IASbaba’s Prelims Capsule

IASbaba’s Prelims Current Affairs

25th October to 6th November 2015

Though the weightage of Current Affairs vary from year to year-it becomes imperative for us to strategize our preparation in such a manner that this unpredictability gets tamed at the right time, from our end. Right from the burning issues to the static part of the portion, a Civil Servant is supposed to understand the subjective realities of the country to which he belongs to- very well.

Current Events plays a key role in all the three stages of UPSC preparation, especially in the Mains and Interview. It covers a wide range of topics which overlaps with the CORE subjects like Geography, Polity, Economics, History and dynamic subjects like Environment, Science and Technology- making the section of ‘Current Affairs’ unputdownable for a serious aspirant.

Hence, the key here is substantiating the Core subjects with regular readings of the events taking place/in news. To make this process an easy one, we will be coming up with capsules of Pre-centric Coverage of the important events. We are sure that this will complement your preparation and push you towards your goals.

Best

IASbaba

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Hurricane Patricia weakens as it moves inland-

 Tropical Cyclone  In Western Hemisphere

Think

 What is the difference between Hurricane & Tornado?  What is the difference between Tropical and Extra-Tropical Cyclone?

Now a bird’s-eye view of Hampi monuments- The Hindu

 Hampi- UNESCO World Heritage Site  Last Capital of Vijayanagara Empire (14th to 16th CE)  On the banks of the Tungabhadra river

Think

 Learn about Vijayanagara Empire- Architecture and Administration!

RBI guidelines on gold deposit scheme

 The Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), 2015 will offer option to resident Indians to deposit their precious metal and earn an interest of up to 2.5 per cent  Under the Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme, investors can earn an interest rate of 2.75 per cent per annum by buying paper bonds.  It will aid in India’s Economic growth and reducing Current Account Deficit (CAD)

Think

 How will it reduce CAD?  Its effect on Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)

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Biodiversity Farming System

Model:

 To conserve indigenous paddy varieties (under threat of extinction)

Funded by:

 NABARD

Promoted by:

 Rural Organisation for Social Education

Progress:

 Cultivation of 18 indigenous paddy varieties: Disease+ Drought-resistant (medicinal properties)

Method:

 Rice Intensification Technique

Results:

 Brought down Input Costs: Seeds + Water  Non-application of fertilizer + Enhanced Soil Health + Rejuvenated fertility of the farm  Increased Crop Yield + Fodder Yield + Income of the farmer (Works as a model to enhance the income of small and medium farmers)  Harmonious presence of earthworm, beehives and birds

Lower Price of Basmati

Premium variety “basmati” is fetching a lower price than that of regular paddy.

Basmati is sown at a large scale?

 Fetches higher return,  Requires less water  It is a short-duration variety and can be sown late.  Punjab and Haryana accounts for over 70% of India’s output of basmati rice  PUSA 1509 -- it has much more yield than other varieties

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Madhya Pradesh Government declared 33 percent quota for women in government jobs

Women Reservation Bill-

 This bill seeks to amend the constitution to seek 33% reservation for women in all Central and State Legislative Assemblies  This would be the 108th constitutional amendment. The bill has been passed by Upper House but is pending in the Lower House of the Parliament.

Think

 All recent Constitutional Amendments  And their themes  Link

Freedom over the Internet, 2015 Report released

Released By:

 Freedom house, a non-government watchdog

Theme:

 Privatizing Censorship, Eroding Privacy

With respect to India-

 The report found that freedom on the internet is partly free with a total score of 40 on a 0 to 100 scale with 0 representing the best level of freedom on the net progress and 100 the worst.  Island ,Estonia,Canada enjoy more freedom where as China,Syria,Iran enjoy least freedom over the internet

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Amaravati-Next milestone in India's Urbanization

Why-

 It is the fifth planned city in India and also the first green field smart city

Other planned cities-

 Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Naya Raipur, Gandhinagar

Area wise Amravati is the second largest administrative regions after NCR Delhi

191 UNGA-members voted a resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba

Who voted against the Resolution-

Israel and USA

Who voted for the Resolution

All 191 members except USA and Israel

Why-

Cold War History (Cuba’s assertiveness during missile crisis)

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India’s stand-

 Continued existence of the embargo hampered not only multilateralism and the credibility of the Organization, but it also had a negative impact on the Cuban economy which was forced to bear considerable costs in sourcing products, technology and services and by discouraging investment into the country.  It has maintained that the international community needs to re-double its efforts to promote an environment free from sanctions and embargoes.

