Science & Technology Current Affairs July 6th Week 2017

1. Factbox: Breakthrough Starshot successfully launch world’s smallest spacecrafts.

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Scientists have announced that the world’s smallest spacecrafts dubbed as Sprites ever launched are successfully travelling in low Earth orbit and communicating with systems on Earth.

The six prototypes of Sprites were launched in June 2017 as part of the Breakthrough Starshot project designed to test technologies that would eventually be used for interstellar missions. They are smallest spacecraft that have managed to establish contact with ground stations.

Sprites

Sprites have been developed by researchers at Cornell University. Each of the mini Sprite spacecrafts are built on a single 3.5*3.5 centimeter circuit board. They weigh just four grams each. They are equipped with tiny solar panels and two antennas, plus a tiny radio, computer, magnetometer (to orient to Earth’s magnetic field) and gyroscope (to move and stabilize the craft).

Mission Purpose

The mission was designed to test the performance of the Sprites’ electronics when in orbit. It will also demonstrates their novel radio communication architecture. It will also explore the concept of solar sail propulsion in which spacecraft can be powered using only the sun’s radiation. These tiny satellites also mark the next step in the field of spacecraft miniaturization that can contribute to the development of centimetre and gram-scale StarChips envisioned under the Breakthrough Starshot project.

About Breakthrough Starshot

Breakthrough Starshot is a comprehensive space program launched under the US $100 million Breakthrough Initiatives, announced by Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking to develop and launch practical interstellar space missions. The program aims to demonstrate proof of concept for light-propelled spacecraft that could fly at 20 per cent of light speed. Its main objective is to send one-gram chips to star systems beyond the solar system in search of extraterrestrial intelligence.

2. Scientists develop Bio-glue for wound healing.

Scientists have developed a super strong, flexible Bio-glue for wound healing without causing toxicity. It has been inspired by an adhesive material (glue) secreted by slugs that sticks to biological tissues Slugs naturally secrete a special kind of mucus (adhesive material) in its place when threatened, making it difficult for a predator to pry it off its surface.

The bio-glue is double-layered hydrogel consisting of an alginate-polyacrylamide matrix supporting an adhesive layer that has positively-charged polymers protruding from its surface. It bonds to biological tissues via three mechanisms – electrostatic attraction to covalent bonds between neighbouring atoms, negatively charged cell surfaces and physical interpenetration.

This bond makes the adhesive super strong. It is the combination of a very strong adhesive force and has ability to transfer and dissipate stress. It can bind to tissues with strength comparable to the body’s own resilient cartilage.

Applications: The bio-glue has numerous potential applications in the medical field, either as a patch that can be cut to desired sizes and applied to tissue surfaces or can be also used as an injectable solution for deeper injuries.

3. IISER Scientists develop Gelator to remove oil from spills.

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram have developed gelator that can suck up oil and congeal it. The gelator is hydrophobic material that has property of oleilophilic (oil-loving) and takes up oil when it comes in contact with it. It can be used to recover marine oil spills with a simple, efficient and cost-effective method.

The gelator is developed using a cheap raw material mannitol and cellulose pulp through a one-step process. In this process the mannitol gets adsorbed on the cellulose fibre through hydrogen bonding. The adsorption process changes the cellulose matrix from being very hydrophilic (water-loving) to hydrophobic (water repelling).

The property of gelator to self-assemble to form micro fibres makes congealing of oil possible and the oil loses its fluidity and gets trapped within the entangled fibrous network to form a rigid gel. Gelation essentially turns the liquid oil into semi-solid and this allows congealed oil to be simply scooped out using a scoop or a sieve.

During the studies, it was found that the gelator was able to absorb and congeal 16 times its own weight of oil. Even, the absorbed oil can be recovered by applying pressure or fractionated by a simple distillation process.

Applications: Gelator can also serve as a more efficient, quick and cost-effective way for absorption of crude oil from the sea following marine spill. Unlike other alternatives, the gelator can be easily applied over oil-water mixture and no solvent is needed for spraying it thus making it environment friendly.

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National Current Affairs July 6th Week 2017

1. Government launches Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2 in Mumbai.

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2 in Mumbai, Maharashtra under the Jiyo Parsi scheme.

The Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2 aims at containing the declining trend of population of the Parsi community and reverses it to bring their population above the threshold level.

Jiyo Parsi scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India. Its main objective is to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions. It aims to stabilize and increase the population of Parsis in India. It has two components: Medical Assistance and Advocacy (Counselling). The first phase of the scheme was launched initiated in 2013.

2. CBDT inks 9 Advance Pricing Agreements.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 9 Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (UAPAs) with Indian taxpayers in July, 2017. With this, total number of APAs signed till date stands at 171 (Bilateral-12 and Unilateral-159).

The nine APAs signed pertain to diverse sectors of the economy including Oil & Gas exploration, education, banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and IT. They also cover international transactions and provision of software development services, ITES , engineering design services, distribution, contract manufacturing, etc.

About Advance Pricing Agreements (APA)

The APA Scheme was introduced in the Income-tax (IT) Act. It endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the Arm’s Length Price of international transactions in advance. It aims to strengthen the Government’s commitment to foster a non-adversarial tax regime. Further, the taxpayer has the option to roll back the APA. The roll back provisions under the scheme were introduced in 2014. APA provides total of nine years of tax certainty including four year term of rollback.

About Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

CBDT is nodal policy-making body of the Income Tax (IT) department under the Union Finance Ministry. It is a statutory authority established under The Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963. It is supreme body in India for framing policies related to direct taxes. The composition of CBDT includes Chairman and six members.

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3. National Mission for Clean Ganga approves 7 projects.

The Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in its 4th meeting has approved seven projects in the sector of sewage infrastructure, ghat development and research.

Three projects each were approved in sewage sector in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Central Government will provide operation and maintenance cost for 15 years to all these six projects along with 100% central assistance.

Besides, a research study to understand the non-putrefying properties of river Ganga in both water and sediment was also approved. The study will be an extension of a research carried out by National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to identify the special properties of river’s waters.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

NMCG is the implementation wing of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council). It was established in 2011 as a registered society under Societies Registration Act, 1860.

It has a two tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee. Both of them are headed by Director General (DG), NMCG. Executive Committee is authorized to approve projects under mission up to Rs.1000 crore.

Similar to structure at national level, State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. This structure attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation.

Note: In October 2016, National Ganga Council has replaced National Ganga River Basin Authority(NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

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Economy Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. NPCI gets RBI nod to operate Bharat Bill Payment System.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has received final nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as the Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit (BBPCU) and operate the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).

The final clearance from RBI comes almost a year after NPCI launched the BBPS pilot project to make payment of utility bills easier. The pilot started in August 2016 with eight BBPS operating units that had received in-principle approval from RBI.

The total number of Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units certified by NPCI now stands at 24. The certified units include 10 private sector banks, 3 public sector banks (Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank), five cooperative banks and six non-bank biller aggregators. About Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)

BBPS is an integrated bill payment system offering interoperable and accessible bill payment service to customers through a network of agents, enabling multiple payment modes and providing instant confirmation of payment. The BBPS initiative aims to provide a major push to digital payments as it is a big step forward in formalizing the bill payment system in the country.

Under the BBPS framework, a customer will be able to pay several bills such as electricity, telephone, water, gas, and DTH television at a single location—physical or electronic—and receive instant confirmation once the payment is made. Nearly 45 crore bills are permitted under BBPS.

Payments through BBPS can be made using cash, transfer cheques and electronic modes. Bill aggregators and banks, who will function as operating units, will carry out these transactions for the customers. At present the bulk of transactions on BBPS are of electricity bills. It contributes to about 180 million bills per month out of which only 10% is digital.

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Sport Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. Ajay Singh wins bronze medal in Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.

India’s Ajay Singh has won bronze medal in the 2017 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held at Kathmandu, Nepal. He got third place in 77 kgs men’s junior category by lifting 143 kgs in snatch and 172 kgs in clean and jerk.

His win takes India’s medal tally to three in the championship. Earlier, S. Nirpupama Devi had won bronze in 69 kgs women youth category. Konsam Ormila Devi from Manipur had won gold medal in 44kg weight category.

Weightlifting is an athletic discipline in the modern Olympic programme in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. The two competition lifts in order are the snatch and the clean and jerk. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category. Bodyweight categories are different for male and female competitors.

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Person Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. Renowned academic Professor Yash Pal passes away.

Globally renowned physicist, academic and higher education reformer Professor Yash Pal passed away in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He was 90. He was known for his contributions to the study of cosmic rays, as well as for being an institution-builder. He was also one of the leading science communicators in India.

Yash Pal was born in 1926 in Jhang in then British India (now in Pakistan). He had graduated with a master’s degree in physics from Panjab University in 1949 and earned PhD degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958.

He had started his academic career at Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). He had served as the first Director of the newly set up Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1973. He was a member of the ‘cosmic rays group’. He was appointed by the government to several school and higher education reform committees. Government had also roped him as chair of National Council of Educational Research and Training after it had started work on the National Curriculum Framework.

2. Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar conferred with Japanese honour.

Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar was conferred with the Japan’s imperial decoration ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ award for his contribution to fostering Japan-India ties. Kumar had served as Special Envoy of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan during the visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to India in December 2013, and contributed to the success of the visit.

About Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is politician and attorney who formerly had served as Member of Rajya Sabha. He formerly had served as Union Minister of Law and Justice and Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He was Accompanying Minister to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he visited India in 2007. He was Chairman of the FICCI India-Japan Forum of Parliamentarians established during the visit of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to India in 2005.

Kumar also has contributed in promoting of Japan-India relations in the field of Science and Technology, as Council member of the STS Forum.

The Order of the Rising Sun

It is the highest category of decoration of Japan. It was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. It is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in the following fields: international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, development in welfare, advancements in their field or preservation of the environment. Ratan Tata was also conferred the decoration in the past.

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Science & Technology Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. Spanish scientists discover novobiocin compound as anti-Zika drug.

Researchers San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia, Spain have discovered novobiocin compound that could be used as a potential drug to fight the effects of a Zika virus infection.

The novobiocin molecule (compound) was previously used in antibiotic drug to fend off “nosocomial” infections (those acquired inside a hospital). However, the drug was withdrawn from the market because it had lost its potency as an antibiotic.

Researchers have found that this compound can counter the symptoms of the mosquito-borne Zika disease. It has shown phenomenal recovery results in mice with 100-percent cure rate. However, researchers are still figuring out the exact dose needed for humans to achieve the same successful outcome. They also have patented the molecule for anti-Zika treatment.

Zika virus is vector borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same mosquito that transmits dengue. It is also found that, sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible. The Zika virus has been named after Zika forest in Uganda where it was first isolated in 1947.

The Zika disease had seen swift expansion between early 2015 and January 2016 throughout South America and Caribbean where babies with abnormally smaller heads due to Microcephaly were born. World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the disease as epidemic and global health emergency but later revoked it after the outbreak was brought under control.

2. Human antibodies produced in lab for first time.

Scientists for the first time have produced human antibodies in the laboratory. They have developed revolutionary technique which can help in rapid development of new vaccines to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.

Antibodies mainly function in the humoral adaptive immune system by secreting antibodies to fight off infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other invasive pathogens. They are produced by body’s B cells (B lymphocytes). When an individual B cell recognises a specific pathogen-derived antigen molecule, it proliferates and develops into plasma cells that secrete large amounts of antibody capable of binding to the antigen and fending off the infection.

To develop revolutionary technique, researchers had replicated the process of natural production of antibodies from B cells isolated from patient blood samples in the laboratory to produce specific antibodies. They had found that B cells need a second signal to start proliferating and developing into plasma cells apart encountering a specific antigen at first instance.

For the second signal they used short DNA fragments called CpG oligonucleotides, which activate a protein named TLR9 inside B cells. However, they found that treating patient-derived B cells with CpG oligonucleotides stimulates every B cell, not just the tiny fraction capable of producing a particular antibody.

So to overcome the problem they treated patient-derived B cells with tiny nanoparticles coated with both CpG oligonucleotides and an antigen. With this technique, CpG oligonucleotides were only internalised into B cells recognising the specific antigen. These cells were only ones in which TLR9 is activated to induce their proliferation and development into antibody-secreting plasma cells.

3. Government launches Aarambh mobile app for road maintenance.

The Union Ministry of Rural Development launched Aarambh mobile app for performance based maintenance contracting and community contracting for maintenance of rural roads.

It was launched jointly launched by Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation Narendra Singh Tomar and visiting ILO Deputy Director General (Policy) Deborah Greenfield.

Aarambh mobile app aims at use of Geographic Information System (GIS) based mapping for making road inventories, condition surveys and producing cost estimates and other relevant data for preparation and monitoring of annual road maintenance plans. Its usage will help to enhance the service delivery of the state level institutions in planning and implementing performance based rural roads maintenance contracts.

In addition, the Ministry also launched a Concept Note and Guidance Note for Mobilizing Funds for Maintenance of Rural Road. The note outlines innovative ways, that can be adopted by State Governments for mobilizing additional funds for road maintenance and also adopt international best practices worldwide. It will help states to overcome challenge of resource mobilization for rural roads maintenance.

4. Scientists develop new software that can crate 3D models from 2D photographs.

Scientists including one of Indian origin have developed new artificial intelligence (AI) software called SurfNet that can create three dimensional (3D) models from 2D photographs. When fully developed SurfNet could have significant applications in the fields of 3D searches on the internet researchers. In an advance version it can allow future robots to navigate in the real world.

SurfNet software using hundreds of thousands of 2D shapes of objects can reconstruct it model in 3D. It utilizes machine learning to analyze 2D shapes and convert them into projected 3D forms. In addition to transforming 2D shapes, the technology can also merge two shapes into one another. The technology becomes more refined over time as the AI learns more about the shapes.

Future potential application: It can be used in robotics, object recognition and even self-driving cars. SurfNet will give them ability to understand the 3D environment around them using standard 2D cameras. It can also be used to create 3D content for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) by simply using standard 2D photos.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. In contrast to normal hardware and software, AI enables a machine to perceive and respond to its changing environment.

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5. Scientists for first time edit genes of human embryos.

Scientists from Oregon Health and Science University, US for first time have successfully edited genes of human embryos to correct defective DNA that cause inherited diseases.

They had used the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to alter human DNA in single-cell embryos, which allows specific sections of DNA to be altered or replaced.

Key Facts

In this experiment, scientists had used sperm donated from men who carried inherited disease mutations to demonstrate that the genes can be corrected. The one-celled embryos were created in the experiment, were never intended to be implanted into a womb and were only allowed to develop for a few days.

They had used a process called “germline engineering” in which genetically modified organisms pass changes to their offspring to eradicate inherited disease. It allowed so-called permanent germline changes to pass down to any offspring.

The research holds great potential to avoid many genetic diseases, but has raised fears of “designer babies”. It is also considered as a milestone in journey for giving birth to the first genetically modified humans.

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology

CRISPR short form of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. It allows scientists to selectively edit genome parts and replace them with new DNA stretches. CRISPR is a collection of DNA sequences that direct Cas9 where to cut and paste. Cas9 is an enzyme that can edit DNA, allowing the alteration of genetic patterns by genome modification. CRISPR-Cas9 technology has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of blood diseases, tumours and other genetic diseases.

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International Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. Iran, Iraq ink pact on military cooperation.

Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to step up military cooperation and the fight against terrorism and extremism. The MoU encourages promotion of interaction and share of experiences in the fight against terrorism and extremism, border security, training and logistical, technical and military support between both countries.

Iran and Iraq are hoping that the agreement would result in deeper and more serious military cooperation between the two countries. Moreover Iran is going to continue to provide full support to establish sustainable security and stability. However, this military deal likely to trigger concerns in the United States as it has voiced concern over growing Iranian influence in conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, where it is aligned with rebel Shia fighters.

2. World’s first wind farm being built off Scotland coast.

The world’s first full—scale floating wind farm is being built off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea. The wind farm, known as Hywind is a trial project which aims to bring power to 20,000 homes. The floating wind farm technology will allow wind power to be harvested in waters that are too deep for the existing bottom—standing turbines particularly installed in shallow waters.

Unlike normal turbines, floating turbines are not attached to the seabed by foundations. Rather, they are attached by long mooring tethers, allowing them to be placed in deep water. Traditional fixed turbines work best at a depth of 20-50m on stationary base.

The park will be around four square kilometers in size in deep sea. Each turbine in the park will be floating at a depth of between 95 and 120 metres. Each turbine tower, including the blades in the floating wind park is 175m high and weighs 11,500 tonnes. It uses a large buoy filled with iron ore to weight the base to keep it upright. The turbines also make use of new blade technology, which twits the blades in order to lessen the impact of wind, waves and currents to hold turbine tower upright.

The turbines in the floating wind farm can operate in water up to a kilometre deep. The power output is also larger than power generation from current stationary turbines. This revolutionary tech development project will demonstrate workability of floating wind farm technology in open sea conditions and also help to bring costs down.

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3. BRICS nations sign Taxation Cooperation Memorandum.

BRICS nations sign Taxation Cooperation Memorandum

Tax authorities of the BRICS- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have signed BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation.

The landmark document is the bloc’s first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level. It was signed at the fifth meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities.

The BRICS countries are home to 42% of the world’s population. Their total share in the global economy has risen from 12% to 23% in the past decade, while contributing more than half of global growth.

The meeting of tax authorities comes ahead of the 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, Fujian province of China in September 2017. In this meeting, tax authorities from member countires also agreed to cooperate on taxation information exchange, boost taxation capacities, improve consultation procedures efficiency and plan paths for coordination of taxation policies and tax collection.

4. 2017 BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting held in Chongqing.

BRICS countries-Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa have agreed to work together to ensure stable employment and better quality of life for their people. Decision in this regard was taken at the 2017 Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting held in Chongqing, China. The meeting comes ahead of 2017 BRICS Summit to be held in Xiamen, China in September 2017.

Labour and Employment Ministers from BRICS counters discussed topics ranging from skills-driven development to a universally sustainable social security system. They passed BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Declaration. It covers a variety of areas that are of critical importance to all BRICS countries including India and called upon strengthening collaboration and cooperation on these through appropriate institutionalisation.

These areas covered under the declaration consist of Governance in the Future of Work, Universal and sustainable social security systems, Skills for development in BRICS, BRICS Social Security Cooperation Framework, BRICS Network of Labour Research Institutions and BRICS entrepreneurship research.

They also presented four documents, including one on common ground in labour market governance and an action plan on skills-driven poverty alleviation. They also held that they should work together to boost employment and inclusive growth, enhancing the skills of professionals to alleviate poverty.

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5. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has resigned from his post after the Supreme Court disqualified him in the Panama Papers case. This is the third time Nawaz Sharif has been unable to complete his term in the chief executive’s office.

In a landmark judgment, a five Judge bench of Pakistan Supreme Court unanimously ruled to register a case against Nawaz Sharif and his family guilty of money laundering.

Pakistan SC Ruling

Prime Minister had been dishonest to Parliament and the courts, in not disclosing his employment in a Dubai-based company in his 2013 nomination papers, and thus, could not be deemed fit for his office.

It ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference in an accountability court in six weeks and the case must be completed within six months. It also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to issue a notification declaring the Prime Minister’s disqualification.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and two sons were engulfed by corruption charges as pointed in Panama Paper leaks. The scandal had revealed that Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz owned offshore companies illegally which managed their family’s properties.

Panama Paper leaks

The Panama Papers are an unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from the database of the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca based in Panama. The records were obtained from an anonymous source by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The documents had leaked the myriad ways in which the rich can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes. The leaks disclosed 12 national leaders among 143 politicians, their families and close associates from around the world known using these offshore tax havens.

No democratically-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan has managed to complete a full term in office in the nation’s 70-year history. Only one Pakistani government has completed its full term, but it had two prime ministers. Besides, Pakistan also has witnessed three successful coups and spent more than half of its time under military rule.

6. 28 July: World Hepatitis Day

The World Hepatitis Day is being observed every year on July 28 around the world by World Health Organisation (WHO) to spread awareness about viral hepatitis. This year the theme of the Day is – “Eliminate Hepatitis”.

The observance of the day seeks to encourage diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Hepatitis. Provide a single global platform to raise awareness about hepatitis and influence real change in disease prevention, testing and treatment

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a viral infection which causes inflammation in the liver. It is a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. According to WHO, Hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic disease and killing close to 1.4 million people every year.

