The Gist DECEMBER 2019 - IAS EXAM PORTAL

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‘The GIST’
DEC 2019
CONTENTS
GIST OF YOJANA Magazine 7

#1 Building Urban Infrastructure through AMRUT 7
#2 Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Urban 11
#3 Addressing Stubble Burning with Cooperative Model 11
#4 Mission Indradhanush 2.0 13
#5 Developing Natural Forest Cover: A Case Study from Yadadri, Telangana 14
#6 Consumer Protection Act, 2019 17
GIST OF KURUKSHETRA Magazine 21

#1 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY 21
#2 MISSION INDRADHANUSH 2.0: REITERATING INDIA’S COMMITMENT TO VACCINES FOR ALL 23
#3 BAMBOO INDUSTRY: CRAFTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL PEOPLE 24
#4 JUTE INDUSTRY: SCENARIO AND OPPORTUNITIES 25
#5 TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 28
GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper) 31

Centre reiterates commitment to protection of fundamental rights of citizens 31
RBI asks banks to probe data card leakage and ensure security 32
India assures signing of fair and transparent RCEP 33
Researchers develop new method to remove CO2 from air 34
India – Germany agrees to expand defence cooperation 35
Chandrayaan-2 detects Argon-40 in lunar exosphere 36
Govt. releases maps of Jammu and Ladakh UT’s 36
Centre to set up anti-human trafficking units under Nirbhaya Fund 37
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India to strengthen connectivity with ASEAN nations 38

UN chief warns Asian countries on its coal addiction 38
Scientists decode Big Bang explosion phenomenon 39
Russia agrees to provide life support system to Gaganyaan astronauts 39
South Asia to become centre of global growth,claims IMF 41
U.S formally notifies withdrawal from Paris climate deal 42
Rafael Nadal secures No:1 spot in ATP rankings 43
President rejects request demanding disqualification of MLAs 44
MoRD releases another edition of wasteland atlas 45
Garbage problem gets high in Yemen,causing cholera 45
ITF decides to shift India-Pak match to neutral venue 46
India to raise clean technology demand at Madrid climate change summit 47
Agriculture ministry to prepare roadmap for attaining self-sufficiency in edible oil production 48
Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected as president of UAE 48
Chhattisgarh model might help reduce pollution from stubble burning 49
Indian Women’s team wins series against West Indies 50
National workshop on ODF plus held in New Delhi 50
Govt. claims economy robust as inflation is controlled 51
NASA’s voyager 2 reaches interstellar space 52
Deepak kumar secures Olympic quota in shooting 52
NSA meets religious leaders post Ayodhya verdict 53
Pulses prices rises steadily due to crop damages 53
India to take up issue of cross border terrorism at BRICS 55
Parliamentary Panel expresses concern over rising cancer cases 55
IOCL to set up 2G ethanol plant at Panipat 56
NASA detects Xray burst at outer space 57
Public service broadcasting day celebrated by AIR 58
Economists say India to attain 5% growth this fiscal 58
European countries worried on Iran’s nuclear activities 60
Centre to consider hydrogen based technology as solution to air pollution 61
President addresses innovators of Atal tinkering lab marathon 61
Retail inflation jumps while Wholesale inflation eases in October 62
Japanese spacecraft starts journey back to Earth 64
Arsene Wenger named global football development chief by FIFA 64
Sports ministry wants Fit India movement to be taken up as a citizen’s movement 65

Finance ministry discusses simplification of GST filing process 66

Centre releases tap water quality rankings for cities 66
Gotabaya wins presidential elections in Srilanka 67
First night trial of Agni-2 missile conducted successfully 67
Government less likely to release consumer expenditure survey 68
Govt. may soon ease FDI rules for joint ventures 68
PM claims recently concluded BRICS summit as highly productive 69
NASA renames the farthest cosmic body as Arrokoth 70
Indian women win five golds at Asian youth championships 70
Govt. to crack down on those violating anti-pollution norms 70
Centre calls upon international players to eliminate terrorist safe havens 71
Finance ministry showcases steps taken to increase GDP 71
Around 13000 health centres to be opened by March 2020 72
ISRO plans to launch Cartosat-3 by month end 72
India-Pakistan tie match shifted to Kazakhstan 73
Central government appoints judges in Supreme Court and high courts 73
Parliament passes Jallianwala Bagh memorial amendment bill 2019 73
Government assures that India will continue to become the fastest growing economy : 74
India calls for zero tolerance to combat terror-crime nexus at UN-SCO 75
India-Singapore to expand defence cooperation 75
NASA unveils its first electric plane 75
SEBI approves disclosure norms for listed companies 76
Palestine questions U.S decision to legitimise Israeli settlements 77
India’s Saritadevi elected member of AIBA athletes commission 78
Thousands of Columbians protest against the government 79
NASA finds extraterrestrial sugar in space rocks 79
Govt.plans to reduce carbon emission intensity by 35% 80
Tax department launches web portal for information exchange 82
Govt. claims that over 7 crore farmers benefited from PM-KISAN scheme 82
India-China to celebrate 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations 82
K-12 education transformation framework launched in India 83
Indian wrestlers win gold at U-15Asian championships 84
Reports suggests 22% of groundwater in critical stage 84
Scientists to use upgraded GMRT to measure gas mass of galaxies 85
Centre concerned on vacant teacher posts in universities 86

Taxation amendment bill introduced in parliament 86

GoM set to resolve land leasing issues soon 87
Researchers find out the most inhabitable region on earth 87
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019 passed by Parliament 88
Centre claims India as largest milk producer in the world 89
India crosses milestone of launching 300 foreign satellites 89
Govt. assures strict action child pornography 90
UAE president reiterates support to Palestinians 91
China U.S rift to continue over Hongkong protest issue 91
Sangram and Varsha wins national shotgun championships 92
External affairs ministry claims India has maintained independence in foreign policy 93
Govt. to consider creation of national coastal Mission to address climate change 94
CEA claims fundamentals of economy strong 95
India to set up hi-tech parks in Bangladesh 96
Centre to setup new rocket launch pad at Tamilnadu 96
GIST OF Science Reporter Magazine 98

#1 Quantum Supremacy 98
#2 Comfy Earbuds 99
#3 Fidmi Enteral Feeding Device 99
#4 iHaper DL1 Smart Desk Lamp 99
#5 Toyota’s LQ Concept 99
#6 Robotic Kids 100
#7 Applications based on Nanotechnology 101
#8 Adiva One Smart Bed 102
GIST OF PIB (Press Information Bureau) 103

#1 Rohne and Rabodih Coal Mines 103
#2 Chartered Designs of India 103
#3 National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management 104
#4 Atal Bhujal Yojana 105
#5 National Energy Conservation Day 105
#6 Initiatives to develop a world class research facilities in India 106
#7 NAVARMS-19 106
#8 Gandhi Encyclopedia 106
#9 The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 107

#10 Lok Sabha passes the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 107
#11 Human Rights Day 108
#12 Independent Directors Data bank 108
#13 Women Entrepreneurs in the Country 109
#14 Global Venture Capital Summit 2019 109
#15 Exercise INDRA 2019 110
#16 IEPFA 110
#17 India’s first HAM project in sewerage sector 110
#18 PPRTMS 111
#19 De-classified all records 111
#20 Exercise Hand-in-Hand-2019 111
#21 Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV 112
#22 National Awards for outstanding work done towards empowerment of PwDs 112
#23 Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts 113
#24 Popularize AYUSH System 114
#25 PSLV-C47 successfully launches Cartosat-3 and 13 115
#26 Yuwaah Youth Skilling Initiative 116
#27 Nishank 116
#28 NSS 75TH Round 116
#29 8th International Tourism Mart 117
#30 Conference of Governors 117
#31 Global Bio-India Summit 2019 118
#32 Recycling of Ships Bill 118
#33 DPIIT 118
#34 IFFI 2019 119
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GIST OF YOJANA Magazine
The Gist of
YOJANA
becoming true engines of economic

#1 Building Urban Infrastructure through growth.
AMRUT
Introduction: Urban India: Key challenges and opportunities:
India is witnessing a rapid increase in the urban ● Government of India has undertaken
population. As per the United Nations World significant investments in these areas in
Urbanization Prospects Report 2018, around 34% the last five years, as a result of which there
of India’s population lives in cities- an increase of have been notable improvements in basic
about three percentage points since 2011. services. However, challenges remain.
● By 2031, it is expected to grow by another ● For instance, as per Census 2011, while
6% and by 2051, more than half of the 70% of urban households had access to
nation’s population will be living in cities. water supply, only 49% had access to water
Such a surge poses significant challenges supply within premises.
in terms of demands for basic ● Further, due to lack of adequate treatment
infrastructure services such as water capacity and partial sewerage connectivity,
supply, sanitation, wastewater more than 65% of the wastewater was
management, and solid waste being discharged untreated in the open
management. drains resulting in environmental damage
● At present, cities contribute nearly 65% of and pollution of water bodies (CPCB,
the country’s GDP, which is likely to go up 2015).
to 70% by 2030 (McKinsey Global Institute, ● Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) of
2010). In view of this, basic infrastructure the World Bank (2011) estimated that the
will play a vital role in enabling the cities to total annual economic impact of
adequately provide civic services to inadequate sanitation in India amounted to
improve the quality of life of citizens in

a loss of Rs. 2.4 trillion in 2006, which was ● In all, 500 cities were covered under this
equivalent to about 6.4% of India’s GDP. scheme.
● Access to safe drinking water and
scientific treatment of wastewater Allocation of funds:
including septage are essential for the ● The Mission has allocation of Rs. 1,00,000
country in order to accomplish Sustainable lakh crore including central share of Rs.
Development Goal 6 (SDG 6.1 and 6.3 in 50,000 crore. Balance is to be shared by the
particular). States/UTs. Of the total allocation, Rs.
77,640 crore have been allocated to
AMRUT: projects. Ten per cent of central share is for
● Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Administrative and Office Expenses
Transformation (AMRUT) one of the (A&OE) and another 10% is for reform
flagship Missions of the Ministry of incentive.
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) was ● The projects in the UTs arc fully funded by
launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the Centre. In North East and Hill States,
25 June, 2015 in 500 cities across the 90% of the project cost is shared by the
country. centre. In case of other States, one-third of
● It aimed to address the challenges of water the project cost in the cities with
supply and sewerage/septage in cities population above 10 lakh and half of the
across the country. project cost in other cities is shared by the
● To providing non-motorised transport and Central Government.
public amenities, ● The Central Assistance (CA) is released in
● To bringing reform through 54 milestones; three installments of 20:40:40. First
and installment is released immediately upon
● To harness the associated opportunities of approval of the State Annual Action Plan
economic growth. (SAAP). Subsequent instalments arc
released on receipt of utilisation
Coverage of the Scheme: certificates for 75% of CA and
I. 476 cities/towns with a population of one corresponding State/ULB share along with
lakh and above as per 2011 Census; report of Independent Review and
II. State/UT capitals not covered in (i) above; Monitoring Agency (IRMA).
III. Heritage cities classified under Heritage
City Development and Augmentation AMRUT: Aligned with the needs of Urbanising
Yojana (HRIDAY); India:
IV. Certain cities on the banks of main rivers 1. Cooperative federalism: Keeping in line
and from hill States/islands and tourist with cooperative federalism, State
destinations. Governments have been empowered to
appraise, approve, and sanction projects

for their AMRUT cities- a departure from encourage States and reward their
the erstwhile Jawaharlal Nehru National initiatives constructively, reform
Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) implementation is incentivised under
wherein individual projects were AMRUT - 10% of the budgetary allocation is
sanctioned by the then Ministry of Urban earmarked for reform incentive and it is
Development. over and above the allocation for projects.
2. Framework for institutional reforms: Incentive of Rs. 400 crore, Rs. 500 crore,
AMRUT lays major emphasis on Rs. 340 crore, and Rs. 418 crore were
institutional reforms which aim to improve distributed during 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-
governance and institutional capacities of 18 and 2018-19 to States/UTs,
ULBs. Reforms are targeted for better respectively, as incentive amount for the
service delivery and enhanced reforms achieved against benchmarks in
accountability and transparency. A last four fiscal years of implementation.
framework of reforms (including reform This amount is untied and can be used on
types and milestones) has been prescribed any item recognized under AMRUT with or
to the States and AMRUT cities. without State/ULB share.
3. Principles of ‘incrementalism’ and 5. Monitoring of the Mission: Programme
prioritisation: In the pursuit of ensuring monitoring is being done at various levels
universal coverage of water supply and to understand progress and gaps in
improving sanitation coverage for the implementation. At State level, State High
citizens, a step-wise approach towards Powered Steering Committee (SHPSC)
service level benchmarking by the ULBs, a chaired by the Chief Secretary monitors
principle of ‘incrementalism’ has been and approves the Mission projects in its
introduced under the Mission, which is a entirety. At Central level, Apex Committee
gradual process of achieving the chaired by the Secretary, MoHUA, approves
benchmarks. Recognising the urgent water State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) and
and sanitation needs, States had to monitors the progress. Also, projects are
prioritise water supply and sewerage monitored on real-time basis via Mission
projects - water supply being the first MIS Dashboard with geo-tagging of all
priority. projects. In addition, District Level Regional
4. Incentivising over penalising: During the Review and Monitoring Committee
erstwhile JNNURM, 10% of the Additional (DLRMC) conducts detailed scrutiny of the
Central Assistance (ACA) for projects was projects. IRMA appointed for each State
retained for non-completion of reforms. reviews and monitors the progress of the
This led to all States/UTs losing this 10% Mission on the ground as a third party.
as none could achieve 100% of reforms;
hence, several projects were starved of Urban Reforms:
funds and remained incomplete. In order to Some of the significant reforms are as under:

1. Online Building Permission System interest subvention of 2% over the bond

(OBPS): With a view to facilitate Ease of period. Rs. 181 crore has been released for
Doing Business in construction permits, an raising bonds in 8 cities. Raising of bonds
Online Building Permission System (OBPS) leads to improved governance, accounting
with Common Application Form and systems, finance, transparency,
seamless integration of all clearances/No accountability and delivery of services in
Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the ULBs. We target to get at least 50 cities
internal/external agencies has been made raise bonds in the next 4 years. That will
operational in Delhi and Mumbai since April also enhance their self-dependence and
2016. confidence to serve the citizens.
2. Replacement of street lights with LED
lights: 65 lakh conventional streetlights Way Forward:
have been replaced with energy efficient ● AMRUT has made remarkable strides in
LED lights. It has led to energy savings of improving water and sanitation coverage in
139 crore KWH per annum and reduction in urban areas. During the Mission period, it
CO2 emission by 11 lakh tonnes per envisages to cover over 60% of the urban
annum. population living in 500 cities with
3. Credit Rating: Four hundred and sixty-nine universal coverage of water supply and
AMRUT cities have been credit rated out of over 60% coverage of sewerage and
the total 485 cities where the credit rating septage services.
work had commissioned. One hundred and ● However, more than 3,500 smaller
sixty-three cities have been rated cities/towns out of 4,378 statutory towns
investable grade (IGR) of which 36 cities at present are not covered under any
have A and higher rating. Cities with lower central scheme for water supply and
rating are the following measures to Faecal Sludge and Septage
improve their performance so that they
become credit worthy and raise funds for Management infrastructure.
their projects. ● Keeping in view SDG Goal 6 for ensuring
4. Municipal Bonds: Rs. 3,390 crore have sustainable management of water and
been raised through municipal bonds sanitation for all and announcement of Jal
during 2017-19 for upgrading urban Jeevan Mission for conserving and
infrastructure by 8 Mission cities judiciously using the precious water by
(Ahmedabad, Amaravati, Bhopal, Hon’ble Prime Minister and special needs
Hyderabad, Indore, Pune, Surat, and of 115 Aspirational Districts, to be
Visakhapatnam). As an incentive. Ministry addressed on priority, it is imperative to
pays Rs. 13 crore for raising bonds to the take forward the achievements of this
tune of Rs. 100 crore, up to the limit of Rs. Mission to smaller cities as well.
200 crore per city. This translates into an

#2 Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Urban ● Pollution by stubble burning lias become

an annual phenomenon in large parts of
Introduction:
northern India. Rice-growing States
● In order to address die national issue of
including Punjab. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
water scarcity, Ministry of Jal Shakti
and Delhi add to the problem of stubble
(MoJS), Government of India has
burning. Managing the stubble becomes a
undertaken Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) from
constraint for the farmers because of the
1 July, 2019, driving a campaign on water
adopted cropping pattern.
conservation, restoration, recharge, and
● The only reason to burn this asset that can
reuse of wastewater.
yield income and fertility to the soil is the
● MoHUA has participated actively in the JSA
small gap of time between harvesting of
along with States/UTs/ULBs to make water
paddy and sowing of wheat, the other main
conservation measures a Jan Andolan,
crop. Also, the fanners have limited access
through extensive Information, Education
to dispose of the straw, clean the land and
and Communication (IEC) activities across
prepare the seedbed for wheat well in time.
the country in 754 water-stressed cities.
● Rice was not a traditional crop of Punjab;
a. Rainwater Harvesting (RYVH): ULBs have
but with increased availability of electricity,
taken measures for establishing Rainwater
the number of tube wells increased, which
Harvesting Cell, construction and
in turn increased the areas for cultivation of
installation of RWH structures to recharge
paddy replacing the areas under cultivation
ground water sources and to store water.
of pulses and other commercial crops in
b. Reuse of treated wastewater: ULBs have
the kharif season.
undertaken construction of dual piping
● Punjab had been contributing about 60 per
structure in public buildings and reuse of
cent of the share in the food stocks of
secondary treated water for horticulture,
paddy even with only 1.5 percent of the
car washing, fire hydrants, etc.
area. Apart from burning of paddy straw,
c. Rejuvenation of water bodies: Multiple
the State has other problems like overuse
interventions have been initiated by ULBs
of chemicals, depletion in the water table,
to clean and rejuvenate defunct wells and
etc.
water bodies.
d. Plantation: ULBs have taken up the mantle
Disposing stubble is not a problem:
to mobilise the local community members
● Disposing the paddy straw is not a problem
to conduct plantation drives across the
that has no solution; rather, it is simple and
cities.
remunerative and must be adopted at the
earliest. Fanners of Punjab arc known for
#3 Addressing Stubble Burning with
their ability, initiatives and entrepreneurial
Cooperative Model spirits.
Introduction:

● They would immediately adopt anything ● A cooperative society in the area with the
that is remunerative, but sometimes the membership of local farmers and farm
encouragement and sponsorship of the labourers can be formed and such units
State become imperative. The Minimum must be affiliated to the apex body of the
Support Price (MSP) was provided to State federation of cooperative for rice
paddy along with its marketing assurance straw management. The Cooperative
by State procurement. There are only two Department is already in the field to
crops, wheat and paddy, that have assured sponsor and help cooperative ventures.
marketing through State procurement. ● Such patronisation can yield the most
● But for 23 other crops for which MSP is desirable results not only to tackle this
announced, State procurement is not problem but also to generate income and
assured. Reduction of the sizeable area employment in the State. Production of
under paddy would not be a feasible bio-gas needs technical help and extension
alternative in order to ensure enough food services.
stock. ● The cooperative umbrella of the same
● The issue of straw burning has to be pattern can however help the farmers and
settled through other measures like farm labourers throughout the State in this
manufacturing of paper and cardboard, venture.
production of mushroom where paddy
straw can be used as raw material, etc. But Highlights about the model:
there is scepticism that an individual ● Dr. G.S. Bhalla, renowned economist, in his
farmer may not install such a unit study had concluded that a holding with
irrespective of the size of the farm he is less than 10 acre is unable to provide
holding. sufficient income to maintain their
● Also, a single unit even of the largest size moderate standard of living but in Punjab
cannot be economical because the straw is 89% of the farmers have their holding less
spread throughout the area and than this size.
transportation to a single point would be a ● These farmers are therefore unable to take
big constraint. any risk either of volatile price or of
● Therefore, the cooperative model already marketing. In case of rice, price and
experienced in the dairy is the most viable marketing is assured.
and prudent option in addressing this ● The same assurance has to be granted for
problem. There is a need of at least two the alternative crops to increase the area of
cardboard and paper manufacturing units cultivation under them. Basmati is a variety
in every block. of rice that is grown on the river banks,
India and Pakistan being its major
Cooperative society: producers.

● The supply cannot fulfil the demand of equitable, and affordable health care for
foreign orders. Punjab cannot discard this all.
single much paying export crop, albeit it ● An Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)
involves the problem of stubble burning. 2.0 is being carried out between December
Basmati is the single crop that is exported 2019-March 2020 to deliver a programme
worth about Rs 2688 million (Raj Kumar that is informed by the lessons learnt from
and Singh 2019) in the year 2017-18, where the previous phases and seeks to escalate
Punjab is a main contributor. efforts to achieve the goal of attaining a
● Stubble burning has to be stopped. But 90% national immunisation coverage
looking into the real problem at micro as across India.
well as macro level concerned with food ● The programme will be delivered in 271
security and concerns of the farm districts of 27 States and 652 blocks of
community at large, it should be dealt Uttar Pradesh and Bihar among hard-to-
sympathetically with the alternative reach and tribal populations.
measures, and cooperative model stands
out to be the most appropriate approach to Salient Features:
address this problem, which is more viable ● Immunisation activity will be in four rounds
and sustainable. over 7 working days excluding the RI days,
● Small-scale farmers would be satisfied Sundays and holidays;
with less but assured income than to drift ● Enhanced Immunisation session with
towards commercial crops irrespective of flexible timing, mobile session and
their profit that have any risk of fluctuating mobilisation by other departments;
price and yield. ● Enhanced focus on left outs, dropouts, and
resistant families and hard to reach areas;
#4 Mission Indradhanush 2.0 ● Focus on urban, under-served population
and tribal areas;
Introduction:
● Inter-ministerial and inter-departmental
● The Government of India is dedicated to
coordination;
achieving the highest standards of health
● Enhance political, administrative and
and well-being for the nation.
financial commitment through advocacy;
Immunisation programme is a critical
● Intensified Mission Indradhanush
component of its commitment towards
Immunisation drive, consisting of 4 rounds
Universal Health Coverage. It is integral to
of Immunisation will be conducted in the
India’s efforts of reducing the burden of
selected districts and urban cities between
vaccine preventable diseases and
December 2019- March 2020;
achieving universal care for children.
● After the completion of the proposed 4
● Over the years, efforts have been fruitful
rounds, the States will be expected to
and proved India’s belief in quality,
undertake measures to sustain the gains

from IMI, through activities like inclusion of manner and is known as Yadadri Natural Forest
IMI sessions in routine Immunisation (YNF) Establishment Model.
plans. The sustainability of IMI will be The principles of Miyawaki method and local
assessed through a survey. practices and local materials are utilised in
developing this model.
#5 Developing Natural Forest Cover: A Case Miyawaki Principles of Natural Forest:
Study from Yadadri, Telangana ● No defined spacing between plants;
● Soil enrichment must be done before
Introduction: taking up plantation;
A systematic approach of forest management to ● High density planting of herbs, shrubs and
sustain the ecological balance and stability of the tree species up to 10000 plants per
forest is gaining momentum in India. Innovative hectare;
reforestation approaches are explored to increase ● Further supplementation of site by seed
the forest cover and climate amelioration. So far, dibbling of native species;
no significant scientific study on natural forest ● Watering should be done at least upto next
restoration has been taken up due to diverse rainy season after planting;
climatic conditions and soil profile in India. With ● Mulching should be done after planting to
the enthusiasm generated across all sections of suppress weeds and prevent evaporation;
the society to plant and protect the saplings ● No existing tree in the area should be
planted under ‘Telanganaku Haritha haram,’ a removed while doing soil enrichment;
flagship programme of the State to create an ● Watering is to be done with tankers and
entire forest instead of mere plantation. It is also pipe sprinkling instead of flood irrigation;
thought that forests that have been cleared in ● Periodical weeding is to be done till the end
diversion cases can be compensated by creating of the next rainy season after planting;
forests instead of plantation. This leads to ● Huge crown developing tree species like
exploration of the principles of Professor Akira Ficus should be avoided;
Miyawaki, a well known Japanese botanist, plant ● Seedlings or saplings of all sizes can be
ecologist and expert in restoration of natural planted to give the plantation a 3-tier look
vegetation on degraded land. He invented the of a natural forest;
Miyawaki restoration technique to protect the ● Analysis of soil properties done in advance
lowland areas against natural calamities like so as to choose the best soil enrichment
tsunami. The basic principle of Miyawaki is to practices; and
initiate high density plantation in small piece of ● Except weeds no other naturally grown
land with native tree species that can protect the species shall be removed from the plots.
low-lying areas from natural disasters. A method
of developing a natural forest in the degraded Methodology:
forest areas is developed in a cost effective ● The basic principle behind the YNF model
is high-density plantation in small areas.

There is no defined spacing between the around 4 tons of Farmyard Manure (FYM)
plants and required number of plants per are to be spread over the area.
hectare may go up to 10000. IV. The entire area is then covered with soil as
● Success of the model depends on various top layer with the soil which was kept
sequences of events, like site selection, aside.
site development, soil nutrient enrichment, V. A small bund is formed with the leftover
species selection, pits dimension, planting soil on all four sides.
pattern, usage of organic bio-fertilisers and VI. After covering the area with the soil the
post-planting management including entire area is watered for three days
irrigation schedule. continuously.
● Site demarcation and clearance: It is VII. After 3 weeks, this one acre area is
necessary to demarcate the area and clear ploughed completely.
the site of existing unwanted vegetation VIII. Pits measuring 30 cu cm are used for
(except trees). The quantification of planting saplings. Small seedlings are
biomass and saplings requirement of the planted by scooping the soil.
area is calculated based on the site
demarcation. Other Methods for Soil Enrichment:
● Soil testing and site enrichment: To ensure First method: Community lands:
long-term sustainable growth, soil testing Cattle/Goats/Sheep are kept during nights for at
and soil enrichment and soil amendments least 3 months during the summer months (March
are very important, especially to support to May) to cover the entire area with cattle dung
high density planting during the and urine that will enrich the soil. Local farmers are
establishment years. Site enrichment is offered financial support for keeping the cattle to
done through the following steps: enrich the soil fertility in this process.
I. A total of one acre area is to be dug up to a a. During the first rains in the month of June,
depth of 30 cm and the soil is to be kept on plots are ploughed and green manure
all four sides. seeds are sown. After 2 months, the plot is
II. The dug up area has to be ploughed to a ploughed again.
depth of 10 cm in a criss-cross manner. b. To take up plantation in 30-cu cm pits.
III. Dry and/or green leaves and grass of c. For mulching, instead of using rice stubble,
around four tons is used to cover the young branches of Neem/Gliricidia
ploughed area at a thickness of 5 cm. Next, (Gliricidia Sp Uni) can be used as they
the area is to be covered with the soil which retain soil moisture and improve the soil
was kept aside up to a thickness of 10 cm fertility.
and the total area is to be watered for three
days to promote the decaying of the dried Second method: In the reserved forest
leaves and grass. Two tons of areas/protected areas
vermicompost with earthworms and

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a. identify the degraded forest areas/forest requirements for one acre of land and pattern of
restoration areas and start with soil planting are given below:
plugging. I. Seedlings or saplings of all sizes can be
b. Use agricultural/crop waste and add planted to give the plantation a 3-tier look
domesticated animal dung for of a natural forest;
decomposing. The waste will improve the II. 4000 seedlings of various sizes of 20
soil fertility. different species are planted in one acre;
c. Sow green manure crop during the first III. Huge crown developing tree species like
rains and plough it back after 2 months. Ficus can be avoided;
d. Planting is to be done in 30-cu cm pits. IV. Deciduous species and evergreen species
e. For mulching instead of rice stubble Neem can be planted scattered evenly all over the
or Gliricidia (Gliricidia Sp Uni) young area;
branches may be utilised. V. After completion of the planting the dry
grass is to be spread on top soil for
Third method: Development of forest in urban mulching.
areas: ● Irrigation schedule: Watering with tankers
a. Identify the degraded habitats/forest and pipe sprinklers is to be done instead of
restoration areas and go for soil ploughing. flood irrigation.
b. Use leaf litter in large quantities collected ● Post-planting management: Periodical
from the institutions, vegetable waste from wedding has to be done till the end of the
the weekly markets/rythu bazaars next rainy season and saplings are to be
(farmers' market), lawn grass waste etc. protected from browsing and grazing
for enriching the soil. Decomposers like animals. It can be with a fencing or watch
earthworms are then used for and ward. Trench can be avoided as it
decomposing the waste. This way, burning draws all nutrients by seepage.
of waste can be avoided.
c. After another ploughing planting is to be Outcomes:
done in 30-cu cm pits. ● Higher biodiversity compared to plantation
d. For mulching Neem/Gliricidia (Gliricidia Sp in a unit area;
Uni) young branches will be utilised. ● It can be a home for wildlife like butterflies,
squirrels, birds, reptiles, etc. within one
Selection of native species: The quality of the year;
plants used and selection of species are vital. ● Natural forest look with multilayered
For better survival percentage, native species are evergreen trees;
to be chosen after conducting detailed study on ● More carbon fixing per unit area and
the local areas. The species with straight bole and ● Self-sustainable forests.
medium canopy are preferred. Sapling
Possible Areas for Implementation:

