VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE CURRENT AFFAIRS TNPSC ( MARCH - 2015) Main Office at Vetrii IAS Study Circle F Block 37/38, 2 nd Avenue main Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar(E), Chennai – 102. Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9500005522 Branch Office at: Vetrii IAS Study Circle, No:189/1, Meyanoor Road, Near ARRS Multiplex, Opp.Venkateshwara Complex, Salem – 4 Phone: 0427 – 2330307 / 9442740307 Branch Office at: Vetrii IAS Study Circle, 243 Cauvery Nagar, Opp. New Housing Unit, Thanjavur- 05. Cell: 7871169099. www.vetriias.com
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VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE
CURRENT AFFAIRS
TNPSC
( MARCH - 2015)
Main Office at
Vetrii IAS Study Circle
F Block 37/38, 2nd Avenue main Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar(E),
Chennai – 102.
Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9500005522
Branch Office at:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle,
No:189/1, Meyanoor Road,
Near ARRS Multiplex,
Opp.Venkateshwara Complex,
Salem – 4
Phone: 0427 – 2330307 / 9442740307
Branch Office at:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle,
243 Cauvery Nagar,
Opp. New Housing Unit,
Thanjavur- 05.
Cell: 7871169099.
www.vetriias.com
ntw;wp TNPSC VETRII IAS
epr;rak; CURRENT AFFAIRS
www.vetriias.com
INDEX
SL.
NO
TITLE PAGE
NO
1. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 1
2. NATIONAL AFFAIRS 9
3. SPORTS 22
4. AWARDS & PERSONALITIES 24
5. UNION BUDGET - 2015 29
6. STATE BUDGET - 2015 32
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I. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. World Wildlife Day observed globally
3 March: World Wildlife Day
The World Wildlife Day was observed on 3 March 2015. The 2015 theme of the day is
Wildlife crime is serious, let’s get serious about wildlife crime.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at its 68th session held on 20 December
2013 decided to proclaim 3 March as World Wildlife Day. The date is the day of the
adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
2. World’s largest and tallest Indian flag unfurled in Faridabad
World’s largest and tallest Indian national flag was unfurled on 3 March 2015 at Town
Park in Faridabad, Haryana.
3. International Women’s Day 2015 observed with theme Make it Happen
International Women’s Day was observed across the world on 8 March 2015. The theme
for the year 2015 is Make it Happen and it encourages effective action for advancing and
recognizing women.
The theme was declared by United Nations.
1911: At Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured for the first
time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March.
1975: United Nations designated 1975 as International Women's Year
In China, Nepal and Madagascar the official holiday is granted for women only.
4. Solar powered plane Solar Impulse-2 took off to round-the-world odyssey
from Abu Dhabi
The solar-powered plane named Solar Impulse-2 took off to round-the-world odyssey from
Abu Dhabi. This will be the first round-the-world flight powered by solar power.
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The aim of this round-the-world voyage is to create awareness about replacing old polluting
technologies with clean and efficient technologies.
About Solar Impulse-2
Solar Impulse is the only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night on
solar power, without a drop of fuel.
Solar Impulse-2 is a 2.3 tonne plane with top sped of 87 miles per hour (mph) and can
carry just one passenger and emits precisely zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
5. India and Mauritius inked five MoUs to give impetus to bilateral relations
India and Mauritius inked 5 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to give new impetus
to bilateral co-operation between the two nations.
This is the first visit to Mauritius by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.
The five MoUs which were signed between the two nations include
MoU in the field of Ocean Economy
MoU on Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the year 2015-18
MoU on the Protocol for the importation of fresh mango from India
MoU for the Improvement in Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of
Mauritius
MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine and Homeopathy
6. India and Seychelles signed four agreements to boost security cooperation
India signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation Seychelles to boost
security and maritime partnership.
The four agreements were signed in following categories:
Cooperation in hydrography
Cooperation in renewable energy
Cooperation in Infrastructure development
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Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts Modi also
launched the Coastal Surveillance Radar Project in Seychelles, describing it as another
symbol of the cooperation between the two countries.
7. World Kidney Day 2015 observed with theme Kidney Health for All
World Kidney Day (WKD) was observed globally on 12 March 2015. The theme for the year
2015 is Kidney Health for All.
The day is a global health awareness campaign that focuses on the importance of the kidneys
and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems
worldwide.
World Kidney Day started in 2006.
