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JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER RBI

1. RBI asks banks to exchange up to 20 soiled notes for free

The RBI asked banks to exchange up to 20 pieces of soiled currency notes with a maximum value of ₹5,000 over

the counter free of charge.

However, if the number of notes to be exchanged is more than 20, banks can levy service charge.

The facility of exchanging mutilated or imperfect notes is available at designated bank branches and also non-

chest branches.

In case notes are presented in bulk (where the number exceeds 20 pieces or ₹5,000 in value per day), banks will

accept them, against receipt, for value to be credited later.

2. RBI sets up Sudarshan Sen-headed Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up an inter-regulatory Working Group to study the regulatory issues

relating to Financial Technology (Fintech) and Digital Banking in India.

The inter-regulatory Working Group will be headed by RBI’s Executive Director Sudarshan Sen and consist of 12

members.

It will submit its report within six months from date of its first meeting.

It was constituted based on the recommendation of sub-committee of the Financial Stability and Development

Council (FSDC) in view of the growing significance of Fintech innovations and their interactions with the

financial sector as well as financial sector entities.

3.

ECONOMY

1. Union Cabinet approves recommendations of 7th Pay Commission

Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 approved the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

The salaries and arrears, effective from 1 January 2016, will be made applicable.

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

This implementation of the recommendations will put an additional burden of 1.02 lakh crore rupees on the

exchequer annually or nearly 0.7 percent of GDP.

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

7000.

The maximum pay is recommended to be Rs. 2,25,000 per month for Apex Scale and Rs. 2,50,000 per month for

Cabinet Secretary and others presently at the same pay level.

The increase in pay will be 16 percent, increase in allowances will be 63 percent and increase in pension will be

24 percent.

The commission headed by Justice AK Mathur submitted its report to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on

19 November 2015.

2. Union Govt enhances Financial Powers of Ministries, Departments

The Union Government has decided to enhance financial powers of its Ministries, Departments for appraisal and

approval of Non-Plan Schemes or Projects.

The Committee on Non-Plan Expenditure (CNE) will now appraise proposals involving expenditure of 300 crore

rupees and above. The earlier this limit was of 75 crore rupees.

The concerned Ministry or Standing Finance Committee of the Ministry will now appraise Non-plan Schemes and

projects involving expenditure less than 300 crore rupees.

The Minister-in-charge of the administrative Ministry now can approve Non-Plan schemes costing less than 500

crore rupees. Earlier this limit was of 150 crore rupees.

Scheme or projects having financial implications of 500 crore rupees and above and upto 1000 crore rupees will

be approved by Union Finance Minister.

The Union Cabinet or Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will final the competent financial authority for

proposal having financial limits of 1000 crore rupees and above.

3. SBI Launches SBI Digital Village

State Bank of India, the largest Bank in India, has embarked on transforming the villages into cash less eco-

system, by adopting them as SBI DIGITAL VILLAGES.

The project aims at transforming the selected villages into safe, healthy and vibrant digital centres.

The Bank will formally launch this initiative in 21 villages on the occasion of State Bank Day, which have moved

on to the digital platform.

SBI plans to bring 100 villages under this initiative across the country by the end of FY 17.

In addition, the Bank is implementing various corporate social responsibility activities like Swachh Bharat

activities, Solar lighting, digital lessons in schools, etc.

4. RIL, SBI ink Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement for payments bank JV

Telecom-to-energy conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) and India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI)

have signed Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement to set up payments bank.

As per the agreement, RIL will be the promoter with a 70 per cent equity contribution in the payments bank and

SBI as joint venture will have 30 per cent equity contribution.

RIL-SBI combine was among the 11 entities that were in August 2015 were given licence by the Reserve Bank of

India (RBI) to start a payments bank.

So far two of these – Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co and Sun Pharma, IDFC Bank and telecom

operator Telenor have decided to shelve plans of launching payments bank.




5. SBI secures $625 million from World Bank for solar programm

India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has signed an agreement worth 4,200 crore rupees ($625 million)

with the World Bank to support its grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) programme.

Under GRPV programme, at least 400 MW solar capacity will be created across the country.

6. Listed firms get more time to comply with Indian Accounting Standards

The Capital market regulator SEBI has extended the timeline for listed companies to report their financial results

to help them comply with the new accounting standards.

For the June 2016 quarter, SEBI has extended the deadline by one month, allowing companies to report results by

September 14.

For Q2FY16, the new deadline for reporting is December 14.

Comparable results for the quarters ending June 30, 2015, and September 30, 2015, should also be published,

though the limited review or audit of the same is not mandatory.

The new Indian Accounting Standards, or Ind-AS, is mandatory for a certain class of companies from April 1 this

year.

7. Nirma bags LafargeHolcim cement assets in India for ₹9,400 crore

LafargeHolcim has entered into an agreement with Nirma Limited to sell its 11 million tonne cement capacity in

India at an enterprise value of about $1.4 billion (about ₹9,400 crore).

The deal is subject to approval by the Competition Commission of India.

Lafarge India operates three cement plants and two grinding stations largely catering to the eastern India.

The company also markets aggregates and is one of India's leading ready-mix concrete manufacturers.

Headquartered in Gujarat, diversified conglomerate Nirma has business interest across industrial and consumer

products ranging from soaps, detergents, salt, soda ash, caustic soda, cement, packaging and other household

products.

8. Centre sanctions ₹658 cr for 5 projects to decongest Delhi

Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu announced that ₹658 crore had been sanctioned from the

Urban Development Fund for five projects to decongest the national capital.

The five projects are construction of flyover and underpass connecting Mahipalpur, Aerocity, Airport and NH-8;

and construction of flyover-cum-road overbridge near Narela for providing direct access from NH-1 to Bawana

Industrial Complex.

A skywalk and foot overbridge near ITO for safety of pedestrians going to offices located in and around ITO will

be constructed apart from building an up-ramp and widening of road near Kashmiri Gate and Nigam Bodh Ghat.

A 1.6-km-long Grade separator at Rani Jhansi Road will also be constructed.

10. IndusInd Bank opens IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City

IndusInd Bank opened its IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to

meet the requirements of offshore banking operations from India.

With opening of the IBU at GIFT-IFSC, IndusInd Bank will now be able to actively offer products such as

external commercial borrowings to its customers.

The IBU will provide the bank access to International financial markets and will allow it to deliver a complete

range of products to its clients with foreign currency funding requirements.




GIFT IFSC has seen a significant jump in business, with total business transactions crossing the US$ 475-million

mark, generated by 5 operational IBUs of YES Bank, Federal Bank, IDBI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI

Bank each.

11. Exim Bank inks pact for $45 mn loan to Kenya

Exim Bank has extended a loan of USD 44.95 million to Kenya for a textile factory and development of small and

medium enterprises.

The loan, known as line of credit, has been granted on behalf of the Indian government.

The loan agreements were signed in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, by Exim Bank CMD Yaduvendra Mathur and

Henry K Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, The National Treasury, Kenya in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra

Modi and the Kenyian President Uhuru Kenyatta.

With this loan agreement, Exim Bank has now placed 207 Lines of Credit, covering 63 countries in Africa, Asia,

Latin America, Europe, Oceania and the CIS, with credit commitments of over USD 14.95 billion.

These credit are used to finance exports from India.

12. IDFC Bank acquires Grama Vidiyal

IDFC Bank announced it had acquired Tamil Nadu-headquartered microfinance institution Grama Vidiyal in an

all-cash deal. The company did not disclose the deal size.

On finalisation of the deal, the MFI will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank and act as a dedicated

business correspondent for it.

The acquisition gives IDFC Bank access to Grama Vidiyal’s 12 lakh customers across seven States, besides

giving it 319 branches across 65 districts in these States.

The bank has obtained in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India for the deal.

13. Government allocates Rs 12,000 crore to skill 1 crore people over 4 years

A Rs 12,000-crore outlay for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to impart skills to 1 crore people

over the next four years (2016-20) got Cabinet approval.

PMKVY will impart fresh training to 60 lakh youth and certify 40 lakh people who have acquired skills non-

formally under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Financial support to trainees will be given in the form of travel allowance and by taking care of boarding and

lodging costs.

Post-placement support will be given directly to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

14. BSE introduces 'Paperless SIP' for mutual fund investors

Leading stock exchange BSE is introducing 'Paperless SIP' (systematic investment plans) that would allow mutual

fund investors to make transactions through various modes of payments.

The additional feature on BSE's mutual fund platform -- StAR MF -- would allow MF distributors to register SIPs

for their clients, who can pay SIP amounts through various modes.

The new facility is available only for non-dematerialised transactions and for instalment of amount more than Rs

2 lakh.

15. Black money declarants get more time to pay tax, penalty




The government has decided to revise the time schedule for making payments under the Income Disclosure

Scheme.

As per the revised norms, a minimum of 25 per cent of the tax, surcharge and penalty should be paid by

November 30, 2016 and a second and third instalments of 25 per cent and 50 per cent by March 31, 2017 and

September 30, 2017 respectively.

The window under the Income Declaration Scheme 2016 opened on June 1 and will close on September 30.

Tax and penalty on income declared, as per the original scheme, is to be paid by November.

The Budget for 2016-17 announced a 4-month compliance window, allowing domestic black money holders to

declare their unaccounted wealth, pay a tax and penalty of 45 per cent and escape prosecution and harsher

punishment.

16. Ban on cash transactions above Rs 3 lakh: SIT on black money

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money has recommended banning cash transactions of Rs 3 lakh

and above and restricting cash holding with individuals and industry to Rs 15 lakh to curb illegal wealth in the

country.

The SIT, headed by Justice MB Shah (retired), submitted its fifth report to the Supreme Court on methods to curb

black money in the economy.

17. India, ADB sign $100 Million Loan pact on Cauvery basin development

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a 100 million dollars loan agreement for irrigation

projects, drainage system and water management in Vennar sub-basin of Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu.

The project seeks to improve water management and strengthen embankments of 6 major irrigation water

channels in Vennar system.

Cauvery river basin is a critical source of water for agriculture in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

The project aims to improve existing infrastructure and also provide flood protection and renewed access to

irrigation.

The loan funds will support Tamil Nadu’s water resources professionals to manage resources better, and with

greater involvement of the stakeholders they service.

Under it, flood forecasting and warning systems will be also installed.

The loan will be provided from ADB’s ordinary capital resources which has a 25-year term.

The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.

18. Govt allocates Rs 22,915 crore capital to public sector banks for FY17

The government has allocated Rs 22915 crore capital to state run banks, front-loading the capital infusion to

ensure banks are able to step up credit.

The State Bank of India has got the maximum Rs 7,575 crore followed by Indian Overseas Bank that got Rs 3,101

crore of funds from the government.

The capital infusion exercise for the current year is based on an assessment of need as assessed from the CAGR of

credit growth for the last five years, banks' own projections of credit growth and an objective assessment of the

potential for growth of each Public Sector Bank.

75% of the amount allocated is being released now to provide liquidity support for lending operations as also to

enable banks to raise funds from the market.

The infusion is part of the plan chalked out by the government under its Indradhanush initiative to infuse Rs

70,000 crore in banks till FY19.




