Civilsdaily digest sep 2015

CIVILSDAILY NEWSDIGEST

2015SEP

Trivia | September 1, 2015

The Indian variant of the Mexican Tequila willsoon be a reality!1. We are talking about Naara Kalabanda, also known asAgave albomarginata (Agavaceae family).

2. The pith portion has high starch content and hencecan be used to prepare ethanol.

3. Alcohol is obtained from the trunk of the plant – 45%of alcohol.

4. It is suitable for consumption. Some local farmers ofTirupati use the plant to extract gel from its leaves.

5. Is a variant of Mexican tequila which is obtained fromAgave americana which grows in the wild.


Authorities concerned over ephedrinesmuggling via Kerala1. What’s that? A narcotic stimulant.2. It is called as “mirror” in South Africa because of itscrystalline structure. In Iran it is known as “Sheesh”.

3. Meth has emerged as the recreational drug of choicein these countries.

4. Smuggling of its main component ephedrine is agrowing concern for enforcers in India.

5. The controlled substance is a vital ingredient in coughsyrups and nasal decongestants.


Railways on a zero‐accident mission1. The Railways has envisaged renewal of tracks, morerailway bridges, better signalling and accident‐proofcoaches and engines.

2. It aims at reducing accident rate and improving thespeed as well as quality of service.

3. The under‐investment in the past have led to trainaccidents, delay of trains and deterioration of service.

4. Railway will go for prudential borrowing frominstitutions such as the LIC, the World Bank and othermultilateral agencies.

5. The reformed accounting system will see a transitionfrom budgeting to outcomes.

Discuss: Ministry has planned an investment of Rs. 8.5lakh crore in the next 5 years.

Polity | September 1, 2015

Supreme Court lifts stay on Santhara ritual ofJains1. The SC restored the Jain religious practice of aritualistic fast unto death by staying an order of theRajasthan HC.

2. SC hailed the practice as a fundamental componentof the Jain principle of ahimsa.

3. SC observed that HC has criminalised Santharawithout even consulting Jain scholars or findings.

4. The ban on practice has initiated a debatewhether essential and integral parts of a religion canbe restricted by the State.

Economics | September 1, 2015

At 7 per cent, India remains fastest growingmajor economy1. The economic growth slowed down to 7% in Apr‐Junquarter compared to 7.5% in Jan‐Mar quarter.

2. India remained the fastest growing major economy ofthe world for a second straight quarter.

3. There is a marginal improvement in privateconsumption expenditure but gross capital formationrate continued to decline.

4. The growth was driven primarily by the servicessector; but manufacturing and construction industrieshave recorded favourable growth.

5. India overtook China as the world’s fastest growingmajor economy in the January‐March quarter.

Discuss: The data indicates that a full recovery in theeconomy is still some quarters away.


RBI declares SBI, ICICI Bank systemicallyimportant banks1. RBI has declared SBI and ICICI banks as DomesticSystemically Important Banks (D‐SIBs).

2. D‐SIBs are perceived as banks which are equivalentof too‐big‐to‐fall in other countries.

3. D‐SIB category banks need to set aside more capitalper loan than their peers to prevent a contagioneffect, in case of financial crisis.

4. The D‐SIB framework requires the RBI to disclose thenames of banks designated as D‐SIBs every year inAugust, starting from August 2015.

5. This is in‐line to directions of Basel Committee onBanking Supervision, to all member countries to havea regulatory framework to deal with SIBs.

World | September 1, 2015

A New Chapter Could Unfold After Modi’sUAE VisitTwo countries have agreed to cooperate againstterrorism, radicalism and organised crime, and to promotemaritime security and “inter‐operability” in regard to“humanitarian assistance, natural disasters and conflictsituations”, strengthen defence ties through exercises,training and in coastal defence and a high‐level “StrategicSecurity Dialogue”. It is important to widen ourperspective beyond South Asia … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/a‐new‐chapter‐could‐unfold‐after‐modis‐uae‐visit/)


[Discuss] Rethinking Reservations andDevelopment1. Lets have a discussion on What steps needed to betaken by Gujarat Government?

2. How development model can be redesigned tomaintain equilibrium of Growth and employment?

http://www.civilsdaily.com/a-new-chapter-could-unfold-after-modis-uae-visit/

Science & Tech | September 1, 2015

Neutrinos from beyond the Milky Way1. There is a strong evidence that many of the neutrinosdetected by the IceCube detector may beextragalactic.

2. The IceCube observatory is made up ofinstrumentation lodged within a cubic kilometre of icein the Antarctic.

3. The neutrinos sampled have energy which matchesthat of neutrinos detected when sampling the sky ofthe South Pole.

Discuss: Further details at the web. Follow the story.


SHG women now make a livelihood from algaefarming1. Algae cultivation has proved beneficial for many SHGwomen in Andhra Pradesh.

2. Since, Andhra Pradesh has a coastline of 974 km,algae cultivation is an opportunity to improve theliving conditions of lakhs of fishermen.

3. The crop duration is just 45 days and there has been asteady increase in the demand for the produce in theinternational.


[Discuss] GDP growth estimates: Grapplingwith new complexities1. The revised methodology, changed the way GDPnumbers have been calculated.

2. The new method was used to calculate the figures for2014‐15.

3. The new numbers changed GDP growth to 5.1 percent from the earlier 4.5 per cent for 2012‐13 andFor 2014‐15, the growth came at 7.3 per cent.

4. Now, GDP is taken at market prices. But what does itactually mean?

5. What are the complexities involved?

Discuss: Discuss at the web story.


[op‐ed snap] Raja‐Mandala: Faith anddiplomacy1. In being unafraid of bringing religion into foreignpolicy, Modi treads new ground in India. But there aredangers.

2. PM’s Address to a conference called “A Global Hindu‐Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance andEnvironment Consciousness” in the capital.

3. Notion of promoting India’s soft power to highlightthe importance of Buddhism in dealing with thecontemporary political challenges before Asia and theworld.

4. The deeply secular West European states areacknowledging the resurgence of religion as a majorfactor in world politics.

5. Especially on their doorstep in the Middle East, andare finding ways to cope with it.


MAT to be waived for FIIs1. Govt. has decided to waive the controversial MAT oncapital gains made by FIIs prior to April 1, 2015.

2. The decision to be carried out through an amendmentto Income Tax Act.

3. Earlier, Justice A.P. Shah Committee has said thatthere is no legal basis for levying 20% MAT on pastcapital gains.

4. Finance ministry has already exempted FIIs from MATfrom April 1, 2015, through a provision in the 2015‐16 budget.


Call drop: panel to submit report beforeWinter Session1. The issue of call drop will be taken up by the standingcommittee on information technology and telecom.

2. Telecom companies are finding it difficult to installtowers because of resistance from local people due tohealth fears related to tower radiation.

3. The Department of Telecommunications should laydown certain guidelines on the number of telecomtowers vis‐a‐vis subscriber base.

4. Private operators will explain their challenges to theparliamentary committee.

5. Telecom operators should ensure that they haveinfrastructure to serve customers better.


New cargo handling policy from April nextyear1. The policy titled “Stevedoring and Shore HandlingPolicy for Major Ports, 2015” will come into effectfrom April 1, 2016.

2. The chairman of the ports to set up a transparentauction system to locate stevedores and shorehandlers.

3. In 2014, many allegations of gross financialirregularities in cargo handling at the 12 major portsin the country were witnessed.

4. Stevedore is a person whose job is to load and unloadships at a port.


15,000 jobs for disabled by February 2016,says Centre1. The SC refused to launch contempt proceedingsagainst the Union govt.’s inaction to identify posts fordisabled.

2. However, the court appreciated its commitment to fillup over 15,000 vacancies specially identified fordisabled persons by February 2016.

3. But, the court was apprehensive of very minimalpresence of persons with visual disabilities in govt.jobs.

4. The Bench did not deal with the issue as to whetherthe 3 per cent quota could be provided in cases ofpromotions also.


[op‐ed snap] Why India Ignores A $16‐BillionSmoking‐Led Health Crisis1. World Health Organisation’s Report on the GlobalTobacco Epidemic 2015 is largely ignored in India.

2. Its single‐line message: Raising tobacco taxes canhelp curb smoking.

3. About one million Indians die from smoking‐relatedcauses every year, which are among the top threeways to die.

4. A 10% price increase on tobacco products could cutconsumption between 2% and 8% in developingnations, according to the WHO.

5. Many women workers suffer gynaecological problemsand pregnancy complications.


[op‐ed snap] Needed, smart solutions1. The corporate in the field of smart energy,surveillance, etc. have welcomed the clarity forindustry players to engage with the citiesadministration.

2. All the companies are looking to sell their high‐techproducts to the cities.

3. But, govt. is yet to reveal what kind of technology itintends to procure and deploy.

4. There is not much clarity on smart cities which seeksto integrate public transport, drinking water, solidwaste mgmt., sanitation and sewerage which are samein AMRUT.

5. The smart cities in Europe and US are driven by IT,such as one massive control room would deliver publicservices.


Researchers one step closer to crackingAlzheimer’s puzzle1. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form ofdementia that is characterised by loss of short‐termmemory, deterioration in behaviour and intellectualperformance.

2. It may occur in middle age or in old age.3. Scientists have caught a glimpse of the moleculeduring its attempt to enter a cell membrane, using anew method involving laser light and fat‐coatedsilver nanoparticles.

4. It is a rare protein and is difficult to probe.5. It was slightly fortuitous that we found it, using amodified version of Raman Spectroscopy.

6. Usually the signal from this is weak, but we mimickedthe cell’s outer layer by encasing silver nanoparticlesin a fat membrane.

History | September 2, 2015

UNESCO award for Kerala temple1. India has won the top UNESCO prize ‘Award ofExcellence’ for the conservation efforts of the ‘SreeVadakkunnathan Temple’ in Kerala.

2. The sacred site employed age‐old rituals andconservation techniques drawn from VastuSastrafocussing on architecture and construction.

3. Xieng Thong Temple in Luang Prabang (LAOS)won theAward of Merit‐1st site to bag the UNESCO Asia‐Pacific Heritage Award.


Did India village council really order rape oftwo sisters?1. More than 100,000 people had signed a petition byAmnesty International after allegations that a villagecouncil in India ordered that two women be raped as apunishment.

2. But these reports are now being seen as completelyfalse.

3. The BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder expresseddisappointment that the world is concentrating onsomething that did not happen instead of youngpeople who cannot choose who they marry.

Discuss: Worse still, Indian newspapers carried on withthe coverage without actually cross checking the facts.


Provide subsidy to farmers directly, RBI tellsgovtExpressing concern over distortion of the credit culture inagriculture, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has written tothe government. The move comes amid rising non‐performing assets (NPA) pertaining to the sector. GrossNPAs, as percentage of total agricultural loans, increasedto 4.7 per cent as of March this year. The governmentprovides three … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/provide‐subsidy‐to‐farmers‐directly‐rbi‐tells‐govt/)

http://www.civilsdaily.com/provide-subsidy-to-farmers-directly-rbi-tells-govt/


[op‐ed snap] A new edifice for reservationsAll societies face serious challenges on account ofdiscrimination and institutionalised inequality. Centuriesof artificial division of society into hundreds of castes, thedenial of education for all but a few “upper” castes, anunbreakable linkage between caste and occupation,institutionalized untouchability and absurd notions of“impurity”, the long‐entrenched tradition of endogamousmarriages within a … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐a‐new‐edifice‐for‐reservations/)


[Discuss] Fallout of digital inclusion1. Is digital inclusion dividing rather than connectingpeople?

2. Are efforts such as the National Digital LiteracyMission (NDLM) and Common Services Centre (CSC)schemes making people’s lives more convenient orjust miserable?

Discuss: Discuss at length at our web platform.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-a-new-edifice-for-reservations/


Economic cooperation top priority: Australia1. New Delhi urges Canberra to speed upimplementation of nuclear deal, which has beendelayed pending approval by the Australian Parliament

2. India is keen to import uranium for its nuclearreactors from Australia, which holds close to 40% ofthe known global reserves.

3. Both countries are working to concludethe Comprehensive Economic CooperationAgreement on top priority.

4. Australia recognises India’s critical role in the stabilityof the Indian Ocean region.

5. There is scope for greater cooperation on globalissues as India is a strategic partner.


Law reforms feasible through executiveaction: Arvind Panagariya1. States can proceed with their own amendments to the2013 Land Act under Section 254(2) of theConstitution.

2. Union govt. can reform important laws such as theMGNREGA through executive action.

3. States can amend the laws on subjectsunder Concurrent List such as land acquisition andlabour laws, with approval from Union govt.

4. States can legislate on their own on subjects suchas land leasing and marketing of agricultural produce.

5. These development‐friendly reforms would revivethe govt.’s growth agenda.


Govt to auction small oil fields to privatecompanies1. The Cabinet approved a new policy for the auction of69 small and marginal oilfields to private and foreigncompanies.

2. It is likely to unlock hydrocarbon reserves wortharound Rs. 70,000 crore, paving the way for energyefficient future.

3. The govt. will allow companies to sell oil and naturalgas produced from these fields at market price andwith no restriction on whom to sell.

4. The unified licence policy allows companies to exploitall hydrocarbons found in the field, unlike the currentsystem which requires a separate licence for each.

5. This is a paradigm shift from the production sharingcontract and cost recovery model to a more equitablerevenue sharing model.


India a worthy contender for APECmembership1. The decision to consider applications for newmemberships would be taken at the APEC Summit inNovember.

2. India’s membership gains significance, because there isstudy of a much larger Asia Pacific Free Tradeagreement.

3. APEC is the missing link to the Modi government’sAct East policy.

4. Indian labour could be a big beneficiary of Indiajoining the APEC because many APEC economies willface labour shortages in the future because of agingpopulations.