● Areas with less than 0.1 density class ● The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (No.
areas in natural forests; 35 of 2019) was passed by the Parliament
● It serves as a vegetative measure for soil and received the assent of the President on
and water conservation due to its high 9 August, 2019 and provides for the
density of plants and thick root system; protection of consumers and fast-track
● Cost effective measures of water alternatives so that justice reaches to the
harvesting and a permanent asset than a aggrieved consumers immediately.
cement concrete structures like check ● The new Act repeals and replaces the older
dams and percolation tank which require CPA, 1986 and provides mechanisms for
periodical maintenance; making the consumer complaint system
● Every year 10 Ha natural forest can be more robust.
created in every village with one lakh ● It envisages to remove anomalies and
plants. It is an opportunity to develop a problems faced by the consumers.
natural capital of 50 Ha with 5 lakh plants Innovative methods such as mediation,
over a period of 5 years in every village. establishment of Central Consumer
Protection Authority, class action suits etc.
#6 Consumer Protection Act, 2019 would be part of the Consumer Protection
Act, 2019.
Introduction:
● Since the rules of the New Consumer
● The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 1986
Protection Act, 2019 are yet to be framed
being the foremost legislature for
and implemented it is time to look at what
protecting the rights of the consumers had
the new Act would deliver and draw a
become archaic and does not cover rapid
comparison with CPA, 1986.
changes in the consumer marketplaces,
especially those dealing with online
Shortcomings in the CPA, 1986:
shopping, teleshopping, product recall,
a. The CPA, 1986 has become outdated and
unsafe contracts, and misleading
does not consider rapid changes in
advertisements.
consumer marketplaces. Section 13 (3A)
● Therefore, it was felt to replace it with the
of CPA, 1986 states that “every complaint
Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
shall be heard expeditiously as possible
and endeavour made to dispose of
Why the new CPA is needed?
complaint within a period of three months
● The growing number of pending cases in
from the date of notice by the opposite
the consumer courts and huge delays in
party and five months if it requires testing
providing speedy justice to the consumers
of commodities.” But it is seen that due to
for petty amounts, the need of the hour was
heavy pendency of cases and frequent
to bring in a new legislature to empower
adjournments delay in getting justice takes
consumers.
place.

b. The consumer commissions have been g. The President of the National

overburdened with pending cases and the Commission/State Commissions are not
buyer-seller contract is tilted in favour of empowered to take up suo motu action in
the seller. Further, the procedures are consideration of the damages affecting a
becoming expensive and time consuming. sizable number of population, e.g.,
c. The presidents and members of the misleading advertisements.
consumer courts constitute the backbone
of the consumer dispute redressal system. Highlights of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:
They play a major role in establishing the ● The objective of the Act is to provide for the
faith of the consumers in the redressal protection of the interests of consumers
mechanism. But it has been seen that there and to establish authorities for timely and
are more than 400 posts of President and effective administration and settlement of
members in various consumer forums consumers’ disputes. Some of the
which are lying vacant. The State highlights of the Consumer Protection Act,
Governments show less interest in 2019 are:
immediately filling up the vacant posts and a. The definition of ‘Consumer’ would include
the issue of consumer protection is not both offline and online consumers. The
always at the top of any political parties’ expressions “buys any goods” and “hires or
agenda. avails any services” would include offline
d. Consumer commissions are functioning or online transactions through electronic
with staff deputed from other departments means or by teleshopping or direct selling
who do not have any experience in judicial or multi-level marketing.
practices. It is necessary to provide b. Establishment of the Central Consumer
intensive training to the members of the Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote,
Consumer courts before putting them on protect and enforce the rights of
the job. The present practice is to provide consumers, to investigate and intervene
training after assuming charge as a when necessary to prevent consumer
member. detriment arising from unfair trade
e. Many times, it is seen that the award practices, and to initiate class action
ordered by consumer commissions is very including enforcing recall, refund and
meagre and the consumer has to run from return of products.
pillar to post to get the orders
implemented. Thus CCPA can act on:
f. There has been lack of proper coordination a. complaints of unfair trade practices,
among the President and members of the b. issue safety guidelines,
consumer commissions for timely adjudication of c. order product recall or discontinuation of
cases and quite often around ten or fifteen services,
adjournments are allowed. d. refer complaints to other regulators,

e. has punitive powers such as imposing resulting from any product by way of fixing
penalties, the liability of a manufacturer to a claimant.
f. can tile actions before consumer d. Provision for “mediation” as an Alternate
commissions, and Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism
g. Intervene in proceeding in matters of which aims at giving legislative basis to
consumer rights or unfair trade practices. resolution of consumer disputes through
mediation, thus making the process less
The Central Authority will have an Investigation cumbersome, simple, and quicker. This will
Wing headed by a Director-General for the purpose be done under the aegis of the consumer
of conducting inquiry or investigation under the fora.
Act. For false and misleading advertisements e. Several provisions aimed at simplifying the
CCPA may issue a penalty up to 10 lakh on a consumer dispute adjudication process in
manufacturer and endorser and includes online the consumer fora are envisaged. These
marketing. For a subsequent offence, the fine may include, among others, enhancing the
extend to Rs. 50 lakh. For pecuniary jurisdiction of the consumer
every subsequent offence, the period of disputes redressal agencies, increasing
prohibition may extend to three years. the minimum number of members in the
consumer fora to facilitate quick disposal
However, there are certain exceptions when an of complaints, power to review their own
endorser will not be held liable for such a penalty. orders by the State and district
The CCPA has the authority to direct the removal commission, constitution of ‘circuit bench’
of a misleading advertisement. to facilitate quicker disposal of complaints,
a. The pecuniary jurisdiction of adjudicatory reforming the process for the appointment
bodies increased in case of District of the President and members of the
Commission to Rs. 1 crore, in case of State district fora, enabling provisions for
Commission between 1 crore to 10 crore, consumers to file complaints electronically
and for National Commission, above Rs 10 and file complaints in consumer fora that
crore. Further simplification of procedure have jurisdiction over the place of
for filing of complaints and online filing of residence of the complainant, and deemed
complaints has also been envisaged. admissibility of complaints if the question
b. The Bill also lists punitive actions against of admissibility is not decided within the
those who are found to be manufacturing, specified period of 21 days.
storing, distributing, selling, or importing f. E-commerce guidelines would be
products that arc spurious or contain mandatory under consumer protection law
adulterants. which would include 14-day deadline to
c. Provisions for “product liability” action for affect refund request. It would mandate e-
or on account of harm caused by or tailers to display details of sellers
supplying goods and services on their

websites and moot the procedure to Commerce entity and the seller relating to
resolve consumer complaints. The e- return, refund, exchange,
commerce companies would also be warranty/guarantee, delivery/shipment,
required to ensure that personally mode of payments, grievance redressal
identifiable information of customers are mechanism etc. to be displayed to enable
protected. Terms of contract between e- consumers to make informed decisions.

GIST OF KURUKSHETRA Magazine
The Gist of
Kurukshetra
Linkages between Agriculture and Agro Based

#1 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRO- Industries:
BASED INDUSTRY ● Around two-thirds of the population
Processing marketable raw materials operations depends on agriculture and agro-based
and to add usable are value applied products in industries. The story of Indian agriculture is
order on agricultural to that produce bring forth mixed in ‘green reaction (characterized by
profits and additional income to the producer. mediocre growth, the stagnation of yields
Factors enhances the importance of agro based and persistent instability of output)
industries: whereas agro-based industries can be
The following factors enhanced the importance of looked upon to provide a mass of
agro based industries in Indian context, viz., livelihoods.
● They are comparatively easy to establish ● Agro-forestry in Indian farming system is
and provide income in the rural areas with practiced as complementary and
less investment; supplementary enterprise to enhance the
● They facilitate an effective and efficient well being of farmers. Since it causes
utilization of raw materials; diversification and commercialization of
● They help in the transmission of industrial agriculture, it not only enhances the
culture in rural areas bringing outlook incomes of farmers but also creates food
change of farmers; surplus.
● The food processing and food preparation ● It is a well recognized fact across the
industry have tremendous export potential, world, particularly in the context of
and they set up on cooperative basis industrial development that the importance
ensuring participation of the people in the of agro industries is relative to agriculture
development process. increases as the economy develops. It
should be emphasized that food is not just

produce but also encompasses a wide ● Agribusiness denotes the collective

variety of processed products. It is in this business activities that are performed from
sense that the agro-industry is an field to plate.
important and vital part of the ● Agribusiness is one of the main generators
manufacturing sector in developing of employment and income worldwide.
countries and the means for building Agribusiness is characterized by raw
industrial capacities. materials that are mostly perishable,
variable in quality and not regularly
Potential of Agro Based Industries in India: available. The sector is subject to stringent
● The fluctuating and decelerating regulatory controls on consumer safety,
agricultural growth, if not arrested, will product quality and environmental
have serious consequences for the protection. Traditional production and
livelihoods of the population that depends distribution methods are being replaced by
on agriculture, particularly manufacturing more closely coordinated and better
sector that has strong backward and planned linkages between agribusiness
forward linkages with agriculture. firms, farmers, retailers and others in the
● The liberalized food manufacturing supply chains.
sectors, as well as other forms of
agribusinesses, could play an important Farmer Producer Organization:
role in stimulating agricultural growth. ● To overcome the problems of unorganized
● Amongst various agro-industries, food small farmers who lack access to
manufacturing is more material-intensive, resources and services, a group action of
and thus possesses a greater potential to farmers was needed. This came in the form
revitalize agricultural growth by of innovative institutions viz. contract
strengthening forward and backward farming, Farmer Producer Organizations
linkages with farmers, and speed up the (FPOs), Joint Liability Group, etc.
process of commercialization and ● The FPOs have emerged as an interface
diversification of agricultural production. between small farmers and the external
● Further, food processing industries, to world by providing forward and backward
reduce their own transaction costs, often linkages, giving them required voice,
tend to be located nearer to the source of market access, bargaining power,
raw material, and thus can create income economy of (42) scale and better prices.
opportunities for the rural people. Hence, Structure and organization of
accelerating agricultural growth through ● FPOs vary from country to country
diversification and development of agro- depending upon the legal and policy
processing is a major policy challenge. framework of the country.
Agribusiness in Agro-Based Industries: Way forward:

There is a need to have a well-planned strategy for limiting vaccination coverage include the rapid
an agro-business idea based manufacturing urbanization, presence of a large migrating and
operation. There is huge scope to set up a isolated populations that are difficult to reach, and
profitable venture for which there is a low demand from under informed and unaware
comparatively small startup capital to set up such populations.
businesses.
Salient features:
● Immunization activity will be in four rounds
#2 MISSION INDRADHANUSH 2.0: over 7 working days excluding the RI days,
REITERATING INDIA’S COMMITMENT TO Sundays and holidays.
● Enhanced immunization session with
VACCINES FOR ALL
flexible timing, mobile session and
Introduction: mobilization by other departments’
The government is poised to Lund, intensified Enhanced focus on left outs, dropouts, and
Mission Indradhanush (Ml) 2.0 between December resistant families and hard to reach areas.
2019-March 2020 to deliver programme that is ● Focus on urban, underserved population
informed by the lessons learned from the previous and tribal areas.
phases, and seek, to escalate efforts to achieve ● Inter-ministerial and inter – departmental
the goal of attaining a 90 per rent national coordination.
immunization coverage across India. The ● Enhance political, administrative and
programme will be delivered in 271 districts of 27 financial commitment through advocacy.
states and 652 blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar ● Intensified Mission Indradhanush
among hard-to-reach and tribal populations. immunization drive, consisting of 4 rounds
of immunization will be conducted in the
Key highlights: selected districts and urban cities between
The Government had launched 'Expanded December 2019-March 2020.
Program for Immunization' in 1978, which was ● After the completion of the proposed 4
later termed as the 'Universal Immunization rounds, the states will be expected to
Program (UIP) in 1985 aiming to reduce mortality undertake measures to sustain the gains
and morbidity among children from vaccine from IMI, through activities like inclusion of
preventable diseases. India's immunization IMI sessions in routine immunization
programme is the largest in the world, with annual plans. The sustainability of IMI will be
cohorts of around 26.5 million infants and 29 assessed through a survey.
million pregnant women. Despite steady progress,
routine vaccination coverage has been slow to Way forward:
increase. According to the National Family Health ● With the launch of Intensified Mission
Survey-42015-16 (NFHS-4), the full immunization Indradhanush 2.0, India has the
coverage is around 62 per cent. The factors opportunity to achieve further reductions in

deaths among children under five years of State Level Bamboo Development Agency
age, and achieve the Sustainable (SLBDA) along with setting up of bamboo
Development Goal of ending preventable economic zones as per industry
child deaths by 2030. requirement. Many areas in the lower parts
● By building on the successes of the past, of HP have immense potential for growing
learning from challenges, and bamboo which is in great demand by
consolidating efforts across stakeholder industries. As such, the setting up of a
groups, the country can fulfill its aim of board would help farmers to take to
attaining a disease-free India. Vaccines are bamboo cultivation, specifically in view of
a truly critical intervention in this journey, heavy demand from industries.
and are the key to safeguarding our 2. The Government of Telangana has decided
present, and building a healthier tomorrow in June, 2018 to launch a massive bamboo
for our future generations. plantations project on 506 hectares (1,250
acres) to provide a source of sustainable
#3 BAMBOO INDUSTRY: CRAFTING THE income to farmers.
LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL PEOPLE 3. Maharashtra State is quite keen on
promoting bamboo as a source of income
Introduction: for farmers. In August, 2018 it created the
● Bamboo is an integral part of our life and Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board
culture, as it is used in religious (MBDB) for this purpose. It ensures that
ceremonies, art and music. Thus it is o village communities have total control over
mystical plant that engulfs our daily lives. the sale of bamboo and not the Forest
For tribal and forest dwellers “bamboo for Department. It even set up a bamboo
living and living with bamboo” is still the research centre funded by the Tata Group.
norm. 4. Japanese Government may extend help to
● This offers an excellent starting point in Mizoram in the development of its bamboo
increasing employment, income industry and road construction projects.
generation and improving nutritional status Along with this, it may help in alleviating the
of rural poor. Since bamboo can provide impact of natural disasters in the area. The
the basis for expanding small and medium push will be towards setting up an industry
enterprise sector, it offers an effective for the value addition to the state's bamboo
mechanism for rural poverty alleviation resources. It lacks major industry that
and livelihood securities. could harness the potential of its
resources.
New Initiatives boosting bamboo cultivation: 5. TRIFED, an apex body under the Ministry of
1. In order to boost bamboo cultivation on a Tribal Affairs, Government of India would
commercial level, the Government of open establishments to train tribal people
Himachal Pradesh (HP) will constitute a in using bamboo optimally with zero waste

and make agarbatti, matchboxes and even ● India produces 3,000 tonnes of them. The
textiles. This would help in augmenting entire activity can be indigenised by local
tribals' income and opening of markets. cultivation of bamboo of a particular
variety required by the industry. It is
Way forward: observed that illegal bamboo export to
● To arrest the pace of land degradation in Bangladesh and Myanmar accounts for 13
the country, a national programme of percent of usage. As mentioned before
intensive bamboo plantation involving all that the country imports sizeable bamboo
stakeholders need to be undertaken stocks due to shortage, there is an urgent
beyond 2019-20. need to stop this illegal trading of bamboo.
● Following the footsteps of China, Indian
Government needs to support rural #4 JUTE INDUSTRY: SCENARIO AND
farmers to establish bamboo plantations in OPPORTUNITIES
barren lands and slopes. The national
housing scheme (PMAY) should utilize Introduction:
bamboo as a construction material. ● Jute industry is one of the oldest textile
Developing bamboo as a load bearing industries involving directly or indirectly a
structural element would pave the way for large number of people.
its high value application in construction ● Today, sustainability of this industry is
which can make bamboo cultivation an being questioned in different forums.
economically viable way of greening the Possible facts which are responsible to
vast wastelands (Smita Chugh, Bamboo-A sustain this industry have been discussed
Green Option for Housing). elaborately. It also covers different
● Edible bamboo has huge demand in East segments of this industry wherein, their
Asian cuisine and medicine. Bamboo present scenario and future requirements
grown in the North East (which is 66 for sustainability and opportunities are
percent of growing bamboo stock in India) explained.
can be exported to East Asian countries ● A study has been made to cover product
like Japan and Taiwan for competitive manufacturing, machine manufacturing
prices with the Government's support. and marketing industries associated with
There is a big market in the agarbatti this industry. Diversification of process
industry. India imports 35,000 tonnes of and product are the important aspects for
round sticks from Vietnam and China. self-sustenance of this industry.
Earlier, square ones were hand made from
bamboo, in the North East. But when the 1. Introduction: History and Present Scenario of
technology changed and machines took Jute Industry-An overview
over, round sticks were preferred. ● Among several natural fibres, Jute is next
to cotton as per availability is concerned. It

is second to flax origins in Mediterranean spinning, weaving, bleaching, dyeing,

region and later it came to India. Based on finishing and marketing of both, the raw
the records, jute was known as 'patta' in jute and its finished products. As such its
800 BC. It has been popular for more than labour-output ratio is also high in spite of
a century for its industrial applications various difficulties being faced by the
mainly as packaging material in different industry. Capacity utilization of the industry
sectors, agricultural and geo-textile is around 75 per cent. Jute industry
application and carpet backing. contributes to the export earnings in the
● Since 17th to 20th century, the jute industry range of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1, 200 crore
in India was delegated by the British East annually.
India Company, which was the first jute
trader. Palit and Kajaria, 2007 documented 2. Problems Associated in Jute Industries:
several historical events which were ● In India, jute industry suffered a serious
evidence for the growth of the jute industry. setback in 1947 due to the partition of the
● In 1854, the first jute mill/factory in India subcontinent. After partition about 80
was established at Rishira, which is about percent of the jute growing areas went to
20 km north of Calcutta. The jute industry East Pakistan (Bangladesh), while nearly
made tremendous progress in the later part 90 per cent jute mills remained in India. In
of the 19th century. Later during the 19th 1959, the international demand of jute
century, the manufacturing of jute has products decreased substantially as a
started in other countries like in France, result of which 112 jute factories were
America, Italy, Austria, Russia, Belgium and closed down. At present there are only 60
Germany. Most of the Jute tycoons had jute producing mills in India. Most of these
started to quit India, leaving the set up of mills are along the Hooghly River,
jute mills during Independence after which especially to the north of Kolkata.
the Indian businessmen owned most of the ● Since the establishment of this industry,
jute mills. most of the jute industries till today are
● In recent days, jute textile industry is one of being producing the age old products like
the major industries catering the eastern jute sacking and hessian as packaging
part of India, particularly in West Bengal. material and some extent carpet backing.
This industry supports around 40 lakh farm These products in total account around 95
families and provides direct employment per cent of the total production of the
to 2.6 lakh industrial workers and 1.4 lakh industry. Only countable industries are
in the tertiary sector. involved in diversified product
● The production process in the Jute development process for commercial
Industry passes through a variety of purposes. These products are mostly
actions, which begins with the cultivation laminated jute fabric, geo-textile, industrial
of raw jute, processing of jute fibres, textiles, etc.

● This specific industry is also using the age- capacity is 12.47 lakh tons. The industry
old machinery to produce jute yarns and earns a business of around Rs. 10,000
fabrics (except 2-3 countable industry). crore by selling its entire produce to FCI
Due to the use of very old primitive (Food Corporation of India), sugar mills, co-
machinery, the efficiency of the machines operatives and in the Indian market apart
is not up to the mark (in an average within from the export. FCI makes a bulk
80 per cent). Due to frequent breakdowns, purchase of almost 35-40 per cent of jute
defective and inferior quality products are mills produce. In 2012-13 FCI is expected
being made. No modernization has been to purchase 6.34 lakh tons and 4.33 lakh
made in machinery development and jute/ gunny bags.
automation. This in total requires more ● Apart from the above problems, in India,
manpower with the cost of production is jute industry suffers a lot from different
increasing day-by-day which proves to be a political interference, labour problem,
challenge for the industry. shortage of jute fibre supply due to low
● Apart from these, there is stiff competition rainfall among other issues leading to
with synthetic industry for similar challenge the sustainability of the jute
packaging material, as the synthetic industry.
material is much cheaper in nature.
● According to the Jute Packaging Norms 3. Sustainability and Opportunities in Jute
and Legal Protection to Jute Cultivators the Industry:
Parliament of India had enacted the JPM ● Today with the advent of science, a lot of
(Jute Packaging Mandatory) Act, 1987 with diversified products has been developed
an objective to protect the Jute industry. As from jute and jute-based material, which
per this act, the food grain and sugar has more cost-benefit ratio. The Indian
produced is reserved and mandatorily Jute industry has been expanding really
packed in jute bags manufactured every fast spanning from a wide range of lifestyle
year. consumer products, courtesy to the
● The Government of India, recently found versatility of Jute.
that the jute industry could not match ● Innovative ways of bleaching, dyeing and
demands in 2011- 12 for supply of 13 lakh finished goods processes – the jute
bales or 4.33 lakh tons of gunny bags for industry now provides finished jute
Rabi crop supply of 2012 - 13. Government products that are softer and have luster
said that with 10 mills remaining closed the with aesthetic appeal. Today Jute has been
jute industry is short in capacity by 1.5 lakh defined as eco-friendly natural fiber with
ton. Presently, it can produce 11lakh tons utmost versatility ranging from low value
of jute sacks / gunny bags. Its installed geo-textiles to high value carpets,
capacity however is 15.02 lakh tons and decorative, apparels, composites,
assuming 83 per cent utilization its stated upholstery furnishings, etc.

● One can look into the important properties #5 TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY:
of jute fibre since it has huge diversifying CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
potentiality. Advantages of jute include
Introduction:
good insulating and antistatic properties,
● The T&C Industry has the potential to grow
as well as having low thermal conductivity
significantly and to contribute to the
and a moderate moisture regain.
Government's ambitious target of
● It include acoustic insulating properties
achieving USD 5 trillion economy by 2024-
and manufacture with no skin irritations.
25. Though the domestic demand is further
Jute has the ability to be blended with other
likely to accelerate, the stagnancy in
fibres, both synthetic and natural, and
exports is a concern.
accepts cellulosic dye classes such as
● The performance on the export front,
natural, basic, vat, sulfur, reactive, and
having about a quarter share in present
pigment dyes. While relatively cheap
overall demand, will significantly influence
synthetic materials in many uses are
the development path of the industry. The
replacing jute, but jute's biodegradable
present article explores the growth
nature is suitable for the storage of food
potential, challenges and opportunities in
materials, where synthetics would be
T&C Sector at present stage of macro-
unsuitable.
economic and dynamic international trade
environment.
Conclusions and Impending:
● Application of jute area must be increased.
Initiatives to Realize Growth Potential:
India needs to work on quality by adopting
● The majority of the T&C units are Small and
new technologies. Jute Research
Medium Enterprises. Ministry of Textiles
organizations such as ICAR-NINFET,
presently provides support to T&C sector
Kolkata, IJIRA, Kolkata, Department of Jute
under different schemes: for technology
and Fibre Technology, Kolkata, Directorate
up-gradation, infrastructure, R&D,
of Jute Development, National Jute Board,
Technical Textiles and Capacity Building.
etc.must work together to utilize resources
Briefly the areas of concerns are as
for the betterment of the industry.
follows:
● Government must make efforts in R&D to
● Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme
strengthen the jute industry and implement
(TUF): A credit linked subsidy scheme was
newer technologies, diversified products
introduced in 1999 to catalyze capital
and improved machinery through intensive
investments for technology up-gradation
modernization. These will fetch more profit
and modernization of the textile industry.
and has less market competition (synthetic
The present scheme is known as Amended
counterpart) due to its eco-friendly
TUFS (ATUFS) which was launched in
property which has good prospects in the
January, 2016. More than USD 50 bn worth
coming days.

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projects have been sanctioned in the last ● The high growth potential of Technical
18-20 years under this scheme, which has Textiles remains to be tapped.
also brought some desirable results in ● Low FDI in T&C Sector.
some segments chiefly spinning, weaving ● Lack of commensurate growth in textile
and fabric processing. Still, the machinery sector in India.
modernization of weaving and processing
segments continues to be an area of Changing Global Retailers Sourcing Pattern:
concern. ● Cotton Continues To Be Fiber of Privilege
● Fabric Sector: The high productivity shuttle Especially in Wearable Segments: Despite
less loom population in China was about of the fact that cotton share in world fiber
8.35 lacs against India's 72,000 only in consumption is reducing with varied use of
2017, which greatly explained the weak manmade fibers, the importing trends of
global competitiveness in terms of quality, textile and clothing products in the USA
scale and price of fabric segment of India's clearly shows that cotton textiles account
textile value chain. for about 40 percent-45 percent of imports,
● Infrastructure and Logistics: The Scheme even in blended textile/clothing products
for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) was for wearable segment, cotton has
launched in 2005 to neutralize the significant presence. The experience of
weakness of fragmentation in the various other developed countries and newly
sub-sectors of textile value chain, and the industrialized countries is also not likely to
non-availability of quality infrastructure. be very different from the USA and as such
This again continues to be an area of cotton will continue to be a product of
concern. choice in wearable category and its
● Cotton Sector: The Technology Mission on demand would not recede in coming years.
Cotton (TMC) by 2012 achieved reduction This calls for focused efforts to increase
in trash content in Indian cotton from high the cotton productivity, cotton quality and
levels of 4-8 per cent during the pre-TMC even branding of Indian cotton to fetch
period to 1.5-3 per cent post modernization premium. In turn, such a move would
under Mini Mission-IV of TMC. Cotton fiber increase the cotton farmers' income
production, productivity and quality need manifold.
focused attention. ● High Energy Cost Burdened with Cross
● Environmental Concerns: The major Subsidy: The electricity prices for industry,
challenges faced by the textiles processing with cross subsidy burden of about 15 per
are availability of water, effluent treatment cent to 20 per cent and other factors,
and disposal of the treated water and solid compare unfavorably in India. The
effluents. These concerns need to be electricity prices in India for industry are
factored and addressed for sustainable about 20 per cent higher in comparison to
growth. China (IEA, 2017). Given the fact that power

cost accounts for somewhere about 13-15 ● The range of challenges for achieving cost
percent of the sale value of textile competitiveness by the Man Made Fiber
products, incidence of cross subsidy works (MMF) downstream industry is also varied.
out to be about 2.5 percent-3 percent of Growth of MMF in India is a must to
export value of textile products. All such increase global share in T&C exports. The
costs need to be identified and neutralized way the MMF industry develops in the near
through WTO compatible mechanism. term will be strongly influencing the overall
● On the export front, the relatively higher T&C industry and exports. This requires
tariff rates faced by Indian exporters in initiatives by industry, investments and
most major markets vis a vis exports from required policy measures to facilitate its
competing exports from Bangladesh, integration with textile value chain.
Vietnam and similarly positioned countries
calls for further cost competitiveness, if Way forward:
the same is not addressed by trade policy ● The next 15 years can prove to be
measures. The challenge in this direction is transformative for Indian textile industry.
to further simplify the ease of doing An invigorated textile and clothing industry
business and to remove disadvantage on is best suited and can give Indian economy
account of input factors including logistics. necessary impetus to shift to more value
● Further, the World Trade Organization added industrial activities and achieve
(WTO) ruling against India in a crucial trade higher per capita income level.
dispute with the US, ordering all export ● India needs to work with an approach of
promotion schemes to be stopped within holistic development of the complete
the next four months has thrown a textile value chain acknowledging its
challenge to expeditiously come out with integration with global value chain at each
WTO consistent measures at the earliest. stage. It is established that global cost
● The export performance of textile and competitiveness is the key to attract textile
clothing products in major importing and clothing manufacturing in India. Some
market especially with which India has of the prominent reasons of high cost
preferential trade arrangement reveals structure, which inhibited growth in the
discouraging performance. A partial past and still persist that need to be
explanation of such a scenario may lie with addressed on priority.
absence of competitive manufacturing ● Therefore, focus on global cost
capacities capable of delivering world competitiveness of each segment to
class quality at desired scale and speed. benefit from textile and clothing
Other contributing factors are tariff or non- manufacturing relocation wave taking
tariff barriers placed by importing place in Asia due to economic
countries. fundamentals and regional integration, is a
must.

● Achieving 10-15 per cent share in world

textile and clothing trade and thereby
channelizing trickle down impact towards
rural sector through cotton connection and
shifting of disguised unemployed
workforce in agriculture and allied sectors
towards more productive usages in
industrial activities, should be the utmost
priority.
GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper)
The Gist of
The Hindu
breach of privacy on the messaging

Centre reiterates commitment to protection platform WhatsApp.
of fundamental rights of citizens ● He said the government has asked
● The Centre has said that it is committed to WhatsApp to explain the kind of breach and
protect the fundamental rights of citizens what it is doing to safeguard the privacy of
including right to privacy. It said, stern millions of Indians. The IT Ministry
action will be taken against any yesterday wrote to WhatsApp seeking a
intermediary responsible for breach of detailed response by November 4.
privacy. ● The move comes after WhatsApp said that
● In a tweet, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Indian journalists and Human Rights
said, the government is concerned at the Activists were among those globally spied
upon by named entities using an Israeli
spyware Pegasus.