19. Centre releases ₹100 cr for Atal Pension Yojana

The Centre has released nearly ₹100 crore as its share of contribution for members of the Atal Pension Yojana.

Government through the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has released co-contribution for

2015-16 for 16.96 lakh eligible subscribers amounting to ₹99.57 crore.

The social security scheme aimed at universalising pension coverage provides for a co-contribution from the

government for subscribers who joined before March 31, 2016, for a period of five years.

The government will pay a co-contribution of up to 50 per cent of the subscriber’s contribution up to a maximum

of ₹1,000.

20. HDFC becomes first Indian Company to issue masala bonds

The Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) has become the first Indian company to issue rupee-

denominated bonds “masala bonds” on London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The bond will help HDFC, India’s biggest mortgage lender (home finance company) to diversify its borrowing

profile and access global investors.

With this issuance of masala bonds, HDFC is planning to raise 750 million dollars from the overseas market

during the current financial year.

21. CBDT inks 7 Advance Pricing Agreements to cut tax litigation

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed seven unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs)

with Indian taxpayers to reduce tax litigation.

With this, CBDT has so far entered into 77 APAs.

This includes three bilateral APAs and 74 unilateral APAs.

APA usually is signed between a taxpayer and the central tax authority (in case of India it is CBDT) on an

appropriating transfer pricing methodology for determining the value of assets and taxes on intra-group overseas

transactions.

It seeks to introduce certainty in tax law by reducing compliance costs and make tax regime investment friendly.

22. IMF trims India’s growth forecast to 7.4%

The International Monetary Fund trimmed India's growth forecast for the current and next financial years by 0.1

percentage point as it pared global growth by an identical amount.

India is now forecast to expand 7.4% in the two years compared with the earlier forecast of 7.5% for both,

retaining its tag as the world's fastest-growing major economy.

China's forecast has been retained at 6.6% and 6.2% for 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The Indian economy grew 7.6% in FY16.

The global economy is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2016 compared with 3.2% estimated in the April WEO, with

Brexit responsible for the reduction.

NEWS (NATIONAL)

1. Union HRD Ministry launches Prashikshak, an online teacher education portal

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has launched ‘Prashikshak’- an online teacher

education portal for District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs).




The Prashikshak portal was launched by the Union HRD minister Smriti Irani in New Delhi.

The portal has been developed by the Union HRD ministry in collaboration with the Central Square Foundation, a

policy think tank focused on improving quality of school education.

Prashikshak users will comprise pre-service teacher educators, DIET faculty and principals, policy makers at

district, state and national level and the general public.

2. Union Railway Ministry launches Nivaran portal

The Union Railway Ministry has launched Nivaran portal, an online system for redressal of service related

grievance of serving and former Railway employees.

It was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu at function held in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

Nivaran portal is an online system that seeks to facilitate the employees to lodge their grievances and also monitor

the progress.

The system will also provide employees of Indian Railways facility for lodging appeal to the higher authority in

case the decision is not found satisfactory.

3. 1st meeting of BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency begins in Visakhapatnam

The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency began in

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The two day conference will be attended by all 5 member BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)

countries.

India being BRICS chair for 2016 has organised this event in order to shape and steer the BRICS agenda.

The Union Power Ministry is hosting the meeting of the Working Group.

The meeting will deliberate a work plan on development of cooperation in energy saving and energy efficiency

with BRICS.

4. Second BRICS Youth Summit concludes in Guwahati

The second BRICS Youth Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam from 1st July 2016 to 3rd July 2016.

The theme of the summit was “Youth as bridge for intra-BRICS exchanges“.

The summit was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in presence of Union Sports Minister

Jitendra Singh.

The summit focused on enhancing people-to-people contacts of BRICS member states viz. Brazil, Russia, India,

China and South Africa.

It also adopted the ‘Guwahati BRICS Youth Summit 2016 Call to Action’ and urged the youth from the five

member nations to come together for working towards this goal.

5. 19 new Ministers of State inducted in Union council of Ministers

Nineteen new Ministers of State (MoS) were inducted in the Union Council of Ministers in a major expansion.

These new ministers were administered oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati

Bhavan.

This was the second expansion of the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi.

Of the 19 new ministers, 17 are from the BJP, one each from Apna Dal and RPI.

Besides, induction of these new ministers, Minister of State (MoS) Environment, Forests and Climate Change

with independent charge, Prakash Javdekar was elevated to the Cabinet rank.




As per provisions of Article 75, the total number cannot exceed 82 i.e. 15% of the total number of members of

Lok Sabha.

This provision of constitutional cap for total number of Ministers in the Union Council was added by the 91st

Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.

6. India to host meet of BRICS anti-narcotics heads

India is going to host meet of the heads of anti-narcotics agencies of BRICS nations to discuss issues related to

narco-terrorism and money laundering.

This meet will be held ahead of the eighth annual Summit of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa

nations scheduled in October 2016.

The one-day meeting on July 8, 2016 will be hosted by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The agenda of the high-level meeting is to take into consideration of illicit drug trafficking including diversion of

precursors and chemicals, usage of new psychoactive substances.

It will also take into consideration maritime drug trafficking, narco terrorism and drug money laundering.

7. SBI Cards Launches ELITE

SBI Cards and Payment Services (SBI Card), the third largest card issuer, launched a premium credit card by the

name ELITE.

Launched on the MasterCard World platform, the SBI Card ELITE has bundled several privileges and benefits for

the high networth individuals--premium category customers.

Enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, SBI Card ELITE allows customers a contactless

payment experience, adding more speed and suave to their wallets.

The card will come with a joining fee of Rs. 4,999.

All SBI Card ELITE customers will receive welcome gift of Rs. 5,000 in the form of vouchers from popular

travel and lifestyle brands.

8. Centre nod for renaming of Mhow railway station after Ambedkar

The central government has given its nod for renaming Mhow railway station in Indore district of Madhya

Pradesh after B R Ambedkar as the Dalit icon was born there.

The Home Ministry has requested the state government to issue a Gazette notification in this regard, spelling the

name accordingly in Devnagri (Hindi) and Roman (English) script.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot had written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh

and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu last year and in January this year, demanding that the name of Mhow

railway station be changed to B R Ambedkar railway station.

Mhow was renamed as Dr Ambedkar Nagar in 2003.

9. SC-appointed Green Panel recommends high pollution cess of 20-22% on diesel vehicles

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) on 5 July 2016 recommended a green

cess of 20-22 percent on diesel vehicles.

EPCA is a Supreme court-appointed Green Panel for Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

An Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) of 10 percent of the vehicle's cost be imposed on diesel cars with

engines up to 1200cc.

It also recommended high pollution cess of up to 24 percent on the cost of diesel cars above 2000 cc.




The authority’s recommendation of 20 per cent (for less than 1500 cc) and 22 per cent (for over 1500 cc) green

cess will amount to 179766 rupees and 215883 rupees respectively.

10. World’s largest charkha unveiled at Delhi’s IGI airport

The world’s largest Charkha was unveiled at the Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in

New Delhi.

It was unveiled by the Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj Mishra to remind India’s

timeless heritage and the values of sustainability and harmony that it stands for.

The Charkha made from high-quality Burma teak wood. It weighs four-tones and is 9 feet wide, 17 feet tall and

30 feet long.

The Charkha is considered as a symbol of Gandhian values.

11. Trai launches app to check real-time internet speed

In a bid to improve the quality of data service for Indian mobile users, telecom regulator Trai has launched an

application, TRAI Myspeed App, to help consumers check real-time internet speed on their handsets and report

the same to the regulator.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will use the data collected from subscribers to fix new quality

of service (QoS) norms for which the process will start in a month or so.

12. SBI launches SBI Mingle, a social media banking platform

India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) recently had launched SBI Mingle, a social media banking

platform for Facebook and Twitter users.

It was launched by SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya, on the occasion of 61st State Bank Day (observed on

1st July).

The SBI Mingle will allow SBI’s customers to access various banking services via these social platforms.

To avail services from this platform, customers will have to register for it through a simple one time registration

process using either their social account number or their ATM/Debit Card details.

13. Namami Gange projects for cleaning river Ganga launched

Union Government has launched various projects under Namami Gange programme for cleaning of river Ganga

and its tributaries from Haridwar, Uttarakand.

It was launched by Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

Besides, simultaneous projects were also launched at over 103 locations in seven states for cleaning of river

Ganga and its tributaries from Gangotri to Howrah.

The Namami Gange Programme is an ambitious integrated Ganga Conservation Mission that was launched by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015 and aims at cleaning the holy river and ensuring its unfettered flow.

Union government has allocated Rs. 20,000 crore budget for it.

The projects were launched simultaneously in five basin states of the river Ganga viz. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,

Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Besides, projects were also launched in Delhi and Haryana through which Ganga’s largest tributary Yamuna

passes.

14. Committee to examine desirability and feasibility of new financial year




The Union Finance Ministry has constituted four members committee, headed by Dr. Shankar Acharya, to

examine the feasibility and desirability of having a new financial year.

The committee has been tasked to examine the merits and demerits of various dates for the commencement of the

financial year including the existing date (April to March) by taking into account the various relevant factors.

The committee will be headed by Dr. Shankar Acharya (former Chief Economic Adviser).

Besides it will consist of PV Rajaraman (former Finance Secretary, Tamil Nadu), KM Chandrasekhar (former

Cabinet Secretary) and Dr. Rajiv Kumar (Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research) as its members.

The committee will submit its report to the Union Government by 31st December 2016.

15. Union Govt constitutes cyber cell to check online abuse and harassment of women

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has constituted a cyber-cell to check the online

abuse and harassment of women and children on social media platforms.

Announcement in this regard was made by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in New

Delhi.

The WCD Ministry has advised women and children to send their complaints, if they are being abused or harassed

on social media platforms using the hashtag #IamTrolledHelp.

The cyber-cell was constituted in the wake of reported increase in abuse or harassment of women on social media.

Besides, WCD Ministry will be working with Twitter India to address abusive behaviour, violent threats (direct or

indirect), harassment on social media.

They will also be working together for the empowerment of women and children to deal with abuse, harassment

and hateful conduct on social media.

16. Union Govt launches KVK portal for monitoring of farm centres

The Union Government has launched Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) portal (http://kvk.icar.gov.in).

It was launched by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi.

The portal aims to provide information and advisory to the farmers and facilitate online monitoring of the KVK

activities.

It provides provisions for online monitoring of KVKs.

17. Security forces cannot use excessive force in AFSPA areas: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that army and paramilitary forces cannot use excessive and retaliatory force

during counter-insurgency operations in disturbed areas declared disturbed under the Armed Forces (Special

Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958.

The verdict was given by SC bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit on the plea filed by

the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM).

The use of excessive force or retaliatory force by the armed forces of the Union or Manipur Police is not

permissible.

AFSPA was enacted by Parliament on September 11, 1958.

It conferred special powers upon the armed forces in disturbed areas in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,

Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

The act was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

18. Second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant gets operational




The second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), India’s largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu

became operational.

The 1,000 Megawatt (MW) capacity plant attained criticality after the second unit became operational.

Now the power generation of Unit 2 will be stepped up to full capacity of 1000 MW in phases and will be

synchronized with the grid.