About World Hepatitis Day

The day is being observed since 2010. It is one of the 8 official global public health campaigns marked by the WHO. It was established by resolution of WHO passed in in May 2010. The date 28 July was chosen to mark the birth anniversary of Professor Baruch Blumberg who had discovered hepatitis B virus. He was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1976) for this discovery.

7. 29 July: International Tiger Day.

The International Tiger Day (also known as Global Tiger Day) is celebrated every year on 29 July to raise awareness for tiger conservation. The goal of observance of the day is to promote the protection and expansion of the wild tigers habitats and to gain support through awareness for tiger conservation.

On this occasion, special programmes are being organized all over the globe by many international organisations including the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) etc. organized events.

The International Tiger Day was founded in 2010 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit. The summit had issued St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation with an aim to double the big cat population by 2022. The tiger is the largest of the world’s big cats with its distinctive orange and black stripes and beautifully marked face.

It is has been founded that in the last century 97% of all wild tigers had disappeared due to many factors including habitat loss, hunting and poaching, climate change. According to WWF, only 3,890 tigers are left in the world, of them, India with more than 2500 tigers has the highest number.

8. India is world’s third-biggest beef exporter: OECD-FAO report.

According to recently released OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026 report, India is the world’s third-biggest exporter of beef. Brazil was ranked as the world’s top beef exporter followed by Australia.

The report was released jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD).

India exported 1.56 million tonnes of beef in 2016. It is expected to maintain its position as the third-largest beef exporter, accounting for 16% of global exports in 2026 by exporting 1.93 tonnes that year. India imported 363,000 tonnes of beef in 2016 and the amount was projected to stay the same over the decade.

The type of beef exported was not specified, but the exported meat appears to be mostly from buffaloes as the report has specified the animal for imports by Myanmar from India. It needs to be clarified whether the report classifies even buffalo meat as beef.

The total world beef exports was 10.95 million tonnes in 2016 and it is expected to increase to 12.43 million tonnes by 2026. Till 2015, India was the world’s largest exporter of beef and had extended its lead over the next highest exporter, Brazil.

9. Sri Lanka, China sign $1.1 billion Hambantota port deal.

Sri Lanka has signed a US $1.1 billion deal to sell a 70% stake of the strategic Hambantota deep-sea port to China. Hambantota port is a deep-water port in the southern tip of Sri Lanka. It sits close to busy east-west shipping lanes connecting Europe and Asia.

The deal was signed between Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and China Merchants Port Holding Co. (CMPort). Under the 99-year lease agreement, CMPort will invest up to US $1.1 billion in the port and marine-related activities. CMPort will be only responsible for commercial operations, while the SLPA will handle port’s operations, security and services.

The port is expected to play a key role in China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which will link ports and roads between China and Europe. It is also considered that, this deal gives an advantage to China in the bunkering business, which provides fuel to ships.

India`s Concern

India is apprehensive that the port is part of Chinese ‘string of pearls’ with an objective to surround India and dock its military vessels. The String of pearls is a geopolitical theory on potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean region. It refers to the network of Chinese military and commercial facilities and relationships along its sea lines of communication extending from the Chinese mainland to Port Sudan. These sea lines run through several major maritime choke points such as the Strait of Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca and the Lombok Strait as well as other strategic maritime centres in Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Somalia.

10. China successfully produces gas from flammable ice under South China Sea.

China has successfully produced natural gas from methane hydrate, also known as “flammable ice”, in an experimental project in the South China Sea (SCS).

As part of the experiment, a drilling platform had produced a total of 309,000 cubic metres of natural gas from gas hydrate in 60 days.

Methane hydrate has been identified as a potential new gas source for China, with the South China Sea thought to contain some of the world’s most promising flammable ice deposits. India, Canada and US are also believed to be looking at hydrates as an alternative energy source.

Flammable ice (also known as methane hydrate or methane clathrates) consists of methane trapped within water crystals. It is the world’s largest natural gas resource is trapped beneath permafrost and ocean sediment where low temperature and moderate pressure combine to trap methane in this specific way.

The methane hydrate is highly flammable and energy-intensive fuel as one cubic metre of the compound can releases about 160 cubic metres of gas. It can break down into water and methane after temperature is raised or pressure is lowered.

It is likely to be the world’s last great source of carbon-based fuel and has potential to be a revolutionary energy source that could cater future energy needs. Its vast deposits exist underneath all oceans around the globe, especially on the edge of continental shelves.

National Current Affairs July 5th Week 2017

1. CCEA approves selling 51% stake in HPCL to ONGC.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved sale of government’s 51.11% stake along with management control in HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum) to ONGC. HPCL will continue as PSU after the acquisition.

HPCL will add 23.8 million tonnes of annual oil refining capacity to ONGC’s portfolio, making it the third-largest refiner in the country after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Reliance Industries.

Prior to the merger, HPCL will take over Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) to bring all the refining assets of ONGC under one unit. ONGC currently owns 71.63% of MRPL while HPCL has 16.96% stake in it. MRPL will be the third refinery of HPCL, which already has units at Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

2. India witnessed third highest terror attacks in 2016: US

According to the Country Report on Terrorism released by the US State Department, India witnessed third highest number of terrorist attacks in 2016, more than Pakistan.

The six countries that faced highest number of terrorist attacks in 2016 are Iraq (2,965 terrorist attacks), Afghanistan (1,340), India (927), Pakistan (734), Philippines (482), Nigeria (466).

Several countries that have routinely experienced large numbers of terrorist attacks in recent years observed considerable decreases in total attacks in 2016, compared to 2015. In 2015, Iraq (2418 attacks) and Afghanistan (1708) were ranked first and second respectively, while Pakistan took the third spot (1009 attacks).

The number of terrorist attacks in India in 2016 has increased by 16% and total number of deaths also has increased by 17%. More than half of the terrorist attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states: Jammu and Kashmir (19%), Chhattisgarh (18%), Manipur (12%) and Jharkhand (10%).

This geographic pattern of attacks was relatively stable compared to 2015, with the exception of J&K which experienced an increase of 93% in attacks in 2016. Though India ranked 3rd, the lethality of these terrorists attacks were relatively low compared to other countries that have experienced great deal of terror violence.

On average, terror attacks in India led to 0.4 deaths per attack in 2016, compared to 2.4 deaths per attack worldwide. Nearly three-quarters of attacks at 73% were non-lethal in India in 2016. The majority of attacks in India either involved explosions/bombings at 47% or armed assaults at 18%.

In addition, kidnappings at 15% of all attacks were particularly prevalent in India, compared to 10% worldwide, while facility/infrastructure attacks were at 12% of all attacks, compared to 6% worldwide. The deadliest attack in India in 2016 took place in July 2016, when the Communist Party of India – Maoist (left wing extremists) detonated explosives and opened fire on CRPF personnel in Bihar, killing 16 people including six assailants.

3. Former ISRO Chairman U R Rao passes away.

Internationally-renowned space scientist and former chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Udupi Ramachandra Rao passed away in Bengaluru. He was 85. Prof Rao is credited with having played an instrumental role in building up Indian satellite programmes right from nation’s first satellite Aryabhatta.

He was born on 10 March 1932 in Adamaru, Karnataka. He is alumni of Madras University, Gujarat University, Banaras Hindu University. He had served as Chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994. Under his guidance, ISRO had designed more than 20 satellites including India’s first satellite Aryabhatta. Under his leadership, India had initiated the development of the geostationary launch vehicle GSLV and the development of cryogenic technology in 1991.

He was also responsible for successful launch of INSAT satellites during his stint at ISRO. He had played pivotal role in promoting the use of space technology for broadcasting, education, meteorology, disaster warning and remote sensing. He also had served as the first Chairman of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the ISRO.

He has published more than 350 scientific and technical papers in various journals covering topics like cosmic rays, high energy astronomy, interplanetary physics, space applications and satellite and rocket technology and also authored many books. He was serving many reputed scientific research institutions and Universities as a member of their academic councils and panels. He was chancellor of Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru.

4. Ram Nath Kovind sworn in as 14th President of India.

Ram Nath Kovind (71) sworn in as the 14th President of India. He was administered oath to the office by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar in Parliament’s Central Hall.

Mr Kovind was born on 1st October 1945 in Paraukh village in the Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh. He had completed graduation in law from a Kanpur college. Before starting his career as a lawyer, he cleared the civil services examination but did not join as he was selected for an allied. He had joined the BJP in 1991. He was President of the BJP Dalit Morcha between 1998 and 2002. He also served as Member of Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006. Prior to getting elected as President, Mr. Kovind had served as the 35th Governor of Bihar.

President of India is top constitutional post as he is head of the Indian state, first citizen of India and supreme commander of the Indian armed forces. He is elected indirectly for a term of 5 years by an electoral college consisting of elected members of parliament (MPs from Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha) and elected members of State legislative members, including that if NCT of Delhi and Pondicherry. He is eligible to re-elect for the same office for unlimited times.

According to Article 60 of the Constitution of India, every President and every person acting as President or discharging the functions of the President before entering upon office shall make and subscribe oath to the office. The oath inter alia includes the oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution. In this sense, President takes oath as guardian of Indian Constitution. The oath is administered by Chief Justice of India or in his absence by the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court available.

5. FSSAI bans stapler pins in tea bags from January 2018.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of stapler pins in tea bags from January 2018. FSSAI ban order issued under Section (15) FSS Act, 2006 has deemed that any loose staple pin consumed inadvertently with tea may cause a serious health hazard.

Currently, tea bags are either stapled or knotted. According to industry estimates, the tea bag segment contributes 3-4% by value of total tea sales but it is one of the fastest growing segments at 50-60% year-on-year.

The FSSAI order directs the concerned food business operators to discontinue the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by 1 January 2018. It also directs all food safety commissioners to take action to prevent the use of unsafe packaging materials by companies and take up measures for enforcement of its order.

FSSAI is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health in India through the regulation and supervision of food safety. 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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6. Parliament passes The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016.

Parliament has passed The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016. Admiralty laws deal with cases of accidents in navigable waters or involve contracts related to commerce on such waters.

The Bill seeks to upgrade existing laws related to civil matters of admiralty jurisdiction of courts, maritime claims, arrest and detention of ships. It repeals laws such as the Admiralty Court Act, 1861, Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890.

The bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India, thus extending their upto territorial waters. It empowers central government to extend the jurisdiction of these High Courts. Under the earlier laws enacted during the colonial era, the admiralty was only by the High Courts of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.

The bill now extends the provisions of admiralty jurisdiction to every vessel irrespective of place of domicile or residence of owner. It does not apply to naval auxiliary, warships and vessels used for non-commercial purposes.

It empowers High Courts to exercise jurisdiction on maritime claims arising out of conditions such as disputes regarding ownership of a vessel, mortgage on a vessel, construction, repair, or conversion of the vessel, disputes between co-owners of a vessel regarding employment or earnings of the vessel, disputes arising out of the sale of a vessel, and environmental damage caused by the vessel, etc.

India is a leading maritime nation and maritime transportation caters to about 95% of its merchandise trade volume. However, the admiralty jurisdiction of Indian courts under the present statutory framework flow from laws enacted in the British era. The repealing of five archaic admiralty statutes is in line with the Union Government’s commitment to do away with archaic laws which are hindering efficient governance.

7. Cabinet approves new wage code bill to ensure minimum wage across all sectors.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Labour Code on Wages Bill which will ensure a minimum wage across all sectors by integrating existing labour related laws. The Labour Code on Wages Bill consolidates the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.

At present, laws on wages do not cover workers getting monthly wage of more than Rs 18,000. Moreover, these laws are only applicable for scheduled industries or establishments. Event there are about half a dozen definitions of wages in various acts across the Centre and states, which employers have to grapple with. The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended that the existing labour laws should be broadly grouped into four or five labour codes on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare and Safety and Working Conditions on functional basis.

Under the Labour Code on Wages Bill, the Union Labour Ministry is planning to streamline the definition of wages by amalgamating four wage-related statutes. The code empowers the Centre to set a minimum wage across sectors, and states will have to maintain that. However, states will be able to provide higher minimum wage in their jurisdiction than fixed by the Centre since labour is subject in the concurrent list.

The Labour Code on Wages Bill also marks the first major initiative of Union Government in amalgamating labour laws for improving the ease of doing business as well as ensuring universal minimum wage to all. The minimum wage will be applicable on all classes of workers, even workers getting monthly pay of higher than Rs 18,000 will be legally entitled to a minimum wage. The proposed legislation is expected to benefit over 4 crore employees across the country.

8. CAC adopts Codex standards for three spices.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted three Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme. It is for first time pepper, cumin and thyme, spices will have such universal standards.

These standards were adopted at 40th session of CAC held in Geneva. The adoption of Codex standards paves the way for universal agreement on identifying quality spices in various countries. It also set reference points and benchmarks for member-nations to align their national standards for spices with Codex.

With the approval of the Central government, the Spices Board India (SBI) had submitted a proposal to CAC for harmonizing the standards for spices and culinary herbs. SBI is the flagship organization of the Commerce Ministry for export and promotion of spices from the country.

The adoption of Codex standards for the three spices will help evolve a common standardisation process for their global trade and availability. It will bring harmony to the global spice trade and ensure availability of high quality, clean and safe spices to the world. It is also considered as major recognition of India’s efforts to benchmark global spices trade.

The Codex Alimentarius (Food Code) is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the CAC. The Commission is the central part of the joint FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)/WHO (World Health Organisation) Food Standards Programme. Its mandate is to prepare an international codex alimentations, based on principles outlined by itself.

The Codex alimentarius is a collection of internationally adopted food standards presented in a uniform manner. These food standards aim at protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. It includes standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw for distribution to the consumer. It is also include standardised provisions in respect of food additives, contaminants, pesticides residues, labelling and presentation, methods of analysis and sampling.

9. Cabinet approves new wage code bill to ensure minimum wage across all sectors.

At present, laws on wages do not cover workers getting monthly wage of more than Rs 18,000. Moreover, these laws are only applicable for scheduled industries or establishments. Even there are about half a dozen definitions of wages in various acts across the Centre and states, which employers have to grapple with. The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended that the existing labour laws should be broadly grouped into four or five labour codes on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare and Safety and Working Conditions on functional basis.

10. NITI Aayog clears six proposals for high-tech public transport.

The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has approved 6 transport proposals of the transport ministry exploring options to improve public transport. It includes high-tech mass rapid transportation technologies such as metrino, hyperloop, pod taxis, stadler buses, hybrid buses and freight rail road.

The proposals of the transport ministry were approved with a condition that the transport ministry conducts trial run of all these technologies and puts in place safety measures before starting operations commercially.

Following the go-ahead from NITI Aayog, the transport ministry has formed a six member committee, headed by former top official of Railways, to study safety parameters associated with these technologies and their best global practices.

The ministry of road transport and highways had sought the approval of NITI Aayog to experiment and introduce six latest mass rapid transportation technologies. The new technologies are being explored by the Government as current public transportation is unable to resolve the increasing traffic crisis in the country.

These new technologies are path breaking and can alter the way of intercity travel in the country. The new technologies are being explored as current public transportation is unable to resolve the increasing traffic crisis in the country. Besides, some of them are more cost effective than the existing ones.

Hyperloop transportation mechanism:

It is a pod-like vehicle is propelled through a near-vacuum tube connecting cities at speeds matching that of an aircraft.

Freight rail road:

Under it elevated corridors will be built with rail lines where freight trucks can be placed and then they would move on rails at high speed, increasing freight quantity and reducing freight time.

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11. Lok Sabha passes Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017.

The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Bill, 2017 by voice vote. The Bill declares the IIMs as institutions of national importance.

The bill seeks to empower these institutions to attain standards of global excellence in management, management research and allied areas of knowledge. It also promises to grant administrative, academic and financial autonomy to these B-Schools and allow them to grant degrees.

Key Highlights of Bill

The bill allows IIMs to grant degrees to their students. It also grants them complete autonomy, combined with adequate accountability. It establishes coordination Forum of IIMs as an advisory body. It empowers board of an IIM to drive the management of the institution. It will select Chairperson and Director of IIM.

The board will have greater participation of experts and alumni. It will also include women and members from Scheduled Castes/Tribes. Besides, it adds provisions for periodic review of the performance of IIM by independent agencies and their results will be placed in public domain. Besides, it also has provision to place the Annual Report of the IIMs in the Parliament and CAG (Comptroller and auditor general of India) auditing their accounts.

IIMs are the country’s premier institutions imparting best quality education in management and are recognized as world-class management Institutions and Centres of Excellence. India has 20 IIMs now. All IIMs are separate autonomous bodies registered under the Societies Act. Earlier they were not authorized to award degrees. These awards were treated as equivalent to MBAs and Ph.D, respectively, but their equivalence was not universally acceptable, especially for the Fellow Programme.

12. Supreme Court puts end to immediate arrests in dowry cases.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the police cannot arrest the accused without conducting a preliminary inquiry under dowry harassment cases. The ruling was made by a SC bench of Justices A K Goel and UU Lalit.

With this, apex court put an end to immediate arrest of the husband and his family members in the dowry harassment cases filed under Section 498A of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The Supreme Court passed the order keeping in view the fact of suspected misuse of the anti-dowry harassment law framed in 1983.

Highlights of SC order

Now cases under Section 498A of IPC will be referred to Family Welfare Committees (FWC) must be constituted at every district and no arrest will be effected till the committee’s report is received. Such report may be then considered by the investigating officer or the magistrate on its own merit.

FWC must comprise 3 members who may be social workers, retired persons, para-legal volunteers, wives of working officers and other citizens who are found suitable and willing. However, these committee members will not be considered as witnesses.

There must be adequate material to show that the arrest is necessary to prevent the accused from committing any further offence. Moreover, designated police officer should be appointed to deal with such complaints.

These directions will not apply to the offences involving tangible physical injuries or death. There will be also no routine impounding of passports or issuance of Red Corner Notice for the accused NRI. The personal appearance of all family members and particularly outstation members will be also not be required.

13. Punjab launches flagship ‘care companion programme’ scheme.

The Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra launched a flagship care companion health scheme.

The main aim is to improve patient outcomes through better family engagement and education.

The state department of health and family welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Noora Health India Trust, a healthcare-profit organisation, for implementation of the ‘Care Companion Programme’ (CCP).

The objective is to reduce the number of infant deaths and complications like infections in the first 30 days post discharge and ensure adoption of long-term health pro-motive behaviours. The innovative programme includes teaching the family of patient’s high-impact medical skills to take care of the patients in the hospital and at home.

14. Reserve Bank of India sets up Supervisory Colleges for six Scheduled Commercial Banks.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up Supervisory Colleges for six Scheduled Commercial Banks which have a sizeable international presence: - State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Ltd., Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank Ltd. and Punjab National Bank.

The main objectives of the colleges to enhance information exchange and cooperation among supervisors, to improve understanding of the risk profile of the banking group and thereby facilitate more effective supervision of internationally active banks.

15. India’s first unmanned tank rolled out by DRDO.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has rolled out Muntra, India’s first unmanned, remotely operated tank at its Chennai lab.

It has been launched in three variants Muntra-S, Muntra-M and Muntra-N for surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and biological threats. It is also likely to be used in Naxal-hit areas.

Muntra-S is the country’s first tracked unmanned ground vehicle (tank) developed for unmanned surveillance missions. Muntra-M is for detecting mines and Muntra-N is for operation in areas where there is nuclear radiation or biological weapon risk.

The Muntra variants have surveillance radar, an integrated camera along with laser range finder which can be used to spy on ground target 15km away – heavy vehicles or crawling men. This unmanned, remotely tele-operated tank has been successfully tested and validated at Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan under dusty desert conditions.

16. Operational Guidelines for Planning and Implementation of Family Participatory Care released.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released Operational Guidelines for Planning and Implementation of Family Participatory Care (FPC) for improving newborn health.

The guidelines are for all stakeholders involved in the process of planning and delivering newborn care. They will serve as a guiding document for those intending to introduce FPC in their facility as an integral part of facility based newborn care.

Family Participatory Care (FPC)

FPC has emerged as an important concept of health care as it provides partnership between health care staff and families in care of sick newborns admitted in the Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU). Under it, the capacities of parents-attendants are built in newborn care through a structured training programme (training guide and audio-visual module).

