PT – 365 UPDATED MATERIAL MARCH – APRIL 2018 Table of Contents 1. POLITY ______4 2.17. Videsh Aya Pradesh Ke Dwaar ______17 1.1. Simultaneous Elections ______4 2.18. Study in India Program ______17 1.2. Motion for Removal of Chief Justice of 2.19. E-Foreigners Regional Registration Office India ______4 Scheme (e-FRRO) ______17 1.3. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled 2.20. Exercises ______17 Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act ______4 2.21. Miscellaneous Titbits ______18 1.4. National Commission for Minority 3. ECONOMY ______19 Education Institutions ______5 3.1. RBI decides to use GDP instead of GVA 19 1.5. Special Category Status (SCS) ______6 3.2. Statement on Developmental and 1.6. CESS as a Revenue Raising Tool ______6 Regulatory Policies ______19 1.7. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 3.3. Regional Rural Banks (RRB) ______20 (AFSPA) ______7 3.4. Liberalised Remittance Scheme ______20 1.8. Transformation of Aspirational Districts 7 3.5. Changes in Priority Sector Lending ____ 21 1.9. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan ______8 3.6. Foreign Portfolio Investment ______21 1.10. Arunachal’s 2-Tier Panchayati Raj ____ 8 3.7. National Financial Reporting Authority 22 1.11. e-Vidhan mission mode project ______8 3.8. Algorithm trading ______22 1.12. E-Office ______9 3.9. Start-ups can seek exemption from angel 1.13. Competition Commission of India (Cci) 9 tax ______22 1.14. Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems 3.10. Farm MSP Models by NITI Aayog ____ 23 (ASICS), 2017______9 3.11. Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme _____ 23 1.15. Prasar Bharati ______9 3.12. Integrated Management of Public 1.16. World Council on City Data Certification10 Distribution System ______24 1.17. Miscellaneous Titbits ______10 3.13. City Compost Scheme ______24 2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ______11 3.14. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana ___ 24 2.1. Indus Water Treaty ______11 3.15. National Bamboo Mission ______25 2.2. Afghanistan Makes a Peace Offer to 3.16. North-East Industrial Development Taliban ______11 Scheme (NEIDS) ______26 2.3. Commonwealth Heads of Government 3.17. Rural Electrification ______26 Meet ______11 3.18. Unnati Project ______26 2.4. Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act 3.19. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (CLOUD Act) ______12 (PMGSY) ______27 2.5. India-Nordic Summit ______12 3.20. Coal Bed Methane (CBM) ______27 2.6. Asian Premium ______13 3.21. Solar Rooftop Investment Program 2.7. African Asian Rural Development (SRIP) ______28 Organization (AARDO) ______13 3.22. Pilot Scheme For Procurement Of 2.8. International Tribunal for the Law of the Aggregate Power ______28 Sea (ITLOS) ______13 3.23. Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan 2.9. UN Road Safety Trust Fund ______14 Yojana (PMRPY) ______29 2.10. South Asia Cooperative Environment 3.24. Global Findex Report 2017 ______29 Program (SACEP) ______14 3.25. Energy Transition Index ______29 2.11. South Asian Climate Outlook Forum 3.26. Index of Economic Freedom ______29 (SASCOF) ______14 3.27. Project Jal Sanchay ______30 2.12. International Energy Forum (IEF) ____ 15 3.28. Global Innovation Index ______30 2.13. India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 __ 15 3.29. Mentor India ______30 2.14. IMF World Economic Outlook ______16 3.30. Miscellaneous Titbits ______30 2.15. UN Broadband Commission for 3.31. Errata ______31 Sustainable Development ______16 4. ENVIRONMENT ______33 2.16. GSP eligibility review of India ______17 4.1. International solar Alliance ______33 1 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

4.2. SOLAR GEO-ENGINEERING ______33 5.15. Einstein Ring ______52 4.3. Global Commission on the Geopolitics of 5.16. Copernicus Programme ______53 Energy Transformation ______33 5.17. Air-Breathing Electric Thruster ______53 4.4. National E-Mobility Programme ______34 5.18. Stephen Hawking ______53 4.5. Sand Mining ______34 5.19. Micro-Led: The Next-Gen Display 4.6. Brazzaville Declaration ______36 Technology ______54 4.7. Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards 5.20. Cold Fusion Reactor ______55 (CA|TS) ______37 5.21. Vaterite - Rare Minerals in Plants ____ 55 4.8. Rise in Rhino Population in Kaziranga 5.22. Gallenene ______56 National Park ______37 5.23. Rydberg Polarons: A New State of 4.9. Animal Welfare Board of India ______38 Matter ______56 4.10. One Planet One City Challenge of WWF38 5.24. Scientists Found Rare 'Ice-VII' on Earth 56 4.11. Eighth Regional 3R Forum ______38 5.25. Malwares ______56 4.12. Persistent Organic Pollutants ______39 5.26. Data Encryption ______57 4.13. E-Waste (Management) Amendment 5.27. Crypto-Currency as Legal Tender ____ 57 Rules, 2018 ______39 5.28. India’s First Blockchain-Based Network58 4.14. Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 5.29. Defence Planning Committee ______58 2018 ______41 5.30. Defence Industrial Corridor ______59 4.15. Plastic Waste Management 5.31. Protected Area Permit ______59 (Amendment) Rules, 2018 ______42 5.32. Left Winge Extremism ______60 4.16. National Biogas and Manure 5.33. Newton-Bhabha Fund ______61 Management Programme ______43 5.34. Indian Science, Technology and 4.17. Floating Laboratory Over Loktak Lake 43 Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) ______61 4.18. Climate Resilient Agriculture ______43 5.35. Virtual Library ______61 4.19. Quake Prone Indian Cities______44 5.36. Miscellaneous Titbits ______62 4.20. Forest Fires and their management in 6. SOCIAL ______63 India ______44 6.1. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan _ 63 4.21. Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early 6.2. NIRF India Rankings 2018 ______63 Warning System ______45 6.3. Sustainable Action For Transforming 4.22. Swell waves ______46 Human Capital- In Education (SATH-E) Project63 4.23. Western Ghats reveal world’s smallest 6.4. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 ______64 land fern ______46 6.5. National Academic Depository (NAD) _ 64 4.24. Reports ______46 6.6. Child Marriage Numbers Drop Sharply _ 65 4.25. Miscellaneous Titbits ______47 6.7. Partnership For Maternal, Newborn And 4.26. Errata ______47 Child Health (PMNCH) Forum ______65 5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ______48 6.8. LaQshya Program______66 5.1. E-Cigarettes ______48 6.9. Suvidha ______66 5.2. Assisted Reproductive Technology 6.10. Gender Vulnerability Index ______66 (Regulation) Bill ______48 6.11. UN Commission on Status of Women 5.3. Project Dhoop ______48 (CSW) ______66 5.4. Earth Bio-Genome Project (EBP) ______49 6.12. Women Entrepreneurship Platform 5.5. Irradiation of Food ______49 (WEP) ______67 5.6. FoSCoRIS system ______49 6.13. Van Dhan Scheme ______67 5.7. Interstitium ______50 6.14. Gram Swaraj Abhiyan ______68 5.8. Disease 'X' ______50 6.15. Passive Euthanasia ______68 5.9. Mobile Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent 6.16. World Happiness Report 2018 ______69 Assay (MELISA) ______50 7. CULTURE ______70 5.10. Ban on Oxytocin ______51 7.1. Madhubani Painting ______70 5.11. IRNSS-1I Satellite ______51 7.2. Saora Paintings ______70 5.12. GSAT-6A ______51 7.3. Konark Temple ______70 5.13. Sounding Rocket: RH-300 MKII ______52 7.4. Kuthiyottam ______71 5.14. Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems 7.5. Madhavpur Mela ______71 (VSHORAD) ______52 7.6. Adilabad Dokra And Warangal Durries _ 72

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7.7. Krem Puri Caves ______72 7.14. National Culture Fund ______74 7.8. Incredible India 2.0 Campaign ______72 7.15. World Heritage Sites ______74 7.9. National Mission on Manuscripts _____ 73 7.16. Unesco Atlas of the World’s Languages in 7.11. Adarsh Monuments ______73 Danger ______75 7.12. Deendayal Hastkala Sankul ______73 7.17. Miscellaneous Titbits ______75 7.13. Indian Council of Historical Research Conference ______73

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1. POLITY 1.1. SIMULTANEOUS • The Speaker/Chairman holds the right to admit or reject the motion. If the motion is ELECTIONS admitted, a three-member committee is set Why in News? up to investigate the allegations. The committee is made up of a Supreme Court Recently, Law Commission issued a draft working judge, the Chief Justice of any High Court, paper on Simultaneous Elections. and a ‘distinguished jurist’ nominated by About Simultaneous Elections (SE) speaker/Vice President. • The committee submits its report to the • It is defined as structuring the Indian election Speaker/Vice-President, who then also shares cycle in a manner that elections to Lok Sabha it with the other House. and State Assemblies are synchronized • Both Houses of Parliament then need to pass together under which voters in a particular an ‘address to the President’ asking for the constituency vote for both State Assembly judge to be removed with a majority of the and Lok Sabha the same day. total membership of that house; and a • It does not mean that voting across the majority of at least two-thirds of the country for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies members of that house present and voting. needs to happen on a single day • If both addresses succeed, then the President • Earlier, SEs were held in India till 1967 which can remove the judge from his position by was disrupted due to premature dissolution Presidential Order. of Assemblies. • Election to the third tier of democracy cannot 1.3. SCHEDULED CASTES AND be included in SE because- THE SCHEDULED TRIBES o It is a part of state list. o The number of local bodies is huge. (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT 1.2. MOTION FOR REMOVAL OF CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA Why in news? Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Why in news? (Prevention of Atrocities act), 1989 came in Recently, Rajya Sabha chairman refused to admit limelight following Supreme court’s directions for the motion for removal of Chief Justice of India. the same. The Impeachment Process of a Supreme Court Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention Judge of Atrocities) Act 1989 • It prohibits the commission of offences against • The process of removal is mentioned in members of the SCs and STs and establishes Article 124(4) of the Constitution and is special courts for the trial of such offences and described in the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968. the rehabilitation of victims. • A judge can be removed on the ground of • It outlines actions (by non SCs and non STs) “proved misbehaviour or incapacity”. against SCs or STs to be treated as offences.

Neither misbehaviour nor incapacity are • The Act specifies that a non-SC or ST public servant who neglects his duties relating to SCs or defined but would include any criminal STs shall be punishable. activity or other judicial impropriety. • Investigation of an offence committed under the • An impeachment motion against the judge SC/ST Act cannot be investigated by an officer not needs to be raised in either of the Houses of below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Parliament. The motion can only be admitted Police (DSP) (Or rejected) by the Speaker in the Lok Sabha • For certain offences the Act also provides for or Chairperson in Rajya Sabha if it has the capital punishment and confiscation of property. support of 100 MPs in Lok Sabha or 50 MPs in Repeated offences under the Act attract Rajya Sabha. enhanced punishments. The act was amended in 2015 to add new offences to, addition of chapter on the ‘Rights of Victims and

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Witnesses’, defining ‘wilful negligence’ of public through an ordinance promulgated in 2004 servants clearly and addition of presumption of which was replaced by NCMEI Act later. offence. • Commission is composed of a Chairman and Related information three other members. o The Chairman should have been a judge • In a complaint filed under the Atrocities Act, of High Court and must belong to a Supreme Court of India felt the need of minority community. procedural safeguards and issued the o The members shall also belong to a following directions in Subhash Mahajan vs minority community and are persons of State of Maharashtra vis a vis PoA act: eminence, ability and integrity. o There is no absolute bar against grant of • The Central Government has notified six anticipatory bail in cases under the minority communities namely – Muslim, Atrocities Act if no prima facie case is Christian, Sikh, Buddhists, Parsi and Jain. made out or where on judicial scrutiny However no linguistic minority has been the complaint is found to be prima facie notified till date. mala fide. • Therefore, linguistic minorities remain o In view of acknowledged abuse of law of outside the jurisdiction of the Commission. arrest in cases under the Atrocities Act, • The Commission is a quasi-judicial authority arrest of a public servant can only be which has been endowed with the powers of after approval of the appointing a civil court. authority (Prior Sanction)and of a non- • Only Supreme Court exercising writ public servant after approval by the S.S.P. jurisdiction under Article 32 and High Courts which may be granted in cases under Articles 226 and 227 of the considered necessary and Such reasons Constitution of India can entertain any suit, must be scrutinized by the Magistrate for application or proceedings in respect of any permitting further detention. order made by the Commission. o To avoid false implication of an innocent, • The Commission has adjudicatory and a preliminary enquiry may be conducted recommendatory functions such as: by the DSP concerned to find out o to advise the Central Government and whether the allegations make out a case the State Governments on any question under the Atrocities Act and that the relating to the educational rights of the allegations are not frivolous or motivated minorities referred to it. o Any violation of above direction will be o enquire, suo motu, or on a petition actionable by way of disciplinary action as presented to it by any Minority well as contempt. Educational Institution, or any person on • Subsequently, Centre moved to Supreme its behalf into complaints regarding Court challenging the ruling that prevented deprivation or violation of rights of automatic arrests on complaints filed under minorities to establish and administer PoA act but Supreme Court upheld the educational institutions of their choice directions it had issued. and any dispute relating to affiliation to a 1.4. NATIONAL COMMISSION University. o review the safeguards provided by or FOR MINORITY EDUCATION under the Constitution, or any law for the INSTITUTIONS time being in force, for the protection of educational rights of the minorities and Why in news? recommend measures for their effective Recently, Supreme Court held that National implementation. Commission for Minority Education Institutions o specify measures to promote and (NCMEI) has original jurisdiction to determine an preserve the minority status and establishment as a minority education institution. character of institutions of their choice established by minorities. About NCMEI o make recommendations to the • NCMEI under the Ministry of Human appropriate Government for the Resource Development was established 5 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

effective, implementation of programmes o Tax Effort [10%] and schemes relating to the Minority o On-going Irrigation & Power Projects [10%] Educational Institutions. o Special Problems [10%] • The Commission has also been granted Gadgil-Mukherjee Formula was made the basis of allocation in the 8th Five Year Plan. appellate jurisdiction in cases where the State Government refused to provide the 14th Finance Commission recommendations NOC for establishing a minority institution. • The Commission has not categorised states 1.5. SPECIAL CATEGORY between normal states or special category STATUS (SCS) states as it is beyond its terms of reference. • Instead, it suggested that the resource gap of Why in news? each state be filled through ‘tax devolution’, urging the Centre to increase its share of tax Recently, Andhra Pradesh MPs have been revenues to the states from 32% to 42%. protesting for special category status for the state • If devolution alone could not cover the which centre has refused. revenue gap for certain states, the About SCS Commission said, the Centre could provide a revenue deficit grant to these states. • The Constitution does not include any provision for categorisation of any State as a 1.6. CESS AS A REVENUE SCS. RAISING TOOL • The concept of SCS was first introduced in 1969 by the 5th Finance Commission based Why in news? on the Gadgil formula. The formula was modified various times to suit the The newly-constituted Fifteenth Finance contemporary needs. Commission is expected to commission a study on the legality of the use of surcharge and cess. • In 1991 the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula was adopted that was in use till the 14th finance Why has Cess become contentious? commission. • The share of cess and surcharges as a o Population 60% percentage of tax revenues has increased o Per capita Income- 25% over the years for the Centre. o Deviation Method- 20% • Both these levies go to the consolidated fund o Distance Method- 5% of India and do not form part of the divisible o Performance in tax methods, Fiscal pool. Management & Progress in respect of National Objective- 7.5% Constitutional Provisions o Special Problems- 7.5% Article 271 - Surcharge on certain duties and • The NITI Aayog, which has replaced the taxes for purposes of the Union Notwithstanding Planning Commission (PC), has no power to anything in Articles 269 and 270, Parliament may allocate funds, therefore, the discretion that at any time increase any of the duties or taxes the Centre had to give special favours to referred in those articles by a surcharge for states through the Plan panel, no longer purposes of the Union and the whole proceeds of exists. any such surcharge shall form part the Gadgil Formula- Named after Dhananjay Ramchandra Consolidated Fund of India Gadgil, the then Deputy Chairman of PC, was evolved in 1969. Cess and surcharge It stated that- Cess Surcharge • SCSs like like Assam, J&K and Nagaland to be given It is earmarked for a specific It can be used for preference in terms of allocation of funds by the purpose any purpose Centre. If the purpose gets fulfilled, the There are no such • The remaining balance of Central assistance may cess is removed. restrictions. be divided among the other states based on Applicable on total payable tax Applicable on total weightage assigned to various parameters like - (including surcharge). service value. o Population [60%] However, there can be o Per Capita Income [10%] exceptions like Krishi Kalyan 6 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

Cess which is applicable on aspirational districts across the country to total service value. contribute in their development. Common Service Centre 1.7. ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL • It is an information and communication POWERS) ACT (AFSPA) technology (ICT) access point created under the National e-Governance Project. The project plan Why in news? includes the creation of a network of over 100,000 CSCs throughout the country. Recently Union Home Ministry removed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from About the Programme Meghalaya and reduced the number of police • It aims to quickly and effectively transform stations under the Act in Arunachal Pradesh. the chosen 115 districts, with at least one AFSPA from 28 states (excluding Goa). Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enacted in the • The broad contours of the programme are year 1958 by the parliament of India grants Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), extraordinary powers and immunity to the armed Collaboration (of Central, State level forces to bring back order in the disturbed areas. 'Prabhari' Officers & District Collectors), and AFSPA gives powers to the Army and central forces Competition among districts driven by a mass deployed in "disturbed areas" to Movement. It will be based on the real time • Kill anyone acting in contravention of the law, data and driven by Mass Movement. • Arrest and search any premises without a warrant • The states would be the main drivers of this and • Provide cover to forces from prosecution and programme while NITI Aayog will anchor it. legal suits without the Central government's • The Key Performance Indicators chosen to sanction. monitor the progress of districts are to be As per Section 3 of the AFSPA, it can be invoked in district specific. places where “the use of armed forces in aid of the • 5 sectors identified to monitor the progress civil power is necessary.” are- Health & Nutrition, Education, It can be applied only after an area has been declared Agriculture and Water Resources, Basic “disturbed” Infrastructure and Financial Inclusion and Skill The Central Government, or the Governor of the State Formation. or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a • The programme includes appointment of disturbed area. Central and State Government Officers at the level of Additional/Joint Secretary as the 1.8. TRANSFORMATION OF “Prabhari” and Nodal Officers. These officers ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS are to act as a bridge between centre, state and district. Why in News? • A district level team would prepare a baseline report of the current status of The NITI Aayog recently launched the baseline different indicators and based on the ranking for the Aspirational Districts based on resources available, would also prepare year- published data of 49 indicators (81 data points) wise targets. across five developmental areas. • The central representatives would be visiting Additional Information the district at least once in two months and • Out of 115 districts, 30 were identified by the NITI prepare a report for NITI Aayog, which after Aayog and another 50 districts by Central analysing it would place the findings for Ministries and remaining 35 identified by the consideration to the Empowered Committee Ministry of Home Affairs as Left-Wing Extremist districts. of secretaries. • The KPIs are a combination of inputs, outputs, and outcomes across the five specified sectors. Associated Recent Developments • Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has tied with the Common Service Centres (CSC) in these Aspirational Districts to implement a plan to promote micro enterprises in 115

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1.9. RASHTRIYA GRAM SWARAJ 1.10. ARUNACHAL’S 2-TIER ABHIYAN PANCHAYATI RAJ

Why in News? Why in News? The PM of India launched restructured Rashtriya Arunachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill to do Gram Swaraj Abhiyan on the Panchayati Raj Day away with the Anchal Samiti (Intermediate level) on 24th April, 2018. and set up a two-tier system in the state. About Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) States/UTs with 2-Tier government Goa, Manipur, Sikkim, D& N Haveli, daman & Diu and • It is a revamped version of Rajiv Gandhi Lakshadweep do not have intermediate level. Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan • It is a centrally sponsored which aims at Details making rural local bodies self-sustainable, • According to the 73rd Amendment of the financially stable and more efficient. Constitution, states are required to o The Central component of the Scheme constitute Panchayats at three tiers, i.e., includes national level activities such as Village, Intermediate and District except the ‘National Plan of Technical Assistance’, States having a population of less than ‘Mission Mode project on e-Panchayat’, 20 lakhs, which may not constitute ‘Incentivisation of Panchayats’. This will a Panchayat at Intermediate level. be fully funded by Central Government. • Arunachal Pradesh has a population of 13.84 o The State component includes ‘Capacity lakh which, thus, makes it eligible for having Building of Panchayati Raj Institutions 2-tier government. (PRIs)’. • This scheme will extend to all States and UTs 1.11. E-VIDHAN MISSION MODE of the Country and will also include PROJECT institutions of rural local government in non- Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist. Why in news? • It will be implemented in a demand driven A new office of Central Project Monitoring Unit mode and activities under the scheme will be for the e-Vidhan project of the Government was aligned for achieving the Sustainable inaugurated recently. Development Goals (SDGs) with main thrust on Panchayats identified under Mission About e-vidhan project Antyodaya and 115 Aspirational districts as • It is a mission mode project to digitize and identified by NITI Aayog. make the functioning of State Legislatures in • It focuses on: India paperless. o Promoting devolution of powers and • It is a software suite of public website, responsibilities to Panchayats according secure website, house applications and to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA mobile apps that fully automate the Act. functioning of legislative assembly o Creating and strengthening democratic • The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is the local self-government in areas where Nodal Ministry for the project. Panchayats do not exist. • One of the key component of the strategy o Strengthening Gram Sabhas to function devised for implementation of the project is effectively as the basic forum of people’s to create Project Monitoring Units both at participation, transparency and Central as well as State levels. accountability within the Panchayat • system. Himachal Pradesh became the first state to use e-vidhan site and launch a mobile app.

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1.12. E-OFFICE dispose off appeals against any direction issued or decision made or order passed by Why in News? the Competition Commission of India (CCI). • Recently, government awarded certificates of 1.14. ANNUAL SURVEY OF appreciation to 34 central government INDIA’S CITY-SYSTEMS (ASICS), ministries for implementing “e-office” in departments. 2017 Related Information Why in news? • e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan 2.0- It is Recently Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and one of the pillars of Digital India Programme, to ensure delivery of all government services Democracy released ASIC, 2017 which evaluated electronically to citizens. governance in cities. • There are 44 Mission Mode Projects under e- About ASICS Kranti programme. • It is an annual study which evaluates the City- What is e-office? Systems which comprises of mainly four interrelated aspects- urban planning and design, • It is a project which intends to make urban capacities and resources, transparency, transition of government functions from accountability & participation, and empowered manual to digital ones. and legitimate political representation. • It is a core mission mode project (MMP) • The result indicates the health of the governance under the e-Kranti: National e-Governance system and its ability to deliver good quality of Plan (NeGP) 2.0. life and aims to push towards transformative • The Department of Administrative Reforms reforms in city governance. and Public Grievances (DAR&PG) is the nodal Findings of Report department for implementation of e-office • Pune (score 5.1) topped the survey while project. Bengaluru (3) was ranked the lowest in the • National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the list. technical partner in this project. • Comparatively, global benchmarks of 1.13. COMPETITION Johannesburg, London and New York have COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCI) scored 7.6, 8.8 and 8.8 respectively whereas Indian cities have barely touched 5.1 (being Why in news? highest). Central Government has decided to reduce the 1.15. PRASAR BHARATI members appointed by it in the CCI from one chairperson and six members to one chairperson Why in news? and three members. Recently Prasar Bharati (PB) turned down a Competition Commission of India resolution moved by the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) to appoint a serving IAS • It was established under CCI Act, 2002 with officer to its board, and also deferred its proposal following functions: to bring in professionals to head the news service o To Prevent practices having adverse units of Doordarshan and All India Radio. effect on competition o To Promote and sustain competition in About Prasar Bharati markets • It is a statutory autonomous public broadcasting o To Protect the interests of consumers agency which was set up in 1997 under the Prasar o To ensure freedom of trade carried on Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990. by other participants in the markets of • It comprises Doordarshan Television Network India. and All India Radio, which were earlier part of the • Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. was subsumed into NCLAT (National Company Law appelate Tibunal) in 2017. Now, it is the Appellate Tribunal to hear and

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1.16. WORLD COUNCIL ON CITY • The WCCD ISO 37120 certification published for globally-comparable city data, provides a DATA CERTIFICATION comprehensive set of indicators to measure Why in news? the city’s social, economic and environmental performance in relation to other cities. Chennai is set to join the list of 50 cities notified • Once ISO 37120-certified, Chennai will be by World Council on City Data Certification included in the WCCD’s Global Cities Registry. (WCCD). More on news 1.17. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS • Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat and Jamshedpur • The Haryana government recently announced have already received the certification from that a Cooperative Election Authority would the WCCD. be set up in the State for supervising the • WCCD is a global hub for creative learning election process in cooperative bodies. partnerships across cities, international • Recently India stood at rank 136 among 180 organizations, corporate partners, and countries in World Press Freedom Index (PFI) academia to further innovation, envision devised by Reporters without borders alternative futures, and build better and (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF). more liveable cities.