The criticality process of the Unit 2 was undertaken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI), a PSU

under the Department of Atomic Energy which manages the plant.

Already, the first unit of the plant is generating 1000 MW power. So far it has generated 10,006 million units of

electricity.

19. Union Govt launches Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a nationwide Intensified Diarrhoea Control

Fortnight (IDCF) to check child diarrhoeal deaths.

The IDCF drive was launched by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda in New Delhi.

It will be observed from 11th to 23rd July, 2016 across the country.

The IDCF drive is a very cost -effective intervention to curb the risk of spread of diarrhoea which scales up

during monsoon season Intensified community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of Oral

Rehydration Salt (ORS) and Zinc therapy will be conducted at state, district and village levels.

The importance of this drive is that to make ORS available in the household when needed at the time of diarrhoea.

ASHAs will visit all households with children below 5 years of age for pre-positioning the ORS.

20. Union Govt notifies AADHAR Act giving UIDAI legal basis

The Union Government has notified the UIDAI (Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members)

Rules, 2016 to give legal status to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

These rules have been framed as per provisions of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies,

Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

These rules have detail provisions for appointment of its chairperson and members.

The chairperson of UIDAI will be selected on the recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee headed

by the Cabinet Secretary.

Besides, Secretaries of Department of Personnel and Training, Finance and Department of Electronics and

Information Technology (DEITY) and two experts will be its members.

The two experts will be nominated by the Union Communications and IT Minister.

21. Bangladesh, India sign agreement for joint coal fired power plant

Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement for the construction of a 1,320 megawatt (MW) coal fired power

plant near Sundarbans.

The agreement was signed between Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BIFPCL), the

joint venture enterprise and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

BHEL was selected under an open international tender for constructing the super thermal plant at Bangladesh’s

southwestern Rampal near the Sundarbans.

This coal fired power plant is the biggest project under bilateral cooperation between both countries that would

mark the transition from electricity export to generation level.

India’s Exim Bank will provide US 1.49 billion dollars for the project and it is scheduled to start generating

power in 2019.




22. Najma Heptullah quits, Naqvi gets a promotion

The reshuffle in the Union Cabinet saw a postscript with Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah tendering

her resignation, and her deputy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi being given independent charge of that ministry.

G M Siddheswara, Davangere MP and MoS for heavy industries also tendered his resignation.

Both resignations have been accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee. Minister of state for Urban Development,

Babul Supriyo has been assigned the Ministry of Heavy Industries, after being divested of his former charge.

Ms Heptullah, who had been the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for many years, had been abroad during

the Cabinet reshuffle last week, and tendered her resignation when she returned.

23. Pokhara-New Delhi direct bus service launched

The first direct bus service between Pokhara (Nepal) and New Delhi (India) was launched to connect South Asia’s

two important cities.

The bus service was flagged off by Nepal Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and India’s ambassador to Nepal

Ranjit Rae from Pokhara (Nepal’s famous tourist spot).

The bus service was launched as per the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) signed between both countries. The

agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nepal visit in 2014.

The new bus service between Pokhara and New Delhi was proposed by the Uttar Pradesh State Road transport

Corporation (UPSRTC) as per decision taken in MVA.

24. Operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ to evacuate Indian citizens from South Sudan

The Union Government has started the operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in South

Sudan’s capital Juba.

Sankat Mochan in Hindi means reliever from troubles.

The operation is being undertaken by Indian Air Force (IAF) and will be headed by Union Minister of State

(MoS) for External Affairs General (Retd.) VK Singh.

Two heavy-lift C-17 military transport aircrafts have been deployed by UIAF in service to make the evacuation.

The flight route for evacuation is Juba-Kampala-Trivandrum-Delhi. Passengers can also de-board at Trivandrum.

25. Lifeline Express: World’s first hospital on a train completes 25 years of service

The Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train of Indian Railways has completed 25 years of service to

the poor and underprivileged masses of rural India.

To mark the occasion and celebrate the success of the train a function was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Lifeline Express is also known as the Magic Train of India.

It was launched on 16 July 1991.

The Lifeline Express has the distinction of being the first ever hospital-on-rails in the world.

It is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipment to cater to the needs of the rural patients.

The train is a flagship social initiative of Impact India Foundation (IIF) in partnership with the Indian Railways

and the Union Health Ministry.

It was started with an aim to provide on-the-spot diagnostic, medical and advanced surgical treatment for

preventive and curative interventions for disabled adults and children using the Indian Railway Network.

So far, the train covered 173 projects in 18 state and also covered 2 lakh kilometres distance and has medically

served more than 10,00,000 poor in rural India.

26. India certified Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free by WHO




The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified India as Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free country.

In this regard, WHO presented certificates to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda in New Delhi.

India was declared Neonatal and Maternal Tetanus free country in August 2015.

Besides, it was also declared yaws-free in May 2016.

India was declared yaws-free after a team of WHO experts had found interruption of bacterial disease

transmission in the country.

India is the first country under the WHO neglected tropical diseases (NTD) roadmap, 2012 to eliminate Yaws.

Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, cartilages and bones. It is caused by the spirochete

bacterium Treponema pallidum pertenue. It spreads by direct contact with the fluid from a lesion of an infected

person.

27. Union Govt launches Transforming India website

The Union Government has launched Transforming India Website (www.transformingindia.mygov.in), a

repository for sharing the impact of various governance initiatives with citizens in real-time.

It was launched by the Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice Ravi

Shankar Prasad in New Delhi.

The website provides community based platform facilitates for two-way communication between the government

and citizens.

It is also a social platform on which users can share their opinions about various initiatives of the government.

28. Union Commerce Ministry launches e-marketplace portal for goods procurement

The Union Commerce Ministry has launched an e-marketplace portal for online purchase of goods and services

by various central government ministries and departments.

It was launched by the Union Minister of State (MoS) Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.

The e-marketplace portal has been developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).

29. Indian Railways to install TRI-NETRA to reduce train accidents

The Indian Railways has initiated process to launch the Terrain Imaging for Diesel Drivers- Infrared Enhanced

Optical and Radar Assisted (Tri-NETRA) system to avoid train accidents.

The system will be installed on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather.

The device uses infrared and radar technology to collect signals up to a distance of 2-3 km and displays the

information (composite video image) on a screen fitted inside the locomotive.

The Tri-Netra will alert the drivers of any physical obstruction on railway tracks ahead and thus give ample time

for the driver to apply the brakes to prevent train accidents.

It is made of high sensitivity infra-red video camera, high-resolution optical video camera and a radar-based

terrain mapping system.

These three components shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.

30. Max Life launches new cancer cover plan

Max Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has announced the launch of a new product — ‘Max Life Cancer

Insurance Plan’.

This is a protection plan that is designed to provide financial assistance across all stages of cancer.

In addition, the plan provides guaranteed income benefit of up to 50 per cent of sum assured.




31. Parliament passes Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016

The Parliament has passed the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 to provide statutory status to the

existing Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad, Haryana.

The Bill seeks to provide legislative backing to the Regional Centre and also confers upon it the status of an

institution of national importance.

It will have Board of Governors, Programme Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and Finance Committee

etc. as authorities responsible for its administration and functioning.

32. Railway Ministry launches project to install Solar Panels in all Railway Buildings

The Union Railway Ministry has launched a project to install Solar Panels in all Railway Buildings in order to

reduce expenditure on electricity.

As part of the project, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu laid the foundation stone of one Megawatt (MW)

solar power plant at Amritsar Railway station in Punjab.

The power plant at Amritsar Railway station will be set up with a cost of 8 crore Rupees.

It will annually produce 14 lakh units of power.

It will save 1.40 crore Rupees for railway.

33. Rajya Sabha passes Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012

The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012.

The Bill seeks to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 to widen the scope of the law

against child labour and stricter punishments for violations.

Prohibition of employment of children below 14 years in all occupations or processes except where child helps his

family.

Addition of a new category of persons called “adolescent”. They are person between 14 and 18 years of age.

Prohibition of employment of adolescents in hazardous occupations as specified (mines, hazardous processes and

inflammable substance).

Punishment for employing any child increased i.e. imprisonment between 6 months and two years (from earlier 3

months-one year) or a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees (from earlier 10,000 to 20,000 Rupees) or both.

Proposes penalty for employing an adolescent in a hazardous occupation i.e. imprisonment between 6 months and

2 years or a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees or both.

34. Govt forms committee to prepare draft Ganga Act

Centre has constituted a committee to prepare Draft Bill on Ganga to deal with all the issues related to the River.

Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry in a release said, retired Justice Girdhar Malviya will be the

Chairman of the committee.

The committee will submit its report within three months.

The legislation will have provisions to ensure cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of Ganga.

The panel has been asked to prepare a Draft Act on Ganga ensuring wholesomeness of the river.

35. India ranks 110th on Sustainable Development index

India has ranked a low 110 out of 149 nations assessed on where they stand with regard to achieving the

Sustainable Development Goals, according to a new index which is topped by Sweden and shows all countries

face major challenges in achieving these ambitious goals.




The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung launched a new

Sustainable Development Goal Index and Dashboard to provide a report card for tracking Sustainable

Development Goals (SDG) progress and ensuring accountability.

The index collected available data for 149 countries to assess where each country stands in 2016 with regard to

achieving the SDGs.

It ranks countries based on their performance across the 17 global goals, a set of ambitious objectives across the

three dimensions of sustainable development - economic development, social inclusion and environmental

sustainability, underpinned by good governance.

Sweden tops the chart and is followed by Denmark and Norway on the top three performing countries.

36. Union Cabinet approves establishment of new AIIMS at Gorakhpur

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for establishment of new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences

(AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

It will be established under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) which aims at correcting

imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare facilities in different parts of country and also augmenting

facilities for quality medical education in under-served states.

The AIIMS, Gorakhpur will have a hospital with capacity of 750 beds which will include Emergency/Trauma

Beds, AYUSH Beds, Super Speciality beds and Private Beds and ICU Speciality.

In addition, it will have an Administration Block, Auditorium, AYUSH Block, Night Shelter, residential facilities

and Hostels.

The cost of project for establishment of the AIIMS Gorakhpur will be 1011 crore rupees.

37. IRCTC joins hands with SBI to promote rail ticketing

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has joined hands with the State Bank of India to

chalk out a detailed plan for promotion of rail ticketing activities, including internet ticketing and unreserved

ticketing system.

IRCTC, a PSU of Railways which handles catering, tourism and Internet ticketing activities, and the SBI have

signed a MoU which will also undertake development of Unreserved Ticketing System and such other services

which can be jointly.

In addition, both will offer services jointly, subject to financial viability.

The MoU was signed by IRCTC CMD A K Manocha and Arundhati Bhattacharya, CMD, SBI on July 18.

38. Union Cabinet approves incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company

The Union Cabinet has approved the incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) to give a push to

port-led economic development under ambitious Sagarmala project.

SDC will be incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, with an initial authorized share capital of 1,000 crore

rupees and a subscribed share capital of 90 Crore rupees.

SDC will be under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Shipping.

It will provide equity support to the project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and funding support to the residual

projects under the Sagarmala Programme.

39. ECI launches National Electoral Roll Purification 2016

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched National Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) 2016 across

the country.




