WBCS Current Affairs 07/10/2017 to 13/10/2017

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1) India ranked 100th position among 119 countries on Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2017 report released by Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). This year slipped by three positions as compared to 97th rank in 2016 GHI. Global Hunger Index (GHI): GHI is multidimensional measure that describes state of hunger situation on regional, national and global level. It is published annually by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) since 2006. It ranks countries on a 0 to 100-point scale calculated by taking into account four indicator parameters. Zero means best score (no hunger) and 100 is worst. The four parameters are (i) Undernourished population (1/3rd weight), (ii) Child wasting (1/6th weight), (iii) Child stunting (1/6th weight) and (iii) Infant mortality rate (1/3rd weight). In this case stunting means deficiency in height in relation to age, reflects chronic undernutrition and wasting means low weight in relation to a child’s height, reflects acute undernutrition. 2017 GHI Highlights: India Related Facts: In 2017 GHI, India scored 31.4 and was placed in high end of “serious” category. India low ranking also influences South Asia’s regional score as three quarters of South Asia’s population reside in India. India’s neighbours ranking are Nepal (72), Myanmar (77), Bangladesh (88), Sri Lanka (84) and China (29)—except Pakistan (106) and Afghanistan (107). Even North Korea (93) and Iraq (78) fared better in hunger parameters and GHI rankings, More than 20% of Indian children under the age of five have lower weight in relation to their height and about 33% are too short in relation to their age. Despite India being world’s second largest food producer it has second highest under-nourished population in the world. Africa hasworst score: The Central African Republic (CAR) has the highest GHI score and has been categorised as “extremely alarming”. It is followed by Chad, Sierra Leone, Madagascar and Zambia.
2) The first-ever meeting of newly-constituted Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister (EAC-PM) was held at NITI Aayog, in New Delhi. It was chaired by Dr. Bibey Debroy, Member NITI Aayog. The meeting took stock of the current economic, fiscal and monetary policy environment and identified key issues that it would focus on. It identified major priorities for accelerating economic growth and employment over tnext six months, with greater last mile connectivity. Ten identified themes: The EAC-PM identified ten themes around which Council Report will be structured in the coming months The ten themes identified are Economic Growth, Employment and job creation, fiscal framework, informal sector and integration, public expenditure, monetary policy, institutions of Economic Governance, Patterns of Consumption & Production, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry and Social Sector. The EAC-PM also developed Theme Groups led by its members, through consultative processes involving sectoral Ministries, States, experts, institutions, private sector and other key stakeholders. It also recognized for effective tracking of key economic parameters, through possible mechanisms for instituting Economy Track Monitor, using lead indicators and triggers for action, based on informed assessment and analysis. EAC-PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted five member EAC-PM in September 2017 as an independent body to provide advice on economic issues to the government, specifically to the Prime Minister. It consists of economists of high repute and eminence. It serves as an independent institutional mechanism, to provide informed advice to the Prime Minister on addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and related aspects.

3) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two World Bank supported schemes Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) to boost Skill India Mission. SANKALP is Rs 4455 crore centrally sponsored scheme including Rs 3300 crore loan support from World Bank whereas STRIVE is Rs 2200 crore central sector scheme with half funding will be World bank loan assistance. STRIVE scheme: STRIVE scheme will incentivize ITIs to improve overall performance including apprenticeship by involving SMEs (Small Scale Enterprises), business association and industry clusters. It will develop robust mechanism for delivering quality skill development training by strengthening institutions- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs), Sector Skill Councils, ITIs and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) etc. It will support universalization of National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) including National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) across skill development schemes. It will provide required push to National Skill Development Mission 2015 and its various sub missions. It is also aligned to flagship Government programs such as Make in India and Swachhta Abhiyan. SANKALP scheme: SANKALP scheme envisages setting up of Trainers and Assessors academies with self-sustainable models. Over 50 such academies are to be set up in priority sectors. It will leverage institutions for trainingtrainers in both long and short term VET thereby bringing about convergence. Additional trainer academies will also be set up. It will focus on greater decentralization in skill planning by institutional strengthening at State level which includes setting up of SSDMs and allow states to come up with State and District level Skill Development Plans (SSDPDSDP). It also aims at enhancement of inclusion of underprivileged and marginalized communities including women, Scheduled Castes (SCs)/Schedule Tribes (STs) and Persons with Disabilities (PWD). It will also develop a skilling ecosystem that will support the country’s rise in Ease of Doing Business index. Comment: SANKALP & STRIVE are outcome focused schemes aimed at institutional reforms and improving quality & market relevance of skill development training programs in long and short term VET. They will address need for national architecture for promoting convergence, ensuring effective governance and regulation of skill training in vocational training space. They also have mechanism for national bodies for accreditation & certification for regulation, accreditation and certification in both long and short term VET.

4) India’s first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under Hybrid Annuity Mode will come up in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). In this regard, a tripartite agreement was signed between National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and state level executing agencies Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam and with concessionaires. Key Facts: The agreement is major step forward in realizing dream of Nirmal Ganga as it is first time ever in India that Hybrid Annuity-based Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is being applied in sewerage sector. Under this agreement maintenance of project will be responsibility of concessionaire. They will be paid based on performance in phased manner. This will ensure continued performance of sewage infrastructure assets created due to better ownership, accountability and optimal performance. Hybrid Annuity Model: The Union Cabinet had approved to Hybrid Annuity-PPP model in January 2016 with 100% central sector funding. Under this model, development, operation and maintenance of STPs will be undertaken ba Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by winning bidder at local level. As per this model, 40% of capital cost quoted will be paid on completion of construction while remaining 60% cost will be paid over life of project as annuities along with operation and maintenance cost (O&M) expenses. In this model, Annuity and O&M payments are linked to performance of STP mainly to ensure continued performance of assets created due to better accountability, ownership and optimal performance.

5) The 44th edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts (IHGF)-Delhi Fair was held at India Expo Centre and Mart on outskirts of Delhi in Greater Noida. It was organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and was inaugurated by Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani. Key Facts: The five-day B2B IHGF Fair was biggest platform in National Capital Region (NCR) for promotion of handicrafts business. It will showcase nearly three thousand exhibitors under 14 product categories. More than 100 countries including US, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan and Korea are participating in the fair. IHGF Delhi Fair: IHGF is amongst Asia’s largest gifts & handicrafts fair, held biannually (Spring & Autumn edition). It is organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). IHGF Autumn Fair has been hallmark for growth of the Indian handicrafts sector for over 23 years. EPCH is India’s premier export promotion organisation with 10000 member exporters. It is engaged in trade promotion of handicrafts exports from India.


