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CORPUS FUND FOR SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)…….. Pg 2

NEW METRO RAIL POLICY (Prelims + GS 2 Governance + GS 3 Infra)……………………………………………………………………Pg 3

STEPS TAKEN TO CUT LOSSES OF AIR INDIA (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE + GS 3 ECONOMY)………………Pg 4 PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL SPORTS (Very Important for Prelims)………………………………………………………….Pg 5 NATIONAL BIOPHARMA MISSION (Prelims + GS 3 Science and Technology)……………………………………………………….Pg 5 Domestic Cruise Industry (GS – 3 Economy and Tourism)…………………………………………………………….……………………….Pg 6 BREASTFEEDING WEEK (GS 1 Social Issues + GS 3 Health and Family welfare)………………..….……….……………………….Pg 7 ROADMAP – EVERGREEN REVOLUTION (Prelims + GS 3 Agriculture)……………………….………….……………………….Pg 9 BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA (PRELIMS + GS 3 ENVIRONMENT)…………………………………………….……………………….Pg 10 LABOUR REFORMS FOR LABOURERS (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)……………………….………………………………….Pg 11 AAJEEVIKA GRAMEEN EXPRESS YOJANA (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)……………………………………………….….Pg 12 DEVELOPMENT OF SHIPPING SECTOR (Prelims + GS 3 Infrastructure)……………………………………………….…………Pg 13 MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE (PRELIMS + GS 3 INFRASTRUCTURE)……………………………………………………………………..….….Pg 14 NITI AAYOG TO LAUNCH “MENTOR INDIA”CAMPAIGN (Prelims + GS 2 Governance)…..………………..….Pg 15 SANKALP SE SIDHI (PRELIMS)………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………Pg 16 SWASTH BACHCHE, SWASTH BHARAT (Prelims)………………………………………………………………………………………………Pg 16

ALTERNATIVE MECHANISM FOR MERGER OF PSB’s(PRELIMS + GS2 GOVERNANCE)…………………….…………Pg 17 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE + GS 3 AGRICULTURE)…………Pg 18 HASTYOG SAHYOG SHIVIR (PRELIMS)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Pg 19 NITI AAYOG - EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT (PRELIMS + GS 3 ECONOMY)……………………………………..Pg 19 SECURE EMAIL SERVICE (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)…………………………………………………………………………………………..Pg 21

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CORPUS FUND FOR SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has accorded its approval today for creation of a non-lapsable pool in the Public Account for secondary and higher, education known as "Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh" (MUSK) into which all proceeds of "Secondary and Higher Education Cess" will be credited.

Significance – The funds arising from the MUSK would be utilized for schemes in the education sector which would be available for the benefit of students of secondary and higher education, all over the country.

Details – • Administration and maintenance of the above pool by Ministry of Human Resource

Development. • Accruals from the Cess would be utilized in the ongoing schemes of Secondary and

Higher Education. However, the Ministry of Human Resources Development can allocate funds for any future programme/scheme of secondary and higher education, based on the requirement, as per prescribed procedure,

• In any financial year, the expenditure on ongoing schemes of the Department of School Education & Literacy and Department of Higher Education would be initially incurred from the gross budgetary support (GBS) and the expenditure would be financed from the MUSK only after the GBS is exhausted.

• The MUSK would be maintained as a Reserve Fund in the non-interest bearing section of the Public Accounts of India.

Benefit – The major benefit will be enhancing access to secondary and higher education through availability of adequate resources, while ensuring that the amount does not lapse at the end of financial year.

Features – 1. Accruals into the proposed non-lapsable fund will be made available for expansion of secondary education and higher education. 2. For Secondary Education – Presently, the Ministry of Human Resources Development envisages that the accruals from the Cess would be utilized in the secondary education for –

• Ongoing Rashtriya Madhyamik Shlksha Abhiyan Scheme and other approved programmes including –

➢ National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme and ➢ National Scheme for Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education.

3. Higher Education – the accruals would be utilized for – • ongoing Schemes of Interest Subsidy and contribution for guarantee funds,

Scholarship for College & University Students; • Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyaan;



• Scholarship (from Block Grant to the institutions) and National Mission on Teachers and Training.

However, the Ministry of Human Resources Development can allocate funds for any programme/scheme of secondary and higher education, based on the requirement & prescribed procedure.

Operation of the fund – • The purpose of levying cess for secondary and higher education is to provide

adequate resources for secondary and higher education. • The fund would be operationalised as per the present arrangements under

Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh (PSK) wherein the proceeds of cess are used for Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Schemes of the Department of School Education & Literacy.

Background –

• During the 10th Plan, an education cess of 2% on all central taxes was imposed w.e.f. 1.4.2004 to make available additional resources for basic education/elementary education to augment the existing budgetary resources.