Need for FPC

Sick and newborn are highly vulnerable and require careful nurturing in order to survive the neonatal period and first year of life. Under National Health Mission (NHM), more than 700 state of the art SNCU have been established across the country to provide 24 X 7 comprehensive care to the newborns by dedicated trained staff.

In the recent years, it was realized that if parents are trained, during the stay of their babies in the hospital, to provide supportive care to their newborns, it will help in not only to improve survival of the babies after discharge but also cater psycho-social and developmental needs of the newborn.

Key Operational Guidelines

The Operational Guidelines provides details of infrastructure, training, role of health care providers and steps in the operationalization of FPC in the newborn care unit. It also addresses various aspects of attitudes, infrastructural modifications and practice that will help in establishing FPC at SNCU.

It also includes sensitization of State and District Managers on FPC, prioritization of SNCUs for initiating FPC, making required infrastructural enhancement in SNCU, creating family participatory care environment in SNCU. It also seeks to ensure availability of supplies for parents-attendants, role of healthcare providers for FPC implementation, training of SNCU staff for SNCU and institutional support for FPC.

The guidelines will be shared with the states for implementation to further improve the quality of care provided in the SNCUs across the country.

17. Delhi Metro becomes world’s first completely ‘green’ Metro system.

The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) has become the world’s first completely ‘green’ Metro system for adhering to green building norms for its residential colonies. In this regard, Delhi Metro has secured the platinum rating for adherence to green building norms for its 10 residential colonies from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

About Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro is a metro system serving Delhi and its satellite cities of Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad in National Capital Region (NCR). It is the world’s 12th longest metro system in length and 16th largest in ridership. It is built and operated by DMRC, a state-owned company with equal equity participation from Union Government and Government of Delhi. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has financed 60% of the project cost in the form of soft loan under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Other Achievements

In 2008, DMRC was the first railway project in the world to be registered by the United Nations under the CDM, enabling it to claim carbon credits. In 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had registered DMRC as the world’s first transport sector project under the Program of Activities (PoA), making it the managing entity for all other Metros of India.

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)

The IGBC is part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed in 2001. It offers a wide array of services including developing new green building rating programmes, green building training programmes and certification services. It also organises Green Building Congress, its annual flagship event on green buildings. It closely works with several State Governments, Central Government, World Green Building Council, bilateral multi-lateral agencies in promoting green building concepts in the country.

International Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. India, European Union establish Investment Facilitation Mechanism.

India and European Union (EU) have established Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) for EU Investments in India. The mechanism will allow for a close coordination between EU and India with an aim to promote and facilitate EU investment in India.

Trade and Investment are key elements of the EU-India Strategic Partnership launched in 2004. The EU is the India’s first trade partner in goods and services and also largest foreign investor with a stock exceeding US$ 81.52 billion as of March 2017. There are more than 6,000 EU companies currently present in India, providing direct and indirect employment to over 6 million people. The IFM builds on the Joint Statement of the 13th EU-India Summit held in Brussels in March 2016, where the EU had welcomed India’s readiness to establish such a mechanism.

The key objective of IFM is to pave the way for identifying and solving problems faced by EU companies and investors with regard to their operations in India. It will cover both new investors as well as those already present in India. It will also serve as a common platform for discussing general suggestions from the point of view of EU investors and companies with regard to ease of doing business in India.

Invest India, the official Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, will also be part of the mechanism. It will create a single-window entry point for EU companies that need assistance for their investments at the central/state level. The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry will also facilitate participation of other relevant ministries and authorities on a case-to-case basis.

Under it, the EU Delegation to India and DIPP will hold regular high level meetings to assess and facilitate “ease of doing business” for EU investors in India. It will also include identifying and putting in place solutions to procedural impediments faced by EU companies and investors in establishing or running their operations in India.

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National Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. Raipur Airport ranked first in Customer Satisfaction Index Survey.

Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport was ranked first in Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Survey among 49 airports in the country. It has achieved 4.84 score on a five point scale index.

It was followed by Udaipur (2nd), Amritsar (3rd) and Dehradun (4th) airports which have scored 4.75, 4.74 and 4.73 respectively. This is third consecutive time in the past two years, Raipur airport has received this recognition.

Customer Satisfaction is one of the key performance objectives of Airport Authority of India (AAI) which is evaluated through CSI survey conducted by an independent agency commissioned by AAI. The survey covers a wide range of parameters like transportation, passenger facilities, cleanliness and parking etc. The latest CSI survey was conducted for the period of January-June 2017.

Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport is located at Mana between Raipur and Naya Raipur. It is the primary airport in Chhattisgarh. Its integrated terminal building was inaugurated in 2012. It is the 28th busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic and 31st busiest by aircraft movement. The airport was renamed from Raipur Airport to present name in 2012 as tribute to Swami Vivekananda who spent 2 years of his teenage in Raipur.

2. UIDAI launches mAadhaar app for Aadhaar data on phone.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched ‘mAadhaar’, a new mobile application for syncing Aadhaar data on mobile phones.

The app allows users to carry their unique Aadhaar information including name, date of birth, gender, address, and the linked photograph, on their smartphones. The app also allows users to lock or unlock biometrics data.

The application allows users to have their Aadhaar profile on their mobile as a quick and convenient identification proof. It also lets users lock/unlock their biometric data that’s linked to Aadhaar via the app to secure their personal data.

It also allows viewing and sharing updated Aadhaar profile via QR (Quick Response) code and sharing eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) details with service providers such as telecommunications companies. It also has a “Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP)” feature that can be used instead of SMS (short messaging service)-based OTP (one-time password).

3. TR Zeliang sworn in as 19th Chief Minister of Nagaland.

Senior Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislator TR Zeliang (65) was sworn in as the 19th chief minister of Nagaland. He was administered oath to office and secrecy by Governor P.B. Acharya.

Earlier Governor had dismissed the Shurhozelie Liezietsu government under Clause (I) of Article 164 of the Constitution after he failed to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly. Prior to it, Zeliang had staked claim to form government in Nagaland with a majority support of 47 members in the 60 member Legislative Assembly.

TR Zeliang will now have to prove his majority on the floor of the House. This is his second stint as chief minister in a little more than three years.

Earlier in February 2016, Zeliang was forced out of office following large scale protests over holding of urban local bodies election with 33% reservation for women. After his resignation NPF had made party chairman Shurhozelie (80) as the CM. But recently, he faced rebellion from his party MLAs. The Governor had asked the Speaker to summon an emergent special session of the state assembly for the ousted CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu to seek the confidence vote.

4. Underwater ghost nets posing threat to marine ecosystem.

According to recent study, ghost nets (abandoned, lost or dumped fishing nets) have emerged as the greatest killers of the marine ecosystem off Kerala coast.

These ghost notes may have long-term implications for marine life if no proper correctives are taken to deal with them. It may become major threat to the natural habitat and breeding ground of underwater fish.

Ghost nets have destroyed or threatened many of the underwater reefs identified with flourishing fish stock because of its ‘stifling cover’. Globally, it is estimated that at least 10% of the reduced fish catch can be blamed on ghost nets, some of which have survived deep underwater for decades together.

There are four types of ghost nets that infest the bottom of the seas. The first are the large fishing vessels that stray into the territorial waters and deploy large nets. These nets get caught in underwater reefs, forcing the fishing vessel to abandon them before leaving the territorial waters.

The second type of ghost nets are smaller and are used by fishermen, but are cut off by a passing vessel. They too drift at the bottom of the ocean floor and get attached to the rough features there. The third type of ghost nets are those that get caught in violent currents and swivel down to the ocean floor, where they get stuck. The fourth type are ghost nets are those which get abandoned at sea after three or four uses. These nets remain under water for decades if not centuries.

5. Supreme Court allows Centre to replace MCI oversight committee.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Union Government to replace the oversight committee set up to supervise the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a fresh panel of five eminent doctors.

The Supreme Court also gave the Government liberty to replace any doctor in the list with another if he does not wish to be a part of the oversight committee.

Earlier, Government had proposed the names of five eminent doctors to replace the earlier members of the oversight committee whose term had just expired.

The Supreme Court using its rare and extraordinary powers under the Article 142 of the Constitution had set up the oversight committee court in May 2016 to oversee the MCI’s functioning for a period of one year or till a suitable mechanism was brought in by the Government to substitute it. The committee was led by former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha.

MCI is a statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India. It grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical practice in India.

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6. Lok Sabha passes Indian Institutes of Information Technology (PPP) Bill, 2017.

lok sabha passes indian institutes of information technology (ppp) bill-2017

The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institute of Information Technology Public Private Partnership (IIIT-PPP) Bill, 2017 to allow 15 IIITs established on a PPP model to grant degrees and get statutory status.

The bill also seeks to grant institute of national importance status to IIITs on the lines of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs).

The Union Government had initiated the opening of 20 IIITs with private partnership of which 15 are already operational. These engineering and tech schools were established at a cost of Rs. 128 crore each. The centre had contributed 50% of the amount, states 35% and private partners remaining 15% (i.e. 50:35:15 ratio). However, these institutes were not been eligible to grant degrees.

Definition of PPP:

The bill define PPP as a partnership under a scheme of the centre for establishment of institutes through collaboration between the centre, the state government and industry partners such as individuals, trusts, companies or societies.

Establishment of an institute:

State government will identify at least one industry partner for collaboration to establish an institute and submit a proposal to the centre. The centre will examine the proposal based on certain criterias. The centre may reject or accept the proposal with modifications. Upon such acceptance, the centre will enter into a MoU with the concerned state government and industry partners to establish proposed institute.

Role of the industry partner:

It will have powers for co-creating programs as per the requirements of the industry; actively participating in the governance of the institutes; and funding and mentoring startups in the institutions.

Board of Governors:

It will be the principal policy making and executive body of the institute. The Board of each institute will comprise upto 15 members including Chairman nominated on the recommendation of the centre.

Senate:

It will be the principal academic body of each institute. It will specify the criteria and procedure for admission to courses of study; recommend to the Board, creation of teaching and other academic posts; and specify academic content of programmes and courses of study.

Coordination Forum:

It will deliberate on matters of common interest to all the institutes. It will advise the centre to include or exclude an institution from the schedule of the Bill.

Funds of the institute:

Each institute will maintain a fund consisting of funds from the government and other sources including grants, fees and donations. Further, each institute will create corpus fund of the net income of the institute and donations for its long term sustainability.

7. Indian Army inks MoU with DRDO to raise MRSAM defence system regiment.

The Indian Army has signed MoU with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to raise one regiment of the advanced Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM) defence system.

The Indian Army is planning to have a total of five regiments of MRSAM defence system, which will be deployed opposite to China and Pakistan. Each regiment consists of four launchers with three missiles each. So five regiments will have total 60 missiles. Earlier the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by PM Narendra Modi had approved proposal for procuring MRSAM system for the army.

The MRSAM is an advanced, all weather, mobile, land-based air defence system. It can shoot down enemy ballistic missiles, aircraft, helicopters, drones, surveillance aircraft and AWACS aircraft. It is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at ranges of more than 50 km.

MRSAM is a land-based variant of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) or Barak-8 naval air defence system, which is designed to operate from naval vessels. Each MRSAM system comprises a command-and-control system, mobile launchers, tracking radar and missiles.

The system will be jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and DRDO with the involvement of DPSUs and private sectors. It has majority indigenous content, giving boost to the Make-in-India initiative.

n July 2016, the IAI and DRDO successfully had conducted three flight tests of the MRSAM at the integrated test range off the Odisha Coast. The missile had successfully intercepted moving aerial targets in all three tests.

8. SEBI inks pact with ESMA for information exchange on CCPs

Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

The MoU was signed for exchange of information concerning Central Counterparties (CCPs) under the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). CCPs are entities that help facilitate clearing and settlement activities.

The MoU establishes cooperation arrangements, including exchange of information regarding CCPs which are established and authorised or recognised in India by SEBI and which have applied for EU recognition under EMIR.

EMIR provides for signing of a cooperation arrangement between ESMA and relevant non-EU authorities, whose legal and supervisory framework for CCPs have been deemed equivalent to EMIR by the European Commission. Signing of MoU is one of the conditions for recognition of third country CCPs by ESMA under EMIR.

9. India, Japan civil nuclear deal comes into force.

The landmark India-Japan civil nuclear agreement came into force. In this regard, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar exchanged the diplomatic notes with the Japanese envoy to India to formalise the completion of the process.

The deal would enable Japan to export nuclear power plant technology as well as provide finance for nuclear power plants in India. It will also assist India in nuclear waste management and could undertake joint manufacture of nuclear power plant components under the Make in India initiative.

The India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed in Tokyo during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan in November 2016. Subsequently, the Japanese government also got approval from the Diet (Japanese Parliament) for the nuclear deal with India. India is the only non-Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatory country with which Japan has entered into a civil nuclear deal, giving recognition for India’s impeccable non-proliferation record. Till now, India has also signed civil nuclear deal with 10 other countries viz. Russia, United States, France, South Korea, Mongolia, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.

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10. Castor plant can reduce soil pollution.

According to study conducted by researchers from University of Hyderabad, Castor bean plants can prove useful in fighting soil pollution. It was found that these plants can absorb toxic heavy metals from soil from these polluted areas due to industrial pollution.

The roots, leaves and stem of these plants from the polluted areas contain heavy metals such as lead. It was also observed that these plants accelerate the remediation of polluted soils due to presence of some chemicals in them known as chelators which enhances the capability of the plant to accumulate heavy metals.

Castor seed plants are generally known to be one of the sturdiest plants that can grow in areas where the soil is highly polluted, including in areas where mining is carried out. Traditionally, Castor oil (also known as ‘Arandi ka tel’ in Hindi) has been an age old home remedy for a variety of ailments in India.

This study highlights how castor plants which are having medical properties can also prove a boon in remediation in soil pollution. Government bodies can take a cue out of this study for natural remediation of soil pollution.

11. Government to launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana.

The Union Ministry of Rural Development will launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), a sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

AGEY aims to provide an alternative source of livelihood to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas.

AGEY will provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services like e-rickshaws, 3 and 4 wheeler motorised transport vehicles to connect remote villages. These transport vehicles will connect villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the area.

The scheme will be implemented in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot basis for a period of 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20. Under it, Community Based Organisation (CBO) is proposed to provide interest free loan from its own corpus to SHG member for purchase of the vehicle.

DAY-NRLM is a poverty alleviation scheme implemented by Union Ministry of Rural Development. It was launched as NRLM in 2011 but was succeeded by Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana in 2016. The scheme aims at promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor.

The basic idea behind this programme is to organize the poor into SHG (Self Help Groups) groups and make them capable for self-employment. It has a special focus on women empowerment including a dedicated component for promoting farm and non-farm based livelihoods for women farmers in rural areas.

12. Lok Sabha passes The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The Lok Sabha has passed The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009 to extend the deadline for teachers to acquire the prescribed minimum qualifications for appointment.

Through the amending measure inadequately qualified teachers as on March 31, 2015, working after enactment of the RTE Act, 2009 are being given last chance to acquire minimum qualifications within a period of four years i.e. by March 31, 2019 to hold their jobs as teachers.

The amendments to RTE Act, 2009 will enable the in-service untrained elementary teachers to complete their training and ensure that all teachers at the elementary level have certain minimum standard of qualifications. It will ensure that all teachers attain minimum qualifications as considered necessary to maintain the standard of teaching quality. It will ultimately result in improvement in overall quality of teachers, teaching processes and learning outcomes of children. It will reinforce Government’s emphasis on improvement of quality of elementary education.

The RTE Act, 2009 envisages free and compulsory elementary education to every child in the age group of 6-14 years. The section 23(2) of the Act specifies that all teachers at elementary level at commencement of this law if did not possess minimum qualifications under it need to acquire these within a period of five years i.e. by March 2015. However, several state governments have reported that 11.00 lakh teachers at the elementary level are still untrained out of a total number of 66.41 lakh teachers.

13. Government launches Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana for senior citizens.

The Union Finance Ministry has launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

Under this scheme, senior citizens will get a guaranteed interest of 8% for 10 years depending upon the investment made by them.

This PMVVY scheme will be available from May 4, 2017 to May 3, 2018. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been given the sole privilege to operate the scheme. It can be purchased offline as well as online through LIC.

This scheme provides an assured return of 8% per annum payable monthly for 10 years on single lumpsum premium ranging from Rs. 150000 (minimum) to Rs.750000 (maximum). Pension (minimum: Rs.1000/ month; maximum: Rs.5000) will be payable at the end of each period, during the policy term of 10 years, as per the frequency of monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly as chosen by the pensioner at the time of purchase.

It is exempted from goods and services (GST) tax. It will offer senior citizens more avenues to earn steady regular income at a time of falling interest rates. On survival of the pensioner to the end of the policy term of 10 years, the purchase price of the scheme along with the final pension instalment will be payable.

The scheme also offers loan up to 75% of the purchase price after 3 policy years (to meet the liquidity needs). Loan interest will be recovered from the pension instalments and loan will be recovered from claim proceeds.

The scheme allows for premature exit for the treatment of any critical terminal illness of self or spouse. On such premature exit, 98% of the purchase price would be refunded. On death of the pensioner during the policy term of 10 years, the purchase price should be paid to the beneficiary.

International Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. US House of Representatives passes Bill on defence co-operation with India.

The United States House of Representatives has passed an amendment to National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), 2018, a $621.5 billion defence expenditure bill to advance defence cooperation with India.

India related amendment in the bill was adopted by a voice vote in the House by 344-81. Now, NDAA needs to be passed by the US Senate before it can be sent to US President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The India-related amendment in NDAA 2018, requires the US Secretary of Defence, in consultation with the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between US and India.

The amendment asks the State Department and Pentagon to develop a strategy to addresses common security challenges, the role of US partners and allies in India-US defence relationship, and role of the defence technology and trade initiative. It also asks them to address issues to advance communications interoperability and security memorandum of agreement and the basic exchange and cooperation agreement for geospatial cooperation.

2. US Navy tests world’s first Laser Weapons System.

United States Navy successfully tested the world’s first-ever active Laser Weapons System (LaWS). In the test, the LaWS deployed aboard the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship was able to destroy a drone in flight and moving targets on the Persian Gulf. USS Ponce is first ship in the world to be deployed with such advanced weapons system.

LaWS operates within an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is absolutely silent and incredibly effective. It strikes are extremely accurate, silent and invisible. It is primarily intended to take on drones, aircraft, and small vessels that could be used in an attack.

The system has special materials that release photons at the speed of light. It silently hits the target, burning it to a temperature of thousands of degrees. It can even target a single component of an enemy target and disable or destroy it as necessary. Each strike of the system travels 50,000 times the speed of an incoming ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

It is a very versatile weapon that can be used against a variety of targets in air or surface targets or ground-based targets. Its precise nature can also limit collateral damage in wartime. Its cost per use is approximately $1 per shot. The system requires electrical power and a three-man team. US is also developing second generation LaWS system which is believed to be intended to take on faster targets such as incoming missiles.

3. US imposes new sanctions against Iran over ballistic missile program.

The United States has imposed new economic sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile programme and for contributing to regional tensions.

Under the new sanctions, the US Department of Treasury targeted 16 entities and individuals from Iran citing them as illicit Iranian actors or transnational criminal activity. Those sanctioned mainly targets Iran for developing drones and military equipment, producing and maintaining boats, and procuring electronic components.

The sanctions were imposed day after US certified that Iran is complying with the 2015 Nuclear Deal and it will continue to receive nuclear-related sanctions relief. This was the second time, Trump administration certified Iran’s compliance to 2015 Nuclear Deal.

The 2015 Nuclear Deal was a preliminary framework agreement signed between Iran and P5+1 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China- plus Germany) and the European Union in July 2015. The deal is also called as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) or Vienna agreement.

The deal aims to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions. Under it, Iran has agreed to give up its most advanced centrifuges and use only its oldest models. But it still allows Iran to continue enrichment in lower quantities for civilian purposes such as power plants.

As part of the deal Iran has agreed to reduce its stockpile of uranium by 98%. Under this deal, Iran could keep 300 kg enriched uranium for the next 15 years and it will get rid of extra uranium by shipping it to Russia. The deal also sets up a comprehensive inspections regime that gives inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) extraordinary and robust access to Iranian nuclear facilities.

Under this deal, global economic sanctions imposed over Iran nuclear programme will be removed. However sanctions related to other aspects of Iran’s behaviour, such as ballistic-missile programme, human-rights issues, support of terrorism and its will not be affected.

