WBCS Current Affairs 22/05/2016 to 27/05/2016

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1. The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in It was launched by Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as part of Union Government’s Digital India Mission. The first knowledge portal of its kind in India will help the government to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world. Key facts about Bharatavani Portal Bharatavani is the largest online repository of dictionaries in India consisting more than 130 dictionaries, glossaries and terminology books. It will ensure universalization of education and also towards creation of a knowledge society in the digital age. Aim: Bring people of India under one portal and establish itself as a single point online treasure trove of knowledge and India’s indigenous cultures including languages, dictionaries, language IT tools and textbooks. Goal: Bridge the Digital and language divide within the country by involving people in the Open Knowledge movement. One Point language resource: Focus to become a single point source for multiple language learning, content and technology. Window to language diversity: Help the government to preserve, protect and include all Indian languages without discrimination through technological development. Also help allow government to take all measures required to develop the spread of Indian languages across communities and cultures. Foster National Integration: Being a multilingual and cross-lingual learning tool it will play pivotal role in fostering integration by providing many cross-lingual grammar books, learning courses and also allow their transliteration. Content Published on Bharatvaani Portal: It main sections will include (i) Paa Thyapustaka Kosha: Textbooks by various authorities (ii) Jnana Kosha: Encyclopedic Knowledge base in all languages (iii) Shabda Kosh: Dictionaries, Glossaries, Terminologies (iv) Bhasha Kosha: Language learning books (v) Suchanaa Praudyogikii Kosha: It tools (right now linked to TDIL) (vi) Bahumaadhyama Kosha: Multimedia content. The Mysuru based Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) is implementing this ambitious project of MHRD. The portal has been launched in 22 scheduled languages and later will be extended to 100 more languages. Besides, Bharatavani Multi-lingual App was also launched which will enable users to search for one language text in another language as well as get meanings in different languages.

2. As per recent study conducted by Assocham-KPMG, India has emerged as the world’s fifth largest electronic waste (e-waste) producer. India discards roughly 18.5 lakh tonnes of e-waste each year and telecom equipment alone accounts for 12% of it. Key facts The study has highlighted the concern of rising levels of e-waste generation in India in recent years. India being world’s second largest mobile market with 1.03 billion subscribers, nearly 25% of it end up in e-waste annually. The unorganised sector in India is estimated to handle around 95% of the e-waste produced in the country. The study has suggested that e-waste collection targets implemented in a phased manner under the current policy should set lower and practically achievable target limits. Also, detailed implementation procedures for collection of e-waste from the market need should be prescribed and followed. Current Policy on e-waste management The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified e-waste management rules, 2016. These rules for the first time have time covered under extended producers’ responsibility (EPR) of electronics producers. It has prescribed a waste collection target of 305 e-waste generated under EPR for the first two years (till 2016) and it will progressively go up to 70% in the seventh year of the rule. These rules also have prescribed stringent financial penalties for non-compliance.

3. Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has decided to open its first branch in India at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In this regard, IDB and its private sector arm, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), already have met with top officials of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), EXIM Bank and India’s other nationalized banks. This announcement comes as part of MoU signed between IDB and India’s EXIM Bank during Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2016. As part of the MoU a US 100 million dollars line-of-credit (LoC) was to be given to IDB’s member countries to facilitate exports. Besides, IDB also has decided to provide Gujarat state 30 medical vans as part of its social sector initiatives. About Islamic Development Bank The IDB is a multilateral development financing institution based in in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Presently, it has 56 Islamic countries as its members. It was founded in 1973 by the Finance Ministers at the first Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now Organisation of Islamic Cooperation). IDB’s objective is to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries as well as the Muslim community in accordance with principles of Islamic (Shariah) law.

4. Bioengineer Frances Arnold from United States (US) has won the prestigious 2016 Millennium Technology Prize. With this she becomes first female to be awarded with this prestigious biennial award in its 12-year history. The Technology Academy Finland (TAF) had chosen Frances Arnold for this award in recognition of her discoveries that launched the field of directed evolution. Her discoveries mimic natural evolution to create new and better proteins in the laboratory.

5. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched 20 Nirbhaya buses of Rajasthan State Transport Corporation (RSTC). These buses are fitted with multiple IT-enabled safety measures to better protect women passengers and keep anti-social elements under check. These buses were launched by RSTC as a pilot project under the NIRBHAYA scheme. The pilot project of RSTC includes 10 luxury and 10 ordinary roadways buses.

6. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to give an impetus to the capital goods sector and the Make in India initiative. This is first ever policy for Capital Goods sector framed by the Union Government (Ministry of Heavy Industry & Public Enterprise). Key features of Policy Objectives: (i) Increase production of capital goods from 2,30,000 crore rupees in 2014-15 to 7,50,000 crore rupees in 2025. (ii) Raise direct and indirect employment from the current 8.4 million to 30 million. (iii) Increase exports from the current 27% to 40% of production. (iv) Increase the share of domestic production in India’s demand from 60% to 80% to make India a net exporter of capital goods. Aim of Policy: (i) Facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors, (ii) Ensure mandatory standards, (iii) Increase skill availability and promote growth and (iv) Capacity building of MSMEs. Help in realising the vision of ‘Building India as the World class hub for Capital Goods’ and also play a pivotal role in overall manufacturing as the pillar of strength to the vision of ‘Make in India’. The Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) will meet the objectives of the policy in a time bound manner through obtaining approval for schemes as per the roadmap of policy interventions. Background The idea of a National Capital Goods Policy was first presented by the DHI to the Prime Minister in the ‘Make in India’ workshop held in December, 2014. It has been framed and finalized after extensive stakeholder consultations with industry, academia, different ministries etc. It has been framed to create game changing strategies for the capital goods sector by addressing some of the key issues. It includes availability of finance, innovation and technology, raw material, productivity, quality and environment friendly manufacturing practices, creating domestic demand and promoting exports.

7. The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) for cooperation in the exploration and user of outer space for peaceful purposes. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The MoU seek to set up a Joint Working Group with members from ISRO and UAESA. It will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing the MoU. Background During the visit of Prime Minister of India to UAE in August 2015, promoting space cooperation between both countries was highlighted. It was also discussed earlier at the 11th meeting of India-UAE Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation held at New Delhi in September 2015. Subsequently, ISRO and UAESA had signed MoU in New Delhi in February 2016 considering their mutual interest in expanding the applications of space technology for peaceful purposes.

8. Veteran CPI (M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn-in as 12th Chief Minister of Kerala after the left Democratic Front (LDF) had won 2016 state assembly election. State Governor P Sathasivam administered his oath of office and secrecy to him along with other 18 ministers of his government in Thiruvananthapuram. In the 2016 state assembly election, the CPI (M)-led coalition of LDF had emerged victorious after winning 91 seats in the 140 member Assembly. Then ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) had emerged as largest opposition coalition after winning 47 seats.

9. The Union Cabinet has given its approval to amend The Institutes of Technology (IIT) Act, 1961 for incorporation of 6 new IITs. This amendment will declare these 6 IITs as the institutions of national importance Six new IITs will come up at: Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Dharwar (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir). Besides, Union Cabinet also gave its approval to convert of Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad into an IIT under the ambit of the IIT Act, 1961. The Cabinet also gave its ex post facto approval to set up the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Andhra Pradesh which has been registered as a Society under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001. In this regard, National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will be introduced in the parliament for inclusion of the NIT, Andhra Pradesh in its first schedule. The bill will amend NITSER Act, 2007 to ensure a high level of public accountability and increase participation of the stakeholders in administration and academic activities of NIT.

10. The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Union Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism of Government of Maldives. The MoU was signed to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism and under it Maldives will be instrumental in increasing arrival from this important source market.

11. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introduction of two Bills in the Parliament for certain amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. These bills seek to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of five States, namely, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Tripura. They also seek identification of new communities in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Bills add the following communities to the list of Scheduled Castes: Assam: Inclusion of Boro, Boro Kachari, Bodo, Bodo Kachari and Karbi (Mikir) communities in the list. Chhattisgarh: Inclusion of Bhuinya, Bhuiyan, Bhuyan, Dhanuhar/Dhanuwar,Kisan, Saunra, Saonra and Dhangad communities in the list. Jharkhand: Inclusion of Bhogta, Deshwari, Ganjhu, Dautalbandi (Dwalbandi), Patbandi, Raut, Maajhia, Khairi (Kheri) and Puran communities in the list. Tamil Nadu: Inclusion of Malayali Gounder, Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran communities in the list. Tripura: Inclusion of Darlong community in the list. Puducherry: Identification (First Order) of Irular (including Villi and Vettaikaran). After these Bills become Acts, members of the included communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes will be able to derive benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes under the existing schemes. Constitutional provisions: The Constitution provides certain privileges/concessions to the members of Scheduled Tribes which are notified under the provisions of Article 342. Article 342: It empowers President after consultation with the State Government to issue an order for the first list of Scheduled Tribes. Any subsequent inclusion or exclusion from the list of Scheduled Tribes can be effected through an Act of Parliament as envisaged under clause (2) of Article 342.

12. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has decided to test an Air-breathing Propulsion System after successful test of Reusable launch Vehicle- Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD). The testing of air-breathing propulsion system aims to capitalize on the oxygen in the atmosphere instead of liquefied oxygen while in flight. ISRO is evolving and testing various technologies to bring down the cost of launch vehicles and the air-breathing propulsion system is part of its new space endeavor. Key facts Conventional launch vehicles used to launch satellites, uses liquefied oxygen for combustion of propellants with oxidiser and fuel. It is carried by rockets along with the fuel, resulting in increase in lift-off mass. The air-breathing propulsion system uses natural oxygen present in the atmosphere up to 50 km from the earth’s surface to burn the fuel stored in the rocket. Benefits: This system would help in reducing the lift-off mass of the vehicle as there will be no need of carrying liquefied oxygen on board the vehicle. In turn help in increasing the energy efficiency of the rocket and also make it cost-effective. Way forward: The new propulsion system would complement ISRO’s aim to develop a reusable launch vehicle that would have longer flight duration. This system involving the recently tested scramjet engine, would become crucial while sending up the spacecraft.

13. As per recent study conducted by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), chemical additive Potassium bromate (KbrO3) widely prevalent in bread and refined flour is carcinogenic. The test was conducted by CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Laboratory. It has found that 84% of the samples were found to be laced with carcinogenic and thyroid triggering chemicals, such as Potassium Bromate and Potassium Iodate. These chemicals content were found to be on the higher then permissible limit in the sandwich breads followed by white bread, pavs, pizza bread and burger buns. Following this, national food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permitted additives. How and Why Potassium bromate is used? Potassium bromate used as chemical additive in food items in the form of white crystals or powder. It is added to aid baking process as it strengthens the bread dough in order to raise it higher. The KbrO3 powder bleaches the bread dough and increases its elasticity by making tiny bubbles that help the bread rise. In India, the legal permissible limit to add Potassium bromate as chemical additive in food is 50 parts per million (ppm). Its High dosages are harmful. Evidence of Toxicity: A study conducted in Japan in 1982 has found that potassium bromate causes cancer. Following this, many countries including Japan, Australia, China and UK have banned it. Some studies also have showed that potassium bromate is a “genotoxic carcinogen” i.e. a chemical agent that can damage genetic information, causing mutations.

14. Scientists from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Physics and CRANN Institute have discovered a new property of light based on Angular Momentum. The scientific breakthrough discovery has potential to alter the basic understanding of fundamental nature of light. Key facts The discovery was made by passing light through crystals. During it passage, unexpected new property of light, based on the concept called ‘angular momentum’ was observed. Earlier, physicists always thought that in all forms of light the angular momentum (measures how much a beam of light is rotating) will be a multiple of Planck’s constant (physical constant that sets the scale of quantum effects). But in the new discovery scientists discovered very different behavioural of angular momentum. They found angular momentum of each photon (a particle of visible light) takes only half of this value i.e. each photon have half-integer values of angular momentum. This new property causes a beam of light to be confined to fewer than three dimensions. Significance of Discovery: Help in study of light waves in areas such as secure optical communication which will open up new means for faster internet connections. Enable to study new possibilities including particles whose quantum numbers are fractions of those expected. For the first time the discovery shows how quantum mechanics works for particles that are free to move in only two of the three dimensions of space and can be realised with light.

