1. The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has approved 6 transport proposals of the transport ministry exploring options to improve public transport. It includes high-tech mass rapid transportation technologies such as metrino, hyperloop, pod taxis, stadler buses, hybrid buses and freight rail road. The proposals of the transport ministry were approved with a condition that the transport ministry conducts trial run of all these technologies and puts in place safety measures before starting operations commercially. Following the go-ahead from NITI Aayog, the transport ministry has formed a six member committee, headed by former top official of Railways, to study safety parameters associated with these technologies and their best global practices. Background The ministry of road transport and highways had sought the approval of NITI Aayog to experiment and introduce six latest mass rapid transportation technologies. The new technologies are being explored by the Government as current public transportation is unable to resolve the increasing traffic crisis in the country. Significance These new technologies are path breaking and can alter the way of intercity travel in the country. The new technologies are being explored as current public transportation is unable to resolve the increasing traffic crisis in the country. Besides, some of them are more cost effective than the existing ones. Hyperloop transportation mechanism: It is a pod-like vehicle is propelled through a near-vacuum tube connecting cities at speeds matching that of an aircraft. Freight rail road: Under it elevated corridors will be built with rail lines where freight trucks can be placed and then they would move on rails at high speed, increasing freight quantity and reducing freight time.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 22 Jul to 28 Jul 2017 (Part 1).

2. Tax authorities of the BRICS- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have signed BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation. The landmark document is the bloc’s first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level. It was signed at the fifth meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities. Key Facts The BRICS countries are home to 42% of the world’s population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12% to 23% in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth. The meeting of tax authorities comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province of China in September 2017. In this meeting, tax authorities from member countires also agreed to cooperate on taxation information exchange, boost taxation capacities, improve consultation procedures efficiency and plan paths for coordination of taxation policies and tax collection.

3. India’s Ajay Singh has won bronze medal in the 2017 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held at Kathmandu, Nepal. He got third place in 77 kgs men’s junior category by lifting 143 kgs in snatch and 172 kgs in clean and jerk. His win takes India’s medal tally to three in the championship. Earlier, S. Nirpupama Devi had won bronze in 69 kgs women youth category. Konsam Ormila Devi from Manipur had won gold medal in 44kg weight category. Weightlifting Weightlifting is an athletic discipline in the modern Olympic programme in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. The two competition lifts in order are the snatch and the clean and jerk. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category. Bodyweight categories are different for male and female competitors.

4. Scientists including one of Indian origin have developed new artificial intelligence (AI) software called SurfNet that can create three dimensional (3D) models from 2D photographs. When fully developed SurfNet could have significant applications in the fields of 3D searches on the internet researchers. In an advance version it can allow future robots to navigate in the real world. Key Facts SurfNet software using hundreds of thousands of 2D shapes of objects can reconstruct it model in 3D. It utilizes machine learning to analyze 2D shapes and convert them into projected 3D forms. In addition to transforming 2D shapes, the technology can also merge two shapes into one another. The technology becomes more refined over time as the AI learns more about the shapes. Future potential application: It can be used in robotics, object recognition and even self-driving cars. SurfNet will give them ability to understand the 3D environment around them using standard 2D cameras. It can also be used to create 3D content for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) by simply using standard 2D photos.

5. BRICS countries-Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa have agreed to work together to ensure stable employment and better quality of life for their people. Decision in this regard was taken at the 2017 Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting held in Chongqing, China. The meeting comes ahead of 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, China in September 2017. Key Highlights of meeting Labour and Employment Ministers from BRICS counters discussed topics ranging from skills-driven development to a universally sustainable social security system. They passed BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Declaration. It covers a variety of areas that are of critical importance to all BRICS countries including India and called upon strengthening collaboration and cooperation on these through appropriate institutionalisation. These areas covered under the declaration consist of Governance in the Future of Work, Universal and sustainable social security systems, Skills for development in BRICS, BRICS Social Security Cooperation Framework, BRICS Network of Labour Research Institutions and BRICS entrepreneurship research. They also presented four documents, including one on common ground in labour market governance and an action plan on skills-driven poverty alleviation. They also held that they should work together to boost employment and inclusive growth, enhancing the skills of professionals to alleviate poverty. BIRCS BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS members are all developing or newly industrialised countries and all five are G-20 members. They are distinguished by their large, fast-growing economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs. It was established in 2009. The BRIC idea was first conceived by Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs. In 2011, South Africa joined this informal group and BRIC became BRICS. So far, eight BRICS summits have taken place. The first formal summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009.

6. The Union Cabinet has approved the Labour Code on Wages Bill which will ensure a minimum wage across all sectors by integrating existing labour related laws. The Labour Code on Wages Bill consolidates the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. Background At present, laws on wages do not cover workers getting monthly wage of more than Rs 18,000. Moreover, these laws are only applicable for scheduled industries or establishments. Even there are about half a dozen definitions of wages in various acts across the Centre and states, which employers have to grapple with. The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended that the existing labour laws should be broadly grouped into four or five labour codes on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare and Safety and Working Conditions on functional basis. Key Facts Under the Labour Code on Wages Bill, the Union Labour Ministry is planning to streamline the definition of wages by amalgamating four wage-related statutes. The code empowers the Centre to set a minimum wage across sectors, and states will have to maintain that. However, states will be able to provide higher minimum wage in their jurisdiction than fixed by the Centre since labour is subject in the concurrent list. The Labour Code on Wages Bill also marks the first major initiative of Union Government in amalgamating labour laws for improving the ease of doing business as well as ensuring universal minimum wage to all. The minimum wage will be applicable on all classes of workers, even workers getting monthly pay of higher than Rs 18,000 will be legally entitled to a minimum wage. The proposed legislation is expected to benefit over 4 crore employees across the country.

7. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted three Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme. It is for first time pepper, cumin and thyme, spices will have such universal standards. These standards were adopted at 40th session of CAC held in Geneva. The adoption of Codex standards paves the way for universal agreement on identifying quality spices in various countries. It also set reference points and benchmarks for member-nations to align their national standards for spices with Codex. Background With the approval of the Central government, the Spices Board India (SBI) had submitted a proposal to CAC for harmonizing the standards for spices and culinary herbs. SBI is the flagship organization of the Commerce Ministry for export and promotion of spices from the country. Significance The adoption of Codex standards for the three spices will help evolve a common standardisation process for their global trade and availability. It will bring harmony to the global spice trade and ensure availability of high quality, clean and safe spices to the world. It is also considered as major recognition of India’s efforts to benchmark global spices trade. About Codex Alimentarius The Codex Alimentarius (Food Code) is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the CAC. The Commission is the central part of the joint FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)/WHO (World Health Organisation) Food Standards Programme. Its mandate is to prepare an international codex alimentations, based on principles outlined by itself. Purpose of the Codex Alimentarius The Codex alimentarius is a collection of internationally adopted food standards presented in a uniform manner. These food standards aim at protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. It includes standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw for distribution to the consumer. It is also include standardised provisions in respect of food additives, contaminants, pesticides residues, labelling and presentation, methods of analysis and sampling.

8. Scientists from NASA for first time are planning to chase the shadow of the moon using two of NASA’s WB-57F research jets during the upcoming total solar eclipse in US. The purpose of the chase is to capture the clearest ever images of the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The research jets (planes) will have twin telescopes mounted on the noses of the planes to capture clearest images of Sun’s corona to date. They will also undertake first-ever thermal images of Mercury to reveal how temperature varies across the planet’s surface. Need for research The corona of sun (gaseous envelope surrounding sun) is heated to millions of degrees, but the lower atmospheric layers like the photosphere are only heated to a few thousand degrees. So far, scientists are not sure how this inversion happens. One theory proposes micro explosions, termed nanoflares (too small and frequent to detect individually) with a large collective effect might be releasing enarmous heat into the corona. Key Facts The total solar eclipse will provide rare opportunity for scientists to study the sun, particularly its atmosphere. During this eclipse, moon will completely cover the sun and perfectly blocking its light so that faint corona is easily seen against the dark sky. The two research planes will observe the total eclipse for about three and a half minutes each. The vantage point on planes will provide distinct advantages over ground-based observations as no one has yet directly seen nanoflares. Moreover, the high-resolution and high-speed images to be taken from the WB-57F jets might also reveal their effects on the corona. The planes will also take observations of Mercury 30 minutes before and after sky is still relatively dark. These images will be taken in the infrared and will be the first attempt to map the variation of temperature across the surface of the planet. The planes will be flying high in the stratosphere to avoid Earth’s atmosphere for improving image quality. The sky will be also 20–30 times darker at the altitude where planes will be flying than as seen from the ground. There is also much less atmospheric turbulence, that will allow fine structures and motions in sun’s corona to be visible.

9. Scientists have discovered new species of glow-in-the-dark shark living 1,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the northwestern Hawaiian islands. It has been named Etmopterus lailae and belongs to lanternshark family. It has an unusually large nose, weighs a little less than a kilo and measures less than a foot. This unique features and characteristics make it different form other lanternsharks. Key Facts Etmopterus lailae has a strange head shape which is large and bulgy snout where its nostrils and olfactory organs are located. It dwells in a deep sea environment with almost no light so it has big sniffer to find food. It has flank markings that go forward and backward on their bellies and a naked patch without scales on the underside of its snout. Like other lanternsharks, it is also bio-luminescent. Its flanks on the bottom of its belly glow in the dark. The markings on its belly and tail also are specific to it. This species is understudied because of its size and the fact that it lives in very deep water. It is not easily visible or accessible like so many other sharks.

10. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post by submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi. Governor has accepted his resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker CM. The sudden development throws the politics of Bihar into chaos with no party having a majority in the 243-member Assembly. JD(U) has 71 seats, while RJD headed by father Lalu Prasad has 80. The opposition BJP has 53. It also has big blow to the ruling Bihar Mahagathbandhan comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress. It will also have a big repercussion on the national politics. Background In the 2015 Bihar state assembly elections, Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan comprising of RJD, JDU and Congress (INC) had emerged victorious in by winning 178 seats of total 243 assembly seats. Nitish Kumar was chosen as the Chief Minister of the coalition government. However, the his recent irreconcilable differences with ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on the issue of corruption charges against his deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav led to collapse of the coalition. About Nitish Kumar He was born on 1st March 1951 in Bakhtiarpur District of Bihar. He had started his political career by taking part in the mass movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan between 1974 and 1977. Kumar was elected to Bihar legislative assembly for first time in 1985. He was elected to Lok Sabha for 4 consecutive times, first in 1989 than in 1991, 1996 and 1998. In 1990, for a brief stint he had served as Union Minister of Agriculture. In 1998-99, he had served as Union Minister for Railways and Surface Transport and Minister for Agriculture. He also had served as Union Cabinet Minister for Railways in the NDA Government led Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 2001-2004. In 2000, he was made CM of Bihar for first time but had resigned within 7 days. In 2005 for second time he was sworn in as the CM of Bihar and for third time in 2010. For fourth time he was sworn-in as CM in February 2015 till November 2015 state Assembly election. He was again elected for fifth term and was in office from February 2015 to July 2017.

11. The Union Cabinet has approved revision of guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) Scheme with a view to achieve its intended objectives. Need for Changes The Union Government had launched SGB Scheme to develop a financial asset as an alternative to purchasing metal gold. The target of the scheme was to shift part of the estimated 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased every year for Investment into ‘demat’ gold bonds. The mobilisation target under the scheme was Rs. 15,000 crore in 2015-16 and at Rs.10,000 crore in 2016-17. However, the amount so far credited in Government account is Rs. 4,769 crore. The above changes were made in view of less than expected response of the investors to the scheme and considering its bearing on CAD and consequently on overall macro-economic health of the country. Government has approved two sets of changes in the scheme. They are Specific changes in the attributes of the scheme: It aims to make it more attractive, mobilise finances as per the target and reduce the economic strains caused by imports of gold and reduce Current Account Deficit (CAD). Flexibility to design and introduce variants of SGBs: Ministry of Finance (the issuer) has been given flexibility to design and introduce variants of SGBs with different interest rates and risk protection that will offer investment alternatives to different category of investors. Finance Ministry has been delegated this power to amend (or add new features) of the Scheme to reduce the time lag between finalizing the attributes of a particular tranche and its notification. Such flexibility will help to address the elements of competition with new products of investment and deal with very dynamic or volatile market, macro-economic and other conditions. Specific approved changes The investment limit under the scheme per fiscal year has been increased to 4 kg for individuals, 4 Kg for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 Kg for Trusts and similar entities notified by the Government. The ceiling will be counted on financial year basis and will include the SGBs purchased during the trading in the secondary market. The ceiling will not include the holdings as collateral by Banks and Financial institutions. Ministry of Finance will finalise ‘On Tap’ sale features of SGBs based on the consultation with NSE, BSE, Banks and Department of Post. Moreover, appropriate market making initiatives will be devised to improve liquidity and tradability of SGBs.
12. The parliament has passed The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha has passed it earlier. The bill aims at amending the Collection of Statistics Bill, 2008, which facilitates the collection of statistics related to social, economic, demographic, scientific and environmental aspects, by central, state and local governments. It also allows the appointment of statistics officers to collect information and contains provisions to ensure security of information. Salient features of bill Jurisdiction of the 2008 Act: The Bill extends jurisdiction of the parent act to the state Jammu and Kashmir for the collection of statistics pertaining to subjects under the Union (List-I) or the Concurrent list (List-II) of the Constitution. These subjects include citizenship, banking, education, labour and forests as applicable to J&K. Nodal officer: It adds provisions for the appointment of a nodal officer by the Union or state government. The function of nodal officer is to coordinate and supervise statistical activities under the government which has appointed him. Further, the Union government can also determine the powers and duties of the nodal officer. Use of information: The Bill removes provision from parent act dealing with information collected under it only is used for statistical purposes. It also allows the Union government to determine the manner in which such information collected will be used for statistical purposes.
13. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apprised Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between on Indo German-Centre for Sustainability (IGCS). The JDI was concluded in May, 2017 during the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany in Berlin. Key Facts The objective of JDI on IGCS is to promote cooperation between German and Indian scientists on fundamental and applied scientific research. It includes areas such as policy support, training, teaching and dissemination of information in the area of climate change and sustainable development through inter-disciplinary research. The IGCS will nurture future collaboration by widening the network with other Institutes, Universities and industries in both countries. On the Indian side, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras will act as the host institution for IGCS. Under this JDI, the required institutional framework will be developed to provide fund support to the IGCS at IIT, Madras by Department of Science and Technology (DST) and BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), Germany. DST will provide grant-in-aid support to IGCS for undertaking research in the areas of climate change for sustainable development. Besides, both agencies will jointly support the IGCS for a period of 5 years starting from January 2018.

14. Freedom fighter K.E. Mammen passed away due to age-related diseases in Neyyatinkara, Kerala. He was 96. He was a pacifist and adherent follower of Mahatma Gandhi About K.E. Mammen He was born into the renowned Kandathil family on July 31, 1921, in Thiruvananthapuram. He was a staunch believer of Gandhian principles and led an austere life. From an early age, he had lent his support for the freedom struggle. He became active in the freedom movement as a college student. He was first jailed for taking an open stand against Sir C.P Ramaswamy Iyer, the then Dewan of the erstwhile Travancore state. Later he participated in the Quit India Struggle. In recent years, he was an active social worker, forefront in the anti-liquor campaign in Kerala.

15. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its July World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update has retained India’s projected GDP growth rate at 7.2% for 2017-18, slightly up from 7.1% in the previous year. However, update projects that India’s growth would accelerate to 7.7% in 2018-19. India’s economic growth slowed down to 7.1% in 2016-17, sharply lower than 8% in 2015-16 due to the effect of demonetisation. Key Highlights of WEO Updates Global Scenario: The global economic growth rate will be 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018. The economic activity in both advanced and emerging and developing economies is accelerating. Moreover, inflation in advanced economies remains subdued and generally below target and also declining in several emerging economies. United States growth projections are lower than in April WEO update, primarily reflecting that its fiscal policy will be less expansionary going forward than previously anticipated. The growth also has been revised up for Japan and especially the Euro area, indicating solid momentum in activity in late 2016 and early 2017. Growth in the ASEAN-5 economies is projected to remain robust at around 5 % with increase in global trade and strengthening domestic demand. Indian Economy: It will be fastest growing major economy in the world and in Asia. According to government estimate, Indian economy is expected to grow 7.5% in the current financial year as abundant monsoon as rains are expected to boost rural income and overall growth. China’s economy: It is projected to grow by 6.7% in 2017, up 0.1% points from the April 2017 forecast, and 6.4% in 2018, up by 0.2% points from earlier forecasts by the IMF. Despite China’s rise in growth projections, India’s economy will still be the fastest growing among large economies. About World Economic Outlook (WEO) The WEO is a survey conducted and published by the IMF. It is published biannually and partly updated two times a year. It portrays the world economy in the near and medium context, with growth projections for up to four years into the future. WEO forecasts include key macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP, inflation, fiscal balance and current account of more than 180 countries around the globe. It also deals with major economic policy issues.

16. The 18th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was celebrated across India to commemorate the success of Operation Vijay and remember brave sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the 1999 India-Pakistan Kargil War. India-Pakistan Kargil War The war took place between May and July of 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district. It began with the infiltration of both Pakistani troops and terrorists deep inside Indian territory in strategic positions that overlooked the only road link between Srinagar and Leh. The conflict is believed to have been orchestrated by the then Pakistan army chief General Pervez Musharraf without the knowledge of the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Based on information from local shepherds, Indian Army was able to ascertain the points of incursion and launch “Operation Vijay”. The Army declared the mission successful on July 26, 1999. Since then the day has been celebrated annually as Vijay Diwas. The victory came at a high price. The official death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side was between 357 and 453.

17. Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) launched the first two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) — Shachi and Shruti at their shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat. These two NOPVs are the first warships to be launched by a private sector shipyard in India. These ships are part of a five-ships being constructed for the Indian Navy under the P-21 project. About NOPVs The NOPVs are primarily patrol ships to undertake surveillance of the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). They also undertake operational tasks such as anti-piracy patrols, maritime security of offshore assets, fleet support operations, coastal security operations, and protection of shipping lanes. The five NOPVs constructed by RDEL are armed with a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) system along with two 30 mm AK-630 guns, which provide medium range and short range offensive and defensive capabilities. The armaments of these vessels are remotely controlled through an electronic fire control system. They are also fitted with 20,000 KW diesel engine-driven propulsion systems and can deliver speeds up to 25 knots. Background RDEL, subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure is the first private shipyard in India to obtain defence production licence and sign a contract for defence ships in 2011. It is also engaged in construction of one training ship and 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard. Previously, RDEL also had built ships for varied clients including offshore support vessels for ONGC, ice bulk carriers for a Norwegian company and offshore deck cargo barges for NPCC-UAE. It also has repaired and retrofitted commercial and defence ships as well as mobile oil drilling platforms for international clients.

18. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has approved construction of 30,000 affordable houses in Maharashtra’s Sholapur district for the urban poor on private land under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). It was approved by an Inter-ministerial Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC), chaired by HUA Secretary. It is first such project to be taken up on private land under PMAY(U). Earlier the approved projects for affordable housing projects were built on lands belonging to the state government or municipal corporations. The approval of this first housing project on private land is expected to trigger more such projects on private lands under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) component of PMAY(U). The State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC), set up under PMAY(U), will oversee the implementation of the project. Background Raynagar Cooperative Housing Federation, Sholapur had submitted the project proposal to build 30,000 houses for its members comprising beedi and textile workers and other urban poor belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under PMAY(U). State Government due examination had accepted the project proposal and forwarded it to the Centre. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) PMAY(U) provide houses to all poor by 2022. Its objective is to construct two crore houses across the nation. It covers the entire urban area consisting of 4041 statutory towns with initial focus on 500 Class I cities. Intended beneficiaries of the scheme are Poor people (BPL) and People living under EWS and LIG (Low income Group) categories in urban establishments of the country. It also targets people living under MIG (middle income Group).

