• Home /Current Affairs / WBCS Current Affairs 09 December 2017 to 15 December 2017
  • WBCS Current Affairs 09 December 2017 to 15 December 2017
    Posted on December 9th, 2017 in Current Affairs, Weekly Current Affairs
    Tags:

    WBCS Current Affairs 09 December 2017 to 15 December 2017

    1) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is first of the six Scorpene-class submarines built under the strategic Project 75 built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) with assistance and technology transfer from France’s DCNS. The commissioning comes days after Indian Navy observed the golden jubilee of its submarine wing. INS Kalvari will be the first conventional submarine to be inducted into India Navy after more than 17 years. INS Sindhushastra was last inducted conventional diesel-electric submarine in July 2000 which was procured from Russia. INS Kalvari: INS Kalvari is most modern non-nuclear stealth submarine in India Navy. ‘Kalvari’ is Malayalam word that means deep-sea tiger shark. It reflects its agility, strength and predatory prowess. The length of INS Kalvari is 67.5 metres and height of 12.3 metres and weighs 1,565-tonn and displacement capacity of 1,600 tonnes. It is powered by two 1250 kW MAN extremely silent diesel-electric diesel engines making it very difficult to detect underwater. It boasts highly advanced Combat Management System and a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System. Its hull form, fin and hydroplanes are specifically designed to produce minimum underwater resistance. It has 360 battery cells (each weighing 750 kg) to power the extremely silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. Its stealth capability is enhanced through mounting of equipment inside pressure hull on shock absorbing cradles. Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS) suite is heart of INS Kalvari’s weapons system which processes information from sonars on-board submarine in detecting targets which can then be engaged with torpedoes or missiles. It is armed with heavy weight torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles. It can launch torpedoes both while submerged or on the surface. It has an attack-and-search periscope equipped with infrared and low light level cameras and laser range finders to spot targets on the surface of the sea. It is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics and can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, mine laying etc.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 09 December 2017 to 15 December 2017.

    2) India was ranked 100th among 149 countries on the list of prosperous countries released as part of The Legatum Prosperity Index 2017. The index offers an insight into how prosperity is forming and changing across the world. Legatum Prosperity Index: Legatum Prosperity Index is an annual ranking developed by the London-based Legatum Institute. It is world’s leading global measure of economic and social wellbeing that studies 104 indicators under these categories: Economic Quality, Governance, Business Environment, Personal Freedom, Safety and Security, Social Capital, Education, Health and Natural Environment. Highlights of 2017 Legatum Prosperity Index: The Asia-Pacific region, which includes China and India, has registered greatest improvement in business environment and worst performance towards natural environment. The gap between China and India’s prosperity has narrowed by four ranks since 2016 and to quarter of what it was in 2012. China has lost out economically as people perceived greater barriers to trade and less encouragement of competition; and educationally through a falling primary school completion rate. The rising trend in India’s prosperity is significant in view of fact that India registered lower economic growth following demonetisation and implementation of goods and services tax (GST) reform in 2017. India’s performance on each front: Economic Quality- 56th rank, Business Environment- 65th, Governance- 41st, Education- 99th, Health- 109th, Safety & Security- 134th, Personal Freedom- 100th, Social Capital- 82nd and Natural Environment- 139th.

    3) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook Supplement has lowered India’s economic growth forecast for current fiscal i.e. FY 2017-18 by 0.3% to 6.7% from earlier 7%. The reasons cited for this downward revision of growth forecast of largest economy South Asia are lingering effect of demonetisation, transitory challenges to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and weather-related risks to agriculture. Key Highlights of ABD’s forecast: ADB has also revised downwards India’s gross domestic product (GDP) outlook for next fiscal beginning from March 2018 to 7.3% from 7.4% mainly due to rising global crude oil prices and soft growth in private sector investment. However, it expects growth to pick up in remaining two quarters of FY 2017-18 as Government is implementing measures to ease compliance with new GST as well as bank recapitalisation. Inflation in India has remained subdued in first seven months of 2017-18, averaging 2.7%, with low food prices and demand still not out of woods because of demonetisation. However, inflation had picked up since July 2017 on price uptick for food, especially pulses and vegetables. Fuel prices also inched up in response to rising global crude oil prices. It has now projected inflation to average 3.7% in 2017-18, somewhat below the 4% earlier forecast. Earlier Forecasts: Prior to ADB, World Bank had reduced India’s GDP growth forecast to 7% for 2017-18, from 7.2% estimated earlier, blaming disruptions caused by demonetisation and implementation of GST and it will grow at 7.4% by 2019-20. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has also cut its growth projections for India to 6.7% for 2017-18. Fitch Ratings in its September Global Economic Outlook (GEO) also had lowered its forecast for India’s growth for FY 2017-18 to 6.7% from the earlier projected 6.9%, citing rebound was weaker than expected. It also cut GDP growth forecast for 2018-19 to 7.3% from 7.4% predicted. Moody’s also had projected India’s real GDP growth to moderate to 6.7% in the current fiscal 2017-18, down from 7.1%. According to it, GST and demonetisation have undermined growth over near term, but real GDP growth will rise to 7.5% in 2018-19 as disruption fades. Standard & Poor’s had held that India’s growth is among fastest of all investment-grade sovereigns and projected real GDP expansion to average 7.6% over 2017-20.

    4) The Union Government has framed a scheme to set up 12 Special Courts for a year to fast-track the trial of criminal cases against 1,581 MPs and MLAs. This decision was conveyed by Government to Supreme Court and is intended to end inordinate delay in prosecution of politicians in criminal cases. Background: Criminalisation of politics is one of the major concerns in India as several politicians facing charges of murder, corruption, rape and abduction continue to be lawmakers. In November 2017, the Supreme Court had asked Union Government to come up with scheme to set up special courts for trying criminal cases against legislators. It had directed the government that aim of the scheme must be disposing of 1,581 criminal cases involving political persons within a time frame of one year. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petitioner is seeking a lifelong ban on convicted politicians from contesting elections. Proposed Government Scheme: Initially, 12 courts would be constituted. Two special courts will handle cases against 228 MPs and remaining 10 courts will be set up in 10 states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. These 10 states have number of MLAs booked for criminal acts more than 65. In states where there are less than 65 cases, the cases will be sent to existing fast track courts with the Supreme Court approval. The number of courts has been calculated on basis of 11th Finance Commission analysis which mandates that one such court can dispose of 165 cases per annum. The scheme is silent on special judicial forum to hear criminal cases against 44 Rajya Sabha MPs and also on which court will hear them.

