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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – JUNE 2018

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY Vellore & Tiruvannamalai ENGLISH MEDIUM

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Current Affairs for TNPSC Examinations June 2018 S.No CONTENT PAGE NO 1. TAMILNADE 03 – 4

2. NATIONAL 5 – 34

3. INTERNATIONAL 34 – 44

5. AWARDS 44 – 45

6. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 45 – 49

7. BOOKS AND AUTHORS 49– 50

8. SPORTS 51– 56

9. IMPORTANT DAYS 56 –59

10. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 59 –65

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411

 Which renowned personality has been between Tamil Nadu, , and appointed as the Brand Ambassador of the Puducherry. government? The authority which comprises of chairman and eight members. A. R. Rahman, the renowned music composer, The Chairman should be either senior and has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador eminent engineer with experience of water of the Sikkim government. He will promote resource mangament or IAS officer with and project the state‘s achievements nationally experience in water resource management. and globally. Sikkim, with its natural and The Authority will work and share the 404.25 pristine beauty, has over the last two decades tmcft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and 284.75 tmc ft to Karnataka , 30 tmc ft emerged as a world famous eco-tourism to Kerala and 7 tmc ft to Puduchery ordered destination, besides attaining a distinct identity by Supreme court. as the first organic farming state of the country. Earlier, in 2018, the state government made  Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries Rahman its Brand Ambassador of tourism and University (TNJFU). business. Tamil Nadu fisheries University has been renamed as Tamil Nadu Dr.J. Jayalalithaa fisheries University (TNJFU).  To detect cervical cancer, a new technique It was set up in 2012 and located in “Liquid Based Cytology (LBC)” has Nagapattinam. launched in which state? For screening cervical cancer, a new Liquid  Fossil museum in Tamil Nadu. Based Cytology (LBC) technique — direct to Tamil Nadu Archaeological department is Slide — has launched in Tamil Nadu.The setting up Fossil Museum in Ariyalur district LBC technique would help in detecting which will be ready by July End. Officials said that the fossil Museum will cervical cancer during the pre-cancerous features various fossils, rocks and minerals stages. In LBC, a soft brush is used to touch from the Pre-Cambrian period, the Palaeozoic the cervix and take cells from the neck of the period, the Jurassic period and the Cretaceous uterus.This is transferred into a bottle period. containing a preservative and sent for laboratory analysis.  Plastic Free Tamil Nadu from 2019 The cell contents are processed on a slide. In Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K the Palaniswami has announced that Tamil Nadu will ban usage of Plastic from January 2019. conventional method, the total number of cells

collected may not get transferred onto the  Three institute gets Green award slide, while in LBC, whatever sample is taken Tamil Nadu Government has given Green gets transferred onto the slide. Award 2017 to The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Trichy, Vellore Institute of  Cauvery Water Management Authority. Technology and Gandhigram Rural University Central Government has constituted Cauvery for efforts taken to conserve energy and Water Management Authority (CWMA) to protect the Green Cover. address the dispute in sharing Cauvery water 3

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Green Award was given by Tamil Nadu Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is located Pollution Control Board to recognise the effort in RAmanathapuram District and Karaivetti to conserve and protect the natural resources Bird Sanctuary located in Ariyalur District of and sustainable development. Tamil Nadu. The aim of declaring Eco-Sensitive Zone is to  Tuna fishing harbour conserve the Wildlife habits. Tamil Nadu State Government has announced to set up World Class Tuna Fishing Harbour  TN bill to remove Bamboo from list of tree. in Tiruvottiyur , Tiruvalluvar District. Tamil Nadu State Government has introduced the bill to remove Bamboo from list of tree in  Polymer industries park Tamil Nadu Forest Act 1882. Tamil Nadu Government to set up Polymer As per the bill it will exempts bamboo grown Industries park in Tiruvallur which will in non-forest areas from the definition of a tree, produce harm free plastics to environment. therefore provides requirement of felling and transit permit.  TN‟s first Antyodaya train Bamboo taxonomically grass, but legally Union Minister Rajen Gohain flagged of defined as Tree in Indian forest Act 1927, Tamil Nadu‘s first Antyodaya train between because of this Farmers could not cultivate Tambaram and Tirunelveli for unreserved Bamboo in Non-forest Areas. passengers. The bill will encourage the farmers to cultivate Antyodaya Express are designed completely Bamboo in Non forest areas and which for unreserved Passengers. enhance their income.

th  ‟s first Lithium Ion Battery Project.  Tamil Nadu Ranks 13 in Urban Street An Agreement for transfer of technology for Vendors Programme. India‘s First Lithium Ion (Li-ion) battery Latest Systematic Progressive Analytical Real Time Ranking (SPARK) ranks Tamil Nadu in project has been signed between Council of th Scientific & Industrial Research‘s (CSIR) 13 position in support for Urban Street Central Electro Chemical Research Institute Vendors programmed implemented (CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu and RAASI under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Solar Power Pvt Ltd.. Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). A group headed by Dr Gopu Kumar has tops the rank followed by and in 2nd and developed indigenous technology of Lithium- rd ion Cells. 3 postion. This indigenous technology will help India, not to depend Lithium ion batteries from ,  AIIMS in Madurai China, and South Korea. All India Institute of Medical Science Currently India is one of the largest importers (AIIMS) to come up in Thoppur, Madurai of lithium ion batteries which cost around $150 District Tamil Nadu. Million.  Statue of Cariappa  Chitrangudi , Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary. Statue of first Army Field Marshal Late K.M The Union Ministry of Environment has Cariappa was unveiled in Officer Training proposed to declare Chitrangudi Bird academy Chennai. Sanctuary and Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary as eco-sensitive Zones.

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 NATIONAL

 What is the theme of the 2018 World Milk credible and questionable information. The Day (WMD) in India? training will be conducted in local languages. The World Milk Day (WMD) is observed every year by the Food and Agriculture  The first biannual Organization (FAO) on June 1 to recognize Commanders‟ Conference 2018 was held in the importance of milk as a global food. The which city? day is intended to provide an opportunity to The first biannual Indian Air Force bring attention to activities that are connected Commanders‘ Conference was inaugurated by with the dairy sector. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Air Interestingly, this is an event which does not Headquarters in New on May 31, 2018. follow a specific theme worldwide. Instead, The two day conference will discuss different countries, governments and non- operational, maintenance and administrative governmental organizations get to pick a takeaways identified during the military theme of their own. The WMD 2018 theme in exercise ‗Gagan Shakti-2018′ and the way India is ―Drink Move Be Strong‖. Milk is ahead. enriched with nutrients like calcium, protein, The aim of the Gagan Shakti-2018, which was vitamin B2, potassium, iodine, etc. conducted in April 2018, was real time coordination, deployment and employment of  Which social networking giant has air power in a short and intense battle scenario. partnered with National Commission for Women (NCW) to offer digital literacy  Pandurang Phundkar, who passed away programme for women? recently, was associated with which political Social networking giant Facebook has party? partnered with National Commission for Pandurang Phundkar (67), the Women (NCW) to launch a digital literacy Agriculture Minister and senior BJP leader, programme in has passed away in on May 31, 2018. He was a member of 9th , 10th Lok collaboration with the Cyber Peace Foundation Sabha and 11th Lok Sabha from Akola (Lok (CPF). As part of the digital literacy Sabha constituency) from Maharashtra. programme pilot, awareness training will be conducted for 60,000.  Which union ministry has launched an women in universities across major cities in online Analytical tool to monitor foreign , Delhi-NCR, , Sikkim, contributions by various organizations , Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu over under FCRA? a one-year period. These interactive sessions On June 1, the Union Home Minister Rajnath will provide training on safe and responsible Singh has launched an online analytical tool use of the internet, social media and email and to facilitate closer monitoring of the flow and will enable trainees to differentiate between utilization of foreign contributions received by

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 various organisations registered under the several regions, including Singapore, Japan, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010. South Korea and ASEAN. India and Singapore The web-based tool enables decision-makers in entered into FTA in August 2005. various Departments of Government to scrutinize source of foreign funds and their  Which state government has launched the actual use in India. It has analytical features to scheme “Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya conduct big data mining and data exploration. Bima Yojana” for journalists? Its dashboard will be integrated with the bank The government has launched the accounts of the FCRA-registered entities health insurance scheme for working through the Public Financial Management journalists in the state. It will be implemented System for updation of transactional data on a with effect from June 1, 2018. In the first real-time basis. There are approximately 25 phase, as many as 3,233 working journalists thousand active organisations registered under will get health insurance coverage up to Rs. 2 the FCRA. Foreign Contributions worth 8,065 lakh a year. crores rupees were received by such Under the scheme, at least five members of organisations from foreign donors for various the journalist‘s family will be covered. The social, cultural, economic, educational and scribes will get their health insurance card from religious activities during financial year 2016- the District Information and Public Relations 17. Officer (DIPRO) in their respective districts.

 The Somasila is located in which state?  Which automobile company has signed a The is built across the Penna MoU with Maharashtra government to River near Somasila in Nellore district of promote e-Mobility in the State? . Live storage capacity of the Tata Motors Ltd has signed a Memorandum dam is 1.994 km3. of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Maharashtra for deployment of  India has recently signed Mutual 1000 Electric Vehicles (EV) across its range of Recognition Agreement (MRA) in nursing passenger and commercial vehicles in the with which country? State. The company also partnered Tata group India has recently signed Mutual Recognition company, Tata Power Ltd to set up of EV Agreement (MRA) in nursing with Singapore Charging Stations in the State. which would allow nurses trained in seven nursing institutions across India to gain  Under whose chairmanship executive employment in the South-East Asian country. committee has been constituted by the Union MRAs pave the way for recognition of the Government to spread Mahatma Gandhi‟s professional bodies of one country by the other. legacy among people? Regulatory bodies of various professional The Union Government has set up an services like engineering, nursing, accountancy executive committee, under the chairmanship and architecture are encouraged to enter into of Prime Minister to spread these pacts. These pacts are part of free trade Mahatma Gandhi‘s legacy among the people at agreements (FTAs) that India has signed with the national and international level. 6

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 The committee comprises, senior cabinet  Which of the agendas will be discussed in ministers, the leader of opposition in the Rajya the 49th Conference of Governors and Sabha, renowned Gandhians, social activists Lieutenant Governors? and noted public figures. The panel was The 49th Conference of Governors and formed after the first meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors has started at Rashtrapati Committee (NC) under the chairmanship of Bhavan in on June 4, 2018. The 2- President Ram Nath Kovind to commemorate day conference was commenced with the the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma inaugural address by the President Ram Nath Gandhi. Kovind. During the meeting, it was decided to form The important agendas listed for conference a sub-committee to consider policies and lay are such as Clean India mission, internal down guidelines for the celebrations. The NC security, higher and skill has 125 members, of which 116 are from India. development. The conference will discuss Other members are acclaimed foreign important thematic issues in various sessions. members. Governors will also discuss ideas on how to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of  The India Meteorological Department Mahatma Gandhi. (IMD) has launched a new EPS to predict severity and intensity of weather. What does  As per which section of the Income Tax Act, “EPS” stands for? the Charitable Religious Institutions shall be The India Meteorological Department eligible for grant under the scheme „Seva (IMD) has launched a new Ensemble Bhoj Yojna‟? Prediction Systems (EPS) to provide On June 1, the Union Ministry of Culture probabilistic weather forecasts up to the next has launched a new scheme called ‗Seva Bhoj 10 days. According to IMD, these new systems Yojna‘ with a total outlay of Rs. 325 Crores for shall improve upon deterministic forecasts that Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20. are prone to high margins of error. The scheme seeks to reimburse the Central These systems also use a higher resolution Government share of CGST and IGST so as to 12 km grid scale, instead of the 23 km lessen the financial burden of such Charitable resolution that has been in use till now. The Religious Institutions who provide food free of new model has been developed jointly by cost without any discrimination to Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and Public/Devotees. National Centre for Medium-Range Weather The Charitable Religious Institutions such Forecasting. With this new model, India joins as Temples etc. which have been in existence the US with a model that predicts with a 12 km for at least 5 years before applying for financial resolution. Only the ‗European Center for assistance/grant and who serve free food to at Medium Range Weather Forecast‘ has a better least 5000 people in a month and such 9-kilometer resolution. Better forecasts lead to institutions covered under Section 10 (23BBA) better management agriculture and water of the Income Tax Act or Institutions registered resources. It also helps promote tourism, solar and wind energy. 7

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 as Society under Societies Registration Act ( Facilities to call and reassure their families at XXI of 1860) or as a Public Trust under any home. The Island of Socotra is considered the law for the time being in force of statuary jewel of biodiversity in the and is religious bodies constituted under any Act or recognized as a world natural heritage site by institutions registered under Section 12AA of UNESCO in 2008. Income Tax Act shall be eligible for grant under the scheme.  Which country is hosting the 3rd Asia Cup International Bridge Championship 2018?  What is the India‟s rank in the Save the India is hosting the 3rd Asia Cup International Children‟s “End of Childhood Index 2018”? Bridge Championship 2018 in from June India has been ranked 113th among 175 4 and will see participation from countries Countries in the ―End of Childhood including , Bangladesh, China, Japan Index2018‖, issued by global child rights group and Korea ―Save the Children‖. The Index which is part The championship will be contested in five of the report titled ―The Many Faces of categories namely men, women, mixed, super- Exclusion‖ indicated that the child marriages in mixed and senior. Players from Australia, India have come down to 15.2% from 21.1% in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Chinese 2017. The Index ranked countries with regards , Indonesia, Japan,Korea, , to where childhood is threatened as a result of Singapore and Thailand will be participating in poor health, malnutrition, exclusion from the event. education, child labor, child marriage, early Round robin matches will be played from the pregnancy and extreme violence. Singapore June 5-8. Four top teams in each category will and Slovenia are placed at the top sharing the progress to the knock-out stage. Semi-finals first place in the index and Niger figures at the will be contested on June 9 and. The finals and end of the list at 175. play-offs for 3rd place will be played on June 10. The tournament will also have a Match  Indian Navy has recently rescued 38 Point pair‘s contest which is an open event. stranded Indians from cyclone hit Socotra Island. The Island is located in which  Which union ministry has launched „Krishi country? Kalyan Abhiyaan‟ to help farmers in raising On June 3, the Indian Navy evacuated 38 their income? stranded Indians from Socotra Island in The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers Yemen where they were stranded for nearly welfare in line with the Prime Minister 10 days after a severe Cyclonic storm Mekunu Narendra Modi‘s vision of doubling farmers‘ hit the area. The Navy evacuated the Indians income by 2022 has launched the Krishi kalyan as part of operation code name ‗NISTAR‘, Abhiyaan from 1st June to 31st July, 2018. carried out off the coast of Socotra and The purpose of the scheme is to aid, assist and embarked them at Indian Naval ship INS advice farmers on how to improve their Sunayna to bring them back to India. The farming techniques and raise their incomes. evacuated Indians were immediately provided The Krishi kalyan Abhiyaan will be undertaken with medical care, food, water and telephone in 25 Villages with more than 1000 population 8

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 each in Aspirational Districts identified in The day is a platform for encouraging consultation with Ministry of Rural awareness and propagating the need for Development as per directions of NITI Ayog. protecting the environment. The 2018 theme is In districts where number of villages (with ―Beat Plastic Pollution‖. more than 1000 population) is less than 25, all  Under which theme, the Reserve Bank of villages will be covered. Farm science centres India (RBI) has launched the 2018 Financial called Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will Literacy Week? coordinate and implement the programme. On June 4, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  Under which campaign the „Jan Aushadhi has launched Financial Literacy Week (FLW- Suvidha‟- the Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary 2018) across the country with Customer Napkin has been launched by the Union Protection as its main theme. The event will Government? focus on creating awareness among customers Minister of State for Chemicals and of banks about financial products and services, Fertilizers, Mansukh L Mandaviya launched good financial practices and going digital. the ‗Jan Aushadhi Suvidha‘- the Oxo- It will give out four consumer protection biodegradable Sanitary Napkin under the messages including ‗know your liability‘ for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi unauthorised electronic banking transaction Pariyojana (PMBJP) in New Delhi on June 4, and good practices for a safe digital banking 2018. experience. Among various messages, The affordable sanitary napkins will become customers will be told through banners and available at over 3600 Janaushadhi Kendras posters that in case of unauthorised digital functional in 33 States/ UTs across India. Jan transaction if bank is informed within 3 days, Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special the liability of the account holder is zero. additive, which makes it biodegradable when it Resolution of complaint is to be done by the comes in contact with oxygen after being bank concerned within period not exceeding 90 discarded. days from the date of receipt of the complaint. The average price of sanitary napkins available in the market today is around Rs 8  Leela Menon, who passed away recently, per pad, whereas the cost of SUVIDHA was associated with which field? napkins is Rs 2.50 per pad. Leela Menon (86), the senior journalist and chief editor of daily Janmabhumi,  Which country is the global host nation for haspassed away in Kochi, Kerala on June 3, the 43rd edition of World Environment Day 2018. Menon, who began her journalistic (WED -2018) event? career with 3 The Indian Express in New Delhi India is the global host nation for the 43rd in 1978. Ms. Menon penned an autobiography edition of World Environment Day (WED - titled ‗Nilaykatha Symphony‘. 2018) event, which has started on June 5, 2018. Environment Ministers, representatives from and members from various industry bodies will be among the various dignitaries who will attend the event. 9

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  NTPC Ltd has adopted the iconic Charminar beaches in Maharashtra and one beach each in under the Swachh Iconic from Puducherry, Goa, Daman and Diu, Places Projects of India. This historical Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar monument was built by whom? Islands. NTPC Ltd has adopted the iconic Charminar The Blue Flag beach standards were in Hyderabad under the Swachh Iconic Places established by Copenhagen-based Foundation Projects of India. This is part of a special drive for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1985. In under the Centre‘s Swachh Bharat Mission. order to get the Blue Flag tag, a beach has to be NTPC Ltd and the Greater Hyderabad plastic-free and be equipped with a waste Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have signed management system. an MoU for implementation of development and beautification works under the Charminar  Who has won the „National Gopal Ratna‟ Pedestrianization Project in Hyderabad. The award from the Central Government for works includes providing battery-operated cattle rearing and dairying? vehicles for visitors, bollards to prevent traffic Dhiraj Ram , a young engineer from Swachh Auto Tippers (SAT) for carting Coimbatore, has won the ‗National Gopal garbage, mechanical sweeping vehicles and Ratna‘ award from the Central Government on litter picking machines, decorative and halogen June 2 for cattle rearing and dairying. He lighting of four arches, construction of public received the award from the Union Minister of utilities, toilets and drinking water. Agriculture and Farmers‘ Welfare Radha Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who was the Mohan Singh in New Delhi for ‗upkeep of the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of best dairy animals of indigenous breeds‘. Golkonda, founded the city of Hyderabad and built Charminar in 1591.  The World Bank has approved how much amount for Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) of  Which Indian beach has become the Asia‟s Government of India (GoI)? The World Bank first beach to get the Blue Flag certification? has approved Rs.6000 crore for Atal Bhujal The Chandrabhaga beach on the Konark coast Yojana (ABHY), a Central Sector Scheme of of Odisha has become the Asia‘s first beach to the Ministry of Water Resources, River get the Blue Flag certification — the tag given Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The to environment-friendly and clean beaches, scheme is to be implemented over a period of equipped with amenities of international five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23, with standards for tourists. The beach awarded the World Bank assistance. The ABHY has been honour on World Environment Day (WED) on formulated by the Ministry to address the June 5, 2018. Apart from this, 12 more Indian criticality of ground water resources in a major beaches are being developed by the Society for part of the country. The scheme proposal has Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), an already been recommended by the Expenditure Environment Ministry‘s body working for the Finance Committee and the Ministry will be management of coastal areas, in accordance seeking Cabinet approval for the project with the Blue Flag certification standards. shortly. The purpose of the scheme is to Among them are the Chiwla and Bhogave improve ground water management in priority 10

