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Updated on 9th Sep 2017 1. Countervailing duty

It is imposed to safeguard domestic industry against unfair trade subsidies provided by local governments of exporting nations. It is basically country specific. It is generally equal to excise duty paid by manufacturers when same product is produced in home country. It is mainly levied to neutralize effect of subsidies in exporting country on price and domestic market of importing country. Note: The decision to impose CVD (countervailing duty) was taken by finance ministry based on the recommendation of Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD).

2. FAME India Scheme

The FAME India scheme was launched in 2015 under National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) with an aim to promote eco-friendly vehicles in the country. It also aims to support hybrid or electric vehicles market development and its manufacturing eco-system in country in to achieve self- sustenance in stipulated period. Its objective is to provide fiscal and monetary incentives for adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in the country.

It Administered by the Heavy Industries Ministry. It will provide demand incentives to electric and hybrid vehicles from two-wheeler to buses.

The scheme has four focus areas, technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure. The scheme envisages Rs 795 crore support in the first two fiscals starting with the current year.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020

NEMMP aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in country. It has set ambitious target of 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.

3. Scientists from Cardiff University, UK have discovered a new way to produce methanol from methane using oxygen from the air. Methanol is an important chemical often used as fuel in vehicles

The discovery has major implications for cleaner, greener industrial processes worldwide. The new technique uses freely available air, inexpensive chemicals and an energy efficient methanol production process.

4.Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

CGWB is multidisciplinary scientific organization under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. Its mandate is to develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement national policies for scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s ground water resources.

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The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has inked Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru for Development of ground water flow models and preparation of aquifer management plans for parts of Karnataka.

1. Indian Army to induct women in military police Military police

The role of military police includes policing cantonments and army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers. It also provides logisticial support during peace and war, handle prisoners of war and extend aid to civil police whenever required.

2. India refuses to sign Bali Declaration over Rohingya issue

India has refused to be a part of Bali Declaration adopted at conclusion of World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held in Bali, Indonesia to show of solidarity with Myanmar.

It was not adopted because it carried “inappropriate” reference to violence in Rakhine State from where 1,25,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and was not in line with agreed global principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What Declaration Says?

It calls on all parties to contribute to restoration of stability and security, exercise maximum self- restraint from using violent means, respect human rights of all people in Rakhine State regardless of their faith and ethnicity and facilitate safe access for humanitarian assistance.

India’s Objection

India objected part of declaration highlighting deep concern on ongoing violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. India reiterated its stance that purpose of convening Parliamentary forum was to arrive at mutual consensus for implementation of SDGs which required inclusive and broad-based development processes.

Therefore, proposed reference to violence in Rakhine in declaration was considered as inappropriate and not consensus-based. Moreover, country-specific amendment to declaration added at the eleventh hour by selective countries dilute the objective of these Forums which require unity and focussed efforts of all countries.

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Rohingya is ethnic Muslim minority group, largely comprising Muslims living primarily in Myanmar’s

western Rakhine state. They practice a Sufi-inflected variation of Sunni Islam. They differ from Myanmar’s dominant Buddhist groups religiously, ethnically and linguistically. They speak Bengali dialect, as opposed to commonly spoken Burmese language in Myanmar.

Myanmar considers Rohingya’s as illegal Bengali immigrants, despite fact that many they have resided in Rakhine province of Myanmar for centuries. The Myanmar government even refuses to grant them citizenship status, and as a result they do not have any legal documentation, effectively making them stateless. They are also restricted from freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs. UN has often described Rohingyas as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

3. The 51st International Literacy Day is being celebrated on 8th September, 2017 and the theme announced by UNESCO is `Literacy in a digital world’.The year 1965 the World Congress of Ministers of Education met in Tehran for the first time to discuss the programme of education at the international level. The UNESCO in its 14th Session in November, 1966, declared 8th September as the International Literacy Day. यूने को वारा घोषत वषय ‘डिजटल दुनया म सारता’ है।Human Resource Development Minister has said that the government will launch School Chalo Campaign next year for children who are not able to attend schools due to various reasons. 4. Credit guarantee fund:- fund managed by the DIPP has a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore and will enable greater financial support to startups. The government will use the fund to stand guarantee for loans given to startups. 5. The government recently set up a five-member committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge, Justice (retd.) B.N. Srikrishna, to draw up a draft Data Protection Bill. The Bill, if made

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law, will be India’s first exclusive statute providing protection to online users’ personal data from breach by state AND non-state players.

One of the primary guiding factors for the committee would be the exhaustive report submitted in October 2012 by a group of experts on privacy led by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah, which was constituted by the erstwhile Planning Commission. Both the government and the court have agreed that this would be the “conceptual foundation for legislation protecting privacy” in the form of the new Data Protection Bill.

Additional Information: One of the rights enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights – “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence.”

14. Across Barriers-International Business Women’s Summit

South Asian Women Development Forum is organising “Across Barriers-International Business Women’s Summit” at Kathmandu.

 The basic objective of the two day Summit is to bring together women entrepreneurs from the SAARC, ASEAN, China and some other countries.  The summit will be a regional hub for connecting women SMEs, small and medium enterprises with public and private sector for exploring opportunities to identify joint business ventures.

Updated on 10th Sep 2017

1. DRDO has successfully twice flight tested indigenously developed 3rd generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Nag, works on “fire and forget” principle, It can be launched from land and air-based platforms. It has operational range of 500m to 4km (Land version) and 7-10km (when air-launched). The helicopter launched version known of NAG missile is known as NAG (HELINA) can be fired from Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and HAL Rudra attack helicopter. The land-based version of missile is at present available for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA). 2. Jordan, a water-poor country that is 90% desert, has launched Sahara Forest Project near the southern port city of Aqaba to turn desert land into farming land to produce food using sun and sea water. It is funded by Norway and European Union.

