current from 15th sep to 21st sep 2017, · 9/15/2017 · 2. astra missile-air to air beyond...

Current from 15th Sep to 21st Sep 2017, www.bulluias.wordpress.com

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Updated on 16th Sep 2017

1. Swachhta Hi Seva’ (cleanliness is service)- a nation-wide fortnight-long sanitation campaign to highlight the government’s flagship cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission.

The campaign is being coordinated by Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, convening Ministry for the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Its objective is to mobilise people and reinforce jan aandolan (mass movement) for sanitation to contribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a Clean India.

The main agenda of the campaign will be to reach out to the poor and marginalised and provide them with sustainable sanitation services.

2. Astra Missile-

Air to air beyond visual range air-to-air indigenously developed by DRDO,

Length of 3.8-metre and weighing 154kg,

Single stage solid fuelled missile, launched from different altitudes,

Short-range targets (up to 20 km) in tail-chase mode and long-range targets (up to 80 km) in head-on mode. It is radar homing supersonic missile having maximum speed of Mach 4 (four times speed of sound).

It possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP) making it highly reliable. It is all-weather missile

Note:- The missile can be integrated with all fighter aircraft of IAF including Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

3. Government signs $76 Million loan deal with JICA to Upgrade Alang-Sosiya Shipyards- For starting upgradation project related to environment management plan at Alang-Sosiya ship recycling shipyards in Gujarat. The JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for government of Japan. Its mandate is assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and promotion of international cooperation.

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4. UNCTAD’s recently released Trade and Development Report (TDR) 2017, India and China at their current levels of growth will not serve as “growth polls” for global economy in near future.

TDR is flagship report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and is treated as a barometer for assessing the global economic climate.

NOTE:-UNCTAD is principal organ of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. Its goals are to: “maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of developing countries.” It organizes World Investment Forum. It publishes reports like World Investment Report, Technology and Innovation Report.

5. India-Japan ink open sky agreement

National Civil Aviation Policy (NACP), 2016-It will not only help to encourage connectivity and passenger travel between two countries, but also result in reduction in airfares on the air routes between two countries.

The NACP allows government to enter into ‘open sky’ air services agreement on reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as countries with territory located entirely beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi. So far, India signed open sky agreement with Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka. India and US had signed bilateral open sky agreement in 2005. India also had signed open sky agreement with the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2003.

6. Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), is running a nation-wide campaign SAIL steel – Gaon ki ore which is aimed at boosting steel consumption in country, especially in rural sector.

7. About Chandrayaan 1:

The Chandrayaan-1 mission performed high-resolution remote sensing of the moon in visible, near infrared (NIR), low energy X-rays and high-energy X-ray regions.

One of the objectives was to prepare a three-dimensional atlas (with high spatial and altitude resolution) of both near and far side of the moon.

It aimed at conducting chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface for distribution of mineral and chemical elements such as Magnesium, Aluminium, Silicon, Calcium, Iron and Titanium as well as high atomic number elements such as Radon, Uranium and Thorium with high spatial resolution.



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8. ‘Inclusive India Initiative’ is-Inclusive India Initiative is a mass awareness campaign of the National Trust aimed at reducing the barriers for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, by making the workplaces, public zones and educational institutes more inclusive and accessible. Aligned with the goals of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), this initiative aims at full participation by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PwIDDs) in their schools, colleges, communities and workplaces.

9. India has three distinct and genetically connected tiger populations. These are in: south India; central India, the Terai and north-east India; and in Ranthambore. The Ranthambore population has the least genetic diversity and may suffer from isolation. There are two issues here: populations require genetic flow to remain robust; securing healthy tiger numbers are not enough for tiger health. Second, we are in an age of active management. When tigers go extinct in an area, they are flown in or carried in from other areas — as was done in the case of Panna (Madhya Pradesh) and Sariska (Rajasthan).

10. “Sustainable Landscapes & Forest Ecosystems: Theory to Practice” Environment Minister launches “Wood is Good” Campaign

11. International Day of Forests 21 March-2017 Theme: Forests and energy.


12. The Assam legislative assembly has passed a government resolution for adopting a ‘Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam’.

Highlights of the policy:

The policy has a strict two-child policy for government servants and elected/nominated representatives of panchayat, municipal and statutory bodies, with stress on women empowerment and awareness.

The Policy seeks to empower women for making learned choice regarding motherhood as it would lead to better living conditions for the communities.

The policy has provisions to bar people with more than two children from contesting election for panchayat, municipal and other statutory bodies and committees at the state level.

