Tuesday, June 5, 2012NATIONAL WATER POLICY 2012 Water is a natural resource, fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable development. It is also a scarce resource. India has more than 17 percent of the world’s population, but has only 4% of world’s renewable water resources with 2.6% of world’s land area. There are further limits on utilizable quantities of water owing to uneven distribution over time and space. Precipitation is confined to only about three or four months in a year and varies from 100 mm in the western parts of Rajasthan to over 10000 mm at Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Rivers and underground aquifers often cut across state boundaries. Water, as a resource is one and indivisible: rainfall, river waters, surface ponds and lakes and ground water are all part of one system. In addition, there are challenges of frequent floods and droughts in one or the other part of the country. With a growing population and rising needs of a fast developing nation as well as the given indications of the impact of climate change, availability of utilizable water will be under further strains in future with the possibility of deepening water conflicts among different user groups. Low public consciousness about the overall scarcity and economic value of water results in its wastage and inefficient use. In addition, there are inequitious distribution and lack of a unified perspective in planning, management and use of water resources. The objective of the National Water Policy is to take cognizance of the existing situation and to propose a framework for creation of an overarching system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified national perspective. National Water Policy was adopted in September, 1987. Since then, a number of issues and challenges have emerged in the development and management of the water resources. Therefore, the National Water Policy (1987) has been reviewed and updated in 2012. The salient features of new National Water Policy (2012) are: a) Constitutionally the States have the right to frame suitable policies, laws and regulations on water, the draft NWP, 2012 lays emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys, public trust doctrine, amendment of the Indian Easements Act, 1882, etc. b) The draft NWP, 2012 presents a holistic picture of ecological need of the river rather than restricting it to only minimum flow requirement. It states that the ecological needs of the river should be determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime. c) It recognizes the need to adapt to climate change scenario in planning and implementation of water resources projects. Coping strategies for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized. d) Need and approaches towards enhancing water availability have been stipulated. Direct use of rainfall and avoidance of inadvertent evapotranspiration have been proposed as the new additional strategies for augmenting utilizable water resources. e) Draft proposes the mapping of the aquifers to know the quantum and quality of ground water resources in the country has been proposed with provision of periodic updation. f) A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing should be developed to ensure efficient use of water. g) Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction. h) All water resources projects, including hydro power projects, should be planned to the extent feasible as multi-purpose projects with provision of storage to derive maximum benefit from available topology and water resources. i) The draft NWP, 2012 lays emphasis on preparedness for flood / drought with coping up mechanisms as an option. Frequency based flood inundation maps should be prepared to evolve coping strategies. j) Appropriate institutional arrangements for each river basin should be developed to collect and collate all data on regular basis with regard to rainfall, river flows, area irrigated by crops and by source, utilizations for various uses by both surface and ground water and to publish water accounts on ten daily basis every year for each river basin with appropriate water budgets and water accounts based on the hydrologic balances. Planning and implementation of water resources projects involve a number of socio-economic aspects and issues such as environmental sustainability, appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation of project-affected people and livestock, public health concerns of water impoundment, dam safety etc. You might also like: National Water Policy 2002 SOME GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES India at a glance UPSC CIVILS PRELIMINARY GENERAL STUDIES PAPER - I ... LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 11:58 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012, POLITY Friday, May 25, 2012 Sustaining the Environment On completing three years in office the UPA Government recently released a ‗Report To The People‘. The following achievements pertain to the Ministry of Environment & Forest and in the field of sustaining the environment. National Action Plan on Climate Change The National Action Plan advocates a strategy that promotes, firstly, the adaptation to climate change and secondly, further enhancement of the ecological sustainability of India‘s development path. The eight missions under the PM‘s Council on Climate Change are the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the National Water Mission, the National Missions on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, and the National Missions for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, a Green India and Sustainable Agriculture. Forest Conservation An amount of Rs. 848 crore was released to State Level Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authorities to carry out protection, conservation and regeneration of natural forests in addition to compensatory afforestation. National Green Tribunal The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in October, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property. Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the five place of sitting of the NGT. Mission Clean Ganga Projects worth nearly Rs. 2,600 crore have been sanctioned by the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). These include projects for development of sewer networks, sewage treatment plants and sewage pumping stations, electric crematoria, community toilets and development of river fronts. Several innovations have been introduced for improved implementation of projects sanctioned by the NGRBA. These include Tripartite Memoranda of Agreements, project appraisal by independent institutions, Third Party Inspection, etc. State River Conservation Authorities have been constituted in the five Ganga basin States to facilitate better coordination and implementation of conservation activities at the State level. The Central Government has secured World Bank assistance of US$ 1 billion for the NGRBA IMF.Programme. Baligar—Chairman and M. co-predators and prey in India was released in July. ● Herman Van Rompuy—President. ● Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili —Vice-President. Africa World Bank. Tiger Conservation A detailed report on the country level status of tigers. May 23. 2011 Current Affairs at a Glance LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 5:11 PM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012. ● Christine Lagarde (France) —Managing-Director. ● Arvind Virmani —Executive-Director in World Bank (from India) ● Siddharth Tiwari—Secretary IMF.. 2012 MCQs on Current Affairs 2011-12 for All Competitive Exams You might also like: CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs Famous Books by Indian Authors CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs FOR APPSC/UPSC EXAMS CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 5:16 PM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Tuesday. UNO. ● Haruhiko Kuroda —President. 2011. ● V. World Bank.. You might also like: SOME GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES India at a glance APPSC GROUP-1 EXAM (05-09-2010) CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS . This was the second round of country level snapshot assessment. European Union . P.D. Asian Development Bank. The earlier estimation made in 2006 indicated that there were 1411 tigers in the country. 2012 NEW APPOINTMENTS ● Jim Yong Kim—President. The World Bank project will support NGRBA‘s immediate objective of Mission Clean Ganga.. HUDCO. the current estimates show that this number has increased by about 20% to 1706. ● Ban Ki-Moon—General -Secretary. May 22. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Wednesday. Prime Minister‘s Economic Advisory Committee. Srinivasan —Chairman. National Highway Authority of India. UNDP. Srivastava —CMD. National Insurance Company. LIC. K. Rafeeq Ahmed —President. SAIL ● Prema Cariappa —Chairperson. ● Dr. GAIL. ● P. ● Yogesh Lohia — Chairman. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO). ● Reeta Menon—CMD. ● D. Kelkar—Chairman. D. Gaur—Chairman. R. Udeshi—First Lady Deputy Governor of RBI. ● Laxman Das —Chairman. Subbarao—Governor RBI. K. SEBI. Shanta Sinha—Chairman. B. ● B. ● M. Coal India Ltd. K. ● R. Food Corporation of India ● Chandra Shekhar Verma—Chairman. ● K. P. C. Hindustan Chamber of Commerce. ● N. Indian Planning Commission. Railway Board ● S. Bijendra Singh — Chairman. ● Montek Singh Ahluwalia— Deputy Chairman. Narasing Rao— Chairman-cum-Managing Director. K. P. ● Nagesh Alai—President. Island Waterways Authority of India. National Hydro Power Corporation. National Child Rights Commission. Oriental Insurance Company. J. L. ● S.) ● Yogesh Agrawal—Chairman PFRDA ● Rajendra Pawar—Chairman. General Insurance Company. Asia Pacific Union for Housing Finance. Panwar—CMD. K. National Agricultural Federation Cooperative Marketing (NAFED). SIDBI. United India Insurance Company. Upadhyay—Chairman. ● J. . ● Satyanand Mishra—Chief Information Commissioner. Mineral and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC). Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Harinarayan—Chairman. V. Goel —Chairman. ● Sushma Nath—First Indian Lady Finance Secretary. ● Mamta Sharma— Chairperson. Mehrotra—Chairman. Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 2011-12. ● Ms. IFFCO (Indian Farmer‘s Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd. Roy Choudhury—Chairman and CMD. ● U. Tolia —President. Rangrajan—Chairman. ● A. ● Sushil Muhnot—Chairman. India Trade Promotion Organisation. Chandra Prasad —CMD. National Commission for Scheduled Castes ● Vijai L. Verma—Chairman. M. ● G. 13th Finance Commission ● Amartya Sen—Human Development Advisor. ● C. NASSCOM (2011-12). Sinha—Chairman. ● S. ● V. ● Nimish C. ● S. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). ● Vinay Mittal—Chairman. S. Ramadoss —Chairman. ● Ashok Kumar Lahiri—Executive Director in ADB ● P. National Women Commission. Upadhyay—Chairman and CMD Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. P. ● Arup Rai Chaudhary —Chairman and CMD National Thermal Power Corporation(NTPC). WTO. ● M. ● A. ● Prakash Bakshi—CMD. NABARD. ● R. Patel—Chairman. Chandra Shekhar—Indian Ambassador to WTO. Central Board of Excise and Custom (CBEC). L. ● N. Punia —Chairman. Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) ● Sriraj Hussain—CMD. HPCL. Narsimgham —President. Indian Airports Authority (IAA). V. ● Srivardhan Goyanka— President. Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI). Central Social Welfare Board. ● Mangoo Singh—MD. Tripathi—Chairman.● Pascal Lamy—Director-General. Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). ● K. ● Sanjeev Batra —Chairman and Managing Director. ● Lalit K. ● Dr. Agrawal —Chairman. Malya— President. 2012 IMPORTANT INDEX/ INDIA’S RANKING . ● Pratip Chowdhary—CMD. ● Raj Kumar Dhoot—President. ● Ashok Chawla—Chairman. V. State Bank Group. FICCI. C. ● Rohit Nandan—Chairman and Managing-Director.. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). TRAI ● R. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulation Board. May 16. Kanoria—President.● Hari S. ● Sandid Somany—President.. ASSOCHAM ● Rahul Khullar—Chairman. ● M. D. 2012 LAST MINUTE CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR APPSC EXAMS You might also like: CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs Famous Books by Indian Authors CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs FOR APPSC/UPSC EXAMS State-Wise Minor Ports LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 9:11 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Wednesday. ● Jacques Diouf—Director-General. Competition Commission of India (CCI). Competition Appellate Tribunal. PHDCCI ● Nandan Nilekani —Chairman Unique Identification Authority of India. HDFC. Indian Merchant Chamber (IMC) ● Rajesh Lilothia—Chairman. May 17. You might also like: Heads of Important Offices in India Heads of Important Offices in India MULTIPLE CHOICE CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS UPSC CIVIL SERVICES PRELIMS 2012 PAPER-II SOLUTIONS WITH . ● Pramod Dev—President Central Electricity Regulatory Commission ● Aditya Puri—MD. Krishnan—Chairman. Air India Ltd.I. ● Arvind Pradhan—Director-General. LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 1:31 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Thursday. SC/ST Welfare Board. Bharatia—Chairman. ● S. FICCI ● Rajeev Kumar—General-Secretary. Indian Banks Association.I. ● Ajit Parsayat —Chairman. M. Narayan Indian Drama — Chelapati Rao The Last Hero — Mihir Bose You cannot Please every one — Kavita Sarkar Mrs. Narang My Life Struggle — Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Asking for Trouble — Amreek Singh Sandy Storms — Sandeep Patil Runs in Ruins — Sunil Gavaskar Assam-A Valley Divided — Shekhar Gupta Speaking for My Life — Cherry Blair The Things About Thugs — Tabish Nair The Heritage of Sikhs — Harbans Singh Secular Perception in Sikh Faith — K.67th 3. Roy-The Man — J.6th You might also like: Gagan Narang set to get Khel Ratna The complex way forward APPSC DAO APPLICATIONS PROCESS LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 12:17 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Latest Books and Authors True Colours — Adam Gilchrist Storm Over the Sutlej–Akali Politics — A. Wadia .N. Lal The Indian Epics Retold — R. Haksar Hinduism — Nirad C.K. Annual Global Innovation Barometer.134th 2.M. Gandhi‘s Second Regime — Arun Shourie The Emerging Developing Countries — P.H. Narain Terrorism in India — Shaileshwar Jha Struggle For Change — K. World Hunger Index. Duggal Basanti — Bhishma Sahani Rich Like Us — Nayantara Sehgal Reflection on our Time — P. World Competitiveness Index.56th 5.B. Human Development Index.G.N.1. World Corruption Index-95th 4. K. Salve Pakistan-The Gathering Storms — Benazir Bhutto The Morarji Papers — Arun Gandhi The Lord of the Flies — William Goldings Agnigarbha — Amrat Lal Nagar World Power — Jonathan Steel M.B. Chaudhari Bliss was in that Dawn — Minoo Masani Netaji and Gandhi — Shashi Ahluwalia Survivors — Randheer Khare Alone in the Multitude — Amrita Pritam Swami and Friends — R. Swaminathan The Line of Beauty — Alan Hollinghurst The Piano Teacher — Elfriede Jelinek Shalimar. J. Naipaul Two Lives — Vikram Seth The Family and the Nation — Dr. Bhagawati The Namesake — Jhumpa Lahiri Straight From the Heart — Kapil Dev My Life — Bill Clinton Magic Seeds — V. — U. Abdul Kalam and Acharya Mahapragya Curfewed Night — Basharat Peer Sustaining India‘s Growth Miracle — Jagdish N.N. A.P.J. A. Coetzee Speed Post — Shobha De My Century — Guentar Grass A New World — Amit Chaudhury Interpreter of Maladies — Jhumpa Lahiri Soul Mountain — Gao Xingjian The Brief History of Time — Stephen Hawking The Transparent Mind — Ingram Smith The True History of the Kelly Gang — Peter Carey Bradman‘s Best — Rolland Perry Living History — Hillary Rodham Clinton Business at the Speed of Thought — Bill Gates The Impressionist — Hari Kunzru Ignited Minds — Dr. M. Nihal Singh View from the U. Thant Inside Third World — V. Harrison India‘s Nuclear Status — Dhirendra Sharma Indian Women‘s Battle for Freedom — Kamala Devi Chattopadhyaya Indian Cinema — Feeroz Rangoonwala Cricket My Style — Kapil Dev Sunny Days — Sunil Gavaskar By God‘s Decree — The Autobiography of Kapil Dev The Famished Road — Ben Okri Scarlett — Alexandra Ripley Freedom from Fear — Aung San Suu Kyi The Power and the Glory — Graham Green Against the Grain — Boris Yeltsin My Childhood Days — Taslima Nasreen Myth of Mahatma — Michael Edwards The City of Joy — Dominique Lapierre God of Small Things — Arundhati Rai The Tin Drum — Guentar Grass Development as Freedom — Amartya Sen Disgrace — J.P. Naipaul To a Hunger Free World — Dr. the Clown — Salman Rushdie . N. Abdul Kalam Life of Pi — Yann Martel Long Walk to Freedom — Nelson Mandela The Writer and the World — V.J. S.M. P.We the People — Nani Palkiwala The Islamic Bomb — Steave Baseman & Herber Cronsne Portrait of a Lady — Henry James My India — S. S. Abdul Kalam Wings of Fire — Dr. A. The Sea — John Banville Guiding Souls : Dialogues on the — Dr.P. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Wednesday. Nariman Obama‘s Wars — Bob Woodward Convenient Action : Gujarat‘s Response to Challenges of Climate Change — Narendra Modi Decision Points — George W. organized by the Minister of Environment and Forests on May 9.I LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 12:05 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012.V. the Bandits and the Bordermen — P. Bush Civil Disobedience — L. IAS Main Exam 2011 Solved General Studies Paper. 2012 National Workshop India’s National Communication to UNFCCC – Future Challenges At National Workshop is held at New Delhi on India‘s National communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).. India‘s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC has been prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Rajgopal After the Ice : Life. Abdul Kalam Purpose of Life — with Arun K.. Death and Geopolitics in the New Arctic — Alun Anderson A Tale of Two Revolts : India 1857 and the American Civil War — Rajmohan Gandhi The Red Sari — Javier Moro The Fragrance of Forgotten Years — Bilkees Latif Securing the State — David Omand Before Memory Fades — Autobiography : Fali S. C.J. Jayanthi Natarajan . Amartya Sen The Last Moghul — William Darlymple In the Line of Fire : A Memoire — Parvez Musharraf Mohandas : A True Story of a Man. 2012. A. Jain You might also like: India at a glance CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS APPSC GROUP-1 EXAM (05-09-2010) CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS . India‘s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC was released. K. Tiwari Identity and Violence : The Illusion of Destiny — Prof. Unveiling the Natcom II the Minster of state (I/C) for Environment & Forests Smt. Once Upon a Time in the Soviet Union — Dominique Lapierre My Country My Life — L. Advani Jinnah : India-Partition-Independence — Jaswant Singh Humbling — Philip Roth The Museum of Innocence — Orphan Pamuk Arming the Indian Arsenal — Deb Mohanty The Year of the Flood — Margaret Atwood The Post American World — Farid Zakaria Yours Sincerely — Natwar Singh The British. May 9. Government of India towards fulfillment of the reporting obligation under the Convention. . in the form of a National Communication (a national report). 2012. as per the stipulated guidelines using prescribed methodologies by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report also provides the GHG profile for the year 2007 . based on which India would be addressing and responding to the challenges of climate change. Universities. thematic and awareness generation events covering more than 1000 participants were organized through 30 conferences/seminars/workshops/consultations across the country towards preparation of the report. specifically conducted at the National level capturing diversity of India. The salient features of report include: The report provides the context and the National Circumstances inter alia India‘s geography. which is estimated to be of the order of 1771. A1B (for three time slices). The report includes results of wide ranging of studies. the Government of India submitted its Second National Communication in May. housed under the Project Management Cell (PMC). regarding implementation of the convention. 2004. namely. for year 2000. The report provides details of climate change scenarios for one scenario. The secretary.said that India is fully committed to its responsibilities towards global community.1 and 12. A overall warming scenario is projected. imperative inter alia India‘s geography. which assumes a significant energy technological advancement. A National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F) oversaw the implementation of the work programme devised for preparation by the Government of India.21 million tones. Towards fulfillment of the obligation of furnishing information on implementation of the Convention. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the Executing and Implementing Agency for the project for preparation of the national communication.1 . It is to be noted that. Besides. imperative of development needs.2% in Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the levels in 1994. in accordance with is Article 4. with a healthy mix of renewable energy technologies.a unique feature of this report. It is recalled that India is a Party to the UNFCCC. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory of gases of anthropogenic origin for the year 2000 has been reported. A broad based participatory approach was followed involving multi-disciplinary teams and other stakeholders comprising of more than 220 scientists belonging to over 120 institutions. the net Carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions for India were estimated to be 1301. A National Project Director co-ordinates the activities and is assisted by National Technical Experts. The Convention. Chatterjee said that National Communication II reiterates India‘s commitment to global concerns on climate change. She said that India has voluntarily reduced carbon emission. He said local and regional data has been very curial is preparing the document.She congratulated the scientists for commendable work. Government Ministries and Departments and Non-Governmental Organizations of national repute across the country. These teams were drawn from premier Research Institutions. training. enjoins all Parties. the stakeholder consultations. climate and economy. both developed and developing country Parties. indicating a growth of 4. to furnish information .66 million tones CO2 equivalent. The First (Initial) National Communication was submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat on June 22. Ministry of Environment & Forest Shri T. Shekhar Dutt Chief Ministers Mr. Nabam Tuki (1) Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad (2) Arunachal Pradesh (3) Assam (4) Bihar (5) Chhattisgarh (6) Goa (7) Gujarat (8) Haryana (9) Himachal Pradesh (10) Jammu and Kashmir (11) Jharkhand (12) Karnataka Itanagar Dispur Patna Raipur Panaji Gandhinagar Chandigarh Shimla Mr. DV Sadananda Srinagar (Summer) Jammu Mr.) J. N. Tarun Gogoi Mr. It is expected that the information in this report shall be useful to the various stakeholders in policy making at different levels.L. May 8. natural ecosystems. Kamla Mr. N. 2012 Capitals. B. Nitish Kumar Dr.. Jagannath Pahadia Hooda Mr. Arjun Munda Mr. Vohra (Winter) Ranchi Dr. (Retd. Narendra Modi Mr. N.V. Omar Abdullah Mr. LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 11:24 PM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Tuesday.. It is also expected that the information will enhance the understanding of the issues related to climate change and its impacts and create general awareness relating to Government of India‘s proactive efforts towards addressing the challenges due to climate change.I . agriculture.Narasimhan Gen. E.Climate change impacts in A1B scenario for key sectors of the economy such as water. Bhupinder S. industry and human settlements were assessed using improved models. Hans Raj . Syed Ahmed Bengaluru Mr. Singh Mr. Governors and Chief Ministers of States States Capitals Governors Mr.S. Raman Singh Mr. Prem Kumar Ms.Kiran Kumar Reddy Mr. J. coastal regions. forestry. Wanchoo Parrikar Dr. Manohar Mr. Devanand Konwar Mr. You might also like: India at a glance Facts About India UPSC CIVILS PRELIMINARY GENERAL STUDIES PAPER . Urmila Singh Dhumal Mr. J. B.. human health. Patnaik Mr. energy. Mr. APPSC GROUP-1 EXAM (05-09-2010) CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS .. Aziz Qureshi Mr. Parkash Singh Mr. Mooshahary Sangma Mr. Akhilesh Yadav Ms. K Rosaiah Ms. Mr. Vijay Bahuguna Mr. Prithviraj Sankaranarayan Chavan Mr. Manik Sarkar Mr. Mukul A. Nikhil Kumar Mr. B. hamare do" seems to finally be coming true. D.Okram Ibobi Mr. Neiphiu Rio Mr. S. the median Indian household has . R. Gurbachan Jagat Singh Mr. Pawan Chamling Singh Mr. Farook Achuthanandan Mr. Joshi Mr. K. Vakkom Mr. V. Ashok Gehlot Mr. This is a marked change from 10 years ago. H. Mr. Patil Badal Ms. Balmiki Prasad Mr. Naveen Patnaik Mr. Y. C. M. Jayalalithaa Mr. K. Mamata Mr. Ram Naresh Mr. M. Shivraj V. Shivraj Singh Yadav Chauhan Mr. Margaret Alva Mr. Bhandare Mr. Governors and Chief Ministers of States Capitals. An analysis of recently released census data reveals that the median household size in urban India is now less than four for the first time in history. M. Data on houses and households released by the Census office shows that 56% of households in urban India now have four or less members. Governors and Chief Ministers of States Heads of Important Offices in India LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 1:03 PM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Median household size drops below 4 in cities "Hum do.Bhardwaj (13) Kerala (14) Madhya Pradesh (15)Maharashtra (16) Manipur (17) Meghalaya (18) Mizoram (19) Nagaland (20) Odisha (21) Punjab (22) Rajasthan (23) Sikkim (24) Tamil Nadu (25) Tripura (26)Uttarakhand (27) Uttar Pradesh (28) West Bengal Thiruvananthapuram Bhopal Mumbai Imphal Shillong Aizawl Kohima Bhubaneswar Chandigarh Jaipur Gangtok Chennai Agartala Dehradun Lucknow Kolkata Gowda Mr.Lalthanhawla Purushothaman Mr. Narayanan Banerjee You might also like: Heads of Important Offices in India Capitals.7% of all Indian households having four or less members. L. Patil Dr. Mr. when the median household size in urban India was between four and five members. With 49. S. O. The data also lists households by size. largest solar power plant with an installed capacity of 40 MW started producing electricity? Pokhran in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan 3. This trend is not surprising. more than half the households have six or more members. Close to 20% of households have five members.. meaning the household size of 50% of the population. LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 10:23 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 Monday. professor in the department of development studies at the Mumbai-based International Institute for Population Sciences. Large families however remain a significant but not dominant component of Indian life. we are seeing a rise in the number of nuclear families compared with multi-generational families.1% of rural households now have four or less members. Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Who created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to have qualified for the . APPSC GROUP-1 EXAM (05-09-2010) CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS . Achala was 91 year old. and tells us what proportion of Indian households has one. The new batch of Census 2011 data showed that India now has 24. 2012. two or three members and so on. household sizes will decline. UP is the only Indian state with a median household size above five. Nuclear families are the overwhelming norm in India. "As the demographic transition progresses and fertility declines. the median household size is between four and five members. Which department in India plans to set up 1000 ATM’s across 6 states? Postal department 4. While 'household size' is the number of people living together in one house and so is not the same as 'family size'. says demographer and fertility expert P Arokiasamy.. In rural India. recognised as the "replacement rate".6% have nine or more members.7 crore households. Where in India. Chandigarh. In Uttar Pradesh. but closer to four than it has ever been. What we can do is determine the median household size. Name the yesteryear actress who featured in the popular song ‘Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen’ from the film ‘Waqt’who passed away recently. 2. Achala Sachdev passed away at a Pune hospital on April 30. As many as 47." Arokiasamy said. "In addition." Arokiasamy said. You might also like: SOME GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES India at a glance UPSC CIVILS PRELIMINARY GENERAL STUDIES PAPER . May 7.. The census office has not released the average household size because the provisional population total and the number of households were counted at different points in time.just a fraction over four members. including Himachal Pradesh.. Maharashtra. with 70% of households having just one married couple. registrar general C Chandramouli said. demographers say that in India the declining household size is being driven by falling family size. while 6. compared to less than 40% of rural households ten years ago. Nine states and union territories have a median household size of four or less members. 2012 CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1.I .1 children per woman. and another 25% have six to eight members. Census data released last year showed that the four southern states had already achieved a fertility rate of 2. Indo Tibetan Border Police headquarters is to be opened? Bihar 7. Which state’s High Court has insisted that banks cannot freeze accounts nor stop services of issuing cheque book or ATM facility where the account holder has not supplied KYC (Know Your Customers) documents? Gujarat 8. Which 2 north Indian states will have pipeline connected oil terminals for supply of diesel. In which part of India. Who won the World Series Hockey 2012 title? Sher-E-Punjab 11.209 crore order from Assam Government? Educomp 22. Which Indian state chief minister has urged union Finance Minister to bail it out of its huge burden? West Bengal 16. petrol and kerosene? Jammu and Himachal Pradesh 23. Who is named as HSBC’s India CEO? Stuart Milne 14. Name the former Haryana chief secretary who took oath as state information commissioner ? Urvashi Gulati 9. NSE founder who passes away Recently? . Name the nuclear submarine which joined Indian Navy. Which Asian country has issued tender to buy minimum of 30.London Olympics 2012? Geeta 5. Who has been appointed next Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission? Ratan Kumar Sinha 6.Ibrahim Kalifulla 17. Where is the World’s first Virtual shopping store opened? Korea 13. Name the Gujarati techie whose name has emerged for India’s President as the nation has to elect 16th President in July 2012 ? Sam Pitroda 18. At what value Air India’s restructuring plan was approved by a group of 19 banks led by SBI? 18. INS Chakra 21. Which State becames the 3rd state in India to launch State Portal (SP) and State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG) project? Nagaland 10.000 tonnes of basmati rice from India and Pakistan? Iraq 24.000 crore 19. Name the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice who was sworn in as Supreme court judge ? F. Which services Airtel is planning to launch in Kolkata in April 2012? 4G services 20.M. In which state Urdu medium Government schools would be setup as announced by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav? Uttar Pradesh 12. Which education company bagged Rs. Which Indian state bans guthka from 1st of April 2012 to curb the increasing number of mouth cancer cases? Madhya Pradesh 15. Which Asian country recently became member of Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)? India 37. Name the 3 Indian hockey players after whom tube stations in London has been renamed. In which city in Kerala will Infosys setup its 2nd campus? Thiruvananthapuram 30. 2005 32. Name the youngest Indian boxer who qualified for London Olympics 2012. Israel has decided to setup its consulate office in which part of India? Bangalore 42.Alexander Kumar 44. Who has been signed up as brand ambassador of Toyota Kirloskar Motors? Virat Kohli 34.RH Patil 25. Dr.K. Anzhaite Long-span Suspension Bridge in Jishou 27. Bingu wa Mutharika 39. Which Asian country made Hindu marriage registration a must by bringing the law in lines with India? Bangladesh 41. Name the young doctor who is set to become the first foreign national of Indian origin to walk across Antarctica carrying the Indian Flag. Who will be the sports ambassador for the state of Haryana? Leander Paes . Who won her 6th world sprint title at the world track cycling championships 2012? Victoria Pendleton 38. What percentage hike was allocated for Karnataka by Planning Commission for current fiscal 2012-13 in the 12th Plan? 10% 46.Modi 26. Which bank will set up 1-person micro branches to serve remote areas of the northeastern region financially? Indian Overseas Bank 31. Which Indian city is likely to get water taxis and air-conditioned trams? Kolkata 43. Who has been conferred with Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal? Narayana Murthy 29. Who donated 1 million Singapore Dollars to Indian Heritage Centre? Founder of Singapore-based IT company Si2i Mobility B. Where in Rajasthan Spices Board’s first Spices Park is setup? Jodhpur 36. Name the world’s highest and longest bridge that was officially opened to motorists in China. Which act does not allow to prosecute (no wife can claim compensation or maintenance) husband’s girlfriend? Protection of Women from Domestic Vilonce Act. Which bank has opened 16 Ultra Small branches in 16 locations in villages to cater to financial needs of the rural populace? IDBI Bank 28. When was 63rd Rajasthan Day celebrated? 