3. State-run oil marketing company Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) is all set to become a Maharatna company. Presently it is having Navratna status. Navratna scheme

The Government had introduced Navratna scheme, in 1997, to identify CPSEs that had comparative advantages and to support them in their drive to become global giants. The

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Boards of Navratna CPSEs have been delegated powers in following areas: Capital expenditure, Investment in joint ventures / subsidiaries, Mergers & acquisition and Human resources management, etc. Maharatna companies

The “Maharatna” category for CPSEs was introduced in 2009 with objective to empower mega CPSEs to expand their operations and emerge as global giants or become Indian Multinational Companies (MNCs),

At present, there are seven Maharatna companies — Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), Coal India (CIL), GAIL (India), Indian Oil Corporation, NTPC, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Steel Authority of India (SAIL). Criteria for Maharatna status

 Having Navratna status.  Average annual turnover of more than Rs. 25,000 crore, during last 3 years.  Average annual net worth of more than Rs. 15,000 crore, during last 3 years.  Average annual net profit after tax of more than Rs. 5,000 crore, during last 3 years.  Should have significant global presence and international operations.  Listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public shareholding limit under SEBI regulations.

4. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has unveiled rules to tackle on-board disruptive and unruly behaviour by passengers. The DGCA has revised the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Requirement to bring in a deterrent for passengers who engage in unruly behaviour on board aircrafts. The revision has been done in accordance with the provisions of Tokyo Convention 1963. The Tokyo Convention, which took effect in 1969, governs criminal offenses and other acts committed on board aircraft that jeopardize the safety of flights.

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Two mountain ranges on Pluto have been named after Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary respectively by the International Astronomical Union, which for the first time, has officially approved the naming of 14 features on the icy dwarf planet. These are the first geological features on the planet to be named following the close flyby by the New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015.

 Who are Tenzing Montes and Hillary Montes?  Tenzing Montes and Hillary Montes are mountain ranges honouring Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) and Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008), the Indian/Nepali Sherpa and New Zealand mountaineer who were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest and return safely.  About the IAU:The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.

6. The International Energy Agency’s Green House Gas Research and Development initiative organises the annual Post Combustion Carbon Conference, which is currently in session in Birmingham, in the State of Alabama.

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The only difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon is the location where the storm occurs. In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, the term “hurricane” is used. The same type of disturbance in the Northwest Pacific is called a “typhoon” and “cyclones” occur in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. The ingredients for these storms include a pre-existing weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture, and relatively light winds. If the right conditions persist long enough, they can combine to produce the violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains, and floods we associate with this phenomenon. A tropical cyclone is a generic term used by meteorologists to describe a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation. Once a tropical cyclone reaches maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, it is then classified as a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone depending upon where the storm originates in the world. The ‘Saffir-Simpson Scale’, sometimes in the news, is associated with-Western Hemispherical Tropical Cyclones

Updated on 12th Sep 2017

Cabinet Committees

Under the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules (TBR), 1961 executive arm of government is assigned task of conducting the business of it in an effective and convenient manner.

They are extra-constitutional in nature and are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution. They are instrumental in reducing the workload of the Government. The six Committees of the Cabinet are

 Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC): It is responsible for all appointments of higher ranks in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Public Enterprises and Financial Institutions.  Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA): It is responsible for the allotment of accommodation for various top positions in the Government of India.  Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA): It deals with the activities pertaining to the economics of the country.  Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA): It looks into the matters related to the progress of government business in the Parliament of India. It is headed by Union Home Minister.  Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA): It is responsible for all issues related to domestic and foreign affairs. It is most powerful cabinet committee and is described as Super Cabinet.  Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS): It is one of the most important committees in India, it looks into the matters of defece expenditures and National Security.

Note: All Committees of Cabinet except Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) is chaired/headed by Prime Minister. CCPA is headed by Union Home Minister. 2. FSSAI has launched ‘FoSCoRIS’, a nationwide online platform to bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

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FSSAI is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health in India through regulation and supervision of food safety. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and operates under aegis of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

3. India’s financial capital Mumbai was ranked at 60th position, up by three positions compared to previous edition. Global Financial Centres Index

The index is ranking of the competitiveness of financial centres based on aggregate of indices from five key areas: business environment, financial sector development, infrastructure factors, human capital, reputation and general factors. It is published twice a year. It is widely quoted as a source for ranking financial centres.

4. Bugworks Research, a Bengaluru-based biotech startup, became India’s and Asia’s first to receive the international CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) grant for its antibiotic research and development. CARB X

CARB-X is a public-private international partnership set up in 2016 to focus on innovations to improve diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant infections. The purpose of CARB X is to provide a new, collaborative approach to speed R&D and delivery of new antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostics, and other innovative products to address urgent global problem of drug- resistant bacterial infections.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria are classified as Gram-positive and Gram-negative, based on a structural difference in their cell walls. Gram-negative bacteria are responsible for 20-25% of bacterial infections and are multi drug resistant i.e. having ability to defend themselves against drugs that try to kill them.

5. 2nd India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Council held in New Delhi, both countries exchanged four pacts in areas of health, transport (motor vehicles agreement), space and new development partnership.

6. The Union Finance Ministry is planning to launch ‘Project Insight’ from October 2017 to monitor high value transactions and detect tax evaders using technology with a view to curbing circulation of black money. To implement the project government has signed contract with Information Technogolgy major L&T Infotect Ltd. The project will add to list of efforts made by government to curb black money like Operation Clean Money’ after demonetisation, Income Disclosure Scheme, GST implementation, amendment DTAA with other countries etc. It will use data mining, big data analytics to scoop out tax evaders from social media platforms to deduce mismatches between spending pattern and income declaration. The linking of PAN (Permanent Account Number) with Aadhaar will be key to be used by IT Department to link and analyse various transactions relating to tax payers.

