- Sarkaari Persons in News
- Committees in news
- Governors in News
- Defense Related
- Foreign Current Affairs in News
- Civilian Achievements
- Dead in News
Sarkaari Persons in News

Niti Ayog |
- National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
- Chairman Narendra Modi
- Vice Chairman: Free market economist Arvind Panagariya
- CEO: Ms. Sindhushree Khullar (IAS)
- Fulltime Members: Economist Bibek Debroy and former DRDO Chief V K Saraswat.
- Better read the whole article here for structure and membership.
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Air India |
CMD Rohit Nandan- 10% cost cutting plan launched. |
DRDO |
- Chief Avinash Chander asked to step down, because Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar wants a person from ‘younger’ generation.
- Defense Secretary RK Mathur is holding the charge of DRDO (30-Jan-2015)
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BSNL |
Anupam Shrivastava became new CMD |
EC |
- Hari Shankar Brahma replaced V S Sampath, became the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. He is an Assamese IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh cadre.
- His tenure will be quite short, because he’s to retire in April 2015.
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UPSC |
- Former CBI director AP Singh resigned as member of UPSC.
- His name was in controversy due to IT-probe against a meat exporter Moin Qureshi.
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Naqvi |
- Union Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi given 1 year jail term for violating prohibitory orders 2009 Lok Sabha election, although later given bail.
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Sangeet Natak Akademi |
- Shekhar Sen is the new chairman. He is a singer-director.
- Notable mono act musical plays “Tulsi”,” Kabeer”, “Vivekananda”, “Sanmanti”,”Saahab” and “Soordas”
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Censor Board |
Pahlaj Nihalani became new chief after Leela Samson resigned after her decision against Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim’s movie “Messanger of God” (MSG) was overturned by the appellate board. |
Prasar Bharati |
Chairman Arkalgud Suryaprakash |
ISRO |
A.S.Kiran Kumar replaced K.Radhakrishnan as the new ISRO Chief. |
TCA Anant |
Chief statistician of India. |
Railway board |
New chairman A.K. Mittal. |
ICAI |
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Chief K.Raghu will introduce new syllabus of CA exam from 2016. |
Committees in news
E. Padmanabhan |
Fixing fares in Mumbai Metro. |
Net Neutrality |
Department of Telecom setup AK Bhargava Committee for examine “Net Neutrality”. Report awaited. AK Bhargava is ex-member of Telecom commission. Net Neutrality means internet should be without any barrier, ISP shouldn’t give priority to one type of data over others. |
Ex-CJI R.M. Lodha |
Supreme court appointed Justice Lodha Committee to cleanup the mess in BCCI- Board of Control for Cricket in India. |
Governors in News
KK Paul |
Uttarakhand’s new governor. |
NN Vohra |
Governor of J&K, recommended Presidential rule after resignation of caretaker CM Omar Abdullah. |
West Bengal |
Governor Keshari Nath will hold charge of Meghalaya as well. |
Punjab governor |
Kaptan Singh Solani became the new governor of Punjab |
Defense Related
Agni-5 |
- DRDO’s Agni-5 launched from Odisha’s wheeler island in a caniester mounted on a truck, it can carry 1.1 tonne nuke warhead for 5000kms.
- Agni-5 is India’s first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
|
Wing Commander Pooja Thakur |
1st woman to lead the ceremonial tri-service guard of honour for U.S. President Barack Obama at Rashtrapati Bhavan. |
26th January |
- President Barak Obama became the first American President to be the chief guest of Indian republic day parade. (2015)
- For 2014, the chief guest was Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
|
Ashok Chakra |
- It is India’s highest peacetime military medal.
- 2015: given to Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh and Major Mukund Varadarajan of Rashtriya Rifle.
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Shaurya Chakra |
Inspector Manjeet Singh of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), for defending Indian consulate in Afghanistan against terrorist attack. |
Chief guests in January 2015
26th January Parade |
US President Obama |
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas |
Guyana President Donald Ramotar. |
USA: Current Affairs
- California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris aims to compete for US senator seat from California. If she win, she’ll be the first ever U.S. Senator of Indian origin.
- Powerful blizzard in Boston-New York.
- Louisiana’s Republican Governor Bobby Jindal says his parents came to the U.S. from India four decades ago to become Americans and not Indian-Americans.
- Congerss-woman Tulsi Gabbard voted against Kerry luger foreign aid law to Pakistan, because pak is a terrorist nation.
- Secretary of state John Kerry visited Vibrant Gujarat summit and met Modi.