5th April 2012 35. Shiva Thapa 45. Dhyan Chand. Roop Singh and Leslie Claudius 33. Who was sworn in as Malawi’s President following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika? Joyce Banda 40. Name the Malawi President who died after heart attack. (Act 20 of 1971)? Andhra Pradesh 68. Which 14 year old ICC cricket tournament would end after 2013? ICC Champions Trophy 67.20 and Rs. including that provided by tanker operations as essential services under the state’s Essential Services Maintenance Act 1971. Name the index on which NSE is set to launch derivative trade. Which state has included services of the petroleum industry.47. Which Indian FMCG company crossed $1 billion mark in 2011-12? Dabur India 66.000 crore 58.e. Which 2 countries have agreed to resume dialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation after a gap of 9 years? India and China 61. Which education council in India would have its own job portal for the students of technical and professional institutions? All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) 60. What value of equity infusion did Air India get spread over a period of 9 years? Rs.50 currency notes 53. Which act was amended to include compulsory registration of marriages in India? Registration of Births and Deaths Act.731 crore 55.2. 1969 51. Which category of women will be allowed to participate in the Miss Universe beauty pageant from next year? Transgender women 48. 30. Which repayment transaction is now allowed by RBI electronically i. FTSE 100 index 54. Where in India Integrated Check Post was inaugurated on the occasion of Baisakhi to enhance trade between India-Pakistan? Attari 59. Name the Master Card’s President and CEO who has been elected next chairman of the US-India Business Council? Ajay Banga 65. Which Indian state’s 100th anniversary was celebrated recently? Bihar . NEFT? Repayment of Loan EMI‘s 62. How many co-sponsors are against the Bill of outsourcing call centers in USA? 106 co-sponsors 63. How much basis point did RBI cut key rates after 3 years? 50 basis points 64. India has recently decided to allow Foreign Direct Investment from which Asian country? Pakistan 57. What denominations of currency note will RBI introduce bearing rupee symbol? Rs. What percentage and value of US based Max New York Life Insurance was sold to Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI)? 26% and Rs. Which TV has become the first Indian television channel to enter the Chinese market? Zee TV 50. Where in Himachal Pradesh Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) would be opened? Una district 52. Which rank does Bangalore hold as preferred entrepreneurial locations worldwide? 9th rank 49. Which country replaced China as Iran’s top oil client? India 56. Who became the 1st player to win Barcelona title for 7 times? Rafael Nadal 87.V.S. Where was the India Investrade 2012 organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce. Who replaces Simon Leung chief executive of the greater China region of Microsoft? Ralph Haupter 70. Margaret Alva and Aziz Qureshi 75. Which country is keen to boost trade ties with Kerala? Singapore 86. ‗Akhilesh aam‘. Who were given fresh terms as Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra? E. Which 2 Asian countries will hold 1st ever economic dialogue on 30th April 2012? India and Japan 78. Which Indian state will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival? Gujarat 77. Which Indian state is planning to make 100 the common number to dial in any emergency? Tamil Nadu 84. Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).Sankaranarayanan 76. named after Akhilesh Yadav 83.P. Sri Lanka 82. Name the spy satellite launched by ISRO recently.Narasimhan and K. Who has been appointed as Governor of Goa.L. N.69. Which cricket player and lady actor were recommended for Rajya Sabha membership in India? Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha 73.Wanchoo. RISAT-1 72. Who won the Asian Snooker Championship 2012? Aditya Mehta 80. Name the first of the four Dreamliner aircraft that Air India got from Nikki Haley’s state. Name the mango variety named after the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Sunny-Varkey 74. Rajasthan and Uttarkhand? B.K. Boeing 787 79. Name the former BCCI president who passed away recently after whom the challenger trophy was named. Name the Indian origin entrepreneur and educator who is named as the Goodwill Ambassador for Education Partnerships for UN Educational. Kolkata held? Colombo. Bill to include children with disabilities under which Act was recently passed by Rajya Sabha recently? Right to Education Act 71. Who retained the crown as Britain’s richest man? Lakshmi Mittal 81. Who became the 1st player to cross 2000 runs in cricket tournament IPL? Suresh Raina 85.Salve You might also like: CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs FOR APPSC/UPSC EXAMS CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs . Reliance Industries. President Pratibha Patil visits the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) at Sriharikota and dedicates the new Mission Control Centre to the nation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh applauds the tribal community of Koraput for being chosen by the United Nation‘s Food and Agriculture Organization for recognition under the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage sites programme. Asserting that freedom of the Press is a must for the growth of Indian democracy.000 crore over the next five years for the State government. Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus says that technology should be used for solving socio-economic problems rather than for commercial exploitation. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announces a slew of welfare schemes on New Year‘s Day. Dance guru K. Kasturirangan.J. holed up in a hotel to the southern Chinese trading town of Yiwu and facing threats to their lives. who devoted her lifetime to deep engagement with Bharatnatyam. . India and Pakistan exchange a list of their nuclear installations and facilities under a two-decadesold pact prohibiting attacks on atomic assets. 5. The government clears a proposal to equip the French Mirage ground attack aircraft with 500 air-toair missiles that would be procured from a western consortium. with a major investment in the TV18 group which will effectively fund a consolidation with the Eenadu TV media group.000 villages not covered by banks will be covered before March-end. either with brick-and-mortar branches. reduce market volatility and deepen the Indian capital market. mobile banking or with telephony services. the Centre announces its decision to allow Qualified Foreign Investments (QFIs) to directly invest in Indian equity market in order to widen the class of investors. Sarasa. At the 99th annual session of the Indian Science Congress in Bhubaneshwar. Career diplomat Arvind Gupta assumes charge as Director-General of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in New Delhi. At the International Conference on Technology Enhanced Education at Amritapuri near Kollam. including the Lifetime Achievement Award to the former ISRO chairman. are released after more than two weeks of forced detention following a bitter trade dispute with local businessmen. passes away in Chennai. President Pratibha Patil presents ISRO awards for 2008-09. expands its footprint in the media sector. one of the country‘s oldest and most respected centres of higher learning. India declares itself free from bird flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza).National News January. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asks media organizations to devise a mechanism to promote objectivity and curb sensationalism. India‘s biggest listed company. As directed by the Gujarat High Court. attract more foreign funds. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announces that 73. 2012 In a major policy decision. K. The two Indian traders. the implementation of which will entail an expenditure of Rs. The University Grants Commission (UGC) awards the status of ‗Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE)‘ to the University of Mysore.LinkWithin Posted by Raghu at 1:44 PM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012 CURRENT EVENTS . the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes over the investigation of the Ishrat Jahan ‗fake‘ encounter case. A.24 crore in foreign exchange. The 15th World Sanskrit conference jointly organized by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and International Association of Sanskrit Studies jointly concludes at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee launches the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi. scanty and irregular rainfall. the founder-president of the Kerala State Sports Council is announced to be instituted. indirect tax collections increased 16.J. As per the tax collection data for the April-December 2011 period released by Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). Singh award ―for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen India‘s position in the global nuclear order‖ by UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. Sukh Ram surrenders before a court in New Delhi in 1993 telecom scam case. India decides to send a truncated 15-member military delegation to China after Beijing expressed objections to hosting an Indian Air Force (IAF) official from Arunachal Pradesh. envisaging a total inflow of Rs. Prior to taking over as the Director-General. The 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave is kicked off in Jaipur with a colourful unveiling depicting the rich and vibrant Rajasthani culture. India decides to make a ‗strategic shift‘ in LNG (liquefied natural gas) sourcing with a ‗look US policy‘ for contracting new import volumes. 1950. most of the low-income single women in the country are not dependent on their families but run their households on their own. so that hospitals and other essential installations can receive the electricity. The former Union Minister. The Rajasthan government seeks special status for the State in view of its difficult geography and a package for drinking water considering the shortage caused by recurrent droughts. DGFT notifies that the Commerce Ministry has lowered the minimum export price of onions by $100 a tonne to $150 a tonne to boost exports. including Rs. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announces the right of franchise to the non-resident Indians who are registered under the Representation of the People Act. PMO directs cash-rich public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest around Rs.1% during April-December 2011. Special life-time achievement award.P. Raja.K. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) notifies the rules. Six researchers from five science streams are honoured with the Infosys Prize-2011 by the former President.41 lakh crore domestically to act as a stimulus in the next fiscal 2012-13. . Finance Ministry announces that rating agency Moody‘s upgraded the short-term country ceiling on foreign currency bank deposit increasing from NP (not prime) to Prime (P-3). Mahindra Satyam files a lawsuit against the former board of directors and some ex-employees of the company seeking damages after the company was hit by fraud.22 lakh crore till December 2011 in the current fiscal (2011-12). Ministry of Defence. allowing 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in single-brand retail. Senior Indian diplomat D. 1. According to the findings of a study released by Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi.935. Vice Admiral Muralidharan was the Chief of Personnel at the Integrated Headquarters (IHQ). The Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister orders the VIP grid disconnected from power supply. The government announces its approval to 20 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore. in memory of G. turnover of the 21 commodity exchanges in India increased by 66% to Rs. Vice Admiral M. Inaugurating the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur. Muralidharan takes charge as the Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard in New Delhi. 137. and earlier served as the first Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala.76 lakh crore.P. Bala Venkatesh Varma is given the first S. 1.V. despite low literacy rates. 1. As per the Forward Markets Commission data. -based Vodafone Group welcomes the Supreme Court‘s ruling to set aside the Bombay High Court judgment. As per the Wholesale Price Index. . chief executive officers and other risk takers in private and foreign banks. 600 crore during the last quarter of the current fiscal.000 crore income tax to the government for acquiring majority stake in Hutchison-Essar in 2007. Gujarat. Ministry of Finance. U. now worth about Rs. India‘s first music arranger dies. Senior television journalist Pankaj Pachauri is appointed as Communication Advisor in the Prime Minister‘s Office. 20 crore for a national-level unified licence under the new regime. Harish Khare resigns as media advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India‘s first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawalla dies in Vadodara. 2. 2011. Ram as Editor of The Hindu. joins hands with the Andhra Pradesh Government for setting up of an LNG terminal/floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) along the State‘s expansive sea coast. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2012. As per data released by the government. Gopikrishnan and CNBC-TV18‘s Udayan Mukherjee are adjudged Journalist of the Year at the 5th Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in Journalism.500 crore. Tata Technologies unveil the prototype for a $20. the company‘s latest shareholding data show. asking its Indian arm to pay Rs. a United Nations report on global economic prospects projects India‘s economy to grow at a pace a tad lower than 8 per cent in 2012 and 2013 in view of the sharp increase in downside risks stemming from the problems in Europe and the U. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposes a fee of Rs. The Government of Singapore announces to have acquired 1. India is ranked the sixth most innovative country in the world in multinational conglomerate GE‘s second Annual Global Innovation barometer. a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAIL (India). The Pioneer‘s J.S. RBI issues guidelines on compensation of whole time directors. (RIL).K.4 per cent expansion posted in the same month a year ago. The 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is commemorated under the directions of a National Committee Implementation Committee chaired by Honourable Finance Minister. Department of Economic Affairs. The Securities and Exchange Board of India stipulates that Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs) should not issue offshore derivates instruments/participatory notes (PNs). the Central Government tweaks the duty structure on precious metals to mop up an additional Rs. Siddharth Varadarajan succeeds N. in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance industries Ltd.44 per cent month-on-month in December 2011.000-electric car that can carry up to four passengers in Detroit as it sets out to challenge more costly rivals. 11. reduced food prices caused the inflation to dip to a year low at 7. marking a fivemonth high and just a tad lower than the 6. Vice-President Hamid Ansari inaugurates the 16th Convocation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences at Bangalore. published by the government. Gopalan. Anthony Prabhu Gonsalves.9 per cent in November 2011. Workshop on Climate Change Financing is inaugurated by R. GAIL Gas Limited. Industrial production bounces back with a growth of 5. halt depreciation of the rupee and partly make up the shortfall in revenue collections. In a three-pronged bid to check the burgeoning current account deficit.47% in December.09 per cent stake. cheaper food items pulled down the Consumer Price Index (CPI) by 0. Secretary. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) sets aside all penalties imposed by the government on new telecom operators for delay in meeting roll out obligations of services. In a major development. India extends for five years anti-dumping duty on import of four Chinese products in the face of widening trade gap with China. India and the European Union (EU) announce to have joined hands for launching joint military operations in the Indian Ocean against piracy activities. Navdeep Singh (posthumous) on the occasion of the 63rd Republic Day 2012. an advanced version of pilot-less target aircraft Lakshya is successfully flight-tested at the Integrated Test Range. near Balasore.. In a bid to end the turf war between the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Chairman Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. 74. Kerala governor and former Puducherry Chief Minister and M. Seeking an end to the discriminatory taxation regime adopted for petroleum products.P. . President of the Senate of Chile Guido Girardi calls for partnership between his country and India in the renewable energy sector. the holding company of the Tata group. M. a leading hair colorant and cosmetics company in Chile. under the new Goods and Services tax (GST) regime in line with the recommendations of the XIII Finance Commission.5 per cent with effect from January 28. petrol. the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry asks the Finance Ministry to bring petroleum products.H. at the Jaipur Literature Festival. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry approves the proposal of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to set up a special economic zone (SEZ0 at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The World Health Organization (WHO) adopts a resolution that focuses on the global burden of mental disorders and the need for a comprehensive. The Padma awards for the year 2012 are announced on the eve of India‘s 63rd Republic Day. diesel. Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.2 crore warrants into equal number of equity shares. 25 lakh from Rs. Two days after a successful trial. provided the country registered a high rate of growth in domestic savings and capital formation. Jagannath Rao dies of a heart attack in Secunderabad.9 percent stake in Godrej Consumers Products Ltd. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cuts the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points from 6 per cent to 5. Tata Sons. 32. C. The World Bank approves funds worth Rs. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says that interest rates applicable on the domestic savings banks deposits will be determined on the basis of end-of-day balance in the account. including crude oil. Even as Mauritius-based Baytree Investments is set to pick up 4. 5 lakh at present by amending the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations. Singapore-based Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka is awarded the DSC Prize for South Asia Literature 2012. ATF and gas. Rangarajan. coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) decides to enhance the minimum investment amount per client managed by portfolio managers to Rs. Farooq dies in Chennai. saying that his country has decided to achieve 20 per cent of its energy needs through renewable energy sources by 2020. increases its stake in group company Tata Steel by converting 1. award-winning Malayalam writer. (GCPL). Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia says that the 9 per cent growth target for the 12th Five Year Plan is achievable.O. 1993. scholar and one of the most influential Gandhian intellectual in Kerala dies. a Cabinet Committee announces to have worked out a compromise that will result in the biometric data of all residents being captured by June 2013. Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says that India and Thailand would work to double the bilateral trade to around $14 billion by 2014. Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh C. which would release Rs. President of Pratibha Devisingh Patil confers the Ashoka Chakra on Lt. CCEA gives final approval to Vedanta Resources‘ acquisition of a majority stake in Cairn India.000 crore into the financial system.24 crore for about three dozen incomplete roads and bridges in Himachal Pradesh. the Mumbai-based company inks a deal to acquire 60 per cent stake in Cosmetics National. is constituted to examine issues relating to the sugar sector. Sukumar Azhikode. India selects the French Fighter Rafale over the Eurofighter Typhoon in a multi-billion dollar contract for the supply of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) – the country‘s largest defence deal to date. Veteran environmental filmmaker Mike Pandey is honoured with the V. Andhra Pradesh Home Secretary B. which needs $1 trillion in the 12 th Five Year Plan. India signs the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.K. India announces to provide a grant of $1. Pitching for foreign investment in the infrastructure sector. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee says that India will not scale down its petroleum imports from Tehran despite U. passes away at the age of 50. . The K. ―Sahyog-Kaijin-XI.5 million to the University of Chicago to establish a Vivekananda Chair for Indian studies. who launched Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra in Bollywood. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Chicago asks U. 2012 o The 1974 batch Indian Revenue Service officer Laxman Das takes over as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) replacing Mr. Director-Producer Raj Kumar. and polymath Rabindranath Tagore. Prime Minister Dr. Pachauri presents the Green Globe Award for outstanding contribution by a celebrity to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan in New Delhi. Declaring the allocation of 2G spectrum by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government illegal and an example of the arbitrary exercise of power. Raja.S. Director-General of TERI R.C.‖ a mock drill on the deep seas by the Indian and Japan Coast Guard units demonstrate the inherent capabilities of the two forces to jointly counter a range of maritime threats in the Asia-Pacific region. India holds the very last rank among 132 nations in terms of air quality with regard to its effect on human health. which provides for mandatory death sentence to an accused charged with an offence under this provision. In a study by Yale and Columbia Universities. February. the Supreme Court cancels all 122 telecom licences allotted on or after January 10. Birla Foundation awards the 21st Bihari Puraskar for 2011 to Arjundeo Charan for his Rajasthani poetry collection ―Ghar Tau Ek Nam Hai Bhrosai Rau‖. and European sanctions against the Islamic republic. The Supreme Court declares unconstitutional Section 27 (3) of the Arms Act. In yet another move to get information about black money stashed away abroad.K. spurring imitators but also critics announces to set up shops across India in association with the Tata Group. In a blow to every corrupt politician or bureaucrat shielded by the executive‘s unwillingness to let them stand trial. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival 2012. Acharya is arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Hyderabad for his role in the fast-snowballing scandal relating to irregularities in the allotment of high-priced plot for villas in the township project of Dubai-based real estate developer Emaar.S. as part of the initiatives to mark the 150 th birth anniversary of the 19th century luminary. Starbucks – the iconic American coffee house brand that helped make the beverage ‗cool‘ worldwide. A. The Delhi High Court sets new guidelines on distances within which the Capital‘s private unaided schools will have to admit children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups in the 25 per cent reserved quota under the Right to Education Act. Manmohan Singh approves the constitution of a National Council for Senior Citizens to advise the Central and State Governments on the welfare of senior citizens. Joshi. Swami Vivekananda. investors to access the Indian debt market through a mechanism of regulated entities with a sustained long-term interest rate. a multilateral agreement that promotes international cooperation while respecting the rights of taxpayers.P. the Supreme Court sets a three-month deadline for governments to decide whether or not to grant sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. M. 2008 to 11 companies during the tenure of the former telecom minister. India‘s indigenously developed micro-light pilot less target aircraft Lakshya-1 is successfully test flown from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near Balasore as part of a routine trial.D. The Indian Navy stages a network-centric exercise of the Southern coast and displays cooperation with the Indian Air Force in its annual TROPEX.S. takes over as the new Army Deputy Chief (Information Systems and Training). India moves closer to the deployment of the fledgling. Urdu poet and Jnanpith Award recipient Akhlaq Mohammed Khan. Manmohan says India‘s economic growth is likely to slow down to 7-7. India and the European Union make progress on their Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement and nominate minister-level monitors to push for its early finalization but discussions on regional issues remain centre stage at their annual summit in New Delhi. in the famous holy Brahmasarovar area of Kurukshetra. Haryana. calling for a flexible and imaginative approach in 2012 to minimize the effect of persisting irritants. The special Central Bureau of Investigation court hearing the 2G scam case dismisses Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy‘s demand to prosecute P. Raja in illegal allocation of mobile spectrum and licences. 1950 on three occasions cannot go back on his commitment. Dutta passes away at the age of 81. as part of the poet‘s 150th birth anniversary celebrations in Kolkata. Indian and Chinese leaders lay out a new road-map for bilateral ties. indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence system when an interceptor missile achieves a direct hit and destroys an incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 km over the Bay of Bengal. the first such appointment in the country. The Special Investigation Team probing Zakia Jafri‘s complaint frees Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of all charges in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom against Muslims. one of the four generals indicted in the Sukna Land scam.5% in 2011-12 from 8. Lieutenant General Ramesh Halgali. Noted Hindi writer Professor Ramdarash Mishra is selected for the 21st Vyas Samman for his poetry collection ―Aam ke Patte‖. perhaps. His writ petition is disposed of as withdrawn. A money laundering case is registered against the former Union Minister. Birla Award for Science.4% in 2010-11. Veteran Bollywood writer-filmmaker O. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil unfurls a national flag. passes away at the age of 74. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee releases a special edition of Rabindranath Tagore‘s diary with his translations of Gitanjali. Prime Minister Dr. About 59 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in 59 constituencies in nine districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh in the second phase of Assembly elections. This is. Chidambaram for allegedly conniving with then telecom minister A. Sitar maestro Shamim Ahmed Khan. . one of the finest exponents of Hindustani instrumental music. who accepted the government‘s decision in determining his date of birth as May 10. Historian Sharada Dwivedi passes away in Mumbai at the age of 69. The Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Army Chief General Vijay Kumar‘s plea regarding his date of birth pointing out that the Army Chief. who shot to fame by penning ghazals in Bollywood classics like Umrao Jaan. The Union Government unveils a comprehensive policy on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Karnataka High Court appoints a 27-year old transgender C. popularly known as Shahryar. Acharya passes away at the age of 71.P. Anu as a Class IV employee. Karnataka‘s Minister for Higher Education V. Around 62 percent voters cast their votes in the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections held in 55 constituencies in 10 districts. passes away at the age of 76. touted as the tallest in the country (90 x 60 feet). Professor Tapas Kumar Kundu of Bangalore-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research wins the G. Dayanidhi Maran and his brother and Sun TV Managing Director Kalanidhi Maran by the Enforcement Directorate in connections with the 2G spectrum case. Anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare and former President Dr. Singh that he will retire on May 31. which has been polio-free for over a year now. steel and petroleum refinery products. drinking water and sanitation. Antony‘s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh. the slowest pace of expansion in 11 quarters. Indian makes a strong pitch to channelise investments into its oil and gas sector from Saudi Arabia. As per the first nationwide retail inflation data released by the government inflation based on the all India Consumer Price Index stands at 7. brining the curtains down on a two-year row over his birth date. saying India should refrain from taking any action that can complicate the border issue. In the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections about 60 per cent of voters exercise their franchise. Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh unveils the new version of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to include works related to agriculture. is taken off the list of polio-endemic countries by the World Health Organization.65 per cent in January 2012. Secretary in the Union Culture Ministry. who shot to fame in early 1990s for his reporting on militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir. The Government informs Army Chief General V. Abdul Kalam receives the S.R. 2012. India. The fifth phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh witnesses a high polling percentage of 59. Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal announces major contours on spectrum management and licensing framework.K. Twenty two writers and poets of English and regional languages including historian Ramachandra Guha are honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2011. crude oil. the Kerala police arrest two Marines suspected to have fired the shots from an Italian oil tanker that killed two Indian fishermen off Kerala on February 15. China objects to Defence Minister A. The Supreme Court slams Delhi Police for excessive use of force during the midnight eviction of Baba Ramdev‘s supporters from Ramlila Maidan on June 4. dragged down by a decline in natural gas. which apart from private giants. has a sovereign wealth fund of over $600 billion. A. widows and disabled persons to the Aadhaar to ensure timely delivery.5 – 8 per cent growth for the fiscal 2012-13 in its Review of the Economy 2011-12. The Indian economy grew 6. passes away at the age of 58. The Centre decides to link payment of pension for the elderly. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar arrives in Islamabad.5 per cent in January 2012. Times Internet Limited (TIL) launches India‘s first tablet magazine Tweek. The Prime Minister‘s Economic Advisory Council projects a 7.K. The Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal launches Virtual Labs – a correction of 91 online laboratories containing hundreds of experiments in nine disciplines of science and engineering.2 per cent. . The fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections records a turnout of 57. The Supreme Court directs the Centre to constitute a special committee forthwith for inter-linking of rivers for the benefit of the entire nation. Gunjan Sharma (The Week) and Tarun Tejpal (Tehelka) receive the IPI-India Award for Excellence in Journalism 2011. Jawahar Sircar. After hectic negotiations. Jindal Prize. poultry. 2012. Growth in the eight key core industries slows to 0.P. leading a six member parliamentary delegation on a five-day visit to Pakistan. Senior journalist George Joseph. animal husbandry. 