● WhatsApp has said that it is suing NSO ● Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, however,
Group, an Israeli surveillance firm that is tweeted: “It is a historic moment and an
reportedly behind the technology that occasion of great joy for all Nagas and the
helped unnamed entities' spies hack into nation as a whole.” In another tweet he
phones of roughly 1,400 users including said: “Congratulations to Shri RN Ravi,
diplomats, politicians, journalists and NSCN-IM and NNPGs for the efforts and
government officials. sacrifices.”
Naga peace talks reach deadline,more RBI asks banks to probe data card leakage
consultations on board and ensure security
● Talks between Centre’s interlocutor RN
Ravi and National Socialist Council of ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked
Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) concluded on banks to secure their customer card data
Thursday amid indications that the two after a website reported that nearly 1.3
sides have broadly resolved all issues, million debit and credit card data of Indian
including demand for a separate flag and banks are on sale on the dark web
constitution. potentially causing losses of millions of
● A formal announcement is awaited as the dollars.
Centre is keen on taking governments of ● On Tuesday, technology news website
Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on ZDNet reported that more than 1.3 million
board. The three states have expressed payment card details have been put up for
apprehension over the talks and sought to sale on Joker's Stash, in what it described
protect their territorial integrity. was the internet's largest carding shop.
● Working Committee of Naga National The data included uploads contains data
Political Groups said “GoI endorsed the primarily from Indian cardholders, the
usage of Naga emblem and flag, website said citing security researchers at
specifically for cultural identity within Naga Group-IB.
homeland” ● RBI said that banks must take proactive
● The Centre had earlier ruled out separate measures to identify and guard against
flag and constitution for Nagas. Talks such misuse of customer credentials. The
between the Centre and NSCN-IM were central bank also has to be informed of the
caught in a stalemate over the two issues. steps that banks have taken.
● The Centre had set October 31 as the ● The leaked data includes Track 2 data,
deadline to wrap up talks which started in usually found on a payment card's
1997 after a formal ceasefire agreement magnetic stripe that could have been
between the Centre and NSCN-IM was obtained via skimming devices, installed
signed. either on ATMs or PoS systems. The cards

are from multiple banks though it could not Chinese imports which are feared could
be ascertained which banks have been hit. flood the Indian market, once RCEP is
● “99% of the cards are now based on chip concluded.
and pin based systems which are difficult ● Differences over some areas, like rules of
to clone. There may still be some magnetic origin, e-commerce, auto trigger
strip based cards in use but that number is mechanism and trade remedies, are being
very small. I don’t think this should be such discussed by Indian officials ahead of the
a big issue,” said another banker involved summit meeting.
in cyber security.
Two more countries join ISA framework
India assures signing of fair and transparent agreement
RCEP ● Two new countries Eritrea and Saint Kittis
and Nevis have signed the International
● As Prime Minister NarendraModi is set to Solar Alliance's (ISA) Framework
visit Bangkok for the ASEAN summit from Agreement at its second Assembly held in
November 2-4, Indian negotiators are New Delhi. With this 83 countries have so
discussing critical aspects of the RCEP far signed the ISA framework agreement.
mega trade deal to ensure it is "fair and ● Speaking at the Assembly of ISA, Minister
transparent", before committing to sign it. of Power, New and Renewable Energy R K
● Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East), Singh who is also the President of ISA,
Ministry of External Affairs, said: "India will emphasized the increasing importance of
wait for the outcome of the negotiations on solar energy.
the Regional Comprehensive Economic ● He said, this is very important in view of the
Partnership. Some critical issues are climate change issues faced globally. He
outstanding." also elaborated the number of steps that
● "We will only participate in a fair and India has taken to support the International
transparent trading environment," she said Solar Alliance which India along France
at a media briefing here. launched.
● Indian officials have concluded ● At the United Nations Climate Action
negotiations on most of the 25 chapters, Summit 2019, Prime Minister
and the rest would be concluded before NarendraModi pledged to increase
November 4, when Prime Minister Modi will renewable energy capacity to 175
join leaders of the 10-member Association GigaWatt by 2022 and committed for
of Southeast Asian Nations bloc and five further increasing it to 450 GigaWatt.
other countries for the summit.
● Indian officials are "narrowing the gaps" ICJ says Pak violated Vienna convention in
during their negotiations, including putting Jadhav case
in adequate protection against cheap

● International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirming its commitment to

President Judge Abduylqawi Yusuf told the implementing the July 17 judgment in full.
United Nations General Assembly that
Pakistan violated its obligations under the Researchers develop new method to remove
Vienna Convention in the case of Indian CO2 from air
national KulbhushanJadhav.
● Presenting the report of the International ● Researchers from Massachusetts Institute
Court of Justice to the 193-member of Technology (MIT), United States (US)
General Assembly yesterday, he said, in its have developed a new technology to
judgement of July 17, the principal judicial capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from a
organ of the United Nations found that stream of air, virtually at any concentration
Pakistan had violated its obligations under level.
Article 36 of the Vienna Convention and ● This is a new advance that may pave the
that appropriate remedies were due in this way for new strategies to reduce
case. atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) levels.
● In a major victory for India, the ICJ had The study by researchers was published in
ruled that Pakistan must review the death the journal Energy and Environmental
sentence awarded to Jadhav, a retired Science.
Indian Navy officer who was sentenced to ● While in most of the prevalent methods,
death by the Pakistani military court on removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a
charges of espionage and terrorism after a stream of gas required higher
closed trial in April 2017. concentrations like those found in flue
● India had argued that consular access was emissions from fossil fuel-based power
being denied to its national in violation of plants, but the new method could take out
the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular gas even when it was present in very low
Relations. concentrations.
● The Court was also called upon to interpret ● Researchers described the device as a
the meaning of the expression without large, specialized battery with a stack of
delay in the notification requirements of electrodes that absorbs CO2 from air
Article 36 of the Vienna Convention. The passing over its surface as it was being
Court considered the reparation and charged up, and then released gas as it
remedies to be granted, after it had found was being discharged. A chemical reaction
that the rights to consular access had been then takes place at the surface of each of
violated. a stack of electrodes as battery charges.
● Judge Yusuf said that following its ruling, ● The biggest advantage of this technology
the Court received a communication dated over most other carbon absorbing/carbon
1st of August this year from Pakistan capture technologies is- ‘binary nature of
the adsorbent’s affinity to carbon dioxide’.

Moreover, the new system is energy especially for design certification of

efficient compared to existing methods- various systems.
consistently using about one gigajoule ● They also reaffirmed the importance of
(GJ) of energy per ton of CO2 captured. building Digital Partnership to intensify
regular interaction and coordination
Shiva Thapa wins gold in Olympic test boxing towards collaboration on the next-
event generation technologies.
● Indian pugilists Shiva Thapa and Pooja ● Both sides said that strong and effective
Rani today clinched gold medals, while multilateral cooperation is key to secure
Ashish settled for a silver, as India ended peace, stability and prosperity. They said,
with a decent haul of seven medals at the major challenges of our time, by their
Olympic Test Event for Boxing in Tokyo, nature and global scope, cannot be
Japan. addressed by countries separately but
● The other four medals, all bronze were must be tackled jointly.
bagged by NikhatZareen, SimranjeetKaur, ● The two leaders underlined the need for all
SumitSangwan and Vahlimpuia in their countries to ensure that their territory is not
respective weight categories. used to launch terrorist attacks on other
● Four-time Asian medalist Thapa countries in any manner.
outpunched Kazakhstan's national ● The two leaders stressed the importance
champion and Asian bronze-winner of the combined effort of all countries to
SanataliToltayev 5-0 to claim the top fight global terrorism and to send out a
honours in the 63 kilogram category. consistent message that terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations is not
India – Germany agrees to expand defence acceptable.
cooperation
Indo-U.S financial and economic partnership
● India and Germany have acknowledged the meeting held
need to further deepen bilateral defence ● The 7th India - US Economic and Financial
cooperation as strategic partners to jointly partnership meeting was held in New Delhi
address global and regional security on Friday. It was co-chaired by Finance
challenges. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US
● The Joint statement issued after the Secretary of Treasury Steven T Mnuchin.
meeting between Prime Minister Narendra ● Briefing reporters Ms Sitharaman said,
Modi and German Chancellor Angela during meeting both sides took stock of the
Markel in New Delhi said that both sides efforts undertaken to further improve
agreed to develop stronger cooperation in mutual cooperation on a wide range of
Defence Industry testing and certification, multilateral subjects including anti-money

laundering and combating financing of ● Indian Hockey women's team beat the
terrorism. United States of America 5-1 in Olympic
● She said both sides not only discussed qualifiers at the Kalinga Stadium in
policies to stimulate growth but also Bhubaneswar on Friday. At half time, India
deliberated on the significant steps taken was leading by 1-0.
by both the countries to strengthen the ● A short-while from now, the Indian men's
financial sector. team will face Russia.Both the Indian
● She said, they also discussed capital flows teams will play matches against Russia
investment in infrastructure and deepening and USA tomorrow also. The aggregate
of financial relations. winners at the end of the two-match
qualifier (each for men and women) will
Chandrayaan-2 detects Argon-40 in lunar seal their places in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
exosphere
Govt. releases maps of Jammu and Ladakh
● The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has detected
UT’s
Argon-40 on the lunar exosphere from an
altitude of approximately 100 kilometres, ● Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of
informed Indian Space Research the newly created Union Territory of
Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir, while Gilgit-Baltistan
● "The CHACE-2 payload aboard the is in the UT of Ladakh in the fresh maps
Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has detected Argon- released by the government on Saturday
40 from an altitude of approximately 100 following the bifurcation.
kilometres," tweeted ISRO. ● In a notification, the Ministry of Home
● Earlier this month, the ISRO had released Affairs also released the new map of India
images of the moon's surface clicked by depicting the two UTs with PoK 'capital'
Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC) Muzaffarabad within the geographical
onboard Chandrayaan-2. boundary of the country.
● The space agency had lost communication ● As per the new map, PoK remains with
from its Lander Vikram which was Jammu and Kashmir UT and Gilgit-
supposed to soft-land on the far side of the Baltistan with the UT of Ladakh, according
moon on September 7. to the maps.
● The Lander successfully separated from ● In 1947, the erstwhile state of Jammu and
Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter on September 2. Kashmir had the following 14 districts -
After revolving the Earth's orbit for nearly Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi,
23 days, the craft began its journey to the Anantnag, Baramulla, Poonch, Mirpur,
moon on August 14. Muzaffarabad, Leh and Ladakh, Gilgit,
Gilgit Wazarat, Chilhas and Tribal Territory,
India beats U.S in Olympic hockey qualifiers a home ministry statement said.

● By 2019, the government of erstwhile state

of Jammu and Kashmir had reorganised OECD projects India’s growth rate at 6.6% in
the areas of these 14 districts into 28 2020-2024
districts. The names of the new districts ● India’s gross domestic product (GDP)
were - Kupwara, Bandipur, Ganderbal, could grow 6.6% in 2020-24, lower than its
Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, 2013-17 average of 7.4%, the Organisation
Kulgam, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, for Economic Co-operation and
Samba and Kargil. Development (OECD) said on Saturday.
● While reliance on consumption will
Centre to set up anti-human trafficking units continue, the large informal labour share
under Nirbhaya Fund indicates that there is room to strengthen
the consumption base.
● The government will set up anti-human ● “Sustaining efforts to prop up the health of
trafficking units in all districts with the help the banking sector is a vital challenge,
of the Nirbhaya Fund. while bridging the disparity in urban and
● In a tweet, Women and Child Development rural infrastructure is important for
Minister Smriti Irani said that women help spreading investment and economic
desks will also be set up in all police opportunities while addressing
stations across the country using this fund. urbanisation,” it said.
She said, this initiative will strengthen ● The organisation has predicted a regional
women safety and instil a greater sense of GDP growth of 5.7% over 2020-24, down
security among them. from 6.7% in 2013-17.
● Mrs Irani expressed her gratitude to Home ● As per the report, China would need to
Minister Amit Shah for speedy intervention bridge the gap between demand and
and ensuring efficacy in fructifying these supply of digital talent, while improving
initiatives. She said, the step will go a long digital literacy and increasing access to
way in addressing women and children digital devices are critical in India.
safe in the country. ● Trade tensions between the United States
● The empowered committee (EC) under the and China are continuing, and the
Nirbhaya framework has recommended broadening economic weakness in
setting up anti-human trafficking units and advanced economies adds substantial
women help desks at a cost of 100 crore uncertainty to export prospects.
rupees each to be fully funded by the ● Stability in the labour market, and in certain
centre. cases inflows of income from overseas
● Nirbhaya Fund was announced by the workers, will sustain domestic
Centre in 2013 to support the initiatives of consumption. Realisation of infrastructure
the government and the NGOs working projects that are already in the pipeline
towards the safety of women.

should provide more lift to domestic UN chief warns Asian countries on its coal
demand. addiction
● The Chief of the United Nations has warned
India to strengthen connectivity with ASEAN
Asia to quit its addiction to coal in a bid to
nations tackle climate change.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said ● UN Secretary-General António Guterres
that ASEAN related Summits are key said countries in the region were among
elements of India’s foreign policy, most the most vulnerable to global warming and
notably the Act East Policy. should be on the front line of efforts to stop
● In his departure statement before leaving it. He cited a new study that found that
for Bangkok, Mr Modi said, India is eager to Asian countries were at particular risk of
improve connectivity with ASEAN nations. climate-driven flooding.
He said, there will be meetings with various ● Coal is a major source of power in many
world leaders to discuss important Asian countries. Speaking to reporters in
bilateral and global issues. the Thai capital Bangkok today, Mr.
● The Prime Minister said, the East Asia Guterres described climate change as the
Summit gives an opportunity to present defining issue of our time.
India's vision for the Indo-Pacific region. He ● The UN Chief referenced a study published
said, at the Regional Comprehensive on Tuesday, which found that climate
Economic Partnership Summit, the leaders change would put millions more people at
will take stock of the progress in RCEP risk from coastal flooding by 2050 than
negotiations. previously thought. The majority of those
● Mr Modi said, during the summit, the implicated were in developing countries
leaders will consider all issues including across Asia, the study said.
whether India’s concerns and interests in
trade in goods, services, and investments Home ministry to inaugurate SCO joint exercise
are being fully accommodated. on search and rescue
● Mr Modi said, connecting with the Indian ● Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate
diaspora is something he always looks the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
forward to. He said, today at 6 P.M. in Joint Exercise on Urban Earthquake Search
Bangkok, he will interact with the Indian and Rescue -SCOtEx-2019 in New Delhi on
community-based in Thailand. He said, Monday.
People of Indian Origin and Non-Resident ● The National Disaster Response Force
Indians in Thailand have made significant (NDRF) is hosting the event which will
contributions to Thailand. continue till November 7. The aim of the
exercise is to rehearse the disaster
response mechanism, share knowledge,

experience and technology for mutual ● The finding may have applications in faster
coordination. air and space travel, and improved power
● This stimulation exercise will also provide generation, including reactions that
an opportunity to enhance the coordination generate zero emissions as all of the
and co-operation involving multi-agency products used in the combustion are
operations in an earthquake scenario. converted into energy, the researchers
● The main focus of Joint Exercise on Urban said.
will be to test the region’s preparedness
and resilience towards effective activation South Africa wins Rugby World cup
of Intergovernmental interaction for ● South Africa galloped by England to win the
immediate response. Rugby World Cup in Japan.
● All the eight-member countries of SCO ● The Springboks claimed the Cup for the
namely China, India, Kazakhstan, first time since 2007. It was a rematch of
Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan the final game of 2007. Both teams scored
and Uzbekistan will participate in this only penalty kicks in the first half. South
exercise. Africa led 12-6 at half time.
● In the second half, the Springboks'
Scientists decode Big Bang explosion Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe each
phenomenon pushed the ball across the line for the only
two tries of the game. The final score was
● The universe began with the Big Bang, and 32-12.
now scientists have explained how the ● The Springboks became the second team
mysterious explosion may have taken after New Zealand to win three World Cup
place around 13.8 billion years ago. titles.
● The Big Bang theory states that all matter
that exists today in the universe sprung
Russia agrees to provide life support system
forth from a single point in an epic
explosion.
to Gaganyaan astronauts
● The research, published in the journal ● Russia will not only train Indian astronauts
Science, details the mechanisms that for the country’s maiden human
could cause an explosion, which is key for spaceflight programme or Gaganyaan
the models that scientists use to mission but will also help provide life
understand the origin of the universe. support systems to the Indian space crew
● The team uncovered the criteria for and heating mechanism for the spacecraft.
creating a Big Bang-type explosion while ● A life support system is a group of devices
exploring methods for hypersonic jet that allow a human to survive in space. The
propulsion. system supplies air, water and food,

maintains optimum body temperature and ● He said the agreement also did not
deals with human waste products. satisfactorily address India's outstanding
● The thermal control system keeps all the issues and concerns, hence it was not
spacecraft’s component systems within possible for New Delhi to sign it. The Prime
acceptable temperature ranges during all Minister said India stands for greater
phases of the mission. regional integration as well as for more free
● If a component is subjected to extreme trade and adherence to a rule-based
temperatures, it could get damaged or its international order.
performance could be severely affected. ● Later, speaking at a press conference in
● Glavkosmos and Isro had earlier signed a Bangkok, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of
contract on June 27 in providing support in External Affairs, Vijay Thakur Singh said
the selection of astronauts, their medical India's core issues would not be
examination as well as training them for compromised and the latest decision has
space flight. Under the agreement, been taken in the interest of the nation.
Glavkosmos would select and train four ● Ms. Thakur said the RCEP agreement with
Indian astronauts out of the 12 India would China and ASEAN countries does not
send. reflect its original intent, and the outcome
● The two countries had then also discussed is not balanced.
Indian-crewed flight carrier rocket ● Leaders have hailed the Central
aerodynamic tests, piloted vehicle and government's decision of not joining the
crew rescue system. It was then reported RCEP. In a tweet, Home Minister AmitSha
that the two sides may also negotiate the said India's decision not to sign RCEP
contracts for the supply of crew seats, agreement reflects Prime Minister
windows and spacesuits. NarendraModi's strong leadership and
unflinching resolve to protect the national
India decides to opt out from RCEP agreement interest in all circumstances.
● India has decided not to join the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Principal secretary to review measures taken to
(RCEP) deal as negotiations failed to curb air pollution
address New Delhi's outstanding issues ● The Principal Secretary to Prime Minister
and concerns. Dr. P K Mishra today reviewed the
● Prime Minister NarendraModi made the measures taken by the States of Punjab,
announcement during his speech at the Haryana and Delhi to tackle air pollution.
RCEP Summit in Bangkok yesterday, which ● Dr. Mishra sought to know the details of
was attended by several world leaders. Mr additional measures taken to check fresh
Modi said, the present form of the cases of fire and stubble burning in these
agreement does not fully reflect the basic States during the last 24 hours.
spirit and the agreed guiding principles.

● The Chief Secretary, Punjab stated that he classification exceeds the prescribed
is personally monitoring the situation with threshold for public disclosure.
Deputy Commissioners of various districts ● Foreign banks operating under the branch
where hotspots have been identified. mode will have to continue to submit a
● He added that FIRs are also being declaration to RBI annually from their head
registered for violation and taking strict offices confirming that the compensation
action by enforcing the necessary fines for structure of those working in the country
incidents of the violation. are in conformity with principles and
● The Chief Secretary, Haryana informed the standards set by the Financial Stability
Chief Minister has directed all concerned Board.
to reduce the cases of stubble burning in
the State at the earliest. South Asia to become centre of global
growth,claims IMF
RBI issues compensation guidelines for foreign,
private banks ● A latest research by the International
● The Reserve Bank of India has issued Monetary Fund has said that South Asia,
compensation guidelines for whole-time led by India, is moving towards becoming
directors and chief executives of foreign, the centre of global growth and could
private, small finance, payments banks and contribute about one-third of the world's
local area banks, mandating the cash growth by 2040.
component of variable pay at 67 per cent. ● Notably, under the IMF's geographical
● The RBI said if the variable pay is up to 200 divisions of the world, South Asia does not
per cent of the fixed pay, at least 50 percent include Afghanistan and Pakistan. For IMF,
of it should be in non-cash. If the variable South Asia includes India, Bangladesh,
pay is above 200 per cent, 67 percent of it Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives.
should be paid via non-cash instruments. ● The IMF paper titled 'Is South Asia Ready
● In a notification, the RBI said that banks for take Off? A sustainable and inclusive
should continue to formulate and adopt a growth agenda,' will be released in New
comprehensive compensation policy Delhi tomorrow.
covering all their employees and conduct ● The report said that under a substantial
annual reviews. It added that the new liberalisation scenario, supported by
guidelines will be effective from April next stepped-up efforts to improve
year. infrastructure and successfully harness
● The RBI also said that it wants banks to South Asia's young and large workforce,
claw-back the non-variable pay the region could contribute about one-third
components if there is a divergence in of global growth by 2040.
provisioning for NPAs or asset ● Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf, Deputy Director,
Asia and Pacific Department, IMF, noted

that based on demographic trends, more U.S formally notifies withdrawal from Paris
than 150 million people in the region are climate deal
expected to enter the labour market by
● The US has formally notified the United
2030.
Nations that it was withdrawing from the
PM outlines global challenges at East Asia
Paris climate accord. Secretary of State
Summit
Mike Pompeo announced the withdrawal,
● Prime Minister NarendraModi is now
saying the agreement had imposed what
attending the Regional Comprehensive
he called an unfair economic burden on the
Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit in
US.
Bangkok.
● The notification begins a one-year process
● Earlier, Mr Modi speaking at the 14th East
of exiting the global climate change
Asia Summit, outlined global challenges
accord, culminating the day after the 2020
facing the world today. He also highlighted
US election.
the need for working together to find out
● The agreement brought together 188
common solutions.
nations to combat climate change. It
● East Asia Summit is a leaders-led platform,
committed them to keeping rising global
where discussions are held on various
temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius
developments in the region. The agenda
above pre-industrial levels and attempting
for this edition of the summit was to review
to limit them even more, to a 1.5 Celsius
the future direction of East Asia Summit
rise. The US contributes about 15 percent
co-operation and exchange views on
of global emissions of carbon.
regional and international issues.
● Last year, announcing his decision to
● Mr Modi also met the Prime Minister of
withdraw from the Paris accord, President
Vietnam on the sidelines of the summit.
Trump said he would exit or renegotiate
Minister Narendra also met his Japanese
any deal which fails to serve America's
counterpart Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of
interests.
the ASEAN summit.
● Both the leaders reviewed the evolving
Red Atlas action plan map unveiled for flood
security scenario in the Indo-Pacific and
mitigation
agreed to further bolster bilateral
● Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu unveiled
cooperation in third countries for peace,
the ‘Red Atlas Action Plan Map’ atlas and
prosperity and development in the region.
the ‘Coastal Flood Warning System App
● In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry
(CFLOWS-Chennai)’ for flood mitigation in
Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Prime minister said that he eagerly looked
● Both the atlas and the CFLOWS-Chennai
forward to welcoming the Japanese prime
are intended as decision support systems
minister in India next month for the annual
covering aspects, including preparedness
India-Japan summit.

and prevention. Such initiatives to 3, 6-4 victory over Canadian Denis

effectively tackle urban flooding are likely Shapovalov.
to be replicated in other Indian cities ● Nadal, whose last stint at the top ended a
including Mumbai, Maharashtra. year ago on November 4, 2018, withdrew
● The atlas is aimed at flood mitigation, from his semifinal against Shapovalov in
preparedness, operations and Paris. Djokovic slips down the rankings
management aspects. The manual besides because he lost the points that he won a
showcasing the probable scenarios for year ago in London when Nadal was
different rainfall periods also provides absent.
information on corporation wards that are
likely to be affected due to flooding, and PM claims our present is largely influenced by
the areas that may need evacuation in scientists
Chennai by taking into account all ● Prime Minister NarendraModi has stressed
historical datasets. the need for the development of scientific
● The over 200-page atlas was prepared by temper among people to expedite
the India Meteorological Department development of the country.
(IMD), National Centre for Coastal ● Inaugurating the India International
Research (NCCR) and National Centre for Science Festival in Kolkata this afternoon
Medium Range Weather Forecasting through video-conferencing Mr.Modi said,
(NCMRWF) in association with TN State the scientific temper reduces superstitions
Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and encourages temperament of
and Greater Chennai Corporation. reasoning.
● Also, the office of the Principal Scientific ● Referring to the recent Chandrayaan
Advisor (PSA) to the Centre government, Mission, the Prime Minister said that the
IIT-Bombay, IIT Madras and Institute of issue raised the curiosity among people on
Remote Sensing of Anna University Science. He appealed to the scientific
participated from academia. community to take a long-term solution
approach to make Science for society and
Rafael Nadal secures No:1 spot in ATP Science for people.
rankings ● The Prime Minister said that the
Government is supporting innovations and
● Rafael Nadal is back to the world No. 1 for inventions for this purpose. He also
the eighth time in his career in the ATP informed that five thousand Atal Tinkering
rankings released today. The Spaniard labs are being set up in various parts of the
goes up one place to overtake Novak country to encourage students for hands-
Djokovic even though the Serb sealed his on training on Science and Research.
fifth Paris Masters title on Sunday with a 6- ● The West Bengal Governor
JagdeepDhankhar and Science and

Technology Minister Dr HarshaVardhan the polls can be announced in the next few
and other distinguished guests were weeks.
present at the inaugural session of the
four-day-long festival. Govt.to relax quality norms for onion imports
● The government has decided to relax
President rejects request demanding quality norms to facilitate immediate
disqualification of MLAs import of onions for curbing rising onion
prices. In an inter-ministerial committee
● In a relief for the AamAadmi Party, meeting, consumer affairs secretary
President Ram NathKovind has rejected a Avinash K Srivastava directed to relax
petition demanding disqualification of 11 phytosanitary and fumigation norms to
party MLAs for allegedly holding office of speed up onion imports from other
profit. producing countries like Egypt, Turkey and
● The issue was referred to the EC which Iran.
gave an opinion in August that holding the ● The prices of onions, which had touched Rs
office of co-chairperson of a district 80 per kg in August and September, have
disaster management authority does not again shot up to Rs 100 a kg in some
attract disqualification as MLA as there is places due to a shortage, triggered by
no remuneration by way of salary, unseasonal rainfall leading to crop damage
allowances, sitting fee. in the main onion growing zones in
● Nor is there any other facility such as staff Maharashtra.
car, office space, supporting staff, ● Traders have been demanding to liberalise
telephone or residence provided.As per these norms for a faster import of onions
law, the President accepts the opinion of to India. Onion Exporters’ Association
the Election Commission in cases of office president Ajit Shah said that onion can be
of profit. imported from Dubai in 10 days provided
● The Commission held that "item 14 of the the government relaxes phytosanitary
Schedule to Delhi Members of the norms.
Legislative Assembly (Removal of ● "If the government insists on importing
Disqualification Act), 1997 provides for from the original source of the commodity,
exemption for the office of chairman, here in Egypt, it will take many weeks to
director or member of a statutory or non- receive shipments. However, importing
statutory body or committee constituted by Egypt origin onion from Dubai is possible in
the Government of NCT, provided that the just 10 days," he said.
said chairman, director or member are not ● In the meeting, it was also decided to send
entitled to any remuneration. two inter ministerial teams to Karnataka
● The term of the 70-member Delhi and Rajasthan to take stock of their Onion
Assembly ends on February 22, 2020 and supplies and encourage the supplies to

consuming regions including Delhi-NCR. 0.12 ha whereas world per capita

The committee also directed NAFED to agriculture land is 0.29 ha.
supply the maximum possible quantities to ● According to the ministry, unprecedented
Delhi Government for retailing. pressure on the land beyond its carrying
capacity is resulting into degradation of
MoRD releases another edition of wasteland lands in the country. “Therefore, robust
atlas geospatial information on wastelands
assumes significance and effectively
● In an effort to productively use India’s helpful in rolling back the wastelands for
wastelands, the ministry of rural productive use through various land
development has come out with the fifth development programmes/schemes,” it
edition of Wasteland Atlas -2019, eight said.
years after the last edition was published in
2011. This is significant as it takes into China to establish national security mechanism in
account 12.08 MHa of unmapped areas of HongKong
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the first ● China will establish a "robust" legal system
time. and enforcement mechanism to safeguard
● As per the Atlas, during this period 1.45 national security in Hong Kong, the ruling
Mha of wastelands are converted into non Communist Party said on Tuesday,
wastelands categories. “A reduction in following a meeting last week of its senior
wasteland area was observed in the leadership.
categories of land with dense scrub, ● China will also "perfect" the system under
waterlogged and marshy land, sandy areas, which the party has full jurisdictional power
degraded pastures / grazing land and over Hong Kong according to the Basic
gullied and / or ravenous land,” it said. Law and constitution, the party said, in a
● The department of land resources in long statement carried by state news
collaboration with National Remote agency Xinhua.
Sensing Centre (NRSC), Department of ● However it gave no details on how the
Space has published Wastelands Atlases measures will be implemented.
of India - 2000, 2005, 2010 &2011 editions.
The new wastelands mapping exercise,
Garbage problem gets high in Yemen,causing
carried out by NRSC using the Indian
Remote Sensing Satellite data is the fifth
cholera
edition of Wastelands Atlas – 2019. ● Mounds of stinking garbage line the streets
● India with 2.4 per cent of the total land area of Yemen's historic city of Taez, once
of the world is supporting 18 percent of the renowned as one of the most beautiful
world’s population. The per capita places in the country, but now torn apart by
availability of agriculture land in India is war.

