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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Preparation
01.02.2018
1. Pampadum Shola has significant
population of evasive Nilgiri Marten
• Pampadum Shola National Park
located on the southern portion of
Western Ghats is a safe haven of rare
and most elusive Nilgiri Marten.
• Endemic to the Western Ghats, Nilgiri
Marten looks like a civet or a
mongoose and it most prefers higher
altitudes.
• Nilgiri marten found a place in
schedule 2 of part 2 of the Indian
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Look Further
Wildlife Protection Act 1972
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an
Act of the Parliament of India enacted
for the protection of plants and animal
species.
• It extends to the whole of India,
except the State of Jammu and
Kashmir which has its own wildlife act.
• It has six schedules which give
varying degrees of protection.
• Schedule I and part II of Schedule II
provide absolute protection - offences
under these are prescribed the
highest penalties.
• Species listed in Schedule III and
Schedule IV are also protected, but
the penalties are much lower.
• Schedule V includes the animals which
may be hunted.
• The specified endemic plants in
Schedule VI are prohibited from
cultivation and planting.
Nilgiri Marten
• The Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii)
is the only species of marten found in
southern India.
• It occurs in the hills of the Nilgiris and
parts of the Western Ghats.
• It is categorized as vulnerable by
IUCN.
Pampadum Shola National Park
• It is located in Idukki district of
Kerala.
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Topic- GS-3-Biodiversity
Source- The Hindu
2. India slips to 42nd place on EIU
Democracy Index; US at 21
• India has slipped to 42nd place on the
Economist Intelligence Unit's annual
Global Democracy Index.
• India’s ranks slipped due to the rise of
conservative religious ideologies and
increase in vigilantism and violence
against minorities.
• India slipped 10 places from the 32nd
position last year to 42nd position.
• Top three positions occupied by the
Scandinavian countries- Norway,
Iceland and Sweden.
• Despite India's dip in the ranking, it
remained the top in South Asia region.
Look Further
Scandinavian countries
• The term Scandinavia in local usage
covers the three kingdoms of
Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
• After inclusion of the Faroe Islands,
Finland, Greenland and Iceland etc. in
Scandinavian countries, the broader
region is known as Nordic countries.
Topic-
Source- Economic Times
3. Cannot allow single-judge NGT
benches: Supreme Court
• The Supreme Court directed the
National Green Tribunal to not to
constitute single-member benches to
hear cases.
Issue
• The rules of the NGT Act mandate the
chairperson to constitute a bench of
“two or more members consisting of
at least one judicial member and one
expert member”.
• However, as not enough
appointments had been made, the
Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Climate Change last year issued a
notification amending the rules to
enable the constitution of single-
member benches “in exceptional
circumstances”.
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Look Further
National Green Tribunal
• NGT Act, 2010 is an Act of the
Parliament of India which enables the
creation of a special tribunal to handle
the expeditious disposal of the cases
pertaining to environmental issues.
• It draws inspiration from India's
constitutional provision of Article 21,
which assures the citizens of India the
right to a healthy environment.
• The Tribunal has Original Jurisdiction
on matters of "substantial question
relating to environment" & "damage
to the environment due to specific
activity".
Topic-GS-2- Statutory, regulatory and
various quasi-judicial bodies
Source- Indian Express
4. Prime Minister launched 'Khelo India
School Games'
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
launched the first “Khelo India School
Games” in New Delhi.
• The mission aims to develop a
sporting culture in the country,
identify talents from grassroots and
groom them for international success.
• 'Kheloge kudoge toh banoge lajawab'
the motto of the Khelo India
programme.
• This government initiative focuses on
reviving the sports culture at the
grassroots and establishing the
country as a sporting nation.
• This national level event is for under-
17 players.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- DD News
5. EU announces funding package of
42.5 million euros to help build
Palestinian state
European Union
• The European Union (EU) is a political
and economic union of 28-member
states that are located primarily in
Europe.
• Its headquarter is located in Brussels,
Belgium.
• Treaty of Maastricht established the
European Union in 1992.
3
• Recently United Kingdom has initiated
a process for withdrawing from EU.
• Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty contains
the provision for leaving European
Union.
Look Further
Palestine
• Palestine is a de jure sovereign state
in the Middle East claiming the West
Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan)
and Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and
Egypt) with East Jerusalem as the
designated capital.
Israeli–Palestinian conflict
• The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the
ongoing struggle between Israelis and
Palestinians that began in the mid-
20th century.
• The origins to the conflict can be
traced back to Jewish immigration,
and sectarian conflict in Mandatory
Palestine between Jews and Arabs.
• It has been referred to as the world's
"most intractable conflict", with the
ongoing Israeli occupation of the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip reaching 50
years.
Topic- GS-2- Important International
institutions, agencies and fora- their
structure, mandate.
Source- Wiki + AIR
6. Pakistan extends Thar Link Express
for 3 years
• The solitary rail link between India
and Pakistan received an extension
from Islamabad.
• The Thar Link Express that connects
Khokhrapar in Pakistan and Munabao
in Rajasthan received an extension for
three more years.
• The agreement to run the Thar Link
Express was signed in 2006 and is one
of the cheapest means of transport
between the two rival countries.
Topic-GS-2- Bilateral, regional and global
groupings and agreements involving India
and/or affecting India’s interests
Source- The Hindu
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7. India commissions high-performance
computer system Mihir
• India commissioned its High-
Performance Computer (HPC) system
- named 'Mihir' (meaning Sun) - at the
National Centre for Medium-Range
Weather Forecasting at Noida, Uttar
Pradesh.
• The facility will improve India's
capacity in weather forecasting and
help it to come out with weather
forecast down to the block level
across the country.
• The new system will be India's largest
HPC facility in terms of peak capacity
and performance.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
Source- Times of India
02.02.2018
1. India joins Ashgabat agreement
• INDIA has joined the Ashgabat
agreement, which envisages setting
up of an international transport and
transit corridor linking central Asia
with the Persian Gulf to significantly
ramp up trade and investment.
• The Ashgabat agreement is an
agreement between Oman, Iran,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
• The founding members of the
agreement are Iran, Oman,
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan which
had signed the pact on April 25, 2011.
Topic- GS-2- Bilateral, regional and global
groupings and agreements involving India
and/or affecting India’s interests
Source- Indian Express + Wiki
2. Important points of Budget 2018-19
Agriculture and Rural Economy
• The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for
all unannounced Kharif crops will
increase to at least 1.5 times that of
production cost.
• Setting up of Fishery and Aquaculture
fund and Animal Husbandry fund with
the total corpus of Rs 10000 crore.
• Along the lines of ‘‘Operation Flood’’ a
new Scheme ‘‘Operation Greens’’ to
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address the challenge of price
volatility of perishable commodities.
• Propose to launch a Re-Structured
National Bamboo Mission with an
outlay of Rs.1290 crore to promote
the bamboo (Green Gold) sector in a
holistic manner.
Education, Health and Social Protection
• Every block with more than 50% ST
population and at least 20,000 tribal
people will have 'Ekalavya' school at
par with Navodaya Vidyalas by 2022.
• RISE (Revitalizing Infrastructure in
School Education) Scheme for
revitalizing school infrastructure, with
an allocation of 1 lakh crore rupees
over four years (by 2022).
• Technology will also be used to
upgrade the skills of teachers through
the recently launched digital portal
‘‘DIKSHA".
• In the health sector government
announced Ayushman Bharat
programme for a new India.
• Prime Minister’s Research Fellows
(PMRF)’’ Scheme, Each year 1,000
best B.Tech students from premier
institutions and provide facilities to do
PhD in IITs and IISc, with a handsome
fellowship.
Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises
(MSMEs) and Employment
• Rs 3 lakh crore is allocated as the
target for the Mudra Yojana for the
year 2018-19.
• The launch of National Apprenticeship
Scheme with stipend support and
sharing of the cost of basic training to
give training to 50 lakh youth by
2020.
Topic- GS-3-Indian Economy
Source-PIB
3. Ayushman Bharat for a new India -
2022
• The Government announced two
major initiatives in the health sector,
as part of Ayushman Bharat
programme.
• The initiatives are- (i) Health and
Wellness Centre (ii) National Health
Protection Scheme
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Health and Wellness Centre
• National Health Policy, 2017 has
envisioned Health and Wellness
Centres as the foundation of India’s
health system.
• Under this 1.5 lakh centres will bring
health care system closer to the
homes of people.
• These centres will provide
comprehensive health care, including
for non-communicable diseases and
maternal and child health services.
• These centres will also provide free
essential drugs and diagnostic
services.
• The Budget has allocated Rs.1200
crore for this flagship programme.
National Health Protection Scheme
• The National Health Protection
Scheme that will cover over 10 crore
poor and vulnerable families, or
around 50 crore people.
• The scheme, set to be the world’s
largest government-funded
healthcare programme.
• The coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a
family a year will be provided for
secondary- and tertiary-care
hospitalisation.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source-PIB
4. Gobar-Dhan Scheme to improve lives
of villagers
• In an effort to make the villages open
defecation free and improving the
lives of villagers, the Finance Minister
announced the launch of Galvanizing
Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan
(GOBAR-DHAN).
• The scheme will manage and convert
cattle dung and solid waste in farms
to compost, biogas and bio-CNG.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
Source-PIB
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5. Central board of excise and customs
(CBEC) to be renamed central board of
indirect taxes and customs (CBIC)
• Union Minister for Finance and
Corporate Affairs announced that the
name of Central Board of Excise and
Customs (CBEC) will be changed to
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs (CBIC).
Look Further
CBEC (Central Board of Excise and
Custom)
• The Central Board of Excise and
Custom is the nodal national agency
responsible for administering
Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service
Tax & Narcotics in India.
• The Customs & Central Excise
department was established in the
year 1855 by the then British
Governor General of India.
• Currently, the Customs and Excise
department comes under the
Department of Revenue, Ministry of
Finance.
Topic-GS-2- Statutory, regulatory and
various quasi-judicial bodies
Source-PIB
6. Dinesh Srivastava takes over as chief
executive of Nuclear Fuel Complex
Nuclear Fuel Complex
• The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) was
established in 1971 as a major industrial
unit of India's Department of Atomic
Energy, for the supply of nuclear fuel
bundles and reactor core components.
• Nuclear Fuel Complex supplies zircaloy
clad uranium oxide fuel assemblies and
zirconium alloy structural components
for all operating atomic power reactors
in India.
Look Further
• India is pursuing an indigenous three-
stage Nuclear Power Programme
involving closed fuel cycles of
(a) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors
(PHWRs) and
(b) Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Breeder
Reactors (LMFBRs) for judicious
utilisation of the relatively limited
reserves of uranium and vast
resources of thorium.
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• PHWRs form the first stage of the
Power programme which uses zircaloy
as clad & Natural uranium dioxide as
fuel. It was supplied by NFC.
Topic-GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Source- The Hindu Business Line + Wiki
03.02.2018
1. Maharashtra govt approves new
wildlife sanctuary at Ghodazari
• The Maharashtra government has
approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur
district as a new wildlife sanctuary in
the state.
• The sanctuary, in the North East of
Tadoba, will include 159 sq km of
Brahmapuri forest.
Look Further
Protected areas of India-
• These are defined according to the
guidelines prescribed by IUCN
(International Union for Conservation
of Nature).
• There are mainly three type of
protected areas which are-
(a) National Park
(b) Wildlife Sanctuaries
(c) Conservation reserves
(d) Community reserves
(a) National Park –
• Classified as IUCN category II
• Any area notified by state govt to
be constituted as a National Park
• There are 103 national parks in India.
• First national park in India- Jim
Corbett National Park (previously
known as Hailey National Park)
• No human activity/ rights allowed
except for the ones permitted by the
Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.
• It covered 1.23 percent geographical
area of India
(b) Wildlife Sanctuaries-
• Classified as IUCN category II
• Any area notified by state govt to
be constituted as a wildlife sanctuary.
• Certain rights are available to the
people. Example- grazing etc.
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• There are 543 wildlife sanctuaries in
India.
• It covered 3.62 percent geographical
area of India
(c) Conservation reserves-
• These categories added in Wildlife
(Protection) Amendment Act of 2002.
• Buffer zones between established
national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and
reserved and protected forests of India.
• Uninhabited and completely owned by
the Government.
• It covered 0.08 percent geographical
area of India
(d) Community reserves-
• These categories added in Wildlife
(Protection) Amendment Act of 2002.
• Buffer zones between established
national parks, wildlife sanctuaries
and reserved and protected forests of
India.
• Used for subsistence by communities
and community areas because part of
the lands is privately owned.
• It covered 0.002 percent geographical
area of India
Topic- GS-3-Environment
Source- Indian Express
2. Finance Minister announced a new
tunnel at Sela pass in Arunachal
• Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
announced the government's plan to
build a tunnel through the Sela Pass
which will ensure faster movement of
troops in Tawang, a strategically-
located town in Arunachal Pradesh
bordering China.
• The proposal to build the Sela pass
comes amid concerns in the defence
establishment over China's growing
assertiveness along the nearly 4,000
km-long Sino-India border.
Look Further
The Sela Pass
• The Sela pass is located between the
Tawang and West Kameng districts of
Arunachal Pradesh.
• It connects the Tibetan Buddhist town
of Tawang to Dirang and Guwahati.
Topic- GS-1-Indian Geography
Source- Times of India
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3. IWAI signs agreement with World 4. Govt defers E-way bill implementation
Bank for Jal Marg Vikas Project due to technical glitches
• Inland Waterways Authority of India • The government deferred
(IWAI) has signed an agreement with implementation of the requirement to
the World Bank for Jal Marg Vikas carry e-permits for interstate
Project (JMVP) to enhance navigation transportation of goods following
on National Waterway-1 from technical glitches.
Varanasi to Haldia (West Bengal). • GST provision requiring transporters
Look Further to carry an electronic waybill or e-way
Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) bill when moving goods between
• The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on states was to be implemented from
NW-1 is being implemented with the February 1, 2018 to check rampant
financial and technical support of the tax evasion.
World Bank. Look Further
• The major works being taken up E-way bill
under JMVP are • E-way bill is an electronic way bill for
(a) Development of fairway movement of goods which can be
(b) Multi-Modal Terminals generated on the GSTN.
(c) Strengthening of river navigation • E-way bill will bring uniformity across
system, the states for seamless inter-state
(d) Conservancy works movement of goods.
(e) Modern River Information System GSTN
(RIS) • A special GST Network (GSTN) was
(f) Digital Global Positioning System created for GST implementation.
(DGPS) etc. • The GSTN will provide a shared IT
• The JMVP, which is expected to be infrastructure and services to Central
completed by March, 2023. and State Governments, taxpayers
and other stakeholders for the
National Waterways in India
implementation of GST.
Allahabad-Haldia
stretch of the
UP, Bihar,
1620 • Goods and Services Tax Network
NW1 Jharkhand, (GSTN) is a Section 8 (under new
Ganga—Bhagirathi- km
West Bengal
Hooghly Rivers companies Act, not for profit
Sadiya-Dhubri
891
companies are governed under
NW2 Stretch of Assam section 8), non-Government, private
km
Brahmaputra River
limited company.
Kollam-Kozhikode
Stretch of West
Topic- GS-3-Indian Economy
Coast Canal and 365 Source- AIR
NW3 Kerala
Champakara and km 5. Prime Minister Modi's book “Exam
Udyogmandal
Canals Warriors” released
Kakinada- • The book ‘Exam Warriors’ has been
Tamil Nadu,
Pondicherry along released by the External Affairs
Andhra 1095
NW4 Godavari and
Pradesh, km Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi.
Krishna River
system
Telangana • The book has been written by the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Talcher – Paradip Odisha, 588
NW5 published by Penguin India.
etc. West Bengal km
NW6 Exam Warriors: To inspire youth to
Lakhipur to Bhanga 71
(Prop
on the River Barak
Assam
km
face the difficult moments of
osed) examinations and life with fresh and
Topic-GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, new energy.
Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Topic- Important for PCS Exams
source- AIR Source-AIR

