Gist of current affairs from August 2013 Megazines.

Gist of current affairs from August 2013 Megazines. 

• S.K.Roy new Chairman of LIC  to replace Shri T.S.Vijayan , who will be new IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and development Authority) Chairman in place of  J. Harinarayan.
• Hasan Rouhani , new president of Iran .
• Mallikarjun Kharge became Union minister of Railways. Prior to this he was Minister of Labour and Employment. Besides him 4 cabinet level and 4 state level minister also inducted . Sisram Ola (Labour and Emp), Oscar Fernandes (Road transport and highways), Girija vyas (Housing and Urban poverty) Dr. S.K.Rao (Textiles)
• New CAG – ShashiKant Sharma , Comptroller and auditor general of India, succeeded Vinod Rai.
• Indian Bank Association , re elected Shri K.R.Kamath as chairman for 2013-14.

·                    Indian Banks' Association (IBA), formed on 26 September, 1946 as a representative body of management of banks operating in India ,based in Mumbai.[1] With an initial membership representing 22 banks in India in 1946, IBA currently represents 173 banking companies operating in India. IBA was formed for development, coordination and strengthening of Indian banking, and to assist the member banks in various ways including implementation of new systems and adoption of standards among the members.

• Pakistan new prime minister – Nawaz Sharif
• Palestine new PM – Rami Hamadallah.
• Man Booker international prize for won by American writer Lydia Davis.
• Singer Hariharan awarded Lata Mangeshkar samman in indore . Award instituted by MP Govt.
• G-8 summit in Geneva (17-18 June) supported peaceful settlement of Syria conflict.
• Bashar –al- asad  is president of Syria , Capital- Damascus, Currency- Syrian pound.
• Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south and Israel to the southwest.
• World population prospects report released by UN predicts India to be most populous nation by 2028.
• India offers $150 million loan to Myanmar for Special Economic Zone development.
• Myanmar  - President U. Thein Sein, capital Nay Pay Taw , currency Kyat.

·                    India's Look East policy represents its efforts to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia in order to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People's Republic of China. Initiated in 1991, marked a strategic shift in India’s perspective of the world. It was developed and enacted during the government of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and rigorously pursued by the successive administrations of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.[1][2][3][4][5]