Think

 Learn about Cuba- Cuba is an archipelago of islands located in the Northern Caribbean Sea at the confluence with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean

 What is an archipelago?

 Cuba is ranked very high for human development by the United Nations, and high for health and education. In 2015, it became the first country to eradicate mother- to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, a milestone hailed by the World Health Organization as "one of the greatest public health achievements possible.

India-Africa Forum Summit 2015 held in New Delhi

Purpose - The meeting was to enable consultations at the highest political level between 54 nations across Africa and the Indian government.

It was the third IAFS since its inception. The previous summits were held in 2008 and 2011 in New Delhi and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) respectively.

Major take aways

 10 billion line of credit at concessional rates  50000 scholarships for African students to pursue higher studies in India.  600 million grant of assistance that will include African-Indian development fund of 100 million and 10 million of India-African health fund.

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WCD Ministry launched initiative to spread awareness about ‘BetiBachaoBetiPadhao Scheme’

Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Women and Child Development

Implementation: Being implemented jointly with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development

In collaboration with: Celltick Mobile Media Pvt Limited.

Launched on: 22 January 2015

Why-The country witnessed an alarming decline in the CSR (Child Sex Ratio) and thus, the scheme aims at improving the Child Sex Ratio CSR through multi-sectoral interventions including prevention of gender biased sex selection and promoting girls’ education and her holistic empowerment.

Working Mechanism-

 Mobile services based on its patented Live Screen platform will be available to over 100 million users in India.  The users will get interactive messages on their device’s home-screen, which will enable ease of use in accessing information about BBBP.  The platform will make sure to reach users based on their location as well as their language of preference.

Think

 There has been a steady decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) across India, with 918 females born per 1000 males as per the Census of 2011

Global Tuberculosis Report 2015 released by WHO

 The 2015 edition focuses on whether 2015 global TB targets set in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were achieved worldwide and at regional and country levels

Highlights about India

 India was part of the nine high-burden countries where all three of the 2015 targets for incidence, prevalence and mortality were met.

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 India accounted for 27% of global TB notifications in 2014.  India that followed the introduction of a policy of mandatory notification in May 2012 saw a rise of 29 percent TB notifications.  India with 23 percent of TB cases has the largest number of cases in the world.  India is among the group of countries wherein more than half of the world’s TB cases occurred.  India is one of three countries wherein more than half (54%) TB cases that were notified in 2014 had Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) – TB.

Suggestions –

 Scale up services and investments in research  From 2016, the global goal will shift from controlling TB to ending the global TB epidemic.  Ending TB is also now a SDG

Think

 What is MDG?  Worldwide, TB incidence has fallen 1.5% per year since 2000, for a total reduction of 18%.

RBI allowed NRIs to subscribe to National Pension System

 RBI took the decision in consultation with the Union Government to enable National Pension System (NPS) as an investment option for NRIs under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.  NRIs may subscribe to the NPS governed and administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)

About New Pension System

 The National Pension System (NPS) was launched on 1 January, 2004 with the objective of providing retirement income to all the citizens.  NPS aims to institute pension reforms and to inculcate the habit of saving for retirement amongst the citizens.  Initially, NPS was introduced for the new government recruits (except armed forces). With effect from 1 May, 2009, NPS has been provided for all citizens of the country including the unorganised sector workers on voluntary basis.

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Think

 Is NRI part of NPS? Yes- Can be asked in Prelims  With effect from May 1, 2009, NPS has been provided for all citizens of the country, including the unorganised sector workers, on voluntary basis.  Prepare about FEMA and PFRDA?

Ministry of Civil Aviation released Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy

Purpose– Providing a favourable environment and a level playing field to various aviation sub-sectors, such as Airlines, Airports, and Cargo, Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) services and so on.

