VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE...The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to e quip the aspirants with ... Draw the attention of all Concerned towards the

Published by

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE

F Block New No. 1, 9th Street,

1st Avenue main Road, Chinthamani,

Anna Nagar (E), Chennai – 102.

Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9840097666

www.vetriias.com

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

© All rights reserved with the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the

publisher, will be responsible for the loss and may be punished for compensation under

copyright act.

My Dear Aspirants,

Greetings to all of you! “What we think we become” said Gautama Buddha. We all have dreams. To turn

dreams into reality it takes a lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and hard work.

We at VETRII IAS Study Circle are committed to provide the right guidance, quality coaching and help

every aspirant to achieve his or her life’s cherished goal of becoming a civil servant.

The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to equip the aspirants with

all the relevant facts and fundamentals of the subjects. Further the VETRII IAS Study Circle Study

material aim to support the candidate by providing the most relevant study material in a

comprehensive manner.

Wishing You All The Very Best !!

M. SHUNMUGAM

DIRECTOR

Vetrii IAS Study Circle.

TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS IRC FEB 2018

9600124042/ 9840097666

CONTENT

SL. NO TITLE PAGE NO

1. Important Days 1 - 2

2. International Affairs 3 – 11

3. National Affairs 12 - 33

4. Defence 34 - 39

5. Appointments 40 - 44

6. Honours & Awards 45 – 48

7. Sports 49 - 58

8. Summit And Conference 59 - 66

9. Schemes 67 – 68

10. State Affairs 69 - 72

11. Economy 73 - 74

12. Science & Technology 75 - 79

13. Personaltiy 80

14. Index 81 - 82

15. General Knowledge 83

16. February Month GK Questions 84 - 87

TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS February 2018

9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 1

IMPORTANT DAY

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY 21 FEBRUARY 2018

February, International Mother Language Day has been observed every year

since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and

multilingualism.

2018 Theme : Linguistic diversity and multilingualism count for sustainable

development

NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY: 28 FEBRUARY

National Science Day is celebrated in India

on 28 February each year to mark the

discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian

physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata

Raman on 28 February 1928.

For his discovery, Sir C.V. Raman was

awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

The theme of the year 2018 is "Science and Technology for a sustainable

future."


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 2

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE TO FEMALE GENITAL

MUTILATION-FEB 06

Purpose : Creation of awareness about female genital mutilation and for

promotion of its eradication

By : UN

Aim : Eradication of FGM by 2030

SAFER INTERNET DAY – FEB 06

Theme : Create, Connect, and share respect A better internet Starts with

you.

By : In safe Network

Purpose : To raise awareness of emerging online safety and security Issues

ALBENDEZOLE TABLET WILL BE GIVEN TO TARGETED CHILDREN

International day of Women and girls in Science

By : UN

2018 Theme : Equality and parity in Science for peace and development

Purpose: to promote gender equality and encourage girls and women to get

involved in Science and research.

NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY WEEK – FEB – 12

By National Productivity Council

2018 Theme: Industry 4.0 hap frog opportunity for India

NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL – 60TH ANNIVERSARY

1. Commeration of formation of National productivity Council

2. Draw the attention of all Concerned towards the Concept and encourage

implementation of productivity tools and techniques with contemporary

relevant themes

WORLD RADIO DAY – FEB 13

By UNESCO

Purpose : To celebrate and remember the

uses of radio in human life

2018 Theme: Radio & Sports

Also to remember UN radio‟s first call

sign broadcast in 1946.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 3

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM MODI LIKELY TO ANNOUNCE SUPER-SPECIALITY HOSPITAL IN

PALESTINE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day visit to Palestine, the

UAE, and Oman, is likely to announce the set-up of a super-speciality hospital

in Palestine‟s capital Ramallah.

He will also hold discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirm

India‟s support for the Palestinian people and the development of the state.

PM Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit Palestine.

India is also the first non-Arab nation to recognise Palestine and maintains

diplomatic relationships with them.

PM NARENDRAMODI LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE

FIRST HINDU TEMPLE IN ABU DHABI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially

laid the foundation stone for the first

Hindu temple in UAE.

This is the first stone temple to be built in

Abu Dhabi off Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway.

It will be completed by 2020, and open to

people of all religious backgrounds.

Bochasanwasi ShriAkshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), is a

socio-spiritual Hindu organisation set up in 1907 that runs more than 1,100

temples and cultural compounds around the world

WORLD‘S LONGEST ZIPLINE OPENS IN UAE WITH SPEEDS OF UP TO 150

KPH

The world‘s longest zip line will open in the UAE, propelling thrill-seekers at

speeds of up to 150 kilometres an hour.

The 2.8 kilometre (1.74 miles) zipline, spanning the equivalent of 28 soccer

fields, was certified this week by the Guinness World Records.

The zip line can handle as many as 100,000 people a year, and though there are

no age restrictions.

The riders must be at least 1.22 metres tall and no heavier than 150 kilograms.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 4

VENEZUELA, LIBYA LOSE UNGA VOTE FOR THIRD TIME IN 3 YEARS

Venezuela &Libya were suspended from voting in United Nations general

assembly (UNGA) in 2018-19 session for not paying dues 193 members world

body.

It was third time in three years these countries have been suspended from

voting for unpaid dues.

BHUTAN OPENS A CONSULATE IN GUWAHATI, ASSAM

Bhutan opened a consulate general‟s office in Assam‟s capital Guwahati.

It is the second country to set up its consulate general in the Indian

subcontinent after Bangladesh.

The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Bhutan-India relationship.

Bhutanese foreign minister Damcho Dorji and Assam CM Sarbananda

Sonowal opened the consulate in the presence of Bhutanese

PM TsheringTobgay.

Dorji announced a Bhutan-Guwahati-Singapore flight service would be

launched

WORLD‘S TALLEST HOTEL SET TO OPEN IN DUBAI

Gulf metropolis Dubai, on its never-ending

quest to break records, announced the

opening of the “world‟s new tallest hotel”.

The gleaming gold 75-storey Gevora Hotel

stands 356 metres, or nearly a quarter of a

mile, tall.

Dubai is also home to the world‟s tallest

building, the Burj Khalifa, which pierces the

city skyline at 828 metres (half a mile) high.

UNGA –United Nation General Assembly

Founded : 1945 New York

UN Day : 24 October

Permanent members:

China

Russia

France

United kingdom

United States


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 5

CHINA BUILDING HUGE TEST SITE FOR UNMANNED SHIPS

China has started building the world‟s largest test site for unmanned ships

technology with both civilian and military applications off a port in the

disputed South China Sea.

The state Xinhua news agency said the test area is being constructed off the

southern port city of Zhuhai bordering Macau.

THREE DAY MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE HELD AT GERMANY

The Munich Security Conference, in its 54th edition, began in Munich,

Germany, amidst strict security measures for more than 4,000 security

personnel.

Three day conference held from 16th Feb to 18th Feb 2018.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterich, began the

session.

SAUDI WOMEN CAN NOW START THEIR OWN BUSINESS WITHOUT MALE

PERMISSION.

Women in Saudi Arabia can now open their own businesses without the

consent of a husband or male relative.

The policy change, announced by the Saudi government also marks a major

step away from the strict guardianship system that has ruled the country for

decades.

The ministry of commerce and investment said women can now launch their

own businesses and benefit from e-services without having to prove consent

from a guardian.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 6

CYRIL RAMAPHOSE :

1. An Anti – Apartheid activist

2. Earlier served as Deputy President of South Africa (2014 – 2018).

3. Played key role with Nelson Mandela to bring democracy in

South Africa

4. Party : African National Congress.

K.P. SHARMA OLI WAS ELECTED AS PRIME MINSTER OF NEPAL ON FEB-15

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli Sworn in as 38th

Prime Minister of Nepal. K.P. Sharma Oli

headed left alliance won the majority of

seats in elections conducted in 2017 to elect

275 members of the “4th house of

representatives”.

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICA

ON FEB-15 AS JACOB ZUME RESIGNS.

Cyril Ramaphosa was elected as the 5th

President (Since the end of the Apartheid

System in 1994) of South Africa, after the

current President Jacob Zuma resigned over

the corruption allegations.

K.P. Sharma Oli

1. Sworn in as PM for Second time.

2. Served as PM in 2015-16 for 1st time.

3. Belonged to party CPN-UML

4. His party secured 121 in 275 seats.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 7

WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY SUSPENDS ROMANIAN LABORATORY

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended Romania's drug-

testing laboratory for six months.

WADA has stepped up checks on laboratories around the world ever since

uncovering evidence of wide-ranging doping and cover-ups at the

Moscow laboratory.

LIST OF MOUS SIGNED DURING THE VISIT OF PRESIDENT OF IRAN TO

INDIA

President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani arrived in India on a three-day State visit. He

has signed these MoUs with India:

Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation

MoU on Exemption from Visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic Passports.

Exchange of Instrument of Ratification of Extradition Treaty.

Lease Contract for ShahidBeheshti Port- Phase 1 of Chabahar during Interim

Period between Port and Maritime Organization (PMO), Iran and India Ports

Global Limited (IPGL).

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine.

MoU on the establishment of an Expert Group on Trade Remedy Measures to

promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.

MoU on Postal Cooperation.

INDIA'S DEFENCE BUDGET BREAKS INTO WORLD'S TOP 5: UK REPORT

India's defence budget broke into the world's top five, beating the UK for the

first time, a new report by a London-based global think-tank.

