Current Affairs - India & World: August 2013

Reasons for Rupee Depreciation

Rupee Depreciation is one of the buzz words in Indian and world economy nowadays. We have already written a few posts regarding the impact of rupee depreciation and the devaluation history of Indian rupee. Here I am trying to list out the possible reasons for Rupee depreciation, which includes both domestic and international factors. After the peak recession time of 2008-09, Indian Rupee was hovering around 44-46 per dollar mark for almost 2 years, till mid of 2011. It then started to slide and breached the 50 per dollar mark in late 2011, mainly due to economic crisis in Europe.

Indian Mujahideen - History and Recent News

History of Indian Mujahideen

The islamic terrorism in India has been scripted by Pakistan’s Interservices Intelligence (IsI) through its main strategic assets – the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (huJI). To cordinate their activities in India, they found Indian Mujahideen (IM) in early 2000 and after that this group is held responsible for various terrorost attacks across the country. On 4 June 2010, Indian Mujahideen was declared a terrorist organisation and banned by the Government of India.

Why Food Security Bill is Important to India

History of National Food Security Bill

Chairperson of the National Advisory Council,Smt Sonia Gandhi, wrote to the Prime Minister in 2010 forwarding the basic framework of the proposed National Food Security Bill (NFSB). She suggested a close examination of the proposal of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to replace the existing BPL survey with a socio economic census to be conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.

India now the World’s Third Largest Internet using Country

India now the world’s third largest Internet using country

According to the latest report, India has bypassed Japan to become the world’s third largest Internet user after China and the US. Indian users are significantly younger than those of other emerging economies.

India now has nearly 74 million Internet users, a 31 per cent increase over March 2012, the report says. Recently, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) pegged the number of Internet subscribers in India at 164.81 million, with seven out of eight accessing the Internet from their mobile phones.

Syria used Sarin Chemical Weapon?

The United Nations has investigated reports that the Syrian Government has used sarin in the ongoing Syrian civil war. The use of this deadly chemical weapon has been confirmed by French officials. According to French officials, the sarin gas has been used by the Syrian Government.

Hysterectomies to be a part of National Health Survey

Health Ministry has decided to gather information on hysterectomies in the forthcoming National Family Health Survey as many health activists has raised concerns regarding the rising incident. The decision was initiated by Health Ministry after health activists from various parts of the country wrote to the Ministry expressing serious concern on issue of age at which hysterectomies or surgical removal of uterus are being conducted across the county.

National Health Survey in India

The Indian National Family Health Survey is a large-scale survey conducted in a representative sample of households throughout India. National Family Health Survey is a collaborative project of the International Institute for Population Sciences(IIPS), Mumbai and other international technical institutes . The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare designated IIPS as the nodal agency, responsible for providing coordination and technical guidance for the National Family Health Survey.

Apollo Tyres kicked off brand ties with Manchester United

Apollo Tyres kicked off brand ties with Man U

Apollo Tyres, an Indian tyre manufacturer, announced a 3year regional partnership with the popular football team - Manchester United. The agreement was signed between the Chairman of Apollo Tyres Ltd and Manchester United Group Managing Director. The partnership will make Apollo Tyres the official tyre partner of Manchester United in India and the U.K.

Sea Level Rise by 2100

According to the studies of an international panel of scientists, human activity is the cause of most of the temperature increases in recent decades, and warns that sea levels could conceivably rise by more than 3 feet by 2100 if emissions continue at a runaway pace. The findings of the scientists have been reported in a draft summary of the next big U.N. climate report. The report largely dismiss the belief that there has been a slowdown — often cited by those sceptical of climate change — in the pace of global warming, attributing it most likely to short-term factors.

TB in India - Tuberculosis in India Statistics

Tuberculosis in India 2013-Tuberculosis in India Statistics

Tuberculosis or TB is the shortform for tubercle bacillus. It is a common, lethal and infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. If left untreated, TB has the power to kill more than 50% of those so infected.

