2017: Point-Wise CA and GS Articles

Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). The total debt of all state-owned discoms was Rs. 3.95 lakh crore. 26 states and 1 UT to have joined UDAY scheme have total outstanding debt of Rs. 3.82 lakh crore amounting to 97 %… (112 more words) …

Rare ‘white tiger’ with a pale skin colour was spotted for the first time in the Nilgiris. The tiger spotted in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is albino but was white with golden brown patches.

HRD Ministry to remove no-detention policy from the next academic year. The rule stated that Under the Right to Education Act, no child was to be detained or held back in any class or expelled till the completion of elementary… (167 more words) …

The United Nations has adopted a historic global treaty banning nuclear weapons adopted by a vote of 122 members with Netherlands the only country voting against and Singapore abstaining from voting.

India and Bangladesh to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river) for trade and communication. This was decided in a meet in Tlabung town in Mamit district of Mizoram adjacent to Khagrachari district of Southeast… (115 more words) …

‘Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in unauthorised electronic banking transactions’. This is to ease recent increase in customer grievances and also matches international standards.

Research conducted by the Centre for International Development at Harvard University (CID) concluded that India will be economic pole of global growth with the economic pole of global growth having moved from China to India. With 7.7 % annual growth,… (352 more words) …

India will join Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC) - newly-constituted forum of central bankers and experts for promotion of a robust and transparent foreign exchange (Forex) market. Committee set up under guidance of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

Karnataka Government constitutes a nine-member committee for possibility of designing a separate state flag. Jammu and Kashmir is only state having separate flag of its own due to special status granted by Article 370 of the Constitution.

Vietnam has granted ONGC Videsh a two-year extension to explore oil block 128 in the South China Sea. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has bought 1.6 million barrels of US Mars crude (a heavy, high-sulphur grade) and 400, 000 barrels of… (304 more words) …

The 12^th G-20 summit in Germany’s Hamburg city adopted Hamburg Action Plan for achieving strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth by tackling climate change, harnessing digitalization, and sustainable prosperity and well-being.

PM Modi’s visit to Israel resulted in signing of seven agreements on areas including space, tech, and agriculture. The other prominent takeaways of the visit include OCI Card, strategic partnership, and technological fund.

The Income Tax Department launched online facility to enable payment of taxes, tracking of tax deducted at source and filing of applications for permanent account numbers (PAN) called ‘Aaykar Setu’.

After cooperative federalism now ‘competitive cooperative federalism’ defines the relation between centre and states with onus on states to drive transformation in India. Top bureaucracy of states and union territories “to remain ever mindful of the credo of competitive cooperative… (308 more words) …

’MERIT app or Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency and the e-bidding portal provide e-Bidding solution to States to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the… (489 more words) …

Ahmedabad became the first Indian World Heritage City of UNESCO. Several factors worked for Ahmedabad which is home to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram. Other major cities include Paris, Vienna, Cairo, Brussels, Rome, and Edinburgh. Ahmedabad is one of the only… (231 more words) …

In order to double farmers’ income by 2022 many schemes were launched. Two most important once are National Agricultural Markets and Soil Health Card. The following are most important pillars towards this goal:

• Cost of production should be reduced and… (304 more words) …

In the first such visit to the country by an Indian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel from July 4 - 6, 2017 at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Some candidates, belonging to Minority communities, selected in the prestigious civil services examination will get financial assistance under “Nai Udaan” scheme, for coaching and preparation of competitive exams.

• Financial assistance under “Nai… (200 more words) …

Jigyasa, a student- scientist connect programme was launched in which Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), joined hands with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to promote scientific temperament in the students.

National Summit on Good, Replicable Practices, and Innovations in Public Health Care Systems is important national summit of hospital management. The theme for this year was meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Another important focus was National Health Policy, 2017 which… (316 more words) …

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is a modern economic legislation. Section 240 empowers the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) to make regulations subject to the conditions:

Shri Achal Kumar Joti has assumed charge as the 21^st Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, succeeding Dr. Nasim Zaidi making it the clear his commitment to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections throughout the country and ensuring… (148 more words) …

India had reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza at various epicenters in Delhi, Gwalior (MP), Rajpura (Punjab), Hissar (Haryana), Bellary (Karnataka), Allappuzha and Kottayam (Kerala), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Daman (Daman) and Khordha and Angul (Odisha during October, 2016 to February,… (148 more words) …

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is an Indian constitutional body was established through Constitution (89^th Amendment) Act, 2003 to safeguard the interests of Scheduled Tribes.

