Ashok Lavasa becomes new Finance Secretary

• Senior IAS officer (1980-batch) Haryana cadre Ashok Lavasa has been designated as the Finance Secretary by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by PM Narendra Modi.

Govt. notifies panel for Delhi Metro fare revision

• Union Government has notified a panel, headed by a former Delhi High Court judge, for revision of fares for Delhi Metro which will submit its report within three months.

Govt doctors’ retirement age extended to 65 years

• Government approved extending retirement age of doctors of Central Health Services to 65 years.

Former Delhi Police chief B S Bassi appointed UPSC member

• Former Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi has been appointed as a member of UPSC.

Kannada writer D JavareGowda passes away

• Prominent Kannada writer, poet, D JavareGowda popularly known as ‘De Ja Go‘(101-years) passed away due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mysuru.

Govt. expands Indradhanush: Four new vaccines added

• The government’s ambitious Mission Indradhanush programme, which provides immunisation against seven life threatening diseases is all set to be re-christened as four new vaccines have been added into it.

Former LokSabha MP Rudra Madhab Ray passes away

• Former LokSabha MP from Odisha and senior BJP leader RudraMadhab Ray has passed away at a hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was suffering from Kidney related problems from past couple of month. He was 80 year old. 

Alastair Cook Becomes Youngest Cricketer To Score 10000 Test Runs

• England captain Alastair Cook has become the youngest ever batsman to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket and also become the 12th man to join the elite 10,000-run club in Test cricket.

PM Modi releases India’s first disaster management plan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first ever National Disaster Management Plan prepared in the country.

World’s longest rail tunnel to be inaugurated in Switzerland

• Switzerland has inaugurated the world’s longest and deepest rail tunnel Gotthard Base Tunnel, running under the Swiss Alps

Asia’s largest tech trade show COMPUTEX kicks off in Taipei

• Asia’s largest technology trade show COMPUTEX kicked off in Taipei.

BRICS New Development Bank to issue first yuan-denominated bonds

• The New Development Bank of the BRICS countries is set to issue its first yuan-denominated bonds with plans to release more bonds in local currencies including in Indian Rupee.

Four month window to disclose black money opens today

• The Income Declaration Scheme will open today and will remain in force till 30th of September.

Odisha govt to create 500 more gram panchayats

• The Odisha government has decided to create 500 more gram panchayats in addition to the existing 6,234 ahead of the panchayat elections due in February next year.

Delhi Govt Launches ‘DVAT M SEWA’ Mobile App

• Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal has launched a mobile app “DVAT M SEWA” through which city traders can register themselves with the VAT department of Delhi government.

UP Govt. approves detailed project report of Varanasi Metro Rail

• The Uttar Pradesh Government has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Varanasi Metro rail project.

Bollywood comedian Razak Khan passes away

• One of the best comedians of Bollywood movies Razak Khan passed away due to cardiac arrest in Bandra, Mumbai.

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekara retires from test Cricket

• Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Kulasekara has announced his retirement from Tests to focus on limited-overs cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar to lend name for Kerala Government’s Anti-Drug Campaign

• Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to a request of Kerala government to use his name in a campaign against drug and liquor abuse in the state.

Union Cabinet approves setting up of India Post Payments Bank

• The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up the India Post Payments Bank as a Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts.

CCEA approves 51 km railway line from Mau to Tarighat

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for a new 51 km broad gauge line from Mau to Tarighat, aiming to provide an alternative and convenient route between New Delhi and Howrah.

National Company Law Tribunal constituted

• The government constituted the National Company Law Tribunal and its appellate body, implementing most of the provisions of new Companies Act and helping implementation of the Bankruptcy Code.

India, World Bank sign agreement for efficient bus service

• The Union Government and World Bank have signed a US 9.2 million dollar grant agreement for the Efficient and Sustainable City Bus Service Project.

ICICI Bank cuts lending rate by 0.05%

• Country’s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank has cut its marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) by 0.05 per cent, to take it at par with the rates offered by SBI and HDFC Bank.

TRAI launches mobile app for subscribers to register complaints against pesky calls, SMSes

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has launched a mobile application for telecom subscribers to register their complaints against pesky calls and SMSes to tighten the noose on telemarketers.

Judo athletes from Congo hope to make refugee Olympic team

• First time, one of the teams competing in the Olympic Games will be made up of refugees who hail from different countries they no longer call home.

NK Chari is the new State Bank of Mysore MD

• Mr. NK Chari has been appointed Managing Director of the State Bank of Mysore (SBM) with an immediate effect.

Navin Agarwal appointed as DG of NADA

• Senior IPS officer (1968-bach) of Jammu and Kashmir cadre Navin Agarwal has been appointed as Director General (DG)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEP) of National Anti-Doping Agency.

