Monthly Current Affairs 2016 February

Budget 2016: personal tax interest increased

Increase the rate of surcharge on income exceeding Rs 1 crore to 15% from 12%.
2016-02-29

Now, a scheme for domestic black money

The government unveiled a new scheme to tackle domestic black money asking those with undisclosed income to come clean by paying tax, surcharge and penalty that add up to 45% of the concealed income.
2016-02-29

Budget 2016: Arms spending held steady, Center looks to shop at home

The Centre plans to focus defence spending more on the domestic market instead of importing fighter planes, ships and submarines, after saying it will leave military spending for 2016-17 largely unchanged following years of increases. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley announced as part of his Budget 2016 speech a defence allocation of Rs 2.49 lakh crore.
2016-02-29

Jaitley throws open the coffers for rural India

Finance minister Arun Jaitley unveiled a Rs 19.78 lakh crores ($300 billion) budget for 2016-17, with a focus on the rural economy and infrastructure along with a minor rebate for small taxpayers and more money for health, literacy and roads.
2016-02-29

Budget 2016: Pro-poor, pro-rural measures get top billing

With big investments in the rural sector and a break for small tax payers, finance minister Arun Jaitley's Budget 2016 was largely pro-rural and pro-poor in an attempt to counter months of opposition criticism that PM Modi's is a "suit-boot ki sarkar".
2016-02-29

Now, LPG connection for women of BPL households

The government this day announced a new initiative to provide cooking gas to women members of BPL families with state support with a a financial support of Rs 1600 for each LPG connection to the BPL households.
2016-02-29

Oscars 2016: The complete list of winners

The 88th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2015 and took place on February 28, 2016, For more details kindly visit this link
2016-02-29

Oscars 2016: Mark Rylance wins for best actor in a supporting role

2016-02-29

Budget bag: FMs make a brief case for style

The word 'budget' comes from the French word 'bougette' which means small bag. That probably explains why no Union budget is ever complete without the mandatory photo-op of the finance minister holding up his 'budget bag'.
2016-02-28

Amid F-16 row, US and Pakistan to hold strategic dialogue

Pakistan and the US will hold a ministerial-level strategic dialogue on key areas, including economy, security and counter-terrorism, amid strong opposition by India as well as the US lawmakers on the proposed F-16 deal to Islamabad.
2016-02-28

Indian Army grapples with arms, gear shortage

Long-winded procedures and bureaucratic bottlenecks continue to stymie the already long-delayed modernisation of the Army, which is grappling with shortages in several areas ranging from modern assault rifles, bullet-proof jackets and night-fighting capabilities to howitzers, missiles and helicopters.
2016-02-27

What India's INS Arihant could mean for world

India is conducting the final trials of its first nuclear-armed submarine, which would make it the sixth country in the world to possess a vessel capable of launching nuclear warheads from underwater.
2016-02-27

Despite objections from some lawmakers, US to sell F-16s to Pak

"We support the proposed sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan to assist Pakistan's counter terrorism and counterinsurgency operations. Pakistan's current F-16s have proven critical to the success of these operations to date," state department spokesperson Helaena W White said.
2016-02-27

Syria war: Technology gives Assad s army edge

In an army that has lost well over 60,000 dead in almost five years of hard fighting, Syria s officers have suddenly discovered that the new Russian technology has coincided with a rapid lowering of their casualties.
2016-02-27

Provident fund withdrawal norms tightened

Retirement fund agency Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has tightened norms for withdrawing the provident fund as well as to invest it in the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana.
In today's scenario when retirement age is 58 years across all organisation the clause of scheme is not relevant. But the big change is that now under this facility, the subscriber would be able to withdraw his contribution and interest earned on it unlike 90 per cent of the total accumulations earlier.
2016-02-26

President Mukherjee calls for revision of IPC

Amid a raging debate on the sedition law, President Pranab Mukherjee said the Indian Penal Code (IPC) requires a thorough revision to meet the needs of the 21st century and changes are necessary in the "archaic" police system.
2016-02-26

Gianni Infantino elected new FIFA President

Gianni Infantino of Switzerland is the new FIFA president after winning a second-round vote. Infantino got 115 of the 207 eligible votes to take a decisive majority ahead of Sheikh Salman of Bahrain.
2016-02-26

To make a point, US tests intercontinental missile

US deputy defence secretary Robert Work, who witnessed the launch, said the tests, conducted at least 15 times since January 2011, send a message to strategic rivals like Russia, China and North Korea that Washington has an effective nuclear arsenal.
2016-02-26

Chinese ships' presence hints their submarines may be near Andamans

The presence of a supply and support ship close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands made Indian Navy officials suspect that one or more PLAN submarines were prowling in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) of the ANC.
2016-02-26

Vijay Mallya's Rs 515 crore 'sweetheart deal' faces Sebi scrutiny

Vijay Mallya's Rs 515-crore 'golden parachute' to exit United Spirits faces an extensive scrutiny by markets regulator Sebi, which has begun looking into possible violations of corporate governance and other norms because of this deal.
2016-02-26

Economic Survey 2016: Highlights

The Economic Survey, the basis for Arun Jaitley's Union Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, projected India to grow 8% in the next couple of years. The survey was prepared by the finance ministry's chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian.
2016-02-26

India to UN: Brand Masood Azhar a terrorist

India has written to the UN to include the name of Masood Azhar, leader of the proscribed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist group, in its list of designated terrorists, an external affairs ministry official said.
2016-02-26

Hizb head hails J&K ultras even as cops rescue his son from building

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin hailed three slain Lashkar-e-Taiba militants for giving a tough fight to Indian security forces during the Pampore encounter even as J&K police and paramilitary forces safely evacuated his younger son Syed Mueen, a computer analyst working at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute.
2016-02-25

US senator: F-16 sale to Pak badly timed, 'complicates' India-US ties

Top Republican senator John McCain acknowledged the "timing" of the announcement on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan was "really bad" and that the Obama administration needs to explain the reason behind its decision which "complicates" India-US relations.
2016-02-25

No fare hike in Suresh Prabhu's passenger-focused Rail Budget

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu left passenger and freight fares unchanged and announced a number of people-friendly initiatives, including introduction of three new superfast trains, in the Rail Budget 2016.
2016-02-25

Sanjay Dutt released, salutes tricolour

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt walked free out of Pune's Yerwada prison after completing his jail term in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. Dutt later went straight to Lohegaon Airport to take a chartered flight to Mumbai. Sanjay Dutt released from Yerawada jail in Pune after completing prison term of 42 months
2016-02-25

Man who bought Modi's suit to give Rs 200 crore for girls' welfare

The man who bought Narandra Modi's famed suit that had Narendra Damodardas Modi monogrammed as pinstripes on it for Rs 4.31 crores, Lavjibhai Badshah would donate Rs 200 crores to 10,000 girls (Rs 2 lakhs each) across the country.
2016-02-23

India's first nuke submarine ready for operations

India's first nuclear armed submarine, INS Arihant, has passed all mandatory tests and is now ready for all full-fledged operations.
2016-02-23

This 104-yr-old inspired PM Modi to touch her feet

A 104-year-old woman from a village in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district who sold her goats for constructing toilets at her home, came in for special praise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said it is a big sign of changing India.
2016-02-21

Jat quota stir: 10 dead in Haryana, Delhi stares at severe water crisis

At least 10 people have been killed and 150 injured as protests by the Jat community in Haryana demanding Other Backward Classes (OBC) status entered the seventh day . Fresh incidents of violence were reported from Bhiwani and Sonipat districts.
2016-02-21

Centre asks Haryana to ensure Delhi water supply

Centre has asked the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana government to ensure that the water supply to the national capital is not disrupted. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier said there is no water left in Delhi and added that the crisis is expected to prolong for at least two days.
2016-02-21

Acid attack on AAP leader Soni Sori in Bastar

Aam Aadmi Party leader Soni Sori who had been anticipating risk to her life for past few days in Bastar, was acid attacked after she was intercepted by two motor-bike borne persons night at Bastanar area in Bastar region.
2016-02-20

