(December 2015December 15, 2016)

Union Cabinet, approves setting up of six new Indian Institutes of Technology

(IITs) in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jammu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Accessible India Campaign(Sugamya Bharat
Abhiyan), a nationwide campaign launched, that will
enable persons with disabilities to gain universal
access, equal opportunity for development, independent
living and participation in all aspects of life in an
inclusive society.
A Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,
2013 released by Ministry of Women and Child in New
Delhi.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for skill
development in the manufacturing sector, with focus on
capital goods and automotive sector signed between
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) and the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI).
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015,
approved by the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha.
India and the United Kingdom launch a joint initiative
2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education, Research and
Innovation.
Central Government signs a Memorandum of
Understanding and documentation, for establishing three
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) at
Ranchi, Nagpur and Pune to be operated on a Public-
Private-Partnership (PPP) mode with participation of
State Government and Industry, apart from the Central
Government.
Lok Sabha passes the landmark Atomic Energy
(Amendment) Bill, 2015 which seeks to amend the
Atomic Energy Act of 1962, thus paving the way for
Atomic Energy Units, including Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to enter into
joint-ventures with other Public Sector Undertakings
(PSUs) and government sector companies.
ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C29
successfully launches six satellites from Sriharikota,
Andhra Pradesh.
Cabinet approves a policy framework for development
of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in coal and
lignite bearing areas in the country. Sixth All India
Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) launched in New
Delhi.
Cabinet approves the Lucknow Metro Rail Project
Phase - 1 A, which will cover a length of 22.878 km
with 22 stations.
A Committee on Revisiting and Revitalising the PPP
model of Infrastructure Development has been set-up.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurates the
National Conference of Dalit Entrepreneurs at Vigyan
Bhawan, in New Delhi.
January, 2016
 The River Information System (RIS) inaugurated, the
first of its kind, RIS will facilitate safe and accurate
navigation on National Waterway - 1 on the Ganges
River.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG)
launches an online initiative to engage the LPG
Consumers and Citizens of India, in providing efficient
and citizen friendly services in LPG distribution.
A system of aerosol monitoring and research and userfriendly
website of Indian Meteorological Department
dedicated.
Mobile Health Services - Mobile Academy, Kilkari, MCessation
and TB Missed Call initiative launched to
Strengthen Public Health Infrastructure.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launches the Startup
India Initiative in New Delhi.
ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C31,
successfully launches the 1,425 kg IRNSS-1E, the fifth
satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
System (IRNSS).
A scheme Nai Manzil aimed at empowering the
minorities launched in Jammu and Kashmir.
February, 2016
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the
Counter-Terrorism Conference - 2016 at Jaipur,
Rajasthan.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
launches the countrys first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug,
known as BGR-342, for type two Diabetes mellitus.
Official Youtube Channel of the Ministry of Finance
launched.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicates to the
nation Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, a
petrochemical complex, at Lepetkata, near Dibrugarh in
Assam.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the 12th
South Asian Games, 2016 at the Sarusajai Sports
Complex in Guwahati.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India
and United States Technical Development Agency
(USTDA) sign the Grant Agreement for India Aviation

Safety Technical Assistance Phase II,in New Delhi.