• President of Afganistan Hamid karzai visits India. Gets honorary doctorate from lovely professional university , Phagwara , Punjab. India is constructing Salma dam  and new parliament bulding in Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan capital Kabul, Currency – Afgani
• India targets 80% literacy by 2017. Present literacy rate is 74%. Govt. is planning to implement it  through its  Saakshar Bharat programme (Operational in 372 districts covering nearly 1.5 lakh gram panchayat in 25 states) and panchayati raj institutions.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University set up in Bhopal..
• FDI in Telecom increased from 74 to 100%. Out of which 49% will be under Automatic route.
• Three Private banks Axis bank, HDFC bank and ICICI bank were penalized for violation of KYC norms and antimoney laundering  guidelines.
• Restriction on Cooperative banks, scheduled banks and NBFCs to grant loan against Gold coins.
• RBI relaxed time line for starting banking business  from one year to 18 months after getting license. New licensees will have to setup Non operative financial holding co. NOFHC and open its branches within 18 months.
• 160 years old Telegram services offered by BSNL discontinued permanently on 15 June 2013.
• Limit of Foreign investment in Govt. securities enhanced from $25 billion to 30 billion to attract more foreign exchange
• NSDA – National Skill Development Agency has been set up to meet the growing demand of skilled work force in both public and private sector. 12^th plan envisages 82 lakh skilled workforce to be create by 2017 and National policy on skill development aims at producing 500 million workforce by 2022. Existing three agencies like Prime minister’s council on skill development, NSD Coordination board and office of advisor to PM on skill development.
• Extension of RBSY- Rashtriya swasthya bima yojana.  Coverage extended to Rickshaw pullers, rag pickers, mine workers ,rickshaw drivers, sanitation workers , Street vendors,beedi workers, domestic workers , building and other construction workers, MGNREGA workers , who have completed  15days of work in the previous year. Scheme provides for health insurance cover for every BPL family of Rs. 30000/- per year. Center & states to contribute 75 and 25% respectively. Cashless facility is also available. Beneficiary has to contribute only 30/- per year, rest is given govt. Scheme started in 1 april 2008.
• China developed fastest computer. A survey of top 500 computers revealed that China’s Supercomputer Tianhe-2 is the fastest super computer of the world. .
• ICC Championship trophy. India defeated England in the finals of ODI Cricket tournament organized by International Cricket Council. Last India the trophy was jointly won by India and Srilanka.
• French Open tennis tournament . Rafael Nadal (spain)(First to win French title 8 times) beats David ferrer of Spain . Women’s single final won by serena Williams (America) against Mario sharapova (Russia).
• IPL-2013  year 6th, Mumbai Indian topped it for the first time defeating Chennai Super kings. So far Chennai held it twice while Rajasthan royals, deccan chargers and Kolkata knight riders won it once each.
• Sudirman cup  ,  Thirteenth World Badminton title  - 2013  won by China defeating South korea.
• England to host 2019 Cricket world cup tournament.
• Asian athletic championship held in Pune.
• Indian women Basketball team won gold in FIBA ASIA 3x3 basketball tournament 2013 in Doha, defeating Mongolia team.
• Amitav Ghosh ‘s latest novel in the race of Warwick prize “ River of Smoke”
• CTT Commodity transaction tax came into effect from 1^st July 2013.
• India signed USD 255 Million loan agreement with World bank for AIDS control programme.
• Confederation cup associated with Football.
• Financial sector legislative reforms commission FSLRC , Chairman – Shri B.N.Srikrishna recommended to reduce the number of regulators in financial services like commodity, stock market, pension and insurance. Suggested a Unified Financial Authority for all non-banking financial services.
• SBI to open 1200 branches in this fiscal year.
• Roshni  scheme for Naxal affected areas aims to skilling and placement of 50000 youth from 24 Naxal affected areas across 9 states.
• Union cabinet approved  Malayalam as the country’s 5Classical language  after Tamil, Sanskrit. Kannad and telugu.
• World bank urged to stop surveying and publishing of  Doing business index. The latest index ranked Singapore on top and gave china and India a rank of 91 and 132 respectively  . It is supposed to assess the legislative and regulatory environment’s impact on doing business in a specific country.
• European inventor award 2013 to India born Ajay Bhatt led team working at Intel USA for inventing USB Universal Serial Bus technology in computer.
• K. Srikanth , Badminton player , first Indian to win Thailand open .

Gist of current affairs from September 2013 Megazines.

                           Gist of current affairs from September 2013 Megazines. 

