1) The thirteenth edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise will be conducted at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 30 May to 12 June 2018. The joint military exercise aims to further enhance and strengthen level of defence cooperation between the two neighbouring nations. Key Facts: Surya Kiran-XIII exercise will see participation of nearly 300 soldiers from both Indian and Nepal Army. They will share their experiences gained during conduct of various counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in the past. The aim of this edition of exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain under the United Nations mandate. It also includes various aspects of disaster management and joint effort towards relief work. SURYA KIRAN Exercise: Surya Kiran series of bilateral military exercises are conducted bi-annually, alternatively in India and Nepal. It is largest exercise in terms of troop’s participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries. It aims at promoting military relations and increasing interoperability armies of both countries. 12th edition of this exercise was held at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS) in Saljhandi, Nepal in September 2017.
2) The 5th India-CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) Business Conclave was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was jointly organised by Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is institutional partner of the event. Key Facts: The business conclave provided opportunity for developing better understanding of CLMV economies which have untapped potential for development and offer more scope for enhancement of economic engagement with India. It saw participation of ministerial and business delegations from India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos consisting of about 400 delegates. The conclave called for collaboration of CLMV countries and India on agriculture, health, tourism, education and connectivity to promote regional integration and creation of value chain and emphasised need for strengthening India-CLMV business and trade relations. The sessions of conclave focussed on sectors such as SME, manufacturing, agriculture, plantation, fisheries and related industries, healthcare, education, information technology and skill development. It also highlighted need for greater connectivity, promoting small and medium enterprises, harnessing opportunities in service sector especially health care, tourism, transportation and logistics. It also stressed upon need to promote productivity and value addition in agriculture to address livelihood and employment issues. India proposed setting up of India-Cambodia Chamber of commerce with institutional partnership between CII and Cambodian Chamber of Commerce. Such similar bilateral business forums will be also setup in Vietnam and Laos to institutionalize bilateral business to business engagements of India with each of CLMV countries. Background: CLMV region is considered as India’s gateway to entire ASEAN and provides access to huge markets of these countries. These four countries represents rapidly growing economy with rising consumption, strategic location and access, rich natural resources (oil, gas, copper, teak and gemstones), biodiversity and industrious workforce with low wages. They also offer significant opportunities for trade in goods and services, investment and project exports. India seeks to invest in CLMV countries (which are part of 10-member ASEAN group) to take advantage of free trade agreements they have with various countries such as China.
3) The Union Cabinet has approved an ordinance to set up the country’s first national sports university in in Imphal (west), Manipur. The ordinance is on the lines of National Sports University Bill, 2017 which is pending in Parliament (introduced in Lok Sabha in August, 2017). Key Facts: The specialised university will be the first of its kind in the country and adopt best international practices. Manipur government has already allocated land for the proposed university. The proposal to set up national sports university in Manipur was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The was approved in 2014-15 budget with Rs. 100 crore allocation.The proposed university is expected to bridge gap that exists in sports environment of country in various areas such as sports science, sports technology, high performance training. National Sports University Bill, 2017: The Bill establishes National Sports University in Manipur. It is mandated to promote sports education in areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management, and sports coaching. It will function as national training centre for select sports disciplines. It also empowers the University to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates. It also allows Government to establish campuses and study centres in other parts of the country. Objectives of National Sports University: Research, development and dissemination of knowledge in physical education and sports sciences. Strengthening physical education and sports training programmes. Generating knowledge capabilities, skills and competence at various levels. Training talented athletes to help them to evolve into international level athletes.
4) Pakistan hosted its first ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) legal experts meeting in Islamabad. This was the first-ever SCO meeting being held in Pakistan since it became a permanent member of the organisation along with India in June 2017. Key Facts: The three day meeting saw participation of legal advisors from eight SCO member states including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan as well as representatives of the SCO-RATS executive committee. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss issues related to terrorist threats in the region and how to overcome them. They discussed terrorist threats being faced by region and ways and means to enhance regional cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime between SCO member states. SCO-Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is permanent organ of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It serves to promote cooperation of member states against three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism. It is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Head of RATS is elected to three-year term. Each member state also sends permanent representative to RATS.
5) World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Nepal for having eliminated trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection of the eye. It makes Nepal first country in WHO’s South-East Asia Region to defeat trachoma, world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. The eye disease was second leading cause of preventable blindness in Nepal in 1980s. Its prevalence in Nepal has fallen by 40% following implementation of sustained control activities including national trachoma programme which provided incentives to local communities and districts to build and maintain latrines, measures that were crucial to improve sanitation and reduce disease carrying flies. WHO Criteria used to assess country’s claim for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Less than 5% of children aged 1–9 years have signs of active trachoma. Less than 0.2% of people aged 15 years and older have trachomatous trichiasis. Health system which can identify and manage new cases of trachomatous trichiasis. Trachoma: It is an eye disease caused by infection with bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection is particularly common in young children. It causes inflamed granulation on inner surface of eye lids. It spreads through contact with infective eye or nose discharges. Ocular or nasal discharge can be transmitted directly from person to person or be mediated by flies which have been in contact with eyes and noses of infected people. Trachoma transmission is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene, which increase availability of eye discharges and encourage breeding of flies. It can be treated with antibiotics in case of children. Older people infected with it require eyelid surgery to cure it. India had self-declared itself free from infective Trachoma in December 2017 after it met goal of trachoma elimination as specified by WHO under its GET2020 (Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020) program.
6) Union Cabinet has approved implementation of Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) Project for North Eastern Region (NER) in Meghalaya to improve mobile services. The project has provision of 2G and 4G mobile coverage in identified uncovered areas of Meghalaya and seamless mobile coverage along National Highways in state. It will be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Cabinet also approved enhanced cost of CTDP Project for NER for amount of Rs 8,120.81 crore. It already has approved Rs 5,336.18 crore on September2014 for the project. Benefits: CTDP aims to strengthening of telecom network that will result in increase in penetration of mobile connectivity in Meghalaya. It will provide affordable and equitable access of communication, information and governance to people. Connecting unreached people of Meghalaya through public mobile network will empower citizens with benefits of ICTs for furthering socio-economic developments. It will also increase innovative skill of uncovered areas of the state through broadband and internet access. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF): USOF was formed by Central Government to help fund projects to boost connectivity in rural areas. The money for this fund comes through ‘Universal Access Levy,’ charged from telecom operators as percentage of various licenses fees being paid by them.
7) Government has appointed former Supreme Court Judge CK Prasad as Chairman of Press Council of India (PCI) for second term. His nomination was approved by three-member committee headed by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. He was earlier appointed to post in November 2014 after Justice Markanday Katju stepped down. Press Council of India (PCI): PCI is a statutory body with mandate to act as watchdog to oversee conduct of the print media. It derives its mandate from Press Council Act, 1978. Composition: It consist of Chairman (who has by convention, been a retired judge of Supreme Court) and 28 other members off whom 20 represent press, five are nominated from two Houses of Parliament and three represent cultural, literary and legal fields. Functions: It is statutory, quasi-judicial body acting as watchdog of press. It adjudicates complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and for violation of the freedom of the press respectively.