India overtook the UK as the fifth-largest defence spender in the world in 2017

at $52.5 billion, up from $51.1 billion in 2016, according to the 'Military Balance

2018' report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

In contrast, the UK's defence budget fell from $52.5 billion in 2016 to $50.7

billion last year.

World's top five defence spenders are the US, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia

and India.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 8

CHINA ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ‗FATF‘

China has been elected as vice

chair of Financial Action Task

Force (FATF).

FATF is a global body mandated to

combat terror financing and money

laundering.

Now it assumes that as Pakistan is

set to be put in the watchdog's grey

list, which puts countries under the scanner for not implementing the

body's objectives.

Three votes from the FATF's 37 members are needed for a country not to

be put in the grey-list.

Pakistan, which was previously on the grey-list from 2012 to 2015.

SAUDI ARABIA ALLOWS WOMEN TO JOIN MILITARY

Saudi Arabia for the very first time opened applications for women to enlist in

the military as the kingdom continues to enact reforms granting females more

access to a wide range of previously forbidden careers.

Interested candidates can apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the

provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.

A list of requirements says applicants must be Saudi citizens and aged between

25 and 35 with a high school diploma.

EMERGENCY DECLARED IN MALDIVES

Maldives government declared state of emergency for 15 days on Feb 05

Monday.

The rift b/w current president Abdulla Yameen and Ex President Mohammed

Nasheed, Supreme Court ruling of release of 9 opposition leaders and

reinstatement of 12 expelled MP, etc. are considered to be reason for emergency

declaration.

• Dubai International airport is ranked No 1 on the bus lest airport for Intl

passengers in 2017. It holds this place for the fourth time consecutively from 2014. In 2017, this airport handled 8.82 Crore international passengers.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 9

MODI VISIT TO PALESTINEPALESTINE

Modi reached Palestine on Feb 10 from Jordan.

Modi arrived in Ramallah Capital of Palestine.

6 agreements signed (MOU – Memorandum of understanding)

To set up India – Palestine Super Speciality hospital at Belt Sahour in

Belthalehem governed

To construct Turathi. India Palestine centre for empowering women.

To set up new national printing press at Ramallah

To construct a school in Muthalth Alshuhadre village

To Construct a school in Tamoon Village

To construct a additional floor to Jawaharlal Nehru for Boys at Abu

Dces.Total worth : $ 50 million

INDIA SIGNS MOU WITH CANADA‘S INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH CENTRE (IDRC)

The Government of India (GoI) and Canada‟s International Development

Research Centre (IDRC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU), to usher the “programme based research support” in addressing

current and future global and local developmental challenges.

Since 1972, IDRC has funded 551 research activities worth CA$159 million

in India through institutions, researchers, and NGOs.

During the last five years (2012-17), 96 research projects worth CA$ 51

million were funded by the IDRC in India.

KEY FACTS:

Modi 1st Indian PM to visit Palestine

Modi Hold bilateral talks with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbes

Palestine PM : Remi Hamadallah.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 10

NTPC TO SUPPLY 300 MW ELECTRICITY TO BANGLADESH

India‟s Biggest electricity producer NTPC Ltd has Won tender to supply 300

megawatts of electricity to power – starved Bangladesh for 15 years.

The tender was floated by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for

supply of 500 MW power from India for short term (2018 – 2019) and long term

(2020 – 2033)

TELANGANA, TAIWAN SIGN MOU FOR BETTER TECHNOLOGY

PARTNERSHIP

Telangana state Govt. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with the Taoyuan City of Taiwan for better technology partnership

in the state, at the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT)

2018 in Hyderabad.

Taoyuan is one of the fastest growing cities with respect to

entrepreneurship, innovation, and the Internet of things (IoT).

The state will go forward by using the technology in various sectors

including health, education, and agriculture.

INDIA AND GERMANY SIGNED AGREEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE

URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND SMART CITIES

India & Germany signed an agreement for Sustainable Urban

Development programme & Smart Cities in India.

The main objective of this agreement is to develop and apply concepts for

sustainable urban development about a provision of urban basic services

and housing in selected cities and Smart Cities in India.

The World Congress on Information Technology hosted by the

National Association of Software and Services Companies

(NASSCOM)


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 11

INDIA, CANADA INK SIX PACTS

India and Canada have signed six agreements in different fields including

nuclear science, energy cooperation, sports, education, science and technology.

These agreements were signed after delegation-level talks between Prime

Minister NarendraModi and his visiting Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau

in New Delhi.

AGREEMENTS SIGNED ARE

MoU on Cooperation in Sport.

MoU for Cooperation in Higher Education.

MoU for Cooperation on Intellectual Property Rights.

Termsof Reference for the India-Canada Ministerial Energy

Dialogue.

MoU for cooperation in the Fields of science, Technology and

Innovation.

Joint Declareof Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Information

Communications Technology and Electronics.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 12

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM MODI LAUNCHES KHELO INDIA SCHOOL GAMES SHEMES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

declared the inaugural Khelo India

School Games open and said the event

will highlight the country‟s sporting

talent and its potential to the world.

The ceremony showcased the rich „Guru-

Shishya‟ tradition of the country in grand

style.

Modi said the Games will highlight India‟s young sporting talent and showcase

India‟s sports potential.

Modi urged the youth to take up to sports activities as it is an important tool for

the development of the nation.

GOOGLE DOODLE HONOURS KAMALA DASTHE MOTHER OF MODERN

ENGLISH POETRY.

Kamala Das, one of India‟s prominent poets and a

Malayalam authorwho dared to write about women‟s

sexual lives and marital problems was honoured

by Google with a doodle today.

Born to a Hindu family, she converted to Islam at the

age of 68 and was known as Kamala Suraiya.

For her vernacular readers, she adopted the pen name

MadhaviKutty.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 13

GOOGLE INSTALLS 150 ‗GOOGLE STATION‘ WI-FI HOTSPOTS IN PUNE

Google, in partnership with Larsen & Toubro, announced that the company has

installed 150 ―Google Station‖ hotspots in Pune.

The development is part of the Pune Smart City Development Corporation

Limited‟s “Smart City” project.

This is the first time that the company is deploying “Google Station” a localised

captive portal that enables the connection to public Wi-Fi outside of the

railways.

INDIA JOINSASHGABAT AGREEMENT

India has joined the Ashgabat agreement, which envisages setting up of an

international transport and transit corridor linking central Asia with the Persian

Gulf.

Turkmenistan, as Depository State of Ashgabat Agreement, informed India

today that all the four founding members have consented to the accession of

India.

Besides Turkmenistan, the other founding members of the agreement are Iran,

Oman and Uzbekistan and these countries had signed the pact on April 25,

2011.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 14

AMAZON BECOMES WORLD'S THIRD MOST VALUABLE COMPANY

Amazon‟s market value surpassed Microsoft‟s for the first time, making

Amazon the world‟s third most valuable company.

Apple and Alphabet stand ahead of Amazon as the most valuable companies in

the world.

Microsoft now ranked fourth, follows, ahead of Tencent and Facebook.

NOW, PLAYING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN MAHARASHTRACINEMA HALLS

NOT MANDATORY.

Playing the national anthem in cinema halls before screening films is not

mandatory in Maharashtra now.

Maharashtra was among the first few states to make the national anthem

mandatory in cinema halls in 2003.

The state home department issued the order, dated February 1, directing local

administrations to comply with the SC orders.

The SC on January 9, by modifying its earlier order, made it optional for cinema

halls to play the national anthem before screening a film.

KARNATAKA PANEL PROPOSES 3-COLOUR OFFICIAL STATE FLAG

A committee constituted last June by

the Kannada and Culture department

of the Karnataka government

recommending an official three-

coloured flag to replace an unofficial

two-coloured one currently used to

signify local pride.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the issue will be put up for

consideration by the state cabinet before it is forwarded to the Union Ministry

of Home Affairs.

If adopted with clearance from the MHA, Karnataka will be the second state

after Jammu and Kashmir to have an official state flag


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 15

PATNA AIRPORT SLIPS 15 PLACES IN GLOBAL RANKINGS

Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport (JPNI), Patna, dropped 15 places

from 58th to 73rd position in the global ranking of airports handling 2-5 million

passengers in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The rating for overall satisfaction of passengers at Patna airport, based on

Airports Service Quality (ASQ) survey done by the Airports Council

International.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said Patna airport‟s performance was

still good as it was ranked 73rd among 300 airports.

MAHARASHTRA BECOMES THE FIRST STATE TO CLEAR POLICY TO

PROMOTE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN FINANCIAL SERVICES.

To make Mumbai and its adjoining areas as “Fintech capital of the world”, the

cabinet passed a policy to help start-ups in the sector a first in the country.

Fintech refers to the use of technology in financial and banking services.

Apart from the Fintech policy, the state government cleared policies for defence

and aerospace, electric vehicles, logistics, textile, garments, gems and jewellery,

and coir etc.

To promote defence and aerospace production, the government also plans to

set up units in Pune, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Nagpur.

BENGALURU-VIDYANAGAR FLIGHT EXPECTED TO BOOST INDUSTRY,

TOURISM.

People of Ballari district is getting a direct flight service from Vidyanagar

(Ballari) to Bengaluru will start on March 1.

The direct flight is expected to boost the growth of industries and tourism in the

district.

A Hyderabad-based private operator is starting the service

under UDAN Scheme which offers affordable air tickets to flyers.

