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MONTHLY FACTLY

EXCLUSIVE CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR

PRELIMS SEPTEMBER 2017

ForumIAS

Monthly Factly for Prelims by ForumIAS 1st Floor, IAPL House, #19, Pusha Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi – 110005 | [email protected]

Current Issues (September)

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES

1. DIKSHA PORTAL

Recently, government has launched Diksha Portal - National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers.

Implemented by HRD ministry

The portal aims to equip all teachers across the nation with advanced digital technology

Teacher can learn and train themselves for which assessment resources will be available

2. FARMERZONE

It is a collective open-source data platform for smart agriculture by using biological research and

data to improve lives of small and marginal farmers.

It was announced by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of Ministry of S & T, at Smart Agriculture

Conclave in New Delhi

The Smart Agriculture conclave was organised by DBT in partnership with UK’s Biotechnology and

Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Research Councils UK (RCUK)

Farmer Zone will be a multi-purpose window which will provide solutions to farmer ranging from

climate change based information to weather predictions, soil, water, and seed requirements to

market linkages

The information can be accessed by the farmers throughout the world

It also includes Market Zone where farmers can directly sell their produce and the produce can also

be directly picked from their farms.

It will also help to reduce technological gap in data acquisition & transfer from farm to cloud and vice

versa

This also ensure localised technology based solutions and develop PPP based service delivery

mechanism

3. SAUBHAGYA SCHEME

The Ministry of Power launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA)

Objective of the scheme is to achieve universal household electrification in all parts of country by

providing last mile electricity connectivity to all rural and urban households.

The States and Union Territories are required to complete the works of household electrification by

the 31st of December 2018.

Under the scheme, government will provide free electricity connection to all households identified

under Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data 2011

Electricity connections will be given to APL families for Rs.500

Nodal agency: The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)

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For covering un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas, solar power packs

will be provided

The scheme is being funded to the extent of 60% by central grants, 30% by bank loans and 10% by

states

To ensure on-the-spot registration, mobile applications will be used.

There will be no subsidy component for monthly electricity consumption

Gram Panchayat and public institutions in the rural areas will be authorised to carry out billing and

collection tasks which have been pain points for the DISCOMs

SAUBHAGYA WEB PORTAL

Launched to ensure every state to fill current status of progress of electrification works which will

enable accountability for State DISCOMs/utilities.

It offers feature on village electrification camps that will be organised by DISCOMs in villages for

facilitating instant filling up of application forms and to complete requisite documentation to expedite

release of electricity connections to households

4. REVAMPED ‘KHELO INDIA’ PROGRAMME

The Union cabinet has approved a revamped Khelo India scheme

The Programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual development, community

development, economic development, and national development.

The revamped programme for period 2017-18 to 2019-20

It aims to impact entire sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, talent identification, community

sports, coaching, competition structure and sports economy

It provides for Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme, 20 Sports Universities, National physical

fitness drive

5. INSTITUTIONS OF EMINENCE

The University Grants Commission (UGC)announced the beginning of a 90-day application process

for universities — public and private — to seek the status of institutions of eminence, which will

provide them freedom from the regular regulatory mechanisms.

Twenty institutions — 10 public and 10 private — will be given this status with the aim to give them

freedom to become world-class institutions.

The 10 state-run institutions will have an additional benefit — provision of ₹10,000 crore over a period

of 10 years, over and above the regular grants.

The aim of the scheme is to help institutions break into the top 500 global rankings in 10 years, and

then eventually break into the top 100 over time

Eligibility to apply: top 50 universities of the National Institute Ranking Framework or those who have

secured ranking among top 500 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS

University Rankings or Shanghai’s Academic Ranking of World Universities

The selected institutions will have the liberty to enrol up to 30% foreign students.

Selected public institutions will be able to recruit up to 25% foreign faculty, while there will be no such

limit for selected private institutions

OTHER SUCH INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION SECTOR

The Higher Education Finance Agency (HEFA),

The Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana

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The Prime Minister’s proposed scholarships of ₹75,000 a month

UGC

Set up in 1953, and given statutory backing through an act of Parliament in 1956

For,

o Promoting and coordinating university education, determining and maintaining standards of

teaching, examination and research in universities,

o Monitoring developments in the field of collegiate and university education;

o Disbursing grants to the universities and colleges.

o Serving as a vital link between the Union and state governments and institutions of higher

learning.

o Advising the Central and State governments on the measures necessary for improvement of

university education.

6. MODERNISATION OF POLICE FORCE SCHEME

The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) has approved implementation of umbrella scheme of

Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)

To be implemented from 2017 to 2020

To strengthen country’s law and order mechanism, modernise police forces and effectively fight

against terrorism

It has financial outlay of Rs.25,060 crore out of which Central Government share will be Rs.18,636

crore and states’ share will be Rs.6,424 crore

It covers internal security, law and order, women security, availability of modern weapons, mobility of

police forces, upgradation of police wireless, logistics support, National Satellite Network, CCTNS

project, hiring of helicopters, E-prison project etc.

Centre’s special outlay for J&K, North Eastern and LWE States

Integration of Police Stations which will aid in integrating police stations to set up national data base

of crime and criminals’ records

Upgrading forensic science laboratories and setting up of state-of art forensic science laboratory in

Amravati (Andhra Pradesh)

7. DEENDAYAL HASTKALA SANKUL

Recently, Prime Minister of India inaugurated Deendayal Hastkala Sankul – a trade facilitation centre

for handicrafts – at Varanasi.

The Sankul will facilitate the weavers/artisans/exporters in promotion of handlooms/handicrafts in

both domestic and international markets.

The Crafts Museum in the Sankul will preserve the traditional handloom/handicrafts products of

Varanasi and showcase the handloom & handicraft products

8. JAN SAMPARK PROGRAM

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) of the Ministry of Women & Child Development has

started a monthly “Jan Sampark” program

To enable the public to have interaction with its officials and staff for seeking information related to

adoption as well as flagging their concerns.

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Details pertaining to Immediate Placement and Special Needs Adoption Module of Child Adoption

Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS) as well as the newly launched Grievance/Query

portal will be shared with all the stakeholders.

Also many of the Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) will be counselled and motivated to go for

adopting older children.

9. DAM REHABILITATON AND IMPOROVEMENT PLAN (DRIP)

Objective: Repair and rehabilitation of Dams (Total 225) across seven states namely Jharkhand

(DVC), Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand (UJVNL)

Started in April 2012

It is an externally-aided project

World Bank loan -80%, States and Centre – 20%

It aimed to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and associated

appurtenances in a sustainable manner, and to strengthen the dam safety institutional setup of

participating States / Implementing Agencies

10. VAJRA SCHEME

The Ministry of S&T’s Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) FacultyScheme has received 260

applications from foreign scientists of whom 70 will be shortlisted.

