current from nov 3rd to nov 9th 2017 … from nov 3rd to nov 9th 2017 compiled from pib,...

Current from Nov 3rd to Nov 9th 2017 httpbulluiaswordpresscom

Compiled from pib iasparaliament gktoday insightsonindia

Prabal Dostyk

It is a joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army

It is aimed at enhancing the military ties between the two countries

The 2017 version is planned to be conducted in Bakloh Himachal Pradesh

INS Ghariyal

INS Ghariyal is the indigenously built Landing Ship Tank (LST) commissioned in 1997

It was built under INS Magar class of LST

It is the second LST of the Indian Navy INS Magar was the first one

The ship can carry troops and vehicles and hence is ideally suited for amphibious operations

INS Ghariyal was followed by INS Shardul class of LST

It consists of INS Shardul INS Kesari and INS Airavata which were commissioned in 2007 2008 and 2009

respectively

Worldrsquos Highest Motorable Road

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed worldrsquos highest motorable road in Ladakh

It is being constructed under the Project Himank

It passes through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19300 feet and 230 km from Leh

It is considered as a response to Chinese aggression in LAC in Ladakh

Other roads were earlier constructed under the Project Himank such as Khardung La (17900 ft) and Chang La

Pass (17695 ft) in Leh by connecting Nubra valley and Durbuk valley in the cold desert

Global Clubfoot Conference

The conference was recently inaugurated by the President of India

It is organized by the CURE India in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Clubfoot is a birth defect where one or both feet are rotated inwards and downwards

It is one of the most common orthopedic birth defects


Compiled from pib iasparaliament gktoday insightsonindia Page 2

ISA and EBRD

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

have recently signed a pact for cooperation on energy projects

It is a joint financial partnership declaration for the promotion of solar energy

EBRD is an international financial institution founded in 1991

It is headquartered in London

It is owned by 65 countries and two EU institutions and US is the biggest shareholder

Besides Europe member countries of the EBRD are also from other continents - North America (Canada and

US) Africa (Morocco) Asia (Japan China South Korea) and Australia

The EBRD is not to be confused with the European Investment Bank (EIB) which is owned by EU member states

and used to support EU policy

Election Commission

EC has recently proposed in the Supreme Court that convicted persons should be banned from contesting

elections for life

It is seen as an attempt to take a firm step against criminalization of politics

It had said that a uniform ban would be in spirit of the fundamental rights of the constitution including the right

to equality

The commission had submitted a proposal for poll reforms which include

o Decriminalization of politics

o Making bribery a cognizable offence

o Prohibition on advertisements 48 hours before elections

o Ban on paid news

Click here to know more on the Election Commission

Carnivorous plants

Carnivorous plants usually grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients especially nitrogen



Thus these plants derive some or most of their nutrients (but not energy) from trapping and consuming animals or

protozoans typically insects and other arthropods

They trap the insects by employing a variety of techniques like nectar smell colour and ultraviolet fluorescence

to capture the prey

The Nepenthes genus carnivorous plants capture insects through their leaf-evolved pitchers which act as

biological traps

According to a recent study carnivorous plants use carbon dioxide (co2) to attract

insects and ants to their traps

It is found that the Indian Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes Khasiana) uses the gas both

to attract the prey and to aid the digestive process

The high CO2 inside the pitchers is produced by the respiration of tissues within the cavity

The CO2 release and prey capture triggers the release of anti-fungal compounds preventing infections from prey

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

Ministry of Communication recently launched Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana scheme

SPARSH - Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude amp Research in Stamps as a Hobby

It is a pan India Scholarship programme to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby

The selection would be based on the evaluation of Project work on Philately amp performance in Philately Quiz conducted by the Circles

World Congress of Mental Health

21st world congress of mental health was recently inaugurated by the President of India

It is being organized by the World Federation for Mental Health in partnership with Caring Foundation in New Delhi

It is taking place in India for the first time

It will have sessions on yoga meditation and traditional approaches to mental health

FASTags

An amendment has been made recently to Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 to make FASTags compulsory on vehicles sold on or after December 1 2017



FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid account linked to it

It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables to drive through toll plazas

MyFASTag is a consumer app where one can purchase or recharge FASTags FASTag Partner is a merchant app

These apps will facilitate the availability of FASTags for electronic toll collection making it possible to buy or recharge FASTags

Smart Anti Airfield Weapon

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have successfully tested Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW)

It is an indigenously developed light weight glide bomb capable of targeting large enemy infrastructure like airfields

It is a long range precision-guided anti-airfield weapon

It is guided through precision navigation system

It can reach the targets at greater than 70 km range with high accuracies

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

PMKSY has been formulated by the Ministry of Agriculture with the vision of extending the coverage of irrigation lsquoHar Khet ko panirsquo and improving water use efficiency lsquoMore crop per drop

It also aims to provide end to end solution on source creation distribution management field application and extension activities

It was formulated by amalgamating ongoing schemes

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) - Ministry of Water Resources River Development amp Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWRRDampGR)

Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) - Department of Land Resources (DoLR) Ministry of Rural Developement

on Farm Water Management (OFWM) - Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC)

It is implemented in a decentralized manner through State Irrigation Plan and District Irrigation Plan

Phasing out of Haj Subsidy

Haj subsidy is a given to Muslim pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia

It is borne by the government and it is given in the form of discounted air fares on government owned Air India

A Haj Committee had recommended for the phasing out of Haj subsidy with 2022 as deadline as directed by the Supreme Court in 2012



Now the Ministry of Minority affairs has decided to phase out the subsidy by 2018 with immediate effect

Nelapattu bird sanctuary

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary in Nellore district Andhra Pradesh

It is an important breeding site for spot-billed pelicans

Spot-billed pelicans are a bird of large inland and coastal waters especially large lakes

It breeds only in peninsular India Sri Lanka and in Cambodia

They are not migratory but are known to make local movements

They are colonial breeder often breeding in the company of other waterbirds

It is categorized as ldquoNear Threatenedrdquo in IUCN red list

Copious rain from the south west and north east monsoon led to the return of pelicans in Nelapattu sanctuary

Gender Vulnerability Index

The first ever Gender Vulnerability Index is computed by Plan India a non-governmental organisation

It provides state-wise ranking by analyzing four parameters namely health education poverty and

protectionsafety from violence

The index is topped by Goa followed by Kerala and Mizoram

Bihar ranked the lowest in the index particularly women safety and security

The composite index has been developed within research for the NGOs ldquoPlan for Every Child campaignrdquo

It is aimed at comprehensively understanding the dimensions of various problems affecting children particularly

girls in difficult circumstances

ChintanShivir

It is a two day national workshop organized by Ministry of Human Resource Development

The main objective of the workshop is to provide holistic education relevant for 21st century India

It aims to bring together key stakeholders from various NGOs private sector and individuals to deliberate on key

themes in the education sector



ShaalaSarathi

It is a portal launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development

It is a State-NGO-CSR Portal to aid the collaboration among the stakeholders in sharing innovative practices in

various schools

Shaala Siddhi - A comprehensive school evaluation system focused on well-defined quality based parameters

It facilitates Schools to make professional judgments for improvement

Proxima Centauri

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to Sun

It is a faint red dwarf lying four light years away in the southern constellation of Centaurus

It is orbited by the Earth-sized Proxima b which is the closest exoplanet to the solar system

Scientists have recently detected dust belts around Proxima Centauri by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array

(ALMA) Observatory in Chile

The presence of dust belts indicates the presence of an elaborate planetary system hosted by it

eBird India Portal

It is an e-platform designed for birders to record their sightings through bird lsquorecordrsquo

Bird lsquorecordrsquo is the observation of a particular species at a particular date time and place

Tamil Nadu Statersquos bird lsquorecordrsquo has recently reached one million counts

TN has become the third state to achieve this distinction after Kerala and Karnataka

House Crow comes first in the list of 25 birds record followed by Common Myna Large-billed crow and others

Best Urban Transport Practices Award

The award is announced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

ldquoBest City Bus Servicesrdquo award is given to Surat for attracting 87 of private vehicles and auto rickshaw users

Mysurursquos Public Bicycle Sharing has won the lsquoBest Non-Motorised Transportrsquo Award



Kochi Kerala has been chosen for the lsquoBest Urban Transport Initiativersquo Award for completing its Metro Rail

Project in a quick time and integrating it with other modes of transport



A FASTag is a device that employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it it will be mandatory from December 01 for all new four-wheelers to have FASTag devices fixed on the front windscreens by automobile manufacturers or authorised dealers

The Border Roads Organisation has constructed the worldrsquos highest motorable road in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir The 86-km-long road passing through Umlingla Top is at a height of over 19300 feet

A 14 days joint training exercise lsquoPRABAL DOSTYK 2017rsquo between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army commenced at Bakloh Himachal Pradesh

ldquoQuadrilateralrdquo grouping

Context India has accepted an invitation to join the Japan-proposed US-endorsed plan for a ldquoQuadrilateralrdquo

grouping including Australia

What is it for The quadrilateral arrangement including US Japan Australia and India aims to be a grouping of

countries all looking to balance China using an international rules-based order to counter Chinarsquos aggressive

power play The grouping also aims to provide alternative debt financing for countries in the Indo-Pacific

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

Context Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) is taking steps to set up National Financial Reporting Authority

(NFRA)

What is it It is an independent body to test check financial statements prescribe accounting standards and take

disciplinary action against errant professionals The Companies Act 2013 provides for setting up a National

Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

Paradise papers

What are they They are a trove of 134 million corporate records primarily from Bermuda firm Appleby as well as

from Singapore-based Asiaciti Trust and corporate registries maintained by governments in 19 secrecy jurisdictions

often referred to as ldquotax paradisesrdquo They reveal tracks of veiled offshore financial activities

Reversing Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria use the efflux pumps to expel antibiotics from the intracellular environmentgt It thus prevents antibiotics from reaching the target thus helping the bacteria to survive



IIT Roorkee have been able to reverse drug resistance by using a small molecule screened from a synthetic library of 8000 molecules

The molecule restores the efficacy of fluoroquinolone-group of antibiotics by inhibiting the proton gradient which drives the efflux pump

Rattan

Rattan is the name for roughly 600 species of old world climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae The climbing habit is associated with the characteristics of its flexible woody stem derived typically from a

secondary growth It makes rattan a liana rather than a true wood Generally raw rattan is processed into several products to be used as materials in furniture making[ Scientists have discovered that non-protected areas near the Agastyamalai Biosphere Reserve Silent Valley-

Mukurthi National Parks and Coorg-Wayanad in the Western Ghats are hotspots of rattan or cane species Urgent conservation attention in the face of threats including habitat loss and excessive harvesting would be

critical here

Superhydrophobic Cotton

Superhydrophobic ie extremely water repelling medical cotton has been developed by a team of researchers at IIT Guwahati

It removed up to 95 of oil-spill of different densities ie both light and heavy oils repetitively at least 100 times using

The efficiency of absorption is very high ie one gram of the superhydrophobic cotton absorbs 20 grams of either heavy or light oils

The absorbed oil can be recovered through physical compression

Most Threatened Ape

Scientists have so far recognized six living species of great ape aside from humans They are Sumatran and Bornean orangutans eastern and western gorillas chimpanzees and bonobos But researchers have now made the list into seven based on a collection of evidence showing that an isolated

population of orangutans living in Sumatra is actually its own unique species Theyve named the new species the Tapanuli orang-utan But there are only about 800 Tapanuli orangutans left This makes this newly discovered species among the most threatened great ape species in the world

Ozone Hole

NOAA and NASA collaborate to monitor the growth and recovery of the ozone hole every year Measurements from satellites this year showed the hole in Earths ozone layer that forms over Antarctica was

the smallest observed since 1988 The polar stratospheric cloud formation and persistence of these clouds are important first steps leading to the

chlorine- and bromine-catalyzed reactions that destroy ozone The smaller ozone hole in 2017 was strongly influenced by an unstable and warmer Antarctic vortex -- the

stratospheric low pressure system that rotates clockwise in the atmosphere above Antarctica This helped minimize polar stratospheric cloud formation in the lower stratosphere

TholpavaKoothu



TholpavaKoothu is a unique shadow puppet theatre form of Kerala It is an ancient peculiar ritualistic art form dedicated to Bhagavati worshiped by the people of Kerala as the

