January – June 2017

1.Karnatkaabamended law for conducting kambala-:The karnatka government has recently decided to bring an amendment to the prevention of cruelty to animals Act, for conducting kambala and bull-cart race, traditional sports of the state. The state cabinet approved amendments to the Act, and the bill to beplaced before both houses of the state egislative .NOTE-:Kambala is an annual traditional Buffalo race held in coastal districts of Karnataka to enterain rural people of the area. The sports season generally starts in November and lasts till march. Slushy/Marshy/paddy/field yrack is used for kambala.2.PradhanMantriGramin Digital SakshartaAbhiyan Approve-: :-PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. This approval comes in line with the announcement made by Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2016-17. -:-:-Under the scheme, 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17; 275 lakh in 2017-18; and 300 lakh in 2018-19. The outlay for this project is Rs. 2,351.38 crore to usher in digital literacy in rural India. :-To ensure equitable geographical reach, each of the 250,000 Gram Panchayats across the country will be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates.:- Digitally literate persons will be able to operate computers/digital access devices, send and receive emails, access government services, browse internet, search for information, undertaking cashless transactions, etc..:-The scheme will be implemented under the supervision of Ministry of Electronics and IT in collaboration with States/UTs through their designated State Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.3.Assembly Election 2017 Results-:The election commission on 11 march 2017 announced the results of legislative assembly electon 2017 for five states namely UP, Punjab,Uttrakhand,Goa , Manipur. Uttar Pradesh-:The counting of votes for the 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections 2017 saw a historic landslide verdict in favour of the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and its allies in 403-member UP assembly.Uttarakhand-:TheBharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) has won a majority in the 70 seat-Uttarakhand assembly, ousting the Congress led by chief minister Harish Rawat.Punjab-:Congress won 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly with Amarinder Singh as its chief ministerial nominee, only one short of the 78 needed for a two-thirds majority.Manipur-:The Congress won 28 seats, but the BJP is hot on its heels with 21 wins and neither party is yet assured of a majority.N.Biren Singh to form the government after being assured of requities support from regional parties and independents.Goa-:The counting of votes for the 40 seats in Goa assembly elections 2017 show a close contest between the Congress and BJP, while other smaller parties such as the Goa Forward Party and MaharashtrawadiGomantak (MGP) also making inroads.cheif minister (ManoharParrikar).4.Tamil Nadu Assembly asses Jallikattu Bill-:Tamil Nadu Assemblyhas recentlyunanimously passed an amendment bill for conducting the bull-taming sport without any hindrance.Replacing an ordinance promulgated two days ago to allow jallikattu, the Bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was unanimously adopted by the House after members of all parties spoke welcoming the legislative initiative.The government had promulgated the ordinance in a bid to defuse the raging protests across the State, especially at the Marina Beach, by students and others, demanding lifting of the ban on jallikattu.About Jallikattu- Jallikaatu could be referred to as bull taming event typically practiced in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on MattuPongal day, third day of the four-day Pongal festival. The term 'jallikattu' is derived from the tamil words 'jalli' and 'kattu'. Jalli refers to gold or silver coins. Kattu means 'tied'. Therefore, combined together it refers to coins being tied to the bulls' horns, which is considered the prize for whoever tames the bull. The bull that wins is used to service numerous cows preserving the native breed. It is renowned as an ancient 'sport', believed to have been practised some 2500 years ago. It is controversial because the sport often results in major injuries and even deaths.:5.PM Launched UPI based mobile payment app BHIM-:Prime Minister NarendraModi launched UPI based mobile payment application called BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) at the DigiDhanMela held in Talkatora stadium, New Delhi, The app is rebranded version of UPI (Unified Payment Interface) and USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) for simpler digital payments without cash.Key Facts-: BHIM is Aadhaar-based payments app developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).-: The app allows easily transferring money or making a payment from your bank account using only phone number.-: It can work even on basic phones as it supports USSD payments. It has mobile wallet facility in which money can be loaded. Using it anyone can directly connect their phone to bank account like a debit card. -:The app also allows user to scan a QR code. The merchant can also generate his QR code through the app. Payment can be done through scanning QR code. -:Merchants can also use the BHIM app to receive money from a smartphone or Aadhaar Pay if customer has linked a bank account and Aadhaar ID.-: Payments through this app are happening directly from and to bank accounts, so merchants don’t have to worry about transferring wallet earnings to the bank account. -:All major UPI connected Indian banks accepts money through BHIM app. Even banks not connected to UPI can receive money through BHIM through IFSC assigned to banks.6.PradhanMantriGaribKalyan Launched-:the (pmgky) came into effect from 17 dec 2016.it will remain open until march 31, 2017PMGKY is government second income disclosure scheme to allow tax evaders to come clean with unaccounted wealth. It provides for 50 per cent and surcharge on declarations of unaccounted cash deposited in banks.7.PMNarendraModi’sNewYeareve”s speech-:

PM NarendraModi in his address to the nation on new year’s eve made a series of announcements to the reiterating his government ‘s focus on the welfare of farmers anthe poor. Demonitisation was aimed at combating tax evasion and money laundering nd the pmMdi praised the people for working shoulde to shoulder with the gouerment to defeat corruption.Key Announcement-:1.Rural and urban housing for poor:2.farmrs:3.Micro,small and medium enterprises:4.pregnant women and lacating women5.senior citizen8.India ranked 79th in the corruption Perception Index-:India has been ranked 79th out of 176 countries in the recently released Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for the year 2016 by the Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI).-:The index has been complied by using World Bank data, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and other institutions It ranks countries on the score in the scale ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Key Facts Top 10 Countries: New Zealand and Denmark in joint first place (with a score of 90), followed by Finland (3rd), Sweden (4th), Switzerland (5th), Norway (6th), Singapore (7th), Netherlands (8th), Canada (9th) and Germany (10th). -:Counties bottom of the index: Somalia was ranked the most corrupt country. Other countries with lower rankings were Syria, South Sudan, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq.9.Supream Court makes national anthem mandatory in cinema halls-:The Supreme Court ordered cinema halls to mandatorily play the national anthem before every screening even as all those present have to “stand up to show respect.” The practice, according to the court, will “instil a feeling of committed patriotism and nationalism.”-: It also referred to Article 51 (A) of the Indian Constitution to contend that it was the duty of every person to show respect when the anthem was played. However, the petition had not asked the court to direct the anthem to be played in movie halls. Instead, it had focused on the commercial exploitation of the anthem.10.Ex-CAG vinodRai appointed head of4- member BCCI panel by Supream Court-:The supream court has appointed former Comptroller and auditor General (CAG) of India VinodRai to run the affairs of the BCCI and implement court-approved recommendations of the Justice RM Lodha panel on reforms in the cash-rich cricket body.-:Other three members of the committee of administrators are famous cricket historian RamachandraGuha, VikramLimaye, managing director of Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) and former Indian women's cricket captain Diana Edulji, who would interact with Rahul Johri, CEO of BCCI, for supervision and functioning of the cricket board.11.PM Launches PravasiKaushalVikasYojana-:Prime Minister NarendraModi launched PravasiKaushalVikasYojana (PKVY), a skill development program targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment to make India the Skill Capital of the World.Key Facts-: PKVY will provide training and certify Indians who are seeking overseas employment in selected sectors that have high demand in the global labour market in line with international standards. -:It will be implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through its training partners and in consultation with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Skill Development Ministry. -:It also aims at boosting the confidence of the Indian youth so that they don’t feel like strangers when they land in a country of their choice for vocation.-: For this purpose, NSDC will leverage various MoUs it signed between 2011 and 2015 with different agencies of Germany, Canada, Australia, Singapore, UK, US, European Union, France, Iran and China. 12.Railway Ministry unveils Mission 41K-:-:Minister of Railways Shri Suresh PrabhakarPrabhu unveiled Mission 41k during the Roundtable Discussion with External Stakeholders on Energy Initiatives of Indian Railways. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Ministry of Railways has come up with Mission 41k to save Rs. 41000 crore in the next decade in Railways’ energy costs. -:To implement this comprehensive strategy with the participation of various stakeholders, we shall take advantage of regulatory frameworks, look at new technologies. He said that this is an opportunity to relook at everything and determine an ideal baseline. All electrification works done in the last decade would be doubled and this would change the energy mix of Indian Railways. Indian Railways has set a target of 1000 MW of solar power and 200 MW of wind energy.13.Govt Launches Shagun portal to monitor SarvaShikshaabhiyan-:he Union Government launched a dedicated web portal ShaGun for monitoring the progress of SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA).-: The portal was developed by World Bank in collaboration with Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. Its name has been derived from the words Shala (means schools) and Gun (i.e. Gunvatta meaning Quality).-: Key Facts-:ShaGun portal was developed with a twin track approach to monitor schools under the SSA and also the quality of education imparted by them.It will capture and showcase innovations and progress in Elementary Education sector of India by continuous monitoring SSA.ShaGun will help in monitoring progress in implementation of SSA by assessing the performance of states/UTs on key parameters that will help Government to plan and deliver quality education to all. It will collect and report data to enable the government and administrators to track the efficiency with which SSA funds are being utilised and the results are been delivered.14.Union Cabinet approves scheme for promotion of Rural Housing-:The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country. The Government would provide interest subsidy under the scheme. Interest subsidy would be available to every rural household who is not covered under the PradhanMantriAawasYojana (Grameen), PMAY(G).

