16th February 2016 Current Affairs
India won three-match T-20 series against Sri Lanka, 2-1
India made 84 runs for the loss of one wicket in 13.5 overs. Shikhar Dhawan 46 and Ajinkya Rahane 22 remained not out.
Indian women football team defeated Nepal to bag gold at SAG
On the other hand, the match brought to an end India's top women's footballer Bembem Devi's international career.
Jauna Murmu, Ranjit Nayak included in Target Olympic Podium Scheme
The TOP Scheme under the NSDF was formulated with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Dominic Thiem defeated Nicolas Almagro to win ATP Argentina Open
Thiem reached the final after beating former No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
15th February 2016 Current Affairs
What, Why & How of India’s gravitational wave observatory initiative IndIGO
The article answers basic questions related to IndIGO initiative and LIGO-India project that came into news recently as international physicists announced detection of gravitational waves for the first time since their prediction by Albert Einstein in 1916.
Film on conservation efforts by Nagaland villagers won Golden Beaver Award
The film also received the technical excellence award for best sound design at the festival, organized by Vigyan Prasar of the Department of Science and Technology.
7th India, Seychelles joint military exercise LAMITYE 2016 began in Seychelles
Lamitye, which means friendship in Creole dialect, will be conducted with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the two countries.
Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis won 2016 St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy
For the duo, the victory in the final was consequent 40 match win. Also, the title was the fourth in the 2016 season and the 13th overall.
Ashok Chawla appointed as Chairman of TERI
On the other hand, the Council also announced that Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, who had been Head of the Institute since 1982 will be on leave from TERI, TERI Governing Council, and TERI University.
President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Infosys Prize 2015
The awards were received by Prof Umesh Waghmare, Prof Jonardon Ganeri, Dr Amit Sharma, Prof Mahan Mj, Prof G Ravindra Kumar and Dr Srinath Raghavan.
West Indies won maiden ICC U19 Cricket World Cup
West Indies’ Keacy Carty grabbed the Man of the Match while Mehidy Hasan Miraz from Bangladesh was declared the Player of the Tournament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Make in India Week in Mumbai
The week was launched with the theme design, innovation and sustainability in order to showcase India's manufacturing sector potential in the coming decade.
69th British Academy Film Awards announced
Wilderness drama The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, won the Best Film Award. Brooklyn was named the Outstanding British Film.
Jnanpith Award-winning poet O N V Kurup died
Popularly known as ONV, Kurup began his career as a progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology.
14th February 2016 Current Affairs
World Radio Day observed with theme Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster
To mark the occasion, a two-day annual international event Outreach International Radio Fair 2016 was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar.
1st Mega Food Park in Madhya Pradesh inaugurated at Panwa
It was set up by M/s Indus mega Food Part Pvt. Ltd at an estimated cost of 127.70 crore rupees in an area of 53.78 acres.
13th February 2016 Current Affairs
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India
He visited India on invitation of Narendra Modi who became the first Prime Minister to visit the UAE after a gap of 34 years in August 2015.
4th World Government Summit concluded in Dubai
The 2016 WGS was attended by 4500 participants from more than 130 countries to discuss challenges and opportunities before present and future governments worldwide.
BCCI banned Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf for 5 years for involvement in 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal
The disciplinary committee took this decision after Rauf was found guilty of charges in relation to the IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal of 2013.
Vilas Tonapi appointed as Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research
Tonapi earlier served as Head, Division of Seed Science and Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
12th February 2016 Current Affairs
India ranked 37 in USSC’s 2016 Intellectual Property Index
Out of the 38 economies surveyed, while the USA topped in terms of intellectual property protection, Venezuela was at the bottom of the index.
Karnataka Mobile One project won 2016 Best m-Government Service Award at World Government Summit
The project was selected for the award in the One Stop App category at the international level.
With this appointment, Davinder Singh, a citizen of Singapore, became one of three vice-chairs of the commission. Other two vice-chairs are François Vincke of Belgium and Iohann Le Frapper of France.