Mother Goddess It is performed using leather puppets at the specially constructed theatre called Koothu Madam in front

of the Bhagavati temple It is believed to have originated in the ninth century AD It uses Tamil epic ldquoKamba Ramayanardquo as its basic text The language used is a dialect of Tamil with an admixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam words It is a fine example of the integration of Aryan and Dravidian cultures It is preserved as a family tradition by the Pulavars

INSV Tarini

INSV Tarini is the Indian Navyrsquos second ocean going sailboat Navika Sagar Parikrama is a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy would

circumnavigate the globe on INSV Tarini This is the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew It has completed its first leg of its maiden voyage (Goa to Australia) and started its second leg of its global

expedition from Australia to New Zealand ldquoINSV Tarinirdquo was built based on the design of famous temple Tara Tarini The temple is situated in Kumari hills at the bank of the River Rushikulya Odisha Click here to know more about Tara Tarini Temple

Ancient Spiral Galaxy

Scientists have discovered the most ancient spiral galaxy in the universe known as ldquoA1689B11rdquo that existed almost 11 billion years ago

It existed just 26 billion years after the Big Bang (13 billion years ago) when the universe was only one-fifth of its present age

It is a spiral galaxy which could provide insights into the early cosmos Scientists used a powerful technique on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii to verify the spiral nature

of the galaxy

Aircraft Launch System

India is going to launch second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-II) - INS Vishal using US based aircraft launch mechanisms

It will have to choose between catapult-based aircraft launch mechanism (CATOBAR) and electro-magnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS)

CATOBAR is powered by a steam catapult and EMALS uses an electric motor-driven catapult instead The use of electro-magnetic energy allows the launch of much heavier aircraft and also reduces the stress

on the aircraft INS Vishal 65000-70000 tonne nuclear-powered vessel is a follow up of INS Vikrant class of aircraft

carriers Indiarsquos first domestic carrier Vikrant weighing 40000 tonnes is scheduled to be launched by 2018-end It works on a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to that in the present

carrier INS Vikramaditya



Black Buck Reserve

A wildlife conservation reserve dedicated exclusively to the blackbuck is coming up in the Trans-Yamuna region of Allahabad near the MP and UP border

Blackbuck or Antilopecervicapra also known as Indian Antelope is found in India Nepal and Pakistan It is the sole living member of the genus Antilope and is classified under the family Bovidae It is known for its majestic spiral horns (in males) and coat colour contrasts They are found in the open Savannahs of north and central India but are now restricted to just a few

patches and habitats It is inhabited in

i Velavadar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat ii Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka

iii Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Maharashtra iv Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar

It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act and Appendix III of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

The reserve in Allahabad is the first ever conservation reserve of its kind in UP

Autumn Leaf

The Autumn Leaf is a rare butterfly species normally found in Karnataka and Kerala It resembles a leaf found in the autumn with an orangish tinge It is spotted for the first time after few years in the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) Tamil

Nadu GSWS also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary home to the endangered grizzled squirrel is

bordered by Periyar Tiger Reserve and Palaghat gap It is considered as one of the Butterfly hotspots

Nirbhay Missile

DRDO has successfully tested Nirbhay Cruise Missile recently from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur Odisha

Nirbhay cruise missile is the Indiarsquos first long range sub-sonic cruise missile It has an operational range of 1000 km (long range) It is capable of carrying warheads of up to 300kg at a speed of 06 to 07 Mach (sub-sonic) It is a two-stage missile powered by Solid rocket motor booster It is guided by a highly advanced indigenously developed inertial navigation system Sub-sonic ndash Any speed lower than the speed of sound Mach number greater than 1 is called as super-sonic Cruise Missile ndash It is a guided missile that flies major portion of its flight within atmosphere at approx

constant speed Ballistic Missile ndash It is a missile that follows a ballistic trajectory and guided only relatively during brief

periods and spends most of their flight out of the atmosphere



SHe-box Portal

SHe-box (Sexual Harassment electronic box) is an online platform launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development

The platform is to enable women employees to file complaints related to sexual harassment at the workplace It enables both public and private sector employees to lodge their complaints It ensures the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 Under the act it is compulsory for any organisation with 10 or more employees to set up an internal

complaints committee (ICC) for addressing complaints of sexual harassment The complaints filed in the portal will be forwarded to ICC and also paves way for monitoring the progress of

the complaint

New Species in Andaman

Edible wild banana species has been discovered in Andaman Island the second such species on the island in two years

In 2014 Musa indandamanensis wild banana species was discovered in a remote tropical rain forest on the Little Andaman Island

The latest discovery Musa paramjitiana found in North Andaman Island The plant grows to a height of nine metres and bears an edible sweet-and-sour tasting fruit with numerous

bulb-shaped seeds Its conservation status has been declared as lsquoCritically Endangeredrsquo

New Species in Western Ghats

A new species of ant was found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats region It belongs to Tyrannomyrmex a rare tropical genus of ants that is distributed in the Indomalayan bio-region Its Bio region extends from southern India and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia It is named as Tyrannomyrmexalii as a tribute to countryrsquos ldquoAnt Manrdquo eminent myrmecologist Musthak Ali

Kathak

The birth anniversary of Sitara Devi Kathak queen and often hailed as the lsquoEmpress of dance (NrityaSamragini)rsquo is observed today

Kathak is an ancient Indian classical dance and started as oral tradition by kathakars or storytellers based on episodes from epics myths and legends

Later it evolved in to a simple form of expressional dance through rhythmic foot movements hand gestures facial expressions and eye work

Bhakti movement contributed to a whole new range of lyrics and musical form with Radha-Krishna theme and works of Mirabai Surdas

Three specific forms of kathak are three gharanas (schools) namely the Jaipur gharana the Benarasgharana and the Lucknow gharana

The gharanas mostly differ in emphasis given to footwork versus acting The nineteenth century saw the golden age of Kathak under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah the last Nawab

of Oudh Being the only classical dance of India having links with Muslim culture it represents a unique synthesis of

Hindu and Muslim genius in art It is the only form of classical dance wedded to Hindustani music



Kambala

It is an annual buffalo race conducted in Coastal belt of Karnataka It is a traditional bull sport similar to Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu The track used for Kambala is a slushy paddy field It is conducted in both competitive and non-competitive manner The Kambala season generally starts in November and lasts till March in the following year Supreme Court in 2014 had banned Kambala based on a petition filed by various animal rights organisations Following the massive protest against the ban Karnataka government passed ldquoThe Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017rdquo to legalize the bull sport Recently People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have challenged the ordinance but SC refuses

to stay ordinance



1World Congress of Mental Health is taking place in India for the first time

Issues Our National Mental Health Survey 2016 found that close to 14 per cent of Indiarsquos population required active

mental health interventions About two per cent suffered from severe mental disorders Biggest obstacle that mental health patients have to encounter is stigma and denial This leads to the issue

being ignored or simply not discussed A second biggest obstacle is that of human resourcesThere are only about five thousand psychiatrists and less

than two thousand clinical psychologists in our country

Remedies We need to talk about mental health issues and treat ailments such as depression and stress as diseases that can

be cured Indiarsquos National Mental Health Programme is building 22 centres of excellence in the field of mental health In

parallel the District Mental Health Programme has already covered 517 of the approximately 650 districts in India It is taking the conversation about mental health to the grassroots of our society

To spread awareness it is important to build partnerships between the public and private sectors and between the government and civil society organisations

It would also be valuable to stitch together community support networks The World Congress will also have sessions on yoga meditation and traditional approaches to mental health It

will tap into our wealth of traditional knowledge and link itrsquos learning to modern research on mental health This will promote a holistic approach to mental health-care and can combine the best of different fields of practice

Information Technology and telemedicine are also coming of aid Such technologies are linking doctors and counsellors in cities to mental health patients in rural areas As Internet penetration expands in our country this holds much potential

2 7th Asian Energy Ministersrsquo Round Table organised by International Energy Forum (IEF) in Bangkok India is the current Chair of the IEF Highlights How to overcome market and policy hurdles Importance of a flexible transparent and non-discriminatory global LNG trading regime which would expedite

ushering in the golden age of gas Need to move to a gas based economy and the avenues for FDI in building infrastructure for gas including

LNG terminals pipelines CGD etc

Indiarsquos unprecedented leap of 30 places in the ease of doing business and also how PM Ujjwala Scheme can be a model to be adopted in developing countries of Asia and Africa was also highlighted in the meet

International Energy Forum (IEF) IEF is the largest inter-governmental organisation in the field of oil and gas comprising 72 member countries accounting for 90 of global supply and demand of oil and gas Members include developing developed OPEC Non-OPEC and G20 countries 18 of the G20 countries are members of IEF



3 Highlights It is a three-day event which is

organised by the Food Processing Industries Ministry will see investors manufacturers producers food processors policy makers and organisations from all over the world

The event aims to facilitate participation between domestic and international businesses

This is the first time that India is hosting such an event for the food processing sector

Over 800 kg khichdi will be prepared live on November 4 at the World Food India event in a bid to create world record and popularise it as brand India food globally

World Food India

World Food India aims to transform food economy and realize the vision of doubling of farmersrsquo income by establishing India as a preferred investment destination and sourcing hub for the global food processing industry

Significance India has geared up for a revolution in the food processing sector and it was clear that the global companies

were eagerly looking towards India for collaboration World Food India platform will strengthen Indiarsquos position as a global food factory and is a positive step

towards making the country food secure India is expected to attract an investment of $10 billion in food processing sector and generate one million jobs

in the next three years

Various schemes and programs initiated by the Government to achieve the target of Doubling of Farmersrsquo Income by 2022 1 Special focus on irrigation with sufficient budget with the aim of ldquoPer Drop More Croprdquo 2 Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field 3 Large investments in Warehousing and Cold Chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses 4 Promotion of value addition through food processing 5 Creation of a National Farm Market removing distortions and e-platform across 585 Stations 6 Introduction of a New Crop Insurance Scheme to mitigate risks at an affordable cost 7 Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry beekeeping and fisheries

4 Blackbuck conservation reserve to come up in UP

A wildlife conservation reserve dedicated exclusively to the blackbuck is coming up over 126 hectares in the trans-Yamuna region of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh Context The State cabinet has approved a Blackbuck Conservation

Reserve in the Meja forest division that is known for its rocky undulating and arid terrain



The area has more than 200 species of birds and herbivores like blackbucks and bluebull and carnivores like jackals and striped hyena

There are a few national parks and sanctuaries inhabited by blackbuck in the country like the Velavadar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat and the Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka However there are not many conservation reserves exclusively dedicated to the antelope

Blackbuck Blackbucks known for their majestic spiral horns and coat colour contrasts are found in grasslands and open

forests They once ruled the open savannahs of north and central India but are now restricted to just a few patches and

habitats primarily due to human population growth ecosystem degradation and hunting

Significance The conservation of blackbuck can be done in an effective way It will also create awareness about biodiversity conservation and provide opportunities for peoplersquos

participation Eco-tourism will be encouraged and locals will get opportunities for employment

5 India offers to share real-time maritime data India has made an offer to share intelligence of maritime movements in the Indian Ocean in real-time with 10 Indian Ocean littoral States Key points 10 Indian Ocean littoral States to benefit from initiative The information to be shared includes movement of commercial traffic as well as intelligence The information sharing is not so much for conventional military purposes but to deal with non-traditional

threats arising at sea This comes even as India gears up to counter Chinarsquos increased presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) was inaugurated at the Tarang Auditorium of INS Mandovi Goa The conclave was aimed at ldquoAddressing Regional Maritime Challengesrdquo wherein the deliberations were focused on emerging maritime threats and force structuring maritime domain awareness maritime security architecture and maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) Significance of GMC GMC aims to bring together like minded nations to evolve and formulate collective responses to emerging

challenges in the maritime domain It would also provide an opportunity to communicate our viewpoints in a forthright manner and collectively

shape a favourable maritime environment for all countries in the region Political and economic interactions between the stake holders in the IOR has great impact on regional

dynamics in international geo-politics 6 PowerGrid completes extending grid connectivity to Leh-Ladakh region Highlights This is the first time in the country that any

220kV voltage level substation is built at such a high altitude of over 11500 feet

It is a prestigious project of Indian government to extend grid connectivity to difficult



geographical areas of Leh- Ladhakh Region in Jammu and Kashmir Implementation of Srinagar-Leh Transmission System has been entrusted to Power Grid Corporation of India