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4. President inaugurates Bicentenary Celebration of Paika Rebellion.

President Pranab Mukharjee inaugurated the bicentenary (200th) celebration of Paika Rebellion (1817) of Odisha organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in New Delhi.

Paika rebellion predates the 1857 Revolt i.e. first war of independence. Many scholars, researchers and historians have opined that the Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organized armed rebellion against British Raj (then British East India Company rule).

Paiks were the traditional landed militia of Odisha, used to perform policing functions. They owned rent-free land that was given to them for their military service to Kingdom of Khurda. However they were forcefully usurped their land rendering them landless by the policies of British East India Company.

They were also subjected to repressive land revenue policies and humiliation by the British. At that critical juncture, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of the King of Khurda, led army of Paikas forcing the East India Company forces to retreat.

During the rebellion, the Paikas had attacked British symbols of power, setting ablaze policestations, administrative offices and treasury during their march towards Khurda, from where the British fled. The Paikas were supported by the rajas of Kujang, Kanika, Nayagarh and Ghumusar and zamindars, village heads and ordinary peasants.

The British were initially taken aback and then tried to regain lost ground from the rebelling Paikas. Many a battle ensued with some victories to the rebel Paiks but the British finally managed to defeat them within three months. Widespread suppression followed with killing and imprisonment of many Paiks.

Some Paik rebels fought a guerilla war till 1819 but were captured and killed. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825 and died in captivity in 1829. At present, Paika Bidroha enjoys a cult status in Odisha but unfortunately it has received less attention at the national level than it should have got.

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Sport Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. Roger Federer wins record 8th Wimbledon title.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer won 2017 Wimbledon title in the men’s single category. In the final match he defeated Marin Cilic of Croatia by 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 score.

It was Federer’s record eighth Wimbledon title and overall 19th Grand Slam. With this victory, 36-year old Federer also became Wimbledon’s oldest champion, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was 32 when he won in 1976.

Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title beating Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. The 36-year old Federer is also Wimbledon’s oldest men’s winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976. He also became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set in the entire tournament.

Women’s single

Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) defeated Venus Williams (United States) by 7–5, 6–0 score to win her first Wimbledon title in the women’s single category.

Men’s Doubles

Lukasz Kubot (Poland) and Marcelo Melo (Brazil) pair defeated Oliver Marach (Austria) and Mate Pavic (Croatia) pair to win 2017 Wimbledon title in Men’s Doubles category.

Women’s Doubles Russian pair Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina defeated Chan Hao-ching (Chinese Taipei) and Monica Niculescu (Romania) to win 2017 Wimbledon title in Women’s Doubles category.

Mixed Doubles

Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) defeated Henri Kontinen (Finland) and Heather Watson (United Kingdom) to win 2017 Wimbledon title in mixed Doubles category.

2. India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu wins Victorian Open squash tournament.

India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu (28) won the Victorian Open squash tournament held in Melbourne, Australia. In the final he defeated Rex Hedrick of Australia by 12-14, 11-3, 11-4 score.

It was Sandhu’s ninth title at the PSA level and the fourth of this season after winning two in Malaysia. It was his second title in two weeks after he had won South Australian Open by defeating Rhys Dowling of Australia by 11-8 12-10 11-4 score.

Harinder Pal Sandhu is a professional squash player. He reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 56 in September 2015. He was a part of the Indian team, which had won the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games held at Incheon.

3. India’s Sundar Singh Gurjar wins gold medal at World Para Athletics.

India’s Sundar Singh Gurjar (21) won gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event at World Para Athletics Championships held in London, United Kingdom.

In the F46 category, Sundar recorded his personal best effort of 60.36m ahead of Dinesh Priyantha Herath (Sri Lanka) who emerged second with 57.93m, followed by defending champion Guo Chunliang (China) with 56.14m.

Sundar Singh Gurjar hails from the Karauli district in Rajasthan. Till November 2015, he was competing in General Category. But he had lost his left hand in an accident. After accident, he started participating in para-athlete competitions.

Sundar was not able to participate in the F46 javelin throw category at the 2016 Rio Paralympics after he was disqualified. But at the same event, India’s Devendra Jhajharia had won the gold medal. In February 2017, at 8th Fazza IPC Athletics Grand Prix held in Dubai, Sundar had won three gold medals, one each in javelin throw, shot put and discus throw.

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4. Karamjyoti Dala wins bronze medal at World Para Athletics.

India’s Karamjyoti Dalal has won bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships 2017 in the discus-throw. In the women’s F55 category of discus-throw, she managed a throw of 19.02 m.

Earlier, Sundar Singh Gurjar had opened India’s account at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships by winning gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event. Later, Amit Saroha won silver medal in the club throw event in the F-51 category.

Karamjyoti Dala was originally a part of the national Kabaddi setup. But she had to give up the sport after she took a fall from her terrace, that resulted in her losing her motor sensations for a year. But she took up discus throw in 2014. Since then her performance has gone from being unranked in the top-10 in the world. Currently she is ranked World No.8. She had secured a fourth-place finish at the IPC Para-athletics championships in 2015. She had won two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games held in Beijing, China.

The World Para Athletics Championships are a biennial Paralympic athletics event organized by World Para Athletics, a subcommittee of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Prior to 2017, it was known as the IPC Athletics World Championships. It features athletics events contested by athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. The first IPC Athletics World Championships were held in Berlin, Germany in 1994.

Science & Technology Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. Scientists develop super-flexible and strong artificial silk.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed super-stretchy and strong artificial (synthetic) spider silk, almost entirely composed of water. The synthetic spider silk mimics properties of spider silk, one of nature’s strongest materials for a range of applications such as making eco-friendly textiles and sensors.

The fibres of the synthetic spider silk are spun from hydrogel, a soupy material which is 98% water. The remaining 2% of the hydrogel is made of naturally available silica and cellulose. These materials are held together in a network by barrel-shaped molecular “handcuffs” known as cucurbiturils. The chemical interactions between the different components enable to pull long fibres from the gel. The water from hydrogel evaporates after it is stretched for 30 seconds, leaving a strong fibre which is both strong and stretchy.

The fibres of the synthetic spider silk are extremely thin threads and are of few millionths of a metre in diameter. They resemble miniature bungee cords and can absorb large amounts of energy. They are sustainable, non-toxic, less energy-intensive and can be made at room temperature.

The fibres are capable of self-assembly at room temperature, and are held together by supramolecular host, where atoms share electrons. They can support stresses in the range of 100 to 150 megapascals, which is similar to other synthetic and natural silks.

2. GSI discovers millions of tonnes of precious metals and minerals in Indian waters.

Scientists from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have discovered the presence of millions of tonnes of precious metals and minerals deep under the waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of peninsular India.

They have confirmed the presence large amount of lime mud, phosphate-rich and calcareous sediments, hydrocarbons, metalliferous deposits and micronodules. They believe that deeper and more extensive exploration could lead to a larger treasure trove. The presence of lime mud, phosphate-rich sediments was discovered off Karwar, Mangaluru and Chennai coasts, gas hydrate in the channel-levee system of Mannar Basin off the Tamil Nadu coast, icro-manganese nodules around Lakshadweep Sea and cobalt-bearing ferro-manganese crust from the Andaman Sea.

2. Astrosat, Chandra and Hubble jointly detect massive cosmic explosion on Proxima Centauri.

astrosat, chandra and hubble jointly detect massive cosmic explosion on proxima centauri

India’s first dedicated space observatory AstroSat along with other space and earth-based observatories have detected a massive coronal explosion on Proxima Centauri, sun’s closest star neighbour.

The explosion was detected as part of joint multi-wavelength simultaneous observational campaign undertaken by three space-based observatories, Astrosat, Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope and the ground-based High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) observatory.

It is group of stars which hosts an Earth-like habitable planet — Proxima Centaur b — orbiting within (Proxima Centauri) its habitable zone. It is a cool dwarf star located around 4.25 light years away from the Earth. It was discovered in 2016.

The massive coronal explosion has sent out powerful solar flare having energy of 10-raised-to-30 ergs, about 100 times a typical solar flare. Such powerful flaring may have produced large radiations and particles which may significantly influence the atmosphere of the Proxima Centauri b and affect its habitability.

The habitability of Proxima Centauri especially its ability to sustain its atmosphere and in particular to sustain water in liquid form may get affected due to abnormal planetary atmosphere heating due absorption of the high-energy photons like the ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray photons released by the coronal explosion.

If such a massive flare occurs in our Sun, it might have a devastating effect on power grids, interrupt broadcasts and electricity, affect electronic instruments, and cause excess UV radiation in space.

Coronal explosion: is an unusually large release of plasma and magnetic field from the solar corona. They often follow solar flares and are normally present during a solar prominence eruption. The plasma is released into the solar wind, and can be observed in coronagraph imagery.

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National Current Affairs July 4th Week 2017

1. National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination.

The Union Health Ministry and Family Welfare for first time has unveiled National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Malaria Elimination (2017-22). It has set malaria elimination deadline as 2027, three years ahead of the global deadline.

The NSP is based on 2016 National Framework for Malaria Elimination framed with support of WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.

The NSP is a year-wise roadmap for malaria elimination across the country. The plan aims to achieve universal case detection and treatment services in malaria endemic districts to ensure 100% diagnosis of all suspected cases, and full treatment of all confirmed cases. It seeks to maintain a malaria-free status for areas where transmission has been interrupted.

Categorisation of Districts:

The plan divides country into four categories, from 0 to 3 based on their annual parasite incidence (API). The first category, Zero has 75 districts having of API of malaria for the last three years. The Category 1 covers 448 districts, in which the API is less than 1 per 1,000 population. The Category 2 covers 48 districts, in which API is one and above, but less than 2 per 1,000 population. The Category 3 covers 107 districts, in which API of two and above per 1,000 population.

Targets:

The plan aims to eliminate malaria (zero indigenous cases) in all Category 1 and 2 districts by 2022. In Category 3, the target is bring remaining districts under a pre-elimination and elimination programme by 2022.

Four components, based on recommendations WHO:

Diagnosis and case management; surveillance and epidemic response; prevention — integrated vector management; cross-cutting interventions, which include communication, advocacy, R&D and other initiatives.

Funding:

The resources required for the elimination of malaria is around Rs 10,653.16 crore over a period of five years (2017-2022). These resources will be managed from government sources, international donors, and the corporate sector as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Significance:

This is for the first time, the Union Health Ministry has come up with a roadmap for elimination of malaria in the country. Prior to it, effort was to “control” malaria under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDC). The NSP lays down detailed strategy with operational guidelines for all states towards set targets. It has also given a detailed breakdown of annual budgetary requirements over five years.

2. IBBI notifies rules for bankruptcy probe.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has notified regulations for inspection and investigation of service providers registered with it. Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) implemented by IBBI, service providers are insolvency professional agencies, entities, professionals and information utilities.

The investigation authority has to serve a notice intimating the entity concerned about the probe at least 10 days in advance. However, this requirement can be done away with on grounds such as apprehensions that the records of the particular service provider might have been destroyed before the probe starts.

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Sports Current Affairs July 3rd Week 2017

1. BCCI appoints Ravi Shastri as new head coach of Indian cricket team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named former Indian all-rounder and captain Ravi Shastri as the new chief coach of the Indian cricket team till ICC World Cup 2019. He will succeed Anil Kumble who had resigned from the post after the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The decision was announced after the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) zeroed in on his name ahead of other strong contenders, including Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody.

Besides, BCCI also appointed former fast bowler Zaheer Khan as bowling coach for a period of two years. Former Indian Captain Rahul Dravid was also appointed as batting consultant for specific overseas tours.

Ravi Shastri is a veteran of 80 Tests and 150 ODIs. He had played for the India national cricket team between 1981 and 1992. He was team India’s manager during their Bangladesh tour in 2007. Most recently, he was Indian cricket’s team director from their tour of England in 2014 to the 2016 ICC World T20, where India lost to eventual champions West Indies in the semi-final.

2. India’s Mithali Raj becomes first to score 6000 runs in women’s ODI cricket.

Indian captain Mithali Raj (34) scripted history by becoming first player in the history of women’s ODI cricket to score more than 6000 career runs. She also became all-time leading run-getter in women’s ODI. She achieved the record feat against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 match at Bristol. She broke previous record of Charlotte Edwards (5992) in 164 innings – 16 less than Charlotte.

Mithali had made her ODI debut at the age of 16 against Ireland in June 1999 at Milton Keynes and scored unbeaten 114 runs. So far, Mithali has scored 6028 runs with the help of 5 centuries and 49 half-centuries.

During the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, she had created record of scoring seven consecutive fifties in women’s ODIs. Apart from this, she has also scored 49 ODI half-centuries, highest by any woman cricketer. She is often called the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian women’s cricket.

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International Current Affairs July 3rd Week 2017

1. India to join Global Foreign Exchange Committee.

India will soon join Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC), a newly-constituted forum of central bankers and experts working towards promotion of a robust and transparent foreign exchange (Forex) market. The committee has been set up under guidance of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), an international financial organisation.

The GFXC was established in London during a meeting in May 2017 of public and private sector representatives from the foreign exchange committees (FXCs) of 16 international forex trading centres.

The newly expanded and formalised GFXC, replaces a similar but more informal organisation of eight FXCs from Australia, Euro area, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, UK and US. It will now also include representatives from existing, or soon to be established FXCs or similar structures in China, India, Brazil, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland.

The objectives GFXC:

(i) Promote collaboration and communication among the local FXCs and non-GFXC jurisdictions with significant FX markets.

(ii) Exchange views on trends and developments in global FX markets, including on the structure and functioning of those markets, drawing on information gathered at the various FXCs.

(iii) Promote, maintain and update on a regular basis the FX Global Code (the Code) and consider good practices regarding effective mechanisms to support adherence.

It will also maintain and update ‘Global Code of Conduct for the Foreign Exchange Markets’ issued by Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

2. G-20 leaders adopt Hamburg Action Plan.

The 12th G-20 summit concluded in Germany’s Hamburg city with adaptation of Hamburg Action Plan. It sets out the group’s strategy for achieving strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. The action plan aims to address major global challenges, including climate change, harnessing digitalisation, and to contribute to prosperity and well-being.

Tackle common challenges:

G20 members resolved to tackle common challenges to the global community, including terrorism, displacement, hunger, poverty and health threats, job creation, climate change, energy security and inequality including gender inequality, as a basis for sustainable development and stability.

Trade and globalisation:

They stressed on the importance of harnessing the benefits of globalisation, reaffirm the importance of transparency for predictable and mutually beneficial trade relations. They also underlined importance to boost employment by improving sustainable global supply chains, as an important source of job creation and balanced economic growth.

Continue to use all policy tools:

G20 members will use all policy tools such as monetary, fiscal and structural- individually and collectively to achieve the goal of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, while enhancing economic and financial resilience.

Paris Agreement:

They agreed that the 2015 Paris Agreement is irreversible and reiterated the importance of fulfilment of the UNFCCC commitments by developed countries in providing means of implementation including financial resources to assist developing countries with respect to both mitigation and adaptation actions.

Sustainable livelihoods:

G-20 members are committed to increase innovation on sustainable and clean energies and energy efficiency, work towards low greenhouse-gas emission energy systems and harness digitalisation to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global Health systems:

G-20 members called for strengthening health systems and safeguarding against health crises. The leaders called on the UN to keep global health high on the political agenda and strive for cooperative action to strengthen health systems worldwide, including through developing the health workforce. The leaders also stressed on combatting Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), which is a growing threat to public health and economic growth.

3. India, US and Japan navies kick off 2017 Malabar Exercise.

India, Japan and United States (US) navies have kicked off 2017 MALABAR trilateral naval Exercise near Chennai in Bay of Bengal. This year it is the 21st edition of the naval exercise.

In this edition of the exercise, total of around 15 warships, two submarines and scores of fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and helicopters from three navies will take part.

The 8 day long Malabar 2017 exercise consists of both ashore and at-sea activities. This year operations of the exercise include anti-submarine warfare, familiarization with inter-operability between maritime forces, search and rescue and seizure missions and many other drills.

One of the main goals of this edition of the exercise is “submarine-hunting”. The goal carries subtext given the ever-increasing and regular operation of Chinese Navy submarines in the Indian Ocean. This year, two aircraft carriers from India and US and a Japanese helicopter destroyer form part of the warships that will join the naval drills.

Participants from US Navy include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz with embarked Carrier Air Wing 11; guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton; guided-missile destroyers USS Howard, USS Shoup and USS Kidd; a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft; and a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine.

From Indian Navy, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is participating for the first time. Two Kamorta class anti-submarine warfare corvettes, two Shivalik class frigates and tanker INS Jyoti are also participating. The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSD) ships JS Izumo and JS Sazanami are participating in the exercise.

4. Okinoshima Island: Japan’s men-only island gets UNESCO heritage tag.

Okinoshima Island, Japan’s men-only island was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. The island will be the 17th set of Japanese cultural assets to be granted this status and overall 21st in the list. The island is part of the prefecture’s Munakata region. It is located in south-west Japan between the main island of Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). It still follow strict taboos from ancient times, including the controversial ban on women from entering the island

Okinoshima Island is an ancient religious site in Japan that is considered sacred by the local Munakata Taisha. Entries of women are strictly banned on the island. Even male visitors need to take off their clothes and take a naked bath (purifying bath) before visiting the shrine.

It is permanently manned by a Shinto priest who prays the island’s goddess, in a tradition that has been kept up for centuries. The entire island is considered a Shinto Kami, an ethnic religion of Japan that focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Kami are the spirits or phenomena that are worshipped in the religion of Shinto.

The island covers an area of 240 acres and has a maximum elevation of 244 m. Since ancient times, it was an important window for foreign trade in Japan, forming part of a trade route that linked the archipelago to the Korean peninsula and China.

5. 11th July: World Population Day.

The World Population Day is observed across the world on July 11 to attention on the urgency and importance of population issue. Observance of the day aims at increase people’s awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, maternal health, gender equality, poverty and human rights. 2017 theme: “Family Planning- Empowering People, Developing Nations”. The theme highlights importance of family planning as it allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies.

The World Population Day was established by the then Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987. On this date world’s approximate population had reached five billion people.

Later in December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue observing World Population Day by adopting resolution 45/216 to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.

The Day was first marked on 11 July 1990 in more than 90 countries. Since then, it is observed annually by number of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country offices and other organizations and institutions commemorate World Population Day, in partnership with governments and civil society

The world population has grown tremendously over the past years. China has the highest population in the world and India stood at second.

6. India to become largest milk producer in 2026: OECD-FAO report.

According to recently released OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026, India will be the world’s largest milk producer by 2026 and will account for the biggest increase in wheat production globally.

Population Growth

Over the ten-year outlook period, world’s population will increase from 7.3 to 8.2 billion, with India and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 56% of total growth. Given their strong population growth, India and Sub-Saharan Africa will also drive a large share of global food demand. India’s population will grow to 1.5 billion from 1.3 billion, an increase of almost 150 million. India will overtake China to be the most populous country in the world by 2026.

Calories and protein consumption

Additional calories and protein consumption over the outlook period are expected to come mainly from sugar, vegetable oil and dairy products. By 2026, average calorie availability is projected to exceed 3000 kcal per person per day in other developing countries and reach 2450 kcal in least developed countries. Food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms will remain persistent global problem that will require a coordinated international approach. Growth in demand for meat is projected to slow, with no new sources of demand.

Global food commodity

prices The global food commodity prices are projected to remain low over the outlook period as demand growth in a number of emerging economies is expected to slow down. Real prices are expected to remain flat or decline for most of the commodities. Agricultural trade is also expected to grow more slowly, but remain less sensitive to weak economic conditions than other sectors.

Milk production

Over the first quarter of the 21st century, milk production in India will be nearly tripled. Over the course of the outlook period, milk production in India will grow 49% and in 2026, India will become the world’s largest milk producer, with an output one-third above European Union, second largest producer.

Wheat Production

Global production of wheat is projected to increase by 11% over the outlook period, while the wheat area will increases only by 1.8%. The increase in wheat production is expected to occur through higher yields, most notably in Asia and Pacific, which will account for 46% of additional wheat production. Within the region and globally, India (15 million metric tonnes) will account for the biggest increase in production. Pakistan (6 Mt) and China (5.5 Mt) are also expected to have significant gains. The European Union will account for 13% of the production increase.

