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CONTENTS

1 Social Sector: Health, Education, Vulnerable Groups ........................... 9

Health ............................................................................................... 9 1.1 Open Defecation free States ............................................................................................................................................... 9

1.2 Swectha Hi Seva Campaign............................................................................................................................................... 9

1.3 ImTecho .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

1.4 India’s Million Death Study ............................................................................................................................................ 10

1.5 Intensified Mission Indradhanush ................................................................................................................................. 11

1.6 Tuberculosis (TB) .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

1.7 Global Hunger Index ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

Education ......................................................................................... 13 1.8 Swayam .............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

1.9 SWAYAM PRABHA ......................................................................................................................................................... 14

1.10 National Digital Library (NDL) ...................................................................................................................................... 14

1.11 VAJRA ................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

1.12 The Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research ............................................................................... 15

Vulnerable Sections ............................................................................ 16 1.13 Women for Women, #IAMTHATWOMAN Campaign .............................................................................................. 16

2 Economy: Concepts, Schemes and Institutions ................................. 17

Concepts .......................................................................................... 17 2.1 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) ........................................................................................................................ 17

2.2 Hybrid Annuity Mode ..................................................................................................................................................... 17

2.3 Information Utility ............................................................................................................................................................ 18

2.4 Recapitalisation bonds ..................................................................................................................................................... 19

2.5 Asset Quality Review ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

2.6 Twin-Balance Sheet Problem ........................................................................................................................................... 20

2.7 Basel III Norms .................................................................................................................................................................. 20

2.8 Minsky Moment ................................................................................................................................................................ 22

2.9 Commercial Paper ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Schemes ........................................................................................... 22 2.10 India’s first ever crude oil import from US ................................................................................................................... 22

2.11 PMGDISHA ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23

2.12 Lift irrigation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24

2.13 Pattiseema lift irrigation project ...................................................................................................................................... 24

2.14 National Waterways – 4 ................................................................................................................................................... 24

2.15 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) ..................................................................................................................... 25

2.16 EESL .................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

2.17 Value Engineering Program ............................................................................................................................................ 27

2.18 Destination Restriction Clause ........................................................................................................................................ 27

2.19 SANKALP .......................................................................................................................................................................... 27

2.20 STRIVE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28

2.21 Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana ............................................................................................................................ 28

2.22 Project CHAMAN ............................................................................................................................................................. 29

2.23 Invest India ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29

2.24 Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh ....................................................................................................................................... 29

2.25 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana .......................................................................................................................... 30

2.26 SAATHI .............................................................................................................................................................................. 31


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2.27 National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) ............................................................................................ 31

2.28 Logistics Performance Index ........................................................................................................................................... 32

2.29 Bharatmala Pariyojana ..................................................................................................................................................... 33

2.30 National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD) .................................................... 33

Institutions ....................................................................................... 34 2.31 National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) .................................................................................................. 34

2.32 Indian Food Recovery Alliance (IFRA) .......................................................................................................................... 35

2.33 The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) ............................................................................................... 35

2.34 The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) ................................................................................................... 36

2.35 Geographical Indication (GI) ........................................................................................................................................... 36

2.36 The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) ................................................................................................................................ 38

2.37 National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) ..................................................................................................................... 39

3 World affairs: Organizations and Events .......................................... 39

Organizations .................................................................................... 39 3.1 Pan african e network project .......................................................................................................................................... 39

3.2 India-EU Agenda for Action 2020 .................................................................................................................................. 40

3.3 IALA ................................................................................................................................................................................... 41

3.4 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) ............................................................................................................... 41

3.5 World Bank Development Committee ........................................................................................................................... 42

3.6 The Addis Ababa Action Agenda ................................................................................................................................... 43

Events.............................................................................................. 43 3.7 Six Party Talks ................................................................................................................................................................... 43

3.8 Madrid Principles ............................................................................................................................................................. 44

3.9 PASSEX & OPERATION ATLANTA ............................................................................................................................. 44

3.10 1ST BIMSTEC DMEx .......................................................................................................................................................... 45

3.11 Gandhi-Mandela Program on Grass Root Innovation ................................................................................................. 45

3.12 BTIA .................................................................................................................................................................................... 46

3.13 Indian Housing project .................................................................................................................................................... 47

3.14 WTO Ministerial Conference ........................................................................................................................................... 47

3.15 Trade facilitation Agreement .......................................................................................................................................... 48

3.16 International Conference on Consumer Protection for East, South and South-East Asia ...................................... 49

3.17 World Consumer Protection Map .................................................................................................................................. 49

4 Geography – Places and Phenomenona ............................................ 50

Places .............................................................................................. 50 4.1 Mogadishu ......................................................................................................................................................................... 50

4.2 Pemayangste Monastery & Sikkim Buddhism ............................................................................................................. 50

4.3 Wardha dry port ............................................................................................................................................................... 51

4.4 Bab-al-Mandab .................................................................................................................................................................. 52

4.5 Kaman Aman Setu ............................................................................................................................................................ 54

4.6 Farzad B Natural Gas Field ............................................................................................................................................. 54

4.7 Baratang Island.................................................................................................................................................................. 54

4.8 Kenya .................................................................................................................................................................................. 55

5 Science and Technology: Concepts, Events and Innovations ............... 55

Concepts .......................................................................................... 55 5.1 Membrane technology for Caustic Soda ........................................................................................................................ 55

5.2 Car-T Technology ............................................................................................................................................................. 56


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5.3 Micro-electromechanical systems, or MEMS. ............................................................................................................... 57

5.4 Embryo Transfer Technology for Bovine Breeding ...................................................................................................... 57

5.5 Usutu Virus ........................................................................................................................................................................ 58

5.6 Circardian Rhythm ........................................................................................................................................................... 58

Events.............................................................................................. 59 5.7 GSAT 9 - South Asia Satellite .......................................................................................................................................... 59

5.8 Shortest x-ray laser pulse ................................................................................................................................................. 59

Innovations ....................................................................................... 60 5.9 Cryo-electron microscopy ................................................................................................................................................ 60

5.10 Eco-Friendly Ductile Cementitious Composite (EDCC) ............................................................................................. 60

5.11 Square Kilometer Array ................................................................................................................................................... 61

5.12 Major international scientific collaborations of India presently ................................................................................. 61

6 Polity & Governane ....................................................................... 62 6.1 Project monitoring information system ......................................................................................................................... 62

6.2 Public Finance Management System (PFMS) ................................................................................................................ 62

6.3 Rohini commission ........................................................................................................................................................... 63

6.4 Pro bono criterion ............................................................................................................................................................. 63

6.5 Additional Judges ............................................................................................................................................................. 64

6.6 Article 35A ......................................................................................................................................................................... 64

7 Security: Events, Institutions and Assets .......................................... 65

Events.............................................................................................. 65 7.1 Admiral's Cup Regatta ..................................................................................................................................................... 65

7.2 Exercise INDRA-2017 ....................................................................................................................................................... 65

7.3 Tri-Service Command in the Andaman And Nicobar Islands. .................................................................................. 65

Assets .............................................................................................. 65 7.4 Project 28 and INS Kiltan ................................................................................................................................................. 65

7.5 Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (Emals) ........................................................................................................ 66

7.6 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Vikram ............................................................................................................................ 66

8 Environment: Institutions, Interventions and Biodiversity .................. 67

Institutions ....................................................................................... 67 8.1 The Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) ........................................................................................................................ 67

8.2 Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority for the National Capital Region (EPCA)................... 68

8.3 Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program ................................................................................................ 68

8.4 CMS COP 13 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 69

Biodiversity ...................................................................................... 70 8.5 Vannemei Shrimps............................................................................................................................................................ 70

8.6 Developing River Biodiversity Park and Turtle Conservation Programme ............................................................. 71

8.7 Sawfish ............................................................................................................................................................................... 71

8.8 Seasonal Butterfly Migration in Western Ghats ........................................................................................................... 72

8.9 Butterfly diversity in Singur ............................................................................................................................................ 73

8.10 Tawny lark ......................................................................................................................................................................... 74

Interventions ..................................................................................... 74 8.11 SECURE Himalaya ........................................................................................................................................................... 74

8.12 SAMEER Mobile App ....................................................................................................................................................... 75

8.13 The Air Quality Index (AQI) ........................................................................................................................................... 75

8.14 National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) ................................................................................................................. 76


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8.15 DMH-11 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 76

8.16 Salty Snow .......................................................................................................................................................................... 77

9 Culture and History ....................................................................... 77

Culture ............................................................................................ 77 9.1 Deep Dharohar Festival ................................................................................................................................................... 77

9.2 Incredible india 2.0 campaign ......................................................................................................................................... 78

9.3 Adopt a Heritage Project ................................................................................................................................................. 78

9.4 Parytan parv ...................................................................................................................................................................... 79

9.5 Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav ......................................................................................................................................... 79

9.6 4th Dialogue of Civilizations ........................................................................................................................................... 79

9.7 Thumiri Music ................................................................................................................................................................... 80

9.8 Chhath Pooja ..................................................................................................................................................................... 80

History ............................................................................................ 80 9.9 Paika Bidroha (Paika rebellion)....................................................................................................................................... 80

9.10 Sister Nivedita ................................................................................................................................................................... 80

9.11 Fish- lizards’ fossil in Gujarat .......................................................................................................................................... 81

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6

GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

Given below are 50 snippets on October Current Affairs. Shoot down at least 45 correctly and

Be a Current Affairs Grandmaster for October – 2017!!

Statements

1 Swachh Darpan programme focuses on cleanliness of village PHCs.

2 Million Death study is an ongoing survey led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

3 Intensified Mission Indradhanush focuses to improve full immunization to more than 90% by

December 2022.

4 VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty is a scheme run by the Ministry of Science and

Technology.

5 In EPC model, the Govt. pays private players to lay roads, has the road’s ownership and takes care

of toll collection and maintenance

6 Global Hunger Index report 2017 is released by the UN body, World Food Programme.

7 The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) overseas aspects such as registration and

cancellation of Information Utilities.

8 India majorly imports oil from following countries : Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Venezuela, Nigeria, UAE and

USA

9 SWAYAM is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting of high-quality educational

programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite

10 Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is applicable only for rural areas of

the country.

11 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) refers to an ahead-of-time agreement between a taxpayer

and a tax authority for a set of transactions over a fixed period of time.

12 Asset Quality Review refers to the annual asset quality inspection by the RBI on commercial banks.

13 Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS) was established by the central bank Governors of the

G10 countries.

14 Minsky moment in the economy refers to a sudden collapse in asset prices after long periods of

growth, sparked by debt or currency pressures.

15 Basel III guidelines aim for resilient banking system based on 4 vital banking parameters which are

Capital, Leverage, Common equity and Liquidity.

16 A Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured loan raised by government in money markets through

instruments issued in the form of a promissory note.

17 Advanced Metering Infrastructure is in news with reference to developing Smart Grids in India.

18 Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme links Krishna and Godavari river and provides water to deficit

regions in Godavari delta.

19 National Waterway 4 passes through three states.

20 Value engineering programme in India refers to the construction of eco-friendly buildings.


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21 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a joint venture of four PSUs and implements

programmes like Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) and UJALA.

22 The term ‘destination restriction clause’ was in news in the context of LPG.

23 SANKALP programme involves setting up of national bodies for regulation of accreditation and

certification in Vocational Education and Training.

24 Invest India is a public-private partnership company where Industry bodies such as FICCI, CII and

Nasscom hold 51 per cent equity.

25 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) focuses only on unemployed youth and school drop

outs as well as it covers job roles of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 5 and

below only.

26 Project Chaman involves use of geo-spatial applications for the management of horticultural crops

and is implemented by NABARD.

27 SAATHI programme under Ministry of Power involves procuring energy efficient Power looms in

bulk and providing them to the small and medium Power loom units.

28 Logistics Performance Index is biennial index published by the United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development in association with the World Trade Organisation.

29 National Skill Development Corporation is an autonomous body of Ministry of Skill Development

and Entrepreneurship and acts as a major agency for State Skill Development Missions

30 Six-party talks were a series of multilateral negotiations related to Iran’s nuclear program.

31 Madrid Principles refers to the steps taken by European Union to deal with Middle East and North

African refugee crisis.

32 Bharat Mala Project is envisaged as an umbrella program that will subsume unfinished projects of

National Highways Development Project.

33 US and Indian Naval Forces conduct joint manoeuvres in the coast of Somalia known as a PASSEX.

34 Nairobi package was announced in the 11th WTO Ministerial conference.

35 National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is jointly-owned by the Government of India

and investors from India and abroad.

36 Governments of all WTO member countries had agreed to set certain basic standards for the

protection of GIs as per the WTO TRIPS Agreement.

37 Pan African e- Network project is an ICT project which is proposed to connect all 53 AU member

countries with Indian institutions with a satellite and fiber-optic network.

38 The Addis Ababa Action Agenda aims to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development.

39 India became part of Missile Technology Control Regime by signing the Hague Code of Conduct.

40 Agenda for Action refers to a common roadmap to strengthen the India-EU Partnership.

41 World Consumer Protection Map is developed by UNCTAD.

42 Pemayangtse monastery is a monastery in Sikkim and belongs to Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan

Buddhism.

43 Agriculture, non-agricultural market access (nama), trade facilitation in services and e-commerce

are included in the Doha round of talks of WTO.

44 Wardha dryport developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) focus to provide services to

the industries in Vidarbha region.

45 Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a strait surrounded by Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea.


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Answers are hidden in the following pages of this digest. For a quick check, turn over to the last page for the answer key.

To know more about Focus Prelims: https://goo.gl/WmWjVx

46 Farzad B is a natural gas field in Iraq which is under consideration for development by a consortium

led by ONGC Videsh.

47 Immunotherapy treatments are called living drugs because it help T-cells to continue multiplying

to fight disease for months or years.

48 Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope to be built

in collaboration with India and nine other countries in Brazil.

49 Project 28 refers to a class of submarines under development and currently in service with the

Indian Navy.

50 MEMS technology can fabricate levers, gears, pistons, motors and steam engines into a silicon chip.

https://goo.gl/WmWjVx


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1 SOCIAL SECTOR: HEALTH, EDUCATION, VULNERABLE GROUPS

HEALTH

1.1 OPEN DEFECATION FREE STATES

Why in News?

Recently, Urban Maharashtra being declared Open Defecation Free.

Swachh Bharat Mission

According to a UNICEF survey in 2011, 58 per cent of the world's population practicing open defecation

live in India.

The aim of the Swachh Bharat Mission is to achieve a clean and open defacation free India by October

2, 2019.

As of October 2017, states with ODF status include Sikkim , Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Rural Gujarat

and urban Maharasthra.

Criteria for Open Defecation Status

For a Gram Panchayat or village:

o No visible faeces should be found in the environment/village

o Every household as well as public/community institutions must use safe technology options for

the disposal of faeces.

For a city / ward

o All households that have space to construct toilet, have constructed one.

o All occupants of those households that do not have space to construct toilet have access to a

community toilet within a distance of 500 meters.

o All commercial areas have public toilets within a distance of 1 kilometer.

o City has a mechanism in place through which fines are imposed on people found defecating in

the open

A state is declared ODF when all districts, blocks, Gram Panchayats and villages of the State are declared

free from open defecation.

Protocol for Swachh Certification for ODF

o City self-declares itself as “Open Defecation Free”

o A third party (selected by MOUD) will conduct the verification within a period of 30 days in two

parts ( Service level status based on municipal records and Independent observations )

o MoUD will issue a certificate based recommendation of the third party.

o The certificate, when issued, will need to be recertified every 6 months.

1.2 SWECTHA HI SEVA CAMPAIGN

Why in News?

On September 15, 2017, the President of India launched a nationwide sanitation campaign “Swachhta Hi

Seva” at Iswarganj village in Kanpur.

What is it?

The Sawchhta Hi Seva Campaign seeks to mobilize people to get directly involved with the Swachh

Bharat Mission by offering shramdaan for swachhta in the fortnight leading upto Gandhi Jayanti.

It was started from 15th September and culminated on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, which is also

celebrated as the Swachh Bharat Diwas.


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Other terms related to Swachh Bharat mission

Swachh Iconic Places: a special clean-up initiative focused on 100 places across India that are “iconic”

due to their heritage, religious and/or cultural significance. The initiative is being coordinated by the

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in association with the Ministry of Urban Development,

Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and the concerned State governments.

Swachh Darpan: All India district ranking on cleanliness based on three key parameters- performance,

sustainability and transparency.

Swachhta Action Plan: Programme to ensure all Ministries/Departments bring Swachhta as an

element in their schemes and activities so that each of them and the institutions, corporations and offices

under them can contribute to achieve Swachh Bharat.

Swachh Swasth Sarvatra campaign: an inter-ministerial joint initiative between the Ministry of Drinking

Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare merging the goals of Swachh

Bharat with Kayakalp schemes.

Swachh Sankalp Se Swachh Siddhi: Essay writing and Short film competitions for leading a thought

revolution for Swachhata.

Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) : Scheme set up to attract Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from

Corporate Sector and contributions from individuals and philanthropists for Swachh Bharat Mission.

Swachhta Pakhwada: fortnight of activities related to Swachh Bharat Mission

Swachhta Samiksha: online monitoring system of where action plans, images, videos related to

Swachhta activities are uploaded and shared.

1.3 IMTECHO

Why in News?

ImTecho was recently launched by Prime Minister in Gujarat.

What is it?

ImTecho is a mobile phone application to improve performance of ASHAs through better supervision,

support and motivation

It aims to increase the coverage of proven maternal, newborn and child health interventions among

resource-poor settings in India.

ImTeCHO stands for “Innovative mobile-phone Technology for Community Health Operations”.

“TeCHO” in Gujarati means “support”; therefore, “ImTeCHO” means “I am support.”

It was created by SEWA NGO and supported by Government of Gujarat.

1.4 INDIA’S MILLION DEATH STUDY

Why in news?

Recently, Million Death Study released its 2017 findings.

What is it?

The Million Death Study (MDS) is one of the largest studies of premature mortality in the world.

It is an ongoing study that is conducted in India, where, like most low- and middle-income countries,

the majority of deaths occur at home and without medical attention and a certified cause.

It is undertaken by the Registrar General of India's Sample Registration System (SRS) in close

collaboration with the Centre for Global Health Research at the University of Toronto, leading Indian

and other overseas academic institutions, and the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Study Characteristics

Data from 1 million deaths over 16 years (from 2000-15) among randomly selected homes.