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2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2.1. INDUS WATER TREATY 2.2. AFGHANISTAN MAKES A PEACE OFFER TO TALIBAN Why in news? The meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission Why in news? (PIC) between India and Pakistan was held in New Afghanistan has made an offer for unconditional Delhi recently. talks to Taliban and offered a pact to recognise More about the news the insurgents as a legitimate party in negotiations and end the 16-year old war. • This was the 114th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), a More on news bilateral commission that looks into the • In current Kabul peace process, Afghanistan sharing of the Indus waters since the Indus has offered that in exchange for a ceasefire, water treaty (IWT) was signed by the two the government will allow Taliban members countries in 1960. to have a “peaceful and respectful life”, • Pakistan expressed concerns over India’s political recognition, prisoner release, Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW) and passports to Taliban members and visas to Lower Kalnai (48 MW) projects — located in their families, as well as office space in Kabul. Chenab basin – contending they violated IWT. • Kabul Peace Process - It is a gathering of 23 • India’s stand is that designs of the projects nations including India, the EU, U.N. and are in accordance with the treaty. These are NATO intended to discuss security and run of the river projects which is allowed political issues in the Afghanistan. under the treaty. • The World Bank’s (which brokered the deal) 2.3. COMMONWEALTH HEADS role in relation to “disputes” and OF GOVERNMENT MEET “differences” with respect of IWT is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain Why in news? roles when requested by either or both of the Recently London hosted the Commonwealth parties. Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) with the theme “Towards a Common Future” for 2018. More about the news • Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial meeting of heads of states of Commonwealth countries. • The four main goals for the summit were: o Prosperity: Boosting intra- Commonwealth trade and investment. o Security: Increasing cooperation across security challenges including global terrorism, organised crime and cyber- attacks. o Fairness: Promoting democracy, fundamental freedoms and good governance across the Commonwealth. o Sustainability: Building the resilience of small and vulnerable states to deal with the effects of climate change and other global crises. • It saw the release of Blue Charter on Ocean Governance which emphasised fair ocean

governance, more prosperous maritime and 11 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

marine industries, sustainable ocean use, and to accelerate the development, testing and scaling secure marine space across the up of evidence-based and market-tested Commonwealth. innovations. • Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment, which could together 2.4. CLARIFYING LAWFUL counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative was OVERSEAS USE OF DATA ACT announced. (CLOUD ACT) • Further the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration, Commonwealth Innovation Why in news? Fund and Commonwealth Innovation Index Recently, U.S. President signed the Clarifying were also announced (See Box) Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act (CLOUD Act). • It was also announced Prince Charles would Condition for CLOUD Act ‘succeed’ Queen Elizabeth as the head of the • Bilateral Agreement: U.S. requires the foreign Commonwealth. states to share a common commitment in the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth of form of bilateral agreement/data sharing Nations agreement to be abided by the rule of law and • It is a group of 53 states, all of which (except the protection of privacy and other civil liberties. • for two i.e. Rwanda and Mozambique) were Procedure and Review Mechanism: The partner country will need to ensure that its authorities formerly part of the British Empire. Further collect, retain, use and share data as per an Myanmar and Aden (now part of Yemen) are established procedure and electronic data the only former British colonies who elected requests to be reviewed by a court or other not to join the Commonwealth independent authority. • Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the About CLOUD Act Commonwealth • It was created in the early 1900s when • It will enable the U.S. government to enter nations began to secede from British Empire into agreements with other country for to ease the process of British decolonization. bilateral data sharing- under the emerging • It was seen as a way of maintaining global trends of globalization of criminal data. unity through shared language, history, and • This will allow law enforcement agencies culture despite growing independence and from other country to directly obtain self-governance of former British colonies. electronic data, held by communication Commonwealth Cyber Declaration service providers headquartered in the U.S. • The declaration is the world’s largest and most to combat crime. geographically diverse inter-governmental • The act will provide that the law enforcement commitment on cybersecurity cooperation. authority presumptively requires the • UK government pledged up to £15 million to help government to disclose data in its custody Commonwealth countries strengthen their and control, regardless of its location. cybersecurity capabilities. Commonwealth Innovation Index 2.5. INDIA-NORDIC SUMMIT • The index was launched as part of a new Commonwealth Innovation Hub on the sidelines Why in news? of the CHOGM. • It has been created in partnership with the United The first India-Nordic Summit took place in Nations World Intellectual Property Organisation Stockholm. (WIPO) and its annual Global Innovation Index Other Facts (GII). • Nordic countries include Sweden, Norway, • India was today ranked 10th on the new Index, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. topped by the UK, Singapore and Canada. • Commonwealth Innovation Fund India had proposed the idea of this summit. • • The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) will also host a The only instance when Nordic Countries had held new Commonwealth Innovation Fund (CIF) with such a summit was with the then President Barack size of 25 million pounds with financial Obama of USA. commitments from member-countries. • This exercise by Delhi will be first of its kind in • It will deploy grant, equity and debt investments Europe as traditionally India has been engaged in to support innovators across the Commonwealth talks with EU (European Union).

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2.6. ASIAN PREMIUM and has 33 member-states from Africa and Asia. India would coordinate with China and other • The group is devoted to developing Asian countries to raise voice against the “Asian understanding among members for better premium” being charged by the Organization of appreciation of each other’s' problems and to the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). explore, collectively, opportunities for coordination of efforts for promoting welfare About OPEC and eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization of 14 disease and poverty amongst rural people. nations, founded in 1960. • Headquarters: Vienna, Austria 2.8. INTERNATIONAL • Type: International cartel TRIBUNAL FOR THE LAW OF • Members of the Organization: THE SEA (ITLOS) o Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Why in News? o Africa: Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon • Neeru Chadha became the first Indian o South America: Venezuela, Ecuador Women to be the member of ITLOS. India sources about 86 per cent of crude oil, 75 per cent of natural gas and 95 per cent of LPG from OPEC ITLOS member nations. • Independent judicial body established by What is Asian Premium? United Nations Conventions on Law of Sea. • The Tribunal is based in Hamburg • It is the extra charge being collected by OPEC (Germany), established in 1996. countries from Asian countries when selling • It adjudicates the disputes which arise out of oil. application and interpretation of the • The Asian premium has its roots in the UNCLOS. establishment of market oriented • ITLOS consists of 21 independent members crude pricing in 1986. (Judges). • There are 3 important benchmarks in global market, representing the cost of oil produced United Nations Conventions on Law of Sea in respective geographies. • It was opened for signature in 1982 and came o Brent: Light sweet oil representative of into force in 1994. European market • Convention establishes a comprehensive legal o West Texas Intermediate(WTI): US framework to regulate all ocean space, its uses and resources. market • Convention contains provisions related to the o Dubai/Oman: Middle East and Asian territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the Market. continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone and the high seas. 2.7. AFRICAN ASIAN RURAL • International Seabed Authority, established by DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION the Convention, administers the resources of the (AARDO) Area. • Convention provides for alternative means of Why in news? dispute settlement through ITLOS, ICJ (International Court of Justice) and Arbitrary African Asian Rural Development Organization Tribunal. (AARDO) held a workshop recently in Kochi that focused on food security, agriculture, and • Judges are elected for a period of 9 Years fisheries. and can be re-elected. • President and Vice-President of the tribunal African-Asian Rural Development Organization are elected by the majority of the member (AARDO) of the tribunal from among the 21 judges • AARDO was established in 1962 as an and serve for the period of 3 years and can autonomous inter-governmental organization be re-elected.

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2.9. UN ROAD SAFETY TRUST 2.10. SOUTH ASIA FUND COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM (SACEP) Why in News? Recently, United Nations has launched UN Road Why in news? Safety Trust Fund in order to enhance road safety An MoU has been approved by Cabinet between worldwide. India and SACEP for cooperation on the response About UN Road Safety Trust Fund to Oil and Chemical Pollution in the South Asian Seas Region. • It is a trust fund managed by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. About SACEP

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe • It is an inter-governmental organization, • It was set up in 1947 by ECOSOC, (United Nation established in 1982 by the governments of Economic and Social Council) a regional South Asia to promote and support commission for Europe. protection, management and enhancement • UNECE includes 56-member States in Europe, of the environment in the region. North America and Asia. • It also serves as the secretariat of South Asian • India is not a member country to it. Seas Programme (SASP). • Its major aim is to promote pan-European • The Governments of Afghanistan, economic integration. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, • It aims to accelerate progress in improving Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the members of global road safety by bridging the gaps in the SACEP. mobilization of resources for effective action South Asian Seas Programme at all levels. It is one of the 18 Regional Seas Programmes of UNEP. • Fund will mobilize resources from The South Asian Seas Action Plan was adopted in governments, intergovernmental or non- March 1995 and today enjoys the unqualified support governmental organizations, the private of the region’s five countries (Bangladesh, India, sector, philanthropic organizations and Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). individuals. • It will focus on strengthening the capacity of 2.11. SOUTH ASIAN CLIMATE government agencies, local governments and OUTLOOK FORUM (SASCOF) city authorities to develop and implement road safety programmes, prioritizing projects Why in news? in low and middle-income countries. Recently, 12th edition of SASCOF was held in • It will support mainly two initiatives; Pune. o Five pillars of Global Plan for Decade of About SASCOF Action for Road Safety (2011-20)- developed by UN Road Safety • It was established in 2010 by the South Asian Collaboration. members of the World Meteorological o Sustainable Development Goal- Organization (specialised agency of UN for ▪ 3.6 which aims to halve the number Meteorology, operational hydrology and of global deaths and injuries from related geophysical science). road traffic accidents • It is a platform where the members of SAARC ▪ 11.2 which provides access to safe, along with Myanmar could discuss common affordable, accession, sustainable weather and climate related matters. transport systems for all, improving • It is coordinated by Indian Meteorological road safety. Department. • It also reviews the progress made in understanding and long range prediction of South Asian monsoons both regionally and globally.

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• It aims to initiate capacity building/human 2.13. INDIA-WIESBADEN resource development activities for the South Asian region, particularly in seasonal CONFERENCE 2018 prediction. Why in news? South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation India hosted the India-Wiesbaden Conference, (SAARC) 2018 with the theme- Securing Global Supply • It is a regional organisation which was established Chains through Government-Industry in 1985 . • The main objective of setting up of SAARC was to Partnerships towards Effective Implementation promote the welfare of the people of South Asia, of UNSC Resolution 1540. improve the quality of life and accelerate Details economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. • The conference was held in cooperation with • Member countries – India, Pakistan. Bangladesh, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Afghanistan and Germany and the United Nations Office for Bhutan. Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

2.12. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is an Office of the United Nations Secretariat established in FORUM (IEF) January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament Why in news? Affairs • Its goal is to promote nuclear disarmament and Recently, the 16th International Energy Forum non-proliferation and the strengthening of the Ministerial (IEF 16) was hosted by India and co- disarmament regimes in respect to other hosted by China and S. Korea. weapons of mass destruction, chemical and biological weapons. International Energy Forum • It also promotes disarmament efforts in the area • The IEF is an inter-governmental forum set of conventional weapons, especially landmines and small arms, which are often the weapons of up in 1991 and is based in Riyadh, Saudi choice in contemporary conflicts. Arabia. • It serves as neutral facilitator of informal, • The Conference provides an opportunity to open, informed and continuing global energy participants to share experiences on their dialogue among its member countries. export control systems and to identify legal & • It includes 72-member countries from all six technical assistance, action plans & continents and accounts for around 90% of challenges in national implementation of global supply and demand for oil and gas. UNSC 1540. • The IEF is unique in that it comprises not only • Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce consuming and producing countries of the and Industry (FICCI) is the industry partner for IEA and OPEC but also Transit States and the event. major players outside of their memberships, What is UN Security Council Resolution 1540? including Argentina, China, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. • It was adopted in 2004 under United Nations • By virtue of being among the top 11 largest Charter and affirms that the proliferation of consumers of oil and gas (India is presently nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and 4th), India has been the Permanent Member their means of delivery constitutes a threat of its Executive Board. to international peace and security. • India had earlier hosted the 5th IEF • It imposes binding obligations on all States to Ministerial in 1996 at Goa. adopt legislation to prevent the proliferation • The Forum's biennial Ministerial Meetings of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are the world's largest gathering of Energy and their means of delivery, and establish Ministers. appropriate domestic controls over related • The theme of IEF 16 was "Future of Global materials to prevent their illicit trafficking. Energy Security: Transition, Technology, Trade and Investment".

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2.14. IMF WORLD ECONOMIC More on Report The report sets out specific actions for policymakers OUTLOOK and regulators, addressing four key themes: • Healthy investment climate Why in news? • Lower infrastructure supply costs The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has • Better functioning ICT markets published its World Economic Outlook (WEO), • Liberating demand for the wider digital economy 2018 Report. to encourage supply and investment. More on news UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable • WEO is a survey by the IMF staff economists, Development usually published twice a year. • It was established in May 2010 by ITU and • It presents an analysis of global economic UNESCO as Broadband Commission for Digital developments during the near and medium Development. term; considers issues affecting industrial • Following adoption of the UN's Sustainable countries, developing countries, and Development Goals in September 2015, the economies in transition to market; and Commission was re-launched as the addresses topics of pressing current Broadband Commission for Sustainable interests. Development • It has projected that India will grow (7.4% in • Aims: To boost the importance of broadband 2018 and 7.8% in 2019) faster than China due on the international policy agenda and to strong private consumption. expand broadband access in every country as • In 2017, India marginally lagged behind China key to accelerating progress towards national due to initiation of its two major economic and international development targets. reforms i.e. Demonetization and GST. • Report: 'State of Broadband' is an annual • It points out that implementation of the GST report released by commission. will help in reduction of internal barriers to Broadband Commission for Sustainable trade, increase efficiency, and improve tax Development 2025 Targets: compliance. • High public debt and failure to achieve By 2025- budget deficit target may reduce its fiscal • All countries should have a funded national credibility. broadband plan or strategy or include • It also suggested that if India wants to ensure broadband in their universal access and that the demographic dividend is not wasted services definition. and more jobs are created, it must ease • Entry-level broadband services should be labour market rigidities, reduce made affordable in developing countries, at infrastructure bottlenecks, enhance less than 2% of monthly gross national inclusiveness and improve educational income per capita. outcomes. • Broadband-Internet user penetration should • For Global economy it forecasted that reach: despite a looming trade war between US and o 75% worldwide China, Global growth will be stable at 3.9 o 65% in developing countries percent in 2018 and 2019. o 35% in least developed countries 2.15. UN BROADBAND • 60% of youth and adults should have achieved at least a minimum level of COMMISSION FOR proficiency in sustainable digital skills. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT • 40% of the world's population should be using digital financial services. Why in news • Gender equality should be achieved across all Recently, report of the Expert Group to the targets. Broadband Commission recommended to close the broadband gap.

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2.16. GSP ELIGIBILITY REVIEW Objective OF INDIA The ‘Study in India’ programme’s primary objective is to target foreign students by branding Why in news? India as an attractive education destination. Recently, United States Trade Representative Details of the Program (USTR) formally announced that it is reviewing the eligibility of India, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan • Meritorious foreign students will be given fee in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). waiver. What is GSP? • Deserving students will be selected by the Institution based on their merit e.g. the top • GSP is a preferential treatment that US 25% student will get 100% fee waiver in government gives when products are tuition fee. imported from one of 120 designated • The expenditure on the fee waiver will have developing and developed countries. to be borne by the Institute concerned, • The benefits under the GSP includes duty free based on cross-subsidisation or through its entry of certain goods like chemicals, gems, existing funding. textiles among others to the US market. • No additional cash flow from Government is proposed for the same. • In 2017, India was the biggest beneficiary of the GSP with subsidies worth $5.6 billion. 2.19. E-FOREIGNERS REGIONAL • GSP benefits India’s exports and US industries REGISTRATION OFFICE get cheaper intermediate products from SCHEME (E-FRRO) India. Why in news? 2.17. VIDESH AYA PRADESH KE Recently, Ministry of Home Affairs launched e- DWAAR FRRO in the country. What is e-FRRO Scheme? Why in news? • It is a web based application introduced by The Ministry of External Affairs recently Indian Bureau of Immigration, aimed at launched 'Videsh Aaya Pradesh ke Dwaar' providing fast and efficient services to initiative. foreigners vising India. Details • On the new system the foreigners would get 27 Visa and Immigration related services in • It is a part of the enhanced public diplomacy India by using e-FRRO service and obtain outreach to take the objectives of the foreign services through email or post without being policy to the common people. physically present barring exceptional cases. • The Ministry will have direct interaction with the Local Media to communicate foreign 2.20. EXERCISES policy priorities in simple terms, highlight the benefits accruing to the common people • Recently, the biennial exercise 'Milan' was through diplomatic efforts and bring the organised at the Andaman and Nicobar domain of foreign policy closer to the people. Islands. The participating nations include at • It also intends to create a pool of media least 16 countries i.e. Australia, Malaysia, professionals interested in foreign policy and Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, guide them on connecting with the MEA. Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, 2.18. STUDY IN INDIA Kenya and Cambodia PROGRAM • The Indian Navy also conducted a tri-service maritime exercise named ‘Exercise Pashchim Why in news? Leher (XPL)’ in the Arabian Sea. Ministry of Human Resource Development has • Recently, Indo-Malaysian joint defence approved Study in India Program to attract training exercise – Harimau shakti 2018 was foreign students. held in Malaysia. 17 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

• Recently, Sahyog-HYEOBLYEOG 2018, a joint • Recently, a tripartite MoU was signed bilateral Indo –Korean exercise, was held off between India, Russia and Bangladesh for the Chennai coast on Bay of Bengal. development of Rooppur Nuclear Power • Recently, recently a Joint Humanitarian Plant on Padma river in Bangladesh. It is the Assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise first nuclear reactor in Bangladesh and will be ‘Chakravath’ was held in Cochin by Indian built by Russia's State Atomic Energy Navy- Southern Command in Coordination Corporation Rosatom and the Nuclear Power with Kerala Government. Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will • Recently, Indo-US joint military exercise assist in construction, installation and ‘Vajra Prahar’ was conducted. infrastructural assignments. It is the first • Recently, a two-day Coastal Security Exercise initiative under an Indo-Russian deal to ‘Sagar Kavach’ was held off the coast of undertake atomic energy projects in third Kerala, Mahe, and Lakshadweep and Minicoy country. (L&M) Islands. • Australia abolished the subclass 457 visa • Recently, 11th Edition of Naseem-Al-Bahr a category, popular among skilled overseas bilateral exercise between Indian and Oman workers, especially Indians. It has been Navy was conducted. replaced by Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa which would help enable hiring of 2.21. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS overseas employees. • Recently, North Korea and South Korea • Jordan has recently launched the Aqaba signed Panmunjom Declaration which process to promote deradicalisation in which envisages denuclearisation of Korean India is an active participant. peninsula, a peace treaty, reunion programs • The “Industrial Way Forward Agreement” for families and creation of a demilitarised was signed between French utility EDF and zone. India’s NPCIL for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur.