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6. KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthaan
Maha Abhiyaan) scheme to encourage
farmers for solar farming
• KUSUM scheme would provide
additional income to farmers, by
giving the option to sell additional
power to the grid, through solar
power projects set up on their barren
lands, the Minister informed.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
Source- PIB
05, 06, 07.02.2018
President to inaugurate
Mahamastakabhisheka Utsav of Lord
Gommateshwara
• The 88th Mahamastakabhisheka
Utsav of Lord Gommateshwara will be
held in Sharavanabelagola in Hassan
district of Karnataka.
• Mahamastakabhiseka of
Gommateshwara, who is also known
as Bahubali takes place once in 12
years.
• It is an important Jain piligramage
centre and lakhs of tourists visit
Shravanbelagola to see 57 feet tall
monolithic stone statue that is
anointed from head to feet during the
Utsav.
Topic- GS-1-Indian Culture
Source- AIR
New Constitution Bench to examine
Citizenship Act
• The Supreme Court decided to refer to
a fresh Constitution Bench plea to
examine the validity of various
aspects of a provision of the
Citizenship Act 1955.
• The Bench will also review the cut-off
date for awarding citizenship to
Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam.
• Section 6A of the Act relates to
provisions for citizenship of people
covered by the Assam Accord.
Look Further
8
National Register of Citizens (NRC) of
the Assam
• Recently, Assam government
published the first draft of an updated
National Register of Citizens (NRC) of
the State.
• While the document is meant to
establish the credentials of a bona fide
citizen, there are several questions
surrounding the NRC.
• The publication of the first draft of the
NRC by December 31, 2017 was
ordered by the Supreme Court.
Why was it necessary to bring out an
NRC in Assam?
• The NRC is being updated in Assam to
detect Bangladeshi nationals, who
may have illegally entered the State
after the midnight of March 24, 1971,
the cut-off date.
Citizenship Provisions related to
Constitutions
• Articles 5-8 deal with the citizenship
of individuals who became citizens of
India at the commencement of the
Constitution. Also, these articles take
into account migration issues.
• No person shall be a citizen of India or
be deemed to be a citizen of India, if
he has voluntarily acquired the
citizenship of any foreign state (Article
9).
• Every person who is or is deemed to
be a citizen of India shall continue to
be such citizen, subject to the
provisions of any law made by
Parliament (Article 10).
• Parliament shall have the power to
make any provision with respect to
the acquisition and termination of
citizenship and all other matters
relating to citizenship (Article 11).
• The Parliament enacted the
Citizenship Act, 1955, which has been
amended in 1986, 1992, 2003, and
2005 and most recently in 2015.
• The five modes of acquisition of
citizenship as per the citizenship act
are
(a) By Birth
(b) By Descent
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(c) By Registration techniques to provide early warnings

(d) By Naturalization for an impending tsunami to all
(e) By acquisition of any other countries in the Indian Ocean region.
territory into the Indian Union. • Intergovernmental Oceanographic
• Loss of Citizenship is by – Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has
Termination, Renunciation and designated ITEWC as the Tsunami
Deprivation. Service Provider (TSP) for the entire
Constitutional Rights to the Indian Indian Ocean Region.
Citizens • Since 2012, ITEWC is providing
• The Constitution confers the following tsunami advisories and related
rights and privileges on the citizens of services to about 25 countries".
India (and denies the same to aliens): Topic- GS-3- Achievements of Indians in
(a) Article 15, 16, 19, 29 & 30. science & technology; indigenization of
(b) Right to vote in elections to the technology and developing new technology
Lok Sabha and state legislative Source- Business Standards
assembly. LTCG (long-term capital gains) tax on
(c) Right to contest for the equity
membership of the Parliament and the • LTCG or long-term capital gains refer
state legislature. to the gains made on any class of
(d) Eligibility to hold certain public asset held for a particular period of
offices, that is, President of India, time.
Vice-President of India, judges of the • In case of equity shares, it refers to
Supreme Court and the high courts, the gains made on stocks held for
governor of states, attorney general more than one year.
of India and advocate general of Why is LTCG tax in the news?
states. • Finance Minister re-introduced LTCG
Topic- GS-2- Indian Polity tax on equity shares.
Source- The Hindu + Wiki • Investors have to pay 10% LTCG tax
Finance Minister launches “CriSidEx” on gains exceeding ₹one lakh on the
• CriSidEx is a sentiment index for sale of shares or equity mutual funds
micro and small enterprises (MSEs) held for more than one year.
developed jointly by CRISIL and • Previously, short-term capital gains
SIDBI. (STCG) tax of 15% was levied.
• CriSidEx is a composite index based Was the tax levied on stock market
on a diffusion index of 8 parameters, trades earlier?
and measures MSE business • Such a tax existed until October 2004
sentiment on a scale of 0 (extremely when it was replaced by the securities
negative) to 200 (extremely positive).
transaction tax (STT) which was
Topic- GS-3- Economic Development levied on all trades made on the stock
Source- Livemint exchanges.
Forecasting of Earthquakes and Topic- GS-3-Indian Economy
Cyclones Source- The Hindu
• The Indian National Centre for Ocean
First defence industrial corridor to link
Information Services (INCOIS) has Chennai with Bengaluru
the mandate of detecting
• The first of the two defence industrial
tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring
production corridors will link Chennai
in the Indian Ocean as well as in the
and Bengaluru.
Global Oceans.
• The government will develop two
• The India Tsunami Early Warning
defence industrial production
Centre (ITEWC) established at
corridors.
INCOIS, has the latest scientific

9
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• The first corridor will link Chennai and
Bengaluru and will pass through
Coimbatore and several other
industrial clusters.
• The second corridor is not announced
till now.
• There has been increased in 7.81
percent hike in the defence budget
against last year allocation.
Topic-GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Source- Business Standard
Launch of Startup India Ranking
Framework
• Three new tools for States and Union
Territories for ranking of startups in
the country was launched by Union
Minister of Commerce and Industry.
• The tools are-
(a) The State and Union Territory Startup
Ranking Framework
(b) The Compendium of Good Practices for
Promoting Startups in India
(c) The Startup India Kit.
These will act as catalysts to help the Startup
India initiative to drive India’s economic
growth.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
Source- PIB
First-ever Pelican Festival at Atapaka
Bird Sanctuary
• Andhra government has decided to
hold the first-of-its kind, one-day
Pelican Festival at the Atapaka Bird
Sanctuary on Kolleru lake in Andhra
Pradesh.
• Atapaka village is located on the
borders of the Krishna and the West
Godavari districts.
• Over 5,000 pelican birds from various
countries reach Kolleru lake every
year during winter by travelling over
3500 km.
Topic- GS-3- Environment
Source- New Indian Express
“Green Good Deeds” campaign
• The campaign is launched by the
Union Minister for Environment to
10
sensitise the people and students
about climate change and global
warming.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors
Source- PIB
World's Most Powerful Rocket “the
Falcon Heavy” Lifts Off Towards Mars
• SpaceX monster rocket, the Falcon
Heavy, was launched from the
Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology
Source- NDTV
Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to
Artistes’ (SPMAA)
• The objectives of this Scheme are to
improve financial and socio-economic
status of the old aged artistes and
scholars who have contributed
significantly in their specialized fields
of arts, letters etc.
• In order to be eligible under this
Scheme, personal income of the
applicant artiste (including income of
the spouse) must not exceed Rs.
4,000 per month or annual income of
Rs. 48,000.
Topic- GS-2-Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- PIB
08.02.2018
Cabinet approves Ratification of the
Minamata Convention on Mercury
• The Union Cabinet chaired has
approved the proposal for ratification
of Minamata Convention on Mercury
and depositing the instrument of
ratification enabling India to become
a Party of the Convention.
• The approval entails Ratification of the
Minamata Convention on Mercury
along with flexibility for continued use
of mercury-based products and
processes involving mercury
compound up to 2025.
Look Further
www.gradeup.com
Minamata Convention on Mercury
• The Minamata Convention on Mercury
is an international treaty designed to
protect human health and the
environment from anthropogenic
emissions and releases of mercury
and mercury compounds.
• The Convention is named after the
Japanese city Minamata.
• This naming is of symbolic importance
as the city went through a devastating
incident of mercury poisoning.
• The Minamata Convention provides
controls over a myriad of products
containing mercury, the manufacture,
import and export of which will be
altogether prohibited by 2020 (except
where countries have requested an
exemption for an initial 5-year
period).
Topic- GS-3- Environment
Source- PIB + Wiki
Cabinet approves enhancement of target
under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs has approved to enhance of the
target of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana (PMUY) from five crores to
eight crores with an additional
allocation of Rs. 4,800 crores.
• The decision comes in the wake of
huge response to Pradhan Mantri
Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from the
women particularly in rural areas and
to cover such households not having
LPG connection.
• The revised target of Pradhan Mantri
Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will be
achieved by 2020.
Look Further
PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana)
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was
launched by Prime Minister on May
1st, 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
• It is an ambitious social welfare
scheme which aims to provide free
LPG connections to BPL households in
the country.
• The scheme is aimed at replacing the
unclean cooking fuels mostly used in
the rural India with the clean and
11
more efficient LPG (Liquefied
Petroleum Gas).
Topic- GS-2-Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these
schemes
Source- PIB
Cabinet approves Implementation of
‘Prime Minister Research Fellows
(PMRF)’
• The Union Cabinet approved
implementation of 'Prime Minister's
Research Fellows (PMRF)' scheme at a
total cost of Rs.1650 crore for a period
of seven years beginning 2018-19.
• The scheme has been announced in
the Budget Speech 2018-19.
• Under this scheme, the best students
who have completed or are in the final
year of B. Tech or Integrated M. Tech
or M.Sc. in Science and Technology
streams from
IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs will be
offered direct admission in PhD
programme in the IITs/IISc.
• The scheme will go a long way in
tapping the talent pool of the country
for carrying out research indigenously
in cutting edge science and
technology domains.
Topic-GS-3-Science and Technology
Source- PIB
Cabinet approves rationalization of
Autonomous Bodies under Department
of Health & Family Welfare
• The Union Cabinet has approved the
proposal for closure of Autonomous
Bodies, namely, Rashtriya Arogya
Nidhi (RAN) and Jansankhya Sthirata
Kosh (JSK).
• The functions of these bodies are
proposed to be vested in Department
of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW).
Look Further
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
• It was set up as a registered society
to provide financial medical assistance
to poor patients receiving treatment
in designated central government
hospitals.
www.gradeup.com

Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) rates and deposit rates as well. But
• It was set up with a corpus grant of banks used to respond very lately.
Rs.100 crores in the year 2003 to • And when RBI increase the repo rate,
raise awareness for population bank react fast and increase the
stabilization strategies. lending rate of interest.
Background • Base rate is revised on a quarterly
• Based on the recommendations of basis.
Expenditure Management MCLR (Marginal cost of funds-based
Commission, NITI Aayog had lending rate)
undertaken a review of the 19 • The new methodology uses the
Autonomous Bodies, under the marginal cost reflected in the interest
DoHFW, that have been formed under rate provided by the banks for
Societies Registration Act, 1860 obtaining funds while setting their
(SRA). lending rate. T
• The main concern of the Government • his includes interest rates from both
is that Autonomous bodies are the deposits and while borrowing from
required to be reviewed and RBI.
rationalised with a view to improve • Hence, the interest rate is given by a
their outcomes, effectiveness and bank for deposits and the repo rate
efficiency, utilisation of financial and are the decisive factors in the MCLR
human resources. calculation.
Topic- GS-2-Governance • The MCLR is revised monthly by
Source- PIB considering factors such as the repo
RBI to link base rate with MCLR rate and other borrowing rates that
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said were not considered under the base
it will link the base rate for loans with rate system.
the marginal cost of funds-based Topic- GS-3- Indian Economy
lending rate (MCLR) from 1 April to Source- Livemint
improve monetary policy Bermuda becomes first country in world
transmission. to repeal same-sex marriage
• This is likely to narrow the gap • Bermuda has become the first country
between the base rate and MCLR, and to legalise and then repeal same-sex
benefit borrowers who are still using marriage.
the base rate. • Bermuda’s governor approved a bill
• The central bank expressed concern reversing the right of gay couples to
that a large portion of bank loans marry, despite a supreme court ruling
remain linked to the base rate despite last year authorising same-sex
the introduction of the MCLR in April marriage.
2016. Look Further
Look Further Bermuda
Base Rate • Bermuda is a British Overseas
• It is the lending rate of banks below Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
which banks were not allowed to lend. • The capital city is Hamilton.
• Before the execution of MCLR rate, • Bermuda is self-governing, with its
this was the method to decide the own constitution and its own
interest rate for loans. government, which enacts local laws,
Issues with Base Rate while the United Kingdom retains
• When the RBI decreases the repo responsibility for defence and foreign
rate, it requires the banks to undergo relations.
the periodic changes in their lending Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- The Guardian

