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TRANSCRIPT
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Copyright © by Smart Abhyas All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Smart Abhyas.
Index
1. India registers significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate……………………………01
2. President appoints Commission to examine sub categorisation of Other Backward Classes……………………………………………………………………………………………..02
3. Supreme Court says that the Deputy Collector or District Magistrate has no powers on property titles……………………………………………………………………….04
4. Unprecedented public participation in Gram Sabhas…………………………………04
5. Supreme Court to the government: Can you protect the Rohingyas?...................06
6. India slammed for slavery, we need to counter: IB to Government…………………07
7. Supreme Court: Collegium decisions on appointment, transfer and elevation will be made public……………………………………………………………………………………10
8. Sex ratio at birth up in most Beti Bachao Beti Padhao districts: WCD ministry…..14
9. Haj Committee presents report on New Haj policy 2018-22………………………….15
10. Internet content should be strictly regulated: Panel………………………………….17
11. Why flagship BPL health insurance scheme is in rather poor health……………..19
12. NGOs receiving foreign funds to register with NITI Aayog…………………………21
13. Passve euthanasia draft bill……………………………………………………………….25
14. Intenational Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) is now an Inter-governmental organisation. ………………………………………26
15. Sex withminor wife is rape rules Supreme Court……………………………………..27
16. Supreme Cout establishes procedure to accord 'Senior advocate' title…………28
17. Global Hunger Index………………………………………………………………………..29
20. Non Resident Indians can soon vote by 'proxy'……………………………………….31
Polity and Social Issues
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21. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh backs Tibetans after rehabilitation policy push…………………………………………………………………………………………………31
22. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) note to states: Central forces meant only for emergency…………………………………………………………………………………………32
23. Passport index places India at 75th place………………………………………………37
24. Aadhaar based eKYC: Department of Telecommunication (DOT) calls for OTP veriffication to expedite compliance. ………………………………………………………..37
25. Supreme Court asks government to setup call to fight child pornography………38
26. PM: government working on a stricter Consumer Protection Law………………..39
27. Civil society must work along with policy makers to uplift poor: ………………….40
28. Apex court case backlog falls below 60000……………………………………………44
29. Supreme Court: Set up 'Vulnerables witness deposition centres under all High Courts………………………………………………………………………………………………45
30. Law panel wants more autonomy for tribunals……………………………………….46
31. Supreme court rules that West Bengal CM can approach the SC as an aggrieved citizen but West Bengal government itself cannot………………………………………..49
32. e-NPS platform for Atal Pension Yojana…………………………………………………50
33. e-Greetings portal……………………………………………………………………………52
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1. Global Wildlife Programme 2017…………………………………………………………54
2. Monsoon ends with 5 % lower rainfall than average………………………………….55
3. Tropics emit more carbon than they capture now……………………………………55
4. Government plan recognises effect of climate change on wildlife………………..57
5. Extreme rainfall in India due to warming up of Arabian Sea………………………..57
6. Turtle sanctuary to be setup at Allahabad……………….……………….……………58
7. Snow leopard sighted in Arunachal Pradesh……………….…………………………59
8. 16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal Pradesh…………………………61
9. First BIMSTEC Disaster management exercise……………….………………………61
10. Fire cracker ban in National Capital Region: A closer look at the pollutants…..64
11. India to link four mountain passes……………….……………….……………………..64
12. India says NO to bottom trawling……………….……………….………………………66
13. Melting ice affecting salinity around Greenland……………….……………………..67
14. Sawfish is more threatened than tigers……………….……………….……………….68
15. National Green Tribunal rules that Environment Minister cannot overrule Wildlife Board Mandate……………….……………….……………….……………….………………..70
16. New species of large Gecko discovered……………….……………….………………72
17. Butterfly migration in Westren Ghats……………….……………….…………………..73
18. Piped Natural gas project……………….……………….……………….………………..73
19. India tops world in pollution deaths in 2015……………….…………………………...75
20. Delhi air pollution in 2017, in comparison with that of 2016…………………………76
21. All major ports to get Logistics Data Bank (LDB) Services………………………….77
22. Tawny Lark: An expert mimic……………….……………….……………….…………...78
23. Singur: Home of butterflies of all kinds……………….……………….………………..79
Geography, Ecology and Biodiversity
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24. Centre eases norms for Sewage Treatment Plant(STPs) …………………………..79
25. Mega Highway Development Project……………….……………….…………………..82
26. West Bengal government concerned as a demand for jute falls…………………..84
27. Urban heat islands effect seen in 89 cities across India…………………………….85
28. China thinking over building a tunnel to deviate Brahmaputra's course…………88
29. Carbondioxide levels grew at a record pace in 2016: WMO………………………..89
1. Core banking to be enabled in Hindi……………….……………….……………………..91
2. RBI released its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy report……………….…………..91
3. RBI panel shortlist three instruments……………….……………….……………………93
4. Soveriegn Gold Bond Scheme Series 3 (2017-18) ……………….…………………….95
5. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act 2016 now in effect……………….……………96
6. Fiscal stimulus package: NITI Aayog's vice chairman says Yes…………………….98
7. NIIF gets first investor……………….……………….……………….……………………..99
8. More check posts to come up at Bangladesh border……………….………………..100
9. Centre taking steps to formalise gold. ……………….……………….………………..101
10. US firms moves USTR against India’s medical pricing steps……………………..102
11. US starts antidumping probe into PTFE resin from India…………………………..104
12. Linking of Aadhaar to bank accounts mandatory says Reserve Bank of India..105
13. Gujarat launches Roll on Roll off (RoRo) ferry service (Phase 1) ………………..105
14. GST needs rejig to cut burden on small business: Revenue Secretary…………106
15. With 20% of agri output value, milk overtakes food grains………………………..106
16. 2.11 lakh crore for PSU banks to boost lending……………….…………………….108
Economy
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17. Centre to aid offshore e-commerce play……………….……………….…………….109
18. Monumental step, says RBI governor, better banks ahead in line for capital…110
19. Note ban served all goals, November 8th anti-black money day says union finance ministry. ……………….……………….……………….……………………………..111
20. India should ideally have 5-7 large banks, says Chief Economic Advisor……...112
21. Union finance minister launches mandatory use of Public Finance Management System for all central sector schemes……………….……………….……………………113
22. Bank clean up roadmap: Capital infusion first, restructuring later………………114
23. Minister of Road transport and Highways and Shipping urges automakers to opt for coastal shipping……………….……………….……………….……………….…………115
24. India ships wheat to Afghanistan via Iran Chabahar port………………………….116
1. Embryo Transfer Technology, a promising revolution in Bovine breeding………119
2. Genome Mapping and Sequencing……………………………………………………….119
3. India woos neighbouring countries at India International Science Festival……..120
4. GSAT-9 benefits hampered by ground delays…………………………………………122
5. First ever plan to combat animal tuberculosis…………………………………………123
6. Space Microbology…………………………………………………………………………..123
7. Indian Council for Medical Research okays 30 diseases for steam cell treatment………………………………………………………………………………………….125
8. Boosting horticulture through remote sensing………………………………………..128
9. CERT-In asks people to avoid WiFi at all cost………………………………………….129
10. Scientist link new virus to Kala Azar……………………………………………………130
11. North East India troubled by cancer……………………………………………………131
Science and Technology
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12. Hypertension is bad news for India…………………………………………………….132
13. Fewer TB deaths in India says WHO report…………………………………………..134
1. Consumer durables demand may get a push on government’s rural electrification drive………………………………………………………………………………………………136
2. 'Paryatan Parv' - Initiative by Tourism Ministry……………………………………….139
3. 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchaan' initiative by Tourism Ministry…………………………………………………………………………………………..140
4. Pradhanmantri Grameen Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)……………..141
5. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) launched…………………………………….142