Health, Education & Human Resources | September 3, 2015

India to introduce injectable polio vaccinefrom November1. India is all set to introduce injectable polio vaccine(IPV) in its universal immunisation programme (UIP)in a phased manner from November.

2. This will be over and above the oral vaccine.3. From April, 2016 the trivalent polio vaccine that iscurrently administered will be replaced by thebivalent variety to reduce incidence of vaccine‐derived polio virus.

4. India eliminated wild polio virus infection in Januarylast year.

5. In the first phase of IPV introduction, 17 high‐riskstates and four Union Territories will be covered.

Discuss: What are they?


Tickle your taste buds with ‘Putarekulu’1. “There are many sweets made in Andhra. But,‘Putarekulu’ are made only in Atreyapuram.

2. Tucked in lush green fields on Godavari canal bund,the village became famous for its ‘Putarekulu’ sweetwhich is exported to various Indian cities and othercountries.

3. ‘Putarekulu’ made with ghee and jaggery can bestored up to one month. If made with dry fruits, therolls can be stored for 10 days.

4. However, the sweets can be preserved for more daysby storing in fridges.

5. Find out more such endemic varieties of sweetswhich served India and may be World!


What prompted RBI to classify some banks assystemically important?1. In November 2011, the Basel Committee on BankingSupervision (BCBS) came out with a framework foridentifying Global Systemically Important Banks (G‐SIBs).

2. They detailed about the magnitude of additional lossabsorbency capital requirements applicable to theseG‐SIBs.

3. The BCBS further required all member countries tohave a regulatory framework to deal with DomesticSystemically Important Banks (D‐SIBs).

4. Safety of depositors’ money and smooth working ofthe financial system are paramount for any centralbank.

Discuss: What are the implications? Look up at theconnected story.

International Organisations | September 3, 2015

Founding members ink agreement on AIIB1. India along with 49 Prospective Founding Members(PFMs) on Monday signed the Articles of Agreementfor the formation of the Asian InfrastructureInvestment Bank (AIIB).

2. The AIIB is expected to focus on the infrastructuredevelopment in Asia, and unlike the existingInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank,it won’t restrict lending on political considerations.

3. According to an AIIB press statement, the Bank, willbe headquartered in Beijing, and will have an initialauthorised capital stock of $100 billion.

Economic Planning | September 3, 2015

India must encourage entry of Renminbi intoIMF’s SDR. Why?India has some things to learn from China. “India shouldseek to emulate the Chinese model of development thatis based on exports and building reserves”. India’sstrategic objective should be to strengthen multilateralinstitutions and use them to pressure China. In particular,he added, India should try to make the AsianInfrastructure Bank as … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/india‐must‐encourage‐entry‐of‐renminbi‐into‐imfs‐sdr‐why/)


G‐20 discussions set to focus on impact ofyuan devaluation1. Competitive devaluation of currency is a major threatto the stability of the global economy.

2. Economists pointed out that, Chinese devaluation isnot of serious consequence to the Indian economy,even in the medium term.

3. The conference will analyse collaborative measureslike developing global safety nets to guard nationsfrom negative spillovers.

4. The recent devaluation of Chinese currency Yuan hastriggered a global financial turmoil, hurting stocks andcurrency markets worldwide.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/india-must-encourage-entry-of-renminbi-into-imfs-sdr-why/


India, UAE resolve to combat radicalisation1. India and Abu Dhabi discussed steps to checkradicalisation and deal with terror threats fromtransnational organisations.

2. UAE stressed on adopting India’s proposedComprehensive Convention on InternationalTerrorism at the UN.

3. The two sides discussed pending extraditionrequests.

4. The countries signed MoUs in the areas oftelecommunications, tourism, higher education andscientific research.


OROP: veterans ready to accept revisionevery two years1. OROP seeks uniform pension based on rank andlength of service irrespective of when they retire.

2. The veterans have relented on their demand forannual revision and are ready to accept a revisionevery 2 years.

3. Earlier, Finance Minister has said that the demand foran annual review was not feasible and would set awrong precedent.

4. Normalisation is a core part of the OROP definition.


Smart City has to be compact: experts1. The govt. emphasized that urban renewal policieswere designed to accommodate the urban poor.

2. This is in contradiction to the model which largelyrelies on high property taxes and expensive publicservices.

3. The cities have to be compact, spread on minimum of500 acres with adequate water supply, assuredelectricity, sanitation and efficient urban mobility.

4. To fill the financial gaps the government would haveto increase taxes on property, entertainment,advertisements and parking lots.

Discuss: For the first time, Urban Development Ministryhas organized the workshop on the Smart City Missionhosted for mayors and commissioners.


Airfare cartelisation complaints on rise1. Airfares are a cartel matter because the prices go upsuddenly and abnormally high, and there is the feelingthat the airlines are working in conjunction.

2. The complaints on the issue come up again and again,due to concentrated nature of the industry.

3. Earlier, Prime Minister has expressed concerns overthe predatory pricing practices of domestic airlines.

4. CCI had previously investigated the issue 3 times andfound no evidence of cartelisation.

Discuss: Let's dig out roles and functions of CompetitionCommission of India.


Global growth likely to be weaker thanexpected: IMF chief1. The head of the International Monetary Fund saysglobal economic growth is likely to be weaker thanearlier expected and will remain at moderate levels.

2. Asia is still expected to lead global growth, but thepace is slowing with a risk of possibly sagging furtherbecause of recent financial market volatility.

3. What Volatility is she talking about?


India relatively insulated against deflation.Why?1. The one real challenge that looms ahead for India’seconomy appears not to be price inflation but possiblyprice deflation,” Dr. Subramanian said.

2. Some of the public investment that we are rampingup now, strong demand trends and hopefully areasonable monsoon will enable us to achieve the 8%GDP growth.

3. With the government working hard to increase theease of doing business, and the strong demand in theeconomy, Foreign Institutional Investors are likely tostart returning to the country.

4. Skills India is one programme where hands‐on skillsto workers will be provided so they can join industry.

Discuss: What else is working for India or might work forIndia?

Enviro & Biodiversity | September 4, 2015

Ban on plastic packaging of food, drugs: NGTseeks Centre viewThe National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre andvarious stakeholders to file their submissions on aproposal that there should be a complete prohibition onthe use of plastic packaging in food and pharmaceuticalformulations of any kind. The tribunal was hearing apetition filed by NGO Him Jagriti Uttaranchal WelfareSociety seeking restrictions … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/ban‐on‐plastic‐packaging‐of‐food‐drugs‐ngt‐seeks‐centre‐view/)


New hope for Wayanad’s vultures1. Wayanad’s majestic vultures may yet live on.2. Vulture conservationists in the State are upbeat overthe curbs on Diclofenac, an anti‐inflammatory drugacknowledged to have caused the decimation ofvultures in the Indian subcontinent.

3. Diclofenac for veterinary use was banned in thecountry in 2006, but was available in 30ml vial evenas late as last year in areas adjacent to the WayanadWildlife Sanctuary.

4. The Wayanad sanctuary is the only region wherevultures thrive in the State.

Discuss: Can you Google for more habitat for threespecies of South Asian Vultures. Also keep the name ofthis sanctuary in your notes. Might be important!

http://www.civilsdaily.com/ban-on-plastic-packaging-of-food-drugs-ngt-seeks-centre-view/


[op‐ed snap] Welcome step on oilfields1. The government has taken a refreshing andprogressive approach with respect to the unutilisednatural resources locked away in the 69 small andmarginal oilfields lying with the state‐ownedexploration agencies.

2. Approved the auction of these oilfields to private,and even foreign, companies, and initiated a newapproach in the licensing and proceeds‐sharingmechanisms.

3. Under the new plan, companies will be allowed to sellcrude oil or natural gas at market prices, without anyinterference from the government.

4. The other welcome step has to do with the licensingmethod.

5. Companies will receive a unified licence for allhydrocarbons.

6. This shows government’s move towards enhancingthe ease of doing business.


[op‐ed snap] How the happiest country in theworld is saving tigers1. With over 72% forest cover, tigers in Bhutan are notthreatened by habitat loss unlike in other parts of theworld

2. This month, Bhutan just finished its first tiger censusand can proudly tell the world it has more than 100tigers.

3. What cannot be overlooked is all that Bhutan hasachieved on its own, at a time when the world isgrappling with monumental environment problems,from deforestation to climate change.

4. In the 1970s, Bhutan’s democratic leaders declared inthe constitution that a minimum of 60% of the landwould be under forest cover.


5th September: National Teachers Day1. Significance of Day: This day commemorates thebirthday of India’s first Vice President and secondPresident Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modireleased commemorative coins of 125 rupees and 10rupees denomination.

3. Dr. Radhakrishnan was the first recipient BharatRatna – India’s highest civilian award along withpolitician C. Rajagopalachari, scientist C. V. Raman.


SAARC countries’ conference on DisasterMitigation begins in New Delhi1. The conference is being held by keeping in mind theprevalent geo‐climatic conditions as well as increasedfrequency of natural disaster and calamities in theSAARC region.

2. It is also being held in the wake of the recent Nepalearthquake (April 2015).

3. It calls for enhanced levels of preparedness and riskresilience amongst member countries.

4. It also seeks collaborative action amongst membercountries to ensure minimal loss of lives and property.


IS blows up Palmyra’s famed tombs 1. Ancient city in Syria.2. The whole of Palmyra and the valley of tombs outsidethe city is a well known World Heritage Siterecognised by UNESCO.

3. The city is itself famous for its ruined structures isnow under threat due to the civil war in Syria asmany structures are damaged and destroyed by theIslamic State militants.

4. The militants blew up some of the funerary towerswhich are in the valley of tombs.


Jhumpa Lahiri to receive top White Housemedal 1. Jhumpa Lahiri, Indian‐ American author who had wonthe Pulitzer Prize is to be awarded with top WhiteHouse medal.

2. She is in the list of individuals to be conferred withthe National Medal of Arts and National Humanitiesmedal.


India saves $1.8b on fertiliser subsidies. How?1. The reason is the fall in naphtha and gas prices.2. This would likely reduce the fertiliser subsidy bill to₹600 billion ($9.1 billion) this fiscal year, about 18%below last year.

3. The savings will help India towards its goal of reducingthe fiscal deficit to 3.9% by the end of March.

4. It would simultaneously increasing spending on roadsand rail in an attempt to revive the economy.


Greenpeace India’s registration cancelled1. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled theregistration of Greenpeace India.

2. Under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act(FCRA), this means that the NGO would not be ableto receive any kind of foreign donations from nowon,they have to depend on domestic contributionsfor its operations.

3. Sources said the decision came in the wake of“prejudicially affecting the public interest andeconomic interest of the state,” which violates theconditions of grant of registration.

4. In its report, the government also mentioned acampaign against an Indian tea brand, whichGreenpeace claimed contained hazardous pesticides.

Discuss: The NGO Activism has been in news quite oftenthis year and it has become an important topic.


42% of India facing a rain deficit: Met dept1. Overall monsoon deficit has widened to 13% of long‐period average even as the southwest monsoonbegan its withdrawal.

2. The monsoon is crucial for India as nearly 54% of thecrop area lacks assured irrigation.

3. More than 70% of the annual rainfall is concentratedbetween June and September.


Maharashtra curbs criticism of politicians1. Criticism of a public servant, in the form of words,signs or representations, can attract sedition chargesunder Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code.

2. The guidelines are issued by the Maharashtra HomeDepartment.

3. So much for the freedom of speech!


RBI crisis fund short of targetFor the last two years, the RBI has made no transfers toits Contingency Fund or its Asset Development Fund.Contingency funds with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),used in case of unforeseen shocks, have fallen to 8.4 percent of total assets, against a target of 12 per cent, asshown in its … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/rbi‐crisis‐fund‐short‐of‐target/)


[Discuss] Women to get permanentcommission in the Navy1. In a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court onFriday allowed women to be granted permanentcommission in the Navy, ensuring that women navalofficers enjoyed rights similar to their counterpartsin the Army and the Air Force.

2. As of now, Navy treated women officers as a groupentitled only to a short service commission of 14years and men were entitled to both short serviceand permanent commissions.

Discuss: Can you list out some more steps whichempowers Women recently?

http://www.civilsdaily.com/rbi-crisis-fund-short-of-target/


OROP, After 42 Years of Battle1. ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) is effective from5th September,2015.

2. OROP is implemented for over 24 lakh ex‐servicemen and and 6 lakh war widows in thecountry.

3. Fiscal burden for the government will be Rs.8000‐10000 crore every year.

4. The government order will be issued in a month.


Gaya to be developed as ‘spiritual capital’1. PM Modi announced that the government woulddevelop Bodh Gaya as the ‘spiritual capital’ as itserved as the civilisational bond between India andthe Buddhist world.

2. P.M Modi announced it during his address in theInternational Buddhist Conclave at Bodh Gaya .


MAT to Foreign investors: More clarity soughton P‐Notes1. Government accepting the recommendation of theJustice A.P. Shah Committee on applicability ofMinimum Alternative Tax (MAT) to Foreign PortfolioInvestors (FPIs).

2. Decided to make appropriate amendments to theIncome‐tax Act, which would clarify that MATprovisions would not be applicable to FPIs nothaving a place of business or permanentestablishment in India, for the period prior to April 1,2015.

3. The decision will help in reviving the investorconfidence and ensuring clarity of taxation in thehands of the foreign investors.

Discuss: What are P notes? Go over to the web story atcivilsdaily.com to ask for any doubts on the topic.


ISRO to help put railway safety back on track1. The Indian Railways will join hands with the ISRO toget online satellite imagery for improving safety andenhancing efficiency.