Jat leaders say agitation will end only after quota ordinance

Several jat leaders refused to call off the quota agitation unless the Haryana promulgates an ordinance to include the community in the OBC category. The response came after chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that his government has "accepted" their demands, but did not elaborate.
2016-02-20

Nepal PM says no misunderstandings with India

Success of Nepal's new constitution will depend on "consensus and dialogue" and India is for peace and stability of the Himalayan nation, PM Narendra Modi said after holding talks with Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli. Oli said "misunderstandings" that persisted in the last few months "no longer exist".
2016-02-20

McCullum hits fastest Test 100 ever, in 54 balls

In his 102nd and final Test, McCullum overtook Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq for the fastest Test ton off 54 balls.
2016-02-20

Dawood's nephew held in US for narco-terrorism

Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Sohail Kaskar, 36, has been caught in the US for conspiring to commit narcoterrorism, provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and unlawfully sell missile launching systems.
2016-02-19

Harper Lee, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author, dies

Harper Lee, who wrote one of America's most enduring literary classics, 'To Kill a Mockingbird', about a child's view of right and wrong and waited 55 years to publish a second book with the same characters from a very different point of view, has died at the age of 89.
2016-02-19

Kalikho Pul sworn in as CM of Arunachal Pradesh

Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul has been sworn in as the new chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, hours after the Centre lifted President's Rule. The swearing in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhawan in Itanagar.
2016-02-19

Saudi Arabia and Iraq top oil suppliers to India

India's oil imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq hit the highest in over a decade last month as Opec's top producers gained at the expense of Latin American oil a validation of the Opec policy of maintaining output and fighting for market share. Saudi Arabia was the top supplier to India in January.
2016-02-19

Honda to recall 57,676 units of 3 models in India

Japanese carmaker Honda announced the recall of 57,676 units of its three models in India. City, Jazz and Civic models manufactured between January 2012 and June 2013 have been recalled to replace faulty airbags as part of Honda's global exercise.
2016-02-19

What the i' in Apple s iPhone stands for

It s perhaps one of the most important letters in the world but nobody s entirely sure what it means. The naming convention was first introduced with the iMac. Launched in 1998, the computer marked the beginning of the modern Apple.
2016-02-19

OROP for all premature military retirees mulled

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the government was reconsidering denial of one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme to all military personnel who opt for premature retirement (PMR) from service.
2016-02-18

Now, tricolour to fly high at central universities

The national flag will now fly prominently at all central universities, according to Union human resource development ministry. The tricolor will fly on a 207-feet high mast on the campuses to signify "strong and united" India. A unanimous resolution was adopted by vice chancellors of central universities.
2016-02-18

Ex-DU prof Geelani sent to 14 days judicial custody

Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, arrested for sedition in connection with an event at the Press Club of India, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
2016-02-18

'N Korea has ordered attack on South Korea'

South Korea's spy agency has told ruling party officials that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently ordered preparations for launching attacks on South Korea, in the latest sign of high tensions on the Korean peninsula after the North's recent nuclear test and missile launch.
2016-02-18

Despite Nepal s pact with China, India is still its lifeline

An avowedly India-sceptic Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli, will make New Delhi his first destination on February 19 after declaring he would not visit India until the blockade at Birgunj was lifted.
2016-02-17

2,200 corrupt govt officials identified, CBI says

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claimed to have identified 2,200 corrupt senior government officials in 2015 and initiated enquiries against them. The agency said there was a 94% jump in crackdown against corruption in the country from 2014.
2016-02-17

Beijing ups ante, deploys missiles to disputed S China Sea island

China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, Taiwan and US officials have said. Satellite images have reportedly shown Chinese missiles and radar deployed on Woody Island in the Paracel chain.
2016-02-17

10-year-old Indian girl Ishita Katyal wows brainiacs meet

10-year-old Pune writer and middle-schooler Ishita Katyal quite extraordinarily debuted as the opening speaker at the TED2016 (Technology, Entertainment, Design), a nerdy conference of some of the world s smartest people.
2016-02-16

Vodafone asked to pay Rs 14,200 crore tax dues or face asset seizure

The I-T department has issued Vodafone a reminder over its Rs 14,200-crore tax demand and threatened to seize assets in the case of non-payment, a move the UK firm said shows disconnect with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of a tax-friendly environment.
2016-02-16

Health Protection Scheme will replace all health schemes

The health ministry plans to roll out a centrally sponsored 'Health Protection Scheme' which will replace several of the existing government-supported health schemes including Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), the government's flagship health insurance plan catering to families below poverty line (BPL).
2016-02-15

Mega howitzer deal with US set to break Bofors artillery jinx

India may finally exorcise its Bofors ghost of 30 years. After several years of hard-nosed negotiations, which also saw the proposed deal being stalled for a couple of years, the US government finally submitted an over $700 million offer for India to acquire 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers.
2016-02-15

Mysuru cleanest city in India, Varanasi, Patna among worst 10

Mysuru in Karnataka has retained its position as the cleanest among all million plus and capital cities while Dhanbad in Jharkhand has been ranked the worst. These are findings of the first ever cleanliness ranking of cities since Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in October 2014.
2016-02-15

IT highest-paying sector in India: Study

According to Monster Salary Index (MSI), the IT sector is the highest paying sector in India, but only 57.4% are satisfied with their salary.
2016-02-15

Infosys to bring back stock options as incentive

Infosys, one of the first Indian companies to offer stocks to its employees in the 1990s, has initiated moves to roll out a new stock incentive plan.
2016-02-15

PSLV will soon be operated by Antrix Corp, Isro's commercial arm

The Isro chief AS Kiran Kumar said that once the plan materializes, the integration and launch of the rocket will be handled by an industrial consortium through the commercial arm of Isro, Antrix Corporation.
2016-02-15

JD(U), RLD to merge in UP for 2017 battle

The Sharad Yadav-led Janata Dal (United) and Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal will merge to form a new political entity - with a different name and symbol - to contest next year's Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, RLD national general secretary Jayant Chaudhary said .
2016-02-15

NSG withdraws 600 men from VVIP security duty

Taking the first step towards reverting to its original role of undertaking counter-terror operations, the NSG has pulled out over 600 commandos from its VVIP security unit and used them for the first time during the recent Pathankot attack.
2016-02-14

F-16, Pervez Musharraf pour cold water on India-Pakistan talks

Even as India and Pakistan continue to be "in touch", the prospect of an early start to the comprehensive bilateral dialogue (CBD) in the form of a meeting between the foreign secretaries now looks increasingly bleak.
2016-02-14

India lose U-19 World Cup trophy to West Indies

The Indian Under-19 team's quest for an unprecedented fourth World Cup title ended in disaster as the West Indies out-witted the Rahul Dravid-coached side by five wickets in a tense summit clash.
2016-02-14

Indian American judge in US Supreme Court race

Heading almost every short-list in US circles is Sri Srinivasan, particularly since he is one of the few Obama nominees to be have been approved by the Senate when he was elevated to the Federal Appeals Court (he won a unanimous 97-0 vote from the Senate).
2016-02-14

With an eye on China, India sends aircraft carrier to Male

It's 44,500 tonnes of robust Indian diplomacy cruising on the high seas, hot on the trail of the Chinese in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), first in Sri Lanka and now, Maldives.
2016-02-13

Saudi Arabia moves troops to Turkey as base for Syria invasion

Saudi Arabia is sending troops and fighter jets to Turkey's Incirlik military base ahead of a possible ground invasion of Syria. The Turkish foreign minister confirmed the deployment in a statement to a newspaper , days before a temporary ceasefire is due to come into force.
2016-02-13

PM Modi launches Make in India Centre in Mumbai

Kicking off the 'Make In India Week', Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Make In India Centre at the MMRDA Grounds here along with Swedish Prime Minister Kjell Stefan Lofven and the Prime Minister of Finland, Juha Petri Sipila.
2016-02-13

Nurse's son leads India in LIGO project

Professor Anand Sengupta, a professor in Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn), led a team of scientists under the aegis of Indian Initiative in Gravitational-Wave Observations (IndIGO). His mother was working as a staff-nurse in a government hospital of Dhanbad in undivided Bihar, while his father used to do office work in West Bengal Electricity Company. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory(LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory to detect gravitational waves which discovered gravitational wave on 11 Feb 2016.
2016-02-13

