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hyperloop 2020

FEBRUARY 2019

Monthly Current Affairs for ESE 2020

&

Practice Questions

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Current affairs – ESE 2020 February 2019

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Contents 1.1 Social development ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana ........................................................................................................... 6

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) ....................................................................................................... 6

Mera Aspataal application ............................................................................................................................................. 6

SATH-E Project ................................................................................................................................................................ 7

National Minimum Wage ............................................................................................................................................... 7

SHREYAS program .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.2 Industrial development ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Categorisation of Farmers .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Second largest Rail tunnel .............................................................................................................................................. 9



Seaweeds Farming ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

National Policy on Electronics 2019 ............................................................................................................................... 9

Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan ........................................................................................................ 10

SWAYATT initiative ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

Yuva Sahakar scheme ................................................................................................................................................... 11

TECH-SOP programme .................................................................................................................................................. 11

A new company under Department of Space ............................................................................................................. 12

1.3 Economic Development ............................................................................................................................................. 12

Interim Budget 2019-20 ............................................................................................................................................... 12

Aber - the legal digital currency ................................................................................................................................... 14

FDI Policy on E-Commerce ........................................................................................................................................... 14

Stock Lending and Borrowing ...................................................................................................................................... 15

Banking Sector Reforms ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) .................................................... 16

Most Favoured Nation (MFN) ...................................................................................................................................... 17

The Finance Commission .............................................................................................................................................. 18

RBI approves interim dividend to the government .................................................................................................... 18

Ordinance to curb Ponzi schemes 2019 ....................................................................................................................... 19

National Rural Economic Transformation Project ....................................................................................................... 19

RBI takes 3 banks off PCA framework ......................................................................................................................... 19

2. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................................ 20

2.1 Environment ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

St Petersburg Declaration ............................................................................................................................................ 20

Plant that remove lead from soil ................................................................................................................................. 21

Nuclear Waste Disposal ............................................................................................................................................... 22

Atal Bhujal Yojana ........................................................................................................................................................ 22

Waste Management ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS) .......................................................... 23

Unique steps taken for cleaning Ganga river .............................................................................................................. 24

Air pollution .................................................................................................................................................................. 25

Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity ............................................................................... 26

Spike in Methane levels alarm Climate targets ........................................................................................................... 26



Bharat Stage emission norms (BS VI Norms) ............................................................................................................... 27

When will BS VI come into effect in India? ................................................................................................................. 28

Atmospheric Water Generator .................................................................................................................................... 28

The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture report 2019 ............................................................ 29

2.2 Energy ......................................................................................................................................................................... 30

National Gas Grid ......................................................................................................................................................... 30

Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) ........................................................................................................................ 31

Strategic Petroleum Reserves ...................................................................................................................................... 31

KUSUM Scheme ............................................................................................................................................................ 32

Guidelines on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure ............................................................................................... 32

World's first diesel-to-electric converted locomotive ................................................................................................ 33

Rooftop Solar Programme ........................................................................................................................................... 33

Super-Efficient Air Conditioning programme .............................................................................................................. 34

Project launched to convert high-ash coal into methanol .......................................................................................... 34

Methane hydrate-new energy source discovered ...................................................................................................... 35

Saubhagya scheme ....................................................................................................................................................... 35

SATAT scheme .............................................................................................................................................................. 36

India's first district cooling system .............................................................................................................................. 37

3. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 37

Jan Dhan Darshak app .................................................................................................................................................. 37

National Virtual Library of India .................................................................................................................................. 38

Blockchain technology ................................................................................................................................................. 38

GSAT-31-communication satellite ............................................................................................................................... 39

Development in Space Technology .............................................................................................................................. 40

Use of Space Technology for Border Management .................................................................................................... 41

LADIS – Least Available Depth Information System .................................................................................................... 41

Cyber security - “Any Desk App”.................................................................................................................................. 42

Initiatives of Ministry of Electronics & IT .................................................................................................................... 42

Param Shivay-supercomputer ..................................................................................................................................... 43

India to have own DNS for safe browsing ................................................................................................................... 43

4 .GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ................................................................................................................................................ 44

Gandhi Peace Prize ....................................................................................................................................................... 44



New railway zone - South Coast Railway (SCoR) ......................................................................................................... 44

5. MATERIAL SCIENCE ....................................................................................................................................................... 44

Inkjet printed solar panels ........................................................................................................................................... 44

Nano electronics based on graphene .......................................................................................................................... 45

Nanotech to help make affordable fuel cells .............................................................................................................. 45

PRACTICE QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 46

1. Social development ...................................................................................................................................................... 46

3. Economic development ................................................................................................................................................ 47

4. Environment ................................................................................................................................................................. 48

5. Energy ........................................................................................................................................................................... 50

6. Information and Communication Technology ............................................................................................................ 50

7. GK and Other topics ..................................................................................................................................................... 51

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1. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1.1 Social development

Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana

● It is a scheme for the unorganised sector workers with monthly income upto Rs 15,000

● It shall provide an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 from the age of 60 years.

● A person joining pension yojana at the age of 29 years will have to contribute only Rs 100 per

month till the age of 60 years. A worker joining the pension yojana at 18 years, will have to

contribute as little as Rs 55 per month only.

● The Government will deposit equal matching share in the pension account of the worker every

month.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) was announced in the interim Budget

2019-20.

Highlights of the scheme:

● Under the Scheme, Rs 6,000 will be given per year to small and marginal farmer families having

combined land holding/ownership of upto 2 hectares.

● The amount will be transferred directly to the bank account of beneficiaries through Direct

Benefit Transfer.

● The scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of the farmers in procuring various inputs

to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm

income at the end of the each crop cycle.

● State Government and UT Administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for

support as per scheme guidelines.

Benefits of the scheme:

● It will transform the lives of small and marginal farmers in India, by providing them assured

monetary support.

● DBT will ensure transparency in the entire process and will save time for the farmers.

● The scheme is expected to address farmer migration and improve crop intensity.

Mera Aspataal application

The Mera Aspataal Initiative was launched precisely to find a mechanism to gauze patient reaction to

the services offered in the hospital and help improve the services by taking corrective measures.



● The ranking of Hospitals in the Mera Aspataal Application for the facilities is done on the basis

of Patient Satisfaction Score (PSS).

● The PSS is calculated as weighted average of number of satisfied and dissatisfied patients

based on the feedback collected in a particular facility.

● As per performance analysis report of Mera Aspataal for period Sept-2016 to Jan-2019, 24

percent of patients were dissatisfied with the services offered at the public health facilities.

● Major reasons for dissatisfaction were staff behavior, cost of treatment and cleanliness issues

and other reasons like, long waiting time, overcrowding, inadequate information, lack of

amenities, etc.

● The patients' feedback including, areas requiring improvement are shared with the respective

State Govts. and Central Govt. hospitals for ensuring remedial follow-up actions.

SATH-E Project

Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E) is implemented by NITI

Aayog.

● An initiative in based on formal agreements with the States and will be funded through a cost-

sharing mechanism between NITI Aayog and the participating states.

● It aims to transform elementary and secondary school education.

● It envisages the entire governmental school education system responsive, aspirational and

transformational for every child

● SATH-E aims to create role model States for education and mainstream ‘islands of excellence’

across the country to facilitate qualitative and quantitative transformation of learning

outcomes.

National Minimum Wage

The Ministry of Labour and Employment had constituted an expert committee under the

Chairmanship Dr. Anoop Satpathy to review and recommend methodology for fixation of National

Minimum Wage (NMW). The recommendations are,

● The committee has recommended fixing the need based national minimum wage for India at

INR 375 per day (or INR 9,750 per month) as of July 2018, irrespective of sectors, skills,

occupations and rural-urban locations for a family comprising of 3.6 consumption units.

● It has recommended to introduce an additional house rent allowance (city compensatory

allowance), averaging up to INR 55 per day i.e., INR 1,430 per month for urban workers over

and above the NMW.

● It has recommended a balanced diet approach by using the nutritional requirement norms as

recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for Indian population.



● It proposes minimum wage should include reasonable expenditure on ‘essential non-food

items’, such as clothing, fuel and light, house rent, education, medical expenses, footwear and

transport, which must be equal to the median class and expenditure on any ‘other non-food

items’ be equivalent to the sixth fractile (25-30 per cent) of the household expenditure.

SHREYAS program

The Ministry of Human Resources Development has launched the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) for providing industry apprenticeship opportunities to the general graduates. The scheme: The program aims to enhance the employability of Indian youth by providing ‘on the job work

exposure’ and earning of stipend. The programme basket comprising the initiatives of three Central Ministries, namely 1. the Ministry of Human Resource Development, 2. Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and 3. The Ministry of Labour & Employment viz the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS),

the National Career Service (NCS) and introduction of BA/BSc/BCom (Professional) courses in the higher educational institutions.

