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  • WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018
    Posted on May 22nd, 2018 in Weekly Current Affairs
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    WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018

    West Bengal Civil Service (Executive), popularly known as W.B.C.S.(Exe), is the civil service of the Indian state of West Bengal. For the W.B.C.S.(Exe) and other comparative posts, Public Service Commission of West Bengal arranges competitive examinations in three phases every year.Knowing the syllabus of W.B.C.S. Examination thoroughly is the first step towards this exam.The mains syllabus of W.B.C.S. is very descriptive.Following the previous years question papers are very important while preparing for this examination.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018.

    1) Indian and French navies conducted final and third phase of Varuna naval exercise 2018 near Reunion Island in Indian Ocean region (IOR) to enhance their operational coordination. In the final phase, both navies simulated different possible scenarios such as asymmetric warfare and tested their air defence capabilities. Varuna Exercise 2018: 2018 Varuna naval exercise between Indian and French Navy was conducted in three phases and included anti-submarine, air defence and asymmetric engagement exercises. It was aimed to explore measures to facilitate operational-level interactions between their armed forces and increase mutual cooperation, considering common global threats. It was also held at time when Indian Ocean is witnessing increased Chinese naval presence. The first phase was held in Arabian Sea, second phase was held off the Chennai coast in Bay of Bengal and third near France’s Reunion Island in South Western Indian Ocean. The first phase had focused on joint anti-submarine combat training off Indian coast in Goa, with participation of French nuclear submarine and India’s Kalvari Scorpene-class submarine. The second phase focused on amphibious operations. Indian Navy’s destroyer, INS Mumbai, and frigate INS Trikand were the vessels participating in the exercise. Moreover, Indian Navy’s submarine, Kalvari, P8-1 and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and MiG 29K fighter aircraft also had participated in the exercise. Background: India is major defence partner of France in Indian Ocean region. Maritime security is priority in India-France’s defence and security policy, along with fight against terrorism. Indian Navy and French Navy have been conducting naval exercises since 1983. These exercises were christened as Varuna in 2001. The last edition of this annual bilateral exercise was conducted off French coast in April 2017. The Varuna series of naval exercises now has grown in scope and complexity and provides opportunity to naval forces of both countries to increase interoperability and learn from each other’s best practices. Reunion Island: It is French island strategically located in Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius. Around 8,50,000 French citizens reside there. It is most prosperous island in the Indian Ocean, having the highest GDP per capita in the region.

    2) India and United States held the third round of the India-US Maritime Security Dialogue in Goa from April 30 to May 1, 2018 focussing on cooperation and developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Key Facts: During the third round of dialogue, both sides discussed developments in maritime domain in Indo-Pacific Region and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen bilateral maritime security cooperation. They also reviewed implementation of decisions taken during the previous Maritime Security Dialogues. the next round of the dialogue will be held in the US on mutually convenient dates. Background: US has been pushing for broader role by India in strategically important Indo-Pacific region. US President Donald Trump had laid out his South Asia policy saying critical part of it was to further develop US’s strategic partnership with India. In June 2016, US had designated India Major Defence Partner intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. India, US and several other world powers including have been talking about need to ensure free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in backdrop of China’s rising military maneuvering in the region. In November 2017, US, India, Australia and Japan had given shape to long-pending Quadrilateral coalition to develop new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in Indo-Pacific free of Chinese influence.

    3) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved promulgation of Ordinance amend a law for speedy disposal of commercial disputes. This decision aims to improve India’s ranking in World Bank’s ease of doing business index. The index takes into consideration dispute resolution environment in country, which facilitates investors in deciding for setting up of and operation of a business. Key Facts: The ordinance will replace Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill which is pending in Parliament. It will bring down specified value of commercial dispute to Rs 3 lakh from the present Rs 1 crore. It also aims to bring down time taken from the present 1,445 days in resolution of commercial disputes of lesser value. The amendments through ordinance provides for establishment of commercial courts at district judge level for territories over which High Courts Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh have ordinary original civil jurisdiction. The ordinance will be given prospective effect so that authority of the judicial forum presently adjudicating commercial disputes is not affected.

    4) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved plan to set up 20 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country and upgrade 73 medical colleges. The decisions are part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which has been extended by two years till 2020 with financial outlay of Rs.14,832 crore. Key Facts: The decision to extend PMSSY is aimed at meeting shortfall in healthcare professionals and facilities across the country. Setting up of new AIIMS in various states under PMSSY will transform health education and training and also help to address shortfall of healthcare professionals. It will lead to employment generation for nearly 3,000 people in various faculty and non-faculty posts in each of AIIMS. Six of 20 AIIMS have already been established. The construction of new AIIMS will be fully funded by Central government and it will also bear operations and maintenance expenses of these facilities. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): PMSSY was announced in 2003. Its objectives are correcting regional imbalances in availability of affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare services and augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. It establishes AIIMS in various regions of India apart from different government colleges. It is funded from different centrally sponsored schemes relating to creating infrastructure on health.

    5) Scientists have found that global warming is driving proliferation of Noctiluca algae (commonly known as sea tinkle), a harmful algae in Arabian Sea responsible for glowing of Mumbai’s beaches in dark. The study was jointly conducted by researchers from Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a Ministry of Earth Sciences body and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Key Facts: Noctiluca algae is parasite and occurs in patches or blooms in northern Arabian Sea. Its bioluminescence characteristic i.e. glow in dark has earned it name ‘sea sparkle’. The algae compete with fish for food and choke their supply. It devours one of most important planktonic organisms at base of fish-food chain, namely diatoms. It also excretes large amounts of ammonia, which causes massive fish mortality. Significance of study: Earlier studies had linked increase in algal patches to coastal pollution from major Indian cities along west coast. However, in this study researchers found that global warming conditions are responsible their proliferation. Warming of oceans due to global is increasing temperature differences among layers of sea water. This temperature differences has slowed the upward transport of nutrients like silicate from ocean bottom, lowering its concentration at surface. Diatoms growing in surface water which need both sunlight and silicate to build their glass skeletons, fail to thrive when silicate is in short supply. On other hand, Noctiluca algae remain unaffected by these changes and prey on remaining diatoms. Thus, the study shows that intensifying global warming conditions will disrupt fish-food chain and cause decline of fisheries in the region.

    6) The Union Cabinet has approved doubling of investment limit from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). It also extended time limits for subscription from ay 2018 to March, 2020. These decisions were taken as part of Government commitment to financial inclusion and social security. It will boost social security initiatives for senior citizens and enable them upto Rs.10,000 pension per month. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): PMVVY aims to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions. It is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The intended beneficiaries of the scheme are elderly persons aged 60 years and above. The scheme provides an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on monthly, quarterly or half yearly and annual basis. The differential return, i.e. difference between return generated by LIC and assured return of 8% per annum is borne by Government as subsidy on annual basis.

