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Index

1. India registers significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate……………………………01

2. President appoints Commission to examine sub categorisation of Other Backward Classes……………………………………………………………………………………………..02

3. Supreme Court says that the Deputy Collector or District Magistrate has no powers on property titles……………………………………………………………………….04

4. Unprecedented public participation in Gram Sabhas…………………………………04

5. Supreme Court to the government: Can you protect the Rohingyas?...................06

6. India slammed for slavery, we need to counter: IB to Government…………………07

7. Supreme Court: Collegium decisions on appointment, transfer and elevation will be made public……………………………………………………………………………………10

8. Sex ratio at birth up in most Beti Bachao Beti Padhao districts: WCD ministry…..14

9. Haj Committee presents report on New Haj policy 2018-22………………………….15

10. Internet content should be strictly regulated: Panel………………………………….17

11. Why flagship BPL health insurance scheme is in rather poor health……………..19

12. NGOs receiving foreign funds to register with NITI Aayog…………………………21

13. Passve euthanasia draft bill……………………………………………………………….25

14. Intenational Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) is now an Inter-governmental organisation. ………………………………………26

15. Sex withminor wife is rape rules Supreme Court……………………………………..27

16. Supreme Cout establishes procedure to accord 'Senior advocate' title…………28

17. Global Hunger Index………………………………………………………………………..29

20. Non Resident Indians can soon vote by 'proxy'……………………………………….31

Polity and Social Issues


21. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh backs Tibetans after rehabilitation policy push…………………………………………………………………………………………………31

22. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) note to states: Central forces meant only for emergency…………………………………………………………………………………………32

23. Passport index places India at 75th place………………………………………………37

24. Aadhaar based eKYC: Department of Telecommunication (DOT) calls for OTP veriffication to expedite compliance. ………………………………………………………..37

25. Supreme Court asks government to setup call to fight child pornography………38

26. PM: government working on a stricter Consumer Protection Law………………..39

27. Civil society must work along with policy makers to uplift poor: ………………….40

28. Apex court case backlog falls below 60000……………………………………………44

29. Supreme Court: Set up 'Vulnerables witness deposition centres under all High Courts………………………………………………………………………………………………45

30. Law panel wants more autonomy for tribunals……………………………………….46

31. Supreme court rules that West Bengal CM can approach the SC as an aggrieved citizen but West Bengal government itself cannot………………………………………..49

32. e-NPS platform for Atal Pension Yojana…………………………………………………50

33. e-Greetings portal……………………………………………………………………………52


1. Global Wildlife Programme 2017…………………………………………………………54

2. Monsoon ends with 5 % lower rainfall than average………………………………….55

3. Tropics emit more carbon than they capture now……………………………………55

4. Government plan recognises effect of climate change on wildlife………………..57

5. Extreme rainfall in India due to warming up of Arabian Sea………………………..57

6. Turtle sanctuary to be setup at Allahabad……………….……………….……………58

7. Snow leopard sighted in Arunachal Pradesh……………….…………………………59

8. 16 balsam species found in 5 years in Arunachal Pradesh…………………………61

9. First BIMSTEC Disaster management exercise……………….………………………61

10. Fire cracker ban in National Capital Region: A closer look at the pollutants…..64

11. India to link four mountain passes……………….……………….……………………..64

12. India says NO to bottom trawling……………….……………….………………………66

13. Melting ice affecting salinity around Greenland……………….……………………..67

14. Sawfish is more threatened than tigers……………….……………….……………….68

15. National Green Tribunal rules that Environment Minister cannot overrule Wildlife Board Mandate……………….……………….……………….……………….………………..70

16. New species of large Gecko discovered……………….……………….………………72

17. Butterfly migration in Westren Ghats……………….……………….…………………..73

18. Piped Natural gas project……………….……………….……………….………………..73

19. India tops world in pollution deaths in 2015……………….…………………………...75

20. Delhi air pollution in 2017, in comparison with that of 2016…………………………76

21. All major ports to get Logistics Data Bank (LDB) Services………………………….77

22. Tawny Lark: An expert mimic……………….……………….……………….…………...78

23. Singur: Home of butterflies of all kinds……………….……………….………………..79

Geography, Ecology and Biodiversity


24. Centre eases norms for Sewage Treatment Plant(STPs) …………………………..79

25. Mega Highway Development Project……………….……………….…………………..82

26. West Bengal government concerned as a demand for jute falls…………………..84

27. Urban heat islands effect seen in 89 cities across India…………………………….85

28. China thinking over building a tunnel to deviate Brahmaputra's course…………88

29. Carbondioxide levels grew at a record pace in 2016: WMO………………………..89

1. Core banking to be enabled in Hindi……………….……………….……………………..91

2. RBI released its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy report……………….…………..91

3. RBI panel shortlist three instruments……………….……………….……………………93

4. Soveriegn Gold Bond Scheme Series 3 (2017-18) ……………….…………………….95

5. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act 2016 now in effect……………….……………96

6. Fiscal stimulus package: NITI Aayog's vice chairman says Yes…………………….98

7. NIIF gets first investor……………….……………….……………….……………………..99

8. More check posts to come up at Bangladesh border……………….………………..100

9. Centre taking steps to formalise gold. ……………….……………….………………..101

10. US firms moves USTR against India’s medical pricing steps……………………..102

11. US starts antidumping probe into PTFE resin from India…………………………..104

12. Linking of Aadhaar to bank accounts mandatory says Reserve Bank of India..105

13. Gujarat launches Roll on Roll off (RoRo) ferry service (Phase 1) ………………..105

14. GST needs rejig to cut burden on small business: Revenue Secretary…………106

15. With 20% of agri output value, milk overtakes food grains………………………..106

16. 2.11 lakh crore for PSU banks to boost lending……………….…………………….108

Economy


17. Centre to aid offshore e-commerce play……………….……………….…………….109

18. Monumental step, says RBI governor, better banks ahead in line for capital…110

19. Note ban served all goals, November 8th anti-black money day says union finance ministry. ……………….……………….……………….……………………………..111

20. India should ideally have 5-7 large banks, says Chief Economic Advisor……...112

21. Union finance minister launches mandatory use of Public Finance Management System for all central sector schemes……………….……………….……………………113

22. Bank clean up roadmap: Capital infusion first, restructuring later………………114

23. Minister of Road transport and Highways and Shipping urges automakers to opt for coastal shipping……………….……………….……………….……………….…………115

24. India ships wheat to Afghanistan via Iran Chabahar port………………………….116

1. Embryo Transfer Technology, a promising revolution in Bovine breeding………119

2. Genome Mapping and Sequencing……………………………………………………….119

3. India woos neighbouring countries at India International Science Festival……..120

4. GSAT-9 benefits hampered by ground delays…………………………………………122

5. First ever plan to combat animal tuberculosis…………………………………………123

6. Space Microbology…………………………………………………………………………..123

7. Indian Council for Medical Research okays 30 diseases for steam cell treatment………………………………………………………………………………………….125

8. Boosting horticulture through remote sensing………………………………………..128

9. CERT-In asks people to avoid WiFi at all cost………………………………………….129

10. Scientist link new virus to Kala Azar……………………………………………………130

11. North East India troubled by cancer……………………………………………………131

Science and Technology


12. Hypertension is bad news for India…………………………………………………….132

13. Fewer TB deaths in India says WHO report…………………………………………..134

1. Consumer durables demand may get a push on government’s rural electrification drive………………………………………………………………………………………………136

