CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS - 2018

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY

VELLORE, TIRUVANNAMALAI

JANUARY – MONTH

CURRENT AFFAIRS-2018

# 5, old by-Pass Road, National Theatre

( Near - opp - Benzz Park ) Vellore- 4

website : www.chennaiiasacademy.com

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

1. The Income Tax (IT) Department has launched Note: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing is an on-line chat service on its national website - likely to slow to 2.1% in the current fiscal - www.incometaxindia.gov.in‟. from 4.9% in the preceding year. The growth rate in per capita income is estimated at 5.3% Note: A customer support executive having during 2017-18, as against 5.7% in the expertise in tax-related matters helps the users previous year. in resolving their queries on-line. The facility is available on all working days from Monday to 6. The union govt has finalized the scheme Friday between 10 AM and 6 PM. aimed at cleaning the system of political funding in the country Electoral Bonds. 2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will shortly Note: The bonds will be issued and issue new banknotes of Rs. 10 denomination purchased from the specified branches of the in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. State Bank of India for ten days in January, Note: The new denomination has motif of Sun April, July and October. They will be Temple, Konark on the reverse and the base available in the multiples of one thousand, colour of the note, Chocolate Brown. The ten thousand, one lakh, ten lakhs, and one dimension of the banknote will be 63 mm x crore rupees. 123 mm. 7. Niti Aayog will provide rankings to the 115 3. The RBI clearance to register and function as a aspirational districts. non- banking finance company (NBFC) -- Note: The ranking will be on 10 parameters Telangana Industrial Health Clinic Ltd which will include nutrition, education and (TIHCL). health among others. It will also set up a Note: It will be the first state promoted and co- mechanism for real-time monitoring of financing NBFC. TIHCL had won the government's development programmes by SKOCH Platinum Award in Sep 2017 under April 2018. ‗Niti Aayog‘ will create a the smart governance category in the MSME dashboard which will reflect the change in segment. ranking of districts on continuous basis by 4. The union Govt has launched Pradhan Mantri the end of March this year. Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) to provide

social security during old age, to protect elderly 8. The commodity Exchange the National persons aged 60 and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market Commodity and Derivatives Exchange conditions. (NCDEX) has launched India‘s first Agri- commodity options contract in guar seeds. Note: The scheme enables old age income security for senior citizens through provision of Note: The Union Finance Minister Arun assured pension/return linked to the Jaitley has launched India‘s first agri- subscription amount based on government commodity options contract in guar seeds on guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of the commodity bourse National Commodity India (LIC). The scheme provides an assured and Derivatives Exchange Limited return of 8% per annum for 10 years. (NCDEX), purpose of this new initiative is to benefit farmers and ensure better prices in the coming days. 5. The first Advance Estimates of National

Income 2017- 18, the Growth in GDP during 2017-18 has been estimated at -- 6. 5% CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

9. International Chemical Company has 14. Indian Overseas Bank has signed a pact with acquired ‗Tata Chemicals Urea Plant, located National Housing Bank (NHB) for Rural at Babrala, Uttar Pradesh. Housing Interest Subsidy Scheme (RHISS) Note: A Norwegian Chemical Company scheme. Yara International has acquired ‗Tata Note: The purpose of the RHISS is to provide Chemicals Urea Plant, located at Babrala in subsidy for housing loans taken by those Uttar Pradesh. It is India‘s first-ever FDI in living in rural areas for construction and Fertilizer sector. modifications of their dwelling units. Now, IOB will be able to extend the benefit of 10. President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated RHISS to its rural home loan customers of its the „Economic Democracy Conclave‟ at 923 rural branches spread across India. Thane, Maharashtra. Note: The conclave being organized by 15. Indian's first company to cross the Rs. 6-lakh Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini with an aim crore mark in market capitalization -- to create a platform for young entrepreneurs and self-employed Reliance Industries (RIL). individuals. Note: RIL is owned 40% by its chairman Mukesh Ambani. According to Bloomberg‘s 11. The Pension Fund Regulatory and billionaire index, he is the richest Indian with Development Authority (PFRDA) has the personal wealth of USD 40.7 billion and permitted partial withdrawal under the the 20th richest globally. National Pension System for purchase of residential premises, treatment of critical 16. Prominent Urdu poet Anwar Jalalpuri illness, marriage of Children and higher translated Bhagwad „Geeta into Urdu‟ has education. passed away. Note: The withdrawal will be permitted only Note: Jalalpuri wrote ‗Rahraw se Rahnuma three times during the tenure of the tak‘, ‗Urdu Shayri Mein Geetanjali‘ and ‗Urdu subscription. Shayri mein Geeta‘. He was the recipient of Uttar Pradesh‘s Yash Bharti award. 12. India‘s rank in the list of wealthiest countries – Sixth. 17. Former Director-General and first Chief of Note: According to a report by New World international organization World Trade Wealth, India has been ranked sixth in the Organization (WTO) Peter Sutherland list of wealthiest countries with the total passed away in Dublin. wealth of 8,230 billion US dollars. The United States is the wealthiest country in 18. The noted Indian agricultural scientist Dr. the world as the total wealth held in 2017 Gurcharan Singh Kalkat has passed away. amounted to 64,584 billion dollars. The China Note: Padam Shri & Padam Bhushan awardee at the second place with 24,803 billion dollars Dr. Gurcharan Singh Kalkat was known for and Japan with 19,522 billion dollars at third. his contribution during the Green Revolution era which led to a boom in the production of 13. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), largest source of Foreign Direct wheat and rice in the country. Investment (FDI) in India in FY17 -- Mauritius. NEW APPOINTMENT: Note: It has 21.8% share at market value. 1. The Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA)

– Rajinder Khanna. CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Note: The National Security Advisor (NSA) is Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in the chief executive of the National Security Trivandrum. Council (NSC), and the primary advisor to the 7. The new Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Prime Minister of India on national and Centre (VSSC) -- S Somanath. international security. Note: Somanath is known for his contributions to launch vehicle design, 2. The union govt. has appointed the interlocutor particularly in the areas of launch vehicle on their behalf to hold talks with the United systems engineering, structural design, Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) -- AB structural dynamics, and pyrotechnics. Mathur. Note: Mathur served as the former special 8. The new economic relations secretary -- T S secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing Tirumurti. (R&AW).ULFA is a separatist outfit operating Note: Currently, Mr. Tirumurti is the India's in Assam for the indigenous Assamese and High Commissioner of Kuala Lumpur. seeks to establish a sovereign Assam with an armed struggle in the Assam conflict. 9. Harjinder Singh has been appointed as the Chef De Mission for the 23rd Winter 3. The Managing Director (MD) of India Olympic Games. Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) - Note: Currently, Mr. Singh is the General - Pankaj Jain. Secretary in the Ice Hockey Association of Note: IIFCL is a state-owned company India. focused on infrastructure financing and development. 10. The Supreme Court collegium has 4. The new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of recommended the name of senior advocate National Cricket Academy (NCA) -- Tufan Indu Malhotra as the first woman lawyer to Ghosh. be directly appointed as a judge of the apex Note: Ghosh will play a key role in setting up court. the facility and creating a centre of Excellence at the National Cricket Academy in Note: She will be the seventh woman judge Bengaluru. since independence to make it to the Supreme Court. In collegium system, the shortlisted

5. The Chairman of the Real Estate Appellate candidates are scrutinized by a collegium of Tribunal (REAT) for Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar five senior-most judges of the apex court Islands -- B Rajendran. headed by Chief Justice of India before being Note: The Real Estate (Regulation and cleared for appointment. Development) Act, 2016, the State government have to establish the Real Estate 11. Senior sports administrator has been named Appellate Tribunal for Tamil Nadu. Chairman of the Finance Commission of the Indian Olympic Association-- Anil 6. The Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) --K Sivan. Khanna. Note: Renowned Scientist K Sivan has been Note: The IOA also formed a Medical appointed as the Chairman of Indian Space Commission and Games Technical Conduct Research Organization (ISRO), also as Committee and nominated office bearers of Secretary in the Department of Space and IOA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) Chairman of Space Commission for tenure of to the Committees. three years. He succeeds A S Kiran Kumar. Currently, Sivan is serving as Director of 12. The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Director (CEO) of National CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Commodity and Derivative Exchange Cats because of the black dress and black cat (NCDX) -- Vijay Kumar. insignia worn on their uniform.

