WBCS Current Affairs 20/02/2016 to 26/02/2016

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1.The Union Government has extended e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries. With this, the total count of countries under the scheme will become 150. The new countries included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are Austria, Albania, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Comoros, Cote d’lvoire, Cape Verde, Czech Republic, Croatia, Eritrea, Denmark, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, San Marino, Moldova, Namibia, Romania, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago, Tajikistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. About E-Tourist Visa Scheme Union Government had launched e-Tourist Visa Scheme (as Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme) in November 2014. The e-Tourist Visa Scheme facilitates pre-authorization of Visa i.e. electronic travel authorisation given to foreigners prior to travel. Under this scheme, an applicant registers for visa online and receives an email authorising him/her to travel to India after it is approved. On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorisation to the immigration authorities who will in turn allow them to enter into the country. The scheme seeks to tap the vast tourism potential of India which still remains untapped and explored.

2. Lok Sabha has passed Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to grant voting rights to people who became citizens of India following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. The bill seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950 and the Delimitation Act, 2002. These Acts regulate allocation of seats to the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and delimitation (fixing boundaries) of parliamentary and state assembly constituencies. Key facts This bill aims to empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to carry out delimitation in areas that were affected by the enactment of the Constitution (100th Amendment) Act, 2015. Under the 2015 Act, enclaves were exchanged between India and Bangladesh. India received 51 enclaves from Bangladesh and transferred 111 enclaves to Bangladesh in July 2015. The bill empowers ECI to amend the delimitation order for (i) Include in the relevant constituencies the Bangladeshi enclaves that were transferred to India. (ii) Exclude of relevant constituencies in the Indian enclaves that were transferred to Bangladesh. The RPA, 1950 and Delimitation Act, 2002 provide the ECI the responsibility to maintain up-to-date delimitation orders. Delimitation orders specify the boundaries of territorial constituencies.

3. The Union Government has appointed Rajendra Singh as the Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), country’s coastal protection force. With this appointment, Rajendra Singh becomes first DG of ICG from its own internal cadre since it was set up in 1978. So far this top post was only held by officers who were commissioned in the Indian Navy. He will replace Vice Admiral HCS Bisht who has been promoted as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.

4. The Union Government has appointed three Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission (CIC). They were administered the oath of office by Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur. With their induction, for the first time CIC has full strength i.e. the total number of Information Commissioners including the CIC has gone up to 11. Their appointments have been made for a term of five years or till they turn 65. Appointees are Amitava Bhattacharya: He is retired IAS officer who had served Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Bimal Julka: He is retired IAS officer who had served as Information & Broadcasting Secretary. Divya Prakash Sinha: He is retired IPS officer and counter-terror veteran who had served as Secretary (security) at the Cabinet Secretariat. About Central Information Commission CIC is designated statutory authority to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person who have not been able to submit information. It was established in 2005 as per the The Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005 that has provisions for establishment of Central and State information commissioner. Appointment: The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising of Prime Minister as Chairperson, the leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. Tenure: Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5 years or till he attains the age of 65 years. The Chief Information Commissioner is not eligible for reappointment.

5. Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 25 February 2016 presented the Railway Budget 2016-17 in the Parliament. This was the the second railway budget for Suresh Prabhu and third rail budget of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Below are the highlights of this Budget: Theme of the Budget: ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’ for overcoming challenges – Reorganize, Rejuvenate, Restructure Indian Railways Three pillars strategy: Nav Arjan – New revenues, Nav Manak – New norms, Nav Sanrachna – New Structures. Railway Fares No new hike in passenger fares and Freight fares. Promised to bring down freight rates and double non-tariff revenue for the ailing national transport. New Initiatives For the unreserved passenger: (i) Antyodaya Express superfast unreserved service. (ii) Deen Dayalu unreserved coaches with potable water facility and higher number of mobile charging points. For the reserved passenger: (i) Humsafar: Fully air-conditioned service with an optional service for meals. (ii) Tejas: It will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above and shall showcase the future of train travel in India. It will offer onboard services such as local cuisine, entertainment, WiFi, etc. (iii)UDAY (Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri) Express: Overnight double-decker express on the busiest routes. Potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%. (iv) SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) Coaches: These coaches are designed to ensure higher carrying capacity and provision of new amenities including automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, bar-code readers, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, vending machines, improved aesthetics, LED lit boards for advertising, entertainment screens, PA system. Cleanliness: SMS service ‘Clean my Coach’, ranking of A1 and A railway stations based on periodic third party audit and passenger feedback, Awareness campaigns. Waste segregation and recycling centres, additional 30,000 bio-toilets etc. Catering and stalls at stations: IRCTC will manage catering services in a phased manner; explore possibility of making catering services optional, build local ownership and empowerment. Railway is extending e-catering to all rail stations. IRCTC will make available local cuisine of choice, hygienic food. Travelling mothers, Children’s menu, baby foods, baby boards will be made available. Women Quota: 33 per cent sub-quota for women will be provided under all reserved categories. Railways will also increase the quota of lower berths for women and senior citizens Rail Mitra Sewa: Strengthening the existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. Expanding Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway to help the disabled and old passengers. Ticketing: Capacity of e-ticketing system has been enhanced from 2000 tickets per min to 7,200 per min Railway introduces 1,780 ticket-vending machines. e-ticket facility for foreign debit, credit card holders Mobile Applications: Integrating all facilities into two mobile apps that will deal with ticketing issues and for receipt and it will also redressal of complaints and suggestions. Pilgrimage centres: The provisions of passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including will be undertaken on priority basis. Aastha circuit trains will connect important pilgrim centres. High Speed Rail: From Mumbai to Ahmedabad will be undertaken with the assistance of the Government of Japan. Prime benefit would be providing technology advancements and new manufacturing capability. Entertainment: Invite FM Radio stations for providing train borne entertainment. Extension of ‘Rail Bandhu’ in all regional languages to all reserved classes of travellers. Rationalising the tariff structure: Tariff policy will be revived to evolve a competitive rate structure, signing long term tariff contracts customers using pre-determined price escalation principles with key freight. Building terminal capacity: Developing Rail side logistics parks and warehousing in PPP mode, TRANSLOC (Transport Logistics Company of India) will develop 10 goods sheds in 2016-17. India’s first rail auto hub will be inaugurated in Chennai. Rail University will come at Vadodara, Gujarat. Development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals in which local farmers and fisherman will be given preferential usage of the facility. Nurturing customers: Appointing key Customer Managers to liaison major freight stakeholders. Each Zonal Railway will develop customer commitment charter indicating service level commitments of Indian Railways. Travel Insurance to passengers: Optional travel insurance will be offered for rail journeys at the time of booking. Process Improvements: (i) Finalization of EPC projects standard document to implement at least 20 projects in 2016-17. In future, endeavouring all works valuing above Rs. 300 crore through EPC contracts. (ii) Contracts based on performance output parameters in order to review service contracts to integrate them outcome focused and simpler. (iii) Leveraging technology for project management, using latest drone technology and Geo Spatial based satellite technology for remotely reviewing the physical progress across major projects. GPS-based digital display in coaches for showing upcoming stations. (iv) System-wide Information Technology integration through innovative partnership models. Rail Development Authority: It will be established as statutory body to enable fair pricing of railway services and promote competition, protect customer interests and determine efficiency standards. Tourism: (i) Indian Railways will partner with State Governments for operating tourist circuit trains, promotion of tourism through UNESCO world heritage Railways and Railway museums. (ii) To spread awareness about our National Animal, the Tiger, complete packages including train journey, safaris and accommodation to cover the wildlife circuit comprising Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh will be offered.

6. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the country’s first solar mission called Aditya-L1. It was announced by Union Minister of State (MoS) in PMO Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha. About Aditya-L1 mission As part of the mission, Aditya-L1 satellite will be placed in an orbit about 15 lakh kilometres from the earth in a halo orbit around the L1 Lagranian point. It will be launched by using the PSLV XL. Its primary objective will be to study the solar corona and the chromosphere in different wavebands, dynamic nature of the sun’s outer most layers, and collect data about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). The mission is a joint venture between ISRO and physicists from various institutes including Indian Institute of Astrophysics (Bengaluru), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, (Mumbai) and Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Pune). Lagrangian points: They are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other. There are 5 such points in Sun-Earth system and they are denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. In this location, small mass remains at constant distances relative to the large masses. Halo orbit: It is a periodic three-dimensional (3D) orbit near the Lagrangian points L1, L2 or L3.

7. India has lost solar case against United States at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for in breaching of international trade rules. In this regard, WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) ruled that India’s domestic content requirement for National Solar Mission (NSM) discriminated against imported solar technology. The DSB ruled that India domestic content requirement lacked domestic manufacturing capacity in solar cells and modules and there was risk of a disruption in imports. What is the case? United States had dragged India to WTO’s DSB in 2013 alleging that domestic content requirement on solar power developers discriminated against American and other imported solar technology. Implications of this decision: US companies manufacturing solar equipments are looking NSM which has set an ambitious target of generating 20,000 Mega Watts (MW) solar power by 2022 as a big business potential.

8. Chemical scientist and well-known researcher Goverdhan Mehta has been conferred with Germany’s prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) Award. The award was bestowed upon him by Achim Fabig, German Consul General in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

9. India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has launched SBI e-Smart SME to provide a working capital loan for sellers on ecommerce platforms. It was launched by SBI in partnership with ecommerce platform Snapdeal in the presence of bank’s chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya and Snapdeal CEO Sri Kunal Bahl.