-:The scheme would enable people in rural areas to construct new houses or add to their existing pucca houses to improve their dwelling units. The beneficiary who takes a loan under the scheme would be provided interest subsidy for loan amount uptoRs. 2 Lakhs.15. Union Cabinet approves Varishtha Pension BimaYojana-:The Union Cabinet has given its approval for launching of Varishtha Pension BimaYojana 2017 (VPBY 2017). The scheme will be launched as part of Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.-:The scheme will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) during the current financial year i.e. FY 2016-17. It will be open for subscription for a period of one year from the date of launch.Features of Scheme-:The purpose of the scheme is to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions-: It will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual basis.-: The Union Government will bear the differential return i.e., the difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum as subsidy on an annual basis.16.National Action Plan for Cnildren Launched-:The Union Ministry of Women & Child Development (WCD) has released National Action Plan for Children (NPAC), 2016 on the occasion of National Girl Child Day (24th January).-:It was released by Union Minister of Women & Child Development Meneka Sanjay Gandhi in New Delhi. The NPAC has been developed by the Ministry of WCD. 17.NITIAayog Launches India Innovation Index-:-:To make India an innovation-driven economy, NITI Aayog, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) together launched a mega initiative “India Innovation Index” that will rank states on Innovations through country’s first online innovation index portal that will capture data on innovation from all Indian states on innovation and regularly update it in real time.-:The India Innovation Index Framework will be structured based on the best practices followed in Global Innovation Index (GII) indicators and additionally by adding India-centric parameters those truly reflect the Indian innovation ecosystem. This initiative will be the point of reference for all international agencies to collect India’s up to date data points for global indices and analytic.18.GST Council approves final draft to central GST,Integrated GST Laws-:The GST Council meeting headed by Union Finance Minister ArunJaitley approved the final draft of Central GST (CGST) and Inter-State GST (IGST) laws. The approval of CGST and IGST laws is considered as significant step towards meeting the July 1, 2017 deadline for rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).Key Facts-: The UT-GST and SGST laws will be approved in the next GST Council meeting. It already has approved compensation bill.-:Once all the bills are approved by the council, the Union government will collectively take the bills to the Union cabinet for its approval. -:Subsequently, the CGST, IGST and UTGST laws and Compensation law to compensate states for revenue losses arising from a transition to GST will require the approval of Parliament. SGST law will require the nod of state legislative assemblies-:. There will be no change in the tax rates approved by the Council. However, there will be a cap of 40% in the legislation.-: Agriculturists will be exempted from registering under GST regime. Business entities with an annual turnover of up to 20 lakhs rupees will also not be required registration under the new tax regime. About Goods and Services Tax (GST)-:GST is proposed uniform indirect taxation regime throughout the country. It will merge most of the existing indirect taxes into single system of taxation. -:It is consumption based tax levied on the supply of Goods and Services which will be levied and collected at each stage of sale or purchase of goods or services based on the input tax credit method. -:GST will be a comprehensive indirect tax on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services throughout India. It was approved by The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.-:It seeks to enhance fiscal federalism by removing indirect tax barriers across states and integrate the country into a common market, boosting government revenue and reducing business costs.19.Union Cabinet approves the indian institute of management (IIM) Bil,2017.-:The Union Cabinet has approved the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bill, 2017, under which the IIMs will be declared as Institutions of National Importance. It will also enable IIMs to grant degrees rather than diplomas to their students. At present IIMs are not authorised to award degrees as they registered as societies. Hence, they are awarding Post Graduate Diploma and Fellow Programme in Management.20.Govt. pproves amendment in modified special Incentive Package Scheme-:The Union Cabinet has given its approval for amendment in the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) for electronics manufacturing. These modifications will further incentivize investments in electronic sector and move towards Union Government’s goal of ‘Net Zero imports’ in electronics by 2020. 21.Cabinet approves India’s Membership in the International vaccine institute-:The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the proposal for India’s taking full membership of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Governing Council. This decision involves payment of annual contribution of US $5,00,000 to the IVI (headquartered in Seoul, South Korea).Background-: In 2007 with the approval of Union Cabinet, India joined IVI. Since then India is a long-term collaborator and stake-holder of IVI. In 2012, IVI’s Board of Trustees (BOT) had approved the formation of its new governance structure. As per the new structure of its member state has to contribute to the IVI by paying a portion of its core budget. Since India has been classified in Group-I, it has to pay an annual contribution of US $50,000.22.20th National Conference for e-Goverance held in Visakhapatnam-:

The 20th Edition of the National Conference for e-Governance 2016-17 has started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Internet of Things and e-Governance’ and will be covering newly evolving areas of e-Governance across five plenary sessions.23.BunkarMitra Helpline for Handloom Weavers Launched-:-:The Union Ministry of Textiles’ BunkarMitra Helpline for Handloom Weavers went live. It was launched by the Union Textiles Minister SmritiZubinIrani on the occasion of Good Governance Day (on December 25, 2016). The helpline aims to provide a single point of contact to handloom weavers across the country for addressing their queries and seek guidance. This helpline can be accessed by dialing the toll free number 1800-208-9988.24.Parliment passed the Righs of Persons with Disabilities BILL,2016-:Keeping aside the acrimony over demonetisation issue which paralysed the Winter session, Parliament today passed the Disabilities Bill which stipulates up to two-year jail term and a maximum fine of Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons. -:The LokSabha passed the bill within two hours after a short debate on the last day of the session with the treasury and opposition benches, who have been at loggerheads over demonetisation and other issues, joining hands to clear the legislation.25.Govt Launches “Vanjeevan” for tribal Livelihood-:The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is going to launch “Vanjeevan”, the National Resource Centre (NRC) for Tribal Livelihood issues in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It will be launched in collaboration with UNDP and National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC). -:Besides, NRC website and e-knowledge platform on tribal livelihood will also be unveiled.

:-INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS-:1.Indus Water Treaty -:Pakistan accuses india not cbliging pact-:: India and Pakistan are expected to hold parleys on various aspects of the Indus Water Treaty in Islamabad later this month, nearly six months after New Delhi decided to suspend talks on the pact in view of the terror strikes by Pakistan-based groups.The meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission will be held before March 31 "as it is mandated" under the treaty, government sources said on Thursday."Under the treaty, it is required that India and Pakistan meet every financial year. If we don't, then it is going to be a violation of the pact."But there are chances we will meet for a day or two in the third or fourth week of this month," they said.The last meeting of the commission was held in May 2015.Declaring that "blood and water cannot flow together", Prime Minister NarendraModi had held a meeting in September to review the treaty in the backdrop of the terror strikes, including the Uri attack.After the meeting, officials had announced that the government has decided to suspend further talks and increase the utilisation of rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir to fully exercise India's rights under the pact.The commission, which has officials from both the countries as its members, was set up under the 57-year-old treaty to discuss and resolve issues relating to its implementation.2.india becomes Associate Member of CERN-:India and European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) signed an agreement today making India an Associate Member State of CERN. This follows CERN Council’s adoption of the resolution to this effect on September 15, 2016. The agreement was signed by Dr.SekharBasu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and CERN Director General Dr.FabiolaGianotti in Mumbai today.-:CERN is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory, where scientists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the Universe by using the most sophisticated scientific instruments and advanced computing systems. CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border. Presently CERN has 22 member states, four associate member states, and the observer status is given to four states and three International Organizations.3.Sixth Heart Asia Conference held-:The sixth edition of ‘Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process of Aghanistan‘ conference, an annual regional gathering of Asian and other countries was held in Amritsar, Punjab (India).-:It was inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister NarendraModi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. It concluded with adaptation of Amritsar Declaration with its prime focus on terrorism.Key Facts-: The delegates from nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like EU participated in conference. Indian delegation was led by Union Finance Minister ArunJaitley. -:The theme of this edition of the conference was “Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity”. -:The three big issues of the conference were (i) countering terrorism to create stability in Afghanistan, (ii) Providing Afghanistan connectivity to strengthen economic activities and (iii) the development which is essential for its progress.4.kaladan Multimodal Project:Sittwe Port Ready For Commissing-A deep water port built in Myanmar’s Sittwe by India is ready to be commissioned. Thus, open Kolkata-Mizoram trade route via Myanmar.-: The Sittwe port is starting point for the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar. Once shipments arrive at Sittwe port from Kolkata, they will be transferred to smaller freight carriers which would sail upstream into Mizoram.5.Nepal rejects india ‘s Open SKY offer:Nepal has rejected India’s ‘open sky’ offer to allow unlimited flights between the two countries at a meeting held here on December 20, senior officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry said.-:Nepal said it was not yet ready for the agreement. India has been keen on countering Nepal’s recent engagement with China on the road, railways and port connectivity. “Nepal said it was not yet ready for the ‘open-sky’ agreement and it might consider the proposal two years later,” said a senior official of the Ministry. Airlines from India and Nepal are now allowed to operate 30,000 seats from each side.

6.Latvia becomes first Baltic sea country to link with china’s OBOR:Latvia has become the first country in the Baltic Sea area to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to link up with China’s One Belt and One Road (OBOR) Initiative.-: The MoU was signed after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s meeting with his Latvian counterpart Maris Kucinskis in Riga (capital of Latvia).-: It was Chinese Premier’s first visit to the European Union country. Besides, Latvia and China also singed five agreements on cooperation in such areas as small and medium-sized enterprises, transportation and logistics.7.Deteriorating US-Iran ties may spell trouble for chabahar port-:India is keeping a wary eye on the strains developing in US-Iran relations after the Trump administration slapped sanctions on the West Asian country over its missile programme.-:Deterioration in US-Iran ties could spell trouble for India’s plans to develop the Chabahar port, which New Delhi sees as key to gaining access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia. The project first found mention in an India-Iran joint statement issued in 2003.-: Fourteen years later, the venture is far from fruition—thanks mainly to India being caught up in US-Iran tensions.8.U.S for closer defence ties with india-:The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), 2017, scheduled to be passed by the U.S. Congress next week, seeks executive action to “recognise India’s status as a major defence partner of the United States”.-:The draft bill, released on Wednesday, also said technology transfer to India and defence cooperation must be “consistent with United States’ conventional arms transfer policy”.:A move supported by a pro-India group to designate India a ‘major non-NATO ally’ in the bill was abandoned earlier this year after it failed to garner enough support in Congress. The U.S. recognised India as a “major defence partner” in June, during Prime Minister NarendraModi’s visit, but the implications of it remains undefined. “..we would be treated at a level similar to the closest allies and partners of the U.S. and that it sort of allows for better, higher quality, faster technology access on the defence side and also more liberal access to the dual technology side,” Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had said then.9.UAE Crown Prince visited India-:With Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces – touching down in New Delhi as Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day parade on Thursday (January 26) he has more than just ceremonies in mind. The substance behind this visit is mainly trade and terror.-:After all, the UAE has invested in its relations with the world’s largest democracy with which it also has an energy-labor interdependence for decades. The UAE has been a significant contributor to India’s energy security. It was the fifth largest supplier of crude oil in 2015-16 and petroleum reserves is a key area in which the two sides hope to reach an agreement.10.Turkey’s constitutional reform-:A constitutional referendum was held throughout Turkey on 16 April 2017 on whether to approve 18 proposed amendments to the Turkish constitution that were brought forward by the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). -:If approved, the office of the Prime Minister would be abolished and the existing parliamentary system of government would be replaced with an executive presidency and a presidential system.-:[1] The number of seats in Parliament was proposed to be raised from 550 to 600 while the president was proposed to be given more control over appointments to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).[2][3] The referendum was held under a state of emergency that was declared following a failed military coup attempt in July 2016.11.India-Singapore DTAA Amended-: India and Singapore have amended the DTAA for the avoidance of double taxationand prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a ThirdProtocol today. This is in line with India’s treaty policy to prevent double non-taxation, curb revenue loss and check the menace of black money through automatic exchange ofinformation, as reflected in India’s recently revised treaties with Mauritius and Cyprus and the joint declaration signed with Switzerland.The Protocol for amendment of the India-Mauritius Convention signed on 10th May,2016, provides for source-based taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares acquired from 1st April, 2017 in a company resident in India. Simultaneously, investments made before 1st April, 2017 have been grandfathered and will not be subject to capital gains taxation in India. Where such capital gains arise during the transition period from 1stApril, 2017 to 31st March, 2019, the tax rate will be limited to 50% of the domestic tax rate of India. However, the benefit of 50% reduction in tax rate during the transition period shall be subject to the Limitation of Benefits Article. Taxation in India at full domestic tax rate willtake place from financial year 2019-20 onwards.12.UK PM Theresa May’s india visit-:British prime minister Theresa May arrived in India late Sunday on a three-day visit that aimed at boosting economic ties with Asia’s third largest economy and one of the fastest growing ones in the world following Brexit or Britain’s exit from the European Union.-:According to British newspapers, the central focus of the visit is to set in motion talks on a free trade deal that Britain can sign as soon as the procedures for Brexit are completed—expected in 2019. Bilateral trade during 2014-15 was $14.33 billion.-:This is May’s first visit outside the EU since taking office in July—after David Cameron resigned following Britons rejecting his plea to stay within the EU in June. May is accompanied by international trade secretary Liam Fox and international trade minister Greg Hands, besides a delegation of 40 business leaders—underlining the economic content of the visit.-: That the visit yields some key outcomes is crucial for May to show to a domestic audience that she has clear plans for a post-Brexit Britain. Her three-day trip will see her visiting New Delhi and India’s IT hub Bengaluru.13.Maritime Power Conference 2017 to be held in DELHI-:The National Maritime Foundation is conducting its Annual Maritime Power Conference-2017 at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) Auditorium, Development Enclave, New Delhi, on 09-10 February 2017.