• A cess @ 1% on central taxes, called the "Secondary and Higher Education Cess" was levied through Finance Act, 2007 to "fulfil the commitment of the Government to provide and finance secondary and higher education" (Section 136 of the Act).

• In July, 2010, a draft cabinet note was circulated by the HRD Ministry wherein it was proposed to create a non-lapsable fund in the Public Account called "Madhyamik and Uchchatar Shiksha Kosh" (MUSK) as a receptacle for the proceeds of the Secondary and Higher Education Cess.

• Subsequently, the HRD Ministry sought the approval of the Department of Economic Affairs for revisiting the issue of creation of "Madhyamik and Uchchatar Shiksha Kosh" (MUSK) on 11th February, 2016. Department of Economic Affairs on 20th June, 2016 approved that this Ministry may move a draft Cabinet Note to seek the approval of the Cabinet for creation of. MUSK.

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NEW METRO RAIL POLICY (Prelims + GS 2 Governance + GS 3 Infra)

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved a new Metro Rail Policy that seeks to enable realization of growing metro rail aspirations of a large number of cities but in a responsible manner.

Details – • The policy opens a big window for private investments across a range of metro

operations making PPP component mandatory for availing central assistance for new metro projects. Private investment and other innovative forms of financing of metro projects have been made compulsory to meet the huge resource demand for capital intensive high capacity metro projects.

• “Private participation either for complete provision of metro rail or for some unbundled components (like Automatic Fare Collection, Operation & Maintenance of services etc) will form an essential requirement for all metro ra il projects seeking central financial assistance” says the policy, to capitalize on private resources, expertise and entrepreneurship.

The policy envisages private sector participation in O & M of metro services in different ways.

These include –



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STEPS TAKEN TO CUT LOSSES OF AIR INDIA (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE + GS 3 ECONOMY)

Introduction – The Government had approved a Turnaround Plan (TAP) / Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) for operational and financial turnaround of Air India. The TAP/FRP provides equity infusion of Rs 30,231 crores up to 2021 subject to achievement of certain milestones. The Company has made substantial progress in both operational as well as financial areas as per TAP Milestones. As a part of the turnaround strategy, the company, with the overall support of the government, has initiated a number of steps in order to cut costs and losses.

Steps taken to cut costs and losses – • Route rationalization of erstwhile Air India (AI) & Indian Airlines (IA) route and

elimination of route network involving parallel operations. • Rationalization of certain loss making routes. • Enhanced utilization of new fleet resulting in production of higher Available Seat

Kilometres (ASKMs).

During the last three years Air India initiated a number of steps including various phase market initiatives. The steps inter-alia include the following –

• Introduction of New Routes. • Preferred seat selection on domestic and international routes. • Flash sale of seats to increase revenues and Passenger Load Factor (PLF). • To utilize unsold inventory/launching of airfare equivalent to Rajdhani IIAC fare on

select sectors. • Dynamic pricing and introduction of Advance Purchase fare.

S . No.

Method Details

1. Cost p lus f e e contract

Private operator is paid a monthly/annual payment for O&M of system. This can have a fixed and variable component depending on the quality of service. Operational and revenue risk is borne by the owner.

2. Gross Cost Contract

Private operator is paid a fixed sum for the duration of the contract. Operator to bear the O&M risk while the owner bears the revenue risk.

3. N e t C o s t Contract

Operator collects the complete revenue generated for the services provided. If revenue generation is below the O&M cost, the owner may agree to compensate.



• Various sales and Marketing Initiatives.

Background – • Air India was launched in 1932 by JRD Tata as Tata Airlines. Its name was changed

to the current one in 1946. The government decided to take it over in 1953. • In 2000 too, also under a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, there was a

move to privatize Air India but it went nowhere. • The airline has the largest domestic and long-haul fleet of 140 planes in the

country and flies to nearly 41 international and 72 domestic destinations. • Apart from the planes, the airline also has vast land holdings, including nearly 32

acres in central Mumbai, besides its iconic headquarters on Marine Drive valued at more than Rs 1,600 crore. It also has properties in New Delhi, London, Hong Kong, Nairobi, Japan and Mauritius.

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PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL SPORTS (Very Important for Prelims)

Introduction – The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said that the Sports is a State subject and, therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to promote and develop Sports in the country. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments. Under the revamped Khelo India proposal, there is an exclusive component called “Promotion of Rural, Indigenous and Tribal Games” for promotion and development of traditional sports.

Details – While implementing sports promotional schemes in various sports disciplines across the country, Sports Authority of India (SAI) also promotes Indigenous Games and Martial Arts (IGMA) in 09 disciplines under its National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) scheme where talented children are selected in the age group of 8-14 years in 10 SAI adopted Centres.

