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1. Scientists from Russia have developed a new unique, low-cost method for producing high-quality nuclear fuel using electricity. It is alternative novel method that forms the basis of powder metallurgy and involves electric pulse sintering under pressure. The main type of fuel for nuclear power reactors is the uranium oxide pellet composition. It is produced from a powder by granulation, pressing, and sintering (coalescing into a solid or porous mass by heating) with the subsequent control of the quality and size of the pellets. Key Facts In the new method, the mould is heated by passing electric current with the uranium oxide pellet powder placed in. The uranium oxide fuel is simultaneously influenced by the powerful pulse discharge and mechanical pressure Advantages Products of high quality are obtained in low cost. Reduces number of production stages without increasing the cost. Fuel pellets can be produced even from uranium dioxide powder, which is not suitable for the conventional technology.

2. The Hornbill Festival began in the Naga Heritage village of Kisama. The festival coincides with the Statehood Day of Nagaland which is observed on December 1. It is tourism promotional extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage. It is also called as the ‘Festival of Festivals‘

3. The Union Government has given senior IPS officer Rakesh Asthana additional charge of the post of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He took charge following retirement of Anil Sinha. He was given this charge after government failed to find any full-time Director for CBI. This is the first time in last 10 years and only the second time in the CBI’s history that no new Director has been named to succeed an incumbent.About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) CBI is the foremost investigative police agency in India. It derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 It was established in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment. It was renamed to present nomenclature in 1963. Headquarters: New Delhi. Motto: Industry, Impartiality, Integrity. It is headed by Director, an IPS officer of DGP rank. He is selected as per the provisions of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003 The CBI Director is selected by a collegium comprising Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha.

4. The Delhi High Court has quashed ban imposed on 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs by the Central Government over fears that they are potential health and safety hazards. The HC held that Centre had acted in a haphazard manner and did not take the advice of the statutory bodies under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act before issuing ban notification. What is the issue? India is one of the world’s largest markets for FDC drugs that make up almost half the market share. The Union Health Ministry had imposed the ban on 344 FDC drugs under Section 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act in March 2016 for being unsafe and not having a therapeutic justification. The ban was imposed based on the recommendations of Kokate committee. It was imposed over fears that these drugs cause anti-microbial resistance and might even cause organ-failure because of high toxicity. It also aimed at curbing the misuse of medicines. However, the pharmaceutical companies contend that no prior enquiry was made from them or show cause notice issued prior to ban notification by the Central Government. They also held that these drugs in the same combination are being marketed in other countries. What Delhi High Court ruling says? The Central Government acted in a haphazard manner without following procedure prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Government did not take the advice of the statutory bodies such as Drugs Technical Advisory Body (DTAB) and the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) before imposing ban. Power cannot be exercised in public interest for any reason other than the drug being risky or not having any therapeutic value. What are Fixed dose combinations (FDC) Drugs? FDC drugs are drugs having two or more active ingredients in a single dosage. They are widely used to improve patient compliance as it is easier for them to take one drug than several. They are acceptable only when the drugs so combined have a therapeutic advantage.

5. The Border Security Force (BSF), the biggest border guarding force in the world celebrated its 51st Anniversary of Raising Day. Various cultural programmes were organised for BSF veterans and personnel during the Raising Day celebrations. On this occasion, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh presented prestigious “Maharana Pratap Trophy- 2016” on the BSF Punjab Frontier. About Border Security Force (BSF) BSF is the sentinels of Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It came into existence on 1st December, 1965. It was created by merging various State Armed Police Battalions for achieving a better coordinated synergy between the border guarding functions in peace time and fighting the war during the eventuality on both Western and Eastern fronts. BSF is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, Line of Control (LoC) along with Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations. Since its inception, BSF has proven its credentials during various counter insurgency and anti-militancy operations, internal security duties, natural calamities etc.

6. Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan (VISAKA) was launched by the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development (HRD) to make people aware about cashless economic system. It was launched by Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi. It is campaign by Higher Educational institutions for digital econmy. Key Facts VISAKA aims to create awareness among people about digital economy and cashless modes of transactions It was launched on line with Prime Minister’s appeal to youth in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ for creating awareness for making India digital and cashless economy. Under it, young students and faculty members will be roped to encourage and motivate people to use a digitally enabled cashless economic system for transfer of fund. For active participation of youth and faculty, HRD Minister also launched a webpage where students can register themselves. On this website, students and faculty members also can provide their feedback and suggestions on the initiative as well as upload the progress of their work.

7. The second Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Ideologist Award for the year 2016 was awarded to Prof. Yu Long Yu of China. He was presented with this award by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

8. The Trial run of Lucknow Metro train was flagged off by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. He also dedicated the Metro Train Depot to the public. The solo trial run of the metro was undertaken by two young women pilots Prachi Sharma and Priyanka Sharma . The trail run of the first phase of metro project covers around four kms between Transport Nagar and Single Nagar Metro stations. Key Facts The first phase of Lucknow metro project, famously known as North South corridor connects Lucknow airport to Munshipulia. This phase of metro project was undertaken by Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), a joint project of UP Government and Union Government It has a total length of 23 Kms and covers 21 stations of which eight are elevated. It will be open to public from 26th March 2017 after 3 months of rigorous trial. Metro man E Sreedharan has been the principal advisor of LMRC. Previously, he has successfully handled many mega projects like Kolkata Metro, Delhi Metro and Konkan Railways.

