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TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – FEBRUARY 2018

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY Vellore & Tiruvannamalai ENGLISH MEDIUM

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Current Affairs For TNPSC Examinations FEBRUARY 2018

SI.NO CONTENTS PAGE.NO 1. TAMILNADU 03 - 04 2. NATIONAL 04 – 35 3. INTERNATIONAL 35 – 46 4. AWARDS 46 – 49 5. SPORTS 49 – 55 6. SCIENCE AND 55 – 58 TECHNOLOGY 7. IMPORTANT DAYS 60

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TAMILNADU The subsidized scooter scheme for working women is an electoral promise of former Tamil  The Union Defence Minister Nirmala Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Seetharaman Announcement Under the scheme, every beneficiary will be given 50% of cost of a two-wheeler or grant of Rs. 25,000. It will cover one lakh working women every year. He also launched 70-lakh tree sapling planting drive.

 FAIRPRO 2018

The Union Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman has announced that , out of the two defence industrial production corridors that was mentioned in the Union budget 2018, the first defence industrial corridor will link Chennai An exhibition o`n Housing facilities and and Bengaluru and it will pass through infrastructure was orgainsed by Confederation of Coimbatore and various other industrial Real Estate Developers' Association of India regions. The second corridor will be announced (CREDAI held at Nandhambakkam, Chennai was soon. inaugurated by TN CM Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswamy on 23rd Feb 2018  PM Narendra Modi has launched subsidised Amma two-wheeler  Green Corridor will be going to Scheme develop in Chennai –Salem highway Green Corridor will be going to develop PM Narendra Modi has launched in Chennai –Salem highway on Rs. 10 Cr. subsidised Amma two-wheeler Scheme meant for working women on the occasion of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa‟ s 70th birth anniversary (24th Feb,2018).

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This announcement was made by Union  3rd Century‟ s stone chekku ( oil Minister of Road Transport Mr. Nitin Gadkari. press machine) ‟  STAR 2.0 3rd Century s stone chekku ( oil press STAR 2.0 - Simplified and Transparent machine) was discovered in Thalavady, Erode Administration of Registration 2.0 – to make the district.It is about 4m height and at the bottom of registrations in a simplified and faster manner. the press Tamil Brahmi scripts were inscribed on it.

NATIONAL

 Union Budget 2018-19: Complete Analysis

This e-governance system was introduced by the Revenue and Disaster Management department of Tamil Nadu.

 Villupuram District‟ s Rishivandhyam In Villupuram District‟ s Rishivandhyam, the dwelling place of Sangam age people was discovered by the archaeologists.

The evidence for the usage of iron was also found in the place. Budget 2018 Takeaways-  Kota and Toda i. As per the FM in the Union Budget, India is Two South Dravidian languages of Tamil expected to become the fifth largest economy very Nadu including Kota and Toda is in endangered soon. condition. ii. The Growth rate is expected between 7.2-7.5% in the second half of 2017-18.  Regional Cancer Institute iii. Exports are expected to grow 15% in 2018. The Health minister of Tamil Nadu Mr.C. Vijayabhaskar have announced that Regional  India Slips to 42nd Place on EIU Cancer Institute will be formed in 4 districts of Democracy Index, Norway Tops Tamil Nadu namely Chennai, Coimbatore , Tirunelveli and Tanjore.

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India has joined Ashgabat Agreement on the establishment of an International Transport

and Transit Corridor between the Iran, Oman, India has slipped to 42nd place on an Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. annual Global Democracy Index according to the According to the External Affairs Ministry, data compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit the accession to the Agreement would diversify (EIU). India has moved down from 32nd place last India‟s connectivity options with Central Asia and year. have a positive influence on its trade and The top 5 Countries in the list are- commercial ties with the region. 1. Norway, 2. Iceland,  Cochin Shipyard Limited Signs MoU 3. Sweden, with Russian Firm USC 4. New Zealand and 5. Denmark. The index ranks 165 independent states. The list has been divided into four broad categories- full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime and authoritarian regime. North Korea is ranked the lowest at 167th, while Syria is a notch better at 166th place.

 India Joins Ashgabat Agreement Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Joint Stock Company United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Russia have signed an MoU to collaborate and engage in Design, Development and Execution of contemporary, State-of-Art vessels for Inland and Coastal Waterways. The MoU will give a push to the 5

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Government‟s Make-in-India programme, as also its plans to develop eco-friendly and economic The 32nd Surajkund International Crafts transportation along India‟s inland waterways and Mela has begun in Faridabad, Haryana. The Mela coastal shipping routes under SAGARMALA. is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism.  7th India Energy Congress Held in New The 17-day cultural extravaganza will see a Delhi spectacular showcase of regional and international crafts, handlooms, traditions along with some mouth-watering multi-cuisine food for the visitors. This year Uttar Pradesh is the theme state and Kyrgyzstan is the Partner Nation.

 PM Modi Inaugurates Global Investment Summit in Assam

The 7th India Energy Congress was held in New Delhi. The theme of the 7th edition of India Energy Congress is 'Energy 4.0: Energy Transition Towards 2030'. The India Energy Congress is the flagship event of World Energy Council India (WEC India) and joint event of ministries of power, coal, new & renewable energy, petroleum & natural gas, The first two-day Global Investment external affairs and Department of Atomic Energy. Summit has been organized in Assam. The summit emphasises on promoting investments in the state  32nd Surajkund International Crafts and the North East. The conference Mela Begins was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Businessmen like Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani are taking part in the Summit. Investor's from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Germany and Japan as well as ASEAN countries will attend the summit.

 EAM Sushma Swaraj Goodwill Visit to Nepal- Complete Coverage

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CriSidEx is a composite index based on a diffusion index of 8 parameters and measures MSE business sentiment on a scale of 0 (extremely negative ) to 200 ( extremely positive). CriSidEx will have 2 indices, one for the „survey quarter‟ and another for the „next quarter‟ once a trend emerges after few rounds of the survey, providing independent time series data.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma  1st Ever International Kala Mela Swaraj has returned home after successful Inaugurated in New Delhi completion of the goodwill visit to Nepal. This was the first high-level visit from India after completion of historic three-tier elections in Nepal. In her first meeting, Swaraj held talks with CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. EAM also held discussions with Prime

Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal, Chairman Upendra The First ever International Kala Yadav. Mela was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi.  CRISIL, SIDBI Launch India‟s First The International Kala Mela has been MSE Sentiment Index organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi in The Union Minister for Finance and partnership with IGNCA of the Ministry of Culture. Corporate Affairs Mr Arun Jaitley launched More than 800 artists from across the world took CriSidEx, India‟s first sentiment index for micro part in the Festival. and small enterprises ( MSEs) developed jointly by CRISIL & SIDBI.  Maharashtra Government Approves New Wildlife Sanctuary at Ghodazari

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The Maharashtra government has approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as a new wildlife sanctuary in the state. The decision was taken at the 13th meeting of the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The sanctuary, in the North East of Tadoba, will include 159 sq km of Brahmapuri forest. This will not only save the forest but will also improve tourism in nearly 40 villages in the area. The book penned down by PM Narendra Modi named 'Exam Warriors' was launched to  IWAI Signs Project Agreement with reach out to the students across the country ahead of World Bank for Jal Marg Vikas their exams. The book was released by External Project Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The book has been written to inspire youths to face the difficult moments of examinations and life, with fresh and new energy. 'Exam Warriors' is published by Penguin India, which runs into 208 pages.

 EAM Sushma Swaraj Embarked on 3- day Visit to Saudi Arabia

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a project agreement with the World Bank for Jal Marg Vikas Project on river Ganga. The World Bank entered into a USD 375 million loan agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance for Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP).

External Affairs Minister Sushma  'Exam Warriors'- A Book Penned Swaraj has left for her first official visit to Saudi Down by PM Modi Released Arabia. During the three-day visit, Mrs Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture 8

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Festival „Janadriyah‟. India is the guest of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj honour country at the fest. International airport of Mumbai sets record with 980 flights in 24 hours or almost one flight every minute.  Assam Government, Ola Sign MoU for With this, the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji River Taxi Service Maharaj International airport bettered its own feat of 974 flights in 24 hours, recorded in December 2017. While Gatwick, the U.K.‟s second-largest airport, remains the most efficient single-runway airport in the world.

 UP Government in Association with UNICEF Launches DASTAK Campaign

Cab-hailing startup Ola and the Government of Assam have signed an MoU to pilot an app-based river taxi service in Guwahati. The river taxis will be machine-operated boats and users will be able to book the rides through Ola's app. ii. It'll bring commute time down to 2-5 minutes from 45 minutes by road. This MoU was signed during the Global Investors Summit: Advantage Assam. Uttar Pradesh State government in association with UNICEF has launched  Mumbai Airport Becomes World‟s massive door to door campaign DASTAK to Busiest Single-Runway Airport eradicate deadly Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanise Encephalitis (JE) disease in the state. The war cry of DASTAK is 'Darwaja Khatkhatao, AES aur JE ko bhagao'. In DASTAK campaign, whole state machinery with the help of UNICEF will now literally go door to door in 38 JES and AE affected districts which mostly fall in the Tarai region.

