December 17, 2012

CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012


 Congress member Mr. P.J. Kurien was on August 21, 2012 unanimously elected Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya sabha China’s Ms. Wenxia Yu was crowned Miss World 2012 on August 18, 2012 in a glittering cerrmony hosted in the Inner Mongolian city of ordos in People’s Republic of China. India’s contender, Ms.Vanya Mishra, could only make it to the top seven.

 Former Maharashtra Chief Minster and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh died on August 14, 2012.

 Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Mr. Raghura,m Rajan took over as the chief Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance on August 29, 2012.

 The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders visited India on August 1-5, 2012.

 Mr. Vayalar Ravi assumed charge as the new Union Minister for Science and Technology on August 21,2012.

 Ms.Poonam Kishore Saxena, a 1975 batch IRS officer, was appointed as the chaireman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)on August 21,2012.

 Vice Admiral Shekhar sinha, formerly Chief of Integrated defence Staff to chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee(CISC) took over as the next Flag Officer Commanding –in chief (FOC-in-C), western Naval Command on August 31, 2012.

 Following the demise of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenavi on August 20, 2012, Deputy desalegn, who is also Ethiopia,s Foreign Minister, assumed the charge as the acting PrimeMinister of the country.

 1976 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, was appointed as an Election Commissioner on August 7, 2012.

 Mr.Gopinath Pradhan, professor of economics, took over as the new vice chancellor of the IGNOU.

 Mr. Anil Kumar was appointed as the new Director General for ESIC.

 The Indian Railways has signed an MoU with Belgium.

 California State Assembly has passed a resolution, recognizing August 15 as India’s Independence day.

 US banking gaint citi on August 8, 2012 cut its India growth estimate for fiscal 2013 to 5.4 % from 6.4 %.

 The parliament Recently Approved The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development Bill 2012.

 India’s noted fashion photographer Prabuddha Das Gupta Passed Away in Mumbai on August 12 After suffering a severe heart attack.

 Wrestler Sushil Kumar is the first Indian to win back-to-back individual metal at Olympics. He claimed a bronze at Beijing Olympics in 2008. In London Olympics 2012, he created history by winning a silver in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling.

 The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council released the economic outlook 2012-13 report on August 17, 2012. In the report it scaled down its GDP forecast for the current fiscal to 6.7 % from 7.5 % GDP growth forecast in Feb this year.

 The indigenousy developed , micro-light, pilotless target aircraft Lakshya-1 was successfully test-flown from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on August 23, 2012.

 Sruthi Vijaychandran, a PG student form Tamil Nadu, has been awarded a scholarship to study MBA at the London School of Business Finance after winning the Best Young Speaker from Asia-2012 competition held in University of Cambridge in August 2012.

 India defeated Australia in the final of under-19 cricket world cup by six wicket on august 26, 2012 at Townsville, Queensland. It was India,s third 19 World cup Title.

 The father of White Revolution in India who recently died is Verghese Kurien.

 A polar statellite Launch vehicle (PSLV-C-12) blasted off Sriharikota (AP) ON Sep 9, 2012 and placed two foreign satellites in orbit accomplishing the Indian Space Organisations 100th Mission. In the text-book launch it carried SPOT-6, a 712kg French earth observation satellite and injected it into an orbit of 655 km attitude inclined at 98.23 degrees to the equator. Proiters a 15 kg Japanese microsatellite was put into orbit as an additional payload.

 India and Pakistan on sep 8, 2012 signed the much awaited liberalized visa agreement introducing for the first time group tourist and pilgrim visas, separate visas on arrival of those over 65 years of age.

 Iran successfully test-fired an upgraded version of short range solid-fuelled ballistic missle fateh-110 on August 4, 2012 This missle has range 300 km and can strike both land and naval targets.

 Ecuador has granted political asylum to Julian Assange, the founder of Vikileaks. The Eucadorean Foreign Minister R. Patino made an official announcement in this regared on August 16, 2012 defying pressure of Britain.

 Myanmar abolished direct media censorship on August 20, 2012. It is the latest dramatic reform by quasi- civilan regime in Myanmar. But a ban on Private daily newspaper and many other restrictions on media will remain in effect as usual.