12
www.gradeup.com
Rail Development Authority
• Government has approved formation
of a Rail Development Authority
(RDA) comprising Chairman and
three Members.
• The objective underlying RDA is to get
expert advice/make informed decision
on:
(a) Pricing of services commensurate
with costs.
(b) Suggest measures for
enhancement of Non-Fare Revenue.
(c) Protection of consumer interests,
by ensuring quality of service and cost
optimization.
(d) Encouraging market development
and participation of stakeholders in
the rail sector
(e) Creating positive environment for
investment.
Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Source- PIB
09.02.2018
India ranks 44 out of 50 nations in global
IP index
• India has ranked 44 out of 50
nations in the global Intellectual
Property (IP) index.
• The index is released by the US
Chambers of Commerce.
• Last year, India ranked 43rd out of 45
countries in the index.
• The US tops the list followed by United
Kingdom and Sweden.
Look Further
Intellectual property
• Intellectual property (IP) refers to
creations of the intellect for which a
monopoly is assigned to designated
owners by law.
Intellectual property rights
• Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are
the rights granted to the creators of
IP, and include trademarks, copyright,
patents, industrial design rights, and
in some jurisdictions trade secrets.
13
DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy &
Promotion)
• The Department of Industrial Policy &
Promotion was established in 1995
and has been reconstituted in the year
2000 with the merger of the
Department of Industrial
Development.
• Role and Functions-
(a) Formulation and implementation of
industrial policy
(b) Formulation of Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) Policy and promotion, approval and
facilitation of FDI
(c) Formulation of policies relating to
Intellectual Property Rights etc.
CIPAM (Cell for IPR Promotion and
Management)
• A professional body under the aegis of
Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion (DIPP) which ensures
focused action on issues related to
IPRs.
• CIPAM assists in simplifying and
streamlining of IP processes, apart
from undertaking steps for furthering
IPR awareness, commercialization
and enforcement.
World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO)
• The World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) is a specialized
agencies of the United Nations (UN).
• WIPO was created in 1967 "to
encourage creative activity, to
promote the protection of intellectual
property throughout the world".
• WIPO currently has 191-member
states.
• It is headquartered in Geneva,
Switzerland.
TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights)
• It is an international legal agreement
between all the member nations of
the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• It sets down minimum standards for
the regulation by national
governments of many forms of
intellectual property (IP) as applied to
nationals of other WTO member
nations.
www.gradeup.com
• TRIPS was negotiated at the end of
the Uruguay Round of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) in 1994 and is administered by
the WTO.
Topic- GS-3- Issues relating to intellectual
property rights.
Source- Indian Express
Defence Minister appoints panel to
expedite capital acquisition
• Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
has constituted a 13-member
advisory committee to monitor and
expedite capital acquisition projects
for the modernisation of the armed
forces.
• The committee will be headed by
Vinay Sheel Oberoi, former secretary
in the government.
• The committee would suggest
measures to improve the capital
acquisition process.
• The panel will review various categories
of projects including "Buy" (Indian) and
"Buy and Make" (Indian).
• The committee has to undertake an
independent review and check the
status of ongoing critical projects
worth more than Rs 500 crore.
Topic- GS-3- Defence
Source- India Today
Cabinet approves putting ILO
recommendation before Parliament
• The Union Cabinet gave its approval
for placing the new instrument "the
Employment and Decent Work for
Peace and Resilience", adopted by
International Labour Organization
(ILO).
• India, during the International Labour
Conference of ILO in Geneva in June
2017, supported the adoption of the
Instrument, also called
Recommendation No. 205.
• The recommendation provides
guidance to member States on the
measures to be taken to generate
employment and decent work for the
purposes of prevention, recovery,
peace and resilience with respect to
crisis situations arising from conflicts
and disasters.
14
Look Further
ILO (International Labour Organization)
• The International Labour Organization
(ILO) is a United Nations agency
dealing with labour problems,
particularly international labour
standards, social protection, and work
opportunities for all.
• The ILO was founded in 1919.
• The ILO has 187-member states: 186
of the 193 UN member states plus the
Cook Islands are members of the ILO.
• The ILO organises the International
Labour Conference in Geneva every
year in June. It is also known as
“Parliament of Labour”.
• The ILO Recommendations do not
have the binding force of conventions
and are not subject to ratification.
• If the ILO conventions are ratified
by enough governments, they
become in force. However, ILO
conventions are considered
international labour standards
regardless of ratification.
• When a convention comes into force,
it creates a legal obligation for
ratifying nations to apply its
provisions.
Cook Islands
• The Cook Islands is a self-governing
island country in the South Pacific
Ocean in free association with New
Zealand.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
Source- Business Standards + Wiki
Centre for Science and Environment top
green policy think tank in India
• The Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) has been ranked
the top environment policy think
tanks in India while it has secured the
16th position in global rankings.
• It was on the 18th position last year.
• The rank was given by The Think
Tanks and Civil Societies Program
(TTCSP) of the Lauder Institute at the
University of Pennsylvania.
www.gradeup.com
• TTCSP conducts a research on the role
policy institutes play in governments
and civil societies around the world.
Look Further
Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE)
• It is a not-for-profit public interest
research and advocacy organisation
based in New Delhi, India.
• It was established in 1980.
• CSE works as a think tank on
environment-development issues in
India, poor planning, climate shifts
devastating India's Sundarbans and
advocates for policy changes and
better implementation of the already
existing policies.
Topic- GS-3- Environment
Source- Business Standards
Competition Commission of India fines
Google Rs 136 crore for ‘unfair practices’
• The Competition Commission of India
imposed a fine of Rs 136 crore on
Google for unfair business practices in
the Indian market for online search.
• After a detailed probe on the
complaints filed in 2012, the regulator
through a majority order said the
penalty is being imposed on Google
for “infringing anti-trust conduct”.
Look Further
Competition commission of India
• The Competition Commission of India
is a statutory body of the Government
of India responsible for enforcing The
Competition Act, 2002 throughout
India.
• The main aim of the CCI is to prevent
activities that have an appreciable
adverse effect on competition in India.
Topic- GS-2- Statutory, regulatory and
various quasi-judicial bodies
Source- Indian Express
10.02.2018
Ozone layer continues to deplete
• The ozone layer which protects life on
Earth from high-energy radiation is
actually thinning out in the lower
stratosphere, new research has
found.
15
• In the 20th century, when excessive
quantities of ozone-depleting
chlorinated and brominated
hydrocarbons were released into the
atmosphere, the ozone layer in the
stratosphere thinned out globally.
• The Montreal Protocol introduced a
ban on these long - lasting substances
in 1989.
• New study showed that despite the
ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
the concentration of ozone in the
lower part of the stratosphere (15 to
24 km) (where the ozone layer is at
its densest) has continued to decline.
Look Further
Montreal Protocol
• The Montreal Protocol (a protocol to
the Vienna Convention for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an
international treaty designed to
protect the ozone layer by phasing out
the production of numerous
substances that are responsible for
ozone depletion.
• It was signed in 1987.
• The principal aim of Montreal Protocol
is to protect the ozone layer by taking
measures to control total
consumption of these chemicals.
Kigali Amendment
• It amends the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
• Its aims to reduce Hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) by roughly 80-85 Percent by
the late 2045.
• It will be binding on member countries
from 2019.
Decreasing order of concentration of
greenhouse gases in earth atmosphere
Water vapor (H2O) > Carbon dioxide (CO2) >
Methane (CH4) > Nitrous oxide (N2O) >
Ozone (O3) > Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) >
Hydrofluorocarbons (incl. HCFCs and HFCs)
Decreasing order of the gases on the
basis of Global Warming Potential
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)> Hexafluoroethane
(C2F6) >Tetrafluoromethane (CF4) > HCFC-
22 (CHClF2) >CFC-12 (CCl2F) >Nitrous oxide
(N2O) > Methane (CH4) > Carbon dioxide
(CO2)
Topic-
Source- The Hindu + Wiki
www.gradeup.com
Maldives crisis
• On February 6, the day after President
Abdulla Yameen of the Maldives
declared an Emergency and arrested
two judges of the Supreme Court.
• Mohamed Nasheed, the exiled former
President, implored India to send an
envoy, backed by its military, to
release judges & political detainees
including President.
Background
• The Maldives Supreme Court ordered
the release of several imprisoned
opposition lawmakers, ruling that
their trials were politically motivated.
• President Abdulla Yameen refused to
comply with the decision and instead
imposed a state of emergency for a
period of 15 days.
Operation Cactus
• In 1988, India had sent Indian forces
in the Maldives to resolve the crisis.
• This operation was named as
“Operation Cactus”.
• It was successful operation by Indian
Forces.
Topic-GS-2-International Relations
Source- Indian Express + CNBC
NGT penalises Rajasthan for polluting
Jodhpur river
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT)
imposed an environment
compensation of ₹10 lakh on the
Rajasthan government for failing to
control the discharge of domestic
sewage into a river Jojari in Jodhpur.
Look Further
National Green Tribunal
• NGT Act, 2010 is an Act of the
Parliament of India which enables
creation of a special tribunal to handle
the expeditious disposal of the cases
pertaining to environmental issues.
• It draws inspiration from the India's
constitutional provision of Article 21,
which assures the citizens of India the
right to a healthy environment.
• The Tribunal has Original Jurisdiction
on matters of "substantial question
relating to environment" & "damage
16
to environment due to specific
activity".
Topic- GS-3-Environment
Source- The Hindu
Rafale Jet controversy
• Rafale fighter aircraft built by
Dassault Aviation of France.
• The deal for the 36 aircraft was signed
by at that time defence minister
Parrikar and his French counterpart
Jean-Yves Le Drian on September 23,
2016.
Issues
• The Opposition parties have alleged
that the NDA government bought 36
Rafale fighter aircraft at a much
higher price than the one that was
being negotiated for 126 aircraft by
the previous UPA government.
• The Opposition has also alleged that
the deal for the 36 aircraft does not
include transfer of technology,
whereas, in the older proposal, 108 of
the 126 fighters were to be assembled
by the Bengaluru-based Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• The current deal, however, has a 50%
offset component — Dassault has
agreed to manufacture items worth
50% of the deal in India.
• But the Opposition alleges that the
discharge of offsets has been done to
favour a particular private Indian
defence company.
And has it been the practice generally to
share the cost of defence deals with
Parliament?
• In several cases, costs have been
shared.
• In others, those details have been
kept secret for reasons of national
security.
• But the government is duty-bound to
share the full pricing details with the
Comptroller and Auditor General
(CAG) and the Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
Topic- GS-2- Indian Polity
GS-3-Defence
Source- Indian Express
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India successfully test-fires nuclear
capable Prithvi-II
• India successfully test-fired its
indigenously developed nuclear
capable Prithvi-II missile as part of a
user trial by the Army from a test
range in Odisha.
Prithvi Missile
• Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface
short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
developed by DRDO of India under the
Integrated Guided Missile
Development Program (IGMDP).
• Prithvi was the first missile to be
developed under the IGMDP program.
• It can carry a nuclear warhead.
Variants of Prithvi Missile
• Prithvi I – Army version (150 km
range with a payload of 1,000 kg)
• Prithvi II – Air Force version (350 km
range with a payload of 500 kg)
• Prithvi III – Naval version (350 km
range with a payload of 1,000 kg)
Look Further
Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP)
• The project started in 1982–83 and
bestowed under the leadership of
Abdul Kalam who oversaw its ending
in 2008 after these strategic missiles
were successfully developed.
• Thus, four projects, to be pursued
concurrently, were born under the
IGMDP:
(a) Short range surface-to-surface
missile (code-named Prithvi)
(b) Short range low-level surface-to-
air missile (code-named Trishul)
(c) Medium range surface-to-air
missile (code-named Akash) and
(d) Third-generation anti-tank missile
(code-named Nag).
Topic- GS-3-Defence
Source- Times of India
17
12.02.2018
1. SC stays new Tribunal Rules
• The Supreme Court stayed the
applicability of new provisions of the
Central Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal
and other Authorities.
• These provisions include
(Qualification, experience and other
conditions of service of members)
Rules, 2017 which gave the
government primacy in making key
appointments to tribunals, including
the National Green Tribunal.
Look Further
Background
• The Supreme Court in July 2017
issued notice to the Centre on a
petition challenging the constitutional
validity of Finance Act, 2017, as it
“purports to” change the constitution
of tribunal and adversely affect
“functioning and independence” of the
body.
• The plea was filed by an NGO, said the
Act would destroy independent
functioning of 19 tribunals, including
the National Green Tribunal.
• The Finance Act, which came into
effect from 1st April, led to the
framing of the Tribunal, Appellate
Tribunal and other Authorities Rules,
2017.
• And they allegedly gave unbridled
powers to the Executive to decide
Constitution, qualifications of
members, their appointments and
removal, among others.
Tribunals
• Article 323-A and Article 323-B of the
constitution deals with the Tribunals.
• These articles were added through
42nd amendment Act, 1976 as Part
XIV-A in the constitution.
• Article 323-A authorizes parliament to
setup administrative tribunals for the
purpose of setting disputes &
complains involving civil services.
• Article 323-B deals with tribunals for
other matters.
www.gradeup.com

Topic- GS-2- Statutory, regulatory and • The Centre has released nearly Rs
various quasi-judicial bodies 9,940 crore to states so far for the
Source- The Hindu + Wiki Smart City Mission.
2. Gross NPAs decline marginally to Look Further
9.8% Smart City Mission-
• As per RBI data, combined Gross non- • Smart Cities Mission is an urban
performing assets (NPAs) of renewal and retrofitting program by
Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) the Government of India with the
have declined marginally from 10 mission to develop 100 cities across
percent as on June 30, 2017 to 9.8 the country making them citizen
percent as on September 30, 2017. friendly and sustainable.
Look Further • The Union Ministry of Urban
Stressed Asset Development is responsible for
• It comprises of NPA (Non- performing implementing the mission in
assets), Restructured loans and collaboration with the state
Written off assets. governments of the respective cities.
Non-performing assets • The objective is to promote cities that
• When loan interest/instalment provide core infrastructure and give a
remained due more than 90 days decent quality of life to its citizens, a
clean and sustainable environment
Restructured loans
and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions.
• When loan is restructured by giving
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
extra time, lower the interest rate etc.
interventions for development in various
Written off assets sectors and issues arising out of their design
• When inventory assets lose some or and implementation.
all their value. Source- Indian Express
Basel Norms- 4. Home Minister inaugurates "Hunar
• The objective of these norms to Haat" platform for artisans from
ensure that financial institutions have minority communities
enough capital on their account so Hunar Haat
that they can absorb unexpected
• It is an exhibition organized by the
losses.
Minority Affairs Ministry to encourage,
Mission Indradhanush promote and provide national and
• It is a central government scheme to international market to
revamp functioning of Public Sector artisans/craftsmen belonging to the
Banks. Minority communities from across the
• It was launched in 2015. country.
• This scheme has 7 major points, these • It is organized under USTTAD
are – (Upgrading the Skills & Training in
1. Appointments Traditional Arts/Crafts for
2. Board of Bureau Development) scheme of Ministry of
3. Capitalisation Minority Affairs.
4. De-stressing Public-sector banks Look Further
5. Empowerment Schemes for Minority
6. Framework of accountability “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”
7. Governance reforms • This is a placement linked skill
Topic- GS-3- Indian Economy development scheme for minorities
aiming to upgrade the skills of
Source- Economic Times
minority youth in various
3. Smart City Mission: Govt releases Rs modern/traditional skills.
9,940 crore to states

18
www.gradeup.com
• The scheme ensures placements of
minimum 75% trainees, out of which
at least 50% placement is in
organized sector.
Upgrading the Skills and Training in
Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development
(USTTAD)
• Scheme has been launched on 14th
May, 2015 to preserve the rich
heritage of traditional arts/crafts of
minorities.
• The training programme support with
following activities to ensure that the
desired outcomes are achieved for
preservation of traditional art/craft,
establishment of market linkages and
generating interest among young
generation for taking up traditional
arts/crafts as a profession.
Nai Manzil
• Scheme has been launched on 8th
August, 2015 with an aim to benefit
the minority youth who do not have a
formal school education.
• The scheme provides them formal
education and skills, and enable them
to seek better employment in the
organized sector and thus to equip
them for better lives.
UDAAN
• It provides exposure to the youth of
J&K to the best of corporate India and
corporate India to the rich talent pool
available in the State.
• The scheme not only provides skill
enhancement and job opportunity
but also connects these bright youths
from the J&K with the vibrant
corporate sector of India.
Nai Roshni
• Nai Roshni- “The Scheme for
Leadership Development of Minority
Women” with an aim to empower and
instil confidence in minority women.
• The scheme provides knowledge, tool
and techniques for interacting with
Government system, banks and other
institutions at all levels. I
• It is implemented through Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
all over the country.
19
• The scheme permits a mix of women
from non-minority communities not
exceeding 25% of a project proposal.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- PIB + Indian Express
5. WCD Ministry considering setting up
National Women Entrepreneurship
Council
• The Ministry of Women and Child
Development is considering to
establish National Women
Entrepreneurship Council (NWEC).
• NWEC will promote entrepreneurship
as it would be the umbrella
organization for socio-economic
gender parity, financial inclusion and
economic empowerment of women in
India.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors
Source- PIB
6. Govt launches “ASH TRACK” app to
monitor fly ash from thermal plants
• In order to promote better
management of thermal power Union
power minister launched web-based
monitoring system and a mobile
application named “ASH TRACK”.
• ASH TRACK shows coal-based power
plants situated within the radius of
100 km and 300 km from the user’s
location.
• Therefore, any app user can select
power station from where he wants to
take fly ash.
Topic- GS-3-Environment
Source- Indian Express
7. Prime Minister Modi conferred ‘Grand
Collar of the State of Palestine’
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the
State of Palestine’ recognising his key
contribution to promote relations
between India and Palestine.
• Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian
Prime Minister to make an official visit
to Palestine.
www.gradeup.com

• The Grand Collar is Highest order
given to foreign dignitaries.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- The Hindu
8. Mumbai is 12th richest city globally
• India’s financial capital Mumbai, with
a total wealth of $950 billion, has
been named among the top 15
wealthiest cities globally.
• The list of 15 wealthiest cities was
topped by New York.
• The report is published by New World
Wealth.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- Indian Express
13.02.2018
World's freshwater bodies choked with
phosphorus
• India ranks second in global
phosphorus pollution by human
activity.
• Phosphorus levels in our freshwater
bodies are escalating and this could
pose a serious threat to the
ecosystem, warns a new report in
Water Resources Research.
• Calculating the total global
anthropogenic (caused by human
activity) phosphorus pollution, China
contributed the most with 30%,
followed by India (8%), and the USA
(7%).
Point pollution
• The researchers analysed the
pollution from point sources first. i.e.,
the pollution from a single identifiable
source like sewage pipes.
• Breaking it down by country, the
largest contributor was China,
followed by USA and then India.
Non-point sources of pollution
• Non-point sources of pollution like
erosion, run-off and leaching
contributed to the other half of the
pollution.
• The domestic sector was the largest
contributor of phosphorus accounting
for 54%, followed by agriculture
(38%) and industry (8%).
• The report points out that the
phosphorus load from agricultural
fields increased by 27% over the
study period (2002 to 2010) due to
the extensive use of mineral fertilizers
and manure.
Grey-water footprints
• Grey-water footprint is the amount of
freshwater required to dilute the
pollutants.
• It can also indicate whether the water
body can handle the pollution or get
affected by it.
• Eutrophication (sudden increase in
nutrients in a water body leading to
outburst in algae, floating plants,
microbes etc) due to phosphorus
pollution causes algal blooms, which
can lead to the mortality of fish and
plants due to lack of oxygen and light.
• It also reduces the use of the water
for human purposes.
Polluted river basins
• The Huang He river basin of China
ranked first, followed by the Indus
river basin.
• The Ganges basin ranked fourth in the
list of polluted river basins.
Topic- GS-3- Environment
Source- The Hindu
Three new eel species found in Bay of
Bengal
• Scientists have discovered three new
species of eel along the northern Bay
of Bengal coast.
• These are-
(a) Dark brow Gymnothorax
pseudotile was discovered at the
Digha coast of the Bay of Bengal.
(b) Gymnothorax visakhaensis
(uniformly brown) discovered from
the Visakhapatnam coast of the Bay of
Bengal
(c) Enchelycore propinqua (reddish
brown body mottled with irregular
creamy white spots) discovered from
the Visakhapatnam coast of the Bay of
Bengal
• Eels are found mostly at the bottom of
rivers and seas.
Topic- GS-3- Biodiversity
Source- The Hindu