ABOUT

The scheme is meant to attract top international talent to country’s research and development (R&D)

ecosystem.

Implemented by: The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of DST

The DST will look for scientists with experience in fields of renewable energy, water and other

technology in which Indian lack expertise.

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

The residency period will be for minimum of month and maximum of three months.

These institutions should appoint them as adjunct visiting faculty and involve them in co-guiding and

mentoring students and developing collaborative programmes.

The faculty can also be allowed to participate in other academic activities.

The applications received from interested foreign researchers will be evaluated by Selection

Committee of eminent scientists.

The Committee will meet twice a year in January and July and make recommendations

11. PADIT DEEN DAYAL UPADHAYAY VIGYAN GRAM SANKUL PARIYOJANA

Recently, Ministry of Science and technology has launched Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan

Gram Sankul Pariyojana in Uttarakhand

Under the scheme, Department of Science and Technology (DST) will adopt few clusters of villages in

Uttarakhand and transform them to become self-sustainable in time bound manner through tools of

S&T

Local resources and locally available skill sets will be utilised using S&T under the scheme for

substantial value addition for local produce and services which can sustain rural population.

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The areas selected under these clusters will process and add value to milk, honey, horticulture and

local crops, herbal tea, mushroom, forest produce, medicinal & aromatic plants and traditional craft

and handloom.

This project will also ensure, stringent product and process control interventions for energy and water

conservation.

The project will also give emphasis to practice of agriculture, agro-based cottage industries and

animal husbandry in an eco-friendly manner.

It will mainly undertake post-harvest processing of Kiwi, Cherry, Strawberry, Tulsi, Adrak, Badi Elaichi

through solar drying technology, extraction of apricot oil using cold press technology

12. ZERO HUNGER PROGRAMME

On occasion of World Food Day (October 16), India’s ambitious Zero Hunger Programme through

interventions in farm sector launched with focus on agriculture, nutrition and health in a symbiotic

manner

Zero Hunger is one of the 17 globally accepted SDGs to be achieved by 2030

The Programme will be initiated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

The programme consists of organisations of farming system for nutrition, setting up genetic gardens

for bio-fortified plants and initiation of ‘Zero Hunger’ training.

A genetic garden for bio-fortified plants contains germplasm of naturally bio-fortified crops through

plant breeding.

It has plants and crops that help supplement micro-nutrient deficiencies, including iron, zinc, vitamin

A and iodine among others.

The Programme initially will be launched in three districts – Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Koraput

(Odisha) and Thane (Maharashtra)

The Programme will ensure suitable methods of measuring impact of intervention by identifying the

nutritional maladies in each district and applying appropriate agricultural/horticultural and animal

husbandry remedies

It will be in addition government’s plan to deal with issue of malnutrition through various other

initiatives under its goal to make India malnutrition free by 2022

13. FOSCORIS

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has launched an online platform –

FoSCoRIS- to bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling.

The web-based 'FoSCoRIS' system will help verify compliance of food safety and hygiene standards

by food businesses as per the government norms

14. SWACCHTA HI SEVA

Swachhta Hi Seva’ (cleanliness is service), is a nation-wide fortnight-long sanitation campaign to

highlight the cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission

It was launched by President Ram Nath Kovind

Started on 15th

September, 2017

The campaign was coordinated by Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

Its objective is to mobilise people and reinforce janaandolan (mass movement) for sanitation to

contribute to a Clean India.

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There will be targeted cleaning of public and tourist places

The government also asked companies to contribute 7 percent of their CSR (Corporate Social

Responsibility) funds to Swacchta Hi Seva Campaign

15. PRADHAN MANTRI LPG PANCHAYAT

Launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

It is backup scheme to existing Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

The LPG Panchayat scheme aims at spreading awareness among LPG users about how to properly

use clean fuel and its useful benefits.

It will provide platform to trigger discussion through sharing of personal experiences on benefits of

use of clean fuel compared to traditional fuels like cow dung, charcoal or wood

Under it, one lakh LPG Panchayats will be activated across country to deal with issue of safe use of

LPG as well as discuss its various benefits on environment, health and how it empowers women.

One panchayat will have around 100 LPG customers of nearby areas.

The panchayats discuss issues such as safe practices, quality of service provided by distributors and

availability of refill cylinders

PRADHAN MANTRI UJJAWALA YOJANA

It aims to provide 500 crore LPG connections to BPL families by 2019.

LPG Connections under the scheme will be issued under the name of women of the household in

order to empower women.

Identification of BPL families under the scheme will be done through Socio Economic Caste Census

Data

16. WHIP IN INDIA

Whip is an official appointed to maintain discipline among, secure attendance of, and give necessary

information to, members of his party.

The implication of not to follow a Whip on Member’s part is to risk losing their seat in Parliament on

account of defection (Schedule X of the Constitution)

The office of Whip, in India, is mentioned neither in the Constitution nor in the rules of the house, nor

in the Parliamentary statutes.

It inherited from colonial British rule

It also practiced in the USA and the UK

In India, the party whip directs the party members to stick to the party’s stand on certain issues and

directs them to vote as per the direction of the party

Whip cannot be used in Presidential poll

ANTI –DEFECTION LAW

Anti-Defection Law is contained in the TenthSchedule to the Constitution

It was introduced by the 52nd

Amendment in 1985.

It provides for the disqualification of a member if he defects from his party to some other party

A Member of Parliament or state legislature was deemed to have defected if he either

voluntarilyresigned from his party or disobeyed the directives of the party leadership on a vote.

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The decision is that of the Speaker/Chairman is final, but it is subject to judicial review. There are two

exceptions, in which case no disqualification occurs:

o No member can be disqualified if a group of 1/3rd

of the total members of a party decides to

split

o Or if a group of 2/3rd of the total members of a party decide to merge with some other party

Independently elected members cannot a join in a party

Nominated members who were not members of a party could choose to join a party within six

months; after that period, they were treated as a party member or independent member

17. PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL

A private member’s billtabled in the Parliament that want MPs tomandatorily declare their assets at

the end of their tenure

Private members are any member of the Parliament other than the ministers and presiding officers

The bills introduced by them are called Private member’s bills unlike government bills which are

introduced by Ministers.

