pk

Contents11 SEPT..................................................................................................................................................................................3

12 SEPT..................................................................................................................................................................................4

................................................................................................................................................................................Udaan.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

BILL ASSENTED BY PRESIDENT DURING September..............................................................................................................6

FOOD SECURITY BILL:........................................................................................................................................................7

10th Oct: East Asian Summit..................................................................................................................................................8

MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES - CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME..........................................................................12

17th Oct................................................................................................................................................................................13

3-Member Supervisory Committee on the Babhali Barrage............................................................................................13

Electoral questions..........................................................................................................................................................14

...................................................................................................................................................................RBD Palmolein........................................................................................................................................................................................15

19th Oct................................................................................................................................................................................16

23rd Oct................................................................................................................................................................................18

6th&7th Nov..........................................................................................................................................................................18

BEIJING DECLERATION: “Global Health- Access to Medicine”,........................................................................................18

8th November.......................................................................................................................................................................18

RABI CROP: Wheat pulse, coarse grain, sugarcane, oil seeds, pulse, Rice: sown in sept/oct.........................................19

Jan Aushadhi Scheme: Suggestions invited.....................................................................................................................19

11th November.....................................................................................................................................................................19

................................................................................................................................................................................ASEM:........................................................................................................................................................................................19

GANGA JAMUNI TEHZEEB...................................................................................................................................................19

12th November.....................................................................................................................................................................20

13th Nov: Sporting fraud bill,CSIR-Infosys Prize, INT. Law, ZAID CROP.................................................................................21

16th Nov: H index,INS Vikramaditya, Bangaru Talli..............................................................................................................22

17th Nov:..............................................................................................................................................................................22

Delhi Communique : JAN 2013........................................................................................................................................22

Science Advisory Council factsheet.................................................................................................................................23

1

Department of Agricultural Research and Education..........................................................................................................26

1-21 May 2014....................................................................................................................................................................31

There is confirmed existence of element “UNUNSEPTIUM ” it is 40% heavier than an atom of lead....31

22-31 May 2014: SIT, High seas, SIMBEX,  Drishti, ICJ, Mobile Seva, Rid.Turtle, TGCN, MidEast Syndrom,RhoDis.............34

.........................Is UNCITRAL part of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? Check pg 15 Mrunal imp assorted........................................................................................................................................................................................34

1st -2nd June 2014.................................................................................................................................................................37

. Velocirobot’ : Robotic dinosaur which can faster than Usain Bolt (now extinct velociraptor,)..............................................37

11 July 2014...................................................................................................................................................................39

2014 August..................................................................................................................................................................39

SEPTEMBER 2014 KALA AZAR, AGRI FST TRACK,Medicine,UREA, Suhurtham, WrldHeritg, SAARC, GangaParv,SwachBhart. . . .41

MAKE iN iNDIA...........................................................................................................................................................49

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana’- DAY for urban and rural........................................................................49

October 2014UBA, NGT,Butrfly survy,TB2020,KenBetwa,HijriCalendr,AIIB..................................................................50

India-Mexico sign pacts for space cooperation.......................................................................................................54

Nigeria declared Ebola free by World Health Organisation......................................................................................54

Ebola virus...........................................................................................................................................................54

2

11 SEPT ‘ Vikram   Udyogpuri ’ Project will have sustainable economic base primarily driven by industries (manufacturing) integrated

with institutional (public and semi-public use) and supported by residential land use and commercial activities. ‘Vikram Udyogpuri’ is located about 8km from Ujjain and 12km from Dewas

  Integrated Multi Modal Logistic Hub,   Rewari will provide facilities for large, small and medium enterprises which will be benefitted from the proximity to the logistics hub.

  Integrated Industrial Township at Greater   Noida  to promote sustainable development. The township will act as a magnet to promote R&D activities, and will subsequently promote industrial development,

Logistic Data Bank Project for Tracking Container Cargo Movement on Integrated Basis

The project developed by NEC Corporation of Japan to address the issue of tracking and viewing the movement of

containers across the ports to the ICDs and end users. The LDB would also provide value added services including

comparative metric based analysis. This would enable the Government of India, State Governments, importers, exporters

and other stakeholders to assess comparative performance; identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks to develop strategies to

ensure the development of the sector.

Trai Recommendations on Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies The salient features of the recommendations are: i.       The Authority supports self-regulation of television ratings through an industry-led body like Broadcast Audience

Research Council (BARC). ii.     To ensure that the shortcomings of the present system are addressed guidelines have been recommended. iii.    Any agency meeting the eligibility conditions can apply and get registered with MIB for doing the rating work. iv.    MIB to notify the guidelines for regulating the television rating agencies based on TRAI’s recommendations, within two

months. v.      All rating agencies are required to comply with the guidelines. vi.    Guidelines to cover registration, eligibility norms, cross-holding, methodology, complaint redressal, sale & use of ratings,

audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and penal provisions. vii.   The number of panel homes for collecting television viewership data will be a minimum of 20,000; to be set up within 6

months of the guidelines coming into force. Thereafter, the number of panel homes shall be increased by 10,000 every year until Panel Size reaches 50,000.

viii. The panel homes to be selected from a pool of households, selected through an establishment survey which shall be at least 10 times the number of panel homes for audience measurement.

ix.    Voluntary code of conduct by the industry for maintaining secrecy and privacy of the panel homes. x.      Restrictions on ‘substantial equity holding of 10% or more’ between rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/ advertising agencies.

xi.    The rating agency to set up an effective complaint redressal system.xii.  Data/reports generated by the rating agency to be made available, on paid basis, to all interested stakeholders in a

transparent and equitable manner.xiii. The rating agency to get its entire methodology/processes audited internally on quarterly basis and through an

independent auditor annually. All audit reports to be put on the website of the rating agency.xiv. Penal provisions for non-compliance of guidelines including financial penalty from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore and

cancellation of registration.xv.   Six months time given to the existing rating agency to comply with the guidelines.

3

12 SEPT Udaan Based on the recommendations of the Expert Group constituted by the Prime Minister under the

chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, the Government of India launched the Scheme Special Industry

Initiative for Jammu & Kashmir in the nature of partnership between the corporate sector and Ministry of

Home Affairs. The scheme is being implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The

programme aims at providing the skill and enhances employability of unemployed youths of J&K who are

graduate or in final year of graduation. 37 leading corporates have partnered with NSDC under Udaan to train more than 57,000 youth from the State over the next 5 years covering Organized Retail, Banking, Financial Services, IT etc.

UNESCO on “Advancing towards a Literate Twenty-first Century” said that Saakshar Bharat is the world’s largest literacy programme with a futuristic vision and contemporary character, design and architecture.

India to enter into Special Private Placement Bonds (SPPBs) arrangement with International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (part of World Bank Group) for enabling India to have additional borrowing space of US $ 4.3 billion above the Single Borrower Limit (SBL), RBI would invest in SPPBs of the IBRD. The IBRD would be able to lend to India US$ 4.3 billion above the Single Borrower Limit of US$ 17.5 billion, i. e. up to US$ 21.8 billion. The investment by the RBI is to ameliorate the concentration risk policy of the IBRD loans to India. The same terms and conditions that is generally applicable for IBRD loans to all clients, including India, will be applicable for the loans above the SBL.

Ethoxyquin : an antioxidant used for preserving pet foods which is at times used as a pesticide as it prevents breaking of fat bonds in food and helps to preserve it for a long time.

14 SEPT National Integration Council (NIC) under Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India NIC was constituted

to combat the evils of communalism, casteism, regionalism, linguism and narrow-mindedness as a follow up of National Intergration Conference under the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in September-

October, 1961. First meeting of NIC was held in 1962. Objectives : unity in diversity, freedom of

religions, secularism, equality, justice-social-economic and political, and fraternity among all communities.

15 SEPT Coinciding with the harvest season, Onam marks a joyful completion of human efforts. falls during the

Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the marks the commemoration

of Vamana avatara of Vishnu and homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten

days.  It is also the Harvest festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve

(Uthradom)

Thrikkakara Temple is one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana. Situated in Kerala- Cochin.

It is of great imp. In onam festival. The Pakalpooram is a grand procession held on the penultimate (9th) day

of the celebrations. A similar procession, called Seeveli, is also held on the final day

4

The navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) ensured the Missile reach the target point within a few meters of accuracy for the AGNI-V test flight.

HTML5 evolved, HTML5 standard is evolved by W3C to meet the goal of Open Web Platform. It provides a full programming environment for cross-platform applications with access to device capabilities, video and animations, graphics, style, typography, and other tools for digital publishing, extensive network capabilities and capable of making the Web useful on mobile and wireless devices,

Slaughter of animals for food is a State subject and regulated by local bodies through licensing of slaughterhouses and retail meat shops. Laxmi Narain Modi versus Union of India and others – has directed all State Governments and Union Territories to constitute

1. committees for slaughterhouses to fulfilmandatory requirements under various legislations dealing with the functioning of slaughterhouses in the country.

2. The functions of the State Committees as mandated by the Court include preparing database of slaughterhouses,

3. recommending modernisation of old slaughterhouses, 4. identification of unlicensed and unlawful slaughterhouses and5. to crack down on these with the help of local administration and law enforcing agencies and to check for

child labour. Germany to Finance India’s Green Energy Corridors: Green Energy Corridors project will help in

integrating renewable energy into the National grid. It comprises of both inter-state and intra-state schemes for evacuation of power from wind and solar projects. It is under Indo-German Bilateral Development Cooperation Programme over the next six years

18 th SEPT and 20 th sept A DTAA, Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed b/w India and Lativia. The DTAA provides that business

profits will be taxable in the source if the activities of an enterprise constitute a permanent establishment (PE) in the source state.

CCEA approved ongoing centrally sponsored scheme of National Food Security Mission: 12 th 5 yr plan, Mission’s main focus: cropping systems instead of individual crops and inclusion of coarse cereals through development of Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs), creating value chains and providing market linkages.

The FCI has been constructing high-capacity godowns across the country in the last one year through government schemes as well as public-private participation (PPP), besides modernizing the storage facilities by building state-of-the-art silos for maintaining global standards in storage and distribution. Construction of such godowns in Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala,

Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Under the 2 million tonne -capacity, 1.5 million tonne will be built under

the ‘Build, Own and Transfer’ model and the rest under ‘Build, Own and Operate’ model.

5

‘Ultra- Mega Green Solar Power Project’ in Rajasthan in the SSL (Sambhar Salts Limited), world’s biggest solar

power development.

BILL ASSENTED BY PRESIDENT DURING September

  PFRDA Bill,   Companies bill: 2013, Food Security Bill, The Registration (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2009, the Indian Partnership (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill, 2013, the Indian Stamp (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Indian Stamp (Tamil Nadu Third Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, 2011, the Revenue Recovery (Uttaranchal Amendment) Bill, 2006, the Gujarat Co-operative Societies ( Second Amendment) Bill, 2013, the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Area) Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) (Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Annamalai University Bill, 2013

 PFRDA Bill: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority :26% FDI allowed,

investment of funds in equity mkt., status of Statutory Authority, subscribers of New

Pension Scheme (NPS) can opt for minimum return schemes or higher risk based returns

on investments. NPS mandatory for all new government recruits, except armed forces, joining

after 01/01/04

Companies Bill 2013 are:-

The concept of “One Person Company” has been introduced for the first time.

Compulsion of e-governance on all compulsory process.

Mandatory transfer of 2% of average net profit of preceding three years for CSR.

Compulsory internal audit for different class of companies.

Appointment of auditors at annual general meeting (AGM) of company has extended to five years

, instead of annual appointment /retirement(other than government company)

In case of listed companies 1/3rd of total no of directors must be “independent directors”

Manager or MD or CEO as whole time director, CFO and company secretary as key “managerial

personnel”.

Prohibits insider trading of securities.

The maximum no. of member for private company has increased to 200 from 50.

National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards (NACAS) has been renamed has National

Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).

It also highlights on annual ratification of appointment of auditors.

There is no ceiling on no. of members/partners as to associations or partnership formed by

professionals by special acts.6

It highlights on the appointment of at least one women director in the company.

The companies bill redefines’ the term “subsidiary”, “control” and associate “company”.

Under the Companies Bill 2013   statutory   status will be conferred upon the Serious Fraud

Investigation Office (SFIO)

FOOD SECURITY BILL: Priority household: 5kg of food grains and Antyoday: 35kg p.m These may be revised after three years.

Children’s Entitlements: 6 months to 6 years: an age-appropriate meal, free of charge, through the local

anganwadi. 6-14 years, one free mid-day meal every day (except on school holidays) in all

government and government-aided shools, up to Class VIII. For children below six months,

“exclusive breastfeeding shall be promoted”. For children who suffer from malnutrition, meals will be provided

to them free of charge “through the local anganwadi”.

Pregnant and Lactating Women: free meal at the local anganwadi (6 months after pregnancy),

maternity benefits of Rs 6,000, in instalments.

identification of eligible households is left to state governments, subject to the scheme’s

guidelines for Antyodaya, and subject to guidelines to be “specified” by the state government for

Priority households

two-tier grievance redressal structure: District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) and State

Food Commission. DGRO: appointed by state governments for each district to hear complaints

and take necessary action according to norms to be prescribed by state governments. If a

complainant is not satisfied, he or she may file an appeal before the State Food Commission.

State Food Commissions. to monitor the implementation of the Act, give advice to the states

governments and their agencies, State Commissions also have to hear appeals against orders of

the District Grievance Redressal Officer and prepare annual reports.

Mandatory transparency provisions include: (1) placing all PDS-related records in the public

domain; (2) conducting periodic social audits of the PDS and other welfare schemes; (3) using

information and communication technology “to ensure transparent recording of transactions at all

levels”; (4) setting up vigilance committees at all levels to supervise all schemes under the Act.

Food Commissions have powers to impose penalties.

progressively undertake” various PDS reforms, including: doorstep delivery of foodgrains; end-to-

end computerisation; leveraging “aadhaar” (UID) for unique identification of entitled beneficiaries;

full transparency of records; preference to public institutions or bodies in licensing of fair price

shops; management of fair price shops by women or their collectives; diversification of

commodities distributed under the PDS; full transparency of records; and “introducing schemes

such as cash transfer, food coupons or other schemes to the targeted beneficiaries in order to

ensure their foodgrain entitlements” as prescribed by the central government. - See more at:

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http://quest-education.com/index.php/2013/09/national-food-security-bill-nfsb-2013-all-you-need-

to-know/#sthash.GwRb3Dd9.dpuf

10 th Oct

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, launched a $1 billion offshore bond program—the largest of its kind in the offshore rupee market—to strengthen India’s capital markets. Under the program, IFC will issue rupee-linked bonds and use the proceeds to finance private sector investment in the country.

