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MONTHLY FACTLY

EXCLUSIVE CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR

PRELIMS JUNE 2017

ForumIAS

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

Current Issues

(June)

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. ADMINISTRATION OF UNION TERRITORIES

There is an ongoing tussle between the President appointed administrators and elected

representatives in union territories of Puducherry and Delhi

Articles 239 to 241 in Part VIII of the Constitution deal with the union territories (UT).

ARTICLE 239

The UTs are administered by the President through an administrator, who is appointed by him with a

suitable designation

The President may appoint a Governor of an adjoining state as administrator of a Union territory.

In such case the Governor works independently with regard to the administration of the Union

Territory.

ARTICLE 239A

This article was inserted via Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962

Under it, Parliament was empowered to create a legislature or council of ministers or both for a UT

ARTICLE 239AA

It was inserted by 69 amendment act, 1991and it provides special provisions for the UT of Delhi

A legislative assembly for NCT of Delhi was provided.

The power to decide the number of the seats and reservation of the seats was vested in the

parliament.

The State Government of Delhi can make laws for whole or part of the NCT on all subjects in the State

List or Concurrent List except on public order, police, land, offences against the laws Jurisdiction

power of all courts

ARTICLE 239B

It gives the administrator of the UT of Puducherry the power of ordinance making.

It can be promulgate when the legislative assembly of Puducherry is not in session and only with

prior permission of President

ARTICLE 240

President may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the UTs of the

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu except Puducherry

However, during the dissolution or suspension of the Puducherry Legislative assembly, the president

can regulate the peace, progress and good government.

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2. CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION (CIC)

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ordered Committee of Administrators (CoA) to bring

the BCCI under the ambit of the RTI Act

ABOUT CIC

It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005

The CIC looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals.

COMPOSITION

It consist of a Chief Information Commissioner, and such number of Central Information

Commissioners, as may be deemed necessary, but not exceeding 10

APPOINTMENT

They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of,

i. Prime Minister as Chairperson,

ii. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and

iii. A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister

ELIGIBILITY

They should be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science

and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and

governance.

They should not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union

Territory.

They should not hold any other office of profit or connected with any political party or carrying on

any business or pursuing any profession.

TENURE

The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5

years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

They are not eligible for reappointment

REMOVAL

The CIC and other ICs can only be removed by the President

Note: The state information commissioners appointed and removed by the Governor

JURISDICTION

The decision of the Commission on an appeal is binding and is not subject to further appeal in a court

of law

The Act mandates the CIC to submit Annual Reports to the Parliament.

3. PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES

The Speaker of the Karnataka assembly had ordered the imprisonment of two journalists for a year

based on the recommendations of its privilege committee

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ABOUT

Article 105 of the Constitution is related to the powers, privileges, etc. of members and committees

of Parliament while Article 194 protects the privileges and powers of state legislature, their members

and committees

Articles 105 and 194 clearly lay down that the “power, privileges and immunities of the legislature

shall be as may from time to time be defined by the legislature, and until so defined, shall be those of

the House of Commons”

Other than this, Article 105(3) states that the powers, privileges and immunities of the members and

the committees of Parliament will be determined by law which shall be passed in Parliament.

However, in India, the legislators have not passed any law delineating the powers, privileges and

immunities of members and committees of Parliament.

4. REORGANIZATION OF STATES

Recently, West Bengal’s government decision to impose Bengali language in all the schools from

class one to class tenth ignited months long agitation in Darjeeling

BACKGROUND

There is a demand for formation of separate Gurkhaland State from the Darjeeling hill districts

In 1988, a tripartite Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council accord was signed by Gorkhaland National

Liberation Front (GNLF), West Bengal and Union Government.

After this, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) came into existence and GNLF shelved its

demand for the separate state

DARJEELING GORKHA HILL COUNCIL (DGHC)

The DGHC was a semi – autonomous body

It was established to look after the administration of the hills of Darjeeling.

It has three main divisions namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong.

The Council was to function under the State Government.

GORKHA TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT, 2012

GTA created in 2012 through a tripartite agreement signed by Government of India, Government of

West Bengal and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)

The DGHC was replaced by the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA)

The GTA was given administrative, executive and financial powers but no legislative powers

45 Constituencies were announced by the west Bengal Government under the GTA.

The act also brought in the first election for the Gorkha land after the formation of the Council

ARTICLE 3

It enables Parliament to effect by law reorganization of the territories of the States constituting the

Indian Union.

Parliament is empowered or enact law to reorganize the existing States by,

o Establishing new States, or

o By uniting two or more States or parts of States, or

o By uniting any territory to a part of any State; or

o By altering their boundaries, or

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o By separating territory from, or increasing or diminishing the area of, or by changing the name

of, a State.

