latest current Affairs for SSC & Bank Exams

Indigenously built INS Tarmugli commissioned in Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly maneuverable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. INS Tarmugli will be based in Visakhapatnam under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh). It would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India.

Odisha Governor promulgates ordinance for official use of Odia
Odisha Governor Dr SC Jamir has promulgated Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016 to ensure use of Odia in all government systems. The ordinance was promulgated as per provisions of the Article 213 of the Constitution. It empowers the state government to formulate laws to implement Odisha Official Language Act, 1954. It will amend the Language Act and use Odia in the official businesses of the Government including in writing files, letters and all other official documents.

Delhi-based NGO Routes 2 Roots awarded Inter-cultural Innovation Award 2016
Routes 2 Roots, a Delhi-based Non-profit organization (NGO), has been awarded prestigious Inter-cultural Innovation Award 2016. The award was bestowed upon the NGO for their unique Student Exchange Program, which allowed children in schools from India and Pakistan to connect with each other. The award was given by United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Sarbananda Sonowal sworn-in as Assam Chief Minister
BJP leader and former Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (54) was sworn-in as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority. State Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sarbananda Sonowal at the oath taking ceremony held in Khanapara, Guwahati. Besides, Governor also administered oath of office and secrecy to the 10 ministers of his government. With this, maiden BJP government assumed power in the North Eastern state for first time in the political history of independent India. Sarbananda Sonowal also became second tribal chief minister of Assam after Jogen Hazarika who was in the office 1970s.

Union Government shortlist 13 Cities for Smart Cities Mission in 2nd batch
The Union Ministry of Urban Development has shortlisted 13 cities from 13 States/UTs in the list of second batch of Smart Cities Mission. These cities were shortlisted based on scores obtained in Fast Track competition conducted for 23 cities from as many States and Union Territories. This competition list was topped by Lucknow in Uttar Prades and was followed by Warangal in Telangana and Dharmashala in Himachal Pradesh. In the Fast Track competition, 23 cities had participated from which these 13 were selected. These 23 cities were having the highest ranking and had failed to get representation in the first round of competition held in January 2016.

S K Sharma appointed CMD of Nuclear Power Corporation of India
Renowned scientist S K Sharma was appointed the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). In his new role, Mr Sharm will be responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. He has been appointed to the new post for a period of five years. At present,he is working as Distinguished Scientist and Director (Operations) in NPCIL.

Mohun Bagan wins 2016 Indian Federation Cup football tournament
Mohun Bagan FC has won the 2016 Indian Federation Cup football tournament title for the 14th time. They have won the tournament after a gap of 8 years and last was won in 2008. In the final match played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati (Assam), they defeated Aizawl FC by 5-0 goals. For Mohun Bagan FC the Jeje Lalpekhlua scored two goals while Haitian Sony Norde, Dhanachandra Singh and Bikramjit Singh scored one each. Aizawl FC for the first time had played in the final match. They had defeated I-League champions Bengaluru FC in the quarterfinals before getting the better of Sporting Clube de Goa to book a place in the Final for the first time.

Latest Current Affairs of 20th May 2016

·        Five State Assembly Election 2016 Results: 

o   The 2016 Kerala Assembly Election has won by the CPI (M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) by the absolute majority by winning 91 seats (44.94% votes) of the total 140 seats. So as result, Pinarayi Vijayan is set to become the next Chief Minister of Kerala.

o   In Assam Assembly Election 2016, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance partners have won an absolute majority by winning 87 seats (16.46% votes) in the 126 member House. BJP alone has won 60 seats (29.5% votes) on its own, thus making history by winning an Assam assembly election for the first time. So as result, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is all set to become the next Chief Minister of Assam.

o   Ruling All India Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has emerged victorious in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly Election.

o   Ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Party under the leadership of Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha has emerged victorious in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly Election.

o   The Congress, which has been decimated in Assam by the BJP and by the Left front in Kerala have managed to wrest power in the union territory of Puducherry in alliance with the DMK winning 17 of the 30 assembly seats.

·        President inaugurates Intelligent Operations Centre in Rashtrapati Bhavan

o   President Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated an Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC) in Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

o   He also launched a mobile application ‘Monitor’ for transformation of President’s Estate into a smart township. 

o   During the launching ceremony President announced that President’s Estate will work around the ‘4H’ theme of a humane, Hi-Tech, Heritage and Happy Township. 