SHREYAS portal The portal aims to provide internships to students pursuing general courses, connect recruiters

and graduates. Portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective

demand and supply of apprenticeship. The matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-specified

eligibility criteria. Significance of the programme: To make our degree students more skilled, capable, employable It is aligned to the needs of our economy so that they contribute to country’s progress and also

obtain gainful employment. To fill the gap between education and industry/service sectors on a sustainable basis.

1.2 Industrial development

Categorisation of Farmers

As per the results of latest Agriculture Census 2015-16, the operational holdings are categorised in five size classes as follows:-

Sl. No. Category Size-Class

1 Marginal Below 1.00 hectare



2 Small 1.00-2.00 hectare

3 Semi- Medium 2.00-4.00 hectare

4 Medium 4.00-10.00 hectare

5 Large 10.00 hectare and above

The average size of land holdings for all social groups is highest in Nagaland(5.06) hectare and lowest in Kerala (0.18) hectare.

The overall size of land holdings for all social groups at all India level is 1.08 hectare.

Second largest Rail tunnel

The second longest railway tunnel of the country is coming up near near the Balaramapuram station on the Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram railway line. Highlights:

The proposed railway line from Balaramapuram to Vizhinjam port will be a single line and will be sufficient for the movement of 9 to 10 rakes daily through the corridor for the next 20 years.

It will connect the upcoming Vizhinjam International Multipurpose Deepwater Seaport to the railway network.

Pir Panjal tunnel connecting Banihal and Hillar shahabad is the largest rail tunnel in India.

Seaweeds Farming

There is an immediate need to try and improve the efficiency of food production due to increase in population and low availability of land for cultivation of crops. Importance of seaweeds:

Seaweeds are the champions, contributing to about 50% of all photosynthesis in the world.

They are low-calorie and nutrient-dense food items and eaten by people in most parts of South East Asia .

They are rich sources of vitamins A and C and minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn, Se and Fe.

They also have a high level of vegetable proteins and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

It does not require pesticides, fertilizers and water for irrigation, which is an added advantage.

National Policy on Electronics 2019

Mission: The Policy envisions positioning India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing - (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core



components, including chipsets, and creating an enabling environment for the industry to compete globally. Salient Features of NPE 2019

Promoting domestic manufacturing and export in the entire value-chain of ESDM.

Provide incentives and support for manufacturing of core electronic components.

Provide special package of incentives for mega projects which are extremely high-tech and entail huge investments, such as semiconductor facilities display fabrication, etc.

Formulate suitable schemes and incentive mechanisms to encourage new units and expansion of existing units.

Promote Industry-led R&D and innovation in all sub-sectors of electronics, including grass root level innovations and early stage Start-ups in emerging technology areas such as 5G, loT/ Sensors, Artificial Intelligence (Al), Machine Learning, Virtual Reality (VR), Drones, Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, Photonics, Nano-based devices, etc.

Provide incentives and support for significantly enhancing availability of skilled manpower, including re-skilling.

Special thrust on Fabless Chip Design Industry, Medical Electronic Devices Industry, Automotive Electronics Industry and Power Electronics for Mobility and Strategic Electronics Industry.

Create Sovereign Patent Fund (SPF) to promote the development and acquisition of IPs in ESDM sector.

Promote trusted electronics value chain initiatives to improve national cyber security profile. Implementation strategy: The Policy will lead to the formulation of several schemes, initiatives, projects and measures for the development of ESDM sector in the country as per the roadmap envisaged therein.

Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan

Components of the scheme: Component-A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Power Plants. Component-B: Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps. Component-C: Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps. Highlights:

The scheme aims to add a solar capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022

The Component-A and Component-C will be implemented on pilot mode

Component-B will be implemented in full-fledged manner. Financing:

For both Component-B and Component-C, central financial assistance (CFA) of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower, will be provided.

The State Government will give a subsidy of 30%;

Bank finance may be made available for meeting 30% of the cost.



Significance:

Substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2 emission.

Increasing self-employment opportunities.

SWAYATT initiative

SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM).

The initiative will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-Marketplace the national procurement portal.

To facilitate Start-ups registered with Start -up India to access the public procurement market and sell innovative products and services to government buyers.

To promote inclusiveness by catapulting various categories of sellers and service providers, take proactive steps to facilitate the training and registrations of such specific category of manufacturers and sellers, develop women entrepreneurship and

Encourage participation of MSME sector and Start-ups in public procurement. About GeM:

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.

GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement.

It provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to facilitate the government users achieve the best value for their money.

Yuva Sahakar scheme

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) launched ‘Yuva Sahakar’ scheme.

To attract youth to cooperative business ventures.

The scheme envisages 2 percent less than the applicable rate of interest on term loan for the project cost up to Rs 3 crore including 2 years moratorium on payment of principal.

All types of cooperatives in operation for at least one year are eligible to avail of the scheme.

It would encourage cooperatives to venture into new and innovative areas. About NCDC:

The NCDC has the unique distinction of being the sole statutory organisation functioning as an apex financial and developmental institution exclusively devoted to cooperative sector.

It supports cooperatives in diverse fields apart from agriculture and allied sectors.

It is an ISO 9001:2015 compliant organisation and has a distinctive edge of competitive financing.

TECH-SOP programme

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is organizing a programme on Technology Support and Outreach (TECH-SOP). The objective:

To educate MSMEs and enhance their awareness about latest technological innovation



Sensitize them on the role of technology in creating competitiveness and opportunities.

Bridge the gap between research and development institutions and MSMEs so that they can use latest technologies and become a part of global value chain.

A new company under Department of Space

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the setting up of a new company under Department of Space (DoS), to commercially exploit the research and development work carried out by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Centers and constituent units of DOS.

Small satellite technology transfer to industry, wherein the new company shall take license from DoS/ISRO and sub-license to industries;

Manufacture of small satellite launch vehicle (SLV) in collaboration with the Private Sector;

Production of Polar SLV through industry;

Production and marketing of Space-based products and services, including launch and applications;

Transfer of Technology developed by ISRO Centers and constituent units of DoS;

Marketing of some spin-off technologies and products, both in India and abroad; and

Any other subject which Government of India deems fit.

1.3 Economic Development

Interim Budget 2019-20

Farmers

● 12 crore small and marginal farmers to be provided with assured yearly income of Rs. 6000 per

annum under PM-KISAN.

● Rashtriya Kamdhenu Ayog to be setup for sustainable genetic up-gradation of the cow

resources

● New separate department of fisheries

● 2% interest subvention to Farmers for Animal husbandry and Fisheries activities

Labour

● Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme to ensure fixed monthly pension to 10 crore

unorganized sector workers

Fiscal Programme

● Fiscal deficit pegged at 3.4% of GDP for 2019-20

● Target of 3% of fiscal deficit to be achieved by 2020-21

Poor and Backward Classes

● 25% additional seats in educational institutions to meet the 10% reservation for the poor

● All willing households to be provided electricity connections by March 2019



Vulnerable sections

● A new committee under NITI Aayog to identify all the remaining de-notified nomadic and semi-

Nomadic tribes.

Digital Villages

● The Government to make 1 lakh villages into Digital Villages over next five years

Key message in the Interim Budget 2019-20

● Moving towards realizing a ‘New India’ by 2022 -

1) Clean and healthy India with universal access to toilets, water and electricity to all

2) An India where Farmers’ income would have doubled

3) Ample opportunities to youth and women to fulfil their dreams

4) An India free from terrorism, communalism, casteism, corruption and nepotism

Ten dimensions of Vision for India of 2030

India would be a modern, technology driven, high growth, equitable and transparent society.

1. To build physical as well as social infrastructure and to provide ease of living

2. To create a Digital India, digitize government processes with leaders from youth

3. Making India pollution free by leading transport revolution with electric vehicles and focus on

renewables

4. Expanding rural industrialization using modern digital technologies to generate massive

employment

5. Clean Rivers, safe drinking water to all Indians and efficient use of water through micro-

irrigation

6. Coastline and Ocean waters powering India’s development and growth

7. Aim at our space programme – Gaganyaan, India becoming the launch-pad of satellites for the

World and placing an Indian astronaut into space by 2022

8. Making India self-sufficient in food, exporting to the world to meet their food needs and

producing food in the most organic way

9. A healthy India via Ayushman Bharat with women having equal rights and concern for their

safety and empowerment

10. Transforming India into a Minimum Government Maximum Governance nation with pro-active

and responsible bureaucracy

Fiscal Slippage for 2018-19



● The government had revised the fiscal deficit target for 2018-19 to 3.4% of the gross domestic

product (GDP) from its original target of 3.3%.

Reasons:

● Increase in spending to provide income support for small farmers

● Introduction of tax cut

What is fiscal deficit?

The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government is termed as fiscal

deficit. It is an indication of the total borrowings needed by the government.

