The Hindu and The Times of India Latest News for Current Affairs

The Hindu

• We’ve excellent ties with Bihar police: R.R. Patil
• Week-long reprieve for city’s favourite arches
• "Unknown" public servants allegedly connived with accused companies for pecuniary gains
• Read on your tablet
• CBI registers five cases in Coalgate
• Rehabilitation plan for Vrindavan widows
• Days after rains, school remains under water
• The answer is lying in a pool of water
• Facing public ire, Karnataka MLAs call off jaunt

The Times of India

• ET: Govt worried over Sahara Credit Society monitoring
• Smoking scenes in films get Centre nod
• BSF maps vulnerable spots along border with Pak, Bangladesh
• Kingfisher doubled CEO’s FY12 pay to Rs 4 crore
• Karnataka CM cuts short netas' junket abroad
• ‘Disappointed’ Jairam seeks audience with Chidambaram
• Sri Lankan Tamil issue: Vying for political points, Tamil Nadu parties silent on attacks
• Uddhav seeks to go one up on Raj Thackeray, seeks permits for Biharis
• Pak troops fire at J&K post in bid to push in militants

Current Affairs March 2012 Quiz Questions

1. The fifth edition of the World Future Energy Summit was held recently in—

(A) Abu Dhabi

(B) New Delhi

(C) Tehran

(D) Dhaka

2. Planning Commission of India on January 18, 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related—

(A) Tripura   

(B) Assam

(C) Manipur 

(D) Sikkim

3. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry on January 24, 2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Identify the company—

(A) Reliance Industries

(B) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

(C) Hero Motors

(D) Infosys

4. Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called—

(A) Meg 1     

(B) Meg 2

(C) Meg 3    

(D) Meg 4

5. Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species ?

(A) Moniligaster ivaniosi

(B) Annelida

(C) Nematoda

(D) Onychophora

6. Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements:

1. When the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm.

2. The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.

Choose the right option :

(A) Both 1 and 2 are correct

(B) Only 1 is correct

(C) Only 2 is correct

(D) Neither 1 not 2 is correct

7. According to the draft sports policy of this State Government released on January 11, 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the Founder-President of the State Sports Council is to be instituted. Which State is being referred to ?

(A) Karnataka

(B) Kerala

(C) Tamil Nadu

(D) Andhra Pradesh

8. Which team defeated Uttara-khand in the men's category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th Senior National Volleyball Championship at Raipur on January 11, 2012 ?

(A) Kerala

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(C) West Bengal

(D) Tamil Nadu

9. Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one sided final in the women's category at the 60th Senior National Volleyball Championship ?

(A) Punjab    

(B) Services

(C) Railways

(D) Delhi

Current Affairs 2012 May - 2012 April

Foreign direct investment FDI from Pakistan

Date : May 16, 2012

In an effort to enhance economic engagement and boost bilateral trade, India decides in principle to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan. Both the countries also agree to allow opening of bank branches in each other’s territory.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Date : May 16, 2012

The Supreme Court upholds by a majority verdict the constitutional validity of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.


Political solution to the Kashmir problem
Date : May 16, 2012

The Group of Interlocutors appointed by the Centre to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem recommends a “case-by-case review of all Central laws and Articles of the Indian Constitution extended to the State” since 1952. The report rules out a “simple return to pre-1953 situation”.

4G mobile services
Date : May 16, 2012

India’s first-ever 4G mobile services are launched by Bharti Airtel in Kolkata. Compared to 3G that allows download speed of up to 21 mbps, 4G allows speed of up to 100 mbps, which is almost five times higher than 3G.
India Industrial Growth
Date : Apr 12, 2012

Reports released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) show that India’s industrial growth surged to 6.8 percent in January 2012, rebounding strongly from a tepid 2.8 percent expansion posted a month earlier, i.e. in December 2011.
UGC reveals new plan to increase GER
Date : Apr 12, 2012

The University Grants Commission (UGC) reveals new 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).

Nuclear Safety Regulatory Bill 2011
Date : Apr 12, 2012

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment and Forests, which examined the “Nuclear Safety Regulatory Bill, 2011”, suggests the establishment of a Council of Nuclear Safety (CNS) to oversee and review the policies related to radiation/nuclear safety in the country.

Teesta water sharing treaty
Date : Mar 24, 2012

Bangladesh asks India to invoke the spirit of cooperation and friendship witnessed during its war of liberation in 1971 with respect to the stalled Teesta water-sharing treaty, in order to move forward on all other spheres of bilateral relations.

The India-European Union Annual Summit
Date : Mar 24, 2012

The India-European Union (EU) annual summit is held in New Delhi. The two sides make considerable progress on their Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). They also appoint ministerial-level monitors to push for the early finalisation of the agreement.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly election
Date : Mar 24, 2012

The second phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election witnesses 59 percent voting.

Election Commission of India announced the Date for 14th Vice-Presidential Election

The Election Commission of India on 3 July 2012 announced the date for the 14th Vice-Presidential Election. The term of Mohammed Hamid Ansari, the Vice-President of India, is expiring on 10 August 2012.