Note:- Assam forms ‘State Capital Region’ around Guwahati, The Assembly recently passed Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA) Bill 2017 to



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set up the regional authority for preparation of a plan for rapid development of the SCR(State capital region).

13. Nelson Mandela Rules and guidelines on investigating deaths in custody issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross within one month to prison incharges of every states.

The Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners were first adopted in 1957, and in 2015 were revised and adopted as the Nelson Mandela Rules. The revision process was initiated in 2010 when it was recognised that while the Rules were a key standard for the treatment of prisoners globally and were widely used, there had been major developments in human rights and criminal justice since 1957.

Eight substantive areas were revised:- 1. Respect for prisoners’ inherent dignity, 2. Medical and health services, 3. Disciplinary measures and sanctions,4. Investigations of deaths and torture in custody, 5. Protection of vulnerable groups, 6. Access to legal representation, 7. Complaints and independent inspection, 8. Training of staff.

14. India Japan Act East Forum with an aim to marry India’s Act East Policy with Japan’s Free and Open Asia-Pacific strategy in the backdrop of China’s One Belt One Road initiative. Japan will extend a loan of Rs 2,239 crore to India for ‘North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project’ to improve the National Highway 40 (NH-40) and construct a bypass on NH-54 in the Northeast. The project is expected to contribute to the improvement of the intra-regional and international connectivity through regional economic development.

15. The conservation status of snow leopard has been improved from “endangered” to “vulnerable”. The decision was announced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – the global standard for assessing extinction risk.

Endangered Vs Vulnerable:

To be considered ‘endangered,’ there must be fewer than 2,500 mature snow leopards and they must be experiencing a high rate of decline.

Being classed as “vulnerable” means a species has under 10,000 breeding animals left, with a population decline of at least 10% over three generations.

Snow leopard stats: The craggy peaks of central Asia – including the Himalayas, and Russia’s remote Altai

mountains.



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Scientists say they are threatened by poaching for their fur, infrastructure developments, and climate change

16. ATAGS

ATAGS is fully indigenously developed by DRDO and private sector consortium consisting of Bharat Forge Limited of Kalyani Group, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and Mahindra Defence Naval System along with Ordnance Factory Board. The advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) has set a world record in terms of range by hitting targets at distance of 48(48.074 ) km during trial firings at Pokhran, Rajasthan.

17. 16th September: International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer

This year, the theme for the Day is ‘Caring for all life under the sun’. Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 19, 1994. Its observance commemorates the date in 1987 on which the Montreal Protocol was signed on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Note: Ozone Layer

The Ozone layer is fragile shield of gas which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of Sun and thus helping preserve life on the planet. It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere. Stratospheric (समताप मंडल) Ozone is not harmful, but its presence on land it is harmful. Substances like Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, Carbontetrachloride are responsible for ozone layer depletion.

Montreal Protocol: - an international treaty designed to protect ozone layer by phasing out production

of numerous Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs)( ओजोन डेपले टगं स सटा स (ओडीएस)) ODSs like

chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), Methyl Chloroform, CTC halons and Methyl Bromide) that are responsible for ozone depletion.

Vienna Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer

It is multilateral environmental agreement agreed upon at the 1985 Vienna Conference and entered into force in 1988. It is one of the most successful treaties of all time in terms of universality. It has been ratified by 197 states (all UN members as well as the Niue, Holy See and the Cook Islands) as well as European Union.

It acts as a framework for the international efforts to protect the ozone layer. These are laid out in the accompanying Montreal Protocol. However, it does not include legally binding reduction goals for the use of CFCs, the main chemical agents causing ozone depletion.



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18. The Union Government signed $76 million loan deal with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

for starting upgradation project related to environment management plan at Alang-Sosiya ship recycling

shipyards in Gujarat.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

The JICA is governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for government of Japan. Its mandate is assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and promotion of international cooperation.

19. An inter-country comparison based on ‘International Debt Statistics 2017’ of the World Bank,

20. The indigenous developed Trawl System is employed for breaching of land mines and creating a vehicle safe lane, through a minefield for the advancing columns of mechanized forces in combat zone. It caters to the need of all types of mines usually encountered by the battle tank in such a scenario. The Trawl System developed by DRDO is capable of breaching a variety of land mines including passive and active influence mines.

20. Operation Insaniyat - Humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh on account of influx of refugees

21. Sardar Sarovar Dam is the highest dam ever built in India and second biggest concrete gravity dam in world in terms of volume after Grand Coulee Dam in US. The project was executed by Gujarat government’s Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNL).