2. A massive exercise of GIS mapping of the entire railroute and assets will be taken up using geo‐spatialtechnology.

3. The technology will involve GPS, GIS, and remotesensing.

4. The technology will come in handy during accidentsto ascertain the exact location of trains and thetopography.

5. The satellite images will be used for geo‐fencing ofstations for the paperless ticketing system.

Discuss: Geo‐fencing is a virtual barrier which uses GPS


Big opportunity for IT firms: Nasscom chief1. The payments banks and small finance banks offera massive opportunity for the domestic techcompanies.

2. They need to find out innovative solutions to helpthese lenders ensure cost‐effective delivery ofservices.

3. The challenge would be to reduce thetransaction cost enabling people to make low valuetransactions on mobile.

4. This is going to be the most important enabler for thegoal of moving towards a cashless economy.

5. The country’s 5th largest IT exporter Tech Mahindrahas successfully bagged a payments banks licence.


Floating test range for missile defence system1. Missile tests will be be carried out from a huge ship inorder to overcome the limits of land‐based ranges.

2. The land system at Wheeler Island requiredevacuation from affected villages every time a trialtook place.

3. The objective is to use Ballistic Missile System(BMD)to protect the important cities from external threats.

4. BMD system seeks to engage and destroy incomingenemy missiles at different altitudes in the endo‐ andexo‐atmospheres.

5. The state‐of‐the‐art range would have many facilitiessuch as a launch‐pad, a launch control centre and amission control centre.

Discuss: It seeks to carry out missile tests for the two‐tiered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system in order toprotect the important cities from external threats.


More women workers can boost growth: IMFchief1. Gender parity in workforce will expand GDP by 27%in India.

2. Last year, G‐20 pledged to reduce the gap in women’slabour force participation by 25 % by the year 2025.

3. Empowering women boosts economic growth andcan reduce poverty.

4. Getting more women into secure and well‐paid jobsraises overall per capita income.

5. Three key policy areas for women’s economicempowerment are education, the workplace and thefamily.

Discuss: In emerging and developing countries, 70% offemale‐owned small and medium‐sized enterprises areeither unserved or under‐served by financial institutions.


Missing trees on the coastline1. Pemphis acidula – a small tree and Nypa fruticans – amedium‐sized palm, are among the habitat‐specificspecies that have vanished from the Kerala coast.

2. Nypa fruticans, locally known as Njettipana, wasmentioned in the classical text book HORTUSMALABARICUS, which described the medicinal plantproperties of the flora in Kerala.

3. Pemphis acidula is also found in the coast of Maldives( in Olughuri and Ragastheemu Islands).

4. The species lives in calcarious rocky and sandybeaches high in the intertidal zone and often abovethe high tide line. It is beneficial for shorelineprotection against high wind.


What is OPCW?1. OPCW (Organisation for Prohibition of ChemicalWeapons) was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.

2. It works with UN and was bought onboard to helpSyria join the chemical weapon convention.

3. Read this along with the story on Syria which wepublished at the CD Hub.


What is GAGAN?1. GAGAN stands for Geo Augmented NavigationSystem for civil aviation purpose.

2. It is a joint effort of ISRO and AAI to help the airtraffic to land and fly airplanes in bad weather.


What is NISAR?1. NISAR stands for NASA ISRO synthetic apertureradar. It is being developed to take a radar imagery ofearth in an unprecedented detail.

2. NISAR will use two different radar frequencies – L‐Band by NASA and S‐band by ISRO.


Puggie community to be used as informants.How?1. The men from the Puggie Community have beenemployed as informants by the Govt. to trace theborder movements of terrorists and refugees.

2. These men from Gujarat are expert in reading camelfootprints.


ASHA workers to detect farmers in depression1. In a one‐of‐its‐kind attempt, the state government islooking at controlling farmer suicides by gettingpsycho analysis questionnaires filled by them andsubsequently treat them for depression, whereverrequired.

2. The new initiative under the mental health cell of thepublic health department is in a bid to reduce farmerdeaths across the 14 districts that have beenmassively hit by drought in Maharashtra.

3. Training will be provided to 20,350 accredited socialhealth activists (ASHA) for identifying depressedfarmers and referring them for further treatment


From coffee grounds to clean fuel. How?1. A method to convert waste coffee grounds into astable material that can adsorb and store methane.

2. Methane has the potential to used as a clean fuelsource for vehicles.

3. The use of methane could help in cutting down theusage and emission of fuels which plays a major rolein changing climate across the globe.

4. When soaked in potassium hydroxide and heatedaround 700‐900 degrees celsius, waste coffeegrounds produce a stable material which contains aform of activated carbon.

5. This activated carbon is a good methane adsorbentand can be used for methane capture.

Discuss: Pretty heavy science, eh?


India ranks low on inclusive growth,development in WEF report1. Ranked in the bottom half of the 38 countries thatmake up our lower middle income bracket.

2. India’s overall place in the Global CompetitivenessIndex 2014–2015 rankings is 71 out of 144countries.


Trust deficit in defence will be removed:Parrikar1. The element of trust deficit will be removed fromdefence ministry by bringing in effective changes toboost defence manufacturing and procurement in linewith the Make in India.

2. The manufacturing for defence requirement is notmoving at required pace because of the atmosphereof suspicion.

3. There is need to bring necessary changes to theexisting offset rules and regulations, while some arealready done.

4. The govt. has already de‐listed two‐third itemsmanufactured for defence department, therebyopening opportunities for the private sector.


NPCI’s e‐payment literacy initiative1. National Payments Corporation of India is launching anationwide e‐payment literacy workshop on theoccasion of World Literacy Day.

2. This initiative will further the govt.’s aim tobring financial inclusion.

3. NPCI is planing to launch credit card, internationalcard and a co‐branded card with Mudra Bank in nearfuture.

4. NPCI had witnessed a good growth in the number oftransactions in the last 5 years.

Discuss: National Payments Corporation of India is acentral infrastructure for various retail payments in India.

Indian Polity | September 8, 2015

‘PAC needs more teeth and transparency’1. The Public Accounts Committee “needs more teethand greater transparency in its functioning,” itsChairman and MP K.V. Thomas said.

2. Why?3. The All‐India conference would see PAC chiefs fromacross the country deliberate on issues such as howto make the government implement therecommendations of the committee

4. They will also think on whether PAC meetings shouldbe held with the media in attendance.

Discuss: Can you dig out more about functions of PAC?Why there is need of more power and transparency?


400‐year‐old hero‐stone found1. A Hero‐stone at Peruntholvu hamlet in the district,though remaining little known to the outside world,has rich tales to tell from the 17th century.

2. People who got killed while displaying valour toprotect the cattle in the villages from leopard/ tiger inwhose memory hero stones are usually kept.

Geography | September 8, 2015

Huge ritual arena near Stonehenge1. Discovered the largest surviving Neolithic stonemonument in the U.K., an enormous ‘Superhenge’with as many as 100 large standing stones.

2. About 3‐km from the famous Stonehenge,thought tohave more than 4,500 years ago.

3. The hidden arrangement of nearly 100 huge standingstones formed part of a C‐shaped Neolithic arenathat bordered a dry valley and faced the Avon riverdirectly.

Discuss: Is that Stonehenge World Heritage Site?

Agro Economy | September 8, 2015

[op‐ed snap] Lessons from drought inMarathwadaWater availability has not deteriorated only because ofthe poor monsoon. Amartya Sen’s seminal work onFamine Mass starvation is not necessarily the result ofinadequate food supply. He opened up new areas ofinquiry that focussed on what have come to be known asentitlement failures. Sen has famously argued that humanmistakes forced people into … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐lessons‐drought‐marathwada/)

Discuss: Is the drought in Marathwada more of a man‐made crisis?


Why Rasasindura is not toxic1. Rasasindura – mercury containing ayurvedic drug.2. Metallic mercury is highly mobile, soluble in waterdepending on its chemical form and oxidises relativelyeasily.

3. Bacteria convert environment mercury into methylmercury.

4. Mercury interacts with human body and turns it intomethyl mercury. Methyl mercury is more toxic.

5. But, ayurvedic physicians are claiming that they havebeen using this drug for ages without any harm!

Discuss: The study is conducted by the Bhabha AtomicResearch centre and the Raja Ramanna Centre forAdvanced Technology.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-lessons-drought-marathwada/


Take risks and invest more, PM tells industryleaders1. PM encouraged India Inc. to take risks and step upinvestments in the domestic market, as there are nosigns of end to global economic crisis.

2. The industry wants the govt. to improve ease ofdoing business and lower interest rates.

3. The leaders also wants the govt. to strengthenconsumer and investment demand in the economy.

4. There is a volatility in global economic conditions viz.shocks in China, devaluation of yuan and slowdown inmany economies.

5. The global turmoil could help India to exploreuntapped potential, especially in the infrastructuresector.


India for better channels with Pak. Rangers1. The chiefs of BSF and Pakistani Rangers will meetafter the high profile NSA level talks were cancelled.

2. India will stress on adding more layers of channel ofcommunication with Pakistan Rangers.

3. India will ask for frequent joint patrolling andconfidence‐building measures.

4. The talks are held biannually, started in 1989, but thetimings have not been followed.


NH stretches to turn green corridors1. The National Highway (NH) stretches will be madegreen corridors by planting trees, landscaping, andlaying grass turfs and ornamental shrubs.

2. It is part of the green highways policy to “tree‐line”96,000 km of NHs across the country.

3. A Green Highways Fund to be set up, 1% of the civilwork cost will be transferred to this fund.

4. It would be applicable for projects developedunder Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC)and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) mode.

5. The Green Highways (Plantation and Maintenance)Policy, 2015 will be effective for all the new NHprojects from this month.


Hindi makes foray into China through AIR1. The External Services Division of All India Radio hasstarted broadcasting Hindi lessons in China andSoutheast Asia.

2. It is aimed at countering the powerful China RadioInternational, which broadcasts in over 56 worldlanguages into India and other nations.

3. The programme is called “Xue Xi Yindiyu Jie Mu”(Learning Hindi programme or Aao Hindi Seekhein).

4. AIR has taken the leap to the multimedia platform,and its services are currently available online.


The polluted Kali river1. Rivers in UP like Kali, Krishna, and Hindon have beenpolluted to dangerous levels because of the industrialwaste released.

2. These industrial wastes caused a huge impact in the>100 villages nearby .

3. Contamination with high levels of lead in groundwater+ iron.

4. This lead to bad health conditions to the people in theregion. They include stomach ailments, braindisorders and even cancer.


India’s global hub fears more job losses1. Nearly half a dozen large diamond companies in thecity have closed down.

2. A significant hit for an industry that employs nearly amillion people in India, two‐thirds of them in Surat.But why?

3. Chinese consumers pull back from luxury purchases,leaving jewellers with stocks of unsold jewellery and

gems.

Social Issues | September 9, 2015

India missed 2015 child mortality target:Lancet report1. Fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG‐4) aimedto reduce mortality, between 1990 and 2015, amongchildren under five by two‐thirds.

2. India has the highest number of child deaths in theworld, with an estimated 1.2 million deaths in2015, 20% of the 5.9 million global deaths.

3. In India, more than half of the child deaths occur inthe first month of life.

4. The major clinical causes being complications ofpremature delivery and Infectious diseases.

Discuss: Find out which other MDG goals missed by2015?


SC tells NAAC to accredit deemed varsities1. The Supreme Court directed the NationalAssessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) toundertake the process of accrediting deemeduniversities on the basis of its own objectiveparameters.

2. NAAC should not wait any longer and must start theprocess to complete it within three months.

3. Instead of depending on the University GrantsCommission’s 2010 regulations currently underdispute before the court.

Discuss: Can we find out roles and functions of NAAC ?


India wants answers on EU Ban of GVK Drugs1. Nirmala Sitaraman said it was improper for EU to takea unilateral step in banning the drugs from India.

2. Our trader talks on EU‐India FTA are in limbo becauseof this impasse.

3. But EU has maintained that the issue stems fromHyderabad‐based GVK providing them inaccuratedata.

4. India might also roll out the National IntellectualProperty Rights (IPR) law. Cabinet talks going on.


[op‐ed snap] Bridging the North‐East for ActEastCan Northeast become economic hub of India? Whatfactors promote or prevent from that happening?Southeast Asia and East Asia have become the mostdynamic components of India’s external economicrelations. Geography wise – The region shares more than4,500 km of international border, imparts a critical role toIndia’s Northeast in the pursuit of any plan to fostereconomic … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐bridging‐north‐east‐act‐east/)

Discuss: Can Northeast become economic hub of India?shall we Discuss.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-bridging-north-east-act-east/


Call drops: TRAI gives 15 days to operators1. Recent TRAI audit suggest that almost all operatorsfailed to comply with quality of service parameters.

2. TRAI has asked operators to take immediatemeasures to address the issue.

3. Their performance would be reviewed in 15 days tomeasure progress achieved.


Australian panel gives conditional nod for N‐deal1. The Australian parliamentary committee hasrecommended more safeguards for India’snuclear programme before the govt. can approveuranium sales to India.

2. The committee suggests that India be encouraged tosign the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

3. It also wants India to separate its civilian and militarynuclear facilities further, and appoint an independentnational regulator to oversee the movement of theUranium.

4. The recommendations of the committee are notbinding on the Abbott govt., but opposition could usethem to challenge the treaty.

5. India has consistently opposed the NPT, bravingsanctions for 4 decades rather than agree to amoratorium on nuclear testing.

Discuss: Australia has the largest uranium resources ofthe world, approx. 31% of the world total.


India in no position to meet SDGs1. 2016 will see transition from MDGs, whichhad 8 global development goals and 18 associatedtargets to SDGs with 17 global development goals andits 169 associated targets.

2. But India do not have adequate data to framerelevant policy as well as financial resources to meetthese targets.

3. However, India has committed to provide health,nutrition and education for all by 2022, on occasionof 75 years of Independence, which will be midway tothe 2030 SDGs deadline.

