current affairs - amazon web services...supreme court’s verdict on singur case 5 appointment of 21...

CURRENT AFFAIRSSeptember

3) INTERNATIONAL SUMMITS

4) INTERNATIONAL

2016 G-20 Summit 16

Turkey willing to cooperate with U.S. 21

North Korea conducts yet another nuclear test 21

WEF’s Global Competitiveness index 2016 21

11th East Asia Summit 16

14th Indo – ASEAN summit 17

ASEAN Summit - 2016 17

2016 Non-Aligned Movement summit – 17

G4 summit 18

SAARC summit postponed 18

BRICS Environment Ministers meet 18

Trilateral cooperation to develop Chabahar port 19

5) ENVIRONMENTIndia ratifies Paris Pact 26

CPCB report on Ganga pollution 27

Netherlands to help India clean Yamuna 28

New species of Pika discovered by NCBS 29

NBWL clears first phase of Ken-Betwa project 29

Conservationists say National waterways project threatens Gangetic dolphins 28

Southern Bird Wing to be named Karnataka’s ‘State butterfly’ 28

6) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

7) ECONOMY

8) MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

2) BILATERAL

1) NATIONALSupreme court’s verdict on Singur case 5

Appointment of 21 AAP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries quashed by Delhi HC 7

Bihar High Court quashes alcohol prohibition law 7

LED lamps to boost rural economy 8

Centre’s mega fund to support irrigation 9

Cambodia emerges as new surrogacy hub

18 jawans killed in Uri terror attack 12

Open skies pact between India and Greece 13

Indo - Afghan Extradition treaty 13

China blocks tributary of Brahmaputra to build dam 14

Sri Lanka scraps NTPC’s plan to build coal plant 14

Yudh Abhyas 14

Joint Sea 2016 14

Income disclosure scheme 2016 10

Yatri Mitra

Law panel head on judicial reforms 6

CONTENT

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Centre notifies BS-VI auto emission norms 30

FAST telescope 32

PSLV C-35 launches 8 satellites in 2 orbits 32

GSLV F-05 and INSAT-3DR 32

Mars orbiter remains a data trove 33

Cassini to make final observation of Saturn 33

Orisis rex 33

Magnetars 33

Stephen Hawking warns against contacting aliens 34

Proof of water plumes on Jupiter’s moon 34

Missile destroyer Mormugao 34

Russian submarine 34

Indian ROV to monitor corals 35

WHO declares Sri Lanka Malaria-free 35

India to lead global coalition to fight epidemics 36

Cabinet nod for GST Council 37

ADB supports coastal corridor project 38

CAD narrows 38

Centre to raise EPF’s equity exposure to 10% 38

Cabinet’s formal nod to be sought for Budget on Feb. 1 39

International Financial Services Centre 39

10

10

41

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National


Current Affairs September 2016 5


Supreme court’s verdict on Singur case The Apex Court quashed the

CPI (M) led West Bengal government’s acquisition of 997 acres of agricultural land for Tata Motors’ Nano small car plant in Singur in a reality check to State acquisition of agricultural land under emergency clause for industrial projects of private companies. The bench decided to return the land to thousands of short-changed landowners, farmers and cultivators, who have been fighting a prolonged legal battle for over 10 years. The Supreme court bench held “In the instant case, what makes the acquisition proceedings perverse is not the fact that the lands were needed for setting up an automobile industry, which would help to generate employment as well as promote socio-economic development in the State, but that the proper procedure as laid down in the Land Acquisition Act was not followed by the State government”.

The acquisition witnessed widespread protests in the State, compelling the Tatas to shift base to Gujarat in 2008. The issue led to an electoral victory for the Mamata Banerjee government, which went on to enact the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act in 2011 to re-claim the land from the Tatas.

The present West Bengal government said though it is completely understandable for the government to acquire land to set

History of the dispute

up industrial units, the brunt of development should not be borne by the weakest sections of the society, more so, poor agricultural workers who have no means of raising a voice against the action of the mighty State government.

Constitutional & Legal provisions related to Land Acquisition in India

9th Schedule of the Indian constitution: It enumerates land and tenure reforms. The 1st amendment to the Indian Constitution added the 9th Schedule to it. The state wanted to pursue nationalisation, take away lands from the zamindars, re-distribute them, and make special provisions for the socially and economically backward.

44th Constitutional amendment act, 1978 deleted Right to property from Part 3 of the Indian Constitution i.e. Fundamental rights. The amendment made right to property a Legal – Constitutional right.

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013:

It is an Act of Indian Parliament that regulates land acquisition and lays down the procedure and rules for granting compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to the affected persons in India.

• The Act has provisions to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken away, brings transparency to the process of acquisition of land to set up factories or buildings, infrastructural projects and assures rehabilitation of those affected.

• The Act establishes regulations for land acquisition as a part of India's massive industrialisation drive driven by public-private partnership.

• The Act replaced the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 a nearly 120-year-old law enacted during British rule.



The process of acquiring the land in Singur in 2006 was a ‘farce’, the Supreme Court

Tatas select Singur for small-car plant

May 2006:

During acquisition of 997 acres, govt. faces resistance.

Aug-Dec 2006:

HC upholds the land acquisition

Jan 2008:

Mamata Banerjee starts indefinite dharna at Singur

Aug.24, 2008:

Tatas pull out of SingurOct 2008:

Our case, relating to Singur Act of 2011, is yet to be heard by the Supreme Court.Tata Motors

This will create panic among investors, no one would come to Bengal.Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya

Now I can die in peace...Bengal will become the number one destination.Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee wins poll, says will return 400 acres of land owned by ‘unwilling’ farmers. Assembly passes bill to aquire land

May-June 2011:

Tatas challenge bill, SC puts interim stay

June 2011:

A bench of the Calcutta High Court strikes down Singur land bill

June 2012:

SC cancels Land acquisition.31 August, 2016:

Singur

Law panel head on judicial reforms21st Law Commission Chairman

and former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan said working judges, and not increasing sanctioned strength of judges, may be a solution to modern-day demands of judicial workload caused by the heightened legal awareness among the public about their liberties and the courts are bound by the public’s faith in the judiciary. It is a perspective very different from the highest judiciary’s call for more judges to trim pendency.

Justice Chauhan on NJAC: Asked whether an amended Bill of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) may be a way out of the current impasse perceived between the highest judiciary and the government over the drafting of the Memorandum of Procedure of appointment of judges, he said there is every possibility it may be challenged and lead to another year’s delay in judicial appointments.

On Uniform civil code: On the government’s recent reference to examine and report on the Uniform Civil Code, he said the matter of uniform personal laws is a social issue.

Law commission of India

It is an executive body established by an order of the Union Government.

• The major function of the commission is legal reform.

• It works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice

• Membership: It primarily comprises legal experts, who are entrusted a mandate by the Government.

The Charter Act of 1833 established the first Law Commission in 1834. The 1st Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a 3-year term.



Bihar High Court quashes alcohol prohibition law

Appointment of 21 AAP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries quashed by Delhi HC The Delhi High Court cancelled

the AAP government’s order appointing 21 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries since it lacked the approval of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), the administrative head of Delhi. The AAP had said the appointments were made for smooth functioning of the government.

Having considered the very same issue in petition titled Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India & Ors in a judgment dated August 4, this court held that it is mandatory under the constitutional scheme to communicate the decision of the council of ministers to the Lt. Governor even in relation to the matter in respect of which power to make laws has been conferred on the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi under Article 239AA of the Constitution and an order thereon can be issued only where the Lt Governor does not take a different view and no reference to the Central government is required .

The Patna High Court declared the new stringent prohibition

law of Bihar government as illegal, unconstitutional and arbitrary. It was earlier dubbed as draconian by several quarters.

Under the law police or excise department officials could send anyone found with a liquor bottle in his house or residential compound, to jail for 10 years.

The Bihar government had recently given sops to private liquor manufacturing companies in the State while giving tax benefits to them. There are over a dozen liquor manufacturing companies in the State which could sell liquor only outside Bihar.

Bihar government’s reaction to HC Judgment: It notified a new prohibition law which could land those drinking alcohol in jail for up to seven years and make them poorer by Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The government notified the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016,

SC to lay down law on LG’s powerThe Supreme Court agreed to lay down the law on whether the Lieutenant Governor (LG) can unilaterally administer the National Capital without being bound by the aid and advice of the elected government in the wake of prolonged Centre- Delhi government turf war over who controls Delhi.

The Apex court issued notice to the Union on a batch of petitions filed by the Delhi government challenging the Delhi High Court’s August 4 judgment. The HC had upheld the LG’s power not only over the police, land and public order but also in services. The

Constitutional provisions of the NCT Delhi

According to Article 239 of India constitution Union territory shall be administered by the President of India.

Article 239AA enacted as per 69th Amendment Act of 1991, confers special previsions for National Capital Territory of Delhi. It will be administered by Lieutenant Governor.

Note - Delhi High Court, recently ruled that Delhi is just Union Territory and the Lieutenant Governor is its administrative head.

The Court said, “Lieutenant Governor is not bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. Court ruled that the concurrence of the Lt Governor is mandatory for all administrative decisions of Council of Ministers of Delhi”

judgment had effectively shrunk the Kejriwal Cabinet’s girth. The SC Bench however, refused to stay the HC judgment, despite submissions by Delhi government's counsel, that the verdict affects all future governments and all future relationships between the Centre and the State.

The Centre, represented by Attorney-General promptly retorted that the AAP-led government's petitions against the High Court judgment were incompetent as they were filed without the prior permission of the LG



ensuring that the ban on sale and consumption of alcohol, including Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), as well spiced and domestic liquor continued in the state despite the high court holding it ultra vires of the constitution. It also has a provision under which people who allow their premises to be used for a congregation where liquor is served and brawls take place will be imprisoned for a period of ten years which can be extended to life term.

The Apex Court stayed the Patna high court order quashing the notification banning consumption and sale of liquor in the state. The Supreme Court bench said “Ban on liquor and fundamental rights do not go together”

The Centre plans to enable assembly and manufacturing of

LED lights at rural areas by tapping the 2.29 lakh Common Service Centers (CSCs) in the country to boost rural economy. The Union Telecom and IT minister said CSCs can be a great system for generating revenues and employment in rural India. The government plans to bring all the LEDs by Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).

The government, through CSCs will also provide in rural regions, Tele-consultation services for animal healthcare as well as legal issues. Kits for testing of diseases such as malaria and dengue will also be made available at these centers.

Supreme Court stays Patna high court order quashing liquor ban in Bihar

Upholding the controversial ‘Liquor-Free Kerala’ policy restricting the serving of liquor to five-star hotels in the State, the Supreme Court ruled that the State governments be given a free hand to curtail or ban public consumption of alcohol to protect public health and nutrition.

The Supreme Court bench said “The consumption of tobacco as well as liquor is now undeniably deleterious to the health of humankind. Vulnerable persons, either because of age or proclivity towards intoxication or as a feature of peer pressure, more often than not succumb to this temptation.

It held that the liquor policy did not violate Article 14 by exempting five-star hotels from the ban. The court further said the star classification of hotels was not the State government’s doing but that of the Union Ministry of Tourism as per the criteria established for hospitality trade.

Apex court upholds curbs on serving liquor in Kerala

Alcohol prohibition in India: It is in force in the states of Gujarat, Kerala, Bihar, Nagaland and Manipur; as well as in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

Art 47 of the Indian Constitution: It says that the State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.

Common Service Centers (CSCs)

They are Single-point model for providing facilities for multiple transactions/services at a single geographical location.

• Main purpose: It provides a physical facility for delivery of e-Services of the Government of India to the rural and remote locations where availability of computers and Internet is currently negligible or mostly absent.

• The introduction of e-Governance on a massive scale is part of the Common Minimum Programme - CMP.

LED lamps to boost rural economy

A SOCIAL MALAISE: SCSupreme Court has upheld Kerela’s liquor restrictions; Sets a nationwide precedent for other states.