The second half of every Friday, when parliament is in session, is reserved for debating private

member bills and resolutions introduced by them

A private member does not require prior permission of the president to introduce a bill

President enjoys absolute veto with respect to private members’ bills

During the Question Hour, questions can also be asked to the private members if the subject matter

of the question relates to some Bill, resolution for which they are responsible

Those questions are marked in yellow colour

Private member can introduce ordinary bill, constitutional amendment bill but not money bill

Only 14 private member’s bills have been passed in Parliament’s history and last one of them was in

1970

The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2014 but it was reintroduced

with substantial changes in Lok Sabha and is currently pending with Parliamentary Standing

Committee

COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

This committee classifies bills and allocates time for the discussion on bills and resolutions

introduced by private members (other than ministers).

This is a special committee of the Lok Sabha and consists of 15 members including the Deputy

Speaker as its chairman

The Rajya Sabha does not have any such committee.

The same function in the Rajya Sabha is performed by the Business Advisory Committee of that

House

18. RAJYA SABHA ELECTIONS

Recently, Supreme Court and the Election Commission upheld the use of NOTA in Rajya Sabha

elections

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THE RAJYA SABHA

First constituted in 1952, it is a permanent body and not subject to dissolution.

However, one-third of its members retire every second year.

Their seats are filled up by fresh elections and presidential nominations (Total 12) at the beginning of

every third year.

The retiring members are eligible for re-election and re-nomination any number of times.

The Constitution has not fixed the term of office of members of the Rajya Sabha and left it to the

Parliament.

Accordingly, the Parliament in the Representation of the People Act (1951) provided that the term of

office of a member of the Rajya Sabha shall be six years.

The act also empowered the president of India to curtail the term of members chosen in the first

Rajya Sabha

Only the members of the Legislative Assemblies participate in the election of the members of Rajya

Sabha

The elections are conducted through proportional representation with the single transferable voteand open

ballot system

SOCIAL ISSUES

19. INFANT MORTALITY RATE (IMF)

According to a recent study, IMR of India declined by three points from 37 per 1000 live births in 2015

to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016.

IMR is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.

The gender gap in India for child survival is also "reducing steadily".

The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to less than 10%.

Among the EAG (Empowered Action Group) States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand, have

reported decline in IMR in comparison to 2015.

There has been a decline of four points in Bihar; three points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar

Pradesh & Jharkhand; and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha & Rajasthan

20. ANTARA AND CHHAYA

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched two new free contraceptives Antara

and Chayya in 10 states under Mission Parivar Vikas, a central family planning initiative.

Antara is injectable contraceptive, effective for three months drug whereas Chayya is contraceptive

pill, effective for one week

Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS)

To help improve the supply and distribution of contraceptives, the health ministry recently launched

FP-LMIS, new software designed to provide robust information on demand and distribution of

contraceptives to health facilities and ASHAs

Mission Parivar Vikas

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The mission launched to accelerate access to high quality family planning choices based on

information, reliable services and supplies within a rights-based framework.

Its main objective is to bring down Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1, which is when population of

country starts stabilizing by 2025. .

It will utilise reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) strategy,

FPLMIS and consumer friendly website on family planning.

The mission is being implemented in 146 high focus districts that house 44% of country’s population,

with highest TFR of 3 and more in country

21. PENCIL PORTAL

Recently, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment launched Platform for Effective

Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) Portal

The PENCIL portal is an electronic platform to involve Centre, State, and District authorities, civil

society and general public in achieving the target of child labour free society

22. DIVYANG SARATHI MOBILE APP

The Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment has launched Divyang Sarathi—the accessible and

comprehensive mobile application for easy dissemination of information to ‘Divyangjans’.

The mobile app aims to empower Divyangjans by providing them easier and convenient access to

information pertaining to schemes, scholarships, statutes, institutional support systems, jobs and

other crucial information.

The app is integral part of Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)

The app has inbuilt unique feature of audio notes (text-to-voice conversion software) which converts

written information into audio file as well as the adjustable font size which can be altered as per

user’s requirement.

It has been developed bilingually i.e. information is available in Hindi as well as English.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

23. THIRD EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM

Minister of External Affairs of India visited Vladivostok, Russia to participate in the third Eastern

Economic Forum

The Eastern Economic Forum is considered as the biggest international communication platform for

cooperation between businesses leaders and senior government representatives from Russia, the

Pacific Region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Eastern Economic Forum is an international forum held each year in Vladivostok, Russia for the

purpose of encouraging foreign investment in the Russian Far East

24. BRICS SUMMIT 2017

9th BRICS Summit 2017 was held in Xiamen, China

Theme:Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future

Outcome:

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First time anti-India terror groups have been named in the BRICS declaration.

It also called for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on

International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly.

The declaration also reaffirmed BRICS support to the people of Afghanistan

COMPREHENSIVE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM (CCIT)

It is a proposed treaty which intends to criminalize all forms of international terrorism and deny

terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, arms, and safe havens

The treaty has no yet agreed because of differences over the definition of terrorism

It proposed first by India in 1996

BRICS

BRICS is an annual summit of five nations viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

First summit was held at Yekaterinburg in 2009

South Africa joined in2010

eThekwini Declaration: In 2013, the BRICS countries declared creation of

o New Development Bank (NDB),

o Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA),

o BRICS Business Council

o BRICS Think Tank Council

Fortaleza declaration: In 2014, the countries pledged $100 billion seed fund for the NDB and CRA

The10th

summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the second time the South Africa has

hosted the summit after the 2013 summit

THE BRICS CONTINGENT RESERVE ARRANGEMENT (CRA)

It is a framework that aims at providing support through additional liquidity and other means to

BRICS countries at a time of economic crisis

CRA was established in 2015 during 7th BRICS summit in July 2015

It will be providing support to BRICS countries through liquidity and precautionary instruments in

response to actual or potential short-term balance of payments pressures

The initial total committed resources of the CRA will be 100billion dollars with individual

commitments

Both CRA and NDB were announced as part of BRICS Fortaleza Declaration announced during 6th

BRICS summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil in July 2014

NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK

Established by BRICS countries to provide financial support to public and private projects via loans,

guarantees, equity participation etc.

HQ: Shanghai(AIIB - Beijing)

Headed by K V Kamath.

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The authorized capital for NDB is $100 Billion while initial subscribed capital is $50 billion

25. 12

th INDIA-JAPAN ANNUAL SUMMIT

Held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on September 14, 2017.

India and Japan signed 15 agreements for enhancing bilateral cooperation in several key areas

including investment promotion, civil aviation, and science and technology.