9. Scientists from Israel have created the world’s first ‘water-wave laser’ that emits a beam through the interaction of light and water waves. The study conducted by team of researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology led by Professor Tal Carmon. Significance of this research A typical laser can be created when the electrons in atoms become “excited” by energy absorbed from an outside source causing them to emit radiation in the form of laser light. However, the water-wave laser for the first time showed that water wave oscillations within a liquid device can also generate laser radiation. It also successfully demonstrated nonlinear optics and water waves, two areas of research that were previously considered unrelated to one another. How it works? In this case, researchers had created a device in which an optical fibre delivers light into a tiny droplet of octane and water. The energy is emitted by the droplet when light waves and water waves pass through each other many times (about one million times) inside the droplet The interaction between the fibre optic light and the miniscule vibrations on surface of the droplet creates an echo i.e. interaction of sound waves causing it to emit radiation. Event when minute pressure is applied by light it can cause droplet deformation that is a million times greater than in a typical optomechanical device. It may offer greater control of the laser’s emissions. In order to increase this echo effect in the device, highly transparent, runny liquids was used to encourage light and droplet interactions. Potential Applications The ‘water-wave laser’ may be used in ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices to study cell biology and test new drug therapies. It can be used in tiny sensors that combine light waves, sound and water waves. It also offers scientists a playground for studying the interaction of light and fluid at a scale smaller than the width of a human hair.

10. TeamIndus, a private aerospace starup company is planning to send a spacecraft to the moon aboard an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rocket on December 28, 2017. It will be India’s first private moon mission to be launched. It will be launched onboard of ISRO’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Key Facts TeamIndus moon mission’s aim is to land this spacecraft on the moon. It will also travel at least 500 metres and beam high- definition images, video and data back to the earth. Except for the launch vehicle, all of the technology that will power the lander and rover will be developed in-house by TeamIndus. For launching purpose TeamIndus has signed an agreement Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO. ISRO’s workhorse PSLV will launch the TeamIndus’s spacecraft in a three-day window centred on December 28, 2017. After completing a rotation around the earth, the spacecraft will land in 21 days at Mare Imbrium, a region in the North-Western hemisphere of the Moon. If the mission goes successful, it would likely pip ISRO’s proposed moon-lander mission — Chandrayaan 2. It launch date is not yet formally announced. Background TeamIndus is one of the four international teams and the only one from India that are running for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a $30 million competition. The competition aims to encourage private companies to launch space missions. Other three international teams include two US based companies, Moon Express and Synergy Moon and one Israeli company SPACE 1 L. So far, all of them have announced agreements with space-launch-vehicle companies such as SpaceX. About TeamIndus TeamIndus is Bengaluru-based private aerospace company. It is led by Rahul Narayan. It has 100-member team of engineers, space enthusiasts, former Air Force pilots and former ISRO employees. It has high-profile investors, including Ratan Tata of the Tata Group; Binny and Sachin Bansal, co-founders of Flipkart and Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys

11. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has formally inscribed Yoga in its representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Decision in this regard was taken by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The declaration describes Yoga, an ancient Indian practice as a Human Treasure. It was unanimously supported by all the 24 members of inter-governmental Committee. Other new inscriptions added in the list are Rumba dance (Cuba), Belgian beer (Belgium), Almezmar (Saudi Arabia), Kuresi (Kazakhstan) and Khidr Elias feast (Iraq), Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals (Japan), Momoeria, New Year’s celebration (Greece), practice of organizing shared interests in cooperatives (Germany),Making and sharing flatbread (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan), Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (South Korea), Gada system (Ethiopia),Tahteeb, stick game (Egypt), Music and dance of the merengue (Dominican Republic), Valencia Fallas festivity (Spain), Solar Term(China), Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh(Bangladesh). Background The proposal for inclusion of Yoga in this list was forwarded by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) immediately after the first International Yoga Day was on 21st June 2016. The dossier in this regard was forwarded by MEA through the Sangeet Natak Akademi. India’s proposal for nominating Yoga had stressed upon its pan-Indian and global expanse, health benefits and practised by people from all communities. About UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage The UNESCO’s coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance. It was established in 2008 after Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003 came into effect. It compiles two lists viz. Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Now, the list includes 814 cultural sites, 203 natural and 35 with both cultural and natural qualities. List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity from India Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre of Kerala. Mudiyett: theatre ritual of Kerala. Tradition of Vedic Chanting. Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan. Ramlila: Traditional Performance of the Ramayana. Sankirtana: singing, drumming and dancing ritual of Manipur. Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of Garhwal Himalayas. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil of Thatheras: Punjab. Chhau dance: classical Indian dance originated in the eastern Indian states. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

12. Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen of Norway has won the 2016 World Chess Championship for the third consecutive time. He retained the title after defeating Sergey Karjakin of Russia. Karjakin had tied against Carlsen in 12 regular rounds but was beaten in the final phase of four quickfire games.

13. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for inclusion of 15 new castes and modification in 13 other castes in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in respect of 8 states. These states are Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. The Union Cabinet took this decision based on the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). Key Facts The NCBC had recommended a total of 28 changes in the existing list of OBCs in respect of 8 states. Out of these 28 changes, 15 were new entries, 9 were synonyms or sub-castes of castes which were already in the list and 4 were corrections. The changes will enable the persons belonging to these communities/castes to avail the benefits of reservation in Government posts and services. It will also help them to get benefits in Central Educational Institutions as per the existing policy. They will also become eligible to avail benefits under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. administered by Union Government, which are available to persons belonging to OBCs. About National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) The NCBC was set up as per the NCBC Act, 1993 in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Sawhney case (1992). Composition It consist of five Members, comprising of a Chairperson; social scientist; two persons having special knowledge in matters relating to backward classes and Member-Secretary. Chairperson must be or has been a judge of Supreme Court or High Court. Functions It examines requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists of OBCs. It also hears complaints of under-inclusion or over-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tenders such advice to the Union Government as it deems appropriate. The advice of the NCBC is ordinarily binding upon the Union Government. So far based on recommendation of NCBC, Government has notified total of 2479 entries including its synonyms, sub-castes, etc. in Central List of OBCs in 25 States and 6 UTs.

14. The Supreme Court has ordered cinema halls to mandatorily play the national anthem before every screening and all those present in cinema halls have to “stand up to show respect.” According to SC such practice, will instil a feeling of committed patriotism and nationalism. It should be seen as an opportunity for the public to express their “love for the motherland.” The SC order was given by bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy on a writ petition by Shyam Narayan Chouksey in October 2016. Petition The petition had focused on the commercial exploitation of the anthem. It had claimed that the national anthem is sung in various circumstances which are not permissible and can never be countenanced in law. It had referred to the Prevention of Insults to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and Article 51 (A) of the Constitution to contend that it was the duty of every person to show respect when the anthem was played. It pointed out that the national anthem was being played under unacceptable circumstances. The petitioner had sought the apex court’s intervention to ensure that the protocol laid down in the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 was followed. Supreme Order SC took note of Article 51(A) and held that national anthem is a symbol of the constitutional patriotism and national quality. It held that cinemas should also display the national flag on screen when the anthem is played and never play any abridged version of anthem. In order to prevent any kind of disturbance when the anthem is played all doors in a cinema hall should remain closed. It event banned exploitation of national anthem for financial benefit. SC ordered that there should be no dramatisation of the anthem or its inclusion as part of any variety show. The anthem or part of it should not be printed or displayed in places as it is “disgraceful” to its status.

15. The NITI Aayog has constituted a 13 member Committee on promotion of cashless society and digital economy. It will be headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Chief Ministers of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Puducherry and Maharashtra representing different political parties are its members. It been constituted in line with the Union Government’s thinking To promote financial inclusion, transparency and healthy financial ecosystem nationwide. To give a boost to adoption of digital payments systems by people at grass root levels and small businesses.

16. India has signed government-to-government (G2G) deal with the United States (US) to buy 145 M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers worth $750 million under the Foreign Military Sales programme. The deal was signed at the two-day meeting of the 15th India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) held in New Delhi. This is the first defence deal signed by India for purchasing artillery guns since the Bofors scandal in 1980s. It was recently cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

17. The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval to the negotiating position adopted by India at the recent 28th Meeting of Parties (MoP) to the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda. The negotiations at Kigali meet held in October 2016 were aimed at including HFCs in the list of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol. The Union Cabinet has approved baseline and freeze years proposal of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest (MoEFCC) over the issue of phasing down the climate-damaging refrigerants hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as negotiated in Kigali meet. Key Facts In the Kigali meet, India had successfully negotiated the baseline years within a range of 2024 to 2030 and freeze year in subsequent years for phasing down the use of HFCs. It had two set of baselines years were agreed for developing countries. India along with nine other countries will have baseline years of 2024, 2025, 2026. India will completely phase down of HFCs in 4 steps from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047 It also gives additional HCFC allowance of 65% that will be added to the Indian baseline consumption and production. Other developing countries including China (largest producer of HFCs in the world), South Africa and Brazil opted for 2020-22 baseline. The developed countries on the other will hand reduce use of HFCs over a 2011-13 baseline and will reduce production and consumption of HFCs by 70% in 2029. The freeze year for India will be 2028 and it will be with a condition that there will be a technology review in 2024/2025. India’s position was mainly aimed at allowing sufficient room for growth of its domestic sectors using refrigerants. Background The Montreal Protocol of the Vienna Convention for Protection of Ozone Layer which entered force in January 1989 aimed to phase out the ozone depleting substances (ODS). At Kigali, it was decide to include HFCs in the list of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol in order to regulate their production, consumption and phasing them out with time. It also added mechanism to provide financial assistance from the Multilateral Fund created under the Montreal Protocol. Under it, funding for R&D and servicing sector in developing countries also was included in the agreed solutions on finance. Kigali amendments to the Montreal Protocol also for the first time will incentivise improvement in energy efficiency in case of use of new refrigerant and technology. Note: HFCs are not ODS but potent global warming substances and controlling them can contribute substantially to limit global temperature and advance actions for addressing climate change.

18. The Union Cabinet has approved Central Assistance of 2000 crore rupees for 36,384 displaced families from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb. It was approved following an announcement of Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir 2015 announced in November, 2015 As per the package 5 lakh rupees cash benefit per family will be disbursed to the displaced families. This financial aid will enable them to earn an income and subsist their livelihood. The amount will be disbursed through J&K state Government to eligible families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Background In the aftermath of partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, thousands of families from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) migrated to the Indian state. Subsequently, during Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971, a large number of families were displaced from Chhamb Niabat area of J&K. Union Government and J&K state Government have extended series of relief and rehabilitation packages from time to time to mitigate the hardship of displaced persons from PoJK and Chhamb and to rehabilitate them.

