2017: Point-Wise CA and GS Articles

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aimed at providing financial services to the poor: Opening bank accounts for the poor. Giving them electronic means of payment (via RUPAY cards)

• Placing… (409 more words) …

NITI Aayog launched Ease of Doing Business report based on an Enterprise Survey of 3, 500 manufacturing firms across India. Survey assesses the business regulations and enabling environment across India from firms’ perspective.

Indian scientists discovered Nasikabatrachus bhupathi, a new species of frog in Western Ghats with snout-shaped nose, just like a pig. It has been named after the Indian herpetologist S. Bhupathy.

India is hosting the next steering committee meeting of 1, 814 km long Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline as decided by sixth joint India-Turkmenistan Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation.

The United States named Pakistan based Kashmiri terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen as a “Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) ” paving way for a series of US sanctions dealing blow to Pakistan projecting the militant group as a voice of Kashmiri people… (208 more words) …

Researchers from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) - Bombay and Indore jointly developed a biosensor to detect kidney disorders in less than eight minutes measuring both the pH and urea concentration with a single drop of urine.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) inaugurated Ocean Forecasting System for Indian Ocean countries Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique at the third Meeting of Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Asia and Africa (RIMES) at Port Moresby, Papua… (287 more words) …

The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) has launched world’s first diamond futures contracts providing exporters with means to contain their losses. ICEX received approval from market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for trading in diamond futures contracts.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests was observed on 29^th August to raise awareness against nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions. Seeks to promote peace and security and prevent nuclear catastrophes to avert devastating effects on… (833 more words) …

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) launching Deep Ocean Mission for research in ocean science and developing technology to harness ocean resources to Explore India’s 7, 500 km coastline and 2.4 million square km of exclusive economic zone (EEZ).… (281 more words) …

Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) granted geographical indication (GI) status to Gobindobhog rice, a specialty from Burdwan district of West Bengal. South Damodar belt is traditional area of Gobindobhog rice cultivation.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - UN global nuclear watchdog opened world’s first Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank in Oskemen in Kazakhstan. First of its kind LEU bank not to be under control of any individual country.

(NITI) Aayog has suggested judicial performance index (JPI) to check delay in finalization of cases in lower judiciary. Suggested as part of ’Three Year Action Agenda (2017 - 20) recommendations” for reforms to expedite justice delivery system, particularly lower courts.… (249 more words) …

CAG is constitutional office under article 148 appointed by President of India for period of 6 years or up to age of 65 years, whichever earlier. CAG is ranked 9^th highest office and enjoys the same status as a… (346 more words) …

Assam Government extended the term of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 declaring entire state “Disturbed Area” for six months under Section 3 of AFSP Act. First time a state government has extended AFSPA and Disturbed Area provision on… (416 more words) …

Swedish defence company-SAAB and India’s Adani Group have agreed to collaborate in defence manufacturing. Partnership for design, development, and production of single engine Gripen fighter jets under ‘Make in India’.

Nirmala Sitharaman (58) became first full time woman Defence Minister of India. She is second woman to become Defence Minister, first being Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who held additional defence portfolio from 1980 - 82.

Earth-sized planets orbiting ultra-cool TRAPPIST-1 dwarf star likely have great amounts of water and might be habitable as found by joint team of European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.

• New study found… (197 more words) …

BRICS Inter bank Cooperation Mechanism (ICM) Banks agreed to establish and cooperate on local currency credit lines. Allows five banks to extend credit lines in local currencies to BRICS ICM members and BRICS companies against guarantees of signatory banks.