The flight will depart Vidyanagar Airport at 2.10pm and arrive at Kempegowda

International Airport in Bengaluru at 3.10pm.

It will depart from Bengaluru at 3.35pm and arrive in Vidyanagar at 4.35pm


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 16

KERALA TOPS NITI AAYOG HEALTH INDEX, UTTAR PRADESH WORST

PERFORMER.

As per NITI Aayog Health Index Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu ranks in the

top three.

NITI Aayog Health Index report ranks Mizoram as first, followed by Manipur

and Goa among the small states.

Uttar Pradesh fared the worst among 21 states on an outcomes-based

comprehensive health index prepared for the first time by the federal think tank

NitiAayog.

The think tank‟s CEO Amitabh Kant said they will also announce a ranking of

India‟s 730 district hospitals in June.

GOVT LAUNCHES AN APP TO MONITOR FLY ASH FROM THERMAL PLANTS

Union power minister R K Singh launched web-based monitoring system and a

mobile application named “ASH TRACK” in Delhi.

These two platforms will enable better management of the ash produced by

thermal power plants by providing an interface between them and potential

ash.

ASH TRACK shows coal-based power plants situated within the radius of 100

km and 300 km from the user‟s location.

Therefore, any app user can select power station from where he wants to take

fly ash.

FIRST ABU DHABI OIL TO FLOW FOR MANGALORE STORAGE BY MAY

India expects the first crude from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

to flow for filling half of the Mangalore storage facility by May.

ADNOC has indicated its oil shipments are booked for the next two months.

ADNOC will send three large ship-full of crude. It would take three very large

crude carriers (VLCCs) to fill nearly 6 million barrels of capacity.

The ADNOC has hired in the Mangalore storage facility.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 17

RAILWAYS INTRODUCE REFURBISHED MUMBAI-DELHI RAJDHANI TRAIN

Western Railway‟s premier Rajdhani Express got refurbished coaches under the

ministry‟s “Operation Swarn”, a project to improve the aesthetics and comfort

levels of passenger trains.

The moves comes weeks after the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express got

coaches, christened „Anubhuti‟, with aircraft-like interiors.

Mukul Jain, Divisional Railway Manager of WR‟s Mumbai division released a

special brochure depicting the special features of the newly refurbished

Rajdhani Express.

PM MODI OPENS ‗BIGGEST PARTY OFFICE IN THE WORLD‘

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the BJP‟s new headquarters

on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg.

The office spread over 1.70 lakh square feet was opened in the presence of party

chief Amit Shah, former BJP chiefs, several Union ministers and office-bearers.

Former party chiefs L K Advani, MurliManohar Joshi, Rajnath Singh and Nitin

Gadkari besides Union minister Sushma Swaraj were on the dais at the event.

MEGHALAYA GOVERNOR INAUGURATES INDIA, BANGLADESH

‗FRIENDSHIP GATE‘.

Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad inaugurated the “Friendship Gate”

constructed with an aim to have a Wagah-like beating retreat ceremony for the

Indian and Bangladesh border guards.

The Friendship Gate has been constructed near Integrated Check post, 90 km

South of capital Shillong on the border with Bangladesh.

The Governor also met Border Guard of Bangladesh‟s Additional Director

ZahidHasan, who was present on the occasion and distributed sweets to both

the troops at the venue.

The Governor also inaugurated a BSF Border outpost at Umsyiem during his

visit to the border


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 18

CENTRAL GOVT. TO SET UP 562 MORE EKALAVYA SCHOOLS

Tribal affairs minister Mr.Oram has announced that Govt. will setup 562

schools for tribal children.

He also added that “Every block with at least 20 thousand tribal persons, will

have an Ekalavyaschool”.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry has been allocated an amount of six thousand crore

rupees for new financial year. In 2017-18, it received over 5329 crores rupees

Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Government of India scheme

for model residential school for Indian tribal across India.

PM MODI OPENS RS 7,900 CRORE 4TH TERMINAL AT JNPT

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday dedicated the first phase of the

Rs 7,900-crore 4th terminal project of the JNPT to the nation.

It will raise the cargo handling capacity of the nation‟s largest container port by

50 percent.

The fourth terminal project seeks to double JNPT‟s capacity to nearly 10 million

standard container units and will make it the 33rd biggest port globally.

MORE THAN 40 INDIAN LANGUAGES MAY BE HEADING FOR EXTINCTION

SAYS, OFFICIALS

More than 40 languages or dialects in India are considered to be endangered

and is believed to be heading towards extinction.

According to a report of the census directorate, there are 22 scheduled

languages and 100 non-scheduled languages in the country.

However, there are around 42 languages which are spoken by less than 10,000

people.

A list prepared by UNESCO has also mentioned about the 42 languages or

dialects in India which are endangered and they may be heading towards

extinction.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 19

AIR ODISHA TAKES WINGS, LAUNCHES MAIDEN FLIGHT IN GUJARAT

UNDER UDAN.

Air Odisha launched its maiden services under scheme Udan with Gujarat CM

Vijay Rupani inaugurating the first flight to Mundra.

The Bhubaneswar-based carrier, mandated to fly on 50 regional routes, had

received its scheduled commuter operator (SCO) permit from the aviation

regulator DGCA.

Besides Mundra, the carrier also rolled out services on the Ahmedabad-

Jamnagar route.

Prime Minister NarendraModi has agreed to inaugurate the Diu flight on

February 25, he said.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 20

SCCL SOLAR POWER PLANT TO COME UP IN RAMAGUNDAM

The proposed first solar power plant by the Singarneni Collieries Company

Limited (SCCL) of 50 MW capacity is likely to come up in the Ramagundam-3

division of the Godavarikhani Coal belt region in Paddapalli district soon.

A RICE MILL TURNS INTO MGR MEMORIAL

It will also showcase the rural culture and traditions of Palakkad.

One of the first modern rice mills to come up in Kerala‟s district, Bhama Rice

Mill of Vadavannur Village, is being converted into a memorial for iconic Tamil

Politician and matinee idol M.G. Ramachandran, whose childhood home is

located in the same village.

The memorial will also serve as a “Village Heritage Centre” and showcase the

culture and agrarian traditions of Palakkad. It is being established by the local

chapter of the “Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage”

(INTACH)

We have named the heritage centre “MAGORA”, an abridged version of

“Maruthoor Gopala Menon Ramachandran‖.

ADR : ANDHRA PRADESH‘S CHANDRA BABU NAIDU IS RICHEST CM IN

INDIA

Andhra Pradesh „s chief minister Chandra Babu

Naidu is the richest CM in India with Rs. 177

crore assets as per Association for Democratic

Reforms (ADR) reports.

Arunachal Pradesh CM PemaKhandu is second

richest CM in India with Rs. 129 crore assets.

Tripura‟s CM ManikSarkar is with assets

worth Rs. 27 lakh.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 21

RADIO UMANG : INDIA‘S Ist ONLINE RADIO STATION LAUNCHED

India‟s 1st online Radio Station „Radio

Unmang‟ launched recently in India.

Listeners can tune in to this online

radio station through web streaming

or download app.

With 24 hours programming, it has

found listeners in Hindi speaking

regions of India and in over 60

countries worldwide.

PRESIDENT HOSTS LPG PANCHAYAT AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

President Ramnath Govind hosted an, LPG Panchayat at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

It was organised by the Ministry of Petroleum and natural Gas under Pradhan

Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY)

The LPG Panchayat aims to provide a platform for LPG consumers to interact

with each other promote mutual learning and share experience.

VICE PRESIDENT INAUGURATES 8TH EDITION OF THEATRE OLYMPICS

Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated the 8th edition of the

Theatre Olympics at LalQuila in Delhi.

It is for the first time that India is hosting the event and more than 25

thousand foreign artists will participate .

The 51-day long nationwide theatre extravaganza will be held in 17 cities,

including Ahmadabad, Bhopal, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati and

Jammu.

The theme of the festival is - "Flag of Friendship".

Ramnath Govind

- Born : Uttar Pradesh

- He is 14th and current president of India

- He becoming the second Dalit to be elected to the post of president

- Previously he had served as the Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 22

NATIONAL LEVEL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE TO BE HELD IN NEW

DELHI FOR 2 DAYS ON FEB. 19, 20

Venue - PUSA Campus New, Delhi

Purpose - 1. To discuss about Agri and Former Issues

2. To discuss about preparation of short and long term

measures for former issues.

3. To discuss about ways to double the former‟s income by

2022.

Organised by - Union Ministry of agriculture and formers welfare.

KERALA CM PINARAYI VIJAYAN INAUGRATED THE NEW WEB PORTAL

FOR AKSHAYA-E-SERVICES NETWORK

The web portal is designed in such a way to provide more information about

Akshaya Services.

BBC TO MAKE DOCUMENTARY ON GUNTUR CHILLI AND ITS MARKETS.

Guntur „Mirchi Sannalu”, a global brand of red chilli is world famous one.

Mostly traded in Guntur chilli market (Asia‟s largest market) is to be featured in

BBC documentary.

Akshaya

1. Kerala ‟s district wise e-literacy project.

2. Part of Kerala State 17 mission project

3. 3-governance initiative to provide services digitally

4. Inaugurated by APJ Abdul Kalam on Nov. 18, 2002.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 23

INDIA‘S FIRST RADIO FESTIVAL HELD IN DELHI

India‟s first radio festival was held at the UNESCO house in New Delhi to mark

world radio day (Feb13).