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7. Researchers have discovered new species of edible freshwater fish in Pampa river in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. It has been named as Labeo filiferus (L.filiferus) and belongs to Labeo genus. The Labeo filiferus characteristics are black coloured body and fins, smaller eyes, longer snout, prominent barbels and elongated dorsal and anal fins. Labeo genus fishes

Fishes belonging to Labeo genus are widely distributed in inland waterbodies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, tropical Africa and Syria. They are medium-sized elongate fishes with rounded abdomen, finged lips, swollen snout and straight lateral line. As many as 31 species of Labeo are reported to be present in India, of them L.rohita (commonly known as Rohu) is extensively used in aquaculture. 8. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

The DGFT is nodal agency responsible for execution of import and export Policies of India. It is entrusted with responsibilities for formulating and implementing foreign trade policy with main objective of promoting India’s exports. The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries has set up Contact@DGFT, an online service facility for effective resolution of foreign trade-related issues of importers and exporters.

9. Navika Sagar Parikrama-the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all- women crew.

Aims of the Expedition are as follows:

Nari Shakti, Environment and Climate Change, Make in India, Meteorological/ Ocean/ Wave Data Observation, Marine Pollution

10. The new method envisages a way in which the two rivers can be linked through a waterway built on an even plane enabling two-way flow between the rivers. It is also known as Smart Waterways.

11. What you need to know about Article 35A?

It was added through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, issued under Article 370. Article 35A protects certain provisions of the J&K Constitution which denies property rights to native women who marry from outside the State. The denial of these rights extend to her children also.

Article 35A also empowers the State’s legislature to frame any law without attracting a challenge on grounds of violating the Right to Equality of people from other States or any other right under the Constitution.

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Updated on 14th Sep 2017

1.Hindi Divas is celebrated to mark adaptation of Hindi language as the official language of India by the Constituent Assembly of India on 14 September 1949. ratified by Constitution of India which came into effect on 26 January 1950.

Under the Article 343 of Indian Constitution, Hindi written in Devanagri script was adopted as the official language. But presently, there are 2 official languages: Hindi and English.

2. INDRA 2017: India-Russian to conduct first tri-services military exercise

India’s first bilateral military exercise with any country involving all three services.

The aim of exercise is to carry out joint exercises for suppression of international terrorist activities under United Nations mandate.

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3. Chennai-Vladivostok sea route: India’s effort to counter China’s OBOR-aim to harness natural resources from Northeast Asia and Western Pacific region. Background

India was first country to establish resident Consulate in Vladivostok in 1992. India’s current engagement with region is limited to isolated pockets such as Irkut Corporation in Irkutsk where Mig and Sukhoi aircraft are built and over $6 billion worth of investments by ONGC Visesh Limited in Sakhalin 1 project. The region has wealth of natural resources such as timber, mineral resources (coal & diamonds) and precious metal deposits (gold, platinum, tin and tungsten) and oil and natural gas.

4. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched “Wood is Good” Campaign under Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest-Plus).

It was launched on sidelines of two-day conference on “Sustainable landscapes and forest ecosystems: Theory to Practice” in New Delhi.

-Purpose of campaign is to promote wood as climate-friendly resource and substitute to materials like steel and plastic as it is carbon neutral unlike others materials which leave carbon footprint in their production. -Forest plus

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Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest-Plus) is joint programme of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and MoEF&CC to strengthen capacity for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) implementation in India. It brings together experts from India and US to develop technologies, tools and methods of forest management to meet technical challenges of managing forests for health of ecosystem, biodiversity, carbon stocks and livelihood. REDD

The REDD Programme is collaborative programme of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It was created in 2008 in response to UNFCCC decisions on Bali Action Plan and REDD at COP-13. Its goal is to reduce forest emissions and enhance carbon stocks in forests while contributing to national sustainable development.

REDD should not be confused with “REDD+”, a voluntary climate change mitigation approach that has been developed by Parties to UNFCCC. Thus, REDD is a multilateral body that partners with developing countries to support them in establishing technical capacities needed to implement REDD+ and meet UNFCCC requirements for REDD+ results-based payments.

5. Telangana Forest Department for first time has re-introduced ‘mouse deer’ in the forests of Nallamalla in Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) bred at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. Mouse deer (also known as Spotted Chevrotain) is one of the endangered species. It looks like weird mash-up of a deer, mouse and pig. It is not considered true deer, but shares suborder with deer (Ruminantia). It has its own family called Tragulidae. It is nocturnal. Because of their small size they are smallest ungulates (large mammals) in the world. It is found in deciduous and evergreen forests throughout India. Its population is on decline due to destruction of their habitat and poaching.

6. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,881 crore to boost dairy sector.

It will be managed by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and shall be implemented from 2017-18 to 2028-29. Initially, Rs.8,004 crore loan will be provided by NABARD to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)and National Dairy Development Cooperation (NDDC).

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7. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has published first of its kind compendium titled Fauna of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in Indian Sundarbans.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

ZSI is India’s apex organization on animal taxonomy. It was established in 1916. Its objective is to promote the survey, exploration, research and documentation on various aspects of animal taxonomy in Indian subcontinent. It also seeks advancement of knowledge on animal taxonomy. It has been declared as the designated repository for the National Zoological Collection as per section 39 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002.

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8. India-Belarus Bilateral Relations

India’s relations with Belarus are traditionally warm and cordial. India was one of first countries to officially recognize Belarus as independent country in 1991. Bilateral relation between both countries is marked by broad understanding on issues of mutual interest.

Cooperation in science and technology and defence is important aspect of India-Belarus bilateral relations. Two-way bilateral trade amounted to US$ 402 million in 2016. The trade balance remains in favour of Belarus primarily on account of imports of Potash. Belarus has been supportive of India’s candidature for permanent seat at UNSC. Belarus also supported India at NSG meeting in Seoul in April 2016.