4. An UN assessment points that India has failed tofulfill the MDGs targets under various heads, such asprimary education, women empowerment, childmortality and open defecation.

5. The need to augment financial resources can beachieved by improving its tax to GDP ratioand plugging the tax erosion.


Cabinet nods for spectrum trading guidelines1. It will allow telecom companies to buy and sellspectrum.

2. This is expected to help address the problem ofshortage of spectrum, leading to better quality ofservices for mobile phone users.

3. Government allowing companies to share airwaves inthe same band so as to reduce call drops.

Discuss: How does it solve the problem of shortage ofspectrum?


Government clears two gold schemes1. In Gold Monetisation Scheme, gold in any form canbe deposited with banks for a period of one to 15years.

2. This gold will earn interest and redemption will be atthe prevailing market value at the end of the tenure ofdeposit.

3. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme is aimed at customerslooking to buy gold as an investment.

Discuss: Shall it give a fillip to the government's effort topromote financial inclusion?


HIV self testing is safe and accurate1. The test could prove to be a widely used method ofcontrolling the epidemic.

2. Involves training individuals to perform and interprettheir own HIV – will be a safe and accurate method.

3. It could complement existing strategies for the controlof the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in sub‐SaharanAfrica.

Discuss: What are other test/methods of controlling theHIV/AIDS epidemic ?


5 Air Strips to Come up on China Border1. Why? To counter China’s aggressive infrastructureexpansion on its eastern front.

2. These advanced landing grounds (ALG), capable oflanding all types of transport and military aircraft.

3. India recently opened three in Ladakh region at DaulatBeg Oldi, Fuk Che and Nyoma.

4. You know what’s special about Daulat Beg Oldi? It’sthe world’s highest airfield at an altitude of 16,614feet!


Celbrating the Himalaya Diwas1. Observed on September 9th of every year by theHimalayan Environmental Studies and ConservationOrganisation (HESCO).

2. The organisation is working to understand andmitigate the loss of the Himalayan ecosystem.

3. This year the government of Uttarakhand officiallystarted observing the day as Himalaya Diwas.


Indian diplomacy faces a tough test1. India has asked Saudi Arabia to waive immunity tothe diplomat accused of raping Nepalese women, asNew Delhi cannot proceed against him under Viennaconvention.

2. The case has put Indian diplomacy in the spotlight asthe victim and the accused are of differentnationalities.

3. Nepal has a special relationship with India and itscitizens are treated on a par with Indians on manyissues.

4. While, the govt. cannot afford to strain ties withSaudi Arabia where 3 million Indians live and work.

5. Saudi Arabia has also been India’s largest provider ofoil since 2001.


U.K. – Largest G20 investor in India1. Since 2000, U.K. has emerged as the largest G20investor in India, investing $22.2 billion as of March2015.

2. British companies currently employ 6.91 lakh peoplein India, accounting for 5.5% of total organised privatesector jobs.

3. U.K.’s economic relations with India are very strongand India is also the biggest investor in the U.K.

4. The British companies have invested the most in thechemicals sector, pumping in $5.8 billion.


BSF, Pak. Rangers to check border firing1. The BSF and the Pakistan Rangers have decided toallow maintenance of border outposts andobservation points along the border.

2. However, no new construction will be allowed.3. The two forces decided to devise a mechanism ofenhanced detection and communication to checkany ceasefire violation and cross‐border firing at theground level.

4. BSF chief is learnt to have told the Rangers that theyshould start afresh and there was no point in rakingup the past.

Discuss: The meeting assumes significance in the wake ofthe cancelled talks between the National SecurityAdvisers last month.

Explorations in S&T | September 11, 2015

First effective dengue drug soon1. Discovered dengue virus NS1 protein acts as a toxinin the body.

2. The WHO ranks it as the most important mosquito‐borne viral disease in the world.

3. Dengue causes a debilitating fever,progresses topotentially fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever anddengue shock syndrome.

Discuss: WHO ranks it as most important disease,suggests more concern,isn't it?


Escaping Eritrea – ruled by fear, not law1. Eritrea marked by repression and fear since itsindependence from Ethiopia in 1993.

2. Eritrea is third‐largest source of refugees trying toreach europe, after Syrians and Afghans.

3. They first take perilous journey into Sudan,the acrossLibya before setting out to sea to Europe.

Discuss: Refugees have protection under UNHRCconvention 1954, but is that sufficient today ?


Cabinet nod for 21st Law Commission1. The Law Commission is a non‐statutory bodyconstituted by the government from time to time.

2. The Commission consist of full‐time chairperson andfour full‐time members among others.

3. It undertakes research in law and reviews existinglaws to make reforms and enact new legislation.

Discuss: Can we dig out more functions and roles of lawcommission of India?


Make CAG accountable to Parliament: PAC1. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliamentcould recommend legislative changes, including aConstitutional amendment, to make theCAG accountable to Parliament.

2. PAC suggested that the Committee should beconsulted before the appointment of the CAG and itshould be part of the legislature like in the U.K. andAustralia.

Discuss: What happen if CAG made accountable toParliament ?


WHO urges action against antibioticresistance1. Cautioning against the indiscriminate use of antibioticsand other drugs which leads to resistance tomedicines and treatment failure.

2. Resistance to antibiotics will make complex surgeriesand management of several chronic illnesses likecancer, extremely difficult.

3. Estimates said ,antibiotic resistance will be responsiblefor 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Discuss: Find out which type of antibiotic resistanceincreases in India? Have you heard of New Delhi metallo‐beta lactamase (NDM‐1) strain ?

Conservation & Mitigation | September 11, 2015

Approval of National Offshore Wind EnergyPolicy1. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE)authorized as the Nodal Ministry for use of offshoreareas within the EEZ.

2. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has beenauthorized as the Nodal Agency for development ofoffshore wind energy in the country.

3. Helps in attaining energy security and achievement ofthe NAPCC targets.

Discuss: Discuss National Action Plan on Climate Change(NAPCC) targets and success?


[op‐ed snap] Utilising MSMEs as engines forgrowth1. Recent growth data for India reveals that there hasbeen a significant slowdown in the industrial growthrate, especially manufacturing, in the first quarter,April‐June, 2015.

2. According to Annual Report (AR) of the RBI, grosscapital formation has been declining over the years,especially households. The performance of theagriculture sector has also been slower due touncertain rains.

3. MSMEs are generally labour‐intensive, they have thecapability to create more jobs to cater to a youngdemographic country like India.

Discuss: Discuss,How MSMEs played significant role injob creation for young demographic India?


[op‐ed snap] Why India won’t sign RefugeeTreatyIn the absence of any domestic law or regional SouthAsian framework, India has desisted from taking itsrightful regional leadership role in this increasingly criticalmatter. The refugee crisis arising from the Syrian conflictis only the latest reminder of the fact that India remainsone of the few liberal democracies not to have …Continue reading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐india‐wont‐sign‐refugee‐treaty/)

Internal Security | September 12, 2015

‘AUSINDEX’ at Visakhapatnam for navalexercise1. Biennial event ‘AUSINDEX’ between Australia andIndia is all set to begin.

2. The exercise will strengthen defence cooperation asenvisaged in the Framework for Security Cooperation.

3. The Indian Navy would be represented by stealthfrigate INS Shivalik, guided missile destroyer INSRanvijay, and fleet tanker INS Shakti.

Discuss: Why Visakhapatnam coast has selected forexercise ? In view of its importance on the EasternSeaboard,Is that so?

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-india-wont-sign-refugee-treaty/


Ancient twin caves discovered in Nalgonda1. 200‐metre‐deep caves, a rare find, are probably theoldest‐ever discovered in both Telangana and AndhraPradesh.

2. Local tribal leaders Lalu Nayak and Bikku Nayakinformed about the caves at Gajubeda Tanda, ahamlet under Kacharajupally grama panchayat.


Threat to ‘Indian rollers’1. Indian Roller – State Bird of Telengana is underthreat as it is being hunted up by the poachers fordisplay during the Dussehra festival.

2. The bird is sacred to Lord Vishnu and getting a viewof them during Dussehra festival is considered as anauspicious one.

3. There is a possibility that the bird may becomeendangered, and it is difficult to spot them in theurban centres.


Mumbai meat ban raises key constitutionalquestions1. Can a short‐duration ban can be accepted as areasonable restriction on the citizen’s fundamentalrights?

2. The ban violates fundamental rights like the right toeat food of one’s choice, the right to be left alone andthe right to practice one’s trade and business.


International meet to set standards for 10spices1. The aim is to ensure fair trade practices and betterreturns to farmers.

2. This will eliminate potential distortion in exports dueto diverse food quality legislation by differentcountries.

3. India has submitted proposals for setting up standardsfor dried chilli, ginger and garlic.


A Lot is Happening at CD Hub1. And you need to make sure that you do not miss outon any of that.

2. If you loved us for these news cards & news stories,we have another awesome thing waiting for you!

3. CD Hub is buzzing with Explainers, Features andDiscussion posts.

4. Go over to civilsdaily.com/blog and bookmark thatpage on your browser!


Centre schedules global education meet inGujarat1. The Union HRD ministry will hold the I internationalsummit on education in Gandhinagar in November.

2. The ministers in‐charge of education in 180 countrieswill participate in the summit.

3. The summit will discuss the role of the private sectorin providing quality education and R&D.

4. There is a growing demand to create a linkagebetween education and the industry, as research inacademia should include the industry.

5. The agenda will also include issue of global ranking ofIndian institutes, the quality of research and teachertraining.


Roads, power investments rise1. The is a 48% rise in the announcement of newprojects in the first quarter of FY 2015‐16 ascompared to same period previous year.

2. The govt. has gone to great lengths to convey itssuccess in getting stalled projects moving and also inboosting new investments, especially in the roadsector.

3. The road transport sector has seen a sharp growth ininvestment since the NDA govt. has come to power.


U.N. reforms process reaches crucial stagetoday1. The President of the UN General Assembly willpresent a resolution to continue the negotiations forUNSC expansion for another year.

2. The Inter‐Governmental Committee for the first timeincluded written submissions from all countries, on theexpansion of the UNSC.

3. India is a part of the G‐4 grouping of India, Germany,Brazil and Japan that are hopeful of Security Councilmembership.

4. The question still persists whether new members inthe Security Council would be given the veto at all, ofwhich the US and Russia are not in favour.

5. Any new member of the Security Council would onlybe seen as second‐class members, without the veto.


U.S. dig uncovers 10,000‐year‐old stone tools1. The 10,000‐year old stones were recovered from theoldest archaeological site in U.S. ( near Redmond inWashington).

2. Chemical analysis of one of the tools revealed tracesof the food they were eating, including bison, deer,bear, sheep and salmon.

3. The dig also uncovered a fragment of salmon bone,evidence that the fish made its way up local streamsfor at least 10,000 years.


Antibiotic resistant Bacteria finding their wayto natural waters1. Antibiotic‐ resistant bacteria have proliferated insome of the natural water bodies of Kuttanad(Kerala).

2. These have found way to the tiger prawns whichgrow there.

3. These bacteria were high in the natural environmentof Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

4. M.rosenbergii is a widely cultivated fresh waterprawn in Kerala because of its inherent resistance tomany bacterial diseases, good price realisation andpreference among the consumers.


Indian Pharma: Possible issues from EMs1. What are EMs? Emerging markets – countries orgeographies which have very recently startedwelcoming a particular industry.

2. So what’s the problem? 3. Increased exposure to the emerging markets (EMs)has made their earnings vulnerable to themacroeconomic problems of these markets.

4. Russia has local problems – Brazil’s sovereign ratingtook a hit down under!


Germany to reinstate border controls oversurge in refugees1. Germany has become the destination of choice formany refugees after Chancellor Angela Merkeldecided to relax asylum rules Syrians.

2. The International Organisation for Migration said thatmore than 430,000 people have crossed theMediterranean to Europe this year.


Dozens of Migrants Drown as Boat Capsizes inAegean Sea1. The Greek Coast Guard recovered the bodies of 34migrants, including 15 children.

2. Their wooden boat flipped over in strong winds as itattempted the short but often perilous crossing fromnearby Turkey.

3. Greece has long been a favored entry point, alongwith Italy and Malta.


Indian scientists decode Tulsi plant genome1. The plant synthesises a wide range of bioactivecompounds, known for anti‐bacterial, anti‐fungal, anti‐pyretic and anti‐cancer properties.

2. Entire genetic makeup of Tulsi deciphered, a herbwidely used for therapeutic purposes.

3. These compounds are metabolites,used for plantself‐defence.

Discuss: Do you know other best medicinal uses of Tulsi?


‘Aerobic’ rice cultivation reduces water usage1. Growing rice plant as irrigated crop like cultivatingmaize and wheat in aerobic condition, where oxygenis plenty in soil.

2. In aerobic rice cultivation, rice is cultivated as directsown in non‐puddle aerobic soil under supplementaryirrigation and fertiliser.

3. APO developed by International Rice ResearchInstitute (IRRI) under aerobic rice cultivation system.

Discuss: Can we find out other researches byInternational Rice Research Institute ?


[op‐ed snap] Another development task forIndia1. The SDG agenda negotiated by the UN membershipover the past three years is, perhaps, the mostambitious roadmap ever drawn up by the world body.

2. It lists 17 goals and 169 targets that need to bemonitored and implemented by 2030.

3. Today, India is home to more than 30% of the globalestimate of over 1 billion people who live in extremepoverty.

Discuss: Can SDG goals will make sustainable world inreality ?


[op‐ed snap] Restructuring the DoP forfinancial inclusion1. The RBI’s licence for payments bank to India Postshould,separate the banking business from variousother services provided by DoP.A commercial focuson the banking business is desirable for viability andefficiency.

2. With RBI’s licence comes the condition that India Postcannot accept deposits of more than Rs.1 lakh peraccount.

Discuss: Can we discuss DoP is future for rural financialinclusion ?