    5) The Union Ministry of Railways has introduced Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS), an online bill tracking system for vendors and contractors. It aims to enhance transparency in the processing and settlement of bills by increasing use of information technology. Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS): IREPS will help contractors and vendors of Indian Railways to track status of their bills. The vendor or contractor need to register with online IT platform developed. The registration will enable vendor or agencies to see their bill status with dates through various stages of processing of bills, stages at which it is lying, amount for which it is passed and other details. The online IT platform also has history feature to facilitate vendor to see the history of bills submitted. The bill tracking facility is available for vendors of goods and services. All bills will be settled within 30 days of its receipt using this platform.

    6) Rajasthan has become the first state in India to launch free email addresses in Hindi for its residents. The facility will be available at name@rajasthan.bharat (in Devanagari script). The initiative aims to ensure maximum participation of people towards e-governance and ensure that maximum government facilities are available in vernacular language. Key Facts: The project is being implemented by state IT department with partnership in form of in-sourcing with private IT companies. This initiative is small part of ‘Rajasthan DigiKit’ which has seen enrollment of more than one crore people from the state. The first e-mail ID from this initiative was created by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje with id casundhara@rajasthan.bharat (in Devnagari). All government personnel in state will soon have an email id in Hindi too. The Hindi email ID will be offered to all the Internet users.

    7) The Union Government has signed US $250 million loan agreement with World Bank for “Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion” (SANKALP) Project to support livelihood. World Bank’s financing arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will provide this loan. The closing date for the project is 31st March, 2023. SANKALP Project: Objective of the project: To enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the work force. It is aimed at institutional reforms and improving quality & market relevance of skill development training programs in long and short term Vocational Education and Training (VET). It is also aimed at channelizing energy of youth in proper education, skill and jobs. It will provide market relevant training to youths and enhance their employability potential to maximum extent possible. Key result areas for project: Institutional Strengthening at National and State Levels for Planning, Improved Quality and Market Relevance of Skills Development Programs; Delivering, and Monitoring High-Quality Market-Relevant Training; Improved access to and completion of skills training for female trainees and other disadvantaged groups and Expanding skills training through private-public partnerships (PPPs). Significance: The scheme will provide the required impetus to National Skill Development Mission, 2015 and its various sub missions. It is aligned to flagship programs of Government such as Make in India and Swachhta Abhiyan and aim at developing globally competitive workforce for domestic and overseas requirements. Moreover, it converges skilling efforts of various central, state and private sector institutions thus, avoids duplication of activities and bringing about uniformity in vocational training for creating better impact.

    8) Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have signed a MoU for facilitating the supply of sand for highways construction work. The MoU aims to fill sand supply gap by facilitating the availability of sand for concessionaires working on highways projects who were facing shortage of sand at many sites. Key Facts: Under this MoU, DCI intends will do dredging operations at locations in South East Asia and generate large volumes of sand. This dredging will be done for purpose of obtaining sand. Business intermediaries will ship and store this sand at various ports in India and market it for highways projects. NHAI will facilitate process by displaying availability of sand at various stockyards at ports. Dredging Corporation of India (DCI): DCI is Indian Government Miniratna undertaking engaged in business of dredging. It was established in 1976 and reports to the Ministry of Shipping. It is headquartered at Visakhapatnam and has project offices at many seaports in India. DCI is involved in maintenance dredging, capital dredging, beach nourishment, land reclamation, shallow water dredging, Project Management consultancy and Marine construction. It also occasionally dredges at foreign seaports in countries such as Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Dubai.

    9) India ranked 109th out of 122 countries in the mobile internet speed and 76th out of 133 countries in broadband space in the November 2017 Speedtest Global Index (SGI). The index was released by popular internet speed testing service provider Ookla. It ranked average internet speeds in different countries on mobile and home broadband to understand a real state of the networks that internet users are relying on. The mobile network and broadband speeds are calculated based on every speed test done by user on Ookla app in every country. Key Highlights of November 2017 SGI: Mobile internet speed- Top 5 fastest mobile network countries: Norway (average speed of 62.66Mbps), Netherlands (53.01Mbps), Iceland (52.78Mbps), Singapore (51.50Mbps) and Malta (50.46Mbps). India’s neighbours: China is ranked 31st (31.22Mbps), Pakistan ranked 89th (13.08Mbps), Myanmar ranked 94th (11.72Mbps), Nepal ranked 99th (10.97Mbps) and Sri Lanka ranked 107th (9.32Mbps). India related Facts: Average speed of mobile data networks in India is 8.80Mbps, marginally down from 8.83Mbps in October 2017 when it was ranked 108th. But it is significantly higher than 7.65Mbps average speed in January 2017. Home broadband speed: Top 5 fastest Home broadband Countries: Singapore (153.85Mbps), Iceland (147.51Mbps), Hong Kong (133.94Mbps), South Korea (127.45Mbps) and Romania (104.46Mbps). India’s neighbours: China ranked 23rd (61.24Mbps), Sri Lanka ranked 71st (19.26Mbps) well before India. However, Bangladesh ranked 85th (16.14Mbps), Nepal ranked 92nd (14.05Mbps) and Pakistan ranked 126th (6.13Mbps) after India.

    10) India will host third Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Mumbai, Maharashtra in June 2018. In this regard, Union Government and AIIB Secretariat have signed MoU to delineate duties and responsibilities of major stakeholders who would be involved in organizing the aforesaid Annual Meeting. The theme of the annual meeting is “Mobilizing Finance for Infrastructure: Innovation and Collaboration”. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): The AIIB is multilateral financial institution proposed by China. Its purpose is to provide finance to infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects in the Asia-Pacific region. Its goals are to boost economic development in Asia-Pacific region, provide infrastructure, and promote regional cooperation and partnership. It was founded in October, 2014 and became operational in January 2016. It is headquartered in Beijing. Currently, it has 56 member states. It is seen as rival to World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB). The capital of AIIB is $100 billion, with almost $30 billion invested by China. India is one of the founding members of AIIB and 2nd largest shareholder in AIIB followed by Russia. The voting shares are based on size of each member country’s economy and not contribution to the bank’s authorised capital.