IFC is the first international or corporate issuer of local-currency bonds in a market. When issuing local-currency bonds, IFC works closely with regulators and market participants to refine the regulatory framework, encouraging greater participation in the local markets and providing a model for other international issuers

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)" is an innovative programme

sponsored and managed by the Department of Science & Technology for attraction of talent to

Science. The basic objective of INSPIRE is to communicate to the youth of the country the

excitements of creative pursuit of science, attract talent to the study of science at an early age

and thus build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the

Science & Technology system and R&D base. INSPIRE has three components:

   i.     Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent      (SEATS)   ii.    Scholarship for Higher Education             (SHE)   iii.   Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC)

EARLY HARVEST SCHEME: Early harvest refers to the mutual reduction in tariffs on few products prior to

entering into a full fledged free trade agreement.

10 th Oct: East Asian Summit

8

13 th and 14 th Oct In 12th FYP, National Rural Drinking Water Plan:  special emphasis on piped water supply in rural

habitations. The State Governments, in consultation with the Central Ministry, prepare Annual Action

Plans (AAP) each year, to implement rural water supply schemes to cover partially covered and quality

affected habitations and for other activities. 

9

 14 October, the members of the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), the International

Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrate

World Standards Day,

  the Government of India has been funding the BIS under Five Year Plan Scheme for `National

System for Standardization` in intensifying India`s participation in such meetings on international

standardization

BIS is formulating Indian Standards in line with national priorities in a time-bound manner. The BIS has

formulated over 19,000 standards on diverse subjects ranging from food, chemicals, engineering and

textiles to high technology areas of electronics with a focus on their conformity to international standards.

The BIS has done extensive work in this area and brought out a number of standards covering food safety

requirements for street food vendors (IS 16066), good retail management practices across food supply

chain (IS 16019), hygienic practices applicable throughout food supply chain (IS 16020) and on effective

manufacturing practices in food processing (IS 16021). Another important area is consumption of energy.

International Standard ISO 26000 ‘Social Accountability at the work place – Requirements’ has been

developed in which India as an ISO member, through the BIS, had played an active role, and has also

adopted it as an Indian Standard. 

 ISO 50001 ‘Energy Management Systems – Requirements’, supports organizations in all sectors to use

energy more efficiently through the development and compliance of an Energy Management System

(EnMS). The BIS has come forward in adopting this standard, and the Indian industry is also applying the

guidelines given in the standard to demonstrate that it manages energy efficiently.  What is ISO?   ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national

standards bodies, at present comprising 140 members, one in each country.

BIS is the National Standards Body of India and is a founder member of ISO.  BIS represents India, in ISO.

 a deep sea exploration ship ‘RV Samudra Ratnakar’ introduced in Navy. It will be used for geological,

geophysical and geochemical explorations in the offshore areas. It is unique multitasking and multi-disciplinary

ship  to carry out sea-bed mapping, mineral exploration etc. in the deep waters and also research activities.

Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries. It has Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), Heading and Motion

sensors and Dynamic Positioning System to keep it stationary during coring operations. It is used to know

unknown complexities besides searching for deep-sea mineral resources both within the Exclusive Economic

Zone (EEZ) of India and International Waters. 

‘Izzat’ Monthly Season Ticket (Izzat MST), scheme to reach low income category people. To avail it person to

show : income certificate from local government officials ( income certificate from District Magistrate or on BPL Card or any

other certificate issued by Central Government under a recognized poverty alleviation programme including ration cards issued to persons

10

under ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana”, Izzat MST will be issued directly on production of residence proof ) and a copy of Photo identity Card cum residential proof.

15 th Oct

INS Sunayna, the second of the NOPV (Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel) class of ship was commissioned . built

at Goa Shipyard Limited, and will meet the increasing ocean surveillance and patrolling requirements of the

Indian Navy, designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance

and monitoring of Sea Lines of Communications and offshore assets, and escort duties. It has Communication

and Electronic Support Systems, Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) and CHAFF launchers. INS Sunayna can

also carry a helicopter.

Under PMEGP(PM employment Gurantee Prog.) people given job in Punjab, Under the Cluster Development

Programme 23 interventions in Punjab.

 South Asian Free Trade Area or SAFTA is an agreement reached on 6 January 2004 at the 12th SAARC

summit inIslamabad, Pakistan. It created a free trade area of 1.6 billion people

in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal,Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its aim to   to reduce   customs

duties   of all traded   goods   to zero by the year 2016.  In the final five-year phase ending 2012, the 20 percent

duty will be reduced to zero in a series of annual cuts. The least developed nations in South Asia (Nepal,

Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives) have an additional three years to reduce tariffs to zero. India

and Pakistan ratified the treaty in 2009, whereas Afghanistan as the 8th memberstate of the SAARC ratified the

SAFTA protocol. objective of the agreement is to promote good competition in the free trade area and to

provide equitable benefits to all the countries involved in the contracts.

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit linked subsidy programme of

Government of India. It has been introduced by merging the two schemes, namely, Prime Minister’s Rojgar

Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP).

 Objective: To generate employment opportunities in rural and urban through new self-

employment ventures / projects / micro enterprises., bring together widely dispersed

traditional artisans /rural and urban unemployed youth and give them self-employment

Nature of loan: Term loan & Cash Credit facility.

Eligibility: Above 18 yrs, no income ceiling, but for stting project above 10 lk and 5 lk

in manufacturing, should be 8th pass, assistance only for new projects, SHG, cooperatives and

charitable trust also eligible for PMEGP, Max cost of project in SVC sector: 10lk and

Manufacturing: 25Lk

Nodal Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) will be the single National

level nodal implementation agency, At the State level:  State KVIC Directorates, state

KVIB and District Industries Centers

11

MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES - CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME  

GoI has adopted the cluster development approach as a key strategy for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and their collectives in the country. Clustering of units also enables providers of various services to them, including banks and credit agencies, to provide their services more economically, thus reducing costs and improving the availability of services for these enterprises. 

Objectives of the Scheme:To support the sustainability and growth of MSEs by addressing common issues such as improvement of technology, skills and quality, market access, access to capital, etc.

ii. To build capacity of MSEs for common supportive action through formation of self help groups, consortia, upgradation of associations, etc.

iii. To create/upgrade infrastructural facilities in the new/existing industrial areas/ clusters of MSEs.iv. To set up common facility centres (for testing, training centre, raw material depot, effluent treatment,

complementing production processes, etc).

  Scope of the scheme:

  Diagnostic Study Soft Intervention

 Setting up of Common Facility Centres(CFCs).

Infrastucture Development (Upgradation / New)

  Cost of Project and Govt of India Assistance:  Diagnostic Study - Maximum cost Rs. 2.50 lakhs.

  Soft interventions - Maximum cost of project Rs. 25.00 lakh, with GoI contribution of 75% (90% for Special Category States and for clusters with more than 50% women/micro/village/SC/ST units).

Walking Tours’ by ministry of tourism is a unique and exciting product that will enable users to navigate and

route their way through cities based on a number of interesting themes. full blown 360-degree views 

Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) provides plan support for modernization of textiles industry in

the form of interest reimbursement and capital subsidy

F.C.N.R. (B) Deposit Scheme

1. What is FCNR (B) A/c?

- Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) Account.

2. Who can open FCNR (B)a/cs?

- The a/c can only be opened in the name of NRI individuals – single/joint.

3. Who is Non-resident Indian / Persons of Indian origin?

- Those Indian residents, who are in employment, studying and staying permanently abroad and foreign nationals (except

of Pakistan and Bangladesh), with their origin in India. Students proceeding abroad for 12

higher studies are treated as Non-residents.

4. Which type of accounts can be opened under FCNR (B )?

- Only Term Deposit with maturity of minimum 1 year & maximum 5 years.

5. In which currencies these a/cs be opened in our Bank?

- Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Euro, Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar. However RBI has permitted 6 currencies

(including one Japanese Yen).

6. These accounts can be opened with which funds?

- These accounts can be opened as per depositor’s choice, in any of the permitted currencies, with / out of the funds

received as foreign inward remittances in convertible currency through normal banking channel. The Foreign Currency

Travellers Cheques / Notes may be accepted during temporary visits of the NRI, for credit to account.

7. Can these accounts be opened jointly with Indian residents?

- Yes . NRIs are permitted to open FCNR(B) account with their resident close relative on ‘former or survivor’ basis.

8. Whether nomination is permitted in FCNR (B) Account?

Nomination in favour of NRI/PIO or a resident is allowed in the account.

10.Whether interest income from FCNR (B) account is taxable under Income Tax?

No. Interest income from FCNR (B) accounts is exempt under IT rules.

11. Whether deposit held under FCNR (B) a/cs is taxable under Wealth Tax?

No. Deposit held under FCNR (B) a/cs is not taxable under Wealth Tax

17 th Oct

3-Member Supervisory Committee on the Babhali Barrage: 1 representative from the Central

Water Commission who will be the Chairman, 1 each from the State Governments of AP& Mh. It is a

controversial reservoir project being constructed by Mh across the river Godavari, disputed by AP

Initially an agreement in October 1975, which was later made part of the Godavari Water

Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award.[3] As per the terms of the pact, Mh could utilise 60 tmcft

(thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari water while AP could go ahead with building

the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) and utilise the rest of the water.

AP contended that Mh has used up its quota in course of time by building four projects. Yet, in

an action without precedent, Mh began construction of the Babli project on the foreshores of

SRSP and 13 other small projects upstream.

Eighteen lakh acres under the SRSP ayacut in the Telangana region will become barren if Mh

is allowed to have its way.

The SC ruled[5] in favour of Mh: stipulation to open Babli gates during the monsoon period

(July to October ) to allow inflows to SRSP13

Creation of additional Benches of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal at Chandigarh, Allahabad and Hyderabad, existing locations of New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai

Electoral questions Q.2 Who is disqualified to become voter? Ans. Only persons who are of unsound mind and have been declared so by a competent court or

disqualified due to ‘Corrupt Practices’ or offences relating to elections are not entitled to be registered in the electoral rolls.

Which is the relevant date for determining the age qualification of 18 years? ? Ans. According to Section 14 (b) of the R. P. Act, 1950, the qualifying date means the first day of January

of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised. Q 7. Can a non resident Indian Citizen become a voter.? Ans. Yes, according to the provisions of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010, a

person who is a citizen of India and who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country and is otherwise eligible to be registered as a voter and who is absenting from his place of ordinary residence in India owing to his employment, education or otherwise is eligible to be registered as a voter in the constituency in which his place of residence in India as mentioned in his passport is located.

What are the grievance redressal mechanisms available to you? Ans. If you have any grievance in regard to electoral roll, Electors Photo Identity Card or any other

election related matter you may approach following Officers:- Chief Electoral Officer---------------------At the State Level District Election Officer-------------------At the District Level Returning Officer _________________At the Constituency Level Assistant Returning Officer__________At Taluka/Tahsil Level Electoral Registration Officer________ At the Constituency Level Presiding Officer __________________ At Polling Station Zonal Officer _____________________ For a group of Polling stations (Detailed addresses are available on the websites of the CEOs of respective States/UTs.) During every election, the Commission appoints Observers who are senior civil service officers from

outside the state. If you have any grievances or problems, you should approach them.

With the amendments to the Representation of People Act, 1951, equitable time sharing for campaigning by recognized political parties on electronic media now has statutory basis. equitable time sharing on electronic media through Prasar Bharati Corporation, facilities of use of broadcast time and telecast time will be available only to ‘National Parties’ and  ‘RecognizedState Parties’

Available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan. A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each National Party and Recognized State Party. In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes.

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The period of broadcast and telecast will be between the last date of filing the nominations for the first phase of poll and two days before the date of poll in the respective States

RBD Palmolein is refined, bleached and deodorized form of palm oil which is extracted after crushing palm fruit. It is

used in many countries as edible cooking oil.

 

RBD Palm Olein is the liquid fraction obtained by the fractionation of palm oil after crystallization at controlled

temperatures. It is used as an important raw material in the manufacture of soaps, washing powder and other hygiene and

personal care products. Palm oil is obtained from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) of oil palm cultivated in plantations. There are

several commercial variants of palm oil available viz., Crude Palm oil, Crude Palmolein, RBD (Refined Bleached

Deodorized) Palm oil, RBD Palmolein and Palm Kernel Oil.

 

RBD Palmolein is used as cooking oil as well as frying oil for food industries such as snack food and ready-to-eat food. It

is also used as a raw material for margarine and shortening. It is used in soap, candles and oleo chemical industries.

 

Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest exporter of Palm Oil & it’s by products, accounting for the entire global trade in

Palm Oil, which is estimated to be 38.78 million tons

Indian Scenario

 

India is one of the largest vegetable oil importers in the Asian continent followed by China. Crude Palm Oil is the single

largest commodity of India’s edible oil import basket. India is basically a net importer of the palm oil.

 

India imports Crude Palm Oil mainly from Indonesia while from Malaysia it imports mostly refined, bleached and

deodorised (RBD) palm olein. Palm oil imported into India is used in various forms- consumed directly as 'palm oil' after

refining, used in the manufacture of Vanaspati, for blending with other vegetable oil, crude oil and kernel oil for industrial

purposes, etc.

The fact that palm oil is solid at room temperature, has a neutral taste and can be extracted without the use of solvents has made organic palm oil a very useful ingredient in organic food processing. The only other organic fats which are solid at room temperature are butter and coconut oil, both of which are highly saturated.

But I thought palm oil was highly saturated?Palm oil is frequently confused with palm kernel oil, which is highly saturated. In contrast palm oil contains a balance of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. In addition palm oil contains essential substances such as linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid which the body cannot manufacture) and tocopherols and tocotrienols, which act as natural anti-oxidants against damaging free-radicals.

What about cholesterol? Like other vegetable fats palm oil is free from cholesterol. Because palm oil is solid at room temperature there is no need

to use hydrogenation, a technique which hardens liquid oil but also produces damaging trans fatty acids and raises

cholesterol levels in the process.

Factors influencing RBD Palmolein trading

  Oilseeds production at domestic and global level The supply-demand and price scenario of competitive oils

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The Government export-import policy The supply-demand scenario of all oils and oilseeds in the consuming centers, viz., India, China and EU. This in turn is

manifested as imports from these countries The palm oil production cycle: April - December is peak production period Import regulations imposed in the importing countries Crude Oil Prices due to use of Palm oil in manufacturing of biodiesel

19 th Oct

International Tourism Mart to be organised in the North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the

tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. enable tourism product suppliers to

reach out to international and domestic buyers and promote tourism in the region. 