IISc, IIT‐D in top 200 rankings1. India has made its debut in the Quacquarelli Symonds’(QS) list of top 200 universities globally.

2. The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and theIndian Institute of Technology Delhi have been placed147 and 179 respectively.

3. IISC Bangalore is a new entry in the ranking list due totheir first undergraduate batch graduating this year,which was one of the criteria needed to feature inthe global rankings.

4. MIT and Harvard hold the top two positions in theworld university rankings


India yet to achieve U.N. MillenniumDevelopment Goals1. India has achieved only a few of the MDGs for theperiod 2000‐2015.

2. The Ministry of Statistics and ProgrammeImplementation report shows that only 6 of the 18targets have been fully met.

3. India has managed to halve poverty rates from the1990 levels, ensure gender parity in primary schoolenrolment, reversed incidence of HIV/AIDS, andreduced malaria and TB deaths.

4. However, India continues to lag behind in checkingmaternal mortality, child mortality and hunger as well.

5. The failure to improve access to sanitation, with halfof the country’s households lacking a latrine, remainsa major concern as well.


World Bank ranks Gujarat as most investor‐friendly State1. Gujarat has come out on top in the World Bank’s firstever ranking of States on the ease of doing businessin India.

2. The rankings reflect the ease of doing business inthese States by the small and medium enterprisesrather than foreign investors.

3. Gujarat is followed by A.P., Jharkhand, Chattisgarhand M.P.

4. These states performed well in terms of e‐payment oftaxes and reforms, construction permits, ease ofbusiness and environmental clearances.

5. The largest recipients of foreign investments,Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, are ranked eighth andtwelfth with less than 50% scores.


After Rajasthan, Haryana sets norms forpanchayat election contestants1. Haryana has becomes 2nd state to fix minimumeducational qualifications for those contestingpanchayat polls.

2. The conditions put up for contesting are educationaldegree, a pucca toilet, non‐default of any bank loanand electricity dues.

3. The requirement of an educational degree and apucca toilet. will target people suffering from socio‐economic deprivation.

4. Govt. has justified the law saying that it improves thequality of leadership and governance in PRIs.

5. However, given the extremely low levels of literacy,only the elite will be able to contest elections, notthose who are poor or marginalised.

Discuss: The laws passed in the two States are violativeof the 73rd Constitutional amendment that provided forlocal self‐governance in rural areas.


Sports Ministry Grants Recognition toKalarippayattu1. Kalaripayattu sport is a Martial art performed inSouthern state of Kerala and in contiguous parts ofTamil Nadu.

2. The word kalari has been derived from Sangamliterature which describes both a battlefield andcombat arena.

Discuss: Can we discuss other martial art forms ?


New PM for Australia1. Malcolm Turnbull is the new Prime Minister ofAustralia. He took over from Tony Abbott.

2. Malcolm Turnbull won the Liberal party leadershippolls against Tony Abbott.

3. He was the Minister for Communications under TonyAbbott, before resigning to launch a leadershipchallenge.

4. He was a successful lawyer and businessman.

International Organisations | September 15, 2015

UNSC reforms: ‘Historic’, ‘pathbreaking’ forIndia1. India is a strong contender for a permanent UN seatif the Security Council gets expanded,one of the mostsignificant reforms being discussed.

2. 70th session of the UN General Assembly chose thepath of text‐based negotiations for carrying outSecurity Council reforms and, for this purpose,adopted a negotiating text by consensus.

3. Security Council,the top decision‐making body, whichhas 15 members including five permanent members –China, Russia, the US, the UK and France.

Discuss: Why is it important to become a permanentmember of Security council?


Telcos to blame for call drops: TRAI chief1. According to TRAI chairman, the remedy for theproblem lies solely with the service providers.

2. If service providers have more customers thanthey can satisfy, either they should put moreinfrastructure or not have the customers.

3. He stressed that the regulator will not remain a silentspectator and will take proactive steps if the situationdoes not improve.

4. As there is opposition from operators to make theiroperational capacity public, he said, it is an issue oftransparency.

5. TRAI is committed to consumer protection becausethey are weakest in terms of articulating theirproblems and grievances.


Time for G4 leaders to assert themselves1. G4 hope has increased with the shift to text‐basednegotiations, as it will bring more clarity on therespective positions of countries.

2. There are many opponents to the expansion of theUNSC, but the most vociferous of them are China andPakistan.

3. The G4 took shape in 2004 when leaders of all the 4countries issued a joint statement, kicking off theircampaign for U.N. reforms.

4. Since 2008, the U.N.’s Inter‐GovernmentalNegotiations have been negotiating text for U.N.reforms.


Nepal to unveil new Constitution on Sept 201. Nepal President will promulgate the new Constitutionof the Federal, Democratic, Republic of Nepal,endorsed by the Constituent Assembly.

2. The new constitution would institutionalise theachievements of the Peoples Movement of 2006.

3. The country saw violent protests after the CAoverwhelmingly rejected a proposal to revert Nepal asa Hindu state.

4. The Madhesi parties are protesting against the7 province federal model.

5. India has shown its concerns over the ongoingprotests and strife in Nepal.

Discuss: The drafting process was accelerated after thedeadly‐quake of April 12 that claimed more than 9,000lives in the country of 28 million people.


Modi, Ranil discuss U.N. rights report1. Sri Lanka plans to go ahead with the promise ofdevolution of power to Tamil‐majority areas.

2. The reconciliation process with the Tamil minority inSri Lanka figured prominently in the talks between thetwo leaders.

3. Many Tamil parties have demanded an internationalwar crimes tribunal to investigate the allegedatrocities.

4. However, the Sri Lankan government has offeredalternatives of domestic inquiries and the setting upof a commission based on South African‐model


Pentagon cell to push India trade ties1. The Pentagon has established its first‐ever countryspecial cell to speed up defence ties between Indiaand the United States.

2. The India Rapid Reaction Cell (IRRC), operational fora few months now, is part of the efforts to pursue allaspects of the India‐U.S. Defence Trade andTechnology Initiative (DTTI).

3. India is a major buyer and collaborator in the defencesector with the U.S.


India reaches out to North Korea1. MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju participated in anevent which marked the North Korean NationalIndependence Day in New Delhi.

2. The ties between India and North Korea was on arough patch since the closer strategic ties betweenPakistan and North Korea.

3. Earlier in April, the North Korean Supreme leaderKim Jong‐Un sent his Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong toIndia to improve the relationship between the twocountries.


Pentagon creates India Rapid Reaction Cell1. India is the only country to have a specific cell of itskind inside the Pentagon.

2. The purpose of IRRC is to work all the initiatives thatunder (India‐US) Defence Trade and TechnologyInitiative (DTTI).

Discuss: Do you want know more about DTTI ?Then,Google it.


Ending child labour by 2025 farcical1. Global leaders will this month pledge to end by 2025,as part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) to improve the lives of the poorest.

2. India has introduced laws to protect children andensure their schooling, as well as a range of socialwelfare schemes.

3. Census data shows there were 4.35 million labourersaged between five and 14 in 2011 against 12.66million a decade ago.

Discuss: Think how deeply the child labour in Indiaaffects education?


Sri Lanka hopes economic pact with India byyear end1. Seeking to strengthen the Indian Ocean island’s tieswith its big neighbour and reduce its dependency onChinese investment.

2. We are looking at a permanent agreement oncooperation on economic affairs – trade, investmentand technology for development.

3. Bilateral trade touched $3.64 billion in 2013,Of that,India’s exports to the island were $3.09 billion while itimported $543 million worth of goods from Sri Lanka.

Discuss: Can Chinese investment further dominate India'svision for investment?


India, Cambodia sign two MoUs1. VP Hamid Ansari signed 2 MoUs on tourism andthe Mekong‐Ganga Cooperation Initiative withCambodia.

2. The Mekong‐Ganga MoU is related to theupgradation of an Entrepreneurship DevelopmentCentre.

3. It also includes healthcare, especially malaria,agriculture and women’s empowerment.

4. The MoU on tourism is aimed at boosting touristmovement between the two countries.

5. Indian govt. has recently set up a SPV to attractIndian investments to Cambodia and otherCLMV(Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam)countries


Only biodegradable Ganesha idols can beimmersed : NGT1. NGT passed a series of directions to make sureYamuna is not choked with hazardous chemicalsduring the festive season.

2. NGT directed that immersion would be allowed ofonly those idols made from bio‐degradable materialand not plastic/ Plaster of Paris”.

3. Immersion of idols puts a load on the rivers and candefeat revitalisation plan of the NGT, if the civicagencies concerned do not keep a check.

4. The Delhi govt. has also been asked to provide mobiletoilets/ bio‐toilets at these sites.


Gold coins of Krishnadevaraya1. 40 gold coins were found in Telengana which datedback to 1500s.

2. The gold coins had inscriptions with Nagari script.3. The coins might have been used during the periods ofKrishnadevaraya and Achyutaraya.


Premature deaths due to air pollution1. India second highest in premature deaths caused byoutdoor air pollution, with 1.35 million deathsannually.

2. In 2010, the rate was 0.65 million in India and theoverall rate in the world was 3.3 million.

3. China has the highest numbers with the prematuredeaths.

4. Major reasons? Residential energy used for heatingand cooking. Power generation causing nearly 90,000deaths in 2010.

5. At 42,000, industry and biomass burning causedequal number of deaths, followed by 30,000 deathsfrom land traffic in India.


U.N. reports on Sri Lankan war crimes1. The report submitted by U.N. states that both the SriLankan government and the Liberation Tigers of TamilElam (LTTE) were responsible for the unlawful killings.

2. Sri Lankan government is held responsible for thesexual and gender based violence, enforceddisappearances, and torture and other forms of cruel,inhuman or degrading treatment.

3. The Internally Displaced People were deprived oftheir rights like liberty in the camps for periods farbeyond what is permissible under international law.

4. LTTE misused children by deploying them in the war.


[op‐ed snap] Developing India’s airports:Private role is a public questionWhy do we need private sector in developing airports?Air traffic in India is projected to triple by 2025 fromcurrent 190 m. It will require investments to the tune of $40‐50 billion. Expand/upgrade airport infrastructureacross country. To meet the demands for excess capacity.Airport operations is a commercial activity, govt. shouldlimit … Continue reading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐developing‐indias‐airports‐private‐role‐is‐a‐public‐question/)


Govt plans subsidy on select routes to boosttier‐2 traffic1. Govt. plans to boost air traffic in theunderserved/unserved tourist destination, places onreligious circuit, potential small scale bussiness travel.

2. Govt. will provide a flat subsidy/ seat for a specifiednumber of seats on selected routes to bring middleclass population to airways.

3. The incentivised routes will be put up for competitivebidding, and govt. will do viability gap funding.

4. There will be no cap on air fares, because if companydoes not pass on the benefits to consumers thenpeople won’t be interested in flying.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-developing-indias-airports-private-role-is-a-public-question/

Constitution | September 17, 2015

Nepal to unveil new Constitution1. A fully democratic Constitution will be promulgatedby the Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav.

2. The Constitution should have the broadest possiblesupport and the outcome should honour fundamentalrights such as gender equality and basic freedoms.


RBI’s steps to create small banks1. RBI, has selected 10 financial institutions to set upseparate small banks to lend to small businesses andfarmers, who typically struggle to get funding fromtraditional lenders.

2. Private‐equity backed Ujjivan Financial Services PvtLtd and Janalakshmi Financial Services Pvt Ltd wereamong institutions.


Ocean fish numbers on ‘brink of collapse’:WWF report1. The report said populations of fish, marine mammals,birds and reptiles had fallen 49% between 1970 and2012. For fish alone, the decline was 50%.

2. Damage to coral reefs and mangroves, which arenurseries for many fish, add to problems led by over‐fishing.

3. New UN sustainable development goals, includingending over‐fishing and destructive fishing practicesby 2020 and restoring stocks “in the shortest timefeasible” is needed.

4. Safeguarding the oceans can help economic growth,curb poverty and raise food security, it says.

Discuss: Can UN Sustainable development goals wouldhelp to reduce environmental problems?


OECD trims India growth forecast1. The Organisation for Economic Co‐operation andDevelopment (OECD) trimmed its growth estimate forIndia in 2015 to 7.2% from 7.3% predicted earlier.

2. The organization noted that growth is supported bystrong consumer spending and public investment ininfrastructure.

Discuss: What really makes Indian economy strongerthan world economy?


Sugar beet waste product to ‘wonder material’1. A Scottish company has developed a material madefrom sugar beet waste known as Curranproduct,which is twice as strong as carbon fibre andcould one day be used to make airplane wings.

2. Curran’s physical strength, combined with its viscositywhen added to liquids and composites, make itunique.

3. Curran is a material that is derived from nanocelluloseparticles – root vegetables.


Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission forrural areas approved1. SPMRM through development of rurban growthclusters aims at catalyzing overall regional growth.

2. It seeks to achieve of strengthening rural areas and deburdening the urban areas,for balanced regionaldevelopment and growth of the country by benefitingthe rural & urban areas of the country.


CAD to be about 1.5 % of GDP this fiscal1. The RBI said the central bank expects the CurrentAccount Deficit (CAD) to be about 1.5% of GDP inthe current fiscal.

2. In the first quarter (Apr‐Jun), CAD narrowed to 1.2%of GDP following contraction in trade deficit andhigher earnings from services exports.

3. The fiscal deficit of both the central and state govt.plays an important role in the cost of capital as theyare the largest borrowers.


795 low‐capacity cellphone towers dot RedCorridor1. The govt. is installing thousands of mobile phonetowers in Maoist affected areas for faster and bettercommunication.

2. The plan is to provide a channel of communication inthese remote areas.

3. The govt. aims to erode the influence of Maoists withconnectivity and a faster mode of communication.

4. Mobile‐phone connectivity is one of manydevelopment projects being taken up in the Maoist‐affected States.

Discuss: Maoist‐affected districts of the country are alsoknown as the Red Corridor.