8. Global CO2 emissions from energy sector stalled for the first time in 40 years
in 2014: IEA
International Energy Agency (IEA) released the data on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
According to it, the global emissions of CO2 from energy sector stalled in the year 2014.
As per the preliminary data released, global emissions of CO2 stood at 32.3 billion tonnes in
2014 which is same as in the year 2013.
9. World Consumer Rights Day 2015 observed with the theme Helping consumers
choose healthy diets
15 March: World Consumer Rights Day
WCRD was first observed on 15 March 1983 and has since become an important occasion for
mobilizing citizen action.
In 2014, WCRD was observed with the theme Fix Our Phone Rights
10. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore died
Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman and founding father of Singapore died. Yew, who in 1959
became the first Prime Minister of Singapore, was widely recognised as the founding father
of modern Singapore and also the Architect of Modern Singapore. He transformed
Singapore from a small port city and a malaria-infested backwater to a wealthy global hub.
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11. World Sparrow Day observed with the theme I Love Sparrows
20 March: World Sparrow Day
On 20 March 2010, the Indian Postal Department released a stamp of the house sparrow on
20 March 2010.
In 2012, Sparrow was declared as the state bird of Delhi by the then Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit.
12. International Day of Forests observed with the theme Forests and Climate
Change
21 March: International Day of Forests
The theme highlights forest-based solutions to address climate change mitigation and
adaptation, and more broadly forests and sustainable development.
21 March was established as the International Day of Forests by the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 28 November 2012. International Day of Forests
was observed for the first time on 21 March 2013.
About Forests and their status
One third of the Earth’s land mass (about 31 percent of global land area) is covered by
forests, which performs vital function around the world and is a home for more than 80
percent of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
13. World Water Day 2015 observed with the theme Water and Sustainable
Development
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first World
Water Day.
14. World Meteorological Day 2015 observed with the theme Climate Knowledge
for Climate Action
• 23 March: World Meteorological Day
WMO became the UN's specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and
related geophysical sciences in 1951. It originated from the International Meteorological
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Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. At present, WMO is represented by 189
member states and territories.
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2014 was Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth.
15. World Tuberculosis Day 2015 observed globally
24 March: World Tuberculosis Day.
The theme for the year 2015 is continuation of the 2014 theme Reach the 3 Million. The
main sub-theme and message for the year 2015 is Reach, Treat, and Cure Everyone.
The WTD is annually celebrated on 24 March to commemorate the day on which Dr.
Robert Koch discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus in 1882. The day aims to
build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to
eliminate the disease.
16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka. This was the first bilateral visit by
an Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka since 1987.
He also became the first Indian Prime Minister to make journey to Jaffna and Talaimannar
region of Sri Lanka.
17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited. With this, Modi became the first Prime
Minister of India to visit Seychelles in 34 long years.
During this visit, India and Seychelles signed four agreements to boost security cooperation.
These include agreements on
Cooperation in hydrography
Cooperation in renewable energy
Cooperation in Infrastructure development
Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts
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18. Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan
The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) was held in
Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan from 14 March to 18 March 2015.
India to host seventh Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction in 2016
Also, this will be the first AMCDRR to be hosted by India in the post-2015 framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, though India had hosted the Second AMCDRR in 2007.
The conference in 2016 will be held in collaboration with the United Nations Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
Previous Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
First AMCDRR held in China in 2005
Second AMCDRR held in India in 2007
Third AMCDRR held in Malaysia in 2008
Fourth AMCDRR held in Republic of Korea in 2010
Fifth Asia Ministerial conference held in Indonesia in 2012
19. ISRO won Gandhi Peace Prize 2014
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) won Gandhi Peace Prize 2014.
The Indian space agency successfully launched Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and at a very
cost effective price of 450 crore rupees. The launch makes India the first Asian country to
enter the Martian sphere of influence.
ISRO became the fourth space agency after National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) of the US, Russian Federal Space Agency (RFSA) and European Space Agency to
have undertaken a mssion to Mars.
About the Award
The Gandhi Peace Prize for social, economic and political transformation through non-
violence was instituted in the year 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
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Previous recipients of the award includes
Julius K Nyerere, former Tanzanian President (he was the first recipient of the award in 1995)
Nelson Mandela, former South African President
20. Earth Hour 2015 observed globally from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm local time
Earth Hour 2015 was observed globally on 28 March 2015 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local
time. The tagline for the global campaign was Change Climate Change. This was the ninth
edition of the Earth Hour that started in 2007.