6) The Union Cabinet has approved signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). Decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Key Facts: The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) is ambitious program to send Indian technical interns to Japan for onjob training for a period of three to five years. It is expected that MoC will pave way for bilateral cooperation between two countries in the area of skill development. The MoC is expected to be signed during forthcoming visit of Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship on October, 16-18, 2017 at Tokyo.

7) The International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 every year across world to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Observance of the day seeks to increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender and supports more opportunity for girls. This year it was sixth edition of this day after it was observed for first time in 2012. The 2017 theme of the day is ‘EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict’. It aims to end humanitarian emergencies especially gender-based violence in which girls are more likely to be subjected to sexual and physical violence, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking. Background: The International Day of Girl Child (IDGC) was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting Resolution moved by Canada in December 2011. The observation of day supports more opportunity for girls. It also increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender. This inequality includes areas such as right to education, nutrition, medical care, legal rights and protection from discrimination, violence and unfree child marriage. It also calls for empowerment and improved rights of the world’s 1.1 billion girls.

8) The Union Cabinet approved signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on establishing a liquid, flexible and global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Market. The MoC provides framework to cooperate in facilitating flexibility in LNG contracts, explore possibilities of cooperation in establishing reliable LNG spot price indices reflecting true LNG demand and supply and abolition of Destination Restriction Clause. The MoC aims to promote bilateral relationship between India and Japan in the energy sector. It also seeks to contribute to the diversification of gas supplies for India to strengthen energy security and provide more competitive prices for consumers. Background: India and Japan are major consumers of energy in world. In LNG sector, Japan is world’s largest importer and India is 4th largest importer. Under the Japan-India Energy Partnership Initiative signed in January 2016, both countries had agreed to work together in promoting well-functioning energy markets and affirmed to promote a transparent and diversified LNG market through relaxation of Destination Restriction Clause.

9) Union Cabinet approved status change of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) from Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO). The move will bring IALA at par with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). Moreover, it will facilitate safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels. Background: In its 12th session held in La Coruna, Spain in May 2014, IALA General Assembly had adopted resolution stating its firm belief that status of IALA from NGO to IGO will best facilitate lALA’s aims in 21st century. International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA): The IALA is an inter-governmental organization for collecting and providing nautical expertise and advice. It was established in 1957 under French law and has headquarters at St. Germainen Laye (France). It is governed by a General Assembly having 83 National members, with its Council as the executive body. The IALA council consists of 24 National Members including India which is represented through Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping. DGLL establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in general waters along coast of India including Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar group of islands, as per Lighthouse Act 1927.

10) Veteran actor Anupam Kher (62) was appointed as new Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. He will succeed Gajendra Chauhan whose tenure ended in March 2017. Earlier he had held post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama in India. He is currently the chairman at Actor Prepares. Anupam Kher: In span of his 35 years acting career, he has appeared in over 500 films and many plays. He is best known for his roles in Saaransh, Daddy, Ram Lakhan, Lamhe, Khel, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara and A Wednesday among others. He has also acted in international films like Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice, Silver Linings Playbook and The Big Sick. He is recipient of the Padma Shri (2004) and Padma Bhushan (2016). Film and Television Institute of India: FTII is premier institute in country that provides training for acting, film making, video editing, direction and production. It is an autonomous body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.It was established in 1960 and is situated in Pune on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company. Since its inception, FTII has become India’s premier film and television institute. Its alumni have become technicians, actors and directors in the film and television industry.

11) The Supreme Court has criminalised sex between man and his underage wife below 18 years provided the woman files a complaint within a year. The landmark order fixes the age of consent at 18 for all girls. The apex court gave its order on a petition filed by NGO Independent Thought which had challenged exception clause (2) in Section 375 IPC (which deals with rape). What is the issue? The clause (2) of Section 375 IPC had created dichotomy over age of consent as it says intercourse or sexual act by a man with his wife, not below 15 years, is not rape. According to NGO Independent Thought’s petition, this exception clause was against objectives of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (which sets 18 years as statutory marriageable age for girls) and also violation of international conventions to which India was a signatory. SC Verdict: The Supreme Court held that age of marriage was 18 in all laws and exception given in rape law under clause (2) of Section 375 of IPC was arbitrary and was violates the rights of a girl child. It is violates Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution. Moreover it was contrary to the philosophy of other statutes and violates the bodily integrity of a girl child. It asked the Centre and states to take proactive steps to prohibit child marriage across country. The apex court also clarified that it has not dealt with the issue of marital rape as it was not raised before it.

12) The Union Government will soon get Cabinet approval for setting up of high-powered think tank under Ministry of Petroleum to look into key issues related to oil and gas sector. Besides, Petroleum Ministry also has send proposal to Union Cabinet for setting up domestic gas trading hub to adopt better mechanism for price discovery of both domestic as well as imported gas. Internal think tank: The think will give advice on technology, setting up a gas network, attracting more FDI in sector, reducing India’s oil imports by 10%, and developing innovative new models of financing projects. The members of think tank will include ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kocchar, New Development Bank (NDB) chief K.V. Kamath, former Chairman of 13th Finance Commission Vijay Kelkar, top officials from oil and gas majors from across world and officials from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Domestic gas trading hub: Currently, price of natural gas in country is determined through a government-mandated formula that links the local price to rates prevailing in gas-surplus nations. However, long-term contracts for gas import are linked to crude oil. Domestic gas trading hub will help to move gradually towards transparent price mechanism determined through gas trading hub. It will help to reaffirming India’s resolve to cut carbon intensity of its GDP and increase gas use in energy mix to 15% from the current 6.5% where India lacks much behind world average of gas use in total energy consumption 24%. Background: India imports almost 60% of its petroleum requirements. Currently, price of natural gas in country is determined through government-mandated formula that links local price to rates prevailing in gas-surplus nations. However, long-term contracts for import of gas are linked to crude oil. India is planning to shift towards gas-based economy, reduce greenhouse emissions and cut oil import. Governing is doubling its network of pipelines to transport natural gas to 30,000 km within next three-four years for shifting to gas-based economy.

13) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its October World Economic Outlook (WEO) has lowered India’s economic growth forecast at 6.7% in 2017 and 7.4% in 2018. It is slower than 0.5 and 0.3 percentage points projected earlier by IMF. In April 2017 forecast, IMF had revised upwards India’s growth performance for 2016 to 7.1% as opposed to 6.8% Key facts: The report has cited impact of demonetisation and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) for expected slowdown during the current and the next year. It also held that India’s slowdown is happening even as the world economy is picking up steam. But it expects revival of growth in future due to structural reform. India will regain fastest growing major economy tag next year when it is forecast to grow 7.4%, slower than earlier estimate of 7.7% but higher than China’s 6.5%. It also expects that the Indian economy to grow 8% in the medium term on the back of reforms undertaken so far. Comment: IMF forecast is latest in series of downgrades in India’s growth prospects unveiled by other multilateral agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and OECD. Earlier, RBI had lowered its growth forecast for 2017-18 to 6.7% from 7.3%. World Economic Outlook (WEO): The WEO is survey conducted and published by IMF. It is published biannually and partly updated two times a year. It portrays the world economy in the near and medium context, with growth projections for up to four years into the future. WEO forecasts include key macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP, inflation, fiscal balance and current account of more than 180 countries around the globe. It also deals with major economic policy issues.

14) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched Michibiki-4 satellite (QZSS-4) onboard of H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Centre. It was fourth satellite in Michibiki series i.e. Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which is a satellite-based high-precision global positioning system similar to US operated GPS. Moreover, it was 36th H-IIA vehicle to be launched so far and fifth launch of an H-IIA rocket in 2017. QZS-4 (Michibiki-4): Michibiki-4 is third QZSS satellite to be launched in 2017 and once operational it will bring the constellation of QZSS to its operating capacity of four until a planned expansion to 8 satellites occurs around 2023. Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS): It is own version of GPS and is dubbed as Michibiki system. Michibiki means guidance in Japanese. It is intended for civilian use, with a claimed positioning accuracy down to mere centimetres. The QZSS constellation of 8 satellites will trace out a figure-8 pattern over Japan, the Western Pacific, and Australia. The Michibiki system can cover the Asia-Oceania region and works with the US-operated GPS to provide higher level of precision than previously possible with fewer satellites in visible range. It will become operation in 2018 with four satellites focusing on country and wider region. It will provide global positioning and timing services across frequencies ranging from 1575.42 MHz to 2 GHz. H-IIA rocket: The H-IIA rocket is Japanese large-scale launch vehicle. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The vehicle stands 53 meters tall and generates 1.7 million pounds-force (7,628 kilonewtons) of thrust at liftoff.

15) Former US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal was appointed as President of US-India Business Council (USIBC). USIBC is a forum of US businesses part of US Chamber of Commerce (USCC), the largest lobbying organisation in the country that wields real political power in Washington. Nisha Biswal: Nisha Biswal is Indian-American who was Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs from 2014 to 2017. She was nominated for post by US President Barack Obama in July 2013. Prior to that, she was Assistant Administrator for Asia at US Agency for International Development (USAID). Currently she is senior advisor for Albright Stonebridge Group, a global business strategy firm. At ASG, she works with the India & South Asia practice. She had immigrated to US from India with her parents. US-India Business Council: US-India Business Council is premier business advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening the economic and commercial relationship between US and India. Its primary mission is to serve as the direct link between business and government leaders. It aims to create inclusive bilateral trade environment between India and US by serving as voice of industry, linking governments to businesses. It also aims at supporting long-term commercial partnerships that will nurture spirit of entrepreneurship, create jobs, and successfully contribute to global economy.

16) The International conference on “Dialogue of Civilizations – IV” was inaugurated by Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi. It has been organised by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with National Geographic Society (NGS). It will be held from October 8 –15, 2017 at Delhi, Gandhinagar and Dholavira. Key Facts: The purpose of conference is to encourage scholarly and public discourse about five ancient, literate civilizations of the world, i.e. South Asia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, China and Mesoamerica. It also aims to encourage study of the past to share our present and future towards the right direction. The present conference is the fourth in this series, with the final dialogue planned in Egypt. The first conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in 2013 followed by Turkey in 2014 and China in 2015.


17) Rajasthan became first state in the country to incorporate skill development programme in higher education. In this regard, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with state’s Department of College Education has prepared 16 courses for entrepreneurship and skill development for colleges in the state. Key Facts: Under the project, 12 certificates and 4 diploma courses will be run and each college will be required to choose five courses. 94 colleges have already joined the project and 5656 students have registered themselves in it. By next session, more than 10 thousand students will be enrolled in the programmes. Under it, practical training of the students pursuing the skill development courses will be done in different government departments.

18) According to Brand Finance’s recently released Nation Brands 2017 report, India was ranked 8th out of 100 countries on a list of most valuable nation brands. This year India slipped by one spot compared to 7th rank in 2016 and ceded its previous spot to Canada. Key Facts: Top 10 Valuable Nation brands are United States (1st), China (2nd), Germany (3rd), Japan (4th), United Kingdom (5th), France (6th), Canada (7th), India (8th), Italy (9th) and South Korea (10th). In terms of valuation, India’s National Brand Value in 2017 is $2.04 trillion, down by 1% from last year’s $2.06 trillion. However, India’s brand rating has improved from ‘AA-‘ to ‘AA’. Despite rating improvement, India has not feature in list of 10 best performing nation brands which is topped by Iceland topped. Asian nation brands are seeing a boom as Western countries stagnate. China is fastest growing nation brand and has seen a record rise of $3.1 trillion. However, China’s nation brand value is half of that of the United States. Valuable Nation Brand List: World’s most valuable nation list released as part Nation Brands report by Brand Finance measures strength and value of nation brands of 100 leading countries. Its method is based on royalty relief mechanism employed to value the world’s largest companies. The valuation is based on 5 year forecasts of sales of all brands in each nation and follows a complex process in which Gross domestic product (GDP) is used as a proxy for total revenues.