    7) The Union Cabinet has given approval to accede to Protocol under World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on tobacco control to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. It will be applicable to both smoking and chewing or smokeless tobacco (SLT) forms as negotiated and adopted under Article 15 of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). India is a party to WHO FCTC. Features of Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products: It lays down obligations on parties and spells out supply chain control measures that must be adopted by parties while licensing manufactures of tobacco products and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products. It mainly deals with those engaged in production, tracking and tracing regime, record keeping and security. It also spells out measures to be taken by those engaged in e-commerce, manufacturing in free-trade zones and duty free sales. It lists out offences, enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products. It calls for international cooperation in information sharing, maintaining, training, technical assistance and cooperation in scientific and technical and technological matters. Significance: The protocol is path breaking initiative in strengthening global action against tobacco. It is also new legal instrument in public health. It is comprehensive tool to counter and eventually eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products and strengthen legal dimensions for international health cooperation. The protocol will help in strengthening comprehensive tobacco control, leading to reduction in tobacco use which in turn, will result in reduction in disease burden and mortality associated with tobacco use. It will provide India actionable alternatives against such prevailing practices that are affecting public health at large. It will provide India a platform to influence international organizations including World Custom Organization (WCO) in controlling such illicit trade. Background: The WHO FCTC is the first international public health treaty negotiated under auspices of WHO. Its objective is to provide framework for supply and demand reduction measures for tobacco control at national, regional and global levels. One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies enshrined in Article 15 of WHO FCTC envisages elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting. The Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products was developed and adopted by Conference of Parties (COP) which is governing body of FCTC. It is divided into 10 parts and contains 47 Articles.

    8) The Union Cabinet has approved restructuring of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) by upgradation, creation and abolition of certain posts of Joint Secretary-level and above. Decision in this regard was taken at Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Background: The Union Ministry of Mines had constituted Committee for comprehensive ‘Review and Restructuring of Functions and Role of IBM’ in the light of ‘National Mineral Policy’ (NMP) 2008. The Committee submitted its report in 2012 which was accepted by the Ministry. Key Facts: The restructuring will help IBM to effectively discharge its function to help reform and transform the regulation of the mineral sector. It will enable IBM to adopt IT and space technology IBM to improve its effectiveness in mineral regulation and development. Further, it will entail great deal of decision-making and accountability in functioning of IBM. The improved and enhanced performance of IBM through restructuring will benefit the mining sector. Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM): IBM was set up by Central Government in March, 1948 under Ministry of Works, Mines and Power (now Ministry of Mines). It is multi-disciplinary government organisation engaged in promotion of conservation, scientific development of mineral resources and protection of environment in mines other than coal, atomic minerals, petroleum & natural gas and minor minerals. It is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is primarily advisory body to help in formulation of policy and legal framework for mining sector and advising Central and State Governments on development and utilization of mineral resources. It helps states in preparation of auction blocks, publishing of average sale price, assisting in post auction monitoring and approval process.

    9) The Task Force constituted on “Establishing a Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)” has submitted its report to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Task Force was constituted by MHA in August, 2017 and was headed by Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Key Facts: Task force in its report provides step-by-step implementation plan and analysis in order to build and operationalize CDRI. It includes business case for CDRI, analysis of best practices of international partnerships in disaster risk and other thematic areas lead by India, preliminary design of coalition and roll-out plan. Background: During Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) held in New Delhi in November 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had outlined 10-point Agenda for disaster risk reduction. Under the first agenda, India had committed to work with other partner countries and key stakeholders to build coalition or centre for promoting disaster resilient infrastructure in the region. This was to generate new knowledge for hazard risk assessment, disaster resilient technologies and mechanism for integrating risk reduction in infrastructure financing. With a view to take this agenda further forward, MHA had constituted Task Force. It was mandated to prepare its report on establishing CDRI.

    10) The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.6 in April 2018 form from 51 in March 2018. It indicates faster improvement in health of India’s manufacturing economy than in prior month. Key Facts: PMI showed that manufacturing conditions improved for ninth consecutive month in April 2018. It was mainly because of faster expansions in output and new orders. Moreover, greater production requirements also stimulated job creation and encouraged companies to engage in input buying. The Output growth was solid and picked-up from March’s five-month low, but remained slightly below average for current nine-month period of expansion. On the price front, inflationary pressures continue to ease in April 2018, with softest increases for input costs and output charges reported since September 2017 and July 2017 respectively. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI): PMI is considered as an indicator of the economic health and investor sentiments about the manufacturing sector. It is published by Japanese firm Nikkei. The PMI is constructed separately for manufacturing and services sector. But the manufacturing sector holds more importance. In PMI, a reading above 50 indicates economic expansion, while reading below 50 points shows contraction of economic activities. PMI shows investor sentiment in economy’s manufacturing sector and is seen as sentiment tracking index. The variables used to construct India’s PMI are Output, New Orders, Input Costs, Output Prices, Backlogs of Work, Export Orders, Quantity of Purchases, Suppliers and Delivery Times, Employment, Stocks of Purchases and Stocks of Finished Goods. How PMI is different from IIP? Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is popular index that measures growth in industrial sector in India is concerned. It is prepared by Central Statistical Office (CSO). IIP shows change in production volume or output in major industrial subsectors like manufacturing, mining and electricity. It also gives use based (capital goods, consumer goods etc,) trends in industrial production. It covers broader industrial sector compared to PMI. PMI senses dynamic trends because of variable it uses for the construction of the index. PMI is more dynamic compared to IIP.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018.

    11) South Western Command of Indian Army is conducting ‘Vijay Prahar’ exercise in Mahajan area close to Suratgarh in Rajasthan. In this exercise, over 20,000 troops are participating with fighting equipment for couple of weeks o fine-tune jointmanship with the Indian Air Force. Key Facts: The month-long exercise is aimed to orchestrate wide spectrum of threats which are planned to be tackled through high tempo joint air and land operation. It involves hundreds of aircrafts, thousands of tanks and artillery pieces supported by real time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and logistic support. The exercise is being conducted to practice troops in penetrative manoeuvres across the obstacle ridden terrain under a nuclear umbrella. In it, formations of South Western Command will be practising and operationalising certain innovative concepts of operating in network centric environment. It will also deploy integrated employment of modern day sensors with weapon platforms, employment of attack helicopters in air cavalry role and bold offensive of application of the Special Forces. The formations will refine their drills and procedures for fighting in nuclear environment during course of the exercise. South Western Command: The South Western Command of the Indian Army was established in April 2005 and became fully operational on 15 August 2005. It is headquartered at Jaipur, Rajasthan. The command’s operational units include I Corps, formerly under Central Command, and X Corps transferred from Western Command.