Odisha becomes first state to give social welfare benefits to transgender community

• Odisha became the first state in the country to give transgender people social welfare benefits – such as a housing, pension and food grains.

Actor-director Balu Anand dies of heart attack

• Tamil actor and director Balu Anand (62-year)died following a massive heart attack at his house in Kalampalayam.

India, Tunisia Sign 2 Agreements In IT, Handicrafts Sectors

• India and Tunisia have signed two MoUs for co-operation in Information Technology and promotion of traditional handicrafts.

Dr. R Seetharaman conferred with 2016 Green Economy Visionary Award

• A Qatar-based Indian banker Dr. R Seetharaman has been awarded with the 2016 ‘Green Economy Visionary award’.

Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue opens in Singapore

• Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue has been inaugurated in Singapore to talk about security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

Argentina retain top spot in FIFA rankings

• Argentina (1st) and Belgium (2nd) continue to hold on to the top two spots in the latest FIFA rankings, with Colombia rounding up the top three.

Narendra Modi, Ashraf Ghani inaugurate landmark Rs 1,700 crore Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today jointly inaugurated a landmark dam, a Rs 1,700 crore showpiece infrastructure project by India in strategically important Herat province, reflecting India's strong commitment to reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

Moto2 rider Luis Salom dies after crashing during practice

Moto2 rider Luis Salom died after crashing during practice for the Catalunya Grand Prix on Friday. He was 24.

Paes completes mixed doubles Career Slam with French Open win 

Chief Minister of Haryana lays foundation stone of ‘Jai jawan awas Yojana’

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passes away

Sasikumar takes over as MD of State Bank of Travancore

World Environment Day observed with theme Zero tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife

• World Environment Day (WED) was observed globally on 5 June 2016 with theme Zero tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife. The day aims at inspiring more people to take action to prevent the growing strain on Earth’s natural systems from reaching the breaking point.

Veteran actor Sulabha Deshpande passed away

• Eminent actor and theatre personality Sulabha Deshpande passed away 4 June 2016 in Mumbai. She was 79.

Asia's first Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme launched

• The Haryana Government on 3 June 2016 launched Asia's First Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme at Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore.

Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue inaugurates in Singapore

• Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue was inaugurated in Singapore on 3 June 2016. It is the 15th Asia Security Summit to openly discuss and debate security matters in the Asia-Pacific region.

Navin Agarwal appointed DG of National Anti-Doping Agency

• Senior IPS officer Navin Agarwal was on 3 June 2016 appointed as Director General (DG)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEP) of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

Djokovic joins pantheon of greats

• Novak Djokovic joined the tennis greats on Sunday when he downed British second seed Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to claim his maiden French Open title and hold all four Grand Slams at the same time.

V Narayanasamy sworn in as Puducherry CM

• Congress Legislature Party leader V Narayanasamy (69-year) sworn in as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Gadkari launches Setu Bhartam project in Himachal Pradesh

• Union Minister for Road Transport, Surface and shipping Nitin Gadkari has launched Setu Bhartam project from Palampur town in the Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh .

Suresh Prabhu Launches Tiger Express

• Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has flagged off the inaugural run of the Tiger Trail Circuit Train from Delhi Safdarjung Station.

India’s first Mr. Universe Manohar Aich passes away

• He was once a household name in Bengal after becoming India’s first Mr. Universe in 1952.

Judoka Avtar Singh Qualifies For Rio Olympics

• South Asian Games gold medalist Indian judoka Avtar Singh has qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games scheduled to be held in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PM Narendra Modi conferred Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan.

Garbine Muguruza won 2016 French Open Women’s Singles Tennis Title

• Garbine Muguruza(22-year) of Spain has won the French Open Women’s Singles tennis title at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France.
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Dia Mirza named ambassador for ‘swachh saathi’ programme

• Bollywood actress and producer Dia Mirza has been named the ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission’s youth-based Swachh Saathi (student internship) programme.

RBI keeps key policy rate unchanged

• Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan kept key policy rates unchanged.

Delhi govt announces policy to make national capital solar city

• The Delhi government has approved the first Solar Policy which aims at making the Capital an environment-friendly solar city

Rajasthan Govt. launches mobile app Raj Vayu on air quality index

• Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has launched mobile application RajVayu for sharing information about air quality index of Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur.

Lucknow to host Junior hockey World Cup

• According to International Hockey Federation Lucknow will host the junior men’s hockey World Cup from the 8th of December this year.

Olympic trial: Delhi HC dismisses Sushil Kumar’s plea

• Delhi High Court dismissed the petition of two-time Olympic medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar seeking holding of selection trials to decide Indian representation in the 74 Kg freestyle category at the Rio Olympics.