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3. ECONOMY 3.1. RBI DECIDES TO USE GDP it provides sector wise breakdown measure and helps policymakers decide which sectors INSTEAD OF GVA need incentives or stimulus and accordingly Why in news? formulate sector specific policies. • But RBI has decided to shift to GDP as it is the Reserve Bank of India has decided to use Gross measure of economic performance used not Domestic Product (GDP), instead of Gross Value only by multilateral institutions, international Added (GVA) to measure economic activity in the analysts and investors but it is also in country. consonance with international practice and Background Information and Key Definitions: thus facilitates easy cross-country comparisons. • Through revision of National Accounts • Even CSO has started using GDP as the main statistics in 2015 by following changes were measure of economic activity from this year. made: o Gross Value Added (GVA) from different 3.2. STATEMENT ON sectors will be calculated at basic prices. DEVELOPMENTAL AND o GDP of the country is to be estimated in terms of Market Price REGULATORY POLICIES • GDP means the total value of a country’s Why in News? annual output of goods and services and GDP at factor cost represents what the producers Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its in the economy make from industrial activity Statement on Developmental and Regulatory — wages, profits, rents and capital — called Policies. ‘factors of production. Important developmental and regulatory policy • Gross value added (GVA) is the value measures include addition done to a product resulting in the • Framework on countercyclical capital buffer production of final product. GVA provides (CCCB): It has been decided that it is not the rupee value of the amount of goods and necessary to activate CCCB at this point in services that have been produced, less the time. cost of all inputs and raw materials while o Aim of the CCCB producing these goods and services. There ▪ It requires banks to build up a buffer can be GVA for a firm, industry, sector or the of capital in good times which may be entire economy. used to maintain flow of credit to the • GVA at basic prices include production taxes real sector in difficult times. The main and exclude production subsidies available on objective is to protect banks from the the commodity and GDP at market prices effects of the financial cycle. include both production and product taxes ▪ It achieves the broader macro- and excludes both production and product prudential goal of restricting the subsidies. banking sector from indiscriminate GVA at factor cost + (Production taxes – lending in the periods of excess credit Production subsidies) = GVA at basic prices growth that have often been GDP at market prices = GVA at basic prices + Product associated with the building up of taxes –Product subsidies system-wide risk. • GVA gives a picture of the state of economic o Credit-to-GDP gap will be the main activity from the producers' side or the indicator in the CCCB framework in India. supply side. GDP gives the picture from the Credit-to-GDP gap (credit gap) is difference between consumers' side or the demand perspective. credit-to-GDP ratio and the long term trend value of Reasons for switching over to GDP credit-to-GDP ratio at any point in time. • Although GVA is considered a closer • Deferment of Indian Accounting Standards representative of economic activities because (IndAS) implementation for scheduled

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commercial banks from April 1, 2018 to April What is PCA Framework for RRBs? 1, 2019. • The aim of framework is to arrest further IndAS are recommended by National Advisory deterioration of RRBs which are failing to Committee on Accounting Standards (NACAS) to the meet prudential requirements relating to Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which then issues them. capital adequacy, net non-performing assets These standards on an par with International Financial (NNPAs) and return on assets (ROA) through Reporting Standards (IFRS). Corporate entities started self-corrective actions. complying with IndAS with effect from 2016. • Three parameters/trigger points will set the • Banning Virtual currency dealing PCA: o RBI has asked all the regulated entities, o Capital to Risk-Weighted Asset Ratio including banks, not to provide services (CRAR): between 6-9%, between 3-6% to any individual or business dealing in and less than 3% digital currencies and has given three o NPAs: months to banks to end all existing ▪ NNPAs between 10-15% (for RRBs relationships with bitcoin players having retained profit) or Gross NPAs o Finance Minister in his Budget speech (GNPAs) between 10-15% (for RRBs 2018, also said that digital currencies having accumulated losses) cannot be recognized as a legal tender ▪ NNPAs of 15% and above (for RRBs • Revamping of the Lead Bank Scheme having retained profit) or GNPAs of o Scheme would be revisited based on the 15% (for RRBs having accumulated recommendation of the “Committee of losses). Executive Directors" to make it more o ROA: falls below 0.25% relevant to changes that have taken place • When an RRB is put on PCA, the bank’s in the financial sector over the years. management should identify the cause of o About scheme: Launched in 1969 on the deterioration and take corrective measures recommended by DR Gadgil study group, promptly. it envisages lead roles of individual banks (both in public sector and private sector) 3.4. LIBERALISED REMITTANCE for the development of districts allotted SCHEME to them. ▪ Lead bank acts as a leader for Why in news? coordinating the efforts of all credit Reserve Bank of India has recently, tightened institutions in the allotted districts to reporting norms for the Liberalized Remittance increase the flow of credit to Scheme (LRS) Scheme. agriculture, small-scale industries and other economic activities included in The Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) the priority sector in the rural and • It’s a facility provided by the RBI for all resident semi-urban areas. individuals including minors to freely remit upto $ 250,000 per person per year for current and 3.3. REGIONAL RURAL BANKS capital account purposes or a combination of both. (RRB) • Regulations for the scheme are provided under the FEMA Act 1999. Why in news? • Under LRS, remittances can be made for overseas NABARD has come out with a Prompt Corrective education, travel, medical treatment, apart from Action (PCA) Framework for RRBs. maintenance of relatives living abroad, gifting and donations. The money can be remitted for the Regional Rural Bank (RRB) purchase of shares and property as well. • These are scheduled commercial banks, Restriction on Remittance – Individuals are not • Jointly owned by the Central government (50% allowed capital share), the State government concerned • to send money to countries identified as ‘non- (15%) and sponsor/public sector bank (35%). cooperative jurisdictions’ by the Financial Action • Their main purpose is to serve the rural areas, Task Force. however their branches can be established for • to entities identified as posing terrorist risks. etc urban operations as well. • for trading on the foreign exchange markets,

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purchase of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds The New norms issued by Indian companies abroad. • RBI has withdrawn the clause that forced Highlight FPIs to buy government bonds and state • Prevalent Situation development loans with at least three years o Transactions LRS are being permitted by of residual maturity. However, investment in authorised dealer (AD) banks based on bonds with maturity below a year must not the declaration made by the remitter. exceed 20% of the total investment of that o However, it is difficult for the authorised FPI. dealer banks to monitor/ensure that a • It has increased aggregate FPI investments in remitter has not breached the prescribed a single government bond to 30% of limit by approaching multiple authorised outstanding stock from 20% earlier. dealer banks. • The central bank also removed the three-year • Changed situation residual maturity rule for corporate bond o Banks will be required to upload daily investments by allowing FPIs to buy securities transaction-wise information undertaken with at least one year maturity. by them under LRS. • It has also Withdrawn the Auction o Move is aimed at improving the Mechanism, wherein FPIs were required to monitoring and ensuring compliance with purchase investment limits once the limit the LRS ceilings. utilisation breached 90 per cent of the permitted quota. The Clearing Corporation 3.5. CHANGES IN PRIORITY of India Ltd (CCIL) will monitor utilisation of SECTOR LENDING G-sec limits online. Reasons for relaxing the norms: The bond Why in news? market is struggling with lower demand and The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised rising bond yields (negative sentiments in the certain priority sector lending targets & market, falling rupee, uncertainty over interest classification rate trajectory). Changes made • From FY 2018-19 the foreign banks with 20 Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. CCIL: branches and above will have to ensure that: • The CCIL was set up in April, 2001 to provide o minimum 8% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit guaranteed clearing and settlement functions for (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent Amount of transactions in Money, G-Secs, Foreign Exchange Off-Balance Sheet Exposure (CEOBE), and Derivative markets. • It also provides non-guaranteed settlement for whichever is higher, is earmarked for Rupee interest rate derivatives and cross currency lending to the small and marginal transactions through the CLS (Continuous Linked farmers. Settlement) Bank. o minimum 7.5 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, • It has been recognised as a Qualified Central whichever is higher, is earmarked for Counterparty (QCCP) by the Reserve Bank of India lending to micro-enterprises. in 2014. • The loan limits per borrower for Micro/ • It has also set up a Trade Repository to enable Small and Medium Enterprises (Services) has financial institutions to report their transactions in been removed for classification under OTC (Over-the-counter) derivatives. priority sector. G-Secs or Government Securities: These are debt obligations issued by Central or State Governments for 3.6. FOREIGN PORTFOLIO short (Treasury Bills) or long terms (Bond or dated securities). In India, the Central Government issues INVESTMENT both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated Why in news? securities, which are called the State Development The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed its Loans (SDLs). G-Secs carry practically no risk of default rules for investments by Foreign Portfolio and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments. Investors (FPIs) in Indian bonds. Bond Yield: As investors sell bonds, prices drop and yields increase (inversely proportional). A higher bond yield indicates greater risk. If the yield offered by a bond is much higher than what it was when issued, 21 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

there is a chance that the company or government during their tenure as well as two years after that issued it is financially stressed and may not be demitting office. able to repay the capital. 3.8. ALGORITHM TRADING 3.7. NATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING AUTHORITY Why in news? Recently, Securities and Exchange Board of India Why in news? (SEBI) relaxed restrictions on algorithm trading at • Recently, Union Cabinet approved commodity derivatives exchanges. establishment of National Financial Reporting What is algorithm trading? Authority, a key recommendation under the Companies Act 2013. • Algorithmic trading refers to orders generated at a super-fast speed by use of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) advanced mathematical models that involve • It will be established as an independent automated execution of trade. regulator to oversee the auditing profession • It helps institutional investors increase the and accounting standards with jurisdiction efficiency of trade execution and spot fleeting extending to all listed companies and large trading opportunities. unlisted companies. • However, there are concerns also that it may o ICAI under the Chartered Accountants trigger a large volume of trades that magnify Act, 1949 shall continue to audit smaller the trend causing wild swings and crashes in unlisted companies. the market. o Quality Review Board will also continue quality audit in respect of private limited 3.9. START-UPS CAN SEEK companies, public unlisted companies EXEMPTION FROM ANGEL TAX and also with respect to audit of those companies delegated by NFRA. Why in news? • It will have the power to investigate Recently, the government has put in place a Chartered Accountants and their companies mechanism for start-ups to secure exemption either suo motu or on a reference for any from the ‘angel tax’ with retrospective effect. misconduct. The DIPP notification has defined a startup as an entity • NFRA will have the same powers as of a Civil that is incorporated or registered in India with Court while trying a suit. following criteria: Members of NFRA • Up to a period of seven years from the date of • It shall consist of a Chairperson, three full time incorporation/registration. For biotechnology members, nine part-time members. firms, that period is ten years • Chairperson and full-time members would be • An annual turnover not exceeding Rs 25 crore in selected through a search-cum-selection any preceding financial year, and committee headed by Cabinet Secretary • If it works towards innovation, development or • Terms of Office – The chairperson and full-time improvement of products or processes or members shall have tenure of 3 years or until services, or if it's a scalable business model with a they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is high potential of employment generation or earlier. They shall be eligible for re-appointment wealth creation. for only one more term. Angel investors invest in small startups or • In case of a part-time member, the tenure would entrepreneurs. The capital angel investors provide be not more than three years but would be may be a one-time investment to help the business eligible for re-appointment. propel or an ongoing injection of money to support • Removal – The Chairperson or members could be and carry the company through its difficult early removed by the central government if adjudged stages. insolvent, convicted of moral turpitude, mentally Background or physically incapable of performing duties, acquired financial interest, abuse his position to • Under Section 56 of I-T law, a startup render continuance. receiving equity infusion in excess of fair • Chairpersons and full-time members of NFRA value faces tax, named as angel tax. Fair should not be associated with any audit firm value is a rational and unbiased estimate of 22 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

the potential market price of a good, service, nominated through a transparent bidding or asset. process by the state government. • The law treated such equity infusion as other • States can adopt one or more options income and is accordingly taxed. depending on their requirements. However, • Many startups have received tax notices for all the three options may not be this ‘angel tax’. implemented for the same crop. • Before finalizing any model, the government Recent changes must also consider report of National • Startups with total investment including Commission for Farmers (NCF) which had funding from angel investors up to Rs 10 recommended that MSP should be at least crore can seek approval from an eight- 50% more than the weighted average cost of member government board for exemption production. from tax. MSP and procurement in India • Exempting startups from angel investment • Minimum Support Price is the price at which tax would provide easy access to funding. government purchases crops from the farmers, • However, Startups will still have to meet whatever may be the price for the crops. stringent conditions to avail the tax • MSP for certain agricultural commodities of exemption such as Kharif and Rabi season are announced by the o need to obtain a report from a merchant Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), banker specifying fair market value of Government of India at the beginning of the shares under income-tax rules increasing sowing season based on the recommendations of their costs. the Commission for Agriculture Cost and Prices (CACP). o Recognisation as an innovative startup by Some crops covered under MSP includes the inter-ministerial board of • seven cereals (paddy, wheat, barley, jowar, bajra, certification. maize and ragi); • five pulses (gram, arhar/tur, moong, urad and 3.10. FARM MSP MODELS BY lentil); NITI AAYOG • eight oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed/mustard, toria, soyabean, sunflower seed, sesamum, Why in news? safflower seed and nigerseed); In the recent Budget, the government has • cash crops: copra, raw cotton, raw jute and announced to ensure the minimum support price virginia flue cured (VFC) tobacco. (MSP) to farmers for all agricultural crops. In light 3.11. NUTRIENT BASED of this, the NITI Aayog has come out with three models. SUBSIDY SCHEME Details Why in News? • The three models are: • Recently, government has approved the o The market assurance scheme: It continuation of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) proposes procurement by States and till 2019-20. compensation of losses up to certain About Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme (NBS) extent of MSP after the procurement and price realisation out of sale of the • Under this scheme a fixed amount of subsidy procured produce. decided on annual basis, is provided to o The price deficiency procurement fertilizer companies (other than Urea) scheme depending on its nutrient content to fertilizer o Private procurement and stockist manufacturer. scheme: Under this, procurement would • Under this scheme Minimum Retail Price be done by private entrepreneurs at (MRP) of Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) MSP. The government would provide fertilizers has been left open and the some policy and tax incentives to these manufacturers/importers/marketers are entrepreneurs. The private player is allowed to fix MRP of P&K fertilizers at reasonable level.

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• MRP will be decided taking into account the up production and consumption of the international and domestic prices of P&K product, is being provided. fertilizers, exchange rate, and inventory level • Marketing: Fertilizer companies and in the country. marketing entities will also co-market City • The scheme aims: Compost with chemical fertilizers through o to ensure that adequate quantity of P&K their dealers' network. is made available to the farmers at • Under the provision of adoption, companies statutory controlled price. also adopt villages for promoting the use of o to ensure balanced use of fertilizers, compost. improve agriculture productivity, • An appropriate BIS standard/ Eco-Mark promote growth of indigenous fertilizer ensures that environment friendly quality industry and to reduce the burden of product reaches the farmers. subsidy. 3.14. PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI 3.12. INTEGRATED VIKAS YOJANA MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Why in news? Recently, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Why in news? welfare revised the guideline of Paramparagat IM-PDS is new central sector scheme that has Krishi Vikas Yojana. been approved for implementation under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana(PKVY) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public • It is an elaborated component of Soil Health Distribution Management (SHM) of major project National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). About IM-PDS • Its objectives are- • The key objectives of the scheme are o To support and promote organic farming and o To integrate PDS system/portals of thereby improving soil health. States/UTs with Central System/portals. o Reduce farmer’s dependence on fertilizers o Introduction of National Portability to and agricultural chemicals to improve yields. o Motivate the farmers for natural resource provide the option to PDS beneficiaries to mobilization for input production. lift their entitled foodgrains from the Fair o Plans to form around 10 thousand clusters in Price Shops (FPS) of their choice at the three years and cover an area of 5 Lakh national level. Presently, Andhra Pradesh, hectares under organic farming. Haryana, Delhi has started portability at • Every farmer will be provided Rs. 20,000 per acre the State level, whereas, Karnataka, in three years for seed to harvesting of crops and Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and to transport produce to the market. Telangana have also started portability in About the move the few FPS areas within the State. o De-duplication of ration cards/ • Under revised guidelines farmers will be beneficiary. eligible for an assistance of Rs 48,700 per hectare for a three-year period for adopting 3.13. CITY COMPOST SCHEME the traditional methods of cultivation and standard organic farming practices like zero- Why in news? budget natural farming and permaculture. • Recently, government has approved the • These measures include a focus on natural continuation of City Compost Scheme till practices. 2019-20. • These Traditional methods include: yogik farming, gou mata kheti, Vedic farming, About City Compost Scheme Vaishnav kheti, Ahinsa farming, Adhvoot • Market Development Assistance- under the Shivanand farming, and rishi krishi. scheme a market development assistance of Rs. 1500 per tonne of city compost for scaling

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3.15. NATIONAL BAMBOO About the Mission MISSION • Objectives of Restructured NBM o To increase the area under bamboo Why in news? plantation in non-forest Government and Recently, Cabinet approves restructured National private lands to supplement farm income Bamboo Mission under National Mission for and contribute towards resilience to Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) for 2018-2020. climate change. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) o To improve post-harvest management • It is one of the eight Missions outlined under through establishment of innovative National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) primary processing units, treatment and • Aim: Promoting sustainable agriculture through a seasoning plants, primary treatment and series of adaptation measures focusing on ten key seasoning plants, preservation dimensions encompassing Indian agriculture technologies and market infrastructure. namely; ‘Improved crop seeds, livestock and fish o To promote product development at cultures’, ‘Water Use Efficiency’, ‘Pest micro, small and medium levels and feed Management’, ‘Improved Farm Practices’, bigger industry. ‘Nutrient Management’, ‘Agricultural insurance’, o To rejuvenate the under developed ‘Credit support’, ‘Markets’, ‘Access to Information’ and ‘Livelihood diversification’. bamboo industry in India. • Focus: To infuse the judicious utilization of o To promote skill development, capacity resources of commons through community-based building, awareness generation for approach. development of bamboo sector. • Implementation strategy and targets of Background Mission • National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was o The Mission will focus on development of launched by Government as a Centrally bamboo in limited States where it has Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07 and was social, commercial and economical subsumed under Mission for Integrated advantage with focus on genetically Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during superior planting material of bamboo 2014-15. species of commercial and industrial • Government has taken out bamboo from the demand. tree category (in non-forest areas) to o Adoption of end to end solution in encourage people to grow bamboo on bamboo sector i.e. complete value chain private lands, thus, enhance the green cover approach starting from bamboo growers and carbon stock of the country. to consumers would be emphasized. • According to government in the FY 2016-17, o Mission has been developed as a Export value of Indian bamboo stand at Rs 18 platform for integration of crore while it's import value is around Rs 25 Ministries/Departments/Agencies with crore. implementation responsibilities given based on their mandate. Bamboo in India o Capacity building of the officials, field • India has 125 indigeneous and 11 exotic bamboo species belonging to 23 genera, in which more functionaries, entrepreneurs and farmers than 50% of the Indian bamboo resource is through skill development and trainings confined to North-East. will be emphasised. • India is only second to China in bamboo reserves, o Focus will be given on Research & accounting for 20 per cent of the global Development (R&D) to increase the production production and productivity of bamboo. • Bamboo Area: According to India State of Forest • State covered: North Eastern region and Report (ISFR) 2017, bamboo-bearing area in States including Madhya Pradesh, country is estimated at 15.69 million ha. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, • Applications of Bamboo: use in building Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, materials, agricultural implements, furniture, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil musical instruments, food items, handicrafts, large bamboo based industries (paper pulp, rayon Nadu and Kerala. etc.), packaging, etc.

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• Empowerment of Executive Committee for More about news formulation of guidelines of the NBM and to • As per Government of India, out of 18,452 make the changes therein. villages in India that were power deprived 3 3.16. NORTH-EAST years ago, 17,181 have been electrified. Others are uninhabited or classified as INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT grazing reserves. SCHEME (NEIDS) • According to DDUGJY website, 99.8% of census villages had been electrified by Why in news? February, 2018, while “intensive Recently, Union Cabinet approved the North East electrification” (household electrification) Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) 2017 up has been completed in around 80% of to March 2020. villages. More about scheme Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY): Launched in 2014, components of • Objective: To promote employment in the DDUGJY include: North East States including Sikkim, the government is incentivizing primarily the • Separation of agricultural and non- MSME Sector through this scheme agricultural electricity feeders to improve • Various specific incentives given under the supply for consumers in rural areas. scheme includes incentive on capital • Improving sub-transmission and distribution investment in Plant & Machinery; interest infrastructure in rural areas. incentive on credit; reimbursement of • Rural electrification by carrying forward insurance premium to the tune of 100% for 5 targets specified under the RGGVY. years; reimbursement of central government • The central government provides 60% of the share of GST and income tax; transport project cost as grant, the state power incentive and employment incentive through distribution companies (discoms) raise 10% part contribution to EPF. of the funds, and 30% is borrowed from • There is an overall cap of Rs. 200 crores per financial institutions and banks. units for all components of incentives. • Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd (REC), is the nodal agency for executing DDUGJY. 3.17. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION 3.18. UNNATI PROJECT Why in news? Why in news? Recently, Government achieved village electrification targets under 'Deen Dayal Under Project UNNATI 86 out 116 initiatives have Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana' (DDUGJY). been implemented for various major ports. GARV II APP: Power ministry launched GARV app to About UNNATI Project provide real time data about rural electrification in all villages of the country. • It was launched by Ministry of Shipping with National Rural Electrification Policy, 2006 following objectives: • It was notified in compliance with the Electricity o Benchmark operational and financial Act, 2003 by the Central Government. performance of the 12 major ports with • According to it, an electrified village is defined as selected Indian private ports and best-in- one that has the following: class international ports for identifying o provision of basic infrastructure such as improvement areas. distribution transformers and lines in the o Undertake capability maturity inhabited locality, assessment for key processes and o provision of electricity in public places like functional capabilities and identify gap schools, panchayat office, health centers, and areas for further strengthening dispensaries, and community centers, and o At least 10% of the total numbers of o Detailed deep-dive diagnosis and root households in the village are electrified. cause analysis for the identified opportunity areas in each of the 12 major

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ports to understand underlying reasons • PMGSY-II aims to cover upgradation of for performance bottlenecks. existing selected rural roads based on a o Develop practical and actionable criterion to make the road network vibrant. solutions on the basis of root cause • PMGSY-III is also proposed for upgradation of findings, and develop a comprehensive 1.07 lakh kilometers. For this, the annual improvement roadmap for each of the 12 funding support of Rs. 19000 crore from the major ports. Central Government will be maintained upto 2022. 3.19. PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM Related information SADAK YOJANA (PMGSY) • Core Network is the network of all the Rural Why in news? Roads that are necessary to provide basic access to all the Habitations. Basic access is defined as Recently, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found single all-weather road connectivity to each issues in the implementation of PMGSY. Habitation. • The effort under the PMGSY is to provide single About Parliamentary Accounts Committee all-weather road connectivity to each eligible • It is a joint committee consisting of 15 members Habitation by way of connecting it to another from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. Habitation having all-weather connectivity or to • Since 1967, its chairman by convention is selected an all-weather road, in such a way that there is from the Opposition parties. access to, inter alia, Market Centres. • Primary Functions of the Committee: In • Core Network is extracted out of the total scrutinizing the Appropriation Accounts and the Network mentioned in the DRRP and consists of Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General. existing roads as well as the roads required to be About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana constructed to the as yet unconnected (PMGSY) Habitations. • However, it will not consist of all the existing • It’s a centrally sponsored flagship scheme of roads of the DRRP since the objective is to the Ministry of Rural development. establish ‘basic access’ i.e., one all-weather road • Objective: to provide all-weather rural road connectivity to each habitation. connectivity and to access eligible • It is primarily intended to mark out the essential unconnected habitations as a strategy for network that is required to be maintained in good condition at all times. poverty alleviation and to overcome deficiencies in rural road planning, Issues highlighted by the Report inadequacy and unpredictability of funds and • States deviated from the prescribed lack of maintenance of rural roads. procedures while preparing District Rural • Criteria for Habitation: Habitations with 500 Road Plan (DRRP) and Core Network. populations in plain areas and 250 in hilly Consequently, eligible habitations were areas had to be connected by all-weather either left out or wrongly shown as roads. connected. • Out of a total of 1,78,184 eligible habitations • It was also found that no state has under PMGSY, 1,45,158 habitations have implemented the online fund processing and been connected till 2017, achieving 82% of even after 13 years of introduction on online the target. management, monitoring and accounting • It is aggressively encouraging use of “Green system (OMMAS), the Rural Development Technologies” and non-conventional Ministry was still relying on manual monthly materials like waste plastic, cold mix, geo- progress reports for decision making. textiles, fly-ash, iron and copper slag etc. in rural roads. 3.20. COAL BED METHANE • Mobile Application “Meri Sadak” launched (CBM) to enable citizens to register complaints regarding the quality and pace of Why in news? construction of PMGSY roads. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister gave its approval

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for amendment of Oil Fields (Regulation and • It provides developing countries with grants, Development) Act, 1948 (ORD Act, 1948). concessional loans, risk mitigation instruments, and equity that leverage significant financing from More on news the private sector, multilateral development banks • Government had earlier issued a notification (such as ADB, World Bank etc.) and other source in 2015 granting rights to Coal India Limited About SRIP and its subsidiaries for exploration and exploitation of CBM from all coal bearing • SRIP aims to install solar rooftop system of areas for which they possess mining lease for around 1 gigawatt capacity in India. coal. However, permission was required for • The entire cost of the project is estimated to Mining Lease for CBM by Ministry of be $1billion dollars out of which $500 million Petroleum and Natural gas. will be provided under a multi tranche facility • Now with new amendment, requirement of approved by ADB. permission has been done away with for CIL • However, out of the $500 million $330 and its subsidiaries. million will be provided by ADB and $170 million will be provided by Clean Technology About coal bed methane Fund (CTF). • Coal Bed Methane (CBM) is an 3.22. PILOT SCHEME FOR unconventional form of natural gas found in coal deposits or coal seams. PROCUREMENT OF AGGREGATE • It is formed during the process of POWER coalification, the transformation of plant Why in news? material into coal. • It can be recovered from underground coal Recently Central Government launched pilot before, during, or after mining operations. scheme for procurement of aggregate power. • It can also be extracted from “unminable” Details of the Scheme coal seams that are relatively deep, thin or of poor or inconsistent quality. • The scheme has been launched for • It is a cleaner and more efficient fuel than procurement of 2500 MW on competitive coal or furnace oil. basis for three years under medium term • In CBM, as opposed to conventional oil and from generated with commissioned projects gas, the production increases gradually till it but without Power Purchase Agreement. hits it peak, and so it is best suited for small • The main purpose of the scheme is to revive and medium enterprises (SMEs) who require commissioned power plants which are unable smaller amounts of fuel. to sell electricity in absence of Power Purchase Agreement. 3.21. SOLAR ROOFTOP • Under the scheme PFC Consulting Limited (A INVESTMENT PROGRAM (SRIP) wholly owned subsidiary of PFC Ltd) has been appointed as Nodal Agency and PTC India Why in news? Limited as the Aggregator. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Punjab • PTC India would sign three-year (mid-term) National Bank (PNB) have signed a $100 million Agreement for Procurement of Power with loan to finance large solar rooftop systems on successful bidders and Power Supply industrial and commercial buildings throughout Agreement with the Discoms. India. • Under the scheme a single entity can be allotted maximum capacity of 600 MW and it Climate Investment Funds: is one of the world’s also assures a minimum off-take of 55 per largest and most ambitious climate finance cent of contracted capacity. mechanisms. • The Bidding for the scheme will be conducted • It includes four key programs: o Clean Technology Fund (CTF) on DEEP e-Bidding Portal. o Forest Investment Program (FIP) DEEP e-Bidding Portal o Pilot Program Climate Resilience (PPCR) • It is an initiative of Ministry of Power to introduce o Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) uniformity and transparency in power

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procurement by the DISCOMs. 3.25. ENERGY TRANSITION • It is an e-Bidding and e-Reverse auction portal for procurement of short term power by DISCOMs. INDEX • The web portal seeks to ensure seamless flow of power from seller to buyer. Why in news? Recently, energy Transition index was released by 3.23. PRADHAN MANTRI World Economic Forum. ROZGAR PROTSAHAN YOJANA (PMRPY)

Why in news? The scope of PMRPY under Ministry of Labour & Employment has been enhanced by the cabinet. About PMRPY • Under the scheme, the government provided 8.33% of the contribution of Employers to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) (12% in case of textile, leather and footwear industry) in respect of new employees (who have joined on or after 1st April 2016) having a new Universal Account Number (UAN), with salary up to Rs 15,000/- per month. • The GoI will now contribute the employer's full admissible contribution (12%) for the first three years from the date of registration of the new employee, and for all the sectors About Energy Transition Index (ETI) including existing beneficiaries for their remaining period of three years. • It is a part of first edition of the Fostering • The scheme has a dual benefit as the Effective Energy Transition Report which employers are incentivized for increasing the builds upon previous series of Global Energy employment base of workers in the Architecture Performance Index. establishments and a large number of • It ranks countries on how well they are able workers also find jobs and access to social to balance energy security and access with security. environmental sustainability and • All establishments registered with affordability. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation • It is a composite index that focuses on (EPFO) can apply for availing benefits under tracking specific indicators to measure the the scheme. The establishments must have a energy system performance and transition valid LIN (Labour Identification Number). readiness of 114 countries. The score vary from 0-100%. 3.24. GLOBAL FINDEX REPORT • India has been ranked at 78th position which 2017 is lower than Brazil and China. • The index has been topped by Sweden Why in news? followed by Norway and Switzerland. Recently, World Bank released Global Findex Report. 3.26. INDEX OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM About Global Findex Report • It is world’s most comprehensive data set on Why in news? how adults save, borrow, make payments, India has recently earned 130th spot in the latest and manage risk. It has been prepared in annual Index of Economic Freedom. partnership with Gallup, Inc. with funding of Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation.