Banning public consumption of alcohol...cannot but be seen as a positive step towards bringing down the consumption of alcohol, or as a preparatory to prohibitionSupreme Court Bench

Liquor stocks fell by

3.2% after the Supreme Court decision.



India’s apex rural-development bank - NABARD will manage a

Rs. 77,000-crore corpus as part of a Central government plan to complete 99 unfinished irrigation projects across the country by 2019, and bring water to 76.03 lakh hectares. The origin of the scheme can be traced to the 2016-17 Budget speech of the Union Finance minister; it involves completing 149 projects overdue since 1997.

99 project scheme

It is projected to be completed by December 2019, it is part of an over-arching Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) launched to help farmers have efficient access to water and introduce sustainable water-conservation projects.

The Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said the 99 project scheme aims speedy implementation of 99 prioritized projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) throughout the country. 56 AIBP projects will cover all most all drought prone districts of 18 States of country

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

The major objective is to accord high priority to water conservation and its management through convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani), improve on-farm water

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

The Centre launched the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in the year 1996-97 to provide Central Assistance to major/medium irrigation projects in the country, with the objective to accelerate implementation of such projects which were beyond resource capability of the States or were in advanced stage of completion. Priority was given to those projects benefiting Tribal and Drought Prone Areas.

An LED lamp

It is a light-emitting diode – LED product which works on the principle of Electro-luminescence. The lamps have a lifespan and electrical efficiency which are several times greater than incandescent lamps, and are significantly more efficient than most fluorescent lamps

UJALA

Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All was launched by the centre in 2015, replacing the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Bachat Lamp Yojana. The scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited - EESL.

The scheme was announced as Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme - DELP, urging the people to use LED bulbs in place of incandescent bulbs, tube lights and CFL bulbs as they are more efficient, long lasting and economical in their life cycle duration.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

It is promoted by Union ministry of Power as a Joint Venture company of 4 Central Power Sector undertakings viz. NTPC Ltd, PFC, REC, and Power Grid. EESL was set up to create and sustain markets for energy efficiency in the country.

Centre’s mega fund to support irrigation

use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system

The programme architecture of PMKSY aims at a ‘decentralized State level planning and execution’ structure, in order to allow States to draw up a District Irrigation Plan - DIP and a State Irrigation Plan - SIP.



Income disclosure scheme 2016

Cambodia emerges as new surrogacy hub

Yatri Mitra

The Union Finance Minister announced that the Central Board

of Direct Taxes - CBDT had received total disclosures of Rs. 65,250 crore under the Income Disclosure Scheme, 2016 in the form of cash and other assets.

• The scheme had provided a one-time opportunity to black money holders who had not paid full taxes in the past to come clean by declaring their domestic undisclosed income and assets by paying tax plus penalty at the rate of 45 per cent.

• No target for disclosures or collections from the scheme had been set for the CBDT.

• The income tax and penalties collected under the scheme will be used for public welfare

The progress of the steps, the centre had taken in the last two years for increasing tax compliance and reducing tax avoidance in the country. In the 175 cases of black money allegedly stashed overseas in HSBC bank accounts, the CBDT has already filed 164 prosecutions following assessments of sums that add up to Rs 8,000 crore. The probe is being monitored by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up under the directions of the Supreme Court.

Following the leads from the investigations undertaken by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the CBDT has detected Rs.5,000 crore of undisclosed deposits in foreign accounts made and filed 55 prosecution cases in those cases.

The Union Ministry of Railways launched Yatri Mitra Seva - an

initiative to improve the railway travel experience of elderly, differently-abled and ailing passenger by simplifying access to wheelchairs, battery operated cars and porter services.

The program will be implemented by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd - IRCTC across the major railway stations of the country. Yatri Mitra or Passenger Friend can be an assistant or any other person nominated for the purpose.

The service can be availed at the time of online booking of tickets, calling or messaging 139, accessing an app to be developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems - CRIS, or by simply dialling a dedicated mobile phone number to be activated for the purpose.

With India’s tough stand on surrogacy, evident in the

Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 which the Cabinet cleared recently, surrogacy service seekers, and even doctors have started moving to destinations that still allow this service. While Cambodia has become popular among people, both Indians and from other parts of the world

countries such as Ukraine and Kenya are attracting doctors from India.

As in the early days of surrogacy in India, the lack of proper laws or guidelines in Cambodia has proved a big attraction. Medical tourism consultants say doctors from Thailand have set up infertility clinics. But the focus on Cambodia has its set of concerns. There is growth in surrogacy in Cambodia since 2015. There is a huge pressure building and Cambodia is ill-prepared to handle it. Besides, there are no laws in place (in Cambodia).

Bilateral




18 jawans killed in Uri terror attack A group of heavily armed terrorists

targeted the rear administrative base of a unit at Uri, Kashmir near the LoC - 17 Indian soldiers were killed. In the counter action, four terrorists were eliminated and combing operations are in progress.

At the 71st UN General Assembly in Newyork, India said Pakistan’s campaign to highlight Kashmir at the United Nations had failed. India’s stand on solidarity among terror victims came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani as a young leader in his UNGA speech.

China’s comments after the Uri attack amount to its admission of deep strategic interest in the Kashmir region – to secure CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

By tying up the Uri attack with concern for CPEC, China has shown that its views on terror are shaped by its evolving interests in the South Asian region. China wants to build its One Belt One Road (OBOR) but other countries especially India will not sacrifice their core interests for Beijing projects.

Note - Rajeev Chandrashekhar, an independent Rajya Sabha MP has written to Rajya Sabha chairman, Vice-President Hamid Ansari giving notice to introduce a Bill to declare Pakistan a terrorist state.

• It was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan. It was brokered by the World Bank

• The treaty administers how river Indus and its tributaries that flow in both the countries will be utilised

• According to the treaty - Beas, Ravi and Sutlej are to be governed by India, while, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum are to be taken care by Pakistan

• Since Indus flows from India, the country is allowed to use 20 per cent of its water for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes

• Indus Commission – A Permanent, bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty. The Commission solves disputes arising over water sharing

• Though Indus originates from Tibet, China has been kept out of the Treaty. If China decides to stop or change the flow of the river, it will affect both India and Pakistan

India took its campaign to diplomatically isolate Pakistan at the United Nations, with External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj asking the world community to hold countries that nurture, peddle and export terrorism to account. She said, “A unified global strategy can defeat terrorism, and if any nation refuses to join this global strategy, then we must isolate it”.

The minister further said “The brutality against the Baloch people represents the worst form of State oppression,” referring to the ethnic minority in Pakistan.

Isolate Pakistan, India tells the world at U.N. -

Indus Waters Treaty

India decided to suspend further water talks and increase the utilisation of rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir to maximise India’s share. However, no decision was made on either reviewing or abrogating the 1960 treaty.

India decided to suspend talks on the Permanent Indus Commission, the dispute redressal mechanism that has met 112 times, until terror comes to an end.

The centre decided to set up can inter-ministerial committee to study India’s further options on the Indus Waters Treaty. The committee’s tasks would be to look at storage possibilities that would help irrigate fields in Jammu and Kashmir, where the State Assembly has often complained about the treaty being unfair.

Hydel projects

The Government also decided to build more run-of-the-river hydropower projects on western rivers, to exploit the full potential of 18,600 MW (current projects come to 11,406 MW) and to expedite construction of the Pakal Dul, Sawalkot, Bursar dams in J&K.

India suspends talks on Indus water pact



Open skies pact between India and Greece

Indo - Afghan Extradition treaty

India has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Greece

to initiate the Air Service Agreement (ASA) and allow unlimited number of flights into each other’s countries. Greece will become the first country with an open sky arrangement under India’s new civil aviation policy. India will allow airlines from Greece to operate unlimited flights to six Indian metropolitan airports. However, Indian carriers can fly to Greece without any such restriction.

Countries sign ASAs through bilateral negotiations to decide on the number of flights that airlines can fly into each other’s countries. Under the open sky pact, there is no restriction on flights or seats.

At present, India has an open sky agreement with the U.S. and a near open sky agreement with the U.K. under which there are certain limitations on the number of flights that can be operated at the Mumbai and Delhi Airports. For ASEAN or SAARC countries, India has an open sky agreement with more than a dozen countries.

• Moving away from 5/20 rule - According to 5/20 rule, a domestic airline was allowed to go international only after completing five years of domestic flying and operating at least 20 aircraft.

Civil Aviation policy 2016

The ‘5/20 rule’ was approved by the Centre in 2004 when many decisions were taken to protect national carrier Air India. At that time, along with Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and now defunct Air Sahara were allowed to fly on international routes. IndiGo, launched in 2006, had to wait till 2011 to begin operating on international routes and SpiceJet, which began operations in 2005, had to wait till 2010 to do so.

According to the new rules, new airlines will need to deploy 20 aircraft or 20 per cent of the total fleet size, whichever is higher, on domestic routes in order to secure international flying rights

• Under the new civil aviation policy, India plans to enter into open sky air service agreements (ASA) with SAARC countries and with countries beyond 5,000 km radius from Delhi.

The Union Cabinet cleared the Extradition Treaty with

Afghanistan for signing and ratification to boost security and legal cooperation with Kabul.

The treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals from and to Afghanistan.

Extradition treaty

It is the official process whereby one country transfers a suspected or convicted criminal to another country. Between nations, extradition is normally regulated by treaties.



China blocks tributary of Brahmaputra to build dam

Sri Lanka scraps NTPC’s plan to build coal plant

India, France ink Rafale deal

Joint Sea 2016

Yudh Abhyas

China has blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra – Yarlung Zangbo

as part of a major hydro-electric project, whose construction began in 2014. It coincides with the debate in India on the re-calibration of Indus water flows into Pakistan following a cross-border raid in Uri that killed 18 Indian troops

A plan by National Thermal Power Corporation to build a Thermal

power plant in Trincomalee in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, has been scrapped following the country’s decision to switch from coal to renewable energy sources.

In a significant development, India and Sri Lanka decide to jointly operate 30 oil tanks in Trincomalee, a large natural harbour kick-starting a plan to develop the coastal town into a regional petroleum hub.

Lanka IOC, a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation, currently operates 15 out of the 99 storage tanks in Trincomalee, located on Sri Lanka’s east coast. LIOC runs nearly 200 petrol stations in the country, in addition to operating bunkering services at its ports.

Talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) - The initiative follow unfruitful negotiations, spanning nearly a decade, on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the neighbours. India and Sri Lanka already have a Free Trade Agreement since 1998.

The 12th edition of the annual bilateral exercise - Yudh Abhyas,

one of the longest running joint military training exercises started at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

Indian and U.S. troops assembled for counter-terrorism exercises in the hills of Uttarakhand from September 14 to 27 – a move to enhance the scope and scale of exercises in tune with the deepening military cooperation.

This is the first military exercise after India and U.S. signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA).

India concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of €7.87 billion, the first fighter aircraft deal since the purchase of Sukhois from Russia in the late 90’s.

Features: Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft. According to Dassault, it is capable of carrying out all combat missions: air defence, interception, ground support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence.

China and Russia began their first naval exercises in the South China Sea (SCS), setting the stage for a deeper military and political engagement. China said that these exercises are not being held in a disputed area in the South China Sea, but within China’s coastal waters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said during the recent G-20 summit in Hangzhou that Moscow supported

India will invest $2 billion in Sri Lanka in the next 3-4 years.

China’s rejection of the ruling by an international arbitration tribunal at The Hague that had rejected Beijing’s territorial claims in the SCS.

Russians have been sending a dual signal. While they are conveying to the United States that they stand by the Chinese, they are also preserving their strategic relationship with Vietnam, which hotly contests Chinese claims in the Spratly islands in the SCS.


InternationalSummits



2016 G-20 Summit

11th East Asia Summit

The 11th meeting of the G-20 was held at Hangzhou, province of

Zhejiang in China. It is the first ever G20 summit to be held in China. The final communiqué of the summit had the following themes: A global fight against tax evasion with the assistance of OECD which has a black list of tax havens, Encouraging international trade and investments and opposition to protectionism, Innovation and Fiscal stimulus to boost economic growth, Support for refugees and combating populist attack against globalization.

