Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I January 2019 Current 1

Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th January 2019 September 2018

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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th January 2019 September 2018

Table of Contents

Awards & Honours ...... 3 Days & Events ...... 5 International Affairs ...... 6 National Affairs ...... 8 Personalities in News ...... 14 Books & Authors ...... 15 Government Policies & Schemes ...... 16 Science & Technology ...... 20 Committees & Recommendations ...... 21 Business & Economy ...... 22 Sports ...... 23 Defence ...... 28 Polity ...... 29

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Current Affairs Monthly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rdto 29th Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 16thto 22nd Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 19th to 25th January 2019 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018

Awards &Honours  Assam government has conferred the 'Republic Day Journalism Award 2019 to veteran journalist and former editor Dhirendra Nath Chakraborty Piyush Goyal Presented with Carnot Prize on 26 January 2019.  He has been honoured for his lifelong contribution to journalism in the  Union Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal was formally presented state. with fourth annual Carnot Prize at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 30th  January, 2019. He is the former Editor of Dainik Asom, Dainik Janambhumi and Ajir Batori group of newspaper.  The prize was presented by Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. Tomy Abhilash awarded with Nao Sena Medal  The Carnot Prize is intended to honour distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.  President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Nao Sena Medal to Commander Tomy Abhilash on 25 January 2019. Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018 presented  Tomy Abhilash had participated in the Golden Globe navigation race in 2018.  On January 29, 2019 Sahitya Akademi presented the Sahitya Akademi  Award 2018 at a function in New Delhi during the Festival of Letters. Abhilash was stranded 3,200 km off the coast of Western Australia after his sailing vessel, INSV Thuriya's mast broken during a severe storm in the  The awards were presented for writings in 24 different Indian languages. Indian Ocean.  Renowned Hindi writer Chitra Mudgal, Dogri writer Inderjeet Kesar, Kannada writer KG Nagarajappa and Kashmiri story writer Mushtaq Army Chief awarded 'Param Vishisht Seva Medal' Ahmad Mushtaq were among the 24 winners.  On 25 January 2019, Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat was India wins Award of Excellence at Travel Show conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).  Fifteen lieutenant generals and three major generals have also been  India bagged the Award of Excellence for ‘Best in Show’ at New York awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM). Times Travel Show 2019.  Param Vishisht Seva Medal is the highest military medal awarded in  The show was held from 25th to 27th January in New York, USA. recognition of peace-time services not relating to gallantry.  Many India centric activities were held at the show including Indian cultural performances, Indian Culinary Demonstrations, Food tasting, etc. Jayant Kaikini wins DSC prize  Indian was delegation led by Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, GoI.  On 25 January 2019, Kannada author Jayant Kaikini, along with translator Tejaswini Niranjana, won the prestigious 'DSC Prize for South Asian 'Kisan Gandhi' tableau wins first prize. Literature' for the book 'No Presents Please: Mumbai Stories' for 2018.  The award was presented at the Kolkata Literary Meet.  The Indian Council of Agricultural Research tableau in the Republic Day  The award carries a prize of $25,000. Parade has won the first prize for its Kisan Gandhi theme.  This is the first time that a Kannada work and a work in translation has  The ICAR tableau with the theme "Mishrit Kheti, Khushiyon Ki Kheti" won the award. portrayed Gandhi with goats and a cow and Kasturba engaged with charkha and caring animals. Tamil translation of French book wins award  The tableau showcased a view from Bapu Kuti at Wardha Ashram.  The Tamil translation of Andrei Makine's 'La vie d'un homme inconnu' SAG awards 2019 (The Life of an Unknown Man) was awarded the 'Romain Rolland' Prize for literary translation on 25 January 2019.  Black Panther has won the top film award in at the 25th Screen Actors  The book was translated by SR Kichenamourty. Guild Awards in Los Angeles.  The award consists of an invitation to the Paris Book Fair 2019 in March  The best actor awards for film went to Glenn Close for The Wife and Rami for the publisher of the work and one-month residency in France for the Malek for his performance as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in translator. Bohemian Rhapsody.  Emily Blunt won the award for best female actor in a supporting role in Bharat Ratna for Pranab, Deshmukh, Hazarika the horror film, A Quiet Place.  On 25 January 2019, President Ramnath Kovind conferred the Bharat Govt announces Padma Awards 2019 Ratna on former President Pranab Mukherjee.  Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika  On 25 January 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma were awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously. Awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the category, to 112 people  from various disciplines. Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award.  The awards were conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Govt institutes 'Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar' Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.  The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma  The government of India instituted an annual award titled 'Subhash Shri awardees. Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar'.  Twenty-one of the awardees are women.  The award recognises all Indian Citizens and organisations who have excelled in areas of Disaster Management. NRL receives 'Best Miniratna PSU' award  The award will be announced every year on 23rd January on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.  Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) was awarded the best Strategic  Performance (Financial Category) at the sixth edition of 'Governance Now For 2019, 8th Battalion of NDRF was selected for the award. PSU' Awards on 25 January 2019. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards conferred  The awards are given out in recognition of the efforts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) who have played a key role in the country's growth.  On 23 January 2019, three Indian expats from the UAE were conferred  NRL is a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum, Oil India and Govt of with the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award'. Assam.  The award was conferred on Girish Pant, Surender Singh Kandhari and Dr Zulekha Daud. D N Chakraborty gets journalism award  Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred by the President on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) or organisation or institution run by NRIs or PIOs.

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VP presents Chhatra Vishwakarma & SAGY Awards Gandhi Peace Prize announced

 The Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu presented the 2nd Chhatra  The Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015,2016,2017 and 2018 were Vishwakarma Awards to students & their mentors & Sansad Adarsh Gram announced on 16 January 2019. Yojana (SAGY) Awards to institutions on 21 January 2019.  Vivekananda Kendra got the prize for 2015.  The Chhatra Vishwakarma Awards aims to recognise the innovations and  Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International got the prize for achievements of individuals as well as institutions. 2016.  SAGY Award was given under the theme 'Developed Village-Developed  EkalAbhiyan Trust got the prize for 2017. Nation'.  Yohei Sasakawa got the prize for 2018.  The annual prize was instituted by the Government of India in 1995. Short film from India gets Oscars nomination Glenn Close to receive Oscar Wilde Award  An Indian short film titled 'Period. End of Sentence' has earned a nomination in the Documentary Short Subject category for the 91st  The US-Ireland Alliance has announced that the veteran actor Glenn Academy Awards. Close will receive the 'Oscar Wilde Award' on 21 February 2019.  The short film was directed by Rayka Zehtabchi.  She will receive the award at the 14th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards.  Other documentary short films that were nominated are 'Black Sheep',  She also won the 2018 Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Motion 'End Game', 'Lifeboat', and 'A Night at the Garden'. Picture Drama for the film, 'The Wife'. Sitanshu awarded Saraswati Samman 2017 PM Narendra Modi receives Philip Kotler award

 Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashashchandra was awarded 'Saraswati Samman  Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler 2017' on 22 January 2019. Presidential award on 14 January 2019.  He was awarded for his poetry collection in Gujarati named 'Vakhar'.  The Award focuses on the triple-bottom-line of People, Profit, and Planet.  The award was instituted by K.K.Birla foundation.  He has been selected for his outstanding leadership for the nation.  The award is given every year to an outstanding work of an Indian citizen  Prof. Philip Kotler is a world-renowned Professor of Marketing at published during the last 10 years in any of the languages mentioned in Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. Schedule 8 of the constitution. Namita wins Sushila Devi Literature Award Anurag Thakur gets Sansad Ratna Award  Writer Namita Gokhale won the 'Sushila Devi Literature Award' for her  Anurag Thakur, MP, Hamirpur, has been bestowed with the 'Sansad novel 'Things to Leave Behind' on 12 January 2019. Ratna Award' for distinguished performance as a parliamentarian on 19  She was awarded in the 'Best Book of Fiction Written by a Woman January 2019. Author' category at the inaugural edition of Bhopal Literature and Art  The Sansad Ratna Award was started in 2010 on the suggestion of former Festival (BLF). president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.  The literary event was attended by over 70 writers and artists.  The award is given to 12 top performing parliamentarians, including a standing committee. Adi Godrej conferred ICSI lifetime award

Rao chosen for Sheikh Saud International Prize  Industrialist and Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej was conferred with the ICSIs Lifetime Achievement Award for 'Translating Excellence in  Scientist and recipient of Bharat Ratna C N R Rao has been chosen for the Corporate Governance into Reality' on 10 January 2019. first 'Sheikh Saud International Prize for Materials Research' by the  The awards were instituted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of Centre for Advanced Materials of the United Arab Emirates. India (ICSI).  The award involves a plaque, a medal and a cash prize of 1 lakh US Dollar.  The ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance were  The award will be presented at the International Workshop on Advanced bagged jointly by Cipla Ltd and Dabur India Ltd Materials in UAE on 25 February 2019. Golden Globe Awards announced-II Ranjani Murali wins 'Woman's Voice Award'  'Roma' won the award for Best Foreign Language Picture.  US-based Indian poet Ranjani Murali received the 'Woman's Voice Award'  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won the award for the Best animated at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) on 20 January 2019. picture.  The aim of the award is to recognise and encourage creative writing by  Mahershala Ali won the award for the Best Supporting Actor. women in India and to support the publication of their writing.  Regina King won the award for the Best Supporting Actress.  Ranjani Murali's first book of poems 'Blind Screens' was published in July  Christian Bale won the award for the Best Actor – Musical or Comedy 2017.  Olivia Colman won the award for the Best Actress – Musical or Comedy Dr. Rattan Lal honoured with 2019 Japan Prize Golden Globe Awards announced-I  Dr Rattan Lal was honoured with '2019 Japan Prize' on 16 January 2019.  On 6 January 2019, The Golden Globe Awards for 2018 were announced  He was awarded for his research on the processes and factors of soil in the USA. degradation caused by inappropriate biological production.  'Bohemian Rhapsody' won the award for Best Motion Picture – Drama  He is Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science at The Ohio State  Rami Malek won the award for Best Actor – Drama University in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.  Glenn Close won the award for Best Actress – Drama  He has been listed among the World's Most Influential Scientific Minds  Alfonso Cuaron won the award for the Best Director (2012)  'Green Book' won the award for the Best Motion Picture – Musical or WCD shortlists 26 children for National Award Comedy

 The National Selection Committee under the Women and Child 'Exhibitor of the Year Award' for DRDO Development Ministry, have finalised the names of awardees for  'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2019'. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) pavilion received 'Exhibitor of the Year Award' at 106th Indian Science Congress  Maneka Gandhi is the Chairperson of the National Selection Committee. (ISC) held at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab.  The award is conferred upon children for their bravery, social service, and  The DRDO Pavillion at ISC was inaugurated on 3 January 2019. exceptional achievement in the fields of innovation, sports, and arts. 4 | P a g e

 The pavilion exhibited surface-to-air missile system - Akash, a model of  The Indian Society for Remote Sensing (ISRS) conferred the National BrahMos missile, remotely operated vehicle etc. Geospatial Award for Excellence-2017 (Life Time Achievement Award) to IIT professor Jayanta Kumar Ghosh Anganwadi workers to be honoured with awards  The award was given to him for his contribution to the development of  Union Minister for Women & Child Development, Maneka Gandhi geospatial science and applications. conferred National Awards to 97 Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) on 7  ISRS is an organisation known in the area of space science, remote January 2019. sensing and geospatial technology.  The awards were given for their Exceptional Achievements for the year 2017-18  The award is given to motivate the AWWs and recognise their exemplary Days & Events service in the field of child development and related areas under the 'Artisan Speak' organised by Textile Ministry Integrated Child Development Scheme.  Ministry of Textiles presented an event named 'Artisan Speak' at Dinu conferred with lifetime achievement award Elephanta Caves near Mumbai on January 28, 2019.  Veteran journalist Dinu Randive was conferred with the lifetime  The event showcased the rich handloom and textile tradition of India. achievement award by the Mantralaya and Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh.  The event will display the potential of GI (Geographical Indication)  The Sangh is an association of journalists covering Maharashtra textiles so as to promote and build awareness of such products and to legislature and secretariat. strengthen skills and supply chain capacity of grassroots stakeholders.  Mr. Randive started his journalistic career in 1956. 8th Annual Pulicat Day to be observed on 2 Feb  He also participated in the freedom struggle, the Sanyukta Maharashtra movement, and the Goa liberation movement.  The eighth annual 'Pulicat Day' will be observed on 2 February at Pulicat in Tamil Nadu. Farooq to be honoured by Bimal Roy Society  The aim of the day is to create awareness among people about the  Farooq Sheikh and Asha Parekh will be honoured by the Bimal Roy importance of protecting the Pulicat lagoon. Memorial and Film Society to commemorate the 52nd death anniversary  Pulicat lake was once a prominent port of south-east coast for cotton of the renowned filmmaker. export which attracted the Arabs in 700AD, Europeans in 1502 and  The society was instituted in memory of the late filmmaker Bimal Roy. Japanese in 1619 in AD.  Its aim is to reward unsung heroes of the film industry. International day for Holocaust Remembrance  Awards will also be given to directors Ananth Mahadevan and Amit Rai for making socially relevant films.  The International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust is observed every year on 27 January 2019. Wahengbam Singh to get National Bravery Award  The theme for 2019 is The theme of the Holocaust remembrance and education activities this year is 'Holocaust Remembrance: Demand and  Wahengbam Lamnganba Singh from Manipur was selected by the Indian Defend Your Human Rights'. Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) for receiving National Bravery Award.  The theme highlights the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of  He will be receiving the award from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Human Rights. on January 23, 2019.  He saved his cousin brother from drowning in a pond on 16 May 2018. National Voters’ Day: 25 January  The National Bravery Awards are given on every Republic Day.  National Voters' Day (NVD) is observed in India every year on 25 January AP govt bags CBIP award for Polavaram project 2019.  NVD is celebrated to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of  The Andhra Pradesh government bagged the Central Board of Irrigation India, which was established on 25th January 1950. and Power (CBIP) award for speedy execution of Polavaram multipurpose  The aim of the day is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the project. enrollment, especially for the new voters.  It received the award in the category of 'Best Implementation of Water  'My Vote Matters', a Quarterly Magazine will also be launched on the Resources Project' for better planning, implementation, and monitoring. occasion.  Polavaram project multipurpose project on the Godavari river. International Day of Education: 24 January Vijay Kumar won the Ramnath Goenka Award  International Day of Education is observed on 24 January.  S. Vijay Kumar was presented the 'Ramnath Goenka Excellence in  The aim of the day is to celebrate the role of education for peace & Journalism' Award for Investigative Reporting (Print category) on 4 development. January 2019.  The United Nations General Assembly on December 3 adopted a  He is Senior Deputy Editor with 'The Hindu'. resolution declaring January 24 as International Day of Education.  The award has been instituted by the Ramnath Goenka Memorial  In India, National Education Day is observed on 11 November to Foundation. commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.  Awards were presented to 29 journalists across India in various categories. National Girl Child Day observed on 24 Jan

National Entrepreneurship Awards held in Delhi  National Girl Child Day is observed every year on 24 January.  The theme for 2019 is 'Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow'.  The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship hosted the third  The aim of the day is to raise awareness on the issue of declining Child edition of the 'National Entrepreneurship' Awards in New Delhi on 4 Sex Ratio (CSR) and create a positive environment around valuing the girl January 2019. child.  The awards aim to recognize and honor outstanding young first- generation entrepreneurs and those who have contributed immensely to Army Day observed on 15 January building the entrepreneurship ecosystem.  A total of 43 awards were presented for 2019.  Army day is observed every year in India on 15 January.  On this day in 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa took over as Jayanta Kumar won 'National Geospatial Award' the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army.

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 On this day, Indian Army also remembers and pays tributes to soldiers,  The United Nations observed the first official World Braille Day on 4 who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. January.  The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the importance of Braille.  It also aims to raise awareness about the human rights of visually- impaired and partially-sighted people,  The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in November 2018. DRDO day is observed on 1 January

 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) day is observed on 1 January.  The DRDO was established in 1958 with just 10 laboratories to enhance the research work in defence sector.  Dr. G Satheesh Reddy is the Chairman of DRDO.  DRDO works under the Department of Defence Research and Development of Ministry of Defence.