    11) Sri Lanka has formally handed over its southern strategic port of Hambantota to China on 99-year lease. Two Chinese firms managed by China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own port and the investment zone around it. Hambantota port is strategically located right in middle of vital energy supply lines in Indian Ocean, connecting Middle East and East Asia. It had gained strategic significance after Sri Lankan government had decided to build massive deep-sea port and airport with huge Chinese loans. Background: The Sri Lankan government had signed a $1.1 billion deal in July 2017 to sell a 70% stake in Hambantota port to China. Under the 99-year lease agreement, Sri Lanka received $300 million as initial payment. The deal was signed after port suffered heavy losses, making it impossible for Sri Lanka to repay its debts to China which was used to open Hambantota port in 2011. The 99-year lease deal had fanned concerns of countries with competing strategic interests with China, particularly India and US. Local residents of Hambantota are also protesting selling of “national assets to foreign entities” leading to violent clashes. Significance of Port: For China, Hambantota port is linchpin of its One Belt One Road project, which aims to build new Silk Road of trade routes between China and more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. That project is underpinned by network of harbours across world that has put China in position to challenge US as the world’s most important maritime superpower. Other similar developments in region include Gwadar port in Pakistan, which is centrepiece of $55 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India’s Concern: India is apprehensive that the port is part of Chinese ‘string of pearls’ with an objective to surround India and dock its military vessels. The String of pearls is a geopolitical theory on potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean region. To ally India’s concern, Sri Lanka earlier had ruled out the possibility of the strategic port being used as a “military base” by any foreign country.

    12) India is planning to hold talks with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to extend India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway up to Vietnam. As per proposals from India, the 1,360 km long IMT highway from Moreh in India to Mae-Sot in Thailand can be extended to Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia. Key Facts: The connectivity provided by expansion of IMT highway till Vietnam can generate an estimated $70 billion annually in incremental GDP and $20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025. Besides, it will provide much required market for crops grown in hilly regions of Northeast India, thus benefiting growers in getting better price for their produce. IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA): Besides, Government is also working to connect India with South East Asia is IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA). India, Myanmar and Thailand had commenced negotiations for finalising and implementing IMT MVA in 2014 to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway. India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway: The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is highway under construction under India’s Act East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.

    13) The Bihar government has launched Safe City Surveillance Scheme for checking crime against women. It aims to bring all major public places under watch of close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and improve overall crime control in the state. Safe City Surveillance Scheme: The scheme has been launched in a phase-wise manner, will commence from capital city Patna. It has specially launched for checking crime against women, such as harassment, eve-teasing and molestation, snatching incidents and roadside scuffles etc. It will also help in keeping a track of miscreants. The scheme will bring all major public places under the watch of CCTV cameras. These will used for crime control as well as traffic management. Bihar home department will be nodal agency for implementation of the surveillance scheme. The network of CCTV cameras under this scheme will be connected to control room, where it will be monitored round the clock by policemen. Those in control room will coordinate with their counterparts in field and police stations and also alert them about any incident in their area.

    14) India and Australia held their first ‘2+2 dialogue’ in New Delhi and highlighted need to maintain Asia-Pacific region as a “free” and “open” zone. The 2+2 dialogue model between both countries included foreign and defence secretaries. India and Australia share warm bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and pluralism. There is a growing convergence of strategic perspectives between the two countries. Key Facts: It was first meeting of this level since the two sides participated in quadrilateral discussion between India, United States, Australia and Japan in Manila in November 2017 for new strategic partnership targeting the Asia-Pacific region. In the 2+2 dialogue, all aspects of bilateral relations with focus on strategic and defence relations between two countries were reviewed. Both countries agreed that free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The dialogue indicated that focus remains on freedom of navigation in South China Sea, where China has been reclaiming land for infrastructure, boosting its maritime influence.

    15) The 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC-2017) was hosted by India in New Delhi from December 11 to 13, 2017. The theme of conference was “Ground water Vision 2030- Water Security, Challenges and Climate Change Adaptation”. Key Facts: The conference was organized by National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under aegis of Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The delegates from 15 countries participated in the conference and 250 research papers were presented, including 32 Keynote papers. The conference took stock of present status and challenges of Groundwater management in the country under the changing water use and climatic scenarios. It took place at time when water scenario in India, especially the ground water scenario, is getting worse day by day. The conference discussed these burning issues in 10 focal themes spread. It looked into synergistic policy options between various sectors linked with water resources in country and drawed roadmap to address these challenges for sustainable development goals of 2030. Depleting groundwater in India: During the past decades, groundwater usage in India has grown many folds and at present 80% of rural domestic needs and 65% of irrigation water requirement and 50% of industrial and urban water needs are sourced from scarce ground water resources. Over exploitation of ground water has started threatening sustenance of agricultural activities in many key regions in country including Punjab, Rajasthan and Bundelkhand region of central India. It is posing grave threat to food security in future. Moreover, climate change is further expected to alter ground water recharge regimes across country due to increase in extreme rainfall events. Over exploitation of ground water has also started affecting ground water quality in many areas from geogenic contaminants such as arsenic.

    16) India’s first Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) will be coming to Andhra Pradesh. EMC has been designed and developed for providing facilities and amenities for manufacturing mobiles and allied products. The Union Government, through Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) in 2012 had announced about setting up EMC in India, with grant-in-aid for establishing such clusters. Key Facts: In 2015, Andhra Pradesh Government had announced first exclusive mobile and electronic manufacturing cluster in the new capital city Amaravati. State Government had allotted 113.27 acres of land for new cluster, through Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC). For this purpose, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Sri Venkateswara Mobiles and Electronics Manufacturing Hub Private Limited was formed. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The SPV Company has applied for final approval of project to Union Government. Three major Indian mobile manufacturers – Celkon, Karbonn and Lava have come forward to establish their units in EMC. Besides, an anchor unit has been formed in name of Seven Hills Digital Park Private Limited (SHDPPL) for three companies. It will be involved in manufacturing of accessories to mobile phones and other related electronic equipment. The EMC will generate around 50,000 jobs every year.

    17) The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched first NIC-CERT, a setup of National Informatics Centre (NIC) to prevent and predict cyber-attacks on government utilities. It was launched by Union Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi as part of Digital India Initiative. NIC-CERT: The NIC-CERT will monitor and help in early detection and mitigation of cyberattacks on government networks. It has been setup with objective of creating comprehensive framework that integrates world class security components and inbuilt threat intelligence for detection, prevention and incident response. It will operate in close co-ordination and collaboration with other sectoral CERTs and more so with CERT-In. Using advance tools, NIC-CERT team will correlate events that would help in generating canvas of attack surface and identify vulnerabilities and possible exploits. The PAN-India connectivity of NIC coupled with its enhanced ability to detect and prevent attacks will collectively upscale NIC-CERT capability to protect government’s data. Background: Government has introduced a lot of its services online as part of its Digital India initiatives which has made the services easily accessible to citizens. But at the same time it also has exposed them to threats and vulnerabilities that are an inherent part of cyberspace. In recent past there has been an exponential growth in cyberattacks leading to concerns of data theft. The government had already announced setting up of sectoral CERTs (computer emergency response teams) for sectors such as finance and power. National Informatics Centre (NIC): The NIC (Rashtriya Suchna Vigyan Kendra) is premier science & technology organisation of Government in informatics services and information and communication technology (ICT) applications. It is a part of MeitY’s Department of Electronics & Information Technology. It was established in 1976. It plays a pivotal role in steering e-governance applications in governmental departments at national, state and district levels, thus enabling improvement and wider transparency in government services. Almost all Indian-government websites are developed and managed by NIC.