In order to revive such games and promote them among the masses, SAI has adopted the following indigenous games disciplines for their promotion –

• Kalaripayatu, Kerala • Silambam, Tamilnadu • Kabaddi, Telengana • Archery, Jharkhand • Malkhamb, Maharashtra • Mukna, Imphal • Thangta, Imphal • Khomlainai, Assam • Gatka, Punjab

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NATIONAL BIOPHARMA MISSION (Prelims + GS 3 Science and Technology)



The National Biopharma Mission has been launched by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology on 30th June 2017 in New Delhi.

Details – • This is an Industry-Academia mission to accelerate biopharmaceutical development

in India that has been approved by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. • Further, as per the Cabinet approval, this Mission for Accelerating Discovery

Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals – “Innovate in India (i3)” Empowering biotech entrepreneurs & accelerating inclusive innovation will be implemented at a total cost of Rs. 1500 crore for a period of five years and 50% of the grant will be arranged through the World Bank loan.

• The Mission Programme of Department of Biotechnology, will be implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) a Public Sector Undertaking of the Department.

• BIRAC as an umbrella Product Development Partnership (PDP) would facilitate this program by bringing together partners through existing frameworks for specific program goals and would facilitate this program by involving established organizations with relevant expertise in product development.

Objectives – The following are the objectives of the Mission –

• Development of products from leads that are at advanced stages in the product development lifecycle and relevant to the public health.

• Strengthening and establishing shared infrastructure facilities for both product discovery validation and manufacturing.

• Developing human capital by providing specific training to address the critical skills gaps in researchers, nascent biotech companies across the product development value chain, including in business plan development and market penetration.

• Creating and enhancing technology transfer and intellectual property management capacities and capabilities in public and private sector.

Significance – • The programme will specifically focus on the development of new vaccines, bio-

therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices to better address the rising burden of diseases in the country.

• It will also bring isolated centres of excellence together, enhance regional capabilities and strengthen the current bio-clusters network in terms of capacities as well as quantity and quality of output.

• The programme will help deliver 6-10 new products in the next five years, create several dedicated facilities for next-generation skills.

• The program would aid in preparing India’s technological and product development capabilities in the biopharmaceutical sector to a level so that it is globally competitive.

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Domestic Cruise Industry (GS – 3 Economy and Tourism)

Cruise tourism is a high-end luxury tourist segment of tourism sector.

Significance – •It is estimated that on an average a cruise tourist spends about US$200-300 and a cruise staff/officer spends about US$100-150 per port visit. •Cruise operations augment local economic activities as business opportunities arise for



supply for provisions, transport, hotels, bunkering etc. to cruise ships which generate direct and indirect employment.

• The local economy also gains from the spending by cruise tourists during land excursions.

Measures taken to boost cruise industry – • All major ports offer a minimum rebate of 30% across the board to cruise ships on

all vessel related charges (port dues, pilotage and berth hire) from the notified scale of rates.

• Major ports do not levy any priority/ousting/shifting charges for berthing the cruise vessel, provided the liner informs port 30 days in advance about the requirement of the berth.

• To attract cruise liners to make major ports as homeports, the major ports provide rebate of 25% in vessel related charges for coastal cruise movement. This is in addition to the 40% existing rebate for coastal vessels. Further, walk-in berthing/preferential berthing is given to cruise vessels at home port without any extra charge.

• Foreign flag vessels carrying passengers had been allowed to call at Indian ports for a period of 10 years with effect from 6th February, 2009 without obtaining a license from Director General of Shipping. This has been further extended for a period of five years i.e. up to 5th February, 2024.

• For promoting cruise tourism, a Task Force has been constituted jointly by Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism. The Task Force is responsible for drawing up strategies for promotion of cruise tourism including development of facilities and related infrastructure as well as facilitation.

• Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling cruise vessels and passengers have been implemented.

• To address manpower, coordination and logistic issues for handling cruise vessels at ports, Port Level Committees with chairman of the respective Major Port Trust as Chairman, Secretary Tourism of the concerned state as Vice-Chairman and Regional Director of the respective region of Ministry of Tourism as Convener have been constituted.

• Ministry of Tourism under its Scheme for Assistance to Central Agencies extends financial assistance to the Ports for development of cruise related tourism infrastructure.

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BREASTFEEDING WEEK (GS 1 Social Issues + GS 3 Health and Family welfare)



Breastfeeding Week is observed in the first week of August to focus attention on the important aspect of promotion and support of breastfeeding.

Theme – The theme of this year’s breastfeeding week is ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding’. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has planned various activities at the national level during this week in association with IAP and Rammohan Lohia Hospital.

Details – • To intensify the efforts further for promotion of breastfeeding, the Health Ministry

has initiated a nationwide programme called “MAA-Mother’s Absolute Affection'’ to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of services towards supporting breastfeeding, along with ongoing efforts of routine health systems.