International Affairs Malaysia crowns Sultan Abdullah as King

 Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of central Pahang state was crowned as Malaysia’s 16th king on 31 January, 2019.  The move came nearly a month after the sudden abdication of Sultan Muhammad V.  Sultan Abdullah is a council member of the world football governing body FIFA, president of the Asian Hockey Federation, and an executive board member of the International Hockey Federation. UAE, Saudi Arab launch digital currency  The central banks of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have launched a common digital currency called ‘Aber’.  The central bank-based digital currency will make cross-border financial transactions more secure and financially efficient. Armed Forces Veteran Day observed on 14 Jan  Dirham is the currency of UAE while Saudi Riyal is the currency of Saudi  The Indian Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed every year on 14 Arabia. January. Strategic MoUs between Syria and Iran  The day is celebrated as a mark of respect and recognition of the services rendered by Field Marshal, who retired from service on 14 January 1953.  Syria and Iran signed 11 agreements and MoUs including a "long-term  K.M. Cariappa was the first Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. strategic economic cooperation" deal on January 29, 2019.  The agreements cover various fields including economy, culture, National Youth Day: 12 January education, infrastructure, investment and housing.   National Youth Day is observed every year on 12 January. They were signed during a visit to Damascus by Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri.  The day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. NASA solar probe begins second orbit of Sun  The aim of the day is to propagate the philosophy and the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.  NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has begun its second orbit of the Sun and is on  He was a social reformer, philosopher and thinker. track for its closest approach to our star.  In 1984, the government of India first declared to celebrate the birthday  Just 161 days after its launch, the Parker probe completed its first orbit of of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day. the Sun on January 19.  The spacecraft has now begun the second of 24 planned orbits, on track PM to inaugurate 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for its second perihelion, or closest approach to the Sun, on April 4.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Tornado hits Cuba Divas on 21 January 2019 at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.  On 21 January 2019, the inauguration of the 'Youth Pravasi Bharatiya  A huge tornado hit the Cuban capital, Havana, had left four people dead Divas' will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and and 195 injured. Sports.  It is the strongest tornado to hit Cuba in nearly 80 years.  On 23 January 2019, 'Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards' will be  Miguel Angel Hernandez of the Cuban Center for Meteorology said the conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind. tornado was a Category F3, with winds between 155 and 199 miles per hour, produced when a cold front hit Cuba's northern coast. World Hindi Day observed on 10 January  Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.  World Hindi Day is observed every year on January 10 to promote the US imposes sanctions on Venezuela greatness of the Hindi language.  The first World Hindi Conference was held on January 10 in 1975 and to  In USA, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Venezuela's commemorate this day, World Hindi Day is celebrated every year. state-owned oil company, PDVSA.  The first World Hindi Conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister  PDVSA is OPEC nation Venezuela's largest source of revenue and owns US Indira Gandhi in Nagpur. refining arm Citgo Petroleum, Venezuela's most important foreign asset.  Nicolas madurothe is the 46th President of Venezuela since 2013. World Braille Day observed on 4 January 6 | P a g e

Suman Kumari Pak 1st Hindu woman judge WEF's annual meeting begins in Davos

 Suman Kumari has become the first Hindu woman in Pakistan to be  The World Economic Forum's (WEF) 49th annual meeting began on 22 appointed as a civil judge. January 2019 in Davos, Switzerland.  She hails from Qambar-Shahdadkot, will serve in her native district.  The main theme of the meeting is 'Globalisation 4.0: Shaping a Global  The first judge from the Hindu community was Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution'. who served as the acting chief justice for brief periods between 2005 and  Several topics will be discussed such as the future of the economy, 2007. environmental issues, the digital economy, media freedom, and data governance. Pak declares Sugarcane juice as national drink Aadhaar cards now a valid travel document  On 25 January 2019, the Pakistan government declared sugarcane juice as the 'National Drink' of the country after a poll on Twitter.  Aadhaar cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and  The government conducted a poll on Twitter at which people were asked over 65 years travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. to decide the national drink of Pakistan.  Indians other than those in the two age brackets will not be able to use  Options including orange juice, sugarcane juice and carrot juice were Aadhaar to travel to Nepal and Bhutan. given in the poll.  Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don't need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the government of India. Greece ratify Macedonia name change deal Nepal bans Indian notes above Rs 100  On 25 January 2019, Greek MPs have ratified a landmark accord allowing Macedonia to change its name.  Nepal's central bank has banned the use of Indian currency notes of Rs  Under the deal, Macedonia changes its name to North Macedonia. 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 200 denominations.  Greece will also allow North Macedonia to join the NATO and eventually  Under the new regulation, Nepali citizens cannot carry these the European Union. denominations to countries other than India.  Greece's capital is Athens and its currency is Euro.  Indian notes of 100 or below, however, are allowed for trading and conversion. 61.7 mn affected due to extreme weather  This move could affect Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan nation.  As per the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), earthquakes US spy satellite launched into orbit and tsunamis accounted for most of the 10,373 lives lost in disasters in 2018.  A US spy satellite named 'National Reconnaissance Office satellite' was  It also said that weather events accounted for most of 61.7 million people launched into orbit from California on 19 January 2019. affected by natural hazards.  The satellite was launched on powerful Delta 4 Heavy rocket.  The country most affected by disasters was India, where there were 23.9  The Delta 4 Heavy stands 233 feet (71 metres) tall. million people hit, followed by the Philippines and then China.  The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for US intelligence satellites. Sultan Abdullah named as King of Malaysia UNESCO: World Capital of Architecture for 2020  Sultan Abdullah was elected as Malaysia's new King on 24 January 2019, following the abdication of Sultan Muhammad V in January 2019.  The UNESCO has announced that the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will  He is the ruler of the Malaysia state of Pahang. be the World Capital of Architecture for 2020.  He will have a five-year term.  Rio will be the first city to receive the title under a program launched  He is the current President of the Asian Hockey Federation and a council together by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) in member of FIFA, the world football body. November last year.  The city will host the World Congress of UIA, in July 2020, an event that Nigeria's new outbreak of Lassa fever kills 16 occurs every three years.  On 22 January 2019, Nigerian health authorities declared a new outbreak Andry sworn in as President of Madagascar of Lassa fever that has killed 16 people since early January 2019.  Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly  Andry Rajoelina was sworn in as President of Madagascar on 19 January viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case 2019. scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.  The High Constitutional Court of Madagascar had declared him as the  The Lassa was first identified in northern Nigeria in 1969. winner of the Presidential election on 8th January with 55.66%of the votes. Israel, US successfully test 'Arrow 3' system  He was the President of Madagascar from 2009 to 2014.  The Israeli and US defence ministries have successfully tested ballistic  Madagascar's capital is Antananarivo and its currency is Malagasy Ariary missile interceptors named 'Arrow 3' deployed at Israeli airbases on 22 Sweden's PM Stefan Lofven wins second term January 2019.  The Arrow 3 interceptor system is designed to shoot down missiles above  On 18 January 2019, Sweden's parliament elected Prime Minister Stefan the atmosphere. Lofven to a second four-year term.  The interceptor system is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude  The Prime Minister is expected to formally present his new government missile interception system. and its full programme on 21 January 2019.  It will be one of the weakest administrations in Sweden in 70 years. Christophe appointed as PM of Burkina Faso  Sweden's capital is Stockholm and its currency is Swedish Krona.  Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore appointed Satellite launched for meteor shower Christophe Dabire as new Prime Minister on 21 January 2019.  Dabire was previously Burkina's representative at the eight-nation West  On 18 January 2019, Japan launched a satellite which aims to deliver the African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). world's first artificial meteor shower.  Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in Africa.  The satellite was launched on Epsilon-4 rocket.  Burkina Faso's capital is Ouagadougou and its currency is West African  ALE Co., a start-up based in Tokyo developed the satellite for the celestial CFA Franc. show over Hiroshima.

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 The satellite will release tiny balls that glow brightly as they hurtle  Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the king assumes a largely through the atmosphere, simulating a meteor shower. ceremonial role.  However, the king's assent is needed before the appointment of a Prime Raja appointed as member of a key committee minister or senior public officials.  US's Democratic lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi was appointed as a WB President Jim Yong Kim to step down member of a Congressional committee on Intelligence on 17 January 2019.  World Bank President Jim Yong Kim will step down from his position on 1  He became the first South Asian to serve in the powerful body tasked to February 2019. strengthen U.S.’s national security.  He was appointed as President of World bank in July 2012.  He represents Illinois’s 8th Congressional District in the House.  Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank CEO, will assume the role of interim President from 1 February 2019. First human rights TV channel launched  The United States is the largest shareholder of the World Bank.  The world’s first television channel dedicated to human rights was  The World Bank's headquarter is in Washington D.C. launched in London on 16 January 2019. Sheikh Hasina took oath as Bangladesh's PM  The channel was launched by the International Observatory of Human Rights (IOHR).  Sheikh Hasina took oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 7 January  The web-based channel would bring human rights issues to audiences in 2019. over 20 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  President Mohammad Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office to her. Macedonia parliament agrees to change its name  Sheikh Hasina became Bangladesh's Prime Minister for the fourth time.  Macedonia's parliament passed an amendment to the constitution 11  She is the President of Awami League. January 2019 to rename the country as Republic of North Macedonia.  Awami League and its allies secured 288 seats out of elections held for  This in line with an agreement with Greece to put an end to a 27-year-old 299-member Parliament on 30 December 2018. dispute. China tests its ‘Mother of All Bombs’  The agreement was signed in June 2018.  Macedonia will start using it only after the parliament in Athens also  China tested its most powerful non-nuclear weapon, dubbed as the ratifies the agreement. 'Mother of All Bombs' on 4 January 2019.  The bomb's strength is only second to that of a nuclear weapon. Charles Kupperman appointed as Deputy NSA  It was dropped by a Chinese H-6K bomber.  US President Donald Trump appointed Charles Kupperman as Deputy  The bomb is five to six meters long but weighs less than America's National Security Advisor (NSA) on 11 January 2019. 'Mother of All Bombs' which was dropped in Afghanistan.  Charles Kupperman is a former Boeing and Lockheed Martin executive. Trump signed 'ARIA' into law  He also worked as a defence and foreign policy advisor to the Ronald Reagan presidential campaign.  The US President Donald Trump signed the 'Asia Reassurance Initiative  He also held a position in the President's General Advisory Committee on Act' (ARIA) into law. Arms Control and Disarmament.  ARIA was earlier passed in the US Senate in December 2018.  The act establishes a multifaceted U.S. strategy to increase US security, Su Tseng-chang appointed as Taiwan PM economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific region.  Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has appointed Su Tseng-chang as Prime  The ARIA will authorise $1.5 billion in spending for a range of U.S. Minister of Taiwan on 10 January 2019. programs in East and Southeast Asia.  Su is a former Prime Minister appointed in 2006 by then-President Chen Panj Tirath site declared as National Heritage Shui-bian and was a Chairman of Democratic Progressive Party for two terms.  Pakistan has declared the ancient Hindu religious site of 'Panj Tirath' in  The capital of Taiwan is Taipei and its currency is New Taiwan Dollar. Peshawar as National heritage.  Panj Tirath got its name from the five pools of water present there, also Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations contains a temple and a lawn with date palm trees.  The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Egypt  The five pools of the heritage site now come under the Chacha Yunus will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Park and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Egypt will be hosting the tournament for the fifth time. China’s probe lands on far side of moon  Egypt will use eight stadiums during the tournament, hosting in five different cities: Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez and the capital Cairo.  A China's Chang’e-4 lunar probe touched down on the far side of the moon on 3 January 2019. USA Cricket becomes ICC's 105th member  The probe touched down at a targeted area near the moon’s south pole  On 9 January 2019, International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that in the Von Karman Crater, after entering its orbit in mid-December 2018. USA Cricket became its 105th member.  The tasks of the Chang’e-4 include astronomical observation, surveying  As a Member of the ICC, USA Cricket is now eligible to receive funding in the moon’s terrain, landform, mineral makeup, and measuring the accordance with the ICC Funding Policy. neutron radiation.  USA Cricket has become the 93rd Associate Member in accordance with Justice Asif appointed as new CJ of Pakistan the ICC Constitution.  It can now sanction domestic and international matches in the United  Justice Asif Saeed Khosa was appointed as the new Chief Justice of States. Pakistan.  He is the senior most judge of Pakistan's Supreme Court. Malaysia's king Muhammad V resigns  Justice Khosa will assume the charge of his office on 18 January 2019.  Malaysia's King Muhammad V has abdicated after two years on the  The incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar will be retiring from throne on 6 January 2019. service on 17 January 2019.  It is for the first time a king has resigned before completing their five-year Brazil's Bolsonaro takes oath as President tenure. 8 | P a g e

 Former Army captain, Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's President on  A tropical storm named 'Usman' struck the Philippines on 25 December 1 January 2019. 2018.  He won the Presidential election of Brazil on 28 October 2018.  Storm Usman resulted in heavy rain and triggered deadly landslides in the  He defeated leftist opponent Fernando Haddad. Bicol region in Manila, Philippines.  He was declared the winner by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal after 94%  The tropical storm Usman emerged as the deadliest weather disaster for of the votes were counted. the Philippines after typhoon 'Mangkhut' in September 2018.

Justice Rana takes over as Nepal's new CJ National Affairs  Justice Cholendra Shamsher J B Rana took over as the new Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme Court on 2 January 2019. IndiGo to build its 2nd MRO at Bengaluru  President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath to Justice Rana.  He will have a tenure of four years.  InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., which owns and operates air carrier IndiGo, has  He succeeded Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra, who retired on 1 January entered into a 20-year agreement with Bangalore International Airport 2018. Limited (BIAL).  He was appointed as the permanent judge of the Supreme Court on May  The agreement is to sub-lease five acres of land at Bengaluru Airport to 27, 2014. build a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility.  This will be IndiGo’s second MRO, after the one in Delhi. The facility will become operational by 2020. Automatic listing of fresh cases in SC

 The Supreme Court launched its new system of automatic listing of fresh cases within three to seven days on January 30, 2019.  The step was taken in a bid to do away with the system of mentioning of matters for urgent listing every day.  The new mechanism will come into effect from February 4. World’s biggest cyclothon ends in Delhi

 World’s biggest cyclothon 'The Swasth Bharat Yatra' concluded in New Delhi on January 29, 2019.  The aim of this Yatra was to spread the message of ‘Eat Safe, Eat Healthy and Eat Fortified.'  The Yatra began from six different locations - Leh, Panaji, Thiruvananthapuram, Puducherry, Kolkota and Agartala.  This Yatra was led by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). New Campus of NMI Inaugurated at Noida

 The new Campus of the National Museum Institute was inaugurated by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar in Noida on 30th January 2019.  The foundation stone for this 3 acre campus was laid on 31st January, 2015.  Four new courses namely, Archaeology; Palaeography, Epigraphy and Numismatics; Structural Conservation and Cultural & Heritage Management are expected to be commenced at the campus. Madras HC Allows Online Sale of Medicine

 The Madras High Court has extended the permission given for the online sale of pharmaceuticals till 20th March, 2019.  The HC had earlier banned sale of drugs online, pending the framing of regulations by the Centre for such sale. Qatar will cease to be a member of OPEC  The Center had sought more time for framing regulations for the online  Qatar ceased to be a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum sale of medicines. Exporting Countries (OPEC) from 1 January 2019. CPRI Regional Testing Lab at Nashik  Qatar is the first Gulf country to leave the bloc of oil-producing countries.  Qatar is the world's biggest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).  Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R K  The OPEC is an intergovernmental organisation of 15 nations, founded in Singh laid the foundation of Regional testing laboratory of Central Power 1960 in Baghdad and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Research Institute (CPRI) at Nashik, Maharashtra on Jan 30, 2019.  The lab will test and certify electrical equipment manufactured in the US, Israel quit UNESCO citing bias western region as per national and international standards.  CPRI is an autonomous body under Ministry of Power.  The US and Israel had quit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with the close of 2018. LKA Exhibition Commemorating Gandhi  The countries had announced their decisions in 2017 of withdrawing from the agency, accusing it of bias against Israel.  Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) has organised an exhibition titled 'Mahatma  Israel joined the agency in 1949. Gandhi and World Peace' at the Lalit Kala Akademi Art Galleries of in  UNESCO is best known for its work to preserve heritage, including New Delhi. maintaining a list of World Heritage sites.  This was done to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Gandhi and highlight his principles of non-violence and peace. Tropical storm 'Usman' strucks Philippines  The show has been organised in association with Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. 9 | P a g e

Mahatma Gandhi's 71st death anniversary  On January 26, the Oxford Dictionaries announced ‘Nari Shakti’ as the 'Hindi Word of the Year 2018'.  India is paying homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his  The word, Nari Shakti, has been derived from Sanskrit and when broken 71st death anniversary on 30th January, 2019. down, the word ‘nari’ means women and ‘shakti’ means power.  He was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on this day in 1948.  The announcement was made during a session at the Jaipur Literature  The day is also observed as Martyrs' Day. Festival (JLF). PM Modi to visit Surat and Dandi in Gujarat  Oxford had named 'Aadhaar' as its Hindi Word of the year 2017.

