26th April 2016

A.Union Commerce Ministry launches Twitter Seva for Start-Ups 

1.The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry has launched a new service Twitter Seva to address issues and grievances of startups, exporters and importers, and other stakeholders. 

2.In this regard, an institutionalised mechanism with a special Twitter cell has been created in the Ministry which is manned by a set of dedicated officers of the Ministry. 

Key facts 

1.Twitter Seva will address various queries of startups in a time-bound manner. In it, anyone who wants to access government irrespective of any department, they can put their queries using the hashtag – ‘#mociseva’ on micro blogging site twitter. 

2.The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry would try to respond to the queries within 48 to 72 working hours. 

3.Queries on matters relating to Department of Commerce and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) will be answered through this service. 

4.It will also address queries regarding the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), , SEZs, Directorate General of supplies and Disposals, tea, rubber, coffee, spices, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Issues related to manufacturing policy, investment promotion, industrial corridors, Startup India, Make in India, FDI, intellectual property rights will be also addressed.

B.175 nations sign historic Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day 

1.175 nations including India have signed the historic Paris Climate Agreement at United Nations Headquarters in New York along marking a significant step to combat global warming. 

2.On behalf of India, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar signed the agreement at a high-level ceremony hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of Earth Day (22 April). 

3.The ceremony was attended by heads of governments, foreign ministers, corporate leaders and artists from across the world. 

4.The agreement will come into force 30 days after at least 55 Parties to the UNFCCC, accounting for at least 55 per cent of global emissions ratify the agreement. 

Key facts 

1.The Paris Climate Agreement was formulated within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

2.Facilitates enforcement of global GHGs reduction measures, adaptation and finance in the post-2020 i.e. in post Kyoto Protocol scenario. 

3.The agreement was adopted by representatives of 195 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC held in Paris (France) in December 2015. 

4.In the agreement, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

5.Takes into account the principle of equity (climate justice) and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and respective capabilities. 

6.The mitigation will be based on consensus among the members that have incorporated their respective Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). 

7.Developed countries will provide 100 billion dollars annually to the developing counterparts beginning in 2020 and it would increase with time. 

C.Bhupendra Kainthola appointed FTII Director 

1.Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Bhupendra Kainthola has been appointed as Director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). 

2.Kainthola will replace Prashant Pathrabe and shall have tenure of three years. He is a 1989 batch IIS officer. 

3.Prior to this appointment he was serving as Director (News Room) with DD News since January 2015. 

4.He was responsible for ‘management of news operations and output’. Previously, he has worked with PIB, Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP), Directorate of Film Festival (as Director, National Film Awards and Indian Panorama) and also with the Lok Sabha Television. 

5.Kainthola holds a Masters in International Relations from the University of Mumbai’. 

About Film and Television Institute of India 

1.FTII is premier institute that provides training for acting, film making, video editing, direction and production. 

2.It is an autonomous body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Established in 1960 and is situated in Pune on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company. 

3.Since its inception, FTII has become India’s premier film and television institute. Its alumni have become technicians, actors and directors in the film and television industry.

D.China, Pakistan ink agreement to launch satellite to monitor CPEC projects 

1.China and Pakistan have signed an agreement for the launch of a special satellite to monitor the development of the multi-billion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. 

2.In this regard, both countries have decided for development and launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) System and launch a satellite in June 2018. 

Implications 

1.This agreement will also transfer space technology to Pakistan as the PRSS-1 is considered as yet another flagship project between China-Pakistan after CPEC.

2. It would also help Pakistan in its national security arena by strengthening surveillance apparatus and border security. 

3.Comment This bilateral cooperation in space domain would open new arena of socio-economic and scientific cooperation and would give boost to the historic bilateral cordial relations in other fields between all-weather friends. 

About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 

1.Project CPEC refers to a clutch of major infrastructure projects currently under way in Pakistan. 

2.The corridor is mainly consists of road, rail and power projects. It is intended to link Kashgar in Xinjiang province of China to Gwadar deep sea port close to Pakistan’s border with Iran. 

