Krishi Kalyan Cess of 0.5% imposed on all taxable services in Union Budget 2016-17. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in General Budget 2016-17 introduced Krishi Kalyan cess of .5% on all taxable services for agricultural sector. It will cost extra to consumers on all services like watching Movie, visit restaurants, booking tickets and all other services inline with swatch bharat cess imposed earlier.
Oscars Awards 2016 Winners List
Oscars or Academy Awards 2016 Winners List: Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Actor Award for his role in "The Revenant" and Brie Larson won the Best Actress Award for her role in "Room." The show was hosted by Chris Rock. List of winners at Sunday's 88th annual Academy Awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Oscars Awards 2016 Winners List:
Best Picture: "Spotlight"
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Actress: Brie Larson
Best Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, "Bridge of Spies."
Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, "The Danish Girl."
Adapted Screenplay: "The Big Short."
Original Screenplay: "Spotlight."
Animated Feature Film: "Inside Out."
Production Design: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Cinematography: "The Revenant."
Sound Mixing: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Sound Editing: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Original Score: "The Hateful Eight"
Original Song: "Writings on the Wall."
Costume Design: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Documentary Feature: "Amy."
Documentary (short subject): "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness."
Film Editing: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Makeup and Hairstyling: "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Animated Short Film: "Bear Story."
Visual Effects: "Ex Machina."
Foreign Language Film: "Son of Saul."
Live Action Short: "Stutterer."
General Budget 2016-17 Highlights, Full in PDF
General Budget 2016-17 Highlights, Full in PDF: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Today, 29th February 2016 present his third General Budget in Parliament. Here is General Budget 2016-17 Highlights, Full in PDF in Hindi, English.
General Budget 2016-17 Highlights:
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley began presenting his third Union Budget in Parliament today by asserting that "amidst slowdown in global growth and trade, the Indian economy has held its ground firmly."
- LPG connection to woman member of rural homes.
- Aim for 100% village electrification by May 1, 2018.
- 5 lakh acres to be brought under organic farming over 3 years.
- Senior citizens will get additional healthcare cover of Rs 30,000 under the new scheme.
- New restructured scheme to increase the governance capabilities of PRIs to be launched under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
- Rs 87,765 crores for rural development as a whole have been allocated in the budget.
- Rs 9,000 crore for Swachh Bharat Mission in Union Budget 2016.
- A dedicated irrigation fund worth Rs 20,000 crore to be set up under NABARD. Nominal premium and highest ever compensation in case of crop loss under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana
- Shares of companies in agriculture sector advance as Budget shows focus on improving agriculture output.
- Rs 15,000 crore allocated towards interest subvention scheme to ease the hardship of farmers unable to pay loans.
- Rs 38,500 crores allocated to MNREGA.
- 62 New Navodaya Vidyalaya for New districts created.
- Allocation for Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare is ` 35,984 crore. ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana’ to be implemented in mission mode. 28.5 lakh hectares will be brought under irrigation. Implementation of 89 irrigation projects under AIBP, which are languishing for a long time, will be fast tracked.
- Allocation for rural sector is 87,76 Crore in Budget 2016-17. 2.87 lakh crore will be given as Grant in Aid to Gram Panchayats and Municipalities as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. Every block under drought and rural distress will be taken up as an intensive Block under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Mission
- Allocation for MGNREGA Scheme is 38,500 Crore in Budget 2016-17. 300 Rurban Clusters will be developed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission.
- Fiscal deficit in RE 2015-16 and BE 2016-17 retained at 3.9% and 3.5%.
- Revenue Deficit target from 2.8% to 2.5% in RE 2015-16.
- Total expenditure projected at ` 19.78 lakh crore.
- Plan expenditure pegged at ` 5.50 lakh crore under Plan, increase of 15.3%, and Non-Plan expenditure kept at ` 14.28 lakh crores.
27, 28, 29 February 2016 Current Affairs
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Current Affairs for February 2016 (1 to 29th February)
Current Affairs Questions on 27, 28, 29 February 2016:
India Ranks No. ----- in World for Milk Production
A. 3
B. 1
C. 2
D. 4
Answer: B
Who is elected New FIFA President on 27th February 2016 ?