6. Initiatives of Postal Department………………………………………………………….146
7. Stand up India plan slows down: Only 6% bank branches gave loan to SC/ST’s.150
8. Skill India to be boosted by SANKALP and STRIVE schemes………………………150
9. Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana……………………………………………………………153
10. Government permits banks to sell more small saving schemes………………….154
11. India's first Praadhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for skilling in Smart cities………154
12. New initiative SAATHI (Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile Technologies to Help small Industries……………………………………………………..157
13. Bharatmala - Everything you need to know about the Mega project…………….158
1. Catalans vote for separation from Spain amidst police crackdown………………161
2. Chief of Naval Staff visits Vietnam………………………………………………………..162
3. 14th India-European Union Summit in a nutshell………………………………………163
Government Schemes and Initiatives
International Relations
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4. Fourth Dialogue of Civilisations…………………………………………………………..165
5. Common Wealth Law Ministers meeting………………………………………………..166
6. First meeting of BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine held……………...167
7. India, Srilanka ink housing project deal in Hambantota……………………………..170
8. India to help develop Trincomalee and Colombo ports in Srilanka………………..171
9. Burundi becomes the first country to leave International Criminal Court……….172
10. International conference to discuss ways to setup NGT like tribunal…………..175
11. India and USA Hold 11th Trade Policy Forum Meeting in Washington D.C……178
12. Bangladesh plans sterilization to curb Rohingyas a refugee population………179
13. India Africa knowledge exchange mission…………………………………………..180
14. India-Italy talks to revolve on multilateral issues and improving ties between the two countries …………………………………………………………………………………..181
1. ARPAN 3.0 for Defence Security Corps…………………………………………………182
2. Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden……………………………………………….182
3. Annual Dilli Seminar…………………………………………………………………………183
4. Launch of Mobile Health App `MedWatch' By the Indian Air Force………………..183
5. Exercise MITRA SHAKTHI 2017………………………………………………………….184
6. India-U.S operationalise new militiary logistics sharing pact……………………..184
7. Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rises mechanized columns…………………….186
8. INS kiltan commissioned…………………………………………………………………..187
9. Exercise INDRA 2017……………………………………………………………………….189
10. Coming soon: Ministery of Defence Cyber security, Space and Special operation division……………………………………………………………………………………………189
Defence and Internal Security
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11. SOP to help movement of locals, raise security at Myanmar borders…………..190
12. Andaman Sea region: India eyes military expansion………………………………..190
13. Potential defence game changers offered to India says US Secretary of State……………………………………………………………………………………………….191
14. Bilateral Exercise CORPAT………………………………………………………………192
15. India to showcase navy supremacy with exercise SAMBANDH………………….193
16. Navy to deploy mission ready ships in Indian Ocean region to check China…..194
17. L&T hands over offshore patrol vessel to coast guard……………………………..195
18. 65% of funds spent, Defence ministry seeks 22,000 crore more for modernization…………………………………………………………………………………..196
19. Home minister set to take over bureau of civil aviation security…………………196
20. Domestic manufacturers of arms and ammunition given a hugh boost…………197
1. Third edition of 'Women of India Organic Festival'……………………………………199
2. Nobel Prize for medicine……………………………………………………………………199
3. China opens highway in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh…………………………199
4. Nobel Prize in Physics………………………………………………………………………200
5. World Bank : India to top global remittances chart in 2017…………………………200
6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry……………………………………………………………………201
7. Government constitutes high level committee to look into NER……………………201
8. New Deputy DG in the world Health Organisation…………………………………….201
9. Kandla Port renamed as Deendayal Port……………………………………………….201
10. Nobel Prize in Literature………………………………………………………………….201
11. Nobel Prize in Economics…………………………………………………………………201
PointBlank (Facts for Prelims)
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12. Fire rages on Butcher Island……………………………………………………………202
13. Kerala to have own antibiotic policy…………………………………………………..202
14. IMF in its report stated that Universal Basic Income would outperform PDS, energy subsidies in India……………………………………………………………………..202
15. U.S. withdraws from UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural organization, citing anti-Israel bias………………………………………………………………………………………………..202
16. Nobel Peace Prize…………………………………………………………………………203
17. All India Institute of Ayurveda…………………………………………………………..203
18. Man Booker Prize 2017……………………………………………………………………204
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Copyright © by Smart Abhyas All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Smart Abhyas.
01 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
1. India registers significant decline in Infant
Mortality Rate
What is the issue?
• India has registered a significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
According to the just released SRS bulletin.
• IMR of India has declined by three points (8% declines), from 37 per 1000 live
births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline
last year.
Highlights:
• India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time has
come down to below 25 million.
• India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015.
• The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3
Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.
• According to the SRS Bulletin the gender gap in India for child survival is
reducing steadily.
• The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to <10%,
giving a major boost to the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme of the
Government.
What do these results signify?
• The results signify that the strategic approach of the Ministry has started yielding
dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.
• Among the EAG States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand have reported
decline in IMR in comparison to 2015.
• The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and
Rajasthan.
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02 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
What is Infant Mortality Rate?
• Infant Mortality Rate refers to the deaths of infants under age of one year per
1,000 live births.
• Infant Mortality Rate include Perinatal mortality, Neonatal mortality and Post-
Neonatal mortality.
• Perinatal mortality only includes deaths from 22 weeks of pregnancy onward till
7th day after delivery.
• Neonatal mortality includes deaths in the first 28 days of life.
• Post neonatal mortality only includes deaths after 28 days of life but before one
year.
Child Mortality Rate
• IMR is different from Child mortality, which refers to death of children below 5
years per 1000 live births.
2. President appoints Commission to examine sub
categorization of Other Backward Classes
What is the issue?
• The President today in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 340 of the
Constitution appointed a Commission to examine the sub-categorization of Other
Backward Classes
Who will be heading the Commission?
• Justice (Retd) G. Rohini will be heading the commission.
What does this move signify?
• Reiterates government's efforts to achieve greater social justice and inclusion
for all, and specifically members of the Other Backward Classes.
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03 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
• Sub categorization of the OBCs will ensure that the more backward among the
OBC communities can also access the benefits of reservation for educational
institutions and government jobs.
Mandate of the Commission:
• To examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among
the castes or communities included in the broad category of Other Backward
Classes with reference to such classes included in the Central List
• To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific
approach for sub-categorization within such Other Backward Classes
• To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or
sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of Other Backward Classes and
classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
• The Commission is required to present their Report to the President within a
period of twelve weeks of assumption of charge by the Chairperson of the
Commission.