3.China’s Gain: The CPEC is part of China’s regional transnational ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) initiative that connects large patch of Asia and Eastern Europe. 

4.Gwadar Port is strategically located and lies close to the Strait of Hormuz (near Iran), a key international oil shipping lane. 

5.It could open up an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf region across Pakistan to western China and also could be used by the Chinese Navy for military purpose.

25th April 2016

A.ISRO Scientists develop world’s lightest material Silica Aerogel 

1.Scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have indigenously developed world’s lightest synthetic material called ‘silica aerogel’ or ‘blue air’. 

2.It was developed by the team of scientist from ISRO’s e Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. 

3.Silica Aerogel is the lightest synthetic material ever made by man. Key Properties of Silica Aerogel Light in weight and can be delicately placed on a flower head. 

4.Excellent thermal resistance and acts as a good insulator. 

5.The matrix of aerogel is made up of 99 per cent air. In its present development stage it is still very fragile and brittle. 

6.Scientists at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre are still finding ways to make it tough and resilient. 

7.Applications It can used as filler in soldiers’ uniforms to save lives of soldiers at the Siachen glacier. 

8.It can be used to insulate rocket engines as it can be used both in space and on Earth. 

B.Union Government merges Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan with Khelo India 

1.The Union Government has merged Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) with the Khelo India Programme for development of sports. 

2.The RGKA was a centrally sponsored scheme launched by then Congress-led UPA government in 2014. 

3.Union Government also has merged two other sport projects launched by then UPA regime viz. Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) under Khelo India. 

4.Khelo India Programme is based on Gujarat Government’s model of Khel Mahakumbh. 

5.In it chools and colleges from different parts of the country participate in about 27 disciplines. 

6.Even the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) organises summer camps every year under this project. 

7.Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan(RGKA): It was launched in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA). 

8.RGKA aimed at constructing sports complexes in each block and exclusively both for indoor and outdoor in different sports discipline for 5 years. 

9.PYKKA: It was a rural sports initiative introduced by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote youth and social development through sports. 

C.India replaces China as top FDI destination in 2015: FDI Intelligence Report 

1.According to FDI Intelligence Report India has replaced China as the top Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination by attracting $63 billion worth FDI projects in 2015. 

2.FDI Intelligence is a division of international media company – The Financial Times Limited. 

Key highlights of Report 
1.India was the highest-ranked country by capital investment in the year 2015, with 63 billion dollars-worth of FDI projects announced. 

2.It was the biggest change in Greenfield FDI in 2015 was near tripling with an estimated 63 billion dollars. 

3.There was an 8 per cent increase in project numbers to 697. The boost in FDI has resulted in a whopping increase in job creation from nearly 1 lakh in 2013 to over 2 lakh jobs in 2015. 

4.These high-value projects were specifically announced across the coal, oil and natural gas and renewable energy sectors India has replaced China as the top destination for FDI by capital investment following of high-value project announcements.

23rd April 2016

A.Union Cabinet approves signing the Paris Agreement adopted at 21st CoP

1.The Union Cabinet gave its approval for signing the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties of UNFCCC held in Paris in December 2015. 

2.In this regard, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India. 

3.The Paris Agreement on climate change is considered as a milestone in global climate cooperation. 

4.It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, equity and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances. 

Key features of the Paris Agreement 
1.Rights of Developing Countries: Acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their rights to development. 

2.It also supports their efforts to harmonize development with environment and protecting the interests of the most vulnerable. 

3.Sustainable Development: It recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption. 

4.In this regard developed countries take the lead and also highlight the importance of ‘climate justice’ in its preamble. 

5.Implementation of the Convention: It reflects the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities especially in the light of different national circumstances.

B.2016 Pulitzer Prize Winners 

1.The Sympathizer, a debut novel of Vietnamese American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. 

2.While, Associated Press has won two prestigious Pulitzer prize in Public Service for coverage for an investigation of severe labour abuses tied to the supply of seafood to American supermarkets and restaurants. 