What are the ways of financing Fiscal deficit?

A deficit is usually financed through borrowing from either the central bank of the country or raising

money from capital markets by issuing different instruments like treasury bills and bonds.

What is FRBM Act?

● The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act was enacted in 2003 which set

targets for the government to reduce fiscal deficits. In May 2016, the government set up a

committee under NK Singh to review the FRBM Act.

● The committee recommended that the government should target a fiscal deficit of:

1) 3 per cent of the GDP in years up to March 31, 2020

2) 2.8 per cent in 2020-21 and 2.5 per cent by 2023.

Aber - the legal digital currency

The central banks of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have launched a common

digital currency called ‘Aber’.

● It will be used in financial settlements between the two countries through blockchain and

distributed ledger technologies.

● In case that no technical obstacles are encountered, economic and legal requirements for

future uses will be considered.

FDI Policy on E-Commerce

The conditions:

1. The new norms bar exclusive tie-ups between e-commerce firms that follow the ‘marketplace

model’ and vendors using their platform.



2. In a marketplace model, the e-commerce firm is not allowed to directly or indirectly influence

the sale price of goods or services, and is required to offer a level playing field to all vendors.

3. The operations of online marketplaces, 100% foreign direct investment, or full foreign

ownership is allowed.

4. Bar online retailers from selling products through vendors in which they have an equity

interest. Also bars them from entering into exclusive deals with brands for selling products only

on their platforms.

5. All online retailers will be required to maintain a level playing field for all the vendors selling

their products on the platform, and it shall not affect the sale prices of goods in any manner.

6. Disallows e-commerce players to control the inventory of the vendors.

7. The e-commerce retailer shall be deemed to own the inventory of a vendor if over 25 per cent

of the purchases of such a vendor are through it.

Stock Lending and Borrowing

Stock lending and borrowing (SLB) is a system in which traders borrow shares that they do not own. The platform provides a viable alternative to derivatives market for purposes of hedging (A hedge is an investment to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset). Borrowers in SLB are usually short-sellers i.e. traders who want to sell shares that they don’t own. Lenders on the other hand are those investors who have bought shares for long-term purposes and such shares are lying idle in their demat accounts. Why SLB?

The interest rate varies from stock to stock and also depends on tenure of such borrowings. As per

SEBI rules, stocks can be borrowed for a maximum period of 12 months. The interest rate for such

lending is not fixed but is determined by the market conditions. SLB is a less risky option for short-

sellers compared to the more complex options and futures contracts.

What is the current relevance of SLB?

Market regulator SEBI has announced transition of Indian derivatives market from cash settlement to

physical settlement by September this year. Until now, investors largely used SLB for reverse arbitrage

opportunities i.e. those situations where future contracts of a company are trading at a discount to

the cash market prices.

Banking Sector Reforms

To strengthen banks and foster a culture of clean and responsible banking, the Government has

followed a comprehensive 4 R’s approach of recognition, resolution, recapitalization and reforms.

Reforms, as per the public sector banking reforms agenda adopted by PSBs:-



● increasing access to banking services from home and mobile through digital banking and

enhanced customer ease,

● enabling easy accessibility to senior citizens and the differently-abled, through online update of

pension life certificates, etc.

● instituting efficient practices for effective coordination in large consortium loans by restricting

number of lenders in consortium and by adoption of standard operating procedures,

● strict segregation of pre- and post-sanction roles and responsibilities for enhanced

accountability,

● ring-fencing of cash flows and use of technology and analytics for comprehensive diligence

across data sources for prudent lending,

● institution of transparent and robust one-time settlement mechanism with automated

escalation and monitoring

● monitoring of loans above ₹250 crore through specialised agencies for effective vigil,

● establishment of stressed asset management verticals in banks for focused recovery and timely

and effective management of stressed accounts,

● institution and implementation of a risk appetite framework for a structured approach to

manage, measure and control risk and check aggressive and imprudent lending,

● monetisation of non-core assets for strengthening capital base,

● enabling faster bill realisation for MSMEs through discounting by banks on the Trade

Receivables electronic Discounting System (TReDS),

● enabling proactive reach-out to borrowers and stepping-up cluster-based financing to

MSMEs,and

● developing human resources by rewarding top performers and enabling specialisation through

job-families, and role based learning for executives.

● Reserve Bank monitors the performance of banks against the stipulated priority sector targets/

sub-targets on a quarterly as well as annual basis.

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS)

Cabinet approves continuation of Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme

(CLCS-TUS) beyond 12th Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20. The scheme aims at improving

the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions.

1. Scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various

ongoing schematic interventions.

2. Hand holding for zero defect zero effect manufacturing (ZED).

3. Increasing productivity through waste reduction (Lean)



4. Design intervention (Design)

5. Cloud computing (Digital MSMEs)

6. Facilitation of intellectual property (IPR)

7. Nurturing new ideas (Incubation)

● Special provisions have been made in this scheme to promote entrepreneurship for SC/STs,

women

● The scheme through Zero Defect & Zero Effect, component will promote reduction in emission

level of greenhouse gases and improve the competitiveness through reduction in defect /

wastage during the manufacturing process of the products.

● It will also promote the innovation, digital empowerment of MSMEs, design interventions and

support the protection of intellectual property of MSMEs.

Benefits:

● The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation to MSEs

● Improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs,

● Enhancement in productivity,

● Reduction in waste and

● It shall promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Most Favoured Nation (MFN)

India has revoked the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status of Pakistan (bestowed in 1996) and warned

of more measures in response to its support for terrorist groups targeting India.

What is MFN status?

● Most Favoured Nation is a treatment accorded to a trade partner to ensure non-discriminatory

trade between two countries vis-a-vis other trade partners.

● Under WTO rules, a member country cannot discriminate between its trade partners. If a

special status is granted to a trade partner, it must be extended to all members of the WTO.

Significance of MFN status:

● It ensures access to a wider market for trade goods, reduced cost of export items owing to

highly reduced tariffs and trade barriers. These essentially lead to more competitive trade.

● It cuts down bureaucratic hurdles and various kinds of tariffs are set at par for all imports.

● A country that grants MFN on imports will have its imports provided by the most efficient

supplier.

● As MFN clause promotes non-discrimination among countries, they also tend to promote the

objective of free trade in general.



What does revoking MFN mean? Revoking it means India can levy whatever import tariffs it wants. India can now make it very

expensive for Pakistan to export its goods to India.

The Finance Commission

The Finance Commission is appointed by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution.

Functions of the Finance Commission: It is the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to

the President as to:

1. The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to

be, or may be, divided between them and the allocation between the States of the respective

shares of such proceeds;

2. The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the

Consolidated Fund of India;

3. The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the

resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the

recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;

4. Any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound

finance.

The First Finance Commission was constituted under the chairmanship of Shri K.C. Neogy in 1952.

Fifteenth Finance Commissions have been constituted recently by President of India and is headed by

N.K Singh.

RBI approves interim dividend to the government

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to transfer an additional ₹28,000 crore as dividend to the government.

● The move could help the government meet its revised fiscal deficit target of 3.4% of GDP in

2018-19 amid a shortfall in revenue collections.

● The interim dividend is the future income that the RBI has prepaid, this will have to be adjusted

from its dividend payment due next year.

● In the interim budget, the government had revised the dividend from RBI, nationalized banks,

and financial institutions to₹74,140.37 crore for this fiscal year from the ₹54,817.25 crore

estimated earlier in budget 2018-19.

● The interim budget estimates to receive ₹82,911 crore in 2019-20 under the same head.

● RBI transfers its surplus amount to the government after making provisions for bad and

doubtful debts, depreciation in assets, and contribution to staff and superannuation fund.



● The central bank follows a July-June financial year, while the central government follows an

April-March year.

About fiscal deficit:

● The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government.

● It is an indication of the total borrowings needed by the government.

Ordinance to curb Ponzi schemes 2019

● The proposed ordinance will tackle the menace of illicit deposit-taking activities that are

exploiting regulatory gaps and lack of strict administrative measures to dupe poor people of

their hard-earned savings.

● It has provisions for punishment and disgorgement or repayment of deposits.

Ponzi schemes: ● A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud which lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors by

using funds obtained from more recent investors.

● The victims are led to believe that the profits are coming from product sales or other means,

and they remain unaware that other investors are the source of profits.

● The scheme is able to maintain the illusion of a sustainable business as long as there continue

to be new investors willing to contribute new funds

National Rural Economic Transformation Project

The Union Cabinet has approved the Implementation of an externally aided project namely “National

Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National

Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) through loan assistance (IBRD Credit) from World Bank.

Salient features:

● Innovative projects will be undertaken under NRETP to pilot alternate channels of financial

inclusion, creating value chains around rural products, introduce innovative models in

livelihoods promotion and access to finance and scale-up initiatives on digital finance and

livelihoods interventions.