Tennis star Rohan Bopanna secures direct entry into Rio Olympics

• Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna officially returned to top-10 in the ATP ranking doubles chart, securing a direct entry into the men’s doubles event of the Rio Olympic Games

Mirza Imtiyaz Judicial Commission constituted to probe Mathura violence

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has appointed a judicial commission to probe into the recent Mathura violence.

World Bank slashes global growth forecast to 2.4 per cent

• The World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim has slashed its 2016 growth forecast by 0.5 per cent to 2.4 per cent.

Veteran Journalist KK Katyal passes away

• Veteran journalist KK Katyal (88-year) has passed away after a brief illness in Delhi.

Naresh Goyal re-elected to IATA board of governor

• Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal has been re-elected to International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Board of Governors.

Indian-origin professor in UK awarded by Queen

• Eminent Indian-origin professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya has been awarded the prestigious Regius Professorship in Manufacturing by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding contribution in manufacturing.

India Ranks low at 141st place in global peace index

• India has been ranked 141 on the 2016 Global Peace Index (GPI), falling behind countries like Burundi, Serbia and Burkina Faso.

Putin awards UN chief Ban Ki-Moon with order of friendship

• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the Order of Friendship to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Thailand becomes the first Asian country to eliminate mother to child HIV: WHO

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Thailand has become the first Asian country to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Piyush Goyal launches ‘Surya Mitra’ mobile app

• Union Minister for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal has launched ‘Surya Mitra’ mobile app at the national workshop on rooftop solar power in New Delhi.

Maria Sharapova receives two-year ban for failing drug test

• The Russian tennis sensation Maria Sharapova (29-year) has been banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation for using a prohibited drug.

• The proceeds of the bond will be invested by Axis Bank in green energy, transportation and infrastructure projects.

Centre announces new print media advertisement policy

Information and Broadcasting ministry has framed a New Print Media Advertisement Policy for Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) with the objective to promote transparency and accountability in issuing of advertisements in print media.

• First time the policy introduces a New Marking System for newspapers to incentive Newspapers who have better professional standing and get their circulation verified by ABC and RNI.

SBI, Spain’s CaixaBank ink pact to fund Indo-Spanish JVs, local business

 

State Bank of India (SBI) and Spain’s CaixaBank have inked pact to provide loans to Indo-Spanish joint ventures and local enterprises.

• As per the agreement, they will expand banks’ guarantee transaction businesses by jointly providing credit to Indian-Spanish joint ventures and Indian local enterprises.

Former Kerala assembly speaker T S John passes away

Former Kerala assembly speaker T S John (74-year) has passed away at a hospital at Chertala in Alapuzha.

• He was suffering from old age related ailments.
• John had served as a minister in the A K Antony cabinet.

Suresh Prabhu flags off Champaran Satyagrah Express train in Bihar

In Bihar, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off Champaran Satyagrah Express train at a function in Motihari.

• The Minister also inaugurated Banmankhi – Purnea rail section and Pipraha Railway Station.

Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Rajendra dadu dies in car accident

Madhya Pradesh, ruling BJP MLA Rajendra Dadu (62-years) died in a road accident.

• His vehicle suffered an accident on the Bhopal-Indore road in Sherpura vicinity on the outskirts of Sehore district.

Four elements on the Periodic Table get new names

 

Akhil Sharma wins Dublin International literary award

Internet search engine Google and Tata Trusts’ joint initiative “Internet Saathi” has been launched in Kolkata, West Bengal.

• In the last ten months, the initiative has been active in villages across five states in India, namely Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

 

 

 

 

State finance ministers attend GST meet in Kolkata

• Union Finance minister Mr. Arun Jaitley has met finance ministers of 22 states and representatives and seven others in Kolkata to iron out differences over the new regime that will create one national market under the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

RBI introduces Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets

• The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines called Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets.

Ranu Langthasa appointed as first woman chairperson of NCHAC in Assam

• Ranu Langthasa has been unanimously appointed as the chairperson of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Assam.

G Kalyanakrishnan took over as Chief Executive of Nuclear Fuel Complex

• Scientist G Kalyanakrishnan has taken charge as Chief Executive of Hydereabad based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC).

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai Resigns

• Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai has resigned after the acceptance of the resignation by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for this on health grounds.

Norway becomes the first country to ban deforestation

• Norway has become the first country in the world to prohibit deforestation.

 

Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 Canada Grand Prix of Formula One

• Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won 2016 Canada Grand Prix title of Formula One.

Union Cabinet approves SBI takeover of units

• The Union cabinet gave its in-principle nod for State Bank of India (SBI)’s proposal to gobble up its five associate banks as well as Bharatiya Mahila Bank.

Annual 45-day fishing ban in Tamil Nadu begins

• 45 day fishing ban in the western coastal zone of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu will come into force today.

