03.GA MAR-2014

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CURRENT AFFAI RS
MARCH–2014
Reserve Bank of India
• Monetary Policy For 2014-15 – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on April 1, 2014 announced the first
bi-monthly monetary policy for 2014-15. The RBI kept the indicative policy rate (repo) unchanged at
8 per cent while taking measures to provide longer term liquidity in the system. Repo rate is the rate
at which banks borrow funds from the central bank. “On the basis of an assessment of the current
and evolving macro-economic situation, we have decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at
8 per cent,” RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said.
− Mr. Rajan said real GDP growth was projected to pick up from a little below 5 per cent in 2013-14
to a range of 5-6 per cent in 2014-15, with downside risks to the central estimate of 5.5 per cent.
“We have also decided to increase the liquidity provided under 7-day and 14-day term repos,
from 0.5 per cent of the banking system to 0.75 per cent, and decrease the liquidity provided
under overnight repos from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent with immediate effect,” he added.
− “Our policy stance is firmly focused on keeping the economy on a disinflationary glide path that
is intended to hit 8 per cent CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation by January 2015 and 6 per cent
by January 2016”, said Dr. Rajan. Mr. Rajan said that the central bank had adopted the new
Consumer Price Index (CPI) (combined) as the key measure of inflation.
− Earlier, RBI had given more weightage to Wholesale Price Index (WPI) than CPI as the key
measure of inflation for all policy purposes. Some recommendations of Urjit R.Patel Committee
report have been implemented, including adoption of the new CPI (combined) as the key
measure of inflation.
− This also includes explicit recognition of the glide path for disinflation, transition to a bi-monthly
monetary policy cycle, progressive reduction in access to overnight liquidity at the fixed repo
rate, and a corresponding increase in access to liquidity through term repos, and introduction of
longer-tenor term repos as well as, going forward, term reverse repos.
− To enlarge the banking correspondent (BC) base, Dr.Rajan said that the inclusion of new entities,
as well as a relaxation of existing’ distance restrictions, was being considered. The RBI Governor
further said that banks should not levy penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance
in ordinary savings bank account and inoperative accounts, “but instead curtail the services
accorded to those accounts until the balance is restored.”
− He said that the RBI would frame comprehensive consumer protection regulations based on
domestic experience and global best practices. In the interest of their consumers, banks should
consider allowing their borrowers the possibility of prepaying floating rate term-loans without
any penalty. “Banks should also not take undue advantage of customer difficulty or inattention.”
− To tackle distress in the system, Dr. Rajan said that the comprehensive framework to help banks
reduce their non-performing assets (NPAs) even while putting distressed projects back on track
would be effective from April 1, 2014. “We will monitor progress, and make any needed
adjustments to ensure it operates smoothly.”
Growth Prospects
8% Current repo rate-the rate at which RBI lends to Banks. The central Bank has kept the repo
rate unchanged.5.5% RBI’s forecast for India’s GDP growth in 2014-15.
5.5% ADB’s growth forecast for India’s GDP growth in 2014-15.
2% of GDP, expected current account deficit (CAD) in 2013-14, down from 4.8% in 2012-13.
Industrial activity continues to be a drag on the economy.
Quick implementation of stalled projects to hasten growth.
Stronger export growth expected as world economy picks up.
8% Forecast for consumer inflation by Jan 2015.
Less-than-normal monsoon due to possible el nino effects-weather glitch originating in the
Pacific Ocean-can push up food prices.


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Customer-Friendly
RBI has asked banks not to charge penalty for failure for maintaining minimum balance in
inoperative account.
It is open to banking mergers provided competition and stability are not compromised.
Markets Unaffected
60 points Rise in the Sensex on April 1, 2014 to an all-time closing high of 22,446.44.
Brokers said RBI’s decision to keep rates unchanged was in line with expectations

• RBI Eases Foreign Portfolio Investment Norms – The Reserve Bank of India, on March 25, 2014,
simplified “Foreign portfolio investment norms by putting in place an easier registration process
and operating framework with an aim to attract inflows. The portfolio investor registered in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) guidelines shall be called
Registered Foreign Portfolio Investor (RFPI).
− The existing portfolio investor class, namely Foreign institutional Investor (FII) and Qualified
Foreign Investor (QFI) registered with SEBI shall be subsumed under RFPI. The guidelines for
Portfolio Investment Scheme for FII and QFI have since been reviewed, and it has been decided
to put in place a framework for investments under a new scheme called Foreign Portfolio
Investment Scheme.
− RFPI may purchase and sell shares and convertible debentures of Indian companies through a
registered broker on recognised stock exchanges in India as well as purchase shares and
convertible debentures, which are offered to public in terms of relevant SEBI guidelines. Such
investors “may also acquire shares or convertible debentures in any bid for, or acquisition of,
securities in response to an offer for disinvestment of shares made by the Central Government or
any State government.
− These entities would be eligible to invest in government securities and corporate debt, subject to
limits specified by the RBI and SEBI from time to time. However, all investments made by that
FII/QFI in accordance with the regulations prior to registration as RFPI shall continue to be valid
and taken into account for computation of aggregate limit.
− The RBI said such investors would be permitted to trade in all exchange-traded derivative
contracts on the stock exchanges, subject to the position limits as specified by SEBI from time to
time. RFPI may offer cash or foreign sovereign securities with AAA rating or corporate bonds or
domestic government securities, as collateral to the recognised stock exchanges for their
transactions in cash as well as derivative segment of the market.
• RBI Extends Deadline For Meeting Basel-III Norms – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March
27, 2014 extended the transitional period for banks to complete the full implementation of Basel-III
capital regulations up to March 31, 2019, instead of March 31, 2018. In additional, certain other
aspects of the guidelines, more specifically, those relating to the loss absorption features of non-
equity capital instruments have been reviewed in response to clarifications sought in this regard.
These guidelines become applicable with immediate effect.
• In Principle Nod to set up Banks – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on April 2, 2014 granted ‘in-
principle’ approval to two applicants, IDFC Limited and Kolkata-based Bandhan Financial Services
Private Limited, to set up banks. The RBI has also accepted the recommendation of the High Level
Advisory Committee (HLAC), set up by the RBI, to consider the application of the Department of
Posts, separately in consultation with the Central Government.
− These licences would be issued under the guidelines on Licensing of New Banks in the Private
Sector issued on February 22, 2013 (Guidelines). The “in-principle” approval granted will be
valid for 18 months during which the applicants have to comply with the requirements under
the guidelines and fulfill other conditions as may be stipulated by the RBI.
▪ 25 Number of companies that had applied for licences
▪ 27 Number of public sector banks currently operating
▪ 22 Number of private sector banks that are operational


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• RBI Shifts to Consumer Prices for Valuing Rupee – Shifting focus to retail inflation, the Reserve
Bank of India, on April 4, 2014, said it would compute and release real effective exchange rate
(REER) only on the basis of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the price index for India from the
financial year 2014-15. REER index constructed using a CPI for both India and trade partner
countries would ensure a higher degree of comparability of former’s international competitiveness
vis-is trading partner countries.
− REER indicates movements in exchange rates of the home currency against a basket of currencies
of trade partner countries and is considered to be an indicator of international competitiveness.
Since October 2013, the RBI has started providing indicative projections of inflation in terms of
the broader CPI Combined. Thus, with greater focus on CPI inflation as primary objective of
domestic monetary policy, it is pertinent to have a alternative index of REER based on CPI.
− Till now, in the case of India, the RBI was providing the REER index using the Wholesale Price
Index (WPI) for India and CPI for partner countries. The RBI, on April 4, 2014 released a monthly
series on CPI-based REER for both six currency and 36-currency baskets for the period April
2004 to March 2014. From the financial year (2014-15) only the CPI based REER would be
compiled and released.
• RBI hikes trade transaction limit to Rs.5 lakh – RBI on 13 March 2014 hiked the trade related
remittance limit from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh per transaction under the Rupee Drawing
Arrangements (RDAs), amid increased number of transactions handled by Exchange Houses.
• RBI Panel to aid banks comply with Basel- III – A high-power committee under the Financial
Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was set up on 7 March, 2014 to find ways for the
banking sector to comply with Basel-III capital norms.
• RBI extends deadline to exchange pre-2005 notes – The RBI on 3 March 2014 extended the deadline
for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes to 1 January, 2015, from 31 March, 2014. The notes were
being pulled out of circulation because of their inadequate security features that made them
susceptible to counterfeiting.
Other Banks
• Bank of India, on March 24, 2014, launched IMT (Instant Money Transfer), which allows cardless
cash withdrawal at its IMT-enabled ATMs, a first-of-its kind initiative by any public sector bank.
IMT is an innovative domestic money remittance facility that allows the customer to send money to
a receiver only by using the receiver’s mobile number through the bank’s ATM and retail internet
banking facility. The receiver can withdraw money from a Bank of India’s ATM without using a
card. The receiver receives partial details for cash withdrawal on his/her mobile phone and partial,
details by customer. Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) said it had been selected by the Ministry of
Energy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for two offshore blocks (M17 and M18) in
Myanmar offshore block bidding round-2013. Both the blocks are located in the Moattama basin of
Myanmar in water depths up to 3,000 feet and together encompass an area of 27,600 sq.km.
• Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) Chairman and Managing Director Usha Ananthasubramanian
inaugurates its 20
th
branch in Agartala, making it the second branch of the bank in the northeast
after the Guwahati branch.

Supreme Court
• The Supreme Court directs the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs.15 lakh to each of the families
of 63 persons who died in the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar in September 2013.

Election Commission (EC)
• The Election Commission (EC) permits the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to issue a
draft notification seeking to exempt more areas from the category of Ecologically Sensitive Areas
(ESAs) demarcated by the K. Kasturirangan committee report on the Western Ghats.



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High Courts and Sessions Courts
• In an attempt to clear the backlog of over 40 lakh cases, the Centre increases the strength of judges
in all High Courts by 25 per cent.