Rice production

Rice production is expected to grow by 66 Mt and will be exclusively driven by yield growth, which will account for 93% of additional production. The global area dedicated to rice production is expected to increase by only a 1% from the base period, while global yields will increase by 12%. Major production gains are projected for India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam with yields expected to increase by over 15%.

FAO: It is Rome based specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger across the world.

OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development): It is Paris based an intergovernmental economic organisation with 35 member countries, founded in 1960 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.

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Science & Technology Current Affairs July 3rd Week 2017

1. Government launches 4 digital initiatives to push e-education.

President Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of Guru Purnima launched four major digital initiatives in to push e-education. They are Swayam, Swayam Prabha, National Academic Depository and National Digital Library. All these digital initiatives are operational under Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development.

Swayam:

It an indigenously designed massive open online course (MOOC), It will host all the courses, taught in classrooms from 9th class till post-graduation and can be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time. It aims to bridge the digital divide for students in e-education.

Swayam Prabha:

It will provide high quality educational contents, developed by experts, through 32 DTH (direct to home) Television Channels with an aim to bring uniformity in standards of education. It will cover diverse disciplines of all levels of education in various languages. It will be available to all and will be having new content of 4 hours to be telecasted 6 times a day.

National Academic Depository:

It is a digital depository of academic awards for authenticating all certificates issued by institutions. NAD will directly integrate with Boards/Universities which issue Certificates which will be verified, authenticated, accessed and retrieved in a digital depository for purpose of employment, higher education, and loans.

National Digital Library:

It is a large online library containing 6.5 million books. It provides free access to many books in English and the Indian languages.

2. Scientist create mini Saturns from charged liquid droplets.

Scientists from Northwestern University in the United States have created miniature versions of Saturn, complete with rings, by electrifying tiny droplets of fluids.

When a drop of electrically conductive liquid is exposed to an electric field, the droplet responds by forming two electrically charged poles. In the previous research it was found that these poles can get pulled towards the sources of the electric field, taking on cone shapes. If the pull is strong enough, the tips of the cones can spray jets of droplets. This effect is known as electrospraying.

In the latest experiments, researchers explored the outcomes seen after drops of liquid is submerged in more electrically conductive fluids-specifically, drops of silicone oil suspended in castor oil. When an electric field is applied to drop of silicone oil, it was observed that drop flattens and emits rings of fluid from its equator that break up into droplets.

If an electric field is strong enough, the equators of these squashed drops emit concentric rings of droplets, making the drops look like miniature versions of Saturn. In these experiments, drops of silicone oil about 1 millimetre wide generated droplets that were about 100 times smaller.

The future advance research may pave the way for generating microscopic and uniform particles and capsules which are used in products such as drugs, inks, cosmetics and paints. It will also explore new materials that can be used to produce “ring of particles” effect.

3. Vaccine shows protection against gonorrhea for first time: Scientists.

Scientists from New Zealand for the first time have claimed that vaccine can protect against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea. They have found that Men B jab vaccine originally developed to stop an outbreak of meningitis B can protect from gonorrhoea.

Scientists claim was based on analysis of vaccination data of about a million adolescents in New Zealand who were vaccinated by Men B jab vaccine between 2004 and 2006. They found that gonorrhoea cases had fallen by 31% in vaccinated adolescents. The bacterium that causes meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis, is a very close relative of the bacterium species Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes gonorrhoea. Thus, it appears the Men B jab vaccine is giving “cross-protection” against gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea disease (also called the clap) is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It spreads by unprotected sex. Its symptoms include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods in case of in women. In many cases, no symptoms are seen at all. Untreated gonorrhoeae infection can lead to infertility in both genders, pelvic inflammatory disease in women and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy. According to WHO, about 78 million people pick up the sexually transmitted infection each year due to Gonorrhoea.

4. NASA’s Juno spacecraft completes flyby over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

NASA’s unmanned spacecraft Juno has successfully peered into the Jupiter’s giant storm known as the Great Red Spot. It became first space probe to complete flyby of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is a massive storm (cyclone) measuring about 16,000 km in diameter. It is largest known storm in the solar system. It has been monitored since 1830 and has possibly existed for more than 350 years.

The winds in the storm are clocked at hundreds of km an hour around its outer edges. Little is known about the forces driving it. The spot appears as a deep, red orb surrounded by layers of pale yellow, orange and white. The storm is believed to have been shrinking in recent years.

NASA had launched unmanned spacecraft Juno on August 5, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida as part of its New Frontiers program. It has been orbiting Jupiter, solar system’s largest planet from July 2016.

The spacecraft has been named from Greco-Roman mythology. It is orbiting Jupiter from pole to pole, 5,000 kilometers above planet’s cloud tops. It has mission life istill February 2018.

Its mission is to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter, investigate the existence of a solid planetary Jupiter’s core, map Jupiter’s intense magnetic field, measure the amount of water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere and observe Jupiter’s aurora.

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5. Scientists discover smallest star known in the universe.

Scientists from University of Cambridge, UK have discovered the smallest star in the universe. It has been named as EBLM J0555-57Ab. The star was identified by SuperWASP, a planet-finding experiment run by several universities. It was detected when it passed in front of its larger parent star, forming an eclipsing stellar binary system.

EBLM J0555-57Ab is located about 600 light years away. It is slightly larger than Saturn in size and may possibly have Earth-sized planets with liquid water in its orbit. It is likely as small as stars can possibly become, as it has just enough mass to enable the fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium at its centre .

The gravitational pull at EBLM J0555-57A’s stellar surface is about 300 times stronger than on Earth. It is likely colder than many of the gas giant exo-planets that have so far been identified. The discovery of EBLM J0555-57A also makes the best possible candidate for detecting Earth-sized planets which can have liquid water on their surfaces, such as TRAPPIST-1, an ultracool dwarf surrounded by seven temperate Earth-sized worlds.

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Economy Current Affairs July 3rd Week 2017

1. India’s forex reserves at record-high of $386.53 billion.

According to RBI, India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves have increased by $4.007 billion to touch a record high of $386.539 billion in the week that ended 30th June 2017. The components of India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves include Foreign currency assets (FCAs), Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), Gold and RBI’s Reserve position with International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The increase forex in the reporting week was due to increase FCAs. It rose by $3.724 billion to $362.388 billion. Gold reserves also increased by $252.8 million to $20.348 billion. India’s special drawing rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also rose by $11.8 million to $1.479 billion. The RBI’s reserve position with IMF also increased by $18.9 million to $2.322 billion.

FCAs forms major part of the overall reserves. It consists of US dollar and other major non-US global currencies. It also comprises of investments in US Treasury bonds, bonds of other selected governments, deposits with foreign central and commercial banks. FCAs also include with them the effects of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies like the euro, pound, and yen and is expressed in terms of dollars.

2. India to import crude oil from US for first time.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, for the first time will import crude oil from the United States. The purchase comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2017 when President Donald Trump had assured that US looks forward to export more energy products to India.

Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has bought 1.6 million barrels of US Mars crude (a heavy, high-sulphur grade) and 400,000 barrels of Western Canadian Select that will be delivered onboard a Very Large Crude Carrier. The import will take place after IOC gets the carrier in October 2017 from PetroChina. The oil will be loaded off the US Gulf Coast, The import of crude from US could become an alternative source for the Indian companies for the supply of heavy, high-sulphur grades as feedstocks, which typically sell at a lower cost relative to other oil types. Besides IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) is second Indian refiner which also has planned to buy its first ever US crude oil cargo and has issued a purchase tender.

India will be the latest Asian country to buy US crude after Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, China and Taiwan as they seek to diversify oil imports from other regions after the OPEC production cuts raised prices of Middle East heavy-sour crude ( grades with a high sulphur content).

3. Government launches new tax payer service module.

The Union Finance Ministry has launched Aaykar Setu, a new tax payer service module. The new e-initiative literally means taxpayer’s bridge and will be available in android phones. It compiles various tax tools, dynamic updates, live chat facility and important links to various processes within the Income Tax Department (ITD) in a single module.

Aaykar Setu has been launched in mobile responsive android application and also in desktop version to enhance mobile access as well as desktop access. This e-initiative aims provide better taxpayer services and also help in reducing the direct physical interface between assesses and tax assessing authorities.

It will allow IDT to directly communicate with the taxpayers on a range of multiple informative and useful tax services. The tax payers will also be able to receive regular updates regarding important tax dates, forms and notifications on mobile numbers registered with the ITD.

The mobile app will allow entities track TDS, pay taxes and apply for permanent account number (PAN). It will also help people link their 12-digit biometric identifier Aadhaar with PAN card. To avail this service, all taxpayers will have to register their mobile numbers in the Aaykar Setu module in order to receive such SMS alerts.

4. Over Rs 57,000 crore saved through DBT: Government.

The Union Government has saved around Rs 57,000 crore in 2016-17 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme under which subsidies are given directly to beneficiaries. In 2017-18, the beneficiary base rose from 10.71 crore in 2013-14 to 35.62 crore. A total of 485 schemes have been identified from 60 ministries for the DBT.

According to government data, of the Rs 57,029 crore saved under DBT in 2016-17, the LPG subsidy scheme ‘Pahal’ alone accounted for Rs 29,769 crore savings. Besides, about Rs 14,000 crore were saved in providing subsidies directly to beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MNREGA) Scheme saved Rs 11,741 crore. Rs 399 crore were saved in DBT transfers for the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which deals with old age and widow pensions and among other things.

The DBT Scheme, a major reform initiative to check graft in welfare funds was launched by then UPA Government on 1 January 2013. It aims at transferring benefits of various central government-run social welfare schemes directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Its objective is to reform Government delivery system by re-engineering the existing process in welfare schemes for simpler and faster flow of funds/information and ensure accurate targeting of the beneficiaries, reduce duplication and fraud.

DBT functions under the Cabinet Secretariat and its implementation is directly monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). JAM Trinity i.e. Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile are DBT enablers. However, Aadhaar is not mandatory in DBT schemes. DBT scheme has been high priority and focus area of the government to bring efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in the Government system and infuse confidence of citizen in the governance.

5. 5 States, 1 UT ink MoU with Centre on Government e-Marketplace.

5 States and a Union Territory (UT) have formally adopted the Centre’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) initiative. They are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh and Puducherry (UT).

In this regard, these states/UT have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to join GeM initiative. Four more states including Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Haryana, will ink such MoU soon.

GeM is an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government. It aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement of goods and services and eliminate corruption. It functions under Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D), Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

GeM is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface. Presently more than 40000 products in about 150 categories and hiring of transport service are available on GeM POC portal.

Transparency: GeM to a great extent eliminates human interface in order placement, vendor registration and payment processing. It is open platform and does not offer no entry barriers to bonafide suppliers who wish to do business with the Government. For procurements of higher value, GeM has bidding facility.

Efficiency: GeM allows direct purchase on it in a matter of minutes. The entire process in online, end to end integrated. It has online tools for assessing price reasonability.

Secure and safe: GeM platform is a completely secure. The antecedents of the suppliers are verified online and automatically through Aadhar, PAN databases. Besides, all the documents on GeM are e-signed at various stages by the buyers and sellers.

Support to Make in India: GeM has filters which are Preferential Market Access (PMA) compliant for selecting goods which are manufactured by Small Scale Industries (SSI). Thus, it will enable Government buyers to easily procure Make in India and SSI goods.

Savings to the Government: Transparency, efficiency under GeM initiative will result in a substantial reduction in prices of procuring goods, in comparison to the direct purchase rates and purchases by tender and rate contract.

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6. Government sets up new wing to provide intelligence inputs.

The Union Government has set up Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM), a new wing to provide intelligence inputs taking action against tax evaders.

It has been has been set up will be under the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). It will also do big data analytics for taxmen for better policy formulation.

The DGARM was set up on 1 July 2017, coinciding with rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST). It will function as an apex body of CBEC for data analytics and risk management and will report to the chairman of CBEC. It will utilize internal and external data sources for detailed data mining and analysis to generate outputs for focused and targeted action by field formations and investigation wings of the CBEC.

The field formations of CBEC are also expected to gainfully and effectively utilise the data and other inputs shared by the DGARM. The data analytics and processing coupled with intelligence inputs by DGRAM will provide the CBEC the national and sub-national perspective for policy formulation.

7. Cabinet approves MOC in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS countries.

cabinet approves moc in respect of tax matters between india and brics countries

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters between India and the BRICS countries namely, Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa Decision in this regard was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The MoC aims to promote cooperation amongst BRICS Revenue administrations on common areas of interest in tax matters and capacity building and knowledge sharing. It envisages regular interaction amongst the heads of Revenue administration of BRICS countries to continue discussion on common areas of interest.

It also strive towards convergence of views and meeting of the experts on tax matters to discuss the contemporary issues in areas of international tax. MoC will also accord confidentiality and protection to information exchanged under it.

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National Current Affairs July 3rd Week 2017

1. India plans to invite Leaders of ASEAN countries for 2018 Republic Day celebrations.

India has planned to invite the ten leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Chief Guests for 2018 Republic Day celebrations. This Plan has come at a time when India is engaged in a stand-off with China in the Sikkim sector.

If invited Republic Day 2018 would be the first Republic Day event that will have so many leaders as the chief guests. In the recent past, world leaders like former US President Barack Obama, former French President François Hollande and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been invited as the chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations.

India’s commitment to strengthen its ties with ASEAN countries is reflected by its ‘Look East Policy’ becoming ‘Act East Policy.’ At the India-ASEAN Summit held in Myanmar in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that India’s ‘Look East Policy’ has become ‘Act East Policy.’ With respect to the focus areas of cooperation with ASEAN, the External Affairs Minister described them in terms of three Cs-Commerce, Connectivity and Culture.

This year also marks the 25 years of dialogue partnership between India and ASEAN, 15 years of summit-level interaction, and five years of strategic partnership. India and ASEAN had upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2012.

2. Walled City of Ahmedabad designated as India’s first World Heritage City.

The 600-year-old Walled City of Ahmedabad was declared World Heritage City by the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO after it met in Karlow, Poland. It is first Indian city get the honour.

The Walled City of Ahmedabad is located on the eastern banks of Sabarmati river. It presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs, as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods.

It will be third city from the Indian subcontinent to enjoy this status along with Bhaktapur in Nepal and Galle in Sri Lanka.

3. Tamil Nadu reports first case of Zika virus.

Tamil Nadu has reported its first case of Zika virus in a 27-year-old man from a village in Krishnagiri district. RT-PCR test conducted on patient’s blood, urine and throat samples were found to be positive for Zika.

This is second case Zika reported in India. Earlier in May 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the first cases of Zika in in Ahmedabad, Gujarat after three cases were detected.

Threats: The virus is capable of causing serious birth defects i.e. neurological disorders and foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads. Besides a possible link between the virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system) is also suspected.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available to treat Zika. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

4. President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Ashiana Annexe in Dehradun.

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the ‘Ashiana Annexe’, comprising of 12 low cost dwelling units in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It has been constructed to accommodate officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan during Presidential visits to the Retreat at ‘Ashiana’.

These 12 dwelling units at the ‘Ashiana Annexe’ were constructed using the Habitech-NivaraTantra – Onsite Sanitation Integrated Community Housing Technology Innovations developed at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The technology is sustainable, cost effective, green and environment friendly with provision of disaster resilient features.

The dwelling units were constructed using compacted intermeshing blocks, made from local soil. The production of these blocks was on site in entirely green process. These blocks have novel cavities for horizontal and vertical reinforcement using steel bars which eliminates use of the conventional beams, columns and concrete lintel. The cavities also enable natural air curtain against temperature, water penetration and noise pollution.

The Ashiana Annexe also has facilities for scientific treatment of sanitation waste. Treated waste water from the dwelling is safely discharged for irrigation and non-drinking usage which ensure good health and well-being of residents.

The ‘Ashiana’ situated on Rajpur Road of Dehradun. It was built originally as bungalow of the Commandant of the President’s Bodyguard. It was revived recently by the President after long years of disuse. The main building of the renovated ‘Rashtrapati Ashiana’ was inaugurated by the President in September 2016.

5. Karnataka Government constitutes committee to study legalities for separate State flag.

Karnataka Government has constituted a nine-member committee to study the possibility of designing a separate state flag and providing it a statutory standing.

It will be headed by Principal Secretary, Department of Kannada and Culture. It shall submit report to the state Government after looking into required possibilities.

The committee was constituted following representation of social activists from the state urged the government to design a separate flag for Kannada ‘naadu’ and accord statutory standing for it.

There is no prohibition in the Constitution for the State to have its own flag. Even there is no separate central or state law dealing with issue. So, legally it can be said that state flag is not unauthorised. Jammu and Kashmir is only state having separate flag of its own due to special status granted by Article 370 of the Constitution.

At present, the national flag code specifically authorises use of other flags subject to the regulation by the court. It does not mention anything about separate state flag. However, it clearly mentions that the manner in which the other flag is hoisted should not dishonour the national flag. It has to be always below the national flag. Thus, if states have separate flag, it should be hoisted in such a way that it does not dishonour the national flag.

6. First State to fix minimum education qualification for cooperative body poll.

Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to lay down the minimum educational qualifications for contesting elections to village cooperative societies and various other cooperative bodies. In this regard, state government has amended State Cooperative Societies Rules, 2003. The new rules would benefit about 10,000 cooperative and agricultural credit societies. Moreover, the benefit of education will accrue to the societies as their management will go to expert hands.

The minimum educational qualification will be compulsory for the members of the Directorate of Board of the cooperatives to ensure the management is assigned to skilled hands. The required educational qualifications will range from Class V to Class VIII for election as members of governing boards of various cooperative societies.

The minimum qualifications for the primary committee members will be class VIII, for district-level committees, it will be class X and graduation for the state level committee. The elections to various posts in the societies after a certain level would be conducted through the State Cooperative Election Authority.

Rajasthan will be also the first state in the country to establish Recruitment Board by the Cooperative Committees, which will recruit personnel for the cooperative committees. This move will ensure more employment in the field of cooperatives. It will also ensure competent and talented personnel are selected in a transparent way.

7. NGT bans nylon, synthetic manja.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed nationwide blanket ban on the use of kite strings (manja), made of nylon or any synthetic material on the grounds that it poses a threat to animals and humans.

The judgement of Tribunal came on a plea filed by animal rights body People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and others.

The petition filed by PETA and others had contended that ‘manja’ poses a grave threat to humans and animals as a number of deaths are caused by it every year. It has also alleged that sometimes these strings coated with sharp metals, traps and kill migratory birds. It also claimed that minor children were engaged by the cottage industry for the manufacture of ‘manja’, which caused respiratory problems as they inhaled harmful substances which were detrimental to their health.

The Tribunal has directed all state governments to prohibit the manufacture, sale, storage, purchase and use of synthetic manja or nylon threads and all other synthetic strings used for flying kites with immediate effect. It also ordered the authorities across the country to ban import of any synthetic manja or nylon thread or other similar threads coated with synthetic substances.

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8. Union Cabinet approves JIN pact between India and Bangladesh.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the Joint Interpretative Notes (JIN) on the Agreement between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

Decision in this regard was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

In general, JIN plays an important supplementary role in strengthening the investment treaty regime. Looking at increasing trend in Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) disputes, issuance of such statements is likely to have strong persuasive value for resolving disputes before arbitration tribunals. Moreover, such pro-active approach by states also can foster more predictable and coherent reading of treaty terms by tribunals.

The approval JIN by the Union Cabinet will impart clarity to the interpretation of the existing agreements between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (BIPA). The JIN between India and Bangladesh includes interpretative notes to be jointly adopted for many clauses, including, the definition of investor, investment, exclusion of taxation measures, National Treatment (NT), Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment, essential security interests, expropriation and Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and Contracting Party.

9. Union Cabinet approves establishment of International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi July 12, 2017No comments.

The Union Cabinet has approved establishment of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) set up a regional centre International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), a global rice research institute. It will be named as IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and will be set up at campus of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

For setting up of the Centre, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be signed between Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW) and IRRI, Philippines. This Centre will be the first of its kind international Centre in the eastern India.

Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be also established in Varanasi. It will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. It will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across rice value chain.

The ISARC will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties. It will help India to achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents. Further it will help to address India’s food and nutritional security issues.

It will play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in the region. It is also expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in the eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries.

