May Month Refresher Dose:
1.Nagaland’s capital Kohima has been declared as a ‘smoke-free city’.
2.The Railway Ministry has decided to set up two new Directorates tasked with increasing the speed of trains and boosting non-fare revenues and advertisement.
3.Senior IPS officer (1982 batch) of Uttara khand cadre Surender Kumar Bhagat has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of Railways Protection Force (RPF).
4.The Election Commission of India has launched an innovative mobile application titled “e-voter” with comprehensive details about the coming assembly polls in Kerala.
5.Russia has successfully launched the first rocket from its newly built Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast, in Russian Far East region bordering China.
6.Indian Naval Ships (INS) Veer and Nipat were decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
7.Gujarat Government will issue an ordinance on 1st May to provide 10% reservation to economically backwards of higher caste.
8.China has developed the world’s first graphene electronic paper which will catapult the material to a new level.
9.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha dedicated to the people 100 piped water supply projects for rural areas and pledged to make piped water provision in all gram panchayats by 2017.
10.Garima Chaudhary has won gold medal (63-kg junior category)at the 2016 Commonwealth Judo Championship finals at Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
11.The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has entered into collaboration with German Government for a special programme on ‘Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security‘.
12.South India’s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
13.The Madhya Pradesh High Court has termed reservation in promotions in the state as unconstitutional. Ruling in this regard was given by HC division bench chaired by Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar on the petitions filed several employee associations and social organisations.
14.International Labour Day, known as May Day was celebrated on 1st May. The theme of International Labour Day of 2016 is "Celebrating the international labour movement".
15.The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has inked MoU with SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for mutual cooperation and collaboration.
16.The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State (IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
17.The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 came into force on 1 May 2016. In this regard, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) had notified 69 of the total 92 sections of the Act to bring it into force from 1 May 2016.
18.Ajay Mittal today took charge as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary. He succeeded Sunil Arora who retired on Saturday.
19.All four Southern languages – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia are now the classical languages of India.
20.h. Bandaru Dattatreya, the Union Minister for Labour & Employment (Independent Charge) launched a special Mission consolidation drive “One Employee-One EPF Account” for members of the EPFO.
21.Japan has pledged 750 billion yen ($7 billion) initiative to promote development in the Mekong region, which encompasses parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand through which the river flows.
22.An Indian-American journalist,Neela Banerjee, was felicitated with a prestigious with Edgar A. Poe award on 1 May 2016.
23.India and New Zealand today signed a deal that opens the door for direct flights between the two countries that could boost tourism and trade sectors.
24.India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by 1.350 billion US Dollars to touch a record high of 361.601 billion dollars in the week to 22nd April.
25.Veteran RSS leader and founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, BalrajMadhok passed away this morning.
26.Star Indian pugilist Vijender Singh recorded his 5th consecutive victory in Professional Boxing.The Telangana government is setting up a Spices Park in Nizamabad. The park will come up in Padigal in Nizamabad district with an outlay of 31 crore.
27.Star Indian opener Rohit Sharma today became the ‘Brand Ambassador’ of world famous watch brand Hublot becoming second renowned cricketer after former Australian captain Michael Clarke to be associated with the brand.
28.Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today performed the Bhoomi Puja for the Kaleshwaram project aimed at harnessing the Godavari river water through a series of barrages, reservoirs and lift irrigation schemes.
29.German Formula 1 Mercedes Driver Nico Rosberg won 2016 Russian Grand Prix. It is his fourth win in a row this season.
30.Asian Games discus throw gold medal winner Seema Punia (32- years) has qualified for the Rio Olympics with a 62.62 meters effort at the Pat Young’s Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas (California) in the United States.
31.Union Railways Ministry Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has launched an e-enabled application Project Management & Information System (PMIS) at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
32.The Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha (RS) has unanimously recommended the expulsion of beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya with immediate effect.
33.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has selected Mexican diplomat Patricia Espinosa as the executive secretary of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). She will replace Christiana Figueres.
34.Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal will introduce a new portal for Contract Labour Payment Management System.
35.The Lok Sabha passed the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 for the establishment of funds under the public accounts of Centre and each State towards compensatory afforestation.
36.A group of researchers from University of Cambridge researchers have built the world’s smallest working engine.
37.Scientists have developed world’s ‘Smallest Thermometer‘ using DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) structures that can fold and unfold at specifically defined temperature functions.
38.Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Japan, China, South Korea and the Association of South east Asian Nations have agreed on the need to address downside risks to global economic development.
39.England’s world number one snooker player Mark Selby (32-years) beat China’s Ding Junhui 18-14 to win his World Championship title of Snooker.
40.Seven Indian shuttlers have booked their berth for the upcoming Rio Olympics, scheduled in August.
41.Vice-Admiral Sunil Lanba will be the next chief of the Indian Navy.
42.The 25-member governing council of European Central Bank (ECB) has announced that it will permanently stop producing the 500 euro banknote by the end of 2018.
43.Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched the Google’s free Wi-Fi service facility through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
44.United States of America (US) Navy has tested the world’s largest unmanned surface vessel named Sea Hunter in San Diego.
45.The agriculture project Harita-Priya of Andhra Pradesh has won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016 prize in e-Agriculture category.
46.Renowned statistician Dr Radha Binod Barman took over as the part-time Chairperson in the National Statistical Commission (NSC).
47.Zimbabwe is set to print its own version of the US dollar in order to ease a cash shortage in the country.
48.The country’s largest bank State Bank of India has now launched ‘mVisa‘ ,a mobile-based payments solution.
49.The largest private sector bank of India, ICICI bank has become the first financial institution in the country to tie up with the New Development Bank to explore opportunities around bond issuance, co-financing, treasury management and human resources.
50.For the first time, 33 officers/officials of the Revenue Services, including seven Group ‘A’ officers, have been prematurely retired for non-performance under Rule 56(j) of CCS (Pension) Rules.
51.Senior IPS officer (1985- batch) Kumar Rajesh Chandra has been appointed as chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security wing of the government.
52.Haryana government would enact State Sports Council Act to accord statutory status to the Sports Council and further promote sports activities in the state.
53.Railway Minister of India Suresh Prabhu remotely flagged off two new train services for Jammu and Kashmir from the Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
54.Late director Yash Chopra, who captured the verdant Swiss valley in his films, has been honoured with a special statue by the Switzerland government.
55.The number of gram panchayats in the Odisha state will increase by around 500 to 600.
56.Corporation Bank has been awarded ‘excellence award on empowering MSMEs’ by the Federation of Industry, Trade and Services (FITS).
57.The Lok Sabha has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill 2016. The bill is being seen as a transformational legislation that will help in improving India’s ranking in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index.
58.Cricketer Rohit Sharma has inaugurated India’s first sports expo in Pune. It is the first sports expo being held in the country organised by city-based Steps Sports Entertainment Private Limited and will be open for public till May 8.
59.To boost Australia’s future tourism growth, a three-year multiple-entry visitor visa for India will be implemented by July 2016 on a trial basis. This will allow entry into Australia multiple times on the same visa and each stay will be valid up to three months.
60.The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) has declared results for both class XII and class X . Girls once again outperformed boys in the ISC (Class XII) and ICSE (Class X) Examinations. The class XII saw a pass 96.46 % while 98.5 % students cleared the class X exams.
61.Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor’s autobiography titled ‘Shashi Kapoor – the Householder, the Star’ was released recently.
62.US based private space transport service company, SpaceX has successfully launched Japanese JCSAT-14 communication satellite into the space.
63.India’s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank has inked a MoU with the BRICS Grouping-promoted New Development Bank (NDB) for a partnership in bond issuances, co-financing, treasury management and human resources.
64.The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.
65.Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the .establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state government has decided to set up Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.
66.Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, BaidyanathDham and Jyotirlingams among others.
67.South Indian Bank has announced its new tie-up with National Australia Bank (NAB) for online inward remittance from Australia at competitive rates. The remittance fee is as low as AUD 7 and the arrangement enables faster, hassle-free remittance through internet at the best exchange rates.NAB is South Indian Bank’s main banking correspondent in Australia.
68.The single emergency number ‘112‘ will be operational throughout India starting with 1 January 2017.
69.The Nagaland State Police’s SMS based Vehicle Monitoring System bagged the National Award for Smart Policing.
70.An Indian-origin lawyer from Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) MuraliPillai has been elected member of the parliament following his victory in the by-election held at suburban Bukit Batok constituency.
71.Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district.
72.India is ranked ninth in 2015 Crony-Capitalism Index with crony sector wealth accounting for 3.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
73.Government has started the process for issuance of Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN) to enable budding entrepreneurs set up their business without any delays.
74.Thrissur-based South Indian Bank has announced a tie-up with National Australian Bank (NAB) for on line inward remittances from Australia at a competitive rate.
75.The Election Commission will be sending out ‘Meghdoot‘ postcards to three lakh voters requesting them to cast their votes in the May 16 Assembly polls in the Union Territory.
76.An Airport Show has opened in Dubai with participation of more than 300 companies from 55 countries including India.
77.Two Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics scheduled to be held in August 2016.
78.World number one from Serbia Novak Djokovic has defeated defending champion Andy Murray 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Men’s Singles final of the Madrid Open Tennis.
79.World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) has been observed across the world on 10 May 2016.
80.Parliament has passed the Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016 to widen ambit of law dealing with this anti-hijacking crime.
81.Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti has launched nine projects for rural sanitation initiatives for conservation of River Ganga in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.
82.Government has constituted a three member committee to prepare a policy framework for taxi and other transport operators.
83.Maverick anti-crime candidate Rodrigo Digong Duterte (71-years) has won the Philippine presidential elections, following the withdrawal of his opponents.