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● The city in the highlands of southwestern technology research and applications to

Yemen has become a breeding ground for newer heights.
mosquitoes as well as deadly outbreaks of ● The Space Technology Cell will work for
diseases like cholera, as decaying refuse carrying out focused research projects in
leaches into waterways. space technology domain with specific
● Yemen, long the poorest country in the deliverables.
Arabian Peninsula, has been mired in ● ISRO also proposed that IIT Delhi as an
conflict since the Iran-aligned Houthi Institute becomes ISRO’s academic
rebels swept into the capital Sanaa in a partner in research areas such as Artificial
2014 offensive, sparking a military Intelligence (AI), nano-technology,
intervention by a Saudi-led coalition. functional textiles, smart manufacturing or
● While Taez is controlled by pro-government any other area of joint interest.
forces, it is under siege from the Huthis
who control the mountains that surround ITF decides to shift India-Pak match to
the city, from where they have launched neutral venue
repeated bombardments.
● While all of Yemen has suffered from the ● The International Tennis Federation, ITF
war, Taez is particularly hard-hit. Barely any has decided to shift India's Davis Cup tie
schools are able to function, fresh water is against Pakistan from Islamabad to a
scarce, and it is difficult to bring in supplies neutral venue.
including essentials like food. ● The tie was scheduled to be held in
September but was delayed after India
ISRO to setup space technology cell in IIT Delhi expressed concerns about the safety of
● The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), their players. Due to prevailing diplomatic
Delhi will set up a Space Technology Cell in tensions between the two nations after the
collaboration with the Indian Space revocation of Article 370, India's national
Research Organization (ISRO), the space tennis federation expressed concern about
agency of the country at the IIT campus. the safety of players.
● With the move, IIT Delhi have joined the ● The ITF statement said that the Davis Cup
league of other premier institutions where Committee has decided that the Group I tie
the Space Technology Cells (STCs) have between Pakistan and India on 29-30
been set up, such as Indian Institute of November must be played at a neutral
Science Bangalore (IISc) Bangalore, IIT venue.
Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT
Kanpur, IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee. Supreme Court seeks govt. report on CIC postings
● The Space Technology Cells (STCs) here ● The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered
play a major role in taking up space the Centre and eight States to present a
report card on appointments made to the

Information Commissions, the apex bodies Meeting of South Asia Co-operative

constituted under the Right to Information Environment Programme in Dhaka today,
Act to help citizens fight for transparency he said, issues of plastic waste
in governance. management, biodiversity and other issues
● The direction comes nearly eight months related to environment were discussed
after the apex court ordered the among South Asian Member countries.
government to look beyond the coterie of ● Mr Javadekar said that in the meeting he
retired bureaucrats for appointment as spoke about India being on track to fulfill
Information Commissioners, in a judgment its commitment given at Paris on the
delivered on February 15, 2019. issues like emission intensity reduction,
● In its February verdict, theSC had share of renewable power in India’s power-
concluded that theCentral Information mix and other issues such as increasing
Commission (CIC) and State Information the forest cover.
Commissions have been bastions for ● In all these fields India is leading by
government employees and their retired example, he said. However, he also pointed
counterparts. out the need to make behavioural change
● It said the Right to Information Act of 2005 in the public for which public awareness
itself required people from varied domains and participation is needed.
to man the Commissions. ● The Minister also called upon the
● The court had found that the “official bias” developed world to provide clean
in favour of bureaucrats and government technology not for making a profit but at
employees was evident from the beginning cost price to spread the new technology.
of the process for appointments. He said the developing world suffers from
climatic change the most and the
India to raise clean technology demand at developed world should provide financial
Madrid climate change summit aid as promised.
● Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Govt.to bring in new fund to revive realty sector
Climate Change PrakashJavadekar today ● The government has decided to set up a 25
said that India will put forward the demand thousand crore rupees funds to revive
for clean technology at affordable cost and stalled housing projects. The decision was
liberal financing from developed countries taken by the Union Cabinet at a meeting
to developing countries during the held yesterday in New Delhi.
forthcoming Madrid Meeting on Climate ● Briefing media after the meeting, Finance
Change. Minister NirmalaSitharaman said that the
● Speaking in an exclusive interview to government will put in 10 thousand crore
Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent after rupees in the Alternative Investment Fund
participating in the 15th Governing Council (AIF) while State Bank of India and Life

Insurance Corporation will provide 15 ● The government has already constituted a

thousand crore rupees taking the total size Group of Secretaries (GoS) for launching a
to 25 thousand crore rupees. nationwide oil seed mission to minimise oil
● It will finance over 1,600 stalled housing imports. It will be rolled out soon, the
projects comprising about 4.58 lakh official said, adding that the government
housing units across the country. may levy a 2-10% cess on import of crude
● The fund will provide relief to developers and refined edible oil to fund the mission.
that require funding to complete a set of ● “Earlier, a fund of Rs 10,000 crore was
unfinished projects and consequently mooted to support this mission for five
ensure delivery of homes to the home- years. But, now, they (GoS) are looking at
buyers. raising it through levying cess on industry,”
● Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman also the official said. The industry, however,
said, the government and the Reserve Bank wants the government to set aside a
are working to resolve the issues being corpus from the revenue it earns from the
faced by the realty sector. duty on crude and refined edible oil
● Speaking at a special NSE event in imports.
Mumbai, she admitted that the realty
sector has been left out of the booster Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected as
measures announced earlier. Ms president of UAE
Sitaraman said, many funds are ready to
invest but want more policy support. ● The UAE's Supreme Council of the Union
has re-elected His Highness Sheikh Khalifa
bin Zayed Al Nahyan as its President for a
Agriculture ministry to prepare roadmap for
fourth five-year term, in accordance with
attaining self-sufficiency in edible oil the provisions of the UAE Constitution.
production ● The Emirates News Agency reported that
● The commerce ministry has asked the the Supreme Council of the Union
agriculture ministry to prepare a road map expressed its deep confidence in the wise
for India to attain self-sufficiency in edible leadership of President His Highness
oil production. The need for a “zero edible Sheikh Khalifa, and wished him good luck
oil import” plan was discussed by to continue the journey of development and
commerce minister PiyushGoyal at an prosperity thanks to his far-sighted
inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday. wisdom and approach that enhances the
● India spends over Rs 70,000 crore to pillars of the renaissance of the dear
import about 15 MT edible oil to meet its homeland and its achievements, and
annual requirement of 25 MT, making it fulfills the aspirations of its generous
one of the biggest buyers of the cooking people.
medium.

● President Sheikh Khalifa was first elected Chhattisgarh model might help reduce
President of the UAE by the Supreme pollution from stubble burning
Council of the Union on 3rd November,
● As Delhi grapples with worsening air
2004. President His Highness Sheikh
pollution, the Chhattisgarh government has
Khalifa accompanied the builder of the
offered the Centre a solution to the
UAE renaissance, the late Sheikh Zayed bin
problem of stubble burning in fields—set up
Sultan Al Nahyan, in the founding stage in
ethanol or biofuel units using paddy husk
the 70s and 80s of the last century.
and rice straw, it says.
● After the death of the Founding Father, he
● On its part, the Chhattisgarh government
led the country and contributed to the
has decided to set up at least six biofuel
prosperity of the UAE, and its prominence
plants to produce ethanol in the state. It will
locally and globally.
be the first state in India to use rice and
paddy husk to produce biofuel.
News on Iran stepping up nuclear activity in its
● Chhattisgarh chief minister
power plants
BhupeshBaghel told ET, “Chhattisgarh is
● Iran stepped up activity at its underground
known as the rice bowl of India. We have
Fordow nuclear plant early today - a move
surplus production of rice. So we explored
France said showed for the first time that
the possibility of using surplus rice for
Tehran explicitly planned to quit a historic
other purposes.
deal with world powers that curbed its
● Now, we have zeroed in on technology.
disputed nuclear work.
Rice straw and paddy husk are globally
● With the presence of inspectors from the
significant sources of cellulose-rich
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
biomass and there is great interest in
Iran started injecting uranium gas into
converting them to bio ethanol.”
centrifuges in Fordow, state television
● According to Baghel, the husk and paddy
reported. The Atomic Energy Organization
straw should not be burnt. Instead it should
of Iran also confirmed the operation, which
be sold to the plant set up in the area.
it said started at 00:00 local time today.
“When the farmer knows that every part of
● French President Emmanuel Macron called
his produce will be bought, he will ensure
Iran's latest move 'grave', saying it explicitly
he doesn’t burn it,” Baghel said.
signalled Iran's intent for the first time to
● Apart from the most immediate problem of
leave the deal - formally known as the Joint
stubble burning, there could be long-term
Comprehensive Plan of Action.
positive impacts, including significant
● Iran insists that the latest move is not a
reduction in fuel consumption with
violation of the nuclear deal, but is based
blending of ethanol.
on the Articles 26 and 36 of the agreement.

Indian Women’s team wins series against communities and religions to accept the
West Indies decision with ease and remain committed
to peace and harmony and to the pledge of
● In Women's Cricket, India won the three 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
match series 2-1 beating the West Indies
● He expressed confidence that the
by 6 wickets in the 3rd and final ODI match landmark judgment given by the Supreme
in North Sound, Antigua last night. Court will prove to be a milestone in itself.
● Indian women achieved the victory target Mr Shah said, the decision will give further
of 195 runs comfortably with 47 balls to strength to the unity, integrity and great
spare. For India, SmritiMandhana was the culture of India.
highest scorer with 74 off 63 balls.Earlier, ● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said,
the hosts were all out at 194 in 50 overs
it's a landmark judgement which should be
after electing to bat. accepted by all of us with humility. He
appealed to the people to maintain peace
India to host Men’s hockey world cup 2020
and calm.
● India will host the 2023 Men's Hockey ● Meanwhile, security has been beefed up
World Cup from 13th to 29th of across the state, with the deployment of
January.Making this announcement today, Police and Central forces. Markets and
the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
shops are open as usual and people are
said India will play host to the men's seen busy in their day-to-day activities.
tournament while Spain and the People have been asked not to post any
Netherlands have been named as the co- inflammatory posts on social media.
hosts of the 2022 Women's World Cup ● Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar
scheduled to be held from 1st to 22nd of Abbas Naqvi says the Supreme Court
July. judgement on Ayodhya land dispute case
● The decisions were made during FIH's
should be welcomed and respected
Executive Board Meeting in Lausanne, wholeheartedly by all.
Switzerland today.The FIH further said that ● He said it is a collective responsibility to
the venues of both the men's and women's strengthen unity, social harmony and
World Cups will be announced by the host
brotherhood in the country. Talking to the
nations at a later date. media, Mr Naqvi said the verdict should not
be seen as a victory or defeat of anyone.
SC delivers Ayodhya verdict, accepted equally by
all stakeholders
National workshop on ODF plus held in New
● Union Home Minister Amit Shah has
welcomed the Supreme Court's unanimous Delhi
decision on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. In a ● With all 5.99 lakh villages, 699 districts and
tweet, Mr Shah appealed to people of all 35 states and union territories having

declared themselves open defecation free Govt. claims economy robust as inflation is
(ODF) under the Swachh Bharat Mission controlled
(Grameen) [SBM(G)] as of October 2019,
● Government has said that the
the Department of Drinking Water and
fundamentals of the economy remain quite
Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti
robust with inflation under check and bond
organised a one-day national workshop on
yields low. It said, India continues to offer
ODF Plus – ODF Sustainability and Solid
strong prospects of growth in the near and
and Liquid Waste Management, today in
medium term.
New Delhi.
● An official press release said, the
● ODF Plus, SBM(G)’s latest component,
Government of India has noted that the
consists of two main tracks: ODF
Moody’s Investors Service has changed
Sustainability (ODF-S) and Solid and Liquid
the outlook on India’s ratings to negative
Waste Management (SLWM).
from stable while keeping the foreign-
● ODF-S includes sustaining behaviour
currency and local-currency long-term
change for safe sanitation, leaving no one
issuers rating unchanged at Baa2.
behind and addressing gaps, ensuring
● The Government said, India continues to be
community toilets for floating populations,
among the fastest growing major
and strengthening the capacity of all
economies in the world and its relative
grassroots functionaries.
standing remains unaffected. IMF in their
● As part of SLWM, the Mission is taking up
latest World Economic Outlook has stated
biodegradable waste management, plastic
that Indian Economy is set to grow at 6.1%
waste management, grey water
in 2019, picking up to 7 % in 2020.
management, and fecal sludge
● As India’s potential growth rate remains
management.
unchanged, assessment by IMF and other
● The workshop included a presentation by
multilateral organizations continue to
the participating states on their current
underline a positive outlook on India.
status in rural sanitation and their plans
● The Government has undertaken a series
going forward.
of steps and reforms to strengthen the
● ShriArunBaroka, Additional Secretary
economy as a whole. The Government of
(DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, in his
India has also proactively taken policy
presentation made the overall case for the
decisions in response to the global
Department’s vision moving forward and
slowdown. These measures would lead to
reiterated that focus has to be maintained
a positive outlook on India and would
on the sustainability of outcomes gained
attract capital flows and stimulate
thus far and on solid and liquid waste
investments.
management.
RBI increases limits for NBFC and MFI borrowers

● Reserve Bank has increased the household ● However, recently, scientists detected no
income limits for borrowers of Non- electrical current of plasma to detect
Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and density, pressure, temperature. This
microfinance institutions (MFIs) from 1 confirms that the spacecraft has left the
lakh to 1.25 lakh rupees. heliosphere and entered interstellar space.
● The move is aimed at strengthening credit ● Voyager 2 also discovered 5 moons of
to those at the bottom of the economic Neptune. It identified a “Great Dark Spot” at
pyramid in rural areas. Similarly, the limit Neptune. Also the spacecraft discovered
has been increased from 1.6 lakh for urban that there are four rings around Neptune.
or semi-urban areas to 2 lakh rupees.
● RBI said in a circular that the limit has been Deepak kumar secures Olympic quota in
increased after taking into consideration shooting
the important role played by microfinance
institutions in delivering credit to those at ● Birthday boy Deepak Kumar secured
the bottom of the economic pyramid and to India's 10th Olympic quota in shooting
enable them to play their assigned role in a while Manu Bhaker claimed the women's
growing economy. 10 metres air pistol gold medal in the 14th
Asian Championship in Doha today.
● Deepak gifted himself a bronze medal in
NASA’s voyager 2 reaches interstellar space
the men's 10 metres air rifle on the opening
● NASA’s Voyager 2 has exited heliosphere day of the championship. Deepak shot
and has entered interstellar space. It is now 227.8 in the eight-man final to finish third
11 billion miles from the earth. Information on the podium and add to India's quotas for
from the spacecraft takes 16.5 hours to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
reach earth at the speed of light. (Light ● Later in the day, Bhaker shot 244.3 to win
from the sun takes 8 minutes to reach the top prize in her event. The Haryana
earth) sensation had already secured an Olympic
● The spacecraft joined its twin voyager 1 on quota at the Munich World Cup in May.
December 10, 2018. The Voyagers were
launched to study the outer solar system World’s first CNG port terminal to come up in
up close. Voyager 2 will target Saturn, Gujarat
Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus. ● The Gujarat Government has given its nod
● Till November 5, 2019, the space around to the world’s first CNG port terminal at
the spacecraft was surrounded by plasma Bhavnagar. According to official release,
flowing out from the sun. This outflow is the U.K. based Foresight group and
called solar wind and envelopes the Mumbai based Padmanabh Mafatlal group
planets in the solar system. joint venture will invest Rs.1900 crore to

set up a CNG port terminal at Bhavnagar ● According to a joint statement issued after
port. the meeting at Mr Doval's residence, the
● Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board- religious leaders pledged unstinted
GIDB under the Chairmanship of Chief support to the government in all steps to
Minister Vijay Rupani has also approved maintain peace and order.
this proposal. ● They appealed for maintaining peace and
● According to official sources, the proposed tranquillity amidst apprehensions that
CNG port terminal will have an annual some anti-national elements may try to
capacity of 6 million metric tons, which will exploit the situation. Those attending the
increase the total handling capacity of the meeting were alive to the fact that certain
port to 9 million metric tons. anti-national and hostile elements, both
● Memorandum of Understanding- MoU for within and outside the country, may
this project between Gujarat government attempt to exploit the situation to harm
arm Gujarat Maritime Board and London national interest.
based Foresight Group was signed during ● The religious leaders noted with
the 2019 Vibrant Gujarat summit. satisfaction that millions of Indians
● The new facility will be developed in the belonging to both communities, displayed
Northern side of the present port, under great sense of responsibility, sensitivity
which RoRo terminal, liquid terminal and and restraint in accepting the Court verdict.
container terminal will be developed in ● All the participants appreciated the
future. initiative and emphasised the need for a
● The consortium has proposed an continuous dialogue between various
investment of Rs.1,900 crore in two phases communities in future. They complimented
with Rs 1,300 crore in the first phase and the government for ensuring safety and
Rs 600 crore in the second phase through security of every individual.
the 'Swiss challenge' method. Studies for
pre-feasibility report, cite selection, gas Pulses prices rises steadily due to crop
supply agreement and CNG vessel damages
development have also been completed.
● Prices of pulses have been steadily rising
over the last 15 days, with urad recording
the highest increase of 40%. Traders
NSA meets religious leaders post Ayodhya
expect the rates to remain firm as rains in
verdict western and central India have damaged
● National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a some of the crop.
meeting with eminent religious leaders in ● Prerana Desai, head of research at
New Delhi today, a day after the Supreme Edelweiss Agri Services & Credit, said
Court verdict in the Ayodhya case. prices have risen in part due to the import

restrictions imposed by the government 5,674 crore rupees in debt segment

and expectation of lower winter planting. between first to ninth of this month.
● “Prices are rising due to rain in pulse- ● This took the total net investment in the
growing regions in the past two weeks. All domestic markets (both equity and debt) to
pulses in the market are now being traded around 12,108 crore rupees.
at around the minimum support price and ● The latest inflows come after two
it is offering some relief to farmers,” said consecutive months of foreign
Vivek Agrawal, a commodity broker with investments. In October, FPIs invested
JLV Agro. around 16,465 crore rupees while in
● Desai said the prices were low throughout September they had put in 6,558 crore
the year but have now improved. “Good rupees.
stocks will be held by traders and brokers
and be sold selectively. Compared to the Eva Morales accepts political asylum request
previous year, the stocks are less,” she from Mexico
said. ● Former President of Bolivia, Evo Morales
● Suresh Aggarwal, president of the All India has accepted an offer of political asylum in
Dal Mill Association in Indore, said as per Mexico, a day after his resignation amid
initial estimates, urad production has fallen election fraud protests. Morales left Bolivia
by 30%. Moong production has also been aboard a Mexican military aeroplane on
hit, he said. Monday night. He said he would return to
● “Due to rains, we are worried about the Bolivia with more strength and energy.
higher moisture content and poor crop ● Mexico says the decision to offer asylum
quality. Prices will remain high if it doesn’t to the former president was taken for
stop raining in the key harvesting states,” humanitarian reasons after a request from
he said. him. 60-year-old Morales had been in
power since 2006. Bolivia's first indigenous
Overseas investors remain net buyers in leader stepped down after the head of the
November army publicly called on him to leave his
● Overseas investors remained net buyers in post.
the domestic capital markets with an ● The deputy head of the Senate said she
investment of over 12,000 crore rupees in would take over as interim president until
November so far as market sentiments new elections were held.
improved following economic reforms by ● Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump
the government. has hailed the resignation of Evo Morales
● The latest depositories data showed that as a sign to what he called illegitimate
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) infused regimes and praised the role of the
around 6,434 crore rupees in equities and country's military.

India to take up issue of cross border more than 15 years at Sultanpur Lodhi,
terrorism at BRICS where he attained enlightenment.
● Information and Broadcasting Minister
● BRICS which accounts for 23 per cent of Prakash Javadekar attended the function
the global GDP and around 17 per cent of
at Huzoor Sahib Sachkhand Gurudwara in
the share in world trade has diversified its Nanded.
agenda over the years. ● In Bihar, the three-day-long celebrations for
● In an exclusive interview to our Gurupurab will conclude today at Takhat
correspondent, India's Sous (pronounced Sri Harimandir Sahib Gurudwara in Patna.
as 'Su') Sherpa, Suresh Reddy said that ● Outside India, In Sri Lanka, the Consulate
India is focussing on taking up the issue of General of India in Jaffna commemorated
cross border terrorism strongly at BRICS
the day, with its building being decorated
2019. with colourful lights last evening. This was
● He said that global commons are facing followed by a screening of two
several issues related to sovereignty which
documentaries on the Golden Temple in
will also be discussed extensively: Amritsar. The President, Vice President
● Talking about this year's special initiative and Prime Minister have greeted people on
of BRICS Women Business alliance, He the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
said that this alliance is going to help the
women across the BRICS societies a lot
Parliamentary Panel expresses concern over
through its connection with the New
Development Bank. rising cancer cases
● A Parliamentary panel has expressed
Country celebrates 550th birth anniversary of serious concern over the rising number of
Guru nanak dev cancer patients in the country. It suggested
● The 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh setting up a High-Level Steering
guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Committee to work out modalities for
Dev is being celebrated as Prakash Parv on rolling out of a Hub and Spoke Model in a
Tuesday. Guru Nanak Dev was born on the time-bound manner.
full moon day of Kartik month or Kartik ● It urged the government to expand and
Poornima in 1469. Devotees organise upgrade cancer treatment infrastructure
langar at various places on this occasion. for affordable and quality care by enlarging
Dev Deepawali is also celebrated on the full the network of the Mumbai-based Tata
moon night of the month of Kartik. Memorial Centre.
● President Ram Nath Kovind took part in the ● The recommendation was made by the
festivities at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala Department-related Standing Committee
district of Punjab. Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent on Science and Technology, Environment,
Forest and Climate Change. The report was

presented to Rajya Sabha Chairman M ● Assets originated up to March 31, 2019 will
Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on Monday. only be eligible under this scheme, it said,
● The Committee also noted with concern adding assets should be standard in the
the very high incidence of cancer in all books of NBFCs/HFCs on the date of sale.
North Eastern States. The Committee,
headed by Jairam Ramesh, expressed IOCL to set up 2G ethanol plant at Panipat
concern, saying that over 68 per cent of
● Furthering the government's commitment
cancer patients are dying in the country.
in promoting the use of environmentally
friendly products, the Ministry of
NBFCs to get fund under credit guarantee scheme
Environment, Forest and Climate Change
● Finance secretary Rajiv Kumar on Monday
has given environment clearance to Indian
said the government is in the process of
Oil Corporation Limited to set up a new 2G
approving Rs 20,000-crore of lifeline to the
Ethanol plant at Panipat.
fund-starved NBFCs under the partial credit
● Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate
guarantee scheme announced in the
Change Prakash Javadekar announced
budget.
this on Sunday. In a tweet, he said, this
● The budget had proposed a partial credit
project not only promotes the use of
guarantee scheme worth Rs 1 lakh crore
environmentally friendly fuel but also aids
under which public sector banks would buy
in fulfilment of the government's goal of
high-rated pooled assets of financially
doubling farmers’ income.
sound NBFCs, including housing finance
● Mr Javadekar added that the Ministry has
companies, amounting to Rs 1 lakh crore
revised the Environmental Standards for
this year under which the government will
Tanneries, Iron & Steel Industries and
provide a one-time six months partial credit
Coffee industries after due stakeholder
guarantee to public sector banks for first
consultations and expert advice.
loss of up to 10 percent.
● The new Standards aim at the commitment
● The partial guarantee would help rework
of the government to ensure a clean and
the asset liability structure within three
green environment.
months to have positive asset liability
management in each bucket for the first
Australia declares emergency due to bushfire
three months and on a cumulative basis for
● In Australia, the states of New South Wales
the remaining period.
and Queensland have declared a state of
● As per the guidelines issued, the window
emergency, following the widespread bush
for one-time partial credit guarantee will be
fires which took at least three lives.
for six months, or till such date by which Rs
● Thousands have been displaced by three
1 lakh crore assets get purchased by
days of dangerous weather conditions and
banks.
bring a catastrophic threat to heavily

populated areas of the nation's east. More energy and harnessing the strengths of
than 120 bush fires are burning across the each other in the energy sector.
two states.
● Officials say the worst danger will come for NASA detects Xray burst at outer space
areas around Sydney tomorrow, the
● NASA’s NICER (Neutron Star Interior
nation's largest city. The catastrophic
Composition Explorer) telescope detected
warning is in place across the greater
a sudden spike of X Rays. The spike was
Sydney area and regions to the city's north
caused by a massive thermonuclear
and south.
flashes on the surface of a pulsar.
● In New South Wales, the blazes have
● A Pulsar is a neutron star whose compact
scorched 9,70,000 hectares of land and
core is left behind when a massive star
destroyed 150 houses. Nine homes have
runs out of fuel. It later collapses under its
been razed in Queensland.
own weight and explodes.
● New South Wales fire authorities have
● A Pulsar spins rapidly and becomes a host
issued the maximum level of warning for
to several X-Ray emitting hotspot. As the
the first time since new fire warnings were
object spins it produces regular pulses of
introduced a decade ago, after Australia's
high-energy radiation.
deadly Black Saturday disaster.
● The Explosion releases as much as energy
in 20 seconds as that released by the sun
BRICS trade ministers meeting held in Brazil
in 10 days.
● Ahead of the upcoming BRICS 2019
● The Explosion was caused by the hydrogen
summit, BRICS trade ministers meeting
gas being accredited and formed a disk. As
has started in Brasilia.
the disk becomes denser, the gas ionizes.
● Commerce minister Piyush Goyal is
This traps more and more energy inwards
leading the Indian delegation. The meeting
causing the explosion.
will focus on trade facilitation, investment
● Like other astronomical bodies, the sun
promotion and cooperation in customs
emits X Rays as well. Therefore, studying
among other issues.
these sources will help to learn about the
● Getting through comparative advantages
future of the sun.
of all the BRICS countries to develop upon
shared prosperity in the present global
President’s rule imposed in Maharashtra, with no
economic situation will be the focus. MoU
party able to prove majority
on trade and investment promotion
● The President's rule has been imposed in
between agencies of all the 5 BRICS
Maharashtra. The state legislative
countries will be signed after the meeting.
assembly has been kept under suspended
● Later, Power minister R K Singh will attend
animation. This follows Governor Bhagat
the meeting of BRICS power ministers
Singh Koshyari's report to the Centre which
where deliberations will focus on clean

stated that the formation of a stable ● That was Bapu's first and only visit to All
government is impossible in the current India Radio. Public Service Broadcasting
situation despite all his efforts. Day is celebrated every year on this to
● The development came as the political commemorate this visit of Bapu.
impasse lingered on for 19 days after the ● A special function was organized in the
assembly election results were declared. premises of the broadcast house of All
Congress and the NCP said that they have India Radio last evening. A cultural show
not yet taken any decision on Shiv Sena's was marked by the favourite bhajans of
proposal of forming a government and will Bapu, 'Vaishnav Jan'.
hold further discussions. The Union ● Information and Broadcasting Secretary
Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Amit Khare lauded the role of Akashvani as
Narendra Modi considered the Governor's the nation's public service broadcaster. He
report to the President. announced two Akashvani Public
● The governor noted that he made attempts Broadcasting Awards for radio
to explore the possibility of formation of programmes by AIR Jammu and Shimla.
government by having appropriate ● Director-General AIR, F. Sheheryar along
communications with all political parties with several other dignitaries and artists
which could have formed the government attended the event. School children
in alliance with other political parties, but rendered the song, 'Bande mein tha dum'
they have not succeeded. from a movie based on the inspiration from
● In the assembly polls held last month, the the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
BJP won 105 seats, followed by the Shiv
Sena, 56, the NCP-54 and the Congress, 44 Economists say India to attain 5% growth this
in the 288-member House. fiscal
● Despite their alliance getting a majority, the
BJP and the Shiv Sena parted ways ● Two of India’s leading banks see growth
following disagreement over power slowing to 5% in the current financial year,
sharing with the Sena insisting on the chief following a sharper-than-expected
minister's post. contraction in industrial production in
September and little evidence of a
meaningful recovery. GDP grew 6.8% in
Public service broadcasting day celebrated
FY19.
by AIR ● Growth in the July-September period may
● Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi had have dropped to 4.2% from 5% in the first
visited All India Radio on 12 November quarter, according to estimates compiled
19947 to address displaced people, who by ET, increasing pressure on the
had temporarily settled at Kurukshetra in government to take more steps to revive
Haryana after partition. sentiment and demand. Official GDP data

for the second quarter will be released on sector, Union Minister Dharmendra
November 29 and the first full-year Pradhan said, India is among the top 10 FDI
estimate will be available in January. destinations in the world.
● The central bank has already cut policy ● He also said that India presently being the
rates by135 basis points in the current 3rd largest energy consumer in the world is
year. In its last policy review, the RBI had poised to drive the global energy demand
cut its growth forecast for the year to 6.1% in the coming decades.
from 6.8% estimated earlier. The central ● The Minister said the oil and gas industry
bank had forecast a 5.3% rise in GDP in the will continue to play a crucial role in
July-September quarter. meeting India’s energy requirement
● However, the SBI report said “a larger rate despite system-wide energy transition
cut” is unlikely to lead to an immediate measures.
revival and could result in potential ● He also added that oil demand is projected
financial instability. to rise at the fastest pace in the world and
● Debt-financed consumption against is expected to reach 10 million barrels per
increasing household leverage has not day by 2030.
worked overseas and India can’t be an
exception it warned, calling for fiscal Bangladesh and Nepal discusses bilateral issues,
measures from the government. expand cooperation
● The government has unveiled a series of ● President of Bangladesh Md. Abdul Hamid
measures, including a cut in the corporate is on a four day visit to Nepal. On the first
tax rate to 15% and a Rs 25,000 crore day of his visit, Nepal's Minister for Foreign
special window for stalled real estate Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali paid a
projects to help revive the economy. courtesy call on Bangladeshi President in
Kathmandu last evening.
India becomes MFN for energy ● During the meeting, matters pertaining to
investments ,claims centre cooperation in the areas of trade,
● In the last 5-6 years India has become the investment, energy, connectivity,
most favoured destination for energy waterways, aviation, education,
investments. India received 286 US dollars transportation and agriculture were
billion FDI in the last 5 years. This is almost discussed. Both the leaders also shared
half of the total FDI in India in the last 20 views on enhancing cooperation on
years. matters of regional and global interests,
● Addressing the investors in AbuDhabi including climate change.
today at the roadshow organized by the ● The President of Bangladesh also visited
Directorate General of Hydrocarbons famous Bhaktapur Durbar Square and
(DGH) to promote India as a favourable observed with interest the archaeological
investment destination in the oil and gas and historical sites. President Hamid is

scheduled to meet his Nepalese 551 kilogrammes, as opposed to the 300-

counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari. The kilogramme limit laid down in the JCPoA.
President of Nepal will also host a Banquet
in his honour. Vietnamese mouse der spotted after thirty years
● Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime ● A tiny deer-like species not seen by
Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Chairperson scientists for nearly 30 years has been
of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad photographed in a forest in southern
Timilsina will pay a courtesy call on Vietnam, a conservation group said
Bangladeshi President. During his stay in Tuesday.
Nepal President Hamid will also visit ● Images of the silver-backed chevrotain,
Pokhara. commonly called the Vietnamese mouse
deer, were captured in the wild by trap
European countries worried on Iran’s nuclear cameras, Global Wildlife Conservation
activities said.
● It said the rabbit-sized animal is not a deer
● France, Germany, Britain and the European or a mouse, despite its nickname, but is the
Union have said they are "extremely world's smallest hoofed mammal.
concerned" by Iran's decision to restart ● They are shy and solitary, have two tiny
nuclear activities at one of its key sites. fangs, appear to walk on the tips of their
● In a joint statement on Monday, they hooves, and have a silver sheen, the group
expressed concern that Iran is restarting said.
uranium enrichment activities at the ● For so long this species has seemingly only
Fordow facility. It was confirmed by the existed as part of our imagination.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Discovering that it is, indeed, still out there,
in its report. is the first step in ensuring we don't lose it
● They said that Iran's action was again, and we're moving quickly now to
"inconsistent" with the 2015 Joint figure out how best to protect it,'' said An
Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPoA, Nguyen, a conservation scientist at the
under which Tehran had agreed to curb Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife
some of its nuclear activities- notably Research, a partner of GWC in the project.
uranium enrichment- in return for a lifting ● The chevrotain was first described in 1910
of economic sanctions. by four people. A fifth sighting was
● But Iran said it no longer feels bound by the reported in 1990 in central Vietnam,
JCPoA after the US unilaterally pulled out making it one of the rarest animals in the
of the accord last year. world, GWC said in a statement.
● The IAEA report also confirmed that Iran
has ramped up uranium enrichment, with Kento Momota wins China open Badminton crown
its stockpile now reaching the equivalent of