8) Union Cabinet has approved Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA’s) proposal of setting up 4,072 mobile towers to improve telecom connectivity network in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Areas. This network would be used by security personnel deployed in LWE affected areas. Key Facts: These towers will be set up at cost of Rs. 7,330 crore in 96 districts of 10 naxal affected states through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) of Department of Telecommunications (DoT). These states are Jharkhand (1,054 towers will be installed), Chhattisgarh (1,028), Odisha (483), Andhra Pradesh (429), Bihar (412), West Bengal (207), Uttar Pradesh (179), Maharashtra (136), Telangana (118) and Madhya Pradesh (26). The project will also provide mobile services to help residents in unconnected inhabited villages which will improve economic activities in region. It will give impetus to e-Governance activities in backward and LWE affected area with availability of digital mobile connectivity. Background: In the phase-I of the telecom connectivity network project, budget for providing mobile services using 2G technology in LWE areas was sanctioned at cost of Rs. 4080.78 crore. It is on completion stage and there are 2,335 tower sites functioning of total 2,355 approved. In phase-II, MHA in consultation with concerned states had identified 4,072 tower locations for communication need of security personnel deployed in 10 states and provided to DoT in October 2017. It has upgraded telecommunications technology from 2G and 4G according to the requirement of stakeholders.
9) NITI Aayog and ABB India have signed Statement of Intent (SoI) to help India leverage power of advanced technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence. Under it, two parties will work towards making key sectors of Indian economy ready for digitalised future and realise potential of AI, big data and connectivity. Key Facts: NITI Aayog will work with ABB across various sectors of economy, such as power and water utilities, industries like food, heavy industries and transport (rail and metro), electric mobility and infrastructure to suggest solutions for digitalization, incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technologies. Through this SoI, NITI Aayog will facilitate participation of policymakers and government functionaries in workshops and training programs organized by ABB India. Such programs will aim to sensitize policymakers and officials about relevant AI capabilities, and explore ways they can be used for revolutionizing manufacturing productivity. NITI Aayog and ABB will jointly work with government ministries, solicit feedback for areas critical to them and discuss solutions using industrial automation, and digitalization technologies. Based on the interactions with ABB India, NITI Aayog will also make recommendations to government ministries for guidelines and policies regarding development and adoption of AI technology in such sectors. ABB: It is Zurich-based technology company with presence across 100+ countries and over 1.3 lakh employees. It is pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally.
10) Governments of India, Netherlands and Sweden launched first-of-its-kind collaborative research programme on HIV/AIDS. It is aimed at harnessing complementary research strengths and diverse expertise across three nations to catalyze development of better tools to understand and address burgeoning global epidemic of HIV. Key Facts: The collaborative research programme will focus on accessing relevant populations of research interest, and leveraging next-generation technologies and advanced predictive analytics to better understand geographic diversity and different clades of HIV/AIDS virus. It will also focus on divergent human immune responses based on genetic, immunological and behavioural determinants. This information will be key in developing new and improved tools for treatment, prevention and possible cure for HIV in near future.
11) India ranked 145th among 195 countries in terms of Healthcare access and quality (HAQ) index in the year 2016, behind its neighbours like China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The index was released as part of Global Burden of Disease study released by Lancet, one of the world’s oldest and best known peer-reviewed general medical journal. Healthcare access and quality (HAQ) Index: The study used index to measure quality and accessibility of healthcare, based on 32 causes of death which should be preventable with effective medical care. Each of 195 countries and territories assessed were given score between 0 (lowest)-100 (highest). For the first time, it also analysed healthcare access and quality between regions within seven countries: Brazil, China, India, England, Japan, Mexico, and US. Key Facts: Top five countries with highest levels of healthcare access and quality in 2016 are Iceland (rank-1st, score-97.1 points), Norway (2nd, 96.6), Netherlands (3rd, 96.1), Luxembourg (4th, 96.0), and Finland and Australia (5th, each with 95.9). The global average healthcare access and quality score in 2016 was 54.4, increasing from 42.4 points in 2000. The countries with lowest scores are Central African Republic (18.6), Somalia (19.0), Guinea-Bissau (23.4), Chad (25.4), and Afghanistan (25.9). India’s Neighbours: India lags behind China (48th), Sri Lanka (71st), Bangladesh (133rd) and Bhutan (134th) in terms of levels of healthcare access and quality. But it is better than Nepal (149th), Pakistan (154th) and Afghanistan (191st). India related Facts: India has seen improvements in healthcare access and quality since 1990. In 2016, India’s healthcare access and quality scored at 41.2 (up from 24.7 in 1990). India performed poorly in tackling cases of rheumatic heart diseases, Ischaemic heart diseases, stroke, tuberculosis, testicular cancer, colon cancer and chronic kidney disease among others. Though, India’s improvements on HAQ index has hastened from 2000 to 2016, but gap between country’s highest and lowest scores widened (23•4-point difference in 1990, and 30•8-point difference in 2016). Goa and Kerala have highest HAQ index scores in 2016, each exceeding 60 points, whereas Assam and Uttar Pradesh have lowest, each below 40.
12) The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved various measures to simplify Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). DAC is Defence Ministry’s highest decision-making body on capital procurement of Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force). Key Facts: These measures will be incorporated in DPP-16, the manual governing defence procurement procedure. The changes include devolution of powers within Ministry of Defence and Service Headquarters, deletion of repetitive processes, concurrent running of acquisition process instead of sequential stage clearance, aligning of various documents with revised financial guidelines, amongst others. Comment: These amendments form part of ongoing Business Process Re-engineering in Defence Capital procurements of armed forces. It is in line with continuation of Defence Ministry’s efforts to streamline DPPs and reduce timelines so as to ensure timely delivery of equipment to Armed Forces. These measures will also obviate undue procedural delays and hasten activities besides shrinking procurement timelines. Background: The Union Government so far has cleared proposals worth Rs 4 lakh crore of military procurement involving close to 135 proposals as part of its efforts to modernise armed forces. But most of these proposals are yet to be implemented due to procedural delays hampering speed of modernisation of armed forces.
13) According to report by World Health Organisation (WHO), human-triggered factors like habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change set off infectious outbreaks such as recent Nipah cases in Kerala. Due to habitat destruction by human activity, flying fox (fruit bat), a natural host of Nipah virus get stressed and hungry, which weakens its immune system, increasing virus load. It results in lot of virus spilling from urine and saliva of bats. Findings of Study: There is strong evidence that emergence of bat-related viral infections can be attributed to loss of animal’s natural habitats. Reproductive and nutritional stress are potential role players in Nipah and Hendra (Nipah equivalent in Australia) viruses spillover. Nutritional stress is mainly due to loss of food resources which is direct consequence of habitat loss and climate change brings bats closer to urban areas. Forest fragmentation and hunting bats for food also bring them closer to humans and is often an important cause of disease transmission. It can be seen from rapid urbanisation of bat-rich rainforests contributed to the emergence of Nipah virus in Malaysia. Nipah virus: Nipah virus (NiV) infection is zoonotic disease (disease transmitted to humans from animals) that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. The organism which causes Nipah Virus encephalitis is RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus of family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra virus. Fruit bats or flying foxes of Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus are natural host of Nipah virus. The virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids. It was first identified in 1999 during outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. It gets its name from Sungai Nipah, a Malaysian village, where pig farmers became ill with encephalitis.