It was organisation by International Association of Women in Radio &

Television (IAWRT) in partnership with United Nations educational, scientific

& cultural organization (UNESCO).

Theme-World Radio Festival 2018-Radio & Sport

IAWRT- International Association Of Women in Radio & Television

IAWRT is global organisation of women in broadcasting industry

Established in 1949

HOSTING COUNTRIES

City / Country Year

New Delhi, India 2018

Wrocław, Poland 2016

Beijing, China 2014

M.VENKAIAH NAIDU

Previously, he served as the Minister of Housing and Urban

Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development and Information and

Broadcasting in the Modi Cabinet.

He took the oath as Vice-President of India on 11 August 2017 at

Darbar Hall, RashtrapatiBhawan, New Delhi.

13th Vice President of India.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 24

CPA CONFERENCE OF INDIA REGION TO BEGIN IN PATNA

The 6th conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

of India Region has been inaugurated by the Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra

Mahajan in Patna.

Over one hundred delegates from across the country and abroad

including Australia, Britain, Uganda, and Tonga have arrived to

participate this conference.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) exists to develop,

promote, and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identify

benchmarks of good governance and to implement the enduring values of

the commonwealth.

CANADA PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU ARRIVED IN INDIA FOR 7DAY TOUR FROM

FEB-17.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU

1. 23rd PM of CANADA from 2015

2. Second youngest Canadian “house of commons” from his party for the 1st

time.

3. Closed to Sikh community and affectionately called as Justin Singh

4. On May 18, 2016 he gave formed full apology for “Komagatamaru” incident

of 1914 in Canadian parliament.

NATIONAL BANANA FESTIVAL, 2018 HELD IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh

addressed at the National Banana Festival, 2018 held in Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala.

India is the largest producer of banana in the world with 29.7 million tonnes

from an area of 0.88 million hectares with a productivity of 37 MT/ha.

Although India accounts for only 15.5per cent in area, its contribution in the

world‟s production is 25.58per cent.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 25

SHARAVENABELAGOLA THE JAIN PILGRIMAGE CENTRE IS PREPARING

FOR ―MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA‖CEREMONY STARTED ON FEB-17

MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA

1. Grand consecration Jain festival

2. To be conducted once in 12years

3. 9-day festival

4. Started from 981 CE.

5. Involves anointment of BahubaliGomateshwara statue [world tallest

monolithic statue]

Situated in Vindhyagiri hill at Sharavenabelagola, Karnataka.

GOA GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES MOTORCYCLE AMBULANCE SERVICE

The Goa government has launched a motorcycle ambulance service to provide

quick medical help to patients in need in the coastal state.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar unveiled a batch of 20 two-wheeler

ambulances which would be deputed in high risk areas like the coastal belt.

These motorbikes will be equipped with medical facilities, including oxygen

cylinders.

GOVERNMENT SETS UP THE ―NITI FORUM FOR NORTHEAST‖

The Union Government has issued order setting up the „NITI Forum for North-

East‟.

The forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog and Minister

of State (I/C), Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER).

The forum will have its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER.

The NITI Forum for Northeast is tasked to identify various constraints on the

way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North

East Region of the country and to recommend suitable interventions for

addressing identified constraints.

It will also review the development status in the NER.

Historical Importance of Sharavenabelagola

Due to famine in ganges valley in 4th BCE, Jain monks led by Bhadrabagu

and Chandragupta maurya went to Sharavenabelagola


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 26

NER‘S FIRST REGIONAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURE IN MIZORAM

Israeli Ambassador Mr Daniel Carmon informed that a Centre for Agriculture,

with collaboration of Israeli expertise, is going to be inaugurated in Mizoram on

7th March this year.

This will be the first such centre in the North East region of India that is being

established with Israeli collaboration, he added.

Set up with a cost of Rs 8-10 crore, this centre is exclusively for processing of

citrus fruits.

The project has been set up with the tripartite collaboration of Ministry of

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Government of Israel

and State Government of Mizoram.

KERALA MAKES VACCINATION COMPULSORY FOR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

The CPI(M)-led Left Front government in Kerala has made vaccination

compulsory for school admissions from next academic year onwards.

Parents will have to show details of shots given to children at the time of

enrolment in schools.

Earlier the government had constituted a 17-member experts panel headed by

Dr.E.Ekbal to chalk out a comprehensive health policy.

CENTRE CONSTITUTES COMMITTEE TO STUDY BRAHMAPUTRA AND

FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES IN ASSAM

The Centre has constituted a committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the

NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar to study the Brahmaputra and flood control measures

in Assam and neighbouring states.

Assam government has submitted required report on flood control measures to

the committee.

Measures are being taken by the Water Resource department to repair the

damaged river embankment due to flood.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 27

UK, INDIA LAUNCH JOINT RESEARCH PROJECTS ON CLEAN WATER &

ENERGY

The UK- India Joint research projects on Water Quality Research and

Energy Demand Reduction in Built Environment were launched in New

Delhi.

The Water Quality Research programme has eight projects and Energy

Demand Reduction in Built Environment programme has four projects.

The objective of the project to address shared global sustainable

development goals of clean water and clean energy .

Total joint investment of up to 15 million British Pound.

INDIA 7TH MOST TARGETED NATION FOR WEB APPLICATION ATTACKS

Nearly 40 percent of over 53,000 cyber-attacks

in India occurred in the financial services

sector during2017, placing it at the seventh

spot in the list of targeted countries for Web

Application Attacks (WAA), a new report said.

Security incidents like phishing, website

intrusions and defacements, virus and

ransomware targeted the rapidly growing of the Banking, Financial services and

Insurance (BFSI) sector in India.

The report, titled "Akamai State of the Internet Security Q4 2017," also stated that

the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack frequency in the BFSI sector

increased by 50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

AIRTEL, HUAWEI SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCT INDIA‘S FIRST 5G NETWORK

TRIAL

Telecom Major Bharti Airtel and

Chinese telecom equipment maker

Huawei have successfully conducted

India‟s first 5G (fifth generation)

network trials. It was conducted at

Airtel‟s network experience centre in

Manesar, Gurugram (Haryana) and

was able to achieve over 3 gigabit per

second (Gbps) data speed.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 28

REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF SOUTHERN STATES ON WATER

RESOURCES TO BE HELD IN HYDERABAD CONFERENCE

The Union Water Resources ministry is holding a regional conference of

southern states to resolve the pending inter-state water issues in

Hyderabad.

Ministers and Principal Secretaries of Water Resources of Six southern

states (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala,

Telangana) are scheduled to take part in the, Resources Arjun Ram

Meghwal.

The objective of the conference is to the implementation of the latest orders

of the Supreme Court on sharing of Cauvery waters, interlinking of rivers

like Godavari-Cauvery, notification of jurisdiction of Krishna and

Godavari Water Management Boards, Polavaram Project.

JAIPUR'S GANDHI NAGAR BECOMES COUNTRY‘S FIRST ALL-WOMEN

RAILWAY STATION

Jaipur‟s Gandhinagar railway station (North Western Railways (NWR) has

become the country‟s only non-suburban railway station to be entirely run

by women.

All 32 posts at the station from the station (superintendent to head ticket

collector, point woman to railway protection force (RPF) constable

and station master to ticket reservation clerk) were occupied by women.

Gandhi Nagar station has a footfall of nearly 7000 passengers daily and of

the 50 trains which pass by, 25 trains halt here.

Matunga railway station of Mumbai is also managed by women and it

is in the suburban category while our station is first in the mainline

category


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 29

FIRST INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON MEDICINAL AND

AROMATIC PLANTS FOR NORTH EAST.

The first meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Medicinal and

Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for North East Region (NER) is scheduled to be

held in March 2018

It will be co-chaired by Secretaries of Ministry of Development of North-East

Region (MDoNER) and AYUSH

It will comprise members from various Ministries, Departments and several

organisations in relevant fields.

UIDAI INTRODUCES SPECIAL BLUE COLOURED 'BAAL AADHAAR'

Aadhaar is increasingly becoming

mandatory to make use of most of

the government schemes and

other activities such as getting a

new SIM card or opening a new

bank account.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has now introduced a blue

coloured 'Baal Aadhaar' card for children below the age of 5 years.

All children below the age of 5 don't need to give biometric details for getting an

Aadhaar card

WORLD‘S TALLEST WAR MEMORIAL TO COME UP AT AMARAVATI

India‟s first and world‟s largest war memorial with a 250 feet statue of a soldier

of the Indian Army to built-in Amaravati.

There is other a 200-feet bronze ring to be constructed around a huge Buddha

statue.

Connecting the two statues would be a 2-km-long and 80-feet-wide traffic-free

stretch along the Krishna River on approximately 130 acres.

The MoU for the 6,100 crore project stated that it would be the first-of-its-kind

street tourism destination to attract national and international tourists.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 30

PM MODI TO LAUNCH NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION SCHEMS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the National Nutrition Mission

(NNM) at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.

In December last year, the Cabinet approved the NNM with a budget of

Rs 9,046.17 till 2020.

The mission has a target to reduce under-nutrition and low birth weight by 2

percent each per annum.

The total contribution of the Centre will be Rs 2,849.54 crore and nearly Rs 1,700

crore will be contributed by the state governments.

SRIJAN IDEA COMPETITION FOR 635 STATIONS DEVELOPMENT

LAUNCHED AT MYGOV PORTAL

Ministry of Railways has launched SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation through Joint

Action), an idea competition for development of 635 railway stations.