Centre Government
• Following the Centre’s decision to give the OBC (Other Backward Classes) status to Jats in nine
States, the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab declares Jats and Jat Sikhs as Backward Classes
(BC), to enable them to get reservation in government jobs.
• Execution of death sentences on increase – Indian President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the mercy
petitions of 18 prisoners on death row in 2013, the highest number of rejections by any President in
the last 25 years, according to Amnesty International’s annual review of the death penalty world
wide, which was released in London on March 27, 2014.
Only one execution took place in India – that of Mohammad Afzal Guru in February, 2013.
• Govt. Panel reapproves GM food crop field trials – The government’s top regulator – Genetic
Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) – on 21 March, 2014 revalidated 10 varieties of GM crops
including wheat, rice maize and cotton and allowed multi-national seed companies to go for
“confined field trials” of these varieties.
• Govt sells 9% stake in Axis Bank – The government on 21 March, 2014 sold 9 per cent stake held
through Specified Undertaking of UTI (SUUTI) in Axis Bank through a block deal. The government
raised nearly Rs.5,560 crore through the sale of 4.2 crore shares or 9 per cent stake.

States
• The fourth edition of India Aviation-2014 begins in Hyderabad with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit
Singh announcing that the government envisages an investment of $12.1 billion in airports during
12
th
Plan.

Place in the News
• Bhavani Island in Andhra Pradesh, on the waves of River Krishna, has been developed as new
adventure sports by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in partnership
with Bangalore-based Freak out Adventure Solutions. The cost of developing Bhavani island as an
adventure sports is about One crore rupees which have been spent on repairing, renovating and
grooming the tourist destination with added features.
• Ajnala – Mortal remains of about 282 Indian soldiers of 1857 mutiny were exhumed (dug out) on 2
March 2014 from the well at Ajnala in Amritsar district of Punjab. The bodies of Indian soldiers
were dumped in the well by British troops during the mutiny. Apart from the skeleton remain of
the soldiers, 60 currency coins that belongs to the 1857 era have been also recovered. Army gold
medals of that era have also been recovered from the well.
− The site for exhumation is 26 kilometers away from Jallianwala Bagh, the site where the British
troops led by Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer in April 1919 massacred hundreds of civilians.
The well that was dug was previously known as Kalianwala Khu (well of black people) has been
renamed as Shaheedanwala khu (well of the martyrs).
• Karoli – C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Karoli district
of Rajasthan on 28 March 2014. The aircraft was airborne from Agra for a routine flying training
mission.
• South China Sea – Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 operating a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft vanished
from the radar screens over the South China Sea with 239 people on board on 8
th
March 2014. The
plane was heading towards Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. The massive multinational search mission
to locate the plane has failed till now.


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• Rani-Ki-Vav & Himalayan Park Nominated for Heritage Status – India has nominated Rani-ki-
Vav, a 11
th
century step well located in Patan, Gujarat, and the Great Himalayan National Park in
Himachal Pradesh as candidates for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Status this year. The World
Heritage Committee, which will convene in Doha, Qatar, in June, will review the nomination and
take a final decision. Rani-ki-Vav, one of the finest examples of step wells in Gujarat, was
constructed by Queen Udayamati of the Solanki Dynasty.
• Mumbai Least Expensive Major City For Expats – Singapore has outstripped Tokyo as the world’s
most expensive city for expatriates, according to annual rankings by the Economist Intelligence Unit
released on 4 March 2014.
• Ancient caves discovered near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh – A group of caves inhabited by
ancient humans has been discovered in Akkampalli near Kurnool district’s Sanjamala.
Personalities
• Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has regained the title of the world’s richest man in the Forbes
magazine’s annual billionaire list, announced on 3 March, 2014. With a net worth of $ 76 billion, Bill
Gates reclaimed the top spot after a four-year hiatus, toppling Mexico’s tale-communications mogul
Carlos Slim Helu, who placed second at $ 72 billion.
Defence and National Security
• Raised on March 1, 1895 by Lt. Gen. Sir W.K. Ells at Fort William, the Bengal Area Headquarters of
the Indian Army turns 120.
• Indian, Nepali Armies Hold Joint Military Exercise – The armies of Nepal and India held a joint
military exercise named ‘Surya Kiran VI’ at the Integrated Army Training Centre (IATC) at
Saljhandi in Rupanddehi district of southern Nepal in March 2014.
• India is World’s Biggest Arms Importer – India remains the biggest buyer of arms in the world,
importing nearly three times as many weapons as its nearest competitors China and Pakistan over
the last five years, a Swedish thin tank said on 17 March 2014. The total volume of arms sales was
up 14 per cent in 2009-13 compared to the previous five years, according to the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The main supplier of arms to India in 2009-13 was
Russia.
− The five largest arms suppliers worldwide between 2009 and 2013 were the United States (29 per
cent of global exports), Russia (27 per cent), Germany (7 per cent), China (6 per cent) and France
(5 per cent). They collectively accounted for 74 per cent of total arms exports, SIPRI said. The
world’s top five arms importers were now India, China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates
and Saudi Arabia.
• Navy completes Tropex war drills in Indian Ocean Region – The Navy on 28 February, 2014
successfully completed Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX), one of its largest
war drills, spread over Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal region and involving its
frontline assets such as INS Chakra and 75 combat and surveillance aircraft.
Committees/Commissions
• Report of Rakesh Mohan Committee – The National Transport Development Policy Committee
(NTDPC) led by former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Rakesh Mohan, has
recommended that the government reduce its stake in Air India to 26 per cent over five years. The
committee was constituted in 2010 and comprised representatives from government ministries
involved in transportation and the private sector.
− In its three-volume report, which was released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in March
2014, the committee has said it does not see any reason for the government to continue with its
exclusive ownership in the national carrier. The committee has observed that the airline would
“need to be recapitalized, restructured organizationally, its working capital debt burden written
off and some divisions made independent and corporatized with government retaining perhaps
a 26 percent stake”.


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− Air India’s future prospects remain precarious as the airline is overmanned and unproductive
with sub-par operations and has failed to invest in technology need to retain its competitiveness.
The government, in April 2012 approved financial support of over Rs.30,000 crore to the airline
to be spread over a period of nine years till 2020-21. The national carrier has already received
Rs.12,000 crore in the first two years and the government, in its interim budget, has another
Rs.5,000 crore for Financial Year 15.
− Air India has shown revenue increase and reduction in losses but continues to lose around Rs.10
crore a day. The airline is also trying to monetize its assets. The recommendations assume
significance since a section of the government is also talking about privatizing Air India. The
civil aviation minister has also said it the government should not be in the services industry and
privatize Air India, which was opposed by several parliamentarians.
− In other recommendations, the committee also wants the government to rationalize tax on jet
fuel, a long-pending demand of the aviation industry. Tax on Jet fuel in India is as high as 33 per
cent and the airlines have been petitioning the government for bringing it down to 4 per cent.
• Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammed Nawaz Sharif directs the formation of a National Intelligence
Directorate to pool intelligence resources at all levels and also approves a Rapid Response Force at
the federal and provincial level.
• Aditya Puri panel submitted its report to RBI – An RBI panel on credit information, headed by
Aditya Puri, Chairman of HDFC Bank, submitted its report to RBI on 22 March, 2014. The panel,
‘Committee to recommend Data Format for Furnishing of Credit Information to Credit Information
Companies (CICs)’, has made wide ranging recommendations on issues relating to credit
information. The Committee has suggested that customers should be given a free copy of their
credit profile (Credit Information Reports-CIRs) as it would help in promoting financial discipline
among loan seekers.
Schemes/Initiatives
• The West Bengal government, under its “Sukanaya” scheme, embarks on a project to train
schoolgirls studying in and above Class VIII in the martial arts which will help, among other things,
to defend themselves in the face of any attack.
• Maulana Azad Sehat Scheme and Nalanda Project launched – Union Minister of Minority Affairs
K Rahman Khan on 4 March, 2014 launched two new initiatives for the welfare of Minorities. The
twin initiatives are Maulana Azad Sehat Scheme and Nalanda Project, a Faculty Development
Program for Minorities’ Higher Educational Institutions.
• Nagaland, Assam first states to get plastic EPICs – Assam and Nagaland will be the first two states
in India to be issued Plastic Photo Identity Card for elections. This was disclosed by Deputy Election
Commissioner of India Sudhir Tripathi on 12 March, 2014 in Kohima.
• Assam first to celebrate Child Protection Day – Assam on 4 March, 2014 became the first state in
the country to observe Child Protection Day to secure the future of children. A central function was
held in Guwahati under the aegis of the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(ASCPCR), in collaboration with UNICEF.
Summit/Conference
• 2014 Nuclear Security Summit – The 2014 Nuclear Security Summit was a summit held in The
Hague, the Netherlands, on March 24 and 25, 2014. It was the third edition of the conference,
succeeding the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit. The 2014 summit was attended by 58 world leaders
(5 of which from observing international organizations), some 5,000 delegates and some 3,000
journalists.
• Young Indians (Yi), an integral part of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organises the 10
th
Yi
National Summit on the theme ‘India – The Future is Now’, in New Delhi.


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• On the sidelines of the third biennial Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) at The Hague, 35 countries
committed to bolstering nuclear security, back a global drive spearheaded by U.S. President Barack
Obama to prevent dangerous materials falling into the hands of terrorists.
• 3
rd
BIMSTEC summit held in Myanmar - The third Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral
Technical and Economic Co-operation (BIMSTEC) Summit and its related meetings were held in
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 1 March to 4 March, 2014. BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
Agreement/Deal/Sign
• Japan to Give Rs.8000 crore for Metro Phase III: Japan has singed an agreement to provide Rs.8,383
crore for the ongoing construction of phase III of the Delhi Metro. The Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) on March 31, 2014 signed a loan agreement with the Indian government
to provide 1,40,000 million Japanese Yen (Rs.8,383 crore approximately) of Japanese Official
Development Assistance (ODA) for phase III of the Metro.