11th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s

Democratic Republic on 8 September 2016. The summit emphasized the importance of advancing the nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy as mutually reinforcing pillars; obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

G20 leaders commit to early ratification of UNFCCC-Paris climate deal

The G20 members reiterated commitment to sustainable development, strong and effective support and actions to address climate change and decided to complete their domestic legal formalities for the ratification of Paris climate deal as soon as their national procedures allow. This would provide more time to India to work out its own strategy keeping up with its developmental goals.

The Paris Agreement has charted the course for post-2020 global cooperation against climate change, and it indicates that a cooperative, win-win, equitable and fair climate governance mechanism is being shaped. The G-20 countries affirm the importance of fulfilling the UNFCCC commitment by developed countries in providing means of implementation including financial resources to assist developing countries with respect to both mitigation and adaptation actions in line with Paris outcomes. It further recognized the importance of the support provided by the Green Climate Fund and welcomed the G20 Climate Finance Study Group Report on promoting efficient and transparent provision and mobilization of climate finance to

enhance ambition of mitigation and adaptation actions.

The NITI Aayog’s chief Aravind Panagariya, India’s Sherpa at the Summit said India and several other countries believe they cannot ratify the deal due to various legal impediments. He further said that India was not ready in terms of domestic actions to ratify before 2016 end, but will do so at the earliest.

Indo-French bilateral: Scorpene data breach echoes on the sidelines of G20

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi took up the issue related to the breach of sensitive data regarding the French Scorpene submarines being built in India during the meeting with French President Francois Hollande on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The sensitive information seepage was reported by the Australian newspaper. PM of Australia, Mr. Turnbull has received assurances from Mr. Hollande regarding the submarines that Australia is set to acquire from France in the aftermath of the data leakage of the Scorpene.

Mumbai based ship builder Mazagon Docks Limited - MDL is building six Scorpene submarines with technology transfer from France.

Modi on counter-terrorism at G-20:

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi lauded the G20 initiative on countering terror financing, pointing out that that all countries should meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. Without naming Pakistan directly, he used the G-20 forum to assert that one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror, amid calls for the imposition of sanctions against those who sponsor the menace.

• It is a forum of countries and central bank governors from 20 major economies: 19 countries plus the European Union.

• India is a full-time member of G-20

• Collectively, the G-20 economies account for around 85% of the gross world product (GWP), 80% of world trade (or if excluding EU intra-trade: 75%), and two-thirds of the world population.

• It is a multilateral forum held annually by leaders of the East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions.

• Composition - 18 countries. Membership expanded to 18 countries with the inclusion of the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011.

• India is a full-time member of EAS

• The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005

G-20

East Asia summit (EAS)



14th Indo – ASEAN summit

2016 Non-Aligned Movement summit

ASEAN Summit - 2016

At the 14th ASEAN-India Summit at Vientiane, Laos Prime Minister

of India Narendra Modi and ASEAN Leaders reviewed ASEAN-India cooperation and discussed its future direction under each of the three pillars of politico-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation.

2017 will mark 25 years of India’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN, to celebrate which a number of commemorative activities was announced by the Indian Prime Minister.

Indo-ASEAN summit adopted a document aiming at politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible and people oriented people centered ASEAN-India Community. The document recognizes the importance of the planned review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (AITIG) Agreement.

Note – India signed Free Trade Agreement in Goods with ASEAN in 2010 and Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment with the same bloc in 2014

The 2016 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Caribbean island

of Margarita, Venezuela wrapped up with an expression of support for its embattled host, President Nicolas Maduro, and scathing attacks on U.S. interventionism around the world.

NAM issued a statement at the end of the meeting calling for peace, urging world powers not to meddle in other countries’ affairs and voicing concern over violence in Syria, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories. It also urged support for the struggle against terrorism, for solidarity with refugees in northern Africa, and the Venezuelan people’s right to peace.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, who led the Indian delegation at the 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, said terrorism is one of the most egregious sources of human right violations today and its use as an instrument of state policy is to be unequivocally condemned. He further said it is therefore imperative for the Non-Aligned Movement to galvanise the international community to strengthen the international legal framework to address this menace, including by adopting the draft

The 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos. The theme of the summit was “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community”.

ASEAN

Commemorative summits

• It is a group of 10 South East Asian nations which came into existence in 1967 after Bangkok declaration. . Its Headquarters is at Jakarta, Indonesia

• Composition - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

• AFTA - The ASEAN Free Trade Area - AFTA is a trade bloc agreement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations supporting local manufacturing in all ASEAN countries. The AFTA agreement was signed in 1992 in Singapore.

• ARF – The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a formal, official, multilateral dialogue in Asia Pacific region. It consists of 27 participants. ARF objectives are to foster dialogue and consultation, and promote confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the region. India is a part of it.

It is a summit hosted by a non-ASEAN country to mark a milestone anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and the host country. The host country invites the heads of government of ASEAN member countries to discuss future co-operation and partnership.

a. ASEAN - India Commemorative Summit was held in 2012 at New Delhi to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between ASEAN and India.

b. ASEAN - Japan Commemorative Summit

c. ASEAN - China Commemorative Summit

d. ASEAN - Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit



Comprehensive UN Convention on Terrorism, to ensure the closest cooperation amongst the international community to counter the scourge of terror.

Making a strong pitch against terrorism, India sought concrete action and setting up of a mechanism by the 120 member countries of the NAM to ensure effective cooperation to combat the menace.

• It is a group of nations that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. It has 120 members.

• NAM was founded in Belgrade in 1961, and largely conceived by 5 nations - India, Indonesia, Egypt, Ghana, and Yugoslavia.

• The leaders of the 5 nations were prominent advocates of a middle course for states in the Developing World between the Western and Eastern Blocs in the Cold War. The phrase - NAM itself was first used to represent the doctrine by Indian diplomat V. K. Krishna Menon in 1953, at the United Nations.

Pakistan announced that the summit scheduled for November

9 and 10 in Islamabad will now be held on an alternate date, even as Sri Lanka joined India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan in opposing the summit under the prevailing environment (Uri terror attack).

At the BRICS environment ministers meeting in Goa on global climate

change and other environment issues the group stated that there was now a wider understanding that there is something wrong because of a larger issue of climate change. The Environment Ministers of the 5 countries had agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding and setting up of a joint working group institutionalising their mutual cooperation on diverse environment related issues.

India and China stated that the rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayan ranges was a major concern. Both the nations were concerned about the degradation of the world’s highest mountain range.

India and china recognized the areas

G-4: It comprises of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan - 4 countries which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.

SAARC - The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is an economic and geo-political organization of 8 countries that are primarily located in South Asia.

• The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

• Composition: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

• The combined economy of SAARC is the 3rd largest in the world in the terms of GDP-PPP.

• SAARC accounts for 3% of the geographical area and 21% of the total global population.

Getting the backing of friendly nations

Boycott SAARC plan gets support of Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Bilateral visits by leaders of Afghanistan, Nepal and Srilanka in September.

The Oct 14-16 BIMSTEC meet in Goa will be attended by leaders of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

Leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to attend SASEC Economic Cooperation Meet in Delhi.

Isolated Pakistan counts on other ties

China - $14 billion of $46 billion CPEC economic corridor already disbursed

US continues aid, military transfers and exercises, calls for India - Pakistan dialogue.

Iran conducts naval exercises PASSEX, formally asks to join CPEC.

Russia conducts first ever military exercise with Pakistan Army

Saudi - led Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemns Kashmir violence.

NAM (Non-Aligned Movement)

MULTI-PRONGED APPROACHG4 summit

SAARC summit postponed

BRICS Environment Ministers meet

The G-4 nations (India, Germany, Japan and Brazil) met on the

sidelines of UN General Assembly annual meeting at New York; the group passed a resolution to continue to push for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council.



India, Iran and Afghanistan held discussions on Trilateral Agreement

on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor i.e. Chabahar Agreement which was signed by them in May, 2016 in Tehran in the presence of Prime Minister of India and Presidents of Iran and Afghanistan.

The meet reiterated the importance of Chabahar as a hub for regional connectivity. The 3 nations decided to evolve protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs.

Development of Ports, Road and Rail connectivity will open up new opportunities leading to new jobs and prosperity in all three countries. Trade is recognized as driving economic growth and development, the implementation of the Agreement would provide the eco-system for the private sector to seize the business opportunities emerging due to substantial reduction of logistic costs for trade among the three countries.

Chabahar port

It is a seaport in Chabahar in located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.

• It serves as Iran’s only oceanic port, and consists of 2 separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, each of which have 5 berths.

• It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean

International North-South Transport Corridor

It is the ship, rail, and road route for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.

• The route primarily involves moving freight from India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia via ship, rail and road.

• The Corridor synchronizes with the Ashgabat agreement - a Multimodal

Trilateral cooperation to develop Chabahar port

for mutual cooperation – abatement and control of air and water pollution, efficient management of liquid and solid waste, climate change and conservation of biodiversity. Issues related to air, industrial pollution, agriculture, bio-diversity and the effect of climate change on it were primarily discussed.

transport agreement signed by India, Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, for creating an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.

International




Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the U.S. and Turkey

are ready to work together to push Islamic State (IS) jihadists out of their de facto capital of Raqqa in northern Syria. Mr. Erdogan said he had agreed with the President of U.S. on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China to do what is necessary to drive IS out of Raqqa.

Mission Raqqa

Forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime were pushed out of Raqqa, which lies on the Euphrates River, in 2013, making it the first provincial capital in Syria to fall out of government control. IS rapidly infiltrated the city, which is strategically located near the Turkish border, and declared a caliphate in 2014. Ousting IS from the city would be a turning point in the conflict and mark a huge blow to the jihadists.

The ceasefire in Syria

The agreement reached between Russia and the United States in Geneva on a ceasefire in Syria is perhaps the best opportunity for a solution to the five-and-a-half-year old civil war.

Under it, Russia will prevent the regime of President Bashar al-Assad from bombing rebel-held areas, while the U.S. will join hands with Russia in the fight against jihadist groups, including the Islamic State. The broad framework of the deal is the Putin Plan – a proposal made at UN General Assembly by Putin. Vladimir Putin wanted Syrian statehood to be restored and the major powers to come together in the fight against the jihadists.

According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global

Competitiveness Report for 2016-17 India has risen rapidly among all countries in the global competitive stakes by climbing 16 notches to the 39th position. This marks the biggest scale of improvement in competitiveness among all countries and is the second year in a row India has gone up 16 ranks in the WEF index.

The report suggests that improvements in institutions and infrastructure have increased overall competitiveness along with recent reforms such as opening the economy to foreign investors and increasing transparency in the financial system.

Turkey willing to cooperate with U.S.

North Korea conducts yet another nuclear test

WEF’s Global Competitive-ness index 2016

Two big challenges remain.

First, can Russia halt Mr. Assad’s fighter jets? Though Moscow wields strong influence over Damascus, it has in the past expressed uneasiness over the stubbornness of the regime. The regime is now making gains in the battlefield.

Second, the rebels fighting the regime are not a unified force – difficult to attack the rebels unilaterally.

North Korea claimed it had successfully tested a nuclear

warhead that could be mounted on a missile. It said the test had realized the country’s goal of being able to fit a miniaturised warhead on a rocket. North Korea insists that its missile and nuclear tests are necessary to counter what it says is a U.S. nuclear threat to its independence.

Arab Spring

It refers to the democratic uprisings that arose independently and spread across the Arab world in 2011. The movement originated in Tunisia in December 2010 and quickly took hold in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

ISIS

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is a Salafi jihadist unrecognised state and militant group that follows a fundamentalist, Wahabi doctrine of Sunni Islam.

This group has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and many individual countries

South Korea said the blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site was the North’s fifth and most powerful yet at 10 kilotons - approaching the might of the bomb that devastated Hiroshima in 1945.