● DAY-NRLM provides for mutually beneficial working relationship and formal platforms for

consultations between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Community Based

Organizations(CBOs).

RBI takes 3 banks off PCA framework

The Reserve Bank of India has taken off Allahabad Bank and Corporation Bank, from the public sector,

and Dhanlaxmi Bank from the private sector out of prompt and corrective action (PCA) framework.

Highlights:



● The banks have shored up their capital funds and also increased their loan loss provision to

ensure that the PCA parameters were complied with.

● Net NPA and leverage ratios are no longer in breach of the PCA thresholds.

● According to norms, PCA framework gets triggered when a bank breaches one of the three risk

thresholds. Crossing 6% net NPA is one of them.

● RBI will continuously monitor the performance of these banks under various parameters.

What is PCA framework?

● RBI has issued a policy action guideline (first in December 2002 and revised in 2014 and 2017)

in the form of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework if a commercial bank’s financial

condition worsens below a mark.

● The PCA framework specifies the trigger points or the level in which the RBI will intervene with

corrective action.

● This trigger points are expressed in terms of parameters for the banks.

What are the parameters of PCA?

● Capital to Risk weighted Asset Ratio (CRAR)

● Net Non-Performing Assets (NPA)

● Return on Assets (RoA)

2. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

2.1 Environment

St Petersburg Declaration

In the 2010 St. Petersburg Declaration “To double the global tiger population by 2022”, the countries

agreed to a Global Tiger Recovery Program.

The progress:

● One-third of tiger conservation sites in the world are severely at risk of losing their wild tigers

— the majority of which are in Southeast Asia.

● Many of these areas lack basic plans for effective management, with over 60 per cent of the

sites facing several limitations in anti-poaching.

● Countries like India, Nepal and Russia have shown that tiger recovery is possible.

The tiger range countries that are part of the Global Tiger Recovery Program are Bangladesh, Bhutan,

Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Measures to be taken:



● Centralized data bank

● Basic plans for effective management

● Coordination among countries

● Curbing poaching

● Control illegal trade

● National level plans for tiger conservation

About Conservation Assured|Tiger Standard (CA|TS) ● Conservation Assured (CA|TS) is a new conservation tool to set minimum standards for

effective management of target species and to encourage assessment of these standards in

relevant conservation / protected areas.

● Developed by WWF and partners, the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) has endorsed CA|TS and has

requested member countries to establish National Review Committees for purpose of initiating

CA|TS.

Plant that remove lead from soil

Researchers have identified a native roadside plant known as ‘Bhringraj’ that can take up lead from the soil and thus help in removing the metal from the environment.

● Tribal people use it an antidote for snake bites and treatment of scorpion stings.

● Hi-tech microscopic analysis showed that the lead travelled to the leaves and was deposited as

lead nanoparticles in its cell wall, cytoplasm, and chloroplast.

● The plants can be burned up after they have taken up the lead.

● These plants grow in soils that are continuously exposed to lead from vehicle exhausts.

● It is a significant further step in using the plant for bioremediation of lead-contaminated soil.

Effects of Lead:

● Affects health particularly young children affecting the development of the brain and nervous

system

● Biodiversity

● Affects ecosystem

● Affects soil productivity

● Agricultural productivity will decrease

Bioremediation is a process used to treat contaminated media, including water, soil and subsurface

material using living organisms.

Congratulations to our online classroom students for their performance in 2019

Prelims. http://iesgeneralstudies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ies-gs-prelims-2019-results.pdf




Nuclear Waste Disposal

All radioactive waste facilities are designed with numerous layers of protection to make sure that

people remain protected for as long as it takes for radioactivity to reduce to background levels.

Types of nuclear waste:

1. Low-level waste is made up of lightly-contaminated items like tools and work clothing from

power plant operation and makes up the bulk of radioactive wastes. It represents 90% of the

total volume of radioactive wastes, but contains only 1% of the radioactivity.

2. Intermediate-level wastes might include used filters, steel components from within the reactor

and some effluents from reprocessing.

3. High-level wastes contain 95% of the radioactivity arising from nuclear power.

Types of nuclear waste Volume Radioactive content

High-level waste 3% 95%

Intermediate-level waste 7% 4%

Low-level waste 90% 1%

Waste disposal

Intermediate and low-level wastes are disposed of closer to the surface, in many established

repositories. Low-level waste disposal sites are purpose built, but are not much different from

normal municipal waste sites.

High-level wastes require shielding and cooling. They can remain highly radioactive for

thousands of years. They need to be disposed of deep underground in engineered facilities

built in stable geological formations.

The regular monitoring is done as per the requirements which are in line with the guidelines of

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The monitoring of various environmental matrices such as air, water, soil etc., in and around

the waste disposal facilities is carried out by independent Environmental Survey Laboratories

(ESL) of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) which are stationed at all the nuclear sites.

Atal Bhujal Yojana

The Government has proposed Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) aimed at sustainable ground water

management with community participation in select over-exploited and ground water stressed areas.



● ABHY is designed as a Central Sector Scheme

● It is proposed to be implemented with World Bank assistance

● The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.

● It envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of

‘Water User Associations’, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting,

preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans and IEC activities

related to sustainable groundwater management.

● Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating groundwater development in India.

Waste Management

The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, in supersession of Municipal Solid Waste

(Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, has notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

● The Rules direct the waste generators to segregate the waste at source and hand over the

segregated waste to authorised waste pickers or waste collectors.

● The Rules mandate all resident welfare and market associations, gated communities,

institutions, all hotels and restaurants to ensure segregation of waste at source.

● Facilitate collection of segregated waste in separate streams and handover recyclable material

to either the authorized waste pickers or the authorized recyclers.

● The bio-degradable waste shall be processed, treated and disposed off through composting or

bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible.

About bio-methanation:

● Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under

anaerobic conditions to biogas.

● Three main physiological groups of microorganisms are involved: fermenting bacteria, organic

acid oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS)

The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of

wild animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Environment

Programme, is hosted by India. Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS):

● It also referred to as the Bonn Convention.

● It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and

their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range

States.



● It lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout

a migratory range.

● The convention complements and co-operates with a number of other international

organizations, NGOs and partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector.

India’s participation:

● India has signed a non-

legally binding MOU with CMS

on the conservation and

management of Siberian

Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles

(2007), Dugongs (2008) and

Raptors (2016).

● India is temporary

home to several migratory

animals and birds.

● The important among

these include Amur Falcons,

Bar headed Gheese, Black

necked cranes, Marine turtles,

Dugongs, Humpbacked Whales, etc.

● India has launched the National Action Plan for conservation of migratory species under the

Central Asian Flyway.

About Migratory species:

● Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different

times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.

● The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for

some migratory birds and mammals.

● A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and

after each migration.

Unique steps taken for cleaning Ganga river

In Prayagraj, a sewage treatment plant was set up so as to stop waste from the bigger sewage pipelines from entering into Ganga river.

An ‘in-situ’ plan-through this plan, artificial oxygen was used to clean the sewage pipelines coming directly from ashrams.



Some plants had been grown across these sewage pipelines so that the untreated waste and garbage is collected much before and doesn’t flow into the Ganga river. In this way, the water which flows into the river is not dirty and has enough oxygen content as well.

Geo Synthetic Tube is a technique for cleaning sewage lines. In this technique, there are dosing units and synthetic tubes. The sewage water runs through these two units and the untreated waste or garbage is taken to a big drum-sized tube of the Punto bridge. At the bridge, the entire untreated water is purified and the dirt is segregated. The purification process at the tube is done in such a way that it can be released into the Ganga river.

Air pollution

Air pollution can be broken down into ambient (outdoor) air pollution and indoor air pollution.

Sources of Air pollution:

● The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal to generate electricity for homes and businesses, or

petrol and diesel to power our cars, buses, ships and planes.

● Industrial processes, particularly from the chemical and mining industries.

● Agriculture, which is a major source of methane and ammonia.

● Waste treatment and management, particularly landfills.

● Dirty indoor cooking and heating systems, a major problem in the developing world.

● Volcanic eruptions, dust storms and other natural processes.

Ambient (outdoor) air pollution accounts for:

● 25 per cent of all deaths and disease from lung cancer

● 16 per cent of all deaths from stroke

● 15 per cent of all deaths and disease from ischaemic heart disease

● 8 per cent of all deaths and disease from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Where is air pollution worst?

● Air pollution is a problem across the globe, but it disproportionately affects people living in

developing nations.

● Delhi, India and Cairo, Egypt have the worst PM10 pollution levels out of the world’s megacities

(over 14 million people). Argentina, Brazil, China, Mexico and Turkey all have cities in the top-

ten list of most-polluted places.

What is being done about air pollution?

● A global movement to address air pollution is growing.