The theme for the conference is ‘The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development’.-:The Blue Economy encompasses various traditional marine sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipping, port infrastructure, ship building and repair, island development, seabed exploration, hydrocarbon extraction and marine tourism industry.-:There are also many emerging sectors such as marine renewable energy, deep seabed mining, salt water desalination, marine bio-technology and provisioning specialized Information and Communications Technologies services for the marine industry.-:In order to fully harness the potential of the blue economy, India needs to envision the seas and oceans as development spaces. This involves an integrated approach towards oceanic resources comprising marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.-:This conference aims to add to the understanding of the discourse on Blue Economy and intends to discuss its constituents in an attempt to develop a common understanding of the concept.14.India, japan sign landmark civil nuclear deal-:India and Japan today signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal after talks between Prime Minister NarendraModi and his counterpart Shinzo Abe, a move that will boost bilateral economic and security ties and facilitate US-based players to set up atomic plants in India.-:The two countries had reached a broad agreement for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector during Abe’s visit to India in December last year, but the deal was yet to be signed as some issues were yet to be worked out.-:“A landmark deal for a cleaner, greener world! PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo witness exchange of the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman VikasSwarup tweeted today.-:The deal would allow Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo. It would also cement the bilateral economic and security ties as the two countries warm up to counter an assertive China.-:There was political resistance in Japan — the only country to suffer atomic bombings during World War II — against a nuclear deal with India, particularly after the disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.-:Japan is a major player in the nuclear energy market and an atomic deal with it will make it easier for US-based nuclear plant makers Westinghouse Electric Corporation and GE Energy Inc to set up atomic plants in India as both these conglomerates have Japanese investments.-:Other nations who have signed civil nuclear deal with India include the US, Russia, South Korea, Mangolia, France, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.15.U.K ,France back UNSC PERMANENT SEAT FOR INDIA-:-:India’s bid for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has received a strong support from many member states of the world body, including the United Kingdom and France, which emphasised that the U.N.’s top unit must reflect the emergence of new global powers.-:More than 50 speakers shared their suggestions, perspectives and concerns over reform of the 15-nation UNSC during a General Assembly session here last week. Awards & Honours1.Grammy Award 2017-:Eminent modern Bengali poet ShankhaGhosh was chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2016. He is the 52nd recipient of Jnanpith Award. -:He is sixth Bengali litterateur to bag this prestigious literary award after TarasankarBandyopadhyay (1966), BishnuDey (1971), Ashapoorna Devi (1976), SubhashMukhopadhyay (1991) and Mahasweta Devi (1966). About ShankhaGhosh Born on 6 February 1932 in Chandpur now in Bangladesh. He is prolific poet, critic and academician. He is regarded a leading authority on Rabindranath in addition to being one of the most prolific writers in Bengali. -:He is considered as a poet with an eye to social milieu and his poems record both his time and space in a rare poetic style. His poems are often laden with messages, but are free from polemics.2.Nobel prize winners 2016-:The Nobel Prize in Physics 2016.Thouless, F. Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz"for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter"-:The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa"for the design and synthesis of molecular machines"

-:The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2016Yoshinori Ohsumi"for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy"-:The Nobel Prize in Literature 2016Bob Dylan"for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition"-:The Nobel Peace Prize 2016Juan Manuel Santos"for his resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end":TheSverigesRiksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2016Oliver Hart and BengtHolmström"for their contributions to contract theory"3.RamonMagsaysy Award 2016-:

Two Indians are among the winners of the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award—human rights activist Bezwada Wilson (50) and Carnatic musician ThodurMadabusi Krishna (40).-:Other winners are DompetDhuafa from Indonesia, the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, Vientiane Rescue from Laos and ConchitaCarpio Morales of the Philippines4.26thBihariPuraskar 2016-:Eminent Rajasthani litterateur Dr Satya Narayan was chosen for the 26th BihariPuraskar 2016 by the K K Birla Foundation. He was been chosen for his Hindi book titled YehEkDunia published in 2010.5.ICC Awards 2016-:-:The international criket council have announced the winers of the 2016 ICC awards. -:-:ICC Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy) – RavichandranAshwin (India)-:ICC Test Cricketer of the Year – RavichandranAshwin (India)-:ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year – Quinton de Kock (South Africa)-:ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)-:ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)-:ICC T20I Performance of the Year – Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies ) (34 not out, 10 balls, 1x4, 4x6, ICC WT20 ------India 2016 final v England, Kolkata)-:ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year –MustafizurRahman (Bangladesh)-:ICC Associate/Affiliate Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)-:ICC Spirit of Cricket Award – Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)-:ICC Umpire of the Year (David Shepherd Trophy) – Marais Erasmus6.Padma Awards 2017-:-:the list of 2017 Padma award winners. The list comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri Awardees. 19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 5 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs and 6 Posthumous awardees.-:PadmaVibhushanAwardee - Field of ProminenceSharadPawar - Public AffairsMurliManoharJoshi - Public AffairsP.A. Sangma (posthumous) - Public AffairsSunder LalPatwah (posthumous) - Public AffairsK.J.Yesudas - Art - MusicSadhguruJaggiVasudev - Others - SpiritualismUdipiRamachandraRao - Science & EngineeringPadma BhushanAwardee - Field of Prominence-:Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Art - Music-:Devi Prasad Dwivedi -Literature & Education-:TehemtonUdwadia - Medicine-:RatnaSundarMaharaj - Others-Spiritualism-:SwamiNiranjana Nanda Saraswati - Others-Yoga-:H.R.H. Princess MahaChakriSirindhorn (Foreigner) -Literature & Education-:ChoRamaswamy (Posthumous) - Literature & Education –Journalism Persons In News-:1.JusticeJagdish Singh Khehar-:Jagdish Singh Khehar is the 44th and current Chief Justice of India. Khehar is the first CJI from the Sikh community. He has been a judge in Supreme Court of India since 13 September 2011 and will retire on 27 August 2017 upon superannuation.2.David R Syiemlieh-:Prof. David R. Syiemlieh took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as Chairman, Union Public Service Commission, under clause (1) of Article 316 of the Constitution of India, today. The oath was administered by ShriVinay Mittal, the senior most Member of the Commission, at a function at the UPSC office.Has took over charge on 4 jan 2017 and will remain the head of the organisation till his retirement on 21 jan 2018 or till further orders.3.anilBaijal-: Anil Baijal is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer and is the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He took over office on 31 December 2016 after the sudden resignation of Najeeb Jung. -: Science and Technology-:1.ISRO successfully launched record 104 satellites in a single mission-:Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created history by successfully launching a record 104 satellites in single mission. These satellites were launched on board of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C37, on its 39th mission from SatishDhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.’ Key Facts-: Of the total 104 satellites, three were Indian and remaining 101 belonged to international customers.India’s three satellites included earth-mapping Cartosat-2 satellite (main payload) and nanosatellites INS-1A and INS-1B. Foreign Satellites: Of the 101 co-passenger satellites, 96 belong to US and remaining 5 from Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, respectively. Around 90 small satellites belonged to US-based company Planet Inc. They are named ‘Doves’ and their constellation will be used to image the earth at low cost. Launch Process: In this mission, PSLV first launched the Cartosat-2 and then its 103 co-passengers (together weighing about 664 kg) into the polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), about 520 km from the Earth. Cartosat-2 Satellite: It was the primary payload of the mission. It is similar to the earlier four satellites in Cartosat-2 Series. It weighs 714 kg and has a mission life of five years.

2.NASA TO Explore iron –rich asteroid 16 psyche-:-:The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has approved a mission to explore 16 Psyche, an iron-rich asteroid. As part of the mission, NASA craft will be launched in 2023, and will arrive at Psyche in 2030.-:The mineral contents on the asteroids are worth over 100-thousand times the value of the entire world economy. Key Facts Psyche asteroid has diameter in excess of 125 miles and is almost entirely composed of iron and nickel. -:Scientists believe Psyche to be a protoplanet i.e. its entire body consisting of what one day could be the core of a new planet.-: The spacecraft will be running tests on 16 Psyche to learn more about the history and composition of the celestial body.-: The information gathered will undoubtedly useful to astronomers to learn more about the formation and early life of planets. The study of Psyche may also reveal more information about the centre of our planet, which cannot be studied directly due to the virtual impossibility of sending a probe deep underground.3.Scientists discovered world’s most heat resistant materials-:-:Scientists have identified materials that can withstand temperatures of nearly 4,000 degrees Celsius, an advance that may pave the way for improved heat resistant shielding for the faster-than-ever hypersonic space vehicles. -----:Researchers from Imperial College London in the UK discovered that the melting point of hafnium carbide is the highest ever recorded for a material. -:Tantalum carbide (TaC) and hafnium carbide (HfC) are refractory ceramics, meaning they are extraordinarily resistant to heat.4.scientist from Israel creates world’s water –wave Laser-:the researchers from Technion Israel Institute of Technology led by professor Tal Carmon, have created the world’s first water wave laser that emits a beam through the interaction of light and water waves.The study conducted by team of researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology led by Professor Tal Carmon. Significance of this research-: A typical laser can be created when the electrons in atoms become “excited” by energy absorbed from an outside source causing them to emit radiation in the form of laser light. However, the water-wave laser for the first time showed that water wave oscillations within a liquid device can also generate laser radiation. It also successfully demonstrated nonlinear optics and water waves, two areas of research that were previously considered unrelated to one another.Defence in News-:1.Goverment to set up Defence Procurement Organisation-:The Union Government is planning to set up a Defence Procurement Organisation (DPO), new procurement body to integrate and streamline the long and arduous process of defence acquisitions. The DPO will be a vertical under the Union Defence Ministry. It will simplify the defence purchase procedure by integrating procurement processes.2.Indian navy Launched IUDSS-:An Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System was inaugurated by Vice Admiral GirishLuthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in Mumbai on Friday. The system will enhance the security of valuable assets against asymmetric threats, a Defence spokesperson said. Vice Admiral Luthra said the inauguration of IUHDSS is a significant step in strengthening Harbour Defence and Security at Mumbai.3.Pinaka Mark-II rocket successully test- fired- Pinaka rocket, which has now transformed into guided Pinaka, was successfully test fired from a defence test facility off Odisha coast on Thursday.-:Defence sources said the Mark-II version of Pinaka rocket was test fired from Launch Complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea at about 12:15 PM.-:“All the mission objectives were successfully met during the trial. All the radars, electro optical and telemetry systems at Chandipur tracked and monitored the weapon all through the flight path,” said a defence official.-:The guided Pinaka has been combinedly developed by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).4.India becomes world’s 4th largest defence spender-:According to the recently released 2016 IHS Jane’s Defence Budgets report, India has become the world’s fourth largest defence spender. In this edition of report published by US research firm IHS Inc, India has surpassed Russia, France, Japan and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s fourth largest defence spender.