20
www.gradeup.com
New power plants only within 500 km of
coal field
• The Ministry of Power has decided that
new plants, except extension units of
the existing ones, would now be set
up only within 500 km of a coal field.
• The central government has been
facing the coal scarcity issues for last
few months.
• To battle this issue, the central
government took this decision.
Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Source- Indian Express
Kerala, Punjab, T.N. top NITI Aayog’s
health index report
• Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu were
the top rankers in NITI Aayog’s latest
Health Index report.
• For the first time, attempted to
establish an annual systematic tool to
measure and understand the
heterogeneity and complexity of the
nation’s performance in the health
sector.
• This Index is expected to nudge states
towards further achieving a rapid
transformation of their health systems
and population health outcomes.
Topic- GS-2- Issues relating to development
and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
Source- The Hindu
Cabinet approves proposal for
Amendment to the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Act,
2006
• The Union Cabinet has approved
change in the basis of classifying
Micro, Small and Medium enterprises
from ‘investment in plant
machinery/equipment’ to ‘annual
turnover’.
• Section 7 of the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development
(MSMED) Act, 2006 will accordingly
be amended to define units producing
goods and rendering services in terms
of annual turnover as follows:
(a) A micro enterprise will be
defined as a unit where the annual
turnover does not exceed five crore
(b) A small enterprise will be
defined as a unit where the annual
turnover is more than five crore
rupees but does not exceed Rs 75
crore
(c) A medium enterprise will be
defined as a unit where the annual
turnover is more than seventy-five
crore rupees but does not exceed
Rs 250 crore.
Topic- GS-3-Indian Economy
Source- PIB
PM lays foundation stone for first Hindu
temple in Abu Dhabi
• Prime Minister officially launched the
foundation stone-laying ceremony for
the first Hindu temple in the capital of
the UAE, home to over three million
people of Indian origin.
• This is the first stone temple to be
built in Abu Dhabi.
• It will be completed by 2020.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- Hindustan Times
PM visited Motishwar Shiva temple in
Oman
• Prime Minister visited the Shiva
Temple in Muscat (Oman) also known
as Motishwar Mandir.
• The temple was constructed 109
years ago.
• The Temple is believed to have been
constructed by the Bhatia merchant
community from Kutch, which settled
in Muscat as early as 1507.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- Indian Express
& 14.02.2018
Forest and tree cover up by 1% in 2
years in India- India State of Forest
Report 2017
• India’s tree and forest cover has
registered an increase of 1% or 8,021
sq. km in two years since 2015,
according to the India State of Forest
Report (ISFR) 2017.
21
www.gradeup.com
• ISFR is released every two years.
• India is ranked 10th in the world, with
8,02,088 sq. km or 24.4% of land
area under forest and tree cover.
• According to the report, the total
forest cover is 7,08,273 sq. km, which
is 21.54% of the total geographical
area of the country.
• The increase in the forest cover has
been observed as 6,778 sq. km and
that of tree cover as 1,243 sq. km.
• The very dense forest in India has also
increased by 1.36% as compared to
2015. Very dense forest (VDF) absorb
maximum carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
• Largest forest cover in the
country in terms of area-
Madhya Pradesh (77,414 sq. km)>
Arunachal Pradesh (66,964 sq. km)>
Chhattisgarh (55,547 sq. km)
• In terms of percentage of forest
cover with respect to the total
geographical area-
Lakshadweep with (90.33%)>
Mizoram (86.27%)> Andaman and
Nicobar Island (81.73%)
• The main reasons for the decrease are
shifting cultivation, other biotic
pressures, rotational felling, diversion
of forest lands for developmental
activities, submergence of forest
cover, agriculture expansion and
natural disasters.
• State in which maximum forest cover
has increased- Andhra Pradesh (2,141
sq. km)
• State in which maximum forest cover
has decreased- Mizoram (531 sq. km)
• The survey has for the first time
assessed water bodies inside forest
cover have increased by 2,647 sq. km
during last decade.
• State in which maximum water bodies
area increased is- Maharashtra
• The present assessment also reveals
that 15 States and Union Territories
(UTs) have above 33% of the
geographical area under forest cover.
Topic- GS-3-Environment
GS-1- Indian Geography
Source- The Hindu
22
India gets access to strategic Oman port
Duqm for military use, Chabahar-
Gwadar in sight
• In a strategic move to expand its
footprint in the Indian Ocean region,
India has secured access to the key
Port of Duqm in Oman for military use
and logistical support.
• This is part of India’s maritime
strategy to counter Chinese influence
and activities in the region.
• The services of Duqm port and dry
dock will be available for maintenance
of Indian military vessels.
Look Further
Port Duqm
• The Port of Duqm is situated on the
southeastern seaboard of Oman,
overlooking the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean.
• It is strategically located, in close
proximity to the Chabahar port in Iran.
Other Projects by India
• Assumption Island- in Seychelles
• Agalega Islands- in Mauritius
Topic-
Source- Indian Express
Wakhan Corridor- A corner of
Afghanistan untouched by Taliban
• It was created in the 19th century as a
Great Game buffer zone between tsarist
Russia and British India, the corridor
has since remained untouched by any
kind of government.
• It is also known as by its Persian name
Bam-e-Dunya, or “roof of the world”.
• The area is dominated by the Wakhi-
the nomadic Kyrgyz tribe.
• It can be accessed from surrounding
countries through the “Pamir Knot”,
where three of the highest mountain
ranges in the world converge.
Topic- GS-3- International Relations
Source- The Hindu
RBI relaxes priority sector lending rule
for banks
• Reserve Bank of India has made
banks' priority sector norms lenient by
saying that all loans to micro small
and medium enterprises (MSME) will
henceforth qualify as priority sector
lending.
www.gradeup.com
• Till date, loans up to Rs 10 crore per
MSME borrower was considered for
priority sector calculation.
• The central bank has however told
foreign banks with 20 or more
branches to adhere to the priority
sector sub-targets for farm loans and
loans to micro enterprises to make the
rule equal with other banking entities.
• This will be applicable from 2018-19.
Look Further
• Priority Sector includes the following
categories:
(i) Agriculture
(ii) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(iii) Export Credit
(iv) Education
(v) Housing
(vi) Social Infrastructure
(vii) Renewable Energy
(viii) Others
Topic- GS-3-Indian Economy
Source- Economic Times
Why new Poland law reopens wounds of
World War-II
• On February 6, Poland adopted a law
to prosecute, and send to jail for three
years, anyone who holds the nation
responsible for Nazi war crimes.
• Several academics and countries such
as the United States and Israel
criticized the law, saying it was vague
and could be abused.
What’s the background of the law?
• World War II began with the
annexation of Poland by Nazi
Germany in 1939.
• Only a few thousand among the
country’s nearly three million Jews
survived.
• Many commentators, including some
Holocaust survivors, have alleged that
sections of the Polish population at the
time collaborated in the killings.
What does the new law say?
• The new law forbids discussion on
Polish involvement in Nazi war crimes.
• Whoever claims, publicly and contrary
to the facts, that the Polish Nation or
the Republic of Poland is responsible
23
or co-responsible for Nazi crimes,
shall be liable to a fine or
imprisonment for up to 3 years.
But why is Israel upset?
• Israel says the law will curb free
speech, criminalise basic historical
facts, and stop any discussion
regarding the role some Poles played
in Nazi crimes.
Topic- GS-3-International Affairs
Source- Indian Express
Acetylene leak may have triggered blast
on ONGC ship in Cochin Shipyard
• The “tendency to bypass safety
procedures and the overconfidence of
workers” might have triggered fatal
accident at the Cochin Shipyard.
• A preliminary inspection points to a
leak in the huge quantity of acetylene
that was being stored (for welding
work).
• It is inflammable in the 3% to 100%
range (meaning it triggers an
explosion even when oxygen is
absent).”
Look Further
Acetylene
• Acetylene (ethyne) is the chemical
compound with the formula C2H2.
• This colourless gas is widely used as a
fuel and a chemical building block.
Application of Acetylene
• Welding
• Used for carburization (that is,
hardening) of steel
• Portable lighting
• Used to volatilize carbon in
radiocarbon dating etc.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
Source- The Hindu
15.02.2018
Tamil Nadu among nine global market
leaders in renewables
• Nine major global power markets,
including India's Tamil Nadu, have
achieved an outsize share of wind and
solar generation while assuring the
security of supply.
www.gradeup.com
• It showed in a report by US-based
Institute for Energy Economics and
Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
• The report is titled as 'Power-Industry
Transition, Here and Now' and topped
by Denmark followed by South
Australia and Uruguay respectively.
• Indian state Tamilnadu is ranked at
9th
• Wind and solar accounted for 14.3 per
cent of Tamil Nadu's total electricity
generation in 2016-17.
Look Further
• Tamil Nadu was the host of the largest
single-site utility-scale solar project
operational in the world at the end of
2016. This facility has a total capacity
of 648 MW.
• Last year China commissioned an 800
MW solar project, taking the title of
the largest solar farm.
• At Bhadla (Jodhpur) in Rajasthan,
India has a 2.2 GW solar facility under
construction, with almost half of this
already commissioned.
Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Source- New Indian Express
India-Bangladesh 'Friendship Gate'
• Meghalaya Governor inaugurated the
"Friendship Gate" constructed with an
aim to have a Wagah-like beating
retreat ceremony for the Indian and
Bangladesh border guards.
• The Friendship Gate has been
constructed near Integrated Check
post, 90 km South of capital Shillong
on border with Bangladesh.
Look Further
Important International Borders of
India
• Wagah Border, Punjab (India-
Pakistan)
• Moreh, Manipur (India- Myanmar)-
India-Myanmar friendship gate
• Nathu La Pass, Sikkim (India- China)
• Attari, Punjab (India- Pakistan)
• Longewala, Rajasthan (India-
Pakistan)
• Dawki-Tamabil, Meghalaya (India-
Bangladesh)
24
• Jaigaon, West Bengal (India –
Bhutan)
Topic- GS-2- Bilateral agreements involving
India and/or affecting India’s interests
GS-3- Indian Geography
Source- NDTV + Wiki
Defence Acquisition Council approves
acquisitions worth over Rs 15,000 crore
• The Defence Acquisition Council
(DAC) chaired by Defence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman approved capital
acquisition proposals of the defence
services, valued at Rs 15,935 crore.
• These included the procurement of
Light Machine Guns for the three
services, Advanced Torpedo Decoy
Systems for enhancing the anti-
submarine warfare capabilities etc.
Look Further
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
• The DAC is Defence Ministry’s highest
decision-making body for capital
acquisition proposals forwarded by
the Indian armed forces.
• It was set up in 2001 as part of the
post-Kargil reforms in defence sector.
• It is headed by defence minister.
• It approves the long-term integrated
perspective plan for the forces,
accords acceptance of necessity
(AON) to begin acquisition proposals,
and grant’s its approval to all major
deals through all their important
phases.
Topic- GS-3- Defence
Source- Economic Times
West Bengal becomes first state to opt
out of ‘Modicare’
• West Bengal became the first state to
opt out of the National Health
Protection Scheme unveiled in the
Union Budget.
• In this scheme 40% of the fund has to
come from states.
Look Further
Ayushman Bharat for a new India -2022
• The Government announced two
major initiatives in health sector, as
part of Ayushman Bharat programme.
www.gradeup.com

• The initiatives are- (i) Health and Look Further

Wellness Centre (ii) National Health UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)
Protection Scheme • It is a United Nations programme with
Health and Wellness Centre the mandate to protect refugees,
• National Health Policy, 2017 has forcibly displaced communities and
envisioned Health and Wellness stateless people, and assist in their
Centres as the foundation of India’s voluntary repatriation, local
health system. integration or resettlement to a third
• Under this 1.5 lakh centres will bring country.
health care system closer to the • UNHCR stands for the Office of the
homes of people. United Nations High Commissioner for
• These centres will provide Refugees and was created in 1950,
comprehensive health care, including during the aftermath of World War II.
for non-communicable diseases and • Its headquarters are in Geneva,
maternal and child health services. Switzerland.
• These centres will also provide free New York Declaration for refugees (UN
essential drugs and diagnostic comprehensive refugee response
services. framework)
• The Budget has allocated Rs.1200 • In September 2016, the UN General
crore for this flagship programme. Assembly adopted a non-binding
National Health Protection Scheme political declaration, the New York
• The National Health Protection Declaration for Refugees and
Scheme that will cover over 10 crore Migrants, pledging to uphold the
poor and vulnerable families, or rights of refugees, help them resettle
around 50 crore people. and ensure they have access to
• The scheme, set to be the world’s education.
largest government-funded • Recently US also announced to
healthcare programme. withdrawn from a United Nations pact
• The coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a to improve the handling of migrant
family a year will be provided for and refugee situations, deeming it
secondary- and tertiary-care “inconsistent” with its policies.
hospitalisation. Topic- GS-3- Important International
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable institutions, agencies and fora- their
sections of the population by the Centre and structure, mandate.
States Source- New Indian Express
Source- Times of India + PIB Government extends anti-narcotics
Tanzania withdraws from UN refugee scheme for 3 more years
programme • The government has extended the
• Tanzanian has announced a pull out of anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more
the UN's "comprehensive refugee years to combat illicit trafficking in
response framework". drugs and psychotropic substance.
• UN refugee programme provides • The purpose of the scheme is to assist
lasting solutions for refugees, states and Union Territories, which
including integration into host are contributing in controlling the
communities. inter-state and cross-border drug
trafficking.
• Tanzania has decided to withdraw for
reasons of security and lack of funds. • According to the latest assessments,
there are approximately 40 lakh drug
• Tanzania has long been considered a
addicts in the country.
safe haven for refugees, particularly
from Burundi and the Democratic • The most common drugs of abuse are
Republic of Congo. ganja, hashish, opium and heroin.

