarket Mobile to benefit farmers These apps were launched by Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Prime Ministers Choudhary Charan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Key facts The main purpose for developing these Apps is to provide all relevant information to farmers and other stake holders in real time to create conducive environment for raising farm productivity and income to global levels. Crop Insurance mobile app: It will help farmers find out complete details about insurance cover available in their area. It will also help farmers to calculate the insurance premium for notified crops, coverage amount and loan amount. Farmers can use this app to get details and information about normal sum insured, premium details, extended sum insured and subsidy information of any notified crop in any notified area. AgriMarket Mobile app: It can be used by farmers to get the market prices of crops in the mandi within 50 km radius of the device. It can automatically tracks the location of person using mobile GPS and fetches the market prices of crops in those markets.

7. In India, 24th December is being observed as National Consumer Day. On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of this Act was considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country. This Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices. This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. It should be also noted that World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year. Some facts about Consumer Protection Act, 1986 It provides consumers with speedy and inexpensive redressal grievances mechanism and specific relief or award of compensation. It recognizes six of the eight rights of the consumer as provided in the UN charter. It envisages following rights of consumers (i) Right to Protection. (ii) Right of Information. (iii) Right of Choice. (iv) Right of Hearing. (v) Right of Redressal. (vi) Right of Education.

8. Parliament has passed three bills in ongoing winter session. These bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha without discussion after they were earlier passed by Lok Sabha. These 3 bills are Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2015: Facilitates an arbitrator will have to settle a case within 18 months. After the completion of 1 year, certain restrictions will be put in place to ensure that the arbitration case does not linger on. Read more Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2015: Empowers the Union government to produce, develop, use and control atomic energy. Read more The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015: Enables the creation of commercial divisions in High courts and commercial courts at the district level. Proposes to set up Commercial Appellate Divisions in all High courts to hear appeals against the orders of commercial divisions of High Courts, commercial courts and also appeals arising from arbitration matters that are filed before the High courts.

9. The Lok Sabha has passed The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to allow doubling of wage ceiling for calculating bonus of factory workers and establishments with 20 or more workers. The Bill seeks to amend the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of State (MoS) for Labour and Employment.

10. Philippines became the first Asian country to approve the sale of the world’s first ever dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in the country. The Dengvaxia vaccine has been manufactured by French pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur. It has been designed to protect people in the 9-45 age groups from all four subtypes of the virus.

11. The Union Cabinet has approved the reconstruction and completion of Salma Dam Project in Afghanistan at the Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) of 1775.69 crore rupees. Decision in this regard was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Key facts Salma Dam Project in Afghanistan is scheduled to be completed by June 2016. It is one of important project implemented to generate goodwill for India in Afghanistan. Central Public Sector Unit M/s. WAPCOS under the aegis of Union Ministry of Water Resources is executing the project. The completion of this project will address the energy requirements and irrigation needs of western Afghanistan leading to the overall economic development of the region. The project cost was revised due to the foreign exchange rate variation between US dollar and Indian rupee. Consultancy charges, escalation, training of Afghan personnel etc also have increased the cost of project. About Salma Dam project Salma Dam project is situated on the upper reaches of Hari Rud River in Herat province of western Afghanistan. The project involves construction of a 107.5 meter high earth and rock fill dam and a 42 MW power House with three units with each having capacity of 14 MW. It also has a provision for irrigation of 75,000 hectares of land by releasing water from dam.

12. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Lucknow Metro Rail Project Phase – 1 A. It will cover a length of 22.878 (approx 23) km with 22 stations and the metro train will ply between Chowdhary Charan Singh Airport and Munshi Pulia.

13. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for implementation of an umbrella scheme for integrated development and management of fisheries. It is Central Sector Scheme on Blue Revolution that will be implemented at an outlay of 3,000 crore rupees for a period of five years in all the states including North East States and Union Territories. Key facts The scheme will cover will cover multi-dimensional activities for development and management of inland fisheries, aquaculture and marine fisheries. All activities under ambit of it would be undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) towards realizing Blue Revolution. The scheme aims at development and management of fisheries and aquaculture sector to ensure a sustained annual growth rate of 6 to 8 percent. It focuses mainly on increasing productivity and production from aquaculture and fisheries resources both inland and marine keeping in view the overall sustainability, bio-security and environmental concerns. Components of Scheme: (a) National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities (b) Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture. (c) Development of Marine Fisheries, Post-Harvest Operations and Infrastructure. (d) Strengthening of database and Geographical Information System (GIS) of the Sector. (e) Institutional Arrangement for Sector (f) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions. It provides for suitable convergence and linkages with the Sagarmala Project of the Ministry of Shipping, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), MGNAREGA, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) etc. Encourage increasing entrepreneurship development, private investment, Public Private Partnership (PPP) and better leveraging of institutional finance for Fisheries Sector.

14. The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the Model Agreement on exemption from visa requirements for the holders of diplomatic and official passports. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. This move would facilitate visa-free entry, stay up and transit for holders of diplomatic and official passports of either country to 90 days (or less) in any period of 180 days (or more) in India or signatory country for holders of diplomatic and official passports of either country. This decision was taken is part of India’s ongoing efforts to expand the envelope of visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports to other countries of the world. So far, India has signed visa free agreements with 69 countries. There are still more than 130 countries with which India is yet to sign or enter into similar Agreements. Investment of Rs. 5,000 crore by ONGC Limited in ONGC Videsh Limited The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also has given its approval for investment of 5,000 crore rupees by Oil and Natural Gas Company Limited (ONGC) into the equity share capital of ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL). This investment would be done through conversion of existing loan of equivalent amount into equity and will help strengthen the capital base of OVL. It will also enhance the ability of ONGC to undertake overseas Exploration and Production (E&P) business in turn contributing to improve the energy security of the country.

15. Private air carrier Jet Airways has appointed Amit Agarwal as its new full time Chief Financial Officer (CFO). His appointment will fill the vacancy of full time CFO of Jet Airways which was vacant since March 2014 after then CFO Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan parted ways with the airline. In his new role, Amit Agarwal will be responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of the airlines business. With this appointment he also joins the operating committee that has been tasked by the airline’s board of directors to lead the airline’s growth strategy.

16. Senior IAS officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Food Regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He will succeed Yudhvir Singh Malik who was appointed as Additional Secretary in National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in September 2015. Pawan Kumar Agarwal is IAS officer of 1985 batch of West Bengal cadre. Presently he is serving as joint secretary in Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Prior to his appointment, FSSAI Chairman Ashish Bahuguna was holding the additional charge of CEO of the FSSAI.

17. The Union Government has notified the revised standards for coal-based Thermal Power Plants in the country with the primary aim of minimising pollution In this regard, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued notification and proposed theses standard to be implemented in a phased manner. Key facts These new standards are based on the recommendation of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations with different stakeholders. For implementation of revised standards Thermal power plants are categorised into 3 categories (i) Installed before 31st December, 2003 (ii) Installed after 2003 and up to 31st December, 2016 and (iii) Installed after 31st December, 2016. The new standards are aimed at reducing emission of sulphur dioxide (7.3 Kg/MWh), PM10 (0.98 kg/MWh) and Oxide of nitrogen (4.8 kg/MWh). It would in turn help in bringing about an improvement in the Nation Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) index around and in thermal power plants. The technology employed for controlling of proposed emission limit of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) will also help in reducing mercury emission at about 70-90%. Limiting the use of water in thermal power plant for water conservation as thermal power plant is a water-intensive industry. In turn it would also lead to a reduction in energy requirement for drawl of water. The standards have been made stringent for recently installed plants, compared to earlier ones and most stringent standards will be for those plants to be set up in future.