2. 'Paryatan Parv' - Initiative by Tourism Ministry……………………………………….139

3. 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchaan' initiative by Tourism Ministry…………………………………………………………………………………………..140

4. Pradhanmantri Grameen Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)……………..141

5. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) launched…………………………………….142

6. Initiatives of Postal Department………………………………………………………….146

7. Stand up India plan slows down: Only 6% bank branches gave loan to SC/ST’s.150

8. Skill India to be boosted by SANKALP and STRIVE schemes………………………150

9. Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana……………………………………………………………153

10. Government permits banks to sell more small saving schemes………………….154

11. India's first Praadhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for skilling in Smart cities………154

12. New initiative SAATHI (Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile Technologies to Help small Industries……………………………………………………..157

13. Bharatmala - Everything you need to know about the Mega project…………….158

1. Catalans vote for separation from Spain amidst police crackdown………………161

2. Chief of Naval Staff visits Vietnam………………………………………………………..162

3. 14th India-European Union Summit in a nutshell………………………………………163

Government Schemes and Initiatives

International Relations


4. Fourth Dialogue of Civilisations…………………………………………………………..165

5. Common Wealth Law Ministers meeting………………………………………………..166

6. First meeting of BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine held……………...167

7. India, Srilanka ink housing project deal in Hambantota……………………………..170

8. India to help develop Trincomalee and Colombo ports in Srilanka………………..171

9. Burundi becomes the first country to leave International Criminal Court……….172

10. International conference to discuss ways to setup NGT like tribunal…………..175

11. India and USA Hold 11th Trade Policy Forum Meeting in Washington D.C……178

12. Bangladesh plans sterilization to curb Rohingyas a refugee population………179

13. India Africa knowledge exchange mission…………………………………………..180

14. India-Italy talks to revolve on multilateral issues and improving ties between the two countries …………………………………………………………………………………..181

1. ARPAN 3.0 for Defence Security Corps…………………………………………………182

2. Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden……………………………………………….182

3. Annual Dilli Seminar…………………………………………………………………………183

4. Launch of Mobile Health App `MedWatch' By the Indian Air Force………………..183

5. Exercise MITRA SHAKTHI 2017………………………………………………………….184

6. India-U.S operationalise new militiary logistics sharing pact……………………..184

7. Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rises mechanized columns…………………….186

8. INS kiltan commissioned…………………………………………………………………..187

9. Exercise INDRA 2017……………………………………………………………………….189

10. Coming soon: Ministery of Defence Cyber security, Space and Special operation division……………………………………………………………………………………………189

Defence and Internal Security


11. SOP to help movement of locals, raise security at Myanmar borders…………..190

12. Andaman Sea region: India eyes military expansion………………………………..190

13. Potential defence game changers offered to India says US Secretary of State……………………………………………………………………………………………….191

14. Bilateral Exercise CORPAT………………………………………………………………192

15. India to showcase navy supremacy with exercise SAMBANDH………………….193

16. Navy to deploy mission ready ships in Indian Ocean region to check China…..194

17. L&T hands over offshore patrol vessel to coast guard……………………………..195

18. 65% of funds spent, Defence ministry seeks 22,000 crore more for modernization…………………………………………………………………………………..196

19. Home minister set to take over bureau of civil aviation security…………………196

20. Domestic manufacturers of arms and ammunition given a hugh boost…………197

1. Third edition of 'Women of India Organic Festival'……………………………………199

2. Nobel Prize for medicine……………………………………………………………………199

3. China opens highway in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh…………………………199

4. Nobel Prize in Physics………………………………………………………………………200

5. World Bank : India to top global remittances chart in 2017…………………………200

6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry……………………………………………………………………201

7. Government constitutes high level committee to look into NER……………………201

8. New Deputy DG in the world Health Organisation…………………………………….201

9. Kandla Port renamed as Deendayal Port……………………………………………….201

10. Nobel Prize in Literature………………………………………………………………….201

11. Nobel Prize in Economics…………………………………………………………………201

PointBlank (Facts for Prelims)


12. Fire rages on Butcher Island……………………………………………………………202

13. Kerala to have own antibiotic policy…………………………………………………..202

14. IMF in its report stated that Universal Basic Income would outperform PDS, energy subsidies in India……………………………………………………………………..202

15. U.S. withdraws from UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural organization, citing anti-Israel bias………………………………………………………………………………………………..202

16. Nobel Peace Prize…………………………………………………………………………203

17. All India Institute of Ayurveda…………………………………………………………..203

18. Man Booker Prize 2017……………………………………………………………………204



01 POLITY & SOCIAL ISSUES NOTES

1. India registers significant decline in Infant

Mortality Rate

What is the issue?

• India has registered a significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

According to the just released SRS bulletin.

• IMR of India has declined by three points (8% declines), from 37 per 1000 live

births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016, compared to two points decline

last year.

Highlights:

• India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time has

come down to below 25 million.

• India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015.

• The total number of estimated infant deaths have come down from 930000 (9.3

Lakhs) in 2015 to 840000 (8.4 lakhs) in 2016.

• According to the SRS Bulletin the gender gap in India for child survival is

reducing steadily.

• The gender difference between female and male IMR has now reduced to <10%,

giving a major boost to the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme of the

Government.

What do these results signify?

• The results signify that the strategic approach of the Ministry has started yielding

dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.

• Among the EAG States and Assam, all States except Uttarakhand have reported

decline in IMR in comparison to 2015.

• The decline is reported as 4 points in Bihar, 3 points in Assam, Madhya Pradesh,

Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and two points decline in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and

Rajasthan.



What is Infant Mortality Rate?

• Infant Mortality Rate refers to the deaths of infants under age of one year per

1,000 live births.

• Infant Mortality Rate include Perinatal mortality, Neonatal mortality and Post-

Neonatal mortality.

• Perinatal mortality only includes deaths from 22 weeks of pregnancy onward till

7th day after delivery.

• Neonatal mortality includes deaths in the first 28 days of life.

• Post neonatal mortality only includes deaths after 28 days of life but before one

year.

Child Mortality Rate

• IMR is different from Child mortality, which refers to death of children below 5

years per 1000 live births.

2. President appoints Commission to examine sub

categorization of Other Backward Classes

What is the issue?

• The President today in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 340 of the

Constitution appointed a Commission to examine the sub-categorization of Other

Backward Classes

Who will be heading the Commission?

• Justice (Retd) G. Rohini will be heading the commission.

What does this move signify?

• Reiterates government's efforts to achieve greater social justice and inclusion

for all, and specifically members of the Other Backward Classes.



• Sub categorization of the OBCs will ensure that the more backward among the

OBC communities can also access the benefits of reservation for educational

institutions and government jobs.