Limited The commissioning of these elements will facilitate delivery of power from the Nimmo Bazgo Hydro-electric

power stations in LehLadhakh Region with reliability

POWERGRID Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) is an Indian state-owned electric utility company headquartered in Gurugram India POWERGRID transmits about 50 of the total power generated in India on its transmission network A ldquoNavaratnardquo Central Public Sector Enterprise Indiarsquos largest Electric Power Transmission Utility Third Largest Public Sector Enterprise in terms of Gross Block

7 PAN Indian Army Release of Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP) Software Application Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP) IQMP is web based software developed by Army Software Development Centre in association with Ms TCS

Ltd The application automates various logistics related functions of an Army Unit The application will replace

numerous legacy applications such as lsquoVastrarsquo and lsquoQuarter Master Packagersquo The application can be dynamically configured to meet the specific requirements of various types of Army

units and is capable of sharing information and data with other software applications in the domain of logistics management

Significance The software has been developed with the aim of bringing speed accuracy and transparency in handling

logistics aspects in the unit It will also play an important role in achieving automation of Indian Army and prove to be a significant

milestone towards lsquoDigital Armyrsquo in consonance with the lsquoDigital India initiativersquo of the government

8 Etikoppaka toys are not only popular in Andhra Pradesh but also gained their popularity all over the country and abroad over the years But this art form suffered a setback in the last decade The exports to the US and Europe which were to the tune of Rs 50 to 80 lakh per annum were stopped in 2007 when the importers insisted on GI certification and heavy metal analysis both not in the hands of the villagers

Key Points Etikoppaka toys popularly known as Lakkapidathalu finally received

Geographical Indication by the Registration of Geographical Indication

The artisans are yet to get heavy metal analysis certificate for exporting to the US and European countries

Facing a new threat from dumping of identical Chinese wooden toys into the markets

Getting little help from the government the artisans are now looking for online trading agencies to sell their products

Geographical Indications(GI)



Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product Typically such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality region or country

9 India will soon emerge as an aviation hub not only in terms of increased air connectivity but also in terms of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities and setting up of ancillary units

Positive trends seen India is witnessing a high-growth trajectory and set to become the third-largest aviation market in the world in

terms of passengers by 2026 With increasing disposable incomes and a burgeoning middle class air travel will witness further spurt in the

years ahead Governmentrsquos Udan scheme seeks in promoting regional connectivity by serving the un-served and under-

served airports Connecting Tier-II cities pilgrim towns and historic places with the wider air routes is important for boosting

tourism and business travel 10 Noted writer of Hindi literature Krishna Sobti will be conferred with the countryrsquos highest literary honour Jnanpith Award this year in 2017 Sobti will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh a certificate and a memento as part of the 53rd

Jnanpith Award ceremony

About Jnanpith awards The Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious literary honours in the country The award was instituted in

1961 Eligibility Any Indian citizen who writes in any of the official languages of India is eligible for the honour

11 NESCO has launched a Strategic Framework for Education in Emergencies in the Arab Region (2018-2021)

About the Strategic framework

What is it The Strategic Framework for Education in Emergencies in the Arab Region (2018-2012) aims to respond to the Education crisis in the region through supporting Member States in meeting their educational needs and helping them meet the commitments set out in SDG4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030

Why Arab region Education has been deeply affected by the scale of crisis in the Arab Region with over 13 million children and youth not going to school due to conflict



Goals The Strategic Framework consists of four strategic goals anchored in the three pillars of education Access Quality and System Strengthening

Significance of the framework The Framework aims to increase access to quality learning opportunities for children and youth to empower them with values knowledge and skills for life and work to support teachers and enhance the resilience of education systems

12The Ministry of Shipping has extended the period of the Coastal Berth scheme of the flagship Sagarmala Programme for three years upto 31st March 2020 and expanded its scope to cover capital dredging at Major Ports and preparation of DPR for coastal berth project in Oct 2017

About the Coastal Berth Scheme What is it The Coastal Berth Scheme aims to provide financial support to ports or state governments for creation of infrastructure for movement of cargo and passenger by sea or national waterways

Implementation The projects under the Scheme are distributed over eight states with the highest number of projects in Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh amp Goa

Financial assistance The admissible financial assistance from Central Government is 50 of the total cost of the project The financial assistance will also be provided for the preparation of DPRs for the projects to be considered under this scheme The balance expenditure has to be incurred by the respective Ports concerned State Governments (including State Maritime Boards) from their own resources

Significance of the scheme The scheme aims to promote coastal shipping and increase its share in domestic cargo movement in India Better infrastructure for coastal shipping will decongest rail and road network besides ensuring cost competitive and effective multi-modal transportation solution The country has high potential to use coastal shipping for its internal cargo movement given its 7500 kms long coastline



What you need to know about Sagarmala The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around Indiarsquos coast The objective of this initiative is to promote ldquoPort-led developmentrdquo along Indiarsquos 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 13 The recent boiler explosion at NTPCrsquos Unchahar power plant in Rae Bareli underscores the importance of inspections and protocols for hazardous industrial operations

Regulation of Boilers High pressure boilers are hazardous pieces of equipment which are strictly regulated with special laws In fact the basic objective of the Indian Boilers Act 1923 is to ensure the safety of life and protection of property by mandating uniform standards in the quality and upkeep of these units

Reasons for the accident at Rae Bareli

First of all the state government failed miserably in meeting the objective of ensuring the safety of life and protection of property by mandating uniform standards in the quality and upkeep of these units is evident from the accident at the public sector facility

To enhance the ease of doing business in India the government has relaxed crucial safety checks Self-certification and third-party certification of facilities has received support from policymakers even in the case of boilers

What needs to be done

Regulatory mechanism The Unchahar accident shows it is in everyonersquos interest to have a transparent regulatory mechanism for hazardous industrial activity

Reporting The safety and welfare of workers and the public at large cannot be compromised A rigorous approach to accident reporting must become part of the process if the weak spots in regulation are to be addressed

The loss suffered by families of workers due to an accident that could have been averted cannot be compensated just financially It must be the Centrersquos endeavour to see that measures taken to make it easy to do business do not translate into lack of regulation and putting lives at risk

Administrative reform can eliminate the corruption of inspector raj and achieve transparent regulation while keeping the workplace safe

Way ahead

The accident was entirely preventable because boilers are designed to provide warnings as soon as dangerous pressure builds up and trigger automatic safety devices at a critical point They should undergo periodic inspections to ensure that all these features are working and intact The incident calls for an inquiry into the quality of the equipment and the fuel used Ideally these aspects should be investigated by an external agency and not the NTPC

14 The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu has won UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for cultural heritage conservation programme in the Awards of Merit category It is first temple from Tamil Nadu to grab the prestigious honour from the UN body

UNESCO Asia-Pacific awards for cultural heritage conservation programme

The awards were launched in 2000 by UNESCO for cultural heritage conservation programme They are given under four categoriesndash Award of Excellence Awards of Distinction Awards of Merit and Award for New Design in Heritage Context



Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

It is one of the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India It has been mentioned Tamil literature as early as Sangam era The temple is treasure trove of Indiarsquos ancient history It is constructed in the Tamil or Dravidian style of temple architecture

The legends call it one of eight self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu and one of the most important 108 main Vishnu temples It is known by several names such as Thiruvaranga Tirupati Bhoologa Vaikundam Periyakoil Bhogamandabam

This temple lies on an island formed by twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon Its complex stretches over 156 acres with perimeter of 4116 m It is the largest temple in India and one of largest religious complexes in the world The temple has over seven prakaras or enclosures which are formed by thick and huge defensive walls running around the holy shrine It has over 21 magnificent towers inside all prakaras

The main entrance of temple known as Rajagopuram (royal temple tower) is 73m high and moves up in eleven progressively smaller tiers The temple annually hosts 21-day festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi (between December and January) which attracts over 1 million visitors

15 Union Government launches Food Regulatory Portal and Investor Facilitation Portal They were launched on the sidelines of World Food India 2017 Expo

Food Regulatory Portal

It was jointly launched by Ministry of Food Processing and Industries (MoFPI) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) It is a single interface for food businesses to cater to both domestic operations and food imports

The portal focuses on six key areas food standards consistent enforcement hassle free food imports credible food testing and codified food safety practices of food sector Standards pertaining to food sector have been notified on it to address concerns of food business across spectrum by ensuring ease of entry reduced burden of compliance and facilitating trade he added

Nivesh Bandhu

It is Investor Facilitation Portal to assist investors to make informed investment decisions It will provide information on Central and State Governments investor friendly policies agro-producing clusters infrastructure and potential areas of investment in the food processing sector

16 India was ranked low at 108th position out of 144 countries in Global Gender Gap Index 2017 released as part of World Economic Forumrsquos (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2017 India slipped by 21 places compared to 87th rank last year

Global Gender Gap Index

The index measures gender gap as progress towards parity between men and women in four indicators (i) Educational attainment (ii) Health and survival (iii) Economic opportunity and (iv) Political



empowerment Countries are ranked based scores on scale ranging from 0 (lowest ie imparity) to 1 (highest ie parity) It is released every year by WEF since 2006

Key Highlights of Global Gender Gap Index 2017

Iceland is most gender-equal country with score of 0878 It is followed by Norway (2 rank) Finland (3) Rwanda (4) and Sweden (5) Nicaragua (6) and Slovenia (7) Ireland (8) New Zealand (9) and the Philippines (10)

Overall 68 of global gender gap has been closed but it is slight deterioration is seen compared to 2016 when gap closed was 683 At current rate of progress global gender gap will take 100 years to bridge compared to 83 last year The case is worse in terms of workplace gender divide as it will take 217 years to close

Indiarsquos cumulative score was 0669 down from 0683 in 2016 India has successfully closed 67 of its gender gap less than many of its international peers Indiarsquos neighbours like Bangladesh ranked 47th ranked at 100th

Reasons for Indiarsquos lower ranking

It was mainly due to low scores in two indicators They are (i) Health and Survival India ranked 141 at bottom four It was mainly due to Indiarsquos poor sex ratio at birth which still points to a strong preference for sons (ii) Economic Participation and Opportunities for Women India ranked 139 down from 136 last year

Indiarsquos poor performance on economic front It was due to fact that on an average a woman in India is estimated to earn less than quarter of annual income earned by a man She gets paid only 60 of what her male counterpart gets for similar work Moreover women account for over third of labour force participation but their share of daily unpaid work (household chores childcare etc) is 65 while it is only 11 for men Across sectors only 13 of senior officials managers and legislators are women Other factors Fall in Indiarsquos ranking can be attributed to widening of its gender gaps in political empowerment as well as in healthy life expectancy and basic literacy Though India succeeded in fully closing its primary and secondary education enrolment gender gaps and very near to closing its tertiary education gender gap but its overall literacy rate still shows disparity between men (80) and women (59) Moreover in case women holding top political positions Indiarsquos ranks high at 15th position but the proportion of women in legislature is an abysmal 11

17 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made 20-digit Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) compulsory for companies having aggregate fund-based and non-fund based exposure over Rs 5 crore

The move is aimed at improving risk management in wake of huge stressed assets in banking system Before this RBI had made LEI mandatory for transactions in interest rate forex and credit derivative marke

Significance

LEI mechanism will help banks to effectively monitor debt exposure of corporate borrowers It will also enable banks in preventing multiple loans to companies against the same collateral



Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)

LEI is a 20-digit unique code to identify parties to financial transactions worldwide It is a global reference number that uniquely identifies every legal entity or structure that is party to a financial transaction in any jurisdiction LEI code has been conceived as key measure to improve quality and accuracy of financial data systems for better risk management post the global financial crisis

The LEI system was developed by G20 in response to inability of financial institutions to identify organisations uniquely so that their financial transactions in different national jurisdictions can be fully tracked The first LEIs were issued in December 2012

Legal Entity Identifier India Limited (LEIL) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clearing Corporation of India (CCI) acts as a local operating unit (LOU) for issuing globally compatible legal entity identifiers (LEIs) in India Besides entities can also obtain LEI from any of local operating units (LOUs) accredited by Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) ndash the entity tasked to support implementation and use of LEI

Listing timeline for implementing LEI

Borrowers with fund and non-fund exposure of Rs 1000 crore and above will have to get LEI by March 2018 Those having exposure between Rs 500 crore and Rs 1000 crore have to obtain LEI code by June 2018 and those having between Rs 100 crore and Rs 500 crore by March 2019