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Biannual in-person surveys of more than 1 million households across India

Survey on the underlying causes of child and adult deaths, as well as key risk factors for these deaths

(behavioral, physical, environmental, and, possibly, genetic).

It is the first study to directly quantify changes in cause-specific child deaths in India, nationally and sub-

nationally

The findings of study

Four most cause of death for Indians aged 30-69 are vascular disease, chronic respiratory, tuberculosis

and cancer

Cervical cancer top killer among cancer affected women

Suicide rate of women among 15 years older and more is 2.5 times more in India than high income

countries.

India has avoided about 1 million (10 lakh) deaths of children under age five since 2005, owing to the

significant reductions in mortality from pneumonia, diarrhoea, neonatal infections and birth

asphyxia/trauma, measles and tetanus.

1.5 INTENSIFIED MISSION INDRADHANUSH

Why in news?

Recently, Prime Minister launches Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI).

What is it?

Intensified Mission Indradhanush is a special drive with

focus on improving immunization coverage in select districts

and cities to ensure full immunization to more than 90% by

December 2018

The achievement of full immunisation under Mission

Indradhanush to at least 90% coverage was to be achieved by

2020 earlier. With the launch of IMI, achievement of the target

has now been advanced.

Target group

Every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under

the routine immunisation programme.

Special attention will be given to unserved/low coverage pockets in sub-centre and urban slums with

migratory population

Implementation

It will have inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination and action-based review mechanism.

It is supported by 11 other ministries and departments, such as Ministry of Women and Child

Development, Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs among others.

1.6 TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

Why in news?

Death from tuberculosis in India saw a 12% decline from last year according to a report from the World

Health Organisation (WHO). Still,India continued to be the largest contributor to the global burden with up

to a quarter of the 6.3 million new cases of TB

What Causes TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.


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Tuberculosis is curable and preventable

How is it spread ?

TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit,

they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become

infected.

persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes,

or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB disease and death

Symptoms

When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats, or weight

loss) may be mild for many months.

Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness,

weight loss, fever and night sweats.

Diagnosis Test

The use of the rapid test Xpert MTB/RIF has expanded substantially since 2010, when WHO first

recommended its use.

The test simultaneously detects

TB and resistance to rifampicin,

the most important TB medicine.

Drug Resistant TB

Drug resistance emerges when

anti-TB medicines are used

inappropriately, through

incorrect prescription by health

care providers, poor quality

drugs, and patients stopping

treatment prematurely.

Multidrug-resistant

tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and

rifampicin, the second most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs.

MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.

In some cases, more severe drug resistance can develop. Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a

more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line

anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.

The WHO End TB Strategy

Adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2014, is a blueprint for countries to end the TB epidemic

by driving down TB deaths, incidence and eliminating catastrophic costs.

It outlines global impact targets to reduce TB deaths by 90%, to cut new cases by 80% between 2015 and

2030, and to ensure that no family is burdened with catastrophic costs due to TB.

Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the newly adopted Sustainable

Development Goals.


13

1.7 GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX

Why in news?

Recently, Global Hunger Index report 2017 was released by IFPRI

What is it?

The GHI score is a multidimensional index composed of four indicators

1. Proportion of undernourished in the population

2. Prevalence of child mortality

3. Child stunting (low height-for-age)

4. Child wasting (low weight-for-height)

On the severity scale, a GHI score of less than

10 means “low” prevalence of hunger while a

score of more than 50 implies an “extremely

alarming” situation.

The report is prepared by Washington-based

International Food Policy Research Institute

(IFPRI)

While countries like Chile, Cuba and Turkey

have a GHI score of less than 5 and ranked the best among developing nations, nations like Chad and

Central African Republic fare the worst with a score of 43.5 and 50.9, respectively.

Indian Status

India is categorized in the “serious” category with hunger problem and ranks 100 among 119

developing countries with a score of 31.4.

India is lagging behind countries such as North Korea and Iraq.

More than a fifth (21%) of children in India suffer from wasting (low weight for height) which is having

an increasing trend.

India considerably improved its child stunting rate, but with a relatively high stunting rate of 38.4%.

EDUCATION

1.8 SWAYAM

Why in news?

To meet the provision of the RTE Act 2009, the government is training approximately 15 lakh untrained

teachers by 31st March 2019 using SWAYAM platform.

What is it?

Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM)

Portal is a national platform for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

under its National Mission on Education through Information &

Communication Technology (NME-ICT).

This platform being developed to serve as a source for courses related to

all fields from high school, starting with the 9th standard, up till post-

graduation.

It has been developed by MHRD and AICTE with the help of Microsoft

What kind of questions to expect?

(Prelims 2016)

Which of the following is/are the

indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the

Global Hunger Index Report?

a) Undernourishment

b) Child stunting

c) Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the code

given below.

(a)1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1, 2 and 3(d) 1 and 3

only


14

It hosts about 2000 courses and 80000 hours of learning in different streams including engineering, law,

post-graduate and under-graduate courses and some other professional courses.

They are produced and delivered by

o NPTEL for engineering,

o UGC for post-graduation education,

o CEC for under-graduate education,

o NCERT & NIOS for school education,

o IGNOU for out of the school students and

o IIMB for management studies.

1.9 SWAYAM PRABHA

Why in news?



What is it?

It is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting of high-quality educational programmes on

24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite.

Every day, there will be new content for at least (4) hours which

would be repeated 5 more times in a day, allowing the students to

choose the time of their convenience.

The channels are developed by INFLIBNET Gandhinagar and

uplinked from BISAG, Gandhinagar.

The contents are provided by NPTEL, IITs, UGC, CEC, IGNOU,

NCERT and NIOS. The INFLIBNET Centre maintains the web

portal.

After watching the content, students can call on toll free helpline number to clear their doubts.

The DTH Channels shall cover the following:

o Higher Education: PG –UG for diverse disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, performing

arts, social sciences and humanities, engineering, technology, law, medicine, agriculture, etc.

o School education (9-12 levels)

o Curriculum-based courses that can meet the needs of life-long learners of Indian citizens in India

and abroad.

o Assist students (class 11th & 12th) prepare for competitive exams.

The subscribers of free DTH service of Doordarshan (Free dish) would be able to view these

Educational channels using the same set Top Box and TV.

1.10 NATIONAL DIGITAL LIBRARY (NDL)

Why in news?



What is it?

It is a platform to host a national repository to integrate all the existing digitized and digital contents

across educational and cultural institutions/bodies to provide a single-window access to different groups

of users ranging across the entire population.


15

It is established under the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication

Technology (NMEICT).

IIT Kharagpur has been entrusted to host, coordinate and set it up.

NDL Portal (https: //ndl.iitkgp. ac.in) went live in February 2016 with users from selected CFTIs

(Centrally Funded Technical Institutes) and later was opened to all.

1.11 VAJRA

Why in news?

The Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme

has received 260 applications from foreign scientists.

What is it?

VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research)

Faculty is a scheme by the Department of

Science and Technology which enables NRIs

and overseas scientific community to

participate and contribute to research and

development in India.

It was launched during the

14thPravasiBharatiya Divas Convention on

2017

The Science and Engineering Research

Board (SERB), a statutory body of the

Department implements this Scheme.

Conditions

The research will be undertaken in S&T priority areas of nation wherein the capability and capacity are

needed to be developed.

Public funded academic institutions and national laboratories are eligible to host the VAJRA Faculty.

The residency period of the VAJRA Faculty in India would be for 1 to 3 months a year.

The VAJRA Faculty is provided a lump-sum amount to cover their travel and honorarium but no other

financial support.

The Indian collaborator and the overseas faculty will jointly frame a research plan which needs to be

approved by a selection committee which meets twice a year.

1.12 THE PRIME MINISTER’S FELLOWSHIP SCHEME FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCH

Why in news?

Earlier anyone scoring a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 8 or above in B.Tech could apply for

the PM Fellowship scheme for Doctoral Research now HRD ministry is planning to allow only those students

who are from institutions which scored in the top 20 percentile (best performing institutions) to apply for it.

What is it?

The Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research is a public-private partnership (PPP)

between Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), which is an autonomous body under the

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and Confederation of Indian

Industry (CII).

Up to 100 new Fellowships are provided every year


(Prelims 2017)

What is the purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana’?

1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to

open their campuses in India.

2. To increase the quality of education provided in

government schools by taking help from the private sector

and the community.

3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from

private individuals and organizations so as to improve the

infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.


16

Components

This scheme is aimed at encouraging young, talented, enthusiastic and result-oriented scholars to take

up industry-relevant research.

Under it, the scholars get double the JRF/SRF as scholarship.

While one-half of this scholarship comes from the government, the second half comes from a partner

company which also works closely with the candidate on the research project.

The first batch commenced in 2013.

Governance Mechanism

The Apex Council is the highest decision-making body of this scheme. It has representation from both

industry and academia.

The Apex Council vets the proposals received under the scheme and gives its recommendations on the

candidates to be supported under the scheme.

VULNERABLE SECTIONS

1.13 WOMEN FOR WOMEN, #IAMTHATWOMAN CAMPAIGN

Why in news?

In an attempt to end Gender bias in women against women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development

is undertaking online campaign #IamThatWoman.

What is it?

Through this campaign, Ministry aim to shed light on the enormous contributions made by women

for women and the various aspects of women standing 'by' and 'for' women.

Ministry of WCD has urged people to shun stereotypes associated with women harming other

women.

Twitter and Facebook users have been encouraged to tag and share stories of women helping women

with a photograph and post online with the hashtag #IamThatWoman.

To Know More About Economy Guru : https://goo.gl/11bJ8A

https://goo.gl/11bJ8A


17

2 ECONOMY: CONCEPTS, SCHEMES AND INSTITUTIONS

CONCEPTS

2.1 BASE EROSION AND PROFIT SHIFTING (BEPS)

Why in News?

Recently, India amended Income tax Act 1961 to comply with Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project.

What is it?

BEPS refers to a situation where companies

making profits in one jurisdiction, shift them

to countries with lower tax rates taking

advantage of gaps in tax laws.

The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)

project is a joint initiative between G20

countries and the OECD, works towards the

development of a coherent global taxation

system which addresses BEPS concerns.

The project is headed by the OECD’s Centre

for Tax Policy and Administration.

The BEPS project consists of 15 action plans,

agreed to by all participating countries who

have committed to consistent implementation

It’s objectives include

o Securing revenues by realigning taxation with economic activities and value creation,

o Create single consensus-based international tax rules to address BEPS

o Offering increased certainty and predictability to taxpayers.

In 2016, the OECD and G20 established an Inclusive Framework on BEPS to allow interested countries

and jurisdictions to work with OECD and G20 members to develop standards on BEPS related issues and

reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the whole BEPS Package.

BEPS in Indian context

For developing countries due to their heavy reliance on corporate income tax, particularly from

multinational enterprises, BEPS has huge impact.

Recently in the 2016 Union Budget, India announced an ‘equalisation levy’ of 6 per cent on payments

exceeding over Rs 1 lakh to online ad services from non-resident entities. India is the first country to

impose such a levy, post the OECD action plan.

India also signed the OECD multilateral convention which aims to crack down on tax evasion around

the world, be it companies or investors, anybody trying to create a structure primarily to avoid or evade

taxes.

2.2 HYBRID ANNUITY MODE

Recently, it was in news that India’s first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under Hybrid Annuity Mode will

come up in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).


(Prelims 2016)

The term ‘Base Erosion and Profit Shifting’ is

sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) mining operation by multinational companies

in resource-rich but backward areas

(b) curbing of the tax evasion by multinational

companies

(c) exploitation of genetic resources of a country by

multinational companies

(d) lack of consideration of environmental costs in

the planning and implementation of

developmental projects


18

What is it?

HAM is a hybrid — a mix of the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and BOT (build,

operate, transfer) models.

Private Players Government

EPC model Lay the road. Govt. pays private players to lay roads, has the road’s ownership and takes care of toll collection and maintenance

BOT model Build, operate and maintain the road for a specified number of years before giving asset to govt. Arrange finance and collect toll revenue or annuity fee

BOT Annuity - the toll revenue risk is taken by the government, while the private player is paid a pre-fixed annuity for construction and maintenance of roads.

HAM combines EPC (40 per cent) and BOT-Annuity (60 per cent).

o On behalf of the government, NHAI releases 40 per cent of the total project cost. It is given in

five tranches linked to milestones.

o The balance 60 per cent is arranged by the developer. Here, the developer usually invests not

more than 20-25 per cent of the project cost (as against 40 percent or more before), while the

remaining is raised as debt.

2.3 INFORMATION UTILITY

Why in news?

Recently, National e-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) became India’s first information utility (IU) for

bankruptcy cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

What is an information utility?

Information utility is an information network which would store financial data like borrowings, default

and security interests along with other data of firms.

The utility would specialise in procuring, maintaining and providing/supplying financial information

to businesses, financial institutions, adjudicating authority, insolvency professionals and other relevant

stake holders.

Benefits from Information utility

High-quality, authenticated information about debts and defaults

Storage of financial information of registered users and

expeditiously process and verify information received.

Database and records maintained by them would help lenders

in taking informed decisions about credit transactions.

Make debtors cautious as credit information is available with

the utility.

Information available with the utility can be used as evidence

in bankruptcy cases before the National Company Law Tribunal.


19

What are the rules governing these utilities?

Information utilities are governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code 2016 and IBBI (Information

Utilities) Regulations 2017.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) overseas aspects such as registration and

cancellation of these entities, their shareholding and governance among others.

Recently, IBBI eased norms for information utilities, allowing Indian firms listed on stock exchanges to

hold 100% in such firms. It also allowed individuals to hold 51% in the utility for a period of three years.

India’s first information utility (IU) for bankruptcy cases

National e-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) became India’s first information utility (IU) for bankruptcy

cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

NeSL is owned by State Bank of India and Life Insurance Corporation Ltd., among others.

2.4 RECAPITALISATION BONDS

Why in news?

Recently government announced Rs2.1 lakh crore ($32 billion) to strengthen Public sector banks. Out of this,

Rs 1.5 trillion lakh crore ($23 billion) will come from the injection of public funds from the government's

existing budget and the issuance of recapitalization bonds

What are recapitalisation bonds?

Recapitalisation bonds are bonds used by Government to fund bank recapitalisation.

In it the government of the day issues Special Bonds to PSBs to borrow money. It then used the money to

acquire equity shares in the very same banks. Through this bit of creative accounting, deposits held by

PSBs were neatly morphed into equity capital, with no actual cash changing hands.

Benefits

India’s local banks need as much as $65 billion by 2019 to meet Basel III standards.

As per the Basel III norms, there should be a minimum higher quality capital like equity capital (Tier I

capital) of 7%.

The central government does not have much cash to deploy in direct injections, since it is already

stretched to meet a 3.2% fiscal-deficit target.

PSBs benefited as they received interest on the bonds and also got capital.

2.5 ASSET QUALITY REVIEW

Why in news?



existing budget and the issuance of recapitalization bonds.

What is it?

Typically, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) inspectors check bank books every year as part of its annual

financial inspection (AFI) process.

However in order to address the problem of NPASs, The RBI during 2015 has conducted inspection of

selected banks’ balance sheets in random. The report from such inspection is termed as Asset Quality

Review (AQR).

So, AQR is the result of asset quality inspection by the RBI on commercial banks.

The main feature of AQR is that it may not be periodic and rather it is random check


20

In a routine AFI, a small sample of loans is inspected to check if asset classification was in line with the

loan repayment and if banks have made provisions adequately. However, in the AQR, the sample size

was much bigger and in fact, most of the large borrower accounts were inspected to check if

classification was in line with prudential norms.

Impact

Bad loans in the Indian banking system jumped 80 per cent in FY16.

The AQR created havoc as many banks reported losses for the full financial year.

Banks have classified AQR-identified accounts as NPAs which resulted in an increase in provisioning,

to 15 per cent as compared to 0.4 per cent provisioning requirement for standard assets.

2.6 TWIN-BALANCE SHEET PROBLEM

Why in news?



existing budget and the issuance of recapitalization bonds

What is it?

A balance sheet is a financial statement that summarises a company/institution’s assets, liabilities and

shareholder’s equity at a specific point of a time.

Twin Balance Sheet Problem (TBS) deals with two balance sheet problems. One with Indian companies

and the other with Indian Banks.

Overleveraged companies

o Debt accumulation on companies is very high and thus they are unable to pay interest payments

on loans.

o 40% of corporate debt is owed by companies who are not earning enough to pay back their interest

payments. In technical terms, this means that they have an interest coverage ratio less than 1.

Bad-loan-encumbered-banks

o Non-Performing Assets (NPA) of the banks is 9% for the total banking system of India. It is as

high as 12.1% for Public Sector Banks.

o As companies fail to pay back principal or interest, banks are also in trouble.

2.7 BASEL III NORMS

Why in news?

Recently government announced Rs2.1

lakh crore ($32 billion) to strengthen

Public sector banks. Out of this, Rs 1.5

trillion lakh crore ($23 billion) will come

from the injection of public funds from the

government's existing budget and the

issuance of recapitalization bonds

Basel Accords

The Basel Accords are three sets of

banking regulations (Basel I, II and

III) set by the Basel Committee on

Bank Supervision (BCBS), which

provides recommendations on banking

regulations in regards to capital risk, market risk and operational risk.


(Prelims 2015)

‘Basel III Accord’ or simply ‘Basel III’, often seen in the news, seeks to

(a)develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of

biological diversity

(b)improve banking sector’s ability to deal with financial and economic stress

and improve risk management

(c)reduce the greenhouse gas emissions but places a heavier burden on

developed countries

(d)transfer technology from developed countries to poor countries to enable

them to replace the use of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration with harmless

chemicals


21

BCBS was established by the central bank Governors of the G10 countries at the end of 1974 in the

aftermath of serious disturbances in international currency and banking markets.

It is headquartered at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland.

BIS fosters co-operation among central banks with a common goal of financial stability and common

standards of banking regulations.

The purpose of Basel accord is to ensure that financial institutions have enough capital on account to

meet the obligations and absorb unexpected losses.

India has accepted Basel accords for the banking system. Presently Indian banking system follows Basel

II norms.