BCCI bans Pak umpire Asad Rauf for 5 years

Tainted Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf was banned for five years by the BCCI after its disciplinary committee found him guilty of corrupt practices and bringing the game into disrepute.
2016-02-12

JNU student leader held for sedition after Afzal Guru protest event

Police arrested the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University's student union, a day after it registered a case of sedition against "unknown persons" in connection with a campus event on Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
2016-02-12

Goa to term national bird, state animal vermin

National bird peacock and state animal wild bison are among animals proposed to be listed by the Goa government as 'nuisance animals'. The government's decision is likely to evoke strong resentment from the environmentalists as the peacock is the national bird and the wild bison is a 'protected species'.
2016-02-12

Made-in-India Combat Hawk to be ready in 2017

The Combat Hawk, which has already generated interest for its potential in unconventional operations, is currently under development jointly with BAE.
2016-02-12

Small savings funds to get lower returns from April

The government said it will lower interest rates on small savings from April, a move that will not only reduce earnings on Public Provident Fund Deposits and National Savings Certificate but may also impact rates on bank fixed deposits.
2016-02-12

Groundbreaking discovery: Einstein's gravitational waves detected

Physicists around the world have confirmed that they had detected unambiguous signals of gravitational waves emanating from the collision of two massive black holes 1.5 billion light years away in deep space.
2016-02-11

Delhi's odd-even plan to return on April 15

The second phase of odd-even traffic experiment in Delhi will be from April 15 to April 30, Delhi chief minister made this announcement .
2016-02-11

Siachen braveheart dies: Nation pays tributes

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was described as a miracle soldier after being dug out alive from snow and ice in which he was buried for six days in the inhospitable Siachen glacier, died .
2016-02-11

Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad dead

Koppad miraculously survived after being under 35 feet of ice at an avalanche-hit army post in the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir, six days after he and nine other soldiers were buried.
2016-02-11

Ishrat Jahan encounter case: All you want to know

David Coleman Headley, one of the prime accused in the 26/11 terror attacks, told a special Mumbai court that Ishrat Jahan, the 19-year-old girl who was killed in an alleged 'fake encounter' in 2004, was affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
2016-02-11

Ishrat Jahan encounter case: All you want to know

David Coleman Headley, one of the prime accused in the 26/11 terror attacks, told a special Mumbai court that Ishrat Jahan, the 19-year-old girl who was killed in an alleged 'fake encounter' in 2004, was affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
2016-02-11

Ishrat Jahan was LeT suicide bomber: Headley

"Jahan, who was killed in a 2004 encounter by Gujarat cops, was a Lashkar member," Headley said while deposing for the third day before a Mumbai court via video from the US.
2016-02-11

Possession of house delayed? You may lose 85% tax benefit

As if the mental harassment of delayed delivery of a house is not bad enough, you could also be losing 85% of the tax benefit on your home loan, for no fault of yours.
2016-02-10

PM's wife files RTI, seeks his passport details

Jashodaben Modi, 64, the estranged wife of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, filed an RTI application seeking details and a copy of the PM s passports. She filed her application at the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Ahmedabad.
2016-02-10

India, Russia revive 5th-gen fighter jet talks

After nearly a year, India and Russia have revived talks on the 5-generation fighter aircraft. Also, cost negotiations for the joint production of 200 Kamov 226T helicopters have begun. Russia has made a new offer on the delivery of Sukhoi T-50 (PAK-FA) fighter jets to India under the joint project.
2016-02-10

Joint patrol with India on South China Sea likely, US official says

Washington wants its regional allies and other Asian nations to take a more united stance against China over the South China Sea, where tensions have spiked in the wake of Beijing's construction of seven man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago.
2016-02-10

How a brave soldier defied certain death at -45C

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad s pulse was active when he was rescued from under 35 feet of snow in -45°Celsius temperature fi ve days after an avalanche hit an Indian Army post in Siachen an altitude of 19,600 feet.
2016-02-10

Talks in limbo, Pak flirts with J&K separatists

Amid uncertainty over the foreign secretarylevel talks, Pakistan has sought to keep the Kashmir pot boiling by insisting that the dispute will top its agenda for the dialogue with India.
2016-02-09

North Korea satellite achieves stable orbit

A satellite launched into orbit by North Korea has now stabilized in its orbit around the earth, a US official and a second source familiar with the matter said .
2016-02-09

Headley's disclosure: Pak unlikely to take action

Much as the Indian agencies view American LeT operative David Coleman Headley s deposition via video conferencing as a legal step forward with his testimony regarding the role of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and serving or retired ISI/Pakistan army officers in 26/11 attacks now admissible as evidence in the court, they are highly sceptical of any follow-up action by Pakistan.
2016-02-08

Russian jets help Syrian forces push near Turkey

The Syrian army advanced towards the Turkish border in a major offensive backed by Russia and Iran that rebels say now threatens the future of their nearly five-year-old insurrection against President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian army is now just about 25km from the Turkish border.
2016-02-08

26/11: Headley confirms ISI role

Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) operative David Headley wanted to fight actively in Kashmir against the Indian Army but LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi stopped him, saying something more "adventurous" was in store for him.
2016-02-08

2 LeT attempts to attack Mumbai failed before 26/11, Headley says

One of the main conspirators in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, American national David Coleman Headley, deposed as a witness in the case and said that Pakistani terrorists attempted to attack Mumbai twice before the 26/11 strikes that killed 166 people but failed both times.
2016-02-08

Visited Mumbai 7 times before 26/11, 'true LeT' man Headley says

One of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, American national David Coleman Headley, deposed as a witness in the case and admitted that he had come to the city on a false identity at the behest of his colleague and handler, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Sajid Mir. Mir, an alleged Pakistani national, is also an accused in the case.
2016-02-08

Election years see 30% rise in number of Padma Shri awards

Around 30% more Padma Shri awards the fourth highest civilian honour were given in election years compared to the average of the preceding four years, irrespective of political affiliation.
2016-02-07

IARI releases 7 new varieties of crops

In a sign of the strength of India s public research institutions, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) released seven new varieties of field crops including wheat, rice, chickpea, pigeon pea and mustard and identified 11 varieties of high-yielding agricultural and horticultural produce during 2015.
2016-02-07

Single entrance exam for medical courses soon

In a move that is expected to help students aspiring to seek medical education, the health ministry is set to move a Cabinet note proposing changes to the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956 that will allow a single common medical entrance test for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in all colleges across the country, including private colleges and deemed universities.
2016-02-07

IPL auction: Watson, Negi emerge biggest millionaires

Shane Watson emerged the biggest of purchases from the 2016 IPL player auction in Bangalore, finding his second franchise in Royal Challengers Bangalore who forked out Rs 9.5 crore for his services.
2016-02-06

Kerala backs ban on women s entry at Sabarimala

The Kerala government has told the Supreme Court that banning entry of women of menstrual age in historic Sabarimala temple in the state is a "matter of religion" and it is duty bound to "protect the right to practice the religion of these devotees".
2016-02-06

Railways may end sops for elderly on AC-I

The railways is exploring the option of withdrawing concessions offered to a host of individuals, including senior citizens, who travel by AC first class coaches with the tickets coming at 50% discount.
2016-02-05

Welder s son bags Rs 1.2cr with Microsoft job

In a heartening story of triumph in the face of adversity, a Khagaria welder s son, Vatsalya Chauhan, has bagged a 1.02 crore per annum job at IT giant Microsoft.
2016-02-05

Sweden, UK reject UN panel ruling on Assange

Sweden said it did not agree with a UN panel which ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's stay in Ecuador's London embassy amounted to "unlawful detention". Britain too rejected the UN panel's ruling and said it would challenge the report's findings.
2016-02-05

This ayurveda drug for diabetes costs just Rs 5

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched a scientifically validated ayurvedic drug (BGR-34) for type II diabetes here .
2016-02-05

Snapdeal not to renew Aamir Khan's contract

According to sources, Snapdeal has decided not to renew Bollywood star Aamir Khan's contract as brand ambassador of the company. Ad and marketing executives said the move was linked to Khan s comments in November about intolerance in the country that led to a storm of protests across the country.
2016-02-05