Separate roadmap for borrowers having exposure between Rs 5 crore and up to Rs 50 crore will be issued in due course Borrowers who do not obtain LEI as per schedule will not be granted renewal or enhancement of credit facilities

LEIL will assign LEIs to any legal identity including but not limited to all intermediary institutions banks partnership companies mutual funds trusts holdings special purpose vehicles (SPVs) asset management companies and all other institutions being parties to financial transactions

18 The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under Ministry of Power in partnership with Global Environment Facility (GEF) has launched Creating and Sustaining Markets for Energy Efficiency project

The project will help in recognizing Indiarsquos efforts towards a low emission-economy and focusing on energy efficiency programmes Currently around two-thirds of total power generation capacity in India is based on fossil fuels By 2030 India is committed to achieve 40 of the installed capacity based on clean energy sources

Funding

Project will receive composite funding of $454 million comprised of $20 million GEF grant and co-financing of $434 million in form of loans and equity including $200 million loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB) Further EESL also has proposed Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund (EERF) for sustainable funding mechanism of energy efficiency projects in country

Initiatives under this Project



New technologies of super-efficient ceiling fans tri-generation technologies amp smart grid-applications will be financed for proof testing Energy efficiency programmes like street lighting domestic lighting five-star rated ceiling fans and agricultural pumps will be undertaken EESL also has partnered with UN Environmentrsquos District Energy in Cities Initiative which has already identified $600 million of projects across five cities in India

Significance

The project is considered as significant step considering Indiarsquos efforts towards low emission-economy and focusing on energy efficiency programmes It will also create awareness in citizens especially among youth to encourage energy efficiency measures like use of electric vehicles energy efficient building codes etc It will also facilitate sustainable growth by addressing climate change issues boosting economy and generating greater employment in country

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

GEF is a financial mechanism that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities It addresses six designated focal areas biodiversity climate change international waters ozone depletion land degradation and Persistent Organic Pollutants

It was established on the eve of 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle our planetrsquos most pressing environmental problems It unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector to address global environmental issues India has been a leading developing country participant in the GEF since its inception in 1991 and has played a major role in shaping GEF India is both donor and recipient of GEF

19 The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam has bagged an award of merit from Unesco for protecting and conserving cultural heritage thus becoming the first temple from Tamil Nadu to grab the prestigious honour from the UN body

Key facts

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the only religious centre in

the whole of South India to bag the award in 2017

The famous Christ Church in Mumbai and Royal

Bombay Opera House are the other historic Indian

monuments that received the Award of Merit this year in

addition to the temple

The temple was lauded by the international body for

undertaking renovation and beautification work worth over

Rs 20 crore without harming its centuries-old heritage



About the award

Launched in 2000 Unesco Asia-Pacific awards for cultural heritage conservation programme is aimed at

acknowledging the efforts taken to restore and conserve historical structures without affecting their heritage value in

the region comprising 48 countries

The awards are classified under four categories mdash Award of Excellence Awards of Distinction Awards of

Merit and Award for New Design in Heritage Context

They are being given to encourage the efforts of all

stakeholders and the public in conserving and promoting

monuments and religious institutes with rich heritage in

the Asia-Pacific region

20 Union Ministry of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has extended the term of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by six months upto May 02 2018

Why was CWDT constituted

Cauvery is an inter‐State basin having its origin in Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu and Puduchery

before outfalling in Bay of Bengal The sharing of waters of the Cauvery has been the source of a serious conflict

between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka The genesis of this conflict rests in two agreements in 1892 and

1924 between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and Kingdom of Mysore

In this regard Government of India in June 1990 constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal

(CWDT) to adjudicate the water dispute regarding inter‐state river Cauvery and the river valley thereof

among the States of Tamil Nadu Karnataka Kerala and Puducherry

Constitutional provisions on inter-state river water sharing

River waters use harnessing is included in states jurisdiction (entry 17 of state list Schedule 7 of Indian

Constitution) However union government can make laws on regulation and development of inter-State rivers and

river valleys when expedient in the public interest



Whenever the riparian states are not able to reach amicable agreements on their own in sharing of an

interstate river waters section 4 of The Interstate River Water Disputes Act 1956 (IRWD Act) provides

dispute resolution process in the form of Tribunal

In case the constitutional rights of states are ingressed upon by the tribunal award in any manner central

government for extending purview of its enactment to implement the tribunal order is obliged to take the

consent of all riparian states under Article 252 of the constitution before publishing the tribunal awards in

the official gazette

Powers of the tribunal

Ambit As per the Act the tribunal shall not only adjudicate but also investigate the matters referred to it by the

central government and forward a report setting out the facts with its decisions

Verdict When the tribunal final verdict issued based on the deliberations on the draft verdict is accepted by the

central government and notified in the official gazette the verdict becomes law and binding on the states for

implementation When pronounced in the ambit of IRWD Act the tribunalrsquos verdict after its publication in the

official gazette is equivalent to Supreme Court verdict as per section 6 of IRWD Act

About IRWD Act

The Interstate River Water Disputes Act 1956 (IRWD Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted under

Article 262 of Constitution on the eve of reorganization of states on linguistic basis to resolve the water disputes

that would arise in the use control and distribution of an interstate river or river valley

Article 262 of the Indian Constitution provides a role for the Central government in adjudicating

conflicts surrounding inter-state rivers that arise among the stateregional governments

Recently a permanent water dispute tribunal with its members from sitting judges of Supreme Court or

High courts is proposed to resolve the growing number of interstate river water disputes expeditiously



Way ahead

Over the years the Cauvery water dispute has influenced the politics of the region with political parties stirring

emotions of people as the river has a deep cultural economic and religious significance for them This has now led

to a situation where public opinion has become more rigid making it difficult for political outfits to find a common

ground

Facts for Prelims

Cauvery river originates in Talakaveri in Kodagu district of Karnataka It flows 800 km in Karnataka and

Tamil Nadu and reaches the Bay of Bengal through Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu The Cauvery basin covers about

81155 sq km area Out of this 43856 sq km is in Tamil Nadu 34273 sq km in Karnataka 2866 sq km in Kerala and

160 sq km in Puducherry

21 The Union government has proposed to establish commercial courts in districts to further improve the ease of doing business parameters Background

Legal remedy to commercial disputes and enforcement of business contracts are parameters of the World Bank

ranking In terms of ease of enforcing contracts India jumped from 172 to 164 Though the jump in the ranking

sounds small it is substantial given the diversities of laws in our country and the complex demography

Indiarsquos performance has been varied within the legal framework For example the World Bankrsquos ranking marked

ldquocourt system and proceedings in Indiardquo 45 out of a total of 5 but in management of cases it was 15 out of 6 India

also fared well in alternative dispute redress mechanism and scored 25 out of a total of 3 marks

About commercial courts

On January 1 2016 the Commercial Courts Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High

Courts Bill 2015 received Presidential assent



It contemplates setting up commercial courts at the district level and commercial divisions and appellate divisions at

the high court level It seeks to completely transform the manner in which commercial cases are heard and tried in

India

Functions of various stakeholders It stipulates various functions to be performed by three key players namely

state governments chief justices of high courts and lawyerslitigants All state governments have to ensure that

adequate infrastructure is provided for commercial courts and commercial divisions so that modern methods like

electronic filing and video conferencing can be implemented without delay

Chief justices have huge responsibility in implementing this Act by setting up commercial courts in various

districts and by designating or setting up commercial divisions in the high courts which also need to issue practice

directions to implement the provisions of this Act

What is a commercial dispute

A commercial dispute is defined to include any dispute related to transactions between merchants bankers

financiers traders etc Such transactions deal with mercantile documents partnership agreements intellectual

property rights insurance etc

22 The power ministry has engaged postmen for door-to-door survey to expedite the Saubhagya scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for complete household electrification by December 2018

Key facts

India Post through its network 173 lakh outlets has begun collecting data on un-electrified households

spread over three states of Odisha Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Similar initiatives are being

launched in Assam and Jharkhand

The data for a total 175 lakh villages in the five states is likely to be submitted in a month The data is

being uploaded online through a web portal and a mobile application by the postmen called lsquoGram Dak

Sewaksrsquo by the postal department

The web portal and the application have been created and are being monitored by staterun Rural

Electrification Corp

Why postmen have been chosen for this task



India Post is the only organisation which has permanent link with each and every household in the country It has

arrangements in place for delivery of mails to each of about 594 lakh inhabited villages in the country from the

nearest post offices

The data will help the Central government in speedy assessment of project reports that will be submitted by states

seeking grant under the Saubhagya Scheme

About Saubhagya Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana -Saubhagya- launched in September with over Rs 16000

crore outlay for universal household electrification will cover a total of 300 lakh householdsndash250 lakh households

in rural areas and 50 lakh in urban areas

As per scheme the states will have to submit detailed project reports to the Centre Projects would be

sanctioned based on the detailed project reports to be submitted by the states

23 For year-round border security and ensure better connectivity along the entire Line of Actual Control India is planning to construct tunnels on China border

Benefits of tunnels

Land acquisition and forest clearance are relatively easier for tunnels



Tunnels reduce the operational cost of vehicles and reduce the need for deploying troops for security duties

in sensitive areas

They help avoid situations where military posts remain cut off for six months due to snowfall or rain

Furthermore the Himalayan ranges with its fragile geology has a history of earthquakes landslides and

avalanches

24 The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) the global anti- money laundering watchdog has put Pakistan on

notice for terror financing

FATF has sought from Pakistan notwithstanding opposition from China a compliance report by February

2018 on action taken against terror groups such as LeT and JuD

FATF has asked Pakistan to do more to freeze assets of terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-

ud-Dawa

Background

The decision was taken at the recently held Buenos Aires plenary of the FATF where India raised the issue of

Pakistanrsquos support for terror group at the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) meet Terror financing

was a key theme at the FATF meet in the Argentine capital

About FATF

What is it-The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the

initiative of the G7 It is a ldquopolicy-making bodyrdquo which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about

national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas

Objectives-The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal

regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering terrorist financing and other related threats to

the integrity of the international financial system

What it does-The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary measures reviews

money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures and promotes the adoption and

implementation of appropriate measures globally In collaboration with other international stakeholders the FATF



works to identify national-level vulnerabilities with the aim of protecting the international financial system from

misuse

25 Indian Navy is likely to use advanced catapult-based aircraft launch mechanism (CATOBAR) from United States for its second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-II) which is on drawing board

In this regard both countries have held several rounds of discussions in joint working group (JWG) on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC) under Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) set up by them

EMALS

For some time India was exploring possibility of installing US electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) The US has offered India its latest EMALS technology developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc EMALS uses electric motor-driven catapult instead which allows launch of much heavier aircraft and reduces stress on aircraft whereas older-generation CATOBAR is powered by steam catapult It will allow Indian Navy to operate heavy surveillance aircraft in addition to heavy fighters However the system is expensive something that needs to be factored in

Background

The IAC-II has been envisaged to be around 65000 tonnes and capable of carrying over 50 aircraft Indian Navy is keen on nuclear propulsion which will give it unlimited range and endurance its development in time seems doubtful Indiarsquos first domestic carrier Vikrant weighing 40000 tonnes is in an advanced stage of construction in Kochi (Kerala) It is scheduled to be launched by 2018-end It works on Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to that in present carrier INS Vikramaditya with an angular ski-jump

26 China successfully launched two BeiDou-3 satellites named BeiDou-3 M1 and BeiDou-3 M2 into space on board of single carrier rocket Long March-3B from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern province of Sichuan

These two satellites and carrier rocket were developed by China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology respectively

Key Facts

The two newly-launched satellites represent third phase of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System They will reside in a medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 21500 kilometers inclined 555 degrees These two satellites represent third phase of BDS system (BeiDou-3) It is the final stage of the establishment of a Chinese space-based navigation architecture

BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

The BeiDou project was formally initiated in 1994 It was named after Chinese term for plough or Big Dipper constellation It began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012 This system will provide services for countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative and form complete global



satellite navigation system by 2020 by which time China plans to have more than 30 satellites It will make China third country in world after the US and Russia to operate its own navigation system

27 Scientists have discovered most ancient spiral galaxy known as A1689B11 recorded so far in the universe It was detected using powerful technique that combines gravitational lensing with Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) on Gemini North telescope in Hawaii Gravitational lenses are naturersquos largest telescopes created by massive clusters composed of thousands of galaxies and dark matter

