TABLE OF CONTENTS ART AND CULTURE  FESTIVALS  DANCE  MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS  PANTINGS  SHIVLINGAS IN INDIA  TEMPLES IN INDIA ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMEMT  ANIMAL KINGDOM  WILDLIFE AND THEIR IUCN STATUS  GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS  IN NEWS  INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS GEOGRAPHY IN NEWS NATIONAL NEWS INTERNATIONAL NEWS ECONOMY NEWS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY  IN NEWS  SPACE  DEFENCE  MILITARY EXERCISE ORGANISATIONS/INSTITUTIONS/AGENCY SCHEMES PERSONALITY AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS/RANKINGS

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ART AND CULTURE A. FESTIVALS Thiru Onam

The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August- September).

It is also the state festival of Kerala. It is reminiscent of Kerala’s agrarian past and is considered to be a harvest festival. Tendong Lho Rum Faat

Celebrated annually in the month of August in Sikkim.

An annual festival of the It is a three day festival and on the first day, the tribe worships ethnic Lepcha tribe of the Mount Tendong which is located in South Sikkim by offering Sikkim of prayers. Chapchar Kut

Celebrated across the north-eastern state of Mizoram and also in the Mizo-inhabited areas in the neighbouring states.

The traditional festival of the Mizos It is a spring festival celebrated every year in month of March.

It is celebrated after completion of their Jhum operation(shifting agriculture by clearing jungle by burning and cultivating in remnants of burning). Losar In Ladakh region Jammu and Kashmir

of

Losar is Tibetan word for ‘new year’ and this festival is an important social and religious celebration in Ladakh. Traditional celebration of festival following the old tradition, people from Ladakh visit graveyards of ancestors and pray for peace for the departed souls.

Hundred Drums Wangala Wangala Festival is an annual post-harvest festival of the Garos Festival tribes of North east India. It is a thanks giving ceremony for Misi Saljong, which is also known as Pattigipa Ra∙rongipa (The Great Giver) for blessing the people with rich harvest of the season. Jallikattu

It is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day as a part of Pongal celebrations i.e. harvest festival.

In Sangam literature it is called ‘Yeru thazhuvuthal’ It is one of the oldest living ancient traditions practiced in the (means to embrace bulls). modern era. Jallikattu has been derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns.

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Sajibu Cheiraoba

Celebrated in Manipur to mark the beginning of a new year with cultural gusto and religious fervour.

B. DANCES S.No.

State

Name of Dances

Andhra Pradesh

Kuchipudi, Kolattam, Dhimsa, Veeranatyam

Arunachal Pradesh

BardoChham

Assam

Bihu, Jumar, Bagurumba

Bihar

Paika, Kajari, Bidesia

Chhattisgarh

Panthi, RautNacha

Gujarat

Raas, tippani, Padhar, Garba

Haryana

Dhamal, Daph, Phag, Ghoomar, Jhumar, Loor

Himachal Pradesh

KinnauriNati, Namgen

Jharkhand

Karma

Jammu Kashmir

& Kud, Dumhal,BhandPather, BachhaNagma, Hafiza dance

Karnataka

Yakshagna, Bayalata, DolluKunitha, Veeragaase dance

Kerala

Mohiniattam,Kathakali,Padayani,Thirayattam,Theyyam,Thullal

Madhya Pradesh

Tertali, Charkula, Jawara, Matki dance, Phulpati dance, Maanch, Gaur

Maharashtra

PavriNach, Lavani, Dangi, Koli

Manipur

Thang Ta, DholCholom

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Mizoram

Cheraw dance

Nagaland

Chang Lo or SuaLua

Odisha

Ghumura, Chau, GotiPua, Nacni, Odissi, Dhap, Dalkhai,

Punjab

Bhangra, Jhumar, Karthi,MalwaiGiddha

Rajasthan

Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Chirami, Gair, TeraTali

Sikkim

Singh Chaam

Tamil Nadu

BharataNatyam, Devarattam, Kamandi, Kummi

Telangana

Perini Thandavam, Lambadi, Dappu

Tripura

Hojagiri

Uttar Pradesh

Charkula, Kathak, Karma, Dadra

Uttarakhand

BaradaNati, Botiya, Cancheri, Chhapelia

Goa

Dekhnni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Dashavatara

Meghalaya

Nongkrem, Shad Suk mynsiem

West Bengal

Gambhira, Kalikapatadi, Nanci, Alkap, Domni

Some Famous Folk Dances Of North East States 1. Tripura 

Hajgiri: Hajgiri is a famous folk dance of Tripura. Hajgiri dance is performed by young girls who display a series of balancing skills and instruments of their kind.

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Garia: Garia dances are held for the wealth and welfare of the people; dances of the Reang community.

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Bizu: Bizu dances are performed by the Chakma community denoting the end of the Bengali calendar year.

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2. Sikkim 

Lu Khangthamo: Lu Khangthamo is a Bhutia folk dance that is celebrated to thank all the Gods and deities of the three worlds (heaven, hell and earth). On occasions like house-warming and New Year celebrations, this dance is performed accompanied by pleasing songs and music.

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Rechungma: Rechungma is a kind of typical Sikkimese dance that is performed to show gratitude towards God for his continued blessings. It is usually arranged on occasions like childbirth, marriage and other social gatherings.

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TamangSelo: TamangSelo is a Nepali form of dance that depicts the 'Tamangs' community of the Nepalese.

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Limboo or Subba Folk Dance: Limboo or Subba is a traditional folk dance of the Sikkimese. In this dance, the dancers hang the 'Chyap-brungs', a musical instrument around their necks. The drum is beaten with a palm on one side and with a stick on the other side. This fancy trick creates two different sounds.

3. Meghalaya 

Nongkrem Dance: Nongkrem dance is part of a religious festival for thanksgiving to God Almighty for good harvest, peace, and prosperity of the community. It is held annually during October – November.

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Wangala Festival: A major festival of the Garos, celebrated during autumn, after the harvesting season. It culminates in the warrior's dance called the Dance of a Hundred Drums on the final day, which is a spectacular sight.

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Dorsegata Dance: Doregata dance festival is another dance in which, while dancing the women try to knock off the turbans of their male partners. If the women succeed, it is followed by peals of laughter.

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Lahoo Dance: The Lahoo dance is performed by both male and female for entertainment. Attired in their best costumes, usually two young men on either side of a woman hold arms together and dance in step.

4. Assam 

Bihu Dance - This is the most popular folk dance of Assam and as the name suggests, it is related to the Bihu festival, which is celebrated with much pomp and glory throughout the state.

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JumurNach - This is a typical folk dance performed by the tea community in the state, locally called ‘ChahBaganarJumurNach’ or the Jumur dance of tea garden. Boys and girls hold each other’s waist and dance to the tunes of the Jumur dance, with exact precision of foot work.



Deodhani - Deodhani is a dance form associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa. This dance is performed by a girl who, in a trance-like inspired state, goes on dancing to the beats of the Ciphung (flute) and the Kham (drum).

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

Barpeta’sBhortalNritya - This form of dance is mainly a propagation of the Sankari culture of Assam and was originally developed by the well-known Satriya artist, NarahariBurhaBhakat.

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Dhuliya and Bhawariya - This is basically a form of theatrical performance, using masks, drums and cymbals.

5. Nagaland 

Chang Lo or SuaLua: This dance of the Chang tribe of Nagaland was performed to celebrate the victory over enemies in the earlier times.

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Nruirolians or cock dance: Which corresponds to the attribute of a cock, Gethinglim or cricket dance in which there is the to and fro movement of hands etc.

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Temangnetin: Men generally perform the dances which include the Temangnetin or the fly dance with the company of music and songs. Music played includes cymbals, beaten in regular intervals as the singers stand along one side or make a circle in order to provide space for the dancers performing at centre.



Traditional Naga dance is performed by men during Hornbill festival, initiated by a message in order to conserve the Hornbill. Hornbill is Nagaland's state bird.

C. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 1. Ghana Vadya- solid instruments e.g. Jhanj Player- Konark Temple 2. Tata Vadya- String instruments: Banam, Kamaicha, Santoor, Sarod, Sarangi, Sitar, Tanpura, Ravanhatta. 3. SushiraVadya- Wind Instruments: Flute, Algoza, Kuzhal, Nadeswaram, Shehnai, Sundari, Pepa, Been 4. AvanaddhaVadya- Percussion Instruments: Dhol, Damru, Tabla, Chenda, Nagada, Sambal, Pakhwaj, Mridangam, Duff, Khanjira, Kartal.

D. INDIAN PAINTINGS Some traditional Indian paintings, like those of Ajanta, Bagh and Sittanvasal, depict a love for nature and its forces. Cave Painting Cave paintings of India date back to the prehistoric times. The finest examples of these paintings comprise of the murals of Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Sittanavasal etc. which reflect an emphasis on naturalism. Ancient cave paintings of India serve as a window to our ancestors, who used to inhabit these caves. Bhimbetka is a famous cave painting- Located in central India, Bhimbetka contains over 600 rock shelters decorated with prehistoric cave paintings. Executed mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow the paintings usually depict the lives and times of the people who lived in the caves. Animals such as bisons, tigers, lions, and crocodiles have also been

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abundantly depicted in some caves. The oldest paintings are considered to be 12,000 years old. Madhubani Painting Madhubani painting originated in a small village, known as Maithili, in the state of Bihar state, India. Initially, the womenfolk of the village drew the paintings on the walls of their home, as an illustration of their thoughts, hopes, and dreams. With time, the paintings started becoming a part of festivities and special events, like marriage. MiniaturePainting Miniatures paintings are beautiful handmade paintings, which are quite colourful but small in size. The highlight of these paintings is the intricate and delicate brushwork, which lends them a unique identity. MughalPainting Mughal painting reflects an exclusive combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles. As the name suggests, these paintings evolved as well as developed during the rule of Mughal Emperors in India, between 16th century and 19th century. Mysore Painting is a form of classical South Indian painting, which evolved in the Mysore city of Karnataka. During that time, Mysore was under the reign of the Wodeyars and it was under their patronage that this school of painting reached its zenith. PahariPainting Pahari painting is the name given to Rajput paintings, made in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir of India. These painting developed as well as flourished during the period of 17th to 19th century. Indian Pahari paintings have been done mostly in miniature forms. RajputPainting Rajput painting originated in the royal states of Rajasthan, somewhere around the late 16th and early 17th century. The Mughals ruled almost all the princely states of Rajasthan at that time and because of this most of the schools of Rajput Painting in India reflect strong Mughal influence. TanjorePainting Tanjorepainting is one of the most popular forms of classical South Indian painting. It is the native art form of Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) city in Tamil Nadu. The dense composition, surface richness and vibrant colours of Indian Thanjavurpaintings distinguish them from the other types of paintings. Shadanga of Indian painting Around the 1st century BC the Shadanga or Six Limbs of Indian Painting, were evolved, a series of canons laying down the main principles of the art. Vatsyayana, who lived during the third century A.D., enumerates these in his Kamasutra having extracted them from still more ancient works. These 'Six Limbs' have been translated as follows: 1. Rupabheda: The knowledge of appearances. 2. Pramanam: Correct perception, measure, and structure. 3. Bhava: Action of feelings on forms. 4. LavanyaYojanam: Infusion of grace, artistic representation.

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5. Sadrisyam: Similitude. 6. Varnikabhanga: Artistic manner of using the brush and colours. (Tagore.) The subsequent development of painting by the Buddhists indicates that these ' Six Limbs ' were put into practice by Indian artists, and are the basic principles on which their art was founded. Genres of Indian Painting Indian paintings can be broadly classified as murals and miniatures. Murals are large works executed on the walls of solid structures, as in the Ajanta Caves and the Kailashnath temple. Miniature paintings are executed on a very small scale for books or albums on perishable material such as paper and cloth. The Palas of Bengal were the pioneers of miniature painting in India. The art of miniature painting reached its glory during the Mughal period. The tradition of miniature paintings was carried forward by the painters of different Rajasthani schools of painting like the Bundi, Kishangarh, Jaipur, Marwar and Mewar. The Ragamala paintings also belong to this school, as does the Company painting produced for British clients under the British Raj. Murals The highest achievements of 2nd century BC to 8th – 10th century AD are the caves of Ajanta, Bagh, Sittanavasal, Armamalai Cave (Tamil Nadu), RavanChhaya rock shelter, Kailasanatha temple in Ellora Caves. Murals from this period depict mainly religious themes of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu religions. There are also the locations where paintings were made to adorn mundane premises, like the ancient theatre room in Jogimara Cave and possible royal hunting lodge circa 7th-century AD – RavanChhaya rock shelter. In eastern India, the principal centres of artistic and intellectual activities of the Buddhist religion were Nalanda, Odantapuri, Vikramshila and Somarpura situated in the Pala kingdom (Bengal & Bihar). Eastern India painting In Eastern India miniature painting developed in the 10th century. These miniatures, depicting Buddhist divinities and scenes from the life of Buddha were painted on leaves (about 2.25 by 3 inches) of the palm-leaf manuscripts as well as their wooden covers. Most common Buddhist illustrated manuscripts include the texts AstasahasrikaPrajnaparamita, Pancharaksa, Karandavyuha and Kalachakra Tantra. The earliest extant miniatures are found in a manuscript of the AstasahasrikaPrajnaparamita dated in the sixth regnal year of Mahipala (c. 993), presently the possession of The Asiatic Society, Kolkata. This style disappeared from India in the late 12th century. Western Indian Miniature Painting Miniature painting developed during the 10th century in western part of India, that is modern state of Rajasthan.These paintings are seen in hastprat [mini books written by hands] of Vaishnav and Jain sects. These paintings were made to make the subject of the book more interesting and to decorate the books. Rajasthan state was integrated into western India of that time. Particular manuscript miniature painting developed in the western part of India that is modern state of Rajasthan. From 17th century “Rajput miniature painting”developed in the western part of India that is modern western state of Rajasthan. “Rajput miniature painting” has its own style and beauty. Subjects- The subjects of these miniature paintings are in relation to the subjects of the manuscripts, i.e.mainly religious and literary. Many paintings are from Sanskrit and folk literature. It is on the subject of love stories. Some paintings are from Vaishnav sect of the Hindu religion and

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some are from the Jain sect. The paintings of Vaishnav sect are regarding various occasions of the life of Lord Krishna and Gopis. Vaishnav paintings of "Gita Govinda" are about Lord Krishna. The paintings of Jain sect are concerning Jain Lords and religious subjects. Equipment- These paintings were created on "Taadpatra" that means the leaf of the palm tree, and paper. During that period earlier manuscripts were created from the leaf of the palm tree, and later on from the paper. Characteristics- In these paintings very few human characters are seen with front face. Most of the human characters are seen with their side profile. Big eyes, pointed nose and slim waist are the features of these paintings. The skin colours of human being are brown and fair. The skin colour of the Lord Krishna is Blue. The colour of the hair and eyes is black. Women characters have long hair. Human characters wear jewellery on hand, nose, neck, hair, waist and ankles. Men and women wear traditional Indian dress, slippers, and shoes. Men have turbans on the head. In these paintings trees, rivers, flowers, birds, the land, the sky, houses, traditional chairs, cushions, curtains, lamps, and human characters have been depicted. Colours- Mostly Natural colours have been used in these paintings. Colours such as black, red, white, brown, blue, and yellow are used to decorate the paintings. Promoters- Kings, Courtiers of the kings, wealthy businessmen, and religious leaders of the time were the promoters of these miniature paintings. Painters - Painters of these pictures were from the local society."Vaachhak"was a famous painter of the time.Painters tried to make the subject of the manuscript live by these pictures so that the readers of the manuscript could enjoy reading. Vernacular Indian Painting Vernacular art is an art alive (contemporary art), based on the past (the myths, the traditions and the religion) and made by defined groups. Vernacular art is based on the collective memory of this group. Examples of vernacular Indian painting: 

Bhil painting

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Warli painting

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Gond painting

Kalighat Paintings

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Kalighat painting derives its name from its place of origin Kalighat, in Kolkata. It developed during the nineteenth century in response to the sudden prosperity brought to Calcutta by the East India Company trade. But Kalighat painting started getting thier due attention and appreciation only in the twentieth century. These are characterized by generously curving figures of both men and women and an earthy satirical style. The most interesting aspect of Kalighat painting is perhaps its strong social themes and consciousness. Kalighat painting was the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent that expressed underlying sentiment and addressed customers directly. Like most other Indian art forms, Kalighat paintings too started with a religious note.

E. SHIVLINGAS IN INDIA

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Somnath Temple in Gujarat Jyotirlinga is situated at SomnathPatan (the south coast of Saurashtra), near Veraval in (PrabhasKshetra) KathaiwadDistrict in Gujarat.

Mallikarjun Temple in Andhra Pradesh Temple is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain(Nalla Mala Hills) on the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash of the South, Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva.

* Accounts of glory and wealth of Somnath by the Arab traveler Al Biruni prompted a visit by Mahmud of Ghazini who ransacked and destroyed the temple in 1025 CE. It was immediately rebuilt by King Bhima of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa. * Somnath temple was destroyed again by Alaf Khan, the general of AllauddinKhilji in 1300 CE. It was rebuilt again by King Mahipala of the Chudasama dynasty. * Somnath shrine was destroyed yet again in 1390, 1490, 1530 and finally in 1701 by Aurangzeb.

Architecture of Mallikarjun Temple The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture. Temple of Tripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of MallikarjunaJyotirlina are considered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam. Bhramaramba Shrine Located adjacent to the Mallikarjun Temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jagdamba who is known as Bhramaramba here.

Mahakaleshwara Temple in Ujjain.

Brass lamps light the way to the underground Mahakaleshwara Temple is located on the sanctum or GarbhaGriha where the banks of theRiver Kshipra, in the dense Jyotirlinga is situated. Mahakal forests in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Temple has also been referred to in the Tamil hymns of the Nayanmar saints of the 1st millennium CE. Vaidyanath Temple at Deogarh:

In this temple complex there are twenty-two other temples. The Baijnath or Vaidyanath temple faces east. Near the temple is the

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Shivaganga Lake.

Bhimashankar Temple in Pune is situated in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills in the village of Bhavagiri, near Pune in Maharashtra. Bhima Shankar Temple lies on the banks of the River Bhima. Bhimashankar is also the source of the River Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur.

Structure of Bhimashankara Temple dates back to mid-18th century and is a composite of old and the new structures and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. The shikara of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis. Shivaji - the great Maratha ruler is said to have facilitated the carrying out of worship services.

Rameshwaram Temple in Tamil Nadu

It is situated in the island of Rameswaram, off the Sethu coast of Tamil Nadu and can be reached via Pamban Bridge across the sea. The huge temple is known for its long ornate corridors, towers and 36 theerthams. RameswaramJyotirlinga also boasts of a 4000 feet long pillared corridor with over 4000 pillars, supposedly the longest in the world.

Nageshwar Temple in Dwarka

The eastern Rajagopuram towers to a height Nageshwar Temple is located on the route of 126 feet and has nine levels. The Western between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Rajagopuram is also quite impressive though not as tall as the Eastern one. Island on thecoast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

The KashiVishwanath Temple is also popularly known as the 'Golden Temple' due Vishwanath Temple is located in the holy city the gold plating done on its 15.5-meter high of Varanasi also known as Kashi and spire. One tonne of gold donated by Benares on the banks of the River Ganga. Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire. The latest structure standing here dates back to the 18th century. It is said that once Lord Shiva came in the dream of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. She, being a devotee of Lord Shiva, got the current temple built in 1777 at a distance from the original one.