 South Korean president Lee Myung paid a surprise visit on August 10, 2012 to Dokdo islands (known as Takeshima islands in Japan), a disputed territory between South Korea and Japan. This visit of President Bak angrered Tokyo and it recalled its envoy from seoul.

 Helen Gurley Brown was editor of cosmopolitan magazine from 1965 to 1997. She was also the author of “Sex and the Single Girl”.

 Roger Federer clinched Cincinnati Master Tennis Tournament on August 19, 2012 beating Novak Djokovic in the final.

 South Africa replaced England as the World No.1 Test team beating England at Lord’s Test on August 20, 2012.

 Pakistani nuclear scientis A.Q.Khan formed a new political party in Pakistan named “Tehrik-e-Tehaffuz Pakistan”. He plans to launch a countrywide youth awakening programme ahead of upcoming geneal elections in Pakistan.

 Mclaren’s Lewis Hamilton won the Italian grand Prix on sep 9, 2012 in Monza (Italy). It was Hamilton, third win of the season and 20th of his career. Mexican driver Sergio perez finished second in the race.

 The move which won the Golden lion award for best film at the venice film Festival is Pieta.

 Japan and china are two countries disputed on senkaku islands.

 COCA 2012 low was annulled by Pakistan’s Supreme Court to protect PM.

 South Korean is signed on Mou with the election Commission of India 01 August 2012 strengthening the elections process and Political culture.

 Russia and India prepare for INDRA-2012 for Anti-terror military exercises Siberaian Republic of Buryatia.

 Angela Markel got the first place in Forbes magazine list .

 China country india impose a ban on importing milk and milk products.

 Through Chabahar port the India, Iran & Afghanistan decide to expand their trade and economic ties.

 The Two-day meet of the 120 grouping of nations takes place at Tehran in Iran.

 Mohammad Hamid Ansari was sworn in as the Vice president of India for second consecutive term on August 11, 2012.

 The Government Of India Recently Released The Whitepaper In Black Money

 The Indian born who has been made The President Of The European Bank Of Reconstruction And Developed (EBRD) Is Mr. Suma Chakrabarty

 The Country which won the World Ice Hockey Championship 2012 Russia

 The 38th G-8 Summit was held in May 2012 Camp David Maryland - USA

 The Number One Mobile Company Of The World is Samsung

 Tomislav Nikolic is new president of Serbia

 Russia made space craft recently launched from Baikonur cosmodrome is soyuz

 US has decided to ease the stiff economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar

 International Labour Organization report says that the percentage of young people world wide who are out of work is 13%

 The union government has decided to provide as additional cash subsidy ot public sector oil companies 38500 crore rupees


 The Joint Exercise carried out by the Army and Indian Airforce in the desert of Rajasthan is named - Exercise Shoorveer

 The film Actress who has been selected as the brand ambassador of Nirmal Bharat abhiyan is Vidya Balan

 The year by which India is expected to archieve total sanition coverage is 2017

 Seoul peace prize 2011 - Banki –Moon

 Ambassador for world Twenty-20 Championship is – Srilanka Lasith Malinga

 In a rare space event , the planet that passed in front of the sun recently june5, 2012 is Venus

 The US recently launched in to space A spy satellite

 India Tennis playere who won the first ATP Challenger Title for the first time is Yuki Bhambri

 The union government has cleared a Rs. 8500 Crore project under the Pradhan Mantra Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) for - Naxalite Affected Districts

 RBI on May 16, 2012 decided to set up a 2 billion dollar swap facility for - SAARC Nations

 The next World Cup Hockey (Mens) is proposed to be held in 2014 in Holland or England.