25
www.gradeup.com
• The scheme was first launched on
October 24, 2004 for a period of five
years and later extended twice in
subsequent years.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- AIR
16.02.2018
Supreme Court reduces Tamil Nadu’s
share in Cauvery water
• The Supreme Court pronounced its
verdict on the decades-old Cauvery
water sharing dispute between the
south Indian states of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Kerala and the Union
territory of Puducherry.
• The top court ruled that 177.25 TMC
of Cauvery water will be released for
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will get an
additional 14.75 TMC.
• The court also said that 20 TMC of
ground water in Tamil Nadu had not
been accounted for and needed to be
seen.
Kaveri River water dispute
• The sharing of waters of the Kaveri
River has been the source of a serious
conflict between the two states of
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Tamil Nadu has been accusing
Karnataka of not releasing its due
share of water.
• Whereas, Karnataka has expressed its
inability to release the stipulated
quantum of water owing to the
drought situation in the state.
• Kerala and Puducherry are the
other two states party to the dispute.
• The dispute was adjudicated by the
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal
(CWDT) in 2007.
• In 2007, the Cauvery Water Disputes
Tribunal (CWDT) had ordered 419
TMC for Tamil Nadu, 270 TMC for
Karnataka, 30 TMC for Kerala & seven
TMC for Puducherry.
• The actual release of water by
Karnataka to Tamil Nadu is to be 192
26
TMC annually. Further, Kerala will get
30 TMC and Puducherry 7 TMC.
• The tribunal’s order was challenged by
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Look Further
CWC (Central Water Commission)-
• Central Water Commission (CWC), an
apex organization in the country in
the field of Water Resources.
• CWC advise the Government of India
in respect of Water Resources
Development, regarding rights and
disputes between different States
which affect any scheme for the
conservation and utilization and any
matter that may be referred to the
Commission.
Inter-state Water Dispute Act, 1956
• Inter State Water Dispute Act, 1956,
provides legal framework to address
such issues, a tribunal can be formed
after a state government approaches
the Union government with such a
request and the Centre is convinced of
the need to form the tribunal.
• There is no time-limit for adjudication
by a tribunal.
Mahadayi River water dispute
• The river rises in the Western Ghats,
in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, and
flows in westerly direction, entering
Goa in the Sattari taluk of North Goa
• The dispute started in the 80s and
escalated through the early 90s, as
Karnataka designed a chain of dams
and canals to channel the Mahadayi’s
water to the basin of the Malaprabha,
tributary of the Krishna.
• In 2002, Goa sought the setting up of
a Tribunal to adjudicate the dispute.
• In 2006, it moved the Supreme Court
to press its demand.
• After attempts at negotiation failed,
the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal
was set up on November 16, 2010.
Ravi-Beas River Water Dispute
• Ravi- Beas Waters Tribunal was
constituted in 1986 for verification of
the quantum of usage of water
claimed by Punjab, Haryana and
Rajasthan regarding their shares in
remaining waters.
www.gradeup.com

Topic- GS-2-Statutory, regulatory and practices on around 75,000 hectares

various quasi-judicial bodies of agricultural land.
Source- Indian Express Topic- GS-3-Agriculture
Tri-service maritime exercise “Paschim Source- Economic Times
Lehar”
Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship
• Tri services maritime exercise Programme
“Paschim Lehar” was held in western
coast of India between Naval forces, • The Ramalingaswami Re-entry
Indian army and Indian Airforce. Fellowship was conceived in the year
2006-07.
• The objective of the exercise is to
build interoperability between all • To encourage scientists (Indian
forces. Nationals) working outside the
Topic-GS-3-Defence country and would like to return to the
home country to pursue their research
Source- Hindustan Times
interests in Modern Biology,
Govt sees huge potential for organic Biotechnology, Life Sciences and
farming in A&N islands other related areas.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands has
• The principal aim of the scheme is to
huge potential to scale up organic
improve the country’s human
farming.
resource capacity in life sciences,
• Currently, organic farming is being modern biology and biotechnology
taken up on a small scale in about 321 research.
hectares of the Union Territory.
• The overall idea is to provide a fertile
• The island has immense potential and
environment to the fellows, who have
is favourably placed for organic
returned to India in terms of
farming due to less use of chemical
resources and funding.
fertilisers and abundant species.
Look Further • The fellows also would be made aware
of the current scientific scenario of the
Adverse effect of Chemical fertiliser
country and the pressing issues that
• The environment and social and need to be immediately addressed so
economic issues are linked to that the enthusiastic scientists can
chemical fertiliser-based farming. work together for the progress of the
• Large part of chemicals is absorbed by country.
the soil, air, and plants.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
• Spraying of chemicals pollutes
faraway plants and they seep into the Source- PIB
ground and pollute water sources. Govt to change base year for GDP, IIP to
• Use of chemicals has led to climate 2017-18
change and created ecological • The government is considering to
imbalance and it is affecting human change the base year to 2017-18 for
beings too. the calculation of gross domestic
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojajna product (GDP), Index of Industrial
• Launched in 2016. Production (IIP) and 2018 for
• Improve organic farming and soil Consumer Price Index.
health. Look Further
• Also known as Traditional Farming Price Indices in India
Improvement Programme. • Various weighted price indices are
Note- calculated in India. These are-
• Sikkim has become India's first fully Note- Currently, in India inflation rate
organic state by implementing organic is measured with the help of
Consumer Price Index- combined.

27
www.gradeup.com
Wholesale Price Index
• It measures the change in the price of
commodities traded in the wholesale
market.
• It is also known as headline inflation.
• Current base year- 2011-12.
• Published by- Economic Advisor,
Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Old Consumer Price Index-
(a) Consumer Price Index for Industrial
Workers (CPI- IW)
• Current base year- 2001
• Published by- Labour Bureau
(b) Consumer Price Index for Urban
Non- Manual Employees (CPI- UNME)
• Published by- CSO (Central Statistics
Office, Ministry of Statistics)
• It has been discontinued.
(c) Consumer Price Index for Agriculture
Labourers (CPI-AL)
• It is a subset of CPI-RL.
• Current base year- 1986-87
• Published by- Labour Bureau
(d) Consumer Price Index for Rural
Labourers (CPI- RL)
• Current base year- 1986-87
• Published by- Labour Bureau
New Consumer Price Index (Introduced
in February 2011)
(a) CPI (Rural)
• Current base year- 2012
• Published by- CSO (Central Statistics
Office, Ministry of Statistics)
(b) CPI (Urban)
• Current base year- 2012
• Published by- CSO
(c) CPI (Combined)
• Current base year- 2012
• Published by- CSO
• Currently, in India inflation rate is
measured with the help of Consumer
Price Index- combined.
Topic- GS-3- Indian Economy
Source- AIR
28
17.02.2018
India's second lunar mission
Chandrayan-2 to be launched in April
• The lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2 will
be launched in April.
• Chandrayaan-2 will be ISRO’s first
inter-planetary mission to land a rover
on any celestial body.
• It will cost nearly Rs 800 crore, will be
made to land near the yet-unexplored
south pole.
• The south-pole of the moon is a “very
tricky area” with rocks formed a
million years ago.
• This could possibly help us understand
the origin of universe.
Look Further
Chandrayaan-1
• Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar
probe.
• It was launched by the Indian Space
Research Organisation in October
2008, and operated until August
2009.
• India launched the spacecraft using a
PSLV-XL C11 from Satish Dhawan
Space Centre.
• It is under Chandrayaan-1 mission
that the ISRO spotted water on the
moon.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
Source- Indian Express + AIR
Orangutan population under threat at
Borneo Island
• A research found that 50 percent drop
out in the orangutan population on the
island of Borneo from 1999 to 2015.
• The reasons behind the decreasing
population of Orangutan includes-
(a) Hunting by people
(b) Habitation destruction by oil palm,
paper, logging and mining industries
Look Further
Orangutan
• The orangutans are three extant
species of great apes native to
Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Three Extant species are-
(a) Bornean orangutan
(b) Sumatran orangutan
www.gradeup.com
(c) Tapanuli orangutan
• Orangutans currently inhabit lowland
forests on Borneo, an island shared by
Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and
Indonesia's island of Sumatra.
Borneo Islands
• It is the third-largest island in the
world and the largest in Asia.
• It is located north of Java, west of
Sulawesi (Island in Indonesia), and
east of Sumatra.
• The island is politically divided among
three countries: Malaysia and Brunei
in the north, and Indonesia to the
south.
• Approximately 73% of the island is
Indonesian territory.
Topic- GS-3-Bio Diversity
GS-1-World Geography
Source- The Hindu + Wiki
New antibiotic “malacidins” discovered
in dirt
• US scientists have discovered a new
family of antibiotics in soil samples.
• The natural compounds could be used
to combat hard-to-treat infections.
• The compound is called malacidins,
annihilate several bacterial diseases
that have become resistant to most
existing antibiotics, including the
superbug MRSA.
• Drug-resistant diseases are one of the
biggest threats to global health.
Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology
Source- BBC
Indian engineer awarded sci-tech Oscar
Award
• Vikas Sathaye has been honoured
with the Scientific and Engineering
Academy Award at the Oscars
Scientific and Technical Awards 2018
at Beverly Hills in Los Angeles,
California.
• Sathaye and his team received the
award for his contribution towards
conceptualisation, designing,
engineering, and the implementation
of the 'Shotover K1 Camera System'.
Look Further
Shotover K1 Camera System
29
• The Shotover K1 Camera System is a
camera mount that is used in aerial
filming.
• The camera mount gets attached to
the base of a helicopter, which carries
the camera and lens.
• The primary function of the camera
mount is to eliminate any vibration
from reaching the camera, thus
ensuring a steady footage.
Scientific and Engineering Award
• The Scientific and Engineering Award
is given for scientific achievements
that produce a definite influence on
the advancement of the motion
picture industry.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
Important for PCS Exams
Source- Tribune India
Shellfish Reefs
• Recently a study led by the Nature
Conservancy found that between 90
and 99 % of Australia’s shellfish reefs
have vanished since British
colonisation 230 years ago.
• The reefs, formed by millions of
oysters or mussels clustering
together.
• These are used to occur in bays,
estuaries and nearshore coastal
waters in both tropical and temperate
regions across every State in
Australia.
• Working just like coral reefs, they
support the growth of important fish
species whilst also helping to improve
water quality and increase
biodiversity.
• Scientists said their degradation
contributed to the-
(a) The release of stored carbon
(b) Worsening climate change
(c) Increasing coastal risks associated
with more frequent and intense
storms
(d) Sea level rise
(e) Ocean Acidification etc.
Look Further
www.gradeup.com

Coral reefs- 19.02.2018

• The Corals are marine invertebrates in
1. Sex ratio at birth dips in 17 large
the class Anthozoa of phylum
states
Cnidaria.
• The sex ratio at birth (SRB) saw a
• They typically live in compact colonies
decline in 17 out of 21 large states of
of many identical individual polyps.
the country, with Gujarat recording an
• The Coral reefs are built by and made
alarming dip of 53 points.
up of thousands of tiny animals—coral
• It was stated in a the “Healthy States,
“polyps”—that are related to
Progressive India” report released by
anemones and jellyfish.
the NITI Aayog.
Coral bleaching-
• The SRB in Gujarat fell to 854 females
• The Coral bleaching occurs when coral
from 907 females per 1,000 males
polyps expel algae that live in their
born registering a drop of 53 points
tissues.
from 2014-15 (base year) to 2015-16
• Normally, coral polyps live in an
(reference year).
endosymbiotic relationship with the
• Gujarat is followed by Haryana (drop
algae and that relationship is crucial
of 35 points), Rajasthan (32 points),
for the coral and hence for the health
and Uttarakhand (27 points)
of the whole reef.
respectively.
• Bleached corals continue to live. But
• According to the report, improvement
as the algae provide the coral with
in SRB was witnessed in Punjab,
90% of its energy, after expelling the
which registered a rise of 19 points,
algae the coral begins to starve.
followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 points)
• Above-average sea water
and Bihar (9 points).
temperatures caused by global warming
have been identified as a leading cause
• Sex ratio at birth is an important
of coral bleaching worldwide. indicator and reflects the extent to
which there is reduction in number of
Topic- GS-3-Environment
girl children born by sex-selective
Source- The Hindu
abortions.
Danger of Norovirus on participants of
• Measures should be taken by states-
Olympic
(a) Effectively implement the Pre-
• The Winter Olympic Games officially
Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic
began in South Korea, a nasty shadow
Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994
was hanging over the friendly
(b) Promote the value of the girl child
competition in the form of the highly
contagious norovirus. Topic- GS-2- Issues relating to development
and management of Social Sector/Services
• The virus has found a home at the
relating to Health, Education, Human
Olympics and is spreading rapidly.
Resources.
What is norovirus?
Source- The Hindu
• Norovirus is a group of related viruses
2. Rajasthan- Haryana Yamuna
in the Caliciviridae family.
water dispute resolved
• It is a viral infection that is either
• Rajasthan will get its full share of
person-to-person or spread through
1.119 billion cusec metres of water
eating contaminated food.
from the Yamuna.
• It's spread through the ingestion of
• The Upper Yamuna Review Committee
infectious virions, which grow in the
decided that 1,917 cusecs water will
small intestine before being expelled
be released from the Tajewala
in faeces.
Barrage or Tajewala headworks
• The main symptoms of the virus are
(Haryana) to Jhunjhunu, Churu and
vomiting and diarrhoea.
Sikar districts (Rajasthan) for drinking
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology and irrigation.
Source- CNN

30
www.gradeup.com
• After this, the dispute between
Rajasthan and Haryana over the
sharing of Yamuna waters, as per an
agreement signed between the Chief
Ministers of five States in 1994, has
been resolved.
• All five states which are included in
the agreement are Haryana,
Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh.
Related Information
• Rajasthan was allocated 9% share in
the Yamuna waters but the State was
not getting it even when excess water
was available in the river.
Topic- GS-2
Source- The Hindu
3. SCO summit to be held in China's
Qingdao city
• China announced that this year's
summit of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) will be held in the
city of Qingdao in June.
• Qingdao, a port city is a famous
tourist spot. It forms part of
Shandong province which is the
birthplace of many ancient Chinese
thinkers, including Confucius.
Related Information
SCO (Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation)
• The Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian
political, economic, and security
organisation.
• The Shanghai Five grouping was
created 26 April 1996 with the signing
of the Treaty on Deepening Military
Trust in Border Regions of China,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia
and Tajikistan.
• In 2001, the annual summit was held
in Shanghai. There the five-member
nations admitted Uzbekistan in the
Shanghai Five mechanism (thus
transforming it into the Shanghai Six).
• India and Pakistan have joined SCO
as full members on 9 June 2017 in
Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Currently, in SCO, there are 8-
member states and 4 observer states
31
(Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran,
Mongolian).
Topic- GS-3- Important International
institutions
Source- Times of India
4. 562 more Ekalavya schools for
tribals soon: Government
• The government will set up 562 more
Ekalavya Model Residential School
(EMRS) in tribal areasacross the
country.
• The EMRS are planned under a
government scheme for model
residential school for Indian tribals
(Scheduled Tribes) across India.
• Under this mission government
decided that by 2022, every block
with more than 50 per cent Scheduled
Tribes' population and at least 20,000
tribal persons, will have an EMRS.
• The Ekalavya Schools will be on par
with the Navodaya Vidyalayas and
have special facilities for preserving
local art and culture besides providing
training in sports and skill
development.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- Business Standards
5. Centre finalised Rs 6,000-crore
“Atal Bhujal Yojana” to recharge
groundwater
• The government has finalised the
contours of a Rs 6,000-crore scheme
to tackle the country’s depleting
groundwater level.
• The scheme “Atal Bhujal Yojana
(ABY)” piloted by the Union water
resources ministry.
• It will be launched in Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya
Pradesh, covering 78 districts, 193
blocks and more than 8,300-gram
panchayats.
• The scheme was conceived to arrest
the rampant overuse of groundwater
in India.
• The duration of the ABY will be five
years.
www.gradeup.com
• The scheme was announced as
National Groundwater Management
Improvement Scheme (NGMIS) in
budget 2016-17.
• The scheme is renamed as Atal Bhujal
Yojana.
• The central government will
contribute 50 % fund of the scheme.
Related Information
World Bank Report on Ground Water
• About 245 billion cubic metre of
groundwater is abstracted each year
in the country.
• This figure represents about 25% of
the total global groundwater
abstraction.
Topic-GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- Hindustan Times
6. Sundarbans mangroves struggle
to find new ground
• The India State of Forest Report (SFR)
2017 revealed that the mangrove
cover in the country has increased by
181 sq. km.
• But the Indian Sundarbans that
comprise almost 43% of total
mangrove cover have shown only a
marginal rise of 8 sq. km, at 2,114 sq.
km from 2,106 sq. km in the SFR
report.
• Nationally, the SFR 2017 report
estimates the maximum increase of
mangrove cover from three States,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and
Gujarat.
Related Information
Mangroves-
• Mangroves are the trees & bushes
growing below the high-water level of
spring tides, which exhibits
remarkable capacity for salt water
tolerance.
• There are several places where
Mangrove in India is found which are-
(a) Godavari-Krishna
(b) Sundarbans (West Bengal)- is considered
as the largest mangrove forest in the
world
32
(c) Islands in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea,
Bay of Bengal
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(e) Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat
(f) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
(g) Godavari-Krishna mangroves.
(h) Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
(Tamilnadu)- second largest mangrove
forest in the world
Topic- GS-3-Environment
Source- The Hindu
20.02.2018
1. India has the largest number of
babies dying in the world in year
2016- UNICEF Report
• In 2016, India has the largest number
of babies dying in the world, but
having notched up a 66 percent
reduction in under-five deaths
between 1990 to 2015.
• In 2016, there were 1,20,000 fewer
deaths than in 2015.
• The number of annual under-five
deaths in India has gone below one
million for the first time in 2016.
• With the current rate of decline, India
is back on track to meet the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG) target for the under-five
mortality of 25 per 1,000 live births by
2030.
• The current rate is 39.
• UNICEF report also pointed out that
under-five mortality rate for girls was
11 percent higher at 41 per 1,000 as
against 37 per 1,000 for boys. There
is also a gender bias in the admission
of babies.
Related Information
Infant mortality rate
• The number of deaths of children less
than 1 year old per 1,000 live births.
Maternal mortality rate
• The number of maternal deaths per
1,000 women of reproductive age in
the population (generally defined as
15–44 years of age).
www.gradeup.com
Child mortality rate
• The number of deaths of children less
than 5 years old per 1,000 live births.
Neonatal mortality
• It is defined as death within the first
four weeks of life.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) is a set of 17 “Global Goals”
with 169 targets covering various
sectors like health, education and
climate change among others.
• They replaced UN’s Millennium
Development Goals.
• It is Spearheaded by the United
Nations.
Topic- GS-2- Issues relating to development
and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
Source- Indian Express
2. India to host World Environment
Day 2018
• India is the global host of 2018 World
Environment Day which will take place
on June 5, 2018.
• The theme of World Environment Day
for this year will be “Beat Plastic
Pollution”.
• The Theme urges governments,
industry, communities, and
individuals to come together and
explore sustainable alternatives and
urgently reduce the production and
excessive use of single-use plastic
polluting our oceans.
Related Information
• World Environment Day is a UN
Environment-led global event, the
single largest celebration of our
environment each year, which takes
place on June 5.
33
United Nations Environment Programme
• The United Nations Environment
Programme is an agency of United
Nations and coordinates its
environmental activities, assisting
developing countries in implementing
environmentally sound policies and
practices.
• It was founded as a result of the
United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment (Stockholm
Conference) in June 1972.
• It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
• UN Environment has also been active
in funding and implementing
environment related development
projects.
• The World Meteorological Organization
and UN Environment established the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) in 1988.
• UN Environment is also one of several
Implementing Agencies for the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and the
Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal
Protocol.
• It is also a member of the United
Nations Development Group.
Topic- GS-3- Environment
Source- UN Environment
3. Forty-Two Indian languages stare
at extinction
• According to a report of the Census
Directorate, there are 22 scheduled
languages and 100 non-scheduled
languages in the country.
• However, there are 42 languages
which are spoken by fewer than
10,000 people.
• UNESCO has also mentioned in list
about the 42 languages or dialects in
India that are endangered.
• These are considered endangered and
may be heading towards extinction.
• The languages or dialects which are
considered endangered, include-
(a) Eleven from Andaman and Nicobar
Islands (Great Andamanese, Jarawa,
Lamongse, Luro, Muot, Onge, Pu,
Sanenyo, Sentilese, Shompen and
Takahanyilang)
www.gradeup.com
(b) Seven from Manipur (Aimol, Aka,
Koiren, Lamgang, Langrong, Purum
and Tarao)
(c) Four from Himachal Pradesh
(Baghati, Handuri, Pangvali and
Sirmaudi).
(d) Manda, Parji and Pengo (Odisha)
(e) Koraga and Kuruba (Karnataka)
(f) Gadaba and Naiki (Andhra
Pradesh)
(g) Kota and Toda (Tamil Nadu)
(h) Mra and Na (Arunachal Pradesh)
(i) Tai Nora and Tai Rong (Assam)
(j) Bangani (Uttarakhand),
(k)Birhor (Jharkhand)
(l) Nihali (Maharashtra)
(m) Ruga (Meghalaya)
(n) Toto (West Bengal)
Related Information
United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• It is a specialized agency of the United
Nations (UN) based in Paris.
• Its objective is to contribute to peace
and security by promoting
international collaboration through
educational, scientific, and cultural
reforms.
• It has 195-member states and ten
associate members.
Note: The United States announced its
intention to withdraw from UNESCO on 12
October 2017, accusing it of "anti-Israel
bias”. Later, Israel also announced it would
also be leaving UNESCO.
• UNESCO implements its activities
through the five programme areas:
education, natural sciences, social
and human sciences, culture, and
communication and information.
Topic- GS-1- Indian Culture
Source- The Hindu
4. Myanmar Tuidimjang dam on
border worries Manipur village
• The Tuidimjang dam is being
constructed by Myanmar across a
Twigem river close to the boundary
with India has stoked fears of
submergence and water scarcity
34
among the people of Khangtung
village of Manipur.
• International rules warrant border
countries to check activities in No
Man’s Land – a 150-metre strip on
either side of the boundary line.
• Khangtung village is inhabited by the
Thadou tribe.
Topic-GS-2- Issues relating to development
and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
Source- The Hindu
5. India could be the first country to
get Hyperloop between Mumbai-
Pune
• The project will begin with a six-
month in-depth feasibility study,
which will build upon the findings of
the pre-feasibility study signed in
November 2017 between the Pune
Metropolitan Regional Development
Authority and Virgin Hyperloop One.
• The Study will define the route
alignment including environmental
impact, the regulatory framework,
cost and funding model
recommendations, etc.
• The proposed hyperloop route will link
central Pune, Navi Mumbai
International Airport, and Mumbai.
Related Information
Hyperloop
• It's a revolutionary train service that
envisions loading passengers and
cargo into a pod that will accelerate
gradually via electric propulsion
through a low-pressure tube.
• The pod will then quickly lift above the
track using magnetic levitation and
glide at airline speeds for long
distances due to ultra-low
aerodynamic drag.
Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology
Source- Business Today
6. Eighth edition of Theatre
Olympics inaugurated
• The 8th edition of the Theatre
Olympics inaugurated in New Delhi.
www.gradeup.com

