APRIL 2018 WEEK 2

11 public sector banks placed under RBI’s PCA Framework

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed 11 public sector banks (PSBs) out of 21 State-owned banks under

its Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework because of deteriorating performance.

The 11 banks already under PCA framework are IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India (BoI), Central Bank of India,

Indian Overseas Bank, Dena Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), United Bank

of India, Corporation Bank and Allahabad Bank.

Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework is process or mechanism to ensure that banks don’t go bust.

Under it, RBI has put in place some trigger points to assess, monitor, control and take corrective actions on

banks which are weak and troubled. It was first introduced

after global economy incurred huge losses due to failure of

financial institutions during 1980s-90s.

According to latest PCA framework, banks to be placed

under it are assessed on three parameters viz. Capital

ratios, Asset Quality and Profitability. Indicators to be

tracked for these three parameters are CRAR (Capital to

Risk weighted Assets Ratio)/Common Equity Tier I ratio,

Net NPA (non-performing assets) ratio and Return on

Assets (RoA) respectively. If banks breach of any risk

threshold mentioned above, it results in invocation of PCA

against them.

RBI enforces these guidelines to ensure banks do not go bust

and follow prompt measures to put their house in order. It

had tightened its PCA framework in April 2017 to turn

around lenders with weak operational and financial metrics,

Depending on the risk thresholds set in PCA rules, banks

placed under it are restricted from expanding number of

branches, staff recruitment and increasing size of their loan

book. Other restrictions include higher provisions for bad

loans and disbursal only to those companies whose

borrowing is above investment grades.

4 kingfisher species sighted in Krishna sanctuary

Four kingfisher bird species thriving in Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh were recently sighted.

The species have been identified are Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon

smyrnensis), Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileate) and Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).

The conservation status of four sighted species is “least concern”. These birds are thriving as sanctuary is ideal

habitation for prey.

Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary

It is wildlife sanctuary and estuary located in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of rarest eco-regions of world because

it harbour’s vast tracts of pristine mangrove forests. It is believed to be one of last remaining tracts of thick

primary mangrove forests of South India. It covers area of 194.81 km2 and is spread across Krishna and Guntur

districts of Andhra Pradesh. The estuary of Krishna River passes through it. It is believed that this region

potentially holds one most significant populations of fishing cats in the world.

The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) is a measure

of a bank's capital. It is expressed as a

percentage of a bank's risk weighted credit

exposures.

Also known as capital-to-risk weighted assets

ratio (CRAR), it is used to protect depositors

and promote the stability and efficiency

of financial systems around the world. Two

types of capital are measured: tier one capital,

which can absorb losses without a bank being

required to cease trading, and tier two capital,

which can absorb losses in the event of a

winding-up and so provides a lesser degree of

protection to depositors.

Also known as "Capital to Risk Weighted

Assets Ratio (CRAR)."

Eighth Regional 3R Forum

The Eighth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific is being held in Indore. The event will see participation

of around 40 mayors of cities around the world and mayors of more than 100 cities across India.

The 8th Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific is co-organized by the Ministry of Housing and Affairs,

Government of India, the Ministry of the Environment of the Government of Japan (MOEJ), and the United

Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

The Indore Municipal Corporation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have been designated as the City

Partner, Organizing State Partner and Industry Partner

Theme: “Achieving Clean Water, Clean Land and Clean Air through 3R and Resource

Efficiency – A 21st Century Vision for Asia-Pacific Communities”.

3R Forum Established In 2009, the Regional 3R Forum in Asia was established at Japan’s proposal as a platform

for broad cooperation on promotion of the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – in Asia. After the fourth forum,

the name was changed to Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific.

Members: Members include central governments, international agencies, aid agencies, private sector entities,

research bodies, NGOs and other relevant parties.

Ha Noi 3R Declaration: The Fourth Regional 3R Forum – held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, in March 2013 – adopted

the Ha Noi 3R Declaration ‐ Sustainable 3R Goals for Asia and the Pacific for 2013‐2023. It is a legally non-

binding and voluntary document which aims to provide a basic framework for Asia-Pacific countries to develop

measures and programs to promote 3Rs including a set of 3R indicators for monitoring specific progress.

About UNCRD:

The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) was founded in 1971 as an instrument to help

achieve the strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.

Created by an agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan, its operations are supported by the

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA).

UNCRD’s vision is to achieve sustainable living environment for all. Its mission is to assist developing countries

in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.

UNCRD’s interventions in developing countries are clustered under three main thematic interrelated and

complementary areas of work – (a) Integrated Regional Development Planning; (b) Sustainable Urban

Management; and (c) Knowledge Management.

Odilorhabdins: New class of antibiotics to fight drug resistance discovered

Pied Kingfisher White-throated Kingfisher

Black-capped

Kingfisher Common Kingfisher

Researchers have discovered new class of antibiotics called odilorhabdins or ODLs that

fights drug resistance. It was produced by symbiotic bacteria found in soil-dwelling

nematode worms that colonise insects for food.

The bacterium helps to kill insect and secrete antibiotic to keep competing bacteria away.

ODL like many clinically useful antibiotics, work by targeting ribosome. But ODL is unique because it binds to

place on ribosome that has never been used by other known antibiotics. ODL after binding to ribosome

disrupts ability of ribosome of bacterial cells to interpret and translate genetic code.

ODL impact reading ability of ribosome and cause ribosome to make mistakes when it creates new protein.

This miscoding corrupts cell with flawed proteins and causes bacterial cell to die.

Proto-historic settlement of artisans

Archaeologists of the University of Calcutta excavated microlithic tools, semi-precious bead in Asuralay village

in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

The excavation on a mound, which is about two metres from the surface of the earth, has revealed a proto

historic settlement.

The initial estimate tells that the settlement could date to the 2nd millennium BC.

Raw materials in the form of bones and stones, finished materials, tools like stone and bone drills used for

making these products and several fire places used for making the tools are found.

A large amount of black and red ware pottery (BRW) has also been found at the site in large quantities.

The pottery signifies a proto historic level of human occupation.

Other contemporary pottery such as red ware, black ware and buff ware has also been found.

High temperature burning and charcoal deposits at the mud floor of this monocultural site has also been

unearthed

Kaniyan Koothu

Kaniyan Koothu, a folk art with elements of classical music, is performed by the Kaniyan community.

It is an invocation to Sudalai Madan, the Lord of the Graveyards.

Kaniyans are a Scheduled Tribe whose population is less than 750 and only around 200 persons are currently

performing the art.

Magudam and mantham are the instruments used by the artists.

The main singer of the troupe is called as ‘Annavi’.

The annavi is usually supported by a second singer.

Two artists play the magudam - one plays the bass and the other the sharper version.

Two men, dressed as women, dance to the tune with boundless energy.

The art is facing a crisis not because of lack of patronage, but because not many come forward to take up it as

a profession.

In addition, many dancers of the Kaniyan koothu are from the families of paavai koothu (puppetry) artists who

hail from Maharashtra.