• In addition, “National Guidelines on Lactation Management Centres in Public Health Facilities” have been recently released to facilitate establishment of lactation management centres for ensuring that the sick and pre-term babies are fed with safe human breast milk.

Key components of MAA programme – • The key components of the MAA programme are awareness generation, promotion

of breastfeeding & inter personal counselling at community level, skilled support for breastfeeding at delivery points and monitoring and Award/ recognition of health facility.

• Under this programme, ASHA has been incentivized for reaching out to pregnant and lactating mothers and provide information on benefits and techniques of successful breastfeeding during interpersonal communication.

• ANMs at all sub-centres and health personnel at all delivery points are being trained for providing skilled support to mothers referred with issues related to breastfeeding.

Significance of breastfeeding – • Breastfeeding is an important efficient and cost-effective intervention promoting

child survival and health. • Breastfeeding within an hour of birth could prevent 20% of the new-born deaths. • Infants who are not breastfed are 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia and

11 times more likely to die from diarrhoea than children who are exclusively breastfed, which are two leading causes of death in children under-five years of age.

• In addition, children who were not breastfed are at increased risk for diabetes, obesity, allergies, asthma, childhood leukaemia, sudden infant death syndrome etc.

• Apart from mortality and morbidity benefits, breastfeeding also has tremendous impact on improved IQ.

Conclusion – The trend of breastfeeding has shown an upward trend. As per recent data, initial breastfeeding has been nearly doubled in last decade. i.e from 23.4 per cent to 41.6 per cent. Significant improvement has also been reported for exclusive breastfeeding as proportion of children under age 6 months exclusively breastfed, has gone up to 54.9 (NFHS-4) per cent from 46.4 per cent (NFHS-3). However, there is further scope of improving initial breastfeeding rates considering the high proportion of institutional deliveries in the country. _____________________________________________________________________________

P.T.O



ROADMAP – EVERGREEN REVOLUTION (Prelims + GS 3 Agriculture)

The NITI Aayog has drafted the three years’ action plan for all the sectors including agriculture. The action plan on agriculture deals with remunerative prices for farmers and raising productivity.

Strategies include – • Increase in production of Pulses –

➢ National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses) is being implemented in 638 districts of 29 States in the country. The interventions covered under NFSM-Pulses include cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, distribution of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), INM, IPM, resource conservation technologies/tools, efficient water application tools and cropping system based training for increasing production and productivity of pulses.

➢ Under this scheme, new initiatives have been taken up during 2016-17 i.e., creation of seed hubs, breeder seed production, minikit distribution, cluster frontline demonstrations etc.

• Use of wasteland – PMKSY is principally for development of rainfed portions of net cultivated & culturable wastelands.

• Seed Village programme – To upgrade the quality of farmer’s saved seeds financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seeds at 50% cost of the seeds for agricultural crops for half an acre per farmer was available up to the year 2013-14. From the year 2014-15, the financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seeds at 50% cost of the seeds for cereal crops and 60% for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops for production of quality seeds is now available for one acre per farmer.

• Certified Seed Production of Pulses, oilseeds, Fodder & Green Manure crops through Seed Village – In order to enhance certified seed production of Pulses, oilseeds, Fodder & Green manure crops in the country, this component has been initiated from 2014-15. Under this component the financial assistance for distribution of foundation seeds at 75% cost of the seeds for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops for production of Certified Seeds is available for the farmers.



Note – The above schemes are demand driven and implemented by the States/implementing agencies for benefiting the farmers. Model Contract Farming Act – In pursuance of announcement in the Union budget 2017-18, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has constituted a Committee on 28.02.2017 to formulate a Model Contract Farming Act for adoption by the States. This Model Act on Contract Farming would address the constraints in promoting contract farming in a holistic manner by the States. The agriculture and allied sector road map endeavours growth of agriculture for meeting food and nutrition security of the country. _____________________________________________________________________________

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA (PRELIMS + GS 3 ENVIRONMENT)

What is a Biosphere Reserve? “Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/ marine ecosystems or a combination thereof. BRs are designated to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values. BRs are thus special environments for both people and the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs.

Details – • The Biosphere Reserve Programme is guided by UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB)

programme as India is a signatory to the landscape approach supported by MAB programme.

• A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratios to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states and in the ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance, improvement and development of certain items.

• The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which is approved and monitored by Central MAB Committee”.

List of Biosphere Reserves in India – 1. Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh 2. Nanda Devi, Uttrakhand 3. Khangchendzonga, Sikkim 4. Dehang-Debang, Arunachal Pradesh 5. Manas, Assam 6. Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam 7. Nokrek, Meghalaya 8. Panna, Madhya Pradesh 9. Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh 10. Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh-Chattisgarh 11. Kachchh, Gujarat 12. Similipal, Odisha 13. Sundarban, West Bengal 14. Seshachalam, Andhra Pradesh 15. Agasthyamala, Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala 16. Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu-Kerala 17. Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu 18.Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island



LABOUR REFORMS FOR LABOURERS (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken a number of legislative initiatives in labour laws during the last 3 years.