    12) According to index of eight core industries released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, core sector growth in March 2018 slowed to 4.1%, a three-month low due to weak performance in six sectors. These sectors are coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel and electricity. Cumulatively, the eight core sectors grew 4.2% in 2017-18. The growth was 4.8% in the previous fiscal. The previous low was 3.8% in December 2017. Breakaway of March Performance- Core industries: Core industries can be defined as main industry of the economy. In most countries, there is particular industry that seems to be backbone of all other industries and it qualifies to be the core industry.In India, there are eight core sectors comprising of coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity. The eight infrastructure sectors, constitute 40.27% of the total index of industrial production (IIP). Revised weightage in core sectors: Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%), Electricity generation (19.85%), Steel production (17.92%), Coal production (10.33%), Crude Oil production (8.98%), Natural Gas production (6.88%), Cement production (5.37%), Fertilizers production (2.63%).

    13) The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released draft of new Telecom policy – National Digital Communications Policy, 2018. The policy seeks to unlock transformative power of digital communications networks to achieve the goal of digital empowerment and well-being of the people of India. Key Features of the draft policy: Strategic objectives: Calls for Universal broadband coverage, creating four million additional jobs in tdigital communications sector, enhancing contribution of digital communications sector to 8% of India’s GDP from around 6% in 2017, enhancing India’s contribution to global value chains and ensuring digital sovereignty. These objectives will be achieved by 2022. It also aims to propel India’s rank in ICT development index (published by ITU) to top 50, from 134 in 2017. Improvement in regulatory framework: The policy recognises its importance for attracting investments and ensuring fair competition, to serve the needs of the people. It aims to pursue regulatory reforms to ensure that regulatory structures and processes remain relevant, transparent, accountable and forward-looking. It aims to remove regulatory barriers and reduce the regulatory burden that hampers investments, innovation and consumer interest, the draft said. It also proposes to address woes of Telecom sector by reviewing licence fees, spectrum usage charges, universal service obligation fund (USOF) levy for enhancing ease of doing business in sector. Rationalising spectrum regulatory regime: It recognises spectrum as key natural resource for public benefit to achieve socio-economic goals. It aims optimise availability and utilisation by making adequate spectrum available to be equipped for the new broadband era. It will be done by regulation and administration of spectrum and rationalising taxes and levies on digital communications equipment, infrastructure and services. It calls for simplifying process of obtaining permissions from various agencies such as Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) and Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) in order to promote efficiency. It also calls for transparent and fair mode of spectrum allocation and assignments by developing fair, flexible, simple and transparent method. It proposes identifying and making available new spectrum bands for access and backhaul segments for timely deployment and growth of 5G networks and making available harmonised and contiguous spectrum required for deployment of next generation access technologies. National Broadband Mission (Rashtriya Broadband Abhiyan): It will be established to secure universal broadband access for implementation of broadband initiatives. It will be funded through Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Its components include- BharatNet (providing 10 to 10 Gbps to Gram Panchayats), GramNet (connecting all key rural development institutions with 10Mbps to 100 Mbps), NagarNet (establish one- million public Wi-Fi Hotspots in urban areas), JanWiFi (establishing two-million Wi-Fi Hotspots in rural areas) and Fibre First Initiative (to provide fibre connectivity to home, enterprises and key development institutions in tier I, II and III towns and rural clusters). Satellite Communication Technologies: Government would develop an ecosystem for satellite communications in India. It will be strengthen by revising licensing and regulatory conditions that limit the use of it, such as speed barriers, band allocation. USOF: Its scope and modalities will be reviewed by redesigning USOF and broadening its objectives to enable universal broadband access and strengthening institutional capacity to ensure effective rollout of services in uncovered, remote and rural areas. Quality of services: Effective institutional mechanisms will be established to protect consumers’ interests including Telecom Ombudsman and centralised web based complaint redressal system. Comprehensive data protection regime: It has been mandated for digital communications that safeguards the privacy, autonomy and choice of individuals and facilitates India’s effective participation in the global digital economy. Use of renewable energy technologies in communications sector: It will be incentivised, including utilisation of small cell fuel batteries, lithium-ion batteries or other similar technologies. It calls for promoting R&D of green telecom through active participation of stakeholders across government, industry and academia and rationalising of taxes and levies on manufacture, production and import of such equipment for digital communication technologies.

    14) According to Global Urban Air Pollution database released by World Health Organisation (WHO), 14 Indian cities have figured in list of world’s 20 most polluted cities in terms of particulate matter PM2.5 levels in 2016. These 14 cities include Delhi, Varanasi, Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur. They were followed by Ali Subah Al-Salem (Kuwait) and few cities in China and Mongolia. In terms of PM10 levels, 13 cities in India figured among the 20 most-polluted cities. Background: The database measured levels of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) from more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries. It estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that penetrate deep into lungs and cardiovascular system. WHO recognises air pollution is critical risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as it causes diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia. Since 2016, over 1,000 additional cities are being added to WHO’s database, showing that more countries are measuring and taking action to reduce air pollution than ever before. Key Facts: Pollution related Deaths: According to WHO database, ambient air pollution alone caused some 4.2 million deaths in 2016 across the globe, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies has caused 3.8 million deaths in same period. It shows that 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Global Scenario: More than 90% of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (including India), mainly in Asia and Africa. It is followed by low-and middle-income countries of Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe and Americas. More than 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. While all regions of world are affected, populations in low-income cities are most impacted. South Asia region: It alone accounts for 1.5 million (40%) deaths by household air pollution and 1.3 million (30%) global deaths due to ambient air pollution. Member-countries in Southeast Asia Region need to aggressively address double burden of household and ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Lack of clean fuel: Around 3 billion people (more than 40% of the world’s population) still do not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes, the main source of household air pollution. Since 2016, over 1,000 additional cities have been added to WHO’s database, which shows more countries are measuring and taking action to reduce air pollution than ever before.

    15) President Ram Nath Kovind will preside over first meeting of National Committee for Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. The committee is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has 114 members on board including Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Prime Ministers and Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, members of union cabinet, political party leaders, chief ministers, Gandhians, spiritual gurus and social workers among others. Background: The birth anniversary of father of the nation will be commemorated from 2nd October, 2019 to 2nd October, 2020. Many events are planned to organised at both national and international level to propagate message of Mahatma Gandhi. In 2018-19 budget proposals, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had earmarked Rs. 150 crore for the celebrations. Key Facts: The 114-member committee will discuss policies, plans and preparatory activities for commemoration of birth anniversary. Its recommendations will be considered for implementation by government. The Ministry of Culture will be nodal ministry for celebrations. Chief Ministers of different states, leaders of various political parties, Gandhians, spiritual leaders and social workers are expected to attend the meeting.