• GMR Clinches a Deal in Philippines – The Philippines said on April 5, 2014 it had awarded the $
390-million deal to renovate, expand and operate the Mactan-Cebu international airport to India’s
GMR Infrastructure Ltd. and local partner Megawide Construction Corp.
− GMR and Megawide submitted the best bid for the biggest infrastructure deal offered to
investors so far under the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) programme, the
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said.
− It took the DOTC more than three months to award the project after one of the six other bidders,
Philippine conglomerate Filinvest Development Corpraised a conflict of interest issue against the
GMR-Megawide group.
− The group offered a premium of 14.4 billion peso ($ 320 million) at a tender in December 2013 to
win the 25-year concession, which entails renovating the passenger terminal building, building a
new one to service international flights and operating the airport, the nations’ second-biggest
gateway.
− GMR operates and maintains three airports in New Delhi and Hyderabad in India and in
Istanbul, Mega wide is a Philippine construction firm that has won three out of five PP contracts
valued at around 26 billion peso tendered by the government in the last three years.
• Officials from the EU, United States, Japan, Philippines, Colombia and Indonesia sign a declaration
in Greece to promote sustainable management of fish stocks.
• President Vladimir Putin sign a decree formally recognising Crimea as an independent state
following its vote to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a treaty on Crimea’s accession to Russia after delivering a
defiant speech defending his move and blasting the West for pursuing “containment” of Russia and
flouting international law.
• U.S. President Barack Obama calls on the “entire” government in Tehran to seize on nuclear talks
with world powers to end Iran’s economic isolation.
• Ukraine on 21 March, 2014 signed a political association-agreement with the European Union,
drawing the country closer to the West and away from Russia. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy
Yatsenyuk signed the agreement on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.
• European Union member states and European Parliament negotiators reached a deal on 20 March,
2014 on a new regulatory system for banks. Parliament had initially opposed an agreement reached
in December by EU leaders on how to close down a bank in trouble, saying the system was too
unwieldy and not fast enough.
• Jordan, Egypt, Iraq sign deal for gas and oil projects – Jordan, Iraq and Egypt signed a
memorandum of under-standing on 6 March, 2014 under which natural gas will be supplied from
Iraq to Jordan and Egypt. The plan will connect the natural gas fields in Iraq to the Arab Gas


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Pipeline, which stretches from Egypt’s Arish in northern Sinai through Jordan to Lebanon. When
the natural gas fields in Iraq are connected to the pipeline, natural gas can be supplied to Jordan,
Egypt and other countries where the pipeline exists such as Syria and Lebanon.
• India-US Energy Dialogue – India and the United States on 11 March, 2014 agreed to further work
collaboratively on energy sector. At the India-US Energy dialogue in New Delhi, both the countries
agreed to promote scientific co-operation, research & development for greater technological
innovation and for deployment of environmentally-friendly technologies and products.
• India and Sudan to promote co-operation in renewable energy – Union Minister of New and
Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah on 11 March, 2014 held a bilateral meeting for promoting
co-operation in renewable energy with a delegation from Sudan.
• Tripartite talks among India, Oman and Iran – Energy-deficient India on 28 February, 2014
discussed the possibility of reviving a project for a deep sea pipeline connecting Oman and Iran to
India. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid discussed the $ 5 billion proposal with Omani
Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during a
Tripartite meeting in New Delhi.
• Pranab Mukherjee signs Telangana Bill – The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014, which got
Parliament’s approval on 20 February, got the Presidential assent on 1 March, 2014, paving the way
for creation of the country’s 29
th
state by splitting Andhra Pradesh. The President also signed the
proclamation to impose President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh following the Union Cabinet’s
recommendation.
Meet/Visit
• Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets Sri Lanka’s President Mahindra Rajapaksa on the sidelines
of a regional summit in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar and calls for Jaffna demilitarization.
• The prospect of Iran and Europe bonding as friends acquires fresh symbolism with the visit to
Tehran by European Union (EU) foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who also represents the
West during nuclear talks between Iran and the six global powers.
• US. President Barack Obama holds a historic first meeting with Pope Francis to discuss a shared
agenda of fighting global inequality despite wide differences over issues like gay rights and
contraception.
• India, Lanka and Maldives hold meet on Maritime-Security – India hosted the third National
Security Advisor (NSA)-level Trilateral Meeting on Maritime Security Co-operation with Maldives
and Sri Lanka on 6 March, 2014 in New Delhi.
Bills
• President Pranab Mukherjee gives his assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 for the
creation of the State of Reorganization Bill, 2014 for the creation of the State of Telangana, and
approves the Cabinet’s recommendation to impose Central rule in the State.
• Kenya Legalises Polygamy – Kenya’s parliament has passed a bill allowing men to marry as many
women as they want, prompting a furious backlash from female lawmakers who stormed out,
reports said on March 21, 2014. The Bill, which amended existing marriage legislation, was passed
late on March 20, 2014 to formalize customary law about marrying more than one person. The
proposed bill had initially given a wife the right to veto the husband’s choice, but male members of
parliament overcame party divisions to push through a text that dropped this clause.
• Draft Direct Taxes Code bill – 2013 – The Finance Ministry on April 1, 2014 put up the draft Direct
Taxes Code (DTC) Bill 2013 that proposes to bring in sweeping changes in India’s income tax regime
including a higher 35% tax for the super-rich for those who earn more than Rs.10 crore a year,
rejigging the existing slabs and a wealth tax on host of assets such as expensive paintings.


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− It has also proposed to reduce the age for tax exemption for senior citizens to 60 years from 65
years. It has, however, rejected a Parliamentary Standing Committee’s recommendation to raise
the income tax exemption limit to Rs.3 lakh and to adjust other slabs saying that it will lead to an
annual loss of Rs.60,000 crore to the exchequer.
− At present, there are three tax slabs. Those with an income of less than Rs.2 lakh a year are
exempt from paying taxes. Those earning between Rs.2 lakh and Rs.5 lakh annually are taxed at
10%, those between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.10 lakh at 20% while any-body earning more than Rs.10
lakh pays a tax of 30%.
− In last year budget (2013-14) Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, for the first time, introduced a
“super-rich tax”. “Relatively prosperous” persons with a taxable income of more than Rs.1 crore
and there are supposedly only 42,800 of them in India-now pay an additional sur-charge of 10%.
− Under the draft DTC Bill, which incorporates 153 of the 190 recommendations of the
Parliamentary Standing Committee, proposed to introduce a higher tax slab for those with an
annual income above Rs.10 crore. The DTC Bill, which is aimed at replacing the five-decade old
Income Tax Act 1961 with contemporary legislation with well-defined rules, was first introduced
in Parliament in 2010.
− The draft, however, is only proposal as the new government will likely bring in a new set of
proposals and table it in Parliament. In his Budget speech, Chidambaram had said that revised
DTC Bill incorporating amendments recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee
was ready and will be placed in public domain for discussions.
− With a view to maintaining overall progressivity in levy of income tax, the revised Code
provides for a fourth slab for individuals, HUFs and artificial judicial persons. In their case if the
total income exceeds Rs.10 crore, it is proposed to be taxed at the rate of 35%. The draft DTC Bill
proposes 35% tax on super-rich with income exceeding Rs.10 crore. It has proposed to retain the
IT exemption limit at Rs.2 lakh. Tax exemption for senior citizens proposed to be lowered to 60
years from 65 years.
− Foreign companies with more than 20% assets in India will be subjected to domestic tax laws. At
present, there is no tax on income of up to Rs.2 lakh per annum; 10% on Rs.2-5 lakh; 20% on Rs.5-
10 lakh and 30% on income beyond Rs.10 lakh. The revised DTC also said the income from a
house property, which is not used for business or commercial purposes, will be taxed under the
head “income from house property”.
− The ministry said the revised Code captures all assets for wealth tax, whether physical or
financial, “thereby removing the distinction between physical and financial assets”, which
discriminated against those taxpayers who are conservative and put their money in physical
assets. The Bill has proposed to levy wealth tax at the rate of 0.25%. The threshold for the levy of
in the case of individual and HUF is proposed at Rs.50 crores.

Fund
• Fund For Rehabilitation of Insurgents – The Manipur government has set aside Rs.19,71,40,000 for
2013-14 for the rehabilitation of the former insurgents who have joined the national mainstream
after laying down arms. The Fund was reflected in the supplementary budget tabled in the last
session of the Assembly on March 22, 2014.
• India to provide Rs.8.5 billion to Bhutan – India has pledged to provide Rs.8.5 billion to Bhutan for
its 11
th
Five-Year-Plan, helping the landlocked country to implement major projects that will
improve the livelihood of its people. The decision in this regard was taken at the first meeting of the
small development project committee (SDP) for the 11
th
Five-Year-Plan, comprising representative
from the Royal Government of Bhutan and two from the Embassy of India, held here last week.


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Economy
• External Debt Rises – India’s total external debt stock stood at $ 426 billion as on December 31,
2013, or 5.2 per cent higher than that on March 31, 2013. The external debt to gross domestic product
(GDP) ratio has marginally worsened to 23.3 per cent from 21.8 per cent, according to official data
released on March 28, 2014.
− The increase in external debt was due to long-term debt, especially nonresident Indian (NRI)
deposits. A sharp increase in NRI deposits reflected the impact of fresh FCNR (Foreign Currency
Non-Resident) deposits mobilized under the swap scheme during September – November 2013”.
− As a result, long-term debt a the end of December 2013 was $ 333.3 billion or 8.1 per cent higher
than the end March 2013 level. The short term debt, however, decreased by 4.1 per cent to $ 92.7
billion. Short-term debt accounted for 21.8 per cent of the total external debt, the balance (78.2
per cent) was long-term debt. Component-wise, commercial borrowings accounted for 31.5 per
cent of the total external debt, followed by NRI deposits (23.2 per cent) and multilateral debt
(12.3 per cent), Government sovereign external debt stood at $ 76.4 billion (17.9 per cent of total
external debt) on December 31, 2013, against $81.7 billion (20.2 per cent) on March 31, 2013.
• Core Sector Grows 4.5% In February – The core sector growth rate short up to 4.5 per cent in
February 2014on the back of recovery in the output of electricity, coal and crude oil. The growth rate
was 1.3 per cent in February 2013. It was 1.6 per cent in January 2014.
Core Sector Growth (in%)
Overall 1.3 : February 2013 Overall 4.5 : February 2014
Electricity: -3.7 Electricity: 10.4
Coal : -6.1 Coal: 0.1
Crude: -4 Crude: 1.9
Natural Gas : -20.1 Natural Gas: -4.4
Refinery Products: 22.9 Refinery Products: 3.2
Fertilizers: -4.0 Fertilizers: -0.7
Steel: 4.7 Steel: 4.8
Cement: 3.1 Cement: 2.3
• Current Account Deficit Contracts in Q3 – India’s current account deficit (CAD) narrowed sharply
to $ 4.2 billion (0.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of the current
financial year (2013-14) from $31.9 billion (6.5 per cent of GDP) in the third quarter of 2012-13. This
is also lower than $ 5.2 billion (1.2 per cent of GDP) in the second quarter of 2013-14.
− The lower CAD was primarily on account of a decline in the trade deficit as merchandise exports
picked up and imports moderated, particularly gold imports.
− On balance of payments (BoP) basis, merchandise exports increased by 7.5 per cent to $ 79.8
billion in third quarter of 2013-14 (3.9 per cent in third quarter of 2012-13) “on the back of
significant growth especially in the exports of engineering goods, readymade garments, iron ore,
marine products and chemicals”.
− On the other hand, merchandise imports at $112.9 billion, recorded a decline of 14.8 per cent
against an increase of 10.4 per cent.
− The decline in imports in the third quarter was primarily led by a steep decline in gold imports,
which amounted to $ 3.1 billion as compared to $ 17.8 billion in the third quarter of 2012-13 and $
3.9 billion in the second quarter of 2013-14.
− As a result, merchandise trade deficit (BoP basis) contracted by around 43 per cent to $ 33.2
billion in the third quarter of 2013-14 from $ 58.4 billion a year ago.
− In the financial account, on net basis, foreign direct investment and portfolio investment
recorded inflows of $ 6.1 billion and $ 2.4 billion, respectively in the third quarter of 2013-14.