Russia 'could take Baltic capitals in 3 days'

According to several war games scenarios conducted by a US think-tank, it would take between 36 and 60 hours for Russian battalions to occupy the Estonian and Latvian capitals of Tallinn and Riga. The report comes amid rapidly declining relations between Putin and the West.
2016-02-05

PM appoints 'outsider' as sanitation seceretary

The government appointed World Bank water and sanitation expert and a former IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer as the secretary of drinking water and sanitation ministry for two years.
2016-02-05

Siachen avalanche: Army says no to Pak help in search for soldiers

Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh declined his Pakistani counterpart's offer for help in rescuing Indian soldiers buried under snow after an avalanche hit their post in Siachen Glacier
2016-02-04

Follow Lodha panel recommendations: SC to BCCI

The Supreme Court gave a stern message to BCCI asking it to "fall in line" with the recommendations of Justice R M Lodha Committee which has suggested a massive restructuring of the country's apex cricket body.
2016-02-04

Follow Lodha panel recommendations: SC to BCCI

The Supreme Court gave a stern message to BCCI asking it to "fall in line" with the recommendations of Justice R M Lodha Committee which has suggested a massive restructuring of the country's apex cricket body.
2016-02-04

Cops left behind Tanzanian girl at mob's mercy: K'taka home minister

The incident involving a Tanzanian girl in Bengaluru night could have been prevented had the city police not left the girl at the mercy of the mob.
2016-02-04

Bengal land murder case: 11 sentenced to death

The Krishnanagar district court pronounced death sentence to the 11 convicts, including a TMC leader, found guilty in the sensational Aparna Bag murder case. Aparna was murdered by a gang led by TMC leader Lankeshwar Ghosh on November 13, 2014 who tried to forcibly grab a piece of land.
2016-02-04

'Chances of finding survivor in Siachen remote'

A day after 10 soldiers went missing in an avalanche in Siachen, the defence ministry said that the chances of finding any survivors were remote.
2016-02-04

Julian Assange 'unlawfully detained' in Britain, UN rules

Julian Assange today said he would accept arrest by UK police if the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention investigating his case ruled against him.
2016-02-04

Sameer Sardana, son of ex-Maj Gen, held in Goa for terror links

A 44-year-old man from Dehradun who is being interrogated by the Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Goa police for the past three days on suspicion of being linked with jihadi groups is a Doon School alumnus and son of a decorated former Major-General of the Indian Army.
2016-02-03

India has only 2,000 oncologists for 10m patients

Even as cancer is fast taking epidemic proportions in India, the country is facing severe shortage of care- givers with merely 2000 oncologists to look after around 10 million patients.
2016-02-03

Indian company claims world's first Zika vaccine

"We believe we have an early mover advantage in developing the Zikavac and we are probably the first in the world to file for global patent for Zika vaccine candidates," said Krishna Ella, CMD Bharat Biotech.
2016-02-03

10 Army jawans missing in Siachen avalanche, rescue operation on

At least 10 Army jawans are reported to be missing after an avalanche hit Siachen's northern glacier in Jammu and Kashmir.
2016-02-03

First case of Zika caught in US 'spread by sexual contact'

Just one day after the World Health Organization deemed the virus as an international health emergency, officials in Dallas County said a patient had contracted the virus via sexual contact and not through a mosquito bite, as reported earlier.
2016-02-03

Yahoo to lay off 1700, shareholders want CEO out

The anticipated purge will jettison about 15% of Yahoo's workforce along with an assortment of services that Mayer decided aren't worth the time and money.
2016-02-03

Sardar Singh accused of sexual harassment

Suspected ISI mole Irshad Ahmed, who was working as a manual labourer at Mamoon cantonment in Pathankot, was arrested by the Punjab police .
2016-02-03

Eye on Putin: US to give weapons to NATO nations

President Barack Obama plans to substantially increase the deployment of heavy weapons, armored vehicles and other equipment to NATO countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a move that administration officials said was aimed at deterring Russian from further aggression in the region.
2016-02-02

Shock win: Ted Cruz beats Trump in Iowa Republican presidential race

Senator Ted Cruz beat billionaire Donald Trump in Iowa's presidential nominating contest , dealing a big upset to the national front-runner in the race to be the Republican Party's White House nominee in 2016.
2016-02-02

Alphabet overtakes Apple in value; shares soar

Alphabet Inc surpassed Apple Inc as the most valuable company in the United States in after-hours trading , knocking the iPhone maker from the top spot that it has held for the better part of four years.
2016-02-01

Is Gujarat not a part of India? SC on states ignoring welfare schemes

The Supreme Court came down heavily on certain states for not implementing welfare legislation National Food Security Act, saying that why a state like Gujarat is not implementing the law passed by Parliament.
2016-02-01

'India is too democratic, but Modi is forcing things to be done'

From running a hedge fund to analysing human behaviour , the 56-year-old Nassim Nicholas Taleb has lived a rich life. India is more robust than other countries in the region because it has a history of turmoil, which it has handled rather well, said Taleb, who postulated the 'Black Swan' theory of randomness and probability. He also said Modi is trying to do things as he had claimed he would try to do.
2016-02-01

Kapus in Andhra set 6 train bogies ablaze

An agitation by the Kapu community for quotas in government jobs and educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh turned violent with the agitators setting fire to two police stations and at least six compartments of a train in East Godavari district .
2016-02-01

Ahmedabad beats Delhi in heritage tag race

The Centre has nominated Ahmedabad as India s contender for the World Heritage City title.
2016-01-31

Woman can be karta of a family: Delhi high court

The eldest female member of a family can be its Karta, the Delhi high court has ruled in a landmark verdict. A unique position carved out by Hindu customs and ancient texts, Karta denotes managership of a joint family and is traditionally inherited by men.
2016-01-31

Rohith Vemula was a Dalit: SC/ST panel chief

Refuting claims of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, SC/ST commission chairman PL Punia said here that Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide early this month was a Dalit.
2016-01-31
Source: The Times of India News

Monthly Current Affairs January 2016

Current Affairs For The Month January 2016

ISIS warns of attack on Britain that will 'turn children's hair white'

The Islamic State terror group has warned Britain of an attack more severe than the Paris strikes, saying the country will receive the "lion's share" of the slaughter for its "declaration of war against Muslims".
2016-01-31

45 killed, 110 injured in blasts near Syria shrine

Syrian state news agency SANA, quoting an interior ministry source, said a group of militants had detonated a car bomb near a public transport garage in the Koua Sudan area. Two suicide bombers then blew themselves up nearby as people were being rescued.
2016-01-31

3rd T20I: India beat Australia by 7 wickets to clean sweep series

India held their nerves in the final over as they completed a nail-biting seven-wicket victory against Australia in the third and final T20I to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
2016-01-31

Djokovic beats Murray to win 6th Oz Open title

Novak Djokovic crushed Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3)  to match Roy Emerson's record of six Australian Open titles and leave the Briton heartbroken again at Melbourne Park.
2016-01-31

Peace sabotaged, China says on US ship sail-by

China strongly condemned the United States after a US warship deliberately sailed near one of the Beijing-controlled islands in the hotly contested South China Sea to exercise freedom of navigation and challenge China's vast sea claims.
2016-01-31

New weapon to fight Zika: The mosquito

Mosquitoes, genetically engineered to pass a lethal gene to their offspring, could become one of the newest weapons in the battle between humans and mosquitoes, which kill hundreds of thousands of people a year by transmitting malaria, dengue fever and other diseases.
2016-01-31

Rohith Vemula wasn't a dalit, Sushma Swaraj says

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has reportedly said that the University of Hyderabad PhD scholar Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide, was not a member of the dalit community.
2016-01-30

US warship sails near island claimed by China

A US navy guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an island claimed by China and two other nations in the South China Sea, in an operation the Pentagon said aimed to challenge efforts to restrict freedom of navigation.
2016-01-30

Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win Australian Open title

Angelique Kerber became the first German to win a Grand Slam title since her childhood idol Steffi Graf in 1999 when she upset world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to clinch the Australian Open.
2016-01-30

Rohith Vemula's suicide: Rahul Gandhi joins hunger strike

Stepping up the offensive on dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide issue, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday sat on a day-long fast along with agitating students of Hyderabad Central University.
2016-01-30

Send 10,000 students to US for PhD: Murthy

Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy has said India and the US should work on an agreement to send 10,000 Indian students to the US to do their PhDs in important areas in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, every year over the next 50 years.
2016-01-30

SC to decide gay sex be made legal or not.