They also laid the foundation for the country’s first high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and

Ahmedabad

Inked MoU to set up India Japan Act East Forum to enhance connectivity and promote developmental

projects in Northeast India

INDIA-JAPAN

Both countries have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2011

They also participate in annual trilateral Malabar exercises

They also concluded civil nuclear agreement(Other countries with which India signed civil nuclear

agreement are: the US, Russia, South Korea, Mongolia, France, Namibia, Argentina, Canada,

Kazakhstan and Australia)

Both are part of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)

The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor

o It is an economic cooperation agreement between the governments of India and Japan.

o It aims for Indo-Japanese collaboration to develop quality infrastructure in Africa,

complemented by digital connectivity, which would undertake the realization of the idea of

creating free and open Indo-Pacific Region.

o The AAGC will give priority to development projects in health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture

and agro-processing, disaster management

26. ROHINGYA CRISIS

According to the UN estimates, over 450,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar’s Rakhine state

into Bangladesh since August 25, 2017 when a fresh wave of violence erupted

Rohingya isan ethnic Muslim minority group, living primarily in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.

They differ from Myanmar’s dominant Buddhist groups religiously, ethnically and linguistically

Myanmar considers Rohingya’s as illegal Bengali immigrants, despite fact that many they have

resided in Rakhine province of Myanmar for centuries

Myanmar government refuses to grant them citizenship status, and as a result they do not have any

legal documentation, effectively making them stateless

UN has often described Rohingyas as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world

OPERATION ‘INSANIYAT’:

The Ministry of External Affairs has started Operation Insaniyat to provided assistance to

Bangladesh in response to humanitarian crisis being faced by it due to large influx of

Rohingya refugees from Myanmar

CONVENTIONS ON STATELESSNESS

The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

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Defines statelessness and ensures minimum human rights such as right to education,

employment and housing. Importantly, right to identity, travel documents and administrative

assistance

83 states are currently party to it

The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness

It aims to prevent statelessness and thereby reduce it over time

They are complemented by international human rights treaties and provisions relevant to the right to a

nationality

27. NORTH KOREA

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was an advanced

hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, marking a dramatic escalation of the regime's stand-off with

the United States and its allies

28. WTO: INDIA-CHINA JOINT PROPOSAL

India and China have jointly submitted a proposal to the WTO calling for the elimination of the most

trade-distorting form of farm subsidies(Aggregate Measurement of Support or Amber Box subsidies)

by the developed countries as a prerequisite for consideration of other reforms in domestic support

negotiations

There are three box subsidies pertain to domestic support clause of Agreement on Agriculture, concluded in

1993. These are,

GREEN BOX SUBSIDIES

These subsidies don’t distort the trade practices

Ex: Those given on research funding; environment protection; domestic food aid; disaster relief;

farmer training programmes; pest and disease control programmes etc.

The WTO pacts don’t place any limit on such subsidies

However, these subsidies should be government funded and must not involve price support.

AMBER BOX SUBSIDIES

These subsidies distort the international trade by making products of a particular country cheaper in

comparison to same product in another country.

Ex: Input subsidies such as electricity, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, minimum support prices etc.

BLUE BOX SUBSIDIES

These are also similar to amber box but they tend to put limits on the production.

Ex: Subsidy on minimum support price will increase with production, so it would be placed in amber

box; but at the same time, subsidy fixed on area of farms will not increase with production – so would

be placed in blue box

ISSUE

Under the WTO norms, the developed countries are allowed to provide amber box subsidies up to 5%

of agriculture production in 1986-88, while the developing countries are allowed to provide 10% of

agriculture production in 1986-88.

However, the aggregate amount of such subsidies provided by developed countries is much higher

than developing countries

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Thus, the recent India-China document calls the AMS as trade distorting and calls for its elimination.

THE AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE (AOA)

It is one of the trade agreements negotiated and agreed as part of the WTOduring Uruguay Round

The Agreement allows governments to support their rural economies, but preferably through policies

that cause less trade “distortions”.

The Agreement on Agriculture applies to,

Basic agricultural products (Ex: wheat and live animals),

Products derived from them (Ex: lour and meat),

Most processed agricultural products (Ex: Chocolate and sausages).

Wines, spirits and tobacco products, and fibres (Ex: Cotton).

Fish and fish products are not included, nor are forestry products.

These products are covered by the Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA)

Agreement on Agriculture has three pillars

Market Access

Domestic Support

Export Competition

29. EXIM BANK SIGNED THE AGREEMENTS UNDER BRICS MECHANISM

The Cabinet has approved the signing of the Interbank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement and

Cooperation Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings by Exim Bank under BRICS Interbank

Cooperation Mechanism

COOPERATION MEMORANDUM RELATING TO CREDIT RATINGS

It enables sharing of credit ratings amongst BRICS member banks, based on request received from

another bank

It serves as ideal mechanism to mitigate credit risks associated with cross-border financing

Itcould also serve as precursor to the proposal of having an alternate rating agency by BRICS nations.

INTERBANK LOCAL CURRENCY CREDIT LINE AGREEMENT

It is a framework mechanism to extend credit lines in local currencies to the BRICS’ Interbank

Cooperation Mechanism (ICM) members

It is a non-binding umbrella agreement which would serve as an enabler to enter into bilateral

agreements with member banks subject to national laws, regulations and internal policies of the

signatories

INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATION (IRF)

The IRF is global non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation

Mission: To encourage and promote development and maintenance of better, safer and more

sustainable roads and road networks.

Founded in 1948.

Motto: Better Roads. Better World.

HQ: Washington, DC, United States

30. WORLD NUCLEAR INDUSTRY STATUS REPORT 2017

According to it, India is third in the world in the number of nuclear reactors being installed

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China topped the list with 0 installed reactors

According to the report, global nuclear power generation increased by 1.4% in 2016 due to a 23% increase in

China, although the share of nuclear energy in electricity generation in the world is stagnated at 10.5%.

31. GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX (GCI)

Released by WEF

India was placed at 40th place among 137 countries

India has slipped by one position compared to 39th spot in 2016

Top 5: Switzerland (1st), United States (2nd), Singapore (3rd), Netherlands (4th) and Germany (5th).

BRICS Countries: China (27th), Russia (38th), India (40th), South Africa (61st) and Brazil (80th)

According to report, India remains most competitive country in South Asia

India has increased its competitiveness in the fields of infrastructure, higher education and training,

and technological readiness

ABOUT

It assesses competitiveness of countries to provide insight into drivers of their productivity and

prosperity.