    18) The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched ‘LaQshya’ Initiative and mHealth: Safe Delivery Application on the occasion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day. Moreover, Operational Guidelines for Obstetric High Dependency Units and Intensive Care Units were also released. UHC Day is observed every year on 12 December to commemorate first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality health care to every person, everywhere. UHC aims at ensuring equitable access for all to affordable, accountable, appropriate health services of assured quality. Laqshya- A Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative: It is safe delivery mobile application for health workers who manage normal and complicated deliveries in the peripheral area. It objective is to improve quality of care provided to pregnant mother in Labour Room and Maternity Operation Theatres (OTs), thereby preventing undesirable adverse outcomes associated with childbirth. It aims to reduce preventable maternal and new-born mortality, morbidity and stillbirths associated with care around delivery in Labour room and Maternity OTs. It will be implemented in government Medical Colleges (MCs), District Hospitals (DHs), high delivery load Sub- District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). It plans to conduct quality certification of labour rooms and provide facilities to achieve outlined targets. mHealth: Safe Delivery Application: It was launched for health workers who manage normal and complicated deliveries in peripheral areas. The app has Clinical Instruction films on key obstetric procedures to help health workers translate their learnt skills into actual practice. It has been field tested in few districts and found to be useful for health workers providing maternity care. Operational Guidelines for Obstetric High Dependency Units and Intensive Care Units: These guidelines will complement already existing national guidelines. It will also help states and state level policy makers in setting up and operationalising critical care units dedicated to pregnant women.

    19) The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will soon launch Khelo India programme for period 2017-18 to 2019-20 at cost of Rs 1756 crore. It was announced by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Rajyavardhan Rathore while addressing Yuva Sambardhana Utsav organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, at KIIT Campus, Bhubaneswar. He also announced that year 2018 will be celebrated as the Year of Sports. Khelo India programme: The programme aims at mainstreaming sports as tool for individual development, community development, economic development and national development. It will have holistic impact on entire sports ecosystem, including infrastructure, talent identification, community sports, coaching for excellence, competition structure and sports economy. The programme will promote 150 select schools from different districts and 20 universities across country, as hubs of sporting excellence, enabling talented sportspersons to pursue both education and competitive sports. It will cover about 200 million children in age group of 10-18 under a massive national physical fitness drive. It will also see launch of new Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme that would cover 1000 most talented young athletes each year across select sports disciplines. Each athlete selected under the programme will receive an annual scholarship worth Rs. 5 lakh for duration of 8 years.

    20) Government has made mandatory for Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to seek approval from Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) before accepting any proposal to supply electric buses for availing incentives under the FAME India scheme. The move is aimed at facilitating smooth roll out and management of demand incentives for e-buses under FAME. After DHI gives the nod, OEMs become eligible for the incentives under the scheme. FAME India Scheme: The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-India) was launched in 2015 under National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) with an aim to promote eco-friendly vehicles in country. Its objective is to provide fiscal and monetary incentives for adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in the country. It aims at incentivising all vehicle segments, including two-wheelers, three wheeler auto, passenger four-wheeler vehicle, light commercial vehicles and buses. The scheme covers hybrid and electric technologies like a strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. Its mandate is to support hybrid or electric vehicles market development and its manufacturing eco-system in country in order to achieve self-sustenance in stipulated period. It is being administered by the Heavy Industries Ministry.

    21) The Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing small satellite launch vehicles to launch low-cost small satellites. Preliminary work to design and develop such ambitious small launch vehicle already has started at ISRO’s rocket development node, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The small launch vehicle will be able to put satellites of up to 500-600 kg in orbits close to the Earth. VSSC has designed the vehicle using the rocket technology. Significance: Small satellite launch vehicles have tremendous potential to cut the launch fee that customers pay. Ride on small launchers is ninth or tenth of the present cost. Besides, they are easy to assemble compared to about 40 days taken to assemble a PSLV. Background: Since 1999, ISRO’s PSLV rockets have launched 209 small satellites from 28 countries for fee. In February 2017, PSLV created world record by launching 104 satellites to space. Globally, the small satellites market is booming as they are used for various applications. As such, worldwide, operators and private players are developing small launchers to capture the market at a much lower cost. Global space industry consulting firm Euroconsult in July 2017 had estimated that 6,200 smallsats — many of them will be launched during 2017-2026 and its market value will touch to $30 billion — up from $8.9 billion in last decade.

    22) China started trial operations of world’s biggest automated container terminal at Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, the country’s commercial hub. The terminal is located at south of Donghai Bridge, phase 4 of Yangshan Port and covers 2.23 million square metres and has a 2,350-metre shoreline. The automated management system is also used at port to maintain safety and efficiency. Key Facts: The project uses automated handling equipment designed and manufactured in China. The machinery used in loading and unloading, including bridge crane, automated guided vehicle (AGV) and rail-mounted gantry crane, are all made in China by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company. Initially, automated terminal will have capacity to handle 4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and later it will be expanded to 6.3 million TEUs at later stage. The automated terminal not only increases the port’s handling efficiency, but also reduces carbon emissions by up to 10%.

    23) The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a door-to-door campaign for 15-days in the country for early diagnosis, detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) to eliminate the disease. The campaign has been launched along the lines of anti-polio drive, which had fetched very good result for India and successfully making country free from disease. Key Facts: Objective of this campaign is to detect these missed out cases by going to every household. It is follow to government’s set target to decrease incidences of TB by 90% by 2025 and reduce mortality due to the disease by 95% by 2030 under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). Through this door-to-door campaign, health department workers, ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and TB supervisors will make door-to-door visits to find TB patients and give them free medical treatment till they are cured. Background: As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 2.8 million cases of TB occur in India every year, out of which only 1.7 million cases are reported, thus around one million cases of TB get missed every year. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has set ambitious target to decrease incidences of tuberculosis by 90% by 2025 and reduce mortality due to the disease by 95% by 2030 under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). Under the 3rd phase of RNTCP called Active Case Finding (ACF), government has identified 186 high-risk districts with the help of states. Besides, government rolled out the daily drug course of therapy recently to combat the disease across the country. Tuberculosis (TB): TB is bacterial disease caused by “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” bacteria that most often affect the lungs. The disease is spread from person to person through the air. It commonly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is the second biggest killer disease worldwide next only to HIV/AIDS. It can be completely cured with proper and regular medication.