The Centre will support in adopting value chain based production system in the country. Thus, help to reduce wastage, add value to produce and generate higher income for the farmers. The farmers in Eastern India will be main beneficiaries, besides those in South Asian and African countries.

10. CCEA approves SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program – Tranche 2.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur.

The Imphal-Moreh Section is a vital link in providing road connectivity up to Thailand and Malaysia. It will boost trade, commerce and tourism in the region.

The project is being developed with Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program. It aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) in order to improve the regional connectivity.

The project corridor is also a part of the Asian Highway No. 01 (AH01). It will fulfil India’s “Look East” Policy and acts as India’s Gateway to the East. Thus, it will promote and enhance trade link with South East Asia. The project will also improve connectivity between Imphal with the eastern part of Manipur which is a landlocked state with almost 90% of the area under difficult terrain.

11. Government empowers Army to procure weapons systems for short intense wars.

The Union Government has empowered the Army to directly procure critical weapons systems and military platforms to maintain combat readiness for short duration intense wars. The purpose of this new scheme is to maintain an optimum level to fight short intense wars following critical voids in capabilities of Army.

The Army faces severe shortage in ammunition, mainly for artillery guns, air defence, tanks and certain infantry weapons. This shortage may make it very difficult for Army to fight a short intense war that lasts for 10 to 15 days. To overcome this issue, Army was pressing the government for ensuring speedy procurement of key military platforms citing evolving security challenges.

Under the new scheme, Vice Chief of Army has been given the full financial powers to procure ammunitions. Army has been empowered on a routine basis to review the optimum holding state and maintaining it on a recurring manner.

The new procedure will be part of revenue procurement of the Army for in-service equipment and weapons. As part of it, the Army has been allowed to procure 46 types of ammunition and spares for 10 different types of weapons systems.

The new revenue route for procurement of in-service equipment will not require going through numerous procurement stages which often cause inordinate delays. Earlier it was necessary to take permission from Defence Acquisition Council (headed by defence minister) or the Cabinet Committee on Security (headed by Prime Minister), for procuring such critical equipment. Thus, new scheme will ensure that the time taken in procuring such equipment is reduced.

12. Indian Railways launches RailCloud to optimise server management, resources.

The Indian Railways has launched RailCloud, a virtual server with an inbuilt security system that will enable faster connectivity at a reduced cost. Rail Cloud works on popular Cloud Computing system. Cloud computing is an emerging technology for faster and on demand commensurate deployment of server resources which results in reduced cost.

RailCloud has been developed by rail PSU RailTel as part of Railways strategic IT initiative, IR—OneICT. It is aimed at optimising server the resources and its management. Its technology enables maximising the usage of available server and storage. It can accommodate bigger data and more applications within same server space.

RailCloud technology will pave the way for swifter deployment of application. Moreover, cloud hardware and environment can provide rigorous testing of the new applications. It subsumes existing infrastructure and resources available with railway for ensuring that expenditure is minimized in acquiring new resources.

RailCloud technology allows server and storage space to scale up and down as per the demand. This makes the system suitable to meet the higher demand at peak hours with less expenditure. It is also equipped with security features as per the latest Government guidelines. Moreover, these features can be updated in one go for all the applications hosted on the cloud.

RailCloud server resources are constantly scaled up or down as per the number of users logged on to the system and it ensures a better user experience. It covers all management related and other services like human resources, signal assets, freight and logistics, health and hospital and energy among others.

13. NGT declares 100m from edge of Ganga as No-development Zone.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed a slew of directions, measures, fines, and strict deadlines to rejuvenate River Ganga. It declared ‘No-Development Zone’ along an area of 100 metres from the edge of the river in the stretch between Haridwar in Uttarakhand and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. This zone must be turned into green belts.

The NGT has banned dumping of waste of any kind within 500 metres from the edge of River Ganga. Rs. 50,000 environment compensation will be imposed on anyone who dumps waste in the river. The apex environment regulator also directed all authorities concerned to complete various projects including setting up of a sewage treatment plant and cleaning drains within two years.

The NGT also directed Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh governments to formulate guidelines for regulating religious activities on the ghats of Ganga River or its tributaries. It also ordered to stop indiscriminate extraction of groundwater from all industrial units falling in the catchment area of Ganga River.

The NGT also directed Uttar Pradesh government to be duty-bound to shift tanneries within six weeks, from Jajmau in Kanpur to leather parks in Unnao or any other appropriate place.

It also appointed a supervisory committee, headed by the secretary of the Union Water Resources Ministry and comprising IIT professors and officials from UP government to oversee implementation of the directions passed in its verdict. It also asked the committee to submit reports at regular intervals.

14. DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) will establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab. In this regard, DIPP has signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology. The TISC will be set up under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.

Objective of TISC: Stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation. It will play an important role in promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing social, economic and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India.

National Focal Point (NFP): The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) has been designated as the NFP for the TISC national network. CIPAM will identify potential host institutions, assess their capacities and support them in joining the TISC program. It will also act as the main intermediary between WIPO and TISC host institutions and coordinate all the activities of the national TISC network.

Services offered by TISC will include: Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications; Training in database search; On-demand searches (state-of-the-art, novelty and infringement); Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information; Monitoring technology and competitors; technology commercialization and marketing, and basic information on industrial property laws, management and strategy.

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Economy Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. EPFO signs Agreement with Five Banks.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has inked an agreement with four private banks and Bank of Baroda for the purpose of collection of provident fund dues from the employers and payments to its subscribers.

This is the first time the EPFO has roped in private banks, namely, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Earlier, the EPFO was making use of the services of only the state-run banks. This move of the EPFO will help the organisation to save nearly Rs 300 crore per year as the five banks have agreed to zero transaction charges.

Already the EPFO had tied up with five other banks. The five other banks are State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indian Bank and Union Bank of India. The latest agreement will now authorise 10 banks to collect provident fund contribution and make payment to the employees. Every year, the EPFO settles around 1.16 crore claims and collects ?75,000 crores from establishments under the EPF Act.

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit applicable only to salaried employees. It is a fund to which both the employee and employer contribute fixed amount (percent) of the former’s basic salary amount each month. This percentage is pre-set by the government. At present, the entire EPF amount is tax-free at the time of withdrawal if the employee has completed five years of continuous service.

2.China-backed AIIB approves USD 329 million loan for Gujarat rural roads.

The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing has approved a USD 329 million loan to build access roads to 4,000 villages in 33 Gujarat districts, the bank announced on Wednesday.

The roads will focus on last mile connectivity to schools and tribal areas, as well as introduce a first-of-its-kind digitised map that would link on-going rural roads projects in Gujarat to enable real-time monitoring, the bank said.

This follows the bank last month announcing a USD 150 million investment in an India infrastructure fund, aimed at attracting private investment capital to India.

China is the bank`s biggest shareholder, contributing around USD $30 billion to its USD 100 billion capital, and India is the second-biggest shareholder with an $8 billion contribution.

The AIIB`s Vice President and Chief Investment Officer D J Pandian, who happens to be a former Gujarat chief secretary and IAS officer, said the USD 329 million loan to Gujarat would "directly contribute to the economic development" by "improving the mobility of the rural population".

3. Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry inaugurated 10th Session of the India- Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee.

06 July 2017 Current Affairs: The 10TH India-Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) Meeting was held in New Delhi under the co-chairs of Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and H.E Eng. Mr. Yarub Qudah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The roadmap for cooperation in various fields such as Fertilizer Sector, Customs, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, Visa and Consular issues, Health and Pharmaceuticals, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Maritime Transport, Rail Transport, and Air Transport, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Smart Grid development, Information Technology, Higher Education and Vocational Training, Agriculture sector.

4. India to be base to economic pole of global growth: Harvard University.

According to the research conducted by the Centre for International Development at Harvard University (CID), India will be the base to the economic pole of global growth over the coming decade. The study has stated that over the years, the economic pole of global growth has moved from China to neighbouring India and it is likely to remain over India in the coming decade.

India :

The study has attributed India’s rapid growth prospects to the diversification of the country’s export base which now includes more complex sectors such as chemicals, vehicles and certain electronics. The study further states that India is also particularly well-positioned to continue diversifying into new areas.

World :

The research study has warned of a continued slowdown in global growth over the coming decade. With 7.7% annual growth, India and Uganda top the list of the fastest growing economies. The growth projections indicate that the growth in emerging markets to continue to outpace that of advanced economies, though not uniformly. The study is also optimistic about new growth hubs in East Africa and new segments of South-East Asia, led by Indonesia and Vietnam. The major oil economies of the world are experiencing the pitfalls of their reliance on one resource. On the other hand, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam have accumulated new capabilities that permit more diverse and complex production will have faster growth in the coming years.

China :

The study has found a decline in China’s exports. Its economic complexity ranking has also declined four spots for the first time since the global financial crisis. However, the growth projections for China is still above the world average. China is expected to grow at 4.4% annually in the coming decade.

5. BMI Research: India to have a GDP Growth of 6.9% in this Fiscal.

According to BMI Research, a Fitch group company, India is expected to register a growth of 6.9% in this financial year. BMI Research was founded in 1984 by Business Monitor International and later in 2014, it was acquired by Fitch Group. The firm performs industry and financial market analysis in 24 industries and 200 global markets.

The report has observed that the Real GDP growth has slowed to 6.1 % year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016-17. The growth rate is expected to pick up following the demonetisation drive in November 2016 but the weak public banks are expected to cap the economic recovery. The Public-Sector Banks are still plagued with mounting non-performing assets, which is expected to take a toll on India’s growth potential. Though the RBI has taken efforts to clean up the NPAs, the study observes that it will take some more time for credit allocation to the productive sectors of the economy.

The report, however, expects the economy to continue to recover in the coming quarters as the negative ramifications of the demonetisation measure have already started wearing off. India is also expected to get benefits from positive demographic trends, greater external stability arising out of improved terms of trade from low oil prices, and continued reforms improving the business environment of the country.

Asia The report expects a slowdown in economic growth in North Asia in 2017 and 2018. The slowdown will be driven by the structural slowdown in China, poor policy initiatives in Japan, and policy uncertainty in South Korea.

In Asia, India and ASEAN are likely to remain as the bright spots in the region owing to their positive demographics and improvements in the business environments.

6. India becomes Fourth Largest Foreign Investor into UK.

As per the official figures published by the UK’s Department for International Trade, India has become the fourth largest foreign investor into the UK in 2016-17. India has lost its position as the third largest investor to France.

In 2016-17, India had set up 127 new projects and safeguarded 7,645 existing jobs and created 3,999 new jobs in the UK. India is sharing the fourth spot with Australia and New Zeland, which had also set up 127 projects collectively.

The US remains the top most investor in the UK by setting up of 577 projects in 2016-17. China (including Hong Kong) with 160 projects and France with 131 projects have been placed in the second and third positions respectively.

The UK continues to be a great inward investment destination and remains extremely attractive to foreign investors even after its decision to exit the EU. The UK attributes open, liberal economy, world-class talent and business-friendly taxation as a reason for remaining extremely attractive to foreign investors. The UK had managed to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects than ever before for 2016-17. In a sum, UK claims itself as the number one destination for inward investment in Europe with the sectors such as technology, renewable energy, life sciences and creative industries all witnessing an increase in the number of projects and investments.

7. South Indian Bank ties up with PFG Forex.

South Indian Bank has tied up with PFG Forex for remittance facility for the benefit of Indian expatriates from Australia. The new facility will leverage the bank to reach the Indian diaspora.

Under this arrangement, NRIs can enjoy cost-effective and fast remittance services using SIB`s Express facility. NRIs can visit the PFG Forex outlets across Australia for remittances to India. SIB is already having correspondent banking arrangement with National Australia Bank and Fly World Money Exchange for remittances to India.

Recently SIB’s international banking division has been awarded the ISO 9001: 2015 certification for Quality Management Systems. The certification was awarded for implementing systems and procedures as per the standards laid down by the International Organization for Standardisation.

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8. RBI limits Customer liability in Online Banking Services.

Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) issued directions on ‘Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in unauthorized Electronic Banking Transactions’.

If the customers report to the banks regarding the loss they suffer through online banking transactions within three days, then the amount involved will be credited to their accounts within a time period of 10 days.

The banks should ask its customers to mandatorily register for SMS alerts and e-mail for email alerts for electronic banking transactions.

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International Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in Congo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The announcement comes 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus) after the last confirmed Ebola patient in the affected Bas-Uélé province of DRC tested negative for the disease for the second time. It was DRC’s eighth outbreak of EVD since the discovery of the virus in the country in 1976. It killed four of the eight people infected in the central African country. The recent outbreak in DRC is not connected to the 2014 deadly Ebola outbreak that had worst hit Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and killed more than 11,300 dead, highest ever since its discovery of virus. This outbreak was declared finished in 2016.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by ebola viruses. It was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a village near the Ebola River, from which it takes its name.

Transmission: The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats are natural host of this virus. It spreads through contact with body fluids of inflected persons such as blood, urine and saliva. It also spreads through sexual transmission.

Symptoms: High fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. However, in past outbreaks case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90%.

Treatment: There is as yet no proven treatment available for EVD. However, a range of potential treatments including immune therapies, blood products and drug therapies are currently being evaluated. An experimental Ebola vaccine rVSV-ZEBOV is proved to highly protective against the deadly virus in a major trial in Guinea conducted in 2015.

2. US rolls out expedited entry for low-risk Indian travellers.

The United States of America (USA) has rolled out pre-approved expedited entry clearance for low-risk Indian travellers under its Global Entry programme (GEP). With this initiative, India became 11th country whose citizens are now eligible to enroll in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative. Indian Ambassador to US Navtej Sarna was the first Indian national to enroll in the programme.

Under this initiative, international GEP member traveller can enter in US through automatic kiosks, rather than queueing up to clear immigration check by meeting an immigration officer at selected airports. At these selective airports, the specified members need proceed to the Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport, place their fingerprints on the scanner for verification and complete a customs declaration.

The Global Entry kiosk then will issue the traveller a transaction receipt and directs him or her to the baggage claim and the exit. It should be noted that under the GEP, travellers must be pre-approved for the initiative. All applicants for GEP undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment.

Presently, Global Entry programme is available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations. It is now available to US citizens, Green Card holders and nationals from Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, Singapore, Switzerland and UK besides India.

3. Indo-Thai joint military exercise Maitree 2017 begins in Himachal Pradesh.

A joint military training exercise Maitree 2017 between Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army commenced at Bakloh in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. The aim of 14 day long exercise is to build and promote closer relations while exchanging skills and experiences between the two armies.

The Maitree series of bilateral exercises has been one of the major defence cooperation initiatives between India and Thailand. It is an annual event. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi in Thailand in 2016.

Exercise Maitree 2017 is a continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army. It will be conducted in a manner such that both contingents will get to acquaint with each other`s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment.

Approximately 50 troops from Royal Thailand Army and an equal number of Indian soldiers from the Northern Command are participating in the exercise. They will jointly plan and execute a series of drills for the neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in counter terrorism environment.

Earlier, a joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman, named Al Nagah-II 2017, was held at Bakloh in March 2017.

4. North Korea claims successful test of its first intercontinental missile.

North Korea has claimed that it has successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into waters near Sea of Japan. The claim was confirmed by United States. The launch appeared to be North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in the late 1990s. The successful test also marks North Korea’s the final step in becoming confident and powerful nuclear state that can strike anywhere on Earth.

Based on missile’s height and trajectory path, US scientists claim that missile could potentially be powerful enough to reach Alaska. The missile had reached an altitude higher and flew longer than any of the North Korea’s previous similar tests. The missile had landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. US has strongly condemned the launch and added that it will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. The ICBM testing represents a new escalation of the threat to US and its allies and partners, the region and the world.

5. India and Israel sign 7 Agreements.

India and Israel have signed 7 agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit marks the 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Israel.

In the joint statement released after talks between India and Israel, both the countries have called for taking strong measures against terror organisations and also against those who encouraged, supported and financed terrorism.

MoU for setting up of India-Israel Industrial R&D & Technological Innovation Fund (I4F).
MoU for conservation of water in India.
MoU on State Water Utility Reform in India.
India-Israel Development Cooperation- 3-year work program in Agriculture (2018-2020).
Plan of cooperation regarding cooperation in atomic clocks.
MoU regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO optical link.
MoU regarding cooperation in electric propulsion for small satellites.

6. Prime Minister Modi’s Israel Visit: Other Important Takeaways.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Israel which is the first by an Indian prime minister to Israel resulted in the signing of seven agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture. The other prominent takeaways of the visit are the following:

OCI card :

Prime Minister Modi has assured faster facilitation of OCI cards for Jewish Citizens of Indian origin in Israel. He also assured that the OCI card will be given even to those people of Indian origin who had served in the Israeli government’s compulsory army service.

Air Connectivity :

The launch of a new Air India flight connecting India and Israel was announced, the flight is expected to connect Delhi/Mumbai with Tel Aviv.

Israeli flower named after PM Modi :

As a special gesture, a new fast growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower was named “MODI” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Indian Premier’s visit to the Danziger flower farm, which is one of the leading floriculture companies of Israel having founded in 1953.

Strategic partnership :

India and Israel have announced that they have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as India has identified Israel as a major development and technological partner. Both countries have also agreed to combat growing radicalization and terrorism and expand co-operation in cyber security.

Indian Cultural Centre :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of an Indian Cultural Centre in Israel to enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Israel’s has also voiced its strong support to promote the practice of yoga by designating June 21 as International Yoga Day.

Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund (I4F)

The $40 million Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund has been launched as a five-year technology fund with an aim at growing the business relationship between both the countries. The similar type of fund had boosted Israel’s ties with that of the US in the past 40 years.

7. US calls for new U.N. sanctions against N.Korea.

The United States has decided to present a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at imposing new sanctions on North Korea as it has successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

An emergency meeting of the UNSC was called by the United States, Japan and South Korea to agree on a response to the North Korea’s ICBM test. In the emergency meeting, the US has said that the launch of an ICBM by the North Korea is a clear and sharp escalation. Under the new sanctions, the US has decided to use trade restrictions targeting those countries that continue to have dealings with North Korea.

France has expressed its support for a new resolution. In last year, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had adopted two sanctions resolutions to curtail hard currency needed to fund North Korea’s military programs. Those resolutions paved the way for imposing bans on North Korea’s coal exports, which is its major source of revenue.

In addition, the sanctions also placed restrictions on banking and provided for mandatory searches of all cargo to and from North Korea. In total, so far six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it has first tested an atomic device in 2006.

8. European Parliament approves first EU-Cuba pact.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved Wednesday a first-ever cooperation deal between the EU and Cuba, despite lingering concerns about human rights violations in the communist-ruled country.

Lawmakers in the eastern French city of Strasbourg approved the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, signed in December 2016, which is widely seen as a European riposte to US President Donald Trump’s hardline stance against Havana.

“Europe has a great opportunity to demonstrate to the United States, which intends to withdraw, that it is possible to maintain the highest level of expectations on Cuba” and normalize relations with Havana, said MEP Elena Valenciano, the rapporteur of the agreement.

With the deal, Cuba joins other Latin American countries with similar agreements with the EU, whose relations with the island had previously been conducted within the so-called Common Position that linked ties to improvements in human rights.

Human rights remained a major hurdle to the deal, which had been negotiated since April 2014, with many MEPs calling for tougher language on the issue.

In an effort to placate opponents of the deal, the European Parliament adopted a non-legislative resolution on Wednesday in which MEPs urged the EU to assist “the economic and political transition in Cuba” including towards “democratic standards.”

MEPs, who in the past granted Cuban dissidents the Sakharov Prize for human rights, also urged the release of all those jailed “for their ideals and their peaceful political activity.”

With the vote, the agreement, which also lays the basis for trade relations, will enter into force provisionally in the coming months.

Full implementation will require ratification by the EU’s 28 member countries in a complex process that can take years.

9. India ranks 23rd among 165 nations in Cybersecurity Index.

India has been placed at the 23rd position in the global cybersecurity index among other 165 nations. The index measures the commitment of nations across the globe to ensuring cybersecurity to their digital systems.

Released by the UN telecommunications agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the second Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) reported that around half of the countries have a cyber security policy or are in the process of developing one. They urged countries to consider national policies to shield against cybercrime.

India with a score of 0.683 is listed in the maturity category, which refers to 77 countries that have developed complex commitments to cyber security.