3.List of 2016 Pulitzer Prize Winners Books, Drama and Music Fiction: 
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. 
Drama: Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. 
History: Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America by T.J. Stiles. Biography: Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan,. 
Poetry: Ozone Journal by Peter Balakian. 
Music: In for a Penny, In for a Pound by Henry Threadgill. 
Journalism Public Service: Associated Press. Breaking News Reporting: Los Angeles Times Staff. 
Investigative Reporting: Leonora LaPeter Anton and Anthony Cormier of the Tampa Bay Times and Michael Braga of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 
Explanatory Reporting: Christian Miller of ProPublica and Ken Armstrong of The Marshall Project. 
Local Reporting: Michael LaForgia, Cara Fitzpatrick and Lisa Gartner of the Tampa Bay Times. 
National Reporting: The Washington Post Staff. 
International Reporting: Alissa J. Rubin of The New York Times. 
Feature Writing: Kathryn Schulz of The New Yorker. 
Commentary: Farah Stockman of The Boston Globe. 
Criticism: Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker. 

Pulitzer Prize: It honours the extraordinary work in US journalism, drama, literature and other areas. It also brings welcome attention and recognition to newspapers and websites.

C.Europe becomes world’s first region to end malaria: WHO 

1.Europe has become the world’s first region to wipe out Malaria, a mosquito-borne vetor disease with zero cases reported in the year 2015. 

2.It was revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its World Malaria Report 2015. 

3.Particular region or country is declared Malaria free by WHO after it has zero locally acquired malaria cases for at least three consecutive years. 

Key Highlights of Report 
1.The number of malaria cases fell to zero from 90,712 between 1995 and 2015 in the countries of European region.

2.Only 179 cases of malaria were reported in six countries in 2010. The last cases of malaria were reported in Tajikistan in 2014. 

3.The region was able to wipe out the deadly disease because of strong political commitment, improved detection and surveillance, mosquito control, cross-border collaboration. 

4.Until the end of World War II, the spread of Malaria was common in southern Europe, including Portugal, Italy, the Balkans and Greece. 

5.But the region was declared malaria free in 1975. In the year 2015, there were 214 million cases of the malaria across the world and it had killed around 438,000 people, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

D.Union Government renames Department of Disinvestment as DIPAM 

1.Union Government has renamed as Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). 

2.In this regard, the Union Finance Ministry has issued notification. 

3.The renaming decision aims at proper management of Central government’s investments in equity and also its disinvestment proceeds in central public sector undertakings (PSUs). 

Key facts 
1.DIPAM will work under Union Finance Ministry. 

2.It has been mandated to advise the Union Government in the matters of financial restructuring of PSUs and also for attracting investment through capital markets.

3. It will deal with all matters relating to sale of Union Government’s equity through private placement or offer for sale or any other mode in the erstwhile Central PSUs. 

4.Henceforth all other post disinvestment matters will continue to be handled by the Union Finance Ministry or concerned department in consultation with DIPAM on necessity.

22nd April 2016

A.RBL becomes first private sector bank to open dedicated branch for startups

1.The RBL Bank (formerly Ratnakar Bank) became the first private sector bank in India to open dedicated branch for startups. 

2.The dedicated branch was inaugurated at Koramangala, Bengaluru by Nandan Nilekani, noted entrepreneur and former chairman of UIDAI. 

Key facts 
1.The first exclusive bank branch for start-ups will offer a bouquet of banking products to service the end-to-end needs of the emerging entrepreneurial eco-system. 

2.The branch will assist entrepreneurs in setting up new enterprises or companies. It will offer them host of banking products including, foreign exchange services, remittances and cash management. 

3.The Branch will also provide a range of value added services including legal and tax formalities, registration etc. through its affiliates and partners. 

About RBL Bank 
1.The RBL Bank is a scheduled commercial bank headquartered in the Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Founded in August 1943, RBL is one of the oldest private sector banks in India. 

2.The Bank currently services approximately 1 million customers and has a total business size of over 20,000 Crore rupees.