19) The first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2017 (DMEx-2017) was held in New Delhi, India from October 10-13, 2017. It was conducted by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency in the National Capital Region (NCR). The mandate of exercise was to provide platform for sharing best practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) member countries. Key Facts: The main focus of BIMSTEC DMEx-2017 was to create synergy and synchronize efforts to institutionalize regional cooperation and inter-governmental coordination efforts on disaster response among Member States. About 135 delegates from all BIMSTEC member States participated in the exercise. The exercise also aimed to test region’s preparedness and resilience towards effective activation of inter-Governmental interaction and agreements for immediate deployment of regional resources for disaster response. BIMSTEC DMEx-2017 objective was to help strengthen effective utilisation of Search & Rescue Teams for Disaster Relief & Emergency Response, including Emergency Rapid Assessment Teams and Management of mass casualties, especially in situations involving breakdown of communication and infrastructure. During the exercise simulated scenarios in areas of flood management and building collapse search and rescue including Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX) and After Action Review (AAR) were undertaken. BIMSTEC: The BIMSTEC is sub-regional grouping comprising of seven countries of South Asia- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and South East Asia- Myanmar, Thailand. It is home to around 1.5 billion people, constituting around 22% of global population with a combined GDP of $2.7 trillion economy. Majority of the BIMSTEC countries are situated in South Asian Region (SAR) prone to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, avalanches and drought.

20) Jagdish Mukhi was sworn in as new Governor of Assam. He was administered oath of office by Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh. Mr. Mukhi succeeded Banwarilal Purohit who has been appointed as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. In his previous assignment, he had served as lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Jagdish Mukhi: Mukhi is former member of BJP and RSS. He had started his political career with Janata Party in September of 1977. His first election success was in a 1980 by-election for the advisory Delhi Metropolitan Council. He had represented Janak Puri constituency in Delhi Assembly continuously from 1980 and has won seven continuous Vidhan Sabha elections from the same constituency until losing the 2014. He has held important ministerial positions including minister of Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation and Higher Education in Delhi government. He also had served as Leader of Opposition for almost 10 years. He was awarded as best planning minister of nation by then Union planning minister Pranab Mukherjee in 1997. Two times he was awarded with best MLA award in Delhi Vidhan Sabha.

21) President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated 5th edition of India Water Week (IWW) with theme “Water and Energy for Inclusive Growth” in New Delhi. About 1500 delegates from India and 13 other countries will attend five day international event. The event will be celebrated with a multi-disciplinary conference and a concurrently running exhibition enriching theme and showcasing technologies and solutions available for areas under deliberation of the meet. The event will have many major components like water, food and energy security – essential requirement for sustainable development, water for inclusive growth, water and society and sustainable energy development – Key for all round economic growth. Background: Government is organising India Water Week since 2012 as an annual international event on order to establish an international event focused on water resources of India. The first event was organised in New Delhi in 2012 with theme ‘Water, Energy and Food Security: Call for Solutions’. So far, four editions of India Water Week have been organised in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. The recommendations and action points emerged during earlier events of India Water Week have been sent to all concerned Ministries of Central Government as well as all state governments for their appropriate implementation.

22) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to implement “Value Engineering Program” to promote use of new technologies, materials and equipment in highways projects executed either under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode or public funding mode. Value Engineering Program: The objective of programme is to use innovative technology, materials and equipment to reduce cost of projects and make them more environment friendly. It also aims to ensure that roads or bridges and other assets get constructed much faster, are structurally stronger and more durable. It is expected to increase speed of construction, reduce construction cost, increase asset durability and improve aesthetics and safety. National Panel of Experts (NPE): The MoRTH also has reconstituted nine-member National Panel of Experts (NPE) for approving proposals for use of new technologies, material and equipment in highway sector. The reconstituted panel will be chaired by SR Tambe, former Secretary, PWD Maharashtra and co-chaired by Prof Ravi Sinha, IIT Mumbai. Terms of Reference of NPE: The NPE will examine all technical matters involving new technologies, materials and equipment referred to it by concerned Engineers or contractors. It will also resolve technical issues which arise as result of difference in view between engineers and contractors regarding implementation of new and innovative technologies, materials and equipment. It will also decide about need for field trials of any new or innovative technology, materials, equipment before its adoption and also finalize associated design approaches, construction methodologies as well as relevant specifications, guidelines, code so that contractor may use proposed new, alternative materials, technologies, equipment in project highway.

23) The Union Finance Ministry has imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of certain steel wire rods from China for five years to guard interest of domestic players from cheap in-bound shipments. The duty will be difference between landed value of steel products and US $535 per tonne while for others, it should be gap between landed value and US $546 per tonne. Steel wire rod products are used in many sectors such as automotive components, railway, engineering and construction. Background: It was imposed based on recommendations of Commerce Ministry’s Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD). In its findings, DGAD concluded that ‘wire rod of alloy or non-alloy steel’ exported from China to India is below normal value due to which domestic industry has suffered material injury. Finance Ministry. Already has slapped anti-dumping duty on certain cold-rolled flat steel products from four nations, including China and South Korea. Anti-dumping: Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide level-playing field to domestic industry. They are not measure to restrict imports or cause unjustified increase in cost of products. Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to determine if domestic industry has been hurt by surge in below-cost imports. As a counter-measure, they impose antidumping duties under multilateral WTO regime. In India, it is recommended by DGAD and imposed by Finance Ministry.

24) American economist Richard H. Thaler has won 2017 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to behavioural economics. He will receive 9-million-kronor ($1.1-million) prize. Thaler is Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is co-author (with Cass R. Sunstein) of global best seller Nudge (2008) in which concepts of behavioral economics are used to tackle many of society’s major problems. Richard H. Thaler’s Contribution: He has done pioneering work to bridge gap between economics and psychological analyses of individual decision-making. He has incorporated psychologically realistic assumptions into analyses of economic decision-making. He has brought to prominence idea of “nudge” economics, where humans are subtly guided toward beneficial behaviors without heavy-handed compulsion. His empirical findings and theoretical insights have been instrumental in creating new and rapidly expanding field of behavioural economics, which has profound impact on many areas of economic research and policy. He has shown how human traits systematically affect individual decisions as well as market outcomes, by exploring consequences of limited rationality, social preferences, and lack of self—control. Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: The economics prize, officially called Sveriges Riksbank (Swedish National Bank) Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was established in 1968. It was not part of the original group of awards set out in dynamite tycoon Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will. 2016 prize was shared by Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström for their contributions to contract theory. Indian economist Amartya Sen had won Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998 for his contributions to welfare economics.