Basel III norms

In 2010, Basel III guidelines were released in response to the financial crisis of 2008.

They aim for resilient banking system based on 4 vital

banking parameters

o Capital: Capital Adequacy Requirement (CAR) =

9% of Risk Weighted Assets ( Tier 1 Capital 7%+

Tier 2 Capital %) ;Capital Conservation buffer of

2.5% of risky assets;

o Leverage ( Debt the bank can owe) : minimum

leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital divided by assets) of

3%;

o Funding: common equity ( Tier 1 capital as stocks of bank) requirements of 5..5%;

o Liquidity : Liquidity Coverage Ratio (to cover its net cash outflow for 30 days) and Net Stable

Funding Ratio (stable funding to over a one-year period of extended stress)

The Reserve Bank of India has extended the timeline for full implementation of the Basel III capital

regulations by a year to March 31, 2019.

Assessment of capital requirement for public sector banks to meet Basel III requirements is in the range

of ₹ 1.4-1.7 lakh crore




22

2.8 INSKY MOMENT

Why in news?

Recently, China’s central bank chief issued a stark warning about possible risks of a “Minsky moment” in

the economy,

What is it?

“Minsky moment” in the economy, referring to a sudden collapse in asset prices after long periods of

growth, sparked by debt or currency pressures.

Chinese central bank governor spoke of this in the context of high corporate debt levels and quick rise

in household debts.

As a measure to it, the governor has suggested to control risks from sudden adjustments to asset bubbles

and will seriously deal with disguised debt of local government financing vehicles. Through a tight

control on credit, China’s overall debt level could decline.

2.9 COMMERCIAL PAPER

Why in news?

Recently, RBI data showed that companies prefer bond and commercial papers to raise inexpensive funds

than depend on banks for capital.

What is a Commercial Paper?

A Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured loan raised by firms in money markets through instruments

issued in the form of a promissory note.

CPs can be issued for maturities between a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of up to one year from

the date of issue.

Benefits of commercial papers

Due to surplus liquidity, short-term borrowing rates in money markets have significantly declined post

demonetisation

Because banks cannot lend below the benchmark lending rates, thus short-term working capital

requirements can be met through commercial papers at lower-than-bank rates

Due to easier procedural requirements, it helps meet funding requirements relatively quickly for better-

rated companies.

Challenges of Commercial Papers

It is an unsecured loan, so the investor in commercial papers largely prefers highly-rated corporates or

public sector entities.

It can be seasonal and vulnerable to liquidity conditions. In case of sudden tightening of liquidity, a firm’s

ability to secure funding can be challenged.

SCHEMES

2.10 INDIA’S FIRST EVER CRUDE OIL IMPORT FROM US

Why in new?

India received first ever shipment of US crude oil of 1.6 million barrels, purchased by state-run Indian Oil

Corporation (IOC) at Paradip Port in Odisha.

India’s present oil export status

India is 80% dependent on imports to meet its oil needs.


23

India is the world's third-largest oil importer.

Indian oil import in decreasing order as of October 2017

o Saudi Arabia – 20%

o Iraq

o Venezuela

o Nigeria

o UAE

Dependence on US

Production cuts by oil cartel OPEC drove up prices of West

Asian heavy-sour crude, or grades with a high sulphur content

Asian countries like South Korea, Japan and China started

buying US crude oil

US crude oil has become attractive for Indian refiners as

o the differential between Brent (reference price for

west) and Dubai (a benchmark in the east) narrowed.

o India need not pay "Asian premium" charged by West Asian exporters.

o Indian government has allowed refiners to use a foreign rather than an Indian owned vessel for

the purchase.

2.11 PMGDISHA

Why in news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)

at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

What is it?

It’s a project launched under the Skill India scheme to impart digital literacy to rural citizens across the

country.

It is applicable only for rural areas of the country.

It has overall target of training 6 crore students till 2019. By March 31, 2019, it is expected to reach around

40 per cent rural households in the country.

To ensure proportionate geographical reach, each of the 250,000 Gram Panchayats would be expected to

register an average of 200-300 candidates.

Components

Under free of cost PMGDISHA scheme, people in the rural area will be trained to operate a computer,

tablet, smartphones, etc. They will be taught how to access the Internet, government services, undertake

digital payment, compose e-mails, etc.

Digitally Illiterate people between the age group 14-60 years, nominated from every eligible rural

household, are qualified for the scheme.

The scheme would be implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and IT in collaboration with States

and Union Territories through designated State Implementing Agencies and District e-Governance

Society (DeGS).


24

2.12 LIFT IRRIGATION

Why in news?

Recently, Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was in news with respect to its funding. It linked Krishna and

Godavari rivers saving Krishna delta from a drought-like situation arising from water scarcity in river

Krishna.

What is lift irrigation?

Lift irrigation is a method of irrigation in which water instead of being transported by natural flow (as

in gravity-fed canal systems) requires external energy through animal, fuel based or electric power

using pumps or other mechanical means.

Lift irrigation schemes involves two steps

o Carrying water by means of pumps from the water source to the main delivery chamber, which

is situated at the top most point in the command area.

o Distributing this water to the field of the beneficiary farmers by means of a suitable and proper

distribution system.

2.13 PATTISEEMA LIFT IRRIGATION PROJECT

Why in news?

Recently, Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was in news with respect to its funding. It linked Krishna and

Godavari rivers saving Krishna delta from a drought-like situation arising from water scarcity in river

Krishna.

What is it?

It is described as the first river linking project in country, connecting Godavari with Krishna.

It is designed to lift flood water in a span of 110 days during the flooding season from the ongoing

Polavaram Multi-purpose Irrigation Project in Godavari.

Then water is pumped up to a nearby point and discharged

into Polavaram Right Main Canal, which carry water by

gravity to a tributary of River Krishna about 170 km away in

the neighboring Krishna district above the Prakasham

barrage.

Prakasam Barrage, which feeds the Krishna delta was not

receiving its share owing to upstream projects as well as the

overall water shortfall in Krishna basin.

Godavari-Krishna linkage will benefit the Krishna delta in

terms of timely availability and adequate quantities of water

even for raising the second crop

2.14 NATIONAL WATERWAYS – 4

Why in news?

The Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu will lay the foundation stone for the development of Muktyala to

Vijayawada stretch of Krishna River (National Waterways – 4)


25

National Waterway No.4

National waterway 4 runs from Kakinada in East Godavari district to Puducherry, where it merges into

the Bay of Bengal, cutting through Chennai

It was declared as a waterway in 2008 with a total length of 1078 km. This length was extended to 2890

km by National Waterway Act-2016.

It started off as an 11-km saltwater navigation Buckingham Canal in 1806 in the erstwhile Madras state.

It was gradually extended up to Vijayawada till the Krishna river. The canal, which was in service up to

the late 1970s, was damage by floods and gradually its usage dwindled.

It is owned by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and operated by Central Inland Water

Transport Corporation (CIWTC)

2.15 ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI)

Why in news?

Recently, EESL floated tender which is the world’s largest single Smart Meter procurement.

What is Advanced Metering Infrastructure?

AMI is a collective term for an integrated infrastructure of Smart Meters, two way-communication

networks and the applications that enable near real-time gathering and transfer of energy usage

information.

It is the first step towards realising Smart Grids and

Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP). The

SMNP aims to replace India’s 250 million

conventional meters with smart meters to helping

utilities reduce these billing inefficiencies.

A smart, automated metering system reduces meter-

reading, data-entry errors and costs by reducing

energy consumption during peak hours and by removing the need for manual meter reading .

Therefore, the Smart Meter can enable utilities to reduce their Aggregate Transmission and Commercial

(AT&C) losses and billing inefficiencies

Source Location

River Godavari Bhadrachalam to Rajahmundry

River Krishna Wazirabad to Vijayawada

Kakinada Canal Kakinada to Rajahmundry

Eluru Canal Rajahmundry to Vijayawada

Commamur Canal Vijayawada to Pedaganjam

North Buckingham Canal

Pedaganjam to Chennai

South Buckingham Canal

Chennai to Merkanam

Kaluvelly Tank Markanam to Puducherry


26

The overall AMI solution will also have a system integrator who will be responsible for meter installation,

data storage on cloud, preparing dashboards, etc.

Installation of these smart meters along with its associated communication and IT infrastructure will

enable the DISCOMs to obtain real time energy consumption data of each consumer for subsequent

analysis

2.16 EESL

Why in news?

Recently, EESL floated tender which is the world’s largest single Smart Meter procurement.

What is EESL?

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a joint venture of four National Public Sector

Undertakings – NTPC Limited, Power Finance

Corporation Limited, Rural Electrification Corporation

Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited,

set up under Ministry of Power, Government of India.

EESL is a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO). It acts

as the resource center for capacity building for State

Distribution Companies (DISCOMs), Energy Regulatory

Commissions (ERCs), State Development Authorities

(SDAs), upcoming ESCOs, financial institutions, etc.

EESL leads the market-related activities of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

(NMEEE).

It is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio.

It’s prominent for its following key programmes

o Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP): World’s largest street light replacement

programme

o Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All(UJALA): World’s largest zero-subsidy domestic LED

bulb programme

o World’s largest Agricultural Demand Side Management programme (AgDSM)




27

2.17 VALUE ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Why in News?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has decided to implement a “Value Engineering Program”

What is it?

Value Engineering Program aims to promote the use of new technologies, materials, and equipment in

highways projects executed either under PPP mode or public funding mode.

By using innovative technology, materials and equipment, it aims to reduce the cost of projects, make

them more environment friendly, assets get constructed much faster, structurally stronger and more

durable.

Ministry had constituted a National Panel of Experts (NPE) for approving proposals pertaining

to deployment new materials, technologies and equipment in the highway sector.

2.18 DESTINATION RESTRICTION CLAUSE

Why in news?

Recently, India and Japan decided to relax destination restriction clause in the context of LPG.

What is it?

India and Japan are major consumers of energy in the world. In the LNG sector, Japan is the world's

largest importer and India is the 4th largest importer.

Major LNG exporters such as Qatar, Australia and Malaysia prefer to have clients locked into fixed

supply contracts that run for decades and make buyers take fixed amounts of monthly volumes

irrespective of demand, with no right to re-sell surplus supplies to other end-users.

Under the Japan-India Energy Partnership Initiative had agreed to work together in to promote a

transparent and diversified Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market through the relaxation of Destination

Restriction Clause

Destination Restriction clause prevents countries from re-selling imports to third parties

Now, Indian can swap its Australian LNG from Gorgon project with LNG booked by Japan with Qatar

2.19 SANKALP

Why in news?

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved SANKALP and STRIVE schemes.

Objective

For creating a national architecture for promoting convergence, regulating skill training, catalyzing

industry efforts in vocational training space and ensuring effective governance.

The schemes shall set up national bodies for regulation of accreditation and certification in both long

and short term Vocational Education and Training (VET).

The schemes shall thus provide the required momentum for the National Skill Development Mission,

2015 and various other sub missions under the scheme.

SANKALP

Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) is Centrally

sponsored scheme with Rs. 3,300 crore loan support from World Bank

SANKALP envisages setting up of Trainers and Assessors academies with self-sustainable models. Over

50 such academies are to be set up in priority sectors.


28

SANKALP intends to set up Trainers and Assessors academies with

self-sustainable models.

Additional training academies will also be set up under the scheme.

SANKALP aims at enhancement of inclusion of marginalized

communities including women. Scheduled Castes (SCs), Schedule

Tribes (STs) and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) to provide skill

training opportunities to the underprivileged and marginalised

section of the society.

2.20 STRIVE

Why in news?

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved SANKALP and STRIVA schemes

What is it?

Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) is a Rs. 2,200 crore - central sector

scheme, with half of the scheme outlay as World bank loan assistance.

STRIVE scheme shall incentivize ITIs to improve overall performance including apprenticeship by

involving SMEs, business association and industry clusters.

The schemes aim to develop a robust mechanism for delivering quality skill development training by

strengthening institutions such as State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs), National Skill

Development Corporation (NSDC), Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), ITIs and National Skill Development

Agency (NSDA) etc. T

The schemes shall support universalization of National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)

including National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) across the skill development schemes of

central and state governments thus ensuring standardization in skill delivery, content and training

output

2.21 SAMPOORNA BIMA GRAM (SBG) YOJANA

Why in news?

The Department of Post launched Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana and expanded the coverage of Postal

Life Insurance to professionals.

What is it?

Under the scheme, at least one village (having a minimum of 100 households) will be identified in each of

the revenue districts of the country, wherein endeavour will be made to cover all households of that

identified village with a minimum of one RPLI (Rural Postal Life Insurance) policy each

Postal Life Insurance (PLI)

PLI was introduced in 1884 and is one of the oldest life insurance schemes for benefit of Government and

semi-Government employees.

Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) was introduced 1995 on recommendations of Malhotra Committee.

It provides insurance cover to people residing in rural areas, especially weaker sections and women

living in rural areas.

Low Premium and High Bonus is the unique feature of PLI and RPLI schemes.


29

2.22 PROJECT CHAMAN

(Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo informatics)

CHAMAN project was launched by the Agriculture Department in 2014 to use geo-spatial applications

for the assessment and management of horticultural crops.

Under this pioneer project, the remote sensing technology and sample survey techniques is used for

production forecasting of major horticultural crops in select

districts.

It will help in accurate forecasting of area and production of seven

major crops in about 185 districts across India.

Other components include geospatial applications for horticultural

development and management planning (site suitability, post-

harvest infrastructure, crop intensification, GIS database creation,

orchard rejuvenation, aqua-horticulture).

Crops covered

These crops are banana, mango, citrus, potato, onion, tomato and chilli.

India is the second largest producer of vegetables and fruits in the world. It is first in the production of

Banana, Mango, Lime and Lemon, Papaya and Okra.

Implementing Agency

This project is being implemented by Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC)

2.23 INVEST INDIA

Why in news?

Invest India received the 100,000th investment-related query, from a Japanese auto-components company,

which is considering investing in India.

What is it?

Invest India is the official investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India,

mandated to facilitate investments into India under Make in India.

It will act as the first reference point for any investor interested in India.

It will facilitate in setting up business in the country, by making available sector-wise consultants and

coordinating with the state governments.

It is a public-private partnership company where

o Industry bodies such as FICCI, CII and Nasscom hold 51 per cent equity in the company

o The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion under the Union Ministry of Commerce and

11 State governments holds the rest.

2.24 RASHTRIYA RAIL SANRAKSHA KOSH

Why in news?

Recently, it was reported was that the Ministry of Railways is set to ask the Finance Ministry to fund its share

of the railway safety fund this year as the public utility is staring at an earnings shortfall of at least ₹ 10,000

crore in 2017-18.

What is it?

Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (National Rail safety Fund) is a 1 lakh crore rupees safety fund to

strengthen safety measures in Indian railway, announced in 2017 Union budget.


30

The fund will help Indian Railways to accomplish its zero-accident mission by strengthening the safety

measures on the rail network in a comprehensive manner.

Fund was set up based on the recommendations of a high-level Railway safety review committee

headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman Atomic Energy Commission. The committee projected

an investment requirement of Rs. 1 lakh crore on safety over five years.

Nature of funding

The fund will be utilized for track improvement, bridge rehabilitation, rolling stock replacement,

human resource development, improved inspection system, and safety work at level crossing, among

other things.

It will be a non-lapsable fund.

The 1 lakh crore will be contributed over 5 years by giving 20,000 crore every year.

According to initial plans the Finance Ministry would contribute ₹ 15,000 crore annually towards the

fund and the Ministry of Railways would fund the balance ₹ 5,000 crore every year.

It will also receive funding from the Central Road Fund (CRF) that is collected by levying a cess on diesel

and petrol at present for safety-related work.

2.25 PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA

Why in news?

India’s First Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Skilling in Smart Cities Launched in New Delhi under Skill

India Mission in collaboration with NDMC

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

PMKVY is the flagship scheme for skill training of youth implemented by Ministry of Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

It’s a Skill Certification Scheme that aims to enable Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training

that will help them in securing a better livelihood.

Skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and

industry led standards.

Key components

Eligibility: any candidate of Indian nationality who

Is an unemployed youth, college / school dropout

Has a verifiable identity proof - Aadhaar / Voter id and a bank account.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Individuals with prior learning experience or skills shall be assessed and certified under the

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component of the Scheme.

RPL aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the NSQF.

To address knowledge gaps, agencies may offer Bridge Courses to RPL candidates.

Kaushal and Rozgar Mela will be conducted every six months with press/media coverage; they

are also required to participate actively in National Career Service Melas and on-ground activities.

Placement guidelines linking the aptitude, aspiration, and knowledge of the skilled workforce it

creates with employment opportunities and demands in the market.

The Short Term Training and Placement

o Cover high market demand job roles of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level

5 and below.


31

o National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Quality Packs (QP) for these roles will be prepared

by the respective Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), and will constitute 80% of the entry-level workforce

in priority sectors.

o Duration of the training varies per job role, ranging between 150 and 300 hours.

o Upon successful completion of their assessment, candidates shall be provided placement

assistance by Training Partners (TPs).

o Entire training and assessment fees are paid by the Government

Monitoring Guidelines: NSDC and empaneled Inspection Agencies shall use various methodologies,

such as self-audit reporting, call validations, surprise visits, and monitoring through the Skills

Development Management System (SDMS).

2.26 SAATHI

Why in news?

Ministries of Power and Textiles has recently launched SAATHI programme.

What is it?

Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to help Small Industries

(SAATHI) is an initiative under Ministries of Power & Textiles.

Under this initiative, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under the

administrative control of Ministry of Power, would procure energy efficient Power looms, motors and

Rapier kits in bulk and provide them to the small and medium Power loom units.

The units will be provided at no upfront cost but the owner would have to repay in instalments to EESL

over a 4 to 5 years period.

It will be jointly implemented by EESL and the office of the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis.

Benefits

MSME units produce 57 percent of the total cloth in the country.

Energy savings and cost savings to the unit owner.

Aggregation of demand and bulk procurement will also lead to reduction in capital cost, benefits of which

will be passed on to the Power loom units so that their repayment amount and period would reduce

Higher productivity, better quality and more than 50 percent additional value realization, add to the

efforts under Power Tex Indian programme for INSITU up gradation of plain Power looms.

2.27 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NHDP)

Why in news?

Bharatmala Project was given the nod by the Union Cabinet. It is one of the biggest highway construction

projects in India in history.