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 Commerce Minister Kicks off The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Consultations on the New Industrial Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the Policy following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows- The Cabinet has approved- 1. Signing of India-Australia MoU for Secondment Programme. 2. Signing and ratification of protocol amending the Agreement between India and China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion. 3. Signing of a MoU with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Cooperation in the Field of Skill Development, Commerce and Industries Minister Mr Vocational Education and Training. Suresh Prabhu set off a series of nation-wide 4. Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation consultations with the industry on the proposed new between India and USA on Law Enforcement Industrial Policy. The first consultation was held Training. at Guwahati in February 2018. 5. Discovered Small Fields (DSF) Policy Bid The event, organized by Department of Round-11 for 60 un-monetised discoveries of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in ONGC and OIL under Nomination and partnership with Federation of Chamber of Relinquished Discoveries under PSC Regime. Commerce and Industry (FICCI), was attended 6. Ratification of the Minamata Convention on by more than 120 industrialists from the North East Mercury. in addition to government officials from the North 7. Placing the new Instrument adopted Eastern States. by International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation concerning “The  Important Cabinet Approvals- 07th Employment and Decent Work for Peace and February 2018 Resilience” before the Parliament. 8. Implementation of „Prime Minister Research Fellows (PMRF)‟. 9. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017 to replace the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017. 10. Proposal for Amendment to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 to change the criteria of classification and to withdraw the MSMED (Amendment) Bill, 2015 – pending in Lok Sabha.

11. Cabinet apprised of an MoU signed

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 between India and Tunisia for cooperation on Youth matters. 12. Changes in the Major Port Authorities Bill 2016. 13. Rationalization of Autonomous Bodies under Department of Health & Family Welfare.

 5th South Asia Region Public Procurement Conference Held in New Delhi Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu laid the foundation stone for Rhododendron Park in Tawang. He also carried out plantation drive of different varieties of Rhodos. Tawang is home to 50+ different varieties of Rhodos.

 HAL Develops First Hawk-i Flight

The Fifth edition of South Asia Region Public Procurement Conference was held in New Delhi. It was hosted by Public Procurement Division (PPD) of Ministry of Finance and All India Management Association (AIMA). It was held under auspices of South Asia Region Public Procurement Network (SARPPN), which is sponsored and facilitated by The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and developed the first flight of Hawk-i with Islamic Development Bank. The theme this edition indigenous Real Time Operating System of the conference was “Public Procurement and (RTOS). Hawk-i is the first indigenous RTOS Service Delivery”. developed in India from scratch and certified  Arunachal Pradesh CM Lays by Center for Military Airworthiness and Foundation Stone for Rhododendron Certification (CEMILAC). Park The RTOS is the system software which provides a standard run-time environment for real- time applications execution in a safe and reliable manner.

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 PM Modi 3 Nation Visit- Leaves for to the US Chambers of Commerce report. Last year, Palestine India ranked 43rd out of 45 countries in the Index. The top 3 countries on the list are- The USA, The United Kingdom and Sweden. iii. India‟s overall score has increased substantially from 25% in the 5th edition of the Index to 30% in the 6th edition, according to the annual report prepared by the Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC) of the US Chambers of Commerce.

 Defence Ministry Appoints Panel to Expedite Capital Acquisition for Armed Forces Modernisation Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for his three-nation visit to Palestine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. This is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine, and Prime Minister Modi's second visit to UAE and first to Oman. Prime Minister would be addressing the Sixth World Government Summit being held in Dubai, UAE at which India has been extended 'Guest of Honour' status.

 India Ranks 44th in Global Intellectual Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has Property Index, US Tops constituted a 13-member advisory committee to monitor and expedite capital acquisition projects for the modernisation of the armed forces. The committee will be headed by Vinay Sheel Oberoi, former secretary in the government. Under the terms of reference of the committee, the Ministry has to undertake an independent review and check the status of ongoing critical projects worth more than Rs 500 crore.

 NHAI to Start 'pay as you use' Pilot India has increased “substantially” its score Project on Delhi-Mumbai National in the International Intellectual Property (IP) Highways Index, ranking 44th among 50 nations, according

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complete 100% LED lighting at all the stations under its jurisdiction. It has attained the status of becoming the first zone in the Indian Railways to complete 100% LED lighting in all the 733 stations under its jurisdiction.

 RK Singh Launches ASH TRACK Mobile App for Better Management of FlyAash

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will start a pilot project called "pay as you use" on the Delhi-Mumbai Highway to study and implement the ability of the system in the country. The project to be run for one year involves implementing a satellite-based electronic toll collection system running on GPS/GSM technology for around 500 commercial vehicles on the Delhi-Mumbai National Highway. Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K  South Central Railway Becomes 1st Singh, launched a Web-based monitoring System Rail Zone with 100% LED Lighting at and a Fly Ash mobile application named ASH Stations TRACK. These platforms will enable better management of the ash produced by thermal power plants by providing an interface between fly ash producers (Thermal Power Plants) and potential ash users such as – road contractors, cement plants etc.

 NITI Aayog Releases Nation-Wide Healthy State Report

The South Central Railway (SCR) has become the first railway zone in the country to

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National Informatics Centre (NIC) has organized a three-day National Meet on Grassroot Informatics- VIVID 2018 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The Theme for VIVID 2018 is “Cyber Security and Innovation”. The three-day event was inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice. NITI Aayog has released the „Healthy States, Progressive India Report‟. Kerala,  Rajnath Singh inaugurates first of its Punjab and Tamil Nadu have ranked top among kind spoken Sanskrit centre the larger states in terms of overall performance. The report was released by NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh are at the top in the terms of annual incremental performance. States and Union territories have been ranked in three categories namely larger states, smaller states and

Union territories. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has Among smaller states, Mizoram ranked launched the Centre for learning Sanskrit language first followed by Manipur and Goa in terms of in Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. annual incremental performance. Among Union The centre will offer a six-month course for territories, Lakshadweep showed best, overall people on how to speak the language. The performance as well as highest annual incremental coordinator of the course, Atul Unagar stated it was performance. possibly the first such course launched in India.

 National Meet on Grassroot  Nitin Gadkari Releases India‟s 1st Informatics- VIVID 2018 Ever Highway Capacity Manual

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The Minister of Road Transport & Highways Mr Nitin Gadkari released India‟s first ever Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) in New Delhi. The manual is also known as Indo- HCM and it has been developed by CSIR – CRRI on the basis of an extensive, country-wide study of the traffic characteristics on different categories of roads like a single lane, two-lane, multi-lane urban roads, and the associated intersections on these roads. The Institute Of Directors organised it‟s 12th International Conference on Corporate  R.K. Singh Inaugurates International Social Responsibility in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In the conference, the Prestigious Golden Conference „Indian Power Stations Peacock Award 2017 were presented. The 2018‟ in New Delhi leadership award for philanthropy and social change was presented to Mr. Vineet Nayar, Founder Chairman, Sampark Foundation.

 8.4% Growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals in One Year

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh inaugurated the „Indian Power Stations 2018‟ in New Delhi. It is the three-day International Conference on Operations and Maintenance. The Minister exhorted the NTPC to become India‟s power sector multinational by setting up power plants in other Nations and become world‟s Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly largest power producer. estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) & FTAs on e- Tourist Visa on the basis of Nationality-wise, Port-wise data received from  12th International Conference on CSR Bureau of Immigration (BOI). Held in Bengaluru The growth rate in FTAs in January 2018 over January 2017 was 8.4%. During the month of 15

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January 2018, a total of 2.40 lakh foreign tourists compromising on any of the functional provision of arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 1.52 lakh the existing Act. during the month of January 2017 registering a growth of 58.5%.  Radio Umang: India's 1st Online Radio Station Launched The percentage share of top 3 source countries India's 1st Online Radio Station 'Radio availing e- Tourist Visa facilities- Umang' was launched recently in India. Listeners 1. UK (18.6%), can tune in to this online radio station through web 2. USA (10.6%), streaming or download the app. 3. Russian Fed (6.5%).

The percentage share of top 3 ports in foreign tourist arrivals on e-Tourist Visa- 1. New Delhi Airport (37.3%), 2. Mumbai Airport (19.6%), 3. Dabolim (Goa) Airport (12.4%)

 Government of India Makes Amendments in Small Savings Act

With 24 hours programming, it has found listeners in Hindi speaking regions of India and in over 60 countries worldwide.