15. The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has decided to launch ASMITA, a student tracking system programme. ASMITA is acronym for All School Monitoring Individual Tracing Analysis and shall be launched under Shala Asmita Yojana (SAY). Key facts SAY aims to track the educational journey of school students from Class I to Class XII across the 15 lakhs private and government schools in the country. ASMITA will be an online database which will carry information of student attendance and enrolment, learning outcomes, mid-day meal service and infrastructural facilities among others. Students will be tracked through their Aadhaar numbers and incase those not having unique number will be provided with it.

16. The World Bank has launched Pandemic Emergency Finance Facility (FEP) to help countries and health agencies fight deadly disease outbreaks. FEP is a financing mechanism designed to quickly mobilize funds to tackle global disease outbreaks and create a new insurance market for pandemic risk. It was unveiled at the G-7 Finance Ministers Summit held in Ise-Shima, Japan. Japanese Government has committed to donate $50 million dollars to it, becoming the first donor. Key facts It was designed and built by World Bank in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the private sector reinsurance companies etc. PEF is meant to work almost like an insurance policy, but it will be mainly to protect against deadly disease outbreaks by ensuring “surge funding” to response efforts. The funding will be disbursed according to a complex trigger mechanism and activation criteria based on four categories of infectious diseases. It will provide coverage up to US 500 million dollars for outbreaks of infectious diseases most likely to cause major epidemics for an initial period of 3 years. The major epidemics covered under PEF include new influenza pandemic virus A, B and C, MERS, SARS, Ebola, Crimean Congo, Marburg, Rift Valley, Lassa fever, etc. The insurance window under it will combine the funding from the reinsurance markets with the proceeds of catastrophe or Cat bonds (World Bank issued pandemic bonds) as well as a complementary cash window. It will be for the first time World Bank Cat Bonds will be used to combat infectious diseases.

17. The Union Ministry of Urban Development has shortlisted 13 cities from 13 States/UTs in the list of second batch of Smart Cities Mission. These cities were shortlisted based on scores obtained in Fast Track competition conducted for 23 cities from as many States and Union Territories. This competition list was topped by Lucknow in Uttar Prades and was followed by Warangal in Telangana and Dharmashala in Himachal Pradesh. In the Fast Track competition, 23 cities had participated from which these 13 were selected. These 23 cities were having the highest ranking and had failed to get representation in the first round of competition held in January 2016. 13 shortlisted smart cities (Rank wise) are Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). Warangal (Telanagana). Dharmashala (Himachal Pradesh). Chandigarh (UT of Chandigarh). Raipur (Chattisgarh). New Town Kolkata (West Bengal). Bhagalpur (Bihar). Panaji (Goa). Port Blair (UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands). Imphal (Manipur). Ranchi (Jharkhand). Agartala (Tripura). Faridabad (Haryana).

18. BJP leader and former Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (54) was sworn-in as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority. State Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sarbananda Sonowal at the oath taking ceremony held in Khanapara, Guwahati. Besides, Governor also administered oath of office and secrecy to the 10 ministers of his government. With this, maiden BJP government assumed power in the North Eastern state for first time in the political history of independent India. Sarbananda Sonowal also became second tribal chief minister of Assam after Jogen Hazarika who was in the office 1970s.

19. The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly maneuverable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. INS Tarmugli will be based in Visakhapatnam under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh). It would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India. Key facts INS Tarmugli is indigenously conceived, designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE). It is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) and is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE. The ship is named after a picturesque Tarmugli island located in the Andaman group. Features: INS Tarmugli weighs 320-tonne and is 48 meters in length. It can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. It is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion and the latest communication equipment. Ship’s Crew: It is manned by a team comprising four officers and 41 sailors with one Commanding Officer. Ship’s Main Role: Built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol the warship. It is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power. Ships armament: It is equipped with of a 30 mm CRN 91 gun, an electronic day-night fire control system namely Stabilised Optronic Pedestal (SOP), two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (HMG) and multiple medium machine guns and shoulder-launched Igla surface-to-air missiles to combat aerial threats.