13. The new Chairman of Gems and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) -- 18. The new Foreign Secretary of India -- Vijay Pramod Agarwal. Keshav Gokhale. Note: He is also Chairman of Indian Institute Note: Earlier, Mr. Gokhale was serving as the of Gems and Jewelry based in Jaipur. GJEPC Secretary (Economic Relations) in the was set up by Ministry of Commerce to boost Ministry of External affairs (MEA) He also the country‘s export thrust in 1966. The served as India‘s Ambassador to China, Germany and worked in Indian missions in headquarters of GJEPC is in Mumbai. Hong Kong, Hanoi and in New York.

14. UK‟s first-ever Minister for Loneliness to 19. The Vice Chairman of the US-India Strategic tackle loneliness problems and combat social and Partnership Forum (USISPF) -- Shantanu isolation --Tracey Crouch. Narayen. Note: Tracey Crouch is at present the Minister Note: The Indian-American CEO of Adobe for sports and civil society in UK. She had Shantanu Narayen has been elected as the been given an additional role of Minister for Vice Chairman of the US- India Strategic and Loneliness. Partnership Forum (USISPF). The USISPF is a new organization that has been set up to 15. Senior IAS officer S Selvakumar has been enhance business relations between India and appointed as Managing Director and the US. Chairman of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. Note: He succeeded Anurag Agarwal. The IMPORTANT NEWS IN INDIA state-owned Security Printing and Minting 1. The union minister of Women and Child Corporation of India Ltd produces bank notes, Development (WCD) Maneka Gandhi has coins, postage stamps, non-judicial stamps and other official documents. launched an online portal “nari.nic.in” for the empowerment of women. 16. The new Chief Election Commissioner Note: The portal will provide easy access to (CEC) – Om Prakash Rawat. information on government schemes and Note: He succeeds the incumbent CEC, A K initiatives for women.

Joti (retires today). Ashok Lavasa has been 2. The Union HRD Minister Prakash also appointed as Election Commissioner to Javadekar has inaugurated the nine-day fill the vacancy created by Mr. Rawat‘s World Book fair at -- New Delhi. elevation. Note: Environment issues like climate change, global warming, and water pollution will be 17. The new DG of National Security Guard the main theme for this year's Fair.The World (NSG) – Sudeep Lakhtakia. Book Fair is organized every year by the Note: Currently, Mr. Lakhtakia is serving as National Book Trust and India Trade Special DG in the Central Reserve Police Promotion Organization (ITPO). Force (CRPF) headquarters New Delhi. The 3. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has NSG personnel is often referred to as Black rolled out Aadhaar-based online verification CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

of mobile connections for non-resident Note: School students have been invited to Indians, senior citizens above 70 years and submit films shot on a mobile phone on any physically challenged persons. topic of science to win prizes. The objective Note: The service can be used by senior the festival to boost the culture of science citizens who do not have Aadhaar number or films, all the films submitted should be related have the biometric ID but their mobile to science and technology. number is not registered with the Unique 7. Govt makes packaging of 90% of food grains Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). and 20% of sugar products in mandatory in They can enter his existing mobile number Jute material. and then the one-time password sent on that Note: The approval mandates that 90% of the number. food grains and 20% of the sugar products will be mandatorily packed in jute bags. This 4. Three Ministries (Ministry of Railways, decision will benefit farmers and workers Ministry of Human Resource Development located in the Eastern and North-Eastern (HRD) and Ministry of Science & regions of the country particularly in West Technology) have signed MoU (Memorandum Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Andhra of understanding) on Technology Mission for Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura. -- Indian Railways. Note: The funding contribution in the 8. The Union Home Minister has appointed B. Technology Mission is by the railways R. Sharma Committee to recommend ministry (30 %), by the HRD ministry (25 %) changes in the existing laws of playing of the and by the Department of Science and National Anthem in cinema halls and public Technology (25 %). The Technology Mission places. will conduct research and development Note: B. R. Sharma is Additional Secretary in projects in the fields of heavy haul, safety, the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Committee energy, environment, and urban railways. will make recommendations in context of existing Acts and orders relating to the 5. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Prevention of Insults to National Honour Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs. 372.51 crore loan assistance under the Rural Act, 1971. Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Odisha for irrigation and rural bridge 9. Indian Railways have launched SFOORTI projects for the last quarter of this fiscal. Note: NABARD has also sanctioned 14 Rural app for freight managers. Bridge Projects under Biju Setu Yojana with Note: The Smart Freight Operation RIDF loan assistance of Rs 242.34 crore. The Optimization and Real Time Information NABARD is an apex development financial (SFOORTI)app provides features for institution in India, headquartered at Mumbai monitoring and managing freight business with branches all over India. using Geographic Information System(GIS), Views and Dashboard. Now, with this app 6. Goa will host the third edition of the Science trains (passenger and freight) can be tracked Film Festival of India ―SCI-FFI‖ from 16th over Zones, Divisions, and Sections in single January 2018. GIS View.

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10. India and Saudi Arabia has signed an 15. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India agreement to revive the option of sending Haj (TRAI) has slashed international incoming pilgrims through sea route for Haj 2018. call termination rate to 30 paise from 53 Note: Now, the ships available are modern paise. and well- equipped to ferry 4000 to 5000 Note: The new rate will be effective from 1st persons at a time. They can cover the 2300- of February. TRAI has reduced the odd nautical miles one-side distance between termination charges payable by an Mumbai and Jeddah within just 3-4 days (old International Long-Distance Operator to the ships to take 12-15 days). access provider.

11. Charlie-435 has been commissioned by 16. Madhya Pradesh hosted the Annual Indian Coast Guard at Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Conference of Director Generals of Police Note: The ‗Charlie-435‘ is the state-of-art (DGP) and Inspector Generals of Police patrol vessel, equipped with modern (IGP) 2018. navigation and communication system. The vessel will strengthen the coastal security Note: Prime Minister has attended the between Chennai and Kanyakumari in the conference held at Tekanpur, Gwalior. The Eastern Coastal region. Conference is an annual event in which top

12. The Matunga Rly station has figured in the police officers from all over the country share ‗Limca Book of Records 2018‘ for having an and discussed security-related issues. all-woman staff. Note: A team of 41 women staffers at the 17. The 18th All India Whips‟ Conference has station includes personnel from the RPF, been held in the Udaipur of India. commercial and operating departments,under Note: The purpose of this conference is to the supervision of station manager Mamta strengthen the Parliamentary Democracy, its Kulkarni. institutions and ultimately serve people at large. 13. ISRO has successfully launched a rocket carrying India‘s 100th satellite. 18. NITI Aayog has inaugurated the first Global Note: The 31 satellites with a combined weight of 1,323 kilograms have been Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) integrated with the PSLV-C40 for deploying course on Sustainable Urban Planning at IIT, them in the earth's lower orbit after lift-off. Kanpur‘s outreach centre at Noida, Uttar

14. Election Commission (EC) of India has Pradesh. constituted a 14- member committee headed Note: This course will be instrumental in by Umesh Sinha to suggest changes to developing trained manpower for Central Section 126 of the Representation of the Govt‘s Smart Cities Mission.The GIAN People Act. programme is being conducted under the Note: The Act prohibits poll campaign in the Ministry of Human Resource Development last 48 hours of voting. The Committee will and actively supported by Ministry of study the impact of social media during the Housing & Urban Affairs and NITI Aayog. silence period and suggest modifications to the election law and model code of conduct. 19. The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated a two-day International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (IWDRI) in New Delhi. CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Note: The workshop is organized by the Abe) whom Modi is hosting in his home state National Disaster Management Authority of Gujarat. (NDMA) in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 24. The Ministry of Petroleum has launched the (UNISDR). ‗Saksham- 2018‟ campaign to promote energy efficiency in various sector of Indian

Economy. 20. The autobiography of Sanjay Manjrekar Note: Saksham (Sanrakshan Kshamta named -- Imperfect. Mahotsav) is an annual flagship event of Note: The book is published by Haper Collins. In ‗Imperfect‘, Sanjay Manjrekar Petroleum Conservation Research brings his famous analytic powers to look Association aimed at creating focused back at his own careers as a cricketer. attention on fuel conservation.