10. The Union Cabinet has approved 150 million dollars credit for Development of the strategically important Chabahar Port in Iran. In this regard, the Union Ministry of Shipping had forwarded the proposal for provision and operationalization of credit from EXIM Bank. Union Cabinet also has authorized Union Ministers of Finance, Shipping and External Affairs to approve the final contract with Iran and for resolution of any issue arising in implementation of the project. Union Ministry of Shipping to form a Company in Iran for implementing the Chabahar Port Development Project and related activities. Background In 2003, India and Tehran had agreed to develop Chabahar Port located in the Gulf of Oman near Iran’s border with Pakistan. However the venture was delayed because of the sanctions imposed over Iran’s atomic programme. But in May 2015, prior to lifting of the sanctions both countries had singed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fasten the development process. Significance Chabahar Port will help India to expand maritime commerce in the region and enhance footprint of Indian companies in the region. It will also facilitate growth in India’s trade and investment with Iran and other countries in the region. India will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan in turn opening opportunities for Indian companies to explore Afghanistan’s mineral wealth. It will also enhance Afghanistan’s overall connectivity to regional and global markets significantly giving fillip to its on-going reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

11. Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee has sworn-in as the 28th Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka. He was administered oath to the office as per provision of Article 219 of Constitution by the Governor Vajubhai R. Vala in a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru. Prior to this appointment, he was officiating as Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka since June 2015.

12. The Union Cabinet as given its approval for establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog. This move seeks to give substantial boost to the innovation ecosystem and to catalyse the entrepreneurial spirit in the country. Key facts AIM and AIM Directorate will be established that will help in implementation of mission activities in a focussed manner. Its headquarters will be in New Delhi. Its headquarters will be in New Delhi. NITI Aayog will hire Mission Director and other appropriate manpower. Mission High Level Committee (MHLC) will guide the Mission. It will take all decisions related to approval of requisite guidelines and implementation of various elements of AIM and SETU. Background: Union Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2015-16 had announced the Government’s intention to establish the AIM and a mechanism to be known as SETU in NITI Aayog. To follow up this announcement NITI Aayog had constituted an Expert Committee on Innovation and Entrepreneurship under the Chairmanship of Prof. Tarun Khanna. The Committee had made wide ranging recommendations for the short-term, medium-term and long-term period in its report. In its recommendations the Committee also had emphasized the need to establish clear systems to monitor implementation, execution, and impact.

13. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introduction of steps for promotion of cashless payments (transactions) through cards and digital means. In this regard, various short and medium term measures have been approved for implementation by the Government Departments, Ministries and Organisations. The essential feature of the approved proposal include Steps for withdrawal of surcharge, service charge, convenience fee on digital payments or card imposed currently by various Government organisations. Introduction of appropriate acceptance infrastructure for cashless payments in Government organisations. Rationalisation of the merchant discount rate (MDR) on telecom service charges and card transactions for digital financial transactions to promote mobile banking. This move aims at reducing cash transactions in order to minimize tax avoidance and migration of Government payments and collections to cashless mode. With this decision, Union Government has completed its promise for such measures that were announced in the 2015 Budget as one way to curb the flow of black money is to discourage cash transactions.

14. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of an Agreement between India and Maldives for the avoidance of double taxation of income from international air transport. This agreement provides relief from double taxation for airline enterprises operating between the two countries.

15. India’s leading private lender Yes Bank has been awarded inaugural Green Bond Pioneer Award at a ceremony held in London, United Kingdom. Yes Bank was bestowed with this award in recognition for its pioneering efforts in the Green Bonds market including successful issuance of India’s first ever Green Infrastructure Bonds.
Yes Bank Green Bond Initiatives Yes Bank was the first Indian Bank to issue Green Infrastructure Bonds (GIBs) in India. It had issued India’s first-ever GIBs worth 1,000 crore rupees in 2015. Proceeds from these green bonds will be used to fund Renewable Energy projects including solar power and wind power projects Yes Bank along with International Finance Corporation (IFC) also had opened trading of the world’s first Green Masala Bond worth 3.15 billion rupees listed on the London Stock Exchange. About Green Bond Pioneer Award The Green Bond Pioneer Awards for ‘Pioneers in Emerging Markets-India’ were organised by Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). This award was launched to increase awareness on green bonds in the global investor and corporate community and also to acknowledge global leadership in the sector. CBI is an international non-profit investor focused on mobilising the US 100 trillion dollars green bond market for climate change solutions. What are Green Bonds? Bonds basically are debt instruments which help issuer to get capital while the investors receive fixed income in the form of interest. In case of Green Bonds, the issuer gets capital from the investors only if the investment (capital) is being raised to fund green projects relating to renewable energy or emission reductions etc.

16. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended currency swap arrangement to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations till mid-November 2017. All 7 SAARC member countries including Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can avail the facility. Under the arrangement, RBI will be offering swap arrangement up to an overall amount of US 2 billion dollars both in foreign currency and Indian rupee. This move of RBI aims at enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening financial stability among the SAARC countries. What is a Currency Swap? A currency swap involves exchange of principal and interest in one currency for the same in another currency. It is considered to be a foreign exchange transaction. For example: Suppose a US based company needs to acquire Indian Rupees and India-based company needs to acquire US dollars. Then these two companies could arrange to swap currencies by establishing an interest rate, agreed upon amount along with a common maturity date for the exchange.

17. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has hiked Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute from 2,700 to 3,200 rupees per quintal. Decision in this regard was taken during CCEA meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The hike has been done for the year 2016-17 to boost production. The MSP was hiked by CCEA based on the proposal forwarded by Union Agriculture Ministry had in order increase the raw jute cultivation which has been declining in recent years. In 2015-16, the area under raw jute has reduced to 7.5 lakh hectare from little over 8 lakh hectare in year 2016-17. Jute farming is providing livelihood to more than 40 lakh farmers in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and eastern Bihar. About Minimum Support Price (MSP) MSP is a form of agricultural market intervention undertaken by the Union Government in order to insure agricultural producers are protected against any sharp fall in farm prices. It is announced for certain crops by the Union Government prior to the sowing season. The prices are decided by CCEA on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

18. Hyderabad-based GVK Biosciences (GVK BIO) has been awarded prestigious Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award. The company was bestowed with this award in the category of Best Environment Friendly Project for its ambitious Go Green, Grow Green plantation drive under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Under the mega plantation drive, GVK BIO had planted over 1400 saplings of Pongamiapinnata, Peltophorumferrugunium and Azadirachtaindicain in its Nacharam and Mallapur campus. For watering and soil maintenance of these saplings, company also has tied up with the GHMC. Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award: Established by the World Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Congress. They are bestowed annually on eve of World CSR Day on companies that believe in the value of sustainable CSR.

19. Yoichiro Ueno has been appointed as new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Honda Cars India by its parent Honda Motor Company. He will succeed Katsushi Inoue who was elevated to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company for Regional Operations (Europe region).

20. Union Government has selected former Chief Justice of India (CJI) H L Dattu as new Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He will succeed Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan who had demitted office after his five-year term ended in May 2015. Since then Justice C Joseph is functioning as the acting Chairman. Background Selection Committee: He was selected by the high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The committee also included Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien and leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. His name will be sent to the President Pranab Mukherjee for his approval. Statutory provisions: As per the provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, President appoints the Chairman and members of the NHRC on the recommendation of the high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister. About H L Dattu Born on 3 December 1950 in Chikmagalur in then Mysore State. He had started his legal career in 1975 after enrolling as an advocate in Bangalore and dealt with all types of matters like criminal, civil, tax and Constitutional cases. 1983 onwards he had appeared in various capacities before the Karnataka High Court including as government pleader for sales tax department etc. He was designated as a senior standing counsel for I-T department. Later in 1995, he was elevated as a judge of the Karnataka High Court. In 2007, he was elevated as the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court and later was shifted in the same capacity to the Kerala High Court. He was 42nd Chief Justice of India from September 28, 2014 to December 2, 2015. NHRC: It is apex statutory watchdog of human rights in the country, i.e. the rights related to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the international convents.

21. The fifth edition of IBSAMAR 2016 trilateral naval exercise between Brazil, India and South Africa kicked off in Goa. IBSAMAR is abbreviated as India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime. This is the for the first time the exercise is held in India as all the previous editions were held in South Africa since it began in 2006. Key facts This trilateral naval exercise aims at increasing (i) Interoperability among navies of three countries (ii) Common understanding maritime security between them. This edition of IBSAMAR naval exercise will be conducted two phases namely Harbour phase and Sea Phase. During harbour phase, wide range of professional interactions will be undertaken and during Sea Phase diverse range operational activities will be conducted off Goa coast. The thrust of the exercises will be on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, flying operations, surface firing, search and rescue and tactical procedures. Indian navy is represented by INS Mumbai– a missile destroyer, INS Shalki– a Shisuhumar class diesel electric submarine and INS trishul– a stealth frigate. The Brazilian Navy is represented by Brazilian Naval Ship (BNS) Amazonas embarked with Special Forces. South African Navy is represented by SAS Spioenkop with integral helicopter and embarked with Special Forces. Comment The IBSAMAR trilateral naval exercise epitomises the strong long-term strategic relationship between the three democracies and vibrant economies. It represents the most visible manifestation of convergence of democratic values, economic interests and maritime cooperation.