20. The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has signed a MoU with Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). The signing of the MoU coincided with the official two days state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran. Key facts The MoU was signed to explore the possibility of setting up smelter- cum-gas based power plant on joint venture in Iran for the proposed smelter plant in Chabahar Free Trade Zone. For the proposed smelter plant NALCO will supply alumina from its refinery in India. The MoU envisages tolling arrangement with existing smelters in Iran for producing aluminium and also proposes to look into other businesses. It also envisages setting up of a joint taskforce comprising NALCO and IMIDRO experts to work out the details of the project. NALCO is public sector enterprise of the Union Ministry of Mines incorporated 1981. It is Asia’s largest, and the sixth largest, integrated aluminium complex in the world. Its business encompasses alumina refining, bauxite mining, aluminium smelting and casting, power generation, rail and port operations.

21. Renowned scientist S K Sharma was appointed the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). In his new role, Mr Sharm will be responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. He has been appointed to the new post for a period of five years. At present,he is working as Distinguished Scientist and Director (Operations) in NPCIL. About Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited NPCIL is a government-owned corporation responsible for the generation of nuclear power for electricity. It is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Established: September 1987 under the Companies Act 1956. Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra. All nuclear power plants operated by NPCIL are certified for ISO-14001 (Environment Management System). Till 2003, NPCIL was the sole corporation responsible for constructing and operating India’s commercial nuclear power plants.

22. Mohun Bagan FC has won the 2016 Indian Federation Cup football tournament title for the 14th time. They have won the tournament after a gap of 8 years and last was won in 2008. In the final match played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati (Assam), they defeated Aizawl FC by 5-0 goals. For Mohun Bagan FC the Jeje Lalpekhlua scored two goals while Haitian Sony Norde, Dhanachandra Singh and Bikramjit Singh scored one each. Aizawl FC for the first time had played in the final match. They had defeated I-League champions Bengaluru FC in the quarterfinals before getting the better of Sporting Clube de Goa to book a place in the Final for the first time. About Federation Cup It is an annual knockout style club football tournament played in India. It was started in 1977. Presently, it is the most important club tournament after the I-League. The winning club gets a chance to compete in AFC Cup at the continental level.

23. United States has fully lifted its embargo on sales of lethal weapons to Vietnam, its one-time enemy. This move of US removed a lingering vestige of the Cold War that was seen in South East Asia in 1970’s. It was announced by US President Barack Obama during his official state visit to Vietnam and after talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. He is the third US President to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Other two Presidents were Bill Clinton (visited in 2000) and George W. Bush (2006). US Arms embargo on Vietnam has been in place since 1984 over the human rights issue. In recent times Vietnam had been arguing for an end to this embargo, which was partially lifted in 2014. Comment Experts believe that US is trying to bolster its relationship with its Pacific allies, as China asserts territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea. Vietnam is one of several South east Asian countries in the region involved in maritime disputes with China.

24. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully test launched the first indigenous Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD). Launch Details: It was launched from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The launch was part of a series of technology demonstration missions, which is considered as a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable vehicle. After launch RLV-TD glided back onto a virtual runway in Bay of Bengal and re-entered the atmosphere after reaching a height of over 70 km. Key facts RLV-TD is winged body aerospace vehicle that operated in hypersonic flight regime. It is capable of launching satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter the atmosphere It has been configured to act as a flying testbed to evaluate various technologies, including hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight. It was launched using a nine-ton solid rocket motor (SRM) which is designed to burn slowly to accommodate the vertical lifting of winged body The RLV-TD was 6.5 meter long and has aeroplane like structure. It weighs about 1.75 tonnes and is very similar to the retired US space shuttle. It was built by a team of 600 scientists over five years at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Comment RLV is being dubbed as India’s own space shuttle and considered as the unanimous solution to achieve low cost, reliable and on-demand space access. ISRO’s RLV will be competing with two US based private companies namely SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Blue Origin’s New Shephard rocket, which have already partially tested re-usable space shuttles.

