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

Important Industry of India in brief

Important industries of India
1.Iron and steel industry
◦First steel industry at Kulti, Near Jharia, West Bengal - Bengal iron works company in 1870
◦First large scale steal plant TISCO at Jamshedpur in 1907 followed by IISCO at Burnpur in 1919. Both belonged to private sector
◦The first public sector unit was "Vishveshvaraya Iron and Stell works" at Bhadrawati
2.Public sector steel plants
◦Russian government -
Location : : Assistance
Rourkela(Orrisa) : : Germany
Bhilai(MP) : : Russian government
Durgapur(WB) : : British government
Bokaro(Jharkhand) 
Burnpur(WB) : : Acquired from private sector in 1976
Vishakhapattnam(AP) : : Russian government
Salem(Tamil Nadu) -
Vijai Nagar : : (Karnataka) 
Bhadrawati(Karnataka) : : Nationalisation of Vishveshvarayya Iron and Steel Ltd(owned by Central and State government)
◦All these are managed by SAIL(at present all important steel plants except TISCO, are under public sector)
◦Steel authority of India Ltd(SAIL) was established in 1974 and was made responsible for the development of the steel industry

◦Presently India is the eighth largest steel producing country in the world.
3.Jute industry
◦Jute industry is an important industry for a country like India, because not only it earns foreign exchange but also provides substantial employment opportunities in agriculture and industrial sectors
◦Its first modernised industrial unit was established at Reshra in West Bengal in 1855
◦The jute industry in the country is traditionally export oriented. India ranks number one in the raw jute and juite goods production and number two in export of jute goods in the world.
4.Cotton and textile industry
◦Oldest industry of India, and employees largest number of workers
◦It is the largest organised and broad-based industry which accounts for 4% of GDP, 20% of manufacturing value-added and one third of total export earnings.
◦The first Indian modernised cotton cloth mill was established in 1818 at Fort Gloaster near Calcutta but this mill was not successful. The second mill named "Mumbai's spinning and weaving Co." Was established in 1854 at Bombay by KGN Daber.
5.Sugar industry
◦Sugar industry is the second largest industry after cotton textile industry among agriculture-based industries in India.
◦India is now the largest producer and consumer of sugar in the world. Maharashtra contributes over one third of the total sugar output, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh.
6.Fertiliser industry
◦India is the third largest producer of nitrogenous fertilisers in the world
7.Paper industry
◦The first mechanised paper mill was set up in 1812 at Serampur in West Bengal.
◦The paper industry in India is ranked among the 15 top global paper industries.
8.Silk industry
◦India is the second-largest(first being China) country in the world in producing natural silk. At present, India produces about 16% silk of the world.
◦India and joys that distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial varieties of silk viz Mulberry, Tropical Tussar, Oak Tussar, Eri and Muga.
9.Petroleum and natural gas
◦First successful Oilwell was dug in India in 1889 at Digboi, Assam.
◦At present a number of regions having oil reserves have been identified and oil is being extracted in these regions
◦For exploration purpose , Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) was established in 1956 at Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Indian Five Year Plans at a Glance

Five Year Plans

First plan(1951 to 56)

•It was based on Harrod-Damor model
•Community development programme was launched in 1952
•Emphasised technical, price stability, power and transport
•It was more than a success, because of good are blessed in the last two years

Second plan(1956 to 61)

•Also called Mahalanobis plan after its chief architect.
•Its objective was rapid industrialisation
•Advocated use imports which led to emptying of funds leading to foreign loans. It shifted basic emphasis from agriculture to industry far too soon. During this plan, price level increased by 30% against a decline of 13% during the first plan

Third plan(1961 to 66)

•At its conception time, it was felt that Indian economy has entered it takeoff stage. Therefore, a was to make India a self reliant and self generating economy.
•Also, it was realised from the experience of first two planes that agriculture could be given the top priority to suffice the requirements of export and industry.
•Complete failure due to unforeseen misfortunes viz. Chinese aggression(1962), Indo Pak war (1962) , Indo Pak war (1965 ), Seve rest drought to 100 years (1965 to 66)

Three annual plans(1966 to 69) •Plan holiday for three years. The prevailing crisis in agriculture and serious food shortage necessitated the emphasis on agriculture during the annual plans.
•During these plans a whole new agriculture strategy involving widespread of distribution of highly-yielding varieties of seeds, the extensive use of fertilisers, exploitation of irrigation potential and soil conservation was put into action to tide over the crisis in agriculture production.
•During the annual plans, the economy basically absorbed the shocks given during the third plan, making way for a planned growth

Fourth plan(1969 to 74)

•Main emphasis on agriculture's growth rate so that chain reaction can start
•Fared well in the first two years with record production, last three years failure cause of poor monsoon.
•Had to tackle the influx of Bangladeshi refugees before and after 1971 Indo Pak war

Fifth plan (1974 to 79 )

•The fifth plan repaired and launched by D.D Dhar proposed to achieve two main objectives viz removal of poverty(Garibi Hatao) and attainment of self reliance, through promotion of high rate, better distribution of income and a very significant growth in the domestic rate of saving.
•The plan was terminated in 1978 (instead of 1979 ) when Janta government came to the power.