Article 340 of the Constitution of India
Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes
• The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as
he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward
classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour
and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union
or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition and as to
the grants that should be made for the purpose by the Union or any State the
conditions subject to which such grants should be made, and the order
appointing such Commission shall define the procedure to be followed by the
Commission
• A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and
present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and
making such recommendations as they think proper
• The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a
memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House
of Parliament
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04 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
3. Supreme Court says that the Deputy Collector or
District Magistrate has no powers on property titles
What is the issue?
• A collector or district magistrate has no powers to decide the title of a property
under the Hindu Succession Act, the Supreme Court has said.
In what context has this ruling been given?
• Haridwar Collector (2003) had acquired vast property of the Kutchi Lal
Rameshwar Ashram Trust at Haridwar since it had no legal heir.
• The Trust had questioned the decision, claiming that it has been managing the
property for over 45 years.
What did the Supreme Court say on this issue?
• The collector is an officer of the state. He can exercise only such powers as the
law specifically confers upon him to enter upon private disputes.
• The magistrate committed a jurisdictional overreach by taking up an
adjudicatory exercise for which he did not have the powers
4. Unprecedented public participation in Gram
Sabhas
What is the issue?
• Unprecedented public participation was seen in Gram Sabhas organized on
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary on 2nd October in Gram Panchayats across
the country
• Gram Panchayats in partnership with States and Local Governments are
observing Gram Samridhi Evam Swachta Pakhwada (Village Well-being and
Cleanliness fortnight) from 1-15 October, 2017
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05 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
Initiatives being taken under this programme:
• Children conducted Prabhat Pheris in the morning to encourage all the adults of
the village to attend Gram Sabhas
• Women Self Help Groups, of whom there are more than five crore members
across the country, participated in full strength in the Gram Sabhas.
• Elected representatives of Panchayats provided full details and disclosure of all
the programmes being implemented in the Gram Panchayats and the money
being spent on these interventions.
• As part of the public information campaign during Gram Samridhi Evam Swachta
Pakhwada, flex boards and wall paintings regarding all programmes,
entitlements, beneficiary lists, etc., has been put up in Panchayat buildings
across the country for perusal of citizens.
• Work on cleaning public facilities like Schools, Anganwadi Centres, Panchayat
Ghars, public spaces, etc., is being undertaken during this fortnight with a thrust
on overall cleanliness through better solid and liquid waste management.
• Concerted public campaign for behaviour change for use of Individual
Household Latrines (IHHL), thrust on water conservation to ensure better water
availability specially in 5,000 clusters (spread over 50,000 Gram Panchayats) in
all States selected for coverage under Mission Antyodaya.
• Through convergent use of resources from Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana,
National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), MGNREGS, Swachh Bharat
Mission (SBM) and other national and state level programmes sincere efforts are
being made for a community led sustained interventions for cleanliness and well-
being.
• To promote well-being of households, efforts are being made during this
fortnight to enlist youth and women for skill programmes for diversification and
development of livelihoods to improve incomes.
• Griha Pravesh of the 4.55 lakh houses, under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
(Gramin) (PMAY(G), already completed is being undertaken as also site visit of all
the ongoing remaining nearly 51 lakh houses where work will be completed by
March, 2018
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06 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
5. Supreme Court to Government: Can you protect
the Rohingyas?
What is the issue?
• 'Can India protect a large section of humanity comprising Rohingya women,
children, the sick and the old who are “really suffering”? ‘The SC asked the
government.
• Such a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution cannot be simply abdicated
by the Court, said the SC.
What was the government's response?
• Government's move to deport 40,000 Rohingya was not “justiciable”, that is, the
issue is outside the Supreme Court’s domain.
What is the government's stand on the issue?
• Rohingyas have militant ties and may pose a threat to National Security.
• Ronhingyas may eat into resources and benefits meant for Indian citizens.
What did the advocate appearing on behalf of the Rohingya
community say?
• Government cannot say that the Rohingya issue exclusively lies in their domain
outside of judicial intervention.
• Fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 protects all “persons,” including
refugees who fled persecution in their native countries
• India has always had a strong track record of helping communities in need.
Who are Rohingyas?
• Rohingyas are million-strong Muslim minorities, who have been denied
citizenship in Myanmar.
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07 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES
• Since 1962 successive Myanmar governments have stripped the Rohingya
population of their political and civil rights, including citizenship.
• They are often referred to as ‘Bengali’ in Myanmar, a derogatory term that
implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although Rohingya families
have lived in the area for generations.
Where do they live?
• The area where the Rohingya live is already the least developed in Myanmar. The
World Bank estimates its poverty rate is 78%, as compared with 38% in the rest
of the country.
• They have been living for decades now under apartheid like policies with
severely restricted access to healthcare and education and limited freedom of
movement
Rohingyas in India
• Nearly 40,000 Rohingyas are living in different places in India. The UNHCR has
issued identity cards to about 16,500 of them.
• The Indian government maintains that the Rohingya Muslims are “illegal”
immigrants in the country and their continuous stay posed “serious national
security ramifications”.
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08 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES
1. Global Wildlife Programme 2017 What is the issue?
• In an attempt to address illegal wildlife trade across 19 countries of Asia and
Africa, India is hosting the Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) jointly with World
Bank and United Nations Development Programme
• Coinciding with the ‘Wildlife Week’, the theme of the Conference is - “Peoples’
participation in wildlife conservation”.
What does this meeting aim to do? GWP will hold discussions on
• Management of wildlife habitat
• Securing sustainable community livelihood
• Enhancing enforcement
• Monitoring
• Cooperation to reduce wildlife crimes such as poaching and related threats.
How will this meet influence India?
• The Conference will provide an opportunity for India to showcase its
conservation efforts through joint forest management, vana sanrakshan samitis,
eco-development committees in and around Protected Areas.
• The meeting will bring about strengthened cooperation between India and the 18
GWP countries in better management of wildlife habitats and minimizing human-
wildlife conflict situations.
• It will also enable India to strengthen its enforcement mechanism to control illicit
trade.
Which countries and organizations will be participating?
• The participating nations include Afghanistan, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia,
Gabon, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Philippines, Republic
of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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09 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES
• Representatives of World Bank, United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will also be present.
Previous meetings
• Earlier, four similar Programmes had been convened at Gland (Switzerland),
Hanoi (Vietnam), Nairobi (Kenya) and Liberville (Gabon). Led by the World Bank,
the Global Wildlife Programme was initiated in 2015.
2. Monsoon ends with 5 % lower rainfall than average
What is the issue?
• This year’s southwest monsoon ended the June-September season with 5%
lower rainfall than average
What was the Indian Meteorological Department's forecast?
• Rainfall to be around 98% of long-period average (LPA) with an error margin of
4%.
How much rainfall did India receive?
• Total seasonal rainfall this year is 95% of LPA.
What is the overall picture?
• Season began well with normal to surplus rainfall in the crucial months of June
and July, but the monsoon weakened in August and early September, before a
late-season surge.