84.US actor William Schallert(93-years), who parlayed an everyman face into hundreds of television and film roles, most notably as the father in the 1960s TV situation comedy The Patty Duke Show has passed away.
85.Senior advocate of Bombay High Court Atma Ram Nadkarni has been appointed as Additional Solicitor General.
86.The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Chhattisgarh will get respite from the regular inspections conducted by the competent authorities in the facility.
87.Indian Army had conducted major military training exercise ‘2016 Chakravyuh-II’ in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.
88.Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar has resigned from his post.
89.Reliance Jio launches JioMoney Wallet service.
90.Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to develop over 197 km long ‘bicycle highway’ from Agra up to the lion safari in Etawah to encourage eco-tourism in vicinity of Taj Mahal.
91.The Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill, 2016. It was first passed in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha in the month of May, 2016.
92.US President Barack Obama has honoured an Indian-American elementary teacher Revathi Bala krishnan from Texas at the White House.
93.Harish Rawat-led Congress Government has won the floor test in the state legislative assembly.
94.The Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill, 2016. It was first passed in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha in the month of May, 2016.
95.US President Barack Obama has honoured an Indian-American elementary teacher Revathi Bala krishnan from Texas at the White House.
96.Harish Rawat-led Congress Government has won the floor test in the state legislative assembly.
97.Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched digital wallet service, named JioMoney Wallet, for Indian consumers.
98.Former BCCI President Shashank Manohar has been elected unopposed as the first independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).Mr. Manohar took the charge with immediate effect for a tenure of two years. The new Chairman must be an independent candidate with no formal links to any other cricket body.
99.Top musician AR Rahman has become the fourth Goodwill Ambassador for Team India at the Rio Olympics in August 2016. Rahman joins an elite list that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Abhinav Bindra and Salman Khan.
100.Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to develop over 197- km long ‘bicycle highway’ from Agra to the lion safari in Etawah to encourage eco-tourism in vicinity of Taj Mahal. The highway was approved in a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
101.Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched digital wallet service, named JioMoney Wallet, for Indian consumers. JioMoney is a semi-closed prepaid wallet that aims to enable mobile-based transactions, where customers can store money and use it for purchasing goods and services.
102.ICICI Bank has launched the country’s first contact less business credit card in association with Jet Airways for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees. ICICI Bank is the first bank globally to offer a dual advantage reward programme on the expenses and repayments of the credit card.
103.Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Praveen Rashtrapal (76-years) died after suffering a cardiac arrest. He is survived by three daughters and a son.
104.The Kenyan government has decided to close the World’s biggest refugee camp in Dadaab. Around 3,28,000 refugees mostly from Somalia are staying in this camp. The camp compromises Kenya’s security because it harbors some of Somalia’s Al-Shabab militants and is a conduit for smuggling weapons.
105.Hockey India has recommended women’s team captain Ritu Rani, VR Raghunath and Dharamvir Singh for the Arjuna Award. Hockey India recommended Sylvanus Dung Dung for the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Coach CR Kumar has been recommended for the Dronacharya Award.
106.England’s women cricket team captain Charlotte Edwards (36- years)announced her international retirement. In her 20-year cricket career, she captained England for 10 yrs and became one of the most influential women in British Sport.
107.Wrestlers Ravinder Khatri and Babita Kumari have secured Rio Olympic berths. Khatri was awarded the berth in the Greco-Roman 85 kg category after Kenzheev Zhanarbek of Kyrgystan failed the dope test at the Asian Olympic qualifier.
108.Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the president of India today presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nursing personnel at function in Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Nurses Day. The National Florence Nightingale Awards are given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals in the country. The Award carries a cash award of 50 thousand rupees, a certificate, a citation and a medal. The International Nurses Day is celebrated all over the world on May 12 every year to commemorate Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
109.Rwanda is hosting the 26th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) in its capital Kigali from 11 to 13th May. Promoting innovation is being high on the agenda. The theme of this 26th World Economic Forum on Africa is - Connecting Africa's Resources through Digital Transformation. The event is focusing, among other things, on how to diversify economies, tackle inequality and strengthen collaborations among countries. The goal of the World Economic Forum is to promote public-private partnership and particular emphasis is on how technology can promote online entrepreneurs, enable cross-border data exchange and tackle barriers to trade.
110.Iran has stopped free shipping of oil to Indian refiners from April 2016 and the freight will be arranged by the buyers in future. Iran since 2013, has offered free shipping due to international sanctions imposed on it because of its nuclear program, Iran has asked for all payments in Euros. However, Iran has continued with its liberal fiscal terms of offering 90-day credit period - payment becomes due only after three months of invoice being raised.
111.The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has decided to replace the five year plans with 15 year vision documents.
112.Private sector lender Axis Bank has appointed Sanjiv Misra as independent director and non-executive chairman for five years.
113.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for development of 8 and 6 laning of Delhi-Meerut Expressway - Package-II on NH-24 in Uttar Pradesh.
114.The Cabinet has approved India's first National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy announced by FM Arun Jaitly.
115.India and Bangladesh began a five-day dialogue in Dhaka over a host of security issues, including drug trafficking and cattle smuggling across the border between the two neighbors.
116.The Supreme Court of India has ruled that Telecom companies will not compensate mobile phone users for inconvenience caused by call drops. In this regard, the apex court has struck down the TRAI Regulation which made it mandatory for telecom companies to compensate subscribers for call drops from January 2016.
117.President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena will arrive in capital today. He is on a two day visit to the nation.
118.World Health Organization has said that India is home to four of the five cities in the world with the worst air pollution.
119.As per the report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India and five other countries have signed a multilateral pact for automatic exchange of information on tax issues and developing new tools to tackle the tax evasion.
120.In Haryana, Parkash Singh committee, headed by former DGP of Uttar Pradesh retired IPS Officer Parkash Singh has submitted its report on Jat Quota agitation to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal.
121.The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SEBI and Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi for Mutual Co-operation and Technical Assistance.
122.The Reserve Bank of India has stated that entities from Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran and Hong Kong or Macau will require its prior approval to establish branch office or project office or liaison office in India.
123.World’s largest cargo aircraft - Antonov An-225 Mriya has made its first landing in India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad for refuelling. It will stay at the GMR-owned Shamshabad Airport for 20 hours.
124.The head of Sant Nirankari Mission and an Indian spiritual guru Hardev Singh has passed away in a road accident in Canada. He was 62 year old.
125.Former India captain Anil Kumble has been re-appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman for a second term of three years while his one- time team-mate Rahul Dravid was named member of the top panel. Kumble will now continue to head the panel until 2018.
126.The First World Conference on Tourism for Development will be held in Beijing, China from 18th to 21st of May, 2016. The conference aim to advancing the contribution of tourism to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under the theme ;Tourism for Peace and Development.
127.FIFA has appointed a UN diplomat as its first ever female secretary-general, a surprise and historic move announced at a congress to overhaul the scandal-hit organisation. Fatma Samoura, who is currently based in Nigeria for the UN Development Program, will be responsible for the day-to- day running of football's world governing body.
128.In a bid to provide solar energy, the Indian Railways is all set to conduct trial of its first solar panel-powered train in Rajasthan Jodhpur city. The Solar panels have been installed on top of the coaches in the train and the energy, which we will get from the sun, will be used for the functioning of lights and fans inside the coaches in the train.
129.The Capital market apex, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved the appointment of Ashok Chawla as National Stock Exchange (NSE) new Chairman.He will serve the organization till 27th of March, 2019. Mr. Chawla will replace Mr. S B Mathur, who who has stepped down upon completing his tenure.
130.Anjali Chandrashekar, a 22-year- old Indian artist is among the three winners of a UN poster competition on creating awareness about nuclear disarmament. She was appreciated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the poster depicts a peace dove slicing through a nuclear weapon.
131.Rwandan national captain Eric Dusingizimana, has set a new Guinness world record by batting out a straight 51 hours, the longest individual net session, beating the record set last year by India's Virag Mane, who had batted a straight 50 hours. Pakistan's Hanif Mohammad, who batted over a period of three days during his epic match-saving knock of 337 against West Indies in 1958, is currently the record holder for batting the longest period of time in a cricket match.
132.The Italian parliament on 11 May 2016 passed legislation legalizing same-sex civil unions, with 372 voting in favour, 51 against and 99 abstaining. With this, it has become the last country in Western Europe to do so.India has signed a historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) with World Health Organization (WHO) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine.
133.The Prime Minister along with Sri Lankan President MaithripalaSirisenahave released ‘Simhastha Declaration’ at Ninora village in Ujjain.
134.The multilateral Red Flag Aerial combat exercises between US, NATO and allied forces and India Air Force (IAF) concluded in Alaska, US.
135.Parkash Singh committee constituted to inquire into the omission and commission on part of all officers and officials of police and civil administration during Jat Quota agitation submitted its report to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
136.Justice Naveen Sinha has sworn in as the 31st Chief Justice of Rajasthan.
137.The Union Government has approved National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2016 to promote the IP regime and to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in India.
138.Former ISRO Chairman and space scientist Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao became the first Indian to be given ‘Hall of Fame’ Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
139.Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu has launched a 15-day special Swachh Office Drive for ensuring cleanliness at all Government offices across the country under Swachh Bharat Mission.
140.Justice Mukul Mudgal has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of FIFA Governance Committee.
141.FIFA admitted Kosovo and Gibraltar as new members, allowing them to play qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, but Serbia vowed to take legal action to reverse its former province’s admission.
142.India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile from a test range off Odisha coast.
143.Four Indian peacekeepers and a civilian will be honored with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers by United Nations.
144.The postal department of India( India Post) is going high tech by geo tagging the post office on Bhuvan and has begun monitoring timely clearance of the letter boxes through a mobile app.