19. An independent panel of British scientists and experts has formally given nod to introduce so-called three-parent baby fertility treatments or mitochondrial gene therapy (MGT) procedures. The panel tasked with reviewing the safety of MGT held that this practice should be cautiously adopted to prevent certain genetic diseases from being passed on to future generations. Thus, it paves the way for the country to officially introduce the procedures. Earlier in February 2016, British Parliament voted to legalise three-parent baby fertility treatments or MGT procedures. It was first country in the world to legalise creation of In-Vitro Fertilisation babies with DNA from three people. The world’s first three-parent baby boy was born in Mexico in April 2016 to a Jordanian couple with help of this new fertility technique which incorporates DNA from three people in embryo. What is mitochondrial gene therapy (MGT)? MGT or Mitochondrial donation is a medical technique in which defective mitochondria carried by a woman is replaced with the healthy mitochondria of a donor. Through invitro fertilization technique (IVF), the egg is then fertilised with the partner’s sperm. Thus, the embryo remains free from any such genetic defects. Thus, it prevents the transmission of mitochondrial (genetic) disease from one generation to the next. The two most common techniques in mitochondrial donation are pronuclear transfer and maternal spindle transfer. MGT proposes to give parents chance of having a child that is over 99% genetically matched to them and most importantly free of the mitochondrial disease.

20. The Union Water Ministry is planning to impose restrictions on how industries, farmers and various groups can use groundwater by amending to a Bill on groundwater management. It was announced by the Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti at a seminar organised by the Central Groundwater Board in New Delhi. Earlier in 2016, the Water Ministry had made public a draft Bill that proposed significant changes to the way groundwater will be regulated. Key provisions The bill seeks to sharply regulate extracting pristine water from aquifiers which is currently the norm in much of the country. Failing to adhere it will invite stringent punishment. It seeks to guarantee every individual a certain amount of water “for life” and protecting groundwater from undue exploitation and pollution. Industries can only use recycled water, and activities such as gardening must use treated sewage water. It also mandates the use of rainwater harvesting in residential projects. However, this new version of the Bill does not compel companies and other stakeholders to use recycled water. It only demands t users “give priority” to recycling water. What is the issue? Groundwater depletion is among the grave ecological threats that the country faces. It has become serious concern to use groundwater judiciously. The groundwater is source to around 85 % of drinking water and 65% of water for irrigation. However, water being State subject in the seventh schedule of constitution has stalled previous plans to address the problems. Even existing laws give the owners of a piece of land complete right over its groundwater.

21. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is using drones to map disasters in north-eastern States by collecting land details and add it to data from remote sensing satellites. In this regard, ISRO’s Shillong-based North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) has tested unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to map various problems and disasters. Key facts NE-SAC has taken the initiative for design and assembling of UAVs for various applications to assess several regional problems in the northeast region. UAVs can perform efficient surveys for disaster-prone or physically inaccessible areas. It can undertake quick damage assessment of floods, landslides and earthquakes and enable timely relief measures. These drones providing ground-based details which are generally combined with data from ISRO’s remote sensing satellites. Recently they were used for to map the area affected by landslides along NH40, Meghalaya’s life line. It also gave the extent of damage caused to pest-infested paddy fields in Naramari village of Assam. About North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) NE-SAC is a joint initiative of Department of Space (DoS) and North Eastern Council. It was started in the year 2000. It is located at Umiam (near Shillong), Meghalaya. It aims to provide developmental support to the North Eastern region using Space technology-based communication and technology. Its mandate is to develop high technology infrastructure support to enable NE states to adopt space technology for their development. NE-SAC provides developmental support by undertaking specific application projects using remote sensing, satellite communication, GIS and conducts space science research.

22. Scientists have recorded worst mass coral bleaching event on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It has killed more corals than ever before, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem. It is estimated nearly two-thirds of 2,300-kilometre long reef or 700 km stretch of coral in the Great Barrier Reef’s northern part have died in the past nine months. This is the worst die-off ever recorded in Great Barrier Reef and also the largest ever recorded anywhere. However, the central and southern sections of the reef are fared far better, with only 6% and 1% of the coral dead, respectively. What are Corals reefs? Coral reefs result from the natural work of little polyps (few millimeters long) is budded on top of one another. They are the most biologically diverse ecosystems of the planet Over centuries, shells (mostly made up of Calcium Carbonate) of these corals combine to form the exotic shapes of coral reefs. Tiny differences in the anatomy of each polyp species mainly affect the shape of their shells and produce the exotic shapes of each reef. Conditions required for growth of corals: Warm tropical oceans with minimum temperature of 20 degree. They are primarily located between 30 degree north and 25 degree south latitudes where water temperature favours the growth of coral organisms; Transparent parts of ocean bodies; Oceanic water must free of sedimentation; it should have relatively low salinity. What is coral bleaching? Coral bleaching causes corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. It calcifies the corals to turn into white. Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products of photosynthesis to help it grow. The loss of algae makes it vulnerable to disease and it will eventually die. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. They can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to re-colonise them. Reasons: It occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures. In recent times unusual warm ocean water is mainly heated by man-made climate change and the natural El Niño climate pattern. About the Great Barrier Reef It is the biggest coral reef system in the world composed of over 2,900 individual reefs. It was recorded as a World Heritage site in 1981. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, north east of Australia and covers an area of approximately 348,000 sq km. It is credited as the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms and is visible from the outer space.