- Keystone XL pipeline- to bring oil from Canada to the refineries in the gulf of Mexico.
- Miami state legalized gay marriages.
- World parliament of religions- will be held in Salt Lake City , Utah in 2015.
- Proposed High speed rail project (320 kmph). Travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco in less than three hours.
- Designated TTP’s Mullah Fazlullah as global terrorist.
Bangladesh |
- Khalida Zia launched national bandh against PM Sheikh Haseena.
- Justice SK Sinha became the first Hindu chief justice of Bangladesh.
|
Britain |
Singer Sarah Brightman will stay at International Space Station (ISS) for 10 days in October, under NASA’s “space-tour” program. |
Dubai |
Burj Khlifa made Guinness record of largest LED lights on new year eve. |
France |
- President Francois Hollande.
- Terrorist attack on Chalie Hebdo magazine office at Paris, France
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Greece |
- Leftist party “Syriza” won elections
- New PM: Alexis Tsipras
|
Israel |
International criminal court (ICC) begins preliminary probe for Israel’s war crimes in Palestine territories. |
Italy |
President Giorgio Napolitano resigned. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. |
Malaysia |
Government declared the people in fight MH370 as “dead”- so that insurance-compensation process can begin. |
Mali |
Declared Ebola Free by WHO. |
NZ |
Earthquake at City of Christchurch. |
Pakistan |
Cancelled its anti-polio campaign for 2015, because of the terrorist activities. |
Saudi Arabia |
- King Abdulla Abdulla dead. India declares 1 day of National mourning
- His half-brother Salman will be the new king.
- Capital of Saudi is Riyadh.
- Royal family follows Wahabi Sunni Islam- therefore no large ceremonies held to mourn death of King Abdulla.
|
Seychelles |
Brandon Ah Kong, 15 months old boy became youngest person to receive Jaipur foot. |
Sri Lanka |
- President Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated by Maithripala Sirisena, who was earlier health minister in his Government.
- K.Sripavan became 1st Tamil Chief justice in 24 years.
- Previously impeached lady Chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake restore.
|
Thailand |
Military regime has banned PM Yingluck Shinawatra and her family from politics for five years. |
UN |
UN Secretary general Ban-Ki-Moon visited Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, and appreciated Gujarat’s “solar panels on canals” program. |
UNSC |
- Five new non-permanent members are Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela and Spain. Total strength of non-permanent members is 10.
- Five veto powered permanent members are Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S.
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Vetican |
- Pope Francis to celebrate 2015 with theme “No longer slaves but brothers and sisters.”
- Reverend Libby Lane became the first woman bishop of Church of England.
|
Yemen |
- Houthi rebels (Shia) took over the capital Sana’a, President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi resigned
- Our Government has asked Indians Yemen due to fragile security situation
|
Civilian Achievements
Bhakti Sharma |
- world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in the Antarctic Ocean.
- She is world’s youngest and the first Asian girl to do so.
|
Mangalyan |
US National Space Society (NSS) gave 2015 Space Pioneer Award to ISRO’s Mars Orbiter team. |
Miss Universe |
Columbia’s Paulina won this title. |
Padma awards |
Given in a Separate article. |
Pravasi Bharatiya Awards |
Separate article. click me |
Rajanbhai |
Won “Governor of the year” award from British magazine “Central Banking”. |
Dr.Atul Khare |
Ex-IFS officer and AIIMs Doctor. He Became UN under-Secretary-general for field support department. |
Kailash Satyarthi |
This Nobel laureate gave his medal to Rashtrapati Bhawan Museum. |
Dead in News
More important
Arafat Rahman Koko |
Bangladesh’s Opposition party BNP’s chief Khalida Zia’s son. |
Beant Singh |
Ex-CM of Punjab, Murdered in 1995 by Khalistani terrorists. Their mastermind Jagtar Singh Tara arrested in Thailand and soon to be extradited to India. |
He Zhenlian |
He was vice President of International Olympic Committee and instrument in organizing the Beijing Olympic 2008, hence called “Mr.Olympics” in China. |
Jasodhara Bagchi |
Noted Feminist from Kolkata. |
Kamalnayan Bajaj |
100th birth anniversary. He was industrialist from Bajaj family, worked with Gandhi and Vinoba. |
R.K. Laxman |
- Eminent Cartoonist, awarded Padma Vibhushan and the Magsaysay Award.
- Autobiography: Tunnel of Time
- Born in Mysore, died in Pune.