States can clampdown mobile internet access under Section 144 of CrPC: Supreme Court
The ruling was given in a petition filed against a Gujarat high court order that upheld a clampdown on mobile internet access under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code during the Patidar agitation.
UP Land Revenue Act, 2015 came into effect
The new revenue act also replaced the pre and post British era British era Land Revenue Act of 1901 and Zamindari Abolition and Land Reform Act 1950.
Four Indian-Americans elected to National Academy of Engineering of USA
Anil K Jain, Dr Arati Prabhakar, Ganesh Thakur and Dr K R Sridhar were elected as members for their outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education.
UAE named women ministers for happiness, tolerance
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum named eight women as he revealed his latest cabinet line-up of 29 ministers.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Composer Leslie Bassett died
Bassett won the Pulitzer for music for Variations for Orchestra, which premiered in Rome in 1963.
Book titled A Kingdom for his Love launched by Amar Chitra Katha
Kingdom for his Love is the second novel under ACK’s novel imprint 'ACK Stories Alive', its first book titled 'Counter Theft' in 2015.
Soviet football legend Anatoli Ilyin passed away
Ilyin was the scorer of the first ever UEFA European Championship qualifying goal and the strike that earned the Soviet Union Olympic gold in 1956.
Union Health Minister launched National Framework for Elimination of Malaria 2016-2030
The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030 outlines India’s strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030.
Wipro acquired US-based HealthPlan Services for 3150 crore rupees
The acquisition will help the country’s third largest software services firm strengthen its position in the U.S. health insurance market.
India, UAE signed nine agreements including renewable energy and finance
The two nations inked an agreement on technical cooperation in Cyber Space and in the area of Combating Cyber Crime.
11th February 2016 Current Affairs
Tamar Hahn of Israel took charge of Director of United Nations Information Centre in Buenos Aires
She was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Adele named IFPI Global Recording Artist of 2015
Of the top 10 artists featuring in IFPI’s 2015 global chart, Ed Sheeran took second place and Taylor Swift ended up on the third place.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company agreed to store crude oil in India's Strategic Storage
It will take half of the 1.5 million tonne (MT) Mangalore facility, that is, 0.75 MT (6 million barrels). ADNOC will use this facility as a warehouse for trading its oil.
Elephanta Island to get electricity from Independence Day 2016
The 'City of Caves', on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.
UNESCO Report on Fight against Discrimination and Racism in Football presented
The report was launched by UNESCO and Juventus in November 2015 to present measures to fight on racism and discrimination in international football.
Union Environment Ministry released Draft National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031)
Draft National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) prepared by the Committee under the chairmanship of JC Kala.
YES Bank partnered with Smartbox to help reduce delivery returns for e-commerce firms
With the association of YES Bank and Smartbox, COD will be handled as CSOD on the terminals, which will eventually reduce the burden of handling cash on the entire ecosystem.
HeyBiz tied up with Su-Kam Power
The tie-up will enable HeyBiz users to chat and discuss with Su-Kam Experts or local dealers and get insight on product details, prices and dealers' location throughout the country.
NATO, EU signed agreement on Cyber Defense Cooperation
The agreement between the two Brussels-based organizations will help them in countering the modern forms of hybrid warfare.
Assam CM Gogoi unveiled Vision Assam 2030
With the unveiling of the document, Assam became the first state to have a vision document on sustainable development goals.
Veteran director Aurobindo Mukherjee passed away
Mukherjee was the maker of cult Bengali classics like Agniswar, Mouchak and Nishi Padma in the early 1970s.
Marine Museum inaugrated at Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre in Digha
The newly constructed museum that is thrown open to the public contains Fish gallery, Coral gallery, and Molluscan gallery with more than 500 marine species display.
National Assembly of France voted for stripping of nationality for terrorists
National Assembly voted by 162 to 148 to incorporate a passport-stripping clause into the Constitution, despite misgivings by some lawmakers that it is too extreme.
MoEF notified Wild Boar as Vermin for a year in Uttarakhand
It will allow state authorities to carry out an extermination of wild pigs/boars on a large scale without attracting penal provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
10th February 2016 Current Affairs
CSO released Advance Estimates of National Income 2015-16
The growth in GDP during 2015-16 is estimated at 7.6 % as compared to the growth rate of 7.2 % in 2014- 15.
