Kerry-Swaraj joint Press address

- There is growing global partnership to the relationship, says Sushma Swaraj.

-India and US are indispensable partners in 21st century. There are incredible possibilities in our relationship: John Kerry.

-In weeks to come, we will take series of steps to pave the way for PM Narendra Modi's visit to US in September: John Kerry.

- We raised the issue of snooping and conveyed that such spying was not acceptable, says Sushma Swaraj.

- We are encouraging India to reach a compromise formula on WTO deal, says John Kerry.

Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag takes over as new Army Chief

Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag took over as the head of the 1.3 million strong force succeeding Gen Bikram Singh.

Gen Suhag assumed charge after his predecessor handed over to him the Chief of Army Staff baton in his South Block office in New Delhi.

The new Chief takes over at a time when the force is facing challenges of modernsation in its artillery, infantry and air defence arms and is also preparing itself for facing a possible multi-front war.

Committee submits report on civil services exams

A committee formed to look into the possibilities of bringing changes in pattern of civil services examination among others submitted its report to the government on 31-07-2014

The three-member committee under the chairmanship of former Secretary of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Arvind Varma was formed in March this year to look into demands of students for changes in the pattern of civil services examination.

The report will be examined by the government before taking a final view, official sources said, adding a decision whether to postpone the August 24 civil services preliminary examination will be taken after perusing it. The students have been demanding that the pattern of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) be changed to give level-playing field to those coming from rural areas.

There are two compulsory papers of 200 marks each in the preliminary examination. These papers are also known as CSAT I and CSAT II.

The CSAT-II paper carries questions on comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem- solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills (of Class X level).

Students have been objecting to the level of aptitude and English language questions being asked in the examination claiming they are much above the standard prescribed for the examination.

The civil services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in three stages--preliminary, main, and interview--to choose candidates for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

Source : ddinews.gov.in
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Abhinav Bindra bagged the 10m Air Rifle gold medal

India`s only individual Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra made the country once again proud as he bagged maiden singles gold medal in Men`s 10m Air Rifle event on Day 2 of Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The young schoolgirl Malaika Goel turning out to be surprise package winning silver in the 10m air pistol event.

Congress not eligible for Leader of Opposition post in LS

The Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has opined that it is not eligible and there is no precedent since the days of the first Lok Sabha to grant the post to a party which does not have the minimum required MPs.

Mr. Rohatgi has conveyed this to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan who had sought his opinion in view of the dilemma she is facing over the issue.

India is the largest consumer of antibiotics in the world

India has emerged as the world's largest consumer of antibiotics followed by China and the US, according to a new study which quantifies the growing alarm surrounding antibiotic-resistance.

Global use of antibiotics is surging, according to Princeton University researchers who have conducted a broad assessment of antibiotic consumption around the world.

The study, "Global Trends in Antibiotic Consumption, 2000-2010," found that worldwide antibiotic use has risen a staggering 36 per cent over those 10 years, with five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) - responsible for more than three-quarters of that surge.

Among the 16 groups of antibiotics studied, cephalosporins, broad-spectrum penicillins and fluoroquinolones accounted for more than half of that increase, with consumption rising 55 per cent from 2000 to 2010.

Ukraine's PM resigns

Ukraine's prime minister has resigned after his governing coalition collapsed, plunging the former Soviet state into political limbo as it struggles to quell a deadly rebellion in the east.

The shock announcement made yesterday added to an already chaotic situation in the rebel-controlled east, where international experts are carrying out a complex investigation into last week's downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that left 298 dead.