·        Cyclonic storm ROANU to strike Andhra Pradesh coast: IMD

o   The cyclonic storm ROANU that emerged in the west central Bay of Bengal was in news. 

o   It came into news after India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its prediction said that the Cyclone is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 20 May 2016 night and will hit Andhra coast.

o   At present, ROANU is moving northeastwards and lay centred at south-southeast of Machilipatnam, about 290 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam & 160 km south-southwest of Kakinada. It issued an orange warning message to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It issued yellow message for West Bengal as the system would turn into severe cyclonic storm.

·        JP Nadda launches Centre for Environmental Health to assess environmental impact on health

o   The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched the Centre for Environmental Health in New Delhi.

o   It was launched to assess the impact of environment-related problems like air pollution, climate change, pesticide use and sanitation on health.

o   It is a joint initiative of the Public Health Foundation of India and the Tata Institute of Social Science. Its also includes capacity-building, advocacy, outreach and remedial issues.

·        Himachal CM launches PEHAL programme

o   Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has introduced PEHAL programme in Shimla district. 

o   The programme aim to expediting developmental works and government schemes through effective implementation at grassroots level. With this Shimla has become the 1st district in the state to launch such different programme to work as a team with the people.

o   The PEHAL will focus on five areas namely- Primary Education, Forest Rights, Health and Sanitation, Campaign against drugs and skill development, and Women Empowerment. The district authorities have already begun works on all these areas with a distinct strategy. The programme also attempt to integrate the various stakeholders in the development story of the district. 

·        India lauded for Medicines with the Red Line campaign on antibiotics

o   Medicines with the Red Line: A public awareness campaign launched by the Union Government to curb irrational use of antibiotics.

o   The term Medicines with the Red Line was in news, as the campaign was appreciated by the Global Review on Antimicrobial Resistance.

o   The review was commissioned by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 and chaired by economist Jim O’Neil.  As per the review, India led the way so far with its idea of a ‘Red Line Campaign’ for antibiotics packaging

·        International Buddhist conference begins in Nepal

o   A two day International Buddhist conference has begun in Nepal to celebrate the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Around 1,200 delegates and observers from 28 countries around the world are attending the conference. 

o   The theme of the conference is "Lumbini, Nepal: the birth place of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism and world peace".

o   The conference is inaugurated by the Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The main objective of organizing the event is to highlight Lumbini as birth place of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism, in the international arena, to establish Lumbini as the centre for interfaith and peace dialogue as well as developing Nepal as the fountain for world peace. 

·        India-Slovenia have signed Double Taxation Avoidance Convention

o   India and Slovenia have signed a Protocol to amend the existing bilateral double taxation avoidance agreement, broadening the pact to include exchange of information to curb tax evasion in Ljubljana. 

o   The Protocol was signed by Mr. Sarvajit Chakravarti, Ambassador of India to Slovenia on behalf of India and Mr. Dusan Mramor, the Slovenian Minister of Finance on behalf of Slovenia.

o   The Protocol will broaden the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related information which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries and will also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes. 

·        Beijing-New Delhi Yoga Conference opens in China

o   Chinese yoga practitioners gathered in large numbers over 1,000 for a group performance in Kunming, China to open the China-India Yoga Conference. 

o   The five day conference is featuring activities including courses from Indian yoga masters and yoga introductions for communities.

o   The Yoga gathering was organised by the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese affairs offices and the China-India Yoga College in Kunming.

·        Mukesh Ambani awarded Othmer Gold Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership

o   Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has been conferred the prestigious Othmer Gold Medal for his entrepreneurial leadership that has resulted in the expansion of India’s petroleum refining industry, creation of the Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat-the largest grassroots petroleum refinery in the world.

o   The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) established the Othmer Gold Medal in 1997 to honour outstanding individuals who have made multifaceted contributions to the world's chemical and scientific heritage through outstanding activity in such areas as innovation, entrepreneurship, research, education, public understanding, legislation, or philanthropy.