• Crucial states Punjab and Haryana saw a rain deficit of over 20% but are less
vulnerable due to adequate irrigation facilities.
3. Tropics emit more carbon than they capture now
Why in news?
• A top global climate change think tank has published the research that uses a
new approach to measuring changes in forest carbon density.
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10 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES
• This approach shows that the tropics now emit more carbon than they capture
against their popular role as a net carbon sink.
What is the study calling for?
• The study calls for an urgent need for aggressive national and global scale
efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
Which research institute is involved in this study?
• Woods Hole Research Centre (WHRC) is an independent research institute which
investigates causes and effects of climate change.
• This is to identify and implement opportunities for conservation, restoration and
economic development around the world.
• International Centre for Climatic Governance repeatedly named WHRC as
world’s top climate change think tank.
Reasons for shift from Carbon sink to Carbon source?
This shift was caused due to
• Deforestation
• Degradation and disturbance
What should be done?
• In order to contain global temperatures we need to drastically reduce emissions
and increase forest capability to absorb and store carbon.
Other relevant information
• Forests are the only carbon capture and storage technology we have at our
disposal that is safe, proven, inexpensive and immediately available at scale.
• Forests are capable of providing beneficial ripple effects such as
1. Regulating rainfall patterns.
2. Providing livelihoods to indigenous communities.
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11 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES
• Using satellite imagery, laser remote sensing technology and fields
measurements scientists captured losses in forest carbon from deforestation,
fine scale degradation and disturbances.
• Tropics represent a net source of carbon to the atmosphere – about 425
teragrammes of carbon annually which is way more than total emissions of cars
and trucks in USA.
• 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and land use
change.
4. Government plan recognizes effect of climate
change on wildlife
Why in news?
• Environment ministry recognized the effect of climate on wildlife a major
criterion in National wild Life Action plan 2017-2031.
Important information
• Draft version of the plan release in 2016 stated that region specific projections of
future climate change impacts will be the basis for redesigning India’s protected
areas.
• Other factors like future species migration is also considered for redesigning
India’s protected areas.
5. Extreme rainfall in India due to warming up of
Arabian Sea
What is the issue?
• Unusual behavior of the Arabian Sea has triggered a threefold rise in “wide
spread extreme rainfall” in Central India since the1950s, scientists have
revealed.
• They demonstrated that the extra moisture was flowing in from the Arabian Sea,
which has changed its behaviour,possibly due to global warming
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12 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES
What was previously thought to be the reason for such heavy
rainfall?
• It was presumed that many of these heavy rainfall spells result from low-pressure
systems that develop in the Bay of Bengal and move north westward bringing
moisture into Central India.
What have the latest studies revealed?
• In the last 65 years, there has been a three-fold rise in “wide spread extreme
rainfall” events over the entire central belt of India leading to a steady rise in the
number of flash floods with significant socio-economic losses.
• The findings suggest that the ocean-atmospheric conditions, which are
precursors to these extreme rainfall events, occur more than a week ahead. This
will help in forecasting future extreme events.
How disastrous have these extreme rainfall events been?
• Floods attributed to extreme rain events in India alone amounted to losses of
about $ 3 billion per year, which is 10% of the global economic losses.
• There have been 268 reported flooding events in India over 1950–2015 affecting
about 825 million people, leaving 17 million people homeless and killing 69,000.
Which regions have particularly been affected?
• Entire central belt of India from Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west coast to
Odisha and Assam in the east.
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13 ECONOMY NOTES
1. Core banking to be enabled in Hindi
What is the issue?
• Home Ministry has asked all banks, private and public sector, to enable their
core banking facility in Hindi.
• Banks have been asked to update databases in Hindi and that customers should
not be compelled to fill forms only in English.
How will this help?
• Conducting core banking operations in hindi will enable crores of people to have
easy access to banking facilities.
Is there to law to impose hindi compulsorily?
• As per the Official Languages Act, 1963 there is no provision of punitive action
for not using Hindi in official communication but the language can only be
promoted through “persuasion and encouragement.”
2. RBI's Monetary Policy Committee Report
What is the issue?
• RBI released its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy report.
Highlights of the report
• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the benchmark repo and reverse repo
rates unchanged at 6 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively.
• RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) trimmed its forecast for economic
growth in the current fiscal year in gross value added (GVA) terms to 6.7% from
7.3 %.
• Implementation of GST has so far been adverse rendering manufacturing sector
prospects uncertain in near term. This could further delay the investment
activity, which is currently impacted by the stressed balance sheets of
companies.
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14 ECONOMY NOTES
• Teething issues related to the Goods & Services Tax (GST) and bandwith are
likely to be resolved soon, which could push growth in the second half.
Policy Rates:
• Repo rate: It is rate at which RBI lends to its clients generally against
government securities.
• Reverse Repo Reverse Repo Rate: It is rate at which banks lend funds to RBI.
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: It is rate at which scheduled banks can
borrow funds from RBI against government securities.
• Bank Rate: It is rate charged by central bank for lending funds to commercial
banks. It influences lending rates of commercial banks.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): It is amount of funds that banks have to keep with
RBI.
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): It is amount that banks have to maintain a
stipulated proportion of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in form of
liquid assets like cash, gold and unencumbered securities, treasury bills, dated
securities etc
RBI Monetary Policy Committee
Composition: • It consists of six members (RBI Governor, Deputy Gov RBI, One RBI officer and
three members nominated by the government), and they hold office for a period
of four years.
• The Governor of the RBI is the ex-officio Chairperson of MPC
• Decisions are taken by majority with the Governor having the casting vote in
case of a tie
Role:
• Maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
• Entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) required
to contain inflation within the specified target level.
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15 ECONOMY NOTES
Number of meetings:
• Monetary Policy Committee meets at least 4 times a year and publishes a bi-
monthly report accordingly.
3. RBI panel shortlist three instruments
Why in news?
• Reserve Bank of India study group to review Marginal Cost of funds based
Lending Rate (MCLR) system has shortlisted three instruments.
What are the three instruments shortlisted?
• Treasury Bill (T-Bills)
• The Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate
• Policy repo rate
What is the view of RBI study group?
• In order to ensure borrowers especially home loan customers get benefit of rate
cuts by the central bank, RBI study group proposed that one of the three
instruments (Treasury bill, The Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate, Policy repo rate)
can be selected as the external benchmark rate.
• Bench Marking: Is the process of improving performance by continuously
identifying, understanding, and adapting outstanding practices and processes
found inside and outside an organization.
Challenges
• Using T-bills or CD rates as benchmark is potentially susceptible to manipulation.
• T-bills sometimes reflect fiscal risks and this will automatically get transferred to
credit market.
• CD rates even have limitations too such as high sensitivity to liquidity conditions,
credit cycles and seasonality.
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16 ECONOMY NOTES
• Policy repo rate has the primary advantage that it is robust, reliable, transparent
and easy to understand.
• The reserve bank will finally take a final view on recommendations after taking
into account the final feedback received.
T-Bill
• Treasury Bills are short term (up to one year) borrowing instruments of the
Government of India.