The Global community said Kim Jong-un’s regime will only earn more sanctions and isolation.

A defiant North Korea restated its demand for recognition as a legitimate nuclear-armed state, as world powers pondered ways to punish NK for its latest and largest atomic test.

N Korea says U.S. must recognise it as ‘nuclear weapons state’



Major findings of the report w.r.t India

• Oil prices - India’s competitiveness has improved, particularly in goods market efficiency, business sophistication and innovation, while lower oil prices and improved monetary and fiscal policies have made the economy not only stable, but also the fastest growing among G20 countries

• Labour market - The labour market rigidities and the presence of large, public enterprises especially in the utilities and financial sector make the economy less efficient. Lack of infrastructure and ICT use (India ranked 120th in the world) remain bottlenecks.

• Digital India - While India is the only South Asian economy in the top half of the rankings, Sri Lanka surprisingly ranks ahead of it in technological readiness - one of twelve pillars on which countries are rated.

Global Competitiveness Report

It published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) annually, since 2004. The report ranks countries based on the Global Competitiveness Index.

The Index is based on 12 pillars of competitiveness –

Institutions, Innovation, appropriate infrastructure, a stable macroeconomic framework, good health and primary education, higher education and training, efficient goods markets, efficient labor markets, developed financial markets, the ability to harness the benefits of existing technologies and its market size, both domestic and international by producing new and different goods using the most sophisticated production processes.

Environment


ClimateGlobal

Change

Climate change is a change in

the distribution of weather patterns for an extended period of time due to the long-term presence of Green house gases in earth’s atmosphere. The presence of Green house

gases (Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, CFCs, SF6, oxides of nitrogen) increases the temperature of earth since they absorb the terrestrial radiation (Infrared and UV).

The National Oceanic

Atmospheric Administration and NASA announced that 2015 was by far the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping.

According to

the scientists, a combination of El Nino and increasing man-made global warming made 2015 the warmest year of the century. The findings were supported by WMO and UNEP’s report too.

Climate change is caused by factors such as biotic processes - variations in solar radiation received by Earth, plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions.

Certain anthropogenic activities are identified as significant causes of recent climate

change, often referred to as global warming.

The largest known contribution to Global warming and Global climate change comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere.

This phenomenon is called

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

UNFCCC The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty negotiated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro of Brazil in 1992; it came into force in 1994.

OBJECTIVETo stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

However, it sets no binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains no enforcement mechanisms.The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995 in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

IMPORTANT COPs AND THEIR DECISIONS

COP of UNFCCC in 1995 @ Berlin, Germany

COP of UNFCCC in 1997 @ Kyoto, Japan

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted, it is an international treaty which extends the 1992 UNFCCC that commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) human-made CO2 emissions have caused it.

Negotiations were held in the framework of the yearly UNFCCC Climate Change Conferences on measures to be taken after the commitment period of the protocol ends in 2020. This resulted in the 2015 adoption of the Paris Agreement, which is a separate instrument under the UNFCCC rather than an amendment of the Kyoto protocol.

COP of UNFCCC in 2002 @ New Delhi, India

It adopted the Delhi Ministerial Declaration which called for efforts by developed countries to transfer technology and minimize the impact of climate change on developing countries.

COP of UNFCCC in 2005 @ Montreal, Canada

It introduced REDD - reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, a mechanism to mitigating climate change through reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases through enhanced forest management in developing countries. It promotes Afforestation and Soil conservation programs.

Various climate change studies estimated that land use change, including deforestation and forest degradation, accounted for 12-29% of global greenhouse gas emissions. UNFCCC’s REDD is an effective strategy to counter it.

COP of UNFCCC in 2007 @ Bali, Indonesia

It introduced REDD+ (REDD plus) to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. REDD+ is an extended version of REDD with 5 objectives.

COP of UNFCCC in 2009 @ Copenhagen, Denmark

The biggest ever gathering in the history to combat climate change. According to the Bali Road Map, 2007 a framework for climate change mitigation beyond 2012 was to be agreed there.

Important decisions made here

Copenhagen AccordIt was passed at the summit, drafted jointly by the United States and the BASIC countries, it is not legally binding and does not commit countries to agree to a binding successor to the Kyoto Protocol.

Green Climate fund was discussed for the 1st timeIt is a fund within the framework of the UNFCCC to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. The GCF is based in the New Songdo district of Incheon, South Korea. It aims to raise Climate Finance of $100 billion a year by 2020.

Formation of BASIC groupIt is a group of four large newly industrialized countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China formed in 2009. The four countries committed to act jointly at the Copenhagen climate summit, including a possible united walk-out if their common minimum position was not met by the developed nations.

The summit introduced INDCs (Intended Nationally determined contributions)

COP of UNFCCC in 2013 @ Warsaw, Poland

The conference delegates held negotiations towards a global climate agreement at 21st COP at Paris which replaces Kyoto protocol.

COP of UNFCCC in 2014 @ Lima, Peru

India submitted INDC’s to UNFCCC in 2015

The Union Environment Ministry submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), committing to cut the emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels. The INDCs, which lay out the blueprint for tackling climate change, emphasised eight key goals - sustainable lifestyles, cleaner economic development, reducing emission intensity of GDP, increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based electricity, enhancing carbon sink, adaptation and mobilising finance, technology transfer and capacity building.

India has committed to 40 per cent of non-fossil fuel energy to be adopted by 2030. It has also set the target of generating 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent of carbon sinks in the form of forests.

National Renewable energy policy 2015India’s total green energy commitment is 175GW (by 2022) over five times the current amount.

The conference negotiated a global agreement on the reduction of climate change - the Paris Pact which governs climate change reduction measures from 2020. It will enter into force when joined by at least 55 countries which together represent at least 55 percent of global greenhouse emissions. The UNFCCC members agreed to reduce their carbon output as soon as possible and to do their best to keep global warming to well below 2 degrees C which helps in combating climate change.

COP of UNFCCC in 2015 @ Paris, France

International Solar Alliance The Transformative Carbon Asset Facility

Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF)

Breakthrough Energy Coalition

India and France jointly launched an International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the CoP21 Climate Conference, a revolution in the solar energy which empowers all citizens, and creates unlimited economic opportunity. The new body, which has invited 121 countries located fully or partly between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to join, is to function from the National Institute of Solar Energy in India, Gurgaon. The Centre will provide land and $30 million to form a secretariat for the Alliance, and also support it for five years. ISA seeks to share collective ambitions to reduce the cost of finance and technology that is needed to deploy solar power widely; generation and storage technologies would be adapted to the individual countries’ needs.

Four European countries - Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland - announced a new $500 million initiative that will find new ways to create incentives aimed at large scale cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries to combat climate change. The World Bank Group worked with the countries to develop the initiative.

It is in force since Jan 1st, 2016 in developing countries is aimed at helping them cut plans to reduce emissions through new classes of carbon assets associated with greenhouse gas emission reductions. The World Bank said the facility would measure and fund emission cuts in large-scale programmes in renewable energy, transport, energy efficiency, solid waste management, and low-carbon cities.

In another announcement for vulnerable countries, 11 donors pledged close to $250 million in new money for support to adapt themselves to climate change effects; Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and the U.S. among other countries, announced contributions to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), a fund hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The LDCF was established to support a work programme to assist Least Developed Country Parties (LDCs) carry out, inter alia, the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) as the entity that operates the financial mechanism has been entrusted to operate this fund.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Facebook and other investors pledged $7 billion for research and development of clean energy.

INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES LAUNCHED AT

Paris

A comprehensive action plan which outlines measures on climate change related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development. The 8 Missions form the core of the Plan, representing multi-pronged, long termed and integrated strategies for achieving goals in the context of climate change.

National initiatives to combat climate change (NAPCC)

MissionsAre

National Solar Mission National Mission for Enhanced Energy

Efficiency National Mission on Sustainable

Habitats National Water Mission National Mission for Sustaining the

Himalayan Ecosystem National Mission for a Green India National Mission for Sustainable

Agriculture National Mission on Strategic

Knowledge on Climate Change



India ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change by depositing

the instrument of ratification with the United Nations on the 147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. A special event was organised to mark the occasion, also observed as the International Day of Nonviolence, at the UN headquarters.

India ratifies Paris Pact

With EU, India ratification, Paris treaty to get closer to entering into force

European Union ministers approved the ratification of the Paris Agreement at a historic meeting of the Environment Council in Brussels. The 28 EU member nations together accounts for close to 12 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The addition of EU and India, therefore, will take the cumulative emissions of ratifying parties to over 64 per cent, which is well beyond the 55 per cent minimum required for the treaty to enter into force.

During that 71st UNGA meet, 31 countries had submitted their ratification instruments to the UN, bringing the total count of ratifying parties to 60.

Paris pact:

• The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP 21 was held in Paris, France. The conference negotiated a global agreement on the reduction of climate change – the Paris Pact.

• It will enter into force when joined by at least 55 countries which together represent at least 55 percent of global greenhouse emissions.

• The UNFCCC members agreed to reduce their carbon output as soon as possible and to do their best to keep global warming to well below 2 degrees C which helps in combating climate change.

Indian NGO bags UN climate award for clean energy project

An Indian NGO, Swayam Shikshan Prayog, has bagged the UN climate award - 2016. It which trains women to become clean energy entrepreneurs across Maharashtra and Bihar, and is one of the 13 projects to be recognised at the forthcoming UN climate summit in Marrakesh in November. The NGO, founded in 1989 in Mumbai, has received financial support from the Maharashtra government, USAID, Miseorer, Europe, and CSR funds from HSBC and Alstom, till now.

The UNFCCC, the nodal UN climate body, has applauded this project for building a rural distribution network of 1,100 women entrepreneurs facilitating access to clean energy, water and sanitation products and services in several communities.

With India ratifying the Paris

Once it ratifies the pact, India will have to play its part in keeping temperature rise under 2 degrees C

Paris Agreement sets framework for concentrated global action to tackle climate change through a low carbon pathway addressing various stakeholder concerns.

DIFFERENTIATION Common but differentiated responsibilities ensuring equity to provide developing countries a cushion

TARGET Sets a binding target of well below 2 degrees for rise in temperature. Also endeavours to keep rise to 1.5 degrees. Nations will regularly provide a national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions.

FINANCING Developed countries to raise more funds over time to help developing countries and strike balance between need to adapt to climate change and cut their emissions.

SALIENT POINTS

We are happy that India’s concerns have been taken care of in the final climate draft of the negotiating text...It is a balanced text and is a way forward for the worldPrakash Javadekar

India must deposit a document detailing its action plan, the Nationally Determined Contributions with the UN Secretary General. As of September 28, 61 countries have ratified the treaty.

ONUS ON INDIA

The Process

2030 Deadline Reduce emissions intensity of

GDP by 33-35 per cent from the 2005 level.

Derive about 40 per cent of its cumulative installed electric power capacity from clean energy,

Create an additional carbon sink equivalent to 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through additional forest and tree cover.



The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) says water quality of the

river Ganga shows the presence of bacterial contamination besides traces of pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides. In a detailed report, the CPCB has informed the National Green Tribunal that the Ganga River was affected by 1,072 seriously polluting industries which are releasing heavy metals and pesticides. Water quality assessment of the Ganga indicates presence of high number of fecal coliform bacteria which should be immediately addressed.

Present condition – Over 800 million lts of untreated sewage and over 200 million lts of industrial effluents is added per day. 3 out of the 4 monitored Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) were non-compliant with the set standards.

Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) - With regard to ZLD by industries, the CPCB said it has already directed them to achieve ZLD in distillery, tannery and textile units as it was mandatory that pollutants like chromium, total dissolved solid and other chemicals are separated before they are disposed of.

All the industries discharging industrial effluents should transmit online data of their effluent quality on uninterrupted basis to the CPCB and the SPCBs. The stormwater drains carrying sewage and sullage (waste water) should have flow measuring systems for assessing the quantity of waste water being discharged.