Rolling plan(1978 to 80) •there were two sixth plans. One by Genta government.(For 78 to 73) which was in operation for two years only and the other by Congress government when it returned to power in 1980
•The Janata government plan is also called Rolling plan

Sixth plan(1980 to 85)

•Objectives: Increase in national income, modernisation of technology, ensuring continuous decrease in poverty and unemployment, population control through family planning etc.

Seventh plan(1985 to 90)

•The seventh plan emphasized policies and programmes which aimed at rapid growth in food grains production, increased employment opportunities and productivity within the framework of basic tenants of planning.
•It was a great success, the economy recorded 6% growth rate against the targeted 5%

Eighth plan(1992 to 97)

•The eighth plan was postponed by two years because of political upheavals at the Centre and it was launched after a worsening balance of payment position and inflation during 1990-91
•The plan undertook various drastic policy measures to combat the bad economic situation and to undertake an annual average growth of 5.6%
•some of the main economic performance during eighth plan period were rapid economic growth, high growth in exports and imports, improvement in trade and current account deficit.

Ninth plan(1997 to 2002)

•It was developed in the context of four important dimensions: quality of life, generation of productive employment, a regional balance and self-reliance.

Tenth plan (2002 to 2007)

•Its objectives included achieving the growth rate of 8%, reduction of poverty ratio to 20% by 2007 and 210% by 2012, universal access to primary education by 2007, increase in literacy rate to 72% within the plan period and to 80% by 2012

Eleventh plan(2007 to 2012)

•Accelerate growth rate of GDP from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th plan in order to double per capita income by 2016-17
•Increase agricultural GDP growth rate of 4% per year to ensure a broader spread of benefits.
•Reduce drop out rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003-04 to 20% by 2011-12
•Increase the literacy rate for persons of faith seven years or more to 85%
•reduce infant mortality rate(MR) 28 and maternal mortality ratio(MMR) to 1 part 1000 live births.
•raise the sex ratio for age group 0-6 to 935 by 2011-12 and to 950 by 2016-17
•Ensure electricity connection to all village and BPL households by 2009 and the round-the-clock power by the end of the plan
•increase forest and free cover by the five percentage points

Twelvth plan(2012 to 2017)

•The government intends to reduce poverty by 10 per cent during the 12th Five-Year Plan.

Achievments

Plan : : Target : : Actual
First Plan(1951-56) : : 2.9% : : 3.6%
Second Plan(1956-61) : : 4.5% : : 4.3%
Third Plan(1961-66) : : 5.6% : : 2.8%
Fourth Plan(1969-74) : : 5.7% : : 3.3%
Fifth Plan(1974-79) : : 4.4% : : 4.8%
Sixth Plan(1980-85) : : 5.2% : : 6.0%
Seventh Plan(1985-90) : : 5.0% : : 6.0%
Eighth Plan(1992-97) : : 5.6% : : 6.8%
Ninth Plan(1997-2002) : : 6.5% : : 5.4%
Tenth Plan(2002-2007) : : 8.0% 
Eleventh Plan(2007-2012) : : 9.0%

Website of Planning Commission of india
http://planningcommission.gov.in

Indian Economics Facts at a Glance

Economy of India
Indian Economy is Twelfth largest in the world and fourth largest by purchasing power parity. In the 21st century, India is an emerging economic power having vast human and natural resources.
Economic Growth: Economic growth has been defined as "an increase in real terms of the output of goods and services that is sustained over a long period of time, measured in terms of value added". Economic growth is a dynamic concept and refers to continuous increase in output.
Factors in Economic Growth: The four factors contributing to growth are
1.human resources (labour supply, education, discipline, motivation)
2.national resources (land, minerals, fuels, environmental quality)
3.capital formation (machines, factories, roads)
4.technology (science, engineering, management, entrepreneurship)

Growth and Development
While the term economic growth referees to increases over time in a country's real output of goods and services i.e. product per capita, the term economic development, in contrast, is more comprehensive. It implies progressive changes in the socio-economic structure. Economic growth and development frequently used interchangeably in economic literatures actually are not identical technically.
Difference Between Economic Growth and Economic Development
Economic Growth Economic Development
1.It indicates quantitative improvement in the economic progress of a country
2.It shows growth in natural income and per capita income over time
3.A country may grow but it may not develop
 1.It indicates qualitative improvement in the economic progress of a country
2.It shows not only a sustained increase in national and per capita income but also qualitative changes which leads to higher standard of living.
3.Economic development includes the notion of economic growth.

Economic Growth = Size of output (A Quantitative aspect)
 Economic Development = Size of output + Welfare (A Qualitative aspect)

Gross National Happiness (GNH) : The concept of gross national happiness has been introduced by king of Bhutan, Jigme Singya Wang Chuck, a tiny kingdom on the northern borders of India. The GNH aims to ensure that prosperity is shared across protecting the environment and maintaining a responsive the word happiness, more like what the signers of the Declaration of Independence had in mind when they included the "pursuit of happiness" as an inalienable right equal to liberty and life itself. The index is designed to challenge the well-established indices of countries development. HDI and GDP which are seen as not taking sustainability into account.