14) Election Commission of India (ECI) is launching multi-lingual mobile application called Model Code of Conduct Violation Reporting App ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The app aims at empowering people across the country to share evidence of malpractice by political parties, their candidates and activists directly with ECI. Key Facts: Through this mobile app, ECI intends to encourage larger public participation in checking corrupt practices in elections and ensure free and fair election process. The app will be launched across the country as part of steps taken by ECI to prevent abuse of money and muscle power. The app allows sharing of photos and short audio and video clips related to electoral malpractices from spot itself. It also records geo-location of reported incidents and the officials concerned will immediately receive the alerts. This will ensure an effective response. The app was made available for first time in Bengaluru (capital of Karnataka) in run-up to recently concluded state assembly elections. It had registered total of 780 downloads and complaints were received from users. Accordingly, officials concerned in all the cases had taken actions. Election Commission of India (ECI): ECI is permanent and independent constitutional body established directly by Constitution of India to ensure fair and fair elections in the country. It is multi-member body and currently has three members including Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) appointed by President of India.
15) Election Commission of India (ECI) is launching multi-lingual mobile application called Model Code of Conduct Violation Reporting App ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The app aims at empowering people across the country to share evidence of malpractice by political parties, their candidates and activists directly with ECI. Key Facts: Through this mobile app, ECI intends to encourage larger public participation in checking corrupt practices in elections and ensure free and fair election process. The app will be launched across the country as part of steps taken by ECI to prevent abuse of money and muscle power. The app allows sharing of photos and short audio and video clips related to electoral malpractices from spot itself. It also records geo-location of reported incidents and the officials concerned will immediately receive the alerts. This will ensure an effective response. The app was made available for first time in Bengaluru (capital of Karnataka) in run-up to recently concluded state assembly elections. It had registered total of 780 downloads and complaints were received from users. Accordingly, officials concerned in all the cases had taken actions. Election Commission of India (ECI): ECI is permanent and independent constitutional body established directly by Constitution of India to ensure fair and fair elections in the country. It is multi-member body and currently has three members including Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) appointed by President of India.
16) The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare has unveiled Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2018 to ensure better price to farmers. It is aimed at reducing farmers’ risks by creating assured market for their produce at pre-agreed price, while encouraging investment from agribusiness and food processing industries by enhancing productivity and cost efficiency. Contract farming: Under contract farming, agricultural production (including livestock and poultry) can be carried out based on pre-harvest agreement (contract) between buyers (such as food processing units and exporters), and producers (farmers or farmer organisations). The producer can sell agricultural produce at specific price in future to buyer as per agreement. Under contract farming, producer can reduce risk of fluctuating market price and demand. The buyer can reduce risk of non-availability of quality produce. Salient features: The draft Model Act seeks to create regulatory and policy framework for contract farming and servives. Based on this draft Act, states legislatures can enact law on contract farming as agriculture falls under state list of Constitution. It is promotional and facilitative Act and not regulatory in its structure. It not only covers contract farming in agriculture crops but also in livestock, dairy and poultry products. The Model Act lays special emphasis on protecting interests of farmers, considering them as weaker of two parties entering into a contract. It also takes into consideration services contracts all along the value chain including pre-production, production and post-production in addition to contract farming. It has provision for Registering and Agreement Recording Committee (Officer) for purpose at district, block, taluka level for online registration of sponsor and recording of agreement. It makes mandatory for covering contracted produce under crop and livestock insurance in operation. It keeps contract framing outside ambit of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act. Under it, no permanent structure can be developed on farmers’ land or premises. It does not vest right, title of interest of the land on sponsor. It provides for promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs) or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to mobilize small and marginal farmers. Under it, FPO/FPC can be contracting party if so authorized by farmers. No rights, title ownership or possession can be transferred or alienated or vested in contract farming sponsor etc. It assures market safety to contract farming producer by ensuring buying of entire pre-agreed quantity of one or more of agricultural produce, livestock or its product of as per contract. It establishes Contract Farming Facilitation Group (CFFG) for promoting contract farming and services at village or panchayat at level. It provides accessible and simple dispute settlement mechanism at the lowest level possible for quick disposal of disputes.
17) According recent research, worsening air quality in last two decades has emerged as one of major reasons for high numbers of premature deaths in India. The research was conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi in collaboration with environmental NGO Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED). Background: The study was conducted 11 north Indian cities i.e. seven in Uttar Pradesh (Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi and Gorakhpur), three in Bihar (Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya) and one in Jharkhand (Ranchi). It calculated annual mortality burden through averages of recorded deaths caused due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI), coronary disease, stroke, and lung cancer in these 11 cities. It also used satellite-based high-resolution PM2.5 database to generate particulate matter statistics for past 17 years. Key Findings of Research: The annual mortality linked to air pollution was in range of 150-300 persons per 1 lakh population. Kanpur recorded highest number of premature deaths per year (4,173) due to chronic exposure to air pollution, followed by Lucknow (4,127), Agra (2,421), Meerut (2,044), Varanasi (1,581), Allahabad (1,443) and Gorakhpur (914). COPD was largest cause of deaths (at 29.7%) and lung cancer the lowest (0.6%). The largest share in total burden was attributed to ALRI in Agra and Meerut and to COPD in Allahabad, Gaya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Patna, Muzaffarpur and Varanasi. The estimates were not instant deaths, but represented premature (earlier than expected lifetime of Indian population) deaths due to chronic exposure from pollution. This premature mortality burden will be reduced by 14 to 28% annually if these cities achieve of Indian air quality standards. The mean annual ambient fine particulate matter (PM) concentration was 75-120% higher than Indian annual air quality standard in 10 of 11 cities. The residential (cooking, heating and lighting) sources are largest contributors to annual ambient PM2.5 concentration (73.8%). Moreover, analysis of aerosol composition indicates higher percentage of sulphates, organic carbons and black carbon emitted primarily from anthropogenic sources.
18) The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified Draft Passenger Charter defining rights for air passengers. It aims to improve hassle-free air travel experience of air passengers in the country. Salient Features of draft: Passenger can cancel air ticket within 24 hours of booking it and if provided travel is to take place after 96 hours, then passenger will be able to cancel ticket without any charge. The cancellation charges will be not more than sum of basic fare and fuel surcharge. Passenger must be informed about flight cancellation between two weeks and 24 hours before flight. The airline must either offer alternative flight that departs within two hours of scheduled departure of flight booked originally or refund ticket cost. If airline doesn’t inform passengers about cancelled flight up to 24 hours ahead, it will have to refund the full ticket value, with compensation. Similarly, for delays communicated more than 24 hours before scheduled departure, airline must offer option of full refund of ticket cost if the delay is for more than four hours. If delay results in flight departing next day, then airline will have to offer free hotel stay. These norms will be applicable only if delay is due to fault of airline, and not caused by bad weather. If a delay results in a passenger missing a connecting flight, then airline will have to pay Rs.5,000 to Rs.20,000. In case of lost baggage, the minimum compensation proposed is Rs.3,000 per kg. If baggage is delayed or damaged, airline is liable to pay Rs. 1,000 per kg. If passenger doesn’t receive due compensation, grievances can be filed on Ministry of Civil Aviation’s AirSewa app or at Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) portal. Both domestic and international airlines operating in India are now allowed to offer internet and mobile services on-board its aircraft to passengers in Indian airspace. However, airlines, will require licence from aviation authorities for providing these services.