A. Gianni Infantino
B. Sheikh Salman
C. Michel Platini
D. Sepp Blatter
Answer: A
Allocation for rural sector is ....... Crore in Budget 2016-17 ?
A. 35,984 crore
B. 55,984 crore
C. 87,765 crore
D. 102,002 crore
Answer: C
Allocation for MGNREGA Scheme is ....... Crore in Budget 2016-17 ?
A. 35,984 crore
B. 55,984 crore
C. 87,765 crore
D. 38,500 crore
Answer: D
Fiscal deficit in RE 2015-16 and BE 2016-17 retained at ----% and ----- % ?
A. 3.5% and 3.0%
B. 3.0% and 3.8%
C. 3.9% and 3.5%
D. 4.2% and 3.2%
Answer: C
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Gianni Infantino elected FIFA President
Switzerland's Gianni Infantino has succeeded countryman Sepp Blatter as FIFA President. The UEFA secretary general polled 115 votes in round two, 27 more than closest rival Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.
Infantino is a 45-year-old lawyer from Brig in the Valais region of Switzerland, less than six miles from Blatter's home town of Visp. He entered the presidential race when it became clear that Michel Platini, boss of European football's governing body Uefa, could not stand. The election was due to be fought between five candidates, but South African Tokyo Sexwale withdrew before voting began in Zurich.
Infantino is a 45-year-old lawyer from Brig in the Valais region of Switzerland, less than six miles from Blatter's home town of Visp. He entered the presidential race when it became clear that Michel Platini, boss of European football's governing body Uefa, could not stand. The election was due to be fought between five candidates, but South African Tokyo Sexwale withdrew before voting began in Zurich.
India Ranks No. 1 in World for Milk Production
India ranks first in milk production, accounting for 18.5 per cent of world production, achieving an annual output of 146.3 million tones during 2014-15 as compared to 137.69 million tonnes during 2013-14 recording a growth of 6.26 per cent. Whereas, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported a 3.1 per cent increase in world milk production from 765 million tones in 2013 to 789 million tones in 2014. The per capita availability of milk in India has increased from 176 grams per day in 1990-91 to 322 grams per day by 2014-15. It is more than the world average of 294 grams per day during 2013.
This represents a sustained growth in availability of milk and milk products for the growing population Dairying has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural households engaged in agriculture. The success of the dairy industry has resulted from the integrated co-operative system of milk collection, transportation, processing and distribution, conversion of the same to milk powder and products, to minimize seasonal impact on suppliers and buyers, retail distribution of milk and milk products, sharing of profits with the farmer, which are ploughed back to enhance productivity and needs to be emulated by other farm produce/producers.
This represents a sustained growth in availability of milk and milk products for the growing population Dairying has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural households engaged in agriculture. The success of the dairy industry has resulted from the integrated co-operative system of milk collection, transportation, processing and distribution, conversion of the same to milk powder and products, to minimize seasonal impact on suppliers and buyers, retail distribution of milk and milk products, sharing of profits with the farmer, which are ploughed back to enhance productivity and needs to be emulated by other farm produce/producers.
Economic Survey 2015-16 highlights
Economic Survey 2015-16, presented in the Parliament today by the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, states that the social infrastructure scenario in the country reflects gaps in access to education, health and housing amenities. Inclusive growth in India requires bridging gaps in educational outcomes and improved health attainments across the population.
Economic Survey 2015-16 highlights
Economic Survey 2015-16 highlights
- Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tables the Economic Survey for the current Financial Year in Lok Sabha; FY17 GDP growth seen at 7-7.5%.
- Economic Survey 2015-16 states that the total expenditure on Social Services including Education, Health, Social Security, Nutrition, Welfare of SC/ST/OBC etc. during 2014-15 (RE) was 7 % of GDP while it was 6.5% during 2013-14.
- Labour Force participation Rate higher in Rural Areas than Urban Areas, significantly lower for females than males. Women account for 57% of employment given under MGNREGA in the Current Financial Year
- The expenditure on health as a percentage of total expenditure on social services increased from 18.6% in 2013-14 to 19.3% in 2014-15 (RE) and 19.5% in 2015-16 (BE).