    24) The ASEAN–India (Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India) Connectivity Summit (AICS) was held in New Delhi. The theme of summit was ‘Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century’. It was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with AIC (ASEAN-India Centre) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). Key Facts: The AICS aimed at aimed at accelerating existing connectivity prospects, evolving suitable policy recommendations, identifying issues of concern and developing strategies to enhance economic, trade and industrial relations between India and ASEAN member countries. Its main focus areas were Infrastructure, Roadways, Shipping, Digital, Finance, Energy and Aviation. It provided common platform for policymakers, senior officials from government, investors, industry leaders, representatives of trade associations and entrepreneurs on same platform to deliberate on partnership models adopted between governments to build infrastructure linkages between India and ASEAN Countries. It was organised as part of the celebratory events being organised to commemorate the silver jubilee of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership. ASEAN: ASEAN is a regional organisation that aims to promote intergovernmental cooperation and economic integration amongst its members. It consists of 10-member countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It came into existence on August 8, 1967, after ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok Declaration) was adopted.

    25) The Aadivasi Mahotsav 2017 was held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh to display the rich and diverse tribal traditions of the central state. It was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh. Key Facts: The festival has been organised in the memory of 1857 revolutionary from the region, Shaheed Veernarayan Singh on his martyrdom day. Tribal culture, literature and food festivals, tribal Olympiad and hackathon were held during the event. Besides, tribal literature festival was organized at Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium during the festival. Regional folk dances such as Bihu, Cherav dance of Mizoram, Hojgiri of Tripura and other folk dances of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were performed during festival.

    26) 15th trilateral meeting of the Russia-India-China (RIC) foreign ministers was held in New Delhi. It was held between India’s External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi. Key Facts: The discussions of meeting focused on regional security, issues affecting Asia-Pacific region, counter-terror efforts and coordination at regional and multilateral forums. The ministers reiterated importance trilateral format as platform to foster closer dialogue and practical cooperation in identified areas. The ministers released joint communiqué after meeting. They agreed to strengthen the trilateral dialogue for consultation and coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest. International and regional peace: They held that cooperation is conducive to maintaining international and regional peace, stability and promoting global economic growth and prosperity. They stressed for establishment of just and equitable international order based on international law and mutual respect, fairness and justice. They held that various crises in the world should be resolved in accordance with the international law. Terrorism: The three nations also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable irrespective of their motivations, committed wherever and by whomsoever. Arms Race: They called for prevention of arms race in outer space for maintaining international peace and security. Russia and China reiterated that they welcome India’s participation in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. RIC Forum: It is a trilateral grouping of Russia, India and China that has met annually since 2002. In recent years, it has functioned as complement to other frameworks involving three countries and including Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

    27) Eminent scientist and father of DNA fingerprinting in India Lalji Singh passed away following heart attack. He was 70. He was one of the leaders instrumental in making DNA fingerprinting mainstream in India, both at level of research as well as for forensic applications. Contributions of Lalji Singh: He also set up a slew of dedicated labs that worked on several aspects of genetics such as population biology, structural biology and transgenic research. His work in field of DNA fingerprinting technology also contributed for sex determination, Wildlife conservation forensics and evolution and migration of humans. Based on his work he was tasked by government to establish Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in late 1990s with mandate of making it a nodal centre for DNA fingerprinting and diagnostics for all species and several diseases.He also had founded Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES). Lalji Singh: Dr. Singh served as a director at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad from 1998 to 2009. He also had served as Vice Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University (2001 – 2014), his alma mater. Until recently, he was active in the Genome Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to diagnose and treat genetic disorders affecting the underprivileged, especially from rural India. He was awarded prestigious Padma Shri award.

    28) The Geneva-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) received the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize at ceremony held in Oslo, Norway. The award was received by Beatrice Fihn, leader of ICAN and Hiroshima nuclear bombing survivor Setsuko Thurlow. ICAN, a coalition of 468 grassroots non-governmental groups has been in forefront of pushing for end to use of nuclear weapons through United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons adopted by 122 nations in July 2017. UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: It is the first multilateral legally-binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years. The treaty was open for signature during the annual UN General Assembly in November 2017. As of September 20, 50 states had signed treaty, which bans use, development, testing or storing of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The treaty is not signed by and will not apply to any of the states that already have nuclear arms. International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN): ICAN is a global civil society coalition of 468 partner organizations from 101 countries working to promote adherence to and full implementation of Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is a leading civil society actor which has taken efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. Originally it was founded in Australia in 2007. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. ICAN’s mission is to shift disarmament debate to focus on humanitarian threat posed by nuclear weapons, draw attention to their unique destructive capacity, their catastrophic health and environmental consequences, debilitating impact of detonation on medical infrastructure and relief measures and long-lasting effects of radiation on surrounding area.

    29) The World Human Rights Day (WHRD) is observed every year on December 10 to commemorate adaptation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Observance of the day seeks to encourage, support and amplify measures to be taken by everyone to defend human rights. The theme for this year is ‘Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity’. This year, Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In run up to the celebration of Human Rights Day, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had organised a series of events in India. Background: On this day in 1948, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had adopted and proclaimed Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. It was adopted as shared standard yard stick to protect human rights across the globe. It recognizes inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of mankind as the foundation of justice, freedom and peace in the world. The Human Rights Day was formally established at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the UNGA on 4 December 1950.

    30) The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has signed an implementation agreement with German firm GIZ GmbH for technical cooperation in implementation of transport projects in Coimbatore, Bhubaneshwar and Kochi. The main objective of these projects are to improve planning and implementation of sustainable urban transport. Key Facts: Under this agreement, an amount of Euro 4 million (approximately Rs 29 crore) through GIZ will be envisaged for this purpose over a period of three years. The agreement was signed in line with Technical Cooperation enumerated by Government of Germany for Urban Mobility in India during Annual Negotiations and Consultations between India and Germany in 2015 which was later formalised with MoU between two governments encompassing this project. The project will give desired impetus in three major interventions proposed under Smart City Mission of MoHUA viz. ITS-based transport solutions, non-motorised vehicles and last mile connectivity.

    31) India was declared free from infective Trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection of the eye. The infection causes inflamed granulation on the inner surface of the lids. It was announced by Union Health Minister J P Nadda after releasing National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17) in New Delhi. With this, India met goal of trachoma elimination as specified by World Health Organisation (WHO) under its GET2020 (Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020) program. Trachoma: Trachoma is a chronic infective disease of eye and is leading cause of infective blindness globally. It is outcome of poor environmental and personal hygiene and inadequate access to water and sanitation. It affects conjunctiva under the eyelids. Repeated Trachoma infection causes scarring leading to in-turning of the eyelashes and eyelids which further causes damage to cornea and blindness. It is main cause of corneal blindness in India, affecting young children. It was found affecting the population North Indian states like Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17): The Survey results indicate that active Trachoma is no longer a public health problem in India. It was possible due to decades of inter-sectoral interventions and efforts that included provision of antibiotic eye drops, personal hygiene, improved environmental sanitation, availability of safe water, availability of surgical facilities for chronic trachoma. Trachoma has been eliminated among children below 10 years in all survey districts with overall prevalence of only 0.7%, much below elimination criteria of infective trachoma as defined by WHO. As per WHO targets, Trachoma is considered eliminated if prevalence of active infection among children below 10 years is less than 5%.