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 areas in the country through community interest rates to bad borrowers. PCR will serve participation. The priority areas identified as a registry of all credit contracts in India. under the scheme fall in , Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,  What is the current repo rate in the second and . bi-monthly monetary policy review of RBI for FY19?  The Supreme Court has recently allowed the On June 6, the 6-member Monetary Policy Union government to implement the Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of reservation in promotion policy for SC/ST India (RBI) hiked the key policy repo rate by employees. As per which article of the 25 basis points to 6.25% in its second bi- Constitution, reservation in promotions are monthly monetary policy review of FY19. mandated? Concurrently, the reverse repo rate adjusted to As per Article 16 (4A) On June 5, the 6.0%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) Supreme Court has allowed the Union rate and the Bank Rate to 6.50%. This is the government to implement the reservation in first time since January 2014 that RBI has promotion policy for SC/ST employees in announced a rate hike. Since then, RBI has accordance with the law but did not stay a either reduced the rate or maintained status Delhi High Court judgment that had quashed quo. Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends to an August 1997 office memorandum issued by banks generally against government securities the Centre providing for reservation in while the reverse repo is the rate at which RBI promotions for Dalit and tribal employees. The borrows money from the banks. vacation bench comprising Justices Adarsh In its monetary policy statement, RBI revised Kumar Goel and Ashok Bhushan allowed such CPI inflation projections for the first half (H1) reservation but added without elaboration that of FY19 to 4.8-4.9%, and 4.7% in the second it should be ―in accordance with law‖. half (H2). RBI retained its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for the  On which committee‟s recommendations, financial year at 7.4%. the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will set up Public Credit Registry (PCR) to check loan  Which city hosted the National Consultation defaults? on Accelerating Implementation of Tobacco In a bid to check loan defaults, the Reserve Control Measures for achievement of Goals Bank of India (RBI) has considered the under National Health Policy 2017? recommendations of YM Deosthalee-headed The National Consultation on Accelerating High Level Task Force and will set up a Public Implementation of Tobacco Control Measures Credit Registry (PCR) in a modular and phased for achievement of Goals under National manner. The PCR is an information repository Health Policy (2017) has inaugurated by that collates all loan information of individuals Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar and corporate borrowers. A credit repository Choubey in New Delhi on June 6, 2018. will help banks distinguish between a bad and a good borrower and accordingly offer attractive interest rates to good borrowers and higher 11

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  The Union government has recently given Directorate General of Information System as final clearance to Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Knowledge Partners and Military Survey as Project (KLIP). The project will built across Co-organizers. The theme of Seminar was which river? ‗Geospatial: A Force Multiplier for Defense On June 6, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation and Industrial Security‘. The aim of the event Project (KLIP) in has received the is to provide a platform to showcase the approval of Technical Advisory Committee of innovative applications of the Geospatial the Union government in a meeting held in the technologies. The seminar brought together Central Water Commission (CWC) in Delhi. the military, security officials including BSF The Kaleshwaram project, which is the biggest and Police Forces, Government and industry lift irrigation project in the country, has together to examine the latest technology provision for the storage of about 148 tmc ft. solutions and on the critical role of geospatial with plans of utilizing 180 tmc ft. by lifting at technology in military and security least 2 tmc ft. water every day for 90 flood days. applications. The project is designed to irrigate 7, 38,851 hectares (over 18.47 lakh acres) uplands in the  The Mitti Dam is located in which state? The erstwhile districts of Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mitti Dam is a concrete and earthen dam built , Medak, Nalgonda and Ranga on the Mitti River in Abdasa Taluka of Kutch Reddy. The expected cost of project is Rs District, Gujarat. The Mitti River is an 80,000 crore. One of the unique features of the intermittent stream and provides a catchment project is the longest tunnel in Asia of 81 kms area of 468.78 sq. kms for the reservoir. The between Yellampally and Mallannasagar . dam is 4405 m long and has 17.40 million To lift the cubic meters (MCM) of gross storage. water the project will utilize 139MW pump, the highest capacity pump to be deployed in any  Which state will become the first Indian project in the country. state to use auto-disable syringes for all clinical purposes to prevent infection?  Narayan Prasad Singh, who passed away Andhra Pradesh will become the first Indian recently, was the renowned lyricist of which state to use auto-disable syringes for all clinical state? purposes to prevent infection. The move will Narayan Prasad Singh, the most popular lyricist be enforced from the World Hepatitis Day of Odisha, has passed away in Bhubaneswar on (WHD2018) when the state government will June 6, 2018. He was popularly known as declare itself as ―Safety Injection Use State‖. Rasaraj. The initiative will ensure one injection will be given from one syringe by mandating universal  Which country hosted the 11th edition of Geo usage of auto-disable syringes in all Intelligence Asia 2018? clinical/therapeutic cases as part of infection India hosted the 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence prevention. The move would strengthen the Asia 2018 at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi healthcare system by lowering the burden of on 04-05 June 2018. It was organized by infections and breaking the cycle of cross Geospatial Media and Communication with infection. 12

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Which variety of pineapple has been Dr. Sapan Kumar Murmu (58), the renowned declared as the state fruit of ? doctor and Superintendent of VIMSAR, has President Ram Nath Kovind has recently passed away on June 8, 2018. He was also Head declared the ‗Queen‘ variety of pineapple as of the Department of Pediatrics at VIMSAR. the state fruit of Tripura. The famous ‗Queen‘ The VIMSAR is a premier government- variety is spiny, golden yellow in color and medical college and hospital of Odisha. It was emits pleasant aroma and flavor at the ripen established in 1959 in Burla, a small town on stage. The fruits are harvested when eyes turns the banks of the River in the yellow during mid-May to mid-July when the Sambalpur district of Western Odisha. It is one fruit is available. The average weight of fruit of the oldest institutes in Odisha for imparting varies from 600 Grams to 800 Grams. It got the highly specialized medical education at both the Geographical Indication (GI) in 2015 and is the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. best quality of pineapple in the world. Tripura  Which state government has launched a is one ofthe largest pineapple growing states in “Business First Portal”? the country and there are more than 100 The government has launched a commercial scale pineapple plantations in the ―Business First Portal‖ to give a big push state. Earlier, President Kovind dedicated a towards the ease of doing business in the state. 73.71km stretch of National Highway 8 from It was unveiled by Industry Minister Sunder Mata Tripurasundari temple in Udaipur of Sham Arora in Jalandhar on June 7, 2018. The Gomati district to Sabroom in South Tripura. online portal will facilitate the industrialists for Regulatory Clearances and Fiscal Approvals,  Sudheesh Guruvayoor has set a Guinness real-time tracking of applications at common World Record by distributing the largest platform. number of curry tree saplings in Sharjah. He is native of which Indian state?  What is India‟s rank in the Global Peace Sudheesh Guruvayoor, an Indian farmer from Index 2018? Kerala, has set a Guinness World Record by India has been ranked 137th among 163 distributing the largest number of curry tree countries in Global Peace Index 2018 due to a saplings in Sharjah on 5th June 2018. He reduction in the level of violent crime driven distributed 4,914 saplings of the organic curry by increased law enforcement. The Index is tree and broke prepared by -based international think- the record set by the Guru Nanak Darbar tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Gurudwara in Dubai who had distributed 2,083 The report provides a comprehensive analysis saplings of three varieties of trees to students of on the state of world peace. It covers 99.7% of Delhi Private School in March 2018. the world‘s population  Dr. Sapan Kumar Murmu, the renowned and uses 23 qualitative and quantitative doctor of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of indicators Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) grouped into three key domains — ongoing has passed away. The VIMSAR is located in conflict, safety and security, and militarization. which state? The index is topped by Iceland, followed by New Zealand, Portugal, Austria and Denmark. 13

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 As per the report that ranks 163 independent Laliteshwar Prasad Shahi (98), the senior states and territories, Syria is the least peaceful Congress leader and former Union minister, country followed by Afghanistan, South Sudan, has passed away in New Delhi on June 9, 2018. Iraq and Somalia.  Appu Karki, the popular Kumauni folk  Which committee has been constituted to singer has passed away. He was native examine setting up of ARC for faster ofwhich state? resolution of stressed assets of Public Sector Pappu Karki, the popular Kumauni folk singer, Banks (PSBs)? has passed away in car accident near The Union finance ministry has set up a Haidakhan committee to examine the possibility of setting in Nainital district on June 9, 2018. Karki was up an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) famous for singing Kumauni folk. or an Asset Management Company (AMC) to fast track resolution of stressed assets.Punjab  Shantaram Laxman Naik, who passed away National Bank‘s non-executive chairman Sunil recently, was the former Congress chief of Mehta will head the panel. The Committe will which state? consider whether such an arrangement will be Shantaram Laxman Naik (72), the veteran Goa good for the Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, banking system. If it is considered advisable, has passed away in Margao, Goa on June 9, the Committee will also consider the modalities 2018. Naik was elected to the Lok Sabha from by which such an ARC / AMC should be set the South Goa constituency in the 1984 general up. It will submit its report in two weeks. election. He was instrumental in the passage of the Goa Statehood Bill that consequently  Kandaala Subrahmanya Tilak, the noted granted statehood to Goa on May 30, 1987. He freedom fighter has passed away. He was represented Goa in the Rajya Sabha for two elected to the 1st Lok Sabha from which consecutive terms — 2005-2011 and 2011- constituency in 1952? 2017. However, in July 2017, he lost the Kandaala Subrahmanya Tilak (98), the noted election to the Upper House of Parliament to freedom fighter and member of the first Lok BJP candidate Vinay Tendulkar. In March Sabha,has passed away in Visakhapatnam, 2018, Naik resigned as president of the Goa Andhra Pradesh on June 8, 2018. Tilak, who Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) to pave took part in India‘s freedom struggle including the way for the younger generation to take the the Salt Satyagraha, was elected to the first Lok reins of the party. Sabha in 1952 from Vizianagaram constituency from Socialist Party of India.  As per which inter-connectivity project, the Government of India (GoI) has launched  Laliteshwar Prasad Shahi, who passed away 5,000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages? recently, was associated with which political The Government of India (GoI) has launched party of India? 5,000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages and of rail tickets through Common Service Centres (CSCs). It was inaugurated by 14

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Electronics and IT Minister Shankar disciplinary event will bring together 200 Prasad in New Delhi on June 11, 2018. The delegates from move is aimed at transforming rural Internet India and the US to address emerging ocean connectivity through BharatNet. and earth science issues. It will help both The WiFi Choupals will enable people in rural countries to improve ocean and atmosphere areas with an effective Internet access for their observations that contribute to economic well- various digital processes. The BharatNet is the being of both nations through better weather, Central Government‘s climate, and ocean prediction, as well as rural broadband connectivity project to connect fisheries management. 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) by Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).  Which technical committee has been constituted by the Union government to look  Which country to host the first military into jobs data calculation? exercise of the BIMSTEC group focusing On June 11, the Union government has on counter-terrorism? constituted a technical committee under the India will host the first military exercise of the chairmanship of former chief statistician TCA BIMSTEC ( Initiative for Anant to bring in more transparency in jobs MultiSectoral Technical and Economic data calculation and presentation. Cooperation) group focusing on counter- terrorism in on. As part of this, a  Which state government will launch conclave of the Army chiefs of all 7 member- awareness programme “Sanskar” against states is being planned. The purpose of the superstition? exercise is to promote strategic alignment The government will soon launch an among the memberstates and to share best awareness programme — ‗Sanskar‘– in all practices in the area of counter-terrorism. development blocks and panchayats. The move BIMSTEC was set up in 1997 and includes is taken in the wake of incidents triggered by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan Myanmar, Nepal, superstition and ignorance including the Sri Lanka and Thailand. lynching of two young artistes in Karbi Anglong district of the state. The Assam  Which state is hosting the 2nd India-US Science Technology and Environment Council colloquium on Earth Observations and (ASTEC) would be the nodal agency and the Sciences for Society and Economy? programme would involve all deputy The 2nd edition of India-US colloquium on commissioners, superintendents of police and Earth Observations and Sciences for Society all government departments concerned in a and Economy was inaugurated at the CSIR- district. Local bodies, womens‘ organisations, National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR- voluntary organizations, media persons, NIO), Dona Paula, Goa on June 11, 2018. leading citizens, academicians, MPs and MLAs The 3-day colloquium is being organised by from ruling and opposition parties would be the Ministry of Earth Sciences, CSIR-NIO and stakeholders of the programme. Social activist the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Birubala Rabha will also be involved in the Administration (NOAA). This multi- programme. 15

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  The Central Government has launched a living. The day shines a spotlight on the which Yoga Day Contest to generate global need to improve the safety and health of awareness regarding benefits of Yoga at young workers and end child labour. workplace for women?  The Dassam Falls is located across which The Ministry of Women and Child tributary of the Subarnarekha River in Development (WCD) has launched Jharkhand? ‗#YogaFor9to5‘, a contest focused on The Dassam Falls is a waterfall located near generating awareness regarding benefits of Taimara village in Bundu police station of Yoga at Workplace for Women. The contest Ranchi district of Jharkhand. It is a natural invites self-demonstration Videos & Pictures of cascade across the Kanchi River, a tributary of Yoga Asanas being practiced during office the Subarnarekha River. The water falls from a hours. For this contest, the Ministry proposes height of 44 metres. to invite entries on easy Yoga Asanas which can calm Women during her work hours. The  India hosted the 10th meeting of Global deadline for the contest is June 21, 2018. Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis Interested participants can submit their (GAELF-2018). The Lymphatic Filariasis applications in the form of a self-demonstration (LF) is spread by which mosquito? video or multiple pictures and mail it to India hosted the 10th meeting of Global [email protected] Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis International Yoga Day (IYD) is celebrated (GAELF) in New Delhi with theme globally in order to generate awareness about ‗Celebrating Progress towards Elimination: the benefits and life changing effects that Yoga Voices from the Field on Overcoming has in our day to day lives. The Contest aims Programme Challenges‘ on June 13, 2018. On to imbibe Yoga in our daily lives especially this occasion, the Union Health Minister J P during work. The participants would be judged Nadda released the Accelerated Plan for on the basis of creativity, originality, Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) composition, technical excellence, simplicity, 2018 for India. GAELF is an alliance of artistic merit and visual impact. partners from 72 LF endemic national country programmes that assists WHO‘s Global  What is the theme of the 2018 World Day Programme to Eliminate LF. LF disease is against Child Labour? caused mainly by Wuchereria Bancrofti and The World Day against Child Labour is spread by Culex mosquito. This mosquito observed every year on June 12 to highlight the grows in dirty accumulated water. The disease plight of child labourers and what can be done affects the poorest population in society, to help them. The 2018 theme ‗Generation Safe particularly those living in areas with poor & Healthy‘ points a finger at the hazardous and water, sanitation and hygiene. exploitative working conditions in which millions of children are working tooth, nail and bone for

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Ramachandra Bainda, who passed away mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a recently, was the former BJP MP from scientific approach for sub-categorisation within which Lok Sabha constituency of Haryana? such OBCs. It will also take up the exercise of Ramachandra Bainda (72), the former BJP MP identifying the respective castes or communities from Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency, has or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of passed away in New Delhi on June 12, 2018. Other Backward Classes and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.  The Ethipothala Falls is located in which state?  The Union Cabinet has approved the It is located on the Chandravanka River, a nomination of which Union ministry as the tributary of River Krishna, in District of ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Andhra Pradesh. There is a crocodile breeding Council (NEC)? center in the pond formed by the water fall and Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister is managed by the Forest Department of Narendra Modi has approved the nomination of Andhra Pradesh where one can see the the Union Home Minister as the ex-officio crocodiles from close distance.There are two chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC). temples at the foot of the waterfall, dedicated The NEC is a statutory body with Governors to Ranganadha Swami and Dattatreya Swami. and Chief Ministers of all the eight North Adjacent to the waterfall, there is a group of Eastern States as its Member. caves which are believed to extend till The Cabinet also approved that Minister of . State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER would serve as Vice Chairman of the  The Union Cabinet has recently approved Council. As per new arrangement, NEC will the final extension of tenure of the provide a forum for discussing inter-state Commission constituted to examine the issue matters more comprehensively and also of Sub-categorization within OBCs in the consider common approaches to be taken in Central List. The Commission is headed by future. NEC can now also perform the tasks whom? undertaken by the various Zonal Councils to The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime discuss such inter-State issues as drug Minister Narendra Modi has recently approved trafficking, smuggling of arms and the final extension of tenure of the Commission ammunition, boundary disputes etc. This re- constituted to examine the issue of positioning of NEC will help it to become a Subcategorization within Other Backward more effective body for the North Eastern Classes (OBCs) in the Central List. Earlier, it Region. was mandated to present the report to the President upto 20th June 2018. Now, it is  Who has assumed charge as new Secretary extended till 31st July, 2018. As per Article 340 in Ministry of Coal? of the Constitution, President Ram Nath Kovind Dr Inder Jit Singh, a 1985 batch IAS officer appointed a Commission on 2nd October 2017. of Kerala Cadre, has been appointed the coal Justice (Retd.) G. Rohini is the head of the secretary in New Delhi. He succeeded Susheel commission. The commission will work out the Kumar. Prior to his appointment as Coal 17

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Secretary, he, was posted as Secretary revenue for constituents, and hence it will (Coordination) in Cabinet Secretariat. Dr increase overall standard of living and quality Singh is a Ph.D in Economics from Punjab of life. University.  What is the India‟s rank in the Global  Which state government has initiated a Environment Performance Index 2018, as „water literacy‟ campaign to create per latest released State of India‟s awareness about the importance of water Environment (SoE) 2018 in Figures by conservation in the State? Down To Earth magazine? The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority India has been ranked 177th among 180 has initiated a ‗water literacy‘ campaign with nations at the 2018 Global Environment the involvement of 70,000 students aiming to Performance Index (EPI) rankings. As per State create awareness about the importance of of India‘s Environment (SoE) 2018 in Figures, water conservation in the State. As per the India scored 5.75 out of 100 in air quality. The campaign, every student will take classes SoE in Figures is an annual compendium of about water conservation for 15 families in environmental statistics put together by Down their locality. Approx 10 lakh people will be To Earth magazine, which Centre for Science benefited from the campaign, which is and Environment (CSE) helps publish. The SoE scheduled to be held from June 20 to in Figures 2018 covers diverse subjects ranging September 20. The purpose of the campaign is from air pollution to environmental crimes & to improvising the knowledge of students as sanitation to energy security. well as people regarding importance of water, The 2018 EPI provides a quantitative basis for prevention of water pollution, water comparing, analyzing, and understanding conservation and laws related to water environmental performance for 180 countries. management. Low scores on the EPI are indicative of the need for national sustainability efforts on a number of  The government has fronts, especially cleaning up air quality, inked an agreement with which statebased protecting biodiversity, and reducing GHG Smart Village Movement (SVM) for its emissions. The top five countries in terms of smart village initiative? The Arunachal green rankings are Switzerland, , Pradesh government has inked an agreement Denmark, Malta and Sweden. with Andhra Pradesh-based Smart Village Movement (SVM) to facilitate technology  Which city to host the 106th Indian Science innovations, research and development in Congress (ISC-2019)? selected villages of the north-eastern state. The The 106th Indian Science Congress (ISC- man behind the Smart Village Movement, 2019) will be held at Lovely Professional Solomon Darwin, will be the adviser to the University project‘s core team. The SVM‘s open (LPU) in Jalandhar, Punjab from 3rd to 7th innovation approach will integrate technology January 2019. The theme of the 5-day science and indigenous rural practices to generate congress is ‗Future India: Science & sustainable Technology‘. Approx. 15,000 delegates, 18