23. According new data from Civil Registration System ( CRS) released by the Office of the Registrar General of India, Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) continues to worsen in India. The SRB has declined to 887 in 2014 from 898 in 2013. The ratio has been declining since 2011 when the figure was 909. Thus, Sex ratio at birth is still on the decline. Key facts The SRB based on CRS figures indicate the gap between registered male and female births, calculated as the number of females per thousand males. Highest SRB has been reported in Lakshadweep (1043), followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1031) and Arunachal Pradesh (993). Lowest SRB has been reported in Manipur (684), Rajasthan (799) and Tamil Nadu (834). These states have worst SRB. The level of registration of births with CRS has been improving. In 2014, it is estimated that 88.8% births were registered, up from 85.6 % in 2013. 16 States/UTs recorded all births. 14 out of 20 major States crossed the 90% level of registration of births in 2014. The new date show that the majority of births in 2014 occurred in an institution i.e. government or private hospital. Institutional delivery accounted for 72% of all births. Another 14.1% births were attended by physicians/nurse/midwife. However, around 3.8% of the cases were still attended by an untrained midwife. While 38.7% of the total registered deaths had occurred in institution, 23.3% did not receive any medical attention at the time of death. Only about 8.0% of the deceased received medical attention from qualified allopathic professional.

24. Asia’s first and longest cycle highway was inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh. It is also India’s first cycle highway. The 207-km-long cycle highway runs between Etawah and Agra. It was inaugurated by state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Key facts The cycle highway has been constructed by the UP public works department. It runs parallel to the main highway. It is about 7-feet-wide and is separated by a divider from main highway which ensures the safety of cyclists. The track begins from the lion safari in Etawah. Along its path it dots 92 villages across the two districts. It criss-crosses the natural beauty of the Chambal and Yamuna rivers On its way it has tourist destinations like Naugava ka Quila, Raja Bhoj ki Haveli, and Bateshwarnath Temple.

25. The Union Government has announced that the gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of the Public sector banks (PSBs) have touched around 66 lakh 40 thousand in the three months period from July to September 2016. As on September 30, 2016 gross NPAs of the PSBs in the country rose to Rs. 6,30,323 crore as against Rs. 5,50,346 crore by end of June 2016. It shows increase of Rs. 79,977 crore NPAs on quarter on quarter basis during this period. Steps taken by Government The incidence of NPAs is high in sectors like infrastructure, power, road textiles, steel etc. So, the Union Government has taken sector specific measures to tackle the menace of NPAs. These measures aim at improving resolution or recovery of bank loans. They are enactment of Insolvency and Bankruptcy code, 2016 followed by amendment of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI) and Recovery of Debt due to Banks and Financial Institutions (RDDBFI), Act. In addition, six new Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) have been established. What are Non-Performing Assets (NPA’s)? NPAs are loans made by a bank or finance company on which repayments or interest payments are not being made on time. Thus, NPAs are any asset of a bank which is not producing any income and are also called non-performing loans. The loan is considered to be a NPA once the borrower fails to make interest or principal payments for 90 days. In case of Agriculture/Farm Loans, the NPA varies for of Short duration crop loan (interest not paid for 2 crop seasons), Long Duration Crops (interest not paid for 1 Crop season). What are negative effects of NPAs? Large number of NPAs affects the profitability & liquidity of the banks. It adversely affects the value of bank in terms of market credit and widens assets and liability mismatch. It results in inflating the cost of capital for economic activities and banks may charge higher interest rates on some products to compensate NPAs.

26. The Union Government has decided to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for fertilizer subsidy payments. Under the proposed system, 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades will be released to the manufacturers and importers on basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries. Key facts Initially, the modified subsidy procedure under DBT system will be introduced on pilot basis in 16 select districts. In the second phase, the new payment system will be rolled out in all states only after its due stabilization in first phase. The proposed DBT will address the issues relating to diversion and smuggling of urea. How DBT system for fertilizer subsidy is different? The DBT in fertilizer sector being implemented is slightly different from the normal DBT implemented in LPG subsidy. Under it, the subsidy will be released to the fertilizer companies instead of the beneficiaries, after the sale is made by the retailers to the beneficiaries. The subsidy will be released on submission of claims generated in the web-based online Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) by fertilizer companies. Potential benefits It will reduce diversion and smuggling of fertilizers to a large extent. Thus, it will help Government to save subsidy to the some extent. The fertilizers will be available to all on ‘no denial’ basis and release fertilizer subsidy to fertilizer companies has no direct relation with landholding of the farmers.

27. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Lt-General A K Bhatt as the new director-general of military operations (DGMO). He will succeed Lt-General Ranbir Singh who has been promoted and will take over 1 Corps (headquarters at Mathura), command of a strike corps on the Western border. Lt-General A K Bhatt will be in charge of all army operations including on the LoC which has seen heightened tension.