Global Network Operations Centre (g-NOC) of
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
inaugurated at Dwarka, New Delhi.
National De-worming Day launched at a function in
Hyderabad.
National Framework for Elimination of Malaria
launched.
Integrated website of India Handloom Brand
www.indiahandloombrand.gov.in launched.
Twenty fourth National Homoeopathic Congress
Homeo-Vision 2016 inaugurated in Nagpur.
Prime Minister inaugurates Make in India Week in
Mumbai.
Government identifies 150 critical projects to augment
infrastructure in coastal areas under its Sagarmala
project.
Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP), developed by the
Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
inaugurated.
Government unveiles the National Capital Goods
Policy.
Fifteen cities from across the country felicitated by the
central government for their good work in different
areas of sanitation.
India test-fires its indigenously developed Prithvi-II
missile, which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg
of warheads, as part of a user trial by the army from a
test range at Chandipur, Odisha.
Cabinet approves the proposal for Notification of
Commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement
(TFA) of World Trade Organization (WTO), ratification
and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of
Protocol of TFA to the WTO Secretariat and constitution
of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation
(NCTF).
Cabinet approves the Agreement for collaborative
activities to be signed in the area of Traditional
Medicine between Ministry of AYUSH and the World
Health Organization, Geneva.
 Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, unveiles the
operational guidelines for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana.
The print and digital versions of Reference Annual -
India 2016 and Bharat 2016 released in New Delhi.
Swachh Parayatan Mobile App launched.
Railway Budget presented; no hike in passenger and
freight rates, over 65,000 additional berths, wi-fi
services at 100 stations, improvement in passenger
amenities including cleanliness and making the
Railways a safer means of travel are the highlights.
Economic Survey 2015-16 presented in the Parliament.
Government announces the constitution of Banks Board
Bureau with a view to improve the governance of Public
Sector Banks.
Union Budget 2016-17 presented in Parliament.
March, 2016
Government approves the proposal for laying down the
procedure and mechanism for strategic disinvestment of
Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Prime Minister constitutes a task force to rationalise
central government staff.
The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other
Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016, introduced
in Lok Sabha.
Setu Bharatam - an ambitious programme with an
investment of 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe
and seamless travel on National Highways launched.
Government releases a new categorization of industries
based on their pollution load.
Online marketing platform Manila E-HAAT launched to
facilitate women entrepreneurs to sell their products.
Rajya Sabha passes the Real Estate (Regulation and
Development) Bill, 2015 which seeks to set up a
regulatory authority for the sector.
Cabinet approves 8,000 crore rupee under Pradhan
Mantri Ujwala Yojna for providing LPG connections to
BPL families.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) puts the
nations sixth exclusive navigation satellite IRNSS 1F
into space using the rocket PSLV-C32.
Parliament passes the Real Estate (Regulation and
Development) Bill, 2015 which aims at protecting the
interests of the aspiring house buyers while at the same
time enhancing the credibility of real estate sector by
ensuring transparency and accountability.
Parliament passes the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of
Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services)
Bill, 2016 .
A Web Portal for distribution of coal by State
Nominated Agencies (SNA) launched.
Government launches Depot Online System of Food
Corporation of India (FCI) as a part of Digital India
Initiative to bring transparency and for minimizing
storage losses of foodgrains.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Krishi
Unnati Mela- the National Level Agriculture Fair-cum-
Exhibition in New Delhi.
Prime Minister lays the foundation stone for the Dr.
Ambedkar National Memorial, to be built at Alipur
Road in Delhi.
Winners of the 5th National Photography Awards
felicitated.
New Environment Standards for gensets running on
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) / Natural Gas (NG),
Diesel with LPG / NG and Petrol with LPG / NG,
operated in various cities / towns in the country notified.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) amended to give an option
to the spouse to continue to contribute for balance
period, on premature death of the subscriber.
Cabinet approves 1,500 million dollar World Bank
Support to Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
[(SBM(G)].
Cabinet approves the implementation of the rural
housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana -
Gramin.
Cabinet approves that India should accede to the
Ashgabat Agreement, an international transport and
transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods
between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified in
supersession of the e-waste (Management & Handling)
Rules, 2011.
Rotavirus vaccine launched as part of Universal
Immunization Programme.
63rd National Film Awards, 2015 announced.
Bahubali awarded Best Feature Film and Bajrangi
Bhaijaan declared Best Popular Film providing
wholesome entertainment.
Defexpo India, inaugurated at Goa.
Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules,
2016 notified to effectively tackle the issues of pollution
and waste management.
Government releases Indian Intellectual Property
Panorama - a single window interface for information
on Intellectual Property and guidance on leveraging it
for competitive advantage.
April, 2016
Low Cost and Environment-friendly solar lighting
device launched.
Cabinet approves implementation of the National
Hydrology Project.
Swasth Bharat Mobile application and ANM Online
application-ANMOL launched on World Health Day.
Make in India Action Plan and State Level Business
Reform Action Plan Dashboards launched in the Capital
to monitor progress made on the two action plans.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launches the pilot
of e-NAM - the e-trading platform for the National
Agriculture Market.
National Monuments Authority (NMAs) Web Portal
called NOC Online Application and Processing System
(NOAPS), launched.
Railways sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for
developing applications in the field of Remote Sensing
and Geographic Information System.
National LED programme - Unnat Jyoti by Affordable
LEDs for All (UJALA), launched.
May, 2016
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launches the
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Ballia, Uttar Pradesh