National Arogya Fair-2016 concluded at Dehradun
The themes were based on Immune system, Homeopathy in Women's disorders, Treatment in Ayurveda, Yog se Arogya and Non-Communicable Diseases management in Siddha System etc.
World’s largest concentrated solar plant opened in Morocco
The plant could produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018 and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 760000 tons per year.
CAEP has ensured that the full range of sizes and types of aircraft used in international aviation used in present times are covered while proposing the standards.
Quinton de Kock of South Africa became fastest cricketer to make 10 ODI centuries
With this, he broke the record of Virat Kohli of India who took 80 innings to reach as many centuries.
UN Secretary‑General launched One Humanity: Shared Responsibility report
The report was launched as part of World Humanitarian Summit scheduled to be held from 23 May – 24 May 2016 with the theme of One Humanity: Shared Responsibility.
The two countries had agreed to lay the Agartala-Akhaura rail-link during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010.
US Supreme Court stalled Obama’s Clean Power Plan
It formed the key element of the US pledge at UN climate negotiations held in Paris in December 2015.
Sikkim Government to construct Mini Sikkim for showcasing state’s diverse & rich culture
The Chief Minister also announced setting up of a memorial and museum exclusively dedicated to the Indian freedom fighters in West Sikkim district.
National Deworming Day observed on 10 February
The day is observed to combat parasitic worm infections among preschool (anganwadi) and school-age children.
RBI released PG Apte Working Group Report on Introduction of Interest Rate Options in India
The report was prepared by RBI committee chaired by Prof PG Apte.
Andhra Pradesh proposed to develop INS Viraat as Tourism Center
INS Viraat, the aircraft career that has had a service life of 56 years will be decommissioned in June 2016.
The action plan was unveiled on eve of Safer Internet Day designated by governments and technology firms to boost awareness on cybersecurity issues.
Hindu Marriage Bill 2015 approved in Pakistan
The bill will now be tabled in the National Assembly where it has fair chances of being passed as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is supporting it.
Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Justice Waghela, currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, has been asked to assume charge by 16 February 2016.
An Infantry battalion from Indian Army will represent the exercise while Nepalese Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite Shree RudraDhoj battalion.
Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East released
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has consciously and constantly focused efforts towards making hydrocarbons a tool to enable social and economic development. One such initiative has been the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East Region.
9th February 2016 Current Affairs
Prime Minister Shram Awards 2014 announced
These awards were set up by the union Government in 1985 to recognize the outstanding contributions of workers in both public and private sectors.
Union Government signed MoU with Chhattisgarh for development of railway infrastructure
The MoU envisages formation of a Joint Venture companies having 51 percent stakes of the respective State Government and 49 percent stakes of Union Ministry of Railways.
Royal Navy of UK to study India’s Operation Raahat
The Royal Navy wants to study Operation Raahat in all its details and understand the meticulous planning process that was followed.
New species of Hydroid Polyps emitting green fluorescence discovered in Red Sea
These hydroid polyps were found to be emitting light in the night in association with the gastropod Nassarius margaritifer along archipelago Farasan, south of the Red Sea.
DGCA signed grant agreement with USTDA for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase II
The phase II of the project is aimed at sustaining efforts undertaken during 2014 for restoration of IASA Category 1 status and bringing in more systemic improvements in the area of operation, airworthiness and licensing.
Bangladesh cancelled Sonadia Island Port Project with China
The island is seen as a potential deepwater port that could serve the landlocked parts of India, Myanmar and China.
Rajendra K Pachauri appointed as Executive Vice Chairman of TERI
The post of Executive Vice Chairman has been recently created and Pachauri will be the first to hold the post.
Chettinad cotton saree won India Handloom tag
The Ministry authorised the Amarar Rajiv Gandhi Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, which produced the sarees, to use the brand and logo for marketing the product.
UNESCO Medals conferred for contributions to development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies
These are awarded each year by the Director-General of UNESCO to prominent scientists, public figures and organizations that contributed to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in the spirit of UNESCO’s priorities.