Silent Valley Park

Silent Valley Park in Kerala will soon reopen to visitors.

It is located in the Northeast corner of Palakkad district.

It is a beautiful representation of the last remaining rain

forest of Kerala.

Silent Valley was declared as National Park in 1984 and

formally inaugurated in the year 1985.

It constitutes the centrepiece of the Nilgiri Biosphere

Reserve, an integral part of the Western Ghats.

It was called 'Sairandhrivanam' as it was considered this

was where Sairandhiri (the secret identity donned by

Panchali, from the epic Mahabharata) hid along with her

five husbands.

A perennial river named Kunthipuzha is passing through

the western side of the park, from north to south

direction finally merging in to Bharathapuzha.

Species like Elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger,

Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, etc. are found in this area.

The endangered lion tailed macaque is found in this

park

The indigenous tribal groups that live within park

boundaries include Irulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas and Kattunaikkars.

Manas National Park

Assam Spring Festival is being held at the Manas National Park where visitors will get to experience the state’s

local food, music, handloom and handicrafts.

The aim of the event is to promote the local food and culture of the fringe villagers. It is an attempt to create

a model of alternative livelihood through food, handloom and culture.

Manas National Park is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an

elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India.

Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.

The Manas river flows thorough the west of the park and is the main river within it. It is a major tributary of

Brahmaputra river and splits into two separate rivers, the Beki and Bholkaduba as it reaches the plains.

The Manas river also serves as an international

border dividing India and Bhutan.

The bedrock of the savanna area in the north of

the park is made up of limestone and sandstone,

whereas the grasslands in the south of the park

stand on deep deposits of fine alluvium.

The combination of Sub-Himalayan Bhabar

Terai formation along with the riverine

succession continuing up to Sub-Himalayan

mountain forest make it one of the richest areas

of biodiversity in the world.

The park is well known for species of rare and endangered wildlife that are not found anywhere else in the

world like the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog.

Phosphorus pentoxide

The government has imposed anti-dumping duty on import of Phosphorus pentoxide

from China to protect the domestic manufacturers from cheap shipments.

Phosphorus Pentoxide is used as a powerful desiccant and dehydrating agent and is a

useful building block and reagent in the chemical industry.

Phosphorus pentoxide is not flammable.

It reacts vigorously with water and water-containing substances like wood or cotton, liberates

much heat and may even cause fire. It is corrosive to metal. Anti-dumping duty

It is an import duty imposed by government on imported

products which have prices less than their normal values or

domestic price. It act as a protectionist and counter import

measure used by a country under multilateral World Trade

Organisation (WTO) regime to protect its domestic

producers and market from below-cost/cheap imports. The

duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practises and creating

level-playing field for domestic producers with regard to

foreign producers and exporters. It varies from product to

product and from country to country. In India, anti-dumping

duty to be levied is recommended by Ministry of Commerce

(i.e. by DGAD), while Finance Ministry imposes it.

Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE)

NASA successfully launched a supersonic parachute into the sky that will help missions to land on Mars.

The test was meant to mimic the conditions that a spacecraft would experience during a Red Planet entry,

descent and landing (EDL).

An ambitious NASA Mars rover mission set to launch in 2020

will rely on a special parachute to slow the spacecraft down

as it enters the Martian atmosphere.

The payload that was launched is a bullet-nosed, cylindrical

structure holding a supersonic parachute, the parachute's

deployment mechanism, and the test's high-definition

instrumentation -- including cameras -- to record data.

The Mars rover which is scheduled to launch in two years

(2020), on a mission to hunt for signs of ancient life on the

Red Planet.

The six-wheeled vehicle, whose body is based heavily on

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover, will study rocks on site and

cache samples for eventual return to Earth.

Project Dhoop

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched ‘Project Dhoop’ to address rising incidence

of Vitamin D deficiencies (VDD)

The project aims to encourage schools to shift their morning assembly to around noon-time, mainly between

11 am to 1 pm to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D in students through natural sunlight.

Project Dhoop: It has been launched by FSSAI along with National Council of Educational Research and Training

(NCERT), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as well as North MCD Schools. The concept of noon school

assembly under it is an innovative and effective concept to ensure that school students get adequate Vitamin D

through sunlight, while also opting to choose food products like milk and edible oils that

are fortified with Vitamins A and D.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and

promoting public health in India through regulation and supervision of food safety. It was established under the

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and operates under aegis of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Vitamin D deficiency occurs

due to overuse of

sunscreen, wearing clothes

that cover most of the skin,

working all day in an air-

conditioned atmosphere,

and other factors.

Vitamin D deficiency may

also cause several problems

including:

1. Osteomalacia

2. Osteoporosis

3. Rickets

4. Periodontitis

Satyagraha se Swachhagraha

To commemorate the launch of Champaran Satyagraha over a century ago on 10th April, 1917, Ministry of

Drinking Water and Sanitation, in coordination with the Government of Bihar, is working to spread the

message of Swachhata across the country by initiating the “Satyagraha se Swachhagraha” campaign.

Under the campaign, Swachhagrahis from different parts of the country were invited to Bihar, where they

worked with 10,000 Swachhagrahis from Bihar to “trigger” behaviour change throughout the 38 districts of the

State and build momentum of the jan andolan further.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Gramin, launched on October 2,

2014 is the largest behaviour change campaign ever attempted in

the field of sanitation in the world.

It aims to build an ODF (Open Defecation Free) and Swachh Bharat

by October 2, 2019 as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th

birth anniversary.

SBM-Gramin mainly focuses on ensuring the use of toilets, besides

their construction. The States and their implementing agencies will

be given incentives for meeting performance standards: reducing

open defecation, sustaining their open defecation-free status and

improving solid and liquid waste management in rural areas.

Drugs Technical Advisory Board

The Union Health Ministry has banned over-the-counter sale of around 14 creams containing steroids and

antibiotics under the Schedule H category by making amendments to certain Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

The decision was made following consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board which recommended a

ban on the sale of such creams without prescription and had also submitted their recommendations to the Central

Drugs Standards Control Organisation.

About CDSCO:

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services,

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of

India.

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for approval of New Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials,

laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and

coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice with a view of

bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Further CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for grant of licenses of certain specialized

categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine and Sera.

About DTAB:

Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) is the highest decision-making body under the Union health ministry

on technical matters.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) is the ex-officio chairman of this statutory body which is constituted

by the ministry under section 5 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Schedule H is a class of prescription drugs listed under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 which governs manufacture

and sale of all drugs in India. These drugs cannot be purchased over counter without the prescription of a doctor.

NITI Forum for North East

The first meeting of newly constituted NITI Forum for North East was recently held in Agartala, Tripura. The meeting

was chaired by the Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog.

Champaran Satyagraha:

It was undertaken in the erstwhile undivided Champaran district in northern Bihar. Mahatma Gandhi went there

in April, 1917 on learning about the abuses suffered by the cultivators of the district, forced into growing indigo

by British planters/estate owners.