What is it?

NHDP was launched in 1998 with the objective of developing roads of international standards which

facilitate smooth flow of traffic.

Objectives

o Creation of roads with enhanced safety features, better riding surface, grade separator and

other salient features.


32

o Improve the National Highways which constitute only 2% of the total road length in the

country but carry 40% of the total traffic.

NHDP is being implemented by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The programme is being implemented in seven phases. Phase I is the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ;

5,846 km) connecting the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

2.28 LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE INDEX

Why in news?

Central government is planning to setup logistics division in the commerce department in a larger goal to

improve its Logistic Performance Index.

What is it?

The Logistics Performance Index is an interactive

benchmarking tool created by the World Bank to

help countries identify the challenges and

opportunities they face in their performance on

trade logistics and what they can do to improve

their performance.

The LPI is based on a worldwide survey of

operators on the ground (global freight

forwarders and express carriers) based on a

feedback on the logistics “friendliness” of the

countries in which they operate and those with

which they trade.

Feedback from operators is supplemented with quantitative data on the performance of key components

of the logistics chain in the country of work.

It measures performance along the logistics supply chain within a country and offers two different

perspectives: international and domestic.

International LPI

Provides qualitative evaluations of a country in six areas by its trading partners—logistics professionals

working outside the country.

The Logistics Performance Index analyses countries across six components:

1. Efficiency of customs and border management clearance

2. Quality of trade and transport infrastructure

3. Ease of arranging competitively priced shipments

4. Competence and quality of logistics services

5. Ability to track and trace consignments and

6. The frequency with which shipments reach consignees within scheduled or expected delivery

times.

It is a biennial index published every two years. The last one is LPI 2016.

Domestic LPI

Logistics Performance Index does not address how easy or difficult it is to move goods to the hinterland.

For that, World Bank has another measure—a domestic LPI.


(Prelims 2015)

Global Financial Stability Report’ is prepared by the

(a) European Central Bank

(b) International Monetary Fund

(c) International Bank for Reconstruction and

Development

(d) Organization for Economic Cooperation and

Development


33

Domestic LPI provides both qualitative and quantitative assessments of a country by logistics

professionals working inside it. It includes detailed information on the logistics environment, core

logistics processes, institutions, and performance time and cost data.

It analyses a country’s performance over four factors:

1. Infrastructure

2. Services

3. Border procedures

4. Supply chain reliability

2.29 BHARATMALA PARIYOJANA

Why in news?



What is Bharatmala Pariyojana ?

Bharat Mala Project envisaged as an umbrella program that will subsume unfinished projects of National

Highways Development Project (NHDP) and also focus on new initiatives like development of roads

for better connectivity.

Components

The project will expand approximately 83,000 km of roads by 2022

It includes economic corridors, Inter-corridor and feeder roots, Border strategic and international

connectivity roads, Coastal and port connectivity roads, Expressways and NHDP roads, National

Corridors Efficiency Program (Improving freight in NH from 40% to 80%)

Benefits

Optimizing efficiency of road traffic movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure

gaps.

Improving National Corridor by decongesting its choke points through lane expansion, construction of

ring roads, bypasses/ elevated corridors and logistics parks at identified points.

Connecting backward and tribal areas, areas of economic activity, places of religious and tourist

interest, border areas, coastal areas and trade routes with neighboring countries under the programme.

Increased speed of vehicles and decreased supply chain costs from 18 % to 6%.

Direct and indirect employments in the construction activity.

Funding

70% through government funding

The rest through fuel cess, market borrowing, debt funds, budgetary allocation, private investment, toll

operator transfer model and auctioning of completed highways.

Implementation

The main agencies tasked with the construction are the National Highways Authority of India, National

Highway and Industrial Development Corporation and state public works departments.

North-eastern states have been given special focus in the project and international trade is a key aspect

as well.

2.30 NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR BOVINE BREEDING AND DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

(NPBBDD)

Why in news?

Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in co-operation with 12 States has undertaken a

Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous Breeds under the scheme, National Mission on Bovine


34

Productivity. The programme is implemented with the objective of conservation and development of

indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

What is it?

NPBBD has the following three components and is implemented throughout country

National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB)

o Aims for enhancing productivity of milch animals through extension of Artificial Insemination

(AI) coverage.

o This is done through establishment of Multi- Purpose AI Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs);

strengthening of existing AI centres; monitoring of AI etc

National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

o To create and strengthen infrastructure for production of quality milk including cold chain

infrastructure linking the farmer to the consumer

o To create and strengthen infrastructure for procurement, processing and marketing of milk and milk

products

o To create training infrastructure for training of dairy farmers

o To strengthen dairy cooperative societies/Producers Companies at village level

Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

o It aims for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds thereby enhancing milk

production and productivity.

o It is through induction of high genetic merit bulls for semen production; field performance

recording; strengthening of bulls mother farms; setting up of Gokul Grams etc.

National Mission on Bovine Productivity

Aims to enhance milk production and productivity and thereby making dairying more remunerative to

the farmers.

The scheme is being implemented with following components:

Pashu Sanjivni- Identification of animals in milk using UID, issuing health cards to all animals

in milk and uploading data on INAPH data base;

Creation of E Pashuhaat Portal- Linking farmers and breeders of indigenous breeds.

Establishment of National Bovine Genomic Centre for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): For

enhancing milk production and productivity through genomic selection among indigenous

breeds.

INSTITUTIONS

2.31 NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (NIIF)

Why in news?

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) will invest $1billion in the National Investment

and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). The agreement has been signed between NIIF Master Fund and a wholly

owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in

the world

What is it?

National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is a fund created by the Government of India for

enhancing infrastructure financing in the country.

The company is jointly-owned by the Government of India and investors from India and abroad.

The proposed corpus of NIIF is Rs. 40,000 Crores.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/ADIA

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Infrastructure-Fund

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/NIIF


35

Government's contribution/share in the corpus

will be 49% in each entity set up as an alternate

Investment Fund (AIF) and will neither be

increased beyond, nor allowed to fall below, 49%.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) will

become the first institutional investor in NIIF's

Master Fund and a shareholder in National

Investment and Infrastructure Ltd.

2.32 INDIAN FOOD RECOVERY ALLIANCE (IFRA)

Why in news?

At the National Conclave on Nutrition Security - Convergence and Partnerships, the Food Safety and

Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country’s apex food regulator, introduced its new initiative, the

Indian Food Recovery Alliance (IFRA).

What is it?

It is a coalition of food recovery partners to fight the issue of hunger and prevent food loss and food

waste, initiated by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Its objective is to create a common platform of agencies that collect surplus food and distribute among

the needy.

This web-based platform, released on a pilot level, allows interested donors, individuals and volunteers

to register themselves to be a part of this initiative,

This platform will also provide guidance to citizens, food businesses and various food recovery agencies

on prevention of food loss and food waste and safe recovery of surplus food


2.33 THE NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NSDC)

Why in news?

India’s First Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Skilling in Smart Cities Launched in New Delhi under Skill

India Mission in collaboration with NDMC


(Prelims 2017)

With reference to ‘National Investment and

Infrastructure Fund’, which of the following

Statements is/are correct?

a) It is an organ of NITI Aayog.

b) It has a corpus of 4,00,000 crore at present.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=india



36

What is NSDC?

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) institution

where Government of India holds for 49% and the private sector has the balance 51%.

It must not be confused with National Skill Development Agency which is an autonomous body of

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, acts as a major agency for State Skill Development

Missions and also ensure that the skilling needs of the disadvantaged and the marginalized groups are

met.

The objective of NSDC is to fulfil the growing need for skilled manpower in the country, mainly by

fostering private sector initiatives in skill development.

Functions

Gives differentiated focus on 21 sectors making every sector attractive to private investment.

Focus on underprivileged sections of society and backward regions of the country/

Plays the role of a "market-maker" by bringing financing, particularly in sectors where market

mechanisms are ineffective or missing

Prioritize initiatives that can have a multiplier effect as opposed to one-off impact

2.34 THE NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (NHAI)

Why in news?



What is it?

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the Government of

India, responsible for management of a network of over 50,000 km of national Highways in India.

It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The NHAI is also statutory body created under National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988.

The NHAI is also responsible of the toll collection on several highways.

2.35 GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI)

Why in news?

Recently a contest has been launched for designing a common logo and tagline for Geographical Indications

to increase awareness about intellectual property rights, by the DIPP- Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion.

What is GI?

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and

possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

It is given primarily for an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial

goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially

attributable to the place of its origin. Darjeeling Tea, Tirupathi Laddu, Kangra Paintings, Nagpur Orange

and Kashmir Pashmina are among the registered GIs in India.

Unlike a Trade Mark, Geographical Indication cannot be licensed. Also when Trade Mark is assigned to

the manufactured goods, the Geographical Indication is assigned to the agricultural goods/products and

handicrafts only.

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/product

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/place

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/Darjeeling

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/Kashmir

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/India


37

Who can use GI?

A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use

by a third party whose product does not

conform to the applicable standards.

A GI may be used by any persons in the

area of origin, who produces the good

according to specified standards, but

because of its link with the place of

origin, a GI cannot be assigned or

licensed to someone outside that place

or not belonging to the group of

authorized producers.

Who gives GI Tag?

Governments of all WTO member

countries had agreed to set certain basic

standards for the protection of GIs in all

member countries as per the WTO TRIPS

Agreement.

Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property,

geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.

India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of

Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.

The GI tag is given by the Registrar of Geographical indications in India.

The Cell for IPR Promotions & Management (CIPAM) under Department of Industrial Policy and

Promotion (DIPP) is the nodal agency for GIs and IPRs in India.

Some products which got GI Tag in 2017

1. Banganapalle mango Andhra Pradesh

2. Bandar laddu from Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

3. Gobindobhog rice, West Bengal

4. Alphonso Mangoes from Devgad and Sindhudurg of Maharashta

CIPAM GI Logo Contest

It aims to launch a certifying GI mark/logo that can be used to identify all registered GIs irrespective of

the categories, and a suitable tagline/slogan for promotion of GIs.

CIPAM has also started "Gift a GI" campaign to help in branding and promotion of registered GI

products.

2.36 ACI-ASQ AWARDS

Why in news?

Airport Authority of India owned Jaipur was ranked first and Srinagar was rated second in the 2-5 million

passengers per annum category during the annual ACI-ASQ survey. This is for the second consecutive year

that the Jaipur airport has been ranked the best airport in the World in the traffic volume of 2-5 million

passengers per year.


(Prelims 2010)

Which among the following statements on the

difference/differences between a “Trade Mark” and a

Geographical Indication is/are correct

a) A Trade Mark is an individual or a company’s right whereas a

Geographical Indication is a community’s right.

b) A Trade Mark can be licensed whereas a Geographical

Indication cannot be licensed.

c) A Trade Mark is assigned to the manufactured goods

whereas the Geographical Indication is assigned to the

agricultural goods/products and handicrafts only.

http://www.thehindu.com/tag/86-81/andhra-pradesh?utm=bodytag

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Devgad

https://m.economictimes.com/topic/categories


38

The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards

ACI’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) is the world-renowned and globally established global

benchmarking programme measuring passengers’ satisfaction whilst they are travelling through an

airport.

The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards are the aviation industry’s most prestigious accolades. It

measures passengers’ views on 34 key performance indicators, including airport access, check-in, security

screening, restrooms, stores and restaurants.

Since its inception in 2006, the ASQ Awards have become the world’s leading airport passenger

satisfaction benchmark with over 300 airports participating in it.

Airports Council International (ACI)

Airports Council International (ACI) is the only global trade representative of the world’s airport

authorities.

Established in 1991, ACI represents airports’ interests with governments and international

organizations, develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and it provides

information and training opportunities to raise the standards around the world.

ACI World is based in Montreal, Canada and there are five geographical regions. To pursue work with

regional governmental and non-governmental organizations, they are supported by specialized

committees and task forces.

It aims to provide the public a safe, secure, efficient and an environmentally responsible air transport

system.

2.37 INDIAN ENERGY EXCHANGE (IEX)

Why in news?

Recently the Indian Energy Exchange went for initial public offer in the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with

a price band of Rs 1,645-1,650 per share. It was the first IPO by a power exchange in the country.

What is it?

The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) is India’s premier power trading platform,

providing an automated platform for physical delivery of electricity.

It provides an electronic platform to the various participants in power market,

comprising State Electricity Boards, Power producers, Power Traders and

Open Access Consumers (both Industrial & Commercial).

It is India’s first and largest power exchange which started its operations in 2008.

It was launched by Financial Technologies (India) Limited (FTIL) along with Power Trading Corporation

of India Limited but is regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Benefits

In Indian only 3 % of energy trading occurs through the exchange compared with 30‐35 % in developed

countries. IEX would increase accessibility and transparency.

Efficient price discovery

Offers participants the opportunity to trade in a variety of energy products.

Enhances the speed and efficiency of trade execution.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_authority

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_authority


39

2.38 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOLAR ENERGY (NISE)

Why in news?

Recently, the 4th Foundation Day celebrations of National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), were conducted

at its campus in Gurugram.

What is it?

NISE is an autonomous institution of Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE)

It is the apex National R&D institution in the field Solar Energy.

Solar Energy Centre (SEC) under MNRE was changed to NISE in 2013 to assist the Ministry in

implementing the National Solar Mission and to coordinate research, technology and other related

works.

The institute is involved in demonstration, standardization, interactive research, training and testing

solar technologies and systems.

It is an effective interface between the Government and institutions, industry & user organizations for

development, promotion and widespread utilization of solar energy in the country.

NISE is located in Gurugram Haryana.


3 WORLD AFFAIRS: ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS

ORGANIZATIONS

3.1 PAN AFRICAN E NETWORK PROJECT

Why in News?

It was mentioned during the recent visit of Indian president to Ethiopia.



40

What is it?

Pan African e- Network project is an ICT project which is proposed to connect all 53 AU member

countries with Indian institutions with a satellite and fiber-optic network to share India's expertise in the

fields of Education and Health care for accelerated socio-economic development of Africa.

It was launched in 2009 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and presently connects 48 countries of Africa to India.

What services does it offer?

Tele-education and telemedicine from 5 reputed universities and 6 super-speciality hospitals of India.

Internet, video-conferencing and VoIP services

e-governance, e-commerce, infotainment, resource mapping and meteorological services

VVIP connectivity among the Heads of State of the African countries through a highly secure closed

satellite network.

Implementation

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a government of India enterprise is the turnkey

implementing agency of the project network.

A submarine Optical fiber cable link (IPLC) exists between Pan African e-Network Data Centre at Dakar,

Senegal from where the services are managed.

The receiving centres are fully equipped by Indian government and local staff there is trained by Indian

experts.

3.2 INDIA-EU AGENDA FOR ACTION 2020

Why in News?

Recently 14th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi

Agenda for Action 2020

It is a common roadmap to jointly guide and strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership in the next

five years

It was endorsed during the 13th India-EU Summit 2016 in Brussels, Belgium

In it, the leaders committed to

o Deepen the trade cooperation

o Enhancing investment flows

o Broadening dialogue on issues, including climate change, migration and the refugee crisis.

Other major India- EU related terms

Investment Facilitation Mechanism for EU investments in India

EU-India Horizontal Agreement on air services

EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM)

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with 7 years (2014 to 2020)

funding with lab to the market approach.

Erasmus programme on education.

Operation Atalanta to deter acts of piracy off the Somali coast; The first Indo- EU naval exercise was

also held there.

EU's Digital Single Market

Startup Europe India Network


41

3.3 IALA

Why in New?

Recently, Indian approved IALA’s status change from Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to Inter-

Governmental Organization (IGO).

What is it?

IALA established in 1957 in France, provides

effective and harmonised marine Aids to

Navigation services including scientists,

authorities, and manufacturers worldwide.

The IALA council consists of 24 National

Members and India is one of the council members represented through the Directorate General of

Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping.

DGLL establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in general waters along coast of India including

A&N and Lakshadweep group of islands, as per Lighthouse Act 1927.

In its 12th session in 2014, IALA adopted a resolution changing its status from NGO to IGO.

Benefits

For safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels.

It brings IALA at par with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Hydrographic

Organisation (IHO).

To know more about Current Affairs Plus: https://goo.gl/5zeXfw

3.4 MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR)

Why in News?

Recently, India was admitted to Missile Technology Control Regime

What is MTCR?

MTCR is an informal political understanding (consensus based) among states that seek to limit the

proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

https://goo.gl/5zeXfw


42

It was formed in 1987 by the G-7 industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the

UK, and the United States)

It presently includes 35 countries including India. The only Asian countries in the regime are India, Japan

and South Korea (also Eurasian countries of Russia and Turkey). China is not a member of MTCR.

India’s efforts to get into the MTCR also got a boost after it agreed to join the Hague Code of Conduct,

dealing with the ballistic missile non-proliferation arrangement

Conditions for joining MTCR

MTCR aims at restricting the proliferation of

Missiles, complete rocket systems,

unmanned air vehicles and related technology for

o those systems

Capable of carrying a 500 Kg payload for at least 300 kilometres

Intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Since its consensus based, it has certain guidelines about the information sharing, national control laws

and export policies for missile systems and the transfer of the critical technologies of these missile

systems.

Benefits of joining MTCR

It will bolster its position as a responsible nuclear state and strengthen its case for the membership of

other multilateral export control regimes like Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia Group, and Wassenaar

arrangement.

MTCR membership will enable India to buy high-end missile technology and unmmaned vehicles.

Major benefits will be Arrow II” from Israel, military drones like “Avenger” from the USA

India can sell its missiles to other non-member countries with comparative ease.eg. Supersonic cruise

missile, “BrahMos”, to Vietnam.

ISRO can access the forbidden cryogenic technology from Russia which is required for the space

exploration operations.

Similar treaties

Treaty Regulating sector Indian Membership

Missile Technology Control Regime

Missile technology 500 kg+ 300 km Yes

Hague Code of Conduct Ballistic Missile Proliferation Yes

Wassenaar Arrangement Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies

Yes

Australia Group Chemical and Biological weapon Yes

Nuclear Suppliers Group Nuclear fuel and its technology No

3.5 WORLD BANK DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Why in news?

World Bank Development Committee met on October 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C.


43

What is it?