• The event has been organised by 3. Strengthen the ability of countries to

National School of Drama under the deal with the impacts of climate
aegis of Ministry of Culture. change.
• The theme of the festival is - "Flag of Percent CO2 emissions by country
Friendship". • China > United States > European
• 51-day long nationwide theatre Union> India
extravaganza will feature Indian and Global Emissions by Gas
international theatre groups, eminent • CO2 > CH4 > N2O > Fluorinated gases
theatre personalities along with their Carbon Tax
performances.
• A carbon tax is a fee for making users
• 30 countries are participating from of fossil fuels pay for climate damage
across the globe. their fuel use imposes by releasing
Topic- Important for PCS Exams carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,
Source- DD News and for motivating switches to clean
energy.
21.02.2018 Carbon Footprint
• Total emission of Greenhouse
1. Singapore to impose carbon tax emissions over a period of time by any
from 2019 individual, group, organization etc.
• Singapore announced to impose a Carbon Offsetting
carbon tax from year 2019 to cut its • Reduction of emission of GHGs to
greenhouse gas emissions and make compensate for the emission of GHGs
companies more competitive as global made elsewhere or, offset emission of
agreements on climate change take GHGs.
effect. Carbon Credit
• The tax would be levied on all facilities • It is basically a carbon market.
producing 25,000 tonnes or more of • The countries are given permission to
greenhouse gas emissions a year. emit certain tonnes of GHGs.
• Singapore ranks 26th out of 142 • They in turn distribute this quota
countries in terms of emissions per within their own units.
capita based on the latest • Those unit who hasn't utilized the
International Energy Agency data. emission quota can trade it with other
Related Information players, privately or in international
• Major economies have been market.
scrambling to cut greenhouse gas Topic- GS-3- Environment
emissions amid warnings from Source- Livemint
scientists about the potentially 2. Union Water Minister launched
devastating impacts of climate Ganga Gram and New Swajal
change. Project in Uttarakhand
• The most notable step has been the • Union Minister of Drinking Water and
197-nation Paris Agreement, inked in Sanitation, Uma Bharti, launched the
2015. Bagori Ganga Gram project, New
Aims of Paris Climate Accord 2016 Swajal Project at Bagori and Gangotri
1. Global temperature rises this century Iconic Place at Dunda village in
well below 2 degrees Celsius above Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
the pre-industrial level. • ODF (Open defection free) village
2. Pursue efforts to limit the Bagori is one of the 24 pilot Ganga
temperature upsurge even further to Villages picked up to be transformed
5 degrees Celsius. into Ganga Grams this year.

35
www.gradeup.com
• Union Minister also inaugurated new
Swajal Project at Bagori with a budget
of more than 32 lakh rupees.
• The Union Minister also launched
Gangotri as Swachh Iconic Places.
Related Information
Swajal Project
• It is a community owned drinking
water programme for sustained
drinking water supply.
Ganga Gram
• Under the “Namami Gange”
Programme, the government plans to
develop the villages located along the
main stem of river Ganga which have
historic, cultural, and religious and/or
tourist importance.
• Works related to Ganga Grams will
encompass comprehensive rural
sanitation, development of water
bodies and river ghats, construction/
modernization of crematoria etc.
Swachh Iconic Places (SIP)
• The Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) is
an initiative under the Swachh Bharat
Mission.
• It is a special clean-up initiative
focused on select iconic heritage,
spiritual and cultural places in the
country.
• The initiative is being coordinated by
the Ministry of Drinking Water and
Sanitation in association with the
Ministry of Urban Development,
Ministry of Culture, Ministry of
Tourism and the concerned State
governments.
Swachh Bharat Mission-
• The Swachh Bharat Mission was
launched on 2 October 2014 at the
birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The mission was divided into two
parts — urban and rural.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban is
managed by the Ministry of Urban
Development, while the Swachh
Bharat Mission Gramin (Rural) is led
by the Ministry of Drinking Water and
Sanitation.
Topic- GS-2- Governance
Source- PIB
36
3. Maharashtra government to
launch cheap sanitary pad scheme
“Asmita Yojana”
• Maharashtra government announced
to roll out its “Asmita Yojana” on the
International Women’s Day (March 8).
• Under the scheme, girls in Zilla
Parishad schools will get a sanitary
napkin packet at Rs 5 while rural
women can avail it at a subsidised
rate of Rs 24 and Rs 29.
• The state government has appointed
“Umed’- the Maharashtra State Rural
Livelihood Mission, as a nodal agency
for effective implementation of the
scheme.
• Under the scheme, beneficiary girls
will be given “Asmita Cards”.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be
entrusted with the task of the supply
and sale of sanitary pads and
counselling the girls and women.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- Indian Express
4. Commercial coal mining opened
for private sector
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs approved the methodology for
auction of coal mines/blocks for sale
of the commodity.
• The Private sector entities can take
part in auction.
• The government described the move
as the most ambitious reform of the
sector since its nationalisation in
1973.
• Coal accounts for around 70% of the
country’s power generation.
• This reform is expected to bring
efficiency into the coal sector by
moving from an era of monopoly to
competition.
• Public sector undertaking Coal India
was so far the lone commercial miner
in the country for over four decades.
The company accounts for 84% of
India’s coal output.
www.gradeup.com
Related Information
• That move followed the Supreme
Court order in September 2014
cancelling 204 coal mines/blocks
allocated to the various Government
and Private Companies since 1993
under the provisions of Coal Mines
(Nationalisation) Act, 1973.
• In a bid to bring transparency and
accountability, the Coal Mines
(Special Provisions) Bill 2015 was
passed by the Parliament which was
notified as an Act in March 2015.
• The Coal Mines (Special Provisions)
Act, 2015 Enabling provisions for
allocation of coal mines by way of
auction and allotment for the sale of
coal.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
Source- The Hindu
5. Supreme Court refuses to extend
deadline to publish final National
Register of Citizens (NRC) in
Assam
• The Supreme Court refused to extend
the deadline for publication of the final
National Register of Citizens (NRC) in
Assam and directed the Centre to
complete the work by May 31.
• Earlier, the first draft NRC for Assam
was published in December end as per
the apex court’s direction to come out
with the first draft NRC by December
31, 2017.
Related Information
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
• The National Register of Citizens
(NRC) contains names of Indian
citizens of Assam.
• The NRC was prepared in 1951, after
the Census of 1951.
• The NRC Updation is currently going
on Assam and shall include the names
of-
(a) Those persons (or their
descendants) who appear in the NRC
1951
or
37
(b) In any of the Electoral Rolls up to
the midnight of 24 March 1971
or
(c) In any one of the other admissible
documents issued up to the midnight
of 24 March 1971, which would prove
their presence in Assam on or before
24 March 1971.
• The NRC (1951) and the Electoral
Rolls up to the midnight of 24 March
1971 together are collectively called
Legacy Data.
Why was it necessary to bring out an
NRC in Assam?
• The NRC is being updated in Assam to
detect Bangladeshi nationals, who
may have illegally entered the State
after the midnight of March 24, 1971,
the cut-off date.
What will happen to those persons who
don’t find their names in the first draft
register?
• The list published is the first draft of
the updated NRC.
• Another list is expected to come soon,
with more names and details.
• However, if a citizen’s name is
missing, he or she can file an
objection and request that the name
be included after submitting the
requisite documents to the NRC.
Topic- GS-2-Indian Polity
Source- Indian Express
22.02.2018
1. India ranks 81st in global
corruption perception index
• India has been ranked 81st in the
global corruption perception index for
2017, released by Transparency
International.
• The index, which ranks 180 countries
and territories by their perceived
levels of public sector corruption.
• In the 2016 India was in the 79th
place among 176 countries.
• The index uses a scale of 0 to 100,
where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is
very clean.
• India’s score is 40 in latest ranking.
www.gradeup.com

• In the latest ranking New Zealand and 3. New features of National

Denmark were placed the highest. Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
• On the other hand, Syria, South Platform
Sudan and Somalia were ranked • The Union Minister of Agriculture
lowest respectively. launched six new features of National
Related Information Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Platform
Transparency International to make it more users friendly. The six
• Transparency International is an new features include:
international non-governmental o e-NAM Mobile App
organization which is based in Berlin, o BHIM payment facility
Germany, and was founded in 1993.
o New and improved Website
• Its non-profit purpose is to take action
with eLearning Module
to combat global corruption and
prevent criminal activities arising o MIS Dashboard
from corruption. o Grievance Redressal
• It publishes the Global Corruption Management System for
Barometer and the Corruption Mandi Secretaries
Perceptions Index. o Integration with Farmer
Topic- GS-2- Important International Database
institutions Related Information
Source- Indian Express NAM (National Agricultural Market)
2.India, Indonesia joint military drill • National Agricultural Market is a
“Garuda Shakti“ begins in Bandung whole-India electronic trading portal
(Indonesia) to facilitate farmers, traders, buyers,
• The Indian and Indonesian armies exporters and processors with a
began the sixth edition of their annual common platform for trading
military exercises in the West Java commodities.
province of the archipelago country. • The e-NAM model aims at
• The exercises will include experience revolutionising agri markets by
sharing in counter-terrorism ensuring better price discovery,
operations, close quarter combat, and bringing in transparency and
other areas of special operations, an competition to enable farmers to get
official statement said. improved remuneration for their
Related Information produce moving towards One Nation,
India and Other
Exercise Name One Market.
Countries
Yudh Abyas United States • Target- 585 online regulated
Vajra Prahar United States wholesale markets in states/union
Nomadic Elephant Mongolia territories(UTs) by march, 2018.
Indra Russia • Agricultural Produce Market
Hand in Hand China Committee (APMC) is a marketing
Ajeya Warrior United Kingdom board established by state
Ekuverin Maldives governments which forces the
Surya Kiran Nepal farmers to sell their produce only to
Shakti France middlemen approved by the
Sampriti Bangladesh government in authorized Mandis
Garud Shakti Indonesia
(markets).
Mitra Shakti Sri Lanka
Al Nagah Oman Topic- GS-3-Agriculture
Maitree Thailand Source- PIB
Prabal Dostyk Kazakhstan 4. Indigenous light transport
Vinbax Vietnam aircraft Saras completes 2nd test-
Topic- GS-3- Defence flight
Source- Business Standards

