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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Preparation

01.02.2019 Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan • Under the scheme, an assured 1. Budget Highlights 2019-20 monthly pension of Rs 3,000 per month will be provided to workers in the unorganised sector after 60 years of age. • To avail of the scheme, workers will have to contribute Rs 100 month. Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog • To upscale sustainable genetic upgradation of cow resources and to enhance production and productivity of cows. Topic- GS-3- Economy Source-PIB 2. A unique travelogue series ‘Rag Rag Mein Ganga’ launched on Doordarshan • Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation launched travelogue program “Rag Rag Mein Ganga” on Doordarshan. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi • This series has been made by (PM-KISAN) Doordarshan in collaboration with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). • The show relays the message of the need of rejuvenating River Ganga while also informing about the efforts of the Government to clean Ganga – presented in a unique and interesting format. Topic- GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture Source-PIB 3. DIPP renamed as DPIIT • The government has notified changing

the name of the Department of • To extend direct income support at Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year to to the Department for Promotion of farmer families, having cultivable land Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). upto 2 hectares. • The notification has also included four • Under this Government of India new categories of responsibilities to funded Scheme, Rs.2,000 each will be DIPP. It includes transferred to the bank accounts of (a) The promotion of internal trade around 12 crore Small and Marginal (including retail trade) farmer families, in three equal (b) The welfare of traders and their instalments. employees • This programme would be made (c) Matters relating to facilitating Ease effective from 1st December 2018 and of Doing Business the first instalment for the period (d) Matters relating to start-ups. upto31st March 2019 would be paid. 2 www.gradeup.co

Related Information • He got this award for the Department of Industrial Policy and transformational changes brought by Promotion him during his tenure as Union • Department of Industrial Policy & Minister of Power. Promotion (DIPP) functions under the Related Information Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Carnot Prize Government of India. • The Carnot Prize is the annual • It is responsible for formulation and recognition by the US-based Kleinman implementation of promotional and Center for Energy Policy for developmental measures for growth distinguished contributions to energy of the industrial sector, keeping in policy through scholarship or practice. view the national priorities and socio- • The prize has been named after economic objectives. French scientist Sadi Carnot, who in • It is also responsible for facilitating 1824 published Reflections Motive and increasing the foreign direct Power of Fire, which became the basis investment (FDI) flows to the country. for the second law of Topic- GS Paper 3 –Economics thermodynamics. Source- The Hindu • Carnot recognized that the power of 4. Polar Vortex the steam engine would “produce a • Recently the south-directing current great revolution” in human of the North Polar vortex has brought development. deadly cold waves to the USA. Topic-GS Paper-2–Important awards/prizes • Reason - During winter in the Source- Indian Express northern hemisphere the vortex 6. Global Warming Affect El Niño in the becomes weak and expands, sending 21st Century Arctic cold air southward due to which • The most recent projection of global North Polar vortex has brought deadly warming impact on El Niño appeared cold waves to the USA. in scientific journal ‘Nature ‘in which Related Information has thrown some light on the effects Polar vortex of global warming on El Niño in the • The Polar vortex is a large area of low 21st Century. pressure that consistently overlies the Finding of the study North and South poles. • El Niño remains the largest climate • It always exists near the poles but phenomenon that occurs frequently weakens in summer and strengthens producing droughts, floods, wildfires, in winter. dust and snow storms, fish kill, and • They are called ‘vortexes’ because of even elevated risks of civil conflicts. the mass of cold, dense air that spins • The theatre of action for El Niño is the counter-clockwise like a hurricane. tropical Pacific Ocean but its global • The polar vortex can lead to major reach costs the global community tens cold air outbreaks in the Northern of billion dollars each time. Hemisphere, including North America, Related Information Europe and Asia. EI Nino • It is capable of delivering subzero • In a normal year, a surface low temperatures in the new areas for pressure develops in the region of several days at a time. northern Australia and Indonesia and Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and a high-pressure system over the coast Technology of Peru. Source- Science Daily • El Nino refers to the unusual warming 5. Piyush Goyal has been awarded the of the central and east-central Carnot Prize 2018 equatorial Pacific Ocean which leads • The Union Minister of Railways, Piyush to air pressure drops over large areas Goyal has been awarded the Carnot of the central Pacific and along the Prize 2018. coast of South America. 3 www.gradeup.co

• The warmer waters of the Pacific 8. Cow urine may be a reason for global Ocean cause the winds in various warming: Study regions to reverse • In a study Cow urine — a minor fount • This change in wind direction leads to of research in India for its medicinal warmer winters and summers and a benefits — may also contribute to decrease in rainfall during the global warming. monsoon. • The urine from the ruminant is a Effects of El Nino’s source of nitrous oxide emissions • El Nino affects global weather. (N2O), a gas that is 300 times more • El Nino reduces upwelling of cold powerful than carbon dioxide. water, decreasing the uplift of • The cattle and livestock are a nutrients from the bottom of the significant source of methane, a ocean which affects marine life, greenhouse gas, and therefore a seabirds and the fishing industry. contributor to global warming is well- • Drought caused by El Nino can be known. widespread, affecting southern Africa, Related Information India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and • India had estimates for dung and the Pacific Islands. urine production per cow or buffalo or • A recent WHO report on the health other livestock animals as well as their consequences of El Nino forecasts a overall estimates for their populations rise in vector-borne diseases, as per 2012 livestock census. including those spread by mosquitoes, • But the exact contribution of cow in Central and South America. urine to the total nitrous oxide • Cycles of malaria in India are also emission from India is not estimated linked to El Nino. precisely. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and Source- Down to Earth Technology 7. Biopolymer research to focus on new Source- The Hindu products 9. African Asian Rural Development • Rajasthan is promoting research in Organisation the biopolymer sector with an • An international workshop on fisheries emphasis on the fabrication of new and aquaculture has called for products and generation of more regional cooperation among member employment opportunities. countries of the African Asian Rural • The research on Biopolymer is carried Development Organisation (AARDO) out by the Centre for Skilling and to develop joint fisheries management Technical Support and the National plans. Institute of Fashion. Related Information • The initiative will also be helped the AARDO handicraft industry. • AARDO is an autonomous inter- Biopolymer governmental organization • Biopolymers are polymers that are comprising 33 members from Africa produced by living organisms. and Asia formed in 1962. • They are generally polymers of starch. • Its headquarters is in New Delhi. • These are composed of monomeric • The Organization was set up with a units. view to promoting coordinated efforts, • Cellulose is the most common organic exchange of experiences and compound and biopolymer on Earth. cooperative action for furthering the • Other examples of biopolymers objectives of development of the rural include rubber, suberin, melanin areas. and lignin. • India is one of the Founder Members Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and of the Organization and is the largest Technology contributor in terms of membership Source-The Hindu contribution. 4 www.gradeup.co

• The first Afro-Asian Conference on • The United Nations Security Council Rural Reconstruction held its historic has adopted a resolution 2454 to Session in New Delhi during 18-25 extend sanctions against the Central January 1961. African Republic (CAR) for another Topic- GS Paper 2 –Important year. Organisation Features of Resolution 2454 Source- The Hindu • It has adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, decides to renew 04.02.2019 the sanctions regime – an arms embargo, travels ban and asset freeze 1. Inkjet’ solar panels set to reshape till January 31, 2020. green energy • It also decides to extend the mandate • A PhD scholar has developed a novel of the panel of experts, which helps inkjet processing method the Security Council with the for perovskites — a new implementation of the sanctions, until generation of cheaper solar cells. Feb 29, 2020. • It makes it possible to produce solar • The resolution envisages the panels under lower temperatures, establishment of key benchmarks in thus sharply reducing costs. various sectors that could help the • Solar panels coated with the mineral Security Council review the arms are light, flexible, efficient, embargo on the CAR government by inexpensive and come in varying hues April 30, 2019. and degrees of transparency. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) • They can easily be fixed to almost any • It is one of the six principal organs of surface — be it laptop, car, drone, the UN. spacecraft or building — to produce • It will charged with the maintenance electricity, including in the shade or of international peace and security as indoors. well as accepting new members to the Perovskites United Nations • Perovskite is a calcium titanium oxide • It will also help in approving any mineral composed of calcium titanate changes to its United Nations Charter. (CaTiO3). • Its powers include the establishment • Many different cations can be of peacekeeping operations, the embedded in this structure, allowing establishment of international the development of diverse sanctions, and the authorization of engineered materials. military action through Security • The mineral was discovered in the Council resolutions. Ural Mountains of Russia by Gustav • It is the only UN body with the Rose in 1839 and is named after authority to issue binding resolutions Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski to member states. (1792–1856). • The Security Council consists of • Found in the Earth’s mantle, fifteen members (5 Permanent + 10 perovskite’s occurrence at Khibina non- permanent). Massif is restricted to the under- • Ten (10) non-permanent members, saturated ultramafic rocks and elected on a regional basis to serve foidolites, due to the instability in a two-year terms. paragenesis with feldspar. Topic- GS Paper 2 – International Topic- GS Paper 3 – Art and Culture Organization Source- The Hindu Source- Business Standard 2. UNSC adopts a resolution to 3. World Wetlands Day 2019: extend sanctions against the “Wetlands and Climate Change” Central African Republic for • World Wetlands Day was celebrated another year on February 2nd with the theme of “Wetlands and Climate Change”. 5 www.gradeup.co

• It is celebrated on 2 February 1971 to • The programme is all about commemorate the signing of the familiarization with the environment, Convention on Wetlands, called the family life, social customs, etc. of the Ramsar Convention at the Iranian city people living in different parts of the of Ramsar on the shores of the country; developing the Caspian Sea. understanding of the common • The two-fold objectives of the Ramsar historical and cultural heritage of the Convention are Conservation and country. sustainable utilization of wetlands and Related Information stop the encroachment and loss of NFCH wetlands. • The NFCH is an autonomous organization Wetlands under the administrative control of the • Wetlands are areas of marsh or Ministry of Home Affairs. peatland with water that is static or Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance flowing, fresh, brackish or saline, Source- PIB including areas of marine water. 5. New panel for welfare of nomadic • These are transition zones between communities terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. • The Centre will form a welfare panel E.g. Mangroves, lake littorals for nomadic, semi-nomadic and de- (marginal areas between highest and notified communities. lowest water level of the lakes), • The committee will be set up under floodplains (areas lying adjacent to Niti Aayog to complete the task of the river channels beyond the natural identifying de-notified, nomadic and levees and periodically flooded during semi-nomadic communities, high discharge in the river) and other especially as they move from place to marshy or swampy areas. place in search of a livelihood. • Waterlogged soil, adapted plant life • The committee will follow up on the (hydrophytes) and hydric soils (not work of the Renke Commission and enough O2) are the chief the Idate Commission. characteristics of wetlands. • A Welfare Development Board will • India has totally 27,403 square km also be set up under the Ministry of wetlands, of which 23,444 square km Social Justice and Empowerment to are inland wetlands and 3,959 square design and implement programmes km are coastal wetlands. for these hard-to-reach communities. • Wetlands occupy 18.4% of the Topic-GS Paper 2–Important Committee country’s area of which 70% are Source- The Hindu under paddy cultivation. 6. Kerala sets up drug price monitor Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment • Kerala has become the first State to Source- Indian Express set up a price monitoring and 4. Know My India Programme research unit (PMRU) to track • The National Foundation for violation of prices of essential drugs Communal Harmony (NFCH) is and medical devices under the Drugs organizing a special workshop for 42 Price Control Order (DPCO). Youth in the age group of 15 to 22 Concern years, who have been victims of • Pharma companies have been communal violence in the past, under accused of overcharging prices of the Know My India Programme drugs in the scheduled category fixed beginning in Bengaluru. by the DPCO and those outside its • It aims to bring together financially ambit too. assisted children of the Foundation Price Monitoring Research Unit from different States/Regions of the • The State Health Secretary would be country to promote oneness, the Chairman of the society and the fraternity and national integration. Drugs Controller would be its member secretary.

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• Its members include a State • The exhibition of rare artefacts is government representative, accompanying a two-day conference representatives of private on Guru Padmasambhava’s life and pharmaceutical companies, and those legacy, often called Second Buddha, from consumer rights protection fora. and brought together distinguished • The new watchdog will offer technical scholars from India, Nepal & Bhutan. help to the State Drug Controllers and • The conference is titled “Life and the NPPA to monitor notified prices of Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava”. medicines, detect violation of the • The conference also celebrates the 50 provisions of the DPCO, look at price years of diplomatic relations between compliance, collect test samples of India and Bhutan. medicines, and collect and compile Related Information market-based data of scheduled as Padmasambhava well as non-scheduled formulations. • Guru Padmasambhava is known as Note: The suggestion to set up PMRUs was the Second Buddha because he played made against the backdrop of the lack of a a seminal role in spreading Buddhism field-level link between the NPPA and the and Buddhist teachings across the State Drugs Controllers and State Drug Himalayan region including Northeast Inspectors to monitor drug prices. India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • In Tibetan, Guru Padmasambhava is Source- The Hindu generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, 7. Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed CBI which means “precious master.” Director • He undertook many travels across • Rishi Kumar Shukla has been India, Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. appointed as the new CBI Director. • Thangka paintings, sculptures and How a CBI Director is appointed? photographs portray the life and • The CBI draws its legality from the teachings of the Guru. 1946-Delhi Special Police Topic- GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture Establishment Act (DSPE). Source- Indian Express • The precursor to the CBI was the 9. A ‘pink revolution’ quietly takes Special Police Establishment, which shape in Maharashtra was India's first agency to investigate • A ‘pink revolution’ is quietly taking corruption. It was set in 1946 by the shape in Maharashtra. British. • The objective is to breed imported • Before the Lokpal Act was legislated, pigs to address the problem of protein the CBI director was appointed by the deficiency in a sizeable section of the population that has been deprived of DSPE Act. access to affordable meat besides • Now, the Lokpal Act governs the providing livelihood to farmers. appointment of the CBI director. • The ‘pink revolution’ targets to • The CBI director is appointed by the produce five lakh high-quality pigs Centre on the basis of the over a period of 5-6 years. recommendation of a search Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance committee comprising of the Prime Source- The Hindu Minister as the chairperson, the Chief 10. Britain, France and UK create a Justice of India and the Leader of firm "Instex" to trade with Iran Opposition. • Three major European allies • The Chief Justice of India can introduced a financial mechanism a nominate a Supreme Court judge if he new company, called Instex, for does not attend the search committee Instrument in Support of Trade meeting. Exchanges, would essentially allow Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance goods to be bartered between Iranian Source- The Hindu companies and foreign ones without 8. Rare artefacts on iconic Buddhist direct financial transactions or using figure celebrate India-Bhutan ties the dollar. 7 www.gradeup.co

• Instex, which was registered in France 3. Previously the angel investor should and is known technically as a special- have filed income tax returns of at purpose vehicle, will be financed least ₹50 lakh for the year preceding jointly by the three countries and run the year in which the investment was by a German banker. made and have a net worth of ₹2 Related Information crore. Now it would be modified to be • After President Trump pulled out of ₹25 lakh and ₹1 crore, respectively. the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed Angel Tax punitive banking sanctions last year, • It is a tax on the excess capital raised European leaders vowed to find a way by an unlisted company through the to enable Tehran to keep doing issue of shares over and above the fair business with the rest of the world. market value of those shares. • The European countries- Britain, • This excess capital is treated as France and Germany- were all income and taxed accordingly. signatories to the Iran deal in 2015, • This tax most commonly affects start- as was the US under President ups and the angel investors who back Obama. The Europeans, along with them. Russia and China, who were also Topic- GS Paper 3 – Economics signatories, have all vowed to keep to Source- The Hindu the terms of the agreement, which 2. Fundraiser to secure 96 elephant was intended to ensure that Iran corridors could not build a nuclear weapon. • According to a recent survey, seven Topic- GS-2- International Events elephant corridors in Jharkhand, U.P., Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Source- TOI Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

have already been impaired due to 05.02.2019 land use changes. • To tackle this problem the Asian 1. Centre sets up the panel to look Elephant Alliance, an umbrella into the angel tax issue initiative by five NGOs Elephant • The government decided to set up a Family, International Fund for Animal five-member working committee to Welfare, IUCN Netherlands and World look into the angel tax issue and come Land Trust have teamed up with WTI up with guidelines. in the alliance. • The panel also agreed to implement • They came together to secure 96 out some key changes requested by start- of the 101 existing corridors used by ups regarding the issue. elephants across 12 States in India. Some Key Changes • These are the joint venture is aiming to secure the 96 remaining elephant 1. As per the previous notification start- corridors, old and new, in the next ten ups whose aggregate amount of paid- years. up share capital and share premium • There are 101 elephant corridors after the proposed issue of share does identified by the WTI in its 2012-15 not exceed ₹10 crore are eligible for study, five of them — two in exemption from the tax. But now Meghalaya and one each in Assam, officials representing the Kerala and Karnataka — have already government agreed to raise this been secured by the WTI (Wildlife limit to ₹25 crore. Trust of India’s) with the help of 2. They also agreed to amend the conservation partners and the support definition of a start-up to include of State governments. companies that have been in Indian Elephant operation for up to 10 years rather • It is one of three recognized than the previous limit of seven subspecies of the Asian elephant and years. native to mainland Asia. 8 www.gradeup.co

• The Asian elephant has been listed as Gangetic Dolphin Endangered on the IUCN Red List. • Gangetic Dolphins are the only • The wild population has declined by at surviving freshwater dolphin in India. least 50% since the 1940s to 1930s, • Gangetic Dolphins are found in the i.e. three elephant generations. river systems of Ganga, Brahmaputra, Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance Meghna and Karnaphuli- Sangu in Source- The Hindu Nepal, India and Bangladesh. 3. Odisha's Kalia scholarship • The IUCN status of the Gangetic scheme for farmers' to boost Dolphin is Endangered. higher education • Gangetic Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India. • Odisha Chief Minister launched a Topic- GS Paper 3 – Biodiversity scholarship scheme named ‘KALIA Source- TOI Chhatravritti Yojana‘. 5. Braille voter slips for blind • This scheme for the children of • The Election Commission of India will farmers under Krushak Assistance for be issuing Braille voter slips for the Livelihood and Income Augmentation visually impaired and blind voters in (KALIA) scheme in Keonjhar district. the Lok Sabha elections 2019. • It will help to boost education for • It is part of its strategic framework for farmers children. 'accessible elections', the commission • Under this scheme, the beneficiaries has told all chief electoral officers to will be provided with scholarships to issue accessible photo voter slips with pursue higher education in braille to voters who are visually professional courses at free of cost. impaired or blind. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • The Electronic voting machines Source- Business Standard already have the Braille feature. 4. Indus river dolphin is Punjab’s Related Information state aquatic animal • The Strategic Framework on • Recently Punjab declared the Accessible Elections is a compilation endangered Indus river dolphins- one of guidelines issued by Election of the world’s rarest mammals - as Commission of India and the the state’s aquatic animal. Department for Empowerment of Related Information Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Indus river dolphin Social justice and Empowerment, • It is the second most endangered Government of India. freshwater river dolphin. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • At present, there are only around Source- Economics Times 1,800 of these in the Indus in 6. NASA Discovers Dwarf Galaxy Pakistan. • NASA’s Hubble telescope has • Indus river dolphins are freshwater discovered a dwarf galaxy in the aquatic mammal found only in the neighbourhood of Milky Way galaxy. The dwarf galaxy has been nicknamed Beas in Punjab. • as ‘Bedin 1’ by the astronomers. • It is listed endangered in the IUCN’s • It is a modestly sized, elongated galaxy. Red List of Threatened Species and its • It measures only around 3000 light- International trade is prohibited by years at its greatest extent which is a virtue of it being listed under fraction of the size of the Milky Way. Appendix I of the Convention on • “Dwarf galaxies” is a general term for International Trade in Endangered galaxies that are faint and small in Species (CITES). size and have low-luminosity, lack of • Indus dolphin like Ganges River dust and old stellar populations. dolphin is functionally blind and relies • The dwarf galaxy is discovered only on echolocation to navigate, 30 million light years away within the communicate and hunt prey in muddy globular cluster NGC 6752. river water. 9 www.gradeup.co

Significance 7. Kerala’s Village Millet Scheme • From the properties of its stars, • Kerala government has decided to scientists are able to infer that the expand millet village scheme to other galaxy is around 13 billion years old districts in the state. — nearly as old as the Universe itself. • The Millet Village scheme was first • Due to its isolation, Bedin 1 is will be launched in Attappady in Palakkad helpful in understanding the early district of Kerala. Universe. • Under the Millet Village scheme, the Globular Cluster: government promoted the harvest of • A Globular cluster is a large group of ragi (finger millet), thina (foxtail old stars that are closely packed in a millet), cholam (sorghum) and symmetrical and somewhat spherical kuthiravaali (barnyard millet). form. • The project aimed at protecting seeds • Globular clusters are extremely of traditional varieties of millets and luminous objects and may contain ensures food security and livelihood thousands to millions of stars. for tribals. Related Information • The scheme also provides financial NASA's Great Observatories assistance to farmers for cultivation of (a) Hubble Space Telescope millets crops. • The first element of the program - and arguably the best known -- is the Related Information Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Millets Production in India • The Hubble telescope was deployed • Millets are cultivated in low-fertile by a NASA Space Shuttle in 1990. land, mountainous, tribal and rain-fed • It was built by NASA, with areas. contributions from the European • These areas include Andhra Pradesh, Space Agency. Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, (b) The Compton Gamma Ray Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Observatory (CGRO) Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar • It was the second of NASA's Great Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Observatories. • Millets also are known as ‘nutri- • This mission collected data on some of cereals’ and have a high protein the most violent physical processes in content, short growing season, the Universe, characterized by their climate change resilience and low extremely high energies. water requirement. (c) Chandra X-ray Observatory Topic- GS Paper 2 – Important Scheme • The third member of the Great Source- Indian Express Observatory family. 8. In Assam, temples stave off • This observatory is observing such extinction of turtles objects as black holes, quasars, and high-temperature gases throughout • Recently a few temple ponds in Assam the x-ray portion of the EM spectrum. and Bangladesh are bringing Black softshell turtle back from the brink. (d) Spitzer Space Telescope • The Spitzer Space Telescope Related Information represents the fourth and final • The black softshell turtle is a species element in NASA's Great Observatory of freshwater turtle found in India program. (Assam) and Bangladesh (Chittagong • Spitzer fills in an important gap in and Sylhet). wavelength coverage not available • The black softshell turtle figures in the from the ground-the thermal infrared. IUCN Red List as “extinct in the Topic- GS Paper 3 – Science and wild”. Technology • India hosts 28 species of turtles, of Source-Indian Express which 20 are found in Assam. 10 www.gradeup.co

• But consumption of turtle meat and Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology eggs, silt mining, encroachment of Source- DD News wetlands and change in flooding 2. National Film Development pattern have had a disastrous impact Corporation of India has been selected on the State’s turtle population. as Winner under the Miniratna Category • Unfortunately, 70% of the species (Category II) found in Assam are threatened with • National Film Development extinction. Corporation of India has been Topic- GS Paper 3 – Biodiversity selected as Winner under the Source- The Hindu Miniratna Category (Category II) by 9. 325 child labourers rescued in Ministry of MSME. Hyderabad under 'Operation Smile' • This has been done as part of Operation Smile endeavour by Ministry of MSME to • Operation Smile was launched on felicitate select CPSEs to recognize January 1 this year to trace missing their exemplary work towards children. promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurs. • The month-long programme aims to NFDC (National Film Development rescue child labourers, children Corporation Ltd.) engaged in begging for alms & so on. • It was incorporated in the year 1975, Topic- GS-2- Governance was formed by the GOI. Source- Business Standards • It incorporated with the primary objective of planning and promoting an organized, 06.02.2019 efficient, and integrated development of the Indian film industry.