Singapore with a score of 0.925 topped the index.

The top 10 most committed countries to cyber security are Singapore, United States, Malaysia, Oman, Estonia, Mauritius, Australia, Georgia, France and Canada. Russia is ranked 11th.

10. UNESCO puts Old City of Hebron on its heritage in danger list.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee acting on a proposal brought by Palestine has put the West Bank city of Hebron on its list of world heritage in danger. This has made Israel angry and has triggered a new Israeli-Palestinian spat at the international body.

The inclusion of the Old City of West Bank into the list of World Heritage in danger is aimed at drawing world’s attention to the situation in Hebron.

The resolution for declaring Hebron as a protected area of outstanding universal value was brought by the Palestine and the resolution was fast-tracked by the UNESCO on the basis that the site was under severe threat. Palestine accuses Israel for involving in violations, vandalism and for causing damage to properties in the area.

In a separate vote, the heritage committee had also supported a resolution condemning Israel’s actions in Jerusalem. This has further infuriated Israel. The resolution is viewed as a major victory for the Palestinian Diplomacy at the UN. In 2012, Palestine has been granted observer status by the UN General Assembly, meaning it is not recognised as a fully-fledged country.

11. Vietnam renews Indian Oil Deal.

Vietnam has granted ONGC Videsh a two-year extension to explore oil block 128 in the South China Sea. The permission was first granted in the year 2006 which is due to expire in mid-June. The part of the oil block 128 is in the U-shaped ‘nine-dash line,’ the area which is claimed by China.

The area is also a route for more than $5 trillion in trade every year and is also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. In the areas south of block 128, the drilling works have already commenced. The block is owned jointly by Vietnam’s state oil firm, Spain’s Repsol and Mubadala Development Co of the United Arab Emirates.

12. 122 Countries adopts historic global treaty to ban Nuclear Weapons.

The United Nations has adopted a historic global treaty banning nuclear weapons. The treaty was adopted by a vote of 122 members in favour. The Netherlands was the only country who voted against the treaty. Singapore abstained from voting.

Costa Rica’s ambassador, Elayne Whyte Gomez, was the president of the UN conference that negotiated the treaty. Nearly 129 countries signed up to take part in the drafting of the treaty which represents two-thirds of the UN’s193 member states. Nearly 141 countries led by Austria, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and New Zealand drafted the treaty in a hope that the treaty would increase pressure on the nuclear powers to take disarmament more seriously.

The treaty would be opened for signature on September 20. It will enter into force once 50 countries ratified it. All of the ratifying countries should never under any circumstances develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The treaty also bans any transfer or use of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices.

13. 12th G20 Summit: Countries pledge to act tough on Terrorism and eliminate Safe Havens.

In the 12th G20 Summit held in Hamburg, the leaders of the G20 countries has agreed for taking concrete steps to stop funding of the terror activities. The leaders have also pledged for a joint crackdown on the global scourge of terrorism and check its funding sources.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for united action against terrorism and elimination of terrorist safe havens, the G20 countries strongly condemned all terrorist attacks worldwide and pledged greater coordination to counter the menace.

Earlier Prime Minister Modi in the G20 Summit had called for a concerted global crackdown against countries that support terrorism for their own political goals. The leaders also agreed to facilitate swift action and targeted exchange of information between intelligence, law enforcement and judicial authorities.

The G20 leaders have also called upon the private sector including the communication firms to curb the misuse of the internet for terror propaganda. Further, the leaders have also pledged to ensure terrorists are brought to justice.

Further, the G20 leaders reiterated their resolve to make the international financial system entirely hostile to terrorist financing. The leaders have also called for taking strong measures against the terrorist organisation like ISIS/ISIL/Daesh, Al Qaida etc.

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14. India and Bangladesh have decided to construct bridge along Mizoram Border.

India and Bangladesh have decided to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river) to facilitate trade and to improve communication between the two countries. The decision was taken after officials from both the side met at Tlabung town in Mamit district of Mizoram. The Mamit district is situated adjacent to Khagrachari district of Southeast Bangladesh.

The proposed bridge is expected to be constructed as closer as possible to the nearest custom station located in the Bangladesh side.

The proposed bridge is expected to serve as an important link between India and Bangladesh. It would improve road connectivity between the two regions. The proposed bridge is also expected to strengthen the ties between the people of the two countries.

Mizoram has a 318 km unfenced border with Bangladesh. In March 2017, the Union Government had announced that half of the 4,096-km long border India shares with Bangladesh has been fenced. The remaining half will be fenced by 2019 deadline. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km land boundary, largest among the international boundaries that India shares with its neighbours. The border runs along five states, West Bengal (2,216.7 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Tripura (856 km) and Mizoram (318 km).

15. World Bank: India emerging as front-runner in fight against Climate Change.

The World Bank has observed that India is emerging as a frontrunner in the fight against climate change. It has noted that India is gradually replacing coal energy with solar power as a source of energy.

The World Bank has observed that India has made a sweeping commitment to solar power, innovative solutions and energy efficiency initiatives to provide round the clock electricity to its people by 2030. With these initiatives and a firm decision to use more clean energy, India has emerged as the front-runner in the global fight against climate change.

The report of the World Bank had also praised India for walking away from plans to install nearly 14 GW of coal-fired power plants in order to use solar power to generate electricity as it is affordable for the country now to use solar power instead of fossil fuels. The expense involved in generating electricity from solar photovoltaic (PV) is at present a quarter of what it was in 2009 and is also predicted to fall another 66% by 2040. India gets 300 days of sunshine every year and has one of the best conditions in the world to capture and use solar energy.

India has set an ambitious target for generating 160 gigawatts (GW) of the wind and solar power by 2022. It would help India to help its population to light their homes, study at night, provide families with refrigerators to preserve food items. In addition, it would also act as an incentive for international firms to invest in India’s solar market.

Science & Technology Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. Reliance Jio launches world’s longest 100Gbps submarine cable system.

Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched the Asia-Africa-Europe (AAE-1) submarine cable system. It is claimed to be world’s longest 100Gbps technology-based submarine system. It stretches for over 25,000km from Marseille, France to Hong Kong. It will have 21 cable landings across Asia and Europe. Using it, Jio will continue to offer its customers the most exceptional high speed internet and digital service experience.

The AAE-1 project is a combination of leading telecom service providers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It will seamlessly link with other cable systems and fibre networks to deliver direct access to all global markets. It will feature diversified Points of Presence (PoP) in Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore), with three onward connectivity options in Europe (France, Italy and Greece). The cable system will pass through critical hubs, serving the demand for video centric data bandwidth that supports all types of communications, applications and content within India and beyond. The advanced design and route of AAE-1 system will offer one of the lowest latency routes between Hong Kong, India, Middle East and Europe. Using it, Reliance Jio will provide the Network Operations & Management for AAE-1 Cable System. Its Network Operations Center (NOC) will use a state of the art facility in Navi Mumbai.

2. Scientists develop world’s sharpest laser.

Scientists from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany have developed the world’s sharpest laser with record-breaking precision. This precision can be useful for various applications such as optical atomic clocks, radioastronomy, precision spectroscopy, testing the theory of relativity and carry out new precision measurements on ultracold atoms.

A laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. Major difference between laser and other sources of light is that, laser emits light coherently. Laser light is used in numerous applications in industry, medicine and information technologies. It also brought about a real revolution in fields of research and in metrology etc.

Theoretically, laser light has only one colour, wavelength or frequency. In reality, however, there is always a certain linewidth. This newly developed laser has linewidth of only 10 miliHertz (0.01 Hz), — closer to the ideal laser than ever before. In addition to the new laser’s extremely small linewidth, researchers also have found out that the emitted laser light’s frequency was more precise than what had ever been achieved before.

3. NASA developing first asteroid deflection mission

NASA is developing Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), the first-ever mission that will deflect a near-Earth asteroid. The mission will help to test the systems that will allow mankind to protect the planet from potential cosmic body impacts in the future.

The DART will be built and managed by the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). It will be NASA’s first mission to demonstrate kinetic impactor technique. The target for DART is an asteroid called Didymos that will have a distant approach to Earth in October 2022 and then again in 2024.

The asteroid Didymos (Greek word for twin) is an asteroid binary system that consists of two bodies: Didymos A (about 780 metres in size), and Didymos B (about 160 metres in size), smaller asteroid orbiting Didymos A. DART will impact only the smaller of the two bodies, Didymos B.

After launch, DART will fly to Didymos and use an APL- developed onboard autonomous targeting system to aim itself at Didymos B. The refrigerator-sized spacecraft will strike the smaller body at a speed about 6 km/s i.e. about nine times faster than a bullet. Earth-based observatories will observe the impact and the resulting change in the orbit of Didymos B around Didymos A. It will allow scientists to better determine the capabilities of kinetic impact as an asteroid mitigation strategy.

4.MERIT app and e-Bidding portal for utilization of domestic coal in IPP Power Stations launched.

Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal has launched the ‘MERIT app (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency)’ and the e-bidding portal for offering an e-Bidding solution to States.

The app and the portal would help the states to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the scheme of flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal.

The launch of the app and the portal is aimed at promoting the vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governancee’through ‘Speed, Skill and Scale’. It would result in optimum utilisation of Coal and would save the consumer around Rs. 20,000 crores in the next five years. It would increase the transparency and accountability.

The advantages of MERIT app:

Empowers the consumer.
Promotes participative governance.
Transparency in information dissemination relating to marginal variable cost and source wise purchase of electricity.
Promotes economy and efficiency in operation.
Optimises the procurement costs.
Facilitates renewable integration and handling of the variability and uncertainty of renewables

5. Researchers: Soil of Mars may be Toxic to Alien Life.

According to the research carried out by Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, surface of Mars has chemical compounds called perchlorates that can wipe out living organisms.

The researchers have found that the chemical compounds found on the surface of Mars when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light can kill the bacteria which are commonly carried by spacecraft. This finding has given a blow to the hopes of finding alien life on the surface of the Mars.

The research has also suggested that the effect of perchlorates gets compounded by two other type of chemicals found on the Mars such as iron oxides and hydrogen peroxide. With the presence of all three chemicals, the scientists saw a more than 10-fold increase in death of bacteria cells when compared to those caused by the perchlorates alone.

Scientists carried out an investigation to study the potential reactivity of perchlorates and their effect on Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium which is commonly found on spacecraft and also on the soils and rocks. It was found out that when magnesium perchlorate was exposed to UV radiation as on Mars then it becomes capable of killing bacteria more effectively than UV light alone.

The above study has concluded that the Martian surface may be highly damaging to living cells owing to a toxic mix of oxidants, iron oxides, perchlorates and UV energy.

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6. “JIGYASA” – Student-Scientist connect Programme.

Jigyasa, a student- scientist connect programme has been launched by the government in New Delhi. The programme would be implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

The main focus of the programme is to connect school students and scientists as well as to extend student’s classroom learning to a very well-planned research laboratory based learning. The programme has been inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India and “Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR)” of scientific community and institutions.

The JIGYASA programme is expected to inculcate the culture of inquisitiveness and scientific temper on the minds of children and school teachers. The programme will connect 1151 Kendriya Vidyalayas with 38 National Laboratories of CSIR and will target 100,000 students and 1000 teachers every year. Under this programme, the CSIR would launch a talent hunt among the visiting students for furthering the cause of scientific development.

“JIGYASA” programme would be one of the major initiatives of the CSIR at the national level during its Platinum Jubilee Celebration Year. The model of engagement under JIGYASA between the CSIR and the KVS will include Student Residential Programmes; Scientists as Teachers and Teachers as Scientists; Lab-specific activities / Onsite Experiments; Visits of Scientists to Schools/Outreach Programmes; Science and Maths Clubs; Popular Lecture Series/ demonstration programme at Schools; Student Apprenticeship Programmes; Science Exhibitions; Projects of National Children’s Science Congress; Teacher Workshops; and Tinkering Laboratories.

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Sports Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. Germany wins 2017 Confederation Cup Football title.

Four-time FIFA World Cup winner Germany won maiden FIFA Confederation Cup Football title by defeating Copa America Champion Chile by 1-0 goals in the final match held at St Petersburg, Russia. Lars Stindl of Germany score the goal in the first half against the run of play. Chile was not able to score goal. Earlier, in the third-place play-off match, Portugal defeated Mexico by 2-1.

The FIFA Confederations Cup is an international association football tournament for national teams. It is currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the holders of each of the six regional championships (UEFA, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, OFC), along with the current FIFA World Cup holder and the host nation, bringing the number of teams up to eight. It was established in 1992. Since 2005, the tournament has been held in the nation hosts the next World Cup, acting as a test event for the larger tournament. Brazil has won the title for record 4 times (1997, 2005, 2009, 2013), followed by France (2001, 2003).

2. Pankaj Advani-led India win Asian Team Snooker Championship.

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani on Wednesday came out with a spectacular performance as he teamed up with Laxman Rawat to defeat pakistan in Asian Team Snooker Championship final.

Advani pieced together a brilliant break of 83 to win the first tie of the best-of-five final.

However, India`s fate was determined by Advani`s partner Rawat who came out with a clinical 73 break to win the frame.

The Indian pair maintained their superlative performance in the doubles tie to complete a whitewash.

Advani held his nerve and completed the task of clearing the frame along with Rawat and winning the final 3-0.

The 31-year-old was the only player in the tournamen not to lose a single individual match in the team event.

This title brings up Advani`s second Asian title this season and eighth overall while it was a first major first international title for Rawat.

Advani is currently the only player in the world to compete at the world championship level in both billiards and snooker.

3. India ranked 96th in FIFA Rankings.

As per the updated FIFA world football rankings, the Indian national football has managed to secure the 96th spot moving up four places. Earlier, India was placed at the 100th position. This is the best ranking secured by India in 21 years.

India had ranked 101st in the FIFA rankings for April. The current ranking is far better off than the 173rd rank secured in March 2015. Since the beginning of the world ranking system,India has been averaging at the 134th rank.

In 1996, India managed to secure the 94th spot. Till date, it remains the country’s best ever FIFA ranking. At present, Germany leads the rankings. Germany is followed by Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, and Switzerland in the rankings. Among Asian countries, Iran leads at No. 23.

The FIFA World Rankings ranks the men’s national teams in association football. The rankings were first introduced in 1992. The teams are ranked based on their game results of all FIFA-recognised full international matches. The teams are ranked based on its performance over the last four years. The rankings are currently led by Germany. The teams like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have also held top positions previously.

4. Asian Athletics Championships 2017: Manpreet Kaur and Govindan Laxman wins Gold.

Manpreet Kaur and Govindan Laxman has managed to win gold medals on the opening day of Asian Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneshwar. Manpreet Kaur threw 18.28m to win a gold medal in the women’s shotput event. Her best was record breaking throw of 18.86m at the Asian Grand Prix in China earlier this year. Vikas Gowda, though failed to defend his title in the men’s discus throw has managed to win a bronze medal in the men’s discus throw with an effort of 60.81m. His throw was way below his season’s best of 62m. Govindan Laxmanan has won a gold medal in the men’s 5000 metres. In the last edition of the event held at Wuhan in China, Laxman had won a bronze medal.

The Asian Athletics Championships is an event organised by the Asian Athletics Association. The event is held once in every two years. The last episode of the event took place in Wuhan in 2015. The 2017 Asian Athletics Championship is the 22nd edition and will be held from 6 July to 9 July 2017 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Around 800 athletes from around 45 countries are participating in the event, Bhubaneshwar is the third Indian city to host this event after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013).

Mascot:

Olly, the Olive Ridley sea turtle has been chosen as the mascot for the championship.Olive Ridley Turtles are endangered species that are found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Astaranga coast and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, both in Odisha, are home to Olive Ridley Turtles. These turtles travel to Odisha’s Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches for its nesting. In India, the turtle has been included in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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5. Harinder Pal Sandhu Wins South Australian Open Squash Title.

India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu has defeated Rhys Dowling of Australia 11-8 12-10 11-4 to lift South Australian Open squash title. This will be Sandhu’s first PSA tournament victory in Australia. South Australian Open squash title is on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) international circuit.

This victory will be Sandhu’s third this season after winning two in Malaysia in May. Overall, this will be Sandhu’s eight title win at the PSA level. He had also managed to reach the quarterfinals of the Asian Individual Squash Championship in Chennai in April.

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Person Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. Carrie Lam sworn in as first female Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

Carrie Lam was sworn in as the first female Chief Executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), an autonomous territory of China on the Pearl River Delta. The CE of Hong Kong is the head and representative of the Hong Kong and also head of the Government of Hong Kong. Carrie Lam took her oath to office before Chines President Xi Jinping on the occasion marking 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China from Britain. She is fifth CE of Hong Kong since it became part of China in 1997.

Prior to getting electing as CE, she was the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong SAR Government (from 2012 to 2017), the senior most rank of principal officials of Hong Kong. About Hong Kong Hong Kong was part of China back in early 18th Century.

Later it was ceded to Britain after China’s Qing dynasty government was defeated in the First Opium War in 1842. Later in 1898, Kowloon island other 235 Outlying Islands surrounding Hong Kong Island were leased to Britain for 99 years period. After end of 99 year lease Britain handed Hong Kong to People’s Republic of China on 1st July 1997 under the principle condition of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.

This arrangement allows Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system and enjoys high degree of autonomy, including retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech. At present, Hong Kong is a service-based economy and serves as important gateway to the world’s largest market.

2. Achal Kumar Joti appointed as Chief Election Commissioner.

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed election commissioner Achal Kumar Joti as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will be the 21st CEC and shall succeed Nasim Zaidi. He will continue as CEC till 17 January 2018. He had joined the three-member election commission as an election commissioner in May, 2015.

A K Joti is retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1975-batch. He had retired as the Gujarat Chief secretary in January, 2013. In his home cadre he had worked in various capacities, including as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust (1999- 2004), managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL). He also had served as the Secretary in the Industry, Revenue and Water Supply Departments in the State. He was also Gujarat Vigilance Commissioner.

3. Sanjay Kumar appointed new NDRF Chief.

Senior IPS officer Sanjay Kumar was appointed as Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). He will succeed R K Pachnanda who was has taken charge as DG the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Sanjay Kumar is a 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre. Prior to this appointment, he was director general of police (DGP) in Himachal Pradesh.

NDRF is India’s elite disaster mitigation combat force established under The Disaster Management Act, 2005. It was established in 2006 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It functions under Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is mandated to undertake special disaster response, relief, rescue operations and combat roles independently in the case of an event of any disaster (natural or man-made), accident or emergency.

It also assists local authorities in launching a quick rescue and response operation to save life and property. It is assisted by 12 battalions with strength of over 13,000 personnel positioned in various states of country.

4. New Israeli flower named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A new fast-growing Israeli flower was today named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture to mark the first visit of an Indian premier to the Jewish nation.

Israeli Crysanthumun flower will now be called “MODI”, officials said.

“New fast-growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower named in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be called “MODI”. Indeed, a #GrowingPartnership!,” Israel’s official twitter handle said in a tweet.

“Crysanthumun flower will be named in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The flower will be called ‘Modi’,” Office of the Prime Minister tweeted.

Earlier, Modi visited the Danziger “Dan” flower farm along with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Mishmar Hashiva where they were briefed about the latest technologies being used for floriculture.

“Commemorating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Danziger Flower Farm names the flower Crysanthumun as ‘Modi.’, on the name of Prime Minister,” Press Information Bureau said in a tweet.

“A symbol of blooming In a special gesture, a new fast growing variety of chrysanthemum flower named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

The Danziger flower farm is one of Israel’s leading floriculture companies with approximately 80,000 square meters of state-of-the-art greenhouses specialising in reproduction of plants.

The farm, founded in 1953, is located in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, about 56 km from Jerusalem, in central Israel.

His three-day visit to Israel is the first by an Indian prime minister to the Jewish nation.

5. N Chandrasekaran appointed as Chairman of Tata Global Beverages Limited.

Tata Global Beverages Ltd (TGBL) on Monday appointed Tata Sons head N Chandrasekaran as Chairman with immediate effect.

TGBL’s board in a meeting held on Monday approved the “appointment of N Chandrasekaran as an Additional Director and as Chairman of the Board of the Company in place of Mr Harish Bhat who expressed a desire to step down as Chairman,” the company said in a BSE filing.