High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific. Objectives Assess the progress and advances on South-South cooperation among countries of the Asia-Pacific region to

advance children’s rights (follow up of the Beijing Declaration) 

Three themes have been identified for the Second High Level Meeting: 

• Adolescents: current rights for future opportunities

• Fulfilling child rights with early childhood development

• Urban settings as an opportunity for realizing all child rights

A Declaration:identify key issues, conclusions, recomendt. & commitments for future action. 

s initiated in 2010, with the Government of China hosting a High Level Meeting on Cooperation for Child

Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region within the framework of South-South cooperation. South-South

cooperation is a broad framework for collaboration among countries of the South in the political, eocnomic,

social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. Involving two or more developing countries, it can take

place on a bilateral, regional, subregional or interregional basis.

 increased volume of South-South trade,

South-South flows of foreign direct investment

movements towards regional integration,

technology transfers, fostering of economic, scientific and technological self-reliance;

sharing of solutions and experts etc.

 It is initiated, organized and managed by developing countries themselves; 

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) the flagship programme which is in operation since 1975 is

one of the world’s largest and most unique programme for early childhood care and education. The programme

addresses the health, nutrition and development needs of young children. The Government of India has also

launched a scheme named Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls-SABLA in 2010.

The scheme empowers adolescent girls by improving their nutritional and health status, up grading their home

skills, life skills and vocational skills, the minister added. Smt. Tirath, stated that in addition to this the

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Government of India is currently working on a similar scheme for adolescent boys called Saksham, which

would aim at the all-round development of Adolescent Boys to make them self-reliant, gender-sensitive and

aware citizens, when they grow up. 

21 st and 22 nd Oct

Partners in Population and Development (PPD) is an intergovernmental initiative created specifically for the

purpose of expanding and improving South-to-South collaboration in the fields of reproductive health,

population, and development. PPD was launched at the 1994 International Conference on Population and

Development (ICPD), when ten developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America formed an

intergovernmental alliance to help implement the Cairo Program of Action 

stresses the need to establish mechanisms to promote development through the sharing of experiences in

reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP). India along with China and Bangladesh are founding

members of PPD.

 PPD Members are developing countries committed to the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action,

willing to provide political, technical and financial support to South-South Cooperation. While there were only

10 developing countries at the time of formation of the Organization in 1994, PPD’s current membership stands

at 25 developing countries across Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America

covering more than 57% of total world population. 

Legal Education” and “Children and Law The first generation of judicial reforms in our country established

the National Law Schools.  The second generation of reforms should now focus on Continuing Legal Education

of lawyers, judges, judicial officers, bureaucrats and academics. The legal child protection system in our

country includes legislation such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, the Juvenile Justice (Care and

Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act, 2000) and the recently introduced Protection of Children from Sexual

Offences, Act, 2012 (POCSO) etc.  The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) is a gender

neutral act . India is home to the largest child population in the world and more than one third of the country`s

population is under eighteen years of age. The Government has introduced in 2009 an Integrated Child

Protection Scheme to implement the JJ Act. This Scheme, creates a safety net of Service Delivery Structures at

National, State & District level; puts in place a cadre of trained personnel working exclusively on Child

Protection; provides a range of need based services for each child and brings together existing initiatives and

new measures for protection. However, reports such as the recent Justice Verma Committee report point out that

the system often fails to comprehensively address the needs of the persons it has been created to protect – i.e.

our children. Sadly, lack of information and sensitivity amongst service providers is among the principle

reasons for the failure of the system. 

Director, UNICEF noted that this conference demonstrates the commitment of the region to reduce mortality

below five and towards child rights. He said that by 2030, 2/3 of the world’s middle class will be found in this

region.

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6 th &7 th Nov During the XII Plan, the focus on the three E’s of expansion, equity and excellence would continue with a

greater emphasis on quality of higher education, while consolidating the gains of the XI Plan. (as conveyed by

Presi during national meeting of NIT directors

BRICS MEET IN SOUTH AFRICA : BRICS represents about 43% of the world’s population and is acting as

a new growth and governance pole in a multi-polar world. 

BRICS Health Platform for each Member State, focussed on the theme “BRICS Partnership for Global

Stability, Security and Prosperity” to address emerging health threats. BEIJING DECLERATION: “Global Health- Access to Medicine”,

Collaboration to strengthen health systems and overcome barriers to access to affordable, quality, efficacious, safe medical products, vaccines and other health technologies for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, malaria and other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases.

     II.        Collaboration to explore and promote, where feasible, effective transfer of technology to strengthen innovation capacity to benefit public health in developing countries.

    III.        Collaboration with and support of international organizations, including WHO and UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the GAVI alliance, to increase access to affordable, quality, efficacious and safe medicines, vaccines and other medical products that serve public health needs.

To accelerate progress towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, we encourage increased access to new and innovative antiretroviral therapies (ART).

Determined to make efforts to simplify treatment regimens, including for second and third line therapy as the incidence of resistance increases. As far as TB and malaria are concerned, we encourage increased innovation, notably in the development of additional diagnostic tools and treatment for the resistant strains of the diseases. We encourage the access to diagnosis and treatment for viral hepatitis.

With the increasing need for the WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme to ensure quality of HIV, TB and malaria medicines as well as vaccines produced by BRICS countries, we call upon the WHO to facilitate prequalification process, the strengthening of national regulatory authorities and the enhancement of exportability of medical products produced in BRICS countries, especially priority vaccines and medicines for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

Aiming to ensure access to affordable, safe and effective technologies and to expand health benefits

8 th November India’s relations with Kuwait: biggest destinations for our exports and where more than seven million Indians work and

earn their livelihoods. Kuwait is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to India.

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RABI CROP: Wheat pulse, coarse grain, sugarcane, oil seeds, pulse, Rice: sown in sept/octJan Aushadhi Scheme: Suggestions invited Provide relief to the common man in the area of healthcare, a countrywide campaign for ensuring availability of generic medicines at affordable prices, launched  in 2008 Nov, collaboration with the State Governments, as a direct market intervention strategy.  The medicines for the campaign are supplied by the Central Pharma PSU (CPSUs) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.  Under this campaign, it was proposed to open, initially, at least one store in each district of the country.  As against the target of opening one JAS in each of the 630 districts, only 157 stores have been opened till 30.9.2013 in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttrakhand, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and UT of Chandigarh.

Muhiyuddin Ahmed, popularly known as Maulana Abul KalamAzad, (11 November 1888 – 22 February 1958) was a scholar and senior leader of the Indian Independence Movement. He was one of the tallest national leaders of his time in the cause of Hindu Muslim unity as well as secularism and socialism. His contribution to laying the foundation of education in Independent India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as "National Education Day" across India.

11 th November India has dedicated 2010-20 as the Decade of Innovation. The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, unveiled this

year, calls for mentoring grassroots innovation. As said by President

ASEM: an interregional and informal forum of Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) . Based on deepening of relation b/w Asia and Europe.  informal process of dialogue and cooperation, based on equal partnership and enhancing mutual understanding . consists of 28 members of the European Union (EU), the European Commission, the 10 members of ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea as of 2008,[1] India, Mongolia, and Pakistan,Australia, Russia and New Zealand as of 2010,[2] and as of 2012 Bangladesh, Norway, and Switzerland. The main components of the ASEM process are the following so-called three pillars:

Political Pillar Economical Pillar Social, Cultural and Educational Pillar forum brings together 60% of the world`s population, 52% of the global GDP and close to 70% of world trade. India Signs Legal Agreement with World Bank for US$ 236 Million for Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coastal Disaster Risk

Reduction Project. The Project will have the following five components, viz. (i) Vulnerability Reduction; (ii) Sustainable Fisheries; (iii) Capacity building in Disaster Risk Management; (iv) Implementation Support; and (v) Contingency Emergency Response. Key Expected Results : I. The Project is expected to result in (i) increased community resilience and preparedness in coastal areas; (ii) improved multi-hazard resilient coastal infrastructure; (iii) enhanced performance of and livelihood opportunities from fisheries with increased safety at sea; (iv) increased institutional capacity for risk mitigation and response at the state level.

GANGA JAMUNI TEHZEEBThe one propounded by Abul Kalam: First Education minister, who established UGC, AICTE and other sahitya academies. He was the author of first famous urdu news paper “Al-Hilal” which was later banned in 1916- 2 yrs after its start. Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb A euphemism for the mutually participatory co-existence of Hindu and Muslim culture of Northern India. This term is used for the culture of the central plains of Northern India, which is regarded as a fusion of Hindu and Muslim elements

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12 th November

storms are called hurricanes in the Atlantic and northeastern Pacific oceans, typhoons in the northwestern Pacific and cyclones in the south Pacific and Indian Ocean. Storms receive their energy from the ocean, so it would seem logical that they would get stronger, and perhaps also more frequent, as the upper layers of tropical oceans get warmer. The potential intensity of tropical storms does increase with warmer sea surface temperatures. However, the effect of warming seas could be counteracted by the apparent increase in the strength of shearing winds — winds blowing in different directions and varying in strength at different altitudes. Shearing winds tend to hinder the formation of storms, or tear them apart before they can reach extreme strength.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its latest report cautiously summarizes the current state of knowledge:“Time series of cyclone indices such as power dissipation, an aggregate compound of tropical cyclone frequency, duration, and intensity that measures total wind energy by tropical cyclones, show upward trends in the North Atlantic and weaker upward trends in the western North Pacific since the late 1970s, but interpretation of longer-term trends is again constrained by data quality concerns.” As the Warsaw climate talks end, the hard work is just beginning

Delegates have been packed off and their homework is to prepare their country's emission reduction plan by early 2015 They are the "contributions" to global reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, that will come into force from 2020 The biggest factor at these talks was the strong influence of the self-styled "like-minded group of developing countries" (LMDC). That grouping comprises several oil-rich nations including Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia and Malaysia; the coal-rich and fossil fuel-dependent China and India; and satellite nations including Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Thailand.

The LMDC first emerged just before last year's Doha conference, and in response to the Durban meeting in 2011 at which governments agreed to work on a post-2020 agreement. The only two countries to hold out on the "Durban platform" until the final hours were China and India.At Warsaw, the efforts of the LMDC focused on attempting to reintroduce into the key texts a restatement of the separation of countries into "developed" and "developing" that was first set out in 1992 and enshrined in the 1997 Kyoto protocol, under which developing countries bore no obligations on their emissions and rich nations faced steep cuts.The US, the EU and other developed countries regarded this separation as having been left behind at Copenhagen in 2009, which marked the first time both developed and developing countries signed up under a single agreement to curb their emissions.They argue that this new arrangement is needed, as the world has moved on in 20 years: China is now the world's biggest emitter and second biggest economy, and combined emissions from developing countries are on track to overtake those of the developed world by 2020.Arguments over either keeping or redrawing this "firewall" between developed and developing countries are likely to dominate the negotiations in the run-up to Paris. 

India has declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called bird flu, and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It breakout was seen in chattishgarh poltury farm

The first ALH (Dhruv) is the first indigenously designed and manufactured helicopter at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and with its multi role capabilities has proven her mettle in all the three services of the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard , BSF and in the inventory of foreign countries.

PFRDA salient provisions of the Act related to subscriber interest include choice of pension fund manager and investment schemes to the subscriber, availability of minimum assured return schemes to be notified by the PFRDA and the option of investment only in government securities. Subscribers with greater risk appetite had the option of investing in equities and other areas. However, there was a cap placed on these options to prevent excessive risk taking.

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13 th Nov: Sporting fraud bill,CSIR-Infosys Prize, INT. Law, ZAID CROP

A person is said to commit the offence of sporting fraud if he, directly or indirectly:-

• manipulates or tries to manipulate sports result, irrespective of whether the outcome is actually altered or not • deliberately misapplies the rules of the sport• removes or reduces all or part of the uncertainty normally associated with the results of a sporting event• wilfully fails to perform to his true potential, unless such under performance can be attributed to strategic or tactical reason deployed in the interest of that sport or team• discloses insider information• Fails to disclose knowledge of or attempt for Sporting Fraud.

(ii) Maximum punishment has been proposed to be imprisonment for five years and with fine of ten lakhs or five times the economic benefits derived by the person from sporting fraud, whichever is greater. 

CSIR Scientist grabs Infosys prize: his work in the field of lipid metabolism in tubercle bacilli.  Dr. Rajesh Gokhale's pioneering work showed that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb), the bacteria causing the disease is capable of generating highly diverse set of cell wall lipids using very limited number of genes. The very thick lipid cell wall of this bacterium protects it from host defense mechanisms, and allows it to survive in a dormant form, impervious to drugs. To get to the bacteria, one needs to penetrate its fortress-like thick walls. Dr. Gokhale discovered that the genome sequence of MTb revealed many proteins with similarity to Polyketide synthases (PKS), which are large multifunctional enzymes, involved in the synthesis of the thick lipid walls.Detailed elucidation of the biochemical mechanisms of the synthesis of complex lipids needed to form the lipid cell walls, unique only to the invader, but not the host, allows development of drugs that specifically target these enzymes.

A Ruby Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 40th or 80th anniversary, Crystal, 20th , 25th Silver, 30th Pearl, 40th Ruby, 50th Gold, 60th Diamond.

International Law as we know derives not from actions of any executive or legislative branch or any central authority, but from customary law and agreements signed by sovereign States. It includes extension of their jurisdiction over fisheries and other natural resources in the adjacent seas up to 200 nautical miles, declaration of common heritage of mankind of the seabed or subsoil and declaration of outer space as a common province of mankind.

ZAID CROP : Short duration b/w Rabi(Nov-Apr) and Kharif(June-1st rain-Oct) Its crop: Water melon, pumpkin family Musk Melon, Gourds(Gilki, karela) and cucumber. kharif season include rice, jowar, bajra, groundnut, jute, cotton and pulses like moong, turmeric, sugarcane, red chilli etc.  rabi crops include wheat, gram, barley, potato and some oil seeds like linseed, rapeseed and mustard, seseme etc.

FORAGE CROP: plant material (mainly plant leaves and stems) eaten by grazing livestock. term forage has a broad definition, the term forage crop is used to define crops, annual or biennal, which are grown to be utilized by grazing or harvesting as a whole crop

PERENIAL CROP: crop once grown has a life cycle of more than 1 year. Ex: Sunflower, Daisy, Currently development for rice is going on. +ive factors: they control Erosion Control: Because plant materials (stems, crowns, etc.) can remain in place year-round, topsoil erosion due to wind and rainfall/irrigation is reduced[4]

Water-use efficiency : these crops tend to be deeper and more fibrously-rooted than their annual counterparts, able to hold onto soil moisture efficiently

Nutrient cycling efficiency : efficiently take up nutrients so reduced amounts of nutrients need to be supplemented, lowering production costs while reducing possible excess sources of fertilizer runoff.