Earth Hour 2015 was observed across 172 nations and territories and around 1400+ iconic
landmarks of the world switched off the lights.
Earth Hour is organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) since 2007 when it was
first observed in Sydney, Australia.
21. WJP released Open Government Index 2015 Report
World Justice Project (WJP) released the Open Government Index 2015.
Out of the 102 countries assessed in the 2015 Index, Sweden topped the list in terms of
openness in the government. It is followed by New Zealand and Norway at second and third
place respectively. Cambodia, Iran, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe are positioned last
in the Index.
The Index used four dimensions namely Publicised laws and government data, right to
information, complaint mechanisms and civic participation to assess openness in
government functioning.
India’s position in the Index
India has been placed at the 37th position in the 2015 Index.
22. China-backed AIIB to be joined by France, Germany, Italy
AIIB: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) reported that France, Germany
and Italy have agreed to join the AIIB after the United Kingdom (UK) decided to join the
bank.
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UK was the first Western nation to join the bank disregarding reservations expressed by the
United States (US) which raised concerns over its transparency.
India along with 20 other countries on 23 October 2014 signed an agreement to become the
founding member of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
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II. NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Lok Sabha passed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015 . The Bill seeks to amend
the Citizenship Act, 1955 which regulates the acquisition and determination of citizenship
and details registration of Overseas Citizens of India and their rights.
Provisions of the Bill
It allows the Union Government to relax the requirement of 12 months stay or service if
special circumstances exist in cases related to citizenship by registration and
naturalization. Relaxation up to 30 days may be permitted by the government.
It provides additional grounds for registering an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card such
as Minor children whose parent(s) are Indian citizens, spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI/
PIO cardholder subjected to certain conditions, great-grandchild of a person who is a
citizen of another country, but meets one of several conditions of Citizenship Act, 1955.
2. Baldev Sharma appointed as chairman of National Book Trust
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development appointed Baldev Sharma as chairman
of National Book Trust (NBT).
He replaced A. Sethumadhavan
3. Union Railways Ministry launched Customer Complaint Web Portal and
Mobile Application
The Union Railways Minister launched a Customer Complaint Web Portal and Mobile
Application.
This Customer Complaint-cum-Suggestion portal and mobile App can be freely
downloaded and will be useful to track the status of the complaints registered on this
portal with the help of mobile App.
The passengers who want to complain or make any suggestions may download the mobile
App from the URL www.coms.indianrailways.gov.in. The passengers can also file their
complaints and suggestions on the same web page.
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4. Union Government and RBI signed an agreement on Monetary Policy
Framework
Bank of India (RBI) signed an agreement on Monetary Policy Framework. The agreement
empowers the RBI to go for inflation targeting that is common in developed countries and
it also empowers RBI to monitor its monetary policy framework.
As per the agreement, RBI will aim to bring down the inflation below six percent by
January 2016 and inflation target for 2016-2017 and subsequent years will be 4 percent +/-
2 percentage points.
5. Rani Mukerji awarded by National Institute of Gender Justice for representing
the cause of women
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji was awarded with the National Award for the Best
Representation of the Cause of Safety, Security and Protection of Women and Girl Child by
National Institute of Gender Justice (NIGJ).
Rani is the first ever film personality to be felicitated with this prestigious award. She was
awarded for creating awareness about child trafficking in New Delhi.
The past awardees include Anna Hazare, Pratibha Patil, Pandit Jasraj and Mahashweta
Devi.
6. Lok Sabha passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bill will replace the
Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014.
The Ordinance amends the Insurance Act, 1938 (the Act), the General Insurance Business
(Nationalisation) Act, 1972 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
(IRDA) Act, 1999.
Provisions of the Bill
It seeks to remove archaic provisions and incorporate modern day practices emerging
in a changing dynamic environment, which includes private participation.
It hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent
from present 26 percent.
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It calls for establishment of Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance
Council. They will act as self-regulating bodies for the insurance sector.
7. Prime Minister inaugurated two units of Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project
in Khandwa, MP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two units of 600 Mega Watt (MW) each of
Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project at Dongliya village in Khandwa district of Madhya
Pradesh.
The first phase of Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project with 1200 MW capacity has been
developed by Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company Limited (MPPGCL) at an
expense of 7820 crore rupees
8. UST Global launched Women’s Safety App iSafe for Thiruvananthapuram City
Police
UST Global has launched women safety App iSafe. It is a mobile-based app for women’s
safety. The app was launched ahead of the International Women’s Day on 8 March.