GCI scores are calculated on basis of 12 categories called ‘pillars of competitiveness which covers

both business and social indicators

It includes pillars such as institutions, infrastructure, health and primary education, labour market

efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness and market size

It highlights vulnerability of financial sector and unpreparedness of innovation and automation

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

It is an international institution that works to improve the state of the world through public-private

cooperation

It was established in 1971

HQ: Geneva, Switzerland

The Forum is best known for its annual meeting at the end of January in Davos

It committed to improving state of world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders

of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas

It works closely with other international organizations

REPORTS OF WEF

The Global Competitiveness Report

The Global Information Technology Report

The Global Gender Gap Report

The Global Risks Report

The Global Travel and Tourism Report

The Financial Development Report

The Global Enabling Trade Report

The Risk Response Network

The Global Human Capital Index

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The Global Manufacturing Index

The Inclusive Development Index

The Global Energy architecture Performance Index Report

32. GLOBAL HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX, 2017

India ranked 103rd out of 130 countries

Released byWorld Economic Forum’s (WEF)

India ranked 105th

in 2016

Top 5: Norway (1st), Finland (2nd), Switzerland (3rd), United States (4th), Denmark (5th),

BRICS: India is ranked lower than its BRICS peers

Russia (16th), China (34th), Brazil (77th) and South Africa (87th).

South Asian countries: India was ranked lower than Sri Lanka (70) and Nepal (98)

But it ranked higher than neighbouring Bangladesh (111) and Pakistan (125)

India ranks last among G-20 countries

The GHCI measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic growth

against four key areas of human capital development;

Capacity (determined by past investment in formal education),

Deployment (accumulation of skills through work),

Development (reskilling and continued upskilling of existing workers) and

Know-how (specialised skills-use at work)

ECONOMY

33. THE CODE ON WAGES BILL, 2017

Recently, the wage code bill 2017 introduced in Lok Sabha

Labour and labour reforms come under the concurrent list except exceptional matters related to

labour in safety mines and oil fields (which come under union list)

FEATURES

It will subsume four existing laws viz. Minimum Wages Act, 1948; Payment of Wages Act, 1936;

Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

It will be applicable to all industry, trade, business, and manufacturing or occupation establishments –

including government as well as private ones.

The central and state governments will make wage related decisions / rules for their respective

institutions

A national minimum wage for the country can be notified by the centre or it may fix different national

wages for different states or geographical areas.

Central or state governments will fix the number of working hours

Establishment of advisory boards in centre and states

It also specifies penalties for offences committed by an employer

34. DOMESTIC SYSTEMIICALLY IMPORTANT BANK (D-SIB)

Recently, RBI listed HDFC as Domestic – Systemically Important Bank (DSIB)

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HDFC Bank is third bank in country to be added in list of D-SIBs after State Bank of India (SBI) and

ICICI Bank which were added in 2016.

G-SIB

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007, the G-20 has created Financial Stability Board

to design sophisticated regulation measures for banks to prevent future bank failure

Accordingly, Financial Stability Board (FSB) in consultation with Basel Committee on Banking

Supervision (BCBS) identifies the Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs)

Beside this, the central banks of each country identify Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-

SIBs)

These banks are perceived as ‘Too Big To Fail (TBTF) because of their size, cross-jurisdictional

activities, complexity and lack of substitute and interconnection

The criteria for selecting D-SIBs are similar to that of G-SIFIs

D-SIB

The central banks of each country identify Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)

Banks whose assets cross 2% of the GDP are considered D-SIBs

The framework of D-SIB also requires that D-SIBs may be placed in four buckets depending upon their

Systemic Importance Scores (SISs)

Based on bucket in which D-SIB is placed, an additional common equity requirement has to be applied

to these listed banks, as mentioned in framework

State Bank of India - Bucket 3

HDFC and ICICI - Bucket 1

G20

It is adeliberating forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies

on economic issues and other important development challenges.

It was started in1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath

of the Southeast Asian (Tiger economies) financial crisis.

First G20 Leaders’ Summit was held in Washington DC, (2008)

2017 Summit – Hamburg, Germany

2018 Summit – Buenos Aires, Argentina

It comprises total 19 countries plus the European Union (EU), representing 85% of global GDP, 80% of

international trade, 65% of world’s population

Members: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,

South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, UK, US and EU.

35. BANKING SECTOR REFORMS

Recently, government has startedconsolidation of PSBs aimed at meeting credit needs of growing

Indian economy and building capacity in PSB

M. Narasimham and P J Nayak committees recommended the merger of banks in their

recommendations

Recently the merger of SBI and its associate banks has been completed

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P J NAYAK COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The PSBs must have independent directors

Repealingof old laws like the Bank Nationalisation Acts of 1969 and 1980, the State Bank of India Act,

and SBI (Subsidiary Banks) Act

Reduce the government’s shareholding in banks to less than 50 per cent

Constitution of Bank Board Bureau (BBB), which will decide on management and board-level

appointments in public sector banks

NARASIMHAM COMMITTEE REPORT – I – 1991

Reduction in the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)

Phasing out Directed Credit Programme

Redefined the priority sector to include the marginal farmers, tiny sector, small business and

transport sector, village and cottage industries etc.

Deregulation of the Interest Rates

Asset Classification, defining the Non-Performing Assets (or bad debts)

Removal of Dual control on the Banks as they were earlier controlled by RBI and MoF

Autonomy in banking operations

NARASIMHAM COMMITTEE REPORT-II – 1998

Strengthening banks in India bymerger of public sector banks

Introduced “Narrow Banking Concept” where weak banks will be allowed to place their funds only in

short term and risk free assets

Raise the Capital adequacy ratio for the banks

It recommended a review of functions of boards and enabled them to adopt professional corporate

strategy.

Review of banking laws

A three-tier banking structure

Setting up large number of local bank for banking penetration

36. CONTINGENCY FUND (CF) OF RBI

It is maintained by RBI to overcome unforeseen contingencies

It also acts as cushion against events such as unprecedented forex and gold fluctuations or other

valuation losses in bond holdings etc.

RBI has built up the CF and other buffers such as an Asset Development Reserve

However, presently there exists a disagreement between the Centre and RBI over the amount of funds

to be transferred to the Contingency Fund

Recently, the RBI set aside Rs.13,500 crore for its CF resulting in lower transfer of surplus from the

earnings of the central bank to the centre than the previous year

For three years — 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 — RBI transferred 99.99% of its surplus to the

government

Y. H. Malegam Committee in 2012-13 had recommended that Central Bank should transfer entire

surplus to the government.

37. ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL

A five member Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) is constituted

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Chairman: Bibek Debroy

PMEAC is a non-constitutional and non-statutory, non-permanent and independent body

Its primary job is to give advice on economic and related issues to the PM

38. SHELL COMPANY

Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) have

signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for automatic and regular exchange of tax information

This is to curb the menace of shell companies, money laundering and black money in the country and

prevent misuse of corporate structure by shell companies for various illegal purposes

Shell companies are companies without active business operations with significant assets.

A shell company may be legal or illegal.

They are not defined under Companies Act, 2013 or any other legislation

The current procedures are done under Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016;

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and Companies Act, 2013

39. ASHOK DALWAI COMMITTEE

It is constituted to prepare a blueprint for doublingfarmers’ income by 2022

Agriculture Ministry has recently released a blueprint having 7-point strategy to achieve the vision of

doubling farmer’s income by 2022 and it included a few of Ashok Dalwai committee

recommendations

40. OIL DISCOVERY IN ARABIAN SEA

RecentlyONGC has made oil discovery west of Mumbai High fields in Arabian Sea

The well is estimated to hold in-place reserve of about 20 million tonnes

First oil well of India was drilled by Assam Railway & Trading Company in 1865

First discovery of oil took place in Digboi in Assam in 1889

MUMBAI HIGH

It is ONGC’s flagship oil producing assets.

It along with other small fields along western offshore contribute to 44% of India’s total crude oil

production

41. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS)

Recently. the NITI Aayog and International Road Federation (IRF), Geneva have signed Statement of

Intent (SoI) to cooperate in field of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

It is the application of computer, electronics, and communication technologies and management

strategies in an integrated manner to provide traveller information to increase the safety and

efficiency of the surface transportation systems.

These systems involve vehicles, drivers, passengers, road operators, and managers all interacting

with each other and the environment, and linking with the complex infrastructure systems to improve

the safety and capacity of road systems

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SECURITY AND DEFENCE

42. REFUGEE CRISIS

Recently, centre has cited various intelligence reports about the potential threat of Rohingya

immigrants to India’s security in an affidavit filed to the Supreme Court

INDIA’S STAND

According to Article 19, which applies only to Indians, the right to reside and settle in any part of India,

is not available to the Rohingya

India is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the

1967Protocol Relating to Status of Refugees and thus provision of non-refoulement does not extend

to immigrants

The Foreigners Act of 1946

It deals with entry and exit of foreign nationals

Statutorily empowers the Central government to deport a person who is an illegal immigrant

It does not recognise refugees as a special category needing humanitarian protection

GENEVA CONVENTION 1951 - CONVENTION RELATING TO THE STATUS OF REFUGEES

It is a UN multilateral treaty that defines who is a refugee, and sets out the rights of individuals who

are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.

It also sets out which people do not qualify as refugees, such as war criminals.

It also provides for some visa-free travel for holders of travel documents issued under the convention.

The Convention builds on Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which

recognizes the right of persons to seek asylum from persecution in other countries

A refugee may enjoy rights and benefits in a state in addition to those provided for in the Convention

DUBLIN REGULATION

It is an EU law which aims to determine a EU member state thatshall beresponsible to examine an

application for asylum, when an application for international protection is pending before EU, under

the Geneva Convention and the EU Qualification Directive

WORLD REFUGEE DAY – JUNE 20

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

It is a United Nations agency

Established in 1950

HQ: Geneva, Switzerland

UNHCR Head: Filippo Grandi (UNHRC head: Joaquín Alexander MazaMartelli; OHCHR head: Prince

Zeid bin Ra’ad)

Mandate: Safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees

It is a member of the UNDP

It has won two Nobel Peace Prizes (1954, 1981)

It also chosen for 2015 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

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Zannah Mustapha (Nigeria), has won the 2017 UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Nansen

Refugees Award for his crucial mediating role and efforts to help children affected by the insurgency

in the country

UNHCR REPORTS

The Global Report

The Global Appeal

The Global Trends

INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Constituted in1986

Accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust

Awarded to individuals or organizations in recognition of their creative efforts towards promoting

international peace, development.

It is also bestowed upon them for creating new international economic order and ensuring that

scientific discoveries are used for the larger good of humanity and enlarging the scope of freedom.

The prize consists of monetaryaward of 25 lakh and a citation.

Recent awardees: Angel Merkel (2013), ISRO (2014), UNHCR (2015), Manmohan Singh (2016)

43. ASTRA MISSILE

Recently, the IAF successfully conducted developmental trials of Astra,beyond visual range air-to-air

missile (BVRAAM), over the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha

It is an air-to-air beyond visual range missile

It is single stage solid fuelled missile and has payload capacity of 15 kg conventional explosive

It is indigenously developed by the DRDO together with the IAF

It is also one of the smallest weapon system developed by DRDO

It is an all-weather weapon’s system capable of destroying an enemy target 60 to 70 km far away

It can be launched from different altitudes and is capable of engaging targets at varying range and

altitudes

It possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP) making it highly reliable.

It has advance on-board electronic counter-measures that jam radar signals from enemy radar,

making tracking of the missile difficult

44. NAG MISSILE

The DRDO has successfully test fired Nag, the 3rd generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) in

Rajasthan

With successful testing of land based version, complete functionality of the Nag missile has been

established with NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier)

ABOUT

It is one of five missile systems developed indigenously by DRDO under integrated guided missile

development programme (IGMDP).

The other four missiles are Agni, Akash, Trishul and Prithvi

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It works on “fire and forget” principle

It has been equipped with highly advanced Imaging Infrared Radar (IRR) seeker along with integrated

avionics.

It can be launched from land and air-based platforms.

It has operational range of 500m to 4km (Land version) and 7-10km (Air version)

The helicopter launched version known as Helicopter-Launched NAG (HELINA)

45. MILITARY EXCERCISES

YUDH ABHYAS 2017

It is a joint military exercise conducted by the Indian and US armies

Recently its 13th edition conductedWashington, USA

SURYA KIRAN EXERCISE

It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Nepal

Recently, its 12th

edition conducted in Nepal.

These are heldalternately in India and Nepal

SLINEX-2017

The fifth edition of SLINEX-2017, a bi-lateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka was

conducted at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

46. COASTAL EROSION

According to a study, Parali I island, one of biodiversity-rich uninhabited islands part of Lakshadweep

has disappeared due to coastalerosion

The assessment was carried out using geospatial techniques such as Remote Sensing (RS) and

Geographic Information System (GIS) to confirm the claim.

Parali I island, part of Bangaram atoll which was 0.032 square km in 1968 has been eroded to an

extent of 100%, resulting in its inundation.