In accordance with the sub-section (1) of section (4) of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the Election Commission of India fixed the following programme for the Vice-Presidential election 2012.

India, China resolve to improve communication BRICS

India, China resolve to improve communication

India and China have resolved to improve communication with each other and identified West Asia, Central Asia and Africa as areas where they would hold regular dialogue.

With Russia, India touched on most subjects but refrained from addressing issues relating to Kudankulam III and IV units, although most issues have been sorted out.

This emerged during bilateral meetings Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev which are a staple fare during multilateral conferences such as the BRICS summit that concluded on 29.03.2012.

At a 60-minute meeting with Mr. Hu, Dr. Singh agreed that there must be stronger communication between both countries so as to remove suspicions about each other’s intentions.

In Central Asia, China has been spectacularly successful in its sourcing of hydrocarbons and India is also actively scouting for opportunities.

Prime Minister’s Statement at the BRICS Summit 2012

Indian Prime Minister’s Statement at the Plenary Session of the Fourth BRICS Summit, New Delhi, on March 29, 2012.

Your Excellency President Dilma Rousseff,

Your Excellency President Dmitry Medvedev,

Your Excellency President Hu Jintao,

Your Excellency President Jacob Zuma,

Distinguished delegates,

Let me once again welcome all of you to New Delhi. India is privileged to host the fourth BRICS Summit and assume the Chairmanship of the group.

The global situation facing us today presents a mixed picture. On the one hand, emerging market economies are growing at a healthy pace and increasing their share in global trade and output.

On the other hand, many obstacles have to be overcome if we are to sustain rapid growth in the years ahead. We are all affected by the global economic slowdown, the volatility in food and energy prices, the challenge of reconciling growth with environmental objectives, the political uncertainty in West Asia and the rise of terrorism and extremism. Our responses to these challenges may be different, but there is much common interest that binds us together.

BRICS 2012

BRICS is an international political organisation of leading emerging economies, arising out of the inclusion of South Africa into the BRIC group in 2010. As of 2012, its five members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. With the possible exception of Russia, the BRICS members are all developing or newly industrialised countries, but they are distinguished by their large economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs. As of 2012, the five BRICS countries represent almost half of the world’s population, with a combined nominal GDP of US$13.6 trillion, and an estimated US$4 trillion in combined foreign reserves.

President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao has claimed BRICS countries are defenders and promoters of developing countries and a force for world peace.

The four BRIC countries met in Yekaterinburg for their first official summit on 16 June 2009, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,Dmitry Medvedev, Manmohan Singh, and Hu Jintao, the respective leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, all attending. The summit’s focus was on means of improving the global economic situation and reforming financial institutions, and discussed how the four countries could better co-operate in the future. There was further discussion of ways that developing countries, such as the BRIC members, could become more involved in global affairs.

Union Government’s Deficit In April-Dec Period of 2011 stood at At 92% of FY12 Estimate

Data released by the Controller General of Accounts on 31 January 2012 showed that the deficit situation in December 2011 was the highest since December 2008 when it stood at 163.8% of the fullyear target due to the fiscal stimulus provided by the government to boost the economy.

The deficit between April and December 2011 at Rs 3.81 lakh crore reached 92.3% of the 2011-12 estimate. It stood at 44.9% of the 2010-11 target in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

UN-DESA Data revealed Higher Female Infant Mortality Rate in India

 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) data for 150 countries over 40 years showed that India and China are the only two countries in the world where female infant mortality is higher than male infant mortality in the 2000s.

India was found to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a baby girl. The data revealed that an Indian girl child aged 1-5 years is 75% more likely to die than an Indian boy, making this the worst gender differential in child mortality for any country in the world.

Sheela Gowda of India shortlisted for UK’s Biggest Contemporary Art Prize, Artes Mundi

Bangalore artist Sheela Gowda, who uses unconventional materials like cow dung, ash and hair to make sculptures was shortlisted for UK’s biggest contemporary art prize, the 40000 pounds Artes Mundi.  Gowda is among seven artists chosen from over 750 nominations from around 90 countries.

Gowda started as a painter, but began making sculpture in response to events like Bombay riots and inequalities in India’s growth story. One of Gowda’s most well-known works is an ash sculpture titled Collateral which was made by burning incense on mesh frames to produce a landscape that looks ravaged by war. A piece she created for the 2009 Venice Biennale was made with hair collected from Tirupati.

Committed Nehruvite & One of the Doyens of Indian Diplomacy, Ambassador A K Damodaran died

Freedom fighter and one of the doyens of Indian diplomacy, Ambassador A K Damodaran passed away in New Delhi on 31 January 2012. Born in Tripunithura, Kerala in 1921, Damodaran was an IFS officer of the 1953 batch.

Damodaran had joined the foreign service in 1953 after playing an active role in the freedom struggle and a brief two-year stint at the Delhi University where he taught English. He practiced the diplomacy of realpolitik without surrendering national interests in the immediate years after Independence and was one of the last surviving diplomats of the Nehruvian era.