Kiran Bedi launches mobile app to help senior citizens in distress

• Lt. Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi has launched a mobile Application for helping senior citizens in distress.

Isreal elected to chair UN committee

• Isreal has been elected to chair a UN committee for the first time in the world body’s 71 years history.

Florida bank issues first US credit card for use in Cuba

• A small regional Florida bank, Stonegate Bank has made history by issuing the first credit card that can be used in Cuba.

Renowned Hindi writer Mudrarakshasa passes away

• Renowned Hindi novelist and critique Mudraraksha (82-year) has passed away due to old age related causes in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

President Pranab Mukherjee receives highest civilian award of Ivory Coast

• President Pranab Mukherjee has been presented National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast, the highest civilian award of the West African country.

Indian men’s 4×400 m relay team breaks 18-year-old national record

• The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team has created a new national record clocking 3:02.17 at the International Sprint and Relay Teams Cup at Erzurum, Turkey.

Dhoni becomes first Indian keeper to complete 350 ODI dismissals

• Mahendra Singh Dhoni has became the first Indian wicket keeper and fourth in the world to complete 350 dismissals in One-Day International (ODI) cricket

IRCTC, Just Dial, UTI MF in Fortune India Next 500 list

• Just Dial, UTI Asset Management Company and IRCTC are among the firms that have made it to the Fortune Next 500 list of Indian companies, which has been topped by Dynamatic Technologies.

State Bank of India creates a dedicated Rs 200 crore fund for startups

• India's largest public sector lender State Bank of India BSE 0.02 % (SBI) has created a dedicated IT innovations and startup fund and have set aside Rs 200 crore for investment in promising startups.

• Moody's Investors Service has revised to negative from stable the outlook on the Ba3 corporate family rating and senior unsecured rating of Tata Power, days after the company said it will buy Welspun Renewable Energy at an enterprise value of Rs 9,249 crore.

India ranks fourth in terms of servers hacked by xDedic marketplace: Kaspersky Labs

• India ranks fourth in terms of number of servers hacked as per a Kaspersky Lab report.

Assam Congress chief passes away

• Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Anjan Dutta passed away at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi following cardiac failure.

HRD minister Smriti Irani launches Vidyanjali in New Delhi

• Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has launched Vidyanjali, a school volunteer programme in New Delhi.

Railways flags off 1st time-tabled freight train

• Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off India's first timetabled freight train, named ‘Cargo Express’, from Delhi to Bengaluru.

President reaches Windhoek on the last leg of his 3-nation tour to Africa

• President Pranab Mukherjee has reached Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on the last leg of his three-nation tour to Africa

Margaret Atwood awarded 2016 PEN Pinter Prize

• Canadian poet, novelist and environmental activist Margaret Atwood was awarded the 2016 PEN Pinter Prize

Indian Diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah wins Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016

• Pune-based diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah was conferred with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016. He was selected for his research titled Gastric Bypass vs.

Petroleum Minister visiting St Petersburg to represent India at the SPIEF

• Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas is going to visit St Petersburg, Russia on two days meet holding on 16th and 17th June, to represent India at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Karnataka Bank gets award

• Karnataka Bank Ltd has bagged CFBP (Council for Fair Business Practices) Jamnalal Bajaj award for fair business practices.

'A new world' - the Official slogan for Rio Olympics

• The Rio 2016 organising committee revealed the official slogan for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America – “A new world” – while also unveiling the medals, 52 days from the start of the quadrennial extravaganza.

Supriya Sahu appointed as Doordarshan DG

• Senior IAS officer Supriya Sahu has been appointed as Director General of Doordarshan.

Thailand PM Chan-ocha arrives in Delhi on a Three-day visit to Boost Ties between both the Nations

Indian-origin Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir nominated as US Ambassador to Malaysia

India Gets First Women Fighter Pilots

Launch of Korea Plus Strengthening India – Korea Relations

India settle for silver medal in Champions Trophy hockey

Chetan Chauhan named NIFT Chairman

Kerala Tourism bags four awards at ‘FilmAT’ International film festival in Poland

• ‘Responsible Tourism’ initiative started by Kerala Tourism has won three awards under categories of the Best Promotional Social Campaign, Protection of Nature, and Eco-Food categories respectively.

CBDT to soon launch ‘e-nivaran’ for speedy grievance redressal

• The portal will be launched for Delhi on a pilot basis within two-three weeks.

Sugar shares fall by up to 10% on imposition of export duty

• Recently, Government has imposed 20% customs duty on sugar exports to boost domestic supply.
• The duty has been imposed to restrict exports following sharp rise in global prices.

Review and planning meeting of Indo-EU ‘Water4crops’ project held in New Delhi