Key Facts

The A1689B11 galaxy was born 11 billion years ago and existed just 26 billion years after Big Bang when universe was only one-fifth of its present age It sits behind a massive cluster of galaxies that acts as lens which scientists used to produce magnified images The bending of cluster magnified light of galaxies behind it in manner similar to an ordinary lens but on much larger scale A1689B11 has very cool and thin disc rotating calmly with surprisingly little turbulence unlike other galaxies of the same epoch

Significance

Studying ancient spirals like A1689B11 can provide insights into early cosmos It will help in unlocking mystery of how and when Hubble sequence emerges Spiral galaxies are exceptionally rare in early universe and this discovery opens door to investigating how galaxies transition from highly chaotic turbulent discs to tranquil thin discs like those of our own Milky Way galaxy

28 The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has released lsquoThe Paradise Papersrsquo a global investigation that reveals the offshore activities of some of the worldrsquos most powerful people and companies

Among 180 countries represented in the data India ranks 19th in terms of number of names In all names of 714 Indians have figured in this largest ever black money data leak

Key Facts

The Paradise Papers are set of 134 million documents mainly from Appleby an offshore law firm with offices in Bermuda and beyond related to offshore investment in some of the worldrsquos most secretive countries The files were first obtained by German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung and shared with ICIJ and partner 95 media outlets They contain the names of more than 120000 people and companies across the globe Big companies like Facebook Apple Microsoft EBay Uber Glencore Nike Walmart Allianz Siemens McDonaldrsquos and Yahoo were also named in it

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)

The ICIJ is global network of more than 200 investigative journalists in 70 countries who collaborate on in-depth investigative stories It was founded in 1997 by respected American journalist Chuck Lewis It was launched as a project of Centre for Public Integrity focusing on issues that do not stop at national



frontiers corruption cross-border crime and accountability of power It is headquartered in Washington DC US Earlier in 2016 it had released Panama Papers

29 Coastal Berth Scheme

It aims to provide financial support to ports or state governments for creation of infrastructure for movement of cargo and passenger by sea or national waterways The admissible financial assistance under the scheme from Central Government is 50 of total cost of project

The financial assistance is also provided for preparation of DPRs for projects considered under this scheme The balance expenditure will be incurred by respective Portsconcerned State Governments (including State Maritime Boards) from their own resources

30 Projects under the scheme will help to promote coastal shipping and increase its share in domestic cargo movement in India Better infrastructure for coastal shipping built under it will help to decongest rail and road network besides ensuring cost competitive and effective multi-modal transportation solution

Sagarmala Project

The Sagarmala project aims to promote port-led development along Indiarsquos 7500 km long coastline by developing string of ports around coast It envisages transforming existing ports into modern world class ports as well as developing new ones It also aims to develop efficient evacuation systems through road rail inland and coastal waterways The Ministry of Shipping is nodal ministry for this initiative

Three key components of Sagarmala project are Port Modernization Efficient Evacuation Systems and Coastal Economic Development It aims to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond

30 The year 2017 is ldquovery likelyrdquo to be in the top three warmest years on record according to provisional figures from the World Meteorological Organization

Factors responsible for this Absence of the El Nintildeo phenomenon The long-term trend of warming driven by human activities continues unabated Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere are the highest on record

About WMO What is it The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to meteorology (weather) climatology (climate) operational hydrology (water) and other related geophysical sciences such as oceanography and atmospheric chemistry



What does WMO do WMO coordinates the activities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in 191 States and

Territories so that basic weather climate and water services are made available to anyone who needs them when they need them

WMO guarantees the publication of observations and statistics and furthers the application of meteorology and hydrology (including the monitoring and predictions of climate change and ozone) to all aspects of human activities such as aviation shipping water management and agriculture

WMO also encourages research and training in meteorology and hydrology and their related applications and contributes towards reducing the impact of weather- and climate-related hazards This is accomplished through regular reliable forecasts and early warnings on flooding drought tropical cyclones tornadoes and other extreme events

Predictions concerning locust swarms and the transport of pollutants (nuclear and toxic substances volcanic ash) are also provided by WMO Members

31 Reserve Bank deputy governor NSVishwanathan recently said the introduction of a public credit registry will further speed up digitisation that has already changed the way banking is done in the country

About Public Credit Registry What is it The PCR will be an extensive database of credit information for India that is accessible to all stakeholders The idea is to capture all relevant information in one large database on the borrower and in particular the borrowerrsquos entire set of borrowing contracts and outcomes

Management of PCR Generally a PCR is managed by a public authority like the central bank or the banking supervisor and reporting of loan details to the PCR by lenders andor borrowers is mandated by law The contractual terms and outcomes covered and the threshold above which the contracts are to be reported vary in different jurisdictions but the idea is to capture all relevant information in one large database on the borrower in particular the borrowerrsquos entire set of borrowing contracts and outcomes Benefits of having a PCR

A PCR can potentially help banks in credit assessment and pricing of credit as well as in making risk-based dynamic and counter-cyclical provisioning

The PCR can also help the RBI in understanding if transmission of monetary policy is working and if not where are the bottlenecks



Further it can help supervisors regulators and banks in early intervention and effective restructuring of stressed bank credits

A PCR will also help banks and regulators as credit information is a lsquopublic goodrsquo and its utility is to the credit market at large and to society in general

32 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is hosting the 23rd annual conference at Bonn Germany

Whatrsquos in the COP 23 The conference named as COP23 is being held to further the provisions of the Paris Agreement and achieve results in the execution guidelines While the aim of the event is much larger nations attending the

COP23 are scheduled to finalise the rulebook of the Paris Agreement This process was started in Marrakesh 2016 meet These rules will dictate how the Agreement would be monitored and executed It will change the famous 1997 Kyoto Protocol by 2020

The rulebook will include new international standards for measuring carbon emissions These standards will ensure comparison of efforts made by various countries However a few negotiators like the US deny the impacts of climate change and argue that the efforts cost a huge amount of resources

Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement is meant to make sure that the average surface temperature all over the world does not rise above two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times To achieve this goal countries have promised under the Paris Agreement to take a variety of self-determined actions to restrain the current rate of global warming

About UNFCCC The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit which marked the beginning of the international communityrsquos first concerted effort to confront the problem of climate change Known also as the Rio Convention the UNFCCC established a framework for action to stabilise concentrations of greenhouse gases in the earthrsquos atmosphere The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994 and nearly all of the worldrsquos nationsmdasha total of 195mdashhave now signed on

33 India has pledged an additional USD 100 million towards the UN partnership fund significantly scaling up its support to sustainable development projects across the developing world

About the India-UN Development Partnership Fund What is it The India-UN Development Partnership Fund was set up as a partnership between India and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) What is it for Managed by UNOSSC the fund will support Southern-owned and led demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world Focusing on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States United Nations agencies will implement the Fundrsquos projects in close collaboration with partnering governments Focus areas Reducing poverty and hunger improving health education and equality and expanding access to clean water and energy



34 The famous Banaganapalle mangoes of Andhra Pradesh and Tulaipanji rice of West Bengal are among the seven commodities that have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) this fiscal year by the Indian patent office The other five products which have received the GI tag this year include Pochampally Ikat of Telangana Gobindobhog rice of West Bengal Durgi stone carvings and Etikoppaka toys of Andhra Pradesh and Chakshesang shawl of Nagaland

About GI tag

What is it A GI is primarily an agricultural natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory Significance of a GI tag Typically such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin Security Once the GI protection is granted no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product Examples Darjeeling tea Tirupati laddu Kangra paintings Nagpur orange and Kashmir pashmina are among the registered GIs in India

35 Scientists have detected dust belts around Proxima Centauri a finding that indicates the presence of an elaborate planetary system hosted by the closest star to the solar system

Key facts These new observations were made by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observatory in Chile The

new ALMA observations reveal emission from clouds of cold cosmic dust surrounding the star ALMA observatory revealed the glow coming from cold dust in a region between one to four times as far from

Proxima Centauri as the Earth is from the Sun The data also hints at the presence of an even cooler outer dust belt and may indicate the presence of a system

of planets These structures are similar to the much larger belts in the solar system and are also expected to be made from particles of rock and ice that failed to form planets

About Proxima Centauri What is it Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun It is a faint red dwarf lying just four light years away in the southern constellation of Centaurus It is orbited by the Earth-sized temperate world Proxima b discovered in 2016 and the closest exoplanet to the solar system

IS PROXIMA B HABITABLE Proxima b orbits its star at a distance of 005 astronomical units which is well within the habitable zone In a recent study researchers calculated different possible

radii and compositions for the planet They say Proxima b may be an lsquoocean planetrsquo with water similar to the subsurface oceans seen on icy moons around Jupiter and Saturn

According to this theory the planet would have a radius of 5543 miles (8920km) and made up of 50 rock and 50 water that forms a massive ocean Along with this it would have a thin gas atmosphere like Earthrsquos

In another scenario they say Proxima b could be lsquovery



dense planetrsquo with a metal core that accounts for 65 of its mass while the rest is a rocky silicate mantle This would occur at a radius of just 3722 miles (5990km) giving it a make-up similar to Mercuryrsquos

36 China which is building its own navigation system to rival United States GPS has launched two BeiDou-3 satellites into space though a single carrier rocket The satellites were launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket The two newly-launched satellites represent the third phase of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite

System About BeiDou project What is it Named after the Chinese term for the plough or the Big Dipper constellation the BeiDou

project was formally initiated in 1994 It began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012 If everything goes according to the plan China will become the third country in the world after the US and Russia to operate its own navigation system

Operational area Beidou currently consists of 10 satellites and covers a swath of the Asia-Pacific region from

Australia in the south to Russia in the north The system is accurate to within 82 feet (25 meters) and now serves China and surrounding areas on a pilot basis

Significance The emergence of Beidou should make China far less dependent on the GPS constellation

which is operated by the United States military and is currently the worldrsquos dominant satellite navigation network

37 About Kambala

What is it

Kambla in its traditional form is non-competitive with buffalo pairs made to race one after another in paddy fields

which is considered a thanksgiving to the Gods for protecting the animals from diseases

Why it has become controversial

Over the years it has however become an organised sport with animal rights activists claiming that the buffaloes run

in the race due to fear of being beaten which the organizers dismiss saying no violence is involved and that several

modifications had been made to ensure that it is an animal friendly event

38 About SHe- Box

What is it

It is an online complaint Management System for women working in both public and private organizations to lodge

complaints of sexual harassment at workplace



How it operates

Once a complaint is submitted to the portal it will be directly sent to the ICCLCC of the concerned employer

Through this portal the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare as well as complainant can monitor the progress of

inquiry conducted by the ICCLCC

Key features

The new SHe-Box portal offers the facility of making online complaints of sexual harassment at workplace

to all women employees in the country including government and private employees

Those who have already filed a written complaint with the concerned Internal Complaint Committee (ICC)

or Local Complaint Committee (LCC) constituted under the SH Act are also eligible to file their complaint

through this portal

SHe-Box will also provide a platform to various empanelled institutesorganisations to share their capacity

building activities with the Ministry which in turn will be able to monitor the activities of these

institutesorganizations so empanelled from across the country

39 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has amended its Corporate Insolvency Resolution

Process Regulations to ensure that as part of due diligence prior to approval of a Resolution Plan the

antecedents credit worthiness and credibility of a Resolution Applicant including promoters are taken into

account by the Committee of Creditors

This move is aimed at ensuring that the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process results in a credible and viable

Resolution Plan

About IBBI

What is it

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India was set up on 1st October 2016 under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy

Code 2016 (Code) It is a unique regulator regulates a profession as well as transactions

Functions



It has regulatory oversight over the Insolvency Professionals Insolvency Professional Agencies and

Information Utilities

It writes and enforces rules for transactions namely corporate insolvency resolution corporate liquidation

individual insolvency resolution and individual bankruptcy under the Code

It is a key pillar of the ecosystem responsible for implementation of the Code that consolidates and amends

the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons partnership firms and

individuals

This is done in a time bound manner for maximization of the value of assets of such persons to promote

entrepreneurship availability of credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders

Organizational structure of IBBI

The IBBI has a ten-member board including a Chairman Following is the structure of the IBBI

One Chairperson

Three members from Central Government officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent

One nominated member from the RBI

Five members nominated by the Central Government of these three shall be whole-time members