Brij Bhushan Singh appointed as President of South Asian Wrestling Federation
The House unanimously authorised Singh to appoint one joint secretary from India, a treasurer from Afghanistan and one executive member from each SAF countries.
New Zealand cricket team won Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
This win of the Black Caps can be termed as the best farewell gift for Brendon McCullum who retired from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after the match.
Storm Imogen lashed parts of Britain
The storm forced the environment agency to issue multiple flood warnings requiring immediate action for parts of the south west, south east and Wales.
Mukesh Ambani, Sam Pitroda elected members of US National Academy of Engineering
The membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education and making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.
International Fleet Review 2016 concluded in Visakhapatnam
Considered as country’s biggest military exercise, the IFR 2016 was aimed at assuring the country of the Indian Navy’s preparedness, high morale and discipline.
Joshna Chinappa clinched squash individual gold at the South Asian Games
Top seed Chinappa recovered from one set down to beat second seeded Wazir 10-12 11-7 11-9 11-7 at the R G Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati.
Former Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala died
Koirala was a key figure in adoption of Nepal's new constitution in September 2015 with overwhelming support in the Constitution Assembly.
New Zealand cricketer Brendon Barrie McCullum retired from One-Day Internationals
He played 260 ODIs and scored 6083 runs matches. They include 5 centuries and 31 half-centauries.
Noted Urdu poet Nida Fazli died
His most acclaimed shers include Duniya jise kehte hain jaadu kaa khilona hai, Mil jaaye to mitti hai, kho jaaye to sona hai.
8th February 2016 Current Affairs
North Korea launched Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite
The launch attracted wide spread criticism from the UN and other major powers including the western countries led by the USA.
TRAI issued Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016
This would disallow service providers to offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer.
First joint tactical exercise Sino-India Cooperation 2016 held in Chusul-Moldo area along LoAC
The exercise is part of the ongoing initiatives taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual Control.
Vishal Mehta appointed as President of International Grown Diamond Association
Mehta is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IIa Technologies, which grows diamonds at its state-of-the-art facility in Singapore.
Union Government launched 24x7 toll free Tourist Infoline in 12 International Languages
The languages handled by the contact centers include ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
France became first country in the world to ban supermarket food waste
The law came into being after a petition was launched by anti-poverty campaigners led by Councillor Arash Derambarsh.
NASA to launch its new rocket Space Launch System carrying 13 CubeSats in 2018
SLS’ first flight, referred to as Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), will provide the rare opportunity for these small experiments to reach deep space destinations.
National Air Quality Indices for 24 cities released by Central Pollution Control Board
Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Muzzaffarpur in Bihar topped the list and were coded as severe in terms of air pollution during January with AQI value of 409 points each.
The Revenant director Alejandro Gonzalez won Directors Guild of America award 2015
He has joined a select group of directors who have won the DGA trophy twice including Ang Lee, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, George Stevens, David Lean, Ron Howard and Joseph Mankiewicz.
Project Sunrise to improve HIV interventions among PWID in North-Eastern states launched
The project seeks to improve interventions against HIV/AIDS among people who inject drugs in 20 districts of eight north east States.
UNPA unveiled commemorative stamps to promote LGBT equality
The new stamps, which celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community, mark the first time the United Nations has issued stamps with this theme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Paradip Oil Refinery in Odisha
Built over a period of 16 years at a cost of 34555 crore rupees, the foundation stone for the Paradip Oil Refinery was laid by ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 24 May 2000.
Australia won three-match Women ODI series against India, 2-1
Skipper Mithali Raj led from the front with an 89-run knock to save the team from a whitewash.
First machine harvestable chickpea variety NbeG 47 released
The normal process of harvesting 2.25 tons of chickpea takes three days while the new variety will be harvested in just 75 minutes by the standard machinery.
ICC suspended Pakistan's leg-spinner Yasir Shah for doping offence
Yasir was suspended after he pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC's Anti-Doping Code that relates to the presence of a banned substance in a player's sample.