which aims to provide cooking gas connections to five

crore below-poverty-line beneficiaries.
Prime Minister launches a scheme for environmentfriendly
solar-powered e-boats at the Assi Ghat in
Varanasi.
Railways launch one E-enabled project, namely, Project
Management & Information System (PMIS).
Veteran actor Manoj Kumar conferred the prestigious
Dadasaheb Phalke award by President Pranab
Mukherjee, at the 63rd National Film Awards ceremony
for his contribution to the film industry.
Harmukh Khadi Gram Udyog Sansthan, a spinning and
weaving centre and marketing plaza for khadi goods
inaugurated in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
A web-based application on Integrated Waste
Management System (IWMS) - www.iwms.nic.in, for
better management of waste launched.
Nine projects for rural sanitation initiatives under
Namami Gange Programme for conservation of river
Ganga in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, launched.
Indigenously developed faecal incontinence management
system Qora launched.
Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) and
Information and Communication Technology enabled
Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of ICDS launched.
June, 2016
Asias first Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme
launched.
Tiger Express train launched on the World Environment
Day.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
launches a scheme for setting up of 1000 MW Wind
Power Project connected to transmission network of
Central Transmission Utility (CTU) with an objective to
facilitate supply of wind power to the non-windy states.
PSLV-C34 successfully launches 20 satellites in a single
flight.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launches the
flagship Smart City Mission into implementation mode
with the launch of 14 projects.
 The fourth in the series of Follow-on Water Jet Fast
Attack Craft (FO-WJFAC) of the Indian Navy launched.
July, 2016
National Mineral Exploration Policy launched.
Election Commission of India LaunchesNational
Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) 2016, to improve
Electoral Rolls and optimize the polling station location
and area.
Ministry of Tourism sanctions 25 projects worth
2,048 crore in 21 States and UTs under Swadesh
Darshan scheme.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
successfully launches an earth observation satellite
namely CARTOSAT-2.
August, 2016
Swachh Survekshan of 500 cities launched.
AMRIT outlet inaugurated at NEIGRIHMS-Shillong,
RIMS-Imphal and AIIMS-Jodhpur to dispense
affordable drugs for cancer, heart diseases and other
lifestyle diseases.
An online complaint box for reporting child sexual
abuse, the POCSO e-Box launched by the Ministry of
Women and Child Development.
ISROs Scramjet Engine Technology Demonstrator,
successfully flight tested.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Ministry of
Defence launches a massive tree plantation drive in the
Northern and Eastern states of the country.
Sakshi Malik wins Bronze medal in wrestling at 2016
Rio Olympics.
P. V. Sindhu wins Silver Medal in badminton at 2016
Rio Olympics.
September, 2016
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee congratulates the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the
successful launch of the tenth flight of Indias
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F05,
carrying an advanced weather satellite INSAT - 3DR.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, third ship in the
series of six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)
commissioned.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi congratulates ISRO
on successful launch of PSLV-C35, advanced weather
satellite SCATSAT-1 and 7 other co-passenger
satellites.
October, 2016
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee presents
Vayoshreshtha Samman to Older Persons and
Institutions on 1st October , International Day of Older
Persons (IDOP).
Ministry of Tourism organises the 5th International
Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi-Sarnath in
collaboration with the State Governments of Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar.
 Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurates the
Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi.
India ratifies the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh become first States to be
Open Defecation Free (ODF) in urban areas; Porbandar
becomes the first district to be ODF on the 147th Birth
Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Jharkhand becomes the first state in the country to
implement Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in kerosene,
in four identified districts.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping
launches the Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS),
which will create an inventory of all bridges in the
country and rate their structural condition, so that timely

repair and rehabilitation work can be carried out.