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− Within portfolio investment, the debt segment showed net outflow which, however, was offset
by higher net inflows of equity of $ 6.2 billion.
− Net inflows of NRI deposits amounted to $ 21.4 billion as compared to $ 2.7 billion. “A sharp
increase in NRI deposits was on account of fresh FCNR(B) deposits mobilized under the swap
scheme offered by the Reserve Bank during September-November 2013”.
− On BoP basis, there was a net accretion of $ 19.1 billion to India’s foreign exchange reserves in
the third quarter of 2013-14 as compared to a drawdown of $ 10.4 billion in the preceding
quarter.
− The RBI said that the turn around in export growth and decline in imports from July 2013
onwards led to a sharp reduction in the trade deficit to $ 116.9 billion in April-December 2013
from $ 150 billion in April-December 2012.
− Contraction in the trade deficit, coupled with a rise in net invisible receipts, resulted in a
reduction of the CAD to $ 31.1 billion (2.3 per cent of GDP) in April-December 2013 from $ 69.8
billion (5.2 per cent of GDP) in April-December of 2012.
− $ 4.2 billion or 0.9% of GDP: India’s current account deficit (CAD) in October-December, 2013,
compared to $ 5.2 billion (1.2% of GDP) in the July-September quarter, and $ 31.9 billion or 6.5%
of GDP in October-December 2012
− 31.1 billion or 2.3% of GDP: CAD in the first nine months of 2013-14, against $ 69.8 billions or
5.2% of GDP in the previous year period
− $ 45 billion CAD target for full year 2013-14, set by finance minister P. Chidambaram in his
interim budget speech in February 2014.
• RBI allowed gold imports by HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Indusland Bank and
Yes bank.
• EU offers Ukraine $ 15 billion help – The European Union offered a larger than expected package
of aid to Ukraine on 5 March, 2014 saying it was willing to provide $ 15 billion in loans and grants
over the next several years to help get the shattered economy back on its feet.
Stock Market
• IOC Buys Stake in Petronas’ LNG Project – Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), on March 7, 2014 signed
a deal to buy a 10 per cent stake in shale-gas assets and a linked liquefied natural gas (LNG) project
in British Columbia for $ 900 million. The acquisition of stake in Progress Energy Resources Corp’s
shale gas assets and Pacific North West LNG for Canadian $1 billion (U.S. $ 900 million) marks
IOC’s maiden entry into North America. Announcing the deal, Petroleum Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s
state oil company, said it had signed transaction agreements to sell a 10 per cent interest in Progress
Energy’s LNG, destined natural gas reserves in northeast British Columbia and in the proposed
LNG export facility on Canada’s West Coast.
− As part of the transaction, IOC has also agreed to off take 1.2 million tonnes of liquefied natural
gas (LNG) per annum, which represents 10 per cent of the LNG facility’s production, for a
minimum period of 20 years.
− After the transactions with IOC, Petronas will hold 77 per cent of the integrated project. The
Canadian asset will produce as much as 19.68 million tonnes of LNG a year for 25 years starting
2018. Progress Energy has more than 1.9 trillion cubic feet of proved and probable gas reserves in
British Columbia.
• Axis Bank Stake Sale Realises Rs.5500 Crore – The Central Government on March 21, 2014 sold its
9 per cent stake in Axis Bank the third largest private sector bank in the country, through a block
deal in a price range of Rs.1,313-1,341 per share. This sale is expected to garner around Rs.5,500
crore with a sale of 4.20 crore shares held by the government through Specified Under taking of UTI
(SUUTI) in Axis Bank.


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− This sale is expected to garner around Rs.5,500 crore with a sale of 4.20 crore shares held by the
government through Specified Under taking of UTI (SUUTI) in Axis Bank. SUUTI, formed in
2003, is an offshoot of erstwhile UTI, held 20.72 per cent in Axis Bank. Following the deal on
March 21, 2014, SUUTI’s holding will come down to 11.72 per cent in Axis Bank. Shares of Axis
Bank closed 2.69 per cent higher at Rs.1,393.40 on the BSE.
− However, shares of Axis Bank fell to the day’s low of Rs.1,313.25, down Rs.44 per share
compared to its previous close in early trades. The investment bankers had fixed a price band of
Rs.1,290-1,357 for the deal. JM Financial, JP Morgan and Citibank were handling the share sale.
• LIC has emerged as the single largest investor, buying over 85 lakh shares at Rs.1,313.25, thereby
pumping in over Rs.1,116 crore. New World Fund bought 26.88 lakh shares at Rs.1316.13 per share,
Goldman Sachs 23.5 lakh shares at Rs.1,323.57 per share and City Group Global 38.2 lakh shares at
Rs.1,316.13 per share. Several other institutional investors also bought shares in the block deal.
Space
• Astronomers Discover First Ever Miniature Planet – Until now, rings in space were only found
around giant planets like Saturn and Jupiter. But astronomers have now discovered, two billion
kilometers out in the solar system between Saturn and Uranus, the first ever miniature planet with
two rings of ice and pebbles. Researchers from Niels Bohr Institute call this smaller celestial body,
Chariklo.
• Biggest Yellow “HYPERGIANT” Star Spotted – An International team of scientists using the Very
Large Telescope Interferometer, in March 2014, announced to have discovered the largest known
yellow hypergiant start in our Galaxy. Yellow hypergiants are very rare, with only a dozen or so
known in Milky Way Galaxy. The best-known example is Rho Cassiopeiae. The newly discovered
hypergiant star, named HR 5171A, lies about 12,000 light-years away from Earth and measures
more than 1,300 times the diameter of the Sun. HR 5171A is one of the 10 largest stars found so far.
• U.S.- Russian Space Trio Lands Safely – An American astronaut and two Russians who carried a
Sochi Olympic torch into open space landed safely and on time on in Kazakhstan on 11 March 2014,
defying bad weather and ending their 166-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• Comet-chaser Rosetta’s instruments come alive – After coming out of near three-year, deep-space
hibernation in January 2014, the Rosetta satellite now has sufficient power to check out its science
payload. This craft, known as Philae, is piggy-backing the main probe.
• ‘Waves’ detected on Titan moon’s lakes – Scientists believe they have detected the first liquid
waves on the surface of another world. The signature of isolated ripples was observed in a sea
called Punga Mare on the surface of Saturn’s moon Titan. However, these seas are filled not with
water, but with hydrocarbons like methane and ethane.
Science and Technology
• Nirbheek Lightweight Revolver For Protection of Women Launched – Indian Ordinance factory
on 25 March 2014 launched a lightweight revolver named Nirbheek. This revolver is designed
especially for women to defend themselves from assault.
• An Indian-American scientist has built the first 3-D model of a human fingerprint, an advance that
could boost the accuracy of fingerprint-matching systems and improve security technology. Anil
Jain, from Michigan State University, and colleagues developed a method which takes a two-
dimensional image of a fingerprint and maps it to a 3-D finger surface.
• IIT-Delhi Student Invents Device to Test Haemoglobin – A student of the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT), Delhi, Ambar Srivastava, has developed a mobile phone-size haemoglobin metre
dubbed the True-Hb Hemometer – the first case of an innovation from the institute’s biomedical
engineering department actually getting “productized”. The device, which has been validated by
the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for its efficacy, is expected to help identify and
tackle anaemia effectively.