 India-Russia Agriculture Business Summit Held in New Delhi

In order to remove existing ambiguities due to multiple Acts and rules for Small Saving Schemes, the Government of India has proposed merger of Government Savings Certificates Act, 1959 and Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 with the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873. With a single act, relevant provisions of the Government Savings Certificates (NSC) Act, 1959 and the Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 would stand subsumed in the new amended Act without

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India-Russia Agriculture Business Summit 2018 was held in New Delhi. The two countries discussed trade relations in the agricultural sector. The summit was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Gajender Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Sergey Beletskiy, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Russia addressed the India-Russia Agriculture Business Summit.  DAC Approves Proposals Worth Rs. Claiming that the Bengal government had already enrolled 50 lakh people under its 15,935 crore own Swasthya Sathi programme, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the decision to opt out of Centre‟s „Modicare‟ scheme.

This makes West Bengal the first state to withdraw from the ambitious programme. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced the NHPS on February 1, making it the biggest global plan to provide quality health cover to a population larger than the combined citizenry of the US, UK, Germany and France. The defence ministry of India approved capital acquisition proposals worth Rs.15,935  PM Modi Launched Three Key crore which included the purchase of 7.40 lakh Projects In Arunachal Pradesh assault rifles, 5,719 sniper rifles and light machine guns to bolster the strength of the armed forces. The long-pending proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry's highest decision- making body on procurement. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. For the Indian Navy, the DAC also approved the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy

Systems (ATDS) at a cost of Rs. 850 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched  West Bengal Becomes First State To several projects in Arunachal Pradesh. He Opt Out Of „Modicare‟ inaugurated the Dorjee Khandu state convention 17

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 centre at a function in Itanagar. The Centre has an auditorium, conference halls and an exhibition hall. Prime Minister's focus was also on the information revolution and now, the newly erected Secretariat building in the state capital is a big step in that direction.The building will have digital technology at its core and will have 2,500 officers and other employees.

 India's First Radio Festival Being Held Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) In Delhi has bagged an order worth Rs 560 crore from NTPC for setting up a system for emission control.

BHEL has secured the order for supply and installation of the flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) system from NTPC for 2x490 MW National Capital Power Station at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

 Government Extends Anti-Narcotics India's first radio festival is being held in Scheme For 3 More Years New Delhi to mark World Radio Day. The festival is being organized by International Association of Women in Radio and Television, in collaboration with UNESCO.

The festival includes live performances, an exhibition, and slotted panel discussions. Apart from touching on the theme for World Radio Day 2018 - radio and sports - the festival is also examining the potential of the medium as a platform The government has extended the anti- for social change, ways to make it more creative narcotics scheme for 3 more years to combat illicit and will trace the journey of music on the radio. trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance.

 BHEL Bags Rs 560 Crore Order From The purpose of the scheme is to assist states NTPC and Union Territories, which are contributing in controlling the inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking.

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 India‟s Biggest Global Pharma Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Conference Begins In Bengaluru Trudeau will arrive in India on a seven-day State visit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, his visit is aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in key areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, energy, science and innovation, higher education, infrastructure development, skill development and space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a bilateral visit to Canada in April 2015. The last visit of a Canadian Prime Minister to India was in

November 2012.

India‟s biggest Global Conference on Pharma Industry and Medical Devices began in  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Bengaluru With the theme, „Driving NextGen Visits India Pharmaceuticals. Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers Ananth Kumar inaugurated the three-day event.

The event is being organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, along with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with visiting Iranian President  Canadian PM Arrives on a 7-day Visit Hassan Rouhani in New Delhi, during which to India discussions on the issues of regional, international and mutual interest will be held. This is the first visit by Iranian President to India in 10 years. In may 2016, Prime Minister Modi had visited Iran and 12 agreements were signed between the two nations.

 India and Iran Signed Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation

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The summit is the flagship forum of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The summit‟s theme this year was „Partnerships for a Resilient Planet‟.  Government Inks $100 million Loan Agreement with NDB for Rajasthan Water Project

India and Iran signed an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTAA) and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income. The Agreement is on similar lines as entered into by India with other countries. The Agreement will stimulate the flow of investment, technology and personnel from India to Iran & vice versa, and will prevent double taxation. It will improve transparency in tax matters and will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance. The government has signed second Loan Agreement with New Development Bank (NDB)  Prime Minister Inaugurates World for the financing of Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project for the Desert Areas. Sustainable Development Summit 2018 This is the first tranche loan of $100 million Indian Prime Minister Narendra was approved by the NDB under Multi-Tranche Modi inaugurated the World Sustainable Financing Facility of $345 million for this project. Development Summit 2018 (WSDS 2018) at The objective of the project is to rehabilitate 678 Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. km long Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP) built during 1958-63 to prevent seepage.

 LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Inaugurated 6th India Region CPA Conference

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ii.The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is organising Congress while the National Alliance of Software and Services Companies (NASSC) and the Telangana state Government are jointly hosting the event.

 8th Edition of Theatre Olympics Inaugurated in Delhi

Lok Sabha Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated the 6th India region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference at Patna in Bihar. The conference focused on the objectives and role of the Parliamentary Association body. The conference hold discussions mainly on two topics viz. 'Parliament's role in the development agenda' and 'Legislature and Vice President M Venkaiah Judiciary - Two important Pillars of Democracy'. Naidu inaugurated the 8th edition of the Theatre Olympics at Lal Quila in New Delhi. The event  World Congress on Information has been organised by National School of Technology Begins in Hyderabad Drama under the aegis of Ministry of Culture. The theme of the festival is - "Flag of Friendship". 30 countries are participating from across the globe.

 India-Iran sign 9 MoUs to boost bilateral ties

The prestigious World Congress on Information Technology 2018 has begun in Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the three-day IT summit through a video link.

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India and Iran have signed nine agreements in order to further the bilateral cooperation between the two sides. The pacts were signed after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Iran President Hassan Rouhani at New Delhi's Hyderabad house. The two countries inked pacts to enhance cooperation in the areas of taxation, maritime cooperation, health and medicine, trade, agriculture and postal cooperation. Assam is at the bottom of the list with  National Conference on “Agriculture regard to maternal mortality rate (MMR) with a figure of 300 against the national average of 2022- Doubling Farmers‟ Income” 167, while the fund spending under National Health Mission (NHM) is just 13.58% for 2017-18. MMR is the annual number of female deaths per 1,00,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. The Centre had allocated Rs 1,056.25 crore for Assam under National Health Mission (NHM) for 2017-18.

 PM Flags Off Palace Queen Hamsafar Express in Karnataka The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has organized a National Conference under the title of “Agriculture 2022 – Doubling Farmers‟ Income” in New Delhi. The main aim of the conference is to build a consensus around appropriate recommendations that will help in shaping and sharpening the vision of the Government on Doubling Farmers‟ Income by 2022 into actionable points.

 Assam Worst in MMR, Spent Just 13.58% of NHM Fund in 2017-18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur in Mysuru Railway Station.

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The train between Mysuru and Udaipur will act as a backbone of tourism, an employment generating industry. He also dedicated to the nation, the electrified Mysuru-Bengaluru Railway Line and announced two more infrastructure projects for the region.

 Aga Khan‟s 11-Day Visit to India Begins

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows- The Cabinet has approved- (a) Proposal for Mahanadi Water Disputes – Constitution of a Tribunal under Inter-State River Disputes Act, 1956 – request from State of Odisha. (b) India-Morocco Cooperation Agreement in Railway Sector. The Cooperation Agreement will Spiritual leader Aga Khan is on the 11-day enable technical cooperation in the following areas:- visit to India. Sunder Nursery, a 90-acre park near Humayun‟s Tomb in New Delhi, will be  Training and staff development; inaugurated by Vice President M Venkaiah  Expert missions, exchange of experience Naidu in the presence of the Aga Khan. and personnel; and During his previous visit in 2015, the Aga Khan was conferred Padma Vibhushan for his  Mutual technical assistance, including exchanging of experts. contributions to social development in India. (c) Agreement between India and Israel on Film  Important Cabinet Approvals- 20th Co-production February 2018 (d) New Bill to ban Unregulated Deposit Schemes and Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018. (e) Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel in Uttarakhand as part of „Chardham Mahamarg Pariyojana‟.

 Cabinet Approves New Bill to ban Unregulated Deposit Schemes and Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill

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Czech Republic, Thailand and Slovakia will also participate in the event.

 Government Clears Private Commercial Mining in Coal

In a major policy initiative to protect the savings of the investors, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the following bills in the Parliament:- 1. Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill,

2018 in parliament & In a major reform in the coal sector since its 2. Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018. nationalisation in 1973, the government has allowed private companies to mine the fossil fuel  PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates UP for commercial use. This move ended the Investors Summit in Lucknow monopoly of state-owned Coal India Ltd. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the Chairmanship of PM Narendra Modi. Currently, the private sector is allowed coal mining for captive use only.