38
www.gradeup.com
• The indigenous light transport aircraft
(LTA) Saras completed the second of
the proposed 20 test flights.
• The first successful test flight of the
aircraft designed and developed by
the National Aerospace Laboratories
(NAL) was carried out on January 24.
• NAL proposes to get the Saras-Mk 2
certified initially for military and
subsequently for civil version.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
has been identified as the production
agency for the military version of
Saras.
• The production of civil version will be
given to identified private industries.
Topic- GS-3- Achievements of Indians in
science & technology; indigenization of
technology and developing new technology
Source- Times of India
5. Asia-Pacific military exercise
“Cobra Gold 2018”
• Cobra Gold is an Asia-Pacific military
exercise held in Thailand every year.
• It is the largest Asia-Pacific military
exercise held each year and is among
the largest multinational military
exercise in which the United States
participates.
• Cobra Gold was first held in 1982.
• It served as military training exercise
to improve coordination between the
armed forces of the United States and
Thailand in both hostile military and
humanitarian efforts.
• This year, US sent its biggest force to
an Asian military exercise.
Topic- GS-3-International Relations
Source- Asia Times + Wiki
6. Delhi government to Launch
'Mission Buniyaad' To Fix
Learning Crisis in Delhi Schools
• The Delhi government announced the
launch of "Mission Buniyaad" for
improving learning skills of children
studying in state and municipal-run
schools.
• The announcement was made by
Delhi government, days after the
National Achievement Survey (NAS)
showed that the entire country,
39
including Delhi, was facing a learning
crisis in schools.
• The program will run from April to
June for Class 3 to 5 in Municipal
Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools
and for Class 6 to 8 in government's
schools.
• Under the Program children will
undergo a reading level assessment
based on which they will be enrolled
in specialised "Mission Buniyaad"
classes.
• For children who are not able to read,
the government will request to their
parents to cancel their vacation plans
during summer holidays and send
their children to school for remedial
classes.
Related Information
• The NAS survey demonstrates that
close to half of all children in Delhi
schools are not able to read their
grade level textbooks.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- NDTV
7. Jaipur’s Gandhi Nagar became the
country’s first all-woman
managed railway station
• The Gandhi Nagar railway station in
Jaipur became the country’s first
major railway station to be fully-
managed by women.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- Hindustan Times
8. Government constitutes
committee to study Brahmaputra
and flood control measures in
Assam
• The Union govt has constituted a
committee headed by the Vice
Chairman of the NITI Aayog to study
the Brahmaputra and flood control
measures in Assam and neighbouring
states.
Topic- Important for PCS Exams
Source- Indian Express
www.gradeup.com
23.02.2018
1. Venezuela became the first
country to launch its own virtual
currency ‘Petro’
• Venezuela became the first country to
launch its own version of bitcoin which
is named as “Petro”.
• If all the initial coins offered for sale
are grabbed by investors, it could
potentially bring several billion dollars
into a government mired by cash
shortfalls and skyrocketing inflation.
Related Information
Cryptocurrency
• A cryptocurrency is a digital asset
designed to work as a medium of
exchange using cryptography to
secure the transactions and to control
the creation of additional units of the
currency.
• Cryptocurrencies are classified as a
subset of digital currencies and are
also classified as a subset of
alternative currencies and virtual
currencies.
• Bitcoin became the first decentralized
cryptocurrency in 2009.
Some Important Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin (BTC)
• Bitcoin became the first decentralized
cryptocurrency in 2009.
• It uses cryptography to ensure the
security of transactions —
authentication and prevention of
duplicate transactions — and to
control the creation of new units of
currency.
• These transactions are verified by
network nodes and recorded in a
public distributed ledger called a
blockchain.
• Bitcoin was invented by Satoshi
Nakamoto.
• It is the first largest cryptocurrency in
terms of market cap.
• First country to legalise bitcoin is
Japan.
Litecoin (LTC)
• Founded in 2011 by ex-Google
employee Charlie Lee.
40
• Litecoin is often referred to as the
silver to Bitcoin’s gold.
• This is one of the go-to currencies
used today for transactions, thanks to
its faster block time of around 2.5
minutes, compared to Bitcoin’s 10
minutes, enabling much faster
exchanges between users.
Ether (ETH)
• Ether is second-largest
cryptocurrency in terms of market
cap.
• It is the cryptocurrency used in the
Ethereum network, which is
essentially a decentralised computing
platform, upon which ‘smart
contracts’ can be built and executed.
Can we use cryptocurrency as currency?
• Reserve Bank of India has banned
transactions in India using
cryptocurrencies.
Initial Coin Offerings (ICO)
• An ICO, like an equity initial public
offer (IPO), is an issuance of digital
tokens that can be converted into
crypto currencies and are mostly used
to raise funds by start-up firms
dealing in blockchain technology and
virtual currencies like bitcoins and
ethereum.
• Unlike an IPO, which is governed by
SEBI regulations, there is no
regulatory body for ICOs in India.
Topic- GS-3-Economic Development
Source- The Hindu
2. India to host first summit of
International Solar Alliance
• Prime Minister announced that India
will host the first summit of the
International Solar Alliance (IAS) in
March 2018.
Related Information
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
• The ISA is an Indian initiative, jointly
launched by the Prime Minister of
India, Shri Narendra Modi and the
President of France on 30th November
2015 in Paris, on the side-lines of
COP-21, the UN Climate Conference.
www.gradeup.com
• The ISA, headquartered in India, has
its Secretariat located in
Gwalpahari, Gurgaon, Haryana.
• India has offered to meet ISA
Secretariat expenses for initial five
years.
• ISA is an alliance of more than 121
countries, most of them being
sunshine countries, which come either
completely or partly between the
Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn.
• The alliance's primary objective is
work for efficient exploitation of solar
energy to reduce dependence on fossil
fuels.
Programmes by ISA
• Current Programme
(1) Scaling Solar Applications for Agriculture
Use
(2) Affordable Finance at Scale
(3) Scaling Solar Mini-grids
• Future Programme
(1) Scaling Solar Rooftops
(2) Scaling Solar E-mobility and Storage.
(3) Common Risk Mitigating Mechanism
(CRMM) for de-risking and reducing the
financial cost of solar projects in the ISA
member countries
(4) Digital Infopedia which will serve as a
platform to enable policy makers, Ministers
and corporate leaders from ISA countries to
interact, connect, communicate
collaborate with one another.
Topic- GS-2- Important International
institutions, agencies and fora- their
structure, mandate.
Source- Economic Times
3. Parivartan scheme launched in
Haryana
• The Haryana government launched
Parivartan, a scheme designed to
address 10 issues, including
cleanliness and pollution, in 46
developmental blocks of the state.
• The 10 issues include-
(a) Facilitation of financing
(b) Making agriculture profitable and
sustainable
(c) Improving health services
(d) Implementing Swachh Bharat
the (e) Decongesting market areas
(f) Engaging the youth
(g) Checking air pollution
(h) Ensuring availability of identity-
related services
(i) Effective policing
(j) Ensuring road order and conduct
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States
Source- Business Standard
4. Enforcement Directorate (ED)
• The Directorate of Enforcement is a
law enforcement agency and
economic intelligence agency
responsible for enforcing economic
laws and fighting economic crime in
India.
• It is part of the Department of
Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• The origin of this Directorate goes
back to 1 May 1956, when an
‘Enforcement Unit’ was formed, in
Department of Economic Affairs, for
handling Exchange Control Laws
violations under Foreign Exchange
Regulation Act, 1947.
• In the year 1957, this Unit was
renamed as ‘Enforcement
and Directorate’.
• The prime objective of the
Enforcement Directorate is the
enforcement of two key Acts of the
Government of India namely
(a) Foreign Exchange Management
Act 1999 (FEMA)- Replaced Foreign
Exchange Regulation Act, 1947)
(b) Prevention of Money Laundering
Act 2002 (PMLA)
• The Directorate of Enforcement, with
its Headquarters at New Delhi is
headed by the Director of
Enforcement.
Topic-GS-2- Statutory, regulatory and
various quasi-judicial bodies
Source- The Hindu + Wiki
41
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5. Electoral bonds sale to commence
from March 1
Electoral Bond
• These bonds will have a shelf-life of
15 days.
• It can be purchased only from
specified branches of State Bank of
India.
• Electoral bonds can be bought for any
value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs
10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh or Rs 1
crore.
• An Indian citizen or body incorporated
in India will be eligible to purchase the
bond.
• Electoral bonds can be used for
making donation only to the political
parties registered under section 29A
of the Representation of the People
Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which
secured not less than 1% of the votes
polled in the last general election to
the House of the People or a
Legislative Assembly.
• These bonds will not carry the
name of the payee.
Topic- GS-2- Government policies and
interventions for development in various
sectors and issues arising out of their design
and implementation.
GS-3- Indian Economy
Source- Indian Express
6. Government to set up NITI forum
for Northeast
• The Union Government will set up the
NITI Forum for Northeast to identify
constraints and recommend suitable
interventions for speedy and
sustainable growth in the region.
• The forum will also review the
development status in the region.
• The forum will be co-chaired by the
Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr. Rajiv
Kumar and Ministry of Development of
North East Region Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Related information
NITI (National Institution for
Transforming India) Aayog
• It is established in 2015 by the
government to replace Planning
42
commission (was based on top-down
model).
• It is based on the bottom-up model.
• It is the policy-making body for whole
India.
• The Ex-officio chairman of Aayog is
prime minister.
• Current Vice President of Aayog is
Rajiv Kumar.
• Permanent members of the governing
council-
(a) All state Chief Ministers
(b) Chief ministers of Delhi and
Puducherry
(c) Lieutenant Governor of Andaman
and Nicobar
(d) Vice chairman nominated by the
Prime Minister.
Topic- GS-2- Governance
Source- PIB + Wiki
24.02.2018
1. Biofuels: an opportunity for India
Bio fuel
• Bio-fuels are a source of energy
derived from the conversion of
carbon-fixing biomass through
thermal, chemical or biochemical
processes.
• Their popularity arises from the fact
that they are cheaper and less
environmentally polluting than fossil
fuels.
• 1st generation bio fuel- Directly
using the food crops like wheat and
sugar for making ethanol and oil
seeds for bio diesel by conventional
method of fermentation. These fuels
emitted more greenhouse gases.
• 2nd generation bio fuel- Non-food
crops and feedstock instead of food
crops. Example: Wood, grass, seed
crops, organic waste etc.
• 3rd generation bio fuel- Use
specially engineered Algae whose
biomass is used to convert into
biofuels. The greenhouse gas
emission here will be low in
comparison to others.
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• 4th generation bio fuel- are aimed Topic- GS-3-Defence

at not only producing sustainable Source- Times of India
energy but also a way of capturing 3. Compensation for endosulfan
and storing co2. pesticide victims in Kerala
Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, • Kerala Chief Minister requested to
Roads, Airports, Railways etc. bear at least half the cost of
Source- Livemint recompensing endosulfan pesticide
2. First night trial of nuke capable victims in Kerala.
ballistic missile Prithvi-II • Many parts of the world have fallen
successfully conducted prey to this pesticide, that has
• Indian armed forces successfully affected a lot of humans, animals and
conducted first night trial of nuclear- the environment.
capable surface-to-surface short- Related Information
range ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a
• The Supreme Court of India had
defence test facility off Odisha coast.
passed an interim order on May 13,
Related Information 2011, as a major number of victims
Prithvi Missile were reported to be affected in
• Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface Kasargode (Kerala), and banned the
short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) production, distribution and use of
developed by DRDO of India under the endosulfan.
Integrated Guided Missile Endosulfan
Development Program (IGMDP).
• Endosulfan is an off-patent
• Prithvi was the first missile to be organochlorine insecticide and
developed under the IGMDP program. acaricide that is being phased out
• It can carry a nuclear warhead. globally.
Variants of Prithvi Missile • Endosulfan became a highly
• Prithvi I – Army version (150 km controversial agrichemical due to its
range with a payload of 1,000 kg) acute toxicity, potential for
• Prithvi II – Air Force version (350 km bioaccumulation, and role as an
range with a payload of 500 kg) endocrine disruptor.
• Prithvi III – Naval version (350 km • Because of its threats to human
range with a payload of 1,000 kg) health and the environment, a global
Look Further ban on the manufacture and use of
Integrated Guided Missile Development endosulfan was negotiated under the
Programme (IGMDP) Stockholm Convention in April 2011.
• The project started in 1982–83 and • The ban has taken effect in mid-2012,
bestowed under the leadership of with certain uses exempted for five
Abdul Kalam who oversaw its ending additional years.
in 2008 after these strategic missiles • It is still used extensively in India,
were successfully developed. China, and few other countries.
• Thus, four projects, to be pursued Topic-GS-3-Science and Technology
concurrently, were born under the Source- The Hindu
IGMDP: Indian scientists develop next
(a) Short range surface-to-surface generation technology loop to generate
missile (code-named Prithvi) clean energy
(b) Short range low-level surface-to- • Indian scientists have developed a
air missile (code-named Trishul) super critical carbon di-oxide Brayton
(c) Medium range surface-to-air test loop facility that would help
missile (code-named Akash) and generate clean energy from future
(d) Third-generation anti-tank power plants including solar thermal.
missile (code-named Nag).

43
www.gradeup.com
• This next generation technology loop
was developed indigenously by Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore.
• This is India’s first test-bed for next
generation, efficient, compact,
waterless super critical carbon dioxide
Brayton cycle test loop for power
generation.
• The technology is perhaps the first
test loop coupled with solar heat
source in the world.
• The new generation high efficiency
power plants with closed cycle CO2
as the working fluid have the potential
to replace steam based nuclear and
thermal power plants, thus reducing
the carbon foot print
• The efficiency of energy
conversion could also be
significantly increased by as much
as 50 percent or more- if CO2 is
operated in a closed loop Brayton
cycle.
Topic- GS-3-Science and Technology
Source- PIB
Four programmes identified for PM’s
Awards for Excellence in Public
Administration, 2018
• The Civil Services Day is celebrated on
the 21st of April, every year, where
civil servants rededicate themselves
to public service and awards for
excellence in Public Administration are
also conferred.
• Following four priority programmes
have been identified for the awards to
be presented on Civil Services Day
2018-
(a) Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
(b) Promoting Digital Payments
(c) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban &
Rural
(d) Deen Dayal Upadhayay Grameen
Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY)
Related Information
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing
for All)
“Housing for All” In Rural Areas-
• Under the scheme the Government
proposes to provide an
environmentally safe and secure
44
pucca house to every rural household
by 2022.
• It is named as the Pradhan Mantri
Awaas Yojana (Gramin)- PMAY-G.
• Loans of up to 2 lakh rupees taken in
2017 for new housing, or extension of
housing in rural areas will receive an
interest subvention of 3 per cent –
This will be implemented by National
Housing Bank
PMAY - URBAN-
• Interest subvention of 4% on loans
of up to 9 lakh rupees and 3% on
loans of up to 12 lakh rupees.
• Under the new scheme of housing for
all 2022, the central assistance per
house for EWS (Economically weaker
section) has been planned to increase
to 1.5 lakh rupees from 70,000
rupees.
Pradhan Mantri FASAL Bima Yojana
(PMFBY)-
• Launched in 2016 and replaced two
crop insurance schemes National
Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS)
and Modified NAIS.
• Provide insurance coverage and
financial support to the farmers in the
case of failure of any of the notified
crop as a result of natural calamities,
pests & diseases.
• Covers Kharif, Rabi crops, annual
commercial and horticultural crops.
• Premium Paid by farmers are-
Rabi crop- 1.5 Percent
Kharif crop- 2 Percent
Annual commercial and horticultural crops- 5
percent
• This scheme also provides post-
harvest losses apart from yield loss.
• In this scheme, there is no upper cap
on government subsidy.
Deen Dayal Upadhayay Grameen
Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY)
• The Ministry of Rural Development
announced the Deen Dayal
Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya
Yojana on the birth anniversary of
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, on 25th
September 2014.
www.gradeup.com
• DDU-GKY is a part of the National
Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM),
tasked with the dual objectives of
adding diversity to the incomes of
rural poor families and cater to the
career aspirations of rural youth.
• DDU-GKY is uniquely focused on rural
youth between the ages of 15 and 35
years from poor families.
• As a part of the Skill India campaign,
it plays an instrumental role in
supporting the social and economic
programs of the government like the
Make In India, Digital India, Smart
Cities and Start-Up India, Stand-Up
India campaigns.
Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable
sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these
schemes
Source- PIB
26.02.2018
1. Pakistan may be added to
Financial Action Task Force’s
‘grey list’ from June 2018
• Pakistan may be placed back onto an
international terrorism-financing
watch list from June 2018.
• The Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) has placed Pakistan under
monitoring in its International
Cooperation Review Group (ICRG)
until June 2018 for compliance of anti-
money laundering (AML) and
Combating Finance of Terrorism (CFT)
regulations.
• Once placed in the “grey list”,
countries face risk of downgrade by
multilateral lenders like IMF, World
Bank, ADB etc. And further reduction
in their risk-rating by agencies.
Related information
Financial Action Task Force
• The Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) is an intergovernmental
organization founded in 1989 on the
initiative of the G7 to develop policies
to combat money laundering.
45
• In 2001 its mandate expanded to
include terrorism financing.
• It monitors progress in implementing
the FATF Recommendations through
"peer reviews" ("mutual evaluations")
of member countries.
• The Secretariat is located at the OECD
Headquarters in Paris.
• Currently there are 37 members are
part of it. India is also a member of
organization. Pakistan is not a part of
organization.
G7
• The Group of 7 (G7) is a group
consisting of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, the United
Kingdom and the United States.
• The European Union is also
represented within the G7.
• These countries are the seven major
advanced economies as reported by
the International Monetary Fund.
Topic- GS-2-Important International
Institutions
Source- Indian Express + Hindustan Times
2. Indo- Seychelles Army exercise
“Lamitye” started
• The eighth joint military exercise
between the Indian Army and
Seychelles People’s Defence Forces
started and will continue till March 4
at Mahe Island, Seychelles.
• The exercise is named “Lamitye”
which in the local dialect ‘Creole’,
means friendship.
• India and Seychelles have been
conducting this joint exercise since
2001 with the aim of enhancing
military cooperation and
interoperability between the armies of
the two countries.
• The focus of the ongoing exercise is to
conduct counter-insurgency and
counter-terrorist operations in semi-
urban environment under the United
Nations (UN) Charter.
Topic- GS-3-Defence
Source- Times of India
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3. ‘Dhanush’ ballistic missile • IUCN has an observer and