 PM Narendra Modi will lay the Foundation Stone for extension of PM Modi inaugurates IREP in Kochi Terminal building at Surat Airport on 30 January, 2019.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bharat Petroleum  The terminal is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 354 Crore. Corporation Limited's Integrated Refinery Expansion Project Complex  PM will also interact with the youth at the New India Youth conclave in (IREP) in Kochi on 27 January 2019. Surat.  IREP will be a modern expansion complex and will be equipped for  In Dandi, he will dedicate the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial to the production of cleaner fuels for India. nation on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary.  It will double the production of LPG & diesel and commence production Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0: New Delhi of feedstock for petrochemical projects

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked students to stay focused, Ministry of Defence Launches ‘RDP INDIA 2019’ manage time well and not to succumb to stress.  Ministry of Defence launched a mobile app 'RDP India 2019' on 26  He was interacting with 2000 students, parents and teachers in the 2nd January 2019. edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha in New Delhi.  The aim of the app is to show the highlights of the Republic Day event,  The PM said students should focus on acquiring knowledge to enrich not only to the spectators at Rajpath, New Delhi but also to the general their lives, without worrying about examination results. public all over the world. Beating the Retreat ceremony: 29th January  This app contains information about the Parade on Rajpath, New Delhi, including Order of the March, details of the tableaux presented etc.  Beating the Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of four day long Republic Day celebrations, will be held at the historic Vijay Chowk in New 'Atal Setu' inaugurated in Goa Delhi on 29th January.  A 5.1-km long cable-stayed bridge named 'Atal Setu' on the Mandovi river  As many as 27 performances at Vijay Chowk will enthrall the spectators was inaugurated in Goa on 27 January 2019. with captivating and foot-tapping music of the bands from the Army, the  The bridge was constructed by the Goa Infrastructure Development Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and Central Armed Police Force. Corporation and Larsen and Toubro. Tripura CM inaugurates exhibition centre  The bridge has 88 high tensile strength cables in the state-of-art single place harp type cable stay system and a real-time force monitoring  Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday 29th Jan mechanism. inaugurated an international indoor exhibition center here, the largest facility of its kind in the Northeastern region. BIS releases New Standard for Bio-Jet Fuel  Built at a cost of Rs 66.52 crore at Hapania with an area of 10,800 sq  Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in collaboration with Indian Air Force, metre research organisations and the industry brought out a new standard for  The indoor centre has the capacity to house 170 stalls and accommodate Aviation Turbine Fuels. 10,000 visitors.  These specifications will align Indian standards with current international First Astro Turf Football Pitch inaugurated standards.  An Indian Standard 'IS 17081:2019' Aviation Turbine Fuel (Kerosene Type,  Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio inaugurates state’s first Astro Turf Football Jet A-1) containing Synthesised Hydrocarbons has been formulated. Pitch at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on the occasion of 100th Birth Anniversary of the legendary footballer, Dr. T. Ao Dev authority for Anandpur Sahib to be set up  The project was conceived in the year 2013-14 with total cost of 498 lakh  Punjab government announced that a development authority for rupees. Anandpur Sahib will be set up in the wake of the 550th birth anniversary  The Astro turf has been installed following specifications of FIFA. of Guru Nanak Dev in November 2019.  The size of the play field is 105x66 meters.  The development authority would be formed to plan and execute the Four highway projects launched in Rajasthan. development plans in a systematic and planned manner.  The authority would be established on the pattern of Dera Baba Nanak  Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and Development Authority. laid the foundation stone of four National Highway projects in Rajasthan.  The project worth over 3 thousand 237 Cr. rupees. e-Courts services through CSCs launched  The Project include three projects in Bikaner and one in Nagaur District.  The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, decided to deliver 1st Geographical Indication Store in Goa e-Courts services to the litigant public through the 2 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs).  Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurates India's 1st  No fee will be charged from the customers for e-Courts related services Geographical Indication (GI) Store at Goa International Airport in delivered through CSCs. Dabolim.  The aim of the e-Courts is to provide efficient and time-bound access to  It is located on the 1st floor on Departure Terminal and set up by Airports the Courts services to the litigant public. Authority of India and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India.  The products from the self-help groups, artisans and farmers' produce National Declamation Contest inaugurated will be also displayed.  Union Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurated the National Nari Shakti is the Hindi Word of the year Declamation Contest on Patriotism and Nation Building on 24 January 2019.  The contest is organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS). 10 | P a g e

 The aim of the Contest is to further strengthen the spirit of Nationalism  Union minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the 1.2 km-long 'Keediyan- and Patriotic feeling amongst youth and masses for wholehearted Gandiyal' bridge on the Ravi river in Kathua district of Jammu and participation in nation-building. Kashmir on 22 January 2019.  The inter-state bridge will connect the secluded areas of Kathua district Trade through the e-NAM portal started with Punjab.  The first inter-State trade on e-Nam portal was carried between Andhra  The bridge would strengthen the inter-state connectivity besides giving a Pradesh and Telangana on 19 January 2019. boost to the social as well as economic development of the region.  The trade happened between a farmer from Gadwal mandi in Telangana Irrawaddy dolphin census concludes State, who sold 8.46 quintal of groundnut to a trader in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.  The annual headcount exercise of Irrawaddy dolphins inhabiting in the  The e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal to connect with the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary existing wholesale market. concluded on 19 January 2019.  The enumerators covered the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, Dhamara ECI will host an International conference coast, estuaries in Bhitarkanika, Hukitola, Paradip and Kujang coast.  The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host an International  In 2018, the census teams had sighted 250 dolphins in the sea and deltaic Conference on ‘Making Our Elections Inclusive and Accessible’ in Delhi on zones. 24th January 2019. 15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: 21-23 January  During the Conference, the January 2019 issue of ECI’s quarterly magazine 'Voice International' will be released.  The 15th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was inaugurated at Varanasi in  ECI will also renew the MoU for cooperation in the field of election Uttar Pradesh on 21 January 2019. management with the Election Commission of Bhutan.  The theme for the 15th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is, 'Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India'. Creation of National Bench of GSTAT approved  Several world leaders of Indian origin, including Prime Minister of  On 23 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of National Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, will take part in the event. Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). Uttarakhand CM flags off the air services  The National Bench of the Appellate Tribunal shall be situated at New Delhi.  Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat flagged off the air  GSTAT shall be presided over by its President and shall consist of one services from Dehradun to Amritsar from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun Technical Member (Centre) and one Technical Member (State). on Jan 21, 2019  Jolly Grant Airport/Dehradun Airport is a domestic airport located 'Save Tiger Protection Force' in Telangana in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.  On 22 January 2019, the Telangana government has decided to form a  The main objective of this air services is to connect several cities of the 'State Tiger Protection Force' (STPF) to save the tiger population in the country with Dehradun. State. UP approves quota for poor among upper castes  The 112-member-armed STPF will be headed by an Assistant Conservator of Forests to protect tiger population in Amarabad and Kawal Tiger  Uttar Pradesh became the third state to implement 10% reservation for Reserves. economically poor among the general category in government jobs and  The State and Central government will share the cost of the force on educational institutions. 40:60 basis.  It comes into effect from 14 January 2019.  The decision in this regard was taken by the UP cabinet on 18 January IIT-H to launch BTech Program in AI 2019.  Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad is launching a full-fledged  Gujarat and Jharkhand were the first and second states to implement BTech Program in Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the coming Academic 10% quota for the economically weak. Year (2019-2020). UP government renames Mughalsarai tehsil  It has become the first Indian Educational Institution to offer such a program in AI.  On 18 January 2019, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet gave approval to a  It is also the third institute globally after Carnegie Mellon University and proposal on renaming Mughalsarai tehsil in Chandauli district of Uttar Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to offer such course. Pradesh after Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay.  In August 2018, the Mughalsarai railway station was renamed after Jallikattu event enters world record Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay.  A grand 'Jallikattu' (bull-taming) event held in Tamil Nadu on 20 January  In October 2018, the government also renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj 2019 entered the world record for the maximum number of bulls and Faizabad division and district as Ayodhya. released into the sporting arena. BHEL & LIBCOIN will build Lithium Ion Factory  The bull taming sporting event saw the participation of 1,354 bulls and 424 tamers.  Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and LIBCOIN will build India's first  Jallikattu is typically practised in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal 1GWh lithium-ion battery plant. celebrations.  The plant's capacity will be scaled up to 30GWh in due course.  This project will bring energy independence by replacing oil imports with Microsoft launches online portal for weavers abundant renewable energy.  In a bid to empower handloom weavers in Telangana, Microsoft India  It will also create an integrated manufacturing ecosystem resulting in launched a new e-commerce portal, 're-weave.in' on 19 January 2019. self-reliance and lower cost.  The portal will help the weavers optimise operations and engage better Streaming services sign self-regulatory code with customers.  It will host signature collections created by the weaver communities, and  Eight video streaming services have signed the 'Self-Regulatory Code of showcase traditional designs and products created from natural dyes. Best Practices' that establishes guiding principles for these platforms.  The eight video streaming services are Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, Arre, SonyLIV, Inter-state bridge in J-K to be inaugurated ALT Balaji, Netflix, and Eros Now.

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 The code broadly prohibits content that deliberately and maliciously  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project 'Development of disrespects the national emblem or national flag. Spiritual Circuit: Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple-Aranmula-Sabarimala' in Kerala on 15 January 2019. PM Modi will inaugurate the NMIC in Mumbai  The project is implemented under the Swadesh Drashan Scheme of  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 'National Museum of Ministry of Tourism. Indian Cinema' (NMIC) in Mumbai on 19 January 2019.  The Sree Padmanabaswamy Temple is one of the 108 divyadesams of  The visitors will be able to enjoy the century-long journey of Indian Lord Vishnu. cinema via visuals, interactive exhibits and multimedia. Commemorative coin of Rs 350 introduced  The creation of the Museum has been guided by the Museum Advisory Committee headed by Shri Shyam Benegal.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 350 to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on 13 January 2019. Health Ministry bans 80 more FDC drugs  Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh Guru.  The Union Health Ministry has banned 80 more fixed-dose combinations  On 5 January 2017, commemorative postage was released during the (FDC) drugs. 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh.  It includes antibiotics, painkillers, medicines used for treating fungal and Robots introduced for traffic management bacterial infections, hypertension and anxiety.  An FDC contains two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio of doses,  The Chennai Traffic Police inducted a road safety robot into service on 14 available as a single dose. January 2019.  Drugs like Cefglobe OZ, Taxim -OZ etc have been banned by the health  The name of the robot is 'ROADEO'. ministry.  The robot will help police in traffic management and assist pedestrians in Chennai roads. Finance min starts 'Know your Budget' series  It will also ease the work of traffic police, as these robots can be  The Ministry of Finance has started the 'Know Your Budget' series on integrated with the traffic signals, as well as can be operated manually, Twitter on 15 January 2019. through a Bluetooth app.  'Know you Budget' series seeks to educate the general public about the Special weather services for Kumbh launched budgetary process.  The series also explains the importance of Union Budget and its making.  A mobile application named 'Kumbh Mela Weather Service' has been  The government on 1 February 2019 would unveil the interim Budget for developed to disseminate the live weather information. 2019-20.  It will provide information about the prevailing weather condition and forecasts to the people visiting Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela. ECI launches Voter Awareness Forums  For this purpose, four Automatic Weather stations have been installed at  Voter Awareness Forum(VAF) was launched by Election Commission of four locations at Prayagraj. India on 16 January 2019. Single-use plastics banned in Puducherry  Voter Awareness Forums are informal Forums for generating awareness around the electoral process through activities like discussions, quizzes,  On 13 January 2019, the Puducherry government announced a total ban competitions and other engaging activities. on manufacture, sale, and storage of single-use plastics in the Union  VAF is part of the Electoral Literacy Club programme of Election Territory. Commission of India (ECI).  The ban on single-use plastics such as paper cups, disposable plates and straws would come into effect from 1 March 2019. PM inaugurates 13-km, two-lane Kollam bypass  A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kollam bypass on Puducherry's Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy. National Highway-66 in Kerala on 15 January 2019. 4th Meeting of CTDP held in New Delhi  The 13 km-long two-lane bypass road will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala.  The 4th meeting of the Council for Trade Development and Promotion  It will help in decongesting the traffic in Kollam town. (CTDP) was held in New Delhi on 10 January 2019.  The bypass includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi Lake, having  It was chaired by the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil a total length of 1540 metres. Aviation, Suresh Prabhu.  CTDP was constituted in July 2015, to create a framework for making DD Science and India Science channels launched States/ UTs active partners in boosting India’s export.  On 15 January 2019, Department of Science and Technology along with NIC Command & Control Centre inaugurated Doordarshan launched two science communication initiatives - 'DD Science' and 'India Science'.  NIC’s Command & Control Centre (CCC) and Centre of Excellence in  The two channels will have science-based documentaries, studio-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) by NIC was inaugurated at National Informatics discussions, and virtual walkthroughs of-of scientific institutions. Centre (NIC) on 10 January 2019.  India Science is an internet-based science channel.  The aim of the CCC is to increase the performance of ICT infrastructure in the country. Green nod for Sita Ram Irrigation project  The AI centre is designed to promote innovation in the application of AI  The Union Environment Ministry has given the final environment to take e-Governance services to the next level. clearance (EC) for the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana. Airboat service from Varanasi to Prayagraj  The project aims to divert Godavari river water to three districts of Telangana.  The government of India will launch an airboat service from Varanasi to  The objective of the project is to provide water for irrigation as well as Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela from 26 January 2019. to supplement some of the existing/ proposed irrigation schemes.  The airboat will have an engine of a vehicle and carry 16 people in one go. It can cruise up to 80 kilometers per hour and requires a depth of only Kerala: Spiritual Circuit project inaugurated 10 centimeters.  The Kumbh Mela will begin in Prayagraj on 15 January 2019. Longest cable suspension bridge inaugurated 12 | P a g e

 Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Pema Khandu inaugurated India’s  The app will enable the public to take photographs of traffic rule violators longest single lane steel cable suspension bridge over River Siang in and upload them to the police. Upper Siang district.  Based on this, the traffic department would issue photo challans to the  The name of the bridge is Byorung Bridge. violators' place to collect the fine amount.  The 300-meter-long Bridge was funded by the Development of North AAI bans single-use plastic items Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources.  Airports Authority of India (AAI) imposed a ban on single-use plastic items at its 129 airports across the country.  Single-use plastic items like straws, plastic cutlery, plastic plates etc have been banned by AAI.  Single-use plastic items are used only once and then thrown in the trash.  Guruprasad Mohapatra is the Chairman of Airports Authority of India. Raisina Dialogue to begin in New Delhi