5. TELE – LAW SCHEME

Recently, the Union Ministry of Law & Justice in association with the National Legal Service Authority

(NALSA) launched ‘Tele-Law’ scheme in Bihar.

ABOUT

The scheme aims at providing legal aid services to marginalised communities and citizens living in

rural areas through digital technology.

It is continuation to the Access to Justice Project to Marginalised Persons implemented by United

Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2008

The scheme is an initiative of the Union Law Ministry and Ministry of Electronics and Information

Technology (MeITY)

TELE – LAW PORTAL

It has been launched as part of the scheme.

It is available across the Common Service Centre (CSC) network at panchayat levels.

The portal will connect the citizens from rural areas to have access to legal consultation with the

help of para-legal volunteers (PLVs)

It will enable people to seek legal advice from lawyers through video conferencing.

The NALSA will also provide a panel of lawyers from state capitals

The scheme would help poor people in getting legal aid easily

The services of the Right of Public Service Act and Public Grievance Redressal Act will be also made

available at CSCs.

Besides, various other services like making Aadhaar card, PAN, applying for passports, reservation of

train berths and bill payments can be done from CSCs.

GOVT SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES

6. MGNREGA NATIONAL AWARD

The Ministry of Rural Development has selected Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh for effective

implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during 2015-16

7. SATH PROGRAMME

NITI Aayog has launched SATH-‘Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital’ with the State

Governments

ABOUT

The aim of this programmes is to initiate transformation in education and health sectors by providing

technical support to states from NITI Aayog.

The program will be implemented by NITI along with McKinsey & Company and IPE Global

consortium

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The programme aims to build three selected states viz. Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka as

future ‘role model’ states for health systems.

Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha were selected for transforming their education sector.

These six states were chosen after a rigorous competitive process based on comprehensive metrics

to determine potential for impact and likelihood of success

Under it, NITI Aayog will work in close collaboration with state machinery in these six selected states

to achieve the end objectives.

8. DAY-NRLM

Recently an assessment study of Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission

(DAY-NRLM) was conducted by Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA)

ABOUT DAY-NRLM

It replaced the National Rural Livelihood Mission (Ajeevika) and National Urban Livelihood Mission

SALIENT FEATURES

Its objective is to organize the rural poor, particularly women into Self Help Groups (SHGs), and

nurture and support them till improve their quality of life and come out of poverty

It is partially supported by World Bank.

SHGs are provided Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund

Members are provided small interest loans (7%) for both consumption expenditure and taking up

livelihoods activities

It also include financial inclusion initiatives such as bank linkage and working with banks to ensure

credit flow to the SHGS

The difference is the interest subvention provided through NRLM

START UP VILLAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME (SVEP)

To continue strengthening of livelihoods, a new livelihoods vertical, SVEP has been launched by my

Government.

The programme aims at helping the poor to set up enterprises and provided support till the

enterprises stabilize.

MAHILA KISAN SASHKITIKARAN PARIYOJNA (MKSP)

It is one of the components of NRLM.

It seeks to strengthen the existing agriculture based livelihoods of the poor and participation of

women in agriculture and improve productivity

9. STARTUP INDIA HUB

Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently launched the Startup India Virtual Hub.

It is a common online platform for all stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem like startups,

investors, mentors, academia, incubators, accelerators, corporates, Government bodies in India, etc.

to discover, connect and engage with each other.

10. HILL AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Recently, the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) launched the “Hill Area

Development Programme” (HADP) for North-East India

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ABOUT HADP

The mission will be implemented on a pilot basis in the hilly districts of Manipur.

Out of 80 districts of Northeast, 3 districts of hilly areas, which ranked lowest in the Composite

District Infrastructure Index, belonged to Manipur

The mission has following two approaches:

i. Ensure equitable development of every area, tribe and every section in the North Eastern

Region.

ii. Bring the eight North Eastern Region States at par with the more developed states of India

COMPOSITE DISTRICT INFRASTRUCTURE INDEX

It is an index prepared by Ministry of DoNER to aid in better targeting of schemes and projects within

the North Eastern region (NER) for reducing intra-regional disparity.

The index is prepared based on 7 indicators, namely, transport facilities, energy, water supply,

education, health facilities, communication infrastructure and banking facilities.

It acts as a benchmark in formulating and implementing various policies by the ministry

11. INAM-PRO+

The Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping launched INAM-Pro + in New Delhi.

INAM-PRO

It is a web portal designed by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd

It is a common platform to bring cement buyers and sellers together.

The portal facilitated comparison of price, availability of materials etc. and made it very convenient for

the prospective buyers to procure cement at reasonable rates in a transparent manner.