    16) The 9th India Japan Energy Dialogue was held in New Delhi. Both countries issued Joint Statement at conclusion of the meeting, agreeing to work together for energy security, energy access and climate change issues. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State (MoS) for Power and New & Renewable Energy R.K Singh and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Hiroshige Sekosigned. Key Highlights of Joint Statement: Both India and Japan agree to implement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under aegis of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They recognized importance of development and deployment of next generation technologies including hydrogen to realize de-carbonization. Both countries agreed to work together for energy security, energy access and climate change issues. They further confirmed their commitment to work together in promoting well-functioning energy markets and promote transparent and diversified Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market through relaxation of destination clause. They also agreed to initiate discussion on Electric Vehicles (Evs) and commit to work together in promoting well-functioning energy markets.

    17) The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducted two-day National Workshop on Data Requirements for Disaster Risk Reduction Database in New Delhi. The workshop was held in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). Key Facts: The workshop aimed to develop consensus on disasters, thresholds and develop standardised templates for data collection, updation and validation to ensure accuracy and quality. It held discussions on issues such as interoperability and security of the data. It was attended by officials from NDMA and representatives of concerned Central Ministries and Departments, state governments, UN agencies, administrative training institutes (ATIs), disaster management institutes and universities. Background: India is one of most disaster-prone countries in the world. Numerous disasters faced by the country has resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods and also caused significant damage to infrastructure and disruption of critical services. These socioeconomic losses associated with these disasters have caused undo years of growth and development, especially affecting most vulnerable and marginalised populations. Disaster Risk Reduction database: India often refers to global databases and snapshots of disaster events for reporting disaster losses. However, these databases work under various limitations and are not able to produce accurate analyses. In this background, India is planning to create uniform and credible national-level disaster database. It will consist of locally obtained and validated data which will aid scientific analyses and suitable policy interventions to reduce disaster risks. Significance of database: It will help in assessing and tracking risks and progress towards disaster resilience without which India will not be able to meet its developmental goals. It will also be step forwards towards implementing Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda to address disaster risks, outlined during Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR (AMCDRR) in November, 2016.

    18) The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed former chief secretary of Karnataka, Subhash Chandra Khuntia as new chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). He will succeed TS Vijayan whose five-year term ended in February 2018. He will have tenure of period of three years from the date of joining. Subhash Chandra Khuntia is 1981-cadre IAS official from Karnataka, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI): IRDA is an apex statutory body that regulates and develops insurance industry in India. It was constituted as per provisions of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. Its headquarter is in Hyderabad. Functions of IRDA: Protect the rights of insurance policy holders. Provide registration certification to life insurance companies Renew, modify, cancel or suspend this registration certificate as and when appropriate; promote efficiency in conduct of insurance business. Promote and regulate professional organisations connected with insurance and reinsurance business; regulate investment of funds by insurance companies Adjudication of disputes between insurers and intermediaries or insurance intermediaries.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018.

    19) NASA will launch its first-ever mission InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) to study the deep interior of Mars on May 5, 2018. It will be launched from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. The rocket will also launch two mini-spacecraft called Mars Cube One (MarCO) which is NASA’s technology experiment. InSight Mission: InSight is stationary lander that will be first NASA mission since Apollo moon landings to place seismometer, a device that measures quakes on soil of another planet. It has been envisaged as part of NASA’s Discovery Program mission that aims to place stationary lander equipped with seismometer and heat transfer probe on surface of Mars to study red planet’s early geological evolution. InSight is terrestrial planet explorer that will address one of most fundamental issues of planetary and solar system science. It will help in understanding processes that shaped rocky planets of inner solar system (including Earth) more than four billion years ago. Its instruments include seismometer to detect marsquakes and probe that will monitor flow of heat in planet’s subsurface. The robotic lander will perform a radio science experiment to study internal structure of Mars by deploying seismometer and a burrowing heat probe. It will measure Mar’s vital signs such as pulse (seismology), temperature (heat flow probe) and reflexes (precision tracking). It will let scientists understand how different its crust, mantle and core are from Earth. MarCO: MarCO consists of two briefcase-sized CubeSats that will fly on their own path to Mars behind InSight. It will be first test of CubeSat technology in deep space or at another planet. They are designed to test new communications and navigation capabilities for future missions and may aid InSight communications but is independent of InSight mission. If successful, MarCOs will offer new kind of communication capability to deep space missions to Earth.

    20) The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) – DHAN scheme at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal. It was launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) by Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti. Key Facts: The GOBAR-DHAN Scheme aims to positively impact village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste. It also aims at creating new rural livelihood opportunities and enhancing income for farmers and other rural people. Under it, villagers will be mobilized to create self-help groups (SHGs) and creative societies that will help in clean energy and green jobs initiative. The scheme focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost, biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean, increasing income of rural households and generation of energy from cattle waste. It is an important element of ODF-plus strategy under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). The scheme envisages implementation of 700 bio-gas units in different states of the country in 2018-19. Background: Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) comprises two main components for creating clean villages. They are creating open defecation free (ODF) villages and managing solid and liquid waste in villages. The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation now is focusing on ODF-plus activities, including measures to enhance solid and liquid waste management after over 3.5 lakh villages, 374 districts and 16 States/UTs of the country were declared ODF. Significance of Scheme: It will be hugely beneficial for country as India is home to highest cattle population in world which produces around 3 million tonnes of dung. It will encourage farmers to consider dung and other waste not just as waste but as source of income. It will provide many benefits to rural people by keeping villages clean and sanitized, improving livestock health and increasing farm yields. Under it, biogas generation will help to increase self-reliance in energy utilized for cooking and lighting. It will augment income of farmers and cattle herders. It will create new opportunities for jobs linked to waste collection, transportation, biogas sales etc. It will also provide stable fuel supply in market for oil companies and accessible credit in market through government schemes and banks for entrepreneurs.