• Investors can park their short term surplus funds while reducing their market
risk by investing in T-bills.
• These Treasury Bills are auctioned by RBI.
• Main advantage of getting T-bills is lack of risk.
• Treasury bills are presently issued in three maturities, namely, 91 day, 182 day
and 364 day.
• Treasury bills will pay no interests.
Certificate of Deposit (CDs)
• A certificate of deposit or what is popularly known as CDs is nothing but money
market instruments that are issued by banks and select financial institutions in
lieu of the money that is deposited.
• Only commercial banks and financial institutions like IFCI can only issue CDs.
• Minimum size of the Certificate of Deposit is 1 lakh. This can be multiples of 1
lakh thereafter.
Marginal Cost of funds based Lending Rate (MCLR)
• Refers to minimum interest rate of bank below which it cannot lend, except in
some cases allowed by RBI.
• MCLR actually describes the method by which the minimum interest rate of a
laon is determined by a bank.
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17 ECONOMY NOTES
• MCLR methodology for fixing interest rates was introduced by Reserve Bank of
India effective from April 2016. The new methodology replaces Base rate system.
Reasons for introduction of MCLR
• Ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to borrowers
and banks.
• Enable banks to become more competitive and enhance their long run value and
contribution to economic growth.
• To bring transparency in methodology to determine interest rates followed by
banks.
• Improve transmission of policy rates into lending rates of banks.
4. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Series 3 (2017-18)
What is the issue?
• Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided
to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18 Series 3
How will the bonds be sold?
• Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited
(SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges viz., National
Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange.
Features:
• The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including
individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.
• The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of
1 gram.
• The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year
to be exercised on the interest payment dates.
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18 ECONOMY NOTES
• The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum
payable semi-annually on the nominal value.
• Bonds will be tradable on stock exchanges within a fortnight of the issuance on a
date as notified by the RBI.
• The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio purposes.
5. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act 2016 now in
effect
What is the issue?
• A new Bureau of Indian standard (BIS) Act 2016 which was notified in March,
2016, has been brought into force with effect from October, 2017.
Key features:
• The Act establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National
Standards Body of India.
• The Act has enabling provisions for the Government to bring under compulsory
certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process,
system or service which it considers necessary in the public interest or for the
protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of the environment, or
prevention of unfair trade practices, or national security.
• Enabling provisions have also been made for making hallmarking of the precious
metal articles mandatory.
• The new Act also allows multiple types of simplified conformity assessment
schemes including self-declaration of conformity against a standard which will
give simplified options to manufacturers to adhere to the standards and get
certificate of conformity.
• The Act enables the Central Government to appoint any authority/agency, in
addition to the BIS, to verify the conformity of products and services to a
standard and issue certificate of conformity.
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19 ECONOMY NOTES
• Further, there is provision for repair or recall, including product liability of the
products bearing Standard Mark but not conforming to the relevant Indian
Standard.
How will the new Act benefit us?
• The new Act will further help in ease of doing business in the country, give fillip
to Make in India campaign and ensure availability of quality products and
services to the consumers.
About Bureau of Indian Standards
• BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986 for
the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and
quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto.
• BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national
economy in a number of ways - providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing
health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control
over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and
testing.
• Hon’ble Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the
President (Ex-officio)Keeping in view, the interest of consumers as well as the
industry, BIS is involved in various activities as given below:
Standards Formulation
• Product Certification Scheme, Compulsory Registration Scheme, Foreign
Manufacturers Certification Scheme, Hall Marking Scheme, Laboratory Services,
Laboratory Recognition Scheme, Sale of Indian Standards, Consumer Affairs
Activities, Promotional Activities, Training Services, National & International
level and Information Services
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30 SCIENCE &Technology NOTES
1. Embryo Transfer Technology, a promising
revolution in Bovine breeding
What is the issue?
• Embryo transfer technology (ETT) has revolutionized the breeding strategies in
Bovines as a tool to optimize the genetic improvement in cattle.
Benefits of the technology
• Farmer can get a 5-6 fold increase in number of offsprings
• Calves so born will be of high genetic merit
• Offsprings born will be free from diseases.
Key points about the initiative:
• Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in co-operation with 12
States has undertaken a Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous
Breeds under the scheme, National Mission on Bovine Productivity.
• It has been planned to carry out 440 embryo transfers during October 2017
throughout the country.
• The programme is implemented with the objective of conservation and
development of indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Breeds that have been selected:
• Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni and Vechur
2. Genome Mapping and Sequencing
What is Genome Mapping?
• Gene mapping describes the method used to identify the locus of a gene and the
distance between genes.
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31 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES
What is Gene Sequencing?
• DNA sequencing is the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides
within a DNA molecule.
• It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the
four bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a strand of DNA
Difference between Gene Mapping and Gene Sequencing
• Genome mapping is less detailed than genome sequencing.
• Genome map tells you nothing about gene sequence but genome sequence does.
• In general, particularly for humans and other species with large genome,
creating reasonably comprehensive genome map is quicker and cheaper than
sequencing the entire genome.
• Mapping involves less information to collect and organize than sequencing does.
3. India woos neighbouring countries at India
International Science Festival 2017
What is the issue?
• India throws open its Science & Technology (S&T) Institutions to its friendly
neighbouring countries and announces a slew of R&D programs for capacity
building in these countries
Initiatives announced:
1. India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) scheme
o Will provide a fully paid fellowship to researchers, scientists and
academicians from participating neighbours.
o Interested can undertake research and development work of their choice
at any premier research and academic institution in India upto a period
from 3 to 6 months.
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32 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES o ISRF scheme for the first time will also include doctoral students in
science, engineering and medical fields to undertake project related
research work.
o The Department of Science and Technology will support this Fellowship
scheme.
2. Training of Researchers the science agencies in India
• Including CSIR, DBT, MOES, IMD, DST and SERB will organize tailor made
hands-on training programs and advanced schools for Indian
researchers.
• This would help in capacity building and will also foster research networks
with Indian scientific institutions.
3. Institutional capacity building and technical assistance in Science and
Technology
• Twinning program between Indian institution and a R&D or Academic
institution in the neighbouring country was also committed by India.
4. Technology Transfer Program
• To match the socio-economic needs of our neighbouring countries by
linking the public and private enterprises with leading edge Indian
technologies and innovations.
• India will share a basket of demonstrated and validated Indian
technologies and innovations developed by our scientific institutions.
• A need based select list of such technologies can be transferred using a
Business to Business or Business to Government model of joint venture
through a process of adaption and adoption.
• The joint ventures created will deliver sustainable social enterprises that
will stimulate economic impact development including the components of
skilling, training, mentoring along with capacity building and business
planning in our neighbouring countries.
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33 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES
4. GSAT-9 benefits hampered by ground delays
What is the issue?
• Five months after the South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9 was put up in space as New
Delhi’s gift to six neighbours, ground delays outside India seem to be holding up
its planned harvest.
What has been the cause of delay?
• Setting up ground stations for the partners to receive/send satellite
communication.
• It has invited expressions of interest to find suitable Indian industry players who
will set up the ground equipment.