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16 th Nov: H index,INS Vikramaditya, Bangaru Talli

. Prof CNR Rao has the high H index ( Conferred with Bharat Ratna along with Tendulkar)The h-index is an index that attempts to measure both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar. The index is based on the set of the scientist's most cited papers and the number of citations that they have received in other publications. (BHARAT RATNA: An image of the Sun along with the words "Bharat Ratna", inscribed in Devanagari script, on a peepul leaf)

INS Vikramaditya: carry over 30 aircraft LESORUB-E, with the capability to gather data from ship’s sensors and data links and to process, collate and assemble comprehensive tactical pictures.Imp: Resistor-E radar complex. Resistor-E is the automated system designed for providing air traffic control, approach/landing and short range navigation for ship borne aircraft.

“Bangaru Talli” scheme to improve the social status of Girl. All the girls from BPL Families. Who borned after May 1st 2013. Under the scheme first month after born Rs. 2500 Cash will be given to the mother. Later up to 2 years Rs. 1000 per year will be given for vaccination. After that every stage up to degree level cash incentives will be deposited in her mothers account.

17 th Nov:

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Delhi Communique : JAN 2013  Ministers recalled the Beijing Declaration of the 1st BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in 2011, emphasizing

the importance and need of technology transfer as a means to empower developing countries . In this context, they underlined the important role of generic medicines in the realization of the right to health. The Ministers renewed their commitment to strengthening international cooperation in health, in particular South-South cooperation, with a view to supporting efforts in developing countries to promote health for all and resolve to establish the BRICS network of technological cooperation. 

global threat of non-communicable diseases and noted that in 2008, around 80% of all NCD deaths occurred in low and middle income countries. 

Ministers renewed their commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control  strengthen cooperation to combat malaria through enhanced diagnostics, Recognizing that an effective health surveillance, including injury surveillance, is the key strategy for

controlling both communicable and non-communicable diseases, that surveillance is also the cornerstone around which the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) is based and further recognizing that the countries may be using different models for surveillance based on different realities and best practices, 

 importance of child survival through progressive reduction in the maternal mortality, infant mortality, neo-natal mortality and under-5 mortality, with the aim of achieving the Millennium Development Goals

 recognized the need to combat mental disorders through a multi-pronged approach including the World Health Assembly Resolution 65.4, consideration of a Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan through sharing of

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innovations in the field of Mental Health Promotion, diagnosis and management, exchange of best practices and experiences amongst BRICS countries. Science Advisory Council factsheet

increase in investment in S&T from the present roughly 1% of the GDP to the promised 2% of the GDP Global Innovation Index 2013 places India at the 66th position amongst 142 nations. India and Japan to Strengthen their Cooperation in the Shipping Sector. Government of Japan had earlier

shown interest in developing Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor as part of Penninsular Region Industrial Development corridor (PRIDe) of India

The commissioning of the Vikramaditya in Russia's Arctic shipyard makes India only the third country in the world after the US and Italy to operate more than one carrier. It will also be a second life for a warship which began life as a Soviet aircraft carrying cruiser the 'Baku' in 1987.

F F F f f

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9 th Dec

Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) 

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) aims at achieving 4% annual growth in agriculture sector by

ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.  To achieve this end, the States have been given

complete flexibility to choose projects for achieving the desired growth in these sectors. Under this scheme

Government of India does not fix targets, rather gives complete autonomy to state to customize interventions as

per their requirements

The Government is promoting organic farming in the country through schemes like National Project on

Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and

Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic

Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). ICAR institutes including State Agricultural

Universities impart training and organize Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) to educate farmers on aspects

related to organic fertilizers.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Being Launched in Twelfth Plan  : seeks to transform Indian

agriculture into a climate resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in

domains of both crops and animal husbandry. NMSA as a programmatic intervention focuses on promotion of

location specific integrated/composite farming systems; resource conservation technologies; comprehensive soil

health management; efficient on-farm water management and mainstreaming rainfed technologies. 

NMSA identifies 10 key dimensions namely seed & culture water, pest, nutrient, farming practices, credit,

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insurance, market, information and livelihood diversification for promoting suitable agricultural practices that

covers both adaption and mitigation measures through four functional areas, namely, Research and

Development, Technologies, Products and Practices, Infrastructure and Capacity building. During XII Five

Year Plan, these dimensions have been embedded and mainstreamed into Missions/Programmes/Schemes of

Ministry of Agriculture including NMSA through a process of restructuring of various schemes/missions

implemented during XI Five Year Plan and convergence with other related programmes of Central/State

Governments.

activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendras include on-farm trials and front-line demonstrations; training of farmers

and extension personnel; extension activities to create awareness about improved agricultural technology;

production of seed, planting material and livestock strains/fingerlings. In addition selected KVKs test soil and

water samples of farmers associated with their activities. 

Schemes for Farmers’ Skill Development and Training 

Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms: Agriculture Technology Management

Agencies (ATMAs) have been set up in 630 rural districts of 28 States & 3 UTs including 22 districts of Andhra

Pradesh. promotes farmers centric extension system by putting in place  a new institutional arrangement for

technology dissemination in the form of Agricultural technology management Agency(ATMA) at district level.

The activities taken up under the scheme includes capacity building of extension functionaries and farmers,

front line demonstration, exposure visits, kisan melas, farmers group mobilization, farm schools and farmers-

scientist interaction. Through these activities, latest agriculture technologies are disseminated to farmers of the

country

National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Amongst different interventions, under NFSM, Farmer Field

Schools (FFS) are being implemented on a large scale to provide first-hand information to the farmers in their

fields and equip them with necessary skills to enable them to adopt the improved crop production technologies

for higher productivity.. National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Human Resource Development through training and demonstration is

an integral component of the NHM. Under this Mission, training programmes for the farmers are conducted at district level, State level and outside the State on emerging issues of Horticulture. 

                                        iv.            Horticulture Mission for North Eastern and Himalayan States (HMNEH): The HMNEH scheme, being run in North Eastern   and Himalayan States, has also got component of transfer of technology through training/exposure visit of farmers.

                                            v.            Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for

Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds: Skill development through training and demonstration is provided for farmers and seed growers on techniques to be adopted for hybrid rice seed production.  

                                        vi.            Promotion and strengthening of Agriculture Mechanization through Training, Testing and Demonstration:  Information & latest technologies in the field of Agriculture Mechanization are being disseminated to farmers and rural unemployed youth through training programmes and demonstrations.  

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                                      vii.            Post-Harvest Technology and Management:  Assistant is provided to the State governments and other implementing agencies in organising demonstration & trainings on post-harvest technology. 

                                    viii.            Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM): Trainings are conducted for farmers for skill development in the area of adopting new technologies related to new varieties, pest management/control and adoption of new package of practices including new implements. 

Department of Agricultural Research and Education                                         ix.            Krishi Vigyan Kendras: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) has created a network of 634 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country aiming at assessment, refinement and demonstration of technology/products. As part of this process, the KVKs also organize a number of training programmes to update the knowledge and skills of farmers.

Steps to Support Small & Marginal Farmers: land holdings of less than two hectare, cultivated by small and marginal farmers (many of whom are below poverty line), constitute about 85% of total land holdings in India. Important schemes/programmes being implemented for the welfare of farmers, and particularly the small and marginal ones, are Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission, Integrated Scheme for Farmers’ Income Security (including covering risks through insurance cover), Price Support Scheme (PSS), Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), National Horticulture Mission, Funding of Farmer Producer’s Organisations, Self Help Groups of Small & Marginal Farmers for achieving benefits of economies of scale, Augmentation of Extension Services, Crop diversification etc. Small and marginal farmers are especially encouraged to form aggregates to avail the benefits of economies of scale in sourcing the inputs and for marketing their produce. Farmers are being provided inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, farm machinery and implements etc. at subsidized rates. Farmers are also provided Institutional Credit at concessional interest rate of 4% on farm loans provided they repay their loan in time. 

Technologies Evolved for Preparation of Enriched Manures From Organic Wastes Government

through National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) and National Project on Organic Farming

(NPOF) is promoting use of composts/manures in the country. Farmers are being educated on this aspect through

training and demonstrations.

The Government is providing financial assistance for setting up of organic inputs (Manure) production units as back-

ended subsidy by NABARD to the tune of 33% restricted to Rs.60.00 lakh for setting up of Fruit/Vegetable market

Waste/Agro-waste compost units.

The issue of food security is extremely crucial for India as well as African countries. Under the framework of India Africa

Forum Summit (IAFS), food security as well as energy security has been given high priority and provisions have been

made for training, sharing of expertise and setting up of capacity building institutions in this regard. Trade and economic

cooperation is another area where India and her African partners have been relentlessly pursuing growth and

expansion. India-Africa Business Council (IABC) has also been set up in the year 2012 with the aim to have an

institutional platform for sustained exchange of business communities between India and Africa.

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Government has also set up ‘Invest India’, a joint venture company between the Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion and FICCI, as a not-for-profit, single window facilitator, for prospective overseas investors and to act as a

structured mechanism to attract investment.

Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) was established and made fully functional since 2007 and is now

rendering operational services as a Regional Tsunami Watch Provider (RTWP) for whole of the Indian Ocean Region by

the Earth System Science Organization - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Sciences (ESSO-INCOIS) of the

Ministry of Earth Sciences located in Hyderabad. detect under-sea tsunamigenic earthquakes from the two known

subduction zones of Andaman-Sumatra and Makran in Indian Ocean which can potentially affect entire Indian coastal

states and Island regions, a network of real-time sea-level sensors with Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR) in the open

ocean, HF Radars for coastal currents and coastal tide gauge stations to capture tsunami wave speed and amplitude on

24 X 7 basis.

Under National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the National Health Mission (NHM) Flexi-pool for Non-Communicable disease (NCD’s), in the 12th Five Year Plan. NTCP was in pilot phase  during the 11th Five Year Plan and the following states were not included in NTCP - Meghalaya, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Andaman & Nicobar, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

The key District level activities under NTCP are as follows:

1.     Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers, enforcement officers etc.

2.     Awareness activities (Information, Education and Communication).

3.     Setting up & expansion of tobacco cessation facilities.

4.     School Programmes.

5.     Monitoring tobacco control laws.

6.     Co-ordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for village level activities.

7.     Support for tobacco cessation and Pharmacological treatment of tobacco dependence.

CLINICAL TRAILS: Guidelines for conducting inspection of Clinical Trial sites and sponsor/Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) have been prepared and posted on CDSCO website. Supreme Court Order dated 21.10.2013,for all clinical trial, in addition to the requirement of obtaining written informed consent, audio-visual recording , including the procedure of providing information to the subject and his/her understanding on such consent, to be done while adhering to the principle of confidentiality. This is applicable to the new subjects to be enrolled

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in all clinical trials including Global Clinical Trials. Approval of CDSCO and respective Ethics Committee needed for trials.

Transplantation of Human Organs Act  i.            Provision of ‘Retrieval Centres’ for retrieval of organs from deceased donors and their registration

under the amended Act.       ii.            Definition of near relative expanded to include grandparents and grandchildren.     iii.            Brain death certification Board has been simplified and more experts have been permitted for this

certification.    iv.            ‘Mandatory’ inquiry and informing option to donate in case of unfortunate event of brain stem

death of ICU patient for the purpose of organ donation.      v.            Mandatory ‘Transplant Coordinator’ for coordinating all matters relating to removal or

transplantation of human organs.    vi.            National Human Organs and Tissues Removal and Storage Network at one or more places and

regional network  vii.            National Registry of Donors and Recipients viii.            Removal of eye has been permitted by a trained technician to facilitate eye donation. To create awareness for organ donation:         i.            Indian Organ Donation Day is celebrated every year since the year 2010.       ii.            A programme on Organ donation was aired through Lok Sabha Channel to spread awareness in

the month of November 2013.     iii.            Awareness activities were carried out in India International Trade fair to spread the message of

Deceased Organ Donation among the public.    iv.            Regional "Organ Donation Awareness workshops" have been organized in coordination with State

Governments during 2011-2012 in the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Puducherry, Chennai, Kolkata,Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, &Trivandrum for increasing the awareness among public for organ donation.

     v.            Organ Retrieval Banking Organization at AIIMS has been registering the persons who pledge to donate their organs after death.

   vi.            National Organ Transplant Programme has been approved with main component of Information, Education and Communication activities to promote organ donation from deceased donors.

An online system with a dedicated website is being developed for establishing network for retrieval of organs from deceased /cadaver donors and their allocation and distribution in a transparent manner.

 A computerized system of National Registry of donors and recipients including those waiting for receiving organs from swapping or deceased donors is also going to be put in place. 

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke

(Npcdcs) during 11th Five Year Plan. NPCDCS was launched in 100 Districts in 21 States with the aim to prevent and

control these diseases thorough awareness generation, behaviour and life-style changes, In addition, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities through Prasar Bharati  under the ‘Swasth Bharat Programme’ are also being carried out.

Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh Government of India had set up a National Population Stabilization Fund (NPSF) in the

year 2004-05 with a one-time grant of Rs.100 crore in the form of a corpus fund. This is now known

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as Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) . To empower the NPSF, Government of India has set

up Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK). This is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

JSK can take all the policy related decisions. It can raise contributions from organisations and individuals that support

population stabilisation.JSKimplements two schemes, namely, Santushti and Prerna .

SANTUSHTI  STRATEGY Santushti is a strategy of Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) for the highly populated states of India viz Bihar,

Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh & Odisha.  Under this strategy, Jansankhya SthirataKosh, invites private sector gynaecologists and vasectomy surgeons to conduct sterilization operations in Public Private Partnership mode. According to this Scheme,   an accredited private Nursing Home/ Hospital can sign a tripartite MOU between the State Health Society as 1st party, accredited private health facility as 2nd party and JSK as the third party. entitled to incentive by JSK whenever it conducts 10 or more Tubectomy/Vasectomy cases in a month.

PRERNA STRATEGY In order to help push up the age of marriage of girls and space the birth of children in the interest

of health of young mothers and infants, Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund) has launched PRERNA, a Responsible Parenthood Strategy in seven focus states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Rajasthan.

The strategy recognizes and awards couples who have broken the stereotype of early marriage, early childbirth and repeated child birth and have helped change the mindsets of the community. The couple will get an award of Rs.10,000/- if it is a Boy child or Rs.12,000/- if it is a Girl child. If birth of the second child takes place after at least 3 years of the birth of first child and either parent voluntarily accept permanent method of family planning within one year of the birth of the second child, the couple will get an additional award of Rs.5,000/- (Boy child) / Rs.7,000/- (Girl child). The amount of award is given in the form of National Saving Certificate (NSC). The scheme is meant only for BPL families.