Food Security Programme Launched

Food Bill delayed, but scheme launched

Despite the delay in passage of the Food Security Bill in Parliament, the ambitious programme was launched in in Delhi, Haryana and Uttarakhand with the promise that it would reach two-thirds of the country’s 125-crore population and provide them with grain at subsidised rates. In Delhi the programme was launched by chairperson Sonia Gandhi on 20th August - on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi’s 69th birth anniversary.

Seagrass can fight against climate change

Latest studies revealed that Seagrass can be crucial in the battle against climate change as this humble plant is 35 times more efficient at locking up, or 'sequestering' carbon than rainforests. These unusual marine flowering plants are called seagrasses because in many species the leaves are long and narrow. Seagrass often grow in large "meadows" which look like grassland. In other words many of the species of seagrasses superficially resemble terrestrial grasses.

Indian Current Affairs - What is VVPAT

VVPAT System to be used at Bye-Election in Nagaland

The Government of India has amended the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, enabling the Commission to use Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail system (VVPAT) with the Electronic Voting Machines on 14th August, 2013. The Election Commission of India has decided to use the VVPAT system at the current Bye-election from 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency of Nagaland. The poll for this bye-election is to be held on 4th September 2013. Instructions are being issued to hold special meetings with the contesting candidates in this constituency to brief them about the use of VVPAT system. The Commission is organizing special training sessions for poll officers in the use of VVPAT and steps are being taken to educate the electors on the use of VVPAT system.

Current Affairs India-Kerala government got nod for Islamic banking

Kerala government got nod for Islamic banking

The government of kerala has got a go-ahead from the RBI to launch a financial institution following the principles of Islamic finance. Cheraman Financial Services Limited (CFSL) will be floated by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to function as a non-banking finance company.Industries minister PK Kunhalikutty and CFSL chairman P Mohamad Ali told reporters here that the firm would function as a non-banking finance company with an authorised capital of Rs 1,000 crore. CFSL has already received clearances from Reserve Bank of India, the Securities and Exchanges Board of India and the wakf board, the chairman said. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation will be the single largest shareholder in the company, holding 11 percent shares. The other individual shareholders can hold a maximum of 9 percent shares.

Mozilla Firefox Tamil Free Download

Firefox in Tamil

In a development that brings out the online convergence of love for Tamil and passion for free software, Mozilla Firefox – a free, open-source web browser, considered one of the most secure is now available in Tamil. A group of over 10 volunteers who have been translating the browser menu and other settings into Tamil, for over a year now, have confirmed the browser can be downloaded from the Mozilla website.

How to Prepare History for Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1

Hope you all are well versed with the syllabus of Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1 Exam for 2014. The entire syllabus is divided into seven core areas. In that, "History of India and Indian National Movement" has a weightage of around 10%. The weightage changes over the years but we can expect around 10 history based question out of the 100 questions in paper 1. The strategy for the preparation of Indian histroy for Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1 Exam for 2014 should be differrent for aspirants having background of history as a subject from others. If you have a good history subject knowledge, dig right from ancient history and master it. If you are from any other background, then I would prefer you start from our first war of independence in 1857.

How to apply for IBPS Clerk Exam 2013

In the last post we have mentioned that the official notification for IBPS Clerical Exam for the year 2013 is out. In this post we will try to explain the process for applying IBPS Clerk Exam 2013 in a detailed way. The information given below is collected is the official notification published in ibps website. Hope you are aware that candidates can apply online only from 19.08.2013 to 07.09.2013 and no other mode of application will be accepted.

IBPS CWE for Clerical Posts Notification 2013

About Common Written Examination for Clerical cadre posts

The wait is over!!!. IBPS Clerk Exam 2013 Notification is out officially and online registration all set to start from 19th August, 2013. The next Common Written Examination (CWE) as a pre-requisite for selection of personnel for Clerical cadre posts in the Participating Organisations listed below will be conducted online by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) tentatively in November/ December 2013.