Apart from Parali I, net erosion was higher in Parali II (80%), followed by Thinnakara (14.38%), Parali III

(11.42%) and Bangaram (9.968%)

LAKSHADWEEP

Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 6 newly formed/ submerged sand

banks.

The Inhabited islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Bangaram, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra, Andrott,

Kalpeni and Minicoy

Smallest island: Bitra

Capital: Kavaratti

Minicoy is Largest & Southernmost Island of Lakshadweep

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8 Degree Channel separates - Lakshadweep & Maldives

9 Degree Channel separates - Minicoy & Lakshadweep

11 Degree Channel separates - Amini Island & Cannanore Island

o Note: 10 Degree Channel separates - Andaman & Nicobar

o Duncan Pass Separates - Little Andaman & South Andaman

Language: Malayalam(In Minicoy – Mahl language of Maldives)

The entire indigenous population classified as Scheduled Tribes.

Religion: Islam

Each island of Lakshadweep is fringed by coral sands

Elevation: 0.5-7.0 m above mean sea level, thereby increasing thevulnerability to adversaries of

climate change

47. CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANTS

Recently, the wildlife wardens of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal have

inaugurated a new regional plan to tackle human-elephant conflict in eastern and central India

PROJECT ELEPHANT

Launched in 1992

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Implemented in 13 states

The focus of the scheme include

o Protection of wild elephants, their habitat and corridors

o Address the issue of man-animal conflict and

o welfare of domesticated elephants

Maximumnumber of elephants recorded in Karnataka (2017)

Elephant Corridor: It is a narrow strips of land that allow elephants to move from one habitat to

another

o Maximum Elephant Corridors – Meghalaya

o Maximum inter-state corridors shared by – Odisha and Jharkhand

o Maximum international corridors shared with –Bangladesh

Elephants have been declared as national heritage animals

48. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, 1986

Recently, the MoEFCC has proposed an amendment to the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to

impose fines of up to Rs.1 crore on polluters

Currently maximum fine of Rs.1 lakh along with a jail sentence of up to five years is applicable

Violation is treated as a criminal offence, making the whole process cumbersome

THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986

It was enacted in 1986

Objective: protection and improvement of the environment

The act was enacted by Parliamentunder Article253 of the Indian Constitution.

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The act empowers the Central Government to establish authorities with the mandate of preventing

environmental pollution in all its forms

IMPORTANT MEASURES

National Ganga River Basin Authority formed under thisact

Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ) are established under various sections of this act

o Note:The act does not explicitly mention ESZ.

o However it contains various sections which allows centre to restrict the location of industries,

processes etc. on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of the area,

proximity to protected areas etc.

o Based on these, centre notifies ESZ, No Development Zone etc.

It is one of the seven acts listed in the Schedule 1 of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)constituted

o It is an apex body created under the MoEFCC, under the act

o It deals with approval of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and

recombinants such Genetically Modified crops etc.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

o The EIA process is statutory backed by the Environment Protection Act in 1986, which

contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications also issued under this act

T S R Subramanian Committee constituted to review the environmental laws of the country and it

recently submitted its report to the centre recommending the overhaul of the environmental laws

49. CARBON SEQUESTRATION

India is exploring the possibility of carbon capture utilization storage (CCUS), as part of its climate

change commitments

It is a process that captures carbon dioxide emissions and either reuses or stores it so it will not enter

the atmosphere

IMPORTANT FACTS

Farming practices that help in the Carbon Sequestration are

o Mulching - it helps the soil to retain moisture and organic matter

o ZeroTillage - helps in stopping release of soil carbon

o CropRotation- helps by increasing soil organic content

o Strip Cropping & Contour Bunding - Increase carbon inputs by soil minimising soil erosion

o Rotational grazing and Pasture Management

o Intercropping

Soilcarbon is the largest terrestrial pool of carbon

Blue carbon: It refers to the carbon captured by living organisms in oceans and stored in the form of

biomass and sediments from mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses

50. FAUNA OF SUNDARBANS

Recently, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has published first of its kind compendium on the fauna of

Indian Sundarbans

Title: Fauna of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

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It has consolidated and updated information of faunal diversity of Sundarbans.

According to it, Sundarbans ecosystem region hosts 2,626 animal species

SUNDARBANS

It is a mangrove forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal

It covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres of area of which 60% is in Bangladesh with the

remainder in India.

It is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.

It was recognized as UNESCOWorldHeritageSite and RamsarSite

Sundarban forests are known for its self- Royal Bengal Tiger and other numerous species of animals,

including Chital Deer, Crocodile and Snakes.

ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

It was established in 1916

Its objective is to promote the survey, exploration, research and documentation on various aspects of

animal taxonomy in Indian subcontinent.

It has been declared as the designated repository for the National Zoological Collection as per

section 39 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002

Its headquarters are at Kolkata, it has 16 regional centres spread across the country.

ZSI publishes Red Data Book on Indian Animals (Since 1983)

51. SNOW LEOPARD

Recently, International Union of Concerned Scientists (IUCN)downgraded conservation status of

snow leopard from “endangered” to “vulnerable”

IUCN has also categorized the ChristmasIslandPipistrelle (a bat species that is found only in

Australia’s Christmas Island) as officially extinct

ABOUT

Snow leopard is a largest cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia- including

Himalayas, and Russia’s remote Altai mountains.

In India, they are found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and

Arunachal Pradesh states

Threats: Poaching, habitat destruction and climate change.

It is National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan

Status of Snow Leopard:

o Schedule I under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972

o Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)

o Appendix I Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

The Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP)

o Under this program, snow leopard range countries have committed to securing 20

landscapes across the cat’s range by 2020

Save Our Snow Leopards (SOS)

o It is a project launched by WWF India, in partnership with Tata Housing Development

Company in January 2014.

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SECURE Himalaya

o Launched by centre

o The key focus areas of the project is protection of snow leopard and other endangered

species and their habitats and also securing livelihoods of people in region and enhancing

enforcement to reduce wildlife crime

PROJECT SNOW LEOPARD

Launched in 2009

To safeguard and conserve India’s unique natural heritage of high-altitude wildlife populations and

their habitats by promoting conservation through participatory policies and actions

Project is operational in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal

Pradesh

52. NEW WETLAND CONSERVATION RULES

Recently, Central government notified Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

SALIENT FEATURES

Setting up of State Wetland Authority in each State/UTs headed by State’s environment minister

The rules prohibit activities like conversion of wetland for non-wetland uses

Mandatory for state authorities to prepare list of all wetlands and list of wetlands to be notified within

six months.

