8.76 T-Dec 2017 Flashcards
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
GOVT SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES
1. SCHEME FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN TEXTILES SECTOR (SCBTS)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved SCBTS in order to ensure
steady supply of skilled manpower in the labour-intensive textile sector
ABOUT
SCBTS is a new skill development scheme covering the entire value chain of textile sector
excluding Spinning & Weaving in organized Sector
It will remain operational for three years ending in 2019-20 with an outlay of Rs.1300 crore
It provide placement oriented skilling programme, for organised sector and skill-up gradation for
traditional sector
It will be implemented through textile industry and recognised public and private training
institutes of textile sector.
The scheme will have National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) training courses.
Skilling requirement in the traditional sectors will be considered as special projects and will be
supported further for entrepreneurial development through provision of MUDRA loans.
Successful trainees will be assessed and certified by an accredited Assessment Agency
At least 70% of the certified trainees are to be placed in the wage employment and post
placement tracking will be mandatory under the scheme
Funding to the institution will be available only when the Internal Complaints Committee to be
constitute under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, is in place
- BACKWARD DISTRICT PROGRAMME
Recently, the Union Government has drawn up action plans for backward district programme
ABOUT
The programme is to improve socio-economic profiles of 115 identified “most-backward”
districts including 35 affected by left-wing extremism
The action plans aims at providing these districts basic services like healthcare, sanitation and
education and physical infrastructure in a time-bound manner
At least one district has been included from each state under the programme
Jharkhand, with 19, has highest number of districts under this programme
These 115 districts were selected on parameters like health & nutrition, deprivation, education
and infrastructure
The district collector is nodal chief executors of action programmes in districts, which will be
ranked annually based on their performance
Prabhari is an officer appointed by the centre to work in collaborative manner with state and
district teams to bring convergence between central and state schemes
- NORTH EAST SPECIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (NESIDS)
The Union Cabinet approved new Central Sector Scheme of North East Special Infrastructure
Development Scheme” (NESIDS) from 2017-18
It will be 100%funded by Central Government to fill up gaps in creation of infrastructure in
specified sectors in North east till March, 2020
The new scheme will broadly cover creation of infrastructure under following sectors
i. Physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power, connectivity and specially the
projects promoting tourism;
ii. Infrastructure of social sectors of education and health
NON LAPSABLE CENTRAL POOL OF RESOURCES (NLCPR) SCHEME
The Union Cabinet also approved continuation of existing Non Lapsable Central Pool of
Resources (NLCPR) scheme till March, 2020 with funding pattern of 90:10
Its broad objective is to ensure speedy development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region
and Sikkim
- GANGA GRAM PROJECT
Launched by Union Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
It is launched under the Clean Ganga mission-Namami Gange Programme
It is an integrated approach for holistic development of villages situated on the banks of the
River Ganga with active participation of villagers
The objectives of project include solid and liquid waste management, water conservation
projects, renovation of ponds and water resources, organic farming, horticulture, and promotion
of medicinal plants.
- NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN AND MISSION SAMPARK
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on World AIDS Day (1st December) launched
National Strategic Plan 2017-24 & Mission SAMPARK
National Strategic Plan 2017-24 aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030
o It will pave a roadmap for achieving the target of 90:90:90 Strategy
Mission SAMPARK was launched to trace those who are Left to Follow Up and are to be brought
under Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services
o “Community Based Testing” will be taken up for fast-tracking the identification of all who
are HIV positive
90:90:90 STRATEGY
It is a new HIV treatment narrative of UNAIDS programme
The strategy calls for 90% of HIV-infected individuals to be diagnosed by 2020, 90% of whom will
be on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and 90% of whom will achieve sustained Virology suppression
- SCHEME FOR INTER-CASTE MARRIAGES
Government lifted the income ceiling for receiving benefits under the ‘Dr Ambedkar Scheme for
Social Integration
So far, only couples with a total annual income of Rs.5 Lakh or lower could avail benefits under
this scheme
ABOUT
It was launched in 2013 by the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment
To promote at least 500 inter-caste marriages per year by providing 2.5 lakh cash incentive to
every such marriage
The scheme is administered by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation
One of the spouses should belong to Scheduled Caste and the other should belong to a NonScheduled Caste to get eligible
The marriage should have to be duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
It is required that it should be the first marriage for both spouses and they should have
submitted the proposals within a year of marriage
It mandatory for the couples to share their Aadhaar numbers and details of their Aadhaar-linked
joint bank account
- ECO-NIWAS PORTAL
Recently, Energy Conservation–New Indian Way for Affordable & Sustainable homes (ECONIWAS) portal launched by the government
To increase the awareness about sustainable building and energy efficient homes in the country
It is developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
- LAQSHYA - LABOUR ROOM QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE
It is a Safe Delivery Mobile Application for health workers
Launched on the occasion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) day on 12th December
This initiative will be implemented in Government Medical Colleges, District Hospitals, high
delivery load Sub- District Hospitals, and Community Health Centres
- MSME SAMBANDH
Recently, government has launched MSME Sambandh- a Public Procurement portal for Micro
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Objective: To monitor the implementation of the Public Procurement from MSEs by Central
Public Sector Enterprises
It is in accordance with the Procurement Policy launched in 2012 that mandates 20% of the total annual
purchases of the Central Government Departments, CPSEs to procure necessarily from MSEs.
- DARPAN PROJECT
Launched by the Ministry of Communications
DARPAN stands for Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India
It is an IT modernization project, aims at realising financial inclusion of un-banked rural
population.
It offers core banking services to the account holders
The project is targeted to be completed by March2018with an outlay of Rs.1400 crore
The project intends to provide low power technology solution to each branch postmaster (BPM)
that will improve service delivery.
It aims to increase rural reach of Department of Posts (DoP) and enable Branch Post Offices
(BOs) to increase traffic of all financial remittances, savings accounts, Rural Postal Life
Insurance and Cash Certificates
It also aims to improve mail operations processes by allowing for automatedbooking and
delivery of accountable article.
It will also increase revenue using retail post business and provide third party applications and
make disbursements for social security schemes such as MGNREGS
DARPAN WEB PORTAL
Launched by Manipur to check the corruption
It stands for Digital Application for Review by Public And Nation
The purpose of the web portal is to inform the people about various projects being taken up by
the government and current status of the projects and check dissemination of fake or incorrect
status report by using GPS location verification.
- SAMEEP
Launched by the Ministry of External Affairs
It stands for Students and MEA Engagement Programme
It is an outreach mission that aims to take Indian foreign policy and its global engagements to
students across country and also to look at diplomacy as a career option.