SC stays operation of new Haryana panchayatlaw1. The SC stayed a new panchayat law in Haryanaprescribing minimum educational qualifications forcontesting in local bodies polls.

2. The apex’s court decision serves a blow to the stategovt. which notified the changes, a day prior toopening of nominations for panchayat elections.

3. The PIL contended that the new law would deprivethe majority of the population from taking part ingrassroots‐level elections.

4. The PIL also argued disqualification of those had notrepaid agricultural loans as arbitrary, due towidespread agrarian crisis.


Call drop menace to end in a month’s time1. The minister has advised the operators not to doanything to meet the growing demand for dataservices at the cost of voice.

2. The telecom companies have started optimising theirnetworks.

3. TRAI has already initiated a consultative process toascertain whether the operators need to monetarilycompensate the consumers for system‐generatedcall drops.


Coup in Burkina Faso1. The military in Burkina Faso has declared that itcontrols the country, confirming that a coup has takenplace just weeks before elections.

2. Interim President Michel Kafando and the PrimeMinister Isaac Zida were arrested by the military.

3. Earlier the 27 year rule of Blaise Compaoré came toan end after the military coup and by the peopleprotests.


Health gives nod to use of injectablecontraceptivesDeoxy medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) is aninjectable drug that prevents pregnancy for three months.1. The Health Ministry has given in principle nod to theintroduction of injectable contraceptives for women inthe family planning programme.

2. India should provide the option of DMPA in its familyplanning programme to widen the basket ofcontraceptive choices for women.

Social Issues | September 18, 2015

Operation Vatsalya to trace missing children1. Operation Vatsalya, an intensive programmeorganised jointly by the police and Social JusticeDepartments to trace missing or abandoned children,has been launched in Wayanad district.

2. The project was launched in the State following thesuccess of Operation Smile, a similar projectimplemented in Ghaziabad.


Call drops raise questions about digital indiaLet’s analyse the fact about the telecom infrastructureof telcos. # Present capacity – 5,50,000 towers # Currentrequirement – 1,00,000 towers What are the otherchallenges ? The major problem is that there is nouniform national policy on the setting up of these towers.International comparison suggest that though bigmetro’s have 2.2 towers/square‐km, but … Continuereading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/call‐drops‐raise‐questions‐about‐digital‐india/)

http://www.civilsdaily.com/call-drops-raise-questions-about-digital-india/

Distribution of Resources | September 18, 2015

[op‐ed snap] An irrigation landmarkIndia’s first river‐linking project in Andhra Pradesh, linkingrivers Godavari and Krishna has been accomplishedwithin six months. Popularly known as PattiseemaProject,as the lift scheme is being constructed at a villageof the same name in west Godavari district at a cost of Rs1,300 crore. The project marks the realisation of the …Continue reading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐irrigation‐landmark/)

Discuss: Is that National river inter‐linking project is reallypipedream?


Evidence Act likely to be amended1. The govt. is considering changes to the Evidence Actto make it easier to deal with cases of cyber crime.

2. The contention is that a provision should exist foronline submission of evidence, as law enforcementagencies have started accepting online complaints.

3. A separate agency for online reporting of casespertaining to cyber crime is also being explored by thegovernment.

4. The expert group submitted a detailed report toHome ministry after examining the global practices oncyber crime prevention.

5. Conviction rate is low in cases of cyber crime forwant of evidence, even though there is 50% rise incyber crime cases.

Discuss: The Indian Evidence Act framed in 1872 hasbeen amended only once in 2000.

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-irrigation-landmark/


Only 10% of NGOs file returns: CBI1. Only about 10% of the over 29.9 lakh registeredNGOs file their annual income and expenditurestatements.

2. The data was revealed in an affidavit filed by the CBIin the Supreme Court.

3. In some States, the laws do not even provide for theNGOs to be transparent about their financial dealings.

4. The CBI was acting on the basis of a SC order in a PILpetition, alleging misuse of funds by Anna Hazare’sNGO Hind Swaraj Trust.


2000‐year‐old Ashoka stupa restored in China1. A 2000‐year‐old lost stupa, one of the 19 built withLord Buddha’s relics sent by Emperor Ashoka toChina, has been renovated and restored with religiousrites, making it a symbol of the advent of Buddhismfrom India to China.

2. The renovated stupa and Ashoka pillar along with ahuge golden statue of Buddha was consecrated byGyalwang Drukpa, the spiritual head of Drukpalineage of Buddhism based in Ladakh.

Discuss: Do you know other places where Lord Buddha'srelics sent by Emperor Ashoka ?


How genetically modified mosquitoes fightdengueIndia is the worst in the world in terms of dengue cases.This mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is by far the mostprevalent in India. Oxitec Ltd, a UK‐based biotechnologyfirm, has been working with India’s privately held healthand agriculture firm GBIT since 2011 on a UK‐Indiafunded project, ‘Sustainable Dengue Prevention’, underthe India‐UK … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/genetically‐modified‐mosquitoes‐fight‐dengue/)

Discuss: Are there any more technological solutions overDengue?

Governance | September 19, 2015

Govt to change registration, audit processesfor NGOs1. The government plans to streamline the audit andregistration of NGOs receiving foreign funding, and isexpected to come out with a new set of guidelines.

2. The aim of the exercise is to ensure greaterdisintermediation of processes so that there isminimal contact with the bureaucracy.

Discuss: Really, Will it be further relief to NGO's?

http://www.civilsdaily.com/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-fight-dengue/

Climate Change | September 19, 2015

13 nations roar on climate change burden1. Climate change negotiators from 13 Like‐MindedDeveloping Countries (LMDCs),calling for developednations to not pass on the financial burden of climateaction on developing countries.

2. The Paris agreement should ensure the provision ofadequate support by developed countries todeveloping countries in meeting their needs and costsof adaptation actions.

3. LMDCs deeply concerned with the slow pace ofnegotiations given the limited negotiating time leftbefore Conference of Parties (CoP) 21 in Paris.

Discuss: LMDCs call for developed nations,will it beheard in coming Paris conference ?


Forest cover in river Gundia – a threat to theenvironment?1. Forest cover in the catchment area of river Gundia isdown from 70.74% – 61.15% for the past 15 years.

2. The water yielding area in the river has shrunk 0.63%– 0.46% during the same period.

3. The research done by the Indian Institute of Science(IISc) for the Yettinahole project has revealed theinformation about river Gundia.

4. River Yettinahole is a tributary of Gundia which flowsin the Western Ghats.


Sunday Spl: How to read newspaperseffectively?1. Focus on Issues, not News2. Make notes of the What, Why and How of the News3. Don’t read 5 newspapers! Keep it Simple4. The Increasing Importance of Current Affairs. Why isthat so?

5. Full article at www.civilsdaily.com/blog/

Discuss: Read the complete article on the CD Hub. Checkyour gmail or go to the website directly.


ASEAN trade corridor1. ASEAN trade corridor is aimed at the economicintegration of the eight cities in the South‐east Asiancountries.

2. The corridor covers 5000kms which includesSingapore, Kuala Lampur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, HohChi Minh City, Vientiane, Hanoi and Nanning.

Discuss: How the Maritime Silk Route and ASEANcorridor will influence development in the SoutheastAsia?


2,500 year old dolmen found near Pollachi1. A 2,500 year old slab cist or dolmen was found at anexcavation site near Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.

2. The finding gives an insight into the burial ritualspractised by Deccan people in the Megalithic Age.

3. The slab cist also confirms some burial ritualsmentioned in ancient Tamil literature. The people wholived in the area followed rituals similar to those ofEgyptians.


Nuakhai celebrated across western Odisha1. Nuakhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed bypeople of Western Odisha in India.

2. The word nua means new and khai means food, sothe name means the farmers are in possession of thenewly harvested rice.

3. It is observed to welcome the new rice of the season.

Indigenization of Technology | September 20, 2015

[op‐ed snap] Cryogenic success1. The indigenous cryogenic engine in the third, topmoststage fired flawlessly for 12 minutes.

2. The 2,117‐kilogram communication satellite GSAT‐6 was put into its initial orbit.

3. An important feature of GSAT‐6 is its six‐metrediameter unfurlable antenna which will help Indianarmed forces personnel communicate with each otheron secure lines using compact handheld devices.

4. Onwards, ISRO need not depend on the EuropeanSpace Agency to put its communication satellites

Discuss: Is that Cryogenic Success considered to be bigmilestone in Indian space programme? Put your viewshere.


Indian Railways develops hybrid vacuumtoilets1. Combined advantages of vacuum toilets and bio‐toilets to create a new design of a hybrid vacuumtoilet.

2. The concept of a hybrid vacuum toilet is a first eversystem of its kind to have been developed and builtby any railway system in the world.

3. The toilet evacuates its discharge into a bio‐digestertank which is now successfully proven in the bio‐toilets of Indian Railways.

Discuss: Remember this year's prelim question on biodigesters!


Modi launches nationwide Powerdevelopment scheme1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched NationalIntegrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) inVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh to provide 24×7 powersupply to every house.

2. Scheme aimed to strengthen the transmission anddistribution (T&D) networks, 100 per cent meteringurban areas and smarten it with informationtechnology.

3. Objective is to strengthening of sub‐transmissionnetwork by Information Technology (IT) enablement.

Discuss: Can you tell me,other Union powerdevelopment schemes?


Merchandise exports to decline by over 13 %in FY161. India’s merchandise exports in 2015‐16 are forecastto decline to $265‐268 billion, significantly lowerthan $310.5 billion in the previous fiscal.

2. This is mainly due to sharp erosion in commodityprices globally.

3. The global merchandise economy has moved to abearish and low cost situation where demand relatesmainly to the actual consumption.

4. There is no sentiment build‐up around commoditiesand thus the demand is actually restricted to the realconsumption.

Discuss: Indian exports had achieved a landmark of $300billion in 2011‐12 for the first time, making the country asizeable player in global exports.


India, U.S. to team up at global level1. India and US have decided not only to deepen theirbilateral ties but also the partnership at the globallevel.

2. There is increasingly high‐level of contact andcoordination between the two govt. on importantissues.

3. US is hosting the first‐ever strategic and commercialdialogue between the two countries.

4. The focus would be on making very substantial, solidand tangible progress in terms of outcome anddeliverables.

5. Top CEOs of the two countries would be meeting forthe India‐US CEOs Forum alongside.


India, Japan, U.S. plan to push ties to next level1. India, U.S. and Japan are set to raise their trilateralengagement to the ministerial level, on the sidelinesof the U.N. General Assembly.

2. The elevation of the engagement to the political levelwill mark a new beginning in the cooperation, withpotential implications for the Indian Ocean region.

3. India and US will work closely with other Asia Pacificcountries through consultations, dialogues and jointexercises, to ensure balance of power.

Discuss: Meeting of Sushma Swaraj, Fumio Kishida andJohn Kerry planned on sidelines of UNGA.


UIDAI shifted to IT ministry from NITI Aayog1. Earlier, UIDAI was the part of Planning Commission.2. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI),which issues Aadhaar cards, has been shifted to theadministrative control of the ministry ofcommunication and information technology from NITIAayog.

3. Move to shift UIDAI from NITI Aayog taken keeping inmind govt’s ambitious ‘Digital India’ plan as Aadhaarnumbers are being linked with several services.


Indigenous anti‐tank missile Amogha‐1 test‐fired1. Developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL),successfully test‐fired an indigenously developedAmogha‐1.

2. It is second generation, 2.8 km range, anti‐tankguided missile.

Discuss: Are there other anti‐tank guided missiles ? DouYou Know?


False propaganda against immunisation1. False propaganda against immunisation led to ahealth crisis in Malappuram.

2. Several deaths were reported due to diphtheria whichcould have been averted by a simple vaccination.

3. A section of people in Malappuram are againstimmunisation.

4. Thousands of children are unimmunised against eightdeadly diseases, including diphtheria and meningitis inthe northern districts of Kerala.


Four new isotopes discovered1. The burgeoning periodic table will see four moreisotopes being added to its fag end.

2. H. M. Devaraja from the Manipal Centre of NaturalSciences at Manipal University, Karnataka – who wasa part of an international collaboration.

3. These are one isotope each of the heavy elementsberkelium (Bk, atomic number 97) and neptunium(Np, 93) and two isotopes of the element americium(Am, 95).


Ministry of H&FW bans sale of Diclofenac inmultidose vial1. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare hasbanned the sale of Diclofenac in multidose vial.

2. Henceforth, it will be sold only in single‐dose vialpackaging for human use.

3. Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug(NSAID) is administered as painkiller to cattle, is thechief cause of mass extinction of vultures.

India & Neighbours | September 21, 2015

Nepal adopts historic constitution1. The constitution defines Nepal as a secular andfederal system, despite widespread protests for it tobe declared a Hindu state.

2. A clause stating “Religious and cultural freedom, withthe protection of religion and culture practiced sinceancient times.

3. The constitution is the first in Asia to specificallyprotect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender communities.

Discuss: Shall constitution helps to maintain peace inNepal in future?


Save all cyber communications for 3 months1. The govt. is drafting a National Encryption Policy,which proposes that every citizen should keep a copyof all their communications for 90 days.

2. These copies of communication need to be madeavailable to security agencies when demanded.

3. Citizens as well as business may use encryptiontechnology for storage of data and communication.

4. The draft covers all messaging, email services and e‐commerce websites as each of them uses some formof encryption.

5. Cyber law experts criticise the policy on the groundthat almost everyone using the Internet will findthemselves in violation of these rules.


Ahead of UN meet, India sends tough messageto Pakistan, China1. The LoC, LAC and International Border in J&K arewitnessing hot postures by Pakistan and China.