25) The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) to accelerate full immunization coverage to more than 90% by December 2018. Through this programme, Government aims to reach each and every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme. Intensified Mission Indradhanush: IMI programme aims at reducing maternal and child mortality by reaching out to each and every child under two years of age and all pregnant women who have been left uncovered under routine immunisation programme. Its focus is on improving immunization coverage in select districts and cities to ensure full immunization to more than 90% by December 2018. IMI will provide greater focus on urban areas and other pockets of low immunization coverage. ‎IMI drive will be spread over 7 working days starting from 7th of every month. Special strategies have been devised for effective implementation of IMI which includes inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination, action based review mechanism and rigorous monitoring of the programme. It devises convergence mechanism of ground level workers of various departments like ANMs, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, Zila preraks under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), self-help groups for better coordination and effective implementation of the programme. Moreover, it also has appreciation and awards mechanism to recognize districts reaching more than 90% coverage. The criteria under it, include best practices and media management during crisis. Certificate of Appreciation will be given to acknowledge contribution of partners/Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and others. Implementation of ‎IMI will be closely monitored at the district, state and central level at regular intervals. ‎It would be reviewed by Cabinet Secretary at National level and will be monitored at highest level under a special initiative Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI). Mission Indradhanush: Mission Indradhanush was launched in December 2014. It aimed to fully immunize more than 90% of children under age of 2 years, as well as all pregnant women, against seven vaccine preventable diseases. These diseases are diphtheria, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tetanus, tuberculosis, measles and Hepatitis B. In addition vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B are also being provided Rubella, Injectable Polio Vaccine Bivalent and Rotavirus are also provided in selected states.

26) The Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved eight projects worth Rs. 700 crore under Namami Gange Programme. The four projects pertain to sewage management in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, three are related to treatment of drains through bio-remediation and one related to inventorization and surveillance of Ganga River. Approved projects: Pollution abatement works: Projects like interception, diversion and treatment of sewage in Bithoor have been approved. Sewage management: The project has been approved in Ganga River at Bally in West Bengal for construction of 40 MLD STP under Hybrid Annuity based PPP model among other works. Similarly, construction of 65 MLD STP under Hybrid Annuity model has been approved for Bhagalpur in Bihar. In Uttar Pradesh, the project is approved for construction of two STPs (28 MLD + 05 MLD) in Farrukabad and one 2 MLD STP at Bargadiya drain in Fatehpur. Treatment of drains using bio-remediation technology: Three projects were approved at ajapur drain and Digha drain in Patna and Laksar drain in Haridwar. Pollution inventorization, assessment and surveillance Project: It aims to strengthen environmental regulation and water quality monitoring vis-à-vis river Ganga. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): NMCG is implementation wing of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (also referred as National Ganga Council). It was established in 2011 as a registered society under Societies Registration Act, 1860. It has a two tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee. Both of them are headed by Director General (DG), NMCG. Executive Committee is authorized to approve projects under mission up to Rs.1000 crore. Similar to structure at national level, State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. This structure attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation.

27) The Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme has received 260 applications from foreign scientists of whom 70 will be shortlisted. The scheme is meant to attract top international talent to country’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem. The applicants will be screened now and the shortlisted scientists will begin work by December 2017. VAJRA Scheme: The pilot project of the scheme was launched by Department of Science and Technology (DST) in May 2017. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of DST is implementing the scheme. It intends to select 1,000 scientists every year. The DST will look for scientists with experience in fields of renewable energy, water and other technology in which Indian lack expertise. Public funded academic institutions and national laboratories are eligible to host VAJRA faculties. The residency period will be for minimum of month and maximum of three months. These institutions should appoint them as adjunct visiting faculty and involve them in co-guiding and mentoring students and developing collaborative programmes. The faculty can also be allowed to participate in other academic activities. The applications received from interested foreign researchers will be evaluated by Selection Committee of eminent scientists. The Committee will meet twice a year in January and July and make recommendations.

28) The Union Government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18 – Series-III. The applications for bond will be accepted from October 09, 2017 to December 27, 2017. The bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited, designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges namely the NSE and BSE. Sovereign Gold Bonds: These bonds were launched under umbrella sovereign gold bond scheme in November 2015 with an objective to reduce demand for physical gold and shift part of domestic savings, used for purchase of gold, into financial savings. It also aims to ease pressure on the country’s trade balance as India’s imports are dominated by crude oil and gold by converting gold into a productive asset. Features of Sovereign Gold Bonds: Denomination: The bonds are denominated in units of one gram of gold and multiples thereof. Minimum investment in bonds is one gram. These bonds will be available both in demat and paper form. Maximum limit: It will be of 4 kg for individual and HUF (Hindu Undivided Family) and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal notified by government from time to time. Issue price: It will be fixed in Rupees on basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited for the last 3 business days of week preceding the subscription period. To promote digital payment, issue price of the gold bonds will be 50 rupees per gram less for those who subscribe online and pay through digital mode. Interest rate: The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50% per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value. Tenor: It is of 8 years period with exit option from 5th year can exercised on the interest payment dates. Collateral: The bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio will be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by RBI from time to time. These bonds will be also tradable on stock exchanges. Tax treatment: The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per provision of Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax on it has been exempted.

29) The GST Council has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to make the composition scheme more attractive and revisit the goods and services tax rates on restaurants. It will be headed by Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and submit its report in two weeks. Committee’s role: It will examine steps to make it more attractive as only 15.50 lakh businesses out of total 98 lakh have registered under GST regime opting for composition scheme. Businesses with turnover of up to Rs. 1 crore can opt for composition scheme and pay taxes in range of 1-5% and file returns quarterly. It will look into whether turnover of exempted goods can be excluded from total turnover threshold for levying tax under scheme. It will examine whether scheme can be extended to taxpayers dealing in inter-state supplies of goods and whether the manufacturers opting for it can be given the benefit of input tax credit. It is also been tasked to revisit tax structure of different categories of restaurants in order to rationalise or reduce rates. Currently, GST is levied at 12% on non-AC restaurants and 18% on air-conditioned ones. It will examine whether AC restaurants pass on benefit of cost reduction under GST to consumers and if they don’t, whether they be disallowed input tax credit claims. Composition scheme: It is an alternative method of levy of tax designed for small taxpayers whose turnover is up to Rs 75 lakh (Rs 50 lakh in case of 8 north-eastern states and hilly state of Himachal Pradesh). Its objective is to bring simplicity and reduce compliance cost for small taxpayers. It is optional under which manufacturers other than those of pan masala, tobacco and ice cream products have to pay 2% tax on their annual turnover. The tax rate is 5% for restaurant services and 1% for traders. As per Central GST Act, businesses are eligible to opt for composition scheme if person is not engaged in any inter-state outward supplies of goods and not into making any supply of goods through e-commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source. While regular taxpayer has to pay taxes on monthly basis, composition supplier is required to file only one return and pay taxes on a quarterly basis. Composition taxpayer is not required to keep detailed records that normal taxpayer is supposed to maintain.