Under this, MEA officials will talk to students in their home towns, particularly their alma matter,
to help them better understand foreign policy
It is a voluntary programme for all the ministry officers - under-secretary and above ranks
- E-HRMS
The electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS) was launched by the Ministry
of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
On the occasion of Good Governance Day (25 December).
It is an online platform for central government employees to apply for leave and access their
service-related information.
It will enable these employees to see all their details with respect to service book, leave, salary,
GPF, etc.
The employees can also apply for different kind of claims and reimbursements, loan and
advances, leave, leave encashment, LTC advances, tour etc. on a single platform
It will enable senior authorities to check all pendency of data updating as well as claims
NATIONAL GOOD GOVERNANCE DAY (NGGD)
It is celebrated every year in India on December 25
To mark the birthday anniversary of former Prime Minister AtalBihariVajpayee.
Started in 2014 to honour Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the people of accountability
in government
- MISSION ANTYODAYA
An exercise to rank gram panchayats on the parameters of physical infrastructure, human
development and economic activities have been completed recently.
It is part of the Mission Antyodaya, under which the Centre has set a target of bringing onecrore
households out of poverty and making 50,000grampanchayats poverty free by 2019
Implemented by the Rural Development Ministry.
The ranking will help in identification of gaps in the quest for making these gram panchayats
poverty free
The 50,000 gram panchayats have been selected in about 5,000clusters
These gram panchayats were selected by the state governments on the basis of social capital
Public and private institutions are being involved in the mission for successful implementation
Through convergence of all government programmes across ministries and departments, an
effort is being made under the mission to diversify livelihood and to eradicate poverty of
households
- E-COURTS PROJECT
Recently, a two day National Conference on e-court project held bye-Committee of the Supreme
Court of India, in association with the Department of Justice
The Conference focused on the progress, sharing of best practices, experiences, important
issues and emerging challenges under the project
During the conference, e-Filing facility was launched
Through e-Filing software, registered advocates and registered parties or persons will be able to
file their cases in the district courts
ABOUT
The e-Courts Mission Mode Project (Phase I 2010-15; Phase II 2015-19) is a national eGovernance project for ICT enablement of district and subordinate courts of the country.
It aims to create a robust Court Management System through digitization, document
management, judicial knowledge management and learning tools.
The project envisages deployment of hardware, software and networking to assist district and
taluka courts in streamlining their day to day functioning
National Informatics Centre is the implementing agency for the project.
BILLS, ACTS and BODIES
15. THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE BILL, 2017
Recently, it was introduced in the Parliament as a private member bill
The proposed bill states that a public servant who intentionally does any act to cause grievous
harm to somebody, even if in police custody, should be punished
It directly makes State responsible for any injury inflicted by its agents on citizens
It proposes minimum three years of imprisonment and maximum ten years and a fine, for a
public servant who inflicts torture on anybody for a confession or even for information that may
lead to the detection of an offence.
It provides a wide definition to torture including inflicting physical, mental or psychological
injury
Under it, courts are empowered to award justiciable compensation to the victims of torture
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE (UNCAT)
Recently, Law Commission of India has recommended the Centre to ratify the United Nations
Convention Against Torture
It also proposed standalone anti-torture draft law - Prevention of Torture Bill 2017
India had signed the UNCAT in 1997 but not yet ratified it.
Besides India, there are other 8 countries which are not part of the convention
ABOUT
The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (UNCAT) is an international human rights instrument aimed to prevent torture and
cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment around the world.
This convention adopted on December 10, 1984 by UNGA and is in force since 1987
It requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under their
jurisdiction and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe
they will be tortured
OTHER SIMILAR CONVENTIONS
The Geneva Conventions
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment– 1975
- TRIPLE TALAQ BILL, 2017
Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill
2017
It declared pronouncing instant triple talaq any form illegal
The law made pronouncing talaq cognizable and non-bailable offence and criminalises it with up
to three years in jail for the husband with a fine
In such cases, the law allows Muslim women to seek subsistence allowance from her husband
for her and her children
The Muslim women are also entitled to seek the custody of their minor children in such cases
SUPREME COURT VERDICT
In Shayara Bano vs. Union of India case, the SC in August, 2017 had declared practice of instant
divorce through triple talaq as unconstitutional, illegal and void and not protected by Article 25
(freedom of religion) of the Constitution.
It held that triple talaq is manifestly arbitrary and violation of the constitution and fundamental
right under Article 14 (equality before law)
OTHER FACTS
Private matters of Muslims in India are governed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat)
Application Act, 1937
Inter-caste and Inter-religious marriages are covered under the Special Marriage Act of 1954
Sikh marriages are registered under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909
Hindus, Jains, Buddhist marriages are registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, however
this act is not applicable to Scheduled Tribes unless notified by the central government
The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 covers various aspects of Christian marriage
Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act of 1936 covers various aspects of Parsi marriage
- THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2017
Introduced in Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to amend the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Representation of
People Act, 1951 to allow for proxy voting and to make certain provisions of the Acts genderneutral.
The 1950 Act provides for allocation of seats and delimitation of constituencies for elections,
qualifications of voters, and preparation of electoral rolls.
The 1951 Act provides for the conduct of elections and offences and disputes related to
elections
The 1950 Act permits the registration of, inter alia, persons holding a service qualification in
electoral rolls who are ordinarily resident in a constituency and wives of such persons are also
deemed to be ordinarily residing in India
The Bill replaces the term ‘wife’ with ‘spouse’.
Since the 1951 Act permits an overseas voter to vote only in person, the Bill seeks to permit
them to cast their vote in person or by proxy
The 1951 Act provides for the wife of a person holding a service qualification mentioned the
1950 Act to vote.
The Bill replaces the term ‘wife’ with ‘spouse’.
- SPECIAL COURTS TO TRY POLITICIANS
The Supreme Court accepted Centre’s scheme to set up 12 fast track courts to exclusively
prosecute and dispose 1,581 criminal cases pending against MPs & MLAs within a year
- SECTION 29A OF RPA 1951
Section 29A of Representation of People’s Act, 1951, lays down various provisions in regards to
the registration and recognition of political parties in India.
- NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT)
Recently, the MoEFCC has amended the National Green Tribunal (Practices and Procedure)
Rules, 2011 to allow NGT Chairperson to “constitute a single-member bench” in “exceptional
circumstances”
According to earlier rules, NGT bench consisted of “two or more members” with at least one
judicial member and another expert.