GNH Ranking
Ranking Country : : HPI
1 Vanuatu : : 68.21
2 Colombia : : 67.24
3 Costa Rica : : 66.00
4 Dominica : : 64.55
5 Panama : : 63.54
6 Cuba : : 61.86
7 Honduras : : 61.75
8 Guatemala : : 61.69
9 El Salvador : : 61.66
10 St. Vincent of the Grenading : : 61.37
90 India : : 42.46
 India is the 90th happiest country in the world, behind Bhutan(13), China(31), Sri Lanka(13) and Bangladesh(41). It is ahead of Pakistan(112) and Russia(172).
 Seven of the top 10 happiest countries are from western democracies, while countries in Asia, known for their strong cultural values, family ties and collective identities surprisingly scored low-China(31), Japan(95) and Thailand(32)

Millennium Development Goals to be Achieved by 2015
◾Achieve universal primary education
◾Reduce child mortality
◾Improve maternal health
◾Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
◾Ensure environmental sustainability
◾Develop a global patnership for development
◾Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education by 2015
◾Halve the proportion of the people suffering from Hunger

◾Five Years Plans

◾Poverty and Employement/Green Revolutions

◾Important Industries of India

Indian Economic Revolution
Poverty and unemployment
•Poverty line is defined on the basis of nutritional standards. The list calorie intake is fixed at 2400 Cal/person/day for rural area and 2100 Cal/person/day for urban area. The people below these nutritional is an income standards are considered to be below the poverty line(BPL).
•Presently 24.4% population in India is below poverty line. It is 24.36% in ruler India and 24.50% in urban areas. National Sample survey Organisation(NSSO) conducts this survey.
•Unemployment simply means a situation when able and willing people are not getting jobs as per their own capabilities Green Revolution
•Indian Green Revolution is associated with the use of HYVS(highly yielding variety seeds), chemical fertilisers and new technology which led to a sharp rise in agriculture production during the middle of 1960. •The term "Green Revolution" was given by American scientists, Dr William Gande.
•During the middle of 60s, Indian agriculture scientist developed a number of new highly yielding varieties of wheat by processing wheat seeds imported from Mexico. A similar improvement in variety of rice was also observed.
 •The credit of this goes not only to Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, but also to Dr MS Swaminathan Revolution Area Yellow revolution oil seeds White revolution milk Blue Revolution Fish Pink revolution Shrimp/Meat Brown Revolution nonconventional energy resources Grey revolution wool Golden Revolution horticulture
Revolution : : Area
Yellow revolution : : Oil Seeds
White revolution : : Milk
Blue Revolution : : Fish
Pink revolution : : Shrimp/Meat
Brown Revolution : : Nonconventional Energy Resources
Grey revolution : : Wool
Golden Revolution : : Horticulture

Dances In India at a Glance

Dances in India
Dance in India has an unbroken tradition of over 2,000 years. Its themes are derived from mythology, legends and classical literature, two main divisions being classical and folk. Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance discipline and have rigid rules of presentation. Important among them are Bharat Natyam, Khathakali, Kathak, Manipur, Kuchipudi and Odissi.

Bharata Natyam
This dance derives its roots from Tamil Nadu and has developed into all over in India.

Kathakali
It’s a dance from Kerala


Kathak
It is a classical dance from revitalised as a result of the fusion of Mughal influence with Indian culture


Manipuri
This dance has contributed to delicate, lyrical style of dance called Manipuri.


Kuchipudi
It is a dance having origin from Andhra Pradesh

Odissi
This dance is from Orrisa, once practised as a temple dance, is today widely exhibited by artistes across the country

Folk and tribal dances are of numerous patterns: Both classical and folk dances owe their present popularity to institutions like Sangeet Natak Akademi and other training institutes and cultural organisations. The Akademi gives financial assistance to cultural institutions and awards fellowships to scholars, performs and teachers to promote advanced study and training in different forms of dance and music especially those which are rare

Various Tribal Dances In India
Following are the various tribal dances in India from different states


Dance : : State
Ankia Nat : : Assam
Bahaka wata : : Orrisa
Bhangra : : Punjab
Bhavai : : Gujarat, Rajasthan
Bihu : : Assam
Chakiarkoothu : : Kerala
Chakri : : Jammu & Kashmir
Chamar Ginad : : Rajasthan
Chappeli : : Uttar Pradesh
Chhau : : West Bengal
Chavittu natkam : : Kerala
Chiraw (Bamboo dance) : : Mizoram
Dahikala : : Maharashtra
Dandanate : : Orrisa
Damdiya ras : : Gujarat
Gangore : : Rajasthan
Garba : : Gujarat
Gidda : : Punjab
Gidda parhaun : : Himachal Pradesh
Hikat : : Jammu & Kashmir
Jat- Jatin : : Bihar
Jatra : : West Bengal
Jhulan Leela : : Rajasthan
Kaikotti Kalli : : Kerala
Kummi : : Tamil Nadu
Kajri : : Uttar Pradesh
Kayanga : : Himachal Pradesh
Karan : : Uttar Pradesh
Kathi : : West Bengal
Kayanga Bajavanga : : Rajasthan
Khayal : : Rajasthan
Kokattam : : Tamil Nadu
Koodiyattam : : Kerala
Kottam : : Andhra Pradesh
Krishnanathani : : Kerala
Kumanon : : Uttar Pradesh
Lai Haroba : : Manipur
Lavani : : Maharashtra
Lezim : : Maharashtra
Lota : : Madhya Pradesh
Luddi : : Himachal Pradesh
Macha : : Madhya Pradesh
Maha Rassa : : Manipur
Mudivettu : : Kerala
Munzra : : Himachal Pradesh
Nautanki : : Uttar Pradesh
Ojapali : : Assam
Pandvani : : Madhya Pradesh
Rasila : : Gujarat
Rauf : : Jammu & Kashmir
Swang : : Haryana
Tamasha : : Maharashtra
Tappatrikali : : Kerala
Therukoothu : : Tamil Nadu
Theyyam : : Kerala
Tippani : ; Gujarat
Veethi Bhagavata : : Andhra Pradesh
Last Updated: 06 March 2016