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Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nasik Trimbakeshwartemple is located near the mountain named Brahmagiri from which the River Godavari flows. Godavari is also known as Gautami Ganga and is the most sacred river in South India. Kedarnath Temple in Himalayas Kedarnath Temple is located at a height of 12000 feet on a mountain named Kedar. Near Kedarnath is the source of the River Mandakini that joins Alakananda at Rudraprayag.

Reconstruction efforts of the temple were undertaken by the PeshwaBalajiBajiraoin the mid-18th century. The temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard.

The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva opens only 6 months a year (April-November) when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season. The temple was restored AdiSankaracharya in the 8th century.

by

Grishneshwar Temple in Daulatabad

The Grishneswar Temple was constructed by Grishneshwar Temple is located at a village AhilyabhaiHolkar who also re-constructed the called Verul, which lies 20 km from KashiViswanatha Temple at Varanasi and the Daulatabad (near Aurangabad in Vishnu Paada Temple at Gaya. The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by Maharashtra). several other names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara and Grishneswara.

F. FAMOUS PILGRIMAGE PLACES IN INDIA

Badrinath

Temple Situated close to the Alaknanda River, the abode of Lord Badrinath is located in the ChamoliDistrict, a small town of Badrinath (Uttarakhand) It is one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu (DivyaDesams).

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The Konark Sun Temple

The Sun temple is situated in the small town of Konark, which is situated in the Puri district of Odisha. The temple has been built in the shape of a chariot, which has twelve wheels and is depicted as being dragged by seven horses. The temple is believed to be constructed in the 13th century by a king called Narasimhadeva. The mesmerizing beauty of the place was best summed up by the Rabindranath Tagore through these words: ‘Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.’

Brihadeeswara Temple

Also known as PeruvudaiyarKovil and RajaRajeswaram, this 11th century temple Made entirely of granite stone, it was built as was built by the Chola emperor Raja per the principles of VaastuShastras and RajaChola I. Dedicated to Lord Agamas. Shiva, Brihadeeswara temple is the largest temple in India that is situated at Thanjavur UNESCO World Heritage Site. city of Tamil Nadu. Sanchi Stupa It is home to several Buddhist structures built in between 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. The most significant of them all is the Sanchi Stupa, also known as the Great Stupa

Vaishno Devi Mandir

Lord

Jagannath

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this famous pilgrimage site in India was built by the great emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC. There are four intricately designed gateways surrounding the Stupa known as Toranas, each individually symbolizing the four emotions of love, peace, courage and trust. The Great Stupa is 16 metres high and 37 metres in diameter and preserves the relics of Buddha. It is located at an altitude of 5200 feet in a mountain called Trikuta.

Temple Built in the 12th century, Jagannath temple is situated in Puri (Orissa) and is popularly called JagannathPuri. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, with the idol of Lord Krishna (Jagannath) in between, the idols of Lord Balabhadra (brother) and Goddess Subhadra (sister) are placed.

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Meenakshi Temple This architectural wonder is situated in Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and is dedicated to Goddess Parvati (also known as Meenakshi) and her husband Lord Shiva. Madurai is the second biggest city of India and is also one of the oldest continuously populated cities of the world.

Lingaraja

A dip in the Golden Lotus tank, situated in the temple, is considered auspicious and is usually taken before visiting the main shrine of the God and Goddess. As per a legend, the pond was created by Shiva and is even older than the temple. The temple has a hall, which consists of 985 pillars; each pillar is differently and intricately carved. The 12th century colourful temple was among the 30 nominees of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.

Temple Lingaraja temple is one of the oldest and largest temples of the ‘Temple City of India’ – Orissa. Drenched in the architectural style typical of Kalinga, the temple doesn’t only attract religious devotees but also the historians.

The idol of Lingaraj usually represents Lord Shiva, but over here it symbolizes both Shiva and Vishnu. The combined form of both the Gods is referred to as Harihara. A large lake called BinduSagar touches the temple from one side and is said to have healing powers.

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Kanchipuram Temples: ‘The City of Thousand Temples’ – Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) is one of the seven sacred places in India wherein the people can attain Moksha, as per the Hindu religion. Every temple in Kanchipuram is a fascinating piece of architecture.

Among the most revered temples of Kanchi 3 major ones are mentioned below: Kamakshi Amman Temple: Goddess Kamakshi is one of the manifestations of Parvati and unlike the standing poses in which we usually find her idols, the enchanting idol at Kamakshi temple is sitting in Padmasana (a yogic sitting posture). Ekambareswarar Temple: This shrine of Lord Shiva is also the largest among all the temples of Kanchipuram. The main lingam of the Ekambareswarar temple is made of sand and is said to be built by the Goddess Parvati. VaradarajaPerumal Temple: It is one of the 108 temples of Vishnu (DivyaDesams). This temple along with the temples of Kamakshi and Ekambareswarar are collectively called Mumurtivasam (home of trio).

Khajuraho Temple

Khajuraho is a town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, which houses several temples built between 10th to 12th centuries. Spread across an area of 20 sq. km, the monuments of the town are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are built of sandstone and dedicated to the deities of Hindus and Jains.

Virupaksha

Shri

Digambar

Temple Built in the 7th century, the temple is famous for being a functioning temple ever since it came into the existence. Located in the village of Hampi, it is one of the most famous temples among the various other temples of Hampi. All heritage sites of Hampi have been recognized by the UNESCO. Jain

LalMandir Built during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656, Shri Digambar Jain LalMandir is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi. Made in the honour of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parashvanath, the temple is made in red sandstone.

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Gomateshwara Temple

Situated in the Shravanabelagola town of Karnataka, Gomateshwara temple is The most important event occurs in the dedicated to Lord Bahubali also known as temple after every 12 years. It is called Gomateshwara. Built in the 10th century it is Mahamastakabhishek and is a very important one of the most important pilgrimage places festival for Jains. for Jains. The statue standing at an enormous height of 58.8 feet the idol is carved out of a single granite rock. Ranakpur Temple

Ranakpur is a village in the Pali district of Rajasthan and falls between Udaipur and Jodhpur. One of the very famous pilgrimage sites in India, the majestic 15th century Jain temple is dedicated to Lord Adinatha. It is counted among the five major sacred places of Jains.

SreePadmanabhaswamy Temple

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital Kerala is the place where one of DivyaDesams (sacred dwellings Vishnu) is situated in the form Padmanabhaswamy. SreePadmanabhaswamy temple visited only by the Hindus.

city of the 108 of Lord of Lord can

be

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ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT A. ANIMAL KINGDOM Assam state legislature has passed Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015.

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This law was prepared in order to reign in the rising incidents of witch hunting cases across the state.

‘Indirana Salelkari’

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Wildlife researchers have discovered new frog species in Netravali Forest Sanctuary of Goa.

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Named after Netravali Range Forest Officer Prakash Salelkar for his contribution to conservation of wildlife.

Crab Species:

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Researchers have discovered four new crab species namely Paguristes luculentus, Diogenes canaliculatus, Pagurus spinossior and Afropinnotheres ratnakara in Kerala.

Paguristes luculentus: It is a hermit crab species belonging to the family Diogenidae was collected off the coast of Kollam.

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Diogenes canaliculatus: It is a hermit crab species belonging to the family Diogenidae has light brown or tan colour.

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Pagurus spinossior: It is hermit crab belonging to Paguridae family which are right handed crabs. It is tan in colour and was collected from Neendakara, Kollam. Its name spinossior refers to species strong armature on the clawed legs.

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Afropinnotheres ratnakara: It is a new species of pinnotherid crab genus. The genus was reported for the first time from the Indian Ocean.

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Ghatixalus magnus is species of Rhacophorid tree frog of the genus Ghatixalus. It is large in size and biggest known tree frog from the Western Ghats. In their exploration, researchers also have rediscovered Raorchestes flaviventris, an elusive rhacophorid bush frog species in the Kadalar High Ranges of Idukki District in Kerala.

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Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India

Ghatixalus magnus 

Researchers have discovered a new species of tree frog named as Ghatixalus magnus in the Western Ghats in Kadalar High Ranges of Idukki District, Kerala.

Moray eel (Gymnothorax mishrai)

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

(ZSI) have a discovered a new species of eel named Bengal moray eel (Gymnothorax mishrai) along the coast of Digha in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal.

The Eels are mainly snake-like fish with fins and gills and are mostly found at bottom of rivers and seas. 

They were discovered by researchers from National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources.

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Key facts: These species have been named ‘adikeshavus’ which in Sanskrit means ‘first one to have long hairs’.

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The tadpole belongs to the so-called Indian Dancing Frog family, Micrixalidae.

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Falcated Duck is a migratory bird, breeding in Russia and north China in summers and in winter migrates towards north of India.

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Conservation prioritisation: Falcated Duck is classified as near threatened by IUCN.

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It is a small rat-like (rodent) animal species in the family Muridae.

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It is Great Barrier Reef’s only endemic (found nowhere else) mammal species.

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It was mainly found in a small coral cay called Bramble Cay located off the north coast of Queensland in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Frankixalus

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Researchers have discovered a new genus of tree hole-breeding frogs named Frankixalus in the forests of northeast India and bordering parts of China.

Himalayan Forest Thrush

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Scientists have discovered a new bird species named Himalayan Forest Thrush in northeastern India and adjacent parts of

Species of Wasps 

Researchers from India have discovered 5 new long-haired species of wasps from different parts of the country.

Micrixalus herrei 

Researchers have discovered Sand-eating tadpole species named Micrixalus herrei in the Western Ghats.

Falcated Duck 

Birdwatchers for first time have sighted Falcated Duck in Goa which is considered as rare vagrant migrant bird species to the south of India.

Bramble Cay melomys 

Australian Great Barrier Reef rodent (also known as Bramble Cay melomys) has become the first mammal species driven to extinction by human-induced climate change.

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China.

National CAMPA Advisory Council

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National CAMPA Advisory Council has approved the funding for recovery programme of various endangered species. These include Gangetic River Dolphin with budgetary support of Rs. 23 crore, Dugong (VU) with a budget of Rs. 23.58 crore, Great Indian Bustard (CR) with Rs. 108.25 crore, Manipur Brow Antlered deer (EN) with support of Rs. 99.95 crore and Wild Buffalo (EN) with Rs. 2 crore.

Melanophidium khairei

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Researchers have discovered new species of burrowing snake named Melanophidium khairei or Khaire’s Black Shieldtail in Northwestern Ghats.

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An international team of biologists have discovered a new species of hydroid polyps emitting green fluorescence in the Red Sea. These species were found during the investigations of the biodiversity of coral reefs of the archipelago Farasan south of the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia.

Hydroid polyps fluorescence

emitting

green

B. WILDLIFE AND THEIR STATUS IN IUCN LIST

Indian Elephant or the Asian Elephant

National Parks: Bennarghatta National Habitat: Tropical forest habitats from moist, Park, Karnataka, Kaziranga National Park, evergreen lowland forest to dry semi- Assam, Periyar National Park, Kerala deciduous teak forests to cooler mountain Status in the Wild: Endangered forests up to 10,000 feet. They also frequent adjacent grasslands and farm areas.

Asiatic Lion Habitat: Grasslands and plains

National Parks: Found only at the Gir National Forest, Gujarat. Status in the Wild: Endangered.

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Lion Tailed Macaque Habitat: Lion-tailed macaques live in southwest India in pockets of evergreen forests, called sholas, in the Western Ghats range. They live at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 feet. Lion-tailed macaques are unique to India. Today, they only live in mountain forests scattered across three Indian states: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

National Parks: Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, Mundanthuri Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu Status in the Wild: Endangered

Great Indian Rhinoceros

National Parks: Kaziranga National Park, Habitat: Found only in the tall grasslands Assam; Manas National Park, Assam Status in the Wild: Vulnerable and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. Leopard

National Parks: Ranthambore National Habitat: The leopard lives in all types of Park, Rajasthan; Sariska National Park, Rajasthan habitats from open country to thick forest. Status in the Wild: Near Threatened Neelgai Habitat: They live on a variety of land types from hillsides to level ground with scattered grass steppes, trees, and cultivated areas, but not in thick forests.

Royal Bengal Tiger Habitat: Habitats include dense thickets, long grass, or tamarisk shrubs along river banks.

Wild Ass Habitat: Flat grassland covered expanse known as bets (islands where coarse grasses springs up during the monsoon). Pangolin or Scaly Anteater Habitat: Variety of habitats - forests, hills, cultivated land, rocky crevices. Found in much of Eastern and Northern India and in Tamil Nadu and Kerala also.

National Parks: Sultanpur National Park, Haryana Status in the Wild: Secure

National Parks: Kanha National Park, MP; Bandavgarh National Park, MP Status in the Wild: Endangered

National Parks: Little Rann Of Kutch, Gujarat Status in the Wild: Endangered

National Parks: Found in many National Parks Status in the Wild: Endangered

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Chinkara Habitat: Grasslands and dessert

National Parks: Kutch Dessert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, Gir National Forest, Gujarat Status in concern

NilgiriTahr Habitat: Hills of southern India at elevations of about 1,800m (6,000 ft.) Indian Flying Fox

the

Wild: Least

National Parks: Eravikulam National Park, Kerala Status in the Wild: Endangered Status in the Wild: Least concern

Habitat: This species roosts in large colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals on large trees in rural and urban areas, close to agricultural fields, ponds and by the side of roads. It feeds on a wide variety of fruits and flowers, both wild and cultivated.

C. GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS Feni

Feni is a form of spirit produced exclusively in the coastal state of Goa. It is a distilled brew made from coconut or cashew fruits. It was accorded Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2000. It is the first liquor product in the country to obtain this status.

Moa of Jainagar, Sarpuria of Krishnagar, Mihidana and Sitabhog of Burdwan

West Bengal government is planning to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for four traditional sweet delicacies of the state. These four traditional sweet delicacies are Moa of Jainagar, Sarpuria of Krishnagar, and Mihidana and Sitabhog of Burdwan. Geographical Indication (GI) tag: It is given to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Chengalikodan Chengalikodan banana variety from Thrissur district of Kerala has been accorded banana Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Chennai based Central GI registry. Other GI status products from Kerala Vazhakkulam pineapple, Central Travancore jaggery, Pokkali rice, Palakkadan matta rice, Wayanadan scented rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala are other agricultural products from Kerala already having GI status.

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Basmati rice

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has ordered Chennai based Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) to issue ‘Geographical Indication’ tag for basmati rice. This GI tag will be issued to basmati rice variety grown in 7 states in the IndoGangetic Plains (IGP) on the foothills of the Himalayas. These states are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. This tag will help to preserve the unique identity of India’s aromatic basmati rice in the international markets.

D. IN NEWS Bharat Stage (BS) Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided to implement the stricter emission norms of Bharat Stage (BS) VI from 1st April 2020 in a bid to curb vehicular pollution. Government will directly switch over to BS-VI emission norms from the present BS-IV emission norms and completely skip BS-V emission norms altogether.

Bharat Stage emission standards: Bharat stage emission standards also known as “Bharat Stage” are emission standards instituted by the Government of India in accordance with European regulation standard ‘Euro norms’ to regulate the output of air pollutants that vehicles emits. India adopted “Bharat stage” in accordance with ‘Euro norms’ from year 2000 and stage wise introduced Bharat Stage compatible fuel and ungraded and modified vehicles throughout the country. Each stage specifies a certain limit on the pollutants released, Higher the Bharat Stage goes lesser it emits pollutants. The BS-IV complaint vehicles release less pollutants {Carbon Mono-oxide (CO), Hydrocarbon (HC), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Sulphur (SOx)} i.e. 0.025 Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) as compared to its preceding Bharat Stage complaint vehicles. Stages: BS-I Euro 1 2000, BS-II Euro 2 2005 ,BS-III Euro 3 2010 ,BS-IV Euro 4 2015 (63 cities till 1 April 2015) Note: Earlier Saumitra Chaudhri Committee had recommended to introduce even lesser pollutant releasing BS-V (0.005 rspm) and BS-VI (0.0025 rspm) throughout the nation by 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

ZSI is the apex institution on animal (fauna) taxonomy in India. Established: 1 July 1916. Objective: To Union Government has released a promote the survey, exploration, research and commemorative postage stamp to documentation on various aspects of animal taxonomy mark the Centenary year of ZSI. in the Indian subcontinent. It also seeks advancement of knowledge on animal taxonomy. Headquarter: Kolkata. It also has 16 regional centres located in different parts of the country. Functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It activities are coordinated by the Conservation and Survey Division of MoEFCC.

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Tiger Conservation Project.:

Maharashtra state has six tiger reserves viz. Tadoba, Melghat, Pench, Nagzira, Sahyadri and Bor. It should Maharashtra government has be noted that except Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (located roped Cricket legend Sachin in Konkan region) remaining five are located in Tendulkar and Actor Amitabh Vidharbha region of state. Bachhan as its ambassador for the Tiger Conservation Project. School Nursery Yojana

Union Government has launched the School Nursery Yojana in a bid to bring school students closer to nature by involving them in raising of saplings in school nurseries.

Union Cabinet gave its nod to a This centre will be established as a category-2 centre proposal to sign an agreement with (C2C) of the UN body at the Wildlife Institute of India UNESCO for establishment of a (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for AsiaPacific region. Union Government has launched Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification& Maintenance) Policy-2015 to promote greening of National Highway corridors across the country.

Key features of Green Highways Policy 2015: Promote greening and development of eco-friendly National Highway corridors across the country with participation of farmers, private sector and government institutions including Forest Department.

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What is Bioethanol?

Punjab Government has announced to set up bioethanol refinery in the state to tackle the menace of It is an alcohol derived by process wheat and paddy straw burning. of fermentation mostly from carbohydrates of plant produce and Benefits of bio-ethanol refinery: Would play an feedstocks. Commonly obtained important role in solving the chronic problem of straw from crops such as sugarcane, burning of leftover agro-based produce especially from cassava, corn, potato, beetroot and wheat and rice feedstocks. recently grapes, banana and dates etc. Ketoprofen:

Ketoprofen is extensively used for veterinary purposes and as an alternative to banned veterinary painkiller Tamil Nadu state government has Diclofenac. It is believed that Ketoprofen causes same banned Ketoprofen, a non-steroid effect on the vulture population caused by Diclofenac. anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to save critically endangered vulture population in the state. India’s first Dolphin Community The reserve would be set up in the Hooghly River Reserve will be established in West between Malda and Sundarbans as per provisions of Bengal to protect the endangered Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. mammal, Gangetic river dolphins. Under state government’s green drive initiative 10 lakh saplings were planted in one day within a span of eight UP government’s ambitious Clean hours on November 7, 2015 at 10 locations in the state. UP, Green UP initiative has earned itself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Clean UP, Green UP initiative:

Musa indandamanensis:

It was discovered by a team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) from a remote Krishna A sweet banana species with Nalah tropical rain forest on the Little Andaman Islands. orange pulp named as Musa Key facts about Musa indandamanensis: Musa indandamanensis has been indandamanensis is thrice the size of a regular banana discovered in Andamans. species and has unique green flowers and fruit bunch lux (axis). Odisha Government has imposed seven-month ban till May, 2016 on fishing along the Puri coast in order to protect the vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles. This ban comes prior to arrival of Olive Ridley turtles for nesting in winters along the east coast of Odisha.

Olive Ridley Turtles Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea. They are also known as the Pacific Ridley sea turtle. Generally found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Protection Status: Listed as vulnerable species in IUCN Red Data Book because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world. Protected under Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.

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Biodiesel for trains

The South Western Railways (SWR) Zone with headquarters in Hubli, Karnataka has introduced biodiesel for trains, operating under its zone.

National Chambal Sanctuary: NCS was set up in 1979 as a riverine sanctuary along the Chambal River.