    32) Researchers at the University of Illinois have announced discovery of new form of matter called excitonium. The existence of this strange and mysterious type of matter was theorized after the term excitonium was theoretically coined by Harvard theoretical physicist named Bert Halper in the 1960s, Key Facts: To prove existence of excitons, scientists had studied crystals doped with dichalcogenide titanium diselenide (1T-TiSe2), a transition metal. This material is made up of a kind of boson, a composite particle that could allow matter to act as a superfluid, superconductor, or even as an insulating electronic crystal. Scientists were able to observe existence of excitonium using novel technique called momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (M-EELS). Excitonium: Excitonium is a condensate made up of excitons and exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena just like a superconductor. Excitons are particles that are formed in a very strange quantum mechanical pairing. They are obtained by combining escaped electrons and “holes”. This quirky quantum-mechanical pairing is possible because, in semiconductors, electrons on edge of one energy level in atom are able to jump into the next energy level when excited, leaving behind a “hole” in previous level. This hole acts like a positively charged particle, attracting the negatively charged electron that escaped. Significance: Excitonium exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena, like a superconductor and this findings holds great promise for unlocking further quantum mechanical mysteries. As a superconductor and superfluid, this material can be used to further existing technologies. These applications, especially those in practical technologies, are purely speculative at this point.

    33) The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched Public Procurement Portal ‘MSME Sambandh’ for Public Procurement Portal for MSMEs. The objective of the portal is to monitor the implementation of the Public Procurement from MSEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). It will help MSMEs in participating in the procurement process. Besides, it will help Ministries and the CPSEs can assess their performance in procurement process as stipulated in Procurement Policy, 2012. Background: The Procurement Policy launched in 2012 mandates the Central Government Departments, CPSEs to procure necessarily from MSEs. It means that every Central Ministry, Department, PSU shall set an annual goal for procurement from MSE sector at beginning of year. Its objective is to achieve overall procurement goal of minimum of 20% of the total annual purchases of the products or services produced or rendered by MSEs.

    34) India hosted “Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage” at New Delhi as part of celebrations of 20th Anniversary of BIMSTEC. The Festival was inaugurated by Minister of State (IC) for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma. The festival was held at IGNCA, Janpath (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. It had diverse components including exhibition ofinternational and Indian Buddhist art and architecture, discourses by eminent scholars and practitioners of Buddhism, guided meditation and chanting by Buddhist monks and choir, dance and music performances, screening of film on Buddhism and a food trail. Purpose of festival: Emphasise and raise awareness of Buddhism, a rich and common heritage and mark the 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC. To spread universal message of peace and tolerance practiced by Buddhism to address growing sense of inadequacy in face of changes and conflicts that people and the world face. Significance: BIMSTEC is international organisation comprising of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. BIMSTEC has a deep connect with Buddhism, which originated in South Asia and then travelled and rooted itself in South East Asia. Buddhism constitutes a bridge between South and South-East Asia.

    35) India’s ‘first’ mobile food testing laboratory enabling on-the-spot food safety tests was launched in Goa. It was launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Key Facts: This is the first ever ‘Food Safety on Wheel’ mobile laboratory in the country. The vehicle is equipped to conduct on-the-spot tests to check food quality and curb adulteration. It will also check hygiene level of water and the results can be received within 15 minutes. The mobile laboratory costs Rs.45 lakh and has been fully funded by the Centre. It will do away with need to get the food samples to FDA laboratory near Panaji for tests, thus cut the delays. It will either be used to conduct surprise checks by the FDA for scheduled tests. The vehicle is equipped with milk analyser, hot air oven, hot plate, mixer grinder, digital weighing scale, digital multi parameter hand-held meter, power generator, air conditioner and refrigerator.

    36) Renowned Hindi scholar and writer Mamta Kalia (77) was chosen for Vyas Samman 2017 for her novel “Dukkham Sukkham”. She was selected by selection committee headed by author Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. Dukkham Sukkham published in 2009 is saga of a lower middle-class familys three generations. The literary work focuses on the transition in relations and situations of our society. Mamta Kalia: She was born in 1940 in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. She had received MA in English from Delhi University before taking up lecturership at SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai. Since 1973, she headed degree college in Allahabad before retiring in 2001. She is known for her works in Hindi and English including “Beghar”, “Janch Abhi Jaari Hai”, “Nirmohi”, and “Bolne Wali Aurat”. Earlier she has received “Yashpal Katha Samman” from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, “Ram Manohar Lohia Samman” and “Sahitya Bhushan Samman”. Vyas Samman award: The Vyas Samman award was instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991. It is awarded annually to outstanding literary work in Hindi authored and published in past 10 years by an Indian citizen. The award carries monetary award of Rs.3.5 lakh, a citation and a plaque.

    37) The International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) is observed annually across the world on December 9 to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it. Observance of the day aims to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively. It also highlights the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it. The theme for year 2017 is “United against corruption for development, peace and security”. This year UNODC and UNDP have developed joint global campaign, focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development. The 2017 joint international campaign focuses on corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Corruption: Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. No country, region or community is immune from corruption. According to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5% of global GDP. In developing countries, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times amount of official development assistance. Background: The International Anti-Corruption Day was instituted by UN General Assembly (UNGA) by passing resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003. It was adopted to raise people’s awareness of corruption and role of United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in combating and preventing it. The UNCAC is the first legally binding, international anti-corruption instrument that provides a chance to mount a global response to corruption.

    38) Kacheguda Railway Station in Hyderabad has become the first energy-efficient ‘A1 Category’ railway station in India. It falls under the Hyderabad division of the South Central Railway (SCR). Key Facts: Kacheguda Railway Station attained the 100% energy-efficient status by replacing 1312 conventional lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, 12 air conditioners (ACs) with energy efficient inverter type ACs and 370 ceiling fans with Brushless DC Electrical (BLDC) motors energy-efficient fans. On account of these changes, it will save about 1.76 lakh units and Rs. 14.08 lakh annually with reduction of the connected load by 46.18 kW for Railways. Kacheguda Railway station: Kacheguda Railway station is one of the historic building in Hyderabad that has completed 100 years. It is situated in the heart of Hyderabad. It was built in 1916 by Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway during reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam.