Monthwise Events and Festivals List of India

Indian Fairs and Festivals
Festivals in India are determined by Solar and Lunar positions and they may fall in the different month as specified below:-

January

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•International Yoga Week : : Jan 04 to Jan 08 : : India
•Islands Tourism Festivals : : Jan 05 to Jan 14 Each Year : : Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar
•National Kite Festival :  : Jan 14 Every Year : : Gujarat
•Maker Sankranti : : Jan 15
•Lohri :  : Jan 16
•Pongal :  : Jan 16
•Guru Govind Singh Jayanti :  : Jan 16
•Thai Pusam :  :  Jan 24, Tamilnadu
•Flot Festivals :  :
•Kerela Village Fair :  : Jan 15 to Jan 24 Every Year : : Kerala
•Bikaner Festival/Bikaner Camel Festival :  :  Jan 22-Jan 24 Every Year : : Rajasthan
•Republic Day India :  : Jan 26
•Pattadakal Dance Festival :  :  Mid Jan to Mid Feb : : Karnataka

•Ellora Festival : :  : : Aurangabad, Maharashtra

February

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place

•Surajkund Crafts Mela : : Feb 1 to Feb 15 Each Year : : Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana
•Shekhawati Festival : : Feb 04 to Feb 07 : : Nawalgarh, Jhunjhun, Rajasthan
•Vasant Panchami :  : Feb 10 : : India
•Taj Mahotsav : : Feb 18 to Feb 27 Each Year : : Agra, Uttar Pradesh
•Goa Carniva/India Bike Week : : Feb 19 to Feb 20 : : Goa
•Shivaji Jayanti : : Feb 19
•Khajuraho Dance Festival : : Feb 20 to Feb 26 Each Year : : Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh  
•Guru Ravidas Jayanti : : Feb 22
•Desert Festival : : Dec 23 to Feb 29 : : Gujarat
•Nagaur Fair/World Sacred Spirit Festival : : Feb 22 to Feb 24 and Feb 26 to Feb 28
•Deccan Festival : : Feb 25 Each Year : : Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

March

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Chapchar Kut : : Mar 01 : : Mizoram
•Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti : : March 04
•Mahashivratri : : Mar 07
•Hoysla Mahotsava : : 2nd Week March : : Belur, Karnataka
•Jamshed-e-Navroz : : Mar 21 : : Muslim League
•Elephant Festival : : March 22 : : Jaipur, Rajasthan

•Holi : : Mar 23 : : India
•Dolyatra : : Mar 24 : : Odisha

•Good Friday : : Mar 25 
•Easter : : Mar 27 

April

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place

•Chaitra Sukhladi : : Apr 08
•Gudi Padva or Ugadi, Telugu New Year : : Apr 08 : : Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra
•Urs Festival : : Apr 09 : : Ajmer, Rajasthan
•Mewar : : April 9  to April 10 : : Mewar, Rajasthan
•Baisakhi : : Apr 13 : : India
•Maha Vishuv Sankranti, Odia New Year : : Apr 13 : : Odisha
•Ambedkar Jayanti : : Apr 14
•Mesadi/Vaisakhadi : : Apr 14
•Ramnavami : : Apr 15 : : India
•Pooram : : 17 Apr : : Kerala
•Mahavir Jayanti : : Apr 20 : : India
•Hazarat Ali's Birthday : : Apr 21
•Hingula Yatra : : Apr 22 : : Odisha

May

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
 •Labour Day : : May 01 : : India
 •Sabe-Meraz : : May 05 : : India. Islam
•Birthday of Ravindranath : : May 08
•Akshaya Trutiya : : May 9 : : Odisha 
•Buddha Purnima : : May 21 : : India
  •Sabe-Barat : : May 23 : : India. Islam

June

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Ganga Dussehra : : June 14, 2016. : : Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and other holy cities along the Ganges such as Haridwar and Rishikesh.
•Savitree Vrat : : June 04 : : Odisha
•Hemis Festival : :
•Ramjan : : From June 07 to July 06 : : all India and Muslim Countries
•The Raja : : June 14 to June 16 : : Odisha
•Jyestha Purnima : : June 20 : : Odisha
•Kundalini Shakti Festival : : June 9-12, 2016. : : Kasol, Himachal Pradesh.
•Kottiyoor Utsavam : : May 2o to June 16 : : Kannur district, Kerala.
•Shimla Summer Festival : : June 11-13, 2016. : : Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
•Champakulam Boat Race : : June 20, 2016. : : Pampa River at Champakulam, not far from Alleppey in Kerala.
•The Yoga Shala Expo : : June 21-23, 2016. : : Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
•Ambubachi Mela : : June to be confirmed. : : Kamakhya temple, Guwahati, Assam.
•Sindhu Darshan Festival : : June 23-26, 2016. : : On the banks of the river Sindhu, Leh, Ladakh.
•Sao Joao Feast of St John the Baptist : : June 24, annually. : : North Goa, particularly Siolim.
•Feast of Saints Peter and Paul : : June 29, annually. : : Goa, particularly the riverside villages of Candolim, Siolim, Ribandar and Agassaim.
•Lucknow Mango Festival and Farmers Market : : June to be announced : : Habibullah Estate Orchard, Saidanpur village, Barabanki. Farmer's Market at UPSTDC Paryatan Bhawan, Gompti Nagar, Lucknow.