 The next World Cup Foot ball is to be held in 2014 in Brazil

 The next World Cup Cricket is to be held in 2014 in Australia and New Zealand

 2019 World Cup Cricket in England

 Vladimir Putin Sworn in as the President of Russia

 The New President of France Francios Hollande

 which country had discovered petroleum recently Bangladesh

 The Hamburg harbour celebrated how many years recently 823 years

 Sahar signed an agreement to build and develop a new city in which country Bangladesh

 India made dozen agreements with which country recently Myanmar

 Peace Pipeline of the TAPI gas pipeline project (TGPP) which originate from the Turkmenistan reaches to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan

 The 46th Asian Development Bank Meeting of 2013 will be held Newdelhi

 The place where Pakistan lost nearly 140 soldiers after a maisve avalannde entombed the Gayari army base recently Siachen

 With which state AP signed an agreement for Prannahita- Chevella irrigatio Project Maharashtra

 At which place the World wildlife Fund summit is going to be held Brazil

 The won the World Snooker Title for 2012 at Sheffield Ronnie O’Sullivan

 The world cup title(Archery) Recently held at Antalya, Turkey Deepika Kumari

 The winner of Thomas Cup in London Olympics is Lindanled (china)

 India test fired the which type of Akash Missile recently Surface to air

 Pakistan test fired Nuclear capable Missile Hatf

 which country has launched TMA-04M rocket recently Russia

 who has been appointed as the German ambassador to India recently Michael Steiner

 who is the democracy Icon in Myanmar first visit to abroad in 24years is Aung san suu kyi (present president of Myanmar Theinsein)

 The ADB has provided assistance of how may USD aid to India $6.25billion

 Sushil Kumar(Wrestling) became the first Indian to win an individual medal at two Olympic games.

 Gagan Narang shot the bronze medal in men’s 10m air rifle

 South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher on July 10, 2012 retired from Internal cricket .

 Captain Lakshmi Sahgal , a heroine of India,s struggle for independence, who led the women’s wing of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army passed away in Kanpur on July 23, 2012 at the age of 98.

 Pranab Mukherjee is the 13th President of India. He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India S.H Kapadia on July 25, 2012.

 Vilasro Dagadojirao Deshmukh, the man who started off as a sarpanch and went on to become Chief Minister of Maharshtra twice before moving to delhi as a member of the union Cabinet, died of multiple organ failure in the Global Health City Hospital in Chennai on August 14, 2012.

 Rajesh khanna, Hindi cinema’s first real superstar passes away at age of 70

 The RBI governor D. Subbarao proposes a Producer Price Index (PPI)

 The government appoints Arvind Mayaram as the new economic affairs secretary.



 Famous Golf Palyer Tiger woods (USA), Rory Mcllroy (Northern Ireland) Luke Donald (England)

 Thumba India’s Rocket Launching centre is located in Thirvanthapuram(Kerla)

 Sunil Kavashar has written four books on cricket Sunny Days(Autobiography) , Idols, Runs n’ Rusins and One Day wonders.

 Banking Ombudsman is quasi Judical authority functioning under India’s Banking Omudsman Scheme.

 At present September 03, 2012
Prime Lending rate: 12.25 – 12.5%
Bank Rate – 9.5%
CRR - 4.75%
Repo rate - 8.0%
Reverse Repo Rate - 7.0%
Satutory liquity Ratio (SLR) - 23%



 Proposal upto 51 % and 49 % for FDI has been passed in multi-brand retail and Aviation Respectively

 The Union cabinet on septembers 14, 2012 cleared the proposal of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for 51 percent in the multi-brand retail chains and 49 percent in Aviation power exchange industry. Passing of the proposal have cleared the floor for welcoming the multi-brand retail chains like Wallmart and Tesco and Carrefour in the country for setting up of their shops and retail outlets.

 Deepika kumari won Silver at Recurve World Cup.

 Deepika Kumari won silver at recurve world cup on September 23, 2012 in Tokyo. In the finals of the tournament, she lost against the Korean double Olympic gold medalist, ki Bo-Bae.

 R. lakshmipathy has been elected as chairman of the press Trust of India.

 R. Lakshmipathy, the publisher of Tamil Daily Dinamalar, was elected as the chairman of the Board of Directors of Press Trust of India (PTI) on September 24, 2012 after the company’s Annual general Meeting (AGM) Lakshmipathy, has served as PTI Chairman twice earlier and is also a Member of Press Council. He is Succeeding M.P. Veerendra Kumar, chairman and Managing Director of Mathrubhoomi group of news-papers.

 Union Government hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) by 7%

 The Union Government on September 24, 2012, Hiked Dearness Allowance(DA) by 7%, benefiting its 80 lakh employees and pensioners and costing the exchequer an additional Rs.7,408 crore annually.

