Current Affairs December 3 – 2015

Current Affairs occupy primary place in all competitive exams. No candidate can afford to take current affairs lightly in this era of stiff competition where lakhs of candidates appear for few number of posts. In order to get success in competitive exam, one needs to have excellent grip over the current affairs along with other subjects.

We therefore brings Daily Current Affairs, which are the Summary of the Current Affairs which we cover in our Current Affairs Magazine. You can read all these news in Detail in our Current Affairs Magazine.

Current Affairs Summary December 3, 2015

1. WOCKHARDT’S GETS GMP CERTIFICATE FROM UK REGULATOR

Drug firm Wockhardt, its Chikalthana plant at Aurangabad in Maharashtra has received a good manufacturing practice (GMP) certificate from the UK health regulator post-inspection. United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UKMHRA) had completed inspection of its Chikalthana plant without issuing any critical observations on the facility.

2. NEW YORK ADOPTS FIRST US MENU SALT WARNINGS

New York became the first US city to adopt salt warnings on restaurant menus for food containing more than the daily recommended limit, in a bid to fight heart disease. The law applies to chains with more than 15 restaurants across the country and enforces a salt shaker icon next to items that contain 2.3 grams or more of sodium – about a teaspoon’s worth.

3. NEW INITIATIVE TO CUT EMISSIONS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS

Four European countries – Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland – have announced a USD 500 million initiative to find new ways to create incentives aimed at large scale cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries including India to combat climate change. The World Bank Group worked with the countries to develop the initiative “Transformative Carbon Asset Facility”, which was launched yesterday at the COP21 climate summit.

4. INDIAN-AMERICAN APPOINTED ADVISOR TO ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN

An Indian-American techie Pranav Desai has been appointed as advisor to the ‘Accessible India’ campaign to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make transport, public spaces and information and communication technology accessible to differently-abled people.

5. ANDHRA PRADESH RELEASES WHITE PAPER ON IRRIGATION

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister released a white paper on irrigation. According to it, the linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers was complete; all the 40 major and minor rivers in the state would be linked to create a “smart water grid”, the government would also provide mobile sprinklers to farmers free, which would draw water from the farm ponds.

6. BASIC CALLS FOR ROADMAP ON CLIMATE FINANCING BY RICH NATIONS

The group of BASIC countries, including India, called on the developed world to define a clear roadmap for providing USD 100 billion by 2020 to developing nations to tackle climate change.

7. SWACHH DELHI ABHIYAN EXTENDED BY 10 DAYS

Delhi Government has extended the ‘Swachh Delhi Abhiyan’ launched on November 22 for 10 more days and has directed the municipal corporations and the Public Works Department to intensify the campaign. The 10 day campaign had concluded officially on November 30 but it has been extended in view of the continuing complaints of garbage and debris received on the Swachh Delhi app.

8. DELHI ASSEMBLY PASSES 3 EDUCATION BILLS

Three bills, aimed at reining in private schools, doing away with screening process in nursery admissions and scrapping of no detention policy till class 8 besides bringing in overall systemic reforms in education sector, were passed by Delhi Assembly. The Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill (DSEAA) and the Delhi School (Verification of Accounts and Refund of Excess Fee) Bill stipulate hefty fine and imprisonment for violators of various provisions. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Delhi Amendment) Bill seeks to do away with the no-detention policy till Class VIII by amending relevant sections of the Right to Education Act, which the government argues, were “prohibiting” quality education in schools.

9. MARK ZUCKERBERG GIVE 99 PERCENT OF SHARES TO FOUNDATION

Mark Zuckerberg’s pledge to give away most of his Facebook shares, a roughly $45 billion fortune, helps cement his role as one of Silicon Valley’s most generous donors. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, already donated $1.5 billion to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF).

10. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN IS 12TH MAN IN ICC TEST TEAM OF THE YEAR

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s brilliant performance with the ball has won him the 12th men’s spot in ICC’s Test Team of the Year, 2015. Ashwin has been in brilliant form for India and has been central to ending South Africa’s nine-year-old unbeaten streak in Tests overseas. Mohammed Shami, recovering from injury, has made the playing XI of the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

11. INDIA – US PACT ON SHARING TERRORIST INFORMATION

India and the US have decided to sign an agreement to expand intelligence sharing and information on terrorist watch-list, amid rising concern by both countries over spread of terror networks. A joint declaration on combating terrorism was issued at the first India-US Strategic and Commercial Ministerial Dialogue in Washington.