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 including 300 top scientists and Nobel Laureates (MoU) to this effect with Quebec Premier from across world are expected to attend the Philippe Couillard onJune 13, 2018. congress. The science congress will have 18  Shujaat Bukhari, the veteran journalist has plenary sessions, including those of medical, passed away. He was editor of Srinagar- chemical,environmental and other science based which newspaper? Shujaat Bukhari (50), domains.There will also be four parallel mega the veteran journalist and editor of Srinagar events, including the children‘s science based Rising Kashmir newspaper, was shot dead conference;women‘s science conference; by unidentified gunmen outside his office in the science communicators‘ meet; and, science Press Enclave areaof Srinagar in Jammu & exhibition. The exhibition will see participation Kashmir (J&K) on June 14, 2018. from the national and international science companies, especially from the US, Australia,  What is the India‟s growth forecast for FY19, and Switzerland. as per latest Fitch Ratings report “Global Economic Outlook”?  Which country to host the 23rd European As per latest report ―Global Economic Union Film Festival (EUFF-2018)? Outlook‖, Fitch Ratings has raised India‘s India will host the 23rd Film growth forecast for 2018-19 to 7.4% from 7.3%, Festival (EUFF-2018) at the Siri Fort but cited higher financing costs and rising oil Auditorium in New Delhi from 18 – 24 June. prices as risks to growth. It also said that the The festival will improve cultural ties between rupee has been among the worst performers vis- India and European countries. Approx. 24 latest a-vis Asian currencies this year. For FY20, it European movies from 23 European countries estimated the country to grow at 7.5%. will be screened. The festival is organized by However, higher financing costs (stemming Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) under from monetary tightening and higher market Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, premiums) and rising oil prices should limit the partnering with the delegation of the European upside to growth. Union and embassies of EU Member States.  The conference on implementation of  Which state government has signed pact with National Pension System (NPS) by the Quebec province of foreconomic Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) was held cooperation & welfare of tribal communities? in which city? The Maharashtra government has signed pact The conference on implementation of National with Quebec province of Canada to increase Pension System (NPS) by the Central economic cooperation and welfare of the tribal Autonomous Bodies (CABs) was held in New community. The key areas of focus are Delhi. It was organized by Pension Fund information technology, biotechnology, Regulatory and Development Authority artificial intelligence and welfare of the tribal (PFRDA).The prime objective of the conference community.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was to provide a forum to all the CABs, where who is on a week-long tour to the US and the progress in the implementation of NPS with Canada, signed Memorandum of Understanding respect to compliance of timelines in various

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 NPS related activities could be brought to the before the State was liberated by the Indian fore and a way forward could be provided. armed forces in 1961.

 Adiraju Venkateswara Rao, who passed  Which city is hosting the COMCASA away recently, was associated with which meeting? field? To negotiate the text of Communications Adiraju Venkateswara Rao (80), the veteran Compatibility and Security Agreement journalist and author, has passed away in (COMCASA),the meeting between the team Hyderabad, Telangana on June 15, 2018. He of specialists from and with worked for several Telugu and English dailies their counterparts on the Indian side has and news agencies including Andhra Jyothi, started in Delhi from June 18-20, 2018. The Udayam, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, meeting is a part of preparations for the 2+2 Himachal Times and Hindustan at dialogue between the foreign and defense Hyderabad and Delhi. ministers of India and the US in Washington in July 2018.  The Jawai dam is situated in which district of So far, India has signed only one of the Rajasthan? foundational agreements, called the Logistics The Jawai dam is built across the Jawai River, a Exchange Memorandum of Agreement tributary of , and is situated near (LEMOA). The Basic Exchange and Sumerpur town in Pali District of Rajasthan. Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial The dam was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh of Cooperation (BECA) and COMCASA are the . This is the biggest dam in the western two remaining pacts that were not signed due Rajasthan. to severe criticism from within the The dam has capacity of 7887.5 million cubic government. The COMCASA is a feet and covers an area of 102,315 acres of ―foundational‖ military communications cultivable command area. Its height is about agreement. It essentially provides a legal 61.25 feet. Seidam and Kalibor dam are the framework for the transfer of communication feeder dams of the Jawai dam. security equipment from the US to India that would facilitate interoperability between  The 2018 Goa Revolution Day (GRD) has Indian and US forces — and potentially with celebrated on which date? other militaries that use US-origin systems for The Goa Revolution Day (GRD) has celebrated secure data links. on 18th June 2018 to pay tributes to the martyrs of the state‘s liberation struggle. On this day in  The Hasdeo Thermal Power Station (HTPS) 1946, freedom fighter Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is located in which state? gave a clarion call to the people of the state to The 840MW Hasdeo Thermal Power Station unite and fight against the Portuguese colonial (HTPS) is a coal-fired power station at Korba regime. The revolutionary call provided a spark in .The power station is owned to Goa‘s freedom struggle and the state was and operated by Chhattisgarh State Power finally liberated on 19th December 1961. Goa Generation Company,a publicly owned was ruled by the Portuguese for 451 years, generation utility formed in 2009 following the 20

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 restructuring of the Chhattisgarh State with the objective of increasing insurance Electricity Board. penetration through an area-wise registration approach. Among other things, the panel has  The 23rd European Union Film Festival also been asked to provide recommendations (EUFF-2018) has started in which city? Col for issuing guidelines on the areas on which Rajyavardhan Rathore, the Union Minister of the regulations are silent. The committee will Information and Broadcasting (I&B),has submit its recommendations by end-July. inaugurated the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi on  Which Indian Armed Force is observing the June 18, 2018. The purpose of the festival is to year 2018 as „Year of Disabled Soldiers in improve cultural ties between India and Line of Duty‟? European countries. As per official release, 24 To honor soldiers who have been disabled in latest European movies from 23 European line of duty, the Indian Army is observing the countries will be screened during the festival. year 2018 as the ―Year of Disabled Soldiers in The film festival will traverse through eleven Line of Duty‖. The primary focus is towards cities in the country including, New alleviating the sufferings of these soldiers, who Delhi,Chennai, Port Blair, Pune, have done their duty with utmost dedication to Puducherry,Kolkata,Jaipur,Visakhapatnam,Thri the Nation and have been disabled for the life. ssur, Hyderabad and Goa till 31st of August.The The endeavor this year is to provide a one-time festival is being organized by Directorate of financial assistance to disabled soldiers who Film Festivals under Ministry of I&B, have been boarded out from service on medical partnering with the delegation of the European grounds and are rendered non-employable due Union and embassies of EU Member States. to their medical or physical conditions. Indian Army plans to create awareness on  IRDAI has constituted which committee to organizational support available to soldiers and review regulations governing the Insurance their dependents with respect to medical, Marketing Firms (IMF)? rehabilitation, various beneficiary schemes of The Insurance Regulatory and Development Central and State Governments, vocational Authority (IRDAI) has set up a 10-member opportunities and assistance for their committee to review norms related to Insurance placement. Marketing Firms (IMF) with an aim to increase insurance penetration in the country.The  The Union Water Resources Ministry has committee, headed by Suresh Mathur (ED-IMF, teamed up with which technology giant for IRDAI), has been asked to revisit the flood forecasting? IRDAI(Registration of Insurance Marketing With the under way, the Union Water Firms)Regulations, 2015.The new distribution Resources Ministry has teamed up with Google channel of IMF was introduced in 2015 by to generate flood warnings.If there are signs of IRDAI, an imminent flood, a Google Maps user will be able to see what regions are likely to see water logging first and if their neighborhood is under threat. As per agreement, the CWC and 21

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Google will share technical expertise in the  The National Yoga Olympiad has organized fields of artificial intelligence, machine by NCERT in New Delhi. Who is the current learning, geospatial mapping and analysis of director of the organization? hydrological observation data to collaborate on On June 18, the 2018 National Yoga Olympiad (1) improving flood prediction systems, which has organized by National Council of will help provide locationtargeted,actionable Educational Research and Training (NCERT) flood warnings, (2) high priority research at in CIET in New Delhi to create awareness project utilizing Google Earth Engine to help about a scientific and holistic way of living. visualize and improve flood management and Approx. 500 students from 26 States and 4 (3) a cultural project to build online exhibitions RIEs are participating in the 3-day Olympiad on the Rivers of India. The purpose of the Olympiad is to create positive attitude among all human beings and  Which state police have launched a mobile- promote peaceful living in the society. based messenger application “Cop Connect” It was inaugurated by Mr. Eric Falt, Director to provide real time information to police and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi officers across the State? Cluster Office for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, The Telangana police have launched a mobile- Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. based messenger application ―COP The NCERT is an autonomous organization of CONNECT‘ to provide real time information the Government of India that was established to over 60,000 police officers across the State. on 1st September 1961 as a literary, scientific The app will also support the police department and charitable Society under the Societies‘ in improving quality of service delivered to Registration Act (Act XXI of 1860). Dr. public. The app has been developed based on Hrushikesh Senapaty is director of the NCERT police‘s internal communication strategy, since September 2015. which will enable the entire workforce to pro- actively engage and pass real time information  The world‟s first International Centre for in seconds.Unlike WhatsApp groups which are Humanitarian Forensics has launched in restricted to only 256 participants, in Cop which country? Connect, one can add any number of groups in The world‘s first International Centre for a single group. Humanitarian Forensics was launched at Apart from the text, the internal messaging Gandhinagar in Gujarat on June 20, 2018. It is app will enable to share images, audio, video a joint venture of the Regional delegation of files and documents. One can also share their the International Committee of the Red Cross current location in the app. It also has an in India, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives and iMeeting option, which will help in creating also Gujarat Forensic Science University. and scheduling department meeting and setting This is a center of excellence which will use reminders. The app can be used both offline forensics for humanitarian services. The launch and online and one can transfer unlimited data. of the Centre was followed by an International Symposium on Humanitarian Forensics. Over the next two days, international experts will participate in the symposium and discuss issues 22

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 in the area of humanitarian forensics. Speakers Agriculture experts and agri-economists at the from India, Ireland, Germany and Sri Lanka conference will deliberate upon creating an will speak at the symposium. enabling policy framework,agricultural trade policy, transfer of technology from labs to land  The RBI has tightened norms for LRS by and agricultural credit and insurance.The making quoting of Permanent Account conference on farm sector issues is the second Number (PAN) mandatory even for in the Swarajya to Surajya‘ series of national transactions below $25,000. What does consultations initiated by the IIPA on the „LRS‟ stands for? behest of vice president.Maharashtra Chief On June 19, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister has tightened norms for Liberalised for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh, Remittance Scheme (LRS) by making quoting agriculture scientist M.SSwaminathan, of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) economist Ashok Gulati, farm scientists, mandatory even for transactions below representatives of farmers unions, CII, FICCI $25,000. Under the LRS, all resident and other stakeholders will also attend the individuals, including minors, are allowed to event. freely remit up to 2,50,000 US dollar per financial year for any permissible current or  Nerella , who passed away capital account transaction or a combination recently, was the world-renowned of both. Earlier, a system for daily reporting of personality in which field? Nerella Venu individual transactions under the LRS by Madhav (85), the world-renowned Mimicry banks was been put in place. This system artist, has passed away in Hanmakonda in enables the banks to view the remittances Telangana on June 19, 2018. He is often already sent by an individual during the regarded as father of Indian Mimicry. financial year, thus improving monitoring and He was conferred Kala Prapurna title by the ensuring compliance with the LRS limits. Andhra University in 1978 and was awarded Padma Sri by the Central Government in 2001.  The conference “National Consultation on He was instrumental in introduction of a course Making Agriculture Sustainable and in mimicry in several institutions including the Profitable‟ will be held in which city? Telugu University. The conference ―National Consultation on Making Agriculture Sustainable and  The Central Government has constituted a Profitable‘ will be inaugurated by Vice Chief Ministers Subgroup to coordinate President Venkaiah Naidu in Pune, policy approaches for Agriculture and Maharashtra on June 21, 2018.The 2-day MGNREGS. Which state Chief Minister will conference is being organised by the Indian be convener of the subgroup? Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in The Central Government has constituted a the context of the ongoing debate and efforts Chief Ministers Subgroup to coordinate policy at various levels to double farmers‘ incomes approaches for Agriculture and the Mahatma by 2022. Naidu, as Vice-President is chairman Gandhi National Rural Employment of the IIPA institute. Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).In it, Chief 23

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Minister of Madhya Pradesh is the convener The villages having equal or more girl and Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, , population Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and will be given Rs 50,000 as bonus with their Sikkim along with Member, NITI Aayog, reward money. Similarly, the villages which Ramesh Chand are the members.The terms of adopt Swachhta Mission will be given reference of the sub-group include suggesting additional Rs 50,000 as reward. a wider choice of state specific interventions  Which city has set a Guinness World Record both for pre-sowing and post-harvest to (GWR) for largest number of people further improve the thrust on incomes,water performing yoga at one place at the same conservation and waste to wealth. The move time on 2018 International Yoga Day? comes in the backdrop of the vision of Prime In the 4th edition of International Yoga Day Minister Narendra Modi towards doubling (IYD-2018), the Guinness World Record farmers‘ income by 2022. It comes close on (GWR) for largest number of people the heels of unanimous decision taken at the performing yoga at one place at the same time 4th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI has been set up in Kota, Rajasthan. At the Aayog on June 17, 2018.The Sub-Group will State level yoga function in Kota, around one submit its report within 3 months from its date lakh 60 thousand people performed yoga at of constitution. one place at a same time on 21st June. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Yoga  Which state government has launched 7- Guru Baba RamDev led the people at RAC Star Gram Panchayat Rainbow scheme to Ground, where 30 lakh square feet area was rank panchayats on the basis of social prepared for performing yoga. The parameters? representatives of Guinness World Record The Haryana Government has launched 7-Star (GWR) handed over the certificate of world Gram Panchayat Rainbow scheme to give star record to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and rankings to its panchayats on the basis of 7 Swami RamDev. In 2017, 55 thousand people social parameters. The panchayats will be of had set a world record performing judged on sex ratio, education, hygiene, yoga at one place at the same time. environment preservation, governance and social participation. Under the scheme, approx  Which state capital has been selected as 1,120 villages of Haryana has achieved star 100th Smart City under the Smart Cities ranking since its launch in January 2018. Mission? The Ambala district topped the star ranking Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, has with 407 stars followed by Gurugram with 199 been selected as 100th Smart City of India by stars and Karnal with 75 stars. The selected the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs villages will be honoured at an award after evaluating the proposal the proposal ceremony to be held in Panchkula, Gurugram submitted by it. With the selection of Shillong, and Rohtak in July 2018. The villages would the total proposed investment in the finally be rewarded Rs one lakh for achieving each selected 100 cities under the Smart Cities parameter. Mission would be Rs.2, 05,018 crores.Till now, 99 smart cities have been selected in four 24

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 rounds of competition and with this with the active participation of people. The announcement; selection of 100 cities has app would enable the users to order free plant been completed under the Smart Cities saplings. The users can book a sapling of their Mission. Previously, 20 cities were selected in choice, a maximum of 25 per person, from a January 2016,13 cities in May 2016, 27 cities nearby government nursery. Once the booking in September 2016, 30 cities in June 2017 and is done, the contact number of the concerned nine cities in January this year. The Smart employee of the nursery or the forest guard Cities Mission was launched on June 25, 2015 will be displayed on the mobile phone of the with the objective of strengthening urban person. The ‗iHariyali‘ app, under ‗Mission infrastructure through application of smart Tandarust Punjab‘ can be downloaded from solutions and give a decent quality of life to the app store for free. citizens.  Which city hosted the 7th edition of India  The Yoga Institute in Mumbai has been Minerals and Metals forum 2018? selected as recipient of the 2018 Prime The 7th edition of India Minerals and Metals Minister‟s award for outstanding forum was inaugurated in New Delhi on June contribution for promotion and 21, 2018. The forum seeks to come up with development of yoga. The institute was solutions to leverage in the sector with the established in which year? changing global scenario. Vishwas Mandalik (from Nasik) and The The deliberations took cognizance on the need Yoga Institute (in Mumbai) have been to consolidate small players for strengthening selected as recipients of the Prime Minister‘s of overall health of the industry. The award for government officials emphasized on utilizing outstanding contribution for promotion and low grade minerals to reduce burden on high development of yoga for the year 2018.The end minerals. It was expressed that India has selection was done from among 186 been conservative in exploration of deep seated nominations received under different minerals due to environmental concerns but it categories. The winners would be felicitated needs quick progress and there is a lot of scope with a trophy, certificate and a cash award of for private sector for carrying out such Rs. 25 lakh each.The Yoga Institute, researches. established in 1918 by Shri Yogendraji, completed its 100 years serving the society.  Which state police is hosting the 19th All India Conference of Directors of Finger  Which state government has launched a Prints Bureau 2018? smartphone application „i-Hariyali‟ to The 19th all India Conference of Directors of increase green cover across the state? Finger Prints Bureau 2018 has been The Punjab Government has launched a inaugurated by Hansraj Gangaram Ahir , the smartphone application ‗i-Hariyali‘, which Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, in aims to inspire people to plant more saplings Hyderabad on June 21. It was hosted by to save the environment from pollution. It will Telangana Police. ensure clean, green, healthy and robust Punjab 25

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 The purpose of 2-day conference is to discuss scheme, a farmer signing up for it will have to and deliberate the challenging issues faced by spend only 5 % amount of the total fingerprint fraternity.It is a forum to evolve expenditure for installing the solar project better solutions for the problems faced by FP (including solar panels and inverters). experts in the course of their duty. The central and state governments will bear During the conference, participants will 60% of share of total cost of the project and deliberate on latest Automatic Fingerprint 35% share will be repaid by farmers in 7 years Identification Systems (AFIS), usage period. In it, farmer can also earn by selling experience of AFIS in Maharashtra and the generated power.Farmers under SKY Telangana, integration of Finger Prints with feeder will get 12 hours power in daylight CCTNS/ICJS.The National Crime without low voltage problem. The SKY Records Bureau (NCRB),in cooperation with Yojana is expected to cover, through solar CMC Ltd., Secunderabad, developed the first power generation, 12,400 farmers in 33 indigenous AFIS called FACTS. Now this districts through 137 feeders. technology has improved a lot and within seconds it is possible to match the finger  The 22nd edition of Sindhu Darshan Festival prints of more than a million (SDF) has started in which district of individuals.Incidentally, the world‘s first Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)? finger print bureau was established in 1897 at The 22nd edition of Sindhu Darshan Festival Calcutta during British period. (SDF) has started on the bank of in  Gautam Kanjilal, who passed away recently, district of region, Jammu and Kashmir was pioneer in which field? (J&K) on June 24, 2018.The 3-day annual fest Gautam Kanjilal (68), who was one of the is organized by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti pioneers in rock climbing in India and veteran and Ladakh Phandey Tsogspa (Leh).It will be mountaineer, has passed away in Kolkata, inaugurated by RSS General Secretary Bhaiya West Bengal on June 22, 2018. Ji Joshi.