INAM-PRO+

It is an upgraded version of INAM-PRO to include everything related to construction materials,

equipment/machinery and services like purchase/hiring/lease of new/used products and services in

the domains of Construction Materials

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

12. QATAR DIPLOMATIC CRISIS

Recently, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen, Libya, Bahrain and the

Maldives have suspended their diplomatic relationship with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

To normalise ties with Qatar, the Arab countries had put a 13-points demand list.

Also, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have formed new economic and partnership group named Joint

Cooperation Committee, separate from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The committee is assigned to cooperate and coordinate between UAE and Saudi Arabia in all military,

political, economic, trade and cultural fields

GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC)

It is a political and economic alliance of Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE

It was established in 1981 after the signing of Charter of GCC

It promotes economic, security, cultural and social cooperation between the six states

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It holds annual summit to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.

Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ARAB LEAGUE

It is a voluntary regional organization of Arab countries in and around North Africa, the Horn of Africa

and Arabia.

Formed in 1945

Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt

Founding members: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria

Members: 22 members including Syria (Currently suspended), Palestine

Objective: strengthen ties among member states, coordinate their policies and direct them towards a

common good

13. SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION (SCO)

The SCO Summit took place in Astana, Kazakhstan on June 8-9, 2017

India and Pakistan inducted as full members of the SCO

India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005

ABOUT SCO

It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation

Its objective is to jointly preserve and safeguard regional peace, security and stability

SCO is primarily centred on its member nations’ Central Asian security-related concerns, often

describing the main threats it confronts as being terrorism, separatism and extremism

It was founded in 2001

Members 8: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan

Observers: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia

Dialogue partner: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Nepal

It was an outcome of The Shanghai Five grouping established in 1996 by Kazakhstan, China,

Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan

In 2001 Uzbekistan was invited to join it and the SCO was officially born

Headquarters: Beijing, China.

Astana Summit, 2005: SCO has emerged as a regional security organization

The 18th

SCO Summit (2018) – it will be held in Qingdao, China

14. DOKLAM STANDOFF

The 72 day standoff between India and China at Doklam, the tri-junction of the Indian, Chinese and

Bhutanese borders, was resolved peacefully.

ABOUT DOKLAM

Doklam (Doko La) is a strategically located tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China.

It is a disputed territory and claimed by both China and Bhutan

In June, Chinese PLA’s attempt to build a road in the strategically located area objected by Bhutan

and India and it led to a military standoff between Indian and Chinese army

It is very close to India’s narrow Siliguri corridor, the Chicken’s Neck.

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TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND BHUTAN, 1949

It was signed on August 8, 1949.

The treaty provides for, among other things, perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce

and equal justice to each other’s citizens.

The treaty also established free trade and extradition protocols.

Under it, Bhutan to take India’s guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and require

Bhutan to obtain India’s permission over arms imports

INDIA-BHUTAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY, 2017

Both countries have revised the 1948 treaty in 2007

Under this treaty, both countries have agreed to cooperate closely with each other on issues relating

to their national interests

The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India’s guidance on foreign policy with

broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India’s permission over arms imports.

INDIA–CHINA BORDER

India shares a total 3500 km long boundary, second largest boundary after Bangladesh, with china

Indian states Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh

share border with China

The total boundary is divided in to 3 zones

o Western Sector – Jammu and Kashmir

o Middle Sector - Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

o Eastern Sector – Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh

15. 18th

INDIA-RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMIT

It held in St Petersburg, Russia

India and Russia have inked 5 pacts

o Agreement on cultural exchanges

o Agreement on construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam NPP

o Agreement between the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and the CSIR to

provide access to the Indian Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge (TKDL)

o Contract between JSC (Russian Railways) and the Ministry of Railways on the preparation of

the justification for the implementation of the high-speed service at the Nagpur-

Secunderabad

o Memorandum of cooperation between ALROSA Joint Stock Company and the Council for the

Promotion of the Export of Precious Stones and Jewellery of India

ECONOMY

16. UN TIR CONVENTION

India had ratified United Nations Transports Internationaux Routiers Convention, a universal transit

system for goods to improve its trade prospects in the region.

India has thus become the 71st country to ratify the United Nations TIR Convention.