Low Income Housing Finance Project with WB Assistance

Low Income Housing Finance Project

The Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank (IDA) assistance of US $100 million for Low Income Housing Finance Project were signed between Government of India/National Housing Bank and the World Bank on 14th August. The Objective of the Low Income Housing Finance Project is to provide access to sustainable housing finance for low income households/to purchase/build or upgrade their dwellings. The Low Income Housing Finance Project will have three components which are

National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme

Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme that will be implemented all over India on 16th August. This is a first of its kind scheme to be launched in the country. This scheme was first proposed by the Finance Minister in the last Union Budget to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for a scheme that will motivate the youth of this country to acquire a vocational skill. The scheme is expected to benefit a million people in the first year of its implementation.

NPA: Note on Non Performing Assets in Indian Banking System

What is a Non-performing asset?

Non-performing asset is a buzzing term in Indian economy, especially in Indian banking industry for a while. According to Wikipedia, NPA is a financial term used by banking industry that refers to loans that are in verge of default. Once the borrower has failed to make interest or principal payments for 90 days the loan is considered to be a non-performing asset. Non-performing assets are problematic for financial and banking institutions since they depend on interest payments for income. Also unfavorable pressure from the economy like economic depression can lead to a sharp increase in non-performing loans and often results in massive write-downs.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013 - Prithvi-II successfully test-fired

Prithvi-ii missile successfully test-fired

The country’s first nuclear weapons-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Prithvi-II, was successfully test-fired for its full strike range of 350 km from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off Odisha coast, on 12th August. Equipped with advanced high-accuracy navigation and manoeuvring system, the missile achieved all its targeting and technical parameters set out for this launch.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013 - Janata Party merged with BJP

Janata Party merged with BJP

Janata Party was merged with BJP on 11 August following a meeting of Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy and BJP President Rajnath Singh. Subramanian Swamy had served as member of the Planning Commission of India. He was also former Cabinet Minister at the Centre and has been a five-time MP. The Janata Party was an amalgam of Indian political parties opposed to the State of Emergency that was imposed between 1975 and 1977 by the government of India under the Prime Ministership of late Indira Gandhi and her party, the Indian National Congress.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013 - India’s first Cyber Forensic Lab

India’s first Cyber Forensic Lab in Tripura

India’s first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) has been set up in Tripura, an official said Monday. The lab, established at the Tripura High Court will provide court case related information. A National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) is being developed under the Supreme Court’s supervision. All information about legal services, court cases and judicial actions would be available from the NJDG.

World Current Affairs August 2013 - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita - New President for Mali

Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has emerged as the victor in Mali's elections after his main rival, Soumaïla Cissé, conceded defeat. The concession – a day before the official election result was expected and only hours after Cissé alleged that voting was marred by fraud – is likely to release billions of dollars of foreign aid to the west African country. Previously he was Prime Minister of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from 2002 to 2007.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013 - Food Security bill introduced

National Food Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

KV Thomas, Mininster for Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on 7th August introduced National Food Security Bill in Lok Sabha to replace the National Food Security Ordinance, 2013. The National Food Security Bill is an initiative for ensuring food and nutritional security to the people. It gives right to the people to receive adequate quantity of foodgrains at affordable prices. National Food Security Bill has special focus on nutritional support to poorest of the poor, women and children. In case of non-supply of foodgrains now people will get Food Security Allowance. The bill provides for grievance redressal mechanism and penalty for non compliance by public servant or authority.

First State to disburse salary via Aadhaar-linked bank accounts

Through this online GK question series, currentaffairsindia.info presents the most relevant model questions on General Knowledge. These questions are applicable to all UPSC exams, PSC Exams, Railway Recruitment Exams, Bank PO and clerical exams and various other competitive exams. Any comments/doubts are welcomed!!