2. India warned that neighbours should stop promotingterrorism, infiltration and desist from provocativeactions for better relations with India.

3. The peace and prosperity in the Asian continentcannot prevail until India’s relations with Pakistan andChina are harmonious.

4. Special emphasis is being laid on strengthening theITBP to fill the gaps in border security, particularly inJammu region.


India has to homogenise liability law, says GEchief1. There is an extremely standard liability law that therest of the world has adopted.

2. The language has to be just homogenised betweenIndia and the rest of the world.

3. The subsidies in the electricity sector should belowered so that prices were more market‐determined.

4. GE is interested in commercial and military aviation,renewable energy as well as oil and gas and also saw abig opportunity in Make in India.

Discuss: GE is the world’s largest infrastructure companywith a revenue of $146 billion in 2012‐13.


Blackbuck reserve proposed in Karnataka1. The proposal for Blackbuck conservation reserve inUmmathur and Bagli villages in Chamarajanagardistrict in Karnataka is waiting for approval.

2. Blackbuck is a Near Threatened species and it is theonly living species of the genus Antilope and it is theState Animal of Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

3. Antilope cervicapra is the generic and specific nameof Blackbuck.


Syriza wins again in Greece1. The Syriza party won the polls yet again and AlexisTsipras will be back as the Prime Minister of Greecefor the next 4 years.

2. The newly elected government has to take measuresto overcome the debt crisis and to develop theeconomy of Greece which is down for few years.

3. The government also has a tough task to takemeasures for the Refugee crisis with most of thepopulation from war torn countries moving towardsEurope.


[op‐ed snap] A new multilateralismHaving recast key bilateral ties, Modi now has a chance toend Delhi’s defensiveness in approaching the world. AsPrime Minister Narendra Modi heads to the United Statesthis week for engagements ranging from the UnitedNations in New York to Silicon Valley in California, thedemands of multilateralism have begun to loom larger …Continue reading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐new‐multilateralism/)

http://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-new-multilateralism/


ADB sees slower growth for Asia1. Developing Asia is now expected to grow 5.8 percentand 6.0 percent this year and in 2016, down from theADB’s July forecast of 6.1 percent and 6.2 percent.

2. Fears of a China‐led global slowdown, which hadsent global stock markets tumbling.

3. Capital outflows could accelerate ahead of the Fedrate hike and urged policymakers to strengthenfinancial systems in the region to mitigate shocks.


UAVs help pinpoint Chinese transgression1. High‐resolution images from UAVs showed Chinesetransgression into Indian territory.

2. This played an important role in forcing them towithdraw in the recent stand‐off in northern Ladakh.

3. India operates a large number of Israeli‐made Heronand Searcher UAVs.

4. India has deployed Herons on the 4,000‐km LAC in2013 to monitor frequent Chinese transgressions.

Discuss: Heron is a medium‐altitude, long‐enduranceUAV with endurance of over 24 hours and capable offlying at 35,000 feet. These UAVs are operated by the AirForce.


Ahead of Modi’s U.S. visit, $3 bn defence dealscleared1. The Union govt. approved two major defence dealswith US, which is expected to give a boost to bilateraldefence ties.

2. The deals are for buying two of the world’s mostadvanced helicopters.

3. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared thepurchase of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15Chinook heavy‐lift choppers from Boeing.

4. The deals have direct commercial contracts withBoeing as well as a direct govt. to govt. componentbetween the two govt.


National Health Profile highlights poor doctor‐patient ratio1. The new official data shows, every govt. hospitalserves an estimated 61,000 people in India, with onebed for every 1833 people.

2. There is a steady increase in out‐of‐pocket privateexpenditure on health, in terms of householdexpenditure.

3. India spends less of its GDP on health than some ofthe world’s poorest countries.

4. The Centre’s share of total public expenditure onhealth has fallen over the last two years.

5. Non‐communicable diseases are on the rise withcardiovascular diseases accounting for a quarter ofdeaths from non‐communicable diseases and canceraccounting for 6%.

Discuss: The National Health Profile 2015 is prepared bythe Central Bureau for Health Intelligence.


West Bengal seeks GI tag for rasagolla1. Amid controversy over the origins of the iconic sweet,rasagolla,the West Bengal has set off the officialprocess of staking its claim, by filing application for theGeographical Indication (GI) for the syrupy sweet.

2. The fight is between Odisha and West Bengal, witheach one claiming ownership of rasagolla.

Discuss: Can you find out more products from WestBengal made in GI list?


Rare genetic disorder turns female into male1. A small community in Dominican Republic havechildren born as female but turn into male at pubertydue to a rare genetic disorder which changes thegenitals.

2. This is due to the deficiency of enzyme 5‐alpha‐reductase which normally converts testosterone intodihydro‐testosterone.

3. This process usually happens in the womb and thechild turns into male. But the process happens tothese children at the age of 12.

4. These children are called as Guevedoces.5. This is a rare condition which is seen only in this partof the world.


Unaccompanied minor refugees rises inEurope: OECDThe increasing number of unaccompanied minors seekingasylum in Europe is a “particularly striking and worryingcharacteristic” of the current refugee crisis, according to anew report on migration trends in 2015 by theOrganisation for Economic Co‐operation andDevelopment (OECD). Many of the children who arriveat 16 or 17 years old come with … Continue reading(http://www.civilsdaily.com/unaccompanied‐minor‐refugees‐rises‐europe‐oecd/)


Rajasthan decision on 68% reservation drawsflak1. The Rajasthan govt.’s decision to increase thereservation limit in the State to 68% has drawncriticism.

2. The Rajasthan has passed bills, ensuring 5%reservation to Gujjars under a category named asSpecial Backward Classes and 14% to EconomicallyBackward Classes.

3. The Assembly also passed resolutions insisting theCentral govt. to include the bills in the 9th Scheduleof the Constitution, to prevent legal hassle.

4. Critics point that the country’s reservation policy isbased on social deprivation rather than economicindicators.

Discuss: Reservation is supposed to be for people whowere denied access to institutions for centuries becausethey belonged to a certain caste

http://www.civilsdaily.com/unaccompanied-minor-refugees-rises-europe-oecd/


AAI to spend Rs. 1,000 crore on Chennaiairport revamp1. Chennai airport is set to get a brand new look withthe Airports Authority of India(AAI) planning to spendclose to Rs. 1,000 crore on its revamp.

2. This comes in the backdrop after the govt. decided todrop its earlier plan to privatise the airports.

3. AAI is planning to make travel through the airport aseamless process for both domestic and internationalpassengers.

4. Its idea is to integrate not only the domestic andinternational parts of the terminal but also provideconnectivity with the metro rail project.


Uphill task for Skill India mission1. The NSSO data showed that only 2.4% people hadtechnical degrees, diplomas or certificates in fieldslike medicine, engineering or agriculture.

2. Nearly 90% of employable people did not receive anyvocational training, which poses a challenge to govt.’sSkill India mission.

3. More than 70% males cited that supplementinghousehold income was the main reason for not beingenrolled in any educational institution.

4. Domestic chores prevented more than half of thefemales from studies.

5. In July, PM has launched the Rs. 1,500‐crore SkillIndia campaign, which aims to train 40 crore peopleby 2022.

Discuss: The National Sample Survey Office has releaseddata from its 2011‐12 round on education and vocationaltraining.


DRDO seeks hike in budget allocation1. China was spending close to 20% of its defenceoutlay on R&D as compared to a mere 5‐6% in India,which were inadequate to meet growing defenceneeds.

2. It also pitched for increased manpower as youngscientists are required to work on technological needsof tomorrow.

3. The DRDO should involve the industry in producingthe technologies which they have developed.

4. The DRDO should now develop similar level ofinterface with the Army and the IAF, as done withNavy in developing technology products.


Burkina Faso – Michel Kafando reinstated asPresident1. Michel Kafando is back as the President of BurkinaFaso.

2. The President’s guard who were loyal to the former

President ended the coup through which they toppled

Kafando’s government last week.

3. The leaders from West Africa held talks with the

leader of the coup to bring Kafando as President.


Volcano erupts in Mexico1. Colima Volcano – a volcano in Mexico is active sinceJuly and it started erupting. The volcano was activeduring January and February earlier this year.

2. The volcano is part of the Ring of Fire.3. Mexico has 3000 volcanoes which includes 14 activevolcanoes.


EU offers 1 billion euros to U.N.1. European nations join hands to fund United Nationsagencies to help the Refugees.

2. The World Food Programme of U.N. needs money toprovide food to the 11 million people in Syria and alsothe surrounding crisis hit nations.

3. This move is aimed at ending the migration of peoplefrom the war torn region to Europe.


Apoorva and C‐421 ships commissioned atNaval Dock1. Two Indian Coast Guard Ships are Apoorva and C‐421.

2. ICGS Apoorva is a 50 meter long Fast Patrol Vessel(FPV) that displaces 317 Tonnes and can achieve amaximum speed of 33 knots.

3. C‐421 is a water jet propelled vessel with maximumspeed of 45 Knots.


Government announces the Pradhan MantriKhanij Kshetra Kalyan Yonaja1. The objective of scheme,to implement developmentaland welfare projects in mining‐affected areas thatcomplement the existing ongoing projects of state andcentral governments.

2. Around Rs.6,000 crore will be spent every year on thedevelopment of these regions under the scheme.

3. It ensure long‐term sustainable livelihoods for theaffected people in mining areas.


Centre clears controversial anti‐terror bill ofGujarat1. The Home Ministry has sent the controversial GujaratControl of Terrorism and Organised Crime Bill, 2015to the President for his assent.

2. The Bill provides for admissibility of evidencecollected through interception of mobile calls of anaccused or through confessions made before aninvestigating officer, in a court of law.

3. Earlier, IT ministry raised objections over allowingauthorisation of interception of telephoneconversations and their admissibility as evidencebefore a court of law.

4. Gujarat govt. cited that the ‘criminal law’ and‘criminal procedure’ are concurrent list subjects.

5. The Centre has given its consent to the provision ofextensions of time limit for filing of charge sheetfrom 90 days to 180 days.


MPs are wise, they don’t need advice: CJI1. Parliamentarians are wise people elected by thepublic and naturally they know how to conductthemselves in the House.

2. The SC said that the judiciary would be oversteppingits limits by making such interventions.

3. The bench was hearing PIL seeking court guidelines toensure that MPs discharge their duties without fallinginto disrepute and ridicule at the cost of publicmoney.

4. The petition was filed by Foundation for Restorationof National Values, with the likes of Ratan Tata and E.Sreedharan on its advisory board.


Centre banks on ISRO to curb illegal miningacross States1. The Union Ministry of Mines is planning to useremote sensing satellite data to curb illegal miningacross States.

2. Satellite images taken at regular intervals would helpto keep an eye on legal boundaries of mined areas.

3. The Indian Bureau of Mines would be the nodalagency to implement the measures.

4. The other plan is to use the GPS to track majorminerals that have been mined.

5. Earth observation satellites are already used toestimate the kind of minerals and the extent ofdeposits present in an area.


Govt. plans green road corridors1. The Union government will unveil its Green Highwayspolicy on September 29.

2. The bushes and trees will be grown along all thehighways in a phased manner.

3. The purpose of this policy is to promote the greeningof highway corridors with the participation of thelocal community, including local contractors and thelocal Forest Department.

4. The latent objective is to generate employment too.5. The investment in the project would be Rs. 1,000crore this year, as 1% of the Rs. 1 lakh‐croreinvestment in national highway projects expected inthis year.


US investors show interest in highway projects1. A group of investors from the United States expressedinterest in investing in the highways sector in Indiaahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second visitto the US.

2. Investments to be put under the National HighwaysDevelopment Programme.

3. The investors were keen on operations contracts forcompleted stretches of public‐funded highways onthe TOT (toll‐operate‐transfer) basis.

Discuss: Can National Highways DevelopmentProgramme resurrect investment in national highwayprojects?


Invisibility cloak nears reality1. A cloak of invisibility may be common in sciencefiction but it is not so easy in the real world.

2. Scientists have successfully tested an ultra‐thininvisibility cloak made of microscopic rectangular goldblocks that

3. Like skin, this can conform to the shape of an objectand can render it undetectable with visible light.

4. The cloak’s surface rerouted light waves scatteredfrom the object to make it invisible to opticaldetection.


Centre to exempt foreign firms covered byDTAAs1. In a big relief to foreign firms,exempt from minimumalternate tax (MAT) the overseas companies thatcovered under double taxation avoidance agreements(DTAAs).

2. Foreign companies that do not have a permanentestablishment in India will be exempt from payingMAT on profits from April 2001.

3. Foreign institutional and portfolio investors (FPI) hadexempted earlier from MAT on the capital gains madeby them before April 1, 2015.


RBI revamps JLF mechanism to tackle badloans1. The RBI has revamped the Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF)norms to ensure mandatory presence ofrepresentatives of two systematically importantbanks,SBI and ICICI Bank.

2. In JLF Empowered Groups(JLF‐EG) formed bybankers to tackle the rising non‐performing assets(NPAs).

3. The change would enhance banks’ ability to bring in achange in the ownership of borrowers that wereunder stress.


India set to cross half century mark in foreignsatellites1. India will in all likelihood cross the half centurymilestone next week as six foreign satellites arescheduled for launch on September 28 at one go.

2. Rocket polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) will launchthe country’s own ASTROSAT weighing 1,513 kg.

3. Also four from the US and one each from Indonesiaand Canada is in the list.


Adieu to JNNURM1. The Urban Development Ministry has asked the stategovernments to terminate the projects which areunder the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban RenewalMission (JNNURM).

2. This was one of the flagship schemes of the previousUPA government.

3. The move will hamper some of the research projectsand also will make the government to fire thehundreds of researchers, engineers, sanitary workersand computer operators.

Discuss: You should know what's replacing this flagshipscheme.


