Josh Magazine Current Affairs Magazine December 2012 1

Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF DECEMBER 2012
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Table of Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................................................14 Pick of the Month......................................................................................................................16 Park Geun-Hye Elected First Woman President of South Korea .........................................16 Queen Elizabeth Attended Cabinet Meeting ......................................................................16 Cyrus Pallonji Mistry Appointed as Chairman of Tata Sons ................................................17 The MSP of Wheat Increased to 1350 Rupees per Quintal .................................................17 Lok Sabha Passed the Companies Bill 2011 ........................................................................18 Retail Inflation Increased to 9.90 Percent in November 2012 ............................................18 Voyager 1, Spacecraft Drifted Into Unknown Space Region ...............................................19 India and Russia signed pacts on Economic Ties ................................................................19 Sachin announced Retirement from One Day Cricket ........................................................20 International .............................................................................................................................23 Immigration to Britain Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20 Years..................................................23 Menon Visited China after Changes in CPC ........................................................................23 Kuwait Elected Its New Parliament But With Low Turnout.................................................23 India & Pakistan Discussed Methods for Solving Sir Creek Issue.........................................23 Iran Claimed Capturing US Drone: US Rejected the Claim ..................................................24 11th Meeting of India-Canada JWG on Counter Terrorism ..................................................24 Iran Declared Extraction of Data from Captured US Drone ................................................24 China Held largest Air Force Drill involving 100 Fighter planes ...........................................24 Maldives took over Charge of Male Airport with GMR .......................................................25 India and Ukraine signed Five Agreements ........................................................................25 Vinod Rai Elected Chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors ...........................................25 Global Telecom Treaty without Net Control Signed ...........................................................25 www.jagranjosh.com
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North Korea Launched Long Range Unha-3 Rocket ............................................................25 India and Pakistan Jointly operaionalised New Visa Agreement .........................................26 UK Planned to Replace Paper Money with Plastic Banknotes.............................................26 WHO Approved Vaccine Manufacturing Practices of India .................................................26 Ireland to Legalise Abortions when the Mothers Life is at Risk .........................................26 Britain would Pull Half of its Troops from Afghanistan .......................................................27 US House of Representatives passed the Defence Bill 2013 ...............................................27 Parliament in Italy dissolved by President Giorgio Napolitano ...........................................27 European Union imposed Stiff Sanctions on Trade with Iran .............................................27 Moscow Authorities Announced Demolishing Hindu Temple.............................................28 UN Approved New Debate on Arm Treaty .........................................................................28 Pakistan Recognised Republic of Kosovo as Independent State .........................................28 Mohamed Morsi signed Egypt's Controversial Constitution ...............................................28 International Quizzes .........................................................................................................28 World Dairy ...............................................................................................................................32 National ....................................................................................................................................36 EPFO Launched its e-Passbook Portal ................................................................................36 SC Issued Guidelines to Curb Eve Teasing At Public Places .................................................36 Sign. Mismatch on Cheque can lead Criminal Proceedings: SC ...........................................36 S.A. Ibrahim's Appointment as Director for IB Approved ...................................................36 Global Terrorism Index Revealed .......................................................................................37 Decks for Ambedkar Memorial cleared ..............................................................................37 Former Deputy Chief Minister Narhari Amin Joined BJP ....................................................37 Karnataka to Provide Tamil Nadu 12 TMC feet of Water: CMC ..........................................37 India to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty......................................................................38 Union Government Introduced Bill to Amend Competition Act .........................................38
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SC: Judges Should Inform Government about Foreign Visits ..............................................38 Bhatinda-Srinagar Gas Pipeline Project to complete by 2014 .............................................38 Union Government Spent Over 1768 Crore on Promotion .................................................39 Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill ................................................39 Government launched Calendar with Flagship Schemes ....................................................39 Union Government of India Extended ban on ULFA and NDFB...........................................39 India Developed Indigenous Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine ........................................39 Govt. to set-up Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations ...........................................40 Minorities Rights Day Celebrated ......................................................................................40 New Cases of HIV decreased by 57 Percent in India ...........................................................40 Lok Sabha Passed the Banking Bill .....................................................................................40 SC: Dismissed Purno Sangma Petition ................................................................................41 Delhi High Court dismissed the PIL against Sachin Tendulkar .............................................41 India and ASEAN Finalised FTA in Investments and Services ..............................................41 SC Judges Number increased to 28 against the Strength of 31 ...........................................42 Commission Constituted to Suggest Measures for Safety of Women .................................42 Union Government exempted Service Tax for Janashree ...................................................42 Government Decided to Set-up Project for Cyber Security ................................................42 Government Withdrew Z-Plus Security Cover for Gen V K Singh ........................................42 Bihar became the Fastest Growing Indian State.................................................................43 National Current Affairs Quizzes ........................................................................................43 India Dairy .................................................................................................................................47 Economy ...................................................................................................................................54 Core Sectors of Indian Economy Grew By 6.5 % in October 2012 .......................................54 RBI signed Currency Swap Agreement with Bank of Japan .................................................54 SEBI allowed 12 more Alternative Investment Funds .........................................................54
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Indian Economy Would Dominate the Economy of the World ...........................................54 India's Foreign Trade in November 2012 ...........................................................................55 CCEA approved the Setting up of CCI .................................................................................55 BSE launched SME Platform Index .....................................................................................55 Government lowered Growth Projection for Current Fiscal ...............................................55 Foreign Investments via P-Notes Increased to 8-Month High.............................................55 UN Slashed World Growth Forecast to 2.4 Percent ............................................................56 Indirect Tax Collection Increased at 16.8 Percent ..............................................................56 Incentives to Exporters Hit By Global Meltdown Announced .............................................56 Economy Current Affairs Quizzes .......................................................................................56 Corporate..................................................................................................................................59 Infosys Decided Shifting Its American Shares to NYSE ........................................................59 Kingfisher Airlines Sent Eviction Notice..............................................................................59 Corporate Frauds Rising in India: KPMG Survey .................................................................59 News Corp Decided to Split Into Two .................................................................................59 Nokia Agreed to sell Headquarter Building for $ 222 Million .............................................60 Google India Partnered With E-Commerce Sites ................................................................60 SBI Announced Expectation of 4000 crore Equity ..............................................................60 Citigroup Planned Cutting Down 11000 Jobs .....................................................................61 Sahara Got Two Months Time to Repay Investors Money .................................................61 Adani Group COMPLETED LARGEST Coal Mining Project....................................................61 Suresh Vaswani, Appointed As the Dell Services President ................................................61 Apple Launched i pad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India .........................................61 Wipro Bought Singapore Based FMCG Company LD Waxson .............................................62 Tata Motors Slashed Car Price upto 1.5 Lakh Rupees .........................................................62 Lobby Bill of Wal-Mart Hit Around 125 Crore Rupees ........................................................62
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Google and Apple Partnered for Kodak Patents .................................................................62 Car Sales Dipped by 8.25 Percent in November 2012.........................................................63 Yahoo, NBC Sports came Together to Provide Sports Content ...........................................63 Bharti Infratel Raised 652 Crore Rupees by Anchor Investors ............................................63 Cargill India acquired Wipro's Sunflower Vanaspati brand .................................................63 Lodha Developer Acquired the Mumbais Washington House ...........................................63 Sutherland Global Services Signed Acquisition Agreements ...............................................64 Telecom Commission approved subsidy for BSNL ..............................................................64 Infosys Shares started Trading on New York Stock Exchange .............................................64 Reliance signed Agreement with Chinas Dalian Wanda Group ..........................................64 ICICI Bank Opened 101 Gramin Branches across Villages ...................................................65 M&S Added Anti-Bribery Clause in Indian Contracts ..........................................................65 Levi Strauss & Co, Appointed Harmit Singh as the New CFO ..............................................65 IndiGo lost 88 Crore Rupees in FY 2011-2012: Aviation Ministry ........................................65 PetroChina agreed to buy Stake in Encana Natural Gas Project .........................................66 REpower Systems won a Contract of supplying Wind Turbines ..........................................66 Fortis Healthcare Announced to Divest Stake to Bupa .......................................................66 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon Raised 4.04 Crore Charity ........................................................67 HCL Infosystems announced Distribution of Toshiba e-STUDIO .........................................67 KG-D6, Gas Producing Fields Reached Lowest Gas Output Level ........................................67 Tata Steel Developed Anti-Ballistic Steel Super Bainite ......................................................67 Google Launched Dead Sea Scrolls Online Library ..............................................................67 Samsung Defeated Nokia to become top mobile brand 2012 ............................................68 Ratan Tata conferred Title of Chairman Emeritus ..............................................................68 DLF Sold Luxury Hotel Chain Aman Resorts........................................................................68 China named Infosys in Key Service outsourcing Company List ..........................................68
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NYSE Agreed Selling Itself as a Part of 8.2 Billion Dollar Takeover ......................................69 Ranbir is the Brand Ambassador of Blackberry Smartphone ..............................................69 Japanese Multinational Bought Stake in Guardian Lifecare ................................................69 JLR Chinese Subsidiary Recalled Cars to Fix Steering Boxes ................................................69 Instagram Faced First Class Action Lawsuit on Service Terms ............................................69 Corporate Current Affair Quizzes .......................................................................................70 State .........................................................................................................................................73 Andhra Pradesh SC, ST Sub-Plans Bill 2012 Passed.............................................................73 UP to issue Golden Cards to Industrialists ..........................................................................73 Delhi Metro Suffered Loss of 5 Crore Rupees.....................................................................73 Delhi Police Signed Agreement with Mumbai-Based Company ..........................................73 Haryana to buy 2000 MW Hydel Power from Bhutan ........................................................74 BS Yeddyurappa, launched Karnataka Janatha Party..........................................................74 Delhi Government Checked Compliance of Polybag Ban ....................................................74 AP HC stayed ED Order attaching 822cr Rupees deposit ....................................................74 Bihar received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 ......................................................75 Bihar State Government approved the New Jail Manual ....................................................75 Assam Government Announced Special Health Scheme ....................................................75 Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill 2012 Passed by Legislative Assembly ........................................75 Government of Bihar to hold Bandi Darbars in Jail.............................................................76 SIT Probe ordered into Multi-Crore Irrigation Scam ...........................................................76 BJP won in Gujarat State Assembly Elections 2012 ............................................................76 Congress won the State Assembly Elections 2012 in HP.....................................................76 New Bill for Amendments in Law on Rape, Sexual Assault .................................................76 MP Government set up a Senior Citizen Commission ........................................................77 Karnataka Announced Safety Measures in Public Transport ..............................................77
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Implementation of National Commission on Food Processing ...........................................77 Maharashtra Government to set up 25 Fast Track Courts ..................................................77 Sports........................................................................................................................................79 IOA: There Was No Violation of the Olympic Charter .........................................................79 Anna Ushenina won Womens World Championship Crown ..............................................79 Ravindra Jadeja Scored Three Triple Tons in First-Class Cricket ..........................................79 Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland Won World Challenge ..........................................79 Ricky Ponting announced Retirement from Test Cricket ....................................................80 Match between L. McShane and V. Anand ended as Draw ................................................80 IOC suspended IOA: India Facing Ban from Olympics .........................................................80 Air India won Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey Tournament ......................................................81 Bryant is the Youngest Player to Reach 30000 Career Points .............................................81 IOC: Action on IOA was not Against Indian Athletes...........................................................81 Alastair Cook became Youngest Batsman to Score 7000 Runs ...........................................81 Athens Olympics: Athletes Lose Medals over Doping.........................................................81 Government de-recognised Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.........................................82 Australia Won the Hockey Champions Trophy ...................................................................82 Lionel Messi set Record for most Goals in a Calendar Year ................................................82 Wrestlers suspended at Wrestling Championship ..............................................................83 First class cricketer BB Nimbalkar Passed Away .................................................................83 India Lifted the Inaugural SBI T20 World Cup for the Blind 2012 ........................................83 India won the World Cup Kabaddi Tournament 2012 ........................................................83 Junior World TT Championship: China Claimed All Titles....................................................83 India Lost Test Series by 1-2 after Nagpur Test ended as a Draw .......................................84 Sardar Singh Commanded the Best Price in HIL Auction ....................................................84 AIFF appointed Probe Panel with Retired Judge A.K. Ganguly ............................................84
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India retained their Position in the Latest ICC Test Ranking ...............................................85 Roger Federer Named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year 2012 ..............................................85 Shiva Keshavan, Luge Athlete won Gold at Asian Championship ........................................85 Apurvi Chandela won Womens Air Rifle Gold ...................................................................85 Sports Current Affairs Quizzes ...........................................................................................86 Environment & Ecology .............................................................................................................89 Fish Named After President Barack Obama .......................................................................89 MoU Signed Between Mysore Zoo and Leipzig Zoo in Germany.........................................89 Scientists Warned Against Earthquakes in Himalayan Region ............................................89 Typhoon Bopha: Death Toll Rises in Philippines .................................................................90 Refreezing Arctic Could Help Deal With Climate Crisis .......................................................90 Extreme Climatic Conditions may Extinct Mammals ..........................................................90 Exchange of White Tigress from India against Puma Pair from Russia ................................91 First Freshwater Mosasaurs Species Discovered ................................................................91 Geologists Claimed Hawaiian Islands Would Extinct ..........................................................91 Environmental Changes Encouraged Human Evolution ......................................................91 Science & Technology ...............................................................................................................93 NASAs Mercury-Orbiting probe discovered Ice on the Planet ...........................................93 US Grand Canyon Is Actually 65-70 Million Years Old ........................................................93 Scientists created most Complex and Realistic Artificial Brain............................................93 CHAMP Missile Could Shut Down the Countries Electronics ..............................................93 Human Intelligence Associated With Genetic Accident ......................................................94 Mystery that Surrounded the Missing Sandy Island Solved ................................................94 Alarming Cushion Designed by Researchers ......................................................................94 Anti Collision Device for Railways developed .....................................................................94 NASA Announced to send New Rover to Mars in 2020 ......................................................95
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100 Percent Ultrasound Toothbrush of the World Developed ...........................................95 New Dinosaur with Gigantic Nose Discovered in Mexico ...................................................95 100 Times Faster Laser Explosives-Detection Device .........................................................95 Research Indicated Anti-Ageing Gene Might Suppress Tumours ........................................96 Scientist Decoded Genetic Code of Honey Bees .................................................................96 NASA Discovered Mini Nile River on Saturns Moon Titan ..................................................96 Scientists Developed Headset to Give Humans 360 Degree Vision .....................................96 Brain-Removal Tool Discovered in 2400-Year Old Mummy ................................................97 Permian Mass Extinction Was Led By a Microbe: Research ................................................97 Researchers Created Natural Heart Pacemaker .................................................................97 NASAs Twin Probes Crashed Successfully .........................................................................97 Scientists Detected Five New Planets, One of Them is Habitable .......................................97 Life Supporting planet Found orbiting Star near Earth .......................................................98 NASA Developed New Next-Gen Spacesuit ........................................................................98 NASA Ruled out Asteroid Collision with Earth in 2040 .......................................................98 Spaceplane Successfully Completed Flight Test .................................................................98 Astronomers: Rare Supercomet Would Outshine Moon in 2013 ........................................99 Science and Technology Quizzes ........................................................................................99 One Liners ............................................................................................................................... 102 News Capsule .......................................................................................................................... 106 Jeff Zucker named CNN's New Chief Executive ................................................................ 106 Haryana Topped the Chart of States to exceed target Revenue ....................................... 106 Ranjit Sinha, Senior IPS Officer Took Over As CBI Director ............................................... 106 Internet Freedom not to be controlled by the United Nations ......................................... 106 Dave Brubeck, the Renowned Jazz Pianist and Composer Died ........................................ 107 Oldest Person of the World, Besse Cooper Died At 116 ................................................... 107
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India Ranked 94th in 2012 Corruption Perception Index .................................................. 107 Manmohan Singh on the List of Top 20 Most Powerful People ........................................ 107 Parthasarathi Shome Appointed Adviser to Finance Minister .......................................... 108 Typhoon Bopha: Strongest Tropical Cyclone to hit Philippines ......................................... 108 Life of Pi was given two National Tourism Awards ........................................................... 108 World agreed to Second Phase of Kyoto Protocol ............................................................ 108 New Version of Internet Addresses Made Available in India ............................................ 109 Queen Elizabeth to Create History with 3D Christmas Message ....................................... 109 Chidambaram Selected for K Karunakaran Foundation Award ......................................... 109 The 2nd Meeting on India-China Border Affairs Held ....................................................... 110 Nobel Peace Prize 2012 Awarded to European Union (EU) .............................................. 110 Pandit Ravi Shankar, the Indian Sitar Maestro Died ......................................................... 110 Police Warned People of Map Flaws of Apple ..................................................................110 India Successfully test fired Agni I Ballistic Missile ........................................................... 111 Uttarakhands First Chief Minister Nityanand Swami Died ............................................... 111 Hema Malini Selected for Bharat Muni Samman ............................................................. 111 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 for Pt. Ravi Shankar ....................................112 DAVP Received the Web Ratna Award-2012-Golden Icon Award .....................................112 First Indian to Win Oscar decided to return Her Trophy................................................... 112 Norman Woodland, the Inventor of Bar Code Died at 91 ................................................. 112 Mumbai Ranked Among the Dirtiest Cities of the World: Survey .....................................112 R S Goswami elected as Chairman of Bar Council of Delhi................................................ 113 Justice Arun kumar Mishra is Chief Justice of Calcutta HC................................................ 113 Naina Lal Kidwai became the First Woman President of FICCI ......................................... 113 Tamil Version of the Book Still Counting the Dead Released ............................................ 113 Mahatma Gandhis Letters sold Big at Sotheby's ............................................................. 114
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Shahrukh honoured with Brand Laureate Legendary Award ............................................ 114 CII Conference on driving South Asia Economic Integration ............................................. 114 Spacecrafts of NASA Ebb and Flow Crashed .....................................................................114 Rajesh Singh Appointed Vice President Marketing for GM ............................................... 114 No Religion Described Third Largest World Group ........................................................... 115 Jiroemon Kimura, a Japanese Became Worlds Oldest Person ......................................... 115 Subhash Joshi Appointed New Chief of BSF .....................................................................115 First of the Eight P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft received ......................................... 115 Best Administrator in India Award won by Chidambaram ................................................ 116 TIME Magazine named Barack Obama as Person of the year ........................................... 116 Prithvi II, Nuclear-capable Missile Successfully Test-fired ................................................ 116 Praful Patel re-elected President of AIFF ......................................................................... 116 Leslie Claudius the Legendary Hockey Player from India Died .......................................... 117 Maharaj Loonkaran Singhs Era Gunpowder Found ......................................................... 117 Freshwater Mosasaurs Species Discovered By Researchers ............................................. 117 Jeet Thayil with 23 Others Chosen for Sahitya Akademi Award ........................................ 117 India Test Fired Air to Air Interceptor Astra Missile.......................................................... 117 Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned ahead of Elections ................................................ 118 Gangnam Style in Collins Dictionarys Word of the Year 2012 .......................................... 118 Astra Missile test-fired Third Time within a Week............................................................ 118 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships for the Year 2012.................................................... 118 No. of SC Judges increased to 28 after 3 Judges Sworn In ................................................ 119 Justice Swatanter Kumar took over as NGT Chairperson .................................................. 119 Virbhadra Singh is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh .............................................. 119 China inaugurated Worlds Longest High-speed Rail Route .............................................. 119 750 Year Old Explicit Stone Tablet Discovered in Vasai .................................................... 119
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Cyber Security get Revamped with Government Five Year Plan ....................................... 120 Committee to Shortlist Nominees for Padma Awards Met ............................................... 120 Shinzo Abe Elected As Prime Minister of Japan................................................................ 120 Narendra Modi was Sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat ........................................ 120 Questions of the Month .......................................................................................................... 123 For More Info .......................................................................................................................... 125
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PREFACE
Current Affairs PDF Magazine December 2012 includes the happenings of December Month. After going through it an aspirant of competitive examination can gain the knowledge of the recent happenings and prepare him/her better for the examinations that they may face in future. A fine tuned and polished knowledge of Current Affairs has its own importance for candidates preparing for different levels and different types of competitive examinations. The PDF magazine has been drafted with a sole aim of answering to the needs and demands of competitive examinations that includes IAS|PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA as well as Board Exams of CBSE and other States. The compilation of this magazine has been done by a team of experts. These experts after evaluating the happenings and identifying their importance by exercising some of the genuine methods have tried to ensure that the data represented here are correct. Our experts have also tried to identify, analyse and explain the hidden theories behind the decisions made by the government, corporate mergers, environmental changes and facts of researches.
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PICK OF THE MONTH

PARK GEUN-HYE ELECTED FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA
Park Geun-hye was elected as the president of South Korea on 19 December 2012, the first woman who acquired this post. Park Geun-hye is the daughter of longest ruling dictator of South Korea. After the counting of votes, it was declared by the National Election Commission that Park had enjoyed clear victory with 51.64 percent votes in comparison to 47.93 percent votes for Moon Jae-in, who is the former lawyer of human rights. Moon Jae-in was also imprisoned at some point of time for standing in opposition with the authoritarian rule of her father. Moon Jae-in accepted the defeat because clearly her lead was impossible. Election of Park Geun-hye, 60, is said to be the milestone for South Korean society which has remained mainly male-dominated. Dictator Park Chung-hee, the father of Park Geun-hye ruled the country from 1961 to 1979 and left behind political repression, something that is still dividing the country. While in office, Lee intensified several problems such as dwindling job opportunities, political corruption as well as increasing tensions with North Korea. While campaigning, Park had said that being a female would help her in a lot of ways. She never got married. Reputation of Park in South Korea is that of a steely as well as principled leader. Her role models are Queen Elizabeth and British PM Margaret Thatcher.
QUEEN ELIZABETH ATTENDED CABINET MEETING

On 18 December 2012, Queen Elizabeth became first peacetime British ruler ever since 1781, who attended the cabinet meeting. Though she did not take part in any deliberations, but she participated in the cabinet meeting as an observer and a listener. Queen Elizabeth remained seated on the chair which is usually occupied by the prime minister. Historians believed that Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch in the history to attend any cabinet meeting, after George III did that. Factually, George I had abandoned joining the cabinet in 1717. Nevertheless, Queen Elizabeths father George VI had attended the cabinet meeting during World War II. UK Prime Minister David Cameron seated towards the right side of Elizabeth and foreign secretary William Hague seated towards her left. George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer was seated just opposite to her. www.jagranjosh.com
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In the cabinet meeting, the PM first welcomed the Queen formally before spelling out objectives of the cabinet meeting. The first agenda of the meeting was about law amendment on the succession to royal chair. The agenda was basically allowing the first born girl to be head of the state, even if she had younger brother. Though, Queen Elizabeth had attended the cabinet meeting, but academics were of different viewpoints on whether Queen should have attended the meeting or not. At present, Britain has a tradition of monarch allowing a weekly audience to PM in order to receive private as well as confidential briefing. But actually, the Queen just rubber stamps the ministerial decisions, maybe sometimes in presence of the Privy Council.
CYRUS PALLONJI MISTRY APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF TATA SONS

Cyrus Pallonji Mistry was appointed as the chairman of Tata Sons, the firm that holds more than 100 billion dollar Tata Group, on 18 December 2012. Cyrus Pallonji Mistry would take on the role of chairman of Tata Sons with effect from 28 December 2012, after Rata Tata retires as the current Chairman of the company. Ratan Tata who will also celebrate his 75th birthday on 28 December 2012 was conferred the honorary title of chairman emeritus. Tata Sons Board gave the title to Ratan Tata.
ABOUT CYRUS PALLONJI MISTRY

Cyrus Pallonji Mistry, 43, is billionaire Pallonji Shapoorji Mistrys son. Cyrus Mistry has already remained the director of Tata Sons since 2006. He was appointed as the deputy chairman of Tata Sons in November 2011. Pallonji Mistry, along with the sons, Cyrus Mistry and Shapoor Mistry are the owners of 18.5 percent stake in the company. This makes the Mistrys the largest shareholders on individual basis of this company. Earlier in December 2012, Cyrus Mistry was also appointed as chairman of Tata Motors. He would commence playing his role from 28 December 2012. He was also appointed as chairman of two other Tata companies- Tata Chemicals and Tata Steel. In November 2012, Ratan Tata also bowed out from Tata Global Beverages as the chairman, which paved way for Mistry.
THE MSP OF WHEAT INCREASED TO 1350 RUPEES PER QUINTAL