It is managed by the Wildlife wing of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and its headquarters are located at Agra. The sanctuary is the main area for the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a fresh water critically endangered (CR) crocodile species.

Biosphere Reserve Inle Lake:

With this launch Myanmar opens a new chapter in its commitment to bio-diversity and eco-system conservation. In June 2015, the lake was officially designated as Myanmar’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Bioshpere (MAB) programme. About Inle Lake: Inle Lake is located in Taunggyi District in Myanmar’s eastern Shan state. It is the second largest lake in Myanmar with an estimated surface area of 116 km2

Myanmar has launched the country’s first United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve Inle Lake in Shan state.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned age-old agricultural practice of straw burning in pollution-ravaged New Delhi and 4 northern western states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

National Green Tribunal NGT is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. It has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to assure the right to a healthy environment of the citizens of India enshrined in Article 21 of Constitution.

Effects:The menace of straw burning is making the atmosphere in national capital Delhi more blinding and suffocating as smoke from it moves towards the city. The open field burning emits Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrous Oxide (NO) along with particulate matter. The best remedy to stop this menace is to set up bio-ethanol refineries in order to extract sustainable bio-fuel from agricultural residue with the help of private-public-partnership (PPP) and private model.

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Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) The CMS (also known as Bonn Convention) under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. India had become a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983. Pakistan and Nepal are the Indian neighbours who are signatories to this MoU.

India has signed ‘Raptor MoU’, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on conservation of birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia. With this India becomes 56th county to sign the Raptor MoU under the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). About Raptor MoU: It is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) and is not legally binding on signatory parties. Of the total 76 species of birds that fall in Raptor MoU, 46 species occur in India including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. It is also in conformity with the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 wherein the birds have been accorded protection in India.

Northeast India’s first exclusive Kaziranga National Park It is located in the Golaghat hospital for elephants has been and Nagaon districts of Assam and is circumscribed by established at the Kaziranga the Brahmaputra River. It was designated with National National Park in Assam. Park status in 1968 and was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique natural environment. The park hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses which are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. It is also home to large breeding populations of tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga is also recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species. About Himalayan Brown Bears They are also known as the Himalayan red bear, Isabelline bear or Dzu-The. They are a subspecies of the brown bear.

Description: These bears are the largest mammal in the Himalayan region, males reach up to 2.2 m long while females are a little smaller. They are omnivorous and hibernate in a den during the winter. In India, they are found in 23 protected areas of the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal. In J&K, they are found in Suru, Zanskar, Drass and Kargil in the Ladakh region. IUNC Status: Critically endangered.

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175 nations including India have signed the historic Paris Climate Agreement at United Nations Headquarters in New York marking a significant step to combat global warming.

The Paris Climate Agreement was formulated within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Facilitates enforcement of global GHGs reduction measures, adaptation and finance in the post-2020 i.e. in post Kyoto Protocol scenario. The agreement was adopted by representatives of 195 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC held in Paris (France) in December 2015. In the agreement, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius. Takes into account the principle of equity (climate justice) and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and respective capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the third edition of Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi to save wild tigers.

Ministers and government officials from all 13 tiger range countries (TRCs) participating in the conference. These 13 TRCs are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Union Cabinet has given its formal approval for adopting the Statute of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN).

SAWEN is regional inter-governmental wildlife law enforcement support body launched in January, 2011 in Paro, Bhutan. It aims at working collectively as a strong regional inter-governmental body to combat wildlife crime by attainting common mutual goals and approaches for combating illegal trade in the region. SAWEN’s regional network comprises of eight South Asia countries: Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives

International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (ICCMAB) programme of UNESCO that concluded recently in Lima, Peru.

With the addition of the Agastyamalai Biosphere Reserve, total 10 of the 18 biosphere reserves in the country have made it to the list of World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The other nine Biosphere Reserves are: Nilgiri (Western Ghats), Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Sunderban (West Bengal), Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), Nokrek (Meghalaya), Pachmarh (Madhya Pradesh), Similipal (Odisha), AchanakmarAmarkantak (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) and Great Nicobar.

Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified new Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules.

These new rules seek to curb over 6000 tonnes of uncollected plastic waste generated daily by industries. The PWM Rules 2016 will replace the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011.

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a new Four-Colour Classification Scheme for industries based on their pollution potential. ‘Swachh application

Parayatan’

The four-colour classification scheme of industrial sectors based on the Pollution Index (PI) which is a function of the (i) Emissions (air pollutants) (ii) Effluents (water pollutants) (iii) Hazardous wastes generated and (iv) Consumption of resources.

mobile Union Government has launched ‘Swachh Parayatan’ mobile application to keep tourist places clean. It was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi. Initially the application facility will be available for 25 Adarsh Smarak Monuments protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched Environment Information System (ENVIS) portal and mobile application.

The purpose of the scheme is to integrate country-wide efforts in environmental information collection, storage, collation, retrieval and dissemination. The ENVIS network presently consists of 69 centres, of which 29 are under environment departments of various state governments/UT administrations while remaining 40 ENVIS is central sector Scheme of are operated by environment-related government and the MOEFCC implemented since non-governmental organisations. 1982. Wild Pig (sus scrofa) as vermin in The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Uttarakhand Change (MoEFCC) has declared Wild Pig (sus scrofa) as vermin in Uttarakhand for a year. In this regard, MoEFCC has used its powers enshrined to it by section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. National Air Quality Index: The National AQI is published for every month by CPCB along with a numerical value and a colour code which helps in comparing air pollution levels in cities.

Fulbright – Fellowship

Kalam

It is determined on the basis of concentration of 8 pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM 2.5, PM 10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3) and lead (Pb). The colour categories are classified into 6 categories depending upon numerical value as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately polluted (101200), Poor (201-300), Very poor (301-400) and Severe (401-500).

Climate India and United States have launched the Fulbright – Kalam Climate Fellowship enabling Indian research scholars to work with American institutions in the field of climate change.

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Gangetic River Dolphin as official Assam’s Guwahati became the first city in the country mascot to have its own city animal after Kamrup metropolitan district administration declared Gangetic River Dolphin as its official mascot. Swachh Saathi Programme :

Under it, more than 2000 interns will be enrolled to coordinate around 10000 schools across India. They Swachh Saathi programme is a also will ensure that all students in the schools across youth-based programme of Swachh India take the pledge for Clean India. Bharat Mission. RAJ-VAYU App: RajVayu Information provided on RajVayu app is based on the data collected by sophisticated air quality monitoring equipment and weather sensors.

The app has been designed by Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) jointly with Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). It would share details about the air quality, such as levels of pollutants likes SOx, NOx, CO, Ozone particles and Particulate Matter (PM) with the city residents and tourists.

Asia’s first ‘Gyps Vulture Haryana Government has launched Asia’s first ‘Gyps Reintroduction Programme’ Vulture Reintroduction Programme’ at the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore Scientists from United States have discovered a way to take carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and convert it into valuable manufacturing material carbon nanofibres (CNFs).

CNF is cylindric nanostructures with graphene layers arranged as stacked cones, cups or plates structure. It has high tensile strength, less distortions with changes in temperature and high electromagnetic shielding. Graphene layers of CNFs wrapped into perfect cylinders are called carbon nanotubes.

As per a new study Antarctic Ocean has been absorbing increasing levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) over the past decade.

Researchers have found that since the beginning of the millennium, Antarctic Ocean’s carbon sink has become much stronger, regaining its expected strength. Antarctic Ocean seasonally absorbs vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere and releases it back later in the year. The seas surrounding Antarctica on an annual average absorb significantly more CO2 than they release.

Norway has become the first In this regard, Norwegian Parliament had pledged to country in the world to prohibit make government’s public procurement policy deforestation. deforestation-free

E. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS

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1. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) ➢ Also known as the Earth Summit ➢ Was a major United Nations conference held in Rio deJaneiro in 1992. ➢ In 2012, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development was also held in Rio (also called Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit 2012.) ➢ Legally binding agreements (Rio Convention) were opened for signature: 1. Convention On Biodiversity (CBD) 2. UNFCCC 3. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) ➢ Earth Summit resulted in the following documents: 1. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 2. Agenda 21 3. Forest Principles  Agenda 21 : It is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action planof the United Nations with regard to sustainable development.It is a comprehensive blue print of action tobe taken globally, nationally and locally byorganisations of the UN, governments,and major groups in every area in whichhumans directly affect environment.The number 21 refers to an agenda for the21st century

2. Convention On Biodiversity (CBD)  Legally binding: First time recognised that the conservation of biological diversity is “a common concern of humankind” and is an integral part of development process.  Agreement covers all species, ecosystem, genetic resources  Three main goals of CBD: o o o

The conservation of biodiversity, Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity, Sharing of benefits arising from the commercial andother utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way  Parties to the Convention: One hundred and ninety-five states and the European Union are parties to theconvention. All UN member states—with the exception of the United States— have ratified theTreaty. Non-UN member states that have ratified are the Cook Islands, Niue, andPalestine.

Meeting of the Parties to the Convention Conference of Parties: 1994, COP1 – Nassau, Bahamas 2010, COP 10 – Nagoyo, Japan – Nagoyo protocol on access tobiodiversity and benefit sharing and Aichi targets 2012, COP 11 – Hyderabad, India

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2014, COP 12 in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. 2016, COP 13 in Los Cabos, Baja California South, Mexico COP 11, Hyderabad 1. Commitment to double the international financialflows for bio diversity by 2015 2. India – Hyderabad pledge – US $50 million – tostrengthen institutional mechanism for biodiversityconservation in the country 3. India took charge of the presidency of CBD from Japan  Nagoya Protocol o It provides a transparent legal framework for the implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: “The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.” o The Protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, and entered into force on 12 October 2014. It has been ratified by 60 parties. o Relevance: The Nagoya Protocol is intended to create greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources by:  Access obligations  Benefit-sharing obligations to provide for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources with the contracting party providing genetic resources. Benefits may be monetary or non-monetary such as royalties and the sharing of research results.  Utilization includes research and development on the genetic or biochemical composition of genetic resources, as well as subsequent applications and commercialization. Sharing is subject to mutually agreed terms. 3. United Nation Framework Convention On Climate Change (UNFCCC) ❖ Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) was established in 1988 by WMO and the UNEP.It is a scientific intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United Nations. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group. ❖ IPCC adopted UNFCCC in 1992. The conference of parties (COP) to UNFCCC is held annually. IPCC produces reports that support the UNFCCC, which is the main international treaty on climate change. Note – ➢ IPCC does not carry out its own original research, ➢ Nor does it do the work of monitoring climate or related phenomena itself. ➢ The IPCC bases its assessment on the published literature. Legality – ➢ Legally non-binding, ➢ No enforcement mechanism ➢ But framework for negotiating Specific international treaties (Protocols), that may set binding limits on Green House Gases Funding mechanism-

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➢ Special climate change fund, ➢ Global climatefund, ➢ Global environment facility ➢ Reducing emission from Deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), REDD+ Few COPs: ❖ Kyoto Protocol (1997) – COP 3 – (CDM, JI, Emission trading) ❖ Bali Action Plan(2007), COP 13 ❖ Copenhagen Accord (2009), COP 16 ❖ CancúnAgreements (2010), COP 17 ❖ Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (2012). COP 19 ❖ Lima Conference, Paris, COP 21, 2015 Kyoto Protocol: ➢ Was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. ➢ Currently 192 Parties, Canada withdrew, effective December 2012. ➢ Some of the principal concepts of the Kyoto Protocol are: ❖ Binding commitments for the Annex I Parties. ❖ The commitments were based on the Berlin Mandate, which was a part of UNFCCC negotiations leading up to the Protocol ❖ Implementation - Annex I Parties are required to prepare policies and measures for the reduction of greenhouse gases in their respective countries. ❖ In addition, they are required to increase the absorption of these gases and utilize all mechanisms available, ✓ such as joint implementation, ✓ the clean development mechanism and ✓ emissions trading, ❖ In order to be rewarded with credits that would allow more greenhouse gas emissions at home. ❖ Minimizing Impacts on Developing Countries by establishing an adaptation fund for climate change Categorization of Countries: Annex I Countries – ➢ Accepted legally binding commitment to reduce GHG ➢ 43 Parties, including theEuropean Union. ➢ These parties are classified as industrialized (developed) countries and "economies in transition" (EITs). Annex II countries – ➢ Agreed to give financial assistance to developing countries in mitigation and adaptation

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➢ 24 Parties including the European Union ➢ These Parties are made up of members of the OECD. Non Annex Countries – ➢ Annex A – List of 6 GHG that need to be controlled (CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, PFC, HFC) ➢ Annex B – Quota for each Annex I countries Green Climate Fund: ➢ Article 11 of UNFCCC (Financial mechanism) ➢ GCF Support projects, programmes, countries(Governed by GCF board)

policies

and

activities

in

Developing

➢ World bank – Interim trustee of GCF ➢ By 2020 developed countries will contribute $100 billion to the fund ➢ GCF is based in Incheon, South Korea. Adaptation Fund: To finance concrete adaptation projects in developing countries (KP) Financed from – share of proceeds from CDM projects (2% of certified emission reductions issued for CDM projects) Supervised by – Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) – 16 members World Bank serves as an interim trustee to the Adaptation Fund.

4. UN- Convention To Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Desertification Is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife Dry-lands occupy approx. 40–41% of Earth’s land area and is home to more than 2 billion people. At least 90% of the inhabitants of dry-lands live in developing nations, where they also suffer from poor economic and social conditions UNCCD➢ Is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements. ➢ 196 parties. In 2013, Canada became the first country to announce its intention to withdraw from the convention ➢ UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

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5. CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)  It is an international agreement between governments entered into force in 1975.  181 parties signed; Administered through UNEP; Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland  Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework respected by each Party, which must adopt their own domestic legislation to implement CITES at the national level.  Roughly 5,000 species of animals and 29,000 species of plants are protected by CITES against overexploitation through international trade.  3 Appendices – Different regulations, permits and certificate Appendix I Species threatened with extinction and provide the greatest level of protection – Gorilla, Sea turtles, Lady slipper Orchids, Giant pandas Appendix II Currently not threatened with extinction, but may become extinct without tradecontrols Appendix III Includes species for which a range country has asked other parties to help incontrolling international trade – Map turtles, Walruses, Cape stag beetles

Limitations of CITES: 1. No Enforcement authority of their own 2. Release of seized non-native species into ecosystem 3. Black market due to regulation – Rhino Horn, TigerBone (Chinese medicine), Elephant ivories 6. Convention On Migratory Species (Bonn Convention) ➢ It is a legally binding intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of UNEP. It has 120 signatories. ➢ Aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. ➢ Concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale. ➢ Complements and cooperates with a number of other international organisations, NGO’s and partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector. ➢ Species coverage: • Appendix I – Threatened Migratory Species . • Appendix II – Migratory Species requiring international cooperation Memorandum of Understanding came into effect on 1 July 1993 and was amended in January 1999.

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7. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety -(CPB) ➢ It is the first international regulatory framework for safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) . (Legally binding) ➢ The Protocol applies to the trans-boundary movement, transit, handling and use of all living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also intoaccount risks to human health. ➢ It seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by GMOs resulting from modernbiotechnology. ➢ Protocol has 170 parties, which includes 167 United Nations member states, Niue, the State of Palestine, and the European Union. ➢ Procedures for moving LMOs across borders:The "Advance Informed Agreement" (AIA) procedure applies to the first intentional trans-boundary movement of LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment of the Party of import. ➢ Biosafety Clearing-House:The Protocol established a Biosafety Clearing- House (BCH), in order to facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with, living modified organisms; and to assist Parties to implement the Protocol Biological Diversity Act, 2002: ➢ The Act was enacted to meet the obligations under CBD ➢ The Act also defines biological resources as “plants, animals and microorganismsor parts thereof, their genetic material and by-products (excluding value added products) with actual or potential use or value, but does not include human genetic material” National Biodiversity Authority ➢ Statutory autonomous body, ➢ HQ-Chennai, under the MOEF, ➢ Established in 2003 to implement the provisions under the Act. ➢ State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) has been created in 28 States along with 31,574 Biological management committees (for each local body) across India.

8. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants ➢ An international legally binding environmental treaty, ➢ Signed in 2001, Effective from May 2004, ➢ Aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). ➢ Signatories – 152, Parties – 179 ➢ Summary of Provisions: • Developed countries provide new and additional financial resources and measures to • Eliminate production and use of intentionally produced POPs, • eliminate unintentionally produced POPs where feasible • And manage and dispose of POPs wastes in an environmentally sound manner. POPs  Are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment.

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 They are carbon compounds.  The 12 initial POPs are placed under 3 categories: 1. Pesticides – Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Mirex, Toxaphene 2. Industrial Chemicals – Hexachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 3. By Products – Hexachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated dibenzo p dioxins, Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) and PCB

9. Basel Convention - on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal    

An international non-binding treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, And specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs) Does not address the movement of radioactive waste. Adopted 22 March, 1989, came into force on 1992

Parties –  182 states and the European Union  Haiti and the United States have signed but not yet ratified it

10. Rotterdam Convention   



Formally-the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade) Is a multilateral legally binding treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. Promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labelling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged to make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.

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GEOGRAPHY Pattiseema lift irrigation project

Andhra Pradesh government inaugurated India’s first river linking project viz. Pattiseema lift irrigation project connecting Godavari River with Krishna River from the ongoing Polavaram Multipurpose Irrigation Project. The project has been completed in a record time of one year by the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). The interlinking irrigation project located at Pattisam village in West Godavari district will pump Godavari River’s water into a canal 4 km under the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme. The pumped water will meet Krishna River at Ibrahimpatnam in Vijaywada district through 174 km long link canal.

Name of North America Mount McKinley United States has changed the name of tallest mountain in North changed to its original native name America Mount McKinley to its original native name Denali. Denali Key facts: The summit elevation of Mount Denali is 6,190 m above sea level. It is located in the Alaska Range and Denali National Park in the US state of Alaska. Till 1896, it was named as Denali (meaning as High One or Great One) among the natives of Alaska, but was renamed as Mount McKinley in the honour of William McKinley after he was nominated to become the US President. India’s first River Information System India’s first River Information System (RIS) was launched by (RIS) Union Government to facilitate safe and accurate inland waterway navigation. It has been launched in phases and the first phase will cover 145-km stretch of National Waterways 1 (Phase I- Haldia to Farakka) on the Ganges River. Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), a statutory body under the aegis of Union Ministry of Shipping is implementing the RIS in India. About River Information Services (RIS): RIS are combination of modern tracking equipment comprising of hardware and software designed to optimize transport and traffic processes in inland water navigation.

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Dedicated project

Freight

Corridor

(DFC) The much-awaited ambitious Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project of government has announced to commission its first 56kilometer stretch in Bihar. Out of total 3,300 km stretch the 56 kilometres developed between Durgawati and Sasaram commissioned. Dedicated Freight Corridor is double track, broad gauge freightspecific lines envisaged by government in 11th Five Year Plan (2007–2012). It is in developing stage under the aegis of Railway Ministry covering 3,300 km long stretch. It is projected to develop in two routes. The Eastern Corridor from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal that covers 1,839 Km. The Western Corridor from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai that covers 1,483 Km. These two corridors interlink at Khurja in Uttar Pradesh.

West-Central Railway (WCR) zone

The West-Central Railway (WCR) zone headquartered in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh has become the first Railway Zone in Indian Railways to eliminate all unmanned level crossings.