    21) The first ever bilateral joint military training exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2018 between India and Malaysia began in dense forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia. The exercise aims at bolstering cooperation and coordination between armed forces of both nations. It also seeks to share expertise of both contingents in conduct of counter insurgency operations in jungle terrain. This is for first time joint training exercise of this magnitude between Indian and Malaysia is being held on Malaysian soil. Key Facts: The exercise will be held from 30 April 18 to 13 May 2018. In it, Indian contingent is represented by 4 GRENADIERS, one of the oldest infantry battalions having rich operational experience in conventional as well as counter insurgency warfare. Malaysian contingent is represented by soldiers from 1 Royal Ranjer Regiment and Royal Malay Regiment, known for their experience in Jungle Warfare. The focus of exercise is on tactical operations in jungle warfare. It involves cross training phase followed by field training phase of seven days in jungles of Hulu Langat wherein both armies will jointly train, plan and execute series of training activities. Overall, the exercise will provide excellent opportunity to armies of both countries to hone their operational skills and also contribute to enhance strategic partnership between India and Malaysia.

    22) HDFC Bank has launched Interactive Robotic Assistant (IRA) 2.0, an interactive humanoid at its Koramangala Branch in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The interactive humanoid aims to enhance user experience for customers visiting in this branch. IRA 2.0: HDFC Bank has developed IRA 2.0 in collaboration with its technology partners Invento Makerspaces and Senseforth Technologies. IRA 2.0 is more advance than first version IRA 1.0. It is blend of IRA 1.0 and Electronic Virtual Assistant (EVA), HDFC’s virtual bank assistant with some added features. It can interact customers, answer their bank-related queries, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and also guide them inside branch with voice-based navigation. It design has incorporated learning from first version IRA 1.0 to meet customer expectations. IRA 1.0: HDFC was first bank in India to introduce humanoid IRA 1.0 for customer service at Kamala Mills Branch in Mumbai in January 2o18. Currently, IRA 1.0 is stationed at Palarivattom Branch in Kochi. IRA 1.0 is GPS enabled indoor humanoid. It has speech recognition module that can be trained to understand what customers speak and uses ultrasonic sensor to move in inside branch. It has face detection algorithm for recognition customers. Electronic Virtual Assistant (EVA): Its virtual assistant launched by HDFC on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to enable simplicity and convenience of voice conversation to banking transactions. It makes HDFC first bank to offer voice banking experience on Alexa. It is integrated with bank’s chat engine EVA for natural language processing (NLP) to better understand customers’ queries.

    23) The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in holy city if Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) from January 21 to January 23, 2019. Its theme will be “Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India”. The mega event will be organised by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in association with Uttar Pradesh government. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year in India on 9 January. The day also commemorates return of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in Mumbai (then Bombay) on January 9, 1915. The day is celebrated to mark contribution of overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day was formally established in 2003. Celebrations of the day are sponsored by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was held in Bengaluru (Karnataka) with theme “Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora”.

    24) Ministry of Power has launched Pilot Scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power of 2500 MW on competitive basis for 3 years. The main purpose of scheme is to revive commissioned power plants which are unable to sell electricity in absence of valid power purchase agreements (PPAs). Key Facts: Under this scheme, these plants will be allowed to bid for power supply. Under it, power will be procured from generators with commissioned projects under medium term but without Power Purchase Agreement. PFC Consulting Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of state-run Power Finance Corporation) has been appointed as Nodal Agency and PTC India Limited as aggregator. PTC India will sign three-year (mid-term) Agreement for power procurement with successful bidders and Power Supply Agreement with Discoms. Under pilot scheme, a single entity can be allotted maximum capacity of 600 MW. The scheme will assure minimum off-take of 55% contracted capacity. The Tariff will be fixed for 3 years without any escalation. This scheme is expected to revive power demand which has affected generators not having Power Purchase Agreements. Significance: The scheme will help nearly 12 GW commissioned thermal power plants get medium-term power purchase agreement (PPA) which is pre-requisite for getting coal linkage. Presently out of 40 GW stressed coal based power generation capacity, 28 plants of 24 GW worth Rs 1.44 lakh crore are commissioned. Nearly half of these capacities (12 GW) do not have coal linkage because of no PPAs.

    25) Sikkim’s Pawan Chamling (68) created history by becoming longest-serving Chief Minister in India. He has completed 23 years, four months and 17 days of uninterrupted service in office. He surpassed earlier record held by Jyoti Basu, 5-term West Bengal CM who held office for 23 years. Basu was in office from June 21, 1977 to November 6, 2000. Pawan Chamling: Pawan Chamling was born on September 22, 1950, at Yangang, South Sikkim. He had dropped out of school after matriculation. He took his plunge into politics at age of 22 during the time when negotiations were underway for merger of the kingdom of Sikkim with India. He started his active political career at age of 32. He was elected aspresident of Yangang Gram Panchayat in 1982. In 1985, he was elected to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the first time. He had served as Minister for Industries, Information and Public Relations from 1989 to 1992 in Nar Bahadur Bhandari cabinet in the state. After a series of political upheavals in Sikkim, he formed Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in 1993. He was sworn in as chief minister of Sikkim for the first time on December 12, 1994 and now has been in office for fifth consecutive term.

    26) For first time, arch rivals India and Pakistan are taking part in Peace Mission, a multi-nation counter-terror exercise in Russia to be held in September 2018. The military exercise is going to take place under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India’s participation at exercise was confirmed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during meeting of SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting held in Beijing, China in April 2018. Peace Mission: Peace Mission counter-terror military exercise will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member countries are taking part in it. Its main aim is to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the eight SCO member countries. It will be for first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of military exercise, though armies of two arch rival neighbouring countries have worked together in UN peacekeeping missions. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): SCO is political and security grouping headquartered in Beijing. It was founded in 2001. The full members of organization are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan. They represent over 40% of humanity and nearly 20% of the global GDP. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status at present. SCO is successor of grouping called Shanghai Five, founded by China in 1996. It comprised Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In 2001 Uzbekistan was invited to join it and SCO was officially born. After Astana Summit Declaration in 2005, SCO has emerged as a regional security organization. SCO’s main objective is military cooperation between the members. It also works towards intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia. It is primarily centred on its member nations’ Central Asian security-related concerns, often describing main threats it confronts as being terrorism, separatism and extremism. The role of China as well as strategic importance of SCO has increased over period of decade and now address problems like terrorism, separatism and militancy in the region.

    27) International Buddhist Conference was held in Lumbini, Nepal on 29 and 30 April 2018 to commemorate 2562nd Buddha Jayanti. The theme of the conference was ‘Lumbini Nepal: The birthplace of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism and world peace’. Lumbini is birth place of Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhist religion. Lord Buddha was born in sacred garden of Lumbini during 6th century BC and had attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, (now in Bihar, India) and gave his first sermon in Sarnath and died in Kushinagar. Key Facts: The basic objective of conference was to disseminate teachings of Buddha and spread messages of nonviolence, brotherhood, co-existence, love and peace to international community. It also aimed to help to propagate and enhance the importance and the glory of Lumbini in the international arena. Representatives from 16 countries including US, Japan, India, China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka attended the conference. Buddhist scholars from various countries also presented their papers for discussions during the conference. At end of the conference, 10 point Lumbini Declaration was adopted. It includes issues such as interfaith dialogue, infrastructure development, connecting Buddhist attractions in Nepal and India, and implementing Greater Lumbini Area Master Plan.