● Kento Momota won his 10th title as said, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has
Japan's world number one defeated brought to the court's notice a technology
Taiwan's world number two Tien-chen to which is the outcome of research by a
retain his Fuzhou China Open Badminton university in Japan.
crown on Sunday. Momota battled past ● The bench said, Centre will explore the
Chou 21-15, 17-21, 21-18 at Fuzhou. feasibility of using it in the National Capital
● Home hope Chen Yufei similarly Region (NCR) and other parts of north
successfully defended the women's title India.
with a victory over Japan's Nozomi
Okuhara. Indian players maintains top position in ICC
● Chen lost the first game 21-9 to Okuhara rankings
but recovered to lift the Fuzhou title for the ● In Cricket, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and
second year in a row by winning the next Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top
two 21-12, 21-18. It was more spots in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings.
disappointing for Okuhara, who has now Kohli is at the top of the rankings for
lost all six finals, she has contested this batsmen, followed by his deputy Rohit
year. Sharma.
● In the bowlers' rankings, Bumrah
Centre to consider hydrogen based maintained his top spot followed by New
technology as solution to air pollution Zealand's pacer Trent Boult. Hardik Pandya
is the only Indian to feature in the top 10
● The Supreme Court today directed the among all-rounders. He is at number 10.
Centre to explore the feasibility of a England's World Cup hero Ben Stokes tops
hydrogen-based Japanese technology as a the chart followed by Mohammad Nabi of
permanent solution to the air pollution in Afghanistan.
the NCR region and other parts of north
India.
President addresses innovators of Atal
● The court directed the Centre to expedite
the deliberations on the issue and come
tinkering lab marathon
before the court with its findings on the 3rd ● A group of selected student innovators of
of next month. the Atal Tinkering Lab Marathon-2018,
● The development comes as Delhi's air called on President Ram Nath Kovind at
quality neared the emergency zone for the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
second time in a fortnight today due to ● Addressing the student innovators, the
raging farm fires in neighbouring states President said, he was happy to note that
and unfavourable weather conditions. they were selected as the best innovators
● A bench comprising Chief Justice of India from approximately 50,000 students from
Ranjan Gogoi and CJI designate S A Bobde 2,700 schools across the country.

ttp://iasexamportal.com/SK-2000
For Details Visit: h
● He said that it makes him wonder what Women and Children, it was decided that
young children of this nation can achieve the issues being faced by women and
when given the opportunity to think children cannot be contained only within
unconventionally. the Ministry of WCD but other Ministries
● Praising the work done by Atal Innovation like food and public distribution, health,
Mission and Atal Tinkering Lab, the urban development, law and justice and
President said that there is a need to home may also be actively involved.
provide an ecosystem where the ● The Minister urged State Governments to
innovations that these young minds come ensure and involve officers from all
up with can be nurtured. departments for better implementation of
● He said that the nation is fostering a legislation and Central and State Schemes
generation who will be self-reliant and related to women and children.
resourceful by encouraging children to
tinker and innovate. Retail inflation jumps while Wholesale
inflation eases in October
WCD ministry announces national plan for better
implementation of programmes ● Retail inflation surged to 4.62 per cent in
● Union Minister for Women and Child October this year mainly on account of
Development Smriti Irani has announced higher food prices.
that her Ministry along with NITI Aayog will ● According to government data released
prepare a framework for a national plan for today, the inflation in the food basket
States and Union Territories. spiked to 7.89 per cent in October this year
● She said, it will be prepared by early next as against 5.11 per cent the preceding
year for better implementation of all the month. The inflation based on the
Central and States policies and Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 3.99 per
programmes for women and children. The cent in September and 3.38 per cent in
Minister was speaking at the two-day October last year.
National Conference organized by the ● The Reserve Bank mainly factors in the
Ministry of Women and Child Development CPI-based inflation to arrive at its bi-
in New Delhi today. monthly monetary policy. The RBI has been
● Ms Irani also suggested that a protocol asked to keep the retail inflation at around
may be developed for ranking of States and four percent.
UTs doing commendable work for women ● Wholesale prices based inflation eased
and children and also ranking of childcare further to 0.16 per cent in October, as
institutions in the States and UTs. against 0.33 per cent in September.
● During a presentation by Adviser, Health ● Government data showed subdued prices
and Nutrition in NITI Aayog regarding of non-food articles and fall in the prices of
strategy of New India at 75-Status of manufactured items today.Annual

inflation, based on monthly wholesale price trustees and a board, respectively, under
index (WPI), was at 5.54 per cent in the administrative control of the labour and
October last year. employment ministry.
● For manufactured products, the wholesale
inflation was at (-)0.84 per cent in October India and Russia to hold bilateral Regional forum
2019. However, retail inflation for the in 2020
month hit a 16-month high of 4.62 per cent ● India and Russia will hold their maiden
due to soaring prices of food articles, Bilateral Regional Forum at the level of
including fruits and vegetables. Russian Provinces and Indian States be
held next year to dismantle the barriers of
Labour ministry not to corporatise EPFO trade at regional level.
● The labour ministry plans to drop its ● The two leaders noted with satisfaction
proposal to corporatise the Employees’ that the USD 25 billion target of bilateral
Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and trade by 2025 has already been achieved.
instead dust off its earlier proposal to set The two leaders noted the stability and
up a body headed by the Prime Minister to progress made in imports of oil and natural
oversee the social security of nearly 500 gas. President Putin highlighted the
million workers. The move comes after it potential of the Arctic region in natural gas
was pulled up by the Prime Minister’s and invited India to invest in the region.
Office. ● The two leaders also reviewed the
● The ministry’s proposal to corporates the progress made in the field of Infrastructure
EPFO had faced severe criticism from particularly railways in context of raising
labour unions. In its latest draft code on the speed of the Nagpur-Secunderabad
social security released in September, it sector railway line.
had proposed a corporate structure, to be ● The leaders also noted with satisfaction
headed by a CEO, to manage the provident the cooperation in the Defence sector and
fund and pension as well as medical in the field of Civil Nuclear Energy. They
insurance for workers. welcomed the prospects of cooperation in
● The redesigning of the code has been fast- civil nuclear energy in third countries.
tracked following a directive from the PMO ● In August four Indian Chief Ministers
and outright rejection from all trade unions (Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Goa)
at the first tripartite meeting of the labour led by Commerce and Industry Minister
ministry with all stakeholders on the and delegation of 140 Indian companies
proposed draft last week, said the official. visited Vladivostok creating a new normal
● The EPFO has a corpus of Rs 11 lakh crore in Indian diplomacy with focus on outward
while the ESIC sits on a cash pile of Rs investments and role of Indian states as
75,000 crore. At present, the two entities entrepreneurs.
work more like autonomous bodies run by

Bangladesh has highest business bribery risk Japanese spacecraft starts journey back to
amongst South Asian countries Earth
● Bangladesh has the highest business
● After departing from a distant asteroid,
bribery risk among South Asian countries,
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft started its
according to the Trace Bribery Matrix
year-long journey home after successfully
which releases annual ranking for 200
completing its mission to bring back soil
countries. The Matrix evaluates countries
samples and data that could provide clues
under four parameters which are business
to the origins of the solar system.
interaction with the government, anti-
● The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
bribery deterrence, transparency and civil
says the spacecraft left its orbit around the
society oversight.
asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million
● Bangladesh has been placed at 178
kilometres from Earth.
position among 200 countries in terms of
● Hayabusa2 made two touchdown on the
business bribery risk. It has been on the
asteroid and successfully collected data
high risk country list of Trace Bribery Matrix
and samples during its 1½-year mission
since 2014 when the first matrix was
since arriving there in June 2018.
released.
● The spacecraft is expected to return to
● According to the report, Bangladesh has a
Earth in late 2020 and drop a capsule
high degree of government interaction in
containing the precious samples in the
business, a high expectation of bribes and
Australian desert.
a high regulatory burden which contributes
● Scientists hope the samples contain
to high bribery risk for business in the
carbon and organic matter that could
country.
explain how they are related to Earth.
● In South Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan
are the only countries where the bribery risk
is 'high'. Bhutan has the lowest risk of Arsene Wenger named global football
bribery on the index in South Asia as it is development chief by FIFA
placed at 52 in the ranking. ● Veteran coach Arsene Wenger has been
● Overall, according to this year's TRACE named FIFA's Chief of global football
Matrix data, Somalia, South Sudan, North development. FIFA said, the former Arsenal
Korea, Yemen and Venezuela presented and Monaco coach would be responsible
the highest risk of bribe demands. New for the growth of the game for both men
Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and and women around the world and would
Finland presented the lowest bribery risk. also be the leading authority on technical
matters, including potential changes to the
sport's laws.

● It added that Wenger, 70, would also be final decision has been taken by ISRO on
tasked with coach education and aiding a the number of payloads on the lander.
programme designed to help former ● The lander and rover will be accompanied
players enter management. by an additional ‘detachable module’ that
● The new role brings Wenger back to the packs engine and fuel needed for journey
game for the first time since 2018, when he and this module will tentatively be called
left Arsenal after 22 years in charge. ‘Propulsion Module’.
● The Chandrayaan 3 mission will also
ISRO plans second moon mission by next year feature fewer orbital maneuver than
end Chandrayaan 2, which had a total of 6 orbit
● The Indian Space Research Organisation raises around Earth and the Moon.
(ISRO) announced their intention to send a
second mission to soft-land on the Moon Sports ministry wants Fit India movement to
planned for November 2020 dubbed as be taken up as a citizen’s movement
Chandrayaan 3 mission.
● The Indian Space Agency’s first and recent ● Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren
attempt went awry on 7 September 2019 Rijiju today said the Fit India movement
and resulted in a partial failure of must become a citizen's movement. Giving
Chandrayaan 2 mission after the keynote address in Conference of
communication was lost with mission’s Ministers and Secretaries of the States and
lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan) which UTs for Youth Affairs and Sports in New
crash-landed on the Moon while Delhi this morning, Mr Rijiju said Prime
attempting a soft-landing. Minister Narendra Modi has directed all
● However, the Chandrayaan 2 mission is Ministries that Fit India must be a part of
still survived by the Orbiter which has their action.
captured the highest resolution visuals ● He added that Fit India is a way of life and
ever taken of the Moon by its High- it should be encouraged in such a manner
Resolution Camera (OHRC) from an that each state competes with the others
altitude of ~100 km. on which is the fittest state in India.
● For the new mission, engineers and ● The Minister also said that India is fast
scientists at Indian space agency will only emerging as a sporting powerhouse and in
design and build an entirely new lander and the last six months, the country has
rover. performed better in every field be it wushu
● Since Chandrayaan 2 mission already has or wrestling.
a functional orbiter that is currently in orbit ● He said merely bagging a couple of medals
around the Moon, Chandrayaan 3 will not in the Olympics is not enough and India
feature an orbiter of its own. However, no must be aggressive. He said sports culture
should be created in the country and India

must rank within the top ten countries in water taken from capitals of 20 states
the Olympics. across the country in New Delhi.
● Mr Paswan said, none of the samples
Finance ministry discusses simplification of drawn from Chandigarh,
GST filing process Thiruvananthapuram, Patna, Bhopal,
Guwahati, Bengaluru, Gandhi Nagar,
● Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has Lucknow, Jammu, Jaipur, Dehradun,
chaired a meeting on simplification of GST Chennai and Kolkata complied with the
forms and returns. requirements of the Indian Standard.
● In a series of tweets, Finance Ministry said, ● He said, drinking water and pollution are
as a part of the ongoing efforts to address the biggest problems that the country is
the concern raised on the process of filing facing today.
GST forms, Mrs Sitharaman met Rajasthan ● Mr. Paswan said, drinking water testing will
Tax Consultants' Association, the Institute be completed by January 15, next year in
of Chartered Accountants of India, 100 smart cities.
Confederation Of All India Traders and ● The minister added that the government
Laghu Udyog Bharti in New Delhi has set a target of providing piped water to
yesterday. every household by 2024 and it is working
● The aim of the exercise was to further in this direction.
simplify GST forms and make the filling
process more user-friendly. India-U.S holds bilateral discussions on the
● The Finance Minister directed that sidelines of ADMM plus in Bangkok
extensive nation-wide consultations ● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a
should be held on the new GST return bilateral meeting with US Secretary of
system to be launched from the next Defence Dr. Mark T. Esper on the sidelines
financial year. of ADMM Plus today at Bangkok.
● Expressing happiness on the growing
Centre releases tap water quality rankings for relationship between India and USA,
cities Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed
that the bilateral cooperation between the
● Mumbai has topped the quality of tap water
two sides has grown across a wide range
ranking released by Consumer Affairs
of sectors including Defence and Security,
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today. Delhi is
Economy, Energy, Counter-Terrorism and
at the bottom, with all 11 samples failing on
People to People ties.
19 parameters.
● The Defence Minister conveyed that there
● The Minister released the much-awaited
is growing convergence between India and
investigation report of samples of drinking
USA on the Indo-Pacific region and India's
vision is for Indo-Pacific is for a free and

open, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive received wide support from minority areas
region supported by a rules-based order in the north and east.
and respect for sovereignty and territorial ● The counting of votes is continuing and
integrity. final results are expected by this evening.
● ASEAN is central to India's vision of Indo- ● Gotabaya has won most of the electorates
Pacific. Both countries are working in southern provinces including
together in the area of Maritime security Hambantota, Galle and Matara, results of
including elements such as joint exercises, which have been declared so far. However,
HADR operations and Maritime Domain Sajith has got over 80 per cent votes from
Awareness. minority areas against less than 10 per
● The two Ministers also had discussions on cent for his rival.
a number of other issues concerning ● The trend shows sharp polarization along
regional security and bilateral defence community lines, unprecedented in Sri
cooperation. Lankan history.
● The meeting ended on a positive note and ● A candidate needs to get 50 per cent of
the Defence Minister looks forward to valid votes to be declared winner, else the
having substantial discussions during the second preference votes will have to be
forthcoming 2 plus 2 dialogue in counted. Both candidates had campaigned
Washington DC later next month. mainly on the plank of national security and
good governance.
Gotabaya wins presidential elections in
Srilanka First night trial of Agni-2 missile conducted
● Presidential candidate Gotabaya
successfully
Rajapaksa has claimed victory at the ● India has successfully conducted the first
elections held in Sri Lanka yesterday. Sri night trial of Agni-II, its versatile surface-to-
Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) in a statement surface medium-range nuclear-capable
called upon the people to celebrate the missile from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off
victory peacefully. Odisha coast of Odisha yesterday.
● The statement came as early trends ● Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic
indicated a lead for Mr. Rajapaksa as he missile (IRBM), has already been inducted
has got overwhelming support in majority- into the armed forces.This was the first
dominated areas of the south. time that the sophisticated missile was
● Gotabaya has received around 48 per cent test fired at night.
of votes against 44 per cent of his main ● The entire trajectory of the trial was
rival Sajith Premadasa in nearly three tracked by a battery of sophisticated
million votes counted so far. The latter has radars, telemetry observation stations,
electro-optic instruments and two naval

ships located near the impact point in the Govt. may soon ease FDI rules for joint
down-range area of Bay of Bengal. ventures
● The test was carried out by the specially
● In a bid to ease the flow of foreign funds
formed Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
into legitimate business activities, the
of the Army with logistic support from the
government may soon ease restrictions on
Defence Research and Development
foreign direct investment (FDI) by joint
Organisation (DRDO).
ventures (JVs) or wholly-owned
● The two-stage ballistic missile can carry a
subsidiaries (WOS) of an Indian company
payload of 1000 kg over a distance of 2000
without categorising such investments as
km.
"suspect" involving 'round tripping' of
funds.
● The existing legal framework under FEMA
Government less likely to release consumer
does not permit FDI by an overseas JV or
expenditure survey WOS of an Indian party without the prior
● The Ministry of Statistics and Programme approval of RBI. Similarly, there are
Implementation today said that it will not restrictions on Indian entities to undertake
release the Consumer Expenditure Survey overseas direct investment (ODI) in a
results of 2017-2018 in view of the data foreign entity which already has existing
quality issues. FDI investment structures in India.
● The Ministry said, it is separately ● The changes have become important in the
examining the feasibility of conducting the backdrop of the slowing of the Indian
next Consumer Expenditure Survey in economy and the resulting lack of
2020-2021 and 2021-22 after incorporating investment by the corporate sector.
all data quality refinements in the survey ● The stringent view adopted by the RBI
process. under the objective of preventing 'round
● The Ministry said, there is a rigorous tripping' of funds has impacted abilities of
procedure for vetting of data and reports certain Indian companies which have
which are produced through surveys. All made ODI outside India to attract FDI in
such submissions which come to the India even for their group entities, even for
Ministry are draft in nature and cannot be legitimate and bona fide business
deemed to be the final report. purposes.
● The National Statistical Office of Ministry ● Sources said that the Department for
of Statistics and Programme Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Implementation carried out an all-India (DPIIT) is also studying the report for
survey on household consumption finalising changes in the Press Note
expenditure in the 75th round during the pertaining to FDI by JV or WOS of Indian
period July 2017 to June 2018. party.

● Official sources said that though the multilateral financial institutions in

changes would give free access to FDI by promoting global growth.
an Indian entity through its own JV or WOS, ● He called for an early opening of the
it would need to be established that such Regional branch of New Development Bank
flow of funds is only for bonafide business in India. He urged the BRICS Business
interests and such funds are invested as Council to create a roadmap to achieve the
FDI in India through proper banking 500 billion dollar intra-BRICS trade target
channels. by the next summit.
PM claims recently concluded BRICS summit Anti-government protests continue in Czech

as highly productive republic
● In Czech Republic, lakhs of people took to
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the streets in the capital Prague as part of
described the just-concluded BRICS major anti-government protests.
Summit in Brazil's capital Brasilia as very ● Demonstrators are demanding Prime
productive. Minister Andrej Babis to resign over
● In a tweet, Mr Modi said, during the allegations of fraud. It is alleged Babis
Summit, BRICS leaders had fruitful used European Union subsidies for his
dialogues on cementing ties in trade, private business.
innovation, technology and culture.The ● According to media reports, police
Prime Minister said, the focus on futuristic estimated that over two lakh people were
subjects will lead to deeper cooperation on the streets, while organizers put the
that will benefit the people of our number at up to three lakhs.
respective nations. ● Yesterday's protest was organized by
● The Prime Minister has since left for New activist group Million Moments for
Delhi. He reached Brasilia on Wednesday Democracy, which has staged numerous
to take part in the BRICS Summit.BRICS protests against the government of Czech
comprises five countries namely Brazil, Prime Minister Andrej Babis, urging him to
Russia, India, China and South Africa. resign.
● Earlier in Brasilia, addressing the BRICS ● The protest was held on the eve of the 30th
Business Council, the Prime Minister urged anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which
BRICS countries and New Development ended communist rule in what was then
Bank (NDB) to join the global Coalition for Czechoslovakia.
Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure.
● Participating in the Dialogue with BRICS
Business Council and NDB, Mr Modi
offered India's full backing to the

NASA renames the farthest cosmic body as Indian women win five golds at Asian youth
Arrokoth championships
● The US Space Agency National ● Indian women have clinched five gold,
Aeronautics and Space Administration while men bagged two silver at Asian
(NASA) has recently renamed farthest Youth Boxing Championship in Mongolia
cosmic body, earlier known as ‘Ultima on Sunday. All five women finalists,
Thule’ to ‘Arrokoth’ or Sky. NASA has Naorem Chanu (51kg), Vinka (64kg)
renamed the distant space rock after it was Sanamacha Chanu (75kg), Poonam (54kg)
criticized over the old name’s Nazi and Sushma (81kg) won Gold for the
connections. country in a phenomenal sweep.
● The new name Arrokoth symbolizes ‘icy- ● Among the men, Selay Soy (49kg) and
object’ which was undisturbed since the Ankit Narwal (60kg) settled for second
solar system was formed about 4.5 billion place after going down in their respective
years ago. summit clashes. India signed off with 12
● The name also reflects the wondering medals in the event with bronze coming
about the stars and looking at the sky and from Arundhati Choudhury (69kg),
was given because of its natural position. Komalpreet Kaur (81kg), Jasmine (57kg),
● The name was proposed by members of Satender Singh (91kg) and Aman (91kg).
the New Horizons team, who led the
mission to study the object. They Govt. to crack down on those violating anti-
presented the new name to the pollution norms
International Astronomical Union (IAU) and
Minor Planet Center (MPC) which officially ● Environment Secretary CK Mishra today
names and categorises Kuiper Belt said that the government will intensify its
objects. crackdown on those violating anti-pollution
● The rock which was studied in the farthest norms.
flyby ever conducted by a spacecraft was ● He was addressing a press conference
previously named as Ultima Thule to mean after a high-level meeting with the Chief
something like “farthest place”, but Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and
immediately attracted controversy Uttar Pradesh over the air pollution in the
because the word ‘Thule Has been northern states.
associated with Nazis in the past. ● He said, in the next 15 days, the
Therefore, the object will now be known as government will intensify the crackdown
Arrokoth, a Native American term meaning on violators and illegal constructions, and
‘Sky’. action will be taken to reduce emissions.
● Mr Mishra said the Environment Ministry
and the Central Pollution Control Board are

monitoring pollution separately and efforts international community to eliminate

are on to bring down the level of pollutants terrorist safe havens, disrupt their
and particulate matters in the air. networks and financing and thwart their
● He said during the meeting, the cross-border movement to ensure
instructions of the Supreme Court, the sustainable regional security.
National Green Tribunal and the Ministry of ● Describing terrorism as the most heinous
Environment were reviewed. of cross-border crimes, Mr Singh said
● Meanwhile, air quality in the national some States use terror to pursue political
capital improved, entering the poor goals making regional security vulnerable.
category. According to CPCB, the Air ● Mr Singh said India’s Indo-Pacific vision is
Quality Index was recorded at 217 this based on the idea of sustainable security
evening. as it focuses on a free, open, inclusive and
rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Centre calls upon international players to
eliminate terrorist safe havens Finance ministry showcases steps taken to
● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today
increase GDP
reiterated the government's commitment ● Union Finance Minister Nirmala
to achieve 26 billion dollar defence industry Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha on
by 2025.Mr Singh was speaking at a Monday that the Government has been
business seminar ‘India Rising’, organised taking steps to increase the country’s GDP
by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in growth rate.
Bangkok, Thailand. ● The corporate tax has been cut to 15 per
● He said, the defence sector has been given cent for new domestic manufacturing
prominence under the Make in India companies which is amongst the lowest in
initiative to reduce dependence on imports the world. This complements a cut in the
and make India a major defence repo rate by 135 basis points during 2019
manufacturing hub. by the Reserve Bank of India.
● Mr Singh said India’s defence exports have ● Banks have been mandated to link their
grown almost six-fold in the last two years. lending rates with external benchmarks for
The Minister said a 10-billion dollar reducing the cost of capital for investors.
investment in aerospace and defence ● The Minister said, as per the National
goods and services is expected by 2025, Statistical Office, the country’s GDP growth
which could provide employment to 20 to was 7.5 per cent in 2014-19. This is the
30 lakh people. highest amongst the G-20 countries.
● Rajnath Singh also addressed the 6th ● In the last five years, the government has
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus implemented major reforms to build up the
(ADMM Plus). He called upon the

investment climate in the country so as to strengthen the primary healthcare delivery

become a five trillion US dollar economy. system in the country.
● Introduction of the Insolvency and ● The Health Minister also informed that
Bankruptcy Code in 2016 was a significant under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
step to clean and strengthen the country’s Yojana, over 60 lakh poor people have
financial system. Implementation of the availed the benefit of the scheme.
Goods and Services Tax in 2017 stands out ● Speaking about the Conference, Dr
as the most important measure for Vardhan said, health experts from the
improving the ease of doing business in South East Asia Region will discuss
India. ensuring affordable medicines, vaccines
● The Finance Minister emphasized that the and medical devices in achieving Universal
Make-in-India programme is a major Health Coverage.
initiative to increase the country’s ● The objective of the three-day conference
indigenous capacity to produce world- is to explore new approaches in the
class goods and services. Inflation has innovation landscape in medical products
been kept low, fiscal spending disciplined for achieving Universal Health Coverage
and current account deficit kept under and SDGs Goals.
manageable limits to ensure
macroeconomic stability, the Minister ISRO plans to launch Cartosat-3 by month
added. end
● India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,
Around 13000 health centres to be opened by
PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13
March 2020 commercial nanosatellites into Sun
● Around 13 thousand more Health and Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan
Wellness Centres will become functional Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
by the end of March next year. At present ● The launch is tentatively scheduled at 0928
27 thousand, such centres are already Hrs IST on 25th November subject to
operational in different parts of the weather conditions. PSLV-C47 is the 21st
country. flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration, that is
● Speaking at the World Conference on with 6 solid strap-on motors.
'Access to Medical Products: Achieving ● This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission
Sustainable Development Goals' in New from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.Cartosat-3
Delhi Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan satellite is a third-generation agile
said that the government has decided to advanced satellite having high-resolution
set up 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness imaging capability.
Centres by 2022 under Ayushman Bharat ● The satellite will be placed in an orbit of
Yojana. Dr Vardhan said, these Centres will 509 km at an inclination of 97.5

degree.PSLV-C 47 will also carry 13 Judiciary to expedite speedy disposal of

commercial nanosatellites from the United long-pending cases.
States of America as part of commercial ● The Minister was replying to questions
arrangement with NewSpace India Limited posed by various members during the
(NSIL), Department of Space. question hour today in the LokSabha.
● Mr. Prasad said that the government has
India-Pakistan tie match shifted to appointed a record number of 478 Judges
Kazakhstan in the High Courts and 34 Judges in the
Supreme Court. He also said that the Chief
● India will travel to Nur-Sultan to take on Justices of the High Courts have been
Pakistan in the upcoming Davis Cup tie.The requested to take proactive steps to
International Tennis Federation (ITF) has dispose of cases that are more than 10
nominated the Kazakhstan capital to host years old.
the matches, ending days of uncertainty ● As far as the undertrials are concerned, the
over the venue. Minister said that those who have
● The davis cup tie will take place on 29th completed more than half of the
and 30th November in Nur-Sultan, formerly punishable period in detention should be
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. released.
● Speaking exclusively to All India Radio,All
India Tennis Association,AITA General
Parliament passes Jallianwala Bagh
Secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee said that
the ITF has informed AITA that Pakistan’s
memorial amendment bill 2019
appeal has been rejected. ● Parliament has passed the
● The Independent Tribunal of the ITF JallianwalaBagh National Memorial
endorsed the decision taken by the Davis (Amendment) Bill, 2019. RajyaSabha
Cup Committee on 4th November that the approved the bill yesterday while LokSabha
tie should be shifted to a neutral venue, had passed it in the last session.
keeping in mind safety and security of ● The Bill seeks to amend the
players and officials. JallianwalaBagh National Memorial Act,
1951. It has a provision to remove the
Central government appoints judges in President of the Congress party as a
Supreme Court and high courts Trustee and clarifies that when there is no
Leader of the Opposition in the LokSabha,
● The Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi the leader of the single largest Opposition
Shankar Prasad has said that the party will be the trustee.
government has provided all kinds of ● The Bill also allows the Central government
infrastructure and other support to the to terminate the term of a nominated

Trustee before the expiry of the period of ● Thakur said continuous liberalisation has
his term, without assigning any reason. resulted in record and unprecedented
● Replying to the discussion on the Bill, inflows of foreign direct investment into
Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said the the country and all along the government
government’s intention is to build a has kept inflation low, fiscal spending
Memorial so that the sacrifice of martyrs is disciplined and current account deficit
remembered by generations to come. manageable to ensure macroeconomic
stability to sustain a healthy investment
Government assures that India will continue climate in the country.
to become the fastest growing economy :
AIIB plans to invest $2.5billion in Indian road and
● India is not facing a 5 per cent economic metro projects :
slowdown and continues to be the fastest ● The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
growing economy in the world, Union (AIIB) is planning to invest up to $2.5 billion
Minister Anurag Thakur said in LokSabha in urban transport projects, such as Metro
on Monday. commuter-rail networks and radial roads,
● During Question Hour, Thakur also said giving a boost to New Delhi’s Smart City
that a number of steps are being taken by initiative.
the government to strengthen the economy ● AIIB is in advanced talks with different
that includes merger of banks and tax nodal agencies, including Chennai Metro
concessions to industries. Rail and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corp, two
● Highlighting series of steps taken by the people with direct knowledge of the matter
government to strengthen the economy, told ET. The supranational lender is
Thakur said tax concessions have been expected to sign financing agreements
given to industries, foreign direct with these two railroad operators.
investments and MSME sector. ● In Chennai, AIIB plans to invest another
● The minister said the government has been $400 million in a ring road project that is
taking several measures to address supposed to connect the main city with its
moderate levels of fixed investment rate in Information Technology hub.
the economy, plateauing of private ● The global lender, which has a disposable
consumption rate and a modest export sum of $20 billion, wants to increase the
performance, with a view to increasing the share of lending in India, where banks often
GDP growth of the country. shy away from long-term project financing
● Thakur said in the last five years, the due to billions of dollars in bad loans.
government implemented major reforms ● AIIB now predominantly invests in projects
to build the investment climate in the owned by the government. Besides
country for becoming a US 5 trillion-dollar transport and railways, it loans funds to
economy. sectors such as energy (transmission) and

water. It is now only into dollar- ● The Indian envoy emphasised that an
denominated lending but plans to develop added challenge in the nexus between
a system where it can extend credit in terror and organised crime is the role of
rupee terms. new and emerging technologies, including
virtual currencies, encrypted
India calls for zero tolerance to combat communications and artificial intelligence.
terror-crime nexus at UN-SCO
India-Singapore to expand defence
● India has called for a zero-tolerance
approach, without any double standards, to
cooperation
combat the existential global threat of the ● India and Singapore have agreed to
terror-crime nexus. strengthen bilateral defence cooperation
● At the 3rd High-level Special Event of and take it to greater heights. Defence
United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Minister Rajnath Singh expressed
Organization, UN-SCO, held yesterday night satisfaction at the increasing engagement
in New York, India said that UN-designated of the Armed Forces of both the countries
terrorist organisations such as the in conducting joint exercises.
Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e- ● Mr Singh said this while calling on
Mohammed continue to destabilise Singapore Deputy Prime Minister
regions through their cross-border HengSweeKeat in Singapore yesterday.
financing and propaganda. ● Mr. Singh stressed that the Indo-Pacific for
● Speaking at the event, India's Permanent India means an open, inclusive and stable
Representative to the United Nations Syed region, connected through secure seas,
Akbaruddin said that the terror-crime integrated by trade and anchored by the
nexus is an existential global threat, the unity and centrality of ASEAN.
contours of which are mutating every day. ● The Defence Minister will co-chair the 4th
● In order to combat this menace, India-Singapore Defence Ministers’
Akbaruddin said the international Dialogue today before concluding his two-
community will need to keep ahead of the day visit.
new trends and technologies, something
that can only be achieved if the global NASA unveils its first electric plane
community work together, with a zero-
● NASA, most prominent for its many
tolerance approach, bereft of double
Florida-launched exploits into space,
standards.
showcased an early version of its first all-
● Mr.Akbaruddin said India looks forward to
electric experimental aircraft, the X-57
organising an SCO event in India on
"Maxwell," at its lesser-known aeronautics
combating illegal financial flows related to
lab in the California desert.
narcotics trafficking in 2020.