22. Yudh Abhyas 2017’ saw representation from 5th Infantry Battalion of 20 Infantry Regiment of US Army while Indian side was represented by soldiers of Gorkha Rifles from the Surya Command.


23. Jharkhand-launched Shaheed Gram Vikas Yojana aimed at developing villages of freedom fighters in the state.

Birsa Munda



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Birsa Munda was tribal, freedom fighter, religious leader, and folk hero who belonged to Munda tribe from Chhotanagpur area. He had led Munda rebellion towards end of 19th century against British Raj. Starting in 1895, revolt was against interference by British administration which transformed tribal agrarian system into feudal state around Chhotanagpur area, as well as interference in their religious matters from Missionary activities.

Birsa Munda had adopted Guerilla Warfare techniques to launch surprise attacks in which many police officials were killed. The revolt was brutally suppressed by Britishers. Birsa Munda was arrested and was sentenced to death and died in jail of Cholera.

24. National Investigation Agency (NIA)

NIA is Central Counter terrorism Law Enforcement Agency established to combat terrorism and terror financing. It was established with enactment of NIA Act, 2008 after 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It aims to match best international standards in counter terrorism and other national security related investigations at national level by developing into a highly trained, partnership oriented workforce.

The agency has concurrent jurisdiction to deal with terror related crimes across states without obtaining special permission from states. Apart from covering terror offences that threatens sovereignty and integrity of country, it also probes offences counterfeit currency, human trafficking, organized crime, violations of atomic energy act etc.

Special Courts: Various Special Courts have been established under Section 11 and 22 of NIA Act 2008 for speedy trail of cases registered at various police stations of NIA. Central government decides any question as to jurisdiction of these courts. These special courts are capable of trying only those offences committed under its jurisdiction. The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed senior IPS officer YC Modi as Director-General (DG) of National Investigation Agency (NIA). He will succeed Sharad Kumar.

25. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

SSB is one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). It is entrusted with guarding the country’s frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan. It was established in 1963 following Sino-Indian War. It was formerly known as Special Service Bureau. It is under administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Its headquarters are in New Delhi and motto is “Service, Security and Brotherhood”. It has specialist jurisdictions for national border patrol, security, and integrity.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed senior IPS officer Rajni Kant Mishra (58) as new Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

WARB Application

The Ministry also launched Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) application to facilitate retire CAPFs and Assam Riffles personnel to get their grievances redressed, seek skill development, re-employment and other relevant and important information.



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Note of Prelims 2018-India shares 1,751 km-long border with Nepal and 699 km-long border with Bhutan. The border with Nepal touches Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim and border with Bhutan touches Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

26. Tez: Google’s UPI-based digital payment service launched-Google Tez is standalone payments application, available on Android and iOS, support several several local languages.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

UPI is a payments protocol built by government-backed National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It facilitates the instant fund transfer between two bank accounts on the mobile platform using unique virtual address without putting details of card details, net banking, IFSC code, wallet password etc.

27. India’s FOREX Reserves include: Foreign currency assets (FCAs), Gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and RBI’s Reserve position with International Monetary Fund (IMF). FCAs constitute largest component of the Forex Reserves.

28. The government has ordered the review of Floor Space Index (FSI) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) norms in mega cities of the country. The time bound review of these norms will be taken up in all the 53 cities with a population of one million and above each.

What is FSI?

FSI is the ratio of a building’s total floor area to the size of the piece of the land on which it is built. In Indian cities, it is generally about 1.50, which is said to be on the lower side given the needs of rapid urbanization.

29. About Northeast Venture Fund:

The Ministry of DoNER has also rolled out “Venture Fund” for anybody who wishes to Startup in the Northeast region.

Northeast Venture Fund is the first dedicated venture capital fund for North-Eastern region.

It has been set up by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).



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30. The Representation of the People Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017

-aims to ensure accountability and transparency

-bill proposes that Members of Parliament declare their assets within 90 days after their tenure ends. This provision is to be inserted as sub section 75B(1) in the ‘Representation of People Act, 1951’.

31. Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2017, a joint military exercise between Indian and US armies has commenced at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, USA.



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32. The GST Network (GSTN) has reopened the facility for small taxpayers with a turnover of up to Rs 75 lakh to opt for composition scheme. The composition scheme is an alternative method of levy of tax designed for small taxpayers whose turnover is up to Rs 75 lakh - Rs 50 lakh in the case of eight north-eastern states and the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. The objective behind it is to bring simplicity and reduce the compliance cost for small taxpayers.

33. 30th Anniversary of Montreal protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day was celebrated on September 16th across the country.