• These films, in various Indian 1. ISRO's 'GSAT-31' launched languages, have been widely • ISRO successfully launched its 40th acclaimed and have won many communication satellite GSAT-31 national and international awards. from the spaceport in French Guiana. Topic- GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture • The satellite with a mission life of 15 Source-PIB years will provide continuity to 3. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana operational services on some of the • This scheme was launched by the in-orbit satellites and augment the Ministry of Social Justice and Ku-band transponder capacity in Empowerment in 2017. Geostationary Orbit • The objective of the scheme is to • Weighing about 2,535 kg, the satellite provide Senior Citizens, belonging to was launched onboard the Ariane-5 BPL category and suffering from age- (VA247) from Kourou in French related disabilities/ infirmities, with Guiana. such physical aids and assisted living Application devices which can restore near • The satellite provides Indian mainland normalcy in their bodily functions. and island coverage. • Under the Scheme, assisted living • GSAT-31 will be used for supporting devices such as Walking Sticks, Elbow VSAT networks, television uplinks, Crutches, Walkers/ Crutches, Tripods/ digital satellite news gathering, DTH Quadpods, Hearing Aids, Wheelchairs, television services, cellular backhaul Artificial Dentures and Spectacles are connectivity and many such provided free of cost to the beneficiary applications. senior citizens. • The satellite will also provide wide • The Scheme is being implemented beam coverage to facilitate through the “Artificial Limbs communication over a large oceanic Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)”, a region comprising a large part of the Public Sector Undertaking under the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and Ministry of SJ&E, as the sole Implementing the Indian Ocean using a wideband Agency. transponder. 11 www.gradeup.co

• For the senior citizens aged 80 years 6. 100% use of VVPAT for Lok Sabha or more, the devices are provided at polls: EC their doorsteps. • The Election Commission informed Topic- GS Paper 2 – Scheme for the Madras High Court that it had Vulnerable section of Society made it clear way back in 2017 that Source-PIB there shall be 100% use of the Voter 4. PM-JAY app Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) • The PM-JAY app launched by Union system during the Lok Sabha election Minister under the scheme Ayushman 2019. Bharat. • The usage of VVPAT machines of the • The app is helping users to get easy Election Commission is expected to access of information about the ensure free and fair elections. scheme, check eligibility, find Related Information hospitals nearby and get assisted Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) help. • In the VVPAT system, when a voter • The app will provide a way to connect presses the button for a candidate of and get all important information on his choice in the electronic voting the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. machines (EVM), a paper ballot Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance containing the serial number, the Source- The Hindu name of the candidate and poll 5. Bullet train gets green light via symbol will be printed for the voter. flamingo haven, national park • The voters will be able to view the • Recently, a committee, chaired by voter-verifiable paper audit trail slip Union Environment Minister has for seven seconds after which it will accorded wildlife clearance to the get deposited in a sealed box. Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train • VVPAT machines can be regarded as corridor that encroaches upon a an independent verification system as flamingo sanctuary and the Sanjay it Gandhi National Park, the home to o allows voters to verify that their leopards, in Mumbai. votes are cast correctly, Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed Rail o detects possible election fraud or (MAHRS) Corridor malfunction and • This project for one of India’s first o Provides a means to audit the ‘bullet trains’ was inaugurated by stored electronic result. Prime Minister and his Japanese Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance counterpart Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad Source- The Hindu in September 2017. 7. Russia racing to develop new missile • It is expected to be ready by 2022. systems to counter the US by 2021 • The train will cover a distance of over • Russia announced that it is planning 508 km from Sabarmati (Gujarat) to to develop two new land-based Bandra (Mumbai, Maharashtra) in missile launch systems in response around 2.58 hours at high speed of to President Trump’s announcement 320 kph from the existing 7-8 hours. that the U.S. will withdraw from a • In this project, around 80 % cost will landmark nuclear weapons treaty. be provided by the Japan • Moscow intends to develop the systems by International Cooperation Agency 2021 in order to counter U.S. (JICA) as a soft loan at an interest of developments in its missile capabilities. 0.1% per annum. • The U.S. and others in the international • This loan will be repaid to Japan in 50 community have accused Russia of violating the treaty, which prohibits years, with 15 years grace period. nuclear and conventional ground- Topic- GS Paper 3 – Economics and launched missiles with ranges between Development 300 to 3,400 miles from being deployed in Source- The Hindu Europe, since 2014. Related Information 12 www.gradeup.co

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces 8. NTA Students App (INF) Treaty • National Testing Agency (NTA) • The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 recently has launched a ‘mobile app’ between US President Ronald Reagan through which students can practice and USSR President Mikhail or take mock tests on their own Gorbachev. computers or smartphones. • The treaty aimed to end arms race • Now the students across the country between USA and USSR during the can register themselves online at NTA cold war and to ensure some strategic Website or ‘NTA Students App’ for stability in Europe. visiting the TPCs. • The INF treaty banned the Related Information development, testing and possession National Test Agency of short and medium-range ground- • The Union Cabinet in November 2017 launched nuclear missiles having approved the creation of the National ranger between 500-5,000 km. Testing Agency (NTA) as an • And also, all the nuclear and autonomous and self-sustained conventional missiles, as well as their premier testing organization to launchers, with ranges of 500–1,000 conduct entrance examinations for km or (short-range) and 1,000–5,500 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) km (intermediate-range) were in the country. banned under this treaty. • It will be chaired by an educationist • The Treaty proved to be a potent who will be appointed by the MHRD. deterrent against any full-scale • The agency will have a board of nuclear war in Europe. governors who will represent the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction member institutions. Treaty) Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • It is a nuclear arms reduction treaty Source- The Hindu between the United States and the 9. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Russian Federation with the formal • Department of School Education and name of Measures for the Further Literacy has launched an Integrated Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Scheme for School Education- Offensive Arms. Samagra Shiksha, subsuming three • It was signed on 8 April 2010 in erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Prague, and, after ratification, Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan entered into force on 5 February (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha 2011. Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher • It is expected to last at least until Education (TE), with effect from 2021. 2018-19. • New START replaced the Treaty of • The new integrated scheme envisages Moscow (SORT), which was due to school education as a continuum from expire in December 2012. pre-school to senior secondary level. • Under terms of the treaty, the number • Its aim to ensure inclusive and of strategic nuclear missile launchers equitable quality education at all will be reduced by half. levels. • A new inspection and verification • It will also support to states in the regime will be established, replacing implementation of RTE Act, 2009 and the SORT mechanism. strengthening of teacher education • It does not limit the number of institutions. operationally inactive stockpiled Topic- GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme nuclear warheads that remain in the Source-PIB high thousands in both the Russian 10. ‘Earthquake swarm’ in Palghar and American inventories. • The Palghar district in northern Topic- GS Paper 2–International relation Maharastra was rocked by a series of Source- The Hindu minor earthquakes. 13 www.gradeup.co

Related Information • Its intended beneficiaries are urban Earthquakes swarms poor (street vendors, slum dwellers, • NCS (National Centre for Seismology) homeless, rag pickers); unemployed has categorised the unusual tremors and differently abled. as an ‘earthquake swarm’ which is a • It also provides social mobilization series of low magnitude earthquakes and institution development through that occur in a localised region and the formation of Self-Help Groups over a period of time ranging from (SHG) for training members and hand days, weeks to even months. holding, initial support of 10, 000 is • When seismic energy piles up inside given for each group. the Earth and is released in small • It also provides subsidy to urban poor amounts from certain points, such a i.e. interest subsidy of 5% – 7% for series of earthquakes can occur. setting up individual microenterprises • Sometimes, these rumblings of the with a loan of up to 2 lakhs and for Earth are also accompanied by group enterprises with a loan limit of acoustic or sound emissions. up to Rs.10 lakhs. • They are differentiated from • PAISA Portal a centralised earthquakes succeeded by a series of electronic platform is launched for aftershocks by the observation that quicker processing of loans under the no single earthquake in the sequence Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – is obviously the main shock. National Urban Livelihoods Mission • It is believed that these are caused by Topic- GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture the movement of tectonic plates Source- Indian Express which is normal in the Indian peninsula. 07.02.2019 Topic- GS Paper 3 – Disaster 1. MoU between India and Norway Management on India-Norway Ocean Dialogue Source- Indian Express • The Union Cabinet has approved the 11. Shehri Samridhi Utsav Launched MoU between India and Norway on • It is an initiative of the Ministry of India-Norway Ocean Dialogue. Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Benefits: • It is the National Exhibition and a sale • The MoU will promote cooperation in of Self Help Group products and the areas of mutual interest National Street Food Festival pertaining to the development of blue organized in New Delhi. economy. • It aims to extend the outreach of • Norway is a global leader in the area Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – of Blue Economy and has cutting-edge National Urban Livelihoods Mission technologies and expertise in areas (DAY-NULM), to the most vulnerable, such as fisheries, hydrocarbons, showcase its initiatives and facilitate renewable energy, sustainable access of Self-Help Group (SHG) harnessing of ocean resources and members to the other government maritime transport. schemes. • The proposed MoU will contribute in: Related Information (a) Creating opportunities for Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National collaboration in areas such as Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) exploitation of hydrocarbons and • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme other marine resources, implemented by Union Ministry of (b) Management of ports Housing and Urban Poverty (c) Tourism development Alleviation. (d) contribute to the objective of Food • Its objective is to uplift urban poor Security through the infusion of new folks by enhancing sustainable technologies in fisheries & aquaculture. livelihood opportunities through skill Topic-GS Paper2–International Relation development. Source-PIB 14 www.gradeup.co

2. Cabinet approves Abolition of Banning of Unregulated Deposit Institution of Income-Tax Schemes Bill, 2018 Ombudsman and Indirect Tax • It provides comprehensive legislation Ombudsman to deal with the menace of illicit • The Union Cabinet has approved the deposit schemes in the country proposal for Abolition of Institution of through Income-Tax Ombudsman and Indirect (a) Complete prohibition of Tax Ombudsman. unregulated deposit-taking activity; • The approval comes in the wake of (b) Deterrent punishment for alternative complaint redressal promoting or operating an mechanisms chosen by the public and unregulated deposit-taking scheme; the institution of Ombudsman could (c) Stringent punishment for not prove to be more effective than fraudulent default in repayment to regular existing parallel channels of depositors; grievance redressal. (d) Designation of a Competent Related Information Authority by the State Government to Institution of Income-Tax Ombudsman ensure repayment of deposits in the event of default by a deposit-taking • It was created in the year 2003 to deal establishment; with grievances of public related to (e) Powers and functions of the the settlement of complaints relating competent authority including the to Income Tax. power to attach assets of a defaulting • However, the Institution of establishment; Ombudsman failed to achieve its (f) Designation of Courts to oversee objectives. repayment of depositors and to try • It was observed that institution of new offences under the Act; complaints has in turn fallen to single (g) Listing of Regulated Deposit digits. Schemes in the Bill, with a clause • Also, taxpayers started preferring enabling the Central Government to alternate methods of grievance expand or prune the list. redressal like CPGRAMS (Centralized Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System), Aaykar Seva Source- Indian Express Kendras etc. 4. Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • The Union Cabinet has approved the Source- The Hindu proposal for the establishment of 3. Amendments to the Banning of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for Unregulated Deposit Schemes Conservation protection and Bill, 2018 development of cows and their • The Union Cabinet has given its progeny. approval to the Banning of • It was announced in Budget 2019-20 Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, by the finance minister. 2018 pursuant to the Impact recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF). • It will lead to the conservation, protection and development of the • Objective– to effectively tackle the cattle population in the country menace of illicit deposit-taking including the development and activities in the country, and prevent conservation of indigenous breeds. such schemes from duping poor and gullible people of their hard earned • It will result in increased growth of the savings. livestock sector which is more Related Information inclusive, benefiting women, and small and marginal farmers. 15 www.gradeup.co

• The Aayog will work in collaboration • It will serve the needs in the with Veterinary, Animal Sciences or educational stream, enabling the Agriculture University or departments students to choose their career path or organizations of the Central/State matching with their aspirations, Government engaged in the task of interest, inclination and aptitude. research in the field of breeding and Why Rajasthan? rearing of the cow, organic manure, • UNICEF had selected Rajasthan for biogas etc. launching the portal because of its Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance track record in employment-oriented Source-PIB education. 5. Central Sector Scheme of Exploration • UNICEF’s studies in Rajasthan have of Coal and Lignite highlighted that two largest sources of • The Cabinet approved the proposal for career information for students are continuation of the Scheme of teachers and family members. "Exploration of Coal and Lignite. • About 69% of students mentioned that they were using the Internet for • The scheme will be extended for a their career-related queries, which period of 3 years from 2017-18 to indicates that the adolescents will 2019-2020. quickly learn to use the career portal. • Under the Scheme, approximately 7 Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance billion tonnes of resources will be Source- The Hindu established and 11 billion tonnes of 7. Cabinet approves unified resources will be proved. regulator for IFSCs • Exploration for coal and lignite is • The Cabinet has approved the setting required to estimate and to prove the up of a unified authority that would resources available in the country. regulate all the financial services in Exploration for coal and lignite in the country International Financial Services is conducted in two broad stages: Centres (IFSC), such as the Gujarat • Regional exploration and International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) • detailed drilling. in Gandhinagar. Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment • This is to be done through the Source-PIB International Financial Services 6. First career portal for students Centres Authority Bill, 2019. launched in Rajasthan • Currently, the banking, capital • India’s first “career portal”, markets and insurance sectors in addressing the needs of secondary IFSCs are regulated by multiple and higher secondary students for regulators, i.e. RBI, SEBI and IRDAI. information on scholarships and Related Information career choices, was launched with the What is an IFSC? support of the United Nations • An IFSC is aimed at encouraging Children’s Fund. Indian companies that are conducting Benefit business in foreign financial centres • The portal would promote such as London and Singapore, to employment-oriented education in bring that business to India by the State and provide information on providing them with a global-standard 200 vocational and 237 professional regulatory and business environment. careers, 455 employment avenues, • An IFSC caters to customers outside 960 scholarships, 955 competitive the jurisdiction of the domestic examinations and 10,000 institutions economy. Such centres deal with of higher education to the students flows of finance, financial products from Classes IX to XII. and services across borders. • It will also help to reveal substantial • IFSC would also complement and progress in terms of gender equality promote further development of among the students. financial markets in India. 16 www.gradeup.co

Topic- GS Paper 3 – Economics expenditure, pending authorization by Source- The Hindu the State Legislature. 8. RBI unlikely to transfer • Approval of the Legislature for such contingency fund to govt. expenditure and for withdrawal of an • RBI is unlikely to give in to the equivalent amount from the government’s demand for transferring Consolidated Fund is subsequently funds that were set aside for obtained, whereupon the advances contingency reserves in 2016-17 and from the Contingency Fund are 2017-18. recouped to the Fund. • A total of ₹27,330 crore — ₹13,140 Topic- GS Paper 3 – Economics crore in FY17 and ₹14,190 crore in Source- The Hindu FY18 — was set aside by the RBI for 9. Disaster Resilience Exercise: the contingency fund. EXERCISE RAHAT • The government has requested the • ‘EXERCISE RAHAT’ is Joint RBI for providing an interim surplus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster for the financial year 2018-19 on the Relief Exercise. analogy of previous financial year and • The Joint exercise in coordination with transfer of the amount withheld from NDMA is being conducted to synergise the surplus of 2016-17 and 2017-18. efforts for humanitarian assistance Related Information and disaster relief operations. Contingency fund • Representatives from Armed Forces, • A contingencies fund or contingency National Disaster Management fund is a fund for emergencies or Response Mechanism (NDMRM), and unexpected outflows, mainly SDMA Rajasthan will be participating economic crises. in the exercise. Contingency fund with respect to India Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence • The Constitution of India authorized Source- Indian Express the parliament to establish a 10. ESA’s Hera mission and NASA's contingency fund of India. Double Asteroid Redirection Test • The Contingency Fund of India is • The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) established under Article 267 of the Hera mission is set for a new record Indian Constitution. by becoming the first spacecraft to • It is in the nature of an imprest explore a binary asteroid — the (money maintained for a specific Didymos pair. purpose). Accordingly, Parliament • The moon orbiting Didymos, called enacted the contingency fund of India ‘Didymoon’ — almost the size of the Act 1950. Giza Pyramid in Egypt,— will be the • The fund is held by the Finance smallest asteroid ever explored. Secretary (Department of Economic • However, Hera mission won’t be the Affairs) on behalf of the President of first to reach Didymos. India and it can be operated by • NASA in the USA plans to launch the executive action. Double Asteroid Redirection Test • The Contingency Fund of India exists (DART) between 2020 and 2021, for disasters and related unforeseen which will target Didymoon as part of expenditures. its planetary defence programme. Contingency fund for States • The programme, designed to protect • Contingency Fund of each State Earth from dangerous comets and Government is established under asteroids, aims to crash DART into Article 266 of the Constitution. Didymoon in 2022 to alter its orbit • This is in the nature of an imprest around Didymos. placed at the disposal of the Governor Topic-GS-3-Science and Technology to enable him/her to make advances Source- Down To Earth to meet urgent unforeseen