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About the Index • India has been ranked 60th among 130 nations and improved from 81st rank in 2015. • It is released by The Heritage Foundation and The index has been topped by Switzerland. The Wall Street Journal • The index measures economic freedom based 3.29. MENTOR INDIA on 12 quantitative and qualitative factors, grouped into four broad categories, or pillars, Why in News? of economic freedom: o Rule of Law (property rights, government • Recently, NITI Aayog launched Mentor India integrity, judicial effectiveness) campaign for Atal Tinkering Labs. o Government Size (government spending, About Mentor India Campaign tax burden, fiscal health) o Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, • It is a strategic nation building initiative to labor freedom, monetary freedom) engage leaders who can guide and mentor o Open Markets (trade freedom, students at more than 900 Atal Tinkering investment freedom, financial freedom) Labs. • Hong Kong has topped the list. • In the campaign mentors are expected to be enablers rather than instructors. 3.27. PROJECT JAL SANCHAY • It aims at maximising the impact of Atal Tinkering Labs. Why in News? • Possible areas of contribution could be; Government in June 2017, selected Project Jal building prototypes, Innovation and Design, Sanchay for the national award for excellence in inculcating leadership and self-motivation, the Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment and encouraging ideas and team building and guarantee programme (MGNREGP) mind set and behavioural change against stereotypes etc. About Project • It’s a water conservation model adopted in 3.30. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS Nalanda district of south central Bihar, to • offer farmers a solutions to their water crisis. Recently, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) removed the decades-old ban • Under it, check dams were created and on export of bulk edible oils, except mustard traditional Aahar-Pyne irrigation system and oil. Mustard oil will continue to be exported traditional water bodies were desilted and only in consumer packs up-to 5 kgs and with renovated. Awareness campaign was carried a minimum export price of $900 per tonne. out to create awareness about rainwater • Recently, cabinet has approved the harvesting. restructuring the NSDC and NSDF. NSDF has • It has improved the availability of water and given a supervisory role over NSDC's positively impacted farm production in the functions by including a provision in the areas covered by the project. Investment Management Agreement (IMA). 3.28. GLOBAL INNOVATION IMA is agreement of NSDF with NSDC for INDEX utilization of its corpus to meet the desired objectives of National Skill Development Why in news? Mission. • Recently the Unlocking Transparency by Recently, Global Innovation Index 2017 (GII) was Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and (UTTAM) App for Coal Quality Monitoring. It the World Intellectual Property Organization. has been developed by the Ministry of Coal • It is an annual index which aims to capture and Coal India Limited (CIL). the multi-dimensional facets of innovation • Recently, India became the world’s second and provide the tools that can assist in largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas tailoring policies to promote long-term (LPG) overtaking Japan, after China. Increase output growth, improved productivity, and in imports is due to Increase in household job growth. demand by nearly 8% in 2017-18 due to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Saudi 30 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

Arabia as the largest LPG exporter to India in publication of World Bank which analysis 2016. Indian economy and shares India’s growth • Recently, Cabinet delegated its power to experience and trajectory over the past approve award of block for exploration and several years and provides a long-term production of oil and gas, to the Ministry of perspective on India’s growth outlook. Finance and Ministry of Petroleum and • Recently, Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) on Natural Gas. Narmada river was declared officially o The delegation of power is for open complete. acreage licensing policy (OALP) bid • Mission Raftaar was recently launched which rounds under the Hydrocarbon targets doubling of average speeds of freights Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). trains and increasing the average speed of o Aforesaid ministries, will approve the superfast mail/express trains by 25 kmph in award based on the recommendations of the next 5 years. Loco hauled passenger a panel of secretaries, called the trains will be replaced by DEMU/MEMU over empowered committee of secretaries the next five years. It will complement (ECS). Mission 25 Tonne to increase throughput of • Recently, National Highway Authority of India the railway system. had signed its first international project agreement for upgradation of a highway in 3.31. ERRATA Myanmar. It has been funded by External 1. Article 1.1.1: Bank Recapitalisation Plan: Affairs Ministry and will be implemented on recapitalisation bonds to be issued by the EPC - PPP Model (Engineering, Procurement government will not be counted under and Construction). statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) requirement • Ministry of Electronics and IT planning to and would not be tradeable expand phased manufacturing programme, 2. Article 4.1: Goods and Services Tax: At aimed at increasing use of locally-produced the Central level, the taxes being subsumed electronic components in mobile phones, to are: Central Excise Duty, Additional Excise other product segments. The scheme would Duty, Service Tax, Additional Customs Duty promote domestic production of mobile commonly known as Countervailing Duty, and phones by providing financial and fiscal Special Additional Duty of Customs. incentives (tax relief) on components and • At the State level, the taxes being accessories used for the cellular devices in a subsumed are: State Value Added phased manner (2016-2020). Tax/Sales Tax, Entertainment Tax (other • Recently, Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) than the tax levied by the local bodies), of India launched world’s first Brass futures Central Sales Tax (levied by the Centre contract. and collected by the States), Octroi and • State-run fuel retailers IOCL, HPCL and BPCL Entry tax, Purchase Tax, Luxury tax, and recently bid for the ‘Highway Village’ which is Taxes on lottery, betting and gambling. a brand name under NHAI’s Highway 3. Article 4.2.: Capital Gains Tax Rules: The Amenities Scheme. short-term capital gains (securities sold o Under the Scheme, NHAI plans to develop within one year) are taxed at 15%. a network of sites at every 50 km • For immovable property (land or building distance along national highways with a or both) the period of holding is 24 range of amenities. months to qualify as a long term capital o The facilities having areas more than 5 asset. Earlier, this period was 36 months acres shall be developed under the brand to qualify as a long-term capital asset. name ‘Highway Village’ and facilities on • The definition of a long-term investor in area smaller than 5 acres with brand stocks for tax purposes is one year. name ‘Highway Nest’. 4. Article 10.9: National Investment And o These facilities will be developed on the Infrastructure Fund: In India, alternative public-private-partnership (PPP) model. investment funds (AIFs) are defined in • Recently, World Bank released India Regulation 2(1) (b) of Securities and Exchange Development Update. It is a biannual flagship Board of India (Alternative Investment Funds)

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Regulations, 2012. It refers to any privately jurisdiction of any regulatory agency in pooled investment fund, (whether from India. They are regulated by SEBI. Indian or foreign sources), in the form of a 5. Article 11.6: Strategic Oil Reserves: Strategic trust or a company or a body corporate or a crude oil storages at three locations namely, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Hence, in Visakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur (near India, AIFs are private funds which Udupi in Karnataka). are otherwise not coming under the

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4. ENVIRONMENT 4.1. INTERNATIONAL SOLAR What is Solar Geo-Engineering/Solar Radiation Management (SRM) ALLIANCE • It is a process through which the reflectivity Why in news? (albedo) of the Earth’s atmosphere or The founding ceremony of the International Solar surface is increased, in an attempt to offset Alliance recently took place in New Delhi. It was some of the effects of GHG-induced climate followed by the first summit of the Alliance. change. • The technique mimics big volcanic eruptions About ISA that can cool the Earth by masking the sun • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was with a veil of ash or similar other things. unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi • The methods include: and then French President Francois Hollande o Space-Based Options/Space Sunshades at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in e.g. using mirrors in space, placing vast Paris on November 30, 2015. satellites at Lagrange Point 1, space • The idea was to form a coalition of solar parasol, etc. resource-rich countries to collaborate on o Stratosphere-Based Options such as addressing the identified gaps in their energy injection of sulfate aerosols into the requirements through a common approach. stratosphere. Towards this, the ISA has set a target of 1 o Cloud-Based Options/Cloud Seeding e.g. TW of solar energy by 2030. Marine Cloud Brightening (by spraying a • It is open to 121 prospective member fine seawater spray in the air), seeding countries, most of them located between of high cirrus clouds with heterogeneous the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn that ice nuclei. support the Paris Declaration. o Surface-Based Options e.g. whitening roofs, growing more reflective crops, India's Role etc. Apart from being a founding-member, India plays a significant role in the alliance in terms of being 4.3. GLOBAL COMMISSION ON a host as well as a major contributor to the THE GEOPOLITICS OF ENERGY achievement of the target. The ISA is the first TRANSFORMATION international body that will have a secretariat in India. Why in News? 4.2. SOLAR GEO-ENGINEERING • Recently, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), launched the Global Why in news? Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation. Developing Nations are planning to increase research in dimming Sunlight through man made About the Global Commission on the Geopolitics Sun-Shade to prevent climate change. of Energy Transformation Solar Radiation Management Governance Initiative • It will work to achieve a better understanding (SRMGI) of the geopolitical implications of a large- • It is an international, NGO-driven project, scale shift to renewable energy. financed by Dustin Moskovitz (co-founder of • It will analyse how higher shares of facebook) for expanding the discussion of SRM renewable energy and increased energy climate engineering research governance to efficiency will impact relations between developing countries. states and thus reshape global energy • The Royal Society, The academy of sciences for diplomacy. the developing world) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are its partners. • It will suggest how countries can thrive in the new energy economy in line with the Paris Climate Agreement objectives and the SDGs.

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International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) governments in addressing the issues of the Sand • It is an intergovernmental organisation that mining sector. supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. Sand • It serves as the principal platform for Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and international cooperation, and a repository of Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), sand is a minor policy, technology, resource and financial mineral and sand mining is regulated by the knowledge on renewable energy. respective state governments. About Sand Mining • It is Permanent Observer to United Nation. • Sand mining is a practice that is used to extract • India is a founder Member of the International sand, mainly through open pit mining. Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). • Main sources of sand are agricultural fields, • It has two main governing structures. riverbeds and floodplains, coastal and marine o IRENA Assembly takes decisions at Macro sand, lakes and reservoirs. level and gives policy guidance to IRENA. • o IRENA Council which is the main governing Sand mining is also done on beach, inland dunes body of the agency responsible for and dredged from ocean beds and river beds. implementing various decisions of the • It’s done to extract minerals such as Rutile, assembly. Ilmenite and Zircon which contain useful elements Recently, International Renewable Energy Agency’s Titanium and Zirconium. (IRENA’s) launched its long-term renewable energy Issues outlook ‘Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap • Loss of revenue for exchequer due to cartelisation to 2050’. among mining companies during auction. • Higher prices of sand in many cities due to non- 4.4. NATIONAL E-MOBILITY availability there and absence of robust monitoring mechanism or regulation by the PROGRAMME Government. • Mixing of low quality sand with usable sand Why in news leading to construction of weak buildings. Recently, Minister of Power has launched National E-Mobility Programme in India. Background • NITI Aayog has tasked seven ministries (heavy • Demand of sand in the country was around industries, power, new and renewable energy, 700 million tonnes in FY-2017 and it is road transport and shipping and highways, earth increasing at the rate of 6-7% annually. sciences, urban affairs and information • Government amended the Mineral Auction technology) with framing guidelines to encourage Rules 2015 in November 2017 to make the the use of such vehicles. auction process less cumbersome and help • Nagpur is the first city in India which is equipped states auction mineral blocks. with battery swapping and charging stations. Features of the framework About the Programme • Mining will be done as per the guidelines laid • Aim: To provide an impetus to the entire e- down in the Sustainable Sand Mining mobility ecosystem including vehicle Management Guidelines 2016 by the manufacturers, charging infrastructure MoEFCC. companies, fleet operators, service providers, etc. Steps taken by government to Promote Sustainable • It will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Mining Services Limited (EESL). • Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana • Under it, Electric Vehicles (EVs) will be (PMKKKY): It’s to be implemented by the funds procured by EESL in bulk to increase collected under District Mineral Foundations (DMF) and utilised for the welfare and aggregate demand and ensure economies of development of the mining affected areas. scale. • Mining Surveillance System (MSS): Ministry of Mines, through the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), 4.5. SAND MINING has developed the MSS in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Bhaskaracharya Why in news? Institute of Space Applications and Geo- Recently, Ministry of Mines has released a sand Informatics (BISAG) to use the space technology mining framework to assist the state to check illegal mining. 34 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

• Mining Tenement System (MTS): It will facilitate o Importing sand from other countries end to end national scale accounting of all the such as Malaysia and Philippines to meet minerals produced in the country through the requirement of coastal states. automation from the pithead to its end use, o Encouraging alternative technologies in reducing the scope for illegal mining. construction materials processing for Importance of sustainable sand mining reduced dependence on natural sand. • To ensure the conservation of the river • equilibrium and its natural environment by Affordability: can be achieved by protection & restoration of the ecological system. o Controlling the price from supply side • To ensure there is no obstruction to the river rather than through administrative flow, water transport and restoring the riparian mechanism habitats. o Reducing illegal mining, closure of • To avoid pollution of river water leading to water quarries and smuggling of sand to quality deterioration. neighboring States. • To prevent ground water pollution by prohibiting o Regulating transportation through use of sand mining on fissures where it works as filter GPS/ RFID enabled dedicated vehicles for prior to ground water recharge. better and efficient management of • To maintain the river equilibrium with the resource. application of sediment transport principles in • Business Model: States should opt out of determining the locations, period and quantity to be extracted. either of the two models depending upon their objective: Salient features of the Sustainable Sand Mining o Market Model (Simple Forward Auction) Management Guidelines, 2016: for revenue maximization by State. • It allows environment clearances for up to five o Notified/ Controlled Price Model for hectares of mine lease area for sand and minor keeping the prices and operations under minerals to be done at the district level by the control. District Environment Impact Assessment • Classification of states: as Sand surplus State, Authority headed by the District Collector. Sand sufficient State and Sand deficit State • States will give clearances for mine lease areas up on the basis of analysis of demand and to 50 hectares, while the Centre would give supply situation and to help them in framing permissions for areas larger than 50 hectares. policy and regulation according to the needs • It calls for use of technology for stringent monitoring of sand mining through tools such as of the states. bar coding, remote sensing etc. • Separate Sand Mining Policy and Rules: for • It calls for promotion of manufactured sand, each state to better manage the sector and artificial sand, fly ash and alternative technologies only the State Mining Department should be in construction materials and processes for entrusted for regulating sand mining in the reducing the dependence on naturally occurring State. sand and gravel. • District Survey Report (DSR): shall be • It also calls for training of architects and prepared by the State Government to engineers, new laws and regulations, and positive estimate the annual quantity of sand incentives to initiate a shift for lowering available in a particular district and their dependency on sand. usage. • Alternatives to sand: To meet the growing • Clearances and approvals: Responsibility of pace of urbanization and infrastructure seeking the clearances and approvals should development alternatives should be explored be given to the lessee/contractors only and like department should play the role of o Manufactured sand (M-sand) which is facilitator/ regulator only. produced by crushing of rocks, quarry • 360-degree monitoring mechanism: States stones to a stipulated size of 150 need to create and establish a robust system microns. As compared to river sand, it is to monitor and measure the mined-out cheaper and has marginally higher bond mineral at each lease location and its strength and its mortar shows higher transportation in the State. compressive strength. • Classification of the rivers: States need to o Sand produced from coal overburden. classify the rivers based on the stream orders

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i.e. stream orders I, II, III, IV and above, on Biodiversity and United Nation Convention where for stream I, II and III, sand may be to Combat Desertification. allowed to be extracted by manual means for • Peatlands face threats such as- agricultural local use in villages or towns bordering the expansion and commercial forestry, peat streams, while for order IV and above extraction and usage as fuel, waste disposal streams, bidding is done for sustainable and infrastructure development. commercial mining and usage. 4.6. BRAZZAVILLE DECLARATION

Why in news? Recently, Brazzaville Declaration was signed to promote better management and conservation of Cuvette Centrale Region in Congo Basin. About the Brazzaville Declaration • The declaration has been signed by Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Indonesia in the backdrop of the 3rd Conference of Partners of the Global Peatlands Initiatives (GPI), taking place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. • GPI is an initiative by leading experts and institutions to save peatlands as world’s largest terrestrial organic carbon stock and to prevent it being emitted. What are Peats? Importance of Peatland • Peats are a heterogeneous mixture of plant • Carbon Storage – Although they cover less material (vascular plants, mosses and humus) than 3% of the global surface, estimates that had accumulated in a water-saturated suggest that peatlands contain twice as much area and are only partially decomposed due carbon as in the world’s forest. to absence of oxygen. • Supporting unique and critically threatened • The natural areas covered by peat are called biodiversity – 37% of all the vascular plants in peatlands. Various types of peat are – swamp the peatlands of Yamal Peninsula and 10% forests, fens, bogs or mires. fish species within Malay Peninsula are only • They form where climate, bedrock and relief found in peatland ecosystem. create an area with permanent water • Supporting water cycle – by regulating water saturation i.e. either in shallow water over flow, retaining pollutants and nutrients and layers of lake sediments (called water purification, preventing intrusion of terrestrialisation) or directly on mineral soil salt water. (called palaudification). • Supporting livelihood – They are source of • They are mostly found in permafrost regions berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants in towards the poles and at high altitudes, in boreal and temperate regions and of non- coastal areas, beneath tropical rainforest and timber forest products in tropical regions. in boreal forests. Countries with largest Even the peat itself is used as fuel. peatland areas are – Russia, Canada, • As a cultural landscape and archive – They Indonesia, USA, Finland etc. hold some of the most evocative • Several multilateral conventions take archeological discoveries of last decades such peatland into consideration such as UNFCCC, as 4th millennium BCE footpath ‘sweet tracks’. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Convention They also record environmental changes.

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Solutions • It is based on a set of seven pillars with 17 minimum standards and associated criteria • Rewetting - It is an essential step in the for effective management. restoration of Peatlands as they rely on • waterlogged conditions for their survival. It addresses multiple factors which impact conservation management, including support • Plaudiculture and sustainable management for resident human populations (including techniques – It is a practice of crop their social, cultural, spiritual and economic production on wet soils, predominantly in needs), enhancing overall biodiversity peatlands. Other sustainable techniques richness, prey-base and habitat cover, and could be cultivation of fish or pursuit of eco- also considers the legal context of an area in tourism. terms of content, application and capacity of • Creating a market to finance peatland those on the ground to enforce those laws. management – Using Funding mechanism • It is driven by the CA|TS Partnership, which such as Green Bonds, private capital (equity comprises of tiger range governments, and debt), funding from government sources intergovernmental agencies, conservation etc. organisations and other institutions, such as • Restricting new agriculture & industrial Global Tiger Forum, IUCN, United Nations activities that threaten their long-term Development Program (UNDP), WWF etc. viability and developing long-term land use • The secretariat for CA|TS is hosted by WWF. policies which favour conservation and • protection of peatlands. It is a key element in realizing the ambitious goal of doubling the global tiger population 4.7. CONSERVATION ASSURED | by 2022, a commitment made by all 13 Tiger TIGER STANDARDS (CA|TS) Range Countries (TRC). • Nepal is the first TRC to implement the Why in news? process. • To date, three sites- Lansdowne Forest • Recently a survey has found that only 13 per Division in Uttarakhand, India, Chitwan cent of the tiger conservation areas meets National Park in Nepal and Sikhote-Alin the global standards of an accreditation Nature Reserve in Russia have been awarded system- the Conservation Assured | Tiger CA|TS Approved status. Standards. More on news 4.8. RISE IN RHINO • The survey is the first and largest rapid POPULATION IN KAZIRANGA assessment of site-based tiger conservation NATIONAL PARK across Asia and has been driven by 11 Why in news? conservation organisations and tiger-range governments that are part of the CA|TS • According to a recent census conducted by coalition. the Assam Forest Department, it was found • It found out that tiger monitoring is being that the population of the iconic one-horned implemented in 87 per cent of the sites and Rhino has risen from 2401 in 2015 to 2413 in all sites surveyed in South Asian and East Kaziranga National Park. Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Northern White Rhino China, India, Nepal and Russia have • The world’s last male northern white rhino named management plans. Sudan died as he was euthanised after suffering Conservation Assured (CA|TS) from "age-related complications" in the Kenya. • Now only 2 females of this subspecies are alive. • It is a management tool which sets basic Other recently Extinct Species criteria for effective management of tiger • Baiji River Dolphin – 2006 conservation reserves or other conservation • Western Black Rhino – 2011 reserves and protected areas which have • Formosan Clouded Leopard – 2013 tiger populations. • Barrier Reef Rodent – 2016 (first mammal to go extinct due to climate change)

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Kaziranga National Park 4.10. ONE PLANET ONE CITY • It is located in Assam and is one of the CHALLENGE OF WWF UNESCO world heritage site and is also located in the edge of the Eastern Himalaya Why in news? biodiversity hotspot. Recently 3 Indian cities have been selected as • It hosts two-third of the world’s Great One- national finalists in the 2017-18 edition of WWF’s horned rhinoceros. One Planet City Challenge (OPCC). • The Park area is circumscribed by the Brahmputra River, Mora Dhansiri, Diphlu and Mora Diphlu. • It has also been identified by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area and it is home to important migratory birds such as lesser white fronted goose, ferruginous duck, lesser adjutant etc. 4.9. ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA

Why in news?