B.BCCI appoints Rahul Johri as its first CEO 

1.Rahul Johri has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

2.Mr. Johri will report to the BCCI secretary and shall be given freedom to work independently in BCCI’s set-up that was traditionally controlled by honorary office-bearers. 

3.In his new role he will be responsible for the smooth functioning of operations, stakeholder management of BCCI and building robust strategies for further promoting the sport of cricket. 

4.Prior to this appointment, Mr. Johri had served as Discovery Networks Asia Pacific’s executive vice-president and general manager for South Asia. 

5.He has two decades of rich experience in the media industry. Background The appointment of CEO of BCCI was based on the lines of key recommendations of the three-member Justice RM Lodha Committee. 

6.The committee was appointed by the Supreme Court to suggest administrative reforms in Indian cricket i.e. to bring reform in BCCI, an apex governing body for cricket in India. 

7.It had recommended creation of the post of the CEO in order to separate BCCI’s governance and management duties with the CEO taking charge of the management side.

C.Union Cabinet gives nod to MoU on technical cooperation between India, Bhutan

1.The Union Cabinet has given its approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on Technical Cooperation in the field of benchmarking, capacity building and bilateral exchange in Infrastructure Engineering.

2. Decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. 

Key facts 

1.The MoU aims at taking forward India-Bhutan friendship treaty and provide an umbrella for scientific, educational and technical research and environment protection. 

2.It will also help Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a construction major under the Urban Development Ministry, to gain experience in construction of roads on hills. 

Background 

1.India and Bhutan have a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relation with each other. 

2.The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February 2007 to further strengthen the mutual relations between two neighbouring countries. 

3.There are also ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation projects between the two countries which provide an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.

D.India, China agree for peaceful negotiations to settle border issue 

1.India and China have agreed to adhere to peaceful negotiations to settle the border issue and reach a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution. 

2.Decision in this regard was taken during the annual 19th round of boundary talks between National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi at Beijing. 

Key facts 

1.Both the sides have discussed the vexed border dispute. 

2.They also had an extensive, deep discussion on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) which remains undemarcated resulting in tensions between the two sides. 

3.Besides the border issue, both sides also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual concern. 

4.The issue of China putting technical hold on India’s recent bid to bring about a UN ban on Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terrorist attack was also discussed.

21st April 2016

A.Indian-American Geeta Pasi nominated as US envoy to Chad

1.United States (US) President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Geeta Pasi as the country’s next envoy to central African nation Chad. 

2.Ms. Pasi is a career member of the US Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counsellor. 

3.She had served as the United States Ambassador to Djibouti from 2011 to 2014. At present, she is the Director of the Office of Career Development and Assignments in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. 

4.She had joined the US Foreign Service in 1988. Since the she had served at posts in Cameroon, Ghana, India and Romania. 

5.Pasi also had served as the Director of the Office of East African Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs (2009 to 2011), Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka (Bangladesh) from 2006 to 2009, and Deputy Principal Officer at the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany (2003 to 2006).

B.India, Mauritius ink MoU to promote traditional medicine

1.India and Mauritius have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in traditional medicine and homeopathy 

2.The MoU envisages supply of traditional medicinal substances, exchange of experts, joint R&D and recognition of the traditional systems of health and medicine in both countries. 

3.It also aims at promotion and popularisation of the various Indian traditional systems which fall under AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy. 

4.The Union AYUSH ministry also has recently signed similar MoUs with Malaysia, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Bangladesh, Hungary and Nepal.

C.India’s Durga Thakur Promoted as International Hockey Umpire 

1.India’s Durga Thakur has been promoted to international outdoor umpire by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). 

2.She was promoted following her good performance at the recently-held Hawke’s Bay Cup in Hastings, New Zealand. 

About Durga Thakur 

1.Thakur had started her career as an umpire from the third Hockey India (HI) Sub-Junior Men & Women National Championship (Finals) held in Bhopal in 2013. 

2.She is a graduate of NSNIS in 2011 and her first international assignment was in 2015 at the double six-Nation Cup in Breda, Netherlands. 

3.She has represented her state Himachal Pradesh in the National Championships in three sporting disciplines basketball, handball and hockey. 