145.India’s oldest Test cricketer and the 2nd Indian to score a memorable test century in his debut innings Deepak Shodhan(87-years) has passed away due to a heart attack at his residence in Ahmedabad.
146.Rio Olympics qualified sprinter, Sudha Singh set a new national record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase category by clocking 9 minutes and 26.55 seconds in the IAAF Diamond League race in Shanghai.
147.Teengar Max Verstappen (18 yeares and 228 days) has become the youngest ever Formula One winner,replacing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who had also taken that record as a Red Bull driver at 21 years and 74 days in 2008.
148.Indian women’s squash team have won the silver medal at the 18th Asian Team squash championships at Taipei in Chinese Taipei.
149.Andy Murray from Britain has won the 2016 Italian Open title of Tennis in the men’s singles category. He defeated Novak Djokovic (World No.1) for the first time on the clay court by 6-3, 6-3 score in the final match played in Rome(Italy).
150.South Korean author Han Kang (45-years) has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for her “unforgettably powerful” novel ‘The Vegetarian’ which deals with a woman’s rejection of human brutality and giving up of eating meat.
151.India and United States held their first Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi for deepening the evolving partnership in the maritime domain between both countries.
152.HDFC Bank Ltd. launched SmartUp, a first-of-its-kind dedicated solution for start-ups in Kolkata.
153.UK- based Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will close down it’s retail operations in the country which will resulting in shutting down of 10 branches.
154.The World Hypertension Day is being observed on 17th May. The day was initiated by the World Hypertension League to increase awareness about hypertension.
155.Renowned author of Harry Potter series, Mr. JK Rowling has been honored with the highest French civilian honour ‘French Legion Of Honour‘.
156.The new arrangement will replace the existing convention riddled with delays and allegations of political favoritism of direct appointment of vice-chancellors .
157.Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has been awarded with an honorary fellowship by a UK student body to celebrate and acknowledge his contributions in shaping the present and future of India.
158.China has successfully launched Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into sun-synchronous orbit using the Long March-2D rocket.
159.The World Bank’s Board has approved USD 625 million loan to support the central government’s programme to generate electricity from rooftop solar power plants.
160.World’s largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity has been inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Beas, in Amritsar, Punjab.
161.The Union Government has constituted a five member committee to comprehensively review and give recommendations on the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) road map for the future.
162.Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off the trial run of the first driver less metro trains in New Delhi.
163.Govt. has launched three IT and ITES initiatives for best practices in road transport sector. They are INFRACON, ePACE and up-ScaledINAM PRO.
164.A non-fiction short film on girl child education, Beti made by young student filmmakers of Chandigarh, has been invited for a special screening at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Washington DC.
165.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully launched a super pressure balloon to conduct near-space scientific investigations.
166.Odisha Government has decided to launch Green Passage scheme for orphan students to ensure that they get free of cost higher education in the state.
167.The Income Tax department has launched electronic grievance redressal system ‘e-nivaran’ to fast track taxpayer grievances and ensure early resolution of their complaints.
168.Indian American from Texas Syamantak Payra (15-year) has won the $50,000 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award.
169.England cricketer Joe Root (25 year) has bagged a hat-trick of awards, as he was named Test Player of the Year, Limited Overs Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year at the England’s annual awards ceremony.
170.State Bank of India has decided to merge its five associate public sector banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank with itself.
171.Human Resource Development Ministry is coming up with a mobile app and portal containing free lectures from IIT faculty on various subjects and previous years’ question papers of entrance tests to these prestigious engineering institutions.
172.A self-taught artiste, Gujarati folk singer and Padma award winner Diwaliben Bhil (80-year) passed away in Junagadh.
173.Nepal SBI Bank One of the largest overseas subsidiaries of SBI has launched payment gateway to facilitate online trade and non-trade transactions between the Himalayan nation ‘Nepal‘ and India.
174.UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appointed a veteran Mexican diplomat as the head of the global body’s newly upgraded climate change office which last year oversaw the international negotiations, leading to a historic climate pact.
175.Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced the opening of its Hyderabad technology centre that will focus on the development of maps for its mobile products like iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches.
176.Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has unveiled 2016 Draft National Policy for Women for comments and consultation.
177.The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has opened a special Tatkal like window to expedite examination process of patent applications by start-ups as well as of entities choosing India for filing the first patent.
178.The Indian 4 x 100 m women’s relay team broke the 18-year-old national record to finish in 4th position at the IAAF World Challenge.
179.The Taj Mahal has been voted among the top five tourist attractions in the world, second in Asia and led the popularity list in India, according to a leading travel planning and booking site Trip Advisor.
180.In Turkey, Transport Minister, Binali Yildirim has emerged as the country’s new Prime Minister after the ruling party formally tapped him as its candidate to lead the party.
181.Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has introduced PEHAL programme in Shimla district.
182.Indian journalist and Councillor Philip Abraham has been elected unanimously as the Deputy Mayor of Loughton town in the United Kingdom.
183.A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert.
184.A two day International Buddhist conference has begun in Nepal to celebrate the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
185.A noted expert in the study of function of genes Rakesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
186.Country’s second-largest two wheeler maker Honda Motors Scooter India (HMSI) has partnered with Mumbai based IndusInd Bank to cater retail finance to buyers.
187.Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched the Centre for Environmental Health in New Delhi to assess the impact of environment-related problems on health.
188.Tsai Ing-wen (59-year)has been sworn-in as the new President of Taiwan.
189.Veteran film and television actor Suresh Chatwal has passed away in Mumbai.
190.Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes has won the Formula One season Monaco Grand Prix for the first time.
191.The Taj Mahal has been voted among the top five tourist attractions in the world, second in Asia and led the popularity list in India, according to a leading travel planning and booking site Trip Advisor.
192.In Turkey, Transport Minister, Binali Yildirim has emerged as the country’s new Prime Minister after the ruling party formally tapped him as its candidate to lead the party.
193.Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has introduced PEHAL programme in Shimla district.
194.Indian journalist and Councillor Philip Abraham has been elected unanimously as the Deputy Mayor of Loughton town in the United Kingdom.
195.A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert.
196.A two day International Buddhist conference has begun in Nepal to celebrate the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
197.A noted expert in the study of function of genes Rakesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
198.Country’s second-largest two wheeler maker Honda Motors Scooter India (HMSI) has partnered with Mumbai based IndusInd Bank to cater retail finance to buyers.
199.Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched the Centre for Environmental Health in New Delhi to assess the impact of environment-related problems on health.
200.Tsai Ing-wen (59-year)has been sworn-in as the new President of Taiwan.
201.The merger of five associate banks and newly created Bharatiya Mahila Bank with SBI will cost $250 million (around Rs 1,660 crore) and have limited impact on the lender's credit metrics, ratings agency Moody's Investors Service said.
202.Diageo-controlled United Spirits (USL) today said its Non-Executive Independent Director Sudhakar Rao has resigned from the post. Rao, former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, was appointed as an Additional Director of the company on July 4, 2013. Later he was elevated to the post of Director in the firm.
203.Cairn India Chief Executive Mayank Ashar has quit the job, the third CEO to resign from the company ever since it was taken over by billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Group four-and- a half-years back.
204.Sealing of the borders with Bangladesh will be completed in two year's time to put an end to infiltration , Assam's chief minister-to- be Sarbananda Sonowal said.
205.With securing just 2.4 per cent in the Assembly elections, DMDK, founded by actor-turned politician Vijaykant is set to lose its recognition as a State party by the Election Commission of India.
206.Apple is the latest US technology giant looking to harness Indian talent as it eyes customers in the country to buy its products. This comes at a time when growth in its most important markets China and the US have begun to taper off.
207.The president has appointed Justice Tinlianthang Vaiphei as the new chief justice of the Tripura High Court, officials said.
208.The World Bank today announced a new programme to mobilise funds quickly against virulent disease outbreaks after the world was caught unprepared in the 2014 Ebola disaster in West Africa.
209.The 27th edition of the India-Indonesia CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) has concluded in Belawan, Indonesia.
210.Nitish Kumar led Bihar Government has announced the ban on sale, distribution, storage, manufacture, consumption and publicity of tobacco products like gutka and pan masala.
211.An indigenously developed “affordable” faecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’, a spin-off of a programme of the Department of Biotechnol?ogy and implemented at AIIMS and IIT Delhi, was launched by Minister of State for Science & Technology, Y.S. Chowdary.
212.Finance ministers and central banks governor from the Group of Seven developed nations kicked off the first day of their meeting in Sendai, Japan.
213.The US House of Representatives have given its nod to a bipartisan legislation to improve defence ties with India.
214.Future Consumer Enterprise Ltd (FCEL) has informed the stock exchanges that International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest $20 million in the company through equity-linked instruments.
215.UK based banking giant, HSBC Holding Plc stated that it plans to close 24 branches in India.
216.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed former Irish President Mary Robinson and Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau as special envoys for El Nino and climate.
217.A 42 year old woman born in Nepal, Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest for the seventh time. With this she has braked her own record for the most ascents to the world's highest mountain by a woman.
218.Emmy award-winning English-born actor Alan Young, who rode to enduring TV fame alongside a talking horse on the popular 1960s sitcom and co-starred in the classic sci-fi film 'The Time Machine' has died at age 96.
219.Roger Federer has withdrawn from this year’s French Open after failing to recover from a back injury.
220.The world's oldest Olympic champion, SandorTarics, died on 21 May 2016 in San Francisco. He was 102. His death was confirmed by Hungarian Olympic Committee MOB.
221.United Nations (UN) observed the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) on 22 May 2016. The theme for the year 2016 is Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.
222.Anurag Thakur was on 22 May 2016 unanimously elected as 34th BCCI President at the board’s special general meeting (SGM) in Mumbai. He will serve as President until September 2017.