9. India’s first state of art virology laboratory was inaugurated at Dr. Anjali Chatterjee Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The lab will play important in developing new drugs and technologies in Homoeopathy to combat emerging challenges of viral diseases. Key Facts

The laboratory is only one of its kind in India for conducting basic and fundamental research in Homoeopathy for viral diseases like influenza, dengue, chickunguniya, Japanese encephalitis and swine flu (H1N1). It will develop new drugs and technologies to combat emerging challenges of viral diseases. The laboratory is recognized by Calcutta University to undertake research work of PhD students in field of homoeopathy.

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10. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved survey project to acquire 48,243 Line Kilometer (LKM) 2D seismic data for appraisal of Indian sedimentary basins where limited data is available.

Sedimentary basin is a low area in the Earth’s crust, of tectonic origin, in which sediments accumulate. It can range from as small as hundreds of meters to large parts of ocean basins.

11. Cabinet approves Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017- The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments. It was enacted to provide social security to workmen after retirement, whether retirement is result of rules of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital body part. It applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under Act was Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Union Government employees under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission from January 2-016, the gratuity ceiling was increased to Rs. 20 Lakhs.

The Amendment will increase maximum limit of gratuity of employees, in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)/Autonomous Organizations under Government and in private sector who are not covered under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, at par with Central Government employees.

12. United Nations Security Council (UNSC)- UNSC unanimously adopts new sanctions against North Korea

UNSC is one of six principal organs of the United Nations Organisation (UNO). Its mandate is to maintain international peace and security. UNSC has 15 members, including five permanent viz. China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States. Each of the five permanent members has veto power.

Its powers include establishment of peacekeeping operations, imposing international sanctions, and authorization of collective military action against through resolutions. It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

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13. What is rejuvenation?

According to the Namami Gange Mission, rejuvenation implies restoring the “wholesomeness” of the river and that includes three things: Aviral dhara (continuous flow), nirmal dhara (unpolluted flow) and ecological and geological integrity.

Uttarakhand-based Hemawati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University has signed a MoU with Namami Gange Project for Ganga Conservation.

 Under Namami Gange project, the University will initiate activities like holding events, seminars and conferences to make strong pitch for public outreach and community participation.  Namami Gange Programme:  The Union government approved “Namami Gange” Program in May 2015. It integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner.   Focus of the programme:  Among other things, the programme will focus on pollution abatement interventions namely Interception, diversion & treatment of wastewater flowing through the open drains through bio-remediation / appropriate in-situ treatment / use of innovative technologies.

14. Ultra-thin craft may wrap and destroy space junk

Scientists are developing an ultra-thin spacecraft that can remove space debris – which potentially threaten satellites or astronauts – by enveloping junk in the Earth’s orbit and dragging it through the atmosphere, causing it to burn up. The Brane Craft, being developed by US-based Aerospace Corporation, is a flexible and less than half the thickness of a human hair.

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15. What is Sir Creek?

Sir Creek is a 96-km strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. Originally named Ban Ganga, Sir Creek is named after a British representative. The Creek opens up in the Arabian Sea and roughly divides the Kutch region of Gujarat from the Sindh Province of Pakistan.

What’s the dispute?

The dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between Kutch and Sindh. Before India’s independence, the provincial region was a part of the Bombay Presidency of British India. But after India’s independence in 1947, Sindh became a part of Pakistan while Kutch remained a part of India.

Pakistan claims the entire creek as per paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914 signed between then the Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch. The resolution, which demarcated the boundaries between the two territories, included the creek as part of Sindh, thus setting the boundary as the eastern flank of the creek popularly known as Green Line. But India claims that the boundary lies mid-channel as depicted in another map drawn in 1925, and implemented by the installation of mid-channel pillars back in 1924.

What’s the importance of Sir Creek?

Apart from strategic location, Sir Creek’s core importance is fishing resources. Sir Creek is considered to be among the largest fishing grounds in Asia.

Another vital reason for two countries locking horns over this creek is the possible presence of great oil and gas concentration under the sea, which are currently unexploited thanks to the impending deadlock on the issue.

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16. Hiving off mobile tower assets of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited into a separate company, fully owned by BSNL-A tower infrastructure company essentially owns the passive infrastructure asset and leases it to telecom service providers enabling them to minimize duplication of investments and economize on costs of Operation and Maintenance (O&M), thereby improving profitability.

17. About Cassini Mission:

Cassini–Huygens is an unmanned spacecraft sent to the planet Saturn(शन). Cassini is the fourth space probe to visit Saturn and the first to enter orbit. Its design includes a Saturn orbiter and a lander for the moon Titan. The lander, called Huygens, landed on Titan in 2005. The spacecraft was launched on October 15, 1997. This was the first landing ever accomplished in the outer Solar System.

Objectives:

 Determine the three-dimensional structure and dynamic behavior of the rings of Saturn.  Determine the composition of the satellite surfaces and the geological history of each object.  Determine the nature and origin of the dark material on Iapetus’s leading hemisphere.  Measure the three-dimensional structure and dynamic behavior of the magnetosphere.  Study the dynamic behavior of Saturn’s atmosphere at cloud level.  Study the time variability of Titan’s clouds and hazes.  Characterize Titan’s surface on a regional scale.  What has it discovered?  The probe has been crucial to findings that Saturn’s moons are among the most hospitable places in the Solar System for potentially supporting life. Recently, Nasa also announced that Cassini had detected chemical reactions happening below the icy surface of Enceladus, suggesting life is possible there. The mission also found that the moon Titan contains many earth-like features such as wind, rain and seas.

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18. Mosses have been used for decades to monitor air quality.