Even Gandhi was reluctant to commit himself to task in the beginning. But he was so thoroughly persuaded by

Rajkumar Shukla, an indigo cultivator from Champaran that he decided to investigate into the matter.

Gandhi’s method of inquiry at Champaran was based on surveys by the volunteers. The respondents who willingly

gave statements should sign the papers or give thumb impressions.

For those unwilling to participate, the reasons must be recorded by the volunteers. The principal volunteers in this

survey were mostly lawyers like Babu Rajendra Prasad, Dharnidhar Prasad, Gorakh Prasad, Ramnawami Prasad,

Sambhusaran and Anugraha Narain Sinha.

In June 1917, the British administration declared the formation of a formal inquiry committee with Gandhi aboard.

The Government accepted almost all its recommendations. The principal recommendation accepted was complete

abolition of Tinkathia system. It was a major blow to the British planters who became resentful. But they could not

prevent the passage of Champaran Agrarian Act in Bihar & Orissa Legislative Council on March 4, 1918.

Strategies for improving Road, Rail and Air Connectivity in the North East Region,

improvements in agriculture and allied sectors, water management were some of the key

focus area during the meeting.

Kaleshwaram irrigation project

Central Water Commission (CWC) recently appreciated the Telangana government for the speedy execution of

work on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project aimed at creation of over 18 lakh acres of new irrigation potential

and stabilising another 18 lakh acres of the existing command area.

The Kaleshwaram project is an off-shoot of the original Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme taken up by

the Congress government in 2007 when Andhra

Pradesh was not divided.

After the formation of Telangana in 2014, the TRS

government redesigned the project on the

ground that the original plan had too many

environmental obstacles and had very low water

storage provision — only about 16.5 tmc ft.

After conducting a highly advanced Light

Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey for a

couple of months, the government separated the

original component serving the Adilabad area as

the Pranahitha project and renamed the rest as

Kaleshwaram by redesigning the head works,

storage capacity and the canal system based on

the data of availability of water at different

locations along the course of the Godavari and its

tributaries.

World’s first microfactory to help tackle e-waste hazard

An Indian-origin scientist in Australia has launched the world’s first microfactory that can transform the

components from electronic waste items such as smartphones and laptops into valuable materials for re-use.

A microfactory is one or a series of small machines and devices that uses patented technology to perform one

or more functions in the reforming of waste products into new and usable resources. The e-waste microfactory

that reforms discarded computers, mobile phones and printers has a number of small modules for this process

and fits into a small site.

About NITI Forum for Northeast:

The Union Government set up the ‘Niti Forum for North-East’ in February 2018.

The forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog and Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of

Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER).

The forum will have its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER.

The NITI Forum for Northeast is tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and

sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country and to recommend suitable interventions

for addressing identified constraints. It will also review the development status in the NER.

The Forum includes representation from all NE States, their Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of relevant Central

Ministries/Departments, Directors of reputed institutions (IIT, IIM etc), experts and journalists have been

included as members.

The e-waste microfactory has the potential to reduce the rapidly growing problem of vast

amounts of electronic waste causing environmental harm and going into landfill. It can

also turn many types of consumer waste such as glass, plastic and timber into commercial materials and

products.

Ban Ki-moon elected as Chairman of Boao Forum

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was elected as Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia replacing Japan’s

Yasuo Fukuda.

Boao Forum, known as “Asian Davos”

Ban Ki-moon is South Korean diplomat and was eighth Secretary-General of United Nations from January 2007

to December 2016.

Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from

government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on most pressing issues

in this dynamic region and world. It is modelled on annual World Economic Forum (WEF) held annually in

Davos, Switzerland.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Singapore, China ink MoU for collaboration on Belt and Road Initiative

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious China’s ambitious development strategy and framework that aims to

boost its connectivity and trade that will that will connect Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. It was proposed by

Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It comprises two components viz. the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st

Century Maritime Silk Road. The initiative is part of China’s revived 21st century Silk Road diplomacy that seeks to

push it to take a bigger role in global affairs as a major global power. It is basically investment and trade promotion

scheme aiming to deepen economic connections between China and rest of the world.

Stepwells

The Department of Post had released stamps featuring 16 step wells of India as a gesture

of its concern for their steadily deteriorating state in January, 2018.

Stepwells are indelible symbols of ancient water conservation techniques.

Out of 16 featured step wells, 6 stepwells are in Rajasthan.

They are

1. Turji Ka Jhalra (Jodhpur)

2. Panna Miyan Ki Baori (Jaipur)

3. Chand Baori (Abhaneri)

4. Raniji Ki Baori (Bundi)

5. Nagar Sagar Kund (Bundi)

6. Neemrana Baori (Alwar).

Chand Baori in Abhaneri village of Rajasthan is one of the country's largest and deepest stepwells.

It was built between the 9th and 10th century by King Chanda of Pratihara dynasty.

This traditional water harvesting structure looks like an upside-down pyramid.

As one descends 20m to the bottom of the well, the intense heat dips by 5-6 C.

Though it is now managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, many others dotting the arid parts of the

country remain neglected.

India’s first high-speed electric locomotive

India’s first high-speed electric locomotive with 12000 horsepower (HP) engine has been flagged off by Prime

Minister from Madhepura Electric Locomotive Factory in Bihar. It is first big Make-in-India project developed and

completed by Indian Railways in collaboration with French firm

Alstome.

Capacity and Speed: India’s first high-speed electric locomotive has

12000 horsepower (HP) engine with maximum speed of 110 km per

hour. With this, India joins elite list of countries, including Russia, China,

Germany and Sweden that have 12,000 HP and above capacity electric

locomotives. Till now, most powerful electric engine in Indian Railways

was of 6,000 HP.

Usage: The high horsepower electric locos are equipped with IGBT

based propulsion technology. They will have the ability to endure the

tough Indian climate and will be pressed into service as freight trains.

They will be used to transport coal and iron ore.

The eleventh edition of World Hindi Conference

The eleventh edition of World Hindi Conference (विश्ि ह िंदी सम्मेलन) will be hosted

by Mauritius in its capital city Port Lois in August 18-20, 2018.

The conference provides common platform to several Hindi scholars, writers and

laureates from different parts of the world to contribute the language. It will be

organised by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in association with

Government of Mauritius.

The theme of the Conference is “Vaishvik Hindi Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti“. The venue

of Conference is Swami Vivekanand International Convention Centre, Pailles

Mauritius.

The First World Hindi Conference was held from 10 to 12 January 1975 in Nagpur and was inaugurated by then

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

IGBT Technology

It has three-terminal power

semiconductor device primarily used

as electronic switch. It gives combined

advantages of high efficiency and fast

switching. It offers greater power gain

than standard bipolar type transistor

combined with the higher voltage

operation and lower input losses

The 10 edition of World Hindi Conference was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India) in

2015 with the theme of Hindi Jagat-Vistar and Sambhavnaye.

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK).

The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched new website and mobile application of the

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK).