·        Tata Power acquires 30 MW wind farm in Maharashtra

o   Tata Power has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 30 MW wind farm in Maharashtra.

o   Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), a 100% subsidiary of Tata Power and has completed acquisition of 100% shareholding in Indo Rama Renewables Jath Ltd (IRRJL), which is a 100% subsidiary of Indo Rama Renewables Limited (IRRL). IRRJL has a 30 MW operating wind farm in Sangli district of Maharashtra.

o   The wind farm, which is fully operational since July 2013, has a long-term power purchase agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Ltd and is registered under the generation-based incentive scheme of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. With this acquisition, Tata Power's total generation capacity now becomes 9,213 MW and current operating non-fossil based capacity at 1,704 MW.

·        Indian journalist Philip Abraham elected as Deputy Mayor in United Kingdom

o   Indian journalist and Councillor Philip Abraham was elected unanimously as the Deputy Mayor of Loughton town in the United Kingdom. 

o   Councillor Abraham was presented with the Deputy Mayor’s Badge by Carol Davis, the newly-elected mayor.

o   V K Krishna Menon was the first person from Kerala to become a Councillor in Britain. He was a Labour Councillor for the Borough of St Pancras from 1934 to 1939.

·        Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first woman president of Taiwan

o   Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has sworn in as the new president of Taiwan and also has become the first female President of the country. 

o   The 59 year old, Tsai has begun her four-year term as president after an inaugural ceremony at the Presidential Office. 

o   The DPP chairwoman and former vice premier scored a convincing victory in the election held in January. She took over from President Ma Ying-jeou, who has served two four-year terms since May 2008.

Current Affairs Today for SSC & Bank Exams

Assam Assembly Election 2016 Results
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance partners have won an absolute majority in 2016 Assam state assembly election by winning 87 seats (16.46% votes) in the 126 member House. BJP alone has won 60 seats (29.5% votes) on its own, thus making history by winning an Assam assembly election for the first time. BJP’s ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has won 14 seats (8.1% votes) while another ally Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has bagged 13 seats (3.9% votes). Indian National Congress (INC) has won 26 seats (31% votes), while its ally All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won 13 seats (13% votes) and one seat was won be an independent candidate.

Kerala Assembly Election 2016 ResultsThe coalition of Left Democratic Front (LDF) has won the 2016 Kerala Assembly Election by the absolute majority by winning 91 seats (44.94% votes) of the total 140 seats. Among the LDF, Communist Party of India (Marxist) by winning 58 seats has emerged single largest party.

Other LDF allies have won

Communist Party of India: 19 seats.

Janata Dal (Secular): 3 seats.

Nationalist Congress Party: 2 seats. O

ther LDF supporters: 9 seats.

Apple Inc opens Development Office in Hyderabad
US personal and consumer technology giant Apple Inc. opened a new Development Office in Hyderabad, Telangana. The office was formally opened by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook who is on official visit to India. The facility located on the Waverock campus will focus on development of Maps for Apple’s flagship products, including iPad, iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch. The new facility will provide a world-class, LEED-certified home for the expanding Maps team and create up to 4000 jobs.

Hypersonic superjet technology successfully tested in Australia

A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert. In the test, scramjet attached to a rocket booster was successfully sent to an altitude of 278 km at Mach 7.5 (seven times the speed of sound). The team was running a series of 10 trials of the hypersonic technology at the world’s largest land testing range located at Woomera in Australia and at Norway’s Andoya Rocket Range.

Veteran Gujarati folk singer Diwaliben Bhil passes away
Veteran Gujarati folk singer Diwaliben Bhil passed away in Junagadh, Gujarat. She was 80. Diwaliben Bhil had given her voice to various Gujarati folk songs, film songs and Garba (Gujarati folk dance).

Current Affair of 18th & 19th May 2016 for SSC & Bank Exams

IT department launches e-nivaran portal to fast track taxpayers grievances
The Income Tax (IT) department has launched electronic grievance redressal system ‘e-nivaran’ to fast track taxpayer grievances and ensure early resolution of their complaints. In this regard, a separate and dedicated window for grievance redressal has been launched in the Income Tax Business Application (ITBA).

World’s largest Single Rooftop Solar Power Plant inaugurated in Amritsar
World’s largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 MegaWatt (MW) capacity was inaugurated at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh in Beas near Amritsar in Punjab. This is the largest Solar Power Plant spread over 82 acres of rooftop in single campus on multiple roofs with installed capacity of 19.5 MW.