• Mosses lack a root system, so they rely on deposition from the atmosphere for their mineral nutrition. They are especially well-suited for air-quality assessment as they are very effective at trapping pollutants, both particulate and gaseous. • Traditional air-pollution measurement systems require a range of detectors to measure the presence of different pollutants. However, moss simply retains all the different pollutants within its structure, so it is easily processed to measure their presence. The absorption process itself is also a passive one – it needs no electricity supply or complex equipment to function.

19. According to a research paper titled ‘Indian income inequality, 1922-2014: From British Raj to Billionaire Raj?’ by renowned economists Thomas Piketty and Lucas Chancel, income inequality in India is at its highest level since 1922, the year the Income Tax Act was passed.

• The top 1% of earners captured less than 21% of total income in the late 1930s, before dropping to 6% in the early 1980s and rising to 22% today.

• China also liberalised and opened up after 1978, and in doing so, experienced a sharp income growth as well as a sharp rise in inequality. This rise, however, stopped in the 2000s so that inequality is currently at a lower level there than in India (top 1% income share in China today is 14%).

• In December, they will release the first ‘World Inequality Report’ where they will compare India’s inequality trajectory with other emerging, industrialised and low-income countries and suggest ways to tackle global and national inequality.

20. Catalonia encompasses the northeastern provinces of Spain. It is an autonomous region, with Barcelona as its capital.

Why many Catalans want independence: • Catalonia, which makes up 16% of Spain’s population, accounts for almost 19% of Spanish GDP but there is a widespread feeling that the central government takes much more than it gives back. This sense of injustice fuels the independence campaign. While some Catalans may accept their tax money being used to help ailing southern regions like Andalusia, there is a

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Current from Sep 1 to 7th Sep 2017 Insights On India+Pib+GkToday www.bulluias.wordpress.com perception that their own public services are being underfunded at the same time. • Catalan became the joint official language along with Spanish after the return to democracy (post- dictator Francisco Franco’s death). But in recent years Spain has challenged its status as the first language of instruction in schools. • With its own language, a recorded history of more than 1,000 years as a distinct region, and a population nearly as big as Switzerland’s (7.5 million), Catalonia lays a strong claim to nationhood. • It also happens to be a vital part of the Spanish state, locked in since the 15th Century, and subjected periodically to repressive campaigns to make it “more Spanish”.

Updated on 15th Sep 2017

21. Chakmas and Hajongs were originally residents of Chittagong Hill Tracts in erstwhile East Pakistan(Bangladesh). They had fleed their homeland after it was submerged by Kaptai dam project in 1960s. Chakmas are Buddhists by faith and Hajongs are Hindus. They had faced religious persecution in East Pakistan and entered India through the then Lushai Hills district of Assam (now in Mizoram). Later, Union Government had shifted majority of them to North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which is now Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, their numbers have gone up from about 5,000 in 1964-69 to 1 lakh. At present, they don’t have citizenship and land owning rights but are provided basic amenities by Arunachal Pradesh Government.

22. Scientists from Brown University in US have created first map of water trapped in uppermost layer of Moon’s soil. The was build using NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper onboard of India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. The map builds on initial discovery of water and related molecule — hydroxyl (consists of one atom each of hydrogen and oxygen) in lunar soil in 2009. It may prove useful to future lunar explorers.

23. India, Japan ink 15 agreements for enhancing bilateral co-operation Some of Signed Agreements

 MoU on International Academic and Sports Exchange  MoC in field of Japanese Language Education in India  Exchange of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation (Open Sky)  MOC between Ministry of Home Affairs and Cabinet Office of Japan  India-Japan Investment Promotion Road map between DIPP and METI  MoU between DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science & Technology (AIST)  Arrangement between India Post and Japan Post for the Implementation of Cool EMS service.  MoU between RIS and IDE-JETRO for promotion of Cooperation in Research Related Activities.  MOC between METI and Gujarat on ‘Japan-India special programme for Make In India’ in Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj in Gujarat  India-Japan Act East Forum: To enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in North East India in efficient and effective manner.

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 Joint Research Contract India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and between National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan.  Agreement for International joint exchange programme between interdisciplinary theoretical and mathematical sciences programme, RIKEN and National Centres for Biological Sciences.

NOTE:- The 508km-long Mumbai to Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project will be built at cost of Rs 1.10 lakh crore. It is expected to be completed by 2022 (It was recently advanced by year from earlier deadline of 2023). Mumbai to Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project

MAHSR project is joint venture between Indian Railways and Japan’s Shinkansen Technology.

Speed: The train will cover distance of over 508 km from Sabarmati (Gujarat) to Bandra (Mumbai, Maharashtra) in around 2.58 hours at high speed of 320 kph from the existing 7-8 hours. In case of rapid high-speed, it will cover the distance in 2.07 hours.

Funding: Of the total project cost of Rs.1,10,000-crore, 80% cost of Rs 88,000 crore will be provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as soft loan at interest of 0.1% per annum. This loan will be repaid to Japan in 50 years, with 15 years grace period.

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Make In India: As per agreement between India and Japan, MAHSR Project has “twin, complementary objectives viz. localised manufacture and transfer of technology. It will give stimulus for advanced components’ manufacture and construction, one of the stated objectives of the project is Make in India. It will create around 15 lakh new jobs in India.

High Speed Rail Institute

Both leaders also laid foundation stone of High Speed Rail Institute to be set up at Vadodara (Gujarat). This institue will come up inside National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) at Vadodara where more than 4000 enginees of High Speed Rail Corporation of India will be given training by Japanese professionals. India’s second bullet train project

The Indian Railways will launch country’s second high-speed train project between Delhi and Amritsar (Punjab) via Chandigarh. The project will be completed by 2024. Train on this route will run on standard broad gauge and cover 458-km-long route in 2 hours and 30 minutes running at a speed of 300-350 kmph, reducing travel time by about two and half hours between both destinations. Proposed stops on this route are Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar.

