News for February aspirantforum.com 2018 Hindu and PIB Crux Vol. 42 NewsVol. and 42 Events of Feb. 2018 aspirantforum.com Vol. 42 Feb 2018 42 Feb Vol. Visit Aspirantforum.com for guidance and study material for IAS Exam. aspirantforum.com Hindu and PIB Crux Vol. 42 News and Events of Feb. 2018 Aspirant Forum is a Community for the UPSC Contents Civil Services (IAS) Aspirants, to discuss and debate the various things related to the exam. We welcome an active National News.............4 participation from the fellow members to enrich the knowledge of all. Economy News..........12 Editorial Team: PIB Compilation: Nikhil Gupta International News....35 The Hindu Compilation: Shakeel Anwar India and the World..42 Ranjan Kumar Shahid Sarwar Karuna Thakur Science and Technology + Designed by: Anupam Rastogi Environment..............47 The Crux will be published online Miscellaneous News and for free on 10th of every month. 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Thus, acandidate is forced to spend a substantial amount of his time in selecting and maintaining notes for the current affairs. Another problem is that it is difficult to get every bit of information, relevant from the exam perspective at oneplace. Thus, candidates are often found wasting their time in search of current affairs material. It is with this problem in mind that we have come up with the GIST of The Hindu and Press Information Bureau(PIB). The whole concept of the CRUX is to provide you with a summary of the important news and current affairs,from an exam point of view. By reading the CRUX, you will be able to save your precious time and effort, as you get all the relevant matter in a summarized and convenient form. The Crux is particularly helpful for the Civil Services, Banking, SSC and other exams that have a current affairs section. The material is being provided in such a manner that it is helpful for both- objective and descriptive sections. Our aim is to help the candidates in their effort to get through the examinations. Your efforts and dedication inspire us to keep going. It is our sincere effort to make your journey easier. Best Wishes Editorial Board Team Aspirant Forum Courtesy: The Hindu Press Information Bureau (PIB) aspirantforum.com Vol. 42 Feb 2018 42 Feb Vol. Visit Aspirantforum.com for guidance and study material for IAS Exam. aspirantforum.com Hindu and PIB Crux Vol. 42 News and Events of Feb. 2018 would soon have the capability to build and launch two lines of submarines. INS Kalvari , manned by a team of eight officers and 35 National sailors, carries sea-skimming SM39 Exocet missiles and the heavyweight wire-guided Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes. For self-defence, it has mobile INS Karanj boosts Navy’s firepower anti-torpedo decoys. The Navy’s third state-of-the-art Scorpene class subma- rine, INS Karanj , was launched by Reena Lanba, wife of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, here . The new Scorpene submarine programme makes submarine is named after the earlier Kalvari class INS progress Karanj , which was decommissioned in 2003. The second Scorpene submarine Khanderi is expected Six Scorpene class submarines are being built under to complete sea trials by the middle of this year, while Project 75 by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Lim- the fourth and the fifth submarines, under construction at ited (MDSL), Mumbai, under a $3.75 billion technology Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, are expected to be as- transfer signed in October 2005 with the Naval Group of sembled later this year. The third submarine Karanj was France. However, the programme has been delayed by launched into water early this week. four years due to construction delays. , the Prime Min- “ Khanderi is undergoing extensive trials, including deep ister’s Office conveyed its annoyance to the Defence dive trials. The fourth and fifth Scorpene submarines are Ministry for not taking stringent action against the Naval to be booted up this year,” a senior officer said. Group and MDSL for the delay. ‘Boot Together’ is a process wherein five separate sec- Admiral Lanba said, “MDSL and the Naval Group have tions are welded to put a submarine together. put their houses in order and we have seen seen quick Technology transfer launches of the first three boats. I am quite confident Khanderi , which was launched in January 2017, is ex- that they have learnt from the experience of building and pected to complete all trials by the middle of this year, commissioning the first boat. I do not foresee any more subject to the Monsoon and will be ready for induction. delays in the programme.” MDL is manufacturing six Scorpene submarines under The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conven- technology transfer from Naval Group of France under a tional submarine series in almost two decades, since INS 2005 contract worth $3.75 bn. The first of the class, INS Sindhushastra was procured from Russia in July 2000. Kalvari, joined service in December last year. “ INS Karanj saw action in the 1971 War and I am sure Meanwhile, the just launched Karanj has to undergo rig- that this new incarnation will live up to its legendary name- orous harbour and sea acceptance trails after which it sake,” the Navy chief said, adding that he expected the would be commissioned into service. new Karanj to be commissioned by the end of the year. “ Karanj will join the Navy next year. The fourth Scorpene Wednesday’s launch follows the launch of the first two is expected to be launched into water next year,” the of- Scorpene submarines —INS Kalavari and INS Khanderi . ficer added. INS Kalvari , the first to be launched, was commissioned The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conven- in December 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. INS tional submarine series in almost two decades since INS Khanderi , which was launched in January 2017, is cur- Sindhushastra which was procured from Russia in July rently undergoing deep dive trials and is expected to be 2000. commissioned later this year, according to Navy officials . Meanwhile, the Navy is drawing up plans to install Air In- ‘Speedy delivery’ dependent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all the Scorpene Admiral Lanba said he expected timely construction and submarines when they go for normal refit six years after speedy delivery of the remaining three submarines — their induction. Vela , Vagir and Vagsheer . “The three submarines are in various stages of outfitting.aspirantforum.com The entire project is expected Jallikattu pleas go to Constitution Bench to be completed by 2020,” a defence official said. They contended that the amended laws had opened the “Today’s launch should mark an eventful 2018,” said MD- gates for the conduct of the popular bull-taming sport in SL’s chairman and managing director Rakesh Anand. He the name of culture and tradition despite a 2014 ban by Vol. 42 Feb 2018 42 Feb Vol. also said that MDSL is in the process of upgrading and Visit Aspirantforum.com for guidance and study material for IAS Exam. aspirantforum.com Hindu and PIB Crux Vol. 42 News and Events of Feb. 2018 the Supreme Court. cus curiae (friend of the court), told the bench that the It is the first time the Supreme Court is considering the BS-VI norms should be made applicable in the Delhi- question of granting constitutional protection to jallikattu National Capital Region (NCR) from April 1, 2019 as as a collective cultural right under Article 29 (1), a funda- the government itself had acknowledged that the people mental right guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution were suffering due to pollution. to protect the educational and cultural rights of citizens. She also questioned the April 1, 2020 timeline for BS-VI “It has never been looked into whether a State can claim norms. constitutional protection under Article 29 (1) for what it “They cannot take the health of citizens so lightly,” Ms. thinks is a cultural right,” Chief Justice of India Dipak Mis- Singh said, adding that as per the Centre’s affidavit, Rs. ra had orally observed in the previous hearing. 80,000 crore were spent on BS-VI norms. Finally, the Bench would examine whether the new Jal- Electric cars likattu laws are “relatable” to Article 48 of the Constitu- She also raked up the issue of electric cars in India and tion, which says it is an endeavour of the State to organ- asked that when the manufacturers were able to make ise agriculture on modern and scientific lines. these cars, then why could they not shift to the BS-VI norms earlier. Vehicular pollution to hit generations: SC Ms. Singh also said that cars which were not BS-VI com- The Supreme Court described the issue of vehicular pliant should not be allowed to be registered after the pollution as “very serious” and a “critical problem” and new norms came into effect.