40 The government has launched lsquoGrahak Sadak Koyla Vitaran Apprsquo benefitting customers of Coal India Limited (CIL) lifting coal through road mode

About the App

What is it

The app is for the benefit of customers lifting coal through road mode It is a step towards transparency in the

system of loading programme and despatch

Significance of the app

It helps achieve transparency in despatch operations as a tool to monitor whether the despatches are made on the

fair principle of lsquoFirst in First Outrsquo and keeps track of all the activities from issuance of Sale Order to physical

delivery of coal by road



Benefits

The main benefits of the App for the customers against the Sale Orders issued include easy accessibility of the

information at the click of the button apart from transparency in the system of loading programme and despatch

The app also helps in logistics planning for lifting of coal in tune with the loading programmes It further helps in

improved planning of procurement production and stock management by the customers

Key features of the app

It provides date-wise truck-wise quantity of coal delivered against the Sale Orders and information related

to Scheme-wise Colliery-wise Grade-wise customer-wise details of Sale Orders issued during a period

In terms of loading it provides allotment verses lifting status in details from different sources truck by truck

and summary of the dispatch

41 A Financing Agreement for IBRD loan of US$ 119 million (equivalent) for the ldquoOdisha Higher Education

Programme for Excellence amp Equity (OHEPEE) Projectrdquo was recently signed between India and the World Bank

About OHEPEE project

The Objective of the project is to improve the quality of lsquostudentsrsquo equitable access to selected institutions and

enhance governance of the higher education system in Odisha

Project Component Result Areas are (I) Improved quality of and studentsrsquo equitable access to selected institutions

of higher education Institutional Development Plan (IDP) Grants (performance ndashbased Financing (II) Enhanced

governance of the higher education system (i)Improvement of governance in colleges (ii)Improvement of financial

and procurement management and accounting in all government and government-aided colleges

About IBRD

What is it

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is an international financial institution that

offers loans to middle-income developing countries The IBRD is the first of five member institutions that compose

the World Bank Group It was established in 1944 with the mission of financing the reconstruction of European

nations devastated by World War II



What it does

The IBRD provides commercial-grade or concessional financing to sovereign states to fund projects that seek to

improve transportation and infrastructure education domestic policy environmental consciousness energy

investments healthcare access to food and potable water and access to improved sanitation

42 About NIRBHAY missile

What is it It is Indiarsquos first indigenously designed and developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile which can

be deployed from multiple platforms

Key features

Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost long-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy The missile

has a range of more than 1000 km

The missile has the capability to loiter and cruise at 07 Mach at altitudes as low as 100 m

Its relatively slow flight speed allows it to navigate its way precisely to the target

The Nirbhay cruise missile is an Indian version of the American Tomahawk

The missile is capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land sea and air

43 Chennai now part of UNESCOrsquos lsquocreative cities networkrsquo

Chennai has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition Including

Chennai a total of 64 cities from 44 countries have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Jaipur and

Varanasi are the other Indian cities that feature on the list



About Creative Cities Network

What is it

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities

that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development

Objective

The 180 cities which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective placing creativity

and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the

international level

The Network covers seven creative fields Crafts and Folk Arts Media Arts Film Design Gastronomy Literature

and Music

44 The recently held second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA) was chaired by the Union Home

Minister Shri Rajnath Singh The Island Development Agency reviewed the concept development plans and detailed

master plans for holistic development of 09 islands ndash four in AampN Islands ie Smith Ross Long Avis and five in

Lakshadweep ie Minicoy Bangaram Thinnakara Cheriyam Suheli

About the Island Development Agency (IDA)

What is it

The IDA was set up on June 1 this year following Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos review meeting for the

development of islands The meetings of the agency are chaired by the Union Home Minister

Composition

Members of the IDA include cabinet secretary home secretary secretary (environment forests and climate change)

secretary (tourism) and secretary (tribal welfare)



45 The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Ministry of Commerce amp Industry Government of

India has signed an Institutional agreement with Anna University to establish Indiarsquos second Technology and

Innovation Support Center (TISC) at the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) Anna University Chennai

under the World Intellectual Property Organizationrsquos (WIPO) TISC program

Indiarsquos first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) will come up at Patent Information Centre Punjab

What is it

These centres will be set up under WIPOrsquos Technology and

Innovation Support Centers (TISC) program The programme

provides innovators in developing countries with access to

locally based high quality technology information and related

services helping them to exploit their innovative potential and

to create protect and manage their intellectual property (IP)

rights

The objective of the TISC ndash is to stimulate a dynamic

vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)

system in India to foster creativity and innovation thereby

promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing social economic

and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India

Key facts

The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) is designated as the National Focal point for the

TISC national network

As the national focal point CIPAM will identify potential host institutions assess their capacities and

support them in joining the TISC project

CIPAM will also act as the main intermediary between WIPO and TISC host institutions and coordinate all

the activities of the national TISC network



Services offered by TISCs may include

Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications

Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information

Training in database search

On-demand searches (novelty state-of-the-art and infringement)

Monitoring technology and competitors

Basic information on industrial property laws management and strategy and technology

commercialization and marketing

46 China recently counselled India to shed its objections to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and take

advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which had already drawn wide international support

India was among a handful of countries that had skipped attendance in Beijing of the Belt and Road Forum in May

objecting to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passed through Kashmir

About BRI

What is it

The initiative is the centrepiece of Chinarsquos foreign policy and domestic economic strategy It aims to rejuvenate

ancient trade routesndashSilk Routesndashwhich will open up markets within and beyond the region Through this initiative

Chinarsquos plan is to construct roads railways ports and other infrastructure across Asia and beyond to bind its

economy more tightly to the rest of the world

Is the initiative a threat or an opportunity for India

The answer undoubtedly ticks both boxes Chinese political expansion and economic ambitions are two sides of the

same coin To be firm while responding to one facet while making use of the opportunities that become available

from the other will largely depend on the institutional agency and strategic imagination India is able to bring to the

table



47 The 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting was recently held in Paris The focus of the meeting was on global energy

challenges and how they can be overcome

Participants included representatives from the 29 IEA member countries accession countries Chile and Mexico

association countries China India Indonesia Morocco Singapore and Thailand and partner countries Brazil and

South Africa CEOs from 30 top global energy companies also attended the meeting

About IEA

What is it

Founded in 1974 the IEA was

initially designed to help countries

co-ordinate a collective response to

major disruptions in the supply of

oil such as the crisis of 19734

While this remains a key aspect of

its work the IEA has evolved and

expanded significantly



The four main areas of IEA focus are

Energy Security Promoting diversity efficiency flexibility and reliability for all fuels and energy sources

Economic Development Supporting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty

Environmental Awareness Analysing policy options to offset the impact of energy production and use on

the environment especially for tackling climate change and air pollution and

Engagement Worldwide Working closely with partner countries especially major emerging economies to

find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns

Functions

The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil gas and coal supply and demand

renewable energy technologies electricity markets energy efficiency access to energy demand side

management and much more

Through its work the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability affordability and

sustainability of energy in its member countries and beyond

48 India has demanded transparency in the UN Security Council reform process so that the

people could know what is preventing the members from translating discussions into a

negotiating text for the much- needed revamping of the world bodyrsquos top organ

About UNSC

What is it



The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the organs of the United Nations and is charged with the

maintenance of international peace and security Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations

the establishment of international sanctions and the authorization of military action through Security Council

resolutions it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states

Members

The Security Council consists of fifteen members Russia the United Kingdom France China and the

United Statesmdashserve as the bodyrsquos five permanent members These permanent members can veto any

substantive Security Council resolution including those on the admission of new member states or

candidates for Secretary-General

The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members elected on a regional basis to serve two-year

terms The bodyrsquos presidency rotates monthly among its members

Proposed reforms

Reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) encompasses five key issues categories of membership the

question of the veto held by the five permanent members regional representation the size of an enlarged Council

and its working methods and the Security Council-General Assembly relationship There is also a proposal to admit

more permanent members

Why India should be given a permanent seat in the council

India was among the founding members of United Nations

It is the second largest and a one of the largest constant contributor of troops to United Nations

Peacekeeping missions

Today India has over 8500 peacekeepers in the field more than twice as many as the UNrsquos five big

powers combined

India since long time has been demanding expansion of UNSC and its inclusion as permanent member in

it It has been a member of UNSC for 7 terms and a member of G-77 and G-4 so permanent membership is

a logical extension



49 The advisory group set up to suggest changes to the GST Act recently deliberated on how to expand the scope

of the composition scheme as well as rationalise the reverse charge mechanism process

About the Composition scheme

What is it -The composition scheme is an alternative method of levy of tax designed for small taxpayers whose

turnover is up to Rs 1 crore mdash 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

Benefits

While a regular taxpayer has to pay taxes on a monthly basis a composition supplier is required to file only one

return and pay taxes on a quarterly basis Also a composition taxpayer is not required to keep detailed records that a

normal taxpayer is supposed to maintain

Key facts The scheme is optional under which manufacturers other than those of ice cream pan masala and

tobacco products have to pay a 2 tax on their annual turnover The tax rate is 5 for restaurant services and 1

for traders

As per the Central GST Act businesses are eligible to opt for the composition scheme if a person is not

engaged in any inter-state outward supplies of goods and not into making any supply of goods through an

electronic commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source



50 Asian Boxing Championships

Mary Kom has won the gold medal in the Asian Boxing Championships in the Light Flyweight category defeating

DPRthinspKorearsquos Kim Hyang Mi This is Mary Komrsquos sixth medal in the Asian Womenrsquos Boxing Championships and

fifth gold medal having won four gold medals and one silver medal in previous editions of the tournament

1सवदश म वक सत हलक वजन वाल गाइडड बम lsquoसॉrsquo (एसएएडबलय समाट एनट एयरफ लड वीपन) का

ओ डशा क चाद पर ि थत आईट आर रज म भारतीय वायसना क वमान स सफल पर ण कया गया वमान स

नकल गाइडड बम न स म नवीगशन णाल का उपयोग करत ह ए 70 कलोमीटर दर ि थत ल य को प रश ता

क साथ ापत कया व भनन ि थ तय और द रय को धयान म रखत ह ए तीन पर ण कय गय और सभी

सफल रह इस गाइडड बम का वकास डीआरडीओ क अनय वभाग और भारतीय वाय सना क सहायता स

डीआरडीओ क रसच सनटर इमारत (आरसीआई) वारा कया गया ह

2 आज (2 नवबर 2017) नई द ल म 21व व व मान सक वा य स मलन का उ घाटन कया यह

स मलन कय रग फाउडशन व अ य सगठन क सहयोग स व ड फडरशन फॉर मटल ह थ वारा आयोिजत कया

गया ह

रा य मा नसक वा य सव 2016 क अनसार भारत क कल जनस या का 14 तशत मान सक वा य क

सम या स पी ड़त ह

मान सक वा य चनौ तय स नपटन म एक बड़ी सम या ह मानव ससाधन क कमी 125 करोड़ लोग क दश

म सफ 7 लाख डॉ टर ह मान सक वा य क म यह कमी और भी गभीर ह हमार दश म लगभग 5000

मनो च क सक और 2000 स भी कम मनोव ा नक ि ल नक ह

रा य मान सक वा य काय म दश म 22 उ क टता क का नमाण कर रहा ह िजला तर पर मान सक

वा य काय म क तहत भारत क कल 650 िजल म स 517 को कवर कया गया ह मान सक वा य को

जमीनी तर पर ल जान क को शश क जा रह ह

3 भारतीय सना और कज़ा ख़ तान क बीच आज स हमाचल दश क बाकलो म चौदह दन क सय त श ण

अ यास lsquo बल दो तक 2017rsquo का शभारभ हआ इस सय त अ यास का उ य दोन दश क बीच स य सबध

को बढ़ान क अलावा दोन सनाओ क आत रक- मता को मजबत बनाना ह

4 डाक टकट स ह को ोतसाहन दन क लए द नदयाल lsquoसपशrsquo योजना का शभारभ-lsquoसपशrsquo योजना क तहत क ा