The Board has also appointed Siraj Azmat Chaudhry as Non Executive Independent Director.

On November 15, ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry was voted out as chairman by the board of the Tata Global Beverages and Harish Bhat was appointed in his place.

6. Sanjiv Goenka named as IIT-Kharagpur chairman.

RP Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman, Sanjiv Goenka, has been named as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT-Kharagpur. He will serve as the Chairman for three years.

Sanjiv Goenka was nominated by the President, Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor of the Institute. With this appointment, Sanjiv Goenka will serve his second term as the Chairman of Board of Governors at the IIT-KGP. He held his previous stint between 2002 and 2007.

Previously, Sanjiv Goenka had served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry; and also on several academic institutions as member and chair of its Governing bodies.

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Awards Current Affairs July 2nd Week 2017

1. Two Indian-Americans to be honoured with Great Immigrants award.

Two Indian-Americans, Adobe Chief Shantanu Narayen (54) and former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy (39) have been chosen for prestigious Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award 2017. They are among 38 distinguished US immigrants representing more than 30 countries of origin around the world honoured with this year’s award for their role in advancing US’s economy, society, and culture. Some the honourees include Canadian-origin social entrepreneur Jeff Skoll, PayPal cofounder of Ukrainian origin Max Levchin, Iranian-origin philanthropist and entrepreneur Hushang Ansary.

Vivek Murthy :

Murthy was born in the UK. He is alumnus of Harvard and Yale. He was appointed as Surgeon General by former President Barack Obama in 2014, making the first-ever Indian-American and also the youngest to occupy the post. He was dismissed this in April 2017 by the Trump administration.

Shantanu Narayen :

Narayen is a native of Hyderabad. He holds an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering, a master’s degree in computer science, and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He is a board member of Pfizer and US-India Business Council. At present, he is CEO of Adobe Systems.

2. Mahesh Bhagwat conferred 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes Award.

Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, IPS officer from Telangana was conferred with the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes Award by the Unites States Department of State. He is third IPS officer to get this honour.

He was awarded for his vital role in elevating human trafficking as a government priority and his innovative approach to investigating cases and dismantling human trafficking operations. Currently, Mahesh Bhagwat is Police Commissioner of Rachakonda, one of the three Police Commissionerates located in Hyderabad

He was central figure in anti-trafficking operations that have removed hundreds of victims from situations of trafficking, and with the help of other government departments and civil society organisations, ensured their placement in rehabilitation programmes.

He has pioneered the use of legal provisions to close sites where trafficking is known to occur. Under his command, the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate had closed 25 brothels – 20 residential apartments and five hotels- in less than a year. The Commissionerate also had participated in one of the largest crackdowns on labour trafficking in the country, which had led to the identification and rescue of more than 350 children bonded forcibly to work in brick kilns.

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3. Tata Steel receives PM’s trophy for best Integrated Steel Plant.

Tata Steel Ltd has bagged Prime Minister’s trophy for ‘Best Performing Integrated Steel Plant’ in the country for the performance years 2014-2015 and 2015- 16.

For the third consecutive year, Tata Steel has bagged the award. Overall, the company has been recognised as the best integrated steel plant for 12 times and has won the PM’s Trophy 10 times.

The company was selected for the award after it went through rigorous assessment by a panel of distinguished judges. As per the company, it is making continuous efforts to embrace modern technology and strive towards creating a world-class plant environment.

Tata Steel Group is ranked as one of the top 10 steel companies in the world with an annual crude steel capacity of 27.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as of March 2017. The company is also the world’s second most geographically diversified steel producer. It is operating in 26 countries and has a commercial presence in over 50 countries.

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National Current Affairs June 2nd Week 2017

1. Railways, NBCC ink MoU to redevelop 10 railway stations.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has inked MoU with National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for redevelopment of 10 railway stations across the country on global standards. The identified stations to be taken up initially by NBCC, a PSU of Urban Development Ministry for redevelopment are Tirupati, Nellore, Puducherry, Sarai Rohilla (Delhi), Madgaon, Lucknow, Gomtinagar, Kota, Thane (New) and Ernakulam.

RLDA is an arm of the Indian Railways for commercial exploitation of rail land.

As per the MoU, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed at the national level as a Joint Venture (JV) company between RLDA and NBCC on 50:50 shareholding basis. The SPV in turn will enter into City Support Agreements (CSA) with respective cities for the redevelopment of stations and commercial development on Railway land in alignment with the Smart City Plans of respective cities.

RLDA will lease out the land to the SPV for a fixed lease period of up to 45 years at a nominal token cost for development and NBCC as Project Management Consultant will execute the project work on behalf of SPV.

Earnings from the commercial development of land parcels at stations will be utilized to redevelop the stations for creating necessary infrastructure and better passenger amenities. The surplus earnings will go to RLDA which would in turn would be remitted to Zonal railways. The entire revenue from lease revenues from built up spaces will be deposited in an SPV’s ESCROW account which is to be managed by a Committee to be formed.

2.Assam to raise Special Rhino Protection Force for rhino protection.

The Assam government is going to raise a new Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) for better protection of the one-horned rhinos in Assam. State government has already started the process of recruitment for the proposed force.

The cadre for the force will selected from local youths hailing from the fringe areas of the Kaziranga national park. After initial selection, recruits will be given necessary training. They will be also provided with arms and ammunition for better protection of the one horned rhinos.

The greater one-horned rhinoceros is the largest of the Asian Rhinos. Its preferred habitat is alluvial flood plains and areas containing tall grasslands along the foothills of the Himalayas. Formerly, they were extensively distributed in the Gangetic plains, but today they are restricted to small habitats in Indo-Nepal terai and North Bengal, and Assam.

They are found in Kaziranga, Orang, Pobitara, Jaldapara (in Assam), Dudhwa (UP) National Park. Kaziranga National Park hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned rhinoceros (68% of worldwide population). It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

3. NMCE, ICEX to merge to create India’s third biggest commodity exchange.

National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE), India’s first demutualised online national multi-commodities exchange will merge with Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX). The merged entity will create India’s third biggest commodity exchange. The largest commodity exchange by volume is the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) followed by National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX).

This is the first merger deal in the commodity exchange space in India. It has been approved by the boards of both exchanges and is expected to be completed by December 2017, subject to regulatory approvals. In the merged entity, the ICEX will hold a 62.8% stake, while NMCE shareholders will own the rest. The new exchange will offer a wide range of contracts, including bullion, oil, rubber, and other agri-commodities. It will also offer the world’s first diamond futures contract, which has already received in-principle approval from the marker regulator SEBI.

The merger will help ICEX to further strengthen its position in the country’s fast-growing commodity derivatives market. It will result in greater financial strength, the consolidation of clients and members, an enhanced product basket, and higher operational synergies.

4. Indigenously developed quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile successfully test-fired.

India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile (QR-SAM). The sophisticated missile was test fired from a truck-mounted canister launcher from launch complex-3 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. It was the second successful developmental trial of the state-of-the-art missile with an aerial target. The first test launch of the missile was conducted in June 2017 from the same base.

The QR-SAM has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other establishments. It has been designed to be a quick reaction missile. It is an all-weather weapon system capable of tracking and firing. The missile has a strike range of 25 to 30 km and can engage multiple targets. QR-SAM will complement the existing Akash short range SAM (surface-to-air missile) with a range of 25 kilometres which has already been inducted into the services.

5. India’s defence commitment to Bhutan.

The present standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam (located at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan) has highlighted India’s very special relationship with Bhutan, including military responsibilities.

In June 2017 Chinese Army (People’s Liberation Army) construction party had entered the Doklam area and attempted to construct a road. Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) patrol had attempted to dissuade them from this unilateral activity. Later Bhutan underlinined that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory was a direct violation of the 1988 and 1998 agreements between Bhutan and China and affected the process of demarcating the boundary between these two countries. Since these developments, India and Bhutan have been in continuous contact, giving a view of India’s role in Bhutan’s security and matters of mutual interest.

6. India, ADB inks $220 million Loan Agreement for Rajasthan State Highways Investment Program.

The Union Government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $220 million loan agreement for improving connectivity as well as transport efficiency and safety on State Highways of Rajasthan. The loan will be provided as the first tranche of the $500 million Rajasthan State Highways Investment Program, approved by ADB Board in May 2017. The Program will upgrade about 2,000 kilometers of state highways and major district roads to two-lane or intermediate-lane standards to meet road safety requirements.

Rajasthan State Highways Investment Program aims improve State Highways and major district roads in Rajasthan. It will enhance the capacity of the State public works department (PWD) in the areas of road asset management, road safety and project management. One of the focus areas of the program is to attract private sector financing through government capacity building on public private partnership (PPP) development. ADB will finance part of the construction costs for the annuity-based PPP concessions and engineering procurement construction (EPC) contracts. It will also enhance the stability of contract regime, and ensure good governance during project implementation.

The first tranche loan will improve about 1,000 kilometres of State Highways and major district roads. It will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 8 years. The loan will carry an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB’s London interbank offered rate-based (LIBOR) lending facility. The total cost of the project is $1.415 billion, of government contributing $465 million and $450 million from the private sector and other concessionaries.

7. President approves ordinance allowing Kambala in Karnataka.

President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the promulgation of The Prevention of cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 by the Governor of Karnataka in pursuance of Article 213 of Constitution. The promulgated ordinance legalises Kambala, bullock cart races and bull runs as traditional sports involving animals and exempt them from The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

In November 2016, the Karnataka High Court had banned the kambala along with bull-cart race in the state while hearing a case filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) citing animal cruelty. The high court had stayed these traditional sports in view of the Supreme Court’s ban on jallikattu, a traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu.

Following protests by people and kambala organisers, Karnataka Assembly had passed an ordinance Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 in February 2017 to allow Kambala. In April 2017, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to modify the Bill (ordinance). The state government made the modifications and sent it back to the union government. Earlier in June 2017, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice had cleared the modified bill (ordinance).

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8. Foundation stone of country’s biggest Global Skill Park laid in Bhopal.

The foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal jointly by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES).

The objective of the Global Skill Park is to prepare skilled youths who could get jobs in private companies as per their requirements. Besides, the youths will be able to get employment opportunities in foreign countries. Thus, the skill park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’.

The park will have capacity to impart skill training to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The courses conducted for skill training at the park will also have provision of international joint certification.

9. Vice Presidential Election.

Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari’s term comes to an end on August 10, 2017. Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a notification, the process of filing nominations for the vice presidential election.

The officer of Vice-President is second highest public office in India. He has second rank in the order of precedence. Practically, office of Vice President has been created to provide political continuity of the Indian state. His main function is in the form of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He works as acting president when president is not available.

10. UDAY covers 97% of discom debt: Centre.

The Union Ministry of Power has announced that about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all state power distribution companies (discoms) has been covered under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).

As on September 2015, the total debt of all state-owned discoms was Rs. 3.95 lakh crore. The 26 states and 1 UT which have joined the UDAY scheme accounted for total outstanding debt of Rs. 3.82 lakh crore. Hence, about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all State discoms has been covered under UDAY.

Issuance of bonds:

The total liability opted by states for restructuring through the issuance of bonds under the scheme was Rs. 2.69 lakh crore. So far, states have issued bonds of Rs. 2.09 lakh crore and discoms have issued bonds worth Rs. 0.23 lakh crore. Bonds worth Rs. 0.37 lakh crore are yet to be issued by various discoms. Hence, about 86% of the restructurable debt of states has been restructured so far under UDAY.

National average of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses:

It stood at 20.2% in FY17 from all UDAY states. It has increased by two percentage points, from 81% in FY16 to 83% in FY17. The difference between the average cost of supply (ACS) and the average revenue realised (ARR) also has come down in the last year.

11. SC asks government to formalise Election Commissioners’ appointment through Law.

The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to formalise appointment of election commissioners through law.

The Supreme Court has observed that even though the Election commissioners have been so far appointed in a very fair manner, there exists a legitimate expectation in the Constitution of India that Election Commissioners, who are charged with the free and fair conduct of elections be appointed through a “most transparent and just process” formalised by a law enacted by the Parliament.

According to the Supreme Court, at present due to lack of a parliamentary law, there is no transparency in the eligibility, criteria required for a person to be appointed as an election commissioner. The court has observed that even the selection procedure of the CBI Director is formalised by a written law.

12. In a first, ‘White tiger’ spotted in Nilgiris.

A photographer named Nilanjan Ray is believed to have spotted a rare ‘white tiger’ with a pale skin colour for the first time in the Nilgiris.

The discovery has aroused interest among conservationists and forest officials. It is yet to be ascertained whether the white tiger is a true genetic mutant. The tiger which was spotted in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve does not seem to be albino and was found to be whitish with golden brown patches.

As per the scientists, genetic mutation among tigers changes an amino acid responsible for the normal colour being formed, resulting in “natural polymorphism”. According to the scientists, white tigers lack pheomelanin, which is responsible for the red-yellow hue in the skin coat.

In India, white tigers are predominantly found in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. In 2016, world’s first White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. The first white tiger in Madhya Pradesh’s was spotted in Vindhya region in 1915.

However, the rare breed of the big cat spotted for the first time died in 1920. In 1951, a white tiger cub named Mohan was captured by Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh. Later the tiger cub became the progenitor of all known white tigers in the world after the Maharaja arranged for its breeding.

13. HRD Ministry: No Detention Policy to be removed from next Academic Year.

The HRD Ministry has decided to remove the no-detention policy for students from the next academic year. Under the Right to Education Act, no child will be detained or held back in any class or expelled till the completion of elementary education covering classes 1 to 8.

The government’s decision comes after it had received several complaints regarding the deterioration of the quality of basic education in the country. In addition, the States have been asking for the withdrawal of the no-detention policy from the Right to Education Act 2009. As per the critics, the policy has resulted in remarkable improvement in enrollments but has brought down the academic standards.

No-Detention Policy :

Under this policy, the students up to class VIII are automatically promoted to the next class without being held back even if they do not get a passing grade. The policy was implemented as part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) under the RTE Act to ensure all-round development of students. The concept of CCE which was imported from the West lays emphasis on evaluating a child through the year, and not just based on performance in one or two term exams. The basic objective behind the no-detention policy was to prevent dropouts. The no detention policy in the RTE does not mean the abolition of assessment rather it calls for a replacement of the traditional system of evaluation with a continuous and comprehensive assessment that is not threatening. The policy also intends to free the students from the pressure and fear of examination and give them a stress-free academic environment and childhood.

Committees:

The TSR Subramanian committee on Education had observed that the no detention policy in schools should be applicable till Class V and exams be held from Class VI onwards. Prior to this, the Vasudev Devnani committee had also recommended for the revocation of No-Detention Policy.

14. Siemens opens its first digital factory in India.

Whether it’s manufacturing or software-development – India, with its huge pool of skilled workers, plays a very important role in Siemens’ corporate strategy. Many Siemens products are already in part “made in India,” and more will follow in the future.

Improving education is the key to economic growth: India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is convinced of that. Modi will visit the 2015 Hannover Messe trade show, for which India is the partner country this year. The Prime Minister will present his “Make in India” program at the event.

The basic idea behind the program is to massively expand industrial production on the subcontinent and increase industry’s share of the country’s gross domestic product from the current 16 percent to 25 percent by 2022 – and create 100 million new jobs in the process. It’s a very ambitious goal, and Modi has some assistance from German industrial companies, which have built infrastructure and plants and are now providing training as well.

Siemens is doing its part through the company’s Technology Application Center (TAC) in Bangalore, a city of eight million people. The words “Training on” and “Basic milling” blink on and off in a yellow light on a display board with the Siemens logo outside a hall at the center.

Once you go inside, you quickly discover all the things you can learn here. For example, one area houses several latest-model machine tools that are being used to teach trainees how to mill and process metal parts. Meanwhile, in a small lecture hall, an instructor is teaching a course on programming Sinumerik, the Siemens computer control system for machine tools, with which all of the adjacent machines are also equipped.

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15. Kewal Handa appointed as Non-executive chairman of Union Bank.

Kewal Handa was today appointed as non-executive chairman of Union Bank of India.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Handas appointment as non-official director/non-executive chairman of the bank, an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said, without citing any details about him.

Handa will hold the post for a period of three years.

Person Current Affairs July 1st Week 2017

1. President of India inaugurates an exhibition of art works at Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata.

President of India inaugurates an exhibition of art works at Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata and receives first copies of two Coffee Table books

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated an exhibition of art works at Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata today (June 30, 2017). He also received the first copies of two Coffee Table books Images and Impressions Profile and Persona of Pranab Mukherjee and Pranab Mukherjee 100 Frames from the Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi who formally released these books.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that during his long career in public life - as a Minister, Member of Parliament and as President of the country, he has received immense love from political colleagues, Parliamentarians and the people of the country.

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International Current Affairs July 1st Week 2017

1. International Day of Cooperatives 2017 is observed on July 1.

Co-operators around the world will celebrate the theme of inclusion on 1 July 2017 during the United Nations International Day of Co-operatives.

"Co-operatives ensure no one is left behind", is the slogan of the 2017 International Day of Co-operatives.

The theme was selected by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Co-operatives (COPAC), which the Alliance currently chairs.

Inclusion not only captures the people-focused nature of co-operative enterprises, but also echoes the co-operative principles of voluntary and open membership, democratic member control and member economic participation. Co-operatives provide a space where all people, regardless of race, gender, culture, social background or economic circumstance, can meet their needs and build better communities.

The theme of inclusion additionally complements the Alliance’s Global Conference theme: “Putting people at the centre of development”. The Global Conference will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 15-16 November 2017.

COPAC will organise the celebration of the International Day of Co-operatives at the United Nations in mid-July during the High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development, during which governments and UN officials will convene to review implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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National Current Affairs July 1st Week 2017

1. Union Government launches National Biopharma Mission.

The Union Ministry of Science & Technology has launched National Biopharma Mission, a first ever Industry-Academia mission to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India.

Under this mission, the ministry also launched Innovate in India (i3) program to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the sector.

India has been an active player in the global pharmaceutical industry and has contributed towards making life saving drugs and low cost pharmaceutical products accessible at affordable rates. Despite, these advances, Indian biopharmaceutical industry is still 10-15 years behind their counterparts in the developed countries and faces stiff competition from Korea, China and others.

The lacuna primarily exists due to disconnected centers of excellence, less focus on translational research and uncertain funding. So there was an immediate need to consolidated efforts to promote product discovery, translational research and early stage manufacturing in the country to ensure inclusive innovation.

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Awards Current Affairs July 1st Week 2017

1. Health Ministry’s mobile app eVIN wins GSMA Asia Mobile Award.

Indigenously developed mobile application for digitising vaccine logistics, eVIN, has won the prestigious GSMA Asia Mobile Award 2017 (AMO) for outstanding contribution to the UN’s sustainable development goals in Asia.

The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is an online real-time vaccine logistics management system developed and implemented by the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The ceremony, held during the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Shanghaix, recognised the contributions of several transformative mobile innovations making a mark in the Asian region.

eVIN is presently being implemented across 12 states in the country and aims to support the government’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in these states.

The mobile and web-based application is empowering last- mile healthcare workers, thereby strengthening immunisation system in India.

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Science & Technology Current Affairs July 1st Week 2017

1. Election Commission joins hands with Facebook to launch First Time Nationwide “Voter Registration Reminder”.

The Election Commission of India has joined hands with Facebook to launch nationwide voter registration reminder aimed at reminding eligible Indian voters to register themselves on the electoral rolls.

As a part of the initiative, Facebook will activate a unique ‘Register Now’ button reminding all the eligible Indian users to enrol themselves as voters.

The remainder will be made available for four days beginning July 1.

Election Commission of India is a permanent body entrusted for the conduct of free and fair elections. An independent Election Commission has been provided for in Article 324 of the Constitution of India.

2. Japan plans to land a human on the moon by 2030.

Japan`s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced Wednesday that it plans to land an astronaut on the moon by 2030, joining China in a new manned race to space.

It is the first time JAXA has revealed an intention to send Japanese astronauts beyond the International Space Station, and it will mostly likely be part of an international mission, the agency said.

The announcement from Japan Wednesday is just the latest in a series of ambitious space exploration plans by Asian countries, with the increasing competition for space-related power and prestige in the region echoing that of the Cold War space race of the mid-20th century.

In December 2016, China announced plans to land a rover on Mars by 2020 as well as a manned mission to the Moon at some point in the future.