CPCB report on Ganga pollution

National mission on clean Ganga (Namami Gange)

It aims to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner. It will focus on pollution abatement interventions namely Interception, diversion & treatment of wastewater flowing through the open drains through bio-remediation / appropriate in-situ treatment / use of innovative technologies.

Ganga Gram yojana

The Union ministry of Water resources launched the Ganga Gram Yojana to develop 1600 villages in Uttar Pradesh (UP) situated along the banks of Ganga River. It was inaugurated at the Puth village in Hapur district of UP. In the selected villages open drains discharging waste directly into river Ganga will be diverted to sewage treatment facility. It would be mandatory for every household in selected villages to have functional toilets.

National Ganga river basin authority (NGRBA)

It is a financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Water resources ministry of India. The mission of the organisation is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse.

NGRBA is headed by the PM of India; other members include the cabinet ministers of ministries that include the Ganges among their direct concerns and the chief ministers of states through which the Ganges River flows. It is established under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which also declared Ganges as the National River of India.

Overview:agreement, the head of NGS - Ms. Prema Gopalan highlighted the importance of micro-level, scalable initiatives such as these to help the rural population contribute to India’s ambitious renewable energy target. India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), submitted to the UNFCCC, speak of increasing share of renewable energy in India’s energy mix to 40 per cent by 2030.

Notable works of Swayam Shikshan Prayog - Over 2000 families in a village - Sawargaon in Tuljapur taluka have purchased solar lights and cook stoves from her, helping the villagers improve their quality of living. For several hours in a day, people in my village suffered power cuts. Many couldn’t afford to get an electricity connection.

For those who cannot afford to buy the solar lamps, priced between Rs. 500 to 700 and the cook stoves that cost between Rs. 2500-3000, Ms. Nita Tanwade who is an entrepreneur of the NGO said, she sold it to them on credit and the villagers paid her back in monthly instalments they could afford. The use of woodfire for cooking in rural areas has been identified as one of the primary causes of indoor air pollution, which contributes to global warming, and also causes respiratory illnesses. According to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2015, 67 per cent of the population in India depends on traditional biomass for cooking, which, in absolute numbers, works out to 841 million people in the population.

Ms. Gopalan said that the UN climate award is a global recognition for replicable models on clean energy that can help put an end to India’s biomass dependency. The UNFCCC release cites how through the promotion of clean cook stoves by women entrepreneurs, over 200,000 women and households now save almost 100 tonnes per day of fuel wood.



Conservationists say National waterways project threatens Gangetic dolphins

Netherlands to help India clean Yamuna

Southern Bird Wing to be named Karnataka’s ‘State butterfly’

According to a group of scientists, environmentalists and wildlife

conservationists, the National Waterways project poses threat to the National Aquatic animal of India - Gangetic river dolphins.

The animal is protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and is a declared endangered species. The development of the Ganga for shipping is seen by wildlife conservationists as the single-largest threat to the survival of the species, whose numbers are declining in most parts of their natural habitat, according to wildlife Institute of India. This is mainly due to construction of dams and barrages on the river.

India has a huge untapped potential of inland waterways and the Centre plans to develop a 1600-km waterway between Allahabad and Haldia for inland transportation under a Rs. 4200-crore World Bank-aided project as the National Waterway 1. The first phase of the project spanning 1300 km, now under implementation, is from Varanasi to Haldia. It envisages improving the navigability of the river as it passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

The NW1 is seen to have a potential to emerge as the logistics artery for northern India, while reducing the congestion on this high-traffic transport corridor, project documents say. However, this stretch is also home to the endangered dolphin. River dolphins are found in the Ganga and the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN, a membership union of government and civil society organisations, listed it as endangered in 1996. There are

around 2,500 of the dolphins and the figure is diminishing.

Aside from losing habitat to increased developmental work on the river, the dolphins also suffered due to depletion of prey base, accidental mortality in fishing nets and accidents with vessel propellers. The large-scale modification of the river, the proposed movement of numerous ships, may well sound the death knell of the species. The species are practically blind, and rely on bio-sonar method to move around. The ships noise-levels would disrupt the ability to navigate, and find prey.

Endangered Species Recovery Plan

To tackle the threat to dolphins and three other species, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests launched in 2016 the Endangered Species Recovery Plans for 4 species of global importance - Gangetic Dolphins, Sea cow, Great Indian Bustard, Sangai (Dancing deer).

IUCN too had expressed its concerns to the Union Environment Ministry on the recovery of endangered species

India is collaborating with the Netherlands to clean the Yamuna.

A consortium of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) and The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) are teaming up with their peers from the Delft University of Technology, Wageningten University and the Vrije Unversiteit in the Netherlands to set up a network of sewage treatment plants that will clean wastewater in Delhi’s Barapullah drain, which is reportedly responsible for 30 per cent of the pollution of the Yamuna.

The Southern Bird Wing butterfly was in-principle approved by

Karnataka State Wildlife Board to become the State butterfly of Karnataka. The Arthropod, Flutters with distinctive red and yellow stripes amongst the verdant green of the Western Ghats. The Southern Bird Wing was selected as its colours match the colours of the Karnataka Flag.



New species of Pika discovered by NCBS

NBWL clears first phase of Ken-Betwa project

National centre for biological sciences - NCBS Scientists claim

to have discovered a new species of Pika, a mammal belonging to the rabbit and hare family in the Himalayas in Sikkim

NCBS

• The Bangalore-based research centre is involved in biological research. It is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) under the Department of Atomic Energy.

• The mandate of NCBS is basic and interdisciplinary research in the frontier areas of biology.

This makes Karnataka the second State in the country after Maharashtra to adopt a State butterfly. Maharashtra chose the Blue Mormom butterfly as its State butterfly in 2015.

Butterfly Conservation Reserve

With 125 species of butterflies, there is a strong demand to declare the Doraisanipalya reserve forest area (Bannerghatta Forest), a Butterfly Conservation Reserve. If declared, it would be 1st such reserve in the country.

Ecological Significance of Butterflies

They pollinate a wide variety of flowers that open during the day.

The Southern Bird Wing - It is the largest butterfly in India, it is found in abundance in Karnataka.

India’s first inter State river interlinking project was given green

signal by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at a meeting chaired by Environment Minister. This would be the first time that a river project will be located within a tiger reserve. The Rs. 10,000-crore Ken-Betwa project will irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region but in the process will also submerge about 10 per cent of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, feted as a model tiger-conservation reserve.

The main feature of the project is a 230-km long canal and a series of barrages and dams connecting the Ken and Betwa rivers that will irrigate 3.5 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 14,000 hectares of Uttar Pradesh, in Bundelkhand. The key projects are the Makodia and Dhaudhan dams, the latter expected to be 77 m high and responsible for submerging 5,803 hectares of tiger habitat in the Panna tiger reserve.

The project will bring water to one of India’s worst drought-affected regions and the National Board of Wildlife has also insisted on an integrated wildlife management plan.

Pros and Cons

The project report of Union water Ministry said Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Raisen, and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh and Mahoba, Jhansi and Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh will benefited from assured irrigation supply, domestic and industrial water supply and power. On the other hand, about 6,388 people in 10 villages will be affected due to the submergence by Daudhan

reservoir and 13499 persons living in the 28 villages will be affected due to the submergence by Makodia reservoir and will have to be resettled. Seventeen lakh residents of nearby towns and villages in both States will benefit from improved drinking water and irrigation facilities.

According to the NBWL, 6,221 hectares – 4,141 of which is core forest and located inside the reserve will be inundated when, and if, the proposed reservoir were filled to the brim. A key point of contention between wildlife experts associated with the impact assessment and dam proponents in the water resources ministry was whether the height of the Daudhan dam could be reduced to limit the water overflow and contain its subsequent impact. There were also concerns that vulture and ghariyal habitat in the region would be affected. Here too, the committee noted, that only 3% of the vulture habitat would be affected.

Overview:NBWL

National Board for Wild Life is a Statutory Organization constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• It is chaired by Prime Minister of India and its vice chairman is Minister of Environment

• It advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.

• It is an apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries. No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval of the NBWL.



Centre notifies BS-VI auto emission normsThe Centre has notified the Bharat

Stage (BS)-VI emission standards for two-wheelers and four-wheelers from April 2020 across the country. This implies the government has decided to skip the BS-V emission standards and move directly to BS-VI from the BS-IV norms currently being followed in various cities. The government had earlier planned to implement BS-V norms from 2020 and BS-VI norms from 2022. However, it decided to skip BS-V norms and advance the implementation of BS-VI norms following the Supreme Court’s intervention.

The Union ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through a notification dated September 16, has given the Union Petroleum Ministry four years to make BS-VI fuels available to auto companies. Oil companies will be investing more than Rs.60, 000 crore towards BS-VI fuels. BS-VI is the Indian equivalent of the Euro-VI norms.

Present situation: BS-IV norms are being followed in over 30 cities while the rest of the country follows BS-III norms.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said that it was committed to meet the stiff deadline for BS-VI emission norms. The target is very stiff but the auto industry has accepted the challenge in view of the rising concerns on vehicular pollution, especially in the urban metros.

Overview:Bharat stage emission standards

A set of emission standards instituted by the Government of India to regulate the output of air pollutants from Internal Combustion (IC) engine equipment, including motor vehicles.

The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment & Forests and climate change.

The standards are based on European regulations were first introduced in 2000. Progressively stringent norms have been rolled out since then. All new vehicles manufactured after the

implementation of the norms have to be compliant with the regulations. Since October 2010, Bharat Stage (BS) III norms have been enforced across the country. In 13 major cities, Bharat Stage IV emission norms have been in place since April 2010.

Science &Technology




The world’s largest radio telescope – Five hundred aperture spherical

telescope - FAST began searching for signals from stars and galaxies and, perhaps, extraterrestrial life in a project demonstrating China’s rising ambitions in space and its pursuit of international scientific prestige.

The radio telescope measures 500-meters in diameter and is nestled in a natural basin within a stunning landscape of lush green karst formations in southern Guizhou Province.

Objectives of FAST

It would search for gravitational waves, detect radio emissions from stars and galaxies and listen for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life – based on the reception of radio signals (In theory, if there is civilization in outer space, the radio signal it sends will be similar to the signal we can receive when a pulsar (spinning neutron star) is approaching us). The ultimate goal of FAST is to discover the laws of the development of the universe.

Note - It took five years and $180 million to complete and surpasses that of the 300-meter Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, a dish used in research on stars that led to a Nobel Prize.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a total of eight

satellites in two different orbits in an attempt to push forward the scope of its workhorse rocket PSLV. This is the longest PSLV mission. Earlier, ISRO was using separate rockets to launch satellites in different orbits. This is the first time ISRO launched satellites in two different orbits in a single mission.

The 8 satellites are: Weather satellite SCATSAT-1, two satellites PRATAM and PISAT from Indian academic institutions. 3 from Algeria (ALSAT1N, 1B and 2B) 1 each from Canada (NLS-19) and the United States (Pathfinder-1).

• Weather satellite SCATSAT-1, it provides weather forecasting services, cyclone detection and tracking.

• Two satellites PRATAM and PISAT from Indian academic institutions.

PISAT is a remote sensing Nanosatellite developed by students of PES University, Bangalore. The main mission of the satellite was to develop the capability of designing satellites on campus with collaboration from students and professors.

PRATAM is a micro-satellite developed by IIT-Bombay students. It will measure the electron count in the ionosphere. This can be used to detect tsunamis, reduce communication errors, and improve the accuracy of the Indian alternative to the GPS system.

ISRO’s rocket GSLV-F05 placed the INSAT-3DR, an advanced weather

satellite with four payloads, into a precise Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This also marked a hat-trick of successful launches for the GSLV.

Application – The major users of the service will be the Indian Coast Guards, Airports Authority of India

FAST telescope

PSLV C-35 launches 8 satellites in 2 orbits

• 3 from Algeria (ALSAT1N, 1B and 2B) -

ALSAT-1N: nanosatellite for distance education students.