The headquarters of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has been shifted from Chennai to More about the news Haryana's Ballabhgarh for better coordination • World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) works with the environment ministry. in collaboration with ICLEI - Local Animal welfare board of India Governments for Sustainability (a global network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and • The Animal Welfare Board of India is a regions committed to building a sustainable statutory advisory body established in 1962 future) to mobilize cities to participate in the under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty One Planet City Challenge. to Animals Act, 1960. • The three cities Panaji, Pune and Rajkot that • Started under the stewardship of Late Smt. are among cities in India’s Smart City Mission, Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known will now compete for the title of National and humanitarian. Global Winner. • It ensures that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, provides 4.11. EIGHTH REGIONAL 3R grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and FORUM advises the Government. Why in news? Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 • It was enacted to prevent the infliction of Recently, 8th Regional 3R Forum in Asia and unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. Pacific was held. • It extends to whole of India except J&K. • Animal welfare board of India in MoEF, was More on news established under this act. • The United Nations Centre for Regional • It regulates animal markets, dog breeders, Development (UNCRD) has been organizing aquarium and pet fish shop owners. International Regional Forum on 3Rs since • Treating animals cruelly under this act, includes: 2009 with the support of Government of o Inflicting pain through beating etc. Japan to promote the concept of Reduce, o Wilfully and unreasonably administering drugs. Reuse, Recycle in industry, service and o Caging, conveying and carrying animals agriculture sector. inappropriately as to cause pain & suffereing • The Fourth Regional 3R Forum adopted the to them Ha Noi 3R Declaration ‐ Sustainable 3R o Mutilating any animals etc. Goals for Asia and the Pacific for 2013-2023.

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• It is a legally non-binding and voluntary reproductive disorders, and disruption of the document which aims to provide a basic immune system. framework for Asia-Pacific countries to Details about the notification develop measures and programs to promote 3Rs including a set of 3R indicators for • It bans the manufacture, trade, use, import monitoring specific progress. and export of the seven toxic chemicals listed • The Indore 3R Declaration of Asian Mayors under the Stockholm Convention. on Achieving Clean Land, Clean Water and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Clean Air in Cities was adopted during the Pollutants forum. • It is a legally binding global treaty that aims to • Through this forum India aims to further protect human health and the environment from strengthen this focus through its ‘Mission the effects of persistent organic pollutants Zero Waste’ approach thereby encouraging (POPs). • cities, industries and other stakeholders to The Convention sought initially 12 chemicals, for restriction or elimination of the production and see waste as a resource. release. Now, it covers 23 chemicals. The United Nations Centre for Regional Development • The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the (UNCRD): established in 1971 based on the agreement designated interim financial mechanism for the between the United Nations (UN) and the Stockholm Convention. Government of Japan aims to achieve sustainable • India has ratified the Convention and its 12 living environment for all - safe, secure, equitable and initially listed chemicals. inclusive development in harmony with nature. Mission ZERO Waste - Swachh Bharat Mission • The notification held that industrial units or Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), persons, “shall not drain or discharge or Government is approaching, Mission ZERO Waste dispose the chemicals directly or indirectly in which aims at sound management of the solid wastes effluent treatment plant, sewage treatment generated in the country with special focus on Reduce, plant, onto any land, in public sewers, in Reuse and Recycle (3Rs). inland surface water or in marine coastal “Mission Zero Waste” complements the Swachh areas”. Bharat Mission of Government of India aiming at • It further held that the waste containing fostering creativity, innovation, green business, eco- these chemicals “shall be disposed of as per education & consumerism. the provisions of the Hazardous and Other 4.12. PERSISTENT ORGANIC Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016”. POLLUTANTS • These rules apply to hazardous and other Why in news? wastes like metal and metal bearing wastes, wastes which may contain either inorganic or • Recently, the environment ministry has organic constituents. They do not apply to notified new Regulation of Persistent Organic wastes covered under other acts such as Pollutants (POP) Rules, 2018. waste-water and exhaust gases, radio-active What are POPs? wastes, bio-medical wastes and municipal • POPs are organic chemical substances—toxic to solid wastes. both humans and wildlife—which once released into the environment remain intact for years on 4.13. E-WASTE (MANAGEMENT) end. AMENDMENT RULES, 2018 • They become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes and Why in News? accumulate in the fatty tissues (thus they have to be fat soluble) of living organisms including • Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest humans. and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) amended • POPs are recognized by the International Agency the earlier E-Waste Management Rules, for Research on Cancer as Group 1 carcinogens or 2016. cancer-causing substances. Highlights of new rules • Specific effects of POPs can include cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to the • It aims to formalise the e-waste recycling central and peripheral nervous systems, sector by channelizing the E-waste generated 39 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

towards authorized dismantlers and • It includes computer and its accessories, recyclers. monitors, printers, keyboards, central • Phase wise Collection: It introduced the processing units; typewriters, mobile phones phase-wise collection targets for e-waste, and chargers, remotes, compact discs, which shall be 10% of the quantity of waste headphones, batteries, LCD/Plasma TVs, air generation as indicated in the Extended conditioners, refrigerators and other Producer Responsibility (EPR) Plan during household appliances. 2017-18, with a 10% increase every year until • India is 5th largest producer of e-waste. 2023. After 2023 onwards, the target has • The main sources of electronic waste in India been made 70% of the quantity of waste are the government, public and private generation as indicated in the EPR Plan. (industrial) sectors, which account for almost • Separate e-waste collection targets have 71% of total waste generation. been drafted for new producers, i.e., those • About 90.5% of the e-waste in India is being producers whose number of years of sales handled by the informal sector. operation is less than the average lives of Effects of E-Waste their products. • Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS): Source of e- Constituent Health effects Under this, cost for sampling and testing shall wastes be borne by the government for conducting Damage to central Solder in the RoHS test and if the product does not and peripheral printed circuit comply with RoHS provisions the cost will be nervous systems, boards, glass borne by the Producers. blood systems and panels and Lead (PB) • Producer Responsibility Organizations kidney damage. gaskets in (PROs) shall apply to the Central Pollution Affects brain computer Control board (CPCB) for registration to development of monitors undertake activities prescribed in the Rules. children. PROs are organisations that helps producers Toxic irreversible meet their EPR targets through various effects on human recyclers and dismantlers. health. Chip resistors Cadmium Accumulates in About E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and (CD) kidney and liver. semiconductors • It is applicable to all the stakeholders such as Causes neural Producer Responsiblilty Organisations, damage. Consumers, Dismantlers, Recyclers, Dealers, Teratogenic. Manufacturers etc. Chronic damage to • It adopted collection mechanism-based the brain. approach which includes collection centre, Relays and Respiratory and collection point, and take back system etc. for switches, Mercury skin disorders due collection by Producers under EPR. printed circuit (Hg) to bioaccumulation • It covered even components and spare parts boards in fishes. of electric & electronic equipments. Mercury It causes Minamata containing lamps like CFLs were also disease. included. Corrosion • It has the interest-bearing Deposit Refund protection of Scheme charged by the producer to the untreated and Hexavalent Asthmatic consumer at the time of purchase. galvanized steel chromium bronchitis. • It introduced Pan India EPR Authorization by plates, (Cr) VI DNA damage. CPCB replacing the state wise EPR decorator or authorization. hardner for What is e-waste? steel housings Cabling and Plastics Burning produces • E-waste" is a popular, informal name for computer including dioxin. It causes electronic products nearing the end of their housing PVC Reproductive and "useful life. 40 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

developmental collection, recycling and recovery targets for problems; all types of electrical and electronic goods. Immune system • Global E-waste Monitor 2017 report was damage; released by United Nations University (UNU), Interfere with the International Telecommunication Union regulatory (ITU), and the International Solid Waste hormones Association (ISWA) which suggests countries Plastic housing Brominated should come up with legislation to promote of electronic flame Disrupts endocrine circular economy models in which the e- equipments and retardants system functions waste is treated as resource rather than circuit boards. (BFR) waste. Short term exposure causes: 4.14. BIO-MEDICAL WASTE Front panel of Barium (Ba) Muscle weakness; MANAGEMENT RULES, 2018 CRTs Damage to heart, Why in news? liver and spleen. Carcinogenic (lung Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest and cancer) Climate Change released the amendments to Bio- Inhalation of fumes medical Waste Management Rules. and dust. Causes Beryllium What is Bio-medical Waste? Motherboard chronic beryllium (Be) • Bio-medical waste consists of any waste which is disease or generated during diagnosis, treatment or beryllicosis. immunisation of human beings or animals or in Skin diseases such research activities. as warts. • It includes syringes, needles, cotton swabs, vials that may contain bodily liquids and spread Efforts at international level infections. • • The fundamental aims of the Basel It has been found that only 15% of the bio- medical waste that is generated is hazardous. Convention are the control and reduction of However, all the waste needs to be treated. transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes including the prevention and Context minimization of their generation, the • Government had notified Bio-medical Waste environmentally sound management of such Management Rules in 1998 under the wastes and the active promotion of the Environment Protection Act 1986 which transfer and use of technologies. were later amended twice in 2000 and 2003. • The Bamako Convention on the Ban of the • In 2016 government notified revamped Bio- Import into Africa and the Control of medical Waste (BMW) Management Rules Transboundary Movement of Hazardous 2016 to enhance, widen and bring a Wastes aims to protect human health and comprehensive regime for bio-waste environment from dangers posed by management. hazardous wastes by reducing their • The latest amendments have been further generation to a minimum in terms of quantity introduced to improve compliance and and/or hazardous potential. strengthen the implementation of • Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed environmentally sound management of Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain biomedical waste. Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade regulates trade in hazardous wastes Features of Bio-medical Waste Management but contains no commitment to reduce their (Amendment) Rules 2018 use and release • Bio-medical waste generators i.e. hospitals, • The Waste Electrical and Electronic clinics, vaccination camps etc. will now be Equipment (WEEE) Directive is the European required to phase out the use of chlorinated Community directive on waste electrical and plastic bags and gloves by March 2019. electronic equipment which aims at setting

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• Common biomedical waste treatment facility About Plastic Waste Management Rule 2016 (CBMWTF) shall establish GPS and Bar • It defines the minimum thickness of plastic carry coding facility in accordance with guidelines bags i.e. 50 microns. This would increase the cost issued by the CPCB. and the tendency to provide free carry bags would come down. • Pre-treatment of Bio-medical waste – Every • Responsibility of local bodies: Rural areas are occupier of health care facility needs to pre- brought under the rules. treat the laboratory waste, microbiological • Extended Producer Responsibility: Producers and waste, blood samples etc. on-site in brand owners are responsible for collecting waste accordance with guidelines on safe generated from their products. management of wastes from health care • Record Keeping: Producers are to keep a record activities by WHO and WHO Blue Book 2014 of their vendors to whom they have supplied raw and then send it to CBMWTF for final materials. disposal. • Responsibility of waste generator: All • All healthcare facilities shall provide annual institutional generators of plastic waste shall report on its website within two years of the segregate and store their waste as per Waste publication of the amended rules. Management Rules, and handover segregated wastes to authorized waste disposal facilities. Features of Bio-medical Waste Management Rules • Responsibility of street vendors and retailers: 2016 they shall not sell commodities to consumer in • Widened jurisdiction – The ambit of the rules was carry bags or plastic sheet or multi-layered widened to include vaccination camps, blood packaging, which are not manufactured and donation camps, surgical camps etc. labelled or marked. • Better segregation – Bio-medical waste has been • Road Construction: Local bodies shall encourage classified into 4 categories instead of 10 namely – the use of plastic waste (preferably the plastic Untreated human anatomical waste, Animal waste which cannot be further recycled) for road anatomical waste, Soiled waste and construction. Biotechnology waste. Highlights of the New Rule- • Bar-code system for bags or containers to be established containing bio-medical waste for • New Central registration system- shall be disposal. established by Central Pollution Control • Training and Immunisation – Regular training to Board (CPCB) for the registration of the all its health care workers and immunising all producer/importer/brand owner. health workers. • Automated- It provides that any mechanism • Stringent pollution norms for incinerator to reduce the emission of pollutants in environment for the registration should be automated and including the emission limits for Dioxins and should take into account ease of doing furans. business for producers, recyclers and • Phasing out of use of chlorinated plastic bags, manufacturers gloves and blood bags within 2 years. • Pricing Mechanism- The rule for providing • Procedure of Disposal –The biomedical waste the plastic waste management fee, by the must be segregated in coloured bags according to vendors/shopkeepers who are willing to the category of the waste. It can be stored up till provide plastic bags, has been removed. 48hrs after which it is either needed to be treated • Non-recyclable multi-layered plastic- The at in-situ site or collected by the worker from 2016 Rules state that the manufacture and CBMWTF. use of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic 4.15. PLASTIC WASTE should be phased out in two years. In the MANAGEMENT (AMENDMENT) 2018 Rules, non-recyclable multi-layered plastic has been replaced with multi-layered RULES, 2018 plastic which is non-recyclable or nonenergy recoverable or with no alternate use. Why in News?

• Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) amended the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

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4.16. NATIONAL BIOGAS AND quantity of organic matter available for oxygen consuming bacteria. MANURE MANAGEMENT • Chemical Oxygen Demand: It measures the PROGRAMME capacity of water to consume O2 during the decomposition of organic matter and oxidation Why in news? of Inorganic Chemical such as Ammonia and Nitrite. The COD test is often used as an Recently, Ministry of New and Renewable alternative to BOD due to shorter length of Energy (MNRE) has fixed a target to set up 65,180 testing time. biogas plants in current year under the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme More on news (NBMMP). • This initiative is a part of bigger project which Background plans to have multiple floating boats cruising the 3,500-km Brahmaputra river and • Biogas Plant generates biogas from organic collecting water samples to track its health. substances such as cattle dung, and other • Various tests (for nitrogen, chlorine etc.) and bio-degradable materials such as biomass calculations (for Biochemical Oxygen demand from farms, gardens, kitchens and night soil and Chemical oxygen demand) are also being wastes etc. through anaerobic digestion done. (AD). • Water temperature affects nearly every other • As per Census 2011, about 65.9 percent of watery quality parameter – Total dissolved households depend on solid biomass, solids (TDS), Salinity, Conductivity, Dissolved including firewood, crop residue and cow oxygen, Density, Metabolic rate & dung as primary fuel for cooking in India. photosynthesis, carbon dioxide, Ph, and • Bio-fuels are expected to contribute 5000 compound toxicity. MW to the overall renewable energy target of 175,000 MW by 2022. 4.18. CLIMATE RESILIENT About the programme AGRICULTURE • It is a Central Sector Scheme, which aims at Why in news? setting up of family type biogas plants for providing biogas as clean cooking fuel and a • Recently, Government of India, Government source of lighting in rural and semi-urban of Maharashtra and the World Bank signed a areas of the country. US$ 420 million loan for Maharashtra Project • The programme is being implemented under for Climate Resilient Agriculture. ministry of New and Renewable energy by National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture the State Nodal Departments/State Nodal (NICRA) Agencies and Khadi and Village Industries • It’s a network project of the Indian Council of Commission (KVIC), Biogas Development and Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched in 2011. Training Centers (BDTCs). Objectives • To enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture 4.17. FLOATING LABORATORY covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic OVER LOKTAK LAKE variability and climate change through development and application of improved Why in news? production and risk management technologies • To demonstrate site specific technology packages • Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable on farmers’ fields for adapting to current climate Development (IBSD), Imphal has started a risks project to record changes in the • To enhance the capacity building of scientists and temperature, acidity, conductivity and other stakeholders in climate resilient agricultural dissolved-oxygen in the 300-sq km Loktak research and its application lake. • The project consists of four components viz. • Biochemical Oxygen Demand: It is the amount of Strategic Research, Technology Demonstration, O2 required by aerobic organisms to break down Capacity Building and Sponsored/Competitive organic materials present in a given water Grants. sample. A higher BOD means means higher 43 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) • Zone V includes- o Entire north-eastern region, • Food and Agricultural Organisation of the o Parts of Jammu and Kashmir, United Nations (FAO), which defines CSA as o Himachal Pradesh, “agriculture that sustainably increases o Uttarakhand, productivity, enhances resilience o The Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, (adaptation), reduces/removes GHGs o Parts of north Bihar and (mitigation) where possible, and enhances o The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. achievement of national food security and • Zone IV includes- development goals”. o Parts of Jammu and Kashmir, o Delhi, 4.19. QUAKE PRONE INDIAN o Sikkim, o Northern Uttar Pradesh, CITIES o West Bengal, o Gujarat and Why in News? o A small part of Maharashtra. • Latest studies conducted by National Centre for Seismology (NCS) state that 29 Cities and 4.20. FOREST FIRES AND THEIR towns in India which also include Delhi and MANAGEMENT IN INDIA Capital of 9 States, fall under “severe” to Why in news? “very severe” seismic zone category. National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry National Centre for Seismology of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to • NCS comes under the India Meteorological finalise the National Policy on Forest Fire. Department (IMD). Related information • NCS, records earthquakes and carries out studies pertaining to microzonation of cities • According to Global Forest Watch, India has to analyse the possible impacts of witnessed a 125% spike in forest fires earthquake. between 2015 and 2017. In 2017, 23 out of • NCS has carried out Microzonation studies of 33 states and union territories reported an cities like Delhi and Kolkata. increase in forest fires with maximum number of forest fires were reported in Seismic microzonation Madhya Pradesh (4,781) followed by Odisha • It is the process of subdividing a region into (4,416) and Chhattisgarh (4,373). smaller areas which have different potential • According to India State of Forest Report for hazardous earthquake effects. (ISFR) maximum number of forest fires occurs in Open Forest (OF) followed by India Quake Moderately Dense Forests (MDF). About 70% • It is a Mobile App which has been developed forest fires in India occur in the tropical dry by the NCS for automatic dissemination of forests encompassing scrub, savanna earthquake parameter (location, time and grassland, dry and moist-deciduous forests. magnitude) after the occurrence of • Fire prone region: Himalayan regions and the earthquakes. dry deciduous forests of India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Earthquake Prone Zone Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, • Bureau of Indian Standards, based on the past Maharashtra and Odisha are ecologically seismic history, grouped the country into four sensitive areas and are most affected by seismic zones, viz. Zone-II, -III, -IV and –V. these fires. • Zone II is considered the least seismically active, • According to State of India’s Environment while Zone V is the most active. report, budget to fight forest fires has been • The Himalayan arc, stretching from the upper reduced by 14-72% in 13 states in 2017. Assam region to Jammu and Kashmir, is known to • A report titled Forest Fire Disaster be a high seismic zone. Management, prepared by the National • Zone IV and V fall under "severe" to "very Institute of Disaster Management, about half severe" categories respectively. of India’s forests were prone to fires. 43% 44 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

were prone to occasional fires and 5% to Sensing, GPS and GIS) in frequent fires, and 1% were at high or very planning, developing and high risk. operationalising Fire prevention and management system. Steps taken by the government for Forest Fire ✓ To contribute to the larger goal Management in India of maintaining environmental • National Plan for forest fire management stability. ▪ Short Term Objectives: Forest Survey of India role in Forest Fire Monitoring ✓ To carry out effective awareness • Near real time forest fire Alerts through Forest campaign for prevention of Fire Alert System 2.0: It uses NASA’s MODIS forest fire (Moderate Resolution Imaging ✓ To effectively prevent and Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS (Visible Infrared control forest fires by improving Imaging Radiometer Suite) satellites, data to the traditional practices and pinpoint the location of forest fire boundary. employing available modern • Pre warning Alerts to State Nodal officer: It uses methods short term weather variable like forest cover, ✓ forest type, climate variables and recent fire To impart suitable training to the incidences over the area for generating warning field staff and forest fringe data. communities on fire fighting with • Burnt Scar Assessment: It's done to assess forest help of prescribed means and area affected measures by forest fires to assess methods in the forest areas damage to forest and bio-diversity as well as to ✓ To encourage community plan restoration. participation in prevention and • Forest Fire Prevention & Management control of forest fire Scheme (FFPMS) ✓ To develop and strengthen o Intensification of Forest Management Forestry Infrastructure of the Scheme was revised and replaced as States and UTs that are required Forest Fire Prevention & Management for effective prevention and Scheme in December 2017. management of forest fire. o o It's a centrally sponsored scheme with an Monitoring and Evaluation aim to focus solely on the issue of forest ▪ At National level, MoEFCCC will fire prevention & management and review the scheme and will also carry related activities, to address growing out third party evaluation after every concern over adverse effects of forest 3 years. fire. ▪ At State Level: State Forest o Objective of scheme Department will be responsible for ▪ Long Term Objectives: regular monitoring and review of ✓ To minimise forest fire achievement under the scheme. incidences, develop knowledge 4.21. REGIONAL INTEGRATED on impacts and dynamics of forest fire and assist in restoring MULTI-HAZARD EARLY productivity of forests in affected WARNING SYSTEM areas ✓ To institutionalise the Why in news? partnership with forest fringe Odisha government will collaborate with RIMES communities for forest for strengthening its early warning services and protection enhancing preparedness for management of ✓ To prepare fire danger rating hazards in the State. system and devise forest fire About RIMES forecasting system. ✓ To encourage the states/UTs for • Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early optimal use of modern Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), technology (such as Remote an inter-governmental body registered under

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the United Nations, is owned and managed o ‘Kallakkadal’ phenomenon has been by 45 collaborating countries in Asia Pacific formally approved by the United Nations and African Region. Educational, Scientific and Cultural • Objective: to establish a regional early Organization (UNESCO) in 2012. warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and 4.23. WESTERN GHATS REVEAL communication of early warning information, WORLD’S SMALLEST LAND and capacity building for preparedness and FERN response to trans-boundary hazards • The programme unit of the agency is located Why in news? in Thailand. India is the chairman of the body Recently, Indian researchers have discovered a • RIMES is already working with the Tamil Nadu fingernail-sized fern named Malvi’s adder’s- State Disaster Management Authority. tongue fern. 4.22. SWELL WAVES Fern - a flowerless plant which has feathery leaf (fronds) and reproduces by spores released from the Why in News? undersides of its leaf-like parts. Recently, Indian National Centre for Ocean About the discovery Information Services (INCOIS) forecasted about • It is the world’s smallest land fern discovered the high energy swell waves on coastal states. measuring only 1–1.2 cm. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information • It was discovered in the Ahwa forests of the Services (INCOIS) Western Ghats in Gujarat’s Dang district. • INCOIS was established as an autonomous body in • It belongs to a group known as the adder’s- 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) tongue ferns, named after their resemblance and is a unit of the Earth System Science to a snake’s tongue. Organization (ESSO). • It functions include: • It has a unique thick outer layer around its o It is Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) spores and dome shaped stomata which to provide tsunami warnings to countries on similar species lack. the Indian Ocean Rim. • The ferns are seasonal and grow with the first o It issues Potential Fishing Zone Advisories, monsoon rains. provides training courses in Operational Oceanography. 4.24. REPORTS About Swell Waves • Recently UN World Water Development • Swell Waves are collections of waves Report 2018 was released titled Nature- produced by storm winds raging hundreds of based solutions (NBS) for water. miles out to sea, rather than the product of • Birdlife International recently released 2018 local winds along the beaches. State of the World’s Birds report which • It is formed through a combination of wind contains a five-year compendium of strength, wind duration and fetch. The population data of birds. present event is associated with massive • World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ripples that form on the sea due to winds recently released its State of the Global coming from as far away as Madagascar. Climate in 2017. • The low-pressure system named ‘Cut off o 2017 was 2nd warmest year on record Lows’ blocked the normal course of westerly after 2016, and the warmest non-EL Nino winds present in the southern Indian ocean year. during the period causing propagation of high o Total global disaster losses from climate- swell waves towards Indian coasts. related events in 2017 stood at • Low-pressure areas or stronger weather US$ 320 billion making 2017 the most systems here send out high waves, with no expensive year on record. signs in the local winds along the south-west o Cryosphere continued to shrink, with coast of India, in a phenomenon locally Artic and Antartic sea ice well below known as ‘Kallakkadal’ (the naughty seas). average. Cryosphere is the frozen water

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part of the Earth which includes the 4.25. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS continental ice sheets found in Greenland and Antarctica, as well as ice caps, • Recently, Diu became India’s first union glaciers, and areas of snow and territory to run 100% on solar power. permafrost. It also includes frozen parts • IMPPAT (Indian Medicinal Plant, of the ocean, such as waters surrounding Phytochemistry and Therapeutics), the Antarctica and the Arctic and frozen largest database of Indian medicinal plants rivers and lakes, which mainly occur in and phytochemicals released by them, has polar areas. been built by a team of the Institute of

Mathematical Sciences, Chennai through

literature mining from several texts.