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• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists have developed an autonomous robotic fish
that can execute escape manoeuvre, convulsing its body to change direction in just a fraction of a
second, or almost as quickly as a real fish can. The robotic fish was built by Andrew Marchese, a
graduate student in MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and lead
author on the new paper, where he was joined by Rus and Cagdas D Onal.
• Scientists Develop an Artificial Heart – Heart muscles that actually beat, created artificially in the
lab, have for the first time become a reality. Researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and
Harvard Medical School in Boston and the University of Sydney in Australia have been able to
combine a novel elastic hydrogel with micro scale technologies to create an artificial cardiac tissue
that mimics the mechanical and biological properties of the native heart.
• Texas Motor Speedway lit up night on 19 March 2014 as track officials unveiled the world’s largest
high-definition LED video board to the public in Fort Worth, Texas.
• World’s longest hybrid aircraft, Airlander, was recently unveiled in Britain’s biggest aircraft hangar
in Cardington, central England. The helium-filled hybrid aircraft, could be used for surveillance and
carrying aid to disaster-hit zones. It has been developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles, (HAV), a
Cranfield-based company in Britain.
• Scientists in the British community discovered a way to re-build ears and noses using stem cells
from body fat on 4 March 2014.
• Vinegar Can Help Fight Drug-Resistant TB – Acetic acid, an active ingredient in vinegar, can be
used as an inexpensive and non-toxic disinfectant against drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria,
scientists say.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in March 2014, unveiled the first-ever cloud based open-
source Web-GIS Tool for estimating rooftop solar power potential for Indian solar cities. The main
objective of this initiative is to develop a high performing and flexible Web-GIS tool to estimate the
rooftop solar power potential for Indian cities.
• European space experts at the National Centre for Space Studies claim to have reawakened a fridge
sized robot – 100-kg. Philae lander – designed to make the first-ever spacecraft landing on a comet.
• First Water ATM in launched in Mumbai – A non-profit group Vandana Foundation on 25 March,
2014 launched AQUATM at Mankhurd, Mumbai. The AQUATM is a water vending machine. The
machine is that it can be operated through prepaid card. AQUATM will release up to 1000 litres per
day.
Health / Diseases / Drugs
• The administration of oral polio vaccine (OPV) six weeks before departure is made mandatory by
the Centre for all India-bound travelers from seven countries where polio cases are still being
reported: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan.
• WHO declares India Polio free – The World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asia Region,
home to a quarter of the world’s population, was certified polio free on March 27, 2014 by an
independent commission under the WHO certification process.
− This is the fourth of six WHO Regions to be certified, marking an important step towards global
polio eradication. With this step, 80 per cent of the world’s population now lives in certified
polio free regions.
• National Campaign Against Dengue is Launched – To eradicate dengue, a multi-pronged
campaign was launched on 12 March 2014 across six Indian cities with public-private partnership.
As part of the two month long campaign ‘U & Me Against Dengue’, fumigation drive, neem
plantation and cleanliness drive would be kicked off in phases across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore,
Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne viral infection.


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• Ebola Virus Detected in Guinea Fever Outbreak – As per an announcement made on 2 March
2014, samples from victims of a viral hemorrhagic fever that has killed more than 50 people in
Guinea have tested positive for the Ebola virus, marking the first time an outbreak among humans
has been detected in this West African nation. Previous Ebola outbreaks were reported in Congo
and Uganda, most recently in 2012.
• High-Protein Diet ‘As bad for Health as smoking’ – According to a new scientific study, published
in March 2014, eating too much protein could be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people.
Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet
rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein
diet.
• New Class of Antibiotics Discovered – In a break through, scientists have discovered a new class
of antibiotics to fight deadly bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other
drug-resistant bacteria that threaten public health. The new class, called oxadiazoles, was
discovered by University of Notre Dame researchers led by Mayland Chang and Shahriar
Mobashery in silico (by computer) screening and has shown promise in the treatment of MRSA in
mouse models of infection.
• Annual Health Survey – All major health indicators in the country’s worst-performing States are
showing a gradual improvement over the years but inter State variations persist, according to the
second update on the Annual Health Survey (AHS) released on March 6, 2014.
Energy/ Gas/Oil
• Solar Capacity in India Crosses 2500 MW – The total grid-connected solar capacity, commissioned
under the National Solar Mission, crossed the 2,500-MW mark and stood at 2,632 MW as on March
31, 2014. Of the total, a little over a third of capacity was commissioned in Gujarat.
− A total capacity of 947 MW was commissioned during fiscal 2013-14 and Madhya Pradesh added
highest capacity of 310 MW during the year, according to a document of Union Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
− Of the commissioned, higher contribution came from state-policy driven projects at 1, 322 MW,
followed by MNRE projects at 688 MW. REC Scheme at 491 MW and the rest came from RPO
(renewable purchase obligation), private sector rooftop and central government organisations.
− Gujarat (916 MW) topped the cumulative capacity table, followed by Rajasthan (730 MW),
Madhya Pradesh (347 MW) and Maharashtra (249 MW), among others.
− The solar market potential remains as large as ever, even in a slower-growing economy. As
power shortfalls continue, peak shortage is a critical problem that has stifled industrial growth,
and back up generation is becoming increasingly expensive. The diesel price hike of 50 paise a
month since January 2013 has resulted in about 15 percent increase in diesel prices over the last
13 months, making solar a very attractive option.
− While the total new capacity addition in renewable sector for 2013-14 is awaited, January 2014
saw two milestones-the total grid-interactive renewable energy capacity in the country crossed
30,000 MW and the total installed capacity of wind segment crossed 20,000 MW.
Environment
• 3114.3 sq.km Exempted From ESA in Kerala – A draft notification issued by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) on March 10, 2013 effectively released 3,114.3 sq km of human
settlements, plantations, and agricultural land in Kerala from the Ecologically Sensitive Areas
(ESAs) identified by the Kasturirangan committee on the conservation of the Western Ghats
• Dozens of protesters stage a 2,400-km march to northern Myanmar, calling for the canceling of a
Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam project along the Irrawaddy River over environmental concerns.


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Festival
• Festival of India, a ten-day event was launched in Vietnam on 5 March 2014. The event was
organised in three cities of Vietnam namely Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Media/IT/Telecommunication
• ‘DENDROID’ Virus Threatens Android Smartphones in India – Indian cyber security sleuths
have alerted users of Android smartphones about the malicious activities of a tricky virus called
‘Dendroid’ whose infection could “complete compromise” their personal phone device. The virus of
the Trojan family, once activated, could change the command and control server of a user’s personal
Android phone and intercept private SMSes coming or going out.
• Facebook Inc will acquire two-year-old Oculus VR Inc, a maker of virtual-reality glasses for gaming,
for $ 2 billion, buying its way into the fast-growing wearable devices arena with its first-ever
hardware deal. The acquisition marks a big bet by Facebook to anticipate the next shift in an
evolving technology industry, at a time when consumers are increasingly abandoning their PCs for
smartphones. Many in the industry believe that wearable devices could represent the next big
platform shift.
• Turkey bans video-sharing website YouTube, having blocked Twitter a week earlier after both were
used to spread audio recordings damaging to the Government.

Appointments/Election
• The Supreme Court collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam, on March 1
st
2014,
recommends Justice G. Rohini, senior most judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, as the first
woman Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
• President Pranab Mukherjee appoints Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi Chief Minister, as Kerala
Governor, and a second term for Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi.
• Gavaskar captains IPL 2014 – Without giving any opinion on the merits of the allegations against‘
BCCI president N. Srinivasan, the Supreme Court on March 28, 2014 appointed the former India
skipper, Sunil Gavaskar, as interim president of the board to discharge the functions of the Indian
Premier League 2014 until its final order on the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal.
• The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) accepts Sourav Ganguly’s proposal to appoint Pakistan
pacer Waqar Younis and Sri Lankan spin ace Muthiah Muralitharan as the bowling consultants for
Bengal cricketers in the next three seasons.
• Olympian and former India captain Jude Felix is appointed coach of the National men’s hockey
team.
• Aditi Khanna - Aditi Khanna was, on 20 March 2014, unanimously elected as the first women
President of Indian Journalists Association (IJA) in London.
• B.N. Srikrishna - Former Supreme Court Justice B.N. Srikrishna was, on 11 March 2014, appointed
as the Chairman of Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB). He will succeed Dhirendra
Swarup, the former chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• Jens Stoltenberg - As per announcement made by the North Atlantic Council in Brussels in
Belgium on 28 March 2014, Jens Stoltenberg had been appointed as the Secretary General of North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Priyadarshi Mohapatra - Technology firm Avaya on 6 March 2014 appointed Priyadarshi
Mohapatra as a Managing Director for its India and SAARC operations.
• R. Neelakantan - Low – cost carrier Spice Jet appointed R. Neelakantan as its Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) on 4 March 2014.
• Rajiv Takru - Rajiv Takru, an IAS officer of 1979 batch of Gujarat cadre was appointed as the
Revenue Secretary on 25 March 2014.


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• Rakesh Sethi - Rakesh Sethi was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of
Allahabad Bank on 12 March 2014.
• Sheila Dikshit - Sheila Dikshit, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, on 11 March 2014, took oath as
the Governor of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Soma Mondal - Soma Mondal was, on 12 March 2014, appointed as the first woman director
(Commercial) of Navaratna Public Sector Unit (PSU) National Aluminium Company Ltd(NALCO).
• Sunil Gavaskar - Sunil Gavaskar was appointed as the interim president of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI) by the Supreme Court on 28 March 2014.
• Varun Berry - Varun Berry was, on 25 March 2014, appointed as Managing Director (MD) of
Britannia Industries. He will succeed Vinita Bali.
• The council of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) selects Anurag Kumar as its 20
th
director in
Bangalore.
• Specialist Michelle Bachelet takes the oath of office as President of Chile, returning to power after
four years with a reform agenda to reduce social disparities in this prosperous South American
country.
• Former leftist rebel commander Salvador Sanchez Ceren wins the presidential election in El
Salvador by a razor-thin margin.
• Syria’s parliament on 13 March, 2014 approved a new election law which for the first time in
decades allows multiple candidates to run for president.
• Nine phase Lok Sabha elections from April 7 – The Election Commission on 5 March, 2014
announced a nine-phase poll for the 16
th
Lok Sabha from April 7 to May 12. The counting of votes
will be taken up on Mary 16. This is the first time in the Indian election history, the polls are held in
nine phases spread overt two months. The EVMs will have the voters to utilise the “none of the
above” (NOTA) button if they wished not to vote to any candidate.
Resignation/Dismissed/Retired/Quit
• South African Graeme Smith, international cricket’s longest – serving captain, announces his
retirement from all forms of the game after the current third Test against Australia at Newlands.
• Former Brazil star Rivaldo, the winner of the Ballond Or in 1999 and World Cup winner with Brazil
in 2002, announces his retirement from football.
• Mahela Jayawardene announces his retirement from T20 Internationals after the conclusion of the
ongoing ICC World T20 in Bangladesh.
• Germany’s Franz – Peter Terbartz – Van Elst also known as bling bishop resigned on 26 March 2014
for the allegations for his luxurious lifestyle. The resignation formally was accepted by the Pope
Francis.
• GK Pillai resigned as Chairman of MCX-SX on 14 March 2014. Consequently, current Vice
chairman and former LIC chairman, Thomas Mathew T was elected as new Chairman and Ashima
Goyal was elected as vice chairperson by the Board members.
• Dr KC Chakrabarthy, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India resigned on 20 March
2014.
• Nancy Powell, the US Ambassador to India, announced her resignation in the US Mission Town
Hall meeting on 31 March 2014.
• Nandan Nilekani resigned as chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on
3 March 2014.
• Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan - The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) of Jet Airways Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan resigned on 25 March 2014.