 With the dearness allowance the pensions proposals for personnel of armed forces is also allowed now.

 The Double Trap Shooter who won Silver at ISSF world cup is Ronjan sodhi

 Ronjan sodhi, the double trap shooter on sep 24, 2012 won silver medal at the ISSF world cup in Maribor, Slovania. In 2011 and 2010 World cup finals, he managed to secure gold by his name.

 Which team won SAF football Championship 2012 Indian Women Team

 Indian women registered a thumping win over Nepal in the final of SAF Football Championship in Colombo. India defeated Nepal by 3-1 . India had defeated Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the league stage and thrashed Afghanistan 11-0 in the semis to romp into the final.

 Chandrika Tarafdar Indian won two Bronze Medals in Youth World Weightlifting Championship.

 Chandrika Tarafdar on September 19, 2012 become the first Indian to win a medal in Youth World weight-lifting championship at Kosice, Slovakia. She won two bronze medals in the girls 44kg category on the opening day.

 Indian successfully test-fired its Indigenously built Agni-iv Missile

 India on September 19, 2012 test fired its nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-iv Missile from Wheeler, Island , off the Odisha coast. Fitted with composite rocket motor technology, the missile was test-fired from the road mobile launcher. The full range of the missile is 4000 kilometer.


 The Indian Women and Child Development Ministry Launched Rajiv Gandhi scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girsls – SABLA

 Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls- SABLA was launched on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on November 19, 2010. The scheme will be executed through Integrated Child Development Scheme and Anganwadi Centres.

 Saina Nehwal has signed up a 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports Management Company.

 India’s Badminton player saina Nehwal on September 19, 2012 signed up a 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports Management Company, which made her the country’s highest paid sportsperson outside Cricket. Saina had a three-year contract with Deccan Chargers, which expired in September 2012.


 Venezuelan President Hugo Chanvez has been re-elected for the fourth term. Mr. Chavez defeated opposition leader Henrique Capriles. He became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

 In Kuwati, the ruler Emir Sheikh Sabah Al - Ahmad Al – Sabah on 7 October dissolved the parliament clearing the decks for yet other parliamentary elections in the country. It is for the sixth time in five years the parliament has been dissolved in Kuwait.

 On 14 October Liby’s 200 – member General National Congress elected Ali Zidan as the new Prime Minister. Ali Zidan, an independent, won 93 votes, a majority among those present.


 Ali Zidan is a human rights lawyer. The previous Prime Minister, Mustafa Abu Shagur, was dismissed recently after failing to form a governments.

 The African Union has selected South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini – Zuma, who is the AU’s first women leader. Dlamini – Zuma is the South African hame affairs minister, a trained doctor and an ex – wife of President Jacob Zuma.

 The United Kingdom government and the Scottish government have signed an agreement on 15 October to hold a referendum in 2014 on Scottish independence. The referendum agreement has been signed following talks in Edinburgh between David Cameron, UK Prime Minister and Alex Salmond, who leads the pro – independence Scottish National Party.

 India and Austria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 1st October 2012 for strengthening long – term relationship and bilateral cooperation on road and rail infreastructure. The agreement was signed between the Minister of Railways and Road Transport and Highways, Dr. C.P. Joshi and visiting Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria, Mrs. Doris Burse in New Delhi.

 On 7 Octorber India and France have signed an agreement on sustainable urban development to share knowledge and best practices in the urban sector, said a government statement. The agreement was signed in Paris between Union Minister for Foreign Trade of France Nicole Bricq. It would also lead to enhanced cooperation and deepen the engagement between the two countries.


 Japan and India have launched a joint project to research pricing structures in the Liquefied Natural petroleum (LNP) markets on 10 October 2012. The new project has been launched after complaints that the energy starving Asia is paying more than its fair share as compared to countries in other continents.

 Union Culture Minister Kumar Selja declared on 14 October that the five sites in Tamil Nadu, including famous Lord Sri Ranganathar temple in Srirangam, have been included in the tentative list by the Union Culture ministry for UNESCO’s world heritage status. The 17th century Fort St George in Chennai, Chettinad, Kazhugumalai, rock sculptures and Pulikat Lake were the other sites in the list.