It was launched at MyGov portal by Indian Railway Stations Development

Corporation Limited (IRSDC).


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 31

UMABHARTI LAUNCHES 2ND PROJECT OF SWAJALYOJANA IN RAJASTHAN

Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation,

Sushri Uma Bharti, launched the Swajal pilot

project at Village Bhikampura, Karauli,

Rajasthan.

Besides ensuring the availability of clean drinking

water to every household round the year, the

project would also generate employment.

She inaugurated the pilot Swajal Project at Bhikampura with a budget of more than

54.17 lakh rupees.

LITERACY RATE OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED POPULATION

Highest - Kerala (70.8%)

Lowest - Arunachal Pradesh (38.7%)

―PELICAN BIRD FESTIVAL – 2018‖

Organised for 1st time in Atapake Bird Sanctuary on “Kolleru” lake in Andhra

Pradesh Organised by Andhra Pradesh tourism Authority and Krishna district

administration.

NATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEUERSHIP COUNCIL TO BE LAUNCHED BY

GOVT (NWEC)

Union ministry of women and child development is planning to form NWEC

Role

Act as Umbrella organisation for Socio-economic gender parity financial

inclusion economic empowerment of women.

To promote entrepreneurship among women

Advice to govt on issues related to women entrepreneurship

Kolleru Lake – 1 one of the largest freshivater Lake in India present in Andhra

Pradesh

1. Declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1999. Under wildlife protection act 1972

2. Designated wetland of international importance in Nov 2002 under Ramses

Convention


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 32

1. UP launched Campaign to eradicate Japanese encephalitis.

2. UP government Launched “DASTAK” Campaign for eradication of

“Acute encephalitis syndrome and Japanese encephalitis”

3. Campaign launched in association with UMCEF

4. Includes door to door campaign, awareness creation, provision of clean

drinking water, sanitation drive, etc.,

INDIA & ADB SIGNED A LOAN AGREEMENT FOR WATER SUPPLY IN

BIHAR

Indian government and Asian Development Bank has signed an $84

million loan agreement for Improvement and Expansion of Water Supply

in in Bihar.

The program aims to provide sustainable urban infrastructure and

services in four towns in Bihar –Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and

Muzaffarpur.

44TH KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL HELD IN MADHYA PRADESH

The 44th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival 2018 was held at Khajuraho temple,

a UNESCO world heritage site in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh.

It was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and was

organised by culture department of state government.

KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL

Khajuraho Dance Festival is annual cultural festival that highlights

richness of various Indian classical dance styles. The 6-day festival

showcased classical dances including Kathak, Odissi, Bharatnatyam,

Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Mohiniattam.

KHAJURAHO TEMPLE

It is a group of Hindu and Jain Temples in Madhya Pradeshbuild

byChandelaDynasty between 950 and 1050 AD.

They are UNESCO World heritage Site.

The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism

and their erotic Sculptures. The temples at Khajuraho are all made of

Sandstone.

The largest temple at Khajuraho is the KandariyaMahadeva temple

which is attributed to king Ganda


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 33

FESTIVAL OF ARUNACHAL STARTED WITH CELEBRATION OF THE 32ND

STATEHOOD DAY CONCLUDES

The three-day „Festival of Arunachal‟, started with the celebration of the

32nd Statehood Day of the state, concluded.

During the festival various tribes of the state and from outside showcased

their cultural and traditional identity.

Various artists, like Singer Lucky Ali, Hans Raj Hans, comedian

RajuSrivastavaetc performed during the festival.

„Festival of Arunachal‟ was aimed at showcasing the symbo l of

multi-dimensional cultural identity, communal harmony and

propagating the spirit of national integration.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 34

DEFENCE

RUSSIA LAUNCHES 11 SPACE SATELLITES

Russia successfully launched 11 satellites from its Vostochnycosmodrome, in

the third rocket liftoff from the new spaceport.

The country‟s first orbital launch of 2018 came after a similar liftoff from the

cosmodrome in eastern Russia ended in embarrassment.

The Soyuz rocket carried two Russian Earth-monitoring satellites as its primary

payload and nine US and German piggyback satellites.

INDIA TO BEGIN TALKS TO ACQUIRE ISRAELI ANTI-TANK MISSILES

The Narendra Modi government will

begin talks to buy Israeli anti-tank

guided missile Spike, with a meeting

between Israel‟s visiting defence

secretary Major General (retired) Udi

Adam.

The defence ministry will negotiate to

buy at least 3,000 Spike missiles

manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems through a government-to-

government (G2G) route.

This will meet the army‟s urgent requirements and fill the gap before the

indigenous Nag anti-tank missile system is inducted

WESTERN COMMAND CONDUCTS TRI – SERVICE MARITIME EXERCISE

PASCHIM LEHAR.

Around 40 ships, submarines and fighter aircraft participated in Pashcim Lehar,

a tri-service Maritime exercise of India‟s Western coast.

An official spokesperson said the objective of the exercise, which commenced

on Feb.12, is to build interoperability.

This exercise includes the participation of a large number of ship, submarines

and aircraft from the Western Navel command for the Indian navy.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 35

INDIAN, US AIR FORCES TO EXPAND COOPERATION TO COMBAT

CHALLENGES IN INDO-PACIFIC

The Indian and the US air forces will significantly step up operational

cooperation to complement the strategic interests of the two countries in the

Indo-Pacific region.

Chief of US Air Force General David L Goldfein has said, he is concern over

China‟s rising military influence over the area.

Goldfein, who held extensive talks with Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and the

top brass of the defence set-up during his three-day India visit.

SPACE-X ROCKET LAUNCHES LUXEMBOURG‘S COMMUNICATIONS

SATELLITE FOR NATO

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Florida on Wednesday carrying into

orbit a Luxembourg-made communications satellite.

It is designed in part to expand NATO‟s surveillance reach and its capability to

deter cyber-attacks on alliance members.

It marked the second rocket launch this year for billionaire entrepreneur Elon

Musk and his privately-owned Space Exploration Technologies.

The so-called GovSat-1 satellite will provide, among other things, greater cyber

protection for Luxembourg‟s European Union partners and NATO allies.

INDIA & INDONESIA JOINT MILITARY DRILL ―GARUDA SHAKTI‖

BEGINS IN BANDUNG

The Indian and Indonesian armies began the sixth edition of their annual

military exercises in the West Java province of the archipelago country

The exercises will include experience sharing in counter-terrorism

operations, close quarter combat, and other areas of special operations, an

official statement said.

The first edition bilateral exercise was conducted on a reciprocal basis in 2012 in

India.

2013-Indonesia

2014-india

2016-indonesia


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 36

INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES DHANUSH MISSILE

India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Dhanush

ballistic missile.

It has a strike range of 350 km from a naval ship off Odisha coast.

This naval variant of the indigenously-developed Prithvi-II missile was test-

fired from the ship positioned near Paradip in the Bay of Bengal.

It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. „

Dhanush‟ missile is capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg and hitting both

land and sea-based targets

INDIA TO LAUNCH FRESH HUNT FOR FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, TWIN-ENGINE

PLANES ON RADAR.

The Centre is preparing to launch a fresh hunt for fighter aircraft for the Indian

Air Force while widening the scope of its search, an official familiar with the

development said.

The NDA government is in the process of laying the groundwork for a new

global tender for warplanes.

It would be built in India in collaboration with a foreign aircraft maker.

US defence contractor Lockheed Martin and Swedish firm Saab were the only

two companies exploring opportunities to build F-16s and Gripens in India.

DHANUSH MISSILE

The Missile was test-fired successfully on 5 October 2012, 23

November 2013, 9 April 2015, and 24 November

2015 from Indian Navy ship INS Subhadra (P51) in the Bay of

Bengal off the Orissa coast.

A successful user trial was conducted from a naval ship on 23

February 2018 by the Strategic Forces Command off the

Odisha coast.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 37

DRDO SUCCESSFULLY CARRIES OUT A TEST FLIGHT OF RUSTOM 2 DRONE

IN KARNATAKA.

India‟s premier defence research institute DRDO carried out “successful” test

flight of its Rustom 2 drone.

Rustom 2 is being developed along the lines of predator drones of the US to

carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.

DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at

Chalakere at Chitradurga.

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR COMMAND TO HOST MILAN 2018

The second week of March will witness Andaman & Nicobar Command

hosting a multinational mega event MILAN 2018.

MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by Indian

Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the aegis of the Andaman

and Nicobar Command.

Besides fostering co-operation through naval exercises and professional

interactions, MILAN also provides an excellent opportunity to the participating

navies to come together in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding

to nurture stronger ties

ISRO‘S NEW COMMUNICATION SATELLITES TO USHER IN THE HIGH-

SPEED INTERNET ERA

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to usher in an age of

high-speed internet connectivity in the country.

ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan said we will launch GSAT-11 in April or May.

Around the same time in May, Isro will launch Gsat-29 through our GSLV Mk

III rocket from Sriharikota.

CHINESE FIGHTER AIRCRAFT ―J – 20‖ INDUCTED FOR COMBAT SERVICE.

―J – 20‖

4th Generation Stealth Fighter

Maiden Flight – 2011

Developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation.