30) According to study published in journal Environmental Pollution, exposure to air pollution can have damaging effects on children’s cognitive development and reduce their working memory. The study has assessed impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon— a pollutant directly related to traffic during walking commute to and from school. Key Facts: The study findings show that 20% of child’s daily dose of black carbon is inhaled during urban commutes. These short exposures to very high concentrations of pollutants can have a disproportionately high impact on health. The detrimental effects may be particularly marked in children because of their smaller lung capacity and higher respiratory rate. Statistical analysis of findings also showed that exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon (BC) causes reduction in growth of working memory. The interquartile range increase in PM 2.5 and black carbon levels were associated with a decline of working memory by 4.6% and 3.9%, respectively, in expected annual growth.


31) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. PMGDISHA is expected to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate by March 2019, making it one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan: PMGDISHA aims at imparting digital literacy to citizens in rural areas free of cost. It aims to provide access to information, knowledge, education, and healthcare. It will create avenues for livelihood generation and financial inclusion through digital payments and help bridge the digital divide. It is expected to reach around 40% rural households in country by March 2019. Under it, people in rural area will be trained to operate a computer, tablet, smartphones, etc and how to access the Internet, government services, undertake digital payment, compose e-mails, etc. The marginalised sections of society like SCs/STs, Minorities, BPL familiers, differently-abled (divyangs) all will be a part of this scheme.

32) The Union Home Ministry has formed study group to examine various problems faced by people residing near International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir in wake of regular ceasefire violations by Pakistan. It will be headed by Rina Mitra, Special Secretary in Home Ministry. Composition of study group: Its members are principal secretary (Home) in J&K Government, divisional commissioner of Jammu and divisional commissioner of Srinagar. Joint secretary (J&K) in Home Ministry is member-secretary of group. Terms of References: The group will meet people living in border areas of Jammu & Kashmir, district administration officials, security forces deployed there and local public representatives and submit its report within two months. It will prepare a detailed report of issues being faced by public living near IB and LOC and submit recommendations for remedial action to be taken to address these issues. Background: India shares a 3,323 km long border with Pakistan of which 221 km is IB and 740 km is LOC in Jammu & Kashmir. In recent times, there has been sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Till August 2017 there were 285 violations by Pakistani forces while the number was 228 for entire 2016 year.

33) Researchers including one of Indian origin from North Carolina State University in US have found that antibiotic resistance can be passed between bacteria found in the soil. They also have found that spreading manure on ground as fertiliser can also spread antibiotic resistance to bacteria in the soil. Reasons for spread of antibiotic resistance through soil: Bacteria contain small DNA molecules known as plasmids. These plasmids are separate from bacterias actual DNA and can pick up and exchange genes between bacteria. Thus, these plasmids in bacterias are responsible for antibiotic resistance in soil also. What researchers found? The researcher’s observation was based on soil samples taken from swine farm prior to and for three weeks after spreading of manure. They tested manure for antibiotic resistant strains of salmonella, a pathogen responsible for causing highest number of bacterial food borne illnesses in US every year. After sampling soil, researchers found that antibiotic-resistant salmonella bacteria were still present in manure up to 21 days after it had been spread. They discovered that particular plasmid associated with antibiotic-resistant salmonella from manure which weighed around 95 kilo-base (kb), was turning up in different salmonella serotypes from soil samples and every serotype with plasmid 95 kb was now resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance: Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to use of these medicines. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process. Poor infection prevention and control further accelerate it.

34) Scientists from US have developed a smart bandage that can precisely control dose and delivery schedule of medication tailored for a specific type of wound, leading to faster healing. This is the first bandage that is capable of dose-dependent drug release and can be used to heal chronic wounds or battlefield injuries. Moreover, this platform can be applied to many different areas of biomedical engineering and medicine. Smart Bandage: The smart bandage consists of electrically conductive fibres coated in a gel that can be individually loaded with infection-fighting antibiotics, painkillers, tissue-regenerating growth factors or other medications. It has microcontroller having size of postage stamp, which can be triggered by smartphone or other wireless device. When it is triggered, microcontroller sends small amounts of voltage through a chosen fibre which heats fibre and its hydrogel, releasing whatever cargo it contains.


35) United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ‘Cbas Zika test’ for detecting Zika virus in donated blood. It is first of kind test approved by FDA for detecting Zika virus in donated blood. The cobas Zika test is manufactured by Roche Molecular Systems Inc. It is intended for use by blood collection establishments to detect Zika virus in blood donations and not for individual diagnosis of Zika virus infection. Cobas Zika test: It is qualitative nucleic acid test for detection of Zika virus RNA in individual plasma specimens obtained from volunteer donors of whole blood and blood components and from living organ donors. It has shown more than 99% clinical specificity, in earlier evaluation for testing individual samples from blood donations at five external laboratories. Zika virus: Zika virus is vector borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same mosquito that transmits dengue. It can also spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact. The virus is capable of causing serious birth defects i.e. neurological disorders and foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads. Besides a possible link between virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system) is also suspected. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available to treat Zika. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

36) The First Meeting of India-Australia Joint Steering Committee (JSC) was held in New Delhi. The delegations for the meeting was led by TVSN Prasad, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs andStephen Bouwhuis, First Assistant Secretary, International and Auscheck Division, Criminal Justice Group, Attorney-General’s Department. Key Facts: During JSC meeting both countries discussed scope for cooperation in counter-terrorism and checking extremism and radicalization besides steps to check illegal financial transactions and counterfeiting and cybercrimes. They also discussed issues related to human trafficking and people smuggling, combating illegal drug trafficking and sharing information between law enforcement agencies were also discussed. They also agreed to pursue further agenda for cooperation in specific areas with meetings of operational Joint Working Groups (JWGs) involving concerned agencies. Background: The first JSC meeting was follow-up to Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime signed between both countries during visit of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to India in April 2017.