successfully test-fired consultative status at the United
• India successfully test-fired the Nations.
nuclear-capable ‘Dhanush’ ballistic • Its headquarter is located in Gland,
missile with a strike range of 350 kms Switzerland.
from a naval ship off Odisha coast. • Different Categories in Red List are-
• It is a surface-to-surface missile and
(a) EXTINCT — the last individual in the
capable of carrying a payload of 500
species has died.
kg and hitting both land and sea-
based targets. (b) EXTINCT IN THE WILD — it now lives
• It is a naval variant of the only in captivity and not in its natural
indigenously-developed ‘Prithvi’ habitat.
missile. (c) CRITICALLY ENDANGERED — facing an
• It is one of the five missiles developed extremely high risk of extinction in the
by the Defence Research and wild.
Development Organisation (DRDO) (d) ENDANGERED — facing a very high risk
under the Integrated Guided Missile of extinction in the wild.
Development Programme (IGMDP). (e) VULNERABLE — facing a high risk of
Topic- GS-3-Defence extinction in the wild.
Source- DD News (f) NEAR THREATENED — likely to qualify for
4. New plant species from West a threatened category in the near future.
Bengal named after former (g) LEAST CONCERN — it is widespread and
President Abdul Kalam abundant in the wild.
• Scientists from the Botanical Survey (h) DATA DEFICIENT — inadequate
of India have identified a new plant information.
species from Buxa and Jaldapara
(i) NOT EVALUATED — not yet been
national park in West Bengal.
evaluated against the criteria.
• The species is named as Drypetes
kalamii, is a small shrub. CITES
• The newly described plant is unisexual • CITES (the Convention on
in nature, which means they have International Trade in Endangered
separate male and female plants. Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also
• This adds to the rich floral wealth of known as the Washington
India. Convention) is a multilateral treaty
to protect endangered plants and
• By following the IUCN (International
animals.
Union for Conservation of Nature)
rules, the scientists have • It was drafted as a result of a
provisionally assessed the plant to resolution adopted in 1963 at a
be “Critically Endangered”. meeting of members of the
Related Information International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN).
IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature)- • The convention was opened for
• The International Union for signature in 1973 and CITES entered
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an into force on 1 July 1975.
international organization working in • Each protected species or population
the field of nature conservation and is included in one of three lists,
sustainable use of natural resources. called Appendices.
• The organization is best known to the • Currently, 183 countries are the
wider public for compiling and signatory to the CITES.
publishing the IUCN Red List of Topic- GS-3-Environment, Biodiversity
Threatened Species.
Source- The Hindu

46
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5. DRDO Successfully Test Flight
Rustom 2
• DRDO successfully tested it's
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
Rustom 2 at its Aeronautical Test
Range at Chalker in Chitradurga
district of Karnataka.
Related Information
Rustom
• The Rustom is a Medium Altitude Long
Endurance unmanned air vehicle
(UAV) being developed by Defence
Research and Development
Organisation for the all three services.
• Rustom is derived from the NAL's
LCRA (Light Canard Research Aircraft)
developed by a team under the
leadership of late Prof Rustom
Damania in the 1980s.
Rustom 2
• It has the capability to fly for 24 hours
at a stretch at over 200 kilometres per
hour speed
• It can conduct sustained surveillance
and also able to destroy enemy targets.
• It will also have the capability to carry
synthetic aperture radar, electronic
intelligence systems and weapons.
Topic- GS-3- Defence
Source- PIB + AIR
6. 44th Khajuraho dance festival
was held in Madhya Pradesh
• The 44th edition of Khajuraho Dance
Festival 2018 was held at Khajuraho
temple, Madhya Pradesh.
• Khajuraho temple is a UNESCO world
heritage site in Chhatarpur district,
Madhya Pradesh.
• Khajuraho temple is a group of Hindu
and Jain Temples in Madhya Pradesh
build by Chandela Dynasty between
950 and 1050 AD.
Topic- GS-1-Indian Culture
Source- Hindustan Times
27.02.2018
1. India-bound gas pipeline TAPI
construction started in Afghanistan
• Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan
and India ceremonially broke ground
on the Afghan section of an ambitious,
47
multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline
expected to help ease energy deficits
in South Asia.
• Recently, the Construction on the
Afghan side started on February 24,
2018.
Related Information
TAPI
• The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–
Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI), also
known as Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline,
is a natural gas pipeline being
developed by the Asian Development
Bank.
• The pipeline will transport Caspian
Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan
through Afghanistan into Pakistan and
then to India.
• The Construction on the project
started in Turkmenistan on December
13th, 2015.
Topic- GS-2- Bilateral, regional and global
groupings and agreements involving India
and/or affecting India’s interests
Source- Livemint
2. The lowdown on SWIFT and bank
fraud
• The ₹11,500-crore fraud in the Punjab
National Bank where fund transfer
through an inter-bank messaging
system was not reported to the core
banking solution has put the spotlight
on SWIFT (Society for Worldwide
Interbank Financial
Telecommunication).
• In February 2016, in the Bangladesh
Bank heist, $81 million was
fraudulently withdrawn from the
central bank of the country, at the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
through the SWIFT network.
What happened in the PNB case?
• SWIFT established the customer
security programme (CSP) in early
2016 to support customers in the fight
against a growing cyberthreat.
• In the PNB case, one of its biggest
failures was the missing link between
SWIFT and the bank’s backend
software.
www.gradeup.com

• This allowed fraudulent use of a key • The state has approximately 2,500
credit instrument — letters of rhino population in the state.
understanding or a loan request to Related information
another bank through the SWIFT Indian rhinoceros
network — to transfer funds. • The Indian rhinoceros also called the
What lies ahead? greater one-horned rhinoceros, is a
• After the fraud, PNB adopted strict rhinoceros native to the Indian
SWIFT controls. subcontinent.
• It has created a separate unit to • It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN
reauthorize most messages sent over Red List.
SWIFT by branches. • Assam’s Kaziranga National Park have
• To strengthen internal controls, the the highest population of the
RBI has set April 30 as an “outer limit” rhinoceros in India.
for all public-sector banks to integrate Topic- GS-3-Environment
SWIFT with core banking solutions. Source- Hindustan Times
Related Information 4. FICCI launches ASEAN-India
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Research Training Fellowship
Interbank Financial (AIRTF) in partnership with
Telecommunication) Department of Science and
• The SWIFT is a global member-owned Technology
cooperative that is headquartered in • Federation of Indian Chambers of
Brussels, Belgium. Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has
• It was founded in 1973 by a group of entered into a partnership with the
239 banks from 15 countries which Department of Science and
formed a co-operative utility to Technology (DST), GOI to implement
develop a secure electronic and execute the ASEAN India
messaging service and common Research Training Fellowship (AIRTF).
standards to facilitate cross-border • The AIRTF scheme was introduced to
payments. promote scientific cooperation
• Its core role is to provide a secure between India and ASEAN member
transmission channel so that Bank A countries.
knows that its message to Bank B • The scheme aims at capacity building
goes to Bank B and no one else. of 50 young researchers annually
• Bank B, in turn, knows that Bank A, from ASEAN member countries in
and no one other than Bank A, sent, science and technology domain and
read or altered the message in route. provide complete financial support for
• Banks, of course, need to have checks a period of six months.
in place before actually sending Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology
messages. Source- Business Standards
Topic-GS-3- Indian Economy and issues 5. Odisha files for geographical
relating to planning, mobilization of recognition of its Rasagulla
resources, growth, development and variant
employment. • The Odisha government filed for
Source- The Hindu geographical recognition for the
3. Assam government decided to Odishara Rasagulla with the
observe September 22 as Rhino Geographical Indications Registry
Day (GI) office.
• The Assam government will observe • The Odisha government was under
September 22 as Rhino Day to pressure to file for recognition of its
generate public awareness on variant of the sweet, after West
protection of the one-horned Bengal was awarded the GI tag for its
rhinoceros. own variant in November 2017.

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Related Information
GI Tag-
• A geographical indication (GI) is a
name or sign used on certain products
which corresponds to a specific
geographical location or origin (e.g. a
town, region, or country).
• India, as a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), enacted the
Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration and Protection) Act,
1999 has come into force with effect
from 15 September 2003.
• This Act is administered by Controller
General of Patents, Designs and Trade
Marks, who is also Registrar of
Geographical Indications.
• GIs have been defined under Article
22(1) of the WTO Agreement on
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights(TRIPS) Agreement.
• Darjeeling tea became the first GI
tagged product in India.
GI Tag status given in 2017
• The products which have received the
GI tag this year include-
(1) Pochampally Ikat of Telangana
(2) Gobindobhog rice of West Bengal
(3) Durgi stone carvings of Andhra
Pradesh
(4) Etikoppaka toys of Andhra
Pradesh
(5) Chakshesang shawl of Nagaland
(6) Banaganapalle mangoes
Andhra Pradesh
(7) Tulaipanji rice of West Bengal
(8) Banglar Rasogolla of West Bengal
Topic- GS-1- Indian Culture
Source- Indian Express
6. India to host mega naval exercise
‘MILAN’ 2018 at the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands
• India will host the mega naval
exercise ‘MILAN’ 2018 at the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The mega naval exercise will begin
from March 6 in which at least 16
countries will participate in the
exercise.
• The aim of the exercise is to expand
regional cooperation and combat
unlawful activities in critical sea lanes.
• The countries which are participating
in the exercise include Australia,
Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius,
Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman,
Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri
Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Kenya and Cambodia.
Topic- GS-3- Defence
Source- PIB
28.02.2018
UIDAI introduces Bal Aadhar Card for
children for below five year
• Unique Identification Authority of
India (UIDAI) introduces blue color
Bal Aadhar Card for the kids under
five year.
• It will be linked with one of parent’s
Aadhar Card.
• No biometric details will be captured
like like Iris scan or fingerprint scans.
• Once the kid turns 5 years, it is
compulsory to convert of all Bal
Aadhaar cards into proper Aadhaar
card with biometric details.
Source- NavBharat times
India’s H-1B visa conundrum in eight
charts
• The USCIS argues that the H-1B visa
is being exploited by corporations to
of hire high-skilled, low cost labour, and
that the new clauses will only protect
the rights of beneficiaries who are
being paid less than the requisite
wage for their labour in the U.S.
market.
• In a Policy memorandum, the US
Citizenship & immigration Services
(USCIS) outlined the amendments to
the immigration and Nationality Act,
section 101(a)(15)(H)- the law covers
H-1B visas-requiring donor firms to
clearly specify the duration, nature
and site of work.
• According to data collected by the
USCIS, of the 34,01,117 applications
for H-1B visas filed since 2007,
21,83,112 were for Indian
beneficiaries.
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• China ranks a distant second with
2,96,313 applications for the past
decade. Other countries which have a
relatively large number of H-1B visa
petitions are Philippines and South
Korea, with 85,918 and 77,359
applications between 2007 and 2017
respectively.
Related Information
H-1B Visa
• The H-1Bis a visa in the United States
under the Immigration and
Nationality Act, section 101(a)(15)(H)
which allows U.S. employers to
employ foreign workers in specialty
occupations.
• Effective January 17, 2017, USCIS
modified the rules to allow a grace
period of up to 60 days but in practice
as long as a green cardapplication is
pending they are allowed to stay.
Source- The Hindu
CBSE grants one time relaxation in
passing marks for class 10 students
• In a major relief to students of class
10th who will write their board exams
next week, the Central Board of
Secondary Education (CBSE) has
decided to grant a one-time relaxation
in pass marks.
• The board has decided to implement
overall 33 per cent pass mark criteria
for this batch of students only. They
will not require to secure 33 per cent
separately in board exams and
internal assessments.
• Earlier, the board had put in place a
mandatory clause of securing 33 per
cent in the board exams and another
33 per cent in internal assessment.
• The class 10 exams will be mandatory
from this year after a gap of seven
years. The Human Resource
Development Ministry had made the
board examination for class 10
optional from 2010-11 batch.
Source- News onair
India, Nepal to hold joint exercise in
Pithoragarh
• India and Nepal would hold a joint
exercise in Uttarakhand that will
include training on jungle warfare,
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anti-terrorism combat as well as
disaster response activities.
• Nepal’s newly-appointed defence
minister Ishwor Pokharel signed an
agreement to launch Surya Kiran
Nepal-India Military Joint Exercise.
• The 13th edition of the Nepal-India
joint military exercise will be held in
Pithoragarh in a couple of months.
This is a regular military exercise
being organised annually between the
two armies
• Last year, the 12th edition of Surya
Kiran military exercise was held in
Kathmandu. The military exercise will
include training on jungle warfare,
anti-terrorism combat as well as
disaster response activities.
Source- Live mint
India to grow 7.6% in calendar year 2018:
Moody's
• According to the Moody's Investors
Service, Indian economy is starting to
recover from the negative impact of
demonetisation and disruption caused
by GST roll out, but kept GDP growth
estimates unchanged at 7.6 per cent
for 2018.
• In its global growth forecasts for 2018
and 2019, Moody's said the Budget for
fiscal year beginning April 1 (2018-
19) includes some measures to
stabilise rural economy that was
disproportionately hit by scrapping of
high denomination 500 and 1000
rupee notes.
• "There are some signs that the Indian
economy is starting to recover from
the soft growth patch attributed to the
negative impact of the
demonetisation undertaken in 2016
and disruption related to last year's
rollout of the Goods and Service Tax
(GST).
• It kept the growth forecast for India in
the calendar year 2018 unchanged at
7.6 per cent and for 2019 at 7.5 per
cent. "Among the other major
emerging market countries, we have
left our growth expectations for India
and Indonesia unchanged."
www.gradeup.com
• In November last year, Moody's had
raised India's sovereign rating for the
first time in 13 years, saying growth
prospects have improved with
continued progress on economic and
institutional reforms. The US-based
agency had upped India's rating to
Baa2 from Baa3 and changed its
rating outlook to 'stable' from
'positive'.
Related Information
Moody's Investors Service
• Moody's Investors Service provides
international financial research on
bondsissued by commercial and
government entities.
• It’s headquarter is in New York city,
United States.
Source- Economic Times
Maldives rejects India's Milan naval
exercise invite
• The island nation, Maldives, has
declined New Delhi's invitation to
participate in the biennial naval
exercise Over 16 countries have
confirmed their participation in the
naval exercise.
• According to Indian Navy Chief
Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Maldives has
not given any reason for its decision.
• India will host navies from at least 16
nations for an eight-day naval drill.
The aim of the exercise is to expand
regional cooperation and combat
unlawful activities in critical sea lanes.
***
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• The biennial naval exercise, Milan, is
being organised at the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
Source-business-standard
Govt expects foodgrain production to
touch new record in 2017-18
Government has estimated that the
foodgrain production will touch a new record
of 277.49 million tonnes in 2017-18 crop year
as against 275.11 million tonnes last year.
• According to the second estimate for
2017-18, Pulses production is pegged
at a record 23.95 MT this year, up by
0.82 MT, from 23.13 MT last year.
• The wheat production is estimated to
decline by 1.40 MT to 97.11 MT from
the record of 98.51 MT achieved in
2016-17.
• The production of coarse cereals is
estimated at record 45.42 MT this
year as against 43.77 MT in 2016-17
crop year.
• However, oilseeds production is
pegged lower by 1.39 MT at 29.88 MT
in 2017-18 as against 31.28 MT
during 2016-17.
• The Agriculture Ministry said, as a
result of near normal rainfall during
monsoon 2017 and various policy
initiatives taken by the government,
the country has witnessed record
foodgrains production in the current
year.
Source- news onair
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