Curren Affairs Nov 2020 Week 1-2

C.
A NOVEMBER 2020| DEEPANSHU SINGH FOR UNACADEMY
DEEPANSHU SINGH | CODE- DEEP27

C.A NOVEMBER 2020| DEEPANSHU SINGH FOR UNACADEMY

India will give you ease of doing business, you work for
providing ‘ease of living ’to people, tells Modi to IIT students
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country will ensure ‘ease of doing business ’for its
youth while they should work for providing ‘ease of living ’to people, particularly the
poorest of the poor, through innovations.
• “Your work will give global recognition to our products. Your efforts will lead to swifter
recognition of Indian products,”
• “The nation has seen how technology can provide good governance and reach the poor
and the needy in the last few years,” he said.
• “Technology has made last mile delivery of services efficient and reduced the scope of
corruption,” the Prime Minister said.
Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha takes oath as Chief Information

Commissioner
How is Central Information Commission constituted?
• Under the provision of Section-12 of RTI Act 2005 the Central Government shall, by
notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a body to be known as the Central
Information Commission.
• Composition: The Central Information Commission shall consist of the Chief Information
Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Central Information Commissioners not
exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.
What is the eligibility criteria and what is the process of appointment of CIC/IC?
• Section 12(3) of the RTI Act 2005 provides as follows.

• The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners shall be appointed
by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
- The Prime Minister, who shall be the Chairperson of the committee.
- The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
- A Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
AI-powered price info system soon: Agriculture minister

Narendra Singh Tomar

• Official from the ministry, the proposed system will collect the latest price data from
APMC-regulated mandis and other market yards.
• Centre will soon launch an AI-powered ‘price information and market intelligence
system ’which will enable farmers to find out the latest rates of various farm produce in
markets across the country, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’.
• New system was possible because of the newly-enacted Farmers ’Produce Trade and
Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Act 2020 — which gives farmers freedom to to sell
their produce outside Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis.
• Section 7 of the Act empowers the government to develop a price information and market
intelligence system and a framework for dissemination of information.
The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and

Facilitation) Act, 2020
It aims to provide for a national framework on farming agreements that protects and
empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or
large retailers for farm services.
Benefits
• Level playing field: The new legislation will empower farmers for engaging with
processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters etc., on a level
playing field without any fear of exploitation.
• Transfers the risk: It will transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the
sponsor and also enable the farmer to access modern technology and better inputs.
• Attracts private sector: This legislation will act as a catalyst to attract private sector
investment for building supply chains for supply of Indian farm produce to national and
global markets, and in agricultural infrastructure.
• Eliminates intermediaries: Farmers will engage in direct marketing thereby eliminating
intermediaries resulting in full realisation of price.
Demonetisation has helped reduce black money, increase tax

compliance and formalisation and given a boost to
transparency.
• Demonetisation move, when Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes were scrapped in a sudden
announcement four years ago, helped reduced black money and increased tax compliance
and was “greatly beneficial” towards the progress of the country
• “Demonetisation has helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and
formalisation and given a boost to transparency.

• On November 8, 2016, PM Modi, in an unexpected move, announced the scrapping of the

existing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes with immediate effect. The sudden withdrawal of
notes led to liquidity shortage, with long queues outside banks. It had also roiled the
economy, with demand falling, businesses facing a crisis, and GDP growth declining
close to 1.5 per cent. Many small units were hit hard, with many reporting huge losses
even after nine months.
• About 115 people reportedly died standing in queues to withdraw money from their bank
accounts. The RBI gradually introduced Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes in place of the notes
withdrawn, but the pace of remonetisation was very slow.
• RBI, in its annual report for 2017-18 on August 29, 2018, said that nearly all the money
that was withdrawn returned to the banking system. The RBI said it had received Rs 15.31
lakh crore of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, or 99.3 per cent of the Rs 15.417 lakh crore
worth of notes which were in circulation as on November 8, 2016.
Gujarat HC quashes sedition case against editor who reported

CM may be replaced
The Gujarat High Court (HC) has quashed a sedition case registered against a journalist for
allegedly publishing a report in May suggesting a leadership change in Gujarat due to
criticism over rising coronavirus cases in the state.
The order by a single-judge bench of Justice R P Dholaria came after the journalist, Dhaval
Patel, editor and owner of Face of Nation, filed an unconditional apology “without
admission of any guilt” for the “allegedly offending article”.
The article Patel was booked under IPC section 124 A (sedition) and Disaster Management
Act section 54 (Punishment for false warning).
What is sedition law?

Falls under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, is defined as any action that brings or
attempts to bring hatred or contempt towards the government of India and has been illegal
in India since 1870.
Historical Background of Sedition Law:

• Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century England when lawmakers believed that only
good opinions of the government should survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to the
government and monarchy.
• This sentiment (and law) was borrowed and inserted into the Section 124A of IPC in
1870, by the British.
• British used Sedition law to convict and sentence freedom fighters. It was first used to
prosecute Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1897.
• Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century England when lawmakers believed that only
good opinions of the government should survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to the
government and monarchy.
• This sentiment (and law) was borrowed and inserted into the Section 124A of IPC in
1870, by the British.
• British used Sedition law to convict and sentence freedom fighters. It was first used to
prosecute Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1897.
Views by Supreme Court:

• In 1962, the Supreme Court decided on the constitutionality of Section 124A in Kedar
Nath Singh v State of Bihar.
• It upheld the constitutionality of sedition, but limited its application to “acts involving
intention or tendency to create disorder, or disturbance of law and order, or incitement to
violence”.
• It distinguished these from “very strong speech” or the use of “vigorous words” strongly
critical of the government.
• In 1995, the Supreme Court, in Balwant Singh v State of Punjab, held that mere
sloganeering which evoked no public response did not amount to sedition.
Why sedition law should be repealed?

Sedition leads to a sort of unauthorised self-censorship, for it produces a chilling effect on
free speech. It suppresses what every citizen ought to do in a democracy — raise questions,
debate, disagree and challenge the government’s decisions. Sedition systematically destroys
the soul of Gandhi’s philosophy that is, right to dissent.
HC declines to interfere with tribunal order

About Armed Forces Tribunal:
• It is a military tribunal in India.
• It was established in 2009 under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.
• The act was passed on the basis of recommendation of 169th Law Commission Report
and various Supreme Court directives.
Powers and functions:

To adjudicate Disputes and complaints with respect to commission, appointments,
enrolments and conditions of service in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950,
The Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950.
Composition:
• Each Bench comprises of a Judicial Member and an Administrative Member.
• Judicial Members are retired High Court Judges.
• Administrative Members are retired Members of the Armed Forces who have held the
rank of Major General/ equivalent or above for a period of three years or more or Judge
Advocate General (JAG), who have held the appointment for at least one year.
Who can be a chairperson?

The person holding the office of chairperson of AFT must have been either a retired judge
of Supreme Court or a Retired chief justice of high court.