37) The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed two more advance pricing agreements (APAs) in September 2017 with Indian taxpayers in order to reduce litigation by providing certainty in transfer pricing. The two signed APAs pertain to automobile and healthcare consulting sectors. They include provision of IT enabled services (ITES), provision of software development services and provision of engineering design services. With this, total number of APAs entered into by CBDT till date has reached 177. This includes 164 unilateral APAs and 13 bilateral APAs. So far, in current financial year, total of 25 APAs (2 bilateral and 23 unilateral) were signed. Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs): CBDT’s APA scheme aims to provide certainty to taxpayers in domain of transfer pricing by specifying methods of pricing and setting prices of international transactions in advance. It helps in determining arm’s length price of international transactions in advance for maximum period of five future years. The APA provisions were introduced in Income Tax Act in 2012 and `rollback` provision to pull out of it was introduced in 2014. Its objective is to strengthen government`s resolve of fostering non-adversarial tax regime. Under Bilateral APA, certainty in tax treatment is provided for next 5 years while rollback provides dispute redressal for maximum of four past years preceding APA years.

38) Late Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh awarded a prestigious Reach All Women in WAR (RAW in WAR) Anna Politkovskaya Award. She will share this award with Gulalai Ismail, a Pakistani peace activist who has faced death threats for speaking out against Taliban. With this Gauri Lankesh becomes first person from India to receive this prestigious honour. She was a strident critic of religious extremism and was shot dead on September 5, 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Gauri Lankesh: Lankesh had worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P. Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She was an outspoken newspaper editor and often wrote about religious violence, malaise of India’s hierarchical caste system and criticised the rise of hardline Hindu groups. Anna Politkovskaya Award: Anna Politkovskaya Award is given in memory of slain Russian reporter and political activist Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian investigative reporter and activist who uncovered state corruption and rights abuses, especially in Chechnya. It is presented annually by Reach All Women in War (the RAW in WAR organisation) and honours women human rights defenders from around world. This year marks 11th anniversary of killing of Anna Politkovskaya who was shot dead in lobby of her Moscow apartment block at age of 48 on October 7, 2006. RAW in WAR is a London-based, non-governmental organisation (NGO) supporting women human rights defenders and victims of war.

39) 21-member Committee on corporate governance headed by banker Uday Kotak has submitted its report to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The panel was constituted by SEBI in June 2017. It was given four months to submit its recommendations. In its suggestions it has recommended major overhaul of corporate governance norms for listed firms. Recommendations of Committee: Separation of the roles: Roles of chairman and managing director at listed firms should be separated and chairmanship should be limited to only non-executive directors. Listed firms with more than 40% public shareholding should have separate roles of chairperson and MD/CEO with effect from April 1, 2020. After 2020, SEBI may examine extending requirement to all listed entities with effect from 2022. Minimum board strength: It should be increased to 6 members and at least one woman should be appointed as independent director. At least five board meeting for listed firms should be held in year up from current practice of four meetings. Firms’ board should at least once a year discuss succession planning and risk management. Independent Directors: At least half of board members to be independent directors at listed companies, while all directors must attend at least half of board meets. Public shareholders’ nod must be mandatory for non-executive directors over 75 years of age. Shareholder meeting and cash flow statement: Top 100 firms by market capitalisation should webcast shareholder meeting and all listed firms should have cash flow statement every six months. It should be mandatory disclosure of quarterly consolidated earnings by listed firms. Credit ratings: Updated list of all credit ratings obtained by the listed entity must be made available at one place, which would be very helpful for investors and other stakeholders. Minimum remuneration: Independent directors must get minimum remuneration of Rs 5 lakh per annum and sitting fee of Rs 20,000-50,000 for each board meet. It should be mandatory for firms to seek public shareholders’ approval for annual remuneration of executive directors from promoter family if amount is above Rs 5 crore or 2.5% of firm’s net profit. In case of more than one such director, same condition should apply for aggregate annual remuneration exceeding 5% of the net profit. The approval of shareholders must be required every year in which annual remuneration payable to single non-executive director exceeds 50% of total annual remuneration payable to all non-executive directors. Risk management and IT committee: Top-500 listed companies should have risk management committee of boards for cyber security. In addition, listed entities must constitute an information technology committee that will focus on digital and technological aspects.

40) Norwegian Nobel Committee has selected Geneva-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition of non-governmental organisations from over 100 countries around globe for 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured ICAN for its decade-long campaign to get rid the world of atomic bomb and for its work to draw attention to catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and its ground-breaking efforts to achieve treaty-based prohibition of such weapons. International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN): ICAN is a global civil society coalition of 468 partner organizations from 101 countries working to promote adherence to and full implementation of Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is a leading civil society actor which has taken efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. ICAN’s mission is to shift disarmament debate to focus on humanitarian threat posed by nuclear weapons, draw attention to their unique destructive capacity, their catastrophic health and environmental consequences, debilitating impact of detonation on medical infrastructure and relief measures and long-lasting effects of radiation on surrounding area.