ALSAT-1B: It is an earth observation satellite to monitor agricultural activities, the state of the environment and natural disasters.

AlSat-2B: Its images will be used for multiple purposes including cartography, agriculture, forestry, water management, land planning and management of natural disasters. The satellite will be used to monitor natural resources, including mineral and oil.

• 1 each from Canada (NLS-19) and the United States (Pathfinder-1)

The BlackSky Pathfinder-1 is a commercial earth observation micro-satellite from the United States.

The NLS-9/Can X-7 is an experimental technology demonstration satellite. The unique feature about the satellite is a drag sail, which will allow the satellite to de-orbit. If successfully used, the drag sail would demonstrate a low cost, modular method to de-orbit microsatellites and Nano-satellites to reduce the amount of junk in Earth orbit.

GSLV F-05 and INSAT-3DR



The Mars Orbiter that catapulted India to space history has quietly

had its second birthday in its orbit around Mars. On September 24, 2014. India became the only nation to date to put a spacecraft around the red planet in its very first attempt.

The debut achievement of making the spacecraft go round the planet was the most challenging manouevre of the mission. It eluded old planetary warhorses Russia, the U.S. and Europe, who started out into space 50 years back with superior rockets.

Originally designed to last just six months on its onboard fuel, the orbiter continues to scan the red planet elliptically from a distance of around 400 km x 70,000 km. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said it still sends interesting photos and information to Indian data keepers across millions of kilometers. It has sent colourful images of the Martian terrain, valleys and hills from different distances.

MOM’s major Findings –

• Presence of aqueous activity in the planet’s ancient climate.

• Dust layers and patterns of around 1.5 km were estimated at the hills and valleys on Mars.

NASA’s Orisis rex spacecraft is scheduled to orbit, map and

collect samples from near-Earth asteroid Bennu. This pristine material, formed at the dawn of the solar system, will be brought to the Earth in 2023, providing clues to Bennu’s origins and our own. The mission will help improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.

Astronomers picked up strange X-ray bursts using NASA’s Swift

telescope. These strange bursts were very similar to that of a magnetar (magnetised neutron star) - an extremely dense type of neutron star that can produce magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than our sun’s.

Neutron stars are formed when stars more massive than our sun explode as supernovae. Just a regular neutron star has a magnetic field of a trillion gauss. Magnetars are 1,000 times more powerful than that, with a magnetic field of a quadrillion gauss. The earth’s core has a magnetic field of 25 gauss. Magnetars can cause starquakes, or earthquakes on stars. Because of its properties, the magnetar releases a blast of radiation that can be seen clear across the Milky Way.

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR are also involved in such observations.

After studying Saturn, its rings and moons for more than 12 years, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has entered the final year of its epic voyage during which it will make the closest-ever observations of the planet.

A close flyby of Saturn’s giant moon Titan will reshape the spacecraft’s orbit so that it passes through the gap between Saturn and the rings, an unexplored space only about 2,400 kilometres wide.

Mars orbiter remains a data trove

Cassini to make final observation of Saturn

Orisis rex

Magnetars

(AAI), Directorate General of Shipping, Defence Services and fishermen. The Indian service region will cover a large part of the Indian Ocean and will also include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania for providing distress alert services.

• Identification of sulphates and iron compounds on the surface of Mars

• New details from imaging of Mars’s two natural satellites – Phobos and Deimos

• ISRO has also published an atlas of the images from MOM

It survived eclipses of Sun and loss of contact with Earth for several days last year. It underwent a whiteout in May on the sunny side. It even ducked and clicked when Comet Siding Spring visited Mars early on. The rare comet’s dust was feared to damage the sensitive instruments on the spacecraft.

Note – An ISRO-MOM team won the U.S. National Space Society’s Space Pioneer Award for 2015. ISRO also won the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for promoting international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.



British physicist Stephen Hawking has warned against

announcing our presence to any alien civilisations, especially to those more technologically advanced than humans. The film, Stephen Hawking’s Favourite Places, takes viewers to five significant locations across the cosmos, on his spacecraft - the SS Hawking. In the film, Hawking performs a hypothetical flyby of Gliese 832c, a potentially habitable exoplanet located 16 light years away.

It is not the first time Hawking has warned about the prospect of hostile aliens. Launching the Breakthrough Listen project, which will scan the nearest million stars for signs of life (Extra-Terrestrial life) in 2015, Hawking had suggested that any civilisation reading our messages could be billions of years ahead of humans.

India and Russia will undertake advanced discussions on the

leasing of a second nuclear attack submarine. Russia has already leased an Akula class nuclear attack submarine to India for 10 years as a package deal along with aircraft carrier Vikramaditya which was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra in While Russia has offered another Akula SSN on lease, India is interested in a different and a newer class of boat.

Submarines are considered the most potent offensive military platforms. While conventional diesel-electric submarines have limited range and endurance, nuclear powered submarines are free of such limitations. Powered by a nuclear reactor which gives virtually unlimited range and endurance, the submarines can silently traverse oceans hunting for enemy vessels. Nuclear submarines are of two types - nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) and ballistic nuclear submarines (SSBN).

SSBNs are specifically meant to carry missiles armed with nuclear warheads and assure a nation’s second strike capability if attacked first by nuclear weapons. India’s first SSBN Arihant powered by a 83 MW ncuelar reactor has been under sea-trials since 2009 and is all set for commissioning. At least two more boats of the same class are in various stages of construction.

Indigenous SSNs

In February, 2016 the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the design and construction of six SSNs By the approval, the government had converted part of the ambitious 30-year, 24 submarine building plan from conventional to nuclear.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope shows more evidence of possible

water plumes erupting from the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa.

Europa, one of more than 50 moons circling the gas giant, is considered by NASA as a top candidate for life elsewhere in the solar system because it is believed to possess a massive, salty, subsurface ocean that is twice the size of Earth.

Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, Mormugao was launched

in Mumbai; it was built by the Mazgaon Shipyard.

Mormugao is the second ship of Project 15B and will be one of the most advanced warships of the force. It has been named after the Mormugao port of Goa.

Note - The first ship of the project, guided-missile destroyer Visakhapatnam, was launched in 2015.

Stephen Hawking warns against contacting aliens

Proof of water plumes on Jupiter’s moon

Missile destroyer Mormugao

Russian submarine



National Institute of Ocean Technologies - NIOT’s

indigenously developed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is taking up their role with more efficiency and accuracy and it’s expected to contribute significantly to the conservation and management of corals.

This provides a break to the Scuba divers who dived into ocean floors to study coral reefs. While it would take weeks together for a scuba diver to diagnose the health of corals, the ROV could map a larger area in a day

Findings of the research

The images of corals recorded by the ROV are useful for studying the biodiversity of coral reefs and their evolution. The underwater visuals had shown the coral debris and boulders caused by the 2004 tsunami and the rejuvenation of the colonies of branching corals, stony coral and brain corals at some locations.

The coral reef biodiversity at Andaman region, which spreads across an area of 11,000 sq km, was seriously affected during the 2004 tsunami. The increasing sea surface temperature added to the stress. Currently, there is no mechanism other than scuba diving to examine the corals and assess the extent of damage or rejuvenation.

A new miniaturised version of ROV, which could be effectively used for exploration and inspection up to 500-metre water depths, caters to the need of the research community and industry. It was also deployed for scientific research in Antarctica as a part of the 34th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica during Jan-Apr 2015. It was deployed in the

The World Health Organisation declared Sri Lanka Malaria-free, after certifying that the life-threatening disease had been completely eliminated in the island

WHO said the achievement is truly remarkable amidst the fact that in the mid-20th century Sri Lanka was among the most malaria-affected countries.

Overview:Malaria –

• It is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Plasmodium type.

• The disease is most commonly transmitted by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito bite introduces the parasites from the mosquito’s saliva into a person’s blood

Indian ROV to monitor corals

WHO declares Sri Lanka Malaria-free

Lake Priyadarshini near the Indian permanent station Maitri and in the New Indian barrier ice shelf regions.

Overview:NIOT

The Chennai based National Institute of Ocean Technology as an autonomous society under the Union ministry of Earth Sciences. Its aim is to develop reliable indigenous technology to solve the various engineering problems associated with harvesting of non-living and living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)



India is all set to lead the global fight against epidemics as it is a key member of the newly formed Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) with its headquarters at the Norwegian Institute for Public Health, in Oslo.

Dr K Vijay Raghavan, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology has been chosen as the chairperson of the interim board.

CEPI will not focus on diseases that already have sufficient attention, but will be guided by WHO’ s R&D blueprint - 2016, which lists eleven illnesses to focus on, including Chikungunya, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever.

Overview:Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations

CEPI is a public-private coalition that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines.

The last vaccine developed in India which underwent an efficacy study was the Rotavirus vaccine made by Bharat Biotech with the support of the Department of Biotechnology

India to lead global coalition to fight epidemics

Economy




Cabinet nod for GST Council

ADB supports coastal corridor project

CAD narrows

Centre to raise EPF’s equity exposure to 10%

The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the Goods & Services

Tax – GST Council and its Secretariat. The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on the GST could cease to be the forum at which the discussions between the Centre and States would take place. The GST council will be tasked with optimizing tax collection for goods and services by the centre and the states.

The Empowered Committee was headed by Amit Mitra, Finance Minister of West Bengal, a State that is yet to ratify the constitutional amendment enabling the roll-out of the GST

The Centre swung into action on receiving the approval from States. Each State is to nominate as a voting member to it a minister, who may or may not be holding the finance or taxation portfolio. The Centre will have two representatives on the Council: the Union Finance Minister will chair it and the Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue will be a member.

Union Revenue Secretary will be the ex-officio secretary of the Council and the Central Board of Excise and Customs – CBEC Chairperson will be a permanent and non-voting invitee to all of the proceedings of the council.

Overview:GST

A tax levied when a consumer buys a good or service. It is meant to be a single, comprehensive tax that will subsume all the other smaller indirect taxes on consumption like service tax, etc.

Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank – ADB has

approved $631 million for building India’s first coastal industrial corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai.

The 2,500-km East Coast Economic Corridor is expected to spur development on India’s eastern coast and enable seamless trade links with other parts of South and Southeast Asia.

ADB’s loans and grants comprise a $500 million two-tranche facility to build key infrastructure and a $125 million two-tranche loan to help in industrial policies and business promotion. With the combination of state-of-the-art industrial clusters, efficient transport, and reliable water and power supplies with a skilled workforce and good business policies, it is expected that the Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor will be a favoured investment destination.

The Centre is keen to encourage Manufacturing sector to create jobs for a labour force that is growing by about 12 million each year

Centre rethinks plan to widen EPF coverage

The centre is reconsidering a plan to widen the social security net for workers by bringing more factories under the provident fund coverage. The Labour Ministry had proposed to bring down the threshold limit for coverage of firms under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to factories with at least 10 workers. At present, the EPF Act is applicable to factories with minimum 20 workers.

Overview:EPFO -

• It is an Organization tasked to assist the Central Board of Trustees in administering a compulsory contributory Provident Fund Scheme, a Pension Scheme and an

India’s current account deficit – CAD narrowed in the first quarter

of the financial year to $300 million as compared with $6.1 billion in the year-earlier period. The deficit sharank to 0.1 per cent of GDP in the period, as compared with 1.2 percent

Reasons: merchandise imports declined sharply, net services receipts declined, net foreign direct investment also moderated



Cabinet’s formal nod to be sought for Budget on Feb. 1

International Financial Services Centre

Insurance Scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.

• It works under the administrative control of the Union ministry of Labour and Employment.

NPS -

• It is a voluntary defined contribution pension system administered and regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority - PFRDA created by an Act of Parliament of India.

PFRDA works under the administrative control of the Union Finance ministry

• While the scheme was initially designed for government employees only, it was opened up for all citizens of India in 2009.

• It is an attempt by the government to create a pensioned society in India

The Government has decided to double PF savings’ exposure to equities from to present 5% to 10% of fresh accretions to the corpus.