24. Government launches Operation Insaniyat to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh-Ministry of External Affairs has started Operation Insaniyat to provided assistance to Bangladesh in response to humanitarian crisis being faced by it due to large influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

The violence had started after Rohingya militants belonging to Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (also known as Harakat al-Yaqeen or Faith Movement) had attacked police posts in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state.

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25. New ASEAN Cyber Drill Kicks Off in Vietnam-The ASEAN Computer Emergency Response Team Incident Drill (ACID) was recently held in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. ACID’s objective is to test and enhance incident response as well as broader cooperation and coordination among ASEAN CERTS as well as some of their key dialogue partners. It involves ten members of ASEAN as well as five dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

These realms ranged from cybersecurity working group within ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus to new ASEAN Cyber Capacity Program introduced in 2016 by Singapore.

The focus of this iteration was on dangers of insufficient authentication and poor access. It also focused on reinforcing coordination among actors as well as boosting skills in areas such as investigating incidents and analyzing malicious codes. In 2016, ACID had focused on several areas including Ransomware and cyber forensics, in line with ongoing efforts to ensure that CERTS are up to date with current challenges in cyber realm. ASEAN

ASEAN is a regional organisation that aims to promote intergovernmental cooperation and economic integration amongst its members. It consists of 10-member countries- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It came into existence on August 8, 1967, after ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok Declaration). It

26. India ranked low 103rd out of 130 countries surveyed on World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Human Capital Index (GHCI) 2017. In the previous edition, India ranked 105th.

The GHCI measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic growth against four key areas of human capital development; Capacity (determined by past investment in formal education), Deployment (accumulation of skills through work), Development (reskilling and continued upskilling of existing workers) and know-how (specialised skills-use at work). Key Highlights of 2017 GHCI

Top 10 countries: Norway (1st), Finland (2nd), Switzerland (3rd), United States (4th), Denmark (5th), Germany (6th), New Zealand (7th), Sweden (8th), Slovenia (9th) and Austria (10th).

Among BRICS: India is ranked lower than its BRICS peers. Russia (16th), China (34th), Brazil (77th) and South Africa (87th).

Among South Asian countries: India was ranked lower than Sri Lanka (70) and Nepal (98). But it ranked higher than neighbouring Bangladesh (111) and Pakistan (125).

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India related Facts: In terms of development of skills needed for the future India ranks 65th. However, India ranks lower because of number of factors. It ranks lowest (last) in world when it comes to employment gender gap. It also ranks low 110th in educational attainment (primary education attainment among 25 -54 year olds) and low deployment of its human capital, meaning the skills available are not getting put to good use. India ranks 118 for labour force participation among the key 35-54 year old demographic, means that too many Indians are engaged in informal or subsistent employment.

27. What is NIRF?

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was approved by the MHRD and was launched in September, 2015. This framework outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country. The methodology draws from the overall recommendations and broad understanding arrived at by a Core Committee set up by MHRD, to identify the broad parameters for ranking various universities and institutions.

 The parameters broadly cover “Teaching, Learning and Resources”, “Research and Professional Practices”, “Graduation Outcomes”, “Outreach and Inclusivity” and “Perception”.  NIRF has been given the responsibility of ranking institutions that have applied and submitted their data. The ranking of the Institutions will be done based on the parameters proposed by NIRF for different disciplines.

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28. Fiat cryptocurrency and non- fiat cryptocurrency:

A non-fiat cryptocurrency is “Bitcoins for example. That’s a private cryptocurrency.” Whereas, the fiat cryptocurrency is a digital currency which would be issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in place of the physical one at present.

What are cryptocurrencies?

Crypto-currency that is planned to be brought under the regulatory regime is a digital currency which allows transacting parties to remain anonymous while confirming that the transaction is a valid one. It is not owned or controlled by any institution – governments or private. There are multiple such currencies — bitcoin, ethereum, ripple are some of the popular ones. Currently, they are neither illegal nor legal in India.

29. The government of Telangana in association with the World Resources Institute (WRI) India – Ross Centre and the Indian School of Business (ISB) launched the ‘Smart Streets Lab’, through the ‘Smart Streets Lab’, the state government aims to utilize technological interventions from outside and integrate them with its various departments. The Government of Telangana and WRI India have jointly organized the Smart Streets Lab – Telangana to pilot innovative road-safety and women-safety solutions by leveraging new developments in technology and IT to transform Hyderabad’s streets. The programme will largely be data-driven.

30. दस अथवा अधक लोग को नयोिजत करने वाल थापनाओं के लए उपादान भुगतान अधनयम, 1972 लागू है। इस अधनयम को लागू करने का मु य उे य है - सेवानवृत के बाद कामगार क सामािजक सुरा, चाहे सेवानवृत क नयमावल के परणाम वप सेवानवृत हु ई हो अथवा शरर के मह वपूण अंग के नाकाम होने से शाररक वकलांगता के कारण सेवानवृत हु ई हो। इसलए उपादान भुगतान अधनयम 1972, उयोग, कारखान और थापनाओं म मजदूर अिजत करने वाल जनसंया के लए एक मह वपूण सामािजक सुरा का वधान है।

अधनयम के तहत उपादान राश पर मौजूदा अधकतम सीमा 10 लाख पये है। उपादान के संबंध म सीसीएस (पशन) नयमावल, 1972 के अधीन कय कमचारय के लए भी समान

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ावधान ह। सातवां कय वेतन आयोग लागू होने से पहले सीसीएस (पशन) नयमावल,1972 के अधीन अधकतम सीमा 10 लाख पये थी। हालांक सातवां कय वेतन आयोग लागू होने से सरकार कमचारय के मामले म 1 जनवर, 2016 से अधकतम सीमा अब 20 लाख पये है।