Exceptions:
• Paramilitary forces including the Assam Rifles and Coast Guard are outside the tribunal’s
purview.
• AFT is considered to be a criminal court with respect to Indian Penal Code, and Code of
Criminal Procedure.
• Appeals against the decision of the AFT can be taken only in Supreme Court. High Courts
are not allowed to entertain such appeals.
PM: Shipping ministry to be renamed
• Ministry Of Shipping will be renamed to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to

bring more “clarity” in the work it does
• PM Modi to flag off Ro-Pax Hazira-Ghogha ferry service in Gujarat (GS-3)
• The Ro-Pax Terminal being inaugurated at Hazira is of 100 metres length and 40 metres
width, with cost implications of around ₹25 crore
• The terminal has wide-ranging facilities including an administrative office building,
parking area, substation and water tower
Benefits of the Hazira-Ghogha Ro-Pax ferry service

There will be several wide-ranging benefits of the Hazira-Ghogha Ro-Pax ferry service. It
will work as a Gateway to South Gujarat and Saurashtra region.
It will reduce the distance between Ghogha and Hazira from 370 km to 90 km. The reduced
cargo travel time from 10 to 12 hours to about 4 hours will result in huge savings of fuel
(approx 9000 litres per day) and lower the maintenance cost of vehicles drastically.
It will give an impetus to the tourism industry with ease of access to the Saurashtra region
and lead to the creation of new job opportunities.
The 15th Finance Commission submits its Report for 2021-22 to

2025-26 to the President of India
The Fifteenth Finance Commission led by Chairman Sh N K Singh, today submitted its
Report for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 to the Hon’ble President of India.
15th Finance Commission (FC)

• Finance Commission is a constitutional body under Article 280 created every five years to
recommend the transfer of financial resources from the Centre to the States.
• The Commission also decides the principles on which grants-in-aid will be given to the
States.
• The 15th FC was constituted on November 27, 2017 and is headed by Mr. N.K. Singh.
• The recommendations, to be observed for a period of five years, will kick in from April 1,
2020.

Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman attends 1st BRICS

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting
• 1st BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the
BRICS Russian Chairmanship.
• The agenda of the meeting included discussions on the outcomes of G20 Saudi
Presidency in 2020, a digital platform to encourage infrastructure investments and
expansion of the membership of the New Development Bank.
• The Finance Minister observed that the G20, of which all BRICS countries are members,
has delivered some very significant initiatives this year including the G20 Action Plan in
response to COVID-19 which has provided broad guidance to navigate a collective global
response to the crisis. Additionally, the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative ensured
immediate support to address the liquidity needs of low-income countries. She further
noted that BRICS members have played an important role in ensuring that concerns of
emerging economies are appropriately reflected in these initiatives.
• On the ongoing international efforts to find a solution to the issue of taxation of digital
economy, Smt. Sitharaman said that a consensus solution will play an important role in
ensuring fairness, equity and sustainability of tax systems.
• The BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors also discussed expansion of
the membership of the New Development Bank (NDB). The Finance Minister supported
the expansion of the membership of NDB and emphasised the importance of regional
balance
Government proposes merger of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha TV

• The government has proposed to merge Lok Sabha Television (LSTV) and Rajya Sabha
Television (RSTV), into a single entity called Sansad TV, with the twin purpose of centralizing
activities and cutting costs.
• The new channel is to launched by the middle of January 2021.
• In the proposed merger, the facilities of RSTV may be shifted to the PLB location and TKSA
vacated and handed over to NDMC.
• Broadcasting and transmission equipment and studio facilities will also need to be shifted and
integrated with the facilities at the new location.
• The Committee on Technology for merger of LSTV and RSTV chaired by SN Singh, ADG (E),
Doordarshan has studied the technological requirement for the process of shifting and integration.
• Launched in 1989 as Doordarshan and incorporated as Lok Sabha TV in 2004, LSTV offers
coverage of central government proceedings and other public affairs programming. Its remit is to
make accessible to all the work of the parliamentary and legislative bodies of India.
• The channel broadcasts live and recorded coverage of the Lok Sabha.
• RSTV, launched in 2011, apart from telecasting live coverage of Rajya Sabha proceedings, brings
incisive analysis of parliamentary affairs and provides a platform for knowledge-based
programmes.

‘MSP procurement can’t be stopped; 67% population dependent

on PDS for food’
• Experts say that when 67 per cent population of the country falls under the Public
Distribution System (PDS) for food grains, stopping of MSP is not even thinkable. And if
the government stops MSP, then PDS will also get abolished automatically.
• Under PDS, food grains are provided to the poor at subsidised rates via around five lakh
fair ration shops (ration depot) across the country. Successive governments have been
trying to replace this system with cash transfers into accounts of beneficiaries of the PDS,
but such projects have not been as successful.
• “If we provide cash instead of ration, the beneficiaries may end up using this money on
other needs rather purchasing food from the market and it will lead to malnutrition in the
country manifold,” said experts, adding that though under PDS system.
• Scrapping of the PDS would mean promoting the MNC and corporate culture, who will
hoard food items and sell to people including the poor to earn huge profits, but the
government has to see the welfare of the poor when it supplies food grain under PDS, said
another expert
• Transferring of cash cannot always be on time, which has been evident in months of delay
in transferring money under various social welfare pension schemes including widow, old
age and disability pension. Such a delay would deprive the poor of food, which is a basic
need for survival.
HC refuses interim bail to Arnab (GS-2)
• Types of Bail in India:RegularBail:It is a direction given by the Court (any Court within
the country) to release a person who isalready under arrestand kept in police custody. For
such Bail, a person can file an application underSection 437 and 439of the CrPC.
• Interim Bail:Bail granted for atemporary and short periodby the Court till the application
seeking Anticipatory Bail or Regular Bail ispendingbefore a Court.
• Anticipatory Bail:A direction issued to release a person on Bail evenbeforethe person
isarrested.In this situation, there isapprehension of arrestand the person is not arrested
before the Bail is granted. For such Bail, a person can file an application underSec. 438 of
theCode of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).It isissued onlyby theSessions Court and High
Court.
Conditions For Grant of Bail In Bailable Offences

Section 436 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, lays down that a person accused of
bailable offence under IPC can be granted bail.
Conditions for bail in bailable offence are:

• There are sufficient reasons to believe that the accused has not committed the offence.

• There is sufficient reason to conduct further enquiry in the matter.