 Haryana Government Launched 4 Subsidized Food Canteens Under 'Antyodaya Aahaar Yojna'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2-Day long UP Investors Summit in Lucknow. The mega event has been organised by the Uttar Pradesh government. It is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh. According to the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, 900 MoUs have already been finalised ahead of the Summit. Representatives Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal from Mauritius, Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, Khattar launched 4 food canteens at Faridabad, 24

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Gurugram, Hisar, and Yamunanagar via video- conferencing from Chandigarh. The Delhi government announced the These have been set up under the launch of "Mission Buniyaad" for improving „Antyodaya Aahaar Yojana‟ to provide healthy, learning skills of children studying in state and nutritious and hygienic food at only Rs 10 per meal municipal-run schools. The announcement was to all poor and needy. made by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Under the programme which will run from  Maharashtra Government to Launch April to June for Class 3 to 5 in Municipal Asmita Yojana to Provide Cheap Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools and for Sanitary Pads Class 6 to 8 in government's schools, children will undergo a reading level assessment based on which they will be enrolled in specialised "Mission Buniyaad" classes.

 R.K. Singh Inaugurates „International R&D Conclave‟ in New Delhi

Maharashtra government will roll out 'Asmita Yojana' on the International Women‟s Day (March 8, 2018) to provide cheap (subsidised) sanitary pads to school girls and women. ii. Under the scheme, schoolgirls studying in Zilla Parishad schools will get sanitary napkin packet at Rs 5 while rural women can avail it at the subsidised rate of Rs.24 and Rs.29. Union Minister of State (IC) for Power  Delhi Government to Launch 'Mission and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Buniyaad' To Fix Learning Crisis In Singh inaugurated the „International R&D Conclave‟ in New Delhi. It is a two-day conference Delhi Schools on Emerging Opportunities and Challenges of R&D in Indian Power Sector. It has been organized by Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The conference was stressed upon the need of a dedicated R&D department in CEA to coordinate the research in the power sector.

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 Centre Constitutes Committee to deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Study Brahmaputra and Flood United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Control Measures in Assam Japan, with an NMR of 0.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, has been ranked the world's safest country in which to be born followed by Iceland (1) and Singapore (1.1).

 Kerala Makes Vaccination Compulsory for School Admissions

The Centre has constituted a committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar to study the Brahmaputra and flood control measures in Assam and neighbouring states. According to the Assam Water Resource Kerala government has made vaccination minister, Keshab Mahanta, measures are being compulsory for school admissions from next taken by the Water Resource department to repair academic year onwards. Parents will have to show the damaged river embankment due to flood. details of shots given to children at the time of enrolment in schools.  Newborn Mortality Rate: India 12th The health minister of Kerala KK Shailaja has released the new health policy draft. Worst Among Low-Income Countries The move comes in the wake of stiff opposition from certain communities against the vaccination drive.

 Jaipur's Gandhinagar Railway Station Becomes Fully Women Operated Station

India has been ranked 12th-worst among 52 low-middle income countries based on the number of children dying within the first month of their birth, which is 25.4 per 1,000 live births. Pakistan is the worst with 45.6 newborn

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The NITI Forum for Northeast is tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country. The forum will have its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER.

 UP Investors Summit 2018: Important Highlights of Day 1 The Gandhi Nagar railway station in Jaipur, Rajasthan became railway station to be fully-managed by women. Gandhi Nagar is an important railway station in Jaipur situated on the Jaipur-Delhi rail route. The station has the footfall of more than 7,000 passengers every day. There are 40 women staff at the station beside women personnel of the railway protection force have been deployed at the station.

 Government Sets Up the “NITI Forum Prime Minister Narendra for Northeast” Modi inaugurated the two-day „UP Investors The Union Government has issued order Summit‟ in Lucknow. It is the first such event by setting up the „Niti Forum for North-East‟. The the Yogi Adityanath government. The summit is forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and of NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar and Minister of potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh. State (I/C), Ministry of Development of It was emphasised that Uttar Pradesh Northeastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra government should compete with Maharashtra to Singh. become the first Indian state with a trillion-dollar economy. Highlights of Day 1- 1. Uttar Pradesh has signed 1,045 pacts worth Rs4.28 trillion on the first day of the UP investors‟ summit. 2. PM Modi announced Rs20,000 crore defence corridor for Bundelkhand. 3. The Aditya Birla Group will invest Rs 25,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh over the next 5 years. 4. Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani

promised investment of another Rs10,000 crore through Jio in the next three years. 27

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5. Adani Group will invest Rs 35,000 crore in UP over the next five years in various sectors. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched six new features in the National  India Ranks 81st in Global Corruption Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform to make it Perception Index more user-friendly. The six new features of e-NAM platform includes- 1. MIS dashboard for better analysis, 2. BHIM payment facility by traders, 3. Mobile payment facility by traders, 4. Enhanced features on mobile app such as gate entry and payment through mobile, 5. Integration of farmer‟s database, and 6. e-Learning module.

India has been ranked 81st in the global  Telangana, Taiwan Sign MoU for corruption perception index for 2017, released Better Technology Partnership by Transparency International. The index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. In the 2016 India was in the 79th place among 176 countries. The index uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean. In the latest ranking New Zealand and Denmark were placed the highest, with scores of 89 and 88, respectively. On the other hand, Syria, Sudan and Somalia The Telangana Government signed an were ranked lowest with scores of 14, 12 and 9, MOU with Taoyuan City of Taiwan for better respectively. technology partnership in the state. The agreement was signed after the World Congress on  Agriculture Ministry Adds 6 New Information Technology (WCIT) 2018 in Hyderabad. Features in e-NAM Platform IT Minister K T Rama Rao and principal secretary Jayesh Ranjan signed the agreement with Robert Huang, Director of the Board of Taiwan company at World IT Congress 2018.

 Avani Chaturvedi Becomes 1st Indian Woman to Fly Fighter Aircraft Solo

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Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi scripted The Government of India and Asian history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly Development Bank (ADB) signed a $84 million a fighter aircraft solo. loan for improvement and expansion of water She flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo supply in Bhagalpur and Gaya towns in Bihar. flight from Jamnagar base of Indian Air Force (IAF) The tranche 2 loan is part of the $200 in Gujarat. million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the Bihar Urban Development Investment Program  UP Government Signs Pact with that was approved by ADB in 2012. Amazon India for Khadi Products Sale The loan will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 5 years, an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB‟s lending facility based on the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), and a commitment charge of 0.15% per year.

 NER‟s 1st Regional Centre for

Agriculture with Israeli Collaboration Uttar Pradesh's Khadi and Village Industries Board has signed a pact with Amazon to be Inaugurated in Mizoram India to facilitate online selling of Khadi products. As part of an MoU, Amazon India will educate, train and enable rural khadi artisans to directly sell their products to Amazon.in customers across the country under the brand of UP Khadi.

 Asian Development Bank and India

Sign $84 Million Loan for Water Supply in Bihar Israeli Ambassador to India, Mr Daniel Carmon has stated that a Centre for Agriculture, 29

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 with the collaboration of Israeli expertise, is going to be inaugurated in Mizoram in March 2018. Goa Chief Minister Manohar This will be the first such centre in the Parrikar presented in the state North East region (NER) of India that is being assembly Rs. 17,123-crore budget for 2018-19, an established with Israeli collaboration. It has been set increase of 6.84% over the ongoing fiscal. up at a cost of Rs 8-10 crore. The Budget focuses on education and job creation.  Parivartan Scheme Launched in Haryana  India Signs MoU with Canada‟s International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

The Haryana government launched Parivartan, a scheme An MoU between the Government of India designed to address 10 issues, including cleanliness and Canada‟s International Development and pollution, in 46 developmental blocks of the Research Centre (IDRC) was signed in New state. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Delhi. The agreement was signed to usher Manohar Lal Khattar. the “programme based research support” in The important issues include facilitation of addressing current and future global and local financing, making agriculture profitable and developmental challenges. sustainable, improving health services, and IDRC has funded 551 research activities implementing Swachh Bharat. worth CA$159 million in India through institutions, researchers and NGOs.  Manohar Parrikar Presents Rs 17,123- crore Goa Budget  India to Host 1st International Solar Alliance in March 2018

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India will host the first International Solar The Assam government has announced to Alliance (ISA) summit on 11th March 2018. It will observe September 22 as 'Rhino Day' to generate be attended by French President Emmanuel public awareness on protection of the one-horned Macron and United Nations Secretary- pachyderm. General Antonio Guterres. A State Rhino Project in line with National The summit will be held in Delhi. The ISA Rhino Project will be launched in Assam soon for aims to launch 121 projects during the summit. protecting the pachyderms from threats of poaching. During the summit, two new programmes will be inaugurated on- Scaling Solar E-Mobility and  PM Modi Flags Off 'Run for New Storage, and Rooftop Solar. India' Marathon in Surat  44th Khajuraho Dance Festival Held in Madhya Pradesh

The 44th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival 2018 was held at Khajuraho temple, a UNESCO world heritage site in Madhya Pradesh. It Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Governor off the 'Run for New India' marathon in Surat, Anandiben Patel and was organised by culture Gujarat. The Marathon is aimed at creating department of state government. awareness about social causes and call upon all to Khajuraho Dance Festival is an annual resolve to build a New India. cultural festival that highlights the richness of The Marathon is divided into 4 categories. various Indian classical dance styles. Around 1.50 lakh runners participated in the 'Run for New India' marathon which was organized by Assam to Observe 'Rhino Day' on September 22 the Surat Nagrik Samiti.