- 2015 Landmark Year for India in Climate Change Initiatives. India plays important role in adoption of Paris Agreement and Launch of International Solar Alliance.
- Economic Survey 2015-16 proposes widening tax net from 5.5 percent of earning individuals to more than 20 percent, reasonable taxation of the better-off individuals with income from Real Estate and Agriculture, phasing out of the tax exemption Raj.
- Amidst Gloomy International Economic Landscape, India Stands as a haven of Stability. Expects GDP Growth Rate for 2015-16 in the range of 7 % to 7.75 %.
- Economic survey 2015-16 states that the fiscal deficit target of 3.9 per cent for the year 2015-16 seems achievable.
- Services Sector remains the Key Driver of Economic Growth contributing almost 66.1% in 2015-16
- Economy to clock more than 7 per cent growth this fiscal; Economic Survey 2015-16 predicts over 8 per cent growth in next couple of years.
- India Ranks First in Milk Production, Accounting for 18.5 Per Cent of World Production.
- Economic Survey 2015-16: Percentage Share of Horticulture Output in Agriculture is more than 33 Per Cent.
- Trade deficit declines to 106.8 billion US dollars in April-January 2015-16 from 119.6 billion US dollars in corresponding period 2014-15. Current Account Deficit (CAD) limits at 1.4 percent of Gross Domestic Product during April-September, 2015-16.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves stand at 351.5 billion US dollars as on 5th February, 2016
25, 26 February 2016 Current Affairs
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Current Affairs for February 2016 (1 to 29th February)
Current Affairs Questions on 25, 26 February 2016:
A. An evolutionary period that began 540 million years ago
B. A period when a large number of new animals appeared
C. Neither a nor b
D. Both a and b
Answer: D
Explanation: The Cambrian explosion refers to an evolutionary period that began 540 million years ago when a huge number of new animal species emerged. Sea sponges have been found to predate this explosion. MIT researchers found the right number of copies required of the SMT to produce molecule 24IPC a rare one, was only possessed by sea sponges long before algae, approximately 640 million years ago- the same time rocks containing 24-IPC were formed.
Who has been appointed as the CJ of Meghalaya HC?
A. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari
B. Justice Uma Nath Singh
C. Justice SK Mukherjee
D. Justice Vineet Saran
Answer: A
Explanation: Justice Dinesh Maheshwari of Lucknow bench of the Allahabad HC was on 24th February 2016 appointed and sworn in as CJ of Meghalaya HC. He succeeds Justice Uma Nath Singh who retired in January 2015 and Justice SR Singh was serving as acting CJI till then. Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee has been appointed as the CJ of the Karnataka HC while Justice Vineet Saran has been appointed new CJ of the Odisha HC.
Railway Minister outlined a capital plan of ........Crore rupees in Rail Budget 2016-17 ?
A. 121000
B. 88200
C. 182000
D. 141000
Answer: A
Explanation: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 25 February 2016 presented the Railway Budget 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha. In his second Rail Budget, Prabhu outlined a capital plan of 121000 crore rupees in 2016-17. A saving of 8720 crore rupees for Budget estimates of 2015-16 will be effected in 2016.
Economic Survey predicted Growth rate of ------ for 2016-17 ?
A. 7-8%
B. 7-7.50%
C. 7-7.5%
D. 6.75%
Answer: C
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tables the Economic Survey for the current Financial Year in Lok Sabha on 26th February 2016. According to the survey, India's GDP is expected to grow between 7 and 7.75% in 2016-17. This is a relative slowdown, which the survey attributes to a struggling global economy. It also pegged India's long-run GDP at 8-10%.
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Railway Budget 2016-17 Highlights
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 25 February 2016 presented the Railway Budget 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that this Budget owes inspiration to vision of PM Narendra Modi who said ‘My vision is to make railways backbone of India’s progress & economic development’. Suresh Prabhu said that core objective is to become an engine of employment generation and economic growth at national level.
Railway Budget 2016-17 Highlights:
- Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu outlined a capital plan of 121000 crore rupees in 2016-17.
- LIC has agreed to invest 1.5 lakh crore rupees over 5 years on extremely favourable terms
- Dedicated freight corridor project gaining momentum. New freight corridors announced: Delhi-Chennai, Kharagpur-Mumbai, Kharagpur-Vijayawada.