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08.02.2019 • The Siamese fighting fish was registered as an intangible cultural 1. Various programs/schemes for heritage in 2013. promotion of grid interactive • The IUCN status of fish is Vulnerable. renewable energy Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment • The details of the major steps taken Source- Indian Express by the Government to attract 3. Macedonia signed an accord to investment in the renewable energy join NATO sector are as follows: - • Macedonia signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of 1. Waiver of Inter-State the NATO military alliance. Transmission System (ISTS) Related Information charges and losses for the inter-state North Atlantic Treaty Organization sale of solar and wind power for • It is an intergovernmental political projects to be commissioned up to and military alliance between 29 March 2022. North American and European 2. Permitting Foreign Direct Investment countries. (FDI) up to 100 per cent under the • The organization implements the automatic route. North Atlantic Treaty that was signed 3. Notification of standard bidding on 4 April 1949. guidelines to enable distribution • NATO constitutes a system of licensee to procure solar and wind collective defence whereby its power at competitive rates in a cost- independent member states agree to effective manner. mutual defence in response to an 4. Declaration of trajectory for attack by any external party. Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) • NATO’s Headquarters are located in up to the year 2022. Haren, Brussels, Belgium, while the 5. Implementation of Green Energy headquarters of Allied Command Corridor project to facilitate grid Operations is near Mons, Belgium. integration of large scale renewable Note: NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the energy capacity addition. freedom and security of its members through Note: political and military means. The Government has set a target of installing • POLITICAL- NATO promotes 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity by democratic values and enables the year 2022 which includes 100000 MW members to consult and cooperate on from solar, 60000 MW from wind, 10000 MW defence and security-related issues to from bio-power and 5000 MW from small solve problems, build trust and, in the hydropower. long run, prevent conflict. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • MILITARY – Source-PIB o NATO is committed to the peaceful 2. Siamese fighting fish: Thailand resolution of disputes. national aquatic animal o If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the • Thailand named the tiny, eye- military power to undertake crisis- catching, colourful fin plumaged management. Siamese fighting fish as its aquatic o These are carried out under the animal. collective defence clause of NATO's • It will help to boost the conservation founding treaty- Article 5 of the and breeding of the same. Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or Related Information in cooperation with other countries • Siamese fighting fish is the native of and international organisations. Mekong basin of Thailand and is Topic- GS Paper 2 – International mostly found in the Chao Phraya river Organisation in Thailand. Source- The Hindu 18 www.gradeup.co

4. RBI released its 6th Bi-Monthly • The Prime Minister is the head of this Monetary Policy committee. • Reserve Bank of India(RBI)’s six- • Cabinet ministers of various ministries member monetary policy are its members. committee chaired by RBI • Its important functions are: Governor Shaktikanta Das (a) To direct and coordinate the released its 6th Bi-Monthly governmental activities in the Monetary Policy. economic sphere. • The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) (b) To review economic trends and of RBI decided to reduce the repo evolve a consistent and integrated rate to 6.25% from 6.50. policy framework in the country. Related Information (c) To review the progress of activities Monetary Policy Committee of India related to rural development including • The Monetary Policy Committee of those concerning small and marginal India formed in 2016 is responsible farmers for fixing the benchmark interest rate (d) To deal with industrial licensing in India. cases involving proposals from the • The meetings of the Monetary Policy Ministries for the establishment of Committee are held at least 4 times a Joint Sector Undertakings. year and it publishes its decisions (e) To consider issues relating to after each such meeting. disinvestment • The committee comprises six • Other functions members - three officials of the (a) To consider and decide on issues Reserve Bank of India and three pertaining to the World Trade external members nominated by the Organization. Government of India. (b) To consider issues relating to the • The Governor of Reserve Bank of Unique Identification Authority of India is the chairperson ex officio of India the committee. (c) To monitor general prices, assess • Decisions are taken by the majority availability and export of essential and with the Governor having the casting agricultural commodities and to take vote in case of a tie. measures for efficient Public • The current mandate of the Distribution System committee is to maintain 4% annual Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance inflation until March 31, 2021, with an Source-PIB upper tolerance of 6% and a lower 6. Parmanu Tech 2019 tolerance of 2%. • Ministry of External Affairs and Topic- GS Paper 3 – Economics Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Source- The Hindu organised Parmanu Tech 2019 in New 5. Cabinet approves setting up Agri- Delhi to discuss the issues related to Market Infrastructure Fund Nuclear Energy and Radiation • The Union Cabinet approved the Technologies. creation of an Rs 2,000-crore Agri- • The following sectors discussed in the Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF) for conference: development and upgradation of rural o The main motive of this conference agriculture markets. is to showcase India’s capabilities • It will be created with NABARD for in Nuclear Energy with development and upgradation of environmental responsibility. agriculture marketing infrastructure o Food Preservation, Agricultural & in Gramin agriculture markets and Industrial Applications: From farms regulated wholesale markets. to factories – Serving the National Related Information Cause Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs o Health care: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation therapy – Care to cure 19 www.gradeup.co

Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • CIPAM assists in simplifying and Source-PIB streamlining of IP processes, apart 7. India jumps 8 places to 36th on from undertaking steps for furthering international IP index 2019 IPR awareness, commercialization • US Chambers of Commerce released and enforcement. the 7th edition of annual International World Intellectual Property IP Index of top 50 economies in the Organization (WIPO) world. • The World Intellectual Property • India’s rank moved up to 36 jumping Organization (WIPO) is a specialized eight places - as against 44 in 2018. agency of the United Nations (UN). • India’s overall score in the annual • WIPO was created in 1967 "to International IP Index has increased encourage creative activity, to substantially to 16.22 (out of a promote the protection of intellectual maximum score of 45), against 12.03 property throughout the world". (out of 40) in the sixth edition. • WIPO currently has 191-member • The latest report, Inspiring Tomorrow, states. analyses the IP climate in 50 world • It is headquartered in Geneva, economies, based on 45 indicators Switzerland. critical to an innovation-led economy. TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of • The US tops the list followed by the Intellectual Property Rights) United Kingdom. • It is an international legal agreement Related Information between all the member nations of Intellectual property the World Trade Organization (WTO). • Intellectual property (IP) refers to • It sets down minimum standards for creations of the intellect for which a the regulation by national monopoly is assigned to designated governments of many forms of owners by law. intellectual property (IP) as applied to Intellectual property rights nationals of other WTO member • Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are nations. the rights granted to the creators of • TRIPS was negotiated at the end of IP, and include trademarks, copyright, the Uruguay Round of the General patents, industrial design rights, and Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in some jurisdictions trade secrets. (GATT) in 1994 and is administered by DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy & the WTO. Promotion) Topic- GS Paper 2 – Important Index • The Department of Industrial Policy & Source- Indian Express Promotion was established in 1995 and 8. Smriti Irani launches India Size has been reconstituted in the year 2000 project with the merger of the Department of • Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani Industrial Development. launched the India Size project in Role and Functions- • Mumbai. (a) Formulation and implementation • A first-of-its-kind project in the of industrial policy history of the country, India Size aims (b) Formulation of Foreign Direct to arrive at a standard Indian Size for Investment (FDI) Policy and promotion, approval and facilitation of FDI the ready-to-wear clothing industry, (c) Formulation of policies relating to on the lines of the standardized sizes Intellectual Property Rights etc. available in countries such as the USA CIPAM (Cell for IPR Promotion and and the UK. Management) • The project will benefit • A professional body under the aegis of manufacturers, consumers and the Department of Industrial Policy generate data which will help tap into and Promotion (DIPP) which ensures the potential of the sector. focused action on issues related to Topic- GS-2- Government Schemes IPRs. Source- AIR 20 www.gradeup.co

11.02.2019 Related Information

1. USA may end zero-tariffs for India Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology It is jointly developed by India and • Due to the latest downturn in trade • ties was India’s new rule on FDI in e- Russia. commerce, India could lose a vital • It will help both India’s surface-to-air U.S. trade concession known as and air-to-air missiles to perform Generalised System of Preferences better and enhance their strike range, (GSP) under which it enjoys zero making them more lethal. tariffs on $5.6 billion of exports to the • India can now have the fastest long- United States. range missiles in two categories, Related Information providing full-edged and multi- Generalized System of Preferences layered aerial protection from hostile (GSP) attacks. Difference between SFDR and • India is the world’s largest beneficiary of a scheme Generalised System of Conventional Missiles Preferences (GSP) that has been in • Conventional Rocket Motor based force since the 1970s. BVRAAMs (Beyond-visual-range air- • GSP is the largest and oldest US trade to-air missile) have a higher burning preference programme introduced in out rate since it works in the same 1976. amount of thrust levels from the moment it is fired, which means it can • It is designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free run out of fuel when it reaches its entry for thousands of products from target in longer range and highly designated beneficiary countries both maneuverable targets can outrun the developing and developed countries. missile in the last phase if missile is • It is a preferential tariff system which fired from a long range. provides for a formal system of • Ramjets, by contrast, maintain their exemption from the more general peak energy state for longer, rules of the World Trade Organization delivering power throughout the (WTO). flight, providing a high – though slightly slower – average speed and • Under it, a wide range of industrial and agricultural products originating long ranges over a wide operational from certain developing countries are envelope, from sea level to high given preferential access to US altitude. markets. • Unlike traditional rocket motor, SFDR • India’s case, GSP enables duty-free can throttle its engine during different entry of 3,500 product lines in US phases of flight especially while markets, which benefits exporters of approaching its target it can throttle textiles, engineering, gems and up and able to maneuver and attack jewelry and chemical products. even fast maneuvering targets. • The total US imports under GSP in • Not only does this mean the SFDR will 2017 was $21.2 billion, of which India have more energy to maneuver was biggest beneficiary with $5.6 during the endgame of the billion, followed by Thailand ($4.2 engagement, but this capability also billion) and Brazil ($2.5 billion). drastically increases the size of the missile’s “no escape zone. • The US Congress in March 2018 had voted to renew GSP from 2020. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence Topic-GS Paper 2–International Relation Source-PIB Source- The Hindu 3. Medical devices to be treated as 2. Successful Flight Test of SFDR drugs • DRDO successfully flight tested the • The Centre in a notification aid that second indigenously developed ‘Solid medical devices — all implantable Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)’ devices, CT Scan, PET and MRI propulsion based missile system. equipment, defibrillators, dialysis 21 www.gradeup.co

machines, and bone marrow 5. Shark Bay: A World Heritage Site separators — will be treated as drugs at catastrophic risk for human beings with effect from • Shark Bay is a World Heritage-listed April 1, 2020. marine ecosystem in Australia. • The decision was taken in consultation • It was recently devastated by extreme with the Drugs Technical Advisory temperatures when a brutal marine Board. heatwave struck off Western Australia Related Information in 2011. Drugs Technical Advisory Board • A workshop convened by the Shark • Drugs Technical Advisory Board is the Bay World Heritage Advisory highest statutory decision-making Committee classified Shark Bay as body on technical matters related to being in the highest category of drugs in the country. vulnerability to future climate change. • It is constituted as per the Drugs and Related Information Cosmetics Act, 1940. Shark Bay • It is part of the Central Drugs • It is a World Heritage Site in the Standard Control Organization Gascoyne region of Western Australia. (CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and • The combined Shark Bay invertebrate Family Welfare. fishery (crabs, prawns and scallops) is Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance the second most valuable commercial Source- The Hindu fishery in Western Australia. 4. Exercise: Cutlass Express 2019 Under threat • CUTLASS EXPRESS – 2019 a • This iconic and valuable marine multinational training exercise which ecosystem is under serious threat due aims to improve law enforcement to future climate change, given that capacity, promote regional security the temperate seagrass that and progress inter-operability underpins the entire ecosystem is between the armed forces of the already living at the upper edge of its participating nations for the purpose tolerable temperature range. of interdicting illegal maritime activity • These seagrasses provide vital habitat in the Western Indian Ocean. for fish and marine mammals and help • It was held recently from 27 Jan to 06 the stromatolites survive by Feb 2019. regulating the water salinity. • It was held recently in which INS Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment Trikand, a front-line warship of the Source- Down to Earth Indian Navy, participated. 6. Scientists perform first ‘in body’ • During the exercise, Naval, Coast gene editing Guard, and Marine Police personnel • Scientists have performed the first from a number of East African gene editing inside the body, altering countries were jointly trained by DNA in adults to try to treat a disease. mentors from USA, India, and Related Information Netherlands, with the support of What is Gene editing? international organizations like the • Genome editing is a way of making IMO, Combined Maritime Force (CMF) specific changes to the DNA of a cell and European Naval Forces or organism. (EUNAVFOR). • An enzyme cuts the DNA at a specific • The exercise was conducted in two sequence, and when this is repaired phases. by the cell a change or ‘edit’ is made 1. The first called the Command Post to the sequence. Exercise (CPX). CRISPR-Cas9 2. The second phase called the Final • It is the most common and cheap and Training Exercise (FTX). efficient system used for genome Topic- GS Paper 3- Defence editing. Source- Indian Express 22 www.gradeup.co

• CRISPR stands for clustered regularly several districts of Assam, Arunachal interspaced short palindromic and Manipur, as also a large tract of repeats. Myanmar. • Cas9 stands for CRISPR-associated • The Nagaland Assembly has endorsed protein 9, and is the nuclease part the ‘Greater Nagalim’ demand — that cuts the DNA. “Integration of all Naga-inhabited What can be the benefits? contiguous areas under one • CRISPR could be used to modify administrative umbrella. disease-causing genes in embryos Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance brought to term, removing the faulty Source- The Hindu script from the genetic code of that 8. 22nd Indian Birding fair organized person’s future descendants as well. at Jaipur’s Man Sagar Lake • Genome editing (Gene editing) could • The fair was organized by the Tourism potentially decrease, or even & Wildlife Society of India and eliminate, the incidence of many supported by Jaipur Zoo and some serious genetic diseases, reducing philanthropic bodies and overseas human suffering worldwide. organizations. • It might also be possible to install • The fair was dedicated to waders. genes that offer lifelong protection • The Indian subcontinent hosts 84 against infection. species of wading birds, 64 of which Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science And are migratory. Technology • The Wading Birds which are tiny birds Source- The Hindu mostly confined to the edges of water 7. National Socialist Council of and are observed feeding across Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) moist surfaces. • Parliamentary Standing Committee Related Information panel has recommended the Ministry Man Sagar Lake of Home Affairs prepare a detailed and • It is an artificial lake named after Man generous rehabilitation-cum- Singh, the then ruler of Amber and a settlement scheme for the cadres of trusted general of Mughal Emperor National Socialist Council of Nagaland Akbar. (Isak-Muivah), the group that signed • Man Singh built it in 1610 AD by a Naga Framework Agreement with damming the Dravyavati river. the Centre in 2015. • A palace, Jal Mahal, is situated in the National Socialist Council of Nagaland middle of the lake. Khaplang Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment • NSCN (K) came into existence in 1988 Source- The Hindu under the leadership of S.S. 9. The Great Indian Bustard: Mascot Khaplang. for COP-13 • It is as an offshoot of NSCN which was • The Centre announced that the Great established with an objective of Indian Bustard GIB will be its mascot forming a sovereign state of Nagalim for the 13th Conference of Parties by unifying all the areas inhabited by (COP) of the UN Convention on the the Naga people in Northeast India conservation of migratory species and Myanmar. (CMS) to be held in Gujarat 2020. • Presently NSCN-K is active along the Related Information Indo-Myanmar border and has the Convention on Conservation of strength of around 1,000 cadres with Migratory Species (CMS) several camps across the border in • It was formed in order to protect the Myanmar. migratory species throughout their Greater Nagalim range countries under the aegis of the • A “Greater Nagalim” comprising “all United Nations Environment contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”, Programme. along with Nagaland and also included 23 www.gradeup.co

• It is also referred to as the Bonn PETROTECH 2019 Convention, it provides a global • PETROTECH 2019 is India’s flagship platform for the conservation and biennial international oil and gas sustainable use of migratory animals conference and exhibition. and their habitats. • It is Asia’s largest oil and gas event. • Under this convention, migratory • The theme of PETROTECH 2019 is - species threatened with extinction are Shaping the New Energy World listed on Appendix I and Parties through Innovation and strive towards strictly protecting Collaboration these animals, conserving or restoring • This global event aims at bringing the places where they live, mitigating Energy Ministers, professionals, obstacles to migration and controlling industry leaders, -academicians and other factors that might endanger domain experts from the energy them. sector on a common platform. • Migratory species that need or would • It also showcases the strengths & significantly benefit from international potential of Indian Hydrocarbon co-operation are listed in Appendix II industry to the world besides of the Convention. providing a vibrant platform for India and Migratory Species sharing of experience, exchange of • India has also signed non-legally ideas, knowledge and technological binding MOU with CMS on the development across various segments conservation and management of of the hydrocarbon industry. Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Source- Business Line Raptors (2016). 11. Asiatic Lion conservation in • India is a temporary home to several Gujarat's Gir migratory animals and birds. • The Ministry of Environment launched • The important among these include a three-year Asiatic Lion Conservation Amur Falcons, Bar-headed goose, Project in collaboration with the state Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, of Gujarat. Dugongs, Humpbacked Whales, etc. • The project will focus on better • The Indian sub-continent is also part management of the lion habitat, of the major bird flyway network, i.e, disease control and veterinary care for the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that them. covers areas between the Arctic and • The project aimed to protect over 600 Indian Oceans, and covers at least lions in the state's Gir sanctuary in its 279 populations of 182 migratory first year. waterbird species, including 29 Asiatic lion globally threatened species. • Its range is restricted to the Gir India has also launched the National • National Park and environs in the Action Plan for the conservation of Indian state of Gujarat. migratory species under the Central • IUCN: Endangered Asian Flyway. • CITES Appendix I Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment Threats Source- Indian Express • Currently exists as a single 10. 13th edition of Petrotech 2019 subpopulation, and is thus vulnerable • India launched the third bidding round to extinction from unpredictable under its open acreage licensing events, such as an epidemic or large policy (OALP), at the 13th edition of forest fire. Petrotech 2019, a strategic • Poaching hydrocarbon event held in Greater Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment Noida. Source- The Hindu

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12. Assam govt announces • The Ministry of Drinking Water and "Arundhati Scheme" Sanitation in association with the • Under this Scheme, Assam Govt. of Haryana is organizing the Government is Going to Provide 10gm Swachh Shakti-2019. (1 Tola) Gold to EWS Category Brides • Women Sarpanches and Panches from of the State. all over the country will be attending the event. • Rs. 300 Crore is allocated to this • The event will showcase the Scheme in the recently announced achievements of Swachh Bharat and state Budget the recently conducted Swachh Who are the Beneficiaries of this Sunder Shauchalay, (neat and clean Scheme? toilet) - a unique and first of its kind • The Annual income of the Bride Family in the world campaign. Should not exceed Rs. 5 Lakhs. Related Information • The benefit to be Given at the Time of Swachh Shakti Marriage • Prime Minister launched the Swachh Shakti program first in 2017 at • Marriage Should be Registered under Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Assam’s Special Marriage Rules of • It was launched on the occasion of 1954. International Women’s Day under the Topic- GS Paper 2 –Government Scheme banner of Swachh Shakti 2017. Source- TOI • The second Swachh Shakti event, 13. Himalayan Cloud Observatory set up Swachh Shakti-2018 was held at in Tehri to monitor cloud activities Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. • The third edition is being inaugurated • A Himalayan Cloud Observatory has from Kurukshetra. been set up in Tehri district to receive Topic- GS Paper 2 –Women forecast and monitor cloud burst Empowerment incidents in the Himalayan region and Source-PIB help minimize the damage. 2. World Sustainable Development • The Observatory has been established Summit 2019 in the SRT campus Badshahithaul and • The World Sustainable Development is currently in the testing period. Summit 2019, organized by The • Cloudburst incidents are very Energy and Resources Institute – frequent in the hilly areas of TERI. Uttarakhand, resulting in a huge loss • The theme of the 2019 edition of the of life. Summit is - 'Attaining the 2030 • This is the second observatory in the Agenda: Delivering on Our country to monitor cloud activities by Promise'. the Indian Science and Technology • It seeks to bring together global Department and IIT Kanpur that can leaders and thinkers in the fields of function in high-altitudes. sustainable development, energy and environment sectors on a common Topic-GS-3- Environment platform. 12.02.2019 Related Information Word Sustainable Development Summit 1. Swachh Shakti 2019 • WSDS has replaced the Delhi • The third edition of the event i.e. Sustainable Development Summit Swachh Shakti 2019 is being (DSDS). inaugurated in Kurukshetra. • The first DSDS was organized in 2005. • Swachh Shakti-2019 is a national • It underscored the need for businesses event which aims to bring in to focus and the private sector to take lead in the leadership role played by rural poverty reduction and to ensure rapid & women in Swachh Bharat Mission. sustained adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 25 www.gradeup.co

TERI (The Energy & Resources Institute) Related Information • It is a non-profit research institution Global Housing Technology Challenge that conducts research work in the (GHTC-India) fields of energy, environment, and • The challenge (GHTC - India) seeks to sustainable development. obtain the best available innovative • It aims to focus on formulating local & construction technologies from across national level strategies for shaping the globe through a unique global solutions to critical issues. competitive process. • It was established in 1974 as Tata • It aims to transform the eco-system Energy Research Institute and was of the housing construction sector in renamed The Energy and Resources the country through lighthouse Institute in 2003. projects built using advanced proven Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment technologies. Source-PIB • It will foster the development of 3. Scheme for Pension and Medical domestic technological research, and Aid to Artistes building platforms for knowledge • The Ministry of Culture is sharing and networking across the implementing a Scheme namely sector. “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid Topic-GS Paper 3–Economic Development to Artistes”. Source- Indian Express • The objective of the Scheme is to 5. Bill to counter exploitation by NRI improve the financial and socio- spouses economic status of the old aged • In a bid to counter growing incidents artists and scholars who have of exploitation of Indian women by contributed significantly in their NRI spouses, External Affairs Minister specialized fields of arts, letters etc. introduced a Bill in the Rajya Sabha. but leading a miserable life or are in • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) penury condition. stated that the Bill will create • The Scheme has also provided to accountability and protect those who provide medical aid facility to such are trapped in fraudulent marriages Artistes and his/her spouse by and are abandoned by their spouses. covering them under a convenient and Provision of the bill affordable Health Insurance Scheme • According to the new Bill, a marriage of the Government. between an NRI and an Indian citizen Topic- GS Paper 2 –Government Scheme will have to be registered within 30 Source-PIB days from the date of marriage. 4. Light House Projects • Necessary legal provisions have been • The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs created in the criminal code and the has instituted a challenge for States/ UTs Passports Act, 1967, to initiate action to select six sites across the country for against erring NRI spouses. constructing the Lighthouse projects Topic-GS Paper 2–Women Empowerment under GHTC-India. Source- The Hindu • In this 1,000 houses built with 6. India received a batch of 4 Chinook innovative technologies that are low- military helicopters from the USA cost, sustainable and disaster- • India received a batch of 4 CH-47 resistant under a pilot project called Chinook military helicopters for the Lighthouse Project. Indian Air Force from the USA. • The States/ UTs will receive Central Related Information Assistance to construct these projects Chinook Helicopters as per the guidelines. • The Chinook military helicopters are • The selected sites for lighthouse modern heavy lift choppers which projects will be used as an ‘open have a primary purpose to move laboratory’ for live troops, artillery, barrier materials, demonstration. and equipment on the battlefield.