19. Scientists for the first time have produced human antibodies in the laboratory. They have developed revolutionary technique which can help in rapid development of new vaccines to treat a wide range of infectious diseases. Antibodies Antibodies mainly function in the humoral adaptive immune system by secreting antibodies to fight off infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other invasive pathogens. They are produced by body’s B cells (B lymphocytes). When an individual B cell recognises a specific pathogen-derived antigen molecule, it proliferates and develops into plasma cells that secrete large amounts of antibody capable of binding to the antigen and fending off the infection. Key Facts To develop revolutionary technique, researchers had replicated the process of natural production of antibodies from B cells isolated from patient blood samples in the laboratory to produce specific antibodies. They had found that B cells need a second signal to start proliferating and developing into plasma cells apart encountering a specific antigen at first instance. For the second signal they used short DNA fragments called CpG oligonucleotides, which activate a protein named TLR9 inside B cells. However, they found that treating patient-derived B cells with CpG oligonucleotides stimulates every B cell, not just the tiny fraction capable of producing a particular antibody. So to overcome the problem they treated patient-derived B cells with tiny nanoparticles coated with both CpG oligonucleotides and an antigen. With this technique, CpG oligonucleotides were only internalised into B cells recognising the specific antigen. These cells were only ones in which TLR9 is activated to induce their proliferation and development into antibody-secreting plasma cells. Significance Researchers successfully demonstrated their approach using various bacterial and viral antigens, including the tetanus toxoid and proteins from several strains of influenza A. In each case, they were able to produce specific, high-affinity antibodies in just a few days. In some of the anti-influenza antibodies generated by the technique were able to neutralise multiple strains of the virus. They were able to generate anti-HIV antibodies from B cells isolated from HIV-free patients. This approach may help researchers to rapidly generate therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases and other conditions such as cancer.

20. Ram Nath Kovind (71) sworn in as the 14th President of India. He was administered oath to the office by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar in Parliament’s Central Hall. With this, he became the second Dalit President of India after late President K.R. Narayanan. He is also the first person from Uttar Pradesh to hold the office of President since Independence. Ram Nath Kovind Mr Kovind was born on 1st October 1945 in Paraukh village in the Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh. He had completed graduation in law from a Kanpur college. Before starting his career as a lawyer, he cleared the civil services examination but did not join as he was selected for an allied. He had joined the BJP in 1991. He was President of the BJP Dalit Morcha between 1998 and 2002. He also served as Member of Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006. Prior to getting elected as President, Mr. Kovind had served as the 35th Governor of Bihar. President of India President of India is top constitutional post as he is head of the Indian state, first citizen of India and supreme commander of the Indian armed forces. He is elected indirectly for a term of 5 years by an electoral college consisting of elected members of parliament (MPs from Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha) and elected members of State legislative members, including that if NCT of Delhi and Pondicherry. He is eligible to re-elect for the same office for unlimited times. Oath or affirmation by the President According to Article 60 of the Constitution of India, every President and every person acting as President or discharging the functions of the President before entering upon office shall make and subscribe oath to the office. The oath inter alia includes the oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution. In this sense, President takes oath as guardian of Indian Constitution. The oath is administered by Chief Justice of India or in his absence by the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court available.

21. The world’s first full—scale floating wind farm is being built off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea. The wind farm, known as Hywind is a trial project which aims to bring power to 20,000 homes. The floating wind farm technology will allow wind power to be harvested in waters that are too deep for the existing bottom—standing turbines particularly installed in shallow waters. Significance Unlike normal turbines, floating turbines are not attached to the seabed by foundations. Rather, they are attached by long mooring tethers, allowing them to be placed in deep water. Traditional fixed turbines work best at a depth of 20-50m on stationary base. Key Facts The park will be around four square kilometers in size in deep sea. Each turbine in the park will be floating at a depth of between 95 and 120 metres. Each turbine tower, including the blades in the floating wind park is 175m high and weighs 11,500 tonnes. It uses a large buoy filled with iron ore to weight the base to keep it upright. The turbines also make use of new blade technology, which twits the blades in order to lessen the impact of wind, waves and currents to hold turbine tower upright. Benefits The turbines in the floating wind farm can operate in water up to a kilometre deep. The power output is also larger than power generation from current stationary turbines. This revolutionary tech development project will demonstrate workability of floating wind farm technology in open sea conditions and also help to bring costs down.

22. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of stapler pins in tea bags from January 2018. FSSAI ban order issued under Section (15) FSS Act, 2006 has deemed that any loose staple pin consumed inadvertently with tea may cause a serious health hazard. Key Facts Currently, tea bags are either stapled or knotted. According to industry estimates, the tea bag segment contributes 3-4% by value of total tea sales but it is one of the fastest growing segments at 50-60% year-on-year. The FSSAI order directs the concerned food business operators to discontinue the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by 1 January 2018. It also directs all food safety commissioners to take action to prevent the use of unsafe packaging materials by companies and take up measures for enforcement of its order. About FSSAI FSSAI is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health in India through the regulation and supervision of food safety. FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and operates under aegis of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
23. Parliament has passed The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016. Admiralty laws deal with cases of accidents in navigable waters or involve contracts related to commerce on such waters. The Bill seeks to upgrade existing laws related to civil matters of admiralty jurisdiction of courts, maritime claims, arrest and detention of ships. It repeals laws such as the Admiralty Court Act, 1861, Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890. Features of the Bill The bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India, thus extending their upto territorial waters. It empowers central government to extend the jurisdiction of these High Courts. Under the earlier laws enacted during the colonial era, the admiralty was only by the High Courts of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. The bill now extends the provisions of admiralty jurisdiction to every vessel irrespective of place of domicile or residence of owner. It does not apply to naval auxiliary, warships and vessels used for non-commercial purposes. It empowers High Courts to exercise jurisdiction on maritime claims arising out of conditions such as disputes regarding ownership of a vessel, mortgage on a vessel, construction, repair, or conversion of the vessel, disputes between co-owners of a vessel regarding employment or earnings of the vessel, disputes arising out of the sale of a vessel, and environmental damage caused by the vessel, etc. Background India is a leading maritime nation and maritime transportation caters to about 95% of its merchandise trade volume. However, the admiralty jurisdiction of Indian courts under the present statutory framework flow from laws enacted in the British era. The repealing of five archaic admiralty statutes is in line with the Union Government’s commitment to do away with archaic laws which are hindering efficient governance.

24. Globally renowned physicist, academic and higher education reformer Professor Yash Pal passed away in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He was 90. He was known for his contributions to the study of cosmic rays, as well as for being an institution-builder. He was also one of the leading science communicators in India. About Yash Pal Yash Pal was born in 1926 in Jhang in then British India (now in Pakistan). He had graduated with a master’s degree in physics from Panjab University in 1949 and earned PhD degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958. He had started his academic career at Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). He had served as the first Director of the newly set up Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1973. He was a member of the ‘cosmic rays group’. He was appointed by the government to several school and higher education reform committees. Government had also roped him as chair of National Council of Educational Research and Training after it had started work on the National Curriculum Framework. He also had served as chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 1986 to 1991. In 2009, the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development had set up a committee on higher education (known as Yash Pal Committee) chaired by Yash Pal to look into reforming higher education in the country. He was awarded the Padma Bhusan (1976), Padma Vibhushan (2013). He also has received the Kalinga Prize (2009,), awarded by UNESCO for the popularisation of science.

25. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved sale of government’s 51.11% stake along with management control in HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum) to ONGC. HPCL will continue as PSU after the acquisition. HPCL will add 23.8 million tonnes of annual oil refining capacity to ONGC’s portfolio, making it the third-largest refiner in the country after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Reliance Industries. Prior to the merger, HPCL will take over Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) to bring all the refining assets of ONGC under one unit. ONGC currently owns 71.63% of MRPL while HPCL has 16.96% stake in it. MRPL will be the third refinery of HPCL, which already has units at Mumbai and Visakhapatnam Background There are only six major PSUs in the oil sector, ONGC and Oil India Ltd being the oil producers, IOC, HPCL and BPCL are in refinery business and GAIL is in midstream gas transportation business. The rest, such as ONGC Videsh, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd, Chennai Petroleum Corp (CPCL) and MRPL are subsidiaries of one of these six PSUs. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his 2017-18 Budget had talked about creating an integrated oil behemoth. After that oil companies were asked to give their options. ONGC had evaluated options of acquiring either HPCL or BPCL, the two downstream oil refining and fuel marketing companies. It had found that acquisition of BPCL, country’s second-biggest fuel retailer is too expensive. On the other hand, HPCL’s acquisition easier as its market cap is of Rs 58,485.55 crore and buying government’s entire 51.11% stake would entail an outgo of Rs 29,900 crore. Comment Acquisition of HPCL by ONGC will help the government meet 40% of its disinvestment target of raising Rs 72,500 crore in the current fiscal. More deals in the oil sector including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) buying out explorer Oil India Ltd or Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) merges with GAIL may be in the offing.

26. According to the Country Report on Terrorism released by the US State Department, India witnessed third highest number of terrorist attacks in 2016, more than Pakistan. The six countries that faced highest number of terrorist attacks in 2016 are Iraq (2,965 terrorist attacks), Afghanistan (1,340), India (927), Pakistan (734), Philippines (482), Nigeria (466). Key Highlights from report Several countries that have routinely experienced large numbers of terrorist attacks in recent years observed considerable decreases in total attacks in 2016, compared to 2015. In 2015, Iraq (2418 attacks) and Afghanistan (1708) were ranked first and second respectively, while Pakistan took the third spot (1009 attacks). The number of terrorist attacks in India in 2016 has increased by 16% and total number of deaths also has increased by 17%. More than half of the terrorist attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states: Jammu and Kashmir (19%), Chhattisgarh (18%), Manipur (12%) and Jharkhand (10%). This geographic pattern of attacks was relatively stable compared to 2015, with the exception of J&K which experienced an increase of 93% in attacks in 2016. Though India ranked 3rd, the lethality of these terrorists attacks were relatively low compared to other countries that have experienced great deal of terror violence. On average, terror attacks in India led to 0.4 deaths per attack in 2016, compared to 2.4 deaths per attack worldwide. Nearly three-quarters of attacks at 73% were non-lethal in India in 2016. The majority of attacks in India either involved explosions/bombings at 47% or armed assaults at 18%. In addition, kidnappings at 15% of all attacks were particularly prevalent in India, compared to 10% worldwide, while facility/infrastructure attacks were at 12% of all attacks, compared to 6% worldwide. The deadliest attack in India in 2016 took place in July 2016, when the Communist Party of India – Maoist (left wing extremists) detonated explosives and opened fire on CRPF personnel in Bihar, killing 16 people including six assailants.

27. Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to step up military cooperation and the fight against terrorism and extremism. The MoU encourages promotion of interaction and share of experiences in the fight against terrorism and extremism, border security, training and logistical, technical and military support between both countries. Comment Iran and Iraq are hoping that the agreement would result in deeper and more serious military cooperation between the two countries. Moreover Iran is going to continue to provide full support to establish sustainable security and stability. However, this military deal likely to trigger concerns in the United States as it has voiced concern over growing Iranian influence in conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, where it is aligned with rebel Shia fighters. Background Iran and Iraq had fought a bloody war for eight years from 1980 to 88 during the reign of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. But bilateral ties both countries have improved after Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003 and a government led by Shia Muslims took power in Baghdad. Iran is a predominately Shia nation. After the US withdrew its troops from Iraq in 2011, it became increasingly dependent on Iran on various avenues, from trade to security. Iran also is providing military advisory assistance to Iraq in its counter-terrorism campaign against Islamic State (IS), an anti-Shia Sunni terrorist group.

28. Internationally-renowned space scientist and former chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Udupi Ramachandra Rao passed away in Bengaluru. He was 85. Prof Rao is credited with having played an instrumental role in building up Indian satellite programmes right from nation’s first satellite Aryabhatta. About U R Rao He was born on 10 March 1932 in Adamaru, Karnataka. He is alumni of Madras University, Gujarat University, Banaras Hindu University. He had served as Chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994. Under his guidance, ISRO had designed more than 20 satellites including India’s first satellite Aryabhatta. Under his leadership, India had initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991. He was also responsible for successful launch of INSAT satellites during his stint at ISRO. He had played pivotal role in promoting the use of space technology for broadcasting, education, meteorology, disaster warning and remote sensing. He also had served as the first Chairman of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the ISRO. He has published more than 350 scientific and technical papers in various journals covering topics like cosmic rays, high energy astronomy, interplanetary physics, space applications and satellite and rocket technology and also authored many books. He was serving many reputed scientific research institutions and Universities as a member of their academic councils and panels. He was chancellor of Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru. For his contribution to Indian space technology, he was awarded Padma Bhushan (1976) and Padma Vibhushan (2017). He is the first Indian space scientist to be inducted into the prestigious ‘Satellite Hall of Fame’ in Washington DC in 2013 and also first in ‘ International Astronautics Federation (IAF) Hall of Fame’ in Mexico’s Guadalajara in May 2016.

29. Researchers San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia, Spain have discovered novobiocin compound that could be used as a potential drug to fight the effects of a Zika virus infection. The novobiocin molecule (compound) was previously used in antibiotic drug to fend off “nosocomial” infections (those acquired inside a hospital). However, the drug was withdrawn from the market because it had lost its potency as an antibiotic. Novobiocin compound Researchers have found that this compound can counter the symptoms of the mosquito-borne Zika disease. It has shown phenomenal recovery results in mice with 100-percent cure rate. However, researchers are still figuring out the exact dose needed for humans to achieve the same successful outcome. They also have patented the molecule for anti-Zika treatment. About Zika virus Zika virus is vector borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same mosquito that transmits dengue. It is also found that, sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible. The Zika virus has been named after Zika forest in Uganda where it was first isolated in 1947. The Zika disease had seen swift expansion between early 2015 and January 2016 throughout South America and Caribbean where babies with abnormally smaller heads due to Microcephaly were born. World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the disease as epidemic and global health emergency but later revoked it after the outbreak was brought under control.

30. Ace Indian Shuttler H S Prannoy won the 2017 Yonex US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament title. It was his third grand prix gold title of badminton. In the final match held at Anaheim, California, Prannoy defeated his compatriot Parupalli Kashyap by 21-15, 20-22, 21-12. In the women’s singles category of the tournament, Aya Ohori of Japan won the final by defeating Michelle Li of Canada. It was the second time in this season that two Indians fought for title at international badminton. Earlier in April 2017, K Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth had played against each other in finals of Singapore Open with Sai Praneeth winning his maiden Super Series title. The 2017 US Open Grand Prix Gold, was the eleventh Grand Prix’s badminton tournament of the 2017 BWF Grand Prix and overall eight Grand Prix Gold title of 2017 BWF Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament.