223.Former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal was appointed as Principal Adviser (Social Sector) in NITI Aayog for 3-years.
224.The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to exempt the State boards from the purview of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for one year.
225.The US House of Representatives gave its nod to a bipartisan legislation to improve defence ties with India.
226.President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry as per Article 239 of the Constitution.
227.Gujarat Government has launched Smart Village program to improve public facilities in the villages.
228.India and Oman have signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)/agreements on defence cooperation.
229.All India Anna Dravida Munnetrakazhagam (AIADMK) chief Ms. J Jayalalithaa has sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for record sixth time after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority.
230.Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was conferred with the ‘Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Award‘ for his commendable contributions in promoting Nepali literature in India.
231.The US House of Representatives has passed amendments to the National Defence Authorisation Act -2017 to enhance the country’s defence cooperation with India.
232.Union Government has constituted 11 members committee to recommend measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the armed forces and re-balance the overall defence expenditure.
233.Himachal Pradesh fisheries department has started an artificial propagation programme for rehabilitation and conservation of Golden Mahseer fish.
234.Sarbananda Sonowal (53) took oath as Chief Minister of Assam at the head of the BJP’s first government in the North East.
235.Scientist S K Sharma has been appointed the Chairman and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
236.The money market regulator SEBI has tightened its norms for Participatory note (P note) users to follow Indian anti-money laundering law and report any suspicious transactions immediately.
237.The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has signed a MoU with Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
238.The Sports Ministry has stated that the winners from the upcoming Rio Games will be considered for this year’s Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.
239.Former MLA and active trade union leader K Anirudhan (92-years) has passed away at his residence at Vazhuthacaud.
240.Lt Gen SK Saini has taken over as the 46th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
241.The World Bank Group has launched Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility and launched a $500 million fund to fight Pandemics in poor countries and creating the world’s first insurance market for pandemic risk.
242.The Mohun Bagan has clinched the Federation Cup title for the 14th time.
243.India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani has created history in Abu Dhabi by clinching the Asian 6-Red Snooker title.
244.Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Pinarayi Vijayan today took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala with 19 ministers at the central stadium in capital Thiruvananthapuram in a ceremony that drew over 30,000 people.
245.The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) will launch a student tracking system ASMITA next month.
246.India and World Bank have signed the Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank assistance of US 100 million dollars for Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project.
247.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Circuit Bench of Kochi has banned light and heavy diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old in six major cities of Kerala.
248.Newly elected MLA of Tiruparankundram constituency belonging to AIADMK, S.M. Seenivel (65-years), passed away at a private hospital.
249.Burt Kwouk (85-years),who was best known for playing Inspector Clouseau’s manservant Cato in the Pink Panther films has died.
250.Odisha Governor Dr. SC Jamir has promulgated Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016 to ensure use of Odia in all government systems.
251.The world’s first 3D-printed office building opened this week in Dubai. It is a single story building spread across 2,700 square foot.
252.The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly maneuverable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
254.US biochemical engineer, Frances Arnold (59-years )has won the Millennium Technology Prize for her work ‘directed evolution’ in Finland.
255.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA today gave its approval for Railway projects worth Rs 11,000 crore.
256.Union Government has enforced the decision of retirement fund body EPFO to almost double the maximum sum assured under its insurance scheme from 3.6 lakh to 6 lakh rupees.
257.Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to test an air-breathing propulsion system, which aims to capitalize on the oxygen in the atmosphere instead of liquefied oxygen while in flight.
258.Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shri ShripadYessoNaik has launched the new website of the Ministry of AYUSH and web portal for International Day of Yoga in New Delhi.
259.The Union Cabinet gave its ex post facto approval to amend The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 for incorporation of new IITs at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Dharwar (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) and conversion of Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad to an IIT under the law.
260.Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to start its India operations from Gujarat. Its a part of MoU between India’s EXIM Bank and IDB during Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2016.
261.The Union Cabinet has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to give an impetus to the capital goods sector and the Make in India initiative.
262.As per recent study conducted by Assocham-KPMG, India has emerged as the world’s fifth largest electronic waste (e-waste) producer.
263.The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Union Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism of Government of Maldives.
264.According to Russian Olympic Committee 14 of its athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics tested positive for doping during re-tests of their samples.
265.Har Parkash Rishi (74-years) is an Indian man who holds the Guinness World Record for having the maximum number of flags (366) tattooed on his body.
266.Six-time Paralympic gold medal-winning British wheelchair racer, David Weir became the first wheelchair racer to complete a mile-long race (approximately 1.6 kilometers) in under three minutes.
267.Delhi Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and AAP leader Bandana Kumari has tendered her resignation in the wake of defeat of the party’s candidate in recent MCD by-polls.
268.Indian Railways conducted the first ever trial run for high-speed Talgo trains of Spain on the Bareilly-to-Moradabad stretch in Uttar Pradesh.
269.Union minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has released the Draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2016 in New Delhi.
270.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off, the first ever direct train between Assam to Jammu & Kashmir.
271.Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee (61-years) has sworn-in as the chief minister of West Bengal for second successive five-year term.
272.Founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal has received this year’s Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.
273.Noted Marathi critic and litterateur R G Jadhav (83-years)passed away at his residence here this morning following prolonged illness.
274.Indian-American Rishi Nair (12-years) a sixth grader from Florida took top honors at the 28th annual National Geographic Bee held at the National Geographic headquarters in Washington.
275.The mortgage lender HDFC ltd has been ranked among the world’s top ten biggest and most powerful companies in the consumer financial services sector on a Forbes list.
276.Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve of East Kameng district has received the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016‘ in one of its four categories.
277.The Intensive Household Survey by the Telangana government conducted on August 19, 2014, has entered the Limca Book of Records as the most intensive household survey by a State.
278.Sonia Lather advanced to final of AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship at Astana in Kazakhstan.
279.Indian para athlete Amit Kumar Saroha from Haryana won the gold medal in men’s club throw (F-51) at the recently concluded 2016 French Open Athletics Championship in Paris.
280.Sanjay Bangar (43-years) the former India and Railways all rounder, has been appointed head coach for the team’s tour to Zimbabwe.
281.The Union Government has given its final approval to setting up of National Investment &, Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Kalinganagar, Odisha. It will come up on a massive area of 163 square kilometres and on completion will be the third NIMZ of India.
282.China has signed two agreements with Sudan, its close ally in Africa to build 600-megawatt atomic reactor. It was the first of its kind project to be built by China in African country. The two framework agreements in this regard have been signed by state-owned China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) with Sudan.
283.Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched 20 Nirbhaya buses of Rajasthan State Transport Corporation (RSTC). These buses are fitted with multiple IT-enabled safety measures to better protect women passengers and keep anti-social elements under check. These buses were launched by RSTC as a pilot project under the NIRBHAYA scheme.
284.According to the US based global rating agency, Fitch, India’s economic growth rate will leisurely accelerate to 8% by fiscal year ending March 2019, driven by the gradual implementation of structural reforms, higher disposable income and improvement in economy. Fitch also expects India’s GDP to grow 7.5% in fiscal year ending March 2016 and improve to 7.7% in the current fiscal year and further to 7.9% in the fiscal year ending Union HRD Ministry launches Bharatavani Portal.
285.Irani has launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as part of Union Government. The first knowledge portal of its kind in India will help the government to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world.
286.The Union Government has approved an investment of over 5500 crore rupees for basic urban infrastructure in six states under Atal Mission. The States are Madhya Pradesh,Gujarat, Rajasthan,Odisha, Jharkhand and Meghalaya. The decision was taken by the Apex committee of Urban Development Ministry under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, AMRUT in New Delhi.
287.Indian woman author in Singapore Aditi Krishnakumar (31-years)has won the ‘Scholastic Asian Book Award‘ for her manuscript rooted in Indian history. She won the ten thousand Singapore dollar award this week for her manuscript “Codex: The Lost Treasure Of The Indus“. The Scholastic Asian Book Award (SABA) is the joint initiative of the National Book Development Council of Singapore and Scholastic Asia.
288.The new timetable of Railways will come into effect from October 1 this year as against July 1. Since the public transporter is introducing some major changes in the train schedules. A Railway Ministry official said that the existing timetable will continue to be valid upto September 30 this year and all trains will run as per the schedule of existing time table upto September-end. Generally, the new timetable becomes operational from July 1.
289.The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has framed policy guidelines for central government advertisements on websites. All online ads from the Centre would now be routed via the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), which would em panel eligible websites. Further, DAVP will fix the rates of advertisements and would also be responsible for their strategic placement.
290.Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev will lead a yoga session at the UN on the occasion of the second International Yoga Day next month. International Yoga Day will be commemorated on the 21st of June. Yoga for the Sustainable Development Goals will be the theme of this year’s Yoga Day.
291.The Union Ministry of Power and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched India’s first integrated web portal designed to promote and mainstream Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in India.
292.Lakshadweep became first Union Territory (UT) in the country to sign 24×7 Power for All document.
293.Real Madrid FC won the 2016 UEFA Champions League for the record 11th time by defeating Atletico Madrid FC by 5-3 goals in penalty shootout. In the final played, both teams scored 1–1 goals in regulation period leading to draw.
294.Indian author Aditi Krishnakumar has won the prestigious 2016 Scholastic Asian Book Award. She has won the award for her 32,000-word manuscript titled Codex: The Lost Treasure Of The Indus. The manuscript will be now published by Scholastic Asia.
295.India and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance research and development (R&D) capabilities in biotechnology by launching a joint funding call.
296.David Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a maiden Indian Premier League title after the bowlers derailed Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chase to fashion an eight-run victory. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the highest wicket-taker in this year’s competition, conceded only nine runs in the final over to dash Bangalore’s hopes of being third time lucky in the final of the Twenty20 competition.