Odisha Government launches Green Passage Scheme for orphan students
Odisha Government has decided to launch Green Passage scheme for orphan students to ensure that they get free of cost higher education in the state. A proposal of the higher education department in this regard, was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II missile test fired from Odisha
Indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired from a test range at Chandipur in Odisha. Missile test: It was carried out by Strategic Force Command (SFC) from a mobile launcher at launch complex-3 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.

SBI seeks to take over 5 associate PSBs, Bhartiya Mahila Bank
The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to merge its five associate public sector banks (PSBs) and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) with itself. In this regard, SBI has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that it is seeking in-principle approval for acquisition from the Union Government.

World’s first robot lawyer ‘ROSS’ hired by US law firm
The world’s first robot lawyer named ‘ROSS’ has been employed by a US law firm BakerHostetler. The first of its kind artificial intelligence (AI) lawyer will assist the law firm and its various teams in legal research. The robot was built by the company ROSS Intelligence and its working is based on cognitive computing. The project had started in 2014 out of research at the University of Toronto to build an artificial intelligence legal research assistant to allow lawyers to enhance and scale their abilities. The ROSS started functioning with first ten months after they began teaching it bankruptcy law.

Union Government opens Tatkal like channel to speed up patent grant process
Union Government has opened a special Tatkal like window to expedite examination process of patent applications by start-ups as well as of entities choosing India for filing the first patent. In this regard, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has as amended patent rules.

Latest Current Affairs for SSC & Bank Exams 2016

Union Government launches ePACE, INFRACON and up-Scaled INAM PRO for Road Transport Sector
The Union Government has launched three IT and ITES initiatives for best practices in road transport sector. They are INFRACON, ePACE and up-Scaled INAM PRO. They were launched by the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari as part of the Digital India Programme. These innovative IT initiatives were developed in house by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). They aimed at making the road building procedure faster, more transparent and more efficient.

IIT-Kharagpur’s Nandini Bhandaru wins European Materials Research Society Award
Nandini Bhandaru, a PhD student at IIT-Kharagpur has won the Young Scientist Award of the European Materials Research Society’s (E-MRS) for contribution to materials science. She had won the award for her outstanding contribution to materials science and nanotechnology, particularly nano-patterning of soft films and surfaces. Presently, Ms. Bhandaru is working at the Instability and Soft Patterning Laboratory of the institute IIT-Kharagpur. Her area of doctoral research is on nano-fabrication, including soft-lithography, polymer blend films, thin film dewetting and self-assembly.

World Bank approves $625-million loan for India’s Rooftop Solar Programme
The World Bank’s Board has approved 625 million dollars loan to support India’s grid connected rooftop solar programme to generate clean energy. The loan will be provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), lending arm of World Bank and has a maturity of 20 years and a 19.5 year grace period.

NTPC partners with Coal India Limited to foray into fertilizer sector
State-run power producer NTPC has signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) with state-run miner Coal India Limited (CIL) to revive plants of the Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL). The agreement will pave the way for NTPC to foray into fertilizer sector and revive existing fertilizer plants of FCIL.

Justice Deepak Gupta sworn-in as Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court
Justice Deepak Gupta has sworn-in as the new Chief Justice (CJ) of the Chhattisgarh High Court. He was administered the oath of office as per by Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon at Raj Bhawan in Raipur as per the provisions of the Article 219 of Constitution.

India, US hold first Maritime Security Dialogue
India and United States (US) held their first Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi for deepening the evolving partnership in the maritime domain between both countries. The first round of discussions under the recently-constituted dialogue was held between officials of India’s Defence and External Affairs Ministries and their US counterparts.

Latest Current Affairs for SSC & Bank Exams

Haryana Backward Classes Act 2016 notified

Haryana Government on 13 May 2016 notified the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Act 2016.

The act was enacted to provide reservation to Jats and four other castes in services and admission in educational institutions in the state.

Union Cabinet approves National Intellectual Property Rights Policy

The Union Cabinet on 12 May 2016 approved the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy that will lay the future roadmap for intellectual property in India.

The Policy recognises the abundance of creative and innovative energies that flow in India, and the need to tap into and channelise these energies towards a better and brighter future for all.