More than two years after the Supreme Court turned down a plea to decriminalise gay sex in India, there is still hope for the LGBT community as the apex court has agreed to examine on February 2 whether it had erred in passing the judgment.
2016-01-29

Govt proposes law allowing passive euthanasia

The committee has not agreed to active euthanasia since it has more potential for misuse and as on date it is prevalent in very few countries worldwide, the Centre said in its response to a petition filed by Common Cause, an NGO.
2016-01-29

Solar scam accused denies 'affair' with CM

In a new twist to the solar panel scam, prime accused Saritha S Nair levelled fresh charges against chief minister Oommen Chandy, saying he had urged her to create a company involving his family members including son Chandy Oommen to do renewable energy business.
2016-01-29

'Chinese warplanes no match to Western fighters'

China has built a potent military machine over the past 30 years but is struggling to develop advanced engines that would allow its warplanes to match Western fighters in combat. Western restrictions on arms exports to China prohibit the sale of Western engines for military use.
2016-01-29

2nd T20I: India beat Australia by 27 runs, clinch series

India defeated Australia in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to win the series with a game remaining. Riding on Virat Kohli's unbeaten 59 and Rohit Sharma's 60, India produced another good all-round performance to record a 27-run win in the match. Chasing 185 to win, Australia slumped after a brilliant start as they were restricted to 157/8 in 20 overs.
2016-01-29

Mark Zuckerberg became $6bn richer in one day

As most of Mark Zuckerberg's fortune is tied to his holdings in Facebook, the stock price increase made him richer by $6 billion in one day. He now stands behind Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos and Carlos Slim Helu in the list of world's richest people.
2016-01-29

Zika's 'explosive' spread potential makes Rio Olympics dangerous

With about 500,000 people expected to visit Brazil for the Olympics this year, researchers are scrambling to figure how much of a risk it might pose in spreading the Zika virus around the world. Infectious disease specialists are particularly focused on the potential for Zika to spread to the United States.
2016-01-29

How the Zika virus spread around the world

With new cases emerging every day, the virus with links to alarming birth defects and neurological syndromes has now completely circumnavigated the world, mostly in a matter of months. That's pandemic behaviour, a leading virologist says.
2016-01-29

London to New York in 11 minutes

Charles Bombardier, the man behind concept aircraft Skreemr which could travel at Mach 10, has now unveiled the Antipode. It is a hypersonic jet that he claims will cover the distance between London and New York in a mind-boggling 11 minutes. In theory, Bombardier claims it can carry 10 people up to 20,000km in less than an hour.
2016-01-29

Mahindra KUV100: 5 pros and 5 cons to know

Mahindra & Mahindra recently launched the KUV100 at a starting price of Rs. 4.42 lakh. Mahindra, a company that is known for its SUVs, wants to now create a new "micro-SUV" segment in India.
2016-01-29

26/11 trial a test of Pak sincerity: MEA

The 2008 Mumbai attacks again took centre stage in Indo-Pak bilateral ties with New Delhi declaring on Thursday that 26/11 remained a test case for Pakistan’s stated commitment to fighting India-specific terror groups.
2016-01-28

3 Wipro employees arrested for hacking British client TalkTalk

Three Wipro employees in Kolkata have been arrested in connection with a security breach in the customer records of a UK-based telecom client TalkTalk. A TalkTalk spokesperson said it is reviewing its relationship with Wipro. TalkTalk had suffered a major cyberattack in October that had compromised the personal and financial details. TalkTalk Telecom Group plc is a company which provides pay television, telecommunications, Internet access, and mobile network services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom.
2016-01-28

Patanjali toothpaste reduces Colgate's mkt share

Patanjali Ayurved, the home-grown foods-to-FMCG player that recently took on Swiss multinational giant Nestle by launching its own noodle brand, is eating into the market share of another MNC giant, Colgate Palmolive, in the toothpaste segment.
2016-01-28

Now, you can book only 6 rail tickets per month

You can now buy only six online train tickets a month from one user ID.
2016-01-28

CBI to probe two serving major generals for 'disproportionate assets'

The defence ministry has asked CBI to probe complaints against two serving major generals for allegedly having assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
2016-01-28

Djokovic beats Federer to enter Oz Open final

Champion Novak Djokovic foiled a stirring fightback from Roger Federer to defeat the Swiss 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Australian Open and charge into a fifth successive Grand Slam final.
2016-01-28

Liquor ban in Bihar: Man hurls shoe at Nitish, arrested

A man hurled a shoe at chief minister Nitish Kumar, but it missed the intended target. The incident took place during a function at which Nitish Kumar reiterated the ban on sale of liquor in Bihar from April 1, police said.
2016-01-28

Govt releases list of first 20 smart cities: Bhubaneswar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat among first 20

The selected cities will be equipped with basic infrastructure, efficient urban mobility and public transport, IT connectivity and e-governance mechanisms.The selected cities are: Bhubaneswar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Vishakapatnam, Sholapur, Davangere, Indore, NDMC, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagavi, Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Ludhiana and Bhopal.
2016-01-28

India-Pakistan to clash in Asia Cup on Feb 27

The Indian cricket team will start its their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on February 24 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter on February 27.
2016-01-28

Court orders FIR against Chandy in solar scam

Saritha Nair, one of the main accused in the case, revealed before the solar judicial commission that she had delivered Rs.1.90 crores in two instalments, as part of the Rs. 7 crores bribe demanded by Chandy, through his then staff member Jikumon.
2016-01-28

Pakistani fan of Kohli faces 10 yrs in jail for flying Indian flag

A Pakistani die-hard fan of Indian batsman Virat Kohli is facing up to 10 years imprisonment after being arrested for hoisting the Indian tri-colour atop his home in Punjab Province which he had done to show his love for the cricketer.
2016-01-28

HC blow to India's tallest skyscraper in Mumbai

In a fresh setback for India's tallest skyscraper, Palais Royale at Worli, the Bombay high court on Wednesday held that the 13 upper floors of the 56-storey building as well as a 15-storey public parking tower next to it were "completely illegal".
2016-01-27

Doval gets report that says Rohith not a Dalit

A secret intelligence report has claimed that both the grandmother and mother of Rohith Vemula, a Hyderabad Central University research scholar who recently committed suicide, have declared the family's caste as Vaddera, which is a backward caste and not part of the 'Dalit' fold.
2016-01-27

Top 3 auto companies hold 70% market share

Being the top three automobile brands in India has its perks. India is the only country in the world where the top three auto manufacturers increased their market share to 70% for April-December 2015 compared to 67% in 2012, according to industry data. They are Maruti, Hyundai, Mahindra and Mahindra
2016-01-27

Literacy rate up, but so is illiteracy

The overall literacy rate in the country may have gone up to 74.4%, but the drop in the illiteracy rate has not matched the increase in population.
2016-01-27

Get passport in a week with just four documents

The ministry of external affairs has announced two major changes that will fast-track the process for first-time passport applicants and make it more convenient to secure an appointment at the local passport seva kendra. Documents are 1.Aadhar Card 2.Pan Card. 3.Voter ID 4.An affidavit regarding no criminal issues.
2016-01-27

AI Kanishka bombing convict released from jail

Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person ever to be convicted in the 1985 Air India bombings, was released from a Canadian prison on Wednesday after serving two decades behind bars.
2016-01-27

Sack erring govt officials who don't mend ways PM's order to secretaries

In a stern message to government officials refusing to mend their ways despite repeated complaints, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked secretaries to carry out assessment of such employees and recommend action, including dismissal and slashing their pension.
2016-01-27

Apple CEO bets big on India's economic reforms

In an investor call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said India has a very good business environment for the future and the company is putting increasingly more energy in the country. He added that Apple will continue to invest in India for the long-term.
2016-01-27