 Decrease in Paediatric TB Cases in India The measures taken by the Government under RNTCP for

paediatric TB include.

· Provision of quality assured diagnosis.

· Provision of Treatment with quality assured anti TB drugs.

· Intensified screening for early case detection of paediatric TB amongst children/ contact of sputum positive TB cases

Children found positive for TB are put on anti TB treatment

Ø Children upto six year of age, found negative for TB are given prophylactic therapy to prevent development of disease.

Steps by Government to Strengthen Aefi Monitoring AEFI surveillance (Adverse Events Following

Immunization Surveillance) is a mechanism to track all kinds of adverse events including deaths that may occur following

vaccination whether related or unrelated. A National AEFI committee has been setup which is headed by

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an independent expert outside the government and regularly reviews AEFI status. Besides that, a National AEFI secretariat has been established and four Causality Assessment workshops have been conducted in 2012 & 2013 to review all the AEFI cases during 2011-13. strengthen AEFI monitoring which include revision of guidelines for AEFI in 2010, AEFI secretariat is also collaborating with Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) the pharmaco-vigilance centre of CDSCO, which has network of more than 90 regional centres for reporting of adverse drug reactions including AEFIs. India has successfully cleared the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) Assessment conducted by WHO-Head Quarters in December 2012 which certifies that India meets the international standards for vaccine regulations.

NSDC National Skill Development Agency (NSDA). The NSDA is an autonomous body located in the Ministry of Finance. One of the major functions assigned to the NSDA is to ensure that the skilling needs of the disadvantaged and the marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities, women and differently-abled persons are taken care of. So far as the erstwhile National Skill Development Coordination Board is concerned, the basic function was to coordinate the skill development activities in the country. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has been set up as a not for profit company, under the M/o Finance, primarily to catalyse private sector initiatives in skill development. Individual Ministries are implementing schemes targeted at different social groups including the minorities.

Skill Development Programmes: Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn and Earn)”, a

new 100% Central Sector Scheme for Skill Development of minorities. The scheme aims at upgrading the skills of the

minority youths in various modern/traditional vocations depending upon their educational qualification, present economic

trends and the market potential, which can earn them a suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to go for self

employment. The scheme puts a condition on project implementing agencies (PIAs) to ensure minimum 75% employment

of trained youths, out of which 50% should be in organized sector. Multi-sectoral Development Plan (MsDP) has also been restructured to the effect that at least 10% of the allocation given to the States, would be earmarked for the skill training related activities of minority youth. Padho Pardes, the scheme of interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies for minority

students: The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students of economically weaker

sections of minority communities so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education abroad and enhance

their employability. The subsidy is granted on the interest payable for the moratorium period of education loans for

overseas studies to pursue approved courses of studies at Masters, M. Phil and Ph.D levels. Scheme for Support for

Minority Students clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission

(SSC), State Public Service Commissions etc. - The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial support to the minority

candidates clearing Preliminary examinations conducted by UPSC, SSC and State Public Service Commissions to

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adequately equip them to compete for selection in Civil Services in the Union and State Governments and to increase

representation of the minorities in these services.

National Institute of Solar Energy an autonomous Institute namely “National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)” under the

administrative control of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) by converting the existing Solar Energy Centre

(SEC) with its headquarters and research facilities at GwalpahariVillage, Distt. Gurgaon (Haryana). The NISE has been

registered under the Haryana Societies Registration Act on 24th October, 2013.

1-21 May 2014

India  tested its first indigenous air-to-air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) ‘Astra’ missile. BrahMos will give

incisive land-strike capability against hostile targets.while Astra is to smash enemy aircraft.  IAF jets are armed

with very costly Russian, French and Israelimissiles.  These indigenously developed Astra Missiles are

comparatively very cheaper. Only a few countries like the US, Russia, France and Israelhave managed to

develop BVR missiles till now. It is therefore important due to economic and strategic reasons for India to have

an indigenous air-to-air BVR missile like Astra. 

spores of Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 have shown particularly high resistance to techniques such Ultra-Violet

(UV) radiation and peroxide treatment used to clean spacecraft. This has contaminated the Martian land

Rubber plantation region: traditional regions (Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu) and non-traditional

region other than North East

Army conducted “Sarvada Vijay” combat drill in West Rajasthan as part of regular training aimed at honing

war-fighting skills

Astronauts on board will be able to grow plants with the help of the Veggie “plant pillows”( which is a

deployable vegetable production system is a pop-up greenhouse that can be packaged to the size of a

briefcase during launch.) taken to the ISS during a recent supply mission. This will be the first time NASA

astronauts will taste something grown in orbit.

There is confirmed existence of element “UNUNSEPTIUM ” it is 40% heavier than an atom of lead.NPAs of that bankexceed 2% of net advances then it is unfit for private provident fund deposits. Conditions banks are required to meet for taking PFs deposits:

Continuous profitability for immediately preceeding three years Maintain minimum capital adequacy of 9%

Have net NPAs of not more than 2% of net advances Maintain minimum net worth of not less than Rs 200 crore

Govt. approval not required to investigate the officers above Joint sec. level by CBI as it hampers ART. 14

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Rupay, India’s own payment gateway was launched to compete with networks such as Visa and Mastercard. The indigenous network will work on ATMs and merchant outlets and help in bringing down cash transactions.

The RuPay is a blend of two terms — ‘Rupee’ and ‘Payment’. It has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is being used by certain banks such as ICICI, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, among others, for clearing and settlement. The RuPay, which works on three channels — ATMs, Point of Sales (PoS) and online sales, is the seventh such payment gateway in the world. A variant of the pre-paid RuPay card would be launched by IRCTC soon, which will help in booking railway tickets.Benefits of RuPay platform:

Reduce the transaction cost Support creation of more domestic products Reach the unbanked sections Reducing number of cash transactions Availability at a cost much less than those of international cards

The Supreme Court put a ban on the use of bulls and bullocks in sports. These animals have been used in sports like Jallikattu (traditional bull fight of Tamil Nadu) and bullock-cart race (Maharashtra) for centuries. The court banned use of bullocks and bulls in these events on the ground that it amounted to cruelty against animals. Key observations of the Supreme Court:

Bulls cannot be used as performing animals, either for the Jallikattu events or bullock-cart races in the States of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country.

The Animal Welfare Board is permitted to take disciplinary action against defaulters. Parliament recommended raising rights of animals to that of “constitutional rights” to

ensure observance of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960.  As per PCA Act Section 3 and Section 11(1)(m), it is an offence against a person

who incites any animal to fight with a view to provideentertainment.

The constitutional validity of Right to Education Act (RTE Act) has been upheld by the Supreme Court. RTE Act mandates that 25% seats in all schools be reserved for the economically disadvantaged children.

As per the Supreme Court decision:

The 93rd Amendment Act, 2005, inserting clause (5) in Article 15 enables the State to make special provisions for members of the SCs, STs and socially and educationally backward classes, for admission to all educational institutions, including private unaided institutions, but except minority institutions, did not violate basic structure of the Constitution.

The RTE Act will not be applicable to minority schools, whether aided or unaided.  The minority aided educational institutions could not be compelled to provide free and compulsory education to children belonging to weaker sections. 

Articles 15(5) and 21-A of the Constitution in so far as it relates to unaided educational institutions to provide compulsory education for children in the age group of 6 to 14 years are constitutional.

The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2005, is in line with the socialistic aspirations mentioned in the Preamble and the directive principles of the Constitution and to ensure the progress of the weaker sections in the democratic state, aiming at the egalitarian ethos.

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Provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, are valid.

Supreme court has ordered maintenance of status quo on India’s first aircraft carrier INS

Vikrant, which is on the brink of being converted into scrap.

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22-31 May 2014: SIT, High seas, SIMBEX,   Drishti, ICJ, Mobile Seva, Rid.Turtle, TGCN, MidEast Syndrom,RhoDis

SIT has been charged with the responsibility and duties of investigation, initiation of proceedings and prosecution. SIT shall have jurisdiction in the cases where investigations have already commenced or are pending or awaiting to be initiated or have been completed. SIT will prepare a comprehensive action plan including creation of necessary institutional structure that could enable the country to fight the battle against unaccounted money. The SIT should report to the court the status of work from time to time.

HIGH SEAS:  in maritime law, all parts of the mass of saltwater surrounding the globe that are not part of the territorial sea or internal waters of a state. The high seas are open to all states, with each state possessing the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines, to conduct scientific research, and to fish. On ships on the high seas, jurisdiction is exercised by the flag state (i.e., the state whose flag is flown by the particular ship). The international seabed (i.e., the seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction), designated a “common heritage of mankind” by the Declaration of Principles Governing the Seabed (1970) and the Law of the Sea treaty.  The   Outer Space Treaty  (1967) reiterated these principles and provided that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried out for the benefit of all countries. The   Moon Treaty   ( 1979) provided for the demilitarization of the Moon and other celestial bodies and declared the Moon and its resources to be a “common heritage of mankind.” 

‘SIMBEX 14’ series of annual bilateral naval exercises between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), is being conducted in the Andaman Sea from 22 May to 28 May 14. Bilateral Naval cooperation between the two navies was first formalised when RSN ships began training in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with the Indian Navy in 1994. SIMBEX is an acronym for ‘Singapore Indian Maritime BilateralExercise’.

IREDA is a dedicated financing institution for financing RE projects under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

  Drishti system; a sophisticated instrument for assessment of Runway visual range, which is a critical parameter for safe landing and takeoff of aircraft in poor visibility. Web enabled health monitoring, remote control of the system from any location in the country for accessing the data and for maintenance are the other important features of this state of the art system. This system is also used by 5 airports of india at present.

ICJ: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). The Court’s role is to settle, in

accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by

authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. The Court may entertain two types of cases: legal disputes between States

submitted to it by them (contentious cases) and requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs

and specialized agencies (advisory proceedings).

Is UNCITRAL part of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? Check pg 15 Mrunal imp assorted

No. UNCITRAL is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Secretariat of UNCITRAL is

the International Trade Law Division of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. In contrast, the

World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization independent from the United Nations.

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The issues dealt with by the WTO and UNCITRAL are different. The WTO deals with trade policy issues, such as

trade liberalization, abolition of trade barriers, unfair trade practices or other similar issues usually related to public

law, whereas UNCITRAL deals with the laws applicable to private parties in international transactions. As a

consequence, UNCITRAL is not involved with "state-to-state" issues such as anti-dumping, countervailing duties, or

import quotas.

UNCITRAL takes into account in its work "the interests of all peoples, and particularly those of the developing

countries, in the extensive development of international trade"). Members of the Commission represent different

geographic areas, and are elected by the General Assembly "having due regard to the adequate representation of

the principal economic and legal systems of the world, and of developed and developing countries." (Id., para. 1).

Developing countries play an active role in both drafting and adoption UNCITRAL texts. The commitment of the

Commission and the Secretariat to providing training and technical assistance to those countries is also long-

standing and constant. 

High-Speed Rail (HSR) in the country. It pledged to build theDiamond Quadrilateral project – connecting four major cities

of India located in four edges of the country. The same as that of Golden Quadrilateral. Right now, India is concentrating

on high-speed railway track rather than high-speed rail,

As per Section 5(h) of the original TRAI Act, the chairperson of the regulatory body, upon ceasing to hold such

office, shall be ineligible for further employment under the central or state government, and cannot accept any

commercial employment for a period of 2 years. It is for this reason the Centre took ordinance route to amend

the TRAI Act which was drafted by the Ministry of Law and Justice and moved for clearance by the Cabinet. After

Cabinet nod, the legislation was sent to the President. (NIPENDRA MISRA MADE Principal Sec. to PM after

being the chairman of TRAI)

Punjab approves mega food park in Ludhiana To accelerate growth of food processing industry in the country and increase India’s share in global food trade from 1.5% to 3% by year 2015.

Assam  government is considering introducing RhoDIS (Rhino DNA Indexing System), a DNA-based forensic tool to probe and prosecute suspects involved cases of rhino poaching. The tool will be used in the collection of each individual rhino’s unique DNA profile and developing a database which can be referenced when producing legal evidence in cases of rhino poaching.

Scientists have created a new material- ‘Triazine-based Graphitic Carbon Nitride‘ (TGCN) similar to Graphene, which has the potential to improve transistors used in electronic devices, predicted in 1996 but made in 2014. Graphene is one atom thick, strong and conducts heat and electricity highly efficiently. The new TGCN material is also two-dimensional, but it has an electronic band gap, making it potentially suitable for use in transistors.

Stillbirths are not counted in the Millennium Development Goals. Olive Ridley Conservation programme restarted after nearly 25 years: a medium-sized species of sea turtle found in

warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Considered vulnerable because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world.

Largest breeding ground for these turtles: The Gahirmatha Beach inKendrapara district of Odisha (India), now a part of theBhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves designated a Ramsar Wetland ofInternational Importance in 2002. World’s largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles. Two other mass nesting beaches on the mouth of rivers Rushikulyaand Devi.

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From 2015, performance ratings of Banks on customer services will be put in public domain by Banking Codes

Standards Board of India (BCSBI). BCSBI is rating banks on customer services on 5 parameters: Information dissemination Transparency Customer-centricity Grievance redressal system Customer feedback. WHO concerned about MERS virus ‘Middle East Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus’(MERS-CoV) cases since

March 2014 contracted the virus in Saudi Arabia. Recently, cases have also been reported from Egypt, Greece, Malaysia,Philippines, and the U.S. Although it is known that the virus is widespread in camels

While chemically reduce carbon from anthracite coal and make it soluble students of Rice university created Nano diamonds but they later converted to their original material Anthracite

The Uber Cup (also called World Team Championships for Women), is a major international badminton competition contested by women’s national badminton teams.

Importers and exporters has been permitted by the RBI to import gold under its existing 20:80 scheme. an importer has to ensure that at least 20% of every lot of imported gold is exclusively made available for exports as finished good and the balance for domestic use.

banks will be required to make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014 as “talking ATMs” with Braille keypads. same may be reviewed from periodically by the Customer Service Committee of the Board. should provide magnifying glasses in all bank branches for the use of persons with low vision,

RBI to launch Plastic notes in 2015, The pilot proj. to be done in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhub.& Shimla

India’s Mobile Governance Initiative (Mobile Seva) bags United Nations Public Service Award for 2014. aims at mainstreaming mobile governance in the country as a compelling new paradigm for delivery of public services electronically through the mobile platform. “Mobile Seva” in 2011 as a new countrywide initiative on mobile governance to provide public services to the citizens through mobile phones and handheld devices. As a part of this initiative, a centralized platform named Mobile Service Delivery Gateway (MSDG) has been created to provide a one-stop solution to all the central and state government departments and agencies across the nation for all their mobile service delivery needs

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is the largest ongoing Education for All (EFA) program in the world. It is the flagship program for universalizing elementary education.