• The person is not accused of any offence punishable with death, life imprisonment or
imprisonment up to 10 years.
Conditions For Grant of Bail In Non-Bailable Offences

Section 437 of Code of Criminal Procedure,1973 lays down that the accused does not have
the right to apply for bail in non-bailable offences. It is discretion of the court to grant bail
in case of non-bailable offences.
Conditions for bail in non- bailable offence are:

• If the accused is a woman or a child, bail can be granted in a non-bailable offence.
• If there is lack of evidence then bail in non-Bailable offences can be granted.
• If there is delay in lodging FIR by the complainant, bail may be granted.
• If the accused is gravely sick.
Cancellation of Bail
Court has the power to cancel the bail even at a later stage. This power is laid upon the court
under section 437(5) and 439(2) of the CrPC. The court can cancel the bail granted by it and
give directions to the police officer to arrest the person and keep in police custody.
Kerala On Top, Delhi Near Bottom in New Migrant Policy

Index
• The Interstate Migrant Policy Index (IMPEX) has been developed by Mumbai-based
research non-profit India Migration Now (IMN), and it assesses states ’performance on
eight policy areas spanning more than 60 policy indicators.
• The states of Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh have been most successful in
integrating migrant workers, while crucial migrant receiving states, including Delhi, have
done poorly, shows the Interstate Migrant Policy Index (IMPEX) that seeks to measure
integration of interstate migrants.
• India’s average IMPEX 2019 score for 28 states and the Union Territory of NCT Delhi is
37 out of 100, reflecting the limited attention paid to integration efforts in destination
states.
• The index could help bureaucrats and stakeholders in evolving policy for India’s 455
million internal migrants who remain one of the most excluded groups in the country.
This figure is from Census 2011, and may have changed between 2011-20.
• Central policies exist to foster integration of migrant workers, especially through statutes
such as the :
1) Interstate Migrant Workmen (Regulation and Conditions of Service) Act 1979
2) The Minimum Wages Act 1948.
3) The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970.
4) The Equal Remuneration Act 1976, and the Building.
5) Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and
Conditions of Service) Act 1996
Recent steps by GoI to help migrants

• Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, affordable housing is to be provided to migrants. In
order to achieve this, the funds are being allocated from atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
However, there are variations in implementing the scheme as housing is a state subject.
• The GoI allowed the State Governments to use the State Disaster Response Fund to set up
relief camps along highways for the migrating population. The migrants walked all the
way as transport facilities stopped running during COVID-19 pandemic.
ED subjects Swapna to marathon questioning

About Enforcement Directorate:
It is a Multi Disciplinary Organization mandated with the task of enforcing the provisions of
two special fiscal laws – Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and Prevention
of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
Historical background:
• The origin of this Directorate goes back to 1st May, 1956, when an ‘Enforcement Unit ’
was formed, in Department of Economic Affairs, for handling Exchange Control Laws
violations under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 (FERA ’47).
• In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as ‘Enforcement Directorate’. The administrative
control of the Directorate was transferred from Department of Economic Affairs to
Department of Revenue in 1960.
• For a short period of 04 years (1973 – 1977), the Directorate also remained under the
administrative jurisdiction of Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms.
Powers:
The Directorate enforces two laws :
- FEMA, a Civil Law having quasi judicial powers, for investigating suspected
contraventions of the Exchange Control Laws and Regulations with the powers to
impose penalties on those adjudged guilty.
- PMLA, a Criminal Law, whereby the Officers are empowered to conduct
enquiries to locate, provisionally attach/confiscate assets derived from acts of
Schedules Offences besides arresting and prosecuting the Money Launderers.
Composition:
Besides directly recruiting personnel, the Directorate also draws officers from different
Investigating Agencies, viz., Customs & Central Excise, Income Tax, Police, etc. on
deputation.
Other functions:
Processing cases of fugitive/s from India under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

Sponsor cases of preventive detention under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and

Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974(COFEPOSA) in regard to contraventions of
FEMA.

Cabinet approves PLI Scheme to 10 key Sectors for Enhancing
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its
approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in the following 10
key sectors for Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports –
Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The schemes are worth of Rs 1.46 lakh crores. The GoI had earlier announced the scheme
for pharmaceuticals and electronic products alone. Now, upon being extended the scheme
is to return several benefits.
• The Advance Chemistry Cell Battery manufacturing sector is to receive Rs 18,100 crore.
This is to be implemented by NITI Aayog and Department of Heavy Industries.
• The Electronic technology and Electronic Products manufacturing industries will receive
incentive of Rs 5,000 crores. It is to be implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology
• The Automobiles and Auto components manufacturing industry will receive incentives of
Rs 57,042. The Department of Heavy Industries is to implement the scheme.
• The Telecom and Networking Products are to receive Rs 12,195 crores. The scheme is to
be implemented by Department of Pharmaceuticals.
• The Textile Products manufacturing industries will receive Incentive of Rs 10,683 crores.
It is to be implemented by Ministry of Textiles.
• The Food Products manufacturing industries are to receive incentives of Rs 10,900 crores.
It is to be implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• The High Efficiency Solar PV Modules manufacturing industries are to receive incentives
of Rs 4,500 crores. It is to be implemented by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• The White Goods manufacturing industries will receive incentive of Rs 6,238 crore. It is
to be implemented by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• The specialty steel sector industries will receive incentive of Rs 6,322 crores. It is to be
implemented by Ministry of Steel.
Background
The scheme aims to increase India’s manufacturing capabilities. The automotive industry
received the maximum incentive as it was majorly hit due to COVID-19.
Govt. to govern OTT platforms
• The Union government has brought Over The Top (OTT) platforms, or video streaming
service providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, under the ambit of the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has found a vast swathe of unregulated
content, namely news online and Over the top (OTT) platforms which had escaped any
architecture of regulation.

• The print was regulated by the Press Council of India and Television, both News and
Entertainment, were being regulated by the Cable Networks Regulation Act (2005),
content on online, the Government felt, fell into a black hole with no oversight.
• It may also be recalled that the Supreme Court of India last month had issued notice to the
Centre and the Internet and Mobile Association of India, on a petition to regulate OTT
platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.
• The Ministry was already regulating news and entertainment content on TV and radio
through statutory bodies under the Ministry.
• Films and audio-visual programs made available by online content providers and news
and current affairs content on online platform will be under the purview of the
Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
• The order is an enabling mandate to enforce, in the words of Ministry officials, a greater
discipline online
How does the Ministry propose to regulate news and OTT online?
• The Cable Television Network Regulation Act, 1995, may serve as a template to frame
rules for online content.
• The Programme Code lists several dont’s that channels are required to observe and follow.
• Currently, the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre, which was set up in 2008, is entrusted
with the work of monitoring content on TV. It puts out reports on violations of the
Programme Code. The findings go to an inter-ministerial committee. There is a possibility
that the brief of the monitoring service could be extended to include online content.
• However, monitoring content 24x7 has its own challenges. Whether the Ministry will set
up a committee involving the public to look into complaints received remains to be seen.
Home Ministry amends FCRA rules
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has relaxed norms for farmer, student, religious
and other groups who are not directly aligned to any political party to receive foreign
funds if the groups are not involved in “active politics”.
• The Ministry notified new rules under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA),
2010 thereby amending the FCRA Rules, 2011.
• The new rule said, “The organisations specified under clauses (v) and (vi) of sub-rule (1)
shall be considered to be of political nature, if they participate in active politics or party
politics, as the case may be.”
• The 2011 rules on said clauses dealt with “guidelines for the declaration of an organisation
to be of a political nature, not being a political party”, and the Central government could
specify an organisation as that of political nature based on six criteria.
• As per the FCRA, members of legislatures, political parties, government officials, judges
and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.

• FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely
affect the internal security of the country.
• The Act, first enacted in 1976, was amended in the year 2010, when a slew of new
measures were taken by the Union Home Ministry to regulate foreign donations. It was
again amended in September this year.
• The Act is applicable to all associations, groups and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) who intend to receive foreign donations.
• The new rules also make new FCRA registrations more stringent.
• Any organisation that wants to register itself under FCRA “shall be in existence for three
years” and should have “spent a minimum amount of ₹15 lakh on its core activities for the
benefit of society during the last three financial years”.
• However, exceptions could be granted “provided that the Central Government, in
exceptional cases or in cases where a person is controlled by the Central Government or a
State Government may waive the conditions”.
• The amended rules also said that office bearers of NGOs or organisations seeking
registration under the FCRA must submit a specific commitment letter from the donor
indicating the amount of foreign contribution and the purpose for which it was being
given.
IFSC Authority approves the International Financial Services

Centres Authority (Banking) Regulations, 2020
• A meeting of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) was held.
The IFSC Authority, after detailed deliberations, approved the International Financial
Services Centres Authority (Banking) Regulations, 2020.
• Banking constitutes one of the major focus areas of IFSC and is expected to drive and
facilitate the other constituent operations in the IFSC in due course. A self-contained
regulation laying down the major principles of banking operations at IFSCs is thus an
important step in the IFSC reaching its desired potential.
• The Authority approved the draft banking regulations at its meeting today, which paves
the way for putting in place the rules for the various aspects of banking operations that
would be permissible at the IFSC.
The salient aspects of the Banking Regulations include:

• Laying down the requirements for setting up IFSC Banking Units (IBUs)
• Permitting persons resident outside India (having net worth not less than USD 1 Million)
to open foreign currency accounts in any freely convertible currency at IFSC Banking
Units (IBUs)
• Permitting persons resident in India (having net worth not less than USD 1 Million) to
open foreign currency accounts in any freely convertible currency at IFSC Banking Units
(IBUs) to undertake any permissible current account or capital account transaction or any
combination thereof under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) of the Reserve Bank
of India.
• Laying down the permissible activities of IBUs including credit enhancement, credit
insurance, and sale , purchase of portfolios, engage in factoring and forfaiting of export
receivables and undertake equipment leasing, including aircraft leasing
• Permitting the Authority to determine business that a Banking Unit may be permitted to
conduct in INR with persons resident in India and persons resident outside India, subject
to settlement of the financial transaction in relation to such business in freely convertible
foreign currency.
Finance Minister announces measures on AatmaNirbhar Bharat

3.0
• Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has announced
12 key measures, as part of Government of India’s stimulus to the economy, under
AatmaNirbhar Bharat 3.0.
• The net stimulus announced today amounts to ₹ 2.65 Lakh crore.
• The total stimulus announced by the Government and Reserve Bank of India till date, to
help the nation tide over the COVID-19 pandemic, works out to ₹ 29.87 lakh crore, which
is 15% of national GDP. Out of this, stimulus worth 9% of GDP has been provided by the
government.
• A new Scheme “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana” launched
• Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs, businesses, MUDRA borrowers
and individuals extended till March 31, 2021 and additional credit up to 20%.
• Production Linked Incentive worth ₹ 1.46 Lakh crore offered to 10 champion sectors
• ₹18,000 Crore Additional outlay for PM Awaas Yojana – Urban
• Relaxationof Earnest Deposit Money & Performance Security on Government Tenders
• Increase in differential between circle rate and agreement value to 20% providing Income
Tax relief for Developers & Home Buyers
• ₹6,000 crore equity investment in debt platform of National Investment and Infrastructure
Fund (NIIF)
• ₹65,000 Crore for subsidized fertilizers provided to support agriculture
• Additional outlay of ₹10,000 Crore has been provided for PM Garib Kalyan Rozgar
Yojana
• ₹3,000 crore boost to be given for project exports through assistance given by India to
developing countries
• ₹10,200 crore additional budget stimulus will be provided for capital and industrial
expenditure
• ₹900 crore is being provided for Research and Development of Indian COVID Vaccine

Attorney General clears contempt proceedings against Kunal

Kamra
• The AG pointed out that the comedian had also posted a picture of the SC in saffron
colours with a BJP flag in place of the Tricolour.
• Attorney General K K Venugopal gave his consent for initiating criminal contempt of
court proceedings against stand up comedy artist Kumal Kamra for tweets about the
Supreme Court.
Contempt of Court
• Contempt of Court refers to the offence of showing disrespect to the dignity or authority
of a court.
• The objective for contempt is stated to be to safeguard the interests of the public if the
authority of the Court is denigrated and public confidence in the administration of justice
is weakened or eroded.
• The Supreme Court and High Courts derive their contempt powers from the Constitution.
• The Contempt of Court Act, 1971, outlines the procedure in relation to investigation and
punishment for contempt.
• The Act divides contempt into civil and criminal contempt.
• Civil contempt refers to the willful disobedience of an order of any court.
• Criminal contempt includes any act or publication which:
• Scandalises the court,
• Prejudices any judicial proceeding
• Interferes with the administration of justice in any other manner.
• ‘Scandalising the Court ’broadly refers to statements or publications which have the effect
of undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
• Retail inflation grows 7.61% in Oct; IIP rises 0.2% in Sep: Govt data (GS- 3)
• The retail inflation, which is measured through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by
7.61 per cent in October. Separately, the factory output, which is measured in terms of
Index of Industrial Production (IIP), expanded by 0.2 per cent in September.
• The growth rate of India’s retail inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index
(CPI), climbed 7.61 per cent in the month of October.
• The country’s factory output, which is measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production
(IIP), witnessed a growth of 0.2 per cent in the month of September, according to two
separate data released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
(MoSPI)
• The CPI for the month of September was also revised to 7.27 per cent from 7.34 per cent.