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ABOUT UN TIR CONVENTION

The Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets, 1975 (TIR

Convention) is an international transit system under United Nations Economic Commission for

Europe (UNECE)

The convention facilitates seamless movement of goods within and amongst the parties to the

Convention

It is managed and developed by the International Road Transport Union

By joining the convention, the need for inspection of goods at intermediate borders as well as physical

escorts en-route shall be obviated due to reciprocal recognition of Customs controls

As per the Convention, Customs clearance can take place at internal Customs locations

Compliance with the Convention ensures enhanced security in the supply chain

The TIR Carnet (A custom document that allows temporary duty free importation of the particular

good) represents a guarantee for Customs duties and taxes and traffic in transit

Hence there is no need for payment of such taxes and duties en route

The TIR carnet also serves as a Customs declaration and hence it precludes the need to file multiple

declarations satisfying national laws of the different transiting countries.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT UNION (IRU)

It is a non-governmental business organization

It was founded in 1948 in Geneva to help war-torn Europe rebuild trade and commercial links.

Beginning as an alliance of national road transport associations from eight European countries, IRU

already began to develop TIR in 1949.

IRU membership and activities have now expanded to all continents, encompassing passenger and

goods mobility by road, as well as intermodal journeys and innovative mobility services

The IRU works for implementing the UN Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods

under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention)

17. TAXATION OFAGRICULTURE INCOME

NITI Aayog in its three-year action agenda has proposed the idea of taxation of agricultural income

above a certain threshold

INCOME TAX ACT, 1961

As per Section 10(1) of the Act, agricultural income is exempted from taxation and not included under

total income

However, state governments can tax agricultural income as agriculture is listed as a State List

subject in the VII schedule

18. CAPITAL GAINS TAX

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification specifying that the securities

transactions where the securities transaction tax (STT) hasn’t been paid would attract capital gains

tax (CGT)

ABOUT STT

It is levied on all the transactions done on the stock exchange.

This tax is levied on purchase of equity, sale of equity, derivatives, equity oriented funds and equity

oriented Mutual Funds.

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ABOUT CGT

Capital gain refers to the gain or profit from the sale of property or an investment.

Investment may be in shares, equity, gold, real estate or valuables like paintings

India classifies this tax into short term (less than 36 months) and long term capital gains (more than

36 months)

However, the definition of short term and long term capital gains varies for various products

From, 2017-18 the holding period of 24 months has been specified for unlisted shares and

immovable property to be considered as Long Term Capital Gains

Some assets are considered short-term capital assets when these are held for 12 months or less.

This rule is applicable if the date of transfer is after 10th July, 2014

In the 2018-19 budget, the Long Term Capital Gains reintroduced on stocks

19. NATIONAL BIOPHARMA MISSION

Launched by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology

Under this mission, the ministry also launched Innovate in India (i3) program

ABOUT INNOVATE IN INDIA (I3) PROGRAM

The programme is a collaboration between Government of India and World Bank.

To make India a hub for design and development of novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceutical

products and solutions.

It promises to boost the growth of domestic biopharma industry

It encourages collaboration between industry and academia, and support entrepreneurial ecosystem.

It will strive to increase India’s global biopharmaceutical market share from current 2.8% to 5%

The program offer young entrepreneurs an avenue to engage with the best in the industry.

ABOUT NATIONAL BIOPHARMA MISSION

It aims to make India’s biopharmaceuticals’ technological and product development capabilities to be

globally competitive over the next decade

It will also seek to improve the India’s health standards through affordable product development

It also focus on Industry-Academia collaboration to achieve these objectives

The mission will be implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)

The mission will concentrate on development of specific products such as vaccines, medical devices,

bio-therapeutics and diagnostics etc.

It will help in building and strengthening domain specific knowledge and management skills at the

same time creating and enhancing technology transfer capabilities in public and private sector

GENERICS VS BIOSIMILAR

Generics: It is a drug produced with same Active Pharma Ingredients (API) when the original product

goes off patent in same amount/proportions

The development cost of generics is low and regulatory approval is easy compared to biosimilar

Biosimilar: It is a generic versions of drug where the active ingredient is made only by an engineered

organism

When drugs made by engineered organisms go off patent there is no legal requirement for the patent

holder to give his engineered organism to anyone else.

Due to their complexity and the need to prove their therapeutic efficacy, the regulatory requirements

are more stringent than the generic drugs

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SECURITY AND DEFENCE

20. PRITHVI-2 MISSILE

The land version of the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi-II was successfully

test-fired

ABOUT PRITHVI-II

It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed indigenously by DRDO

It is the first missile to be indigenously developed Integrated Guided Missile Development Program

(IGMDP).

It is capable of carrying 500 kg-1,000 kg of nuclear as well as conventional warheads.

Range: 350 km.

It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.

The missile was inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003.