India Signs Credit Agreement with World Bank :

for ‘Uttarakhand Decentralised Watershed Development project’ Objective : Increase the efficiency of natural resourceuse and productivity of rain fed agriculture by participating communities in selected micro watersheds of the Stateof Uttarakhand. The project has four components:

o Social Mobilization and Participatory Watershed Planning; (ii) Watershed Treatment and Rain fed Area Development;(iii) Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities; and (iv) Knowledge Management and Project Coordination

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Maharashtra Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program: Objective: to improve the performance of Maharashtra`s sector institutions in planning, implementation and monitoring of its Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program andto improve access to quality and sustainable services in peri-urban villages, and in water-stressed and water quality-affected areas. The Program will have three main components:1)Institutional capacity building for planning, implementation and monitoring of the sector across the state, ii) Water Supply and Sanitation Service Improvements in selected districts.

Additional Financing for Uttarakhand Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project improve the effectiveness of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) services through decentralization and restore services of damaged schemes in the disaster affected areas in the State of Uttarakhand.

for Accelerating Universal Access to Early and Effective Tuberculosis Care Tuberculosis remains one of the top four

causes of death among the most productive age groups with huge economic costs, particularly for poor households. This

project is the third in a series of projects supporting the Government of India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program

(RNTCP)

1 st -2 nd June 2014 RGCA’s Lab is India’s First NABL Accredited Aquaculture Pathology Lab

data released by UN Comtrade, India has emerged as the second largest textile exporter in the world beating

rivals like Italy, Germany andBangladesh in calender year 2013.China has retained the top position.

. Velocirobot’ : Robotic dinosaur which can faster than Usain Bolt (now extinct velociraptor,)

Telangana Formation: it happened for the first time that outside Hindi and Bengali speaking areas, 2 states

speaking the same language have been created (Telangana and AP are both Telugu speaking states. In addition

to more than one Hindi speaking state, there are two Bengali speaking states: West Bengal and Tripura.

NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph captured rare footage of a huge Coronal Mass Ejections

(CMEs) erupting from the Sun. CMEs, also known as solar storms or space storms, are colossal clouds of solar

plasma with magnetic field lines that eject from the Sun during solar flares and filament eruptions. CMEs disrupt

the flow of the solar wind and produce disturbances that hit the Earth with sometimes catastrophic consequences.

India is the 3rd largest Troop Contributor [TCC] in UN peace keeping missions

x

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f

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11 July 2014 Mara manjal a tree of turmeric in western ghats Berberine a chemical extracted used for dye

industry, wood for liver,ulcer and wounds Grows in moist, shady and semi rocky habitat under canopy It is a dioecious in nature. Vegetative reproduction is being tried considering the issue of obtaining seeds. Ground layering and air layering are being tried in individuals of the species at the Meenchalali forest area in the Sholayar range and the Kulamavu area of the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

dioecious nature of plant=distinct male and female character Ground: Layering is a means of plant propagation in which a portion of an aerial stem grows

roots while still attached to the parent plant and then detaches as an independent plant. Layering has evolved as a common means of vegetative propagation of numerous species in natural environments

1. Air Layering: a form of layering in which the branch is potted or wrapped in a moist growing medium to promote root growth.

IDFC Limited and Bandhan Financial Service Private Limited, to set up banks under the Guidelines for Licensing of New

Banks in the Private Sector

World bank and india today signed the loan agreement in order to help in the recovery of Odisha Phailin disaster. The project will have five components which are (I) Resilient Housing Reconstruction and Community Infrastructure, (II) Urban Infrastructure in Berhampur, (III) Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Management, (IV) Implementation Support, and (V) Contingent Emergency Response.

2014 August

‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’ (PMJDY) : an RuPay debit card, Rs 1 lakh accident insurance cover, and an additional Rs. 30,000/- life insurance cover for those opening bank accounts before January 26th, 2015. The fund of financial inclusion is placed with NABARD.  the Committee has recommended setting up of two funds - Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF). The two funds have been established with NABARD, which is the coordinating agency of Financial Inclusion initiatives with Financial Inclusion Department (FID) as the nodal department.

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The Yojana will be implemented in two phases:-  Phase-I from 15th August 2014: · Universal access to banking facilities for all households across the country through a bank branch

or a fixed point Business Correspondent (BC) called Bank Mitra within a reasonable distance except areas with infrastructure & connectivity constraints.

· To cover all households with atleast one Basic Banking Account with RuPay Debit card having inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh. Further an overdraft facility upto Rs.5000 will also be permitted to Adhaar enabled accounts after satisfactory operation in the account for 6 months.

· Financial literacy programme which aims to take financial literacy upto village level. · The Mission also envisages expansion of Direct Benefit Transfer under various Government

Schemes through bank accounts of the beneficiaries of. · The issuance of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) as RuPay Kisan Card is also proposed to be covered

under the plan. Phase-II :   · Providing micro –insurance to the people. · Unorganised sector Pension schemes like Swavalamban through the Business Correspondents.

to be Extended to the Existing Account Holders as Well

Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims: on Vadodara-Mumbai stretch of NH-8 and the other on Ranchi-Rargaon-Mahulia (Jamshedpur) stretch of NH-33,

1)envisage a toll free number 1033 and a 24x7 call centre2)provision for deploying GPS-fitted ambulances at every 25 kms to shift the accident victims to the near hospital 3)In case of admission to a private empanelled hospital, cashless treatment for the first 48 hours within a limit of Rs.30,000/- will be provided.4)MoUs was with IFFCO Tokyo General Insurance Company Ltd. for the Vadodara-Mumbai stretch of NH-8 and with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd for the Ranchi-Rargaon-Mahulia (Jamshedpur) stretch of NH-33.

Beneficiaries, who already have a bank account, are also eligible to take benefits of accident insurance of Rs. 1 lakh and life insurance of Rs. 30,000 under this scheme by getting a RuPay card issued from their bank branch before 26th January, 2015.

existence of element 117- “Ununseptium (Uus)” has been confirmed by the scientists. Elements with atomic number greater than 104 are referred to as Super-Heavy Elements. Although super-heavy elements have not been found in nature, they can be created by accelerating beams of nuclei andshooting them at the heaviest possible target nuclei. Fusion of two nuclei – a very uncommon event – at times produces a super-heavy element. Those currently accessible generally only exist for a short time. It expected to exist on the ‘Island of Stability’of super-heavy elements. ‘Island of Stability’:  A theoretical concept of Nuclear Physics first propounded by Glenn T. Seaborg in the late 1960s. As per this theory, the island of stability is a set of as-yet undiscovered heavier isotopes of transuranium elements which are

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supposed to be much more stable than some of those closer in atomic number to uranium. Specifically, they are expected to have radioactive decay half-lives of minutes or days, with some researchers expecting half-lives of millions of years.

first project facilitating regional connectivity in transport sector undertaken in India with Bank support. (Mizoram State Roads Project ) project will focus on improvement of priority cross-border roads connecting Bangladesh and Myanmar, as also on trade related infrastructure. Thus, the Mizoram State Roads Project will be an important milestone in enhancing the connectivity for the state of Mizoram and the rest of NE India with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

SEPTEMBER 2014 KALA AZAR, AGRI FST TRACK,Medicine,UREA, Suhurtham, WrldHeritg, SAARC,

GangaParv,SwachBhart

I&B Ministry initiatives to enhance Outreach and information dissemination through multiple platforms: Launch of new Kisan Channel, Establishment of Social Media Presence of Government of India, Launch of new Arun Prabha Channel for North East (24*7), 3 rd and 4th phase of Digitization, 3rd phase of FM radio auction, Goa declared the Permanent Destination for International Films Festival of India: In order to develop the“Brand IFFI" on the lines of other International Film Festivals, FTII, SRFTII to be institutes of National Importance: In Order to provide statutory backing through an act of Parliament to declare both the institutes as Institutes of National Importance the government has proposed a Bill. The proposed Bill would enable both the Institutes to award its own degrees and diplomas and start new activities on the lines of IITs and IIMs, Proposal cleared for Rs.600 crore National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) to preserve India’s film legacy

Kala Azar has also been declared a notifiable disease, which means all doctors, whether in government or private service, are henceforth required to alert the state health authorities whenever they encounter a patient with the disease’s symptoms.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, black fever, and Dumdum fever, This disease is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria) parasite migrates to the internal organs such as liver, spleen (hence "visceral"), and bone marrow, and, if left untreated, will almost always result in the death of the host

Kala-azar is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania In India Leishmania donovani is the only parasite causing this disease The parasite primarily infects reticuloendothelial system and may be found in abundance in bone marrow, spleen and liver. Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a condition when Leishmania donovani invades skin cells, resides and

develops there and manifests as dermal leisions. Some of the kala-azar cases manifests PKDL after a few years of treatment. Recently it is believed that PKDL may appear without passing through visceral stage. However, adequate data is yet to be generated on course of PKDL manifestation

Recurrent fever intermittent or remittent with often double rise loss of appetite, pallor and weight loss with progressive emaciation weakness Splenomegaly - spleen enlarges rapidly to massive enlargement, usually soft and nontender Liver - enlargement not to the extent of spleen, soft, smooth surface, sharp edge Lymphadenopathy - not very common in India

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Skin - dry, thin and scaly and hair may be lost. Light coloured persons show grayish discolouration of the skin of hands, feet,

abdomen and face which gives the Indian name Kala-azar meaning "Black fever" Anaemia - develops rapidly

Anaemia with emaciation and gross splenomegaly produces a typical appearance of the patients

Kala-azar is Diagnosed Serology tests: Variety of tests are available for diagnosis of Kala-azar. The most commonly

used tests based on relative sensitivity; specificity and operationally feasibility include Direct Agglutination Test (DAT), rk39 dipstick and ELISA. However all these tests detect IgG antibodies that are relatively long lasting. Aldehyde Test is commonly used but it is a non-specific test. IgM detecting tests are under development and not available for field use.

Parasite demonstration in bone marrow/spleen/lymphnode aspiration or in culture medium is the confirmatory diagnosis.

However, sensitivity varies with the organ selected for aspiration. Though spleen aspiration has the highest sensitivity and specificity (considered gold standard) but a skilled professional with appropriate precaustions can perform it only at a good hospital facility.

Differential Diagnosis:

Typhoid Miliary tuberculosis Malaria  Brucellosis Amoebic liver abscess  Infectious mononucleosis Lymphoma, Leukemia Tropical splenomegaly Portal hypertension

The Bor Tiger Reserve is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including tiger, co-predators, prey animals and birds. The habitat is on the boundary of Nagpur and Wardha districts, amidst the Satpura-Maikal landscape, forming catchment of the river Bor. The sanctuary is also an important corridor between Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves of the State.

Bor is the 47th tiger reserve in the country and the 6th tiger reserve of Maharashtra. With Project Tiger coverage, the reserve would receive funding and technical support which would strengthen tiger conservation, besides eco-development to benefit fringe people.

Agriculture Sector on Fast Track 

The Government has launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to promote use of organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, the minister said. 

Making a mention of Soil Health Card Scheme, under National Agroforestry Policy 2014 a platform will be provided to stimulate component of farming system which will lead to meeting the ever increasing demand of timber, food, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, fibre and other agroforestry products; conserving the natural resources and forest; protecting the environment & providing environmental security; and increasing the forest/tree cover. 

new initiative of National Blue Revolution the Government will fill in the critical gaps such as fish seed and feed and introduce new technology like cage culture and re-circulatory aquaculture systems

National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre is being set up to protect indigenous breeds. Nucleus herd will be set up to increase productivity and to ensure genetic advancement of 37 cow breeding, 13 buffaloes breeds. In order to promote Agri Rail Network for transportation of milk, orders have been placed by AMUL and NDDB on

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behalf of Dairy Cooperative Federation for procurement of 36 new Rail Milk Tankers and will be made available by railways. This will help in movement of milk from milk surplus areas to areas of demand providing dairy farmers with greater market area, he said. 

'Soil Health Card' will carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients/fertilizers required for farms in a particular village, helping farmers improve productivity by using inputs judiciously. Mission mode project (100 crores)

For all farm lands 100 Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories to be Set up A computerized system will facilitate local agriculture science centres to keep details of ‘soil test’ results of their area. The system will give allot a unique number to ‘Soil Health Card’ of each soil sample. The card will carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers This way, any change in ownership of the farm lands will not create any problem in updating the information

Gujarat’s soil health card projects 2006: Gujarat becomes the first state to launch Soil health card scheme. First the soil properties tested-mineral composition, water retaining capacity etc. Then farmer gets a soil health cards containing information on what kind of pesticides, fertilisers, seeds and how

much water should be used, to get MAXIMUM productivity from his land.

Eight commemorative postage stamp of Indian musicians : Ustad Ali Akbar Khan- Indian classical music (Also known as national treasure for his work)Pundit Bhimsen Joshi: khayal form of singing. He was best known for his popular renditions of devotional musicSmt. D. K. Pattammal- “Female Trinity of Carnatic Music”. Her perfect rendering of Ragam Tanam-Pallavi , a composition that had all along been a domain of male artists, earned her the title of "Pallavi Pattammal”Smt. Gangubai Hangal- lady made a singing career in 1924 leaving behind all oddsPundit Kumar Gandharva is remembered for his creation of new ragas and for bringing the spotlight to the music of Madhya Pradesh. His legacy includes his amazing experimentation with Nirguni bhajans and folksongs.Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur of the Jaipur-Atrauli GharanaPundit Ravi Shankar,a legendary sitar player and composer of Hindustani classical musicUstad Vilayat Ali Khan: introduced music to world

Indian Classical music: Types of compositions (born out of a cultural synthesis of several musical traditions: the Vedic chant tradition, dating back to more than three thousand years ago) dates back to the ancient Samaveda

4.1 Dhrupad 4.2 Khyal 4.3 Tarana 4.4 Tappa 4.5 Thumri 4.6 Ghazal

introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) Rotavirus vaccine will be introduced as an additional dose along with the first, second and third doses of DPT in the UIP. IN ORDER TO MEET MDG

ROTAVIRUS: Rotavirus infection facts

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and children throughout the world. Most unvaccinated children become infected with rotavirus by age 3.