Sapna Devi won gold in women Wushu Taulu competition
The silver went to Susmita Tamang of Nepal and the bronze went to Pakistan's Nazia Parvaiz.
Noted cartoonist Sudhir Tailang died
Recently, he also launched a book of cartoons titled No, Prime Minister, with a set of cartoons on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
7th February 2016 Current Affairs
Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Rise of Digital India Exhibition in Colombo
Swaraj was on a two day visit to Sri Lanka to co-chair the 9th session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting along with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera.
Zimbabwe's President declared a state of disaster in rural parts of the country
This declaration of disaster will allow international donors to raise money quickly to provide food aid to the nation.
6th February 2016 Current Affairs
Labour Ministry signed agreements with organizations engaged in employment & career activities
Labour ministry signed the MoUs with Uber, Quikr, Monster, Tech Mahindra, Babajobs, India Staffing Federation, Buzzmatic Ventures and GoldFish.
NASA Astronaut Edgar Mitchell died
His death occurred on the eve of the 45th anniversary of his lunar landing, which took place on 5 February 1971.
12th South Asian Games inaugurated in Guwahati
PM Narendra Modi said that Teamwork, Togetherness and Talent are the hallmark of the Games.
Mahindra AMC received SEBI nod for Mutual Fund business
Mahnidra AMC received licence from SEBI to manage the Mahindra Mutual Fund.
Union Government to set up National Organic Farming Research Institute in Sikkim
The setting up of the institute is of primary importance for Sikkim as it was declared as the first organic farming State in the country in January 2016 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
5th February 2016 Current Affairs
Vice President Hamid Ansari concluded his two-nation tour to Thailand and Brunei
During his visit to Thailand, India confirmed its participation in the Cobra Gold 2016 multilateral amphibious military exercise.
Prime Minister dedicated Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited to Nation
The Brahamputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd was conceived as part of the Assam peace accord signed during the tenure of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Union Government approved Heritage development projects for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Amaravati and Warangal are among the 12 cities included in the Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) for improving the social, cultural and economic ecosystems.
Reliance Infra signed Agreement with Birla Corp to sell its Cement Plant
While RInfra is an entity of the Anil Ambani-headed Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Birla Corp is the flagship Company of the M P Birla Group.
Tea Board issued Version 5.0 of Plant Protection Code expanding list of Pesticides for use
The two new additions in the list are Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG and Flubendiamide 20 WG. The addition became mandatory from 1 January 2015.
India ratified Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage
The instrument is an important multilateral treaty relating to liability and compensation for damage caused by a nuclear incident.
NASA’s New Horizons mission spotted floating hills on Pluto
As the nitrogen-dominated ice is dense than water ice, it is believed that newly found water ice hills are floating in a sea of frozen nitrogen and resembles icebergs in Earth’s Arctic Ocean.
ICC appointed Rahul Dravid as member of newly constituted Anti-Corruption Unit Oversight Group
The group will be headed by the Chairman of the ICC Executive Committee David Peever.
Supporting Syria & the Region Conference 2016 held in London
The conference was co-hosted by Germany, Kuwait, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United Nations and saw the participation of over 60 countries.
Odisha Government allowed tourists into certain tribal areas after three years ban
The ban was imposed after two Italian tourists were abducted in Kandhamal district by Maoists three years ago.
India signed agreement to become an Associate Member State of EMBO
After the signing of an agreement with Singapore by Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) in July 2015, India became second such country outside the European region.
US General John Nicholson named NATO commander in Afghanistan
Nicholson who is currently the US Army commander of NATO land forces, would replace Gen John Campbell, who has been leading the Afghan operations for nearly 18 months.
Geetu Mohandas won Global Filmmaking award 2016 for script of Insha Allah
She won the award for her wonderful narration about an 11 year old boy, Mullakoya who sets off on a treacherous journey from the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea to Indian mainland in search of his missing older brother and tired of living in the shadow of the colorful, magical-realist folklore.
4th February 2016 Current Affairs
10-years of MGNREGA: The way forward
Touted as one of the largest employment generation programmes in the modern world history, it made the right to employment as a legal right in independent India.