2010. is selected by a panel for the post of Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati.1 per cent during October-December 2011 quarter.J.20 per cent. For the first time in the history of the Bangalore University. considered as the Nobel prize in architecture. Six months after their appearance before a special CBI court. while Madhya Pradesh get four awards. After considerable dithering Pakistan decides to switch to the negative list approach for trade with India and phase it out completely by December 2012. In an unprecedented move. Chairman. Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Bikram Singh is announced to be the next Chief of Staff of the 1. The Supreme Court appoints retired Supreme Court Judge Justice H. The Supreme Court is announced to get one more judge – Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court F. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. The Union government justifies the first come.M. Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The Indian economy is expected to register an improved performance during the 2012-13 fiscal with a growth rate of about 7. Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar disqualifies as many as 16 ruling Congress MLAs. including best state for tourism infrastructure and best tourism film. N. Thousands of Tamils from across Europe protest in front of the U. Rangarajan. Pakistan test-fires Hatf-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile. in connection with the multi-crore fodder scam case. The Ministry of Personnel. is awarded to Wang Shu (48) a Chinese. C. March. Pritzker Architecture Prize. headquarters in Geneva. in association with the Government of Puducherry. Bedi as Chairman of the Monitoring Authority to probe all cases of fake encounter deaths in Gujarat from 2003 to 2006.3 million-strong Indian Army. which quashed spectrum licences and directed issuance of fresh ones on the basis of auction. While there is agreement on the need for environmental taxes. which can carry nuclear warheads. For the first time. Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister says. 2012 o India and China decide to open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation by agreeing to undertake joint operations against pirates and sharing technological know-how on seabed research. Prabhu Dev. there is a need to carefully calibrate the level of taxation on polluting industries in targeting a reduction in environmental pollution. Chairman. C. The Hatf-II or Abdali has a range of 180 km. 1989. first served (FCFS) policy and urges the Supreme Court to review the 2G judgment. The Army successfully test-fires the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile at Pokhran to operationally the second regiment of the weapon system in service. Government of India. Jagannath Mishra. Press Council of India Chairperson Justice Markandey Katju withdrew the show-case notice issued to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan after he assures him to do ―all he can for maintaining the freedom of the press (in Maharashtra). The indigenously developed advanced lightweight torpedo and the Akash missile system is handed over to the Navy and the Indian Air Force respectively at a function in Hyderabad. related to the complaint filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Ibrahim Kalifulla – with the collegiums of judges clearing his name for elevation. charges are framed against Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad and the former Bihar Chief Minister. for ―producing an architecture that is timeless. Public Grievances and Pensions. Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim sweep the maximum number of awards at the National Tourism Award ceremony. organizes a two-day Regional Conference on ―Reforms for Citizen Centric Governance‖ involving the states of southern and central region.S. says in New Delhi. an FIR is registered against its ViceChancellor.N. Sikkim gets the award for best tourism infrastructure in the north-east and best state to have implemented the Clean Indian campaign. . deeply rooted in its context and yet universal. demanding the creation of an international tribunal to try ―war crimes‖ committed in Sri Lanka.5 per cent. Rangarajan. elections. Bombay Ravi. ruling that the exercise is against the Sharia Law. In a set of recommendations that should warm the cockles of the aam admi‘s heart and that of all taxpayers at large. Gopalkrishna Gandhi is made the new chairman of the governing body of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. 2012. President Pratibha Patil awards innovators. simply titled Byari. It was an impressive debut for the Byari feature film industry with its first offering. the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance pitches for far higher relief than what was proposed by the Government in the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill. . The electorate of Uttar Pradesh delivers a stunning mandate for stability. on March 29. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) suspends Kingfisher Airlines from its clearing house that enables airlines to settle inter-line billings globally for its failure to pay dues. and president of its society. Yesteryear actor Joy Mukherjee passes away after prolonged illness at the Lilavati hospital in Mumbai. Manohar Parrikar is sworn in as Goa Chief Minister. At the 6th National Grassroots Innovations Awards in New Delhi. Shimla. at a ceremony in Panaji. an organization that supports unorganized workers. Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issue a fatwa against full body scans. Despite India‘s ―impressive‖ rise. Tusha Mittal of Tehelka‘s Kolkata News Bureau is chosen for the Chameli Devi Jain Award. England. heading a BJP-led coalition. The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) and Nidan. Environment and Forests. the Parliamentary Committee on Finance suggests that the impost be levied only if the value of the specified asset exceeds Rs. aimed at ushering in a new direct taxation regime. 2011. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology. which examined ‗The Nuclear Safety Regulatory Bill. a young IPS officer is crushed to death by the mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh‘s Morena district. the State on PILs seeking a direction to the media to telecast visuals portraying the alleged attack on lawyers during the March 2 violence at the Bangalore civil court complex. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurates the golden jubilee celebrations of Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization in New Delhi. The Union Cabinet defers a decision on a proposal to make a Presidential reference on the Supreme Court‘s order to 2G licences regarding the auction of natural resources. The Karnataka High Court ordered issue of notices to the Centre. as also enthuse the stock markets. The largest solar storm in five years engulfs Earth. paving the way for the Samajwadi Party (SP) to form the next government in the State. 5 crore. is announced to be honoured with the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship by the Skoll Foundation in Oxford. As for wealth tax. the Broadcasting Ministry. its ambition to be a superpower may remain just that – an ambition.‘ suggests the establishment of a Council of Nuclear Safety (CNS) to oversee and review the policies related to radiation/nuclear safety in the country. In a more that will give a big push to broadband penetration in the country. dies in Mumbai. according to an authoritative new study by the London School of Economics (LSE) to which several Indian scholars have contributed. The Congress secures absolute majority in the Manipur Assembly elections. Narendra Kumar. the Central Department of Telecommunications (DoT) clears an ambitious plan to distribute 50 lakh tablet PCs (personal computers) to students in the next financial year 2012-13. The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in Punjab scripts history by bagging 68 of the 117 seats in the State Assembly. sharing the top prize at the National Film Awards 2011. a composer who played a key role in brining melody back into Malayalam cinema in the 1980s. Pratibha Patil says the government would endeavour to increase both Plan and Non-Plan public expenditure in the Centre and the States taken together to 2.000 on the marriage of girls hailing from families having land holding below 2. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda says that Haryana Government will provide a grant of Rs.5 percent of the gross domestic product by the end of the 12th Plan. MP. Jaganmohan Reddy accumulate massive illegal assets. shows that 27 per cent of the households in Uttar Pradesh still had two or more married couples living together – far more than the national average of 18 percent for such families. reaches out to pregnant women in Jharkhand to gain first-hand knowledge of maternal health in the State. almost all States emphasise the need to make them as ―en effective stakeholder‖ in all aspects of counter-terrorism domain. UNICEF‘s National Goodwill Ambassador.N. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces to amend the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act. In a spell of fresh trouble for the Congress government. Sharmila Tagore. the Planning Commission clears the transfer of the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) to the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Announcing major initiatives to provide universal healthcare. In what is regarded as a major administrative move. British Prime Minister David Cameron says he will be ―very sad‖ if India boycotts the London Olympics following the row over sponsorship of the event by Dow Chemicals. The functioning of both Houses of Parliament is disrupted when members cutting across party lines vociferously demand that India support the resolution to be moved by the U. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil announces a separate Department of Disability Affairs in her speech on the first day of the Budget session of Parliament. The University Grants Commission (UGC) chalks out several plans to increase gross enrolment ratio (GER) of students in higher education from the present 20 percent to 30 percent during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17).S. 1 lakh. 11. three of its non-governmental members submit their resignations to the Prime Minister.. Claiming that the National Ganga River Basin Authority has become a toothless organization which has made no change to the government‘s neglect of the national river. While agreeing in principle on the need to have an effective anti-terrorism mechanism on the lines of the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). to ensure that banks run by cooperative societies are not empowered to attach the property of any farmer who fails to repay a loan. Vijay Bahuguna. the Supreme Court issues notices to six Ministers and eight Indian Administrative Service officers from Andhra Pradesh on a petition alleging that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is not proceeding against them despite having sufficient evidence that they helped Kadappa MP Y. To earthquakes of moderate intensity shake the Kashmir Valley within three hours. 