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• Chinook would be deployed for • It is designed and developed humanitarian and disaster relief indigenously for the Indian Army operations and in missions such as under an integrated guided missile transportation of relief supplies and development programme (IGMDP). mass evacuation of refugees. • It is manufactured by India’s sole • The advanced multi-mission missile producer, state-owned Bharat helicopter Chinook will provide the Dynamics Limited. Indian armed forces with unmatched • HELINA is the air-launched variant of strategic airlift capability across the the Nag, a fire-and-forget ATGM. full spectrum of combat and humanitarian missions. • It has an operational range of 7-10km • These helicopters have been used by (after air-launched). the US Army since 1962 and were also • It is equipped with highly advanced availed in Vietnam. Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) seeker Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence along with integrated avionics. Source- AIR • It also possesses an advanced passive th 7. 11 February declared as the homing guidance system. International Day of Women and Girls in Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence Science • The United Nations (UN) General Source- Indian Express Assembly declared 11th February as 9. PM Narendra laid the foundation for the International Day of Women and Sela Tunnel Girls in Science. • The tunnel is being built at an • The theme for the day was “Investment estimated cost of ₹687 crores by the in Women and Girls in Science for Border Roads Organisation and is to Inclusive Green Growth. be completed in three years. • It helps to achieve full and equal participation and access to women • It aims to provide all-weather and girls in science and to further connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal achieve gender equality and Pradesh and other forward areas empowerment of women and girls. The Sela Pass Related Information • The Sela pass is located between the • As per the UNESCO data (2014-16), Tawang and West Kameng districts of only about 30% of all female students Arunachal Pradesh. select STEM-related fields in higher • It connects the Tibetan Buddhist town education. of Tawang to Dirang and Guwahati. • Globally, the enrolment of female students is particularly low in ICT Topic- GS-1-Indian Geography (3%), Natural Science, Mathematics Source-Livemint and Statistics (5%) and in Engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%) 13.02.2019 Topic-GS Paper 2–Women Empowerment Source- Indian Express 1. India and China are greening faster 8. Helina-Anti Tank Missile successfully than the rest of the world tested • According to a new global study, China and India- the two economic • The Helicopter-launched anti-tank powerhouses of Asia- are contributing missile Helina was successfully test significantly to the greening of the fired from the Integrated Test Range planet. in Chandipur in Balasore district of • The world now has about 5.5 million Odisha. square kilometers of extra green leaf Related Information area round the year compared to HELINA 2000. 27 www.gradeup.co

• China has contributed 25 percent to 3. UP govt started "Sarthi Sandesh this increase while India added 6.8 Vahini" vehicles to spread awareness percent of the total global net increase regarding family planning in leaf area between 2000 and 2017. • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister flagged off 33 • The contribution to the greening by 'Sarthi Sandesh Vahini’ vehicles. the two countries is much higher • The ‘Sarthi Sandesh Vahini’ is a though they have less vegetated area mission started by the state family than some of the developed countries. welfare department with an aim to • China has 6.6 percent and India only spread awareness regarding family 2.7 percent of the global vegetated planning in urban and rural areas. area. • The state health department will Reasons appoint nodal officers to supervise the • Earlier studies had identified carbon campaign. dioxide fertilization as the main • Under this campaign, vehicles will reason for the greening of earth’s provide family planning information to lands. But this study has found that the viewers through various greening is more due to land use documentaries and films. changes. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence • The increase in green areas is mostly Source- Business Standard due to a 35 percent increase in food 4. National Company Law Appellate production in both the countries with Tribunal (NCLAT) multiple cropping aided by facilitated • NCLAT extends the deadline for NCLT by fertilizer use and availability of Ahmedabad to decide on Essar Steel surface as well as groundwater insolvency case. irrigation. Related Information Related Information NCLAT Greening • It was constituted under Section 410 • Greening refers to an increase in total of the Companies Act, 2013 for leaf area — forests, croplands, hearing appeals against the orders of orchards, monoculture plantations, National Company Law Tribunal(s) commercial plantations. (NCLT), with effect from 1st June 2. Buddhist Tourism Circuit 2016. • Union Ministry of Tourism has • It is also the Appellate Tribunal for sanctioned five new projects under hearing appeals against the orders the Buddhist Circuit. passed by NCLT(s) under Section 61 • The five states where the project of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy under Buddhist Circuit has been Code, 2016. sanctioned are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar • It is also the Appellate Tribunal to Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Andhra hear and dispose of appeals against Pradesh. any direction issued or decision made • The Buddhist Circuit is one among the or order passed by the Competition fifteen thematic circuits identified for Commission of India. development under Swadesh Darshan Composition: Scheme. • After consultation with the Chief Related Information Justice of India, the President of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme Tribunal and the Chairperson and • It is a Central Sector Scheme, was Judicial Members of the Appellate launched in 2014 -15 for integrated Tribunal shall be appointed. development of theme-based tourist • The Members of the Tribunal and the circuits in the country. Technical Members of the Appellate Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Tribunal shall be appointed on the Source- Indian Express recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of:

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o Chief Justice of India or his administration of justice in any other nominee—Chairperson. manner. o A senior Judge of the Supreme Court or Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance a Chief Justice of High Court-Member. Source- The Hindu o Secretary in the Ministry of 7. Scientists use AI app "Hotel-50K" to Corporate Affairs—Member. help kids sold for sex in hotels o Secretary in the Ministry of Law • Scientists are hoping artificial and Justice—Member. intelligence (AI) can help identify and o Secretary in the Department of rescue child victims of sex trafficking Financial Services in the Ministry of via an app known as Hotel-50K. Finance— Member. • Hotels-50K can be used to identify Topic- GS Paper 3 –Economics where trafficking victims are being Source- The Hindu held and to rescue them. 5. e-Cocoon App • Researchers launched the app in 2016 • Ministry of Textiles has launched a to collect photographs of 50,000 mobile application for quality hotels around the world. certification in the silkworm seed • It sifts through a database of hotel sector. room pictures to match with online • The app will be used by the Seed ads. Analysts and Seed Officers nominated • These pictures could be matched up under Central Seed Act for system with online advertisements placed by and product certification through real- traffickers. time reporting. • Traffickers often use selfies taken by Related Information their victims in hotel rooms. Sericulture • According to the International Labor • It is the cultivation of silk through the Organization, there are 4.5 million rearing of the silkworm. people in sexual slavery around the • It is an agro-based industry. world. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Agriculture Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Source- Indian Express Source- Indian Express 6. Contempt Of Court 8. LAWASIA Human Rights Conference • Supreme Court holds Rao and CBI • The first LAWASIA Human Rights legal advisor guilty of contempt in the Conference was recently organized by case of abuse at Bihar shelter homes. LAWASIA, in association with the Bar Related Information Association of India. • Article 129 & 215 of Indian • The theme of the Conference: “State Constitution provides for contempt Power, Business and Human Rights: powers to Supreme Court and High Contemporary Challenges”. court respectively. • The conference aims to provide a • The Contempt of court Act 1971 unique opportunity for lawyers and provides for two types of contempt associated professional members to o Civil contempt exchange insights and expertise on o Criminal contempt topics of significant importance to all. • Civil Contempt: When a person LAWASIA willfully disobeys a court’s judgment, • It is a regional association of lawyers, order or direction, it comes under civil judges, jurists and legal contempt. organizations. • Criminal contempt: It includes one or • It advocates for the interests and more of the following concerns of the Asia Pacific legal (a) scandalize or lower the authority profession. of any court; • It provides a platform to promote the (b) prejudice or interfere with the due cross-jurisdictional exchange of legal course of any judicial proceeding knowledge; as a voice of the legal (c) interfere with or obstruct the profession; and as a conduit for

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encouraging adherence to mutually- (a) Credit Linked Capital Subsidy held principles of the rule of law, (CLCS) professional integrity and the (b) Hand holding for zero defect zero protection of human rights. effect manufacturing (ZED) Topic- GS Paper 2 –Social Justice (c) Increasing productivity through Source- Indian Express waste reduction (Lean), design intervention (Design) 14.02.2019 (d) Cloud computing (Digital MSMEs), 1. e-AUSHADHI portal (e) Facilitation of intellectual property • Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH (IPR) launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, (f) Nurturing new ideas (Incubation). for online licensing of Ayurveda, • Special provisions have been made in Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy this scheme to promote drugs and related matters at New entrepreneurship for SC/STs, women Delhi. NER, Hill States (Jammu & Kashmir, • The portal is intended for increased Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) transparency, improved information Island Territories (Andaman & Nicobar management facility, improved data and Lakshadweep) and the usability and increased accountability. Aspirational Districts/ LWE Districts. • The e-portal is an acronym for Note: Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help • The Zero Defect & Zero Effect, Initiative. component will promote a reduction in Related Information emission level of greenhouse gases Ministry of AYUSH and improve the competitiveness • The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and through a reduction in defect/wastage Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and during the manufacturing process of Homoeopathy, abbreviated as the products. AYUSH. • It will also promote the innovation, • It is a governmental body in India digital empowerment of MSMEs, purposed with developing, education design interventions and support the and research in the field of alternative protection of intellectual property of medicines including Ayurveda, yoga, MSMEs. unani, naturopathy, siddha and Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance homoeopathy. • The ministry is headed by a Minister Source-PIB of State (Independent Charge). 3. Macedonia officially changed its Topic- GS Paper 2 –Health Issue name to North Macedonia Source-PIB • The Republic of Macedonia has 2. Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and officially changed its name to North Technology Up-gradation Scheme Macedonia. • The Cabinet Committee on Economic th Affairs has approved the Credit Linked • On 6 Feb. 2019, NATO member Capital Subsidy and Technology Up- states signed an accession protocol gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) allowing North Macedonia to join the beyond the 12th Plan for three years alliance and become the 30th from 2017-18 to 2019-20. member. Related Information Related Information • This scheme aims at improving the North Macedonia competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic • North Macedonia officially the interventions aimed at up-grading Republic of North Macedonia is a technology through country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. 30 www.gradeup.co

• It is a landlocked country, North 3. A Bill pending in the council but not passed Macedonia has borders with Kosovo to by the assembly does not lapse. the northwest, Serbia to the 4. A Bill passed by the assembly (in a northeast, Bulgaria to the east, unicameral state) or passed by both Greece to the south, and Albania to the houses (in a bicameral state) but the west pending assent of the governor or the • Its Capita is Skopje and Currency President does not lapse. Macedonian Denar 5. A Bill passed by the assembly (in a Topic-GS Paper 2 –International relation unicameral state) or passed by both Source- Indian Express the Houses (in a bicameral state) but 4. Clouded Leopard’ to be Mascot for returned by the president for National Games 2022 reconsideration of House (s) does not • The Sports and Youth Ministry has lapse. chosen the ‘Smiling Clouded Leopard’ Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance to be the Mascot for the National Source- The Hindu Games 2022. 6. Subarnarekha port in Odisha • National Games 2022 will be hosted • Odisha CM laid the foundation stone by Meghalaya which is coinciding with of the Subarnarekha port in Balasore its 50 years of statehood. district of Odisha. Related Information • The proposed port is being developed Clouded Leopard by Tata Steel and Creative Port • It is found in Himalayan foothills Development Pvt. Ltd. throughout the forests of Garo, Khasi • It is an all-weather port which is and Jaintia Hills. situated on the Subarnarekha river • It is threatened due to habitat loss, mouth on the Bay of Bengal. poaching for its skin and is also as a Related Information live pet trade. Subarnarekha River • The IUCN status Vulnerable’. • The Subarnarekha River (also called Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance the Swarnarekha) flows through the Source- Indian Express Indian states of Jharkhand, West 5. Citizenship, triple talaq Bills lapse Bengal and Odisha. • The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Tributaries 2019 and the triple talaq Bill that • The prominent tributaries of the criminalises instant divorce in a Subarnarekha are Kharkai, Roro, Muslim marriage has lapsed. Kanchi, Harmu Nadi, Damra, Karru, Related Information Chinguru, Karakari, Gurma, Garra, • Citizenship Bill that proposed to grant Singaduba, Kodia, Dulunga and citizenship to six religious minorities Khaijori. — Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, • The Kharkai meets the Subarnarekha Christians and Buddhists — from at Sonari (Domuhani), a Pakistan, Afghanistan and neighbourhood of Jamshedpur. Bangladesh, who came to India before Topic- GS Paper 3 –Important port December 31, 2014. Source- The Hindu • The Bill was seen as violating the 7. Kerala takes the lead in the fight terms of the 1985 Assam Accord that against trans fat had set March 24, 1971, as the cut-off • The Kerala government health for granting citizenship. Department has drawn up an action How a bill lapsed in Parliament on the plan to generate public awareness of dissolution assembly? the harmful effects of Trans fatty 1. A Bill pending in the assembly lapses acids. (whether originating in the assembly Related Information or transmitted to it by the council). Trans-fats 2. A Bill passed by the assembly but • Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) are the most pending in the council lapses. harmful type of fats which can have 31 www.gradeup.co

much more adverse effects on our • The board is “advisory” in nature and body than any other dietary advises the Central Government on constituent. framing policies and measures for • These fats are largely produced conservation of wildlife in the country. artificially but a small amount also • No alternation of boundaries in occurs naturally. national parks and wildlife sanctuaries • Artificial TFAs are formed when can be done without the approval of hydrogen is made to react with the oil the NBWL. to produce fats resembling pure Composition ghee/butter. • The NBWL is chaired by the Prime • The natural TFAs are present in meats Minister which consists of 47 and dairy products, though in small members. amounts. • Among these, 19 members are ex- • Trans fats, also known as trans fatty officio members. acids or TFA, are a type of fat found in • Other members include three small amounts in a wide variety of Members of Parliament (two from Lok foods. Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha), Harmful effects five NGOs and 10 eminent ecologists, • They are considered a ‘bad’ fat conservationists and because, like saturated fats, they can environmentalists. increase levels of LDL-cholesterol in Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment the blood. Source- The Hindu • Trans fats can also decrease the level 9. Kisan Urja Suraksha evam of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and may Utthaan Mahabhiyan Scheme increase the level of triglycerides, • The Union govt is formulating a another type of fat in the blood. Scheme ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam • TFAs pose a higher risk of heart Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)’ which disease than saturated fats. aims to promote the use of solar • It is also associated with a higher risk energy among the farmers. of developing obesity, type 2 About the Scheme diabetes, heart disease, metabolic • Setting up of grid-connected syndrome, insulin resistance, renewable power plants each of 500 infertility, and certain types of KW to 2 MW in the rural area. cancers. • Installation of standalone off-grid Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation Technology needs of farmers not connected to Source- The Hindu grid. 8. 99.82 % of projects in forests got • Solarization of existing grid- the nod connected agriculture pumps to make • India's apex National Board for farmers independent of grid supply Wildlife (NBWL)- charged with and also sell surplus solar power allowing forest land in Protected Areas generated to Discom and get extra to be diverted for the industry — income. cleared 682 of the 687 projects • The farmers will have to tolerate only (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny 10% of the total expenditure to Related Information acquire an install a solar pump. National Board for Wild Life • The Central Govt. will provide 60% • It is a “Statutory Organization” cost while the remaining 30% will be constituted under the Wildlife taken care of by bank as credit. Protection Act, 1972. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance • It serves as an apex body to review all Source- Indian Express wildlife-related matters and approve 10. Selenium nanoparticles may act like projects in and around national parks antibacterial agents and sanctuaries. 32 www.gradeup.co

• Scientists found that selenium • Supreme Court ruled in the Kedar nanoparticles, owing to their unique Nath case that any act that had the structure and properties, may be “effect of subverting the Government” more effective than antibiotics as they by violent means or create public have a larger surface area and disorder would come within the therefore can be more in contact with definition of sedition. the external environment. • The court ruled that disapproval of the • Selenium nanoparticles were made by measures of government with a view combining sodium selenite with to their improvement or alteration by vitamin C. lawful means is not sedition. • The antibacterial effect may be due to • It held that “comments, however the fact that at a particular strongly worded, expressing concentration nano-selenium disapprobation of actions of the interacts with the bacterial cell Government, without exciting those surface and penetrates into the cell, feelings which generate the inclination thus causing damage. to cause public disorder by acts of • Selenium in excess is toxic. Though violence” would not attract the penal silver nanoparticles are also being offence. used for similar purposes, researchers Related Information chose selenium due to their stable • Sedition was not a part of the original nature. IPC that was enacted in 1860. Related Information • It was introduced in 1870 when it was Selenium said it had been dropped from the • Selenium is a chemical element with original IPC draft by mistake. symbol Se and atomic number 34. • The court faced two directly • Selenium is found naturally in wheat, conflicting interpretations of Section eggs, cheese, nuts and sea-food. 124A — one by the Federal Court in • It is an antioxidant and immunity Niharendu Dutt’s case; the other by booster. the Privy Council in the Sadashiv Narayan Bhalerao case. 15.02.2019 Note: Tilak was sentenced to six years in jail 1. Criticism without incitement to after he was held guilty of sedition by the violence isn’t sedition: Supreme Privy Council for writing a piece in his Court newspaper, Kesari, under the heading “The • Under Section 124A of the IPC, the misfortune of the country”. offence of sedition is committed when Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance any person by words or otherwise Source- Indian Express brings or attempts to bring into hatred 2. Kerala’s mystery frog: Mysticellus or contempt, or excites or attempts to Frankie excite disaffection towards, the • Scientists have discovered a new government established by law. amphibian — a mysterious narrow- • Sedition is a cognisable, non-bailable mouthed frog, that makes only a four- and non-compoundable offence under day appearance in seasonal roadside the law, entailing life imprisonment as puddles every year in Kerala’s maximum punishment, with or Wayanad district. without a fine. • The frog Mysticellus Frankie is not just a new species but also belongs to What did the Supreme Court rule in the a completely new genus, Mysticellus. case (Kedar Nath case)? • Genetic studies revealed that the frog • The court examined whether the is around 40 million years old and its constitutionality of Section 124A could nearest relatives live more than 2,000 be protected as a reasonable km away, in Southeast Asia (including restriction on the right to free speech, Indo-Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam). with particular reference to the security of the state and public order. 33 www.gradeup.co