The 2016 motto of the ECI is “No voter to be left behind”.

The NERP 2016 programme aims to improve health of electoral rolls (ERs) and optimize the polling station (PS)

location and area.

The twin objectives of NERP 2016: Improving Health of ERs by-inclusion of all eligible citizens in mission mode

and Standardization of Sections, PS boundaries & Location and improved Polling Station Map.

NEWS (STATES)

1. Kerala Government bans e-cigarettes

Kerala Government has banned ‘electronic cigarette’ alias ‘e-cigarette’ as its use can cause various health issues,

including cancer and heart ailments.

In this regard, an order was issued that banned the production, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes in the state.

With this, Kerala becomes fourth state in India to ban e-cigarette.

Punjab was the first state to ban e-cigarettes in November 2014 under the provisions of Cigarettes and Other

Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

It was followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

2. India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre inaugurated in Chattisgarh

India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre was inaugurated at Raipur, capital of

Chhattisgarh.

It was inaugurated by State Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh along with Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur.

The first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre complex has ultra-modern facilities like

e-Court, e-Library, e-Filing, Video-conferencing and e-Summons.

It will help in improving the judicial system and the investors and business world.

3. Punjab Government launches Rapid Rural Police Response System

Punjab Government has launched Rapid Rural Police Response System (RRPRS) to ensure prompt and effective

police response in 12,000 villages across the state.

The system was launched Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Besides, he also flagged off 400 new motorcycles and 220 new Bolero jeeps under the new system.

4. Haryana to develop new Industrial Township

The Haryana government announced that it would develop a new industrial township, spread over 1,500 acres in

Sohna and Manesar areas of Gurgaon, at a cost of $5 billion.

An MoU regarding this was signed between the Haryana government and China Fortune Land Development

(CFLD) company in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi.

Under the agreement, HSIIDC and CFLD Company would execute the project as a joint venture (JV).

5. World famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins

The annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath began in different parts of the country.

In Odisha, the world famous Rath Yatra in the coastal city of Puri began this morning at 12th century Jagannath

temple.




Rath Yatra marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balbhadra and sister Subhadra to the

Gundicha temple.

The celebration ends nine days later with Bahuda Yatra or return journey to their temple which will take place on

the 14th of this month.

Since the deities will appear for public, the day is very special and attract devotees to the pilgrim city.

Servitors will bring the idol of the Lords out of the temple in a ceremonial procession and place in

the chariots parked outside the temple.

The second oldest Rath Yatra in the country is held at Mahesh in Serampore, West Bengal.

6. Rajasthan becomes first state to introduce minimum wages for part time workers

Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to introduce minimum wages for part time workers.

Labour Department has issued a notification in this regard.

According to notification, it is now mandatory to pay 50 per cent of the prescribed a day minimum wage to a

person who works for less than four hours in a day.

With this notification, part time workers now come under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.

In another decision government has increased minimum wages in all categories of scheduled employments by Rs

104 per month.

7. BRICS drug control meeting begins in New Delhi

The second anti-drug working group meeting of heads of anti-narcotics agencies of BRICS countries began in

New Delhi to discuss issues related to narco-terrorism and money laundering.

The one day meeting was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

It has been organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India.

The meeting will see participation of delegates from the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa)

member countries.

The anti-drug working group meeting of heads of anti-narcotics agencies has been organised by India in

accordance with the ‘eThekwani Declaration’ adopted during the BRICS summit in March 2013 at Durban, South

Africa.

Under the ‘eThekwani Declaration’ BRICS countries had decided to explore economic issues and various new

areas of cooperation among the member States including drug-related issues.

8. Kerala Govt imposes 14.5 per cent fat tax on Junk Food

Kerala Government has proposed a “Fat Tax” on fast food items like burgers, pizzas, donuts and pasta etc. served

in branded restaurants in a bid to discourage the junk food culture.

The first-of its-kind move in the country was announced in the maiden budget of the CPI(M)-led LDF

Government in Kerala presented by Finance Minister Dr. T.M. Thomas Issac.

The revised state budget for 2016-17 expects the Fat tax will add an additional Rs.10 crore to the state coffers.

The fat tax’s major concern is with issues related to public health more than revenue generation.

Fat tax is proposed tax on foods or drinks judged to be unhealthy and whose consumption is believed to be linked

to rising obesity levels.

It is similar to the sin tax imposed on items such as alcohol or tobacco to discourage their consumption.

Kerala isn’t the first state to impose so-called Fat tax.

In January 2016, Bihar government decided to impose a 13.5% value-added tax (VAT) on items such as salted

peanuts, samosas, sweets and a few branded snacks.




9. India’s first Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things launched in Bengaluru

India’s first Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things (CoE– IoT) was launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka by the

National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM).

The centre was launched at NASSCOM’s Startup Warehouse in Bengaluru to encourage start-ups to come up

with tech solutions centred on Internet of Things (IoT).

The CoE– IoT has been jointly set up NASSCOM, Department of Electronics and Information Technology

(DEITY) and Education and Research Network (ERNET).

It has been created as a catalyst for developing the IoT SME/Startup ecosystem of the country to scale for

industrial and societal needs.

10. Telangana launches tree plantation drive

Contributing to the Telangana government drive to plant 25 saplings in one day, the CII, real estate associations,

the State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, government departments and educational institutions have

pitched in to make it a success.

The ‘Harita Haram’ programme is aimed at building a greener and healthier State.

While the CII-Godrej GBC (Green Building Centre) aspires to set up a first private Botanical Garden focusing on

native species of Telangana, the members of the CII have planted 6.5 lakh saplings.

By the end of 2017, CII-Godrej GBC proposes to have about 1,000 native species where the centre would serve as

a resource centre to learn and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the State.

CREDAI, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India, planted 1,00,000 saplings at

Hyderabad Central University campus and pledged to maintain them for 3 years.

11. Karnataka trade body inks pact with Sanya City

The Karnataka Region Economic and Trade Organisation (KRETO) and the Sanya People Municipal

Government, China, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster trade between Sanya City and

Karnataka.

The agreement allows for large and medium delegations from Sanya to visit Karnataka and vice-versa.

This agreement also allows for Sanya city to be certified as an approved destination for delegation visits from

Karnataka.

The delegations visiting Karnataka from China, in turn, will be exposed to the traditional values of yoga, apart

from encouraging tourism and bilateral trade.

12. SC orders restoration of congress government in Arunachal Pradesh

The Supreme Court has ordered the restoration of former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki’s Congress government in

Arunachal Pradesh.

Verdict in this regard was given by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice JS Kehar on a bunch of

petitions.

These petitions were dealing with discretionary powers of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa to summon or

advance the assembly session.

SC Verdict Governor’s decision advancing session of the state assembly by a month is violative of the

Constitution and is liable to be quashed.

The SC judgment means the present Arunachal Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul would

have to step down and make way for then Congress government headed by Nabam Tuki.




It also for the first time in this history, Supreme Court has put back a state government that had been dismissed by

the Centre under the President’s rule (under Article 356).

13. Kerala launches ‘world’s first’ digital student incubator

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched SV.CO, purportedly world’s first digital student incubator,

as a digital makeover of the Startup Village in Kochi.

SV.CO will constitute the second phase of development of Startup Village and is designed to help thousands of

college-goers make an early start in entrepreneurship, according to a spokesman.

Startup Village is India’s first PPP model technology incubator and has supported more than 500 start-ups and

helped create 3,000 jobs during its first phase 2012-15.

It will provide them a completely digital incubation framework, ranging from application for admission to

teaching, mentoring and graduation.

14. Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to have Happiness Department

Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to have ‘Happiness Department’ that will work as knowledge

resource centre on the subject of happiness on the lines of Bhutan.

Decision to set up Happiness Department was taken by the state cabinet meeting presided by chief minister

Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Happiness Department will will work under a working committee headed by a chairman.

The committee will evaluate the state’s gross happiness.

The department will prepare guidelines for coordination between different departments like women and child

development, health, and sports for propagating happiness in the state.

Bhutan is the first country in the world to come up with the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

15. Nalanda Mahavihara enters UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list

The ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara (also known as old Nalanda University) of Bihar has been included in

the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

Nalanda Mahavihara ruins comprise the archaeological remains of monastic-cum-scholastic from the 5th century

BC to the 13th century AD.

It is located near Patna, state capital of Bihar.

Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumargupta I of the Gupta dynasty in 5th century CE. It was the earliest

planned university of the Indian subcontinent.

It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala

rulers (8th to 12th century CE) as well as various scholars.

16. BHEL commissions 250 MW power plant in Gujarat

State-run BHEL has commissioned another 250 MW unit based on eco-friendly Circulating Fluidised Bed

Combustion (CFBC) technology, using low quality coal (lignite) as the primary fuel.

The unit has been commissioned at Bhavnagar Energy Company (BECL) 2x250 MW thermal power project,

located at Padva village in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, the company said in a statement.

The project is equipped with CFBC technology that enables use of low quality lignite as fuel. The second unit of

this project is also at an advanced stage of completion.

17. 'Ramayana month' begins in Kerala




The annual 'Ramayana Month' began in Kerala on July 16 with temples and Hindu houses across the state

resonating with the chanting of the epic Ramayana.

'Karkkidakam', the last month in the Malayalam almanac, is observed as the auspicious Ramayana month in the

state.

It has been a decade-old tradition that devotees, especially elders, recite "Adhyatma Ramayana" authored by

medieval devotional poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, in the next one month to mark the period.

Spiritual classes and discourses on Ramayana by experts would be conducted in various temples, including at the

famed Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur till the end of the 'karkkidakam' month.

The ritualistic 'Anayoottu', a feeding ceremony of elephants, at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur also

used to fall on the first day of 'karkkidakam'.

A number of elephants were fed with jaggery, ghee, rice, coconut, sugarcane, medicinal herbs and so on at the

grand old temple today as part of the feast.

18. India’s first e-court opened at Hyderabad High Court

India’s first e-court (paperless court) was opened at High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad which is the common

high court for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

It was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur who heads the e-Committee of the Supreme

Court.

The purpose of e-court is to ensure speedy justice for the litigants.

The e-Courts will ensure easy and better access to justice for public.

It will also provide solution for large number of pending cases in the country.

Besides, SC judge also announced that India’s first Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) will be also

launched in High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad.

The system will integrate the courts, police stations, prosecution, forensic science laboratories and jails.

19. Kerala Tourism's marketing campaigns fetch it PATA awards

Kerala Tourism secured two Gold Awards at the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awards in

recognition of its trendsetting marketing initiatives.

The two gold medals for 'Marketing Media' are in the categories of 'Travel Advertisement Broadcast Media' and

'E-Newsletter', which were clinched by the successful 'Visit Kerala' television commercial campaign and the

popular Kerala Tourism E-Newsletter respectively.

This year's awards attracted 212 entries from 71 organisations and individuals worldwide.

The awards will be presented at the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Presentation on September 9 in Jakarta.

20. CCEA approves Ghatampur Thermal Power Project in Uttar Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for installation of Ghatampur

Thermal Power Project (GTPS) in Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh.

The GTPC project has capacity of 1980 MW (3 X 660 MW) and would be installed through a Joint Venture (JV)

Company named Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL).