A comprehensive digital inventory of all wetlands will be created and will be updated every ten years

Setting up of National Wetlands Committee, headed by MoEFCC Secretary, to monitor

implementation of these rules

WETLAND

It is transitional land between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where water table is usually at or

near surface or it may be land covered by shallow water

It supports rich biodiversity and provides wide range of ecosystem services such as water storage,

water purification, flood mitigation, erosion control, aquifer recharge etc.

It may be manmade or artificial wetland

In India, there are 26 sites identified as wetlands of international importance under

RamsarConvention

RAMSAR CONVENTION

It is an internationalintergovernmental treaty for conservation of wetlands

It is formally known as Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especiallyas Waterfowl

Habitat.

It was signed on 2nd

February1971 at Ramsar in Iran

World WetlandDay – 2nd

February

2017Theme: “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction

HQ: at IUCN headquarters i.e., Gland, Switzerland

It is not a legally binding treaty

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This convention is not part of United Nations

India designates its Ramsar sites under National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

MaximumRamsar sites are located in UK

The Largestarea covered by Ramsar Sites is in Canada.

Montreux Record:

o It is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where

changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result

of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.

o It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List

The Ramsar convention also makes the countries cooperate in matters of conservation of the trans-

boundary wetlands, shared water systems, and shared or migratory species, and to share expertise

and resources with Parties less able to meet their commitments.

NATIONAL PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS (NPCA)

It was launched in 2013

By mergingNational Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation

Programme (NWCP)

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Objective: Holistic conservation & restoration of lakes & wetlands for achieving desired water quality

enhancement, besides improvement in biodiversity and the ecosystem.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

53. BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN PROJECT

Recently, it detected 15 fast radio bursts (FRBs) coming from a dwarf galaxy about 3 million light

years away from earth.

It was emitted from FRB 121102, a mysterious source associated with galaxy in the distant universe.

This detection brings the total of known FRBs from this strange object to more than 150 since 2012

Fast radio bursts (FRB) is brief, bright pulse of radio emission from distant galaxies

ABOUT

Breakthrough Listen Project (BLP) is a global astronomical initiative launched in 2015 by Internet

investor Yuri Milner and Astro-physicist Stephen Hawking.

It has teams from around the world to find signs of intelligent life in universe.

The 10-year programme aims to survey 1,000,000 closest stars to Earth by scanning entire galactic

plane of Milky Way.

It will listen for messages from the 100 closest galaxies at 10 billion different frequencies originated

beyond our galaxy.

54. QUANTUM COMPUTING

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is planning to fund project to develop quantum

computers

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ABOUT

Quantum computer is a computer design which uses principles of quantum physics to increase

computational power beyond attainable limits of traditional computer.

It employs complex principles of quantum mechanics to store information in ‘qubits’ (quantum bit)

instead of the typical binary ‘bits’ of 1 and 0.

55. XFEL

The world’s largest and powerful X-ray laser- European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) was unveiled

in Hamburg, Germany

56. ARTIFICIAL LEAF

Recently, CSIR scientists have developed an ultra-thin wireless device that mimics plant leaves to

produce energy using water and sunlight.

The artificial leaf absorbssunlight to generate hydrogenfuelfromwater.

In advance, this artificial leaf may provide clean energy for powering eco-friendly cars in the future.

The artificial leaf or the wireless device consists of semiconductors stacked in manner to simulate

natural leaf system.

When visible light strikes semiconductors, electrons move in one direction and produce electric

current.

The current almost instantaneously splits water into hydrogen – making it one of cleanest forms of

fuel as its main by-product is water

57. MONKEY FEVER

Monkey Fever or Kyasanur Forest Disease is a tick-borne viral disease

It is caused by Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviridae, which

also causes dengue and yellowfever.

It is endemic to South Asia and was first detected in 1957 in Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka.

Monkey fever is so named because it primarily affects black-faced langurs and red-faced bonnet

monkeysand result in their death.

KFD causes seasonal outbreaks between December and May along Western Ghats mostly striking

farmers in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Transmission: The vector responsible for its transmission is ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera).

Symptoms: High fever with headache, followed by haemorrhagic symptoms such as bleeding from

nose, throat and gums.

It also causes gastrointestinal bleeding, muscle stiffness, tremors, absent reflexes and

mental disturbances.

Prevention: Its spread can be prevented through vaccination

58. JEEVAN BINDI

It is medically enhanced version of regular bindi, embedded with iodine

It delivers the daily requirement of iodine i.e., 100-150 micro grams, absorption through the skin

These are being supplied in Maharashtra to iodine deficient people, particularly tribals

This initiative is supplemented with iodine pills available at community health centre

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59. OSIRIS-REX

Recently, NASA’sOsiris-Rex spacecraft successfully swung by Earth to put it on desired trajectory

towards near earth asteroid Bennu using Earth’s gravity

It passed within 17,237 kilometres from Earth above Antarctica

During closest flyby, Osiris-Rex’s science instruments were tested by scanning Earth and moon as a

practice for its operations at Bennu

ABOUT MISSION

OSIRIS-Rex stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith

Explorer.

It is an unmanned spacecraft and NASA’s first mission to collect samples from asteroid

101955Bennu, a carbonaceous asteroid near to earth

Primary aim of the mission is to studythe asteroid andreturnasample at least 60 grams dirt and

debris from its surface to Earth in 2023 for detailed analysis

NASA scientists feel that the Bennu asteroid hold clues to the origin of the solar system and the

source of water and organic molecules found on Earth.

OSIRIS-Rex is NASA’s third planetary science mission selected in the New Frontiers Program, after

Juno and New Horizons

60. CASSINI MISSION

Cassini mission to Saturn has ended with a spectacular suicidal dive into Saturn's atmosphere

ABOUT

Cassini–Huygens is an unmanned spacecraft sent to the planetSaturn.

It was launched into space in October1997.

It is a joint endeavour ofNASA, European Space Agency (ESA) and Italian space agency, Agenzia

Spaziale Italiana (ASI).

Cassini was the fourth space probe to visit Saturn and the first to enter its orbit.

The Robotic spacecraft included a Saturn orbiter and an atmospheric probe/lander called Huygens

for the Saturn’s moon Titan which entered and landed on it in 2005.

Findings of Cassini and Huygens have revealed the existence ofearth-like geographic features, great

lakes of liquid nitrogen gas on Titan’s surface.

Cassini also found evidence for the existence of underground ocean on the moon Enceladus and

some sort of life underneath it

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