इसलए नजी े म काम करने वाले कमचारय के मामले म भी महंगाई और वेतन वृ पर वचार करते हु ए सरकार का अब यह वचार है क उपादान भुगतान अधनयम,1972 के अधीन शामल कमचारय के लए उपादान क पाता म संशोधन कया जाना चाहए। तदनुसार, सरकार ने उपादान भुगतान अधनयम, 1972 म संशोधन क या शु क।

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जापान के धानमंी क भारत याा (14 सतंबर, 2017) के दौरान हतार कए गए एमओयू / समझौत क सूची

. सं. समझौता ववरण क. अपादा जोखम बंधन आपदा जोखम नयूनीकरण ् के े म आपसी भारत गणराय सरकार के गृह मेल-जोल और सहयोग बढ़ाना तथा आपदा मंालय और भारत सरकार के 1. नवारण पर अनुभव, ान और नीतय को साझा मंमंडल कायालय के बीच करना। एमओसी

ख. कौशल वकास

वदेश मंालय, भारत और वदेश मंालय काय भारत म जापनी भाषा के े म वपीय संबंध 2. (एमओएफए), जापान के बीच और सहयोग को और अधक मजबूत बनाना। भारत म जापानी भाषा शा के े म एमओसी ग. कनेिटवट

भारत के पूवतर भारत के े म दतापूण एवं 3. भारत जापान एक्ट ईट फोरम भावकार प से कनेिटवट बढ़ाना और वकास परयोजनाओं को बढ़ावा देना। घ. आथक और वाणियक

कूल (Cool) ईएमएस सेवा के जापान डाक वभाग और भारतीय डाक वभाग के कायावयन के लए शासनक बीच "कूल ईएमएस" सेवा क वाणियक 4. अनुदेश पर भारतीय डाक यवथा को लागू करना, िजसके माधयम ् से वभाग और जापन के डाक जापान से भारत को ढंडे डबब ् म भोजन भेजा जा

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वभाग के बीच यवथा सकता है ताक भारत म जापानी वासय को सहायता पहु ंचाई जा सके।

ड. नवेश (गुजरात)

डीआईपीपी और एमईटआई ( ) - मैट के बीच भारत जापान भारत म जापान के नवेश म गत लाने हेतु 5.

नवेश संवधन क परेखा सुवधा मुहैया कराना।

गुजरात म मंडल बेचराज- खोराज म 'मेक इन इंडया के लए जापान-भारत वशेष मंडल बेचराज-खोराज े म बुनयाद ढांचे म 6. कायम पर एमईटआई और सहयोग करना। गुजरात राय के बीच एमओसी।

च. सवल एवएशन

यह भारत और जापान के बीच वायुमाग खोलता , सवल एवएशन सहयोग है यानी भारतीय और जापानी वाहक अब एक

7. (ओपन काई) पर दसतावेज ् दूसरे के देश के चयनत शहर म असीमत

(आरओडी) का आदान-दान। संया म उड़ान भर सकते ह।

छ. वान और ौयोगक

अंतःवषयक सैांतक और सैांतक जीववान के े दोन देश के 8. गणतीय वान कायम तभाशाल युवा वैानक को चिहत करने (iTHEMS), RIKEN और और बढ़ावा देने के लए एक संयुत आदान-

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राय जैव वान क दान कायम थापत करना। (समंस-एनसीबीएस) के बीच

अंतराय संयुत आदान- दान कायम के लए समझौता संयुत प से अनुसंधान करना और एआईटट, नेशनल इंटयूट ऑफ जापान म "डीबीट-एआईआईट इंटरनेशनल सटर एडवांड इंडियल साइंस एंड फॉर ांसलेशनल एंड इनवॉयरमट ् रसच (डीएआई टेनोलॉजी (एआईएसट), 9. सटर) नामक एक अंतराषय ् क क सथापना ् जापान और जैवौयोगक करना ताक दोन देश और संसथाओं ् म वान वभाग (डीबीट) के बीच और ौयोगक को बढ़ावा दया जा सके। संयुत अनुसंधान करार

डीबीट और नेशनल इंटयूट लाइफ साइंस और जैवौयोगक के े म

ऑफ एडवांड साइंस एंड डीबीट अनुसंधान संसथान ् और एआईटट के 10.

टैनोलॉजी (एआईएसट) के बीच अनुसंधान सहयोग को बढ़ावा देना।

बीच एमओयू I. खेल

लमीबाई नेशनल इंटयूट ऑफ फिजकल एजुकेशन लमीबाई नेशनल इंटयूट ऑफ फिजकल (एलएनएनपीई) और नपॉन एजुकेशन, भारत और नपॉन पोट साइंस 11. पोस साइंस यूनवसट, यूनवसट, जापन के बीच अंतराय शा और जापान (एनएसएसयू) के बीच सहयोग को अधक गहरा एवं सुगम बनाना। अंतराय शैणक और खेल आदान-दान पर एमओयू। भारतीय खेल ाधकरण और भारत के खेल ाधकरण और नपॉन पोट नपॉन पोस साइंस साइंस यूनवसट, जापान दोन के बीच 12. यूनवसट, जापान अंतराय शा सहयोग और आदान-दान को (एनएसएसयू) के बीच सुगम एवं गहरा बनाना।

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अंतराय शैणक और खेल

आदान-दान पर एमओयू लमीबाई नेशनल इंटयूट लमीबाई नेशनल इंटयूट ऑफ फिजकल ऑफ फिजकल एजुकेशन एजुकेशन (एलएनआईपीई) और जापान के सुकुबा 13. (एलएनआईपीई) और जापान वववयालय के बीच कूटनीतक सहयोग, के सुकुबा वववयालय के संयुक्त अनुसंधान कायम तथा आदान-दान बीच लैटर ऑफ इनटट। ् को मजबूत बनाना। जापान के सुकुबा वववयालय और भारतीय भारतीय खेल ाधकरण और खेल ाधकरण के बीच कूटनीतक सहयोग, 14. सुकुबा, जापान वववयालय संयुक्त अनुसंधान कायम तथा आदान-दान के बीच लैटर ऑफ इनटट। ् को मजबूत बनाना। ज. शैणक / थंक टक अनुसंधान से संबंधत अनुसंधान मता तथा शोध नकष के सार क गतवधय म सहयोग को भावशीलता को सुढ़ करने के लए आरआईएस 15. बढ़ावा देने के लए आरआईएस और आईडीई-जेो के बीच संथागत सहयोग को और आईडीई-जेो के बीच बढ़ावा देना। एमओयू