● BreatheLife – a global network headed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the World

Health Organization and UN Environment – is running cleaner air initiatives that cover 39 cities.



● By instituting policies and programmes to curb transport and energy emissions and to promote

the use of clean energy, cities are proving to be focal points where change that improves the

lives of the most people possible is happening.

● The rise of renewable energy is also set to make a big difference, with investment in new

renewable sources outstripping fossil fuel investments each year.

Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was

held in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt.

Convention on Biological Diversity:

● It is an international legally-binding treaty

with three main goals:

1. Conservation of biodiversity

2. Sustainable use of biodiversity

3. Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

● Its overall objective is to encourage actions, which will lead to a sustainable future.

● It covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species and genetic resources.

● It covers biotechnology, including through the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Addressing the ‘Commons’:

● These are a set of resources such as air, land, water and biodiversity that do not belong to one

community or individual, but to humanity.

Why the concern? ● Socio-political, economic and environmental problem.

● Changing socio-political impact of migration

● Urbanisation

Approaches for the future ● To re-introduce more strongly, the management and governance principles of ‘Commons’

approaches into decision-making and implementation of conservation, use and benefit sharing

action.

● To use Joseph Schumpeter’s approach of creative destruction to put resource management in

the hands of the people.

Spike in Methane levels alarm Climate targets

The incremental rise in methane levels in the atmosphere are threatening to hinder the plans to hold

the global temperature rise to two degrees.



About Methane:

● Methane breaks down much more quickly than carbon dioxide and is found at much lower

levels in the atmosphere.

● As per the studies, increase in level can be attributed to the biological in origin, still the right

reason remains unclear.

● The natural chemicals in the atmosphere which help in breaking down methane might be

changing because of rise in temperature, causing it lose its ability to deal with the gas.

Sources of Methane:

● Rising number of cattle

● Wetter and warmer swamps

● Landfills and waste

● Biomass burning

● Rice agriculture

● Fossil fuel production

Bharat Stage emission norms (BS VI Norms)

What are Bharat Stage emission norms?

● Bharat Stage emission norms are the benchmarks aimed at regulating release of air pollutants

from automobiles.

● The Central Pollution Control Board under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and

Climate Change introduces BS-I in 2000, followed by BS-II in 2005, BS-III in 2010, and BS-IV in

2017.

What is BS VI?



● BS VI refers to the sixth stage of the Bharat Stage emission norms.

● BS IV-compliant fuel contains 50 ppm (parts per million) sulphur, while BS VI fuel has just 10

ppm sulphur.

● Furthermore, compared to BS IV, NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emission limits are cut down by 68

per cent for light duty diesel vehicles, while that for light-duty petrol vehicles are reduced by

25 per cent.

● BS VI also includes heightened particulate matter (PM) emission standard and a particle

number (PN) emission limit of 6×1011/km.

● The BS VI proposal also institutes PM and PN emission limits forlight-duty gasoline vehicles

though they are applicable only for vehicles that get direct injection engines.

● BS VI also includes a crucial change in vehicle type approval procedures for light-duty vehicles.

● It mandates the use of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) for in-service

conformity testing. This, in turn, will help make sure that the emissions performance observed

during in laboratory-based emissions testing is maintained in real world driving conditions as

well.

When will BS VI come into effect in India?

The BS 6 norms come into effect from 1 April, 2020.

Challenges for implementation:

● For automobile manufacturers, the implementation of BS VI norms will translate into a jump in

investments in technology that will enable them to upgrade the vehicles they already have in

stock and making new vehicles that are compliant with the regulations.

● For buyers, it means they will be spending a tad more.

● State-run oil companies don’t intend to recover the increased cost involved in the production

of the higher quality BS VI fuel from customers

Atmospheric Water Generator

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has unveiled its new product, the Atmospheric

Water Generator (AWG.

● BEL's Atmospheric Water Generator can be used to generate water straight from the humidity

present in the atmosphere.

How does it works?

● It uses heat exchange for condensing the atmospheric moisture.

● The AWG comes with a Mineralisation Unit, which is used to add minerals which are required

to make the water potable.



● The AWG is configurable in static and mobile (vehicular) versions and is available in 30

litres/day, 100 litres/day, 500 litres/day and 1,000 litres/day capacities.

Significance:

The Atmospheric Water Generator can be used to provide drinking water in community centres and

public places like health care centres, schools, colleges, offices, railway stations, bus stands, airports,

sea ports, off-shore oil rigs, military establishments, remote field areas and remote establishments

The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture report 2019

The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture report 2019 has been published by the

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Highlights of the report:

● Global biodiversity — the variety of life at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels — is under

severe threat

● The proportion of livestock breeds at risk of extinction is increasing, and plant diversity in

farmers’ fields is decreasing.

● many species of pollinators, natural enemies of pests, soil organisms and wild food species are

vanishing due to the destruction and degradation of habitats, overexploitation and pollution.



● In many parts of the world, biodiverse agricultural landscapes are being replaced by

monoculture.

● Forest loss represents a major global threat to biodiversity. Though rates of loss have

decreased (and gone into moderate reverse in some regions), global forest area continues to

decline.

● The main cause of deforestation is conversion to agriculture.

● With decline in forests, wild foods, an important source of food for many rural households, are

vanishing.

Rescue measures:

● There are many ways in which agriculture and food production can become more biodiversity-

friendly.

● Ensuring that the biodiversity of crop, livestock, trees and aquatic organisms remain available

to breeders and producers is going to be vital to future production in the face of climate

change.

● Biodiversity can help meet several Sustainable Development Goals. For instance in Goal 1 (end

poverty in all its forms everywhere), biodiversity directly contributes to the livelihoods of

millions of fisherfolk, forest dwellers, farmers and livestock keepers.

● Biodiversity is also vital to food security and nutrition, which is the aim of Goal 2 (end hunger

and achieve food security). Biodiversity is also the basis of food diversity that people need for a

healthy diet.

2.2 Energy

National Gas Grid

Government has launched National Gas Grid gas pipeline project which aims to provide piped cooking

gas.

The aims and objectives:

● To remove regional imbalance within the country with regard to access of natural gas and

provide clean and green fuel throughout the country.

● To connect gas sources to major demand centres and ensure availability of gas to consumers in

various sectors.

● Development of City Gas Distribution Networks in various cities for supply of CNG and PNG.

About Natural gas:



● Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane,

but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small

percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium.

● Natural gas available in India can broadly be classified into two categories, viz.

(i) Domestic Natural Gas and

(ii) Imported Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (R-LNG).

Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has launched the third bidding round under the Open

Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).

About OLAP:

● It provides uniform licenses for exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons,

enabling contractors to explore conventional as well as unconventional oil and gas resources

from the same field.

● Fields are offered under a revenue-sharing model.

● It allows marketing and pricing freedom for crude oil and natural gas produced.

Procedure for allocating blocks:

1. Under the OALP, once an explorer selects areas after evaluating the National Data Repository

(NDR) and submits the Expression of Interest.

2. It is to be put up for competitive bidding and

3. The entity offering the maximum share of oil and gas to the government is awarded the block.

About National Data Repository:

● It has been created to provide explorers’ data on the country’s repositories, allowing them to

choose fields according to their capabilities.

● Data received through the National Seismic Programme, an in-depth study of 26 sedimentary

basins, are continuously being added to the NDR.

Strategic Petroleum Reserves

Prime Minister has recently dedicated to the nation, 1.33 MMT Visakhapatnam Strategic Petroleum

Reserve (SPR) facility of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL).

● The Facility has the largest underground storage compartment in the country.

● The Government of India had decided to set up 5 million metric tons (MMT) of strategic crude

oil storages at three locations namely, Visakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur (near Udupi).



● These strategic

storages would be in

addition to the existing

storages of crude oil and

petroleum products with

the oil companies and

● The reserves would

serve as a cushion during

any external supply

disruptions.

● In the 2017-18

budget, it was announced

that two more such caverns

will be set up Chandikhole

in Jajpur district of Odisha

and Bikaner in Rajasthan as

part of the second phase.

● The construction of the Strategic Crude Oil Storage facilities is being managed by Indian

Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly

owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under the Ministry of Petroleum &

Natural Gas.

KUSUM Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has formulated a Scheme ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam

Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)’.

● installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas

● installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfill irrigation needs of farmers not

connected to grid; and

● solarisation of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid

supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra

income.

● solarization of tube-wells and lift irrigation projects of Government sector.

Guidelines on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Government has issued guidelines to upgrade the charging infrastructure in the country to boost the

electric vehicles.



Highlights:

● The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has made amendments to the Model Building

Bye laws (MBBL) 2016 and Urban Regional Development Plans Formulation and

Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines 2014.

● Making provisions for establishing EV charging infrastructure.

The Guidelines:

● A public charging station should be on both sides of the highways or roads on every 25 km.