 The fourth edition of the Raisina Dialogue began in New Delhi on 8 January 2019.  The Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with Observer Research Foundation is organising the annual geopolitical and geostrategic conference.  The theme of the Dialogue this year is 'A World Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes'. Monkey fever in Karnakata

 At least six people have died due to Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), also known as ‘monkey fever’, in Shivamogga district of Karnakata.  KFD is a re-emerging zoonotic disease endemic in Karnataka.  It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.  The disease can be transmitted to human via contact with a sick or recently dead monkey. Polavaram project created a World Record

 The Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project entered the Guinness Book record in terms of using the highest volume of concrete in a given day.  The project contractor Navayuga Engineering Company poured 32,100 cubic meters of concrete in the spillway channel within 24 hours.  Private FM channels allowed to carry AIR news The project beat the existing record set in Dubai while building a hotel in May 2017.  Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore launched Orange alert for Andaman due to cyclone Pabuk 'Sharing of All India Radio News with Private FM broadcasters' on 8 January 2019.  The government of India issued an 'Orange' alert for the Andaman and  Private FM channels can now carry All India Radio News free of cost on Nicobar Islands due Cyclonic storm 'Pabuk' on 6 January 2019. trial basis up to 31st May 2019.  'Pabuk' is now over the Andaman sea and its neighbourhood.  The commercials which are broadcast during news bulletins have to be  An 'orange' weather warning means people should be prepared and carried along with news in too. there is an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather which may PM launches various projects in Maharashtra disrupt road and air travel and threaten life and property. Results of World Toilet Day Contest announced  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched road and underground sewerage system projects in Maharashtra on 9 January 2019.  Salem District is one among the top 12 winners of the World Toilet Day  He also laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,811 crore housing project of Contest 2018. 30,000 units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.  The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation organised contests from 9  The housing project will benefit the homeless poor like rag pickers, to 19 November 2018. rickshaw pullers, textile and beedi workers.  The aim of the contest was to encourage the districts to re-intensify the A stretch of NH 211 inaugurated in Maharashtra sanitation movement, with a special focus on open defecation free (ODF) sustainability.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the four-laned, Solapur – NGT imposes Rs 100 Cr fine on Meghalaya govt Tuljapur – Osmanabad section of NH-211 (New NH-52) in Solapur in Maharashtra on 9 January 2019.  The National Green Tribunal imposed a fine of 100 crore rupees on  It will improve the connectivity of Solapur with the Marathwada region. Meghalaya government for its failure to curb illegal coal mining in the  The project is part of Solapur-Yedashi section in Maharashtra. state.  The Prime Minister had laid the foundation for this project in 2014.  The amount of the fine has to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board. App to alert police on traffic violators  The action comes after a high-level committee submitted an adverse  The Coimbatore city police launched the 'Police-E-Eye' mobile application report to a bench headed by NGT chairperson AK Goel. on 7 January 2019. Organic Festival to be organised in Chandigarh

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 The 6th 'Women of India Organic Festival' will be held from 12 to 14  An all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles was led by Major Khushboo January 2019 in Chandigarh. Kanwar.  The festival will be organised by the Ministry of Women and Child  Captain Shikha Surbhi of the Army Signals Corps performed a standing Development. salute on a moving motorcycle.  The aim of the festival is to celebrate and promote women farmers and Johan Botha retires from all forms of cricket entrepreneurs in the organic sector from the remotest parts of India.  New Delhi World Book Fair begins South Africa cricketer Johan Botha has announced his immediate retirement from all forms of cricket on 24 January 2019.  The 27th New Delhi 'World Book Fair' was inaugurated in New Delhi on 5  He played for South Africa in five test matches, 78 one-day internationals, January 2019. and 40 T20 Internationals from 2005 to 2012.  The theme of 2019 'World Book Fair' is 'Readers with Special Needs'.  He captained South Africa in 10 ODIs and took the team to the No. 1  All India Radio (AIR) is the radio partner for the fair. ranking after they defeated Australia 4-1 in Australia in 2009.  To mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, there will be a Tomy Abhilash awarded with Nao Sena Medal special book exhibition of books on and by Mahatma Gandhi.  President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Nao Sena Medal to East Siang Dist. achieves 100% electrification Commander Tomy Abhilash on 25 January 2019.  In Arunachal Pradesh, East Siang District has achieved 100%  Tomy Abhilash had participated in the Golden Globe navigation race in electrification under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana- 2018. Saubhagya Scheme.  Abhilash was stranded 3,200 km off the coast of Western Australia after  Pasighat Electrical division, which falls under the East Siang district, has his sailing vessel, INSV Thuriya's mast broken during a severe storm in the electrified 2,662 households. Indian Ocean.  The power department has electrified 1,483 villages under 'Deen Dayal Karthyani appointed as Goodwill Ambassador Upadhyaya-Gram Jyoti Yojana' in the state.  The Commonwealth of Learning appointed 96-year-old Karthyayani Veer Savarkar Airport declared as checkpost Amma as their goodwill ambassador on 22 January 2019.  The Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair was declared as an  She bagged the first rank in the ‘Aksharalaksham’ literacy exam authorised 'Immigration Check post' for entry into/exit from India. conducted by the Kerala government in November 2018.  This will open up the Port Blair Airport for direct international flight and  Commonwealth of Learning is a Canada-based organisation which works immigration facilities. for the promotion of education in Commonwealth countries.  The Superintendent of Police (CID), Andaman and Nicobar Police was Nazir Ahmad to be conferred with Ashok Chakra appointed as the ‘Civil Authority’ for the purpose of the immigration check post.  Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani will be conferred with the Ashoka Chakra.  IOC to commission Ennore LNG terminal He was a militant but later joined the Indian Army in 2004.  He was killed during an anti-terror operation in November 2018.  Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will commission its first liquefied natural gas (LNG)  He was also awarded the Sena Medal. import terminal at Ennore in Tamil Nadu in January 2019.  Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration for valour,  This is the first LNG import terminal IOC has built on its own. courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.  The company holds 12.5% stake in Petronet LNG Ltd, which operates import facilities at Dahej in Gujarat and Kochi in Kerala. First female IPS officer to reach South Pole  Sanjiv Singh is the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation.  Aparna Kumar has become the first woman Indian Police Service (IPS) Renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj approved officer to successfully complete the South Pole expedition.  She reached the South Pole on 13 January 2019 where she unfurled the  The Union Home Ministry approved a Uttar Pradesh government National and ITBP flags. proposal to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.  Ms Kumar is a 2002 batch UP Cadre IPS officer, who has been posted at  In October 2018, the UP government had proposed the change in name the Northern Frontier Headquarters of ITBP in Dehradun. of Allahabad to Prayagraj. World's oldest man Masazo Nonaka dies at 113  The Home Ministry clears the name change proposals after the Ministry of Railways, the Department of Posts and the Survey of India confirm that  The world's oldest man, Masazo Nonaka of Japan, has died at the age of no city, town or village has similar names. 113 on 20 January 2019.  He was officially recognised as the oldest male in the world by Guinness Personalities in News World Records in April 2018.  He was born on 25 July 1905. T Gehlot in Port Blair on one day visit  Japan has one of the world’s highest life expectancies and was home to several people recognised as among the oldest humans to have lived.  Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, is on one day visit to Port blair. Gurinder got 'Rosa Parks Trailblazer' award  The Minister will distribute Aids and Assistive Devices to the Divangjans  An Indian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur, Gurinder Singh and Senior Citizens under Assistance to Disabled Persons and 'Rashtriya Khalsa was presented with the prestigious 'Rosa Park Trailblazer' award Vayoshri Yojana' during the visit. on 18 January 2019.  "RVS" provides Physical Aids and Assisted-living devices for Senior Citizen  He was awarded for his continued demonstration of courage and belonging to BPL category compassion. All-Men Contingent lead by Lt. Bhavana Kasturi  He started a campaign that forced US authorities to change their policy towards headgear of the Sikh community.  On 26 January 2019, Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi became the first woman officer to lead an all-men Army contingent in the Republic Day parade. Raja appointed as member of a key committee  She led the Army Services Corps contingent.

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 US's Democratic lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi was appointed as a  He began his record-setting indoor rowing feat in Salt Lake stadium member of a Congressional committee on Intelligence on 17 January complex on 13 January 2019. 2019. Nepal Army Chief conferred honorary rank  He became the first South Asian to serve in the powerful body tasked to strengthen U.S.’s national security.  On 12 January 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the honorary  He represents Illinois’s 8th Congressional District in the House. rank of General of the Indian Army to General Purna Chandra Thapa, the Army Chief of Nepal. Vinesh Phogat nominated for Laureus Award  He was honoured with honorary rank of General of the Indian Army for  Wrestler Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian to be nominated for the his military prowess and contribution to fostering Nepal’s long and prestigious 'Laureus World Sports Award'. friendly association with India.  She has been nominated in 'Laureus World Sporting Comeback' category  He became Nepal Army Chief in September 2018. for the year 2019. Kohli and Shastri receive membership of SCG  Vinesh had a stellar 2018 in which she won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a silver in the 2018 Asian Championships in  Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri received the Bishkek and a gold at the Asian Games in Jakarta. honorary membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on 11 January 2019. Satyarup Siddhanta scaled Mount Sidley  The received the membership for their contribution to the sport of  Mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta scaled the Antartica's highest point, cricket. Mount Sidley.  Apart from Kohli and Sashtri, the only other international cricketers to be  With this feat, he became the first Indian and youngest man to climb the granted the honorary membership of the SCG are Sachin Tendulkar and seven highest peaks and volcanic summits across all continents. Brian Lara.  He achieved the feat at the age of 35 years and 262 days. Alok Verma reinstated as CBI chief by SC  On 5 December 2019, he scaled Pico de Orizaba which is the highest volcanic peak in North America.  On 8 January 2019, the Supreme Court reinstated Alok Verma as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director. Stephen gave his resignation as football coach  The court ruled that he not to take any policy decisions till the statutory  Stephen Constantine gave his resignation as the Head Coach of the Indian committee meets within a week and decides further on the matter. National Football team on 14 January 2019.  The committee comprises the Prime Minister, CJI and the Leader of the  His resignation came after the exit of Indian Football team from the Asian Opposition. Football Cup. Vijay Mallya named Fugitive Economic Offender  He was appointed as the coach in 2015 for an initial two-year tenure.  It was his second stint as India coach after serving as the coach in 2002-  Vijay Mallya became the first tycoon to be charged under the Fugitive 05. Economic Offenders Act, 2018.  According to the new law, a fugitive economic offender is a person Yu Wensheng wins human rights award against whom an arrest warrant has been issued for his or her  Chinese lawyer Yu Wensheng won the 'Franco-German Human Rights' involvement in economic offences involving at least Rs. 100 crore or award on 14 January 2019. more and has left India to avoid prosecution.  Yu Wensheng is best known for suing the Beijing government over the  The new law came into effect from August 2018. city's once chronic pollution. Arunima Sinha climbs Mount Vinson  He was detained by China in January 2018.  He was among 15 winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights  Arunima Sinha has now become the first woman amputee to climb and the Rule of Law for 2018, announced in November 2018. Mount Vinson (highest peak of Antarctica).  She was the world’s first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest in Narayanan quits as Myntra-Jabong CEO 2013.  Myntra's Chief Executive Officer, Ananth Narayanan gave his resignation  She was a national level volleyball player who had one of her legs from the post on 14 January 2019. amputated in 2011.  Amar Nagaram has been named as head of Myntra and Jabong.  She had earlier scaled five peaks including Mt Everest, Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt  Amar will report to Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy. Elbrus, Mt Kosciuszko, and Mt Aconcagua.  Narayanan had joined Myntra in 2015 as its CEO. Books & Authors Gukesh is world's second youngest grand master Indian Diplomat launches bilingual anthology  Chess player D Gukesh became the second youngest Grand Master (GM) in the world and the youngest Indian to achieve the feat at age of 12  A new anthology of poems titled 'New Brazilian Poems' was launched on years and 7 months. 24 January 2019.  He achieved his third and final GM norm at the ongoing 17th Delhi  It was translated and edited by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar. International Open Chess tournament in Delhi.  He is India's current Ambassador-Designate to Madagascar.  Gukesh became India's 59th Grand Master.  In 2018, the University of Sao Paulo had published the Portuguese  Ukraine's Sergey Karjakin holds the record of being the youngest translation of 100 Great Indian Poems, which was edited by Abhay Grandmaster. Kumar. Shakil sets world record in indoor rowing 'We are Displaced' released in India

 On 14 January 2019, Asian Cup gold medallist Shakil Ahmed created a  A book titled 'We are Displaced' was released in India on 9 January 2019. world record in indoor rowing by completing one lakh meters in above-40  The author of the book is Malala Yousafzai. years category in Kolkata.  The book gives a description of her experiences of traveling around the  He achieved the milestone of covering one lakh meters of simulated world and visiting refugee camps. distance in 10 hours.  Malala Yousafzai got the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

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Alphons inaugurated tourism project in Sikkim

 Union Minister for Tourism K.J. Alphons inaugurated first “Development of North East Circuit” project in Gangtok, Sikkim on 30th January 2019.  This project was sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Ministry of Tourism in June 2015.  Swadesh Darshan Scheme is one of the flagship schemes of Ministry of tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned manner. ₹7,214.03 Cr For States Hit By Disasters

 A High Level Committee approved Central assistance of ₹7214.03 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to 6 States and one UT affected by natural disasters.  These included Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Puducherry.  The Committee was headed by Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh. CIAL donated Rs.10 crore to CMDRF

 Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has donated Rs.10 crore to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).  CMDRF is an emergency assistance release mechanism granting immediate relief to families and individuals distressed by calamity, loss of life due to accidents and chronic diseases. MHRD grant Rs 50 crores to Madras University

 The University of Madras has received ₹50 crore from the Ministry of Human Resource Development for upgrading its research capabilities.  A total of 10 universities belonging to category I will get ₹100 crore and 17 universities falling into category II will receive of ₹50 crore.  University of Madras is one of the oldest educational institutions in India established in the year 1857. Government Policies & Schemes Employment scheme launched in Madhya Pradesh 4,78,670 Houses Sanctioned Under PMAY  The government of Madhya Pradesh launched the 'Yuva Swabhiman  Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the construction of Yojana' on 26 January 2019. 4,78,670 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban).  It aims to provide employment to the youth belonging to the weaker  This approval was given in the 42nd meeting of the Central Sanctioning section of the society mainly in urban areas of the state. and Monitoring Committee held in New Delhi on January 30, 2019.  Under this scheme, 100 days of employment will be provided to  The total number of houses sanctioned under PMAY(U) so far is youngsters from economically weaker sections of the society in urban 72,65,763. areas. GST on Haj reduced to 5% Kerala to launch NRI pension scheme

 Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced that  On 25 January 2019, Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam announced that the the GST on Haj has been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. Kerala government will soon launch a 'Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme'.  The move will save Haj pilgrims’ Rs 113 crore this year by lowering the  It will provide regular pension to Non Resident Keralites on a one-time airfare. payment of Rs 5 lakh  He also inaugurated a new conference hall and passport section at the  The one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh will be deposited with KIIFB (Kerala Haj House in Mumbai. Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) for financing infrastructure Hike in Research Fellowship projects.

 Central Government has enhanced the fellowship of Science & Govt to develop 400 abandoned airstrips Technology Ph.D students and other research personnel w.e.f. January 1,  The government of India has decided to renovate and develop around 2019. 400 abandoned airstrips across the country to strengthen air-  Junior Research Fellows will now receive ₹31,000 per month in the first connectivity. two years of Ph.D programme instead of ₹25,000.  The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has prepared a Memorandum of  Fellowship for Senior Research Fellow in the remaining tenure of Ph.D is Understanding (MoU) in this regard. increased to ₹35,000 per month from previous ₹28,000.  Jharkhand is the first state in the country where the MoU was signed to Maha Govt scheme to curb infant deaths develop one such abandoned airstrip at Dhalbhumgarh.