The Development Committee (DC) is a ministerial-level forum of the World Bank Group and the

International Monetary Fund for intergovernmental consensus-building on development issues.

Known formally as the Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the

Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries, the Committee was established in 1974.

Mandate

The Committee's mandate is to advise the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the Fund on critical

development issues and on the financial resources required to promote economic development in

developing countries

Members

The Committee has 25 members, usually Ministers of Finance or Development, and who represent the

full membership of the Bank and Fund. They are appointed by each of the countries,

or groups of countries, represented on the

Boards of Executive Directors of the Bank

and Fund.

The Chairman is selected from among the

Committee's members and is assisted by an

Executive Secretary who is elected by the

Committee.

Meetings

The Development Committee meets twice a

year; in the spring and in the fall at the time

of the joint Bank-Fund Annual Meetings.

Its meetings are held in tandem with the

meetings of the International Monetary and Finance Committee (IMFC) of the Fund.

3.6 THE ADDIS ABABA ACTION AGENDA

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda was adopted at the Third International Conference on Financing for

Development (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2015) and subsequently endorsed by the UN General Assembly.

The Action Agenda establishes a strong foundation to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

for Sustainable Development.

It aims at financing sustainable development by aligning all financing flows and policies with

economic, social and environmental priorities.

It includes a comprehensive set of policy actions, with over 100 concrete measures that draw upon all

sources of finance, technology, innovation, trade, debt and data, in order to support achievement of the

Sustainable Development Goals.

EVENTS

3.7 SIX PARTY TALKS

Why in News?

Recently, North Korea tests number of nuclear weapons

What is it?

The six-party talks were a series of multilateral negotiations for the purpose of dismantling North Korea’s

nuclear program.


(Prelims 2016)

Which among the following statements with reference to the

International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) are

correct:

a) IMFC discusses matters of concern affecting the global

economy, and advises the International Monetary Fund

(IMF) on the direction of its work.

b) The Word Bank participates as observer in IMFC's

meetings.


44

It was held intermittently since 2003 and attended by China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea,

and the United States

The talks were hosted in Beijing and chaired by China.

In 2005, North Korea reached an agreement to suspend its nuclear program in return for diplomatic

rewards and energy assistance.

Negotiations collapsed after the last round of talks in 2008, with North Korea declaring the deal void

after refusing inspections to verify compliance and leading to a series of new sanctions on Pyongyang, as

well as international condemnation.

In subsequent years, other participants, notably China, have called periodically for a resumption of the

process.

3.8 MADRID PRINCIPLES

Why in News?

Increasing conflicts between Israel and Palestine.

What is it?

Madrid Principles emerge from the Madrid Conference of 1991.

It was a peace conference hosted by Spain and co-sponsored by

the United States and the Soviet Union to revive the Israeli–

Palestinian peace process through negotiations

It involved Israel and the Palestinians as well as Arab countries,

including Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

In it, for the first time, Israel engaged in direct, face-to-face

negotiations with all its immediate neighbors, and not just with

Egypt, with whom Israel had signed a peace treaty in 1979.

Madrid also launched a multilateral process that brought Israeli diplomats into contact with

representatives of Arab states from North Africa and the Persian Gulf.

Other major Israel – Palestine initiatives in news

Quartet road map

The Quartet - composed of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations - came

together in 2002 to explore new options for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Neither Israel nor the Palestinian Authority has demonstrated compliance to the two State solution

mentioned in it.

Arab Peace Initiative

The Arab Peace Initiative also known as the "Saudi Initiative", is a 10 sentence proposal for an end to

the Arab–Israeli conflict.

It was endorsed by the Arab League in 2002 at the Beirut Summit and re-endorsed at the 2007 Arab

League summit and at the 2017 Arab League summit.

3.9 PASSEX & OPERATION ATLANTA

Why in News?

On 4th October, ITS Fasan of EU Naval Force conducted joint manoeuvres, known as a PASSEX, with the

Indian Navy ship INS Trishul off the coast of Galmadug, Somalia.


45

What is it?

EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) ITS Fasan is the force headquarters of Operation Atalanta.

Operation Atalanta is European Union’s operation to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia and ensure

freedom of navigation for seafarers and their vessels.

PASSEX is the Indian Navy’s joint exercise held with EU- ITS Fasan.

3.10 1ST BIMSTEC DMEX

Why in news?

1st ever BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise was conducted by the National Disaster Response Force

(NDRF) as the lead agency next week from October 10-13, 2017 in Delhi and the National Capital Region

(NCR).

Relevance

The Exercise will be a platform for sharing Best Practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR),

strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the BIMSTEC

member countries.

The exercise will help strengthen the effective utilization of the Search & Rescue Teams for Disaster Relief

& Emergency Response, including Emergency Rapid Assessment Teams and Management of mass

casualties especially in situations involving breakdown of infrastructure and communication.

Programme

It is being conducted in two phases in Delhi and NCR.

The main exercise will comprise of Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX) and After

Action Review (AAR).

It follows the International Search & Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines for familiarization

& exercise purpose

Other International disaster management related measures taken by India

Hosting the South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx) and the Asian Ministerial

Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).

South Asia satellite, GSAT-9 and the Tsunami Early Warning Centre

3.11 GANDHI-MANDELA PROGRAM ON GRASS ROOT INNOVATION

Why in News?

India and South Africa are celebrating 20-years of strategic corporation this year. During the visit of Union

Minister for S&T and Earth Sciences to South Africa, there was a mention about Grass Root innovation

programme.

What is it?

It focuses on sharing of open source technologies and IPR protection of traditional knowledge systems

so as to provide scientific and technological solutions for addressing the unmet needs of the common

man.

This program is designed for co-development of products through value addition, validation through

product deployment and market ready technology transfer with a focus on affordability

National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad will implement this program on the Indian side.


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3.12 BTIA

Why in news?

During the recent 14th India-EU Summit, BTIA negotiations where mentioned.

What is it?

BTIA or India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement refers to the free trade Agreement

which under negotiations between India and Europe.

The negotiations on the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, had begun in 2007 in order to

ensure greater access to “each other’s markets goods, services and public procurement contracts. But it

was stalled in 2013.

Factors stalling BTIA

EU demand for zero duty access for liquor

and automobile.

In 2016, India implemented the Bilateral

Investment Treaties (BITs). Under the BITs,

there is a provision of Investor-State

Dispute Settlement (ISDS) which seek a

foreign company to go through the

domestic jurisdiction process for at least

five years before going to international

arbitration in case of any dispute; the EU is

against this provision.

Issue of recognising India as ‘data-secure’ country which will enable free flow of data between India and

EU, for which India needs to follow EU rules.

To Know More About TPS 18 : https://goo.gl/5ZZMVT


(Prelims 2016)

‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is

sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held

between India and

a) European Union

b) Gulf Cooperation Council

c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization

https://goo.gl/5ZZMVT


47

3.13 INDIAN HOUSING PROJECT

Why in news?

Recently Sri Lanka signed an agreement with India to build 1,200 houses in a public ceremony held in

Hambantota.

What is it?

The Indian Housing Project is a housing reconstruction project funded by the Government of India and

implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Sri Lanka

(GOSL).

The project was first announced in June 2010 when India decided to fund the construction of 50,000

houses as part of its post-conflict ( versus LTTE) rehabilitation support to Sri Lanka. The targetted group

of the project are Resettled Homeless Families.

This is one of the largest international grant assistance projects undertaken by India in Sri Lanka.

It is built in partnership with UN-Habitat, International Federation for the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies (IFRC), Sri Lanka Red Cross, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) of the

Government of Sri Lanka and Habitat for Humanity.

The project was implemented by putting money into account of the beneficiary for both home

construction and repair.

Presently, India has built as many as 46,000 homes in the Tamil-majority north and east. Now 4,000

houses are currently being built in the hill country in the Central and Uva Sinhala majority provinces,

where several thousand Sri Lankans of recent Indian origin live and work.

3.14 WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

Why in news?

11th WTO Ministerial conference is set to take place from 10 to 13 December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

What is it?

The Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision-making body of the WTO.

It usually meets every two years and brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries

or customs unions.

The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade

agreements.

Major WTO Ministerial Conferences

No, location and year of conference

Objectives and achievements

1st Conference, Singapore , 1996

Overhaul the mechanisms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) while preserving the considerable progress of that system since its inception in 1948

4th Conference Doha, 2001

It officially launched the Doha Round or Doha Development Agenda, which is the latest round of trade negotiations among the WTO membership for the introduction of lower trade barriers and revised trade rules.

9th Conference, Bali Indonesia , 2013

“Bali Package” decisions aimed at streamlining trade, allowing developing countries more options for providing food security, boosting least-developed countries’ trade and helping development more generally.


48

Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the WTO membership.

10th Conference, Nairobi Kenya 2015

Adoption of the "Nairobi Package", a series of six Ministerial Decisions on agriculture, cotton and issues related to least-developed countries (LDCs).

3.15 TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT

Why in news?

11th WTO Ministerial conference is set to take place from 10 to 13 December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

What is it?

Trade Facilitation is the simplification, modernization

and harmonization of export and import processes. The negotiations for Trade Facilitation agreement

was concluded at the 2013 Bali Ministerial

Conference. It entered into force on 22 February

2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the

WTO membership.

The TFA contains provisions for expediting the

movement, release and clearance of goods,

including goods in transit.

It also sets out measures for effective cooperation

between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.

TFA and India

For effective implementation of TFA, National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) under the

Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary has been constituted.

Under National Trade facilitation action plan ( 2017-20) , India aims to bring down the overall cargo

release time as below

o For imports – Within 3 days for Sea Cargo, within 2 days for Air Cargo & Inland Container Depots

and on the same day for Land Customs Stations.

o For exports –Within 2 days for Sea Cargo and on the same day for Air Cargo, Inland Container

Depots & Land Customs Stations

In it India aims to meet following indicators

o OECD trade facilitation 11 indicators

o Trading Across Borders indicators of World Bank (Border Compliance and Document Processing)

o Logistic Performance index of World Bank on 6 key dimensions

o Global Competitive Index (GCI by World Economic Forum across 12 main pillars.

India is also pushing for the inclusion of discussions on a TFA on services at Argentina. It aims to ease

movement of skilled professionals across borders as well as reducing transaction costs.


(Prelims 2017)

Which among the following statements are correct:

a) India has ratified the Trade Facilitation

Agreement (TFA) of WTO.

b) TFA is a part of WTO’s Bali Ministerial Package of

2013.

c) TFA came into force in January 2016.


49

3.16 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION FOR EAST, SOUTH

AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Why in news?

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India and the United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development (UNCTAD) have organised an International Conference on Consumer Protection for

South, South East and East Asian Nations on the theme “Empowering Consumers in New Markets” on 26-

27 October, 2017 in New Delhi.

What is it?

It is a regional conference organized in the backdrop of the United Nations Revised Guidelines on

Consumer Protection (UNGCP) 2015.

The objective of the conference is to share initiatives taken in connection with the implementation of

the UN guidelines with regard to consumer protection.

This is the first time an international conference on consumer protection is being organised by India

for countries of the region which account for a majority of the global consumers and share common

challenges and experiences.

22 countries from East, South and South-East Asia are participating in the international conference.

The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP)

UNGC) were adopted by United Nations General Assembly on 16 April 1985 and revised in December

22nd 2015.

It encourages interested member States to create awareness on the consumer protection during the

provision of public and private goods and services.

The guidelines are promoted by UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

It is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and

development issues.

It is a permanent intergovernmental body with headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and

has offices in New York and Addis Ababa.

UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat and reports to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and

Social Council

It is also part of the United Nations Development Group

The primary objective of UNCTAD is to formulate policies relating to all aspects of development

including trade, aid, transport, finance and technology.

3.17 WORLD CONSUMER PROTECTION MAP

It is an interactive and easily accessible online tool that will provide an updated and comprehensive

picture of consumer protection.

It will also identify trends and benchmarks for global consumer protection as well highlight challenges

that need to be addressed.

It is developed by UNCTAD based on Consumer Protection Online Questionnaire using data from all

194 UN Member States

The questionnaire is divided into three key sections:

o Consumer protection legislation


50

o Consumer policy institutions

o Consumer policies.

3.18 INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF EXPERTS

Why in news?

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India and the United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development (UNCTAD) have organised an International Conference on Consumer Protection for

South, South East and East Asian Nations on the theme “Empowering Consumers in New Markets” on 26-

27 October, 2017 in New Delhi.

What is it?

The Intergovernmental group of experts on consumer protection law and policy has been established to

monitor the implementation of the UN guidelines with regard to consumer protection.

It provide a forum for consultations, produce research and studies, provide technical assistance,

undertake voluntary peer reviews, and periodically update the UNGCP.

Its first session was held on 17 and 18 October 2016 in Geneva.

It is expected to continue within the framework of existing UNCTAD machinery.

The revised UNGCP extend their scope to state-owned enterprises

4 GEOGRAPHY – PLACES AND PHENOMENONA

PLACES

4.1 MOGADISHU

Why in news?

A powerful bomb blast happened in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. Somalia is frequently in news. A map

question can be expected on Somalia.

Where is it?

Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered

by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of

Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to

the southwest.

Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland

It often comes in news because of the activities of terrorist

organisation Al-shabab and anti-piracy operations in Gulf of

Aden.

4.2 PEMAYANGSTE MONASTERY & SIKKIM BUDDHISM

Why in news ?

Recently Pemayangste Monastery Gyalshing, Sikkim was felicitated in the category of religious

institutions for being a Zero-waste institution during the Swacchata Award ceremony by the Ministry of

Housing & Urban Affairs.

What is it?

The Pemayangtse monastery, among Sikkim’s oldest and most important Tibetan Buddhist sites

belonging to the Nyingmapa sect, was established by patron saint Lhatsun Namkha Jigme Chempo.

Pemayangste [The perfect sublime lotus] is Sikkims premier monastery with all Nyingma monasteries

here subordinate to it


51

There are 108 monks in the monastery and according to tradition the monks belong to the leading Bhutia

families of Sikkim.

This monastery is part of Buddhist pilgrim circuit in Sikkim consisting of he Dubdi Monastery,

Norbugang Chorten, Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Khecheopalri Lake.

Some facts related to Sikkim Buddhism

o Nyingmapa sect: it is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three

being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug). It includes belief in Guru Padmasambhava, hidden terma

treasures and Dzogchen

o Guru Padmasambhava: the great Buddhist saint who visited Sikkim in the 8th century and

consecrated the land. He believed to have hidden many secret teachings, which he prophesized

would be discovered in the future by those specially blessed by spiritual powers.

o Chogyals : In the 17th century three Chenpo lamas came to Sikkim and met at Yuksom. In 1642,

the three monks crowned Phuntsog Namgyal the first monarch of Sikkim giving him the title of

Chogyal [Dharma Raja].Chogyals rule Sikkim until 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd Indian state

following a referendum.

o Yuksom - Sikkim’s first capital under Chogyal Kingdom. It’s presently considered as the gateway

to the Khangchendzonga National Park.

o Chaam - religious masked dance

4.3 WARDHA DRY PORT

Why in News?

The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways and Water Resource, River Interlinking and

Ganga Rejuvenation performed the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony of the Wardha dry port at Sindi (Railway) in

Wardha, Maharashtra.

What is a dry port?

A dry port is an inland terminal directly connected by rail or road to a sea port, providing services for

handling, temporary storage, inspection and customs clearance for international freight.

Dry ports in the landlocked States can play an equivalent role as

sea ports for intra-regional trade.

Benefits of dry port

The exporter can ship the goods without moving cargo to sea

port.

The importer can take delivery of cargo near his place after

completing procedures at dry port.

Containers won’t get stacked up at the port warehouses for

customs clearances

Wardha dry port

It is being developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust

(JNPT) in a bid to cater effective logistics services to the

industries in Vidarbha region and improve cargo throughput at the Port.

The site is strategically located around the Industrial belt of Nagpur & Wardha and is well connected

to the other industrial regions in Vidarbha.


52

It has logistical proximity to the Central Railways network through Nagpur-Wardha line, to Nagpur-

Mumbai Super Communication expressway and six lane National highways connecting major cities of

central, Southern and Northern India.

It would provide EXIM based industries services such as customs clearance facilities, Container Freight

Station, Warehousing Space, Cold Storage, Liquid Storage, truck terminals etc.

The dry port would benefit the rice exporters, textile and garments industry, steel and minerals traders,

scrap trade, plastics and paper pulp, electrical machinery, automotive parts manufacturers etc. located

in the region.

Dry ports in India

247 Dry Ports [170 functional and rest under implementation] are in India.

Nearly 40% owned by CONCOR & Central Warehouse Corporation and remaining by the private

sector.

ICD (Inland Container Deport) Tughlakhabad situated on 44 Hectares of land in NCR Region of India

is the largest dryport In India

Future terminals will not only have ICD / CFS but will also accommodate Agri Parks, Cold chains, Bulk

Handling Facilities, Collateral Warehousing, Liquid Logistic Facilities (Liquid Silos)

Other Major dryports in India include

o Durgapur, West Bengal,

o Whitefield - Bangalore

o Kanpur

o Vallarpadam Dry Port - Kochi

4.4 BAB-AL-MANDAB

Why in News?

During recent visit to Dijibouti, President made refrences to Bab al Mandab

What is it?

The Bab-el-Mandeb or Mandeb Strait is a strait located

between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti

and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea

to the Gulf of Aden.

The strait’s Arabic name means “the gate of tears,” due to

the dangers from navigating through this point

Horn of Africa refers to Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and

Somalia

With the building of the Suez Canal, the strait assumed

great strategic and economic importance, forming a

portion of the link between the Mediterranean Sea and

East Asia- the shortest route to Europe .

Presently, it is one of the crucial oil choke points in the

world with geo-strategic implications


53

Presently, Houthi

rebels in Yemen are

trying to take control

of Mandab starit as

part of civil war.

Chinese People’s

Liberation Army

Navy (PLAN)

recently

commissioned its

first overseas

permanent

logistical base off

from Dijibouti. USA,

France, Italy, Spain,

and Japan have also

military bases there.

During the Yemeni

crisis of 2015,

Djibouti was

supportive of Indian efforts to evacuate Indian citizens, and those of other countries, as part of

Operation Rahat, and offered use of an air strip.

President Kovind is the first Indian President to visit Djibouti.