18. Parliament has passed Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 for trying juveniles as adults. The bill was first passed in Lok Sabha in May 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha in December 2015. Now it will go for presidential approval to come into force. Key facts The bill has provision that allows trying of juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 years as adults for heinous offences. The legislation aims at ensuring protection, proper care, development and social reintegration of children in difficult circumstances by adopting a child-friendly approach. The bill empowers Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) to examine the nature of crime and decide whether it was committed as a child mind or as an adult mind. Based upon the preliminary inquiry of JJB, juvenile offender will be either sent for rehabilitation or will be tried as an adult. The Bill also seeks to consolidate and amend the law related to children alleged and found to be in conflict with law and children needing care and protection. It also has provision for the establishment of Child Welfare Committees (CWC) along with JJB in each district. The CWC will determine institutional care for juvenile in need of care and protection.

19. Lok Sabha has unanimously passed the National Waterways Bill, 2015 by voice vote after it was introduced by Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The bill aims at declaring 106 additional inland waterways as National Waterways in addition to the five existing National Waterways. Key facts The National Waterways Bill, 2015 repeals the five Acts that declare the existing national waterways. These existing five national waterways are now covered under the Bill. The enactment of this Act (Central legislation) will pave way for the inclusion of 106 additional inlands waterways. Thus the total number of national waterways numbers will go up to 111 from existing five national waterways. The Schedule mentioned in the Bill also specifies the extent of development to be undertaken on each waterway. Declaration of these National Waterways would enable Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop the feasible stretches for Shipping and Navigation. Inland waterways comprise mainly rivers, lakes, canals, creeks and backwaters. It extends about 14,500 km across the country. However, potential of this mode of transport has not been fully exploited so far. Advantages Inland waterways are recognised as a fuel efficient, cost effective and environment friendly mode of transport. The statutory status to the inland waterways would pave for investments in inland waterways transportation sector which has been neglected in the past. It would provide a cheaper mode of transport and reducing traffic burden and congestion on roads and railways. It would play pivotal role in reducing logistic cost of transportation of goods and ultimately lead to reduction in their price in the market benefiting trade, industry, farmers, fishermen. Being clean mode of transportation it will also help in reducing pollution.

20. Union Ministry of Defence has launched a new Make in India website www.makeinindiadefence.com to make defence acquisition process simpler and to provide an interface with industry. The website was launched by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi. It was launched in line with Union Government’s ambitious goal in the process of creating a level playing field with more transparency in defence sector procurements.

21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off first prototype pollution free electric bus for Members of Parliament. The bus powered by battery has been manufactured in the lines with Union Government’s flagship Make in India campaign. Key facts The 15-seater eco-friendly bus is coloured in green and blue. It has Go Green message on it. It is powered by lithium battery developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is very economical. The bus is a collaborative effort between the Union Transport Ministry and Pune-based technology company KPIT. It has been converted from diesel to electric and will be used to ferry Parliamentarians. The noiseless bus can save carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions up to 48,000 kg a year. That’s equal to planting 2400 plants annually and will also save diesel worth Rs. 10 lakh a year.

22. India has joined select club nations to build Liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships after state owned Cochin Shipyard has received certification in this regard. Cochin Shipyard also became first shipyard in India to get the nod to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide. Key facts In this regard, Cochin Shipyard has signed a license agreement with French technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT). GTT holds patented technology for LNG ships and provides the certification in design engineering and membrane-type containment systems for the transportation and storage of LNG. GTT would provide technology for the cryogenic containment and handling system which is most critical part of an LNG ship as the LNG is carried at a temperature of -163 degrees. This license agreement authorises Cochin Shipyard to use the membrane type technologies of GTT for any liquid gas carriers, more particularly the LNG carriers. With this India joins the league other nations including South Korea, Japan and China building LNG transportation ships. It also opens a new chapter in ship-building technology in India and marks a big step for Make in India.

23. Ruling conservative People’s Party (PP) of Spain led Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy by has won the 2015 general election of the country. In the general election, PP won the 123 seats by securing in the lower house of the 350-member Parliament and securing 28.7 percent vote share. However, it has fallen short of absolute majority which can be achieved by any party that wins minimum 176 seats. Now the People’s Party has to form a coalition government with support of other political parties to govern for another four-year term. Results of other parties The Socialists which won 90 seats with 22 percent vote share. Anti-austerity Podemos Party along with its allies won 69 seats with 20.6 percent vote share. Liberal Ciudadanos party (LCP) won 40 seats with 13.8 percent vote share. In the earlier outgoing parliament People’s Party was having 186 seats in the lower house of the Parliament.