Highlights of the NCAP

 Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), airlines will not be allowed to charge more than 2500 rupees for one hour flight between two small cities. The RCS will become effective from 1 April 2016.  Indian carriers will be free to enter into code-share agreements with foreign carriers for any destination within India on a reciprocal basis.  The Government will encourage use of private security agencies at airports for non- core security functions. The private security agencies will comprise retired personnel from military and para-military forces.  Proposes building no-frills airports at a cost of 50 crores rupees.  Proposes Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for scheduled commuter airlines indexed to ATF prices and inflation and it will be shared between Centre and State at 80:20.  Proposes creation of Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) for VGF which will be created by levy of 2% on all domestic and international tickets on all routes, other than CAT IIA and RCS.  Service-tax on output services of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will be zero-rated so as to develop India as an MRO hub in Asia.  The government invited suggestions before taking a final call on 5/20 Rule, which only allows local airlines to fly overseas when they have five years operational experience and at least a fleet of 20 aircraft.  Under Bilateral Traffic Rights, open skies for countries within 5000 kilometres will be considered with effect from 1 April 2020.  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines will be hiked to over 50 percent in open skies policy, which is currently 49 percent.

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 Government will support growth of helicopters for remote area connectivity and separate regulations for helicopters will be notified by DGCA by 1 April 2016.

Think

 What is Viability Gap Funding?  What is 5/20 Rule?  What do you mean by “no-frills”?

BRICS nations signed Moscow Declaration for supporting Multilateral Science Projects

Purpose- For co-investment of resources for supporting multilateral Research and Development (R&D) Projects in mutually agreed areas.

When-It was signed during third BRICS ministers of S&T held at Moscow on Oct 30th

It calls for collaboration in:

 Co-operation for large research infrastructures, including mega-science projects along with coordination of the existing large-scale national programme of member countries.  Implementation and development of a BRICS Framework Programme for funding joint multilateral research projects, innovation and technology commercialization.  Establishment of BRICS Research and Innovation Networking Platform.

BRICS Action Plan 2015-18

 The BRICS nations meeting also endorsed a BRICS Action Plan 2015-18 on BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation.  Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters led by Brazil;  Water resources and pollution treatment led by Russia  Geospatial technology and its application for development led by India;  New and renewable energy and energy efficiency with focus on Solid-state lightning led by China.

Think

 Try to know other multilateral organisations where India is a member and locate them in map  BRICS- How many members and who?  MOSCOW DECLARATION- by BRICS Nations

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Flight 7K9268 of Russian Airbus A321 crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

 Rumours are that ISIS shot down the Plane,but there is no hard core evidence supporting it.  The plane was travelling from Sharm el-Sheikh bound to St Petersburg

Think

 Identify the map and locate important physiography  Locate Sinai Peninsula

New Zealand won for record third time

 New-Zealand won Rugby World Cup for record third time London by defeating Australia

Webb Ellis Cup

 The Webb Ellis Cup is the awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup, the premier competition in men's international .  The Cup is named after William Webb Ellis, who is often credited as the inventor of .  The trophy is silver gilt and has been presented to the winner of the Rugby World Cup since the first competition in 1987.

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Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) won majority in Parliamentary elections of Turkey

 AKP won more than 276 seats needed to get a majority and form a government of its own. But, it fell 14 seats short of the amount needed to call a referendum on changing the Constitution and increasing the powers of the President.  The party founded by President RecepTayyip Erdogan secured 316 seats in the 550- member parliament and garnered 49.4 percent of the vote.

Think

 Locate Turkey  Identify the surrounding nations of Turkey, their capital and rivers in Atlas

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile successfully test-fired from INS Kochi

 What: BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully test-fired from INS Kochi  Where: Off the West Coast  Why: To validate capabilities of BrahMos& INS Kochi

Features of BrahMos Missile

 It is the first supersonic cruise missile capable of carrying a conventional and nuclear warhead of 300 kilogram.  It is a two-stage missile having Solid propellant in the first stage and Ramjet liquid propellant in the second stage.  It can be launched from land, Sea, Sub-seas and air.

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 It operates on Fire and Forget Principle by adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target.  It approaches the enemy target with a top speed of Mach 2.8; which is about three times faster than the US subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.  The missile has been developed by the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. It is a joint venture between Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the missile derives its name from the names of two rivers, namely the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.  While the navy and army versions of the missile were inducted in 2005 and 2007 respectively, the air version is still in the testing stage.  Try to know in brief and revise:NAG,AKASH,HELINA,PRITVI,AGNI,NIRBHAY

Think

 What is Fire and Forget Technology?  What is Missile Technology Control Regime? Is the development of Brahmos linked with MTCR?  Why is the range of Brahmos limited to less than 300 Km?

Vikalp Scheme launched for confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers in alternate trains

Who-Indian Railways has launched Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) called as Vikalp to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers in alternate trains.