Mandate of the Commission:

• To examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among

the castes or communities included in the broad category of Other Backward

Classes with reference to such classes included in the Central List

• To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific

approach for sub-categorization within such Other Backward Classes

• To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or

sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of Other Backward Classes and

classifying them into their respective sub-categories.

• The Commission is required to present their Report to the President within a

period of twelve weeks of assumption of charge by the Chairperson of the

Commission.

Article 340 of the Constitution of India

Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes

• The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as

he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward

classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour

and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union

or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition and as to

the grants that should be made for the purpose by the Union or any State the

conditions subject to which such grants should be made, and the order

appointing such Commission shall define the procedure to be followed by the

Commission

• A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and

present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and

making such recommendations as they think proper

• The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a

memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House

of Parliament



3. Supreme Court says that the Deputy Collector or

District Magistrate has no powers on property titles

What is the issue?

• A collector or district magistrate has no powers to decide the title of a property

under the Hindu Succession Act, the Supreme Court has said.

In what context has this ruling been given?

• Haridwar Collector (2003) had acquired vast property of the Kutchi Lal

Rameshwar Ashram Trust at Haridwar since it had no legal heir.

• The Trust had questioned the decision, claiming that it has been managing the

property for over 45 years.

What did the Supreme Court say on this issue?

• The collector is an officer of the state. He can exercise only such powers as the

law specifically confers upon him to enter upon private disputes.

• The magistrate committed a jurisdictional overreach by taking up an

adjudicatory exercise for which he did not have the powers

4. Unprecedented public participation in Gram

Sabhas

What is the issue?

• Unprecedented public participation was seen in Gram Sabhas organized on

Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary on 2nd October in Gram Panchayats across

the country

• Gram Panchayats in partnership with States and Local Governments are

observing Gram Samridhi Evam Swachta Pakhwada (Village Well-being and

Cleanliness fortnight) from 1-15 October, 2017



Initiatives being taken under this programme:

• Children conducted Prabhat Pheris in the morning to encourage all the adults of

the village to attend Gram Sabhas

• Women Self Help Groups, of whom there are more than five crore members

across the country, participated in full strength in the Gram Sabhas.

• Elected representatives of Panchayats provided full details and disclosure of all

the programmes being implemented in the Gram Panchayats and the money

being spent on these interventions.

• As part of the public information campaign during Gram Samridhi Evam Swachta

Pakhwada, flex boards and wall paintings regarding all programmes,

entitlements, beneficiary lists, etc., has been put up in Panchayat buildings

across the country for perusal of citizens.

• Work on cleaning public facilities like Schools, Anganwadi Centres, Panchayat

Ghars, public spaces, etc., is being undertaken during this fortnight with a thrust

on overall cleanliness through better solid and liquid waste management.

• Concerted public campaign for behaviour change for use of Individual

Household Latrines (IHHL), thrust on water conservation to ensure better water

availability specially in 5,000 clusters (spread over 50,000 Gram Panchayats) in

all States selected for coverage under Mission Antyodaya.

• Through convergent use of resources from Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana,

National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), MGNREGS, Swachh Bharat

Mission (SBM) and other national and state level programmes sincere efforts are

being made for a community led sustained interventions for cleanliness and well-

being.

• To promote well-being of households, efforts are being made during this

fortnight to enlist youth and women for skill programmes for diversification and

development of livelihoods to improve incomes.

• Griha Pravesh of the 4.55 lakh houses, under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana

(Gramin) (PMAY(G), already completed is being undertaken as also site visit of all

the ongoing remaining nearly 51 lakh houses where work will be completed by

March, 2018



5. Supreme Court to Government: Can you protect

the Rohingyas?

What is the issue?

• 'Can India protect a large section of humanity comprising Rohingya women,

children, the sick and the old who are “really suffering”? ‘The SC asked the

government.

• Such a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution cannot be simply abdicated

by the Court, said the SC.

What was the government's response?

• Government's move to deport 40,000 Rohingya was not “justiciable”, that is, the

issue is outside the Supreme Court’s domain.

What is the government's stand on the issue?

• Rohingyas have militant ties and may pose a threat to National Security.

• Ronhingyas may eat into resources and benefits meant for Indian citizens.

What did the advocate appearing on behalf of the Rohingya

community say?

• Government cannot say that the Rohingya issue exclusively lies in their domain

outside of judicial intervention.

• Fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 protects all “persons,” including

refugees who fled persecution in their native countries

• India has always had a strong track record of helping communities in need.

Who are Rohingyas?

• Rohingyas are million-strong Muslim minorities, who have been denied

citizenship in Myanmar.



• Since 1962 successive Myanmar governments have stripped the Rohingya

population of their political and civil rights, including citizenship.

• They are often referred to as ‘Bengali’ in Myanmar, a derogatory term that

implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although Rohingya families

have lived in the area for generations.

Where do they live?

• The area where the Rohingya live is already the least developed in Myanmar. The

World Bank estimates its poverty rate is 78%, as compared with 38% in the rest

of the country.

• They have been living for decades now under apartheid like policies with

severely restricted access to healthcare and education and limited freedom of

movement

Rohingyas in India

• Nearly 40,000 Rohingyas are living in different places in India. The UNHCR has

issued identity cards to about 16,500 of them.

• The Indian government maintains that the Rohingya Muslims are “illegal”

immigrants in the country and their continuous stay posed “serious national

security ramifications”.


08 GEOGRAPHY, ECOLOGY & Biodiversity NOTES

1. Global Wildlife Programme 2017 What is the issue?

• In an attempt to address illegal wildlife trade across 19 countries of Asia and

Africa, India is hosting the Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) jointly with World

Bank and United Nations Development Programme

• Coinciding with the ‘Wildlife Week’, the theme of the Conference is - “Peoples’

participation in wildlife conservation”.

What does this meeting aim to do? GWP will hold discussions on

• Management of wildlife habitat

• Securing sustainable community livelihood

• Enhancing enforcement

• Monitoring

• Cooperation to reduce wildlife crimes such as poaching and related threats.

How will this meet influence India?

• The Conference will provide an opportunity for India to showcase its

conservation efforts through joint forest management, vana sanrakshan samitis,

eco-development committees in and around Protected Areas.

• The meeting will bring about strengthened cooperation between India and the 18

GWP countries in better management of wildlife habitats and minimizing human-

wildlife conflict situations.

• It will also enable India to strengthen its enforcement mechanism to control illicit

trade.

Which countries and organizations will be participating?

• The participating nations include Afghanistan, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia,

Gabon, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Philippines, Republic

of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.



• Representatives of World Bank, United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Union

for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will also be present.

Previous meetings

• Earlier, four similar Programmes had been convened at Gland (Switzerland),

Hanoi (Vietnam), Nairobi (Kenya) and Liberville (Gabon). Led by the World Bank,

the Global Wildlife Programme was initiated in 2015.

2. Monsoon ends with 5 % lower rainfall than average

What is the issue?

• This year’s southwest monsoon ended the June-September season with 5%

lower rainfall than average

What was the Indian Meteorological Department's forecast?

• Rainfall to be around 98% of long-period average (LPA) with an error margin of

4%.

How much rainfall did India receive?

• Total seasonal rainfall this year is 95% of LPA.