19) Scientists have discovered an asteroid named Oumuamua (or (514107) 2015 BZ509) nestling in Jupiter’s orbit that had migrated from another star system. It makes it first known permanent immigrant to our solar system. It confirms suspicions of scientists’ that asteroids from other stars have arrived in our solar system. The asteroid Oumuamua was actually first discovered in 2014, but after four years of tracking it, scientists were able to determine that it had arrived in our solar system some 4.5 billion years ago – just as Earth was beginning to form. Key Facts: All planets in our solar system travel around Sun. But this asteroid moves in opposite direction, referred to as retrograde orbit and is in same path as Jupiter. This shows that it is from different solar system. If it was native of our solar system, it might have same original direction as all of other planets and asteroids, inherited from cloud of gas and dust that formed them. Asteroid immigration from other star systems occurs because Sun initially formed in tightly-packed star cluster, where every star had its own system of planets and asteroids. The close proximity of stars, aided by gravitational forces of planets, help these systems attract, remove and capture asteroids from one another solar system.
20) Elon Musk-led SpaceX has successfully launched twin NASA satellites GRACE-FO (Follow-On) that will track Earth’s water Cycle i.e. water movement and icemelt. It was launched onbaord of SpaceX’s preflown Falcon 9 Rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US. GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On): GRACE-FO is joint project between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ). It is follow-on mission to original GRACE mission, which had mapped Earth’s water and ice by measuring changes in Earth’s gravity field from 2002 to 2017. GRACE-FO will pick up where GRACE left off to continue study of rising sea levels, melting of glaciers and polar ice caps and other changes in distribution of water on Earth. The two GRACE-FO satellites will orbit together at 490km altitude near-polar orbit, circling Earth every 90 minutes. To measure Earth’s gravity, two satellites will orbit around Earth together, with one trailing behind other at distance of 220km. The instruments on board of these satellites are so sensitive that they can detect changes with precision of about 1 micrometer (i.e. about one-tenth of a human hair over long distance). These satellites have payload called Laser Ranging Interferometer. It can precisely measure gravity field changes due to change in separation distance between two satellites, revealing information about what kinds of features they are flying over. Earth is not perfect sphere) different features, like mountains and oceans, across its surface, so gravitational pull exerted on these satellites is not consistent. When gravity field changes, separation between two satellites changes slightly.
21) The first commercial flight (42-seater ATR aircraft of the Alliance Airlines) of Arunachal Pradesh under UDAN scheme landed at Pasighat airport or Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in East Siang district. This historic moment puts border state on the aviation map of the country. Key Facts: Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, will operate flight services on Kolkata-Guwahati-Pasighat route thrice a week – on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Pasighat airport is on advance landing ground or ALG, meant to support operations of small aircraft and some military planes. This commercial flight connectivity opens up new vistas of economic development in the region and also provide ample opportunities for tourism industry of the state as it removes connectivity bottleneck faced by bordering state earlier. Background: Arunachal Pradesh has some 120 helipads and 10 advanced landing grounds, built for defence as well as civil operations. Under UDAN scheme, eight locations in border state have been selected by bidders. Out of which Pasighat and Tezu have been selected for fixed wing. Ziro, Daporijo, Itanagar, Tuting, Wallong and Yingkiong have been selected for helicopter services. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) Scheme: UDAN RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) was launched in October 2016 to develop the regional aviation market. It is vital component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016. It aims to make flying affordable by providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of country through revival of existing airstrips and airports so that persons in regional towns are able to take affordable flights. It is applicable on flights covering distance between 200 km and 800 km with no lower limit set for hilly, remote, island and security sensitive regions. It seeks to reserve a minimum number of UDAN seats i.e. seats at subsidized rates and also cap fare for short distance flights. It has unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity. It has Viability Gap Funding (VDF) mechanism to meet the VGF requirements under the scheme. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is implementing agency of the scheme.
22) India received first consignment of 2 million barrels of crude oil from United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) at Mangaluru (on west coast), Karnataka. This first consignment from UAE fill one of two strategic reserve caverns at Mangaluru under agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Background: Central Government under phase I of SPR programme had announced to build three underground crude oil storage facilities with total capacity of 5.33 million tonnes at Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, storage capacity of 1.33 million tonnes), Mangalore (Karnataka, 1.5 million tonnes) and Padur (Kerala, 2.5 million tonnes) to provide energy security of 10 days of consumption in response to external supply disruptions. They are maintained by ISPRL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Note: In 2017-18 budget, Government as part of phase 2 of SPR programme had announced to set up two more such SPR at Chandikhole (Odisha) and Bikaner (Rajasthan). This will take the strategic reserve capacity to 15.33 million tons. During official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE in February 2018, ISPRL and ADNOC had signed agreement under which ADNOC will store about 5.86 million barrels of crude oil in India’s SPR facility at Mangalore at its own cost. The agreement made ADNOC first private foreign entity to store crude oil in Indian SPR facility. The agreement stipulates that during emergency oil shortage situation Indian government will use entire available crude oil stored by ADNOC in Mangalore SPR facility for its use. It also allows ADNOC to sell part of crude oil stored at its own cost to Indian refineries during normal times. India-UAE Hydrocarbon relations: India is 82% dependent on imports to meet its crude oil needs. UAE is 6th largest crude oil source for India and supplies around 6% of petroleum requirement. India and UAE recently elevated their bilateral relationship to comprehensive strategic partnership especially in energy sector, transforming from buyer-seller relations to two-way investment relations. The relationship was further strengthen with recent acquisition of 10% stake in UAE’s Lower Zakhum offshore producing field by Indian public sector oil and gas companies and investment by ADNOC in Indian SPR facility.
23) India received first consignment of 2 million barrels of crude oil from United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) at Mangaluru (on west coast), Karnataka. This first consignment from UAE fill one of two strategic reserve caverns at Mangaluru under agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Background: Central Government under phase I of SPR programme had announced to build three underground crude oil storage facilities with total capacity of 5.33 million tonnes at Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, storage capacity of 1.33 million tonnes), Mangalore (Karnataka, 1.5 million tonnes) and Padur (Kerala, 2.5 million tonnes) to provide energy security of 10 days of consumption in response to external supply disruptions. They are maintained by ISPRL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Note: In 2017-18 budget, Government as part of phase 2 of SPR programme had announced to set up two more such SPR at Chandikhole (Odisha) and Bikaner (Rajasthan). This will take the strategic reserve capacity to 15.33 million tons. During official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE in February 2018, ISPRL and ADNOC had signed agreement under which ADNOC will store about 5.86 million barrels of crude oil in India’s SPR facility at Mangalore at its own cost. The agreement made ADNOC first private foreign entity to store crude oil in Indian SPR facility. The agreement stipulates that during emergency oil shortage situation Indian government will use entire available crude oil stored by ADNOC in Mangalore SPR facility for its use. It also allows ADNOC to sell part of crude oil stored at its own cost to Indian refineries during normal times. India-UAE Hydrocarbon relations: India is 82% dependent on imports to meet its crude oil needs. UAE is 6th largest crude oil source for India and supplies around 6% of petroleum requirement. India and UAE recently elevated their bilateral relationship to comprehensive strategic partnership especially in energy sector, transforming from buyer-seller relations to two-way investment relations. The relationship was further strengthen with recent acquisition of 10% stake in UAE’s Lower Zakhum offshore producing field by Indian public sector oil and gas companies and investment by ADNOC in Indian SPR facility.