• Quatar’s Dahlan Jumman Al-Hamad elected new president of Asian athletics association defeating Suresh kalmadi of India.
• Dr. T.C.A Raghavan  next high commissioner of India to Pakistan.
• Hemant Soren sworn in as ninth Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
• NASSCOM , National Association of software companies gets new president R. Chandrashekhar.
• Sujata Singh is next Foreign Secretary of India in place of Ranjan Matthai.
• P sadashivam , new Chief Justice of India replacing Justice Altmas kabir.
• IIFA awards- Best film – Barfi , Best actor Ranbir kapoor, best Actress Vidhya balan (Kahani).
• Kerala chief minister gets UN public service award for his mass contact program .
• Vandana Gandhi first Indian woman to receive Dubai Govt.’s Emirates woman award for her ISO certified British Orchard Nursery Chain in middle east.
• Veteran actor Pran , winner of 2012 Dada sahib falke award , passed away.
• Douglas anglebart , inventor of computer mouse .
• The United Nations General assembly (193 member)constituted a new High Level Political Forum(HLPF) to replace the united nations commissions on Sustainable Development ( UNCSD). The decision is based on the recommendation of RIO+20’S outcome document of 2012 “UN conference on sustainable development , The future we want.” The forum will meet once in a year under the sponsorship of UNECOSOC  Economic and social council.
• Croatia joins European Union as 28^th member.
• European Union signed a deal for 7 year budget 2014-20.
• Iran agreed to take all oil payments from India in rupees, after US and western ban blocked all other payment routes.  Rupee transactions to Iran are routed through UCo Bank in  Kolkata , where Iranian oil companies have opened their accounts. India has not bought a single barrel of oil from Iran since April 2013 as insurance firms had refused to provide insurance cover to refiners processing Iranian oil.
• India Srilanka and Maldives sign tripartite maritime security pact. India was represented by our National security advisor Shri Shivshankar menon.
• Indian and Nepal agreed for making joint publicity of their tourist destinations and offering joint tour package to the tourists of other countries.
• India Albania signed double taxation avoidance agreement.
• MGPSY scheme for blue collar Indian workers in gulf. Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Surksha Yojana .a pension and life insurance scheme for Indian workers in Gulf Countries.
• Visit of Britain prime minister David Cameron to India on 30 june 2013. UK will assist in development of  Bangluru- Mumbai Economic Corridor.
• Kundanklam Nuclear power plant commenced operations on 13 th July. Presently it started producing 400 mw power. Full capacity 1000 MW. In joint collaboration with Russia.
• Airport authority of India will set up 51  low cost airports in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India.
• Bhiwani , mahendragarh (Hryana) and Bharatpur (Rajasthan) districts are included in NCR Delhi . National Capital Region.
• Govt. lauched National Cyber Security Policy 2013. aimed to protect information and build capabilities to prevent cyber attacks.
• Two new national universities decided to be setup  in Raibareli (UP). 1.) Indira Gandhi National university for Women. And  Rajeev Gandhi  National Aviation University. In 2006 the Kaw committee had recommended setting up of National Aviation University
• UNESCO (United nations education , scientific and cultural organization) grants  world heritage status to Six forts of Rajastahan  and mount fuji of japan  in its World heritage committee metting at Phnom penh in Cambodia.
• Rail link extended to Kashmir, Banihal (Jammu) to Qazigund (Kashmir) link inaugurated by Prime minister.
• Himachal Pradesh became first smoke free state of the country. It achieved 85.42 % compliance under section 4 of Cigarettes and other Tobacco products act (COTPA)2003. The state had increased state taxes on bidi and cigarettes from 11 and 18 to 22 and 36 % to discourage this habit.

• Rajasthan , Mukya mantri bijli bachat lamp yojana . Two CFL free to all village household  and Urban BPL families.

• Latest warship with guided missile technology  “ INS TRIKAND” was inducted in the Indian Navy. This one is the last of the 6 warships ordered from Russia . Earlier ones are Talwar, Trishul, Tabar, Teg, and Tarkash.

• Special Liquidity facility for Mutual Funds. RBI on 17 July 2013 opened additional liquidity facility of max 25000 crore to commercial banks to lend onwards to mutual funds, which are facing heavy redemption (withdrawals) due to liquidity tightening by RBI to control Rupee depreciation against dollar.

• SEBI act was amended for providing powers to the market regulator to crack down on Ponzi Scheme.

• What are Ponzi schemes - A fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

• RBI announced measures to control Rupee fall with tightening of liquidity and increasing the cost of funds . 1) Increased Marginal Standing facility rates and Bank Rates from 8.25 to 10.25. 2) Planned  a total sale of 12000 crore Govt. bonds. 3) The overall allocation of funds under the LAF will be limited to 1.0% of the Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) of the banking system, reckoned as Rs. 75,000 crore for this purpose.

• RBI tightens control on  foreign currency outflow  from India.

1) Overseas investment limit of companies under automatic route brought down from 400% of net worth to 100% of net worth. Investment beyond this ceiling will require RBI permission.

2) For individuals , limit under Liberalised remittance scheme is brought down from 200000 $ to 75000 $.

3) Foreign currency  inward deposits coming to Indian banks made exempt from CRR/SLR requirement.