What is the overall picture?

• Season began well with normal to surplus rainfall in the crucial months of June

and July, but the monsoon weakened in August and early September, before a

late-season surge.

• Crucial states Punjab and Haryana saw a rain deficit of over 20% but are less

vulnerable due to adequate irrigation facilities.

3. Tropics emit more carbon than they capture now

Why in news?

• A top global climate change think tank has published the research that uses a

new approach to measuring changes in forest carbon density.



• This approach shows that the tropics now emit more carbon than they capture

against their popular role as a net carbon sink.

What is the study calling for?

• The study calls for an urgent need for aggressive national and global scale

efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.

Which research institute is involved in this study?

• Woods Hole Research Centre (WHRC) is an independent research institute which

investigates causes and effects of climate change.

• This is to identify and implement opportunities for conservation, restoration and

economic development around the world.

• International Centre for Climatic Governance repeatedly named WHRC as

world’s top climate change think tank.

Reasons for shift from Carbon sink to Carbon source?

This shift was caused due to

• Deforestation

• Degradation and disturbance

What should be done?

• In order to contain global temperatures we need to drastically reduce emissions

and increase forest capability to absorb and store carbon.

Other relevant information

• Forests are the only carbon capture and storage technology we have at our

disposal that is safe, proven, inexpensive and immediately available at scale.

• Forests are capable of providing beneficial ripple effects such as

1. Regulating rainfall patterns.

2. Providing livelihoods to indigenous communities.



• Using satellite imagery, laser remote sensing technology and fields

measurements scientists captured losses in forest carbon from deforestation,

fine scale degradation and disturbances.

• Tropics represent a net source of carbon to the atmosphere – about 425

teragrammes of carbon annually which is way more than total emissions of cars

and trucks in USA.

• 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and land use

change.

4. Government plan recognizes effect of climate

change on wildlife

Why in news?

• Environment ministry recognized the effect of climate on wildlife a major

criterion in National wild Life Action plan 2017-2031.

Important information

• Draft version of the plan release in 2016 stated that region specific projections of

future climate change impacts will be the basis for redesigning India’s protected

areas.

• Other factors like future species migration is also considered for redesigning

India’s protected areas.

5. Extreme rainfall in India due to warming up of

Arabian Sea

What is the issue?

• Unusual behavior of the Arabian Sea has triggered a threefold rise in “wide

spread extreme rainfall” in Central India since the1950s, scientists have

revealed.

• They demonstrated that the extra moisture was flowing in from the Arabian Sea,

which has changed its behaviour,possibly due to global warming



What was previously thought to be the reason for such heavy

rainfall?

• It was presumed that many of these heavy rainfall spells result from low-pressure

systems that develop in the Bay of Bengal and move north westward bringing

moisture into Central India.

What have the latest studies revealed?

• In the last 65 years, there has been a three-fold rise in “wide spread extreme

rainfall” events over the entire central belt of India leading to a steady rise in the

number of flash floods with significant socio-economic losses.

• The findings suggest that the ocean-atmospheric conditions, which are

precursors to these extreme rainfall events, occur more than a week ahead. This

will help in forecasting future extreme events.

How disastrous have these extreme rainfall events been?

• Floods attributed to extreme rain events in India alone amounted to losses of

about $ 3 billion per year, which is 10% of the global economic losses.

• There have been 268 reported flooding events in India over 1950–2015 affecting

about 825 million people, leaving 17 million people homeless and killing 69,000.

Which regions have particularly been affected?

• Entire central belt of India from Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west coast to

Odisha and Assam in the east.


13 ECONOMY NOTES

1. Core banking to be enabled in Hindi

What is the issue?

• Home Ministry has asked all banks, private and public sector, to enable their

core banking facility in Hindi.

• Banks have been asked to update databases in Hindi and that customers should

not be compelled to fill forms only in English.

How will this help?

• Conducting core banking operations in hindi will enable crores of people to have

easy access to banking facilities.

Is there to law to impose hindi compulsorily?

• As per the Official Languages Act, 1963 there is no provision of punitive action

for not using Hindi in official communication but the language can only be

promoted through “persuasion and encouragement.”

2. RBI's Monetary Policy Committee Report

What is the issue?

• RBI released its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy report.

Highlights of the report

• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the benchmark repo and reverse repo

rates unchanged at 6 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively.

• RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) trimmed its forecast for economic

growth in the current fiscal year in gross value added (GVA) terms to 6.7% from

7.3 %.

• Implementation of GST has so far been adverse rendering manufacturing sector

prospects uncertain in near term. This could further delay the investment

activity, which is currently impacted by the stressed balance sheets of

companies.


14 ECONOMY NOTES

• Teething issues related to the Goods & Services Tax (GST) and bandwith are

likely to be resolved soon, which could push growth in the second half.

Policy Rates:

• Repo rate: It is rate at which RBI lends to its clients generally against

government securities.

• Reverse Repo Reverse Repo Rate: It is rate at which banks lend funds to RBI.

• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: It is rate at which scheduled banks can

borrow funds from RBI against government securities.

• Bank Rate: It is rate charged by central bank for lending funds to commercial

banks. It influences lending rates of commercial banks.

• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): It is amount of funds that banks have to keep with

RBI.

• Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): It is amount that banks have to maintain a

stipulated proportion of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in form of

liquid assets like cash, gold and unencumbered securities, treasury bills, dated

securities etc

RBI Monetary Policy Committee

Composition: • It consists of six members (RBI Governor, Deputy Gov RBI, One RBI officer and

three members nominated by the government), and they hold office for a period

of four years.

• The Governor of the RBI is the ex-officio Chairperson of MPC

• Decisions are taken by majority with the Governor having the casting vote in

case of a tie

Role:

• Maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth.

• Entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) required

to contain inflation within the specified target level.


15 ECONOMY NOTES

Number of meetings:

• Monetary Policy Committee meets at least 4 times a year and publishes a bi-

monthly report accordingly.

3. RBI panel shortlist three instruments

Why in news?

• Reserve Bank of India study group to review Marginal Cost of funds based

Lending Rate (MCLR) system has shortlisted three instruments.

What are the three instruments shortlisted?

• Treasury Bill (T-Bills)

• The Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate

• Policy repo rate

What is the view of RBI study group?

• In order to ensure borrowers especially home loan customers get benefit of rate

cuts by the central bank, RBI study group proposed that one of the three

instruments (Treasury bill, The Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate, Policy repo rate)

can be selected as the external benchmark rate.

• Bench Marking: Is the process of improving performance by continuously

identifying, understanding, and adapting outstanding practices and processes

found inside and outside an organization.

Challenges

• Using T-bills or CD rates as benchmark is potentially susceptible to manipulation.

• T-bills sometimes reflect fiscal risks and this will automatically get transferred to

credit market.

• CD rates even have limitations too such as high sensitivity to liquidity conditions,

credit cycles and seasonality.


16 ECONOMY NOTES

• Policy repo rate has the primary advantage that it is robust, reliable, transparent

and easy to understand.

• The reserve bank will finally take a final view on recommendations after taking

into account the final feedback received.