Spiritual journey ends in tragedy1. A huge stampede killed at least 717 people andinjured hundreds of people at the Haj in Saudi Arabia.

2. It is one of the worst ever tragedies at the annualMuslim pilgrimage.

3. The tragic incident took place due to the poororganising efforts and also due to over crowding atone point.

4. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered on Minato throw pebbles at one of three walls representingSatan.


1000 crore package for higher education1. The government of Gujarat announced a 1000 crorepackage for higher education for the students inGujarat.

2. The government also relaxed the age limit forgovernment jobs for general and reserved categories.

3. The government will provide 50% of fees to medicalstudent and will provide Rs.25000 a year for anengineering student. The students can make use ofthe announcement with a condition that the annualincome of the parent should not be over 4.5 lakhs.

4. The move is aimed at controlling the ongoing Patidharagitation in the state.


The Centre is planning to liberalise the Tea Act1. It helps to waive the present stipulation of obtainingpermits for bringing additional areas under teacultivation

2. Tea production has to grow vertically (throughproductivity increases) and horizontally (through landexpansion).

3. C‐DAC (Centre for Developing Advanced Computing)is presently working on a spectrometer which willenable tea growers especially small ones to detecttraces of pesticides early.


U.S. data sharing deal in a fix1. Safe Harbour – a major data sharing deal betweenEuropean Union and United States signed 15 yearsago.

2. It is challenged in an EU court to make it invalid as thedeal focus on sharing private data of Europeanbusinesses to the servers in the U.S.

Internal Security | September 26, 2015

India turns to Israel for armed drones1. India has accelerated plans to buy drones from Israelthat can be armed, allowing the military to carry outstrikes overseas with less risk to personnel.

2. The plan to acquire Israeli Herons was first conceivedthree years ago, as Pakistan and China develop theirown drone warfare capabilities.

3. The plan to buy Herons in a deal estimated at $400million would open the option of covert cross‐borderstrikes.


People’s Planning Campaign and NITI Aayog1. Kerala’s People’s Planning Commission (PPC) and theNITI Aayog are similar models of planning.

2. The PPC was introduced in the mid 1990’s is not fullyimplemented in Kerala, but fiscal decentralisation isdone by PPC while NITI Ayog plays the role offacilitator.


Signals point to better economic activity: CEA1. Indirect tax revenue numbers are doing very well,direct tax revenue numbers are not doing so well.

2. Stalled projects have also come down, but at thesame time exports are in negative territory.


Tidal waves likely to hit Kerala coast1. Tidal flooding is likely to occur in Kerala fromSeptember 25 to 30.

2. The Perigean Spring Tide also called as Supermoon orKing Tide of September 28 when the moon is closestto the earth during its orbit.

3. The low lying areas along the Kerala coast and theother coastal cities are vulnerable to thisphenomenon.


Union Government gives nod to IAF’s IACCS1. IACCS is an automated Air Defense command andcontrol center for controlling and monitoring of AirOperations by Air Force.

2. It provides an appropriate solution to identify thetrack information in the Air.

3. It enables surveillance of national airspace for AirTraffic operations and overall airspace safety.


CAG to audit projects cleared by NationalSecurity Council1. CAG is working on a special audit of projects clearedby the National Security Council (NSC), which isheaded by the Prime Minister.

2. This is the first time the CAG would audit the NSC’sprojects.

Discuss: Do you know, what's the role of NSC ?


India’s development agenda to U.N.1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed in the U.N.summit with India’s domestic development agenda ascompletely in alignment with the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs).

2. P.M. reiterated the Indian position on climate changeand emphasised the concept of “common butdifferentiated responsibiliy” which is part of the UNFramework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).

3. He listed the Indian schemes of financial inclusion,education and skill development, direct benefittransfer, and pension schemes for the vulnerableamong the initiatives that would promote sustainabledevelopment in India.

4. P.M. Modi introduced the idea of the “BlueRevolution” as a special effort to preserve the oceansand ensure the sustenance and prosperity of smallisland nations which faces the brunt of climatechange.


The Sunday Siesta1. A siesta is usually an afternoon rest or nap.2. We won’t be printing any Newscards on Sundayshence forth.

3. But, we shall be updating the Civilsdaily’s HUB Pagewith News Explainers.

4. Sp, hop onto the website and read all the CD Explainsarticles that we have written till date!

5. Also, a big *Thank You* for the overwhelmingresponse to our *Call for Help*.

Discuss: If you haven't rated us yet, please hop onto theplaystore and put in your stars :)


Indo Sri Lanka Joint Exercise MITRA SHAKTI20151. The aim is to share the best military practices andpromoting healthy military to military relationsbetween the two Armies.

2. The idea is to tap the rich repository of experience ofeach other and extract maximum learning value fromthe joint training.

3. It will contribute immensely in developing mutualunderstanding and respect for each other’s military.


ASTROSAT launch: India reaches for the stars1. India’s first attempt at setting up an observatory inspace, a place from where it can study cosmologicalphenomena.

2. 1500‐kg ASTROSAT, a mission life of five years,whichis carrying five payloads, including an ultravioletImaging Telescope (UVIT), is being described asIndia’s version of the Hubble telescope that NASA hadput in space in 1990.


Expert Committee to review civil servicesexam pattern1. An expert committee by government to examineissues related to age relaxation, eligibility, syllabusand pattern of the civil services examination.

2. Centre’s decision taken last year to exclude theEnglish portion, accounting for 22 marks in the GSpaper‐II, from tabulation continued to remain in force.

3. The panel would be headed by the formerChhattisgarh cadre IAS officer B.S. Baswan.


Microsoft plans to take technology to 5 lakhvillages1. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, said his company willtake low‐cost broadband technology to some fivelakh villages across the country.

2. Microsoft’s plan is to partner with the IndianGovernment to bring in low‐cost broadbandconnectivity to 500,000 villages in India.

3. Low‐cost broadband connectivity coupled with thescale of cloud computing intelligence that can beharnessed from data can help drive creativity,efficiency and productivity in India.


MHA, JIC chief differ on Myanmar bordersecurity1. There are some differences between MHA and JointIntelligence Committee on the handling of securityalong the porous Myanmar border.

2. JIC has suggested that the Assam Rifles, which iscurrently posted along the Myanmar border, bereplaced by the ITBP.

3. The Home Ministry has said that the could haveserious financial and security‐related implications.

4. India and Myanmar share an unfenced border of1,643 km permit a ‘free movement’ regime up to 16km across the border.

5. The border is shared by adjoining Arunachal Pradesh,Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Discuss: The Assam Rifles functions under the DefenceMinistry, but its administrative control is with the Ministryof Home Affairs.


Ministry plans independent panel to decideMPs’ salary1. The govt. is planning to create an IndependentEmoluments Commission to recommend salaries andallowances for MPs.

2. This will help to check the growing criticism includingin the media, of MPs deciding their own emoluments.

3. The commission will ensure that recommendations onParliamentary salaries are reached in a fair,transparent and equitable way.

4. The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members ofParliament Act, 1954, will be suitably amended toincorporate such a change.


Centre dilutes Gujarat anti‐terror Bill1. Centre has said that union govt. is final authority onphone‐tapping requests.

2. It made clear that the State cannot have absolutepowers and such decisions and clearances will only beprocessed by the Union Home Secretary.

3. Presently, a State Home Secretary is permitted toauthorise interception of phone calls on delegationby the Union Home Secretary.

4. Center has accepted the clause of admissibility ofevidence collected through confessions made beforean SP rank investigating officer, in a court of law.


Pictorial warnings on tobacco products to getbigger1. Pictorial health warning on packages of tobaccoproducts will become bigger from April 1 next year.

2. A health ministry notification said that all tobaccoproducts would carry warnings covering 85% of thepackage area up from 40% at present.

3. The Rajasthan HC had earlier ordered the Centre toensure that larger pictorial warnings are carried on alltobacco products by September 29.

4. The Ministry will seek 6 months as the producers ofthe products need to make adjustments to theirproducts.


SC rejects plea to ban animal sacrifices infestivals1. The apex court held that we have to defer tocenturies‐old traditions.

2. The court refused to entertain a petition to bananimal sacrifices during religious festivals across allcommunities.

3. It could not intervene in centuries‐old customs ofreligious faith and tradition meant to appease thegods, for the sake of societal balance and harmony.

4. The Chief Justice cited Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals Act, that it was not an offence to kill ananimal in a manner required by the religion of anycommunity.


We can’t step in against post‐poll alliances: SC1. A PIL petition says that post‐poll tie‐up was breach ofpromise made during campaign.

2. The SC expressed its inability to step in and actagainst two political parties which chose to forge apost‐poll alliance to gain power, much against theircampaign promises to voters.

3. The petition sought to declare post‐poll alliancesunconstitutional on the grounds that voters had noinkling about it when they cast their votes.


Boost R & D to drive manufacturing growth:Study1. India needs to invest more in R&D and promoteentrepreneurship to achieve transformative gains andboost job creation in the country.

2. Technology drove manufacturing growth globally andwill continue to do so.

3. India’s performance in developing new and improvedtechnologies has been dismal.

4. Although FDI can address it in the short run, Indianeeds to find resources to invest in R&D and newtechnologies for long term growth.

5. Promoting entrepreneurship will go a long way inaddressing the challenge of providing jobs to millionsevery year

Discuss: India spends 0.8 per cent of GDP on R & D,which is the lowest among BRICS.


Nasa scientists find evidence of flowing wateron Mars1. Researchers say discovery of stains from summertimeflows down cliffs and crater walls increases chance offinding life on red planet.

2. Liquid water runs down canyons and crater walls overthe summer months on Mars.

3. It’s unsure where the water comes from, but it mayrise up from underground ice or salty aquifers, orcondense out of the thin Martian atmosphere.


India an easy country to settle in for expats:Survey1. India is seen as an easy country to settle in forexpatriates, according to a HSBC ‘Expat Explorer2015’ survey.

2. More than 62 per cent of expats in the country feelat home within the first year as compared to theglobal average of just 48 per cent.


Government announced the merger of FMCwith SEBI1. Amalgamation of Forward Market Commission (FMC)and SEBI would bring convergence of regulations inthe commodities and equity derivatives markets.

2. SEBI needs to have a proper mechanism to captureany aberrations in the physical market that woulddisrupt the derivatives market.

3. SEBI has created a separate Commodity Cell and hasset up new departments for regulation ofcommodities derivatives market.


Indian Navy is set to welcome INS Kochi1. INS Kochi weighs over 7500 tonnes, spanning over164 meters in length,designed to achieve speeds inexcess of 30 knots.

2. The ship is loaded with long‐range BrahMos surface‐to‐ surface missile.


Did you check the CD Hub today?1. We wrote an essential piece on speed reading.2. Given that the quantity of coursework is so huge incompetition exams these days, we believe it would begood to share 5 tips on Speed Read.

3. Sounds good?4. Go over to the CD Hub @website and read the article!


India to rank its higher centres of learning1. The National Institutional Ranking Framework forhigher educational institutions will cover all institutesoffering courses in management, engineering, law, andhumanities.

2. There are 5 major parameters, viz. teaching, learningresources; research, consulting, collaborativeperformance; graduation outcomes; outreach& inclusivity and perception.

3. The framework takes into account aspects ofeducation that are India‐centric.

4. The methodology of ranking is open to all Indianinstitutions that wish to be part of the system, but isnot mandatory.

5. It is also aimed at empowering the institutions tocompete for international ranking systems like QS andTimes.

Discuss: The system will be in place by the first week ofApril 2016.


South Asia important geo‐politically, noteconomically: CEA1. Economic integration with South Asia is not a toppriority for India as its economy relies more on otherregions

2. Geo‐political considerations make the area importantfor India,

3. South Asia has several important growing markets, buteven looking at India’s current pattern of trade, India’sbiggest markets are international.

4. South Asian economic integration is hindred by theexternal politics and the domestic politicalramifications of opening up markets to India’s SouthAsian neighbours.


RBI move could make your loans cheaper1. Th RBI brought festive cheer to the markets byreducing its benchmark repo rate to 6.75% in aneffort to boost economic growth.

2. The markets have transmitted the RBI’s past policyactions via commercial paper and corporate bonds,but banks have done so only to a limited extent.

3. The focus of monetary action for the near term willshift to working with the Government to ensure thatimpediments to banks transmission are removed.

4. Global growth has moderated, especially in emergingmarket economies, global trade has deterioratedfurther and downside risks to growth have increased


Govt launches Green Highways Policy1. Aims at planting trees along 6,000 km of highways inthe first year

2. The Green Highway Policy will help in making Indiapollution free. It will also help in curtailing the numberof road accidents in India.

Discuss: So, How will it reduces accidents ? Can youthink of that!


India to rank its higher centres of learning1. In 2016, India will have its own ranking system, theNational Institutional Ranking Framework.

2. It marks institutions on the basis of 5 majorparameters, which include Teaching, learningresources; Research, consulting, collaborativeperformance; Graduation outcomes; Outreach andinclusivity and Perception.


HRD Ministry calls off global education meet1. The event that was expected to have ministers and in‐charges of education from 180 countries asparticipants was scheduled to take place inGandhinagar, Gujarat.

2. The idea for the education summit can be traced tothe Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit in 2013, whenthe Gujarat government organised a special eventrelated to education with participation from over 20countries.


The name is Rajan, Raghuram RajanRajan can certainly justify the swagger with which hespoke at the post‐policy press conference “My name isRaghuram Rajan and I do what I do,” joked the RBIgovernor when asked whether the central bank’s outlookwas hawkish while the policy statement is dovish. In oneclean shot, RBI has silenced critics who were … Continuereading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/name‐rajan‐raghuram‐rajan/)

http://www.civilsdaily.com/name-rajan-raghuram-rajan/

Date post:	23-Jan-2018
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