It is designed in such a way that it can be taken close to the forward line over any kind of terrain

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

21. UN OCEAN CONFERENCE

Recently, the UN had hosted the first large-scale ocean conference devoted for protecting and saving

the oceans in New York

It is co-hosted by the Governments of Fiji and Sweden

Theme: Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal

14

The conference served as a platform for the world community to discuss innovative ways to

sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

OUTCOMES

It resulted in adoption of a 14-point Call for Action by the participating Heads of State

The leaders also pledged their commitment to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine

resources.

Formation of a task force on marine litter by the International Solid Waste Association

The Global Ocean Commission had made recommendations to improve the oceanic ecosystem by

checking illegal and unregulated fishing activities; ending harmful subsidies in seas and establishing

binding international safety standards

THE WORLD OCEANS DAY (WOD)

It is observed every year on June 8

Objective: To raise global awareness of the benefits derived from the oceans and the current

challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.

GLOBAL OCEAN COMMISSION

Launched in 2013

It is an international initiative that seek to raises awareness and promotes action to address the

degradation of the ocean and help restore it to full health and productivity.

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Its focus is on the high seas, the vast ocean areas that lie beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones

(EEZs) of individual states.

22. NILGIRI TAHR

The first ever State-wide population estimation of Nilgiri tahrs, has put the total population of the

endangered species at 1,420

ABOUT

It is a stocky goat endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in the

states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

They are confined to a narrow belt of higher elevation of Shola Forest, cliffs, grass-covered hills, and

open terrain in the Western Ghats.

Largest population of Nilgiri Tahr is found within the Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kerala

IUCN status: Endangered

Protected under Schedule I by the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

23. BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA

According to the Animal Discoveries 2016, New Species and Records, brought out by the Zoological

Survey of India and Plant Discoveries 2016, by the Botanical Survey of India, 499 new species have

been discovered from various parts of the country

PLANTS

Most plant discoveries were made in the Western Ghats (17%), followed by the Eastern Himalayas

(15%), the Western Himalayas (13%), the Eastern Ghats (12%) and the west coast (8%)

ANIMALS

Of the new discoveries, 258 are invertebrates and 55 are vertebrates.

Around 97 are insects, 27 are fish, 12 are amphibians, 10 are Platyhelminthes, and nine are Crustacea,

six species of reptiles, 61 species of moths and butterflies and 38 of beetles.

The new species are known to occur in the four biological hotspots of the country, namely, the

Himalayas, the northeast, the Western Ghats and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

24. IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS

Recently, BirdLife International has recognised three new sites in Goa as hotspots for protection

The sites have been added to their list of “Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas” (IBBA)

The 3 new sites are:

i. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

ii. Navelim Wetlands and

iii. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

Existing designated IBBA sites in Goa are:

i. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park,

ii. Carambolim Wetlands,

iii. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and

iv. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

The updated list has been published by the Bombay Natural History Society

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BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY (BNHS)

It is a non-governmental organization in India engaged in conservation research

It collaborated with technology company Accenture to create Internet of Birds.

Internet of Birds: online tool for birdwatchers that identifies birds based on their photos

BIRD LIFE INTERNATIONAL

It is a worldwide alliance of nongovernmental organizations that promotes the conservation of birds

and their habitats

Formed in 1922

Headquarter: Cambridge, UK

It publishes a quarterly magazine, Bird Life - The Magazine

Bird Life International is the official Red List authority for birds, for the International Union for

Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

It currently has 121 BirdLife partners worldwide, one per country or territory

It works with gross root level communities for conservation of birds and their habitats

Key Biodiversity Area (KBA): These are sites that contribute to the global persistence of biodiversity,

including vital habitat for threatened plant and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine

ecosystems.

Important Bird and Biodiversity area (IBA): These are those KBAs which are identified for birds using

internationally agreed criteria applied locally by BirdLife Partners and experts

25. AMEENPUR LAKE

It was declared a 'Biodiversity Heritage Site' (BHS) by Telangana in Nov 2016, under the Biological

Diversity Act 2002

It has become the first water body in the country to be declared a BHS

ABOUT

It is located in Hyderabad, Telangana

It is a man-made lake

It was constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah, who ruled the kingdom of Golconda

between 1550 and 1580.

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT – 2002

It was enacted for giving effect to the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Objective: Regulate the access to genetic resources and protection of biodiversity.

This act provides for establishment of,

o National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

o State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)

o National and State Biodiversity Funds

o Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC)

Violation of this act invites imprisonment up to five years or fine up to ten lakh rupees or both

Any dispute between the NBA and SBB can be appealed to the Central Government

Its jurisdiction also include the Union Territories

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY (NBA)

It is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002

Headquarters: Chennai

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It shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code

Composition: One chairman, seven Ex-officio members and five non-official members

Appointment: All are appointed by central government and can be removed by centre

Functions: NBA approvals are required for,

o Obtaining Biological Resources from India by foreign nationals

o Transferring knowledge / research and material to foreigners by Indian individuals/entities.

o Any kind of IPR based on research conducted on biological material and or associated

knowledge obtained from India

STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD (SBB)

The BDA, 2002 mandates each state to notify its SBA.