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 PM Modi Inaugurates Projects Worth The 15th edition of BioAsia, the annual 1000 crores in Daman flagship event of the Government of Telangana, was held Hyderabad. The theme of BioAsia 2018 was “Right Time, Right Now” focusing on strategies to keep up with the pace of change and innovative ways to develop new models for distribution & healthcare delivery. Ireland, Netherlands and South Africa were the International Partners while Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan were the partner states for this event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid  7th Meeting of EPG on Nepal-India foundation stones for projects worth 1000 crore Relations Concludes rupees in Daman in the union territory of Daman and Diu. PM distributed keys for scooters to differently-abled beneficiaries, 'SWABHIMAN' cards to pregnant and Lactating Women, 'Badhai Kit' to the newly born girl children under 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. PM also distributed cycles to school going girls under Saraswati Cycle Yojna, extended loans under 'Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojna' and 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana' to beneficiaries. The seventh meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations has  15th Edition of BioAsia 2018 Held in concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal. Various bilateral Hyderabad issues including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower were discussed during the two-day meeting. EPG is a joint mechanism consisting experts and intellectuals from India and Nepal. It was set up in February 2016 to provide suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between both the countries. Next meeting of the group will be held in New Delhi.

 Andaman & Nicobar Command to

Host Milan 2018

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This event aims to provide a common platform to Government policy makers, industry, investors and research community to exchange experiences and challenges related to development and scaling of advanced biofuels.

 National Conference on e-Governance in Hyderabad

The second week of March will witness Andaman & Nicobar Command hosting a multinational mega event MILAN 2018. MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The 21st national conference on e- The theme of this year‟s MILAN Governance will be held in Hyderabad. The International Maritime Seminar is „In Pursuit of government of India and Telangana Administrative Maritime Good Order - Need for Comprehensive Reforms department are jointly organising the Information Sharing Apparatus‟. conference with the main theme around- technology for accelerating development.  International Conference on The two-day conference will deliberate on Sustainable Biofuels Begins in New several aspects of the e-governance including its Delhi universalization and replication, governing e- governance, best practices, emerging technologies and synergising role of national and state governments.

 Uma Bharti Launches 2nd Project Of Swajal Yojana In Rajasthan

Union Minister of Drinking Water and

Sanitation, Uma Bharti launched the Swajal pilot A two-day International Conference on project at Village Bhikampura in Rajasthan. Besides Sustainable Biofuels organized by Department of ensuring the availability of clean drinking water to Biotechnology has begun in New Delhi. Union every household round the year, the project would Minister for Science and technology Dr. Harsh also generate employment. Vardhan inaugurated the Conference. Swajal is a community-owned drinking water programme for sustained drinking water

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 supply. Under the scheme, 90% of the project cost will be taken care by the Government and the Information and Broadcasting Minister remaining 10% of the project cost will be Smriti Irani released 'India 2018' (English contributed by the community. Version) and 'Bharat 2018' (Hindi Version). The books are published by the Publications Division.  King of Jordan in India on 3-Day Visit The book available in both print and online versions. It is an exhaustive publication dealing with all aspects of the country's development. With its latest edition, the book has entered into its 62nd year of publication.

 Chilika Lake Largest Habitat of Irrawaddy Dolphins Globally

The King of Jordan Abdullah-II bin Al- Hussein arrived in New Delhi on a 3-day visit to India. The King is accompanied by a business delegation. During his visit, he will also participate in a CEO Round-table followed by India-Jordan Business Forum. The two sides are expected to sign MoUs and agreements in diverse areas of bilateral The Chilika lake in Odisha has emerged as cooperation. the single largest habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins in the world with the spotting of 155 such  I&B Minister Smriti Irani Releases animals, according to the Chilika Development 'India-2018' Book Authority (CDA). The first ever „Annual Monitoring‟ was

conducted by the CDA to count the number of the marine mammals and to study the hydrological impacts of removal of pen culture (locally known as gherries).

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INTERNATIONAL

 World‟s Oldest Man Passes Away at 113

Rwanda has become the first low-income country to provide universal eye care for its 12 million population. The government has partnered with the organisation Vision for a Nation (VFAN) to train The world's oldest man Francisco Nunez more than 3,000 eye care nurses based in 502 local Olivera has died just over a month after celebrating health centres, prescribing glasses and referring his 113th birthday. He passed away in Spain where those with serious eye problems to national clinics. he had lived throughout his life. He was born on December 13, 1904.  Japan Launches Smallest Rocket Ever  UAE Launches World's Longest Zip to Carry Tiny Satellite into Orbit Line

The United Arab Emirates has made a record by opening the world's longest zip line, measuring 2.83 km in length. Guinness World Records officials certified the zip line in Ras al- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Khaimah. (JAXA) launched the world‟s smallest rocket with The Jebel Jais Flight takes thrill-seekers atop the ability to put a tiny satellite into orbit. The the country's largest mountain peak, from a launch rocket lifted off from the Uchinoura Space Center. pad 1,680 meters (5,512 feet) above sea level. It carried a microsatellite TRICOM-1R, a

three-unit CubeSat weighing about 3 kilograms.  Rwanda Becomes 1st Poor Country to This satellite launch was a re-flight of the Provide Eye Care For All TRICOM-1 mission, which was lost in SS-520‟s failure in 2017.  Sri Lanka Celebrates 70th Independence Day 35

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Sri Lanka celebrated the 70th The Maldives president, Abdulla Independence Day in a grand ceremony at Yameen, has declared a state of emergency in the the Galle Face Green in Colombo. The theme of country as heavily armed troops stormed the the ceremony was "One Nation". country‟s top court and a former president Chief It was on this day in 1948 that country Justice Abdulla Saeed was arrested in a deepening achieved freedom from British rule. Representing political crisis. Britain's Queen, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and the Countess of Wessex participated in the The former Maldivian president Mohamed celebrations as Chief Guests. Nasheed urged India to "act swiftly" to help in resolving the ongoing political crisis in the island  Sweden Commits Record $370m of nation. Aid to UN World Food Programme Sushma Swaraj Visit to Saudi Arabia: Attends Opening Ceremony of Al- Janadriyah Fest

Sweden and the United Nations World External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Food Programme signed a Strategic Partnership attended the opening ceremony of the 32nd Al Agreement committing an unprecedented $370 Jana-driyah festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. million dollars to WFP over the next four years. India has been invited as the Guest of Honour The contribution for the period 2018-2021 is country for the festival. the biggest ever made by a donor within a WFP Mrs Swaraj in her first engagement Strategic Partnership Agreement. addressed Indian community members at a Maldives Crisis- Government Declares reception in Riyadh and spoke about the relations State of Emergency between the two countries. 36

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 SpaceX Launches its Most Powerful Dubai International Airport first surpassed Rocket Towards Mars London Heathrow as the world‟s busiest airport for international traffic in 2014.

 Bermuda Becomes 1st Country in World to Abolish Same-Sex Marriage

The US-based SpaceX has successfully launched the world's most powerful operational rocket Falcon Heavy towards Mars. The rocket, carrying a Tesla Roadster car, will revolve around the Sun in a way that will repeatedly bring it close Bermuda has become the first country to to the Earth and Mars. legalise and then repeal same-sex marriage. Falcon Heavy's thrust and capacity are the Bermuda‟s governor John Rankin approved highest since NASA's Saturn V, which carried a bill reversing the right of gay couples to marry, astronauts to the Moon. Falcon Heavy successfully despite a supreme court ruling last year authorising lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy same-sex marriage. Space Center in Florida.  Forbes Releases its First-Ever  Dubai Retains Rank as World‟s Cryptocurrency Rich List Busiest International Airport in 2017

Dubai International Airport has held on Business magazine Forbes has released to its No 1 ranking as the world‟s busiest airport its first-ever Crypto Rich List, comprising 20 for international travel, after seeing around 88.2 wealthiest people in the cryptocurrency space. The million passengers in 2017. list was topped by Ripple Co-founder Chris

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Larsen, who is estimated to have a crypto net worth of $7.5-8 billion. Dubai witnessed 15% growth in tourist He is followed by Ethereum Co-founder arrivals from India in 2017, hosting 2.1 million Joseph Lubin ($1-5 billion) and Founder of visitors, retaining top spot as the source market. cryptocurrency exchange Binance Changpeng It also became the first country to cross Zhao ($1.1-2 billion). the 2 million mark in a single year, according to the latest data published by Dubai‟s Department of  PM Modi 3 Nation Visit- Modi Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Conferred 'Grand Collar of the State Tourism). of Palestine'  Mumbai 12th Richest City Globally, New York Tops: New World Wealth Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine' by President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his key contribution to promote Mumbai, India's financial capital is the relations between India and Palestine. 12th richest city in the world with a total wealth of President Abbas conferred the honour after $950 billion, according to a report by New World the conclusion of the bilateral meeting between the Wealth. The list was topped by New York as the two leaders. Modi is the first Indian Prime richest city in the world. Total wealth refers to the private wealth held Minister to make an official visit to Palestine. by all the individuals living in each city. It includes all their assets (property, cash, equities and business  India Retains Top Spot as Source interests) less any liabilities. The top 3 richest Market for Dubai in 2017 cities in the list are- 1. New York ($3 trillion). 2. London ($2.7 trillion). 3. Tokyo ($2.5 trillion).  World's Tallest Hotel 'Gevora' Opens In Dubai

