Ex-CJI HL Dattu selected as new Chairman of NHRC

Union Government has selected former Chief Justice of India (CJI) H L Dattu as new Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He will succeed Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan who had demitted office after his five-year term ended in May 2015. Since then Justice C Joseph is functioning as the acting Chairman.

India, Brazil and South African conduct Joint Naval Exercise at Goa – IBSAMAR-V


The fifth edition of exercise IBSAMAR between Brazil, India and South Africa is slated be conducted from 19 – 29 Feb 16 off the West Coast of India, with the Harbour Phase being conducted at Goa.

  • This is the first time that Exercise IBSAMAR is being conducted in Indian waters; all previous editions being held at/off South Africa.
  • The primary aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the three navies as well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

World’s first fast-acting anti-rabies drug to be launched in India

World’s first fast-acting anti-rabies drug Rabies Human Monoclonal Antibody (RMAb) will be launched in India. The drug has been developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and US-based MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

India remains world’s largest arms importer, with 14% of total share

India remains the world’s largest weapons importer over a five-year period according to latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on global arms purchases.

  • Top arms importers are: India (14%), China (4.7%), Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%).
  • Top arms exporters are: U.S., Russia, China, France and Germany.

Bihar becomes sixth State to join UDAY Scheme

The Government of India, the State of Bihar and the DISCOMs of Bihar (North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme UDAY — “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana”  for operational and financial turnaround of DISCOMs.

  • Bihar is the sixth State to have accepted UDAY for bringing about a positive change in the power sector scenario of States.
  • Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have already signed the MoU under UDAY for operational and financial turnaround of DISCOMs.

US writer Harper Lee passes away

US writer Harper Lee passed away in Monroeville, Alabama, US at the age of 89. She had authored a novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ released in 1960 which had become a classic of modern American literature.

  • It has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.
  • The book has a towering presence in American literature and tells the tale of a white lawyer defending a black man accused of rape in the Deep South.

South Asian Games: India Undisputed Champions

India kept its regional supremacy intact and was crowned champions once again at the South Asian Games with a record 308 medals in front of the home crowd at Guwahati and Shillong.

  • The hosts tally stood at 188 gold medals, 90 silver medals and 30 bronze medals.
  • Sri Lanka finished second with 186 medals and arch-rivals Pakistan came third with 106 medals at the conclusion of the games.

Punjab Warriors wins 2016 Hockey India League

The Jaypee Punjab Warriors has won the fourth edition of Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) title 2016. It was their maiden title. In the final match played at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, they defeated Kalinga Lancers by 6-1 goals. In earlier two seasons, Punjab Warriors had finished runners-up after they had lost to Delhi Waveriders in 2014 and to Ranchi Rays in 2015.

Other Awards:

  • Player of the Tournament: Rupinder Pal Singh (Delhi Waveriders).
  • Man of the Match: Mark Knowles (Punjab Warriors)
  • Goal of the Match: Armaan Qureshi (Punjab Warriors).
  • Emerging Player of the Match: Armaan Qureshi.
  • Dhruv Batra Maximum Goals award: Glenn Turner (Kalinga Lancers).
  • Ponty Chadha Upcoming Player of the Tournament award: Sumit (Ranchi Rays)

Current Affair One – Liner 

  • President Pranab Mukherjee addresses a joint sitting of both houses of the Parliaments at the start of the Budget session.
  • Former Congress leader Kalikho Pul has taken oath as Arunachal Pradesh chief minister after President Rule was lifted by the Union Government and Supreme Court.
  • Sindh became the first Pakistan province to adopt landmark Hindu Marriage Bill, 2015 in order to allow the minority community to register their marriages.
  • The Parliament of Pakistan became the first Parliament in world to run fully on solar power.
  • The 58th Grammy Awards were given to the winners. 1989 by Taylor Swift selected as the Album of the Year.
  • The Union Government released the list of 73 cleanest cities of the country on cleanliness and sanitation. The Mysuru city has topped the list.
  • Union Human Resources Development Ministry in a meeting with Vice–Chancellor of 46 central universities, decided make mandatory to flying the national flag in all central universities in the country.
  • Distinguished scientist KN Vyas has been appointed as Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for a term of three years.
  • Indian­origin Sikh Amar Singh appointed as the Police Commissioner of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Brendon McCullum scores the fastest Test century in 54 balls breaking the record which was jointly held by Sir Vivian Richards of West Indies and Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan of 56 balls. He scores the century in the second Test against Australia in Christchurch. He also breaks the records of most number of sixes in test career with 106 sixes in 101 matches.