- Plan to generate 9 crore man-days employment by 2017-18 and 14 crore man-days by 2018-19
- Aimed at eliminating unmanned level crossings by 2020
- Aimed at generating revenues of order of 184820 crore rupees in 2016, which is 10.1 percent higher than revised target of 2015
- North-East India, especially Mizoram and Manipur, to be connected through broad gauge soon
- To commission 2800 km of new tracks in 2016-17
- Bids for setting up 2 locomotive factories was finalised and the new factories will be set up with an order book of 40000 crore rupees.
- Indian Railways to surpass ambitious target of commissioning 2500 kms of broad gauge lines, almost 30% higher than last year
- Bar-coded tickets will be introduced on pilot basis, this will help to tackle menace of ticketless travel
- Overnight double-decker trains to be introduced on business travel routes
- Long distance superfast train Antyodaya Express for unreserved passengers will be launched. Fully unreserved superfast trains to be introduced on dense traffic route.
- Deen Dayal coaches for long distance trains for unreserved passengers will be introduced.
- Full-fledged Railway University will come-up soon
- Railways to increase the quota of lower berths for women and senior citizens
- Wi-Fi will be provided at 400 railway station in 2016-17, as compared to 100 in 2015-16
- 2000 km of electrification proposed for 2016-17
23, 24 February 2016 Current Affairs
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Current Affairs for February 2016 (1 to 29th February)
Current Affairs Questions on 23, 24 February 2016:
A. K.N. Vyas
B. Dr. Sekhar Basu
C. Prof. CNR Rao
D. Dr. PM Jat
Answer: A
Explanation: Shri K. N. Vyas, Distinguished Scientist and Associate Director, Reactor Projects Group of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) took over as Director, BARC from Dr. Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India. Shri Vyas has been conferred several awards, which include Indian Nuclear Society Outstanding Service Award 2011, Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award 2006, DAE Awards in the years 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
Which state gets highest Rs.171 Crore under AMRUT Plan approved on 24th February 2016 ?
A. Goa
B. Jammu and Kashmir
C. Goa
D. Rajasthan
Answer: B
Explanation: Ministry of Urban Development on 24th February approved an investment of Rs.495.11 cr in water supply, sewerage networks and septage management, storm water drains, urban transport and provision of green spaces in 13 cities in 6 states under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Action Plans for 2015-16. Assam to invest Rs.186 cr in basic infra; J&k- Rs.171 cr, Goa-Rs.59 cr, Tripura-Rs.37 cr, Meghalaya-Rs.23 cr, Puducherry-Rs.18.97 cr Rs.20,491 cr investment in basic infra so far approved for 483 cities.
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KN Vyas takes over as Director, BARC
Shri K. N. Vyas, Distinguished Scientist and Associate Director, Reactor Projects Group of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) took over yesterday as Director, BARC from Dr. Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy.
Shri Vyas graduated from the 22nd batch of the BARC Training School and joined Fuel Design & Development Section of Reactor Engineering Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. During the past 36 years, Shri Vyas has gained a vast experience in design and analysis of nuclear reactor fuels. Subsequently, as Head, Reactor Projects Division, he has also worked for design and analysis of reactor systems. He has worked extensively in thermal hydraulics and stress analysis of critical reactor core components. Shri Vyas has also participated in design & analysis of the Test Blanket Module planned to be installed in ITER, France.
Shri Vyas has been conferred several awards, which include Indian Nuclear Society Outstanding Service Award 2011, Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award 2006, DAE Awards in the years 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
Shri Vyas graduated from the 22nd batch of the BARC Training School and joined Fuel Design & Development Section of Reactor Engineering Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. During the past 36 years, Shri Vyas has gained a vast experience in design and analysis of nuclear reactor fuels. Subsequently, as Head, Reactor Projects Division, he has also worked for design and analysis of reactor systems. He has worked extensively in thermal hydraulics and stress analysis of critical reactor core components. Shri Vyas has also participated in design & analysis of the Test Blanket Module planned to be installed in ITER, France.