What are the objectives of launching GSAT-9?
• Telecommunication
• Disaster Management
• Telemedicine
• Meteorological services
• Networking of Research/Academic institutions
Which are the countries that stand to benefit?
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Nepal
• Maldives
• Sri Lanka
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34 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES
5. First ever plan to combat animal tuberculosis
What is the issue?
• The first-ever road map to combat animal tuberculosis (bovine TB) and its
transmission to humans, referred to as zoonotic TB, was launched at the 48th
Union World Conference on Lung Health in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Which are organisations involved in drafting the roadmap?
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN)
• International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
How does 'zoonotic TB' spread?
• Zoonotic TB spreads through consumption of contaminated untreated meat or
dairy products from diseased animals.
How serious is the issue?
• There is no cure for bovine TB and it threatens animal welfare and those with
livelihoods based on livestock.
• New data released by the WHO estimates that over 140,000 people fall ill and
more than 12,000 people lose their lives each year to zoonotic TB — mostly in
Africa and Southeast Asia.
• In India, consumption of raw milk and living in close proximity to cattle has been
attributed to high incidence rates of bovine TB in the central Indian populations.
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35 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
1. Consumer durables demand may get a push on
government’s rural electrification drive
Why in news?
• Recently government launched newly minted Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijili Har
Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya Scheme) which promised electricity to every household
by 2018.
How is it going to impact?
• This scheme may come as a good fortune for the host of consumer durables and
electronic makers.
• Urban market accounts for 60% market share in consumer durable sector in
India.
• Rural electrification might push demand for consumer durables in rural India in
coming years.
• LED drive by government for better energy efficiency and longevity had a direct
impact on light manufacturing industries such as Bajaj electricals.
• Consultation Company, KPMG said that there is big correlation between reliable
power supply and demand for appliances.
• Control farming becomes staple after stable power flowing into rural areas.
Control farming
• Control farming includes using of new technologies such as high voltage and
high heat producing bulbs for livestock to grow faster.
Saubhagya Scheme:
When was the scheme launched?
• 25th September 2017
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36 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
What is the objective of this new scheme?
• To provide energy access to all by last mile connectivity and electricity
connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban
areas to achieve universal household electrification in the country.
What all is included in the last mile connectivity and electricity
connection to households?
• Electricity connection to households include release of electricity connections
by drawing a service cable from the nearest electricity pole to the household
premise
• Installation of energy meter, wiring for a single light point with LED bulb and a
mobile charging point.
• In case the electricity pole is not available nearby from household for drawing
service cable, the erection of additional pole along with conductor and
associated accessories shall also be covered under the scheme.
Will electricity connection would be totally free of cost for every un-
electrified household?
• Yes. Poor households would be provided electricity connections free of cost.
• Other households would also be provided electricity connections under the sch
eme on payment of Rs.500 only which shall be recovered by the DISCOMs/Power
Departments in ten (10) instalments along with electricity bills.
The earlier programme of Government of India ‘24x7 Power for All’
has similar objective. How is it different from this programme?
• ‘24x7 Power for All’ is a joint initiative with the states covering all segments of
power sector i.e. Power generation, transmission and distribution, energy
efficiency, health of Discom etc. to finalise State/UT specific roadmap and action
plan to ensure 24x7 power for all in consultation with States/UTs.
• The Power for All documents contains details of various interventions required
across the value chain of power sector.
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37 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
• Providing connectivity to all households is a prerequisite to ensure 24x7 power
supply. Saubhagya is a schematic support to address the issue of energy
access.
What are the criteria for allocation of funds to the States?
• Projects under the scheme would be sanctioned based on the Detailed Project
Reports (DPRs) to be submitted by the States. There is no upfront allocation of
fund under the scheme.
How the scheme would be implemented in the entire country?
• Project proposals shall be prepared by the State DISCOMs / Power Dept. and
sanctioned by an inter-ministerial Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary
(Power), GOI.
• The electrification works under the sanctioned projects shall be executed by
respective DISCOMs/Power Deptt. through turnkey contractors or
departmentally or through other suitable agencies capable of doing this work as
per norms.
What is strategy for achievement of target in a time bound manner?
• In order to hasten the process of release of connections to households, camps
would be organised in villages / cluster of villages for identification of
beneficiaries using modern IT technology with a Mobile App / Web Portal.
• Application for electricity connections shall also be registered electronically and
requisite documentation including photograph of applicant, copy of identity card
and / or details such as mobile number/Aadhar number/bank account number
etc. shall be completed on spot in the camps, so that connections are released at
the earliest.
• The Gram Panchayat / public institutions in rural areas shall also be authorized to
collect application form, complete documentation and also for distribution of
bills, collection of revenue and other activities, as applicable.
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38 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
2. 'Paryatan Parv' - Initiative by Tourism Ministry
What is the issue?
• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in collaboration with other Central
Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders is organizing a “Paryatan Parv”
across the country from the 5th to 25th October 2017.
What is the objective of the programme?
• Drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the
country and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”.
Components of Paryatan Parv programme
Paryatan Parv will have three main components:
1. Dekho Apna Desh:
o To encourage Indians to visit their own country.
o This will include Video, Photograph and Blog Competitions of sites visited
during the Event, Stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes, on Social
Media, Tourism related Quiz, Essay, Debate and Painting Competitions for
Students, Television Campaigns to promote travel to J&K and N.E. States.
2. Tourism for All:
o Tourism Events at sites across all States in the country.
o The activities at these sites will include illumination in and around the
Sites, Cultural Programmes of Dance, Music, Theatre, Story Telling,
Sensitisation Programmes for Stakeholders around the Sites, Tourism
Exhibitions, Showcasing Culture, Cuisine and Handicrafts / Handlooms,
Guided Heritage Walks, etc.
o These will be “People’s Events” with large scale public participation.
3. Tourism and Governance
o Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on varied themes:
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39 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES o Skill Development in Tourism Sector
o Innovation in Tourism
o For inducting Ex-servicemen as service providers for Taxi Operation
o Developing Rural Tourism in locations near established Destinations
o Community Sensitisation Workshops on Homestay and B&B Opportunities
3. 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchaan'
initiative by Tourism Ministry
What is the issue?
• New initiative by Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of
Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Envisages developing the heritage sites, monuments and any other tourist sites
by making them tourist-friendly to enhance the tourism potential and their
cultural importance, in a planned and phased manner.
How many monuments have been identified under the project?
• Initially, 93 ASI monuments will be placed on offer to be selected as a package to
the Private and Public Sector Companies and Individuals to develop Tourism
friendly amenities in the Heritage Sites.
• Going forward to further phases of the project the list of heritage sites may get
amended.
How will it work?
• The heritage site / monument or any other tourist sites are selected on the basis
of tourist footfall and visibility.
• The project aims to handover heritage sites and monuments for adoption to the
private and public sector companies and individuals (who would be known as
“Monument Mitras”)
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40 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
• "Monument Mitras" will be responsible for providing basic amenities and
complete operation and maintenance (O&M) initially for the 5 years subject to
review at any time, regular monitoring and feedback mechanism from all the
stakeholders including tourists.