54

4.5 KAMAN AMAN SETU

Why in news?

Recently, for the first time since cross-LoC bus service was started that the Aman Setu bridge was thrown

open to allow a vehicle carrying a corpse.

What is it?

The Kaman Aman Setu (bridge of peace), connects

Uri in Kashmir Valley with Chakoti in Pakistan-

occupied Kashmir (POK)

It was launched on 07 April, 2005 for the historic

Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service. In 2008-09 India

and Pakistan agreed to have trade between the two

sides.

4.6 FARZAD B NATURAL GAS FIELD

Why in news?

Recently, ONGC Videsh Ltd informed that it hasn’t received

any response from Iran on the USD 11 billion offer it gave

for developing the Farzad-B gas field.

What is it?

The Farzad B is a natural gas field in Iran.

Iran is India's third biggest oil supplier

A consortium of ONGC Videsh Ltd,Oil India and Indian

Oil Corp. had discovered an estimated 363 million cubic

meters of gas reserves in the Farsi block in 2008. The

discovery was named Farzad-B.

But the Indians were forced to abandon the project after

the US and the EU introduced tough sanctions against the

Persian Gulf country.

Now, following removal sanctions Tehran is delaying the

award of rights to develop the field to ONGC Videsh Ltd.

Following this India decided to cut oil imports from Iran by a fifth in 2017-18.

Iran retaliated by first cutting time it gave to Indian refiners to pay for oil they buy from it from 90 days

to 60 days as also raising ship freight rates, and then by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU)

with Russian gas monopoly Gazprom.

4.7 BARATANG ISLAND

Recently, the Andaman and Nicobar administration has operationalised an alternate sea route from Port Blair

to Baratang Island by launching a boat service as part of the implementation of the Jarawa Policy of 2004

and complying with the commitment given by the administration to the Supreme Court.

Where is it?

Baratang Island is situated between Middle and South Andamans, approximately 100 kms from the

capital city Port Blair.


55

What is it famous for?

The road to Baratang from Port Blair passes through the Jarawa Tribe Reserve also known as Andaman

Trunk Road (ATR Route). Following Supreme Court and UN directions, this route is closed now.

It’s also famous for limestone caves and Mud volcanoes

4.8 KENYA

Why in news?

President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared on Monday the winner of Kenya's presidential election — for the

second time this year.But the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, challenged the results alleging irregularities.

Geographical features of Kenya

Kenya is surrounded by Indian coastline in one side and central highlands peaking at Mount Kenya

at the other side

Kenyan highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley

Rift Valley has some active and semi-active volcanoes, alkaline lakes ( like Lake Turkana – the world's

largest alkaline lake) and Chalbi Desert.

Tana River is the longest river in Kenya.

Mau Forest is the largest indigenous montane forest in East Africa

5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: CONCEPTS, EVENTS AND INNOVATIONS

CONCEPTS

5.1 MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY FOR CAUSTIC SODA

Why in news?

Union Government will make revised quality standards for Caustic Soda mandatory for both domestic

manufacturers as well as for imports. It would necessitate the industry to produce caustic soda using the

modern and more energy efficient membrane based technology.

Membrane based technology

Membrane based technology is one of the methods used for electrolysis of Sodium Chloride to make

Caustic Soda. Other methods include Diaphragm Cell and Mercury Cell methods.

The mercury cell method use several tonnes of mercury which ingress mercury in the final product

which could be harmful to health and environment.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=government


56

The ion-permeable ion exchange membrane at the center of the cell allows the sodium ions (Na+) to pass

to the second chamber where they react with the hydroxide ions to produce caustic soda

Benefits

Mandating compliance to revised BIS specifications will allow superior grade caustic soda to be

produced and imported in the country which would be beneficial to human health and environment.

The consumption of electric energy is the lowest of the three processes and the amount of steam needed

for concentration of the caustic is relatively small

It will give boost to the domestic industry

Caustic Soda (Sodium hydroxide)

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda is an inorganic compound with formula NaOH.

It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na+

and hydroxide anions OH−.

It is highly soluble in water and readily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the air.

Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking

water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner.

5.2 CAR-T TECHNOLOGY

Why in news?

Recently U.S. regulator The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a second gene therapy ,a one-

time, custom-made treatment for aggressive blood cancer called lymphoma in adults.

CAR-T

CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptors) is a sub-type of immunotherapy . Immunotherapies that enlist and

strengthen the power of a patient’s immune system to attack tumors.

Many immunotherapy approaches like the adoptive cell transfer (ACT) uses patients’ own immune cells

to treat their cancer.

How is it done?

CAR-T treatment uses gene therapy techniques not to fix disease-causing genes but to turbo charge T

cells (the workhorses of the immune system) which are immune system soldiers that cancer can often

evade.

The T cells are filtered from a patient’s blood, reprogrammed to target and kill cancer cells, and then

hundreds of millions of copies are grown.

Using a disarmed virus, the T cells are

genetically engineered to produce

receptors on their surface called Chimeric

Antigen Receptors, or CARs.

Why called “living drugs”?

Returned to the patient, all the revived-up

cells can continue multiplying to fight

disease for months or years. That’s why

these immunotherapy treatments are called

“living drugs.


(Prelims 2016)

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term

‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an

organism

c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganic_compound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionic_compound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisture

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_pulp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergent

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drain_cleaner

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy


57

5.3 MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS, OR MEMS.

Why in news?

The Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru recently handed over sophisticated MEMS pressure transducers

to the DRDO for use in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). NASA developed autonomously flying micro robots

called Robobees using MEMS technology

What is it?

MEMS is a manufacturing technology used for designing and creating complex mechanical devices and

systems as well as their integrated electronics using batch fabrication techniques

It is used to create tiny integrated devices or systems that combine mechanical and electrical components.

In the most general form, MEMS consist of mechanical microstructures, microsensors, microactuators

and microelectronics, all integrated onto the same silicon chip.

Micro-sensors gather data, Microelectronics process this information and signal the microactuators to

react and create some form of changes to the environment

Levers, gears, pistons, as well as motors and even steam engines have all been fabricated by MEMS.

Uniqueness

Unlike conventional mechatronic devices, MEMS are often manufactured with the same fabrication

techniques used to create integrated circuits (ICs)

Some MEMS don’t even have mechanical parts, yet they are classified as MEMS because they miniaturize

structures used in conventional machinery, such as springs, channels, cavities, holes and membranes

Recent and major applications of MEMS

Automotive airbag sensors were one of the first commercial devices using MEMS

Medical pressure sensor , spring accelerometers in smartphones, Bio Mems, RF Mems etc.

RoboBees autonomous micro robots by Haravard which can fly, dive into water, swim, propel itself back

out of water, and land safely.

The MilliDelta, a tiny robotic arm that could be used for micro-scale picking, packing, manufacturing and

even surgery.

5.4 EMBRYO TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY FOR BOVINE BREEDING

Why in news?

Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in co-operation with 12 States has undertaken a

Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous Breeds under the scheme, National Mission on Bovine

Productivity. The programme is implemented with the objective of conservation and development of

indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Embroyo Transfer Technology

Embryo transfer is a technique by which embryos are collected from a donor female and are transferred

to recipient females, which serve as surrogate mothers for the remainder of pregnancy.

Embryo transfer technology has revolutionized the breeding strategies in Bovines as a tool to optimize

the genetic improvement in cattle.

Under this programme, embryos of higher genetic merit indigenous bovines are being transferred in

to surrogate cows.

Embryos of Indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni and Vechur have been

proposed to be transferred under this programme.


58

Benefits of ETT

A farmer can get a 5-6 fold increase in number of offsprings.

The calves so born will be of high genetic merit

The offsprings born will be free from diseases.

5.5 USUTU VIRUS

Why in news?

In 2017 the virus was found in sixteen songbirds and in seven human blood donations from eastern Austria.

What is it?

Usutu virus, a flavivirus of African origin. The Flavivirus genus (Flaviviridae family) contains important pathogens such as yellow fever virus,

Japanese encephalitis virus, St Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Usutu virus (USUV), Zika

virus, and dengue virus, many of which constitute a worrisome threat to global human and animal

health.

USUV is transmitted by mosquitoes and is an enveloped plus-strand RNA virus.

The main USUV natural hosts are birds, but

infection has also been reported in other vertebrate

species, including humans

The virus was first isolated from Culex mosquitoes

in South Africa in 1959 near the Usutu River

It was confined to Africa until its first detection in

Austria in 2001.

After that, USUV has spread throughout Europe,

causing a considerable mortality among birds and

a few neurologic cases in humans.

5.6 CIRCARDIAN RHYTHM

Why in news?

2018 Noble prize for medicine was awarded for studies on Circadian Rhythm.

What is it?

Circadian rhythm regulates the periods of tiredness and wakefulness during the 24-hour cycle of sleep.

The body clock is calibrated by the appearance and disappearance of natural light in a 24-hour period.

This feature is found in all living things — plants, animals (including microbes) and human beings.

Studies using fruit flies have been key to finding the molecular gears of biological clocks and the cells

that control circadian rhythms.

Biological clocks produce circadian rhythms and regulate their timing.

Circadian rhythms adapt the workings of the body to different phases of the day, influencing sleep,

behavior, hormone levels, body temperature and metabolism

How does it function?

The biological clock is generated by about 20,000 neurons that form a structure called the

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is found in the hypothalamus in the brain. These neurons receive

signals from the eyes.

Circadian rhythms are synchronized with the earth’s rotation by daily adjustments in the timing of

SCN, following the exposure to light which indicates the time of the day.


(Prelims 2017)

Which among the following statements are correct:

a) In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is

transmitted by the same mosquito that

transmitted dengue.

b) Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is

possible.


59

When it’s dark at night, the eyes send a signal to the hypothalamus that it’s time to feel tired. The brain,

in turn, sends a signal to your body to release melatonin hormone, which makes us feel drowsy.

The onset of secretion of melatonin is about two hours before natural sleep time and peaks during the

middle of the night. That’s why the circadian rhythm tends to coincide with the cycle of daytime and

night-time.

Irregular rhythms have been linked to various chronic health conditions, such as sleep disorders, obesity,

diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.

EVENTS

5.7 GSAT 9 - SOUTH ASIA SATELLITE

Why in news?

Even after five months after the South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9 was put up in space, ground stations for the

partners to receiver/send satellite communication has not been completed.

GSAT 9

South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9

South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) is a communication satellite built by ISRO to provide a variety of

communication services for six other countries of South Asia apart from India. (Nepal, Bhutan,

Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan)

The satellite weighing 2230 kg, has a mission life of 12 years and the project costs over Rs 450 crore.

It is equipped with 12 Ku-band transponders and will be in Geostationary Orbit (GSO).

The satellite is expected to support education, medical, disaster management and communications

initiatives as well as international cooperation between the member states.

Launch vehicle

This is launched in GSLV-F09. This is the fourth consecutive success achieved by GSLV carrying

indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage

The third stage of the GSLV Mark II is India’s Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). This is fuelled by liquid

hydrogen and liquid oxygen and provided the final thrust to inject GSAT-9 into its planned

geosynchronous transfer orbit. Spacecraft separation occurred a little over seventeen minutes after

launch.

From this initial transfer orbit, GSAT-9 will maneuver into geostationary orbit under its own power. The

satellite is equipped with a liquid apogee motor and – in a first of an Indian-built spacecraft – electric

ion propulsion

5.8 SHORTEST X-RAY LASER PULSE

Why in news?

Scientists have successfully created the world’s shortest X-ray laser pulse with a duration of just 43

attoseconds, an advance that will allow us to observe electrons in slow motion.

Relevance of it

In order to fully understand the dynamics during a chemical reaction, scientists must be able to study all

movements of atoms and molecules on their basic time scale.

Molecules rotate in the range of picoseconds (10-12 s), their atoms vibrate in the range of femtoseconds

(10-15 s), and the electrons move in the range of attoseconds (10-18 s)


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The researchers can now observe in high detail how electrons move within a molecule or how chemical

bonds are formed. It also means that the migration of electrons in more complex molecules can now be

tracked with an even higher time resolution.

Attosecond spectroscopy could contribute to the development of more efficient solar cells since it is now

for the first time possible to follow the process of excitation through sunlight up to the generation of

electricity step by step.

It can be used for both observing and manipulating chemical reaction.

INNOVATIONS

5.9 CRYO-ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Why in news?

2018 Chemistry Nobel Prize was awarded “for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution

structure determination of biomolecules in solution.

What is it?

The Cryo-electron microscopy is specific type of electron microscopy that works by combining

thousands of individual images of frozen molecules into finely detailed three-dimensional

representations.

How does it work?

In electron microscope, use the same working principle as the ordinary light microscope. However, rather

than using the limited wavelength of light, electrons with much lower wavelengths are used as the

source of light.

In cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a beam of electrons is sent through a biomolecular sample that

has been frozen, typically with liquid ethane.

The material deflects the electrons in a way that permits researchers to determine the structure of the

biomolecule.

Structures obtained by cryo-EM and related techniques are of fundamental importance for

understanding life chemistry, and they can help scientists develop drugs by elucidating the way

bioactive agents interact with biomolecule

Advantages of Cryo-electron Microscopy

It eliminates the need to crystallize biomolecules

It obtain bio-molecular structures larger than and which are difficult under X-ray crystallography and

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Recently, it has been used to image the elusive Zika virus

5.10 ECO-FRIENDLY DUCTILE CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITE (EDCC)

Why in news?

Researchers subjected the material, called eco-friendly ductile cementitious composite (EDCC), to earthquake

simulation tests. The material will be used to retrofit a school in Roorkee in Uttarakhand, a highly seismic

area

What is it?

EDCC is a fibre-reinforced concrete coating that can dramatically enhance the earthquake resistance of

seismically vulnerable structures

It was developed at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada


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The material is engineered at the molecular scale to be strong, malleable, and ductile.

EDCC combines cement with polymer-based fibres, fly ash and other industrial additives.

5.11 SQUARE KILOMETER ARRAY

Why in News?

India has joined nine other nations to build the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope - Square

Kilometre Array (SKA).

What is it?

It is a large multi radio telescope project under development in Australia, New Zealand, and South

Africa.

It utilizes radio astronomy and has receiving stations at a minimum distance of 3,000 kilometers (1,900

mi) from a concentrated central core, enabling it to provide the highest resolution images compared to

other sub-disciplines of astronomy.

It is being developed in the Southern Hemisphere with cores in South Africa and Australia, where

there is least radio interference to observe the Milky Way Galaxy.

South Africa telescope

Karoo desert in South Africa will host the core of high frequency dish array and the total detection area

of the receiver dishes would exceed 1 square kilometre.

Combining signals from all these thousands of antennas would simulate a single giant radio telescope

with extremely high sensitivity.

The sensitivity of this radio telescope would be fifty times more than any other radio telescope.

Indian scientists will be contributing in Telescope Manager System which will be the controlling

nerve centre behind the functioning of the SKA observatory.

5.12 MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS OF INDIA PRESENTLY

Why in News?

India has joined nine other nations to build the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope - Square

Kilometre Array (SKA).

Project Subject

CERN full associate membership Assisting in Large Hadron Collider studies

Indian LIGO (IndiGO) The instrument matching the two LIGO observatories in the US would enable scientists to pinpoint the source of gravitational waves.

International Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), Darmstadt, Germany

Studying the building blocks of matter and the evolution of the Universe.

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) World’s the most advanced ground based telescope. It’s a a partnership project involving CalTech, Universities of

California, Canada, Japan, China and India. It may perhaps be finally located in Chile. India will develop and manufacture 15% of the mirror segments and assembly

International thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER), Cadarach, France

Fusion reaction to generate energy. European Union, United States, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea and India are jointly building and operating this test facility. Institute for Plasma Research, Ahmedabad is contributing crucial parts of the tokamak reactor’s gigantic cryostat.


62

6 POLITY & GOVERNANCE

6.1 PROJECT MONITORING INFORMATION SYSTEM

Why in News?

To ensure timely delivery of its projects, the National Highway Authority of India (NHA)I is now digitally

monitoring them through a state-of-the-art Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS), which has been

developed in-house along with The Boston Consulting Group.

What is it?

Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) is Moblie App that facilitates close, in-house

monitoring of NHAI projects on a mobile phone

It has been developed in-house along with The Boston Consulting Group.

PMIS has a comprehensive database with over 180 data fields being tracked for each project, and a

further 500 fields specifically for complex PPP projects

Apart from dashboards views of data, the PMIS is also enabled with Geographical Information System

(GIS), which provides a geographical visualization of all NHAI projects on an India map. This is a

unique feature of PMIS, which enables geo-visualization of projects rather than searching through a

database.

6.2 PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PFMS)

Why in news?

Recently, Central government made it mandatory to use of Public Finance Management System (PFMS) for

all Central Sector Schemes (CSS), which account for 31 per cent of the Budget.

What is it?

PFMS is an electronic financial management platform for complete tracking of fund flows from the

Central Government to large number of programme implementing agencies, both under Central

Government and the State Governments till it reaches the final intended beneficiaries


63

It has been rolled-out by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) at the behest of Finance Ministry,

Department of Expenditure

It covers Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes as well as other expenditures including the

Finance Commission Grants.

Presently, it targets for complete PFMS on-boarding of 613 Central Sector Schemes

PFMS is progressing towards a Government wide Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS)

- as a comprehensive Payment, Receipt and Accounting System.

Benefits

End-to-end online solution for processing payments, tracking, monitoring, accounting, reconciliation

and reporting of the government.

Tracking of fund flow to the lowest level of implementation for plan scheme of the Government.

Ensure just in time transfer of funds.

Real time monitoring of disbursements and utilization of funds which in turn provides a sound Decision

Support System

Act as database of all recipient agencies, which will be integrated with core banking solution of banks

handling plan funds and with State Treasuries

Interface with 170 Banks including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

6.3 ROHINI COMMISSION

Why in News?

Recently President Ram Nath Kovind on appointed a commission headed by retired Chief Justice of Delhi

High Court G. Rohini to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Rohini Commission

Using the powers conferred under Article 340, President has appointed the OBC commission.

Sub categorization of the OBCs will ensure that the more backward among the OBC communities can

also access the benefits of reservation for educational institutions and government jobs.

The terms of reference of the commission are to

o Examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or

communities in the Central OBC list;

o Work out the mechanism for sub- categorisation.

o Take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes and classify them into their respective

sub-categories.