Composition

Comprises of… (77 more words) …

Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centres will provide short term job oriented skill development course for youths belonging to minority communities. Besides providing various job-oriented skill development courses, Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centres of Ministry of Minority Affairs will also offer… (209 more words) …

Around 338 delegates from Government and Civil Aviation sector participated in the first edition of WINGS-2017 whichbrought together Aviation Sector such as States, Tourism Departments and Tour Operators.

SWAYAM, 32 SWAYAM Prabha DTH Channels and National Academic Depository were launched at the National Convention on Digital Initiatives organized by Ministry of Human Resource Development

• Spread of technology, telecom… (661 more words) …

Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise with United States, Japan, and India in the Indian Ocean. Japan became a permanent partner in 2015. Australia and Singapore were partners. It began in 1992 including activities ranging from fighter combat operations… (427 more words) …

Historically, India and China have had relations for more than 2, 000 years, but the modern relationship began in 1950 when India was among the first countries to end formal ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and recognize the… (205 more words) …

Cold Start military doctrine was developed Indian Army for possible war with Pakistan. It aims to efficiently involve all sub-parts of Indian military for offensive operations. Cold Start doctrine allows conventional forces in order to prevent a nuclear retaliation from… (424 more words) …

India’s biggest Global Skill Park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES).

Union Government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed $220 million loan agreement on State Highways of Rajasthan. Part of first part of the $500 million Rajasthan State Highways Investment Program, approved by ADB Board in May 201 7 to upgrade… (133 more words) …

Standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam (located at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan) underlines India’s relationship with Bhutan, including military responsibilities.

Background

• June 2017:… (228 more words) …

The Sundarbans in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal is one of the natural wonders of the world. Forest is located in the delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins and extends across Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat,… (404 more words) …

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare started the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation in the year 2014 - 15 with an objective to promote agricultural mechanisation among small and marginal farmers and in the areas where the level of mechanisation is… (564 more words) …

Van Mahotsav, an annual tree-planting movement in India began in 1950. The name Van Mahotsava means “the festival of trees”. It has gained significant national importance and, every year, millions of saplings are planted across India in observation of Van… (204 more words) …

PM Modi inaugurated the filling of Aji Dam near Rajkot under Sauni Yojana. Aji River is one of the main rivers of saurashtra (region), Gujarat State. It is called the lifeline of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts.… (93 more words) …

The Slum Yuva Daud of the Adopt Slum Campaign initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan involves groups like NSS, public schools, RWAs, NGOs and clubs etc. A total 11 Slum Yuva Runs… (544 more words) …

“President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman” gifted from Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to President. It is comprehensive photographic record of India’s 13^th President. Covers Shri Mukherjee’s Presidency and documents his roles- humane first citizen, patron of educational institutions,… (77 more words) …

Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C) launched a new training programme Comprehensive Online Modified Modules on Induction Training (COMMIT) for State Government officials.

• Improve… (136 more words) …

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the 125^th birth anniversary celebrations of Professor P. C. Mahalanobis in Kolkata. Indian Statistical Institute started by Prof. Mahalanobis imparts high quality education.

Because of unregulated ozone-depleting substance in the environment, the recovery of Antarctic ozone levels can be delayed by five to 30 years. Previously ignored chemical called dichloromethane may be contributing to ozone depletion.

• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete… (173 more words) …

National Data Repository (NDR) and Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) provide progressive, market driven Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) is investor friendly world-class policy for the next bidding round.

Latest communication satellite GSAT-17. Heavy duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana (Flight VA238), 3, 477 kg Launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

• Carries payloads in… (643 more words) …

Rooftop solar to be norm in the country by 2040, according to Niti Aayog’s draft National Energy Policy (NEP). Increased electricity share may not be viable to tap rooftop solar for homes.

• Share of solar and wind is expected to… (390 more words) …

It is an Industry-Academia Collaborative for Accelerating Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals. Program under Innovate in India (i3) with investment of USD 250 million with USD 125 million loan from World Bank to create an enabling ecosystem promoting… (316 more words) …

The two countries to enhance cooperation at the national, regional, and international level to design, implement and monitor National Water Conservation campaign in India. Agree to work on the water conservation campaign to achieve the following objectives:

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval based on the recommendations of Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment (CGD) and fourth tranche recommendation of NITI Aayog on strategic disinvestment of CPSE.

Coordination and interactions among the six Sub-Groups proposed under Homeland Security Dialogue between the two countries (HSPD-6): Ready access to information on Internet content hosted on US-based servers for counter-terror operations.