    39) Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $346 million loan for highways upgradation project in Karnataka. The loan funds will be used for Karnataka State Highways Improvement III Project to upgrade 419 km of state highways from two to four–lane widths and improving culverts and bridges along stretch of road. Key Facts: The project roads will address needs of residents along roads for adequate footpaths, lights, and improvement to curves that pose safety hazards, especially at night. It will also carry out a road safety survey to identify critical accident spots across the state highways and carry out measures to improve these. Besides, the upgradation will also include construction of planned pedestrian, installation of women-friendly amenities, marked crossings and proper signage. This is second loan from ADB for improving state’s road network. The total project cost has been estimated to be US $655 million, out of which, state government will provide US $202 million and US $107 will be raised through private sector investment through hybrid annuity contracts. Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB is a regional development bank which aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. It was established on 19 December 1966. It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Now it has 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. The ADB has been modelled closely on the World Bank. It has similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members’ capital subscriptions. As of 2014, Japan was largest shareholder (capital subscription) of ADB having 15.7% shares followed by US (15.6%), China (6.5%), India (6.4%), and Australia (5.8%).

    40) Elite export control regime Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) has decided to admit India as its new member. The decision was taken at two-day plenary meeting of grouping in Vienna, Austria. India will be Arrangement’s 42nd participating state. Background: Since its civil nuclear deal with US, India has been trying to get into export control regimes such as Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement that regulate the conventional, nuclear, biological and chemicals weapons and technologies. In June 2016, India had joined Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), another key export control regime, as a full member. Wassenaar Arrangement: The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, commonly known as the Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral export control regime (MECR). It is elite club of countries subscribing arms controls similar to NSG and MTCR. It was established in 1996 to contribute to regional and international security and stability by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilizing accumulations. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. It has 42 participating states including India. All permanent members of UN Security Council except China are its members. Participating states of WA, through their national policies, seek to ensure that transfers (export) of arms and ammunition in Control list of WA do not contribute to development or enhancement of military capabilities undermining regional security. Every six months member countries of WA exchange information on deliveries of conventional arms to non-WA members that fall under eight broad weapons categories. These categories include battle tanks, military helicopters, armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), military aircraft, large-caliber artillery, warships, missiles or missile systems, and small arms and light weapons. Comment: India’s membership to WA will provide it access to high technology, which will help address the demands of Indian space and defence sectors. This will help India to enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation despite not being signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The WA membership is also expected to build up strong case for India’s entry into the 48-member NSG. Further, it will help energy starved India to secure the supply of nuclear fuel more easily, since it has low reserves of uranium required for its civil nuclear energy programmes. It will also facilitate high technology tie-ups with Indian industry and ease access to high-tech items for our defence and space programmes. It will also create grounds for realignment of India in export control policy framework of other WA members, including eligibility for certain licensing exceptions.

    41) The Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO has inscribed ´KumbhMela´ on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription of Kumbh Mela in list was undertaken following recommendation by expert body which examines nominations submitted by member countries of UNESCO during its 12th session of Committee held at Jeju, South Korea. KumbhMela is the 14th intangible cultural heritage from India to be listed in UNESCO’s list. KumbhMela: KumbhMela is held every four times every 12 years at four different locations across central and northern India. It is the largest religious congregation and largest peaceful gathering on planet. This vast celebration attracts tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims, including mendicant nagas. The first written evidence of the Kumbha Mela is mentioned in Bhagvat Purana. Another written evidence of Kumbha Mela is in works of Huen Tsang, who visited India in 629–645 AD, during reign of Harsha. The Samudra manthan episode also has mentioned in Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. Kumbh Mela is held every third year at one of four places by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain. Thus, it is held at each of these four places every twelfth year. Ardha Kumbha Mela, which is next in sanctity, is held only at Haridwar and Allahabad. The rivers at these four places are Ganga at Haridwar, Prayag Sangam at Allahabad, Godawari at Nashik, and Shipra at Ujjain. The largest crowd is held on Mauni Amavasya. 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. The list was established in 2008 when Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect. It includes important intangible cultural heritages worldwide. It has two parts viz. Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of urgent Safeguarding. 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. Yoga

    42) The first International Conference on Sports Medicine & Sports Sciences “SAICON 2017” was held in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by the Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore. The 3-day conference was organized by Sports Authority of India (SAI). The theme of the conference was ‘Scoring Goals in Sports with Science and Technology’. Key Facts: The SAICON 2017 aimed at promoting scientific temperament in country and inspire students, researchers and educationists alike to take up sports science and research to next level. It was attended by about 1000 national and international delegates. Eminent Olympians Leander Paes, Gurbax Singh, K. Malleshwari and Yogeshwar Dutt also had attended the conference. Sports Authority of India (SAI): SAI is an apex National Sports body set up in 1984 by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the development of sport in India. It conducts various activities and schemes to promote sports in India. It is headquartered at, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi). SAI has 2 Sports Academic institutions, 10 SAI Regional Centres (SRC), 14 Centre of Excellence (COE/COX), 56 Sports Training Centres (STC) and 20 Special Area Games (SAG).

    43) Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the 2017 Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball) for world player of the year in Paris, France for the fifth time. With this he equals record of his great Barcelona rival Lionel Messi. Earlier Ronaldo had won Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016. In this year’s Ballon d’Or Award competition, Lionel Messi came second while Paris’ Neymar Jr, came third, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon finished fourth and Luka Modric came fifth. FIFA Ballon d’Or Award: FIFA Ballon d’Or Award is annual football association award given by FIFA to the male player who has performed the best in previous calendar year. It was instituted in 2010 after France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the men’s FIFA World Player of the Year award were merged. It is awarded to male player, based upon highest votes secured by him from national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around world.

    44) The Union Government has constituted high-level committee headed by NITI Aayog Chief Executive Amitabh Kant to address problem of Non-performing assets (NPAs) or stressed assets in India’s power sector. It comprises secretaries in the ministries of power, coal and department of financial services as it members. The Government is also planning to investigate whether private developers have inflated project costs to show higher debt. Background: According to second volume of Economic Survey 2016-17 released in August 2017, NPAs in power generation accounted for around 5.9% of the banking sector’s total outstanding advances of Rs. 4.73 trillion. Tackling issues that afflict so-called stranded power assets will provide much-needed relief for Indian banks weighed down by bad loans. Besides, weak financial health of state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) is also hampering process of signing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) through competitive bidding. So far, a total of 34 coal-fuelled power projects, with an estimated debt of Rs. 1.77 trillion were reviewed by government after being identified by department of financial services. Issues faced by these projects include paucity of funds, lack of PPAs and absence of fuel security.