T-Bill

• Treasury Bills are short term (up to one year) borrowing instruments of the

Government of India.

• Investors can park their short term surplus funds while reducing their market

risk by investing in T-bills.

• These Treasury Bills are auctioned by RBI.

• Main advantage of getting T-bills is lack of risk.

• Treasury bills are presently issued in three maturities, namely, 91 day, 182 day

and 364 day.

• Treasury bills will pay no interests.

Certificate of Deposit (CDs)

• A certificate of deposit or what is popularly known as CDs is nothing but money

market instruments that are issued by banks and select financial institutions in

lieu of the money that is deposited.

• Only commercial banks and financial institutions like IFCI can only issue CDs.

• Minimum size of the Certificate of Deposit is 1 lakh. This can be multiples of 1

lakh thereafter.

Marginal Cost of funds based Lending Rate (MCLR)

• Refers to minimum interest rate of bank below which it cannot lend, except in

some cases allowed by RBI.

• MCLR actually describes the method by which the minimum interest rate of a

laon is determined by a bank.


17 ECONOMY NOTES

• MCLR methodology for fixing interest rates was introduced by Reserve Bank of

India effective from April 2016. The new methodology replaces Base rate system.

Reasons for introduction of MCLR

• Ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to borrowers

and banks.

• Enable banks to become more competitive and enhance their long run value and

contribution to economic growth.

• To bring transparency in methodology to determine interest rates followed by

banks.

• Improve transmission of policy rates into lending rates of banks.

4. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Series 3 (2017-18)

What is the issue?

• Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided

to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18 Series 3

How will the bonds be sold?

• Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited

(SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges viz., National

Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange.

Features:

• The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including

individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.

• The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of

1 gram.

• The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year

to be exercised on the interest payment dates.


18 ECONOMY NOTES

• The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum

payable semi-annually on the nominal value.

• Bonds will be tradable on stock exchanges within a fortnight of the issuance on a

date as notified by the RBI.

• The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio purposes.

5. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act 2016 now in

effect

What is the issue?

• A new Bureau of Indian standard (BIS) Act 2016 which was notified in March,

2016, has been brought into force with effect from October, 2017.

Key features:

• The Act establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National

Standards Body of India.

• The Act has enabling provisions for the Government to bring under compulsory

certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process,

system or service which it considers necessary in the public interest or for the

protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of the environment, or

prevention of unfair trade practices, or national security.

• Enabling provisions have also been made for making hallmarking of the precious

metal articles mandatory.

• The new Act also allows multiple types of simplified conformity assessment

schemes including self-declaration of conformity against a standard which will

give simplified options to manufacturers to adhere to the standards and get

certificate of conformity.

• The Act enables the Central Government to appoint any authority/agency, in

addition to the BIS, to verify the conformity of products and services to a

standard and issue certificate of conformity.


19 ECONOMY NOTES

• Further, there is provision for repair or recall, including product liability of the

products bearing Standard Mark but not conforming to the relevant Indian

Standard.

How will the new Act benefit us?

• The new Act will further help in ease of doing business in the country, give fillip

to Make in India campaign and ensure availability of quality products and

services to the consumers.

About Bureau of Indian Standards

• BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986 for

the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and

quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental

thereto.

• BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national

economy in a number of ways - providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing

health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control

over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and

testing.

• Hon’ble Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the

President (Ex-officio)Keeping in view, the interest of consumers as well as the

industry, BIS is involved in various activities as given below:

Standards Formulation

• Product Certification Scheme, Compulsory Registration Scheme, Foreign

Manufacturers Certification Scheme, Hall Marking Scheme, Laboratory Services,

Laboratory Recognition Scheme, Sale of Indian Standards, Consumer Affairs

Activities, Promotional Activities, Training Services, National & International

level and Information Services


30 SCIENCE &Technology NOTES

1. Embryo Transfer Technology, a promising

revolution in Bovine breeding

What is the issue?

• Embryo transfer technology (ETT) has revolutionized the breeding strategies in

Bovines as a tool to optimize the genetic improvement in cattle.

Benefits of the technology

• Farmer can get a 5-6 fold increase in number of offsprings

• Calves so born will be of high genetic merit

• Offsprings born will be free from diseases.

Key points about the initiative:

• Department of Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in co-operation with 12

States has undertaken a Mass Embryo Transfer programme in Indigenous

Breeds under the scheme, National Mission on Bovine Productivity.

• It has been planned to carry out 440 embryo transfers during October 2017

throughout the country.

• The programme is implemented with the objective of conservation and

development of indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Breeds that have been selected:

• Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Ongole, Deoni and Vechur

2. Genome Mapping and Sequencing

What is Genome Mapping?

• Gene mapping describes the method used to identify the locus of a gene and the

distance between genes.


31 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES

What is Gene Sequencing?

• DNA sequencing is the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides

within a DNA molecule.

• It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the

four bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a strand of DNA

Difference between Gene Mapping and Gene Sequencing

• Genome mapping is less detailed than genome sequencing.

• Genome map tells you nothing about gene sequence but genome sequence does.

• In general, particularly for humans and other species with large genome,

creating reasonably comprehensive genome map is quicker and cheaper than

sequencing the entire genome.

• Mapping involves less information to collect and organize than sequencing does.

3. India woos neighbouring countries at India

International Science Festival 2017

What is the issue?

• India throws open its Science & Technology (S&T) Institutions to its friendly

neighbouring countries and announces a slew of R&D programs for capacity

building in these countries

Initiatives announced:

1. India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) scheme

o Will provide a fully paid fellowship to researchers, scientists and

academicians from participating neighbours.

o Interested can undertake research and development work of their choice

at any premier research and academic institution in India upto a period

from 3 to 6 months.


32 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NOTES o ISRF scheme for the first time will also include doctoral students in

science, engineering and medical fields to undertake project related

research work.

o The Department of Science and Technology will support this Fellowship

scheme.

2. Training of Researchers the science agencies in India

• Including CSIR, DBT, MOES, IMD, DST and SERB will organize tailor made

hands-on training programs and advanced schools for Indian

researchers.

• This would help in capacity building and will also foster research networks

with Indian scientific institutions.

3. Institutional capacity building and technical assistance in Science and

Technology

• Twinning program between Indian institution and a R&D or Academic

institution in the neighbouring country was also committed by India.

4. Technology Transfer Program

• To match the socio-economic needs of our neighbouring countries by

linking the public and private enterprises with leading edge Indian

technologies and innovations.

• India will share a basket of demonstrated and validated Indian

technologies and innovations developed by our scientific institutions.

• A need based select list of such technologies can be transferred using a

Business to Business or Business to Government model of joint venture

through a process of adaption and adoption.

• The joint ventures created will deliver sustainable social enterprises that

will stimulate economic impact development including the components of

skilling, training, mentoring along with capacity building and business

planning in our neighbouring countries.



4. GSAT-9 benefits hampered by ground delays

What is the issue?

• Five months after the South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9 was put up in space as New

Delhi’s gift to six neighbours, ground delays outside India seem to be holding up

its planned harvest.

What has been the cause of delay?

• Setting up ground stations for the partners to receive/send satellite

communication.