21. The Cabinet Advisory Board of Education 25. Indian has attended its first Shanghai (CABE) has launched the ―Operation Cooperation Organization‟s military Digital Board‖ at 65th meeting of CABE cooperation meeting at Beijing, China. held in New Delhi. Note: India and China consider SCO as a Note: It has been launched on the lines of the important platform to enhance bilateral ties. ‗Operation Black board of 1987‟ which was

started with the purpose of providing 26. India has successfully test-fired indigenously minimum education facilities to all primary developed long range Surface-to-Surface school. The idea of Operation Digital Board Ballistic Missile -- Agni-V. is aimed at providing better digital education Note: The three-stage solid propellant Agni- in all schools. V missile has a strike range of 5000 Kilo

meters and can carry a nuclear warhead of 22. The Joint Military Exercise ―Vajra Prahar more than one tones. The missile has been 2018‖ will be conducted between India and USA. developed by the DRDO. Note: The aim of the exercise is to promote military relations between two countries by 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the first Khelo India school Games in-- New enhancing interoperability and mutual Delhi. exchange tactics between Special Forces. Note: The games will be held in 16 disciplines include Athletics, Badminton, 23. PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Basketball, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on an eight- Kabaddi, Shooting, Swimming, Weightlifting km long roadshow from the Sardar and Wrestling at five venues.The country‘s Vallabhbhai Patel airport to Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat. brightest talent in the under-17 age group will Note: Around 50 stages have been erected on compete in the Games. the roadside along the stretch to showcase performances by troupes of different states to 26. The name of the computer launched for welcome the guests. Mr. Netanyahu is the weather forecasting in Noida—Mihir third international leader (earlier Chinese Note:It was launched by Union Minister for President Xi Jinping, Japanese premier Shinzo Earth Science, Environment, Forest and CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. With an Swachhta App of the Ministry of Urban aim to improve India‘s capacity in weather Affairs. forecasting including air quality forecasting at the block level the High Performance 29. India‘s first ever ‗Khadi Haat‟ has launched computer(HPC) system named ‗Mihir‘ in New Delhi. (meaning ‗Sun‘) was dedicated to the nation at Note: Khadi and Village Industries the National Centre for Medium Range Commission (KVIC) and New Delhi Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) in Noida. Municipal Council (NDMC) have launched

27. The Union Home Ministry will set up Indian the India‘s first-ever ‗Khadi Haat‟ in Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an Connaught Place, New Delhi. apex coordination centre in New Delhi to deal with cybercrimes. 30. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has planned to set up a ‗Social 28. The state hosted the 8th edition of the Media Communication Hub‘ to help it keep a International Conference on Wild Silk Moths - tab on trending news in districts and gather - Assam. feedback on the Centre‘s flagship schemes. Note: The conference would help in increasing income of the people of the region who are involved with silk industry. The 31. The 2018 International Bird Festival will be conference is being organized by the Central held in the Dudhwa National Park ( Uttar Pradesh). Silk Board and International Society for Wild Note: The purpose of the bird fest to give it a Silk Moths. distinct international identity besides

highlighting its traditional Tharu arts, culture, 26. The fourth edition of the India International and heritage. Science Festival will be held in Lucknow.

Note: The first IISF was held at Indian 26. The Ministry of Electronics and Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi in Information Technology has launched December,2015. 2nd at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, and the 3rd “Stree Swabhiman” initiative. in Chennai in October,2017. Note: The objective of the initiative is to create a sustainable model for providing 27. The cultural extravaganza ―2018 Bharat adolescent girls and women an access to Parv” has been organize at the Indian affordable sanitary products by leveraging monument Red Fort. Common Services Centres (CSCs). Note: The objective of the 3-day event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich 27. Indian Navy has launched the third Scorpene cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation of the general public. class submarine -- Karanj. Note: On 14th December 2017, INS Kalvari 28. Delhi‘s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has (first), diesel- electric attack submarine was launched the three MCD‘s mobile application commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra App -- 311. Modi.On 12th January 2018, INS Khandari Note: The app will enhance engagement of (second), was launched, currently undergoing citizens in the resolution of grievances and sea trials. improvement of civic services in the city.The Mobile App 311 has been integrated with the 28. VINBAX-2018‟ is first military exercise between India and Vietnam. CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Note:The first military exercise, India- Note: On 1 October,2017, President Ram Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX- Nath Kovind had declared the entire urban 2018) has been conducted at Jabalpur in Maharashtra as open defecation- free. The GR Madhya Pradesh. will be implemented under the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Act, 2016 with immediate effect. STATE NEWS 6. The Maharashtra state govt has decided to 1. The Karnataka state govt has received the approval for purchase of electric vehicles form an international education board to under Central government‘s FAME-India prepare syllabus for non- English medium scheme. schools. Note: The state will purchase 40 electric Note: In the first phase, 100 selected Marathi buses, 100 four wheelers and 500 three schools will function according to the new wheelers at maximum of 60% subsidy under syllabus. the scheme. The subsidy support is also provided for setting up electricity charging 7. The largest B2B travel event in the country infrastructure across Bengaluru. 'Karnataka International Travel Expo' (KITE) th 2. The Haryana state govt. has announced to will be held from 28 February. implement the integrated solar based micro Note: The event will see close to 400 irrigation scheme (ISBMI) in all districts of delegates from 25 countries take part.The the State. objective of the event is to project Karnataka Note: This scheme is being implemented on globally and attract tourist footfall, with pilot basis in commands of 14 different canal emphasis on promoting the state's wild life, outlets spread over 13 districts of the State. luxury and adventure destinations, historical monuments and UNESCO world heritage 3. The Telangana state govt has constitute the SC/ST Commission head by --Errolla sites. Srinivas. Note: The commission is mandated to monitor 8. The 2018 International Kite Festival (Uttarayan) has launched at Sabarmati River matters related to the Scheduled Front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) and also 9. President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated inquire into complaints pertaining to members a three-day International Dharma- Dhamma Conference at Rajgir (Bihar). of these communities. Note: The objective of the conference to provide an opportunity to academics and 4. The Union Cabinet has approved for policy makers from India and abroad to share establishment of new AIIMS in under the ideas and build collaboration for better world. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) -- Himachal Pradesh. 10. The chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has Note: The cost of the project is Rs.1351 crore and will be completed in a period of 48 launched the Delhi Common Mobility Card months. The Institution will consist of a to make cashless and convenient commuting hospital with a capacity of 750 beds and for the daily commuters of the National trauma center facilities. capital. Note: Now, Delhi has become first Metro city 5. According to the Maharashtra Govt in the country to have a common mobility Resolution (GR) issued by the urban card which can be used by commuters in development, the state govt has announced a Delhi metro and DTC buses.

sport fine for open defecation -- Rs. 500. CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