2006. chairperson of the body. A detailed analysis of the Census 2011 data. Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh announces a national award for sanitation and water in the name of Maharashtrian saint Sant Gadge Baba. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. released in New Delhi. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asks the banking community over the weekend to improve customer services to remain relevant in an intensely competitive financial business environment. is sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand after Congress overrules a revolt by another MP Harish Rawat. Noted critic Namvar Singh presented the Jnanpith Award to eminent Hindi author Amar Kant at a special ceremony in Allahabad. Union Minister for Rural Development. President in her speech to the joint session of the first day of the Budget session of Parliament. France and Norway against Sri Lanka at the U. Pointing to ‗human capital deficit‘ as one of the major challenges facing public sector banks (PSBs) in emerging as potential global leaders.5 acres or annual income less than Rs. .S. linked to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. 000 to high school pass Muslim girls for pursuing their education and marriage. and 29 others are indicted by a special court in Dhaka for a 2004 grenade attack that killed 24 people.35 and Rs. for 2011-12. son of the former Bangladesh Prime Minister. In a bid to contain further losses. takes over as acting Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. With a slew of scams vitiating the government‘s policy-making environment and holding up reforms. also envisages 113 new trains and promises to focus on safety. troubled private carrier Kingfisher Airlines announces that it would be curtaining its international operations. who takes over as the Chief Minister of Punjab for a record fifth time. as well as the decision to construct boundary walls along Muslim ‗qabristans‖ (graveyards).500 crore. resolves to take steps for the early commissioning of the plant. which pegs the maximum liability on a supplier and operator of a nuclear power plant in case of an accident at Rs. Okram Ibobi Singh is sworn in as Manipur Chief Minister for the third consecutive term. The Haryana Government announces to introduce ‗Surakshit Maa‘ and ‗Swasth Maa‘ awards from the next financial year to promote institutional deliveries and create awareness and ―responsibility towards health‖ in pregnant women. 1. presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherkee. In a setback to the Union government.000 crore in tax on the overseas deal between Vodafone International Holdings and Hutchinson Group. presented in the parliament by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi. chaired by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. saying it had no jurisdiction. the Tamil Nadu Cabinet. A court in New York dismisses a complaint against Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath for his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Noor Mohammad. The Finance Ministry gives its nod for the Labour and Employment Ministry to fix the rate of interest payable to EPF subscribers at 8. The West Bengal Government issues a gazette notification in Kolkata for setting up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) following the Presidential assent to the GTA Bill. the Railway budget for 2012-13. 22. 11.42 in urban and rural areas respectively is above the poverty line. Members of a Pakistani judicial commission arrive in Mumbai to record the statements of four witnesses in the November 26. the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party.5 per cent paid in 2010-11. the Economic Survey 2011-12. The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet decides to give a grant of Rs. 30. Governor Shivraj V. The British Council announces 60 new ‗Jubilee Scholarships‘ for Indian students for 2012. 2008 terror attacks in the city. Patil administers the oath of office and secrecy to the 84-year-old Akali stalwart.25 p. The UPA government breathes easy in the Lok Sabha when the Opposition-sponsored amendments to the President‘s address are defeated with help from the Trinamool Congress. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presents the Union Budget 2012-2013 in the Parliament. advocates need for a ruthless crackdown on corruption. an international award given to recognize and reward excellence in the air traffic control industry. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) wins the prestigious Jane‘s Award for 2012. The Planning Commission releases the latest poverty estimates for the country showing a decline in the incidence of poverty by 7. the Supreme Court rejects its plea for a review of the court‘s January 20 ruling that the Income Tax Department did not have the jurisdiction to impose Rs. .3 per cent over the past five years and stating that anyone with a daily consumption expenditure of Rs. Increasing the fare for the first time in eight years. Tarique Rahman. Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal says in the Lok Sabha that an upgraded version of Aakash tablet computer would be launched in April 2012 without any increase in the price. instead of at 9. Prakash Singh Badal. a 1977 batch IAS officer. for which the Railway Board will be restructured and a separate authority set up. The Supreme Court says that it would examine the constitutional validity of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. 28. Khaleda Zia. Ending the impasse over the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNNP).c. Manmohan Singh inaugurates the Seventh Asia Gas Partnership Summit in New Delhi. The Congress wins two morale-boosting victories in a string of bypolls. The Union Cabinet approves the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill 2010 seeking to give women a share in the husband‘s property after divorce. The Director-General of Indian Coast Guard Vice Admiral M. Prime Minister Dr. the Bharatiya Janata Party. for the last 15 years. Rajiv Shukla. Lok Sabha members.000 crore. Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Ms. the fourth in Maharashtra. cutting across party lines. Seeking to tap the huge potential of the Inland Waterways Transport (IWT). Tamil Writer A. Mukul Roy. The Union Government approves a seven percentage point increase in the rate of dearness allowance for its employees and pensioners. The 2200 km Dahej-Vijajpur-Dadri-Bawana-Bhatinda gas pipeline network built at a cost of Rs. which his predecessor Dinesh Trivedi proposed. Muralidharan commissions the Dahanu Coast Guard station. The Bombay High Court asks the Adarsh cooperative housing society to surrender the building to the Union Ministry of Defence. . Manmohan Singh. Roy also strikes down the plan to restructure Railway Board. With the presence of 1. India votes for a United States – sponsored resolution at the United Nations‘ top human rights body censuring Sri Lanka for its alleged rights violations during the War against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Dadasaheb Phalke award is announced for eminent actor Soumitra Chatterjee for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.100 crore – for private sector investment in the 12th Plan.P. Union Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh. 2. With the Congress-led UPA bowing to the Trinamool Congress‘ pressure. Mayawati and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley are elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. Union Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia admits that income distribution is not at the desired level and inequality increased in both rural and urban areas.A. the Prime Minister‘s Office identifies seven mega projects and corridors all over the country – entailing an outlay of Rs. is dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister Dr. Samajwadi Party supremo and Member of Parliament Mulayam Singh Yadav will be honoured with the prestigious ‗International Jurists Award-2012‘ in London on May 28. Prime Minister Dr. it snatches a Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka – taking its strength in the Lower House up to 207 – and an Assembly seat in Gujarat. lambaste Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia for the ‗cut-off poverty line‖ estimate released by the Commission and seek his removal as well as its disbandment ―for deceiving the country and cheating people‖. both of which have been held by its principal national rival. its member and Union Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy is hurriedly elevated to the Cabinet rank and allocated the Railways portfolio primarily to fulfil the constitutional requirement of passing the Railway budget. taking into account the suggestions made by the opposition and the constituents and supporting parties of the ruling United Progressive Alliance.168 bird species recorded in the country. 13. Padma Bhushan awardee Shabana Azmi becomes the first Indian actor to receive honour from New York city. India is ranked 9th in the global list of bird wealth. 2012. Railway Minister Mukul Roy rolls back the fare hike except for three high-end-classes of travel. Manmohan Singh tells the floor leaders of the Rajya Sabha that the Centre will come forward with an amended version of the Lokpal Bill. Mr. Manavalan is selected for the Saraswati Samman 2011 for his book on Ramayana. Anil Uchil. Prime Minister Dr.K. Roy. doubling the figure. during the talks between Prime Minister Dr. to discuss ways of protecting nuclear materials and facilities. which he reported to Union Defence Minister A. To mark the 11th International Childhood Cancer celebrations – 2012. India and South Korea agree to expand their political and security ties besides upgrading the already booming business cooperation to achieve an ambitious trade target of $40 billion by 2015.K. 2012. Manmohan Singh arrives in Seoul to take part in the nuclear security summit to be held on March 26 and 27. former Chairman of Press Trust of India. Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul. The Army Chief General V. passes away in Kolkata at the age of 91. P. 14 crore. Patil has undertaken 12 foreign trips covering 22 countries across four continents. end their unusual expedition at India Gate in New Delhi. . 1200 crore to help give a push to housing for low-income groups in the country. The Union Cabinet gives the green signal for the setting up of a credit risk guarantee fund trust with an initial corpus of Rs. surpassing the record of all her predecessors. President Pratibha Patil‘s wanderlust has cost the public exchequer a whopping Rs. Bertram Fonseca and Mallikarjun Singh – pedaling from Gateway of India in Mumbai over the past 21 days. Since assuming office as the country‘s first woman President in July 2007. four cycling enthusiasts – Ranjul Goswami. 205 crore on her foreign visits. Singh alleges that an equipment lobbyist offered him a bribe of Rs. Antony.K.