NUPPL is formed jointly by Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut

Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL).

The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of 17,237.8 crore rupees including Interest During

Construction component of 3,202.42 crore rupees.




NEWS (WORLD)

1. World Bank, ISA sign agreement for India’s solar-energy program

The World Bank (WB) Group has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to provide

more than 1 billion dollars to support India’s solar initiatives.

The agreement was signed in the presence of World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Union Finance

Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.

World Bank will support projects such as solar rooftop technology, infrastructure for solar parks, introducing

innovative solar and hybrid technologies to market and transmission lines for solar-rich state.

It will provide 625 million dollars to India’s grid-connected rooftop solar programme that will finance the

installation of at least 400MW of solar photovoltaic installations.

This programme will provide clean, renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions by

displacing thermal generation.

World Bank will also collaborate with the 121-member International Solar Alliance (ISA) to mobilise 1 trillion

dollars in investments by 2030 to promote solar energy worldwide.

2. IUCN declares Bornean orangutan critically endangered

Bornean orangutan, a primate species has been declared critically endangered by the International Union for

Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The declaration was based on the assessment for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was carried out earlier.

IUCN assessment has found that population of Bornean orangutans has dropped by nearly two-third since the

early 1970s.

It has projected that their population will further decline to 47,000 animals by 2025 representing population loss

of 86%.

3. India sets up apparel training centre in Kaduna, Nigeria

India has set up an apparel training centre in Kaduna, Nigeria to support textiles industry of the West African

country.

This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria which has been set up by India in partnership with their government.

The training centre was established under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being

implemented by the Department of Commerce.

It aims to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile

value chain.

4. NATO Summit concludes in Warsaw

The 2-day long NATO Summit concluded on 9 July 2016 in Warsaw, Poland.

It was the 27th summit biannual summit of NATO since its inception in 1949.

The summit was attended by Heads of State and Heads of Government of NATO members including the USA

President Barack Obama, Polish president Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Besides, the summit also saw the presence of Heads of Government of non-member States and organizations of

NATO including Afghanistan.

At the end of the summit, the leaders agreed to deploy more troops along its eastern borders in Poland and

Estonia. Besides, the leaders also supported Georgia’s membership aspirations.




The NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is also called the North Atlantic Alliance.

The groupe has 28 member countries including major countries of North America and Europe.

5. China has no historic rights over South China Sea: Hague Tribunal

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Hague, the Netherlands has rejected China’s claims to economic

rights across large swathes of South China Sea.

Ruling in this regard was given by a five-member tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in

Hague in a case brought by the Philippines.

The ruling came from an arbitration tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

(UNCLOS) which both China and Philippines have signed.

6. Peru declares Zika emergency across northern half of the country

Peru has declared Zika outbreak as a health emergency across the northern half of the country after 102 people

were infected with the virus.

The 90-day health emergency was declared to prevent the spread of the disease.

So far 34 cases of disease (principally transmitted by mosquitos) were detected in pregnant women.

A major Zika outbreak in Peru’s neighbouring country Brazil has caused nearly 1,600 birth of babies with the

birth defect due to microcephaly i.e. abnormally small heads and brains.

7. 11th ASEM summit begins in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The eleventh edition of Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM11) or ASEM2016 began in Ulaanbaatar, the capital

of Mongolia.

The theme of the Summit is ‘Partnership for the Future through Connectivity‘.

World leaders including from the leaders of 51 member countries and the representatives of European Union and

Asian are attending the two day summit.

Indian delegation is led by Vice President Mohmmad Hamid Ansari.

India’s agenda for the summit is to push the efforts to boost inter-continental connectivity.

ASEM2016 is being held in the new world environment following Britain’s exit from the European Union and a

global economic slowdown.

It is also first major multilateral diplomatic gathering after recent ruling by UN-backed international tribunal

which has struck down China’s claims in strategic South China Sea.

ASEM2016 will also take into consideration the issue of terrorism during deliberations after recent terror strike in

Bangladesh and some European countries.

The declaration has reaffirmed ASEM’s commitment for greater partnership through informal political dialogue

and initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields. It also has expressed its commitment for united fight against

terrorism and violent extremism.

8. UNESCO announces 9 new World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN cultural agency added

nine new sites on its World Heritage List.

Decision in this regard was taken at the 40th session of The World Heritage Committee meeting in Istanbul,

Turkey.

With these inclusions, the recorded sites on the World Heritage now stand at 981 which include both cultural and

natural wonders.




9 new World Heritage Sites are:

1. Old city of Ani (Turkey): It is Turkish province of Kars.

2. Zuojiang Huashan rock art cultural landscape (China).

3. Qanat (Iran)

4. Nalanda Mahavihara (India): It is an archaeological site having remains of a monastic and scholastic

institution dating from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD.

5. Artificial islets of Nan Madol (Micronesia): They are 99 artificial islets made of basalt and coral boulders.

They are home to ruins ranging from temple to tombs dating between 1200 and 1500 AD.

6. Stecci Sites: Located in Bosnia, central and western Montenegro, southern Croatia and western

Serbia.They are medieval tombstones and graveyards carved from limestone, they feature decorative

motives and inscriptions.

7. Ancient Philippi (Spain): It is Greek archaeological site founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King

Philip II. It is located in the present-day region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

8. Antequera Dolmens (Spain): It is comprises of three megalithic monuments as well as two natural

mountainous formations.

9. Gorham’s Cave Complex (Britain): They are natural sea caves in the British overseas territory of

Gibraltar.

9. UNESCO lists Khangchendzonga National Park and Chandigarh’ Capitol Complex in World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has added Sikkim’s

Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) and Chandigarh’ Capitol Complex in its list of World Heritage Sites.

Decision in this regard was taken by the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO held

in Istanbul in Turkey.

Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) was added in the ’mixed’ heritage site category of the list i.e. it exhibits

qualities of both natural and cultural significance.

With this, it becomes the first ‘mixed’ heritage site from India to make it to the list.

Chandigarh’s famed Capitol Complex designed by Swiss-French architecture Le Corbusier was added in the list

in the Transnational category.

The site was added in the list as part of the UNESCO’s recognition of Le Corbusier’s architectural works in

different parts of the world.

The Capitol Complex includes the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjab and Haryana Secretariat and Punjab

and Haryana Assembly.

The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO, three sites from India were inducted in

Word Heritage List.

Earlier Bihar’s Nalanda University was added in the list.

With this, India becomes first country to get three sites inscribed in the Word Heritage List at a single session of

the committee meeting.

With these additions, India now has 35 world heritage sites, including 27 cultural heritage sites, 7 natural sites and

1 mixed site.

10. Canada to conduct world’s first Zika vaccine test on humans

Researchers from Laval University based in Quebec City, Canada are going to conduct the world’s first Zika

vaccine test on humans.

They are first international researchers team in the world to complete all of the steps in the regulatory process for

the test.




The development of the Zika vaccine has been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and

Health Canada.

Until now, vaccines have been tested on mice. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than a

dozen pharmaceutical companies, including France’s Sanofi and India’s Bharat Biotech, are working on

developing a Zika vaccine.

11. Turkey declares three-month state of emergency after a failed military coup

Turkey has declared three-month state of emergency after a failed military coup to overthrow the democratically

elected government.

Announcement in this regard was taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting with Cabinet

ministers and top security advisers in Ankara.

Three-month state of emergency was declared as measure to counter threats to Turkish democracy.

The emergency allows officials to set curfews, issue search and arrests warrants and restrict gatherings.

The 2016 military coup in Turkey was attempted against the ruling Justice and Development Party Government

led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

However it failed to overthrow ruling democratically elected government and ended one day later.

The coup was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces under a council calling itself the Peace at

Home Council.

The forces loyal to President Erdogan toppled the coup and took control of military factions that tried to

overthrow Turkey’s democratically government and military leadership with military rule.

12. Facebook's solar-powered internet plane takes flight

Facebook has announced the first successful test flight of a high-altitude solar plane to bring internet access to

remote parts of the world.

The Aquila drone has the wingspan of an airliner but weighs less than a car.

When cruising it consumes just 5,000 watts – the same as three hairdryers or a powerful microwave.

The first flight took place on 28 June in Arizona.

Aquila was developed in Bridgwater, Somerset, and the drone, designed to fly non-stop for three months, will use

lasers to beam down internet access to remote areas without online capacity.

Science, Defence and Technology

1. MR-SAM developed by India, Israel successfully test-fired

The medium range surface-to-air missile missile (MR-SAM) developed jointly by India and Israel was

successfully test-fired.

During the test, the missile was launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at

Chandipur, Odisha.

After getting signal from the radars, the missile successfully intercepted a moving aerial target supported by

unmanned air vehicle (UAV) ‘Banshee’.

The MR-SAM has been developed jointly by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a

laboratory of the DRDO in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The missile consists of Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) system for detection,

tracking and guidance.

The MR-SAM has strike ranges from 50 to 70 km.




Once inducted into Indian Armed forces, it will provide the users capability to neutralise any aerial threats.

2. Antarctic ozone hole is starting to heal: Scientists

Scientists for the first time have found clear evidence that the thinning in the ozone layer above Antarctica is

starting to heal.

Ozone layer in the atmosphere’s stratospheric layer comprises of Ozone (O3), an allotrope of oxygen.

It plays an important role in blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the Sun.

The absence or thinning of Ozone layer increases the chances of skin cancer, cataract damage in human beings

and even causes harm to animals and plants.

In the research, scientists have found that ozone hole was around 4 million square kilometres in September 2015,

smaller than it was in the year 2000.

It was based on detailed measurements of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere between 2000 and 2015.

The healing of ozone layer was due to the long term phasing out (banning) of ozone-destroying chemicals (ODCs)

such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in Montreal Protocol 1987.

3. ZSI to record climate change impact on animals in five Himalayan states

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has launched long-term monitoring studies project to document the effect of

climate change on animal biodiversity in five Himalayan states.

These five Himalayan states are Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Under the project, ZSI will monitor indicators in species like butterflies, bees, fish and other insects to find how

their distribution has been affected by climate change.

The project has been funded by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The duration of the project is for three years.

4. India’s first integrated Defence Communication Network launched

India’s first integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN) was launched by Union Defence Minister

Manohar Parrikar in South Block, Delhi.

The network will enable India Army, Air force, Navy and the Special Forces Command to share situational

awareness for a faster decision-making process.

DCN is the largest single satellite network in the Indian Defence Forces, spread across the country. It is a

strategic, highly secure and scalable system.

It has has a pan-India reach from Ladakh to the North East to island territories.

The tri-communication network makes voice data and video data accessible to the three services over a secured

network.

5. Indigenously built LCA Tejas inducted in IAF

The first squadron of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been inducted into Indian Air Force

(IAF) at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru on 1 July 2016.

The squadron has been named ‘Flying Daggers’ 45.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first two Tejas aircraft to the Air Force.

IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications known as Tejas 1A.

The upgraded version of Tejas, with Active Electrically Scanned Array Radar, Unified Electronic Warfare Suite,

mid-air refuelling capacity and advanced BVRs, will cost between Rs. 275 crore and Rs. 300 crore.

The aircraft was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.