• Recently, world’s largest solar park Shakti

Sthala was launched in Karnataka with a capacity of 2,000 MW.

4.26. ERRATA

Article 3.6.4.: India Awarded by Cites: Olive

Ridley Turtle, Leatherback Turtle and Loggerhead

Turtle all are vulnerable.

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5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 5.1. E-CIGARETTES • Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transferring eggs and sperm Why in news? into the woman’s fallopian tube. So fertilization occurs in the woman’s body. The government recently quoted a WHO report • Surrogacy is a form of ART in which a woman to state that there is sufficient evidence to warn (the surrogate) carries a child for another children, adolescents, pregnant women, and person or couple with the intention of women of reproductive age against use of e- giving the child to that person or couple after cigarettes. birth. About E-Cigarettes • Artificial insemination involves insertion of a • E-cigarettes are a type of Electronic Nicotine male partner’s semen through the female’s Delivery Systems (ENDS) which claims to cervix and into the uterus at or just before emit nicotine without other harmful the time of ovulation. chemicals that are present in normal 5.3. PROJECT DHOOP cigarettes. • They aim to provide a similar sensation to Why in news? inhaling tobacco smoke, without the smoke and are sold as aids to reduce or quit Recently the Project Dhoop has been launched by smoking. Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI). • They produce an aerosol by heating a fluid About the Project Dhoop that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, • It is a nationwide campaign launched by and other chemicals which is then inhaled by FSSAI along with NCERT, New Delhi Municipal users of e-cigarettes. Council and North MCD Schools to spread • Smoking e-cigarettes is also called vaping. awareness about consumption of Vitamin D through natural sun light and consuming 5.2. ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE fortified food among school going children. TECHNOLOGY (REGULATION) • The project urges the schools to shift their BILL morning assembly timing to noon time so that children are able to absorb optimum Why in news? levels of Vitamin D through natural sunlight. Recently, Draft Assisted Reproductive Technology • It will ensure that the children are exposed to (ART) (Regulation) Bill, 2017 was released by sun light that will give them the required 90% Department of Health Research under Ministry of of Vitamin through sun light. Health & Family Welfare. • The sunshine from 11AM to 1PM is most beneficial for bones of human body because More on news during that time the best UVB radiation is Assisted reproductive treatment (ART), also received during this time. Thus the innovative known as assisted reproductive Noon Assembly is very beneficial for the technology, refers to treatments used to assist children. people in achieving a pregnancy. Common Vitamin D and its importance for the body methods of ART include- • Vitamin D is essential for the development of • In vitro fertilization (IVF) means fertilization human bones. It facilitates absorption of outside of the body. In IVF, the woman’s eggs calcium and phosphorus by intestines and are collected, along with sperm from the their retention in the body and deposition in male partner or donor. The egg and sperm bones and teeth. are left in a culture dish in the laboratory to • When skin is exposed to sun, the allow the egg to be fertilised. If fertilisation cholesterolin in the skin converts the occurs and an embryo develops, the embryo cholesterol to Vitamin D via additional is then placed into the woman's uterus in a conversions in the liver and kidneys. procedure called an embryo transfer.

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• The deficiency of Vitamin D can cause Rickets parasites, pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in children and Osteomalacia in adults, • Gamma rays from radioisotope cobalt-60 and whereas acute deficiency could lead to brain, electron beams or X-rays from machine based cardiovascular and kidney damage. radiation sources can be used for processing food commodities. • Source of Vitamin D – Fish liver oil, egg yolk, • Radiation processed foods are those that have milk, liver etc. been exposed to radiation to bring about the desired effect in food. Radioactive foods, on the 5.4. EARTH BIO-GENOME other hand, are those that become contaminated PROJECT (EBP) with radionuclides.

Why in news? Advantages of radiation processing are: Recently, Earth Bio-Genome Project was • Significant increase in shelf life for many announced through a paper titled- “Earth Bio- products including fruits, vegetables, cereals, Genome Project: Sequencing life for the future of pulses, spices, sea foods and meat products. life”. • Effective elimination of harmful bacteria, About Earth Genome Project viruses and insects/pests. • Cold (no temperature increase) and clean • It is an international consortium of scientists process (no chemical residue) which will undertake the project that aims to • Treatment after final packaging to avoid sequence, catalogue, and characterize the recontamination genomes of every eukaryotic biodiversity on • Destruction of microbes responsible for food Earth over a period of 10 years to sequence spoilage 1.5 million species in three phases. • Elimination of parasites and pathogens of • There are about 8 million eukaryotic species public health importance in food. and only 0.2% of eukaryotic genome have been sequenced so far which are still in the 5.6. FOSCORIS SYSTEM crudest form. • However the EBP project will help to create a Why in News? detailed genetic sequence and reveal • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India evolutionary connections among genus, (FSSAI) has directed states to implement a orders and families that will make up the web-based real-time inspection platform for Digital Library of life. food safety officers (FSOs). Eukaryotic – These organisms whose cells are • FoSCoRIS will bring together all key organized into complex structures by internal stakeholders- food businesses, food safety membranes and a cytoskeleton. E.g. Humans, animals officers (FSOs), designated officers, state and plants food safety commissioners, on a nation-wide Prokaryotic – these are the organisms with single cell IT platform. nucleus bacteria and archaea About Food Safety Compliance through Regular 5.5. IRRADIATION OF FOOD Inspections and Sampling’ (FoSCoRIS) system Why in news? • FoSCoRIS system uses time stamping, geo- Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) & Bhabha tagging, real-time data collection and Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in particular is multiple levels of verifications. engaged in extensive research on use of radiation • This system can be used through Mobile processing for extending shelf life of food Phones and Tablets and requires internet products. connectivity. • FoSCoRIS will replace the current system of Radiation process ad hoc and subjective inspection and • Radiation is a physical process in which food and sampling. agricultural commodities are exposed to controlled doses of radiant energy to achieve • Through FoSCoRIS, details of the food safety desirable effects such as inhibition of sprouting officer’s location and the area of FSO will be and ripening, and destroying insect pests, collected on a real-time basis.

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• Details of every Login and Logout time and Why the organ was not located earlier? location will be collected on the central The traditional methods for examining body server of the system. tissues had missed the interstitium because the • FoSCoRIS result can be used as an evidence “fixing” method for assembling medical under IPC, thus it has legal implications. microscope slides involves draining away ‘One Nation One Food Law’ initiative fluid - therefore destroying the organ’s structure. • Despite a single nationwide Act, (Food Safety and Standards Act) implementation across individual 5.8. DISEASE 'X' states and UTs remains fragmented and inconsistent, which has been an area of deep Why in news? concern. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued • To address the concern, FSSAI has launched One a global alert for ‘Disease X’. Nation One Food Law’ initiative. • This will also help in enhancing Ease of Doing More about the news Business in India. • WHO in its 2018 annual review of the Food regulatory portal • This has been based upon the principle of One Blueprint priority diseases has listed this new Nation One Food Law. and potentially dangerous pathogen along • A single interface for food businesses to cater to with eight better-known diseases such as both domestic operations and food imports, MERS and Marburg Virus, that could possibly portal will help in effective implementation of spark an international epidemic. Food Safety Laws. • The Blueprint review lists diseases and • Food Regulatory Portal for food businesses pathogens to prioritise for research and focuses on six key areas development. These diseases pose major o Food standards, public health risks, and further research and o Consistent enforcement, development is needed, including o Hassle free food imports, surveillance and diagnostics. o Credible food testing, o Codified food safety practices, and What is Disease X? o Training and capacity building. • “Disease X” is not a newly identified killer 5.7. INTERSTITIUM pathogen. It’s a so called “known unknown” — that could be created by different reasons Why in news? like biological mutation such as Spanish Flu or A new human organ called Interstitium has been HIV or it might be spawned by a terror attack, identified by the scientists. Excluding Interstitium, or simply an accident. 79 organs have been identified within human • Disease X represents the knowledge that a body by now. serious international epidemic could be caused by a currently unknown pathogen. Details about Interstitium • They are fluid filled compartments found 5.9. MOBILE ENZYME LINKED beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join (MELISA) together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins. Why in news? • They were earlier considered as dense Scientists have developed a new portable blood connective tissue. testing technology called MELISA. • They may act as “shock absorbers” that protect body tissues from damage. More about MELISA • This newly discovered organ may help in • It is a new miniature mobile phone-based understanding of the spread of cancer in system for ELISA (Enzyme Linked human body. Immunosorbent Assay). • Interstitium is among one of the largest • ELISA is an important technology for organs of human body. biochemical analysis of proteins and hormones and is critical for the diagnosis of

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many diseases, such as HIV and Lyme become ineffective after its three rubidium Disease. Traditional systems for ELISA atomic clocks failed. incubation and reading are expensive and • It will be placed in a sub-geosynchronous bulky, thus cannot be used at point-of-care or transfer orbit and at its closest point will be in the field. 284 km above the Earth and at its farthest • The MELISA allows patients to undergo will be 20,650 km above the Earth. testing and obtain results at point-of-care. It • Like all other IRNSS satellites, IRNSS-1I will weighs just 1 pound, can be fabricated at low also carry two payloads - navigation payload cost, portable, and can transfer test results (determines position, velocity and time) and via mobile phone. ranging payload (determines the frequency range of the satellite). 5.10. BAN ON OXYTOCIN 5.12. GSAT-6A Why in News? • The Union government restricted the Why in news? manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for Recently, GSAT-6A was launched on board the domestic use to public sector only. The GSLV F08, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre government has also banned imports of the at Sriharikota. oxytocin. About Oxytocin • Oxytocin is a hormone produced in humans by the hypothalamus (a part of brain) and secreted by the pituitary gland. It is also produced in animals naturally. • Usage of Oxytocin- o During Childbirth- The hormone stimulates the uterine muscles to contract, so labor begins. It is also used to control post-delivery bleeding o Breastfeeding- It promotes lactation by moving the milk into the breast during feeding. o Human bonding activities- released

naturally during sex, it is also known as ‘love hormone’. Highlight • It has been misused for increasing milk • Launch marked the 12th flight of production in animals, increasing size of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle vegetables, accelerate puberty among GSLV-F08 and sixth flight with the indigenous trafficked girls etc. Cryogenic upper stage. • GSAT-6A, similar to GSAT-6, is a high- 5.11. IRNSS-1I SATELLITE powered S-band communication satellite Why in news? which would help improve mobile communications to handheld devices, as well ISRO launched the IRNSS-1I satellite from Satish as network management techniques useful in Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, through its satellite- based mobile communication PSLV-C41. applications. Details about IRNSS-1I • However, ISRO lost contact with its communication satellite GSAT-6A. • It is the eighth satellite to join the IRNSS satellite constellation. • IRNSS-1I will replace IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven navigation satellites, which has

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5.13. SOUNDING ROCKET: RH- 5.14. VERY SHORT-RANGE AIR 300 MKII DEFENCE SYSTEMS (VSHORAD)

Why in News? Why in news? Recently, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (IRSO) Recently, Army has begun contract negotiations successfully launched RH-300 MKII sounding for the very short-range air defence system or rocket from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch VSHORAD. Station (TERLS). More on news About TERLS • VSHORAD system should have a maximum • TERLS is an Indian spaceport operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation. range of 6 km, an altitude of 3 km and all- • It is located in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram weather capability. which is near the southern tip of mainland India, • It will replace IGLA (russian made), currently very close to earth's magnetic equator. deployed by army. • It is currently used by ISRO for launching sounding • IGLA is a man-portable air defence missile system. rockets. • IGLA is a new-generation system featuring considerably extended firing range and enhanced About the sounding rocket kill probability against aerial targets and • They take their name from the nautical term possessing a new quality for this class of systems - "to sound," which means to take high engagement effectiveness against small-size measurements. targets like cruise missiles and UAVs. • They are one or two stage solid propellant Other Air Defence Systems in India rockets with a payload of 60kg, and altitude capacity of 160km, used for probing the • Quick reaction Range Surface to Air Missile upper atmospheric regions and for space (QRSAM) research. • Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) • Objective - is to measure neutral wind in the like Akash Missile dynamo region (80-120 km) of equatorial • Medium Range Surface to Air Missile ionosphere using the indigenously developed (MRSAM) and Electron Density and Neutral Wind Probe • Long Range SAM (LRSAM) which can handle (ENWi) and perform cross-validation using an multi-threat level and also more robust to independent Tri Methyl Aluminium (TMA) deal with various types of Aerial Threat. release technique. • They also serve as easily affordable 5.15. EINSTEIN RING platforms to test or prove prototypes of new Why in news? components or subsystems intended for use in launch vehicles and satellites. Recently, the Hubble Telescope discovered a light bending Einstein Ring in space. The study will enrich available atmospheric data and refine the models used for tropical weather What is an Einstein Ring? prediction. • According to the General Relativity theory Related Information of Albert Einstein, light can get deflected • In 1975, all sounding rocket activities were when passing through gravitational field of a consolidated under the Rohini Sounding Rocket massive body. Therefore, a massive object (RSR) Programme. would warp space and time. • RH-75, with a diameter of 75mm was the first • When light from a distant object/source (e.g. Indian sounding rocket, which was followed by a galaxy), pass by an extremely large RH-100 and RH-125 rockets. mass/lens (e.g. another galaxy or galaxy • Currently, operational sounding rockets- include cluster), it gets diverted and distorted three versions namely RH-200, RH-300-Mk-II and around the massive intervening cluster and RH-560-Mk-III. is forced to travel along many different light paths toward Earth, making it seem as

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though the galaxy is in several places at What is Air-Breathing Electric Thruster or Ion once. This is called Gravitational Lens effect. Thruster? • Einstein Ring is a kind of gravitational lens • It is an ion thruster which uses Air Breathing which is formed when the galaxy cluster is Electric Propulsion (ABEP) or RAM electric so closely aligned that the otherwise propulsion method. divergent light is focussed as a visible ring by them. How does ABEP works? • The rings and lenses magnify objects that • ABEP sucks in air molecules from top of the otherwise would be too distant and dim to atmosphere instead of using on-board see in today's telescopes. propellant. • When the amount of bending of light is • Then it gives these molecules an electric analyzed and the required bending mass is charge and accelerates them. greater than the visible mass of the cluster, • Finally, it ejects the ionized molecules back it shows the presence of Dark matter. into space which causes thrust. 5.16. COPERNICUS Significance of ABEP PROGRAMME • The new system is very significant as it reduces the weight of the satellite, thus Why in News? reducing the consumption of fuel. India and the European Union recently signed an • It extends the stay of satellites in space to agreement that will enable them to share earth almost indefinite time and also opens the observation data from each other's satellite. doors for deep space exploration. About the Arrangement 5.18. STEPHEN HAWKING • Copernicus Programme is Earth observation programme headed by the European Why in news Commission (EC) in partnership with the • Recently, a known theoretical physicist of his European Space Agency (ESA). time, Stephen Hawking passed away at the • India will get free, full and open access to the age of 76. data from the Copernicus Sentinel family of • He suffered from amyotrophic lateral six satellites. sclerosis, or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s • Reciprocally India will provide free, full and disease). open access to the data from ISRO’s land, ocean and atmospheric series of civilian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) satellites (Oceansat-2, Megha-Tropiques, • ALS is a neurodegenerative condition, that attacks Scatsat-1, SARAL, INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR) with the motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, the exception of commercial high-resolution hampering their ability to communicate with satellites data. muscles and control voluntary movements, • The services address six thematic areas: land, leading to eventual paralysis. marine, atmosphere, climate change, • ALS is very rare, occurring on average among two new cases per 100,000 people every year, most emergency management, and security. typically among individuals aged between 55 and 5.17. AIR-BREATHING 65. • There is currently no cure or treatment that halts ELECTRIC THRUSTER or reverses ALS Why in news? Singularities: Points where space time appeared to be infinitely curved. Recently European Space Agency (ESA) fired Albert Einstein's in his Theory Of General Relativity world’s first ever air-breathing electric thruster 1915, suggested the existence of black holes — an which could keep satellites in low orbit for longer object whose gravitational pull is so intense that once time. something passes a region known as the event horizon, there's no escape. Quantum theory: It describes the behaviour of very small particles, those smaller than an atom, like

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protons or electrons, or the even smaller ones like o Breakthrough Listen Project: It’s a $100 quarks. million program of astronomical General relativity: It describes how gravity works observations to survey one million stars, around massive objects like planets, stars and Black the galactic plane and 100 neighbouring Holes. galaxies in the search for intelligent life. o Breakthrough Message: It’s a $1 million Contribution of Stephen Hawking competition to design a message Hawking-Penrose theorem / Big Bang Theory representing Earth, life and humanity that could potentially be understood by • Sir Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking in another civilization. 1970 proved in a theorem that Einstein's o Breakthrough Watch: It’s multi-million General Relativity must break down at a dollar astronomical progam to develop certain point in Space-time under certain Earth- and space-based technologies that generic physical conditions. This point is can find Earth-like planets in our cosmic called 'Singularity' which inside a Black Hole neighborhood – and try to establish indicate towards the beginning of the whether they host life. Universe. Big Bang is now the most widely o Breakthrough Starshot: It’s a $100 accepted theory of the origin of the universe. million research and engineering Information Paradox, or Hawking Paradox, program aiming to demonstrate proof of • By using Quantum Mechanics in the General concept for a new technology, enabling Relativistic realm, he showed that Black Holes ultra-light unmanned space flight at 20% can radiate and has temperature. Emission is of the speed of light and to lay the similar to something escaping from Black foundations for a flyby mission to Alpha Holes. He also showed that because of the Centauri within a generation. emission of this thermal radiation or Hawking 5.19. MICRO-LED: THE NEXT- Radiation, the black hole would lose energy and eventually disappear or “evaporate”. GEN DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY o If the paradox is true, it would require Why in news? some radical revision of physics as it left two pillars of modern physics quantum Samsung recently demonstrated a prototype mechanics and Einstein’s general theory MicroLED based TV of 146 inches display. of relativity irreconcilable. o This could also open a path towards the final unified theory of Physics called 'Quantum Gravity' or more popularly 'The Theory of Everything'. Hawking-Hurtle state • Hawking with colleague James Hurtle developed a Quantum Mechanical model of the Universe that says the Universe is self- contained (like Earth surface which has no starting point) but has No Boundary (We can’t fall from the edge of Earth). So Universe is finite but boundary-less (Like Earth surface having finite area but no edge). Breakthrough Initiative • It was launched by Russian tech investor Yuri Milner and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, to explore the Universe, seek scientific evidence of life beyond Earth. Various component of initiative are:

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About MicroLED Comparision Between Cold Fusion Reactor and Nuclear Fusion/ Fission Reactor • It is an emerging flat panel display technology Cold Fusion Reaction Nuclear Fission/Fusion in which displays consist of arrays of No radioactive material Radioactive material is used microscopic LEDs forming the individual pixel is used as raw material elements. Uses weak nuclear Uses Strong Nuclear Force • These are simply traditional LEDs shrunk forces down and placed into an array. The LED Uses slow neutrons Uses fast neutrons with technology is not new but manufacturing a with energy below 1 eV energy 1 MeV panel array using such tiny components is No radioactive waste Radioactive waste and very difficult and currently not commercially or radiation is radiation viable over OLED. generated Potential Benefits OLEDs and MicroLEDs • LENR technology could be used to build • OLEDs are self-emissive, which means they vehicular and at-home nuclear reactors that requires no backlight; instead, it lights each provide both heat and electricity. individual pixel as needed. Like OLED, Micro • Radioactive materials can be transmuted to LED too don't need backlight. benign elements, promising a path to ridding • OLEDs are made of organic materials that the planet of thousands of tons of age, resulting in a decrease in luminance over radioactive waste. time, with the potential for uneven ageing. • Ultra-clean and Energy Dense: Cold fusion MicroLEDs being inorganic (gallium nitride) energy generators will not need to be are not as susceptible to ageing. connected to an electrical grid. Small and • This switch from organic to inorganic also portable power units will provide energy on- reduces the need for a polarizing and demand in any location. encapsulation layer, making panels thinner. • The OLED manufacturing process also limits 5.21. VATERITE - RARE the possible screen shapes and sizes. The MicroLED technology are “modular” in nature MINERALS IN PLANTS which are flexible to configure any size. Why in News? • MicroLEDs are more power-efficient than OLEDs. • Vaterite, a rare and unstable mineral, was found on the leaves of a number of alpine 5.20. COLD FUSION REACTOR plants. This is the first-time rare minerals have been found to be associated with the Why in News? plants. India is taking steps to start research into Cold About Vaterite Fusion Reactor. • Vaterite is a mineral, a polymorph (a solid Cold Fusion Reactor chemical compound that exists in more than • Cold Fusion Reaction or Low Energy Nuclear one crystalline form) of calcium carbonate Reaction (LENR) technology is nuclear fusion (CaCO3). supposedly occurring at or close to room • Being unstable in Earth’s humid atmosphere, temperature and is still in research phase. it often reverts to more common forms of • It is a form of energy generated calcium carbonate, such as calcite. when hydrogen interacts with various • Vaterite is often associated with outer space metals like nickel and palladium. and on earth it is found in some sea and • Cold fusion seeks to produce nuclear energy freshwater crustaceans, bird eggs, the inner without harmful radiation, complex ears of salmon, meteorites and rocks. equipment and the application of very high • Its special properties make it a potentially temperatures and pressures. superior carrier for medications due to its high loading capacity, high uptake by cells and its solubility properties that enable it to

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deliver a sustained and targeted release of • In this work, Laser light on a BEC of strontium therapeutic medicines to patients. atoms is used. This excites an electron into a large orbit, forming a Rydberg atom. This 5.22. GALLENENE orbit is large enough to encircle many other strontium atoms inside it. Why in news? • As the electron moves around many Researchers have isolated a 2D form of soft metal strontium atoms, it generates ripples of the gallium, called "gallenene," which could make BEC. The Rydberg atom becomes inextricably thin and efficient metallic contacts in electronic mixed with these ripples and forms a new devices. super-atom called a ‘Rydberg polaron’. More about news 5.24. SCIENTISTS FOUND RARE • Reducing a regular three-dimensional 'ICE-VII' ON EARTH material in two dimensions can fundamentally change its electrical, magnetic, Why in news? physical or chemical properties. Scientists detected the first ever samples of • Apart from graphene scientists have created naturally occurring ice-VII on Earth inside 2D versions of materials such as black Diamonds. phosphorus, molybdenum disulfide and chromium trichloride. More about ice-Vll • Gallenene is first metal to be created in 2D. • The common ice is called ice-I, which has Near 2D metals are difficult to extract, since hexagonal crystal arrangement that causes it these are mainly high-strength, uncoated and to have lower density than water. layered structures. So Gallenene is an Compressing ice can change the shape of the exception that could save the need for metals crystals, turning ice-I into ice-II (rhombus- in the 2D world. shaped crystals), ice-III (tetragonal crystals), • As Gallenene binds semiconductors well and and so on. can now be created using a relatively simple • Ice-VII has cubic crystal arrangement with 1.5 technique, it could be used as an efficient times denser than ice-I. nanoscale electronic metal contact, a field • It requires both low temperature and high that currently does not have many 2D metal pressure exceeding 30,000 atmospheres (3 options for this type of applications. gigapascals) for ice-Vll to form. The only place such pressure can be achieved is deep in the 5.23. RYDBERG POLARONS: A Earth’s mantle, but the temperature is very NEW STATE OF MATTER high for ice to form there. • Diamonds often pick up molecules during Why in news? their formation deep in the Earth. The An international team of physicists have trapped water inside can become super-rare successfully created a “giant atom” and filled it ice-VII in such high pressure. with ordinary atoms, creating a new state of matter termed “Rydberg polarons”. 5.25. MALWARES How was the new polaron created? Why in News? • It uses ideas from two different fields: Bose • ‘Saposhi’, a new malware which can create Einstein Condensation and Rydberg atoms. botnet and launch Distributed Denial of • A BEC (Bose Einstein Condensate) is a liquid- Service (DDoS) attack, was detected by the like state of matter that occurs at very low security agencies. temperatures. A BEC can be perturbed to create excitations which are akin to ripples on a lake. • A ‘Rydberg atom’ is an atom in which an electron has been kicked out to a very large orbit.