The Union government of India on 26 December 2012 raised the Minimum Support Price, MSP of wheat by 65 rupees per quintal to 1350 rupees per quintal. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting this morning in New Delhi Chaired by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. The government also decided to export additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat from its
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go-downs. The CCEA approved the disinvestment of 12.5 per cent paid up equity capital to the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers. Current government holding is about 92.5 per cent. This will make the company compliant with the SEBI norms that 10 per cent float should be there. CCEA approved the proposal to export an additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat. Earlier, we had approved export of 20 lakh tonnes of wheat of that a little over 17 lakh tonnes have been contracted.
LOK SABHA PASSED THE COMPANIES BILL 2011

Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012 passed the Companies Bill 2011. The Bill is aimed at improving corporate governance. It contains provisions to strengthen regulations for corporate as well as auditing firms. Once enacted as law, it will replace the Companies Act 1956. The Companies Bill makes it mandatory for profit-making companies to spend two percent of their profit for community welfare as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. In case, a company fails to meet its social obligations, it will have to explain the reasons for the shortfall. The Bill will protect small investors from corporate frauds. Under the proposed legislation, more powers will be conferred upon Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to deal with corporate frauds. There will be better co-ordination now between the investigation agencies at the centre and the states. In the year 1956, there were only 30000 registered companies in India. In 2012 there are more than 850000 companies. Therefore a modern company bill was needed to check the corporate fraud.
RETAIL INFLATION INCREASED TO 9.90 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2012

Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released on 12 December 2012 showed that the retail inflation increased for the second successive month to 9.90 percent in November 2012 mainly because of the increase in price of food products like edible oil, sugar, vegetables as well as clothing. In October 2012, the retail inflation was 9.75 percent and in September 2012, it was 9.73 percent. Maximum increase in the price in the month of November 2012 was in oil as well as fats segment, amounting to the annual inflation of 17.67 percent. Apart from oil, the price of sugar also increased by 16.97 percent and pulses on the other hand because costlier by 14.19 percent on yearly basis. The prices of vegetables increased by 14.74 percent in November 2012, while the price of egg, fish and meat increased by 11.33 percent. Also, there was an increase in the price of footwear and clothing at 11.08 percent in November 2012. In the urban areas, retail inflation increased to 9.69 percent in November 2012 in comparison to 9.46 percent in October 2012. However, in rural areas there was a very slight decrease in inflation to 9.97 percent in November 2012 from 9.98 percent in October 2012. The rural, urban and combined All India provisional General (all groups) CPI numbers for the month of November 2012 are 126.9, 123.4 and 125.4, respectively. It is important to note that the Reserve Bank will keep an increase in retail inflation in mind while taking review about the mid-quarter policy in the third week of December 2012. In www.jagranjosh.com
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October 2012, raising concerns over rising inflation, Reserve Bank had kept the standard interest rates unchanged.
VOYAGER 1, SPACECRAFT DRIFTED INTO UNKNOWN SPACE REGION

The Voyager 1 spacecraft sailed into the new area of solar system which scientists were not aware about. Both Voyager 1 as well as Voyager 2 has been continuously moving away from the Sun into the interstellar space, also known as the space between the stars. During the summers, Voyager 1 entered into the space where effects are felt from the outside. Scientists at NASA jet propulsion laboratory who manage the Voyager 1 spacecraft believed that this might be the last layer between earth and interstellar space. The location of this spacecraft was presented at American Geophysical Union in San Francisco. Voyager 1 would eventually become the first manmade object that would exit the solar system. When Voyager 1 would exactly exit our solar system is still unknown, to a certain extent since there is no pattern. Scientists estimated that Voyager 1 would have around two to three years of traveling before it reaches the boundary which separates solar system from other space. In the meanwhile, scientists were very surprised to see the unexpected region in boundaries of the solar system. During 2011, team at NASA had been observing alluring clues which signal towards new environment of the space. High-energy cosmic rays were streaming in from beyond the solar system. Also, the amount of low-energy particles which originate from within our solar system dropped down briefly. The scientists were however sure that Voyager 1 did not break through because there were no changes in direction of magnetic field lines. Scientists are calling this newly discovered zone as the type of magnetic highway. These spacecrafts called the Voyagers were launched in the space around 35 years ago to take a tour on other planets. Even though Voyager 2, which is at present 9 billion miles away from sun, was first launched but Voyager 1 is closer in leaving the solar system at the back.
INDIA AND RUSSIA SIGNED PACTS ON ECONOMIC TIES

India and Russia on 24 December 2012 signed a pact for strengthening their economic ties with a Kremlin-backed 2 billion dollar investment fund. Both the parties also agreed to talk about a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement involving Kazakhastan and Belarus. During the twelfth straight annual summit, the leaders of both the nations Vladimir Putin - President of Russia and Manmohan Singh - Prime Minister of India finalised 10 agreements including two military contracts of 20000 crore rupees, which was under process for past some time. The two nations were not successful in making a substantial progress on issues related to delay in commissioning of Gorshkov-the aircraft carrier, applicability of the Nuclear Limited Liability Act at Kudankulams six new reactors developed by Russia. Plans of Sistema and Severstal - the www.jagranjosh.com
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two Russian companies investment plans in India and the tax imposed on the Indian company operating in Russia named Imperial Energy. Sistema, whose 2G licenses were cancelled by the Supreme Court of India signed two agreements in the satellite segment with India through its sister concern company named Glonass. India has signed military side contracts with Glonassthe constellation of 34 satellites in 2011 for receiving precision signals. Both the nations would be extending their partnership in energy sector moving beyond the investments made in Sakhalin-I and direct trade of Gazprom-Gail and are planning to boost joint investment in upstream and downstream sectors. India also managed to discuss on its areas of interest for equity participation via ONGC-OVL in the projects of Siberia, Arctic Shelf and Far East of Russia either in the existing ones or the new ones. India also put on table the interests of acquiring equity stakes in the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Russia.
SACHIN ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM ONE DAY CRICKET

Sachin Tendulkar on 23 December 2012 announced retirement form one day cricket which put an end to his 23- year old glorious career.
SACHIN TENDULKAR
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian Batsman who is considered one of the greatest batsman of the world after Don Bradman in Test Cricket and the second most successful one day batsman after Viv Richards as per the ranking done by Wisden-the Bible of Cricket. Tendulkar who belongs to Mumbai Maharashtra made his appearance in six world cups for India and was the member of the 2011 World Cup winning squad of the nation.
THE MAJOR FACTS RELATED TO HIS ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Sachin scored 18426 runs in 463 one-day matches at an average of 44.83 Tendulkar made his ODI debut on his international tour against Pakistan in 1989 in Gujranwala, where he scored zero runs He scored his first half century in the 9th ODI He made 49 hundreds in the one-day format, including a double hundred which is the first in this form of cricket and 96 half centuries He scored his first century in the 79th ODI against Australia in 1994 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo in a day-night match-this was the third match of singer world series In the 2003 World Cup in South Africa he finished as the highest run-getter
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He became the first cricketer to score a double century in the history of One Day international Cricket against South Africa in February 2010 He played his last One Day International Match against Pakistan in Asia Cup Dhaka played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur and scored a half century to help India win the match Tendulkar scored his 100th international century on 16 March 2012 against Bangladesh, where he scored 114 runs
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INTERNATIONAL
IMMIGRATION TO BRITAIN WITNESSED BIGGEST FALL IN 20 YEARS
Immigration into Britain saw the deepest dip in 20 years, the official figures revealed. In 2011, 536000 foreigners migrated to live in UK, which are 42000 lower than in 2010. This drop is said to be the biggest and deepest because immigration dropped down by 61000 during the recession of 1991. Numbers of people entering UK were lowest since the year 2004 when thousands of European workers were permitted to work here. To Read More
MENON VISITED CHINA AFTER CHANGES IN CPC

Shiv Shankar Menon, the national security advisor as well as negotiator in the border talks with China paid the visit here on 2 December 2012. This was the first visit by any top ranking Indian official post changes announcement in Communist Party of China. Menon would meet the next premier of China- Li Keqiang. China might look for diplomatic indicator from the Indian official suggesting that India would not join its forces with Philippines and Vietnam in the passport row which is started by China. Three countries protested against China wh en it embossed Chinas map on those areas which are controlled as well as claimed by them on the passports. To Read More
KUWAIT ELECTED ITS NEW PARLIAMENT BUT WITH LOW TURNOUT

Kuwait elected its parliament which might prove to be government-friendly than the previous one. However, it faced low voter turnout as well as opposition boycott. Around 39 percent of the 422569 eligible voters had cast their ballots on 2 December 2012. However, it wasnt evident whether these figures included any invalid voters as well or not. Opposition believed that the participation of voters was lower than this. In the previous three elections, the turnout of voters was 60 percent. On 1 December 2012, the election process was troublesome because there was a change to the rules of voting process announced six weeks ago by ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. To Read More
INDIA & PAKISTAN DISCUSSED METHODS FOR SOLVING SIR CREEK ISSUE
A meeting of the India and Pakistan former diplomats, peace activists, army and navy officers concluded on 3 December 2012 with an agenda that Sir Creek dispute will be resolved. Apart from this, Siachen and Kashmir are other territorial troubles that sit amidst the India-Pakistan relationship. The strategic seminar called Aman Ki Asha concluded with the fact that even after a lot of deadlock after the bilateral meetings, www.jagranjosh.com
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the issue of Sir Creek was not difficult to handle. There were certain proposals on which both India as well as Pakistan agreed and this included de-linking maritime boundaries from land. Also, it was agreed that there would be marking from seaward to the point where both these sides agree. To Read More
IRAN CLAIMED CAPTURING US DRONE: US REJECTED THE CLAIM

On 4 December 2012, Iran claimed that it had captured the small US drone which had entered its airspace on the Gulf waters. Nevertheless, American navy in that region denied this claim on the grounds that none of its unmanned spy planes went missing. The naval arm of Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed that the unmanned US drone which was patrolling over the Persian Gulf waters and gathered Intel was captured immediately, when it entered the airspace of Iran. However it was not made clear how this drone was captured or when it was captured. To Read More
11 TH MEETING OF INDIA-CANADA JWG ON COUNTER TERRORISM

The 11th meeting of the India-Canada Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held in New Delhi on 29 November 2012. The meeting took place within the framework of the enhanced interaction in bilateral relations between India and Canada, and in keeping with the desire of the governments of India and Canada towards greater cooperation in counter terrorism matters. India and Canada shared their respective threat assessments and informed each other of the measures taken by them to strengthen counter terrorism policy and structure. To Read More
IRAN DECLARED EXTRACTION OF DATA FROM CAPTURED US DRONE

Iran declared on 5 December 2012 that it had extracted data from the US intelligence drone which was caught spying on its military sites as well as oil terminals. Iran had declared on 4 December 2012 that the US spying drone was captured. US however put down the claim on the grounds that there were no evidences to support this assertion. Iran had announced that it had captured the U.S. Scan Eagle drone which was found flying over the Gulf waters. To Read More
CHINA HELD LARGEST AIR FORCE DRILL INVOLVING 100 FIGHTER PLANES
China held one of its largest- ever Air Force drill involving about 100 multi-types fighter planes, amid heightened tensions with Japan over territorial dispute in the East China Sea. The air combat exercises were held under information conditions at an airport in southwest China for 11 days in the month of November 2012 which involved over 100 fighters of over 10 different types and support staff. In recent days, China is holding multi-military exercises involving land, air and naval forces on variety of locations practicing capturing islands and holding on to them. To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 MALDIVES TOOK OVER CHARGE OF MALE AIRPORT WITH GMR
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Maldives took charge of Male airport from GMR. Maldives government had scrapped the agreement with GMR on first December 2012, saying that the agreement was not in the interest of the country. Singapore Supreme Court had upheld the right of Maldives to terminate the 25 year contract. There will be a three-week transition period starting 7 December 2012 at the end of which GMR will stop operating the airport. Maldivian Airport Company Limited, which will run the airport, has agreed to retain all staff, including Indian nationals, on the same terms.
INDIA AND UKRAINE SIGNED FIVE AGREEMENTS

India and Ukraine on 10 December 2012 signed five agreements in New Delhi to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers in trade and commerce. The two countries also agreed to raise bilateral cooperation to Comprehensive partnership level. The agreements were signed during the visit of Ukraine President Victor Yanukovich. The agreements are: To Read More
VINOD RAI ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF UN PANEL OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS

United Nations gave Vinod Rai, the comptroller and auditor general of India a second term as the designation of chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors for 2013. CAG of the UK, Amyas Morse was reelected as the vice-chairman. Panel of the United Nations is the deciding body of the course as well as subject of audit of the different UN organisations which also include International Atomic Energy Agency. The UN Panel of External Auditors for 2013 includes apex auditors of various countries such as Switzerland, Tanzaniam, Canada, China, India, Italy, Philippines, UK, France and Pakistan as the members. To Read More
GLOBAL TELECOM TREATY WITHOUT NET CONTROL SIGNED

A controversial new global treaty on telecom regulations was signed on 14 December 2012 by 89 International Telecommunication Union member states out of a possible 144 Countries regardless of US objections to prospective regulation of the Internet. Over 150 nations met in Dubai, under the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to update a set of telecom rules of 1988, before the Internet and mobile phones transformed communications. But they failed to draw a conclusion which will lead to a new fight over cyberspace. Fifty-five countries did not sign the treaty that enters effect in January 2015. To Read More
NORTH KOREA LAUNCHED LONG RANGE UNHA-3 ROCKET
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North Korea launched a long-range rocket Unha-3 on 12 December 2012 despite international opposition and growing tensions in the region successfully delivering a scientific satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 into orbit. Unha-3 is the second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 which is successfully lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the North Korean missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit, which would fall in line with Pyongyangs claims about the nature of the launch. The debris of the rocket fell into waters off the Philippines at 10:05 a.m. local time after passing over Okinawa. To Read More
INDIA AND PAKISTAN JOINTLY OPERAIONALISED NEW VISA AGREEMENT

India and Pakistan jointly operationalised the new Visa Agreement on 14 December 2012 in New Delhi during the visit of Pakistan interior minister A. Rehman Malik to India. However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15 January 2013 and the Group Tourist Visa from 15 March 2013. Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan had signed on 8 September 2012, a new Visa Agreement to facilitate travel for the citizens of both countries desirous of travelling to the other country and to promote people to people contact. To Read More
UK PLANNED TO REPLACE PAPER MONEY WITH PLASTIC BANKNOTES

Britain planned to replace the paper money with plastic banknotes, which are said to be more durable as well as waterproof. Another advantage of these plastic banknotes is that they are difficult to be forged. Paper money has been used in Britain for over 300 years. The radical renovation in Britain might see polymer sterling currency in circulation in just three years time. The Bank of England already publicised the 1 billion pounds tender from 2015 for the process of printing of these notes at the press in Debden, Essex. Bidders are expected to cope-up with this change from paper currency to plastic right from the beginning of the contract as the part of this process. To Read More
WHO APPROVED VACCINE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES OF INDIA

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in the third week of December 2012 approved the manufacturing practices being adopted by the private vaccine manufacturing pharmaceutical companies of India. This approval was given to Indian Pharmaceutical companies after an intensive four days audit of the vaccine manufacturing facilities across the country was concluded by a 16-member multi-nation team that was headed by WHO officials. The team comprised officials from China, EU, the US FDA, Thailand, Sweden and France. To Read More
IRELAND TO LEGALISE ABORTIONS WHEN THE MOTHER S LIFE IS AT RISK
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Ireland on 18 December 2012 announced that it will legalise abortions, when the mother's life is at risk, weeks after the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar who died after being refused an abortion in the European country. The decision comes after a huge public outcry over the death of 31-year-old Savita, who died on 28 October 2012 at Galway University Hospital. She had been 17-week pregnant and was found to be miscarrying. Savita Halappanavar asked repeatedly for a termination of pregnancy but was refused and was told the foetal heartbeat was still present and this is a Catholic country.
BRITAIN WOULD PULL HALF OF ITS TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN

The Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameroon on 19 December 2012 announced that Britain has planned to withdraw more than half of its troops back from Afghanistan by 2013 and allforeign forces of the country would be pulled out by 2014. The Prime Minister informed to the commons that 3800 troops, who were deployed at Helmand Province would be back by end of the year 2013 leaving 5200 troops behind. Overall, 9500 troops from Britain are out of home out of which 500 are waiting to be back to home before the Christmas of 2012. To Read More
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED THE D EFENCE BILL 2013

US (United States) House of Representatives on 20 December 2012 passed the Defence Authorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed with a 315-107 vote amid chaos over the fiscal cliff negotiations and the threat of drastic defense spending cuts. The Defence Authorization Act of 2013 covers the cost of ships, aircraft, weapons and military personnel as well as the war effort in Afghanistan. It consists of 528 billion dollars for the Defense Department's base budget, 17 billion dollars for defense and nuclear programmes in the Energy Department and 88 billion dollars for the war in Afghanistan. The bill tightens sanctions on Iran and increases security for U.S. diplomatic missions after the attack on U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. It also requests the Pentagon to report to Congress regarding the conflict in Syria on possible military options.
PARLIAMENT IN ITALY DISSOLVED BY PRESIDENT GIORGIO NAPOLITANO

President Giorgio Napolitano on 22 December 2012 dissolved Italys Parliament following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti on 21 December 2012. The Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 24-25 February 2013. Since taking office in November 2011, the Prime Minister and his non-party team of ministers implemented economic austerity measures in the form of cuts in spending and tax hikes. To Read More
EUROPEAN UNION IMPOSED STIFF SANCTIONS ON TRADE WITH IRAN

European Union (EU) imposed stiff sanctions on trade with Iran in a move aimed at further isolating it over the controversial nuclear program. The fresh sanctions directed against Iran's banking, shipping and industrial sectors came into effect from 22 December 2012. These are considered to be the toughest EU measures and include bans on financial transactions, sales to www.jagranjosh.com
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Iran of shipping equipment and steel, and imports of Iranian natural gas in addition to the existing ban on import of Iranian crude oil.
MOSCOW AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED DEMOLISHING HINDU TEMPLE

The only Hindu temple in Russia, ISKCON was scheduled to be demolished by Moscow authorities by 15 January 2013. The ISKCON monks announced that the Hindu temple was facing closure by Russian government, a year after the country had sought ban of Bhagvad Gita. As Vladimir Putin, the Russian President arrives in India on 24 December 2012 for negotiations with the Government of India; there are hardly any chances that the issue of ISKCON would be discussed because it was followed already by foreign ministry. To Read More
UN APPROVED NEW DEBATE ON ARM TREATY

The U.N. General Assembly on 24 December 2012 voted overpoweringly to restart negotiations on a draft international treaty to regulate the 70 billion dollar global trade in conventional arms, a pact the powerful U.S. National Rifle Association has been lobbying hard against. U.N. delegates and gun control activists have complained that earlier in July 2012 talks collapsed largely because U.S. President Barack Obama feared attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney before the 6 November 2012 election if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, charge U.S. officials have denied. To Read More
PAKISTAN RECOGNISED REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO AS INDEPENDENT STATE

Government of Pakistan on 24 December 2012 officially recognised Kosovo as an independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. The decision was made in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kosovo. With this Pakistan became the 98th sovereign state among 193 UN-member states recognising Kosovo. The government of Pakistan has also decided to at the same time to accredit its ambassador to the Republic of Turkey in Ankara as ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Kosovo. To Read More
MOHAMED MORSI SIGNED EGYPT'S CONTROVERSIAL CONSTITUTION

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on 25 December 2012 signed into law a new Islamistdrafted constitution which will help end political disorder and allow him to focus on fixing the weak economy. Mohamed Morsi signed a declaration enforcing the charter late after the official announcement of the result of a referendum approving the basic law, Egypt's first constitution since Hosni Mubarak's overthrow. To Read More
INTERNATIONAL QUIZZES
1. Name the country, where the only Hindu Temple, ISKON is scheduled to be demolished by its Authorities for 15 January 2013. www.jagranjosh.com
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a) Russia b) Britain c) Japan d) China Answer. (a) Russia
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2. With which country India recently in December 2012 signed the Economic Ties for 2 Billion Dollar Investment Fund? a) France b) Russia c) Germany d) Israel Answer. (b) Russia 3. The U.N. General Assembly in December 2012 voted overpoweringly to restart negotiations on a draft international treaty to regulate the 70 billion dollar global trade in conventional arms. Name the country, whose Rifle Association had been lobbying hard against this pact? a) US b) Britain c) Germany d) France Answer. (a) US 4. Government of Pakistan in December 2012 officially recognised a state of Southeastern Europe as an independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Name the state? a) Plovdiv b) Macedonia c) Kosovo d) Montenegro Answer. (c) Kosovo www.jagranjosh.com
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5. The United States of America evacuated its embassy in the Central African Republic, reflecting growing fears that the capital, Bangui, may fall to rebel forces called? a) Saleka b) Kpademona Marcel c) Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb d) Front for the Liberation of the Enclave Answer. (a) Saleka For More Quizzes
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WORLD DAIRY
3 December 2012 Shiv Shankar Menon became first top ranking Indian official to visit China after changes in Communist Party of China. 4 December 2012 India and Pakistan discussed methods for solving Sir Creek issue. 5 December 2012 Iran claimed capturing US drone; US rejected this claim. Eleventh meeting of India-Canada Joint Working Group on counter terrorism held in New Delhi. 6 December 2012 Iran declared extracting complete data from the captured US drone. 7 December 2012 China held largest Air Force Drill involving 100 fighter planes. 8 December 2012 Maldives took over charge of Male Airport scrapping agreement with GMR. 9 December 2012 New Dinosaur with Gigantic Nose Discovered in Mexico 10 December 2012 India and Ukraine signed five agreements to increase bilateral cooperation. 11 December 2012 New dinosaur with gigantic nose discovered in Mexico. 12 December 2012 Scientists of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) developed a 100 times faster and sensitive laser explosives-detection device.
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13 December 2012 Vinod Rai re-elected as chairman of UN panel of external auditors. 14 December 2012 French scientists developed a headset that gives humans 360 degree vision. 15 December 2012 Global telecom treaty without net control signed by eighty nine nations.
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North Korea launched long range Unha-3 Rocket amid international opposition. 16 December 2012 India and Pakistan jointly operaionalized new visa agreement in New Delhi 17 December 2012 Researchers of Zagreb Croatia discovered brain-removal tool in 2400-year old mummy. 18 December 2012 UK planned to replace paper money with plastic banknotes. WHO approved vaccine manufacturing practices adopted by Indian pharmaceutical companies. 19 December 2012 Queen Elizabeth became first peacetime British ruler to attend cabinet meeting. Ireland decided to legalise abortions when the mothers life is at risk. 20 December 2012 Park Geun-Hye elected as the first woman president of South Korea. David Cameroon announced that Britain would pull half of its troops from Afghanistan. 21 December 2012 US House of Representatives passed the Defence Bill 2013. 22 December 2012 Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned ahead of elections. Gangnam Style named among Collins Dictionarys Word of the Year 2012.
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23 December 2012 Parliament in Italy dissolved by President Giorgio Napolitano. European Union imposed stiff sanctions on trade with Iran. 24 December 2012
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Moscow Authorities Announced Demolishing Only Hindu Temple by January 2013 25 December 2012 India and Russia signed pacts on Economic Ties for 2 billion dollar Investment Fund 26 December 2012 United Nation Approved New Debate on Arm Treaty opposed by U.S. Gun Lobby Pakistan Government Recognised Republic of Kosovo as an Independent State 27 December 2012 President Mohamed Morsi signed Egypt's Controversial Constitution 28 December 2012 The United States evacuated its Embassy in the Central African Republic 29 December 2012 Beijing was 14th Safest City in China, Lhasa was the 1st: China Academy Of Social Sciences 30 December 2012 London Olympics Heroes Honoured in Queen's 2013 New Year Honours Ramanujans Cryptic Death Bed Theory proved by American Scientist 31 December 2012 Patrick Suckling appointed as Australia's Next High Commissioner to India
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NATIONAL
EPFO LAUNCHED ITS E-PASSBOOK PORTAL
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on 30 November 2012 launched its e-Passbook portal for its members to access their accounts online. The facility will be available on the website- www.epfindia.gov.in. The members will now be able to download their e-passbook each month, if they are active and Electronic Challan-cum-Return is being uploaded by their employer. The facility, however, will not be available for members under exempted establishments under the EPF Scheme 1952 (as the fund details are maintained by the Trust) and inoperative members. Under the e-Passbook service, only one registration will be allowed against one mobile number, and a member can download the passbook for only one account number under one establishment. To Read More
SC ISSUED GUIDELINES TO CURB EVE TEASING AT PUBLIC PLACES