The scheme was launched on pilot basis for the tickets booked through internet on Delhi- Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu sectors of Northern Railway. It will be operational for six months.

Why-

 The purpose of the scheme is to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation  Under this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train can opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.  However, ATAS will opt for passengers who will remain fully waitlisted after charting and they will be considered for allotment in the alternate train.

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ICGS Arinjay commissioned in Kochi

Highlights of ICGS Arinjay

 The ship is 15th in the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV).  The 50-metre indigenous FPV has a displacement of 290 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots.  It is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment  The ship is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation

Think

 Know some of the Indian Frigates,Destroyers,Aircraft carriers and differences between them.

First Scorpene class Submarine set afloat

 Kalavari, first Scorpene class submarine was set afloat in Mumbai  Manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilder Ltd.

Details --

 67 metre long and 6.2 metre wide  1550 tonnes displacement  Superior stealth and ability to launch an attack on enemy using precision-guided weapons  Attack can be made using torpedoes or from tube launched anti-ship missile, underwater or on surface.

Details of Scorpene Deal

 India chose Scorpene-class submarine in 2005.  Purchase order was for 6 submarines.  Technology transfer agreement is there and all ships will be built in India only.

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Meghalaya HC asked Union Government to enforce AFSPA 1958 in Garo Hills region

Why-

 For the purpose of deployment of armed forces in the aid of civil administration in order to restore public order and maintain the law and order.  This comes at a time when block development officer, the Chokpotregion, is more prone to kidnaps,abduction of government personnel by Garo militants.  This also comes at a time when Tripura assembly passed a resolution to repeal AFSPA in their state

Think

 Read about AFSPA and its related controversies for mains perspective  GARO Hills- In Meghalaya  It is one of the wettest place in the world

Some important facts about locations near Garo Hills

 Nokrek Peak: The highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek Peak stands 1412 metres above sea level.

 Balpakram: A National Wildlife Park, located in SouthGaro Hills and 167 km from Tura Home to the rare Lesser Panda, the Indian bison and the Stag like Serow. A variety of medicinal herbs locally called "dikges" grow abundantly in Balpakram.

 Napak Lake: Located at a distance of 112 km from Tura, ideal for fishing and bird watching with the river Simsang flowing nearby.

 Siju Caves: The famous limestone caves of Siju are located near Naphak Lake.

Odisha government banned fishing to protect Olive Ridley turtles

Why-The over half a million endangered Olive Ridley turtles annually arrive during winters for mass nesting in three nesting sites

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 Rushikulya river mouthin Ganjam district

 Devi river mouth in Puri district

 Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapada district . One of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites.

 These turtles arrive and congregate in the shallow coastal water of the Bay of Bengal in November and climb ashore for nesting between December and March. Most hatchlings emerge by May.

Think

 Also known as the Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, it is a medium-sized species of sea turtle found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha, a part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary  Bhitarkanika Mangroves were designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002

 Do you know the famous lake and also a wetland in Orissa? ItsChilka!  Olive Ridley sea turtle has found place in Schedule - I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 1991).  All the species of sea turtles in the coastal water of Orissa are listed as "vulnerable" as per IUCN Red Data Book.  The Sea Turtles are protected under the 'Migratory Species Convention' and CITES (Convention of International Trade on Wildlife Flora and Fauna). India is a signatory nation to all these conventions

Species of Turtle

 Leatherback Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea turtle- Four of the species have been identified as "endangered" or "critically endangered.

 Flatback Sea Turtle and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle- "Vulnerable".

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Eight Core Industries of IIP grew by 3.2% in September 2015; Fastest in 4 months

 The eight core industries — Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilisers, Steel, Cement and Electricity — comprises about 38 per cent of IIP.  Index of Industrial Production is compiled and published every month by Central Statistics Office (CSO)

Think

 What is IIP?  How is it calculated?  Contribution of each core industry in IIP?

Dracula ant discovered in Western Ghats region of Kerala

 A new species of the Dracula ant, likely to be of Stigmatomma group of predaceous ants, was discovered by a group of citizen scientists in the Western Ghats region of Kerala.

 Why they are called Dracula-Because they feed on their own larvae. At the times of scarcity, the species punctures the body of their larvae to drink hemolymph.

 Earlier, three Dracula ant species had been discovered in the past in Kolkata, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka. These subterranean ants are nearly 1 cm long and have poor vision. They feed on centipedes.