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• After nine years in office, Estonian PM Andrus Ansip on 4 March, 2014 announced his resignation
to enable a successor to lead his party into 2015 elections.
Arrests/Jailed/Released
• CBI probe against HAL, Rolls-Royce – The Central Bureau of Investigation on March 21, 2014
registered a preliminary enquiry against unknown officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL), British company Rolls-Royce and the owner of Aashmore Private Limited over an alleged
Rs.18.8 crore bribe to bag a contract for supply of aircraft engine spare to the public sector
undertaking.
• Judgement on Shakti Mills rape case – A session’s court of Mumbai on April 4, 2014 awarded the
death penalty, under a new IPC section, to three repeat offenders Vijay Jadhav, Qasim Sheikh, alias
Bengali, and Salim Ansari who gang raped a photojournalist on the Shakti Mills compound in 2013.
They were earlier convicted of the gang rape of a telephone operator on the same premises. Siraj
Sheikh, convicted only in the photojournalist case, was sentenced to prison for the rest of his natural
life.
• The Delhi Police Special Cell arrests Tehsin Akhtar alias Monu, the de facto chief of the Indian
Mujahideen.
• Shrien Dewani, 33-year-old Bristol citizen of Indian origin, accused of murdering his wife Anni
Dewani on their honeymoon in Cape Town in 2010, loses his legal battle in the High Court against
his extradition to South Africa.
• Turkey’s former army chief Ilker Basbug, jailed for life in 2013 for plotting to overthrow the Islamic-
rooted government, walks free from prison after a court orders his release.
• Vietnam jails Pham Viet Dao, a prominent blogger for 15 months, on a charge of anti-state activity,
the second such sentencing in a fortnight in a nation where perceived dissent is severely punished.
Deaths
• Bangaru Laxman, the first Dalit leader to head the BJP, dies of heart attack in Hyderabad on 1
st

March 2014.
• Adolfo Suarez, the former Prime Minister of Spain and the man who steered the country after the
dictatorship of Franco, died at the age of 81 in March 2014.
• Former Union Minister Bhuvnesh Chaturvedi died at a private hospital in Kota on 2 March 2014
after protracted illness.
• Dr. Frank Jobe, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon who was the first to perform an elbow procedure
that became known as Tommy John surgery and saved the careers of countless major league
pitchers, died on 6 March 2014.
• Former Brazilian international footballer Hilderaldo Luiz Bellini died on 18 March 2014.
• Writer, historian and columnist Khushwant Singh died of cardiac arrest at his residence in New
Delhi on 20 March 2014. He was 99.
• Afghan Vice President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, formerly one of the country’s much
feared warlords, died of natural causes on 9 March 2014 after a turbulent life that summed up the
country’s recent past.
• Actress Nanda, star of films like Tenn Deviyan and Gumnaam, died at home in Mumbai on March
25, 2014. She was 75.
• Sheila MacRae, who played Alice Kramden in “The Honeymooners,” died on March 2014. The
English actress died in Englewood, N.J, at the age of 92.
• T.C. Teli, the former Arunachal Pradesh Minister died on 14 March 2014 at his residence in
Itanagar. He died at age of 50.


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• Dinshaw, Pak’s Lone Parsi Cricketer, Dies in Penuary – Rusi Dinshaw, the only Parsi to have ever
been selected in a Pakistan Test squad, passed away in Karachi on 24 March 2014.
• Maoists Kill 16 in Chhattisgarh – Fifteen security personnel were killed in a Maoist ambush on
March 11, 2014 in sukma district of south Chhattisgarh. One civilian, Vikram Nishad, also died in
the cross-fire while three were injured.
• General Secretary of the Rail, and Maritime and Transport Union, and one of the United Kingdom’s
foremost trade union leaders, Bob Crow dies in London.
• Tony Benn – British socialist, parliamentarian (he was the longest serving Labour member of
parliament) and firebrand campaigner for progressive causes, dies in London.
• Sierra Leone’s former president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, widely credited with returning peace to the
shattered west African nation after years of brutal civil war, died on 13 March, 2014 aged 82.

Awards/Honours
• Laxmi, a victim of acid attack and a standard bearer for the movement to end acid attacks, is
selected by the United States for the prestigious International Women of the Courage Award.
• Femina Miss India – The 51
st
fbb Femina Miss India 2014 pageant was held at Yash Raj Studios in
Andheri, Mumbai on April 5
th
, 2014. Petite Koyal Rana, a 21 year old, Delhi, was crowned the
winner of the fbb Femina Miss India 2014. First Runner-up – Jhataleka Malhotra, 19. Second
Runner-up – Gail Da Silva, 21.
• 3
rd
National Photography Awards were conferred by Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam to
eminent photojournalists at a function in New Delhi on 24 March 2014. ‘The Best Professional
Photographer of the Year 2012-13’ was given to J. Suresh. Special mention awards (professional)
were given to Atul Yadav, Dinesh Shukla, Chauhan Pravinsinh R. Sudipto Das and Dipayan
Bhar. In the amateur category, the ‘Best Amateur Photographer of the Year 2011-12’ has been given
to Kingshuk Chakravarty, a computer science researcher. Special mention awards (amateur) were
given to Sandipan Majumdar, Alok Avinash, Asis Kumar Sanyal, Devendra and Avijit Roy.
• Czech Priest and Former Dissident Tomas Halik Wins £ 1.1 M Templeton Prize – Tomas Halik, a
Roman Catholic priest and philosopher, onetime Czech political activist and an advocate for
religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, won the 2014 Templeton Prize on 13 March 2014 for
religious and spiritual progress. The award honors a living person “who has made exceptional
contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical
works.
• The renowned Hindi author, Mr. Govind Mishra will receive Saraswati Samman 2013 for his book
“Dhool Paudho Par” published in 2008.
• Gyan Correa, the debutant director of Gujarati movie ‘The Good Road’, was in March 2014 selected
for the Gollapudi Srinivas National Award 2013. “The Good Road” has bagged the Best Gujarati
film award at the 60
th
National Film Award.
• Journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary’s indigenous effort to use the internet and the mobile phone
network to get voices of tribals from deep inside the forests of Chhattisgarh across to the world
outside in the local Gondi language, caught the world’s attention so much that he beat no other than
American whistleblower Edward Snowden to win the Digital Activism Award, 2014, which is part
of the Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expressions Awards given out every year.
• Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, in March 2014, won the 2014 Pritzker Architect Prize for his
contribution to humanity and innovative use of everyday materials.
• Gopal Rao, an Indian-origin MBA student, at the University of Cambridge won accolades from
British Foreign Secretary William Hague after winning a Twitter competition which asked a
question regarding UK’s foreign policy in March 2014.


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• Teenage rights activist Malala Yousafzai and national cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq, along with
103 others, were conferred with Pakistan’s Civil Awards in recognition of services rendered to the
nation in March 2014. Malala and slain Pakistani student Aitezaz Hassan were also awarded the
‘Sitara-i-Shuja’ at for gallantry.
• As per an announcement made by The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale in March
2014, Indian writer Pankaj Mishra is one of eight writers from seven countries winning a $ 150,000
Yale University prize.
• Actor Victor Banerjee starrer “Ekhon Nedekha Nadir Xipaare”, a socio-political assume thriller set
in the river island of Majuli, won the audience choice award in the North Carolina film fest in
March 2014.
• New Zealand’s Ross Taylor is awarded the Test Player of the Year, ODI Player of the Year and
presented with the Redpath Cup for First Class batting over the 2013 – 14 season in Wellington.
• India’s Virat Kohli reclaims the No. 1 position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen
released in Dubai after the conclusion of the Asia Cup.
• Sachin Tendulkar expectedly walks away with the Cricketer of the Generation award at the ESPN –
Cricinfo 2013 awards ceremony in Mumbai.
• Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel and American swimming sensation Missy Franklin
are named Laureus Sportsman and woman of the Year in Kuala Lumpur.
• The prestigious G D Birla award for scientific research for 2013 was given to Rajesh Gopakumar, a
theoretical physicist at the Harish Chandra Research Institute in Allahabad in March 2014.
Gopakumar was awarded for his contribution in the Quantum Field Theory and String Theory.
• President Confers Stree Shakti Puruskar on International Women’s Day - President Pranab
Mukherjee conferred Stree Shakti Puruskar to six illustrious women in recognition of their
achievements at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on 9 March 2014.
− Smt. Manasi Pradhan from Odisha has been honoured with Rani Lakshmibai Award for the
year 2013 for her work in the field of women’s empowerment.
− Dr. M. Venkaiah from Andhra Pradesh has been honoured with Rani Rudramma Devi Award
for the year 2013 for his contribution in the field of women’s health.
− Mrs. Bina Sheth Lashkari from Maharashtra has been honoured with Mata Jijabai Award for
the year 2013 for her achievement in the field of education and training.
− Mrs. T. Radha K. Prashanti from Andhra Pradesh has been honoured with Kannagi Award for
the year 2013 for her achievement in the field of providing support to orphans, visually
impaired, handicapped and destitute women.
− Dr. Vartika Nanda from Delhi has been honoured with Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award for the
year 2013 for her creating awareness on women’s issues through media.
− Dr. Seema Sakhare form Maharashtra has been honoured with Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Award
for the year 2013 for her contributions in the field of women’s rights, gender issues, legal
counselling and institutional support to women and girls.
• Renowned music director and concert conductor Zubin Mehta was conferred the special jury
award by Times Now at the channel’s NRI of the Year awards held in Mumbai in March 2014.
− Other recipients in the awards debut edition were Keertika Rawat for entertainment and Dr.
Kunal Saha in the ‘My India’ category, while Dr. Raminder Singh Ranger, Rupesh Srivastava,
Anand Kumar and Nitish Jain were awarded in the entrepreneur category.
− The award among NRI students was given to Husain Khaki, Mala Kiran Talekar, Abdul Muqeet
and Aastha Chauhan.