NITI Aayog to replace 5-year plans with 15-year vision document

Union Government’s apex think tank NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has decided to come up with a 15-year vision document in tandem with global trends and economic growth. NITI Aayog which had replaced erstwhile Planning Commission (PC) in 2015, with its 15-year vision document will also abandon the concept of five-year plans prepared by the PC since 1951.

Anil Kumble re-appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman

Former India captain Anil Kumble has been re-appointed ICC (International Cricket Council) Cricket Committee chairman for a second term of three years. Earlier he was appointed as the chairman for his first term in 2012 and now he will continue to head the panel until 2018. Anil Kumble is all-time highest wicket-taker for India.

US activates land-based missile defence station in Romania

United States has activated a land-based missile defence station (Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System) in Deveselu, Romania. The missile defence station is part of NATO’s larger European shield to protect member countries from short and medium-range missiles, particularly from the Middle East.

Current Affairs for SSC and Bank Exams 2016

May 11: NationalTechnology Day
National Technology Day is being observed across India on May 11 to glorify the importance of science in day-to-day life and motivate students to adopt science as a career option. Several events are organized in various engineering colleges and technical institutes to mark the occasion.

NASA’s Kepler telescope finds largest trove of exoplanets
NASA’s unmanned Kepler space observatory has discovered the largest trove of exoplanets outside our solar system. So far, it has discovered total of 1,284 exoplanets and it is more than double the number of known exoplanets found with the Kepler space telescope. Of the new trove of 1,284 exoplanets nearly 550 are said to be rocky planets like Earth, based on their size. The new discovery has given hope that eventually another Earth can be discovered. So far NASA has discovered nearly 5,000 total planet candidates, of them more than 3,200 have been verified and 2,325 of these were discovered by Kepler.

Indian Navy launches underwater Harbour Defence Systems in Visakhapatnam
Indian Navy has launched the state-of-the-art Harbour Defence Systems, viz. Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Besides, Mine Warfare Data Centre (MWDC) was also launched. IUHDSS and MWDC systems seek to enhance the Indian Navy’s surveillance capability and response to security threats at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.

Rodrigo Duterte wins 2016 Philippines Presidential Election
Anti-crime candidate and mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo Duterte has won the 2016 presidential election of the Philippines by a landslide victory. He will become the 16th President-elect of Philippines. In the Presidential election held on 9 May 2016, Rodrigo Duterte secured 39% (15.36 million) of the votes. He was followed by Mar Roxas 23% (9.27 million) votes and his closest rival Grace Poe with 22% (8.6 million) votes.

Parliament passes bill on potable alcohol
Parliament has passed the Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 after with the Lok Sabha adopted certain amendments made by the Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 that provides for development and regulation of certain industries.

Government constitutes Sanjay Mitra committee to prepare policy framework for taxi operators
The Union Government has constituted a three member committee to prepare a policy framework for taxi and other transport operators. The committee will be headed by Sanjay Mitra, Secretary of Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Its other two members are Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Delhi Transport Commissioner as its members. The committee was constituted after taxi and other transport operators had appraised the situation emerging from Supreme Court’s order and directions of Environment Pollution Control Authority of banning diesel taxis in the National Capital Region (NCR). It will look into these issues and come up with appropriate recommendations to address the same in a time bound manner.

10 May 2016: WorldMigratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is being observed across the world on the second weekend in May. This year, WMBD is being observed on 10th May. The day seeks to raise awareness and highlight the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. 2016 Theme: “Stop the Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds”. On this day people around the world organize public events such as bird festivals, education programmes, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions to celebrate WMBD.

Parliament Passes Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016
Parliament has passed the Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016 to widen ambit of law dealing with this anti-hijacking crime. The Bill was first passed in the Rajya Sabha and later in the Lok Sabha in May 2016. Now the Bill will go for Presidential assent as per Article 111 of Indian Constitution.

Latest Current Affairs for SSC & Bank Exams

Single emergency number ‘112’ to be operational throughout India from January 1, 2017
The single emergency number ‘112’ will be operational throughout India from January 1, 2017 to help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department. In this regard, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad approved the provision of a single number for various emergency services.

UN launches Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Zikavirus response
The United Nations has launched UN Zika Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) to finance critical unfunded priorities in the response to the Zika outbreak. The fund was launched by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States.