 Maharashtra government launched a special scheme to curb infant Govt awards 235 routes under UDAN scheme deaths on January 29, 2019.  On 25 January 2019, the government of India awarded 235 routes to the  The scheme involves distributing baby-care kits to the children born in operators under the third round of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN- primary health centres and government hospitals. III).  The scheme is only applicable for the first child and it is expected to  SpiceJet, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India subsidiary Alliance, and Turbo benefit around four lakh women across the state. Aviation are among the operators that have bagged the routes.  The government has allocated ₹ 20 crore for the scheme.  UDAN scheme seeks to connect unserved and underserved airports as well as make flying affordable. 16 | P a g e

'Operation Olympics' commences in Kerala  Earlier, the free treatment facility for all was available at sub-centres in villages and district headquarters hospitals.  'Operation Olympics', an expert programme to train athletes in 11  All patients, irrespective of APL or BPL category, will be able to avail of disciplines was launched in Kerala on 25 January 2019. this facility.  The objective of 'Operation Olympics' is to provide international standard training with the help of eminent trainers from both India and abroad. Regional conference on 'DDRS' held in Mumbai  The programme includes athletics, boxing, cycling, swimming, shooting,  wrestling, badminton, fencing, rowing and archery. Regional Conference on 'Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme' (DDRS) was held in Mumbai on 17 January 2019. Government launches new norms for JSS  It was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.  The government of India unveiled new guidelines for Jan Shikshan  DDRS is a Central Sector Scheme for providing financial assistance to Sansthans (JSS) on 24 January 2019. NGOs working for education and rehabilitation of persons with  The new norms are expected to help identify and promote traditional disabilities. skills in a district.  It will also help in the training of trainers to develop skills through PMRPY achieves one crore Milestone National Skills Training Institutes.  Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY), the flagship scheme  JSS comes under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. of the Central Government for employment generation has crossed the PM launches 'Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana' milestone of one crore beneficiaries as on January 14, 2019.  PMRPY is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Pravasi Teerth Darshan through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). Yojana' on 22 January 2019.  PMRPY was announced on 7 August 2016.  Under 'Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana', a group of Indian diaspora will be taken on a tour of religious places in India twice a year. Forest management project launched in Tripura  The government will bear all the expenses including the airfare from their  A Rs 1,000 crore 'Sustainable Catchment Forest Management' country of residence. (SCATFORM) project was launched in Tripura on 16 January 2019.  All people of Indian-origin aged 45 to 65 can apply for the tour.  The project will help improve forests in the targeted catchment areas. Odisha hiked social security pension  It would also create livelihood of the people living in and around the forest areas.  On 19 January 2019, the Odisha government announced a hike of Rs 200  The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will bear 80% cost of per month in the social security pension under 'Madhu Babu Pension the project. Yojana'.  About 48 lakh elderly, widows and destitute women will be benefited Cabinet approves integrated e-filing project from the scheme.  The Union Cabinet approved an expenditure sanction of over 4200 crore  The pension holders will get a revised pension of Rs 500 per month rupees for 'Integrated E-filing and Centralized Processing Centre 2.0 against Rs 300 while people aged over 80 years will get Rs 700 per month Project' of the Income Tax Department. instead of Rs 500.  It will help in improving taxpayers' awareness and education through Women to get 20% jobs in Military Police continuous engagement.  It will also help in faster processing of returns and issue of refunds to the  The government of India has decided to induct women for the first time taxpayers' bank account directly. in Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) role in Corps of Military Police.  The women will be inducted in a graded manner to eventually comprise 'Sanjhi Mujh Mein Kalakar' campaign launched 20% of total Corps of Military Police.  Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) will launch the second phase of the Web  Their role would range from probing rape and molestation cases to Campaign ‘Sanjhi Mujh Mein Kalakar’. assisting the Army wherever required.  It is an initiative to document and promote the Intangible Cultural 1.37 crore Rural Homes completed Heritage (ICH) and diverse cultural traditions of the country by direct public-participation.  The Ministry of Rural Development has completed 1.37 crore Rural  The first phase of this campaign was launched in November 2018. Homes since April 2014.  SNA is the nodal agency of the Union Ministry of Culture.  The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) was launched on November 20, 2016. Numaligarh refinery capacity to be tripled  PMAY-G has focused on deprived households and the poorest of the poor  who live in kutcha houses. On 16 January 2019, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved tripling the capacity of the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam to 9  So far 66.6 lakh homes have been completed under PMAY-G. million metric tonnes per annum.  The remaining 33.4 lakh homes will be completed by March 2019.  It also approved the setting up of a crude oil pipeline from Paradip to Haryana students to get 'Shaurya Award' Numaligarh and a product pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri.  The expansion of the refinery will meet the deficit of petroleum products  On 17 January 2019, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the northeast. announced 'Shaurya Award' to students.  The award will be given to a student in the memory of a police martyr for List of sites under Tirthatan scheme expanded courageous deeds every year in a village block where the school is  The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council has expanded the list of located and where a martyr studied during his childhood. pilgrim centres under the 'Deendayal Matri Tirthatan scheme' on 15  This award carries a prize money of Rs 11,000. January 2019. Odisha extends free health services  The new additions to the list include Kaliyar Sharif, Tadkeshwar, Kalimath, Jageshwar, Baijnath, Gairad Golu, Gangoli Hat, Mahasu Devta Mandir  Odisha government announced the extension of free health services Hanol, Kalinka and Jwalpa Devi. under 'Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana' (BSKY) to all government medical  The scheme earlier included Badrinath, Gangotri, and Ritha Sahib. college and hospitals from 1 February 21. Govt unveils national air cargo policy 17 | P a g e

 The government unveiled the 'National Air Cargo' policy on 15 January  It will address issues related to housing shortage in a time-bound manner 2019. and focus on the need for emerging, cost-effective and speedy  The policy seeks to make India among the top five air freight markets by construction technologies 2025. Government fixes price for gold bonds  It also aims to create air transport shipment hubs at all major airports over the next six years.  The government of India has fixed the price at Rs 3,214 per gram for the  The policy document released during the two-day Global Aviation Summit new series of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB). 2019 in Mumbai.  The Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 (Series V) will be opened from 14 January 2019. Farm debt-waiver scheme launched in MP  The bonds are being sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of  Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Kamal Nath launched the Rs 50,000- India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices, and stock exchanges NSE crore farm debt-waiver scheme named 'Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana' on 15 and BSE. January 2019.  The SGB scheme was launched in November 2015.  The state cabinet gave its nod to waive crop loans of 55 lakh small and 'Ama Ghare LED' scheme launched in Odisha marginal farmers on 5 January 2019.  The loan waiver forms could be submitted till 5 February 2019 and  The government of Odisha launched the 'Ama Ghare LED' scheme on 11 farmers would start getting the benefits from 22 February 2019. January 2019.  'Maha Agritech' project launched Under the scheme, about 95 lakh families in the state will each get four LED bulbs free of cost.  Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched ‘Maha  The LED bulbs (9-watt each) will be distributed to the beneficiaries Agritech' project on 14 January 2019. registered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State  Under the project, an area under cultivation from sowing to harvesting, Food Security Scheme (SFSC). climate, and diseases on crops will be monitored digitally using satellite Atal Tinkering Lab Handbook released and drone technology.  The project is supported by Maharashtra Remote Application Centre  NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) released the 'Atal Tinkering (MRSAC) and ISRO. Lab Handbook – Nayee Dishayen, Naye Nirman, Naya Bharat' on 11 January 2019. Commerce Min launches 'Womaniya on GeM'  The Handbook captures the experiences of the young innovators of the  Government eMarketplace (GeM) launched an initiative named country with the Atal Tinkering Lab. 'Womaniya on GeM' on 14 January 2019.  The AIM is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a  The initiative will enable women entrepreneurs and self-help groups to culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. sell different products at the platform. Four projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan  GeM is an online platform of the Ministry of Commerce for the procurement of goods and services by government departments, public  The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned four new projects for Rs.190.46 sector units, and other agencies. Crores under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes in 3 states.  Govt prepares Action plan on drug abuse The 3 states are Meghalaya, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.  Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes were launched for the  The government has drafted a five-year action plan to address the development of tourism infrastructure in the country. problem of drug and substance abuse in the country.  The project includes the development of Gorakhnath Temple in  The 'National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction' (2018-23) aims to Gorakhpur. employ a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of drug abuse. Cabinet Approves 3 New AIIMSs  It involves education, de-addiction, and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families.  The Union Cabinet gave approval for the establishment of three new Youth Parliament Festival 2019 launched AIIMS at Samba in Jammu, Pulwama in Kashmir and Rajkot in Gujarat.  TheseAIIMSs will be set up under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha  The National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 was launched on 12 January Yojana (PMSSY). 2019.  The objective is to establish the new AIIMS is to provide quality tertiary  The themes for National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 are 'Be The Voice healthcare, medical education, nursing education and research in the of New India' and 'Find solutions and contribute to policy'. region.  It is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Govt launches National Clean Air Programme  The Festival will encourage the youth to engage with the public issue and understand the common man's problem.  The government of India launched the 'National Clean Air Programme' (NCAP) on 10 January 2019. 'One Family One Job' scheme launched in Sikkim  The aim of the programme is to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution  Sikkim's Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling launched the 'One Family by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024. One Job' scheme on 12 January 2019.  It will provide the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air  The scheme envisions employment to a member of every family which pollution. does not have a government job in the state.  The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first  Under this scheme, all loan debts in the farming and agriculture sector year. would be revoked. Andaman to be 1st Island to operate seaplanes

Government to launch a tech challenge  The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation approved operations on 13 water  The government of India will launch the 'Global Housing Technology aerodromes under Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik-3 (UDAN-3). Challenge' on 14 January 2019.  The very first seaplane could run within Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  The initiative will be launched under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-  Four different islands from Andaman and one island from Nicobar have Urban (PMAY-U). been selected to fly seaplanes.

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 These are Havelock, Long Island, Neil Island and Hutbay Island in  The Ministry of Human Resource Development has introduced a 70-point Andaman and Car Nicobar in Nicobar. grading index to assess the quality of school education offered by states.  A state performance grading will be done wherein the states will be 'Gangajal Project' inaugurated in Agra marked out of 1,000 on 70 parameters.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Gangajal Project' in Agra  This will give the correct picture of where every state stands. on 9 January 2019. NCR launches mobile app for Kumbh Mela  The programme will provide a supply of better drinking water which will benefit the residents as well as tourists.  The North Central Railway (NCR) launched a mobile application to help  Gangajal project aims to bring 140 cusecs of Ganga water to Agra. people navigate through Prayagraj city during Kumbh Mela starting from  He also launched civic projects worth Rs 2,980 crore in Agra. 15 January 2019.  The name of the app is 'Rail Kumbh Seva Mobile App'. 'Web- Wonder Women' Campaign launched  It will also provide information regarding all the 'Mela special' trains that  The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched an online will be run during the period. campaign, ' #www: Web- WonderWomen' on 9 January 2019.  The app will provide a link to the user to buy the train tickets.  The Campaign aims to discover and celebrate the exceptional Every district covered under BBBP scheme achievements of women, who have influenced and impacted society through social media.  According to the government of India, all the 640 districts of the country  The Ministry in collaboration with 'Breakthrough' and 'Twitter India' has have been covered under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (BBBP). started this campaign.  The scheme is aimed at addressing the declining Child Sex Ratio and enabling girl child education. First Swadesh Darshan project inaugurated  The scheme is implemented by the Ministries of Women and Child  Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the project Development, Health & Family Welfare, and Human Resource 'Development of North East Circuit: Umiam (Lake View) - U Lum Development. Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort' on 9 January 2019. 'Swachh Survekshan 2019' launched  The project was implemented under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism.  Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the  Under this project, various facilities like Multipurpose Hall, Log Huts, 'Swachh Survekshan 2019' on 4 January 2019. Cafeteria etc have been developed.  The cleanliness survey will cover 40 crore people across over four thousand towns and cities. Maharashtra Cabinet approves SMART project  For the first time ever, inspection will be conducted without giving any  On 8 January 2019, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the ‘State of prior information to the concerned official for real-time check and survey Maharashtra’s Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART)’ project will be based on people’s feedback. assisted by the World Bank. States to rollout ‘Parivesh’ by January 15  The project will boost the agriculture sector and agri-allied businesses.  The project will have an investment of ₹2,200 crore, of which 70% will be  The web-based ‘Parivesh’ will be rolled-out at state levels by 15 January from the World Bank while the State government’s share will be of 2019. 26.67%.  ‘Parivesh’ (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub) is a single-window integrated Govt relaxes norms for fertiliser exports environmental management system, developed under the ‘Digital India’  The government of India relaxed norms for exports of fertilisers, including initiative. urea, potassic and phosphatic.  It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2018 on  The export policy of fertilisers have been revised and items under the World Biofuel Day. 'restricted' category moved to 'free' category. Haryana govt approves 11 projects  These exports are subject to prior permission/no objection certificate to be obtained by the manufacturers/exporters from the Department of  The Haryana government approved 11 projects for the rejuvenation of Fertiliser. the Saraswati river on 2 January 2019.  These include the construction of Somb Saraswati barrage, Saraswati 5,000 additional seats for JNVs approved reservoir and Adi Badri dam on Somb river, a tributary of the Yamuna  On 7 January 2019, Ministry of Human Resource Development approved that originates in the Shivalik Hills. an increase of 5,000 seats at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across  The projects were approved by the Haryana Saraswati Heritage the country. Development Board chaired by the Chief Minister.  The total number of seats has increased from 46,600 to 51,000 at the JNVs. Continuation of family welfare scheme approved  JNVs are run by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, New Delhi, an autonomous  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the organisation under the Ministry of Human Resource Development continuation of five schemes under the 'Umbrella Scheme for Family Odisha announces interest-free loans for WSHGs Welfare and Other Health Interventions' from 2017-18 to 2019-20.  The scheme will be funded 100% by Central Government.  On 5 January 2019, Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced  The five schemes listed in the proposal are crucial to attaining the goals interest-free loans of up to Rs. 3 lakh for Women Self-Help Groups and objectives laid in National Health Policy (NHP) 2017. (WSHGs) in the state.  There are around 6 lakh WSHGs in Odisha. Union Cabinet approves restructuring of NHA  The initiative will benefit about 70 lakh women.  The Union Cabinet approved the restructuring of existing National Health  He also distributed financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 each to six lakh Agency (NHA) as 'National Health Authority' for better implementation of WSHGs as part of the state government's efforts to digitally empower Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). women.  National Health Authority will be chaired by Union Health Minister to HRD introduces 70-point grading index enable the decision making at a faster pace.

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 The authority will be working under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Amendment to Trade Unions Act, 1926 approved

 The Cabinet has approved amendment to the Trade Unions Act, 1926 to make provisions regarding recognition of trade unions.  The approval will facilitate the recognition of Trade Unions at Central and State level.  The proposed Bill will ensure that the nomination of workers’ CLSS on home loans for MIG extended representatives in tripartite bodies by the government will become more transparent.  The government of India extended the Credit Link Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) on home loans for the Middle Income Group (MIG) under the Pradhan Continuation of Scheme for youths approved Mantri Awas Yojana till March 2020.  The last extension was up to March 31, 2019.  The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of 'Rastriya Yuva  Under CLSS, the government provides a subsidy of up to Rs 2.67 lakh on Sashaktikaran Karyakram Scheme' for the Period 2017-18 to 2019-2020. the home loan.  The total budget outlay for the scheme is Rs.1160 crore.  Till 30 December 2018, around 3,39,713 beneficiaries have availed loans  The scheme is an ongoing Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth under CLSS. Affairs & Sports.  The Scheme aims to develop the personality and leadership qualities of WB govt announces two initiatives for farmers the youth.  The West Bengal government announced two welfare initiatives for Merchant exporters to get Rs. 600 crore sops farmers on 31 December 2018.  Both initiatives are part of the 'Krishi Krishak Bondhu' scheme and will  The government of India decided to provide 3% interest subsidy to come into effect from 1 January 2019. merchant exporters to enhance the flow of funds for them with a view to  The 1st initiative will provide Rs 2 lakh to the family of a deceased farmer. boosting outbound shipments.  Under the 2nd initiative, farmers will get Rs 2,500 twice a year for  The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. growing a single crop on an acre of land.  The proposal will entail benefits of around Rs. 600 crores to exporters on

interest equalisation for the remaining period of the scheme. Govt releases 6-crore LPG connection Science & Technology  The government of India gave 6-crore free cooking gas (LPG) connections AI That Translates Thoughts Into Speech under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on 2 January 2019.  Scientists have created an artificial intelligence (AI) based system that  Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu handed over the 6 croreth LPG directly translates thoughts into understandable, recognisable speech. connection under PMUY to Jasmina Khatoon from Delhi.  The AI system will help people who cannot speak regain their ability to  The PMUY was launched on 1 May 2016, with a target to give 5 crore communicate with the world. connections by March 2019.  The technology has been created by researchers at Columbia University 100% houses in 25 states electrified in the United States of America.