Shri Vyas has been conferred several awards, which include Indian Nuclear Society Outstanding Service Award 2011, Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award 2006, DAE Awards in the years 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
Swachh Paryatan Mobile App’ Launched
“Swachh Parayatan Mobile App” was launched by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture and Minister of State for Civil Aviation at a function on 22nd February 2016. This project is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India through DeGS and NIC. This Mobile App is available on Google Search Engine as ‘Swachh Paryatan’ and initially it is available on Android Phones and very soon it will be available on Apple and Microsoft also. This mobile app shall be monitored by the Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of Tourism.
Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Sharma said that since the general public and the tourists are the largest stakeholders in keeping the monuments clean, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to facilitate the general public to communicate their complaints about any unclean area/garbage piles in and around tourist destinations. Hence as a part thereof, the Ministry of Tourism is launching this Mobile App. He opined that till all stakeholders don’t contribute, such project will not succeed. The Minister informed that the recently launched Tourist Infoline is getting 18000 responses daily and is very successful. He dwelt upon many initiatives launched by his Ministry for the benefits of Tourists. He said that the Domestic Tourism has also immense opportunities like International Tourism. That is why the suggestions from public and tourists are solicited on this Mobile App.
Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Sharma said that since the general public and the tourists are the largest stakeholders in keeping the monuments clean, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to facilitate the general public to communicate their complaints about any unclean area/garbage piles in and around tourist destinations. Hence as a part thereof, the Ministry of Tourism is launching this Mobile App. He opined that till all stakeholders don’t contribute, such project will not succeed. The Minister informed that the recently launched Tourist Infoline is getting 18000 responses daily and is very successful. He dwelt upon many initiatives launched by his Ministry for the benefits of Tourists. He said that the Domestic Tourism has also immense opportunities like International Tourism. That is why the suggestions from public and tourists are solicited on this Mobile App.
21, 22 February 2016 Current Affairs
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Current Affairs for February 2016 (1 to 29th February)
Current Affairs Questions on 21, 22 February 2016:
A. Bangalore
B. Surat
C. Jaipur
D. Delhi
Answer: D
Explanation: The 41st edition of India Handicrafts and Gifts Fair, renamed now as “IHGF - Delhi Fair Spring” 2016 was declared open by Ms. Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Textiles at the world class venue of India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida at a colourful ceremony in Delhi on 20th February 2016. The fair is being held from 20 – 23 February, 2016. The IHGF is being organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) since 1994.
ONGC board approves R s5,050 crore investment in which state ?
A. Rajasthan
B. Tripura
C. Odisha
D. Kerala
Answer: B
Explanation: The board of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) has approved an investment of Rs.5,050 crore in Tripura for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 mmscmd gas from the state’s fields. As a result of geological mapping and exploratory efforts, so far 11 gas fields are discovered by ONGC in Tripura and of these seven fields are on production.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission is launched on 21st February 2016 in Which state ?
A. Rajasthan
B. West Bengal
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Gujarat
Answer: C
Explanation: Prime Minister Modi launch the Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission at Kurubhat in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh on 21st February 2016. The Rurban Mission aims at development of rural growth clusters in all States and UTs, which would trigger overall development in the region. These clusters would be developed by provisioning of economic activities, developing skills & local entrepreneurship and providing infrastructure amenities.
Which department launches ‘Swachh Paryatan Mobile App’ on 22nd February 2016 ?
A. Defence
B. Tourism
C. Panchayat Raj
D. All of above
Answer:B
Explanation: 'Swachh Parayatan Mobile App' was launched by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture on 22nd February 2016. This mobile app shall be monitored by the Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of Tourism. Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Sharma said that since the general public and the tourists are the largest stakeholders in keeping the monuments clean, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to facilitate the general public to communicate their complaints about any unclean area/garbage piles in and around tourist destinations.
Indian Film 'Ottal' named best children's film at Berlin International Film Festival 2016 is of which lanugage ?
A. Tamil
B. Hindi
C. Malayalam
D. Marathi
Answer: C
Explanation: Malayalam film 'Ottal' was named the Best Children's Film at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. It was honoured with the Crystal Bear Award in the 'Generation K-Plus' section. The film, directed by Jayaraj Rajasekharan Nair, is about the story of an old fisherman and his grandson. The movie is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's short story 'Vanaka'.
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