Theme – “Caring for all life under the Sun”.

34. India’s ambitious Zero Hunger Programme through interventions in farm sector will be launched on occasion of World Food Day (October 16) with focus on agriculture, nutrition and health in a symbiotic manner.

The Programme will be initiated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). initially will be launched in three districts – Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Koraput (Odisha) and Thane (Maharashtra). This dedicated farm-based programme is in sync with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end hunger by 2030.

SDG: Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

What is a genetic garden?

A genetic garden for biofortified plants/crops contains the germplasm of naturally biofortified crops or such crops through plant breeding. It has plants and crops that help supplement micro-nutrient deficiencies, including iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc among others.

Fact regarding Hunger: Globally, one in nine people in the world today (795 million) are undernourished, The vast majority of the world’s hungry people live in developing countries, Asia is the continent with the most hungry people – two thirds of the total, Southern Asia faces the greatest hunger burden.



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35. SEBI allows REITs, InvITs to raise funds via debt securities-Capital markets regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) amended guidelines of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) and Infrastructure Investments Trusts (InvITs) in order to broaden scope of fund raising by such instruments.

Reits are investment vehicles that can be used by real estate players to attract private investment, while investors (both retail and institutional) can gain dividends generated from income-producing real estate assets like office buildings, shopping malls, etc. They are similar to mutual funds which provide opportunity to invest in equity stocks, whereas REITs allow one to invest in income-generating real estate assets. Short-term capital gain tax is applicable for unit holders at the rate of 15%. While interest is tax-exempt for REITs, it is taxable for unit holders. The registration charges for every purchase and sale of property is still applicable.

36. The Law ministry the draft Fugitive Economic Offenders bill: - that will give powers to the

government to confiscate property of economic offenders and defaulters who flee India, albeit with a new

provision.

Saving clause is the new provision that the Law Ministry wants to be incorporated in the Fugitive

Economic Offenders Bill, 2017. A saving clause provides for certain exception(s) in a statute. It enables

the repealed law to be in force with respect to some existing rights.

Highlights of the Bill:

Value of offences is over Rs 100 crore, proposes to allow the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)..etc

Who is a fugitive economic offender?

A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person who has an arrest warrant issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who leaves or has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution.



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37. The concept of CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) is the integration of manpower, sensors and command and control to improve situational awareness and facilitate quick response to emerging situations.

37. About Trai:

It is the independent regulator of the telecommunications business in India.

It was established in 1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom services and tariffs in India.

In January 2000, TRAI act was amended to establish the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory functions of the TRAI.

The TDSAT was set up to resolve any dispute between a licencor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, between a service provider and a group of consumers. In addition, any direction, TRAI orders or decisions can be challenged by appealing to TDSAT.

38. About Hague Abduction Convention: on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another, Come in force:-1 December 1983.



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What is Inter-country parental child abduction?

Inter-country parental child abduction is a situation that is attained when one parent takes a child or children to a foreign country to prevent the other parent from seeking custody of the child.

Note: -Centre rethinks joining Hague child custody pact, The Ministry of Women and Child Development has reservations about the treaty because they believe it could trample on women’s rights.

39. The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around India’s coast. The objective of this initiative is to promote “Port-led development” along India’s 7500 km long coastline. It aims to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services. The Union Ministry of Shipping has been appointed as the nodal ministry for this initiative.

40. India, Russia to collaborate on Bangladesh nuclear plant

Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, It will be first initiative under an India-Russia nuclear deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries. It will also be India’s first atomic energy venture abroad.

Note:- In December 2014, India and Russia had signed ‘Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy’ to explore opportunities for sourcing materials, equipment and services from Indian industry for construction of Russian-designed nuclear power plants in third countries.

41. RBI to regulate peer-to-peer lending firms as NBFCs: Government

Peer-To-Peer Lending (P2P)

P2P lending is a form of crowd-funding used to raise loans which are paid back with interest. It enables individuals to borrow and lend money – without use of an official financial institution as an intermediary. It can use an online platform that matches lenders with borrowers in order to provide unsecured loans. P2P lending gives access to credit to borrowers who are unable to get it through traditional financial institution. It boosts returns for individuals who supply capital and reduces interest rates for those who use it.

Need



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P2P lending is one of the crowd-funding business model that has gathered momentum globally and is taking root in India. It promotes alternative forms of finance, where formal finance is unable to reach. It has potential to soften lending rates as result of lower operational costs and enhanced competition with traditional lending channels. If properly regulated, P2P lending platforms can do this more effectively. Though it is in nascent stage but it is not significant in value yet, but it promises potential benefits to various stakeholders (borrowers, lenders, agencies etc).

42. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)

ONGC is multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It is Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It is India’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company. It produces around 77% of India’s crude oil (equivalent to around 30% of the country’s total demand) and around 62% of its natural gas.

ONGC has made oil discovery in WO-24-3 well located west of Mumbai High fields in Arabian Sea.

43. UDAAN Scheme

Udaan is national integration scheme with goal to mainstream J&K youth with rest of country. It not only provides skill enhancement and job opportunity but also connects bright youths from J&K with vibrant corporate sector of country.

44. The Union Cabinet approved revamped Khelo India programme that aims at mainstreaming sport as tool for individual development, community development, economic development and national development.

The revamped programme for period 2017-18 to 2019-20 aims to impact entire sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, talent identification, community sports, coaching, competition structure and sports economy.

Salient features of programme:- Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme, Sports Universities, National physical fitness drive.

Khelo India programme strives to promote “Sports for All” as well as “Sports for Excellence”.

45.



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1. ‘Rajesh Sharma &. Ors. Vs State of UP’ is a case in which the Supreme Court-Ordered that a ‘Family Welfare Committee’ shall be constituted in each district by the District Legal Services authority, which shall look into complaints under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

2. A gravity dam is made from concrete or masonry, or sometimes both. It is called a gravity dam because gravity holds it down to the ground stopping the water in the reservoir pushing it over.

• The basic shape of a concrete gravity dam is triangular in section (Figure 1a), with the top crest often widened to provide a roadway (Figure 1b). The increasing width of the section towards the base is logical since the water pressure also increases linearly with depth as shown in Figure 1a.

3. The ‘two guides’ policy involving ‘shaping of the new world order’ and safeguarding ‘international security’ was recently announced by-China.

4. The ‘Bakshali manuscript’ consists of 70 leaves of birch bark and contains hundreds of zeros in the form of dots. The manuscript cannot claim to contain the earliest use of zero – other ancient civilisations too used symbols to denote zero as a placeholder, including the Babylonians 5,000 years ago, millennia before the Bakhshali Manuscript. But the manuscript does lay claim to being the oldest surviving document that expresses zero, the placeholder, in a form that would later evolve into the modern symbol for zero, the number. • Additional Information: ZerOrigIndia Foundation, or the Zero Project, based in Netherlands, is a crowd sourced project with the aim of determining the origin of the zero digit as the numeral we know today. They are of the view that in ancient India are found numerous so-called ‘cultural antecedents’ that make it plausible that the mathematical zero digit was invented here. It hypothesizes that mathematical zero (‘shunya’, in Sanskrit) may have arisen from the contemporaneous philosophy of emptiness or Shunyata. If philosophical and cultural factors found in India were important to the development of zero as a mathematical concept, it would explain why other civilizations did not develop zero as a mathematical concept. • The first text to discuss zero in the numerical sense is the Indian astronomer Brahmagupta’s work “Brahmasphutasiddhanta,” which was written in A.D. 628.



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5. Cess is that it is a tax levied for a specific purpose. As per Article 270 of the Constitution, cesses imposed by the Parliament for earmarked purposes need not be shared with state governments.

6. India’s Strategic Partnership model/policy is-The strategic partnership model is expected to help build a domestic defence manufacturing base. It will give a boost to the ‘Make in India’ policy in the defence sector and set Indian industry on the path to acquiring cutting-edge capabilities which will contribute to building of self-reliance in the vital sector. • The new model has four segments —submarines, single-engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured carriers/main battle tanks. Additional segments may be added in the future. • The model was proposed by the Dhirendra Singh Committee in July, 2015. • Under it, foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can hold up to a 49% stake in a joint venture with an Indian private firm which will hold the majority of shares.

Some issues with the SP Model: • “To allow foreign OEMs to provide the most advanced technologies, the partnership arrangement between an Indian owned ‘strategic partner’ company and a foreign OEM needs to provide an opportunity for the foreign OEM to retain control over its proprietary technology,” the USIBC said, noting this wasn’t explicit in the policy document. • The USIBC also opposed a clause in the new rules that held foreign firms jointly responsible for the quality of the platforms provided to the military, saying legal liability is a significant factor in business decisions. This is because there are concerns about Indian private firms’ lack of experience in the aerospace sector. Only state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. had made planes under license, while some private players were starting from scratch, having never built even an aircraft component.



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current from 15th sep to 21st sep 2017, · 9/15/2017 · 2. astra missile-air to air beyond...

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