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Appointments/Obituaries

 Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan Takes Charge as DGMO of Indian Army

The Gevora Hotel in Dubai, developed by the Al Attar Group has now become the “world‟s tallest hotel”. It stands 356 metres and 53 centimetres tall. It is one metre taller than the previous holder of the title, the JW Marriott Marquis, in the same city. The title has been confirmed by Guinness Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan took charge as Book of World Records. the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. He succeeds Lt  World's 1st Autonomous Pods General A K Bhatt. Unveiled in Dubai Lt Gen Chauhan has held several important posts in the Army and is known for his expertise in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

 World‟s Oldest Man Passes Away at 113

Dubai‟s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) launched the first tests of the world‟s first autonomous pods at the World Government Summit. The autonomous pods are launched in cooperation with Next Future Transportation  IOA Joint Secretary Vikram Singh (US-Based). Sisodia Named Chef-de-Mission for They can be coupled together in as little 15 CWG seconds or detached depending on the riders‟ destination in five seconds.

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The world's oldest man Francisco Nunez Olivera has died just over a month after celebrating his 113th birthday. He passed away in Spain where he had lived throughout his life. He was born on December 13, 1904.

 John Hennessy Appointed Alphabet's New Board Chairman The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed its joint secretary Vikram Singh Sisodia as the Chef-de-Mission for the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia. The IOA also appointed three team managers to accompany Sisodia and help him in the day-to-day duties during the Games. Sisodia is also currently the president of Chhattisgarh State Tennis

Association. Alphabet has appointed John L. Hennessy as

the new board chairman of the company. Hennessy  Neelam Kapur Appointed DG of has been on the board since 2004 and Lead Sports Authority of India Independent Director since 2007. He has replaced Eric Schmidt. Schmidt will remain as a "technical advisor" to Alphabet. Hennessy is a former president of Stanford University and has had an extensive career in the tech industry.

 Mahmud Hossain Appointed New Chief Justice of Bangladesh Senior-most Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Neelam Kapur was appointed Director-General of Sports Authority of India (SAI). She is at present the Principal Director General of the Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP). It is for the first time that an IIS officer has been appointed as SAI chief. The post is usually held by an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

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The President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid appointed Syed Mahmud Hossain as the new Chief Justice of the country. Justice Hossain is the 22nd chief justice of Bangladesh. President administered the oath of office to Justice Hossain.

 Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades Wins Re-Election for 2nd Term Jerome H Powell was sworn in as the 16th Chairman of the Federal Reserve for a four-year

term. Mr Powell has succeeded Janet Yellen, the first woman to lead the US central bank in its 100- year history. Powell was nominated for the post in November 2017 by President Donald Trump. The oath was administered by Vice Chairman Randal K. Quarles in the Board Room.

 Kathakali Maestro Madavoor Vasudevan Nair Passes Away Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has won re-election for a second term. The official final result after a second-round run-off put the conservative incumbent on 55.99% of the vote, ahead of Communist-backed Stavros Malas on 44%. Anastasiades has taken credit for steering the economy of Cyprus to recovery after it was plunged into crisis in 2013 by its exposure to debt- wracked Greece and fiscal slippage under a former left-wing administration.  Jerome H Powell Sworn in as 16th Kathakali maestro Madavoor Vasudevan Chairman of Federal Reserve Nair collapsed on stage and died while performing at Agasthyacodu Mahadeva Temple, Kerala. He was 89. He was the Padma Bhushan award recipient.

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 Actor John Mahoney Passes Away  PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi Becomes ICC's 1st Independent Female Director

Actor John Mahoney passed away after a brief illness in Chicago, the USA. He was 77 years old. He was well-known for playing the title character in the “Frasier” show. PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra He worked in films for nearly 35 years. His Nooyi has been appointed as the International important works are “The American President,” Cricket Council's (ICC) first-ever independent “Moonstruck,” “In the Line of Fire,” and “Say female director. Nooyi will join the cricket body in Anything”. June 2018 for a 2-year term. The introduction of an Independent Director,  Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana Takes who must be female, was approved by the ICC in June 2017, aimed at improving the global Over as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff governance of the sport. (Air)  Hardayal Prasad Appointed SBI Card MD & CEO

Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana, has been appointed as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) at New Delhi. He was commissioned in 1986 SBI Card, the country's second-largest in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. credit card issuer, has appointed Hardayal He is a recipient of the prestigious Nausena Prasad as new Managing Director (MD) & Chief Medal. He was also conferred with the Tenzing Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. Norgay National Award by HE the President of He has replaced Vijay Jasuja. India in 2006. 42

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 NPCI Appoints Biswamohan Sunless Colony) 1974 and Nav Jatak (Regenesis) Mahapatra as Non-Executive 1981, have given him a special place in Odia Chairman literature. He has also received literary awards like Sahitya Akademi Award and Sarala Award.

 Pakistani Activist Asma Jahangir Passes Away

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) appointed Biswamohan Mahapatra as non-executive chairman for two years with immediate effect. Asma Jahangir, Pakistan‟s He succeeds B Sambamurthy who was the renowned human rights lawyer, social activist interim chairman. and an outspoken critic of the country‟s powerful military establishment, passed away of  Noted Litterateur Chandrasekhar cardiac arrest. She was 66. Rath Passes Away She was the first woman to serve as the president of Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.

 Golden Globe Award Winner Musician Johann Johannsson Passes Away

Eminent litterateur Chandrasekhar Rath passed away at the age of 89. He died of old age ailments. He was recently nominated for Padma Shri by the Union government this year for his contribution towards Odia literature.

His three novels, Yantrarudha (The Instrumented) 1967, Asurya Upanivesh (The

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Acclaimed Icelandic musician and Oscar- Japan's government has reappointed Bank of nominated composer Johann Johannsson has Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda for another term passed away aged 48. and chose an advocate of bolder monetary easing as In 2014, he was nominated for BAFTA, one of his deputies, a sign the central bank will be Grammy and Oscar awards for his score in no rush to dial back its massive stimulus for „Theory of Everything,‟ and won the Golden program. Globe award, making him one of the most well- The government also submitted to known composers Iceland has produced. parliament its nomination of Masazumi Wakatabe, a professor at Waseda University and an advocate of  Chandrashekhara Kambara Elected aggressive monetary easing, as deputy governor. New President of Sahitya Akademi  K.P. Sharma Oli Appointed as Nepal's New PM

Kannada litterateur Chandrashekar

Kambar has been elected as president of the

Sahitya Akademi in the election held for the post. K.P. Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepal‟s He has replaced Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. Hindi Prime Minister for the second time, weeks after his poet Madhav Koushik has been elected as vice- Left alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal- president. Maoist (CPN-Maoist) swept the parliamentary This is the second time election was held in polls. He has replaced Sher Bahadur Deuba. the history of Sahitya Akademi, after

Ananthamurthy‟s election to the post. Prof. President Bidya Devi Bhandari

administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr  Haruhiko Kuroda Reappointed As Oli and two other Ministers, both from the Bank Of Japan Chief Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist- Leninist (CPN-UML), at a function held at President‟s Office.

 Arvind Jamkhedkar to be Next Chairman of ICHR

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Veteran Bollywood actress and Padma Archaeologist and historian Arvind P. Shri awardee Sridevi, who had an illustrious Jamkhedkar will be the next Chairman of the career spanning over four decades, passed away. Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR). She was 54. He will replace Prof. K. Sudershan Rao. Sridevi was died due to cardiac arrest in Dubai.  Renowned Violinist MS  Anantharaman Passes Away Former Cabinet Secretary T.S.R. Subramanian Passes Away

Noted violinist M.S. Anantharaman, an Former Cabinet Secretary T.S.R. exponent of Parur style of violin playing had Subramanian passed away. He was 79. Mr passed away. Subramanian was a 1961 batch officer of the Uttar He was 94 and was proficient in Carnatic Pradesh cadre. music. He served as Cabinet Secretary from August 1996 to March 1998.  Legendary Bollywood actress Sridevi passes away  TV Journalist Rahul Mahajan Named Rajya Sabha TV Editor-In-Chief

Television journalist Rahul Mahajan has been appointed as editor-in-chief of the television channel Rajya Sabha TV. Mahajan‟s name was recommended by a five-member selection 45

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 committee headed by Prasar Bharti chairman A. Surya Prakash and was approved by the vice- Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the president of India M.Venkaiah Naidu. senior seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt situated in The committee also included Swapan Tamil Nadu, passed away. He was 82-years-old. He Dasgupta, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, P.P.K. passed away due to breathing problems. Ramacharyulu and Rahul Srivastava. The junior pontiff, Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi will be the 70th Jagadguru of Kanchi  Eminent Odia Writer Kanakalata Kamakoti Peetam. Mohanty Passes Away

AWARDS

 Magahi Writer Shesh Anand Madhukar Awarded Sahitya Akademi's Bhasha Samman

Eminent Odia writer Kanakalata Mohanty passed away. She was 82. Mohanty was suffering from old age-related problems. Mohanty was the author of 12 novels and more than a 100 short stories. Her novels Ete Andhara, Kete Jwala and Anuradha shot her into Magahi writer Shesh Anand the limelight in the 1960s. Madhukar, who has been working extensively for the development of the language, was honoured  Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi with this year's Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Passes Away Samman award. The second writer of Magahi language to be given the award, Madhurkar was conferred the award, comprising a Rs 1 lakh cheque and a memento, by Sahitya Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.