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− In the professionals’ category, Dr.Ramesh Babu, Chandrabhan Singh, Chandrashekar Natarajan,
Y Sudhir Kumar Shetty and Venkatesha Murthy won the award, while Suman Kapoor, Vijay
Goradia, Keshav Murleedharan and Dr. D Chandroo were felicitated for philanthrophy.
• Indian soldiers who took part in World War I will be honoured by the United Kingdom through a
series of events commemorating the 100
th
anniversary of the war this year.
• Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik creates a sand sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II with the message
“Every Woman is a Queen of Hearts” at Puri beach of Odisha on the eve of Women’s Day.
• Anadur Gram Panchayat figures among the list of rural local bodies to have got the Nirmal Bharat
award for the year 2013.
• Chander Pahar, based on Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay’s adventure classic based on South Africa,
wins two most coveted feathers in the Banglar Gaurav Samman Awards in Kolkata.
• Famous poets Javed Akhtar (Urdu), Subodh Sarkar (Bengali) and Ambika Dutt (Rajasthani) are
felicitated by the Sahitya Akademi at the annual “Festival of Letters” in New Delhi.
• Mahatma Jyotiraro Phule, the Kannada translation of a biography on the 19
th
century social
reformer, by J.P. Doddamani is chosen for the Sahitya Akademi award 2013.
• U.K. High Commissioner to India James Bevan announces in New Delhi that Indian soldiers who
took part in World War 1 will be honoured by the United Kingdom through a series of events
commemorating the 100
th
anniversary of the war in 2014.
• MC Kejriwal Vidyapeeth becomes the first school in Howrah and the third in West Bengal to receive
the prestigious National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) certification for
quality school governance.
• Special edition Sachin Tendulkar silver coins, with his face, name and signature embossed on them,
is launched in Mumbai in the presence of the Indian cricket legend himself.
• President Pranab Mukherjee gives away gallantry awards the Defence Investiture Ceremony at
Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
• Pampa Sinha, a volunteer with Children International, a global humanitarian organisation focused
on child welfare, is honoured with Inspire Award by the organisation’s president Jim Cook in
Kolkata.
• At the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, while 2 years a Slave wins three Oscars overall-
best picture, best adapted screenplay; Mexican Alfonso Cuaron wins best director for Gravity, the
first Latin American to win the award.
• Myanmar wins the award of World’s Best Tourist Destination for 2014 by the European Union
Council on Tourism and Trade.
• Britain’s Royal Mail issues a postage stamp of Noor Inayat Khan, World II heroine, who fought
fascism and died in the Dachau concentration camp.
• Creating a new Guinness world record, over two-and-half lakh Bangladeshis perform a chorus of
their national anthem at the national parade ground in Dhaka to mark the country’s 43
rd

Independence Day.
• 86
th
Annual Academy Awards (Oscar Awards)- The 2014 Oscars were handed out on 2 March, 2014
at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Overall, Gravity won the most Oscars with a total of seven,
dominating the crafts categories. The major winners are given below:
▪ Best Picture – 12 Years a Slave
▪ Best Director – Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
▪ Best Actor – Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)


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▪ Best Actress – Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
▪ Best Supporting Actor – Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
▪ Best Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
▪ Best Foreign Language Film – The Great Beauty (Italy)
▪ Best Animated Feature – Frozen
Sports/Game
• Rashid Khan fires three successive birdies, including one in the play-off against Bangaladesh’s
Siddikur Rahman, to win the $300,000 SAIL-SBI golf title at the Delhi Golf club course.
• Roger Federer wins his sixth Dubai Duty Free tennis title with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Tomas
Berdych.
• Former National champion Arvind Bhat wins the $120,000 German Open Grand Prix Gold final,
defeating Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark in the men’s singles final in Mulheim An Der Ruhr
(Germany).
• Ragala Venkat Rahul opens India’s medal account in the 16
th
Asian youth weightlifting
championships, by winning two gold and one silver, in the boys’ 77kg category at Bangsaen in
Thailand.
• American Ashton Eaton retains his heptathlon title at the world indoor championships in Sopot in
Poland.
• Debutant Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce takes her outstanding outdoor from indoors by blasting to
victory in the women’s 60 mat the world indoor athletics championships in Sopot in Poland.
• Mizoram beats former champion Railways 3-0 in the final to clinch the maiden Santosh Trophy in
Siliguri.
• Vishnu Prasad and Gaurav Gill are named the Motorsport Person of the Year and the first Indian
to win the APRC title respectively at the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Club of India) 2013
awards function in Mumbai.
• World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei regains the All-England Open badminton title with a win over Chen
Long; Wang Shixian of China stuns compatriot Li Xuerui to claim the women’s singles title.
• Chain Singh and Heena Sindhu claims gold medals in the seventh Asian air gun championship in
Kuwait City.
• The Indian men’s recurve team and women’s compound team win gold medals in the team
championships of the first Asian Grand Prix archery championship in Bangkok.
• Heena Sindhu wins the women’s air pistol silver in the shooting World Cup in Fort Benning,
United States.
• Viswanathan Anand wins the world candidates chess tournament at Khanty Mansisyk, Russia.
• Athletics – Mariya Konovalova of Russia won the Nagoya Women’s Marathon on 9 March 2014,
pulling ahead with five kilometers left and finishing in a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes, 43 seconds.
• IAAF World Half Marathon Championships – Athletes from Kenya dominated the 22
nd
edition of
the IAAF World Half marathon Championships in Copenhagen in March 2014, taking individual
golds for both men and women, winning the women’s team title by an overwhelming margin, and
taking the silver medal in the men’s team competition. Geoffrey Kamworor took the men’s title and
Gladys Cherono triumphed in the women’s race.
• Badminton – Malaysia Grand Prix – Indian shuttler Sourabh Varma gave a fantastic fight but
eventually went down to Indonesian 15
th
seed Simon Santoso in the men’s singles final of the
$120,000 Malaysia Grand Prix Gold on 30 March 2014.


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• Basket Ball – 64
th
National Basket Ball Championship – Chhattisgarh women and Tamil Nadu
men were crowned Champions of the 64
th
National Basketball Championship which concluded in
New Delhi on 5 March 2014. In a twist of faith Defending champions Indian Railways lost to
Chhattisgarh Women 77-81 in the 64
th
National Basketball Championship for Men and Women here.
The 64
th
National Basketball Championship was held at the Thaygaraj Stadium from 26
th
February
to 5
th
March 2014 was organized by The Basketball Federation of India and supported by IMG-
Reliance.
• Billiards – Pankaj Advani asserted his class to outshine Kamal Chawla and win his sixth National
snooker title in Lucknow on 7 March 2014. Defending champion Vidya Pillai beat Chitra
Magimairaj to take the women’s crown.
• Anand Wins Candidates to Set up World Championship Rematch With Carlsen – Five-time world
champion Vishwanathan Anand proved all his critics wrong and won the Candidates Chess
tournament after settling for a draw with Serge. Karjakin of Russia in the 13
th
and penultimate
round on 29 March 2014. The draw helped Anand reach eight points. The tournament victory gives
Anand winner’s cheque of 135000 Euros (a little over Rs.1 crore) and the right to a match against
Magnus Carlsen of Norway who dethroned the Indian champion at Chennai in November last year.
• South Africa Wins ICC Under 19 World Cup 2014 – South Africa, on 1 March 2014, emerged as the
winner of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2014 by defeating two-time former champions
Pakistan by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
• Ranji champions Karnataka continued their dream run as they now become the first team to have
won the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy in one single season after defeating
Railways in the finals of the 2014 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 16 March 2014.
• Formula - Lewis Hamilton broke his drought at Formula One’s Malaysian Grand Prix and led a
one-two finish for the Mercedes team on 30 March 2014.
• Hockey – Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), on 23 March 2014, shocked defending
Champions Haryana 4-0 to clinch the 4
th
Hockey India Senior Women National Championship
(Division A). Coming into the match as the favourite for the title. Haryana could not live up to the
expectations and allowed the pressure to seep in.
• Asian Air Gun Championship - Pooja Ghatkar asserted the Indian supremacy against tough
Chinese competition by clinching the gold in women’s air rifle in the seventh Asian air gun
championship in Kuwait City on 9 March 2014.
• Tennis –Six time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic claimed his fourth Miami Masters crown
with a dominating straight sets win over world number one Rafael Nadal on 30 March 2014.
• Hsieh and Peng win BNP Paribas Open – Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Peng Shuai of China beat
Zimbabwe’s Cara Black and Sania Mirza of India in the BNP Paribas Open women’s doubles final
on 18 March 2014, improving their record to 11-0 in WTA Tour doubles finals.
• Sony Open – Novak Djokovic put together a clinic, rolling past No.1 Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3 to win
his fourth Sony Open title on 30 March 2014.
• Djokovic Beats Federer For Indian Wells Crown – World number two Novak Djokovic rallied to
beat Rgoer Federer in a three-set thriller on 16 to win his first title of 2014 at the Indian Wells ATP
Masters.
• World No.2 Novak Djokovi, in March 2014, defeated No.8 Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to win the
BNP Paribas Open for the third time.
• Tamil Nadu and Railways win Federation Cup 2014 – Tamil Nadu (TN) men and Railways women
won the 27
th
Federation Cup Volleyball titles on 5 March 2014 in the finals at Kizhakkambalam,
Ernakulam in Kerala. Tamil Nadu men defeated services and the Railways women defeated Kerala
in the finals. The cup was held from 26 February to 5 March 2014.