4.She was also one of the umpires in the finals of the last National Games. With her promotion, Ms. Thakur is an addition other young Indian umpires currently officiating at the international level. 

5.There are 14 Indians in the elite league of international umpires (10 men, 5 women).

D.President’s decision is subject to judicial review: Uttarakhand HC

1.The Uttarakhand High Court has observed that the legitimacy of President’s decision to suspend the state assembly under President’s rule is subject to judicial review. Observation in this regard was given by a HC bench comprising of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist. 

2.The bench was hearing arguments on the petition filed by the ousted Chief Minister Harish Rawat challenging imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand. 

3.HC observed that President can take wrong decisions by referring to Union Government’s argument that he took the decision to impose President Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution in his “political wisdom”.

4. It also ruled that legitimacy of inference drawn by President from the material placed before him by Governor is open to judicial review.

20th April 2016

A.Union Government releases commemorative coin to mark Tatya Tope martyrdom day

1.The Union Government has leased a commemorative coin of 200 rupees and a circulation coin of 10 rupees on freedom fighter Tatya Tope. 

2.It was released by the Union Culture Minister Dr. Mahesh on the occasion of the Martyrdom Day of Tatya Tope in New Delhi. 

3.The Union Ministry of Culture has been celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of Tatya Tope during 2015-16 in association with State Government of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. 

About Tatya Tope 
1.Tatya Tope was one of the notable generals in India’s First War of Independence (1857-58) i.e. Revolt of 1857. 

2.He was born as Ramachandra Pandurang Tope in Yeola in Nashik District of Maharashtra. He was most intimate friend of Nana Dhundu Pant (also known as Nana Saheb) of Bithur who was adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao-II. 

3.Tatya Tope had revolted against British after Nana Saheb was deprived of his father’s pension by then Governor General Lord Dalhousie under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1851. 

4.In May 1857, after the rebellion political storm had gained momentum he had won over the Indian troops of the East India Company stationed at Kanpur.

B.Deepak Mishra appointed as ADG of CRPF

1.Senior IPS officer Deepak Mishra has been appointed as Additional Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 

2.His appointment was cleared by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).  He will have tenure till November 2018 with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post. 

3.Deepak Mishra is IPS officer of the 1984 batch of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre. 

About Central Reserve Police Force (CRFP) 
1.CRPF is the largest statutory Central Armed Police Forces in India. 

2.It functions and operates under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was established in 1939, under Crown Representative’s Police but after independence it was made statutory Central Reserve Police Force after the enactment of the CRPF Act, 1949. 

3.At present CRPF is the world’s largest paramilitary force with 228 battalions and over three lakh personnel. 

4.Its primary role is to assist States/Union Territories (UTs) in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency.

C.RIC Forum pitches to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism

1.The 14th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russia, India and China (RIC) Forum have vowed to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism. 

2.The meeting was held in Moscow, Russia and was attended Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi took. 

Key highlights of 2016 
1.RIC Forum The Ministers discussed various aspects of trilateral cooperation on global and regional issues. 

2.They pitched for progress in strengthening the international legal framework underlying the modern world order and neutralisation of common challenges. 

3.They also have pitched for setting up of a broad counter-terrorist front with the UN playing a central role and stepping up efforts to combat global drug threat. 

4.They also discussed on creating a new security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region. 

5.They also exchanged views to the situation in the North Africa, Middle East including Syria, and the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine.

D.2016 Laureus World Sports Awards

1.World No 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won the 2016 Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award. 


2.He has won it for second time after winning it in 2012. US tennis legend Serene Williams has won the 2016 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award. 

3.It was her fourth Laureus Awards after she won it in 2003, 2007 and 2010. 

4.The 2016 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony for the first time was held in Berlin, Germany. 

5.The awards are dubbed as Oscar of the sports and are bestowed on sportspersons in different categories. 2016 Laureus World Sports Awardees Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (Tennis), Serbia. 