Equity investments approved in August 2015 5% of fresh accurals

Now, Equity investments raised to 10% of fresh accurals

Total EPFO corpus Rs.8,00,000 crore

Investments on Dalal Street so far Rs.8,077 crore

Return on equity till date 13.24%

Return on equity from April to September 2016 12.87%

Fresh Investments in equities expected over next six months Rs.11,500 crore

Estimated Investible funds this year Rs. 1,30,000 crore

5%

10%

EPF STIMULUS FOR DALAL STREET

The Union finance ministry has settled on February 1 as the new

date for the presentation of the Union Budget, with the decision expected to be placed before the Cabinet for formal approval soon.

The Cabinet had recently approved the merger of the railway budget with the general budget and had given an in-principle nod for presenting the Budget earlier than February 28. The Cabinet had also approved the removal of the Plan and Non-Plan distinction in government accounts that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed in his Budget speech this year.

Need

By changing the Budget date to 1st Feb, the Union ministries and state governments can begin disbursing funds from the beginning of the financial year. At the moment, with the Budget being presented at the end of February, several processes, including the vote on account, result in states being able to disburse funds only by late May.

Note – The decision to change the Budget date is a Cabinet decision and does not require parliamentary approval. The Cabinet advises the President and the President summons Parliament. The Parliament has no say on when it meets, the government decides that. This is very clear in the Constitution.

The Centre will consider Maharashtra Government’s

request to ease land norms to facilitate the establishment of an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Mumbai. The IFSC proposed to be set up at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the country’s financial capital will be the second such centre in India after the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar.



Multiple ChoiceQuestions



1. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the common service centre’s (CSC)?

1. They are multiple-services-single-point model for providing facilities for multiple transactions at a single geographical location.

2. As a strategic cornerstone of the Digital India programme, they help in delivering of various electronic services to villages in India, thereby contributing to a digitally and financially inclusive society.

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2d. Neither 1 nor 2

2. Which organization approves the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the ‘Government route’ upto 5000 crores?

a. Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB)b. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP)c. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)d. Union Ministry of Commerce

3. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers.2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers.3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally.4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural

chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers.Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a. 1 and 2 onlyb. 2 and 3 onlyc. 1, 3 and 4 onlyd. 1, 2, 3 and 4

4. India is not a part of

1. APEC (Asia Pacific Economic cooperation2. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal initiative for multi-sectoral

technical & economic coopearion)3. IBSAMAR (Maritime exercise of IBSA)4. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian nations)

a) 1 only b) 1 & 4 Only c) 1, 3 & 4d) None of there

5. Recently, a few states have declared ‘State butterfly’ to highlight the ecological significance of butterflies. Which are the states?

a. Maharashtra & Gujarat b. Karnataka & Himachal Pradesh c. Maharashtra & Karnataka d. Karnataka & Gujarat

6. Pollination by bees and insects is a classic example for

a. Mutualism (symbiosis)b. Ammensalismc. Commensalismd. Competition

7. The Union ministry of Statistics revised the new base year for the measurement of GDP from 2004-05 to

a. 2005-06b. 2010-11c. 2011-12d. 2012-13

8. Recently, Centre signed an agreement with Netherlands to clean an important river of India with the help of a network of sewage treatment plants. Which is the river?

a. Gangab. Sonc. Yamunad. Godavari

9. Recently, India signed a very important bilateral agreement - Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA) with

a. United Statesb. Germanyc. Russiad. Singapore

10. Joint Sea - 2016 is a bilateral naval exercise between

a. U.S. and Chinab. India and Russiac. Russia and Chinad. Singapore and China

11. Which of the following is correctly matched?

1. Cassini spacecraft – Exploration of Saturn2. Orisis rex spacecraft - Exploration of Asteroid3. PRATAM satellite – Counts electrons in Ionosphere

a. 1 only b. 1 and 2 only c. 1 and 3 onlyd. All 3 are correctly matched

12. Recently, which country launched the world’s largest radio telescope – Five hundred aperture spherical telescope (FAST)?

a. Chinab. Russiac. Singapored. United States



13. India’s first coastal industrial corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai was in news. It received financial assistance from –

a. World Bankb. Asia development bank (ADB)c. International financial management committeed. International monetary fund (IMF)

14. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) appears in news. It is related to –

a. Curbing the menace of Black Moneyb. International media reformsc. Human rights enforcementd. Governance reforms

15. In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37-90%. Which of the following has the least weight?

a. Cement b. Fertilizersc. Natural gasd. Refinery products

16. Consider the following statements:

1. The Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) works under the Union ministry of Finance

2. The Pension fund regulatory development agency (PFRDA) works under the Union ministry of Labor

Which are correct?a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2d. Neither 1 nor 2

17. Consider the following statements about the Chabahar port:

1. It is the only Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman with direct access to the ocean.

2. Recently India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral pact to improve connectivity to the port.


18. Consider the following statements about the Indian Port Rail Corporation Ltd:

1. The company would take up last-mile connectivity projects first for the major ports, and eventually for the non-major ports.

2. The Government proposes to engage the Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL) for the port connectivity projects identified under the Sagarmala programme


19. Which of the following endangered species is not a part of Union ministry of Environment and forests initiative – Endangered species recovery project?

a. Gangetic dolphinb. Sangai/dancing deerc. Ghariald. Sea cow

20. Which National park has India’s first butterfly enclosure?

a. Bannerghatta National Park, Karnatakab. Mt. Harriet National Park, A&N Islandsc. Chandoli National Park, Maharashtrad. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra

21. Which of the following tributary of the Brahmaputra has been blocked by China as a part of a major hydro-electric project?

a. Manasb. Lohitc. Yarlung Zangbod. Siang

22. Consider the following statements about Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

1. It is a joint venture of state-run power companies for Sustainable use of energy

2. It is responsible for implementation of Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) or the UJALA scheme.

Which are correct?


23. Which of the following Schedules in the Indian Constitution contains provisions related to Land reforms?

a. Schedule 8b. Schedule 12c. Schedule 9d. Schedule 10



24. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used?

1. Assessment of crop productivity2. Locating ground water resources3. Mineral exploration4. Telecommunications5. Traffic studiesSelect the correct answer using the code given below

a. 1, 2 and 3 onlyb. 4 and 5 onlyc. 1 and 2 onlyd. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

25. Centre’s ‘99 project scheme’ is related to

a. Irrigationb. Rural Employmentc. Organic farmingd. Fisheries

26. Which of the following schemes of the centre aims to reform the power sector by rejuvenating DISCOMS?

a. UDAYb. UJALAc. UJJWALAd. ADARSH

27. Consider the following schemes:

1.MGNREGS2.Student scholarship scheme3.PAHAL4.Cash for Food schemeWhich of the following are using Direct benefits transfer:

a. 1 & 2 onlyb. 2 & 3 onlyc. 1, 2 & 3d. All 4

28. The Indian Meteorological department (IMD) works under –

a. Union ministry of Earth sciencesb. Union ministry of Environment and forestc. Union ministry of Energyd. It is an autonomous body, not a part of any ministry.

29. Goods and Services tax is a -

a. Union legislationb. State legislationc. Concurrent legislationd. None of these

30. Which organization releases the World trade report?

a. World trade organizationb. World economic forumc. World Bankd. International monetary fund

31. Consider the following statements about Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) - 2016 :

1. It is an initiative of the Union ministry of Finance2. It provides a one-time opportunity to black money

holders to come clean by declaring their domestic undisclosed income and assets by paying tax plus penalty.

Which are correct?


32. Recently the Union Ministry of Railways launched the Yatri Mitra Sewa to

a. Improve the railway travel experience of elderly, differently-abled and ailing passengers

b. Improve the railway travel experience of women passengers

c. Reform passenger service delivery systemd. None of these

33. The Foreign direct investment (FDI) policy of India is framed by –

a. Foreign Investment Promotion board (FIPB)b. Department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP)c. Make in Indiad. None of these

34. Which of the following statements regarding the BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS are correct -

1. It is a biogeographic region with a very high endemism and threat to Biodiversity

2. It is declared by Conservation International

a. 1 onlyb. 2 onlyc. both 1 and 2d. neither 1 nor 2

35. Which of the following statements are correct –

1. U.N. General Assembly has a global target to end the AIDS rhetoric by 2030

2. It is a part of UN Sustainable development goals (SDG)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a. 1 onlyb. 2 onlyc. Both 1 and 2d. Neither 1 nor 2



36. Which of the following statements regarding Zika virus is not correct?

a. It was first isolated from a monkey in the Zika forest of Uganda.

b. It is transmitted by day time active Aedes mosquitoesc. It does not cause mother to child infeciond. Zika infection in pregnant women causes abnormal

brain development in foetus.

37. Which of the following diseases have been completely eradicated from India –

1. Maternal and Neonatal tetanus 2. Polio3. Yaws4. Small pox

a. 1, 2 and 3 onlyb. 1 and 2 onlyc. 1, 2 and 4 onlyd. All the above

38. Consider the following statements regarding GST?1. It is a tax levied when a consumer buys a good or

service2. GST does not tax or get into the specific commoditiesWhich of the statements is/are correct?

a) Only 1b) Only 2c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

39. With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes / constitute the Current Account?

1. Balance of trade2. Foreign assets3. Balance of invisibles4. Special Drawing RightsSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1 onlyb. 2 and 3c. 1 and 3d. 1, 2 and 4

40. The Suez Canal connects which of the following seas?

a. Mediterranean and Black seab. Black and Red seac. Red Sea and the Persian Gulfd. Mediterranean and the Red sea

41. Consider the following statements, 1. Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World

Heritage site. 2. The name of the park is originated from the Manas

River. 3. Manas river is a major tributary of Brahmaputra River,

which passes through the heart of the national park

Which of the statements is/are correct?

a. Only 1 and 2b. Only 2 and 3c. All, 1, 2 and 3 d. Neither 1 nor 2 nor 3

42. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Dassault Rafale fighter jets that India recently purchased from France?

1. It is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft2. It capable of carrying out all combat missions

including nuclear deterrence

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1&2 d. Neither 1 nor 2.

43. Inter-state water dispute tribunals are formed according to –

a. Article 262 of the Indian constitution b. States re-organization act, 1956c. Article 263 of the Indian constitution d. None of these

44. Which constitutional amendment made right to property a mere constitutional/legal right?

a. 44b. 43c. 42d. Both (a) and (c)

45. The Paris agreement adopted in the Conference of Parties (COP) in 2015 will come into force provided it is signed by?

a. 51 UNFCCC parties accounting for atleast 51% of the Green House Gas emissions

b. 51 UNFCCC parties accounting for atleast 55% of the Green House Gas emissions

c. 55 UNFCCC parties accounting for atleast 55% of the Green House Gas emissions

d. 71 UNFCCC parties accounting for atleast 77% of the Green House Gas emissions

46. Mission Raqqa sometimes appears in news. It is in?

a. Syriab. Saudi Arabiac. Turkeyd. Iraq

47. Which sector attracted the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India since 2000?

a. Servicesb. Manufacturing and constructionc. Traded. e-commerce



48. Which city is called the Super-computer capital of India?

a. Bangaloreb. Poonac. Hyderabadd. Delhi

49. Boeing’s P-8 is sometimes seen in news. It is?

a. Hypersonic jetb. Largest amphibious aircraftc. Multi-mission Maritime Aircraftd. None of these

50. The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers appears in news in the context of -

a. Railway budgetb. General anti-avoidance rulesc. Goods & Services taxd. Direct tax code

51. Under the new civil aviation policy of 2016, India plans to enter into open sky air service agreements (ASA) with the members of -

a. East Asian Summit b. BIMSTECc. BRICSd. SAARC

52. ‘Friendship – 2016’ is the Joint military exercise between

a. India and Russiab. Pakistan and Russiac. China and Pakistand. Pakistan and India

53. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an initiative of –

a. Russiab. Indiac. Chinad. European-union

54. Which of the following countries recently claimed to have tested Hydrogen bomb?

a. North Koreab. Pakistanc. Irand. South Korea

55. Which is the biggest natural satellite of Saturn?

a. Titanb. Mirandac. Europad. Gannymede

56. The fuel used in the Cryogenic engine of GSLV –

a. Liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygenb. Liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogenc. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygend. None of these

57. The main application of ISRO’s Geo-stationary satellites are -

a. Communicationb. Inter-planetary explorationc. Remote sensingd. Weather forecasting

58. NASA’s spacecraft which is exploring the biggest asteroid ‘Ceres’ is –

a. Neowise missionb. Oriris rexc. Dawnd. New horizons

59. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched by –

a. PSLVb. RSLVc. GSLVd. None of these

60. Which of the following statements are correct regarding PSLV rocket used by ISRO?

1. Till date it has failed only once2. Till date it has placed satellites in multiple orbits in a

single launch only once.