ABOUT NGT
The NGT was established in 2010 under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
The act was enacted for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental
protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
It was passed in consonance with the Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right
to life under Article 21 of the constitution
COMPOSITION OF TRIBUNAL
It has a full time chairperson and following members:
o At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Judicial members
o At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Expert Members
ELIGIBILITY OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS
Chairperson: A serving or retired Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a High Court.
Judicial member: A serving or retired Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a high
Court or Judge of High Court
Expert Members:
o Either a degree in Master of Science (in physical sciences or life sciences) with a
Doctorate degree or Master of Engineering or Master of Technology Or
o An experience of fifteen years in the relevant field and administrative experience of
fifteen years in Central or a State Government or in a reputed National or State level
institution
The Chairperson and other members are barred from taking any employment connected with the
tribunal for at least 2years from the date of their retirement
JURISDICTION
It adjudicates matters relating to the following laws listed in theScheduleI of the act,
o Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
o Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
o Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
o Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
o Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and
o Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
It is guided by principles of natural justice and not bound by procedure laid down underCode of
Civil Procedure, 1908
It has the power to impose fines and penalties and order compensation for damages to persons
or property
It is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6
months of filing
APPOINTMENTS
Appointment of members is done by Central Government
Chairperson of NGT is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief
Justice of India.
Judicial Members and Expert Members of the Tribunal are appointed on the recommendations of
a Selection Committee
TENURE
Chairperson, Judicial Member and Expert Member hold office for 5 years.
Maximum age of the chairman 70years if he has been a Supreme Court Judge and 67years, if he
has been a high court judge
REMOVAL
Chairperson can be removed from his office via an order made by the Central Government after
an inquiry made by a Judge of the Supreme Court in which such Chairperson or Judicial Member
has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard
in respect of those charges
OTHER FACTS
Principle bench of NGT: New Delhi
Regional benches: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai
The tribunal enjoys original and appellate jurisdiction under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010
and acts specified in the Schedule I of the NGT act.
Appeals from NGT can only go to the Supreme Court
- SECTION 497 OF IPC
Recently, the Supreme Court has admitted a petition that seeks to re-examine the constitutional
validity of adultery as a criminal offence under Section 497 of IPC
- FIRST SOCIAL AUDIT LAW
Recently Meghalaya became the first state in India to operationalize a social audit law
It has operationalized ‘The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social
Audit Act, 2017’ that will allow citizens’ participation in the planning of development, selection of
beneficiaries, concurrent monitoring of programmes, redress of grievances and audit of works,
services and programmes on an annual basis
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
23. WORLD MIGRATION REPORT – 2018
Released by International Organisation for Migration
According to the report, Indian diaspora is world’s largest followed by, Mexico, Russia, China,
Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Top destination nations for global diaspora are – the USA, Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the
UK, UAE, Canada
Largest share of Indian diaspora in UAE – 22%, followed by US (12.8%), Saudi Arabia (12.1%)
There is 10% of rise in number of global migrants over 2010 but as a percentage of total world
population it remained largely static in 2015 (3.3%) over 2010 (3.2%)
People in working age group, between 20 to 64 years, account for nearly 72% of total migration
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)
It is an intergovernmental organization
Established in 195
Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland
It provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including
refugees, internally displaced persons and migrant workers.
It enjoys Permanent Observer status to UNGA
IOM works in four broad areas of migration management:
o Migration and development,
o Facilitating migration,
o Regulating migration and
o Forced migration.
It has 166 member states
India became member state in 2008
International Migrants Day: 18 December
o Started by UNGA
o Theme 2017: Safe Migration in a World on the Move
- UN GLOBAL COMPACT ON MIGRATION
Recently, the US has pulled out of UN Global Compact on Migration.
ABOUT
It will be first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, when adopted in 2018, under
auspices of UN to cover all dimensions of international migration in holistic and comprehensive
manner.
The genesis of this compact is in New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted in
September 2016 by UNGA
The declaration called for negotiations on a Global Compact for Migration, aimed at protecting
the rights of refugees and migrants and helping them resettle
The purpose of this compact is to provide significant opportunity to improve governance on
migration, address challenges associated with today’s migration, and strengthen contribution of
migrants and migration to sustainable development
- WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT (WA)
India admitted as 42nd member of the Wassenaar Arrangement
ABOUT
The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and
Technologies, is commonly known as the Wassenaar Arrangement
It is a multilateral export control regime (MECR)
It was established in 1996
To contribute to regional and international security and stability by promoting transparency and
greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies
Headquarter: Vienna, Austria
All permanent members of UNSC except China are its members
WASSENAAR AGREEMENT
It was an agreement reached in 1982 between employers’ organisations and labour unions in
the Netherlands to restrain wage growth in return for the adoption of policies to
combat unemployment and inflation, such as reductions in working hours and the expansion
of part-time employment.
The agreement has been credited with ending the wage-price spiral of the 1970s, greatly
reducing unemployment and producing strong growth in output and employment
OTHER EXPORT CONTROL REGIMES
AUSTRALIA GROUP
It is multilateral export control regime (MECR) and informal group that works to reduce the
spread of chemical and biological weapons
It was established in 1985, in response to use of chemical weapons by Iraq in 1984
It has total 43 members
India became member very recently
China, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea are not its members.
NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP
Also called London Club or London Group because of its first meeting in London
It is a group of 48 nuclear supplier countries to frame and implements rules for exporting nuclear
equipment, with a view to control the spread of nuclear weapons.
Formed by seven countries viz. Canada, West Germany, France, Japan, the USSR, the UK, and
the USA in response to the nuclear tests of India in 1974
Objective: reduce nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that
may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection
on existing materials
Decisions of the group are made on the basis of consensus
India, Pakistan are not members of this group while China is a member
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME
It is a voluntary and informal partnership among 35 countries
Setup in 1987 by the G7 countries
To prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of
carrying above 500kg payload for more than 300 km
It does not impose legally binding obligations over its member countries.
Decisions of the group are made on the basis of consensus
India is a member of this group but China, Pakistan are not its members
THE HAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT (HCOC)
Also known as International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation
It is a voluntary, legally non-binding international measure that seeks to prevent the proliferation
of ballistic missiles that are capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
It was established in 2002
The HCoC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it calls for restraining their production, testing, and
export
Executive Secretariat: Austria
As of now 138 nations are signatories to the HCoC.