July

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Amarnath Yatra : : July 2 to August 18 : : On Mount Amarnath, Kashmir, India
•Dree Festival  : : July 04 to July 07 each year : :  Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, India
•Puri Ratha Yatra : : July 06 to July 14 : : Puri Lord Jagannath Temple, Odisha
•Ramadan :  : June 06 July 06 : : Muslim Festival, World
•Id-ul-Fitr :  : July 06 : : Muslim Festival
•Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey : : July 9 to July 23 : : From Delhi to Leh and then back via Spiti.
•Sudasa Brat : : July 14 : : Odisha, India
•Guru Purnima : : July 19 : : India
•Njangattiri Aanayoottu (Elephant Feeding Ritual) : : July 22 : :  Kerala, India

August

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Janmashtami : : August 24
•Nag Panchami : : August 06
•Rakshabandhan : : August 18
•The Monsoon Festival : : August 4-14, 2016  : :  Delhi
•Teej Festival : : August 5-6 and 19-20, 2016 : :  Rajasthan, particularly in Jaipur and Bundi
•Nag Panchami : : August 7, 2016 : :  Mostly in rural areas, particularly Battis Shirala village, Maharashtra. Other popular places include Adiesha Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaraja Temple in Kerala, Nagathamman Temple in Chennai, and Hardevja Temple in Jaipur.
•Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race : : August 13, 2016 : :  Punnamda Lake, Alleppey in Kerala
•Independence Day : : August 15, annually : :  India
•Jhapan Mela : : August 17, 2016 : :  The western region of West Bengal, at Bishnupur/Vishnupur (same place, just sometimes spelled differently due to translation) in the Bankura district.

•Gogamedi Fair : : August 26-28, 2016 : :  Ganganagar, on the northern Rajasthan border
•Teachers Day : : September 05, 2016 : :  India
•Teachers Day : : September 05, 2016 : :  India

September

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Teachers Day : : September 05, 2016 : :  India
•Nua Khai 2016 : : September 06, 2016 : : Sambalpur and other southern part of Odisha
•Lonavala International Film Festival : : September 1-5, 2016 : :  Triose Plaza, Lonavala, halfway between Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra
•Pune International Literary Festival  : : September 2-4, 2016 : :  Pune, about 3 hours from Mumbai in Maharashtra
•The Park's New Festival  : : Throughout September, starting September 2 in Chennai and ending September 22 in Delhi  : :  Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi
•Athachamayam Thrippunithura : : September 4, 2016 : :  Tripunithura, near Ernakulam in Kochi
•Ganesh Chaturthi : : September 5-15, 2016 : :  Mostly in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. One of the best places to experience the festival is in the city of Mumbai
•Id-ul-Zuha : : September 12, 2016 : :  Muslim Festival 
•Onam  : : September 14, 2016 (celebrations start 10 days prior and continue for around a week after)  : :  Kerala. The most spectacular celebrations take place in Trivandrum, Thrissur, and Kottayam
•Ramnagar Ramlila : : September 15-October 16, 2016 : :  Ramnagar, on the banks of the Ganges River opposite Varanasi
•Vishwakarma Puja : : September 16, 2016 : :  All over India
•Naropa 2016 : : September 16-22, 2016 : :  Hemis Monastery, near Leh in Ladakh
•Payippad Snake Boat Race : : September 16, 2016 : :  Along the Payippad River at Harippad in Kerala's Alleppey district
•Onam Pulikkali Tiger Play : : September 17, 2016 : :  Swaraj Round in Thrissur, Kerala
•Aranmula Snake Boat Race : : September 17, 2016 : :  Along the Pampa River at Aranmula near Chengannur, south of Alleppey in Kerala
•Ladakh Festival : : September 18-25, 2016 : :  Leh and surrounding villages
•Ziro Festival : : September 22-25, 2016 : :  Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
•Neelamperoor Patayani : : September 29, 2016 : :  Palli Bhagavathi temple, Neelamperoor, Alleppey district, Kerala

October

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Gandhi Jayanti and Shashtri Jayanti : : October 2, 2016 : : India
•Durga Puja : : October 7, 2016 to October 11, 2016 : : North India especially in Kolkata and Cuttack
•Navratri : : October 10, 2016 : : North India
•Dussehra : : October 11, 2016 : : North India
•Laxmipuja Festival, Sharad Purnima and Kumar Purnima : : October 15, 2016 : : North India especially in Dhenkanal and Kendrapara
•Muharram : : October 12, 2016: Muslim Festival •Diwali : : October 30, 2016 : : All India

November

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•
•Guru Purab
•Ka Pomblang Nongrem
•Sonepur Fair
•Pushkar Fair
•Hampi Festival

December

Festivals/Events : : Date : : Place
•Christma
•Konark Dance Festival

Last Updated: 19 Sep 2016

Constitution of India at a Glance

Constitution of India and Polity
The present constitution of India was framed by the Constitution Assembly of India setup under Cabinet Mission Plan of May 16, 1946.