Ghulam Ali's Mumbai concert cancelled: Reports

Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's Mumbai concert, scheduled to be held January 29, has been cancelled. Ghulam Ali was scheduled to attend the music launch of "Ghar Wapsi", a movie directed by TV show host-turned-filmmaker Suhaib Ilyasi.
2016-01-27

France 'marginally' reduces Rafale price

The French have "marginally" reduced the price of Rafale combat planes but India is seeking more and the multi-billion dollar deal could take at least another six weeks to be finalised, government sources said on Wednesday.
2016-01-27

India to take up balloon intrusion in Rajasthan with Pakistan

It's a standard military practice to fly aircraft, helicopters, drones and the like near a border to test an adversary's sensors and reaction time.
2016-01-27

Live chat while batting distract Smith in T20

The use of on-field microphones by players in Twenty20 matches came under fire after Steve Smith lost his wicket while commentating against India.
2016-01-27

Corruption index: India ranks 76, China at 83

India's score in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2015 remained unchanged at 38 as it was in the previous year. This means it has climbed to 76 position from 85 last year. China remained at 83.
2016-01-27

'Netaji files in Japan, UK must be declassified'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made public digital copies of 100 secret files relating to Subhas Chandra Bose on his 119th birth anniversary. Netaji's grand-nephew, Surya Kumar Bose, speaks to TOI's Rohit E David on the declassified files and much more.
2016-01-26

Fresh bid to tag Masood Azhar 'global terrorist'

India could make a fresh bid to tag Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack, as a global terrorist. The move will also serve as a test for China, which had blocked an earlier Indian proposal to this effect at the United Nations Security Council in 2010 at the behest of Pakistan.
2016-01-26

Deborah seals Track Cycling World C'ships berth

Deborah Herold from the Andamans created history again by qualifying for the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships for the first time in India's history, ahead of South Korea and Japan in the main draw.
2016-01-26

President approves central rule in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh came under central rule with President Pranab Mukherjee giving assent to the Union Cabinet's recommendation on such a course following political instability in the state.
2016-01-26

1st T20I: Kohli, bowlers help India beat Australia by 37 runs

The format change finally brought some cheers for Team India as their preparations for World Twenty20 got off to a perfect start. Bowlers seemed to have found their mojo back as they helped India defend their total for the first time on this tour. Australia were bowled out for 151 in 19.3 overs in a massive chase of 189.
2016-01-26

R-Day: India showcases military might, French troops march in a first

French troops march first time at New Delhi's Rajpath on the country's 67th Republic Day.
2016-01-26

Padmas for Dhirubhai, Sri Sri, TOI Group chairman

Times Group chairman Indu Jain, who is known for her social work under the aegis of Times Foundation, has been named for the Padma Bhushan award.
2016-01-25

India, France busy in bargaining over Rafale's cost

India and France are yet to resolve their major differences over the cost for 36 Rafale fighters even nine months after the Modi-Hollande summit in Paris on April 10 last year gave the go-ahead for the negotiations.
2016-01-25

Pak Taliban chief Fazlullah killed in drone strike

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah has reportedly been killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan, according to Pakistan media reports.
2016-01-25

Padma awards for Rajinikanth, Sania, Saina

Superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and media baron Ramoji Rao have been chosen for Padma Vibhushan, country's second highest civilian award, this year.
2016-01-25

India signs pact to buy 36 Rafale jets, but talks on price to go on

India and France inked an inter-governmental agreement(IGA) on the sale of 36 French fighter jets, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the financial details of the deal were yet to worked out, adding this, too, would conclude soon.
2016-01-25

Eye on China: India to set up satellite tracking station in Vietnam

The ISRO will fund and set up the satellite tracking and data reception centre in Ho Chi Minh City to monitor Indian satellite launches. The move, which could irritate Beijing, deepens ties between India and Vietnam, who both have long-running territorial disputes with China.
2016-01-25

Builder to pay Rs 20k/month for delay in project

2016-01-25

IAF demands fast on midair refuellers

A frustrated IAF has asked the defence ministry to make a decision, one way or the other, on its long-pending case for the almost $2-billion acquisition of six Airbus-330 MRTT midair refuelling aircraft or tankers to boost the strategic reach of its fighters and bombers.
2016-01-24

India and France sign 16 deals, PM Modi hails ties

PM Narendra Modi termed trust and friendship with France as an important asset for India. He and French President Francois Hollande said they are committed to closer economic ties and united in fight against terrorism
2016-01-24

PV Sindhu wins second Malaysia Masters title

Without breaking a sweat, Sindhu, who is also the inaugural Times Of India Sports Awards (TOISA) badminton winner, wrapped up proceedings in less that half an hour. It has to be rated as one of her most clinical performances over the years, even though she was up against an unseeded opponent.Sindhu won the title for the second time in her career with a 21-15, 21-9 win over Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour
2016-01-24

Amit Shah re-elected BJP chief

BJP chief Amit Shah has been re-elected party president for a second term. Top party leaders led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a bevy of Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states proposed his name for the party president's post during the nomination process.
2016-01-24

US relies on Saudi money to support Syrian rebels

The CIA and its Saudi counterpart have maintained an unusual arrangement for the rebel-training mission, which the Americans have code-named Timber Sycamore. Under the deal, the Saudis contribute both weapons and large sums of money, and the CIA takes the lead in training the rebels.
2016-01-24

Rafale deal on right track, will take time says Hollande

French president Francois Hollande has indicated that the nearly Rs 60,000-crore Rafale jets deal is unlikely to be signed during his current visit although it is on the "right track".
2016-01-24

'Nehru letter' calling Bose war criminal starts Congress-BJP row

One of the disclosures in the Netaji files, made public on his 119th birthday, is that Nehru had written to then British PM Clement Attlee about Subhas Chandra Bose, saying, "Your war criminal has been allowed to enter Russian territory by Stalin.
2016-01-23

Tejas takes part in international show for 1st time

After the indigenously-developed Dhruv helicopter - part of the Sarang team - demonstrated its capabilities in the skies with four helicopters mesmerizing the huge crowd gathered at the event, Tejas took flight for the first time at an international air show.
2016-01-23

Netaji had died in the 1945 aircrash, says 1995 Union Cabinet note

The Cabinet note was prepared for the government to take a stand on bringing the "mortal remains" of Netaji from Japan to India, kept in the Bose Academy in Tokyo.
2016-01-23

Five dead, two hurt in Canada school shooting

Five people were killed and two critically injured in a school shooting in a remote part of Saskatchewan on Friday and a suspect is in custody, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
2016-01-22

Hollande visit to fix deadline for 6 N-reactors

India and France are expected to announce a roadmap and deadline for construction of six new nuclear reactors by French company Areva when President Francois Hollande meets Narendra Modi for bilateral discussions on 25-01-2016.
2016-01-22

China's richest man plans $10bn project in India

Billionaire Wang Jianlin's Dalian Wanda Group agreed to spearhead a $10-billion project to build an industrial park in India, in what could become one of the biggest development projects in the country.
2016-01-22

Maha govt challenges Salman's acquittal in SC

Maharashtra government moved the Supreme Court on Friday challenging the Bombay High Court's verdict acquitting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case in which one person was killed and four others were injured.
2016-01-22

Karan Johar: Freedom of expression, democracy biggest jokes in world

Filmmaker Karan Johar's controversial remarks on intolerance kicked up a storm with the Congress hitting out against the Modi government accusing it of stifling freedom of expression and BJP dismissing the criticism saying India is the most tolerant country.
2016-01-22

Prashant Kishor named Bihar CM's adviser

Election strategist Prashant Kishor has been made adviser to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, a role that makes him eligible for a Cabinet minister rank. He had helped the Mahagathbandhan of the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress to trounce the BJP in Bihar assembly polls last year.
2016-01-22

Apple India head quits, 2nd top-level exit in Jan

Apple has launched hunt for a new head for its India business, following the exit of long-time country manager and former AOL executive Maneesh Dhir, under whose watch sales from India grew from a mere $100 million to over $1 billion, according to people directly familiar with the developments.
2016-01-22

Your PF to earn 8.95% interest this fiscal?