22. India’s first indigenously built nuclear armed submarine INS Arihant has successfully passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests. These successful tests undertaken off Vishakhapatnam coast where the submarine was build. These tests makes it ready for formal induction into the Naval Fleet

23. India is going to host Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation from 12 April 2016 to save tigers. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will the third such conference on tiger conservation to be hosted by India that will see the participation of all 13 tiger range countries (TRCs). They are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Key facts In this edition of conferences participating TRCs will share their (i) good practices and success stories in conserving tigers (ii) success stories in conserving tigers. The conference will also bring desired momentum and cooperative will for tiger conservation at the global level. It will also have and have long-term ramifications in the future for tiger conservation. The first edition of Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation was held in Hua Hin, Thailand in 2010 and second edition was held in Thimphu, Bhutan in 2013. Tiger population in India India is home to nearly 70% of the world’s tiger population and according to the 2014 tiger census, there are 2,226 tigers in the country. State-wise, Karnataka has the highest number of tigers (406) followed by Uttarakhand (340), Madhya Pradesh (308), Tamil Nadu (229), Maharashtra (190), Assam (167), Kerala (136) and Uttar Pradesh (117).

24. Pakistan’s Parliament building located in national capital Islamabad became the first in the world to completely run on solar power. It achieved this feat after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif switched on solar-powered building of the parliament in a simple ceremony.

25. An Indian-origin art lover and playwright Ismail Mahomed from South Africa has been knighted by the French government for his lifelong devotion to the promotion of arts. He was bestowed with Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature (The Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres) by French Ambassador Elisabet Barbier in Johannesburg.

26. India continues to remain the world’s largest arms importer, accounting for 14% of the global arms imports in the 2011-2015 timeframe. It was revealed by report on international arms transfers released by a global think-tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Key highlights Top arms importers are: India (14%), China (4.7%), Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%). India’s arms imports: It remains three times greater than those of its rivals Pakistan and China. Its biggest suppliers are Russia, United States (US), Israel and France. This indicates India’s failure to build a strong domestic defence-industrial base (DIB) and Indian arms industry has failed to produce competitive indigenously-designed weapons. India has spent over 120 billion dollars on arms acquisitions over the last 15 years most of them from foreign suppliers. China’s scenario: Earlier China used to be top on the imports chart but in past few decades it has gradually built a stronger DIB. China has emerged as the world’s third largest arms exporter after United States and Russia. Pakistan is the main recipient of Chinese arms exports accounting for 35% of the total imports followed by Bangladesh (20%) and Myanmar (16%). Russia is China’s largest arms supplier accounting for 59% followed by France (15%) and Ukraine (14%).

27. Haryana is set become the first state in the country to complete aquifer mapping for its groundwater resources by May 2016. Aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock from which groundwater can be extracted. Key facts Aquifer mapping: It is scientific mapping of aquifers to asses the groundwater situation. Objective: To prepare management plans in consultation with stakeholders and state governments to take measures to replenish the declining groundwater. Nodal Agency: This aquifer mapping is undertaken by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) on the scale of 1:50,000 in 3D. Technology: For this purpose, CGWB is using advanced technologies like heli-borne geophysical surveys and sophisticated software for preparing management plans. Target: CGWB has set target to complete the aquifer mapping of the entire country by 2022. In the first phase (to be completed by 2017), 8 states have been selected for this kind of scientific mapping where groundwater situation has already reached a critical level. These states are Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Implications The aquifer mapping will eventually help in predicting the groundwater scenario in the country as most of groundwater reservoirs are over-exploited. It will assist the states in estimating the quantity and quality of groundwater in an aquifer and help in assessment of sustainable level of water extraction. It will further help these states for subsequent planning for water use in order to make the country climate change resilient.

28. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDT) has issued an order excluding software patents in its revised guidelines for Computer Related Inventions (CRIs). The new order clearly mentions that, mere computer programmes those not in conjunction with a novel hardware will not be granted patent in India. The new guidelines Follow CGPDT’s stay on the revised guidelines issued in August 2015 which have allowed the patenting of software which demonstrated technical advancement and did not clarify it. Have been aligned to the Patents Act, 1970 and brings out clarity in terms of exclusions expected under sub-section 3(k) of the Act. Earlier, CGPDTM had agreed with a Parliamentary Panel which had observed that computer programmes as such are not intended to be granted patent as per Patents Act, 1970. The sub-section 3(k) of Act mentions that mathematical methods or business methods or computer programme or algorithms are not patentable. Implication of these guidelines: Software developers and start-ups will continue to have the freedom to innovate without worrying infringement notices in Computer Related Inventions area. Note: The Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry is nodal agency that supervises the working of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws in India.

29. Union Government has launched ‘Swachh Parayatan’ mobile application to keep tourist places clean. It was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi. Key facts The project is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Tourism through Delhi eGovernance Society (DeGS) and National Informatics Centre (NIC). Initially the application facility will be available for 25 Adarsh Smarak Monuments protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The mobile app will be monitored by the project monitoring unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in the Union Ministry of Tourism.