Cyclone Chapala

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.This scale estimates A rare tropical Cyclone Chapala has potential property damage. slammed into Yemen triggering heavy flooding and causing damage in coastal Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major region of the war racked country. The hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and cyclone made landfall in the south damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, eastern provinces of Hadramawt and and require preventative measures. In the western North Pacific, Shabwa along the Gulf of Aden coast of the term "super typhoon" is used for tropical cyclones with Yemen in Arabian Sea bringing winds of sustained winds exceeding 150 mph. speed more than 100 kms per hour. Key facts: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has categorized Cyclone Chapala as a Category 4 equivalent storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The cyclone prone eastern coast of It will be the sixth such radar on the country’s east coast and the India will get a new doppler radar to other such 5 radars are located in Kolkata, Chennai, boost the weather forecasting system. It Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam and Paradip. will be commissioned by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Gopalpur in Odisha

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NATIONAL NEWS 2015-16 

Two Indian cities for first time have been designated as members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Two cities are o

Varanasi: It has been added in the City of Music category of network.

o

Jaipur: It has been added in the City of Crafts and Folk Art category of network.The Network covers seven creative fields including Crafts and Folk Arts, Film, Media Arts, Gastronomy, Design, Literature and Music.



Ministry Health and Family Welfare has released National Health Profile (NHP) 2015, which provides comprehensive information related to health sector. NHP focuses on key health information under six major indicators viz. demographic, socio-economic, health finance and health status indicators, comprehensive information on health infrastructure and human resources in health in India.

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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has banned the sale of Diclofenac in multi-dose vial. Henceforth, it will be sold only in single-dose vial packaging for human use. Diclofenac and Vulture extinction:- Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is administered as painkiller to cattle, is the chief cause of mass extinction of vultures.

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MISSION INDRADHANUSH ➢ It depicts 7 colours of the rainbow ➢ It aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against 7 vaccine preventable diseases. ➢ The diseases include:diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis. Under this universal vaccination programme, all vaccines will be made available free of cost.



Union government has found residues of pesticides in vegetables, fruits, milk and other food items collected from various retail and wholesale outlets across the country. In 1,180 vegetables samples, non-approved pesticides residues pesticides such as bifenthrin, triazofos, acephate, metalaxyl acetamiprid and malathion were detected in 225 fruit samples, non-approved pesticides such as acephate, acetamiprid, carbosulfan, cypermethrin, profenofos, quinalphos and metalaxyl were found. In 43 pulses samples, residues of non-approved pesticides especially of profenophos, hexaconazole and metalaxyl were found. In 30 rice samples, residues of triazofos, metalaxyl, carbaryl and acephate were detected.

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Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has made a major modification in the National Blood Policy (NBP), 2002 to allow blood banks to borrow units from one another in case of a shortage.

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The Union Government has launched Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) injection as part of the global polio endgame strategy in New Delhi. It was launched as part of India’s next step in Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to fight against polio virus in the country. IPV injections do not contain an attenuated vaccine virus which is used in Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Thus it reduces the chances of Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (VDPV).

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

Haryana became the first state in the country to implement the use of injectable contraceptives as a family planning measure. In this regard, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has launched ‘Project Salamati’ in assistance of Pathfinder International.



The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched India’s first indigenous Rotavirus Vaccine named Rotavac to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea. The Rotavirus is a genus of double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae. It is most common causative agent of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) among infants below 11 months age group and death among children less than five years of age.



Scientists at Lucknow based CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) have found that mint plant has medicinal values that can cure cancer. They have identified that a medicinal compound called ‘L-Menthol’ derived from Mentha plant popularly known as mint.



Indian scientists for first time have claimed to have developed herbal medicine against mosquito borne dengue fever using traditional Indian medicine system Ayurveda. The herbal dengue medicine was developed using alcoholic extract of Cissampelos pariera Linn (Cipa extract) derived from velvetleaf, a species of flowering plant. The drug has proved to be potent inhibitor to all four types (strains) of dengue virus.

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The Union Government has launched ‘Qora’, an indigenously developed affordable Faecal Incontinence Management System (FIMS). What is faecal incontinence? Faecal incontinence (FI) is a medical condition marked by inability to control one’s bowel movements. It causes faeces (stool) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum.

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The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched the country’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug named BGR-34 for type two Diabetes mellitus. BGR-34 stands for Blood Glucose Regulator

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a poly-herbal medicine by the trade name of Lukoskin for the treatment of Leucoderma. About Leucoderma Leukoderma (also known as vitiligo): It is a cutaneous acquired condition causing a rare skin disease which results white patches on skin. This condition is caused due to loss of pigmentation of the skin that may occur after any number of inflammatory skin conditions such as burns, postdermabrasion, intralesional steroid injections etc.

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The Union textile Ministry has bestowed the Indian Handloom Brand tag on Chettinad cotton saris for its unique designs and identity. This tag was bestowed under the India Handloom Brand Scheme after checking its various quality parameters stipulated by the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).Chettinad cotton saree is also known as “kandaangi”. It is the traditional sari of the Chettinad region in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.

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Recently scientists have discovered presence of several colonies of an invasive species of snowflake coral (Carijoa riisei) off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari.

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Union Government has launched an e-payment module to make the payment of compensatory levies into the Compensatory Afforestation Management Planning Authority (CAMPA) Funds.

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What is CAMPA Fund? Levies are imposed on development projects that seek land inside a Reserved Forest or a Protected Area (PA) in a sanctuary or a national park. These collected levies are accrued in the CAMPA Funds which are to be utilised to plant trees elsewhere in order to ostensibly compensate the loss of forest due to development projects. It was established after Supreme Court order in 2002.

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The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC). ISLRTC will be set up as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and initially will be located at the Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi. It will be established under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities which comes under Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

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Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM): It was launched in 2010 by the Union Government with a target to setup 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022. Later in 2014, the target was enhanced upto 1,00,000 MW.

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Gujarat is set to become the first state in India to launch ‘Agro-Solar Policy’ to encourage the farmers to tap the solar energy. The new policy seeks to encourage the farmers in the state to tap free solar energy from sun, which will in turn help them to earn additional income from power generation companies.

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Perumanna Grama Panchayat in Kozhikode District of Kerala has become the first Panchayat in the State, to declare its own water policy. The water policy has been framed in the lines of the State government’s water policy declared in 2008.

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Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) of Kerala has become the first airport in the world to fully operate on solar power

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Union Government is going to develop Bodhgaya in Gaya district of Bihar as Spiritual Capital of the country in order to serve the civilizational bond between India and the Buddhist world. About Bodhgaya: Bodhgaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district of Bihar. Significance: It is famous because it place where Gautama Buddha (Founder of Buddhism) is said to have obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala) under the peepal tree which is known as the Bodhi Tree. For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important place and one of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Other three are Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple located in Bodh Gaya was accorded with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

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Union Cabinet has approved Marginal Fields Policy (MFP) to auction small and marginal unexploited hydrocarbon discoveries by state owned oil companies. Key facts about Marginal Fields Policy (MFP): 69 unexploited oil fields owned by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) will be opened for competitive bidding to private and foreign companies based on revenue sharing model.

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The Eighth edition of National Seed Congress (NSC) has begun in Hyderabad to deliberate on advanced seed development technologies and regulatory measures.

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The Tenth World Hindi Conference (विश्िह द िं ीसम्मेलन) has begun in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with the theme of Hindi Jagat-Vistar and Sambhavnaye.

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Senior IAS officer Alok Rawat became first male person to be appointed as a member of National Commission for Women (NCW). National Commission for Women NCW is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It was established in January 1992 to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women. It recommends remedial legislative measures, advise Government on all policy matters affecting women and facilitate redressal of grievances related to women.

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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian Police Foundation (IPF) and Indian Police Institute (IPI) in New Delhi. Indian Police Foundation will be a think tank for suggesting reforms in the Indian Police. It will bring together the police professionals, academia and other stake holders and provide a platform to research, ideate, discuss and seek the answers. Indian Police Institute will be a research and training institute for police officers in the Indian Police for the pursuit of professional excellence. It has been set up in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a SMART, people-centric and professionally competent police.

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The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up of a National Resource Facility for Bio-medical Research (NARF) at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, Telangana.

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Union Government has launched the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) under the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011.

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The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Mozambique in the field of renewable energy.

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Maharashtra government has decided to impose ‘drought tax’ in a bid to raise funds to tackle the drought like situation in the state.

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The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between India and Maldives in case of criminal matters. Key facts of Treaty: Aims to enhance effectiveness of both signatory countries in investigation and prosecution of crime. Seeks to enhance cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

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Supreme Court has declared National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014 and 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014 unconstitutional and void

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The Supreme Court (SC) of India has stayed Rajasthan High Court’s order declaring Santhara, a Jain ritual of voluntary and systematic fasting to death illegal. What is Santhara? Santhara is a religious custom of Jain religion that embraces voluntary death in order to purge oneself of bad ‘karma’ and attain ‘moksha’.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone Amaravati, a new capital city of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Dussehra and Vijaya Dashmi.

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India’s first Paragliding World Cup has begun at Bir Billing near Baijnath town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Snow leopard is the official mascot of this World Cup.

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Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple: It is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thrissur district of Kerala. It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam displaying vignettes carved in wood. It is a classic example of the architectural style of Kerala and has Mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata, declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

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The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has decided to set up the National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) in Sikkim.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the permanent campus of National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Jatani near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

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Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared Naga militant outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) formally known as NSCN (K) as a terrorist organisation and all its formations and front organisations have been declared as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

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Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas PBD is being held annually since 2003 by MOIA to foster greater interaction between the Indian Diaspora and Indian government. It provides the diaspora a single platform to put forth their issues and grievances before the government and in turn government can leverage their resources in nation building activities. It is held annually on 9 January to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India i.e. on 9 January, 1915.

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Union Government has decided to merge Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This decision has been taken to avoid duplication of work and to improve efficiency in line with Union Government’s broad principle of minimum government, maximum governance.

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The Union Government has reserved 33 per cent posts of constables for women in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to enhance their representation.

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has celebrated the 6th National Voters’ Day across the country. Theme for year 2016 is Inclusive and Qualitative Participation. National Voters’ Day was initiated in 2011 to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Significance of Day: This day marks the foundation day of ECI which came into existence on 25th January 1950.

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Additional Solicitor General: An Additional Solicitor General acts as law officer to advice the Union government on various legal matters. He is the third ranking lawyer of the Union Government. Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor Generals mainly assist the Union Government’s top legal adviser Attorney General (highest law officer of the country). It should be noted that office and duties of Attorney General is created by the Constitution under the Article 76. While, Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor Generals’ office and duties are governed by Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987 and not by the Constitution.

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Article 341: It empowers Parliament to include or exclude castes from the list of Scheduled Castes in the notification. It also empowers the President to specify castes which will be deemed as Scheduled Castes through a notification.

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Lok Sabha has passed Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to grant voting rights to people who became citizens of India following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. The bill seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950 and the Delimitation Act, 2002. These Acts regulate allocation of seats to the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and delimitation (fixing boundaries) of parliamentary and state assembly constituencies. Key facts: This bill aims to empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to carry out delimitation in areas that were affected by the enactment of the Constitution (100th Amendment) Act, 2015.

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Gujarat state government has decided to set up India’s first aviation park near Bagodara village in Ahmedabad district to strengthen the aviation sector. In this regard, state government has given this task to Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Ltd (GUJSAIL) to carry out the project

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President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first phase Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) at Trissur in Kerala to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of Muziris. Muziris was an ancient seaport and urban centre which dates from at least the 1st century BC and located at the mouth of the Periyar River in Kerala.

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The Parliament has passed National Waterways Bill, 2015 to clear decks for the conversion of 106 rivers and creeks across India into transport waterways.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) to make India disaster resilient and reduce loss of lives. The first of its kind of national plan is based on the four priority themes of the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30”. They are (i) Understanding disaster risk (ii) Improving disaster risk governance (iii) Investing in disaster risk reduction (through structural and non-structural measures) and (iv) Disaster preparedness, early warning and building back better in the aftermath of a disaster.

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Union Government has announced it plans to implement the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in letter and spirit. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030: It was adopted during the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March 2015. Its adaptation involves adopting integrated and inclusive institutional measures in order to work towards preventing vulnerability to disaster.

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The second World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM) has started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Key fact: Address and discuss issues such as implementation of the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction.

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Kolkata-Ashuganj-Tripura transit facility under the revised Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol between India and Bangladesh became operational. The facility running through a land and river route crossing Bangladesh territory cuts the Kolkata-Agartala distance via Siliguri’s ‘chicken neck’ from 1600 km to 800 km. It also has reduced the time of the journey from 30 days (via Siliguri corridor) to just 10 days.

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Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958: Empowers armed forces to deal effectively in ‘Disturbed Areas’ declared by both state and Central government. Parliament had enacted it in 1958 to provide special legal security to the armed forces for carrying out operations in the troubled areas of seven sisters states of North East. The act was extended to Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 in order to confront the rising insurgency in the area.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 103rd edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) on January 3, 2016 in Mysuru, Karnataka. The theme of this edition of the Congress is “Science and Technology for Indigenous Development in India.” During the inaugural speech Prime Minister gave a new mantra comprising five Es – “Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy and Equity”.

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Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project: It is a 9900 MW power project proposed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) at Madban village of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. On completion, it will become the largest nuclear power generating station in the world by net electrical power rating. It consists of 6 European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) of 1650 MW each. France is going to supply technology for construction and also nuclear fuel for 25 years for this plant.

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The India Meteorology Department (IMD) has deployed indigenously developed Drishti, an instrument that will provide real time visibility information to pilots. Drishti has been developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore.

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Heavy water (deuterium oxide D2O): It is used for cooling the nuclear reactor core i.e. as coolant and neutron moderator. PHWR is commonly using unenriched natural uranium as its fuel.

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President Pranab Mukherjee has formally declared Kerala as the country’s first digital state. It was announced by President after launching a digital empowerment campaign of state at a function to be held in Kozhikode. The campaign aims at bridging the digital divide by 2020. State has successfully linked all villages in the state with broadband connectivity under the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project. It is first state in country to do so. Apart from NOFN it, two projects started by the government in 2002 viz. Akshaya and IT@School – also has helped it to attain high e literacy.

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E-Tourist Visa Scheme Union Government had launched e-Tourist Visa Scheme (as Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme) in November 2014. The e-Tourist Visa Scheme facilitates preauthorization of Visa i.e. electronic travel authorisation given to foreigners prior to travel.

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India’s first indigenously developed lightest revolver (gun) Nidar weighing merely 250 grams was successfully launched. It has been designed and manufactured by the state-run rifle factory Ishapore located in West Bengal giving boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in small manufacturing sector. Key facts: Nidar is much lighter than ‘Nirbheek’ (500 grams) revolver which was exclusively designed for women.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 2015-16 

World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared India as Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free country, i.e. mothers and new-borns are free from tetanus at the time of birth.

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Sub-Regional Drug Focal Point Meeting and Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP), South Asia under the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Expert Group Consultation has begun in New Delhi. Main objective is to review the progress of the Drug Demand and Supply Reduction activities in the South Asia region. Drug Menace in South Asia region South Asia region is present on the so called Golden Crescent (overlaps Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) and Golden Triangle (overlaps Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) which are two main opium-producing areas in the world.

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Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) which was launched in 1988 has played pivotal role in eradication of wild poliovirus. When the initiative was launched the wild poliovirus existed in 125 countries. Now, it exists in two countries Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Chinese scientists have developed a new bio-artificial liver that can help patients to survive from liver failure long enough for an organ transplant. It has been developed by team of researchers from the Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences and doctors from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.

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Researchers from France have found first evidence that mosquito-borne Zika virus might cause a severe neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks a part of the nervous system that controls muscle strength leading to muscle weakness in the legs and arms. The syndrome is also be caused by bacterial infections as well as the dengue and chikungunya viruses transmitted by be vector Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (also host for Zika Virus).

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World’s first fast-acting anti-rabies drug Rabies Human Monoclonal Antibody (RMAb) will be launched in India. RMAb drug is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that instantly deactivates rabies virus by specifically binding to a conformational epitope of G glycoprotein of the virus. It is 25% cheaper compared to the existing expensive human rabies immunoglobulin (hRIG) treatment.

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The world’s first public dengue vaccination programme was launched in the Philippines with a French drug Dengvaxia (world’s 1st dengue fever vaccine) to combat mosquito-borne disease. Dengvaxia has been manufactured by French pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Thailand has become the first Asian country to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. Previously, Cuba was the only other country and first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission under the WHO’s criteria back in July 2015.

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Scientists have genetically modified malaria-causing mosquito Anopheles gambiae species to fight the deadly disease of malaria. The research was successfully carried by team of researchers led by London based Imperial College and was published in the journal Nature Biotechnology. Key facts: Scientists have genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquito species so that they carry a modified gene disrupting egg production in female mosquitoes. For this they had used a technology called gene drive which uses the technique of recessive genes, so that many mosquitoes will inherit only one copy of the gene.

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India and Nepal have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of Raxaul-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline. This pipeline will be the first of its kind project between two neighbouring countries in the SAARC region in the oil and gas sector. It will be constructed

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by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on behalf of Indian Government at a cost of 200 crore rupees. 

Bangladesh has become the first country in the world to receive funds from United Nations for its fast growing Solar Home Systems. In this regard, UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) has issued carbon credits (CC) worth 3.56 million US dollars to two Bangladeshi organisations. The two organisations are: Grameen Shakti: Founded by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus with an aim to take clean solar power systems and communication technology to villages. Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL): It is state-owned development financial institution in Bangladesh. It finances and promotes infrastructure and renewable energy projects in the country.

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TAPI Project: It is a proposed trans-country natural gas pipeline from Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan to India through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Countries involved: The abbreviation TAPI itself indicates its member countries- Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Distance: The pipe line connects central Asia with south Asia covering 1,800 km. Reserves: Gas reserves are 16 trillion cubic feet. Operational from: expected to be fully operational from 2018. Runs through: Galkynysh field, Turkmenistan – Herat and Kandahar province of Afghanistan – Multan via Quetta, Pakistan and ends at Fazilka (Punjab) in India.

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United Nations 193 member states have reached an agreement on the outcome document New Sustainable Development Agenda for the next 15 years i.e. till 2030. The new agenda draft document called “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was built on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

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Capital city of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou in East China has been chosen by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host the 2022 Asian Games.

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Fukushima Nuclear disaster In March 2011: Fukushima Nuclear disaster, an energy accident had occurred in Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant located in north-eastern Japan. It was triggered by a powerful earthquake and followed by tsunami. It is the largest nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986

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South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx) India has taken the lead to begin SAADMEx, a simulation exercises on disaster management in the region.

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NASA and US Agency for International Development (USAID) have started the SERVIRMekong project, to strengthen the environmental monitoring in Southeast Asia region. It has been launched in the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Bangkok, Thailand to serve the five countries of the Mekong River Basin viz. Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

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On 22 October 2015, guided missile destroyer USS Lassen had entered the 12-nautical mile zone claimed by China around Zhubi reefs in the Spratly archipelago in South China Sea. China is claiming its full sovereignty over these disputed islands and its adjacent waters in South China Sea

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The Third India and Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) have adopted a Delhi Declaration 2015 and India-Africa Framework for Strategic Cooperation. These agreements were adopted at the conclusion of third Summit which was attended by India and all 54 African countries in New Delhi. Delhi Declaration-2015: Calls for continued collaboration in the fields of peace

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and security between India and Africa. Aims to provide a concrete foundation for the consolidation of our strategic partnership between both sides. 