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) finance panel has recommended raising the interest rate on statutory savings of over 5 crore subscribers from 8.75% to 8.95% during the current fiscal.
2016-01-21

Student's FB post on Babri led to contact by ISIS

Akhlaq-ur-Rehman, who was arrested for planning a terror attack ahead of this Republic Day as part of an ISIS cell, wanted to vent his emotions but found that no one was really bothered what a teenager thought about Babri Masjid. So, the angry polytechnic student took to Facebook to express himself.
2016-01-21

Bengaluru techie met her 'killer' on Facebook, 19 days before murder

Nineteen days before she was killed, 31-year-old Kusum Rani, a techie with IBM in Bengaluru, befriended a man on Facebook Sukhbir, but little did she know that he was going to be her nemesis.
2016-01-21

Amitabh, Priyanka India's new brand ambassadors

After about a month of speculation, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra have been chosen as the brand ambassadors for the government's 'Incredible India' campaign.
2016-01-21

INS Viraat sets off on last tour of duty

The 28,000-tonne INS Viraat, which embarked six Sea Harrier jump-jets as well as six Sea King and four Chetak helicopters from Goa, is headed for Visakhapatnam to take part in the International Fleet Review from February 5 to 8.
2016-01-20

Development more important than tigers says SC

The Supreme Court said conservation of tigers was important, but could not be at the cost of movement of human beings from one place to another and general economic development of the country.
2016-01-20

ISIS picks new set of Bhatkal bros for S Asia ops

When ISIS chose the Ansar-ut Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind as its associate for operations in south Asia, it knew it was making the right choice. The AuT was initially led by two brothers who had left India to fight against it, but fell apart. Later, a section of it rose again with focus on India.
2016-01-20

Investor wealth dips by Rs 1.84 lakh crore

The BSE Sensex ended at a fresh 20-month low on Wednesday dropping to their weakest since before the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on increasing concerns the country will be hit hard by the growing turmoil in global markets.
2016-01-20

'Taliban' militants go on shooting rampage at Pak university, kill 21

Heavily-armed "Taliban suicide attackers" stormed a prestigious university and opened indiscriminate fire on students and teachers, killing at least 25 people and wounding 50 others in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
2016-01-20

Student's suicide is not a caste issue says Smriti Irani

Union HRD minister Smriti Irani said the the suicide of a student in Hyderabad Central University was not a dalit versus non-dalit issue.
2016-01-20

Ind v Aus: Umpire wears helmet in ODIs for 1st time

It may have looked alarming to onlookers, but Australian umpire John Ward knew fully well what he was doing when he took his mark behind the non-striker's stumps with a helmet on his head.
2016-01-20

As Hyderabad boils, chief minister goes shopping

The whole nation may be talking about the horrific suicide of a Dalit student at the prestigious central university in Hyderabad and the subsequent protests across the country, but guess what Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was busy with? He did not even comment on the issue, and he was busy shopping for a fresh pair of clothes!
2016-01-20

15,000-strong dharma sena in UP readies for war with Islamic State

An outfit known as Hindu Swabhiman is raising what it calls a "dharma sena" to wage war against the Islamic State, which it believes will occupy western UP by 2020.
2016-01-19

Nobody will beg J&K Pandits to return: Farooq

Twenty-six years after Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley, ex-CM of J&K Farooq Abdullah has put the blame on them for not returning to their homes. "They have to realise that nobody is going to come with a begging bowl and say come and stay with us. They have to make the move," he said.
2016-01-19

Stephen Hawking: Humanity will wipe itself out

"Nuclear war, global warming and genetically-engineered viruses could wipe out humanity. But we might be able to save ourselves, if we escape the Earth," Hawking said.
2016-01-19

'ISIS letter' threatens killing PM Modi, Parrikar for banning beef

Goa Police have circulated this letter to all the police stations in the state and handed over the case to the Anti Terrorist Squad.
2016-01-19

Aamir damaged India's brand, says Amitabh Kant

Defending Aamir Khan's exit as the brand ambassador of the Incredible India campaign, department of industrial policy and promotionsecretary Amitabh Kant said the actor had damaged the brand identity of the country with his remarks on intolerance.
2016-01-19

Nation salutes 25 young bravehearts

Twenty-five children, three girls and 22 boys, were felicitated in New Delhi afternoon by India Council for Child Welfare with the National Awards for Bravery 2015. Their acts were as diverse as their backgrounds.
2016-01-18

To fight China's Andaman and Nicobar forays, India deploys submarine hunters

India has begun to deploy its latest long-range maritime patrol aircraft and spy drones at its forward military base in the Andamans to counter Chinese naval threat.
2016-01-18

Gayle smashes 12-ball 50 to equal world record

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle smashed fifty from 12 balls for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League to match India's Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest half-century in Twenty20 cricket.
2016-01-18

Marriages last the longest in north India, Maharashtra; least in northeast

Sociologists say the duration of marriage across India has less to do with fidelity and love, and more with customs, health and the couple's age at the time of marriage.
2016-01-17

Abdullahs rule out alliance with BJP in J&K

The National Conference leadership denied it is seeking an alliance with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, where political activity has gathered pace since the death of chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed earlier this month.
2016-01-17

Virat Kohli becomes fastest to 24 ODI centuries

Virat Kohli on Sunday became the fastest to register 24 hundreds and pile up 7,000 runs in one-day cricket. He left behind South African AB de Villers (166) in terms of getting to the landmark early. Also, Kohli left his idol Tendulkar far behind in terms of the quickness in the number of tons and runs scored so far.
2016-01-17

Suicide attack near Afghan official's home in Jalalabad, 11 killed

At least 11 people were killed and 20 others injured following a suicide attack near the residence of a senior Afghanistan official in Jalalabad.
2016-01-17

Laser walls for riverine areas of Indo-Pak border

More than 40 vulnerable unfenced stretches along the India-Pakistan border will be covered by laser walls soon with the home ministry giving it a top priority to check any infiltration of terrorists in the wake of the Pathankot attack.
2016-01-17

How Guzman Chapo was finally caught, again

The Mexican marines had been on the trail of the world's most wanted drug lord Guzman's trail for more than six months, ever since he humiliated the nation by escaping its most secure prison through a tunnel that led into the shower floor of his cell.
2016-01-17

Seven ancient Buddhist caves found in Mumbai

Seven caves have been discovered in the forests of the sprawling Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, on the northern fringes of the city.
2016-01-16

Prime Minister Modi starts up new business era with tax breaks and mega fund

The government on Saturday unveiled a raft of measures ranging from tax waiver for three years, ending inspector raj and a mega fund to help boost the start-up eco-system.
2016-01-16

Haryana sex ratio rises over 900 after a decade

Infamous for skewed sex ratio, Haryana has seen improvement in it with the number of girls crossing 900 mark for December month, a development which has happened for the first time in 10 years.
2016-01-16

PM Modi announces big push for startups; Rs 10,000 crore fund to be set up

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the new 'Start-Up India' scheme to promote and nurse entrepreneurship in the country ensuring minimum interference from the government with attractive tax incentives.
2016-01-16

KUV100: Flipkart, Mahindra tie up to sell car

Utility Vehicle manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra has tied up with online marketplace Flipkart to facilitate online bookings for its new model, SUV - KUV100. The compact SUV can be booked online from 18 January 2016.
2016-01-16

Japan's SoftBank bets on India over China, to hike investment to $10 billion

Betting on India emerging bigger than China, Japan's SoftBank said it has invested %2 billion in Indian firms in the last one year and will look to scale up the investment to $10 billion in the coming year.
2016-01-16

India to seek US help to find out if Pakistan equipped Pathankot attackers

The binoculars used by the six Pathankot militants were made in USA and have US Army markings. This suggests that either the Jaish-e-Mohammad stole them from one of the bases of US Army in Afghanistan or it was taken from Pakistan army, which also procures military equipment from the US.
2016-01-15

Supreme court revives euthanasia debate

Bringing alive the dormant debate over the complex and emotive passive euthanasia issue, the Supreme Court asked the Centre whether a terminally ill person, medically diagnosed to be in the last stages of life, could be kept alive on life support system even though he had willed against it?
2016-01-15

Housing projects without green nod illegal: SC

In a jolt to hundreds of builders who have completed housing projects without environment clearance, the Supreme Court on Friday termed such constructions illegal, conceding that it might have committed a mistake by previously staying a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order halting construction of these projects.
2016-01-15