• This Southeast Asian connection adds (c) Financial Plan strength to the theories that India and • The state finance minister has Southeast Asia were connected in the announced that for the past by land bridges, suggest the implementation of this new scheme, authors. the state government will have shell Topic- GS Paper 3 –Biodiversity out Rs. 5000 crore. Source- The Hindu Eligibility Criteria 3. Andhra merges PM Kisan scheme • This scheme is applicable only for the with Annadatha Sukhibhava permanent resident of Andhra • Andhra Pradesh has made a Pradesh state. significant move by merging Pradhan • Any person holding farming land or Mantri Kisan Samman scheme with its he/she should be a tenant farmer can own Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme. take the benefit of the scheme. • This move will further allow a fixed Topic- GS Paper 2 –Government Scheme amount of Rs. 10,000 per annum to Source- Indian Express all farmers in the state, irrespective of 4. Dolphin numbers have shrunk in the size of their land. Odisha: Annual census of dolphins • PM-Kisan scheme will not only cover • Odisha’s recent annual census of the marginalized farmers, but also the dolphins in its waters have thrown up tenant farmers who will be facilitated some shocking numbers, with the with ‘Cultivation Certificates’ and aquatic mammals’ population ‘Loan Eligibility Certificates’ to avail declining from 469 in 2018 to 259 this the benefits of the scheme. year. • Other than Rs. 6000 per household • The 2019 dolphin census report which will be given under PM Kisan revealed that Gahirmatha is the Samman Nidhi, farmers will also home of the state’s largest receive Rs. 4000 from Andhra Pradesh dolphin population, having 126 government. animals. Related Information Reasons for declining Population Annadata Sukhibhava Scheme • The reduction in the number of • The Andhra Pradesh Government has dolphins compared to last year could announced the Annadata Sukhibhava be due to the migration of species Scheme for the welfare of farmers in from the Chilika lake and other water the state budget 2019. bodies to the deep sea. • Under the implementation of Related Information Annadata Sukhibhava Scheme • Dolphins have been included in Government of state has enhanced Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life the subsidies for paddy, sugarcane, (Protection) Act 1972. cotton, groundnut crops, maize, • It is in Appendix I of the Convention pulses and sunflower crop. on International Trade in Endangered Features of the Scheme Species (CITES) (a) Development of the farmers • In the Convention on Migratory • The primary objective of this scheme Species (CMS) it is in Appendix II is to offer better income opportunities • IUCN Status - Endangered for agricultural workers. Apart from Topic-GS Paper 3–Environment Biodiversity the subsidy on crops, they will also Source- Down to Earth attain other financial assistance. 5. Nord Stream 2 marks a failure for (b) Selected crops EU energy policy • Under this farmer development • European Union has agreed to tighten project, the state will offer subsidy on its rules on natural gas pipelines — in crops like paddy, sugarcane, maize, a way that may force a restructuring sunflower, cotton, groundnut and of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline pulses. project to bring Russian gas under the Baltic Sea direct to Germany. 34 www.gradeup.co

• European Parliament two months ago • Separately, environmentalists claim passed a motion condemning it as a the pipeline would be harmful to the “political project that poses a threat to flora and fauna of the Baltic Sea. European energy security”. Related Information • The EU wanted to bring pipelines Baltic members- coming into the bloc under its energy • The Baltic states, also known as the rules. But Germany feared that would Baltic countries, are the three make the new pipeline uneconomic countries in northern Europe on the and unviable. eastern coast of the Baltic Sea: • After sustained German pressure, the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. European Union agreed how its • The Baltic states cooperate on a energy rules should apply to Nord regional level in several Stream 2. intergovernmental organizations, Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline principally through the Baltic • Nord Stream 2, the planned gas Assembly. pipeline that would link Russia and • All three countries are members of the Germany below the Baltic Sea. European Union, NATO and the It would allow Germany to effectively • Eurozone. double the amount of gas it imports • Estonia and Latvia are also members from Russia. of the OECD. Where is it? Topic- GS Paper 2 –International • Berlin and Moscow agreed on the relation 1,200-kilometer (746-mile) route, which would connect the Ust-Luga Source- Economics Times area near Saint Petersburg with 6. Bihar government announced Greifswald in northeastern Germany. Mukhya Mantri Vriddha Pension Yojana • The pipes would run across the Baltic • Bihar Chief Minister announced an Sea, for the most part following the Universal Old Age Pension scheme, route of the pre-existing Nord Stream named Mukhya Mantri Vriddha 1 pipeline, which became operational Pension Yojana (MMVPY). in 2011. • This Yojana is eligible for all Why is it controversial? irrespective for all caste, community, • The planned route bypasses central religion, except for those who are and eastern European countries such retired from government as Slovakia and Poland, leaving them organizations. without a chance to collect lucrative • The scheme facilitates the amount of gas transit fees. Rs. 400 monthly pension for all in the • Moreover, with Russia having means state above the age of 60 who are not to directly deliver gas to its most getting a pension from the important buyer, Germany; it would government. be much easier for the Russian • The scheme will come into its government to shut off existing enforcement from 1st April 2019. pipelines leading through Eastern Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Europe. Source- Indian Express • The project also runs contrary to 7. Government panel recommended Brussels' efforts to wean Europe off raising the minimum wage to Rs 375 a Russian gas. day • Russia could easily cut off gas supplies • An expert committee set up by the to Ukraine in order to put pressure on government has recommended Kyiv. setting the minimum wage at Rs 375 • In April 2018, the EU Commission a day, higher than the existing rate of refused to back the project, saying it Rs 321 for agriculture or unskilled did not contribute to the EU goals of workers and Rs 371for semi-skilled diversifying the gas supplies. workers. 35 www.gradeup.co

• The committee has come up with a • The WTO says, "Grant someone new methodology that does away with special favour (such as a lower the variation in wages based on customs duty rate) and you have to sector, skills and location. do the same for all other WTO • It has proposed a “balanced diet members." approach” to compute minimum Hence, though MFN sounds like special wages. treatment, in effect it means non- • An additional Rs 55 has been discrimination. proposed as rent allowance for workers in urban India. 18.02.2019 • The committee has also recommended reviewing the 1. Inland Waterways Authority of consumption basket every five years. India launched "LADIS" portal • It subject to the availability of NSSO- • Inland Waterways Authority of India CES data, and – within the period of 5 launched "LADIS" portal for real-time years - revising and updating the information on available depth on basic minimum wage at least in line stretches of National Waterways. with the consumer price index (CPI) LADIS (Least Available Depth every six months, to reflect changes Information System) in the cost of living. • It will ensure that real-time data on Related Information least available depths is disseminated • The ministry of labour and for ship/barge and cargo owners so employment had constituted the that they can undertake committee under the chairmanship of transportation on NWs in a more Anoop Satpathy, the fellow of the VV planned way. Giri National Labour Institute, in • It will enhance the credibility and January 2017 to review and efficiency of information sharing to recommend ways to calculate the achieve seamless operations on national minimum wage. National Waterways, besides pre- Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance empting problems that may occur Source- The Hindu during the movement of vessels. 8. India revoked Most Favoured Nation • Initially, LAD information will be status granted to Pakistan available for NW-1, NW-2, Indo- • India announced that it had decided Bangladesh Protocol route and NW-3, to withdraw the Most Favoured Nation along with the date of the survey. (MFN) status granted to Pakistan and Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance would also take all possible steps to Source-PIB isolate the country at the international 2. Great Indian hornbills can adapt level after the car bomb attack in the to modified habitat: study Kashmir Valley. Great Indian Hornbill Related Information • The great hornbill also known as the What is the Most Favoured Nation status great Indian hornbill or great pied (MFN)? hornbill, is one of the larger members • According to the MFN principle of the of the hornbill family. WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs • It is predominantly fruit eating, but is and Trade (GATT) — to which India is an opportunist and preys on small a signatory/contracting party — each mammals, reptiles and birds. of the WTO member countries should • IUCN status: Vulnerable (Uplisted “treat all the other members equally from Near Threatened in 2018). as ‘most-favoured’ trading partners.” • It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES. • The MFN status was accorded to Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment and Pakistan in 1996 as per India’s Biodiversity commitments as a WTO member. Source- The Hindu

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3. National Emergency Declared in suspend certain aspects of the law, the United States including provisions that limit the size • President of the United States Donald of the military. Trump declared a National Emergency Topic- GS Paper 3 – International Concerning the Southern Border of Relation the United States. Source- Indian Express • President Donald Trump, citing an 4. Iran to promote Chabahar as "invasion" of drugs and criminals, curbs will hit the main port declared a national emergency to fund • When U.S. sanctions threatening construction of a border wall along Iran’s main port of Bandar Abbas, the US-Mexico Border. Iranian government is planning to • US President can now bypass the promote the Chabahar port being opposition in Congress (Parliament in developed by India in a major the United States) and can redirect conference on February 26, billions of dollars in federal funds to highlighting the potential of the Indian build the wall. Ocean port beyond India-Afghan Emergency Powers in the United States trade alone. Constitution • The advantage of Chabahar was that • In the United States Constitution, it had received a waiver from the U.S. neither the term "emergency" nor any • This exception relates to comparable term appears in the text. reconstruction assistance and • The President in the United States has economic development for Emergency Powers derived from the Afghanistan. National Emergencies Act, 1976. Related Information National Emergencies Act, 1976 Chabahar Port • Under the National Emergencies Act, • Chabahar Port is a seaport in the president can declare a national Chabahar located in southeastern emergency, providing a specific Iran, on the Gulf of Oman. reason for it. • It serves as Iran's only oceanic port, • The act offers no specific definition of and consists of two separate ports “emergency” and allows a president to named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid declare one entirely at his or her Beheshti. discretion. • The port gives access to the energy- • The acts require a president to notify rich Persian Gulf nations’ southern Congress publicly of the national coast. emergency and to report every six • The Chabahar Agreement was signed months. in June 2015 and approved by Iran’s • The law also says the president must Guardian Council in November 2016. renew the emergency every year, • It is being seen as a gateway for trade simply by notifying Congress. by India, Iran and Afghanistan with • The Congress can revoke a Central Asian countries. declaration by majority vote, though • The first and foremost significance of it would take a two-thirds vote by the Chabahar port is the fact that each house to override an expected India can bypass Pakistan in presidential veto. transporting goods to Afghanistan. Previous Stances of Emergency Declaration • Chabahar port will be beneficial to • President Barack Obama declared a India in countering Chinese presence national emergency in 2009 during in the Arabian Sea which China is the swine flu outbreak to allow trying to ensure by helping Pakistan hospitals and local governments to develop the Gwadar port. establish sites to deal with the virus. Topic- GS Paper 3 – International • In 2001, President George W. Bush Relation declared a national emergency days Source- The Hindu after the 9/11 terrorist attacks that 37 www.gradeup.co

5. The last of the elusive pangolins Gagan Shakti • Obsession for its supposedly • It is the biggest military exercise in medicinal scales in China is believed decades undertaken by India to to have made the ant-eating Chinese showcase its air dominance over the Pangolin, one of two species found in entire extended area of the Indian South Asia, extinct in India. Ocean Region (IOR). • The pangolin is the most trafficked • As per military protocol, both Pakistan mammal in the world. and China have been kept in the loop • It is hunted for its meat across the about the exercise. northeastern States and in central Topic- GS Paper 3 – Defence India and the demand for its scales in Source- Indian Express China has made it the most critically 7. Punjab’s blackbuck fight for endangered animal in less than a existence decade. • It is found that most of the blackbuck Related Information in Punjab is dying due to injuries Pangolin caused by stray dog attacks. • Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the Blackbuck (Indian antelope) planet. • They are found in India, Nepal and • According to Convention on Pakistan (extinct in Bangladesh). International Trade in Endangered • Blackbuck is the state animal of Species (CITES) of the eight species Andhra Pradesh, Haryana & Punjab. of pangolin worldwide, two are found • The IUCN status: least concern. in India. • In India, hunting of blackbuck is • They are Chinese pangolin, mostly prohibited under Schedule I of the found in northeast India and Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. pangolin. • It is under Appendix III (Nepal) in • Chinese pangolin has been listed as CITES. “critically endangered” in (IUCN) Red Note: Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is List. known worldwide for their conservation • Indian pangolin has been listed as efforts to blackbuck and Chinkara. “endangered” in IUCN Red List. Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment and • It is listed as Schedule I category Biodiversity protected animal, under the Wildlife Source- The Hindu Protection Act (1972). 8. Bullock cart racing Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment and • The Punjab government paved the Biodiversity way for the revival of bullock cart Source- The Hindu races at the annual Kila Raipur rural sports meet in Ludhiana. 6. EXERCISE VAYU SHAKTI-2019 Background • EXERCISE VAYU SHAKTI-2019 is held • The bullock cart races were prohibited close to the border with Pakistan at by the Supreme Court in 2014. Pokhran in Rajasthan by Indian Air • The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Force. Act, 1960 (Central Act 59 of 1960) • The Indian Air Force showcased was enacted to prevent the infliction repower capability of indigenously- of unnecessary cruelty and suffering developed platforms like Light on animals. Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Related Information Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act missile and Astra air-to-air missile. • Enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or Related Information suffering on animals and to amend the • Vayu Shakti and Gagan Shakti are the laws relating to the prevention of two important exercises held by cruelty to animals. Indian Airforce. 38 www.gradeup.co

• As per the provisions of the law, the Sources of Information about the Earth’s government of India formed the Interior Animal Welfare Board of India. • There are two sources for information What are the activities that would about the interior of the earth – amount to cruelty to animals under the 1. Direct Sources Act? 2. Indirect Sources: According to Section 11 of the PCA, the Direct Sources: Mining, drilling and volcanic following instances would amount to animal eruption are examples of direct sources. treatment: Indirect Sources: Seismic waves, 1. Willful & unreasonable administration gravitational field, magnetic field, falling of injurious drugs or substances to meteors etc. are example of indirect sources. any animal. Topic- GS Paper 3 – Science and 2. Confining of any animal in a cage that Technology measures insufficiently in height, Source- The Hindu length and breadth such that the 10. Pahari Dam Modernization Project confined animal is not able to move • Prime Minister inaugurated the Pahari reasonably. Dam modernization project in Jhansi 3. The owner of an animal not providing district of Uttar Pradesh. it with enough food, drink or shelter. • Pahari Dam is a water storage dam 4. Inciting an animal to fight just for the situated on Dhasan River in Jhansi purpose of entertainment. district. Animal Welfare Board of India • The Dhasan River is a right bank tributary of the Betwa River which is • It is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes originated in Madhya Pradesh. the welfare of animals in the country. • The project will benefit farmers by reducing the water leakage from the • The board ensures that animal welfare dam and make more water available laws are followed in the country; it for the farmers. also offers grants to other animal welfare organizations; and advices Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance the GOI on issues of animal welfare. Source-PIB 11. NASA’s Mars Rover Opportunity • The Board consists of 28 Members. Concludes a 15-Year Mission • The term of office of Members is for a • Opportunity, a robotic rover that was period of 3 years. active on Mars from 2004 to 2018. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • It was Launched on July 7, 2003, as Source- The Hindu part of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover 9. Scientists discover massive program, it landed in Meridiani mountains under Earth’s crust Planum on January 25, 2004, three • Scientists have discovered massive weeks after its twin Spirit (MER-A) mountains in the Earth’s mantle, an touched down on the other side of the advance that may change our planet. understanding of how the planet was Related Information formed. • Opportunity was not the first rover on • In a study published in the journal Mars, and not the last. Science, scientists used data from an • NASA’s Sojourner explored the planet enormous earthquake in Bolivia to for about three months in 1997, and find mountains and other topography three weeks before Opportunity on a layer located 660 km straight arrived, its identical twin, Spirit, down, which separates the upper and landed on the other side of Mars. lower mantle. Topic- GS-3- Science & Technology Related Information Source- New York Times

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19.02.2019 • It would greatly strengthen States ability for analytics and prognosis for 1. Union Home Minister launched timely investigation and prosecution ITSSO and Safe City in rape cases. Implementation Monitoring Other Portal for women safety • The Criminal Law Amended in April 2018 prescribes stringent penal • Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh provisions including the death penalty and Minister for Women and Child for rape of a girl below the age of 12 Development Maneka Gandhi years. launched a range of citizen safety • For swift administration of justice in initiatives in New Delhi. such cases, the Act also inter-alia • It includes the Emergency mandates completion of investigation Response Support System, ERSS, and trials within 2 months. for women safety in 16 states and Topic- GS Paper 2 – Women Union territories. Empowerment • The states include Andhra Pradesh, Source-PIB + AIR Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya 2. 4th Agri leadership Summit 2019 Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, • Union Minister of Agriculture and Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Jammu and Farmer’s Welfare inaugurated the 4th Kashmir. The service has already Agri Leadership Summit 2019 at the been launched in Himachal Pradesh India International Horticulture and Nagaland. Market (IIHM) in Ganaur, Sonipat • Persons in distress can dial a pan- district, Haryana. India number: 112. • The theme of the summit was • Under this system, all the states have “Entrepreneurship & Agri- to set up a dedicated Emergency Business; Agri Allied – A Response Centre, ERC. Promising Sector and Agri • The ERCs are connected to District Service- Direct Marketing”. Command Centres and the • Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber Emergency Response Vehicles, and of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) assistance to victims is facilitated were the Institutional Partner at the through them. summit. • It helps to increase the income and • The Home Minister also launched two quality of life of the farmers and to portals - Investigation Tracking attract investments in agriculture- System for Sexual Offences and related industries of the State. Safe City Implementation Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Monitoring Portal. Source- Business Standard Related Information 3. Iran Unveils New ‘Fateh’ Submarine Investigation Tracking System for • The Iranian President has unveiled a Sexual Offences (ITSSO) “state-of-the-art” domestically • It is an online module available to law produced submarine capable of ring enforcement agencies at all levels- cruise missiles. National, State, District and Police • It is Iran’s first submarine in the semi- Station that allows State to undertake heavy category. real-time monitoring and • The submarine can operate more than management for completion of 200 metres below sea level for up to investigation in rape cases in 2 35 days. months. • It has subsurface-to-surface missiles • It leverages the existing CCTNS with a range of about 2,000 database, which covers nearly 15000 kilometres (1,250 miles), making it police stations in the country. capable in reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the region. 40 www.gradeup.co

Topic- GS Paper 3 – Defence Highlights of the report: Source- The Hindu • In the report, it is found that the 4. Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India to highest priority critically important seek consular access antimicrobial such as tylosin and • India asked the UN’s top court to give colistin is being used by many consular access to former Indian Navy countries as growth promoters. officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was • Colistin is also a “reserve” category arrested in Baluchistan in 2016 on antibiotic according to the World charges of espionage and sentenced Health Organization (WHO), implying to death by a military court in that it should only be considered for Pakistan. use when all other alternatives fail. • The International Court of Justice • The use of antimicrobials as growth (ICJ) urgently ordered Pakistan in promoters in India has been 2017 to stay the execution of Jadhav, commonly practised. pending hearings on the broader • Antimicrobials relevant for human Indian case that take place this week health are routinely used in poultry or in The Hague. aquaculture for non-therapeutic Related Information purposes. International Court of Justice • These are administered in sub- • International Court of Justice (ICJ) is optimal doses through feed or mixed the principal judicial body of the UN. with water. • It was established in 1945 via the UN • The Bureau of Investigative Charter and its jurisdiction is Journalism, in 2018, revealed how worldwide. Venky’s Ltd, a conglomerate involved • It is located in “The Hague” in the in poultry farming and raising Netherlands and has 193 state chickens on contract to supply to fast parties. food industries, has been supplying • The major functions of ICJ are to colistin to farmers to help fatten settle legal disputes submitted to it by chickens. states and to provide advisory • The Food Safety Standards Authority opinions on legal questions submitted of India (FSSAI) recently garnered to it by duly authorized international appreciation for setting up standards organs, agencies, and UN General for antibiotic residues in food-animal Assembly. products such as meat, milk, etc. • It is composed of 15 judges elected to • The FSSAI provides food standards for nine-year terms of office by UNGA and colistin indicating that such “last UN Security Council. resort” antibiotics can still be used in • In order to ensure the measure of rearing food-animals as long as it continuity, one-third of ICJ is elected remains undetected while monitoring every three years. residue. Note: Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected as Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and the fifth judge to the International Court of Technology Justice. Source- Down to Earth Topic- GS Paper 3 –International 6. Munich Security Conference Institution • The 55th Munich Security Conference Source- Indian Express (MSC) concluded in Germany. 5. New report flags use of antibiotics on • It is an annual conference on the animals international security policy that takes • The World Organisation for Animal place in Munich, Germany since 1963. Health (OIE) revealed a report on • During the MSC 2019, India raised the antimicrobial agents which intended issue of the Pulwama terror attack for use on animals, indicates that the during bilateral meetings with several use of antimicrobials as growth countries, including the US, Germany, promoters is still being practised. and Russia. 41 www.gradeup.co

• It is an independent venue for Related Information policymakers and experts for open • Section 66A of IT Act provided for the and constructive discussions about jail term to people who post offensive the most pressing security issues of content online and it was scrapped by the day and of the future. the apex court in March 2015. • The Munich Security Report is Topic- GS-2- Indian Polity annually published by MSC which is an Source- AIR annual digest of relevant figures, maps, and research on crucial security 20.02.2019 challenges. Topic-GS Paper 2–International Institution 1. 7 islands in Andamans, Lakshadweep Source- Indian Express identified for seaplane operations 7. Scientists identify proteins linked • During the 5th meeting of the Island with wheat infection Development Agency, Four islands in • Indian researchers have figured out the Andamans and three in how fungus Tilletia indica, which Lakshadweep have been identified for causes the Karnal Bunt disease in seaplane operations, while private wheat, infects the crop. sector participation has been invited • This may help the scientist to tackle for tourism-based projects. from this diseases which destroy more • These islands are Swaraj Dweep, than thousands of tones of wheat. Shaheed Dweep, Hutbay and Long Related Information Island in Andaman and Nicobar Karnal Bunt Islands and Kavaratti, Agatti and • Karnal Bunt was first recorded in 1931 Minicoy in Lakshadweep have been in Karnal. identified for seaplane operations. • It not only reduces the yield but also Related Information the quality of grains as they start Island Development Agency (IDA) giving off foul fishy odour and taste. • It was set up on June 01, 2017 for the • This makes grains unsuitable for holistic development of islands. human consumption. Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance • The disease also occurs in the United Source- The Hindu States, Mexico, South Africa, Nepal, 2. SPHEREx : NASA new Telescope to Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. investigate the Universe in 2023 • Currently, the disease is controlled by • NASA will launch a new space spraying the wheat crop with telescope, SPHEREx, in 2023, which fungicides but they are not very could provide a glimpse of the first effective. moments in the history of the • Many proteins identified to reduce the universe. effect of this fungus eg. malate • The Spectro-Photometer for the dehydrogenase which helps produce History of the Universe, Epoch of oxaloacetate, which is a precursor of Reionization and Ices Explorer oxalic acid, a key element in (SPHEREx) mission is a planned two- phytopathogenic fungi like Tilletia year mission. indica that makes them cause Objectives diseases. • NASA's SPHEREx mission will help 8. SC directs states to sensitise cops astronomers understand both how our about scrapping of Section 66A of IT Act universe evolved and how common • The Supreme Court has directed all are the ingredients for life in our state governments to sensitise their galaxy’s planetary systems. police personnel about scrapped • Astronomers will use the mission to Section 66A of Information gather data on more than 300 Technology Act, so that people are not million galaxies, as well as more unnecessarily arrested under the than 100 million stars in our own Milky provision. Way. 42 www.gradeup.co