Composition of Constituent Assembly

•The Constituent Assembly consisted of 385 members, of which 292 were elected by he elected members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies while 93 members were nominated by the Princely States. To these were to be added a representative each from the four Chief Commissioners Provinces of Delhi, Ajmer-Marwar, Coorg and British Baluchistan.
•Each Province and each Indian State or group of States were allotted the total number of seas proportional to their respective population roughly in the ration of one to a million.
•B N Rao was appointed the Constitutional Advisor of the Assembly.
•The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly took place of Dec 9, 1946 with Dr. Sachidanand Sinha as its interim President. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as its President n Dec 11, 1947.
•The Assembly framing the Constitution.had 13 Committees.
•The all-important Drafting Committee, which bore the responsibility of drafting the Constitutional document during the recess of the Constitutent Assembly, from July 1947 to September 1948, was formed on August 29, 1947. Its members were: 1.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
2.N. Gopalaswami Ayyar
3.K.M. Munshi
4.Syyed Mohd. Saadulla
5.N.Madhav Rao
6.D.P.Khaitan (T Krishnamachari, after Kahitan’s Death in 1948)
•It was finally passed and accepted on Nov 26, 1949. The session of the Assembly was held on Jan 24, 1950, which unanimously elected Dr, Rajendra Prasad as the President of India. In all the 284 members of the Assembly signed the official copies of the Indian Constitution which came into effect on Jan 26, 1950, known and celebrated as the Republic Day of India.

The Indian Constitution Preamble

" WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC and to secure all its citizens."
JUSTICE, social economic and political.
LIBERTY, of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
EQUALITY, of status and of opportunity, and to promote among them all.
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation.
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, this twenty sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, "ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES HIS CONSTITUTION ".
Idea of preamble borrowed from Constitution of US.
The words ‘SOCIALIST’, ‘SECULAR’ and ‘UNITY’ & ‘INTEGRITY’ were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
Preamble is not justifiable.

Borrowed features of constitution from different countries

From U.K.
•Nominal Head – President (like Queen)
•Cabinet System of Ministers
•Post of PM
•Parliamentary Type of Govt.
•Bicameral Parliament
•Lower House more powerful
•Council of Ministers responsible to Lowe House
•Speaker in Lok Sabha

From U.S.
•Written Constitution
•Executive head of state known as President and his being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
•Vice- President as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
•Fundamental Rights
•Supreme Court
•Provision of States
•Independence of Judiciary and judicial review
•Preamble
•Removal of Supreme court and High court Judges

From USSR
•Fundamental Duties
•Five year Plan

From AUSTRALIA
•Concurrent list
•Language of the preamble
•Provision regarding trade, commerce and intercourse

From JAPAN •Law on which the Supreme Court function

From WEIMAR CONSTITUION OF GERMANY •Suspension of Fundamental Rights during the emergency

From CANADA •Scheme of federation with a strong centre
•Distribution of powers between centre and the states and placing. Residuary Powers with the centre

From IRELAND •Concept of Directive Principles of States Policy(Ireland borrowed it from SPAIN)
•Method of election of President
•Nomination of members in the Rajya Sabha by the President

Schedules in Constitution of India

First Schedule •List of States & Union Territories

Second Schedule •Salary of President, Governors, Chief Judges, Judges of High Court and Supreme court, Comptroller and Auditor General

Third Schedule •Forms of Oaths and affirmations

Fourth Schedule •Allocate seats for each state of India in Rajya Sabha

Fifth Schedule •Administration and control of scheduled areas and tribes

Sixth Schedule •Provisions for administration of Tribal Area in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram & Arunachal Pradesh

Seventh Schedule •Gives allocation of powers and functions between Union & States. It contains 3 lists 1.Union List (For central Govt) 97 Subjects.
2.States List (Powers of State Govt) 66 subjects
3.Concurrent List (Both Union & States) 47 subjects.

Eighth Schedule •List of 22 languages of India recognized by Constitution
1. Assamese 2. Bengali 3. Gujarati
4. Hindi 5. Kannada 6. Kashmiri
7. Manipuri 8. Malayalam 9. Konkani
10. Marathi 11. Nepali 12. Oriya
13. Punjabi 14. Sanskrit 15. Sindhi
16. Tamil 17. Telugu 18. Urdu
19. Santhali 20. Bodo 21. Maithili 
22. Dogri
•Sindhi was added in 1967 by 21 Amendment
•Konkani, Manipuri ad Nepali were added in 1992 by 71 amendment Santhali, Maithili, Bodo and Dogri were added in 2003 by 92 amendment

Ninth Schedule •Added by Ist amendment in 1951. Contains acts & orders related to land tenure, land tax, railways, industries.{Right of property not a fundamental right now}

Tenth Schedule •Added by 52nd amendment in 1985. Contains provisions of disqualification of grounds of defection

Eleventh Schedule •By 73rd amendment in 1992. Contains provisions of Panchayati Raj.

Twelfth Schedule •By 74thamendment in 1992. Contains provisions of Municipal Corporation.