28. The Union Government has introduced the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament. The bill amends existing tax laws to impose a higher rate of tax and penalty in respect of undisclosed incomes. It proposes, Taxation and Investment Regime for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2016 (PMGKY), an anti-poverty scheme. It seeks to attract more people to disclose their unaccounted cash and also to put in a framework in place to use that for the welfare of the people especially in the rural areas. It also ensures that tax defaulting assessees and black money holders are subjected to tax at a higher rate and stringent penalty provision. Key features of Bill Mandatory for black money declarants to deposit 25% of amount disclosed in Pradhan Mantri Garibi Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) 2016 for a 4 year lock-in period without interest. Those who choose to declare their ill-gotten wealth stashed till now in banned Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 currency notes under the PMGKY scheme will have to pay a tax at the rate of 30% of the undisclosed income. Additionally, 10% penalty will be levied on the undisclosed income and PMGK Cess (surcharge) at the rate of 33% of tax (33% of 30%). Further, the declarants will have to deposit 25% of the undisclosed income in a scheme to be notified by the government in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The money from PMGK will be used for projects in irrigation, infrastructure, primary education, primary health, housing, toilets and livelihood so that there is justice and equality. For those who continue to hold onto undisclosed cash and are caught they will be levied with flat 60% tax plus a surcharge of 25% of tax (15%), which will amount a levy of 75%. Besides, if the assessing officer can charge a 10% penalty in addition to the 75% tax. Why it is necessary? In general, evasion of taxes deprives the nation of critical resources which could enable Government to undertake development and anti-poverty programmes. It also puts a disproportionate burden on the honest taxpayers who have to bear the brunt of higher taxes to make up for the revenue leakage. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 seeks to remove existing redundant provisions of the IT Act, 1961 which can possibly be used for concealing black money. It also ensures that defaulting assessees are subjected to tax at a higher rate and stringent penalty provision.

29. Akodara village in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat has earned the coveted tag of becoming India’s first digital village in India. The village with a total population of 1,191 people and 250 households uses a various cashless system for payments of goods and services. All transactions in the village are carried out through digital modes like SMS, net-banking or debit cards. Key Facts The village was adopted by ICICI Bank under its Digital Village Project in 2015 and made cashless by adopting digital technology. The project was launched in January 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochar to mark 60-year-celebration of the ICICI group’s existence. All households in village have savings account in local ICICI Bank branch. The bank has provided training to villagers to embrace digital technology to reduce dependence on cash. The village has almost 100% financial rate and all mobile banking is done in Hindi, English and Gujarati languages. It also has its own official website. The villagers’ most important transactions selling agri-produce at the local market or mandi or selling milk at the co-operative society have been made cashless. It has primary, secondary and higher secondary schools equipped with smart boards, computers and tablets. It can be said that this village has become prime example of how e-banking can be practically implemented in Indian villages without much difficulty to make India cashless economy.

30. Iranian film “Daughter” has won the coveted Golden Peacock award at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It has been directed by Reza Mirkarimi. It is a family drama set in southern Iran. It brings out intergenerational conflict between a strict father and a young daughter. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore conferred these awards during the concluding ceremony of IFFI held in Goa. Other Category Awards Special jury award: The Throne (South Korea) directed by Lee Joon-Ik. Best Actor Female award: Elina Vaska (Latvia) for Mellow Mud. Best Actor Male award: Farhad Aslani (Iran) for Daughter. Best Director award: Jointly-shared by Soner Caner and Baris Kaya for Turkish film “Rauf”. ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal Prize: Turkish director Mustafa Kara for his film “Cold of Kalandar”. Special Jury mention award: Tiffany Hsuig for the Korean movie “The Apology”. Centenary Award for the Best Debut Feature of the director: Pepa San Martin for the film “Ra Ra”.

31. The Union Government has decided to constitute a sub-committee of Chief Ministers of five states in the wake of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes. The committee will be headed by Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It will suggest measures to normalise the situation. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has called up Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to be part of the committee. Since demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes was announced by the Union Government, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu government has been effectively tackling the cash crisis in the state. He has come up with several alternatives to encourage mobile and online transactions besides distributing small change at vegetable markets as an immediate relief to the people. As a long-term measure, Andhra Pradesh government has roped over 90 lakh members from co-operative sector in villages and towns to undertake statewide campaigns on online transactions. Under it, as many as 5,000 women are being trained as master trainers to train 90 lakh women. The state government is also designing a mechanism that makes ordinary phones do money transactions. The government will distribute such phones to families which do not have one.

32. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently had launched the ‘Indian Police at Your Call’ mobile app at a national police conference held in Hyderabad. It was organised by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The app is a GIS Map based interface for the citizens to locate police stations near to their current location so that they can easily reach the police station in case of emergency. Key Features The app was developed by Nation Information Centre (NIC). It has been developed on Android and iOS platforms. It was launched as part of the Digital India initiative aimed at the safety and security of the citizen anytime anywhere. The app provides the names of the police stations, distance from the place where you are and how much time it will take to reach police station one wants to go to. It provides the police station number, number of control room and also the SP office number. However, no mobile phones numbers are provided. It also promotes facility to “Tap to Call” any of these police stations and know the route and road distance to reach there.

33. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dropped the term ‘counterfeit’ and retained ‘falsified’ to describe medicines of inferior quality. This decision was taken by a WHO’s technical working group on draft working definitions of substandard/spurious /falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products. It settles longstanding India, EU medicine dispute and battle about labelling of drugs. It is considered as a significant victory for the global access to medicines campaign. What is the issue? The above mentioned terms were used interchangeably to confiscate Indian made cheap generic drugs exported to other countries by showing that they were in violation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). It was also alleged that big pharmaceutical companies were using term ‘counterfeit’ to describe generic medicines and disrupting trade of generic medicines especially from India. Even the European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU FTA) was derailed after affordable, safe-to-use generic drugs made in India were confiscated as ‘illegal’ and ‘counterfeit.’ Between 2008 and 2009, nearly 20 shipments of generic drugs were detained while in transit from India to several developing countries via Europe. What were the concerns? Under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) — the definition of counterfeit was clearly targeted at one particular area. It clearly mentioned that it is wilful infringement of trademark on a commercial scale. However in reality, campaigns and legislation against counterfeit drugs often have nothing to do with concerns about drug quality. The major European and US pharmaceutical companies used these rules for vested interest by limiting competition from generic drugs. They were using increased enforcement of IP laws as a tool to clamp down on the legitimate trade in high-quality generic medicines between developing countries Significance of WHO decision The adopted definition will use falsified and drops the word counterfeit. The term falsified is much more in line with public health concerns regarding medicines. It makes false claims about what they contain or where they are from, that represent a genuine problem. It clarifies that the term ‘counterfeit’ will now be used by member States with respect to protection of IPR. Settles a long-standing battle about labelling of drugs as for far too long, genuine generic medicines have been labelled as counterfeit. Removes confusion on the much needed attention from the substandard medicines — which is a bigger public health problem for developing countries. WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

34. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has set up two high-level advisory committees to gather inputs from experts, including on service providers and corporate liquidation. IBBI has been set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and is expected to soon operationalize. The two committees have begun their deliberations. Key Facts The advisory committee on services: It will be headed by educationist Mohandas Pai. It includes National Stock Exchange Vice-Chairman Ravi Narain, SEBI Executive Director J Ranganayakulu, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy’s Professor Ajay N Shah and senior lawyer Amarjit Singh Chandiok. The advisory committee on corporate insolvency and liquidation: It will be headed by noted banker Uday Kotak. It includes Credit Information Bureau Chairman M V Nair, Corporate and Economic Research Group Advisory’s Chairperson Omkar Goswami and BSE CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan. About IBBI IBBI seeks to consolidate and amend laws relating to reorganisation as well as insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time-bound manner. It has been set up by the code to regulate professionals, information utilities (IUs) and agencies engaged in the resolution of insolvencies of companies. It has chairman and 10 members. Present chairman is M S Sahoo. There four government-nominated members.

35. The Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched e-pashuhaat portal to connect farmers and breeders of bovine animals. The portal will act as a single online e-trading market platform, including availability of bovine germplasm. It will enable the farmers to buy bovine animals, frozen semen and embryo.

36. The 51st Annual Conference of Directors-General of Police of States was held at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, Telangana. The three day (from November 25-27, 2016) conference was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. It was attended by around 100 DGPs of states, Director Generals of Central paramilitary forces and their Inspectors General.

37. Lt. Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa was appointed Pakistan’s new army chief (or Chief of Army Staff , COAS). He will succeed Gen. Raheel Sharif who has formally retired from service. He was elevated to the rank of four-star general by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The post of Army chief is the most powerful in Pakistan. The Pakistani army is world’s sixth-largest army by troop numbers. The army has played a prominent role in Pakistan’s politics since its independence in 1947 and so far has staged three coups. About Lt. Gen. Qamar Bajwa Gen. Bajwa has extensive experience of handling affairs in Pakistan-ocupied Kashmir and the northern areas of Pakistan. He belongs to infantry’s Baloch Regiment. He has commanded the 10 Corps, Pakistani army’s largest corp responsible for the area along the Line of Control (LoC). He has also served with a UN mission in Congo as a brigade commander alongside former Indian army chief Gen Bikram Singh. Prior to this elevation to the top post, Lt. Gen. Bajwa was serving as Inspector General of the Training and Evaluation. Note Under the constitution of Pakistan, the prime minister is the head of the country’s executive. But the army controls domestic-security issues, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the spy agency and the nation’s defence and foreign policies.

38. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced an incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 100% for fortnight to absorb excess liquidity in the banking system following demonetisation. CRR is the proportion of deposits that banks have to keep as cash with the RBI (or the central bank). Banks do not earn any interest on CRR balances kept with the RBI. What RBI decision says? Banks have to maintain 100% CRR for incremental deposits they received between September 16, 2016 and November 11, 2016. The incremental CRR requirement will be temporary measure and it is within RBI’s ‘liquidity management framework’. However, overall CRR requirement will stay at 4%. The incremental CRR will be reviewed on December 9, 2016 or even earlier. Background After Union Government announced demonization of old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016, banks started depositing and exchanging those notes. The deposits in banks had swelled by Rs.3.24 lakh crore between September 16 and November 11, 2016. The last fortnight of September 2016 saw deposit mobilisation jump by Rs.3.5 lakh crore. Implications It is intended to absorb a part of the surplus liquidity arising from the return of specified bank notes to the banking system. Thus, it leaves adequate liquidity with banks to meet the credit needs of the productive sectors of the economy It will only have a marginal impact on bank’s cost of funds since it was a temporary measure.