    28) Indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully fired Derby air-to-air beyond visual range missile (BVRM) off the Goa coast. The successful test demonstrated its overall capability as effective supersonic combat jet. It also expands firing envelope as well demonstrated safe operation of Tejas during missile plume ingestion into aircraft engine under worst case scenarios. It will also enable its developers state-run HAL and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inch closer to final operational clearance (FOC). Derby BVR missile: Derby is short to medium range BVR Air-to-Air missile. It is a dual-use missile (air-to-air and surface-to-air).It is developed jointly by Israeli armament development agency Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries MBT. It has maximum effective range of about 50 km. The missile weighs around 118 kg light and is 3.8 metres long. Its weight allows it to be adapted to various modern fighter aircraft. It is active radar air-to-air missile for fighter aircraft and has capability to be launched at target day or night and in all weather conditions. It has look-down and shoot-down capability, fire and forget mode and advanced Electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM) tailored to customer’s operational requirements.

    29) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has further liberalised External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy by including more sectors in the window in a bid to facilitate cheaper access of overseas funds to Indian companies. Key Facts: RBI has stipulated uniform, all-in cost ceiling of 450 basis points (bps) over benchmark rate, which, in most cases, is six-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The benchmark rate for rupee-denominated bonds will be prevailing yield of government bonds of corresponding maturity. RBI has decided to increase ECB Liability to Equity Ratio for ECB raised from direct foreign equity holder under automatic route to 7:1. This ratio will not be applicable if total of all ECBs raised by entity is up to $5 million or equivalent. Earlier, ratio exceeding 4:1 was required the RBI’s approval. RBI also has allowed all housing finance companies regulated by National Housing Bank and Port Trusts to raise ECB under all tracks. Such entities shall have board-approved risk management policy and shall keep their ECB exposure hedged 100% at all times for ECBs raised under Track I. RBI also has allowed companies engaged in business of maintenance, repair and overhaul and freight forwarding to raise ECBs denominated in rupee only. Funds raised through ECBs will be not allowed to be invested in real estate or for purchase of land except for affordable housing, construction and development of SEZ and industrial parks or integrated townships. RBI also relaxed norms for foreign investment in bonds by withdrawing investment cap for investors from investing in government bonds with minimum residual maturity of three years. External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs): ECBs are commercial loans borrowed from foreign sources for financing the commercial activities in India. It may be bank loans, securitised instruments, buyers’ credit, suppliers’ credit, foreign currency convertible bonds, etc. It should be noted that ECBs are not FDI. In case of FDI, foreign money is used only to finance the equity Capital. But in case ECBs, foreign money is used to finance any kind of funding other than equity.

    30) The Office of United States (US) Trade Representative (USTR) has once again placed India on ‘Priority Watch List’ in its annual Special 301 Report on the state of intellectual property protection. In 2018 Special 301 Report, the USTR has placed 12 countries on its Priority Watch List. Special 301 Report identifies US trading partners that do not adequately or effectively protect and enforce IP rights or deny market access to its innovators and creators that rely on protection of their IP rights. Key Facts: Other countries on list are Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela. IP issues in these countries will be subject of intense bilateral engagement during coming year. According to it, India remains the list for its long-standing challenges in its IP framework and lack of sufficient measurable improvements, particularly with respect to patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and enforcement, as well as for new issues that have negatively affected US right holders over the past year. India remains one of world’s most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property. India’s enforcement action and policies are insufficient to curb problem, copyright policies that do not properly incentivise creation and commercialisation of content and outdated and insufficient trade secrets legal framework. It has slammed Health Ministry of India for creating uncertainty in pharmaceutical market by demanding that pharmaceutical companies provide details of how they were using the granted patents. It has urged India to join important international treaties and agreements that could improve aspects of India’s IP regime.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018.

    31) The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Indian Yoga Association (IYA) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate interaction and cooperation between two organisations to promote wellness, spiritual and cultural tourism in Krishna Circuit. Krishna Circuit: Government is trying to promote Krishna circuit as major tourist attraction under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. It is named after Lord Krishna and is centered on him. Under it, 12 destinations spread across five states have been proposed. They will be developed on principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner. The destinations covered are Gujarat: Dwarka; Rajasthan: Nathdwara, Jaipur and Sikar; Uttar Pradesh: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon and Govardhan; Odisha. Key Facts: Under this MoU, PHDCCI and IYA have joined hands to provide holistic tourism experience to domestic and international travellers looking for some spiritually invigorating and cultural experiences. PHDCCI has been frontrunner in the wellness, spiritual, knowledge and health sectors. It is committed to bringing about effective changes in management, innovation and proactive development of strategies and strengthening linkages for advancement through partnerships with like-minded organizations.

    32) The first Informal Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping was held in Wuhan. The purpose of meeting was to exchange views on overarching issues of bilateral and global importance and to elaborate their respective visions and priorities for national development in context of current and future international situation. Key Takeaway from the meeting: Both leaders agreed that simultaneous emergence of India and China as two large economies and major powers with strategic and decisional autonomy has implications of regional and global significance. The peaceful, stable and balanced relations between them will be positive factor for stability amidst current global uncertainties. They agreed proper management of bilateral relationship for conducive development and prosperity of region, and create conditions for the Asian Century. They decided to strengthen Closer Development Partnership in mutually beneficial and sustainable manner. They also agreed to issue strategic guidance to their forces and strengthen existing mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border areas. They highlighted importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in all areas of India-China border region in larger interest of the overall development of bilateral relations. PM Modi laid emphasis on importance of people-to-people (P2P) contact through STRENGTH: S-Spirituality; T-Tradition, Trade and Technology; R-Relationship; E-Entertainment (Art, Movies, etc.); N-Nature conservation; G-Games; T-Tourism and H-Health and Healing. Chinese President Xi held that two countries should stand for multi-polar world order and globalisation. He held that China and India are both important engines for global growth and they central pillars for promoting multi-polar and globalised world. So, good Sino-India relationship is important for maintaining peace and stability in world.