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Special Point One Liner

1. Melanesia is a subregion of and refers to the Pacific Islands from New Guinea south east-wards to the Fiji. It has four countries viz. Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

2. Feature of the Eutrophic lakes? They are generally occupied by blooms They have high plant nutrient flux They are dominated by blue green algae

4. If PM is a member of Rajya Sabha, he can participate in procedures of both houses but can vote only in Rajya Sabha. Vote of No Confidence can be moved only in Lok Sabha so PM will not vote in it. 5. Tawang monastery is the largest of its kind in the country and is one of the largest monasteries in Asia. It is said to be one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in the world outside of Lhasa, . It is also known by another Tibetan , ‘Galden Namgey Lhatse’, which means ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’. 6. In 1886, copyright entered the international arena with the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. 7. India’s efforts to provide education to millions of Africans using internet technology will come under Track IV Diplomacy involves socio-cultural, scientific, environmental and educational programmes between two states. 8. Bikini Day is observed in Japan in memory of the victims of the hydrogen bomb explosion on March 1, 1954. It is so named because radioactive ashes from the US explosion fell on fishing vessels in the vicinity of Bikini Atoll, where the explosion took place.

Single Engine fighter acquisition for the IAF: • F-16: Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, USA • Gripen: Manufactured by Saab, Sweden Twin Engine fighter acquisition for the Indian Navy: • Rafale: Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, France • F-18: Manufactured by Boeing, USA 9. The ‘Saffir-Simpson Scale’, sometimes in the news, is associated with- Western Hemispherical Tropical Cyclones. The only difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon is the location where the storm occurs. In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, the term “hurricane” is used. The same type of disturbance in the Northwest Pacific is called a “typhoon” and “cyclones” occur in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. 10. For the state to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations-Part of DPSP For every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women-Part of fundamental Duty.

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11. Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) Tag’- It serves the same purpose as a barcode 2. It can be read from up to a few meters away 3. It does not need to be within direct line-of-sight of the reader to be read/tracked

12. The Phillips curve is an economic concept developed by A. W. Phillips showing that inflation and unemployment have a stable and inverse relationship. The theory states that with economic growth comes inflation, which in turn should lead to more jobs and less unemployment. However, the original concept has been somewhat disproven empirically due to the occurrence of stagflation in the 1970s, when there were high levels of both inflation and unemployment.

13. In economics, what is Paradox of aid:- This refers to the paradoxical situation wherein countries that are blessed with good institutions to achieve economic growth have no need for foreign aid, while countries that possess poor institutions that inhibit their growth do not benefit from any amount of foreign aid. It was proposed by British development economist Peter Thomas Bauer in his 1971 book, Dissent on Development. The paradox of aid emphasises the importance of good institutions to achieve better economic conditions in the developing world, and the ineffectiveness of foreign aid to achieve a substantial improvement in living standards in the absence of the right institutions. Research has found it difficult to identify a robust positive relationship between aid and growth. One hypothesis is that aid perpetuates resource dependency, in the sense that since revenues flow in from outside, recipient countries may fail to develop their own tax bases or their institutions more generally. Another potential downside of aid is that it could trigger “Dutch disease”, named after the impact that discovery of natural gas in the North Sea had on the domestic economy in the Netherlands. This windfall cause the real exchange rate to appreciate as the extra income was spent domestically, pushing up the price of non tradeables such as services geared to the local economy. 14. scheme, which entailed the provision of Rs. 1,250 crore to each of the top seven IITs over a period of five years to upgrade infrastructure, hire foreign faculty, and collaborate with foreign institutions to break into the top league in global rankings, has reportedly been shot down by the Finance Ministry. The MHRD Minister said that the Higher Education Finance Agency (HEFA), the Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana, and the Prime Minister’s proposed scholarships of Rs. 75,000 a month are schemes that serve similar purpose as the Vishwajeet scheme. • Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) to give a major push for creation of high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions would be eligible for joining as members of the HEFA. • The Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) was launched to promote industry- specific need-based research projects so as to keep up the competitiveness of the Indian industry in the global market. All the IITs have been encouraged to work with the industry to identify areas where innovation is required and come up with solutions that could be brought up to the commercialization level. The projects

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should have collaboration between the academia and industry – within or outside India. 15. Wikipedia states that Bina Agarwal is an Indian citizen, and some media outlets are referring to her as an “Indian Economist”. The Balzan Prize Foundation website itself refers to her nationality as “India/UK”. This however is not very relevant for determining the correctness of Statement 2, as Mother Teresa was awarded this prize many decades ago as an Indian citizen. • Economist Bina Agarwal is a professor at the University of Manchester, who was recognised in the gender studies category for her “heroic” work studying women’s contributions to agriculture in India. Few points about the Balzan Prize: • The Balzan Prizes are chosen by the General Prize Committee in two general subject areas: Humanities – Literature, Moral Sciences and the Arts; and Sciences: the Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences and Medicine. • The four Balzan Prizes, two per category, are awarded to scholars, artists and scientists who have distinguished themselves in their fields on an international level • The subject areas in which the are granted are rotated, and this special characteristic of the Balzan Prize ensures the promotion and recognition of new or emerging fields of study or research that may have been overlooked by other international awards. • Since 2001, prizewinners must destine half of the prize to finance research projects that are preferably carried out by young scholars or scientists.

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12.

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