STATES IN INDIA CREATED AFTER 1950

1. Andhra Pradesh Created by the State of Andhra Pradesh Act 1953 by carving our some areas from the State of Chennai
2. Gujarat and Maharashtra The State of Mumbai was divided into two States i.e. Maharashtra and Gujarat by the Mumbai (Reorganisation) Act 1960
3. Kerala Created by the State Reorganisation Act, 1956. It comprised Travancor and Cochin areas
4. Karnataka Created from the Princely State of Mysuru by the State Reorganisation Act, 1956. It was renamed Karnataka in 1973
5. Nagaland It was carved out from the State of Asom by the State of Nagaland Act, 1952
6. Haryana It was carved out from the State of Punjab by the Punjab (Reorganisation) Act, 1966
7. Himachal Pradesh The Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh was elevated to the status of State by the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970
8. Meghalaya First carved out as a sub-State within the State of Asom by 23 Constitutional Amendment Act, 1969. Later in 1971, it received the status of a full-fledged State by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971
9. Manipura and Tripura Both these States were elevated from the status of Union-Territories by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971
10. Sikkim Sikkim was first given the Status of Associate State by the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act 1974. It got the status of a full State in 1975 by the 36th Amendment Act, 1975
11. Mizoram It was elevated to the status of a full State by the State of Mizoram Act, 1986
12. Arunachal Pradesh It received the status of a full state by the State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1896
13. Goa Goa was separated from the Union-Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu and was made a full-fledged State of Goa, Daman and Diu Reorganisation Act 1987. But Daman and Diu remained as Union Territory
14. Chhattisgarh Formed by the Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000 by dividing Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000
15. Uttarakhand Formed by the Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000 by dividing Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000
16. Jharkhand Formed by the Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000 by dividing Bihar on November 15, 2000

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN INDIA

The Fundamental Rights in Indian constitution acts as a guarantee that all Indian citizens can and will live their lifes in peace as long as they live in Indian democracy. They include individual rigts common to most liberal democracies, such as equality before the law, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, and the right to constitutional remedies for the protection of civil right.
Originally, the right to property was also included in the Fundamental Rights, however, the Forty-Fourth Amendment, passed in 1978, revised the status of property rights by stating that "No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law."
Following are the Fudamental Rights in India
Right to Equality •Article 14 :- Equality before law and equal protection of law
•Article 15 :- Prohibition of discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
•Article 16 :- Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment
•Article 17 :- End of untouchability
•Article 18 :- Abolition of titles, Military and academic distinctions are, however, exempted

Right to Freedom •Article 19 :- It guarantees the citizens of India the following six fundamentals freedoms:- 1.Freedom of Speech and Expression
2.Freedom of Assembly
3.Freedom of form Associations
4.Freedom of Movement
5.Freedom of Residence and Settlement
6.Freedom of Profession, Occupation, Trade and Bussiness
•Article 20 :- Protection in respect of conviction for offences
•Article 21 :- Protection of life and personal liberty
•Article 22 :- Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases

Right Against Exploitation •Article 23 :- Traffic in human beings prohibited
•Article 24 :- No child below the age of 14 can be employed

Right to freedom of Religion •Article 25 :- Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
•Article 26 :- Freedom to manage religious affairs
•Article 27 :- Prohibits taxes on religious grounds
•Article 28 :- Freedom as to attendance at religious ceremonies in certain educational institutions

Cultural and Educational Rights •Article 29 :- Protection of interests of minorities
•Article 30 :- Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
•Article 31 :- Omitted by the 44th Amendment Act

PRESIDENT OF INDIA

President of India is the head of the Union Executive. A Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister aids and advises the President in the excersie of his function.
 President of India is also Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces.
Office of President of India ==> Rashtrapati Bhavan Rashtrapati Bhavan
Qualification
•Must be a citizen of India
•Completed 35 years of age
•Eligible to be a member of Lok Sabha
•Must not hold any government post. Exceptions are: 1.President and Vice-President
2.Governor of any state
3.Minister of Union State

Election 
•Indirectly elected through ‘Electoral College’ consisting of Elected members of both the Houses of Parliament & Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. (No nominated members)
•Security deposit of Rs 15,000/-
•Supreme court inquires all disputes regarding President’s Election.
•Takes OATH in presence of Chief Justice of India, or in his absence, senior-most Judge of Supreme Court

Terms and Emoluments
•5 year term
•Article 57 says that there is no upper limit on the number of times a person can become President
•Can give resignation to Vice-President before full-term
•Present Salary- Rs. 1,00,000/month (including allowances & emoluments)

Impeachment
•Quasi-judicial procedure
•Can be impeached only on the ground of violation of constitution
•The impeachment procedure can be initiated in either House of the Parliament

Vacancy 
•In case of office falls vacant due to death, resignation or removal, the Vice-President act as President. It he is not available then Chief Justice, it not then senior-most Judge of the Supreme court shall act as the President of India
•The election is to be held within 6 months of the vacancy

Powers
•Appoints PM, Ministers, Chief Justice & judge of Supreme Court & High Court, Chairman & members of UPSC, Comptroller and Auditor General, Attorney General, Chief Election Commissioner and other members of Election Commission of India, Governors, Members of Finance Commission, Ambassadors, etc
•Can summon & prorogue the sessions of the 2 houses & can dissolve Lok Sabha
•Appoints Finance Commission (after every 5 years) that recommends distribution of taxes between Union & State governments
•The President can promulgate 3 types of Emergencies:- 1.National Emergency (Article 352)
2.State Emergency (President’s Rule) (Article 356)
3.Financial Emergency (Article 360)
•He is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces of India
•President appoints Chief of Army, Navy and Air force
•Declares wars & concludes peace subject to the approval of the Parliament
•No money bill or demand for grant can be introduced or moved in Parliament unless it has been recommended by the President
•He has the power to grant pardon, reprieve or remit of punishment or commute death sentences