 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards 2015

Bajirao Mastani won the most awards with nine including Best Film. Other winners included Piku with five awards, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Roy, Talvar, and Tanu Weds Manu Returns with two, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bombay Velvet, Dil Dhadakne Do, Hero, Masaan, Tamasha with one.
2016-01-15

Hindu Sena chief arrested for attack on Pakistan Airlines office in Delhi

Owning responsibility for the attack, Vishnu Gupta vented anger at Pakistan and held it responsible for the attacks at Pathankot air base as well as at the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif recently.
2016-01-15

IS claims responsibility for Jakarta attacks

Isis has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Jakarta attacks in a statement released through one of its allied propaganda agencies. Seven people, including five suspected attackers, died in suicide bombings and shootings in the Indonesian capital on Thursday morning.
2016-01-14

Soon, buses to run on ethanol in Delhi, UP

Government will come out with a new 'larger' policy within a month to promote ethanol blending with petrol, transport minister Nitin Gadkari said.
2016-01-14

Serial blasts hit Indonesian capital Jakarta, 7 dead

Gunfire and explosions in the Indonesian capital Jakarta killed at least seven people, including four suspected attackers, with police flooding the streets amid fears gun-toting militants were still on the run.
2016-01-14

Government set to cut rates on PPF, NSC

The government is set to reduce interest rates on small savings products such as public provident fund and National Savings Certificate over the next few days - a move that will impact returns on your bank fixed deposits but also pave the way for banks to pare lending rates in the coming months and reduce the EMI burden.
2016-01-13

Jaish chief arrested? India to seek Pak's confirmation, decide on talks today

Pakistan's reported detention of Maulana Masood Azhar, head of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed and the alleged mastermind of Pathakot terror attack kept alive the prospect of an early engagement of foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, but a wary India will await verification before taking a decision.
2016-01-13

Indra Nooyi becomes Yale's biggest alumni donor

The prestigious Yale School of Management will name its deanship in honour of PepsiCo's India-born CEO Indra Nooyi as she gifted an undisclosed amount to her alma mater, becoming the school's biggest alumni donor and the first woman to endow a deanship at a top B-school.
2016-01-13

Jethmalani offers to defend Sonia in Herald case

Former BJP leader and senior advocate Ram Jethmalani has offered to defend Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the case filed against them by BJP member Subramanian Swamy, who has alleged irregularities in the transfer of shares of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.
2016-01-12

SC questions ban on women's entry at Sabarimala

"The temple cannot prohibit entry (women), except on the basis of religion. Unless you have a constitutional right, you cannot prohibit entry. Anyway, we will examine it on February 8," a SC bench said.
2016-01-11

MI5 tried to recruit 'new Jihadi John'

Britain's intelligence services had tried to recruit Indian-origin IS terror suspect Siddhartha Dhar as a double agent before he managed to flee to Syria, a media report here claimed. Dhar, who was dubbed the "new Jihadi John" after he emerged as key suspect as the masked terrorist seen in a recent Islamic State (IS) video threatening an attack on Britain, was allegedly contacted twice by MI5 officers before he was arrested for terrorist offences.
2016-01-10

India a tolerant country, Taslima Nasreen says

India is a tolerant country with a few intolerant people and it is time to focus not just on Hindu fundamentalists but on Muslim fundamentalists as well, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen said. She said while there was talk about Hindu fundamentalists, one has to talk of Muslim fundamentalists.
2016-01-10

PM Modi needs good scientific advisers: CNR Rao

Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs the right scientific advice to turn his vision to reality and should also start mission-mode projects, feels India's Bharat Ratna-winning scientist and scientific adviser to many PMs CNR Rao.
2016-01-10

Sri Lanka government proposes new constitution

Sri Lanka's new government presented its plan for a new constitution aimed at devolving power and preventing the sort of ethnic tensions that led to a long and bitter civil war that ended in 2009. The move is to takes some steps to promote post-conflict reconciliation and address alleged war crimes.
2016-01-10

Govt aiming at 9% GDP growth this year: Jaitley

The government is working to enhance public expenditure in physical, social and rural infrastructure to push economic growth one and half percentage points higher than the 7-7.5% expected for the current financial year, said Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.
2016-01-09

Gopal Subramanium panel appointed to prob DDCA

The Centre said the Gopal Subramanium panel appointed by the Delhi government to investigate alleged corruption in DDCA is "unconstitutional and illegal".
2016-01-08

+92 3000597212: No. of Pakistani terror handler

If the Nawaz Sharif government has any doubt that the six men who attacked Pathankot airbase were Pakistani citizens, it might want to pull out the call details of two numbers - 92-3017775253 and +92 300097212, say investigators.
2016-01-07

Pathankot attack: Jaish chief Masood Azhar identified as one of the 4 handlers

Those identified by Indian agencies are Masood Azhar, Rauf, Ashfaq and Kashim, the sources said. Rauf was mastermind of hijack of Air India plane in Kathmandu.
2016-01-07

South Korea seeks US strategic weapons after North's nuclear test

South Korea is in talks with the United States to deploy US strategic assets on the Korean peninsula, a South Korean military official said, a day after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear device.
2016-01-07

Gayle to take legal action against Fairfax Media

Under-fire Chris Gayle has sought the services of a leading Australian lawyer to start defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media over allegations that the West Indian cricketer indecently exposed himself to a woman in Sydney during the World Cup last year.
2016-01-07

J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dies in Delhi

J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, admitted in AIIMS since December 24, passed away. Sayeed took over as chief minister of PDP-BJP coalition on March 1 last year.
2016-01-07

'Operation Dhangu' saved Pathankot airbase and kept it functioning

2016-01-07

43% vacancies in HCs, pendency may hit 1 crore

The disposal of cases suffered as the process for appointment of judges came to a standstill because of the Constitutional tug-of-war between the Legislature and Judiciary over NJAC.
2016-01-06

India to stay at top in growth: World Bank

The World Bank projected that India would remain comfortably the fastest growing large economy in 2016, at a rate more than a percentage point higher than China's.
2016-01-06

Sanjay Dutt set to walk out of jail on February 27

The incarcerated Bollywood actor, whose five-year sentence for his involvement in the 1993 blasts was confirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2013, will be freed next month.
2016-01-06

North Korea 'successfully' explodes its first hydrogen bomb

North Korea said it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test, marking a major step forward in its nuclear development, if confirmed.
2016-01-06

Science congress a circus: Nobel winner

In a damning indictment of the Indian Science Congress, Indian-born Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has refused to attend the Congress ever again. Calling homeopathy and astrology useless and harmful practices, Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan came down heavily on the two.
2016-01-05

Govt okays quotas for women in paramilitary

The government took an important step to improve gender equality in the paramilitary by approving reservation of 33% women at the constable rank in two major central paramilitary forces CRPF and CISF and also setting a 15% quota in the border forces BSF, SSB and ITBP.
2016-01-05

Afghan guv wields gun to save Indian mission

A former Mujahideen, governor of Afghanistan's Balkh province Ata Mohammad Noor wielded the gun to protect the Indian consulate at Mazar-i-Sharif after it was attacked by heavily-armed militants who tried to storm in.
2016-01-05

Man arrested for insulting Pathankot martyr

A special investigation team of police arrested a Malappuram native who posted an insulting comment about the Lieutenant colonel Niranjan E Kumar, who was killed in a grenade blast at Pathankott in Punjab.
2016-01-05

15-year-old Mumbai cricketer Pranav Dhanawade scores a record 1009

Pranav Dhanawade, who has broken a century-old cricketing record, became the first batsman to score 1000-plus runs in an innings in any form of cricket.
2016-01-05

India beat Afghanistan 2-1 to win SAFF Cup title

Indian football team finally ended their four-year trophy drought as they defeated Afghanistan 2-1 in the final of the SAFF Cup 2015.
2016-01-03

Odd-even scheme in Delhi first day

2016-01-01

Shyam Benegal to head censor board revamp panel

The censor board has been mired in controversy since the beginning of the year when Pahlaj Nihalani took charge as chairperson.
2016-01-01

Haryana IAS Officer Khemka promoted to Principal Secretary

2016-01-01

Source: The Times of India News