1.Nagaland’s capital Kohima has been declared as a ‘smoke-free city’.
2.The Railway Ministry has decided to set up two new Directorates tasked with increasing the speed of trains and boosting non-fare revenues and advertisement.
3.Senior IPS officer (1982 batch) of Uttara khand cadre Surender Kumar Bhagat has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of Railways Protection Force (RPF).
4.The Election Commission of India has launched an innovative mobile application titled “e-voter” with comprehensive details about the coming assembly polls in Kerala.
5.Russia has successfully launched the first rocket from its newly built Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast, in Russian Far East region bordering China.
6.Indian Naval Ships (INS) Veer and Nipat were decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
7.Gujarat Government will issue an ordinance on 1st May to provide 10% reservation to economically backwards of higher caste.
8.China has developed the world’s first graphene electronic paper which will catapult the material to a new level.
9.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha dedicated to the people 100 piped water supply projects for rural areas and pledged to make piped water provision in all gram panchayats by 2017.
10.Garima Chaudhary has won gold medal (63-kg junior category)at the 2016 Commonwealth Judo Championship finals at Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
11.The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has entered into collaboration with German Government for a special programme on ‘Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security‘.
12.South India’s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
13.The Madhya Pradesh High Court has termed reservation in promotions in the state as unconstitutional. Ruling in this regard was given by HC division bench chaired by Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar on the petitions filed several employee associations and social organisations.
14.International Labour Day, known as May Day was celebrated on 1st May. The theme of International Labour Day of 2016 is "Celebrating the international labour movement".
15.The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has inked MoU with SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for mutual cooperation and collaboration.
16.The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State (IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
17.The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 came into force on 1 May 2016. In this regard, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) had notified 69 of the total 92 sections of the Act to bring it into force from 1 May 2016.
18.Ajay Mittal today took charge as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary. He succeeded Sunil Arora who retired on Saturday.
19.All four Southern languages – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia are now the classical languages of India.
20.h. Bandaru Dattatreya, the Union Minister for Labour & Employment (Independent Charge) launched a special Mission consolidation drive “One Employee-One EPF Account” for members of the EPFO.
21.Japan has pledged 750 billion yen ($7 billion) initiative to promote development in the Mekong region, which encompasses parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand through which the river flows.
22.An Indian-American journalist,Neela Banerjee, was felicitated with a prestigious with Edgar A. Poe award on 1 May 2016.
23.India and New Zealand today signed a deal that opens the door for direct flights between the two countries that could boost tourism and trade sectors.
24.India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by 1.350 billion US Dollars to touch a record high of 361.601 billion dollars in the week to 22nd April.
25.Veteran RSS leader and founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, BalrajMadhok passed away this morning.
26.Star Indian pugilist Vijender Singh recorded his 5th consecutive victory in Professional Boxing.The Telangana government is setting up a Spices Park in Nizamabad. The park will come up in Padigal in Nizamabad district with an outlay of 31 crore.
27.Star Indian opener Rohit Sharma today became the ‘Brand Ambassador’ of world famous watch brand Hublot becoming second renowned cricketer after former Australian captain Michael Clarke to be associated with the brand.
28.Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today performed the Bhoomi Puja for the Kaleshwaram project aimed at harnessing the Godavari river water through a series of barrages, reservoirs and lift irrigation schemes.
29.German Formula 1 Mercedes Driver Nico Rosberg won 2016 Russian Grand Prix. It is his fourth win in a row this season.
30.Asian Games discus throw gold medal winner Seema Punia (32- years) has qualified for the Rio Olympics with a 62.62 meters effort at the Pat Young’s Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas (California) in the United States.
31.Union Railways Ministry Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has launched an e-enabled application Project Management & Information System (PMIS) at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
32.The Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha (RS) has unanimously recommended the expulsion of beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya with immediate effect.
33.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has selected Mexican diplomat Patricia Espinosa as the executive secretary of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). She will replace Christiana Figueres.
34.Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal will introduce a new portal for Contract Labour Payment Management System.
35.The Lok Sabha passed the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 for the establishment of funds under the public accounts of Centre and each State towards compensatory afforestation.
36.A group of researchers from University of Cambridge researchers have built the world’s smallest working engine.
37.Scientists have developed world’s ‘Smallest Thermometer‘ using DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) structures that can fold and unfold at specifically defined temperature functions.
38.Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Japan, China, South Korea and the Association of South east Asian Nations have agreed on the need to address downside risks to global economic development.
39.England’s world number one snooker player Mark Selby (32-years) beat China’s Ding Junhui 18-14 to win his World Championship title of Snooker.
40.Seven Indian shuttlers have booked their berth for the upcoming Rio Olympics, scheduled in August.
41.Vice-Admiral Sunil Lanba will be the next chief of the Indian Navy.
42.The 25-member governing council of European Central Bank (ECB) has announced that it will permanently stop producing the 500 euro banknote by the end of 2018.
43.Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched the Google’s free Wi-Fi service facility through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
44.United States of America (US) Navy has tested the world’s largest unmanned surface vessel named Sea Hunter in San Diego.
45.The agriculture project Harita-Priya of Andhra Pradesh has won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016 prize in e-Agriculture category.
46.Renowned statistician Dr Radha Binod Barman took over as the part-time Chairperson in the National Statistical Commission (NSC).
47.Zimbabwe is set to print its own version of the US dollar in order to ease a cash shortage in the country.
48.The country’s largest bank State Bank of India has now launched ‘mVisa‘ ,a mobile-based payments solution.
49.The largest private sector bank of India, ICICI bank has become the first financial institution in the country to tie up with the New Development Bank to explore opportunities around bond issuance, co-financing, treasury management and human resources.
50.For the first time, 33 officers/officials of the Revenue Services, including seven Group ‘A’ officers, have been prematurely retired for non-performance under Rule 56(j) of CCS (Pension) Rules.
51.Senior IPS officer (1985- batch) Kumar Rajesh Chandra has been appointed as chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security wing of the government.
52.Haryana government would enact State Sports Council Act to accord statutory status to the Sports Council and further promote sports activities in the state.
53.Railway Minister of India Suresh Prabhu remotely flagged off two new train services for Jammu and Kashmir from the Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
54.Late director Yash Chopra, who captured the verdant Swiss valley in his films, has been honoured with a special statue by the Switzerland government.
55.The number of gram panchayats in the Odisha state will increase by around 500 to 600.
56.Corporation Bank has been awarded ‘excellence award on empowering MSMEs’ by the Federation of Industry, Trade and Services (FITS).
57.The Lok Sabha has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill 2016. The bill is being seen as a transformational legislation that will help in improving India’s ranking in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index.
58.Cricketer Rohit Sharma has inaugurated India’s first sports expo in Pune. It is the first sports expo being held in the country organised by city-based Steps Sports Entertainment Private Limited and will be open for public till May 8.
59.To boost Australia’s future tourism growth, a three-year multiple-entry visitor visa for India will be implemented by July 2016 on a trial basis. This will allow entry into Australia multiple times on the same visa and each stay will be valid up to three months.
60.The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) has declared results for both class XII and class X . Girls once again outperformed boys in the ISC (Class XII) and ICSE (Class X) Examinations. The class XII saw a pass 96.46 % while 98.5 % students cleared the class X exams.
61.Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor’s autobiography titled ‘Shashi Kapoor – the Householder, the Star’ was released recently.
62.US based private space transport service company, SpaceX has successfully launched Japanese JCSAT-14 communication satellite into the space.
63.India’s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank has inked a MoU with the BRICS Grouping-promoted New Development Bank (NDB) for a partnership in bond issuances, co-financing, treasury management and human resources.
64.The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.
65.Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the .establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state government has decided to set up Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.
66.Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, BaidyanathDham and Jyotirlingams among others.
67.South Indian Bank has announced its new tie-up with National Australia Bank (NAB) for online inward remittance from Australia at competitive rates. The remittance fee is as low as AUD 7 and the arrangement enables faster, hassle-free remittance through internet at the best exchange rates.NAB is South Indian Bank’s main banking correspondent in Australia.
68.The single emergency number ‘112‘ will be operational throughout India starting with 1 January 2017.
69.The Nagaland State Police’s SMS based Vehicle Monitoring System bagged the National Award for Smart Policing.
70.An Indian-origin lawyer from Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) MuraliPillai has been elected member of the parliament following his victory in the by-election held at suburban Bukit Batok constituency.
71.Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district.
72.India is ranked ninth in 2015 Crony-Capitalism Index with crony sector wealth accounting for 3.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
73.Government has started the process for issuance of Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN) to enable budding entrepreneurs set up their business without any delays.
74.Thrissur-based South Indian Bank has announced a tie-up with National Australian Bank (NAB) for on line inward remittances from Australia at a competitive rate.
75.The Election Commission will be sending out ‘Meghdoot‘ postcards to three lakh voters requesting them to cast their votes in the May 16 Assembly polls in the Union Territory.
76.An Airport Show has opened in Dubai with participation of more than 300 companies from 55 countries including India.
77.Two Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics scheduled to be held in August 2016.
78.World number one from Serbia Novak Djokovic has defeated defending champion Andy Murray 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Men’s Singles final of the Madrid Open Tennis.
79.World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) has been observed across the world on 10 May 2016.
80.Parliament has passed the Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016 to widen ambit of law dealing with this anti-hijacking crime.
81.Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti has launched nine projects for rural sanitation initiatives for conservation of River Ganga in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.
82.Government has constituted a three member committee to prepare a policy framework for taxi and other transport operators.
83.Maverick anti-crime candidate Rodrigo Digong Duterte (71-years) has won the Philippine presidential elections, following the withdrawal of his opponents.