30. An Indian-origin Sikh Amar Singh has been appointed the Police Commissioner of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. With this, he becomes first person of Indian origin (PIO) and first Malaysian Sikh to achieve the highest police rank in the Muslim-majority country. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as deputy director of CID. He will succeed Tajuddin Mohamed who has been transferred to federal headquarters as the Deputy Director of commercial CID.

31. Bihar became the sixth state to join Union Government’s UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) Scheme for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution companies. In this regard, tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bihar government, State Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs) and Union Power ministry. Note: Bihar is the 6th state after Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to become part of the scheme. It is second Non-NDA state after Uttar Pradesh to join the scheme. Under the scheme, Bihar government would take over 75% or 2,332 crore rupees of the state DISCOM’s total debt of 3,110 crore rupees as of September 2015. The balance 778 crore rupees outstanding debt will be re-priced or issued as state guaranteed DISCOM bonds at coupon rates of around 3%. The debt restructuring of state DISCOMs will lead to annual saving in interest cost to the tune of around Rs 117 crore. The financial restructuring of debt under this scheme will help Bihar to speedily provide power to around 160.60 lakh households in 1,152 villages that are still without electricity.

32. Ukraine’s Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Football Club (FC) has won the 2016 Sait Nagjee International Club Football Tournament. With this victory, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk became first European team to win this prestigious Football tournament held in India. In summit clash played at the EMS Corporation stadium at Kozhikode (Kerala), Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk FC defeated Brazilian FC Atletico Paranaense by 3-0 goals. For the Ukrainian FC, three goals were scored by Ihor Kohut (40th minute), Denys Balanuik (62nd minute) and Yuri Vakulko (85th minute).

33. Udai Kumar has been appointed as full-time Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSEI) Ltd.

34. Distinguished scientist KN Vyas has been appointed as Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for a term of three years His appointment was confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. He succeeds Shekar Basu who was appointed as Atomic Energy Secretary and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in October 2015. About KN Vyas Prior to this appointment, Mr Vyas was working as the associate director at BARC. He has made outstanding contributions in the area of design and development of a novel fuel. He is a recipient of numerous Science and Technical Excellence awards. About Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) The BARC is India’s premier nuclear research facility based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a multi-disciplinary research center with extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development. Its R&D covers the entire spectrum of nuclear science, engineering and related areas. But BARC’s core mandate is to sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy, primarily for power generation.

35. India’s Kumaravel Prem Kumar has won a silver medal in long jump event on the final day of Asian Indoor Athletics Championships held in Doha.

36. Malayalam film Ottal (The Trap) has been named as best feature-length and best short films in the children’s category at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival. It has been honoured with the prestigious Crystal Bear award in the ‘Generation K-Plus’ section.
66th edition of Berlin International Film Festival was held in Berlin, Germany from 11 February to 21 February 2016. American actress Meryl Streep was the President of the Jury. Italian documentary film Fuocoammare (Fire at Sea) directed by Gianfranco Rosi was awarded prestigious Golden Bear, the top prize of the festival. Other prizes Honorary Golden Bear: Michael Ballhaus. Silver Bear for best director: Mia Hansen-Løve (France) for Things to Come. Silver Bear for Best Actress: Trine Dyrholm (Denmark) for The Commune. Silver Bear for Best Actor: Majd Mastoura (Tunisia) for Hedi. Silver Bear for Best Script: Tomasz Wasilewski for United States of Love. Jury Grand Prix (Silver Bear): Death in Sarajevo by Danis Tanović. Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear): A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery by Lav Diaz. Crystal Bear or the best short film: El inicio de Fabrizio for Argentinian film Fabrizio’s Initiation.

37. West Bengal government is planning to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for four traditional sweet delicacies of the state. These four traditional sweet delicacies are Moa of Jainagar, Sarpuria of Krishnagar, and Mihidana and Sitabhog of Burdwan. Key facts GI tag will help to protect these sweets from cheap imitations and also help preserve their quality. It will also help to boost their exports. Jainagar-er moa: It is made of puffed rice and date palm jiggery. It is famous in Jainagar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Sarpuria: Made of milk cream and is famous in Krishnagar area of Nadia district. Sitabhog and Mihidana: They are rice-based sweets from Burdwan. Geographical Indication (GI) tag: It is given to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

38. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Rurban Mission (NRM) from Kurubhat in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. The mission also dubbed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban mission (SPMRM) aims to spur social, economic and infrastructure development in rural areas by developing a cluster of 300 Smart Villages over the next 3 years across the country. Key features of National Rurban Mission(NRM) NRM through development of rurban growth clusters aims at catalyzing overall regional growth for simultaneously benefiting the rural as well as urban areas of the country. Twin objectives: (i) Strengthening of rural areas and de-burdening the urban areas. (ii) Balanced regional development and growth of the country by simultaneously benefiting the rural as well as urban areas of the country. Envisages institutional arrangements both at the State and Centre in order to ensure smooth implementation of the Mission. The State Governments would identify the clusters which have latent potential for growth in accordance with the Framework for Implementation prepared by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. States government will prepare Integrated Cluster Action Plans for Rurban Clusters. It will be comprehensive plan documents detailing out the strategy for the cluster development. The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with different population and follow administrative convergence units of Gram Panchayats. Population Constrains: Coastal and plain areas must have population of about 25000 to 50000. Hilly, desert or tribal areas must have 5000 to 15000. There will be a separate approach for selection of clusters in Tribal and Non-Tribal Districts. Fourteen components: Optimum level of development components include (a) Skill development training (b)Agro Processing/Agri Storage/ Services and Warehousing (c) Sanitation (d) Digital Literacy (e) Solid and liquid waste management (f) Provision of piped water supply (g) Village streets and drains (h) Street lights (i) Upgrading school/higher education facilities (j) fully equipped mobile health unit (k) Service Centres for electronic delivery of citizen centric services/e-gram connectivity (l) Public transport (m) Inter-village road connectivity (n) LPG gas connections.

39. The famous Odissa singer Bhubaneshwari Mishra passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest in New Delhi. She was 67. She was one of the talented artist from Odisha and was renowned as classical and playback singer. She had started her career as a classical singer in the 1970s with debut song ‘Tiki Mora Naa Ti’ for the mythological Odia movie Krushna Sudama.

40. Senior IRS officer Jayant Misra has been appointed as Director General (DG) of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). He will succeed Najib Shah, Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs who was holding the charge as DG of DRI. Prior to this appointment, Jayant Misra was serving as Director General (Systems) of Systems and Data Management based in New Delhi.

41. The Jaypee Punjab Warriors has won the fourth edition of Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) title 2016. It was their maiden title. In the final match played at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, they defeated Kalinga Lancers by 6-1 goals. In earlier two seasons, Punjab Warriors had finished runners-up after they had lost to Delhi Waveriders in 2014 and to Ranchi Rays in 2015. Other Awards Player of the Tournament Award: Rupinder Pal Singh (Delhi Waveriders). Man of the Match Award: Mark Knowles (Punjab Warriors) Goal of the Match award: Armaan Qureshi (Punjab Warriors). Emerging Player of the Match award: Armaan Qureshi. Dhruv Batra Maximum Goals award: Glenn Turner (Kalinga Lancers). Ponty Chadha Upcoming Player of the Tournament award: Sumit (Ranchi Rays).. About Hockey India League Hockey India League (HIL) is a professional field hockey league in India organized by Hockey India, the governing body for the sport in India. The league was established in 2013 and is sanctioned by International Hockey Federation (FIH). Currently, there are six franchisee based teams having players from India and around the world. 2015 edition of the league was won by Ranchi Rays.

42. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has launched ‘Swachh Himachal – Padhai bhi, Safai bhi’ campaign in Dharamsala. With this unique campaign, HPCA became the first cricket association in the country to work towards Swatch Bharat Abhiyan initiated by the Union Government. Key facts The campaign aims at involving youth to promote good health and sanitation in urban and rural areas in the Himalayan state. Its objective is to showcase Himachal’s beauty as India’s cleanest and greenest state. Under it, the sport of cricket will be linked with Swatch Bharat Abhiyan and youth’s will be termed as Swatch Captain and teachers as Swatch Coach. They will start cleanliness drive with the help of students from universities, educational institutes and then in their local neighbourhood.

43. India and Nepal have signed seven agreements for cooperation in various fields. These agreements were signed at a summit meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli in New Delhi. This is first official foreign visit of K.P. Sharma Oli after he became Prime Minister of Nepal. Signed Agreements are MoU on Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance: It deals with utilization of US 250 million dollars Grant component India’s Assistance package for Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance of Nepal. MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal: It will enable speedy implementation of remaining work on 17 Roads in Terai area of Nepal. MoU in the field of performing arts: Singed between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy. It aims to enhance relations in the field of performing arts between both countries. Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes: (i) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port. (ii) Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor. Letters of Exchange on Rail Transport: (i) Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with Bangladesh. (ii) Rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam. Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line: Initial supply of 80 MW from Nepal to India. It will be later augmented to 200 MW by October 2016 and 600 MW by December 2017. Establishment of Eminent Persons Group (EPG): It will comprise 8 members with each country nominating 4 members. Its mandate would be to review bilateral relations and recommend measures including institutional frameworks in order to enhance bilateral ties.

44. Faustin Archange Touadera has won the 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic (CAR) held on 14 February 2016. He had contested as an independent candidate in this election and secured 62.7 percent or 695,000 valid votes. He defeated Georges Anicet Dologuele of Union for Central African Renewal Party who had obtained just over or 37.3 percent or 413,000 votes. Faustin Archange Touadera is well-respected former mathematics professor. He had served as former Prime Minister of ex-president Francois Bozize from January 2008 to January 2013. Central African Republic is one of the world’s most chronically unstable countries. In early 2013, it had suffered the worst crisis in its history when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters in a coup had toppled President Francois Bozize.

45. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted hotbed test of the indigenously developed high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) of the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM3) rocket for the upper stage. The long-duration test was conducted at ISRO Propulsion Research Centre at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu and lasted for 640 seconds. It was conducted with Mixture Ratio Controller (MRC) in a closed loop mode. Key facts The CE20 uses Liquid Hydrogen at -253 degrees C and Liquid Oxygen at -193 degrees C as propellants and generates power of approximately 2 MW. It has been developed indigenously by Mahendragiri based Liquid Propulsion System centre (LPSC). Earlier Tests CE20 engine already has undergone two short-duration tests for engine ignition and steady state performance. In 2015, the first developmental engine completed different hot tests in various operating regimes. In the next the engine will be vacuum tested in the high altitude test facility as part of the flight acceptance test. Comment This test is considered as phenomenal achievement in the shortest time. It will boost India’s capability to launch heavier satellites into higher orbits and is capable of doubling the capacity of payloads that can be carried into space. GSLV Mark 3 rocket is the biggest rocket made in India and capable of launching four-tonne satellites into geosynchronous orbit. India is sixth spacefarer after US, Russia, the European Space Agency (ESA), China and Japan to develop a cryogenic engine.

46. Christine Lagarde (60) from France has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund for a second five-year term. She was sole candidate nominated for the post and was re-nominated by IMF’s Executive Board decision taken by consensus. Her new term will start on 5th July 2016 till 2021. Ms. Lagarde for first time was appointed MD in 2011 after IMF Board had initiated selection process on merit-based and transparent process. She was first woman to head the top post of IMF since its inception in 1944. About Christine Lagarde Prior to her appointment at the IMF in 2011, she had served as Minister of Finance and Minister for Foreign Trade of France. She is anti-trust and labour lawyer and had served as partner with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie. About International Monetary Fund (IMF) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, secure financial stability, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty around the world. Headquarters: Washington, D.C. Managing Director of IMF: She is the chief of the IMF’s operating staff and is also Chairman of the 24-member Executive Board. She is assisted in carrying out her responsibilities by 4 Deputy MDs and about 2,700 staff from 147 countries.

47. Kalikho Pul has been sworn-in as the 9th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh after Governor JP Rajkhowa used his discretionary powers to appoint him. He was administered oath to the office and secrecy by Governor in a simple function at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar. Now Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has to prove majority in the 60 member state legislative assembly. He is being supported by 32 MLAs including the Congress rebels, BJP legislators and 2 independent legislators. Earlier Kalikho Pul was in Congress Party and had served as State Finance Minister from 2003 until 2007 in the Government led by then Chief Minister Gegong Apang. Background Earlier, President’s Rule under Article 356 was lifted in the state after President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to it. This had paved the way for government formation. The President’s Rule was lifted after the Supreme Court vacated its stay order on revocation of it which was imposed on 26th January following the political crisis in the north eastern hill state. In December 2015, 21 out of 47 ruling Congress legislators in the 60-member house had rebelled along with 11 BJP and 2 independent legislators and extended support to Kalikho Pul to form new government.

48. US writer Harper Lee passed away in Monroeville, Alabama, US at the age of 89. She had authored a novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ released in 1960 which had become a classic of modern American literature. It has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. The book has a towering presence in American literature and tells the tale of a white lawyer defending a black man accused of rape in the Deep South.

49. United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has decided to initiate anti-dumping investigations into a certain category of tyres imported from India and Sri Lanka. Decision in this regard was taken after USITC commissioners after they found that certain category of tyres imported from both countries is damaging domestic industry. They have alleged that imports of certain new pneumatic off-the-road tyres are sold at less than fair value in US and are subsidised by the governments of India and Sri Lanka. This is for the first time that anti-dumping investigations from US have launched probe into tyres coming from India, while Chinese tyres already have faced a similar probe in the past. What is Anti-Dumping Duty? It is duty imposed by government on imported products which have prices less than their normal values or domestic price. Anti-Dumping Duty is imposed by a counter as a trade barrier under the multilateral WTO regime and varies from product to product and from country to country. Usually countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if domestic industry has been hurt because of a surge in below-cost imports.

50. New Zealand Captain and Skipper Brendon McCullum has smashed the fastest ever Test century off only 54 balls. He achieved this feat on in his final international match on day one of the Second Test Match between Australia and New Zealand at Christchurch. With this, he broke previous record held by Viv Richards (West Indies) in 1986 and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) in 2014 made in 56 balls. In this match, he cracked total four sixes and 16 fours to post in his Second Test ton against Australia.