With this, Chine became The Second Country In World to Commissioned

Domestically Developed Stealth Aircraft After USA.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 38

JAMMU KASHMIR GOVERNMENT ASKED CENTRE TO ADOPT ―ATAL

DOCTRINE‖ TO DIFFUSE TENSIONS WITH PAKISTHAN

Atal doctrine: Approach of Ex. PM. AtalBehari Vajpayee towards Pakistan in

resolving Kashmir issue Called as Atal doctrine. Ataldoctrine on Kashmir

Called for peace, progress and prosperity in the Valley by imbibing the spirit of

Insanity (humanity), Jamahiriya (democracy), and Kashmiri at identity of

people of Kashmir. It includes process of dialogue and reconciliation.

PRITHIVI II MISSILE TEST FIRED SUCCESSFULLY

India on Wednesday (Feb 7, 2018) successfully test fired its indigenously

developed nuclear capable Prithivi – 11 missile. The test was carried out from

mobile launcher from launch complex – 3 of the Integrated test range at

Chandipur near Balasore, Odhisha.

Prithivi II Missile

1. Indigenously developed,

2. Short range surface to surface ballistic missile

3. 9-m long, load capacity 500 – 1000 Kg of warheads.

4. Strike range – 350 Kg

5. Nuclear capable

6. First missile developed buy DRDO under Integrated guided missile

development program.

7. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003

Key Facts:

Delhi – Lahore bus service – called as Sade – e- Sarhed (Call of the

frontier) inaugurated Feb 19, 1999

Lahore declaration – Signed by Vajpayee and Pak. PM. Nawaz Sharif

on Feb 21, 1999 – to resolve Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner

through dialogue and to promote people to people contact.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 39

PROGRESS MS-08: UNMANNED RUSSIAN CARGO SHIP LAUNCHED TO

SPACE STATION.

Russian space agency Roskosmos has successfully launched progress MS-08,

unmanned Cargo Spacecraft for International Space Station (ISS)

It was launched on board of Soyuz 2.1a Rocket from Russian – learned

Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan.

Soyuz 2.1a has four strap-on boosters and core engine, all fuelled by mix of

Kerosene and liquid oxygen.

It was also carrying equipment for the German – Russian ICARUS

Research Project aimed at Studying Wildlife – Migration Pattern.

The ISS, which is orbiting 400 kilometres above earth is currently manned

by six astronauts including three from US, two from Russia and one from

Japan.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 40

APPOINTMENTS

NITI AAYOG OFFICIAL APPOINTS DINESH ARORA AS PM‘S HEALTH CARE

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR.

Dinesh Arora, director (health) at a Federal policy

think Tank NITI Aayog, was appointed as

director of the Prime Minister‟s Flagship health

care programme.

The 41 year – old Arora, who is been working on

the programme for more than a month before

it was announced in the budget.

He is a qualified doctor and has worked in public health in the past,

heading the National Rural Health Mission in Kerala from May 2006 to

September 2009.

ROBERTO FABBRICINITAKES APPOINTMENT AS EMERGENCY LEADER OF

ITALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION.

Roberto Fabbricini was appointed has an emergency leader of the Italian

football federation (FIGC) after a 10-hour election this week failed to find a

replacement for Carlo Tavecchio.

The Italian Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees all sports in Italy,

named its secretary general as the emergency leader

NITI Aayog

Formed - 1 January 2015

Preceding - Planning Commission

Chairman - NarendraModi

Vice Chairman - Rajiv Kumar


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 41

IRDAI APPOINTS VASANTHA KRISHNA AS INSURANCE OMBUDSMAN FOR

CHENNAI.

The insurance regulator has appointed National Insurance Company

director Vasantha Krishna as the insurance ombudsman for Chennai.

With recent appointments, the Insurance Regulatory and Development

Authority of India (IRDAI) has filled 10 of 16 vacant posts in India.

Both Sanath Kumar and Vasantha Krishnan will retire shortly and take up the

new posts

VIDITGUJRATHI APPOINTED AS A BRAND AMBASSADOR OF ALL INDIA

CHESS FEDERATION FOR CHESS.

Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi has been appointed as the brand ambassador of

All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB).

The announcement was made by Dr CharudattaJadhav, President of AICFB, a

media release said.

23-year-old Gujrathi had broken the 2700 rating barrier and has a current rating

of 2718, thereby becoming the fourth Indian to achieve the feat after legend

ViswanathanAnand, Sasikiran and P Harikrishna.

He recently won the Tata Steel Chess Challengers 2018 in WijkAan Zee and has

made the cut for the Tata Steel Chess Masters next year

ASHOK DAS APPOINTED INDIAN ENVOY TO BRAZIL

Ashok Das, a 1987 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was named

India‟s new Ambassador to Brazil.

Das, presently additional secretary in the external affairs ministry, is expected

to take up his assignment shortly.

Das earlier served as India‟s Ambassador to Iceland. He has also served in the

Indian diplomatic missions in Portugal, Cambodia, US, Canada and

Bangladesh.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 42

SACHIN TENDULKAR MADE T20 MUMBAI LEAGUE‘S BRAND

AMBASSADOR

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has been made the brand ambassador of the

upcoming T20 Mumbai League.

The league, scheduled from March 11 to 28 is to be organised by Sports India

Pvt Ltd.

A consortium of IIFL Group as Lead Member and Wizcraft, with the approval

and sanction of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and under its aegis.

ARVIND JAM KHEDKHAR WAS APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF INDIAN

COUNCIL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH (ICHR)

SUBBARAYUDU APPOINTED THE AMBASSADOR OF BOLIVIA

M.Subbarayudu has been appointed the next Ambassador of India to

Plurinational State of Bolivia.

He is currently the Ambassador of India to Lima.

He has been concurrently appointed the next Ambassador of India to Bolivia.

He will soon take up this new assignment.

ICHR

1. Indian Council of Historical Research

2. Established under Societies registration act 1860 in 1972.

3. Autonomous body under Ministry of Human resources

development.

4. Premier organisation in India for history related research, and

provides platform for development of historical studies in India.

Arvind Jam Khedkhar – archaeologist and historian

1. Present chancellor of Deccan College Pune.

2. Served as Vice – president of Asrotic Society of Mumbai from

2007 to 2013.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 43

GOVT ROPES IN NANDANNILEKANI FOR DEVELOPING IT

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HEALTHCARE SCHEME

Tech billionaire NandanNilekani will assist the

government in developing IT infrastructure for

the mega National Health Protection scheme

(NHPS), which seeks to cover 10-crore families.

The IT infrastructure for the healthcare scheme

will be of a huge scale as was required for

Aadhar and will have to be scaled up gradually in view of the massive range of

the programme.

Former UIDAI chairman Nilekani - the brain behind the Aadhaar - is also a

member of the GST return simplification committee.

ABDUL HAMEED IS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF BANGLADESH ON FEB – 07

Current President of Bangladesh since 2013

Only leader to be selected for President post for the second term in Bangladesh

so far.

Candidate of Bangladesh ruling party Awami league

16th President of Bangladesh

―ANTONY DOMINIC‖IS APPOINTED AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF KERALA HIGH

COURT.

Background

Antony Dominic was already the acting chief justice of Kerala HC

Oath was administered by Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam

1stKeralite to be appointed as chief Justice of Kerala HC in the past 17

years.

AbhilasheKumari was appointed as chief Justice of Manipur High

Court on Feb, 09.

Background

She was earlier, the chief Justice of the Gujarhat High Court

Qath was administered by Governor NejmeHeptulla

She is the daughter of the former Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra

Singh

1stKlomen chief justice of Manipur HC


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 44

CHANDRASEKAR KAMBAR WAS ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF SAHITYA

ACADEMY

He write 25 plays, 5 novels, 11 anthologies of poem, etc.,

1st vice chancellor of HemmpiKanadaUniV

Served as chairman of National school of drama society

ChandrasekarKambar

Kannada literature

Jnanpith award – 2011

Padma Shree awards

3rd Kannada writer to hide SahityaAcademi

SahityaAcademi

Founded 1954

India‟s nation an academy of letters

Premier literary institution, it preserves and promote literature contained in 24

Indian languages.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 45

HONOURS & AWARDS

WASHINGTON SUNDAR RECEIVES YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD

Washington Sundar who made his ODI and T20 debut for India against Sri

Lanka in December last year bagged the Young Achiever Award.

The award was given by the Rotary Club of Madras Chenna Patna during their

25th anniversary.

Washington became emotional while delivering his acceptance speech

RITU SARIN WINS INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE‘S AWARD FOR

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM.

The International Press Institute‟s Indian

National Committee has named Ritu

Sarin, Executive Editor- Investigations, The

Indian Express as the recipient of the IPI

India Award for Excellence in Journalism.

She has been awarded for her sustained

work in the investigation of crimes,

political assassinations, terrorism cases frauds and economic offences

throughout her career.

This is the fourth IPI India award for The Indian Express or its journalists.

.

MAHARASHTRA HONOURS RATAN TATA WITH THE TOP INDUSTRIAL

AWARD

Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata was felicitated by Maharashtra

government with a special award for his contribution to the development of the

state.

Tata was presented with the MahaudyogSanman award.

Other categories from where entrepreneurs were felicitated included

information technology, women, exporters and small businesses.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 46

INDIA AADHAAR AND UMANG APP WIN AWARDS AT WORLD

GOVERNMENT SUMMIT 2018

India‟s Aadhar & Umang app have won awards at recently concluded 6th

world government summit 2018 in Dubai .

Umang app won in best M-Government service award for accessible

government category.

Aadhaar won in the best government emerging technologies award .