    45) Uttar Pradesh became first state to endorse Union Government’s draft draft law — Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act that makes practice of instant “triple talaq” or talaq-e-biddat. a cognisable and non-bailable criminal offence. The draft law was endorsed by the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Background: In August 2017 landmark verdict, Supreme Court had banned practice of “triple talaq” in which Muslim men unilaterally divorce their wives by uttering talaq three times in quick succession, calling it “unconstitutional”. As per Supreme Court pronouncement, the practice of “triple talaq” is un-Islamic and “arbitrary” and was not integral part of religious practice. It also violated Article 14 (Equality before law) and Article 21 of Indian Constitution. Draft— Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act: It makes any declaration of talaq-e-biddat or triple talaq by Muslim man illegal and void. It makes it a “cognizable and non-bailable” offence, punishable with three years jail and a monetary fine. It applies to instant triple talaq in “oral, written, electronic or any other form”. It aims to empower Muslim women especially victims of triple talaq to move to court for seeking subsistence allowance for herself and dependent children, as well as custody of minor children. The draft bill prescribes for three-year imprisonment and a fine to a man who tries to divorce his wife through triple talaq. The law will be effective across whole country, however, will not apply to Jammu and Kashmir. Comment: The Union has forwarded the draft law to states, and asked them to send their views soon. Though marriage and divorce figure in concurrent list, the Union thought it proper, in view of the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, to consult the states.

    46) India and Israel have jointly set up a centre for excellence in floriculture at Thally in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. It is first agro-technology development centre to be set up with Israel’s assistance in Tamil Nadu. The centre at Thally and similar centre planned for vegetables to be established in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Key Facts: These centres form part of a three-year Indo-Israel agricultural partnership signed between Mashav, Israel’s agency for international development cooperation and mission for integrated development of horticulture of Union Agriculture Ministry. The Dindigul centre, specialises in vegetables such as cucumber, capsicum and tomatoes, is expected to be launched in January 2018. Purpose of these centres is to develop agricultural practices suitable for selected geographical regions and also transfer the best practices to farmers in and around. Currently, there are 20 such centres in nine States. By end of this project, 30 such Indo-Israel centres of excellence in agriculture will come up in in India. More such centres of excellence are planned in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in near future. Centres in Karnataka will come up in Dharwar, Kolar and Bagalkot and will focus on vegetables, mangoes and pomegranate, respectively. The centre in Andhra Pradesh will come up in Kuppam and will work on both floriculture and vegetable research.

    47) The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has set up three member committee to study the matter to give minority status to Hindus in 8 states where their population is less than 50%. The committee will be led by NCM’s Vice Chairman George Kurien and has been given three months to submit its report. NCM after examining the report will take a view over the issue. Background: The NCM’s decision is based on plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Upadhyaya, whose petition on matter to grant minority status to Hindus in eight states was rejected by Supreme Court in November 2017. The apex court had directed him to approach the NCM. According to 2011 Census, Hindus are in monitory in eight states — Lakshadweep (2.5%), Mizoram (2.75%), Nagaland (8.75%), Meghalaya (11.53%), J&K (28.44%), Arunachal Pradesh (29%), Manipur (31.39%), and Punjab (38.40%). It is argued that in absence of “minority” status to Hindus in these states, benefits meant for minority communities were being given away to majority community in illegal and arbitrary manner. National Commission for Minorities (NCM): NCM is statutory body set up under National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. It works under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Its mandate is to evaluate progress of development of Minorities. It also monitors working of safeguards provided in Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and State Legislatures. It also makes recommendations for effective implementation of safeguards for protection of interests of Minorities by the Central Government or State Governments. It looks into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities. Constitution of India has not defined word ‘Minority’ and only refers to ‘Minorities’ but it speaks of those ‘based on religion or language’ and rights of minorities have been spelt out in Constitution in detail. Six religious communities, viz. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities by Union Government all over India.

    48) Time magazine has named ‘the silence breakers’ as its Person of the Year for 2017. It was referring to those individuals, mostly women, who came forward this year with #MeToo movement to publicly expose patterns of sexual harassment and assault by powerful public figures in United States. Those recognized by Time range from famous actresses who took on disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein to ordinary women who shared their stories of abuse using hashtag #MeToo. One of figures singled out by Time magazine is Ashley Judd was first actress to come forward on record to make accusations against Weinstein. Sexual harassment has always been a glaring and disturbing reality across the world. The online movement with hashtag had showed that how two simple words on social media can help to create revolution by unburdening millions of women, men and transgenders of the secret they had withheld. Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’: The Person of the Year is an annual honour bestowed by the Times magazine. It was started in 1927. Every year it is announced in month of December. It is given to person who is most influenced in the news during the year and is chosen for better or worse cases in the news.

    49) The Union Health Ministry and Rotary International India National PolioPlus have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for intensive efforts towards achieving the immunization target. The MoU aims to provide collaborative support and accelerate efforts under Polio Eradication Programme, Routine Immunization including Mission Indradhanush, Intensified Mission Indradhanush. Key areas for collaboration: The collaboration seeks for social mobilization of beneficiaries, especially in urban slums and undeserved areas having no mobilizers. It will also support to members of National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) etc. in their efforts of community mobilization through incentives during the sessions. It also seeks to advocate and generate awareness through innovative approaches and involving private practitioners and local leaders for Polio Eradication Programme, Routine Immunization including Mission Indradhanush, Intensified Mission Indradhanush and Measles-Rubella. The collaboration will support the efforts of the states and the districts for advocacy and community mobilization for Polio Eradication Programme, Routine Immunization including Mission Indradhanush, Intensified Mission Indradhanush and Measles-Rubella. Rotary International India National PolioPlus Committee: The Committee was set up in 1988 by Rotary International for polio eradication efforts in the country. It is based in Delhi. It organizes large teams of committed Rotary volunteers who help in vaccine delivery to infants and children and ensure social mobilization around the cause. It works in close cooperation with the Indian government, World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other bodies such as US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Previous Week ———————— Next Week
    All Weekly Round-ups

    Our own publications are available at our webstore (click here).

    For Guidance of WBCS (Exe.) Etc. Preliminary , Main Exam and Interview, Study Mat, Mock Test, Guided by WBCS Gr A Officers , Online and Classroom, Call 9674493673, or mail us at – mailus@wbcsmadeeasy.in
    Please subscribe here to get all future updates on this post/page/category/website
    WBCS Feedburner Subscription

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

     WBCS Foundation Course Classroom Online 2024 2025 WBCS Preliminary Exam Mock Test WBCS Main Exam Mock Test WBCS Main Language Bengali English Nepali Hindi Descriptive Paper