National Affairs-:1.India launches South Asia Satellite GSAT-9-: The “South Asia satellite” for use by countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region has been launched on May 5. The Prime Minister NarendraModi has hailed the satellite as an invaluable gift of India to South Asia and has further stated that the satellite “will go a long way in addressing South Asia’s economic and developmental priorities.” -During the 2014 SAARC summit that held in Nepal, the plan for the satellite was announced and subsequently all SAARC countries have joined it except Pakistan. Hence, the beneficiaries of the satellite will be Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives. -The total cost of launching the satellite (around Rs 235 crore) would be met by the Government of India. Salient features The 2,230 kg satellite called GSAT-09 has been built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is cuboid in shape and is built around a central cylinder. It has 12 Ku-band transponders. -The satellite was launched from SatishDhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota using a Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-II launch vehicle. It will have a mission life of over 12 years. The launch vehicle, GSLV-F09 is about 50m tall and is the 11th flight of the GSLV. Also, the launch is GSLV’s fourth consecutive flight with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) engine.2.UNION Cabinet approves setting up rail development authority-:

The Union Cabinet has cleared approved setting up an independent rail regulator, named Rail Development Authority (RDA). It will be based in Delhi and will be set up through an executive order. It will be responsible for recommending passenger fares, setting performance standards for rail operations and creating level playing policy for private sector participation.Key Facts-: The RDA will be an independent body with separate budget. The independence is ensured through separate budget, appointment and removal process. It will act within the parameters of the Railway Act, 1989. It will only make recommendations to the Railway Ministry which will take a final call on passenger and freight fares.Primary functions: (i) Tariff determination: RDA will frame principles, recommend tariffs, principles for classification of commodities, frame principles for social service obligation and guidelines for track access charges on dedicated freight corridors. (ii) Ensuring fair play: It will ensure level-playing field for all stakeholders. It will propose modifications and send suggestions or advisory notes on investment in railways. It will also make suggestions regarding policies for private investment to ensure reasonable safeguards to PPP investors to ensure level playing field and resolve disputes regarding future concession agreements. (iii) Setting standards: It will help to set efficiency and performance standards and disseminate information in line with global best practices and benchmarking. It will also collect, analyse and disseminate information and statistics concerning the rail sector. 3.Goverment declares entire Assam as Disturbed area-: The government has declared the entire Assam as a “disturbed” area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act for another 3 months. As per the notification, the entire Assam besides bordering areas of Meghalaya has been declared as “Disturbed Areas”. In addition, the government has placed three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, namely, Tirap, Changlang and Longding and other areas falling under 16 police stations bordering Assam as “disturbed” area under the AFSPA. The government has cited various violent activities carried out by certain insurgent groups like ULFA, NDFB and others as a reason behind the extension of AFSPA. In Assam, 75 incidents of violence have been reported in 2016 and 9 in 2017. The Assam has been placed under AFSPA since November 1990. The AFSPA has been under force in the three Arunachal Pradesh districts since January 2016.4.The Union Cabinet approved the National Health Policy 2017. It will replace the previous policy which was framed 15 years ago in 2002. It aims at providing healthcare in an “assured manner” to all by addressing current and emerging challenges arising from the ever changing socio-economic, epidemiological and technological scenarios. Highlights of National Health Policy, 2017 It aims to raise public healthcare expenditure to 2.5% of GDP from current 1.4%, with more than two-thirds of those resources going towards primary healthcare. It envisages providing a larger package of assured comprehensive primary healthcare through the ‘Health and Wellness Centres’. It is a comprehensive package that will include care for major non-communicable diseases (NCDs), geriatric healthcare, mental health, palliative care and rehabilitative care services. It proposes free diagnostics, free drugs and free emergency and essential healthcare services in all public hospitals in order to provide healthcare access and financial protection. It seeks to establish regular tracking of disability adjusted life years (DALY) Index as a measure of burden of disease and its major categories trends by 2022.5.PMModi inaugurated phase-1 of the link-2 of SAUNI project-: Prime Minister has inaugurated phase-I (Link-2) pipeline canal of the ambitious Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana in Botad district of Gujarat. He laid foundation stone for the Phase-II (Link-2) of the SAUNI Yojana in Saurashtra. The design of Link-2 is to pump Narmada water in 17 dams spread across Botad, Bhavnagar and Amreli districts of Gujarat. This is considered as a second milestone of the Rs 12,000 crore projects to pump Narmada water to the arid Saurashtra region. Link-1 canal will take water to 30 dams in Jamnagar and DevbhoomiDwarka districts. Last year, in August, Prime Minister dedicated phase-I of the Link-I canal to the nation.6.Swachh Sarvekshan-2017-:Indore is the cleanest city-:Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has announced the Cleanest Cities in the Country and the fastest moving cities on sanitation ladder under Swachh Sarvekshan-2017. Indore has been adjudged as the cleanest city in India while Gonda in Uttar Pradesh has been ranked as the dirtiest city among surveyed. In total, 434 cities and towns with a population of one lakh and above were surveyed. Last year survey had surveyed only 73 cities with a population of 10 lakh and above. Cities and towns in West Bengal did not take part in the survey as the Mamata Banerjee government did not participate in the SwachhSurvekshan.7.UnionGovt launches VidyaVeertaAbhiyan-: The Minister for Human Resource and Development, PrakashJavadekar has launched Students for soldiers- a nationwide Vidya – VeertaAbhiyan to encourage Universities and educational institutions across the country to display portraits of Param Veer Chakra-decorated soldiers. The portraits of Param Veer Chakra decorated soldiers were handed over to the Vice Chancellors of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, JamiaMiliaIslamia, Jammu and IIT Delhi, among others, to put it in their educational institutions. The “wall of heroes” depicting portraits of brave soldiers who showed exemplary bravery in defending the nation is expected to instil a sense of patriotism and nationalism among students.8.world’s highest railway bridge to comes up over chenab river-:-:World’s highest railway bridge which will be 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower is to come up over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of around Rs. 1,100 crore in around two years from now. The bridge will connect Bakkal (Katra) and Kauri (Srinagar). -:The bridge will be a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. Once completed, the bridge will be an engineering marvel. The project is expected to be completed by 2019. After completion of the bridge it will surpass the record of the Beipan river Shuibai railway bridge (275 m) in China. The bridge is expected to contribute to the economic development of the state and improve its accessibility. The new railway bridge will be of an arch-shaped structure in hostile terrain. It will be constructed using over 24,000 tonnes of steel and will rise 359 m above the river bed.

-:Steel has been chosen as the construction material as it would be cheap and would be able to resist temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of above 250 kmph. The design of the bridge will be such that it will be able to withstand wind speed of up to 260 kmph.9. PMModi Launches BHIM-Aadhar Platform-:Prime Minister has launched BHIM-Aadhaar platform from Nagpur. BHIM-Aadhaar platform is the merchant interface of the BHIM App that has been launched for making digital payments using the Aadhaar platform. BHIM App was launched in December 2016 to provide a one-stop solution for all digital payments. The App created a new world record by registering 1.9 crore downloads within four months since its launch. the newly launched BHIM-Aadhaar platform will help people to pay digitally using their biometric data like thumb imprint on a merchant’s biometric enabled device like a smart phone or a biometric reader. The App needs to be installed only by merchants and they need to connect their smartphones to the biometric scan machine to accept the payments from customers. The customers who want to pay using this app needs to link Aadhaar number and biometric fingerprint to complete a transaction.10. india ranks 122 in 2017 World Happiness Report-: India ranked at 122 out of 155 countries in the World Happiness Report 2017 published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on the eve of International Day of Happiness (20 March). The rankings are based factors such as inequality, life expectancy, GDP per capita, public trust (i.e. a lack of corruption in government and business), and social support. Together they are used to generate a happiness score of country on a scale from 1 to 10.This year it is fifth such report since the first was published in 2012. Key Highlights of report 10 Happiest Countries: Norway (1), Denmark (2), Iceland (3), Switzerland (4), Finland (5), Netherlands (6), Canada (7), New Zealand (8), Australia (9) and Sweden (10).5 Saddest Countries: Rwanda (151), Syria (152), Tanzania (153), Burundi (154) and Central African Republic (155). 11.india ranks 131 in 2016 Human Development index-: India was ranked 131 in the 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) among the 188 countries. India scored 0.624 and was placed in medium human development category. The index was unveiled recently as part of the Human Development Report (HDR) 2016 titled Human Development for Everyone published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Key Highlights of 2016 HDR Top three countries: Norway (0.949 score), Australia (0.939) and Switzerland (0.939). SAARC countries: Sri Lanka (73) and Maldives (105) were placed in “high human development” category, followed by India (131), Bhutan (132), Bangladesh (139), Nepal (144), Pakistan (147) and Afghanistan (169).BRICS Countries: India ranks lowest among BRICS nations. Russia (49), Brazil (79), China (90), South Africa (119) and India (131).NOTE-:India related facts: India’s HDI value increased from 0.428 in 1990 to 0.624 in 2015. However, its average annual growth in HDI (1990-2015) was higher than that of other medium HDI countries.12.Indian Railway Launched hi-tech Tejas Express -: Indian Railways is expected to launch a new 20 coach premier train called the Tejas Express connecting Mumbai and Goa in June. The Tejas service aims to provide comfort to passengers in the inter-city journeys. Once the Mumbai-Goa run becomes operational, the Railways is likely to extend the Tejas service in Delhi-Chandigarh route. The Tejas service was promised in the Union Railway Budget 2016-17.13.Cabinet approves MoU for establishment of BIMSTEC GRID Interconnection -:The Union Cabinet has approved signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Establishment of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Grid Interconnection”. The MoU will be signed among member states of BIMSTEC at the upcoming third BIMSTEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Nepal. Key Facts TheMoU provides broad framework for members to cooperate towards implementation of grid interconnections for electricity trade to promote rational and optimal power transmission in BIMSTEC region. It also provides optimization of using the energy resources in the region for mutual benefits on non-discriminatory basis subject to rules and regulations, laws of member countries; It also aims to promote efficient, economic, and secure operation of power system needed through the development of regional electricity networks. It also highlights the necessity of optimization of capital investment for generation capacity addition across the region and power exchange through cross border interconnections.14.Onecrore assets geotagged under GeoMGNREGA initiative-:MGNREGA has reached a major milestone by geotagging one crore assets created under it. The geotagged assets have been put in public domain. The scale of assets created under MGNREGA is massive and is estimated to be about 2.82 crore assets since the financial year 2006-07. -:On an average, it works out to a creation of 30 lakh assets annually. The type of assets created under MGNREGA includes water harvesting structures, plantations, rural infrastructure, flood control measures, individual assets for sustainable livelihood, community infrastructure etc. -:As per the Ministry of Rural Affairs, all assets created under MGNREGA will be geotagged and special focus would be given to geotagging of Natural Resource Management works primarily the water-related works. The geotagging exercise is expected to usher in greater transparency and accountability at field level.15.Union Cabinet clears Election Commission’s Proposal to buy VVPAT machines-:-:The Union Cabinet has cleared the Election Commission’s proposal to buy new Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The machines are expected to be used in the 2019 General Elections. The Union Cabinet has permitted the Election Commission (EC) to procure 16,15,000 units, at an estimated base price of Rs. 3,173.47 crore. -:So far, EC has sent at least 11 reminders to the Centre seeking funds for procuring VVPAT machines. The Centre has chosen Bengaluru-based Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Hyderabad-based Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) to manufacture the VVPAT units. The government has also directed the Price Negotiation Committee to negotiate the final unit price.-:It is expected that the two PSUs will need at least 30 months to produce over 16 lakh VVPATs.