The awards were presented by deputy prime minister & minister of interior of

UAE Sheikh Saif bin Zayed AL Nahayan.

AADHHAR

Ministry – Ministry Of Electronics And Information

Technology

Launched – 28 January 2009

UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority Of India

Adhaar is the world‟s largest biometric enable identification programme,

which provides access to service ,bank account, social service benefits,

income tax, passport service by proving 1.2 billion citizens unique

identification card with fingerprint , eye print &other vital data.

Umang APP – Umang stands for Unified Mobile Application for

New – Age Governance

Initial release - November 2017

Available in - 13 language of India

Type - online service provider,

Digital locker, Bharat bill payment system


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 47

SANJIV BAJAJ IS EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2017

Sanjiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Finserv is the new EY Entrepreneur of the year 2017

Bajaj finserv emerged as the country‟s leading name in financial service with

solution across lending, life and general insurance and wealth advisory.

EY also named nine other category winners for the entrepreneur of the year

programme.

INDIAN ENGINEER AWARDED SCI-TECH OSCAR AWARD

Vikas Sathaye, a Pune-born person has been honoured with the scientific and

Engineering Academy Award at the Oscars scientific and Technical Awards

2018.

Sathaye and his team received the award for his contribution towards

conceptualisation, designing, engineering, and the implementation of the

'Shotover K1 Camera System'.

The Shotover K1 Camera System is a camera mount that is used in aerial

filming.

India was „guest of honour‟ country 2018 summit in which more than 140

country participated.

]

MILKBASKET RECOGNIZED AS 'STARTUP OF THE YEAR- 2017‘

India's first and largest micro-delivery platform ‗Milkbasket‘ has been

recognized as 'Startup of the Year -2017‘ at the 7th Small Business

Awards in New Delhi.

The startup of the year award is dedicated to young SMEs (aged 7 years or

less) with great potential to become big in local/international markets.

Milkbasket has innovated flexi ordering and contactless delivery, both a

first in the e-commerce industry and favorites of Milkbasket customers.

WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

Formation - 2013

Type - non-government organization

Purpose - Social & Economic

Headquarter - Dubai, UAE


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 48

NHRC RETAINS ITS ‗A‘ STATUS OF ACCREDITATION WITH GANHRI

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has retained its „A‟ status of

accreditation of Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

(GANHRI) for fourth consecutive term.

NHRC was awarded „A‟ status for first time in 1999 which it retained in 2006

and 2011 review.

The Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of GANHRIs had recommended

that NHRC be reaccredited with “A” status.

PM MODI CONFERED WITH ―GRAND COLLAR‖ – THE HIGHEST

PALESTINIAN HONOUR FOR FOREIGN DIGNITARIES

Reason : For Recognition of Modi‟s contribution to promoting relations

between India and Palestine.

Conferred by Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 49

SPORTS

VIRAT KOHLI SCORES 33RD ODI CENTURY, 20TH IN THE CHASE

FOR INDIA.

The Indian skipper scored his 33rd ODI century

against South Africa in the first ODI in Durban.

This was his second consecutive century in One-

Day Internationals and third in last four innings.

His century came off 105 balls with a four through

the covers at the Kingsmead Stadium.

This is Kohli‟s 20th hundred in run-chases for India

and the team has won 17 matches while two have come on losses.

This is the 18th time India will win a game when Kohli has scored a century

batting second.

ASIAN PARA-CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS: INDIA WIN ONE SILVER, TWO

BRONZE.

The Indian team underlined its supremacy at the Asian Para-Cycling

Championships by posting three podium finishes, at the WunnaTheikdi Sports

Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

Divij Shah, Harinder Singh and Madhu Bagri won medals for India at the Asian

Para-Cycling Championships.

New entrant Madhu Bagri, meanwhile, won bronze in hand-cycling, a category

where India made a maiden participation and Bagri became the first Para-

Cyclist to win an international medal in Hand Cycling

VISWANATHAN ANAND TO MAKE PRO CHESS LEAGUE DEBUT

Grandmaster ViswanathanAnand will be making his debut in the second

edition of the Pro Chess League.

The league comprises eight teams each bunched into four Divisions Eastern,

Central, Atlantic and Pacific.

Each team fields four players in a match and each member has to play against

all the four members of the opposing team


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 50

HARYANA CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF KHELO INDIA SCHOOL GAMES

WITH 38 GOLD MEDALS

Haryana topped the overall medal tally after claiming 38 gold medals in the

inaugural edition of the Khelo India School Games that concluded in New

Delhi.

Overall, Haryana won 102 medals, with 26 silver and 38 bronze. Maharashtra

(110) finished second overall while Delhi (94) came third.

On the final day, Haryana pugilists ruled the boxing ring, winning 10 of the 26

gold medals at stake.

Maharashtra finished second overall with a tally of 110 medals, 36 of them

gold

INDIA FLAG RAISED AT PYEONGCHANG 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS VILLAGE

A day before the beginning of the Winter Olympics, the Indian flag was raised

at the Games Village at a formal team welcome ceremony.

Luger Shiva Keshavan, Indian contingent‟s chef-de-mission Harjinder Singh

and the mayor of the Games Village were present during the brief ceremony.

Cross-country skier Jagdish Singh is, however, yet to arrive at this resort town

of South Korea and is expected to join the team .

VIRAT KOHLI BECOMES 5TH HIGHEST RUN-GETTER IN ODIS FROM

INDIA

ViratKohli is on a record-breaking spree with the run-machine becoming the

fifth highest run-getter from India in one-day internationals.

He went past former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin [9378] in the list of

the top run scorers in ODIs.

The 29-year-old also went past explosive West Indian batsman Chris Gayle who

currently has 9420 runs in 275 matches.

Overall, he‟s now the 16th highest run-getter in the format in a list that is led by

legendary Sachin Tendulkar who scored 18426 runs across 463 ODIs.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 51

SOUMYA B SETS NEW RECORD IN THE 20KM RACE WALK

Delhi-based Soumya B upset the fancied

KhushbirKaur to win the women‟s 20km at the

National Race Walking Championship.

She also improved Khushbir‟s four-year-old

national record of 1:31:40 seconds by clocking

1:31.28.72 secs.

The timing was well within the Commonwealth

Games (CWG) qualification mark of one hour 35

minutes. KaramjitKaur of Haryana finished third.

CHRISTIAN COLEMAN BREAKS 60M INDOOR WORLD RECORD

Raising US star Christian Coleman set a new

world indoor record for the 60m.

The 21-year-old exploded out of the blocks

with a 0.149 reaction time to cross ahead

of Ronnie Baker, who was second in 6.40.

Coleman‟s time shaved 0.05sec off the existing

world indoor record set by Maurice Greene in

Madrid in 1998.

INDIA‘S SAKINA KHATUN WINS SILVER IN PARA POWERLIFTING WORLD

CUP.

India‟s Sakina Khatun made the country

proud by winning a silver in the Para

Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai.

She had threatened to commit suicide over

her non-inclusion in the 2018 Commonwealth

Games squad.

The 28-year-old, who is the only Indian para-athlete to clinch a medal at the

Commonwealth Games.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 52

2019 – 23 FTP TO BE CONFIRMED IN KOLKATA

The Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2019 – 2023 may have already been

agreed upon by the ICC full members, but the document that binds the Test –

playing Nation to adhere to the programme will be submitted to the ICC at its

quarterly meeting in Kolkata on April 25 & 26.

WINTER OLYMPICS 2018 RESULTS

Host City : Pyeong Chang country, South Korea

Moto : Passion, Connected

Next Host Country : Beijing 2022 – China

SPEEDIEST SKATING – 1500 m

Country Name Medals

Netherland KieldNuis Gold

Dutch Patrick Roest Silver

South Korean Kim Min Seok Bronze

SHORT TRACK RACE – 500m

Country Name Medals

Italy Arianna Fontana Gold

Netherland Yara van kerkhof Silver

Canada Kim Boutin Bronze


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 53

SPORTS MINISTRY TO INTRODUCE RANKING SYSTEM FOR NATIONAL

SPORT FEDERATIONS.

The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs is planning to introduced ranking

system for National Sports Federations (NSFs).

It is aimed at inculcating healthy competition between sport bodies.

This will be for first time the sport ministry will have system by which sports

federations will be ranked or rated according set parameters.

ODHISHA STATE FOR THE 1ST TIME TO SPONSOR INDIAN NATIONAL

HOCKEY TEAM (BOTH MEN / WOMEN)

As a first of its kind in India, Odhisha

State Government decided to Sponsor

Indian National Hockey Team (both

men/women) for the next 5 years.

The new Jersey and logo was unveiled

in New Delhi in a meeting presided by

Odhisha CM NeveenPatnaik along

with other dignitaries.

New Jersey will bear the symbols of Odhisha state like Konark wheel, Odissi

dance, etc.

TAMILNADU WINS SENIOR WOMEN‘S NATIONAL FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP

Tamilnadu has won the senior women‟s national football championship for first

time at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack.

Tamilnadu defeated Manipur 2-1

Skipper Indumathi has adjudged the player of the final as well as the

tournament for her superlative performance.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 54

FIFA RANKINGS

INDIAN MEN FOOTBALL TEAM REMAINED IN ITS 102 POSITION IN

FIFA RANKINGS RELEASED ON FEB-16.