24) Indian Navy’s six-member all-women Navy crew onboard of INSV Tarini vessel reached Panaji, Goa after circumnavigating around globe in 254 days under Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition. It was first-ever all women Asian and Indian circumnavigation expedition of globe . The expedition had started on September 10, 2017 in Goa was aimed at promoting women empowerment aligned with Government of India’s thrust for ‘Nari Shakti’. Key Facts: Under this expedition, the crew covered 21,600 nautical miles in Indian-built sailing vessel INSV Tarini that visited five countries and crossed Equator twice. It sailed across four continents and three oceans and passed south of the Great Capes – Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope. The expedition was completed in six legs, with five stopovers at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), Cape Town (South Africa) and Port Louis (Mauritius). The vessel was skippered by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, and other crew comprised of Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta. Note: The expedition was originally scheduled to return in April 2018 after stopovers at four ports, but it was delayed after steering gear was damaged and was forced to take fifth, unscheduled stop at Port Louis for repair. Navika Sagar Parikrama: The voyage was undertaken in consonance with National policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aimed to showcase India’s Nari Shakti on world platform and help revolutionize societal attitudes and mindset towards women by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environments. The voyage was also aimed to show case ‘Make in India’ initiative by sailing onboard indigenously built INSV Tarini. It also encouraged use of environment friendly non-conventional renewable energy resources as ship harnesses wind, a renewable energy. It also collated and updated meteorological, ocean and wave data on regular basis for accurate weather forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and also collected data for monitoring marine pollution on high seas. INSV Tarini: INSV Tarini is 55 foot sailing vessel built indigenously in India by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. It was inducted into Indian Navy in February 2017. It carried suite of six sails, including main sail, head sails (Genoa and stay sails), downwind sails and storm sail. The boat was named after famous ‘Tara-Tarini’ temple in Ganjam district of Odisha. The word ‘Tarini’ means boat and in Sanskrit it means saviour. Tara-Tarini is patron deity for sailors and merchants and is worshipped for safety and success at sea. INSV Tarini had advance Raymarine navigation suite and array of satellite communication systems for perfect navigation anywhere in world. It is sister vessel of INSV Mhadei which was used by Captain (Retd) Dilip Donde to successfully undertake India’s first solo circumnavigation (from August 19, 2009 to May 19, 2010). It was also later used by used by Lt Commander Abhilash Tomy for his own single-handed, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation (from November 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013).
25) India’s largest commodities exchange platform, Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX) launched country’s first copper options contracts. The option contract will provide physical market participants additional instrument to hedge their price risk. The copper option contracts were launched with lot size of 1 tonne in three contracts expiring in June, August and November 2018. Background: Copper is third-most-consumed industrial metal in the world, after iron and aluminium. In last few years, world’s refined copper usage has surged, owing to growing demand in sectors like electrical and electronic products, industrial machinery and equipment, building construction, transportation equipment and consumer and general products. Copper ore production in India stood at 3,846 thousand tonnes in 2016-17 and its consumption demand for refined copper was 820 thousand tonnes in the FY16. Options: Options are an instrument that gives buyer right to buy or sell an underlined at present price on a future date. They are of two types: puts (right to sell) and calls (right to buy). According to market experts, options are also a much better hedging instrument as compared to futures for hedgers. Significance of copper options contracts: It will provide optimal tool for stakeholders to hedge and mitigate price risk in copper. It gives copper industry greater flexibility with alternative opportunities to take on price risk. It will help corporates to do better budgeting exercise as premiums will be known. This will help us to procure material at prices that have been envisaged specially in situations like tender or open orders. It will also complement current futures contracts on MCX and bring greater vibrancy to metals market and give stakeholders opportunity to better manage their price risk. Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX): MCX is country’s first listed commodity futures exchange that facilitates online trading, and clearing and settlement of commodity futures transactions, thereby providing platform for risk management. It was launched in November 2003 and operates within regulatory framework of Forward Contracts Regulation Act, 1952 (FCRA, 1952) under SEBI. MCX offers futures trading in bullion, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, energy, and a number of agricultural commodities (mentha oil, cardamom, potatoes, palm oil and others). Globally, MCX ranks no. 1 in silver, no. 2 in natural gas, no. 3 in crude oil and gold in futures trading.
26) BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from mobile launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Balasore (Chandipur), Odisha to validate some new features aimed at increasing its life from 10 to 15 years. The successful test will help in huge savings of replacement cost of BrahMos missiles held in inventory of Indian armed forces. It makes it first Indian missile whose life has been extended from 10 to 15 years. BrahMos Missile: BrahMos is supersonic cruise missile developed by joint-venture between Russia’s Mashinostroyenia and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has been named after two rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva (river in western Russia). It is two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant. It is self-propelled guided missile that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift. It operates on ‘fire and forget principal’. It is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against sea and land targets. It is claimed that missile has strike accuracy rate of 99.99% and it follows a variety of trajectories like high, high-low, low, surface-skim etc. It is capable of carrying warhead of 300 kilogram (both conventional as well as nuclear) and has top supersonic speed of Mach 2.8 to 3 (roughly three times speed of sound). It is hailed as world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation. Its range was initially capped at 290 km as per obligations of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Since India’s entry into the elite club, its range was extended to 450 km and plan is to increase it to 600km. It has been already inducted in Indian Army and Navy. The air-launched version of missile was test-fired in November, 2017 for first time from modified Su-30MKI aircraft, making it world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile to be fired from a combat jet against a target.
27) Chetak corps of South Western Command of Indian Army conducted military exercise Gandiv Vijay in Mahajan field firing ranges of Rajasthan. The exercise was conducted two months to validate their operational plans of Chetak corps and concluded on May 23, 2018. Gandiv Vijay miliarty exercise: The Gandiv Vijay miliarty exercise was based on central role of carrying out offensive operations through joint air-land battle in network-centric environment employing modern intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance concepts and equipment. It involved multi-mode mobilisation of thousands of troops from dispersed locations along with array of war fighting equipment in terrain orchestrated on lines of operational responsibility of formation in hot adverse weather conditions of deserts of Rajasthan. The participating formations carried out synergistic employment of long-range vectors along with infantry and mechanised forces and air arm to achieve decisive victory.
28) Chhattisgarh will get specialised anti-Naxal combat force called Black Panther on the lines of the Greyhounds unit of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It was announced by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after chairing meeting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). Currently, training is being imparted for personnel who will be part of Black Panther elite force. Greyhounds: Greyhounds is elite commando force force that specialises in anti-insurgency operations against Naxals and Maoists and also expert in jungle warfare with operational jurisdiction in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It was raised in 1989 by IPS officer KS Vyas to combat left wing extremists in then undivided Andhra Pradesh. It is described as best anti-insurgency force that specialises in anti-Maoist operations and as experts in jungle warfare, even above CRPF’s CoBRA force which has more men, budget and better arms than Greyhounds.
29) Kerala was on high alert as rare and deadly Nipah Virus (NiV) infection which was detected for the first time in the state. Its traces were found in blood and body fluid samples of two persons who died of viral fever in Kerala’s coastal Kozhikode region. It was confirmed by laboratory results from National Institute of Virology, Pune. Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection: Nipah virus (NiV) infection is zoonotic disease that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus are natural host of the virus. It was first identified during outbreak of disease that took place in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998. Transmission: The virus spread fast and is mostly fatal. Infected bats shed virus in their excretion and secretion. The virus cannot be transmitted through air. But it is transmitted through direct contact with infected bats, pigs. Human to Human transmission from other NiV-infected people is also reported. Symptoms: NiV infection can cause acute respiratory syndrome, breathing trouble, inflammation of the brain, fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation and delirium. Patient can slip into coma within 48 hours. The mortality rate of patients infected with it is reportedly 70%. It is capable of causing diseases in domestic animals too. Treatment: There is no vaccine for disease either for humans or animals. The main treatment for those infected is intensive supportive care and supportive medicines. In disease prone areas, fruits strewn on the ground should not be eaten, for safety.