    33) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14) at Bijapur, Chattisgarh. PM also inaugurated first model Van Dhan Vikas Kendra under the scheme in Bijapur. Van Dhan Scheme: The scheme aims at economic development of tribals involved in collection of Minor Food Produces (MFPs) by helping them in optimum utilization of natural resources and provide them sustainable livelihood. Under it, 10 Self Help Groups (SHGs) of 30 Tribal gatherers will be constituted. The SHGs will then be trained and provided with working capital to add value to products they collect from forest. They will be able to market their products, by working under leadership of collector, not only within states but also outside states. TRIFED will be provide all required training and technical support to SHGs. They will be trained on sustainable harvesting, collection, primary processing and value addition. They will be formed into clusters to aggregate their stock in tradable quantity and link them with facility of primary processing in Van Dhan Vikas Kendra. Van Dhan Vikas Kendra will be established under scheme will provide skill upgradation and capacity building training and setting up of primary processing and value addition facility. It will be used for training of beneficiaries by providing them equipment and tools for primary level processing and infrastructure and building for housing. The SHGs will supply their stock after primary processing to State Implementing Agencies or can directly tie up with corporate secondary processor. Big corporates will create secondary level value addition facility at district level and tertiary level value addition facility at state level under the PPP model. The PPP model will be based on utilising Private entrepreneur skills in undertaking processing as well as marketing of the produce. The central and state governments will provide necessary support by creating infrastructure and providing enabling environment for undertaking value addition of systematic scientific lines.

    34) Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cleared capital acquisition proposals of DRDO’s NAG missile system (NAMIS) for Indian Army and 127 mm calibre guns for Indian Navy. DAC is Defence Ministry’s highest decision-making body on procurement. Key Facts: NAG missile system (NAMIS): It will be procured for Indian Army at cost of Rs. 524 crore. It has been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The system includes third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) Nag along with the missile carrier vehicle (NAMICA). The NAG ATGM has strike range of over 2.5km with fire and forget capabilities. It has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night. The Indian army is currently using second generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs and has been looking for about 8000 third generation ATGMs, which are important for stopping advancing enemy tanks. 127 mm calibre guns: Thirteen such guns will be procured for Indian Navy. They will be procured from BAE Systems under Buy (Global) category of Defence Procurement Procedure at cost of over Rs 3,000 crore. These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations. These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, enabling Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land. This range can be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM).

    35) The Asia Pacific Regional Workshop of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), jointly hosted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and UNCCD was held in New Delhi. The four day workshop aimed at building capacity of Asia-Pacific Region to monitor and report on land degradation. It was attended by delegates from about 40 Asia Pacific countries, as well as representatives from 12 Indian states affected by land degradation, researchers and scientists from scientific institutions of national importance. Key Facts: The workshop provided UNCCD member countries platform to submit their national report in time and in particular for Target 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It provided diverse and multi-disciplinary knowledge sharing platform addressing desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) issues. It also provided opportunity to bring all key stakeholders from Asia to India and discuss key aspects of Reporting, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). The participants were trained in use of state-of-the-art tool called ‘Trends.Earth’ developed by Conservation International, an NGO for combating land degradation. The tool will collect data that inturn will help policy-makers to prioritize areas for interventions for combating land degradation. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): UNCCD was adopted in 1994 and entered into force 1996. It is only legally binding international agreement to address problem of desertification and other land issues. It promotes good land stewardship and its end goal is to protect land from over-use and drought, so it can continue to provide food, water and energy. The Convention addresses desertification and land issues specifically arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as drylands. India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal Ministry for this Convention, as well as other two Rio Conventions -United Nations Framework Convention to Combat Climate Change (UNFCC) and Convention on Biological Diversity, having their genesis in Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio De Janerio, Brazil.

    36) The National Stock Exchange’s (NSEs) arm India Index Services & Products Ltd (IISL) has launched Nifty equity savings index that will serve as benchmark for equity saving funds offered by various mutual funds. The index will capture performance of portfolio having exposure to equity, equity arbitrage and debt instruments in similar way to the investment philosophy of equity savings funds. Nifty equity savings index: The index is total return index capturing price return and dividend or coupon income. Its components are 30% exposure to Nifty 50 total return index; 30% exposure to equity arbitrage (long position in Nifty 50 total return index and equivalent short position in Nifty 50 futures Index); 30% exposure to Nifty short duration debt index; and 5% exposure to Nifty 1D rate index. The base date for index is April 1, 2005 and base value is 1,000. It will be calculated on an end-of-day basis. It will help to fill gap that was there due to absence of relevant benchmark for performance comparison of popular equity savings funds category offered by mutual funds in India. Index Services & Products Ltd (IISL): It is subsidiary of National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). It provides variety of indices and index related services and products for Indian capital markets. It is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was founded in March 1998 with objective of providing variety of indices and index related services and products for capital markets. It operates as a subsidiary of NSE Strategic Investment Corporation Limited. It maintains over 100 equity indices comprising broad-based benchmark indices, sectoral indices and customized indices.

    37) Global credit rating agency Fitch has kept India’s sovereign rating unchanged at ‘BBB-‘ with stable outlook. This rating is at junk bond or lowest investment grade with stable outlook. A rating upgrade changes profile of country and makes it attractive to investors. In 2017, Moody’s had upgraded India’s rating (to Baa2 from Baa3) after gap of nearly 14 years, while Standard & Poor’s (S&P) retained its BBB- rating with stable outlook. Key Facts: According to Fitch, BBB- rating balances India’s medium-term growth outlook and favourable external balances with weak fiscal finances and some lagging structural factors, including governance standards and still-difficult but improving business environment. The stable outlook reflects balancing of upside and downside risks to ratings. The main factors that, individually or collectively, upgrade India’s rating action are reduction in general government debt over medium term to level closer to that of rated peers, higher sustained investment and growth rates, without creation of macro imbalances, such as from successful structural reform implementation. What is Sovereign Credit rating? Sovereign Credit Rating: A sovereign credit rating is credit rating of country or sovereign entity. It gives investors insight into level of risk associated with investing in particular country, including its political risk. At request of country, credit rating agency evaluates country’s economic and political environment to determine representative credit rating. Obtaining good sovereign credit rating is usually essential for developing countries in order to access funding in international bond markets. Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) are big three international credit rating agencies controlling approximately 95% of global ratings business.

    38) The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was awarded National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018 in category “Top R&D Institution/Organization for Patents and Commercialization”. The National IP Award is awarded annually by Indian Intellectual Property Office (under Ministry of Commerce and Industry) in various categories on outstanding innovators, organizations and companies in fields of patents, designs, trademarks and geographical indications on the occasion of World IP Day (26 April). Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR): CSIR is an autonomous body and India’s premier research and development (R&D) organisation. It was established in 1942. It operates as an autonomous body registered under the Registration of Societies Act of 1860. It is mainly funded by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. Prime Minister is the chairman of CSIR. It has been ranked 9th in the world amongst 1207 government institutions, with overall global ranking of 75 in world, covering 5250 institutions.