 Which state government has launched  The Central Government has launched the Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) for Mohanpura Irrigation Project in which farmers? district of Madhya Pradesh? Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has On June 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rs. 870-crore pilot project of launched the Mohanpura Irrigation Project in Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) where Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. farmers can generate electricity using solar The Rs 3,866-crore project includes a dam and energy and sell the surplus to the electric grid. a canal system. This project will facilitate The SKY Yojana is for farmers who are irrigation of agricultural land in Rajgarh existing consumers of power companies. As district.It will also provide drinking water to per the new villages in the area. It will benefit 727 villages in the state and would irrigate 1.25 lakh hectares of land. 26

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Sujatha Devi, the well-known poetess and Bride”? environmental activist passed away. She is Dharampal, the Sarpanch of Godikan village native of which state? panchayat in Haryana, has passed a ‗No Toilet B Sujatha Devi (72), the well-known poetess, No environmental activist and travel writer, has Bride‘ resolution to ensure the safety and passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala well-being of its womenfolk. The move is on June 23, 2018. Sujatha Devi had served as aimed at English professor in various government ensuring the security of their daughters in colleges in the state, including the Maharaja‘s addition to hygiene. college in Kochi. She had won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award for the best  Which state government has launched a new travelogue for her work ‗Kaadinte Thaalam scheme „Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao‟to Thedi‘. check depletion of underground water? The Punjab government has launched a new  Which city is hosting the 4th National scheme ‗Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao‘ to check Review and Consultation on Swachh depletion of underground water. Under this IconicPlaces? scheme, farmers will get monetary benefit for The 4th National Review and Consultation on lessuse of tube well. The purpose of the Swachh Iconic Places has started in Hyderabad scheme was to ensure that farmers use the on June 25, 2018 to review the progress power withrestraint to pump out water from relating to maintenance and cleanliness of earth. They said every detail regarding the Iconic Places. The two-day consultation and usage of powerand the money transferred into review was inaugurated by Akshay Rout, the account of farmer would be given to him on Director General Special projects under the phone. Ministry of Drinking Water Supply. Here, the list of historic and heritage monuments and  The Getalsud Dam is located in which state? structures for the third phase of the Swachh The Getalsud Dam is an artificial reservoir Iconic Places initiative announced.It includes situated at Ormanjhi in Ranchi, Jharkhand. It the Hazardwari Palace (Murshidabad, West was constructed across the Subarnarekha River Bengal),VidurKuti (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh), and was opened in 1971. It is a popular picnic Nagvasuki Temple (Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh), spot for the residents of Ranchi and Ramgarh Sabarimala Temple (Kerala),Mana village District. he main purpose of the dam is to fulfill (Chamoli, ), Sri Raghavendra the drinking water requirements of the SwamyTemple (, Andhra Pradesh), residents of Ranchi.Apart from that, it is also etc. The purpose behind Swachh Iconic Places used for industrial purposes and generating project is to achieve inter-ministerial efforts an electricity. coordination higher level of sanitation at the identified places.

 Which village panchayat of Haryana has passed a resolution “No Toilet, No 27

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  The National Commission for Protection of The 26th edition of the world‘s largest Child Rights (NCPCR) is organizing the multilateral naval exercise ‗Rim of the Pacific training workshop on cybercrime targeting (RIMPAC2018)‘ has started on June 27 off children. Who is the present chairman of Hawaii in the Western Pacific Ocean.The 2- NCPCR? month long biennial exercise is likely to be The National Commission for Protection of attended by navies of 26 countries including Child Rights (NCPCR), in collaboration with India. Bureau of Police Research and Development Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri has already (BPR&D) and UNESCO, is organizing training reached the Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to workshop on cybercrime targeting children in participate in the RIMPAC exercise.The New Delhi on June 26, 2018. The purpose of a Indian Navy in statement said INS Sahyadri, two-day workshop is to provide professional commanded by Shantanu Jha, is a training to the investigators designated to tackle stateof-the-art indigenously built guided crime against children. Police investigators from missile stealth frigate which is a part of the all states are participating in the workshop. Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Considering the rising menace of cyber-crimes Command.India‘s participation in the exercise targeting children, NCPCR has opened-up provides a platform for increased POCSO e-box earlier to handle children specific interoperability cybercrime viz. cyber bullying, cyber stalking, and development of common understanding of morphing of images and child pornography. procedures for maritime security operations. Complaints can be filed by via the e-box button  Which union ministry has launched report at the Commission‘s website, ncpcr.gov.in or titled „Women in Prisons‟? emailing [email protected].; or The Ministry of Women and Child contacting: 9868235077. The NCPCR is a Development (WCD) has launched report statutory body and it works under the aegis of titled ‗Women in Prisons‘ which aims to build Ministry of Women and Child development an understanding of the various entitlements (WCD). Its present chairman is Stuti Narain of women in prisons, the various issues faced Kacker. by them and possible methods for resolution of the same. The report contains a  The Tipaimukh Dam is located in which comprehensive list of 134 recommendations state? for improving the lives of women under The Tipaimukh Dam is a proposed incarceration, addressing a wide range of embankment dam on the river Barak in issues pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth Manipur, which was first commissioned in in prison, mental health, legal aid, 1983. The purpose of the dam is flood control reintegration in society and their care giving and hydroelectric power generation. responsibilities among others. The report proposes that bail should be  Which Indian Naval Ship is participating in granted to those under-trial women who have the 26th edition of world‟s largest spent one-third of their maximum possible multilateral naval exercise “RIMPAC - sentence in detention, by making necessary 2018”? changes in Section 436A of the CrPC which 28

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 provides for release after half of the maximum Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics, statistical sentence has been served. system and economic planning.The 2018 theme is ―Quality Assurance in Official Statistics‖,  The Government of India has recently which is chosen to underscore the importance of banned which drug for domestic use compliance with essential parameters of quality to public sector from 1st July 2018? in statistical systems and products. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has restricted the manufacture of Oxytocin  The NCST has organized a National formulations for domestic use to public sector Seminar on “Conservation of Particularly only from 1st July 2018. It has also banned the Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar import of Oxytocin and its formulations.only Islands. As per Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd which article of the Constitution, the (KAPL), a public sector company, would be NCST set up to protect the interests of manufacturing this drug for domestic use from Scheduled Tribes (ST)? 1st July 2018. The Oxytocin formulations The National Commission for Scheduled meant for domestic consumption will be Tribes (NCST) is organizing a two-day supplied by the manufacturer, i.e. KAPL, to National Seminar on ―Conservation of the registered hospitals and clinics in public Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and and private sector directly.Oxytocin in any Nicobar Islands‖ in New Delhi from June 27, form or name will not be allowed to be sold 2018. The purpose of the seminar is to decide through retail Chemist. Oxytocin is a how to preserve the habitat and culture of these naturally-occurring hormone that causes tribal groups.This Seminar is being organized uterine contractions during labour and helps in collaboration with Anthropological Survey new mothers lactate. But, its misuse is of India (AnSI) and its theme is ‗The Way widespread in the dairy industry, where Forward‘.The Andaman and Nicobar Islands livestock are injected with oxytocin to make are home to the most primitive tribal groups: them release milk at a time convenient to Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, farmers. The hormone is also used to increase Nicobarese and Shompens. Some of these the size of vegetables and fruits such as tribal groups are on the verge of extinction. It pumpkins, watermelons, brinjals, gourds and is important to understand the cucumbers. challenges they face and to preserve them. With these objectives in view, the NCST, a  What is the theme of the 2018 National Constitutional body set up under Article Statistics Day (NSD) in India? 338(A) of the Constitution to protect the The ―Statistics Day‖ is celebrated every year on interests of ST, is organizing for the first time a June 29 at the National level in India to create 2-day Seminar. public awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation. The day also acknowledges the notable contribution of Late Professor Prasanta Chandra 29

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  The Gangrel Dam is built across which In a bid to boost environmental protection river in Chhattisgarh? around the world, India will increase its grant The Gangrel Dam is built across the River from $12 million to $15 million to the Global Mahanadi in Dhamtari district of Environment Facility (GEF)‘s new four-year Chhattisgarh. It is also known as the R.S. investment cycle, known as GEF-7. Sagar Dam and is the longest dam in It was announced by India‘s representative to Chhattisgarh. This dam supplies year round GEF Council Aparna Subramani, during a irrigation, allowing farmers to harvest two meeting of the GEF Council in Da Nang, crops per year. The dam also supplies 10 MW .The meeting was part of a 4-day-long of hydro-electric power capacity. conference scheduled to conclude on June 28. Apart from her home country, Subramani also  According to data on language released as represents Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, part of Census 2011, which is the most Nepal and Sri Lanka in the GEF Council. spoken language in India? India, which is both a donor and a recipient of According to data on language released by the GEF, is among the world‘s most vulnerable Union government as part of Census 2011, countries to climate change. is the most spoken language in India. As The GEF is an international partnership of 183 per data, the percentage of Indian population countries, which is a multilateral financial with Hindi as their mother tongue has risen to mechanism to provide grants for 43.63% from 41.03% in 2001. Bengali has taken environmental projects. the second spot, followed by Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Gujarati. is the 7th most spoken  Which state government has announced a language in India, while Sanskrit was the least new scheme „Kanya Van Samruddhi spoken of the country‘s 22 scheduled languages. Yojana‟? Out of unscheduled languages, the most spoken The Maharashtra government has announced a language was Bhili or Bhilodi, native to new scheme called ‗Kanya Van Samruddhi Rajasthan with 1.04 crore speakers and is Yojana‘, wherein farmers families where girl followed by Gondi with 29 lakh children are born, will be given saplings for speakers.According to Census authorities, plantation.The purpose of the scheme is to mother tongue is defined as the language spoken empower women and promoting tree in childhood by the person‘s mother to the plantation. The farmer family blessed with a person or, where the mother has died in the girl child person‘s infancy, the language mainly spoken in between April 1 and March 31 can make an the person‘s household during childhood. application with the Gram Panchayat after which  India has committed to increase its grant to they will get 10 saplings free of cost from the $15 million to the Global Environment forest department. Facility (GEF). Who is the representative of The saplings will be of different varieties, India in the GEF Council? including teakwood, mango, jackfruit, black plum and tamarind. The scheme will be applicable for 30

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 maximum two girls.The beneficiaries will also Modi also visited the Sant Kabir cave and be helped under the horticulture scheme. It is unveils a plaque to mark the laying of expected that at least two lakh farmers‘ foundation stone of the Kabir Academy, which families will benefit from the scheme every will highlight the great saint‘s teachings and year. philosophy.

 Which committee has been constituted by the  The Raja Lakhamagouda dam is located in Maharashtra Government to study issues which state? related to floating solar power plant at Ujani The Raja Lakhamagouda dam is situated at dam? village in Taluk of Belagavi The Maharashtra government has constituted a district in . It is built across committee to study issues related to the the River in the development of a 1,000-MW floating solar basin. The dam with the height of 62.48 m and power plant at Ujani dam in . 10 Vertical Crest Gates, impounds a large The committee will be headed by Satish reservoir with a gross surface area of 63.38 Sq. Chavan, the Director (Commercial) of Km, and storage capacity of 51.16 Tmc ft.The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution dam is named after Raja Lakhamagouda Company Ltd (MSEDCL). Beside this, the Sardesai, philanthropist and Zamindar of committee will also study the environmental Vantamuri. impact of the project and monitor the month- wise water level of the dam.  Which district has been ranked first in the Ujani dam is located near Ujjani village of NITI Aayog‟s Delta ranking of Aspirational Madha Taluk in Solapur district. The dam is on Districts Programme? the Bhīma River, a tributary of the Krishna The NITI Aayog released the First Delta River, and has a total capacity of 110 TMC. Ranking (incremental progress) of the Aspirational Districts Programme in New  The 2018 Kabir Mahotsav has started in Delhi on June 29, 2018. which state to mark the 500th death The ranking measured the incremental anniversary of mystic poet and saint Kabir progress made by districts between 31st of Das? March and 31st of May, 2018. The Dahod To mark the 500th death anniversary of mystic district of Gujarat with 19.8 points ranked first poet and saint Kabir Das, Prime Minister in the Delta ranking, while West Sikkim Narendra Modi has inaugurated the two-day district in Sikkim stood second with 18.9 ‗Kabir Mahotsav‘ at Maghar in Sant Kabir points. Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on June 28, The districts have been ranked in a transparent 2018.The festival, organized by the Union basis on parameters across Health and Culture Ministry, will feature folk music, dance Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water performances and musical theatre in which Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill artistes from all over the country will Development and Basic Infrastructure through participate. 49 key performance indicators.The purpose of this ranking is to spur a sense of competition 31

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 among the dynamic teams in the districts.The The 12th National Statistics Day (NSD-2018) knowledge partners of NITI Aayog – Tata is celebrated on June 29 at the National level in Trusts, and Bill and Melinda Gates India with theme ―Quality Assurance in Official Foundation (ID Insights) – are expected to Statistics‖ to create public awareness about the provide data on 13 survey indicators and have importance of statistics in socio-economic validated values for 29 data-points.The next planning and policy formulation, and to ranking will take into account these inputs and acknowledge the contribution of Late Professor will be released soon thereafter. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Ministry of Statistics & Programme  What is the India‟s rank in the 2018 Global Implementation and Indian Statistical Institute Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI)? (ISI) jointly celebrated 12th Statistics Day and India has been ranked 35th in the 2018 Global the closing ceremony of the 125th Birth Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI), Anniversary of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis on 29th according to a report by real estate advisory June 2018 at Kolkata. On the occasion, Vice firm Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL). President of India released a commemorative The ranking is expected to improve further in coin of Rs 125 and circulation coin of Rs 5 the GRETI 2020 survey, on the back of denomination as a mark of respect to Prof. several government initiatives such as Real Mahalanobis. Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), GST and Benami Transactions  As per Mercer‟s 24th annual Cost of Living Act.In it, India‘s real estate market is currently Survey 2018, which is the India‟s most placed in the ‗semi-transparent‘ zone. expensive city? According to the survey, UK is at the top According to Mercer‘s 24th annual Cost of position followed by Australia and the US. Living Survey 2018, Mumbai (55) is India‘s France, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, most expensive city, followed by New Delhi Germany, Ireland and Sweden are in top 10 in (103) and Chennai (144). Kolkata (182) and the list of 100 countries. Sri Lanka is at the Bengaluru (170) are the least expensive Indian 66th position and Pakistan at 75th among cities ranked. As per survey, the factors like south Asian countries. instability of housing markets, low inflation, Venezuela is the least transparent market with and fluctuating prices for goods and services 100th rank.The index measures transparency are impacting the cost of doing business in based on factors such as data availability, various cities around the world. This year, authenticity and accuracy; governance of Hong Kong is emerged as the most expensive public agencies as well as stakeholders of the city for expatriates both in Asia and globally realty sector; transaction processes and costs as a consequence of Luanda‘s drop in the associated with those; and the regulatory and ranking due in part to the downward trend in legal environment. the city‘s housing market. Hong Kong is followed by (2), Singapore (4),  The 12th National Statistics Day (NSD-2018) (5), Shanghai (7), and (9). is celebrated on which date in India?

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  The 2018 International Day in Support of initiative. The mission will generate Victims of Torture is observed on which employment in rural areas and contribute to date? the green economy. The United Nations‘ (UN) International Day  Which of the following state governments in Support of Victims of Torture is observed have launched Kanya Van Samruddhi every year on June 26 to speak out against the Yojana recently? crime of torture and to honor and support Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana is a new victims and survivors throughout the scheme of Maharashtra government in which world.The day is an opportunity to call on all farmers families where girl children are born, stakeholders including UN Member States, will be given saplings for plantation.The civil society and individuals everywhere to saplings will be of different varieties, unite in support of the hundreds of thousands including teakwood, mango, jackfruit, black of people around the world who have been plum and tamarind.The scheme will be victims of torture and those who are still applicable for maximum two girls. Income tortured today. from these trees will safeguard future of girl child.  The Raneh waterfall is located on which river in Madhya Pradesh?  Which of the following states in India has The Raneh Falls is a natural water fall located maximum number of UNESCO World in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Heritage Sites? Ken River. It is situated about 20 km away Currently, Maharashtra has total five from world famous heritage site Khajuraho. UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this The waterfall is also close to Panna Tiger number is highest among all states and UTs in Reserve and Ken crocodile sanctuary.It was India.The sites include Ajanta Caves, Ellora awarded the Best Holiday Award for Caves, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji 2017.Tourists from all over the country and Maharaj Terminus and the Victorian Gothic abroad come here everyyear to enjoy the and Art Deco buildings of South Mumbai.The natural beauty. last one was included on 30 June, 2018.