 Shabnam Asthana Wins Times Power Woman 2017 Award

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 Indian Engineer Awarded Sci-Tech Oscar Award

Shabnam Asthana was awarded the 'Times

Power Women of the Year 2017'- Pune for Global PR. The Times Group celebrated the invaluable Vikas Sathaye, a Pune-born person has contribution of women by introducing The Times been honoured with the Scientific and Engineering Power Woman 2017 (Pune) awards. Academy Award at the Oscars Scientific and ii. The award was conferred on her by Dilip Technical Awards 2018 at Beverly Hills in Los Kamble, Minister of State for Social Justice and Angeles, California. Special Assistance in the Government of Sathaye and his team received the award for Maharashtra. his contribution towards conceptualisation, designing, engineering, and the implementation of  Shyam Benegal Awarded V the 'Shotover K1 Camera System' during his stint Shantaram Lifetime Achievement at Shotover Camera Systems in Queenstown, New Award Zealand.

 BAFTA Awards 2018: Complete List Of Winners

Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) committee has decided to bestow V. Shantaram lifetime achievement Award to veteran film producer and director Shyam Benegal. The award will be presented at concluding ceremony of MIFF in Mumbai. He will be awarded a trophy, cash price of Crime drama Three Billboards Outside 10 lakh rupees, a certificate and a shawl by Ebbing, Missouri won maximum prizes at Governor of Maharashtra C. Vidyasagar Rao. the British Academy of Film and Television Arts

(BAFTA) Awards 2018, which took place at the

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Royal Albert Hall in London, UK. the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo. Milkbasket Recognised as 'Startup of the The awardees were selected by a nine- Year' 2017 member jury led by Sun Pharmaceuticals‟ managing director Dilip Shanghvi.

 Roger Federer Wins Rotterdam Open for 97th Career Title

Milkbasket, India's first and largest micro-delivery platform has been recognised as 'Startup of the Year' 2017 at the 7th Small Business Awards held in New Delhi.

The startup of the year award is dedicated to Roger Federer (Switzerland) celebrated young SMEs, aged 7 years or less, with great his return to the top of the world rankings by potential to become big in local/international winning the Rotterdam Open, in the markets. Netherlands. It was his 97th career title. The 36-year-old, the oldest No.1 in  Sanjiv Bajaj Named EY Entrepreneur history, defeated Grigor Dimitrov of the Year 2017 (Bulgaria) in the final. Federer is three years older than American Andre Agassi was when previously holding the record for oldest No.1 back in 2003. This was his third title in Rotterdam following successes in 2005 and 2012. France doubles pair P. H. Herbert and N. Mahut won the Men's Doubles Title.

 Roger Federer Becomes Most

Decorated Laureus Award Winner

Business consultancy firm EY has named Bajaj Finserv‟s Sanjiv Bajaj as the entrepreneur for 2017. Sanjiv Bajaj will now represent India at

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SPORTS

 India Open Boxing: Mary Kom Clinches Gold, India Bag 10 Medals

Tennis legend Roger Federer became the most decorated winner in the history of Laureus World Sports Awards after he won twin honours at the 18th edition of the awards ceremony in Monaco. It was his sixth award. The awards include the Sportsman and Comeback titles. American tennis great Serena Williams The five-time World Champion MC won the Sportswoman of the Year Mary Kom claimed the gold medal in the India Award following her Australian Open success, her Open International Boxing tournament at 23rd Grand Slam title. Serena is now the most Thyagraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. decorated female Laureus Award winner with five She defeated Josie Gabuco from the Laureus statuettes. Philippines in a split 4-1 decision to grab the gold in the women's 48kg weight category.

 India Lifts U-19 World Cup 2018

India has defeated Australia to lift the Under 19 World cup for the fourth time. The Men in Blue defeated the three-time champions Australia at Bay Oval, New Zealand.

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The Australian team had set the target of Zhang to finish runner-up at the India Open Super 217 runs and was chased down easily by 500 tournament. India. Manjot Kalra was the Hero of the match with his brilliant century.  Jasprit Bumrah, Harmanpreet Kaur  Saurav Ghosal Becomes the Highest- in Forbes India 30 Under 30 List Ranked Indian Squash Player

Indian cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and  India‟s leading squash player, Saurav Harmanpreet Kaur as well India women‟s hockey Ghosal jumped five places to No. 14 to become the team goalkeeper Savita Punia and shooter Heena highest ranked Indian in the latest Professional Sidhu are among Forbes India 30 Under 30 list. Squash Association (PSA) rankings. Bumrah finished the year 2017 as the third Ghosal beat Joshna Chinappa who slipped highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 39 scalps in 23 three places to No. 17 while Dipika Pallikal matches, whereas in T20Is he grabbed 12 wickets in Karthik remained on 20. Former Indian national 11 outings. champion Harinder Pal Sandhu was placed at In December 2016, Harmanpreet became 49th. the first Indian woman cricketer to play in Australia‟s Big Bash League (BBL). India Open 2018- Complete List of Winners  Shubhankar Sharma Becomes Best Indian Golfer in the World

India Open is a badminton event held annually at the Siri Fort Sports Complex, New Delhi. Shubhankar Sharma has emerged as the In women's singles Defending champion P best Indian golfer in the world, grabbing the 72nd V Sindhu was defeated by American Beiwen position in the Official World Golf Ranking 50

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(OWGR). He has won the Maybank Maharashtra with 110 medals (36 of them Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. gold) finished second while Delhi with 94 medals Sharma has enjoyed a golden run over the came third. Sports Minister, Col Rajyavardhan past few months on the international stage, Rathore presented the top State Haryana with the clinching his first European Tour win at the glittering trophy. Joburg Open.  Jhulan Goswami 1st Woman in the  Winter Olympic Games Starts in World to Take 200 ODI Wickets Pyeongchang, South Korea

Indian women's cricket team pacer The 23rd Olympic Winter Jhulan Goswami has become the first woman in Games officially kicked off with a colourful the world to take 200 wickets in ODI cricket. ceremony at Pyeongchang in South Korea. Goswami achieved the feat playing in Ninety-two countries are participating in the her 166th ODI against South Africa. Goswami had event. There will be 102 medals up for grabs in become the leading wicket-taker in women's ODI in Pyeongchang, covering seven sports and 15 May 2017, overtaking former Australian pacer disciplines. The ceremony was directed by Song Cathryn Fitzpatrick's record of 180 wickets. Seung-whan, a South Korean actor.

 Khelo India School Games Concludes;  Sharmila Nicollet, 1st Indian Golfer to Haryana Tops Medal Tally Qualify for China LPGA Tour

The first Khelo India School Games concluded in New Delhi with sports powerhouse Haryana topped the overall medal tally. The state won 102 medals which include 38 gold and 26 silver. 51

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Sharmila Nicollet has become the first Indian golfer to qualify for the China Ladies PGA Tour. The 26-year-old Bengaluru golfer fought her way back into the tournament in the last two rounds to earn a card for the Tour. Sharmila had played on the Ladies European Tour before losing her full card, played her three rounds in the CLPGA Tour Qualifying School.

Rohan More Becomes 1st Asian to Swim Defending champion Karnataka‟s Kishan Across Ocean Seven Gangolli won the 13th edition of the National „A‟ Chess Championship for the blind in Mumbai. The championship was organised by All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB). Gangolli became the champion for the fifth consecutive time with 10.5 points. Gujarat‟s Ashvin Makwana stood second with 9.5 points.

 India To Host 8th Theatre Olympics Pune-based swimmer, Rohan More became the first Asian as well as the first Indian to swim across the Ocean Seven. He is the youngest to complete it. He swam across the Cook Strait between North and South Islands of New Zealand in 8 hours and 37 minutes. With this, More becomes only the ninth person in the world to complete it. He has received the Tenzing Norgay Award from the In an effort to put India firmly among the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The top nations in the world theatre map, the country award was presented by President Ram Nath will play host to the 8th Theatre Olympics, the Kovind. greatest carnival of thespianism.