The NCSK was established in 1994 to deal with the grievances of persons engaged in manual scavenging. It has a

sanctioned strength of four members and a chairperson. It is statutory body established under National

Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993. It aims to promote and safeguard the interests and rights of Safai

Karamcharis. Its mandate is to study, evaluate and monitor the implementation of various schemes for Safai

Karamcharis as an autonomous organisation.

World Expo 2020 Dubai

India and World Expo 2020 Dubai have signed participant’s contract for India’s pavilion in prestigious World Expo

2020 held once in 5 years. The contract provides for setting up of India pavilion at Expo 2020 on extra-large plot

(about one acre) in Opportunity segment.

National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD)

The National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is celebrated every year on April 11 to create awareness on proper

healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.

It also seeks to create awareness about the institutional delivery, reducing anaemia among women and better

pre and post natal health care are necessary for mothers. The theme of 2018 NSMD was ‘Respectful Maternity

Care’.

The NSMD is an initiative of White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, India (WRAI) to ensure that every

women has access to during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services.

At request of WRAI, the Central Government in 2003 had instituted this day on the occasion of birth

anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, wife of MK Gandhi, father of nation.

India is first country in the world to celebrate National Safe Motherhood Day. Every year WRAI selects

advocacy theme of NSMD.

Eco-friendly aircrafts

Air transportation's impact on global warming is estimated at around five percent through CO2 emissions and

other substances, including nitrogen oxide and water vapor.

The number of air passengers is expected to almost double by 2036 to 7.8 billion per year, according to the

International Air Transport Association's (IATA) projections.

Meanwhile, the airline industry aims to cut its CO2 emissions in half by 2050 from 2005 levels.

Some airlines are beginning to look at electric-powered aircraft as a way to balance both the growth and

environmental sustainability.

Electric planes are cost-effective and much quieter.

They don't need long runways & could be used at some smaller airports close to city centers.

One of the biggest hurdles will be the battery storage technology

IRNSS-1I navigation satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched IRNSS-

1I navigation satellite from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The satellite was launched on board of PSLV-C41 (height of 44.4 meters and weight of 321 tonnes) after the

normal lift-off and was successfully placed in the designated orbit. It was overall 20th flight of PSLV-XL version

and 41st successful mission of total 43 of PSLV.

The IRNSS-1I is overall eighth satellite to join ISRO’s NavIC navigation satellite constellation. It replaced IRNSS-

1A, the first of seven navigation satellites of IRNSS series that was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium

atomic clocks failed. IRNSS-1I was made by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with

ISRO.

The IRNSS-1I was having lift-off weight of 1,425 kg and has life span of 10 years. It carried two types of

payloads: Navigation and Ranging. They are L5 and S-band navigation payloads and C-band ranging payloads.

It also has corner cube retroreflectors for LASER ranging. It will be stationed in Geosynchronous Orbit at 36,000

km height.

Index of Economic Freedom 2018: India ranks 130th

India ranked 130th out of 186 economies in recently released Index of Economic Freedom 2018 that measures the

degree of economic freedom in the countries of the world. In this edition of index, India with score of 54.5 jumped

13 places from 143rd rank in previous year (2017) with a score of 52.6 points.

Index of Economic Freedom (IEF)

The index was released by top US based Think Tank, The Heritage Foundation. It ranks countries based on score

ranging 0 (least free) to 100 (most free). The score is based on 12 factors of economic freedom, separated into four

categories, using statistics from international organizations like World Bank, IMF, Economist Intelligence Unit and

Transparency International. Based on the score, countries are grouped in 5 different categories, Free (80–100),

Mostly Free (70.0–79.9), Moderately Free (60.0–69.9), Mostly Unfree (50.0–59.9) and Repressed (0–49.9).

Twelve factors for calculating score are: property rights, government integrity, tax burden, judicial effectiveness,

government spending, fiscal health, business freedom, monetary freedom, labor freedom, trade freedom,

investment freedom and financial freedom.

Key highlights of 2018 IEF

Top 10 countries are: Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, Estonia, United

Kingdom, Canada and UAE.

The world economy overall is rated moderately free and world average has now risen three and a half points, from

57.6 to 61.1 since the first edition of the index was released in 1995.

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent satellite based regional system

developed indigenously by India on par with US-based GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and Galileo developed by Europe.

It was renamed “Navic” (Navigation with Indian Constellation).

The NAVIC system is constellation of seven satellites, (namely IRNSS-1I, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F and 1G) of which three

are geostationary and four are non-geostationary. It provides location tracking within 20 meters of actual

positions, especially in 1,500 km area around the country’s borders. The indigenous satellite-based navigation

system under one’s control and command is considered a deep strategic asset.

The NAVIC navigation system has both civilian and military uses. Moreover, it helps not just in land navigation

but also in marine and aerial navigation. It offers wide services like terrestrial and marine navigation, disaster

management, vehicle tracking and fleet management visual and voice navigation for drivers.

India’s Neighbours: Bhutan (87), Sri Lanka (111), Bangladesh (128), Pakistan (131) and Nepal

(133). China with 57.4 points was ranked 111th. It has jumped one spot compared from 112th

rank in previous edition.

BRICS: South Africa (77), Russia (107), China (111), India (130) and Brazil (153).

India related Facts: India is developing into open-market economy, but traces of its past autarkic policies still

remain. The economic liberalisation measures undertaken in India, including industrial deregulation, privatisation

of state-owned enterprises and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment since in early 1990s has

accelerated growth. However, corruption, underdeveloped infrastructure, restrictive and burdensome regulatory

environment and poor financial and budget management continue to undermine overall development.

Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)

In line with the Government initiative of ease of doing business, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for

delegating the powers to Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Finance Minister to award the Blocks/Contract

Areas to successful bidders under Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) after International

Competitive Bidding (ICB) based on the recommendations of Empowered Committee of Secretaries (ECS).

About Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP):

Government of India launched a new policy regime for Exploration & Production (E&P) sector namely

Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) in 2016 which is paradigm shift from earlier policy regime.

The main features of new Policy regime are Revenue Sharing Contract, single Licence for exploration and

production of conventional as well as unconventional Hydrocarbon resources, marketing & pricing freedom,

etc.

Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) under HELP, is main innovative feature wherein investor can carve out

Blocks of their own interest and submit an Expression of Interest (Eol) throughout the year. Based on the areas

for which expression of interest has been expressed bidding will be conducted every 6 months.

Headquarters Agreement between India and the International Solar Alliance

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for entering into Headquarters (Host country)

Agreement between India and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and authorizing the Ministry of External

Affairs for signing the Headquarter Agreement.

The Headquarters Agreement will institutionalize the functional arrangements between India and ISA. It will

help in smooth transition of ISA as international inter-governmental organization. Creation of ISA will lead to

accelerated solar technology development and deployment in ISA member countries including India.

The Paris Declaration establishes ISA as an alliance dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among its

member countries. The ISA is the first international body that will have a secretariat in India.