84.US actor William Schallert(93-years), who parlayed an everyman face into hundreds of television and film roles, most notably as the father in the 1960s TV situation comedy The Patty Duke Show has passed away.
85.Senior advocate of Bombay High Court Atma Ram Nadkarni has been appointed as Additional Solicitor General.
86.The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Chhattisgarh will get respite from the regular inspections conducted by the competent authorities in the facility.
87.Indian Army had conducted major military training exercise ‘2016 Chakravyuh-II’ in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.
88.Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar has resigned from his post.
89.Reliance Jio launches JioMoney Wallet service.
90.Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to develop over 197 km long ‘bicycle highway’ from Agra up to the lion safari in Etawah to encourage eco-tourism in vicinity of Taj Mahal.
91.The Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill, 2016. It was first passed in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha in the month of May, 2016.
92.US President Barack Obama has honoured an Indian-American elementary teacher Revathi Bala krishnan from Texas at the White House.
93.Harish Rawat-led Congress Government has won the floor test in the state legislative assembly.
94.The Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill, 2016. It was first passed in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha in the month of May, 2016.
95.US President Barack Obama has honoured an Indian-American elementary teacher Revathi Bala krishnan from Texas at the White House.
96.Harish Rawat-led Congress Government has won the floor test in the state legislative assembly.
97.Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched digital wallet service, named JioMoney Wallet, for Indian consumers.
98.Former BCCI President Shashank Manohar has been elected unopposed as the first independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).Mr. Manohar took the charge with immediate effect for a tenure of two years. The new Chairman must be an independent candidate with no formal links to any other cricket body.
99.Top musician AR Rahman has become the fourth Goodwill Ambassador for Team India at the Rio Olympics in August 2016. Rahman joins an elite list that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Abhinav Bindra and Salman Khan.
100.Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to develop over 197- km long ‘bicycle highway’ from Agra to the lion safari in Etawah to encourage eco-tourism in vicinity of Taj Mahal. The highway was approved in a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
101.Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched digital wallet service, named JioMoney Wallet, for Indian consumers. JioMoney is a semi-closed prepaid wallet that aims to enable mobile-based transactions, where customers can store money and use it for purchasing goods and services.
102.ICICI Bank has launched the country’s first contact less business credit card in association with Jet Airways for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees. ICICI Bank is the first bank globally to offer a dual advantage reward programme on the expenses and repayments of the credit card.
103.Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Praveen Rashtrapal (76-years) died after suffering a cardiac arrest. He is survived by three daughters and a son.
104.The Kenyan government has decided to close the World’s biggest refugee camp in Dadaab. Around 3,28,000 refugees mostly from Somalia are staying in this camp. The camp compromises Kenya’s security because it harbors some of Somalia’s Al-Shabab militants and is a conduit for smuggling weapons.
105.Hockey India has recommended women’s team captain Ritu Rani, VR Raghunath and Dharamvir Singh for the Arjuna Award. Hockey India recommended Sylvanus Dung Dung for the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Coach CR Kumar has been recommended for the Dronacharya Award.
106.England’s women cricket team captain Charlotte Edwards (36- years)announced her international retirement. In her 20-year cricket career, she captained England for 10 yrs and became one of the most influential women in British Sport.
107.Wrestlers Ravinder Khatri and Babita Kumari have secured Rio Olympic berths. Khatri was awarded the berth in the Greco-Roman 85 kg category after Kenzheev Zhanarbek of Kyrgystan failed the dope test at the Asian Olympic qualifier.
108.Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the president of India today presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nursing personnel at function in Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of International Nurses Day. The National Florence Nightingale Awards are given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals in the country. The Award carries a cash award of 50 thousand rupees, a certificate, a citation and a medal. The International Nurses Day is celebrated all over the world on May 12 every year to commemorate Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
109.Rwanda is hosting the 26th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) in its capital Kigali from 11 to 13th May. Promoting innovation is being high on the agenda. The theme of this 26th World Economic Forum on Africa is - Connecting Africa's Resources through Digital Transformation. The event is focusing, among other things, on how to diversify economies, tackle inequality and strengthen collaborations among countries. The goal of the World Economic Forum is to promote public-private partnership and particular emphasis is on how technology can promote online entrepreneurs, enable cross-border data exchange and tackle barriers to trade.
110.Iran has stopped free shipping of oil to Indian refiners from April 2016 and the freight will be arranged by the buyers in future. Iran since 2013, has offered free shipping due to international sanctions imposed on it because of its nuclear program, Iran has asked for all payments in Euros. However, Iran has continued with its liberal fiscal terms of offering 90-day credit period - payment becomes due only after three months of invoice being raised.
111.The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has decided to replace the five year plans with 15 year vision documents.
112.Private sector lender Axis Bank has appointed Sanjiv Misra as independent director and non-executive chairman for five years.
113.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for development of 8 and 6 laning of Delhi-Meerut Expressway - Package-II on NH-24 in Uttar Pradesh.
114.The Cabinet has approved India's first National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy announced by FM Arun Jaitly.
115.India and Bangladesh began a five-day dialogue in Dhaka over a host of security issues, including drug trafficking and cattle smuggling across the border between the two neighbors.
116.The Supreme Court of India has ruled that Telecom companies will not compensate mobile phone users for inconvenience caused by call drops. In this regard, the apex court has struck down the TRAI Regulation which made it mandatory for telecom companies to compensate subscribers for call drops from January 2016.
117.President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena will arrive in capital today. He is on a two day visit to the nation.
118.World Health Organization has said that India is home to four of the five cities in the world with the worst air pollution.
119.As per the report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India and five other countries have signed a multilateral pact for automatic exchange of information on tax issues and developing new tools to tackle the tax evasion.
120.In Haryana, Parkash Singh committee, headed by former DGP of Uttar Pradesh retired IPS Officer Parkash Singh has submitted its report on Jat Quota agitation to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal.
121.The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SEBI and Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi for Mutual Co-operation and Technical Assistance.
122.The Reserve Bank of India has stated that entities from Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran and Hong Kong or Macau will require its prior approval to establish branch office or project office or liaison office in India.
123.World’s largest cargo aircraft - Antonov An-225 Mriya has made its first landing in India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad for refuelling. It will stay at the GMR-owned Shamshabad Airport for 20 hours.
124.The head of Sant Nirankari Mission and an Indian spiritual guru Hardev Singh has passed away in a road accident in Canada. He was 62 year old.
125.Former India captain Anil Kumble has been re-appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman for a second term of three years while his one- time team-mate Rahul Dravid was named member of the top panel. Kumble will now continue to head the panel until 2018.
126.The First World Conference on Tourism for Development will be held in Beijing, China from 18th to 21st of May, 2016. The conference aim to advancing the contribution of tourism to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under the theme ;Tourism for Peace and Development.
127.FIFA has appointed a UN diplomat as its first ever female secretary-general, a surprise and historic move announced at a congress to overhaul the scandal-hit organisation. Fatma Samoura, who is currently based in Nigeria for the UN Development Program, will be responsible for the day-to- day running of football's world governing body.
128.In a bid to provide solar energy, the Indian Railways is all set to conduct trial of its first solar panel-powered train in Rajasthan Jodhpur city. The Solar panels have been installed on top of the coaches in the train and the energy, which we will get from the sun, will be used for the functioning of lights and fans inside the coaches in the train.
129.The Capital market apex, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved the appointment of Ashok Chawla as National Stock Exchange (NSE) new Chairman.He will serve the organization till 27th of March, 2019. Mr. Chawla will replace Mr. S B Mathur, who who has stepped down upon completing his tenure.
130.Anjali Chandrashekar, a 22-year- old Indian artist is among the three winners of a UN poster competition on creating awareness about nuclear disarmament. She was appreciated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the poster depicts a peace dove slicing through a nuclear weapon.
131.Rwandan national captain Eric Dusingizimana, has set a new Guinness world record by batting out a straight 51 hours, the longest individual net session, beating the record set last year by India's Virag Mane, who had batted a straight 50 hours. Pakistan's Hanif Mohammad, who batted over a period of three days during his epic match-saving knock of 337 against West Indies in 1958, is currently the record holder for batting the longest period of time in a cricket match.
132.The Italian parliament on 11 May 2016 passed legislation legalizing same-sex civil unions, with 372 voting in favour, 51 against and 99 abstaining. With this, it has become the last country in Western Europe to do so.India has signed a historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) with World Health Organization (WHO) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine.
133.The Prime Minister along with Sri Lankan President MaithripalaSirisenahave released ‘Simhastha Declaration’ at Ninora village in Ujjain.
134.The multilateral Red Flag Aerial combat exercises between US, NATO and allied forces and India Air Force (IAF) concluded in Alaska, US.
135.Parkash Singh committee constituted to inquire into the omission and commission on part of all officers and officials of police and civil administration during Jat Quota agitation submitted its report to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
136.Justice Naveen Sinha has sworn in as the 31st Chief Justice of Rajasthan.
137.The Union Government has approved National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2016 to promote the IP regime and to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in India.
138.Former ISRO Chairman and space scientist Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao became the first Indian to be given ‘Hall of Fame’ Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
139.Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu has launched a 15-day special Swachh Office Drive for ensuring cleanliness at all Government offices across the country under Swachh Bharat Mission.
140.Justice Mukul Mudgal has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of FIFA Governance Committee.
141.FIFA admitted Kosovo and Gibraltar as new members, allowing them to play qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, but Serbia vowed to take legal action to reverse its former province’s admission.
142.India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile from a test range off Odisha coast.
143.Four Indian peacekeepers and a civilian will be honored with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers by United Nations.
144.The postal department of India( India Post) is going high tech by geo tagging the post office on Bhuvan and has begun monitoring timely clearance of the letter boxes through a mobile app.