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Rajkumar Manisana |
Ex-chairman of NHRC and ex-chief justice of Guwahati highcourt. |
Subhash Ghisingh |
Gorkhaland movement leader, died. |
Less important from Exam point of view
Adusumilli Janardhana Vara Prasad |
Nicknamed “Ahuthi”, this telegu actor died in January 2015. |
Edward Brooke |
first African-American to be popularly elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts. (Republican party) |
Hara Patnaik |
Odisha’s popular actor-director |
Martin Anderson |
He was policy advisor of Ronald Reagan and Nixon. Wrote the book “Reagan – A Life in Letters” |
Mike Marqusee |
Leftist columnist, London. |
Robert Stone |
American novelist, author of “A Flag for Sunrise” and “Dog Soldiers” |
Scientist Vasant Gowarikar |
Dr.Sarabhai’s protégé, published Fertilizer encyclopedia. Involved in various space research programs of ISRO, won Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. |
V.B. Rajendra Prasad |
Telugu film producer , father of popular actor Jagapathi Babu |
Visit Mrunal.org/PIN for Persons in news, books-authors, awards and sports related current affairs for IBPS, SSC, CDS, CAPF, ACIO and state service exams.
could anyone please tell that….26 jan ko President salami lete hai and 15 aug ko PM aisa kyun??
bcoz 26 jan ko india republic(head of state elected by people; Prez though indirectly elected) bana aur 15 aug ko azaad(govt by the people “PM”) hua tha.
I think the events might have unfolded as below-
Constitution work was completed on 26th Nov 1949, which gave ‘head of the state’ status to the President and also the ‘1st citizen’, hence to commemorate the 25th Jan 1930 event, republic day was chosen on 26th Jan and Prez was made the principal dignitary.
The president is the head of the republic, so obviously he becomes entitled to receive the guard of honour on 26th Jan
Please tell me the meaning of 23{+t}{+h}. I find it in newspapers but cannot understand what it does mean. If anyone knows please tell me.
What is forex reserve , what is the purpose of that and why every Govt keep some part of money or asset as a forex reserve. Also tell in what way it gives impact on indian inflation and economy and all , I request u sir please tell me in very simple language as I had already gone through the google and wiki , so please tell me and make my concept clear.
friends explain me wht is “base rate”
Shekhar sen had been anounced for Padma Shri award too…
And Obama is also only second president (after Jimmy Carter) who has not visited Pakistan along with India’s visit…
@saurab pandey
Forex reserves are Foreign Exchange Reserves very much essential to boost the trade between countries. As the present scenario we have so much dependence on american currency , whatever we do in imports from other countries , $ plays a vital role in trade and commerce , the more accepted form of currency world level. so we need to reserve it more synonymous to our saving for domestic needs. so government takes more initiatives to reserve foreign currencies of various countries to make active our business in various diaspora. we have this Pravasi Bharatiya Divas every january 9th to mark the contribution Indians past and Future in economic devpt. too
SIR please please post PIN in (P+M,M+I,P) format + Mock questions for mains like(dec 1st week)it really helpful
LIC AAO exam has been postponed to march schedule
guys i have lost my e admit card for cds 2 exam 2014..i only have the registration id..i dont know whether i cleared the exam or not..please help
i think you should check your e-mail id .where you can defintly find your reg. num. and roll num also……
hello guys,,
i jst want to knw that m i eligible for post of IT officer conducted by ibps, i have done Bsc.IT from kuvempu university
LIC AAO exam postponed..
i hv filled uppcs 2015 form..i hv received confrm. mssg frm uppcs..but nowhere did i see option of exam centre…kaise..//////////
SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION, I AM NOT ABLE TO DOWNLOAD TAMIL NADU CLASS 11 ND 12 TEXTBOOKS FROM HERE, PLEASE SOMEONE IF HAVE MAIL ME MY ID IS SHEKHARSAKSHI89@GMAIL.COM
@mrunal Governor of J&K, recommended Governor’s rule after resignation of caretaker CM Omar Abdullah and not Presidential rule (J&k constitution)
Really Very Happy about this and this is very helpful…
the name of the dead saudi king is Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
what is mutual fund exactly ?
Sir.i want all d current affairs imp acc to the uppcs nd i want the notes of erld geog …imp wid respect of uppcs…pls hlp me ..bcs all d material available for uppcs is in hindi ..nd i get difficultu in understndng d terminology
jI i am waiting for PIN of Feb Month.. Your MATERIALS Are very useful Thank you for service
Hello ji… PIN for Feb Please
sir ,I want to prepare for SAIL PSU exam. please provise me some details and tips for verbal ability and general knowledge.