Through the app, women will be able to send instant alerts to the police control room by
using the panic button or just by the long press of volume rocker (down) key of their
mobile phones. The police control room receives the alert along with information of the
location.
9. Aapki Beti Humari Beti scheme launched in Haryana
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched a scheme for girl child - Aapki Beti
Humari Beti. The scheme was launched with an aim to combat the problem of declining
child sex ratio in the state.
Key Characteristics of the Scheme
Under the scheme, the first girl child born on or after 22 January 2015 in Schedule
Caste (SC) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families will be eligible to receive 21000
rupees.
The second girl child born on or after 22 January 2015 of all families will also receive
the same amount.
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Families where twin girls or multiple girls are born will also get 21000 rupees per girl
child.
The Scheme will be implemented in both rural and urban areas of the state covering
first-born girl child of SC and BPL families all second girl child born on or after 22
January 2015 of all families.
10. First Kisan Call Centre of North-East opened in Agartala, Tripura
First Kisan Call Centre (KCC) of North-East was opened in Agartala, Tripura. KCC was
financed by the Tripura government. It will be run by a private enterprise with experts of
agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry.
The Kisan Call Centre will give immediate solution and real time advisory to farmers if they
need expert consultation regarding seed procurement, agro-metric, fertilizer, soil health,
pesticides usage and marketing of the produces.
11. Maharashtra government started helpline for distressed adolescents
The State Government of Maharashtra started a helpline 18002332688 to address the
social, physical and psychological issues faced by adolescents.
This helpline has been set up under the aegis of National Adolescent Health Programme
(Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram) which was launched on 7 January 2014 as a part
of the National Health Mission.
12. Karnataka clinched eighth Ranji title of cricket
Defending champions Karnataka won their eighth Ranji Trophy title of cricket. In the title
clash played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an
innings and 217 runs.
13. Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers launched Pharma Jan Samadhan
scheme
The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Ananth launched the Pharma Jan
Samadhan scheme. It is a web enabled system for redressal of consumers’ grievances
relating to pricing and availability of medicines.
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The system was created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The
ministry also released Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential Medicines 2015 prepared
by NPPA.
Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme
The Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme will put in place a speedy and effective complaint
redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of medicines.
It will serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests
through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013.
It will provide consumers with an on-line facility to redress their complaints relating
to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability or shortage of medicines, sale of new
medicines without prior price approval of NPPA, and refusal of supply for sale of any
medicine without good and sufficient reason.
Once the complaint is redressed, NPPA will initiate action on the complaint within 48
hrs of its receipt.
14. Ashu Suyash appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
CRISIL
Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) appoint Ashu Suyash as the
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
Her appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
She will succeed Roopa Kudva and will take charge from June 2015.
15. Supreme Court quashed the Union Government’s decision to include Jats in
the Central OBC list
The Supreme Court of India (SC) quashed the Union Government’s decision to include
Jats in the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.
The SC declared the Union government’s decision as null and void because of the following
reasons:
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in its report had rejected the
Union government’s request for recommending inclusion of Jat community in the
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central list of backward classes because they do not form socio-economic backward
class. However, the Union Government overlooked the commission’s
recommendation and issued a notification on 4 March 2015 including Jats in the
Central OBC list.
As per the Mandal Commission’s recommendation though Caste is a prominent factor
it cannot be the sole factor of determining the backwardness of a class.
Inclusion of politically organised castes like the Jats in OBC list is not good for other
backward classes.
16. HDFC Bank launched mobile app Chillr to instantly transfer money to any
person in India
HDFC Bank launched a mobile application Chillr that allows customers to instantly
transfer money to any person in India. Chillr is a first-of-its kind application that is linked
directly to customers’ bank accounts and is exclusively for customers of HDFC Bank.
17. Air-to-Air missile Astra successfully test fired from ITR Chandipur in Odisha
Indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was
successfully test fired at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in Odisha . It was
test-fired aboard a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
The present test was a part of the series of tests planned to test the missile’s subsystems
like propulsion, navigation and guidance and the smooth separation of the missile from the
aircraft, etc.
18. Union Ministry of Environment to launch National Air Quality Index
The National Air Quality Index is a simple, composite, and easy to understand measure of
air quality.
The index will measure the eight major pollutants that impact health - particulate matter