India is the latest signatory to the HCoC
China, Pakistan are not signatories to HCoC
- ISREAL
Recently Jerusalem has been recognised as Israel capital by the USA
ABOUT
The city is sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims as it houses their respective religious sites
viz., the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Wall, and the Aqsa Mosque
In the Six Day War (1967), Israel occupied the eastern half of Jerusalem
JORDAN RIVER
It is a 251 km long river in the Middle East that flows roughly north to south through the Sea of
Galilee and on to the Dead Sea
Israel and the West Bank border the river to the west, while the Golan Heights and Jordan lie to
its east.
Both Jordan and the West Bank take their names from the river
- INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)
Recently, India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO).
India has been elected to the Council of the IMO ever since it started functioning, except for a
two-year hiatus during 1983-1984
ABOUT
IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations with responsibility for the safety and security
of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships
The IMO Convention entered into force in 1958 and the IMO formed in 1959
Headquarters: London
It has 173member states and 3associate members.
India was one of earliest members (acceded in 1959) of the IMO
IMO is governed by an assembly of members and is financially administered by a council of
members elected from the assembly.
IMO Council consists of 40 member countries who are elected by IMO Assembly
WORLD MARITIME DAY
It observed every year on September28
Theme 2017: ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’
This day marks date of adaptation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention in
1958
- PERMANENT STRUCTURED COOPERATION ON DEFENCE (PESCO)
European Union adopted the decision to establish a European Union defence pact named PESCO
ECONOMY
29. WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 11 (MC 11)
Recently, the MC 11 took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina
However, the members failed to agree to a ministerial declaration at the end of MC11
OUTCOME
Fishery subsidies
o Agreed to secure a deal on subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
by the end of 2019
Public Stockholding
o There was no outcome on permanent solution to public stockholding for food security
purposes or on other agriculture issues
Developed countries along with the US also had refused to re-affirm the multilateralism and the
Doha development mandate in MC11
E-Commerce
o Agreed to continue the 1998 work programme on e-commerce in a non-negotiating mode
as per India’s stand
Non-trade issues
o Developed nations strived to bring into the discussions a stream of issues from rules for
small and medium enterprises to gender rights in global trade, which India has
categorized as nontrade issues.
Creation of working party on accession for SouthSudan
Other issues where no agreement was reached include:
o The work programme on special safeguard mechanism (SSM)
o The work programme on 10 agreement-specific proposals for improvements in special
and differential treatment of developing countries
o long-standing cotton issue, calling for elimination of export subsidies, since the 2005
Hong Kong Ministerial Conference.
BUENOS AIRES DECLARATION ON WOMEN AND TRADE
It is non-binding declaration that sought women’s economic empowerment by speedily removing
barriers to their participation in trade
India voted against the declaration by insisting that it is nontrade related issue
119 of 164 members backed the proposal
The declaration provides framework for members of trade body to adopt “gender responsive”
trade policies
WTO
It is an inter-governmental organization for governments to negotiate global trade agreements
and progressively liberalizing trade.
It was established in 1995
It has 164 members.
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Ministerial Conference of WTO is the highest decision making body which usually meets once in
every 2 years.
- FOREIGN TRADE POLICY – MID-TERM REVIEW
Recently, government has introduced the Mid-term review of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-
20
It also unveiled several initiatives to improve the ease of doing business, more incentives to
boost labour-intensive and employment oriented merchandise and services exports
MEASURES
Increase in the Merchandise Exports from India scheme (MEIS) incentives for two sub sectors of
textiles i.e. readymade garments and made ups
The Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) incentives have also been increased
Abolished the GST for transfer and sale of duty credit scrips to zero from 12 per cent and
increased the validity period for these tradable papers
Trust-based self-ratification scheme has been introduced to allow duty free import of inputs for
exports production after a self-declaration
Round the clock customs clearance facility has been extended at 19 seaports and 17 air cargo
complexes.
Creation of professional teams for ease of trading
A National Trade Facilitation Committee will be set up which will cover issues such as
simplification of procedures, infrastructure and risk-based assessment.
An Export Promotion Mission to be setup to provide an institutional framework to work with
state governments to boost India’s exports.
A new Logistics Division has been created in Department of Commerce to develop and
coordinate integrated development of the logistics sector.
TOWNS OF EXPORT EXCELLENCE (TEE)
Foreign Trade policy contains provisions for TEE
Towns producing goods of Rs.750 crore or more will be notified as Towns of Export Excellence
based on potential for growth in exports.
For Towns of Export Excellence in Handloom, Handicraft, Agriculture and Fisheries sector,
threshold limit would be Rs.150 crore.
TEE
S.NO TOWN OF EXPORT
EXCELLENCE
STATE PRODUCT
CATEGORY
1 Tirupur Tamil Nadu Hosiery
2 Ludhiana Punjab Woollen Knitwear
3 Panipat Haryana Woollen Blanket
4 Kanoor Kerala Handlooms
5 Karur Tamil Nadu Handlooms
6 Madurai Tamil Nadu Handlooms
7 AEKK (Aroor, Ezhupunna,
Kodanthuruthu&Kuthiathodu)
Kerala Seafood
8 Jodhpur Rajasthan Handicraft
9 Kekhra Uttar Pradesh Handlooms
10 Dewas Madhya Pradesh Pharmaceuticals
11 Alleppey Kerala Coir Products
12 Kollam (Quilon) Kerala Cashew Products
13 Indore Madhya Pradesh Soya Meal and
Soya Products
14 Bhilwara Rajasthan Textiles
15 Surat Gujarat Gems and
Jewellery
16 Malihabad Uttar Pradesh Horticulture
Products
17 Kanpur Uttar Pradesh Leather Products
18 Ambur Tamil Nadu Leather Products
19 Jaipur Rajasthan Handicrafts
20 Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts
21 Anantnag Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts
22 Barmer Rajasthan Handicrafts
23 Bhiwandi Maharashtra Textiles
24 Agra Uttar Pradesh Leather Products
25 Firozabad Uttar Pradesh Glass Art wares
26 Bhubaneshwar Orissa Marine Products
27 Agartala Tripura Bamboo Cane &
Other Handicrafts
28 Ahmedabad Gujarat Textiles
29 Kolhapur Maharashtra Textiles
30 Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts
31 Morbi Gujarat Ceramic Tiles
&Sanitary ware
32 Gurgaon Haryana Apparel
33 Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) Tamil Nadu Marine
34 Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh Seafood
35 Bhimavaram Andhra Pradesh Seafood
- FINANCIAL RESOLUTION AND DEPOSIT INSURANCE (FRDI) BILL 2017
Recently tabled in the parliament
The bill is to systematic resolution of all financial firms — banks, insurance companies and other
financial intermediaries.