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Think

Identify and locate some endemic species and national parks of Western Ghats in Atlas

UNGA First Committee approved draft resolution to prevent placement of nuclear arms in outer space

 The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 2 November 2015 approved a draft resolution titled No first placement of weapons in outer space.  The draft was approved by a recorded vote of 122 in favour with 47 abstentions. Four countries abstained from voting, namely Israel, Ukraine, United States and Georgia.

Besides, the First Committee also approved without vote following resolutions:

 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction: This resolution was by Hungary. It calls for encouraging States parties to provide information on their implementation of the Convention’s article X.  The article stresses on protecting and encouraging the peaceful uses of biological science and technology and to offer assistance to ensure compliance.  Preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction  As part of it, UNGA urged all Member States to take and strengthen national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.  It also called for strengthening national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring the materials and technologies related to their manufacture, and their means of delivery.

About First Committee

 The First Committee is one of the six main committees at the UNGA. The committee deals with threats to peace, disarmament, and related international security questions that affect the globe.  Remember and Revise various organs of UN: . Headquarters . Some reports published by UNDP,WHO.

Think

 Weapon of Mass Destruction can be nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological or other weapon

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The development and use of WMD is governed by several International Conventions and Treaties, although not all countries have signed and ratified them:

 Partial Test Ban Treaty  Outer Space Treaty  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)  Seabed Arms Control Treaty  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT, has not entered into force as of 2012)  Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC)  Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

Daughters cannot inherit ancestral property if father died before 2005: SC

The Supreme Court (SC) in the first week of November 2015 ruled that as per the provisions of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, a daughter’s right to ancestral property does not arise if the father died before September 2005, when the amendment came into force.

Background

 The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, originally did not give daughters inheritance rights in ancestral property. They could only ask for a right to sustenance from a joint Hindu family and could not ask for a share in the property.  In 2005, the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was passed to amend the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 in order to give daughters equal inheritance rights in ancestral property along with her male siblings.

Think

 Do you remember what Article 14 says?If not remember and revise!

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UNHCR released study titled “I am Here, I belong” on Need to End Childhood Statelessness

Highlights of the report

 Every ten minutes a stateless child is born largely because of discriminatory citizenship laws and violent conflicts taking place across the globe.  The problem is most visible in the Syrian refugee crisis due to which around 140000 children born stateless in neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.  In at least 20 countries, stateless children cannot receive vaccines. In others, including Cote d’Ivoire and Georgia, stateless children are not eligible for primary school or must pay a fee to attend school.

To correct the situation,

 The UNHCR urged all states to take steps, including allowing children to gain the nationality of the country in which they are born.  It also seeks to ensure universal birth registration to prevent statelessness, and the elimination of laws and practices that deny children nationality because of their ethnicity, race or religion.

PM Narendra Modi launched three gold related schemes

When: Nov 5th

Why-The primary purpose of the schemes is to reduce dependence on imported gold, recycle the unutilized gold in the country and most importantly, streamline the gold business in the country.At present, India is the largest consumer of gold in the world.

Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS)

Its objective is to mobilize unutilized gold from individuals, households and institutions and make them available to gold-base industries including jewellers.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme

The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the demand for physical gold and to shift part of the estimated 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased every year for investment into Demat (Dematerialised) gold bonds

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Indian Gold Coins

 Its purpose is to revive investment and reduce dependence on imports of gold coins. At present, India has been importing about 60 tonnes of gold coins annually that are sold at a premium of 8-10 per cent.  Under the scheme, gold coins bearing the Ashok Chakra will be minted by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India.  Initially, the coins will be available in denominations of 5 gm and 10 gm  They will be sold through banks, post offices and state-run MMTC Ltd. (Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India) which will sell them through the World Gold Council (WGC).

China launches latest mapping satellite of Tianhui-1 series

 Third mapping satellite of the Tianhui-1 series  It will be used for scientific experiments, land resource surveys, mapping, crop yield estimation and disaster relief

Think

 Indian Mapping Satellite?