25. India, Iran and Afghanistan sign historic three-way land transit agreement on Iran’s strategic southern port of Chabahar. It was signed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani in Teheran, Iran. Under the agreement, India will invest up to 500 million dollars in a deal to develop a strategic port in Iran. Chabahar port is strategically located in the Sistan-Balochistan Province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation’s southern coast. It lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India’s western coast, bypassing Pakistan. Comment The agreement on the establishment of a Trilateral Transport and Transit Corridor has potential to alter the course of history of this region. It can spur unhindered flow of commerce throughout the region and its economic fruits will expand trade, attract investment, build infrastructure, develop industry and create jobs. India will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan which will open opportunities for Indian companies to explore Afghanistan’s mineral wealth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran It was the first by an Indian PM to Iran in 15 years and comes months after international sanctions on Iran were lifted following its historic nuclear deal with the P5+1 nations over its contentious atomic programme. Earlier, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited Iran in April 2001.

26. Ms. J Jayalalithaa has sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for record sixth time after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority. State Governor Dr.K. Rosaiah administered the oath of office and secrecy to her at oath taking ceremony held at the Centenary Auditorium, Madras University. Besides, Governor also administered oath of office and secrecy to the 28 ministers of her government. This is J Jayalalithaa’s second consecutive term as chief minister and sixth overall. She is the second female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after Janaki Ramachandran. About J Jayalalithaa J Jayalalithaa was born on 24 February 1948 in Mandya in then Mysore State (now in Karnataka). She was an actress before entering into active politics and appeared in 140 films which include Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. She was a leading actress in films from 1961 to 1980 and was famously considered as one of the most prolific and most versatile actress. She was also known for her dancing skills and was often referred as the uncrowned queen of Tamil cinema. Previously, she served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1991 to 1996 (1st time), in 2001 (2nd time), from 2002 to 2006 (3rd time), from 2011 to 2014 (4th time) and 2015 to 2016 (5th time).

27. India and Iran signed 12 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and Agreements in various areas including building and operating the Chabahar port by India. The other agreements include cooperation in science and technology, culture, library sciences, and cooperation between the EXIM banks of both the countries. These agreements were signed after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Some of signed Agreements are Bilateral contract on Chabahar Port for port development and operations: It was signed between IPGPL (India Ports Global Private Limited) and Arya Banader of Iran. It envisages development and operation of two terminals and 5 berths with cargo handling (general and multipurpose) capacities for 10 years. MoU between EXIM Bank and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO): It is intended for the purpose of credit of USD 150 million for Chabahar port. Confirmation Statement between EXIM Bank and Central Bank of Iran (CBI): It confirms availability of credit up to 3000 crore rupees for the import of steel rails and implementation of Chabahar port. MoU between IRCON and CDTIC: It will enable IRCON to provide requisite services for the construction of Chabahar-Zahedan railway line. This line forms part of transit and transportation corridor in trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan. MoU on India-Iran Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP): It seeks to extend the CEP for the period 2016-2019. It covers areas of culture and art TV, radio, mass media and cinema. MoU on Policy Dialogue between Governments and Interaction between Think Tanks: It seeks to create a Joint Secretary/Director General policy dialogue. It also seeks to encourage new institutional mechanisms between think tanks on both sides. MoU between Foreign Service Institute, MEA and School of International Relations, Iran’s MoFA: It intends to enhance cooperation for training of diplomats and exchange of eminent speakers. Implementation Protocol on Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology: It deals with cooperation in pursuant to the 2003 MoU and covers areas like exchange of experiences, seminars, conferences etc. Besides, leaders of both countries also issued a joint statement mentioning that the Chabahar port is a symbol of synergy between both the nations. The port can serve as a point of connectivity to different countries and economic relations between India and Iran can further be expanded through the project. Highlighted the need of both the nations to work together to bring peace and stability in the region.

28. Gujarat Government has launched Smart Village program to improve public facilities in the villages. It was launched by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on the occasion of completion of two years of her Government. Key facts Under this programme, 300 villages will be selected for Smart Village program. Villages will be shortlisted by the state-level committee consisting of experts on the basis of Gram Panchayat’s performance through a transparent process. It seeks to make villages ‘smart’ on the lines of Smart Cities that will help them become self-reliant, clean and hygienic. Toilets, cleanliness, drop-out rate in primary schools, malnutrition ratio, Anganwadi facilities, vaccination of children, ATVT services are some parameters on which village will be adjudged as ‘Smart Village’. These villages will get 80 lakh to 2 crore rupees cash assistance from the state government to improve public facilities in the villages. Besides, CM also felicitated Sarpanchs of villages from the state which have completed 100 percent toilet targets.