• The mission will create a map of Salient Features of NPE 2019 the entire sky in 96 different • Create eco-system for globally colour bands, far exceeding the competitive ESDM sector: Promoting colour resolution of previous all-sky domestic manufacturing and export in maps. the entire value-chain of ESDM. • It also will identify targets for more • Provide incentives and support for detailed study by future missions, manufacturing of core electronic such as NASA's James Webb Space components. Telescope and Wide Field Infrared • Provide a special package of Survey Telescope. incentives for mega projects which Topic- GS Paper 3 – Science and are extremely high-tech and entail Technology huge investments, such as semiconductor facilities display Source- Science Daily fabrication, etc. 3. Aussie mammal the first ‘climate • Formulate suitable schemes and change extinction’ incentive mechanisms to encourage • Australia officially declared a Great new units and expansion of existing Barrier Reef rodent extinct making it units. the first mammal believed to have • Provide incentives and support for been killed off by human-induced significantly enhancing the availability climate change. of skilled manpower, including re- • The rat-like Bramble Cay melomys skilling. who’s only known habitat was a small • Create a Sovereign Patent Fund (SPF) sandy island in far northern Australia to promote the development and has not been spotted in a decade. acquisition of IPs in the ESDM sector Reason for disappearance by 2025. 1. Available data on sea-level rise and • Promote trusted electronics value weather events in the Torres Strait chain initiatives to improve national region “point to human-induced cybersecurity profile. climate change is the root cause of the Background loss of the Bramble Cay melomys • The implementation of the Schemes/ 2. Also low-lying island on a coral reef Programmes under the aegis of the over the last decade, which had National Policy on Electronics 2012 resulted in dramatic habitat loss. (NPE 2012) has successfully Note: The Melomys rubicola is the only consolidated the foundations for a mammal’s species endemic to the Great competitive Indian ESDM value chain. Barrier Reef’s. • NPE 2019 proposes to build on that foundation to propel the growth of Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment and ESDM industry in the country. biodiversity • The National Policy of Electronics Source- The Hindu 2019 (NPE 2019) replaces the 4. Cabinet approves the proposal of National Policy of Electronics 2012 National Policy on Electronics 2019 (NPE 2012). • The Policy envisions positioning India Topic- GS Paper 2 – Governance as a global hub for Electronics System Source- The Hindu Design and Manufacturing - (ESDM) 5. OFB gets clearance for producing 114 by encouraging and driving long-range artillery gun ‘Dhanush’ capabilities in the country for • The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) developing core components, has received a bulk production including chipsets, and creating an clearance from the Indian Army and enabling environment for the industry the Defence Ministry for production of to compete globally. 114 ‘Dhanush’ artillery guns.

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Dhanush • It has been developed as a 150 km • Dhanush’ is the first long-range circuit and includes Eco-Adventure artillery gun to be produced in India. Tourism Park at Vagamon, Cultural • It has been developed by Ordnance Centre at Kadamanitta, Eco Log Huts Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata based at Peerumedu, Idukki, Approach on requirements of Indian Army and Roads, Walking trails, Rain Shelters at manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Pine Valley Forest, Thekkady, Kumily, Carriage Factory (GCF). MoozhiyarDam, Penstock and Kakki . • It is also known as desi Bofors • The eco-tourism circuit aims to because it is an upgraded version of protect the flora and fauna of Swedish Bofors howitzers, which India Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts procured in the mid 1980s, based on including places like Gavi, its original designs. Peerumedu. • It has a strike range of 40 kilometres Topic- GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture with accuracy and precision. Source- TOI • It also has night firing capability in 8. Cabinet approves setting up a new direct fire mode. company under the Department of Space Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence • The Union Cabinet has given its Source- Indian Express approval to the Setting up of a new 6. Attukal Pongala: World's largest company under Department of Space religious congregation of women (DoS), to commercially exploit the • Kerala to host the Attukal Ponkala research and development work festival which is considered as one of carried out by Indian Space Research the world's largest religious gathering Organization (ISRO) Centers and of women on a single day. constituent units of DOS. Related Information Salient features: Attukal Pongala The following areas/avenues provide • It is celebrated at the Attukal Temple, opportunities for commercial exploitation of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. ISRO programmes: • These women prepare a divine food made of rice in earthen pots and offer 1. Small satellite technology transfer to it to the Goddess of the Temple. industry, wherein the new company • The pongala preparation starts with shall take a license from DoS/ISRO the ritual called 'Aduppuvettu'. and sub-license to industries; • This is the earliest Pongala festival in 2. Manufacture of the small satellite Kerala. launch vehicle (SLV) in collaboration • Attukal temple is also called 'women's with the Private Sector; Sabarimala' as only women perform 3. Productionisation of Polar SLV through the ritual. industry; Topic- GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture 4. Productionisation and marketing of Source- AIR Space-based products and services, 7. Eco Circuit: Pathanamthitta – Gavi – including launch and applications; Vagamon – Thekkady’ Inaugurated 5. Transfer of Technology developed by • The Union Tourism Minister ISRO Centers and constituent units of inaugurated the ‘Eco Circuit: DoS; Pathanamthitta – Gavi – Vagamon – 6. Marketing of some spin-off Thekkady’ project at Vagamon, technologies and products, both in Kerala. India and abroad etc. • This project is a part of the Swadesh Topic- GS Paper 3 – Defence Darshan Scheme. Source-PIB Eco Circuit 9. 106 coastal and marine sites • The Eco Circuit project was sanctioned identified as conservation reserves: in December 2015. Govt report

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• The Centre has identified over 100 • It aims at creating a conducive coastal and marine sites as atmosphere for interaction between conservation reserves under its key stakeholders within our National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017- entrepreneurial ecosystem and 2031, a biennial report released by Government e-Marketplace which is the government. the national procurement portal. • As per the second biennial update • It is an initiative under the report (BUR) of the Ministry of collaboration of GeM with Startup Environment and Forests (MoEF), India, established to provide help to submitted to the UN body on climate start-ups, registered with Startup change in December 2018, India is India so that it can gain access to the encouraging participation of local public procurement market and sell communities in governance by innovative products and services to recognising the conservation government buyers. reserves. Related Information Highlights of the Report Government e-Marketplace (GeM) • Around 106 coastal and marine sites • Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a have been identified as conservation one-stop portal to facilitate online or community reserves to increase procurement of common use Goods & participation of local communities in Services required by various governance. Government • Under the National Wildlife Action Plan Departments/Organizations /PSUs. for the period 2017 to 2031, the • GeM aims to enhance transparency, government is working towards the efficiency and speed in public conservation of coastal and marine procurement. ecosystems from the impacts of • It provides the tools of e-bidding, climate change. reverse e-auction and demand • "Towards the fulfilment of India's aggregation to facilitate the commitment to Sustainable government users to achieve the best Development Goals (SDGs), several value for their money. initiatives have been taken to meet Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance the targets set under SDG 14- Life Source-PIB Below Water. 2. Operation Digital Board • The coastal and marine sector is also • The Human Resource Development a source of valuable fish protein not (HRD) Ministry launched "Operation only for the growing population but Digital Board" on the lines of also contributes to the global food Operation Blackboard to provide basket and in turn provides valuable better digital education in school. foreign exchange to the country. • The government has aimed to equip 9 Topic- GS Paper 3 – Environment lakh classrooms in schools and Source- Indian Express colleges across the country with digital facilities for teaching by 2022. Benefits of Digital Board 21.02.2019 • Operation Digital Board’, the aim of 1. Commerce Minister launched which is to have digital and interactive ‘SWAYATT’ on GeM boards in every classroom”. • Union Minister of Commerce has • It will help to improve the quality of launched SWAYATT in New Delhi. education and offer new opportunities • SWAYATT-an initiative to encourage and new ways of teaching and Start-ups, Women and Youth learning. Advantage Through eTransactions on Topic- GS Paper 2 –Education Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Source- AIR

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3. KhadiGramodyogVikas Yojana About Scheme • The Cabinet Committee has given the • It aims at providing financial approval to continue the existing assistance for technical and schemes of MPDA, Khadi Grant, ISEC professional education to farmers’ and Village Industry Grant, all children by creating a provision for the subsumed under 'Khadi and State government to bear all Gramodyog Vikas Yojana' for the expenses involved in various levels of period 2017-18 to 2019-20. education. • Khadi Vikas Yojana includes Market KALIA Scheme Promotion & Development Assistance • Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and (MPDA), Interest Subsidy Eligibility Income Augmentation (KALIA) is a Certificate (ISEC), Workshed, support scheme of Odisha whose Strengthening Weak Infra, Aam primary targets are small farmers, Aadmi Bima Yojana, Khadi Grant. cultivators and landless agricultural labourers. • 'A new component called Rozgar Yukt • The scheme involves payments to Gaon' introduce to enterprise-based encourage cultivation and associated operation in the Khadi sector and to activities. create employment opportunities. • The scheme strives to target rural Related Information activities as a whole by supporting Market Promotion and Development farming on a small scale, Assistance Scheme (MPDA) sharecropping, fishing and animal • It was launched as a unified scheme herding which doesn’t get covered by merging different schemes under loan waiver schemes. implemented by the Khadi sector • The state government would provide including publicity, marketing, market Rs 10,000 per family as assistance for promotion, and marketing cultivation, Rs 5,000 each in the development assistance. Kharif and Rabi seasons, for five • The overall objective of the scheme is cropping seasons between 2018-19 to ensure increased earnings for and 2021-22. artisans. • The scheme also includes life Rozgar Yukt Gaon (RYG) insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh and additional personal accident cover of • It aims at introducing an 'Enterprise- Rs 2 lakh will be provided to both led Business Model' in place of cultivators and landless agriculture 'Subsidy-led model' through a labourers. partnership among 3 stakeholders- Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Khadi Reform and Development Source- Indian Express Programme (KRDP)-assisted Khadi 5. Department of Justice launched Institution, Artisans and Business Tele-law mobile app, Nyaya Partner. Bandhu • It will be rolled out in 50 Villages by • A tele-law mobile application ‘Nyaya providing 10,000 Charkhas, 2000 Bandhu’ was launched by the looms & 100 warping units to Khadi Department of Justice. artisans, and would create direct • It is pro bono legal service which is employment for 250 Artisans per designed to connect practising village. lawyers and the registered eligible Topic- GS Paper 2 –Important Scheme beneficiaries in a hassle-free manner. Source-PIB • It will enable the paralegal volunteers 4. "KALIA Chhatra Bruti’ scholarship (PLV)’s to perform on-field pre- • Odisha government launched ‘KALIA registration of cases with a facility to Chhatra Bruti’ scholarship for farmer’s seek appointment from the panel children under the KALIA Scheme. lawyer on date and time suitable to them.

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• It contains the facility to confirm and • support to help developing countries register the pre-registered cases, to build the capacity to carry out WTO enable the online interface between work, handle disputes, and implement the beneficiary and the panel lawyer technical standards, and through video conferencing and • provisions related to a least- telephone facility. developed country (LDC) Member • The application will benefit PLVs of India’s Position in Global Trade National Legal Service Authority and State Legal Services Authorities • India’s share in global exports was (SLSA) in the country who will be 1.68% in 2017 while that in global associated under Tele-Law service. imports was 2.48%. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Social Justice • The US claimed that India used its Source-PIB status as a developing member to press for continued exemption from 6. India & China should not get special its commitments of some $30 billion rights: US to WTO in input subsidies, a rule intended to • The US has proposed withdrawal of address some of the poorest farmers. special rights and exemptions for emerging economies such as India Topic- GS Paper 3 –Economics and China, which are members of the Source- Indian Express Organisation for Economic 7. AntBot, the first walking robot that Cooperation and Development navigates without GPS (OECD), Group of 20 (G20). • AntBot is the first walking robot to • These countries classified as “high have navigational capabilities without income” by the World Bank or account GPS or mapping. for more than 0.5% of global • It has been designed by Centre for merchandise trade. “ Scientific Research (CNRS) and Aix- Related Information Marseille University researchers at • The WTO Agreements contain special ISM, on lines similar to desert ants provisions which give developing that use polarised lights and UV countries special rights and which give radiation to navigate in space. developed countries the possibility to • It consists of an optical compass treat developing countries more which determines its movements by favourably than other WTO Members. the help of polarised light. • These special provisions include, for example, longer time periods for • Weighing only 2.3 kg, this robot has implementing Agreements and six feet for increased mobility, commitments or measures to increase allowing it to move in complex trading opportunities for developing environments, precisely where countries. deploying wheeled robots and drones can be complicated. These provisions are referred to as “special and differential treatment” Related Information (S&D) provisions. Various Satellite Navigation System The special provisions include: • GPS by the US • longer time periods for implementing • GLONASS by Russia Agreements and commitments, • European Union’s Galileo • measures to increase trading opportunities for developing • China’s BNS countries, • NavIC by India • provisions requiring all WTO members Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and to safeguard the trade interests of Technology developing countries, Source- Science Daily

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2. ILP will be applicable to entire 22.02.2019 Nagaland, including Dimapur’ • Nagaland government has decided to 1. India decided to stop its share of make the Inner Line Permit applicable river waters which flow into throughout the State, including the Pakistan commercial hub of Dimapur. • The Government has decided to stop Related Information the share of river waters which flow Inner Line Permit into Pakistan. • It is an official travel document issued • The government of India will divert by the Government of India to allow water from Eastern Rivers and supply inward travel of an Indian citizen into it to the people in Jammu and Kashmir a protected area for a limited period. and Punjab. • It is obligatory for Indian citizens from Related Information outside those states to obtain a permit Indus Waters Treaty for entering into the protected state. • It was signed in Karachi in 1960 by • The document is an effort by the the Indian Prime Minister Pandit government to regulate movement to Jawaharlal Nehru and then President certain areas located near the of Pakistan Ayub Khan. international border of India. • According to the Treaty, India got the • This is an offshoot of the Bengal full rights for utilization of waters of Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, the three Eastern Rivers namely Ravi, which protected Crown's interest in Beas, and Satluj while Pakistan the tea, oil and elephant trade by controls the right to use water in prohibiting "British subjects" from western rivers, namely, the Indus, the entering into these "Protected Areas". Jhelum and the Chenab. The word "British subjects" was • The construction of the dam has replaced by Citizen of India in 1950. started at Shahpur-Kandi on the • ILP's valid for tourism purposes are Ravi River and the Ujh project will granted as a matter of routine. store India's share of water for use in The states which require the permit are: Jammu and Kashmir and the balance 1. Arunachal Pradesh water will flow from second Ravi- 2. Mizoram Beas Link to provide water to other 3. Nagaland basin states. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance • These projects have been declared as Source- The Hindu National project. 3. Atmospheric Water Generator What are the advantages of national (AWG) project status? • It has unveiled by Navratna Defence • The main advantage of a project PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) at which has received national project Aero India 2019. status is that 90 % of the funding for • The Atmospheric Water Generator is the project will be given by the central being manufactured by BEL in government. collaboration with CSIR-IICT and • Usually, big multipurpose projects MAITHRI, a start-up company based involving irrigation, power generation, in Hyderabad. storage of water etc., which require a • It is an innovative solution to meet the huge amount of capital for ever-increasing need for drinking construction, are given national water worldwide. project status because state • BEL's Atmospheric Water Generator governments cannot afford such huge can be used to generate water capital. straight from the humidity present in Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance the atmosphere and purify it. Source- AIR 48 www.gradeup.co

• It uses heat exchange technique for 1. The Muslim Women (Protection of condensing the atmospheric moisture Rights on Marriage) Second to produce pure, safe and clean Ordinance, 2019 potable water. 2. The Indian Medical Council • The AWG comes with a Mineralisation (Amendment) Second Ordinance, Unit, which is used to add minerals 2019 which are required to make the water 3. The Companies (Amendment) Second potable. Ordinance, 2019 • The AWG is configurable in static and 4. The Banning of Unregulated Deposit mobile (vehicular) versions and is Schemes Ordinance, 2019 available in 30 litres/day, 100 Related Information litres/day, 500 litres/day and 1,000 litres/day capacities. Ordinance making powers of the Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and President Technology • Article 123 of the Constitution grants Source- The Hindu the President certain law-making powers to promulgate Ordinances 4. Digital Bharat, Saksham Bharat -A when either of the two Houses of Compendium on Digital India Parliament is not in session and hence • A Digital India Compendium on it is not possible to enact laws in the Digital Bharat, SakshamBharat Parliament. was released by Ministry for • An Ordinance may relate to any Electronics &Information Technology subject that the Parliament has the and Law &Justice. power to legislate on. Conversely, it • The objective of the document is to has the same limitations as the disseminate and propagate the Parliament to legislate, given the success of Digital India among distribution of powers between the masses. Union, State and Concurrent Lists. • The document is divided into two • Thus, the following limitations exist sections- with regard to the Ordinance making o Digital profile of India the power of the executive: o Digital profile of States & o Legislature is not in session: UTs. The President can only promulgate • A digital profile of India comprises an an Ordinance when either of the in-depth analysis, comparative study two Houses of Parliament is not in of the implementation of Digital India session. Programme and transformation it has o Immediate action is required: brought out in the lives of citizens. It The President cannot promulgate has simplified the way citizens avail an Ordinance unless he is satisfied various Government services and has that there are circumstances that brought transparency and require taking ‘immediate action’. accountability. o Parliamentary approval during • A digital profile of States/ UTs reflects the session: Ordinances must be the State/ UT-wise implementation of approved by Parliament within six various initiatives taken under Digital weeks of reassembling or they shall India Programme. cease to operate. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance o They will also cease to operate in Source-PIB case resolutions disapproving the 5. President promulgates four Ordinance are passed by both the Ordinances Houses. • The President of India recently has promulgated the following four Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Ordinances, namely:– Source- Indian Express

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6. Sixth International Conference on 8. 4th India-ASEAN Expo Summit Mycetoma • The 4th India-ASEAN Expo and • Recently Sixth International Summit was held in New Delhi. Conference on Mycetoma was held in • The India-ASEAN Expo Summit was Khartoum, Sudan. organised with FICCI to carry forward Mycetoma the momentum and to further • It is an inflammatory disease of the strengthen India-ASEAN relations skin, connective tissue, muscle and under the Act-East Policy. bone, results from an infection caused • The 4th Summit aims to build upon by more than 70 bacterial or fungal the success of the previous edition of microorganisms. ASEAN-India Business and • It is a disease characterized by Investment Meet and Expo which was disabling deformities and associated held in 2018 as a precursor to India- with severe morbidity. ASEAN Commemorative Summit. • Infection is most probably acquired by • The Summit aims to provide a traumatic inoculation of certain fungi platform for the policy makers, or bacteria into the subcutaneous industry captains and business tissue. leaders to come together and forge a • The tropical disease is known to affect common vision for India and ASEAN’s rural populations, particularly those mutual growth and progress. who walk barefoot, like agricultural Related Information labourers and herdsmen. ASEAN • If not detected and managed early, • Established in 1967 in Bangkok via this disease can cause limb deformity Bangkok Declaration. and, in advanced cases, lead to • Currently, there are 10-member amputation and death. states are part of it. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and • The Association of Southeast Asian Technology Nations (ASEAN) is a regional Source- TOI intergovernmental organisation 7. KP-BOT- India’s first humanoid police comprising ten Southeast Asian robot states which promote • Kerala Chief Minister inaugurated intergovernmental cooperation and India’s first Humanoid Sub-Inspector facilitates economic, political, Police Robot named KP-BOT. military, educational and cultural • With this, the Kerala State Police integration amongst its members and Headquarters has become the first Asian states. police department in the country to • Its headquarter is in Jakarta, Indonesia. use a robot for police work. • India is not a member of it. • The robot’s gender is declared female • The 10-member states of ASEAN are keeping in mind women Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, empowerment and gender equality. Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, KP-BOT Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. • She will perform Front Office duties of • The ASEAN Way- the doctrine that the police headquarters like receiving the member countries will largely visitors and direct them as required. business when it comes to internal • Visitors can directly interact with her matters of member countries. and she is capable of tasks like fixing • ASEAN Plus Three: Was created to appointments with officers, provide ID improve existing ties with China, cards and open new files based on the Japan and South Korea. grievances. • ASEAN Plus Six: includes China, • She can also identify higher officials Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and greet them with a salute. Australia and India. Topic-GS Paper 3–Science & Technology Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Source- Indian Express Source- Indian Express 50 www.gradeup.co