 India achieved electrification in 100% households in 25 states at the end Hike in Research Fellowship of 2018.  Central Government has enhanced the fellowship of Science &  Now, only about 10.48 lakh households are left to be electrified in 4 Technology Ph.D students and other research personnel w.e.f. January 1, states - Assam, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh. 2019.  The 'Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana' (Saubhagya) in  Junior Research Fellows will now receive ₹31,000 per month in the first September 2017 to achieve the goal of universal household electrification two years of Ph.D programme instead of ₹25,000. in the country by 31 March 2019.  Fellowship for Senior Research Fellow in the remaining tenure of Ph.D is Govt. notifies new GST return forms increased to ₹35,000 per month from previous ₹28,000.

 The government of India notified new annual GST return forms which are Artificial Pancreas App for Diabetics required to be filed by businesses registered under the Goods and  Scientists, including those from Harvard University have developed an Services Tax (GST) regime by June 30, 2019. artificial pancreas smartphone app that will help in regulating blood sugar  It notified GST form GSTR-9, GSTR-9A, and GSTR-9C on 31 December levels in diabetes patients. 2018.  The app is effective in regulating glucose levels under challenging  In the forms, businesses have to provide consolidated details of sales, conditions and is suitable for use in unconstrained environments. purchases and input tax credit (ITC) benefits accrued in 2017-18.  The study was published in the journal Diabetes Technology & Defence items not covered under Arms Act Therapeutics.

 The government of India announced that manufacturing of items of NASA solar probe begins second orbit of Sun defence aerospace and warships will now be covered by Industries  NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has begun its second orbit of the Sun and is on (Development and Regulation) Act. track for its closest approach to our star.  The defence items now do not require licence under the Arms Act.  Just 161 days after its launch, the Parker probe completed its first orbit of  In May 2017, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion was the Sun on January 19. allowed to process applications for grant of licence for manufacture of  The spacecraft has now begun the second of 24 planned orbits, on track defence items. for its second perihelion, or closest approach to the Sun, on April 4. Opportunity rover completes 15 years on Mars

 NASA's Opportunity rover has completed 15 years of its touchdown on the surface of Mars. 20 | P a g e

 The rover landed in a region of Mars called Meridiani Planum on 24  It is the third planet discovered by TESS. January 2004.  The other two planets discovered by TESS are 'Pi Mensae b' and 'LHS  The solar-powered rover went silent since a global dust storm in June 3844b'. 2018.  TESS was launched in April 2018.  The rover was designed to travel 1,006 metres and operate on the Red Planet for 90 Martian days. Telescope to detect cosmic X-rays launched Technology Mission Centre launched by govt  US scientists have successfully launched a telescope from Antarctica that analyses X-rays arriving from distant neutron stars, black holes, and other  Union Minister Harsh Vardhan launched three important centre’s set up exotic celestial bodies. by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) at IIT Madras on 25  The name of the telescope is 'X-Calibur' instrument. January 2019.  It is carried by a helium balloon and will reach an altitude of 130,000 feet.  The first one is the 'DST –IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre'.  Neutron stars are objects of very small radius.  The second centre is the 'DST-IITM Water –IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER'.  The third centre is the 'Testbed on Solar thermal desalination solutions'. Committees & Recommendations Satellites successfuly launched by ISRO Tribunal to decide ban on insurgents

 India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully injected  On 24 January 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs reconstituted a tribunal Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits. to adjudicate matters related to the extension of the ban imposed on  The satellites were launched on 24 January 2019 from Satish Dhawan eight insurgent groups in Manipur for involvement in unlawful activities. Space Centre, Sriharikota.  The tribunal has been set up under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)  Microsat-R is a defence application satellite. Act, 1967.  It is the first Indian satellite which was placed by ISRO in a low orbit at an  It will be headed by Delhi High Court's judge Justice G.S. Sistani. altitude of 274 km IRDAI sets up a panel App developed to detect new currency  On 23 January 2019, the Insurance Regulatory and Development  The Indian Institute of Technology at Ropar in Punjab has developed an Authority (IRDAI) has set up a panel to identify Systemically Important Android App 'Roshni'. Insurers (SII).  The app was launched on 23 January 2019.  The panel will be headed by Pravin Kutumbe, Member-Finance &  The app will assist visually impaired people to easily determine the Investment, IRDAI. denomination of currency notes using image processing and analytics.  The panel will also develop a paper on assessment methodology for SIIs  It works well in a broad range of light conditions and holding angles. in India and recommend enhanced supervision for them. ISRO launches 'Young Scientist programme' Tribunal to decide ban on insurgents

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the 'Young  On 24 January 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs reconstituted a tribunal Scientist programme' on 18 January 2019. to adjudicate matters related to the extension of the ban imposed on  The programme is for school students who want to explore themselves in eight insurgent groups in Manipur for involvement in unlawful activities. space research.  The tribunal has been set up under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)  Under the programme, three students from each state and Union Act, 1967. territory will be selected.  It will be headed by Delhi High Court's judge Justice G.S. Sistani.  They will be given access to R&D labs and practical experience of building Committee to monitor pricing of drugs a small satellite.  The government of India has constituted a standing committee to ISRO to launch Kalamsat & Microsat satellite monitor the pricing of medicines and healthcare products.  ISRO will launch a student satellite called 'Kalamsat' and an imaging  The committee will be headed by a Niti Aayog member (Health). satellite known as 'Microsat-R' on 24 January 2019.  The committee will be the recommending body to the National  Both the satellite will be carried by 'PSLV C-44' rocket. Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).  PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle.  NPPA is a government regulatory agency that controls the prices of  In PSLV-C44, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle would be moved to a pharmaceutical drugs in India. higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out IBBI sets up committee under UK Sinha experiments.  The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has set up an 11- ISRO will set up Human Space Flight Centre member working group to look into the concept of ‘Group Insolvency’  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced setting up and suggest a suitable framework. of Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru.  The working group will be headed by the former SEBI chief UK Sinha.  It will be headed by Unnikrishnan Nair.  It will recommend a complete regulatory framework to facilitate  ISRO also announced that R. Hutton will head the Gaganyaan project. insolvency resolution and liquidation of corporate debtors in a Group.  The Gaganyaan project will send three astronauts to orbit the Earth for GoM constituted on issues relating to lottery three to seven days.  The project is slated to happen before December 2021.  A Group of Ministers (GoM) on issues relating to the lottery was constituted by the GST Council on 10 January 2019. NASA probe discovers new planet  Sudhir Mungantiwar, Finance Minister, Government of Maharashtra was  NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovered a new appointed as the convener of GoM. planet.  The GoM will decide if the disparity existing on tax rates on the lottery  The planet has been named 'HD 21749b'. will continue or not.  It orbits around a bright dwarf star about 53 light years away from the  It will also see if there is a misuse of the lower tax rate on the lottery. earth, in the constellation 'Reticulum'. Govt forms GoM for GST issues in real estate 21 | P a g e

 On 15 January 2019, the government of India constituted a Group of  It will assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in the Assam Ministers (GoM) to boost the real estate sector under the GST regime. Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people, besides providing  Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel will be the convener of the employment opportunities. GoM. Committee formed to look into the JNV suicides  It will analyse the tax rate of GST and suggest a composition scheme for residential construction units.  The Ministry of Human Resource Development constituted a Task Force  Currently, GST on the under-construction flats and houses is 12% to look into the reasons of suicides reported in the JNVs.  The Task Force will be headed by Psychiatrist, Dr. Jitendra Nagpal. Assam govt forms GoM on ST reservation  The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are fully residential schools  Assam Government has set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Dr managed and run by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, an autonomous Himanta Biswa Sarma on 14 January 2019. organisation under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.  The GoM will recommend measures for the protection of rights of New panel to protect Assam’s heritage existing tribal communities as well as to decide on the benefits to be given to new Scheduled Tribes.  The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a high-level committee for  The GoM was formed after the introduction of the Constitution implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. (Scheduled Tribes) Order on 9 January 2019.  The Accord provides for constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, HC forms committee to remove alien species linguistic identity and heritage of Assam.  On 11 January 2019, the Madras High Court constituted an expert  It also recommended reserving Assembly seats for indigenous committee to suggest ways and means to remove the alien species from communities in the State. the Western Ghats. U.K. Sinha to head RBI panel on MSME revival  The committee will be headed by Cherukuri Raghavendra Babu, the Chairman of the expert committee on invasive species in Chennai  The RBI has appointed an eight-member expert committee to National Biodiversity Authority. comprehensively review and propose long-term solutions for the revival  The committee will study all aspects related to the forests. of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.  The committee will be headed by former SEBI chairman U.K. Sinha. GoM constituted to look into revenue shortfall  The committee will examine the factors affecting the timely and  On 12 January 2019, the GST Council had decided to set up a Group of adequate availability of finance to the MSME sector. Ministers (GoM). Govt approves Central assistance to Tamil Nadu  The GoM will be headed by Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.  On 31 December 2018, the government of India approved the release of  The GoM will look into the revenue shortfall being faced by states Rs 1,146 crore to Tamil Nadu for the people affected by cyclone 'Gaja'. following the rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST).  The approval was given by High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Home  The committee will suggest steps for increasing the revenue of states. Minister Rajnath Singh.  The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Agriculture, EC panel submits report on digital media Radha Mohan Singh and Vice Chairman, Niti Ayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar are  The Election Commission appointed panel submitted its report on digital the members of HLC. media and campaigning during last 48 hours before polls to the Chief Committee formed for implementation of RERA Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.  The panel was constituted under the Chairmanship of Sr. Deputy Election  The government of India constituted a committee to suggest Commissioner Umesh Sinha. recommendations to strengthen the 'Real Estate Regulatory Authority'  The panel was mandated to review and suggest modifications in the (RERA) and to remove difficulties in its implementation. provisions of the Representation of the People Act.  It will be headed by the Union Housing & Urban Affairs Joint Secretary, Shiv Das Meena. SEBI constitutes 'Research Advisory' committee  RERA, which protects the interest of home buyers, empowers states to  The Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constituted a 'Research notify their rules & appoint regulatory authorities. Advisory' committee.  It will be headed by Dr. Sankar De. Business & Economy  The committee will assist in formulating policy to undertake research relevant for the development and regulation of capital markets. Indian Oil Q3 profit down by 91%  The committee would comprise prominent financial economists and market practitioners.  Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) reported a net profit of ₹716.82 crore in the third quarter of financial year 2018-19. RBI constitutes a committee on digital payment  The net profit was down 78% from the previous quarter and down 91% from the same quarter of the previous year.  On 8 January 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a high-  The variation was majorly due to inventory losses arising out of falling level committee that will work towards deepening digital payments in crude oil prices India.  Revenues of IOC grew 6% to ₹1.6 lakh crore against ₹1.5 lakh crore.  The committee will be headed by Nandan Nilekani.  It will submit a report to the RBI every three months. ICICI Bank sacks Chanda Kochhar  It will suggest measures to strengthen the safety and security of digital payments.  ICICI Bank terminated the contract of former managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar for violating the bank’s code of conduct. Govt notifies High-Level Committee for Assam  In June last year, the bank formed the one-member panel to look into the allegations of conflict of interest against her for a loan given to Videocon  The government has notified a High-Level Committee for implementation Industries. of Clause six of the Assam Accord on 6 January 2019.  Ms. Kochhar, assumed charge as MD and CEO of ICICI Bank on May 1,  The committee is headed by former IAS officer M.P. Bezbaruah. 2009 and resigned in October 2018.

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SEBI: Relaxed Norms for REITs, InvITs India's GDP growth at 7.5% in next fiscal

 Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a new set of  According to Fitch Group firm India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), the relaxed norms for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and gross domestic product (GDP) of India is expected to grow at 7.5% in Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) on 30th Jan, 2019. 2019-20.  This new framework will provide flexibility for fund raising and will boost  It expects wholesale and retail inflation to average 3.4% and 4.3%, investments in REITs and InvITs. respectively, in FY20.  REITs and InvITs are listed entities that invest in income-producing assets  The current account deficit (CAD) is likely to decline to 1.9% of GDP in like infrastructure. FY20 from 2.4% of GDP, helped by softening of crude oil prices in FY19. New Packaging Norms Mandatory By July 1 SBI, other banks to finance Samruddhi Corridor

 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that food  A consortium of banks led by State Bank of India has agreed to provide businesses need to comply with new packaging regulations by July 1. finance for Nagpur-Mumbai 'Samruddhi Corridor' expressway project.  The new regulations prohibit packaging material made of recycled  Other lenders include Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of plastics including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing Maharashtra as well as the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India. articles of food.  SBI has agreed to lend the highest amount, 8,500 crore rupees.  Pawan Agarwal is the CEO of FSSAI. RBI eased ECB norms Steel Min to set up Safety Directorate  In a bid to improve ease of doing business, the Reserve Bank of India has  Union Steel Ministry announced to set up a 'Safety Directorate' to decided to liberalise external commercial borrowing (ECB) norms. oversee safety standards in steel industry on January 28, 2019.  It allowed all companies that are eligible for receiving foreign direct  This decision was taken during the Consultative Committee Meeting of investment, to raise funds through the ECB route. the Ministry in Goa which was chaired by Union Minister of Steel,  The RBI has decided to keep the minimum average maturity period at 3 Chaudhary Birender Singh. years for all ECBs, irrespective of the amount of borrowing.  It also plans to draft the 'National Scrap Policy' to make available nearly 7 MT scrap in the country. Cabinet approves capital infusion in Exim Bank RBI to inject ₹37,500 in February  On 16 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved fund infusion of Rs 6000 crore in Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).  The Reserve Bank of India will inject Rs 37,500 crore into the system  The infusion would help the EXIM bank in expanding its business. through purchase of government securities in February to increase  The government had infused Rs 500 crore in Exim Bank last financial year. liquidity.  David Rasquinha is the Managing Director of EXIM Bank.  The purchase will be done under Open Market Operations (OMOs) for an aggregate amount of ₹375 billion. RBI will purchase govt. securities on 17 jan  Three auctions of ₹125 billion each will be held during the 2nd, 3rd and  Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will inject 10,000 crore rupees into the 4th week of February. banking system through the purchase of government securities on 17 Anti-dumping duty imposed on MPDA January 2019 to increase liquidity.  The purchase will be made through Open Market Operations (OMOs).  The government of India has imposed an anti-dumping duty on Meta  OMO refer to the buying and selling of government securities in the open Phenylenediamine (MPDA) imported from China. market in order to increase or decrease the amount of money in the  The duty has been imposed for five years to protect domestic producers banking system. of the chemical intermediate from cheap shipments.  MPDA is a chemical intermediate used for manufacturing dyes, WPI inflation at 3.80% in December 2018 engineering polymer and in photography and medical applications.  Inflation based on wholesale prices fell to an 8-month low of 3.80% in Centre’s debt-to-GDP falls, States’ rises December 2018 due to reducing prices of fuel and some food items.  The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 4.64% in  According to the Status Paper on Government Debt for 2017-18, the November 2018, and 3.58% in December 2017. Centre’s total debt as a percentage of GDP reduced to 46.5% in 2017-18  The deflation in food articles stood at 0.07% in December 2018, against from 47.5% as of March 31, 2014. 3.31% in November 2018.  The total debt of the States rose to 24% in 2017-18 and is estimated to be 24.3% in 2018-19. IDFC Bank renamed as IDFC First Bank  The Centre’s total debt increased from Rs. 56,69,429 crore in March 2014  Private sector lender IDFC Bank's name has been changed to 'IDFC First to Rs. 82,35,178 crore in 2017-18. Bank Ltd' with effect from 12 January 2019. Status Paper on Government Debt released  IDFC Bank and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) 'Capital First' completed their merger on 18 December 2018.  The Ministry of Finance released the Eighth Edition of the 'Status Paper  V Vaidyanathan, Founder of Capital First Ltd, was appointed as Managing on the Government Debt' on 18 January 2019. Director and Chief Executive Officer of the IDFC First Bank Ltd.  It provides a detailed analysis of the Overall Debt Position of the Government of India.  As per the status paper, the total liabilities of the government has increased by 49% to Rs. 82 lakh crore in the last four-and-half years. Rs 1 crore fine on Bank of Maharashtra