6.Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams (Tennis), United States. Team of the Year: New Zealand National Rugby team. Comeback of the Year: Dan Carter (Rugby), New Zealand. Breakthrough of the Year: Jordan Spieth (Golf), United States. Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Daniel Dias (Paralympic swimmer), Brazil. 

19th April 2016

A.BRICS New Development Bank approves first loans for renewable energy projects

1.The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has approved its first package of loans worth 811 million dollars for four renewable energy projects in Brazil, China, South Africa and India. 

2.The decision to approve the first loans was approved by the NDB board of governors on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC, US. 

Key facts 
1.The NDB in its first loan tranche will provide $300 million to Brazil, $250 million to India, $180 million to South Africa and $81 million to China. 

2.These funds will be used in area of green and renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 2.37MW together. 

3.On completion of these projects, they will help to reduce the amount of harmful emissions by 4 million tons annually. 

About New Development Bank 
1.The New Development Bank is a multilateral bank created by BRICS nations viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 

2.It had started its operations in July 2015 with initial authorized capital of $100 billion. It is headquartered in Shanghai, China. 

3.The goal of the bank is to fund infrastructure projects in emerging economies for sustainable development. 

4.In the NDB, each participant country has been assigned one vote, and none of the countries have veto power. Renowned Indian banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath is the President (first) of NDB.

B.Rafael Nadal wins 2016 Monte Carlo Masters title of Tennis

1.Ace tennis player Rafael Nadal (World No 5) from Spain has won the 2016 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters title of Tennis. 

2.In the final match he defeated Gael Monfils of France by 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 score. It was his overall 9th Monte Carlo Masters title and his 68th win from 100 finals on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour. 

3.It was also Nadal’s 100th ATP Tour final appearance and this win also helped Nadal to equal Noval Djokovic’s (World No 1) record of 28th Masters Titles. 

4.So far, Rafael Nadal has won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, 28 titles in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events and 16 ATP World Tour 500 tournaments. 

5.He also had won 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles. In tennis is famously known as the King of Clay. 

6.He is the only male player in tennis history to win one Grand Slam and Masters 1000 title for ten consecutive years from 2005 to 2014. 

7.Monte-Carlo Masters: It is an annual tennis tournament played on clay courts. It is mainly for male professional players held in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, a commune that borders on Monaco.

C.India, Afghanistan and Iran finalize draft of Chabahar Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors

1.India, Afghanistan and Iran have finalized draft of the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors. 

2.The text of the draft was finalized at the second technical meeting of experts from the three countries in New Delhi. 

3.The agreement will be signed after completing necessary internal procedures in the three countries. 

Key features of Agreement 
1.The Agreement envisions trilateral cooperation for providing alternative access to seas to Afghanistan, inter alia for Afghanistan’s trade with India. 

2.When it will come into force it will significantly enhance utilization of Chabahar port, contribute to economic growth of landlocked Afghanistan, It will facilitate better regional connectivity including between India and connections to Afghanistan and Central Asia. 

3.The Agreement will be a strategic bulwark for greater flow of people and goods among the three countries as well as other countries in the region. 

4.Three parties also have agreed to establish a sub-committee within the framework of the agreement in order to provide protocols for transit, ports, customs issues and well as consular affairs.

D.Australia wins 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament

1.Australia has won the 25th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2016 for record ninth time. 

2.In the final match played at Ipoh, Australia defeated India by 4-0 goals. With this India settled at the second position and was followed by New Zealand (defending champion) at the third position. 

3.This was the second time India had finished with the silver medal in seven final appearances. 

4.Earlier, Australia had won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in 1983, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. 

5.They also holds record of most titles win of this tournament. Final Rankings: Australia (1st rank), India (2nd), New Zealand (3rd), Malaysia (4th), Pakistan (5th), Canada (6th) and Japan (7th). 

About Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 

1.It is an annual international men’s field hockey tournament held in Malaysia. Named after 9th king of Malaysia and ‘Father of Malaysian Hockey’ Sultan Azlan Shah. 

2.It was established in 1983 as biennial sporting event. It was converted into an annual event after 1998, following its growth and popularity.