9. NABH New Portal "HOPE" for images from NASA, NOAA and ESA hospitals simplified and digitalised spacecraft. • In order to extend benefits associated • The sun is the closest star to Earth, with IRDAI and Ayushman Bharat and like many stars, it is far from scheme to small scale hospitals across quiet. Sunspots many times the size India, the government has digitalized of Earth can appear on its surface and and simplified the NABH accreditation store enormous reservoirs of energy. process. • And it is within these regions that • The revised process is driven through huge explosions called solar storms a new portal called HOPE - occur. Healthcare Organizations’ • Solar storms are spectacular Platform for entry-level- eruptions of billions of tonnes of hot certification with a focus to promote gas travelling at millions of kilometres quality at nascent stages by enrolling an hour. a wide range of hospitals across the • These results may in the future help country including healthcare researchers to produce more accurate organizations (HCOs) and small forecasts of solar radio bursts and healthcare organizations (SHCOs). determine how solar storms impact • HOPE is not just confined to the Earth—they can produce beautiful certification of HCOs/SHCOs but also displays of the Aurora, but they can enables them to comply with quality also cause problems with protocols, improve patient safety and communication and navigation the overall healthcare facility of the systems and power grids. organization. Related Information • The online platform provides smooth LOFAR and secure registration and a self- • It is a large radio telescope network explanatory questionnaire to be filled located mainly in the Netherlands, by the HCO/SHCOs. completed in 2012 by ASTRON, the • A mobile application has also been Netherlands Institute for Radio developed to support HCO/SHCOs for Astronomy and its international directly uploading geo-tagged and partners, and operated by ASTRON's time-stamped evidences required for radio observatory, of the Netherlands compliance to the standards. Organisation for Scientific Research. National Accreditation Board for Topic- GS-3- Science & Technology Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations Source- Science Daily (NABH) • It is a constituent body of Quality 25.02.2019 Council of India (QCI), handling global accreditation in Indian healthcare 1. PM Modi gets Seoul Peace Prize sector under the ministry of for fostering global links commerce and industry has revamped • Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the entry-level certification process to given the Peace Prize for 2018 for his make it simpler, digital, faster and contribution to international user-friendly. cooperation and fostering global Topic-GS-2- Government Policies economic growth. Source- Livemint • The Prime Minister dedicated the 10. LOFAR radio telescope reveals $200,000 (₹1.42 crore) prize money secrets of solar storms to the Namami Gange programme • The team showed that solar storms that seeks to stop pollution in the can accelerate particles Ganga and rejuvenate the river. simultaneously in several locations by Related Information combining data from the Low- Seoul Peace Prize Frequency Array, LOFAR, with • The Seoul Peace Prize is sponsored by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation.

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• The Seoul Peace Prize was established 4. Unlike Banks which are regulated by in 1990 to commemorate the success the RBI, the NBFCs are regulated by of the 24th Olympic Games held in multiple regulators; Insurance Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Companies- IRDA, Merchant Banks- • The Seoul Peace Prize reflects the SEBI, Micro Finance Institutions- wishes of the Korean people and to State Government, RBI and NABARD. crystallize their desire for everlasting 5. The norm of Public Sector Lending peace on earth. does not apply to NBFCs. • The Seoul Peace Prize is awarded to 6. The Cash Reserve Requirement also Individuals or institutions which have does not apply to NBFCs. made great contributions to the Topic- GS Paper 3 –Economics harmony of mankind and world peace Source- Economics times in each field of endeavor around the 3. India to have own DNS for safe world regardless of nation, race, browsing religion, or ideology. • The government will soon roll out a Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance public Domain Name Server, or DNS, Source- The Hindu for India aimed at providing a faster 2. RBI bundles NBFCs into one and more secure browsing experience category for Internet users in the country, • To provide NBFCs with greater while ensuring that citizens’ data is operational flexibility, harmonization stored locally. of different categories of NBFCs into The purpose for having own DNS fewer ones shall be carried out based on the principle of regulation by • The main aim of bringing our own activity rather than regulation by public DNS is to ensure availability, entity RBI created a single category particularly for smaller Interest for them by bundling their present Service Providers (ISPs) who don’t three-tier structure. have credible DNS. • Asset finance, loan, and • Bigger ones usually have their own investment companies have been DNS. merged into a new category called Related Information NBFC-Investment & Credit • A DNS is like a directory for the Companies. Internet. It helps to convert domain Related Information names that are easy for people to About NBFC remember into IP addresses, which • A Non-Banking Financial Company are used by computers/machines to (NBFC) is a company registered under communicate. the Companies Act, 1956. • If the DNS is either slow or fails to Difference between banks & NBFCs work, users will not be able to locate web addresses. • NBFCs lend and make investments, Topic-GS Paper 3–Science & Technology and hence their activities are akin to Source- The Hindu that of banks; however, there are a 4. Flying bulldog’: World’s largest few differences as given below: bee 1. NBFC cannot accept demand • The world’s largest bee — a giant deposits; insect roughly the size of a human 2. NBFCs do not form part of the thumb — has been rediscovered in a payment and settlement system and remote part of Indonesia in its first cannot issue cheques drawn on itself. sighting in nearly 40 years. 3. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit About the Megachile pluto Insurance and Credit Guarantee • Megachile pluto, also known as Corporation is not available to Wallace's giant bee, is a very large depositors of NBFCs, unlike in case of Indonesian resin bee. banks.

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• It is the largest known living bee • It also recommends the IFs species. [International Sports Federations] • Its status is ‘vulnerable’ in IUCN red list neither award to nor holds sports • It was believed to be extinct until events in India until the guarantees several specimens were discovered in are obtained. 1981; there were again no further About International Olympics Committee confirmed sightings until two were • The International Olympic Committee collected and sold on eBay in 2018. is a non-governmental sports • The bee (Megachile pluto), which lives organization based in Lausanne, in the Indonesian island region of Switzerland. North Moluccas, makes its nest in • It is the authority responsible for termite mounds, using its large fang- organizing the modern Summer and like mandibles to collect sticky resin to Winter Olympic Games. protect its home from the termites. • The IOC is the governing body of the Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment and National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Biodiversity which are the national constituents of Source- The Hindu the worldwide Olympic Movement. 5. Olympic dream under threat as the • The current president of the IOC is visa is denied to 2 Pak. shooters Thomas Bach of Germany. • India’s future as a host for sporting Topic-GS Paper 2–International Institution events remained uncertain following a Source-PIB decision by the International Olympic 6. Travel on a jet plane, using a little Committee (IOC). cooking oil What is the issue? • The Dehradun-based Indian Institute • The issue arose when India refused of Petroleum has successfully finished visa requests from two Pakistani a pilot test to convert used cooking oil shooters expected to participate in the into bio-aviation turbine fuel (Bio- ongoing ISSF (International Shooting ATF), which can be blended with Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup conventional ATF and used as aircraft 2019 in Delhi. fuel. • According to the IOC the Indian • The Institute collected used cooking government authorities failed to grant oil from caterers and hotels in an entry visa to the Pakistani Dehradun for the pilot, which has now delegation comprising two athletes set the platform for commercial use of and one official who was meant to the technology. participate in the ISSF World Cup. • The chemical composition of the used • This is a qualification competition for cooking oil is identical to other plant- the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in based oils that have been converted which direct quotas are earned by the to Bio-ATF. respective NOCs. • The pilot test has proven that it is very What’s next? similar to Bio-ATF derived from • The IOC Executive Board decided to jatropha oil. suspend all discussions with the Related Information Indian NOC [National Olympic • The test assumes importance as the Committee] and government Food Safety and Standards Authority regarding the potential applications of India (FSSAI) has launched the for hosting future sports and Olympic- Repurpose Cooking Oil (RUCO) related events in India. initiative to collect and convert used • The IOC Executive Board required a cooking oil into bio-fuel. clear written guarantee from the • The food safety body says that by Indian government to ensure the 2020, it should be possible to recover entry of all participants in such events about 220 crore liters of used cooking in full compliance with the rules of the oil for conversion into biofuel. Olympic Charter. About Bio Fuels

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• Biofuel is defined as any fuel whose • Loans up to ₹10 lakh are extended to energy is obtained through the these non-corporate, non-farm process of biological carbon fixation. enterprises by the Micro Units • It can be characterized on basis of Development and Refinance Agency their source biomass. (MUDRA) through last-mile financial Generations of Biofuels institutions. • 1G Biofuel: About MUDRA o They produced directly from • MUDRA stands for Micro-Units food crops such as wheat and Development and Refinance Agency sugar etc. Objective: • 2G Biofuel: • The core objective of the bank is to o They are produced from fund the unfunded. It will finance to marginal croplands unsuitable “Last Mile Financiers” of small/micro for food production or non- businesses. The lending priority will food crops. For example- be given to SC/ST enterprises Jatropha. MUDRA Bank o It overcomes over food vs. fuel • MUDRA Bank will be set up as a debate in the first-generation statutory body biofuel. • It will regulate and refinance all MFI • 3G Biofuels: who lend to MSME engaged in small o It is based on improvements in manufacturing, trade or services. the production of biomass by • It will partner all state/regional level taking advantage of specially coordinators to provide easy finance engineered energy crops such to even the remote investors. as algae as its energy source • To address the three segments, Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and MUDRA Bank has launched three loan Technology instruments: Source- Indian Express o Shishu: covers loans up to Rs 7. Labour Bureau files MUDRA job 50,000/- report o Kishor: covers loans above Rs • The Labour Bureau has completed its 50,000/- and up to Rs. 5 lakh survey on employment generated by o Tarun: covers loans above Rs 5 the MUDRA loan scheme, giving the lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh Centre a potential data tool to combat • It provides a loan at low rates to small other reports showing a dismal entrepreneurs scenario on jobs. • The bank has been allotted a Highlights of the Report. Refinance Fund of Rs. 20,000 Crores • According to reports, a leaked copy of from the shortfalls of Priority Sector the NSSO’s findings showed that Lending. unemployment hit a 45-year high of 6.1% in 2017-18. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance • Central government ministers and Source-PIB officials have already attempted to 8. Ganga basin States stare at the use the MUDRA scheme’s three-fold rise in crop failures by performance to combat criticism 2040 based on the leaked NSSO job survey • According to an assessment by the report. World Bank submitted to the Central Related Information Water Commission the Ganga river • The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana was basin could see crop failures rise introduced in April 2015 as an effort three-fold and drinking water to extend affordable credit to micro shortage can go up by as much as and small enterprises. 39% in some States between now and 2040. 54 www.gradeup.co

Highlights of the Report What has the state government • The report says that Uttarakhand, proposed? Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and • The government in the state is Bihar are likely to face a deficit in considering issuing the certificate to irrigation water of 28%, 10%, 10% the six non-APSTs communities living and 15% respectively in 2040 as in Namsai and Changlang districts and compared to the current levels if no to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. proper steps are taken. • Amongst those communities are • During the same period Madhya Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Pradesh would see a 39%, Delhi 22% Adivasis and Mishings. and Uttar Pradesh a 25% deficit in • Most of these communities are drinking water. recognized as Scheduled Tribes in Related Information neighboring Assam. • Ganga basin is the largest river basin • A Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), in India in terms of the catchment after holding discussions with the area, constituting 26% of the stakeholders, recommended granting country’s land mass and supporting PRC to the six communities, who are about 43% of its population. not natives of Arunachal Pradesh but • The basin covers 11 states of have been living in Namsai and Uttarakhand, U.P., M.P., Rajasthan, Changlang districts for decades. Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Why are people in Arunachal protesting Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West against PRC? Bengal and Delhi. • There is resentment among several • The current focus of World Bank funded community-based groups and National Ganga River Basin Projects organizations in Arunachal Pradesh, (NGRBP) of NMCG is on five major states who feel the rights and interests of on the main stem of river Ganga namely indigenous people will be Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, compromised if the proposal is Bihar, and West Bengal. implemented. Note: Over one-third of India’s available Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance surface water is provided by the Ganga basin Source- Indian Express which contributes more than half the national 10. UN body hails Odisha on Women water use, of which 90% is for irrigation. reservation Topic- GS Paper 3 –Important Report • The United Nations Entity for Gender Source- The Hindu Equality and the Empowerment of 9. Explained: Why are there protests Women (UN Women) has in Arunachal Pradesh over PRC? complimented the government of • The violence in Arunachal Pradesh Odisha for proposing 33% reservation capital Itanagar as a protest against for women in Parliament and the State the probability of granting Permanent Assemblies. Residence Certificate (PRC) to Related Information members of six communities – About UN Women Adivasi, Deori, Gorkha, Mishing, • The United Nations Entity for Gender Moran, and Sonowal Kachari – mainly Equality and the Empowerment of inhabiting Namsai and Changlang Women, also known as UN Women, is districts of the state. a United Nations entity working for Related Information the empowerment of women. What is permanent resident certificate? • It became operational in January • The permanent resident certificate is 2011. a legal document issued to Indian • They are a member of the United citizens that serve as evidence of Nations Development Group. residence and is required to be • It’s headquarters at New York, USA submitted as residential proof for official purpose.

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• UN Women’s Office based in New • According to an alert from NASA’s Fire Delhi covers four countries: India, Information for Resource Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Management System (NASA-FIRMS), • In these countries, the organization 21 fires or hotspots were detected strengthens women’s rights by during the satellite overpass. working with women, men, feminists, Related Information women’s networks, governments, About forest fires: local authorities and civil society. • The forest fire is a common hazard in Topic- GS Paper 2 –Women forests. They pose a threat to the Empowerment forest wealth and also to the flora and Source-PIB fauna, thus disturbing the bio- 11. Organization of Islamic diversity and the ecology and Cooperation (OIC) environment of a region. • The External Affairs Minister of India What are the causes of forest fires? has been invited for the first time to • Climatic conditions - such as address the Organization of Islamic temperature, level of moisture in soil Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers and atmosphere and duration of dry meet. spells naturally cause fires. About the Organisation of Islamic • The friction of tree branches swaying Cooperation (OIC): due to high wind velocity or rolling • The Organisation of Islamic stones which sparks and sets off fires Cooperation (OIC) is the second in leaf litter. largest inter-governmental • Anthropogenic activities - Traditional organization after the United Nations practice of shifting cultivation in with a membership of 57 states northeastern regions and eastern spread over four continents. coastal regions burn forested land. • The Organization claims that they are Introduction of fire in forests due to the collective voice of the Muslim an open flame, cigarette buds, electric world. spark or any source of ignition by Man • It endeavours to safeguard and leads to forest fires. protect the interests of the Muslim About Counterfire world in the spirit of promoting • The counterfire is a technique in which international peace and harmony wildfire is doused by deliberately among various people of the world. setting the fire in the opposite • The Organization was established direction of the raging flames. upon a decision of the historical • The inward movement of the counter summit which took place in Rabat, fire consumes all vegetation and Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September leaves a bare strip of land with no fuel 1969. to burn and the wildfire gets • The first OIC Charter was adopted by extinguished naturally. the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. Note: It has been estimated that 90% of forest • The Charter laid down the objectives fires in India are man-made when people enter and principles of the organization and forests to graze cattle, collect fuelwood, timber fundamental purposes to strengthen and other minor forest produce. the solidarity and cooperation among Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment the Member States. Source- The Hindu Topic- GS Paper 2 –International 13. Niyamgiri’s Dongria Kondh gird Organization for ‘resistance’ after SC order Source- TOI • With a recent Supreme Court order 12. Bandipur, Wayanad forests face triggering panic among forest fire fury dwellers over possible eviction, Odisha’s Niyamgiri’s Dongria Kondh • Recently there was a major fire outbreak in the forestlands of tribals have resolved to resist any Bandipur. attempt to force them out.

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What was the issue? • The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) • The issue of possible eviction of under the Scheme PM-KISAN is being tribals, whose applications for done through the System of Public regularisation under the Forest Rights Finance Management System. Act (FRA), 2006, had been rejected. • PFMS is a web-based payment and • The Dongria Kondh are currently MIS IT application of the Government holding their annual ‘Niyamraja of India administered by the festival’ on the picturesque hilltop of Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Niyamgiri. Ministry of Finance, Government of • Due to their successful resistance India. against the Vedanta Group’s plan to • All DBT payments for the Government mine bauxite in the ecologically and of India Schemes are being done mineral-rich Niyamgiri hill range the through PFMS. tribe came into the limelight. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Relate Information About the Dongria Kondh Tribe Source-PIB • The Dongria Kondh people are a tribe 2. Afghanistan launches a new export residing in the Niyamgiri Hills of route to India through Iran Odisha. • Afghanistan has launched a new • They are forest dwellers and sustain export route to India through the themselves from the resources of the through the Chabahar Port of Iran. Niyamgiri forests, practising • The Chabahar Port of Iran provides horticulture and shifting cultivation. easy access to the sea for • The Dongria have distinctive Afghanistan. jewellery, tattoos, and hairstyles. • This route allows both India and Women wear many rings through Afghanistan to engage in trade their ears and three through their bypassing Pakistan. noses, while boys wear two nose • The new route is one of the many rings. initiatives undertaken by the • Dongria girls wear clips in their hair governments of India and Afghanistan and rings and beads around their to enhance trade relations. necks. Topic- GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture Related Information Source- Business Standard • India-Afghanistan Trade Afghan exports to India stood at $740 million 26.02.2019 in 2018 and India is the largest export destination for Afghanistan. 1. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) • To boost the trade relations, both • The Prime Minister launched the PM- India and Afghanistan had established KISAN Scheme on 24th February an air corridor in the year 2017. 2019 at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh Note: (UP) to electronically transfer the First • After the withdrawal from JCPOA and Installment into the bank accounts of reimposing of sanctions on Iran, US eligible Farmers of 24 States and the had granted an exception to certain Union Territories. US sanctions that allowed • Under the Scheme, Rs 6,000 will be development of Chabahar port as part given each year to eligible Small and of a new transportation corridor Marginal Farmer families having designed to boost Afghanistan’s combined land holding/ownership of economy and meet their needs of up to 2 hectares. non-sanctionable goods such as food • The amount will be given in three and medicines. instalments of Rs.2000 each. Related Information Topic-GS Paper 2–International Relation Source- Indian Express

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3. ‘Hothouse’ conditions • The initiative aims to give a boost to • Researchers warned that Marine women education since almost 40 clouds that protect us from hothouse percent of girls aged 15- 18 years Earth conditions by reflecting sunlight drop out of school and college, and back into space could break up and only 26 percent of women are vanish if CO2 in the atmosphere employed. triples. • Globally, the WorldClass initiative Related Information seeks to prepare 50 million people by 2030, to be better equipped for the • If the concentration of CO2 increases future of work, in-line with the United in the atmosphere the Stratocumulus Nations’ Sustainable Development clouds which cover about 20% of Goals (SDG). subtropical oceans, mostly near Topic- GS Paper 2 –Women western seaboards such as the coasts Empowerment of California, Mexico and Peru may Source- TOI disappear. 5. Air Force commissions aerial Impact surveillance • “When the Stratocumulus clouds • The Indian Air Force (IAF) has disappear, Earth warms dramatically, commissioned the development of an by about eight degrees Celsius — in aerial surveillance system for addition to the global warming that monitoring suspicious movements comes from enhanced greenhouse under dense foliage cover along the concentrations alone,” according to international border and some parts the study. within the country. • A temperature increase of that • This programme is the first for the magnitude would melt polar ice and country seeks to locate and identify lift sea levels tens of metres. suspicious movements and is • The last time the planet was that hot, expected to be operational in the next some 50 million years ago during the two years. Eocene Epoch, crocodiles roamed the Related Information Arctic. • This hyperspectral imagery • The 2015 Paris climate treaty enjoins programme which will help to identify nations to cap the rise in the presence of a human below trees, temperatures at “well below” 2C. dense foliage, shrubs or inside a structure, whether it is day or night. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment • It can detect human presence from Source- The Hindu the air even if their clouds cover dense 4. Deloitte announces the global fog or snow cover. initiative in India to empower females Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence • Deloitte has announced the launch of Source- The Hindu its global initiative ‘WorldClass’ in 6. EVM is ‘information’ under RTI India for the empowerment of • The Central Information Commission women. has ruled that An Electronic Voting • In India, the initiative aims to support Machine (EVM) is “information” under 10 million girls and women by 2030 the Right to Information Act. through education and skills • According to the definition of development. information under Section 2(f) of the Related Information RTI Act includes “any material in any form, including records, documents, • WorldClass programme in India will memos, e-mails, opinions, advice, focus on improving girl’s retention press releases, circulars, orders, rate in school, higher educational logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, outcomes, and skills development for samples, models, data material held women to access employment. in any electronic form. 58 www.gradeup.co