• It has invited expressions of interest to find suitable Indian industry players who

will set up the ground equipment.

What are the objectives of launching GSAT-9?

• Telecommunication

• Disaster Management

• Telemedicine

• Meteorological services

• Networking of Research/Academic institutions

Which are the countries that stand to benefit?

• Afghanistan

• Bangladesh

• Bhutan

• Nepal

• Maldives

• Sri Lanka



5. First ever plan to combat animal tuberculosis

What is the issue?

• The first-ever road map to combat animal tuberculosis (bovine TB) and its

transmission to humans, referred to as zoonotic TB, was launched at the 48th

Union World Conference on Lung Health in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Which are organisations involved in drafting the roadmap?

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN)

• International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

How does 'zoonotic TB' spread?

• Zoonotic TB spreads through consumption of contaminated untreated meat or

dairy products from diseased animals.

How serious is the issue?

• There is no cure for bovine TB and it threatens animal welfare and those with

livelihoods based on livestock.

• New data released by the WHO estimates that over 140,000 people fall ill and

more than 12,000 people lose their lives each year to zoonotic TB — mostly in

Africa and Southeast Asia.

• In India, consumption of raw milk and living in close proximity to cattle has been

attributed to high incidence rates of bovine TB in the central Indian populations.


35 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES

1. Consumer durables demand may get a push on

government’s rural electrification drive

Why in news?

• Recently government launched newly minted Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijili Har

Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya Scheme) which promised electricity to every household

by 2018.

How is it going to impact?

• This scheme may come as a good fortune for the host of consumer durables and

electronic makers.

• Urban market accounts for 60% market share in consumer durable sector in

India.

• Rural electrification might push demand for consumer durables in rural India in

coming years.

• LED drive by government for better energy efficiency and longevity had a direct

impact on light manufacturing industries such as Bajaj electricals.

• Consultation Company, KPMG said that there is big correlation between reliable

power supply and demand for appliances.

• Control farming becomes staple after stable power flowing into rural areas.

Control farming

• Control farming includes using of new technologies such as high voltage and

high heat producing bulbs for livestock to grow faster.

Saubhagya Scheme:

When was the scheme launched?

• 25th September 2017



What is the objective of this new scheme?

• To provide energy access to all by last mile connectivity and electricity

connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban

areas to achieve universal household electrification in the country.

What all is included in the last mile connectivity and electricity

connection to households?

• Electricity connection to households include release of electricity connections

by drawing a service cable from the nearest electricity pole to the household

premise

• Installation of energy meter, wiring for a single light point with LED bulb and a

mobile charging point.

• In case the electricity pole is not available nearby from household for drawing

service cable, the erection of additional pole along with conductor and

associated accessories shall also be covered under the scheme.

Will electricity connection would be totally free of cost for every un-

electrified household?

• Yes. Poor households would be provided electricity connections free of cost.

• Other households would also be provided electricity connections under the sch

eme on payment of Rs.500 only which shall be recovered by the DISCOMs/Power

Departments in ten (10) instalments along with electricity bills.

The earlier programme of Government of India ‘24x7 Power for All’

has similar objective. How is it different from this programme?

• ‘24x7 Power for All’ is a joint initiative with the states covering all segments of

power sector i.e. Power generation, transmission and distribution, energy

efficiency, health of Discom etc. to finalise State/UT specific roadmap and action

plan to ensure 24x7 power for all in consultation with States/UTs.

• The Power for All documents contains details of various interventions required

across the value chain of power sector.



• Providing connectivity to all households is a prerequisite to ensure 24x7 power

supply. Saubhagya is a schematic support to address the issue of energy

access.

What are the criteria for allocation of funds to the States?

• Projects under the scheme would be sanctioned based on the Detailed Project

Reports (DPRs) to be submitted by the States. There is no upfront allocation of

fund under the scheme.

How the scheme would be implemented in the entire country?

• Project proposals shall be prepared by the State DISCOMs / Power Dept. and

sanctioned by an inter-ministerial Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary

(Power), GOI.

• The electrification works under the sanctioned projects shall be executed by

respective DISCOMs/Power Deptt. through turnkey contractors or

departmentally or through other suitable agencies capable of doing this work as

per norms.

What is strategy for achievement of target in a time bound manner?

• In order to hasten the process of release of connections to households, camps

would be organised in villages / cluster of villages for identification of

beneficiaries using modern IT technology with a Mobile App / Web Portal.

• Application for electricity connections shall also be registered electronically and

requisite documentation including photograph of applicant, copy of identity card

and / or details such as mobile number/Aadhar number/bank account number

etc. shall be completed on spot in the camps, so that connections are released at

the earliest.

• The Gram Panchayat / public institutions in rural areas shall also be authorized to

collect application form, complete documentation and also for distribution of

bills, collection of revenue and other activities, as applicable.



2. 'Paryatan Parv' - Initiative by Tourism Ministry

What is the issue?

• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in collaboration with other Central

Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders is organizing a “Paryatan Parv”

across the country from the 5th to 25th October 2017.

What is the objective of the programme?

• Drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the

country and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”.

Components of Paryatan Parv programme

Paryatan Parv will have three main components:

1. Dekho Apna Desh:

o To encourage Indians to visit their own country.

o This will include Video, Photograph and Blog Competitions of sites visited

during the Event, Stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes, on Social

Media, Tourism related Quiz, Essay, Debate and Painting Competitions for

Students, Television Campaigns to promote travel to J&K and N.E. States.

2. Tourism for All:

o Tourism Events at sites across all States in the country.

o The activities at these sites will include illumination in and around the

Sites, Cultural Programmes of Dance, Music, Theatre, Story Telling,

Sensitisation Programmes for Stakeholders around the Sites, Tourism

Exhibitions, Showcasing Culture, Cuisine and Handicrafts / Handlooms,

Guided Heritage Walks, etc.

o These will be “People’s Events” with large scale public participation.

3. Tourism and Governance

o Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on varied themes:


39 Government SCHEMES & INITIATIVES NOTES o Skill Development in Tourism Sector

o Innovation in Tourism

o For inducting Ex-servicemen as service providers for Taxi Operation

o Developing Rural Tourism in locations near established Destinations

o Community Sensitisation Workshops on Homestay and B&B Opportunities

3. 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchaan'

initiative by Tourism Ministry

What is the issue?

• New initiative by Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of

Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

• Envisages developing the heritage sites, monuments and any other tourist sites

by making them tourist-friendly to enhance the tourism potential and their

cultural importance, in a planned and phased manner.

How many monuments have been identified under the project?

• Initially, 93 ASI monuments will be placed on offer to be selected as a package to

the Private and Public Sector Companies and Individuals to develop Tourism

friendly amenities in the Heritage Sites.

• Going forward to further phases of the project the list of heritage sites may get

amended.

How will it work?

• The heritage site / monument or any other tourist sites are selected on the basis

of tourist footfall and visibility.

• The project aims to handover heritage sites and monuments for adoption to the

private and public sector companies and individuals (who would be known as

“Monument Mitras”)



• "Monument Mitras" will be responsible for providing basic amenities and

complete operation and maintenance (O&M) initially for the 5 years subject to

review at any time, regular monitoring and feedback mechanism from all the

stakeholders including tourists.