11. Haryana state has become the first Indian 16. The Maharashtra state government has state to launch High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) launched the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Portal. Sanjivani Yojana for promoting climate- Note: This portal not only helps in early identification of high-risk pregnant cases up to resilient agriculture. the grass-roots level but also ensures their Note: Around 70% of the project cost will timely referral to the civil hospitals for further be borne by World Bank while state will management and delivery by specialists. This contribute 30% over six years. web application has been designed to track every high-risk pregnant woman till 42 days after delivery. 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Rajasthan‘s first Oil Refinery 12. The National rail museum as announced, to at Pachpadra, Bikaner District. start heritage train Monorail for visitors. Note:The project is joint venture between Note: The National Rail Museum announced HPCL and Rajasthan Government. The to start this heritage train on every Thursday project is expected to generate 10,000 direct for visitors. The National Rail Museum and 40,000 indirect employments. (NRM) is a museum in Chanakyapuri , New Delhi which focuses on the rail heritage of 18. The Punjab Govt. has signed a MoU with India it opened on the 1st February 1977. the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to set up biogas and bio-CNG plants in the state. 13. The West Bengal govt. has launched a water Note: The Memorandum of Understanding ATM project to provide bacteria-free (MoU) with IOC was signed by Punjab drinking water in schools with the help of the Bureau of Industrial Promotion (PBIP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Punjab Energy Development Bank. Agency(PEDA).Around 42 plants will Note: If someone can prove the presence of become operational in 2018. harmful bacteria in any such water ATM, he will be given Rs 2 lakh. This was a novel 19. The Odisha govt has launched the ‗Mukhya project and the pilot has already begun in Mantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana‟ for the some areas of Kolkata (50 such water ATMs). welfare of the artist in the state. 14. The Punjab state govt has launched the „e- Note: Under MMKSY Scheme, artists across Raktkosh web portal‟ in all 45 government the state will get a monthly assistance of Rs. blood banks. 1200.Around 50,000 artists across Odisha will Note: The web portal provides the guidelines be benefited from this scheme. and streamlines the workflow of blood banks and storage centers across the state and 20. A full-fledged Airport facility with provision interconnects all the blood banks with single for Aircraft landing and taking off in Jammu network. and Kashmir -- Kishtwar. Note: The airstrip will be for the joint use, both by the civilian authorities as well as the 15. The state govt. has approved a Nanaji Indian Army. Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Yojna project to promote climate-resilient agriculture -- Rs 21. The first state in India to completely 4,000-crore. implement door-to- door garbage collection Note: It will be implemented in 5,142 villages in all areas under urban bodies--Madhya across 15 districts. The purpose of the project Pradesh. is to improve soil quality, develop foodgrain Note: The measures like solid waste varieties which can sustain climate variations management at landfill sites and processing and effect necessary changes in the crop through Public Private Partnership mode are pattern as per the availability of water in a implemented in urban areas. particular region.

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22. The Maharashtra state government has hospitals, health centres and other approved 1% reservation for orphans in empanelled selected private hospitals. government jobs under general category. Note: The provision will help in the rehabilitation of these kids and help secure IMPORTANT DAYS their future.The state cabinet has also 1. Jan 9th NRI day Theme “Ancient Route, New approved the Maharashtra State Innovation Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN INDIA and Startup policy, to attract investment of Partnership” . 5,000 crore rupees. 2. National Youth Day has been celebrated on 23. Government has inked USD 100 million 12th January in India on the birthday of Loan Agreement with World Bank for social reformer, philosopher and thinker Project to Boost Rural Economy of Tamil Swami Vivekananda. Nadu. Note: The Theme of the Festival is Sankalp Note: The loan is from the International Bank Se Siddhi, to capitalize on the demographic for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) dividend of young India, to capture the and has a 5-year grace period and maturity of vibrancy and fresh perspective of youth and to 19 years. pledge to accomplish the goal of New India.

24. India‘s first garbage fest ‟Kachra Mahotsav 3. The Army Day 2018 (70th edition) has been 2018‟ has organized by the Chhattisgarh celebrated on 15th January in India. state. Note: The day is celebrated to pay homage, Note: The objective of the festival is to salute to the courageous and brave Indian increase awareness of use the waste soldiers who have been sacrificing their lives generated in the city creatively and to for protecting the country. showcase multiple techniques for reusing things that are labeled as garbage. 4. The National Disaster Response Force has been celebrating its 13th Raising Day on -- 19th January. 25. The Arunachal Pradesh state govt. has Note: The NDRF was raised on 19th January inaugurated the World War II Memorial 2006, as a specialized force capable of Museum. responding to any type of Note: The Chief Minister of Arunachal disaster in the country and abroad. It is Pradesh Pema Khandu has inaugurated the strategically deployed across the country as World War II Memorial Museum in per the vulnerability profile Jairampur in Changlang District.The war memorial has the collection of the remnants 5. The 2018 National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is celebrated in India -- 24th January. of world war 2, personal belongings of the Note: The National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is soldiers and other persons involved. celebrated with an aim to raise awareness

26. The Thiruvananthapuram city hosted the about sex ratio levels and promote the International Conference on dam safety. empowerment of girls. Note: The two-day conference jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of State for 6. The National Voters‘ Day (NVD) is observed Water Resources Arjun Ram Meghwal and every year by India on -- 25th January. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Note: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has celebrated the 8th National Voters‘ 27. The Manipur state govt. has launched a Day 2018 with theme „Accessible Elections‟ health assurance scheme ―Chief Minister-gi across the country. Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT)‖ for the poor and disabled people. 7. The International Custom Day has been Note: The CMHT will provide cashless observed across the world -- 26th January. treatment to the poor at government CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

Note: The slogan for International Custom Day 4. The U.N. Security Council has welcomed 2018 is ―A Secure Business Environment for new non- permanent members-- Six. Economic Development‖. The CCC has later Note: They are Equatorial Guinea, Ivory renamed as World Custom Organization in Coast, Kuwait, the , Peru, and 1994 which is an intergovernmental Poland. Flags of the six new member organization. countries were installed outside the council chambers in a ceremony arranged by 8. The International Holocaust Remembrance Umarov. They voted on by the 193-member Day has been observed all over the world on General assembly for two-year terms. -- 27th January. Note: The theme of International Holocaust 5. The Kathmandu city is hosting the Remembrance Day is ―Holocaust Himalayan Hydro Expo 2018. Remembrance and Education: Our Shared Note: The objective of Expo is to unleash Responsibility‖. massive hydro power potential of Nepal and bring all stakeholders under one roof. WORLD NEWS 6. The country Iceland has become the world‘s 1. NASA has launched two missions (GOLD first country to enforce equal pay for Mission and ICON mission) to explore the women and men. little-understood area of 96 km above Earth‘s Note: The new legislation was supported by surface. Iceland‘s centre-right government, as well as Note: The Global-scale Observations of the the opposition, in a parliament where nearly Limb and Disk (GOLD) (about 35,398 km) 50% of all members are women. above the planet‘s surface mission will be launched in January 2018.The Ionospheric 7. The ‗First Bahrain Baby Games to practice sports exercises, and promote the Olympic Connection Explorer (ICON) low-Earth principles and values at a young age -- orbit (at 560 km above Earth) will be Bahrain. launched later this year. GOLD and ICON Note: This event will feature five different will team up to explore the ionosphere, a sports (athletics, gymnastics, football, boundary area between Earth and the space basketball, and weightlifting) and targets 2 to where particles have been cooked into a sea 4 years children. The athletics programme includes a medley relay (4 years), hurdles of electrically-charged electrons and ions by toddle (3 years) and 15m freestyle race (2 the Sun‘s radiation. years).

2. The country is issuing long-term visas to lure 8. World's largest solar thermal plant to be built highly skilled people from abroad to work in in –South the country -- China. Note: The capacity of the plant will be 150- megawatt. The construction of power plant Note: The multi-entry visas will be valid for will begin in 2018 at an estimated cost of USD between five and 10 years. Visa holders will 509 million. be allowed to remain in the country for up to 180 days at a time and will be eligible to bring 9. China is planning to build its second Naval partners and children. Base in the country -- Pakistan. Note: This will ensure the China‘s strategic 3. The union govt. has approved the agreement position in Indian Ocean to counter the India. between India and Myanmar on -- Land Border Crossing. 10. The country has banned the English being Note: The Agreement will enable regulation taught in the Primary Schools across the and harmonization of already existing free country--Iran. movement rights for people ordinarily residing Note: Iran has banned the English being in the border areas of both countries. taught in the Primary Schools across the CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