Islamic State (IS) militant group has destroyed part of historical Temple of Bel in the ancient site of Palmyra in Syria. The ancient temple was dedicated to the Palmyrene gods and was one of the best preserved parts of the historical sites of Palmyra. About Palmyra: Oasis town of Palmyra is known as the Pearl of the Desert. In ancient time the city was famous as a stopping point for caravans travelling on ancient Silk Route which connected East Asia and West Asia. Prior to Syrian civil war which began in 2011, Palmyra’s ruins were a major attraction as about 150,000 tourists visited city in a year. Earlier in August 2015, IS militant group had destroyed the ancient Temple of Baalshamin in same region of Palmyra.

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BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed Moscow Declaration for partnership in addressing common regional and global socio-economic challenges by utilising Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). It was signed at the third meeting of the BRICS Ministers for Science, Technology and Innovation held in Moscow, Russia.

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China, world’s most populous country has announced to abandon its three decades-long one-child policy and changed it two-child policy. China had introduced its One-Child Policy in 1978 and was implemented in 1980 to rein in population growth in order to alleviate social, economic and environmental problems in China.

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Canberra based art gallery in Australia has agreed to return a 2,000-year-old Indian-origin sculpture of Gautama Buddha back to India. The Sitting Buddha sculpture which was displayed in this gallery has its roots traceable to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. The sculpture is made of sandstone is an image and depicts very unique art of the ancient Mathura region. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) played important role in negotiating the legality of returning this statue. Earlier, Germany had returned 10th century Durga idol in Mahishasuramardini avatar to India which had gone missing from a temple at Pulwama in Kashmir in 1990s.

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12 other Pacific Rim countries have signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement which covers about 40 per cent of the world economy. These 12 countries are: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Canada, United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

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South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program Set up in 2001 to bring together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka in a project-based partnership. This sub-regional partnership aims to strengthen regional economic cooperation, Boosting trade among member countries,Promote regional prosperity by improving cross-border connectivity, Build a better quality of life for the people of the subregion.

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Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Friendship Motor Car Rally was flagged off from Silchar, Assam. The international rally aims at highlighting connectivity in the subregion and seamless movements of vehicles across the borders in the four nations through implementation of BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA).

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Every year on 25th November is observed as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) across the world. Significance of Day: Raise awareness

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about violence against women and girls, End the violence against the women, Show that prevention is possible against violence of women. 

India and Singapore have signed a joint declaration envisaging a Strategic Partnership to elevate bilateral relations of both countries. The focus of the visit included ‘five S plank’ i.e. scaling up trade and investment, smart cities, speeding up connectivity, skills development and state focus. Key facts: The strategic partnership aims to catalyse the strategic relations between both countries ranging from political, defence and security cooperation to economic, cultural and people-to-people contacts.

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Every year October 2 is being observed as International Day of Non-violence throughout the world on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

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India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under Category ‘B’ at 29th session of the IMO Assembly held in London.

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China has operationalised the Zam Hydropower Station built on Brahmaputra River which has raised concerns in India over the likelihood of disrupting water supplies of River.

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Germany celebrated 25 years of reunification on 3 October 2015 marking the day in 1990 when communist East Germany and capitalist West Germany reunited country. On 3 October 1990, Unification Treaty came into effect uniting two halves together of then divided Germany. Since then this date is marked as Germany’s national day.

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Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO): JETCO aims to further improve, deepen and strengthen the existing trade relationship between India and Ecuador. It will function as the primary forum for discussion and other promotional activities on trade and investment issues

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North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has launched Trident Juncture Military Exercise in Italy to test the alliance’s ability to respond to new security threats. It will also demonstrate NATO’s capability to deal with conventional military engagements to more subtle hybrid warfare techniques and propaganda.

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United States and Spain have reached an in principle agreement to clean up land at Palomares site (in Spain) contaminated by plutonium radiation from undetonated US nuclear bombs.

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Powerful Typhoon Koppu (also known as Lando) has hit the northern Philippines battering the coast with powerful winds with speed of 240 kph.

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South African city of Durban has been selected as the host for the 22nd edition of Commonwealth Games to be held in 2022

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Indian and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conserve, develop and publicize written heritage at the National Library in Kolkata, West Bengal.

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Hurricane Patricia has struck Mexico’s Pacific coast with destructive winds

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As per recently released report of United Nations (UN), mortality rate among Indian girls below the age of five higher than the boys. It was mentioned in recently published UN Report titled The World’s Women 2015.

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Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Established to finance infrastructure projects including energy, transport and infrastructure projects in Asia. AIIB is seen as a rival to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) which is managed by most prominent countries like US, Japan and European etc. Authorized capital: It will be of 100 billion US dollars. The initial subscribed capital will be around 50 billion US Dollar and the paid-in ratio will be 20 per cent.

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International Indigenous Terra Madre- 2015 kicked off in Shillong, Meghalaya with the theme, The Future We Want: Indigenous Perspectives and Actions. The five day-long unique event will bring over a 100 tribes from 58 countries including from 17 Asian countries, 14 African countries, 12 American countries, 8 European countries and 7 Oceanian countries. Key facts: It has been organised as collaboration between Slow Food, North East Slow Food and Agro biodiversity Society (NESFAS) and Indigenous Partnership for Agro biodiversity and Food Sovereignty (Indigenous Partnership).

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Saudi Arabia has launched Islamic Military Coalition, a new military alliance of 34 nations, mainly Muslim nations to fight terrorism. It has been established in pursuance of the objectives and principles of the charter of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Member nations: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Turkey, Benin, Togo, Chad, Djibouti, Tunisia, Sudan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Somalia, Guinea, Comoros, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Cote d’Ivoire, Lebanon, Maldives, Libya, Mali, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Yemen.

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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organisation that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established as an autonomous organisation in 1957 through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute. The IAEA has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) has included China’s Yuan into its elite reserve currency basket mainly used as an international reserve asset with an effect from effect from 1st October 2016.

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Chinese Currency Renminbi which in Mandarin (China’s official language) means the people’s currency was officially introduced by the Communist Government of China led by Mao Zedong in 1949 after it came to power. Prior to Renminbi, Yuan was the official name of Chinese currency which means dollar-silver coin in Mandarin and was minted by the Spanish empire to trade with China for over four centuries

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India officially became the Associate Member State of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). EMBO is a professional organisation of life scientists in Europe. Presently, it has more than 1700 leading researchers. Founded: 1964 Headquarters: Heidelberg, Germany. Functions: It promotes research in life science and enables international exchange of scientific information between scientists.

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Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC): Seeks to establish a uniform global legal regime for compensation to victims in the unlikely event of a nuclear accident. It was adopted on 12 September 1997. It can enter into force after ratification by at least five countries having minimum of 400,000 units of installed nuclear capacity. It has been framed in consistency with the principles of Vienna Convention on Civil

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Liability for Nuclear Damage (1963) and the Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy (1960). 

Powerful Typhoon Melor (also known as Nona) has hit the central Philippines battering the coast with powerful winds with speed of 200 kph followed by intense rainfall.

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India has emphasised to Iran for early completion of all necessary procedures for its participation in the Farzad-B gas field worth 5 billion US dollars.

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The Union Cabinet has approved the reconstruction and completion of Salma Dam Project in Afghanistan at the Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) of 1775.69 crore rupees. The AfghanIndia Friendship Dam was earlier known as Salma Dam. It is built on Hari River in Chishti Sharif District of Herat Province neighbouring Iran and is earth and rock fill dam. It is a multipurpose project built to generate 42 MW of power, irrigate 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other benefits to the people of Afghanistan. By irrigating 75000 hectares of land it is expected to significantly boost the agricultural economy of the province.

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The 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has declared year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). It was launched under the slogan ‘nutritious seeds for a sustainable future’. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN has been nominated to facilitate the implementation of the Year in collaboration with all stakeholders.

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G-20 leaders have decided to tackle global uneven economic growth and reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism unitedly at 2015 G-20 summit held at Antalya in Turkey.

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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC is regional economic forum comprising of 21 member countries accounting nearly half of the world’s trade and about 57 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP). It was established in 1989 in order to leverage the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific region’s economies and promote free trade in the region. Headquarters: Singapore. 21 Members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russian and Vietnam. India is observer of APEC since 2011 and has applied for membership. However some countries have objected to granting membership to India as it does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.

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31 members of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have signed corporate tax avoidance agreement in a bid to stem fiscal (tax) evasion by multinational companies (MNCs). OECD is an international economic organisation of 34 countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade. Founded: 1961. Headquarters: Paris, France.

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International Energy Agency (IEA): It is Inter-governmental organisation established in 1974 as per framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Members: Presently it has 29 member countries. Headquarters (Secretariat): Paris, France. IEA mandate: To focus on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development and environmental protection.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) WEF is an international institution founded by Klaus Schwab that works to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation.

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The first Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum was held Manama, capital city of Bahrain. The meeting was inaugurated by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and was attended by representatives of 22 Arab League nations.

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EU-India Agenda for Action 2020: Both sides endorsed the agenda to concrete the roadmap for the EU-India Strategic Partnership for the next five years. EU-India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA): Both sides agreed to further the negotiations on early conclusion of the BTIA.

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of solar parks in India. The MoU will facilitate 848 million US dollars in funding to develop solar parks across India. The collaboration of ADB and USAID will initially focus on the state of Rajasthan. Under this agreement, USAID will align the technical resources of its existing Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Deployment (PACE-D) Program.

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Ashgabat Agreement: It is a transit agreement established in year 2011. It establishes international transport and transit corridor between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf countries. Its founding members are Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman. Kazakhstan had joined the grouping in 2015.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina along with Chief Minister of Tripura inaugurated two historical projects between two countries via video conference. These projects are 100 MW power export via transmission lines between Surjamaninagar (Tripura) and South Comilla in Bangladesh. Announcement of India’s 3rd Internet Gateway optical fibre connection between Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh and Agartala (Tripura).

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Nepal was officially made a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Beijing-based regional security grouping. SCO is a Eurasian economic, political and military organisation. 8 Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. Observers: Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia and Belarus. Headquarters: Beijing, China.

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International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions: The ICC Bureau is an important human rights body that serves as the Management Committee of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC). It implements all the decisions of the ICC General Meetings and directs the operations of the ICC between these meetings. ICC Bureau consists of sixteen ‘A’ status NHRIs four from each region namely, Americas, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.

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International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD): IFAD was established in 1977 as the 13th Specialised Agency of the United Nations. India is a founder member of IFAD and a key contributor among the member countries. It is mandated to work towards removing poverty and hunger in rural areas all over the world especially in developing countries. Goal: Empower poor rural men and women in developing countries to achieve higher incomes and improved food security.

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The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and European Union (EU) have signed an agreement to improve Cooperation in Cyber Defence to counter modern forms of hybrid

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warfareIt was signed between NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) and the Computer Emergency Response Team – European Union (CERT-EU). 

Union Government has sanctioned about 580 crore rupees for Agartala-Akhaura Railway Link Project to connect Kolkata (West Bengal) with Tripura via Bangladesh. Agartala-Akhaura Railway Link Project: It is 15 km long strategic railway route that would connect the Indian Railways with the Bangladesh Railways. The work on this project is expected to complete by 2017.

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The first phase of the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant was launched in the Souss-Massa-Drâa area in Morocco. It is part of Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex which will produce enough energy for more than one million Moroccan households on completion by 2018.

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India hosted BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave in Mumbai (Maharashtra), financial capital of India from April 14 to 16, 2016. It was attended by the top Urban Policy makers and Planners from BRICS Nations viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

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2016 theme declared by United Nations: “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.

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The Kenyan Government has decided to close Dadaab refugee camp which is often referred to as the world’s largest refugee camp over the issue of national security. The camp is home to 330000 refugees mostly from Somalia who have fled from the civil war in their country.

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The Group of 7 (G-7) countries’ Foreign Ministers have issued Hiroshima Declaration that calls for a world without nuclear weapons.

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For the first time, United Nations (UN) will observe the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution on April 13, 2016, a day before his date of birth. The main focus of this observance will be on combating inequalities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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UNIDO: It is a specialized agency in the United Nations and is member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG). It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Objective: Promotion and acceleration of industrial development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition and the promotion of international industrial cooperation.

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Chabahar port is strategically located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation’s southern coast.

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The official trip of US President Barack Obama comes more than seven decades after an American plane, dropped its payload (nuclear bomb), dubbed ‘Little Boy’ over the western Japanese city. The bombing had claimed lives of about 140,000 people and affected many from radiation-related illnesses. Three days later (On 9 August 1945) US dropped a second bomb dubbed as ‘Fat Man’ on the city of Nagasaki in which 70,000 more people were killed.

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Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has decided to open its first branch in India at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The IDB is a multilateral development financing institution based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Presently, it has 56 Islamic countries as its members. It was founded in 1973 by the Finance Ministers at the first Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).

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Russia has launched the new Project 22220 nuclear powered icebreaker dubbed ‘Arktika’. It is the world’s largest and most powerful vessel of its kind. It was launched from the Baltic Shipyard located in Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg. It has dual-draft design which makes it possible to use it in Arctic waters and in estuaries of polar rivers. It can break through 13 feet (3 metres) thick ice.

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UNGA President: President of UNGA presides over the sessions of the General Assembly which begins every year in September. The President is elected annually on rotational basis between the five geographic groups namely African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean and Western European and other States. Interesting fact: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was first and only Indian to serve as President of UNGA in 1953. She was also the first woman President of UNGA.

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The world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel Gotthard Base Tunnel was inaugurated in Switzerland. The full service of twin-bore tunnel will begin in December 2016. The Gotthard Base Tunnel is 57-kilometer long and connects northern and southern Europe and also shortens travel time for many rail routes. It has overtaken Japan’s Seikan tunnel, which measures 53.9 kilometres, as the longest rail tunnel in the world.

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Civil Nuclear Deal: Later in the delegation level talks, Namibia has invited Indian companies to directly mine Uranium from the country. However, it has asked India to enter into similar nuclear agreements it has reached with other countries in order to convince the memberstates of the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (ANWFZT) which is also known as Pelindaba treaty.

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India has joined a group of nearly 40 countries that have signed a Europe-led clampdown on tax evasion and corruption. Under this group countries are committed to automatically exchange information on beneficial ownership between law enforcement agencies and tax authorities of partner countries.

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According to recently released BP Statistical Review of World Energy, India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s third-largest oil consumer. With demand of 4.1 million barrels a day (bpd), India is the third-largest consumer behind the United States (19.39 million bpd) and China (11.96 million bpd).

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In recently released 2015 Good Country Index (GCI), India has been placed at 70th position in the list of 163 countries. The list has been topped by Sweden as the best country in the world when it comes to serving the interests of its people and contributing to the common good of humanity.

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The first long distance cargo train connecting Iran and China has arrived in the Iranian capital city Tehran after starting its journey from China. The train had started its journey from China’s eastern Zhejiang province and it took 14 days to reach final destination. It had covered around 9,500-kilometre distance and passed through two Central Asian countries Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

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Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue was inaugurated in Singapore to talk about security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum has been organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The three day event will be attended by at least 20 Defence Ministers from Asia-Pacific countries including India represented by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

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ECONOMICS CURRENT AFFAIRS ➢ Search engine giant Google Inc. has announced formation of a new holding or parent company called Alphabet Inc. to encompass its search engine unit and all other subsidiaries ➢ Union Government has launched a seven pronged plan called Indradhanush Mission to revamp functioning of public sector banks (PSBs). The seven shades of Indradhanush mission include appointments, de-stressing PSBs, capitalisation, empowerment, framework of accountability and governance reforms. It seeks to achieve the objective of economic growth revival through improving credit and minimising the political interference in the functioning of PSBs. ➢ Union Government has decided to set up a Bank Board Bureau (BBB) to monitor key performance indicators of two dozen public sector banks (PSBs). ➢ Anti-Dumping: 

European Union (EU) has imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty of up to 31.2 per cent on imports of sewage and water steel pipes from India for six months to protect its domestic industry.

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India has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty for period of five years on Potassium Carbonate imports from Taiwan and South Korea

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Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on ‘flax’ or ‘linen’ fabric imports from China and Hong Kong for a period of five years.

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To safeguard the interest of domestic industries of India, government on 6 August extended anti-dumping duty on import of all forms and grades of Vitamin C from China for the period of five years.

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Union Government has imposed anti-dumping duty on import of cold-rolled flat products of stainless steel for five years from seven countries. These countries are China, South Korea, United States, South Africa, Thailand and Taiwan and the European Union.

➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suspends licence of seven non-banking finance companies (NBFCs). The seven NBFCs whose licences were suspended are – Religare Finance, Artisans Micro Finance, Eden Trade & Commerce, RCS Parivar Finance, Nott Investments, Dewra Stocks & Securities, Swetasree Finance. Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956, whose principal business is lending, investments and receiving deposits. At present there are around 12,000 NBFCs in India. ➢ Kerala government has signed a MoU with Gautam Adani-led Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) for building 7,525 crore rupees Vizhinjam seaport project near Kovalam beach. Vizhinjam seaport project: It is Kerala government ambitious project which was initiated 25 years ago in 1991 to build a deepest and natural draft port near Kovalam beach in Thiruvananthapuram.

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➢ A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee has recommended conversion of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) with business size of 20,000 crore rupees or more into regular banks. This recommendation was given by the High Powered Committee on UCBs headed by RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi in its report. ➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information. ➢ Union Government has inked a loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for US 123.51 million dollars for Infrastructure Development Investment Program. The 3 tranche loan will be used for upgrading tourism infrastructure and services in three states Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. ➢ The Union Cabinet has allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) under the automatic route for white label ATM operations (WLAO). Private non-bank companies that own and operate their own brand of ATMs are termed as White labelled ATMs. They were meant to expand the reach of ATMs in Tier III to VI centres. ➢ Union Government has notified the merger of commodities market regulator Forward Markets Commission (FMC) with Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) with an effect from 28th September 2015. With this merger, all three national and six regional commodity exchanges will come under the ambit of national capital market regulator SEBI. ➢ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed non-resident Indians (NRIs) to subscribe to the National Pension System (NPS) enabling them access old age income security. Key facts: NPS will act as an investment option for NRIs under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. NRIs may subscribe to the NPS through normal banking channels and the person is eligible to invest as per the provisions of the PFRDA Act, 2013.

➢ What is Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs)? APA usually is signed between a taxpayer and the central tax authority (in case of India it is CBDT) for multiple years on an appropriating transfer pricing methodology. The APA Programme was introduced in 2012 as per the provisions of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961. It helps in determining the price and ensuing taxes on intra-group overseas transactions. ➢ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved World Bank assisted National Watershed Management Project- Neeranchal. The project will ensure access to irrigation to every farmland (Har Khet Ko Pani) and help to achieve objectives of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) for efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop). ➢ The Union Cabinet has given its nod for formation of Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS). ISDS will be a Group A Service of the technical cadre of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSD&E). ➢ Expert Committee to simplify income tax laws headed by Justice (retired) R.V. Easwar has submitted its report to Union Finance Ministry. The 10 member committee has

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recommended simplifying provisions related to tax deduction at source (TDS), tax refunds and claims of expenditure for deduction from taxable income. It also has suggested several taxpayer-friendly measures to improve the ease of doing business in the country, accelerate process of tax dispute resolutions, and reduce litigation. ➢ Union Ministry of Urban Development has come out with a Smart National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) model to enable seamless metro travel, shopping. ➢ India has been ranked 131 out of 167 nations on ICT Development Index (IDI) that measures the level of information and communication technology access. It was revealed in UN International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) flagship annual Measuring the Information Society (MISR) Report. ➢ India has been placed at 130th position in the 2015 Human Development Index (HDI) among the 188 countries. It was unveiled in the recently released Human Development Report 2015 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Sri Lanka has maintained its high ranking in 2015 HDI in the South Asia Region. Sri Lanka was ranked 73rd with an HDI value of 0.757. Key facts: Rankings of other seven South Asian Countries are Maldives (104), India (130), Bhutan (132), Bangladesh (142), Nepal (145), Pakistan (147) and Afghanistan (171). ➢ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved introduction of Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) for technology upgradation of the textiles industry. ATUFS targets employment generation (including women) and global export by encouraging garment and apparel industry. Promotes Technical Textiles which is a sunrise sector for export and employment creation ➢ National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 aims at providing legal entitlement to 5 kg of subsidised food grains to the identified person per month. Grains like wheat, rice and coarse grain will be distributed at the price of Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Rs. 1. Pregnant women and lactating mothers and children are entitled to get meals under the prescribed nutrition by MDM and ICDS. The age group would be 6 months to 14 years. NFSA 2013 will provide high nutrition food to the age group of 6 years. Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to get maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000. ➢ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its in principle approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model for implementing the National Highway Projects. The main objective of this model is to revive highway projects in the country by making it as one more mode of delivery of highway projects. Key features of Hybrid Annuity Model Investment: Government will invest 40 per cent of the construction cost for building highways and the balance 60 per cent will come from the private developer. Government investment will be based on the targeted completion of the road project in five equal instalments. Recovery: The private developer will be able to recover his investment from the government by receiving annuity payments over a period of 15 years. Toll collection: There is a separate provision for operation and management payments by the government to the concessionaire. The highway toll tax will be collected by the government i.e. by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) unlike in the build, operate and transfer (BOT) toll model in which the private sector collects it.