Functions:

o To advise state governments on matters of biodiversity conservation

o Regulate commercial use of bio-resources in the state by Indians. This has two exceptions:

Vaids and Hakims, who are practicing Indian medicinal system.

Local People, who use the bio-resources for local use.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY FUND (NBF)

The money received by NBA as fees, fines etc. and money from grants is kept in the NBF

The fund is used for the benefit the claimers and promotion of conservation and socio-economic

development in source areas

STATE BIODIVERSITY FUND (SBF)

This fund has to be created at state level to credit any grants and loans made to the SBB by the NBA

and money from other sources

The fund is used,

o In the management and conservation of heritage sites;

o Compensating or rehabilitating any section of the people economically affected when an area

is declared BHS; and

o Conservation and promotion of biological resources.

BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITES (BHS)

The State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify areas of biodiversity importance

as BHS

BHS are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and

inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity

BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (BMC)

It is constituted by a local body within its area for the purpose of promoting conservation, sustainable

use and documentation of biological diversity

The NBA and the SBBs are need to consult the BMC while taking any decision relating to the use of

biological resources and knowledge within jurisdiction of the BMC

The BMCs may levy charges by way of collection fees from any person for accessing or collecting any

biological resource for commercial purposes from areas falling within its territorial jurisdiction.

PEOPLE’S BIODIVERSITY REGISTER (PBR)

The BMCs have been mandated to prepare PBR in consultation with local people.

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This register would have comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological

resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)

It is a legally binding treaty , which was as an outcome of Earth Summit, 1992

It is commonly known as “Biodiversity Convention“

Secretariat: Montreal, Canada

It operates under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Objectives:

o Conservation of biological diversity

o Sustainable use of its components

o Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources

The governing body of CBD is the Conference of the Parties (COP), meet biennially

COP 1 – held in Nassau, Bahamas (1994)

COP 13 – held in Cancun, Mexico (2016)

COP 14 – to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (2018)

PROTOCOLS TO CBD

There are two protocols adopted under CBD Viz., Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and Nagoya

Protocol.

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL

It is a legally binding protocol

It was adopted in 2000

It deals with biosafety concerns related to import & export of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) and

commodities made from them

There are two major components of Cartagena Protocol viz. Advanced Informed Agreement (AIA)

Procedure and Biosafety Clearing House.

NAGOYA PROTOCOL

It was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014

It is a legally binding treaty

It recognises the right to get a share in benefits reaped by foreign bio-prospectors from genetic

resources of source countries

It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three

objectives of the CBD:

o The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic

resources

It also called as the Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing

of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the CBD

This protocol does not apply to human genetic material

It does not make reference to patents or other Intellectual property rights

Nagoya protocol ends up with a strategic plan with 20 targets called “Aichi Target”

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

26. GSLV MK III

Recently, GSLV MK III D1 rocket was launched successfully

It put 3200 kg GSAT–19 satellite into space

It is the heaviest rocket ever made by ISRO which is capable of carrying heavy payloads

It can carry payloads of up to 4000 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and 10000 kg into the

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

It is a three stage vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage engine which uses Liquid Oxygen

(LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as fuel

GSAT-19 will help to improve telecommunication and broadcasting areas

27. CRYPTOCURRENCY

Recently, China, South Korea and Japan have adopted use of bitcoins with regulations.

ABOUT BITCOIN

Bitcoin is a form of virtual currency created and held electronically

It is not backed by any central bank unlike fiat money such as Rupee, Euro, and Dollar etc.

It earned by using software that solves complex mathematical problems.

It is also called a “cryptocurrency” since it is decentralized and uses cryptography to prevent double-

spending, a significant challenge inherent to digital currencies.

It can also be traded on an open market and its exchange rate fluctuates based on demand

28. BIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, 2017

It was held in San Diego, USA in June, 2017

It is hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

It is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry that offers key networking and partnering

opportunities and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the industry

29. KELT-9B

It is the recently discovered hottest known exoplanet

The planet orbits a massive star KELT-9

The planet’s day-side temperature is 4,326 degree Celsius and is only 926 degree Celsius cooler than

the Sun

The planet is located 650 light years from Earth

The Jupiter-like planet is 2.8 times more massive than Jupiter

However, it is only half as dense as that of the Jupiter

It is tidally locked to its star

Tidal locking: It is the name given to the situation when an object's orbital period matches its

rotational period. Ex: Moon

30. CARTOSAT 2

ISRO has successfully launched its sixth CartoSat-2 series satellite.