 What is the initial subsidy approved by the  At present (June, 2018), which of the government for MSMER clusters under its following state governments Disaster new Solar Charkha Mission? Management Authorities are working with On occasion of 2nd UN Micro, Small and Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Medium-sized Enterprises Day, 2018, Warning System (RIMES)? President of India Ram Nath Kovind launched Odisha In June 2018, Odisha government the Solar Charkha Mission covering artisans entered into a collaboration with the Regional in 50 identified clusters. The mission will Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning provide a subsidy of Rs. 550 crore in the System (RIMES), an intergovernmental body initial two years for 50 clusters and every under United Nations. RIMES has 48 cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. member nations among Asia Pacific and Objective is to link 5 crore women to this Africa Region and is aimed at automating risk 33

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 management, advisory generation and indicators divided into six areas –performance dissemination. This body had evolved in the measurement, market fundamentals, aftermath of 2004 Tsunami due governance of listed vehicles, regulatory & to efforts of African and Asian Countries. legal frameworks, transaction process and environmental sustainability.  Which of the following districts have topped INTERNATIONAL the first Delta ranking released in June 2018 by NITI Aayog that captures incremental  Which country to host the 2018 International improvements of Aspirational districts on Conference on TRIPS- CBD Linkage? health, education and other development The 2018 International Conference on parameters? TRIPS- CBD Linkage will be held in Geneva, Gujarat‘s Dahod district topped the first Delta Switzerland on 7-8 June 2018. The conference ranking released today by NITI Aayog that will bring together indigenous people/local captures incremental improvements of communities in developing and developed Aspirational districts on health,education and countries, internationally acclaimed other development parameters.Transformation academicians working on the subject,Geneva- of Aspirational District‘s programme was based negotiators and capital based launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi experts.Resource persons, stakeholders and for quickly and effectively transforming some experts from a large number of countries, of the most underdeveloped districts of the including Brazil,China,India,Indonesia, country. Peru,,New Zealand,, In the recent list, Dahod district of Gujarat Switzerland, and the US, would participate in improved 19.8 points to rank first.West the international conference.The Convention Sikkim district in Sikkim stood second with on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a 18.9 points. multilateral agreement on sustainable development and fair and equitable sharing of  What was the theme of Statistics Day – 2018? benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic The theme selected for the Statistics Day this resource.It has membership of 196 countries. year is ‗Quality Assurance in Official Statistics‘ for focused discussions and efforts  Who has been sworn in as the new Prime throughout the year, aimed at bringing about Minister of ? improvements in the selected area. , an academic and political novice, has been sworn in as the new Prime  What is India‟s rank is 2018 Global Real Minister of Italy on June 1, 2018. He Estate Transparency Index (GRETI)? succeeded the Democrat Paolo Gentiloni. India has moved up one place from 36 in 2016 According to many journalists and political to 35th spot in 2018 on JLL‘s Global Real commentators, Conte‘s cabinet is the first Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) aided by populist government in Western Europe. improvement in market fundamentals, policy reforms, and liberalization of FDI.The report covers 100 markets and is based on 186 34

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Which country is hosting the 2018 BRICS challenges. Sisi won 97% of valid votes in the Foreign Ministers‟ meeting? March presidential election. The BRICS Foreign Ministers‘ meeting has  Who has been appointed as the new started in the South African city of chairperson of British Academy of Film and Johannesburg on June 4, 2018. The meeting is Television Arts (BAFTA)? expected to lay the Veteran producer Pippa Harris has been foundation for 2018 annual of the appointed as the new chairperson of British grouping which will also be held in Academy of Film and Television Arts Johannesburg. The BRICS comprises Brazil, (BAFTA) for a period of 2 years.She will Russia, India, China and South Africa. succeed Jane Lush. Prior to this post, she was External Affairs Minister the deputy chair of BAFTA. Sushma Swaraj is leading the Indian  Maria Fernanda Espinosa has been elected delegation. Beside this, Mrs. Swaraj will also President of the 73rd United Nations General chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of IBSA Assembly (UNGA). She (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues. is foreign minister of which country? She will also attend a series of events Ecuadorean foreign minister Maria Fernanda marking the 125th anniversary of the historic Espinosa has been elected President of the 73rd incident where a young Mahatma Gandhi was United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a thrown out of a train compartment in mainly ceremonial title that nonetheless carries Pietermaritzburg railway station in 1893. The a high profile and important procedural incident proved to be a turning point in functions. Espinosa defeated Ambassador Mary Mahatma Gandhi‘s fight against racial Elizabeth Flores Flake of Honduras by 128 discrimination in South Africa. votes to 62, with two abstentions.

 Who has been sworn in as the new Prime Espinosa will become the fourth woman ever to Minister of ? hold the UNGA presidency and the first since Pedro Sanchez of the Spanish Socialist Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, from Bahrain, in Workers‘ Party (PSOE) has been officially 2006-2007. Espinosa will assume the position in sworn in as the new September at the start of the 73rd UN General on June 1 after the success of a motion of no Assembly. The previous women leaders of the confidence against former Prime Minister Assembly were India‘s Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Mariano Rajoy. in 1953 Liberia‘s Angie Elisabeth Brooks in 1969 and Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of  Who is the newly elected Prime Minister of Bahrain in 2006. ?  Which country hosted the 2018 IBSA Foreign President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been sworn- Ministers‟ Meeting? in for a second four-year term in office as the The IBSA Foreign Ministers‘ Meeting was held country faces major economic and security in Pretoria, South Africa on June 4, 2018. The

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 External Affairs Minister of the Republic of Islamic groups that the job must be held by a India, Sushma Swaraj chaired the IBSA (India, Muslim. Thus, he became the first person Brazil, South Africa) ministerial meet and hold from a minority community to hold the post talks on how to deepen coordination among the since Malaysia was formed in 1963. three countries on major global issues.On this occasion, Ministers adopted and jointly released  Who has been appointed as the new Prime the IBSA Declaration on South-South Minister of Jordan? Cooperation, to contribute to greater Omar Razzaz, a Harvard-educated former understanding of development cooperation as a senior World Bank official,has been appointed common endeavor of the Global South. as the new Prime Minister of Jordan by King Abdullah II. He succeeded Hani Mulki, who  Which country is hosting the 2018 Asia- recently resigned as a result of widespread Pacific Regional Conference on Early protests against his government‘s austerity Childhood Development (ECD)? program. Prior to this post, Razzaz served as The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on education minister in the outgoing Mulki Early Childhood Development (ECD) and government. Third AsiaPacific Regional Policy Forum on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)  The Fuego volcano has recently erupted in have started in Kathmandu, Nepal on June 5, which country? 2018. The 3 day event is hosted by the The Fuego volcano is an active stratovolcano Government of Nepal (Ministry of Education, in Guatemala that has recently erupted Science and Technology).Policy violently and buried several villages on its makers,government officials, development southern flank. The death toll has risen to 99 professional,researchers and representatives in the Fuego volcano eruption. The National from various organizations working in early Forensic Sciences Agency stated that, of the childhood development, care and education 99 people, only 28 have been identified, so from 40 countries including India are far. participating in the conference.  Which US celebrity chef (who passed away  Which ethnic Indian lawyer has been recently) has authored the book “Kitchen appointed as new Attorney General of Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Malaysia? Underbelly”? Tommy Thomas, an ethnic Indian Christian Anthony Bourdain (61), the United States lawyer, has been appointed as the new celebrity chef and television personality, has attorney general of Malaysia. Tommy is the passed away in Strasbourg, France on June 8, first practising lawyer to be appointed directly 2018. He was a best-selling food, fiction and from the Malaysian Bar to be the attorney nonfiction author. He shot to fame in 2000 with general, and the first non-Malay and non- a best-selling book ―Kitchen Confidential: Muslim Malaysian to hold this post.The Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly‖, which appointment has been approved by Malaysia‘s is known for its treatment of the professional king Sultan Muhammad V, amid protests from culinary industry. 36

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Which South African city hosted the from the during the flood Mandela-Gandhi Youth Conference 2018? season. Under a Memorandum of The Mandela-Gandhi Youth Conference was Understanding (MoU) signed on June 9, the held at Pietermaritzburg in South Africa on Chinese side would provide hydrological data June 8,2018. The conference was part of a 3- from May 15 to October 15 — the period when day commemoration of the historic incident the Brahmaputra is prone to floods. The 125 years ago when on June 7, 1893, MK Chinese side would also provide hydrological Gandhi, a young lawyer then, was thrown off a data if the water level exceeds a ―mutually train compartment reserved for whites only. agreed‖ level during the non-flood season. Diaspora youth from India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Both the sides also signed an agreement on Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia Egypt, Malawi, exporting non-Basmati rice to China. The two Seychelles and Mozambique joined more than countries also set a trade target of 100 billion 120 South African youngsters to debate and dollars by 2020. share views on whether the Gandhian philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa and  Which country will host the 45th G7 summit Sarvodaya was relevant today and whether it 2019? could be used to find solutions for the problems The 44th edition of G7 summit 2018 was around the world. A resolution also passed hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin unanimously at the conference which said the Trudeau in Quebec on June 8–9. This was the youth of this world, citizens of diverse 6th time since 1981 that Canada has hosted the nationalities, ideologies, backgrounds, color, meetings. It was the first summit for Italian creed, race and sex, embrace the ideals of the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The summit Mahatma and Mandela as apostles of peace and was dubbed the ―G6+1‖ by the French truth. government and political commentators This resulted from the United States  Which country hosted the 18th edition of withdrawing from the Deal along with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)  Agreement, rampant American summit 2018? protectionism, and fights with French President The 18th edition of Shanghai Cooperation and Canadian Prime Organization (SCO) summit was held in Minister . The 45th G7 summit Qingdao, China on June 9-10, 2018. The will be held in 2019 in Biarritz, France. The G7 summit concluded with the adoption of the Summit is an event conducted annually where Qingdao declaration. The declaration calls for world leaders from seven powerful economies implementing the three-year plan to combat of the world viz. US, Canada, UK, France, terrorism, separatism and extremism. It also Germany, Japan and Italy come together to calls for implementation of the treaty on long- discuss burning issues happening around the term good neighborliness, friendship and co- globe. They, by mutual understanding, also operation. All the heads of SCO countries held form a restricted meeting before the summit. Here, China has renewed its agreement with India on sharing data on the cross-border flow of waters 37

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 policies or figure out remedies for the  Which country to host the 2018 International concerned issue. Conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)?  The 22nd edition of the trilateral naval The International Conference on Information exercise “Malabar 2018” has started between and Communication Technology (ICT) will be India and which of the following countries? held in Kathmandu, Nepal from June 17. The The 22nd edition of the trilateral naval exercise theme of two day conference is ―Sustainable ―Malabar 2018‖ has started between India, Development Goals for Smart Society‖. The Japan and United States from June 6-15. The conference is organized by the Federation of exercise will feature both ashore and at-sea Computer Association Nepal (CAN). training off the coast of Guam in the Philippine According to organizers around 500 delegates, Sea. The training will focus on high-end war including ICT users, trainers, professionals, fighting skill sets, subject matter expert and experts, and researchers from Japan, China, professional exchanges, combined carrier strike Korea, India and Nepal will attend the event. group operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, surface and anti-  What is the theme of the 2018 World Blood submarine warfare, medical operations, Donor Day (WBDD)? damage control, helicopter operations and visit, The World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is board, search and seizure operations. India is observed every year on June 14 across the globe being represented by the stealth frigate INS to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for Sahyadri, stealth corvettes INS Kamorta, and their life-saving gifts of blood. The day also the Deepak-class fleet tanker INS Shakti, IANS strongly encourages more people to donate reported. Along with these, P-8I Neptune blood so that the donor population does not advanced maritime patrol/anti-submarine decline and patients requiring transfusion have warfare aircraft will also participate in the war- timely access to safe blood. The 2018 theme is game. ‗Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life‘.  Shahzahan Bachchu, the prominent writer and publisher has passed away. He was  Which Indian-American personality has been native of which country? Shahzahan Bachchu named the Chief Finance Officer(CFO) of the (60), a prominent Bangladeshi writer and US‟ largest automaker, General Motors? publisher, was shot dead by unidentified Dhivya Suryadevara, an Indian-American attackers in his ancestral village Kakaldi in woman, Munshiganj district of central Bangladesh on has been named the Chief Finance Officer June 12, 2018. He was an outspoken proponent (CFO) of the US‘ largest automaker, General of secular principles and owner of a publishing Motors (GM). With this, she will become the house ‗Bishaka Prokashoni‘ that specialized in first publishing poetry. He was a former district woman CFO in the auto industry. general secretary of the Communist Party of Currently, she is the vice president of corporate Bangladesh. finance andwill succeed Chuck Stevens on 1st September 2018. She will report to Chief 38

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Executive Officer(CEO) Mary Barra who has  Which country is hosting the 2018 Asia and been head of the automaker since 2014. Oceania Region Inter-Governmental Ministerial meeting on anti-doping?  Which country has successfully launched a On June 18, the annual Asia and Oceania Glonass- M positioning satellite by using a Region Inter-Governmental Ministerial meeting Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket? on anti-doping has started in Colombo, Sri Russia has successfully launched a Glonass- M Lanka with representatives from 29 countries positioning satellite by using a Soyuz-2.1b including India. The 15th such annual gathering carrier rocket from the Plesetsk space center on is also being attended by the World Anti- June 17, 2018. Doping Agency (WADA) to discuss important The Glonass network provides real-time anti-doping issues that will help in the fight for positioning data for surface, sea and airborne clean sport. It is chaired by Faiszer Musthapha, objects around the globe, at an accuracy Sri Lanka‘s Minister for Provincial Councils, reportedly at par with the U.S. Global Local Government and Sports. Positioning System.  The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) to  The Assumption Island is in news recently. It launch Social Enterprise Development is located in which country? Programme (SEDP) in all SAARC member The Assumption Island is a small island in the states. Where is the Secretariat of SDF Outer Islands of Seychelles north of located? Madagascar, with a distance of 1,135 km The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) will southwest of the capital, Victoria, on Mahé soon launch a Social Enterprise Development Island. It is in news recently because the deal for Programme (SEDP) to fund approx. 80 an Indian military base in the Island was enterprises across the 8-member states annually. declared as ‗dead‘ by Seychelles President As part of SDF social window, the SEDP will Danny Faure. be implemented in all the SAARC member He said that Seychelles would develop military states(Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, facilities at the island on its own. Mr. Faure Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) with made it clear that he would have no further an objective of identifying and building social discussions on the subject with Prime Minister enterprises by using a mix of grants and Narendra Modi when he visited India on June concessional returnable capital. The SDF is 25 and 26, 2018.The plans for an Indian military organizing a two-day SDF partnership conclave base in Seychelles stirred up public protests by in New Delhi from July 2 NITI Aayog CEO activists who believe that the islands must stay Amitabh Kant would deliver the key note away from the brewing India-China regional address. SDF, whose Secretariat at Thimphu in conflict.The decision by the Seychelles Bhutan, was established by the heads of the 8 President to drop the deal in the face of protests SAARC member states in April 2010 and its over a perceived loss of sovereignty is a governing council comprises finance ministers blow to the Indian government‘s ―SAGAR‖ of these eight countries. (Security and Growth for All in the Region) programme, announced by Modi in March 2015. 39

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Who has been elected as the new President of Bill C-45) passed its final hurdle on June 20 in a Colombia? 52- 29 vote in the Senate. The bill controls and Ivan Duque Marquez, the Conservative political regulates how the drug newcomer, has been elected as the new can be grown, distributed and sold. Canadians President of Colombia and will assume office will be able to buy and consume the drug legally on August 7, 2018. as early as September 2018. He won the 2018 presidential election by 54% The new law allows adults to possess up to 30 of the vote on June 17, 2018. His running mate, grams of dried cannabis in public, but the Marta Lucia Ramirez, will become first female minimum legal age to buy and consume the Vice-President of the country. drug has been set federally at 18. It makes Canada the first G7 country to legalise  Which country to host the high-level the drug‘s recreational use and the second to Conference on “International Decade for have a nationwide, legal marijuana market, after Action: Water for Sustainable Development, Uruguay. The (G7) is a group 2018-2028”? consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The high-level Conference on ―International Japan, the , and the United Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable States. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug from Development, 2018-2028‖ will be held in the Cannabis plant intended for medical or from June 20, 2018. recreational use. The two-day conference is being organized by the United Nations and Government of  Which country has recently withdrawn from Tajikistan to discuss key waterrelated issues of the United Nations Human Rights Council sustainable development goals adopted by UN (UNHR)? member countries.India will be represented by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Water On June 19, the United States has withdrawn Resources, River Development & Ganga from the United Nations Human Rights Council Rejuvenation.In it, Mr. Gadkari will share the (UNHRC) and condemned alleged hypocrisy of initiatives, solutions and best practices that its members and bias against Israel. Government of India(GoI) is taking in the field The announcement came after the top UN of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Water human rights official criticized Washington for Resource Assessment, Resource Distribution, separating migrant children from their parents Management, Conservation and Harvesting. He who are seeking asylum after crossing into the will outline key policy initiatives and flagship country from Mexico. It must be noted that programs of the Government of India including Washington‘s withdrawal is the latest US rejuvenation of river Ganga. rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris climate agreement and  Which G7 country has recently legalised the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. recreational use of marijuana nationwide? It‘s not first time that the US has opted to stay The Parliament of Canada has passed a out of the UNHRC. When the Council was landmark law that legalizes the recreational use established in 2006, the administration of of marijuana nationwide. The Cannabis Act (or George W. Bush withheld its membership over 40

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 similar concerns. The U.S. joined the body only with visible light. A base station provides light in 2009 under President Barack Obama. The for power and programming, and it receives the UNHRC is composed of 47 members — and data. Designed as a precision temperature this is the first time a sitting member country sensor, the computer can report temperatures in has voluntarily decided to leave. Though, minuscule regions – such as a cluster of cells – was suspended in 2011 after a government with an error of about 0.1 degrees Celsius. crackdown on unarmed protesters. The system is very flexible and could be re- imagined for a variety of purposes. The device  What is the theme of the 2018 International can help in oncology research. The study was Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in presented at the 2018 Symposia on VLSI Conflict? Technology and Circuits on June 21. The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed every  Kim Jong-pil, who passed away recently, was year on June 19 to raise awareness of the need the former Prime Minister of which country? to put an end to conflict-related sexual Kim Jong-pil (92), the founder of South Korea‘s violence,to honor the victims and survivors of spy agency, has passed away in Seoul, South sexual violence around the world and to pay Korea on June 23.The spy agency is widely- tribute to all those who have courageously known as the ―perennial No. 2 man‖ in modern devoted their lives to and lost their lives in Korean politics. He also served as prime standing up for the eradication of these crimes. minister twice from 1971-1975 & from 1998- The date was chosen to commemorate the 2000. adoption on June 19, 2008 of UN Security Council resolution 1820 (2008),in which the 15-  Which country hosted the 2018 anti-doping nation council condemned sexual violence as a sports conference „Clean tactic of war and an impediment to peace- Sport=FairOutcome‟? building.The 2018 Theme is ―The Plight and On 25th June 2018, the anti-doping sports Rights of Children Born of War‖. conference titled Clean Sport=Fair Outcome?‘ was  Which country‟s researchers have developed held at in Norway to address the issue of the world‟s smallest computer “Michigan doping menace. Micro Mote”? The conference is a joint initiative of the World Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) Forum for Ethics in Business (WFEB), Anti- in the US have developed the world‘s smallest Doping Norway and Fair Sport to propose computer ―Michigan Micro Mote‖. a substantial agenda for action, enabling it to It measures just 0.3 mm and could help find new have an impact on the ongoing anti-doping ways to monitor and treat cancer. In addition to reforms and policy framework. the RAM and photovoltaics,the new micro The conference will not only address various computing device has processors and wireless governance issues in sports but also celebrate transmitters and receivers. role models by announcing the winner of the Since they are too small to have conventional 2018 Ethics in Sports Award. The Anti-Doping radio antennae, they receive and transmit data in 41