● There should be at least one station on each side of the highway every 100 kilometres for long

range and heavy-duty electric vehicles.

● Charging facilities will also be available at bus depots and transport hubs within three years.

● The government has also permitted private charging at residences and offices.

World's first diesel-to-electric converted locomotive

In a first, Indian Railways has converted a diesel locomotive into an electric one, as part of efforts to

completely electrify broad gauge.

Highlights:

● The conversion cost of diesel locomotive into electric locomotive is less than the cost of midlife

rehabilitation of a diesel locomotive.

● Other than being economical, it also leads to an increase in the average speed of freight trains.

Significance of the project:

● It will boost Make In India Project

● Economical than Diesel Locomotive

● Lower carbon footprints

● Contributes to green Economy

● It will enhance Indian R&D innovation for

the entire world,

Rooftop Solar Programme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has

given its approval for the Phase-II of Grid

Connected Rooftop Solar Programme.

● Under Phase-II Programme, focus will be

on increased involvement of DISCOMs.



● Performance based incentives will be provided to DISCOMs based on RTS capacity achieved in

a financial year (i.e. 1st April to 31st March every year till the duration of the scheme) over and

above the base capacity

Impact of programme:

● Substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2 emission.

● It has employment potential.

● Increasing self-employment opportunities.

Super-Efficient Air Conditioning programme

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of four Public Sector Enterprises under

Ministry of Power, Government of India launched Super-Efficient Air Conditioning Programme for

residential and institutional consumers.

● The Super-Efficient Air Conditioners are 40 percent more efficient than, but priced comparably

with, the 3-star ACs currently available in the market (ISEER 3.8).

● Promoting energy efficiency

● It will help to reduce the peak power demand

● The programme directly addresses the prospect of the nearly four-fold increase in energy

consumption from buildings and cooling appliances in India by 2032

● It will address the goals of India’s Cooling Action Plan and Hydrochlorofluro carbons Phase Out

Management Plan, enabling achievement of India’s targets under the Kigali and Paris

Agreements.

● EESL is working towards making this programme and its benefits available to all consumers

across the nation with the other DISCOMs likely to partner with EESL in future.

Project launched to convert high-ash coal into methanol

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi and engineers from Pune-based Thermax

have joined hands to set up a pilot plant for producing methanol from high-ash content Indian coal.

Significance of the project:

● Liquid fuels are preferred in the transportation sector over solid and gaseous fuels, mainly due

to their low ash content and high energy density, which allow them to be stored in vehicles for

extended periods.

● Methanol as a liquid fuel for transport and cooking applications is considered as credible

option for India.



● Methanol is known to exhibit excellent properties as a blending agent in internal combustion

engines. Its derivative, dimethyl ether (DME), can potentially address a variety of energy

demands, including as domestic fuel.

Challenges:

● Catalysis, the modification of the rate of a chemical reaction, usually an acceleration, by

addition of a substance not consumed during the reaction.

● Hydrodynamics

● Process technology

Methane hydrate-new energy source discovered

Researchers have discovered "methane hydrates" a potential fuel of the future in the Krishna-

Godavari (K-G) basin off the coast of Andhra Pradesh in the Bay of Bengal.

Methane Hydrate:

● Methane hydrate, which is formed at low temperature and high pressure, is a solid crystal

structure of water within which a large amount of methane gas is trapped.

● This is a new and completely untapped reservoir of fossil fuel, because it contains, as its name

suggests, a large quantity of methane, which is the main component of natural gas.

Process of discovery:

● The active methane "seep sites" were detected by analysing the water-column images

obtained through a multi-beam echo sounder.

● The mapping of the water column, coupled with precision sampling of sediment "led to the

discovery of active cold seeps, associated biological communities and shallow gas hydrate.

● The diversity, spatial distribution and growth of organisms thriving in such an ecosystem are

primarily controlled by fluxes of hydrogen sulfide and methane gas across the sediment-water

interface

Significance of the discovery:

● The discovery has brought India on to the global cold seep map.

● It opened up the opportunity for future research on the possible role of methane emission on

global warming, ocean acidification, extreme ecosystem, and bio-prospecting.

● The gas hydrates can be the future source of energy for India.

Saubhagya scheme

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – ‘Saubhagya’ a new scheme was launched in 2017.



● Under Saubhagya free electricity connections to all households (both APL and poor families) in

rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided.

● India will achieve 100 per cent household electrification by March 31 as envisaged in the

Saubhagya scheme and the next goal is to achieve round the clock power supply to all

households.

● Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has been designated as its nodal agency for the

Saubhagya scheme.

● To expedite and monitor the electrification process under Saubhagya a web portal

(www.saubhagya.gov.in) was launched.

● The Saubhagya web portal has been designed and developed to disseminate information about

the Household Electrification Status (State, District, Village wise), Household Progress as on

date, State Wise Target vs Achieved, Monthly Electrification Progress, etc.

Scope of the Scheme:

● Providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all un-electrified households in

rural areas.

● Providing Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone system for un-electrified households

located in remote and inaccessible villages/habitations, where grid extension is not feasible or

cost-effective.

● Providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining economically poor

un-electrified households in urban areas. Non-poor urban households are excluded from this

scheme.

SATAT scheme

SATAT is an initiative aimed at providing a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs. SATAT was launched with a four-pronged agenda of- 1. utilising more than 62 million metric tonnes of waste generated every year in India 2. cutting down import dependence, 3. supplementing job creation in the country and 4. reducing vehicular emissions and pollution from burning of agricultural / organic waste. Bio-gas is produced naturally through a process of anaerobic decomposition from waste / bio-

mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc.After purification, it is compressed and called CBG, which has pure methane content of over 90%.

Compressed Bio-Gas(CBG) is exactly similar to the commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy potential. CBG can be used as an alternative, renewable automotive.



Significance of CBG: Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution Additional revenue source for farmers Boost to entrepreneurship, rural economy and employment Support to national commitments in achieving climate change goals Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil Buffer against crude oil/gas price fluctuations

India's first district cooling system

India’s First District cooling system will come up in Amravati, capital of the Andhra Pradesh.

● District cooling systems produce chilled water, steam or hot water at a central plant and then

pipe that energy out (either underground or over rooftops) to buildings for air conditioning,

space heating and water heating. As a result, these buildings don’t require their own chillers,

air conditioners, boilers or furnaces.

● The district cooling uses only 50 per cent of the primary energy consumption for cooling urban

buildings, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.

● It also helps in improving the air quality and reducing general noise levels when compared to

other traditional air conditioning systems.

3. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Jan Dhan Darshak app

Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance and National Informatics Centre (NIC) has

jointly developed a mobile app called Jan Dhan Darshak as a part of financial inclusion (FI) initiative.

Salient features of this App:

● Find nearby Financial touch points, based on current location (Branches/ATM/Post offices)

● Search by place name

● Search by place name also available with Voice Interface



● Phone number of bank branches available in app, with the facility of call button for integrated

dialing

● Users’ feedback will go directly to the concerned bank for carrying out the necessary updation

in data on financial touch points.

Significance of the App:

● Financial inclusion

● Digital literacy

● Reach out to end beneficiaries

● Transparency in financial transactions

● Bridging rural urban divide

National Virtual Library of India

National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) is a major project set up by the Ministry of Culture,

Government of India, under the National Mission on Libraries (NML).

● The objective of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) is to facilitate creation of a

comprehensive database on digital resources of India on information about India in an open

access environment.

● The main goal of this project is to create, collect, encode, and collate various digital artifacts

related to Indian culture, in the form of a portal, and to allow relevant information access

through web-based search.

● This project is an important part of the larger vision of putting information of the entire Indian

cultural heritage in the digital web world.

Vision on NVLI:

● Allowing easy access to digital information present in the form of books, texts, videos, audios,

and similar artifacts in multiple languages.

● Collecting, combining, and standardizing all available digital assets in an easily searchable form.

● Educating people to use the NVLI portal and enabling them to contribute by submitting digital

artifacts.

● Ensuring preservation of digital content for the future generation.

The project of creation of National Virtual Library of India had been entrusted to IIT Bombay (in

collaboration with C-DAC, Pune and IGNOU, Delhi). The Ministry of Culture continuously monitors the

progress of the NVLI project.

Blockchain technology

What is Blockchain?



It is a database, where the data gets verified

with a piece of an algorithm with a link to the

subsequent blocks. This ensures data security.

The data on the blockchain are also encrypted.

How can it be used? Example: If somebody has a contract with an

insurance dealer, with a lot of conditions

ingrained into it, you can build that logic into

the contract on the blockchain, to ensure that

once verified, it comes into force automatically, without the need for any human intervention. It

ensures that no one can play a negative role and also removes trust issues that can crop up.

What are the applications?