Supreme Court on 30 November 2012 issued certain guidelines in order to put a halt to eveteasing. SC termed eve-teasing consequences disastrous and also directed the government that women cops in plain clothes should be deputed at the public places. The state governments as well as the union territories are ordered by the Supreme Court to depute female police officers in plain clothes at the public places such as metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, beaches, parks, worship places, cinemas as well as public service vehicles. This has been done to monitor as well as supervise the incidents of eve-teasing. To Read More
SIGN. MISMATCH ON CHEQUE CAN LEAD CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: SC

Supreme Court of India set aside the verdict of Gujarat High Court in which it said that the criminal proceedings for dishonouring cheque would start off only in case the cheque is dishonoured because of insufficient amount in the account. The Supreme Court said that the criminal proceedings would also be initiated in case the cheque issued by a person gets dishonoured on the basis that signature is not matching with the specimen signature that bank has. The Gujarat High Court had said that there would be cheque dishonouring only in case of lack of sufficient balance in the account and not when the signature mismatches. To Read More
S.A. IBRAHIM'S APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR FOR IB APPROVED

The Competent Authority on 3 December 2012 approved appointment of S. A. Ibrahim the IPS (MP-77) as officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau and also as the Director for www.jagranjosh.com
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Intelligence Bureau for a next two years from the date he acquires his charge or till the next order that is further sent. His tenure to the post of Officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau started from 1 December 2012. At Present S.A. Ibrahim is serving as Special Director, Intelligence Bureau and will be taking over the charge of Director, Intelligence Bureau after vice Nehchal Sandhu will retire from his office on 31 December 2012. To Read More
GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX REVEALED

New index called Global Terrorism Index (GTI) prepared by Australian think tank revealed on 4 December 2012 that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the most terrorism-hit nations in 2011. GTI was released by Australia-based Institute for Economics & Peace and it ranked various countries based on the data collected from Global Terrorism Database, which in turn is operated by a group at University of Maryland. GTI revealed that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan accounted for 11 percent, 10 percent and 12 percent of global terrorist events respectively from time period 2002 to 2009. To Read More
DECKS FOR AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL CLEARED

Union Government of India on 5 December 2012 cleared the decks for transferring the prime India 12.5 acre United Mill land in Mumbai to the Maharashtra government for building a state-of-the-art memorial to B.R. Ambedkar. The Maharashtra State government is going to bear the entire cost of the memorial project and will henceforth take care of the land. The Union Cabinet will take further decisions on the process. A Bill will have to be passed in Parliament for transfer of the land for the memorial project. To Read More
FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER NARHARI AMIN JOINED BJP

Senior party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Indian National Congress in Gujarat Narhari Amin on 6 December 2012 switched sides and joined the BJP with his supporters. Narhari Amin had over 21-year-old association with the Congress, where he worked hard to build and maintain a strong base of party workers. His decision of joining BJP came after he was denied ticket by the party for 2012 Assembly polls. Amin alleged that Union Minister C P Joshi, who was in-charge of screening committee on ticket distribution, had been giving tickets to unknown faces and fixed the polls before voting. Amin resigned from the Congress along with his six supporters. Another 175 of his supporters also had resigned on 5 December 2012 from the primary membership of the party. All of them joined BJP along with him.
KARNATAKA TO PROVIDE TAMIL NADU 12 TMC FEET OF WATER: CMC

The Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) on 7 December 2012 asked Karnataka to provide Tamil Nadu with 12 TMC feet of Cauvery water during December even as it asked both the www.jagranjosh.com
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states to be more efficient in using available water. The meeting of the CMC came after the Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 asked the multi-state panel to meet within the next two days to decide on water requirement of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The states sharing the disputed Cauvery River waters were informed that the final award of the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal will be notified by the end of December 2012. To Read More
INDIA TO SIGN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY

India would sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in the criminal matters with four other countries in 2013. The treaty in general helps in mutual assistance between two nations for preventing, investigating as well as prosecuting crime. Discussions on treaty were initiated already with four countries namely Azerbaijan, Israel, Nepal and Oman. Ministry of Home Affairs announced that formal signing of this treaty will take place in 2013. As of now, India has signed the treaty with 32 countries which include Russia, Egypt, US, South Africa, France, Switzerland, UK, Canada, UAE and Iran. The agreement is important because it helps in fighting back the trans-national organised crimes such as money laundering, terrorism, counterfeit currency, smuggling of explosives and arms, drug trafficking and much more.
UNION GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED BILL TO AMEND COMPETITION ACT

The Union Government of India on 10 December 2012 introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Competition Act which, among other things, will require the Competition Commission to decide on corporate mergers within 180 days. The bill is named Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2012 bill and was introduced by Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot in the Lok Sabha to amend the Competition Act 2002. The bill would also confer powers on fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) to vet all M&A deals and also authorise its Director General to carry out search and seizure activities. To Read More
SC: JUDGES SHOULD INFORM GOVERNMENT ABOUT FOREIGN VISITS

On 10 December 2012, the Supreme Court partially stayed the order of Delhi high court in which it had cancelled three Paras of the Centre's 2010 Circular which made it compulsory for the judges to take foreign visits only with approval of chief justice of the high court concerned or Chief Justice of India (CJI). The judges of Supreme Court as well as high court needed to inform the Government of India about the foreign visits which include the purpose of their visit, duration as well as the funding source. To Read More
BHATINDA-SRINAGAR GAS PIPELINE PROJECT TO COMPLETE BY 2014

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on 10 December 2012 informed that the 328-km-long Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline project is scheduled to be completed by July 2014 to draw gas from Gujarat to the State. The progress on the proposed project was reviewed by Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah at a meeting of high-level officers in
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Jammu and an early start of work was emphasized by him. He stressed upon the need for fast tracking the project to ensure its timely completion. To Read More
UNION GOVERNMENT SPENT OVER 1768 CRORE ON PROMOTION

The Union Government spent more than 1768 crore rupees in previous three years for its own promotion, revealed the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry. I&B Ministry revealed that the Directorate of Audio-Visual Publicity (DAVP) spent a total of 1768.55 crore Rupees in publicity as well as advertisements in magazines and newspapers as well as on television. Most of the money was spent on newspaper advertisements with 375.31 crore Rupees from 2011 to 2012. Spending on newspaper advertisement in 2012 is 99 crore. To Read More
LAND ACQUISITION AND REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT BILL

Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 was cleared by the Union Cabinet on 13 December 2012, making it compulsory to get consent of 80 percent land owners. However in case of the Public-Private Projects (PPP), it was made mandatory that the consent of 70 percent people should be taken. The bill was passed at the Cabinet, which was presided over by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Land Acquisition Bill was made final by the Rural Development Ministry which also included suggestion of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi had suggested the government to take consent of 80 percent land owners for purchasing the land in order to set up PPP projects and industries. To Read More
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED CALENDAR WITH FLAGSHIP SCHEMES

The Government of Indias Wall Calendar for 2013 was launched on 14 December 2012 featuring various flagship programmes of the Government, which includes Aadhaar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme to be implemented in 51 districts from January 2013 among others. The calendar is printed and designed by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which has over the years worked on developing social advertising brand Bharat Nirman. The theme of the calendar is Bharat Nirman- Sabka hit, Sabka Haq. To Read More
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA EXTENDED BAN ON ULFA AND NDFB

The Union home ministry in Month of December extended the ban on United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) under the Unlawful Prevention Act. The home ministry in a gazette notification announced that all the factions of the ULFA and the NDFB are banned under Section three of the Unlawful Prevention Act. As per the Press release of Assam government the ban extended on Unlawful organisation would stay until further notification by the government. To Read More
INDIA DEVELOPED INDIGENOUS JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS (JE) VACCINE
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First vaccine of the world was developed against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) using the Indian strain of virus. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune offered the strain of JE virus to Bharat Biotech. This JE virus was gathered from Kolar in Karnataka. Bharat Biotech had submitted results from final human trials to Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) so that it could have marketing clearance. The vaccine is an injectable one and offers protection rate of more than 90 percent. It can be used for age group of 1-15 years. The application has been sent for marketing approval to DCGI. To Read More
GOVT. TO SET-UP REAL TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

The Government of India on 17 December decided to set up 113 Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations along the river Ganga. The Environment and Forests Minister Jayanti Natarajn in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2012 asserted that the Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations is going to be set up in the next five years which includes eight in Uttarakhand, 57 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Bihar and 35 in West Bengal to monitor the water quality in the river. The Minister also mentioned that the funds to a tune of 100 crore rupees had already been earmarked by the National Ganga River Basin Authority for the project. To Read More
MINORITIES RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATED

National Commission for Minorities celebrated Minorities Rights Day on 18 December 2012. Minorities Rights Day is celebrated on 18th December every year. The day is celebrated to protect rights of the minorities communities as well as bringing the better understanding among religious minorities in India. The participants of the Minorities Rights Day included the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities as well as Vice Chairman and other Members of the Commission. To Read More
NEW CASES OF HIV DECREASED BY 57 PERCENT IN INDIA

Addressing the India Health Summit which was organised by CII in New Delhi, the Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on 18 December 2012 declared that India was witnessing a steep decline in fresh cases of HIV. The health minister announced that the fresh cases of HIV have dropped down to 57 percent. Addressing the Summit, the heath minister also announced that there was a steep decrease in measles, mumps and rubella, infant mortality rate as well as new HIV cases by 57 percent. Also, it was declared that 2012 would be the second successive year to witness polio-free nation. To Read More
LOK SABHA PASSED THE BANKING BILL
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The Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012 passed the Banking (Amendment) Bill, which majorly focuses on attracting more foreign investment into the banking industry and cleared a major obstacle and paved the way for the Reserve Bank of India to issue new bank licenses.
HIGH POINT OF THE BILL IS AS FOLLOWS

The Bill was passed after the government agreed to drop the debatable Forwards Markets Contract Clause, which proposed permitting banks to enter commodity futures trading. Introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2011, the Bill gives the RBI the power to surpass bank board as well as to inspect the books of associates of banking company.
SC: DISMISSED PURNO SANGM A PETITION

The Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 dismissed the petition of Purno Sangma that challenged Pranab Mukherjees election to the office of the President. The Constitution bench of Supreme Court comprising five-judges namely Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justices P. Sathasivam, J. Chelameswar, S.S. Nijjar and Ranjan Gogoi decided by a 3:2 majority announced the decision that the petition didnt deserved any short of detailed trail and the court was convinced that Pranab Mukherjee was not holding any office of Profit. To Read More
DELHI HIGH COURT DISMISSED THE PIL AGAINST SACHIN TENDULKAR

The High Court of Delhi on 19 December 2012 dismissed the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) that challenged Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkars nomination to the Rajya Sabha under the category of person with special knowledge or practical experience in any form of science, art, literature and social service. The High Courts Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Darmar Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw admitted sports as a form of art and it justified the argument of Union Government that Sachin Tendulkar as a person with special knowledge and practical experience in art. The Court also stated that Art holds no satisfactory definition for itself in Indian Constitution. To Read More
INDIA AND ASEAN FINALISED FTA IN INVESTMENTS AND SERVICES

The awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in investments and services was finalised between India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 20 December 2012. The actions would be beneficial in enhancing the trade to around 100 billion dollar by 2015. Also, it will help in enhancing the economic ties. FTA in the goods was operationalised in 2011 and since then both the sides were busy in widening the pact by also including investments and services. Trade between the two sides is at present 80 billion dollar. To Read More
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SC JUDGES NUMBER INCREASED TO 28 AGAINST THE STRENGTH OF 31

Chief Justices of three High Courts were on 22 December 2012 elevated as judges of the Supreme Court of India, increasing the strength of the apex court to 28.Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Justice M Yusuf Eqbal, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Justice Venkategowda and Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Vikramjit Sen were appointed as judges of the Supreme Court, in that order of seniority. The appointment of judges will come into effect from the date they assume charge of their respective office. At present, including the Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court has 25 judges against the sanctioned strength of 31. To Read More
COMMISSION CONSTITUTED TO SUGGEST MEASURES FOR SAFETY OF WOMEN

The Union Government of India on 23 December 2012 constituted a three-member Commission to be headed by the Former Chief Justice of India - J.S. Verma for reviewing the laws in existence and the lapses of the police to suggest measures for ensuring safety of women in Delhi as well as across the nation. It would also look into the matter of the gang rape incident. Former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramaniam and Justice Lalitha Seth are the two other members of the constituted inquiry commission. The commission would submit its report and findings within 30 days to the Government. Senior High Court lawyer Dyan Krishnan was appointed as the Special Prosecutor to ensure speedy trial and enhancement of the punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault. To Read More
UNION GOVERNMENT EXEMPTED SERVICE TAX FOR JANASHREE

Union Government of India in the month of December granted service tax exemption on the services of life insurance business provided under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY). Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) was launched in August 2007and it basically covers death and disability insurance for the benefit of rural landless households. To Read More
GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO SET-UP PROJECT FOR CYBER SECURITY

The union government decided to set up five-year project for restoring the overall cyber security structure of critical sectors of India. This was decided in light of increasing number of cyber attacks as well as security threats that the Internet offers. In 2011, India suffered 13000 cyber incidents. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is responsible for the project. It is the nodal agency which is responsible for coordinating the cyber security operations related to critical infrastructures in India. NCIIPC prepared its 5-year plan for refurbishing as well as integrating the structure of cyber security in all critical structures like defence, telecommunication, transportation, power and water. To Read More
GOVERNMENT WITHDREW Z-PLUS SECURITY COVER FOR GEN V K SINGH
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The Union Government of India withdrew Z-plus security provided to ex-army chief General V K Singh. The Ex-Army chief had remained in limelight over the issue of his age, and currently for sharing stages with critics of the central government such as Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev. The decision to withdraw Z-plus security cover from 1 December 2012 was taken after home ministry reviewed that there wasnt any threat against the ex-Army chief. To Read More
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BIHAR BECAME THE FASTEST GROWING INDIAN STATE

As per the data released by the Planning Commission of India, Bihar became the fastest growing state in India at 10.9 per cent between 2006 and 2010, while Gujarats growth rate declined to 9.3 per cent and it lagged behind Bihar and other four states - Orissa, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh in terms of growth rate. Bihar was the slowest growing state during 2001-05 periods with GDP figure of 2.9 percent, whereas Gujarat was the fastest growing state between 2001 and 2005 with figure of 11 percent. To Read More
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZZES

1. Union Government of India in the month of December granted service tax exemption on the services of life insurance business. Name the two schemes for which the service tax has been exempted? a) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Janashree Bima Yojana b) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Jeevan Nidhi c) Janashree Bima Yojana and Jeevan Nidhi d) Jeevan Nidhi and Kalptaru Yojna Answer. (a) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Janashree Bima Yojana 2. The Union Government of India in December decided to set up five-year project for restoring the overall cyber security structure of critical sectors of India. This was decided in light of increasing number of cyber attacks as well as security threats that the Internet offers. In 2011, India suffered 13000 cyber incidents. Name the agency that is responsible for the Project? a) Cyber surveillance agency b) CERT-IN
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c) National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre d) None of these Answer. (c) National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre
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3. The union government of India approved selling a certain percent stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) in December 2012. What is the percentage stake decided by the government for being sold? a) 11 percent b) 12.5 percent c) 14 percent d) 22 percent Answer. (b) 12.5 percent 4. Which of the following statements of the following are/is true? i. Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) would be the 11th public sector undertaking that has got the approval of the Union Government to sell 12.5 percent of its stake National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the nodal agency which is responsible for coordinating the cyber security operations related to critical infrastructures in India. AABY provides for insurance of the head of the family or earning member of the family of rural landless households between the age of 18 and 59 years against natural death or accidental death and partial/permanent disability. The union government of India withdrew Z-plus security provided to ex-army chief General V K Singh. a) Statement (i) and (ii) are true b) Statement (i), (ii) and (iv) are true c) All the statements are true d) Statement (ii) and (iv) are true
ii.
iii.
iv.
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Answer. (c) All the statements are true
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5. Name the state that has been the fastest growing states, between 2006 to 2010 as per the data released by the Planning Commission of India? a) Gujarat b) Bihar c) Maharashtra d) Kerala Answer. (b) Bihar For More Quizzes
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INDIA DAIRY
3 December 2012 The Competent Authority of India on 3 December 2012 appointed S. A. Ibrahim the IPS (MP-77) as officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau and also as the Director for Intelligence Bureau Ranjit Sinha, IPS officer of 1974-batch Bihar cadre on 3 December 2012 acquired the office as new CBI director 4 December 2012 New index called Global Terrorism Index (GTI) revealed on 4 December 2012 that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the most terrorism-hit nations in 2011 The Reserve Bank of India on 4 December 2012 signed a three year Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan for swapping of the local currencies to address short-term liquidity problems 5 December 2012 Union Government of India on 5 December 2012 cleared the decks for transferring the prime India 12.5 acre United Mill land in Mumbai to the Maharashtra government for building a state-of-the-art memorial to B.R. Ambedkar India was ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on 5 December 2012 Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were named in the list of top 20 most powerful people in the world by the Forbes Magazine in annual power rankings which were declared on 5 December 2012 State Bank of India (SBI), on 5 December 2012 announced about its expectation of infusion of approximately 4000 crore Rupees from the government in 2012-2013 fiscal year 6 December 2012 The Union government of India appointed Parthasarathi Shome, the tax expert, as the adviser to finance minister P Chidambaram
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Haryana topped on the chart of states for significantly exceeding the revenue mobilization targets as per the report released in the first week of December by the Planning Commission on State Finances during 11th Five Year Plan 7 December 2012 The Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) on 7 December 2012 asked Karnataka to provide Tamil Nadu with 12 TMC feet of Cauvery water during December 2012 Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India. This comes less than a week after the company rolled out iTunes Store in the country 8 December 2012 Life of Pi was given two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 8 December 2012 9December 2012 Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa formally launched Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) on 9 December 2012 Delhi Governments Environment department on 9 December 2012 launched a campaign to check the conformity of blanket ban on plastic bag usage across Delhi 10 December 2012 Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram was selected for K Karunakaran Foundation award for his brilliant administration The Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union (EU) leaders at Oslo, Norway The Union Government of India introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Competition Act which, among other things, will require the Competition Commission to decide on corporate mergers within 180 days 11 December 2012 92 years old Renowned Indian sitarist, Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away in San Diego city of California The Inter Ministerial body Telecom Commission of India gave its nod to a 1500 crore Rupees subsidy to state owned BSNL for supporting its landline operations in rural areas 12 December 2012
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India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable surface to surface Agni-I ballistic missile with a strike range of 700 km from a test range off Odisha coast. 84 years old , the first chief minister of Uttarakhand, Nityanand Swami, who belonged to the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) passed away Famous Bollywood actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Hema Malini had been selected for the prestigious Bharat Muni Samman of year 2012 for her outstanding contribution to the field of art and culture 13 December 2012 Organisers of the Recording Academy announced on 13 December 2012 that Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro would be honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously 47 Years old Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan awarded with the prestigious BrandLaureate Legendary Award in Malaysia 14 December 2012 Advocate R S Goswami was elected as the chairman of Bar Council of Delhi Justice Arun Kumar Mishra took over as the new Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank of India opened 101 distinct gramin branches or rural branches as the part of its financial enclosure plan 15 December 2012 Naina Lal Kidwai took over as President of FICCI, becoming the first woman to head the leading industry body Tamil version of the book, Still Counting the Dead- Survivors of Sri Lanka's Hidden War authored by Frances Harrison was released 16 December 2012 Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 was cleared by the Union Cabinet making it compulsory to get consent of 80 percent land owners The Government of Indias Wall Calendar for 2013 was launched featuring various flagship programmes of the Government, which includes Aadhaar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme to be implemented in 51 districts from January 2013 among others
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17 December 2012
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The Union home ministry extended the ban on United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) under the Unlawful Prevention Act Government of India decided to set up 113 Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations along the river Ganga 18 December 2012 National Commission for Minorities celebrated Minorities Rights Day Lok Sabha passed the Companies Bill 2011 aimed at Improving Corporate Governance Subhash Joshi appointed as the new chief of Border Security Force (BSF) while special secretary in home ministry Ajay Chadha appointed to head the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 19 December 2012 The Reserve Bank of India, directed banks not to provide loans to its customers for purchase of all types of gold, which includes primary gold, jewellery, bullion, gold coins, units of Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold mutual funds The Indian Navy received its first P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft at its facility located at Seattle, out of the eight that it would get from Boeing 20 December 2012 Praful Patel was re-elected as the President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) during the annual general body meet that was held at Football House at New Delhi Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram awarded with the Best Administrator in India Award instituted by K. Karunakaran Foundation The legendary hockey player Leslie Claudius, Indias triple Olympic Gold Medallist died after a prolonged illness 21 December 2012 India test launched its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air interceptor missile Astra at the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. 22 December 2012
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the disinvestment of 9.5 percent Government Stake in the Maharatna PSU-National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) from its holding of 84.50 percent Government of India on signed a 70-million US Dollar loan agreement with World Bank for financing the Karnataka Health Systems Development as well as Reform Project 23 December 2012 The Union Coal Ministry decided to deallocate four coal blocks allotted to 15 firms, including JSW Steel and Bhushan Steel and Strips The Union Government of India announced to set up a National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a National Cardio Care Centre (NCCC) at the second campus of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Badhsa village of Jhajjar, Haryana 24 December 2012 Justice Swatanter Kumar took over as the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) - the apex body constituted under The National Green Tribunal Act 2010 Union Government of India granted service tax exemption on the services of life insurance business provided under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) 25 December 2012 Former Union Minister of India and Veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh on 25 December 2012 was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Himachal for a record sixth term in Shimla The union government decided to set up five-year project for restoring the overall cyber security structure of critical sectors of India 26 December 2012 Narendra Modi was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the fourth consecutive term Prime Ministers Office re-constituted the Planning Commission and appointed the Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Minister - Kamal Nath as its new exofficio member, replacing Jairam Ramesh The union government of India approved selling 12.5 percent stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) www.jagranjosh.com
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27 December 2012
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MS Sahoo, the former member of SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) had been appointed secretary of the Institute of Company Secretaries Bihar became the fastest growing state in India at 10.9 per cent between 2006 and 2010 The union government of India withdrew Z-plus security provided to ex-army chief General V K Singh 28 December 2012 Indian Market Regulator SEBI on 28 December 2012 appointed S. Raman as Whole-time Member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Mahaveer Singh of Rajasthan and Tejaswini Sawant of Maharashtra won gold medals in National Shooting Championship 29 December 2012 I-League football club Mohun Bagan slapped with a two-year suspension by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for abandoning their violence-marred I-League match against East Bengal on 9 December 2012 President Pranab Mukherjee declared open the 4th World Telugu Conference in the presence of thousands of Telugu-speaking people from across the world in the temple town of Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh. 30 December 2012 Career diplomat Patrick Suckling on 30 December 2012 had been appointed as Australias next High Commissioner to India Indian Math genius Srinivasa Ramanujans cryptic deathbed theory which he claimed was conceived in his dreams was finally proved by American scientist
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ECONOMY
CORE SECTORS OF INDIAN ECONOMY GREW BY 6.5 % IN OCTOBER 2012
Eight core sectors of the Indian Economy grew by 6.5 percent, the eight-month high in October 2012-2013 in comparison to 0.4 percent in same time period last year, the official data revealed on 30 November 2012. The sectors which weight approximately 38 percent in Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by seven-month high in September by 5 percent and 2.3 percent in August. However, the growth of core sector is not dependent on the data of industrial production. For instance, in spite of the higher growth in core sector, the industrial production contracted around 0.4 percent in September. A lot of things are dependent on the capital goods segment which showed consistent contraction. To Read More
RBI SIGNED CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENT WITH BANK OF JAPAN

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 December 2012 signed a three year Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan for swapping of the local currencies to address short-term liquidity problems. The BSA will be effective from 5 December 2012. The main idea behind the arrangement is to address short-term liquidity difficulties and supplement the existing international financial arrangements, as one of the efforts in strengthening mutual cooperation between Japan and India. To Read More
SEBI ALLOWED 12 MORE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS

Indian Market regulator Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed 12 entities to set up Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), a newly created class of pooled-in investment vehicles for real estate, private equity and hedge funds, in the last two months of October and November 2012. The 12 Alternative Investment Funds AIFs that were registered with SEBI since October 2010 included India Realty Fund, Dar Mentorcap Film Fund, Capaleph Indian Millennium Small & Medium Enterprises Fund and Capaleph Indian Millennium Private Equity Fund. To Read More
INDIAN ECONOMY WOULD DOMINATE THE ECONOMY OF THE WORLD