Who is a "Monument Mitra"?

• Successful bidders selected for adopting heritage sites / monuments by the

Oversight and Vision Committee shall be called as Monument Mitras.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between Monument Mitra,

Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and the

concerned stakeholder from state.

4. Pradhanmantri Grameen Digital Saksharata

Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)

What is the scheme?

• It is an Integral component of Digital India Initiative of the Government.

• The scheme envisage to make 6 crore citizens digitally literate in rural India.

• PMGDISHA envisages providing equal opportunity to rural citizens enabling them

to actively participate in nation building and access livelihood through Digital

Technology, Devices and Services.

Background:

• PMGDISHA scheme was initiated in February 2017 by the Government to provide

basic digital literacy training to six crore citizens across rural India within two

years, targeting at least one person from every household.

• Citizens trained under PMGDISHA would be skilled in operating digital devices

like computers, tablets, smart phones and use Internet in daily life for enhancing

their skills and knowledge, access Government to Citizens services, healthcare

and financial services as well.



• By seeding Aadhaar number to bank account of the beneficiary and enabling him

to access various online Government services like booking of railway tickets,

passport application, etc would enable the citizen to leverage technology and

participate actively in governance.

How is the scheme being implemented?

• The scheme will be implemented through Training Center – One in Every

Panchayat (2.5 Lakh Training Center).

• Corporate through CSR and NGOs having facilities for conduct of training also

participates in Digital Literacy program.

How has the progress been so far?

• So far, more than 55 lakh citizens have been registered on the PMGDISHA portal

for digital literacy training, out of which more than 22 lakh citizens have been

certified after successfully completing the assessment.


42 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES

1. Catalans vote for separation from Spain amidst

police crackdown

What is the issue?

• 40 % of Catalonia voted for separation from Spain amidst police crackdown.

• Despite the police action, hundreds-strong queues of people formed in cities and

villages throughout the region to cast their votes.

Catalonia's connection to Spain:

• With a population of 7.5 million (nearly as big as Switzerland’s), Catalonia has its

own distinct language and culture and Barcelona is its capital.

• Region is about the size of Belgium and accounts for 6.3% of Spain’s territory

• It is the richest part of Spain, accounting for 16% of its population and almost

19% of Spanish GDP

• It’s also one of Spain’s most indebted regions with a debt mountain of 75.4 billion

euros

Catalonia:

Background:

• 1931: Spain becomes a republic and an autonomous Catalan government is

created.

• 1939-75: Dictatorship brings suppression of political opposition as well as

Catalan autonomy, language and culture.

• 1979: Catalonia is given a statute of autonomy and is recognised as a nationality.

Catalan becomes the joint national language of Catalonia along with Spanish.

• 2010: Spanish constitutional court, in 2010, annulled or reinterpreted parts of the

2006 Catalan statute of autonomy, which would have afforded the region greater

independence.


43 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • 2010 onwards: Occasional rallies and protests for independence of the region

have been taking place frequently ever since.

About Catalonia:

• Catalonia, which makes up 16% of Spain’s population, accounts for almost 19%

of Spanish GDP.

• One of Spain's wealthiest regions.

• Area of 32,000 square kms.

Reasons in support of a separate 'Catalonia':

• Culturally Catalonia is very distinct with its own language, history and flag.

• The Catalans want to protect and preserve their unique identity and not be

absorbed into Spanish culture.

• Catalans are forced to contribute very huge amounts to the Spanish

government's coffers in Madrid.

• Catalans have very clearly indicated many a times that they want independence.

Reasons why Catalonia should not separate:

• Separation of Catalonia might trigger the Balkanization of Europe which could

end up Europe splitting into a mosaic of ever diminishing micro states.

• If Catalonia refuses to support the less prosperous regions of Spain, then why

receive billions of dollars of funding from the European Union?

2. Chief of Naval Staff visits Vietnam

What is the issue?

• Chief of the Naval Staff is visiting Vietnam on a bilateral visit.

• The visit aims to consolidate cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and

Vietnam and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.



India-Vietnam defence cooperation:

• India has historical linkages with Vietnam that dates back many centuries,

though the countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1972.

• Defence cooperation between India and Vietnam has been robust with the

primary focus being Maritime Cooperation.

• India signed a Protocol on Defence Cooperation Agreement in 1994. The

partnership was thereafter elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2007 and a MoU

on Defence Cooperation between the countries was signed in 2009.

• A ‘Joint Vision Statement for 2015-20’ was signed by the respective Defence

Ministers in 2015 and the Strategic Partnership was elevated to a

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016.

• The Indian Navy cooperates with the Vietnam People’s Navy on many issues,

which include operational interactions, training and exchange of Subject Matter

Experts in various fields through the medium of Staff Talks.

• The Vietnam People’s Navy also participates in the ‘MILAN’ inter-Navy

interactions organised at Port Blair by the Indian Navy.

• Warships from Indian Navy have been regularly visiting ports at Vietnam, with

Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmat recently making port call at Hai Phong in

September 2017.

3. 14th India-European Union Summit in a nutshell What is the issue?

• 14th edition of the India-EU Summit was held at New Delhi.

Highlights of the summit:

• India and the European Union on agreed to cooperate in the fight against

terrorism while deciding to resume talks on a free trade agreement.

• Both sides adopted a joint declaration on counter-terrorism to deal effectively

with the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, terror financing and arms

supply


45 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • Both sides commended the strong engagement of the European Investment Bank

in India in a wide range of key sectors, in particular in the field of climate action

and renewable energy.

• The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an open, free, secure, stable,

peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling economic growth and innovation

• India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to enhance maritime security

cooperation in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Both sides noted the recent joint

manoeuvres (PASSEX) between the EU Naval Force and the Indian Navy off the

coast of Somalia, as a successful example of naval cooperation.

• The two sides expressed support to the Government and the people of

Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national

peace and reconciliation.

• India and the EU expressed deep concern at the recent spate of violence in the

Rakhine state of Myanmar that has resulted in the outflow of a large number of

people from the state, many of whom have sought shelter in neighbouring

Bangladesh.

• Leaders welcomed the establishment of an Investment Facilitation Mechanism

(IFM) for EU investments in India as a means to improve the business climate and

hoped that the IFM will ease sharing of best practices and innovative technology

from the EU to India.

• Both sides adopted a Joint Statement on Clean Energy and Climate Change,

reaffirmed their commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, and agreed to

co-operate further to enhance its implementation.

Agreements signed:

• India and the EU signed three agreements following talks:

1. Implementing Arrangement between the European Commission and the

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for Indian Researchers

hosted by the European Research Council grantees in Europe

2. Finance contract of Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase-2 for 300 million

euros out of total European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of 500 million euros



3. Joint declaration between the Interim Secretariat of the ISA and the

European Investment Bank.

4. 4th Dialogue of Civilizations

What is the issue?

• ‘4th Dialogue of Civilizations’ is being jointly organized by the Archaeological

Survey of India, Ministry of Culture and National Geographic in New Delhi.