Blockchains are going to impact financial technology in a major way, from regular trading to

secondary markets. It can be used in healthcare and allied services as well.

GSAT-31-communication satellite

Indian Space Research Organisation’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully

launched by Arianespace aboard its launch vehicle Ariane 5 from the spaceport in French Guiana

About GSAT- 31:

● India’s 40th communication satellite and derives its heritage from ISROs earlier INSAT/GSAT

satellite series.

● It will be placed in Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) using its onboard

propulsion system.

● It will provide communication services to Indian mainland and islands as it as a unique

configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage.

● The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication

applications.

● The satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.

● A mission life of around 15 years

Applications:

● DTH Television Services

● Connectivity to VSATs for ATM



● Stock-exchange

● Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and

● e-governance applications.

Development in Space Technology

Some of the new developments made in the last three years are as listed below :

● Development of highly polished optical mirrors - for a solar coronographic mission – Aditya-L1

● Development of large, light-weight collimators with non-cylindrical aperture – for x-ray

polarimetric applications – XpoSAT mission

● Development of indigenous silicon sensors and coatings for optical and IR spectroscopic

applications – for payloads on Chandrayaan-2 mission

RESPOND programme

● Indian Space research Organisation through the programme called RESPOND (Sponsored

Research) is encouraging academia to participate in the R & D activities.

● The programme provides support to research projects in wide range of topics in space

technology, space science and applications to universities/ institutions.

Aditya-L1 mission:

ISRO's Aditya - L1 mission is similar to NASA's Parker Solar Probe, that is to study the sun. ● The Aditya - L1 will be inserted in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1), which is 1.5

million km from the Earth. Lagrangian point is a point where the attraction by the Sun and the

Earth becomes equal.

● Planning to launch in 2021

● Study of chromospheric and coronal heating, physics of the partially ionized plasma and

initiation of the CMEs and flares

● Observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment providing data for the study of particle

dynamics from the Sun.

XPoSat

● To measure polarization (degree and direction) of X-ray photons from ~50 potential celestial

sources of interest in the energy band of 5-30 keV.

● Mission Life – 5 years, Platform – Modified IMS-2 Bus

● Payload – Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays (POLIX) from Raman Research Institute

● Planning to launch in 2021

Chandrayaan-2



● Expand technologies from Chandrayaan-1 & demonstrate newer technologies for future

planetary missions.

● Deploy a Lunar Lander-Rover capable of soft landing on a specified lunar site and deploy a

Rover to carry out in-situ analysis of chemicals.

● Carry payloads in the orbiter craft to enhance the scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-1 with

improved resolution.

● Chandrayaan-2 Mission is planned during early 2019.

Use of Space Technology for Border Management

Union Government has formed a Task Force for identifying areas for use of space technology in

improving border management headed by Joint Secretary (Border Management) with members from

Border Guarding Forces (BGFs) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

● The project will strengthen island and border security by providing observation,

communication and navigation capability to border guarding and internal security forces in

remote areas.

● It will also help Ministry of Home Affairs in planning and monitoring of development of border

and island infrastructure.

Details of the areas identified for use of space technology:

1. Island development and security

2. Border Surveillance

3. Communication and Navigation

4. GIS and Operations Planning System

5. Border Infrastructure Monitoring

LADIS – Least Available Depth Information System

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has launched a new portal LADIS – Least Available

Depth Information System that would ensure real-time information on available depth on stretches of

national waterways.

The portal:

● LADIS will ensure that real-time data on least available depths (LADs) is disseminated for ship,

barge and cargo owners so that they can undertake transportation on national waterways

(NWs) in a more planned way.

● It will assure depth of waterway is required for seamless movement of vessels.

● Initially LAD information will be available for NW-1, NW-2, Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route and

NW-3, along with the date of survey. The facility will be expanded to other NWs also.



● IWAI has designed LADIS to facilitate the day-to-day operations of inland vessels plying on NWs

and to avoid any hindrance in service and operation.

Cyber security - “Any Desk App”

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is warning all the online banking users against Any Desk App

fraudulent app stating that the app could first steal all your banking details and then all your money

from the bank account.

Key Facts:

● The Any Desk app works like a remote access service that takes control of your device and does

transactions on user’s behalf.

● Reportedly, the app can detect all your OTPs which means it can siphon off all your money

from bank account in minutes.

● As per the RBI alert message, all the online banking users are at risk but the UPI users are more

vulnerable to it.

About the App:

● The app download request can come from either social media or from the Play Store/App store

platforms.

● Once you have downloaded the app, the app will generate a nine-digit code on your device

which will be used by the hacker to access the data and SMS service on your device.

● The hacker via this method can hack any mobile-banking or payment apps.

Initiatives of Ministry of Electronics & IT

Digital India Compendium

● Digital Bharat, Saksham Bharat – A Compendium on Digital India covers the entire gamut of the

Digital India programme from policy to implementation perspective, highlighting the

transformation led by Digital India, a story of Digital Empowerment and Digital Inclusion.

● The compendium is brought out with an objective to disseminate and propagate the success of

Digital India among masses.

Digidhan Mitra Chatbot

● Designed and developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC), the AI based Digidhan Mitra

enables a text & voice based conversation with the user.

● It gives customized information in graphical, tabular and textual format.

● It provides bank wise transactions details as well as growth pattern of various modes of

transactions like BHIM, IMPS, and Cards etc. in tabular as well as graphical form.



Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) Scheme

● To promote the momentum into the tech entrepreneurship landscape.

● The Scheme provides financial and technical support to incubators engaged in supporting ICT

startups using emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, Block-chain, Robotics etc. in seven pre-

identified areas of societal relevance.

Param Shivay-supercomputer

The ‘Param Shivay’ Supercomputer of 833 teraflop capacity built at the cost of Rs 32.5 crore under the National Super Computing Mission at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was recently inaugurated. About Param Shivay:

● The ‘Param Shivay’ will include 1 peta byte secondary storage and appropriate open source

system and application software suite using 223 processor nodes, 384 GB per node DDR4 RAM,

parallel file system, including CPU and GPU.

● India’s first supercomputer called PARAM 8000 was launched in 1991.

Benefits:

● The problems of common man related to relevant social issues such as irrigation schemes,

traffic management, health, an affordable drug will also be taken care of with this

supercomputer centre.

● Scientists, teachers and research students, government research laboratories in adjacent

engineering colleges to IIT-BHU can avail benefits of the projects.

India to have own DNS for safe browsing

The Government of India will soon roll out a public Domain Name Server, or DNS for India.

● It aimed at providing a faster and more secure browsing experience for Internet users in the

country, while ensuring that citizens’ data is stored locally.

● To ensure availability, particularly for smaller Interest Service Providers (ISPs) who don’t have

credible DNS.

● The roll-out, which will be executed by the National Informatics Centre.

● The government’s system would prevent users from visiting malicious websites.

What is DNS?

A DNS is a like a directory for the Internet. It helps to convert domain names that are easy for people

to remember into IP addresses, which are used by computers/machines to communicate. If the DNS is

either slow or fails to work, users will not be able to locate web addresses.



4 .GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Gandhi Peace Prize

Gandhi Peace Prize for Social, Economic and Political transformation through Non-violence was

instituted in the year 1995. President of India will present the Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015,

2016, 2017 & 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The awardees are

1. Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari for the year 2015.

2. Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International for the year 2016 (Jointly).

3. Ekal Abhiyan Trust for the year 2017.

4. Sh Yohei Sasakawa for the year 2018.

Highlights:

● This annual award is given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations who have

worked selflessly for peace, non-violence and amelioration of human sufferings particularly of

the less-privileged section of society contributing towards social justice and harmony.

● The Award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or

gender. Normally, contributions made during ten years immediately preceding the nomination

are considered.

● Older contributions may also be considered if their significance has not become apparent

recently.

New railway zone - South Coast Railway (SCoR)

Indian Railways announces creation of a new zone with headquarter at Visakhapatnam. Key facts: The new zone named “South Coast Railway (SCoR)”, will comprise of existing Guntakal, Guntur

and Vijayawada divisions of Andhra Pradesh. Waltair division shall be split into two parts. 1. One part of Waltair division will be incorporated in the new zone i.e. in South Coast Railway and

will be merged with the neighbouring Vijayawada division. 2. Remaining portion of Waltair division shall be converted into a new division with headquarter at

Rayagada under East Coast Railway (ECoR). South Central Railway will comprise of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Nanded divisions.

5. MATERIAL SCIENCE

Inkjet printed solar panels

Scientist has developed a novel inkjet processing method for perovskites. A perovskite solar cell is a type of solar cell which includes a perovskite structured compound, most commonly a hybrid organic-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perovskite_structure



inorganic lead or tin halide-based material, as the light-harvesting active layer. Example for perovskite materials are methylammonium lead halides, all-inorganic cesium lead halide etc. Solar cell efficiencies of devices using these materials have increased from 3.8% in 2009 to 23.3% in late 2018. Perovskite solar cells are the fastest-advancing solar technology to date. The recent development makes it possible to produce solar panels under lower temperatures, thus sharply reducing costs.