country after its Supreme Leader Ali 2. Indian architect Aishwarya Tipnis has been Khamenei said that teaching English will lead conferred ‘s top cultural award to Western Culture invasion and ultimately Chevalier de l‘Ordre des Arts et Lettres. suppress the Iranian Culture among the Note: Aishwarya Tipnis has been conferred students. France‘s top cultural award for her outstanding commitment to preservation of 11. Hardware and Electronics Company Acer Inc. French heritage in India in Kolkata. has unveiled the world‘s thinnest laptop -- 3. Actor Sudhir Dalvi has been awarded the Swift 7. ‗Janakavi P Sawlaram Award 2018‟ at Note: Acer Inc. has unveiled the world‘s Thane, Maharashtra. thinnest laptop ‗Swift 7‘, has a thickness of 8.98mm. It will be available in the US from Note: The Janakavi P Sawlaram Award is March 2018. The starting price will be instituted by Thane Municipal Corporation in USD1,699. association with the Janakavi P Sawlaram Kala Samiti. 12. China has commissioned the indigenously developed Missile Frigate ‗Rizhao‘. 4. The Sangeet Natak Akademi‟s Note: The indigenously developed Missile Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Frigate ―Rizhao‖ was commissioned by the People‘s Liberation Army Navy in a naval Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for port in Dalian, China. The missile frigate 2016 given by President of India in New ‗Rizhao‘ is 140 metre-long and 16-metre wide Delhi. and consists of advanced weapon system. Note: This year the four Akademi Ratna (Fellowship) has been conferred on Arvind 13. The International Solar Alliance Forum has Parikh, Sunil Kothari, Ram Gopal Bajaj and been hosted at the World Future Energy R Vedavalli and 43 artists will receive the Summit 2018 in -- , UAE. Akademi Awards. Note: Indian government plans to set up USD 350 million solar development fund for 5. The Indian Navy‘s first all-women crew of financing solar projects. Indian Naval Sailing Vessel has crossed the most challenging point ‗Cape Horn‘, 14. The 48th annual meeting of the World situated in Southern ‘s Tierra del Economic Forum (WEF-2018) was held in -- Davos, Switzerland. Fuego archipelago in their journey-- Note: The theme of the 48th annual meeting Tarini. of the WEF- 2018 was Creating a Shared Note: The crew of six women naval officers Future in a Fractured World. under Lieutenant Commander ‗Vartika Joshi‟ is sailing „Tarini‟ on their eight- HONORS & AWARDS month circumnavigation the globe. 1. India‘s Premier Container Port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has won the 6. First Indian to receive WHO‘s Ihsan “Samudra Manthan - Caring Organization Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize - of the Year” award. - Dr Vinod Paul (NITI Aayog member) Note: JNPT provides excellent facilities to Note: He was selected for his contributions their staff like medical insurance, residential towards improving the health and well-being township with school, transport service, of families, especially in developing canteens, rest rooms, recreation, sports countries. The ward will be formally activities and regular training programs on various key topics. The award instituted by presented at World Health Assembly to be Bhandarkar Shipping aims to fuel healthy held in Geneva ,Switzerland 2018. competition in the maritime sector.

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7. The Parliamentary Group has decided to 2. India‘s golfer Shiv Kapur has won the Royal confer Outstanding Parliamentarian Cup trophy at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Awards to Members of Parliament -- five. Country Club in Pattaya. Note: This win marks Kapur‘s fourth Asian Note: Dr. Najma Heptulla (Former Rajya Tour win and sixth international title as he Sabha MP) has been selected for this award for won twice on European Challenge Tour. the year 2013 while the other awardees include Hukumdev Narayan Yadav (Lok Sabha MP) 3. According to the Cricket South Africa media for 2014 and Ghulam Nabi Azad (Rajya release, the three-Test series between India & Sabha MP) for 2015.Dinesh Trivedi (Lok hosts South Africa has been named as Sabha MP) has been selected for Freedom Series. Note: The Freedom Series was felt by both 2016.Bhartruhari Mahatab (Lok Sabha MP) nations to be a more fitting name in has been chosen for Outstanding recognition of shared history of South Africa Parliamentarian Award for 2017. and India who both won freedom through non-violence. 8. „Hindi Medium‟ has won the best film award at the 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018. 4. Former world silver medalist Sarjubala Devi has won the gold in 48 kg category in Note: 'Hindi Medium' bagged honors in the the National Women's Boxing categories of Best Film and Best Actor in a Championships in Rohtak. Leading Role (Male) for Irrfan Khan's Note: She was also given the best boxer impeccable performance. Vidya Balan won trophy. her career's sixth Filmfare award for her passionate portrayal of a middle-aged 5. Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan has been homemaker who turns into a radio jockey in suspended after he inadvertently ingested a 'Tumhari Sulu' as she claimed the Black prohibited substance, commonly found in Lady for the Best Actor in a Leading Role cough syrups. (Female). Note: He inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, commonly found in cough syrups. A specified substance 9. Shah Rukh Khan has received the World „Terbutaline‟ is prohibited both In and Out of Economic Forum's 24th Crystal Award for Competition in the World Anti-Doping his leadership in championing children's and Agency's Prohibited List of Substances. women's rights in India. Note: The Annual Crystal Awards ceremony 6. India's first ever international medal in celebrates the achievements of outstanding skiing (in the slalom race category) -- artists who have shown exemplary Aanchal Thakur. commitment to improving the state of the Note: She clinched bronze in the coveted world. Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup organised by the Federation Internationale de Ski at the Palandoken Ski Centre in Erzurum, Turkey. SPORTS NEW 1. 's left-handed batsman has 7. Aditya Mehta has won the Kolkata Open become the first batsman to score three 2018 International Invitation Snooker hundred in T20 Internationals -- Colin Championship in Kolkata, West Bengal. Munro. Note: He defeated Englishman Professional Note: He achieved this mark by scoring 104 Player Alfie Burden. off 53 balls including 3 fours and 10 sixes in the final T20 match against west indies at 8. The ‗Chef De Mission‘ by Indian Olympic mount maunganui, new zealand. Association for the 23rd Winter Olympics Games 2018 to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

14. Soloman Deksisa has won the 15th edition 9. The Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore of Tata Mumbai Marathon in men‘s has launched the official anthem and mascot category. of -- Khelo India School Games. Note: Solomon Deksisa (Ethiopia) has won Note: Sports Ministry has already decided to the Mumbai Marathon (15th edition) with a select 1000 athletes every year under the time of two hours, nine minutes and 33 Khelo India School Games for a scholarship seconds, prize money worth USD 4 lakhs of Rs 5 lakhs each for eight successive years. 5,000. Earlier,the Union Govt. has approved Rs 1,756 crore for a period of three years, 15. Indian team has won the blind Cricket World revamping of 'Khelo India'. Cup 2018. Note: India beat host Pakistan by two wickets 10. has been named as the ‗Test to win the Blind Cricket World Cup 2018 at Cricketer of the Year 2018‟ at the ICC Cricket Stadium, the UAE. The 2018 annual awards in Dubai. Blind Cricket World Cup was the fifth Blind Note: Steve Smith has been named as the Cricket World Cup tournament and was held ‗Test Cricketer of the Year 2018‘ at the ICC in Pakistan and the . annual awards in Dubai. Indian Captain Virat Kohli claimed the ‗ICC World Cricketer of 16. Indian shuttler Siddharth Pratap Singh has the year 2018‘. Indian Leg-spinner Yuzyendra won the 2018 Junior Chahal has also been awarded ICC T2OI International Series. Performance of the year. Note: He defeated Denmark‘s Mads Christophersen by 21-15, 21-11 in Uppsala in 11. Roger Federer won the Australia Open 2018 . Men‘s Singles title. Note: In the final he defeated Croatia‘s Marin 17. West Indies to host the 6th edition of ICC Cilic in five sets 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. It was Women‘s World Twenty20 2018. Federer‘s sixth Australian Open title (earlier Note: The 2018 Women‘s World T20 (sixth won in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2017) and edition) will be hosted by West Indies overall 20th singles titles. With (Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, and St Lucia) this, he joins elite group of Margaret Court, from 9th-24th November 2018. Serena Williams and Steffi Graf who have won 20 or more Grand Slam singles titles. 18. Tai Tzu-ying has won the 2018 women‘s singles Indonesia Master badminton 12. Caroline Wozniacki won the Australia Open tournament in Jakarta. 2018 Women‘s Singles title. Note: She defeated Saina Nehwal in the final Note: In the final she defeated Simona Halep by 9-21, 13- 21. (Romania) by 7-6, 7-2, 3-6, 6-4. She is the first player from Denmark to win a Grand 19. Rakhi Halder created the National record in Slam singles title. the 63kg women‘s category at the 33rd Women Senior National Weightlifting 13. Sharath Kamal lifted National Men's singles Championships. Table title for the eighth time. Note: She lifted 128kgs in the clean and jerk Note: He defeated Anthony Amalraj in the for a total of 230 kgs to create a new national final played in Ranchi. Suthirta Mukherjee record, bettering Karnam Malleswari's feat (West Bengal) emerged the new women‟s (127kg) created in Athens in 1999. champion, beating Manika Batra.