Such initiatives include – • Amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 by which eligibility limit for

payment of bonus enhanced from Rs 10,000/- to Rs. 21,000/- per month and the Calculation Ceiling from Rs. 3,500/- to Rs. 7,000/- or the minimum wages.

• Payment of Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017 enabling payment of Wages to employees by Cash or Cheque or crediting it to their bank account.

• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 provides for complete ban on employment of children below 14 years in any occupation or process.

• Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017, increases the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.

• The Employee Compensation (Amendment) Act, seeks to rationalize penalties and strengthen the rights of the workers under the Act.

• Ministry has notified “Ease of Compliance to maintain Registers under various Labour Laws Rules, 2017” on 21st February 2017 which has in effect replaced the 56 Registers/Forms under 9 Central Labour Laws and Rules made there under in to 5 common Registers/Forms. This will save efforts, costs and lessen the compliance burden by various establishments.

• A Model Shops and Establishments (RE&CS) Bill, 2016 has been circulated to all States/UTs for adoption with appropriate modification. The said Bill inter alia provides for freedom to operate an Establishment for 365 days in a year without any restriction on opening/closing time and enables employment of women during night shifts if adequate safety provisions exist.



• A category i.e. Fixed Term Employment has been introduced under Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 to impart flexibility to an establishment to employ people in case of Apparel Manufacturing Sector to meet the fluctuating demands of the sector due to its seasonal nature.

Conclusion – These legislative initiatives are expected to not only facilitate effective enforcement but also enhance wage security, job security, social security and safety, health and working conditions for workers. _____________________________________________________________________________

AAJEEVIKA GRAMEEN EXPRESS YOJANA (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)

The Government of India has decided to launch a new sub-scheme named “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)” as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Significance – • The Self Help Groups under DAY-NRLM will operate road transport service in

backward areas. This will help to provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote villages with key services and amenities (such as access to markets, education and health) for the overall economic development of backward rural areas.

• This will also provide an additional avenue of livelihood for SHGs. • The Community Investment Fund (CIF) provided to Community Based Organization

(CBOs) under DAY-NRLM will be utilized to support the SHG members in this new livelihoods initiative.

• The beneficiary SHG member will be provided an interest free loan by the CBO from its Community Investment Fund up to Rs.6.50 lakh for purchase of the vehicle. Alternative, CBO will own the vehicle and lease it to an SHG member to operate the vehicle and pay lease rental to the CBO.

Details – • AGEY will be initially implemented in 250 Blocks in the country on pilot basis with

each Block provided up to 6 vehicles to operate the transport services. • The Blocks will be selected by States from among the Blocks where NRLM is being

implemented intensively and where mature CBOs are already functioning.



Backwardness, lack of transportation links and sustainability of service would be the guiding factors in the selection of Blocks and routes.

• The State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) will do a feasibility study and traffic survey in the selected blocks to identity the routes and the number and capacity of vehicles which can be operated on sustainable basis

• The SRLMs will be co-ordinating with State Transport Department for issue of permit for the vehicle.

• The SHG member shall run the vehicle on approved routes at pre-determined frequency as jointly agreed between the CBO and the SHG operator based on financial viability and the need for transport link.

• All vehicles under the scheme shall have a defined colour code and carry AGEY branding to ensure their identity and avoid diversion to other routes.

• The State Rural Livelihood Mission will arrange capacity building for their staff at State, District and Block levels for operating the Scheme.

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DEVELOPMENT OF SHIPPING SECTOR (Prelims + GS 3 Infrastructure)

Under the Government of India’s Sagarmala Programme to promote port-led development, a master plan has been formulated for the 12 Major Ports. 142 port capacity expansion projects with an estimated cost of Rs. 91,434 Crore and capacity creation of 884 MMTPA have been identified in this master plan for implementation over the next 20 years.

Steps to strengthen shipping and ports sector – • Exemption of Customs and Excise Duty leviable on bunker fuels used in Indian flag

vessels for transportation of mix of EXIM, domestic and empty containers between two or more ports in India.

• Abatement of service tax of 70% for transportation of goods by Coastal shipping and Inland Waterways transportation.

• Ministry of Finance has notified inclusion of stand-alone shipyards undertaking activities such as shipbuilding and ship-repair in the Harmonized List of Infrastructure sectors.



• To promote manufacture of sea-going vessels by Indian shipyards, Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy was approved for contracts signed during a ten-year period, viz. 2016-2026.