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➢ India has been ranked 76th out of 168 countries in the recently released 2015 Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The 2015 CPI was the 21st edition of the annual index and was published by the Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI). ➢ The Union Cabinet has approved creation of a Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF) for Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loans. The CGF is expected to guarantee more than 1,00,000 crore rupees worth of loans to micro and small units in the first instance. Features of scheme Credit Guarantee Fund for MUDRA Units (CGFMU) will guarantee loans sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to reduce the credit risk to Banks and other financial intermediaries who are Member Lending Institutions (MLIs). ➢ The Union Cabinet has approved the Stand Up India Scheme to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) and Women entrepreneurs.The Standup India is component of Start-up India, Stand up India slogan anchored by Department of Financial Services (DFS) to encourage greenfield enterprises by Women and SC/ST entrepreneurs. It will refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount 10,000 crore rupees. Under it, a credit guarantee mechanism would be created through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). It will be the operating agency for the loan. ➢ Border Haats: The Border Haats in Indian language means Rural Market. It aims at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries. It seeks to establish traditional system of marketing the local produce thorough local markets in local currency or according to barter basis. ➢ India’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has launched dedicated specialized branch for start-ups called ‘SBI InCube’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka. ➢ The Russian Government has approved a deal of ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) to acquire 15% stake in Vankor oilfield from Rosneft. The deal was signed between the OVL and Rosneft in September 2015 and is worth 1.3 billion US dollars. Vankor is Russia’s second biggest oil field with capacity of total 2.5 billion recoverable reserves barrels (or 500 million tonnes). ➢ India and China have led the developing countries in investments made in renewable energy in 2015. It was revealed by the ‘Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment’ Report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). ➢ Kisan Suvidha is an omnibus mobile app that will provide basic information on subjects such as market prices, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, weather, and agriculture machinery. ➢ India and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have decided to set up South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Centre (SARTTC) in New Delhi. ➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Setu Bharatam Project to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019. This project will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. ➢ The Union Finance Ministry has approved the proposal of four states for the issuance of Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) bonds. These four states are Uttar Pradesh,

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Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. These states account for around about 35 per cent or around 1.5 lakh crore rupees of the outstanding loans of State electricity distribution utilities in the country. ➢ Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): DRI is the major intelligence agency enforcing prohibition of smuggling of gold, diamonds, electronics, narcotics, foreign currency, counterfeit Indian currency etc. It was formally established on 4th December 1957/ DRI functions under the aegis of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the Department of Revenue of Union Ministry of Finance. ➢ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended currency swap arrangement to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations till mid-November 2017. All seven SAARC member countries including Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can avail the facility. Under the arrangement, RBI will be offering swap arrangement up to an overall amount of US 2 billion dollars both in foreign currency and Indian rupee. ➢ Union Ministry of Tourism has launched 24×7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info Line for international tourists in 12 international languages. The 12 languages include 10 International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, French, Arabic, Italian, German, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. ➢ India has been ranked at the 90th place in a list of 126 countries on the basis of their ability to deliver secure, affordable and sustainable energy. It was revealed by Global Energy Architecture Performance Index (GEAPI) Report compiled by World Economic Forum (WEF). Key facts: Top 10 countries in GEAPI Report: Switzerland (1st), Norway (2nd), Sweden (3rd), France (4th), Denmark (5th), Austria (6th), Spain (7th), Colombia (8th), New Zealand (9th) and Uruguay(10th) ➢ Under National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), Union Government in 2014 had announced to set up 16 NIMZs to boost manufacturing sector. 8 of them are along the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). NMP aims to enhance the share of manufacturing sector in GDP to 25% and create 100 million employment opportunities over a decade. The Union Government has given its final approval to setting up of National Investment & Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Kalinganagar, Odisha. ➢ The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 (FRBMA) is an Act of the Parliament of India to institutionalise financial discipline, reduce India's fiscal deficit, improve macroeconomic management and the overall management of the public funds by moving towards a balanced budget. The main purpose was to eliminate revenue deficit of the country (building revenue surplus thereafter) and bring down the fiscal deficitto a manageable 3% of the GDP by March 2008. However, due to the 2007 international financial crisis, the deadlines for the implementation of the targets in the act was initially postponed and subsequently suspended in 2009. In 2011, given the process of ongoing recovery, Economic Advisory Council publicly advised the Government of India to reconsider reinstating the provisions of the FRBMA. ➢ Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA): The TFA is the WTO’s first-ever multilateral accord that aims to simplify customs regulations for the cross-border movement of goods. It was

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outcome of WTO’s 9th Bali (Indonesia) Ministerial Package of 2013. The agreement includes provisions for lowering import tariffs and agricultural subsidies: It will make it easier for developing countries to trade with the developed world in global markets. Abolish hard import quotas: Developed countries would abolish hard import quotas on agricultural products from the developing world and instead would only be allowed to charge tariffs on amount of agricultural imports exceeding specific limits. Reduction in red tape at international borders: It aims to reduce red-tapism to facilitate trade by reforming customs bureaucracies and formalities ➢ The Union Cabinet has given its approval for expansion of India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile. ➢ As per recently report of World Bank, India remained the world’s largest remittance recipient in 2015. It was revealed by the World Bank’s annual report Migration and Development Brief. In 2015, India attracted about 69 billion US dollars in remittances, down from 70 billion in 2014 ➢ The Union Cabinet has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to give an impetus to the capital goods sector and the Make in India initiative. This is first ever policy for Capital Goods sector framed by the Union Government (Ministry of Heavy Industry & Public Enterprise). Key features of policy objectives: (i) Increase production of capital goods from 2,30,000 crore rupees in 2014-15 to 7,50,000 crore rupees in 2025. (ii) Raise direct and indirect employment from the current 8.4 million to 30 million. (iii) Increase exports from the current 27% to 40% of production. (iv) Increase the share of domestic production in India’s demand from 60% to 80% to make India a net exporter of capital goods. Aim of Policy: (i) Facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors, (ii) Ensure mandatory standards, (iii) Increase skill availability and promote growth and (iv) Capacity building of MSMEs. ➢ What are Participatory notes? Participatory Notes are offshore/overseas derivative instruments (ODIs) issued by registered foreign institutional investors (FII) to overseas investors. They are commonly known as P-Notes. The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has tightened the Participatory Notes (P-note) norms. The main purpose of this decision is to keep vigil on foreign investments to curb black money inflows in the country. ➢ Civil Aviation Policy 2016 aims at making India 3rd largest civil aviation market by 2022 from current 9th position. Increase domestic ticketing to 30 crore by 2022 from 8 crore in 2015. Increase airports having scheduled commercial flights from 77 in 2016 to 127 by 2019. Increase cargo volumes to 10 million tonnes i.e. by 4 times by 2027. Under Regional Connectivity Scheme, enabling Indians to fly at Rs. 2,500 per hour at unserved airports. For starting international operations, requirement of 5 years of domestic flying removed. Liberalized and Flexible ‘open skies’ and ‘code share’ agreements. Incentives to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector in order to develop India as hub for South Asia. Ensure availability of quality certified 3.3 lakh skilled personnel by 2025. ➢ The Montreal Convention, 1999: It establishes airline liability in the case of injury, death or delay to passengers. It also includes liability in cases of damage or loss or delay of baggage

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and cargo. It also mandates that every five years, limits of liability of the air carriers should be reviewed

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS A. IN NEWS Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas The states covered under it are Assam, (MoPNG) has released the Hydrocarbon Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Vision 2030 for north-east India. Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura. Union Government has launched KISAN (Crop Insurance using Space Technology and Geoinformatics) Project to benefit farmers.

This project will favour use of satellites, drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) and other geospatial technology to collect crop yield data and to assess damage from natural calamities.

N-Butyl Alcohol: It is a by-product of the It is used as artificial flavouring and is present fermentation of sugar and other in many foods and beverages. carbohydrate. Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2015:The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2015.

The bill aims for establishment of a Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) in Faridabad, Haryana and provide a legal status to the Centre.

Titanium Sponge Plant :

Titanium Sponge: It is a Titanium (Ti) alloy products produced by conversion of raw titanium through Kroll process which is subjected to leaching or heated vacuum distillation to remove impurities and gaining the purest form (99.7 per cent) of Titanium Sponge. India has become the seventh country in the world producing Titanium sponge commercially.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 10 August has fully commissioned and started commercial production at the first indigenous Titanium Sponge Plant at Chavara in Kerala.

‘Organoid’:

This medical breakthrough research was undertaken team of researchers from Ohio Scientists from United States (US) have State University led by Professor Rene successfully grown a replica of a human brain Anand. Key facts: The brain called ‘Organoid’ in a laboratory dish. was created from reprogrammed skin cells. It is about the size of a pencil eraser. ZipDose 3D printing technology: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was first to develop Powder-liquid threedimensional printing (3DP) technology in 1980s.

Aprecia started developing ZipDose 3DP technology in 2007 which was designed to enable delivery of high-dose medications in a rapidly disintegrating form.

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China’s Tianhe-2 supercomputer has emerged as the world’s most powerful supercomputer system for the sixth consecutive time. It was unveiled in 46th edition of Top500 list of supercomputers.

The Chinese Supercomputer is capable of performing calculations with processing speed of 33.86 petaflops per second (Pflop/s). It has held the title since June 2013. Supercomputer Titan of the US Department of Energy has been placed at second Supercomputer Tianhe-2 or Milky Way 2 has position. It has a performance of 17.59 been developed by China’s National Pflop/s. Supercomputer Sequoia of Tech University of Defence Technology. giant IBM was placed at third position. It has processing speed of 17.17 Pflop/s. K computer of Fujitsu was placed at fourth position. It has processing speed of 10.51 Pflop/s. Supercomputer Mira of IBM placed at fifth position. It has processing speed of 8.58 Pflop/s. Loon project: Union Government has given in principle approval to work on Loon project of internet search engine giant Google for providing Internet connectivity by using large balloons. The project will be started on a pilot basis and state run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will be partner with the project in order to expand Internet connectivity in the country.

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)? UCG is a clean coal extraction technology for extracting energy from the coal seams and lignite resources which cannot be mined through traditional mining technology.

What is Google’s Loon project? It is Google’s ambitious research and development project that aims at providing low-cost Internet access to rural and remote areas. Under the project, high altitude floating telecom tower balloons are positioned at a height of 20 km, above earth’s surface for transmission of internet services. Each balloon can provide full wireless broadband internet coverage up to an area of 40 km. These balloons are mainly powered though solar panels. These balloons have transceivers which can connect to cell phone networks in order to fill the gaps in their networks especially in remote areas such as mountains and deserts. Google already has successfully tested this technology in New Zealand, California and Brazil. Apart from Project Loon, Google has also partnered with the Common Service Centre (CSC) and Internet Sathi programme (ISP) to expand Internet reach in 3 lakh villages particularly for women training. It is mainly an industrial process which converts coal into product gases such as methane, hydrogen, CO and CO2 that are combusted for electricity generation. The gasification process is carried out in nonmined coal seams using injection of oxidants which brings the product gas to surface through production wells drilled from the

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surface.

IMPRINT: President Pranab Mukherjee launched Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India to boost research in the country. The initiative is joint venture of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISC).

Key facts: IMPRINT India initiative seeks to develop a roadmap for research in order to solve major engineering and technology challenges in 10 identified technology domains. These 10 domains are: Health Care, Computer Science and ICT, Advance Materials, Water Resources and River systems, Sustainable Urban Design, Defence, Nano-technology Hardware, Environmental Science and Climate Change and Energy Security.

Scientists from China and United States have developed a 3-D printing method to produce highly uniform ‘blocks’ of embryonic stem cells. The method was developed by the researchers from Beijing based Tsinghua University (China) and Philadelphia based Drexel University (US).

Key facts: The new method used extrusiondeposition based 3-D printing technology to produce a grid-like 3-D (three dimensional) cell structure to grow embryoid body. This 3D printed embryoid body demonstrated cell viability and rapid self-renewal for 7 days by maintaining high pluripotentcy. The grown embryoid body in such a controlled manner is uniform and homogenous and serves as a basic starting point for further tissue growth.

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has signed cybersecurity agreement with its counterparts in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is nodal department under the aegis of Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing in India. Headquarters: New Delhi. Objective: To protect Indian cyberspace and software infrastructure against destructive and hacking activities. Strengthen security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.

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‘CIRB Gaurav’: Scientists at the Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) in Hisar, Haryana have successfully produced a cloned buffalo offspring named ‘Cirb Gaurav’. Artificial Intelligence (AI): John McCarthy is being credited with coining the term artificial intelligence in 1955. He had defined it as the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.

With this achievement, CIRB becomes the India’s second and world’s third institute to produce cloned buffalo. Karnal (Haryana) based National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) was the India’s first institute to produce a cloned calf. In other terms, AI is the computer science field that studies the synthesis and analysis of computational agents that act intelligently. It deals with creation of computers along with software that make machine hardware capable of intelligent behaviour.

A team of scientists in US led by an Indian- SnO is a new kind of 2D semiconducting origin Ashutosh Tiwari has discovered Tin material for electronics that opens the door Monoxide (SnO) conductor to replace silicon. for much speedier computers and smartphones that consumes less power. LIGO-India project (Laser Interferometer Key facts: LIGO-India project is piloted by Gravitational-wave Observatory in India): Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Science and Technology The Union Cabinet has approved the LIGO- (DST). It will give impetus to scientific India project (Laser Interferometer research in the country. It will establish a Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) state-of-the-art Gravitational Wave proposal for research on gravitational waves. Observatory in India in collaboration with the The approval coincides with the historic first US based LIGO Laboratory run by Caltech time detection of gravitational waves that had and MIT. opened up of a new window on the universe to unravel some of its greatest mysteries. NRDC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IACS for commercialisation of technologies and intellectual properties (IP) developed at IACS.

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) based in Kolkata is an autonomous and oldest research institute in India. It is devoted to the pursuit of fundamental research in the frontier areas of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Polymer, Energy and Materials.

As per recently released Index of Internet Readiness of Indian States (IIRIS) report, Maharashtra has topped in terms of the overall Internet readiness index.

The report has been compiled and published by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indicus Analyticsence Film Festival held in Mumbai.

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Canal top solar PV plant at Bhimavaram

Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a seasonwise til table canal top solar PV plant at Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh. It is the first canal top project in Andhra Pradesh and also of its kind project to be executed by BHEL.

Indian scientists have developed an ecofriendly biopolymer using nanotechnology for water-softening and water purification applications.The eco-friendly biopolymer has been created using a naturally occurring substance, called chitosan. The chitosan has been obtained naturally from the hard outer skeleton of shellfish including crab, lobster, and shrimp as a backbone for the carbon nanoparticles to sit on.

In this biopolymer, nanoparticles are the functional parts of the technology as they remove calcium and magnesium components of water through ion exchange. Thus, it shows the same process that is used by common water purifiers. Significance: This natural material is the first of its kind with potential to act as a biodegradable and green material for water-softening applications. This eco-friendly biodegradable biopolymer can be used in civic water treatment plants for generating potable water.

Chinese researchers have developed Key facts: The new all-weather solar cell is Graphene based all-weather solar cell that made up of highly efficient dye-sensitised can generate electricity even during rains. solar cell coated with a very thin film of graphene. Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) form of carbon in which the atoms are bonded into a honeycomb arrangement. National Technology Day is being observed across India on May 11 to glorify the importance of science in day-to-day life and motivate students to adopt science as a career option. 2016 Theme: ‘Technology enablers of Startup India’. Several events are organized in various engineering colleges and technical institutes to mark the occasion.

Significance of the day: The day is being commemorated to celebrate the anniversary of first of the five tests of Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test, held on 11 May 1998 in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Apart from Pokhran nuclear test, on this day first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3 was test flown at Bangalore. India also conducted successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day.

A team of scientists from Harvard University (United States) has created a unique bionic leaf that uses sunlight (solar energy) to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen and hydrogen-eating bacteria to produce liquid fuels from CO2.

This artificial photosynthesis device has been dubbed bionic leaf 2.0. The new system can convert solar energy to biomass with 10% efficiency. Its efficiency is much higher than the 1% seen in the fastest growing plants.

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The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has announced four proposed names for the four new elements that were added in periodic table in January 2016. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC): IUPAC is panel of scientists that governs chemical research and the admission of the new elements in the periodic table. Under its rules, names of the elements must reflect one of the physical characteristics or chemical properties, a place, a mineral, a scientist (living or dead), or a mythological concept.

Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS): The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of 15 years contract for undertaking exploration and other developmental activities related to Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS). The contract was approved between the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences and the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Atomic No Element Name Element Symbol Facts: 113 Nihonium Nh: It was created by a group of Japanese researchers. The element incorporates word “Nihon” which means Japan in Japanese. 115 Moscovium Mc: It has been named after Russian capital Moscow. 117 Tennessine Ts: It has been named after American state of Tennessee by American researchers. Indian scientist Susanta Lahiri also had played an important role in discovering it. 118 Oganesson Og Named in honour of Russian researcher Yuri Oganessian. It is only the second element to be named after a living scientist. Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS): PMS are mineral deposit with three or more metals in commercial quantities that may occur in volcanogenic, magmatic or hydrothermal environments. Deep seabed PMS mainly contain iron, silver, gold, zinc, copper, platinum in variable constitutions.

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)

It was established in 1971 and has its headquarters at Hyderabad, Telangana. It is Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) The NFC is a India’s unique nuclear facility where natural major industrial unit of Department of Atomic and enriched uranium fuel, zirconium alloy Energy (DAE), for the supply of nuclear fuel cladding and reactor core components are bundles and reactor core components. manufactured under single roof.

B. OUTER SPACE

➢ For the first time, a team of scientists have discovered two complex organic molecules viz. Ethyl alcohol and a simple sugar known as glycolaldehyde on a comet. These molecules were discovered on Comet Lovejoy from gas emitted by a comet by scientists from NASA, the Paris Observatory, and other organisations. ➢ Scientists have discovered a rare triple-star system named KELT-4Ab with a gas giant planet similar in size to Jupiter.