16.PMModi inaugurates India’s longest road tunnel in Jammu& Kashmir-:Prime Minister NarendraModi inaugurated Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, country’s longest road tunnel that links Kashmir Valley with Jammu by an all-weather route. -:The 9-km-long tunnel passes through the lower Himalayan mountain range on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 44. It cuts the distance between Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 km from the current 350 km. Key Facts-: The 9-km long ‘Chenani-Nashri Tunnel has been built at an altitude of 1,200 meters. It is also Asia’s longest bi-directional highway tunnel. It has been built at the cost of Rs. 2,500 crore. -:It is India’s first tunnel equipped with world class Integrated Traffic Control System (ITCS) through which ventilation, signals, fire control, communication and electrical systems are automatically actuated. It reduces travel time by three to four hours. -:The also reduces road distance between Chenani and Nashri to 10.9 km from earlier long route of 41 km. The tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity to the Valley and avoid landslide-prone stretch. It will help to boost the trade and commerce and tourism in the valley.17.Goverment sets up Committee to examine framework for Virtual Currencies-:-:The Union government has constituted a time-bound inter-disciplinary committee to come up with an action plan for dealing with virtual currencies so as to fix the regulatory gaps in the existing framework governing virtual currencies. -:The committee is required to submit its report within three months. Need The circulation of virtual currencies, of late, has become a cause of concern. With respect to the virtual currencies, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also cautioned the users, holders and traders of Virtual currencies about the potential financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks through press releases in December 2013 and February 2017. -:Virtual Currencies, also called as digital/crypto-currencies, are a type of unregulated digital money that is neither issued by a central bank/public authority, nor is necessarily attached to a fiat currency, but is used and accepted among the members of a specific virtual community.-: They are capable of being transferred, stored or traded electronically. The examples of virtual currencies are Bitcoin, Litecoin, Darkcoin, Peercoin, Dogecoin, Primecoin etc.18.Goverment launches RashtriyaVayoshiYojana-:The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched RashtriyaVayoshriYojana in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh. The Scheme aims at providing physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. Key Provisions of the Scheme-: The scheme will be distribute free of cost physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens belonging to BPL category in Camp mode. It is the first-of-its-kind Central Sector Scheme (CCS) in India, to be fully funded by the Union Government. It is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens and its expenditure implementation will be met from the “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund“. Implementing Agency: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It will also undertake one year free maintenance of the devices. Aids and Assisted-Living Devices to be provided under it: The eligible elderly beneficiary will get walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/qadpods, hearing aids, wheelchair, aificial Dentures and Spectacles depending upon their physical impairment.Purpose: The assisted-living devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on care givers or other members of the family.Identification of beneficiaries: It will be done by the State Governments/UTs through a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector. 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women. The Committee can utilize the data of BPL beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UTs for identification of senior citizens belonging to BPL category.19.Cabinet approves setting up of indian institute of petroleum and energy(IIPE)at Visakhapatnam-:The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh as Institute of National Importance through an Act of Parliament. The Institute will have the governance structure as well as legal mandate to grant degrees in a manner similar to that enjoyed by Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs). Key Facts-: The enactment of separate Act will impart the required status to the IIPE to become a “Centre of Excellence” in petroleum and energy studies.The Cabinet also approved Rs 655.46 crore as capital expenditure to set up IIPE and contribution of Rs 200 crore towards its Endowment Fund (in addition to a contribution of Rs 200 crore from Oil Companies). The objective of setting up IIPE is to meet the quantitative and qualitative gap in the supply of skilled manpower for petroleum sector and promote research activities needed for the growth of the sector. 20.Govt. Launches programme for elected women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchyats-:The Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched a nationwide programme for capacity building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayats and a training program for Trainers of women panchayat leaders at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the programme representatives at the grassroots level in various fields like engineering (building of roads, drains, latrines etc.), finance, social development, education, health, and environment among others. In the first phase of the training, 40 master trainers of Jharkhand will be trained at the State institute of Rural Development, Ranchi. In the second phase, around 3000 Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) will be imparted training by the master trainers at the districts of Simdega, Pakur and Chatra of Jharkhand. In subsequent phases, similar training modules will be organised in different states throughout the country with the help of National Institute of Rural Development, State Institutes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Departments of the States. At present, there are around 13 lakhs EWRs in panchayats throughout the country.

21.India develops National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance -: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare

announced the finalization of India’s comprehensive and multi-sectoral National Action Plan at the ‘Inter-Ministerial Consultation on AMR containment’ held at New Delhi. The consultation was attended by various ministers including Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave. The Ministers signed a ‘Delhi Declaration’ to contain Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). 22.IISc ranked india top niversty in 2017 NIRF Survey-:The Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru was adjudged as the best Indian university in the 2017 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) released by Union Human Resource Development Ministry. This year it is second edition NIRF survey and was released as part of the India Rankings 2017 for the Educational Institutions. What is NIRF Survey? NIRF survey is first of its kind of indigenous ranking framework for higher education institutions in the country. It outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country based on the parameters broadly covering Teaching, Learning and Resources, Research and Professional practices, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and inclusivity and Perception. It covers six categories of institutions including universities, engineering, management, pharmacy, architecture and colleges.23.Cabinet approves Collaboration Agreement to Support Belmont Forum-:The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of the Collaborative Agreement with French National Research Agency (ANR), France. The MoU will be signed for supporting the Belmont Forum Secretariat from January, 2015 to December, 2017 at a total estimated expenditure of 40,000 Euros. The Cabinet also approved continued financial support to Belmont Forum Secretariat beyond 2017. About Belmont Forum Belmont Forum is a high level group of the world’s major and emerging funders of global environmental change research and international science councils. It was established in 2009. It aims to accelerate delivery of the environmental research needed to remove critical barriers to sustainability by aligning and mobilizing international resources. It provides an opportunity to identify study and deliver international environmental research priorities through transnational research collaboration between natural and social scientists. Members: India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, South Africa, UK and US etc. India is represented by the Union Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) since 2012. Belmon Secretariat: It is hosted by one of the Belmont forum member on rotational basis. ANR, France is hosting the Secretariat from January, 2015 to December, 2017. 24.Parliment passes HIV and AIDS prevention and Control Bil,2017-:Parliament has passed the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017. It is the first national HIV law in South Asia. The Bill seeks to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. It aims to prevent social stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) Key Provisions Prevention and control the spread of HIV and AIDS. It prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS. Privacy of PLHIV: No person will be compelled to disclose his HIV status except with his informed consent, and if required by a court order. Establishments keeping records of information of PLHIV must adopt data protection measures. Prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and PLHIV.Safeguarding Rights: Obligations on establishments to safeguard rights of persons living with HIV arid create mechanisms for redressing complaints. Strengthen legal accountability and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances to probe discrimination complaints against those who discriminate against PLHIV. It ensures that no HIV test, medical treatment or research is conducted on a person without his informed consent. Grounds of discrimination: Lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV-positive persons and those living with them is prohibited. These include the denial, discontinuation, termination or unfair treatment with regard to employment, educational establishments, health care services, renting property etc. Bans unfair treatment of people living with and affected by HIV with regard to accessing public facilities, such as shops, hotels, restaurants, public entertainment venues, public facilities and burial grounds..html24.LokSabha passes the Motor Vehicles amendment Bill,2016-:The LokSabha has passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 by a voice vote to give more thrust to road safety, controlling pollution and accidents. The bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 that provides for legal standards for motor vehicles, grant of driving licenses, and penalties for violation of these provisions. Key Provisions National Transportation Policy: Union government must frame National Transportation Policy, in consultation with the states. Recall of vehicles: It empowers Union government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a defects in the vehicle may cause damage to the environment, or the driver, or other road users. Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF): Mandatory for Union government to constitute Motor Vehicle Accident Fund to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in India. 25.Goverment Launches Cyber Physical System Programme -: Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme dealing with self-driven cars, autonomous unmanned vehicles and aircraft navigation systems The programme is still at a nascent stage. Rs. 3,000-crore has been has been conceived for it and it will first take root in some of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). What is Cyber Physical Systems (CPS)? CPS is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the deployment of computer-based systems that do things in the physical world. For example, self-driven cars produced by Google and Tesla. It is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with the internet and its users26.Measurement of Liveability index be launched -: Ministry of Urban Development will launch measuring of Liveability Index of cities in the next month. The index will be based on indigenously evolved methodology. The Ministry of Urban Development has already released a detailed document on “Methodology for Collection and Computation of Liveability Standards in Cities”.

The index will measure the Liveability Standards of 140 cities including 53 cities with population of 1 million and above. To carry out the assessment, the Ministry has invited bids for selecting the agency. The aim of the assessment will be to instill a sense of healthy competition among cities and towns in the country and to help them focus their attention on improving governance and infrastructure availability. Cities will be assessed on 15 core parameters relating to Governance, social infrastructure pertaining to education, health and safety and security, economic aspects and physical infrastructure like housing, open spaces, land use, energy and water availability, solid waste management, pollution etc. Totally, based on 79 aspects, the Cities would be ranked on the Liveability Index.

27.Banganapalle mango gets GI tag-: The Registrar of Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, has accorded GI Tag for the much famed Banganapalle Mango of Andhra Pradesh. Henceforth, Andhra Pradesh government will be the registered proprietor of the GI tag for Banganapalle mangoes. GI Tag A GI tag specifies that the product comes from a specific region. Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refers to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness. Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs. They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. A Geographical Indications Registry with all India jurisdiction operates in Chennai, as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.

28.PMModi inaugurates exhibition marking 100 years of Champaran Satyagraha-:Prime Minister NarendraModi inaugurated an exhibition titled “Swachhagraha – BapuKoKaryanjali – EkAbhiyan, EkPradarshani” in New Delhi mark the 100 years (centenary year) of Champaran Satyagraha. The exhibition will showcase Champaran Satyagraha and it will connect essential principles of Satyagraha with Swachhagraha. It will also showcase the ground covered by the Swachh Bharat Mission in creating a mass movement towards a clean India.29 .india’s first Bio Refinary plant inaugurated in pune-: Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated India’s First Integrated Bio‐refinery for Renewable Fuels & Chemicals for producing ethanol from a variety of biomass. The plant is situated at Rahu in Pune district of Maharashtra. The demonstration plant has been built by Praj industries. The inaugurated Bio‐refinery plant is capable of producing one million litres of ethanol per annum by processing a variety of biomass like rice and wheat straw, cotton stalk, bagasse, cane trash, corn cobs  & stover with superior product yields. In 2015, the Government has asked Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to target 10 % blending of ethanol in as many States as possible.  The fuel doping programme that required blending of 5% ethanol had started in November 2012. It was notified under the Motor Spirits Act on January 2, 2013. 30.Tejaswini project-:Tejaswini Project is the name of “Socioeconomic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project”. The objective of this project is to improve the completion of market-driven skills training and secondary education for adolescent girls and young women. The scheme is operational in select 17 districts of Jharkhand and is expected to benefit around 680,000 adolescent girls and young women in the project.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS-:ICJ Stays KulbsanJadhav hanging-:India has received a stay order preventing Pakistan from executing the death sentence awarded to the former naval officer KulbhushanJadhav from the International Court of Justice at The Hague. -India’s team of lawyers led by senior advocate Harish Salve accused Pakistan of gross violations of international laws. They also pointed out the violations of the Geneva convention that deals with Consular relations. Pakistan had denied consular access to India despite 15 attempts. -It also refused to give any details of Jadhav’s arrest and trial until the death sentence was passed. India has rarely approached the ICJ especially when it comes to Pakistan. India is always hesitatant to “internationalise” its bilateral relations. But given the nature of Jadhav’s case in which Pakistan refused to follow any established principle India was forced to take the extreme measure of taking the case to the ICJ.