• The retail inflation has grown beyond the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper margin of
6 per cent.
• The government has mandated the central bank to keep retail inflation within the range of
4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.
• The central bank mainly factors in retail inflation while deciding its bi-monthly monetary
policy.
• The rise in retail inflation in October was primarily on account of rising food prices.
• The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) or the inflation in the food basket climbed to
11.07 per cent in the month of October, up from 10.68 per cent in September, the data
revealed.
MoHFW launches three-month scheme to reduce childhood

pneumonia deaths
• A three-month campaign to focus on awareness generation and early intervention with

regard to childhood pneumonia, enabling caregivers across the country to identify critical
symptoms at earlier stages and trigger prompt care-seeking with qualified providers, was
launched by the Union Ministry of Family Welfare (MoHFW)
• The initiative targets to reduce less than five pneumonia deaths, per a 1000 live births, to
less than three deaths by 2025 through the accelerated SAANS (Social Action and
Awareness to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully) initiative.
• The SAANS campaign complements the national childhood pneumonia management
guidelines through a three-pronged approach to protect, prevent and treat pneumonia
among children. Save the Children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and
the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) have also partnered with the MoHFW in
order to accentuate efforts to alleviate the burden of pneumonia on the country.
• The reduction of child mortality, more so from preventable diseases, is one of the
important objectives under the National Health Mission. Through concerted efforts by the
Ministry and its partners under the SAANS campaign, we are intensifying capacity
building of frontline health workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and
Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs) through training and skill-enhancement initiatives.
Forty-five thousand health and wellness centres across the country are providing
paediatric care as of now.
• India has also demonstrated a higher decline in the reduction of child mortality (71
percent) in comparison to the global reduction of 59 percent between 1990 and 2017.
Assam’s border dispute shifts to Nagaland now
• Assam’s border row with its neighbours in the Northeast has shifted from areas adjoining
Mizoram to Nagaland.

• Five organisations based in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district have threatened to impose an
economic blockade against Nagaland.
• Lotha and Tangkhul tribal people of Nagaland, backed by their State administration, have
been encroaching upon areas inside the Daldali Reserve Forest in Karbi Anglong.
• There are similar reports from the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest in Assam’s Jorhat district.
Assam-Mizoram Border Dispute (GS-2)

Reason behind this clash
The boundary issue between present-day Assam and Mizoram dates back to the colonial era
when inner lines were demarcated according to the administrative needs of British Raj.
The issue could not be settled once and for all when the state was created in independent
India. The result is both states continue to have a differing perception of the border.
The 164.6 km-long border between the States runs along with Cachar, Hailakandi and
Karimganj districts in Assam and Kolasib, Mamit and Aizawl districts in Mizoram.
How complex is this dispute?

• In the Northeast’s complex boundary equations, showdowns between Assam and Mizoram
residents are less frequent than they are.
• The boundary between present-day Assam and Mizoram, 165 km long today, dates back
to the colonial era when Mizoram was known as Lushai Hills, a district of Assam.
• The dispute stems from a notification of 1875 that differentiated Lushai Hills from the
plains of Cachar, and another of 1933 that demarcates a boundary between Lushai Hills
and Manipur.
• Mizoram believes the boundary should be demarcated on the basis of the 1875
notification, which is derived from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act,
1873.
• Mizo leaders have argued in the past argued against the demarcation notified in 1933
because Mizo society was not consulted.
Employer free to reject over-qualified applicants: Supreme

Court
• Verdict overturned Odisha HC’s decision allowing a graduate to be appointed as a peon

with the Punjab National Bank.
• A prospective employer has discretion not to appoint a candidate who may have a “higher
qualification”, but not the one prescribed for the job vacancy, the Supreme Court has held.
• A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan said courts have limited judicial review over such
decisions by employers. Prescription of qualifications for a post is a matter of recruitment
policy. Discretion lies with the employer.
• The judgment came on an appeal filed by the Punjab National Bank against an Orissa
High Court decision allowing an over-qualified candidate to be appointed as a peon.

• The Supreme Court set aside the High Court decision of November 22, 2019 upholding an
over-qualified candidate’s claim to a job as peon in the bank.
• In the present case, prescribing the eligibility criteria/educational qualification that a
graduate candidate shall not be eligible and the candidate must have passed 12th standard
is justifie

DEEPANSHU SINGH |Vidisha

Indian diplomat CODE- DEEP27
Maitra elected to U.N. Advisory Committee
on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (GS-2)
• Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), a subsidiary organ of

the General Assembly.
• Group of Asia-Pacific States, Ms. Maitra, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to
the U.N., obtained 126 votes
• The 193-member General Assembly appoints members of the Advisory Committee.
Members are selected on the basis of broad geographical representation, personal
qualifications and experience.
• The Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with administrative and
budgetary issues, recommended Ms. Maitra to the Assembly for a three-year term
beginning January 1, 2021.
• The victory comes as India gets ready to sit in the U.N. Security Council as a non-
permanent member for a two-year term beginning January 2021.
The major functions of the Advisory Committee

• To examine and report on the budget submitted by the Secretary-General to the General
Assembly to advise the General Assembly concerning any administrative and budgetary
matters referred to it.
• It also examines, on behalf of the General Assembly, the administrative budgets of the
specialised agencies and proposals for financial arrangements with such agencies; and to
consider and report to the General Assembly on the auditors ’reports on the accounts of
the United Nations and of the specialised agencies.
Months after starting Chabahar rail project without India, Iran seeks
help (GS-2)
• Chabahar port is located on the Gulf of Oman and is only 72 km away from the Gwadar
port in Pakistan which has been developed by China.
• The port serves as the only oceanic port of Iran and consists of two separate ports named
Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
Key Points
• Iran has inaugurated the track-laying process for the 628 km Chabahar-Zahedan rail line,
which will be extended to Zaranj across the border in Afghanistan.
• The entire project would be completed by March 2022 and Iranian Railways will use
approximately USD 400 million from the Iranian National Development Fund.
• Months after starting Chabahar rail project without India, Iran seeks help (GS-2)
• India shouldn’t be part of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway at current, however as Iran
begins the second section of the 628-km project, Tehran hopes New Delhi will assist it
procure equipment to run the rail line from the Chabahar port to the Afghan border.
• According to a senior Iranian diplomat, Iran’s Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) not
too long ago conveyed to India a request for cranes, tracks, switches and signalling
equipment, in addition to locomotives that it has had issue in procuring them straight
because of the U.S.-imposed sanctions. Iran has additionally requested to activate a $150
million credit score line that had been provided by India throughout Iranian President
Rouhani’s go to to Delhi in 2018 to pay for the purchases.
• Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission Masoud Rezvanian advised The Hindu in an interview,
explaining that the 2016 MoU signed with the Indian Railway Construction firm (IRCON)
was not related as there had been no progress in talks, and Iranian building corporations
have now taken over the project.
• According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), IRCON accomplished the location
inspection and feasibility report, and had been ready for the Iranian facet to nominate a
nodal authority. Iranian building firm Khatam Al Anbyar is below U.S. sanctions for its
hyperlinks to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Committee (IRGC) and though the
Chabahar project has secured a particular waiver from the US, the federal government is
hesitant to cope with the IRGC entity.
Biden may relax curbs on H-1B, job-based visas

How is H-1B visa important to India?
• Majority H-1B visa holder: India has been the only country that takes 70 per cent of the
85,000 H-1B visas applied annually. The H-1B visa is crucial for the IT sector in India.
• IT professionals: The technology companies of US depend on it to hire tens of thousands
of employees each year from countries like India and China. Hence, a cancellation of H-
1B visas will most adversely affect Indian IT professionals.
• Talent flow: The US should not obstruct the flow of talent from India as it is an important
part of the economic cooperation and almost acts as a strategic bridge between the two
countries, and is important for the bilateral ties.
• About H-1B visa:
• The H-1B is a United States visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It has roots
in the earlier issued H-1 visa which was later split between H-1A (for nurses) and H-1B.
H-1B is one of the most popular visas for foreigners visiting the US for business or trade
purpose.
• It is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in
speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
• Speciality occupations include specialized fields like IT, finance, accounting, architecture,
engineering, mathematics, science, medicine, etc. which usually require a bachelor’s
degree or higher.
• US employers wishing to bring in staff for long-term assignment prefer H1B visa because
its application is quicker than applying for a US Green Card.
• H-1B visa has its roots in the H1 visa of the Immigration and Nationality Act; which split
between H-1A (for nurses) and H-1B in 1990.