All Presidents of India and their Tenure

NAME : : TENURE
Dr. Rajendra Prasad : : 26.01.1950 to 13.05.1962
Dr. S. Radhakrishan : : 13.05.1962 to 13.05.1967 
Dr. Zakhir Hussain : : 13.05.1967 to 03.05.1969
V.V. Giri : : 03.05.1969 to 20.07.1969
Justice M. Hidayatullah : : 20.07.1969 to 24.08.1969
V.V. Giri : : 24.08.1969 to 24.08.1974
F. Ali Ahmed : : 24.08.1974 to 11.02.1977
B.D. Jatti : : 11.02.1977 to 25.07.1977
N. Sanjiva Reddy : : 25.07.1977 to 25.07.1982
Gaini Jail Singh : : 25.07.1982 to 25.07.1987
R. Venkataraman : : 25.07.1987 to 25.07.1992
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma : : 25.07.1992 to 25.07.1997
K.R. Narayanan : : 25.07.1997 to 25.07.2002
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam : : 25.07.2002 to 24.07.2007
Mrs. Pratibha Patil : : 25.07.2007 to 24.07.2012
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee : : 25.07.2012 to Till date

VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

Following is the information about Vice President of India
Election
•Elected by both the houses (Electoral College) in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and the vote being secret. Nominated members also participate in his election
•The Supreme court has the final and exclusive jurisdiction for resolving disputes and doubts relating to the election of the Vice President of India

Criteria 
•Citizen of India
•More that 35 years of Age
•Posses the qualification of membership of Rajya Sabha
•Not hold any office of profit under union, state of local authority. However, for this purpose, the President, Vice-President, Governor of a State and a Minister of the Union or a State, are not held to be holding an office of profit

Other Points
 •Holds office for 5 years. Can be re-elected
•Term can be cut short if he resigns or by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha
•He is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Since he is not a member of Rajya Sabha, he has no right to vote
•Being the Vice-President of India, he is not entitled for any salary, but he is entitled to the salary and allowances payable to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
•All bills, resolution, motion can be taken in Rajya Sabha after his consent
•Can discharge the function of the President, the Vice-President shall not perform the duties of the office of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and shall not be entitled to receive the salary of the Chairman. During this period, he is entitled for the salary and privileges of the President of India
•Present salary is Rs. 85,000/month

All Vice Presidents of India and their Tenure.
 NAME : : TENURE
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan : : 13.5.1952 to 12.5.1957
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan : : 13.5.1957 to 12.5.1962
Dr. Zakhir Hussain : : 13.5.1962 to 12.5.1967 
V. V. Giri : : 13.5.1967 to 3.5.1969
Bal Swarup Pathak : : 31.8.1969 to 30.8.1974
Shri Basappa Danappa Jatti : : 31.8.1974 to 30.8.1979
Justice Mohd. Hidayatullah : : 31.8.1979 to 30.8.1984
Shri R Venkataraman : : 31.8.1984 to 24.7.1987
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma : : 3.9.1987 to 24.7.1992 
K.R.Narayanan : : 21.8.1992 to 24.7.1997 
Shri Krishan Kant : : 21.8.1997 to 27.7.2002 
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat : : 19.8.2002 to 21.7.2007 
Hamid Ansari : : 21.7.2007 till date

PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

Office of the Prime Minister of India, South Block, New Delhi  North Block
Powers of Prime Minister of India:-
•Real excutive authority
•He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission, National Development Council, National Integration Council and Inter state Council
•The President convenes and prorogues all sessions of Parliament in Consultation with him
•Can recommend the dissolution of Lok Sabha before expiry
•Appoints the council of ministers
•Allocates portfolios. Can ask a minister to resign & can get him dismissed by President
•Can recommend to the President to declare emergency on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion
•Advises President about President’s Rule in the State or emergency due to financial instability
•Leader of the House
 
All Prime Minister of India and their Tenure 
 NAME : : TENURE
Jawahar Lal Nehru 15.08.1947 to 27.05.1964
Gulzari Lal Nanda 27.05.1964 to 09.06.1964
Lal Bahadur Shastri 09.06.1964 to 11.01.1966
Gulzai Lal Nanda 11.01.1966 to 24.01.1966
Indira Gandhi 24.01.1966 to 24.03.1977
Morarji Desai 24.03.1977 to 28.07.1979
Charan singh 28.07.1979 to 14.01.1980
Indira Gandhi 14.01.1980 to 31.10.1984
Rajiv Gandhi 31.10.1984 to 01.12.1989
V.P. Singh 01.12.1989 to 10.11.1990
Chandra Shekhar 10.11.1990 to 21.06.1991
P.V. Narsimha Rao 21.06.1991 to 16.05.1996
Atal Bihari Vajpayee 16.05.1996 to 01.06.1996
H.D. Deve Gowda 01.06.1996 to 21.04.1997
I.K. Gujral 21.04.1997 to 19.03.1998
Atal Bihari Vajpayee 19.03.1998 to 13.10.1999
Atal Bihari Vajpayee 13.10.1999 to 22.05.200
Dr. Manmohan Singh 22.05.2004 to 26.-5.2014
Narendra Modi 26.05.2014 to Till-date

Last Updated: 30 May 2016