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5.26. DATA ENCRYPTION

Why in news? Facebook data leak and questions over security of Aadhaar data has raised many concerns about data security in India. What is Encryption? Schedule V of the Information Technology Rules, 2000, defines encryption as- “The process of transforming plaintext data into an unintelligible form (cipher text) such that the original data either cannot be recovered (one-way encryption) or cannot be recovered without using an inverse decryption process (two-way encryption).” • Asymmetric Encryption (public-key cryptography): It uses separate keys for encryption and decryption. Although, encryption key (public key) can be used by anyone decryption keys (private keys) are kept secret so that only the intended receiver can decrypt the message. • Symmetric Encryption (or pre-shared key encryption): Such encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption of data. Here, both the sender and the recipient need the same key to make a communication. 5.27. CRYPTO-CURRENCY AS LEGAL TENDER

• Marshall islands became the first country in

world to create crypto-currency as its legal Cyber Swachhta Kendra to Tackle Malware tender. • Government has established the “Cyber • the digital currency will be called as Swachhta Kendra” which is a Botnet 'Sovereign' with the symbol SOV. Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre. • It will have equal status with US dollar as a • It is part of Digital India initiative to create a mode of cash payment. secure cyber space by detecting botnet • Venezuela became the first country to launch infections and providing information and its own crypto-currency (virtual Petro) backed enabling citizens for removal of by crude oil reserves. But, it is different from BOTs/malware. SOV because SOV is a legal tender backed by • It is being operated by CERT-In the Government. • Also, the Kendra will strive to create What is a crypto-currency? awareness among citizens to secure their data, computers, mobile phones and devices • Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency such as home routers. that uses cryptography (block-chain • It also collaborates with Department of technology) for security and anti- Telecommunications, Internet Service counterfeiting measures. Providers, Antivirus companies and academia • Public and private keys are often used to to carry out its work. transfer cryptocurrency between individuals.

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• It is essentially a fiat currency i.e. users must Trade receivables are amounts billed by a business to reach a consensus about cryptocurrency's its customers when it delivers goods or services to value and use it as an exchange medium. Its them. value is determined by market supply and Discounting is the process by which an accepted draft or bill of exchange is sold for early payment to a bank demand, meaning that it behaves much like or credit institution at less than face value after the precious metals, as silver and gold. bank deducts fees and applicable interest charges. The • The first cryptocurrency to capture the public bank or credit institution then collects full value on the imagination was Bitcoin, which was launched draft or bill of exchange when payment comes due. in 2009 by an individual or group known TReDS is a scheme of RBI for setting up and operating under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. the institutional mechanism for facilitating the Bitcoin's success has spawned a number of financing of trade receivables of MSMEs from competing cryptocurrencies, such as corporate and other buyers through multiple Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and Monero. financiers. Cryptography involves creating written or generated Benefits Drawbacks codes that allow information to be kept secret. • Based on strong • Anonymity can lead Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL) is promoted by cryptography, these to money the National Stock Exchange and Small Industries funds are highly laundering and tax Development Bank of India (Sidbi). secure. evasion. Details of the news • Fast transactions and • Once a transaction confirmation within is confirmed, no • All the three platforms- Receivables Exchange minutes with minimal body can reverse it. of India, A.TReDS, and M1xchange - work processing fees. • the value of crypto- independently and are interlinked with • Provides anonymity. currency depends blockchain and share data. Also, Government do upon Demand and not have any control Supply, hence is 5.29. DEFENCE PLANNING over it. The account volatile. can not be freezed or • they are not COMMITTEE seized. immune to theft • Block chain might have and hacking. Why in news? important uses in Recently, government has established a Defence online voting and Planning Committee (DPC) under the crowd funding. chairmanship of the National Security Adviser Global stand on Crypto-currencies in 2018: (NSA). China has blocked crypto exchanges, U.S. banks Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) – It comprises the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs, with the senior-most of are steadily declining cryptocurrency purchases. them acting as the "rotational" chairman till he retires. EU and UK are trying to regulate it. Meanwhile, Salient feature of DPC Indian finance minister during the national finance budget 2018-19 said that the country • Nature: DPC is a will be a permanent does not recognize Bitcoin as legal tender and interministrial body. steps would be taken to penalize crypto • Composition: DPC will consist of the Chairman of the Chiefs of the Staff payments. Committee (COSC), other service chiefs, 5.28. INDIA’S FIRST Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Secretary (expenditure) in the Finance BLOCKCHAIN-BASED Ministry. NETWORK o NSA is also empowered to co-opt other members as and when required Why in news? • Committee will operate through four sub- Recently, three platforms that offer Trade committees: on Policy and Strategy, Plans Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and Capability Development, Defence implemented the use of blockchain in the Diplomacy, and Defence Manufacturing enterprise financial segment. Ecosystem

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• Chief of Integrated Staff in the Defence • The draft defence production policy, 2018 Ministry will be the member secretary of the provides that these defence industry DPC, and his headquarters will be the Corridors will be set up in collaboration with secretariat. States. Govt of India will contribute 50% of assistance subject to a ceiling of Rs 3000 Functions Crores to the SPV set up for development of • Formulation of national security strategy, each defence corridor. strategic defence review and doctrines; • Government has also announced the creation international defence engagement strategy; of a dedicated defence and aerospace small roadmap to build defence manufacturing and medium enterprises (SME) fund, eco-system; strategy to boost defence registered with the Securities and Exchange exports; and prioritised capability Board of India (SEBI), where a minority stake development plans for the armed forces over could be taken by investors. This fund would different time-frames in consonance with the help channelise investments into the two overall priorities, strategies and likely defence corridors. resource flows • Analysis and Evaluation of national defence 5.31. PROTECTED AREA and security priorities, foreign policy PERMIT imperatives, operational directives and associated requirements, relevant strategic Why in News? and security-related doctrines, defence The Government has decided to relax Protected acquisition and infrastructure development Area Permit for foreign tourists. plans, including the 15-year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), defence Inner Line Permit System technology and development of the Indian • The Inner Line Permit regulates the entry of non- domicile Indian citizens into a restricted region. defence industry and global technological • The British used this to safeguard their revenue- advancement. generating regions in the Northeast against • It will identify the “means” and “ways” across raiding tribal communities from the hills. ministries, obtain Cabinet Committee on • Today, ILP is seen as a way to protect the Security approval for a capability demographic, cultural, political and social development plan & guidance for budgetary integrity of the small tribal populations in the hill support etc to achieve it’s objective. states. • DPC will submit all its reports to the defence • At present, it is imposed in Arunachal Pradesh, minister. Mizoram and Nagaland. About Protected Area Permit (PAP) 5.30. DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR • Due to security reasons, certain areas have been declared as Protected Area/Restricted Why in News? Areas where no foreigner can enter or stay without obtaining permit from the The Government initiated work for preparing a competent authorities. Detailed Project Report (DPR) to set up a defence • Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) production corridor in Tamil Nadu. Order, 1958, all areas falling between the About Defence Industrial Corridors ‘Inner line’ and the International Border of the State have been declared as ‘Protected • The government, in Budget 2018, announced Areas4’. establishment of two defence corridors- • o One in Uttar Pradesh which will run from Currently Protected Areas are located in- all Agra to Chitrakoot. of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, parts of o Another in Tamil Nadu called Tamil Nadu Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Production Quad connecting Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore and Uttarakhand. Tiruchirappalli to Bengaluru. • Under the Foreigners (Restricted) Areas Order, 1963, parts of Sikkim and entire

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Andaman & Nicobar Islands have been These include focused schemes for declared as `Restricted’ Areas. development of roads, installation of mobile • Relaxing PAP will increase tourism and towers, skill development, improving network of create job opportunity and revenue for the banks and post offices, health and education facilities, particularly in the 35 worst affected state. districts. • Rights and Entitlements related measures 5.32. LEFT WINGE EXTREMISM • Major Sub –Schemes under Scheme Why in news? Modernization of Police Forces for 2017-20 A recent report released by Ministry of Home o Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Affairs (MHA) has claimed success in tackling Left Scheme (approved in 2017): Wing extremism. ▪ It aims at strengthening the capacity of the LWE affected States to fight More about the news against the LWE problem in an • MHA has recently redrew the red corridor by effective manner. bringing down the number of districts ▪ Under the Scheme, the central Govt. affected with Naxal violence from 106 to 90, reimburses Security Related spread across 11 states and worst-affected Expenditure of 106 districts relating district to 30 from 36. Chhattisgarh, to ex-gratia payment to the family of Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar are declared civilians/security forces killed in LWE severely affected by LWE. violence, training and operational • The prime criteria for removing the districts needs of security forces, and including new ones was “Incidents of compensation to LWE cadres who violence”. surrendered, community policing, • Incidents of violence have seen a 20% decline Security related infrastructure for with a 34% reduction in related deaths in village defence committees and 2017 as compared to 2013 indicating success publicity materials. of government efforts. o Special Central Assistance (SCA) for 35 most LWE affected districts which have Important Initiatives for LWE affected states the main objective of filling the critical Police' and 'Public order' being State subjects, the gaps in Public Infrastructure and Services, primary responsibility of meeting the challenge of which are of emergent nature. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) lies with the State o Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) Governments. However, the MHA and other including construction of 250 Fortified central ministries supplement the security efforts Police Stations in LWE affected states. of the State Governments through various The Scheme aims at capacity building of schemes such as: states by strengthening the security apparatus of the States. • National Policy and Action Plan o Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE implemented by MHA since 2015 is a multi- management Scheme:- assistance is pronged strategy in the areas of security, provided to Central Agencies like CAPFs, development, ensuring rights & entitlement Commando Battalions for Resolute of local communities etc. to combat Left Action (CoBRA), Indian Air Force for anti Wing Extremism (LWE). LWE Operations where the States have National Policy and Action Plan, 2015 constraints. • Security related measures include assistance to o Civic Action Programme (CAP): being LWE affected States by providing CAPF Bns, implemented since 2010-11 to bridge the helicopters, UAVs, construction of fortified police gaps between Security Forces and local stations, funds for modernization of State Police people through personal interaction and forces, arms and equipment, training assistance, bring the human face of SFs before the sharing of intelligence etc. • Development related measures: Apart from local population. Under the Scheme, flagship schemes of the Central Government funds are released to the CAPFs, several initiatives have been taken deployed in LWE affected areas, for for development of LWE affected areas. 60 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

conducting various civic activities in 5.33. NEWTON-BHABHA FUND welfare of the local people. o Media Plan Scheme: to counter the Why in news? Maoist propaganda of misguiding and An India-UK Joint Team has won the Newton- luring the innocent tribals/local Bhabha Fund for a project on Groundwater population by their so called poor- Arsenic Research in Ganga River Basin. friendly revolution. • Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I): being Newton-Bhabha Fund implemented by Ministry of Road Transport • The Fund aims to bring together the UK and & Highways, since 2009 for improving road Indian scientific research and innovation connectivity in 34 LWE affected districts of 8 sectors to find joint solutions to the States. The scheme envisages construction of challenges facing India in economic 5,422 km road lengths and 08 Critical bridges development and social welfare. in LWE affected States. • The scheme is part of the UK’s £375 million • Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected Newton Fund to support science and areas (RRP-II): It was approved in 2016 for innovation partnerships between the UK and further improving road connectivity in 44 emerging powers. districts of 9 LWE affected States. Ministry of • In India, the Fund is worth £50 million over Rural Development is the nodal Ministry for five years and is supported by the UK and this project. Indian governments through a ministerial • LWE Mobile Tower Project to improve agreement. mobile connectivity in the LWE areas • The National Technical Research 5.34. INDIAN SCIENCE, Organization (NTRO) is assisting the Security Forces in anti-Naxal operations by providing TECHNOLOGY AND Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). ENGINEERING FACILITIES MAP • Besides, two Skill Development related (I-STEM) Schemes, namely, ‘ROSHNI’ and ‘Skill Development in 34 Districts affected by Left Why in the news? Wing Extremism’ are also being implemented Recently, the government has issued a directive by the Ministry of Rural Development and to institutions with R&D facilities funded by Ministry of Labour and Employment government to be listed on the I-STEM Portal. respectively. o ROSHNI is a special initiative under, About the portal Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen • The web Portal is a gateway for users to Kaushalya Yojana which envisages locate the specific facility they need for their training and placement of rural poor R&D work and identify the one that is either youth from 27 LWE affected districts. located closest to them or available the o Skill Development in 34 Districts affected soonest. by Left Wing Extremism” under • It will enable researchers in any institution to implementation from 2011-12 aims to check, reserve and have easy access to establish ITIs and Skill Development research equipment and facilities anywhere Centres LWE affected districts. in India SAMADHAN It is a strategy of MHA to frame short term and long 5.35. VIRTUAL LIBRARY term policies to tackle LWE S- Smart Leadership Why in News? A- Aggressive Strategy M- Motivation and Training • Centre for Development of Advanced A- Actionable Intelligence Computing (C-DAC), will launch the National D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Virtual Library of India. Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas) H- Harnessing Technology A- Action plan for each Theatre N- No access to Financing

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About National Virtual Library Commission. • The scheme consists of four components; • It will be a multi-lingual online platform, of o Creation of National Virtual Library of India the collection of documents, books, audio- (NVLI) visual of different subjects. o Setting up of NML Model Libraries, • This programme is a part of the National o Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries Mission on Libraries. o Capacity Building • The platform will be freely accessible for editing or contributions from outsiders or 5.36. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS subject experts, making it more user-friendly. • Lyrid 2018 meteor shower, caused by remains About Centre for Development of Advanced of the C/1861 Thatcher comet, was visible Computing across the Northern hemisphere. • Recently, Union Home Ministry sanctioned • Centre for Development of Advanced the launch of the India’s first National Computing (C-DAC) is R&D organization of Academy of Coastal Policing (NACP) at a the Ministry of Electronics and Information campus of Gujarat's Fisheries Research Technology (MeitY). Centre, Dwarka. • Its projects include; Supercomputer PARAM, • Recently, top 34 global technology and Indian Language Computing Solutions with securities firms, led by Microsoft and setting up of GIST group (Graphics and Facebook, have signed a "Cybersecurity Tech Intelligence based Script Technology) etc. Accord" to defend people from malicious National Mission on Library attacks by cybercriminals and nation-states. • It is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture to modernise and digitally link public libraries. • The ideas was mooted by National Knowledge

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6. SOCIAL

6.1. RASHTRIYA UCHCHATAR 6.2. NIRF INDIA RANKINGS SHIKSHA ABHIYAN 2018 Why in news? Why in News? Recently Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs • Union HRD Minister released ‘NIRF India (CCEA) approved continuation of centrally- Rankings 2018’ for Higher Education sponsored Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan Institutions. (RUSA) till 2020. About NIRF India Rankings Important Initiatives under RUSA 2.0 • Ministry of HRD launched National Institute With a view to ensure greater resource flow to Ranking Framework in 2015 which outlines a the State higher education sector, RUSA 2.0 will methodology to rank institutions across the encourage states and institutions to undertake country. projects in a public-private partnership mode • NIRF 2018 gave rankings for 9 different based on viability gap funding: categories of institutions- Overall Rankings, • It seeks to increase gross enrolment ratio by Universities, Engineering, Colleges, 30 per cent during this period, creation of 70 Management, Pharmacy, Medical, new model degree colleges and 8 new Architecture and Law professional colleges. • NIRF 2018 ranked institutions on following • Besides, it seeks to enhance quality and five parameters: excellence in 10 select State universities and o Teaching, Learning and Resources 70 autonomous colleges, providing o Research and Professional Practices infrastructural support to 50 universities and o Graduation outcomes 750 colleges. o Outreach and Inclusivity • An on-line virtual platform of infrastructure o Perception and equipment (inventory) will be created so that institutions can share these resources. 6.3. SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR • The scheme will give priority to the TRANSFORMING HUMAN Aspirational Districts, identified by the NITI Aayog to improve access and equity through CAPITAL- IN EDUCATION improved enrolment and retention. (SATH-E) PROJECT • Creation of National Higher Education Why in news? Resource Centre (NHERC) to be a resource centre for Research, Policy Advocacy, NITI Aayog has released the roadmaps for SATH-E Capacity Building and providing well- project. informed policy and evidence-based research Related facts inputs. • In 2017, SATH program was launched by NITI Ayog • It will enhance ongoing mechanisms for to initiate transformation in the education and Monitoring and Evaluation and look at health sectors. innovative ways of scaling up Monitoring and • To select the three model states, NITI defined a Evaluation, such as Fund Tracker, Reform three-stage process - expression of interest, Tracker, Bhuvan-RUSA and PFMS, so that presentations by the states and assessment of projects can be completed by their scheduled commitment to education/health sector reforms. time. Details

• These roadmaps will be for 2018 to 2020 • Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are the three participating states (selected through challenge method).

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• There will be a cost sharing arrangement administration, elected public between NITI Aayog and the participating representatives of panchayat / villages and States. other stakeholders. • It will be a Public-Private- Philanthropic • Also, scope for providing Subject Expert Partnership (PPPP) experimentation. Groups and Regional Coordinating Institutes • SATH-E aims to create role model States for to handhold and guide the participating quantitative and qualitative transformation institutions has been strengthened. of elementary and secondary school education all across India, and aspires to be a 6.5. NATIONAL ACADEMIC ‘saathi’, to the educational system with the DEPOSITORY (NAD) student and the teacher at its center. • the whole process would be done in Why in news? consultation with the states and MHRD. The recently launched NAD has been integrated with the e-SANAD portal. 6.4. UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN 2.0 About NAD NAD will be a 24x7 online store house of Why in news? academic awards digitally lodged by various Recently Human Resource Development Ministry academic institutions/school boards/eligibility today launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 in New assessment bodies. Employers and other person Delhi. with prior approval of the concerned student can verify the authenticity of any academic award. Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan 2.0 Other Details It is stage 2 of Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan where students of premier institutions will help in • All the Central and State Universities, solving the problems faced by rural population deemed to be Universities, CBSE, State School across the country. Under the Unnat Bharat Education Boards will participate in the Abhiyan 2.0: depository. • The UGC will be authorised body to • The institutions have been selected on a operationalise the NAD. Challenge Mode. • It will comprise of two inter-operable digital • The scheme has been extended to 750 depositories i.e. NSDL Database Management reputed Higher Educational Institutes (both Ltd (NDML) and CDSL Venture Ltd (CVL). public and private) of the country. • NAD being an online, permanent and safe • IIT Delhi has been designated to function as record will eliminate the need for issuing the National Coordinating Institute for this duplicate academic awards and any risk of programme. losing, spoiling, damaging or forging the How it Works? awards, will provide convenience in the availability of academic awards. • Each selected institute would adopt a cluster of villages / panchayats and gradually e-Sanad is a project aimed at online submission/ expand the outreach over a period of time. verification of documents with an ultimate object to • Institutes through their faculty and students, extend contactless, cashless, faceless and paperless document attestation service for apostille and normal will carry out studies of living conditions in attestation to applicants in India (to be extended to the adopted villages. The focus will be on: Indians residing abroad as well in a phased manner). It o assess the local problems and needs is designed and developed by NIC. The e-Sanad service o workout the possibilities of leveraging the will start with CBSE depository. technological interventions in Parinam Manjusha implementation of various government • It is CBSE's digital repository of academic records schemes • Employers and Educational Institutions can use o prepare workable action plans for the this repository to verify academic records of CBSE selected villages. students online. • The Institutes will work in close • The digital academic records of this repository will coordinatation with the district also be available to students through Digi Locker.