    39) Gujarati poet, playwright and academic Sitanshu Yashaschandra was selected for 2017 Saraswati Samman for his collection of verses (poetry) titled “Vakhar” published in 2009. It was 27 edition of the award. Sitanshu Yashaschandra: Sitanshu Yashaschandra was born in 1941 in Gujarat’s Bhuj district. He has three poetry collections — Odysseusnu Halesu, Jatayu, and Vakhar to his credit. He has penned 10 plays and three books on critical analysis. He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award. Saraswati Samman: Saraswati Samman is an annual award bestowed upon Indian citizen for his outstanding literary work written in any 22 Indian language mentioned in Schedule VIII of Constitution and published during last 10 years. The award has been named after Indian goddess of learning Saraswati. It carries cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh, a citation and a plaque of goddess Saraswati. Saraswati Samman is considered one of the highest literary awards in India. It was established in 1991 by KK Birla Foundation (which also gives Vyas Samman for Hindi, and Bihari Puraskar for Hindi and Rajasthani writers of Rajasthan). Harivansh Rai Bachchan was first recipient of this award for his autobiography published Dashdwar Se Sopan Tak written in four volumes. Past awardees also include Oriya poet Ramakanta Rath; Marathi playright Vijay Tendulkar; and M Veerappa Moily etc.

    40) The National Disaster Response Authority (NDMA) conducted its first ever mock exercise aimed at enhancing preparedness of Airport Emergency Handlers (AEHs) to respond to CBRN emergencies at airports. CBRN emergencies pertain to threats emanating due to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material. Key Facts: The training programme was conducted at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna, Bihar in collaboration with Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS). During the training, NDMA jointly with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted its first-ever full-scale Biological Management Emergency Exercise. The exercise was based on suspected Ebola outbreak scenario. The mock drills with simulated situations of biological disasters are conducted by NDRF regularly to fine tune response mechanism in case of threats arising out of usage of biological agents. Stakeholders from several departments, including Airport Management, Health and Medical services, Fire Services, State Disaster Management Authority, Customs, Immigration and Disease Surveillance units participated in the mock exercise. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): It is statutory body under aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Its provisions are envisaged in Disaster Management Act, 2005. It was established in 2009. Its mandate is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and capacity-building in case of disaster resiliency and crisis response. It is governed by a 9 member board chaired by the Prime Minister of India. At present for its smooth functioning it consists of ten battalions of Central Armed Police Forces, including three each of Border Security force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and two each of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

    41) Google Arts & Culture in partnership with Ministry of Tourism has unveiled 360-degree virtual reality (VR) video for global ‘Incredible India’ tourism campaign. As part of it, Google Arts & Culture will provide users with immersive 360-degree view of India’s heritage, festivity, spirituality and adventure. Key Facts: The video showcases 360-degree view of some of most iconic destinations in India including Delhi’s Qutab Minar, Hampi’s Vitthala Temples, Amritsar’s Golden Temple and Goa’s easygoing vibe. The video has been created using best of 360-degree video capture technology, including Google’s Yi Halo camera and music in the video has been inspired by rhythms and melodies of regions depicted in it.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 28 April 2018 To 04 May 2018.

    42) The NITI Aayog has launched Atal New India Challenge under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) with aim to bring-in innovations and technologies relevant to the people. This initiative will focus on efforts towards solving problems in core areas, which would have direct impact on improving lives of citizens and also generate employment. Key Facts: For this initiative, AIM has partnered with Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Road Transport and Highways, Agriculture and Family Welfare, Drinking Water & Sanitation and Railway Board. Under this challenge, AIM will invite prospective innovators, MSMEs and start-ups to design market-ready products using cutting edge technologies or prototypes across pre-identified 17 focus areas. 17 identified focus areas are: climate-smart agriculture, fog vision system for road and rail, prevention of rail failure using emerging technologies, predictive maintenance of Rolling Stock, alternate fuel based transportation, smart mobility, electric mobility, safe transport, instant portable water quality testing, affordable desalination/recycling technology, waste management recycling/reuse, garbage composition devices, quality of compost, decentralized composting, mixing blades for composting, waste in public spaces and dissuading public littering. Guidelines of Challenges: As a part of it, applicants showing capability, intent and potential to productise technologies in 17 identified ares will be awarded grants up to Rs 1 crore. The grant will be supported by mentoring and other support as needed at various stages of commercialisation while generating wider deployment. These grants will not be mutually exclusive and will be given based on Selection Committee’s perception of potential. The winning grantees will be supported with mentoring, go-to-market strategies by leading incubators, accelerators and experts, technical support, and other means. The programme will be open to Indian companies registered under Companies Act 1956 and 2013, MSMEs, Start-Ups or private R&D organizations (other than Railway R&D organization), academic institutions, academicians, or even individual innovators. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): AIM is flagship initiative to promote culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in country. Its mandated is to create umbrella structure to oversee innovation ecosystem of country and revolutionize innovation eco-system. Objectives: Develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of economy. Provide platform and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, create awareness. Create umbrella structure to oversee innovation ecosystem of the country.

    43) The Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre (BARC) has developed Bhabha Kavach, a next-generation bulletproof jacket that is cheaper, lightweight. It has been named after Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, father of Indian nuclear programme. The jacket was developed at BARC’s Trombay centre in Mumbai in response to request from Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Key Facts: Bhabha Kavach is made of boron carbide and carbon nanotube polymer composite and weighs just 6.6 kg. The materials used in it reduce weight by nearly 50% as compared to presently used heavy steel-armoured jackets that weigh between 10kg to 17kg. It has passed over 30 tests carried out by certified agencies. These materials have been indigenously developed at BARC and are spin-off from nuclear technology. Apart from being lighter, sturdier and more reliable, Bhabha Kavach is also cost effective. It will cost Rs 60,000-70,000 as compared to imported bulletproof jackets costing around Rs 1.5 lakh. Bhabha Kavach is able to withstand eight 7.62mm bullets fired from AK-47 rifle from distance of 5-10 metres. It can even withstand 5.56mm bullet of Indian Small Arms System (INSAS). It is currently being tested by joint team of CRPF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The northern command of Indian Army is also testing variant of jacket in Jammu & Kashmir. If jackets pass various tests, it will be manufactured by Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, a defence public sector unit. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): The BARC is India’s premier nuclear research facility based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is multi-disciplinary research center with extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development. Its R&D covers entire spectrum of nuclear science, engineering and related areas. BARC’s core mandate is to sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy, primarily for power generation.

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