India, Maldives sign four MoUs to boost ties (GS-2)
• India and the Maldives on Monday discussed ways to boost the Indian Ocean
archipelago’s economic recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic, including enhancing
tourism and speeding up development projects.
• The two sides are set to sign four memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including one
for the grant of $100 million by India for the $500-million Greater Male Connectivity
Project that will link the capital Male with three islands.
• The four MoUs expected to be signed during Shringla’s visit will cover the Greater Male
Connectivity Project, cooperation in youth and sports affairs, setting up soil and plant
testing laboratories, and establishing a drug detox facility.
• India provided a soft loan of $250 million as budgetary support, and announced a $500-
million package in August to help build the Greater Male Connectivity Project. Besides
the $100-million grant, India will provide a $400-million line of credit for the project.
• During his meeting with Solih, Shringla discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral
partnership at a time when the two sides are marking the 55th anniversary of formal
diplomatic ties.
• During his meeting with Solih, Shringla discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral
partnership at a time when the two sides are marking the 55th anniversary of formal
diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday made a strong pitch for

better connectivity among the member countries of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Highlighting the need for respecting each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and
countering terror, in a strong message to China :
• The SCO Summit, which took place virtually for the first time under the chairmanship of
Russia, was attended by the heads of all member countries.
• We firmly believe that for enhanced greater and deeper connectivity between the SCO
countries, we need to respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, PM said in
his remarks at the SCO Summit.
• PM Modi also spoke about United Nations reforms, saying India is keen to see a “reform
multilateralism” that reflects today’s “global realities, discussing topics such as
expectations of all stakeholders, contemporary challenges, and human welfare.”
• SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.
• It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace,
security and stability in the region.
• It was created in 2001.
• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.
• It is a statutory document which outlines the organisation's goals and principles, as well as
its structure and core activities.
• The SCO's official languages are Russian and Chinese.
Nepal President unveils pictorial anthology on Mahatma

Gandhi (GS-2 &1)
• Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has released a special pictorial anthology on
Mahatma Gandhi to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This anthology
is written in the Nepali language. The book was launched at a special function held at in
Kathmandu in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
• This anthology on Gandhi is titled as “Maile Bujheko Gandhi” or “the Gandhi as I
understood”.
• The book has been released to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the
culmination of the 2 year-long celebrations of ‘150 years of Mahatma’.
• This anthology has been published by the Indian Embassy together with the B P Koirala
India-Nepal Foundation.
• The publishers hope that the teachings, ideas of Mahatma Gandhi will bring Nepalese
youth closer to the global icon.
• The book aims to bring to youth of Nepal closer to Mahatma Gandhi.
• The book also brings together the perspectives of 25 eminent Nepali personalities about
Mahatma Gandhi.
India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) report on 'Deepening

Cooperation in IBSA: (GS-2)
• India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) report on ‘Deepening Cooperation in IBSA:

Perspectives from Key Sectors ’has been launched by the Economic Relations Secretary
of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Rahul Chhabra. The report has been prepared by
the second batch of the fellows of IBSA Visiting Fellow Program.
•
• The fellows of IBSA fellowship program undertook research on cooperation at the UN in
Traditional Medicine, Intellectual Property Rights, and Financial Sector Cooperation &
Trade in Banking Services & Energy.
About IBSA
IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa dialogue forum) established in June 2003, IBSA is a
coordinating mechanism amongst three emerging countries, three multi ethnic and
multicultural democracies, which are determined to:
• Contribute to the construction of a new international architecture
• Bring their voice together on global issues

• Deepen their ties in various areas
India, China finalising disengagement plan (GS-2)
• In a major development, the ongoing India-China border conflict may be resolved soon as
the armies of the two countries have agreed for disengagement from parts of the Eastern
Ladakh sector under which they would be moving back to their respective positions
before April-May timeframe earlier this year.
• The disengagement plan was discussed between the two sides during the 8th Corps
Commander-level talks.
• As per the disengagement plan which is to be carried out in three steps in one week from
the talks in the Pangong lake area, the armoured vehicles including tanks and armoured
personnel carriers were to be moved back from their frontline deployment to a significant
distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by both sides.
• the disengagement of tanks and armoured personnel carriers was to be carried out within
one day.
• In the second step to be carried out near the northern bank on the Pangong Lake, both
sides were supposed to withdraw around 30 per cent of troops every day for three days.
The Indian side would be coming close to its administrative Dhan Singh Thapa post while
the Chinese had consented to go back to their position east of Finger 8.
• In the third and last step, the two sides were to withdraw from their respective positions
from the frontline along the southern bank of Pangong Lake area which includes the
heights and territories around Chushul and Rezang La area.
• The two sides had also agreed for a joint mechanism to verify the progress in the
disengagement process through delegation meetings as well as using Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs).
Mission Sagar - II Handing Over Food AID to Djibouti by INS

Airavat (GS-2)
• In continuation of the ongoing humanitarian mission ‘Sagar-II’, Indian Naval Ship Airavat
arrived at Port of Djibouti, Djibouti.
• The Government of India is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to
overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards the same INS Airavat
is carrying food aid for the people of Djibouti.
• Vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s
position as a dependable partner in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with Indian Navy as the
first responder in the maritime domain.
• The mission also highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her
maritime neighbours and further strengthens the existing bond. The Indian Navy is

progressing this mission in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External
Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