US intelligence community in its report called Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds which was released on 10 December 2012 declared that India would straddle international commerce and will also dominate the economy of the whole world by 2030. This would happen with decelerating Chinese economy as well as declining West. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 INDIA'S FOREIGN TRAD E IN NOVEMBER 2012
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As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on11 December 2012, exports and imports during November 2012 were valued at 22299.63 and 41586.90 million US dollars respectively. The trade deficit for April - November 2012-13 was estimated at 129500.18 million US dollars which was higher than the deficit of 122638.35 million US dollars during April - November 2011-12. To Read More
CCEA APPROVED THE SETTING UP OF CCI

The Union government of India on 13 December 2012 approved the setting up of a Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI), to fast track investment clearances for mega projects. The decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister will head the CCI and he will also nominate the members of the committee. The CCI will expedite projects offering single window clearance for projects costing 1000 crore rupees or more by setting timelines for the concerned ministries. To Read More
BSE LAUNCHED SME PLATFORM INDEX

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on 14 December 2012 launched an SME index which primarily aims at tracking the current primary market conditions in the Indian capital market and measuring the growth in investors wealth over a period. The index is going to be constituted by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are listed on the BSE SME platform. Presently, there are 11 companies which are listed on the SME platform and this index is going to have features similar to the BSE IPO index. To Read More
GOVERNMENT LOWERED GROWTH PROJECTION FOR CURRENT FISCAL

The Union Government of India on 17 December 2012 lowered down the growth projection for the current financial year 2012-13 from 7.6 percent that was estimated earlier to 5.7-5.9 percent. It also pitched for the supportive monetary and fiscal policies for improving the confidence of the investors. The projection was showcased in the Mid-Year Economic Analysis tabled in Indian Parliament. To Read More
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS VIA P-NOTES INCREASED TO 8-MONTH HIGH

Foreign investments in the Indian markets through P-notes or PNs (Participatory Notes) increased to 8-month high of around 1.75 lakh crore Rupees or 32 billion dollar in October 2012. This happened because different reform measures attracted the overseas investors towards the Indian markets. Market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) revealed in its data that the overall value of P-Note investments in India (debt, equity or derivatives) by October 2012 end increased to highest since February 2012, when the total value of investments like these were 1.83 lakh crore rupees. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 UN SLASHED WORLD GROWTH FORECAST TO 2.4 PERCENT
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United Nations on 18 December 2012 slashed its global growth predictions to 2.4 percent for 2013 and 3.2 percent for the following year and warned of a lasting employment crisis for western countries. The UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 report warned that the Debt crises in Europe and the United States and a slowdown in China could all throw the world economy into recession. Earlier in the t month of June 2012 UN had predicted a growth forecast 2.7 percent for 2013 and 3.9 percent for the year after. To Read More
INDIRECT TAX COLLECTION INCREASED AT 16.8 PERCENT

The Finance Ministry announced that indirect tax collection increased at the rate of 16.8 percent to 2.92 lakh crore rupees in the period of April-November 2012 in comparison to the yearly growth target of 27 percent. It was announced that in first 8 months of 2011-2012 fiscal year, accumulation of the indirect taxes which include excise, services tax as well as customs, was 2.50 lakh crore rupees. To Read More
INCENTIVES TO EXPORTERS HIT BY GLOBAL MELTDOWN ANNOUNCED

The union government on 26 December 2012 announced more incentives for the exporters who were hit hard because of global meltdown. An extension of 2 percent interest subsidiary would be provided for another year till March 2014. Additionally, the Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma decided an introduction of pilot scheme of 2 percent interest subsidiary for those project exports that took place through Exim Bank. Any incremental export which would be done in the time duration of January to March 2013 would also be granted incentive. The ministry announced that the incentives would enable to push the exports in last quarter of 2012-2013 fiscal year. To Read More
ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZZES

1. Name the bank with which the Reserve Bank of India on 4 December 2012 signed a three
year Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) for swapping of the local currencies to address short-term liquidity problems.
a) Bank of Australia b) Bank of Scotland c) Bank of Japan d) None Of these
Answer (c) Bank of Japan

2. State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender of India on 5 December 2012 announced about
its expectation of infusion of what amount from the government in 2012-2013 fiscal year? www.jagranjosh.com
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a) 4000 Crore rupees b) 3000 crore rupees c) 2500 crore rupees d) 3500 crore rupees
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Answer (a) 4000 Crore rupees

3. Infosys decided to transfer listing of American shares of the company from Nasdaq to an
stock exchange. Name the particular stock exchange. a) Bombay Stock Exchange b) Hong Kong Stock Exchange c) Taiwan stock Exchange d) New York Stock Exchange Answer (d) New York Stock Exchange
4. Which Government body on 29 November 2012 dismissed appeals of two Sahara
companies- Sahara India Real Estate Corp (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corp (SHICL) against SEBI? a) Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) b) Primary Market Advisory Committee c) Mutual Fund Advisory Committee d) Derivatives Market Review Committee Answer (a) Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)
5. Eight core sectors of the Indian Economy grew by how much percent in the eight-month
high in October 2012-2013 as compare with the 0.4 percent in same time period last year?
a) 6.5 Percent b) 5 Percent c) 3.5 percent d) 4.5 Percent
Answer (a) 6.5 Percent For More Quizzes
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CORPORATE
INFOSYS DECIDED SHIFTING ITS AMERICAN SHARES TO NYSE
Infosys decided to transfer listing of American shares of the company from Nasdaq to NYSE or New York Stock Exchange, which is partner of the Paris as well as London exchanges. The trading market of NYSE known as NYSE Euronext enables the European investors trading easily in the American shares of Infosys through the European exchanges. The European investors of Infosys were requesting the company to simplify the mechanism of trading for them in Infosyss shares. As of now, the difference in timezone makes it difficult for the European traders to function. NYSE Euronext would enable these investors a mode of faster as well as efficient trading. Nasdaq, on the other hand, does not have such kind of arrangement. To Read More
KINGFISHER AIRLINES SENT EVICTION NOTICE

Kingfisher Airlines that had its operations from domestic Terminal 1A of Mumbais airport was given an eviction notice by the Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (MIAL) in the last week of November 2012. Kingfisher owes 22 crore rupees to airport operator and was rented check-in desks as well as offices to this terminal. There are now doubts whether Kingfisher would be able to resume its operations or not and therefore consequently, the airport operator started off with the process of finding another airline that could operate from Terminal 1A. In reply to MIALs eviction notice, Kingfisher replied that they did not need the space because they had already scaled down the operations and that they were willing to voluntarily hand over the rented space to MIAL. To Read More
CORPORATE FRAUDS RISING IN INDIA: KPMG SURVEY

As per the India Fraud Survey Report 2012 released by KPMG, around 75 percent surveyed corporate in India believed that the incidences of fraud were on rise. The report indicated that computer-related and e-commerce frauds were the major concerns especially in the coming few years. This survey was being conducted over 1000 firms which included public institutions as well as business establishments. All these surveyed organisations had an annual revenue ranging from 500 crore Rupees to more than 10000 crore Rupees. To Read More
NEWS CORP DECIDED TO SPLIT INTO TWO

News Corp on 3 December 2012 announced restructuring of the top management of the company. The company decided that the top management would split into the two publically www.jagranjosh.com
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traded firms. Consequently, there would be a new head for the British newspaper arm as well as Indian-origin executive who would be heading the publishing business' finances. News Corp declared that Dow Jones editor-in-chief as well as the managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, Robert Thomson would be now the CEO of proposed publishing company. As per his new role, Thomson would be confronting the ongoing scandal in UK News Corp which shut down the News of the World newspaper back in July 2011 following the phone hacking scandal. The publishing company nevertheless would hold on to the name of News Corporation. To Read More
NOKIA AGREED TO SELL HEADQUARTER BUILDING FOR $ 222 MILLION

Nokia, one of the giant mobile makers agreed to sell the head quarter building in Espoo, Finland for 222 million US dollar or 170 million Euros on 4 December 2012. The headquarter building is to be bought by Exilion, the Finnish real estate company. Nokia would be leasing it back on the long-term basis. Nokia is continuously trying improvisation of its finances through certain measures such as job-cuts and it declared that it planned exiting certain other non-core assets as well. In the last week of November 2012, Nokia had filed a suit against Research In Motion (RIM), the BlackBerry maker. RIM was sued for breaching the contract in Britain, Canada and Britain over the cellular patents over which Nokia and RIM had agreed nine years ago. To Read More
GOOGLE INDIA PARTNERED WITH E-COMMERCE SITES

In order to develop the concept of online shopping in India, Google India decided on 4 December 2012 to partner with leading e-commerce websites to introduce the concept of Cyber Monday in the country. Titled as the Great Online Shopping Festival, it is slated for 12 December 2012. Some of the e-commerce websites that would partner with Google India include Snapdeal, Flipkart, Homeshop 18 as well as Makemytrip. To Read More
SBI ANNOUNCED EXPECTATION OF 4000 CRORE EQUITY

State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender of India on 5 December 2012 announced about its expectation of infusion of approximately 4000 crore Rupees from the government in 2012-2013 fiscal year. SBI declared that this move would help it in ramping up the capital to more than 13 percent. The Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of SBI declared that they were expecting the government to infuse a capital of around 4000 crore Rupees. What will be the mode of infusion was still under discussion. It was declared that various options for mode of infusion were given to the government but the final decision would be that of the government itself. The government would decide how equity needed to be infused in SBI. www.jagranjosh.com
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 CITIGROUP PLANNED CUTTING DOWN 11000 JOBS
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In order to save over 1 billion dollar in a year, Citigroup on 5 December 2012 announced that it was planning to cut down 11000 jobs, mainly in the technology and operations segment. This would help tightening expenses over the company. Citigroup, the New York-based bank planned to realise 900 million dollar savings in the year 2013, followed by over 1.1 billion dollar annual savings starting in 2014. The CEO of Citi declared back in October 2012 that the focus would be on the operational efficiency and therefore layoffs should not come as a surprise. To Read More
SAHARA GOT TWO MONTHS TIME TO REPAY INVESTORS MONEY

The Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 provided a relief to two Sahara companies when it gave them the time of two months till first week of February 2012. The two Sahara companies- Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHICL) are required to deposit 24000 crore Rupees to the investors. The Apex Court provided breather to the Sahara Companies when it declared that the companies can deposit 24000 crore Rupees, which was collected from the investors, in two installments with SEBI. To Read More
ADANI GROUP COMPLETED LARGEST COAL MINING PROJECT

Adani Mining, a global integrated infrastructure player on 3 December 2012 announced completion of the largest mining exploration programme in Australia in a record time of Nine months. For achieving this feat it had deployed a record number of drill rigs to drastically reduce the exploration time frame at the Carmichael mine in the Galillee basin of Queensland in Australia to nine months. The company further announced that as part of the mining exploration it had also completed the most comprehensive geotechnical field investigation to define the coal resource at Carmichael Mine, which at ten billion tones makes this the largest single coal tenement in the world. To Read More
SURESH VASWANI, APPOINTED AS THE DELL SERVICES PRESIDENT

Suresh Vaswani, the former co-CEO of Wipro was appointed as the President of Dell Services, the computer-maker, on 6 December 2012. He replaced Steve Schuckenbrock, the former president of Dell Services. As per the new role, Suresh Vaswani is required to report to the chairman and CEO of Dell Services, Michael Dell. Suresh Vaswani apart from his role would also be responsible for IT delivery of Dell which includes 64 billion dollar Dells infrastructure as well as applications across the world. To Read More
APPLE LAUNCHED I PAD MINI AND FOURTH-GENERATION IPAD IN INDIA

Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India. This comes less than a week after the company rolled out iTunes Store in the country. The i Pad mini with www.jagranjosh.com
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its 7.9-inch touch screen, display, FaceTime HD, and iSight cameras came to India at starting price of 21900 rupees for the 16GB Wi-Fi-only version. The 32 and 64GB Wi-Fi-only versions of the device cost 27900 and 33900 rupees respectively in Indian market. To Read More
WIPRO BOUGHT SINGAPORE BASED FMCG COMPANY LD WAXSON

Wipro Consumer Care and Lightning (WCCL) on 8 December 2012 acquired the Singapore-based FMCG Company LD Waxson for 790 Crore Rupees. It is being considered as the second largest acquisition by Wipro till date, Earlier Wipro had acquired Unza, another Singapore-based FMCG brand in Year 2007 for 246 million Dollars. Wipro Consumer Care and Lightning (WCCL's) portfolio of national and international brands includes Santoor, Chandrika, Aramusk, Enchanteur, Yardley, and Woods of Windsor. To Read More
TATA MOTORS SLASHED CAR PRICE UPTO 1.5 LAKH RUPEES

Tata Motors on 7 December 2012 announced discounts and freebies worth up to 1.5 lakh rupees on purchase of different models which are valid till the end of December 2012. The Ultimate December offer of Tata Motors ranges from 25000 to 150000 rupees and includes cash benefits and exchange offers, are also applicable on accessories, extended warranty and other value added services. To Read More
LOBBY BILL OF WAL-MART HIT AROUND 125 CRORE RUPEES

Wal-Mart had filed the lobbying disclosure report with US Senate and it was found that the retail giant had incurred around 25 million dollar or approximately 125 crore Rupees in the lobbying activities. These lobbying activities also included issues which were associated with increased access to the Indian markets for investments. Wal-Mart, the retail giant across the world was struggling continuously for initialising its supermarket in India and since 2008 it is lobbying with US lawmakers to seek entry into Indian markets which are highly lucrative. In previous quarter which had ended on 30 September 2012, Wal-Mart had spent 1.65 million dollar or around 10 crore Rupees on different lobbying issues and these also included discussions in context with FDI in India. To Read More
GOOGLE AND APPLE PARTNERED FOR KODAK PATENTS

Google and Apple tied up for offering over 500 million dollar in order to purchase patents of Eastman Kodak Co out of bankruptcy. After leading different groups in the summer of 2012 in order to buy 1100 imaging patents of Kodak, these two giant companies have partnered. It is worth noticing that both Google as well as Apple are strong competitors for seeking dominance in Smartphone markets. Susceptible partnerships are usual in the sales of patent because these partnerships enable the competitors for neutralising budding infringement litigation. Kodak in the month of November 2012 had obtained commitments for 830 million dollars exit financing, depending on the sale of digital-imaging patents for around 500 million dollar.
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 CAR SALES DIPPED BY 8.25 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2012
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The passenger car sales dipped down by 8.25 percent in November 2012 as per the numbers which were released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), because of certain macro-economic factors such as uncertain climate in the economy, high rates of interest as well as rising fuel prices. The analysts as well as the executives of the car industry opined that the situation would be even tougher in the future. SIAM revealed that the sales of car were 1.58 lakh units in November 2012 against 1.72 lakh units in November 2011. Out of a total of 19 carmakers, 9 reported decrease in volume, which also included the heavyweight car makers such as Volkswagen, Ford, General Motors, Tata Motors, Toyota as well as Hyundai. To Read More
YAHOO, NBC SPORTS CAME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SPORTS CONTENT

Yahoo! Inc and NBC Sports Group decided to promote each others sports content on the Internet as well as on television in a move that would help both the companies represent on their individual strengths across both mediums. The collaboration will increase NBC's digital presence as well as shore up its college and fantasy game coverage, while Yahoo will gain access NBC's video content, live sports coverage and big name television personalities. To Read More
BHARTI INFRATEL RAISED 652 CRORE RUPEES BY ANCHOR INVESTORS

Bharti Infratel, the tower business unit of Bharti Airtel received 651.7 crore Rupees from 18 anchor investors. It is important to note that this investment came ahead of 4500 crore Rupees public offer which opens on 11 December 2012. The price of shares of the company for anchor investors is 230 rupees per piece and 2.83 shares were allocated to these anchor investors. These anchor investors include Wellington, Battery March, Columbia Wagner, AllianceBernstein, Clough Capital, Route One Capital, Sundaram MF, Morgan Stanley among many others. To Read More
CARGILL INDIA ACQUIRED WIPRO'S SUNFLOWER VANASPATI BRAND

US-based food producer and marketer Cargill India on 10 December 2012 announced the acquisition of the Sunflower Vanaspati brand from Wipro. The deal is going to help Wipro in strengthening its leadership position in the market and is expected to shore up Cargill's consumer brand portfolio and expand its market reach. Cargill and Wipro did not disclose the deal value of the brand but as per the trade analysts the deal was pegged at 30-40 crore Rupees. To Read More
LODHA DEVELOPER ACQU IRED THE MUMBAIS WA SHINGTON HOUSE

Lodha Developer, the renowned realty company acquired the triple storey residential building called Washington House which was owned by US consulate, for 341.8 crore Rupees. The www.jagranjosh.com
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building is located on the Altamont Road, Mumbai. In acquiring the building, Lodha beat other three rival developers which also included Tata Housing as well as Mahindra Lifespaces. The bids of these two developers ranged somewhere around 300 crore Rupees, much less than the reserve price of 350 crore Rupees which was fixed by the consulate. To Read More
SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES SIGNED ACQUISITION AGREEMENTS

Sutherland Global Services, the US-based BPO signed on 12 December 2012, 5 agreements for acquiring Apollo Health Street (AHS), the healthcare outsourcing group of Apollo Hospitals for around 1000 crore Rupees. Five definitive agreements were signed for acquiring 100 percent venture of AHS. The agreements would strengthen the presence of Sutherland Global Services in 38 billion dollar US healthcare BPO market. In the race to acquire AHS, Genpact, the BPO giant was also competing. To Read More
TELECOM COMMISSION APPROVED SUBSIDY FOR BSNL

The Inter Ministerial body Telecom Commission of India on 12 December 2012 gave its nod to a 1500 crore Rupees subsidy to state owned BSNL for supporting its landline operations in rural areas. The approval came in line with the TRAI recommendation which had suggested that 2700 crore rupees should be given to BSNL as operations in rural areas dont generate enough revenues. TRAI had suggested that subsidy be given in two installments-1500 crore for 2011-12 and for 2012-13 1250 crore rupees. The subsidy is going to be paid out of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. BSNL had demanded 2580 crore rupees per from the government to support its rural operations. To Read More
INFOSYS SHARES STARTED TRADING ON NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

Infosys Ltd, Indias second-largest IT services provider on 12 December 2012 announced that its American Depositary Shares (ADS) have started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol INFY. The company is also in the process of listing its ADS on the Paris and London exchanges of NYSE Euronext. Earlier in the month of December the company had announced transfer of its NASDAQ-listed ADS to NYSE, which basically aimed to give its European investors better access to its stock. At the end of September quarter, Infosys had 6.67 crore ADS representing 11.62 per cent of its total number of shares, according to BSE data. An American Depositary Shares (ADS) is a US dollar-denominated equity share of a foreignbased company available for purchase on an American stock exchange.
RELIANCE SIGNED A GREEMENT WITH CHINA S DALIAN WANDA GROUP

Reliance Group led by Anil Ambani sig ned an agreement with Chinas retail player Dalian Wanda Group to set up a joint venture for strategic long term partnership between them which covers several areas of mutual interest. The main focus would be on the development of real estate, township projects and movie theatre projects. Wanda group is the leading real estate developer in the world. It has built over 130 million square feet property in sixty-six integrated www.jagranjosh.com
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projects across 50 Chinese. Reliance Group has become the single largest trading partner between India and China in recent past.
ICICI BANK OPENED 101 GRAMIN BRANCHES ACROSS VILLAGES

ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank of India on 13 December 2012 opened 101 distinct gramin branches or rural branches as the part of its financial enclosure plan. These branches were opened in villages which lack the banking facilities, across six states of India. All these gramin branches of the ICICI Bank would remain open for 4 hours per day and 6 days per week. These branches would offer banking services like fixed and recurring deposits, saving bank accounts, remittances, tractor loans as well as Kisan credit cards. Just like their current rural branches, ICICI will have at least 3 employees at the bank. Depending upon the business of the bank, ICICI might also make an addition of ATMs to a few of these rural branches. To Read More
M&S ADDED ANTI-BRIBERY CLAUSE IN INDIAN CONTRACTS

Marks & Spencer (M&S), the British retail company decided to attach strict anti-bribery clauses to its agreements in India. This was decided as the company planned to go ahead with the process of expansion in country. The decision to insert anti-bribery clauses to the agreement by M&S came after the government decided to initiate the investigation into bribery allegations against Walmart, the US retail company after its disclosure of spending 25 million US dollar in lobbying in US from past 4 years. Walmart had spent the amount in lobbying in US for acquiring increased market access in India. To Read More
LEVI STRAUSS & CO, APPOINTED HARMIT SINGH AS THE NEW CFO
Levi Strauss & Co, the jeans-maker appointed Harmit Singh as the new Chief Financial Officer. With this appointment, he became the second Indian in the major leadership of the company only after Chief Human Resource Officer Varun Bhatia. Harmit Singh would be taking up his role on 16 January 2012. Hiring Harmit Singh as the new CFO of Levi Strauss & Co reflected that there is a trend of global consumer firms hiring Indians who have higher potential as well as knowledge. Singh is appointed as the CFO at such a time when there is an increased competition to US apparel brands from the rivals such as US Polo, Arvind Brands and Mustang. To Read More
INDIGO LOST 88 CRORE RUPEES IN FY 2011-2012: AVIATION MINISTRY

IndiGo lost 87.6 crore Rupees in 2011-2012 fiscal year, the Aviation Ministry revealed. IndiGo was operating in profits constantly in last three financial years. However, the airline contradicted Aviation Ministry and declared that it had earned profits in 2011-2012 fiscal year www.jagranjosh.com
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as well. IndiGo is the 6-year-old airline and the largest airline of India in terms of domestic market share. The Aviation Ministry revealed that the low-cost carrier had the operating revenue of 5552.4 crore Rupees in fiscal year 2011-2012 against the operating cost of around 5640 crore Rupees, which meant that there was a loss of 87.6 crore Rupees. To Read More
PETROCHINA AGREED TO BUY STAKE IN ENCANA NATURAL GAS PROJECT

PetroChina in the third week of December 2012 agreed to buy a 49.9 percent stake in Canadian firm Encana's natural gas project in Alberta for 2.2 billion dollars. The project contains supplies equivalent to nearly nine billion barrels of oil. It is considered the latest investment in an overseas oil and gas resource by a Chinese firm. PetroChina, is Chinas biggest oil and gas producer. Moreover, PetroChina announced it would buy BHP Billiton's stake in an Australian liquefied natural gas project. Significantly, another Chinese firm, CNOOC, got approval from Canadian government in December 2012 to take over oil firm Nexen. The CNOOC-Nexen deal valued at15.1billion dollars, was China's largest overseas takeover. It shows the increasing Chinese influence on the Canadian oil and gas industry.
REPOWER SYSTEMS WON A CONTRACT OF SUPPLYING WIND TURBINES

REpower Systems SE, a subsidy of Suzlon Group on 17 December 2012 announced that it has won a contract of supplying 51 wind turbines from wpd Europe GmbH, the subsidy of project developer wpd AG in Canada. REpower Systems also entered into a service and maintenance agreement (ISP) as a part of this contract and will serve for a total period of 15 years. The MM92 turbines of REpower with a rated power of 2.05 MW would be installed in six different projects being developed at Springwood, Whittington, White Pines, Napier, Sumac Ridge and Fairview which is scheduled to be constructed and commissioned by 2014. To expand its business presence in Canada and meet the requirements of Green Energy Act of the country, REpower also announced its plans of setting-up a new rotor blade manufacturing facility in Southern Ontario.
FORTIS HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCED TO DIVEST STAKE TO BUPA

Fortis Healthcare on 16 December 2012 announced to divest 64 percent stake in the Dental Corporation Holdings (DC), Australia. Dental Corporation Holdings (DC), Australia is the private dental care service provider in Australia. Fortiss stake in DC would thereafter be sold to Bupa for 270 million Australian dollars, which is around 1554 crore rupees, by March 2013. Fortis Healthcare executive chairman called the move beneficial for Fortis as it would help in aligning company with the current intentional priorities. It would also help consolidation of Fortis as one among the fastest growing healthcare companies. To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 AIRTEL DELHI HALF MARATHON RAISED 4.04 CRORE CHARITY
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Airtel Delhi Half Marathon raised 4.04 crore rupees for charity, which is the highest amount in the history of this event. Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is organised every year in the capital of India and it is a 5-year old event now. Around 60 NGOs in the country would be benefiting from these funds. Urvi Maheshwari (12), the youngest Dream Maker raised over 2.47 lakh aiding the Cause of the Girl Child. The beneficiaries would be over 4000 underprivileged children, mainly girls in more than 20 Satya Bharti schools. To Read More
HCL INFOSYSTEMS ANNOUNCED DISTRIBUTION OF TOSHIBA E-STUDIO