Magnitude 7.5 earthquake epicentred in Hindu Kush mountain range

 Focus on- The highest point in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir.  To the East, the Hindu Kush buttresses the Pamir Mountains near the point where the borders of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan meet, after which it runs southwest through Pakistan and into Afghanistan, finally merging into minor ranges in western Afghanistan.  The mountain range separates Central Asia from South Asia  The most important mountain pass is the Salang Pass, it links Kabul and points south of it to northern Afghanistan

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Sakharov Prize

 Raif Badawi of Saudi Arabia, who was sentenced last year to a decade in prison and 1,000 lashes, was honoured with the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize  Officially known as the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought  The first prize was awarded jointly to South African Nelson Mandela and Russian Anatoly Marchenko  Three Sakharov laureates were subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Malala Yousafzai

Strong solar winds may have stripped life on Mars: NASA

Focus on- Solar WindIts impact and features

NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission- MAVEN is the first mission devoted to understanding how the sun might have influenced atmospheric changes on the Red Planet.

Think

 The solar wind is responsible for the overall shape of Earth's magnetosphere.  One of the most dramatic effects of the solar wind on Earth is the Aurora Borealis  Solar flares and an increased solar wind increase radiation levels that interfere with satellites in Earth’s orbit. Severe solar flares can even interfere with electronics and cell phone communication on Earth  The solar wind is the force that causes comets to have tails that point away from the Sun.

GSAT-15 set to replace INSAT-3A, 4B

Focus- What is GSAT-15?

 GSAT-15 which will be the 10th communication satellite, will have estimated lifespan of 12 years. It will augment telecommunication, Direct-To-Home and radio navigation services

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 It’s a communication satellite- The GSAT satellites are India's indigenously developed technologies of communications satellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting.  The GSAT series of geosynchronous satellites is a system developed by ISRO with an objective to make India self-reliant in broadcasting services.

Fast forwarding to thorium

Focus on- Stages of Nuclear Program of India

India’s three stage Nuclear Programme This programme was formulated in 1950s by Dr. Homi Bhabha to secure the country’s long term energy independence, via use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India. The ultimate focus is on Thorium Fuel Cycle. The three stages are as follows: 1. Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)

2. Fast breeder reactor (FBR)

3. Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR)

Why PHWR was selected as Stage One?  The first stage involved using natural uranium to fuel PHWR to produce electricity and producing Plutonium-239 as a by-product.  We note here that the PHWRs were chosen for the first stage because in 1960s, India had the efficient reactor design in terms of uranium utilisation.

 It was calculated that rather than going for creation of Uranium Enrichment Facilities, it would be wiser to create heavy water production facilities it would be wiser to create heavy water production facilities  Moreover, using Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors rather than Light Water Reactors was also a correct and wise decision. While Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors used un-enriched uranium, Light Water Reactors required enriched uranium. Further, India could domestically produce the components of PWHR, as opposed to LWRs. Furthermore the by-product plutonium-293 would be used in the second stage.

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What is the logic behind Stage-2

 The second stage involves using plutonium-239 to produce mixed-oxide fuel, which would be used in Fast Breeder Reactors. Plutonium 293 undergoes fission to produce energy, and metal oxide is reacted with enriched uranium reacts with mixed-oxide fuel to produce more plutonium-239.  Furthermore once a sufficient amount of plutonium-239 is built up, thorium will be used in the reactor, to produce Uranium-233. This uranium is crucial for the third stage.

AHWR as Third stage: The main purpose of stage-3 is to achieve a sustainable nuclear fuel cycle. The advance nuclear system would be used a combination of Uranium-233 and Thorium. Thus India's vast thorium would be exploited, using a thermal breeder reactor.

Think

 What is Fissile Material?  What is Uranium Enrichment?  Difference between Nuclear Fission and Fusion?

Mongoose too can spread rabies

 Rabies- It is a viral disease (Remember)  Causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals  Remember that other than Dogs- Bat bites are the most common source of rabies infections in humans, and less than 5% of cases are from dogs.  And recent studies find that Mongoose is also responsible for Rabies.

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 Although the Indian grey mongoose is listed as a rabies virus vector in India, the golden jackal is known to be the principal wild species which transmits the virus.

Chile: where three tectonic plate boundaries meet

Chile is one of the few places where three major plates meet. In other words, it is a triple junction.