• Customs and Central Excise duty exemption on inputs used in manufacture of ships to provide a level playing field between indigenously built ships vis-à-vis imported ships.

• Shipping enterprises based in India have been permitted to acquire ships abroad and also flag them in the country of their convenience. This policy initiative of “Indian Controlled Tonnage (ICT)” has facilitated Indian ship-owners to gain access to cheaper funds abroad and also save on costs of setting up subsidiaries abroad to acquire and maintain such tonnage.

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MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE (PRELIMS + GS 3 INFRASTRUCTURE)

Defence sector being a User driven sector is actively involved in various policies & procedures related to procurement, indigenous design, development & manufacture of defence equipment, co-development & co-production with foreign OEMs, thus contributing towards ‘Make in India’.

Some of the major areas, where defence personnel are involved, are listed below - • ‘Make Procedure’: ‘Make’ procedure as given out at Chapter-III of Defence

Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2016, envisages involvement of Defence personnel at various stages of development of a defence equipment. The ‘Make’ projects are identified through a consultative process with involvement of members from Services Head Quarters (SHQs). Project Management Unit (PMU) headed by Service officer, established at SHQs, is responsible for monitoring the implementation of ‘Make’ projects of respective SHQ. The Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) mandated to steer the Make project, is also headed by Service Officer.

• Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: TDF scheme launched by the Government aims at funding the development of defence and dual use technologies that are currently not available with the Indian defence industry, or have not been developed so far, thus creating an Eco-system for enhancing cutting edge technology capability for Defence application. The scheme envisages constitution of Empowered Committee and Technical Committee with representation from Armed Forces as members, which are involved in identification of technologies, Project Monitoring & Mentoring activities.

• ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy & Make’ Categories of Capital Acquisition: ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy & Make’ categories of capital acquisition under DPP,



envisage tie-up between Indian Vendor/ Indian Production Agency & foreign OEM, for indigenous production of defence equipment involving Transfer of Technology (ToT) of critical technologies to promote ‘Make in India’. The Defence Personnel are engaged at various stages of procurement to progress the projects categorised under these categories.

• Army Design Bureau (ADB): SHQ (Army) has established an Army Design Bureau (ADB) in August - 2016 as a single point coordination with Industry & Academia. The mandate of ADB, inter- alia is to act as a central repository of technical know-how, to bring forward the innovation undertaken by field formation, to generate long-term research requirement for Indian Army etc.

In addition, a large number of personnel from the Armed forces are posted in DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) to provide impetus to design & development of projects of the Armed forces, thus contributing to indigenisation process. _____________________________________________________________________________

NITI AAYOG TO LAUNCH “MENTOR INDIA”CAMPAIGN (Prelims + GS 2 Governance)

NITI Aayog will launch the Mentor India Campaign, a strategic nation building initiative to engage leaders who can guide and mentor students at more than 900 Atal Tinkering Labs, established across the country as a part of the Atal Innovation Mission.

Details – • Mentor India is aimed at maximizing the impact of Atal Tinkering Labs, possibly the

biggest disruption in formal education globally. • The idea is to engage leaders who will nurture and guide students in the Atal

Tinkering Labs. These labs are non-prescriptive by nature, and mentors are expected to be enablers rather than instructors.

• NITI Aayog is looking for leaders who can spend anywhere between one to two hours every week in one or more such labs to enable students experience, learn and practice future skills such as design and computational thinking.

Atal Tinkering Labs – Atal Tinkering Labs are dedicated works spaces where students from Class 6th to Class 12th learn innovation skills and develop ideas that will go on to transform India. The lab are powered to acquaint students with state-of-the-art equipment such as 3D printers, robotics & electronics development tools, Internet of things & sensors etc.

Atal Innovation Mission – NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission is among one of the flagship programs of the Government of India to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country to set up the Atal Tinkering Labs across the country. The Mission has / is in the process of setting up 900+ such labs across India and aims to have 2,000 such labs by end of 2017. _____________________________________________________________________________



SANKALP SE SIDHI (PRELIMS)

“Sankalp Se Sidhi” program is being organized across the country to commemorate the 75thAnniversary of Quit India Movement.

Details – • The programs comprise of Kisan Film having message of Hon’ble PM to double

farmers’ income by year 2022, followed by pledge for Sankalp Se Sidhi, lecture by agriculture experts and address of the chief guest.

• The farmers are also being shown various activities in the KVKs and institutes to acquaint them with the latest technologies.

• A film on patriotism is also being screened on this occasion to motivate the participants. In these programs, 33 Ministers/MPs/MLAs have participated so far. Around 129 other VIP dignitaries have also graced the occasion.

• A large number of farmers, extension workers, social activists and various organizations are participating in these programs. The programs are being covered widely by Doordarshan and other channels are also playing a key role in taking the message across the country.