Rotavirus causes fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Rotavirus infection is highly contagious.

What causes rotavirus infection?

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The rotavirus is a member of the Reoviridae family of viruses and contains double-stranded RNA enclosed by a double-shelled outer layer (capsid). Infection with different strains of the virus is possible, so it is common to have several separate rotavirus infections in childhoodSymptoms of dehydration include lethargy, dry, cool skin, absence of tears when crying, dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes or sunken fontanel (the soft spot on the head of infants), extreme thirst.

INDIAN MEDICINE India is blessed with well-developed systems of traditional medicine including medicinal plants, which hold tremendous potential in the global health scenario. Traditional medicine is an important element of Bangladesh’s health policy. Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy are important traditional health care systems existing in Bangladesh. A large population in Bangladesh is using Indian traditional medicine and homoeopathy, ayurveda, unani and homoeopathy systems of medicine. Both countries share a common heritage with respect to Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine as well as a shared history in homeopathy. Moreover, there are a large number of medicinal plants, particularly those found in the tropical region, which are common to the two countries given similar geo-climatic factors.

The Department of AYUSH as a part of its mandate to propagate the Indian systems of medicine globally has taken effective steps by entering into MoUs with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM), China (the MoU has since expired), Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago and Hungary for cooperation in traditional medicine. MoUs are proposed to be signed with Serbia and Nepal for which the Cabinet has given its approvals. Consequently, the Ministers of Health, Government of Serbia and Government of Nepal have been invited to visit India for signing of the MoUs.

UREA : Fertilizer production

Total requirement of 31.6 million tonnes of urea every year, the domestic production of urea was only 22 million tonnes and 2 more million tonnes of Urea is supplied from fertilizer factory set up jointly by India and Iran in Iran. Rest of the total 7.36 million tonnes of urea is imported from other countries.

Caner risk, NPK fertilizer worldwide : 4:2:1 but india avg- 8:2:1 and in Punjab- 23:2:1

Nutrient deficiency in plant

NutrientSymptoms visible in

Why?

1. N,potassium2. magnesium Older leaves

because during deficiency, the older leaves transfer these nutrients to younger leaves Nitrogen deficiency: Choruses – loss of Chlorophyll, delayed flowering

3. sulphur Younger leaves

because calcium and Sulphur are immobile, older leaves cannot transfer them to younger leaves Calcium deficiency: Necrosis- death of leaf tissue Sulfur deficiency: retarded cell division in plant, delayed flowering,

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4. calcium retarded cell division.

Important FERTILIZERs

Fertilizer Ratio* Source

Nitrogen (Urea) 4 Urea (Neptha + fuel oil)

25% demand met through imports. Only government agencies can import.

Phosphorous 2 80-85% via import

Potash 1 100% via import

NBS: Nutrient based subsidy

Launched in 2010. Before that, we had “product based subsidy”. Under NBS, govt. gives subsidy based on weight of the different Macro/micro nutrient in the

fertilizer. In this way, fertilizers companies can make new product mixes with micro-nutrients,

according to soil requirement in each region. And farmers can afford to buy these tailor-made fertilizers because government gives subsidy

to keep them cheap.

Economic Survey reforms:1. Add Urea in the NBS regime.2. Pay fertilizer subsidy directly to farmer (i.e. by bank transfer) as per Nilekani Task force

recommendations.3. Then, fertilizer companies & their middlemen will have no benefit in smuggling.4. Encourage Indian companies to setup joint ventures with foreign fertilizer companies.5. Enter in long term fertilizer supply agreement with foreign countries.

State Legislature’s power to declare a language in use in the State as official language is not curbed by Article 347 of the Constitution. Article 347 prescribes that a language can be made official upon the satisfaction of the President. Article 345 of the Constitution says “the Legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State”. (to promote hindi)

The British government is very keen to see the operationalising of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). programme was looking at ten countries and suggesting an entrance fee of 0.2 per cent of GDP, he said. Aiming countries that would be involved are the OECD [countries] plus the emerging economies — they are the critical player (  but its roots go back to the rubble of Europe after World War II. Determined to avoid the mistakes of their predecessors in the wake of World War I, European leaders realised that the best way to ensure lasting peace was to encourage co-operation and reconstruction, rather than punish the defeated.. On 14 December 1960, 20 countries originally signed the Convention on the Organisation for

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Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment.  INDIA NOT A MEMBER

PM JDY and Swawlamban launched (more on GSII subjective)

It has been decided that FMD-CP will be extended to whole of India during 12th Plan subject to availability of funds and vaccine. FOOT AND MOUTH Disease : in Science subject

“FASTag”, the Brand name for ETC services on Highways: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided to roll out Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) program in the country under the brand name “FASTag”. ETC entails payment of highway tolls electronically without needing to stop the vehicle at the toll plazas. The unique number of the RFID Tag affixed on the wind shield of the vehicle will be read by the readers fitted in the dedicated “ETC” lanes of plazas and appropriate amount as per the class of vehicle will be automatically deducted from the account of the user. The dedicated ETC lanes will have colour coding for distinct identity recognized as “FASTag lanes”.   

ICICI Bank and Axis bank, engaged for providing Central Clearing House (CCH) services, would distribute RFID based “FASTag” through their franchises/agents and at points of sales near the toll plazas. Road users can enrol and get “FASTag” affixed on their vehicles at designated toll plaza locations or Point of Sale (POS) stations of Axis bank and ICICI bank.  

India and Israel are collaborating in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, water, irrigation, seeds development and many other sectors.

WORLD HERITAGE LIST: Rani ki Vav (Gujarat) and the Great Himalayan National Park (H.P.) India’s first two sites inscribed on the list at the Seventh Session of the World Heritage held in 1983 were the Agra Fort and the Ajanta Caves. 

The project ‘MAUSAM’, “Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes” has also been launched. This new initiative of Ministry of Culture in itself is expected to enhance tourism as well as promote India’s soft power.

“Suhurtham” scheme making cancer treatment free in district and medical college hospitals. It started in Kerala

Hyogo Framework for Action ¿) has proved to be a powerful tool for Disaster Risk Reduction. India has performed fantastically in implementation of various priorities of HFA. She proposed that urban risk reduction would also get included in new framework and impressed upon monitoring of risk reduction activities.  The HFA outlines five priorities for action, and offers guiding principles and practical means for achieving disaster resilience. Its goal is to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 by building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. This means reducing loss of lives and social, economic, and environmental assets when hazards strike.

free News SMS service in five Indian languages Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit, Dogri and Nepali of AIR News Services Division.   foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease) or mad cow disease.  Cattle with foot and mouth disease may develop sores and blisters: on the feet, in the mouth, on the tongueOther clinical signs include: fever, shivering, lameness, slobbering and smacking lips, cows produce less milkAnimals can catch the virus through direct contact with an infected animal.The disease can also pass indirectly through: Equipment, vehicles, people, clothes, mud, bedding, any other item that has been in contact with infected

animals

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People with traditional knowledge of reading camel footprints) in Kutch and Banaskantha near the Pakistan border. These are a community of people who are experts in reading camel footprints. From the footprints, they can track the direction in which the camel has travelled. It is impossible to cross the desert in one night and camel is the only mode of transport.

Bamiyan Buddhist site as the cultural spot of SAARC . Bamiyan lies on the Silk Road, which runs through the Hindu Kush mountain region, in the Bamiyan Valley. The two most prominent statues were the giant standing Buddhas Vairocana and Sakyamuni, identified by the differentmudras performed. The Buddha popularly called "Solsol" and "Shahmama" they were the largest examples of standing Buddha carvings in the world (the 8th century Leshan Giant Buddha is taller,[10] but the statue is sitting). Since then the Spring Temple Buddha has been built in China, is tallest

They are believed to have been built by the Kushans, with the guidance of local Buddhist monks, The larger figure was also said to portray Dīpankara Buddha. They were perhaps the most famous cultural landmarks of the region.

Lycoden odishi an endemic breed of snake found in odisha, studied by Herpetologist: people who study the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including  frogs, toads, salamanders,  newts, and gymnophiona) and reptiles (including snakes,  lizards, amphisbaenids,  turtles,  terrapins, tortoises, crocodilians, and thetuataras). Batrachology is a further subdiscipline of herpetology concerned with the study of amphibians alone.

SAARC : India proposes to conduct Buddha Mahotsava in Bhutan, Cricket Connects Exhibitions in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan. We would explore, under the National Virtual Library of India mission, the vast potential for online promotion of SAARC culture. India seeks to collaborate with SAARC member states in formulation of transnational nominations for world heritage sites. India also seeks collaboration under Project Mausam with countries of the Indian Ocean rim to preserve the common maritime heritage of the region. The declaration of 2016–17 as the SAARC year of Cultural Heritage will bring significant impetus to promotion of common cultural heritage.”

Establishment of the Clean Ganga Fund The following broad activities will be financed from the Fund:

a) Activities outlined under the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for cleaning of river Ganga.

b) Control of non-point pollution from agricultural runoff, human defecation, cattle wallowing, etc.

c) Setting up of waste treatment and disposal plants along the river around the cities.

d) Conservation of the biotic diversity of the river.

e) Community based activities to reduce polluting human interface with the river.

f) Development of public amenities including activities such as Ghat redevelopment.

g) Research and Development and innovative projects.

h) Research and Development projects and innovative projects for new technology and processes for cleaning the river.

i) Independent oversight through intensive monitoring and real time reporting.

j) Any other activity as approved by the Trust.

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Government announced the setting up of an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission called "Namami Gange" and an initial sum of Rs. 2,037 crore has been allocated in the Union Budget 2014-15. The Cabinet has now agreed to set up "Clean Ganga Fund (CGF)" with voluntary contributions from residents of the country and Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) / Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and others to harness their enthusiasm to contribute towards the conservation of the river Ganga. The Fund will have the objective of contributing to the national effort of cleaning of the river Ganga. Domestic donors to the Fund shall be eligible for tax benefits as applicable in the case of the Swachh Bharat Kosh. The Fund would be managed by a Trust to be headed by Finance Minister.Background:

The Ganga Action Plan was launched on 14th January 1986 with the main objective of pollution abatement, to improve water quality by interception, diversion and treatment of domestic sewage and toxic and industrial chemical wastes present, from identified grossly polluting units entering in to the river. After reviewing the effectiveness of the "Ganga Action Plan", the Government announced the "Mission Clean Ganga" project on 31st December, 2009 with the objective that by 2020, no municipal sewage and industrial waste would be released in the river without treatment, with the total budget of around Rs.15,000 crore. The Government also established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister, with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga, by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.

The proposal to set up CGF is to attract private contributions globally for increasing people`s participation in this massive task. As this would also cover NRIs, CGF would also fulfil the Budget announcement in the Regular Budget 2014-15.Considering that there is a need to increase people`s participation from across the country and abroad, it is proposed to set up a "Clean Ganga Fund (CGF)" with voluntary contributions. The main features of CGF are:

i. CGF will have the objective of contributing to the national effort of improving the cleanliness of the river Ganga with the contributions received from the residents of the country, NRIs/ PIO and others.

ii. CGF will be operated through a bank account by a Trust.

iii. Domestic donors to the fund shall be eligible for tax benefits as in the case of "Swachch Bharat Kosh". Foreign donors could get suitable tax exemptions in domestic law, wherever permissible. iv. CGF will explore the possibility of setting up daughter funds in other jurisdictions/countries of high donor interest such as USA, UK, Singapore, UAE, etc. to enable tax benefits to donors in their respective jurisdictions.

v. CGF will be catalytic in nature and will identify and fund specific projects which could be pilot projects, R&D projects, innovative projects or other focused projects. The Fund will define specific and measurable objectives to form the basis for planning, funding, and evaluation.

vi. Broad activities proposed to be financed from CGF include, inter alia, Activities outlined under the `Namami Gange` programme for cleaning of river Ganga; control of non-point pollution from agricultural runoff, human defecation, cattle wallowing etc.; setting up of waste treatment and disposal plants along the river around the cities; conservation of the biotic diversity of the river; community based activities to reduce polluting human

48

interface with the river; Development of public amenities including activities such as Ghat redevelopment; R&D and innovative projects; Research and Development projects and innovative projects for new technology and processes for cleaning Ganga; independent oversight through intensive monitoring and real time reporting; any other activity as approved by Governing Council. This is an indicative list and can be expanded within the overall objective by the Governing Council. The Fund shall not be utilised for activities such as dredging.

vii. CGF will be subject to such audit as required by law as well as audit by any agency determined by Government. CGF would be administered by a Trust to be chaired by Finance Minister and upto 8 members from different fields including NRIs, nominated by the Government. Secretary (Economic Affairs), Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs), Secretary (Environment, Forest and Climate Changes) and Secretary (Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation) will be members. The CEO of the Fund will be the Member Secretary of the Trust.

Swachh Bharat Programme for Urban Areas The Programme consists of components for providing:

 i.   Individual household toilets,ii.  Community and public toilets andiii. Municipal Solid Waste Management in all 4041 statutory towns.

The scheme will be part of a joint Swachch Bharat Mission to be implemented for rural areas by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and for urban areas by the Ministry of Urban Development.

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) will be restructured into the Swachh Bharat Mission with two sub-Missions - Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). If necessary, funds may be provided by re-appropriation or from the Contingency Fund. Centre share : 75% but for NE and J&K 90% centre

Provision for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) will be at 8 percent of total project cost, with 3 percent to be utilised at the Central level and 5 percent at State level.

vi. Provision for Administrative Cost will be 2 percent of the project cost. Sharing pattern will be 75:25 between Centre and State.

MAKE IN INDIA ü The process of applying for Industrial License and Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum has been made

online on the e-Biz website 24*7; ü A vast number of Defence items have been de-licensed; ü The validity of Industrial license has been extended to three years; ü With a view to providing flexibility in working hours and increased intake of apprentices for on the job

training, the Government has decided to amend a number of labour laws; ü An advisory has been sent to all Departments/ State Governments to simplify and rationalize regulatory

environment FDI in Defence liberalized from 26% to 49%.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana’- DAY for urban and rural 1.Imparting skills with an expenditure of Rs.15,000 – Rs.18,000 on each urban poor; 2.Promotion of self-employment through setting up individual micro-enterprises and group enterprises with

interest subsidy for individual projects costing Rs.2.00 lakhs and Rs.10.00 lakhs for group enterprises. Subsidized interest rate will be 7%;

3.Training urban poor to meet the huge demand from urban citizens by imparting market oriented skills through City Livelihood Centres. Each Centre would be given a capital grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs.