The Bill comes together with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to spell out the procedure for
the winding up or revival of an ailing company
PROVISIONS
Setting up of a Resolution Corporation to replace the existing Deposit Insurance and Credit
Guarantee Corporation
It will be tasked with monitoring financial firms, anticipating their risk of failure, taking corrective
action and resolving them in case of failure.
It is also tasked with providing deposit insurance up to a certain limit yet to be specified, in the
event of a bank failure.
It will also be tasked with classifying financial firms on their risk of failure — low, moderate,
material, imminent, or critical.
It will take over the management of a company once it is deemed critical
The FRDI Bill also empowers the Corporation to bail-in the company which can be done either by
cancelling the bank’s liabilities, or converting them into other forms, such as equity
- FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT
Released by RBI bi-annually.
According to the report, the gross nonperforming advances (GNPA) ratio has grown to 10.2
percent in September 2017 from 9.6 percent in June 2017
- CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL 2018
It was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
It seeks to replace Consumer Protection Act, 1986
SALIENT FEATURES
It has provisions to sue a manufacturer for not giving adequate instructions of correct usage to
prevent any harm or any warning regarding improper or incorrect usage.
It has provisions for Product Liability
The consumer can lodge a complaint from anywhere unlike the existing law
Unlike the 1986 law, the complainant need not be accompanied by a lawyer
Allows mediation process at any point, if the manufacturer and the complainant arrive at
compromise
The Bill proposes an investigative body, the Central Consumer Protection Authority, on the lines
of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Offences and Punishment for false or misleading advertisement, selling or distributing or
importing adulterated and spurious products
- WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2017 (WEO)
Released by International Energy Agency (IEA)
The WEO 2017 series also include special reports viz., Energy Access Outlook, Southeast Asia
Energy Outlook
According to the report by 2040, global energy demand will be 30% higher than today and global
energy-related carbon emissions will increase by 5%
Renewables will make up 40% of total power generation by 2040
India’s share in global energy use will be 11% by 2040
In India, share of coal in the power mix will decrease to less than 50% by 2040.
India’s Universal Access to electricity by 2020s from current level of 82% of electrification
India’s refining capacity would grows by around two thirds by 2040, becoming third-largest
refining centre behind the US and China
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)
It is an inter-governmental organization established in 1974 as per framework of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
It was established in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis
Members: 29 countries
India is lone associate member of IAE since 2017
Secretariat: Paris, France
Mandate: Its mission guided by four main areas of focus: energy security, economic
development, environmental protection, and engagement worldwide
It also seeks to promote alternate energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy
policies and multinational energy technology co-operation
It acts as energy policy advisor to 29 member countries and also non-member countries like
China, India and Russia
Publications: World Energy Outlook report
- METHANOL ECONOMY FUND
NITI Aayog is planning to set up Methanol Economy Fund worth Rs.4,000-5,000 crore to promote
production and use of the clean methanol fuel by converting high ash content coal and stranded
gas assets into methanol
The first coal-based methanol plant will be set up in West Bengal by Coal India Ltd
METHANOL
It is also known as methyl alcohol and wood alcohol
It is colourless, obtained both naturally and artificially
It is biodegradable, flammable, poisonous, and renewable source of energy
It used as energy producing fuel, transportation fuel and cooking fuel
It is simplest alcohol and does not have carbon-carbon bond and therefore does not emit
particulate matter (PM)
It is a single carbon compound made from the destructive distillation of wood and also produced
from coal, natural gas, biomass
Use: in organic synthesis, as a fuel, solvent, and antifreeze
Certified as fuel by Bureau of India Standards 2016
The gaseous version of Methanol – DME (Dimethyl ether)has replaced chlorofluorocarbons as
an aerosol spray propellant and can be blended with LPG
- SRISTI
Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) is a concept
note
Prepared by MoNRE to accelerate the deployment of rooftop solar power in the country
According to the note, DISCOMS will act as the nodal points for implementation of the Grid
Connected Rooftop Solar (RTS) Power programme
Performance based financial support to DISCOMS to accelerate deployment of RTS plants within
their distribution
Central Financial Assistance will be provided only for installation of roof top solar plants in
residential sectors
- NATIONAL HIGHWAY INVESTMENT PROMOTION CELL
Created by National Highways Authority of India
To attract domestic and foreign investment for highways projects
The cell will focus on engaging with global institution investors, developers, construction
companies and fund managers for building investor participation in road infrastructure projects
It will work in close co-ordination with various connected Ministries and Departments of Central
Government, State Governments, Apex Business Chambers like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, and
Invest India etc.
It will also work in close co-ordination with Foreign Embassies and Missions in India and Indian
Embassies and Missions situated in foreign countries
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (NHAI)
It is an autonomous agency
It was established through National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988
It is a nodal agency of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
It is responsible for the development, management, operation and maintenance of National
Highways
It is implementing the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP), which was
launched in 1998 with the objective of developing roads of international standards
- FINANCIAL SYSTEM STABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT (FSSA)
Jointly released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB)
Also released Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) simultaneously
These are part of Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP)
The FSAP assessment acknowledges India’s strong growth in recent years in both economic
activity and financial assets.
It also acknowledges many efforts undertaken by India
o Tackling Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
o Recapitalization measures for banks
o Introduction of special resolution regime
o Formalization of National Pension System (NPS) and making the pension sector
regulator statutory
o Passing of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
o Jan Dhan Yojana
o AADHAR
o RBI’s Supervisory Program for Assessment of Risk and Capital (SPARC) and Asset
Quality Review (AQR)
o RBI’s Basel III framework
o RBI’s move of establishing new Enforcement Department
o Revising Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework that incorporates more prudent risktolerance thresholds.
FINANCIAL SECTOR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (FSAP)
It is joint program of IMF and WB involved in developing countries and region only.
It undertakes a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of a country’s financial sector.
It is conducted every five years
Last FSAP for India was conducted in 2011-12
- PETRO
It is a virtual currency(crypto currency) launched by Venezuela
It is backed by Venezuela’s oil, gas, gold and diamond wealth
SECURITY AND DEFENCE
40. NIC-CERT
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched first National
Information Centre-Computer Emergency Response Team (NIC-CERT) to prevent and predict
cyber-attacks on government utilities.
It is a setup of National Informatics Centre (NIC).
ABOUT
The NIC-CERT will monitor and help in early detection and mitigation of cyberattacks on
government networks.