India and ASEAN to expand trade despite RCEP walkout
• India and ASEAN countries said they would explore ways to increase trade between them
despite India’s exit from the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) agreement. The RCEP free trade agreement, which India walked out from a year
ago, is expected to be signed on November 15th, between China, Australia, South Korea,
Japan, and ten Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) Nations.
• Not joining RCEP as it does not address the outstanding issues and concerns of India.
However, India remain committed to deepening our trade relations with ASEAN.
• Announced $1 million contribution to the ASEAN COVID-19 recovery fund.
• ASEAN is India’s fourth largest trading partner with about $86.9 Bn in trade between
India and the ten ASEAN nations:
• Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam.
China begins work on rail line up to Arunachal border
• China has begun work on a strategically significant railway line - its second major rail
link to Tibet - that will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi, which lies near the border
with India’s Arunachal Pradesh.
• Underlining the special importance that the Chinese government has placed on the project.
• The importance of the project, Chinese experts said, is two-fold:
• Like the Qinghai-Tibet railway line, which in 2006 connected Lhasa to the hinterland, this
will be the second such route linking the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to the
hinterland.
• It will run right up to Nyingchi near the border with India, which it will link to both Lhasa
and Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan. The entire line will run from Chengdu to
Lhasa, connecting the two capitals of TAR and Sichuan and cutting the journey from 48
hours to 13 hours.
• This includes a 525 metre-long bridge across the Yarlung Zangbo river, as the
Brahmaputra is called in Tibet, which has been built at a height of 3,350 metres. This
makes it the world's highest concrete-filled steel tube arch railway bridge.
WHO to set up centre for traditional medicine in India
• The World Health Organisation announced that it will set up a Global Centre for
Traditional Medicine in India.
• This new centre will support WHO’s efforts to implement the WHO traditional medicine
strategy 2014-2023 which aims to support countries in developing policies and action
plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal
health coverage and a healthier, fairer and safer world.

• Traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda can play an important role in integrated
people-centric health services and healthcare.
• Exports of Ayurvedic products increase in export of spices like turmeric, ginger,
considered as immunity boosters, shows the sudden boost in confidence in Ayurvedic
solutions and Indian spices in the world.
• The price of Ashwagandha has more than doubled compared to last year and its direct
benefit is reaching farmers.
Saudi Arabia claims it thwarted attack on an oil facility near

Yemen
• Saudi claimed it thwarted an attack by Yemen's Iran-backed rebels that sparked a fire near
an Aramco oil distribution centre, involving unmanned boats loaded with explosives
dispatched into the Red Sea.
• Ministry of Energy reported that Saudi security forces had intercepted and destroyed two
explosives-packed boats that it said Yemen's Houthi rebels were using to target a major
refinery and terminal in the southern Saudi province of Jizan.
• The official sharply condemned the attack as threatening commercial shipping routes near
the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait, used for oil shipments from the Gulf to Europe, as well as
goods from Asia to Europe.
• In September 2019, drone attacks claimed by the Houthis struck two key oil installations
in Saudi Arabia, halting about half of the supplies from the world's largest exporter of oil.
• Saudi Arabia and the US attributed the assault to Iran, which has denied involvement.
• The Houthis, which Saudi Arabia considers to be Iranian proxies, overran Yemen's capital
and much of the north in 2014, driving the internationally recognised government into
exile.
• The war in the Arab world's poorest country has killed over 100,000 people, pushed
millions to the brink of famine and precipitated what the UN calls the world's worst
humanitarian crisis.


India launches earth observation satellite EOS-01, nine other
satellites
• India successfully launched its latest earth observation satellite EOS-01 and nine customer
satellites on board its Polar rocket from the spaceport in Sriharikota on Saturday.
• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C49) lifted off from the first launch pad at the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre here at 3.12 PM at the end of a 26 hour countdown and
injected the satellites into orbit one after another 20 minutes later.
• The customer satellites are from :
- Lithuania (1)
- Luxembourg (4)
- USA (4).
IMD to issue forecast for malaria outbreak from next monsoon:

Official
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will start issuing forecast for malaria
outbreaks from next monsoon.
• Ramp up its high performance computing (HPC) facility from the existing capacity of 10
petaflops to 40 petaflops, a step that will significantly help in improving weather
predictions.
• Currently, India is only next to the U.S., the U.K. and Japan in HPC
• A report released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences this week said nearly ₹990 crore spent
on the National Monsoon Mission and HPC had yielded dividend 50 times the investment
made.
• IMD studied the phenomenon of occurrence in malaria and its relationship with rainfall
and temperature.
• Malaria is rampant in parts of Africa and sub-tropical countries.
• According to the World Malaria Report 2019, 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and
India carried almost 85 per cent of the global malaria burden.
• According to the National Health Portal, the majority of malaria cases are reported from
eastern and central part of the country and from states which have forest, hilly and tribal
areas.
• These states include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
some northeastern states like Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
• In India, malaria cases have consistently declined from 2.08 million in 2001 to about 4
lakh in 2018. Of the countries hardest hit by malaria, only India showed progress in
reducing its disease burden, the NHP said.
• 90 per cent of the meteorology-related data comes from satellites. The rest of it comes
from conventional sources like Doppler radars, buoys in the sea, ship and aircraft
observation and other observations.
DRDO Developed Fire Detection and Suppression System

(FDSS) for Passenger Buses.
• DRDO's Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi has
developed the technology, which can detect the fire in passenger compartment in less than
30 sec and then suppresses it in 60 sec thereby reducing the risk to life and property to a
significant extent.
• The FDSS for passenger compartment comprises of a water tank of 80 litre capacity, a 6.8
kg nitrogen cylinder pressurized to 200 bar installed at appropriate location in the bus and
a network of tubing with 16 number of atomizers inside the passenger compartment.
• The FDSS for engine comprises of aerosol generator with which the fire suppression
could be achieved within 5 sec of the system activation.
• CFEES has unique competency in the areas of fire risk assessment, fire suppression using
different extinguishing mediums, modelling and simulation. They have developed system
for Battle tanks, ships and submarines. The active fire protection system has been
developed by CFEES as a defence spin-off technology for providing a solution to the fire
incidents in passenger buses.
Indian astronomers collaborated with Nobel laureate on Thirty

Meter Telescope Project
• The Indian Astronomers have collaborated with 2020 Physics Nobel Laureate Prof
Andrea Ghez on the “Thirty Meter Telescope Project”. The telescope is being installed at
Hawaii and is to revolutionise the understanding of the universe.
• Thirty Meter Telescope Project
• It is an international partnership project between India, China, Japan, California and
Canada.
About the Telescope

• It is extremely large telescope. It is designed for Ultra Violet to mid infra red
observations. It has 30 metres prime mirror diameter and is three times as wide as the
largest existing visible light telescope in the world.
• The three major instruments to be included in the telescope are Infrared Imaging
Spectrometer, Wide Field Optical Spectrometer and Infrared Multi Object Spectrometer.
India’s Proposal to change location

The proposed site to construct the Thirty Meter Telescope was considered as sacred to the
indigenous Hawaiians. Thus, it is being objected by the local communities in the region.
Due to these obstructions, the project has not made any significant progress. Thus, India has
suggested for change of location.
Mauna Kea
The proposed site was Mauna Kea. It is a dormant volcano in Hawaii. Mauna Kea is
considered as sacred. The alternate to the location is Observatory del Roque de los
Muchachos in Canary Islans, Spain. Mauna Kea was chosen as it offers best imaging
possibilities and stable weather. Also, it has necessary infrastructure to manage telescopes
as it already hosts several telescopes.
What is India’s role in Thirty Meter Telescope project?