 Proposals worth over 8,000 crore for procuring aground 10,000 ‘Invar’ missiles from Russia for the Army’s T – 90 tanks and over 200 air – launched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF were cleared on 18th October 2012 by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

 On 17 October India and Australia agreed to expand cooperation in security and Defense including fight against terrorism. They also agreed to begin negotiations for an agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy co – operation which will precede actual cooperation. Both the countries also signed four agreements in the field of space science technology and education, co- operation in student mobility and welfare, skill development and taxtiles.

 November 19th celebrated the world citizen day .

 Sunitha Williams is the female astronaut taken over command of the International space station (ISS).


 Hugo Chavez has re-elected the president of Venezuela on 8th October 2012.

 Ali zidan has the new prime elected to Libya on 14th October 2012.

 Maladives – Mohamed Nasheed country ex-president Arrested on 7th October 2012.

 New Zealand has signed with india to cooperate in the different fields of education on 19th October 2012.

 Switzerland has signed with india to cooperate in the different fields of Transport on 19th October 2012.

 Papee is the name of the common currency will be introduced between india and Pakistan.

 RMSA – Rashtriya Madyamik Shiksha Abhiyan

 2012 October 17 India and Pakistan discussed TAPI Gas project in an event PETROTECH 2012, Delhi.

 The 2nd India – Japan 2+2 Dialogue was held in Japan.

 Aravind Kejrival is the social activist launched a political party against the corruption.

 Ministry of rural development launched a campaign named Nirmal Bharat Yatra on 3rd October 2012. Vidya balan is the Indian Bollywood actress the brand ambassador of the campaign.

 Iron and Manganese ore metals transportation in Goa Supreme court imposed a ban.

 Abhijit Mukherjee won the Jangipur Loksabha by election on 13th October 2012.

 South Korea to host next 12th conference of the parties (COP 12) in 2014.

 Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award was received by the Mrs Tessy Thomas, who is working as an ISRO scientist on 1St October 2012.

 Dr. Lalji singh received the 7th MV Pylee award for the year 2012.

 Bangladesh honors the former Indian Prime Minister IK Gujaral with Muktijuddho Sammanana.

 Hilary Mantel the Prestigious ‘Man Booker Literature Prize’ for a second time on 16th October 2012.

 Zubin Mehta is the India born – music contuctor was honoured with the Israeli presidential award of distinction for his contribution to the society through the language of music on 16th October 2012.

 Anuradha roy and aman Seti were declared among winners of the 11th Economist Crossword Book Award.

 England defeated by Australlia in Women T-20 World cup.

 Monisha Kalterborn is the first female Formula 1’s team principal.

 Novak Djokovic beated British Tennis Player Andy Murray, on 14th October 2012 in the Shanghai rolex Masters finals.

 In Australlia the ‘Member of Order of Australlia’ award was recently received by Sachin Tendulkar.

 Shooter Vijay Kumar received the ‘Services Best Sportsman’ award for the year 2012.

 Shane Watson is the Australlian all-rounder was named the player of the tournament at the conclusion of the world twenty 20 at the R.Premadesa stadium on 7th October 2012.

 Victoria Azarenka won the china open tennis tournament 2012 women’s singles title.

 Sebastian Vettal won the Korean Grand Prix formula one champion ship 2012.

 Lionel Messi is the Barceloean forward footballer won the Golden Boot Award on 29th October 2012.

 India successfully test fired nuclear capable Dhanush ballistic missile.

 Yash Chopra is the Bollywood most well known film makers died of dengue fever on 21st October 2012.

 Jullia Gillard is the Australlian PM recently visited the India.

 Malala was the Pakistani recently shot by the Taliban for publicly opposing them against girl education.

 US Ambassador killed in mob attack in Libya.

 Punjab state amends canal and drainage act.

 9th World Hindi conference currently held being Johannesburg, South Africa.

 Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfi was nominated as India’s entry to the Oscars next year in the foreign film category.

 Ebrahim Alkazi got the france highest cultural award on 29th September 2012.

 Jenson Button won the Belgium Grand Prix.

 Koneru Humpy won the gold medal in Fide grand Prix 2012 in Turkey.

 Emomali Rahomon who is the Tajikistan President visited the India on 3rd September 2012.

 APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.