• The theme of the Conference is “Technology and Civilization”.

• Final dialogue will take place at the important Harappan centre of Dholavira in

the Rann of Kachchh

What is 'Dialogue of Civilizations'?

• In 2013, the National Geographic Society initiated a five-year annual conference

called “The Dialogue of Civilizations,”

• Mission aims to encourage scholarly and public discourse about the five ancient,

literate civilizations of the world (i.e., Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China,

and Mesoamerica) and how the study of the past can inform our present and

future.

Where have previous meetings been held?

• The first conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in 2013,

followed by Turkey in 2014 and in China in 2015

Dholavira and its salient features

• It is one of the five largest Harappan sites and most prominent archaeological

sites in India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is also considered as

having been the grandest of cities of its time.

• Three divisional town planning: Town planning in IVC was called 'two divisional

town planning' because there were two major parts of a city.

• However, Dholavira is known for 'three divisional town planning' wherein a

middle town was established.


47 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS NOTES • Largest reservoir among all IVC vities was found here.

• Discovered by B.K Thapar.

5. Common Wealth Law Ministers Meeting

What is the issue?

• A host of issues including cyber laws, climate change/climate justice,

Independence of judiciary and threat of terrorism will be discussed at the

meeting in Nassau, which will play host to law ministers and attorneys-generals

from Commonwealth nations in October.

Where is the meeting going to be held this time?

• Since 1983, law ministers and attorneys-general of small Commonwealth

jurisdictions have been meeting every three years to discuss common

challenges and experiences. The last meeting was held in London in 2013.

How is India going to use the platform?

• To discuss the need for “rule of law strengthening through technology”.

• To talk about the benefits of digital inclusion, using the Indian government’s

initiative of direct transfer of benefits and the opening of 300 million ‘Jan Dhan’

accounts.

• To discuss ‘telelaw’—an initiative recently launched by the law minister which

allows poor and underprivileged people to approach lawyers appointed by the

government for pre-litigation advice.

• The use of information and communication technology to curb promotion of

terrorist activities and planning will also be addressed at the Commonwealth

meet.

• To highlight how India has been a significant victim of terrorism and that the

international community needs to stand united against this.

• On how information and communication technology can be insulated from

terrorist threats


48 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES

1. ARPAN 3.0 for Defence Security Corps

• Software ‘ARPAN’ shall ease personal documentation and all issues related to

the progession of all Defence Security personnel.

• The software provides valuable data for decision and policy making for the

Defence Security Corps Directorate.

• The software has been developed by Tech Mahindra.

2. Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden

What is the issue?

• INS Trishul a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy whilst on Anti-piracy patrol in the

Gulf of Aden, was escorting a merchant vessel MV Jag Amar when she detected

a boat carrying out suspicious manoeuvers in the vicinity of the merchant ship.

• INS Trishul closed the boat for investigation and launched her integral helicopter

to investigate. Marine commandos boarded the pirate boat and neutralised all

piracy triggers in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

• The merchant vessel Jag Amar with all 26 Indian crew is safe and is continuing

her passage.

Navy's active patrolling in the Gulf of Aden:

• The Indian Navy has been deploying a warship in the waters in and around the

Gulf Of Aden since 2008 and has safely escorted hundreds of merchant vessels

through these treacherous waters.

• Indian ships are mandated to prevent piracy and are not mandated for regional

law enforcement.

• The actions taken by the ship are the rationale for the continued deployment of

Indian ships for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.


49 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES

About Gulf of Aden:

• Is a gulf located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen, on the south coast of the

Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa.

• In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait

• The waterway is part of the important Suez Canal shipping route between the

Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean with 21,000 ships

crossing the gulf annually.

Bordering countries:

• Northern shore : Yemen

• Western shore : Djibouti

• Southern shore : Somalia

3. Annual Dilli Seminar • Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala is all set to conduct the fourth edition of

the prestigious annual Dilli seminar.

• The theme for this year’s seminar is ‘India and Southeast Asia – Maritime Trade,

Expedition and Civilisation Linkages’

• INA conducts the annual Dilli seminar on elements and issues of maritime history

and heritage of the nation to help the young officers and cadets keep an eye on

future developments in the maritime domain with a strong foundation of the past.

4. Launch of Mobile Health App `MedWatch' By the

Indian Air Force

• Indian Air Force has launched an innovative mobile health App named

`MedWatch' in keeping with the Prime Minister's vision of ‘Digital India'.

• The concept and content of the App is by the Directorate General of Medical

Services (Air) and it has been developed by the Directorate of Information

Technology (DIT).


50 DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY NOTES • ‘MedWatch’, comprises a host of features that will provide authentic health

information to all IAF personnel.

• A Reminder Tool to enable timely immunization for the children of all Air Warriors

is an important component of the App.

• This will directly enable 'Mission Indradhanush' of the Govt of India.

5. Exercise MITRA SHAKTHI 2017

• The fifth India-Sri Lanka Joint Training Exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2017 started with

a grand Opening Ceremony conducted at Aundh Military Station, Pune.

• The exercise is based on Counter Terrorist Operations and an Infantry company

from both the countries is participating in the same.


51 POINT BLANK (Facts for Prelims) NOTES

1. Third edition of 'Women of India Organic Festival'

• To celebrate and promote women entrepreneurs and farmers in the organic

sector from across India

• Will showcase India's most varied offerings of organic products ranging from

food, wellness, personal care, home improvement, kitchen composters and solar

products.

• Nearly 530 participants from the remotest parts of the country will take part in

the exhibition, while selling their unique merchandise to the people of Delhi and

surrounding areas.

• With the theme ‘Good for Women; Good for India; Good for You’, the

initiative intends to highlight the health and environmental advantages of organic

goods, provide a platform for women engaged in it and boost the development of

sustainable and easily accessible sales outlets for women producers from the

remotest corners of India.

2. Nobel Prize for medicine

• Scientists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young won the 2017 Nobel

Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms

controlling our biological clocks

• Their discoveries explain how plants, animals and humans adapt their biological

rhythm so that it is synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions

3. China opens highway in Tibet close to Arunachal

Pradesh

• China opened express highway linking Tibet’s provincial capital Lhasa with

Nyingchi which is close to Arunachal Pradesh border.

• Heavy trucks are temporarily banned from using the Lhasa – Nyingchi express

way.


• Most of the express highways in Tibet are also compatible for military equipment

providing advantages for Chinese military to move its troops and weaponry

faster.

52 POINT BLANK(Facts for Prelims) NOTES

4. Nobel Prize in Physics

• US scientists Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish and Kip Thorne won the 2017 Nobel

Prize for Physics for their pioneering role in the detection of gravitational waves.

5. World Bank: India to top global remittances chart

in 2017

• India expected to retain its position as top remittances receiving country.

• World Bank said Indian diaspora contributed to around $65 billion in the year

2017.

• After India the other top 5 remittances receiving countries are

1. China

2. Philippines

3. Mexico

4. Nigeria

• Based on share of gross domestic product the top 5 recipients are smaller

countries such as

1. Kyrgyz Republic

2. Haiti

3. Tajikistan

4. Nepal

5. Liberia


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