30) According to AfrAsia Bank Global Wealth Migration Review, India is the sixth wealthiest country in the world with total wealth of $8,230 billion. US is richest nation globally with total wealth of $62,584 billion. Total wealth refers to private wealth held by all individuals living in each country. It includes all their assets (cash, equities, property, business interests) less any liabilities. It excludes government funds. Key Facts: Top 10 wealthiest countries: US ($62,584 billion), China ($24,803 billion), Japan ($19,522 billion), UK ($9,919 billion), Germany ($9,660 billion), India ($8,230 billion), Australia ($6,142 billion), Canada ($6,393 billion), France ($6,649 billion) and Italy ($4,276 billion). Global Wealth: Globally, total private wealth held worldwide amounts to around $215 trillion and there are around 15.2 million High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in world, each with net assets of $1 million or more. There are about 584,000 multi-millionaires in world, each with net assets of $10 million or more and 2,252 billionaires in world, each with net assets of $1 billion or more. India: Factors that will help India in wealth creation include, good educational system, large number of entrepreneurs, robust outlook for Information Technology (IT), business process outsourcing, real estate, healthcare and media sectors which will result in 200% rise 10 year wealth growth forecast. Over the next 10 years, India will overtake Germany and the UK to become the 4th largest wealth market worldwide by 2027. China: In the coming decade, it will witness significant rise in total wealth to $69,449 billion by 2027, while wealth of US would be around $75,101 billion.
31) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has commissioned special unit called Bastariya Battalion (numbered 241) to combat Naxals activities in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. This is for first time CRFP has raised special battalion that includes local representation to enhance combat capabilities in Naxal-hit area of Bastar district. 241 Bastariya Battalion: 241 Bastariya Battalion comprises total 739 local tribal youths including 198 women combatants (33% female candidates as per government policy) selected from four highly Naxal infested district in Chhattisgarh, i.e Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma. It will be deployed in Special Operation Zone (SOZ) of Chhattisgarh to fight against naxals. To raise this battalion, CRPF had undertaken special recruitment drive to recruit 743 rural ST candidates to give a fair chance to the aspirants. It also had imparted pre-educational and physical training during the recruitment drive to ensure maximum participation and equal opportunities in coordination with state administration. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): CRPF is the largest central armed police force or paramilitary force in India. It functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was established in 1939, under Crown Representative’s Police but after independence, it was made statutory after enactment of the CRPF Act, 1949. Its primary role is to assist States/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain the insurgency. Apart from anti-Naxal operations, CRPF personnel also carries out several operations in situations of crisis like terrorist attacks, counter-terrorism operations, rescuing citizens during terrorist attacks among others.
32) The 26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Environment Ministers was held in Durban, South Africa. The grouping is a bloc of four countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China. It was attended by from BASIC countries and Michal Kurtyka of Poland, next president of Conference of Parties (COP-24) under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). India was represented by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. Key Outcomes of Meeting: BASIC countries decided to preserve integrity of historic 2015 Paris Agreement, including principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and equity. They held that world is at critical stage in combating climate change and response of developed nations to tackle the issue is still not adequate. They reiterated that developed nations should take lead in terms of mitigation and providing means of implementation to developing countries. They should equally give importance to ambition of developing countries by providing them supported and sustained, predictable and adequate finance, technology and capacity-building support. Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan reiterated his appeal for joint efforts to create societal movement in combating climate change through Green Good Deeds. BASIC: BASIC countries are bloc (geopolitical alliance) of four large newly industrialized countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China. It was formed by agreement in November 2009. They are committed to act jointly at Copenhagen climate summit, including possible united walk-out if their common minimum position was not met by the developed nations during climate talks. It is working to define common position on emission reductions and climate aid money and try to convince other countries to sign up to Copenhagen Accord.
33) China launched relay satellite named Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) to establish communication link between earth and its planned Chang’e-4 lunar probe (rover) that will explore the dark side of moon. It was launched as part of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) onboard of Long March-4C rocket from Xichang launch centre. Queqiao (Magpie Bridge): Queqiao (meaning bridge of magpies) satellite will serve as communications relay for future Chang’e-4 rover that will explore in South Pole-Aitken Basin in moon’s far side. It will be situated in halo orbit i.e. Earth-moon Lagrange point L2, a gravitationally stable spot located 64,000 kilometers beyond lunar far side. It will be world’s first communication satellite operating in this location. It will help China to realise its goal of being first country to send probe to soft-land on and rove far side of the moon. Need for relay Satellite: Moon is tidally locked to Earth, meaning it always shows same face (near side) to Earth. So, relay link is necessary to communicate with spacecraft on far side, which will otherwise have to send their signals through moon’s rocky bulk. Chang’e program: Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) also known as Chang’e program after Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, is ongoing series of robotic Moon missions by conceived by China National Space Administration (CNSA). The program incorporates lunar orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return spacecraft, launched using Long March rockets. Under it, Chang’e 1 and Chang’e 2 probes already have reached lunar orbit in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The Chang’e 3 mission is in process to put lander and rover on moon’s near side. China is also planning to laugh Chang’e 5 T1, a mission to send sample-return capsule around moon and back to Earth to demonstrate technology needed to survive fiery atmospheric entry.
34) According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government has earned Rs1,400 crore as revenue from highly successful e-Visa scheme since its launch in 2014. 19 lakh tourists made use of e-Visa scheme in 2017 and fees are divided into four slabs of zero, $25, $50 and $75, which were fixed on reciprocity and depending on nationality. e-Visa scheme: e-Visa scheme provides pre-authorization of visa to foreigners prior to travel to India. The scheme is implemented by foreigners division of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to improve efficiency and transparency of various services being provided to foreign nationals. The facility is now available for nationals of 163 countries for entry into India through 25 international airports and five sea ports. Under the scheme, an applicant, when submits online application, receives e-mail authorising him or her to travel to India after approval. The tourist can travel with printout of this authorisation for 30 days. It also covers business and medical categories.
35) China launched relay satellite named Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) to establish communication link between earth and its planned Chang’e-4 lunar probe (rover) that will explore the dark side of moon. It was launched as part of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) onboard of Long March-4C rocket from Xichang launch centre. Queqiao (Magpie Bridge): Queqiao (meaning bridge of magpies) satellite will serve as communications relay for future Chang’e-4 rover that will explore in South Pole-Aitken Basin in moon’s far side. It will be situated in halo orbit i.e. Earth-moon Lagrange point L2, a gravitationally stable spot located 64,000 kilometers beyond lunar far side. It will be world’s first communication satellite operating in this location. It will help China to realise its goal of being first country to send probe to soft-land on and rove far side of the moon. Need for relay Satellite: Moon is tidally locked to Earth, meaning it always shows same face (near side) to Earth. So, relay link is necessary to communicate with spacecraft on far side, which will otherwise have to send their signals through moon’s rocky bulk. Chang’e program: Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) also known as Chang’e program after Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, is ongoing series of robotic Moon missions by conceived by China National Space Administration (CNSA). The program incorporates lunar orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return spacecraft, launched using Long March rockets. Under it, Chang’e 1 and Chang’e 2 probes already have reached lunar orbit in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The Chang’e 3 mission is in process to put lander and rover on moon’s near side. China is also planning to laugh Chang’e 5 T1, a mission to send sample-return capsule around moon and back to Earth to demonstrate technology needed to survive fiery atmospheric entry.