29. Every year May 22 is being observed as International Biodiversity Day (IDB) across the world to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Objective: (i) To step-up understanding and awareness about biodiversity issues. (ii) To make people aware about the importance of biodiversity on the one hand and its unprecedented loss on the other. 2016 Theme: “Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods”. The theme highlights the role of biodiversity in underpinning development. The United Nations (UN) also has highlighted the importance of biodiversity as an important cross-cutting issue in in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Biodiversity: It refers to the variety of flora and fauna that make up the ecosystem. The preservation of the ecosystem is vital to natural balance and human existence. Background The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had proclaimed 22 May as the International Biodiversity Day by adopting resolution 55/201 on 20 December 2000. The day commemorates the adoption of Agreed Text of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act. Prior to adaptation of UNGA resolution, 29 December was designated as International Biodiversity Day to commemorate adaptation of the CBD.

30. President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Puducherry as per Article 239 of the Constitution. The a post LG was vacant for the past two years after the Union Government had sacked Virendra Kataria from the post in July 2014. Since then, it was under the additional charge of Ajay Kumar Singh, Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. About Kiran Bedi Kiran Bedi was the first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972. She remained in service for 35 years before taking voluntary retirement in 2007. At the time of retirement, she was posted as Director General (DG), Bureau of Police Research and Development. She had started her career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Chanakyapuri area of Delhi. In her service she also had served in Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh and Mizoram. As DCP of North Delhi, she had launched a campaign against drug abuse. Later it evolved into the Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation (renamed to Navjyoti India Foundation in 2007). In 2003, she became the first Indian woman to be appointed as a Police Advisor to UN Secretary-General in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations. She was one of the pioneers of anti-corruption crusade in 2011 along with Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal against then UPA government. In 2015, she had joined BJP and had unsuccessfully contested the 2015 Delhi Assembly election as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate. Awards and Honours: President’s Police medal (1979), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1994), UN Medal for outstanding service (2004).

31. Anurag Thakur (41) was unanimously elected as President of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) by the board’s special general meeting (SGM) held in Mumbai. He is 34th BCCI President and shall have tenure till September 2017. He succeeds Shashank Manohar who stepped down to take get elected as ICC’s first independent chairman. Thakur is the second youngest BCCI President after Fateh Singh Gaekwad who was the youngest BCCI President to get elected at the age of 33 in 1963. Before getting elected as President, Thakur had resigned as BCCI Secretary. He is a BJP MP in Lok Sabha from Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. Besides, Ajay Shirke was named as successor of Thakur as BCCI Secretary. Shrike will represent BCCI at the chief executives committee meetings of the ICC. About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) BCCI is the national governing body for cricket in India and is considered as world’s richest cricket board. It was established as BCCI in 1928 by replacing Calcutta Cricket Club. It is a private club consortium, registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. It is member of ICC and has authority to select players, umpires and officials to participate in international cricket events and exercises total control over them.

32. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was conferred with the Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Award, one of the Nepal’s prestigious literary award. The award was bestowed upon him by Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli for his commendable contributions in promoting Nepali literature in India.

33. The Global Review on Antimicrobial Resistance in its final report has appreciated India’s Medicines with the Red Line campaign on antibiotics. The global review was commissioned by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 and was chaired by economist Jim O’Neil. Key highlights of the report India’s model of putting a red line on antibiotic packages to curb their over-the-counter sale can be used globally to counter the rising threat of superbugs. The campaign should be considered as a starting point to curb overuse of antibiotics and the labelling and symbols can be used globally. The sale of antibiotics and other antimicrobials over-the-counter is prevented by laws, but their weakly enforcement in some countries and non-existent in many is serious problem. By 2050, deaths due to antimicrobial resistance could rise to 10 million each year if action is not taken and it will cost the global economy $100 trillion. India’s Medicines with the Red Line campaign The campaign was launched in February 2016 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to tackle the problem of growing misuse of antibiotics across the country. Its aim was to curb irrational use of antibiotics and create awareness on the side effects of taking antibiotics without prescription. Under it, all prescription only antibiotics should be marked with a vertical red line on the packets. The red line antibiotics packets should be consumed on doctor’s advice and the patients need to complete the full course prescribed by the doctor.