6.4 PRO BONO CRITERION

Why in news?

Recently, Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government is looking to promote pro bono work,

which is crucial for a country like India where millions are unable to afford the fees usually sought by

lawyers.

What is it?

Pro bono (Latin for the phrase ‘for the public good’) denotes work undertaken without charge, especially

legal work for a client with low income.

Supreme Court’s guidelines on according ‘senior’ advocate status to lawyers states that a lawyer should

have fought a certain number of cases pro bono or free of cost in order to be designated as a senior

lawyer.


64

The top court’s ruling, made on October 12, laid down for the first time a four-layer evaluation criteria

for senior advocates. Points will be given for years of experience; domain expertise, quality of judgments

and arguments put forth, pro bono work done by the lawyer; publications and finally, a personality

interview.

6.5 ADDITIONAL JUDGES

Why in news?

Recently the SC Collegium modified its March order of doing away with the professional evaluation of

Additional Judges by High Court committee and announced a new mechanism to evaluate work of HC

Additional Judges

Additional judges

Appointment of Additional and Acting Judges in High Courts is regulated by Article 224

President may appoint qualified persons below 62 years as Additional judges under two conditions:

o Due to temporary increase in the business of High Court but not for more than 2 years

o When any Judge of a High Court other than the Chief Justice is unable to perform the duties of

his office due to absence or any other reason, until the permanent Judge has resumed his duties.

Additional judges as permanent judges

In 2010, Chief Justice of India issued guidelines that a committee was to be constituted by High Court

Chief Justices for evaluating the judgments of Additional Judges while considering them for the position

of permanent judges. .

In March 2017, the Supreme Court collegium had done away with this professional evaluation of

Additional Judges by High Court Judges. Instead, a committee of two Supreme Court Judges will

evaluate the judgments of Additional Judges of High Courts. This is to avoid that “peers are not judged

by peers”.

The judgments of Additional Judges of the High Courts shall be called for from the Chief Justices of the

concerned High Courts, and the same shall be evaluated by the Committee of two Hon’ble Judges of

the Supreme Court, other than consultee-Judges, to be nominated by the Chief Justice of India.

This means Supreme Court judges who have been consulted with regard to recruitment of the Additional

Judges won’t be part of the committee.

6.6 ARTICLE 35A

Why in news?

A group of petitions are challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A in the Supreme Court.

What is Article 35A?

It is a constitutional provision that allows the Jammu-Kashmir assembly to define permanent residents

of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.

According to the Jammu-Kashmir constitution, a Permanent Resident is defined as a person who was a

state subject on May 14, 1954, or who has been residing in the state for a period of 10 years, and has

“lawfully acquired immovable property in the state

It was brought in by a presidential order in 1954 in order to safeguard the rights and guarantee the unique

identity of the people of Jammu-Kashmir.

Only the Jammu-Kashmir assembly can change the definition of PR through a law ratified by a two-thirds

majority.


65

7 SECURITY: EVENTS, INSTITUTIONS AND ASSETS

EVENTS

7.1 ADMIRAL'S CUP REGATTA

Why in news?

Recently it was announced that the eight edition of Admiral's Cup Regatta will be held at Ettikulum Bay at

the Indian Naval Academy from December 3 to 7, 2017.

What is it?

It’s the world's biggest military sailing competitive event with the highest number of participants

organised by the Indian Naval Academy (INA), at Ezhimala, Kerala.

The Indian Navy instituted the 'Admiral's Cup Regatta' as a 'fleet race' in a single crew Olympic class

'laser radial' sail boat in 2010.

2017 would witness participation from 29 foreign countries

The 'Admiral's Cup' would be awarded to the best team winning the championship on the basis of their

combined performance

7.2 EXERCISE INDRA-2017

Why in news?

Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia and in sea of Japan from

October 19 to 29.

What is it?

It is a joint exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces.

It was previously conducted as a single service – Navy- exercise alternately held between the two

countries.

The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to Tri Services exercise

(involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces -Army, Navy and Air Force)

The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula and

Russia. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean.

7.3 TRI-SERVICE COMMAND IN THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS.

The Andaman and Nicobar Command is the only Tri-service theatre command of the Indian Armed

Forces, based at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

It was created in 2001 to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of

Malacca by increasing rapid deployment of military assets in the region.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrates Diwali with soldiers at the strategically important tri-

service command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

ASSETS

7.4 PROJECT 28 AND INS KILTAN

Why in news?

The third of four Kamorta-class corvettes INS Kiltan was inducted recently.

What is it?

The Kamorta-class corvettes or Project 28 are a class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes (small

warships) currently in service with the Indian Navy.

They are the first anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes to be built in India.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=russia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_warfare

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theater_(warfare)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Armed_Forces

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Armed_Forces

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Blair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andaman_and_Nicobar_Islands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Malacca

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Malacca

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-submarine_warfare

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Navy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_ship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India


66

Three of the four corvettes, INS Kamorta and INS

Kadmatt, INS Kiltan were commissioned in 2014,

2016 and 2017 respectively.

The fourth INS Kavaratti is under construction

and slated to be completed by end of 2017.

All of them are named after Indian islands in

Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal

7.5 ELECTROMAGNETIC AIRCRAFT LAUNCH SYSTEM (EMALS)

Why in news?

Recently, USA announced that it will give the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System or EMALS to India

to equip its future aircraft carriers.

What is it?

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a type of aircraft launching system currently

under development by the General Atomics for United States Navy.

It will help launch heavy combat planes from the short runway of an aircraft carrier using

electromagnetic force, instead of the old steam-powered catapults.

Due to its flexible architecture; EMALS can launch a wide variety of aircraft weights and can be used on

a variety of platforms with differing catapult configurations.

The US has decided to release the crucial Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for the Indian Navy's

future aircraft carrier

7.6 OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (OPV) VIKRAM

Why in news?

OPV Vikram, India’s first-ever OPV to be built in a private shipyard was handed over to Coast Guard.

What is it?

OPV Vikram is the first of the seven vessels which had been awarded by the Ministry of Defence in March

2015

The vessel is built at Larsen and Toubro's Kattupalli shipyard, Ennore, north of Chennai.

It was completed ahead of the March 2018 delivery schedule (use in mains answers-efficiency of private

sector)

Major private shipyard receiving defence contracts

Larsen and Toubro's Kattupalli shipyard,Ennore north of Chennai.

Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited, or RDEL, Pipav, Gujarat


(Prelims 2016)

Which one of the following is the best description of

‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

a) Amphibious warfare ship

b) Nuclear-powered submarine

c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Kadmatt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Kadmatt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Kavaratti

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy


67


8 ENVIRONMENT: INSTITUTIONS, INTERVENTIONS AND BIODIVERSITY

INSTITUTIONS

8.1 THE GLOBAL WILDLIFE PROGRAMME (GWP)

Why in News?

The Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) Conference was recently held in New Delhi. It was jointly hosted by

Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), World Bank and UNDP

What is it?

The Global Wildlife Program (GWP) also known as “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and

Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development” program was launched by Global Environment

Facility (GEF) in June 2015.

It is a World-Bank led global partnership of 19 countries in Asia and Africa to promote the conservation

and sustainable development by combating trafficking in wildlife.

$131 million grant program is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

It seeks to address the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) by serving as a platform for knowledge exchange

and coordination, and supporting on-the-ground actions.

In their sixth cycle of funding they created a new strategic objective to prevent the extinction of

threatened species within their Biodiversity Strategy. Other GEF’s focal areas are land degradation,

climate change and sustainable forest management

In Asia, programs are in Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Recently , the GWP conference was held in India where India launched National Wildlife Action Plan

(2017-31)



68

8.2 ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION (PREVENTION & CONTROL) AUTHORITY FOR THE

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (EPCA)

Why in news?

The Centre-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) passed an order banning the use of

diesel generator

What is EPCA?

EPCA is a Central Government constituted a statutory committee (under section 3 of the Environment

Protection Act, 1986) for the National Capital Region in compliance with a Supreme Court order in 1998.

Objective and Functions

Protecting and improving’ the quality of the environment and ‘controlling environmental pollution’ in

the National Capital Region.

Assists the apex court in various environment-related matters in the region.

Members

EPCA has 15 members

It includes environment secretary of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), chairperson of the

New Delhi Municipal Council, transport commissioner of the NCT, the commissioners of various

municipal corporations of Delhi and professors at IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

8.3 GLOBAL SNOW LEOPARD ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROGRAM

Why in news?

IUCN has recently downlisted the snow leopard from the endangered category to the vulnerable category

on the new available data. Arunachal Pradesh is one of 22 priority landscapes of Global Snow Leopard

Ecosystem Protection Program.

Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program

GSLEP unites all 12 Snow leopard range country governments, nongovernmental and inter-

governmental organizations, local communities, and the private sector to protect Snow Leopard

In 2013 they signed the Bishkek Declaration (in the Kyrgyz Republic capital city) and agreed to the goal

of to identify and secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes across the cat’s range by 2020 or, in short

– “Secure 20 by 2020.”

Secure snow leopard landscapes are defined as those that contain at least 100 breeding age snow

leopards conserved with the involvement of local communities, support adequate and secure prey

populations, and have functional connectivity to other snow leopard landscapes, some of which cross

international boundaries.

The foundation of the GSLEP is 12 individual National Snow Leopard and Ecosystems Priorities

(NSLEPs). These NSLEPs were developed by each country to incorporate a set project activities to be

implemented to meet their national snow leopard and eco system protection goal.

The Global Snow Leopard Forum, a consortium of governments, NGOs and experts, floated the GSLEP

to secure at least 20 landscapes for the snow leopard by 2020 ( ie. Secure 20 by 2020)

It held the first Global Snow Leopard Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in August 2017.

http://www.epca.org.in/

http://www.epca.org.in/


69

Snow Leopard

Snow leopards are found 12 neighbour nations

o In the Altai-Gobi region of Russia and

Mongolia;

o China,

o In the Central Asian mountains of

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and

Uzbekistan

o In the Himalayan landscapes of Afghanistan,

Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Snow leopards are keystone species and indicators of

the health of their high-altitude habitat — namely

the Third Pole, the planet’s largest store of permanent ice and permafrost outside of the North and South

Poles.

Thousands of glaciers and seasonal snow melt to form the headwaters for Asia’s most important rivers,

which provide drinking water and irrigation to billions downstream

Snow leopards are border cats, as their habitation falls along sensitive international boundaries that are

increasingly being fortified.

In India, Snow Leopard is a schedule 1 animal and it’s found in

o Hemis-Spiti, Nanda Devi – Gangotri

o Kanchendzonga-Tawang border area.

Arunachal Pradesh is one of 22 priority landscapes of Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection

Program.

8.4 CMS COP 13

Why in news?

It was recently announced that India will host the next UN global wildlife conservation and international

species protection conference and the 13th CMS Conference of the Parties in 2020.

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)/Bonn Convention

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or the Bonn Convention is

an international convention which aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species

throughout their range.

It is an international treaty concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.

It is also known as the Bonn Convention after the German city in which it was signed.

It brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the

legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.

Uniqueness

It is the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats

and migration routes.

Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the Convention. Migratory

species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix

II of the Convention.

CMS acts as a framework Convention as it encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional

agreements.


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The agreements may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal

instruments, such as Memoranda of Understanding, and can be adapted to the requirements of

particular regions.

CMS COP12

The Twelfth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory

Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12) was held at Manila, Philippines in October 2017.

It is the first time that the COP is held in Asia.

Following species that have India on their migratory routes were awarded the highest protection by the

COP

o Four species of vulture: Red-headed, White-rumped, Indian and slender-billed vultures.

o Whale shark which inhabits the Indian Ocea

o Birds like black noddy, the yellow bunting and the lesser and great grey shrike

However, the proposal to extend additional protection to the Chinkara or Indian gazelle was

withdrawn.

BIODIVERSITY

8.5 VANNEMEI SHRIMPS

Why in news?

European Union rejected 10 containers of shrimp from India during the last six months and US another 52

containers after the inspection agencies from both the continents found presence of banned antibiotic

Surazolidone and chlorafenicol, veterinary antibiotics residue in Vannamei variety of shrimps.

India aquaculture

India is one of the largest aquaculture producing country in world. The production of carp in freshwater

and shrimps in brackishwater form the bulk of major areas of aquaculture activity.

In brackishwater sector, the aquaculture includes culture of shrimp varieties mainly, the native giant

tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) and exotic white leg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

Vannamei/ White leg Shrimp

Vannamei shrimp was introduced by Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India for commercial

aquaculture.

Advantages of P. vannamei

o Availability of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) domesticated strains to produce disease free larvae.

o Potential to grow up to 20 g under intensive culture conditions.

o Tolerates a wide range of salinities, from 0.5-45 ppt , but grows particularly well at low salinities

of around 10-15 ppt.

o Tolerance to low temperatures (down to 15°C) enabling them to be cultured in the cold season.

o Requires lower protein feed resulting in a reduction in operational costs.

o Better Food Conversion Ratios (FCRs) of 1.2.

Presently, it’s cultivation is affected high incidence of ‘white spot disease’ and presence of antibiotics

due to water contamination to sprinkling of small dosage of antibiotics for the preservation of fish

varieties are a major reason.

India is a signatory to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Thus, it introduced a surveillance programme to monitor aquatic diseases National Surveillance

Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD).


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8.6 DEVELOPING RIVER BIODIVERSITY PARK AND TURTLE CONSERVATION

PROGRAMME

Why in news?

Recently biodiversity park and turtle conservation park was opened in Allahabad

What is the project ?

'Developing River Biodiversity Park and Turtle Conservation Programme' - along Ganga-Yamuna river

system in Allahabad is to protect rich aquatic biodiversity of both the rivers and preserve all those

species which act as natural cleaning agents.

The project includes a Turtle Rearing Centre and setting up a river biodiversity park at Sangam

(confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati).

The sustenance of more than 2000 aquatic aquatic species including threatened gharials, dolphins and

turtles in river Ganga exemplifies the rich biodiversity of this lifeline to over 40% of the country's

population.

Turtles being carnivorous, can help scavenge half-burnt corpses and naturally aid in cleaning the river

water.

8.7 SAWFISH

Why in news?

The sawfish, once common along the Indian coast, have been sighted off the Indian coast less than 10 times

in over a decade and they appear to be more threatened than tigers and elephants according to recent study

of CMFRI.

Features of Saw Fish

Saw fish are included in Schedule I of the Indian

Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

There are only five species of the sawfish ever

identified — dwarf sawfish, knife tooth sawfish,

small tooth sawfish, large tooth sawfish and green

sawfish.

The sawfish family has been assessed ‘Critically

Endangered status’ in the International Union for

Conservation of Nature Global Red List,

considering their threatened status, high extinction risk and observed population decline.

International Sawfish Day

2017 will see the first International Sawfish Day marked on October 17th – an annual, global day to mark

the importance of sawfish and raise awareness of their risk of extinction.

This annual event has been created by The Deep in partnership with the Sawfish Conservation

Society (SCS), the European and American Associations of Zoos and Aquariums to educate people on

the threats saw fish face as well as developing conservation strategies that will protect them.


(Prelims 2015)

With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India,

which of the following statements is/are correct?

a) It is a herbivorous marine animal.

b) It is found along the entire coast of India.

c) It is given legal protection under Schedule I of

the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

http://sawfishconservationsociety.org/Index.htm

http://sawfishconservationsociety.org/Index.htm


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8.8 THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

Why in news?

On Oct. 16, Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militias attacked and took over the province

of Kirkuk and other disputed territories .The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 1,440

families and 8,694 people were displaced.

What is it?

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and

works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

It has 166 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries,

It provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally

displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers.

IOM joined the United Nations system as a related organization in September 2016 during the United

Nations General Assembly high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants

Objectives

Ensure the orderly and humane management of migration.

Promote international cooperation on migration issues.

Assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems.

Provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced

people.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural

development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.

Activities

IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:

Migration and development

Facilitating migration

Regulating migration

Forced migration.

8.9 SEASONAL BUTTERFLY MIGRATION IN WESTERN GHATS

Why in news?

A recent study by Zoological Survey of India, reveals that 46 species of butterflies take part in the migration

phenomenon in Western Ghats.

Time period of Migration

The seasonal butterfly migration began in the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.

Usually, the migration starts during October-December with the onset of the northeast monsoon, from

the plains to the Ghats, and during April-June, just before the advent of the southwest monsoon, from

the Ghats to the plains.

The migratory butterflies breed on the Ghats during the winter-summer periods and their progeny starts

returning to the plains by April.

Why they migrate

This phenomenon helps these species avoid the extreme monsoon conditions during their life cycle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_migration

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internally_displaced_person

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internally_displaced_person

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migrant_worker


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Which all species migrate?

This includes the Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis), Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace), Common

Crow (Euploea core), Double Branded Crow (Euploea sylvester), Common Emigrant (Catopsilia

pomona), Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe), Common Albatross (Appias albina), Lime Butterfly

(Papilio demoleus), and the Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector). Etc... (try to remember only the first 3-4

ones)

Threats for Survival of Butterflies

Extensive use of toxic herbicides such as Roundup (Glyphosate) in Wayanad’s (Kerala) fields and open

places immediately after the monsoon has resulted in the loss of nectar plant diversity in recent times.


8.10 BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY IN SINGUR

Why in news?

A recent study by researchers of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) shows for the first time that Singur in

west Bengal is home to at least 69 species of butterflies.

Features

A total of 69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded from Singur.

Five of the species found in Singur are rare and to be protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

They include species like the Tree Flitter, Striped Albatross, Pea Blue, Common Indian Crow and Danaid

Eggfly.

The uniqueness of the region is the fact that Singur has no forested land and the area is known for rice,

potato and vegetable cultivation.



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8.11 TAWNY LARK

Why in news?

According to a new study Tawny Lark can imitate calls of 34 other birds found in its habitat, and even

shepherds’ whistles.

What is it?

Tawny lark also known as Syke’s Lark is one of India’s 22 lark bird species.

It belongs to a family of larks well-known for their mimicking abilities.

It is found only in the arid grasslands and scrub lands of central and west-central India including Gujarat,

Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra

They even mimicked a squirrel and whistles of local shepherds – indicating that the birds learn from their

surroundings

It is locally common in its range and not yet threatened but its habitat of grasslands and scrub lands are

under threat from Rapid urbanisation and farm expansion.