41) Scientists for first time have captured images of Snow Leopard using camera trap at Thembang village’s Community Conserved Area (CCA) in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The camera trap study was conducted by World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-India) in collaboration with Arunachal Pradesh Environment and Forest Department to focus on unexplored snow leopard habitats. Key Facts: This is first evidence of elusive snow leopard in Arunachal Pradesh and also outside protected areas. Arunachal Pradesh is one of 22 priority landscapes of Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program. Only small fraction of snow leopard habitats falls in two protected areas (Dibang Biosphere Reserve and Namdapha National Park) in State. WWF-India scientists are seeking to tap intoknowledge of locals including herders and former hunters to understand current distribution of snow leopards and other mammals in state. Community Conserved Area (CCA): In 2004, WWF-India had introduced concept of CCAs in State to empower local communities to become active decision-makers and implement conservation initiatives. Local communities in these CCAs form committees to undertake wildlife monitoring, patrolling and community-based tourism activities. Snow leopard: Snow leopard (Panthera uncial) is a large cat native to mountain ranges of Central and South Asia- including Himalayas, and Russia’s remote Altai mountains. It inhabits in alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500 m. In northern range countries, it is also found at lower elevations. It is threatened by poaching for their fur, habitat destruction by infrastructure developments and climate change. It mostly feed on wild animals, but also prey on livestock. It usually hunts at dawn and dusk and is able to kill prey up to three times their own weight. It is National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In September 2017, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had downgraded conservation status of snow leopard to “vulnerable” from “endangered”

42) Banwarilal Purohit was sworn in as 25th Governor of Tamil Nadu. He was administered oath of office and secrecy by Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee. He was transferred from post of Governor of Assam by President Ram Nath Kovind. He will take charge from C Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra who was hold additional charge after tenure of K. Rosaiah had ended on 31 August 2016. Banwarilal Purohit: Mr. Purohit is public personality involved in social, political, educational and industrial fields of Vidarbha, Maharashtra. He had plunged into active politics in 1977 and was elected for first time as MLA in Maharashtra Assembly in 1978 from Nagpur. He was re-elected in 1980 from Nagpur south and became minister in 1982. In 1984 and 1989, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nagpur-Kamptee seat and was member of Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Defence Ministry. He was re-elected from Lok Sabha seat in 1996 and served as a member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Home Affairs, Standing Committee on Defence and also Public Sector Undertaking Committee. He is also credited with revival of ‘The Hitavada’, an English daily founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi. Under him, the daily bad became leading newspaper of central India and apart from its headquarters edition at Nagpur, daily also launched editions from Jabalpur, Raipur, and Bhopal.

43) The Swedish Academy has selected Japanese-born English novelist Kazuo Ishiguro (62) for the 2017 Nobel Prize in literature. The award was given for his works that are of great emotional force which uncovers the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world. Kazuo Ishiguro: Kazuo Ishiguro was born in 1954 in Nagasaki, Japan and moved to the UK when he was five years old. He had started writing career in 1981 and has written seven novels, five works in short fiction and four screenplays so far. He is best known for his emotionally resonating prose style and his inventive subversion of literary genres. Some of his best-known works include Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day, which he had written in just a month. His latest book, The Buried Giant, was published in 2015. ‎He had received four Man Booker Prize nominations and won it in 1989 for his novel ‘The Remains of the Day’.


44) India and Ethiopia have signed agreements on trade, communication and media to boost bilateral ties. The agreements were signed after wide ranging talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Ethiopian counterpart Mulatu Teshome at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The agreement was signed during President Ram Nath Kovind’s second leg of his maiden visit abroad to Djibouti and Ethiopia Singed Agreements: Trade Agreement, greement in field of Information, Communication and Media.. India-Ethiopia Relations: Bilateral partnership between India and Ethiopia rests on civilizational ties and cultural bonds. Historical linkages between both countries go back about 2,000 years of recorded history. India is amongst top trade, investment and development partner of Ethiopia. India’s is third most important trading partner for Ethiopia. India’s exports to Ethiopia in 2012 amounted to US $ 890 million i.e. 11% of all of Ethiopia’s imports. It mainly comprised primary and semifinished iron and steel products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, metal, plastic chemicals, transport equipments, electrical materials etc. India’s annual imports from Ethiopia have stagnated in range of US $ 30million. These mainly consist of cotton, pulses and spices. Ethiopia continues to be largest recipient of India’s concessional Lines of Credit in Africa, with commitment of over one billion dollar. India is second largest foreign investor in Ethiopia with approved investment of US $ 4.78 billion. About 40% of Indian investment is in field of commercial agriculture. India is actively playing important role of capacity building in Ethiopia in field of ITEC, education, Science and Technology and Defence etc.

45) Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in co-operation with 12 States had undertaken Mass Embryo Transfer programme in indigenous breeds under National Mission on Bovine Productivity Scheme. The programme is implemented with the objective of conservation and development of indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission using Embryo transfer technology (ETT). Embryo transfer technology (ETT): ETT is one of the most important reproductive biotechnologies where male and female genetic material can be utilized for faster improvement of livestock. It has revolutionized breeding strategies in Bovines as tool to optimize genetic improvement in cattle. Using it, embryos of higher genetic merit indigenous bovines such as Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni and Vechur are being transferred in to surrogate cows. Government is taking this technology to doorstep of farmers for rapid propogation of high genetic merit indigenous cattle. Benefits of using ETT: (i) Farmer can get 5-6 fold increase in number of offsprings. (ii) So born calves will be of high genetic merit (iii) Offsprings born will be free from diseases. National Mission on Bovine Productivity: It was launched in November 2016 with aim of enhancing milk production and productivity and thereby making dairying more remunerative to farmers. It is being implemented with following components (i) Pashu Sanjivni: It includes identification of animals in milk using UID, issuing health cards to all animals in milk and uploading data on INAPH data base. (ii) Advance reproductive Technique: Under it, sex sorted semen production facility is being created at 10 A graded semen stations and 50 EET Labs with IVF facilities. (iii) Creation of E Pashu Haat Portal: It is for linking farmers and breeders of indigenous breeds and (iv) Establishment of National Bovine Genomic Centre for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): It is established for enhancing milk production and productivity through genomic selection among indigenous breeds. Rashtriya Gokul Mission: It was launched in December 2014 for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds for enhancing milk production and productivity through induction of high genetic merit bulls for semen production, field performance recording, strengthening of bulls mother farms, setting up of Gokul Grams etc.

46) Government has signed Finance Contract with European Investment Bank (EIB) for lending of €300 million for Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II Line R6. The Phase II of metro project is jointly financed by EIB (€500 million) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (€300 million). The project envisages extension of East-West & North-South lines for Bangalore Metro Rail which includes a total length of 72.095 km (13.79 km underground) and 61 stations with 12 underground stations. Bangalore Metro Phase II: The objective of project is to bring in quantum improvement in transportation sector in city in tandem with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and other modes of urban transport. It aims to ensure modern transport facility for the commuters. The spinoffs of the project will include employment opportunities, reduction of number of vehicles on road, benefits to economy, less fuel consumption, reduction in air pollution, reduction in passenger travel time and also improvement in aesthetic value of city.