31. The United States (US) Navy officially inducted USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. It is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world. USS Gerald Ford is first in the series of three of the futuristic ships of the Ford-class carriers ordered by US Navy. Its operational deployment will be in 2021 after undergoing final outfitting and testing. About USS Gerald R Ford The ship is named after the 38th President of the US Gerald Ford to pay tribute to his lifetime of service to the nation in the US Navy and the US government. Construction on the USS Gerald R Ford started in 2009 and was to be completed by September 2015 at a cost of $10.5 billion. USS Gerald R Ford weighs 1 lakh tonnes and is 1,106-feet long equivalent to size of about three football fields. It has two nuclear reactors on board that can operate for up to 20 years without refuelling. Compared to earlier Nimitz class aircraft carriers, it rigged with state-of-the-art technology and can carry more aircraft and weapons. It has electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), replaceing the steam system used on earlier carriers and new electric motor-based Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system for faster and more efficient aircraft take-offs and landings. It is also outfitted with touchscreen navigation display in place of a traditional throttle. It has 2,600 sailors carrying capacity, 600 less crew members compared to earlier carriers due to its double electrical capacity and more automated equipment. It also features new advanced reactor plant, propulsion system, electric plant, machinery control, Dual Band Radar and integrated warfare systems. It has more than 20 new or modified systems compared previous Nimitz class vessels. Ford-class aircraft carriers Ford-class carriers are part of the new advanced US aircraft carrier design developed in 40 years, succeeding earlier Nimitz-class class. The second ship in the series USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is under construction and work on the third carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 80) has begun.

32. England’s women’s cricket team won 2017 ICC World Cup title by defeating India by 9 runs at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. It was England’s fourth Women’s World Cup title. Besides the inaugural edition in 1973, England had won the World Cup in 1993 and 2009 as well. In this edition of World Cup, Tammy Beaumont of England was awarded Player of the Series title. She had made most runs (410) in the tournament. Dane van Niekerk of South Africa took most wickets (15) in the tournament. The 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup was the eleventh edition of the Cup since 1973, and the third to be held in England after 1973 and 1993 tournaments. Notably, it was India’s second appearance in the Women’s World Cup final, having lost to Australia in 2005. About ICC Women’s World Cup The Women’s Cricket World Cup is the oldest and most prestigious international women’s cricket tournament currently organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The first edition was held in England in 1973. To date, eleven World Cups have been played in five different countries, with India and England having hosted the for record three times. Australia has won the women’s cricket world Cup for record six times (1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013) followed by England (four titles- 1973, 1993, 2009, 2017) and New Zealand (one title- 2000).

33. India will host Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) 2017, the world’s largest conference on cyber space and related issues in New Delhi in November 2017. This is for the first time GCCS is taking place outside Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. It will be the fifth edition the conference. The theme for the GCCS 2017 is ‘Cyber4All: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace‘. The cyber security will be one of the major focus areas in GCCS 2017. It will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas with global think thanks and promote closer co-operation among the international community. About Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) The GCCS is a prestigious international conference that aims at encouraging dialogue among stakeholders of cyberspace. It was incepted in 2011 in London. It brings together governments, private sector and civil society gathers to discuss and promote practical cooperation in cyberspace, to discuss norms for responsible behaviour in cyberspace and to enhance cyber capacity building. The conference is built on the themes such as economic growth and development, social and cultural benefits, a safe and secure cyberspace, cybercrime and international security. It has helped in setting up rules and guidelines for the editions to follow.

34. The Union Ministry of Rural Development will launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), a sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). AGEY aims to provide an alternative source of livelihood to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas. Key Features of AGEY AGEY will provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services like e-rickshaws, 3 and 4 wheeler motorised transport vehicles to connect remote villages. These transport vehicles will connect villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the area. The scheme will be implemented in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot basis for a period of 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20. Under it, Community Based Organisation (CBO) is proposed to provide interest free loan from its own corpus to SHG member for purchase of the vehicle. About DAY-NRLM DAY-NRLM is a poverty alleviation scheme implemented by Union Ministry of Rural Development. It was launched as NRLM in 2011 but was succeeded by Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana in 2016. The scheme aims at promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. The basic idea behind this programme is to organize the poor into SHG (Self Help Groups) groups and make them capable for self-employment. It has a special focus on women empowerment including a dedicated component for promoting farm and non-farm based livelihoods for women farmers in rural areas. The scheme helps rural poor to set up self-employment ventures by ensuring easy access to credit. It is implemented across the country in all States and Union Territories (except Delhi and Chandigarh). It is one of the world’s largest initiatives to improve the livelihood of poor. It is supported by World Bank.

35. The Lok Sabha has passed The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009 to extend the deadline for teachers to acquire the prescribed minimum qualifications for appointment. Through the amending measure inadequately qualified teachers as on March 31, 2015, working after enactment of the RTE Act, 2009 are being given last chance to acquire minimum qualifications within a period of four years i.e. by March 31, 2019 to hold their jobs as teachers. Key Facts The amendments to RTE Act, 2009 will enable the in-service untrained elementary teachers to complete their training and ensure that all teachers at the elementary level have certain minimum standard of qualifications. It will ensure that all teachers attain minimum qualifications as considered necessary to maintain the standard of teaching quality. It will ultimately result in improvement in overall quality of teachers, teaching processes and learning outcomes of children. It will reinforce Government’s emphasis on improvement of quality of elementary education. Background The RTE Act, 2009 envisages free and compulsory elementary education to every child in the age group of 6-14 years. The section 23(2) of the Act specifies that all teachers at elementary level at commencement of this law if did not possess minimum qualifications under it need to acquire these within a period of five years i.e. by March 2015. However, several state governments have reported that 11.00 lakh teachers at the elementary level are still untrained out of a total number of 66.41 lakh teachers.

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