VI स IX तक उन बचच को वा षक तौर पर छा वि त द जाएगी िजनका श णक प रणाम अचछा ह और

िजनह न डाक टकट स ह को एक च क प म चना हक ा VI VII VIII और IX म तयक स 10 छा

का चयन कया जाएगा छा वि त क रा श त माह 500 पय (6000 पय वा षक) हजो सकल इस



तयो गता म भाग लगा उस वखयात डाक स हकताओ क सची म स एक मागदशक चनन का अवसर दया

जाएगा यह मागदशक सकल सतर पर डाक टकट कलब क सथापना म सहायता दान करगा और यवा डाक

टकट स हकताओ को मागदशन दान करगा

5 शम-अल-शख म म आयोिजत व व यवा गो ठ -उ य पर व व स यवाओ को म य वि वक नी त नधारक

स जोड़ना हअ य बात क अलावा यापार म यवाओ क भ मका भ वषय क नताओ क नमाण म नवीन

प तया चनौ तया लग समानता और म हला सशि तकरण क वषय स म लत ह ग

6 कलबफट ह डी स सब धत खराबी ह जो जनम क समय स होती ह य द ारभ म इसका इलाज नह होता ह

तो इसस सथायी वकलागता हो सकती ह यह बचच क सामानय प स चलन और उसक आतम वशवास को

भा वत करता ह

7 ज म-क मीर स म हलाओ क समह lsquoसवाrsquo lsquoस फ ए लावाइड वम स एसो सएशनrsquo (सवा) नाग रक काय

काय म (सीएपी) क तहत म हला आधा रत क याण योजना कपवाड़ा म lsquoसवाrsquo क ज रए चलाई जा रह ह

8 आईएनएस घ ड़याल भारतीय नौसना का दसरा ल डग शप टक (लाज) ह कल ह यह जमीन और पानी दोन

जगह काम करता ह यह मकनाइ ड इफ क साथ जड़ा हआ ह और दोन एक-दसर का बराबर सहयोग करत ह

9 गह म ी ी राजनाथ सह न आज यहा वीप वकास एजसी (आईडीए) क दसर बठक क अ य ता क आईडीए न 9

वीप क सम वकास क लए व तत मा टर लान और वकास योजनाओ क अवधारणा क समी ा क इन 9 पीप म

चार ए और एन वीपसमह ि मथ रॉस लाग ए वस तथा पाच ल वीप यानी म नकॉय बगारम थ नकारा चरयम

सहल शा मल ह नी त आयोग वारा सचा लत प रयोजना का उ य इन वीप क साम क अथ यव था क वकास को

ो साहन दना ह

10 काय थल पर म हला यौन उ पीड़न (रोकथाम नषध और नवारण) अ ध नयम 2013 का भावी काया वयन स नि चत

करन क लए आज नई द ल म शी-बॉ स का शभारभ कया गया

नए शी-बॉ स पोटल पर सरकार और नजी कमचा रय स हत दश क सभी म हला क मय क लए काय थल पर यौन

उ पीड़न क ऑनलाइन शकायत दज करन क स वधा ह यौन उ पीड़न अ ध नयम क अतगत ग ठत सब धत आत रक

शकायत स म त (आईसीसी) या थानीय शकायत स म त (एलसीसी) म पहल स ह ल खत शकायत दज करवान वाल

म हलाए भी इस पोटल क ज रए अपनी शकायत दज करवा सकती ह

व व तर पर चलाए जा रह सोशल मी डया क अ भयान MeToo को दखत ह ए यह म हला और बाल वकास म ालय का

सकारा मक कदम ह िजसम म हलाए यौन उ पीड़न और उ पीड़न झलन क अपन अनभव साझा करती ह

11 र ा अनसधान एव वकास सगठन (डीआरडीओ) न आज नभय का सफल उड़ान पर ण कर एक और शसनीय काय

कया यह भारत म न मत पहल वदशी डजाइन वाल लबी रज क सब-सो नक ज मसाइल ह िजस कई लटफाम स



तनात कया जा सकता ह यह एक कत पर ण रज (आईट आर) चाद पर ओ डशा स सफलतापवक छोड़ा गया इस मसाइल

म 100 मीटर तक क कम ऊचाई पर 07 मक पर ल य को भदन क मता ह मसाइल का मागदशन नय ण और न वगशन

णाल को जीपीएस णाल क साथ-साथ वदशी डजाइन कए गए रग लजर यॉ को कोप (आरएलजी) और एमईएमएस

आधा रत इि टयल न वगशन स टम (आईएनएस) क आसपास बनाया गया था मसाइल न कल 50 मनट क भवय उड़ान

म 647 कमी क रज को ा त कया

12 lsquoउ क टता और समानता क लए ओ डशा उ च श ा काय म (ओएचईपीईई) प रयोजनाrsquo हत 119 म लयन

डॉलर (समत य) क आईबीआरडी ऋण क लए आज यहा व व बक क साथ एक व तीय समझौत पर ह ता र

कए गए

प रयोजना क उ य ओ डशा क चय नत स थान क गणव ता म सधार और इनम lsquoछा rsquo क समान पह च तथा

उ च श ा णाल म सशासन को बढ़ावा दना ह

प रयोजना घटक प रणाम ह (I) उ च श ा क चय नत स थान क गणव ता म सधार और छा क वहा तक

यायसगत पह च स थागत वकास योजना (आईडीपी) अनदान ( दशन आधा रत व तपोषण) (II) उ च श ा

णाल म सशासन को बढ़ावा दना (i) कॉलज म सशासन म सधार (ii) सभी सरकार और सरकार अनदान ा त

कॉलज म व तीय और खर द बधन तथा लखाकन म सधारयह प रयोजना 30 नवबर 2022 को समा त होगी

13 एनडीएमए न आपदा बधन क लए यएवी क उपयोग -यएवी दगम थान क उ च- मता वाल र यल-

टाइम त वीर दान कर सकत ह इन त वीर क आधार पर आपदा का सट क न शा बनाया जा सकता ह

इसस आपदा बधन क कायवा हय को नि चत करन म मदद मल सकती ह आपदा क बाद वाल ि थ त म भी

यएवी का इ तमाल कम समय म उ च मता वाल न श बनाए जा सकत ह इसस आपदा बधन क ग त व रत

और भावी क जा सकती ह

14 ी करन रिजज न आज यहा रा य आपदा बधन ा धकरण (एनडीएमए) और फसबक वारा सय त प

स आयोिजत lsquoभारत आपदा मोचन शखर स मलनrsquo का उ घाटन कया इस दौरान आपदा म और उसक बाद क

ि थ त म lsquoतयार मोचन और इसस बाहर नकलनrsquo म सोशल मी डया क मच का कस अ धक लाभ उठाया जाए पर

चचा होगी

15 गह म ी ी राजनाथ सह न आज यहा वीप वकास एजसी (आईडीए) क दसर बठक क अ य ता क इन

9 पीप म चार ए और एन वीपसमह ि मथ रॉस लाग ए वस तथा पाच ल वीप यानी म नकॉय बगारम

थ नकारा चरयम सहल शा मल ह नी त आयोग वारा सचा लत प रयोजना का उ य इन वीप क साम क



अथ यव था क वकास को ो साहन दना ह islands namely Smith Ross Aves Long and Little Andaman in

Andaman amp Nicobar and Minicoy Bangaram Suheli Cherium and Tinnakara in Lakshadweep

16 भारत सरकार क वा ण य एव उ योग म ालय क औ यो गक नी त एव सवधन वभाग (डीआईपीपी) न व व

बौ क सपदा सगठन ( वपो) क ट आईएससी काय म क तहत च नई ि थत अ ना व व व यालय क बौ क

सपदा अ धकार सगठन (सीआईपीआर) म भारत का वतीय ौ यो गक एव नवाचार सहायता क

(ट आईएससी) क थापना क लए अ ना व व व यालय क साथ एक स थागत समझौत पर ह ता र कए

ह वपो क ट आईएससी काय म क तहत वकासशील दश क अ वषक (इनोवटर) क पह च थानीय उ च

गणव ता वाल ौ यो गक सचनाओ एव सब धत सवाओ तक सभव हो जाती ह िजसस उनक अ भनव खोज

मता का दोहन करन तथा उनक बौ क सपदा अ धकार (आईपीआर) क सजन सर ण एव बधन म मदद

मलती हट आईएससी का उ य भारत म एक ग तशील जीवत तथा सत लत बौ क सपदा अ धकार

(आईपीआर) णाल को ो सा हत करना ह ता क भारत म अनक ट आईएससी का एक नटवक था पत कर

रचना मकता एव नवाचार को बढ़ावा दया जा सक और इस तरह उ य मता को ो साहन दना तथा सामािजक

आ थक एव सा क तक वकास म तजी लाना सभव हो सक

Services offered by TISCs may include bull Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications bull Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information bull Training in database search bull On-demand searches (novelty state-of-the-art and infringement) bull Monitoring technology and competitors bull Basic information on industrial property laws management and strategy and technology commercialization and marketing

17 ज वक क ष व व कभ 2017 क ष व व कभ का आयोजन तीन साल म एक बार द नया क कसी दश म होता

ह इस बार यह भारत म हो रहा ह पछला कभ 2014 म इ ताबल म हआ था आयोजन को इटरनशनल फडरशन

ऑफ ऑग नक फा मग मवम स (आईफोम) और ओएफआई मलकर कर रहा ह

18 Launch of CARINGS website under CARA has completely automated the adoption process सीएआरए क अतगत क र स वबसाइट क शभारभ स गोद दन क या पर तरह स वचा लत हो गई ह म हला

एव बाल वकास म ालय



Note Very important Find these topic on Map

1 A Festival of India is being organized in Fiji Kiribati Tonga Vanuatu Nauru Tuvalu and Cook Islands from October 2017 ndash March 2018

2 Republic of Latvia Republic of Armenia Germany Denmark and Serbia 3 Hawaiian Islands

Article 20 (Protection in Respect of Conviction for Offences) grants protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to an accused person whether citizen or foreigner or legal person like a company or a corporation It contains three provisions in that direction

No ex-post-facto law

No double jeopardy

No self-incrimination No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself



From Daily Quiz Important Analysis

1 Raman Spectroscopy is used in many varied fields ndash in fact any application where non-destructive microscopic chemical analysis and imaging is required Whether the goal is qualitative or quantitative data Raman analysis can provide key information easily and quickly It can be used to rapidly characterise the chemical composition and structure of a sample whether solid liquid gas gel slurry or powder Some key areas where the use of Raman Spectroscopy is well-established include Raw material verification in pharmaceuticals industry gemstone and minerals identification alloy composition defect analysis in semiconductors etc

Address by President WFI 2017 ldquoI would like to congratulate the winners of todayrsquos start-up Awards and Hackathon Awardshellip I understand that one of the start-ups selected has adapted Raman Spectroscopy the discovery of Indiarsquos very own Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr CV Raman into a low-cost hand-held device that can instantly detect food adulteration This technology can save billions in food fraudrdquo

2 Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country to enact a lsquoFood and Nutrition Security Actrsquo Its food security law has been praised for reducing the amount of grain lost to pilferage and through corrupt practices

Some steps taken by the state to improve delivery of food grains through the PDS bull Ration shops were de-privatised by shifting the management of the public distribution system outlets from private licensees to community-based organizations such as gram panchayats (village councils) female self-help groups and co-operative societies bull A lsquoChawal Utsavrsquo (Rice Festival) is organised at each ration shop during the first week of every month which helps to ensure that all food items are adequately stocked in each shop by the last day of the previous month bull Food items are delivered direct to the doorstep of ration shops by yellow government and private trucks to help curtail diversion and ensure timely stoking of food items in shops bull To make the ration shops financially viable and reduce the chance of leakage the commission paid to shop owners and gram panchayats was increased bull Interest-free loan of 75000 rupees to all shops allocated to female self-help groups and gram panchayats bull The PDS was computerized in 2007 to ensure strict monitoring of movement of stocks and inventory levels at all warehouses and shops in the state bull Ration cards have also been computerised and only centrally printed ration cards are distributed to the beneficiaries bull The state government started a toll-free public distribution telephone helpline and also took various transparency measures to involve the community in the process of monitoring

3 The lsquoPonseti methodrsquo recently in the news is a non-invasive technique for treatment of congenital clubfoot This is relevant only because the Global Clubfoot Conference was recently held in India for the first time

Clubfoot is one of the most common orthopaedic birth defects It can cause permanent disability if not treated early This affects the childrsquos mobility and confidence Inevitably education and schooling suffer ndash and the child cannot fulfil his or her potential The irony is clubfoot is curable Till recently most children who suffered from clubfoot needed to be treated surgically A relatively recent method ndash the Ponseti method (developed in USA) ndash has been developed to treat and correct clubfoot without surgery