● Adapted from a Italian-made Tecnam bluechip oil company Bharat Petroleum

P2006T twin-engine propeller plane, the X- Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Shipping Corporation
57 has been under development since of India. Also on sale will be a 31% stake in
2015 and remains at least a year away Container Corporation of India (Concor)
from its first test flight in the skies over along with management control.
Edward Air Force Base. ● Based on current market prices, the sale of
● But after attaching the two largest of 14 stakes in these three companies will fetch
electric motors that will ultimately propel the government about Rs 78,400 crore,
the plane - powered by specially designed taking it close to the disinvestment target
lithium ion batteries - NASA deemed the for the fiscal year.
Maxwell ready for its first public preview. ● The cabinet committee on economic
● NASA also showed off a newly built affairs (CCEA), which met under the
simulator that allows engineers, and pilots, chairmanship of Prime Minister
to get the feel of what it will be like to NarendraModi, also cleared the sale of its
maneuver the finished version of the X-57 entire stake in Tehri Hydro Development
in flight, even as the plane remains under Corp of India and North Eastern Electric
development. Power Corporation (Neepco) to NTPC.
● The Maxwell is the latest in a proud line of ● The government will retain a 24% stake in
experimental aircraft the National Concor given that it is “integrally linked”
Aeronautics and Space Administration has with Indian Railways.
developed over many decades for many ● The Taxation Amendment Bill, which was
purposes, including the bullet-shaped Bell also approved by the cabinet, will replace
X-1 that first broke the sound barrier and the September 20 ordinance that had cut
the X-15 rocket plane flown by Neil corporate tax rate cut to 22%, without any
Armstrong before he joined the Apollo incentives and holidays, and instituted a
moon team. new 15% rate for greenfield manufacturing.
● Due to current battery limitations, The bill also proposes certain changes to
Maxwell's design is envisioned for use in the Income Tax Act, beyond the ordinance,
short-haul flights as an air-taxi or to provide greater clarity on the lower tax
commuter plane for a small number of regime.
passengers.
SEBI approves disclosure norms for listed
Govt.to move forward with disinvestment of BPCL companies
and other PSU’s
● The government kicked off a blockbuster ● The Securities and Exchange Board of
disinvestment plan on Wednesday, lining India, SEBI, has approved stricter
up the sale of five public sector units disclosure norms for listed companies.
(PSUs), including majority stakes in

● Accordingly, in case of default in United States should the legislation be

repayment of loans beyond 30 days, listed signed into law.
companies will have to disclose the fact of ● China's Foreign Ministry in a statement
such default within 24 hours.SEBI said that Vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu
Chairman Ajay Tyagi hoped that the move called in acting charge d'affaires William
will help investors make informed choices. Klein to lodge a strong protest.
● Secondly, SEBI has amended Portfolio ● The US Senate, on Tuesday, has
Managers (PM) Regulations, 2019 unanimously passed The Hong Kong
following which net worth requirement of Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
portfolio managers has been enhanced that would also require the Secretary of
from two crore to five crore rupees. State to certify at least once a year that
● The regulator has informed that existing Hong Kong still retains enough autonomy
portfolio managers will have to meet the to warrant the special US trading
enhanced requirement within 36 months. consideration that bolsters its status as a
● After a board meeting in Mumbai today, world financial center.
SEBI announced that it has approved a ● The US treats semi-autonomous Hong
proposal to reduce the overall time taken Kong, which has its own legal and political
for a rights issue from 55 days to 31 days. systems, differently from the Chinese
● Besides, SEBI has also extended the mainland when it comes to trade and
Business Responsibility Report export controls.The bill - if it becomes law -
requirement to top 1,000 companies, from will demand greater scrutiny of the city's
500 currently. special status.
● Speaking to reporters, Mr.Tyagi said the ● The bill,which among other things prohibits
regulator perhaps needs to be more the commercial export of certain munitions
muscular to build trust among whistle- to the Communist party-controlled Hong
blowers. This was after a whistle-blower Kong Police Force, would provide
approached the US watchdog, Securities sanctions against officials responsible for
and Exchange Commission with a human rights violations in Hong Kong.
complaint against IT major Infosys instead
of SEBI. Palestine questions U.S decision to legitimise
Israeli settlements
China condemns U.S passage of HongKong rights
bill ● Palestine has condemned the US decision
● China's foreign ministry today summoned to abandon its four-decades-old position
a top US diplomat over the Senate's that Jewish settlements in the occupied
passing of a Hong Kong rights bill, warning West Bank are inconsistent with
of strong countermeasures against the international law.

● Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for Romoser's research found numerous
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas examples of insect-like forms, structured
said the US does not have the right to give similarly to bees, as well as reptile-like
any legitimacy to Israeli settlement.Chief forms, both as fossils and living creatures.
negotiator SaebErekat said the decision ● Romoser said that while the Martian rovers,
threatened to replace international law, particularly the Curiosity Rover, have been
with, what he called, the law of the jungle. looking for indicators of organic activity,
● US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo there are a number of photos which clearly
announced that the United States no longer depict the insect- and reptile-like forms.
views dozens of Jewish settlements ● An exoskeleton and jointed appendages
established by Israel in the occupied West are sufficient to establish identification as
Bank as inconsistent with international an arthropod. Three body regions, a single
law. pair of antennae, and six legs are
● Pompeo said the US decision should not be traditionally sufficient to establish
used as a precedent for any other part of identification as 'insect' on Earth.
the world or interpret it as an attempt to ● "The presence of higher metazoan
prejudge the ultimate status of the West organisms on Mars implies the presence of
Bank. nutrient/energy sources and processes,
● The US embassy in Jerusalem has issued food chains and webs, and water as
a travel warning for the Palestinian elements functioning in a viable, if extreme,
territories following Mike Pompeo's ecological setting sufficient to sustain life,"
announcement Romoser said.
● Unlike Israel and the US, the international
community sees the presence and India’s Saritadevi elected member of AIBA
expansion of Jewish settlements in the athletes commission
occupied West Bank and annexed East
Jerusalem as illegal and considers it to be ● LaishramSarita Devi of Manipur is among
one of the major obstacles on the way to the six boxers from 5 continents who were
peace. elected as members of AIBA Athletes
Commission. LaishramSarita Devi was
Scientists Portray evidence of life on Mars inspired by Muhammad Ali's
● As scientists scramble to determine achievements, and turned professional in
whether there is life on Mars, a researcher boxing in the year 2000. She is a DSP in the
from Ohio University in US believes that Manipur Police.
there is evidence of insect-like creatures on ● The election of the Athletes Commission
the red planet. members was organized during AIBA Men
● Courtesy photographs from various Mars and Women World Boxing Championships
rovers, Professor Emeritus William 2019 in Russia. Boxers from all over the

world voted for new members - one per tomorrow at the request of Prime Minister
continent, except Europe which has two Narendra Modi.
representatives.
Thousands of Columbians protest against the
India seeks consular access for 2 nationals government
arrested by Pakistan
● India asks Pak to provide consular access ● Tens of thousands of Colombians took to
to two of its nationals who were arrested the streets of the capital Bogota yesterday
● India has asked Pakistan to provide amid a general strike to protest the policies
consular access to two of its nationals who of President Ivan Duque's right-wing
were arrested by the neighbouring country. government.
● Briefing media in New Delhi today, External ● Several clashes and arrests were reported
Affairs Ministry Spokesman Raveesh as trade unions, students, opposition
Kumar said, India has sought their parties and the South American country's
repatriation without any harm. He said, the indigenous organisations challenged the
sudden arrest of the two Indians, Prashant full gamut of Duque's economic, social and
Vaindam and Dhari Lal, came as a surprise security policies.
as India had informed Pakistan that they ● The popularity of Duque's right-wing
may have crossed over inadvertently. government, a key US ally, has been on the
● He hoped that the arrested Indians do not wane since his election 18 months ago, as
become victims of Pakistani it deals with hosting 1.4 million refugees
propaganda.The Spokesman also said, the from neighbouring Venezuela's economic
number of pilgrims using the Kartarpur meltdown as well as the complex fallout of
Corridor is increasing in the last few days, a 2016 peace deal with FARC
especially over the weekends. (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia)
● He said, the facilitation procedures are part rebels and rampant drug trafficking.
of the bilateral agreement with Pakistan ● The protest comes amid social upheaval
which have been finalized after the across South America, as a wave of unrest
discussions of the officials from both the over the past two months has battered
countries. He added that any change can governments in Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.
be undertaken only with the consent of
both parties formally and not through a NASA finds extraterrestrial sugar in space
tweet or a statement. rocks
● Mr Kumar also said, Bangladesh Prime
● First, an international team has found
Minister Sheikh Hasina will witness the
sugars essential to life in meteorites -
opening day's play of India's maiden Day-
supporting the hypothesis that chemical
Night Cricket Test match in Kolkata

reactions in asteroids can make some of second test of the two-match series
life's ingredients. against Bangladesh will also be a historic
● The research provides the first direct Day-night Test. The play will begin at 1 PM.
evidence of ribose in space and the ● Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
delivery of the sugar to Earth. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
● Ribose is a crucial component of RNA Banerjee and the sporting greats of India
(ribonucleic acid). In much of modern life, will be in attendance.
RNA serves as a messenger molecule, ● External Affairs Ministry Spokesman
copying genetic instructions from the DNA Ravish Kumar yesterday informed that the
molecule and delivering them to molecular Bangladesh Prime Minister will witness the
factories within the cell called ribosomes opening day's play.
that read the RNA to build specific proteins ● Pink balls will be used in place of red balls
needed to carry out life processes. for better visibility under lights. India had
● Since its arrival in December 2018, the wrapped up victory in the first Test in three
OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has mapped the days and they used the extra time to get
entire Bennu asteroid in order to identify some sessions with the pink ball.
the safest and most accessible spots for ● The enthusiasm of cricket lovers over the
the spacecraft to collect a sample. beginning of a new era in the field of the
● NASA has chosen four potential sites for sports is unprecedented.To make the
its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to fetch a event memorable pink ball will be given to
sample of the asteroid Bennu. The goal is the Captains of two teams from the
to collect a sample of Bennu in mid-2020, helicopter at match ground.
and return it to Earth in late 2023. ● The entire Eden Gardens have been
● The new work gives some evidence to decorated with pink colour. Cricket
support the possibility that RNA maestro of the country will be honoured on
coordinated the machinery of life before the occasion in the presence of BCCI
DNA.Since Earth is awash with life, the President Sourav Ganguly.
team had to consider the possibility that
the sugars in the meteorites simply came Govt.plans to reduce carbon emission
from contamination by terrestrial life. intensity by 35%
● The team plans to analyze more meteorites
to get a better idea of the abundance of the ● Union Minister for Environment, Forest and
extraterrestrial sugars. Climate Change PrakashJavadekar today
stressed the need to work daily to fight the
First ever pink ball day/night test to be held today menace of air pollution.
● The first ever pink ball Test match between ● Replying to the discussion in LokSabha on
India and Bangladesh will begin at the Eden air pollution and climate change, Mr
Gardens in Kolkata this afternoon. The Javadekar said, the government has

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clamped down coal-based thermal power of the domestic downstream plastic

plants to check air pollution. He said processing industry.
pollution is being monitored in 355 cities. ● These parks are located in Assam, Madhya
● Mr Javadekar said the government has Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Tamil
made city specific plans.The Minister said, Nadu.
eighty per cent vehicular emissions ● This was stated by Chemicals and
reduction was registered after the adoption Fertilizers Minister DV SadanandaGowda
of BS-IV fuel standards in heavy-duty diesel in a written reply in RajyaSabhatoday.He
vehicles. said, out of them, the plastic park at Tamot
● Saying planting saplings can be a good in Madhya Pradesh is functional.
initiative, the Minister suggested that every ● Under the scheme, the government
citizen should plant at least seven provides grant funding up to 50 per cent of
trees.The Minister informed that the the project cost. The remaining project
Central Government has notified a Graded cost is to be funded by State Government
Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR beneficiary industries and by a loan from
for different levels of pollution. financial institutions.
● Mr Javadekar informed the House that ● The Minister said, four new plastic parks
India has already reduced its carbon have also been given in-principle approval
emissions intensity by 22 per cent, and for establishment in West Bengal, Haryana,
now the target is to go beyond 35 per cent. Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.
● The Minister said a number of initiatives ● In a written reply to a question in the
have been taken for the abatement and LokSabha, Minister of State for
control of air pollution including, Environment Babul Supriyo informed that
operationalization of Eastern Peripheral the environment Ministry has issued
Expressway and Western peripheral Standard Guidelines on Single-use plastics
Expressway in 2018. He said, the to all Ministries and States for its extensive
government is ready to adopt any new implementation.
technology that helps in reducing pollution. ● The guidelines suggest the action to be
Govt. approves setting up of plastic parks across taken by the State governments for
the country minimization of usage of single-use
● The government has approved setting up plastics. He said, considering the high
six plastic parks in different parts of the environmental cost associated with the
country. management of single-use plastics, Prime
● These parks will have an ecosystem with Minister NarendraModi announced India’s
state of the art infrastructure building and pledge to phase it out by 2022.
enabling the common facility to
consolidate and synergize the capacities

Tax department launches web portal for Narendra Singh Tomar said, from 1st
information exchange December of this year, the release of
benefits will be made to beneficiaries only
● The Chairman of the Central Board of on the basis of Aadhar authenticated data
Direct Taxes (CBDT), P C Mody today
under this scheme.
inaugurated the Web Portal for Exchange ● He further said, as per the instructions of
of Information on Income Tax Website in the central government, state governments
New Delhi today. have organized publicity and awareness
● The Web Portal consolidates all the campaigns to ensure that Aadhar based
relevant Automatic Exchange of authenticated data must be used to
Information related information at one provide the benefit to the beneficiaries.
place for financial institutions, officers and
● He informed that around over one crore 67
public. lakh farmers in Uttar Pradesh are benefited
● Finance Ministry in a statement said that under the scheme which is the highest
the portal would not only be useful for the
among all the all states.
domestic financial institutions but will also
help the foreign tax authorities and
India-China to celebrate 70th anniversary of
financial institutions to get information
about the Indian laws, rules and diplomatic relations
procedures. ● India and China will jointly hold 70
● It said, India is committed to exchange celebratory activities to mark the 70th
financial account information anniversary of the establishment of
automatically from 2017 under the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Common Reporting Standard on ● The External Affairs Ministry said that the
Automatic Exchange of Information year-long activities starting from 2020 will
(AEOI). demonstrate historic connections between
two civilisations as well as growing
Govt. claims that over 7 crore farmers bilateral relations.
benefited from PM-KISAN scheme ● Prime Minister NarendraModi and Chinese
President Xi Jinping had agreed to
● Over seven crore farmers have been organise 70 celebratory activities in both
benefited under Pradhan Mantri Kisan
countries during their Second Informal
Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. Summit in Chennai last month.
● Under this scheme, six thousand rupees
● These activities will further deepen people-
per year are being given in three
to-people exchanges at all levels, including
instalments to the farmers. between legislatures, businesses,
● In a written reply in the RajyaSabha academics, cultural and youth
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister,

organisations as well as the defence ● While acknowledging that the United

forces. States could not come to Pakistan with
● The two sides will also engage in offers from state-run companies, Wells
cooperative projects in studying ancient said private US investment, coupled with
maritime links between India and China US grants, would improve the troubled
through various ways including the economy's fundamentals.
establishment of sister-state relations
between Tamil Nadu and Fujian Province. K-12 education transformation framework
● Activities will be held related to martial arts launched in India
exchange, traditional sports,
entrepreneurship, and joint post- ● Software giant Microsoft has launched its
earthquake search and rescue exercise. “K-12 Education Transformation
Framework” to facilitate comprehensive
U.S warns Pakistan on Chinese economic corridor digital transformation of schools in India.
project consequences ● So far, this framework model has been
● The United States warned Pakistan that it adopted by education leaders in more than
faced long-term economic damage with 50 countries to help plan their learning
little return if China keeps pursuing its giant strategies.
infrastructure push. ● It is aimed at providing education
● The top US diplomat for South Asia said the leadership, government decision makers,
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor teachers and most importantly learners,
heralded as a game-changer by both Asian tools to achieve ambitious change many
countries but this would profit only Beijing schools seek and to thoughtfully integrate
and said that the United States offered a technology in powerful and productive
better model. ways.
● Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson ● It provides a holistic framework to facilitate
International Center for Scholars, acting a comprehensive digital transformation of
assistant secretary of state for South Asia, schools. It is a flexible platform based on
Alice Wells said it needs to be clear, that the latest research and input from
CPEC is not about aid since it is driven by hundreds of academics, experts, and
non-concessionary loans, with Chinese policymakers.
companies sending their own labor and ● To help school principals initiate their
materials. journey of digital transformation, this
● She said the corridor is going to take a framework programme offers them a
growing toll on the Pakistan economy, series of workshops based on each of the
especially when the bulk of payments start four pillars.
to come due in the next four to six years.

Indian players win gold at ISSF world Reports suggests 22% of groundwater in
championships critical stage
● In Shooting, India's young shooters
● Almost 22% of groundwater (assessed un-
touched another sensational high with
its) in the country has either dried up or is
Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valerian and
in the ‘critical’ and ‘over-exploited’
DivyanshPanwar clinching gold medals in
categories, Jal Shakti (water resources)
their events to give the country its best ever
minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said
single-day show in the ISSF World Cup
as he emphasised the need to focus on
Finals in Putian, China today.
efficient use of water resources and noted
● The 17-year-old Bhaker fired her way to the
that 10% of water saving in the agriculture
gold with a junior world record in the
sector now would make it available to all
women's 10 metres air pistol event, while
users for the next 50 years.
the 20-year-old Elavenil claimed the top
● The ‘Dynamic Ground Water Resources of
honours in the women's 10 metres air rifle
India’ report of the Central Ground Water
competition.
Board (CGWB) showed that 1,499 out of
● Later, another teen sensation Divyansh
6,881 assessed units
finished on top in the men's 10 metres air
(blocks/mandals/taluks) in 2017 came
rifle competition.
under ‘over-exploited’ (1,186 units) and
‘critical’ (313 units) categories.
Indian wrestlers win gold at U-15Asian
● The report sought immediate change in
championships extraction patterns of groundwater and
● In wrestling, Indians grapplers continued surface water interventions.
their golden rush at the Under-15 Asian ● The CGWB report showed that ‘over-
Wrestling Championships in Taichung, exploited’ areas were mostly concentrated
Chinese Taipei, clinching six gold medals in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and
yesterday. In freestyle, Akash performed western Uttar Pradesh (where even though
brilliantly to beat Daiki Ogawa of Japan in replenishable resources are abundant,
the 48kg category. there has been indiscriminate withdrawal
● In Greco-Roman category, AnkitGulia of groundwater leading to over-
defeated Korganov of Kazakhstan to win exploitation); parts of Rajasthan and
the gold in the 68kg while Chirag Dahlia Gujarat (where due to arid climate,
clinched a gold by winning both his bouts groundwater recharge is limited); and parts
in 75kg. of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
● Three Indian girls - Saloni in 33kg, Babli in and Tamil Nadu where due to inherent
36kg and Komal in 39kg also performed properties of crystalline aquifers, the
brilliantly to win gold medals for the groundwater availability is low.
country.

NSO data says rise in salaried workers and construction, while the tertiary sector,
women fare better comprising services, went up.
● The share of regular wage earners and
salaried employees in the total urban Scientists to use upgraded GMRT to measure
workforce increased marginally between gas mass of galaxies
April-June 2018 and January-March 2019
— from 48.3% to 50% — with women faring ● Scientists at the National Centre for Radio
better than men, the latest Periodic Labour Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of
Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Fundamental Research (NCRA-TIFR, Pune)
National Statistical Organisation (NSO) and the Indian Institute of Science
showed. Education and Research, Mohali (IISER-
● According to data released on Saturday, Mohali) have used the upgraded Giant
the rising trend has been maintained over Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) to
the last four quarters, with women salaried carry out the most distant measurement of
workers, representing organised sector the atomic hydrogen content of galaxies in
workers, seeing a 2.1 percentage point the early Universe, informed NCRA.
increase, compared to 1.5 percentage ● The GMRT is built and operated by NCRA-
points for male workers. TIFR and is among the largest radio
● Although the rate was the lowest for the telescopes in the world. Galaxies like the
four quarters for which data is available, it Milky-way are made up of stars and gas.
shows that the labour market has largely The life cycle of a galaxy is essentially the
failed to address unemployment issues conversion of gas to stars through
that are now being consistently raised by gravitational collapse of gas clouds.
many industry bodies as well as experts. ● The study resulted in a measurement of the
● Gender wise analysis of the data shows average atomic gas content of star-
that the unemployment rate was forming galaxies located 4 billion light
significantly higher among women seeking years away, when the Universe was about
employment. In Q4 2018-19, two-thirds of its current age.
unemployment rate was 29% among ● Remarkably, the authors found that both
women which was 8 percentage points the star-formation efficiency of galaxies
higher than joblessness among men. This and the cosmological gas mass density in
is despite the fact that women have a far galaxies appear to have not changed
lower share in the overall labour force. significantly over the last 4 billion years.
● The numbers also suggested that there ● Jasjeet Singh Bagla, a professor at IISER-
was a fall in agriculture sector’s share as Mohali and also a co-author, mentioned
well as those of the secondary sectors that his interest in such studies was
such as mining, manufacturing and initiated by simulations of structure
formation in the Universe, and that it was

wonderful to see that direct measurements in the universities and colleges should be
of gas masses of distant galaxies are filled up at the earliest.
possible today. ● The Minister said UGC has also framed
guidelines for empanelment of adjunct
Lakshya Sen wins Scottish open championship faculty in universities and colleges.
● In badminton, India's Lakshya Sen has won ● The guidelines enable higher educational
the Scottish Open men's single title, institutions to access eminent teachers
defeating Brazilian Ygor Coelho to seal his and researchers who have completed their
fourth title in three months. formal association with universities and
● The 18-year-old Indian started his year with colleges to participate in teaching to
a silver medal at the Polish Open collaborate and stimulate research activity
International Challenge in March. After a for qualifying research at M.Phil. and PhD.
series of disappointing exits, Sen went on
to win the Belgian International in Taxation amendment bill introduced in
September, his first title of the year. parliament
● Within a month, Lakshya won his first BWF
Super 100 title at the Dutch Open, with the ● Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman
second one coming soon after, at the introduced the Taxation Laws
SaarLorLux Open in Germany. He will be (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the LokSabha
next seen in action in the Syed Modi yesterday. The Bill provides domestic
International Championship, starting companies with a new option to pay tax at
tomorrow in Lucknow. the rate of 22 per cent, provided they do not
claim certain deductions under the IT Act.
● Currently, domestic companies with an
Centre concerned on vacant teacher posts in
annual turnover of up to 400 crore rupees
universities pay income tax at the rate of 25 per cent.
● More than 30 thousand teaching posts are For other domestic companies, the tax rate
lying vacant in various universities across is 30 percent.
the country.Human Resource Development ● The Bill also provides new domestic
Minister Ramesh PokhriyalNishank gave manufacturing companies with an option
the information in a written reply in the to pay income tax at the rate of 15 percent,
LokSabha today. provided they do not claim certain
● He said the University Grants Commission, deductions.
UGC, has framed guidelines for recruitment ● The International Financial Services
of faculty in universities, colleges and other Centres Authority Bill, 2019, Special
institutions. Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019
● He said universities have been requested and The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 were
to take steps to ensure that the vacancies also introduced in the House yesterday.

GoM set to resolve land leasing issues soon that may lead to an improved
understanding of the limits of habitability.
● The Prime Minister’s Office has set up a
● The study, published in the journal Nature
group of 12 ministers to resolve
Ecology and Evolution, revealed that any
differences over the proposed Model
form of microbial life was absent in the hot,
Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016. The
saline, hyperacid ponds of the Dallol
GoM includes the ministers of defence,
geothermal field in Ethiopia.
home, agriculture and rural development.
● They said it is one of the most torrid
● The model legislation, drafted by the Aayog
environments on the planet with daily
three years ago, is yet to be adopted by the
temperatures in winter exceeding 45
states. Most state governments have
degrees Celsius. The landscape, the
either legally banned or slapped
researchers said, had abundant
restrictions on agricultural land leasing
hypersaline and hyperacid pools, with pH --
that have forced tenancy to be informal,
which is measured on a scale from 0 (very
insecure and inefficient.
acidic) to 14 (very alkaline) -- even hitting
● The move came after the Aayog took up
the negative mark.
with the PMO the issue of the crucial
● Earlier studies had pointed out that certain
legislation being held up. The ministers of
microorganisms can develop in this multi-
social justice and empowerment, tribal
extreme environment and researchers
affairs, environment and forest, railway and
presented the place as an example of the
commerce and industry are also part of the
limits of conditions that can support life.
group.
The researchers said the place was even
● The share of agriculture in the gross
proposed as a terrestrial analogue of early
domestic product (GDP) is only about 14%,
Mars.
but it employs 49% of the country’s total
● The researchers confirmed the findings
workforce and 64% of the rural workforce.
with several other methods including a
● Landholding sizes, however, remained very
large scale sequencing of genetic markers
small. The Aayog thinks that legalisation of
to detect and classify microorganisms,
land leasing will reduce the pressure of
microbial culture attempts, using
population on agriculture and enable small
fluorescent probes to identify individual
farmers to augment their size of
cells, chemical analysis of the hypersaline
operational holdings by leasing in land.
waters.
● According to the researchers, the study
Researchers find out the most inhabitable
helps in understanding the limits of
region on earth habitability and presents evidence that
● Researchers have found an aquatic there are places even on the Earth's
environment on Earth with a complete surface which are sterile though they
absence of any form of life, an advance contain liquid water. They said the

presence of liquid water on a planet -- ● The Bill prohibits discrimination against a

which is often used as a habitability transgender person including denial of
criterion -- does not directly imply the service, unfair treatment in education,
presence of life. employment, healthcare, enjoyment of
goods, facilities, opportunities available to
Rafael nadal wins his 6th davis cup title the public, right to movement and right to
● In tennis, world number one Rafael Nadal reside.
has clinched sixth Davis Cup title for Spain ● As per the legislation, no government or
after beating Denis Shapovalov of Canada private entity can discriminate against a
in front of a jubilant home crowd in Madrid. transgender person in employment
Nadal defeated Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to matters including recruitment and
clinch Spain’s 2-0 win against Canada. promotion.
● Earlier yesterday, compatriot, Roberto ● Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of
Bautista Agut put Nadal in position to Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar
clinch the trophy with a 7-6, 6-3 win against Chand Gehlot said that wider consultations
Felix Auger-Aliassime in the opener. have been made while framing the rules of
● The world number one has won all eight of this legislation.
his rubbers this week to help Spain to a first ● He said the recommendations of the
title since 2011. In 2010 Nadal won three Standing Committee directions of the
majors, but the 33-year-old will likely look Supreme Court and the suggestions of the
back on 2019 as an extraordinary year as members of the RajyaSabha have been
he won the French Open and the US Open, taken into consideration.
made the Australian Open final and also
reached the Wimbledon semifinals. Centre to consider import restriction on all kinds
of refined edible oils
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) ● The government is considering putting
Bill 2019 passed by Parliament restrictions on the import of all kinds of
refined edible oils while continuing to keep
● Parliament today passed the Transgender crude oils under the free category.
Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, ● This will help India encourage import of
with the RajyaSabha approving it today by more crude oils, facilitating better
a voice vote. utilisation of the refining capacity of the
● The LokSabha had already passed the bill. domestic industry. Currently, both refined
It defines a transgender person as one and crude edible oils are under the free
whose gender does not match the gender category of foreign trade, resulting in an
assigned at birth.It provides every unrestricted inflow into the country.
transgender person a right to reside and be ● If the proposal gets through, refined oils
included in his household. can be imported only after obtaining an

import licence while crude oils can tonnes and farmers have benefited
continue to be shipped in on the basis of immensely. He also recalled
the import export code, without the Dr.VergheseKurien's significant
requirement of any kind of licences. contribution to increasing milk production.
● India imports only palm oil in both refined ● Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal
and crude forms while other edible oils like Husbandry and Dairying Dr.Sanjeev Kumar
sunflower, soybean and rapeseed are Balyan and Pratap Chandra Sarangi along
imported only in the crude form. with other senior officials were also
● Apart from that, the government is also present on the occasion.
weighing the food ministry’s proposal of ● National Milk Day is celebrated to
imposing either a 10% cess or 12% commemorate the birthday of
integrated GST (IGST) on refined palm oil. Dr.VergheseKurien, the father of India’s
● “We have sent a proposal to the revenue White Revolution. The organized milk
department for increasing the IGST on sector flourished in the country after
imported crude to 12% to widen the tax gap Independence due to the efforts of Dr
between imported crude and refined oil. If Kurien. India's milk output surpasses that
we keep IGST on crude at the existing 5%, of all the European Union countries
the gap will increase to 10%, bringing some combined, which is followed by the US,
relief for Indian refiners,” said a food China.
ministry official.
India crosses milestone of launching 300
Centre claims India as largest milk producer foreign satellites
in the world ● India crossed the milestone of launching
● Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry 300 foreign satellites on Wednesday
and Dairying, Giriraj Singh said India is the morning when its rocket Polar Satellite
largest milk-producing country in the world Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) put 13 nano
and animal husbandry has been a major satellites from the US.
contributor to the growth of farmers. ● The American satellites are piggybacking
● He was speaking at an event organised to on the rocket's main luggage, India's
celebrate National Milk Day in New Delhi on advanced earth observation satellite
26th November. The Minister said the Cartosat-3.
government is trying to increase the export ● Before today, India with its PSLV rocket has
of milk products, but some countries put 297 foreign satellites. When the PSLV
deliberately look for deficiencies in India's rocket on Wednesday puts into orbit 13
products. American nano satellites then the total
● He said, milk production in India has gone number of foreign satellites that India has
up from 137 million tonnes to 187 million launched will touch 310.