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Sports conference is a continuation of WFEB‘s  Who is the newly appointed Secretary in conference series on Ethics in Sports‘. the Ministry of Information & Earlier editions were held at the FIFA Broadcasting (I&B)? headquarters (2014, 2016) and at the stadium of Amit Khare, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Germany‘s soccer club, Union Berlin (2015). Jharkhand cadre, has taken assumed charge as new Secretary in the Ministry of  Donald Hall, the noted poet passed away. He Information and Broadcasting. belonged to which country? He succeeded Narendra Kumar Sinha. Prior Donald Hall, the award-winning American poet to the appointment as Secretary, Khare was and writer, has passed away in New Hampshire Additional Chief Secretary in Jharkhand United States on June 23, 2018. government. During a career span of more than 33 years, Khare has held various field  Who has been sworn-in as the first-ever postings and has worked from grassroots to visually impaired judge of Pakistan? the higher levels of governance in both State Yousaf Saleem, who belongs to Lahore, has and Central Governments. been sworn-in as the first-ever visually He has also worked as Member Secretary in impaired judge of Pakistan. He was among 21 the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union judges who took the oath to be sworn in as a Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Joint civil judges on June 26, 2018. Secretary in the Department of Higher Yousaf is the son of a charted accountant and is Education, Union Ministry of Human visually impaired by birth. He has four sisters Resource Development (HRD). and two of them are also visually impaired. His  Who has been appointed a new Deputy sister Saima Saleem became first visually Governor of the Reserve Bank ofIndia? impaired civil servant in 2007 and is currently Mahesh Kumar Jain, who is currently MD & serving with Prime Minister Secretariat while CEO of IDBI Bank, has been appointed as the the other sister is a university lecturer. fourth deputy governor Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years. The post was lying vacant since the APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS retirement of S.S. Mundra in August 2017.  Who has been appointed as the new With more than 30 years of experience in Director General of the Geological Survey banking, Jain has been at the helm of IDBI of India (GSI)? Bank since March 2017. As per the RBI Act, Dr. Dinesh Gupta, an officer of the 1983 the central bank should have four deputy UPSC batch, has been appointed as the new governors – two from within the ranks and Director General (DG) of the Geological one commercial banker and another an Survey of India (GSI). He took over from N economist to head the monetary policy Kutumba Rao to become the 47th DG of the department. The other deputy governors at GSI. Gupta is an expert in mineral RBI are Viral Acharya, B.P. Kanungo and exploration and responsibility has been N.S. Vishwanathan. given to him to steer GSI in this field. 42

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Who will head the group to study the Central Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics to Special Economic Zones Policy of India? the extent under CBEC‘spurview. The Union Government has constituted a  Who has been appointed as the acting group of eminent persons to study the Special Chairman of the Union Public Economic Zones (SEZ) Policy of India. The ServiceCommission (UPSC)? group will be headed by Industrialist Baba Arvind Saxena, a 1978-batch Indian Postal Kalyani. The group will evaluate the SEZ Service officer, has been appointed as the policy, suggest measures to cater to the needs acting Chairman of the Union Public Service of exporters in the present economic scenario Commission (UPSC). He will succeed Vinay and make the SEZ policy WTO compatible. Mittal, who The Group has to submit its recommendation completes his term on June 19. in 3 months. The SEZ Policy was Saxena will perform the duties of the post of implemented from 1st April, 2000. UPSC Chairmanwith effect from June 20 till Subsequently, the Special Economic Zones further orders or till completion of his tenure Act, 2005 was passed by Parliament in May, on August 7, 2020. 2005 which received Presidential assent on the Saxena joined the UPSC in May 2015 after he 23rd June, 2005 and the Special Economic completed his stint in the Aviation Research Zone Act was enacted. The SEZ Act, 2005, Centre supported by SEZ Rules, came into effect on (ARC). Earlier, he has also worked in the 10th February, 2006. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) after he joined itin 1988 and specialized in the study of  Who has been appointed as the new strategic developments in neighboring chairman of Central Board of Indirect countries. taxesand Customs (CBIC)? S Ramesh has been appointed as the new  Who has become the first woman Indian Air chairman of Central Board of Indirect taxes Force (IAF) fighter pilot from ? and Flying Officer Meghana Shanbough MR, an Customs (CBIC). He will succeed Vanaja N. engineering graduate, has become the sixth Sarna on July 1. The CBIC is the apex body female fighter pilot to join the ranks of Indian foradministering the levy and collection of Air Force (IAF). She is the first from indirect taxes of the Union of India viz. Karnataka and South India. She graduates Central Exciseduty, Customs duty and from the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Service Tax, and for facilitating cross border Dundigal. The other fighter pilots: Avani movement of goods &services. It is a part of Chaturvedi from Madhya Pradesh, Bhawana the Department of Revenue under the Kanth from Bihar and Mohana Singh from Ministry of Finance. Rajasthan have already scripted history by It deals with the tasks of formulation of becoming the first-ever women to undergo policy concerning levy and collection of fighter pilot training in IAF at Hakimpet Air Customs &Central Excise duties and Service Force station in Hyderabad. Tax, prevention of smuggling and administration of mattersrelating to Customs, 43

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Who has been appointed as a whole-time  Who has been conferred with the member of the Securities and Exchange „Santokbaa Humanitarian‟ award 2018? Board of India (SEBI)? President Ram Nath Kovind has recently Anant Barua, who is at present executive presented the ‗Santokbaa Humanitarian director in the market regulator, has been Award‘ to two noted personalities viz. Child appointed as a Whole-time Member (WTM) of rights activist and Noble Laureate Kailash the Securities and Exchange Board of India Satyarthi and space scientist A S Kiran (SEBI). The post of WTM fell vacant after S Kumar, former chairman of Indian Space Raman retired. Barua has been appointed to Research Organization (ISRO) in Surat, the post for 3 years on the pay as admissible to Gujarat.The award, instituted by Shree additional secretary to the central government Ramakrishna Knowledge Foundation or a consolidated salary of Rs. 4 lakh per (SRKKF) and led by baron Govind month. Currently, the SEBI board consists of Dholakia, includes a trophy and a prize Ajay Tyagi (Chairman); G Mahalingam and money of Rs 1 crore each to the awardees. Madhabi Puri Buch (both Wholetime members); besides Subhash Chandra Garg,  Who will receive the Award Injeti Srinivas, NS Vishwanathan and Arun P for the best international cricketer (2016-17 Sathe as part-time members. Besides the and 2017-18 seasons) at the BCCI awards? Chairman, SEBI can have three Whole-time Indian captain will receive the Members. Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer (2016-17 and 2017-18  Justice Aruna Jegadeesan seasons) at the BCCI awards, to be held in Tamil Nadu State Government has appointed Bengaluru on June 15, 2018. Harmanpreet one-member commission under farmer Justice Kaur and are set to be Aruna Jegadeesan to probe the violence broke maiden recipients of the award for best out during anti-sterlite protest in Tuticorine. international cricketer (women) for the 2016- AWARDS 17 and 2017-18 seasons respectively.

 Kendrick Lamar has been honored with the  Which flagship programme of Ministry of 2018 Pulitzer Prize for music. He belongs to Shipping got „Gold Award‟ in infrastructure which country? sector in 52nd SKOCH Summit 2018? Kendrick Lamar, an American rapper and The Ministry of Shipping‘s flagship songwriter, has won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize programme for port-led-prosperity ‗Sagarmala‘ for Music for his acclaimed album ‗Damn‘ received the ‗Gold Award‘ in infrastructure at Columbia University in New York. With sector in the recently concluded 52nd SKOCH this, ‗Damn‘ has created history by becoming Summit 2018 in New Delhi. the first non-classical and non-jazz work to The award recognizes the programmes earn the accolade. contribution to India‘s socio-economic transformation and its‘ role in propelling fast- track growth and infrastructure development.The Sagarmala Programme also 44

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 received the ‗Order of Merit‘ at the Summit. (Economic and Business Innovation),a The SKOCH Awards recognize leadership and Chinese environmentalist — for using the excellence in accelerating socio-economic power of the internet to promote cleaner changes.These awards have become a industry, and Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem benchmark of best practices in India in the (Science and Technology), a Vietnamese fields of governance, infrastructure, finance, doctor — for bringing cutting-edge medicine banking, tech, corporate citizenship, economics for children. Launched in 1996, the award & inclusive growth. honours people in Asia who have made  Who will be honored with the „Hero to significant contributions in one of the three Animals Award 2018‟ from PETA India? areas: regional growth; science, technology Assamese Singer Zubeen Garg will be and innovation; and culture and community. honored with the ‗Hero to Animals Award‘ from People for the Ethical Treatment of  Who has been crowned Miss India Animals (PETA) India for his recent appeal to World 2018? end animal sacrifice at the Kamakhya Temple Anukeerthy Vas from Tamil Nadu has been in Assam. crowned as Femina Miss India World 2018 at a function held in Mumbai on June 19, 2018.  Who will be honored with the IIFA Lifetime Anukeerthy, who beat 30 contestants to bag the Achievement award at the 19th edition of honour, will now represent India at this year‘s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA- .While Haryana‘s Meenakshi 2018)? Chaudhary was announced the first runner-up, Film actor will be given the Shreya Rao Kamavarapu of Andhra Pradesh prestigious Lifetime Achievement honor at the was adjudged the second runner-up in the 19th edition of International Indian Film beauty competition.The ceremony was hosted Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony in by filmmaker and on June 24, 2018. He will be honored for his actor . The judges‘ panel contribution in the field of cinema. included 2017 Miss World , cricketers Irfan Pathan and Lokesh Rahul and  Which Indian personality has been actors Malaika Arora, Bobby Deol and Kunal honoured with Japan‟s prestigious Nikkei Kapoor. Asia Prize under „Culture and Community‟ category?  Under „India Smart Cities Award 2018, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the noted social which Smart City has been selected for „City reformer and founder of Sulabh International, Award‟ for showing great momentum in has been honoured with Japan‘s prestigious implementation of projects? Nikkei Asia Prize for his significant work in Under ‗India Smart Cities Award‘ 2018, Surat tackling poor hygiene and discrimination. The Smart City has been selected for ‗City Award‘ award was given under ‗Culture and for showing great momentum in Community‘ category at the 23rd Nikkei Asia implementation of projects especially in the Prize in Tokyo on June 13, 2018. The other categories of urban environment, transport and two winners of the award are Ma Jun 45

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 mobility and sustainable integrated wasposthumously awarded the Best development. Female Actor for ―Mom‖. Beside this, Bhopal and Ahmedabad were Arijit Singh was announced as the Best selected in the ‗Innovative Idea‘ category for Playback Singer (Male) for the song their transformative approach towards ―Hawayein‖ from sustainable integrated development. While 9 ―Jab Harry Met Sejal‖, while Meghna Mishra smart cities, including NDMC (New Delhi won the Best Playback Singer (Female) Municipal Council), bagged ‗Project‘ awards Award for for innovative and successful projects in 7 the track ―Main Kaun Hoon‖ from ―Secret categories.Under ‗Social Aspects‘ category, Superstar‖. NDMC and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) bagged the award for implementation of  Who has been crowned as the India‟s first ‗Smart Classrooms‘ project, while Tribal Queen? Visakhapatnam was selected for its smart Pallavi Durua, who belongs to Odisha‘s campus project and Pune for ‗lighthouse , has been crowned as the project‘. India‘s first ―Tribal Queen‖ at the Rani Kalinga Tribal Queen competition held at  Which state Chief Minister has been Utkal Mandap on June 26, 2018. Panchami conferred with „Chief Minister of the Year‟ Majhi of Titlagarh and Rashmirekha Hansdah award at the 52nd SKOCH Summit 2018? of Mayurbhanj were declared as the first and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has second runners-up of the been conferred with the ‗Chief Minister of the respectively. Year‘ award for her remarkable work in e- governance.  Which Bollywood personality has been The award was given at the 52nd SKOCH conferred with the French distinction of Summit 2018 held in New Delhi. Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters? Bollywood Actress Kalki Koechlin has been  Which movie has won the Best Picture conferred with the French distinction of Award at the International Indian Film Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters Academy (IIFA) awards 2018? (Chevalier dans l‘Ordre des Arts et des Tumhari Sulu, a movie about a housewife who Lettres) for her contribution in enhancing lands a job as a radio jockey, won the Best Indo-French ties in cinema on June 22, 2018. Picture Award at the International Indian Film The award was presented by the Ambassador Academy Awards 2018 in Bangkok. of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler. The Irfan Khanwas adjudged the Best Actor for his honour comes in recognition of an actor, who role of a father trying to get his child admitted has interpreted striking roles in the Indian film in a posh English medium school in Delhi in industry, experimented with various forms of the film ―Hindi Medium‖. films as well as shown an abiding The Best Director trophy was won by Saket commitment to important social issues.Kalki, Chowdhary for his film ―Hindi Medium‖. who has French roots, has done films such as

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Dev.D, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Shanghai contributions for PMSMA in states and and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. districts across India.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY  Which state government has been awarded for reducing maternal mortality under Prime  India‟s first advanced DNA forensic Minister‟s Safe Motherhood Campaign? laboratory will come up in which city? The Madhya Pradesh government has been Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister for awarded for reducing maternal mortality under Women and Child Development (WCD), has Prime Minister‘s Safe Motherhood laid the foundation stone of India‘s first Campaign.The award ceremony was held in advanced DNA forensic laboratory ―Sakhi New Delhi on June 29, 2018. As per the report Suraksha‖ in the campus of Central Forensic of the Registrar General of India, Madhya Science Lab of Chandigarh as part efforts to Pradesh has been registered an unprecedented reduce the backlog of cases needing advanced 48-digit decline in maternal deaths from 2014 forensic analysis. It will be built at a cost of Rs to 2016. The maternal mortality rate was 221 99.76 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund. The state- in the year 2011-13, which has now dropped of-the-art lab will assist in investigation and down further to just 173. prosecution of crimes including those There has been a significant decline of 22% in committed against women and children. It will the last 3 years in the state.The results of the contribute to address the gap in forensic various awareness programmes like DNAanalysis of pending sexual assault cases in institutional delivery, ANM, Anganwadi the country. Forensic science plays a vital role workers,knock-out campaigns etc. have now in the criminal justice delivery system by started showing fruitful result.The State providing investigators with scientifically government official claimed that this decline based information through the analysis of will be more noticeable in the coming years. physical evidence.

 The „IPledgefor9′ Achievers Awards are  India‟s first-ever national police museum related to which of the following government will establish in which city? India will have schemes? its first-ever national police museum as the ‗IPledgefor9′ Achievers Awards were given Central government has decided to establish recently to individuals and teams of doctors the unique facility in Lutyens‘ Delhi. The from the private sector and States for their museum – depicting the history, art facts, exemplary services, outstanding support of uniforms and gear of central and state police institutions and commitment from support forces – will come up as an underground partners in achieving PMSMA‘s objectives of facility in the premises of the national police safe motherhood to every woman in the memorial in Chanakyapuri area of the national country.These awards were established to capital. celebrate individual and team As per the records, the items sought to be put achievements and acknowledge voluntary in the first-ever national police museum will include brass insignia, ceremonial and operational head gears and uniforms, batons, 47

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 belts, distinctive photographs of dog squads, and if no US lawmaker raises an objection, the mounted columns and old copies of the Indian contract will go ahead. Boeing and Indian Police Act. The museum is expected to be partner Tata have begun to produce Apache inaugurated on October 21 (Police fuselages at a plant in India, but the latest Commemoration Day) approval concerns a direct sale of finished products from the US manufacturers.  Which app has been launched by the In addition to aircraft, the contract includes Ministry of Railways to expedite & night vision sensors, GPS guidance and streamline passenger grievance redressal? hundreds of Hellfire anti-armour and Stinger Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Railways air-to-air missiles. The lead contractors are US & Coal, has launched two new mobile apps – arms, aviations and engineering giants ‗Rail Madad‘ and ‗Menu on Rails‘ – to ease the Lockheed Martin, General Electric and travelling experience of the commuters. The Raytheon. Rail Madad app is aimed at expediting & streamlining passenger grievance redressal  Which technology giant has recently while the ‗Menu on Rails‘ app will allow announced to launch training programme passengers to check the list of meals and for journalists in India? Technology giant beverages served on all type of trains and their Google has recently announced the launch of a prices. The Rail MADAD (Mobile Application training programme for journalists with an for Desired Assistance During travel) app aim to raise awareness against misinformation allows passengers to lodge complaints through and providing new tools to the fourth estate mobile app/web platform and enables them to against fake news. check real-time feedback on the status of The Google News Initiative India Training redressal of their complaints. The app for the Network will provide training to 8,000 first time completely digitized the Complaint journalists in English and six other Indian management system. It integrates RPGRAMS languages in the next one year. The network (Railway Passenger Grievance Redressal and will select 200 journalists from cities across Management System) developed by Northern India, who will hone their skills in verification Railway (Delhi Division). Rail MADAD also and training during five-day boot camps that displays various helpline numbers (e.g., will be organized for English and Hindi, Security, Child helpline etc.) and provides Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and direct calling facility for immediate assistance .The focus of the training will be in one easy step. fact-checking, online verification and digital hygiene for journalists, using a curriculum  Which country has approved a deal to sale of built by experts. AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to India for $930 million? On June 12, the United States  The new digital initiative of HRD Ministry government has approved a deal to sell the „National Digital Library of India (NDLI)‟ Indian military six AH64E Apache attack has developed by which IIT institute? helicopters for $930 million. The agreement has The Union Human Resource Development been passed to the US Congress for approval Minister, Prakash Javadekar launched the new 48

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 digital initiative of HRD Ministry ‗National  Which of the following apps have been Digital Library of India (NDLI)‘on the launched by government in June 2018 to occasion of National Reading Day (NRD) in track and trace missing and abandoned New Delhi on June 19, 2018. It is a project of children in India? the Ministry of Human Resource Union Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched a Development (HRD) under the aegis of mobile application called ReUnite; helps to National Mission on Education through track and trace missing and abandoned Information and Communication Technology children in India. It also uses Amazon (NMEICT).The purpose of NDL is to make Rekognition, web facial recognition service to digital educational resources available to all identify missing kids. citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning. The NDLI, which is BOOKS & AUTHORS developed by IIT Kharagpur, is the single window platform that collects and collates  The biopic “The Making of the Mahatma” metadata from premier learning institutions in has been screened in South Africa to India and abroad, as well as other relevant commemorate the 125th year of Mahatma sources.It is a digital repository containing Gandhi‟s Satyagraha. The biopic is based on textbooks, articles, videos, audio books, which novel? lectures,simulations, fiction and all other kinds On June 6, the screening of the biopic ‗Making of learning media. of the Mahatma‘ in Pietermaritzburg marked the opening of a three-day series of events to  The Union Government has launched a commemorate the historic incident 125 years mobile application “ReUnite” for which ago when Mahatma Gandhi was evicted from a purpose? train because the compartment he was in was On June 29, Suresh Prabhu, the Union reserved for whites only. The incident led him Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil to develop his Satyagraha principles of peaceful Aviation, launched a mobile application resistance and mobilize people in South Africa ―ReUnite‖ in New Delhi to track and trace and in India against the discriminatory rules of missing and abandoned children in India.The the British. The film, a coproduction between app is multiuser where parents and citizens India and South Africa, was made in 1996, soon can upload pictures of children, and provide after Nelson Mandela ascended to the position detailed description like name, birth mark, of South Africa‘s first democratically-elected address, report to the police station, search and President. The film was directed by Shyam identify missing kids.The photographs will not Benegal based on the book ‗Apprenticeship of a be saved in the mobile phone‘s physical Mahatma‘ by late freedom activist Prof Fatima memory. Amazon Rekognition, web facial Meer. recognition service, is being used to identify missing kids.The app is available for both  Who authored the book “The Ivory Throne: Android and iOS. Chronicles of the House of Travancore”? Manu S. Pillai has authored the book ―The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of 49

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Travancore‖, a critically acclaimed 700-page sheds light on the Indian freedom movement, history of Kerala focused on the last woman which is inspired by her great-grandmother‘s Maharajah of Travancore. It won him the experience working with Mahatma Gandhi. Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2017. ―Ahimsa‖, published by Scholastic India, is Pillai‘s retelling of this sprawling saga focuses essentially about female empowerment and on the remarkable life and work ofSethu overcoming one‘s internal struggles and Lakshmi Bayi, the last – and forgotten – queen giving up one‘s biases. of the House of Travancore.  Who is the author of the book “Vedvigyan  Perumal Murugan, who has authored the Alok”? novel “Kazhimugam”, is the noted poet of The book ―Vedvigyan Alok‖ (Maharishi which language? Perumal Murugan, the noted Tamil poet and Aitareya Mahidas Praneet – Aitareya author, has authored the novel Brahmina ki Vaigyanik Vyakhya) has been ‗Kazhimugam‘,which deals with effect of authored by Acharya Agnivarat Naishthik.It is modern gadgets on life of middle class. He is recently received by M. Venkaiah Naidu, the known for his controversial novel Vice President of India.The book is the ‗Madhurobhagan (translated as ‗One Part scriptural verse in Vedas‘ prose.The Brahman Woman‘)‘, which narrates the story of a textbooks are placed second in order of childless couple ‗Ponna and Kali‘ and the preference of Vedic literature.These texts impact of childlessness on them. were composed only by the Brahmin The book raises several issues about gender, community; hence their names are called patriarchy and masculinity – all of which ―Brahmins‖.Their language is Vedic Sanskrit converge in a worldview mandated by narrow which has been considered extremely social conventions that describe a childless complicated. All these are written according to marriage as incomplete. The controversy the Vedas that means all the four Vedas get erupted in 2014 after local caste-based and different Brahmins religious Hindu groups objected to the fictional  Perumal murugan‟s new novel portrayal of traditions at the Ardhanareeswarar Kazhimugam Temple in Tiruchengode. Then, on July 2016, Perumal Murugan set to release his next the Madras High Court dismissed the case book Kazhimugam , he is well known for under citing Article 19(1) (a) of the much controversial novelMadhorubhagan Constitution of India, ruled that there was no binding force or obligation that forced the author to apologize and withdraw the books.