Atomic oxygen detected in Mar’s atmosphere by Scientists
Scientists have detected atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars for the first time since the last observation 40 years ago. It was detected using an instrument onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a 100-inch diameter telescope. It is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Centre.

Gujarat Government accords minority status to Jaincommunity
The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.

Karnataka Government decides to set up Asia’s first Rice Technology Park in Gangavati
Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state government has decided to set upa Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.

India women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics
Two Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics scheduled to be held in August 2016. Vinesh sealed her place for the Olympic berth after defeating Avin Demirhan of Turkey 12-2 in the 48 kg category in the semi-final match of the Olympic world qualifying tournament held at Istambul in Turkey. Now she will now fight for gold medal against Ivona Neena Matkovaska. Sakshi Malik also entered the final in the 58 kg category and qualified for Rio Olympics. In the Semi-final she defeated Len Jhang.  In the final she will play against Russian Valeria Koblova Jholobova in the final.

Latest Current Affairs for SSC and Bank Exams

World Press Freedom Day observed across the world

The World Press Freedom Day was on 3 May 2016 observed across the world with the theme Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms - This Is Your Right!

In 2016, World Press Freedom Day coincides with three important milestones:
• The 250th anniversary of the world’s first freedom of information law, covering both modern-day Sweden and Finland.
• The 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration of press freedom principles.
• The first year of the 15 year life-cycle of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Indian American Harmeet Kaur Dhillon elected to key Republican position
An Indian American Sikh woman Harmeet Kaur Dhillon (47) from California was elected to an important position in the Republican Party at the United States national level. She was elected as the newest national committee woman, a key position of the Republican National Committee.  Prior to this, she was vice chairman of the California GOP. She was the first woman elected to this position of vice chair of the California Republican Party.

Parliament passes Mines and Minerals AmendmentBill, 2016
Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016. The Bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The amendment Bill was first passed in the Lok Sabha in March 2016 and later in the Rajya Sabha in May 2016.

Union Government launches Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana
The Union Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for providing free of cost LPG (cooking gas) connections to women from BPL Households. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Maldepur Morh, Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. The tagline for the scheme is Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan.

India’s first Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari undergoes first sea trial
INS Kalvari, Indian Navy’s first indigenous Scorpene-class stealth submarine, has recently launched for the first sea trial in the Mumbai naval dockyard. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine which is built under the strategic Project 75 by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in collaboration with French naval defence and energy company DCNS.

Indian shooters win 3 Gold, 1 Bronze medals in ISSF Junior World Cup
Indian shooters have won three gold medals and one bronze on the opening day of the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) Junior World Cup held in Suhl, Germany.

Latest Current Affairs for SSC & Bank Exams

Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 comes into force
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 came into force on 1 May 2016. In this regard, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) had notified 69 of the total 92 sections of the Act to bring it into force from 1 May 2016. Key provisions of Acts Sets up in motion the process of making necessary operational rules and creation of institutional infrastructure for protecting the interests of consumers. Promotes the growth of real estate sector in an environment of trust, confidence, credible transactions and efficient and time bound execution of projects.

Maharashtra Government launches Adi Praman app for caste validity certificate
Maharashtra Government has launched Adi Praman, a web-based application for state’s tribal population to get the caste validity certificates online. It was launched along with portal named etribalvalidity.mahaonline@gov.in by Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao. The application is first of its kind for any state in India.

Union Government launches UJALA Scheme
The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State (IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The Scheme was launched as part of Union Government’s efforts to spread the message of energy efficiency in the country. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs, and therefore provide both energy and cost savings in the medium term. It will help in saving of energy around 24 crore units every year.

Madhya Pradesh High Court terms reservation in promotions in the State as unconstitutional
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has termed reservation in promotions in the state as unconstitutional. Ruling in this regard was given by HC division bench chaired by Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar on the petitions filed several employee associations and social organisations. Petitioners had challenged the rules of the state government which provided reservation in promotion for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes.

South India’s first underground metro services flagged off in Bengaluru
South India’s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The underground metro corridor has been named as Namma Metro and was flagged off Dr BR Ambedkar station by the Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The newly inaugurated 28-km metro line has 5.12-km underground stretch and connects Cubbon Park to the City Railway station.

China develops world’s first Graphene electronic paper
Chinese researchers have developed world’s first graphene electronic paper that will catapult the material to a new level. It was developed by The Guangzhou OED Technologies in partnership with a company in Chongqing Province of China.