One belt ,one road summit 2017 held in china-:Belt and Road Forum (BRF) is a gathering of world leaders from across the globe, organized by China to showcase its plans to build a network of trade routes under the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. As of now, 68 countries and international organisations have signed belt and road agreements with China. China has stated that the Belt and Road initiative is an open and inclusive platform to explore and co-develop the China-led blueprint of reviving the Silk Road. India, however, has boycotted the summit owing to sovereignty concerns related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Unlike India, none of the other countries have sovereignty related issues with OBOR initiative.

PM modiatded UN Vesak Day celebration in Sri lanka-:Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sri Lanka to attend the Buddhist festival ‘Vesak Day’ (Buddha Jayanti) that commemorates birth, enlighten and death of Buddha.This will be Prime Minister Modi’s second visit to Sri Lanka since becoming the Prime Minister. ‘International Day of Vesak’ celebrations will be held in Colombo from May 12 to 14. As a part of the celebrations, International Buddhist Conference will be

held in which over 400 delegates from more than 100 countries will participate. Vesak is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. This is the first time Sri Lanka will host the festival.

India elected as presidenoUN- Habitat-:India has been unanimously elected as the President of the UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat, an organ of the United Nations’ Organisation (UNO) reports to the United Nations General Assembly. UN-Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements across the world. India has been elected as the President of UN-Habitat after a gap of 10 years. This is only the third time that India has been elected as the President of UN-Habitat after 2007 and 1988. The UN-Habitat was established in 1978. The Governing Council of UN-Habitat is an inter-governmental policy making and decision making body that aims to promote integral and comprehensive approach to human settlements, assist the countries and regions in addressing human settlement problems and strengthen cooperation among countries over the issue of human settlement. Subsequent to the election, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation M.Venkaiah Naidu will preside over the deliberations of the Governing Council of UN-Habitat for the next two years. Accordingly he will chair the 26th Meeting of 58 member Governing Council of UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the meeting is “Opportunities for effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda”

India to give Rs 35crore to Bangladesh Scholarship scheme-:India will give Rs. 35 crore rupees to children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh under the new ‘Muktijodha scholarship’ scheme in the next five years. Under the scheme, students at higher secondary level will get a one-time grant of Tk 20,000 (Rs 15,370) and students at the undergraduate level will get a grant of Tk 50,000 (Rs 38,430). In addition, all freedom fighters will be eligible for multiple entries on Indian visa for a period of five years. Also, every year 100 of them will be entitled to free medical treatment in Indian hospitals.

US places iionce again on IPR priority watch list-:The US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office has once again placed India on the ‘priority watch’ list in this year’s Special 301 report despite the country rolling out National IPR Policy last year.India has been placed in ‘priority watch’ list owing to USTR’s view that India has not made adequate changes in its intellectual property (IP) laws and regulations. India has been placed on the ‘Priority Watch List’ for decades now and is likely to remain in the ‘Priority Watch List’ category for having inadequate IPR laws and patent protection.Australia abolishes 457 Visa programme-:Australia has abolished the 457 Visa Programme used by thousands of temporary foreign workers, a majority of them Indians to address growing unemployment in that country. Instead, Australia wants to adopt ‘Australians first’ approach to skilled migration. Since access to the skills is important for the growth and investment of that country’s businesses, it intends to replace the 457 visa programme by another visa programme, with new restrictions. The new temporary visa will be designed in such a way it will help in recruiting the best and brightest to fill critical skill gaps in the interest of that nation. The new visa will ensure that foreign workers are not brought into Australia just because it is easy for the employers to recruit a foreign worker than go to the trouble of hiring an Australian. There are about 95,757 workers in Australia on primary 457 visa programme. Worryingly, the majority of the visa holders are from India followed by the UK and China. This announcement has come days after Prime Minister Turnbull visited India where a range of issues, including national security, counter-terrorism, education and energy, were discussed. Totally, six agreements were signed during his visit.

IORA Leaders summit heid in Jakarta-:The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit was recently held in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia from March 5 to 7, 2017. The theme of the summit was ‘Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean’. It was attended by leaders from 21 member states of IORA. From India, Vice President Hamid Ansari attended the two-day summit. Key Highlights of IORA 2017 It drew attention on issues of regional interest such as maritime security, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, fisheries management, people-to-people exchanges, trade and investment and tourism.21 member states issued a strategic vision document known as the Jakarta Concord. It sets out a vision strengthening the regional architecture to face its challenges. It also issued Joint Declaration of the IORA business Community to build partnership for a sustainable and equitable economic growth. It also adopted IORA Action Plan, a document containing the implementation actions of the Jakarta Concord to strengthen the implementation of priority areas and cross-sectorial commitments. The Declaration on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism was also adopted, stating importance of countering terrorism. The member nations stressed on the need to work together in order to eliminate the growth and spread of terrorism and violent extremism.

G20 Digital ministerial meeting held in Germany -: The G20 Digital Ministerial Meeting on Digital Economy was held in Dusseldorf, Germany. Ministers responsible for the digital economy from G20 countries had participated in it. It concluded with adaptation of declaration on ‘Shaping Digitalisation for an Interconnected World’.Key Features of the declarationIt talks about the need for greater availability of affordable broadband connectivity, broader adoption of digital technologies and services improved digital skills and literacy, greater digital entrepreneurship for the digital economy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

It includes three annex papers on ‘Digital skills in vocational education and training’, ‘A Roadmap for Digitalisation: Policies for a Digital Future’ and ‘G20 Priorities on Digital Trade’. It calls for collaboration between the countries and all stakeholders, including academia and private sector and sharing of best practices forms. It calls for greater support for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which might be constrained by their scale in adoption of digital technologies.

AWARDS AND HONOURS 1.K.Viswanath wins Dadasahebphalke Award for 2016 -: Veteran filmmaker and actor KasinadhuniViswanath has been conferred DadasahebPhalke award for 2016 by the Ministry oF. 2016 by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl. K ViswanathViswanath was born in February 1930 in Andhra Pradesh. -As a director he has made fifty films on varied themes of art, music and dance. In 1992, he received Award for his contribution to film making. He has also won 5 National Awards, 20 Nandi Awards of Andhra government, 10 Filmfare Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award.

2.list of important Pulitzer Prize Winners 2017-: Colson Whitehead’s celebrated novel The Underground Railroad has won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The novel is about an escaped slave that combined liberating imagination and brutal reality.- Earlier in November 2016, the novel had received the National Book Award of US. This makes Colson Whitehead first person to win Pulitzer and National Book Award for fiction in last 20 years.  List of 2017 Pulitzer Prize Winners Letters, Drama & Music Fiction: 1.Letters, Drama and Music Fiction-The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.2.Drama – Sweat by Lynn Nottage3.History – blood in Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy, by Heather Ann Thompson4.Biography or Autoboigraphy – The Return fathers ,sons and the land in between by hishammatar.5.Poetry-Olio, by matthewdesmond6.General Nonfiction- Evicted Poverty and Profit in the American city by matthewdesmond7.Music- Angel’s Bone by Du YunJournalism 1.Public Service: New York Daily News and ProPublica2.Breaking News Reporting: Staff of East Bay Times, Oakland.3.Investigative Reporting: Eric Eyre of Charleston Gazette-Mail, Charleston/.4.Explanatory-Reporting: International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, McClatchy and Miami Herald 5.Local-Reporting: The Salt Lake Tribune Staff6. National Reporting: David A. Fahrenthold of The Washington Post7.International-Reporting: The New York Times Staff8. Feature Writing: C. J. Chivers of The New York Times9. Commentary: Peggy Noonan of The Wall Street Journal 10.Criticism: Hilton Als of The New Yorker Editorial Writing: Art Cullen of The Storm Lake Times, Storm Lake.11.Editorial Cartooning: Jim Morin of Miami Herald 12.Breaking News Photography: Daniel Berehulak, freelance photographer 13.Feature-Photography:Jason-Wambsga... 3.64 th National film Award Presented-: The 64th National Film Awards was an award ceremony during which the Directorate of Film Festivals presents its annual National Film Awards to honour the best films of 2016 in the Indian cinema The awards were announced on 7 April 2017, and the ceremony was held on 3 May 2017.[

Best Actor: Akshay Kumar (Rustom)Best Actress: Surabhi Lakshmi (Minnaminungu)Best Director: Rajesh Mapuskar (Ventilator)Best Film on Social Issues: PinkBest Supporting Actor: Manoj Joshi (Dashkriya)Best Supporting Actress: ZairaWasim (Dangal)Best Debut Film of a Director: Deep Chaudari (Alifa)Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: SathamanamBhavathiBest Stunt Choreography - Peter Hein (Pulimurugan)Best Children's Film - Dhanak (Hindi)Best Child Artist - Adhish Praveen (KunjuDaivam), Saj (Noor Islam), Manohara (Railway Children)Best Male Playback Singer: SundaraIyer (Joker)Best Female Playback Singer: ImanChakraborty (Praktan)Best Screenplay (original): SyamPushkaran (MaheshintePrathikaaram)Best Screenplay (adapted): Sanjay Krishnaji Patel (Dashakriya)Best Editing: Rameshwar S Bhagat (Ventilator)Best Special Effect Award: ShivaayBest Sound Designer: Jayadevan (KaaduPookkunnaNeram)Best Production Design: 24