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• Chess – 6
th
Kolkata Open International Chess – Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa of the Philippines
claimed the title edging past GM M.R. Lalith Babu of India on a better tie-break score in the sixth
Kolkata Open International chess on 27 March 2014.
• Soccer – Santosh Trophy has a new champion, Mizoram made history in Siliguri on 9 March 2014
by winning the National Football Championship on their maiden appearance in the final.
• Sally Pearson claimed the 100m flat-hurdle double at the IAAF World Challenge meet in
Melbourne.
• Beijing Olympics champion Cesar Cielo sets the fastest time of the year (21.74s) in 50m freestyle at
Belo Horizonte.
• ICC World Twenty 20 championship was held in Bangladesh in March-April 2014. The final was
played between India and Sri Lanka in Dhaka on April 6, 2014. Sri Lanka put behind its troubled
recent history in tournament finals to win the ICC World Twenty 20-its first independent trophy in
a global event in 18 years.
− Virat Kohli, had a great tournament. He scored 319 runs and was declared Man of the
Tournament. Australia bagged women’s World Twenty 20 title. England Medium pacer Anya
Shrubsole was named as the Women’s Player of the Tournament.
− Man of the tournament Virat Kohli top-scored with 77 off 58 balls for India. He also set a record
for most runs (319) in a single World T20. The target of 131 that India set for Lanka was the
lowest in any World T20 final.
− The Scores: India – 130, Sri Lanka – 132, Man of the Match – Kumar Sangakkara, Player of the
Tournament – Virat Kohli
− Australia Bags Women’s Title – The Australian women’s side led by Meg Lanning has achieved
what their male counterparts had set out to do. The Southern Stars, as they are popularly called,
crushed arch-rivals England to win their third World T20 crown in a row with a clinical six-
wicket win at the Shere-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on a muggy afternoon on April 6,
2014. England medium-pacer Anya Shrubsole was named as the Women’s Player of the
Tournament.
• Sochi Paralympics 2014 – The 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia officially concluded on 16
March, 2014. The Games were held in Russia for the first time.
• Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on 5 March, 2014 inaugurated the National Cycling Academy
at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
• Hockey India’s (HI) on 28 February, 2014 became the sole body of government for the national sport
in the country, as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports accorded it the status of a National
Sports Federation (NSF).
Report
• 14 Indians in Wef’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2014 – As many as 14 Indians, including
Flipkart’s Sachin Bansal and noted film director Farhan Akhtar, have made it to the list of over 200
young global leaders recognised by the World Economic Forum.
• Wipro, Tata Power Among World’s Most Ethical Companies – Wipro and Tata Power are among
the world’s most ethical companies, according to American think tank Ethisphere Institute. Wipro
and Tata Power are the only Indian entities named in the 2014 list of ‘World’s Most Ethical
Companies’ prepared by the US-based entity.
• Slum Kids Face Acute Malnourishment – Despite the setting up of 11 operational Nutritional
Rehabilitation Centre, working under the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare to address
severe under-nutrition in children, those living in the New Delhi’s urban slums face acute
malnourishment as they hardly avail of this referral service. This has been revealed by a report
released on April 2, 2014 by non-government organisation Child Rights and You (CRY) and its State
partner Alliance for People’s Rights.


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• Despite a long-term decline in the number of countries practicing capital punishment, publicly
disclosed executions jumped nearly 15 percent in 2013 compared with a year earlier, largely because
of “virtual killing sprees” carried out by the authorities in Iran and Iraq, Amnesty International
said in its annual report on death-penalty trends. The report, released in March 2014, said the
number of publicly disclosed executions last year totaled 778, compared with 682 in 2012. China to
be the world’s top executioner, killing more defendants than all other countries combined, but adds
that reliable data is impossible to obtain.
− Excluding China, the Amnesty report said, the other top state executions in 2013 were Iran, Iraq,
Saudi Arabia and the United States.
• India was ranked 4
th
in a list of countries sending out spam e-mails in the 2014 Microsoft released
security intelligence report. This security intelligence report was based on the survey conducted
during January to June 2013. In the list of the Microsoft report, India has followed 3 nations namely:
1. US topped the list for sending maximum number of Bot net spam; 2. China; 3. The United
Kingdom.
• In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2014 ‘Worldwide Cost of Living’ survey released in
London. Mumbai emerges as the world’s cheapest city to live in, followed closely by New Delhi at
third place.
• As per the latest data released by the Central Statistics Office in New Delhi, Bihar is India’s fastest
growing State with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growing at 15.05 per cent during
2012-13.
• According to the survey titled ‘Multi-tasking seriously affecting corporate women’s health,’
conducted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry to mark International Women’s
Day on March 8, 75 per cent of working women have health problems.
• According to the latest figures released by the Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR)
under the Planning Commission, the eight poorer States – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand – are home to nearly 48 per cent of all
the SCs, 52 per cent of all the STs and 44 per cent of all Muslims in the country.
• A census of rhinoceros begins at the Gorumara National Park in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district to
assess their population and the male-female ratio, and monitor changes in the habitat of the animal
listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• According to survey conducted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, due to lack of
safety, around 43 per cent of working in Delhi are willing to relocate outside the city at the cost of a
pay cut.
• According to research published by the charity Oxfam in London, the Hinduja brothers have
emerged the third richest family in Britain, as part of an analysis of the divide between the rich and
poor in the United Kingdom.
• As per the World Health Organisation, Ludhiana and Kanpur are among the 10 most polluted cities
in the world.
• Internet search giant Google releases trends on Chief Ministers of India; Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi emerges as the most searched Indian politician on Google in 2013.
• In a new report released ahead of the World TB Day in New Delhi, the World Health Organisation
urges countries to find, treat and cure the “missing” one million who do not get services so as to
accelerate progress towards zero TB deaths, infections, suffering and stigma.
• According to Amnesty International’s annual review of the death penalty world wide, released in
London, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the mercy petitions of 18 prisoners on death
row in 2013, the highest number of rejections by any President in the last 25 years.


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• A statement released by President Hamid Karzai’s Cabinet in Kabul puts the total number of people
in the Afghan security forces killed during the past 13 years at 13,729, with an additional 16,511
Afghan soldiers and police officers wounded.
• China announces its biggest hike in military spending in three years, with its defence budget set to
cross $ 130 billion in 2015.
• As per a survey by EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, violence against women is “an extensive
human rights abuse” across Europe with one in three women reporting some form of physical or
sexual abuse since the age of 15 and eight per cent suffering abuse in the last 12 months.
• As per an announcement made in Beijing, China will complete the extension of the high-altitude
Qinghai-Tibet railway line to Shigatse, a town near the Nepal border, by October 2014. China says
that Bangladesh “really matters” to Beijing as it is an “important developing country” with a
booming economy.
• As per a report by the Guinea’s Ministry of Health, at least 59 people are reported killed by the
Ebola virus in Guinea.
• In its new study, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately seven
million people died of air pollution around the world in 2012.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region, home to a quarter of the world’s
population, is certified polio-free today by an independent commission under the WHO
certification process.
• MFI loan disbursements surge 52% in October-December – Loan disbursals by microfinance
institutions (MFIs) jumped 52% in October-December period with total out-standing borrowings
growing 44% year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs.18,425 crore during the quarter.
• India will top fleet expansion chart by 2019 – India will top the growth chart in the fleet segment
globally, ahead of China and other BRIC nations, says a survey by consultancy firm Roland Berger.
National Parties/Regional Parties
• The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), a constituent of the BJP-led National
Democratic Alliance, moots a U.S. type federation in India for ensuring devolution of more powers
to the States.

General - National
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav inaugurates a project for building the Vrindavan
Chandrodaya Mandir,’ a 70-storey temple in Vrindavan, billed to be the tallest shrine in the world.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare lifts the ban on pain-killer and anti-pyretic drug Analgin
and all formulations containing Analgin.
• Justice R.M. Lodha, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is recommended to be the 41
st

Chief Justice of India to succeed CJI P. Sathasivam.
• J & K first to declare all Election booths as ‘No smoking Zones’ – Jammu and Kashmir on 25
March, 2014 became the first state in the country to declare all election booths in the coming Lok
Sabha polls as no smoking zones. It will now be mandatory for all election booths to display the ‘No
Smoking Area’ warning.
• Union Cabinet clears rail coach unit at Kolar – Union Cabinet on 28 February, 2014 approved the
proposal of Ministry of Railways to set up a new rail coach manufacturing unit at Kolar, Karnataka.
International
• A Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 239 people, including five Indians, disappears
over the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam, prompting a day-long, frantic, multinational
rescue operation for the missing Boeing 777-200.


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• The Venezuelan government orders Panama’s ambassador and three other diplomats at the mission
to leave the country within 48 hours, a day after Caracas broke ties with Panama City.
• The World Food Programme announces plans to airlift and airdrop urgently needed food aid to
thousands of refugees and others affected by the conflict in South Sudan.
• Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, takes a strong stand on China’s growing territorial disputes
with neighbouring nations, saying that “there is no room for compromise” with Japan and that
China would “never accept unreasonable demands from smaller countries”.
• Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut land back on Earth in Kazakhstan after a stay
of more than half a year aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• The UN General Assembly on 27 March, 2014 adopted a Western-backed resolution declaring
Crimea’s breakaway referendum illegitimate and refusing to recognize Russia’s annexation of the
peninsula.
• The people of Crimea voted on 16 March, 2014 to become part of Russia in a bitterly disputed
referendum. On 17 March, the Crimean parliament officially declared its independence from
Ukraine and requested to join the Russian Federation.
• The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) world powers on 18 March suspended Russia from the club
amid tensions over Ukraine and Russia’s incursion into Crimea.
• North Korea test-fired 30 short-range missiles from its east coast into the Sea of Japan. (East Sea) on
21 March, 2014, the latest in a series of launches that have provoked criticism from Seoul and
Washington.
• US shuts Syrian embassy, consulates – The United States on 18 March, 2014 suspended operations
of Syria’s embassy in Washington and its consulates and told diplomats and staff who are not US
citizens or permanent residents to leave the country.
• China declared a “red line” on North Korea on 8 March, 2014, saying that China will not permit
chaos or war on the Korean peninsula, and that peace can only come through denuclearization.
China is North Korea’s most important diplomatic and economic supporter, though Beijing’s
patience with Pyongyang has been severely tested following three nuclear tests and numerous
bouts of saber rattling, including missile launches.
• China to extend Tibet rail to Indian Border – China on 6 March, 2014 announced to extend the
world’s highest Qinghai-Tibet railway line to Panchen Lama hometown of Xigaze as well as taking
it closer to the Indian border. The Xigaze region borders India’s Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan.

Books and Author
Finding Neema – by Juliet Reynolds
I’ve Got Your Number - by Sophie Kinsella
DareBone’s Big Break – By Gleeson Rebello, MD, and Jamie Harisiades
Yours Sarcastically – by Sandeep Das
As Dear As Salt – by Reyna Sequeira
Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture – by Gaiutra Bahadur

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