The ISA’s major objectives include global deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity and

mobilisation of investment of over US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.

As an action-oriented organisation, the ISA brings together countries with rich solar potential to aggregate

global demand, thereby reducing prices through bulk purchase, facilitating the deployment of existing solar

technologies at scale, and promoting collaborative solar R&D and capacity building.

When the ISA Framework Agreement entered into force on December 6th, 2017, ISA formally became a de-

jure treaty based International Intergovernmental Organization, headquartered at Gurugram, India.

Protecting heritage along the Hoogly River

IIT Kharagpur has initiated a pilot project to protect the rich cultural heritage of the cities and towns along the

Hoogly River.

The project would focus on five former trading posts and garrison settlements near

Kolkata along the Hooghly River.

The five trading posts and garrison settlements bear traces of Portugese (Bandel), Dutch (Chinsurah), British

(Barrackpore), French (Chandernagore), and Danish (Serampore) presence, as well as India’s own rich culture.

Among the top priorities of the project is the conservation of centuries-old buildings, which are mainly private

houses.

The project is being jointly funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK, and the Indian Council

for Historical Research.

The project aims to draw up a Heritage Management Strategy and an hour-long documentary film among its

other efforts to preserve the collective history.

An annual Hoogly Heritage Day is also being planned.

Online dashboard to monitor public grievances on real time basis

Union Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievance launched an online Dashboard.

It was developed by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and also will be

the nodal department for the same.

It will monitor public grievances on real time basis and periodically review progress of systemic reforms.

This will enable concerned Ministries/Departments to monitor implementation of these reforms.

Coal Bed Methane (CBM)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane

(CBM) from areas under Coal Mining Lease allotted to Coal India Limited (CIL) and its Subsidiaries.

Coal Bed Methane (CBM) is an unconventional form of natural gas found in coal deposits or coal seams.

CBM is formed during the process of coalification, the transformation of plant material into coal.

CBM is one of the cleanest burning fossil fuels.

The gas is considered to be sweet, meaning it has minimal to no additional gases or chemicals.

CBM is different from sour gas which contains Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S).

CBM referred to as an unconventional resource referring to the method in which the gas is stored in the earth,

and the impact this has on how it is produced.

CBM is stored within the molecular structure of the coal and is held in place by the pressure of the overlying

rock and, in many cases, by water circulating through the coal seam.

To produce this gas, the pressure must be reduced in the coal seam before the gas can flow through existing

fractures within the coal seam up to the pipeline.

First 5G radio lab

In an effort to establish India as a key global player in the standardisation, research and development and

manufacturing of 5G equipment, a Massive MIMO radio laboratory has been set up at IIT Delhi. This will be

the first such lab in India.

Multiple-input multiple-output, or MIMO, is a radio communications technology or RF technology that is being

mentioned and used in many new technologies these days.

Wi-Fi, LTE; Long Term Evolution, and many other radio, wireless and RF technologies are using the new MIMO

wireless technology to provide increased link capacity and spectral efficiency combined with improved link

reliability using what were previously seen as interference paths.

MIMO technology uses a natural radio-wave phenomenon called multipath. With multipath, transmitted

information bounces off walls, ceilings, and other objects, reaching the receiving antenna multiple times at

different angles and slightly different times. In the past, multipath caused interference and slowed down

wireless signals.

With multipath, MIMO technology uses multiple, smart transmitters and receivers with

an added spatial dimension, increasing performance and range.

Defence, aerospace SME fund

Department of Defence Production has announced the creation of a dedicated defence and aerospace small

and medium enterprises (SME) fund.

The fund will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where a minority stake

could be taken by investors.

This fund would help channelise investments into the two defence corridors announced by the Government

in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

India hosts 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting

India, world’s third-largest energy consumer after US and China hosted 16th International Energy Forum (IEF)

Ministerial Meeting from 10-12th April 2018 in New Delhi.

This is second time India hosting IEF Ministerial meeting. It had earlier hosted 5th IEF Ministerial in 1996 at

Goa.

The theme of 2018 IEF Ministerial Meeting was “The Future of Global Energy Security: Transition, Technology,

Trade and Investment”.

It was attended by Petroleum Ministers from 42 countries and was co-hosted by China and South Korea. It

was informal dialogue held at both political and technical levels.

It was aimed to improve policy and investment decisions, and through increased knowledge and experience

sharing.

The deliberations among other important issues held in this edition of meeting were global energy security,

sustainable and inclusive growth, energy access and affordability, fiscal regimes and legal reforms to attract

investments in the energy sector and energy sector digitalization-benefits and challenges.

International Energy Forum (IEF)

The IEF is an inter-governmental arrangement set up in 1991 and based (Secretariat) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It

serves as neutral facilitator of informal, open, informed and continuing global energy dialogue among its member

countries. There are 72 member countries of IEF (comprising of energy producing and energy consuming states,

including transit countries) including India, covering all six continents. Its membership accounts for 90% of global

supply and demand for oil and gas.

IEF’s Executive Board (EB) was set up in 2002 and comprises of 31 designated representatives of Ministers of the

member states. It meets twice a year. International Energy Agency (IEA) and Organisation of the Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) are non-voting members of the Executive Board. The EB is chaired by the Host State of

the next biennial Ministerial Meeting. Indian is currently Chair of IEF’s Executive Board. The IEF Ministerial Meetings

are held biennially and is world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers who engage in dialogue on global energy

issues.

India, UK and Northern Ireland: MoU on return of Illegal Migrants

The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and United Kingdom

and Northern Ireland on the return of Illegal Migrants.

The MoU will facilitate that Visa Free Agreement for holders of Diplomatic passports as well as liberalization

of UK Visa Regime travelling to UK legally, after its conclusion.

It will ensure return of persons who have no lawful basis to be in territory of other Party after verification of

nationality to its satisfaction. It will help in streamlining procedure of return of nationals who are caught to be

staying illegally, belonging to other party in specified time-frame.

India, Morocco sign MoU to promote mineral exploration

India and Morocco have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Mining and Geology for

a period of 5 years to promote mineral exploration.

Under this MoU, focus will be laid on evaluation of potential mineral resources and promoting exploration and

mining through participation of both public and private sector.

The focus of MoU is on development of geological infrastructure for Geoscience Maps and geochemical maps,

strengthening geological research and evaluation of potential of mineral resources. Geological Survey of India

(GSI) will assist Morocco in geological mapping and mineral exploration.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) E-Box

To equip the children with the information regarding the possible modes of

protection/complaints, the National Council Of Educational Research And Training (NCERT)

has published the information regarding Childline (1098) 24×7 Helpline for children and

POCSO e-box on the back side of the front cover of all course books from Class 6 to Class 12.

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), e-Box, is an online complaint

management system for easy and direct reporting of sexual offences against children and

timely action against the offenders under the POCSO Act, 2012. E-Box is very simple to

operate and will help to maintain the confidentiality of the complaint.