HCL Infosystems Ltd. Indias Premier Services and ICT Systems Integration, Distribution and Hardware Company on 11 December 2012 announced that it is going to distribute the latest Toshiba copiers and scanners across the country. HCL is taking forward its long standing partnership with Toshiba and would be making available the latest Toshiba copiers - the eSTUDIO models 256, 456, e 2051c model & eSTUDIO18 through its extensive distribution channel, covering more than 500 company owned touch points. To Read More
KG-D6, GAS PRODUCING FIELDS REACHED LOWEST GAS OUTPUT LEVEL

The biggest gas producing fields of India in Krishna Godavari basin (KG-D6), which are controlled by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) as well as UKs BP, reached the lowest level of output ever since it was incepted. After the production level of gas producing fields touched peak levels of 60 million standard cubic metres of gas per day (mmscmd), the output remained 22.77 mmscmd in second week of December 2012. To Read More
TATA STEEL DEVELOPED ANTI-BALLISTIC STEEL SUPER BAINITE

Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant in the UK developed a new kind of anti-ballistic steel in the second week of December which could transform safety of soldiers and security forces fighting terrorists and extremists. The steel named as Super Bainite is very lightweight, super-strength anti-ballistic steel with a lattice form. It can be used to armour-plate troop carriers and tanks. Marking the development Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, visited the plant and unveiled a plaque to mark a multi-million pounds project to rebuild a furnace where the new kind of steel is being produced by the Ministry of Defence and the Tata s. To Read More
GOOGLE LAUNCHED DEAD SEA SCROLLS ONLINE LIBRARY

Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), in partnership with Google on 18 December 2012 put 5000 images of the ancient biblical artifacts online in form of Digital library. The online availability of Dead Sea scrolls came after more than six decades since the discovery of it and thousands of years after they were written. The digital library comprises Book of Deuteronomy, which basically includes the second listing of the Ten Commandments, and a portion of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, dated to the first century B.C. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com
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SAMSUNG DEFEATED NOKIA TO BECOME TOP MOBILE BRAND 2012

As per the research firm IHS iSuppli Samsung displaced Nokia to become the worlds leading top mobile brand for the year 2012. This is the first time in 14 years that Nokia is not on top of the global cell phone business on an annual basis. The report states that Samsungs market share account of worldwide cell phone shipments is expected to be 29 percent. It was 24 percent in 2011. On the other hand, Nokias share for 2012 dropped down to 24 percent, down from the 30 percent market share in 2011. To Read More
RATAN TATA CONFERRED TITLE OF CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

Ratan Tata, the outgoing Chairman of Tata Group was conferred with the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus- by the board of Tata Sons, the holding company of the 100 billion dollar Tata Group on 18 December 2012. Ratan Tata will retire from his office on 28 December 2012 and Cyrus Mistry would be taking over the chair of the group after him on the same day. Ratan Tata as an honorary chairman will not attend any of the board meetings of Tata Group and would also not have any responsibility towards the company. JRD Tata was conferred with this title honour before Ratan Tata by the Tata Sons. Ratan Tata would continue to be the Chairman of Tata group trusts, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which together have 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons.
DLF SOLD LUXURY HOTEL CHAIN AMAN RESORTS

DLF, one of the biggest real estate company sold luxury hotel chain Aman Resorts to the founder Adrian Zecha for 300 million dollar or 1637 crore Rupees. However, the deal did not include Aman New Delhi (initially called Lodhi Hotel). DLF will continue to be the owner of this hotel. Aman Resorts has approximately 25 more properties all over the world. DLF sold overall stake in the Silverlink Resort, which holds the Aman Resorts, to Zecha. DLF sold the stake through DLF Global Hospitality, the completely owned subsidiary of DLF. Back in the year 2007, DLF acquired all realties which also included Lodhi Hotel, from Indonesian hotelier at the cost of 400 million dollar. To Read More
CHINA NAMED INFOSYS IN KEY SERVICE OUTSOURCING COMPANY LIST

Chinas Ministry of Commerce had named Infosys in its lis t of the 100 key liaison service outsourcing companies in the third week of December. Infosys became the only company headquartered in India that has received this recognition. It was included in the list due to strong growth in China. To Read More
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NYSE AGREED SELLING ITSELF AS A PART OF 8.2 BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER

The New York Stock Exchange, which is said to be the foundation of American capitalism for 220 years now, agreed to sell itself as part of the 8.2 billion dollar takeover by Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE). According to the deal which was announced on 20 December 2012, ICE would be paying 33.12 dollar per share for NYSE Euronext, which is higher by 38 percent than the closing price on 19 December 2012. To Read More
RANBIR IS THE BRAND AMBASSADOR OF BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONE

Blackberry Smartphone maker Research-In-Motion (RIM) in third week of December had signed in Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador in India. The signing of Ranbir Kapoor is a move to attract young entrepreneurs and professionals, as the celebrity endorsement is an accepted norm in India in terms of youth and consumer association with brand. It is also the first time Blackberry had signed a celebrity in India as its brand ambassador. To Read More
JAPANESE MULTINATIONAL BOUGHT STAKE IN GUARDIAN LIFECARE

Mitsui Corp, the private equity company of Japanese multinational bought marginal stake in Guardian Lifecare, the Gurgaon-based pharmacy store. This indicates how foreign investors are keen towards 20 billion dollar pharmacy as well as wellness market of India. A Mitsui fund put in dedicated growth capital of over 80 crore Rupees in Guardian Lifecare, a company that is engaged in retailing drugs with 230 stores in 20 cities. The company with an experience of around 10 years planned to double the network of its store to 400 by 2014. To Read More
JLR CHINESE SUBSIDIARY RECALLED CARS TO FIX STEERING BOXES

The Chinese subsidiary of Jaguar Land Rover decided on 25 December 2012 to recall 337 cars due to below-standard fixture of brakes as well as steering boxes. On its official website, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine mentioned that the China unit of Jaguar Land Rover decided to recall 190 Evoque and Freelander vehicles which were produced on 11 June 2012. To Read More
INSTAGRAM FACED FIRST CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON SERVICE TERMS

Instagram photo-sharing service was slapped with first civil lawsuit which resulted because of its changed terms of service leading to protests from the user in the third week of December 2012. Proposed class action lawsuit was filed against Instagram in the federal court of San Francisco. The California-based Instagram user slapped it with the breach of contract as well as other charges against it. In the third week of December 2012, Facebook had announced to the Instagram users its plans to alter the terms and conditions of the service. Concerned users had panicked that Facebook would start selling the photos or licensing these photos to the advertisers without taking users permission. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 CORPORATE CURRENT AFFAIR QUIZZES
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1. Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched two new devices. Which are these two devices? a) iPad 2 and fourth generation iPad b) iPad mini and iPhone 5 c) iPad mini and fourth generation iPad d) iPhone 5 and fourth generation iPad Answer. (c) iPad mini and fourth generation iPad 2. Wipro Consumer Care and Lightning (WCCL) on 8 December 2012 acquired the Singapore-based FMCG Company for 790 Crore Rupees. What is the name of this company? a) LD Waxson b) Unza c) Woods of Windsor d) Aramusk Answer. (a) LD Waxson 3. Suresh Vaswani, the former co-CEO of Wipro was appointed as the President of Dell Services, the computer-maker, on 6 December 2012. Which of the following statements is true in this context? a) Before being promoted to the position of Dells president, Vaswani was also the head of application services as well as BPO segment of Dell. b) In 2011, Vaswani exited from Wipro where he had spent 25 years. c) Vaswani reported to Schuckenbrock, the former President of Dell. d) All the three statements are true. Answer. (d) All the three statements are true. 4. Adani Mining, a global integrated infrastructure player on 3 December 2012 announced completion of the largest mining exploration programme in Australia in a record time. How much time did the Adani Mining take for the programme? a) 6 months b) 9 months
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c) 1 year d) 1.5 years Answer. (b) 9 months
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5. Nokia, one of the giant mobile makers agreed to sell the head quarter building or 222 million US dollar or 170 million Euros on 4 December 2012. The headquarter building is to be bought by Exilion, the Finnish real estate company. Where was the headquarter building of Nokia located? a) Finland b) Scotland c) Denmark d) California Answer. (a) Finland For More Quizzes
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STATE
ANDHRA PRADESH SC, ST SUB-PLANS BILL 2012 PASSED
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly on 2 December 2012 passed Andhra Pradesh SC, ST Sub-Plans Bill 2012 providing statutory status for implementation of the sub-plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The legislation will ensure fund allocation proportionate to the SC and ST population and is expected to prevent diversion of sub-plan funds for other activities and not allowing them unspent. There is also a mandatory provision for allocation of almost a fourth of the States annual plan of the budget for SC and ST. The bill was introduce d on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee. To Read More
UP TO ISSUE GOLDEN CARDS TO INDUSTRIALISTS

The Uttar Pradesh government on 4 December 2012 decided to issue Golden Cards to industrialists and industrial associations for easy access to its offices. The Golden Card facility is part of the larger effort of creating an industry-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh. A Golden Card will be like an identity (ID) card with the holder's photo. It will allow entry of industrialists to the state secretariat and government departments on priority basis without hurdles. The right to visit card will be treated at par with ID cards issued by the secretariat. To Read More
DELHI METRO SUFFERED LOSS OF 5 CRORE RUPEES

Delhi metro suffered a loss of over 5 crore rupees due to the lost tokens, which commuters don't deposit at the counter while exiting or lose them during their journey. It was stated by the Union Minister of State for Urban Development Deepa Dasmunsi in Lok Sabha that Delhi Metro suffered losses of 5.6 crore rupees since 2009 due to lost or stolen tickets. Although announcements are made regularly at stations that taking away tokens is a punishable offence, commuters continue to either carry them or lose them during their journey on Delhi Metro. The loss figure is growing drastically over the years. In year 2009-10 Delhi metro suffered a loss of 1.2 crore rupees due to loss of token. To Read More
DELHI POLICE SIGNED AGREEMENT WITH MUMBAI-BASED COMPANY

Commissioner of Police, New Delhi signed an agreement on 6 December 2012 with the Mumbai-based company for construction of state-of-the-art building as the Delhi Police headquarters. The building would be worth 202 crore Rupees. The approval of Archeological Survey of India was taken already for the headquarters. The Delhi Police HQ will be there at Parliament Street in the area of 8.02 acres. The building will house more than 80000 forces of Delhi Police. As of now, Delhi Police functions from the part of the PWD headquarters located at ITO. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 HARYANA TO BUY 2000 MW HYDEL POWER FROM BHUTAN
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The Government of Haryana approached Bhutan to provide hydel-power to resolve the power crisis in the state. The Haryana Government is supposed to purchase 2000 MW power from the country for which they have already finalised modalities regarding the purchase at the administrative level. The Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda is going to lead a high-level delegation to Bhutan from 14 December 2012 to 16 December 2012 calling for a significant step to make the state free of any power shortage in the coming days. Senior officers of power utilities department would be part of this high-level delegation to Bhutan. To Read More
BS YEDDYURAPPA, LAUNCHED KARNATAKA JANATHA PARTY

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa formally launched Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) on 9 December 2012. KJP was launched in Haveri, 350 kms from Bangalore. Besides Yeddyurappa, Ramkrishna Hegde, HD Deve Gowda, SR Bommai, D Devaraj Urs, S Bangarappa and S Nijalingappa had formed their own parties after serving as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
DELHI GOVERNMENT CHECKED COMPLIANCE OF POLYBAG BAN

Delhi Governments Environment department on 9 December 2012 launched a campaign to check the conformity of blanket ban on plastic bag usage across Delhi. 25 teams of the department checked shopping malls as well as 5-star hotels in Delhi in order to find out the violators. The teams found that the blanket ban on use of polybags was violated in more than 100 shops. It was declared that violators will have to suffer the consequences. In November 2012, the government had imposed ban of plastic bags on manufacturing, sale, storage as well as use, according to the provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Violation of the provision would lead to up to 5 years of imprisonment or fine of up to 1 lakh rupees or both. Officials of the Environment department declared that initially the focus would be on plastic carry bags. Packaged food as well as materials would be focused later.
AP HC STAYED ED ORDER ATTACHING 822CR RUPEES DEPOSIT

Andhra Pradesh High Court on 11 December 2012 stayed a provisional order of Enforcement Directorate(ED) attaching 822 crore rupee deposits belonging to Mahindra Satyam in a money laundering case involving former Satyam Chairman B Ramalinga Raju and others. Justice P V Sanjay Kumar also stayed the notice issued by the adjudicating authority to Mahindra Satyam, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, asking company officials to appear before it with regard to the case. The Enforcement Directorate had on 18 October 2012 issued a provisional attachment order of the company's fixed deposits of 822 crore rupee in the money laundering case related to the previous management.
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 BIHAR RECEIVED THE SILVER ICON WEB RATNA AWARD 2012
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Bihar's public grievance redressal website received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 on 10 December 2012. The public grievance redressal website -- http://bpgrs.in has been developed by the state government as an e-governance initiative and has various features for quick and transparent disposal of complaints. The complainant is also intimated on his/her e-mail about the action taken.
BIHAR STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVED THE NEW JAIL MANUAL

The Bihar government on 11 December 2012 approved new jail manual that has provision for elaborate computer generated record of inmates including their voice samples, replacing the existing 88-year-old prison guidelines formulated in 1924.
THE NEW GUIDELINES ARE AS FOLLOWING

The new guideline has provisions for computerization of records including the works done by inmates. Under the new manual, visitors to the jails would be registered through computer. Visitors complex would be established in all the jails where visitors' photographs would be taken on computer along with their fingerprints. To Read More
ASSAM GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED SPECIAL HEALTH SCHEME

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 12 December 2012 announced that 50 riverine public health centres would be set up in the state under the National Rural Health Mission. The public health centres would be located primarily in the districts of Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara and Darrang. The government was in Process to implement several schemes under the health department such as 15 boats with process theatre facilities, including five boat ambulances under the 108 emergency schemes. The state government has approached the North East Council for setting up of floating hospitals, and had asserted that the pilot project of that would be prepared by 2013. To Read More
MEGHALAYA LOKAYUKTA BILL 2012 PASSED BY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

The Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012 was passed on 14 December 2012 in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and replaced the existing Lokayukta Act, 2002 amidst opposition from legislators. The bill was passed rejecting the demand of the members either to refer the Bill to the House Select Committee or call a Special Session. The new act under the lokayukta bill covered the chief minister, governor and all public servants, but allowed the state government through a clause to exclude the complaints by citing public interest. To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR TO HOLD BANDI DARBARS IN JAIL
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Government of Bihar in the month of December announced that that it is going to hold bandi darbars in jails across the state for on-the-spot resolution of complaints by jail inmates related to food, health and other civic facilities. As Per the new jail manual 2012, notified by the state government, the darbars is supposed to be held once in two months by the concerned district magistrates. The basic motive behind holding such a darbar is to establish direct connect between the prisoners and the district magistrate who is the highest official at the district level. The district magistrate would also identify old and helpless prisoners and provide them legal assistance for early release. The cases of prisoners afflicted with serious diseases would also be reviewed for early release. To Read More
SIT PROBE ORDERED INTO MULTI-CRORE IRRIGATION SCAM

Government of Maharashtra on 17 December 2012 ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter of multi-crore irrigation scam. The announcement was made in both the legislative houses of the state. The SIT would be headed by the Dr. Madhavrao Chitale and comprise experts from law and judiciary and finance departments. Its deadline would be finalized by 31 December 2012. Dr. Chitale is a water expert and has worked for different commissions and at different capacities and served the Union Water Resource Ministry as its Secretary.
BJP WON IN GUJARAT STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2012

As per the election results declared by the Election Commission of India on 20 December 2012, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) under the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 20 December 2012 won the Vidhan Sabha Elections in Gujarat leaving behind the opposition Congress and Gujarat Parivartan Party. BJP was successful in capturing 115 seats out of the 182 member assembly in the state, with this win BJP is back to power in the state for the fifth time and for the third time under the leadership of Narendra Modi. To Read More
CONGRESS WON THE STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2012 IN HP

As per the election results declared by the Election Commission of India on 20 December 2012, Indian National Congress was declared winner in the Vidhan Sabha elections of Himachal Pradesh under the leadership of its veteran leader Virbhadra Singh. Congress was successful in securing 36 out of 68 seats in the state elections. BJP that won 41 seats in the 2007 Vidhan Sabha Elections dropped down and was able to win just 26 seats. Six independents including the rebels of BJP also won in the state elections in Himachal Pradesh. To Read More
NEW BILL FOR AMENDMENTS IN LAW ON RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT

In context with the Vasant Vihar gang rape which took place on 16 December 2012, Delhi Government decided drafting new bill for making amendments in the law against rape and www.jagranjosh.com
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sexual assault. It was decided that amendments would be made so that the law against rape and sexual assault were more stringent. The new bill would be prepared by Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising and it would later be moved to Home Ministry via Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. To Read More
MP GOVERNMENT SET UP A SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION

The Madhya Pradesh Government on 21 December 2012 set up a Senior Citizen Commission to look into problems of the elderly in the State. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Senior Citizen Commission would comprise one Chairman and four members. The commission will try to solve the problems of the senior people of the State and providing an ideal platform for old persons policy for the welfare and solution of their problems.
KARNATAKA ANNOUNCED SAFETY MEASURES IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

On 23 December 2012, Karnataka became the first state that announced some measures for making public transport safer via use of technology. The Karnataka government announced that it would equip taxis as well as auto rickshaws with surveillance cameras as well as GPS for providing safety to the women travellers. All the state transport buses would be equipped with the surveillance cameras. Apart from this, the deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka who has home department under him also announced establishment of fast-track courts for dealing with all rape cases. To Read More
IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL COMMISSION ON FOOD PROCESSING

The Maharashtra Government in the month of December decided to implement the National Mission on Food Processing which is directed to enhance the standard of small food processing units in the State. The mission is a centrally-sponsored programme and it is going to provide micro credit, facilitate technology transfer and handhold the units in building capacity. It will also undertake skill up gradation through institutional training, which is meant to ensure sustainable employment opportunities to the people. To Read More
MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT TO SET UP 25 FAST TRACK COURTS

Maharashtra government on 27 December 2012 announced setting up 25 fast track courts for time-bound disposal of serious crimes against women. The principle consent to the proposal was given by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and with this government will approach the Bombay High Court to seek its nod. The shift by the government to set up such courts comes in the wake of a rise in incidents of rape and harassment of girls in various parts of the state. To Read More
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SPORTS
IOA: THERE WAS NO VIOLATION OF THE OLYMPIC CHARTER
Facing threats of disassociation from the parent body, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) clarified on 1 December 2012 that there was no violation of the government guidelines or Olympic Charter during the election process. It also mentioned that there should be no action from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against it. The acting chief of IOA made it clear that the Election Commission comprising of the retired judges of High Court did not find any violation of the rules in the elections which are scheduled to take place on 5 December 2012. The acting chief made clear that none of the three codes- Sports Code, the Delhi High Court order or the Olympic Charter, were violated. Also, the chief mentioned that no nominations were rejected by Election Commission. To Read More
ANNA USHENINA WON WO MENS WORLD CHAMPION SHIP CROWN

Anna Ushenina of Ukraine on 1 December 2012 won the Womens World Championship Crown of Chess at Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia after defeating Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria in first set of tie-break game. Anna won the title along with 60000 US dollar for the efforts made by her to win the Chess championship. In 2013 Anna would be playing the next world championship against Chinese Yifan Hou, which is a part of new cycle in Womens World Championship.
RAVINDRA JADEJA SCORED THREE TRIPLE TONS IN FIRST-CLASS CRICKET

Ravindra Jadeja became first Indian and only eighth batsman in the first-class cricket history of world to score three triple-centuries in the unbeaten 320 runs against Railways in the Ranji Trophy Group A match on 2 December 2012 in Rajkot. With the help of Jadejas innings, Saurashtra reached the giant score of 534 for six in their first innings on second day of 4-day combat. Jadeja had scored 303 against Gujarat in his first match of this season and eventually the second triple century and third as well to become the only Indian batsman to reach this podium. To Read More
GRAEME MCDOWELL OF NORTHERN IRELAND WON WORLD CHALLENGE

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland ended his two-year wait of winning the tournament on 2 December 2012 with his three-shot victory in World Challenge which was hosted by Tiger Woods. McDowell had last won in 2010 season in which he captured the victory in US Open but since then, he hasnt won anywhere. For the 72-hole total out of 17-under 271, McDowell www.jagranjosh.com
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carded four-under par 68 in his final round. He achieved a three-stroke triumph over Keegan Bradley. Bradley, in the meanwhile posted 69 for 274. Bradley had won PGA Championship in 2011. To Read More
RICKY PONTING ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM TEST CRICKET

The Cricketer and Former Captain of the Australian Cricket team, Ricky Ponting on 3 December 2012 announced his retirement from International Test Cricket. The decision of retirement came after Australia lost the third test match against South Africa by 309 runs on 3 December 2012 at Perth. The first and second test matches at Brisbane and Adelaide resulted in a draw during the South Africa Tour to Australia 2012. Ponting will continue playing for Tasmania and in the Australian Domestic T20 Tournament the Big Bash League, where he would represent the Hobart Hurricanes this season. To Read More
MATCH BETWEEN L. MCSHANE AND V. ANAND ENDED AS DRAW

Viswanathan Anand, the World Chess Champion in a match against Luke McShane of England finished with a draw in second round of the London Chess Classic on 3 December 2012. In the game which was finely crafted, the number one of the world Norwegian Magnus Carlsen achieved himself the position of highest-rated player in the history by defeating second seed Levon Aronian of Armenia. To Read More
IOC SUSPENDED IOA: INDIA FACING BAN FROM OLYMPICS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the India Olympic Association (IOA) on 4 December 2012 and eventually this might also lead to IOA ban from Olympic movement.
IOA BAN FROM OLYMPIC WOULD RESULT IN CONSEQUENCES SUCH AS

No funding from IOC No officials from India would be invited by IOC to any events such as Paralympics and Olympics No India athlete would be allowed competing under Indias flag; but could be permitted competing under IOC flag Commonwealth Games Federation as well as The Olympic Council of Asia might also go with the trend which would lead to similar sanctions in case of Commonwealth Games as well as the Asian games To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 AIR INDIA WON LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
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Air India emerged champion against Bharat Petroleum in the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on 4 December 2012. This was second title of this season for Air India. Air India had already shared the MCC-Murugappa Cup with Indian Oil. Air India had an edge over Bharat Petroleum because the team was full of experienced players. Besides, there was also an advantage because Bharat Petroleum did not give its 100 percent which was evident when it wasted a lot of opportunities. For Bharat Petroleum this was another runner-up in the second event consecutively. To Read More
BRYANT IS THE YOUNGEST PLAYER TO REACH 30000 CAREER POINTS

Kobe Bryant, 34, achieved the title of youngest ever player to reach the milestone of 30000 career points in NBA (basketball) on 5 December 2012. He achieved the milestone when he took Los Angeles Lakers towards the 103-87 victory over New Orleans Homets. In the second quarter, only 1:16 time was left and within that time period, Bryant took his jump shot, taking his career points to 30001. With that accomplishment, Kobe Bryant joined the elite list of just 5 more players to reach that milestone in the history of NBA. To Read More
IOC: ACTION ON IOA WAS NOT AGAINST INDIAN ATHLETES

After the recent suspension of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from International Olympic Committee (IOC), IOC assured the Indian athletes that this action was against IOA and not against them. IOC gave assurance to the athletes that they do not need to worry about their future prospects. IOC also declared that the decision was to ensure improvisation in governance of sports in India. To Read More
ALASTAIR COOK BECAME YOUNGEST BATSMAN TO SCORE 7000 RUNS

England Cricket team captain Alastair Cook on 6 December 2012 claimed his place among the cricketing greats when he set an England record for the most Test centuries and became the youngest player in the long history of the game to pass 7000 runs. The 27 years old Alastair Cook scored his 23rd Test hundred to leave England closing in on a rare series win in India. He has ahead of past legends Wally Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott. Teammate Kevin Pietersen has also scored 22 tons. Alastair Cook made an unbeaten 136 to put England on 1 for 216 at stumps at Eden Gardens on 6 December 2012 only 100 runs behind India's first innings total of 316.
ATHENS OLYMPICS: ATHLETES LOSE MEDALS OVER DOPING

International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on 5 December 2012 that four 2004 Athens Olympic medalists had their medals taken away because the re-tested samples, which were www.jagranjosh.com
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stored for 8 years, proved positive. The four medalists included shot put champion of Ukraine Yuriy Bilonog, women's shot putter of Russia Svetlana Krivelyova, discus thrower Irina Yatchenko of Belarus and Belarussian hammer thrower Ivan Tsikhan. 3-times world champion Tsikhan also had to give away his bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Games. However, this decision was reversed at Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the grounds that there were errors in laboratory procedures. To Read More
GOVERNMENT DE-RECOGNISED INDIAN AMATEUR BOXING FEDERATION