3) Banks may offer higher interest rates to foreign currency deposits by one percent. It allowed banks to offer 400 basis point (4%) above LIBOR (London Inter bank offered rate) in place of 300 basis point ceiling earlier.

• RBI imposed fines (penalty) on 22 private and public sector banks including SBI for violating KYC norms and their alleged involvement in Money laundering practices , exposed by a private web site magazine Cobrapost in a sting operation.

• DGCA Director General of Civil Aviation office will be replaced with CAA Civil Aviation Authority.  It will have full operational and financial autonomy and will meet the standards set by  UN’s ICAO International civil aviation authority.

• District Rural Development Agency DRDA dissolved. These were setup as independent societies in 1980 to oversee implementation of  Rural Development ministry’s programs at district levels. V. Ramchandran committee recommended their dissolution.

• Natural gas prices to be increased (nearly doubled) from April 2014. Govt. approved this on the basis of   C. Rangarajan ‘s formula under whose chairmanship a committee was formed to recommend a  Gas pricing formula.

• India successfully launched its first navigational Satellite IRNSS-1A, Equivalent to US’s GPS system.

          FDI  allowed in various sectors in India : Updated up to Sept 2013 from Ministry’s website

SECTOR	TOTAL	AUTOMATIC	Govt. APPROVAL
Tea sector including tea plantations	100		100
Petroleum and natural gas refining	49	49
Exploration	100	100
Defence	26		26
Courier services	100	100
Telecom	100	49	Above 49
Single brand retail	100	49	Above 49
Multi brand retail	51		51
Asset Reconstruction company	100	49	Above 49
Commodity exchange	49	49
Credit information companies	74	74
Power Exchanges	49	49
Banking Private sector	74	49	Above 49
Public sector	20		20
NBFC	100	100
Pharmaceuticals Greenfield	100	100
Brownfield	100		100
E-Commerce activities	100	100
Cash and carry wholesale trading	100	100
Industrial parks	100	100
Aviation	49	49
Airport Greenfield	100	100
Brownfield	100	74	Above 74
Print media –newspaper magazine etc	26	26
DTH and Cable network	74	49	Above 49
FM Radio	26		26
Mining	100	100
FDI is prohibited in: (a)Lottery Business including Government /private lottery, online lotteries etc. (b)Gambling and Betting including casinos etc. (c)Chit funds (d)Nidhi company (e)Trading in Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) (f)Real Estate Business or Construction of Farm Houses (g)Manufacturing of Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes (h)Activities / sectors not open to private sector investmente. eg.Atomic Energy and Railway Transport (other than Mass Rapid Transport Systems)

• Wimbledon 2013

1)      Andy Murray (England) Defeated Novak Djokovic  to become first Briton in 77 years to win wimbledon . Fred perry was last britishman to win wimbledon in 1936.

2)      Marion Bartoli of France won women’s single category defeating Sabine Lisicki of Germany.

• Brazil won FIFA Confederation cup defeating SPAIN .
• India to host 2016 T-20 and 2023 World cup in cricket.

Gist of current affairs from November 2013 Megazines.

                  Gist of current affairs from November 2013 Megazines. 