Being concerned about offences against children, the Government enacted POCSO Act, 2012 to protect them from

offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography, while safeguarding the interest of the child at every

stage of the judicial process.

This is achieved by incorporating child friendly mechanisms for reporting, recording of evidence,

investigation and speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts.

Any human being up to the age of 18 years is recognised as a child under the POCSO Act.

Index of Economic Freedom

Index of Economic Freedom is published by Heritage Foundation, an American think-tank.

The Index covers 12 freedoms – from property rights to financial freedom – in 186 countries.

The Index of Economic Freedom documents the positive relationship between economic freedom and a variety

of positive social and economic goals.

Economic freedom is measured based on 12 quantitative and qualitative factors, grouped into four broad

categories of economic freedom:

1. Rule of Law (property rights, government integrity, judicial effectiveness)

2. Government Size (government spending, tax burden, fiscal health)

3. Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom)

4. Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom)

India moved up to the 130th spot, up from 143 in 2017.

India's overall score increased by 1.9 points, led by improvements in judicial effectiveness, business freedom,

government integrity, and fiscal health.

Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property.

Green Trains for Green India

As per estimation, approx. 4,000 MT of human waste is discharged from train coaches every day.

Indian Railways has provided about 1, 25,000 bio-toilets in its coaches till March 2018.

With the proliferation of bio-toilets in 60% coaches’ commensurate human discharge in

open, has been eliminated.

“Bio-Toilet project” of Indian Railways is an innovative & indigenous development of technology.

This technology is first of its kind being used by any railroad in the world for On-board accelerated digestion

of human waste.

The human waste discharged in the bio-toilets is acted upon by a colony of anaerobic bacteria that convert

human waste mainly into water and small amount of bio-gases.

The gases escape into atmosphere and waste water is discharged after chlorination onto the track.

It was developed jointly by Indian Railways’ Engineers & DRDO’s scientists.

It is one example where the technology developed for defence applications has been utilized for civilian

purpose.

Asian Development Outlook 2018

The Asian Development Outlook 2018 released by Asian

Development Bank (ADB) has projected India’s economic

growth to 7.3% in 2018-19 fiscal and further to 7.6% in 2019-

20 fiscal.

The ADB’s growth projection is in line with that of rating

agency Fitch, but is lower than Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI)

forecast of 7.4%.

Indian growth is expected to pick up to 7.3% in fiscal year (FY)

2018 and 7.6% in FY2019, following the estimated 6.6% in

FY2017. India will remain the world’s fastest growing major

economy.

India’s growth will pick up with increased productivity post

Goods and Services Tax (GST) and investment revival due to

banking reform and corporate deleveraging take hold to

reverse downtrend in investment.

The impact of demonetization of high-value banknotes has

dissipated and full implementation of GST will bolster growth

in India in 2019.

Indian economy grew 6.6% in last fiscal (2017-18) as it battled

lingering effects of demonetisation in 2016, businesses

adjusting GST in 2017 and subdued agriculture.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

ADB is a regional development bank which

aims to promote social and economic

development in Asia. It was established in

December 1966. It is headquartered in

Manila, Philippines. Now it has 67

members, of which 48 are from within Asia

and the Pacific and 19 outside.

The ADB has been modelled closely on the

World Bank. It has similar weighted voting

system where votes are distributed in

proportion with members’ capital

subscriptions. As of 2014, Japan was largest

shareholder (capital subscription) of ADB

having 15.7% shares followed by US

(15.6%), China (6.5%), India (6.4%), and

Australia (5.8%)

Asian

Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) loan for improving rural roads (connectivity) in Madhya Pradesh

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have approved $140 million loan for project aimed at improving

rural roads (connectivity) in Madhya Pradesh. It was approved at meeting of Board of Directors of AIIB recently

held in Beijing, China.

Defence Expo (DefExpo 2018)

10th edition of Defence Expo (DefExpo 2018) is held in Chennai at Tiruvidanthal, in Kancheepuram district,

Tamil Nadu.

The theme of the expo was “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”. Under this, for the first time

project India’s Defence manufacturing capabilities were showcased to the world.

Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

AIIB is multilateral development bank initiated by China. Its purpose is to provide finance to infrastructure

development and regional connectivity projects in Asia-Pacific region. It was officially established in December 2015

and opened for business in January 2016. It is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Its goals are to boost economic development in Asia-Pacific region, provide infrastructure, and promote regional

cooperation and partnership. It prioritises investment in energy, power generation, transport, rural infrastructure,

environmental protection and logistics in Asia.

So far it has 84 members including India. It has an authorised capital of US $100 billion. China is largest shareholder

of AIIB with 26.06% voting shares. India with 7.5% vote share is second largest shareholder followed by Russia,

Germany and South Korea.

Haryana government has decided to launch ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’, an outreach campaign,

in the state on the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar on April 14

The campaign, undertaken under the name of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas”, is to promote social

harmony, spread awareness about pro-poor initiatives of government, reach out to poor households to enroll

them as also to obtain their feedback on various welfare programmes.

As a special endeavour during the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, saturation of eligible households/persons would

be made under seven flagship pro-poor programmes in 21,058 identified villages.

The programmes covered are Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya, Ujala scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jan

Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Mission

Indradhanush.

India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway

Work on the 1,000 km-long India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT)

Trilateral Highway officially started with the National Highways

Authority of India (NHAI) signing an agreement with a joint-

venture (JV) between Punj Lloyd and Varaha Infra to upgrade the

Yagyi-Kalewa section of the India-

Myanmar Friendship Road in

Myanmar.

This is NHAI’s first international

project agreement. The project has

been funded by Ministry of External

Affairs, Government of India and

would be executed on EPC mode at

a cost of Rs.1177 crores.

The 1,000 km India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway will run from Moreh in

Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. The highway will facilitate easy

movement of goods and people among the three countries.

Government constitutes 13 member Task Force for fast-tracking implementation of UAV technology

The Union Government has constituted 13-member task force to prepare road map and fast-track

implementation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology or drones in the country. It will be headed by

Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and will have representatives from government, PSUs,

industry and sectoral experts.

India’s forex reserves at record high.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s forex (foreign exchange) reserves have touched record

high of $424.864 billion in April 2018. The surge was due to massive spike in foreign currency assets (FCAs), a

key component of the reserves. The forex reserve had crossed $400-billion mark for the first time in September

2017, but has since been fluctuating.

The components of India’s FOREX Reserves include Foreign currency assets (FCAs), Gold Reserves, Special

Drawing Rights (SDRs) and RBI’s Reserve position with International Monetary Fund (IMF). FCAs constitute

largest component of Indian Forex Reserves and are expressed in US dollar terms.

The National Highways Authority of India

(NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the

Government of India, responsible for

management of a network of over 70,000

km of National Highways in India. It is a

nodal agency of the Ministry of Road

Transport and Highways. The NHAI was

created through the promulgation of the

National Highways Authority of India Act,

1988. In February 1995, the Authority was

formally made an autonomous body.