India hosts 8th BRICS Summit in Goa.
First BRICS U - 17 Football Tournament kicks off in
Goa .
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the first
edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit
on the theme Beyond 2015: People, Planet and
Progress organized by The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI) in New Delhi.
All ASI Protected Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites Declared Polythene Free Zones.
Indias communication satellite GSAT-18 was launched
successfully by the European Ariane 5 VA-231 launch
Vehicle.
HIMANSH, Indias Remote, High-Altitude Station
opens in the Himalayas.
Cabinet approves MoU between Export-Import Bank of
India (Exim Bank) on General Cooperation with the
New Development Bank (NDB), along with other
Development Financial Institutions of BRICS nations.
India joins the nations of the world in lauding the
Hydroflurocarbon (HFC) Amendment to the Montreal
Protocol, agreed to at the 28th Meeting of Parties at
Kigali, Rwanda.
Brazil lifts the 1st BRICS U-17 Football Tournament
2016, held at Goa.
The 1st BRICS Trade Fair organized at Pragati Maidan
in New Delhi from 12-14 October 2016.
Indian Navy commissions the highly manoeuvrable fast
attack craft INS Tihayu at the Eastern Naval Command.
Ministry of Civil Aviation launches regional
connectivity scheme UDAN, the first-of-its-kind
globally, which will create affordable yet economically
viable and profitable flights on regional routes.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Aryaman and Atulya
Commissioned into the force.
India Signs Guarantee Agreement with the World Bank
For IBRD direct lending of US$ 650 million to the
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.
(DFCCIL) for Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-III
(EDFC-III) Project.
India beat Iran 38-29 to win the Kabaddi World Cup
2016.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the first
National Tribal Carnival in New Delhi.
Government issues Notification amending rule 23 of the
Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, enabling service
voters, including armed forces personnel, to cast their
vote in elections through e-postal ballot.
Cabinet approves establishment of National Academic
Depository. Union Cabinet approves an Agreement on
Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan.
Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and
European Union on water cooperation.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launches National
SC/ST hub and Zero Defect - Zero Effect scheme for
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
NITI Aayog launches the first ever Agricultural
Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index.
Maharashtra ranks first.
November, 2016
Kerala becomes the third State overall and the largest
State so far to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF)
under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) (Gramin).
Kerala and Tamil Nadu roll out the National Food
Security Act (NFSA). With this, the Act has been now
implemented in all the States and Union Territories.
 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
constitutes a four-member team for conservation and
management of Loktak Lake in Manipur.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, (PMSMA)
launched which aims at reducing maternal and infant
mortality rates through safe pregnancies and safe
deliveries.
India and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction sign a Statement of Cooperation during the
Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016, in New Delhi.
Election Commission of India conducts pilot of
Electronic Transmitted Postal Ballot for service voters
in Nellithope Assembly by-election in Puducherry.
First-ever International Agro-biodiversity Congress
held in New Delhi, which would initiate and encourage
a dialogue among relevant stakeholders - including
farmers - to better understand everyones role in agrobiodiversity
management and conservation of genetic
resources.
India hosts Seventh Session of the Conference of the
Parties, to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) which will review the implementation
of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC) and the protocol to eliminate the illicit trade in
tobacco products.
Indian Navy Sailing Vessel Mhadei with an all-women
crew flagged off from Goa to Cape Town, South Africa.
Protocol amending the Double Taxation Amending
Convention (DTAC) between India and Japan comes
into force.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launches
Healthy India Initiative magazine and No More
Tension Mobile app.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
announces the launch of Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana to
scale up an ecosystem of entrepreneurship for
youngsters.
With a view to curb financing of terrorism through the
proceeds of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and use
of such funds for subversive activities, and for
eliminating black money, Government decides to cancel
the legal tender character of the High Denomination
bank notes of 500 and 1,000 from the expiry of the
8th November, 2016.
National Skill Development Agency and the British
Council sign an MoU to collaborate for undertaking joint
research projects in the area of skill development.
Government approves the establishment of National
Institute of Sowa Rigpa (The Tibetan Medicine system)
at Leh, Jammu & Kashmir. Sowa Rigpa has been
recognized by Government of India by amending the
Indian Medicine Central Council (IMCC) Act, 2010.
Qaumi Ekta Week (National Integration Week)
observed all over the country, from November 19 to 25,
2016.
The 47th International Film Festival of India held at
Panaji, Goa from 20th to 28th November 2016. Iranian
film Daughter directed by Reza Mirkarimi wins the
Golden Peacock Award for the Best Film.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launches Housing
for All in rural areas under which the Government
proposes to provide an environmentally safe and secure
pucca house to every rural household by 2022.
India and European Organization for Nuclear Research
(CERN) sign an agreement in Mumbai, making India an
Associate Member State of CERN.
A P - 15 Guided Missile Destroyer INS Chennai Joins
the Indian Navy.
India and Switzerland sign Joint Declaration for the
implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information
(AEOI) between the two countries which would help to
access details of Swiss Bank account held by Indians.
Union Cabinet gives approval to notify
inclusion/amendments in the Central List of Other
Backward Classes notified in respect of States of
Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and
Uttarakhand.
India and UK sign an MoU to establish bilateral
cooperation activities in the field of Intellectual
Property.
 Supreme Court directs cinema halls all over the country
to play national anthem before movie screening.
December (upto 15/12/ 2016)
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) signs MoU
with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
for cooperation in the area of zoonoses, anti-microbial
resistance, nutrition and pesticide residues.
Ministry for Human Resource Development, launches
Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan in New Delhi .
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Selvi J. Jayalalithaa passes
away in Chennai.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Afghanistan
President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurate the sixth Heart

f Asia Ministerial Conference in Amritsar.

Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)
and Kerala Police jointly organize the All India Police
Science Congress at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and the United
Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of
Intellectual Property.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Afghanistan
on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C36 ( PSLV-C36
) successfully launches RESOURCESAT-2A remote
sensing satellite into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit .
Cabinet approves Indias approach to Climate Change
Negotiations at the Conference of Parties (COP) to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC).
Cabinet approves protocol, amending the agreement
between India and Tajikistan for avoidance of double
taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with
respect to taxes on income.
Cabinet approves Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) and United States Geological Survey (USGS)
for cooperation in the Exchange and use of U.S. Land
Remote Sensing Satellite Data.
Mahila Police Volunteer Initiative launched in Haryana.