1. Which state is the first one in the country to disburse salary via Aadhaar-linked bank accounts?

(a) Kerala

(b) Tamil Nadu

(d) Punjab

Indian Current Affairs August 2013 - Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja tops ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings

On 4th August 2013, Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian bowler to top the bowlers' chart in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings after former captain Anil Kumble claimed the top position in the ODI Rankings in 1996. The left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has joined West Indies’ off-spinner Sunil Narine on top of the bowlers’ rankings in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings which were released this month.

Business Current Affairs August 2013 - Raghuram Rajan

Raghuram Rajan appointed as 23rd RBI governor

Raghuram Govind Rajan, India's chief economic advisor to the Ministry of Finance, will take up the mantle of governorship in the RBI from 2013 September 5. The current incumbent, D Subbarao will demit his office on 2013 September 4. Raghuram Govind Rajan is going to be the 23rd governor of India's the central bank since May 19, 1975 when N C Sengupata had assumed the responsibility. Dr Raghuram Govind Rajan has worked extensively in the field of economics across the world.

Science and Technology News August 2013 - GJ 504b

GJ 504b-lowest-mass exoplanet around a Sun-like star

Astronomers have spotted the lowest-mass planet ever detected around a Sun-like star in the constellation called Virgo. Using infrared data from the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, an international team of astronomers imaged the giant planet around the bright star GJ 504. Several times the mass of Jupiter and similar in size, the new world, dubbed GJ 504b, is the lowest-mass planet ever detected around a star like the sun using direct imaging techniques.

World Current Affairs August 2013 - World Games 2013

World Games 2013

The World Games of 2013 took place in the city of Cali, Colombia, from July 25 2013 to August 4 2013. The sports are held under the categories of Martial Arts, Trend Sports, Ball Sports, Precision Sports, Strength Sports and Artistic and Dance Sports, Invitational Sports. It was held for the first time in 1981. This is the international multi-sport event, which includes those sports or events which are not contested in the Olympics.

World Current Affairs August 2013

Dolphins have longest social memories among non-humans

According to latest researches, Dolphins have longest social memories among non-humans. University of Chicago researchers found that dolphins can recognise their old tank mates' whistles even after being separated for more than 20 years. The remarkable memory feat is another indication that dolphins have a level of cognitive sophistication comparable to only a few other species, including humans, chimpanzees and elephants.

General Knowledge Quiz-August 2013

1. Which one of the following is not a direct tax?

(a) Income Tax

(b) Wealth Tax

(d) Estate Tax

Whos birth day is celebrated as Women's day in India

1. Whos birth day is celebrated as Women's day in India

(a) Mother Theresa

(b) Vijayalakshmi Pandit

(d) Sarojini Naidu

The first Indian athlete to reach Olympic finals

1. The first Indian athlete to reach Olympic finals

(a) P T Usha

(b) Shiny Wilson

(d) Bina Mol

Current Affairs Quiz August 2013

1. Once created, Telangana will be India's

(a) 27th State

(b) 28th State

(d) 30th State

Special National Investment Fund

Creation of the Special National Investment Fund

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 2nd August, has approved creation of the Special National Investment Fund for the specific objective of meeting the minimum public shareholding of 10 percent requirement in the following six Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

Minor Forest Produce in India

The Union Cabinet on 2nd August 2013, approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for marketing of non-nationalized and non monopolized Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and development of a value chain for MFP through Minimum Support Price (MSP). This will be a measure towards social safety for MFP gatherers, who are primarily members of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) most of them in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas.