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Practice questions:

1. India‘s first ever ‗Khadi Haat‘ has launched in which city? A) Lucknow B) Patna C) Ahmedabad D) New Delhi ne;jpahtpd; Kjy; “fhjp #hj;” ve;j efuj;jpy; bjhlA;fg;gl;lJ? A) yf;Bdh B) ghl;dh C) mfkjhghj; D) g[J jpy;yp 2. Who has been appointed the Chef-de-Mission for the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018? A) Virendra Tawde B) S Reddy C) Vikram Singh Sisodia D) Uttam Singh Chauhan fhkd;bty;j; tpishl;L 2018f;fhd br|g; - o – kp&d; ahiu epakpj;Js;sJ? A) tpBue;jpuu; B) fpU&;zh v!; bul;o

C) tpf;uk; rpA; rpBrhoah D) cj;jk; rpA; brs#hd; 3. The first-ever India-Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX-2018) has started in which state? A) Madhya Pradesh B) Karnataka C) Kerala D) Gujarat Kjy; ne;jpah – tpal;ehk; nUjug;g[ nuhZt clw;gwpr;rp (tpd;ghf;!; - 18) ve;j khepyj;jpy; JtA;fpaJ? A) kj;jpag; gpuBjrk; B) fu;ehlfh

C) Bfusk; D) F$uhj; 4. Which state government has launched ‗Shakti‘ app for women‘s safety in the state? A) Himachal Pradesh B)Punjab C)Haryana D)Madhya Pradesh ve;j khepyk; bgz;fspd; ghJfhg;gpw;fhd „rf;jp‟ braypia btspapl;lJ? A) #pkhr;ry; gpuBjrk; B) gq;rhg; C) #upahdh D) kj;jpag; gpuBjrk; 5. Which union ministry has launched ―Stree Swabhiman‖ initiative? A) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology B) Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment C) Ministry of Women and Child Development D) Ministry of Health and Family welfare !;O !;thgpBkd; ve;j mikr;rufk; mwpKfg;gLj;jpaJ? A) kpd;dD kw;Wk; jfty; bjhHpy;El;g mikr;rufk; B) rK}f ePjp kw;Wk; mjpfhukspj;jy; mikr;rufk; C) kfspu; kw;Wk; FHe;ijfs; Bkk;ghl;L mikr;rufk; D) Rfhjhuk; kw;Wk; FLk;g eyj;Jiw mikr;rufk; 6. Which state‘s tableau has won the best tableau award at the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018? A) Assam B) Maharashtra C)Karnataka D) Chattisgarh 69th FoauR jpd mzptFg;gpy; 2018 Mk; Mz;od; kpfr;rpwe;j fhl;rpj;jpiu tpUij btd;w khepyk; vJ? CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

A) mrhk; B) kfhuh&;ouh C) fu;ehlfh D) rl;o!;fu;

7. The 2018 National Immunisation Day (NID) is celebrated on which date in India? 2018 Bjrpa Beha;j;jLg;g[ jpdk; ve;j ehspy; bfhz;lhlg;gLfpwJ? A) January 27 B)January 28 C)January 29 D)January 30 8. Who has taken charge as the new Foreign Secretary of India? A) B)Manjit singh Kang C) K P S Sharma D)Vijay Keshav Gokhale g[jpa btspa[wt[ brayhsuhf bghWg;Bgw;wtu; ahu;? A) ghy;Bjt; rpA; jpy;yd; B) kq;rpj; rpA; fhA;

C) Bf.gp.!;.&u;kh D) tp$a; Bfrt; BfhfBy 9. Who has been honoured with the India‘s highest peacetime military decoration ―Ashoka Chakra‖ at the 69th Republic Day? A)Khairnar Milind Kishore B)Nilesh Kumar Narayan C)Devendra Mehta D)Jyoti Prakash Nirala 69 tJ FoauR jpdj;jpy; ne;jpahtpd; kpf cau;e;j rkhjhd nuhZt tpUjhd „mBrhf; rf;uh” ahUf;F tHA;fp bfsutg;gLj;jg;gl;Ls;sdu;? A) bfa;u;du; kpype;j; fpB&hu; B) epBy&; Fkhu; ehuhaz;

C) BjBte;jpu Bkj;jh D) B$hjp gpufh&; epu;uhyh 10. Which International organisation will launch a new Global Centre for Cybersecurity to safeguard the world from hackers? A)World Economic Forum B)International Telecommunication union C)UNICEF D) International Maritime Organisation B#f;fu;fsplkpUe;J cyfj;ij ghJfhf;f irgu; ghJfhg;g[f;fhd xU g[jpa cyfshtpa ikaj;ij ve;j ru;tBjr mikg;g[ Jtf;FfpwJ? A) cyf bghUshjhu fUj;Jf;fsk;. B) ru;tBjr bjhiyj; bjhlu;g[ rA;fk;. C) a[dpbrg; D) ru;tBjr fly;rhu; mikg;g[. 11. Which state government has launched Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) for distressed sections on 69th Republic Day 2018? A)Haryana B)Punjab C)Meghalaya D)Kerala 69 tJ FoauR jpdj;jd;W kfhj;kh fhe;jp ru;gj; tpfh!; Bah$dh vd;w Jaukile;j gpuptpdUf;fhd jpl;lj;ij ve;j khepyj;jpy; JtA;fg;gl;Ls;sJ? A) #upahdh B) gq;rhg; C) Bkfhyhah D) Bfush 12. Which of the following has become the first Indian Metro to get a floating market? A)Kolkata B)Mumbai C)Kerala D)Chennai kpjf;Fk; re;ijiag; bgw;w Kjy; ne;jpa bkl;Buh khepyk; vJ? A) bfhy;fj;jh B) Kk;ig C) Bfus D) brd;id CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

13. Which of the following has become the India‘s first indigenously developed vaccine to be pre-qualified by World Health Organisation (WHO)? cyf Rfhjhu mikg;g[ (WHO) Kd;dpiyg;gLj;jpa ne;jpahtpd; Kjy; cs;ehl;L jahupj;j jLg;g{rpapd; bgau; vd;d? A)Rabisheid B)Rotavac C)Elovac-B D) Abhay -Tag 14. Jawai Dam, which is built across Luni river, is located in which of the following states? A)Gujarat B)Rajasthan C)Maharashtra D)West Bengal Yhdp ejpapd; FWf;Bf fl;lg;gl;l $tha; miz gpd;tUk; ve;j khepyj;jpy; mike;Js;sJ? A) F$uhj; B) uh$!;jhd; C) kfhuh&;ouh D) Bkw;FtA;fk; 15. The cultural extravaganza ―2018 Bharat Parv‖ will organise from which Indian monument? A)India Gate B)Jantar Mantar C)Red Fort D)Gateway of India ‗2018 ghuj; gu;t;;‟ fyhr;rhu tshfk; ve;j ne;jpa epidt[r;rpd;dj;jpypUe;J Vw;ghL bra;ag;gLk;? A) ne;jpah Bfl; B) $e;ju; ke;jhu; C) brA;Bfhl;il D) ne;jpahtpd; EiHthapy; 16. Who is the author of the Book ―The Heartfulness way‖? A)Kamlesh D. Patel B) Vikram Seth C) Aravind Adiga D) Amish Tripathi “jp #hu;l;g[y;d!; Bt” vd;w g[j;jfj;jpd; Mrpupau; ahu;? A) fkBy&; o gBly; B) tpf;uk; Brj;