34. The US House of Representatives has passed amendments to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)-2017 to enhance the country’s defence cooperation with India. The bill seeks to bring India at par with US’s NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies for technology and equipment sale. Key facts It also seeks to open a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Once it gets assent of President, these provisions will liberalise the sale of a wide range of defence technologies to India, bypassing legislative approvals. It also seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the India-US. A similar kind of bill named US-India Defence Technology and Partnership Act is under the consideration in the US Senate as well. It seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the United States and India. US-India Defence Relations Defence trade between the US and India is one of the strongest areas of the bilateral economic relationship. Over the past 10 years it has risen from $300 million to over $14 billion.

35. Union Government has constituted 11 members committee to recommend measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the armed forces and re-balance the overall defence expenditure. The 11-member committee will be headed by Lt Gen D B Shekatkar (retd). It also includes several other top military officers as well as civilian experts. The overall aim of the committee is to ensure combat capabilities Indian armed forces and enhance their potential with a better teeth-to-tail combat ratio, within budgetary constraints. It also aims at ensuring leaner and cost-effective fighting forces of India. Background The committee was constituted owing to the present revenue component (day-to-day costs/salaries) in the defence budget. The revenue component usually outstrips the capital outlay every year and leaves a very little for new modernisation projects for the armed forces. Since the 1999 Kargil conflict, Union Government is trying to follow a policy of `save and raise’ in order to improve combat capabilities without manpower increases. For this purpose government is focusing on modernisation and induction of cutting-edge technologies, for optimisation of manpower.

36. Every year May 21 is being observed as Anti-Terrorism Day throughout India to spread awareness among the people about the danger of terrorism and violence and its effect on the people, society and the country as a whole. The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the people from terrorism and violence. Its motive is to promote unity, peace and harmony across the nation. The day marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated at an election rally near Chennai by a suicide bomber from the LTTE on 21 May 1991. On this occasion, debates, discussions, seminars, symposia, etc. are organized in schools, colleges and universities across the country on the threats of terrorism and violence.

37. Former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal has been appointed as Principle Adviser for social sector in NITI Aayog. He has been appointed to the post for three years. His appointment comes after his two-month extended tenure as Finance Secretary ended in April 2016. He was to retire in February 2016, but got a two-month extension. Mr. Watal is a retired IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre of a 1978-batch. He had served as Finance Secretary between August 2015 and April 2016. About NITI Aayog National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is premier policy think tank of Union Government. It has had replaced erstwhile six decade old Planning Commission. Its aim is to foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process of the state governments and has adopted a bottom-up approach in planning. Noted Economist Arvind Panagariya is Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog. Economist Bibek Debroy and former DRDO chief V K Saraswat are its full-time members.

38. The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has tightened the Participatory Notes (P-note) norms. The main purpose of this decision is to keep vigil on foreign investments to curb black money inflows in the country. In this regard, SEBI has introduced Know Your Client (KYC) compliance for holders of these instruments in order to bring them on a par with domestic investors. SEBI also has sought information on the ultimate beneficiaries of these products. What are Participatory notes? Participatory Notes are offshore/overseas derivative instruments (ODIs) issued by registered foreign institutional investors (FII) to overseas investors. They are commonly known as P-Notes. P-Notes are issued to overseas investors who wish to invest in the Indian stock markets without registering themselves with the market regulator SEBI. Investing through P-Notes is very simple and is very popular amongst FIIs. SEBI had permitted FIIS to participate and register in the Indian stock market in 1992. P-Notes are not used within the country but are mainly used outside India for making investments in shares listed in the Indian stock market. For example, India-based brokerages buy securities from the Indian stock and then issue P-Notes to foreign investors for the securities. Any capital gains or dividends collected from the underlying securities go back to the investors. Advantages Ease of Trading: Trading through P-Notes is easy because they are like contract notes transferable by endorsement and delivery. Tax Saving: Some of the entities route their investment through P-Notes to take advantage of the tax laws of certain preferred countries. Disadvantages Anonymity: Any entity investing in P-Notes is not required to register with SEBI. It enables large hedge funds to carry out their operations without revealing their identity. Money Laundering: P-Notes are used by money launderers. They first take funds out of country through hawala and then get it back using P-Notes.