The aircraft will be operated for nearly two years by the squadron at Bengaluru before it is moved to its

designated location at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

Air Force has said the idea is to have a total of six aircraft this financial year and about eight in the next.

6. Indian Navy launches water jet craft in Kolkata

The Indian Navy launched the last of the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) ship at a ceremony in

Kolkata.

The WJFAC vessel was launched in the waters by wife of chief of logistics, Vice-Admiral Jayant Korde, at Raja

Bagan dockyard, a facility meant to build small ships.

The fighter craft is capable of attack missions and is also used against smuggling and poaching activities.

The ship is named Tarasa, after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

All the necessary equipment and systems will be installed in the ship after being put to sea for trials before being

inducted in the navy later in the year.

The 49-meter long vessel weighs 315 tons and is designed to reach a maximum speed of 35 knots.

7. RIMPAC 2016: World’s largest international maritime exercise kicks off

World’s largest international maritime exercise named RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2016 began in Pacific

Ocean at Hawaii, United States.

RIMPAC 2016 will see participation of navies from 26 countries.

This year it is the 25th edition of biennial exercise in the series that began in 1971.

RIMPAC 2016 Theme: “Capable, Adaptive, Partners”.

In RIMPAC 2016, three new nations are participating for the first time.

They are Denmark, Germany and Italy.

India is being represented by Indian Naval ship (INS) Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate.

RIMPAC is held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu, Hawaii.

It is hosted and administered by the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet (headquartered at Pearl Harbor) in

conjunction with the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the

Governor of Hawaii.

8. High-speed OPV INS Tarasa launched by Indian Navy

Indian Navy has launched INS Tarasa, the fourth and last ship in the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft

(WJFAC).

It is being built by Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), for the

Indian Navy.

The WJFACs are ideally suited and used for interception of fast-moving surface craft.

INS Tarasa like the previously launched ships of WJFACs series has been named after the picturesque island in

the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in Bay of Bengal.

INS Tarasa will perform anti-smuggling, fishery protection and search and rescue operations.

9. NASA extends New Horizons mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has given its approval to extend New Horizons

mission to investigate a mysterious object deep in the Kuiper Belt.

In the extended mission New Horizons space probe will investigate a mysterious object known as 2014 MU69

located deep in the Kuiper Belt.




2014 MU69 is an ancient object considered one of the early building blocks of the solar system.

It lies about 1.5 billion kilometres beyond Pluto and is roughly 45 kilometres in diameter.

10. Researchers build super-sensitive e-nose

Researchers from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium have built a super-sensitive electronic nose

comprising of chemical sensors metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

The super-sensitive e-nose has ability to detect pesticides and nerve gas in very low concentrations by analyzing

their chemical makeup.

MOFs are like microscopic sponges.

They can absorb quite a lot of gas into their minuscule pores.

This MOF is the most sensitive gas sensor to date to detect very low concentrations/traces of dangerous

substances.

11. NASA’s Juno spacecraft successfully begins orbit of Jupiter

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has successfully entered into the orbit of Jupiter on 4th July 2016 and started orbiting

solar system’s most massive planet.

The spacecraft was launched by NASA as part of its New Frontiers program in 2011 to study Jupiter’s

composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere.

The unmanned spacecraft has been named after the Roman goddess Juno, the wife of Jupiter who is considered as

the god of the sky in ancient Greco-Roman mythology.

Juno is the first mission designed by NASA to see beneath Jupiter’s clouds.

12. JNPT becomes first Indian port to implement logistics data tagging of containers

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva in Raigad District of Maharashtra has become the first port in

India to implement logistics data bank tagging system of containers.

The first of its kind system has been launched as part of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ initiatives implemented at

JNPT Port.

It focuses on document, time and cost reduction for the benefit of trade.

Under this system, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) tag will be attached to each container.

It will help to track containers through RIFD readers installed at different locations.

13. China inducts largest homegrown Y-20 military transport plane

China inducted its largest indigenously-built transport aircraft named as Y-20, marking a crucial step in its Air

Force history for improving its strategic power projection capability.

It is also considered as a breakthrough for Chinese defence sector especially in military aviation technology which

will allow the world’s largest force to transport cargo and troops over long distances in diverse weather

conditions.

The indigenously designed and developed Y-20 officially joined the PLA Air Force in Chengdu.

It has a maximum take-off weight of 200 tonnes.

The plane is comparable to the Russian-made IL-76 and US made C-17.

14. Astronomers discover HD 131399Ab, planet with three suns

A team of international astronomers for the first time have sighted a Jovian planet orbiting a triple star system.




The planet has been named as HD 131399Ab.

The strange planet was sighted by team of astronomers led by University of Arizona using the SPHERE

instrument on European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.

Usually binary solar systems (having two stars or suns) are relatively common in the universe, but solar systems

involving three stars or more are very rare.

Planet HD 131399Ab is located about 340 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus.

It is believed to be relatively young, about 16 million years old.

This makes it one of the youngest planets discovered outside our solar system to date.

HD 131399Ab has mass four times that of the gas giant Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet.

It orbits the brightest of the three stars on a very long and wide path.

15. Myntra acquires tech start-up ‘Cubeit’

Online fashion retailer Myntra has acqui-hired Cubeit, a Bengaluru-based tech start-up focused on content

aggregation on mobile.

Cubeit, led by co-founders Sarthak Jain, Nithinkumar Gadiparthi and Prathamesh Juvatkar, was founded in 2014.

The company focuses on building mobile applications which allow users to aggregate content from anywhere,

organise, view and share the same from a given location.

It developed an interactive mobile application that provided the user access to multiple apps depending on the

need, through a smart interface and allowing the same to be shared with individuals or groups.

As part of the acquisition, the team at Cubeit has been inducted into Myntra to expand Myntra’s technology team.

16. Google introduces Android Skilling Program for India

Google has introduced an Android Skilling Program for India.

Announcing this in a blog post, Peter Lubbers, Senior Program Manager, Google Developer Training, said

Google will train two million developers in India over the next three years.

And in support of the Skill India initiative of the Indian government, Google said it hoped to "provide easy and

affordable access to a world-class skilling and educational program for Indian developers".

India will have four million software developers by 2018 (according to the Evans Report 2015), becoming the

largest population of developers in the world.

17. INS Karna commissioned by Navy chief

The Navy’s dedicated base for its Special Operation Forces – MARCOS – INS Karna was commissioned here by

the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.

The establishment of the first base for Indian Navy’s elite force with capability to operate in all three dimensions

of warfare – air, land and sea – in the home port of the Navy on the Eastern Seaboard marks another milestone in

Indian Navy bonding with the city of Visakhapatnam.

18. Mahindra Aerostructures bags supply contract from Airbus

Mahindra Aerostructures, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra have bagged a Tier 1 supplier contract to supply

airframe parts for Airbus’s AS565 MBe Panther helicopter.

With this, Mahindra Aerostructures becomes the first Indian company to receive a direct manufacturing contract

from Airbus (European aviation major) as a Tier 1 supplier.

The helicopter parts will be produced at Mahindra’s facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

They will be shipped directly to the Airbus Helicopter production line in Marignane, France.




19. India Successfully Tests New Advanced Artillery Gun System

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted proof firing tests of a

new towed gun currently being developed for the Indian Army.

With the successfully test-firing of the gun, the so-called Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

achieved a “technological breakthrough”.

The proof firing of Armament system for 155 mm x 52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

during the technical trials conducted recently at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore.

The ATAGS is being developed to supplement the indigenously designed and manufactured 155 millimeter/45

caliber artillery gun, Dhanush, an improved version of the FH-77B 155 mm/39 caliber towed howitzer

manufactured by the Swedish defense contractor Bofors (now BAE Systems) and of which India acquired 414

between 1987 and 1991.

20. Tata Advanced Systems signs deal with Bell Helicopter

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and US-based Bell Helicopter have signed a deal to jointly develop the

helicopter market in India.

The agreement seeks to support of India’s aviation and defence modernization initiatives with an emphasis on

‘Make in India’.

Both companies will jointly develop the helicopter market in India, including potential production and assembly,

training, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

21. Tata Advanced Systems signs deal with Bell Helicopter

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and US-based Bell Helicopter have signed a deal to jointly develop the

helicopter market in India.

The agreement seeks to support of India’s aviation and defence modernization initiatives with an emphasis on

‘Make in India’.

Both companies will jointly develop the helicopter market in India, including potential production and assembly,

training, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

22. Terrapin acquires Yatra for $218 mn

Indian travel agency Yatra Online, Inc has entered into a merger agreement with Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corp

(TRTL), a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition firm.

The transaction values Yatra at an enterprise value of $218 million (Rs 1,458 crore).

Yatra said that it intends to be listed on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq under the symbol ‘YTRA’.

It would be able to do this via a reverse merger, a way for private companies to go public, typically through a

cost-efficient and expedient process.

In a typical reverse merger, an active private company takes control and merges with a dormant public firm or a

shell company.

TRTL, a shell company, is focused on effecting a merger, acquisition, or similar business combination. The

combined company will continue to be led by Yatra's management team under the leadership of chief executive

and co-founder Dhruv Shringi.

23. Indian Navy warships visit Malaysia to boost geostrategic relations




Indian Navy's ships Sahyadri, Shakti and Kirch under the Command of Rear Admiral S V Bhokare arrived at Port

Kelang, Malaysia as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

The four-day visit is demonstration of India's 'Act East' policy and Indian Navy's increasing footprint and

operational reach.

The visiting Indian Navy ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy, aimed at

enhancing interoperability in communication as well as search and rescue procedures, post departure from Port

Kelang.

24. Opera browser acquired by Chinese consortium for $600 million

A Chinese consortium has bought the Opera internet browser for $600 million (543 million euros), its Norwegian

developer said, after a public share offer for the company failed.

The consortium led by Golden Brick Silk Road will purchase the mobile and desktop versions of the internet

browser, plus performance and privacy apps and a stake in a Chinese joint venture, but not the television, media

and games units.

Golden Brick Silk Road fund is a Chinese consortium which i includes Beijing Kunlun Tech which is specialised

in mobile games and cybersecurity specialist Qihoo 360.

25. SpaceX successfully launches Dragon Cargo capsule using Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon Cargo capsule filled with supplies for astronauts aboard the

International Space Station (ISS).

The Dragon Cargo capsule was launched using SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral,

Florida.

After successful take off, the Falcon 9 rocket separated from cargo after sending in into orbit.

Then the first stage of the rocket successfully landed back on the solid ground in Cape Canaveral at the NASA

facility.

The Dragon capsule will reach the ISS on 20 July 2016.

It is a SpaceX’s free-flying spacecraft.

MoUs & Reports

1. FSSAI inks MoU with ASCI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has inked a MoU with Advertising Standard Council

of India (ASCI) to check misleading advertisements in the food and beverages sector.

This partnership between FSSAI and ASCI will put in place a mechanism to monitor misleading advertisements.

It will also lead to streamlining advertisements effectively through structured guidelines and appropriate action.

As part of the MoU, ASCI will comprehensively monitor these advertisements across various media.

FSSAI has given a suo motu monitoring mandate to ASCI to process complaints against misleading

advertisements of food and beverages.