61. Which of the following countries are nuclear weapon states according to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?

a. U.S., U.K., Russia, Germany, Franceb. U.S., U.K., Russia, China, Francec. U.S., Japan, Russia, Germany, Franced. U.S., U.K., Russia, India, France

62. Which of the following multilateral groups aim to form an International North-South Transportation corridor to connect Central Asia to Persian Gulf?

a. Ashgabat agreementb. Gulf cooperation councilc. Shanghai cooperation organizationd. Regional comprehensive economic partnership



63. With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below


64. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s ) were adopted at

a. 70th UNGA Meet, 2015b. Rio + 20 Conference 2012c. 69th UNGA Meet, 2014d. Rio + 10 Summit, 2002

65. Which part of Ukraine separated from it and joined Russia in 2014 post Ukrainian crisis?

a. Crimeab. Kievc. Kharkivd. Kharkov

66. Which of the following sector has the highest weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) –

a. Manufacturingb. Miningc. Electricityd. Coal

67. Which of the following statements are correct –

1. The Permanent court of arbitration works under the aegis of UN

2. It is not a court in the traditional sense, but provides services of arbitral tribunal to resolve multilateral disputes


68. Which is the 1st indigenously built nuclear powered submarine of India?

a. INS Arihantb. INS Astradharinic. INS Jalaswad. INS Chakra

69. Recently Indian navy launched ‘Mormugoa’ and released into the Arabian Sea. It is a

a. Nuclear powered submarineb. Aircraft carrierc. Most advanced guided missile destroyerd. None of these

70. Which of the following statements are correct –1. Law Commission of India is an executive body

established by an order of the Government of India.2. The Commission is established for a fixed tenure and

works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.


71. The famous Nehru Trophy boat race in Alappuzha is held annually on –

a. National waterway 2b. National waterway 3c. National waterway 1d. None of these

72. Which of the following articles in the Indian constitution are related to the Presidents’ rule (State emergency)?

a. Article 356b. Article 365c. Both (a) and (b)d. Neither (a) nor (b)

73. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the NEW- DEVELOPMENT BANK of BRICS?

1. The idea was mooted at 2012 New- Delhi BRICS Summit. 2. All 5 Nations do not have equal share, voting rights. 3. China & Russia have VETO Powers. 4. Its Head quarters is at SHANGAI,CHINA

a) 1 & 2b) 1, 2 & 3c) 1 & 4 d) All are right.

74. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the UN office of drugs and crime?

1. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group

2. It aims to combat illicit trafficking and abuse of drugs, crime prevention and criminal justice, international terrorism, and political corruption.

a) 1 onlyb) 2 onlyc) both 1 & 2d) neither 1 nor 2



75. Which Para-military force is responsible for Counter-Terror operations in India -

a. Border Security Force (BSF)b. National Security Guard (NSG) c. National Investigative Agency (NIA)d. Both b & c

76. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation?

1. It is a constitutional body2. It works under the ministry of Personnel


77. Which of the following organizations releases the Ease of doing Business index?

a. World Bankb. International financial corporationc. International financial and management committeed. None of these

78. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the ‘National Infrastructure & investment Fund’ of India?

1. It funds Infrastructure development in Clean Energy, Agriculture & NBFC’s

2. It Works under the Union Ministry of Trade & Commerce

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1&2 d. Neither 1 nor 2

79. The 2016 BRICS Environment ministers meet was held at

a. Karnatakab. Goac. Maharashtrad. New Delhi

80. The Red Data Books published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of

1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots,

2. Threatened plant and animal species.3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural

resources in various countries.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a. 1 and 3b. 2 onlyc. 2 and 3d. 3 only

81. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Most Favored Nation (MFN) -

1. According to WTO, the term ‘MFN’ means non-discrimination.

2. India is a signatory to the MFN principle of the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)


82. In 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed. The origin of WTO can be traced to –

a. General agreement on trade and tariff (GATT)b. General agreement on trade in services (GATS)c. Trade related intellectual property rights (TRIPS)d. None of these

83. ‘Jaffna Peninsula’ and ‘Elephant pass’ appears in news. It is in

a. Sri Lankab. Bangladeshc. Pakistand. Nepal

84. Which of the following have coral reefs?

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands2. Gulf of Kachchh3. Gulf of Mannar4. SunderbansSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1, 2 and 3 onlyb. 2 and 4 onlyc. 1 and 3 onlyd. 1, 2, 3 and 4

85. The Breakthrough Listen project appears in news. It is a. The Biggest search for Extra-terrestrial life in spaceb. A program to promote conservation of energyc. A Gravitational wave observatoryd. None of these

86. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Indus water treaty?

1. It was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan for the sharing of Indus waters.

2. Recently, China became a party to it3. The treaty was brokered by World Bank.

a. 1 and 2 onlyb. 2 and 3 onlyc. 1 and 3 onlyd. All 3 are correct



87. Dual budgeting – Railway budget and General budget was introduced in India in 1921 on the recommendation of

a. Acworth committeeb. Macauley committeec. Simon commissiond. Fraser committee

88. Which organization in India conducts National Employment-Unemployment Survey annually?

a. National labor commissionb. National labor bureauc. Central statistical officed. National sample survey office

89. Which of the following countries does the river Indus pass through?

a. Tibet b. Nepal c. Pakistan d. Both a and c

90. Which of the following National Parks are World Heritage Sites

1. Kaziranga, Assam2. Manas, Assam3. Simlipal, Odisha4. Sunderbans, West Bengal

a. 1 and 2 onlyb. 1, 2 and 3c. 2, 3 and 4d. 1, 2 and 4

91. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Indian-Long Time Ecological Observations (I-LTEOs)

1. It was launched at COP-20, Lima in 20142. It was an initiative of a model developed by IISC,

Bangalore to analyse the impact of Global Warming on 8 different biomes of India

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. both 1 and 2 d. neither1 nor 2

92. LOHAFEX is in news frequently. It is-

a. An experiment in the Antarctic region to spread awareness regarding melting of glacier due to Climate Change

b. An experiment in the arctic region to spread awareness regarding melting of glaciers due to climate change

c. An underwater observatory of India in Arctic regiond. None of these

93. Name the International Organization which started the CLIMATE-CHANGE ACTION GROUP to combat climate change?

a. World Bank Groupb. UNFCCCc. WMO d. UNEP

94. Which of the following National Parks have Mangroves:

1. Sunderbans 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Buxar 4. Bandipur

a. 1 & 2 onlyb. 2 & 3 only c. 1, 2 & 3 d. 1, 2 & 4

95. The WTO’s SSM(Special Safeguards Mechanism) is a Special Provision available to:

a. LDC’s (Least Developed Countries)b. Developing Countriesc. Developed Countriesd. Emerging Nations.

96. Which is the biggest National Park in India?

a. Nandadevi, Uttarkhandb. Hemis National Park, J&Kc. Jim Corbett, Uttarkhandd. Bandipur, Karnataka.

97. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the LIGO Experiment?

1. It aims to accurately predicting the existence of Gravitational Waves

2. It is based at Washington & Lousiana.

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 & 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2

98. Creation of SMART-VILLAGES/URBAN-CLUSTERS is a part of:

a. RURBAN Missionb. PURA Schemec. NRHMd. Rural Skill Development Scheme.

99. The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India Works Under:

a. Union Ministry of Food & Consumer Affairsb. Union Ministry of Health & Family Affairsc. Union Ministry of Agriculture d. None of the above

100. Which of the following languages are accorded ‘CLASSICAL –LANGUAGE’ tag by the Union Ministry of Culture?

a. Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil & Telugub. Kannada, Hindi, Tamil & Sanskritc. Kannada, Oriya, Hindi & Sanskritd. None of the above



ANSWER KEYS1 c

2 a

3 c

4 b

5 c

6 a

7 c

8 c

9 a

10 c

11 d

12 a

13 b

14 a

15 b

16 d

17 c

18 c

19 c

20 a

21 c

22 c

23 c

24 a

25 a

26 c

27 a

28 c

29 c

30 a

31 c

32 a

33 b

34 c

35 c

36 c

37 d

38 b

39 c

40 c

41 c

42 c

43 a

44 a

45 c

46 c

47 a

48 a

49 c

50 c

51 d

52 d

53 c

54 a

55 a

56 c

57 a

58 c

59 c

60 c

61 b

62 a

63 c

64 a

65 a

66 a

67 b

68 a

69 c

70 c

71 c

72 c

73 c

74 c

75 b

76 c

77 a

78 a

79 b

80 b

81 c

82 b

83 a

84 a

85 c

86 c

87 a

88 b

89 d

90 d

91 b

92 a

93 a

94 a

95 c

96 b

97 c

98 a

99 b

100 a



UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES - PAPER I

UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES - PAPER II

Indian Heritage and Culture

UPSC Syllabus

LiteratureArt FormsArchitecture

History

• Modern Indian history include the significant events, personalities, issues during the middle of the eighteenth century until the present

• Various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country in ‘The Freedom Struggle’

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

• History of the world will include events from 18th century like industrial revolution, world wars, colonization, decolonization, redrawal of national boundaries, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc - their forms and effect on the society

Society

• Effects of globalization on Indian society

• Salient aspects of Diversity of India and Indian Society

• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies

• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism

• Current Affairs

Geography of the World and India

• Distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent; factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world including India

• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes

• Salient features of world’s physical geography

• Current Affairs

Polity & Constitution

• Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein

• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

• Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and

the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity

• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

• Current Affairs

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

• Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

• Issues relating to poverty and hunger

• Role of civil services in a democracy

• Current Affairs

Governance & Social Justice



UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES - PAPER III

Economy

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

• Government Budgeting

• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

• Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

• Economics of animal-rearing.

• Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions

Science & Technology

• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology;

• Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

• Current Affairs

International Relations

• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

• India and its neighborhood- relations

• Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

• Current Affairs

• Land reforms in India.

• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

• Investment models

• Current Affairs

Bio diversity & Environment

• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

• Current Affairs

Security

• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention

Disaster Management

• Disaster and disaster management.

• Current Affairs

UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES - PAPER IV

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

• Ethics and Human Interface- Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships

• Human Values- lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

• Attitude- content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion

• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections

• Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world

• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration- Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas

• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

• Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

• Current Affairs



• Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance

• History of India and Indian National Movement

• Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

• Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (no subject specialization required.

• General Science

• Comprehension

• Interpersonal skills including communication skills

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability

• Decision making and problem solving

• General mental ability

• Basic numeracy (Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. Class X level)

in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance

• Probity in Governance- Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information; sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption

• Case Studies on above issues

QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :

(i) Comprehension of given passages

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary

(iv) Short Essays

Indian Languages:

(i) Comprehension of given passages

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary

(iv) Short Essays

(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

Note:

1) The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

2) The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved..

IAS EXAM PRELIMS PAPER – I SYLLABUS

IAS EXAM PRELIMS PAPER – II SYLLABUS

• Data interpretation (Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. Class X level)

• English language comprehension skills (Class X level)

• Questions relating to English language comprehension skills of class X level.

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