• Australia’s new prime minister Tony Abott (Conservative party) sworn in on 18 sept. 2013, Defeating former PM Kevin Rudd (Labour party), who took over from Ms. Julia Gilard  early this year.
• Thomas batch (Germany)  elected ninth president of International Olympic Committee, who replaced Jacques Rogge (Belgium).
• Deepak Sadhu , first women Chief information commissioner in place of Satyanand Mishra.
• Nishi vasudev will be first woman chief of  any PSU - HPCL from Feb. 2014.
• Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development 2012 goes to Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  Earlier she had also shred Nobel peace prize with Tawakkul kamran of yemen republic.
• Malala Yusufzai was given international Children preace prize 2013.
• National Sports award includes 1) Rajeev Gandhi Khel ratna award 2) Arjun awards 3) Dronacharya award 4) Dhyanchand award 5) Tenzing norgay national adventure award 6) Rahtriya khel protsahan puruskar 7) Maulana Abdul kalam azad trophy.
• Nina Davulury- First Indian origin American to win Miss America award.
• Pandit Ragunath panigrahi ,  famous Classical singer and Music director from Orissa passes away.
• Bank of Beijing opened china’s first direct bank. Direct banking is kind of branch less banking , which provides all its products through internet, telephones and ATMs. By eliminating the costs associated with bank branches, direct banks can make significant savings which they may pass on to clients via higher interest rates or lower service charges. One of the world's first fully functional direct banks was First Direct, which launched in the United Kingdom on October 1, 1989. The initial success of internet banking services provided by traditional banks led to the development of internet-only banks or "virtual banks". Many such banks are functioning in US and  European countries.
• ASEAN defence ministers meet in Brunei on 29th august 2013. India is not a member of ASEAN. Association of South east asian  nations. Members Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN. Headquarter Indonesia Jakarta
• G-20 summit 2013 held in Russia on 5-6 sept. Next summit in Brisbane in Nov. 2014. There is no headquarter of this summit. Every year chair moves to one of its member countries. It was decided to create a common database on tax related information  of multinational companies, so that tax evasion can be controlled.
• DTAA Double taxation avoidance agreement signed between India and Latvia.
• India japan agreements – 1) Joint research initiatives in the field of Applied science. 2) cooperation in film and animation techniques 3) Currency SWAP agreement increased from 15 billion to 50 billion $ till Dec 2015. ( Signed during G-20 summit). Currency swap is an arrangement between two countries to accept each others currency  for trading goods and services. This relieves them of their dependencies on dollar as mediating currency and help stabilize their own currencies.
• Food security bill (not the ordinance, which had already been approved by the president and promulgated on 4^th July) now passed by Lok sabha(26 aug) and rajya sabha (2 sept) and finally signed by president on 10 sept.  For details refer news diary dated 4^th (July).      
• Govt. sanctioned 158 EMRS Eklavya model residential schools for tribal students . objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to ST students in remote areas.
• Ahinsa Messenger program  initiative of Ministry of women and child development to create awareness about  violence against women and to assist the victimized women in getting justice. Amhinsa messengers will be appointed across country . program will be implemented through all anganwadi Kendra, all panchayati raj institution , sabla girls and poorna shakti kendras. National mission for empowerment of women will train these Ahinsa messengers.
• India third largest internet user after china and US.
• Land acquisition , rehabilitation and resettlement bill 2011 Passed. HIGHLIGHTS     

1)      Minimum 70% of the landowners consent for PPP projects and 80 % for Private sector projects will be required for land acquisition.

2)      Compensation of around 4 times of market value in rural area and 2 times of the market value in Urban areas will be given to farmers/landowners.

3)      Several other benefits like land for employment and residential purpose apart from compensation.

4)      Wakf land will not be acquired.

5)      In case the land acquired is not utilized for the stated purpose within time frame , it would be returned to owner  or state land bank.