● Since its incorporation in 1992, Antrix Govt. assures strict action child pornography
Corporation has handled such third party
● Government today said that strict action
satellite launch contracts, leasing of
will be taken against those who are
communication satellite transponders,
involved in child pornography.
marketing of data from remote sensing
● Intervening in the issue during zero hour in
satellites, building and marketing of
the Rajya Sabha, Women and Child
satellites as well as satellite mission
Development Minister Smriti Irani said that
support services, and establishing ground
special penal provisions have been made
infrastructure for space applications.
in the Protection of Children from Sexual
● In addition to the above lines of business,
Offences (POCSO) Act to take stringent
NewSpace India will also be the nodal
action against the culprit.
agency for the production of PSLV and
● She said, 50 cases were registered against
Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV)
the offenders. She informed that child
through industry consortiums and
helpline no 1098 is available wherein
partners.
people can lodge the complaint.
● The Minister said, any incidents must be
Indian archers wins medals at Asian
brought to the notice of the government
championship
and it will be assured that action must be
● Led by Atanu Das, Indian archers bagged
taken against the offenders.
three bronze medals today and also
● Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu expressed
ensured at least three silver medals, at the
concern over the issue and said, adequate
ongoing Asian Championship in Bangkok.
rules and guidelines exist but it is painful to
● The Indian archers are competing in the
see that no action is being taken by the
tournament as neutral athletes under the
local administration.
World Archery flag due to the suspension
● Vijila Sathyananth of AIADMK has raised
of the national federation, Archery
this issue during the zero hour. Ms Irani
Association of India, AAI.
expressed concern over the content
● Das first clinched a bronze in the men's
available on the internet related to child
recurve individual event in the morning. He
pornography and demanded to the
beat Jin Hayek Oh of Korea 6-5 in the
government to block such content.
shoot-off in the bronze medal contest. Das
teamed up with senior pro-TarundeepRai
Loksabha passes SPG amendment bill
and JayantaTalukdar to beat China 6-2 in
● Lok Sabha today passed the Special
the bronze medal tie.
Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
According to the proposed amendment,
the SPG will provide security to the Prime
Minister, and members of his immediate

family residing with him at his official UAE president reiterates support to
residence. Palestinians
● It will also provide security to former prime
● President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
ministers, and his immediate family
Nahyan has reiterated UAE’s support for
members residing with him at the
the aspirations of the Palestinian people to
residence allotted to him for a period of five
self-determination, highlighting the
years.
country’s regional and international efforts
● The Bill says that when the proximate
to ease their suffering.
security is withdrawn from a former Prime
● He made this statement as part of a
Minister, such proximate security shall also
solidarity message directed to
stand withdrawn from members of his or
Ambassador Cheikh Niang, Chair of the
her immediate family.
United Nations, UN, Committee on the
● It says it is considered essential to amend
Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
the act to focus on the core mandate, as
Palestinian People (CEIRPP) on the
the security of the prime minister, as head
occasion of the International Day of
of the government, is of paramount
Solidarity with the Palestinian, which falls
importance for the government,
on 29th November.
governance and national security.
● The Emirates News Agency reported that
● Replying to the debate on the bill, Home
Sheikh Khalifa in a message highlighted
Minister Amit Shah said that the bill should
the unprecedented critical period
not be seen as a political vendetta as the
witnessed by the Palestinian people,
vindictive approach is not the ethos of BJP.
stressing that it is the UN’s responsibility to
● He clarified that the security cover has not
end the suffering of the Palestinian people
been removed from the Gandhi Family but
and urging Israel to end its unilateral
it has been changed to Z Plus security with
measures and occupation.
CRPF and Ambulance.
● He said, the decision to withdraw SPG
cover from the Gandhi family was taken China U.S rift to continue over Hongkong
after proper professional threat protest issue
assessment and no political vendetta is ● China has warned of countermeasures,
behind this. yesterday, after President Donald Trump
● Mr Shah said, it is the responsibility of the signed a Bill supporting pro-democracy
government to not only provide security to protesters in Hong Kong. The Chinese
the Prime Minister but also to every citizen Foreign Ministry's statements came just
of the country. hours after Trump signed the Hong Kong
Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
into law.

● China accused the US of harbouring risk areas. But now, an oral ETEC vaccine
sinister intentions as the Bill would require candidate, named ‘ETVAX’, was developed
the State Department to certify once a year at the University of Gothenburg in
that Hong Kong is sufficiently collaboration with Scandinavian
autonomous. This will make Hong Kong Biopharma, Stockholm.
retain its special US trading consideration - ● The report stated that 80% to 100% of
a status that helps its economy. children aged 2 to 5 years and 50% to 80%
● The statement said, we are determined in of infants aged 6 to 11 months, selected
implementing the 'one country, two for the study responded to all key immunity
systems' principle and safeguarding generating components of vaccine. The
national sovereignty, security and vaccine has been proved safe and effective
development interests. in an early-stage clinical trial in Bangladesh
● We urge the US not to continue going down against enterotoxigenic E. coli diarrhea in
the wrong path, or China will take children from half year (6 months) to 5
countermeasures, and the US must bear all years of age.
consequences," it added. The Chinese ● Diarrhea leads to substantial illness and
Foreign Ministry said, this is a severe death in children in low- and middle-income
interference in Hong Kong's affairs, which countries (LMICs). As per the researchers,
are China's internal affairs. there is no vaccine yet for use for children
● The legislation came at a time when China and vaccine development for Diarrhea is a
and the US reached an advanced stage of World Health Organization (WHO) priority.
negotiations to sign phase one agreement
to end a trade war between the two world's Sangram and Varsha wins national shotgun
largest economies. championships
Scientists develop potential vaccine for diarrhoea ● Haryana's Sangram Dahiya and Varsha
● The researchers of the University of Varman of Madhya Pradesh clinched
Gothenburg in Sweden have developed a double trap titles, winning gold at the 63rd
potential Diarrhea vaccine candidate, National Shotgun Shooting Championship
named as ‘ETVAX’. This vaccine has been in New Delhi today.
proved safe and effective in an early-stage ● In the men's category, Sangram shot 142
clinical trial in Bangladesh. The findings out of 150 targets to leave behind former
were published in Science journal, The world champion Ankur Mittal, who
Lancet. managed 137 hits over the five rounds of
● Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) bacteria are 30 targets each to win a silver. Punjab's
the primary cause of diarrhea. At present Prithvi Singh Chahal won bronze with a
there is no ETEC vaccine available on the score of 135.
market for use in children in the ETEC high-

For Details Visit: h
ttp://iasexamportal.com/SK-NCERT
● Varsha, in the women's category of 120 Nagar Haveli, the number of UTs will come
targets each, had 97 to her name to clinch down to eight.
the gold ahead of state-mate Manisha
Keer, who had 93 hits winning Silver. External affairs ministry claims India has
Mahima Vishwakarma ensured a Madhya maintained independence in foreign policy
Pradesh sweep in the category, winning
bronze with 92. ● India has always maintained its
independence and autonomy in the
Bill to merge two union territories passed in Lok exercise of its foreign policy and ensured
Sabha that the national interest determines the
● Lok Sabha today passed the Dadra and policy. External Affairs Minister S
Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger Jaishankar said this while making a
of Union Territories) Bill, 2019. statement in the Rajya Sabha on the
● The Bill provides for the merger of Union government's efforts to promote the
territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and country's foreign policy focusing on the
Daman and Diu. It provides for better high level visits of President, Vice
delivery of services to citizens of both the President and Prime Minister recently.
UTs by improving efficiency and reduction ● He said, in the first six months of the NDA
in paperwork and administrative government's tenure, New Delhi re-
expenditure. emphasized its Neighbourhood First policy
● It will also bring uniformity in policy and and reinforced its relationships with all
schemes. Both the UTs are located in the major countries. Dr Jaishankar also said,
western region of the country. Dadra and New Delhi has worked to expand its
Nagar Haveli has just one district while relations with the Gulf, South East Asia and
Daman and Diu has two. African regions.
● Replying to debate on the Bill, Union ● He said, India also expressed its strong
Minister G Kishen Reddy said that the interest fulfilling its commitments to the
combined population of the two UTs is 5 Sustainable Development Goals and
lakh 80 thousand. He said currently, reforming the multilateral system. The
administrators shuttle between the two Minister said, India has to engage large and
UTs on specific days which creates small countries across all regions to shape
problems for administrative functioning. the global agenda more effectively. This is
● The Minister said, the merger was decided required not only to advance the country's
to improve delivery services to the people. interest but also in view of high
● The country currently has nine UTs after expectations the world has from New
the creation of the UTs of Jammu and Delhi.
Kashmir, and Ladakh. However, with the ● Responding to questions on Regional
merger of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Dr

Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Biology (CCMB) have demonstrated the
Modi took a decision not to go forward on role of a protein Secretagogin (SCGN) in
RCEP. He asserted that the government increasing insulin action in obesity-induced
will do what is right for the country on trade diabetes.
matters as well as on all other matters. ● Currently, the processes regulating insulin
synthesis, secretion, signalling and
Sudan passes law to dismantle regime and maturation in diabetes were not
dissolve Bashir’s party completely understood by scientists.
● In Sudan, authorities have ordered that the These findings were published in the latest
party of ousted President Omar al-Bashir issue of the journal iScience.
be dissolved and all its properties be ● As per CCMB the findings have established
confiscated. SCGN as a functional insulin-binding
● Bashir and his Islamist National Congress protein with therapeutic potential against
Party had ruled the country since June 30, diabetes. They show that SCGN binds to
1989 before a nationwide protest insulin and protects it from various
movement resulted in him being deposed stresses, increases its stability as well as
him earlier this year. adds to its action.
● The country's ruling sovereign council and ● The findings are significant as various
the cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdalla kinds of cellular stresses can result in loss
Hamdok made the decision to dissolve the of structure and function of insulin,
party, issuing a law titled "Dismantling of ultimately leading to diabetes.
the regime of 30th June 1989". ● Diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders
● Hamdok wrote on Twitter that dissolution like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are
of the party was not revenge against the often linked with each other. SCGN is found
former rulers and it aims to preserve the in lower quantities in the brains of
dignity of people. He also said this decree Alzheimer’s patients.
aims to recover the plundered wealth of the
people. Govt. to consider creation of national coastal
● Thousands of Sudanese rallied late last Mission to address climate change
month in several cities, urging the new
authorities to dissolve the former ruling ● Environment, Forest and Climate Change
party. Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the
government has envisaged establishing a
Indian scientists identifies protein that regulates National Coastal Mission under the
blood sugar levels National Action Plan on climate change.
● Scientists at the Hyderabad based Council ● Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, Mr
of Scientific and Industrial Research Javadekar said, the Mission aims
(CSIR)-Centre for Cellular and Molecular addressing impact of climate change on

coastal and maritime ecosystems, ● According to official data released today,

infrastructure and communities in coastal India's economic growth slipped to 4.5 per
areas though mitigation measures. cent in the July-September period of this
● The minister said, the government has fiscal.
launched Integrated Coastal Zone ● The previous low was recorded at 4.3 per
management project in 2010 to conserve, cent in the January to March period of
protect and manage the coastal and 2012-13. The Gross Domestic Product
maritime ecosystems. (GDP) growth was registered at 7 per cent
● Mr Javadekar said the total expenditure in the second quarter of 2018-19.
under this project has been about 1400 India’s wheat production to set record next year
crore rupees so far. The minister informed, due to good monsoons
the project has been implemented in ● India's wheat production could jump to a
identified coastal stretches in states of second consecutive annual record in 2020
Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal. as the wettest monsoon in 25 years is set
to help farmers in expanding the area under
CEA claims fundamentals of economy strong the winter-sown crop while also boosting
yields, industry officials told Reuters.
● The government has said, the
● But that higher production would add to
fundamentals of Indian Economy are
India's already swelling inventories,
strong and the GDP growth rate is expected
potentially forcing the world's second-
to pick up from the third quarter of the
biggest wheat producer to ramp up
Financial Year 2019-20.
procurement of the grain from farmers and
● While interacting with media in New Delhi
provide incentives for overseas sales to
on GDP numbers released today, Chief
support local prices.
Economic Adviser K Subramanian said,
● The country received monsoon rains
IMF has projected India's GDP growth at
during the June-September season that
6.1 per cent in 2019-20 and 7 per cent in
were 10% above average and the rainfall
Financial Year 2020-21 in it's recently
continued during October and November,
released report on World Economic
increasing soil moisture levels required for
Outlook.
crop sowing.
● Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu
● With the new MSP setting, export prices
Chakraborty said, mega steps of reducing
would be above $300 a tonne on a free-on-
government stake in PSUs below 51 per
board basis, while supplies from the
cent has not happened anywhere.
competing countries are available below
● He further said, Globally India is the fastest
$250 a tonne, said one Mumbai-based
growing economy and expects an increase
dealer with a global trading firm.
in investment, consumption and
● Higher production and negligible exports
sentiment.
could force the government to increase

procurement from farmers to ensure cooperation. He said they discussed the

prices stay at or above the MSP, said fishermen's issue in length.This is Mr
Galipelli at Inditrade. Gotabaya's first overseas visit since
assuming office.
PM announces 400m LOC to Srilanka on
President’s visit India to set up hi-tech parks in Bangladesh
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
● India will set up 12 hi-tech parks in
announced a 400 million dollar Line of
Bangladesh at a cost of $193 million.
Credit to Sri Lanka to boost the island
● Speaking at a business meeting in Rangpur
nation's development.
organised by the local Chamber of
● In a joint press statement after meeting
Commerce and Industry on Thursday, High
visiting Sri Lankan President Gotabaya
Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva
Rajapaksa in Delhi this afternoon, Mr Modi
Ganguly Das said that these hi-tech parks
said that India will also extend a 50 million
will provide training to 30,000 youth of
dollars Line of Credit to Sri Lanka to fight
Bangladesh as skilled IT professionals.
terrorism.
● Responding to the issue of the trade
● He said, strengthening mutual cooperation
imbalance between the two countries, Riva
in dealing with terrorism was discussed in
Ganguly Das said that diversification of the
detail. He assured the Sri Lankan President
product basket of Bangladesh will help
of India's full assistance in taking his
reduce the gap by increasing exports to
country on the path of rapid development.
India.
● Describing the meeting with Mr Rajapaksa
● She also inaugurated Swami Vivekananda
as fruitful, the Prime Minister said, a strong
Bhawan at Rangpur which houses a
and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in the
Computer Center, Charitable Medical
interest of India but also in the interest of
Centre, Coaching centre and student's
the entire Indian Ocean region.
home.
● Mr Modi said, India gives priority to its
relations with Sri Lanka under its
Neighbourhood First' Policy. He expressed
Centre to setup new rocket launch pad at
confidence that the Sri Lankan Government Tamilnadu
will carry forward the process of ● The Union Government is planning to set
reconciliation to fulfil the aspirations of the up a new rocket launch pad near
Tamils for equality, justice, peace and Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. At
respect. present, the Indian Space Research
● The Sri Lankan President said in his organisation (ISRO) has two launch pads at
statement that the discussions were Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDCC) in
cordial and reassuring and a major focus Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
area of the deliberations was on security

● The development comes on the backdrop ● As per ISRO, its workhorse Polar Satellite
of increasing launches from India, both for Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has launched as
domestic as well as international many as 84 satellites from 1994 to 2015,
customers. PSLV, of which 51 were for international
● The new launch pad is intended to be used customers. In 2018, the ISRO launched 17
for future Indian rockets including- missions but now the number of launches
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle every year by the space agency has
(GSLV) Mk III, Avatar Reusable Launch increased over 30.
Vehicle (RLV), Unified Modular Launch ● Satish Dhawan Space Centre (or SHAR
Vehicle (UMLV), Small Satellite Launch spaceport) at Sriharikota is responsible for
Vehicle (SSLV), and even older ones like integration of launchers. SDCC houses two
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and operational launch pads from where all
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV and PSLV flights take place. ISRO
(GSLV). However, the government did not has launched most of its customer
elaborate on Launchpad’s exact usage. satellites with its PSLV.

GIST OF Science Reporter Magazine
The Gist of
Science Reporter
in the country under the Cyber Physical

#1 Quantum Supremacy Systems [CPS] programme by the
Quantum Computing Research in India Department of Science and Technology.
● The Department of Science and The multi-institutional, panIndia initiative is
Technology (D5T) has launched a mission being funded to the tune of Rs 300 crores
called Quantum Enabled Science and to build an indigenous quantum computer
Technology (QuEST) with seed funding of and a quantum communication network.
Rs 80 crores for three years. The first ● Subsequently the Indian Space Research
meeting of the QuEST programme was Organisation [ISRO), Defence Research
held in January 2D19 at the International and Development Organisation (DRDO),
Institute of Information Technology (IMT)- and Department of Atomic Energy [DAE)
Hyderabad to lay out the roadmap for are all expected to join the effort.
developing quantum computer technology ● The Initiative on Quantum Technology
in India. In Phase I the programme will lay [IQT@IISc] at the Indian Institute of
out the basic infrastructure that is needed Science, Bangalore has set itself a task of
to promote research in this field. blending both concrete deliverables and
● Work Is likely to also focus on national open-ended research investigations.
security, as quantum computers are Among its early objectives is to deliver at
expected to stimulate quantum level least 8 qubit quantum superconducting
encrypted information as a communication transmon processors, with basic
standard. characterisation and demonstration of toy
● The Indian Institute of Science Education applications, And in preparation for a future
and Research [USER] at Mohali is demand for engineers in Quantum
anchoring the work on quantum computers computing, NT Roorkee became the first in

India to introduce a full semester elective patients without the need to re-enter the
on quantum computing in association with healthcare system for replacement procedures.
Microsoft.
#4 iHaper DL1 Smart Desk Lamp
#2 Comfy Earbuds LED Desk Lamp Company has created iHaper DL1
WIRELESS Technology Company has created a Smart Desk Lamp designed for Apple users. The
unique type of comfy wireless earbuds. Comfy brightness of this lamp can be easily adjusted by a
wireless earbuds are considered to be the most voice command from Siri. The lamp has a unique
comfortable earbuds ever introduced in the branch structure which can be split into two
market. They have good quality sound system. different parts and each has a unique function like
Comfy earbuds almost fit all types of ears and the larger “twigs” for table lamps; the 14 cm/5.5
have removable arms that sit discreetly in the ears. inches “twigs" can be taken down as emergency
The buds can also have sensors which sense when flashlights. The lamp uses high quality LED beads
you take them out and get automatically paused with no stroboscopic and blue light. It has four
and resume when they are put back into the ears. brightness levels like height and angle adjustment,
The buds have innovative batteries, which provide support and touch controller system. The lamp will
consumers six hours of playback time. automatically turn on when you come closer and
dim or go off when you are away from it.
#3 Fidmi Enteral Feeding Device #5 Toyota’s LQ Concept

ISRAEL based company Fidmi Medical has created 3 TOKYO Motor Show, the Toyota LQ concept is a
a low profile Enteral Feeding Device. The device is self-driving car that uses technology to build a
mainly designed to overcome dislodgements and personal connection with its user. It is the updated
clogging type of conditions. The device has semi version of Toyota concept i. The LQ works on an
rigid internal bumper, flexible port and disposable artificial intelligence system called Yui. Yui
feeding tube. The low profile gastrostomy system controls various vehicle functions and the tech
helps patients to receive long-term nutritional measures a person’s level of stress or alertness. It
support. These are typically placed endoscopically has climate control settings and even fragrance
and need to be replaced every 3-6 months. The setting that can help a person to reduce their
device can be utilized for both initial placement stress level. The LQ was designed in such a way
and replacement and have many more features that it is capable of driving without human
which make patients comfortable. The device’s assistance but has a backup steering wheel and
improved low-profile gastrostomy tube is placed pedals. The car also has automated parking
just like any standard Percutaneous Endoscopic system. Apart from this, it has augmented reality
Gastrostomy (PEG) tube but has an easily head-up display that projects information onto the
replaceable inner tube that can be changed by windshield.

#6 Robotic Kids remote controlled car or machine are C -T

+, C and Python.
● Robotic education aided with robotic kits
Humanoid Educational Robots:
helps students to keep pace with the ever
● Humanoid robots are very effective in
changing technological scenario and scale
teaching robotic movement and various
up their knowledge accordingly. It also
programming languages are required to
provides the students, learners or
study the robotic movements. These kinds
researcher practical knowledge on the
of robotic kits create a great deal of
robotic mechanism, functionally and many
excitement among the learners Such
more technicalities related to it.
robots are programmed using
● Teaching robotics through kits has taken
programming languages such as ScratchX,
up the attention of scholars worldwide and
Python, embedded C and C ++. These also
they are working on providing innovative
help the students understand the basic
and authentic learning in the area of
anatomy of the human body. All motor
robotics teaching. Some such kits are
movements and controls of human body
discussed here.
can be studied through it.
Robotic Arm:
Obstruction Detection Educational Robots:
● A robotic arm is versatile and can serve
● There are low-cost obstruction detection
several other functions. All these are
robotic kits that help students understand
possible because of many kinds of parts it
how artificial intelligence can help a
is made up of like suction cups, holders,
machine to analyze the environment
joints, etc. In robotic arms, advance servo
around it and work accordingly. The robots
motors are embedded to perform various
are programmed to avoid the unknown and
activities with accuracy and precision. The
unaware environment according to pre-
languages that can be used to make such
programmed codes.
arms function are C ++, C, Python, etc.
● The application of proximity sensors can
These arms can be controlled through
help robots avoid any obstacles in the path.
mobile phones, personal computers,
Through such kits students are also taught
sensors, etc.
about robotic neural networks and
Bayesian networks.
Remote Control Wireless Machine:
● Students are generally familiar with such
Light Detector Educational Robots:
robots as they have grown up playing with
● Such robots move in the direction of light
robotic cars. Through these kits a learner
using embedded algorithms and artificial
or a student learns about programming,
intelligence. For example, when light falls
mechanics and robotic activities. The
on the right side of the robot it will move
languages used in programming robotic
towards the right and if it falls on the left

side it will move towards the left. Such future quantum computer because they
robots are also programmed to move have remarkable properties such as very
against the light direction. high elastic strength alongside low mass
● For example, during the lighted condition it density or very high current densities with
will stop moving and it will move in the no heat loss.
dark, Parts used in such robots are light ● Graphene is used in transparent electrodes
dependant resistors, drivers, comparators, for solar cells. LCD, robust non-volatile
motors, power source and light sources. atomic switches, chemical and biological
sensors and in spintronic devices.
Scribbler Sensor Sensitive Education Robots: ● Semiconducting nanowires are highly
● Scribbler is one of the most popular versatile optoelectronic components for a
educational robots. Such robotics kits can wide variety of applications such as
be used to teach students the essentials of polarisation-sensitive photodetectors and
robotics, programming languages, music, arrays with subwavelength resolution;
mathematics and physics. optical modulators and nano-waveguides,
● Such robots are multi-robot manipulators. nano-LEDs and nano-lasers, solar cells and
As several functions and detectors are biomedical sensors.
installed in it, this robot is used to ● Nanowhiskers on clothes create a cushion
understand multiple functions like proper of air around the fabric so that liquids
system feedback and control mechanism cannot stain them.
working in a robot. ● Nanoparticles of silver embedded into
fibres have anti-microbial action.
Programming Control Educational Starter Kit: ● Silver nanoparticles are incorporated in
● Such kits are basically arduino-based and apparel, footwear, paints, wound
help students to understand programming dressings, appliances, cosmetics and
as well as electronic knowhow of robotic plastics for their antibacterial properties.
functionalities. Some starters’ robotic kits ● New and cheap solar cells use
like a calculator-controlled robot can help nanoparticles of titanium oxide coated
students have hands-on experience of with dye molecules to capture the energy
studying mathematics and innovative of visible light and convert it into electricity.
science. Students can learn TI-BASIC ● Special filters using nanomaterials can
through it remove objects as tiny as viruses from
water.
#7 Applications based on Nanotechnology ● Nanoenhanced paints can reduce the
emission of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons,
● Carbon nanotubes are used in products
and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere;
ranging from paints and textiles to medical
addition of nanoparticles makes paint
diagnostic tools and components of a
scratch proof, easy cleaning, air purifying,

UV resistant, water repellent, flame ● Addition of tamed silica nanoparticles

resistant and anti-bacterial. makes glasses fire resistant.
● A novel catalytic nanosheet form of a ● Nanotechnology can facilitate different
nickel molybdenum-nitride, a thousand forms, insulation solutions like coatings,
times cheaper than traditional platinum, is vacuum insulated glazing, and nanofoams.
the new model for harvesting hydrogen
from water for use as fuel.
● Adding a little boron to carbon while #8 Adiva One Smart Bed
creating nanotubes produces solid,
ADIVA, a smart sleep science company has
spongy, reusable blocks that can absorb
created Adiva One smart bed. It works on the
large quantities of oil spilled in water.
principle of ‘rolling motion' . Adiva One is a set of
● Nanoenhanced construction ceramics
modular bed legs that can be attached to any
such as floor and wall tiles and sanitary
standard frame. The legs move in a pattern to give
ware have self-cleaning, anti-bacterial,
the bed a gentle rocking motion while you sleep. In
hygienic and scratch resistant features.
the study, an oscillatory motion improved the
● Nanoenhanced cement obtained by
length and quality of sleep of participants. The
addition of nanoparticles like nano silica
smart bed has modular legs and a control unit that
(silica fume), nanostructured metals, CNTs
synchronizes the motion and links the bed to the
and carbon nanofibres gives stronger,
internet for updates. The bed has a remote
more durable, self-healing, air purifying, fire
controlling system which is operated via a
resistant, easy to clean and quick
smartphone app. The app gives users a visual
compacting concrete.
representation of how they sleep at night and
● Nanotechnology based smart windows
allows them to see how their patterns change over
have energy-saving, easy cleaning, UV
time. The bed is made up of durable material and
controlling and photovoltaic properties.
can weigh up to 1,000 kilograms or 2,200 pounds.

GIST OF PIB (Press Information Bureau)
The Gist of
PIB
#1 Rohne and Rabodih Coal Mines

#2 Chartered Designs of India
The Ministry of Coal has allotted two Coking Coal
The India Design Council (IDC) has launched two
mines, Rohne and Rabodih located in Jharkhand,
new Initiatives to promote Design Education and
to the Steel Central Public Sector Enterprises
Standards namely the Chartered Designs of India
(CPSE’s).
(CDI) and the Design Education Quality Mark
(DEQM).
Key highlights:
● Allocated under the Coal Mines (Special
Key highlights:
Provision) Act, 2015, these mines located
● These two initiatives of IDC and National
in Jharkhand will add more than 10 MT per
Institute of Design, Ahmedabad will help to
annum and boost the coking coal
address the 5 challenges of scale, quality
production in the country.
of design, quality of education for design,
● The ‘Rohne’ Coal Mine has been allotted to
raising the priority for design in industry
National Mineral Development Corporation
and design for public purpose.
Limited.
● The DEQM will benchmark design
● The ‘Robodih OCP’ coal mine has been
education programmes on predetermined
allotted to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited.
standards and will accord Design
● This allotment is in addition to 5 coal mines
Education Quality Mark to institutions that
which have been allocated to successful
meet the provisions of the published
bidders and 6 coal mines which have
standard.
allotted to PSU’s. In all, the 13 mines will
● CDI is envisaged as an institution that will
add more than 35 MT per annum coal to
establish and uphold the professional
the domestic availability of coal.
standards of design practice in India.

India Design Council (IDC) Other highlights:

● India Design Council (IDC) is an ● The six (06) research divisions of the
autonomous body of the Government of NCSCM are: Geospatial Sciences, Remote
India established under the Department for Sensing and Geographic Information
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Systems (GIS), Integrated Social Sciences
Ministry of Commerce and Industry. and Economics, Coastal environmental
● It is a national strategic body for multi- impact assessment, Conservation of
disciplinary design and is involved in Coastal and Marine Resources,
promotion of design to make India a design Knowledge, Governance and Policy, and
enabled country. It is mandated to Futuristic Research and Integrated Island
implement the National Design Policy Management Unit.
(NDP) adopted in 2007. ● Survey of India and NCSCM have mapped
the Hazard Line for the entire coast of
India, which includes vulnerability mapping
#3 National Centre for Sustainable Coastal of flood, erosion and sea level rise.
Management ● The outputs will be used by all the coastal
States and UTs in managing coastal
The Ministry set up the National Centre for vulnerability in the coming years and as a
Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), tool for preparation of disaster
Chennai to undertake studies and research in the management plans.
area of Coastal Zone Management including ● The Government of India is committed to
coastal resources and environment. taking all necessary steps in supporting
NCSCM to achieve its goals, in its efforts to
Key Objectives: develop into a world class institution.
● Strive for being a World Class Knowledge ● NCSCM is partnering with leading national
Institution related to coastal zones, and international research institutions and
environment, resources and processes, agencies through advanced research,
● To promote integrated and sustainable networking, scientific committees and peer
management of the coastal and marine reviewed publications in international
areas in India for the benefit and wellbeing journals.
of the traditional coastal and island ● NCSCM is mandated to disseminating
communities, and knowledge pertaining to coastal
● Advise the Union and State Governments management by capacity building at all
and other associated stakeholder(s) on levels for the benefit of coastal
policy, and scientific matters related to communities and stakeholders.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management ● NCSCM’s Integrated Coastal Zone
(ICZM). Management (ICZM) Plan has been
developed on international standards that

can be replicated in other parts of the ● The identified over-exploited and water
World. Science based knowledge on stressed areas for the implementation of
coastal management developed by the the scheme fall in the States of Gujarat,
Centre is used extensively for policy Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
decisions. Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
● NCSCM’s cutting-edge research ● The States have been selected according
infrastructure provides for world class to a number of criteria, including degree of
research outputs and decision support groundwater exploitation and degradation,
system that directly enables policy established legal and regulatory
decisions. NCSCM’s state-of-the-art instruments, institutional readiness, and
laboratory facilities provide an excellent experience in implementing initiatives
opportunity to other Indian universities, related to groundwater management.
Research Institutes, Government agencies
for a collaborative research with NCSCM in #5 National Energy Conservation Day
the field of integrated coastal
National Energy Conservation Day is being
management.
celebrated on 14th December 2019.
#4 Atal Bhujal Yojana Key highlights:

The World Bank has approved Atal BhujalYojana ● National Energy Conservation Day is
(ABHY), a Rs.6,000 Crore Central Sector Scheme, celebrated every year on 14th December by
for sustainable management of ground water Ministry of Power in association with the
resources with community participation. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
● In order to recognise the efforts of industry
Key highlights: and other establishments towards
● The scheme envisages active participation promoting energy efficiency, on this Day,
of the communities in various activities Ministry of Power organizes National
such as formation of Water User Energy Conservation Awards event every
Associations, monitoring and year.
disseminating ground water data, water ● The National Energy Conservation Awards
budgeting, preparation and Programme recognizes the energy
implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise efficiency achievements in 56 sub sectors
water security plans and Information, across industry, establishments and
Education and Communication (IEC) institutions.
activities related to sustainable
groundwater management.
● The funding pattern is 50:50 between
Government of India and World Bank.