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The Cartosat series satellites are the earth observation satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit

31. ANTARCTICA POLICY

Ministry of Earth Sciences is tasked with drafting a dedicated Antarctica policy

The new policy is expected to come up with clear policy objectives regarding infrastructure, research,

tourism, etc. in Antarctica.

The new law will be drafted in concurrence with the Antarctica Treaty to which India has acceded

ANTARCTICA TREATY

It was signed by 12 countries on 1 December 1959 and entered into force in 1961

The 12 countries were Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway,

South Africa, the Soviet Union, The United Kingdom, and the United States.

The total number of parties to the treaty now stands at 53.

The treaty has been framed to ensure that Antarctica shall remain exclusively for peaceful purposes

and shall not be an object of international discord

The treaty prohibits military activity, nuclear explosions, disposal of nuclear waste and holds all

territorial claims in abeyance.

India is involved in rebuilding and expanding its research station, Maitri,

India’s first base, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1984 has weakened and acts just as a supply

base

SOCIAL ISSUES

32. THE WORLD POPULATION PROSPECTS: THE 2017 REVISION

According to it India with 1.3 billion inhabitants would surpass China’s population of 1.4 billion by

2024, to become the World’s populous country

HIGHLIGHTS

The world’s total population, currently at 7.6 billion, to hit 9.8 billion by 2050 and surpass 11.2 billion

in 2100

The increase in population was spurred by the relatively high levels of fertility in developing countries

The birth rates in African countries are expected to at least double by 2050, despite fertility rates

falling from 5.1 births per woman up to 2005 to 4.7 births in the five years following.

In contrast, birth rates in Europe are seeing an increase which has increased up to 1.6 births per

woman, up from 1.4 births in 2000-2005

Nigeria is expected to become the third most populous country by 2050 replacing the US

ABOUT WORLD POPULATION PROSPECTUS: THE REVISION

It is the twenty-fifth round of official United Nations population estimates prepared by the Population

Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat.

The findings are presented for each development group, income group, region, sub-region and country

or area for the period 1950-2100.

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33. QS WORLD UNIVERSITIES RANKING 2018

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2018 has been released in June 2017.

For the first time three Indian universities, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi and IISc, Bengaluru, have made it to

the top 200 global universities

Top 3: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University and Harvard University

respectively

The Quacquarelli Symonds is a British agency that annually ranks higher educational institutes

across the world based on six performance parameters such as Research, Teaching, Employability

and Internationalisation, in addition to a 40 point weightage to the institute`s stature

34. TIMES WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2018

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) retained top position among Indian Universities in the Times

World University Rankings 2018, released in September, 2017

Top 5: Oxford University (1st

, UK), Cambridge University (2nd

, UK), California institute of Technology

(3rd

, US), Stanford University (4th

, US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (5th

, US)

No Indian university featured in the top 100, while 8 feature in top 500 and 3 in top 200 (IIT Delhi, IIT

Bombay, and IISc Bangalore)

35. TRANSGENDER SPORTS MEET

India’s First Transgender Sports meet was organised by the Kerala State Sports Council at

Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala was also the first state which formulated the Transgender Policy to enforce the constitutional

rights of transgender

36. CHILD MARRIAGES

According to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Rajasthan has reported

the highest incidence of child marriages

ABOUT NCPCR

It was set up in 2007 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005

It is under administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development

Its mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance

with Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution and also the UN Convention on the

Rights of the Child.

It is prohibited from inquiring into any matter which is pending before a State Commission for

Protection of Child Rights or any other Statutory Commission

It has a chairperson and six members of which at least two should be women.

They are appointed by Central Government for three years

The maximum age to serve in commission is 65 years for Chairman and 60 years for members.

The Central Government can remove the Chairperson from his office on the ground of proved

misbehaviour or incapacity.

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37. CHILD LABOUR

Recently, India has ratified two key International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions for

combating child labour Viz., the Minimum Age Convention and the Worst Forms of Child Labour

Convention

THE MINIMUM AGE CONVENTION

The convention requires the party States to pursue a national policy for abolition of child labour and

raise progressively the minimum age for employment.

It is concerned with minimum age for admission to employment.

So far, it has been ratified by 169 countries.

WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR CONVENTION

It is concerned with the prohibition and immediate action for elimination of the worst forms of Child

Labour

It has been ratified by 180 countries.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

It is United Nations agency dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards,

social protection, and work opportunities for all.

It was established in 1919 as an agency of the League of Nations

Members: 187

Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

India is a founder member of the ILO.