 Who has authored the book “Ahimsa”, which sheds light on India‟s freedom struggle? Screenwriter Supriya Kelkar has authored the book ―Ahimsa‖, which will be published in India in August 2018. Her debut novel will 50

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 SPORTS  Ashish Jakhar has won gold in which sports at the 2018 Asian Junior Athletics  Which Indian cricketer has been honored Championships in Japan? with the ‗Most inspiring icon of the year for Social Welfare‘ award by the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival? One June 7, India began their campaign at Indian star cricketer has been the 2018 Asian Junior Athletics honored with the ‗Most inspiring icon of the Championships in Gifu,Japan with a strong year for Social Welfare‘ award by the start by clinching four medals- a gold, a Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival silver and two bronze.Ashish Jakhar (DPIFF) for his exemplary contribution in the created a new National U-20 record to field of social welfare. Yuvraj launched the clinch the gold medal with a hammer throw YouWeCan foundation to fight Cancer by of 76.86 in his second attempt while spreading awareness about the aggressive Damneet bagged the silver with a best disease. throw of 74.08.This shattered the previous mark of 75.04 meters that he himself had  Timothy Pereira, who passed away set at the Junior Federation Cup in April recently, was associated with which 2018. Beside them, Triple jumper sports? Priyadarshini Suresh and long distance Timothy Pereira (75), the former runner Poonam Sonune bagged bronze international footballer who represented Tata medals in women‘s events. FC, has passed away in Mumbai on June 1, 2018.  Who has become the first Indian cricketer to score 2,000 runs in T20 International  Which Indian sportsperson has won the Cricket? Most Valuable Player‟ (MVP) award at has become the first Indian the Basketball without Borders Asia 2018? cricketer to score 2,000 runs in T20 Sanjana Ramesh has won the ‗Most International Cricket. She achieved the Valuable Player‘ (MVP) award at the landmark during India‘s 7- win over Basketball without Borders Asia 2018, which Sri Lanka in the Women‘s Asia Cup T20 at featured 66 campers from 16 countries from on June 7, 2018.Mithali now the Asia-Pacific region. Her compatriot has 2,015 runs from 75 matches. She is the Vaishnavi Yadav won the ‗Girls Grit Award‘ seventh woman to reach 2,000 runs in T20 in the camp.The camp got underway with the format.The list is headed by England girls championship game between the New cricketer with 2,605, York Liberty and the Minnesota followed by Stefanie Taylor (2,582) and Lynx.Coached on the sidelines by Ruth Riley (2,515).Interestingly, India and Sakshi Sheoran, the Lynx defeated the men‘s team captain Virat Kohli with 1,983 Liberty 20-13 runs is the next on the list.

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Who has won the women‟s singles French score has been achieved 18 times by different Open tennis tournament 2018? teams. Simona Halep from Romania won her first  Maria Bueno, who passed away recently, Grand Slam at the 2018 French Open tennis was the legendary sportsperson from tournament in Paris.She defeated Sloane which field? Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a grueling French Maria Bueno (78), the legendary Brazilian Open final on June 9, 2018 to won the title. tennis player, has passed away in Sao Paulo on June 9, 2018. She won three Wimbledon  Anu Kumar has won gold in which and four US championship singles sports at the 2018 Asian Junior Athletics titles.During her 11-year career in the 1950s Championships in Japan? and 1960s, she won 19 Grand Slam titles Middle distance runner Anu Kumar from (seven in women‘s singles, 11 in women‘s Uttarakhand claimed gold in the men‘s doubles, and one in mixed doubles), making 800m at the 2018 Asian Junior Athletics her the most successful South American Championships in Gifu, Japan on June 9. female tennis player in history. While, Arpandeep Kaur Bajwa grabbed a bronze in the women‘s discus throw. With  Which country‟s women cricket team has this, India‘s medals tally goes to 3 gold, clinched the Asia Cup Twenty-20 one silver and nine bronze medals in the tournament 2018? tournament. In Women‘s Cricket, Bangladesh team has won the Asia Cup Twenty-20 tournament by  Which country‟s women cricket team defeating India in the final by 7 at posted the highest-ever total in One-Day Kuala Lumpur on June 10, 2018. India have International (ODI) cricket? won six titles since the tournament‘s New Zealand women‘s cricket team posted inception in 2004, while for Bangladesh, this the highest-ever total in One-Day was their first title. International(ODI) cricket by scoring an incredible 490-4 against Ireland in the first  Who has won the men‟s singles French match in Dublin. New Zealand skipper Suzie Open tennis tournament 2018? Bates top-scored with 151 off 94 balls.The Rafael Nadal, a Spanish professional tennis total posted by the ‗White Ferns‘ is the player, claimed his 11th French Open title on highest ever in ODIs including men‘s June 10, 2018.In the Men‘s singles final in matches. In men‘s cricket, the highest total in Paris, he defeated Austrian Dominic Thiem ODI is 444-3, made by England against in straight sets 6-4 6-3 6-2 to win the title. By Pakistan in August 2016 at Nottingham. With winning the French Open, Nadal tied their incredible , New Zealand women Margaret Court‗s record for singles titles at a team bettered their own 21-year old world Grand Slam event.Court won 11 Australian record of 455 for five against Pakistan at Opens, but seven came when it was the Christchurch in January 1997. It‘s only third Australian Championships, an amateur event. time that a 400-plus score has been made in It was Nadal‘s 17th Grand Slam title. women‘s ODIs. In men‘s ODIs, a 400-plus 52

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411  Which country‟s football team has lifted Warner scored 100 before lunch the 2018 Intercontinental Cup football against Pakistan. Other 4 players who title? achieved this milestone in the past are Victor India‘s football national team has lifted the Trumper (103 not out before lunch) against 2018 Intercontinental Cup football title. In England in 1902, Charlie Macartney (112 not the summit clash in Mumbai, they defeated out) against England in 1926, Bradman (105 Kenya by 2-0 on June 10, 2018. Both the not out) against England in 1930, Majid goals were netted by skipper . Khan (108 not out) against New Zealand in 1976.  Mulubha Jadeja, who passed away recently, was associated with which sports?  Who will become the first Indian cricketer Mulubha Jadeja (88), a right-handed to appear in Kia Super League in batsman, has passed away in Rajkot, Gujarat England? on June 12,2018. He represented Saurashtra Smriti Mandhana, an Indian Women‘s and Railways between 1945 and 1964. Cricket team opener, will become the first Indian player to appear in the Kia Super  Which of the countries to host the 23rd League, the women‘s cricket super league in FIFA World Cup 2026? England. The League will begin from July The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 will be 22, 2018. hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico. To host Smriti was signed by Western Storm and will the tournament, the two official bids were represent the side in the upcoming edition of submitted to FIFA: a joint bid by Canada, the tournament that features six teams. She Mexico and the United States, and a bid by has score of 76. In May 2018, she captained Morocco. IPL Trailblazers in the Women‘s T20 Challenge, which took place ahead of IPL  Who has become the first-ever Indian Qualifier one. Smriti has also featured in the batsman to score a century in the first Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat. session of a Test match? On 14th June 2018, Shikhar Dhawan has  The Union Government has sanctioned a become the first-ever Indian batsman to score special financial assistance of Rs.5 lakhs to a century in the first session of a Test match . He is associated with which joining the illustrious ranks of Sir Don sports? Bradman, Victor Trumper, Majid Khan, Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and David Warner. Sports Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has Dhawan hammered 19 fours and 3 sixes as he sanctioned a special financial assistance of reached his century in 91 balls on the Rs.5 lakhs to former International Archer & opening day of the historic India-Afghanistan Arjun Awardee Limba Ram. Limba Ram, test match at Chinnaswamy stadium in who is suffering from neuro generative Bengaluru. He became the sixth player in the disease or neurological illness, is undergoing world to score a century before lunch. In treatment at Jaipur.He is working for the 2017, Australia‘s dashing opener David State Government of Rajasthan and is in 53

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 receipt of salary beyond the ceiling of Rs.4 Singapore National Swimming lakhs fixed under the scheme of Pandit Deen Championships? Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal clinched the Sportspersons. gold medal in men‘s 50 meter breaststroke The Minister in his capacity as Chairperson event at the Singapore National Swimming of the Fund, has relaxed the condition and by Championships in Singapore on June 23, invoking the discretionary clause sanctioned 2018. Besides, Virdhawal Khade grabbed a Rs.5 Lakhs considering that his widowed creditable silver medal in the 50 meter mother, widowed sister and her children, freestyle event with a timing of 22.68 widowed mother-in-law and unemployed seconds. brother are dependent on him. Meanwhile, Karnataka‘s Arvind Mani also found a spot on the podium, grabbing the  Who has won the 118th edition of the US bronze in the men‘s 50m backstroke event. Open Golf Championship 2018? Sandeep broke the Singapore meet record US golfer Brooks Koepka has won the 118th with a timing of 27:59 seconds to win the edition of the US Open golf championship at gold. He bettered his own time of 27.68 the Shinnecock Hills course in New York on seconds in the semi-final by 0.09 seconds. June 17, 2018. Koepka has created history by becoming the first man since Curtis Strange  Which Indian archer has clinched a gold in 1989 to successfully defend his U.S. Open medal in the women‟s recurve event title. atstage three of World Cup in Salt Lake City of US?  Peter Thomson, who passed away recently, In Archery, clinched a gold was the legendary player of which sports? medal in the women‘s recurve event at stage Peter Thomson (88), one of Australia‘s threeof World Cup in Salt Lake City of US greatest golfers and a five-time Open on June 25, 2018. She defeated Michelle Championship winner, has passed away in Kroppen of Melbourne on June 20, 2018. In 1954, he Germany 7-3. became the first Australian With the win, the four-time World Cup final silver medalist has automatically to claim the Open Championship in Britain. qualified for the Archery World Cup Final to Among numerous accolades, Thomson was be held in Samsun of Turkey later this year. made a Commander of the Order of the Beside her, Abhishek Verma secured an British Empire (CBE) in 1979 and an Officer individual silver and a mixed team bronze of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2001. The medal incompound events. In the medal World Golf Hall of Fame called him ―the standings, India finished fourth behind US, thinking man‘s golfer‖. Colombia and

 Which Indian swimmer clinched gold in men‟s 50 meter breaststroke event at 2018

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 Chinese Taipei with a gold, silver and bronze  Who has won the 2018 Formula One each in the penultimate stage of the World French Grand Prix tournament 2018? . Cup. Lewis Hamilton, a British racing driver who races in Formula One for Mercedes AMG  Which country to host the 2018 ICC Petronas,has won the 2018 Formula One Women‟s World T20 tournament? French Grand Prix tournament at the Circuit The 2018 ICC Women‘s World T20 Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France on June championship will be held in the 24. from November 9 to 24. This is the first standalone ICC women‘s  Who have won the World Food Prize event in the shortest format of the game.India 2018? will begin their campaign against New The 2018 World Food Prize will be awarded Zealand on the opening day.The 10-team to two men who have dedicated their careers tournament, featuring three-time champions to improving the availability of nutritious Australia and reigning winners England, food for pregnant women and children in an India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South effort to reduce the effects of malnutrition in Africa,Sri Lanka and defending champions developing countries. These are Dr. the West Indies, plus two qualifiers,will be Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro. played across three venues in the Caribbean. Both will split the $250,000 award that goes The finalists of the World T20 Qualifier in with the prize.The laureates will be the Netherlands from July 7 to 14 will add to recognized at a ceremony in the Iowa State the lineup of the November tournament. Capitol Building in Des Moines on Oct 18, The teams participating in the Qualifying 2018. Dr. Haddad is a British economist and event are Bangladesh, Ireland, the food policy researcher, whereas Dr. Nabarro Netherlands, Papua New , Scotland, has worked with the World Health Thailand, Uganda and the United Arab Organization (WHO) and United Nations Emirates. (UN) on health and hunger issues.

 Which state is hosting the 58th National  Who has broken the legendary Sriram Interstate Senior Athletics 2018? Singh‟s four-decade-old 800m National The 58th National Interstate Senior Athletics record at the 58th National Inter State Championships 2018 has started in Senior Athletics Championships 2018? Guwahati,Assam on June 26.The event was Jinson Johnson, representing Kerala, has inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister broken the legendary ‘s four- Sarbanand Sonowal.Over 800 players are decade-old 800m National record at the 58th taking part in the 4-day event.The Indian National Inter State Senior Athletics athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games Championships in Guwahati on June 27, 2018 to be held at will be selected 2018. from this meet. Competitions will be held in He clocked one minute and 45.65 seconds to a total of 42 categories, 21 in men and 21 in clinch the gold in men‘s 800m title and to women. better the earlier record of 1:45.77 in the 55

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 name of Sriram set during the 1976 Olympic lost their semifinal bouts to settle for Bronze Games. He also booked a ticket for the Asian medals. Games as the qualification mark is 1:47.50.

IMPORTANT DAYS Who will lead Indian women‟s team for  the 2018 Women‟s Hockey World Cup 1. June 1 tournament in ? Global day of Parents is observed to Forward has been named as the honor every parent all over the World for captain of India‘s 18-member squad for the their selfless commitment to children. prestigious 2018 women‘s hockey World Cup tournament, which is slated to begin in 2. June 2 London on July 21. Telangana Statehood Day. It became India‘s 29th state on June 2, 2014. Indian team has been placed in Pool B

alongside hosts and world no.2 England, 3. June 3 world no.7 USA and world no.16 Ireland. World Bicycle day .It was declared by India‘s defence will consist of Sunita Lakra, UN on 12th April 2018 to celebrate the Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika, drag-flicker first world bicycle day on June 3. Gurjit Kaur and Reena Khokhar. In the This day highlights the use of bicycle as a midfield, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz, means of promoting sustainable Monika, Neha Goyal, Navjot Kaur and Nikki development, improving physical education, promoting health, preventing Pradhan will hold fort. disease, etc,

 Saweety Boora, who claimed gold at 2018 4. June 4 Umakhanov Memorial Tournament, is International Day of Innocent Children associated with which sports? Victims of Aggression was observed with Indian woman boxer Saweety Boora claimed a the objective to acknowledge the pain gold medal in the middleweight category at suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental the Umakhanov Memorial Tournament in and emotional abuse. Kaspiysk, Russia on June 12, 2018. 5. June 5 She beat home favorite Anna Anfinogenova in World Environment Day was observed the final to finish on top in the 75 kilogram across the world with the theme of 2018 category. Saweety was the only Indian among is „Beat Plastic Pollution‟. The theme women to make it to the Final.She is also a ‗Beat Plastic Pollution‘ is a call to action former world championship silver- to reduce the heavy burden of plastic medalist.However, in the men‘s draw, Brijesh pollution on natural places and wildlife. Yadav (81kg) and Virender Kumar (91kg) lost 6. June 8 The their respective summit clashes to end with World Oceans Day is being observed silver medals.Earlier, World youth champion every year to raise global awareness of Shashi Chopra in 57 kg division, former current challenges faced by the Commonwealth Games bronze-medalist Pinki international community in connection Jangra in 51 kgs and Pavitra in 60 kgs had, 56

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 with the oceans. The focus of World 11. June 17 Oceans Day 2018 is on „Preventing World Day to Combat Desertification plastic pollution and encouraging and Drought is observed every year to solutions for a healthy ocean‟. It also promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. coincided with theme of World The Theme of 2018 is “Land has true Environment Day 2018-‗Beat Plastic value – invest in.” Pollution‘. 12. June 18 7. June 12 Sustainable Gastronomy Day was World Day against Child Labour is observed all over the world. Gastronomy observed every year across the world with is the study of relationship between food an aim to raise awareness against child and culture. Sustainable gastronomy can labour with the theme of 2018 is play a major role in promoting agricultural „Generation Safe & Healthy‟. development, food security, nutrition, 8. June14 sustainable food production and the World Blood Donor Day observed every conservation of biodiversity. year across the world to thank voluntary, 13. June 18 unpaid blood donors for their life-saving International Picnic Day was gifts of blood. The theme of 2018 is „Be celebrated all over the world. The there for someone else. Give blood. word―picnic‖ originated from the French Share life‟. language. It relates to informal outdoor 9. June 15 meal. Picnic became a popular time pass World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is in France after the Revolution. Charity observed every year to show opposition to events, school picnics and various types of the abuse and suffering experienced by the group meals are held to commemorate this elders of our society by a partner, family day. member, friend etc. It may be physical, 14. June 19 social, financial, psychological or sexual International Day for the Elimination of and even neglect. The theme for this year Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed is “Moving from Awareness to Action across the world with an aim to foster through a Human Rights based solidarity with the survivors who endure approach”. multiple, intersecting stigmas in the wake 10. June16 of sexual violence, including the stigma of International Day of Family Remittances association with a terrorist group and of (IDFR) is celebrated every year to bearing children conceived through rape by highlight the significant financial the enemy. The theme of 2018 is “Plight contribution made by migrant workers to and Rights of Children Born of War”. their families back home and to the 15. 2018 - The year 2018 is observed as sustainable development of their native “Year of Disabled Soldiers in Line of countries. This day was adopted by the UN Duty” by Indian Army to honour General Assembly in June 2018. This day soldiers who have been disabled in line aims to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable of duty. Development Goals) “One Family at a The major endeavour of this initiative is to Time” produced for the International Day provide one-time financial assistance to of Family Remittances 2018. disabled soldiers who have been boarded out from service on medical grounds and are rendered non-employable due to their 57

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 medical or physical conditions. The International Widows Day. The ultimate primary focus of this initiative is to alleviate sufferings of these soldiers, who goal of the day is to develop resources and have done their duty with utmost policy to empower widows and allow them dedication to nation and have been disabled to have access to education, work, for the life. It is also planning to showcase healthcare and lives free of violence and talent of disabled soldiers by organizing sports and physical activities, cultural abuse. events and their art exhibitions. 20. June 25 16. June 20 The Day of the Seafarer is being observed World Refugee Day is observed every every year across the globe as an year to raise awareness of the situation of expression of thanks to the seafarers for refugees throughout the world. The theme their contribution to the economy and civil for World Refugee Day 2018 is “Now society of the world. The theme for year More Than Ever, We Need to Stand with 2018 is „Seafarers wellbeing‟. Refugees.” 21. June 26 17. June 21 The International Day against Drug International yoga day was celebrated Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was across the world. The 4th International observed across the globe with an aim to yoga day celebrations in India were led by raise awareness of the major problem that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in illicit drugs represent to society.The theme Dehradun. The Prime Minister joined of 2018 is "Listen First - Listening to thousands of volunteers, performing Yoga children and youth is the first step to asanas in the lawns of Forest Research help them grow healthy and safe". Institute in Dehradun. Similar Yoga related 22. June 27 events were held across the world to mark The International Micro, Small and the occasion. The theme for 2018 is ― Yoga Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) for peace‖ Day is observed every year across the 18. June 21 world . The day highlights strong World Music Day contribution of MSME businesses worldwide to livelihoods, communities and 19. June 23 economies, and need to support MSMEs The International Olympic Day is towards their success. This year is second celebrated all around the world for edition after the day was instituted in April commemorating the birth of modern 2017. The campaign slogan of MSME Day 2018 is ‗The Youth Dimension‘. Olympic games on June 23, 1894 at The National Statistics Day is celebrated Sorbonne in Paris. The United Nations every year in India to create public Public Service Day is celebrated every awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy year to highlight the Value and virtue of formulation. The 2018 theme is ―Quality public service to the community. The Assurance in Official Statistics‖. theme of 2018 is .