2. Union Cabinet Approves import of pulses through long-term contract with Mozambique

The Union Cabinet has approved a long-term contract with Mozambique for import of pulses by signing a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).




The MoU aims to promote the production of Tur (Pigeon Peas) and other pulses in Mozambique by encouraging

progressive increase in the trading of these pulses.

It aims at doubling the trade from 1 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 2 lakh tonnes by 2020-21.

3. Approves setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in Tamil Nadu

The Union Cabinet has given its in-principle approval for setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in

Tamil Nadu.

On completion, the port will become country’s 13th major port.

The Enayam Major Port project seeks to make India a trans-shipment hub for the global East-West maritime trade

route.

For development of this port, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed with initial equity investment from

the three Major Ports in Tamil Nadu. They are V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, Kamarajar Port Limited and

Chennai Port Trust.

4. Approves Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for year 2016-17

The Union Cabinet has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for the year 2016-17.

For this purpose Union Government has earmarked a sum of 18,276 Crore Rupees.

The scheme will help farmers getting short term crop loan payable within one year up to 3 lakhs Rupees at only

4% per annum.

Interest subvention for providing short term crop loan to farmers has been provided to Public Sector, Private

Sector, Cooperative, Regional Rural banks and NABARD.

5. Approves the High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to The High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 to change names

of the High Courts based on the nomenclature cities they are located.

The Bill facilitates changing of the names of ‘Madras High Court as Chennai High Court’ and ‘Bombay High

Court as Mumbai High Court’ respectively.

6. Approves MoU between India and Tanzania

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and

Tanzania in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.

The MoU will facilitate structured frame work for the cooperation between both countries for the promotion of

Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy in Tanzania.

7. Approves MoU between India and Mauritius

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and

Mauritius in the field of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.

The MoU will encourage cooperation between both countries in the field of rural development and capacity

building on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

8. Approves MoU between India and Mozambique




The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India

and Mozambique on Drug demand reduction and related matters.

The MoU also envisages prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor

chemicals.

9. Approves National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved a National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) for providing

apprenticeship training to over 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more jobs.

The Scheme has an outlay of 10,000 crore rupees and a target of training 50 lakh apprentices by 2019-20.

It will be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Union Government for the first time will provide financial incentives to the employers to engage apprentices.

Union Government will directly share 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice with employers.

10. India ranks 91st in 2016 Networked Readiness Index

India was placed at 91st position in the recently released 2016 Networked Readiness Index (NRI) by the Geneva-

based World Economic Forum (WEF).

The index was released as the part of the WEF’s Global Information Technology Report.

It measures countries’ success in creating the necessary conditions for a transition to a digitised economy and

society.

The list was topped by Singapore followed by Finland (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Norway (4th) & United States (5th).

11. India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of

bilateral co-operation.

These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma

in Pretoria, South Africa.

PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour

of Africa.

MoU on Tourism.

MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology)

MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT).

Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture.

12. DRDO inks MoA with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)

with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi-nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion Technology’ (CoPT) at the two

institutions.

The initiative is aims to achieve synergy between DRDO and IITs for channelising the research efforts for

developing products and related critical aerospace technologies.

The Centre will evolve mechanisms to facilitate execution of programmes related to propulsion technology.

It will engage both IITs as primary research nodes.

It will also undertake advanced collaborative research in the areas of critical defence technologies.




It will facilitate and undertake multidisciplinary directed research in the focused areas of futuristic aero engines,

hypersonic propulsion for long duration flight.

13. Bihar signs MoU with Bangkok

As part of programmes to implement the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar (2015-30), the state

government signed an MoU with Bangkok-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).

The MoU will help reduce disaster risk management in the state.

Bihar often faces disasters like flood, drought and earthquake.

As per provisions of the MoU, the ADPC will provide technical assistance to the state government to implement

the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar (2015-30).

One of the targets of the roadmap is cutting down the loss of human lives in natural disasters by 75 per cent

within 2030 in comparison to the current data.

14. India, Kenya ink seven agreements to deepen and expand cooperation

India and Kenya have signed seven agreements to deepen and expand cooperation in a wide range of areas.

These agreements were signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President

Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.

PM Narendra Modi visited Kenya on the fourth and last leg of his four-nation tour of Africa viz. Mozambique,

South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

MoU on Defence Cooperation.

MoU in the field of space Technology partnership.

Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

Bilateral agreement on exemption of Visa for holders of Diplomatic passports.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of expertise sharing, standardisation and mutual trade between Bureau of Indian

Standards (BIS) and Bureau of Kenya Standards (BKS).

Line of Credit (LoC) Agreement for US $29.95 million to Kenyan Government for upgradation of Rift Valley

Textiles Factory (RIVATEX East Africa Limited) in Kenya.

LoC Agreement for US $15 million (first tranche of $30 million) to Kenya’s IDB Capital Limited for

development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya.

Besides, PM Narendra Modi also announced that India will fully finance a cancer hospital in Kenya.

India will also donate medicines for AIDS patients in Kenya.

India would provide concessional credit of 60 million dollars for power transmission project to Kenya.

15. SBI inks MoU with IIT Bombay to promote startups in financial sector

The State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Innovation

and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay to promote innovation by start-ups in the financial sector.

The SINE is IIT Bombay’s technology business incubator to promote innovation by startups in the financial

sector.

Under this agreement SBI and both the institutes will identify fintech (financial technology) start-ups that have

products or applications to cater to the financial sector.

SBI will interact with the entrepreneurial and research community of SINE to understand latest innovations and

conduct knowledge sessions for mutual benefit to arrive.

16. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi has approved Projects.




Approves the Revised Cost Estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of 7290.62 crore rupees for the

ongoing 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Bhutan.

The Hydroelectric project seeks to provide surplus power to India and thus augment power availability in the

country.

17. CCEA approves disinvestment of 15% in NBCC

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the disinvestment of 15% paid up equity of

National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC).

The disinvestment of 15% will done out of Union Government’s 90% shareholding.

The disinvestment would result in estimated receipts of approximately 1,706 crore rupees to the Government.

18. Approves revival of defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni

The Union Cabinet has approved the revival of three fertilizers defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and

Barauni.

The three fertilizers units are: (i) Barauni (Bihar) unit of Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Limited (HFCL), (ii)

Urea unit of Fertilizer Corporation India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri (Jharkhand) and (iii) Urea unit of FCIL at

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh).

19. Approves facilities extended to persons residing in India on Long Term Visa

The Union Cabinet has extended numerous facilities to persons from minority communities of Afghanistan,

Pakistan and Bangladesh namely Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians staying in India on Long

Term Visa (LTV).

The move is aims at easing out the difficulties being faced by minority communities.

20. UP Govt, Netherlands ink MoU

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Netherlands to set

up a skill development center to help farmers.

The MoU would ensure that farmers would get information in food processing and modern techniques for better

produce of sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.

It aims to improve the cultivation skills of farmers.

As per the MoU, Netherlands will help Uttar Pradesh Government in solid waste management, urban

development and infrastructure and water management.

The MoU will be effective for 3 years and would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin

in Kanpur and development of cultural heritage.

21. UP Govt, Netherlands ink MoU

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Netherlands to set

up a skill development center to help farmers.

The MoU would ensure that farmers would get information in food processing and modern techniques for better

produce of sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.

It aims to improve the cultivation skills of farmers.




As per the MoU, Netherlands will help Uttar Pradesh Government in solid waste management, urban

development and infrastructure and water management.

The MoU will be effective for 3 years and would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin

in Kanpur and development of cultural heritage.

22. Herbalife associates with IOA as nutrition partner

Herbalife International India, a global premier nutrition company, has entered into a two-year exclusive

partnership with Indian Olympic Association to be the official nutrition sponsor of the Indian Olympic contingent

to Rio De Janeiro.

Beginning with the Rio Olympics, Herbalife is mulling a long-term partnership with Indian Olympic Association

in an effort to identify sports federations for development of sports and its athletes.

Another significant area where the partnership will play a crucial role is nutrition, a key element in a

sportsperson's life, involving nutrition education and knowledge forums for athletes of various federations.

23. Glaciers melting at 5 to 20 metre rate annually: Government

Majority of glaciers in India including Gangotri are retreating (melting) at varying rates ranging from 5 to 20

metre per year due to global warming.

It was announced by Minister of State (independent charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Lok

Sabha.

The revelations were based on the studies carried out by ISRO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIGH)

Dehradun and other institutions. Gangotri, one of the largest glaciers (30 km long) of Uttarkahand followed by

Satopanth glacier (14 km) are retreating but not at an alarming rate.

24. NITI Aayog, Intel India ink SoI

The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) with tech giant

Intel India to set up Atal Tinkering laboratories (ATL) under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

The aim of Atal Tinkering laboratories is to cultivate adaptive learning and innovation skills among young minds

in the country.

Initially 10 laboratories will be established as part of total 500 laboratories.

Intel India, subsidiary of US technology company Intel will invest $15 million for building and managing these

500 ATLs.

These labs will foster young minds in adaptive learning, physical computing and developing a design mindset

among students.

25. Union Cabinet Approves amendment in Benami Transactions (Prohibition) amendment Bill, 2015

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introducing amendments to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

(Amendment) Bill, 2015.

These amendments seek to strengthen Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1988 in terms of legal and

administrative procedure.

The main purpose of these amendments is to overcome the practical difficulties that may arise in the

implementation of the stringent provisions of the Bill after it becomes an Act.

26. Union Cabinet approves Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016




The Union Cabinet has approved The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 to protect

transgenders from discrimination.

The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against

them and also bring them into the mainstream of society.

It will lead to greater inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of the society.

27. Approves construction of new dry dock within Cochin Shipyard Limited

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for construction of a new dry dock

within the existing premises of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

The new dry dock will be set up at an estimated cost of 1799 crore rupees with an objective to augment the

shipbuilding and repair capacity of the country.

28. Approves MoU between India and Switzerland

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post-facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed

between India and Switzerland for cooperation in skill development.

The MoU was signed in June 2016 during the visit of a delegation led by the Union Minister of State

(Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to Switzerland.

29. Approves Air Services Agreement between India and Mozambique

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of the Air Services Agreement between India and Mozambique.

Presently there is no Air Services Agreement between both countries.

In order to promote the air connectivity between them, the two sides had initiated the process of consultation in

2011 to finalize the text of Air Services Agreement.

30.Approves MoU between India and Tunisia

The Union Cabinet has apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Tunisia

for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and

Digital Economy.

The MoU was signed between both countries in June 2016 during official state visit of Vice President Mohammad

Hamid Ansari to Tunisia.

31. India, Japan ink Social Security Agreement

India and Japan have signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA) and will come into force on 1 October 2016.

The SSA will benefit Indian and Japanese professionals and skilled workers working in each other’s country and

will also boost bilateral business linkages.

The SSA will help avoid double social security contributions i.e. Indian worker on a short-term contract in Japan

will be exempt from making a social security contribution there vice versa.

This exemption will be provided to Indian worker, only if he is covered under the social security system of India

and continues to pay his contribution during period of overseas contract.

32. 7 Indian companies on 2016 Fortune 500 list




Seven Indian companies have made it to the latest Fortune 500 list of the world’s biggest corporations in terms of

revenue.