C) mutpe;j; Mofh D) mkp&; jpupghjp 17. What is the objective of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan Scheme? A) To avoid child Pregnancy . B) Providing financial support to women of downtrodden sect. C) Maternity benefit of RS 6000 to Pregnant and lactating mother. D) To ensure comprehensive and quality antenatal checkups to Pregnant women. gpujhd; ke;jpup Ru&pj; Bkl;upth mgpahd; jpl;lj;jpd; Behf;fk; vd;d? A) FHe;ij fu;g;gj;ijj; jtpu;f;f. B) moj;jl;L gpuptpdUf;F epjp cjtp mspj;jy;. C) fu;g;gpzp kw;Wk; jha;g;ghy; bfhLf;Fk; jha;f;F U}.6000 cjtp tHA;Fk; jpl;lk;. D) fu;g;gpzpg; bgz;fSf;F tpupthd kw;Wk; jukhd kUe;Jt gupBrhjid mspf;Fk; jpl;lk;. 18. Who has been named the new governor of Madhya Pradesh? A) Om Prakash Kohli B) Vijay Rupani C) Nitinbhai Patel D) Anandiben Patel kj;jpag; gpuBjrj;jpd; g[jpa MSeuhf epakpf;fg;gl;Ls;stu;? A) Xk; gpufh&; Bfhyp B) tp$a; U}gdp

C) epjpd;gha; D) Mde;jPgd; gBly;. 19. India‘s first garbage fest ‘Kachra Mahotsav 2018‘ has organized by which state? CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

A) Madhya Pradesh B) Chhattisgarh C) Assam D) Punjab ne;jpahtpd; Kjy; Fg;ig tpHh „fr;ru kB#hl;rt; 2018‟ ve;j khepyj;jpy; Vw;ghL bra;ag;gl;lJ? A) kj;jpa gpuBjrk; B) rj;jP!;fu; C) mrhk; D) gq;rhg; 20. The All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) is located in which city? A) Mysore B) New Delhi C) Chennai D) Kochi My; ne;jpah nd;!;oa{l; M|g; !;gPr; mz;l; #PupA; (AllSH) ve;j efuj;jpy; cs;sJ? A) ikr{u; B) g[Jjpy;yp C) brd;id D) bfhr;rp 21. Who has taken charge as the new Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)? A) S Somanath B) M.Y.S. Prasad C) K. Sivan D) Y S Reddy tpf;uk; rhuhgha; !;Bg!; brd;lu; (VSSC) nd; g[jpa naf;Fdu; ahu;? A) v!;.Brhk#hj; B) M.Y.S gpurhj; C) Bf.rptd; D) Y S bul;o 22. Which city is hosting the 2018 India-ASEAN Business & Investment Conference? A) Kochi B) C) New Delhi D) Lucknow 2018 Mk; Mz;ow;fhd ne;jpah- Vrpad; tzpf kw;Wk; KjyPl;L khehL eilbgw;w nlk;? A) bfhr;rp B) rz;ofu; C) g[J bly;yp D) yf;Bdh 23. Which Union ministry has launched the ‗Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities‘? A) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting B) Ministry of Corporative Affairs C) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs D) Ministry of Law and justice fPH;f;fz;l ve;j mikr;rufk; Fg;igapy;yh efuA;fSf;F !;lhu; kjpg;gPl;ow;fhd bewpKiwiaj; Jtf;fpa[s;sJ? A) jfty; kw;Wk; xspgug;g[ mikr;rfk; B) Tl;Lwt[ kw;Wk; efu;g;g[w mikr;rfk; C) tPlikg;g[ kw;Wk; efu;g;g[w mikr;rfk; D) rl;lk; kw;Wk; ePjp mikr;rfk;. 24. What is the name of a new earth observation satellite launched by japan‘s aerospace Exploration agency(JAXA)? $g;ghdpd; tpz;btsp Ma;t[ epWtdj;jhy; bjhlA;fg;gl;l xU g[jpa g{kp fz;fhzpg;g[ braw;iff;Bfhspd; bgau; vd;d? A) ASNARO-2 B)NHTRO-1 C)ASBRU-4 D) GOES-16 25. The first image taken by Cartosat-2 series satellite launched on Jan 12 shows a part of ____city? A) New Delhi B)Bhubaneswar C) Kolkata D) Indore CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

$dtup 12 md;W brYj;jg;gl;l fhu;l;Blhrhl; -2 braw;if;Bfhs; K}yk; vLf;fg;gl;l Kjy; glk; ve;j efupd; xU gFjpia glk; vLj;J fhl;LfpwJ? A) g[Jbly;yp B) g[tBd!;tu; C) bfhy;fj;jh D) ne;Jhu; 26. President of India Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the ― Economic Democracy Conclave‖ at____? A) Thane B) Pune C) Nagpur D) Nashik ne;jpa FoauR jiytu; uhk; ehj; Bfhtpe;j; “bghUshjhu $dehafk; khehl;oy; ve;j nlj;jpy; JtA;fpdhu;?

A) jhBd B) g[Bd C) ehf;g{u; D) ehrpf; 27. NASA scientist have spotted the farthest known galaxy in the universe what is the name? ehrh tpq;qhdp gpugq;rj;jpy; mwpag;gl;l bjhiyJhu tPz;kPd; bgau; vd;d? A) SPTO615-JD B) SPTO615 C) SPTO615-998D D) MAX SPTO615-JD 28. Who among the following recently launched ‗Khelo India‘ anthem and mascot of khelo India school games? A) Rajiv Pratap B) Rajyavardhan Rathore C) Vijay Goel D) Harsh Vardhan mz;ikapy; bfByh ne;jpah fPjk; kw;Wk; bfByh ne;jpah gs;sp tpisahl;Lfspd; rpd;dj;ij mwpKfg;gLj;jpatu; ahu;? A) u$Pt; gpujhg; B) uh$tu;jd; uj;Bjhu; C) tp$a; Bfhay; D) #u;& tu;jd; 29. Which state government has recently rolled out e-Raktkosh web portal in all government blood banks? A) Odisha B) Madhya Pradesh C) Punjab D) Rajasthan midj;J muR nuj;j tA;fpfspYk; rkPgj;jpy; N-uf;l;Bfh&; nizajsj;ij ve;j khepy muR btspapl;lJ? A) Xorh B) kj;jpa gpuBjrk; C) gq;rhg; D) uh$!;jhd; 30. What is the theme of the 22nd National Youth Festival (NYF-2018)? A) Youth for United India B) Sankalp Se Siddhi C) Lakshya ek Disha D) Youth for Digital India 22tJ Bjrpa nisqu; tpHhtpd; jPk; vd;d? A) a[idbll; ne;jpahtpd; nisqu;. B) rd;fy;g; rP rpj;jp C) y r&pah N-o&h D) o$pl;ly; ne;jpahtpd; nisqu; 31. Ministry of drinking water and sanitation launched which project for sanitation based integrated development? A) Ganga Safai Project B) Ganga Gram Project C) Ganga Cleaning Project D) Ganga Clean Scheme fPH;fz;l ve;j jpl;lj;ij Rj;jpfupg;g[ mog;gilapyhd xUA;fpize;j tsu;r;rpf;fhd jpl;lj;ij FoePu; kw;Wk; Rfhjhu mikr;rfk; Jtf;fpa[s;sJ? CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

A) fA;fh rg;gha; jpl;lk; B) fA;fh fpuhk; jpl;lk;

C) fA;fh Rj;jk; jpl;lk; D) fA;fh Rj;jkhd Bah$dh 32. Which is the second highest honor given to civilians for gallantry? A) Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak B) Jeevan Raksha Padak C) National Bravery Award D) Sarvottam Jeevam Raksha Padak fPH;fz;ltw;Ws; nuz;lhtJ kpf cau;e;j rptpypad; bfsut tpUJ vJ? A) cj;jk;, $Ptd; u&h ghlf; B) $Ptd; u&h ghlf;