―Transforming governance to realize the

Sustainable Development Goals‖. 58

CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Indian Origin boy who won the 2018 US spelling Bee Champioship? A) Karthik Ajinkya B)Karthik Kumar C) Kumar Devarajan D) Karthik Nemani 2. Gopabandu Sampathika swasthya Bhima yojana is a state health insurance program launched by the state government? a) Odisa B) Kerala C) Tamil Nadu D) Telugana 3. He was been appointed as new deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India A) Jubin Cork B) S. Mashooth Ushen C) Mahesh Kumar jein D) Sarath Kumar 4. Where was the International trips-Cpt link conference in 2018? A) Belgium B) Canada C) France D) Switzerland 5. In 2018, the Governor‘s and sub level Governors conference? A) Delhi B) Mumbai C) Kolkata D) Jaipur 6. Tamil Scholar who received two sahitya Academy award? A) Thamizh Magan B) Kanmani Gunasekaran C) Tamilanban D) M. L. Thangappa 7. 2018 world Milk Day theme A) Drink Milk Be Strength B) Drink Move Be Strength C) Drink Milk Be Strong D) Drink Move Be Strong 8. International Day of Innocent children Victims of Aggression? A) June 7 B) June 6 C) June 5 D) June 4 9. India has the rank of the 2018 world peace list A) 136 B) 137 C) 138 D) 139 10. Recently erupted Volcano in Guatemale A) Fuego volcano B) Flenko Volcono C) Melenko Volcono D) Fuseo Volcono 11. Which is the first Indian state to use auto-disable injections A) Kerala B) Tamil Nadu C) Mathiya Pradesh D) Andra 12. What fruit was announced officially in Tripura state? A) King Variety pineapple B) Rose Variety pineapple C) Quen Variety pineapple D) Pink variety pineapple 13. Which is the group that explores special Economic Zones? A) Ranganath Mishra group B) Rabindranath group B) Rajaraman group D) Baba Kalyani group 14. Global day of parents? A) June 1 B) June 2 C) June 3 D) June 4 15. Who was appointed as the interim head of the Cauvery management Authority? A) B) S. Ahluwalia C) Sarath Kumar D) S. Masooth Ushen. 16. In which constitution division, supreme court gave permission to central government for sc/st employees to reservation of promotion? A) Article 16 (2A) B) Article 16 (3A) C) Article 16 (4A) D) Article 16 (5A) 17. In which high court many female judges are working? A) Chennai high court B) Mumbai high court C) Delhi high court D) Kolkata high court

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 18. In which place, held on ―Geo Intelligence asia 2018‖ conference? A) Kolkata B) Mumbai C) Delhi D) Chennai 19. In which state, from 2019 January the ban has been announced to plastic things? A) Telangana B) Tamil Nadu C) Kerala D) Andra 20. In which china city held on shangahai co-operation conference in 2018? A)Beijing B) Poosan C) Shanghai D) Kuvinkto 21. In which Indian city, has been started ―the Modern forest tree seeds centre‖? A) Trichy B) Dindigul C) Mayiladuthurai D) Nagapattinam 22. In which place Virat Kohil has got in ―Forbes‖ world‘s highest earning players list 2018? B) 81 B) 82 C) 83 D) 84 23. 2018 world Environment Day theme? A) Beat Plastic Process B) Beat Pollution Plastic C) Beat Plastic Production D) Beat Plastic Pollution 24. In which country gave legal permission to cannabis sales ? A) Germany B) Canada C) Venezuela D) Norway 25. In which state between India and Nepal was held on 13th joint Military training ―surya Kiran‖ 2018? A) Uttara khand B) Himachal Pradesh C) Rajasthan D) Karnataka 26. 2018 world sea day and theme ? A) June 8, Preventing Pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy worl B) June 8, Preventing Plastic Pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean. C) June 6, Preventing Pollution and prepare solution for a healthy ocean. D) June 7, Preventing Pollution and encouraging sdutions for a healthy Ocean. 27. In which Artillery, has called as domestic Fobors? A) Aakash B) Arjun C) Virat D) Dhanush. 28. What thing is deeply mixed with ground water in around 16 states of India? A) Poleniyam B) Lead C) Uranium D) Carbide 29. In which state, give to internet facilities through air balloons? A) Himachal Pradesh B) Jharkhand C) Chhattisgarh D) Uttarakhand 30. Which countries have been eleched to the UN Security council as 5 temporary members? A) Indonesia, Srilanka, Belgium, South Africa, Dominican Republic B) Indonesia, India, Belgium, South Africa, Dominican Republic C) Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Dominican Republic D) Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Belarus. 31. Who has been appointed as the Commissioner of central vigilance commission? A) Sarathraj B) Rameshwar Kumar C) Harshad Pujari D) Sarath Kumar 32. In which country held on GT federation conference in 2018? A) Canada B) Germany C) Rasia D) Newyork. 33. Which country is won the championship of Football match between contrinents in 2018? A) Kenya B) India C) New Zealand D) Poland 34. What is the expansion of the ―VAR‖ in the world cup football tournament for the first time in 2018? A) Video Assistant Record System B) Video Assistant Reference System C) Video Assist Referee System D) Video Assistant Referee System 35. International Albinism Awarness Day? A) June 10 B)June 11 C) June 12 D) June 13

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 36. Which state is got first place in water Management Index in 2018? A) Karnatak B) Madhya Pradesh C) Andra D) Gujarat 37. Match the following A) Orderali Practice – Latvia B) Executive committee meeting – Punjab C) 2019 Indian Science Conference – Delhi D) Atomic supply chain – Kerala (a) (b) (c) (d) A) 4 3 2 1 B) 4 3 1 2 C) 3 4 2 1 D) 3 4 1 2 38. What is India‘s current Economic value? A) 4.5 Trillion dollars B) 3.5 Trillion dollars C) 2.5 Trillion dollars D) 2.0 Trillion dollars 39. In which country will be held on Asia Games in 2018? A) China B) Japan C) Indonesia D) Bangladesh 40. What is the country that has recently legally recognized the use of cannabis? A) Uruguay B) Venezuela C) Paraguay D) Canada 41. Femina Miss India World 2018? A) Anusharma Keerthi B) Banu Varma Santhi C) Anukeerthe waas D) Anupriya Agarwal 42. Who is the chief of the subcommittee of the chief Minister of state as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) and co-ordinating agricultural policy Approaches? A) Vasundhara Raji Scindia B) Mamata Banerjee C) Chandrababu Naidu D) Shivaraj Singh Chouhan 43. Which group is set up to study and create rules for Insurance marketing Firms? A) Suresh Mathur Group B) Ramesh Thakur Group C) Ragavan Subramanian D) Suresh Kalmadi 44. The governance regime in Jammu and Kashmir has been Implemented A) Sixth times B) Seventh times C) Eighth times D) Nineth times 45. In which state has been started the 7 star gram Panchayat Rainbow Scheme? A) Jharkhand B) Madhya Pradesh C) Maharashtra D) Haryana 46. Which city is the number one smart city ranking in 2018? A) Bhopal B) Negpur C) Jodhpur D) Shillong 47. Which city is India‘s 100th Smart city? A) Vadodara B) Rampur C)Kokima D) Shillong. 48. Who is the Promoter of Sikkim state government? A) B) C) A. R. Rahuman D) Rithik Roshan 49. Who won the ―avvaiyar award‖ of the Tamil Nadu government in 2018? A) Rajamani Narayanan B) Ramani chandran C) Rasathi Venugopal D) Chinnappillai Perumal 50. Match the following A) International yoga day – June 15

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 B) World Elders Abuse Awareness Day – June 20 C) World Refugee Day – June 21 D) International Day for Removal of Sexual Violence – June 19 (a) (b) (c) (d) A) 3 2 1 4 B) 3 1 4 2 C) 1 3 4 2 D) 3 1 2 4 51. What is the rank of Chennai in smart city ranking list 2018? A) 37 B) 38 C) 39 D) 40 52. What is the location of the AIIMS hospital in Tamil Nadu? A) Thoppur, Thanjavur B) Thoppur, Perundurai C) Thoppur, Madurai D) Thoppur, Chenglepattu 53. Recently removed acid in the thoothukudi sterlite plant A) Sulfuric acid B) Phosphoric acid C) Acetic acid D) Chromium 54. What is the chief location of the Cauvery Management Authority? A) B) Chennai C) Delhi D) . 55. Which is the location of the Cauvery water Dispensary Group Headquaters? A) Delhi B) Chennai C) Bangalore D) Mumbai 56. Match the following A) Yuva puraskar award – 1. Naveen Kumar B) Bala Sagithya Puraskar award – 2. Sunil Krishnan C) Cauvery water Dispensary Group Chairman – 3. Kirungai Sethupathi D) Metro Rail Quality Assurance team – 4. Sridharan (a) (b) (c) (d) A) 3 1 2 4 B) 2 3 1 4 C) 1 3 4 2 D) 2 1 3 4 57. The Indian Naval base is set up on the Island of Assumption. In which country is the Assumption Island? A) France B) America C) Seychelles D) Cuba 58. In which location has begun the world‘s largest Multipurpose battalion (RIMPAC- 2018) in June 27, 2018? A) America B) China C) Thailand D) Hawaiian Island 59. In which state, has ban the Plastic things on June 23, 2018? A) Maharastra B) Tamilnadu C) Telangana D) Andra 60. Which state is the Initiative of the SKY- Sueyashakthi Kisan Yojana? A0 Maharastra B) Telangana C) Gujarat D) Odisa 61. Pallavi Dhruva, who was chosen as India‘s first tribal queen, belongs to which state? A) Tamil Nadu B) Odisa C) Telangana D) Gujarat 62. Gautam Kanjilal, a resident of west Bengal who recently died, is from any department? A) Trekhing B) Horse loading C) Volley ball D) Basket ball

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 63. Who are the two doctors selected for the 2018 world Food Prize? A) Dr. Nabaro, Dr. Vinsor B) Dr. Vinsor, Dr. Koliyath C) Dr. Hadat, Dr. Vinsor D) Dr. Hadat, Dr. Nabaro 64. Where is International Yoga and Natural Medicine Science center in Tamil Nadu? A) Maduranthakam B) Perundurai C) Chengal Pattu D) Krishnagiri 65. India‘s ―Youngest Grand Master‖ has created a record of what is his age when priamandha Ramesh Babu‘s achievement ? A) 12 years 07 months B) 12 years 08 months C) 12 years 09 months D) 12 years 10 months 66. What is world sail day and its theme? A) June 25, seafarer,s wellbeing B) June 25, seafarer‘s wellbeing C) June 27, seafarer‘s well being D) June 27, ‗seafarer‘s Wel wish 67. Match the following A) World Vitiligo day -1. June 8 B) WorldDrug Abuse Day 2.June 27 C) Small and Medium enterprises day 3. June 26 D) World Sea day 4. June 25 (a) (b) (c) (d) A) 4 3 2 1 B) 4 2 3 1 C) 1 3 2 4 D) 3 2 1 4 68. Who is the judge of Pakistan‘s first vision disadvantage A) Miyan Sahib Nishar B) Eipidikar Muhamad C) Yusuf Salim D) Nashirul Mulk 69. In which state is introduced ―Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana‖? A) Karnataka B) Telangana C) Odisa D) Maharastra. 70. Who recently broke shri Ram Singh‘s 40 years record in 800 meters rally? A) Nadarajan Devaraj B)Arokiya Rajiv C) Gopal Yadhav D) Jinson Janson. 71. National Statistics day A) June 27 B) june 28 C) June 29 D) June 30 72. Recently reduced the Mortality rate of Mothers in which state is the state to receive the central Government award? A) Tamil Nadu B) Kerala C) Goa D) Pondicherry 73. Whose memorial, has celebrated the National Statistics day? A) Srinivasa Ramanujan B) Harish Chandra C) Narendra Karmahar D) B.C Mahalanobis 74. Who is appointed the ICICI Bank? A) Kirish Chadra Chadurvedhi B) Santha Kochar C) Arunthathi Pattarasarji D) Thiya Agarwal 75. What is the Mobile App recently introduced by the central Government to find missing children? A) Re Find B) Re Org C)Re claim D) Re Unite 76. Since July 1, 2018, the Ministry of health and family welfare has imposed restrictions on producing any Medicine for domestic use. A) Krishin B) Sentamishin C) Oxitoshin D) Afromysiu

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 77. Who is the representative of India in the Global Environment Facility Council? A) Apparna Chakravarthi B) Apparna Subramani C) ApparnaRajendran D) Apparna Swamynathan 78. Which Airport is thee second Airport in Chennai? A) Thirup perumbudhur B) Thambaram C) Cheiyur D) Ponneri 79. Which small country is participating in the 2018 world Foot ball Tournament? A) Qureshia B) Paraguay C) Swazilland D) Iceland 80. In which state of India the highest number of UNESCO world Heritage sites? A) Tamil Nadu B) Kerala C) Maharastra D) Punjab 81. ‗Lpledge for 9‘ achievements award is associated with any of the following Government shemes? A) We will protect and teach the baby girl B) Prime Minister‘s safe Motherhood plan C) Prime Minister‘s cooking gas project D) Prime Minister‘s Mudra project 82. Who is the captain of the Indian women‘s team at the women‘s Hockey World Cup in London this year? A) Sunitha Lakra B) Rani Rambaal C) Niki Pradhan D) Kurjith Kowre 83. According to the 24th cost of living survey in Mersey, What is the Most expensive city in India? A) New Delhi B) Chennai C) Mumbai D) Bangalore 84. Who wrote the book ―Vedvigyan Alok‖? A) Vilas Naik B) Indhu Thanesha C) Agnivarat Naishthik D) Alok Srivatshav 85. The ―Ranea Falls‖ is situated in the Middle of which river in Madhya Pradesh? A) Kaali Sindhu river B) Narmadha river C) Dhapathi river D) Kenaru 86. Which state government has introduced a new technology called celenology based on cervical cancer Diagnosis? A) Tamil Nadu B) Kerala C) Punjab D) Maharastra 87. The Maharastra State Government has set upa which committee to study the Problem of floating solarpower plant located at the Ujani Dam? A) Puneth Metha Group B) Sathish Shavan Group C) Ashitha Battle Group D) Nithi Patel Group 88. In which state is located the ―Raja Layamagawda dam‖? A) Kerala B) Karnataka C) Madhya Pradesh D) Andra 89. At the 52nd SKOCH summit, The ―Gold award‖ was awarded to the special Project of the Ministry of shipping. What is that name of special project? A) Sagar Mela B) Sagar Nithi C) Sagarmala D) Sagar Sangamam 90. Who is the full time member of the Indian stock and Exchange Board of India? A) Ananth Parva B) InjethinSriniwas C) Arun P Sathea D) Sanjeev Gowsik. 91. Which is the theme for the National Statistics Day? A) Administrative Statistics B) Agri-Food Statistics C) Statistics on trees & Climate Change D) Quality Assurance in Official Statistics 92. The NCST has organized a National seminar on ―Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As per which article of the constitution, the NCST setup to protect the interest of Scheduled Tribes (ST) ? A) Article 338 (A) B) Article 336 (A) C) Article 339 (A) D) Article 337 (A)

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CHENNAI IAS ACADEMY – 9043 211 311/411 93. Who has authored the book‖Ahimsa‖, which sheds light on India‘s freedom struggle? A) Saandanu Thatha Gupta B) Amamla Sankar C) Supriya Kelkar D) Nandhi Kaderiya 94. The famous poet Donald hall died, In which country he belong? A) Argentina B) Brasil C) Germany D) America 95. Which country hosted the 2018 anti-doping Sports conference ―clean Spot = Fair Outcome? A) Germany B) India C) Norway D) Argentina 96. Which Village Panchayat of Haryana has passed a reduction ―No Toilet, No Bride‖? A) Pishankar B) Nimriwali C) Godikan D) Eshapur Keri 97. Which Indian swimmer clinched gold in men‘s 50 mtr breast stroke event at 2018 singapore National Swimming Championships? A) Veerdhaval kadhe B) Arvind Mani C) M.M Shaahi D) Sandeep Sejwal 98. .The 22nd edition of ―sindhu Darshan Festival‖ (SDF) has started in which district of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)? A) Ananta Nak B) Paramulla C) Leh D) Sri Nagar 99. Which state government has launched a smart phone application ―i-Hariyali‖ to increase green cover across the state? A) Punjab B) Kerala C) Rajesthan D) Hariyana 100. Which city hosted the 7th edition of India Minerals and Metals forum 2018? A) Hyderbad B) Patna C) New Delhi D) Koch CURRENT AFFAIRS KEYS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 D A C D A D D D B A D C D A D C A C B D 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 A C D B A B D C D C D A B D D D A C C D 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 C D A C D B D C D D A C A C C C C D A C 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 B A D C D A A C D D C A D A D C B C D C 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 B B C C D A B B C A D A C C C C D C A C

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