1. USA pulls out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
United States of America has decided to cancel the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed
between Russian and the USA in 1987.
The treaty aimed to end arms race between USA and USSR during cold war and to ensure some strategic
stability in Europe.
Changing the way of learning…
Daily Current Affairs
Capsule 20th December 2018
The INF treaty banned the development, testing and possession of short and medium-range ground-
launched nuclear missiles having ranged 'between' 500-5,000 km.
Points to Remember
The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 between US President Ronald Reagan and USSR President Mikhail
Gorbachev.
2. Ministry of Rural Development Signs MoU with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for Training Rural Youth for
Skill Development under Deendayal upadhyaya grameen kaushalya yojana (Ddu-Gky)
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the flagship placement linked skill-training
programme under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed MOU with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for training rural
youth for skill development.
This partnership between the government and the leading industry from the automotive sector will
provide training to at least 5000 candidates in two years with assured placement to the rural youth of our
country.
Points to Remember
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana or DDU-GKY is a Government of India youth
employment scheme.
It was launched on 25 September 2014 by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu on the
occasion of 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. The Vision of DDU-GKY is to
"Transform rural poor youth into an economically independent and globally relevant workforce".
It aims to target youth, in the age group of 15–35 years. DDU-GKY is a part of the National Rural
Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
3. Govt to open Eklavya School in areas having significant tribal population
Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram informed that every block with more than 50 per cent Schedule Tribe, ST
population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year
2022.
Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving
local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
As per census 2011, there are 564 sub-districts having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least
20 thousand tribal persons.
Points to Remember
Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Government of India scheme for model residential
school for Indian tribal (Scheduled Tribes, ST) across India. It was established by the Tribal Ministry,
Government of India.
The government gives one time ₹30 lakh grant for establishing the school, thereafter up to ₹30 lakh per
school annually. Additional cost is borne by state governments.
4. ‘Shiksha Setu’ Mobile App launched by Haryana Government
Haryana Government has launched a mobile app named as ‘Shiksha Setu’ with an aim to help the students of the
state.
The ‘Shikhsa Setu’ App will help in bringing transparency in the Education Department and in the
administration of colleges in the state.
Also, the connectivity between students' parents, teachers and administration will be improved through
this mobile application.
Points to Remember
As per the 2011 Census, Haryana has 76.64% literacy rate, having Male literacy rate of 85.4% and the
literacy rate of females stands at 66.8%.
5. GSLV-F11 successfully launches GSAT-7A
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F11)
successfully launched the communication satellite GSAT-7A from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in
Sriharikota.
GSAT-7A is the heaviest satellite being launched by GSLV with an indigenously developed cryogenic
stage.
GSLV is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages.
Points to Remember
GSAT-7A is the 39th Indian communication satellite of ISRO to provide services to the users in Ku-band
over the Indian region. Most of the functional requirements of the communication payloads and the other
systems have been derived from ISRO’s earlier geostationary INSAT/GSAT satellites.
6. Fifth Ship of Landing Craft Utility Mk-IV ‘IN LCU L55’ Commissioned At Port Blair
Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, commissioned 'IN LCU L55' into the Indian Navy at
Port Blair.
The ship has been indigenously designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
(GRSE), Kolkata.
Points to Remember
LCU Mk-IV ship is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of
Main Battle Tanks, Armored Vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore. These ships based at
the Andaman and Nicobar Command, can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations,
search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant
islands.
The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced systems like Integrated Bridge System
(IBS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
7. 15th Global SME Business Summit
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is organizing the 15th edition of the CII Global SME Business Summit
on 19-20 December 2018 at Hotel Hyatt Regency in New Delhi, India.
The theme of the Summit is ‘Building Partnerships through Global Value Chains'.
The Summit will attempt to create a powerful agenda and bring together renowned speakers with
unbounded experience and expertise, a global audience, and various national and international SME
stakeholders to integrate Indian MSMEs into the GVCs.
Points to Remember
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a business association in India. CII is a non-government,
not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.
CII works with the Government on policy issues. CII has been a catalyst of change in India’s economic
policy reforms. CII played a very important role during economic liberalization in 1991 which knocked
down the high walls of protection between Indian industry and the rest of the world. It was founded in
1895.
8. Kabaddi Player Anup Kumar announced his retirement
Renowned Kabaddi Player, Anup Kumar announced his retirement from Kabaddi ending a 15-year iconic career.
The 35-year-old had led India to a memorable Kabaddi World Cup title triumph in 2016. A sports veteran,
Arjuna awardee Anup began his international career in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Sri Lanka.
He led India to gold medal at the Asian Games and was also part of the team which repeated the feat in
the 2014 edition.
Points to Remember
Anup Kumar is an Indian professional Kabaddi player. He was member of the India national kabaddi
team that won Asian gold medals in 2010 and 2014. He is captain of Indian National Kabaddi Team
and Jaipur Pink Panthers which plays in Pro Kabaddi League.