states

Andhra Pradesh increases upper age limit for joining
Government services
 Describing it as a new year gift to the state public, the Andhra Pradesh government has increased the upper age
limit for joining state government services. The upper age limit has been increased for all categories including the
physically handicapped.
 The age bar for the General Category has been raised to 36 years from the present 34 years. It is increased to 41
years in case of SC, ST, and BCs. The age bar is raised to 46 years from the current 44 years for the physically
handicapped.
 Similarly, the age bar is raised by two years for the existing state government employees and physically
handicapped employees.




SC rejects AP plea for introduction of differential fee
An application from the Andhra Pradesh govt asking permission to allow it to recommend enhanced differential fee
structure for category A and B quota seats has been rejected by the Supreme Court.








assam


Voting in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council in
Assam underway
 The voting for 26-member Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council is underway.
 Over 5 lakh 86 thousand electorates of the tribal-dominated district are eligible to exercise their franchise to
elect their representatives among 128 contesting candidates. All major political parties including the ruling
Congress, Asom Gana Parishad, CPI (ML) and BJP have fielded their candidates for the polls conducted by State
Election Commission.



Bihar gets its first all-women police station
 Bihar’s first all-women police station was opened in Nalanda district. The station will deal exclusively with crimes
against women, officials said.


Bihar to go for First Industrial Survey of the State
 In March 2012, first survey of industrial units of Bihar to assess the industrial scenario in the state and to frame
measures to attract investments will be carried out. The survey will collect information about industrial units
including micro, small, medium and large enterprises.
 The state government would appoint retired officials of National Sample Survey Organisation for the work.


chattisgrah


Sukma inaugurated 23rd district of Chhattisgarh
 Sukma has been inaugurated as the 23rd district of the Chhattisgarh.
 The new district which is the most naxal affected district in the state, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Dr.
Raman Singh.
 On January 1, 2012, Dr. Raman Singh announced birth of nine new districts in Chhattisgarh.
 These new districts are Sukma, Kondagaon, Balod, Bemetara, Baloda Bazar, Gariaband, Mungeli, Surajpur and
Balrampur.
 The district of Sukma has been carved out of Chhattisgarh’s worst Maoist affected Dantewada district; while
Kondagaon has been carved out of insurgency-hit Bastar district.




delhi



Kerosene-free Delhi Scheme launched by Delhi state govt
The Delhi govt has taken an initiative to make the national capital Kerosene free, the Delhi Government. It has
unveiled Kerosene-free Delhi scheme in the capital.
Under this scheme, the Delhi govt will distribute gas stoves and LPG cylinders free of cost to over 3.50 lakh households.
The state government will spend Rs 108 crore on this scheme.
With the implementation of this scheme, Delhi endeavors to become the first kerosene-free city in the country.






In which among the following locations, South Asian University
is functioning-----New Delhi


11th Auto Expo Starts in New Delhi
 The 11th Auto Expo starts in New Delhi on January 5, 2012. The Expo will witness as many as 50 global brands
showcasing their products.
 The Expo will also witness the unveiling of 24 cars by domestic companies and eight by global players, besides
eight two-wheelers by home-grown firms.
 The Expo will remain open for public from 7th January to 11th January 2012.



goa--
Under the latest annual report of the University Grants
Commission (UGC) for 2010-11, which among the following State has highest
women enrolment for higher education------Goa


gujarat




Comprehensive Ban on Gutka in Gujarat
Gujarat state government has declared a comprehensive ban on gutka, which will come into effect from September 11,
2012. From this date the state will ban, the production, storage, sale and distribution of gutka.
Recently, Maharashtra imposed a comprehensive ban on gutka and pan masala. Gutka is already banned in Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.





Gujarat bans Gutka



Gujarat state government has declared imposition of a comprehensive ban on gutka, which will come into effect from
September 11, 2012. From this date the state will ban, the production, storage, sale and distribution of gutka.
Other States that have banned Gutka:
 Maharashtra
 Kerala
 Madhya Pradesh
 Bihar
 Rajasthan





Foundation of Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro service laid down by
Narendra Modi
 Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Rs 296 crore Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro service
across the Gulf of Cambay. The two terminals at Ghogha and Dahej will be completed in 15 months.
 The vessel can ferry up to 1,000 passengers, besides 100 vehicles and containers, to cover 31 km. Distance
between the two on land route is 360 km.