24. New Zealand cricket team captain Brendon McCullum has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket viz., tests, ODIs and twenty20. He will retire after playing the two home test series against Australia in February 2016. Presently, he is New Zealand’s captain in all three forms of the international cricket and also batsman and wicket-keeper.

25. Every year 22nd December is observed as National Mathematics Day to celebrate birth anniversary of great Indian autodidact Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. This year, it will be the 128th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan. About Srinivasa Ramanujan Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22nd December, 1887 in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. He was considered as doyen of number theory, infinite series, mathematical analysis, and making formulas and equations without any formal training in pure mathematics. Key contributions: As a mathematical genius, he had compiled more than 3900 mathematical results and equations. His Ramanujan Prime and Ramanujan theta discoveries had inspired further research on this mathematical subject. Along with British Mathematician Hardy, Ramanujan had discovered the smallest number represented as sum of two cubes 1729 which is known as Hardy-Ramanujan number. Background In 2011, Union Government had declared 22nd December as ‘National Mathematics Day’ to celebrate Ramanujan’s 125th birth anniversary. Government also had declared year 2012 as National Mathematics Year.

26. Parliament has passed The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015. The bill was first passed in Lok Sabha in August 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha in December 2015. Now it will go for presidential assent. Key features of the Bill The bill seeks to amend parent law i.e. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It aims to prohibit the commission of offences against members of the SCs and STs and adds provisions for establishing special courts for the trial cases of such offences and the rehabilitation of victims. Actions to be treated as offences: The Bill adds new categories of actions to be treated as offences committed by non SCs and STs and amends certain existing categories. Impeding certain activities related to voting especially vote or not vote for a particular candidate will also be considered an offence. Addition of new offences: (i) Garlanding SCs and STs with footwear (ii) Compelling to do manual scavenging or dispose carry animal or human carcasses. (iii) Abusing SCs/STs in public by caste name (iv) Disrespecting any deceased SCs/STs person held in high esteem or attempting to promote feelings of ill-will against SCs/STs (iv) Threatening or imposing economic and social boycott. Offences in case of sexual exploiting of SC or ST woman: It will be considered as an offence in case of (i) Using acts, words or gestures of a sexual nature against SC/ST woman. (ii) Touching an SC/ST woman intentionally in a sexual manner without her consent (iii) Practice of dedicating an SC/ST women as a devadasi to a temple. Following activities will be considered an offence: Preventing SCs/STs using common property resources, entering any places of public worship that is open to the public, and entering an education or health institution. In case of any violation of any provisions mentioned in this act the courts will presume that the accused non SC/ST person was aware of the caste or tribal identity of the victim, unless it is proved. Public servants role:The Bill add provision specifying duties of public servants which includes (i) registering a FIR or complaint (ii) public servant must read out the information given oral complaint by SC/ST person before taking the signature of the victim and giving copy of this information to the victim. It should be noted that parent Act has provision mentioning that public servant (non SC/ST) neglecting his duties related to SCs/STs will be punished with imprisonment for a term of 6 months to 1 year. Establishments of Courts: The Bill adds provision specifying establishment of Exclusive Special Court and Special Court at the district level to try offences mentioned under this Act. Exclusive Public Prosecutor and Public Prosecutor will be appointed for every Exclusive Special Court and Special Court. Rights of victims and witnesses:The bill adds new chapter dealing with the rights of victims and witness. It mentions that it shall be the duty of the state to make arrangements for the protection of victims and their dependents and the witnesses. It also mentions that state should specify a scheme to ensure the implementation of rights of victims and witnesses.