• The participants have been very enthusiastic and are taking the pledge in letter and spirit to take the country forward.

• The New India Manthan program will be taken up by the KVKs/ICAR institutes/SAUs/ATMA during this period with much zeal and dedication.

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SWASTH BACHCHE, SWASTH BHARAT (Prelims) ‘Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat’ Programme, an initiative of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to prepare a physical Health and Fitness Profile Card for more than 12 lakhs of Kendriya Vidyalaya students was launched in Kochi.

Highlights – • Strengthening the education sector of the country through the empowerment of

general education is the aim of Modi Government. • Ensuring quality education for all is also the aim of Government. A system to

involve children, a part of household chores is needed.



• Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat exhibition and the display of Yoga by children were also held.

Highlights – • Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat programme will provide a comprehensive and

inclusive report card for children covering all age groups and children of different abilities.

• Making students, teachers and parents aware about the importance of good health and fitness and encouraging 60 minutes of play each day is an objective of the programme.

• Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat programme also intends to imbibe values of Olympics and Paralympics amongst students.

• Bring back the childhood amongst children and make physical activity and recreational games an integral part of learning process.

• Motivating potentially outstanding performers in various games and sports of excellence, using technology for data capture and analytics, and giving access to schools, parents and teachers are also the objectives of the programmes.

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ALTERNATIVE MECHANISM FOR MERGER OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given in-principle approval for Public Sector Banks to amalgamate through an Alternative Mechanism (AM). The decision would facilitate consolidation among the Nationalised Banks to create strong and competitive banks.

Salient features – The salient features of the approval Framework for Consolidation of Public Sector Banks are as follows –

• The decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks would be solely based on commercial considerations.

• The proposal must start from the Boards of Banks. • The proposals received from Banks for in-principle approval to formulate schemes

of amalgamation shall be placed before the Alternative Mechanism (AM). • After in-principle approval, the Banks will take steps in accordance with law and

SEBI’s requirements. • The final scheme will be notified by Central Government in consultation with the

Reserve Bank of India. Background –

• In 1991, it was suggested that India should have fewer but stronger Public Sector Banks. However, it was only in May 2016 that effective action to consolidate public sector banks began to be taken by announcing amalgamation of six banks into the State bank of India. The merger was completed in record time, unlike earlier mergers of State Banks of Indore and Saurashtra.

• There are now 20 PSBs other than SBI. The banking scenario has changed since 1970/80 when banks were nationalised, with an increased banking presence from Private Sector Banks, non-banking Financial Companies, Regional Rural Banks, Payment Banks and Small Finance Banks.



Significance – The decision is expected to facilitate the creation of strong and competitive banks in public sector space to meet the credit needs of a growing economy, absorb shocks and have the capacity to raise resources without depending unduly on the state exchequer.

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PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (VERY IMPORTANT – PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE + GS 3 AGRICULTURE)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the renaming of the new Central Sector Scheme - SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) as "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) " for the period of 2016-20 coterminous with the 14th Finance Commission cycle. Earlier, CCEA in its meeting held in May, 2017 approved the new Central Sector Scheme - SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) with same allocation and period.

Objective – The objective of PMKSY is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease Agri-Waste.

Financial Allocation – PMKSY with an allocation of Rs. 6,000 crores is expected to leverage investment of Rs. 31,400 crores, handling of 334 lakh MT agro-produce valuing Rs. 1,04,125 crores, benefit 20 lakh farmers and generate 5,30,500 direct/ indirect employments in the country by the year 2019-20.

Impact – • The implementation of PMKSY will result in creation of modern infrastructure with

efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. • It will provide a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country. • It will help in providing better prices to farmers and is a big step towards doubling

of farmers’ income. • It will create huge employment opportunities especially in the rural areas. • It will also help in reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the

processing level, availability of safe and convenient processed foods at affordable price to consumers and enhancing the export of the processed foods.

Measures to give a boost to Food Processing Sector – Food Processing Sector has emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to GDP, employment and investment. During 2015-16, the sector constituted as much as 9.1 and 8.6 per cent of GVA in Manufacturing and Agriculture sector respectively.



Government has taken various other measures to boost food processing sector as follows – • To provide impetus to investment in food processing and retail sector, govt. has

allowed 100% FDI in trading including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and / or produced in India. This will benefit farmers immensely and will create back - end infrastructure and significant employment opportunities.

• The Government has also set up a Special Fund of Rs 2000 crore in NABARD to make available affordable credit at concessional rate of interest to designated food parks and agro processing units in the designated food parks.

• Food and agro-based processing units and cold chain infrastructure have been brought under the ambit of Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to provide additional credit for food processing activities and infrastructure thereby, boosting food processing, reducing wastage, create employment and increasing farmers' income.