Bangladesh Army foils coup attempt
 The Bangladesh foils a planned coup attempt to topple the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
 It has been announced by the Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq.
 General Razzaq said that specific information has been unearthed that some officers in military service have been
involved in the conspiracy to topple the system of democratic governance and some unruly and derailed military
officers have been actively engaged in the execution of the heinous conspiracy through maintaining contacts
with a fugitive officer who is a Major.
Current Affairs Published on www.gktoday.in from January 1, 2012 to
September 10, 2012
 Two former army officers have been arrested so far, a manhunt has been launched for the fugitive officer while
some 16 others were kept under strict military vigil.









Himachal Pradesh Day celebrated
 On 25 January 2012, Himachal Pradesh finished 41 years as a full fledged state of India.
 At the time of India’s independence,Himachal Pradesh can in existance as Chief Commissioner’s Province of H.P.
on 15 April 1948.

 This Chief Commissioner’s Province was created by integration of 28 small princely states, prominent among
them being Simla Hills States & four Punjab southern hill States.
 After that, India’s smallest state at that time “Bilaspur” was merged in it on 1 April 1954 by the Himachal Pradesh
and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation
of the Constitution of India and the Lt. Governor was appointed.
 Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956.
 On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into
being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.




Haryana bans virgin and recycled plastic
Haryana State Government prohibited the manufacturing, sale, supply and use of virgin and
recycled plastic carry bags and recycled plastic containers
Step taken after considering the undesirable effects of its use on the environment, health and local
ecology
No person would be allowed to manufacture, sale or use containers made of recycled plastic for
storing, carrying, dispensing or packing of food stuffs
Only containers made by using natural color or white plastic and recycled plastic using pigments
and colorants as per standards and specifications of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) are allowed










Jharkhand


Government releases ` 250cr for Saranda Action Plan in Jharkhand
 In Jharkhand, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh released funds of Rs. 250 crores for ‘Saranda
Action Plan’.
 The Action Plan which was prepared after recovering the area from the Maoists last year, targets 900 square
Kilometers of the Saranda forest range in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.


kashmir


Public Library opened in Kashmir in the memory of 17th Century Poet Gani Kashmiri
The Department of Libraries and Research (DL&R) opened a Public Library and reading
room in Kashmir
Library devoted to the memory of the legendary Persian poet of the 17th century Kashmir,
Gani Kashmiri
Inaugurated at Rajouri Kadal in the old Srinagar city
Minister for Tourism & Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora





Special package for Jammu & Kashmir for the implementation of the Special Industry Initiative
Scheme
CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) accepted the execution of the Special Industry
Initiative Scheme in Jammu & Kashmir
Central Scheme with 100% Central assistance in partnership with National Skill Development
Corporation, NSDC, and the Corporate Sector
The Scheme to cover all districts of the State
Companies will screen and select Trainees and after assessing the Skill Gap, then they will train
them as per the requirements
Rs 1000 Crore expenditure proposed to be incurred under the Scheme with an approximate
expenditure of Rs 2.50 Lakhs per Trainee
Central Government to make a provision of Rs 500 Crore in the next 5 years
Target of the Scheme is to train 40,000 Graduates, Post Graduates and Professional Degree
holders over a period of 5 years
Scheme based on the recommendations of an 'Expert Group' set up by the Prime Minister's
Office on August 18, 2010, under chairmanship of Dr. Rangarajan
Scheme launched to enhance the employment opportunities in the State of J&K and to formulate a
jobs plan involving both the public and private sectors, especially for the youth




karnataka

 the country’s first
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical college is inaugurated
recently----]Bangalore


kerala


Temple safety measures tighten up following Treasure Discovery
Padmanabha Swami temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Kerala Government further tightened up the security at the historical Sree Padmanabha Swami
temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Reason:
Huge quantity of precious metals and diomonds worth around Rs 50,000 Crore have been
unearthed from the underground cellars of the temple
With this Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple emerged as the richest shrine in the country
Maximum share of this treasure belonged to the Kings of the Royal Family of Travancore
The final list of inventories will be submitted to the Supreme Court



Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Supreme Court holds back committee from opening the vaults
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
SC restrained the seven-member committee from opening the vaults of the Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
A Treasure trove (i.e. A Treasure of unknown ownership found hidden) worth over Rs 1 Lakh Crore
discovered recently in the Temple
SC Bench asked the petitioner Raja Marthanda Varma, the erstwhile Prince of Travancore, and
the Kerala Government to come out with apt suggestions in order to ensure holiness and security of
the ancient temple
Appearing for the erstwhile prince, senior counsel K K Venogopal, elucidated that the temple was a
public property and no member of the royal family claims any ownership or right over the huge
property and he told the bench that the property belongs to Lord Padmanabhaswamy
The Trustee of the temple (i.e. the Royal Family) challenged the Kerala Government's decision to
take over the administration of the temple which was earlier upheld by the Kerala High Court
Paramount security to be ensured in and around the temple in view of the discovery of the huge
wealth





Maharashtra registered Maximum Number of Deaths due to SAEs
during Drug Trials
As per the data of the Drug Controller-General of India, India recorded 2061 drug trial-related deaths during the period
(January 2008- January 2012). Maharashtra registered maximum number of 268 deaths due to SAEs (Serious Adverse
Events) during drug trials while Madhya Pradesh recorded the least number of such deaths.






rajasthan
Rajasthan: Doctors call off strike
 In Rajasthan, medical and health services in government hospitals are now coming back on the rails with the Inservice
doctors resuming their duties after an 11 day long strike.
 The OPD in hospitals functioning normally and indoor patients also took a sigh of relief. Prior to that the Inservice
Doctor Association called off their strike after meeting the Power Minister Dr. Jitender Singh.

 Government issued orders of lifting Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act, RESMA, and release of doctors
arrested under the Act. The government also agreed to constitute a five member committee to look into the
demands of the In-service doctors and suspension and dismissal of doctors during the strike.



Aquaculture Mission to be launched by the Meghalaya Government
An Aquaculture Mission to be launched by the Meghalaya Government
NFDB (National Fisheries Development Board) to provide all essential support and aid to
the Meghalaya Government in terms of grants, infrastructure, human resource
development to both officials and Fish Farmers
Objective:
1. Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme
2. To make livelihood in the rural areas attractive by creating and ensuring opportunities
thereby minimizing the migration of the rural population to the urban areas
Chief Minister of Meghalya: Mukul Sangma




Sikkim


Rs. 70 Crore sanctioned to BRO
 The central Government sanctions Rs. 70 Crore to Border Roads Organisation for strengthening the road
infrastructure in Sikkim.
 The projects include widening of National Highway 31-A, the only road connecting this landlocked State to the
rest of the country via Siliguri in West Bengal, at a cost of fifty one crore rupees. It also includes strengthening
pavements between Ranipool and Gangtok, along the National Highway.




Tripura


Planning Commission approves Rudrasagar Drainage Development
Scheme for Tripura
 Planning Commission has given investment clearance for the scheme Rudrasagar Drainage Development Scheme,
Tripura.
 This Rs. 14 Crore Scheme would restrict water spread area of the lake during monsoon and maintain water level
of 13 m during winters and maintain water level of 11 m for boosting the ecology of the area.









West Bengal

Recently which among the following IT major has signed an
agreement with West Bengal government for designing and implementing ICT
solutions for the rural employment guarantee scheme in the state? [A]Tata
Consultancy Services Ltd.







 up
Maximum Newspapers published from UP
 The 55th Annual report of the Registrar of Newspapers for India says that as many as 3671 newspapers were
published from Uttar Pradesh followed by Delhi with 1933 and Madhya Pradesh with 1243 newspapers. In 2010-
11, the Newspaper circulation in India rose over eight per cent.