145.India’s oldest Test cricketer and the 2nd Indian to score a memorable test century in his debut innings Deepak Shodhan(87-years) has passed away due to a heart attack at his residence in Ahmedabad.
146.Rio Olympics qualified sprinter, Sudha Singh set a new national record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase category by clocking 9 minutes and 26.55 seconds in the IAAF Diamond League race in Shanghai.
147.Teengar Max Verstappen (18 yeares and 228 days) has become the youngest ever Formula One winner,replacing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who had also taken that record as a Red Bull driver at 21 years and 74 days in 2008.
148.Indian women’s squash team have won the silver medal at the 18th Asian Team squash championships at Taipei in Chinese Taipei.
149.Andy Murray from Britain has won the 2016 Italian Open title of Tennis in the men’s singles category. He defeated Novak Djokovic (World No.1) for the first time on the clay court by 6-3, 6-3 score in the final match played in Rome(Italy).
150.South Korean author Han Kang (45-years) has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for her “unforgettably powerful” novel ‘The Vegetarian’ which deals with a woman’s rejection of human brutality and giving up of eating meat.
151.India and United States held their first Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi for deepening the evolving partnership in the maritime domain between both countries.
152.HDFC Bank Ltd. launched SmartUp, a first-of-its-kind dedicated solution for start-ups in Kolkata.
153.UK- based Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will close down it’s retail operations in the country which will resulting in shutting down of 10 branches.
154.The World Hypertension Day is being observed on 17th May. The day was initiated by the World Hypertension League to increase awareness about hypertension.
155.Renowned author of Harry Potter series, Mr. JK Rowling has been honored with the highest French civilian honour ‘French Legion Of Honour‘.
156.The new arrangement will replace the existing convention riddled with delays and allegations of political favoritism of direct appointment of vice-chancellors .
157.Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has been awarded with an honorary fellowship by a UK student body to celebrate and acknowledge his contributions in shaping the present and future of India.
158.China has successfully launched Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into sun-synchronous orbit using the Long March-2D rocket.
159.The World Bank’s Board has approved USD 625 million loan to support the central government’s programme to generate electricity from rooftop solar power plants.
160.World’s largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity has been inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Beas, in Amritsar, Punjab.
161.The Union Government has constituted a five member committee to comprehensively review and give recommendations on the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) road map for the future.
162.Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off the trial run of the first driver less metro trains in New Delhi.
163.Govt. has launched three IT and ITES initiatives for best practices in road transport sector. They are INFRACON, ePACE and up-ScaledINAM PRO.
164.A non-fiction short film on girl child education, Beti made by young student filmmakers of Chandigarh, has been invited for a special screening at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Washington DC.
165.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully launched a super pressure balloon to conduct near-space scientific investigations.
166.Odisha Government has decided to launch Green Passage scheme for orphan students to ensure that they get free of cost higher education in the state.
167.The Income Tax department has launched electronic grievance redressal system ‘e-nivaran’ to fast track taxpayer grievances and ensure early resolution of their complaints.
168.Indian American from Texas Syamantak Payra (15-year) has won the $50,000 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award.
169.England cricketer Joe Root (25 year) has bagged a hat-trick of awards, as he was named Test Player of the Year, Limited Overs Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year at the England’s annual awards ceremony.
170.State Bank of India has decided to merge its five associate public sector banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank with itself.
171.Human Resource Development Ministry is coming up with a mobile app and portal containing free lectures from IIT faculty on various subjects and previous years’ question papers of entrance tests to these prestigious engineering institutions.
172.A self-taught artiste, Gujarati folk singer and Padma award winner Diwaliben Bhil (80-year) passed away in Junagadh.
173.Nepal SBI Bank One of the largest overseas subsidiaries of SBI has launched payment gateway to facilitate online trade and non-trade transactions between the Himalayan nation ‘Nepal‘ and India.
174.UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appointed a veteran Mexican diplomat as the head of the global body’s newly upgraded climate change office which last year oversaw the international negotiations, leading to a historic climate pact.
175.Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced the opening of its Hyderabad technology centre that will focus on the development of maps for its mobile products like iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches.
176.Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has unveiled 2016 Draft National Policy for Women for comments and consultation.
177.The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has opened a special Tatkal like window to expedite examination process of patent applications by start-ups as well as of entities choosing India for filing the first patent.
178.The Indian 4 x 100 m women’s relay team broke the 18-year-old national record to finish in 4th position at the IAAF World Challenge.
179.The Taj Mahal has been voted among the top five tourist attractions in the world, second in Asia and led the popularity list in India, according to a leading travel planning and booking site Trip Advisor.
180.In Turkey, Transport Minister, Binali Yildirim has emerged as the country’s new Prime Minister after the ruling party formally tapped him as its candidate to lead the party.
181.Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has introduced PEHAL programme in Shimla district.
182.Indian journalist and Councillor Philip Abraham has been elected unanimously as the Deputy Mayor of Loughton town in the United Kingdom.
183.A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert.
184.A two day International Buddhist conference has begun in Nepal to celebrate the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
185.A noted expert in the study of function of genes Rakesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
186.Country’s second-largest two wheeler maker Honda Motors Scooter India (HMSI) has partnered with Mumbai based IndusInd Bank to cater retail finance to buyers.
187.Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched the Centre for Environmental Health in New Delhi to assess the impact of environment-related problems on health.
188.Tsai Ing-wen (59-year)has been sworn-in as the new President of Taiwan.
189.Veteran film and television actor Suresh Chatwal has passed away in Mumbai.
190.Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes has won the Formula One season Monaco Grand Prix for the first time.
191.The Taj Mahal has been voted among the top five tourist attractions in the world, second in Asia and led the popularity list in India, according to a leading travel planning and booking site Trip Advisor.
192.In Turkey, Transport Minister, Binali Yildirim has emerged as the country’s new Prime Minister after the ruling party formally tapped him as its candidate to lead the party.
193.Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has introduced PEHAL programme in Shimla district.
194.Indian journalist and Councillor Philip Abraham has been elected unanimously as the Deputy Mayor of Loughton town in the United Kingdom.
195.A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert.
196.A two day International Buddhist conference has begun in Nepal to celebrate the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.
197.A noted expert in the study of function of genes Rakesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
198.Country’s second-largest two wheeler maker Honda Motors Scooter India (HMSI) has partnered with Mumbai based IndusInd Bank to cater retail finance to buyers.
199.Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched the Centre for Environmental Health in New Delhi to assess the impact of environment-related problems on health.
200.Tsai Ing-wen (59-year)has been sworn-in as the new President of Taiwan.
201.The merger of five associate banks and newly created Bharatiya Mahila Bank with SBI will cost $250 million (around Rs 1,660 crore) and have limited impact on the lender's credit metrics, ratings agency Moody's Investors Service said.
202.Diageo-controlled United Spirits (USL) today said its Non-Executive Independent Director Sudhakar Rao has resigned from the post. Rao, former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, was appointed as an Additional Director of the company on July 4, 2013. Later he was elevated to the post of Director in the firm.
203.Cairn India Chief Executive Mayank Ashar has quit the job, the third CEO to resign from the company ever since it was taken over by billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Group four-and- a half-years back.
204.Sealing of the borders with Bangladesh will be completed in two year's time to put an end to infiltration , Assam's chief minister-to- be Sarbananda Sonowal said.
205.With securing just 2.4 per cent in the Assembly elections, DMDK, founded by actor-turned politician Vijaykant is set to lose its recognition as a State party by the Election Commission of India.
206.Apple is the latest US technology giant looking to harness Indian talent as it eyes customers in the country to buy its products. This comes at a time when growth in its most important markets China and the US have begun to taper off.
207.The president has appointed Justice Tinlianthang Vaiphei as the new chief justice of the Tripura High Court, officials said.
208.The World Bank today announced a new programme to mobilise funds quickly against virulent disease outbreaks after the world was caught unprepared in the 2014 Ebola disaster in West Africa.
209.The 27th edition of the India-Indonesia CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) has concluded in Belawan, Indonesia.
210.Nitish Kumar led Bihar Government has announced the ban on sale, distribution, storage, manufacture, consumption and publicity of tobacco products like gutka and pan masala.
211.An indigenously developed “affordable” faecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’, a spin-off of a programme of the Department of Biotechnol?ogy and implemented at AIIMS and IIT Delhi, was launched by Minister of State for Science & Technology, Y.S. Chowdary.
212.Finance ministers and central banks governor from the Group of Seven developed nations kicked off the first day of their meeting in Sendai, Japan.
213.The US House of Representatives have given its nod to a bipartisan legislation to improve defence ties with India.
214.Future Consumer Enterprise Ltd (FCEL) has informed the stock exchanges that International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest $20 million in the company through equity-linked instruments.
215.UK based banking giant, HSBC Holding Plc stated that it plans to close 24 branches in India.
216.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed former Irish President Mary Robinson and Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau as special envoys for El Nino and climate.
217.A 42 year old woman born in Nepal, Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest for the seventh time. With this she has braked her own record for the most ascents to the world's highest mountain by a woman.
218.Emmy award-winning English-born actor Alan Young, who rode to enduring TV fame alongside a talking horse on the popular 1960s sitcom and co-starred in the classic sci-fi film 'The Time Machine' has died at age 96.
219.Roger Federer has withdrawn from this year’s French Open after failing to recover from a back injury.
220.The world's oldest Olympic champion, SandorTarics, died on 21 May 2016 in San Francisco. He was 102. His death was confirmed by Hungarian Olympic Committee MOB.
221.United Nations (UN) observed the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) on 22 May 2016. The theme for the year 2016 is Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.
222.Anurag Thakur was on 22 May 2016 unanimously elected as 34th BCCI President at the board’s special general meeting (SGM) in Mumbai. He will serve as President until September 2017.