It will operate in close co-ordination and collaboration with other sectoral CERTs and more so
with CERT-In
Using advance tools, NIC-CERT team will correlate events that would help in generating canvas of
attack surface and identify vulnerabilities and possible exploits
NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE (NIC)
The NIC is premier science & technology organisation of Government in informatics services and
information and communication technology applications
It is a part of MeitY’s Department of Electronics & Information Technology.
It was established in 1976
It plays a pivotal role in steering e-governance applications in governmental departments at
national, state and district levels
Almost all Indian-government websites are developed and managed by NIC
INDIAN COMPUTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT-IN)
CERT-In is nodal agency for information technology security under aegis of Department of
Information Technology, Ministry of Electronics and IT.
It was established in 2004.
Mandate: protect Indian cyberspace and software infrastructure against destructive and hacking
activities
It also responds to computer security incidents, report on vulnerabilities and promote effective IT
security practices throughout country.
It also issue guidelines, vulnerability notes, advisories, and whitepapers regarding to information
security practices, prevention.
- BORDER PROTECTION GRID
Government has announced the establishment of Boarder Protection Grid with Indo-Bangladesh
Border (IBB) States
The system will comprise of physical barriers, non-physical barriers, surveillance system,
Intelligence agencies, State Police, BSF
It will be supervised by a State level Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of respective
Chief Secretaries and will ensure greater help for the States in the overall border security
- PRITHVI AAD INTERCEPTOR MISSILE
Recently, Indigenously developed Prithvi Advanced Air Defence (AAD) supersonic interceptor
missile was successfully test-fired
ABOUT
It is a 7.5-meter long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile
It is equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and electro-mechanical activator
It can destroy the incoming hostile ballistic missile in endo-atmospheric regioni.e., less than 30
km altitude.
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM (BMD)
It is being developed by DRDO in order to develop doubled-layered ballistic missile defence
system
The system is capable of tracking and destroying hostile missiles both outside (Exo) and inside
(Endo) the earth’s atmosphere
Exo-atmospheric Missile system is capable of intercepting missiles at an altitude of 50-80 Km
Endo-atmospheric system is capable of intercepting missiles up to an altitude of 30 km
The first phase BMD system, capable of intercepting enemy missiles fired from 2,000 km away, is
expected to be inducted in the armed forces soon
The second phase BMD system, capable of destroying enemy missiles fired from 5,000 km away
is still under development
India will be fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and Israel to successfully built
effective anti-ballistic missile system when BMD operationalises in 2022.
- AKASH MISSILE
Recently, the Surface to Air Missile (SAM) AKASH was successfully tested with indigenous radio
frequency seeker against target UAV Banshee.
It was successfully launched from Launch Complex-III at ITR Chandipur.
ABOUT
Akash is a mid-range surface-to-air missile (SAM)
It is indigenously developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided-Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP)
Speed: Mach 2.8 to 3.5
Payload: 60 kg
Range: 25 km
It is powered by Ramjet-rocket propulsion system (RRPS)
It is capable of neutralising aerial targets like cruise missiles, fighter jets and air-to-surface
missiles.
The missile was formally inducted into the IAF in July 2015
- INS KALVARI
Recently, India’s first Scorpene-class submarine, INS Kalvari inducted into the Indian Navy in
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
It is first of the six Scorpene-class submarines built under the strategic Project 75
It built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) with assistance and technology transfer from France’s
DCNS
Its silent diesel-electric engines makes it very difficult to detect underwater
PROJECT 75
Under Project 75 India aimed to construct 6 next generation diesel submarines with Air
Independent Propulsion System (AIP) technology for the Indian Navy by 2022
The project is built with assistance and technology transfer from DCNS of France
As INS KALAVARI already inducted into the Navy, INS KHANDERI, and INS KARANJ are started
sea trials.
The other three submarines - VELA, VAGIR AND VAGSHEER - are being constructed at the MDL
- MILITARY EXERCISES
AJEYA WARRIOR
It is Indo-UK joint military exercise recently held at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan
This is the 3rd joint military exercise between the two countries.
The Exercise is held once in two years alternatively in India and the UK
EKUVERIN
It is a joint military exercise between Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force,annually
conducting since 2009
It is conducted at Maratha Centre in Belgavi, Karnataka
It is held alternatively in India and Maldives.
This is the 8th exercise of the joint annual training and focuses to enhance interoperability
between the two forces for counter-terrorist operations in semi urban environment
NASEEM-AL-BAHR
It is a joint naval exercise of the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman
It also known as Sea Breeze
This year’s exercise is the 11th edition and has been a biennial feature since 1993
BLUE FLAG
It is a bi-annual multilateral exercise conducted in Israel
Recently for the first time, Indian Air force participated in 3rd edition of Blue Flag
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
46. INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)
Recently, the ISA has become a treaty-based inter-governmental organisation, with 19 countries
ratifying its framework agreement
The day (6th December) was marked as Universal Energy Access Day
It is first treaty-based intergovernmental organisation to be based in India
ABOUT
The ISA was jointly launched by India and France in November 2015 in Paris on side-lines of
COP-21 of UNFCC
Secretariat: at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurgaon
It aims at addressing obstacles to deployment at scale of solar energy through better
harmonization and aggregation of demand from solar rich countries
Under this alliance, 121 countries that fall within tropics i.e. between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic
of Capricorn have been invited to make collaborative efforts to harness solar energy to generate
the electricity.
The institutional structure of ISA consists of an Assembly, a Council and a Secretariat
Its major objectives include global deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity and
mobilisation of investment of over US $1000 billion into solar energy by 2030
- CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION BY CITES
It was awarded to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
By Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
For its efforts in conducting and coordinating species-specific wildlife enforcement operation -
Operation Save Kurma.
OPERATION SAVE KURMA
It was conducted to combat the proliferating illegal trade of live turtles and its parts
Approximately 16,000 live turtles and tortoises were seized and released back into the wild
during the operation period from December 15, 2016 to January 30, 2017
CITES
It is an international agreement to regulate worldwide commercial trade in wild animal and plant
species
It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
It entered into force in July 1975.