4 Nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods Most often they are grouped in the following categories dietary supplements functional food medicinal food Farmaceuticals A dietary supplement represents a product that contains nutrients derived from food products



and is often concentrated in liquid capsule powder or pill form Although dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as foods their regulation differs from drugs and other foods Farmaceuticals are medically valuable components produced from modified agricultural crops or animals The term is a combining of the words ldquofarmrdquo and ldquopharmaceuticalsrdquo Proponents of this concept are convinced that using crops (and possibly even animals) as pharmaceutical factories is much more cost effective than conventional methods with higher revenue for agricultural producers

5 The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is an intergovernmental economic organization with 35 member countries founded in 1960 to stimulate economic progress and world trade

It is a forum of countries describing themselves as committed to democracy and the market economy providing a platform to compare policy experiences seeking answers to common problems identify good practices and coordinate domestic and international policies of its members

Most OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries

o OECD is an official United Nations Observe

o The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is Indiarsquos central banking institution which controls the monetary policy of the Indian rupee It commenced its operations on 1 April 1935 during the British Rule in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934

It is a member bank of the Asian Clearing Union The primary objective of ACU (Asian Clearing Union) at the time of its establishment was to secure regional co-operation as regards the settlement of eligible monetary transactions among the members of the Union to provide a system for clearing payments among the member countries on a multilateral basis

7About UNOSSC What is it The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) was established to promote coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the United Nations system UNOSSC hosted by UNDP since 1974 was established by the UN General Assembly with a mandate to advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis Functions UNOSSC receives policy directives and guidance from the General Assembly and through its subsidiary body the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation UNOSSC submits its strategic planning frameworks to the UNDP UNFPA and UNOPS Executive Board for approval and funding 8 About ALMA telescope What is it ALMA -the largest astronomical project in existence- is a single telescope of revolutionary design composed of 66 high precision antennas located on the Chajnantor plateau 5000 meters altitude in northern Chile Who has built it



The Atacama Large Millimetersubmillimeter Array (ALMA) is an international partnership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan together with NRC (Canada) NSC and ASIAA (Taiwan) and KASI (Republic of Korea) in cooperation with the Republic of Chile What is it for ALMA allows scientists to unravel longstanding and important astronomical mysteries in search of our Cosmic Origins 9 Global navigational systems Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)- India GPS (Global Positioning System)- US Glonass- Russia and Galileo- Europe 10Womenrsquos Asia Cup hockey title India has won the womenrsquos Asia Cup hockey title defeating China With this India also qualified for next yearrsquos World Cup as Continental champion

11ICIJ Context The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists today releases The Paradise Papers a global investigation that reveals the offshore activities of some of the worldrsquos most powerful people and companies What is ICIJ The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is a global network of more than 200 investigative journalists in 70 countries who collaborate on in-depth investigative stories Founded in 1997 by the respected American journalist Chuck Lewis ICIJ was launched as a project of the Center for Public Integrity focusing on issues that do not stop at national frontiers cross-border crime corruption and the accountability of power

12 New ant species discovered in the Western Ghats

Researchers have discovered a new species of ant in the Western Ghats recognised as one of the worldrsquos lsquohottest

hotspotsrsquo of biological diversity

Key facts

1 The new species is named Tyrannomyrmex alii (or T alii) The ant is named after eminent myrmecologist

Musthak Ali who is regarded as the countryrsquos lsquoant manrsquo

2 The new species was found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve It belongs to Tyrannomyrmex a rare tropical

genus of ants

3 Tyrannomyrmex is a rare myrmicine (subfamily of ants) ant genus that is distributed in the Indomalayan

bio-region that extends from southern India and Sri Lanka to southeast Asia

4 alli is the fourth species of the rare genus and the second one from India



13Musa paramjitiana

What is it

It is a species of wild banana discovered recently in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Key facts

The plant grows to a height of nine metres and bears an edible sweet-and-sour tasting fruit that is boat-

shaped and has numerous bulb-shaped seeds

Its conservation status has been declared as lsquoCritically Endangeredrsquo as it has so far been spotted in only

two locations on the islands each with 6 to 18 plants in a clump

The fruits and seeds have ethno-medicinal importance Pseudo-stem and leaves of these species are also

used during religious and cultural ceremonies

14 NITI Aayog CEO Mr Amitabh Kant will deliver a keynote sharing his perspective on how blockchain technology can transform the Indian economy and presenting his vision for IndiaChain ndash a blockchain-enabled infrastructure for Indian enterprise and government

15 The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju has said that India must prepare itself for moving towards Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from an approach of traditional Disaster Management Shri Rijiju was inaugurating the lsquoIndia Disaster Response Summitrsquo organised jointly by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Facebook on how best to leverage social media platforms to lsquoprepare respond and recoverrsquo for during and after a disaster

16 Introducing the Disaster Information Volunteers (DIV) programme wherein a network of trained volunteers would provide supplementary information on disasters in their local communities to assist Government relief efforts through the Facebook Workplace platform Facebook Head (Policy Programmes) for South Asia said they were aiming to empower communities by building products that connect people and create positive social impact The programme will be piloted in two disaster prone states ndash Assam and Uttarakhand

17 The lsquoGraded Response Action Planrsquo was notified earlier this year by the Environment Ministry against air pollution for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR includes Rajasthan Haryana and UP) The plan puts governments under the lens and holds out the promise of improvement in air quality if followed properly



What does a lsquograded responsersquo to air pollution mean

A graded response lays down stratified actions that are required to be taken as and when the concentration of pollutants in this case particulate matter reaches a certain level The response will change as pollutant levels increase

At the level of 100 microgrammes per cubic metre (microgmsup3) of PM 25 for example mechanised sweeping and water-sprinkling along roads has to start Other pollution control measures that are already in place (such as stopping landfill fires) will have to be strictly implemented If pollution levels of 300 microgmsup3 or more persists for more than 48 hours an emergency will be declared which means a return of the odd-even road rationing scheme ban on construction activity and no entry of trucks in Delhi unless they are carrying essential commodities

18 PM Outline a ten-point agenda for renewing our efforts towards disaster risk reduction

First all development sectors must imbibe the principles of disaster risk management Second work towards risk coverage for all ndash starting from poor households to small and medium enterprises to multi-national corporations to nation states

Third encourage greater involvement and leadership of women in disaster risk management

Fourth invest in risk mapping globally

Fifth leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of our disaster risk management efforts

Sixth develop a network of universities to work on disaster issues After all universities have social responsibilities too

Seventh utilize the opportunities provided by social media and mobile technologies Social media is transforming disaster response

Eighth build on local capacity and initiative

Ninth ensure that the opportunity to learn from a disaster is not wasted

Tenth bring about greater cohesion in international response to disasters



19 The NGO-DARPAN platform was earlier maintained by erstwhile Planning Commission It now is being maintained under the aegis of NITI Aayog

VOs (Voluntary Organisations)NGOs play a major role in the development of the nation by supplementing the efforts of the Government This portal enables VOsNGOs to enrol centrally and thus facilitates creation of a repository of information about VOsNGOs SectorState wise The Portal facilitates VOsNGOs to obtain a system generated Unique ID as and when signed The Unique ID is mandatory to apply for grants under various schemes of MinistriesDepartmentsGovernments Bodies

It is a free facility offered by the NITI Aayog in association with National Informatics Centre to bring about greater partnership between government amp voluntary sector and foster better transparency efficiency and accountability

20 The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development

Cities which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective

placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and

Cooperating actively at the international level

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is not only as a platform for reflection on the role of creativity as a lever for sustainable development but also as a breeding ground of action and innovation notably for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

21 The Organic World Congress (OWC) is organized once every three years in a different country and this time it is being organised in India The last edition of the Organic World Congress took place in Istanbul Turkey in 2014 The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and OAFI are organizing the event

ldquoSince 1972 IFOAM ndash Organics International has occupied an unchallenged position as the only international umbrella organization of the organic world uniting an enormous diversity of stakeholders contributing to the organic visionrdquo

IFOAM ndash Organics International has 800 Affiliates in more than 100 countries In order to unify lead and assist this a broad-based constituency in a fair inclusive and participatory manner IFOAM ndash Organics International organizes a General Assembly every three years where a World Board is elected to chart IFOAM-Organics Internationalrsquos course and to appoint affiliates to official committees working groups and task forces

22 WIPOrsquos TISC program provides innovators in developing countries with access to locally based high quality technology information and related services helping them to exploit their innovative potential and to create protect and manage their intellectual property (IP) rights



The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) is designated as the National Focal point for the TISC network in India As the national focal point CIPAM shall identify potential host institutions assess their capacities and support them in joining the TISC project CIPAM will also act as the main intermediary between WIPO and TISC host institutions and coordinate all the activities of the national TISC network

Over 500 TISCs operate worldwide and establishing TISC in India will give the host institutions access to the Global network

23



ISA and EBRD

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

have recently signed a pact for cooperation on energy projects

It is a joint financial partnership declaration for the promotion of solar energy

EBRD is an international financial institution founded in 1991

It is headquartered in London

It is owned by 65 countries and two EU institutions and US is the biggest shareholder

Besides Europe member countries of the EBRD are also from other continents - North America (Canada and

US) Africa (Morocco) Asia (Japan China South Korea) and Australia

The EBRD is not to be confused with the European Investment Bank (EIB) which is owned by EU member states

and used to support EU policy

Election Commission

EC has recently proposed in the Supreme Court that convicted persons should be banned from contesting

elections for life

It is seen as an attempt to take a firm step against criminalization of politics

It had said that a uniform ban would be in spirit of the fundamental rights of the constitution including the right

to equality

The commission had submitted a proposal for poll reforms which include

o Decriminalization of politics

o Making bribery a cognizable offence

o Prohibition on advertisements 48 hours before elections

o Ban on paid news

Click here to know more on the Election Commission

Carnivorous plants

Carnivorous plants usually grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients especially nitrogen






to capture the prey


biological traps

















FASTags















































ChintanShivir







ShaalaSarathi



various schools



Proxima Centauri







eBird India Portal



























(NFRA)




Paradise papers










Rattan




critical here






Most Threatened Ape



Ozone Hole





TholpavaKoothu






INSV Tarini








of the galaxy










Black Buck Reserve








Autumn Leaf




Nirbhay Missile







SHe-box Portal




the complaint








Kathak











Kambala



to stay ordinance



























World Food India




















































































Way ahead
















Nivesh Bandhu

















Significance














Funding






Significance






Key facts












About the award







































About IRWD Act










Way ahead




ground

Facts for Prelims



















India













Key facts
























Benefits of tunnels





in sensitive areas



avalanches






ud-Dawa

Background




About FATF













misuse



EMALS


Background




Key Facts








Key Facts


Significance




Key Facts











Sagarmala Project

































About GI tag






















37 About Kambala

What is it







38 About SHe- Box

What is it





How it operates




Key features





through this portal









Resolution Plan

About IBBI

What is it



Functions









individuals





One Chairperson





About the App

What is it









Benefits



















About IBRD

What is it







What it does







Key features














What is it



Objective



international level


and Music






What is it



Composition










What is it







rights






Key facts





















About BRI

What is it









table








About IEA

What is it


















Functions









About UNSC

What is it







Members







Proposed reforms










powers combined



a logical extension








Pradesh


Benefits






for traders


















गया ह























































कए गए















































No double jeopardy





























Key facts




genus of ants






13Musa paramjitiana

What is it


Key facts












































23






to capture the prey


biological traps

















FASTags















































ChintanShivir







ShaalaSarathi



various schools



Proxima Centauri







eBird India Portal



























(NFRA)




Paradise papers










Rattan




critical here






Most Threatened Ape



Ozone Hole





TholpavaKoothu






INSV Tarini








of the galaxy










Black Buck Reserve








Autumn Leaf




Nirbhay Missile







SHe-box Portal




the complaint








Kathak











Kambala



to stay ordinance



























World Food India




















































































Way ahead
















Nivesh Bandhu

















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23




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23



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23



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23



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23




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23








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23








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23










Functions









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What is it


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23







Members







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What is it


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23








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What is it


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What is it


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23








































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What is it


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What is it


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23



13Musa paramjitiana

What is it


Key facts












































23


































23

current from nov 3rd to nov 9th 2017 … from nov 3rd to nov 9th 2017 compiled from pib,...

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