223.Former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal was appointed as Principal Adviser (Social Sector) in NITI Aayog for 3-years.
224.The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to exempt the State boards from the purview of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for one year.
225.The US House of Representatives gave its nod to a bipartisan legislation to improve defence ties with India.
226.President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry as per Article 239 of the Constitution.
227.Gujarat Government has launched Smart Village program to improve public facilities in the villages.
228.India and Oman have signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)/agreements on defence cooperation.
229.All India Anna Dravida Munnetrakazhagam (AIADMK) chief Ms. J Jayalalithaa has sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for record sixth time after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority.
230.Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was conferred with the ‘Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Award‘ for his commendable contributions in promoting Nepali literature in India.
231.The US House of Representatives has passed amendments to the National Defence Authorisation Act -2017 to enhance the country’s defence cooperation with India.
232.Union Government has constituted 11 members committee to recommend measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the armed forces and re-balance the overall defence expenditure.
233.Himachal Pradesh fisheries department has started an artificial propagation programme for rehabilitation and conservation of Golden Mahseer fish.
234.Sarbananda Sonowal (53) took oath as Chief Minister of Assam at the head of the BJP’s first government in the North East.
235.Scientist S K Sharma has been appointed the Chairman and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
236.The money market regulator SEBI has tightened its norms for Participatory note (P note) users to follow Indian anti-money laundering law and report any suspicious transactions immediately.
237.The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has signed a MoU with Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
238.The Sports Ministry has stated that the winners from the upcoming Rio Games will be considered for this year’s Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.
239.Former MLA and active trade union leader K Anirudhan (92-years) has passed away at his residence at Vazhuthacaud.
240.Lt Gen SK Saini has taken over as the 46th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
241.The World Bank Group has launched Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility and launched a $500 million fund to fight Pandemics in poor countries and creating the world’s first insurance market for pandemic risk.
242.The Mohun Bagan has clinched the Federation Cup title for the 14th time.
243.India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani has created history in Abu Dhabi by clinching the Asian 6-Red Snooker title.
244.Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Pinarayi Vijayan today took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala with 19 ministers at the central stadium in capital Thiruvananthapuram in a ceremony that drew over 30,000 people.
245.The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) will launch a student tracking system ASMITA next month.
246.India and World Bank have signed the Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank assistance of US 100 million dollars for Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project.
247.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Circuit Bench of Kochi has banned light and heavy diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old in six major cities of Kerala.
248.Newly elected MLA of Tiruparankundram constituency belonging to AIADMK, S.M. Seenivel (65-years), passed away at a private hospital.
249.Burt Kwouk (85-years),who was best known for playing Inspector Clouseau’s manservant Cato in the Pink Panther films has died.
250.Odisha Governor Dr. SC Jamir has promulgated Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016 to ensure use of Odia in all government systems.
251.The world’s first 3D-printed office building opened this week in Dubai. It is a single story building spread across 2,700 square foot.
252.The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly maneuverable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
254.US biochemical engineer, Frances Arnold (59-years )has won the Millennium Technology Prize for her work ‘directed evolution’ in Finland.
255.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA today gave its approval for Railway projects worth Rs 11,000 crore.
256.Union Government has enforced the decision of retirement fund body EPFO to almost double the maximum sum assured under its insurance scheme from 3.6 lakh to 6 lakh rupees.
257.Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to test an air-breathing propulsion system, which aims to capitalize on the oxygen in the atmosphere instead of liquefied oxygen while in flight.
258.Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shri ShripadYessoNaik has launched the new website of the Ministry of AYUSH and web portal for International Day of Yoga in New Delhi.
259.The Union Cabinet gave its ex post facto approval to amend The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 for incorporation of new IITs at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Dharwar (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) and conversion of Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad to an IIT under the law.
260.Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to start its India operations from Gujarat. Its a part of MoU between India’s EXIM Bank and IDB during Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2016.
261.The Union Cabinet has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to give an impetus to the capital goods sector and the Make in India initiative.
262.As per recent study conducted by Assocham-KPMG, India has emerged as the world’s fifth largest electronic waste (e-waste) producer.
263.The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Union Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism of Government of Maldives.
264.According to Russian Olympic Committee 14 of its athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics tested positive for doping during re-tests of their samples.
265.Har Parkash Rishi (74-years) is an Indian man who holds the Guinness World Record for having the maximum number of flags (366) tattooed on his body.
266.Six-time Paralympic gold medal-winning British wheelchair racer, David Weir became the first wheelchair racer to complete a mile-long race (approximately 1.6 kilometers) in under three minutes.
267.Delhi Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and AAP leader Bandana Kumari has tendered her resignation in the wake of defeat of the party’s candidate in recent MCD by-polls.
268.Indian Railways conducted the first ever trial run for high-speed Talgo trains of Spain on the Bareilly-to-Moradabad stretch in Uttar Pradesh.
269.Union minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has released the Draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2016 in New Delhi.
270.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off, the first ever direct train between Assam to Jammu & Kashmir.
271.Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee (61-years) has sworn-in as the chief minister of West Bengal for second successive five-year term.
272.Founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal has received this year’s Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.
273.Noted Marathi critic and litterateur R G Jadhav (83-years)passed away at his residence here this morning following prolonged illness.
274.Indian-American Rishi Nair (12-years) a sixth grader from Florida took top honors at the 28th annual National Geographic Bee held at the National Geographic headquarters in Washington.
275.The mortgage lender HDFC ltd has been ranked among the world’s top ten biggest and most powerful companies in the consumer financial services sector on a Forbes list.
276.Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve of East Kameng district has received the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016‘ in one of its four categories.
277.The Intensive Household Survey by the Telangana government conducted on August 19, 2014, has entered the Limca Book of Records as the most intensive household survey by a State.
278.Sonia Lather advanced to final of AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship at Astana in Kazakhstan.
279.Indian para athlete Amit Kumar Saroha from Haryana won the gold medal in men’s club throw (F-51) at the recently concluded 2016 French Open Athletics Championship in Paris.
280.Sanjay Bangar (43-years) the former India and Railways all rounder, has been appointed head coach for the team’s tour to Zimbabwe.
281.The Union Government has given its final approval to setting up of National Investment &, Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Kalinganagar, Odisha. It will come up on a massive area of 163 square kilometres and on completion will be the third NIMZ of India.
282.China has signed two agreements with Sudan, its close ally in Africa to build 600-megawatt atomic reactor. It was the first of its kind project to be built by China in African country. The two framework agreements in this regard have been signed by state-owned China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) with Sudan.
283.Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched 20 Nirbhaya buses of Rajasthan State Transport Corporation (RSTC). These buses are fitted with multiple IT-enabled safety measures to better protect women passengers and keep anti-social elements under check. These buses were launched by RSTC as a pilot project under the NIRBHAYA scheme.
284.According to the US based global rating agency, Fitch, India’s economic growth rate will leisurely accelerate to 8% by fiscal year ending March 2019, driven by the gradual implementation of structural reforms, higher disposable income and improvement in economy. Fitch also expects India’s GDP to grow 7.5% in fiscal year ending March 2016 and improve to 7.7% in the current fiscal year and further to 7.9% in the fiscal year ending Union HRD Ministry launches Bharatavani Portal.
285.Irani has launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as part of Union Government. The first knowledge portal of its kind in India will help the government to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world.
286.The Union Government has approved an investment of over 5500 crore rupees for basic urban infrastructure in six states under Atal Mission. The States are Madhya Pradesh,Gujarat, Rajasthan,Odisha, Jharkhand and Meghalaya. The decision was taken by the Apex committee of Urban Development Ministry under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, AMRUT in New Delhi.
287.Indian woman author in Singapore Aditi Krishnakumar (31-years)has won the ‘Scholastic Asian Book Award‘ for her manuscript rooted in Indian history. She won the ten thousand Singapore dollar award this week for her manuscript “Codex: The Lost Treasure Of The Indus“. The Scholastic Asian Book Award (SABA) is the joint initiative of the National Book Development Council of Singapore and Scholastic Asia.
288.The new timetable of Railways will come into effect from October 1 this year as against July 1. Since the public transporter is introducing some major changes in the train schedules. A Railway Ministry official said that the existing timetable will continue to be valid upto September 30 this year and all trains will run as per the schedule of existing time table upto September-end. Generally, the new timetable becomes operational from July 1.
289.The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has framed policy guidelines for central government advertisements on websites. All online ads from the Centre would now be routed via the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), which would em panel eligible websites. Further, DAVP will fix the rates of advertisements and would also be responsible for their strategic placement.
290.Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev will lead a yoga session at the UN on the occasion of the second International Yoga Day next month. International Yoga Day will be commemorated on the 21st of June. Yoga for the Sustainable Development Goals will be the theme of this year’s Yoga Day.
291.The Union Ministry of Power and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched India’s first integrated web portal designed to promote and mainstream Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in India.
292.Lakshadweep became first Union Territory (UT) in the country to sign 24×7 Power for All document.
293.Real Madrid FC won the 2016 UEFA Champions League for the record 11th time by defeating Atletico Madrid FC by 5-3 goals in penalty shootout. In the final played, both teams scored 1–1 goals in regulation period leading to draw.
294.Indian author Aditi Krishnakumar has won the prestigious 2016 Scholastic Asian Book Award. She has won the award for her 32,000-word manuscript titled Codex: The Lost Treasure Of The Indus. The manuscript will be now published by Scholastic Asia.
295.India and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance research and development (R&D) capabilities in biotechnology by launching a joint funding call.
296.David Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a maiden Indian Premier League title after the bowlers derailed Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chase to fashion an eight-run victory. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the highest wicket-taker in this year’s competition, conceded only nine runs in the final over to dash Bangalore’s hopes of being third time lucky in the final of the Twenty20 competition.
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