India has so far ratified 6 out of 8 core conventions of ILO

38. INCLUSIVE INDIA INITIATIVE

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in collaboration with key partners had organised a

conference called Inclusive India Initiative: Towards an Inclusive India, for addressing intellectual

and developmental disabilities (IDDs)

National Trust will be the nodal agency for the initiative

FEATURES

The initiative aims to cater to the persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The objective of the imitative is to include people with disabilities in the mainstream as well as in all

important aspects of social life, namely education, employment etc.

The three core focus areas of the initiative are Inclusive Education, Inclusive Employment and

Inclusive Community Life

The conference stressed need to take advantage of all 10 schemes of the national trust namely;

o DISHA: Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme

o VIKAAS: Day care scheme for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and

multiple disabilities.

o SAMARTH: It offers respite home for orphans, families in crisis, Persons with Disabilities

(PwD) from BPL etc.

o GHARAUNDA: Group home for adults with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and

Multiple Disabilities

o NIRMAYA: Health Insurance Scheme providing cover up to 1 lakh.

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o SAHIYOGI: Caregiver training scheme to care for Person with Disabilities (PwD) and their

families.

o GYAN PRABHA: Educational support for pursuing educational/ vocational courses.

o PRERNA: Marketing assistance scheme for sale of products produced by persons with

disabilities.

o SAMBHAV: Scheme to collect and collate aids and assistive devices.

o BADHTE KADAM: scheme aimed at creating community awareness, sensitisation, social

integration and mainstreaming of disabled persons.

NATIONAL TRUST

It is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

It was set up under the “National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy,

Retardation and Multiple Disabilities” Act.

Its core mission is to provide opportunities for capacity development of Persons with Disabilities and

their families.

It works towards creating an inclusive society and facilitate the creation of an enabling environment.

39. NATIONAL MISSION ON CULTURAL MAPPING AND ROADMAP

Launched by Ministry of Culture

This mission is included under the umbrella programme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”

FEATURES

The mission involves the transfer of knowledge of our cultural arts & heritage through digital world by

designing a web-portal to maintain a database of cultural assets and resources.

It involves Cultural Mapping, collecting, recording, analysing and synthesising the information of

available local cultural assets and resources with the help of local artists.

It aims for statistical data collection of various art forms, about individual artists, communities,

cultural organisations and spaces, festivals and events, heritage properties, etc.

It envisages creation of cultural knowledge centres as well as facilitating the structural and functional

changes in the existing zonal cultural centres.

The mission also seeks to open a channel for direct communication between artists and the

Government

40. GLOBAL PEACE INDEX 2017

Sydney-based think tank, The Institute for Economics and Peace, has published its Global Peace

Index

India has been ranked at 137 among 163 countries

India was ranked at 141st place in 2016

Maoist movements are one of the biggest threats to India’s internal security, sporadic conflict with its

neighbours also threatens the country’s external security

South Asia: Bhutan-13, Sri Lanka-80, Bangladesh-84, India-137, Pakistan-152 and Afghanistan-162

Syria is the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth year running.

The index is being topped by Iceland since 2008

The other four most peaceful countries are New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, and Denmark

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41. TOTAL YOGA VILLAGE

Kunnamthanam in Kerala has become a complete yoga village with at least one member of each

family in the panchayat trained in yoga

42. GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

In the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2017, India got 60th place among 130 countries

This is the 10th edition of the Global Innovation Index 2017 (GII)

HIGHLIGHTS

Top 10: Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the US, the UK, Denmark, Singapore, Finland, Germany

and Ireland.

The index is dominated by high-income economies which took 24 of the top 25 spots except for China

which is ranked at 22nd spot

India’s neighbours: Sri Lanka-90, Nepal-109, Pakistan-113, Bangladesh-114.

BRICS countries: Brazil-69, Russia-45, China-22, South Africa-57

India has made improvements in the rankings after five continuous years of decline in the ranking

ABOUT GII

It published by Cornell University, INSEAD and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

GII surveys are conducted every year which analyses 130 economies and aims to capture the multi-

dimensional facets of innovation

The index makes use of a dozen parameters ranging from patent filings to education spending

43. WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT 2017

Released by UNCTAD

According to it, India ranked 10th in terms of FDI inflows in 2016

HIGHLIGHTS

India will be behind only the U.S. and China in terms of investment attractiveness until 2019

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to rise by 5%, to almost $1.8 trillion in 2017.

UNCTAD

It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the UNGA in 1964

Headquarter : Geneva, Switzerland

It is part of the UN Secretariat

It reports to the UNGA and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) but has its own membership,

leadership, and budget

It is also part of the United Nations Development Group

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