It is administered through United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Secretariat: Geneva (Switzerland)
It is a legally binding agreement
Members: 183
It classifies plants and animals according to three categories, or appendices, based on how
threatened.
o Appendix-1: International trade of animals listed in this list is banned worldwide.
o Appendix-2: The international trade of these species is strictly regulated.
o Appendix-3: lists some 170 species which one country asked to others for help to
control its trade
In addition CITES also restricts trade in items made from such plants and animals, such as food,
clothing, medicine, and souvenirs
WCCD
It is statutory multi-disciplinary body under the MoEFCC to combat organized wildlife crime in
the country
It was established in 2007 by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Headquarter: New Delhi
OPERATION THUNDERBIRD
It is code-name of INTERPOL’s multi-national and multi-species enforcement operation for
wildlife protection from January 30 to February 19, 2017
In India the WCCB, successfully coordinated the operation with INTERPOL
- GLOBAL E-WASTE MONITOR REPORT 2017
Released by United Nations University (UNU), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
The report ranked the Continents in terms of e-waste production
i. Asia > Europe > the Americas > Africa > Oceania
According to the report, e-waste has been increased by 8% from 2014 to 2016
Only 20% of 2016’s e-waste is documented to have been collected and recycled
The highest per capita e-waste generators were Australia and New Zealand
- INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
Recently, National Conference on the Status of Invasive Species in India was organised by
Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of India
ZSI announced a list of alien invasive animal species in the conference
Common Alien Animal Species found in India are:
o African Apple Snail – found in Andaman and Nicobar Island, now spread across the
whole country
o Papaya Mealy Bug – massively affected papaya crop in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil
Nadu
o Cotton Mealy Bug – threat to cotton crops in Deccan
o Amazon sail fin catfish – responsible for destroying fish population in wetlands
o Orange Cup-Coral – originated in Indo- East Pacific, now also found in Andaman and
Nicobar Island, Gulf of Kutch, Kerala and Lakshadweep
- TIGER CENSUS
India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh have agreed to conduct a joint census of Tiger population
- SCHEME FOR PROTECTION OF MAJULI ISLAND
The Union Government has launched new scheme for protection of Majuli Island in Assam from
flood and erosion
Funding for it will be from Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
The scheme has been framed by Brahmaputra Board
COMPONENTS OF THE SCHEME
Bank revetment with geo bags filled with earth/sand for a reach length of 27 km in 14 locations
RCC porcupine works in 41 locations
Construction of a sluice and
Construction of a Pilot channel of length of 3.50 km
- CYCLONE OCKHI
Recently, a powerful cyclone named Ockhi has caused extensive damage to the lives of the
people living along west coast
It originated in the Bay of Bengal and intensified as it moved through the Arabian Sea, resulting
into a cyclonic storm.
NAMING OF CYCLONE IN INDIAN OCEAN
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) started the tropical cyclone naming system in
2000
Eight north Indian Ocean countries — Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Thailand, gave eight names each which was combined into a list of 64 names
The next cyclone will be named by India and it will be called ‘Sagar
- PETCOKE
The Union government favoured the banning of Petroleum Coke (PETCOKE) to be used as fuel
India is the world’s biggest consumer of petroleum coke
It emits 11 percent more greenhouse gases than coal
Burning it also emits several times more sulphur dioxide, which causes lung diseases and acid
rain
- PROJECT BLUE FLAG
Launched by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
It is a pilot project to develop and enhance standards of cleanliness on beaches
Under the project, each state or union territory has been asked to nominate a beach which will be
funded through the on-going Integrated Coastal Management Programme
The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a
beach or sustainable boating tourism operator, meets its stringent standards
FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (FEE)
The FEE is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development
through environmental education.
It was established in 198
Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
It is active through five programmes; Eco Schools, Blue Flag, Young Reporters for Environment
(YRE), Green Key and Learning about Forests (LEAF)
It has established the Global Forest Fund to offset CO2 emissions from travel
India is represented by Centre for Environment Education, Gujarat, at FEE
- 7th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUND WATER
Organized by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee and Central Ground Water
Board (CGWB)from December 11 to 13, 2017
At New Delhi
Theme: Ground water Vision 2030- Water Security, Challenges and Climate Change Adaptation
- SCHALLER’S WOOD SCORPION
It is a new scorpion species discovered from at Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura
India is home to more than 125 species of scorpions.
Nine of India’s 11 wood scorpions are endemic to the country
- REGIONAL PROJECT TO TACKLE STUBBLE BURNING
The MoEFCC has approved a regional project on ‘Climate Resilience Building among Farmers
through Crop Residue Management’ under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change
(NAFCC)
to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance adaptive capacity and counter adverse
environmental impacts arising from stubble burning
It will be implemented in phased manner
NATIONAL ADAPTATION FUND FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (NAFCC)
It is a flagship Scheme to provide 100% central grant to the State Governments for implementing
climate change adaptation projects
Launched in 2015
The Scheme has been designed to fulfil objectives of National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC) and operationalize State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs)
Nodal agency: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
58. FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATION (FSOC)
Recently, Andhra Pradesh government has signed MoU with Alphabet Inc. X (Google X) to bring
Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) technology to India.
The purpose of the FSOC project is to provide high quality & affordable digital services through
internet under state government’s Fibre grid project
ABOUT
It is an optical communication technology in which data is transmitted by propagation of light in
free space allowing optical connectivity
It is a Line of Sight (LOS) technology
Unlike in optical fibre cable, optical beams are sent through free air or vacuum instead of glass
fibre in FSOC
It is capable of sending up to 1.25 GBPS of data, voice, and video communications
simultaneously
- EXCITONIUM
Researchers at the University of Illinois have announced discovery of new form of matter called
Excitonium
It first theorized in1960s and the term Excitonium was theoretically coined by Bert Halper
ABOUT
Excitonium is a condensate made up of excitons and exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena
just like a superconductor
Excitons are particles that are formed in a very strange quantum mechanical pairing.
They are obtained by combining escaped electrons and “holes”.
This quirky quantum-mechanical pairing is possible because, in semiconductors, electrons on
edge of one energy level in atom are able to jump into the next energy level when excited, leaving
behind a “hole” in previous level.
This hole acts like a positively charged particle, attracting the negatively charged electron that
escaped
As a superconductor and superfluid, this material can be used to further existing technologies
- SENTINEL-5P SATELLITE
It is a European satellite tracking the levels of air pollutants around the world
Recently, it has beamed back new views of the Earth’s atmosphere, including images of pollution
drifting away from power plants in India
ABOUT
It is the latest spacecraft in a fleet of Earth observers being commissioned by the European
Union and the European Space Agency
It was launched in 2017
The Sentinel-5P satellite is designed to make daily global maps of the gases and particles that
pollute the air
- SOFIA MISSION
NASA’s SOFIA is geared up to study celestial magnetic fields, star forming regions, comets and
Saturn’s giant moon Titan in 2018.
