1. USA pulls out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

United States of America has decided to cancel the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed

between Russian and the USA in 1987.

The treaty aimed to end arms race between USA and USSR during cold war and to ensure some strategic

stability in Europe.

Changing the way of learning…

Daily Current Affairs

Capsule 20th December 2018

The INF treaty banned the development, testing and possession of short and medium-range ground-

launched nuclear missiles having ranged 'between' 500-5,000 km.

Points to Remember

The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 between US President Ronald Reagan and USSR President Mikhail

Gorbachev.

2. Ministry of Rural Development Signs MoU with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for Training Rural Youth for

Skill Development under Deendayal upadhyaya grameen kaushalya yojana (Ddu-Gky)

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the flagship placement linked skill-training

programme under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed MOU with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for training rural

youth for skill development.

This partnership between the government and the leading industry from the automotive sector will

provide training to at least 5000 candidates in two years with assured placement to the rural youth of our

country.

Points to Remember

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana or DDU-GKY is a Government of India youth

employment scheme.

It was launched on 25 September 2014 by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu on the

occasion of 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. The Vision of DDU-GKY is to

"Transform rural poor youth into an economically independent and globally relevant workforce".

It aims to target youth, in the age group of 15–35 years. DDU-GKY is a part of the National Rural

Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

3. Govt to open Eklavya School in areas having significant tribal population

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram informed that every block with more than 50 per cent Schedule Tribe, ST

population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year

2022.

Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving

local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

As per census 2011, there are 564 sub-districts having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least

20 thousand tribal persons.

Points to Remember

Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Government of India scheme for model residential

school for Indian tribal (Scheduled Tribes, ST) across India. It was established by the Tribal Ministry,

Government of India.

The government gives one time ₹30 lakh grant for establishing the school, thereafter up to ₹30 lakh per

school annually. Additional cost is borne by state governments.

4. ‘Shiksha Setu’ Mobile App launched by Haryana Government

Haryana Government has launched a mobile app named as ‘Shiksha Setu’ with an aim to help the students of the

state.

The ‘Shikhsa Setu’ App will help in bringing transparency in the Education Department and in the

administration of colleges in the state.

Also, the connectivity between students' parents, teachers and administration will be improved through

this mobile application.

Points to Remember

As per the 2011 Census, Haryana has 76.64% literacy rate, having Male literacy rate of 85.4% and the

literacy rate of females stands at 66.8%.

5. GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F11)

successfully launched the communication satellite GSAT-7A from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in

Sriharikota.

GSAT-7A is the heaviest satellite being launched by GSLV with an indigenously developed cryogenic

stage.

GSLV is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages.

Points to Remember

GSAT-7A is the 39th Indian communication satellite of ISRO to provide services to the users in Ku-band

over the Indian region. Most of the functional requirements of the communication payloads and the other

systems have been derived from ISRO’s earlier geostationary INSAT/GSAT satellites.

6. Fifth Ship of Landing Craft Utility Mk-IV ‘IN LCU L55’ Commissioned At Port Blair

Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, commissioned 'IN LCU L55' into the Indian Navy at

Port Blair.

The ship has been indigenously designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers

(GRSE), Kolkata.

Points to Remember

LCU Mk-IV ship is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of

Main Battle Tanks, Armored Vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore. These ships based at

the Andaman and Nicobar Command, can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations,

search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant

islands.

The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced systems like Integrated Bridge System

(IBS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

7. 15th Global SME Business Summit

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is organizing the 15th edition of the CII Global SME Business Summit

on 19-20 December 2018 at Hotel Hyatt Regency in New Delhi, India.

The theme of the Summit is ‘Building Partnerships through Global Value Chains'.

The Summit will attempt to create a powerful agenda and bring together renowned speakers with

unbounded experience and expertise, a global audience, and various national and international SME

stakeholders to integrate Indian MSMEs into the GVCs.

Points to Remember

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a business association in India. CII is a non-government,

not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.

CII works with the Government on policy issues. CII has been a catalyst of change in India’s economic

policy reforms. CII played a very important role during economic liberalization in 1991 which knocked

down the high walls of protection between Indian industry and the rest of the world. It was founded in

1895.

8. Kabaddi Player Anup Kumar announced his retirement

Renowned Kabaddi Player, Anup Kumar announced his retirement from Kabaddi ending a 15-year iconic career.

The 35-year-old had led India to a memorable Kabaddi World Cup title triumph in 2016. A sports veteran,

Arjuna awardee Anup began his international career in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Sri Lanka.

He led India to gold medal at the Asian Games and was also part of the team which repeated the feat in

the 2014 edition.

Points to Remember

Anup Kumar is an Indian professional Kabaddi player. He was member of the India national kabaddi

team that won Asian gold medals in 2010 and 2014. He is captain of Indian National Kabaddi Team

and Jaipur Pink Panthers which plays in Pro Kabaddi League.