Government extends Phase-1 of FAME-India scheme by 6 months

Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises

has extended Phase-1 of FAME India Scheme to

provide financial support to electric and hybrid

vehicles by another six months till 30 September 2018

or till launch of phase-II. FAME India Scheme stands

for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &)

Electric Vehicles.

FAME-India scheme

The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &)

Electric Vehicles (FAME) India was launched in 2015

under National Electric Mobility Mission (NEMM). It

aims at promoting eco-friendly vehicles in the

country. The scheme is being administered by the

Heavy Industries Ministry.

Objectives

Provide fiscal and monetary incentives for adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric

technologies vehicles in the country.

Incentivise all vehicle segments, including two-wheelers, three wheeler auto, passenger four-wheeler

vehicle, light commercial vehicles and buses.

Mandate: Support hybrid or electric vehicles market development and its manufacturing eco-system in country

in order to achieve self-sustenance in stipulated period. It covers hybrid and electric technologies like a strong

hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Four focused areas: Technology development, demand creation, pilot projects, and charging infrastructure.

India Mobile Congress (IMC)

India Mobile Congress will be conducted this year end, at New Delhi.

India Mobile Congress is one of the biggest Mobile, Internet and Technology events in Asia.

This year’s theme “NEW DIGITAL HORIZONS: Connect. Create. Innovate.”

It is organized by Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and Cellular Operators

Association of India (COAI).

India Mobile Congress 2018 will bring together the leading players from across the mobile ecosystem, as well

as adjacent industry sectors such as automotive and consumer electronics.

The first edition of India Mobile Congress held in September 2017.

It aims at building ideas, forging lasting Industry relationships, showcasing leading-edge mobile technology

and product trends, and providing sectoral insights and impactful solution.

The platform will witness participation from partner countries from the ASEAN (Association of Southeast

Asian Nations) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)

region.

GreenCo rating

GreenCo rating was implemented recently in 42

production units and workshops of Indian

Railways.

Indian Railways had entered into partnership

with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

in 2016 by which CII is facilitating various

railways’ production units and workshops go

the Green way.

The development of 'Green Company Rating

system' (GreenCo rating) for companies was a

step taken by CII to promote the greener ways

of production in Indian companies.

GreenCo Rating System is a first-of-its-kind

rating in the world that facilitates

companies in improving their overall green

performance.

GreenCo focus on major environmental areas

including- energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste management, resource

conservation, green supply chain, product stewardship and life cycle assessment.

E-Foreigners Regional Registration Office (e-FRRO)

The e-FRRO scheme is aimed at building a centralized, transparent online platform for the foreigners to avail

visa related services and to provide Faceless, Cashless and Paperless services to the foreigners with user

friendly experience.

Under the scheme, foreigners would be able to get as many as 27 Visa and Immigration related services in

India from the comfort of their place of stay.

Using the e-FRRO application, foreigners can apply online on the portal and obtain the service(s) through

email/post without appearing in person at the FRO/FRRO office.

Advantages of e-FRRO include facilitation of legitimate foreigners through “Digital India” vision of the

Government, foreigners need not visit FRRO/FRO office – “Services from the comfort of home”, convenient

and Time saving, exclusive dashboard for User friendly experience and Uniform & Standardized Services across

the Country.

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)

The Reserve Bank has tightened reporting norms for the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Now banks will

be required to upload daily transaction-wise information undertaken by them under LRS.

Under LRS, all resident individuals can freely remit $250,000 overseas every financial year for a permissible

set of current or capital account transactions.

Remittances are permitted for overseas education, travel, medical treatment and purchase of shares and

property, apart from maintenance of relatives living abroad, gifting and donations.

Individuals can also open, maintain and hold foreign currency accounts with overseas banks for carrying out

transactions.

The rules do not allow remittances for trading on the foreign exchange markets, margin or margin calls to

overseas exchanges and counterparties and the purchase of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds issued by

Indian companies abroad.

Sending money to certain countries and entities is also barred. Under LRS, people can’t send money to

countries identified as ‘non cooperative’ by the Financial Action Task Force. Remittances are also prohibited

to entities identified as posing terrorist risks.

United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund

United Nations has launched UN Road Safety Trust Fund to improve road safety

worldwide to save lives and prevent the loss of opportunity associated with road accidents.

UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is secretariat for the trust fund.

The fund has potential to galvanise global efforts to address road safety situation, building on progress made

and experience gained over Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

The fund aims to accelerate progress in improving global road safety by bridging gaps in mobilization of

resources for effective action at all levels.

It will mobilize resources from governments, intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations (NGOs),

private sector, philanthropic organizations and individuals.

It will support efforts along five pillars of Global Plan for Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-20), which

include improved safety of road infrastructure and broader transport networks; strengthened road safety

management capacities; enhanced safety of vehicles; improved behaviour of road users and improved post-

crash care.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) also adopted resolution on road safety, sponsored by Russia. It calls for

host of measures to prevent road accidents and to minimising resulting damage.

It has urged adoption of policies and measures to implement vehicle safety regulations to ensure that all new

motor vehicles meet applicable minimum regulations for protection of occupants and other road users, with

seat belts, airbags and active safety systems fitted as standard equipment.

Himalayan Yak

The Himalayan yak (Bos mutus) is a large wild bovid native to the Himalayas.

It is the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian Himalayan

region.

Yaks provide nomads milk, fiber and meat.

The long hair of yak has water-resistant properties and can be a good packing

material.

According to IUCN Red list the yak is in the vulnerable category.

It is facing the threat of gradually rising temperatures in the region.

Yak is accustomed to very cold temperatures and can survive up to minus 40

degrees but finds is difficult when the temperature crosses 13 degrees.

Yak is susceptible to heat stress as it can efficiently conserve its body heat during cold weather conditions but

has minimal body mechanism to dissipate heat by way of sweating.

Yak rearing needs to be preserved as this is the only source of livelihood for nomads.

Yak rearing is an eco-friendly livelihood for nomads who migrate to higher altitudes during summer and return

to lower altitudes at about 3000 meters above sea level during winters.

In addition to climate-related factors, there is a reduction in grazing areas and degradation of pasturelands

due to various developmental activities as well.

Probiotic Yeast Strain

Humans face phosphorus deficiency despite consuming phosphorus-rich food because of the inability of

human body to absorb it.

Scientists at National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, have identified a yeast strain that can improve absorption

of phosphorus and make other vital minerals bioavailable.

Phosphorus is one of the vital minerals for all living beings including plants.

Livestock and humans exhibit deficiency of phosphorus and other minerals because humans and non-ruminant

animals lack an enzyme called phytase that converts phytate into free phosphorus.

NCL researchers have identified the yeast strain called Saccharomyces cerevisiae which

can effectively dephytinize the phytate to free phosphorus and also possess the probiotic

properties.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system.

Pollution and Alzheimer's disease

Children and young adults living in polluted megacities are at significantly increased risk of developing

Alzheimer's.