Who is a "Monument Mitra"?
• Successful bidders selected for adopting heritage sites / monuments by the
Oversight and Vision Committee shall be called as Monument Mitras.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between Monument Mitra,
Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and the
concerned stakeholder from state.
4. Pradhanmantri Grameen Digital Saksharata
Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
What is the scheme?
• It is an Integral component of Digital India Initiative of the Government.
• The scheme envisage to make 6 crore citizens digitally literate in rural India.
• PMGDISHA envisages providing equal opportunity to rural citizens enabling them
to actively participate in nation building and access livelihood through Digital
Technology, Devices and Services.
Background:
• PMGDISHA scheme was initiated in February 2017 by the Government to provide
basic digital literacy training to six crore citizens across rural India within two
years, targeting at least one person from every household.
• Citizens trained under PMGDISHA would be skilled in operating digital devices
like computers, tablets, smart phones and use Internet in daily life for enhancing
their skills and knowledge, access Government to Citizens services, healthcare
and financial services as well.
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41 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES
• By seeding Aadhaar number to bank account of the beneficiary and enabling him
to access various online Government services like booking of railway tickets,
passport application, etc would enable the citizen to leverage technology and
participate actively in governance.
How is the scheme being implemented?
• The scheme will be implemented through Training Center – One in Every
Panchayat (2.5 Lakh Training Center).
• Corporate through CSR and NGOs having facilities for conduct of training also
participates in Digital Literacy program.
How has the progress been so far?
• So far, more than 55 lakh citizens have been registered on the PMGDISHA portal
for digital literacy training, out of which more than 22 lakh citizens have been
certified after successfully completing the assessment.
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42 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES
1. Catalans vote for separation from Spain amidst
police crackdown
What is the issue?
• 40 % of Catalonia voted for separation from Spain amidst police crackdown.
• Despite the police action, hundreds-strong queues of people formed in cities and
villages throughout the region to cast their votes.
Catalonia's connection to Spain:
• With a population of 7.5 million (nearly as big as Switzerland’s), Catalonia has its
own distinct language and culture and Barcelona is its capital.
• Region is about the size of Belgium and accounts for 6.3% of Spain’s territory
• It is the richest part of Spain, accounting for 16% of its population and almost
19% of Spanish GDP
• It’s also one of Spain’s most indebted regions with a debt mountain of 75.4 billion
euros
Catalonia:
Background:
• 1931: Spain becomes a republic and an autonomous Catalan government is
created.
• 1939-75: Dictatorship brings suppression of political opposition as well as
Catalan autonomy, language and culture.
• 1979: Catalonia is given a statute of autonomy and is recognised as a nationality.
Catalan becomes the joint national language of Catalonia along with Spanish.
• 2010: Spanish constitutional court, in 2010, annulled or reinterpreted parts of the
2006 Catalan statute of autonomy, which would have afforded the region greater
independence.
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43 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • 2010 onwards: Occasional rallies and protests for independence of the region
have been taking place frequently ever since.
About Catalonia:
• Catalonia, which makes up 16% of Spain’s population, accounts for almost 19%
of Spanish GDP.
• One of Spain's wealthiest regions.
• Area of 32,000 square kms.
Reasons in support of a separate 'Catalonia':
• Culturally Catalonia is very distinct with its own language, history and flag.
• The Catalans want to protect and preserve their unique identity and not be
absorbed into Spanish culture.
• Catalans are forced to contribute very huge amounts to the Spanish
government's coffers in Madrid.
• Catalans have very clearly indicated many a times that they want independence.
Reasons why Catalonia should not separate:
• Separation of Catalonia might trigger the Balkanization of Europe which could
end up Europe splitting into a mosaic of ever diminishing micro states.
• If Catalonia refuses to support the less prosperous regions of Spain, then why
receive billions of dollars of funding from the European Union?
2. Chief of Naval Staff visits Vietnam
What is the issue?
• Chief of the Naval Staff is visiting Vietnam on a bilateral visit.
• The visit aims to consolidate cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and
Vietnam and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.
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44 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES
India-Vietnam defence cooperation:
• India has historical linkages with Vietnam that dates back many centuries,
though the countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1972.
• Defence cooperation between India and Vietnam has been robust with the
primary focus being Maritime Cooperation.
• India signed a Protocol on Defence Cooperation Agreement in 1994. The
partnership was thereafter elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2007 and a MoU
on Defence Cooperation between the countries was signed in 2009.
• A ‘Joint Vision Statement for 2015-20’ was signed by the respective Defence
Ministers in 2015 and the Strategic Partnership was elevated to a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016.
• The Indian Navy cooperates with the Vietnam People’s Navy on many issues,
which include operational interactions, training and exchange of Subject Matter
Experts in various fields through the medium of Staff Talks.
• The Vietnam People’s Navy also participates in the ‘MILAN’ inter-Navy
interactions organised at Port Blair by the Indian Navy.
• Warships from Indian Navy have been regularly visiting ports at Vietnam, with
Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmat recently making port call at Hai Phong in
September 2017.
3. 14th India-European Union Summit in a nutshell What is the issue?
• 14th edition of the India-EU Summit was held at New Delhi.
Highlights of the summit:
• India and the European Union on agreed to cooperate in the fight against
terrorism while deciding to resume talks on a free trade agreement.
• Both sides adopted a joint declaration on counter-terrorism to deal effectively
with the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, terror financing and arms
supply
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45 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • Both sides commended the strong engagement of the European Investment Bank
in India in a wide range of key sectors, in particular in the field of climate action
and renewable energy.
• The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an open, free, secure, stable,
peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling economic growth and innovation
• India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to enhance maritime security
cooperation in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Both sides noted the recent joint
manoeuvres (PASSEX) between the EU Naval Force and the Indian Navy off the
coast of Somalia, as a successful example of naval cooperation.
• The two sides expressed support to the Government and the people of
Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national
peace and reconciliation.
• India and the EU expressed deep concern at the recent spate of violence in the
Rakhine state of Myanmar that has resulted in the outflow of a large number of
people from the state, many of whom have sought shelter in neighbouring
Bangladesh.
• Leaders welcomed the establishment of an Investment Facilitation Mechanism
(IFM) for EU investments in India as a means to improve the business climate and
hoped that the IFM will ease sharing of best practices and innovative technology
from the EU to India.
• Both sides adopted a Joint Statement on Clean Energy and Climate Change,
reaffirmed their commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, and agreed to
co-operate further to enhance its implementation.
Agreements signed:
• India and the EU signed three agreements following talks:
1. Implementing Arrangement between the European Commission and the
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for Indian Researchers
hosted by the European Research Council grantees in Europe
2. Finance contract of Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase-2 for 300 million
euros out of total European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of 500 million euros
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46 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES
3. Joint declaration between the Interim Secretariat of the ISA and the
European Investment Bank.
4. 4th Dialogue of Civilizations
What is the issue?
• ‘4th Dialogue of Civilizations’ is being jointly organized by the Archaeological
Survey of India, Ministry of Culture and National Geographic in New Delhi.