Interventions

8.12 SECURE HIMALAYA

Why in news?

Union Government had launched SECURE Himalaya, a six-year project to ensure conservation of locally and

globally significant biodiversity.

What is it?

It’s a six-year project to ensure conservation of locally and globally significant biodiversity, land and

forest resources in the high Himalayan ecosystem spread over four states in India.

Protection of snow leopard and other endangered species and their habitats is one of the key

components of the project which will also focus on securing livelihoods of the people in the region and

enhancing enforcement to reduce wildlife crime.

It is launched by the Union Environment Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Development

Program (UNDP).

The SECURE - securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range

Himalayan ecosystems - is meant for specific landscapes. It will cover Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and

Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

o Kangchenjunga and Upper Teesta valley areas in Sikkim,

o the Gangotri-Govind and Darma Bayans valley in the Pithoragarh area of Uttarakhand,

o Pangi and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh

o Changhang in Jammu and Kashmir

Focus areas

Curbing the snow leopard smuggling and poaching..

Protecting the globally significant indigenous knowledge and cultural heterogeneity of mountain

communities.

Curb illegal trade in some medicinal and aromatic plants


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8.13 SAMEER MOBILE APP

Why in news?

The Central Pollution Control Board’s has launched Sameer application.

SAMEER

The Central Pollution Control Board’s has launched Sameer mobile application, which communicates air

quality in Delhi and NCR.

It provides hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index (AQI)

Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality in single number, nomenclature and

colour.

Public can post complaints with pictures and provide valuable suggestions through the APP.

The pollutants monitored are Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter (PM10

and PM2.5), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3) etc.

It has been revamped ahead of Diwali and the winter season to incorporate a section for complaints, and

to inform users of instant air quality based on the data from the nearest monitoring station.

It must not be confused with SAFAR-Air. It’s India’s first ‘air quality’ Mobile App launched in 2015 by

the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune.

8.14 AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

Why in news?

Recently, weather conditions, which slowed the speed of winds in the Bay of Bengal and other reasons,

resulted in the high levels air pollution in India’s cities.

What is AQI?

Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms, which are

easy to understand.

It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value),

nomenclature and colour. (One Number- One Colour-One Description’) for the common man to judge

the air quality within his vicinity.

Launched by Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2014

The index was prepared by an expert group set up by MoEF that included prominent medical doctors

from leading hospitals, research bodies including IIT Kanpur, and CSE

AQI categories,

There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and

Severe. Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and

their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints).

AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for eight pollutants

1. PM10 particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter

2. PM2.5 particulate matter 2.5

3. NO2 Nitrogen dioxide

4. SO2 Sulfur dioxide

5. CO Carbon Monoxide

6. O3 Ozone

7. NH3 Ammonia

8. Pb Lead


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For all these short-term (up to 24-hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.

‘The primary pollutant in most of the Indian cities is PM 2.5, or particles that are smaller than 2.5

microns and linked to respiratory illnesses.

8.15 NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA (NMCG)

Why in news?

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on Monday approved eight projects worth over ₹ 700 crore, four

of which were for setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

What is it?

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is registered as a society in 2011 under the Societies

Registration Act 1860.

It acted as the implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was

constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

NGRBA was dissolved in 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation,

Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council). National Ganga

Council is under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

Structure

NMCG will comply with the decisions and directions of the National Ganga Council and implement the

Ganga Basin Management Plan approved by it; co-ordinate and carry out all activities necessary for

rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga and its tributaries.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) as an Authority has powers to issue directions under the

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

NMCG has a two tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive

Committee. Both of them are headed by Director General, NMCG.

NMCG attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of

Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation.

The EPA Act envisages five tier structure at national, state and district level

o National Ganga Council under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

o Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of

Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

o National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG).

o State Ganga Committees

o District Ganga Committees in every specified district abutting river Ganga and its tributaries in

the states.

8.16 DMH-11

Why in news?

Recently, Supreme Court stayed the commercial release of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard crop for 10

days and asked the Centre to take public opinion on such seeds before releasing it for cultivation purpose.

What is it ?

DMH (Dhara Mustard Hybrid)-11 is genetically modified variety of mustard developed by Centre for

Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University.


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In Mustards, there is no natural hybridization system like in cotton, maize or tomato. This is because its

flowers contain both the female (pistil) and male (stamen) reproductive organs, making the plant

naturally self-pollinating.

Now Indian scientists have isolated Barnase” gene from a soil bacterium, which impairs pollen

production and renders the plant into which it has been introduced male-sterile. This male-sterile plant

is crossed with a fertile parental line, containing another gene, “Barstar”. Thus instead of self-pollination

it get undergoes hybridization.

The resultant progeny, having both the foreign genes, is a hybrid mustard plant that is not only high-

yielding, but also fertile and capable of producing seed/grain

In May, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) a regulator under MOEF cleared the

controversial transgenic mustard, DMH-11 for commercial use, the second ever food crop to be after BT

– Brinjal.

Though cleared by the GEAC, a full release need approval by the Environment Minister.

Possible issues with GM Mustard include : uncontrolled gene transfer, herbicide tolerance, impact on

honey bees and pollen production, regulatory weakness of GEAC on monitoring etc.

Mustard Oil

Mustard oil produced from crops planted as Rabi crop in October and November accounts for about 10

percent of India’s cooking requirement. It is the most used cooking oil in the country after palm oil and

soybean oil.

India gets more than 70 percent of its vegetable oil requirement from overseas. It currently imports

soybean oil and canola oil produced from genetically-modified crops. India is the world’s second largest

consumer of edible oil after China

8.17 SALTY SNOW

Why in news?

Arctic sea ice, a key indicator of global warming is melting faster than predicted, according to a study by

the University of Calgary, Canada. It found that satellite measurements over the years have overestimated

the thickness of Arctic sea ice by as much as 25% because of the presence of salty snow

Salty Snow

Salty snow is formed when brine (salt water) is expelled upward from the ice surface.

This process increases with more temperature.

Further, it does not allow radar waves from satellites to penetrate, leading to skewed measurements.

The implication is that the prediction of an ice-free Arctic ocean in summertime by 2050 could happen

much earlier.

9 CULTURE AND HISTORY

CULTURE

9.1 DEEP DHAROHAR FESTIVAL

Why in news?

Recently, Deep Darohar festival was held in New Delhi.

Deep Darohar Festival

Union Ministry of Culture organised the event of Deep Dharohar festival.


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To aims to reclaim the lost classical and folk traditions of Deepawali and with objective of transmitting,

promoting and conserving India’s diverse heritage, Ministry of Culture

The festival is showcasing the rich repository of red, grey and black ware potters, reed (sikki) artisans,

rural sculptors, Madhubani, Gond, Phad and Pattachitra art, lacquer workers, bell-metal and bamboo

artisans.

Sikki, Pattachitra, Phad, Madhubani & Gond

Sikki grass crafts

o Made from a special kind of grass known as sikki found in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

o Sikki, the golden grass of Bihar, is found growing in the wet and marshy area of Madhubani

district.

o Traditionally - and till today - sikki grass products are made by the women of the household.

Pattachitra

o Traditional, cloth-based scroll painting based in the eastern Indian state, Odisha.

o Pattachira painting has been awarded the GI tag.

Phad painting or Phad is a style religious scroll painting and folk painting, practiced in Rajasthan.

Madhubani/Mithila Painting

o It’s practiced in the Mithila (modern Bihar) region of India and Nepal.

o Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and

pigments, and

o It is characterised by eye-catching geometrical patterns.

Gond paintings

o They are a form of painting from folk and tribal art that is practiced by Gonds, one of the largest

tribes in India.

o While Gond paintings are considered to be from predominantly from Madhya Pradesh, it is also

quite common in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh and Odisha.

9.2 INCREDIBLE INDIA 2.0 CAMPAIGN

Why in news?

Recently “Incredible India 2.0 Campaign” and “Adopt a Heritage” project was launched.

What is it?

It’s a nation-wide campaign to position India as a Must Experience destination amongst overseas

travelers and to increase foreign tourist arrivals to the country.

The campaign is different from previous ones

o Emphasis on social media

o Promote India as a holistic destination

o Niche tourism products like Heritage Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Rural

Tourism, Wellness & Medical Tourism, MICE, Golf, etc. are being promoted

9.3 ADOPT A HERITAGE PROJECT

Why in news?

Recently “Incredible India 2.0 Campaign” and “Adopt a Heritage” project was launched

What is it?

Adopt a Heritage /Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchan is a project entrusting heritage sites to the public sector

and private sector companies and Corporate individuals for the development of tourist amenities.


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This scheme is a unique endeavour of Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of

Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

It focuses on development and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities.

The adopting agencies will called 'Monument Mitras'. They would also get visibility in the monument

premises and in the Incredible India website

The project would begin with 93 ASI ticketed monuments and would be expanded to other natural and

cultural sites across India.

9.4 PARYTAN PARV

Why in news?

Government of India in collaboration with other Central Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders is

organizing a “Paryatan Parv” across the country from the 5th to 25th October 2017.

What is it?

Paryatan Parv’ a 20-day programme organised by the Ministry of Culture

It aims at drawing attention on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country

and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”

Components

Dekho Apna Desh: To encourage Indians to visit their own country.

Tourism for All: Tourism Events at sites across all States in the country.

Tourism & Governance: Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on varied themes like skill

development, innovation, rural tourism etc.

9.5 RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV

Why in News?

Recently, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was concluded in Ahmedabad

What is it ?

It is the annual festival by Ministry of Culture to popularise and showcase the cultural diversity of India

through arts, artisans, dance forms, handicrafts, and foods.

It began in November 2015 and is organized under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative

The sixth edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was held in Ahemdabad as it was recently received

World Heritage city status

9.6 4TH DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS

Why in News?

4th Dialogue of Civilizations was being jointly organized by the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of

Culture and National Geographic in New Delhi from 8th to 15th October, 2017.

What is it?

It’s a five-year annual conference initiated by the National Geographic Society

It aims to encourage scholarly and public discourse about the five ancient, literate civilizations of the

world (i.e., Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China, and Mesoamerica) and how the study of the past

can inform our present and future.


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The first conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in 2013, followed by Turkey in 2014 and

in China in 2015.

The 4th edition of Dialogue of Civilizations is being held in India in collaboration with Archaeological

Survey of India, Ministry of Culture.

9.7 THUMIRI MUSIC

Why in news?

Eminent classical singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Girija Devi passed away. She is considered as the

queen of thumri.

Thumri Music

Indian Classical Music has various divisions like Khyaal, Thumari, Tappa, Tarana

Thumri style of singing describes activities of Radha-Shrikrishna’s expressions of love and physical

intimacy and the grief of a woman who is agitated by the parting of her lover.

It is restricted to particular Ragas Bhairavi, Gara and Pilu whose chief importance is on the words of its

poetry and eroticism.

It is primarily linked with folk songs of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, and so the Thumri lyrics are in Hindi

dialects.

The lyrics were vital as the melody, and creativeness was founded on the lyrics, rather than sargam or

Taans.

9.8 CHHATH POOJA

Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God for a period of four days, celebrated on the

sixth day after Diwali,

It is celebrated by the people of the Madhesh province and Mithila region of Nepal and Bihar, Jharkhand,

Uttar Pradesh states of India.

HISTORY

9.9 PAIKA BIDROHA (PAIKA REBELLION)

Why in news?

Union HRD minister recently said that the 'Paika Bidroha' (Paika rebellion) of 1817 will be added in the

history books as 'the First War of Independence' from the next academic session. Also 200th anniversary of

the rebellion is celebrated in 2017.

What is it?

Paikas were peasant militia under the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the

king during the times of war.

They rebelled against the British rule under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara in 1817.

It took place when the British East India Company wrested the rent-free land that had been given to

the Paikas for their military service to the Kingdom of Khurda.

Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar — the military chief of the King of Khurda — led his motley army

of Paikas forcing the British East India Company forces to retreat. The rebellion came to be known

as Paika Bidroh (Paika rebellion).

9.10 SISTER NIVEDITA

Why in news?

October 28, 2017 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/07/stories/2003120701661800.htm


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Sister Nivedita

Sister Nivedita was an irish educationist and was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda.

Sister Nivedita met Swami Vivekananda in 1895 in London and traveled to Kolkata in 1898.

Swami Vivekananda gave her the name Nivedita (meaning "Dedicated to God") when he initiated her

into the vow of Brahmacharya, changing her initial name Margret Noble.

A girls school was set up in Bagbazar area of Calcutta in 1898 by her. She introduced singing of 'Vande

Màtaram' in her school as a prayer. It continued even during the British ban on it during Bengal partition.

She was possibly the first person to have conceived and designed an emblem and a flag for the Indian

nation, way back in 1905.

9.11 FISH- LIZARDS’ FOSSIL IN GUJARAT

Why in news?

A near-complete Jurassic-era fossil of an intriguing animal that looks like a mashup of a dolphin and lizard,

and lived during the twilight of the dinosaurs, has been unearthed in Kutch, Gujarat.

What is it?

Ichthyosaurs, or ‘fish- lizards’ in Greek, were large reptiles that lived at the same time as dinosaurs.

This also throws light on the evolution and diversity of ichthyosaurs in the Indo-Madagascan region of

the former Gondwanaland and India’s biological connectivity with other continents in the Jurassic period

Earlier too, researchers have discovered evidence of ichthyosaurs from Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu in 2016 but

these were only fossils of teeth and part of the vertebra.

In Kutch, the team reported the finding of vertebral column, ribs, neural spines and a part of the snout.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya



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GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE- ANSWERS

Statements

1 Swachh Darpan programme focuses on cleanliness of village PHCs.

2 Million Death study is an ongoing survey led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

3 Intensified Mission Indradhanush focuses to improve full immunization to more than 90% by

December 2022.

4 VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty is a scheme run by the Ministry of Science

and Technology.

5 In EPC model, the Govt. pays private players to lay roads, has the road’s ownership and takes

care of toll collection and maintenance

6 Global Hunger Index report 2017 is released by the UN body, World Food Programme.

7 The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) overseas aspects such as registration

and cancellation of Information Utilities.

8 India majorly imports oil from following countries : Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Venezuela, Nigeria,

UAE and USA.

9 SWAYAM is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting of high-quality educational

programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite.

10 Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is applicable only for rural

areas of the country.

11 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) refers to an ahead-of-time agreement between a

taxpayer and a tax authority for a set of transactions over a fixed period of time.

12 Asset Quality Review refers to the annual asset quality inspection by the RBI on commercial

banks.

13 Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS) was established by the central bank

Governors of the G10 countries.

14 Minsky moment in the economy refers to a sudden collapse in asset prices after long periods

of growth, sparked by debt or currency pressures.

15 Basel III guidelines aim for resilient banking system based on 4 vital banking parameters

which are Capital, Leverage, Common equity and Liquidity.

16 A Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured loan raised by government in money markets

through instruments issued in the form of a promissory note.


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17 Advanced Metering Infrastructure is in news with reference to developing Smart Grids in

India.

18 Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme links Krishna and Godavari river and provides water to

deficit regions in Godavari delta.

19 National Waterway 4 passes through three states.

20 Value engineering programme in India refers to the construction of eco-friendly buildings.

21 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a joint venture of four PSUs and implements

programmes like Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) and UJALA.

22 The term ‘destination restriction clause’ was in news in the context of LPG.

23 SANKALP programme involves setting up of national bodies for regulation of accreditation

and certification in Vocational Education and Training.

24 Invest India is a public-private partnership company where Industry bodies such as FICCI, CII

and Nasscom hold 51 per cent equity.

25

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) focuses only on unemployed youth and

school drop outs as well as it covers job roles of the National Skills Qualification Framework

(NSQF) Level 5 and below only.

26 Project Chaman involves use of geo-spatial applications for the management of horticultural

crops and is implemented by NABARD.

27 SAATHI programme under Ministry of Power involves procuring energy efficient Power

looms in bulk and providing them to the small and medium Power loom units.

28 Logistics Performance Index is biennial index published by the United Nations Conference

on Trade and Development in association with the World Trade Organisation.

29

National Skill Development Corporation is an autonomous body of Ministry of Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship and acts as a major agency for State Skill Development

Missions

30 Six-party talks were a series of multilateral negotiations related to Iran’s nuclear program.

31 Madrid Principles refers to the steps taken by European Union to deal with Middle East and

North African refugee crisis.

32 Bharat Mala Project is envisaged as an umbrella program that will subsume unfinished

projects of National Highways Development Project.

33 US and Indian Naval Forces conduct joint manoeuvres in the coast of Somalia known as a

PASSEX.

34 Nairobi package was announced in the 11th WTO Ministerial conference.

35 National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is jointly-owned by the Government of

India and investors from India and abroad.

36 Governments of all WTO member countries had agreed to set certain basic standards for

the protection of GIs as per the WTO TRIPS Agreement.

37 Pan African e- Network project is an ICT project which is proposed to connect all 53 AU

member countries with Indian institutions with a satellite and fiber-optic network.


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To Know More About TPS 18 : https://goo.gl/5ZZMVT

38 The Addis Ababa Action Agenda aims to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

for Sustainable Development.

39 India became part of Missile Technology Control Regime by signing the Hague Code of

Conduct.

40 Agenda for Action refers to a common roadmap to strengthen the India-EU Partnership.

41 World Consumer Protection Map is developed by UNCTAD.

42 Pemayangtse monastery is a monastery in Sikkim and belongs to Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan

Buddhism.

43 Agriculture, non-agricultural market access (nama), trade facilitation in services and e-

commerce are included in the Doha round of talks of WTO.

44 Wardha dryport developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) focus to provide

services to the industries in Vidarbha region.

45 Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a strait surrounded by Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea.

46 Farzad B is a natural gas field in Iraq which is under consideration for development by a

consortium led by ONGC Videsh.

47 Immunotherapy treatments are called living drugs because it help T-cells to continue

multiplying to fight disease for months or years.

48 Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope to be

built in collaboration with India and nine other countries in Brazil.

49 Project 28 refers to a class of submarines under development and currently in service with

the Indian Navy.

50 MEMS technology can fabricate levers, gears, pistons, motors and steam engines into a

silicon chip.

https://goo.gl/5ZZMVT


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