Amendment to the Right to Information Act 2005

Amendment to the Right to Information Act, 2005

The Union Cabinet on 2nd August 2013, has approved introduction of a Bill in the coming session of the Parliament to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005, to exclude the political parties from the definition of Public authority for the purpose of the Act. Earlier the Central Information Commission in its decision, has held that the major 6 political parties, namely, Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, NCP, and BSP are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013

National Teeka Express

The National Teeka Express was launched by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare on 1st August 2013. It has been launched to protect children from life-threatening childhood diseases. Government of India noticed gaps in the implementation of Alternate Vaccine Delivery in difficult areas with low access to healthcare services.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013

Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme

Government of India had envisaged launch of Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme in 20 high Aadhaar coverage districts benefitting 73 lakh consumers (7.3 million). The scheme aims to curb leakages and prevent black-marketing and provide subsidy to consumers in their bank accounts. In these districts the subsidy on LPG cylinders is being provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar linked bank accounts.

Industrialization in India after Independence

Before going into the details of Industrialisation in India after independence, lets gather an idea about what is the actual meaning of Industrialisation in general terms. According to Wikipedia, Industrialisation or industrialization is the natural time frame of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial one. It is a part of a wider modernisation process, where social change and economic development are closely related with technological innovation, particularly with the development of large-scale energy and metallurgy production.

Science and Technology News August 2013

BrahMos baged orders worth Rs 25,000 cr

rahMos, the world’s first supersonic cruise missile developed by the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace, has already bagged orders worth Rs 25,000 crore from the Indian defence forces. It has attracted world attention mostly because of the flexibility of using multiple platforms to launch the 290-km- range missile and low cost. Russia, which holds 49.5 per cent stake in the joint venture, has already indicated its willingness to allow for export of the missile to some countries, while India is yet to take any decision.

Indian Current Affairs August 2013

Telangana to become India’s 29th State

Telangana is a new proposed state to be separated out from the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The city of Hyderabad would serve as the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the next 10 years. On 30 July 2013 the ruling Congress party announced its intention to carve Telangana out of AP as the 29th state of Republic of India. The timeline for the creation of the new state involves an elaborate process, which has been allotted a 122 days, or at least four months.

Environment News August 2013

International Tiger Day

International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.The goal of the day is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.(wiki) We have lost 97% of all wild tigers in a bit over 100 years. Instead of 100,000, as few as 3,200 live in the wild today.

World Current Affairs August 2013

Pakistan elected new President

Pakistani lawmakers elected a textiles magnate, Mamnoon Hussain to be the next president of a country plagued by Islamic extremism, only hours after Taliban militants launched a mass prison break freeing 100s of inmates. Pakistan’s president is not elected by popular vote, but by lawmakers in the Senate, National Assembly and the assemblies of the four provinces.

History of Indian Mujahideen

History of National Food Security Bill

India now the world’s third largest Internet using country

Syria used Sarin Chemical Weapon?

Hysterectomies to be a part of National Health Survey

National Health Survey in India

Apollo Tyres kicked off brand ties with Man U

Sea Level Rise by 2100

Tuberculosis in India 2013-Tuberculosis in India Statistics

Food Bill delayed, but scheme launched

Seagrass can fight against climate change

VVPAT System to be used at Bye-Election in Nagaland

Kerala government got nod for Islamic banking

Firefox in Tamil

How to apply for IBPS Clerk Exam 2013

About Common Written Examination for Clerical cadre posts

Low Income Housing Finance Project

National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme

What is a Non-performing asset?

Prithvi-ii missile successfully test-fired

Janata Party merged with BJP

India’s first Cyber Forensic Lab in Tripura

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita - New President for Mali

National Food Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Ravindra Jadeja tops ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings

Raghuram Rajan appointed as 23rd RBI governor

GJ 504b-lowest-mass exoplanet around a Sun-like star

World Games 2013

Dolphins have longest social memories among non-humans

Creation of the Special National Investment Fund

Minor Forest Produce in India

Amendment to the Right to Information Act, 2005

National Teeka Express

Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme

BrahMos baged orders worth Rs 25,000 cr

Telangana to become India’s 29th State

International Tiger Day

Pakistan elected new President

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