The Union government of India on 7 December 2012 de-recognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation and the Archery Association of India. The government took this step in the interest of sportspersons. Earlier, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) had suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, IABF alleging possible manipulation in its recent elections. However, the IABF has denied the charge, insisting that the process was transparent. The development comes within a few days of the International Olympic Committee suspending the Indian Olympic Association. During the September elections, outgoing President Abhay Singh Chautala, who was elected IOA President despite IOC's suspension, was retained in the body as nominated Chairman.
AUSTRALIA WON THE HOCKEY CHAMPIONS TROPHY

At the Champions Trophy 2012, Australia won once again, adding to fifth victory consecutively after it earned a 2-1 win in a match against Netherlands in Melbourne. The fifth consecutive victory of Australia at this event re-established it as the hockey team (mens) to beat, after Australia had missed on gold at Olympics. For the Netherlands, it was silver medal with the silver lining. Netherlands upgraded itself from bronze which they acquired last two years. To Read More
LIONEL MESSI SET REC ORD FOR MOST GOALS IN A CALENDAR YEAR
Lionel Messi, the renowned soccer player on 9 December 2012 set the record for most goals in a calendar year by scoring his 86th goal of 2012. He set the record while scoring the winning goal against Real Betis. Messi's record included 12 for Argentina and 74 goals for Barcelona in 66 games. The earlier record was made by Gerd Mueller who had scored 85 goals in 1972 which included 72 goals for his club Bayern Munich and 13 for his country West Germany. Messi still has to play two league matches and one King's Cup match before the end of 2012. The record breaking performance has made Messi favourite to claim his fourth FIFA World Player of the Year award. Lionel Andrs Leo Messi is a footballer who plays for La Liga club FC Barcelona and as the captain of the Argentina national team.
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 WRESTLERS SUSPENDED AT WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
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Five wrestlers which also include four medalists were tested positive on banned substances during Senior National Wrestling Championship at Gonda, Uttar Pradesh which was held from 8 November 2012 to 11 November 2012. All five wrestlers were provisionally suspended while they have pending hearing against them. All these wrestlers agreed to B Sample testing which would be conducted in the near future. To Read More
FIRST CLASS CRICKETER BB NIMBALKAR PASSED AWAY

Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar, a giant of Indian domestic cricketer, who came close to breaking Sir Don Bradman's first-class score in the Ranji Trophy, passed away due to age related ailments in his residence in Kolhapur on 11 December 2012 just one day shy of his 93rd birthday. Nimbalkar is survived by his son Netaji. His other three sons died a few years ago due to ill-health. To Read More
INDIA LIFTED THE INAUGURAL SBI T20 WORLD CUP FOR THE BLIND 2012
India won the inaugural SBI T20 World Cup for the Blind on 13 December 2012 after beating Pakistan in the finals at Central College grounds in Bangalore. A total of 5000 crowd cheered as India shattered Pakistan from 29 runs and the Indian captain Shekhar Naik lifted the trophy. India decided to bat first and scored 119 for 4 in 10 overs. India put up a competitive score of 258 runs in 20 overs. Rescuer of the team India was middle-order batsman Ketan Patel who scored 98 runs off 43 balls and is completely blind. To Read More
INDIA WON THE WORLD CUP KABADDI TOURNAMENT 2012

India on 15 December 2012 won the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament for the third consecutive time in the Mens category and second consecutive time in the Womens category. Indian men defeated arch rival Pakistan with a decisive margin of 37 points whereas, Indian women thrashed Malaysia 72-12. Both the finals were played at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana. The Kabaddi world cup was a 15-day tournament. In men's category, third prize went to Canada and in women's category, it was given to Denmark. Indian men registered a hat trick by outclassing Pakistan in every aspect of game. At the end of the first half, Indian men squad was leading with a point difference of 34-9. Indias raider and stoppers showed an extraordinary sport in collecting points for their country. Womens final was virtually a one sided show as Malaysian team was no match against Indian eves.
JUNIOR WORLD TT CHAMPIONSHIP: CHINA CLAIMED ALL TITLES

China got the clean sweep of titles at Volkswagen 2012 World Junior Table Tennis Championship after it won girls as well as boys trophies on 16 December 2012. In the second week of December 2012, China had won girls and boys team titles. Petrissa Solja of Germany who was the only non-Chinese, lost in the semifinal to Chinese top seed Zhu Yuling who www.jagranjosh.com
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finished by turning over Gu Yuting 4-0 for the title of girls. Her top speed, superior technique as well as great attitude helped her win the title. To Read More
INDIA LOST TEST SERIES BY 1-2 AFTER NAGPUR TEST ENDED AS A DRAW
The last test match between India and England of the Tournament England Tour to India ended up as a draw and with this India lost the four-test match cricket series against England by 1-2 on 17 December 2012. With this win England succeeded in ending a 28 year long wait of winning a test series on Indian Soil. Before this the English side under the captaincy of David Gower won the test series in India 1984-85.
THE SERIES
The first Test was played at Ahmedabad from 15 November to 19 November 2012 in which India won the match by 9 wickets The second was played at Mumbai from 23 November to 26 November 2012 in which England won the match by 10 wickets In the third test match played at Kolkata from 5 December to 9 December 2012 England won the match by 7 wickets The last test resulted in a draw and was played at Nagpur from 13 December to 17 December 2012
SARDAR SINGH COMMANDED THE BEST PRICE IN HIL AUCTION

In the Hockey India League (HIL) Auction held at New Delhi on 16 December 2012 the Indian Skipper Sardar Singh became the highest marquee player after commanding for the best price of 78000 dollar. Sardar Singh was bought by the Delhi Franchisee. The five marquee players for the league were drawn by Delhi Wave Riders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Mumbai Magicians, Ranchi Rhinos and Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The marquee players would be offered with 15 percent more price than the commanded best price by the player by their respective teams. The price quoted for the players would be same for next three years and the teams are allowed to buy the players from other teams. To Read More
AIFF APPOINTED PROBE PANEL WITH RETIRED JUDGE A.K. GANGULY

The All India Football Federation in the third week of December 2012 appointed A.K. Ganguly, the retired Judge of Supreme Court and Chairperson of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, as the one-man committee for probing into and make a decision about the fate of the abandoned 10th round I-League match between the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Mohun Bagan decided not to play the second half of the match and abandoned it after one of its players Syed Rahim Nabi was hit by a stone from the stands in first half of the match on 9 December 2012 after a violence erupted in the gallery, when the Okolie Odafa, Captain of the www.jagranjosh.com
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West Bengal team was shown red card. A.K. Ganguly has been appointed to look into the matter and undertake a detailed evaluation of the incident and put forward the resulting consequential effects in consonance with applicable I-League regulations 2012-13. To Read More
INDIA RETAINED THEIR POSITION IN THE LATEST ICC TEST RANKING

India retained their number five position as per the latest ICC Test Championship rankings issued in Dubai on 17 December 2012 despite losing to England 1-2 in the home Test series. South Africa topped the ranking at 123 points. India, however, dropped a ratings point to 105, and is now four-points behind arch-rival Pakistan, who are placed at the fourth position. England, on the other hand, consolidated their number two slot by adding a point after drawing the final Test at Nagpur, thereby winning a Test series in India after a long gap of 28 years. England now stands just five points behind South Africa. Australia is positioned at number three in the rankings.
ROGER FEDERER NAMED SWISS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2012

Roger Federer, 31, the No. 2 of the world and 17 times Grand Slam champion, was named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year on 16 December 2012. Federer received the honour for the fifth time. Earlier in 2012, Federer had grabbed the 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon Championships, London, while also reclaiming his No. 1 ranking in the month of July 2012. He also acquired top most position by the end of the season. Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player acquired the same title in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. The female Athlete of the year was Nicola Spirig, the Olympic triathlon champion of Switzerland.
SHIVA KESHAVAN, LUGE ATHLETE WON GOLD AT ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Shiva Keshavan, the top Luge Athlete of India won the gold medal for second time successively and set the Asian record of 49.590 seconds in the Asian Championship. In the race, at first Keshavan was at second place during his first run at 0.129 seconds behind Hidenari Kanayama of Japan. At the third place was the runner up of last year Oguchi Takahisa with just 0.058 seconds after Shiva. All the three athletes broke the track record of previous years. The previous record was 50.072, which was set back in 2004. To Read More
APURVI CHANDELA WON WOMENS AIR RIFLE GO LD

Apurvi Chandela of Rajasthan on 24 December 2012 won Womens Air Rifle Gold in the Sahara 56th National Shooting Championship. The 19 year old managed to take a lead with 0.2 points from Pooja Ghatkar with a 10.7 last shot, till the ninth shot the game between two was tied. Pournima Zanane, the former champion and National record holder was successful in winning the Bronze and was 0.2 points ahead of the Avneet Sidhu, the World Championship finalist. Pournima clinched the bronze 0.2 point ahead of the World championship finalist
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Avneet Sidhu. Nikita Salunke lost her race in the final but was successful in winning a junior gold.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZZES

1. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the India Olympic Association (IOA) on 4 December 2012 and eventually this might also lead to IOA ban from Olympic movement. Which of these statements is true in context to this news? a) IOC suspended IOA because India was following the Sports Code of government in the IOA elections, which is against the Olympic Charter. b) Suspension of IOA from Olympics came just before the Election Day. c) Decision of IOC was welcomed by several former as well as current sportspersons. d) All the above statements are true Answer. (d) All the above statements are true 2. Name the corporate Hockey team which emerged champion against Bharat Petroleum in the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on 4 December 2012. a) Air India b) Bharti Airtel c) Reliance Industries d) Hindustan Petroleum Answer. (a) Air India 3. Name the England Cricket Captain who became the youngest Batsman to score 7000 Runs a) Alastair Cook b) Kevin Peitersen c) Daniel Vettori d) Andrew Strauss Answer. (a) Alastair Cook
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4. Name the Basket player who Became Youngest Player in the History of NBA to Reach 30000 Career Points a) Andrew Bogut b) Kobe Bryant c) Leandro Barbosa d) Robert Sacre Answer. (b) Kobe Bryant 5. Name the Cricketer and Former Captain of the Australian Cricket team who on 3 December 2012 announced his retirement from International Test Cricket.
a) Ricky Ponting b) Adam Gilchrist c) Shane Warne d) Michael Clarke
Answer. (a) Ricky Ponting For More Quizzes
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ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

FISH NAMED AFTER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
A recently discovered colourful, freshwater species of fish known as Darters was named after the re-elected US President Barack Obama in the first week of December 2012. The species of fish was named so because of Obamas global vision towards environment conservation as well as protection. Five new colourful, freshwater fish species was discovered in the eastern North America in river drainages and they were named after 4 U.S. Presidents and Vice-President. This species of fish has bright blue and orange colours. Darters are known as the tiniest members belonging to the family of perch. They have the ability to move under, into or around the rocks as well as sediments on beds of fast-moving and clean waterways. Around 200 species of Darter have been discovered as of now and most of these live in rivers as well as creeks of eastern Tennessee and northern Alabama. They are known as the most assorted species of native fishes of North America.
MOU SIGNED BETWEEN MYSORE ZOO AND LEIPZIG ZOO IN GERMANY

Zoo authorities of the Mysore Zoo and Leipzig zoo in Germany signed a MoU on 1 December 2012 according to which four sloth bears will be transported to the zoo in Germany. Leipzig zoo in Germany is well known for its management of vulnerable nocturnal mammal. In return to transportation of these sloth bears, India will get access to expertise as well as knowledge of handling these bears. This is actually the primary feature of MoU, which is signed between the zoos of two countries. The Leipzig zoo and Central Authority Zoo signed the MoU for improvisation of management as well as cooperation of the population of captive animals. The primary agenda was conservation of the sloth bears. Dr. J Junhold, president of the Leipzig zoo elaborated on this plan and made it clear that the zoo in Germany required sloth bears for breeding and these bears were provided by the Mysore Zoo. The Leipzig zoo is responsible for management of these sloth bears since 1905. MoU would enable zoos in India to gain this expertise and knowledge. Dr Junhold is also World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) president and he visited Delhi before the next conference of WAZA to be hosted in 2014. Apart from the Mysore Zoo, six other Indian zoos were identified and these are Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore - Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad; Delhi Zoo; Assam State Zoo, Guwahati; Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai and the Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar.
SCIENTISTS WARNED AGAINST EARTHQUAKES IN HIMALAYAN REGION
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Scientists who study the Himalayan geologic features and activities warned that the mountain range which separates Indian subcontinent plains from Tibetan Plateau is prime focus of the major earthquakes. Stanford geophysicists announced that the range of Himalayas was formed and it remained active currently because of the collision activities in Indian and Asian continental plates. For quite some time, it has been known to the scientists that subduction is going on in India under Asia. Subduction is a geological process during which an edge of the crustal plate forces below the edge of the other plate. Scientists had recently started studying difficulties involved in the volatile collision zone like this in detail, especially the fault which is separating the two plates, Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) declared. To Read More
TYPHOON BOPHA: DEATH TOLL RISES IN PHILIPPINES

Typhoon Bopha is the strongest ever tropical cyclone which hit Philippines. With the central winds at a speed of 120 kmph and gusts of around 150 kmph Typhoon Bopha swept away the dive spots as well as beach resorts on Palawan Island on 5 December 2012. The worst hit area by Typhoon Bopha was southern island of Mindanao. Bopha had made a landfall here on 4 December 2012. This led to floods as well as landslides along the coast. Typhoon Bopha has left 379 missing and almost 325 dead. To Read More
REFREEZING ARCTIC COULD HELP DEAL WITH CLIMATE CRISIS

An American scientist David Keith, who is the professor of applied physics at Harvard University offered solution to global warming when he suggested that refreezing Arctic using certain modified jets could help in dealing with the climate crisis. The scientist used climate models for suggesting that by injecting the reflective particles in atmosphere, there could be a reduced amount of sunlight which reached the Earth. This in turn could help in tricking the regional effect which might bring back ice to Arctic. To Read More
EXTREME CLIMATIC CONDITIONS MAY EXTINCT MAMMALS

Scientists from Zoological Society of London (ZSL) warned that greater frequency of the extreme climatic conditions like droughts and cyclones pose a higher risk of extinction for the mammals. The scientists mapped out the population of land mammals and overlie this along with the information of the places where droughts as well as cyclones could occur. This enabled them to find out those species which had greater risk due to exposure to extreme climatic conditions. The scientists through their study described the results of review of around 6000 species of the land mammals. It was established that around one-third of reviewed species had around a quarter of the range exposed to droughts, cyclones or combined climatic conditions. In case the species are highly susceptible to conditions like these, it would lead to increase in mammals, who are threatened under category of climate change and severe weather by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To Read More
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EXCHANGE OF WHITE TIGRESS FROM INDIA AGAINST PUMA PAIR FROM RUSSIA
The Central Zoo Authority of India approved exchanging white tigress from the Delhi Zoo against a pair of puma, which is also called cougar, panther or mountain lion, from the Krasnoyarks Park of flora and fauna, Roev Ruchey in Russia. This pair of puma would arrive soon from Russia. This pair would be among other foreign species such as South American jaguars as well as grey kangaroos which are nestled at National Zoological Park, New Delhi. The puma weighs approximately 60-100 kg. This is the threatened species and the geographic range of puma is largest than any terrestrial mammal in western hemisphere. To Read More
FIRST FRESHWATER MOSASAURS SPECIES DISCOVERED

Researchers discovered the fossilised bones of new species of mosasaurs in Hungary in the third week of December 2012. The fossilised bones are those of mosasaurs species which were thought as the marine animals initially. New findings proved that the 84 million years old sea monsters lived in freshwaters. These reptiles were present in the period when dinosaurs existed and were known as T. Rex of sea. The study established the fact that these were the first freshwater mosasaurs discovered. First fossil ruins of the large specimen were also found in 1764 in Maastricht. To Read More
GEOLOGISTS CLAIMED H AWAIIAN ISLANDS WOULD EXTINCT

Geologists claimed that the Hawaiian Islands which are situated in North Pacific are dissolving rapidly from inside and sometime in the near future they might completely extinct from the maps. Researchers discovered that mountains which are located at Oahu (Koolau and Waianae), the third largest island on Hawaii, are eroded from the inside by groundwater. Eventually, it was established by the researchers that they would shrink in the years to come and would therefore turn into plains. To Read More
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES ENCOURAGED HUMAN EVOLUTION

Researchers from the Penn State University in the last week of December declared that the cause of encouragement of human evolution might have been the swift environmental changes in areas like East Africa around two million years ago. The landscape, in which early humans lived, changed speedily between the closed woodland and open grassland around 5-6 times during time duration of 200000 years. To Read More
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASAS MERCURY -ORBITING PROBE DISCOVERED ICE ON THE PLANET
Scientists of NASA have discovered a huge mass of ice at Mercurys North Pole on 29 November 2012. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. These findings come from the Mercury-orbiting probe of NASA, Messenger. Frozen water is found in the North Pole regions of Mercury which are always found in shadows and mainly affects the craters. It is supposed that the south pole of mercury also has ice but there is no hard and fast data which supports this. Messenger orbits closer to the North Pole than South Pole. Scientist from the Johns Hopkins University opined that if all this is added, the total amount of ice comes out to be 100 billion to 1 trillion metric tons. To Read More
US GRAND CANYON IS ACTUALLY 65-70 MILLION YEARS OLD

US Grand Canyon, one among the seven natural wonders of world, is in reality 65 million years old than what was thought, revealed a study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder. This means that Grand Canyon might have been there at the time of dinosaurs as well. In the previous estimates of the age of Grand Canyon, it was found that it was 5-6 million years old depending upon the age of gravel-washed downstream by the Colorado River. Researchers nevertheless believe that it was created around 70 million years ago when dinosaurs had existed on Earth. The researchers made use of radioactive decay as well as thermal dating in order to find out the age of Grand Canyon. To Read More
SCIENTISTS CREATED MOST COMPLEX AND REALISTIC ARTIFICIAL BRAIN

Software engineers as well as neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada claimed that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain, known as Spaun which is advanced enough for passing the basic IQ tests. This is the virtual brain which functions on the supercomputer and comprises of a digital eye, which can be used for visual input. It also has the robotic arm which can be used for drawing the response. The engineers as well as neuroscientists claimed that this was the most complex model of the world of human brain. Spaun or Semantic Pointer Architecture Unified Network comprises of 2.5 million simulated neurons which enables this brain to perform multiple tasks. To Read More
CHAMP MISSILE COULD SHUT DOWN THE COUNTRIES ELECTRONICS

Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer claimed that a new missile codenamed CHAMP has been tested successfully which makes use of the electromagnetic pulses in order to target the buildings can permanently blackout the electronics of the country without causing any harm to people. Boeing claimed that it has successfully tested this weapon on their one-hour flight. www.jagranjosh.com
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During the flight, the missile made all the computers of the military in Utah dead. It is also thought that this missile could possibly break through the caves as well as bunkers which allegedly are hiding the nuclear facilities of Iran. However, it was also warned that in case the missile is acquired by the wrong people, it would knock down the Western cities as well. To Read More
HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ASSOCIATED WITH GENET IC ACCIDENT

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh discovered how intelligence originated, after they identified the genetic accident which happened 500 million years ago. This genetic accident allowed the human species to think and reason; and thus they evolved. The scientists discovered how humans as well as various mammals evolved in terms of intelligence. Scientists found out that human intelligence developed because of a rise in the number of genes in brain in the evolutionary ancestors. Scientists additionally also believed that these genes which help in improvisation of the mental capability are also in turn responsible for the brain disorders that might occur in the humans. To Read More
MYSTERY THAT SURROUNDED THE MISSING SANDY ISLAND SOLVED

A researcher from New Zealand claimed that he had solved the mystery of the missing South Pacific Island which was shown on the world maps as well as Google Earth but did not actually exist. The blame of the missing island went to the whaling ship from the year 1876. The landmass in Coral Sea which is shown as the Sandy Island on Google maps as well as Google Earth is apparently somewhere between Australia and New Caledonia. Times Atlas of the World, on the other hand identifies it as the Sable Island, but the Australian scientists who went on a research in November 2012 could not locate it exactly, which is why they claimed that the island did not exist actually. To Read More
ALARMING CUSHION DESIGNED BY RESEARCHERS

Australian researchers at the University of Queensland's human movement studies developed the alarming cushion, a unique device that enables you to get warning against the sedentary lifestyle. This cushion provides you with the warning signals against the risks which are being posed by the inactive lifestyle. The device reminds people or those workers especially who spend several hours at their desks and seldom stand up. The study conducted found out that sitting for several hours amounted to health issues such as obesity, shoulder, neck and back injuries, diabetes as well as obesity. Also, sitting for several hours continuously led to reduced life expectancy, even in case of those people who are considered physically fit and active. To Read More
ANTI COLLISION DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS DEVELOPED

Hyderabad Based Company, Hyderabad Batteries Limited (HBL) developed a new anti collision safety device which is path breaking technology in ensuring safe travelling and fewer accidents. www.jagranjosh.com
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The device is based on a combination of railway signaling data with radio communications, global position, radio frequency identification devices, software and logic. It was HBL Power Systems which reacted first to the expression of interest floated by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation of the Indian Railways to develop an anti-collision device in August 2008. The system is designed to automatically bring trains to a halt when collision-like situations arise or when the red signal is violated, for whatever reason. To Read More
NASA ANNOUNCED TO SEND NEW ROVER TO MARS IN 2020

The US space agency NASA, on 4 December 2012 announced plans to send a new robotic explorer to the Red Planet, Mars in 2020. The announcement came a day after NASA released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which found traces of compounds like water and oxygen that are necessary for life. Some basic guidelines for the mission are already planned. The 2020 rover is going to help NASA in preparing for its eventual goal of bringing samples from Mars back to Earth an effort most scientists regard as the best way to look for signs of life on the Red Planet. To Read More
100 PERCENT ULTRASOUND TOOTHBRUSH OF THE WORLD DEVELOPED

British scientists claimed that they developed in the first week of December 2012, the first toothbrush of the world called Emmident toothbrush which makes use of the ultrasound waves for cleaning teeth, which means that there is no need of abrasive brushing. Even though the manual toothbrushes have been replaced long back with whizzyelectric versions of the brushes which have super-fast vibrations along with costly whitening heads, but the high-tech toothbrushes launched in UK in first week of December 2012 is the first 100 percent ultrasound toothbrush of the world. To Read More
NEW DINOSAUR WITH GIGANTIC NOSE DISCOVERED IN MEXICO

Scientists in northern Mexico discovered a new dinosaur with a large prominent nose which lived about 73 million years ago. The duck-billed dinosaur, which was named Latirhinus uitstlani lived during the Late Cretaceous period and its wide nasal cavity might have given it incredible smell-detecting ability. As per researchers the giant nose of Dinosaur supported and provided enhanced space for a soft tissue structure, sort of like an inflatable bladder, for display, recognition and communication purposes in general. To Read More
100 TIMES FASTER LASER EXPLOSIVES-DETECTION DEVICE

Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in the second week of December 2012 developed an all-new 100 times sensitive and faster laser device than any other explosives-detection device, for detecting even the minor traces of explosives. The sample which is pulsed, cavity ring-down spectrometer, quantum laser-based is currently being tested in New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory of US government. To Read More
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RESEARCH INDICATED ANTI-AGEING GENE MIGHT SUPPRESS TUMOURS

Researchers of the University of Michigan Health System and Harvard Medical School in the second week of December 2012 showed that anti-ageing genes might be helpful in curtailing the multiplication of cancer. It was shown that the loss of anti-ageing gene can promote the occurrence of tumours in the human beings. The researchers had shown that the decrease in SIRT6 protein in rats increased the size, aggressiveness as well as number of tumours apart from promotion of tumour growth in the human colon as well as pancreatic cancers. The researchers however admitted that it was difficult to know about the range of genes which can suppress the development of tumours. To Read More
SCIENTIST DECODED GENETIC CODE OF HONEY BEES

Scientists unlocked the genetic secrets behind honey bees' high sensitivity to environmental change which will help show links between nutrition, environment and the insects' development. The decoded gene could offer an insight into problems like Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious cause of mass bee deaths globally. Honey bees live in complex societies comprising tens of thousands of individuals. Most of these are female 'worker' honeybees that are unable to reproduce and instead devote their short lives to finding food in flowers and other tasks such as nursing larvae inside the hive. However, the hive has a queen as well - the much longer-lived, reproductive head of the hive. As per the Researchers the change occurs as a result of a histone code - a process that sees genetic changes made to proteins called histones within cells' nuclei. Rather than "genetic" changes that are locked into DNA, these are known as "epigenetic" changes. The study findings appeared in Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
NASA DISCOVERED MINI NILE RIVER ON SATURNS MO ON TITAN