Fortune 500 list is an annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest companies, compiled and published by the

American business magazine Fortune and published globally by Time Inc.

In it companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal year which has ended on or before March

31, 2015.

Revenue figures of companies mainly include their consolidated subsidiaries, reported revenues from the

discontinued operations and excluding excise taxes.

7 Indian companies are: Indian Oil Corporation (161st), Reliance Industries (215th), Tata Motors (226th), State

Bank of India (232nd), Bharat Petroleum (358th), Hindustan Petroleum (367th) and Rajesh Exports (423rd).

Global top 10 companies: Walmart (1st), State Grid (2nd), China National Petroleum (3rd), Sinopec Group (4th),

Royal Dutch Shell (5th), Exxon Mobil (6th), Volkswagen (7th), Toyota Motor (8th), Apple (9th) and BP (10th).

The world’s 500 largest companies generated collectively generated 27.6 trillion dollars in revenues and 1.5

trillion dollars in profits in 2015.

Appointments

Appointee

Director of ISRO Inertial Systems Unit MV Dhekane

Deputy Managing Director of IBN7 Kishore Ajwani

Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly K.B. Koliwad

Executive Director of RBI Sudarshan Sen

New RBI Deputy Governor N.S. Vishwanathan

Associate Member of ICC Saudi Arabia

New CEO of IDFC AMC Vishal Kapoor

Konkan Railway CMD Sanjay Gupta

Acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Tathagata Roy

BPCL CMD D Rajkumar

CMD of OIL Utpal Bora

CMD of Jute Corp of India K V R Murthy

Dean of University of North Texas College of

Information in the U.S.

Dr. Kinshuk

CEO of NATGRID A K Patnaik

Committee to tackle shortage of Pulses Arvind Subramanian

Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May

Chairman of CBSE Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi

Chairman of AAI Guruprasad Mohapatra

10th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu

Chief Economist of World Bank Paul Romer

Australia’s PM Malcolm Turnbull

Coca-Cola VP-Finance Sarvita Sethi

MD of 2019 World Cup Steve Elworthy

UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey




Awards

2016 Caine Prize South African writer

Lidudumalingani

World Cookbook Award Nimi Sunilkumar Book-“4

o’clock Temptations of Kerala”

First woman to bag IMO Award Radhika Menon

Distinguished Service Award Srinivasan K. Swamy

51st Jnanpith Award Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari

First woman Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki

Best banking CEO in Asia Aditya Puri

world's best airline in 2016 Skytrax awards Emirates

UNESCO Artist for Peace Kudsi Erguner

First Indian to win Mr. World title Rohit Khandelwal

BBC World News Komla Dumor Award Didi Akinyelure

President Pranab Mukherjee presents BC Roy National Awards for 2008, 2009 & 2010

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Dr BC Roy national awards for 2008, 2009 and 2010 at Rashtrapati

Bhavan.

These awards were presented on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day observed on July 1 to pay honour and

tribute to India’s most famous physician Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

The awardees are 2010: Nikhil C. Munshi, O.P. Kalra, Tejinder Singh, Subash Gupta, Amrinder Jit Kanwar,

Rajendra Prasad and Glory Alexander. 2009:H. Sancheti, Renu Saxena, Atul Kumar, A.K. Kriplani, Kanan A.

Yelikar, H.S. Bhanushali, G.V. Rao, Moti Lal Singh, C.N. Purandare and C.V. Hari Narayan. 2008: Rajeshwar

Dayal, Mammen Chandy, Neelam Mohan, Rohit V. Bhatt, Mohan Kameswaran, Harsha Jauhari, Gopal H.

Badlani and Yash Gulati.

Sports

1. Argentina women’s team wins 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey

Argentina women’s team has won the 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey by defeating Netherlands.

In the final match played at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, UK, Argentina women’s team

defeated Netherlands by 2-1 goals.

With this victory, Argentina women’s team has won the Champions Trophy title of Hockey for record seventh

time.

Earlier they had won it in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

2. Sameer emerges fastest athlete of 56th National Inter-state Athletics

Sameer Mon, the veteran sprinter of India, on 30 June 2016 won gold in 100 meter dash in 10.60 seconds at the

56th National Inter-state Senior Athletics Championships in Hyderabad.

With this, Sameer, representing Manipur, also became the fastest athlete in the country.




32-year-old Sameer was a member of the bronze winning Indian 4x100m relay quartet in Delhi Commonwealth

Games.

3. Union Sports Ministry grants recognition to Paralympic Committee of India

The Union Sports Ministry has granted recognition to Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after the International

Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced temporary lifting of suspension on it.

This recognition gives a huge confidence boost to the several para-athletes who have qualified for 2016 Rio

Paralympics.

The IPC had suspended PCI in April 2015 due to internal conflicts between different groups and persons, which

were undermining the development of Paralympic Movement in India.

Due to suspension, Indian para-athletes were not allowed to participate in any IPC-sanctioned competition,

including 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

4. Amul to officially sponsor Indian contingent at Rio Olympics 2016

India’s largest food products marketing organization Amul has become the official sponsor of Indian contingent

to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In this regard, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells its product under the brand

Amul has inked an agreement with Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

5. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 Austrian Grand Prix of F1

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It was his third title of the 2016 season after Monaco Grand Prix (May 2016) and Canadian Grand Prix (June

2016).

Austrian Grand Prix was the ninth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria.

6. B Sai Praneeth wins 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton title

Ace Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth (World no 33) has won the 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton title in

the men’s singles category.

In the final match played at Calgary Praneeth defeated Lee Hyun II of South Korea by 21-12, 21-10 score.

Men’s doubles title: Indian pair Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy also won the 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix

Badminton title in the men’s doubles category.

In the final match, they defeated Canadian pair of Adrian Liu and Toby Ng by 21-8 21-14 score.

Reddy and Attri pair is the first Indian men’s doubles pair to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

7. Para-swimmer Niranjan Mukundan wins eight medals in IWAS World Games

Bengaluru para swimmer Niranjan Mukundan has won eight medals, including three golds, at the recently-

concluded IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports) U-23 World Games in Prague, Czech Republic.

Niranjan's efforts saw him win gold medals in 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke, silver in 100m

fly and 50m freestyle, as also bronze in 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 100m backstroke events, said a

release from GoSports Foundation, which is supporting Niranjan through the Para Champions Programme.

8. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu becomes first Indian footballer to play in Europa League




Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian football player to play in UEFA Europa League.

He achieved this feat after was named in Norwegian club Stabaek FC’s squad for qualifying match against

Connah’s Quay Nomads FC in Europa League.

9. Portugal wins 2016 UEFA European football championship

Portugal has won the 2016 UEFA European football championship (Euro Cup 2016) by defeating host France.

It was Portugal’s first UEFA European Championship title.

In the final match, played at Stade de France (Paris, France) Portugal defeated France by 1-0 goal score.

The only goal for the Portugal team was scored by Éder at 109 minute in the 11 minutes of extra time.

With this victory, Portugal has earned the right to compete at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by

Russia.

Golden Boot: Antoine Griezmann (France) – 6 goals, 2 assists.

Silver Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3 goals, 3 assists.

Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France) – 3 goals, 2 assists.

Young Player of the Tournament: Renato Sanches (Portugal) – aged 18.

10. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 British Grand Prix of F1

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 British Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It his overall fourth British Grand Prix title after winning it in 2008, 2014 and 2015.

It was also his fourth title of the 2016 season after Monaco Grand Prix (May 2016), Canadian Grand Prix (June

2016) and Austrian Grand Prix (July 2016).

British Grand Prix was the tenth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of

Silverstone in Northamptonshire in England.

11. Winners of 2016 Wimbledon Championships of Tennis

The 2016 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament held from 27 June to 10 July 2016.

It was the 130th edition of the championships and the 49th edition in the Open Era.

The tournament had taken place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London,

United Kingdom.

Men’s Singles Title: Britain’s Andy Murray won the 2016 Wimbledon title in men’s singles category.

It was his second Wimbledon title after he had won it for first time in 2013.

In final match he defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic by 6–4, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–2) score.

Women’s Singles Title: Serena Williams of United States has won 2016 Wimbledon title in women’s singles

category.

In the final match played she defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber by 7–5, 6–3 score.

It is Williams’ seventh Women’s Singles Wimbledon title (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015) and overall

22nd Grand Slam title.

Men’s Doubles Title: French pair of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won the 2016 Wimbledon title in

the men’s doubles category by defeating French pair Julien Benneteau and Édouard Roger-Vasselin.

Women’s Doubles Title: US pair of Serena Williams and Venus Williams won the 2016 Wimbledon title in the

women’s doubles category by defeating Tímea Babos (Hungary) and Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) pair.

Mixed Doubles Title: Henri Kontinen (Finland) and Heather Watson (United Kingdom) pair won the 2016

Wimbledon title in the mixed doubles category. They defeated Robert Farah (Colombia) and Anna-Lena

Grönefeld (Germany) pair by 7–6(7–5), 6–4 score.




12. Harika Dronavalli wins Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in China

India's Grand Master Harika Dronavalli won the Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in Chendu, China.

This was the first Grand Prix Chess title for the Grand Master from Guntur.

Harika defeated Russia’s Olga Girya to win the title.

Harika finished on 7 points in the round robin tournament featuring the world’s top 12 players to be crowned the

champion.

13. Misbah-ul-Haq becomes oldest captain to score Test hundred

0 Number of captains who scored a century at an older age than Misbah-ul-Haq's 42 years, 47 days in the history

of Tests.

The previous oldest captain to make a Test century was Bob Simpsonat 41 years, 359 days against India in

Adelaide in 1977-78.

This is Misbah's fifth-century afterturning 40, all have come as captain; no captain scored more than three

centuries after 40.

8 Centuries for Misbah as captain in Tests, which is the most by a Pakistan captain.

14. Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal Karthik clinch national titles

Dipika Pallikal Karthik dethroned defending champion Joshna Chinappa to regain the women’s title in the 73rd

Senior National Squash Championship in Mumbai.

The men’s crown was captured by title holder and top seed Saurav Ghosal, who created history by winning it for

the 11th time, defeating fourth seed Harinderpal Singh Sandhu in five hard-fought games at the Otters Club.

Ghosal beat Sandhu 11-7 7-11 3-11 11-8 14-12 after an 88-minute battle to go past RK Narpat Singh’s feat of 10

titles, won from 1946 to 1955.

It was also his second successive five-game match after having got past third seed Vikram Malhotra in the semi

finals.

Important Days National Doctors’ Day 1 July

World UFO Day 2 July

American Independence Day 4 July

World Population Day 11 July

World Youth Skills Day 15 July

Nelson Mandela International Day 18 July

Obituary

Eminent Marathi literary scholar R C Dhere

French ex-PM Michel Rocard

CPI leader Romesh Chandra

Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami

Noted Music director Om Prakash Sonik

Legendary football coach Amal Dutta




Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi

World historian William H McNeill

Hockey Olympian Joe Antic

Legendary playback singer Mubarak Begum

Hockey legend Mohammad Shahid

Former French cyclist Dominique Arnaud

ALL THE BEST!



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