India has committed to offer 200 milion USD. This is a tenth of the proposed cost. India is
to contribute 83 of the 492 precisely polished mirror needed for the project. India, as of
2020, will receive 10% of available slots. The level of contribution determines amount of
viewing time a member country gets.
World’s first CRISPR CaS-9 based diagnostic tool
• Tata Medical and Diagnostics Ltd (TataMD) have unveiled “TataMD CHECK” which is a
novel diagnostic testing for COVID-19. It is the world’s first CRISPR CaS-9 based
diagnostic tool and is powered by FELUDA. CRISPR CAS-9 is a technology developed
in India by CSIR- IGIB for COVID-19 testing. TataMD is the healthcare venture of Tata
Group.
• TataMD CHECK has been approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This new diagnostic testing for COVID-19
has been developed within a short span of 100 days of the licensing of technology
The key advantages of TataMD Check testing are:

• Simplicity: It is a paper strip-based test with an image-based visual result read out. It
requires standard laboratory equipment and small batches of tests can be conducted.
• Quick results: Fast reaction time of 45-50 minutes in the laboratory and the total testing
time from RNA-extracted sample in the lab to result is 75 minutes only.
• Scalability: Ability to provide high quality, quick results using standard equipment and
minimally trained staff allows for rapid adoption and scale with potential to reach remote
locations of the country.
• Digital backbone: Continuous quality control using sensors and AI-based result reporting
tool will help patients and authorities with the evidence of test, traceability of the sample
and results accessible anywhere on cloud storage.
What is SpaceX-NASA’s upcoming CREW1 mission ?
• SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in
Florida.The spacecraft will carry a crew of four people to the International Space Station
(ISS) for a 6-month-long mission.

• Just before the mission, NASA has also provided its first spacecraft certification by
certifying SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and the Falcon 9 rocket. After this certification,
SpaceX will now be able to operate regular flights to the space station.
About Crew-1 mission
• Crew-1 mission is a part of the Commercial Crew Program of NASA.
• The aim of the mission is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo
and crew are easily transported too and from the ISS and enable greater scientific
research.
• Crew-1 mission will launch the NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Michael Hopkins,
Victor Glover and Soichi Noguchi from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space
Center.
• The crew-1 will join the members of Expedition 64, which is presently in residence at the
ISS.
• Crew-1 will be SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft’s first operational flight on a Falcon 9
rocket to the ISS. It is the first of the 3 scheduled flights scheduled in 2020-2021.
• The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, whose objective is to make
access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo and crew can be easily transported
to and from the ISS, enabling greater scientific research.
• Crew-1 will be the first operational flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on a
Falcon 9 rocket to the ISS and is the first of the three scheduled flights scheduled over the
course of 2020-2021.
• The goals of the mission are the same as that of Expedition 1 that lifted off 20 years ago.
NASA has called both of these ISS missions “historic”.
• At the ISS, the Crew-1 team will join members of Expedition 64 and conduct
microgravity studies and deliver new science hardware and experiments that they will
carry with them to space aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene class submarine Vagir launched
• The Indian Navy launched the fifth Scorpene submarine “Vagir” at Mazagon Dock of
south Mumbai. The submarine is capable of taking missions such as anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine laying, intelligence gathering and area surveillance.
• Vagir is a part of six Kalvari class submarine that is being built in India. These
submarines were designed by French Navy and an energy company DCNS. The six
submarines were built under Project-75 of Indian Navy.
About Vagir
Vagir has been named after Sand Fish. It is a deep-sea predator in the Indian Ocean. The
first Vagir was commissioned in 1973. The first Vagir submarine was from Russia.
What is Project 75?

The Project 75 aims to build six Scorprene Class attack submarines. The submarines were
built through transfer of technology from a French Company DCNS at Mazagon Dock

Limited. Under the project, the first Scorpene submarine Kalvari was commissioned in
2017. The second Scorpene Class Submarine that was commissioned under the project was
Scorpene Khanderi. The third Scorprene class submarine was INS Karanj. INS Vela was the
fourth Scorpene submarine. The fifth Scorpene submarine being inducted is INS Vagir. The
INS Vagsheer is yet to be commissioned and is still under construction.
NTPC develops Geo-polymer aggregate from fly ash
• NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power producer and a PSU under Ministry of Power, has
successfully developed Geo-polymer coarse aggregate from fly ash. The development will
help in replacing natural aggregates reducing the impact on environment.
• The technical parameters as per Indian standards for its suitability to use in concrete
works were tested by NCCBM, Hyderabad and the results are in acceptable range.
• The development is NTPC’s R&D achievement in expanding the horizon in ash
utilisation.
• India’s demand for these aggregate touches close to 2000 million metric tons mark every
year.
• The aggregate developed by NTPC from fly ash will help in meeting the demand to a
great extent and also will reduce the impact on environment caused by Natural aggregates
which require quarrying of natural stone.
• The Geo-polymer aggregates finds its extensive usage in construction industry turning the
ash eco-friendly.
• The Geo-polymer aggregates will help in reducing carbon emission and has great
potential for reduction of water consumption.
QRSAM Missile System Achieves Major Milestone
• Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) achieved a direct hit on to a pilotless

target aircraft at medium range and altitude in a test conducted by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Target aircraft at medium range & medium altitude.
• The Missile is canisterised for transportation and launch using a mobile launcher capable
of carrying 6 canisterised missiles.
• All QRSAM weapon system elements like Battery Multifunction Radar, Battery
Surveillance Radar, Battery Command Post Vehicle and Mobile Launcher were deployed
in the flight test.
• The system is capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move and engaging target
with short halts. The system is designed to give air defence coverage against strike
columns of Indian Army.
• The QRSAM is a short range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system

Coronavirus | New ‘hidden ’gene identified

A team of researchers from Taiwan’s Academia Sinica have discovered a “hidden gene” in
the novel coronavirus. This hidden gene in SARS-CoV-2, virus causing COVID-19
This study has been published in the magazine eLife. The lead author of the study is Chase
Nelson who is a postdoctoral researcher at Academia Sinica and a visiting scientist at the
American Museum of Natural History.
The researchers have found a new overlapping gene, ORF3d, in SARS-CoV-2. This new
gene has a potential to encode a protein which lasts longer than expected by chance alone.
The team also found that this gene is also present in previously discovered pangolin
coronavirus.
The lead author said that the function or any clinical significance of gene is not known yet
but it is predicted that it is unlikely to be detected by a T-cell response.
At the first look, the new gene appeared like a written language in which they made a string
of letters for conveying information.
While the unit of language/information being transferred is discrete, genes are
multifunctional and overlapping.


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