Other advantages:

● Solar panels coated with peroviskites are light, flexible, efficient, in expensive and come in

varying hues and degrees of transparency.

● They can easily be fixed to almost any surface be it laptop, car, drone, spacecraft or building to

produce electricity.

Nano electronics based on graphene

A team of researchers from Denmark have solved one of the biggest challenges of making effective

nano electronics based on graphene – for instance by making a very fine pattern of holes that subtly

changes the quantum nature of the electrons, without preventing them from flow freely between the

holes.

Graphene:

● The graphene is ultra-thin - in fact, only one atom thick and therefore two-dimensional

● It is excellent for conducting electrical current

● It should be suited for brand new forms of electronics that are faster and more energy

efficient.

● It can be altered to perform many different tasks within e.g. electronics, photonics or sensors

simply by drawing tiny patterns in it.

● One task which was difficult, is to induce a band gap - which is crucial for making transistors.

Nanotech to help make affordable fuel cells

Scientists have developed a new method of increasing the reactivity of ultrathin nanosheets, just a

few atoms thick, an advancement that can make fuel cells for hydrogen cars cheaper in the future.

How does it work?

● Scientists manipulated the strain effect, or distance between atoms, causing the material to

change dramatically.

● By making those lattices incredibly thin, roughly a million times thinner than a strand of human

hair, the material becomes much easier to manipulate.

Benefits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_based_perovskite_solar_cells

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylammonium_lead_halide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiencies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiencies



● Fuel cells can reduce cost and clear the way for widespread adoption of green, renewable

energy.

● Researchers estimate that their new method can increase catalyst activity by 10 to 20 times,

using 90 per cent less of precious metals than what is currently required to power a fuel cell.

● To make environmentally-friendly cars more accessible for everybody.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Social development

Q.1 Consider the below statements with reference to Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana: 1. It is a scheme for both the organised and unorganised sector workers 2. It aims to provide an assured monthly pension 3. The Government will deposit equal matching share with the worker contribution in the pension

account every month Which of the above statements is/are correct? a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. 1 and 3 d. All of the above Q.2 Consider the below statements with reference to Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana:

1. The Banks under the scheme can be opened with zero balance



2. It includes the accident insurance of the account holder 3. The scheme does not provide overdraft facility to the account holder

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. 1 and 3 d. All of the above Q.3 Consider the following statements with reference to SATH-E Project:

1. The project being implemented by NITI Aayog 2. It aims to transform elementary and secondary school education 3. It envisages the entire governmental school education be digital driven


a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. 1,2 and 3 d. 1 and 3 Q.4 With reference to Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme, consider the below statements:

1. It is being launched by NITI Aayog 2. It aims to quickly and effectively transform some of most underdeveloped districts of the

country Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT?

a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5 The criterion to fix National Minimum Wage as per the expert committee report is/are:

1. A balanced diet approach including all nutrients required 2. Reasonable expenditure on essential non-food items

Select the correct answer code: a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2

3. Economic development

Q.6 With reference to Prompt Corrective Action, consider the below statements: 1. It is a corrective mechanism taken to monitor and control the financial positions of weak banks 2. Prompt Corrective Action in India is directly monitored by the Prime Minister Office.


a. 1 Only



b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.7 Consider the following statements with reference to Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme:

1. The capital gains tax arising on redemption of the bond has been exempted 2. Bonds will be tradable on stock exchanges 3. Bonds shall be transferable by execution of an instrument of transfer


a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. 1 and 3 d. All of the above Q.8 Consider the below statements with reference to Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme:

1. The scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various on-going schematic interventions.

2. It will promote the startups in MSME sector Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.9 The fiscal deficit is: a. The difference between revenue deficit of the current year and interest payments on the previous borrowings. b. The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government c. The difference between revenue expenditure of the government over its total revenue receipts d. None of the above Q.10 Consider the below statements with reference to Most Favoured Nation status:

1. It is a treatment accorded to a trade partner to ensure non-discriminatory trade between two countries vis-a-vis other trade partners

2. MFN status is against the WTO rules 3. Pakistan has revoked the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India recently.


a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. 1 only d. 1 and 3

4. Environment

Q.11 The St Petersburg Declaration recently in the news related to:



a. Global Tiger Recovery Program b. Global refugee Program c. Disaster risk reduction programme d. None of the above Q.12 The Bioremediation is a: a. It is the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism b. It is a process of accumulation of a certain substance, like a toxic chemical, in the tissues of an organism as we move up the food chain c. It is a branch of biotechnology which deals with the use of living organisms such as microbes and bacteria to remove contaminants, pollutants and toxins from soil and water d. None of the above Q.13 Consider the following statements with reference to nuclear waste disposal:

1. High-level intermediate wastes need to be disposed of deep underground in engineered facilities built in stable geological formations.

2. Intermediate-level wastes are buried close to the surface Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.14 Consider the below statements with reference to convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS):

1. It provides a global platform for the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats 2. It lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures 3. India is legally binding to the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes


a. 1 and 2 b. 2 and 3 c. All of the above d. 1 and 3 Q.15 The following are the benefits of Seaweeds:

1. They can be used as low-calorie and nutrient-dense food items 2. They are rich sources of vitamins A and C and minerals 3. They does not require pesticides and fertilisers for cultivation 4. They contribute about 50% of all photosynthesis in the world.

Select the correct answer code: a. 1,2 and 3 b. 2,3 and 4 c. 1,3 and 4 d. All of the above



5. Energy

Q.16 Recently Indian Railways has converted a diesel locomotive into an electric one, the following are the benefits of the project:

1. It contributes to green economy 2. It will reduce the track overuse 3. Lower carbon footprints 4. It will boost Make In India project

Select the correct answer code: a. 1,2,3 and 4 b. 2,3 and 4 c. 1,3 and 4 d. 1,2 and 3 Q.17 Consider the below statements with reference to Strategic Petroleum Reserve:

1. The reserves are maintained by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited 2. The reserves serve help in case of external supply disruptions


a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2

6. Information and Communication Technology

Q.18 Consider the below statements with reference to Blockchain technology: 1. The data in a block cannot be changed by any algorithm. 2. The data on the blockchain can be encrypted.


a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.19 Consider the following statements with reference to RESPOND programme:

1. Encourages academia to participate in the R & D activities related to space 2. The programme is managed by Indian Space research Organisation


a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.20 Consider the below statements with reference to Param Shivay:

1. It is India’s first supercomputer 2. It is utilized for solving the problems of common men and relevant social issues




a. 1 Only b. 2 Only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Q.21 The Jan Dhan Darshak is a: Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. Digital literacy program b. A citizen centric platform for locating financial service touch points c. A financial inclusion programme d. Campaign by government to improve digital literacy

7. GK and Other topics

Q.22 The largest rail tunnel in India is: a. Balaramapuram tunnel b. Pir Panjal tunnel c. Sangaldan tunnel d. None of the above Q.23 The Reserve Bank of India follows the financial year: a. April-March b. July-June c. January- December d. October-November Q.24 The Gandhi peace prize is given by a. The united nations organisation b. Government of India c. The red cross society d. Government of South Africa Key Q.1 Answer: B Explanation: Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana is a scheme for the unorganised sector workers with monthly income upto Rs 15,000. Q.2 Answer: A Q.3 Answer: A Q.4 Answer: D

Explanation: Aspirational District Programme envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on five parameters health and nutrition, education, financial inclusion, skill development, agriculture and water resources and basic infrastructure. Q.5 Answer: C



Q.6 Answer: C

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India takes care of Prompt Corrective Action. Q.7 Answer: D Q.8 Answer: A Q.9 Answer: B Q.10 Answer: C Explanation: Pakistan has not granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Q.11 Answer: A Q.12 Answer: C Q.13 Answer: A

Explanation: Intermediate and low-level wastes are disposed of closer to the surface, in many established repositories. Low-level waste disposal sites are purpose built, but are not much different from normal municipal waste sites. High-level wastes can remain highly radioactive for thousands of years. They need to be disposed of deep underground in engineered facilities built in stable geological formations. Q.14 Answer: A

Explanation: India has signed non legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016). Q.15 Answer: D Q.16 Answer: C Q.17 Answer: C Q.18 Answer: B

Explanation: Blockchain technology is a database, where the data gets verified with a piece of an algorithm. This means that the data in a block cannot be changed without altering subsequent blocks. If it is possible to change data in all subsequent blocks, the data can be changed. Q.19 Answer: C Q.20 Answer: B Q.21 Answer: B Q.22 Answer: B Q.23 Answer: B Q.24 Answer: B

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