9th May 2015 Important Current Affairs

1) PM Narendra Modi launched 3 social security schemes:

--> Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015 announced three flagship social security schemes, including an insurance cover for less than Re 1 per day.

--> Three schemes intend to widen the process of financial inclusion in the country include:

i) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY).

ii) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

iii) Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

--> The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana will offer a renewable one-year life cover of Rs 2 lakh to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18-50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs 330 per annum.

--> The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana will offer a renewable one-year accidental death-cum-disability cover of Rs 2 lakh for partial/permanent disability to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18-70 years for a premium of Rs 12 per annum per subscriber.

--> Atal Pension Yojana will focus on the unorganised sector and provide subscribers a fixed minimum pension of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000 or Rs 5,000 per month, starting at the age of 60 years, depending on the contribution option exercised on entering at an age between 18 and 40 years.

2) Advanced version of BrahMos missile successfully test-fired:

--> An advanced version of the BrahMos land-attack cruise missile was successfully test-fired on 9 May 2015 from the Car Nicobar Islands.

--> This is the 48th test firing of the missile.

--> This test met all flight parameters, including high-level manoeuvers.

--> The BrahMos missile has been jointly developed by India and Russia. 

3) Indian Navy commissioned Porbandar base INS Sardar Patel:

--> INS Sardar Patel--was on 9 May 2015 commissioned in Porbandar, which Navy chief RK Dhowan said will help boost security of Gujarat's 1600-km coastline.

--> The base was commissioned by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

--> The newly commissioned naval base is christened after India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Patel.

--> It is second naval base of Indian Navy on Gujarat coast, the first one is INS Dwarka at Okha in Dwarka district.

4) Russia celebrated victory day:

--> Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday, both commemorating the Soviet Union's huge suffering in the war and highlighting Russia's portrayal of itself as a force for peace and security.

--> Apart from Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Pranab Mukherjee, prominent leaders attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations included Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev and Egyptian President Abdel Fateh Al- Sisi.

5) WHO declared Liberia Free of Ebola:

--> The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Liberia free of the Ebola virus, confirming that the country has had no new cases in 42 days.

--> More than 4,700 deaths from Ebola have been recorded in Liberia, more than in any other affected country.

--> Neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to fight the outbreak.

--> The WHO regards a country Ebola-free after a 42-day period without a new case - twice the maximum incubation period.

6) Jitu Rai crowned TOISA Sportsperson of the Year:

--> Shooting player Jitu Rai was on 8 May 2015 declared the Sportsperson of the Year' at the Times of India Sports Awards in a glittering ceremony that was graced by the legendary Carl Lewis.

--> 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from the 'Olympian of the century' and Times Group MD Vineet Jain.

7) Arvind Saxena, first RAW officer appointed in UPSC:

--> Arvind Saxena, in-charge of Aviation and Research Centre of external snooping agency RAW, was on 8 May 2015 appointed as a member of UPSC becoming the first officer of 32-year Research and Analysis Service to be named to the commission.

--> The UPSC is a 10-member body besides a Chairperson.

--> According to the order, Saxena's tenure will commence from the date he assumes the office of member, UPSC.