Best Costume Designer: Sachin (Cycle)Best Environmental film including agriculture: The Tiger Who Crossed The LineBest Make-up Artist: MK RamakrishnaBest Music Direction: BabuPadmanabha (Allama)Best Lyrics: Anupam Roy (TumiJaakeBhalobasho)4.Bhubaneswar became first indian city to win pierreL’enfant awards 2017-:Bhubaneswar has become the first Indian city to win Pierre L’enfant International Planning excellence award-2017 instituted by the American Planning Association (APA). Bhubaneswar has been chosen for its good and advanced-town planning and engaging its residents in the planning process .The APA Awards jury has selected Five Excellence Award recipients in total who will be honoured at the Awards Luncheon at APA’s National Planning Conference in New York on May 8.   Pierre-L’enfant- Pierre L’enfant was a French-born American architect and civil engineer. He is credited for designing the layout of the streets of Washington, D.C. The American Planning Association (APA) has named an award in his honour  to recognize excellence in international planning. 5.indian Scientist Shrinivaskulkarni wins Dan David Prize-: Indian scientist ShrinivasKulkarni has won the prestigious Dan David prize for his contribution in the field of astronomy.-Kulkarni is a professor of astrophysics and planetary science at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.-He is a pioneer and leading figure in time-domain astrophysics across the electromagnetic spectrum who built and conducted the Palomar Transient Factory, a large-area survey of the night sky in search of variable and transient phenomena.-The survey has turned up thousands of stellar explosions, transforming our knowledge of the transient sky.-The $1 million prize is a joint international enterprise endowed by the Dan David Foundation headquartered at Tel Aviv University.-Kulkarni, with this honour, joins other prominent Indian laureates of the Dan David prize including author AmitavGhosh, music conductor Zubin Mehta and renowned chemist CNR Rao.-The honour will be conferred at a festive awards ceremony here on May 21 in the presence of the laureates.6.French mathematician yvas Meyer wins Abel prize 2017-: French mathematician Yves Meyer was today awarded the 2017 Abel Prize for his work on wavelets, a mathematical theory with applications in data compression, medical imaging and the detection of gravitational waves.Meyer, 77, will receive 6 million Norwegian krone (about £600,000) for the prize, which recognises outstanding contributions to mathematics and is awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.The Abel Prize has been awarded annually since 2003 and was last year won by Briton Andrew Wiles for his work on solving Fermat’s Last Theorem. It is considered by many to be a maths equivalent of the Nobel Prize, which has no prize for mathematics.7.SaraswatiSamman 2016-: Konkani Writer Mahabaleshwar Sail selected for SaraswatiSamman 2016. Eminent Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail (74) was selected for the prestigious SaraswatiSamman 2016 for his novel Hawthan. His novel was shortlisted out of 22 books written in as many languages. He will receive cash prize of Rs 15 lakh and a citation.8.Actress Emma Watson bags first ever ‘genderless’ award-:Hollywood actor Emma Watson has received the first-ever Genderless Acting Award for the Best Actor category at the MTV Movie and TV Awards. This is the first ever genderless award that doesn’t separate nominees based on their sex. The 2017 edition of the MTV Movie & TV Awards were held on May 7 2017, in Los Angeles, California. It was the 26th edition of the awards. The MTV Movie & TV Awards is a film and television awards presented annually to winners decided online by the general public. Emma Watson  is a British actress, model, and activist. -She is famous for her role as Hermione Grange in the Harry Potter film series.

9.89 th Academy Award 2017 Presented-: The 88th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Academy Awards (commonly referred as Oscars) were presented in twenty four categories.  They are Best Picture: Spotlight. Best Actor-Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant). Best Actress: Brie Larson (Room). Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies).Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl). Best Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant). Best Original Screenplay: Tom McCarthy (Spotlight). Best Adapted Screenplay: Adam McKay (The Big Short). Best Original Song: Writing’s on the Wall (Spectre). Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight (EnnioMorricone).

10.chandrababu Naidu selected for USIBC Award -: The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has selected Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu for the ‘Transformative Chief Minister Award’ for his role in advancing the US-India partnership at the state level. -The award will be presented to him at the USIBC West Coast Summit in the Silicon on May 8th. -The USIBC West Coast Summit will see the participation of Indian government officials and 150 industry leaders from sectors such as Amazon, Paypal, Deloitte, Facebook, Mastercard, Dell, TransAsia, Varian Medical and Visa will attend the summit. -In addition, the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT ArunaSundararajan will also be honoured with the ‘Transformative Leadership Award’ for excellence in public service and for her role in advancing US-India cooperation and Digital India.

Amitabh Kant, CEO of NitiAayog was the last year’s recipient of this award.11.GNFC wins Golden Glode Tigers award-:State-owned Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (GNFC) has won the prestigious Golden Globe Tigers Award for Excellence and Leadership in CSR in the category of ‘E-Payment Leadership’ for the implementation of digital transactions in its township at Bharuch, Gujarat.The award recognises “Tigers” in marketing, branding CSR and social innovation, education and academic across leadership levels in an individual and organisation, the company said in a statement here.This is the second award for GNFC in this category. A week ago, it had won the Golden Peacock Award in the category of Innovative Product/Service for its cashless innovation.GNFC won from among 214 applicants, including SMEs, public, private, government enterprises and NGOs for the year 2017. The Golden Globe Tigers CSR Award was given to GNFC at Golden Globe Tigers Night 2017 organised at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. The event was attended by global CSR leaders from over 43 countries.The Golden Globe Tigers Award was established by World CSR Institute. About 30 applications were shortlisted from which GNFC was selected as the winner.GNFC emerged as the first fertiliser company in India to transition to a cashless economy successfully. Its township in Bharuch, Gujarat, became the first 100 per cent cashless township of India after demonetisation in November 2016.Under the auspice of NITI Aayog, Prime Minister NarendraModi had recently launched from Nagpur GNFC’s replicated cashless township model in 81 integrated townships across 12 states.12.UNESCO’s Felix Houphouet- Boigny Peace Prize 2017 Presented-:UNESCO has named GiuseppinaNicolini, Mayor of Lampedusa (Italy) and the non-governmental organisation SOS Méditerranée (France) as the winners of Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize 2017 “for their work to save the lives of refugees and migrants and welcome them with dignity”. -In the past, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize has been granted to internationally renowned personalities like Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, King Juan Carlos of Spain, former US president Jimmy Carter and Shimon Peres. For the first time, the award goes to a mayor. GiuseppinaNicolini is a 56-year-old mayor of a small Italian island since 2012.- She has been selected for the award for “her boundless humanity and unwavering commitment to refugee crisis management”. As a mayor, Nicolini ensured that the Lampedusa deals as efficiently and humanely as possible with the migrants and refugees arriving from war-torn Middle Eastern countries by sea. Lampedusa is a small island which is roughly equidistant from Southern Sicily, Malta and Tunisia. -SOS Mediterranee is an NGO founded in 2015 to rescue the refugees each week from dinghies and boats in the Mediterranean. Since 2013, it is estimated that nearly 13,000 people have perished in shipwrecks.13.BCCI Annual awards 2017 presented-: The BCCI Annual Awards committee consisting N Ram, RamachandraGuha and Diana Edulji have picked the winners for the prestigious awards. While ViratKohli is set to receive the Polly Umrigar Award for the second year in a row, all-rounder R Ashwin will also receive the DilipSardesai Award for the second time. For their consistent show in the 2015-16 season, Mumbai Cricket Association will receive the state association of the year award. The domestic giants not only won the Ranji Trophy but also had consistent performances in the junior age groups. Col. CK. Nayudu Lifetime achievement award: RajinderGoel, PadmakarShivalkarBCCI Lifetime achievement award form women: ShanthaRangaswamyBCCI special award: VV Kumar, Late Ramakant DesaiPolly Umrigar Award: ViratKohliDilipSardesai award (For India’s best cricketer in the West Indies series 2016):RavichandranAshwinLalaAmarnath Award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16:JalajSaxena of Madhya PradeshLalaAmarnath Award for the best all-rounder in domestic limited-overs competitions, 2015-16: Axar Patel of GujaratMadavraoScindin Award (Highest scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16): ShreyasIyer of MumbaiMadavraoScindin Award (Highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16):ShahbazNadeem of JharkhandM.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Highest scorer in (U-23) Col. CK. Nayudu Trophy 2015-16: Jay. G. Bosta of MumbaiM.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Highest wicket-taker in (U-23) Col. CK. Nayudu Trophy 2015-16: SatyajeetBachhav of MaharashtraNKP Salve Award (Highest scorer in (U-19) Cooch Behar Trophy in 2015-16:ArmanJaffer of MumbaiNKP Salve Award (Highest wicket-taker in (U-19) Cooch Behar Trophy in 2015-16: NinadRathva of BarodaRaj Singh Dungarpur Award ( Highest scorer in (U-16) Vijay Merchant Trophy in 2015-16): Abhishek Sharma of PunjabRaj Singh Dungarpur Award ( Highest wicket-taker in (U-16) Vijay Merchant Trophy in 2015-16): Abhishek Sharma of PunjabJagmohanDalmiyra Award (Best Woman cricketer (Sr.) of 2015-16): Mithali Raj of RailwaysJagmohanDalmiyra Award (Best Woman cricketer (Jr.) of 2015-16): Deepti Sharma of uttar PradeshBest Umpire in Domestic cricket in 2015-16: NitinMenonBest performance in BCCI Domestic tournaments of 2015-16: Mumbai Cricket Association

14.DawitIsaak selected for 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World press Freedom Prize-:DawitIsaak, an imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist was awarded the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. He will be bestowed with this prestigious award in recognition of his courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression. He will be awarded on World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2017).15.National Safety Council ‘s NSCI Safety Awards 2016 Presented to 70 organisations -: National Safety Council’s ‘NSCI Safety Awards’ for the year 2016 were presented by Mr.BandaruDattatreya  – Minister of State (Independent Charge), Labour & Employment on April 20, 2017 in New Delhi.434 organisations (307 factories from manufacturing sector, 87 establishments from construction sector and 40 MSME units) were in the race for NSCI Safety Awards 2016.Out of 434 organisations, 70 organisations have been selected for NSCI Safety Awards 2016 in four categories viz. SarvaShreshthaSurakshaPuraskar, ShreshthaSurakshaPuraskar, SurakshaPuraskar and PrashansaPatra. In addition to this, 12 client organizations from Construction Sector have also been awarded.16.IIT-M solar inverter system wins 2017 IEEE Spectrum TechnologyAwards-:Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has won the 2017 IEEE Spectrum Technology in the Service of Society Award for its solar-direct current (DC) inverter system.The system, developed using micro grid technology, converts in-home power distribution from 230V Analog Current to 48V DC to directly power appliances and devices. The system is also equipped to tap rooftop solar power, making it the most energy efficient solution for homes and offices, according to a press release.It was developed by Centre for Decentralised Power Systems at IIT-M. The system consists of DC solar generation, DC power-line, DC appliances and battery. Currently, the system has been deployed in 4,000 off-grid homes in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and is being deployed in around 7,200 homes in Assam. The inverter system has been installed in villages in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.With energy efficiency becoming a mantra, many offices and homes are using DC to power devices and appliances using existing AC power-lines. This requires an AC to DC converter, which adds to the losses, cost and unreliability. So solar-DC is a viable and cost-effective solution for powering homes in remote off-grid areas, due to its reliability, affordability and its operation without dependency on grid.The IEEE Spectrum Technology in the Service of Society Award is presented to the company/institution voted by IEEE Spectrum editors as having developed the technology that has the potential to benefit mankind.17.Krishi Karman Awards 2015-16 anounced-: The Union Ministry of Agriculture has selected Himachal Pradesh for the Krishi Karman Award 2015-16 for commendable increase in food grains production. 

A communication in this regard was received by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, an official spokesman said. 

Virbhadra Singh congratulated the Agriculture Department for having being selected for this award for the third time andsaid that this feat had been achieved due to dedicated efforts of the department in extending technological inputs and services to the farmers which resulted in increase in food grains production. 

State Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania said that during last five years, the total food grains production has increased from 14.94 lakh tone to 16.34 lakh tone. 

Besides, the department has done considerable work in promoting poly-house cultivation, crop diversification, micro irrigation, organic farming and soil health management. The award would carries a trophy, citation and cash prize. 14.Man Booker international prize 2017-:Israeli author David Grossman has won the Man Booker International Prize for his novel “A Horse Walks Into a Bar“.

PERSONS IN NEWS-:1.AnilMadhavDave-:Recently 2.AnshuJamsenpa-:a native of Bombila in arunachal Pradesh has become the first Indian woman to scale Mt. Everest for the record 5th time. 3.EmmanuelMarcon-:has been elected as the youngest President of France at the age of 39. 4.moonjae-in-:has been elected as PRESIDENT OF South Korea. He will replace the ousted President Park GeunHye, who was impeached from office in March 2017.5.Nand Kumar Sai-: is a senior tribal leader from Chhattisgarh has recently took charge as Chairperson of NationalCommision for Scheduled Tribes in Delhi. Under Article 338 A national commission for scheduled tribes was added through 89 th amendment act, 2003. It is composed of a chairperson, a vice chairperson & 3 full time members (including one lady member).6.RajivRaiBhantnagar-: DG of CRPF7.ShurhozelieLiezietsu-: 17th CM of Nagaland.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-: 1.ISRO LAUNCHES LOR CALCULATOR APP-:Computation of solar energy potential is essential to select the locations for solar photovoltaic (PV) thermal power plants. The use of remote sensing observations from geostationary satellite sensors is ideal to capture space-time variability of surface insolation. An android

App for the computation of solar energy potential has been developed by SPACE applicatios centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad at the behest of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India. It is a very useful tool for installation of PV solar panels for tapping solar energy.The App provides monthly / yearly solar potential (in kWh/m2) and minimum / maximum temperature at any location. It also displays the location on the satellite image and provides azimuth / elevation angles as well as day length over different time periods in a year.2.ISRO COMMISSIONS WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST HYPERSONIC WIND TUNNEL-:-:THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created history on Monday by commissioning the world’s third largest hypersonic wind tunnel at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.A wind tunnel is used to study the effects of air flowing past a solid object—in ISRO's case, space vehicles. With the space agency lining up big missions like the ‘Reusable Launch Vehicle’ (RLV), ‘Two Stage to Orbit’ (TSTO) rockets, air breathing propulsion systems, and the human space flight programme for the future, the aero-thermodynamic modelling of such vehicles in a hypersonic environment is vital for optimal designs. (ISRO Chairman Dr A S Kiran Kumar).3. Goverment launches Bharat QR code-: Bharat QR code the world first interperable payment acceptance solution was launched recently as part of effort to move towards less-cash economy at an insignificant cost.-:Developed by national payments corporation of india (NPCL) mastercard and visa. It code would require merchants to only display one QR code instead of multiple ones.It will make payments seamless for buyers as they just have to scan to pat for transaction instead of swiping their credit/debit cards. (QR= quick response code)4.Goverment launches cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi-: The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has launched Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi for Botnet cleaning and Malware analysis. It was launched by Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad as part of Union Government’s ambitious digital India initiative to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections.5.world’s oldest fossils discovered in Quebec, Canada-:Scientists have claimed that they have discovered oldest fossils on Earth in rocks from Quebec, Canada. Carbon dating techniques suggest that these rocks are at least 3.8 billion years old and might even be 4.3 billion years old. Key Facts-:The fossils are tiny and consist of tubes and filaments up to half a millimetre in length and around half the width of a human hair. -:The fossils are thought to be the remains of bacteria that lived on iron and dwelt around hydrothermal vent systems i.e. mineral rich hot springs on the seafloor. -:They’re made of haematite, a type of iron oxide (known as rust) Some of the filaments are branched, some resemble loose coils and others appear to be joined to knobs of haematite.6.BRABO-First MADE IN INDIA INDUSTRY ROBOT LAUNCHED -: TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors has launched India’s first industrial-articulated robot and it goes by the name “BRABO”. The robot is indigenously developed for micro, small and medium enterprises in India.7.GRAPES-:Telecscope upgrade to upgradedto detect solar stroms-:The GRAPES-3 experiment at TIFR’s (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) Cosmic Ray Laboratory in Ootacamund in Tamil Nadu is getting upgraded to detect solar storms. GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeVEnergieS phase-3) experiment had detected the effect of a solar storm that hit the earth in June 2015. Key Facts-:: GRAPES-3 has an important role in understanding the propagation of storms from the L1 point (Lagrange point 1) to its impact on the Earth.-: The upgraded detector will have an increased coverage and improved capacity to determine the direction of incident cosmic rays. It will play a major role in getting precise information about the propagation of storms in the last million miles (from the L-1 point) of their journey from the Sun to the earth.8.india sings WHO’s intiative TB by 2030 in south east Asian region-: India along with other countries in the South East Asian Region have signed World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Call To end Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030 in the region. -It was signed by Health ministers from countries in WHO South-East Asia Region (WHO SEARO) during two-day ministerial meeting towards ending TB in the region held in New Delhi..Key Facts -:-Call To End TB by 2030 initiative also stresses on increasing government and partner budgetary allocations to enable national TB plans to be fully funded. -:WHO SEARO countries have pledged to scale-up efforts and implement adequately funded, innovative, multi-sectoral and comprehensive measures to achieve the global target to end the disease by 2030. -:They also agreed to set up of a ‘regional innovation to implementation fund’ for accelerated sharing of knowledge, intellectual resources and innovations to reach out and treat all cases. The WHO global targets seek to reduce TB mortality by 90% and incidence by 80% by 2030.

DEFENCE IN NEWS-:1. India’s first private missile production facility unveiled in Hyderabad.- India’s first private sector missile sub-systems manufacturing facility Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) plant was inaugurated near Hyderabad, capital of Telangana. It is 51:49 joint venture between India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd. It has been established line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and Government’s policy to encourage private sector participation in defence production.Key Facts- KRAS aims to be a one-stop solution provider to locally re-design, develop, re-engineer and manufacture various land and airborne products and systems in India. It has invested in designing, developing and manufacturing of weapon systems including Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) systems and remote weapon systems.

2.Tejas successfully test fires Air-to-Air beyond Visual Range Missile-:Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft today successfully demonstrated an Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile firing capability by releasing Derby Air-to-Air BVR missile in RADAR guided mode. The missile launch was performed in Lock ON after Launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed. -The objective of the test was to assess the Derby integration with aircraft systems on-board Tejas including the aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and Missile Weapon Delivery System and to verify its performance. -The test was conducted on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The sensors at ITR also tracked the target and missile. -A safe separation was followed by missile guidance towards RADAR acquired target. The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it. -The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on LCA aircraft for FOC. 3.Agni-II Ballistic Missile Test Fired Successfully-:India has successfully carried out a fresh user trial of Agni-II ballistic missile from a defence test facility in the Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The objective of the test was to re-establish the operational effectiveness of the weapon system . Agni-II Ballistic Missile-: Agni-II missile is a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface missile which forms a part of India’s strategic forces arsenal for nuclear deterrence with a range of over 2000 km. It can carry a payload of 1000kg. It is equipped with an advanced high accuracy navigation system and guided by a novel state -of-the-art command and control system. It is powered by a solid rocket propellant system and already been inducted into the army.4.India –Oman joint military exercise Al-Nagah –Li 2017 Held-:The joint military exercise Al-Nagah-II 2017 between India and Oman began in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Bakloh belt of Himachal Pradesh to strengthen the military ties between the two countries. This is the second edition of the exercise in continuation of a series of joint exercises between the armies of the two countries. The first edition of the exercise was held at Muscat, Oman in 2015. Key Facts -: The 14-day joint exercise aims acquaint both forces with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter insurgency, counter terrorism environment.-The troops have been drawn from one infantry battalion each from the two armies. Approximately sixty troops from both countries are participating in the exercise. -The exercise will also enhance the interoperability between the two armed forces in conducting joint military operations.Environment and Wildlife-:1.NGT fixes norms for camping along ganga-: The National Green Tribunal on Thursday prohibited all camping activity on beaches along the Ganga which fall within 100 meters from the middle of the river during lean season flow from Shivpuri to Rishikesh, a hub for eco-tourism and river rafting.-“It cannot be disputed that river rafting is one of the significant components of eco-tourism. It needs to be encouraged but with a clear mandate that it should not cause any environmental and biodiversity degradation particularly in relation to the flood plains and the forest areas adjacent to the sites identified for river rafting,” said the Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, while directing that all beaches which fall within the 100-metre restriction shall be closed to camping or any such activity.2.Goverment Launches BS-IV grade fuels across the country-: the Government of India has now launched BS-IV grade fuel across the nation. DharmendraPradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, formally launched BS-IV grade transportation fuels from Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 1st of April 2017.- While fuel pumps in most of the Indian cities and all metros already offer BS-IV grade now the ministry has made it available in smaller towns and cities as well like - Varanasi, Durgapur, Gorakhpur, Imphal, Ranchi, Madurai, Nagpur, Guwahati and Shillong among others.-The event coincided with Utkal Divas (formation day of the State) being celebrated in Odisha. Speaking at the occasion Minister Pradhan said that "from today India will have 'Only BS-IV' fuels." He also said, "even though India is not a major polluting country, we shall stand by Hon'ble Prime Minister's commitment at COP-21 in Paris that India will substantially reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years.3.Kanha Tiger Reserve becomes first in india to get official mascot -: Kanha in Madhya Pradesh became first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot named Bhoorsingh the Barasingha, to create a better connect with its visitors, especially the younger generation. The mascot Bhoorsingh will soon feature in more artwork, posters and merchandise for the park management at Kanha.

CURRENT ECONOMY-:1.UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED AMEND TO NABARD ACT-:Union Cabinet has approved proposal for amending National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. Decision in this regard was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi in New Delhi. Cabinet Approvals Amendments in Act - to increase authorized capital of NABARD from Rs. 5,000 crore to Rs. 30,000 crore and further increase it beyond Rs. 30,000 crore in consultation with RBI, as deemed necessary from time to time. -It also includes certain other amendments including changes in long title and certain sections to bring Handlooms and Medium Enterprises in NABARD’s mandate. Transfer of 0.4% equity of RBI in NABARD amounting to Rs. 20 crores to the Union Government.2.ICAR signed an agreement with the on crop improvement-:The Indian Council of Agricultural Research/ICAR and the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on March 15, 2017 signed an agreement for crop improvement.Agreement was signed between the Director ICAR and DG ICRISAT.The agreement is called the ICAR-ICRISAT collaborative work plan for 2016-2018 facilitates the transfer of agricultural technologies

between the 2 institutes.Climate smart crops, smart food and digitalization of breeding database are core research areas covered under the agreement.Partnership includes funding to research grain legumes and dry land cereals and support for smart food initiative to deliver nutritionally rich, sustainable products to consumers.On the point of crop improvement front, the agreement will facilitate research activities on transgenic pigeon pea and chickpea for insect resistance. Other focus areas over the next three years include the integration of systems modelling tools to upscale climate resilient agriculture, development of genetic and genomic resources of finger millet and enhancing genetic gains for priority traits.