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➢ Cepheid stars: These stars pulsate at rates that correspond to their true brightness. This can be compared with their apparent brightness as seen from Earth in order to accurately determine their distance. ➢ Type Ia supernovae: It is another commonly used cosmic yardstick. They are exploding stars that flare with the same brightness and are brilliant enough to be seen from relatively longer distances. ➢ Scientists from Iceland have discovered a new way to trap the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground by changing it into rock. The new way was discovered by Scientists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory as part of a pilot program called CarbFix project. The pilot programme was launched in 2012 at the Hellisheidi power plant- the world’s largest geothermal facility in Iceland. ➢ EINSTEIN RING:An international team of astrophysicists have discovered an unusual astronomical object — an Einstein ring. This phenomenon was predicted by Einstein’s theory of General Relativity and has been given its own name “The Canarias Einstein ring”. In observational astronomy, an Einstein ring (Einstein-Chwolson ring) is the deformation (distortion) of the light from a source (such as a star or galaxy) into a ring through gravitational lensing of the source’s light by an object with an extremely large mass (such as a black hole or another galaxy). ➢ Kepler spacecraft: Kepler was launched in March 2009 and was tasked with determining how commonly, Earth-like planets occur throughout the Milky Way galaxy. Since its launch, the mission has been incredibly successful and has led to finding of more than 1,000 alien planets of which half are exoplanets to be ever discovered. India’s Space Program ➢ ISRO has successfully placed communication satellite GSAT-6 into its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit. It was launched by the indigenously built Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. GSAT-6 satellite was carrying S-Band and C-Band transponders meant for public and strategic purposes. The satellite has S-Band Unfurlable Antenna of 6 m diameter. This is the largest antenna ever made by ISRO for a satellite. It has been collocated with other four communication satellites INSAT-4A, IRNSS1C, GSAT 12 and GSAT 10. GSLV-D6 is threestage heavy weight rocket with indigenously made Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). It is fuelled by liquid Oxygen and liquid Hydrogen propellants. CUS provides rocket more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to earlier solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages.. ➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted hotbed test of the indigenously developed high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) of the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM3) rocket for the upper stage. The long-duration test was conducted at ISRO Propulsion Research Centre at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu and lasted for 640 seconds. It was conducted with Mixture Ratio Controller (MRC) in a closed loop mode. ➢ Indigenously developed Communication satellite GSAT-15 of Indian Space Research Organisation was successfully launched from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. It

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was launched by Ariane-5 VA-227 rocket (launch vehicle) of Arianespace into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) along with Arabsat-6B (BADR-7) satellite of Airbus Defence and Space. About GSAT-15: GSAT-15 is a high power satellite being inducted into the INSAT/GSAT communication satellite system and weighs around 3,164 kg. Carries a total of 24 communication transponders in Ku-band along with GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands It is the 3rd satellite to carry GAGAN payload after GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 which already are providing navigation services from orbit. ➢ Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM): Mangalyaan is indigenously designed, built and launched by ISRO in record period of less than two years in 450 crore rupees (73 million US dollars) budget which is considered as cheapest inter-planetary mission till date to reach Mars. The spacecraft has five instruments mounted on it for collecting scientific data of Mars morphology, atmospheric processes, surface temperature, surface geology and atmospheric escape process. These five instruments are Lyman-Alpha Photometer (LAP), Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM), Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA), Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) and Mars Colour Camera (MCC) ➢ ISRO has successfully placed six commercial satellites from Singapore in their dedicated orbits. These satellites were launched using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C29) from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This successful launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore in year 2015. Key facts: The PSLV-C29 was launched in the core-alone version. It was overall PSLV’s 32nd space flight and the 31st consecutively successful one. The major payload was TeLEOS-One remote sensing satellite weighing 400 kg. It would be used for urban planning and disaster monitoring of Singapore. The other five satellites included two micro satellites and one nano satellite. These satellites are VELOX-CI (123 kg), VELOX-II (13 kg) 6U-Cubesat technology demonstrator, Athenoxat1, Kent Ridge-1 (78 kg) and Galassia (3.4 kg) 2U-Cubesat. ➢ India’s first dedicated satellite for astronomy research Astrosat has been successfully launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It was launched along with 6 foreign satellites by the ISRO’s work horse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C30 (PSLV-C30). The first and third stages of PSLV-C30 launch were powered by solid fuel while the second and fourth stages are powered by liquid fuel. Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multiwavelength space observatory. ➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scripted history by launching a record number of 22 satellites in a single mission in May 2016. These satellites (micro and nano) were launched using ISRO’s workhorse Polar rocket PSLV C34. It was carrying India’s Cartosat 2C along with 21 other satellites from other countries, including US, Canada, Indonesia and Germany as co-passengers. Earlier in 2008, ISRO had sent ten satellites into orbit in a single mission. ➢ India will launch Indonesia’s second multi-spectral remote sensing satellite LAPAN A2/Orari. ➢ Asia’s largest and first of its kind optical telescope Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) was unveiled at Devasthal in Nainital District, Uttarakhand.

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Aries telescope was joint collaborative technological effort between Indian and Belgian scientists. ➢ India’s first indigenous composites sonar dome, a ship’s underwater eyes and ears, was dedicated to the nation and will be delivered to Mazgaon Docks, Mumbai for use in the warships of Indian Navy. Sonaris an acronym for SOund Navigation And Ranging. It is a technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater) to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels. ➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has installed the Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer (GIRI) Radar System near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It was installed at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), which is an autonomous research institute of the Department of Space (DoS). ➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the country’s first solar mission called Aditya-L1. Aditya-L1 satellite will be placed in an orbit about 15 lakh kilometres from the earth in a halo orbit around the L1 Lagranian point. It will be launched by using the PSLV XL. Its primary objective will be to study the solar corona and the chromosphere in different wavebands, dynamic nature of the sun’s outer most layers, and collect data about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). ➢ Lagrangian points: They are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other. There are five such points in Sun-Earth system and they are denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. In this location, small mass remains at constant distances relative to the large masses. Halo orbit: It is a periodic threedimensional (3D) orbit near the Lagrangian points L1, L2 or L3. ➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working to establishment of a Satellite Tracking & Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility for ASEAN Member countries in Vietnam. ➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has decided to test an Air-breathing Propulsion System after successful test of Reusable launch Vehicle- Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD). The testing of air-breathing propulsion system aims to capitalize on the oxygen in the atmosphere instead of liquefied oxygen while in flight. ISRO is evolving and testing various technologies to bring down the cost of launch vehicles and the airbreathing propulsion system is part of its new space endeavour. ➢ India has joined the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), a global ballistic missile proliferation regime.The HCoC is a voluntary, legally non-binding international confidence building and transparency measure that seeks to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles that are capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It was established on 25 November 2002 as a result of international efforts to regulate access to ballistic missiles which can potentially deliver WMDs International Space Program ➢ Russia’s newest defence satellite dubbed as EKS Kosmos-2510 was successfully launched into space and has been placed into its dedicated orbit. It was launched using Russian

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Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome which is a military facility in northwestern Russia. ➢ China’s first lunar rover, Yutu, has set the new record for the longest stay by a rover on the lunar surface. With working on the Moon for almost two years it has surpassed previous record of Soviet Union’s (USSR’s) 1970 launched rover Lunokhod 1, which had spent 11 months on the Moon. ➢ China has successfully launched Tianhui-1C, a third mapping satellite of the Tianhui-1 series into its designated orbit. ➢ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully launched the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Jason-3 Ocean-monitoring satellite. Jason-3 is the 4th mission in the joint US-European series of satellite missions that measure the height of the ocean surface. ➢ An unmanned spacecraft named ExoMars 2016 was successfully launched jointly Europe and Russia to search for biosignatures on Mars (or Martian life) in past or present.ExoMars 2016: It consists of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli, an entry, descent and landing demonstrator module. TGO’s sole purpose is to search (trace) evidence of methane (CH4) and other atmospheric gases that could be signatures of active biological or geological processes on Mars. TGO has four suites of science instruments. They are ACS (Atmospheric Chemistry Suite), FREND (Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector), CaSSIS (Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System) and NOMAD (Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery) ➢ IRNSS system is similar to other satellite navigation systems like US GPS (Global Positioning System), Russia’s Glonass, Japan’s Quasi Zenith, Europe’s Galileo and China’s Beidou. ➢ Japan has successfully launched ASTRO-H space observation satellite to probe mysterious black holes. ➢ China has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite Gaofen-4, as part of the country’s high-definition (HD) earth observation Gaofen project. It was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan. Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit highdefinition optical imaging satellite and world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite. It is located at the orbit 36,000 km away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.

C. DEFENCE ❖ Indian Navy has commissioned INS Kochi, a Kolkata-class Guided Missile Destroyer in its contingent to showcase India’s indigenous efforts in the field of underwater warfare.It has been built at Mazagaon Docks (MDL), Mumbai and it is the 10th destroyer in India’s combat fleet.

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❖ India’s first Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. First of its kind system in the country is part of initiatives to strengthen and beef up coastal security in the western coastline. IUHDSS has been designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Consists of advance sensors, coastal surveillance radars and sound navigation and ranging systems (SONAR). Capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and generating warning for all types of underwater and surface threats to harbour security. ❖ Seychelles government allowed India to build its first Naval Base on the Assumption Island in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) as a joint project between both countries. India’s first Naval Base project has acquired significance following China acquiring its first African naval base in Djibouti (near Horn of Africa) in November 2014. ❖ India’s first indigenously designed warship INS Godavari has been decommissioned after 32 years of service. INS Godavari was the first of the three in her Class of guided-missile frigates and was commissioned into Indian Navy on 10 December 1983. The ship was considered as a symbol of India’s growing military might and self-reliance. It was first of three Godavari Class frigates, others being Ganga and Gomati. ❖ INS Vishwakarma, the erstwhile Shipwright School (SWS) and a premier training establishment of the Indian Navy has been commissioned. INS Vishwakarma was commissioned in keeping with the Navy’s thrust towards indigenisation and ‘Make in India’ initiative. ❖ Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette INS Kadmatt has been commission in the Indian Navy by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan at naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. It is the second ship of Project 28 (P28) class ASW corvettes and is the latest ship after Shivalik class, Kolkata class and INS Kamorta. ❖ India’s first indigenously built nuclear armed submarine INS Arihant has successfully passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests. These successful tests undertaken off Vishakhapatnam coast. INS Arihant’s design is based on the Russian Akula1 class submarine. It is a 6,000-tonne nuclear powered submarine and is 112 metre long. ❖ The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly manoeuvrable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.INS Tarmugli is indigenously conceived, designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE). It is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) and is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE. ❖ Nuclear capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLMB) code named K-4, was successfully test fired from an undisclosed location in the Bay of Bengal.The K-4 is part of the K-family of missiles, a series of SLBMs (Submarine-launched ballistic missile). The series is named after former president and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. ❖ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maritime India Summit 2016 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This is India’s first ever Maritime Summit and the flagship event organised by Union Ministry of Shipping.The main focus of summit is to give impetus to Make In India and

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blue economy under the Union Government’s ambitious Sagarmala Project emphasising on port-led development ❖ The Southern Command of the Indian Navy has inaugurated a naval detachment at Androth Island of the Lakshadweep archipelago. The naval detachment seeks to strengthen maritime security in and around Arabian Sea and enhance surveillance of crucial shipping lanes. ❖ The International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016, an international military exercise hosted and conducted by Indian Navy was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Theme of this edition on IFR is “United through Oceans” and its objective is to enhance mutual trust and confidence with neighbouring navies by inviting their ships to participate in the event. ❖ Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of Union Government has given its final approval to Kerala Government’s approval to set up India’s first Defence Industrial Park at Ottappalam. ❖ Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established the world’s Highest Terrestrial Research Centre near Pengong Lake at Changla in Ladakh. The centre dubbed as Extreme Altitude Research Centre is located at 17,600 feet above mean sea level. ❖ An indigenously developed ( by BDL) second generation anti-tank guided missile, Amogha-I was successfully test fired. It has maximum target range of 2.8 kms. ❖ Lakshya: It is remotely piloted high speed target drone system developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, a Bengaluru unit of DRDO in 1985. ❖ Indigenously developed by DRDO under Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, the supersonic Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully test fired from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. ❖ Indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile, Ashwin was successfully test fired. The test was the twelfth test of interceptor missiles fired from a warship in the Bay of Bengal. Of the 11 tests held earlier, 9 were successful.AAD interceptor missile Ashwin is the advanced version of low altitude supersonic ballistic interceptor missile. ❖ Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM):Co-developed by India and Israel was successfully test-fired for the first time from an Israeli Naval Platform.LRSAM is also called Barak 8 missile in Israel which in Hebrew language means lightning. Barak 8 is an advanced, long-range missile defence and air defence system. Its main features are long range, active radar seeker missile, vertical launch and multiple simultaneous engagements. ❖ The nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile was successfully test fired from warship Subhadra, off the Puri coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.The surface-to-surface missile is a naval variant of Prithvi-II missile and can carry both conventional as well as a nuclear payload of 500 kg. ❖ Nuclear capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile was successfully test-fired by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface missile and is

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capable of hitting a target at a distance of 4,000 km. The two-stage solid-propelled missile is about 20 metres tall and weighs 17 tonnes. It is equipped with modern and advanced ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation system (RINS). ❖ Indian Army has successfully test fired the Brahmos supersonic land attack cruise missile at Pokhran in Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan. ❖ Indigenously-built surface-to-air Akash missile was successfully test fired from complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipuri in Odisha.It has been indigenously developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). The missile has supersonic speeds ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.5. It has capability to carry warhead of 60 kg. It can engage aerial targets up to a range of approximately 25 kms. ❖ The indigenously-built , by DRDO under IGMDP, third generation anti-tank missile Nag was successfully test fired at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. It is fire-and-forget antitank missile. HeliNa is a helicopter-launched version of Nag missile. Operational range: 500m to 4km (Land version), 7-10km (Air-launched). ❖ India’s biggest ever land, naval and homeland security exhibition Defence Expo 2016 began in Goa. This for the first time, the Expo is being held outside the national capital New Delhi.The 2016 theme is “Rise of Futurism” and its vision is to make India prosperous by establishing world class science and technology base in defence sector.DRDO will display live demo of Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEWCS), Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Main Battle Tank (MTB) Arjun, Wheeled Armoured Platform AKASH, Air Defence System, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher, state of art Radars, and other equipment. ❖ A joint US-Australian military research team successfully tested a hypersonic technology in the Australian desert.Hypersonic flight involves travelling at more than 5 times the speed of sound (Mach 5). For this purpose, scientists working in the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) programme are developing an engine that can fly at Mach 7 speed. HiFiRE programme consists of a scramjet engine attached to a rocket booster. Scramjetis a supersonic combustion engine that uses oxygen from the atmosphere for fuel. It is lighter and faster than fuel-carrying rockets and is suitable for flying at hypersonic (Mach 5 and above) speed ❖ PRITHVI:-Indigenously developed short range nuclear capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired from a test range at Chandipur in Odisha. ❖ Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2015

India-US Combined Military Training Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2015 held from 9th September 2015 at Joint Base Lewis McChord in United States.

MALABAR trilateral India, Japan and United States (US) navies have kicked off 2016 MALABAR naval Exercise trilateral naval Exercise near South China Sea. This year it is the 20th edition of the naval exercise in which over 100 aircraft and 22 naval ships including a nuclear submarine are participating.

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AUSINDEX15

Inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia AUSINDEX15, commenced off coast of Visakhapatnam. The inaugural biennial exercise began with briefings and practical demonstrations ashore between Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy before moving to sea.

KUVERIN 2015

The sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise, KUVERIN 2015 has commenced at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

MITRA SHAKTI 2015

India-Sri Lanka joint military training exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2015 held at Aundh Military Station in Pune, Maharashtra. It is third edition of the joint training exercise between both countries that seeks to build Military to Military cooperation and interoperability.

SLINEX 2015

The fourth edition of Sri Lanka-India bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2015 began off Trincomalee coast, Sri Lanka.

‘Shatrujeet’

The Indian Army conducted major battle exercise named as ‘Shatrujeet’ in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan near to the border with Pakistan.

Surya Kiran IX

The 9th edition of India-Nepal Combined Military Exercise Surya Kiran IX has commenced at Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

Hand-in-Hand series of For the first time, border troops of India and China have held their first joint India-China Joint tactical exercise codenamed Sino-India Cooperation 2016 in Chushul-Moldo in Exercises Jammu and Kashmir. This exercise is complement to the Hand-in-Hand series of India-China Joint Exercises and the recently conducted joint exercise in Sikkim. ‘Nomadic Elephant – The eleventh edition of India-Mongolia joint military training exercise ‘Nomadic 2016’ Elephant – 2016’ has commenced at Mongolia. It seeks to promote military associations between India and Mongolia. The first joint exercise was held in 2004 and since then it is annually held. ‘Indra-2015’

The seventh edition India-Russia Joint Military exercise ‘Indra-2015’ has begun in Bikaner District of Rajasthan. This edition of exercise is focusing on ‘Counter Terrorism Operations in Desert Terrain under a United Nations Mandate’.

INDRA NAVY-15

The eighth edition of India-Russia joint naval exercise-INDRA NAVY-15 - in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

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Cobra Gold 2016

For the first time, India has participated in the Cobra Gold 2016 multilateral amphibious exercise hosted by Thailand after a 12 member Indian Army delegation joined it. Cobra Gold multilateral amphibious exercise is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise held annually in Thailand. It was first held in 1982 in order to improve relations and coordination between the armed forces of Thailand and US in both humanitarian and hostile military efforts

LAMITYE 2016

The 7th edition of India, Seychelles joint military exercise LAMITYE 2016 has begun in Victoria, Seychelles. The fourteen day exercise has been conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria till February 28, 2016

Shakti-2016

India and France had their eight-day counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency bilateral military exercise Shakti-2016 in Rajasthan.

‘Sahayog-Kaijin 2016’

The 15th edition of bilateral exercise by the Indian Coast Guard and its Japanese counterpart titled ‘Sahayog-Kaijin 2016’ has begun off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the Bay of Bengal.

Garuda Shakti

The fourth edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Training Exercise Garuda Shakti has begun at Magelang in Indonesia. The 13 days (till 23 March) bilateral exercise aims at (i) Building and promoting positive relations between the Armies of India and Indonesia. (ii) Enhancing their abilities to undertake joint tactical level operations in a counter insurgency environment under United Nations Charter.

ORGANISATION/AGENCY/INSTITUTE/BODY Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 

FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and operates under aegis of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

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FSSAI is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health in India through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

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Functions: FSSAI has been established to lay down science based standards for various food products in order ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. It also regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food products for human consumption.

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The first commission was constituted in 1955 and since then various commissions were re-constituted every three years. It is usually headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or former Chief Justice of a High Court.

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It is national organisation responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring doping control programme in sports in all its forms.

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The primary objectives of NADA are: Implement anti-doping rules as per World Anti-Doping Code, Regulate dope control programme, Promote education and research and Create awareness about doping and its ill effects.

Commission

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UPSC is a constitutional body which conducts the prestigious civil services examination to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers among others.

It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution and consists of a Chairman and ten Members; appointed and removed by the President.

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The Chairman and Members of the Commission hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

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It has headquarter in New Delhi.

NAM is quasi-judicial body that functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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It is empowered to make recommendations to Union Government for grading and classifying centrally protected monuments and protected areas declared as being of national importance.

National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

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The objective of NIIF is to maximize economic growth of the country mainly through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects (both greenfield and brownfield), including stalled projects.

Law Commission of India (LCI) 

The LCI is a non-statutory and non-constitutional body constituted by the Union Government from time to time.