The scientists found heightened levels of the two abnormal proteins in the brains of young urbanites with

lifetime exposures to fine-particulate-matter pollution (PM2.5).

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive, degenerative brain ailment that affects memory, behaviour and

thinking.

It is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of dementia cases.

India Ageing Report 2017 states that the elderly population is growing at a faster rate of 3% may up the burden

of Alzheimer's in India, as the disease primarily occurs in patients over the age of 65.

This new finding of affecting the younger generation is a precaution to the Government, Policy Makers and

General Public.

New technique developed to monitor coastal landforms

Indian Scientists have developed a remote sensing technique that uses satellite data to delineate between

various coastal landforms like beaches, mangroves and marshes.

This method can help monitor and understand impacts of natural disasters as well as human activities on

coastal ecosystem.

Distinguishing different landforms in coastal region remains a challenge due to their low lying nature, and

absence of clear-cut boundaries between various landforms.

Scientists have used Object-Based Image Analysis to demarcate various landforms such as ridges, marshes,

mangroves etc. surrounding the Krishna delta present on East coast of India.

This new technique deploys parameters like tone, texture, shape, context, proximity to the sea and height

derived from satellite images for classification of landforms.

Combining the values of these parameters, a total of 11 landforms were given their peculiar characteristics

and were differentiated.

Farm Distress

According to a new study, giving direct income support (DIS) to farmers may be a better option than the price

deficiency payment (PDP) scheme or higher minimum support price (MSP) to address farm distress.

DIS is easier to implement, more transparent, equitable and crop-neutral.

The study was not in favor of higher MSPs which are based on cost plus pricing as they distort market seriously.

The study was based on working paper authored by economist at the Indian Council for Research on

International Economic Relations (ICRIER).

ICRIER is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank.

ICRIER’s office is located in the institutional complex of India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Asian premium

India is planning to coordinate with China and other Asian countries to voice against the “Asian Premium”

being charged by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Asian Premium is the extra charge being collected by OPEC countries from Asian countries when selling oil.

The premium is determined in large part by the official selling prices (OSPs) set by Saudi

Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait, which supply about 15 percent of the world’s crude among

them.

They set differential prices against benchmarks on a monthly basis, adjusting them to account for regional

variations.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

India will have to make money laundering an explicitly standalone offence to upgrade its compliance ahead of

the on-site mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is due in November-December

2020.

FATF had undertaken mutual evaluation of India in 2010 when the body expressed satisfaction with the

measures taken by the country. However, in its report, the FATF highlighted a number of lacunae in the then

extant legislation, for which it suggested changes.

Babur cruise missile

OPEC:

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization,

created at the Baghdad Conference in September 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Currently, the Organization has a total of 14 Member Countries.

OPEC had its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in the first five years of its existence. This was moved to Vienna,

Austria, on September 1, 1965.

OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair

and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming

nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the

G7.

It is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative

and regulatory reforms in various areas.

The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and

operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the

integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary measures, reviews money laundering

and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures, and promotes the adoption and implementation of

appropriate measures globally.

In collaboration with other international stakeholders, the FATF works to identify national-level vulnerabilities

with the aim of protecting the international financial system from misuse.

Pakistan has successfully test fired an enhanced version of

indigenously-built Babur cruise missile.

‘Babur Weapon System-1 (B)’ is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile,

which carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying

various types of warheads. It can deliver conventional and non-

conventional weapons with a range of 700 kilometres.

It incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike

targets both at land and sea with high accuracy.

It is equipped with the Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and all time Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-

relation (DSMAC) technologies, which enable it to engage in various types of targets with pinpoint accuracy

even in the absence of GPS navigation.

AlterEgo

AlterEgo is a silent-speech device developed by researchers at MIT.

The device uses electrodes to read the neuromuscular signals from the user's

internal speech organs when they "say" words in their head.

Our brains send tiny electrical signals to our speaking muscles, which AlterEgo’s

sensors on the face and jaw detect.

AlterEgo interprets ‘silent speaking’ and when necessary, sends feedback to the

user via audio others can’t hear.

It is tested by using it in controlling devices, solving math problems, assisting chess

and go players, assisting memory by pulling up stored information.

iDex (Innovation for Defence Excellence) scheme

Prime Minister launched the iDex, Innovation for Defense Excellence scheme in the DefExpo 2018.

The scheme will set up innovation hubs particularly for the defense sector across the country.

The scheme wishes to incubate ideas and provide support through infrastructure for defense related start-

ups.

During the DefExpo, in order to boost

defense production in the country, the

Prime Minister welcomed the move of

establishing two defense industrial

corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar

Pradesh.

Additional information is that Foreign

Direct Investment in defense sector in

India currently permits foreign

companies to own 49% of Indian units.

Gram Swaraj Abhiyan- Special Interventions

Cruise Missile

It is an unmanned self-propelled (till the time of impact) guided missile. It flies within the earth’s atmosphere and

use jet engine technology to propel itself and fly during its major portion of its flight path at approximately constant

speed. It is designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision. Modern cruise missiles are

self-navigating and are capable of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds and are able to fly on non-

ballistic, extremely low-altitude trajectory.

The Union Government launched “Gram Swaraj Abhiyan- Special Interventions”, a high-

intensity outreach programme to deliver welfare schemes to select villages which need

particular attention.

Gram Swaraj Abhiyan was launched on the lines of rural development schemes like Antyodaya based on

principle of convergence and saturation.

The initiative aims for 100% coverage of seven schemes launched by Central Government for eligible

beneficiaries in three-week window from April 14 to May 5, 2018.

The objective of abhiyan is to promote social harmony, reach out to poor rural households, obtain feedback

on ongoing programmes, enrol in new initiatives, focus on doubling farmers’ income, enhance livelihood

opportunities and re-emphasise national priorities such as cleanliness and strengthen Panchayati Raj

institutions,.

The seven schemes covered under it are Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Ujala scheme, Saubhagya, Pradhan

Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and

Mission Indradhanush.

Government has appointed dozens of directors and deputy secretaries to push its flagship programmes to

“100% saturation” in rural areas. It will benefit 17,000 poor villages by providing them free LPG connections,

electricity supply, Jan Dhan accounts, two PM Insurance schemes and immunisation of children will be

available in 21 days.

World’s first contact lens that automatically darkens when exposed to bright light.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses with

Transitions Light Intelligent Technology, world’s first contact lens that automatically darkens when exposed

to bright light.

It is first of its kind contact lens to incorporate same technology that is used in eyeglasses that automatically

darken in the sun.

These contact lens are soft contact lenses indicated for daily use to correct vision of people with non-diseased

eyes who are nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic).

They can be used by people with certain degrees of astigmatism, an abnormal curvature of the eye.

These contact lenses contain photochromic additive that adapts amount of visible light filtered to eye based

on amount of ultra-violet (UV) light to which they are exposed.

This additive slightly darkens lenses in bright sunlight that automatically return to regular tint when exposed

to normal or dark lighting conditions.