4.Enabling urban poor form Self-Help Groups for meeting financial and social needs with a support of Rs.10,000/- per each group who would in turn would be helped with bank linkages;

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5. Development of vendor markets besides promotion of skills of vendors; and 6. Construction of permanent shelters for urban homeless and provision of other essential services.

F

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October 2014UBA, NGT,Butrfly survy,TB2020,KenBetwa,HijriCalendr,AIIB

Govt. launches unnat bharat abhiyan: to uplift rural india, Main idea : to provide definitive research that can be aligned with national development. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan: An initiative of the MHRD. It will be coordinated and steered by IIT Delhi.

Key Points about Unnat Bharat Abhiyan The programme, with the help of IITs, NITs and other leading technical institutions will prepare a roadmap for holistic

rural development. It will involve engaging with communities around each institute and for their upliftment. Each IIT will identify 10 villages in its neighbourhood and work out technologies to solve the most pressing issues of

the region. Different teams from these institutes will visit the villages, identify problems and then aim to find financially-

viable schemes. Once the solution is identified then they will involve the industry in this to solve the problem. Along with the HRD ministry and the institutes, some other ministries such as rural development and NGOs working

in villages are also likely to be involved in the programme. Some of the problems that the institutes will be looking at are, supply of potable water, sanitation, energy and low cost

housing. India re-elected for EcoSoc Member

EcoSocThe Economic and Social Council is the ‘United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development.’ EcoSoc is one of the six main UN organs which were established by the UN Charter. EcoSoc is the ‘principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementation of the internationally agreed development goals.’ It supervises ‘the subsidiary and expert bodies in the economic, social and environmental fields.’

Other organs of UN: General Assembly, Security council, EcoSoc, Trusteeship council, ICJ, Secretariat

NGT: The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.

New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting, rest: Bhopal, pune, Kolkata and Chennai

Butterfly survey at Periyar Tiger Reserve: Three rare species of butterflies were also found during the survey: Baby five

ring, Pale green awlet and Broad Tail Royal. The Baby five ring has been recorded in the world only three times before. The Pale green awlet is a nocturnal butterfly that was found in the Velliamala section of the Periyar reserve.   The Broad Tail Royal was recorded for the first time in Kerala in the Eravangalar region of the reserve.

  Importance of surveying Butterflies Butterflies are considered an indicator species, meaning their  diversity helps ecologists study and assess the health of the ecosystem. They are also an indicator of   climate change ; the healthier  the ecosystem, the greater the diversity of butterflies. Additionally, the survey can help determine if there has been any habitat disturbance.

TB mission 2020: GOI initiative to eliminate TB or Tuberculosis in India by 2020. Indian government is taking efforts to provide free diagnosis, treatment, nutrition support and financial aid from the government and private hospitals to the affected patients.

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The Indian government is working with multiple multilateral agencies and forums to eliminate TB. Control of TB was declared part of the dominant agenda for the forthcoming meeting of   BRICS  Health Ministers in December. India is largest TB burden country.

Prasar BharatiPrasar Bharati is an autonomous body that was established under the Prasar Bharati Act in 1997. It is the public broadcaster of India. AIR (All India Radio) and Doordarshan are part of Prasar Bharati. Before the establishment of Prasar Bharati, they were under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)The ABU was formed in 1964, and is a non-profit, non-governmental, professional association of broadcasting organizations. It has over 200 members in over 60 countries/regions. Its headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and its President is Yoshinori Imai.India is a founder member since 1964 and All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan have been associated with ABU too.ABU has full time members who must benational free-to-air broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific; associate members that is open to provincial, subscription and national broadcasters; and affiliate members who are organizations connected to broadcastic.ABU provides a forum to promote the collective interests of its members. It is one of the most prominent and the third largest broadcasting union in the world.

World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) is the coordinating body for broadcasting unions who represent broadcaster networks across the globe. It was established in 1992 as a coordinating body at the international broadcasting level. Since then, the WBU has provided global solutions on key issues for its member unions. The broadcasting unions who belong to the WBU are the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the International Association of Broadcasting (IAB/AIR), the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) and the Organizacion de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas (OTI).

SpaceX

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, orSpaceX, is a space transport services company that is headquartered in Hawthorne, California, USA

It was founded in 2002 by formerPayPal entrepreneur and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. The goal behind the setting up of SpaceX was to reduce space transportation costs and enable

thecolonization of Mars SpaceX has developed two reusable launch vehicles: the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9, apart from a spacecraft

called Dragon SpaceX is a holder of the following records:- It was responsible for the first privately funded, liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit It is the first privately funded company to successfully launch orbit and recover a spacecraft It is the first private company to send a spacecraft to the ISS Is the first private company to send a satellite intogeosynchronous orbit

 Dragon

Dragon is a free flying spacecraft that was designed by SpaceX It was designed to deliver cargo and also people to orbiting destinations in space In 2012, it became the first commercial spacecraft in history to delivery cargo to the ISS and also return

cargo safely back to Earth SpaceX is currently developing a new version of Dragon under an agreement with NASA, whereby it will

be able to carry crew-members. Dragon’s first manned test flight is expected to occur in a couple of years

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Govt to plan SPV for Ken Betwa linking projec t : Ken-Betwa River Linking ProjectThe Ken-Betwa link is one of the 16 river linking proposals under the Peninsular Component of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for water resources development. It envisages diversion of surplus water from the Ken basin to the water-deficit Betwa basin. The project will have a dam on Ken river along with a 221 km link canal. The project was conceived in two phases, with the first phase benefitting both states, and the second phase confined to Madhya Pradesh. There are plans to implement both phases at the same time.The project is expected to facilitate annual irrigation for 6.35 lakh hectares and supply drinking water to 13.42 lakh people. Also, a 78MW hydropower plant is expected to become operational after the two rivers are linked.

KEN RIVER: Ken River is one of the major rivers of the Bundelkhand region of central India. It originates from on the north-west slopes of Kaimur Range( eastern portion of Vindhyas range, from katangi, balaghat, mahiyar, amarpatan, satna upto bihar. most important physioraphic feature in eastern Madhya Pradesh is the great Kaimur escarpment. This forms the watershed or divide for two of the major rivers of peninsular India, the Son on the south and Tons on the north.  ) in Jabalpur MP and merges to Yamuna at Fatehpur. It crosses  Bijawar-Panna hills, and seperates  Rewa Plateau from the Satna Plateau.

The rocks formed here present a spectacular view of different hues made of Granite, Dolomite and Quartz. Also passes through Panna national park.

BETWA : Vetravati or shuktimati or Betwa rises in the Vindhya Range just north of Hoshangabad(MP) and flows

north-east through MP and Orchhato UP. Nearly half of its course, which is not navigable, runs over the Malwa

Plateau. The confluence of the Betwa and the Yamuna Rivers is Hamirpur town in UP, in the vicinity of Orchha. It

also has

dams: Rajghat Dam, Matatila (imp for the reason of migratory waterbirds and tourist spot),Parichha and Dhurwara Dam

New Islamic calendar year: hijri 1436 starts. Advent of the Islamic Calendar

The first Islamic year began in 622 AD and is believed to mark the emigration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. The word Hijrah means immigration. The Islamic Calendar was started 1434 years before by the second Caliph Omar ibn Khattab, which makes the current year 1436 AH according to the Islamic calendar. The AH here stands for the Latin term ‘Anno Hegirae’ or ‘After Hijrah’.

Calculation of the New Year

The Islamic calendar runs on the lunar system, and the first day of the new month is decided based on sighting of the moon. So, the new year is determined by the sighting of the new moon. Therefore, the exact day varies in different countries, but there is generally only a difference of one or two days.

The Umm al-Qura Calendar, used in Saudi Arabia, is also followed by several neighbouring states on the Arabian Peninsula, such as Bahrain and Qatar. InIndia, the Hijri new year falls on October 25.

Other calendars :Indian national calendar, sometimes called the Saka calendar, is the official civil calendar in use in India. It is used, alongside the Gregorian calendar. It is a  luni-sidereal calendars (sidereal means the complete chakkar of earth around sun wrt 1 star)

Vikram calendar: also called vikram samvat, lunar months and solar sidereal, 56.7 yrs ahead of Gregorian, computed using tropical year. Adopted by Nepal.

WB government to set up Right to Public Service Commission : The legislation titled Paschim Banga Lok Parisheba Adhikar Bill, 2013 will be introduced for the first time in the upcoming session. The bill provides for efficient delivery of services in government offices. The dual goal of the legislation will be to reduce corruption and put in place an efficient delivery mechanism. Non-delivery of services within the provided time frame will lead to imposition of fines. Fines may range from Rs. 250 to Rs. 1,000.

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Commission

The legislation also provides for the setting up of a Commission to look into complaints from people who have not received government services on time, and take action as required.

AIIB: 21 Asian countries, including India, have signed an agreement to become the founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)India’s role

China has been keen to ensure India’s participation in the AIIB, and the Chinese President Jinping also pushed for it when met PM Modi on the sidelines of theBRICS Summit in July. The AIIB is in addition to the BRICS Development Bank which was also formed recently. Te BRICS Development will be located in Shanghai, and will begin operating with an Indian as its President.The Joint Secretary of the Economic Affairs division of the Ministry of Finance signed the MoU on behalf of India at Beijing. The Joint Secretary said that the new bank will function as a rich resource base for capital for infrastructure financing, and thereby provide an impetus to regional development by playing a complementary role to multilateral agencies  such as the ADB and IMF.

Voting rights of the different countries will be decided after consultations among the members over fixing the bench marks which are expected to be a combination of GDP and PPP. If such a formula is finalized, India will be the second largest share holder of AIIB after China.AIIB

AIIB is an international financial institution that was proposed by China. It is expected to act as a balance of power with the WB, IMF and ADB all being controlled/dominated by the US, EU and Japan respectively. The Headquarters of the AIIB will be at Beijing, and the bank is expected to be operational in 2015.According to the agreement, the authorised capital of AIIB is US $100 bn and the initial subscribed capital is expected to be around US $50 bn. The paid-in ratio will be 20%. The 21 members of the AIIB are China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, thePhilippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos,Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Contributions made by corporate towards Swachh Bharat Kosh and Clean Ganga Fund to be considered as social welfare spending under Companies Act

October 26, 2014

The government has widened the ambit of CSR under the new Companies Act to include contributions made towards the Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) and the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF).

The contributions will count as being made for social welfare work.Changes to the Companies Act

Companies having at least Rs 5 cr net profit, or Rs 1,000 cr turnover, or Rs 500 cr net worth  have to spend a minimum of 2% of their three year average annual net profit towards CSR from 2014-15. Schedule VII of Companies Act, 2013, lists the activities and endeavors that can count as CSR.

The Corporate Affairs Ministry has inserted the words ‘including contribution to the Swachh Bharat Kosh set up by the central government for the promotion of sanitation’ and  ‘including contribution to the Swach Bharat Kosh set up by the central government for the promotion of sanitation’ in Schedule VII of the Act through a notification.

Earlier, contributions made to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund was also included under Schedule VII. Any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and

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welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women was also included under the schedule.Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK)

SBK was set up to attract CSR funds from the corporate sector and contributions from individuals and philanthropists. The funds accumulated in the SBK will be utilized to  achieve the objective of Clean India or Swachh Bharat by 2019 through Swachh Bharat Mission.

 Clean Ganga Fund (CGF)

The CGF was constituted to fund activities to clean and conserve the river, Ganga. The CGF also accepts voluntary contributions from NRIs and PIOs towards the CGF. The CGF will be managed by a Trust to be headed by the finance minister. The Secretariat of the Trust will be set up in the Ministry of Water Resources.

Kalakshetra Foundation

Kalakshetra was founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale to nurture India’s artistic traditions. It is located in Besant Nagar, Chennai. It is a cultural academy that aims to presere the traditions of the Bharatanatyam dance form and traditional music.In January 1994, the Central Government passed a legislation to recognize the Kalakshetra Foundation as an ‘Institute of National Importance’.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Patel was born on 31 October, 1875 at Karamsand, Gujarat. He was a barrister with a successful law practice, before he left the law to join the Indian national movement under Gandhi. He played a major role in organizing peasants’ movements in Kheda and Bardoli in Gujarat, and during the Quit India movement. His biggest contribution to India was his role in the integration of the over 500 princely states with India during 1947-49.

India-Mexico sign pacts for space cooperation

The other issues discussed or decided at the meeting are:-

The two countries agreed to explore cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector Both countries agreed that there was a need to expand their bilateralties, especially in the arena of trade. Bilateral

trade between the two countries increased from $2.81 bn in 2010 to $7 bn now. Mexico agreed to set up an ‘India Room’ in the National Museum of Cultures in Mexico City for which India has gifted

108 pieces In 2015, a ‘Days of India in Mexico’ will be launched in Mexico to commemorate the 60 th anniversary of bilateral

relations between the two nations Both countries also agreed to institutionalize a bilateral mechanism on consular issues

Space cooperation

The two countries will cooperate in remote sensing, satellite communication and areas related to the peaceful use of outer space.

Facts about UN The UN was created to replace the inefficient League of Nations following World War II to prevent the

occurrence of such wars in the future US President Franklin Roosevelt coined the term ‘United Nations’, which was first used in 1942 Later, in October 1943, in a declaration signed in Moscow, USSR, UK and USA called for the early

establishment of an internationalorganization to maintain peace and security. This goal was reaffirmed at the Tehran Conference in December 1943

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The UN was finally founded in 1945 when representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco on April 25 at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. The Charter was unanimously adopted on June 25.India is a founding member of the UN

The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945 There are 193 UN member states as of today with South Sudan being the last one to join UN Headquarters is situated in New York Some of the important bodies of the UN are the UNGA, UNSC, Economic and Social Council (EcoSoc),

Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the Secretariat. The official languages of the UN are English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French, whereas the

working languages of the UN Secretariat are English and French.

Nigeria declared Ebola free by World Health Organisation

Impact of Ebola

The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Approximately 70% of the infected persons have died in these countries.Criteria for declaring a nation Ebola-free

The WHO declared Nigeria Ebola free after it crossed six weeks with no reports of new cases of Ebola. WHO can declare an Ebola outbreak over if two incubation periods of 21 days pass with no new cases.

Ebola virus Fruit bats, which are a delicacy for some West Africans, is believed to be the virus’ natural host Symptoms faced by people who have contracted the Ebola virus include high fever, bleeding and

central nervous system damage. The virus is spread through contact with body fluids of inflected persons such as blood, urine and saliva. The incubation period for the virus ranges from 2 to 21 days. There is no proven cure for the disease, though supportive care can help recovery. The fatality rate for persons who have contracted Ebola is currently 70%, but it can reach up to 90%.

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