SEA FLOOR SPREADING

 The process of new ocean crust forming at the ridges and moving towards the trenches where it is consumed is the essence of sea floor spreading. It is because of this reason that the ocean crust is always younger than the continental crust.  In general, the rate at which ocean plate’s move is determined by the rate at which new ocean crust is formed at the ridges.  Mid-oceanic ridges are generally located far away from the trenches. This allows the ocean crust to age a bit before it is consumed at the trenches. However, in the case of Chile, the Chile ridge is located close to the Trench.  The Nazca-Antarctic Plate boundary is comprised of the Chile Ridge where new ocean crust is formed. And this Chile Ridge is subducted beneath the South American Plate at 46 degree south latitude. The southern Chile triple junction is a magnificent showpiece of a ridge-trench collision.

Think

 Reason for Powerful Earthquakes in Chile- the angle of subduction (diving) by the Nazca Plate below the South American Plate is very shallow — 5 to 15 degrees.  The place where one plate sub-ducts beneath another is called a trench.  The place where new ocean crust is formed is called a ridge.  The Chile triple junction region is one of only two presently active examples of a ridge-trench collision.The other being the west coast of North America; the ridge- trench collision is very prominent along the California continental margin.

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Survey spots 51 odonate species in Munnar

What is Odonate?

 The order Odonata ("toothed ones") includes some of the most ancient and beautiful insects that ever roamed Earth, as well as some of the largest flying invertebrates ever to have lived.  Both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the Odonata, which is a subgroup of insects.

In this article you will find the names

 Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary- Locate it

Other Odonates

 Travancore Torrent Dart  Blue Darner  Coorg Bambootail  Blue-tailed Forest Hawk

Urban backyards go green with biogas

 Remember-Biogas is a different mixture of gases produced by breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen  Biogas is primarily Methane and Carbon Dioxide&may have small amount of Hydrogen Sulfide  The composition of biogas varies depending upon the origin of the anaerobic digestion process

Typical composition of biogas

Compound Formula %

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Methane CH4 50–75

Carbon dioxide CO2 25–50

Nitrogen N2 0–10

Hydrogen H2 0–1

Hydrogen sulfide H2S 0–3

Oxygen O2 0–0.5

Water hyacinth to be cleared shortly

Focus on

 Water hyacinth, is an aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin (South America), and is often considered a highly problematic invasive species outside its native range  Water hyacinth is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. If these mats cover the entire surface of the pond they can cause oxygen depletions and fish kills  They are excellent source of biomass  The roots of naturally absorb pollutants, including lead, mercury, and strontium-90, as well as some organic compounds believed to be carcinogenic, in concentrations 10,000 times that in the surrounding water.  Water hyacinths can be cultivated for waste water treatment  It is used in medicinal purpose as well  The plant is used as a carotene-rich table vegetable in Taiwan

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Migratory birds keep tryst with Kashmir

In this article

 Mention of Hokarsar Wetland Reserve- Location- Srinagar

Migratory Birds

 Mallards, Common teals, Gadwalls, Sandhill crane, Pintails and Coots  Greylag geese, Wigeons, Pochards, Shovelers, Cormorants and Sheldrake ducks

Temperature rise more in winter months than in summer

 Data of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the past 114 years revealed that the increase in temperature had been more in the winter months than those of summer.  The highest rise in maximum temperature has been in December and February, followed by November and October.

Think

 The warming trend has been noticed in all the months, but more so in post-monsoon and winter months.  A research we conducted in 2002 had revealed an increase in absorption of aerosols from emissions during the pre-monsoon months.  It could be actually cutting down the solar radiation reaching the earth's surface, causing reduced warming during pre-monsoon or summer months as compared to post-monsoon and winter months.  The concentration of aerosols is more in pre-monsoon months than during monsoon and post-monsoon months.

Hot October

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 The unusually hot October this year could be attributed to the truant clouds and anti-cyclones over the northern and central parts of the country.  Anti-cyclones are associated with subsiding air, causing warming of the atmosphere. The subsiding air suppresses cloud formation. Sun's radiation directly reaches the earth's surface in less cloud.

The 'driest place on Earth' is covered in pink flowers because of El Nino

Chile's Atacama Desert The most arid place in the world

Strange Phenomenon

 The cyclical warming of the central Pacific may be causing droughts and floods in various parts of the world, but in the vast desert of northern Chile it has also caused a vibrant explosion of thousands of species of flowers with an intensity not seen in decades.  El Nino, which wreaks havoc on world weather patterns every two to seven years, has hit particularly hard this year, causing unusually heavy rainfall in the world's driest desert.That has caused dormant flower bulbs and rhizomes - underground stems that grow horizontally - to germinate.

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