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) 

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NADA was set up as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1890, in November 2005, with a mandate for dope free sports in India. It functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Union Public (UPSC) 

Service

National Monuments Authority (NMA) 

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The NIIF has been established by Union Government as a Category II Alternate Investment Funds (AIF) as per the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of

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India (SEBI).

G 20[Members: Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Canada, France, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and European Union (EU).] 

India is going to chair Group of Twenty (G20) nations forum in year 2018 and New Delhi could be the host of the prestigious annual G20 summit.

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Established: in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on member countries in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Women-20(W-20) 

It has hosted its first summit in October 2015 in Istanbul after all member countries appoint their respective nominees.

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Gulden Turktan from Turkey has been appointed as the first President W20 forum

G-4 

G-4 countries viz. Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have issued a Joint Statement on United Nations Security Council Reforms (UNSC).

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Group of Twenty (G20) G20 is the premier forum (It is not an organisation) for global economic and financial cooperation. Being a forum it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure.

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The forum brings together 20 nations that represent world’s major advanced and emerging economies, representing around 85 per cent of global GDP. Presidency of the G20: Every year one nation holds the chair of G20 known as Presidency which rotates annually among its member groups. The presidency establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration till it holds the Chair.

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Group of Twenty (G-20), a forum of world’s 20 largest economies, including India launched Women-20 (W20), an engagement grouping of women leaders in order to push for gender inclusive global economic growth. It was launched in the on-going G-20 Summit of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Ankara under the Turkish Presidency.

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G-4 leaders in meeting stressed on more legitimate, representative and effective UNSC reforms to address the global conflicts and crises which have spiralled in recent years.

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Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) 

NSG is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be used for development of nuclear weapons.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) 

Long-pending 2010 Quota and Governance Reforms have finally become effective. These proposed reforms are the biggest change in the governance of the IMF (lender of last resort) since it was established after World War II in 1945 after the Bretton Woods Conference.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 

It was set up in 1974 as a reaction to India’s first successful nuclear tests (code name: Smiling Buddha; conducted on 18 May 1974) to stop so called misuse of nuclear material meant for peaceful purposes.

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Currently NSG has 48 members.

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It is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region including India. It is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.

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Key facts: Gives boost the representation of emerging economies like India, China, Brazil, Russia and increases their power and greater say in IMF.

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The doubling of quotas means that the shares (roles) of advanced European and Gulf countries have been reduced and that of emerging nations particularly China have been increased.

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IPCC is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.

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Members: Open to all member countries of UN and WMO. Currently 195 countries are its members.

Headquarter: Manila, Philippines

International Monetary Fund (IMF) 

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Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. Established: In 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

TRAFFIC: ➢ Founded in 1976, Cambridge, U K. ➢ It is a Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network. ➢ It is a global network,research-driven and action-oriented,committed to delivering innovative and practical solutions to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. ➢ Is a joint programme ofWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)and IUCN(the World Conservation Union )

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➢ Also works in close co-operation with the Secretariat of CITES.

WWF FOR NATURE (WWF): ➢ An international NGO, Founded in 1961. ➢ It is the world's largest conservation organisation ,working on issues regarding conservation, research and restoration of the environment. ➢ Mission is "to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature."

United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) ➢ Was established by ECOSOC in 2000 ➢ Objective –“to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long term political commitment to this end” ➢ Based on Rio Declaration, Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 ➢ Membership – Universal

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SCHEMES Digital Saksharta The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) mission was launched on 21 August 2014 Abhiyan (DISHA): that envisages providing digital literacy to non IT literate citizens. The scheme imparts IT training to 52.5 lakh persons that include Anganwadi and ASHA workers and authorised ration dealers in all the States/UTs across the country. Suraksha drive

‘SAMANVAY’ portal

Bandhan Union Government has launched Suraksha Bandhan drive in a Mission Mode through participating insurance companies and banks. The drive aims at taking forward Union Government’s objective of creating a universal social security system in the country, especially for the poor and the under-privileged sections. web Union Ministry of Rural Development has launched ‘SAMANVAY’ web portal to monitor progress and implementation of the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) for development of Gram Panchayats. SAMANVAY web portal consist a compilation of all Government schemes of both Central and State governments for Gram Panchayats.

Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Union Government’s ambitious Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme Laabh (PAHAL) has been acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer programme (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records. Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Three gold schemes

related Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three gold related schemes viz. Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS), Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBS) and Indian Gold Coins (IGC). These ambitious schemes were launched to reduce the physical demand for gold and fish out 20,000 tonnes of the precious metal lying idle with households and institutions.

APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Maharashtra Government has approved APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojana scheme Yojana to provide one full hot cooked nutritious food to pregnant, lactating women in the tribal areas. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Farmers will pay uniform premium of 2 per cent for all Kharif crops and 1.5 Bima Yojana percent for all Rabi crops. In case of annual horticultural and commercial crops, farmers will pay 5 per cent premium. These premium rates are very low. Government will pay balance premium to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities. Government subsidy: There will be no upper limit subsidy given by Government even if balance premium is 90 percent. Capping the Premium: The provision of capping the premium rate has been removed and farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.

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e-Vahan Bima Scheme

Ujwal Assurance (UDAY)

Telangana Government has launched e-Vahan Bima Scheme to issue motor insurance policy in digital form.

DISCOM Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its nod Ujwal Yojana DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution companies. The Scheme aims for financial turnaround and revival of Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs) and also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the problem.

Mahila E-HAAT

Mahila E-HAAT is an online marketing platform to facilitate women entrepreneurs to sell their products to buyers. It is an initiative mainly for women across the country and is part of Union Government’s flagship ‘Digital India’ and ‘Stand Up India’ initiatives. Objective: To strengthen the financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs by providing continued support to their creativity. Joint initiative of Union Women and Child Development Ministry and Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) for meeting the needs of women entrepreneurs.

National Rurban Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Rurban Mission (NRM) from Mission (NRM) Kurubhat in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. National Rurban Mission (NRM) Twin objectives: (i) Strengthening of rural areas and de-burdening the urban areas. (ii) Balanced regional development and growth of the country by simultaneously benefiting the rural as well as urban areas of the country. Fourteen components: Optimum level of development components include (a) Skill development training (b)Agro Processing/Agri Storage/ Services and Warehousing (c) Sanitation (d) Digital Literacy (e) Solid and liquid waste management (f) Provision of piped water supply (g) Village streets and drains (h) Street lights (i) Upgrading school/higher education facilities (j) fully equipped mobile health unit (k) Service Centres for electronic delivery of citizen centric services/e-gram connectivity (l) Public transport (m) Inter-village road connectivity (n) LPG gas connections. ‘sikkim.data.gov.in’

Sikkim became the first state in India to have an open government data portal linked ‘sikkim.data.gov.in’.

Project Sunrise

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda has launched Project Sunrise on for prevention of AIDS especially among people injecting drugs in the eight North-Eastern states. The AIDS prevention special project aims to diagnose 90 per cent of such drug addicts with HIV and put them under treatment by 2020.

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Sugamya Bharat Union Government has launched Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Abhiyan (Accessible Campaign), a nationwide campaign in a bid to achieve universal accessibility to India Campaign) persons with disabilities. Target set by the campaign: Envisages making all railway stations of A1, A & B categories and the international airports in the country fully accessible to the disabled by July 2016. JANANI-SEWA

The Union Ministry of Railways launched three passenger service initiatives viz. a Janani Sewa for mothers, optional catering in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains on a pilot basis and a children’s menu on trains. Janani Sewa: Under this scheme hot milk, hot water and baby food will be available at railway stations. Initially on pilot basis this scheme will be available at 25 railway stations including New Delhi, Howrah, Mumbai, Chennai, Surat and Lucknow.

web-based portal Government launched a web-based portal www.vidyalakshmi.co.in for the www.vidyalakshmi.co.in students seeking educational loans. In order to ensure that no student misses out on higher education due to lack of funds, Finance Minister in the Union Budget for 2015-16 had proposed to set up a fully IT-based Student Financial Aid Authority. In line with this proposal this portal was launched with an aim to administer and monitor scholarship as well as educational loan schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram (PMVLK). The launch of this portal also aims to bring all banks providing educational loans under one roof. SEHAT

Union Government has launched a telemedicine initiative dubbed as Sehat to provide quality and affordable healthcare facilities in rural areas in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals. Under the Sehat initiative people will be able to consult doctors through video link i.e. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and also order generic drugs.

multilingual knowledge The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched the portal multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in www.bharatvani.in Bharatavani is the largest online repository of dictionaries in India consisting more than 130 dictionaries, glossaries and terminology books. It will ensure universalization of education and also towards creation of a knowledge society in the digital age. Swadesh Darshan

Key facts Ramayana Circuit: Under it 11 tourist destinations spread across six states have been proposed. The covered destinations are: Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya, Shringhverpur Nandigram and Chitrakoot (ii) Bihar: Sitamarhi, Buxar and Darbhanga (iii) Telangana: Bhadrachalam (iv) Chattisgarh: Jagdalpur (v) Karnataka: Hampi (vi) Tamil Nadu: Besides expert committee has suggested to include Chitrakoot (Madhya Pradesh), Mahendragiri (Odisha), Nagpur and Nashik (Maharashtra) in the proposed circuit. Krishna Circuit: Under it 12 destinations

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spread across 5 states have been proposed. The destinations covered are: (i) Gujarat: Dwarka (ii) Rajasthan: Nathdwara, Jaipur and Sikar (iii) Uttar Pradesh: Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon and Govardhan (iv) Odisha: AboutSwadesh Darshan Scheme: The Union Ministry of Tourism had launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15 with an aim to develop theme based tourist circuits in the country. These tourist circuits will be developed on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner. They will be developed by synergizing efforts to focus on concerns and needs of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. Under this scheme, 13 thematic circuits have been identified for development. They are Buddhist Circuit, North-East India Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit. Surya Mitra mobile App

‘Internet programme

The Union Ministry of Power has launched Surya Mitra mobile App to serve customers in the field of renewable energy. The App will serve customers at their doorsteps with quality installation, repair, and Observations and Measurements (O&M) in the field of renewable energy. The App has been developed by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institution of Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Saathi’ The Indian unit of search giant Google Inc. and Tata Trusts have jointly launched ‘Internet Saathi’ programme in Purulia district of West Bengal. The initiative has been launched as part of Google’s ‘Helping Women Get Online’ campaign, in order to create awareness about the benefits of Internet among women in rural India.

Global Initiative of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched Global Academic Networks Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) Scheme to boost the quality of higher (GIAN) Scheme education in India GIAN Scheme aims at improving the quality of higher education in the country through international collaboration. Pradhan Mantri Khanij Union Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Kshetra Kalyan Yojana Yojana (PMKKKY) for the welfare of people affected by mining related operations. (PMKKKY) The new scheme is meant to provide for the welfare of people and areas affected by mining related operations by using the funds collected by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

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Ganga Gram Yojana

The Union Government has launched Ganga Gram Yojana to develop 1600 villages in Uttar Pradesh (UP) situated along the banks of Ganga River. Under this programme, these selected villages will be developed under the Sichewal model (Village in Punjab) which is based on cooperation of the villagers for water management and waste disposal. Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation also deployed the first company of Ganga Task Force Battalion to fast track implementation of Namami Gange Programme.

‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ (Village Self Governance Campaign)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ (Village Self Governance Campaign) to strengthen Panchayati Raj in villages and ensure social harmony in villages. It was launched on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at his birthplace at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala The Union Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for Yojana (PMUY) providing free of cost LPG (cooking gas) connections to women from BPL Households. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Maldepur Morh, Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. The tagline for the scheme is Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan. Key facts Under PMUY, each of the beneficiaries will receive monetary support of about 1,600 rupees to get a connection of cooking gas. It includes administrative cost, pressure regulator booklet and safety hose. The scheme seeks to empower women and protect their health by shifting them from traditional cooking based on unclean cooking fuels or on fossil fuels to clean cooking gas. It is being implemented by Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It is for the first time this Ministry is implementing a welfare scheme. The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories. It will be implemented over three years’ time frame namely in the FY 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

NOTE: Only those Schemes which were not covered in first uploaded file are mentioned here.

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PERSONALITY Ustad Ali Ahmad Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan was famously known for his innovative style and mastery Hussain Khan over the classical and semi-classical and folk music repertoire. He had played Shehnai at the inauguration ceremony of Doordarshan television channel in 1973 with Pandit Ravi Shankar and also had rendered its signature tune. Srinivasa Ramanujan

Dr B Ambedkar

Rani Gaidinliu

Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22nd December, 1887 in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. He was considered as doyen of number theory, infinite series, mathematical analysis, and making formulas and equations without any formal training in pure mathematics. R

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released 2 commemorative coins on Dr B R Ambedkar as part of the 125th birth anniversary year celebrations of the architecture of Indian Constitution.

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The coins are of 10 rupee and 125 rupee denomination and were issued on the 60th Mahaparinirvan Divas of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

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The ‘Constitution Day’ of India is being observed on 26th November to spread awareness of Indian Constitution and its architect Dr. B R Ambedkar.

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2015 Constitution Day is the first edition of this day and part of year-long nationwide celebrations of 125th birth Anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Constituent Assembly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 August 2015 inaugurated birth centenary celebrations of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu. On this occasion he launched commemorative coin of 100 rupees and circulation coin of 5 rupees of Rani Gaidinliu to mark her birth centenary celebrations. About Rani Gaidinliu: Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga political and spiritual leader who had led a revolt against British colonial rule in India. Her political struggle in present North east India was based on Gandhian principles of Satyagraha, non-violence, self-reliance. She had also played an important role in India’s wider freedom movement by spreading the message of Gandhi ji in Manipur region.

Lala Lajpat Rai

150th birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, also known as Punjab Kesri is being celebrated 28th January 2016. Lala Lajpat Rai He was born on 28 January 1865 in Dhudike (now Moga District) of Punjab. He was a lawyer by profession and had practiced his legal profession for few years but later curtailed it to focus all his efforts on the freedom struggle. He was popularly known as Punjab Kesari meaning The Lion of Punjab and also known as SherE- Punjab in Punjabi for his contribution to the freedom movement. Freedom Movement: He was part of the Lal Bal Pal trio of assertive nationalists that included Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal from 1905 to 1918. Lal Bal Pal trio had advocated the Swadeshi movement involving the boycott of all imported items and the use of Indian-made goods in 1907 during the anti-Partition

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agitation in Bengal which began in 1905. He was also associated with the foundation of Punjab National Bank in 1895 and later Lakshmi Insurance Company. President of INC: In 1888 and 1889 he was a delegate to the annual sessions of Indian National Congress (INC) and was elected as its President in the Calcutta Special Session of 1920. Social Work: In 1921, he had founded Servants of the People Society, a non-profit welfare organisation, in Lahore, which shifted its base to Delhi after partition, and has branches in many parts of India. Arya Samaj: He also had helped to establish the nationalistic Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School and became a follower of Dayanand Saraswati (founder of the Arya Samaj). His books: As an author he had written many books which includes The Story of My Deportation (1908), Arya Samaj (1915), The United States of America: A Hindu’s Impression (1916), Unhappy India (1928) etc. Death: He died on 17 November 1928 after sustaining serious injuries in lathi charge carried by the police when he leading a non-violent protest against the Simon Commission.

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AWARDS/RANKING/ACHIEVMENTS Rajiv Gandhi Khel President Pranab Mukherjee presented Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Sania Ratna Award Mirza– In recognition of her outstanding achievements in game of Tennis. Presently she is ranked no 1 women’s player in Women’s Double category. Most attractive India’s historic Mughal mausoleum Taj Mahal has been ranked fifth position in the travel hotspot in prestigious list of most attractive travel hotspots in the world. It was revealed in the the world recently released Ultimate Travelist of Lonely Planet which has described the monument as a magnificent Mughal masterpiece. Top Four travel hotspot in the world: The Temples of Angkor: It was placed at first position in the list. These temples are UNESCO World Heritage site located in northern Cambodia. It has more than 1,000 temples, shrines and tombs which attracts more than 2 million tourists annually. The Great Barrier Reef: A UNESCO World Heritage located in Australia is placed at number two position. Inca city of Machu Picchu: It was placed at third position. It is also UNESCO World Heritage site, located in Peru. Great Wall of China: It was placed at fourth position in the list. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in China.

AWARD: Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. 2015 UNESCO Marathi film Katyar Kaljat Ghusali and Bengali film Cinemawala are among the Fellini Medal twelve films shortlisted for prestigious 2015 UNESCO Fellini Medal. UNESCO prize India has won the UNESCO prize ‘Award of Excellence’ 2015 for the conservation ‘Award of efforts of the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala. The top award was given in Excellence’ 2015 the Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Sahitya Award

Akademi Sahitya Akademi Award is conferred on writers of outstanding works in one of the twenty-four major Indian languages (22 Scheduled Languages+ English and Rajasthani). 24 major Indian languages are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

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Karman Madhya Pradesh has been conferred the Union Government’s prestigious Krishi Karman Award in maximum food grains production category for year 2014-15 for the 4th consecutive year.

Krishi Award

Other Awardees Haryana, Assam: Rice. Rajasthan: Wheat. Chhattisgarh: Pulses. West Bengal: Oil Seeds Skoch Merit award

Order-of- Haryana Government has won the Skoch Order-of-Merit national award for national implementing six e-Governance and IT initiatives in the state.

Golden Beaver ‘‘Nagaland is changing, But…’ film has won the Golden Beaver Best Film Award in Best Film Award the institutional category at the 6th National Science Film Festival held in Mumbai.

Ranking/Achievements 

India has been placed at 55th position on 2015 Global Competitiveness Index of the world’s most competitive economies. It was published in Global Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum (WEF) which has assessed total 140 countries.

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India has emerged as the world’s largest cotton producer in the season ending in September 30, 2015 by surpassing China.

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As per latest report published by credit rating agency Brickwork Ratings, Maharashtra is the biggest economy among the states in India. Maharashtra accounts for 16.87 lakh crore rupees in terms of gross state domestic product (GSDP) and is followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

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Telangana has become the first state in the country to introduce compulsory gender education at the graduate level. In this regard, state government has introduced bilingual textbook titled ‘Towards a World of Equals’ on a pilot basis in engineering colleges.

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Kerala has become the first Indian state to achieve 100 per cent primary education.

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Kerala Tourism’s campaign titled ‘New Worlds’ has won the prestigious ‘Golden City Gate Award’ at the at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB-Berlin) 2016.

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Haryana is set become the first state in the country to complete aquifer mapping for its groundwater resources by May 2016. Aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock from which groundwater can be extracted. Key facts about Aquifer mapping: It is scientific mapping of aquifers to assess the groundwater situation. Objective: To prepare management plans in consultation with stakeholders and state governments to take measures to replenish the declining groundwater. Nodal Agency: This aquifer mapping is undertaken by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) on the scale of 1:50,000 in 3D.

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Technology: For this purpose, CGWB is using advanced technologies like heli-borne geophysical surveys and sophisticated software for preparing management plans. 

Himachal Pradesh became the first state in the country to have a State Data Centre (SDC), designed using green data centre concept. It was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in Shimla. Key Facts: The SDC will offer 101 people-oriented services online through an integrated data base. It would integrate the websites of various departments and all services can be accessed through the integrated data base.

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Sikkim has formally become India’s first fully organic state after it successfully implemented organic farming practices on around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.

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Mysuru city from Karnataka has been ranked first in terms of cleanliness for second time in row among the 73 surveyed cities in Swachh Sarvekshan 2016.The rankings of the Swachh Survekshan Survey 2016 were conducted by Quality Council of India (QCI) as part of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’.

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India has overtaken Thailand as the world’s largest rice exporter in the year 2015 by shipping (exporting) 10.23 million tonnes of rice.

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