36) According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government has earned Rs1,400 crore as revenue from highly successful e-Visa scheme since its launch in 2014. 19 lakh tourists made use of e-Visa scheme in 2017 and fees are divided into four slabs of zero, $25, $50 and $75, which were fixed on reciprocity and depending on nationality. e-Visa scheme: e-Visa scheme provides pre-authorization of visa to foreigners prior to travel to India. The scheme is implemented by foreigners division of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to improve efficiency and transparency of various services being provided to foreign nationals. The facility is now available for nationals of 163 countries for entry into India through 25 international airports and five sea ports. Under the scheme, an applicant, when submits online application, receives e-mail authorising him or her to travel to India after approval. The tourist can travel with printout of this authorisation for 30 days. It also covers business and medical categories.
37) Russia unveiled world’s first floating nuclear power station at port city of Murmansk. It will be loaded with nuclear fuel at Murmansk and will be towed to port of Pevek in autonomous Chukotka region in Russia’s far northeast in Arctic Circle region. Akademik Lomonosov: Akademik Lomonosov was constructed by Russian state nuclear power firm Rosatom. It has length of 144 metres and width of 30 metres. It has displacement of 21,500 tonnes and crew of 69 people. For power generation, it has been fitted with two modified KLT-40 naval propulsion nuclear reactors (each of 35 MW capacity) together providing up to 70 MW of electricity and 300 MW of heat. It is named after Russian Academician Mikhail Lomonosov. It has latest security systems and is considered as one of safest nuclear installations in the world. However, environmentalists have dubbed it as ‘nuclear Titanic’ or ‘Chernobyl on ice’. It will be primarily used to power oil rigs in remote areas of Artic region where Russia is pushing to drill for oil and gas. Significance: The low-capacity, mobile (floating) nuclear power plant can produce enough electricity to power town of 200,000 residents living in Russia’s far-flung northernmost Artic region where large amounts of electricity is not needed’ and construction of conventional power station based on coal, gas and diesel is complicated and costly. It can save upto 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The project is part of Russia’s greater aims to secure rich deposits of oil and gas in North Pole region in Artic. Due to climate change, new shipping routes are opening up in Russia’s north and as result, it is strengthening its military position in the region.
38) State run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has distributed over 30 crore light emitting diode (LED) bulbs across country under zero-subsidy Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme. The distribution of 30 crore LED bulbs has led to energy savings of over 38,952 million kWh, annually, amounting to energy savings of Rs. 15,581 crore. Key Facts: The implementation of scheme has increased penetration of LED in domestic market to 10% from mere 0.4% earlier. It has also increased India’s share in global LED market to 12% from a mere 0.1%. It has increased annual LED domestic production rom 30 lakh bulbs to over 6 crore bulbs, simultaneously creating 60,000 jobs. Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) Scheme: It is zero-subsidy scheme that aims promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduce electricity bills and preserve environment. It is LED based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP). Its purpose is to help reduce electricity bills of consumers and also contribute to energy security of India. The scheme was launched in January 2015 and is currently largest LED distribution programme in the world. It is being implemented by EESL, a joint venture of PSUs under Ministry of Power. Under it, LED Bulbs are distributed. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs, and therefore provide both energy and cost savings. Benefits: Electricity savings, Reduction of load, Reduction of consumer bills and Greenhouse gas emission reductions. It also serves Government’s mandate of energy efficiency as key mitigation strategy.
39) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated construction of Rs 6,809 crore Zojila tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh. It will be India’s and Asia’s longest and strategic bi-directional road tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. Zojila Tunnel: It will be situated at altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway (NH-1A). It consists of 14.150 km long two-lane bidirectional single tube tunnel with parallel 14.200 km long egress (escape) tunnel, making it Asia’s longest bidirectional road tunnel. Its objective is to provide safe, fast and cheap all whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in J&K which at moment is limited to at best six months because of snow on mountainous passes and threat of avalanches. It will reduce time taken to cross Zojila pass from present three and half hours to just fifteen minutes. The tunnel will have latest safety features like uninterrupted power supply (UPS), tunnel emergency lighting, fully transverse ventilation system, CCTV monitoring, variable message signs (VMS), traffic logging equipment, over height vehicle detection, tunnel radio system etc. The construction project will be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) through National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. It will be completed in five years. Significance: The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather safe, fast and cheap connectivity connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. It will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. It also has strategic and socio-economic importance and it will be instrument for development of economically backward districts in J&K. The project, on completion, will also lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic. It will also benefit defense forces as they now have to face hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. The Zogi La pass is most strategic for entire Kargil sector of J&K which has seen intrusion and war in past.
40) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur has set up India’s first Centre for Energy Regulation (CER) with the help of Government of United Kingdom. The first of its kind centre in India aims at providing independent advisory on policy and regulatory matters in the power and energy sector. Centre for Energy Regulation (CER): It is initiative of Department of Industrial and Management Engineering of IIT Kanpur to enhance regulatory research and networking in Indian power sector. CER and identified activities under it are funded by Department for International Development (DfID), Government of United Kingdom (UK). CER focuses on need for India specific forward-looking research in collaboration of regulatory institutions and relevant stakeholders to provide solutions to issues such as growth of Indian economy, increasing energy demand, energy efficiency, security and access to electricity. It encourages interaction between regulatory and academic institutions. It targets to offer research in emerging areas of power sector regulation and policy. It core research areas comprise regulatory and policy changes in power and energy sector, energy finance, energy sector modelling and operative planning in energy markets etc.
41) India has dragged United States (US) to World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Dispute Settlement Mechanism over imposition of import duties on steel and aluminium. India stated that decision will of imposition of import duties impact its exports of these products to US and is not in compliance with global trade norms. Key Facts: India has sought consultations with US as first step of dispute settlement process under the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism. If the two nations are not able to reach mutually agreed solution through consultation, India may request for WTO dispute settlement panel to review matter. Background: In March 2018, US President Donald Trump had imposed heavy import tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items, a move that has sparked fears of global trade war. He had signed two proclamations that levied 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminium imported from all countries except Canada and Mexico. India had sought exemptions from the hefty tariffs. US decision had not only impacted India’s export of these goods but also affected global trade. India’s exports of steel and aluminium products to US stood at about US $1.5 billion every year. India and US are already involved in disputes at WTO, a global trade body. The disputes are in the areas of poultry, solar and steel. US recently had filed dispute against India on export incentives alleging these support measures harm its workers by creating an uneven playing field.
42) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 300 MW Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project in Bandipora District of Jammu & Kashmir. He also laid foundation stone of 1000 MW capacity Pakal Dul Power Project. Pakal Dul HydroElectric Project: Pakal Dul Dam is proposed 167m concrete-face rock-fill dam (CFRD) on Marusadar River, a tributary of Chenab River in Kishtwar district of J&K. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation. Its underground power house has four units each of 250 MW capacity (total 1000 MW). With 1000 MW capacity, it will be largest Hydro Power Project in J&K on completion. It will be also first storage project in J&K. Its project cost is shared by Government of India as well as the Government of J&K. It will have immense benefits for J&K by supplying power and also by improving water availability during lean season. Kishangana HydroElectric Project: It is 37 m high concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD) constructed on Kishanganga River in Jhelum River basin in Bandipore in Jammu and Kashmir. Its construction was started in 2007 and completed in 2016. It has underground power House with 3 Units of 110 MW capacity each (330 MW). Its all units were synchronised in May 2018. It will provide a free power of 13% to the state, which will be around Rs. 133 crore per year.