 Kishan Gangolli Wins 13th Edition of The 51-day theatre extravaganza which will National Chess Championship for be inaugurated at Red Fort, will see 450 shows Blind including 65 shows by international artistes, 600 ambient performances and 250 youth forum shows.

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 Tamil Nadu Wins Senior Women's Test, Twenty20 and One-Day arenas, compiling National Football Championship For 5,250 runs. First Time  Cricket Canada Unveils ICC- Approved T20 League

Tamil Nadu has won the Senior Women's National Football Championship for the first time. Tamil Nadu, which was playing its first-ever final, Canada‟s own first franchise-based defeated Manipur, 2-1 at the Barabati Stadium in Twenty20 league “Global T20 Canada”, was Cuttack, Odisha. announced in New Delhi. The Global T20 Canada League will begin functioning from July 2018 at Skipper Indumathi and Indrani found the net three venues in Toronto. for Tamil Nadu, while Ratanbala scored Manipur's Global T20 Canada League has received only goal. official sanction of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Cricket Canada has become  Australia‟s Most-Capped Female the first Associate member of the ICC to start a Twenty20 franchise league in the North America Player Alex Blackwell Retires market.

 Aruna Budda Reddy Becomes 1st Indian to Win Individual Medal at Gymnastics World Cup

Australia's most-capped female player and vice-captain Alex Blackwell has announced her retirement from international and state cricket. She became just the fourth female

Australian to pass 5,000 runs when she batted in the Aruna Budda Reddy has created history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual 53

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY-9043 211 311/411 medal at the Gymnastics World While Mary Kom lost to Bulgarian Sevda Cup in Melbourne, Australia. She clinched a Asenova in the 48-kilogram title bout, Seema went Bronze medal in the Women‟s Vault. down to Russian Anna Ivanova in the 81 kg final. Aruna, who hails from Hyderabad, Overall Indian women ended up with two silver and scored 13.649 average points to finish third and four bronze medals in one of the oldest boxing claim the bronze medal at the Hisense Arena. Tjasa tournaments in Europe. Kysslef of Slovenia took home the Gold, while Emily Whitehead of Australia won the Silver. Indian boxer Vikas Krishan claimed a gold medal after defeating Troy Isley of the USA. Vikas  Parupalli Kashyap wins Austrian was adjudged the best boxer of the event, a first for Open an Indian.

 PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018- Important Highlights

PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The motto of Winter Olympics 2018 was “Passion.Connected”. Soohorang, a white tiger, and Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear were the official

mascots for this event. Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap overcame  India Clinched 11 Medals At Strandja Malaysia's June Wei Cheam in straight games in the men's singles final to clinch the Austrian Open Memorial Boxing Tournament International Challenge, his first international title in over three years. The Indian looked in good touch throughout the tournament as he didn't drop a single game en route to his title win.

 MC Mary Kom And Seema Poonia Bag Silver Medals In Strandja India have come up with best ever Memorial Boxing Tournament performance at the 69th Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Bulgaria. At Sofia, the Indian stars Seema Poonia and MC Mary country ended with a whopping 11 medals – five Kom have settled for Silver medals after losing in from men and six from women boxers. the final of 69th Strandja Memorial Boxing Overall, the contingent clinched two gold, tournament at Sofia in Bulgaria. three silver and six bronze medals. Vikas 54

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Krishan, who claimed a gold medal in 75 kg category, was also adjudged the best boxer of the event, a first for an Indian. Another Gold medal was clinched by Amit Panghal.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

 India Successfully Test-Fires Nuclear- Capable Agni-I Missile The first ever of its kind in the India successfully test-fired the country chat-based job search mobile app indigenously developed short-range nuclear 'Empzilla' is being launched that will do away with capable Agni-I ballistic missile. The missile was existing limitations of employers and job seekers fired from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast. making selection process quick and cost-effective. The mobile app gets the conversation between employers and job seekers going in seconds and the latter can chat with the potential employers.  India‟s Aadhaar And Umang App Win Award In Dubai

The test was conducted by the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army. The range of Missile is 700 km. It was 18th version of Agni-I.

 First Ever Chat Based Job Search App

'Empzilla' Launched India‟s Umang App was named winner of the Best M-Government Service award in the Accessible Government category while Aadhar won the best emerging technology award at the recently concluded World Government Summit 2018 in Dubai, where India had the status of „Guest of Honour‟ country.

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The Summit acknowledged technology pioneers for providing global solutions to global challenges. The mobile application Umang App provides users a unified platform that combines government departments and services, facilitating transactions for citizens. The award acknowledged Government of India‟s efforts to provide convenient services to its citizens.

 India's 2nd Mission to Moon In a first in the country, the Maharashtra Chandrayaan-2 to be Launched in government will be setting up an institute for April 2018 artificial intelligence (AI) in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will unveil the plan for the institute during the Magnetic Maharashtra Summit and at the Global Economic Conference in Canada in March 2018.

 India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-II Missile

According to the Union Minister of State of the Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayan-2 Mission around April 2018. Chandrayaan-2 is the country's second mission to the moon. India successfully test-fired Agni II Chandraayan-2 is a challenging mission as medium-range nuclear-capable missile from APJ for the first time we will carry an orbiter, a lander Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast. and a rover to the moon. Chairman of ISRO K The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) fired Agni- Sivan stated that the total cost of the Chandrayaan 2 II from a mobile launcher at launch complex 4 of mission will be about Rs 8 billion. The window for the Integrated Test Range. launch is open till October 2018. Agni-II, which has a length of 20 metres,

weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1000  Mumbai to have India‟s 1st Artificial kgs over a distance of 2000 kms. It is a part of the Intelligence Centre Agni series of missiles developed by the DRDO.

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 World Congress on Information Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km, Technology and Nasscom India from a test range in Odisha. Leadership Forum Held Concurrently The surface-to-surface missile was test- fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex- in Hyderabad 3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

 India Successfully Test-Fires „Dhanush‟ Missile

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 22nd edition of the World Congress on Information Technology India has successfully test-fired the (WCIT) in Hyderabad through a video nuclear-capable surface-to-surface 'Dhanush' conference. The WCIT is held for the first time in ballistic missile with a strike range of 350 km from India. a naval ship off Odisha coast. The 26th edition of Nasscom India It was developed by the Defence Research Leadership Forum (ILF) was also held in the and Development Organisation. „Dhanush‟ same venue later on. Nasscom is the host of the of missile is is capable of carrying a payload of 500 WCIT. Telangana is the state partner for both kg and hitting both land and sea-based targets. the events.  India's 1st 5G Trial Successful, 3  India Successfully Conducts Night GB/sec Speed Achieved Trial of Prithvi-II Missile

Chinese technology giant Huawei and telecom services provider Bharti India successfully conducted a night trial of Airtel announced to have successfully its indigenously developed nuclear capable conducted 5G network trial under a test set-up in 57

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India. The trial was conducted at Airtel‟s Network Experience Centre in Manesar (Gurugram). During the test trial, the speed of more than 3Gbps was achieved. This is the highest measured throughput for a mobile network in 3.5 GHz band with 100MHz bandwidth and end-to-end network latency of approximately 1 msec.

 Tamil Nadu, Microsoft Tie-Up to Accelerate Cloud Technology Defence Research and Development Adoption Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flown its Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle RUSTOM 2 in Karnataka. DRDO is developing within India a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle RUSTOM 2. It has the capability to fly for 24 hours at a stretch at over 200 km/hr speed, and can, not only conduct sustained surveillance but will be able to destroy enemy targets.

The government of Tamil Nadu announced signing an agreement with IT Major Microsoft to improve the integration of technology in teaching and learning in the state. The partnership aims to reform education sector, build tech capacity and enhance digital literacy across all levels.

 DRDO Successfully Carries Out Test flight of Rustom-2 Drone

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IMPORTANT DAYS National Productivity Week Theme: 1st February “Industry 4.0 Leapfrog Opportuniy for india” Indian Coast Guard-41st Foundation 13th February Theme: World Radio day “The Indian Coast Guard(ICG) was established in 1978.It was started with only 7 ships”. Theme:

2nd February “Radio and Sports”. th World Wetlands Day 20 February

Theme: World Day of Social Justice

“Wetlands for a Sustainable urban Future”. Theme: 4th February “Workers on the Move:The Quest for Social Justice” World Cancer Day 21st February Theme: International Mother Language Day “We Can,I Can” Theme: 6th February “Our Languages,our assets” International Day Of Zero Tolerance 24th February For Female Genital Mutilation Central Excise Day(75th) 10th February 28th February National Deworming Day National Science Day 11th February Theme: International Day of Women and Girls in Science “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Theme: Future”

“Gender,Science and Sustainable Developmet:The Impact of Media”.

12th - 18th February 59

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