12. NEW REFUND FACILITY FOR TRAIN TICKET CANCELLATION LAUNCHED

Indian railway stations will allow cancellation and refund of reserved tickets at an additional counter which was until now dispensing only unreserved tickets. In a bid to usher in passenger friendly measures, the railways ministry has decided to convert one Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) counter, where only unreserved tickets are sold, into a UTS cum Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter, where only reserved tickets are sold.

13. TAMIL NADU CAN’T FREE KILLERS WITHOUT CONSULTING CENTRE: SUPREME COURT

Tamil Nadu cannot free Rajiv Gandhi’s killers without consulting the Centre, the Supreme Court said today. A Constitutional bench said that the Tamil Nadu government has no power to release the convicts on its own as the case was investigated by the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation.

14. FOREIGN INVESTMENT UP BY 13%

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country grew by 13 per cent to $16.63 billion during the April-September period of the current fiscal. The foreign investment was $14.69 billion during April-September 2014, according to the latest figures of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

15. TATA SIGNS UP CHINA’S ICBC FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

Tata Sons Ltd, the holding company of India’s salt-to-software Tata conglomerate had signed up Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd (ICBC) to provide it with a host of banking services. Under the alliance, ICBC will provide the Tata group with financing products, global cash management and other global financial services.

16. GUJARAT LABOUR REFORMS BILL GETS PRESIDENT NOD

The President gave his assent to the The Labour Laws (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2015 which provides for “compounding of offenses” wherein industrial employee(s) can arrive at a compromise with the employer without moving court. The Bill proposes a total of 14 amendments to various labour laws.

17. CABINET GIVES EX POST FACTO NOD TO FDI REFORMS

The Cabinet, headed by PM Modi, approved the relaxation in FDI policy for 15 sectors including real estate, defence, civil aviation and news broadcasting. On November 10, PM Modi had approved a raft of reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence and drumming up FDI for faster growth. As part of the reform exercise, the government had allowed 100 per cent FDI in cable and direct-to-home TV operators, duty free shops and investment through automatic route in limited liability partnerships.

18. GOVERNMENT COLLECTS RS. 17 CRORE IN TAX AND PENALTY

The government has collected Rs. 16.69 crore as taxes and penalty till November 26 from those who have disclosed illegal wealth under the black money compliance window. The one-time window provided an opportunity to foreign assets holders to declare such assets, pay a total of 60 per cent tax and penalty and escape stringent provisions of the new black money law. The taxes and penalty have to be paid by December 31, 2015.

19. CABINET APPROVES 6 NEW IIT CAMPUSES

Six new campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Karnataka a meeting of the Union Cabinet. At present, there are 16 IITs in the country.

20. FDI IN INSURANCE JUMPS 152% IN MARCH-SEPTEMBER

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector more than doubled to $341.43 million during March-September this year. During March-September 2014, the sector had received FDI worth $135.30 million.

21. CABINET APPROVES SIGNING OF TAX PROTOCOL BETWEEN INDIA, JAPAN

The Union Cabinet approved signing of a protocol between India and Japan for amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in order to facilitate tax-related exchange of information. The DTAC was signed between the two countries in 1989 for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion through a protocol.

22. USTAD SABRI KHAN PASSES

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of eminent Sarangi player,Ustad Sabri Khan. Khan was an eminent Sarangi player, who popularized the instrument across the globe.

23. SETTING UP OF FIVE INDIAN INSTITUTES OF SCIENCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

The Union Cabinet has approved the revised cost estimates to the tune of Rs. 4,799 crore as against the originally approved cost of Rs,2,500 crore, for setting up of five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) at Kolkata, Pune, Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram.

24. INDIA AND IRAN AGREEMENT ON VISA FACILITATION

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the agreement between India and Iran on visa facilitation for Diplomatic, Official/Service and Ordinary passport holders.

25. MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND GERMANY FOR CAPITAL GOODS SECTOR

The Union Cabinet approved a MoU which has been signed between Indian and Germany, for implementation of Make in India campaign for Capital Goods Sector and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (Fraunhofer), Germany, a leading organisation of 65 institutes for applied industrial research in Europe.

26. MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND GERMANY FOR SOLAR ENERGY

Union Cabinet has approved a MoU which has been signed in October, 2015, between Indian and Germany, to expand bilateral development cooperation in the field of Solar Energy by increasing use of solar energy in India through technical as well as financial cooperation.