#6 Initiatives to develop a world class ● Institutions of Eminence (IoE): In order to

research facilities in India empower the Higher Educational
Institutions and to help them in becoming
Government has taken following initiatives to a world class teaching and research
promote research in the field of science and
institutions, the government has recently
engineering and to develop a world class research declared 20 institutions (10 public and 10
facilities. Private institutions) as Institutions of
Eminence.
Key highlights:
● Prime Minister Research Fellowship:
#7 NAVARMS-19
Under this scheme, meritorious students of
IITs, IIITs, NITs and IISERs, after The fourth edition of International Seminar cum
completing their B.Tech programme can Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS-
straightaway get admission in PhD 19’ with the theme “Make in India – Fight Category:
programme at IITs and IISc. Opportunities and Imperatives” will be held in New
● Junior Research Fellow (JRF)/Senior Delhi on 12-13 December 2019.
Research Fellow (SRF): Under the scheme
of Junior Research Fellow, for research Key highlights:
personnel engaged in Research and ● The event will provide an opportunity for
Development programmes. exchange of ideas, create awareness and
● National Initiative for Technology Transfer identify emerging prospects for
(Establishment of Research Parks): Indian/International defence industry in the
Complementing the renewed focus of the domain of Naval Weapon Systems.
Government on developing indigenous ● NAVARMS is the only international seminar
Research and Development capabilities, and exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems
boosting manufacturing and creating a conducted in the country to invite all the
successful startup culture in the country, stakeholders in life cycle management of
five new Research Parks at IIT Delhi, IIT Naval Weapons and provide a common
Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, and platform to share their views and concerns.
IISc Bangalore. ● The past three editions of NAVARMS were
● Impacting Research, Innovation and organised in 2007, 2010 and 2013.
Technology (IMPRINT): IMPRINT is a
flagship national initiative of the
Government, which aims at providing #8 Gandhi Encyclopedia
solutions to the most relevant engineering
The Government is developing ‘Gandhi
challenges and translating knowledge into Encyclopedia’ to spread awareness in the society.
viable technology in 10 selected
technology domains.
Key highlights:

● Ministry of Culture has approved a project ● The tremendous growth of business

for the development of Gandhi Paedia by activities will contribute to the country’s
National Council of Science Museums for GDP.
promotion of appropriate Gandhian
philosophy and thoughts through social #10 Lok Sabha passes the Citizenship
media platforms. (Amendment) Bill 2019
● It has been under 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi commemoration with The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship
financial assistance of Rs. 5.25 cr and (Amendment) Bill 2019.
released an amount of Rs. 2.95 cr against
first installment. Crucial highlights:
● The bill amends The Citizenship Act, 1955
which regulates who may acquire Indian
#9 The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019
citizenship and on what grounds.
Parliament passed “The Recycling of Ships Bill ● The Bill seeks to grant Indian Citizenship to
2019’’ for Safe and Environmentally Sound persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist,
Recycling of Ships in India. Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who
have migrated to India after facing
Key highlights: persecution on grounds of religion in
● The bill will harbinger significant increased Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
number of global ships entering into Indian ● The Bill make applicants belonging to the
Shipyards for Recycling. said communities from the aforesaid
● Recycling of Ships will boost business & countries eligible for citizenship by
employment opportunities and strengthen naturalisation if they can establish their
India’s position in the recycling industry. residency in India for 5 years instead of the
● It will raise the brand value of our Ships existing 11 years.
Recycling Yards located at Alang in ● The provisions of the amendments to the
Gujarat, Mumbai Port, Kolkata Port & Act would not apply to tribal areas of
Azhikkal in Kerala. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura as
● 10% of country’s Secondary steel needs, as included in the Sixth Schedule to the
an outcome of Recycling of Ships, will be Constitution and the area covered under
met in an eco-friendly manner. ‘The Inner Line’ notified under the Bengal
● Ships Recycling facilities will become Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Manipur
compliant to International standards and would be brought under the ILP regime.
Ships will be recycled only in such ● The Bill seeks to amend section 7D of the
authorised facilities. act to empower the Central Government to
cancel registration as Overseas Citizen of
India (OCI) Cardholder in case of violation

of any provisions of the Citizenship Act or foundation of justice, freedom and peace
any other law for the time being in force. in the world.
● The United Nations’ theme for this year’s
Key concerns: Human Rights Day is: “Youth Standing up
● The bill makes illegal migrants eligible for for Human Rights.”
citizenship on the basis of religion – a
move that may violate Article 14 of the National Human Rights Commission of India
Indian Constitution, which guarantees the ● Since its inception on the 12th October,
right to equality. 1993, the National Human Rights
● The Bill classifies migrants based on their Commission of India (NHRC) has
country of origin to include only endeavoured to promote a culture of
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It human rights.
is not clear why migrants from these ● The NHRC, like most of the human rights
countries are differentiated from migrants institutions in the world, is a
from other neighbouring countries such as recommendatory body as per the
Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Protection of Human Rights Act passed by
● There has been a strong resistance to the Parliament.
Bill in North east esp. Assam who fear it
would pave the way for granting citizenship #12 Independent Directors Data bank
mostly to illegal Hindu migrants from
● The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched
Bangladesh, who came after March 1971,
the Independent Directors Databank in
in violation of the 1985 Assam Accord.
accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made
#11 Human Rights Day thereunder.
Human Rights Day is being celebrated on the 10 th ● The Databank portal will be maintained by
December. the Indian Institute for Corporate Affairs
(IICA).
Key highlights:
● Human Rights Day is celebrated on the Objective:
10th December every year to ● To provide an easy platform for the
commemorate the Universal Declaration of registration of existing Independent
Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted Directors as well as individuals aspiring to
and proclaimed by the General Assembly become independent directors.
of the United Nations in 1948. ● To provide a wide array of e-learning
● The Declaration recognizes that the courses on various topics including the
inherent dignity and the equal and Companies Act, Securities laws, basic
inalienable rights of mankind are the accountancy, board practices, board ethics

and board effectiveness for capacity ● Ministry of Skill Development is running a

building of Independent Directors. pilot project named ‘Economic
Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs
Features: and Start-ups by Women’ in collaboration
● All existing Independent Directors are with GIZ, Germany. The project pilots
required to register themselves in the incubation and acceleration programmes
databank within 3 months from 01 for micro women entrepreneurs to start
December 2019. new businesses and scale up existing
● The Databank can be accessed at enterprises in Assam, Rajasthan and
www.mca.gov.in or Telangana.
independentdirectorsdatabank.in
#14 Global Venture Capital Summit 2019
#13 Women Entrepreneurs in the Country ● The 2nd edition of the Startup India Global
● Government of India informed Rajya Sabha Venture Capital Summit is being held in
about the various initiatives to encourage Goa on 6th and 7th of December, 2019 for
women entrepreneurship within the Fund Managers and Limited Partners of
Country. Top Global Venture Capital Firms.
Initiatives to encourage women entrepreneurship
within the Country: Key highlights:
● Start-up India aims to build a strong eco- ● It has been organized by the Department
system for nurturing innovation and Start- for Promotion of Industry and Internal
ups in the country under which 10% of the Trade (DPIIT), in partnership with
total corpus of Fund of Funds amounting to Government of Goa.
Rs 1000 crore, has been reserved for ● The theme for Startup India Global Venture
women led start-ups. Capital Summit 2019 is “India Opportunity
● Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium – Investing in tomorrow together”.
Enterprises (MSME) has launched a portal ● The focus of the Summit is to mobilize
namely “Udyam Sakhi” for encouraging global capital for innovation in India. The
women entrepreneurs and to aid, counsel, Summit will bring together representatives
assist and protect their interests. of leading Global Venture Capital Firms,
● Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Limited Partners, Family Offices, High-
Programme (PMEGP), is a major credit- Network Individuals, Government of India
linked subsidy scheme to promote and set officials, top Corporates, and select
up MSMEs. Under the scheme the women innovative Startups.
entrepreneurs are provided 25% and 35% ● The first edition of the Summit was held in
subsidies for the project set up in urban 2018 in Goa.
and rural areas respectively.

#15 Exercise INDRA 2019 dividends, matured deposits/debentures

etc. to investors and to promote
● Exercise INDRA 2019 will be conducted in
awareness among investors.
India from 10 — 19 December 2019
● IEPF has been set-up under Section 205C
simultaneously at Babina (near Jhansi),
of the Companies Act, 1956 by way of the
Pune, and Goa.
Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999.
Key highlights:
● Exercise INDRA 2019 a joint, tri services #17 India’s first HAM project in sewerage
exercise between India and Russia. sector
● The INDRA series of exercise began in India’s first Hybrid Annuity (HAM) project in
2003 and the First joint Tri Services sewerage sector, the 14MLD Sewage Treatment
Exercise was conducted in 2017. Plant (STP) at Sarai in Haridwar, was inaugurated
● Company sized mechanised contingents, by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
fighter and transport aircraft as well as
ships of respective Army, Air Force and Key highlights:
Navy will participate in this exercise of ten ● The Sarai 14 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant
days duration. is the first STP to be completed under the
Hybrid Annuity (HAM) Based Public Private
#16 IEPFA Partnership Model, involving a cost of Rs.
● The surprise move was prompted by a 41.40 crores
spike in headline inflation above the 4% ● This Plant is based on advanced aerobic
medium-term target in October, while biological process, Sequential Batch
growth fell to a six-year low of 4.5% in the Reactor (SBR) process, capable of
September quarter. removing the nutrients during treatment
● Investor Education and Protection Fund and is a 100% eco-friendly project.
Authority (IEPFA) signed an MOU with ● The vision of the National Mission for
Bank of Baroda for Investor Awareness. Clean Ganga (NMCG) is long term and
hence the capability being created would
Key highlights: fully take care of the requirements up to
● In 2016, Government of India established 2035.
Investor Education and Protection Fund
Authority (IEPFA) under the provisions of Hybrid Annuity (HAM)
section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013. ● In financial terminology hybrid annuity
● The Authority is entrusted with the means that the government makes
responsibility of administration of the payment in a fixed amount for a
Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF), considerable period and then in a variable
make refunds of shares, unclaimed amount in the remaining period.

● It is a mix of the EPC (engineering, ● The new guidelines have been hosted on
procurement and construction) and BOT the Commission’s website
(build, operate, transfer) models. https://eci.gov.in.
● Advantage of HAM is that it gives enough
liquidity to the developer and the financial #19 De-classified all records
risk is shared by the government.
● The Minister of Culture and Tourism
Government’s policy is that the HAM will be
informed Lok Sabha that the Government
used in stalled projects where other
of India has de-classified all records
models are not applicable.
relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
and Azad Hind Fauj and placed them in the
#18 PPRTMS National Archives of India.
● Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to
implement “Political Parties Registration Key highlights:
Tracking Management System” ● Accordingly, a total of 304 declassified
(PPRTMS). records/files have been transferred to the
National Archives of India by above
Key highlights: mentioned Ministries/Offices for
● The Election Commission of India (ECI) has permanent retention. Out of 304 files, 303
reviewed the system and process of files are already uploaded on the Netaji
registration of political parties. The new web portal i.e. www.netajipapers.gov.in
guidelines will be effective from 1st ● The National Archives of India is the
January,2020. custodian of declassified files/records of
● Accordingly, the PPRTMS will be the Government of India.
implemented through an online portal, to
facilitate tracking of status of application #20 Exercise Hand-in-Hand-2019
by applicants.
● The 8th India-China joint training exercise
● Under PPRTMS, the applicant (who is
‘HAND-IN-HAND 2019’ with the theme
applying for party registration from 1st
counter terrorism under United Nations
January, 2020 onwards) will be able to
mandate is scheduled to be conduct at
track the progress of his / her application
Umroi, Meghalaya from 07 to 20 December
and will get status updates through SMS
2019.
and email.
● The Chinese contingent from the Tibet
● The applicant is required to provide contact
Military command comprising of 130
mobile number and email address of the
personal and the Indian Contingent of
party / applicant in his application if he/she
similar strength will participate in the 14
wishes to track the progress of the
day long training exercise.
application.

Key highlights: ● Exercise SURYA KIRAN with Nepal is an

● The exercise is planned at the company important exercise in terms of the security
level with respective Battalion challenges faced by both the nations in the
Headquarters controlling the training. realm of changing facets of global
● The aim of the exercise is to practice joint terrorism.
planning and conduct of counter terrorist ● The aim of this exercise is to conduct a
operations in semi urban terrain. Battalion level combined training between
● The exercise schedule is focused upon Indian Army and Nepal Army to increase
training on various lectures and drills interoperability in jungle warfare and
associated with counter terrorist handling counter terrorist operations in
and firing with each others weapons, mountainous terrain, humanitarian
special heliborne operations and case assistance and disaster relief, medical and
studies of various operations carried out in environmental conservation including
counter terrorist environment. aviation aspects.
● Two tactical exercises are scheduled ● The joint military exercise will enhance the
during the training; one on counter level of defence cooperation which will
terrorism scenario and the other on further foster the bilateral relations
Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) between the two nations.
operations.
#22 National Awards for outstanding work
#21 Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV done towards empowerment of PwDs
● Joint military exercise ‘SURYA KIRAN – ● The Vice President of India Venkiah Naidu
XIV’ between India and Nepal will be will Confer National Awards for
conducted at Saljhandi, Rupandehi district outstanding work done towards
of Nepal from 03 to 16 December 2019. empowerment of PwDs on International
Key highlights: Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd
● The exercise will comprise of 300 soldiers December.
from both Indian and Nepal Army who
would be sharing their experience in Key highlights:
conduct of various counter insurgency and ● On the occasion of the International Day of
counter terrorism operations as also Persons with Disabilities i.e. 3rd December,
various humanitarian assistance missions the Department of Empowerment of
by both the Armies. Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan),
● Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV is an annual Ministry of Social Justice confers National
event which is conducted alternatively in Awards for the Empowerment of Persons
Nepal and India. with Disabilities.

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● The Gist of The Hindu, Yojana, Kurukshetra, PIB & Science Reporter
(1 Year Subscription - "Only PDF")
● Current Public Administration (Indispensable for Public Administration)
● These are conferred on Individuals, ● Best State (i) in promoting Empowerment

Institutions, Organisations, State/District of Persons with Disabilities; & (ii) for
etc for their outstanding achievements and implementation of Accessible India
work done towards empowerment of Campaign.
Persons with Disabilities every year. ● Best Sports-person with Disabilities.
● All the 21 disabilities specified in the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 have #23 Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and
been included under the National Award Artefacts
Guidelines.
● The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs
Categories: announced that Notification for mandatory
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and
with Disabilities for the year 2019, are being given Artefacts across the nation will be issued
under 14 (Fourteen) categories here under:- on 15th January, 2020 giving one year time
● Best Employee/Self-Employed Person with period for implementation.
Disabilities;
● Best Employers and Placement Officers Key highlights:
and/or Agencies; ● The BIS (Bureau of Indian standards) Act
● Best Individual and Institution, working for 2016 has enabling provisions under
the cause of Empowerment of Persons Section 14 & Section 16 for making
with Disabilities; hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts
● Role Model; mandatory by the Central Government.
● Best Applied Research or Innovation or ● This will make it compulsory for all the
Product, aimed at improving the life of jewellers selling gold jewellery and
Persons with Disabilities; artefacts to register with BIS and sell only
● Outstanding Work in creation of barrier- hallmarked Gold jewellery and artefacts.
free environment for Persons with ● The draft Quality Control Order for
Disabilities; mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery
● Best District in providing rehabilitation and artefacts has been hosted on WTO
services; website on 10th October 2019 for
● Best State Channelising Agency of the comments for a period of 60 days.
National Handicapped Finance and ● As on 31st October 2019 there are 877
Development Corporation (NHFDC); Assaying and hallmarking centres spread
● Outstanding Creative Adult Person with in 234 district locations across the country
Disabilities; and so far 26,019 jewellers have taken BIS
● Best Creative Child with Disabilities; registration.
● Best Accessible Website;

#24 Popularize AYUSH System social media amongst the citizens in the
country.
● People across the country are following
● Ministry of AYUSH has established five
traditional Indian medical systems of
Research Councils namely CCRAS,
AYUSH.
CCRUM, CCRS, CCRH and CCRYN for
● According to the data available,
Research in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha,
17,73,75,226 Patients visited Government
Homoeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy
Health Care Facilities under AYUSH in OPD
respectively.
and 19,57,921 were admitted as inpatients
in 2017-18.
These research councils apart from engaging in
clinical/ field research also undertake the
The measures taken by the Ministry of AYUSH for
following activities: –
further propagating the natural medical systems
● Running Mobile health programme
are:
catering to backward regions and SC/ST
● The Ministry of AYUSH regularly observes
communities
days dedicated to AYUSH Systems of
● Undertaking health awareness campaigns.
Medicine Viz. International Day of Yoga,
● Piloting Innovations like telemedicine with
Ayurveda Day, Unani Day, Siddha Day,
the help of common service centres.
Naturopathy Day, Homoeopathy Day etc. to
Ministry of AYUSH has already established
create awareness about the benefits of the
advanced research institutes in Indian
respective AYUSH system of medicine
medical systems through Research
including natural medical systems.
Councils
● A Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of
● Central Council for Research in
Information Education and
Homoeopathy (CCRH) has 21 Research
Communication (IEC) in AYUSH has been
Centres in different States/UTs for
devised by the Ministry of AYUSH for this
advance research in Homoeopathy.
purpose. Under this Scheme, the Ministry
● Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic
of AYUSH takes up initiatives to create
Sciences (CCRAS) is carrying out its
awareness about and to promote AYUSH
research activities through its 30
systems of medicine including natural
Institutes/Centres/Units located all over
medical systems. These initiatives include
India and also through collaborative
organizing Arogya Fairs, Melas,
studies with various Universities, Hospitals
Conferences, Exhibitions, Seminars,
and Institutes. The research activities of
Workshops, Symposium, Yoga Fests and
the Council include Medicinal Plant
Ayurveda Parcs. The IEC Scheme also
Research (Medico-Ethno Botanical Survey,
supports undertaking publicity campaigns
Pharmacognosy and Tissue Culture), Drug
through electronic media, print media and
Standardization, Pharmacological
Research, Clinical Research, Literary

Research and Documentation and Tribal methods and instrumental such as TLC
Health Care Research Programme. fingerprint.
● Central Council for Research in Siddha
(CCRS) had initiated steps to establish #25 PSLV-C47 successfully launches
advanced research in Siddha medical Cartosat-3 and 13
systems through IMR and EMR projects.
Clinical research, Epidemiological ● India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its
research, Drug research, Literary and forty ninth flight (PSLV-C47), successfully
fundamental research, and Medicinal launched Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial
plants research are being carried out in nanosatellites from Satish Dhawan Space
these units. Totally there are 25 ongoing Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This is
IMR projects and 8 completed IMR projects the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration
of CCRS. (with 6 solid strap-on motors).
● CCRS is equipped with state of the art
infrastructure with sophisticated Key highlights:
instruments in the following departments: ● Cartosat-3 satellite is a third generation
Department of Clinical Research, agile advanced satellite having high
Department of Biochemistry, Department resolution imaging capability. The mission
of Pathology, Radiology, Department of life of the Cartosat-3 is 5 years.
Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy ● This is the 9th satellite of Cartosat series
etc., developed by Indian Space Research
● CCRS had published 32 books publications Organisation (ISRO).
and 456 scientific research articles in ● One of Cartosat-3’s cameras offers a
various indexed international / national ground resolution of 25 cm. Currently,
peer reviewed journals. WorldView-3, a satellite owned by U.S.
● CCRS had signed MoU with reputed company Maxar, has the best ground
institutions / organizations for initiating resolution of 31 cm. An existing policy
collaborative research works. allows only government and government
● Central Council for Research in Unani authorised agencies to access ISRO’s high-
Medicines (CCRUM) has also carried out resolution imageries below a resolution of
Advance Research on various diseases in 1 m.
collaboration with other renowned ● At 1,625 kg, Cartosat-3 is unusually heavy
academic/scientific institutes. and more than double the mass of the
● CCRUM is also authenticating raw drugs as previous eight in its class.
well as compound formulations by ● Cartosat-3 will address the increased
implementing Pharmacognostical user’s demands for large scale urban
methods viz., Macroscopy, Microscopy planning, rural resource and infrastructure
and Powder Microscopy; Physico-chemical

development, coastal land use and land ● The portal will be used primarily for holding
cover, etc. monthly essay competitions for students
as well as other activities like quizzes,
#26 Yuwaah Youth Skilling Initiative debates, poster making etc pertaining to
Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan.
● UNICEF has launched ‘YuWaah’ Generation
● On the occasion of the 70th year of the
Unlimited in India on 1.11.2019.
adoption of the Indian Constitution, it has
been decided by the Government to run a
Key highlights:
Nagrik Kartavya Palan Abhiyan from 26th
● According to UNICEF, Generation
November 2019 to 26th November 2020, to
Unlimited, called You Wash in India, is a
create mass awareness about the
multi-stakeholder alliance which aims to
Fundamental Duties as enshrined in
facilitate youth to gain relevant skills for
Constitution.
productive lives and the future of work.
● The target age group of YuWaah includes
adolescent girls and boys.
#28 NSS 75TH Round
● Its key mission is to promote access to ● National Statistical Office (NSO) has
foundational, transferable and 21st century conducted a survey on Household Social
skills for youth inside and outside formal Consumption: Education as part of 75th
education systems, which includes round of National Sample Survey (NSS).
defining foundational skills, life skills and Some important findings of the survey are
flexible learning and identifying and scaling given below.
impactful delivery models.
● YuWaah intends to create platforms to Key highlights:
guide youth to market opportunities ● Literacy rate among persons of age 7 years
(career guidance, mentorship, internships, and above was 77.7%. It was 73.5% in rural
apprenticeships) and facilitate integration and 87.7% in the urban areas.
of career guidance in school education. ● Nearly 10.6 % of the persons of age 15
years and above in India had completed
#27 Nishank level of education graduate and above.
This was 5.7% in rural and 21.7% in urban
● Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal
areas.
‘Nishank’ launched the kartavya.ugc.ac.in
● Among persons of age 3 to 35 years, 13.6%
portal on the occasion of ‘Constitution Day’
never enrolled,5% ever enrolled but
today, as a part of year long Nagrik
currently not attending while 43.9% were
Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan being observed
currently attending.
throughout the country.
● Net Attendance Ratio (NAR) at primary
level was 86.1%. The figure was 72.2% at
Key highlights:

‘upper primary / middle level’ and 89.0% at region in the domestic and international
‘primary and upper primary /middle level’ markets.
● Nearly 96.1% of the students were pursuing ● It brings together the tourism business
general courses and 3.9% were pursuing fraternity and entrepreneurs from the 8
technical/professional courses. North Eastern States. The event has been
● Among students pursuing general courses, planned to facilitate interaction between
nearly 55.8% were male students and buyers, sellers, media, Government
44.2% were female students. agencies and other stakeholders.
● Among students pursuing ● The ITMs are organised in the North
technical/professional courses, nearly Eastern States on rotation basis. Manipur
65.2% were male students and 34.8% were is hosting this mart for the second time.
female students. The earlier editions of this mart have been
● Nearly 57.0% of the students in rural and held in Guwahati, Tawang, Shillong,
23.4% in urban areas received free Gangtok, Agartala.
education.
● Nearly 15.7% of the students in rural and #30 Conference of Governors
9.1% in urban areas received scholarship/
● The 50th Conference of Governors
stipend/ reimbursement.
concluded at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
● Nearly 4.4% of the rural households and
23.4% of the urban households had a
Key highlights:
computer. Nearly 14.9% of the rural
● The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind,
households and 42.0% of the urban
presided over a two-day Conference of
households had internet facility.
Governors and Lt. Governors of all States
and Union Territories on November 23 and
#29 8th International Tourism Mart 24, 2019 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
● The Ministry of Tourism, Government of ● This was the 50th such Conference to be
India, in association with the North Eastern held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
States is organising the 8th “International ● The first Conference was organised in
Tourism Mart” (ITM) at Imphal, Manipur 1949.
from 23 November to 25 November, 2019. ● The two-day Conference discussed
important thematic issues like tribal
Key highlights: issues, reforms in agriculture, Jal Jeevan
● This is the 8th International Tourism Mart Mission, new education policy for higher
(ITM) and an annual event organised in the education and governance for ease of
North Eastern region with the objective of living.
highlighting the tourism potential of the

#31 Global Bio-India Summit 2019 standards and laying down the statutory
mechanism for enforcement of such
● India’s first largest biotechnology
standards.
conference – the Global Bio-India (GBI)
● The proposed Bill restricts and prohibits
Summit, 2019 concluded in New Delhi.
the use or installation of hazardous
material, which applies irrespective of
Key highlights:
whether a ship is meant for recycling or
● The three-day event was organized by the
not. Ships shall be recycled only in
Department of Biotechnology (DBT),
authorized ship recycling facilities.
Ministry of Science and Technology,
● It has also been decided to accede to the
Government of India along with
Hong Kong International Convention for
Biotechnology Industry Research
the Safe and Environmentally Sound
Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Recycling of Ships, 2009.
● The Department plans to turn the GBI into
● When the Hong Kong Convention comes
an annual event with support from all
into force, its provisions will be
stakeholders.
implemented under the provisions of the
● The Summit provided an opportunity to
Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and rules and
showcase the potential of India’s biotech
regulations framed there under.
sector to the international community,
identify, create opportunities and
deliberate on the key challenges in the #33 DPIIT
areas of Bio-pharma, Bio-Agri, Bio- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Industrial, Bio-Energy and Bio-Services and Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
allied sectors. Government of India, has set up a Development
Council for Bicycle for vision planning in design,
#32 Recycling of Ships Bill engineering and manufacturing of lighter, smarter,
value added, safe and faster premium bicycles
● The Union Cabinet has approved the
which are comparable with global standards for
proposal for enactment of Recycling of
exports and domestic market.
Ships Bill, 2019 and accession to the Hong
Kong International Convention for the Safe
A Twenty-three-member Council will be headed by
and Environmentally Sound Recycling of
Secretary DPIIT. The constitution of the Council is
Ships, 2009.
for a period of two years. Joint Secretary, Light
Engineering Industry Division in DPIIT will be
Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019:
Member-Secretary.
● The Government of India has decided to
enact Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019, to
Key highlights:
provide for the regulation of recycling of
ships by setting certain international

● The Council will stimulate value chain and bicycle manufacturing, recycling and
fuel accelerated demand growth of Make- infrastructure development in India.
in-India through the following activities:
● To improve competitiveness and level of #34 IFFI 2019
services.
The Golden Jubilee edition of the International
● To transform Indian bicycle technology
Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Panaji, Goa.
and its value chain.
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth
● To ensure development of holistic
inaugurated the IFFI 2019.
ecosystem through close, coordinated and
continuous stakeholder persuasion.
Key highlights:
● To undertake all possible measures for
● The International Film Festival of India
leveraging bicycle demand, it may inter-alia
(IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most
include ensuring enabling (safe and
significant film festivals in Asia.
segregated) cycling infrastructure and
● It is Held annually, currently in the state of
operations.
Goa. Since 2004, starting from the 35th
● To enhance export competitiveness of
edition, the International Film Festival of
bicycle through support of schemes and
India, became globally competitive, and
favourable trade policies.
moved to its permanent venue Goa, and is
● To popularize the incredible benefits of
being held during the months of November
cycling through the campaigns piloted by
and December of each year.
the concerned Ministries/ Departments of
● The festival is conducted jointly by the
Government of India such as Ministry of
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Health (health benefits), Ministry of
Directorate of Film Festivals and the
Environment and Forest (air/ noise
Government of Goa.
pollution free benefits), Ministry of
● During the festival, ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi
Petroleum and Natural Gas (energy saving
Medal, instituted by the International
benefits), Ministry of Housing & Urban
Council for Film and Television, Paris and
Affairs (decongestion benefits).
UNESCO will be given to a film that portrays
● Development of medium and small
the Gandhian values of peace and
industries to usher in a new mind-set
harmony.
through innovative schemes in a structured
● At the end of the festival, Golden peacock
and synergistic way.
award will be awarded to the best film.
● Development of skilled human resources
● Actor Rajnikanth received the ICON of the
development for bicycle manufacturing
Golden Jubilee Award at IFFI 2019. IFFI
and repair shops.
Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s
● To identify and study best international
highest honour, was presented to French
practices and successful story to adopt for
actor Isabelle Huppert.


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