• The theme of the Conference is “Technology and Civilization”.
• Final dialogue will take place at the important Harappan centre of Dholavira in
the Rann of Kachchh
What is 'Dialogue of Civilizations'?
• In 2013, the National Geographic Society initiated a five-year annual conference
called “The Dialogue of Civilizations,”
• Mission aims to encourage scholarly and public discourse about the five ancient,
literate civilizations of the world (i.e., Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China,
and Mesoamerica) and how the study of the past can inform our present and
future.
Where have previous meetings been held?
• The first conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in 2013,
followed by Turkey in 2014 and in China in 2015
Dholavira and its salient features
• It is one of the five largest Harappan sites and most prominent archaeological
sites in India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is also considered as
having been the grandest of cities of its time.
• Three divisional town planning: Town planning in IVC was called 'two divisional
town planning' because there were two major parts of a city.
• However, Dholavira is known for 'three divisional town planning' wherein a
middle town was established.
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47 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • Largest reservoir among all IVC vities was found here.
• Discovered by B.K Thapar.
5. Common Wealth Law Ministers Meeting
What is the issue?
• A host of issues including cyber laws, climate change/climate justice,
Independence of judiciary and threat of terrorism will be discussed at the
meeting in Nassau, which will play host to law ministers and attorneys-generals
from Commonwealth nations in October.
Where is the meeting going to be held this time?
• Since 1983, law ministers and attorneys-general of small Commonwealth
jurisdictions have been meeting every three years to discuss common
challenges and experiences. The last meeting was held in London in 2013.
How is India going to use the platform?
• To discuss the need for “rule of law strengthening through technology”.
• To talk about the benefits of digital inclusion, using the Indian government’s
initiative of direct transfer of benefits and the opening of 300 million ‘Jan Dhan’
accounts.
• To discuss ‘telelaw’—an initiative recently launched by the law minister which
allows poor and underprivileged people to approach lawyers appointed by the
government for pre-litigation advice.
• The use of information and communication technology to curb promotion of
terrorist activities and planning will also be addressed at the Commonwealth
meet.
• To highlight how India has been a significant victim of terrorism and that the
international community needs to stand united against this.
• On how information and communication technology can be insulated from
terrorist threats
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48 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES
1. ARPAN 3.0 for Defence Security Corps
• Software ‘ARPAN’ shall ease personal documentation and all issues related to
the progession of all Defence Security personnel.
• The software provides valuable data for decision and policy making for the
Defence Security Corps Directorate.
• The software has been developed by Tech Mahindra.
2. Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden
What is the issue?
• INS Trishul a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy whilst on Anti-piracy patrol in the
Gulf of Aden, was escorting a merchant vessel MV Jag Amar when she detected
a boat carrying out suspicious manoeuvers in the vicinity of the merchant ship.
• INS Trishul closed the boat for investigation and launched her integral helicopter
to investigate. Marine commandos boarded the pirate boat and neutralised all
piracy triggers in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• The merchant vessel Jag Amar with all 26 Indian crew is safe and is continuing
her passage.
Navy's active patrolling in the Gulf of Aden:
• The Indian Navy has been deploying a warship in the waters in and around the
Gulf Of Aden since 2008 and has safely escorted hundreds of merchant vessels
through these treacherous waters.
• Indian ships are mandated to prevent piracy and are not mandated for regional
law enforcement.
• The actions taken by the ship are the rationale for the continued deployment of
Indian ships for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
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49 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES
About Gulf of Aden:
• Is a gulf located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen, on the south coast of the
Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa.
• In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait
• The waterway is part of the important Suez Canal shipping route between the
Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean with 21,000 ships
crossing the gulf annually.
Bordering countries:
• Northern shore : Yemen
• Western shore : Djibouti
• Southern shore : Somalia
3. Annual Dilli Seminar • Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala is all set to conduct the fourth edition of
the prestigious annual Dilli seminar.
• The theme for this year’s seminar is ‘India and Southeast Asia – Maritime Trade,
Expedition and Civilisation Linkages’
• INA conducts the annual Dilli seminar on elements and issues of maritime history
and heritage of the nation to help the young officers and cadets keep an eye on
future developments in the maritime domain with a strong foundation of the past.
4. Launch of Mobile Health App `MedWatch' By the
Indian Air Force
• Indian Air Force has launched an innovative mobile health App named
`MedWatch' in keeping with the Prime Minister's vision of ‘Digital India'.
• The concept and content of the App is by the Directorate General of Medical
Services (Air) and it has been developed by the Directorate of Information
Technology (DIT).
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50 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES • ‘MedWatch’, comprises a host of features that will provide authentic health
information to all IAF personnel.
• A Reminder Tool to enable timely immunization for the children of all Air Warriors
is an important component of the App.
• This will directly enable 'Mission Indradhanush' of the Govt of India.
5. Exercise MITRA SHAKTHI 2017
• The fifth India-Sri Lanka Joint Training Exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2017 started with
a grand Opening Ceremony conducted at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
• The exercise is based on Counter Terrorist Operations and an Infantry company
from both the countries is participating in the same.
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51 POINT BLANK (Facts for Prelims) NOTES
1. Third edition of 'Women of India Organic Festival'
• To celebrate and promote women entrepreneurs and farmers in the organic
sector from across India
• Will showcase India's most varied offerings of organic products ranging from
food, wellness, personal care, home improvement, kitchen composters and solar
products.
• Nearly 530 participants from the remotest parts of the country will take part in
the exhibition, while selling their unique merchandise to the people of Delhi and
surrounding areas.
• With the theme ‘Good for Women; Good for India; Good for You’, the
initiative intends to highlight the health and environmental advantages of organic
goods, provide a platform for women engaged in it and boost the development of
sustainable and easily accessible sales outlets for women producers from the
remotest corners of India.
2. Nobel Prize for medicine
• Scientists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young won the 2017 Nobel
Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms
controlling our biological clocks
• Their discoveries explain how plants, animals and humans adapt their biological
rhythm so that it is synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions
3. China opens highway in Tibet close to Arunachal
Pradesh
• China opened express highway linking Tibet’s provincial capital Lhasa with
Nyingchi which is close to Arunachal Pradesh border.
• Heavy trucks are temporarily banned from using the Lhasa – Nyingchi express
way.
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• Most of the express highways in Tibet are also compatible for military equipment
providing advantages for Chinese military to move its troops and weaponry
faster.
52 POINT BLANK(Facts for Prelims) NOTES
4. Nobel Prize in Physics
• US scientists Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish and Kip Thorne won the 2017 Nobel
Prize for Physics for their pioneering role in the detection of gravitational waves.
5. World Bank: India to top global remittances chart
in 2017
• India expected to retain its position as top remittances receiving country.
• World Bank said Indian diaspora contributed to around $65 billion in the year
2017.
• After India the other top 5 remittances receiving countries are
1. China
2. Philippines
3. Mexico
4. Nigeria
• Based on share of gross domestic product the top 5 recipients are smaller
countries such as
1. Kyrgyz Republic
2. Haiti
3. Tajikistan
4. Nepal
5. Liberia
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