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed an Rs 1-crore fine on Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on 16 January 2019.  The fine was imposed for non-compliance of 'Know Your Customer' guidelines and fraud-classification norms.  In 2018, the RBI had imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on BoM on account of delay on the part of the bank to detect and report fraud in an account. 23 | P a g e

 Apart from the individual and joint depositors, GMS has been extended to charitable institutions, Central Government, State Government or any other entity owned by the Government.  The government of India had launched the GMS in 2015 to mobilise the gold held by households and institutions in the country. NABARD sets up venture capital entity

 On 7 January 2019, NABARD announced that it will provide early-stage capital to agriculture and rural enterprises through its venture capital entity, 'NABVENTURES Ltd'.  NABVENTURES Ltd has been incorporated by NABARD under the Companies Act.  It will launch its maiden fund offer by the middle of February 2019.  NABARD's headquarter is in Mumbai and its Chairman is Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Indian economy expects to grow at 7.2%

 Central Statistics Office (CSO) released the first advance estimates of National Income for 2018-19.  As per the CSO, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.2% in 2018- 19 against 6.7% in 2017-18 due to improvement in the performance of agriculture and manufacturing sectors.  The growth of the manufacturing sector is expected to accelerate to 8.3% this fiscal, up from 5.7% in 2017-18. Net direct tax grew by 13.6%

 As per the Ministry of Finance, revenue from direct tax grew by 13.6% to Rs 7.43 lakh crore in the first nine months of the current financial year 2018-19 (April-March).  Gross tax collection grew by 14.1% to Rs 8.74 lakh crore. Industrial growth falls to 17-month low  Corporate Income Tax (CIT) grew 14.8%, while personal income tax (PIT) grew 17.2%.  Industrial output growth dropped to a 17-month low of 0.5% in  The government also collected Rs 3.64 lakh crore advance Tax. November 2018 on account of contraction in the manufacturing sector.  Industrial output is measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Government merges three regional rural banks Production (IIP), had grown by 8.5% in November 2017, as per data  The government of India merged three Regional Rural Banks- Punjab released by the Central Statistics Office. Gramin Bank, Malwa Gramin Bank, and Sutlej Gramin Bank.  The manufacturing sector constitutes 77.63% of the Index of Industrial  The single RRB will come into effect from 1 January 2019. Production (IIP)  The sponsor banks of the RRBs are NABARD, the Government of Punjab GST burden on small businesses eased and Punjab National Bank, SBI, and Punjab and Sind Bank.

 The 32nd meeting of GST council was held on 10 January 2019. SEBI tweaks norms for commodity exchanges  In the meeting, it was decided that the companies with annual turnover  The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) directed commodity up to Rs. 40 lakh will stay out of the GST net (Rs. 20 lakh earlier). derivatives exchanges to disclose the quantum of trading done by  The annual turnover limit for eligibility for the Composition Scheme was farmers and other commodity market participants. raised to Rs.1.5 crore from 1 April 2019.  Market participants include millers and wholesalers. Deferment of capital buffer norms notified  Currently, commodity derivatives exchanges disseminate turnover data for only two broad categories of participants — clients and proprietary.  On 10 January 2019, the RBI deferred the implementation of the last tranche of Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) from 31 March 2019 to 31 RBI limits customer liability March 2020.  The RBI decided to limit the liability of customers in case of unauthorised  The CCB is the capital buffer that banks have to accumulate in normal electronic payment transactions in Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) times to be used for offsetting losses during periods of stress. issued by non-banks.  Currently, the CCB of banks stands at 1.875% of the core capital.  If the fraud is reported between three and seven days, customer liability RBI allows 'tokenisation' services will amount to the transaction value or Rs. 10,000.  For over seven days, the liability of the customer will be according to the  The RBI allowed the card payment providers to offer tokenisation policy of the PPI issue. services.  'Tokenisation' will ensure the safety of digital transactions and reduce the Custodial services in commodity market allowed chances of fraud.  The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed custodial  It involves a process in which a unique token hides the sensitive card services in the commodity derivatives market. details.  The move is aimed at enabling the participation of institutional investors  The token is used to perform card transactions in contactless mode at such as mutual funds and portfolio managers in the commodity Point Of Sale (POS) terminals, Quick Response (QR) code payments, etc. derivatives market. RBI made changes in Gold Monetisation Scheme  Under the new framework, existing custodians will be permitted to add commodities as an asset class.  On 9 January 2019, the RBI made some changes in Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS). HDFC MF becomes the largest AMC in India 24 | P a g e

 HDFC Mutual Fund surpassed the ICICI Prudential MF to become the  As per the Security and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) report, Indian country's largest asset management company on 3 January 2019. companies raised over Rs 29,300 crore by issuing Non-Convertible  HDFC manages assets of Rs 3.35 lakh crore, while those of ICICI Debentures (NCDs) to retail investors in 2018. Prudential MF stood at Rs 3.08 lakh crore.  The companies raised money for funding expansion plans and other  SBI MF is at the third place with Rs 2.64 lakh crore, followed by Aditya general purposes. Birla Sun Life MF (Rs 2.42 lakh crore) and Reliance MF (Rs 2.36 lakh  NCDs are loan-linked bonds that cannot be converted into stocks and crore). usually offer higher interest rates than the convertible. Manufacturing PMI slows in December Govt infuses Rs 10,882 crore capital in 4 PSBs

 Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slowed down a bit to  The government of India has infused 10,882 crore rupees in four Public 53.2 in December 2018 as against 54 in November 2018. Sector Banks (PSBs).  This index is prepared on the basis of a survey which is conducted among  It is a part of 28,615 crore rupees capital infusion to be done in about half purchasing executives in over 400 companies. a dozen public sector lenders.  The index is prepared by 'IHS Markit' and it is widely to explain the latest  The four PSBs are UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Syndicate Bank, and industrial situation in a country. Central Bank of India.  The recapitalisation would enhance the lending capacity of the PSBs. Union Cabinet approves merger of 3 banks Core sector growth slows in Nov 2018  On 2 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the merger of Vijaya Bank, Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB).  The Core sector growth slowed to 3.5% in November from 4.8% in  Following the merger of these banks, BoB will become the third largest October 2018, due to a slowdown in the coal, cement, and electricity bank in India after the State Bank of India and HDFC Bank in terms of sectors. assets.  Coal production increased by 3.7% in November 2018 over November  The government of India in September 2018 had announced the merger 2017. of these three banks.  The cement sector saw growth in November 2018 slowing to 8.8% from 18.4% in October. Direct tax-GDP ratio in FY18 best in 10 years  The electricity sector grew 5.4% in November 2018 as compared with  The Ministry of Finance said that the direct tax-to-GDP ratio of 5.98% 10.9% in October 2018. achieved during 2017-18 fiscal is the best in the last 10 years. Allahabad Bank & SBI Life signed a pact  It was 5.57% in 2016-17 and 5.47% in 2015-16.  The growth rate for corporate income tax (CIT) and personal income tax  Allahabad Bank signed a bancassurance pact with SBI Life Insurance on 31 (PIT) stood at 17.7% and 18.3% respectively. December 2018.  The number of individuals filing return of income has also increased by  Under the pact, the SBI Life Insurance will be able to sell its products about 65% in 2017-18. through various branches of Allahabad Bank.  Sanjeev Nautiyal is the CEO & MD of SBI Life Insurance. Anti-Dumping duty imposed on chemical  Bancassurance is an arrangement through which an insurance company  The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended can sell its products through a bank. anti-dumping duty on a chemical used in paint and printing industries, Govt sets up export promotion cell for MSMEs imported from Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand.  The name of the chemical is 'non-plasticised industrial grade  The MSME ministry has established an export promotion cell to create a nitrocellulose damped in isopropyl alcohol having nitrogen content in the sustainable ecosystem for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises range of 10.7-12.2%'. (MSMEs).  The duties have been imposed for three years.  It will help in the integration of MSMEs into the global value chain. Paytm Payment Bank to restart account opening  It will also look into the areas where improvements are required in order to be able to export effectively and efficiently.  The Reserve Bank of India allowed the Paytm Payments Bank to restart opening accounts for its customers. RBI: NBFCs balance sheet grew by 17.2%  The bank started 'Know Your Customer' formalities for its wallets as well  As per the RBI, the balance sheet size of Non-Bank Financial Companies as its bank accounts from 31 Dec 2018. (NBFCs) grew by 17.2% to Rs 26 trillion in September 2018 from Rs 22.2  The RBI had asked the bank to stop adding new customers in June 2018. trillion in September 2017.  Satish Gupta is the head of the Paytm Payments Bank.  The NBFCs Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) decreased to RBI gives relief to MSME sector 21% in September 2018 from 22.8% in March 2018.  Loans and advances in the NBFC sector increased by 16.3% and  The RBI allowed a one-time restructuring of existing debt of up to 25 investments increased by 14.1%. crore rupees for the MSMEs which have defaulted on payment of loans.  The restructuring of loans will be implemented by 31 March 2020. Bank GNPAs improved to 10.8%  It will help the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which are  The 'Financial Stability Report' was released by the Reserve Bank of India facing cash crunch due to demonetisation and GST implementation. (RBI) on 31 December 2018. Provision coverage ratio of banks increases  As per the report, banks showed improvement with Gross Non- Performing Assets' (GNPAs) ratio declining to 10.8% in September 2018  Public sector banks' Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) has increased to from 11.5% in March 2018. 66.85% as of September 2018.  The Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPAs) ratio also witnessed a fall at  In 2015, the PCR was less than 50%. 5.3% in September 2018 as against 6.2% in March 2018.  The provision coverage ratio (PCR) gives an indication of the provision made against bad loans from the profit generated. Sports  Higher the PCR, lower is the unexposed part of the bad debts. Viswanathan Anand finishes joint third Fund raising via NCD surges in 2018

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 Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand played out an exciting Virat declared ODI & Test player of the year draw with Ding Liren of China to move to joint third spot.  Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was named 'Men's Test Cricketer of the  Viswanathan Anand finished with 7.5 points at the Tata Steel Masters Year' and 'Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year' by International Cricket chess tournament. Council (ICC) on 22 January 2019.  Anand registered three victories, one defeat and nine draws in the  He also won the 'Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy' for ICC Men’s Cricketer of tournament. the Year.  Magnus Carlsen won a super tournament for the seventh time.  Rishabh Pant has been named the 'Emerging Player of the Year' by the Ambati Rayudu banned from bowling by ICC ICC for 2018.

 India's Ambati Rayudu has been banned from bowling in international Cosmas & Worknesh clinch men’s, women’s titles cricket because of a suspect action.  Cosmas Lagat of Kenya and Worknesh Alemu of Ethiopia won the men's  The suspension was done in "accordance with clause 4.2 of the ICC and women's titles in the Tata Mumbai Marathon in Mumbai on 20 regulations" which deals with the legality of bowling actions. January 2019.  He is a right-handed middle-order batsman, who occasionally keeps the  Lagat, winner of the Sevilla Marathon in 2016, completed the 42.195- wicket, and a right-arm off break bowler. kilometre race in 2 hours 9 minutes and 15 seconds. Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open title  In women's race, Worknesh Alemu completed the race in 2 hours 25 minutes and 45 seconds.  Tennis player Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open Men's Singles title at Melbourne on 27 January 2019. Khelo India Youth Games concludes in Pune  He defeated Rafael Nadal in the final match.  Khelo India Youth Games concluded in Pune on 20 January 2019.  It was his 7th Australian Open Men's Singles title.  Maharashtra topped the Medal tally with 228 medals, whereas Haryana  He won the Australian Open Men's Singles title in 2008, 2011, 2012, and Delhi claimed the second and third spot. 2013, 2015 and 2016.  Maharashtra bagged 'General Championship of Khelo India 2019' with 85  He also broke a tie with Pete Sampras, for third-most Grand Slam Gold Medals. trophies.  The Khelo India Youth Games was organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Masters title and Sports.

 Badminton player Saina Nehwal won her first Indonesia Masters title Ankita wins ITF's tournament in Singapore 2019 on 27 January 2019.  India's Ankita Raina has won the International Tennis Federation's  She won the finals after Spain's Carolina Marin limped out of the final due $25,000 Women's tournament in Singapore on 20 January 2019. to a leg injury.  She defeated world number 122 Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands in the  Saina had won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the final match. bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games.  It was the first title of the season and eighth singles title of her career. Kartik Sharma won the Golf Championship Srihari Nataraj bags 7 Gold medals  India's Kartik Sharma won the New South Wales men's Amateur Golf  On 15 January 2019, Karnataka's swimmer Srihari Nataraj has emerged as Championship in Australia. the most prolific gold medal winner at the Khelo India Youth Games.  He defeated Australia's Nathan Barberie in the scheduled 36-hole final to  He has won 7 Gold medals in swimming events. emerge as champion.  P Likith from Karnataka won five gold medals and a bronze medal in  He had also won the Indian golf 'Union Western India Amateur Golf swimming at the Khelo India Youth Games. Championship 2018'.  They both were the most decorated gold medalists of the Games. Naomi Osaka won the Australian Open title Gukesh is world's second youngest grand master  Naomi Osaka won the Women's Singles Final of the Australian Open on  Chess player D Gukesh became the second youngest Grand Master (GM) 26 January 2019. in the world and the youngest Indian to achieve the feat at age of 12  In Tennis, Japan's Naomi Osaka has become the first player since 2001 to years and 7 months. win back-to-back Grand Slam titles.  He achieved his third and final GM norm at the ongoing 17th Delhi  She also won the US Open in 2018. International Open Chess tournament in Delhi.  She also became the first Japanese player to achieve the world number  Gukesh became India's 59th Grand Master. one ranking.  Ukraine's Sergey Karjakin holds the record of being the youngest Shami becomes fastest to reach 100 ODI wickets Grandmaster.