39. Noted Marathi author Anand Yadav passed away in Pune, Maharashtra. He was 80. His autobiography novel ‘Zombi’ had won him prestigious Sahitya Akadmi award in 1991. It is based story of a young boy, his loving mother, his life of utter poverty, and his eagerness to receive education.

40. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation launched AirSewa website and app to track flights, register complaints to offer people a convenient and hassle-free air travel experience. Both include a mechanism for grievance redressal, back-office operations for grievance handling, flight status and airport information.

41. The Supreme Court has banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR in an attempt to keep the rising pollution level of the capital and its surrounding areas under check. The order of apex means that any sale, purchase or stocking of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR will be rendered illegal. The a ban on firecrackers also links to winter pollution The Supreme Court ruling also sends a clear message that religious and wedding celebrations take second place to the basic fundamental right to breathe clean air under Article 21. What SC order says? The licences of the existing firecrackers sellers in Delhi-NCR will be suspended. Government will not issue new licences to any seller in this region. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) must study the harmful effects of the materials used in firecrackers and submit its report in three months. There is no restriction on bursting crackers as it will be difficult to implement and monitor. What is the issue? New Delhi ranks among the most polluted cities in the world. The air quality usually in New Delhi usually worsens during Diwali, when smoke from firecrackers and crops residue burnt in neighbouring states envelops the capital city. Following Diwali celebrations this year, air pollution had increased at an alarming rate, covering the national capital in a blanket of smog for few days. This year Diwali fire crackers had pushed pollution level in Delhi to a dangerous level, worst in past three years. On Diwali night, Particulate Matter (PM) 10 in Delhi ranged from 448 (micrograms per cubic metre) g/m3 to 939 g/m3 as against the national safe standard of 100 g/m3.

42. The National Milk Day (NMD) was observed on 26 November is to mark birth anniversary Dr.Verghese Kurien, father of the White Revolution in India. This year it was 95th birth anniversary of Dr.Verghese Kurien and third edition of observance of the day since it was established in 2014. To mark this event, all dairy cooperatives across the country had conducted a mega activation in all markets across the country. In addition, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets the Amul brand of milk and dairy products printed 150 million milk pouches with the National Milk Day logo featuring Dr. Kurien’s picture with the National Milk Day logo on it. Background The idea of observing National Milk Day was first mooted by Indian Dairy Association (IDA) in 2014 on the lines of World Milk Day (observed every year on June 1) under the aegis of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The first NMD was observed on 26 November 2014 by all Indian diary sector majors including National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), IDA along with around 22 state level milk federations. About Dr.Verghese Kurien Verghese Kurien was born on 26 November 1921 in Calicut (now Kozhikode in Kerala) in then Madras Presidency of British India. He had died on 9 September 2012. He was a social entrepreneur who had started billion-litre idea-Operation Flood which was the world’s largest agricultural development programme. Operation had helped to transform India from a milk-deficit country into the world’s largest milk producer. He was pioneer in starting co-operatives movement in dairy sector. He had founded around 30 cooperative institutions of excellence (like AMUL, GCMMF, IRMA, NDDB) which are owned, managed by farmers and run by professionals. He was founding chairman of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and pioneer in establishment and success of the Amul brand of dairy products. Under his chairmanship, Amul achieved key invention of milk powder processed from buffalo milk. Awards and Honours: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963), World Food Prize (1989), Padma Shri (1965), Padma Bhushan (1966), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Economic Times award for Corporate Excellence (2001) etc.

43. Rajasthan Government has decided to start Annapurna Rasoi Programme to provide quality meal at cheap and affordable price to people belonging to the weaker section and labourers. The main beneficiary of the scheme will be rickshaw pullers, labourers, auto drivers, students, working women, elders and other weaker section. Key Facts The food under this programme will be provided at subsidized rates, breakfast at Rs 5 per plate and lunch/dinner at Rs 8 per plate. In the first phase the scheme will be started in 12 districts. They are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Baran and Jhalawar. The food will be distributed by 80 mobile vans at locations decided by local self-help agencies in districts. The remaining 21 districts of state will be covered in second phase.

44. Cuba’s former president and leader of the Communist revolution Fidel Castro passed away due to old age. He was 90. He was commander in chief of the 1959 Cuban revolution 1959 and had successfully built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States during Cold War. He had ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century (from 1976 to 2008) before handing over the powers to his brother Raul Castro in 2008 due to ill health. About Fidel Castro He was born as Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz on August 13, 1926 in Birán, Holguin Province, Cuba. In 1953, he was imprisoned after leading an unsuccessful rising against Batista’s regime. However was released in 1955 from prison under an amnesty deal. In 1956, Castro along with Che Guevara started a guerrilla war against the Cuban government led by US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. In 1959, he overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista Government in through Communist revolution. He was sworn in as prime minister and was in office from 1959 to 1976. In 1960, he successfully fought off CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion by Cuban exiles. He also defied many attempts even assassination attempts of US to topple him from power. 1962, under his leadership Cuba allowed USSR can deploy nuclear missiles on its territory which had resulted into Cuban missile crisis. Under his leadership, Cuba became a one-party communist state, industry and business were nationalized and state socialist reforms implemented throughout society. His greatest legacy is free healthcare and education, which have given Cuba some of the region’s best human development statistics. In 2008, he stepped down as President of Cuba due to health issues. He was in office from 1976 to 2008. He world’s third longest-serving head of state, after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the King of Thailand.