• Maharashtra has passed  Anti black magic and superstition bill after the murder of a social activist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune , who was fighting against superstitions and black magic practices.
• India’s first quarter GDP dropped to 4.4% April to June 2013 because of poor performance of manufacturing and mining sector. Last year in the same period it was 5.4% .
• First monetary policy review by Shri Raghuram rajan : repo rate increase by .25% to 7.5, MSF and Bank rate down by .75 % to 9.5% CRR-SLR remained unchanged , however daily maintenance limit of CRR was brought down from 99 to 95%
• RBI liberalized norms for banks to open new branches, Banks can open branches in tier 1 centre (population above one lacs) without obtaining permission from RBI , if 25% branches are correspondingly opened in tier 5 and 6 centres in a particular year. At the same time tier 1 branches number should not exceed total branches opened in tier 2 to 6 areas.
• TARC Tax Administration reform commission constituted on 26 august 2013 under the chairman ship of tax expert Parthsarathi Shome to review tax laws and suggest ways for a stable non adversarial tax administration. Seven member commission with a tenure of 18 months.
• Tata group signed pact with Singapore airlines  to form a new airline company in India. Tata 51% and SA 49% share.
• Microsoft to buy Nokia in 5.44 billion Euro.
• RBI introduced forex swap window to oil companies. Decided to meet entire daily dollar demand of  oil companies like IOC, BPCL, HPCL to reduce pressure on foreign exchange market . This will substantially support the falling rupee against dollar.
• RBI offered a concessional currency swap to banks for their FCNR foreign currency non resident deposits at  3% . Normally swaps available in open market charge around 7 % , which discourage the banks to take foreign currency deposits. This again is an step to boost inward flow of dollar in view of  falling rupee. This facility will remain available till 30 november 2013.
• Committee to revise and strengthen monetary policy framework by making it transparent and predictable ,under the chairmanship of Dr. Urjit Patel Dy. Governor.
• PFRDA BILL 2011 passed.  Highlights 1) 26% FDI allowed in pension fund management  2) PFRD Authority provided statutory status and powers. 3) The subscribers can choose fund manager as well as scheme packages to suit their needs. 4) Funds managers can partly  invest in shares if pension beneficiary approves the risk plan.
• Economic outlook 2013-14 . released by PMEAC Prime minister economic advisory council (Headed by C rangarajan) has lowered the growth forecase to 5.3% from 6.4 projected earlier.
• Jubin Mehta , western classical composer , awarded Tagore prize for cultural harmony. Last year it was Late Ravi shankar who got this award.
• RBI banned 0% interest financing schemes of banks .

Gist of Current affairs from October 2013 competitive megazines.