Scientists from NASA spotted the longest extra-terrestrial river system ever on Saturns moon Titan which appears to be a miniature version of Earths Nile River. As per NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the river valley on Titan stretches more than 400 kilometres from its headwaters to a large sea comparing it with the Nile River on Earth which stretches about 6700 kilometres. The finding came into in light after NASAs Cassini mission sent images which revealed for the first time a river system this vast and in such high resolution anywhere other than Earth. Titan is the only body in the solar system apart from earth which is known to have vast seas and possess a cycle of liquids on its surface. To Read More
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED HEADSET TO GIVE HUMANS 360 DEGREE VISION

French scientists claimed that they developed a new system called FlyVIZ, which enables humans to get 360 degree vision. The headset in the system is said to capture the images from different directions and thereafter transform these into the matter, which is possible for the human vision system to comprehend. To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 BRAIN-REMOVAL TOOL DISCOVERED IN 2400-YEAR OLD MUMMY
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Brain-removal tool, which was used by the ancient Egyptian embalmers, was discovered by the researchers of Zagreb Croatia in the third week of December 2012. This brain-removal tool was lodged in skull of the female mummy, which dated back to approximately 2400 years. This was the 3-inch object which was found in body of the 40-year old woman. The researchers who discovered this tool were surprised by the breakthrough. Brain removal was the Egyptian mummification procedure which was quite popular around 3500 years ago. To Read More
PERMIAN MASS EXTINCT ION WAS LED BY A MICROBE: RESEARCH

A microbe led to extinction of more than 90 species on Earths surface around 251 million years ago, the researchers found out in the second week of December 2012. The mass extinction did not take place due to catastrophic volcano or meteorite, but because of a microbe. According to the current theory, mass extinction by end of Permian period was started because of volcanic eruptions on a large area, now called Siberia. This in turn led to a dramatic increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. But a researcher from Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes that the scenario doesnt align with the facts. To Read More
RESEARCHERS CREATED NATURAL HEART PACEMAKER

Researchers of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute developed pacemaker cells through injection of gene called Tbx18, which could greatly help in repairing the heart. This research would help treating the heart patients with the simple injection of so-called natural pacemaker. The researchers programmed ordinary cells of heart for becoming the exact imitations of specialised biological pacemakers through injection of single gene. To Read More
NASAS TWIN PROBES C RASHED SUCCESSFULLY

Ebb and Flow, the gravity mapping satellites of NASA ended the successful mission to Moon by crashing on the rim of crater. Lunar surface on which Ebb and Flow crashed will be given a name after Sally Ride, the first woman of America in the space who died earlier in 2012. Ebb and Flow, two spacecrafts of NASA that comprised Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, on 14 December 2012 were commanded for landing in lower orbit of Moon which would create an impact on the mountain near its North Pole. Ebb and Flow were launched in September 2011 and were orbiting Moon since 1 January 2012. After a year of their arrival on Moon, the twin spacecrafts of NASA hit the lunar surface as it was planned at 5:28:51 pm EST and 5:29:21 pm EST respectively. The speed of the two was 1.7 kilometre per second. To Read More
SCIENTISTS DETECTED FIVE NEW PLANETS, ONE OF THEM IS HABITABLE

Scientists detected five new planets close to Earth using an intra-galactic speed gun. It was discovered that one of these planets was orbiting the habitable zone of star called Tau Ceti, www.jagranjosh.com
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where there are conditions for life. While travelling with speed of the light, it was possible to reach these planets in only 12 years time. Scientists who analyse around 6000 measurements of velocity of star Tau Ceti believed that some inconsistencies in direction as well as speed were caused because of gravitational pull that occurred because of other celestial bodies. Professor Chris Tinney of the University of New South Wales explained that the star was moving backward and forward very slightly and it had shown the evidences of doing so at 5 different durations. To Read More
LIFE SUPPORTING PLANET FOUND ORBITING STAR NEAR EARTH

Scientist in the month of December revealed a planet that could support life, orbits a Sun-like star near the Earth. There are five planets found to be circling Tau Ceti - a star just 12 light years away - which is almost identical to the sun, a journal set to appear in Astronomy & Astrophysics says. Out of the five planets found, one of the planets is five times the mass of earth support life and lies in the "habitable" zone where liquid water and life could potentially exist. As per the Astronomers estimate the Tau Ceti planets is two to six times bigger than Earth. Most planets detected in the Universe so far had high masses due to the difficulties in finding extrasolar planets. The Tau Ceti planetary family is thought to be the lowest mass solar system yet detected. More than 800 planets have been discovered so far orbiting stars beyond the sun since the 1990s.
NASA DEVELOPED NEW NEXT-GEN SPACESUIT

NASA developed new next-gen spacesuit called Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0 for the sophisticated and complex space ventures, which also include Mars mission. The spacesuit can supply the astronauts with oxygen as well as provide protection to them from the extreme temperatures. The spacesuits used by NASA at present were designed in 1992 and were fabricated especially for the crews that boarded space shuttle task force as well as spent time in International Space Station (ISS). To Read More
NASA RULED OUT ASTER OID COLLISION WITH EARTH IN 2040

The Mayan Doomsday predictions about the world ending on 21 December 2012 had failed and additionally NASA ruled out the asteroid collision with Earth in 2040. NASA claimed that the fear of asteroid collision with Earth does not pose a threat to our planet any more. NASA declared that doubt about orbit of this asteroid called 2011 AG5 initially enabled that there were less than 1 percent chances of it hitting the planet in February 2040. Initially the scientists had estimated that risk of 140 m-diameter asteroid collision with Earth was just one in 500. To Read More
SPACEPLANE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED FLIGHT TEST

The spaceplane constructed by Richard Branson's spaceflight company called Virgin Galactic successfully completed the important flight test which would be able to carry the people to www.jagranjosh.com
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space. SpaceShipTwo, the spaceplane was piloted to soft runway touchdown after high-altitude release from WhiteKnightTwo mothership, which eventually enabled it to score successful test drop. It additionally also checked off various milestones at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. George Whitesides, CEO and president of Virgin Galactic declared that the test flight made them closer to first powered flight. To Read More
ASTRONOMERS: RARE SUPERCOMET WOULD OUTSHINE MOON IN 2013

Astronomers claimed that a rare super comet called C/2012 S1 (ISON) was moving towards the Sun from outer solar system. This super comet would outshine Moon in November 2013. C/2012 S1 (ISON) was first noticed in September 2012. The comet would be closest to the Sun in November 2013. The comet would be as good as Hale-Bopp, a comet which appeared in 1997. Hale-Bopp is the most widely noticed comet of 20th century. It is also the brightest comet observed in various decades. ISON on the other hand would be making its first voyage in the solar system. Astronomers believe that this comet might also contain certain volatile gases which are not found in other comets. Astronomers also hope that this would help them get a peep into the materials of the outer solar system. To Read More
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY QUIZZES

1. Scientists in the last week of November 2012 developed a new drug for stopping the cancerous cells from multiplying. The new drug compels the cancerous cells to sleep which in turn stops them in multiplying. The drug is said to trick the tumours for becoming inactive by swapping the molecular switches in cancer structure so that there is no multiplication of the cancerous cells. What is the name of this drug? a) Letrozole b) Mitomycin c) Cyclophosphamide d) Aflibercept Answer. (d) Aflibercept 2. Astronomers claimed that they have discovered the biggest ever black hole in the small galaxy which is situated around 250 million light years away from our planet. This galaxy constitutes the mass equal to 17 billion suns. The biggest ever black hole sits in the Perseus constellation. What is the name of this galaxy in which the black hole sits? a) Milky Way b) Cartwheel Galaxy c) NGC 1277 galaxy
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d) Mayalls Object Galaxy Answer. (c) NGC 1277 galaxy
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3. The temperature variations at the shallow levels under the surface of Earth are influenced by the _________. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option. a) Topography b) Geography c) Both of these d) None of these Answer. (a) Topography 4. Software engineers as well as neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada claimed that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain. What is this artificial human brain called? a) AbioCor b) Bioartificial c) i-Limb d) Spaun Answer. (d) Spaun 5. Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer claimed that a new missile was tested which can permanently blackout the electronics of the country without causing any harm to people. What is the name of this missile? a) CHAMP b) Mathago c) Ikara d) ERYX Answer. (a) CHAMP For More Quizzes
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ONE LINERS
The one liner for the month of December 2012 gives a brief insight of the events that occurred round the world. It helps the student understand what news to be remembered. It is a very good exercise for students sitting for various competitive examinations, as it helps in brushing up of ones knowledge on current affairs. Students can visit this section to keep abreast with the world happenings. Famous Indian Scientist who was honoured with the Order of Canada Award in December 2012-Venkatesh Mannar Career diplomat who on 30 December 2012 had been appointed as Australias next High Commissioner to India- Patrick Suckling The former captain of England cricket team and renowned commentator who died in Sydney on 29 December 2012 following lung cancer- Tony Greig The former member of SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) on 27 December 2012 had been appointed secretary of the Institute of Company Secretaries- MS Sahoo Renowned Oriya novelist who on 27 December 2012 selected for the prestigious Jnanpith award for the year 2011 for her contribution to the field of Indian literaturePratibha Ray The Emirati poet and translator who became the first Emirati and Arab to win the Tagore Peace Prize- Shihab Ghanem The conservative leader of Japan who was elected as the prime minister of the country by lower house of the Parliament on 26 December 2012- Shinzo Abe Former Union Minister of India and Veteran Congress leader who on 25 December 2012 was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Himachal for a record sixth term in Shimla- Virbhadra Singh The Justice who in the fourth week of December 2012 took over as the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) - the apex body constituted under The National Green Tribunal Act 2010- Justice Swatanter Kumar The most-watched video ever on Youtube which booked a place in popular culture with becoming Collins dictionarys word for November 2012- Gangnam Style The Italian Prime Minister who on 21 December 2012 resigned after 13 months in office with handing over his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano after parliament gave final approval to the 2013 budget law- Mario Mont
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The air-to-air interceptor missile which on 21 December 2012 was test launched from interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha- Astra The legendary hockey player who is also Indias triple Olympic Gold Medallist died after a prolonged illness on 20 December 2012- Leslie Claudius The person who on 20 December 2012 awarded with the Best Administrator in India Award instituted by K. Karunakaran Foundation- P. Chidambaram The person who on 18 December 2012 appointed as the new chief of Border Security Force (BSF)- Subhash Joshi Bollywood Actor who on 13 December 2012 awarded with the prestigious BrandLaureate Legendary Award in Malaysia- Shah Rukh Khan The Indian banker and business executive who on 15 December 2012 took over as President of FICCI, becoming the first woman to head the leading industry body - Naina Lal Kidwai The Justice who on 14 December 2012-took over as the new Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court - Arun Kumar Mishra The inventor of bar code, which revolutionalised retail in 70s, died at 91 on 8 December 2012 at New Jersey- Norman Woodland Famous Bollywood actress and Bharatanatyam exponent who had been selected for the prestigious Bharat Muni Samman of year 2012 for her outstanding contribution to the field of art and culture- Hema Malini The first chief minister of Uttarakhand, and the BJP Party leader who passed away on 12 December 2012- Nityanand Swami Renowned Indian sitarist who passed away in San Diego city of California on 11 December 2012- Pandit Ravi Shankar The organization to which, the Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded on 10 December 2012 at Oslo, Norway- European Union The city at which the 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on 29-30 November, 2012- New Delhi The film which was given two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 8 December 2012 recognizing the impact it has had in promoting India as a tourism destination- Life of Pi
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The strongest ever tropical cyclone which hit Philippines in the first week of December 2012- Typhoon Bopha The tax expert who was appointed by the Union government of India, as the adviser to finance minister P Chidambaram- Parthasarathi Shome The rank at which India Stands out of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on 5 December 2012- 94th IPS officer of 1974-batch Bihar cadre on 3 December 2012 acquired the office as new CBI director-Ranjit Sinha The former NBC Universal chief who was named president of CNN Worldwide on 29 November 2012- Jeff Zucker
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NEWS CAPSULE
JEFF ZUCKER NAMED CNN'S NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The former NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker has been named president of CNN Worldwide on 29 November 2012. Jeff Zucker is going to lead a large and profitable news organization with 23 separate businesses worldwide that has come to be defined by problems at the flagship U.S. network, particularly in prime time. He will succeed outgoing CNN chief Jim Walton starting in January 2013. Zucker started his 25-year career with NBC as a researcher for NBC Sports coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games and rose to president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal. He was named executive producer of Today in January 1992; under his eightyear leadership, the program was the most-watched morning news show and the most profitable program on television.
HARYANA TOPPED THE CHART OF STATES TO EXCEED TARGET REVENUE

Haryana topped on the chart of states for significantly exceeding the revenue mobilization targets as per the report released in the first week of December by the Planning Commission on State Finances during 11th Five Year Plan. As per the report, the state of Haryana was successful in mopping 64123 crore rupees during the Five Year Plan, which was 192 percent of the targeted resource mobilization for the 11th Plan. As per the report released, Haryana, Goa, Assam, Karnataka, Odisha, Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh were the only eight states of the nation that mopped up more than their target. Many of the states even failed to meet the projected planned resources and were able to fetch 92.5 percent of the target, collectively.
RANJIT SINHA, SENIOR IPS OFFICER TOOK OVER AS CBI DIRECTOR

Ranjit Sinha, IPS officer of 1974-batch Bihar cadre on 3 December 2012 acquired the office as new CBI director. Ranjit Sinha, 59, who was holding the designation of director general IndoTibetan Border Police, succeeded A.P. Singh who retired from the CBI office on 30 November 2012. Sinha will have two-year duration as the CBI director. He had served in CBI agency initially as the DIG and joint director as well. Sinha accepted that there were challenges which the agency needed to face and these included lack of proper manpower, Letters Rogatory execution delays as well as delays in the forensic field. During his tenure, he would try solving and addressing these issues. Sinha accepted the prestigious designation with a greater sense of responsibility. He believed that the faith in CBI would be strengthened under his guidance and supervision.
INTERNET FREEDOM NOT TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE UNITED NATIONS
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Hamadoun Toure, the head of the UN telecommunications body made it clear on 3 December 2012 that the freedom of the Internet will not be cramped or controlled. Hamadoun Toure made this clear in the meeting in which 24-year-old telecom regulations were reviewed. The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) started off in Dubai on 3 December 2012 in order to review the regulations which were reached back in 1988. During the meeting, Toure also remarked that during the conference the subject of Internet freedom of expression would not be touched at all. To Read More
DAVE BRUBECK, THE RENOWNED JAZZ PIANIST AND COMPOSER DIED

Dave Brubeck, the renowned Jazz pianist died on 5 December 2012 due to heart failure. He was 91 when he died and just a day away from the 92nd birthday. His experiments in style as well as rhythm won him a million jazz fans. Dave Brubeck died at a hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut while visiting cardiologist. He had also won various awards during his career which spanned over six decades. The Library of Congress designated him as the Living Legend. The 1959 album called Time Out was the first million-selling Jazz album of the modern times. To Read More
OLDEST PERSON OF THE WORLD, BESSE COOPER DIED AT 116

Besse Cooper, the woman listed as the oldest person of the world died on 4 December 2012 in Georgia nursing home at 116 years of age. Besse Cooper had died peacefully in Monroe. Besse was recently taken ill with the stomach virus. Besse Cooper was declared as the oldest person of the world in January 2011 by the Guinness World Records. She was also the first Georgian who had world record with her. To Read More
INDIA RANKED 94TH IN 2012 CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX

India was ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on 5 December 2012. In 2011, India was ranked 95 out of 183 countries. Denmark, Switzerland and Finland topped the index with a score of 90 followed by Sweden which scored 88 points. North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia scored a lowly 8, ranking at the bottom of the index. In fact, two-thirds of the 176 nations scored below than 50 points. To Read More
MANMOHAN SINGH ON THE LIST OF TOP 20 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were named in the list of top 20 most powerful people in the world by the Forbes Magazine in annual power rankings which were declared on 5 December 2012. Enjoying the first position for the second year consecutively is the US President Barrack Obama. Prime Minister Manmohan Sign was ranked www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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at number 19. Sonia Gandhi dropped from the rankings of 2011 to number 12 in 2012. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani; the richest business tycoon of India as well as Arcelor Mittal CEO Lakshmi Mittal also appeared in this list. Ambani is ranked at number 37 and he outranked Mittal by various positions. To Read More
PARTHASARATHI SHOME APPOINTED ADVISER TO FINANCE MINISTER

The Union government of India appointed Parthasarathi Shome, the tax expert, as the adviser to finance minister P Chidambaram. Shome was appointed with a rank of minister of state and this also indicated his comeback to the Secretariat building after almost 5 years. Shome was also the adviser to P Chidambaram during the UPA-I. He was the working brain behind fringe benefit tax as well as banking cash transaction tax on the withdrawals of the cash. These tax policies were aimed towards keeping a check on black money which was a subject of sharp criticisms apart from the securities transaction tax. To Read More
TYPHOON BOPHA: STRONGEST TROPICAL CYCLONE TO HIT PHILIPPINES

Bopha: The strongest ever tropical cyclone to hit Philippines in the first week of December 2012. Typhoon Bopha is the strongest ever tropical cyclone which hit Philippines in the first week of December 2012. The worst hit area by Typhoon Bopha was southern island of Mindanao. Typhoon Bopha is also known as Pablo in Philippines and it arrived on 4 December 2012. Typhoon is a tropical cyclone, fully mature and it develops in northwestern parts of Pacific Ocean.
LIFE OF PI WAS GIVEN TWO NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS

Life of Pi was given two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 8 December 2012 recognizing the impact it has had in promoting India as a tourism destination, especially Puducherry and Munnar (Kerala). These Awards will be given to Ang Lee, Director of the film Life of Pi and Yann Martel, writer of the book of the same name. The Ministry of Tourism identified Film Tourism as a Niche Tourism product. It has requested the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to recognize the potential of Film Tourism and constitute special bodies/cells to facilitate filming in their respective States/Union Territories. To Read More
WORLD AGREED TO SECOND PHASE OF KYOTO PR OTOCOL

The 18th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nation Frame work Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) and the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol opened on 26 November 2012 and continued until 8 December 2012 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha in Qatar. The talks in Doha www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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closed with a historic shift in principle but few genuine cuts in greenhouse gases. On 8 December 2012, Almost 200 nations extended a weakened United Nations plan for combating global warming until 2020 with a reserved set of measures that would do nothing to halt rising world greenhouse gas emissions. To Read More
NEW VERSION OF INTERNET ADDRESSES MADE AVAILABLE IN INDIA

Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) started issuing next version of Internet addresses IPv6, which is going to make it easy for security agencies to identify each Internet user. The present version of Internet that is IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4), is limited and service providers often assign single IP address to many users which makes it difficult to identify the end user. To Read More
QUEEN ELIZABETH TO CREATE HISTORY WITH 3D CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Queen Elizabeth II would be the first UK royal broadcasted in 3D while delivering the Christmas message. In order to watch this monarch, viewers will have to use special glasses as well as new 3D TV sets. After the 3D debut of royal Queen Elizabeth II, there would also be an on-screen performance of the Queen with Daniel Craig in James Bond sequence which is primarily recorded for opening ceremony of London Olympics. The special 3D Christmas message was filmed by BskyB. This message would be available on BBC and ITV. To Read More
CHIDAMBARAM SELECTED FOR K KARUNAKARAN FOUNDATION AWARD

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram was selected for K Karunakaran Foundation award on 9 December 2012 for his brilliant administration. The award is being offered in the memory of renowned Congress leader as well as the former Kerala Chief minister K Karunakaran. It includes 1 lakh Rupees as well as citation. The award would be given away to P Chidambaram by Vice- President Hamid Ansari on 13 December 2012 at Constitution Club in New Delhi. First Karunakaran Foundation Award was given to Pranab Mukherjee.
DEVENDRA LAL, THE RENOWNED GEOPHYSICIST DIED AT 83

Devendra Lal, the renowned geophysicist as well as the visiting professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), University of California died at 83 on 1 December 2012. He passed away at his home in San Diego.
ABOUT DEVENDRA LAL

Devendra Lal started his career in research when he was 20 years of age. He started his career at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. His areas of research there were earth and planetary sciences, cosmic ray physics as well as astrophysics. He mainly studied records of the climate which are found in terrestrial minerals.
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He also set up National Radiocarbon Laboratory at TIFR so as to assist chronological studies of Indian archaeological sites dating back to the Harappan era. To Read More
THE 2ND MEETING ON INDIA-CHINA BORDER AFFAIRS HELD

New Delhi: The 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held here. The 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in New Delhi on 29-30 November, 2012. The discussions took place in a cordial, constructive and cooperative atmosphere. The two delegations reviewed developments in the India-China border areas since the 1st meeting of the Mechanism and acknowledged with satisfaction that peace and tranquility continued to be maintained due to the efforts of both sides. The two delegations also exchanged ideas on additional measures for maintaining peace and tranquility as well as further steps to build greater trust and confidence between the two sides. To Read More
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2012 AWARDED TO EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

The Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union (EU) leaders on 10 December 2012 at Oslo, Norway. The award was given to the European Union leaders for the efforts in promotion of peace as well as human rights. The award was given despite criticisms from some. Around 20 European government leaders which included French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as the Italian Premier Mario Monti, attended this ceremony in Oslo, the capital city of Norway. It is important to note that Norway, which is a country rich in oil, has rejected joining EU twice. To Read More
PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR, THE INDIAN SITAR MAESTRO DIED

Renowned Indian Sitarist and Bharat Ratna Recipient Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away in San Diego city of California on 11 December 2012. He was 92 years old. The musician was admitted to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla on 6 December 2012 after he complained of breathing difficulties. Pandit Ravi Shankar is survived by his wife Sukanya and musician daughters, sitar player Anoushka Shankar, singer Norah Jones, 3 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. To Read More
POLICE WARNED PEOPLE OF MAP FLAWS OF APPLE

Australian police on 11 December 2012 warned travelers against the troubled iPhone mapping software of Apple after various motorists stuck in the snake-infested desert of the country. These travellers used iPhone for seeking directions to their routes but instead they were www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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directed to the snake-infested desert of country. Police in the state of southeast Victoria revealed that they had to rescue various motorists, who were caught for 24 hours without water or food after they were directed to the Murray Sunset National Park instead of Mildura, the tourist town which is situated 70 km away. To Read More
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED AGNI I BALLISTIC MISSILE

India on 12 December 2012 successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile with a strike range of 700 km from a test range off Odisha coast. The missile was test-fired under a practice trial by the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army from a mobile launcher at about 8.30 am on 12 December 2012 from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore, defence.
FACTS ABOUT AGNI I BALLISTIC MISSILE

Agni-I is a single-stage missile which is powered by solid propellants and has a specialised navigation system which ensures that it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision. To Read More
UTTARAKHANDS FIRST CHIEF MINISTER NITYANAND SWAMI DIED

The first chief minister of Uttarakhand, Nityanand Swami, passed away on 12 December 2012. He was 84 years old and belonged to the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). Nityanand Swami, served the people throughout his life, focused on developmental issues and built a very good rapport with the people. Uttarakhand Government had declared three days' of state mourning as a mark of respect to the departed leader. To Read More
HEMA MALINI SELECTED FOR BHARAT MUNI SAMMAN

Famous Bollywood actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Hema Malini had been selected for the prestigious Bharat Muni Samman of year 2012 for her outstanding contribution to the field of art and culture. Bharat Muni Samman is named after the author of Natyashastra Bharat Muni and has been instituted by Bhubaneswar-based organisation Kalingayana Touryatrikam. The award is going to be presented to Hema Malini on 18 December 2012 for her outstanding contribution towards promotion of Indian arts and entertainment which is also marked by the concluding day of the three-day Bharat Muni Festival scheduled to be held in Bhubaneshwar. To Read More
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GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2013 FOR PT. RAVI SHANKAR

Organisers of the Recording Academy announced on 13 December 2012 that Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro would be honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. Pandit Ravi Shankar would become first Indian to receive the prestigious award. The award would be presented at 55th Grammy Awards ceremony on 10 February 2013 in Los Angeles. Pandit Ravi Shankar is a three-time Grammy Award winner. To Read More
DAVP RECEIVED THE WEB RATNA AWARD-2012-GOLDEN ICON AWARD

Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) was conferred the prestigious Web Ratna 2012, Golden Icon Award for Innovative use of Technology. The DAVP Website (http:/davp.nic.in/) has enabled a complete change from the manual mode to the online mode where the media plans are made and released for the end users. The website with several user friendly features is the only advertising agency in the country which releases its designs, Release orders and payments online. The DAVP website has added a great deal of transparency to the entire system in its billing as well as other procedures which have not only helped the organisation but also its stakeholders. DAVP also keeps as much information as possible on the website for public scrutiny and information. To Read More
FIRST INDIAN TO WIN OSCAR DECIDED TO RETURN HER TROPHY

Bhanu Athaiya, the first Indian to win an Oscar for costume design in the movie Gandhi decided to return her award to the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in December 2012. Bhanu Athaiya fears that she might lose her trophy as the government might not be able to protect it. Bhanu Athaiya, 85 blamed that the Central Government had neglected her work and contributions. She also blamed that there were no one or no museum that could protect these things. To Read More
NORMAN WOODLAND, THE INVENTOR OF BAR CODE DIED AT 91

Norman Woodland, the inventor of bar code, which revolutionalised retail in 70s, died at 91 on 8 December 2012 at New Jersey. He died because of complications resulting due to Alzheimers disease. He is survived by his wife (61), two daughters, one brother and granddaughters. Woodland was the co-inventor of bar code; the zebra pattern which stores information about the products. He as well as his partner Bernard Silver (who died in 1963) patented this idea of bar code back in 1952 and also sold that to Philco, the electronics company for 15000 US dollar. To Read More
MUMBAI RANKED AMONG THE DIRTIEST CITIES OF THE WORLD: SURVEY
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Mumbai, the commercial capital of India was named one among the dirtiest cities of the world in the Trip Advisors Cities Survey. Trip Advisors Cities Survey was the global survey including 40 main tourist cities. Mumbai ranked last in the category of cleanest streets. Tokyo got the first rank in this category. Mumbai was again ranked last in the category of ease of getting around. Zurich, on the other hand was ranked first. The survey also found out the cities that had rudest locals, worst shopping as well as dirtiest streets. It was found that the least-friendly locals were found in Moscow. Cities of Russia ranked last in various categories which included friendliest locals. To Read More
R S GOSWAMI ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF BAR COUNCIL OF DELHI

Advocate R S Goswami was elected as the chairman of Bar Council of Delhi on 14 December 2012. Goswami has the career span of 25 years as legal practitioner in different courts. He was elected unanimously by council members. R S Goswami has second term as member of bar council. From 2006 to 2008, he was the honourary secretary of the Bar Council of Delhi.
JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR MISHRA IS CHIEF JUSTICE OF CALCUTTA HC

Justice Arun Kumar Mishra took over as the new Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court on 14 December 2012. Arun Kumar Mishra was earlier the Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court. He was administered the oath of office by West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan. Taking over the office Justice Mishra in his address said he would strive to ensure speedy disposal of cases to reduce pendency and his endeavour will be to work tirelessly for the interest of common men. Justice Mishra called on the Bar to ensure speedy and inexpensive justice to the people. To Read More
NAINA LAL KIDWAI BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF FICCI

Naina Lal Kidwai on 15 December 2012 took over as President of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), becoming the first woman to head the leading industry body. Kidwai is the first woman and professional manager to be elected as President of the chamber. She is 55 years old. Chairman of Digjam Ltd, Sidharth Birla was elected as Senior VicePresident of FICCI. Kidwai succeeded R V Kanoria of Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd. Chairman of Xpro India Ltd. Naina Lal Kidwai is the Country head of HSBC India and Director of HSBC Asia Pacific.
TAMIL VERSION OF THE BOOK STILL COUNTING THE DEAD RELEASED

Tamil version of the book, Still Counting the Dead- Survivors of Sri Lanka's Hidden War authored by Frances Harrison was released on 15 December 2012. The first copy of the translated work was received by noted art critic and writer Sadanand Menon. This book reveals the unprecedented killings in the last phase of civil war-also called as Eelam War in Sri Lanka in the year 2009. To Read More
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 MAHATMA GANDHIS LET TERS SOLD BIG AT SOTHEBY'S
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Anonymous bidder bought two letters of Mahatma Gandhi as well as rare copy of Indian constitution at Sotheby's sale in London on 12 December 2012. The bidder bought letter which was written by Gandhi in 1922 to eldest brother of Rabindranath Tagore, Dwijendranath at 7 times the value of its pre-sale estimate. The rare copy of Indian constitution was sold at around 8 times the offer price to private collector. The constitution copy was bought by the private collector, while the two letters which were associated to Gandhi were bought by an anonymous buyer. To Read More
SHAHRUKH HONOURED WITH BRAND LAUREATE LEGENDARY AWARD

47 Years old Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan on 13 December 2012 awarded with the prestigious Brand Laureate Legendary Award in Malaysia. The award was given by the Malaysia-based Asia Pacific Brands Foundation for his contributions to the Bollywood film industry and as India's foremost brand ambassador. The Brand Laureate Legendary Award had been earlier given to well known personality like those to Nelson Mandela, Nobel Laureate recipient Mohammad Yunus, Ratan Tata, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, Michael Schumacher and more. To Read More
CII CONFERENCE ON DRIVING SOUTH ASIA ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

A conference with an aim to build up interest in South Asian economies, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a conference named Driving South Asia Economic Integration on 17 December 2012 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The prominent speakers and chief guest at the seminar included foreign secretary of India and High Commissioner of Pakistan and Bangladesh. To Read More
SPACECRAFTS OF NASA EBB AND FLOW CRASHED

Two Spacecraft of NASA namely Flow and Ebb crashed with a mountain near the North Pole of Moon on 17 December 2012 ending the mission that peered into the lunar interior. Ebb and Flow the twin aircrafts were commanded by the engineers to burn its fuel and fire the engine within 30 seconds one after another respectively. The two spacecrafts crashed under control by NASA, by protecting the treasured sites of the moon after their fuel tanks were almost empty. The final resting spot of the two spacecrafts were dedicated to the name of Sally Ride of the member of the mission team and first American woman in space, who died in July 2012 of pancreatic cancer at age 61. To Read More
RAJESH SINGH APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING FOR GM

General Motors (GM) India on 17 December 2012 appointed Rajesh Singh as the new Vice President-Sales, Marketing and After Sales. He will take the office from 1 January 2013 and will be responsible for the complete vehicle sales, servicing and marketing (VSSM) function of GM www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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India. Rajesh Singh is replacing Ashwani Muppasani who had assumed the VSSM leadership role on an interim basis in August 2012. On the other hand Ashwani Muppasani will move on to a new role in General Motors. To Read More
NO RELIGION DESCRIBED THIRD LARGEST WORLD GROUP

In a study entitled The Global Religious Landscape, which was issued by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life on 18 December 2012, it was found that people under the affiliation of no religion accounted for 3rd largest global group only after Christians and Muslims. No Religion group stood just before the Hindus. The study is based on the data for 2010. It indicated that Hinduism and Islam are two religions that are likely to grow larger in future, while the weakest growth opportunities were that of Jews. The most consistently spreading religion was Christianity which is said to be present in almost all regions of world. Hinduism, on the other hand, has its concentration in one country, India with around 94 percent population following the religion. To Read More
JIROEMON KIMURA, A JAPANESE BECAME WORLD S OLDEST PERSON

Jiroemon Kimura (115 years) became the worlds oldest person after the death of his predecessor, an American woman named Dina Manfredini who died two weeks after receiving the title of oldest person of the world. Japanese mayor declared a resident of his city as the pride of town for being the oldest person of the world. Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897 and is just 15 days younger than the deceased Dina Manfredini. He is the former postal employee. Jiroemon Kimura is living to witness 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. At present, he lives with the family of his son.
SUBHASH JOSHI APPOINTED NEW CHIEF OF BSF

Subhash Joshi on 18 December 2012 appointed as the new chief of Border Security Force (BSF) while special secretary in home ministry Ajay Chadha appointed to head the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Subhash Joshi is at present is the director general of National Security Guard and he is going to lead the 1.8 lakh strong border force BSF. The post of the chief of Indian Border Force had fallen vacant on 1 December 2012 due to retirement U K Bansals, the director general of the Border Security Force (BSF). To Read More
FIRST OF THE EIGHT P-8I MARITIME SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED

The Indian Navy on 19 December 2012 received its first P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft at its facility located at Seattle, out of the eight that it would get from Boeing. P-8I would be armed with torpedoes, rockets and deadly missile with abilities to fight against powerful warships and anti-submarine warfare. A deal of 2.1 billion dollar was signed between India and the US Aircraft maker Boeing in January 2009 for procurement of the long range surveillance aircraft equipped with anti-submarine weaponry. To Read More
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BEST ADMINISTRATOR IN INDIA AWARD WON BY CHIDAMBARAM

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 20 December 2012 awarded with the Best Administrator in India Award instituted by K. Karunakaran Foundation. The award was presented to him by Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari. The award is given to him for his role in evolving Indian economy as Finance Minister in the late 1990s when he presented what was widely called a dream budget-which gave a road map for economic reforms in India and lowered income and corporate tax rates. After the consequences of the horrific Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, the tenure as Home Minister of P. Chidambaram was marked by his constant efforts at streamlining and modernizing national security apparatus of the nation which did provide a sense of security and calm to a traumatized and angry population. To Read More
TIME MAGAZINE NAMED BARACK OBAMA AS PERSON OF THE YEAR

US President Barack Obama was named TIME's Person of the Year for 2012, because of his historic win over the re-election in November 2012, which is being considered as symbol of the nation's changing demographics amid the backdrop of high unemployment and other challenges. His name was announced by TIME editor Rick Stengel on NBC's Today program on 19 December 2012. To Read More
PRITHVI II, NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED

India on 20 December 2012 successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable surface-to-surface. Prithvi-II Missile with a strike range of 350 km from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore. The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range at about 9:20 am. The missile launch was conducted as part of operational exercise by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the defence services. The entire trajectory of the missile was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and naval ships. To Read More
PRAFUL PATEL RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF AIFF

Praful Patel on 20 December 2012 was re-elected as the President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) during the annual general body meet that was held at Football House at New Delhi. This would be the second term for him as the President of All India Football Federation. The election concluded in the presence of Radhica Sreeman-Regional Director of SAI, P. C. Makholia of SAI, Mun Si Song of Asian Football Confederation and Shaji Prabhakaran of FIFA Regional Developmental Officer, South and Central Asia and the members of the federation were elected unopposed to the AGM. To Read More
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LESLIE CLAUDIUS THE LEGENDARY HOCKEY PLAYER FROM INDIA DIED

The legendary hockey player Leslie Claudius, Indias triple Olympic Gold Medallist died after a prolonged illness on 20 December 2012. Cirrhosis of the liver became the region of his death and is now survived by a wife and three sons.
LESLIE CLAUDIUS
Claudius was a legendary Hockey player from the Indian side, who won three Olympic Gold Medals in the year 1948 London Olympics, 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He also won a silver medal at 1960 Rome Olympics. To Read More
MAHARAJ LOONKARAN SI NGHS ERA GUNPOWDER FOUND

More than 1500 kg of 500-year old gunpowder was found on 20 December 2012 in five leather bags near Jain Temple in Sonar Fort, Jaisalmer. District administration decided to seek help from Army for destroying the gunpowder. The secretary of Jaisalmer Vikas Samiti explained that gunpowder was lying in closed burj (tower) and was discovered by the labourers who were engrossed in repairing work. This burj had remained closed for several years, possibly centuries. To Read More
FRESHWATER MOSASAURS SPECIES DISCOVERED BY RESEARCHERS

Researchers discovered the fossilised bones of new species of mosasaurs in Bakony Hills, Western Hungary in the third week of December 2012. The fossilised bones are those of mosasaurs species which were thought as the marine animals initially. New findings proved that the 84 million years old sea monsters lived in freshwaters. These reptiles were present in the period when dinosaurs existed and were known as T. Rex of sea. The study established the fact that these were the first freshwater mosasaurs discovered. First fossil ruins of the large specimen were also found in 1764 in Maastricht. To Read More
JEET THAYIL WITH 23 OTHERS CHOSEN FOR SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD

Jeet Thayil - nominated to Booker Prize 2012, Subrata Mukhopadhyay - the Bengali novelist, K Satchidanandan - the Malayalam poet and HS Shivaprakash - the noted Kannada writer are among the 24 authors, who were chosen for the Prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards 2012 on 20 December 2012 by the Sahitya Akademi - Indias National Academy for Letters. Six short stories, twelve books of poetry, four novels along with an autobiography and criticism have been chosen for being awarded. To Read More
INDIA TEST FIRED AIR TO AIR INTERCEPTOR ASTRA MISSILE

India on 21 December 2012 test launched the indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air interceptor missile Astra at the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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The missile was fired from the launch pad number two of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) run missile testing centre at around 13.30 hours to confirm its reconfigured propulsion, control and guidance systems. The launch was carried out against an electronic target and it destroyed its target - a small pilotless Lakshya aircraft - which was launched from the same base just minutes before the firing of the missile. The missile had already been test-fired from the Chandipur facility several times in the past. The test on 21 December 2012 was just development trial of the missile. To Read More
PRIME MINISTER MARIO MONTI RESIGNED AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on 21 December 2012 resigned after 13 months in office with handing over his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano after parliament gave final approval to the 2013 budget law. With the resignation of Mario Monti the President is expected to call early national elections within 70 days of the parliament dissolution, possibly on 24 February 2013. To Read More
GANGNAM STYLE IN COLLI NS DICTIONARYS WORD OF THE YEAR 2012

Gangnam Style, the most-watched video ever on Youtube now booked a place in popular culture with becoming Collins dictionarys word for November 2012. Gangnam Style is pop sensation with a horse dance video by his Sotuh Korean singer Psy. It became the first video in the history of the Internet to be viewed more than a billion times. Gangnam Style was named among the Collins dictionarys words of the year along with mummy porn, fiscal cliff and Romneyshambles. Mummy porn became Aprils word of the year as the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey was published during that month and became an instant bestseller. To Read More
ASTRA MISSILE TEST-FIRED THIRD TIME WITHIN A WEEK

Astra air-to-air inceptor missile was successfully test-fired for the third time within a week on 24 December 2012 from the Chandipur, defence base of Odisha. The test was conducted for identifying the missile's interception capability and high manoeuvring and was successful in intercepting the simulated target at an altitude of 4 kilometer. Astra has capabilities of intercepting the enemy aircraft and destroy it at supersonic speed that is for head on mode at a range of 1.2 Mach and at the tail-chase mode at 1.4 Mach. To Read More
SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI FELLOWSHIPS FOR THE YEAR 2012

The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi on 21 December 2012 in a meet elected and declared N. Rajam, T.H. Vinayakram and Ratan Thiyam as the three eminent personalities in the field of Arts, as Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna). This fellowship is the rare and most prestigious honour, restricted to a limited number of people at a given pint of time. At present, there exist only 40 fellows of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. To Read More www.jagranjosh.com Current Affairs PDF December 2012
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Current Affairs PDF December 2012 NO. OF SC JUDGES INCREASED TO 28 AFTER 3 JUDGES SW ORN IN
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M.Y. Eqbal-Chief Justice of Madras High Court, V. Gopala Gowda-Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and Vikramajit Sen-Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court sworn in as the Judges of Supreme Court of India on 24 December 2012 by the Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir. With this, the number of judges in Supreme Court of India rose to twenty-seven, with four more vacancies remaining. The three judges were appointed by the President of India Pranab Mukherhjee for the post on 21 December 2012. To Read More
JUSTICE SWATANTER KUMAR TOOK OVER AS NGT CHAIRPERSON

Justice Swatanter Kumar in the fourth week of December 2012 took over as the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) - the apex body constituted under The National Green Tribunal Act 2010. He would look forward to the issues related to the cases of environmental protection and conversation of forests and the natural resources. Justice Kumar is the first Judge of Supreme Court of India to preside over the Tribunal that never had a full-time Chairperson for it. He would be retiring from the Supreme Court on 30 December 2012. A retired judge of Madras High Court - Justice P. Jyothimani took his charge as the judicial member of the NGT on 24 December 2012.
VIRBHADRA SINGH IS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Former Union Minister of India and Veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh on 25 December 2012 was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Himachal for a record sixth term in Shimla. 78 years old Virbhadra Singh was administered the oath of office by Governor of Himachal Pradesh - Urmila Singh. Oath of office and secrecy to the chief parliamentary secretaries was administered by the Chief Minister. To Read More
CHINA INAUGURATED WO RLDS LONGEST HIGH -SPEED RAIL ROUTE

China on 26 December 2012 inaugurated world's longest high-speed rail route linking its capital Beijing with the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, covering a distance of 2298 kms. It runs at an average speed of 300 km per hour and it will save nearly 12 hours by bringing down the travel time between Beijing and Guangzhou from more than 20 hours to around eight. The route connects five provinces and has 35 stops in major cities, including Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan and Changsha. With the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railroad, China now has a network of more than 9300 km of operating high-speed railways. This is the longest high speed network China launched after the Beijing-Shanghai Bullet train in 2010, which brought down travel time to around five hours, covering over 1300 km distance between two of China's largest cities.
750 YEAR OLD EXPLICIT STONE TABLET DISCOVERED IN VASAI
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Early in December 2012, a team of the historians in Vasai recovered the 750 year old stone tablet which has sexually explicit inscription. The historians explained that the bygone king of that area (identity of whom is yet to be discovered) might have had custom-made the carvings as warning symbol for keeping the trespassers at a distance or to make sure that the tax collectors regularly deposited the revenue. The stone tablet bears the inscription of a donkey copulating with the female, which might be an indication that women of trespassers would face a similar fate. In the olden times, the property owners in Vasai area used to place the carved stones at entrances of their properties. To Read More
CYBER SECURITY GET R EVAMPED WITH GOVERNMENT FIVE YEAR PLAN

Union government of India in its bid to meet the challenge of cyber attacks and security in the virtual world in month of December set in motion a five-year project to revamp the entire cyber security apparatus of critical sectors in the country. In the past one year, India has suffered 13,000 cyber incidents. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) had taken the responsibility to coordinate cyber security operations for critical infrastructures across the country. To Read More
COMMITTEE TO SHORTLIST NOMINEES FOR PADMA AWARDS MET

High-level committee met on 26 December 2012 to shortlist the nominees of prestigious Padma awards. Rajesh Khanna, singer Kailash Kher as well as director of much-acclaimed movie Sholay, Ramesh Sippy might be honoured with the prestigious awards on 26 January 2013. Rajesh Khanna, who died on 18 July 2012, was shortlisted for highest category of Padma awards- Padma Vibhushan. Ramesh Sippy and Kailesh Kher were shortlisted for the award of Padma Shri. To Read More
SHINZO ABE ELECTED AS PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

Shinzo Abe, the conservative leader of Japan was elected as the prime minister of the country by lower house of the Parliament called the House of Representatives, on 26 December 2012. Shinzo Abe took oath to rebuild Japanese economy as well as mend the coalition with US. The lower house of the parliament in Japan, which is said to be very powerful, picked 58-year old Shinzo Abe as the new leader of the country. All this came after the loud victory of Liberal Democratic Party which is headed by Abe, in national election earlier in December 2012. The Liberal Democratic Party had won over Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). To Read More
NARENDRA MODI WAS SW ORN-IN AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT

Narendra Modi on 26 December 2012 was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the fourth consecutive term. Governor Kamla Beniwal administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at Sardar Patel Stadium at Ahmedabad. Seven cabinet Ministers and nine Ministers of State also took oath.
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Cabinet Ministers, who took oath along with Narendra Modi include Anandiben Patel, Saurabh Patel, Bhupendra Singh Chudasama, Ramanlal Vora, Nitin Patel, Babu Bokhiriya and Ganpat Vasava. Minister of State who took oath are Vasuben Trivedi, Pradip Singh Jadeja, Parbat Patel, Nanu Vanani, Rajanikant Patel, Liladhar Waghela, Govind Patel, Jayanti Kavadiya and Parsottam Solanki.Narendra Mdoi was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujrat for the first time on 7 October 2001. He was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the second time on 22 December 2002. He was born in September 1950 at Vadnagar, a small town in Mehsana district of North Gujarat. To Read More
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QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH

Q.1) Union Cabinet of India on 13 December 2012 passed the land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement bill, 2011. Enlist the main features of the bill. How the bill is going to solve the land disputes in India? Q.2 What is Bhatinda Srinagar Gas Pipeline project? How Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from the project? Q.3 Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on 25 December 2012 signed into law a new Islamistdrafted constitution. What was the controversy surrounding the constitution? How the new constitution will help in ending the political disorder? Q.4 United Nation approved new debate on Arm treaty opposed by U.S. gun lobby. Describe and Discuss Arms trade treaty? Q.5 The Union government of India on 26 December 2012 raised the Minimum Support Price, MSP of wheat by 65 rupees per quintal to 1350 rupees per quintal. What do you understand by minimum support price? How it impacts the Indian agriculture? Q.6 Write brief notes on the following: a) NASA developed Next-Gen spacesuit for space ventures b) Scientists found protein behind aggressive breast cancer c) Freshwater Mosasaurs species discovered d) Hawaiian Islands will be extinct in 1.5 million years
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FOR MORE INFO

BPSC Declared Final Results for 27th Judicial Service Competitive Examination 2012 APPSC Notified for Recruitment of Lecturers in Polytechnic Colleges 2012 APPSC Declared List of Candidates for Verification of Certificates APPSC Declared List of Candidates for Verification of Certificates Post of Assistant Director JKPSC Declared Results for the Posts of Lecturer Peadiatric Hematology 2012 UPPSC Combined Civil Services (Mains) Exam Schedule 2012 UPPSC Declared Results for Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (Pre.) Exam 2012 Kerala PSC Invited Online Applications for 65 Posts PPSC Declared Interview List for Post of Command/ Junior Staff Officer/ Chief Instructor 2012 GPSC Declared Preliminary Results for Commercial Tax Inspector 2012 APPSC Declared the List of Candidates for Verification of Certificates: Post of Drug Inspector West Bengal Public Service Commission Notified 39 Vacancies PPSC Declared Results for Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive (Pre) Examination 2012 KPSC Declared Provisional Select List for Post of Statistical Inspectors TNPSC Notified Direct Recruitment of 16 Assistant Section Officers BPSC Declared Results for Recruitment of Sub-Election Officer 2012 HPPSC Declared HPAS Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination-2011 Punjab Public Service Commission released Application form for Punjab PCS Main Exam 2012 APPSC Announced Results for Industrial Promotion Officer in AP Industries Sub Service 2012 TNPSC Bursar Final Result 2012 and Draughtsman Gr-III Written Exam Result Goa Public Service Commission Notified 14 Medical Vacancies
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HPPSC Declared Results for Junior Scale Stenographer Typewriting Test 2012 APPSC Declared Results for Extension Officers Written Exam RPSC Declared Results for Senior Demonstrator Biochemistry 2012 Mizoram PSC Notified Horticulture Extension Officers Vacancies RPSC, Ajmer Declared Merit List of Sub Ordinate for LDC Exam-2011 (Phase I & II) Download Hall Ticket for APPSC Lecturers in Government Polytechnic Colleges 2013 APPSC Declared Results for Lecturers in Govt. Degree Colleges 2012
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Josh Magazine Current Affairs Magazine December 2012 1

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Current Affairs PDF December 2012

CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF DECEMBER 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

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Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

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Current Affairs PDF December 2012

PICK OF THE MONTH

QUEEN ELIZABETH ATTENDED CABINET MEETING

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

CYRUS PALLONJI MISTRY APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF TATA SONS

ABOUT CYRUS PALLONJI MISTRY

THE MSP OF WHEAT INCREASED TO 1350 RUPEES PER QUINTAL

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

LOK SABHA PASSED THE COMPANIES BILL 2011

RETAIL INFLATION INCREASED TO 9.90 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

VOYAGER 1, SPACECRAFT DRIFTED INTO UNKNOWN SPACE REGION

INDIA AND RUSSIA SIGNED PACTS ON ECONOMIC TIES

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

SACHIN ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM ONE DAY CRICKET

THE MAJOR FACTS RELATED TO HIS ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

MENON VISITED CHINA AFTER CHANGES IN CPC

KUWAIT ELECTED ITS NEW PARLIAMENT BUT WITH LOW TURNOUT

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

Current Affairs PDF December 2012

IRAN CLAIMED CAPTURING US DRONE: US REJECTED THE CLAIM

11 TH MEETING OF INDIA-CANADA JWG ON COUNTER TERRORISM

IRAN DECLARED EXTRACTION OF DATA FROM CAPTURED US DRONE