27. INTRODUCTION OF “REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY BILL, 2015”

Union Cabinet has given its approval for introduction of a Bill for establishment of a Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad. The objective of the Bill is to provide a legal status to the Centre so as to function independently as an autonomous body and also an Institution of National Importance for education, training and research in the areas of biotechnology. The Centre has already been established by an executive order of the Government of India in November, 2008 after the approval by the Union Cabinet.

28. CABINET APPROVES CHANGES IN NATIONAL RURAL LIVELIHOOD MISSION

Union Cabinet has given its approval for changes in the rural welfare programmes for a focussed and targeted intervention in poverty reduction, expanding the benefits of interest subvention under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to 100 more districts and flexibility in allocation to Himayat programme and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana for skilling and placing more youth from poorer sections.

29. MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND MALDIVES IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS

Union Cabinet has given its approval for a MoU between India and Maldives which was signed in October, 2015 in the field of sports and youth affairs. The bilateral exchange programmes will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the areas of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, participation in youth festivals and camps.

30. MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND ISRAEL IN THE FIELD OF WATER RESOURCES

Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a MoU between India and Israel in the field of water resources management and development cooperation. The bilateral cooperation will benefit both the countries in strengthening the techniques in efficient use of water, micro-irrigation, recycling/re-use of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge and in-situ water conservation techniques.

31. BARC CENTRE AND HOSPITAL IN PUNJAB

The Government has approved setting up of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCH&RC) at Mullanpur Village, Mohali district, Punjab and a Satellite Centre at Sangrur.

32. SOUTHERN COMMAND EXERCISE ‘DRAD SANKALP’

The Southern Command of the Army is undergoing a Command level exercise ‘Drad Sankalp’ in the deserts of Rajasthan, wherein capabilities of the Army in a Tri-Service environment are being practiced and validated on a Capability based approach, while relying on the adoption of new age technologies, transformed war fighting and integrated theatre battle concepts.

33. AGREEMENT ON BILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND BAHRAIN

The Union Minister of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired a delegation level meeting with Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain. After the meeting, an agreement on Cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organized crime and trafficking in illicit, drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals was signed between the two countries.

34. REHABILITATION PACKAGE OF THE BANGLADESHI ENCLAVES

The Union Cabinet has approved the rehabilitation package and upgradation of infrastructure of the Bangladeshi enclaves and Cooch Behar district after transfer of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. The total financial implication for implementation of various components is around Rs. 1005.99 crores. This includes Rs. 898.50 crores as the fixed cost of strengthening and creation of infrastructure in Cooch Behar district and Bangladesh enclaves in India. Besides, a variable cost of Rs. 107.49 crores is likely to be incurred for the rehabilitation.

35. CHINA TO CUT POWER SECTOR EMISSIONS BY 60 PCT

China will reduce emissions of major pollutants in the power sector by 60 percent by 2020, the cabinet announced, after world leaders met in Paris to address climate change. China will also reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power generation by 180 million tonnes by 2020.

36. NEW UN-BACKED PLAN SEEKS TO BOLSTER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

The new initiative was unveiled by the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the German Red Cross as the world negotiates a new climate deal in Paris, France. The new approach, called Food Security Climate Resilience Facility or FoodSECuRe, will help release funds for disaster preparedness and response before a crisis hits while providing the necessary support for resilience building activities.

37. CHENNAI TURNS ISLAND, ROAD, RAIL, AIR LINKS DISRUPTED

Chennai turned a virtual island and several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu were marooned by flood waters after unprecedented rains in 100 years pounded the city, its suburbs and neighbouring districts destroying crucial road and rail links, shutting the airport and rendering thousands homeless. Chennai received 47 cm of rains in the last 24 hours that flooded the city and the suburbs, uprooting people from their homes.

38. GMR CHAIRMAN RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

GMR Group Chairman, GM Rao, has received the lifetime achievement award during the sixth edition of the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) in Dubai.‬ He was offered the ‘ABLF Lifetime Achievement Award’.‬

39. ASSOCHAM SETS UP EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS IN AMSTERDAM

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (known as Assocham India) has officially opened its first Dutch branch in Amsterdam. According to Vikas Chaturvedi, the founder of Assocham Netherlands, the launch of Assocham’s European base in Amsterdam will give a substantial boost in business between India and Europe.

40. US FELLOWSHIP FOR ICRISAT SCIENTIST

Rajeev Varshney, a senior scientist with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has been conferred a Fellowship by Crop Science Society of America (CSSA).