                                             Gist of  current affairs from October megazine

• RBI Governor is appointed for 3 year term. D subbarao term was extended for 2 more year thereby allowing him to serve for 5 years.
• Present RBI Governor  is 23^rd incumbent to this office. He was Chief Economic Advisor to Finance ministry before this appointment. He also served IMF as Chief Economist.
• Four Deputy Governors are Dr. Urjit Patel, K.C.Chakravorty, H.R.Khan and Anand Sinha. A deputy governor in RBI can be appointed for a maximum of 5 years or till the age of 62, which ever is earlier.
• Rajiv Rishi – appointed as Central Bank of India CMD for  years.
• Arundhati Bhattacharya, First Women MD & CFO of SBI. 
• Hasan Rohani – New President of Iran
• Robert Mugabe elected as president of Zimbabwe for seventh time since 1980 when Zimbabwe got its independence from Britain.
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel ratna puraskar  for 2013 to Ronjan Sodhi , sports shooting.
• Arjun puraskar 2013 to Virat kohli, P.V.Sindhu, Kavita chahal(boxing),Gaganjit Bhullar –Golf Rajkumari rathore –shooting and others.
• Saraswati samman 2013 for literature instituted by kk birla foundation
• APJ Abdul Kalam autobiography – My journey: transforming dreams into action.
• Russia granted asylum to Edward Snowden for one year.
• US vice president Joe Biden visited India in July 2013
• Registration of births and deaths (amemdment ) bill 2012 passed . makes it compulsory to register all marriages irrespective of religion.
• Company bill 2012 replaces 57 year old companies act 1956 . 2 % of profit of companies to be allotted to CSR activities. Clarifies criminal liability of auditors.
• NGT National Green tribunal banned illegal sand mining activities across India.
• Handwoven Pashmina shawls is spaciality of Kashmir.
• INS Sindhurakshak an strategic defence submarine vessel badly damaged in a fire incident.
• India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• RBI announced weekly sale of Government bonds/securites to absorb liquidity from the market to curb volatility in foreign exchange market.\
• India signed 100 million dollar agreement with world bank for low income housing project  to be managed by National Housing bank.
• Import duty on gold and jewellery raised to 15 %.
• Tax administration Reform Commission TARC set up to review tax administration and structure in India .
• Rajeev Gandhi grammen vidhutikaran yojana (RGGVY) continued in 12^th year plan . launched in april 2005  90% contributed by Central Government and 10% by REC, which is the nodal agency. To be implemented by state government. Aims are – electrifying all villages , electricity to all rural households, free connection to BPL families.
• SEBI’s deadline for meeting 25% public shareholding norm in private listed companies by jun 13  and 10 % for public sector undertaking by august 13 is over.
• Disinvestment of 10% in Indian Oil Corporation approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
• Interest subvention of 3% on crop loans continued by Central Govermnet.
• FDI in print media to increase from 26 to 49%
• Reliance General Insurance launched crop insurance schemes.
• P V Sindhu won bronze medal in world  Badminton championship 2013.
• 14^th World championship in athletics were held in Moscow, Russia from 10-18 August 2013. Russia topped the tally with 7 gold. Jamaica’s Ussain Bolt  became most successful athlete with eight gold and two silver in various world championships.
• India beats Zimbabwe 5-0 in cricket ODI series on foreign soil.
• Indian Badminton league . 14 aug to 31^st august 2013. No. of teams 6 , organizer Badminton association of India. Winner Hyderabad hotshot having Saina Nehwal on its side.
• Ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation proposed to launch National Urban Livelihoods mission  in 12^th plan period , which will replace Swarn Jayanti shahari Rojgar yojana.
• Bhartiya Mahila Bank – Announced in Budget speech of 2013-14 by FM shri Chidambaram. Initial seed capital 1000 crores,  First six branches proposed at Mumbai , Delhi, Kolkata , Chennai , Indore and Guwahati by  15 Oct. 2013 . 25 branches up to March 2014. HeadQuarter – Delhi. Chairman designate is Usha Anantsubramaniam. key objective of the Bank is focus on the banking needs of women and promote economic empowerment.
• Jet Etihad deal – 24% stake purchased by Etihad airlines.
• V.K.Shunglu committee to probe corruption charges in commonwealth games in India 2010.
• Tears you apart campaign is launched by Ministry of health and family welfare against the use of Tobacco , specially smokeless eatable forms of  it.
• Islamic banking norms approved by RBI . Kerala state was permitted to open Non Banking financial institution on the principles of Islamic finance. ( Interest giving and taking on funds is not allowed in Islam). Cheraman Financial Services Limited (CFSL) will be floated by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to function as a non-banking finance company (NBFC).
• RBI measures to control Gold imports. 1) Authorised Gold importers like banks and gold trading agencies to ensure that 20% of imported lot should be made available for export in the form of jwellery .  jewellery exports last year stood at around 70 tonnes. Authorised importers should sell their gold to only those entities , which are engaged in jewellery or other products. Govt has increased the import duty to 15% on gold and jewellery.
• Govt. to provide a internet enabled mobile to every person of rural area who has completed 100 work days in MGNREGA.
• Relaxation in Multibrand retail FDI norms. 1) 10 lacs population norms relaxed, stores can be opened in cities having population less than 10 lacs. 2) For local purchase of  stocks limit for small industries increased from 5 crore to 10 crore. 3) 50% backend infrastructure compulsion will be only for one time investment up to 100 m $, further investments will be free from this norm. 4) 30% local sourcing norms will continue.
• Tourism department new campaign 1) Clean India campaign at Tajmahal AGRA 2) Hunar se Rojgar tak , skill development program.
• Telangana with 10 district will be 29^th state of India subject to approval by parliament. Central cabinet cleared it.
• Ksheera Bhagya is scheme by Karnatak Govt. to provide school children 150 ml of milk three times a week.
• Kumar mangalam Birla resigned from board of directors of RBI  to avoid conflict of interest as Birla group has applied for opening a new bank.
• Amjad ali Khan famous sarod player chosen for Rajiv Gandhi national sadbhavana award.
• Sardar singh named as captain of hockey team India for asia cup 2013.
• First cricketer to hit 400 sixes in international cricket – shahid afridi.
• Aditya Mehta Indian snooker palyer won gold medal in the world games.
•