Background – PMKSY is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes of the Ministry like Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. and also new schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.

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HASTYOG SAHYOG SHIVIR (PRELIMS)

Details - The Ministry of Textiles proposes to organize Pan India camps in handlooms and handicrafts clusters, under the initiative “Hastkala Sahyog Shivir”. The camps will be organized during 7th October to 17th October, 2017. This initiative is dedicated to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Garib Kalyan Varsh, the birth centenary year of Pandit Deendayal Upadhayay.

Significance - The following services will be provided to the weavers and artisans in these camps - Issuance of credit facilities through MUDRA scheme. Assistance for technological upgradation under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata. Distribution of modern tool kits and equipments. Issuance of Yarn Pass Book. Enrolment under IGNOU/NIOS courses. Access to Common Service Centre facilities. Buyer-seller meets and expos.

It is proposed to organise the camps in more than 200 handloom Block Level Clusters & Weavers’ Service Centres and more than 200 handicraft clusters in collaboration with State Governments.

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NITI AAYOG - EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT (PRELIMS + GS 3 ECONOMY)

NITI Aayog launched today the Ease of Doing Business report based on an Enterprise Survey of 3,500 manufacturing firms across Indian states and union territories.



Details - The survey has been conducted, along with the IDFC Institute, to assess the business regulations and enabling environment across India from firms’ perspective. The Ease of Doing Business report based on an Enterprise Survey of 3,500 manufacturing firms Survey comes in the backdrop of the fact that India needs to create an environment that fosters globally competitive firms, capable of driving and sustaining economic growth

Major findings of the report -

1. Economic Performance and Reforms. A higher level of economic activity and better performance on a range of doing business indicators are strongly correlated. Enterprises in high-growth states are significantly less likely to report major or very severe obstacles in (i) land/ construction related approvals, (ii) environmental approvals and (iii) water and sanitation availability relative to enterprises in low-growth

states. Quite remarkably, firms located in high-growth states also report 25% less power shortages in a typical month, compared to firms in low-growth states.

2. Improvements over time. Newer and younger firms report a more favorable business environment in that they take less time in obtaining approvals than older firms, suggesting an improvement in the business environment. Newer firms include startups established after 2014. In addition, young firms report that most regulatory processes do not constitute a major obstacle to their doing business.

3. Informational gaps. States need to enhance awareness of the steps being undertaken by them to the improve ease of doing business. The survey data show low awareness among enterprises about single window systems, instituted by states. On average, only about 20% of start-ups, which are of recent origin, report using single window facilities introduced by state governments for setting up a business. Even among experts, only 41% have any knowledge of the existence of these facilities.

4. Labor regulations are a bigger constraint for labor intensive firms. We find that labor intensive sectors, that create proportionately more jobs per unit of capital investment, feel more constrained by labor related regulations. For example, compared to other enterprises, the enterprises in labor intensive sectors: 19% more likely to report that finding skilled workers is a major or very severe obstacle. 33% more likely to report that hiring contract labor is a major or very severe obstacle. Lose a greater number of days due to strikes and lockouts. Report higher average time for environmental approvals and longer power shortages.

5. Barriers to firm growth. The experience of firms with fewer employees is different from that of larger firms. In some cases, large firms face more regulatory barriers than smaller firms. Firms with more than 100 employees took significantly longer to get necessary approvals than smaller firms with less than 10 employees. Large firms were also more likely to report that regulatory obstacles were a major impediment to doing business and that they incurred higher costs for getting approvals.



SECURE EMAIL SERVICE (PRELIMS + GS 2 GOVERNANCE) As part of the mandate under the Digital India program, Government will provide a secure eMail service to all its o f f i c i a l s f o r s e c u r e communication. As of now the service will be offered to 5 million users. Currently the user base is 1.6 million In accordance with the eMail policy of the Government an email id will be assigned to all Government officials at the Centre and State through National Informatics Centre. The primary trigger behind the policy was Government data which resides on servers outside India and on servers beyond the control of the Government of India.

Service offering -

Largest service of its kind for the Government with a user base of 5 million Rich user experience with a streamlined browser interface that provides natural conversation; enables rich compose, drag and drop; sophisticated and easy-to customize filters, management and search of large inboxes of email and voicemail messages, multiple calendars, contacts and task lists. Enhanced security authentication mechanisms for users with geo-fencing and device mapping. Centralized email architecture across the Government would make the process of ensuring a robust security mechanism for Government data. Primary domain as “@gov.in” and a Roadmap to include local languages and सरकार.भारत domain Significance -

This service will increase the productivity and become a step towards the “Green Government” as all official communication will be done using eMail. A pilot of the service has already been deployed and running for a select user base which includes senior officials. This Service will be a National resource that will help Government of India employees to be better informed, productive, and more responsive in their interactions with others.

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