Latest Current Affairs of April 2016

Parliament passes Industries (Development and Regulation)Amendment Bill, 2015
The Parliament has passed the Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015. The Bill amends the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951. It was first was passed in Lok Sabha in December 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha in April 2016. Now it will go for Presidential assent as per Article 111 of the Indian Constitution.

EC launches mobile app e-voter for Kerala assembly polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched an innovative mobile application titled e-voter with comprehensive details about the forthcoming 2016 Assembly polls in Kerala. The app is envisaged for voters’ facilitation for search in electoral roll, information regarding candidates, location of polling station, affidavit filed by them, filing of complaint and so on.

Indian Naval Ships Veer and Nipat decommissioned
Indian Naval Ships (INS) Veer and Nipat were decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The decommissioning ceremony of these ships was held in the presence of Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.

PM Narendra Modi to address US Congress on June 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to address a joint meeting of the United States (US) Congress on June 8, 2016 during his visit to the US. He was invited by President Barack Obama for a bilateral visit during the fourth nuclear summit. It was announced by the Speaker of the US House of Representative Paul Ryan. PM Narendra Modi will be the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of Congress, and the first since 2005.

Russia launches first rocket from new Vostochny Cosmodrome
Russia has successfully launched the first rocket from its newly built Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast, in Russian Far East region bordering China. The unmanned Soyuz-2.1a rocket is carrying three satellites as payloads namely Mikhailo Lomonosov (scientific satellite), SamSat-218 (an experimental nanosatellite) and Aist-2D (a civilian distance viewing satellite).

Current Affairs for SSC and Bank Exams

Renowned Kerala cartoonist V T Thomas passes away
Renowned Kerala cartoonist V T Thomas passed away following a brief illness at in Kottayam, Kerala. He was 86. He was popularly known as Toms and had created the legendary cartoon characters Boban and Molly (Bobanum Moliyum).

Deepika Kumari equals world record in recurve event at Archery World Cup
India’s Deepika Kumari has equalled the world record in Women’s Recurve event at the qualifying stage of Archery World Cup held in Shanghai, China. Deepika recorded a score of 686 out of 720 to finish 1st in qualifiers and equal the world. With this she equalled the record set by South Korea’s Ki Boe Bae at the World University Games in Gwangju in 2015. Deepika has already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics scheduled to be held in August 2016 with her performance at the Copenhagen World Championships in 2015. In the previous editions of the World Cup, Deepika had won silver medals consecutively in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in the women’s individual events.

Union Cabinet gives nod to BPCL’s investment enhancement in Oman Refineries
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to enhance investment by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Bharat Oman Refineries Limited (BORL). With this, the investment amount of BPCL could be enhanced upto a maximum of 3000 crore rupees by way of subscription of convertible warrants or other instruments. The infusion of funds by the BPCLs will Enable expansion of Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh and overcome the implications on account of the erosion of the net worth. Enhance the availability of petroleum products in the Northern and Central parts of the country. It will also enhance industrial development of Madhya Pradesh and substantial increase in employment and tax earnings in the State.

Union Cabinet gives nod to MoU between IRDAI and Insurance Authority of UAE
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Insurance Authority of United Arab Emirates. Decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister  Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The MoU was signed in February, 2016.

Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Papua New Guinea in health area and medical science
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Papua New Guinea on cooperation in the field of Healthcare and Medical Science. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India and Ministry of Health and HIV/AIDS of the Papua New Guinea. Under it, joint initiatives in the health sector will be established which will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Papua New Guinea.

Union Government allows states to put stock holding limits on sugar
The Union Government has decided to allow States to impose and enforce stock limits on sugar in order to check the the price rise of sweetener in the market. The decision to bring sugar under the purview of stock holding limits on dealers of sugar was taken in Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. It will empower State and Central Government agencies to impose stock limits and regulate supply, storage, distribution and trade of sugar in order to bring down sugar prices at reasonable level by curbing unscrupulous trading. Government has brought sugar within the purview of stock limits in order to check the inflationary tendencies in sugar and to reduce hoarding by wholesalers and retailers. In recent times, Union Government had noticed that the wholesale and retail prices of sugar have shown a spurt in spite of sufficient availability of sugar stocks with the Sugar Mills.