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6.6. CHILD MARRIAGE offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable. NUMBERS DROP SHARPLY o The State Government shall, by Why in news? notification, appoint for the whole State, or part of state, an officer or officers to • The proportion of girls getting married in be known as the Child Marriage India has nearly halved in a decade, the Prohibition Officer having jurisdiction United Nations children's agency UNICEF said over the area or areas specified in the recently. notification. • 25 million child marriages were prevented • Other laws that may provide protection to a worldwide in the last decade, with the largest child bride include the Juvenile Justice (Care reduction seen in South Asia — where India and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the was at the forefront. Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the Efforts to reduce child marriage Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. • The Women and Child Development Ministry has taken a number of steps to enhance the 6.7. PARTNERSHIP FOR status of girl child and to address the MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND problem of child marriage: CHILD HEALTH (PMNCH) o Every year, State Governments are requested to take special initiative to FORUM delay marriage on AkhaTeej—the Why in news? traditional day for such marriages, by coordinated efforts. PMNCH delegation invited Prime Minister to be o It has developed a convergent national its patron in Partners' Forum 2018, to be held in strategy- “National Strategy Document New Delhi in December. on Prevention of Child Marriage” and is 2018 Partners' Forum currently drafting a plan of action on • The goal of the forum includes greater consensus child marriage to guide all states in the among PMNCH partners, greater knowledge of implementation of strategies to prevent best practices, improved political attention and the problem. The suggested strategic concrete commitment towards EWEC (Every areas of intervention to prevent child Woman Every Child) priorities. marriage are- • It will also emphasize the importance of people- • The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act centered accountability bringing forward the o It defines child, child marriage, minor, voices and lived realities of women, children and adolescents through innovative programming and etc. and declares all the marriages void, creative projects. after or even before the passing of the Every woman every child movement act at the option of the contracting party • It was a movement launched by UN Security who was a child at the time of the General in MDG summit 2010. marriage, in which one of the two parties • The movement puts into action the "Global is a minor. strategy for women's, children and adolescent's o The district court shall have the power to health" which presents a roadmap to ending all add to, modify or revoke any order made preventable deaths of women, children and for maintenance and custody of child, adolescents within a generation and ensuring and if there is any change in the their well-being. circumstances at any time during the About PMNCH pendency of the petition and even after the final disposal of the petition. • It is an alliance of more than 1000 o It lays down punishment for an adult organizations from 10 constituencies in 77 male marrying a minor or someone who countries from the sexual, reproductive, promotes or solemnizes such a marriage. maternal, newborn, child and adolescent o Notwithstanding anything contained in health communities. the Code of Criminal Procedure, an • The constituencies include NGOs, Healthcare Professional Associations, Academic Research

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and Training Institutes, Adolescent & Youth, affordable prices to the masses through special Private sector, Participating Countries, UN kendra’s known as Janaaushadhi Kendra. agencies, etc. Bureau of Pharma PSU of India • The Partnership enables partners to share • It was established in 2008 comprising all the strategies, align objectives and resources, Pharma CPSUs under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. and agree on interventions to achieve more • It brings about effective collaboration and together (Partner-Centric approach) than cooperation in furthering the working and they would have been able to achieve resources of these organizations. individually. About SUVIDHA 6.8. LAQSHYA PROGRAM • It is an affordable sanitary napkin launched Why in news? to ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently • The initiative has been taken by Department launched ‘LaQshya’ Program. of Pharmaceutical and has been More about the Program manufactured by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertaking of India. • ‘LaQshya’ will improve quality of care during • It has been launched on World Women’s Day delivery and immediate post-partum period and is currently available at 3200 thus providing Respectful Maternity Care Janaushudhi Kendras. (RMC) to all pregnant women attending public health facilities. This will reduce 6.10. GENDER VULNERABILITY maternal and newborn morbidity and INDEX mortality. • It aims at implementing ‘fast-track’ Why in news? interventions for achieving tangible results Recently, first-ever gender vulnerability index within 18 months. (GVI) was released by Child development NGO • A multi-pronged strategy has been adopted Plan India. such as improving infrastructure up- gradation, ensuring availability of essential Highlight equipment, providing adequate human • Index is aimed at comprehensively resources, capacity building of health care understanding the dimensions of various workers and improving quality processes in problems affecting children, particularly girls, the labour room. in difficult circumstances. • It is being implemented at all Medical College • It identifies the challenges women face with Hospitals, District Hospitals and First Referral respect to four parameters — education, Unit (FRU), and Community Health Center health, poverty and protection against (CHCs). violence. • The Quality Improvement in labour room and • Goa, Kerala and Mizoram are among the top maternity OT will be assessed through NQAS three while Bihar, UP and Delhi are the (National Quality Assurance Standards). bottom three states. 6.9. SUVIDHA 6.11. UN COMMISSION ON Why in news? STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW)

Recently, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has Why in news? launched 100% Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkin, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya UN General Assembly President in the annual Janaushadhi Pariyojana. meeting of CSW held up Sunita Kashyap, the founder of Umang, as an example of women Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana empowering themselves and coming up with (PMBJP) solutions to their problems. It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, to provide quality medicines at

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About Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and potential equity investments through an • The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental INR 10 crore fund established by DICE Districts body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of • Some aims of WEP includes - industry linkages, gender equality and the empowerment of increasing visibility of existing schemes, women. A functional commission of the Economic identify and address issues, developing a and Social Council (ECOSOC). centralised national database for registering • The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives women entrepreneurs etc. throughout the world, and shaping global About Udyam Sakhi Portal standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. • The portal has been launched for nurturing • The Commission take a leading role in monitoring social entrepreneurship creating business and reviewing progress and problems in the models revolving around low-cost products implementation of the Beijing Declaration and and services to resolve social inequitiesand Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a make women self-sufficient and self-reliant. gender perspective in UN activities. • It will provide assistance for entrepreneurial • The Commission also contributes to the follow-up learning tools, incubation facility, training to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development programs for fund raising, providing mentors, so as to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women. one-to-one investor meet, providing market survey facility and technical assistance. More about the news • The initiative is in sync with the Make in India and Start up India Initiative and will provide • Sunita Kashyap founded Mahila Umang benefits to around 8 million women Producers Co., an organisation in Uttarkhand entrepreneurs in India. run by women farmers and producers. Besides marketing their products, it runs a 6.13. VAN DHAN SCHEME micro-credit programme. Her organisation supports 3,000 women farmers in India to Why in news? grow and sell their own crops. Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently launched Van • The Priority theme of 2018 annual meeting of Dhan Scheme. CSW is "Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the Background empowerment of rural women and girls." • Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source 6.12. WOMEN of livelihood for tribals living in forest areas. • Around 100 million forest dwellers depend ENTREPRENEURSHIP on MFPs for food, shelter, medicines and PLATFORM (WEP) cash income. • Tribals derive 20-40% of their annual income Why in news? from MFP and activity has strong linkage to Recently, NITI Aayog launched Women women’s financial empowerment as most of Entrepreneurship Portal (WEP) and Ministry of the MFPs are collected and used/sold by MSME launched Udyam Sakhi Portal on World women. Women’s Day. • MFP sector has the potential to create about About the Women Entrepreneurship Portal 10 million workdays annually in the country. • The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional • It will provide vibrant entrepreneurial Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) ecosystem free of gender-based barriers and Act, 2006, defines a Minor Forest Produce cater to all age-groups along with women who (MFP) as all non-timber forest produce of take break in their career and prepare them plant origin and includes bamboo, for the next wave of New India. brushwood, stumps, canes, Tusser, cocoon, • It aspires to substantially increase the number honey, waxes, Lac, tendu/kendu leaves, of women entrepreneurs by providing them medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tuber and opportunities through services such as credit the like. evaluation of women-led startups by CRISIL • Government had earlier launched a scheme named “Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 67 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

Minor Forest Produces (MFP) scheme for About Gram Swaraj Abhiyan safeguarding the remuneration of tribal • This Abhiyan (campaign) is being undertaken population. for reaching out to poor households, • However, most of the trade related to the spreading awareness about government MFPs remained unorganized in nature, which welfare schemes and other people centric has led to low returns to the gatherers and initiatives. high wastages due to limited value addition. • During the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, universal Thus, a more holistic approach with robust coverage under seven welfare programmes in institutional mechanisms is required for 21058 identified villages with large number of strengthening the backward and forward underprivileged households across the linkages of MFP supply chain. country has been contemplated. Van Dhan Scheme • The seven welfare programmes are: o Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana • Under the scheme 10 Self Help Groups of 30 o Saubhagya Tribal gatherers ( Van Dhan Vikas Samuh) will o Ujala scheme be constituted. They will then be provided o Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana with working capital to add value to the o Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana products which they will collect from the o Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana jungle. o Mission Indradhanush • A cluster of ten such SHGs within the same village shall form a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra. 6.15. PASSIVE EUTHANASIA • Van Dhan Vikas Kendra are multi-purpose establishments for providing skill Why in News? upgradation, capacity building training and The Supreme Court has recently given judgement setting up of primary processing and value on Passive Euthanasia. addition facility. • The stock after primary processing shall be More about the Judgement supplied by these SHGs to the State • The bench upheld that the fundamental right Implementing Agencies or direct tie up for to life and dignity includes right to refuse supply to corporate secondary processor. treatment and die with dignity because the • For creation of secondary level value addition fundamental right to a "meaningful facility at district level and tertiary level value existence" includes a person's choice to die addition facility at State level, Big Corporates without suffering (including terminally ill). shall be involved under PPP model. • The judgment includes specific guidelines to • The scheme will be implemented through test the validity of a living will, by whom it Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal should be certified, when and how it should Department at the Central Level and TRIFED come into effect, etc. as Nodal Agency at the National Level. • The guidelines also cover a situation where • At State level, the State Nodal Agency for there is no living will and how to approach a MFPs and the District collectors are plea for passive euthanasia. But the envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme judgement held that active euthanasia is implementation at grassroot level. unlawful. • The First model Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is being set up in Bijapur District of Chattisgarh Related terms which will train 300 beneficiaries. • Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, and more loosely termed mercy killing, 6.14. GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN means to take a deliberate action with the expressed intention of ending a life to Why in news? relieve intractable (persistent, unstoppable) The Prime Minister has announced that on the suffering. occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti that “Gram Swaraj • In active euthanasia a person directly and Abhiyan” would be organised. deliberately causes the patient's death. In

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passive euthanasia they don't directly take United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions the patient's life, they just allow them to die. Network • A ‘living will’ is a concept where a patient It has been operating since 2012 under UN Secretary- can give consent that allows withdrawal of General. life support systems if the individual is It mobilizes global scientific and technological reduced to a permanent vegetative state expertise to promote practical solutions for with no real chance of survival. It is a type of sustainable development, including the advance directive that may be used by a implementation of SDG and the Paris Climate person before incapacitation to outline a full Agreement. range of treatment preferences or, most About World Happiness Report, 2018 often, to reject treatment. • It is an annual publication which ranks 6.16. WORLD HAPPINESS countries based on their level of happiness. REPORT 2018 • Key variables of well-being are - GDP per capita, social support, healthy life Why in news? expectancy, social freedom, generosity, and Recently World Happiness Report was released absence of corruption. by United Nations Sustainable Development • The main focus of this year’s survey apart Solutions Network in which India has been from the above-mentioned variables is ranked at 133rd position. migrations within and between countries. • Finland has topped the report replacing Norway followed by Denmark. Burundi is the unhappiest country preceded by Central African Republic.

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7. CULTURE 7.1. MADHUBANI PAINTING • They have their racial affinity with the proto- Australoid. Why in News? • They speak an ancient Mundari dialect of their own called ‘saora’. • Recently, Madhubani/Mithila Painting was • Saoras depend on land and forest for their used to decorate Madhubani railway station subsistence and practice shifting cultivation. in Bihar which also became one of the • They are enumerated as one among the 13 cleanest railway stations in India. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in Odisha. About Madhubani Paintings Saora Paintings • It derives its name from the Madhubani • Saora Paintings are traditional murals (made town in Bihar where this art form was done on walls) and are locally called as Idital and traditionally. the painters are known as iditalmar. • Its origin is believed to be during the period • Features of Saora Paintings – of Ramayana. o They are painted with figurative patterns • Characteristic features and figures which are drawn in stylized o line drawings filled in by bright colours manner. and contrasts or patterns. o Each painting has a rectangular frame o Major theme: geometric patterns; and has icons of deities and motifs from religious motifs of Hindu such as Krishna, nature. Rama, Tulasi plant, Durga, Sun and Moon o Purpose of the painting – to please Gods etc.; auspicious occasions like marriages, and ancestors, averting diseases, birth etc. promoting fertility, honour deceased etc. o Floral, animal and bird motifs are also o Central theme – Idital is a house which is drawn and symbolic in nature, for represented by a circle. The figures are example- fish depicts good luck and placed in panels like circles, triangular fertility. around the Idital. o commonly includes double line border, • Process of making Saora Painting bold use of colours, ornate floral o Before painting the walls are cleaned and patterns and exaggerated facial smeared with locally available red soil features. and the rice paste is applied as white o Two-dimesional with no shading. colour. The Iditalmars follow a stringent • It is done on freshly plastered using rice ritual by eating one meal a day for 10-15 paste and vegetable colours on a base of days till the painting is complete. cow dung and mud. For commercial o For paintings, a brush is made from a purposes, the work is now being done on bamboo split, black color from soot paper, cloth, canvas etc. and men have also generated from the lamp. Sun dried rice got involved along with women. powder for white, all these are mixed • It has been given Geographical Indication with water and juice from roots and (GI) tag. herbs to make a paste. 7.2. SAORA PAINTINGS 7.3. KONARK TEMPLE

Why in news? Why in News? Recently, it was reported that the demand for • A state-of-the-art interpretation and tourist Saora paintings of Odisha has been rising in facilitation centre was recently inaugurated international and domestic markets. at the Sun temple at Konark, Odisha. Saura Tribe About Sun Temple, Konark • Saura (also called Saora or Lanjia Saora) are one of • The Temple was built in the 13th century by the tribal communities who inhabit remote ranges King Narasimhadeva I of the Ganga dynasty. near Bansadhara River in southern Odisha.

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• It has a gigantic chariot of the Sun god, with Background 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels • The Kuthiyottam ritual has been under pulled by seven horses. scanner for violating child’s rights and not • It is a UNESCO World Heritage site under taking child’s consent into account. Cultural category. • Kerala State Commission for Protection of • It is the third link of Odisha's Golden Triangle. Child Rights (KSCPCR) banned the ritual at The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second Chettikulangara temple in Alappuzha district link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha). in 2016 citing violation of child rights. • It is also known as 'Black Pagoda' due to its dark color. About Kuthiyottam Ritual Other Famous Sun Temples in India • The Kuthiyottam ritual is usually performed Name of Temple Other Details every year during the Pongala festival at the Sun Temple, • Gujarat Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Modhera • Situated on the bank of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. the Pushpavati river • Nearly 1,000 young boys undertake a seven- Surya Narayan • Andhra Pradesh day penance before Pongala day. These boys Temple, Arasavalli • Constructed during 7th are said to represent the wounded soldiers of Century by Kalinga the goddess. king Devendra Varma • The boys have to observe strict discipline and Sun Temple, • Jammu and Kashmir stay inside the temple for seven days. They Martand • Listed as national are made to wear thin towels (thorthu). importance in Jammu and Kashmir and protected • They have to sleep on the floor, have measly monuments of India meals and bathe three times a day. They also Sun Temple, Gwalior • Madhya Pradesh have to prostrate 1,008 times before the • Architecture is inspired by deity the Sun temple in Konark • The ritual also involves piercing the child’s Brahmanya Dev • Madhya Pradesh side with a small hook and knotting a thread Temple, Unao • known for unique through it to symbolise their bond with the architecture and design Goddess. Sun Temple, Ranchi • Jharkhand • This ritual is performed at various temples all Sun Temple, • Uttrakhand across Kerela. It is also called choral muriyal Khatarmal • Noted for its magnificent in several parts of the state. carved pillars and wooden doors Pongala is a harvest festival of Tamil Nadu and Surya Pahar Temple, • Assam Kerela. One of the most famous of them is Attukal Assam • Has rock-cut Shivalingas, Pongala. It is also considered as the largest religious sculpture of twelve-armed congregation of women in the world. Vishnu and remains of the Pongala meaning 'to boil over’, is a ritual in which Ganesha and Hari Hara women prepare a pudding made from rice, jaggery, Surya Narayan • Karnataka coconut and plantains cooked together, and offer it to Temple, Domlu the goddess. The ritual can only be performed by Dakshinaarka • Bihar women. Temple, Gaya • Images of Sun God Aditya are found here 7.5. MADHAVPUR MELA Suryanar Temple, • Tamil Nadu Kumbakonam • One of the nine Navagraha Why in news?

temples in Tamil Nadu Recently, the famous Madhavpur Mela saw its 7.4. KUTHIYOTTAM first-ever cultural integration with the North- East. Why in news? About the Mela • Kerala State Commission for the Protection of • The Madhavpur Mela is an annual event at Child Rights registered a suo motu case in Madhavpur Ghed of Porbandar district in connection with the Kuthiyottam ritual. Gujarat.

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• Madhavpur in Gujarat has its historical 7.7. KREM PURI CAVES identity as a place where Lord Krisha married Rukmini. Why in News? • Madhavpur Mela shares its connect to the The length of Krem Puri caves has been measured Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The to be 24,583 metres making it the world’s Mishmi Tribe traces its ancestry to the longest sandstone cave. legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini. About Krem Puri Caves • During the event, a jatha (group of people) of • Krem Puri caves, discovered in 2016, are 150 people from North-East will visit the situated near the village of Laitsohum in the Mela as representatives of Rukmini’s family. Mawsynram area of East Khasi Hills district 7.6. ADILABAD DOKRA AND of Meghalaya. • The cave system has fossils of dinosaurs, WARANGAL DURRIES especially the Mosasaurus, a giant reptile Why in news? that lived 66-76 million years ago. • This cave is more than 6,000 metres longer Recently, Adilabad Dokra and Warangal Durries than the world’s previous record holder- the have been issued GI tag. Cueva Del Saman in Edo Zulia, Venezuela — Lost wax technique: a quartzite sandstone cave measuring 18,200 In this technique a clay model of the sculpture to be metres. created is designed. This clay model is wrapped with • This cave has also become India’s second wax threads and kept in the mould, which is baked to longest cave in the general category after allow the wax to flow out and then molten metal is the limestone Krem Liat Prah-Umim-Labit poured into the mould to get the desired sculpture. system measuring a little over 31km in Jaintia About Adilabad Dokra Hills in Meghalaya. • It is an ancient bell metal craft popular in the 7.8. INCREDIBLE INDIA 2.0 tribal regions of Adilabad district in CAMPAIGN Telangana. • The Dokra craftsmen belong to the Woj Why in news? community, called Wojaris/Otaris/Ohjas. • It is unique because no two pieces are alike • The Ministry of Tourism has launched the in shape as well as in size and hence replica Incredible India 2.0 campaign to promote of the bell is nearly impossible. various destinations and tourism products of • The craftsmen make brass objects by an the country in important and potential ancient casting technique called cire perdue source markets overseas. (french term for lost wax technique) More on news • The product mainly includes idols of local deities, bells, dancing figures, jewellery, • The Incredible India campaign was first statues and many other decorative items. conceptualized in 2002 with the primary objective of creating a distinctive identity of About Warangal Durries the country. • In this style of durries, weavers create • The new campaign has been launched with beautiful patterns and dye them using the objective of doubling tourism traffic vegetable colours, which are washed in from both foreign and domestic tourists. flowing water after the printing process. • The campaign will mark a shift from generic • The Nizam of Warangal had established promotions across the world to market Azam Jahi Mills in 1934, which created an specific promotional plans, content creation ecosystem for cotton based weaving and use of thematic creatives. industry, especially of durries in the area. • Incredible India 2.0 campaign will focus on developing at least 10 cities where it will promote their spirituality quotient and also develop their medical and wellness potential.

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• The campaign will include sites like o To make monument accessible to monasteries in Lahaul Sipti, Ayodhya as well differently abled. as usual pilgrimage centres like Varanasi, o To implement Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Ajmer and Mathura. 7.12. DEENDAYAL HASTKALA 7.9. NATIONAL MISSION ON SANKUL MANUSCRIPTS Why in News? Why in news? • Recently, Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, a trade • The government has increased the budget facilitation centre and Craft Museum were allocation for National Mission for inaugurated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Manuscripts for the FY 2018-19. About Deendayal Hastkala Sankul National Mission for Manuscripts • The National Mission for Manuscripts was • It would help the artisans and weavers established in February 2003, by the Ministry showcase their skills to the world and of Tourism and Culture, Government of facilitate a brighter future for them. India. • Provide supply chain linkages to the • Need: India possesses an estimate of ten domestic and foreign buyers. million manuscripts, probably the largest • Give thrust to the domestic tourism potential collection in the world. They cover a variety and increase the demand of handicrafts and of themes, textures and aesthetics, scripts, carry forward the rich tradition of handloom languages, calligraphies, illuminations and in Varanasi. illustrations. However, a lot of them are in • The Crafts Museum in the Sankul will poor state of preservation and can be lost if preserve the traditional handloom/ not conserved. handicrafts products of Varanasi. • The objective of NMM is to survey, document, and conserve/preserve, digitize 7.13. INDIAN COUNCIL OF and publish the Indian Manuscripts and HISTORICAL RESEARCH establish a digital manuscripts library at CONFERENCE Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). Why in news? 7.11. ADARSH MONUMENTS • The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) hosted a three-day conference to Why in news? correct “distortions” in Indian history. • Archaeological Survey of India has identified About ICHR 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for • Indian Council of Historical Research is an upgradation of existing tourist facilities/ autonomous organization which was amenities. established under Societies Registration Act Adarsh Smarak Scheme in 1972 • The scheme was launched in 2015 for • The objectives of the Indian Council of conservation of monuments. Historical Research are: • The salient features of the scheme are as o to bring historians together and provide a under: forum for exchange of views between o To make monument visitor friendly. them o To upgrade/provide wash rooms, o to give a national direction to an drinking water, signages, cafeteria and objective and scientific writing of history wi-fi facility. and to have rational presentation and o To provide Interpretation and audio- interpretation of history video centres. o to promote, accelerate and coordinate o To streamline waste water and garbage research in history with special emphasis disposal and rain water harvesting on areas which have not received system. adequate attention so far 73 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

o to promote and coordinated a balanced o The hallmark of the valley is judicious distribution of research effort over utilization of limited land area. The different areas relatively flat land in the valley is used for o to elicit support and recognition for wet-rice cultivation where fish is also historical research from all concerned reared. and ensure the necessary dissemination o The Apatanis are also known for their and use of results. effective traditional village council called bulyañ, which supervises, guides and 7.14. NATIONAL CULTURE have legal oversight over the activities of FUND individuals that affect the community as a whole. Why in News? • Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India: This • A total of 34 projects have been successfully pan-India cluster comprises of sites from five completed under National Culture Fund (NCF) Indian states: Madhya Pradesh (Chanderi, scheme since its inception. the 13th cent. Moroccan traveler Ibn Batuta also visited here), Uttar Pradesh (Banaras and About National Culture Fund Mubarakpur), Maharashtra (Paithan and • It was established as a funding mechanism Yeola), Andhra Pradesh (Koyyalagudem and distinct from the existing sources and Pochampalli, the silk city of India famous for patterns of funding for the arts and culture in Ikat sarees) and Assam (Sualkuchi for muga India. and mulberry silk). • It was created as a Trust under the Charitable • Moidams - the Mound - Burial System of the Endowment Act, 1890. Ahom Dynasty, Assam • It aims at inviting individuals as well as o Moidams are vaulted chamber (chow- private institutions in the task of promoting, chali), often double storied entered protecting and preserving India’s cultural through an arched passage, used for heritage. burying the royals in Choraideo landscape • A council headed by Union Culture Minister of the foothill of Patkai hills. The manages and administers the Fund and Changrung Phukan (canonical text decides the policies while an Executive developed by the Ahoms) discusses that Committee headed by Secretary, Culture Moidams were made of woods, and later actualizes those policies. of burnt bricks. • The Government granted a one-time corpus • Namdapha National Park, Arunachal fund to NCF. Apart from this, there is no fund Pradesh allocated by the Government to National o It is only park in the World to have the Culture Fund. It receives contributions and four Feline species of big cat namely the voluntary donations as endowments from Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and many other sources. Clouded Leopard. The area lies close to • All the projects undertaken by the NCF are the Indo-Myanmar-China tri-junction. completed within a specified period, in • River Island of Majuli in midstream of accordance with an MoU signed by NCF with Brahmaputra River in Assam the concerned donor organization. o The Majuli Island is a fluvial landform (a riverine delta). The formation of islets 7.15. WORLD HERITAGE SITES locally called as Chaporis around the Why in news? majuli island is its another significant feature. It is the largest mid river delta 6 monuments/historical sites in the North system in the world. Eastern states have been identified tentatively • Thembang Fortified Village, Arunachal for listing under World Heritage Site. Pradesh Details o Thembang bears an exceptional • Apatani Cultural Landscape, Arunachal testimony to the living cultural traditions Pradesh: of the Monpa tribe, which depicts o Apatani civilisation existed in Zero Valley, influences of diverse cultures - the Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutanese, the Tibetans and the 74 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

indigenous North East Indian. This UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in includes their social structure and Danger practices, rites, rituals and their • The Atlas aims to raise awareness about vernacular building knowledge systems language endangerment and the need to such as Dzongs or the fortress which are safeguard the world’s linguistic diversity. also found in Bhutan and Tibet. • It also serves as a tool to monitor the status 7.16. UNESCO ATLAS OF THE of endangered languages and the trends in WORLD’S LANGUAGES IN linguistic diversity at the global level. • It segregates language based on Degree of DANGER Endangerment as Safe, Vulnerable, Definitely endangered, Severely endangered, Critically Why in News? endangered and Extinct. • Recently, first ever dictionary of Gondi language was launched. 7.17. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS

More on news • Kerela has declared Jackfruit, known as • The project aims to create a standardized and 'plavu' in local parlance, the largest tree unified language and was supported by Indira borne fruit as it state fruit. Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, an • State Govt in Goa restored Coconut Palm as autonomous body under ministry of culture. the tree and declared the same as the state • At present, Gondi is spoken by two million tree of Goa. people in 6 states (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, • Balkrishna V. Doshi is the first Indian who Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and won the prestigious Pritzker Prize for his Andhra Pradesh). It has six different dialects innovative work of designing low-cost but can be written by only 100 people. housing. It is an international prize which is • UNESCO has put it in the ‘vulnerable’ awarded each year to a living architect for category in its Atlas of the World’s Languages his/her significant achievements and is also in Danger. referred to as Architecture’s Nobel and the profession’s highest honour.

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