Union Government revised Economic Growth Rate for 2010-2011 Financial Year to 8.4 percent

The Union government on 31 January 2012 revised the economic growth rate for 2010-2011 financial year to 8.4 percent in comparison to the previous estimate of 8.5 percent. The Indian economy grew 8.4% in 2010-11, lower than the previous estimate of 8.5%, on the back of strong farm sector and services sector growth. The Indian economy, Asia’s third-largest slowed in recent quarters due to the impact of the global slowdown, high inflation and high interest rates. Policymakers estimated growth in 2011-12 to be close to 7%.

8.4% expansion in the gross domestic product (GDP) during 2010-11 was achieved due to high growth in transport, storage and communication (14.7%), financing, insurance, real estate and business services (10.4%), trade, hotels and restaurants (9%) and construction (8%).

Committee headed by Justice Dharmadhikari submitted Report on Air India Merger

Four-member committee on integration of thousands of employees after the merger of two State-owned carriers — Air India and Indian Airlines submitted his report to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh on 31 January 2012. The committee was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice D. M. Dharmadhikari.

The Committee also included Prof Ravindra H Dholakia of IIM Ahmedabad, Rajeshwar Dayal, expert on public sector employees’ service matters and senior Civil Aviation Ministry official Syed Nasir Ali, as its members.

The Committee tried to bring the wage structure of the merged organisation strictly under legal parameters, so that it conformed with the guidelines of the Department of Public Enterprises, which caters to other public sector undertakings.

Supreme Court set aside the Delhi High Court Order on sanction of Prosecution in 2G Case

 The Supreme Court on 31 January 2012 set aside the Delhi High Court order refusing to pass any direction to the Prime Minister for taking a decision on sanction of prosecution in 2G case. The Supreme Court held that filing of a complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act is a constitutional right of a citizen. It said the competent authority should take a decision on giving the sanction within a time frame. In a case filed by Janata Party Chief Subramanian Swamy, seeking a direction to the Prime Minister for sanction to prosecute the then Telecom Minister A Raja, the two judge bench of the Apex Court held that if the sanction is not given within four months it would deem to have been granted. The bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly held that Swamy had the locus standi to seek sanction for Raja's prosecution. The court, however, said, it was not declaring as ultra vires, the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Bollywood Actor Abhishek Bachchan received a Green Globe Award from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan received a Green Globe for Outstanding Efforts by a Celebrity for his efforts toward a greener future at the fourth edition of the Panasonic Green Globe Foundation Awards on 2 february 2012. He received the award from Hollywood actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Supreme Court set aside the Delhi High Court Order on sanction of Prosecution in 2G Case CURRENT AFFAIRS IV

The Supreme Court on 31 January 2012 set aside the Delhi High Court order refusing to pass any direction to the Prime Minister for taking a decision on sanction of prosecution in 2G case. The Supreme Court held that filing of a complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act is a constitutional right of a citizen. It said the competent authority should take a decision on giving the sanction within a time frame. In a case filed by Janata Party Chief Subramanian Swamy, seeking a direction to the Prime Minister for sanction to prosecute the then Telecom Minister A Raja, the two judge bench of the Apex Court held that if the sanction is not given within four months it would deem to have been granted. The bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly held that Swamy had the locus standi to seek sanction for Raja's prosecution. The court, however, said, it was not declaring as ultra vires, the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Union Government set up a National Council for Senior Citizens - CURRENT AFFAIRS III

The Union Government of India on 1 February 2012 gave the approval for setting up a National Council for Senior Citizens. It will be headed by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. It will advice the Central and State Governments on issues related to welfare of senior citizens. The Council will suggest special policies and programmes for the physical and financial security of the senior citizens in the country.

 The Council will comprise of 20 members including the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment along with the oldest members from both the Houses of Parliament and distinguished personalities from different fields.

National Infant Mortality Rate Reduced Further to Forty-Seven Infant Deaths per 1000 Live Births - CURRENT AFFAIRS II

As per the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin, December 2011 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), it is noted that  Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped further by  3 points from 50 to 47 infants deaths per 1000 live births during 2010.  The IMR for rural areas has dropped by 4 points from 55 to 51 infant deaths per 1000 live births while the Urban rate now stands at 31 from the previous 34/1000.   

 
 State of Goa still has the lowest IMR of 10 infant deaths followed by Kerala with 13 infant deaths per 1000 live births (as against 12/1000 in January 2011 figures) – the Urban IMR in Kerala has however reduced to 10 against 11 of previous figures.  Madhya Pradesh has the highest IMR of 62/1000 followed by UP and Odisha with 61/1000 IMR. States/UTs of Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Meghalaya still have IMRs more than the national average of 47. Copy of December 2011 SRS bulletin is attached.   

Union Government to Operationalise the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) from 1 March 2012 - CURRENT AFFAIRS I

The Union government decided to operationalise the ambitious National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) from 1 March 2012. A pet project of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, the NCTC got approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in January 2012.

The operations division of the counter-terrorism body were powers to arrest and carry out searches under Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The NCTC is to be located in the Intelligence Bureau and headed by a Director who will be an officer in the rank of Additional Director, IB. It will have three units — gathering intelligence, analysis of intelligence and carrying out operations. Each of these divisions will be headed by a joint director of the IB.

Powers of NCTC