43) The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held extraordinary summit in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss recent Israeli violence against Palestinian protesters in Gaza Strip. The summit was convened at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It condemned massacre of Peaceful Palestinian civilian protestors by the Israeli forces as well as on the official opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem in defiance of international law, UN Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution. Background: Recently violent protests were held in Gaza which coincided with Israel’s 70th anniversary – an event Palestinians refer to as Nakba or “Catastrophe” and relocation of the US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In these protests more than 100 palestinian protesters were killed by Israeli security forces deployed along the other side of the border. Turkey had responded to the violence by asking Israeli ambassador to leave the country, while also recalling its ambassadors to US and Israel for consultations. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): OIC is international organization that aims to provide collective voice to Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. It was established in 1969 and has administrative centre (headquarters) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. OIC consists of 57 member states spread over four continents with collective population of over 1.3 billion as of 2009 with 47 countries being Muslim Majority countries. It has permanent delegations to United Nations and the European Union. Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French. It is second largest inter-governmental organization after UN. Issues with India: In this organisation, India is a blocked country, though it second largest country (after Indonesia) in terms of Muslim population (It has about 12% of the world’s Muslim population). India has been blocked by Pakistan from joining the OIC over Kashmir issue. OIC regard parts of Kashmir as “occupied by India”.
44) Supreme Court has approved Centre’s draft Cauvery Management Scheme for smooth distribution of water among four southern riparian states/UT viz. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. It ordered Central Government to notify the scheme before the monsoons. SC Order: The apex court also modified Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for its implementation on any ground. It also raised Karnataka’s share of Cauvery water by 14.75 tmcft saying that issue of drinking water of Southern Karnataka region has to be placed on a higher pedestal. At the same time, it reduced Tamil Nadu’s share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from river basin. Cauvery Management Scheme: The scheme deals with release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. It will be implemented by Cauvery Management Authority (CMA). CMA will be sole body to implement CWDT award as modified by Supreme Court. The Central Government will have no say in implementing of the scheme except for issuing administrative advisories to it. Cauvery River: Cauvery River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka. It flows in south-easterly direction through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into Bay of Bengal. At its mouth near Bay of Bengal it forms wide delta called garden of southern India. Kaveri’s main tributaries are Kabani (Kabbani), Noyil, Amaravati, Hemavati, Lakshmantirtha and Bhavani rivers. The river is important for its irrigation canal projects in southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
45) Northeast Frontier Railway of Indian Railway has started operating one lease Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) connecting northeastern part of the country to West Coast on fortnightly basis. It was launched on line of Government’s priority to provide connectivity to northeast region and empowering local industries of this region. Key Facts: The PCET will enable farmers from northeast to market their lucrative products like tea, betal nuts, pineapple, jute, horticulture products, cane furniture etc. at retail markets in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Pune. Its route will cover New Guwahati in Assam to Kalyan in Maharashtra. It will serve as business tool without any additional strain on resources of railways. Moreover, it will help to promote industries of northregion by providing them markets and also provide sustainable job opportunity to local youths including unskilled labour. The leased PCET will also generate substantial revenue to Indian Railways in their contractual periods of 6 years each. The unit transportation cost through PCET is relatively less than cost of road transportation. Thus, benefiting transporters as well as consumers on account of less transportation cost. Single PCET can carry consignment equivalent to 52 trucks. This will ensure less carbon emission which will contribute for Green India and saving of foreign exchange on account of purchasing of fuel.
46) Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) adopted word ‘AYUSH’ in Hindi and English languages for scientific and technical purposes. The decision follows a proposal from Ministry of AYUSH in this regards. AYUSH word has become popular as acronym for five traditional and complementary systems of medicine, namely Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. Key Facts: CSTT approved ‘ayush’ word with meaning “Traditional and Non-Conventional Systems of Health Care and Healing which include Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy etc”. Now the word will be officially used in all Government communications. Following this recognition, ayush word is expected to gain currency in popular usage in a short span of time. Significance of Recognition: The usage of Ayushh word in Hindi and English will underline essential unity of all holistic systems of tradition healing in India. It will also strength to efforts of the Ministry of AYUSH to develop integrated solutions to manage the public health challenges of country. It will also give boost to India’s efforts to find place for Indian Systems of Healthcare in International Classification of Diseases (ICD) of World Health Organization (WHO). It will lead to their international acceptance, increased rigor of research in them and their over-all development. Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT): CSTT was established in December 1960 by Government of India resolution under provision Article 344(4) of Constitution with objective of evolving and defining scientific and technical terms in Hindi and all Indian languages. It also coordinates with all states to ensure uniformity of scientific terminology in Hindi and other Indian languages. It is headquartered in New Delhi. Functions of CSTT: Preparation and Publication of bilingual and trilingual glossaries involving English and Hindi and other Indian Languages. Identification of pan Indian terms. Preparation and publication of national terminology. Identification and publication of School Level Terminology and Departmental Glossaries. Preparation of Definitional Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias. Preparation of University level textbooks, monographs and journals. Grant-in-Aid to grant academies, textbook boards and university cells for University level books in regional languages. Propagation, expansion and critical review of terms coined and defined through training and orientation programmes, workshops, seminars etc. Providing necessary terminology to National Translation Mission.
47) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued advisory to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep archipelago (UT) over cyclonic storm ‘Sagar’. The cyclonic storm was developed as low pressure area in Arabian Sea which gained strength and intensified into depression and later into a cyclone ‘Sagar’. It is the first cyclonic storm of season to develop in Indian waters. Key Facts: The cyclonic storm lay cantered over Gulf of Aden, about 390 km east-northeast of Yemen’s Aden city and 560 km west-northwest of Socotra Islands. It will made landfall in coastal Somalia. Gale winds speed reaching 70-80 kilometers per hour gusting to 90 kmph are very likely around system centre covering Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas of west central and southwest Arabian Sea for some time and gradually decrease thereafter.
48) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Anil Kumar Jha as full time Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL). He will be in office till January 31, 2020. He replaces Coal Ministry’s Additional Secretary Suresh Kumar, who had recently assumed additional charge of CMD of CIL. Anil Kumar Jha: Prior to this appointment, Anil Kumar Jha was CMD of CIL’s subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields. He holds MTech in Mine Planning & Design from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. He has rich work experience spanning 32 years in field of mine planning, production, management supervision, direction and control of underground as well as open cast coal mines. He also has worked with Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, the exploration arm of CIL, for 14 years, planning both opencast and underground mines. Coal India Limited (CIL): It is state-controlled coal mining company headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. Government of India owns CIL and controls operations of CIL through Ministry of Coal. It is largest coal producing company in the world. It contributes to around 82% of the coal production in India. It was conferred the Maharatna status in 2015, making it one of the seven maharatnas companies. Its market capitalisation (as of October 2015) was Rs.2.11 lakh crore (US$32 billion) making it India’s 8th most valuable company by market value.
WBCS Current Affairs 19/05/2018 to 25/05/2018
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WBCS Current Affairs 19/05/2018 to 25/05/2018
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