C) Bjrpa Jzpr;ryhd tpUJ D) ru;Bthjk; $Ptd; u&h ghlf; 33. Among the following island where is the Indian Tsunami Early Warning system is setting up an elaborate system of sensors? A) Majuli island B) Andaman & Nicobar island C) Lakshadweep island D) Diu island fPH;f;fz;l ve;j ne;jpa jPgfw;gj;jpy; kpf tpupthd brd;rhu; Rdhkp vr;rupf;if mikg;g[ mika cs;sJ? A) k$Pyp jPt[ B) me;jkhd; kw;Wk; epf;Bfhghu; C) nyl;rj;jPt[fs; D) Oa[ jPt[ 34. A cosmic event not seen in 36 years a rare ‗ super blood blue moon‘ may be glimpsed on___? 36 Mz;Lfspy; xU mupa „R{g;gu; bul; ePy epyt[„ fhzg;glhj xU mjpra epfH;t[ fz;l ehs;? A) 30th Jan B) 31th Jan C) 1th Feb D) 2th Feb 35. Oxford Dictionaries has chosen______as the Hindi word of 2017? A) Padmavati B) GST C) Aadhaar D) Demonetization Mf;!;Bghu;L mfuhjpfs; fPH;f;fz;l ve;j thu;j;ijia 2017 Mk; Mz;ow;fhd #pe;jp thu;j;ijahf Bju;t[ bra;ag;gl;lJ? A) gj;khtjp B) $pv!;o

C) Mjhu; D) gzj;jpd; kjpg;igf; Fiwj;jy; 36. Who has recently non India‘s first ever international medial in sking? A) Aanchal Tnakur B) Akriti Singh C) Hira tal D) Nassem Iqbal ne;jpahtpd; Kjy; ru;tBjrg; gdpr;rWf;F gjf;fj;ij btd;wtu; ahu;? A) Md;r;ry; jhTu; B) mfpupjp rpA; C) #puh yhy; D) ehblk; nf;ghy; 37. Who among the following has been named the official Brand Ambassador of Sikkim? A) Arjit singh B) Ranbir kapoor C) Salman khan D) AR Rahman gpd;tUtw;fSy; rpf;fpkpd; mjpfhug;g{u;t Jhjuhf epakpf;fg;gl;Ls;stu; ahu;? A) mu;$pj; rpA; B) ud;gPu; fg{u; C) ry;khd; fhd; D) V.Mu;.uFkhd; 38. ______is the country‘s only operational ship submersible Ballistic Nuclear asset which can sky undetected deep underwater for long period? CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

A) INS Viraat B) INS Vikrant C) INS Arihant D) INS Vishal fPH;fz;l ve;j mDrf;jp ePu;K}H;fpf; fg;gy; ePz;l fhyj;jpw;F MHkhd ePUf;foapy; ePoj;jpw;ff;ToaJ? A) INS tpuhl; B) INS tpf;uhe;j; C) INS mup#e;j; D) INS tp&hy; 39. Where is the world‘s largest ice festival being held? A) Russia B) Canada C) China D) Germany cyfpd; kpfg;bgupa gdpf;fl;o jpUtpHh vA;F eilbgw;wJ? A) u&;ah B)fdlh C) rPdh D) b$u;kdp 40. Which actor has partnered with Brihanmumbai municipal corporation to promote the swachh survekshan 2018 Campaign? A) Amitab Bachchan B) Akshay kumar C) Salman khan D) Shanid kapoor. 2018 !;th&; ru;btrd; gpur;rhuj;jpw;fhf gpud;Kk;ig efuhl;rpa[ld; nize;J bray;gl nUf;Fk; eofu; ahu;? A) mkpjhg; gr;rd; B) mf;ra; Fkhu; C) ry;khd; fhd; D) &h#pj; fg{u;. 41. Which state government has recently unveiled its official emblem? A) Tamil Nadu B) Gujarat C) West Bengal D) Bihar ve;j khepyk; murhA;fk; rkPgj;jpy; mjpfhug;g{u;t rpd;dj;ij btspapl;lJ? A)jkpH;ehL B) F$uhj; C) Bkw;F tA;fk; D) gPfhu; 42. The back of 10Rs note to feature ______depicting the country‘s cultural heritage? A) Mangalyaan B) Sun Temple C) Sanchi shipa D) Hampi chariot U}gha; 10jpd; gpd;g[wj;jpy; cs;s ehl;od; fyhr;rhu ghujk;gupa rpd;dk; vJ? A) khA;fy;ahd; B) R{upa Bfhtpy; C) rhq;rp !;Jhgk; D) #k;gp Bju; 43. Himachal Pradesh CM to setup a helpline named ‗Gudiya‘ in the state what is its aim? A) For reporting crime against women B) For reporting child Labour C) For reporting child marriage D) None of above #pkhr;ry gpuBjrj;jhy; JtA;fg;bgw;w “Foah” vd;w b#y;iydpd; Bef;fk; vd;d? A) bgz;fSf;F vjpuhd Fw;wA;fs; B) FHe;ij bjhHpyhspfSf;F vjpuhf C) FHe;ij jpUkzj;jpw;F vjpuhf D) vJt[k; ny;iy 44. Which state government inaugurated India‘s first National park for differently abled people? A) Telangana B) Rajasthan C) Uttarpradesh D) Tamil Nadu. fPH;f;fz;l ve;j khepyk; khw;W jpwdhypfSf;fhd xU Bjrpa g{A;fhit JtA;ft[s;sJ? A) bjYA;fhdh B) uh$!;jhd; C) cj;jpug;gpuBjrk; D) jkpH;ehL 45. GOLD, ICON Missions are related to which of the following organizations? Bfhy;l;, Ifhd; jpl;lk; ve;j epWtdj;Jld; bjhlu;g[ilaJ? A) ISRO B) NASA C) CERN D) Tesla CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311 / 411

46. Mission Indradhanusa is a vaccination programme targeting which of the following section? kp&d; ne;jpujhD!; jLg;g{rp jpl;lk; fPH;f;fz;l ve;j gpupt[fSf;F cl;gl;lJ? A) Children above 2 years B) Children less than 2 years C) Pregnant women D) B & C 47. Recently which state of India has topped the list for having the highest crime rate published by ―crime in India – 2016‖ report? A) Uttar Pradesh B) Kerala C) Maharashtra D) Madhya Pradesh rkPgj;jpy; ne;jpahtpy; “ Fw;wk; ne;jpa – 2016” mwpf;ifapd;go kpf mjpfkhd Fw;w bray;fs; tpfpjk; bfhz;l khePyk; vJ? A) cj;jpug; gpuBjrk; B) Bfusu; C) kfhuh&;ouh D) kj;jpag; gpuBjrk;. 48. Which among the following states has topped the logistics performance Index? A) Gujarat B) Bihar C) Uttar Pradesh D) Delhi fPH;fz;l khepyA;fspy;, yh$p!;of;!; bray;jpwd; FwpaPl;L tupirapy; vJ Kjyplj;jpy; cs;sJ? A)F$uhj; B) gPfhu; C) cj;jpug;gpuBjrk; D) bly;yp 49. Among the following states, government has banned e – cigarettes in? A) Gujarat B) Assam C) Bihar D) Delhi

fPH;f;fz;l ve;j khepyk; n-rpfbul;Lfis jil bra;Js;sJ? A) F$uhj; B) mrhk; C) gPfhu; D) bly;yp 50. Which of the following countries won Hopman cup Title? A) Switzerland B) Germany C) Russia D) Australia. gpd;tUk; ve;j ehL #hg;kd; Bfhg;ig gl;lj;ij btd;wJ? A) Rtpr;ru;yhe;J B) b$u;kdp C) u&;ah D) M!;jpBuypah

JAN CURRENT AFFAIRS 1 D 11 B 21 A 31 B 41 C 2 C 12 A 22 C 32 A 42 B 3 A 13 B 23 C 33 B 43 A 4 A 14 B 24 A 34 B 44 A 5 A 15 C 25 D 35 C 45 B 6 B 16 A 26 A 36 A 46 D 7 B 17 D 27 A 37 D 47 A 8 D 18 D 28 B 38 C 48 A 9 D 19 B 29 A 39 C 49 C 10 A 20 A 30 B 40 B 50 A