ABOUT
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a Boeing 747SP jetliner
modified to carry a 100-inch diameter telescope
It is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Centre
It is the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory
Its 2.5 diameter telescope allows astronomers to access the visible, infrared and sub-millimetre
spectrum.
It has the ability to produce a higher resolution image, three times higher in quality than those
captured by other observatories
- GEMINIDS METEOR SHOWER
Geminids meteor shower is an annual event that fell on Earth on December 12
- GABON - A POLIO-FREE COUNTRY
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Gabon a polio-free country
Now the disease is endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan
- INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of International Training Centre for
Operational Oceanography, as a Category-2 Centre (C2C) of UNESCO, in Hyderabad.
The operational oceanography is an activity of conducting systematic oceanographic studies
towards providing information services to various sectors such as fisherman, disaster
management, shipping, ports etc.
Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO are established and funded by Member
States to contribute to the achievement of UNESCO’s objectives
o They are not legally a part of the Organization, but are associated with it through
formal agreements between UNESCO and the Member State hosting the centre
- KEPLER-90i
NASA has discovered eighth planet circling Kepler-90 and named it as Kepler-90i
Kepler-90 is a Sun-like star which is 2545 light-years far from Earth
The eighth planet was discovered by applying Google’s machine-learning technology to data
collected by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope
Kepler-90i is outermost and eighth planet in Kepler-90 system.
It is roughly the same distance from its star as Earth is from Sun
It orbits its star once every 14.4 days.
It is around 30% larger than Earth.
Its expected average surface temperature: 425 degrees Celsius
- NISAR
ISRO and NASA are jointly working on the development of NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
(NISAR)
FEATURES
It will be the first dual frequency (L & S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite
NISAR, the world’s most expensive earth-imaging satellite till date, aims to study global
environmental change and natural disasters
The L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar is being developed by JPL, while ISRO is developing S-band
Synthetic Aperture Radar
ISRO will be also responsible for design and development Spacecraft Bus data transmission
system, spacecraft integration & testing.
It will be launched using GSLV in year 2021 with a mission life of 3 years
It is planned to be launched into a Sun-synchronous dawn to dusk orbit
SOCIAL ISSUES
67. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Observed annually on 3rd December
Theme 2017: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”
It was proclaimed in a 1992 resolution by UNGA
- THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN REPORT 2017
Released by UNICEF
Theme: Children in a digital world.
According to it, India’s girls and women are at risk of becoming further marginalised in society
and at home if they remain digitally illiterate
Globally, 12% more men than women used internet in 2017
In India, less than one-third internet users are females
Only 29% of all internet users are female in India
- WORLD’S AIDS DAY
Held on 1st December
Theme 2017: Right to Health
Slogan: Everybody Counts
- NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION
The Union Cabinet approves setting up of National Nutrition Mission (NNM)
The NNM, as an apex body under Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) will
monitor, supervise, fix targets and guide nutrition related interventions across the Ministries
It would be executed with the MoWCD as the nodal ministry along with Ministry of Drinking Water
and Sanitation and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
FEATURES
NNM as an apex body will monitor, supervise, fix targets and guide the nutrition related
interventions
Mapping of various schemes contributing under malnutrition
ICT based real time monitoring system
Incentivising states/UTs for meeting targets
Incentivising Anganwadi Workers (AWW) for using IT based tools and eliminating the need for
registers
Measurement of height of children at Anganwadi Centres
Social Audits to track the health progress of the children
Setting-up Nutrition Resource Centres
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND TARGETS
It will be rolled out in three phases from 2017-18 to 2019-20
It will set targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia among young children, women and
adolescent girls and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively
Its implementation strategy will be based on intense monitoring and Convergence Action Plan
right upto grass root level
Though NMM has set target to reduce stunting is at least 2% per annum, but it will strive to
achieve reduction in stunting to 25% by 2022 (Mission 25 by 2022) from 38.4% (NFHS-4)
- NATIONAL TRACHOMA SURVEY REPORT (2014-17)
Released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
It declared India Trachoma free
Trachoma is a contagious bacterial infection of the eye that causes inflamed granulation on the
inner surface of the lids.
With this, India met goal of trachoma elimination as specified by WHO under its GET2020 (Global
Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020) program
- UTKRISHT IMPACT BOND
Recently, the USAID has launched a Rajasthan Development Impact Bond (Utkrisht Impact Bond)
at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad
It is to reduce maternal and neo-natal deaths in Rajasthan
It is world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in healthcare
It has been developed in a public-private partnership and will provide financial assistance to 440
small healthcare organisations
- UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
UNESCO has inscribed Kumbh Mela on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity
It is the 13th intangible cultural heritage from India to be listed in UNESCO’s list
KUMBH MELA
It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth.
It is a Hindu festival which is observed for every 12 years on the banks of a holy river to take dip
and perform various rituals
It is held every four years by rotation at – Haridwar, Allahabad, Yamuna, Nashik, Ujjain
UNESCO’S LISTS OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
The list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of
cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.
The list was established in 2008
It includes important intangible cultural heritages worldwide.
It has two parts viz. Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of
Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of urgent Safeguarding.
UNESCO’S LIST OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE SITES - INDIA
Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre of Kerala
Mudiyattam: theatre ritual of Kerala.
Tradition of Vedic Chanting
Nowrouz: Persian new year
Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan.
Ramlila: Traditional Performance of the Ramayana.
Sankirtana: singing, drumming and dancing ritual of Manipur.
Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of Garhwal Himalayas.
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil of Thatheras: Punjab.
Chhaudance: classical Indian dance originated in the eastern Indian states.
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in Ladakh region of Jammu and
Kashmir.
Yoga
Kumbh Mela
- HORNBILL FESTIVAL
It is celebrated in Nagaland every year in the first week of December
The festival coincides with the Statehood Day of Nagaland which is observed on December 1
The festival is a tribute to Hornbill, the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas for its
qualities of alertness and grandeur
It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments and supported by the Union
Government.
The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades,
games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies
- KATHAKAR
It is an international storytellers festival
The 7th edition of it held recently in New Delhi
- BODHI PARVA: BIMSTEC FESTIVAL OF BUDDHIST HERITAGE
It was inaugurated in New Delhi on December 08, 2017
India is hosting the “Bodhi Parva” as a part of celebrations of 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC
‘Bodhi Parva’ has entwined various threads of the Buddhist heritage into a beautiful melange
BIMSTEC
It is international organisation comprising of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka,
Nepal and Bhutan
It has a deep connect with Buddhism, which originated in South Asia and then travelled and
rooted itself in South East Asia