27. The United States (US) Senate has ratified reforms in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost the representation of emerging economies as part of a budget bill. The reforms ratified in the legislation are in line with the proposed 2010 Quota Reforms and now it will go to President Barack Obama for assent. These proposed reforms are the biggest change in the governance of the Fund since it was established after World War Two in 1945 after the Bretton Woods Conference. Proposed reforms in the Bill Put four emerging markets Brazil, China, India and Russia among the IMF’s top 10 shareholders and give emerging markets more influence at the global lender. Gives emerging markets more voting power and double the Fund’s resources. China’s vote at the IMF would increase to 6 per cent from 3.8 per cent. It would make it the third-largest shareholder from its previous sixth position. The voting power and quota shares of the IMF’s poorest member countries will be protected. IMF’s Board will entirely consist of elected Executive Directors. It will end the current category of appointment of Executive Directors by five largest quotas holders. Quotas of all 188 members will increase as the Fund’s quota resources rise to about 477 billion special drawing rights (SDR) from 238.5 billion. India’s voting rights will also rise to 2.6 per cent from the current 2.3 per cent. US’s quota share drop from 16.7 per cent to 16.5 per cent but it will retain its veto power. The biggest losers in these proposed reforms are European economies which will see their voting rights diminished.

28. The United States (US) has lifted a 40 year ban on oil exports marking a historic shift for the booming US oil industry. This decision was taken as part of a 1.1 trillion dollars spending bill to fund US government until 2016 received assent of President Barack Obama This move will help in economic growth and in turn create jobs along with new revenues, prosperity and enhanced energy security for other countries. It would pave the way for energy deficient countries including India to open up another frontier and diversify import basket of oil from US. Background The ban of crude oil exports was born of oil shock of 1973-1974 due to Arab oil embargo that had sent global shooting up of oil prices. The ban was first imposed in 1975 after Arab members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting (OPEC) Countries had banned oil exports to the US in retaliation for its support of Israel during the Arab-Israeli war. The ban was imposed by US mainly for seeking greater energy independence. US also had created an emergency stockpile of crude oil the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in 1975.

29. Chennaiyin FC has won the second edition of Indian Super League (ISL) Football tournament. In the final played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, they defeated hosts Goa FC by 3-2 goals score. Till the 87th minute of final match Goa was leading by 2-1 goals but the self goal from their keeper Laxmikant Kattimani in the 90th minute and Colombian Stiven Mendoza’s strike seconds later helped Chennai win the title. Awards of 2015 ISL Golden boot Award: John Stiven Mendoza Valencia (Chennaiyin FC). Scored tournament’s highest scorer of 13 goals. Golden Glove Award: Apoula Edima Edel Bete (Chennaiyin FC). Muthoot Group Fair Play Award: Mumbai FC. Hero of the League award: John Stiven Mendoza Valencia (Chennaiyin FC). About Chennaiyin FC Chennaiyin FC is Chennai (Tamil Nadu) based ISL franchise. The franchise is owned by Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Vita Dani and Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan. About Indian Super League (ISL) The ISL football league was launched in 2013 to promote football in India on the lines of Indian Premier League and Twenty20 formats of Cricket. ISL’s mission is to make India a global football power and promote the game so that India qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is supported by the AIFF (All India Football Federation). It uses a city based franchise system like IPL. Atletico de Kolkata had won the inaugural ISL football tournament in 2014.

30. Barcelona FC has won the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup for a record third time. In the final match played at International Stadium Yokoham in Japan the winning team defeated River Plate FC by 3-0 goals. Three goals for Barcelona FC were scored by Lionel Messi (36 minute), Luis Suarez (49 minute) and Neymar (68 minute). Earlier Barcelona FC had won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2011 and it is their fifth trophy of season 2015. About FIFA Club World Cup The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men’s association football competition organised by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It was established in 2000 and formerly was known as the FIFA Club World Championship. The inaugural FIFA Club World Cup was won by Corinthians FC of Brazil.

31. Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic religious sister and missionary will be given Sainthood i.e. will be made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in September 2016. In this regard, Pope Francis has approved a decree recognising a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa’s intercession with God. Earlier in 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified by then late Pope John Paul. Beatification requires one miracle and is the last step before sainthood. The second miracle of Mother Teresa has been attributed to the intercession which is required for canonisation. It involved the inexplicable healing of a man who was suffering from a deadly brain disease. About Mother Teresa Mother Teresa is founder of Kolkata based Missionaries of Charity that helps poor on the streets of Kolkata. Through the charity organisation, she had spent around 45-years serving the poor, sick, orphaned and dying on the streets of Kolkata. She was born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on 26 August 1910 in Skopje (Now in Macedonia) then part of the Kosovo Vilayet in the Ottoman Empire. She died at the age of 87 in 1997 in Kolkata. Awards: Padma Shri (1962), Nobel Peace Prize (1979), Bharat Ratna (1980).

32. Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach has been 64th crowned Miss Universe after beating out contenders from the United States, France, Colombia and Australia. She was crowned by 2014 Miss Universe winner Paulina Vega of Columbia. Miss USA Olivia Jordan has been named the second runner-up. About Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is a Filipino-German actress, model, beauty writer and beauty pageant titleholder born to German father and Filipino mother. She had started working actress as at age 11 under the screen name Pia Romero. She had appeared in films such as Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003), All My Life (2004) and All About Love (2006). Presently, she is working as stylist and writer for the lifestyle section of a leading newspaper in the Philippines. About Miss Universe It is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. It was founded in 1952 by the California clothing company Pacific Mills. Along with the Miss World and Miss Earth contests, Miss Universe is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world and one of the most anticipated beauty pageants worldwide.

33. President Pranab Mukherjee has been awarded 2015 Garwood Award for Outstanding Global Leader in Open Innovation from UC Berkeley-Haas School of Business. The award was presented by Prof. Solomon Darwin, Executive Director Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

34. Afghanistan has become 164th member nation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), global trade body after 11 years of negotiations. WTO has formally approved Afghanistan’s membership proposal at its ongoing 10th ministerial conference in the Nairobi, Kenya. In this regard, Protocol of Accession (PoA) was signed by WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo and Afghanistan’s First Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Khan Rahmani. The final accession to become a full member will come in to effect after PoA is ratified by Afghanistan Parliament till June 2016. It will be the 36th least developed country (LDC) to join the global trade body. Advantages for Afghanistan By joining WTO, landlocked war-shattered Afghanistan hopes to reap the benefits of the WTO membership for its post-conflict reconstruction. Trade-led growth will help to create new economic opportunities in world’s poorest economy and create jobs especially for women and in turn help to reduce poverty. Post-conflict reconstruction will certainly contribute in a major way to reduce extremism and achieve regional peace and security. Special Note: During the 10th ministerial conference in the Nairobi, Kenya two new members were added viz. Liberia (163rd) and Afghanistan (164th).

35. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a resolution No. 2254 outlining a peace process in Syria. The resolution endorses an international roadmap for a Syria peace process to end Syria’s five-year-long civil war. Key facts The resolution endorses formal talks on a political transition between the President Bashar al-Assad led Syrian government and opposition in early January 2016. Calls for implementation of a ceasefire in parallel with the talks on a political transition. Offensive and defensive actions against such terrorist groups in Syria such as ISIS will continue. Calls for establishment of credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance in Syria within six months. Free and fair elections to be held in Syria under UN supervision within 18 months.

36. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally inaugurated the All-India conference of Directors General of Police (AICDGPs) at Dhordo in white Rann of Kutch region near Bhuj, Gujarat. Three day conference was inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister for Home Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijju and Haribhai Patel. Key facts The annual conference for second time organised out of New Delhi and has been organised by Intelligence Bureau (IB). Director General of Police (DGPs) of all the state and Head of other security agencies are participating in this conference. It will be also attended by IGs of state/UTs, heads of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), IB, Narcotics department and various police training. DGs and IGs of paramilitary forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force-CRPF and Central Industrial Security Force are also participating in the conference. Key issues to be discussed: Police Reforms, Radicalisation, Social Media’s effect on Law and Order, security, Disaster management, Women Safety and tourist police, Inter-state police coordination etc.