Related Information 8. Nine new items added to MSP for Central Information Commission minor forest produce scheme • It was established in 2005 by the • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) Central Government under provisions has added nine minor forest produce of Right to Information (RTI) Act (MFP) items to its minimum support (2005). price (MSP) for MFP scheme. • It is not a constitutional body but it • The nine new items are: Bakul (dried has quasi-judicial powers. bark), Kutaj (dried bark), Noni/Aal • The Commission includes 1 Chief (dried fiuits), Sonapatha/Syonak Information Commissioner (CIC) and pods, Chanothi seeds, Kalihari (dried not more than 10 Information tubers), Makoi (dried fiuits), Apang Commissioners (IC) who are plant & Sugandhrnantri roots/tubers. appointed by the President of India. • Tribal communities are dependent on Functions MFP. They collect hundreds of forest • The Commission has certain powers products and survive on them. and functions mentioned in sections Related Information 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, Minimum Support Price (MSP) 2005. • It is a form of market intervention by • These broadly relate to the Government of India to ensure (a) Adjudication in the second appeal agricultural producers against any for giving information; sharp fall in farm prices. (b) direction for record keeping, suo • The minimum support prices are motu disclosures receiving and announced by the Government of enquiring into a complaint on the India at the beginning of the sowing inability to file RTI etc; season for certain crops on the basis (c) imposition of penalties and of the recommendations of the Monitoring and Reporting including Commission for Agricultural Costs and preparation of an Annual Report. Prices (CACP). • The decisions of the Commission are • Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the final and binding. designated central nodal agency for Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance price support operations for cereals, Source- The Hindu pulses and oilseeds. 7. Mukhyamantri Yuva Swabhiman • Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is Yojana the central nodal agency for • Madhya Pradesh government undertaking price support operations launched the State Government’s for Cotton. flagship scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Swabhiman Yojana’ that guarantees • The MSP for MFP scheme was started 100 days of employment every year in 2013 to ensure fair and to urban youth from economically remunerative prices to MFP gatherers. weaker sections. Note: Generally forest products can be Related Information divided into two parts i.e. • Under the scheme, Rs 4,000 stipend (a) Major Forest Produce (Pulpwood, per month during 100 days of the Sandalwood, Fuel, Timber etc.) period would be given to the youth (b) Minor Forest Products (tamarind, curry and they will also be given skill leaf, Tendu Patta, gallnut, Cane, Soapnut, development training in order to Bamboo etc.) become independent. Schemes by government similar to MSP • Only those youths, whose family’s Market Intervention Scheme annual income is less than Rs 2 lakh • It is implemented on the request of and who are in the age group of 21- State Governments for procurement 30 years, are eligible for the scheme. of perishable and horticultural Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance commodities in the event of fall in Source- NDTV market prices. 59 www.gradeup.co

Price Supports Scheme (PSS) • The Mirage-2000 uses a single shaft • The Department of Agriculture & engine that is light and simple as Cooperation implements the PSS for compared to other fighter jet engines procurement of oil seeds, pulses etc., and is called SNECMA M53. through NAFED which is the Central • It has a length of 14.36 metre and a nodal agency, at the Minimum wingspan of 91.3 meters. Support Price (MSP) declared by the • The plane weighs 7500 kg (dry) and government. has a total takeoff weight of 17000 kg. Price Deficiency Procurement Scheme • It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 • The scheme directly pays farmers the (2336 kmph) and can travel 1550 km difference between the MSP and the with drop tanks. sale price, instead of procuring his • In comparison, India's other fighter crop. and more advanced fighter jet - 9. Twelve Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 Russia made Sukhoi Su30MKI has a fighter jets entered Pakistani airspace speed of 2120 kmph (Mach 2), slower and dropped 1,000-kg laser-guided than the Mirage-2000 and is heavier bombs too. This gives the Mirage-2000 an • Twelve Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 advantage in quick operations. fighter jets, made by Dassault • In terms of the armament, the Mirage Aviation, the French company who 2000 can carry laser-guided bombs, also manufactures the Rafale Medium air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles Multi-Role Combat Aircrafts, entered and has a Thomson-CSF RDY (Radar Pakistani airspace and dropped Doppler Multi-target) radar on board. 1,000-kg laser-guided bombs on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror launch 27.02.2019 pads across the Line of Control. Related Information 1. Traditional Medicine Strategy IAF Mirage 2000 2014-2023 • The Mirage-2000 is undoubtedly one • World Health Organization (WHO) has of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) most been launched Traditional Medicine versatile and deadliest aircraft and it Strategy 2014-2023 in December was first commissioned in 1985. 2013. • Soon after inducting the Mirage, IAF • It will help health care leaders to gave it the name – Vajra – meaning develop a solution that contributes to lightening thunderbolt in Sanskrit. a broader vision of improved health • It was developed by Dassault Aviation and patient autonomy. and took its first flight in 1978 and • The strategy has two key goals: was inducted in the French Air Force (a) To support Member States in in 1984. harnessing the potential contribution • Apart from India, Dassault sold the of Traditional and Complementary Mirage 2000 to 8 other countries, Medicine (T&CM) to health, wellness including the home country of France, and people-centred health care. Egypt, UAE, Peru, Taiwan, Peru, (b) To promote the safe and effective Greece and Brazil. use of T&CM through the regulation of • The Mirage-2000 played a decisive products, practice and practitioners. role in the 1999 war of Kargil and • These goals will be reached by turned it in India’s favour. implementing three strategic • In 2011 a contract was signed to objectives are upgrade the existing Mirage-2000 jets 1) Building the knowledge base and to Mirage 2000-5 Mk, increasing the formulating the nation’s policies life of the jets that are now ready to 2) Strengthening safety, quality and serve till 2030. effectiveness through regulation Specifications 3) Promoting universal health systems Related Information 60 www.gradeup.co

• WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy • The indigenously developed QRSAM 2014–2023 was developed and will replace the 'Akash' missile launched in response to the World defence system. Health Assembly resolution on • This is an all-weather, all-terrain traditional medicine (WHA62.13). missile with electronic • The Project Collaboration Agreement countermeasures against jamming by (PCA) was signed between WHO and aircraft radars. Ministry of AYUSH in 2016. Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and • It will provide cooperation on Technology promoting the quality, safety and Source- Indian Express effectiveness of service provision in 4. Global health leaders adopted the traditional and complementary ‘Delhi Declaration’ in 4th digital medicine between WHO and Ministry health intergovernmental of AYUSH (2016-2020). meeting Topic- GS Paper 2 –Health and services • The global intergovernmental meeting Source-PIB on digital health was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 2. Sampriti 2019: India-Bangladesh in collaboration with the World Health Joint Military Exercise Organization (WHO) and the Global • It is a joint military exercise between Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). India Bangladesh will be conducted at • On the occasion of Global Tangail, Bangladesh. intergovernmental meeting on digital • This will be the eighth edition of the health, the global health leaders exercise which is hosted alternately adopted the ‘Delhi Declaration. by both countries. • The Delhi Declaration based on digital • The exercise is aimed to strengthen health firmly aligns with our Prime and broaden the aspects of Minister ‘Digital India.” interoperability & cooperation between • It will help to establish a specific the Indian and Bangladesh Armies. mechanism to centrally coordinate • The exercise will involve tactical level digital health to assist its Member operations in a counterinsurgency and States. counter terrorism environment under Topic- GS Paper 2 –Health and Services the UN mandate. Source-PIB Topic- GS Paper 3 –Defence 5. Key missions launched on Source- Business Standard foundation day of Department of 3. India successfully test fires Biotechnology surface-to-air missile: QRSAM • Department of Biotechnology in the • India successfully tests fired the Ministry of Science and Technology, short-range Quick Reaction Surface- Government of India, celebrated its to-Air Missile (QRSAM) from a test 33rd Foundation Day in New Delhi. range along the coast of Odisha. • The theme is "Celebrating • It has been developed by the Defence Biotechnology: Building Indian as Research and Development an Innovation Nation" Organisation (DRDO). • The Minister announced key missions Specification of Missile at the foundation day ceremony • The missile has a strike range of 25 including: km to 30 km and has a capability of (a) Atal JaiAnusandhan Biotech engaging multiple targets. Mission - Undertaking Nationally Relevant Technology Innovation • It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development (UNaTI), which is expected to Organisation (DRDO). transform the Health, Agriculture and Energy sectors during the next 5 • It has been developed for the Indian years. Army.

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(b) GARBH-ini- A Mission to Promote • The PCA framework is applicable only Maternal and Child Health and to commercial banks and not to co- develop prediction tools for the pre- operative banks and non-banking term berth, financial companies (NBFCs). (c) IndCEPI- A Mission to develop Topic- GS Paper 3 –Economics affordable vaccines for endemic Source- The Hindu diseases, Development of Biofortified 7. Angkor did not suffer a sudden and Protein Rich wheat - contributing collapse’ to POSHAN Abhiyan, (d) Anti Microbial Resistance • Angkor, the ancient capital of the mission- for Affordable Diagnostics Khmer empire, appears to have and Therapeutics suffered a gradual decline rather than (e) Clean Energy Mission– a a catastrophic collapse, according to a mission to develop Innovative study. Technology interventions for Swachh Related Information Bharat. Angkor Topic- GS Paper 3 –Science and • Angkor was the capital city of the Technology Khmer Empire, which also recognized Source-PIB as Yasodharapura. 6. RBI takes 3 banks off prompt • It was flourished from approximately corrective action framework the 9th to 15th centuries. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) • The city houses the magnificent • PCA is a framework under which Angkor Wat, one of Cambodia's banks with weak financial metrics are popular tourist attractions. put under watch by the RBI. • It was introduced in 2002 by RBI as a • The Angkorian period began in AD structured early-intervention 802, when the Khmer Hindu monarch mechanism for banks that become Jayavarman II declared himself a undercapitalised due to poor asset "universal monarch" and "god-king", quality, or vulnerable due to loss of and lasted until the late 14th century. profitability. • It is protected as a UNESCO World • It aims to check the problem of Non- Heritage Site. Performing Assets (NPAs) in the Topic- GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture Indian banking sector. Source- The Hindu • The framework was reviewed in 2017 8. Britain should hand over Chagos based on the recommendations of the islands to Mauritius’- ICJ working group of the Financial • International Court of Justice said that Stability and Development Council on Britain has an obligation to end its Resolution Regimes for Financial administration of the Chagos Institutions in India and the Financial archipelago. Sector Legislative Reforms • The sovereignty of the Chagos Commission. Archipelago is disputed between the • PCA is intended to help alert the UK and Mauritius. regulator as well as investors and depositors if a bank is heading for Related Information trouble. Background • The PCA framework deems banks as • The Chagos islands are home to the risky if they slip some trigger points - U.S. military base of Diego Garcia, capital to risk-weighted assets ratio under lease from the United Kingdom (CRAR), net NPA, Return on Assets since the 1960s. (RoA) and Tier 1 Leverage ratio. • Since 1971, only the atoll of Diego • Certain structured and discretionary Garcia is inhabited, and only by actions are initiated in respect of military and civilian contracted banks hitting such trigger points. personnel. 62 www.gradeup.co

• The United Kingdom excised the archipelago from Mauritian territory in 28.02.2019 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence in 1968. 1. IAF plane shot down, a pilot has • On 25 February 2019, the taken captive by Pakistan army International Court of Justice (ICJ) • MiG-21 takes a hit while trying to ruled that the United Kingdom should intercept Pakistan’s planes Ministry of relinquish the archipelago. The British External Affairs demands ‘safe and government rejected any jurisdiction immediate return’ of Wing of the court to deliberate these Commander under Geneva matters. Convention. Chagos Archipelago Related Information • It is a group of seven atolls comprising Geneva Convention more than 60 individual tropical • The Geneva Conventions of 1949 islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 comprise four treaties and three kilometres south of the Maldives additional protocols that define the archipelago. standards of international law for • This chain of islands is the humanitarian treatment in war. southernmost archipelago of the • The convention mandates the parties Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, along with to the war to remain humane to non- submarine mountain range in the combatants such as civilians and Indian Ocean. medical personnel, as well as to Topic- GS Paper 2 –International combatants who are no longer Relation participating in hostilities, such as Source- The Hindu prisoners of war, or wounded in 9. Ministry of Railway launched ‘ Rail action. Drishti Dashboard’ Four Conventions • ‘Rail Drishti Dashboard' has been (a) The first Geneva Convention protects launched by Ministry of Railway. wounded and sick soldiers on land during • The dashboard (raildrishti.cris.org.in) war. brings information from various (b) The second Geneva Convention protects sources on a single platform and gives wounded, sick and shipwrecked military access to key statistics and personnel at sea during the war. parameters to every citizen of the (c) The third Geneva Convention applies to country. prisoners of war. • It contains information related to (d) The fourth Geneva Convention affords passenger and freight trains and links protection to civilians, including in occupied to live feeds of IRCTC kitchens. territory. • It encompasses all the digitization Three additional protocols efforts in Indian Railways and (a) Additional Protocol I - international promotes transparency and conflicts accountability. (b) Additional Protocol II - non-international • It consists of 6 services, namely, PNR conflicts enquiry, ODC application enquiry, (c) Additional Protocol III - additional Complaint Enquiry, Tender Enquiry, distinctive emblem Shramik Enquiry and Freight related India’s Stance enquiries. • As of now, India has signed the 4 • SUGAM – The Freight App is one of Conventions and Protocol III but still the services provided by the has not acceded to Protocols I and II. dashboard. • Protocol-II is related to internal • It helps customers keep track of their conflict, while Protocol-I is related to consignment. war against colonial domination. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Common Article 3 of Geneva Source- Indian Express Conventions 63 www.gradeup.co

• Article 3 is common to all the four Highlights of the Bill Geneva Conventions to which India is • According to the Bill, if the PRANAM a party. Commission gets a complaint that • They include traditional civil wars, parents of a state government internal armed conflicts that spill over employee is being ignored, then 10% into other States or internal conflicts or 15% of the employee’s salary will in which third States or a be deducted by the government and multinational force intervenes paid to the parents or differently abled alongside the government. siblings. • Common Article 3 establishes • Private companies’ employees and fundamental rules from which no central government employees in derogation is permitted. Assam would also be covered by the • It is like a mini-Convention within the Bill at a later stage. Conventions as it contains the Related Information essential rules of the Geneva Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 Conventions in a condensed format Highlights of the Bill and makes them applicable to • The Maintenance and Welfare of conflicts not of an international Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 character: seeks to make it a legal obligation for (a) It requires humane treatment for children and heirs to provide all persons in enemy hands, without maintenance to senior citizens. any adverse distinction. It specifically • It also permits state governments to prohibits murder, mutilation, torture, establish old age homes in every cruel, humiliating and degrading district. treatment, the taking of hostages and • Senior citizens who are unable to unfair trial. maintain themselves shall have the (b) It requires that the wounded, sick right to apply to a maintenance and shipwrecked be collected and tribunal seeking a monthly allowance cared for. from their children or heirs. (c) It grants the ICRC the right to offer • State governments may set up its services to the parties to the maintenance tribunals in every sub- conflict. division to decide the level of (d) It calls on the parties to the maintenance. conflict to bring all or parts of the • Appellate tribunals may be Geneva Conventions into force established at the district level. through so-called special agreements. Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance (e) It recognizes that the application Source-PIB of these rules does not affect the legal 3. BioAsia 2019 status of the parties to the conflict. • The 16th edition of BioAsia 2019 - Topic- GS Paper 2 –International Asia’s largest biotechnology and life- Convention sciences forum was conducted in Source- The Hindu Hyderabad, Telangana. 2. PRANAM Act • The theme of the conference was • Assam Chief Minister has launched the “Life Sciences 4.0 – Disrupt the Parents Responsibility and Norms for Disruption”. Accountability and Monitoring Related Information (PRANAM) Commission. BioAsia • It is a panel set up to look after the • BioAsia is an annual event organised issues with respect to the PRANAM Bill by the Government of Telangana and brought in for protection of parents of it largely focuses on re-imagining state government employees at healthcare after technological Guwahati, Assam. disruptions. • It was approved by the state cabinet • The event agenda will touch upon in 2018. many areas ranging from innovation 64 www.gradeup.co

and R&D, manufacturing, digital Related Information healthcare, diagnostics and hospital Central Rice Research Institute infections to anti-microbial resistance. • The National Rice Research Institute is Topic-GS Paper 3–Science & Technology situated in Cuttack Odisha. Source- The Business Standard • It is one of the premier national 4. Centre brings 42 non-scheduled research institutes under the Indian cancer drugs under price control Council of Agricultural Research. • The National Pharmaceutical Pricing • NRRI is the nodal agency for planning, Authority (NPPA) brings 42 non- implementation and monitoring of the scheduled anti-cancer drugs under Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern price control through trade margin India programme. rationalization. Important ICAR institutions • It has done under Para 19 of the Indian Agricultural New Delhi Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. Research Institute Related Information Indian Veterinary Bareilly, Uttar National Pharmaceutical Pricing Research Institute Pradesh Authority (NPPA) National Dairy Research Karnal, Haryana • NPPA is an independent body under Institute the Department of Pharmaceuticals Central Institute of Mumbai, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fisheries Education Maharashtra Fertilizers. Central Institute for • It was set up in 1997. Hissar, Haryana • The NPPA currently fixes prices of Research on Buffaloes drugs placed in the National List of Central Institute of Nagpur, Essential Medicines (NLEM) under Cotton Research Maharashtra Schedule-I of the DPCO. Central Sheep and Wool Avikanagar, • The calculation for essential drugs is Research Institute Rajasthan based on a simple average of all Indian Institute of Bengaluru, medicines in particular therapeutic Horticultural Research Karnataka segment with sales of more than 1%. Indian Institute of Calicut, Kerala • Non-scheduled drugs are allowed an Spices Research increase of up to 10% in prices every Indian Institute of Lucknow, Uttar year, which is monitored by the NPPA. Sugarcane Research Pradesh Topic- GS Paper 2 –Health and services Topic-GS Paper 3–Science & Technology Source- The Hindu Source- Indian Express 5. Cuttack-based National Rice 6. Union Textiles Minister Research Institute releases 4 inaugurates Titanwala Museum in climate-smart varieties Rajasthan's Bagru • The Cuttack-based National Rice • Union Textiles Minister inaugurated Research Institute (NRRI), a the 'Titanwala Museum' in Bagru that constituent institute of the Indian showcases the Chhipa community's Council of Agricultural Research, hand-block printing. released four new rice varieties, Related Information including two high-protein and two Bagru Block Printing climate-smart varieties. • Bagru printing is one of the traditional • The institute has recently released techniques of printing with natural two high-protein rice varieties (CR colour followed by the chhippas of a Dhan 310 and CR Dhan 311) and remote place of Rajasthan. two climate-smart varieties (CR Dhan • Bagru printers use a technique called 801 and CR Dhan 802). dabu in which a mixture of black clay, • These varieties are tolerant to both acacia gum, spoiled wheat flour, submergence and drought and few limestone is printed onto the fabric. biotic stresses to face the challenges • The fabric can then be dyed and left of climate change. in the sun to dry. 65 www.gradeup.co

Topic- GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture 8. Red sanders are now free of Source- Indian Express export restrictions 7. SHREYAS: The Scheme for Higher • All red sanders farmers, who weren’t Education Youth in Apprenticeship and allowed to export their products as the Skills foreign trade policy prohibited it, now • The Minister for Human Resources can. Development launched the Scheme • The Directorate General of Foreign for Higher Education Youth in Trade (DGFT), an agency of the Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS). Ministry of Commerce and Industry • The program aims to enhance the revised its export policy to permit its employability of Indian youth by export if it is obtained from cultivated providing ‘on the job work exposure’ land. and earning of stipend. Related Information • SHREYAS is a programme basket Red sanders comprising the initiatives of three • Red sanders, known for its rich hue Central Ministries, namely the and therapeutic properties. Ministry of Human Resource • The tree is endemic to several districts Development, Ministry of Skill in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Development & Entrepreneurship and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. the Ministry of Labour& Employment. • It has high demand across Asia, • SHREYAS portal will enable particularly in China and Japan, for educational institutions and industry use in cosmetics and medicinal to log in and provide their respective products as well as for making demand and supply of apprenticeship. furniture, woodcraft and musical • The State Governments are expected instruments. to play a major role in securing • Red sanders listed in Appendix II of apprenticeship opportunities, apart CITES (Convention on International from the Sector Skill Councils, so that Trade in Endangered Species of Wild general degree students passing out Fauna and Flora). in April 2019, gain the option of Topic- GS Paper 3 –Environment and industry & service sector Biodiversity apprenticeship. Source- Down to Earth Topic- GS Paper 2 –Governance Source-PIB

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