 Indian cricket bowler Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian to 1st EMRS Sports Meet inaugurated in Hyderabad claim 100 wickets in One-day Internationals on 23 January 2019.  The '1st Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Sports Meet 2019'  He took 100 wickets in 56 ODI matches. was inaugurated in Hyderabad on 14 January 2019.  Before Shami, Irfan Pathan reached the 100-wicket mark in 59 ODIs,  The National Sports Meet is being held from 14th to 16th January 2019. while Zaheer Khan achieved this mark in 65 matches, Ajit Agarkar got it in  The Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society is 67 matches and Javagal Srinath in 68 matches. organising the sports meet. Virat Kohli named Captain of ICC's Test & ODI  There will be 13 events including Athletics and in Athletics there will be 13 different competitions.  On 22 January 2019, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the men’s Test and ODI teams of the year 2018. Ali Qamar named women's boxing coach  Virat Kohli has been named the captain of both sides following a  Mohammed Ali Qamar has taken over as Chief Coach for the country's remarkable 2018 as a batsman and captain. women boxing on 14 January 2019.  Three players, each from India and New Zealand, were named in Test  He won India's first Commonwealth Games gold medal in boxing. team while four players, each from India and England, were named in ODI  squad. He replaced the veteran Shiv Singh. 26 | P a g e

 Ali Qamar has been an assistant coach in the national camp for more Khelo India Youth Games begins in Pune than a year.  The second edition of Khelo India Youth Games was inaugurated in Pune Rudra won Gold Medal in weightlifting on 9 January 2019.  Students from colleges and Universities will be allowed to compete in the  Weightlifter, S. Rudra Mayan won the gold medal by lifting a total weight games. of 269 kgs at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune, Maharashtra.  Tennis and table tennis will also be a part of the games.  He is from Tamil Nadu.  The 1st edition of Khelo India games was held in Delhi in January 2018.  Tamil Nadu's S. Darshini won the gold medal in weightlifting in girls Under  The Khelo India games is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & -21 category. Sports.  She managed a lift a total weight of 192kgs. National billiards & snooker meet in Indore Akshata reaps Gold in Weightlifting  The 86th National Billiards and Snooker Championship will be held  Akshata Basvani Kamati of Karnataka has won a gold medal in the under- in Indore from 18 January 2019. 21 age 71 kg category in weightlifting at the Khelo India Youth Games.  The event will be hosted by Madhya Pradesh Billiards and Snooker  Kamati comes from Halaga near Belgaum and her coach is Virpal Kaur. Association.  The 2nd edition of Khelo India Youth Games will be held from January 9  Top cueists, including Pankaj Advani, will take part in the event. to January 20, 2019, at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune,  The prize money of the event is 10 lakh rupees. Maharashtra.  The event will conclude on 10 February 2019. Abhinav Shaw won gold medal in shooting Sydney to host new ATP World Team Cup  On 14 January 2019, 10-year old Abhinav Shaw became the youngest  Sydney will host the finals of inaugural 24-team ATP Cup men’s tennis gold medallist in the shooting at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune. tournament.  He teamed up with Mehuli Ghosh to help West Bengal win the 10m air  The tennis tournament will be played from 3 January 2020. rifle mixed team event.  Sydney, Brisbane, and one other Australian city will co-host the  Delhi's Devanshi Rana bagged gold in Under-21 girls 25m pistol event. tournament. Bengaluru Raptors win Premier Badminton League  The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which runs the men's tennis tournament, voted in London to award the tournament to  Bengaluru Raptors won the Premier Badminton League (PBL) title on 13 Australia. January 2019.  They defeated Mumbai Rockets in the final match. Bopanna and Sharan won the Tata Open title  Bengaluru Raptors consists of Kidambi Srikanth, Mohammad Ahsan,  Rohan Bopanna's and Divij Sharan have won the ATP tour Tennis title at Hendra Setiawan, Sai Praneeth, Mithun Manjunath, Lauren Smith, the Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune on 5 January 2019. Sanjana Santosh, Marcus Ellis, Vu Thi Trang, and Nguyễn Tiến Minh.  The defeated Britain's Luke Bambridge and Jonny O'Maara in the final  It is owned by Matrix Badminton Teamworks Pvt. Ltd match. Harendra Singh removed as India's hockey coach  It was Bopanna's 18th ATP tour title while Sharan won his fourth tournament.  Indian men's hockey coach Harendra Singh was removed from the  Before this, Bopanna won the Vienna event in October 2017 with Pablo position on 9 January 2019. Cuevas.  The team will be overseen by Hockey India High-Performance Director David John and current Analytical Coach, Chris Ciriello. Rani won gold medal in National's Judo C'Ship  Harendra Singh was brought in as men's coach in May 2018 after Sjoerd  Lady head constable, Rani of 5th Indian Reserve Battalion of Himachal Marijne was moved back to the women's camp. Pradesh Police won a Gold medal in the Senior National Women's Judo Mary Kom attained number one position Championship on 5 January 2019.  The championship was held in Visakhapatnam.  Boxer MC Mary Kom attained number one position in the International  She won the gold medal in the 78 kg category. Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings.  She was also declared the best Judoka at the Championship.  She won the gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.  She also won a silver at the prestigious 'Strandja Memorial' in Bulgaria. Roger Federer clinched Hopman Cup  She successful boxer in the history of World Championship after she won  Switzerland's Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic won the Hopman Cup on the gold medal in the World Boxing Championship in 2018. 5 January 2019. Bavleen won gold medal in gymnastics  They defeated Germany's Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev in the final match.  Jammu and Kashmir's Bavleen Kaur won the gold medal in the women's  Roger Federer is the first player to win three Hopman Cups - twice with Under-17 all-around rhythmic gymnastics event at the Khelo India Youth Bencic and once with Martina Hingis, in 2001. Games 2019.  The Hopman Cup will be replaced by an ATP tournament in 2020.  Maharashtra's Shreya Bhangale and Krisha Chheda took silver and bronze medals. Vadodara to host 8th International Marathon  The 2019 Khelo India Youth Games are being held in Pune, Maharashtra.  Vadodara will host the eighth International Marathon on 6 January 2019. Salah named Caf African Player of the Year  The marathon will be held across four categories: 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km.  Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was named 2018 Confederation of African  Other categories include 'divyang paralympic run', 'swachhata run', Football's (Caf) 'Player of the Year'. 'pledge run' and 'jawan run'.  He won the award for the second time.  The marathon is accredited to the Association of International Marathon  Houston Dash and South Africa forward Thembi Kgatlana was named and Distance Races. Women's Player of the Year.  Salah was voted the 'BBC African Footballer of the Year' for the second National Table Tennis Championship begins time in December 2018. 27 | P a g e

 The 80th National Table Tennis Championship began at Jawaharlal Nehru  The Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha on 4 January 2019. stakeholders will conduct a two-day defence exercise codenamed 'Sea  Odisha State Table Tennis Association (OSTTA) is hosting the National Vigil 2019' from 22 January 2019. Table Tennis Championship.  The exercise is being conducted under the aegis of Commander-in-Chief,  The event will conclude on 9 January 2019. Coastal Defence, Southern Naval Command, Kochi.  As many as 35 teams, including 550 players from different parts of the  The aim of the exercise is to test the country's preparedness against any country are participating in the championship. attack through the sea route. Jasprit becomes highest wicket taker of 2018 TN Defence Industrial Corridor launched

 Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah became the highest wicket-taker across all  Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the 'Tamil Nadu Defence formats in 2018. Industrial Corridor' on 20 January 2019.  He took 78 wickets in 2018.  The Corridor will connect leading military manufacturing units in Chennai,  He took 48 wickets in 9 Tests, 22 wickets in 13 ODIs and 8 wickets in 8 Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli. T20I matches.  It will also help the industry to integrate with the global supply chain of  South Africa's bowler Kagiso Rabada is at second place, who took 77 Defence manufacturing. wickets in 2018.  The first defence corridor was established in Uttar Pradesh.

Armoured Systems Complex inaugurated in Hazira

Defence  The Larsen and Toubro's (L&T) 'Armoured Systems Complex' was Successfully testing of Anti-Radiation Missile inaugurated at Hazira in Gujarat on 19 January 2019.  It is the first private facility in the country where the 'K9 Vajra' self-  The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured. successfully conducted the test of New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile  L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of (NGARM) on 24 January 2019. Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T to the Indian Army.  The missile is capable of destroying the enemy radars, tracking system and communication facilities. India's 2nd innovation hub in Maharashtra  The NGARM has a strike range of over 100 km.  Union Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre said that Nashik in  This missile is first of its kind in India and can be launched from a range of Maharashtra will be the site of the country's second defence innovation altitudes. hub. Exercises held b/w India & Japan coast guards  The defence innovation hub at Nashik will help local industries and entrepreneurs and further the Centre’s Make in India push in the  Coast Guards of India and Japan held their disaster control, search and country’s defence sector. rescue exercises off the coast of Yokohama in Japan on 23 January 2019.  India's first defence innovation hub is in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.  Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship ICGS Shaunak is the main Indian ship taking part in the drills. Three new naval air squadrons approved  The ICGS Shaunkak is an Offshore Patrol Vessel and is one of the largest  On 18 January 2019, the government of India approved setting up of ships in the Indian Coast Guard. three new naval air squadrons in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.  Rajendra Singh is the Director General of ICG.  The three new air squadrons will increase the overall strength of the Successful Flight Test of LRSAM Indian Navy.  The government also sanctioned recruitment of manpower for manning  The Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) was successfully test fired additional aircraft in existing Dornier surveillance squadrons in Kerala and from INS Chennai on 24 January 2019. Andaman Islands.  LRSAM was jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Indian 'IMBEX 2018-19' inaugurated on 14 January Navy.  The second India-Myanmar bilateral Army exercise named 'IMBEX 2018-  LRSAM will help in enhancing the Navy's anti-air warfare capability. 19' commenced at Chandimandir military station in Haryana on 14 Naval Air Base 'INS Kohassa' commissioned January 2019.  The aim of this joint training event is to train the Myanmar delegation for  Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned the new Naval Air Base participation in UN peacekeeping operations. ‘INS Kohassa’ in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 24 January 2019.  The exercise includes participation of 15 officers from Myanmar Army  The airbase will be used to handle operations of helicopters and small and 15 officers from Indian Army aircraft like the Dornier.  INS Kohassa will be India’s fourth air base and the third naval air facility in the Andamans that overlooks key sea lanes of communication and strategic points. 'India-Africa Field Training' in March 2019

 The Indian Army will conduct the joint exercise named 'India-Africa Field Training' with African nations in March 2019 in Pune.  Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, and Uganda will participate in the exercise.  The focus will be training in anti-terror operations, humanitarian mine action and joint peace operations. Defence exercise 'Sea Vigil 2019' begins

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 The Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend the devolution of financial resources to the councils. Cabinet approves amendment to article 280

 On 23 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the amendment to Article 280 of the Constitution to increase powers of Autonomous Councils in Sixth Schedule areas of North East.  The amendment will give more powers to Autonomous District Councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, & Tripura.  The Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend the devolution of financial resources to the councils. 10% EWS quota comes into force

 The Act providing 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) among upper caste came into effect from 14 January 2019.  The President gave his assent to the Bill on 12 January 2019, after it was passed by both Houses of Parliament.  The Act amends Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. Gujarat implements new 10% quota law

 Gujarat has become the first state to provide a 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the economically weaker sections in the general category.  It will be applicable from 14 January 2019.  The eligibility of the new quota will be applicable only for which the announcement for jobs and admissions have been made but the process has not yet begun.

Parliament passes 124th Amendment Bill Lt Gen JS Nain is Rising Star Corps Commander  On 9 January 2019, the Rajya Sabha passed the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019.  On 12 January 2019, Lt Gen JS Nain took over as the 14th Corps  The bill seeks to provide a 10% reservation in government jobs and Commander of the strategic Rising Star Corps. admission in educational institutions to economically backward people  He took over from Lt Gen YVK Mohan. among upper castes.  The Rising Star Corps was raised in 2005 and is the Indian Army’s  The Bill will amend the article 15 and 16 of the constitution of India. youngest corps.  The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 8 January 2019.  It has its area of operation in three districts of Jammu region including Jammu, Samba, and Kathua. LS passes 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill

Two interceptor boats inducted into navy  On 8 January 2019, the Lok Sabha has passed the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019.  On 11 January 2019, the Indian Navy inducted two Fast Interceptor Craft  The bill seeks to provide a 10% reservation to Economically Weaker (FIC) into its fleet at Nagapattinam in an effort to increase the coastal Sections (EWS) in the General category. security.  The bill facilitates reservation for EWS in direct recruitments and  They can carry a variety of armament like heavy machine guns. admission in higher educational institutions.  FICs are capable of operating in shallow waters and were acquired for  The Bill amends Article 15 of Constitution of India. 'Sagar Prahari Bal'.  Sagar Prahari Bal is a unit of the Navy created post-26/11 Mumbai terror Citizenship (Amendment) Bill passed in LS attacks.  The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on 8 January Navy to set up new air base in Port Blair 2019.  The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants  The Indian Navy will commission a new airbase 100 miles north of Port who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Blair in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar islands. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship of India.  The base, INS Kohassa, will be commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil  It will apply to those migrants who have entered India before December Lanba on 24 January 2019. 31, 2014.  This will be India’s fourth air base and the third naval air facility in Andamans and Nicobar Islands. DNA (Use and Application) Bill passed in LS

 The Lok Sabha passed the 'DNA Technology (Use and Application) Polity Regulation Bill, 2019' on 8 January 2019.  It seeks to provide regulation for the use and application of DNA Cabinet approves amendment to article 280 technology for the purpose of establishing the identity of a certain  On 23 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the amendment to category of persons. Article 280 of the Constitution to increase powers of Autonomous  The bill also seeks to establish a 'National DNA Data Bank' and 'Regional Councils in Sixth Schedule areas of North East. DNA Data Banks'.  The amendment will give more powers to Autonomous District Councils Jammu and Kashmir sets up law commission of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, & Tripura.

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 The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up a law commission on 7  As per the current provisions of RTE Act, no student can be detained up January 2019. to class 8th.  Justice (Retd) M K Hanjura was appointed as its Chairperson.  The bill also allows the reintroduction of examinations for primary  The law commission will identify the redundant and obsolete laws that schools. can be repealed and suggest measures for quick redress of public Bill to amend Arunachal's ST list approved grievances.  The term of the Jammu and Kashmir State Law Commission will be for  The Union Cabinet approved the introduction of a bill to modify the list of three years. Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.  Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill passed in LS The bill proposes the deletion of the 'Abor' tribe from the state's ST list as it is the same as 'Adi' tribe.  The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was passed in Lok Sabha on 7  The bill seeks to include the Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi) January 2019. and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi) tribes in the list.  It seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws: Aadhaar Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha Hindu Marriage Act, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, Divorce Act (for Christians), Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Adoptions and  On 2 December 2018, the government of India introduced the Aadhar Maintenance Act. amendment bill in Lok Sabha.  The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in August 2018.  The bill seeks to provide legal backing for voluntary seeding of biometric Quota for economically backward upper castes Aadhaar ID with mobile numbers and bank accounts after the Supreme Court barred mandatory use of the Aadhar by private firms.  On 7 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved a 10% reservation for  In December 2018, the Union Cabinet approved amending the existing 'economically backward' upper castes in government jobs. Aadhaar law.  The reservation will be applicable for those belonging to the upper castes Medical Council (Amendment) Bill passed in LS and earning less than Rs 8 lakh per year.  A bill to amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution will be moved in the  The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2018 was passed in the Lok Parliament to this effect. Sabha on 31 December 2018.  Bills passed in Parliament (1-5 Jan 2019) The bill aims to run the Medical Council of India (MCI) through a panel of eminent professionals.  The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2018 was passed in the Lok  The powers of the council have been vested in a Board of Governors Sabha on 31 December 2018. (BoG).  On 3 January 2019, the Rajya Sabha passed the Right of Children to Free  It will continue to perform till a Council is constituted. and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The Bill empowered the states to detain weak students in the same class.  The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 4 January 2019. Companies (Amendment) Bill passed in Lok Sabha

 On 4 January 2019, the Lok Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018.  The Bill seeks to improve ease of doing business, reduce the burden on the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and prescribe strong action against non-compliant companies.  The Companies (Amendment), Bill, 2018 replaces the Ordinance promulgated in November 2018. New Delhi Arbitration Centre Bill passed in LS  The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 4 January 2019.  The Bill seeks to establish an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration.  It also seeks for acquisition and transfer of undertakings of the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR).  ICADR works under the aegis of the Supreme Court. Parliament approves NCTE amendment bill

 Rajya Sabha passed the 'National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill' on 3 January 2019.  The bill seeks to provide retrospective recognition to central and state government funded institutions offering B.Ed and related courses that are not recognised under the National Council for Teacher Education Act.  The Lok Sabha has already passed this bill on 23 July 2018. RTE (Amendment) Bill, 2018 passed

 On 3 January 2019, the Parliament passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018.  The Parliament empowered states to detain weak students in the same class if they fail to pass annual exams.

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