37. West Bengal Government has approved proposal for formation of five new districts in the state. With this the total number of districts of Bengal will increase to 25. Decision in this regard was taken by state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. Five new districts are Kalimpong district: It would be carved out by bifurcating Darjeeling district in north Bengal. Sundarbans district: Currently stretches across parts of the North and South 24 Parganas districts. It shall consists of part of world’s largest mangrove forest. Basirhat district: It would be formed out of North 24 Parganas district. Burdwan (Industrial) district: It would be established by bifurcating existing Burdwan district. Jhargram district: It will be carved out of West Midnapore district. These new districts will take six months to one year’s time to come into existence after State administration gets formal permission from court and create the basic infrastructure.

38. India’s biggest Wildlife Rescue Centre named as Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre has been commissioned at Gorewada near Nagpur, Maharashtra. The centre was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in presence of State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar. Key facts Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre is managed by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM). Nagpur based Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries (MAF) University is also part of this centre. The centre is spread over 30 hectres and has been created on the lines of Gujarat based Gir National Park which is also one of the biggest and best wildlife centre in the country. It has four wards veterinary hospital that would house sick, injured and rescued animals. It has burial ground in the same premises. The hospital has state-of-art facilities and is equipped with x-ray machine, operation theatre etc. It has cages for herbivorous animals and would house Deer, Sambars and Nilgais. It also has two enclosures to house 10 Tigers at a time and also separate enclosure for Panthers. It has enclosure that can house over 100 Birds of mixed species. It also has separated enclosure for housing Pythons including Cobra, Rat Snakes and vipers. The centre also has enclosures for housing 10 small mammals like Wolf, wild Dogs, Jackal.

39. Renowned British Novelist Peter Dickinson passed away in Winchester, Hampshire. He was 88. He was a prolific novelist best known for children’s books and detective stories. He was the first author to receive twice the prestigious Carnegie medal in 1979 and 19080 awarded annually by librarians for the outstanding new children’s book in Britain.

40. Uttar Pradesh government has decided to enforce the ban on the use of polythene across the state to protect the environment and public health. Decision in this regard was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as per the directives of Allahabad High Court to prohibit its usage.

41. Former Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur (62) has been appointed as Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). He will have tenure of about three years (2017) till he attain the age of 65. He succeeds Vijai Sharma as he has retired after completion of his tenure. Conventionally, the senior-most Information Commissioner is chosen as CIC. However, Mr Mathur appointment was made away from the convention of appointing senior-most serving Information Commissioner as CIC. Background President Pranab Mukherjee had approved the appointment R K Mathur as CIC after receiving proposal of Prime Minister led selection committee as per The Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The selection committee included Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Chairman), Leader of the Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha, Mallikaarjun Kharge and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. About R K Mathur R K Mathur is a retired IAS officer of Tripura cadre. He had served as Defence Secretary for two years. He also had served as Secretary Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Defence Production and Supplies.

42. Renowned theatre artiste and writer Chatla Sriramulu passed away at Secunderabad, Telangana. He was 84. He was instrumental in the establishment of Rasaranjani, a popular literary and cultural organisation dedicated to the theatre arts.

43.Sahitya Academy has announced the names of 23 poets and authors who will be conferred the prestigious 2015 Sahitya Akademi Award. This award has recognised premier works in 23 Indian languages that includes 6 books of short stories, 6 of poetry, 4 novels, 2 books each of essays, criticism and plays and 1 memoir. 23 Awardee’s are: Poetry: Brajendra Kumar Brahma (Bodo), Dhian Singh (Dogri), Ramdarash Mishra (Hindi), K.V. Tirumalesh (Kannada), Kshetri Rajan (Manipuri) and Ram Shankar Awasthi (Sanskrit). Short stories: Kula Saikia (Assamese), Man Mohan Jha (Maithili), Gupta Pradhan (Nepali), Bibhuti Pattanaik (Odia), Maya Rahi (Sindhi) and Volga (Telugu). Novels: Cyrus Mistry (English), Jaswinder Singh (Punjabi), K R Meera (Malayalam) and Madhu Acharya ‘Ashawadi’ (Rajasthani). Essays: Rasik Shah (Gujrati) and A. Madhavan (Tamil). Plays: Uday Bhembre (Konkani), Rabilal Tudu (Santali). Books on criticism: Bashir Bhadarwahi (Kashmiri) and Shamim Tariq (Urdu). Memoirs: Arun Khopkar (Marathi). All 23 awardees were chosen by a distinguished jury representing 23 Indian languages. The final approval was given by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi chaired by its President Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. They will be presented with awards at a special function during the Festival of Letters – the annual function of the Akademi. The award in Bengali language will be announced later. About Sahitya Akademi Award Sahitya Akademi Award (साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार) is conferred on writers of outstanding works in one of the twenty-four major Indian languages (22 Scheduled Languages+ English and Rajasthani). 24 major Indian languages are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The award consists of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of 1 Lakh rupees.

44. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched three separate indices on three corporate houses of India viz. Tata, Aditya Birla and Mahindra Group. The first of its kind three separate indices based on corporate houses have been designed to reflect the performance of companies belonging to the respective corporate group. Each of three indices will comprise all the companies of the respective business group. The three separate indices are Nifty Tata Group Index: It includes 25 companies across 12 sectors with a total market capitalisation of 7.51 lakh crore rupees. It represents 7.83 per cent of the total market capitalisation of companies listed on the NSE. Nifty Aditya Birla Group Index: It consists of eight companies across seven sectors with the market capitalisation of 2.08 lakh crore rupees. It represents 2.17 per cent of the total market capitalisation of companies listed on the NSE. Nifty Mahindra Group Index: It consists of seven companies with a market capitalisation of about 1.64 lakh crore rupees. It represents 1.71 per cent of the total market capitalisation of companies listed on NSE.

45. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of Russian advance S-400 Trium Air Defence Missile Systems at an estimated cost of 40,000 crore rupees. Decision in this regard was taken by DAC meeting chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi. DAC approval for defence deal comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia later in December 2015. India would buy 5 units of the S-400 Trium air defence missile systems that are capable of destroying incoming hostile missiles, aircraft and even drones within a range of up to 400 km. This purchase will give a major boost to the national air defence capacity and make India only the second buyer of the missile system after China. The S-400 System is also capable of taking out ballistic missiles and hypersonic targets.

46. President of France Francois Hollande will be the Chief Guest at the 67th Republic Day parade of January 26, 2016. It was announced by Union Ministry External Affairs (MEA) after the French President accepted the invitation to witness Republic Day celebration as chief guest. Mr. Francois Hollande would be the 5th highest dignitary from France to be Chief Guest of Indian Republic Day parade after Prime Minister Jacques Chirac (1976), President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1980), President Jacques Chirac (1998) and President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008). With this invitation, France now holds distinction of being the guest of honour for the maximum five times of Indian Republic Day parade followed by Bhutan (four times); Mauritius and USSR/Russia (three times each). Earlier Chief guests of Republic Day parades: 2015-Barack Obama (US President), 2014- Shinzo Abe (Japanese Prime Minister), 2013-Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (King of Bhutan), 2012-Yingluck Shinawatra (Then Prime Minister of Thailand), 2011- Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (Then President of Indonesia).

47. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted resolution cut off supply of revenue flows to Islamic State (IS) militant group. Decision in this regard was taken at the first-ever meeting of finance ministers of 15 member states to support a diplomatic push to end the war in Syria. Key facts The resolution has been drafted by United States and Russia, calls on governments to ensure that they have adopted laws to make the financing of IS a serious criminal offence. It also calls for enhanced actions against from closing financial system loopholes to stopping the abuse of charitable causes. It stressed that already existing resolution mandating member states to ensure that financial assets are not transferred to terrorists by persons within their territory. Called for increased international cooperation in sharing information and closer collaboration with the private sector to identify suspect transactions. The UNSC also called on Member States to promote enhanced vigilance by persons within their jurisdiction to detect any diversion of explosives, raw materials and components that can be used to manufacture improvised explosive devices or unconventional weapons.

48. Former Delhi High Court Judge Reva Khetrapal took oath as Lokayukta of Delhi. Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administered the oath to office at a function held at Raj Niwas. She will become the fourth Lokayukta of Delhi and shall have five years terms as per Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995. Her appointment comes after President Pranab Mukherjee chose her as head of anti-corruption ombudsman on the recommendations of Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.