1st Germany

2ndBrazil

3rdPortugal

Fifa Rankings

Rank the football teams based on their “game result”

Started from 1992

Usually released once in every month

Indian Men Football Team

Captain : Sunil chelrii

Coach : Stephen Constantine

FIFA highest ranking : 94

Lowest:173

MANAVADITYA RATHORE WINS SILVER SHOTGUN MEET

The promising Manavaditya Singh Rathore

has won a silver medal in the Qatar Open

Shotgun meet in Lusail, Qatar.

Participating in the junior men's trap event,

Manavaditya shot 118 to finish second on

the podium behind Italy's Angelo scalzone,

who shot 119.

Germany's Jeremy schulz won the bronze medal with a score of 115.

NADEZHDA SERGEYEVA KICKED OUT OF WINTER OLYMPICS FOR

DOPING

According to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, NadezhdaSergeyeva of

Russia has been banned from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics after

failing a doping test.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 55

The court said that she tested positive for the heart medication

trimetazidine and admitted the offence, the fourth doping case to hit the

Pyeongchang Olympics and second from Russia.

Sergeyeva, who finished 12th in the two-woman bobsleigh, "is excluded

from the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018".

Bobsleigh or bobsled is a winter sport in which teams of two or four

teammates make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks

in a gravity-powered sleigh.

MANCHESTER CITY THRASH ARSENAL TO WIN LEAGUE CUP.

Pep Guardiola claimed his maiden English silverware as his side thrashed

Arsenal 3-0 in the League Cup final.

Arsenal‟s fans left in droves in the final 20 minutes while City‟s fans decorated

the stadium with sky blue.

City won the trophy for the first time since 1993.

PYEONGCHANG WINTER OLYMPICS CONCLUDES

The 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics concluded with a spectacular closing

ceremony here on February 25.

The grand event ran through 17 days and saw 2,920 athletes competing from 92

nations.

Points to Remember

Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics, while Beijing will welcome the

countries for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Norway won a record 39 medals overall to finish on top while Germany finish

second with 31 medals

PARUPALLIKASHYAP WINS AUSTRIAN OPEN

Commonwealth Games champion

ParupalliKashyap won the Austrian

Open International Challenge

Badminton title.

He defeated Malaysia's June Wei

Cheam in the final.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 56

This is the first international title of the ParupalliKashyap in over three

years.

ParupalliKashyap is a badminton player of India, he belongs

from Hyderabad.

MARY KOM&SEEMAPOONIA WON SILVER MEDAL AT STRANDJA

MEMORIAL BOXING TOURNAMENT

Boxing champion MC Mary Kom and SeemaPoonia won the Silver medal

in the final 69th Strandja Memorial Boxing tournament at Sofia in

Bulgaria.

Mary Kom lost to Bulgarian SevdaAsenova in the 48-kilogram title bout.

SeemaPoonia lost to Russian Anna Ivanova in the 81 kg final.

Earlier, LaisharamSarita Devi (60 kg), Meenakumari Devi Maisnam

(54 kg), BhagyabatiKachari (81 kg) and Saweety Bora (75 kg) bagged

bronze after losing their semi-final bouts.

ARUNABUDDA REDDY BECOMES THE FIRST INDIAN TO WIN A MEDAL

GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP

ArunaBudda Reddy created history as

she became the first Indian gymnast

to win a medal in the Gymnastics

World Cup.

She bagged a bronze medal at the

World Cup Gymnastics Series event

in Melbourne.

She is a 22-year-old and hails from Hyderabad, Telangana.

She is the third Indian gymnast after Ashish Kumar and DipaKarmakar,

who won bronze in the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games respectively


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 57

JHULAN GOSWAMI BECOMES THE FIRST WOMAN TO PICK 200

ODI WICKETS

India bowler Jhulan Goswami on Wednesday became

the first woman to pick 200 ODI wickets.

The right-handed bowler achieved the feat while

playing her 166th match when she SCalped the wicket

of South Africa opener Laura Wolvaardt.

Goswami‟s best bowling figures came are of 6/32

which came in 2011 against New Zealand

KIDAMBI SRIKANTH CLAIMS THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF SPORTSPERSON

OF THE YEAR.

Kidambi Srikanth was honoured as Sportsperson of the Year at the third

Mahindra Scorpio Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) powered by All-Out.

Srikanth has thus become the third Indian after JituRai and PV Sindhu to win

the coveted award.

He became the first Indian shuttler to win four Super Series titles and moved to

a career-high No 2 in the BWF men‟s singles rankings.

KHELO INDIA SCHOOL GAMES ENDS ON 8TH FEBRUARY WITH HARYANA

EMERGED AS THE OVERALL WINNER.

The inaugural edition of khelo India School games (U-17) was held from Jan 31

to 8th Feb 2018. India “Hello India Program” 2018 edition held under – 16

disciplines with 5000 participants.

Medal Telly

G S B T

1st - Haryana - 38 26 38 102

2nd - Maharashtra - 36 32 43 111

9th - TamilNadu - 6 11 11 28


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 58

Khelo India Programme

Initiative of Ministry of Youth affairs and sports

Announced in Dec 2017 for cost of 1756 Crore for period 2017 – 18 to 2019 –

2020

To revive the Sports Culture in India at the grass – root level by building strong

frame work for all sports played in our country

To establish India as a great sporting nation

Every year 1000 young athletes will be selected and provided 5 Lakh each for 8

years.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 59

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

MOBILE APP E-SAATHI LAUNCHED AT UP INVESTORS SUMMIT

On the second and last day of the UP Investors

Summit, a mobile application e-Saathi was

launched.

Through the app, people will be able to avail

public services sitting at home.

Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said the

state government was working to double the

capacity of seats in skill development from 500 to 1,000, adding that MoUs worth Rs

1.2 lakh crore had been signed in the sector at the summit so far.

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI INAUGURATED THE GLOBAL

INVESTORS‘ SUMMIT IN GUWAHATI

PM Modi inaugurated the two-day

„Global Investors‘ Summit‟ in

Guwahati.

Union Budget had allocated

Rs. 1,014.09 crore for air connectivity

and aviation infrastructure in the

region.

The PM announced from Imphal to Guwahati, Kolkata to Patna, eastern India

should emerge as the new energy centre of the country.

The PM said that the tag-line of the investors‘ summit — ‗Advantage Assam:

India‘s Expressway to ASEAN‘ – was not just a statement but a holistic vision

that coincides with India celebrating 25 years of partnership with ASEAN.

NarendraModi pointed out that Assam ranked first among North-eastern states

in the World Bank‘s latest ‗Ease of Doing Business‘ report and that with

further improvement, the state would soon emerge as one of the most sought

after states for industrial investment.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 60

LOK SABHA SPEAKER SUMITRA MAHAJAN INAUGURATES CPA

CONFERENCE

Lok Sabha Speaker SumitraMahajan inaugurated the Commonwealth

Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference in Patna, Bihar.

The two-day conference will mainly deliberate on parliament‟s role in the

development agenda and legislature and judiciary two important pillars of

democracy.

20TH CONFERENCE OF COMMONWEALTH EDUCATION MINISTERS HELD IN

FIJI

The 20th Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers (20CCEM)

held in Nadi, Fiji during 19-23 February 2018

The theme of the Conference was ―Sustainability and Resilience: Can

Education Deliver?‖

PM ADDRESSES AT THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON IT

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 19, addressed World Congress

on Information Technology in Hyderabad via Video Conference.

This event is being held in India for the first time.

It has been organized in partnership with NASSCOM, WITSA and the

Government of Telangana.

NOTE :

Speaker- Sumitramahajan (16th)

First session : 13 May 1952

Now session : May 2014

Formation : 15May1952

First women speaker : Meriakumar (15th)


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 61

MAGNETIC MAHARASHTRA INVESTORS SUMMIT INAUGURATED

Prime Minister NarendraModi has inaugurated the Global Investors‟ Summit at

“Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 at the MMRDA grounds at

Mumbai‟s BandraKurla Complex.

This summit is Maharashtra‟s first Global Investors Summit and is said to be on

the lines of Make In India initiative by PM Modi.

PM will next inaugurate the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence at the

University of Mumbai.

HYDERABAD HOSTED 15TH EDITION OF BIOASIA 2018

The 15th edition of Bio Asia, the annual flagship programme of Government of

Telangana was held from 22-24th February 2018 at Hyderabad International

Convention Center (HICC) in Hyderabad.

Theme of BioAsia 2018 was “RIGHT TIME, RIGHT NOW”.

For this year‟s event, Ireland, Netherlands and South Africa were international

partners whereas the States of Gujarat, Assam and Rajasthan were the state

partners.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 62

OLA ‗AUTO UNNATI‘ LAUNCHED TO ENSURE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM FOR

AUTO DRIVER.

Ola successfully launched „Auto Unnati‟ program to assist its auto

driver partners through the firm‟s „ChaloBefikar.

The aim is to create an inclusive environment in which driver partners can

operate and thrive.

Auto Unnati‟ is a milestone program in the same direction that will offer better

financial and emotional stability for thousands of auto drivers in Bengaluru

SECURITY CONFERENCE BEGINS IN MUNICH

The annual Munich Security Conference opened at Hotel Bayerischer

Hof in Munich, Germany.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the reconciliatory

mood being created between North and South Korea through exchanges at

the Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic Games.

World leaders and Ministers will discuss pressing security issues,

including North Korea's nuclear missile programs and the Syrian civil

war.

Each year it brings together about 350 senior figures from more than 70

countries around the world to engage in an intensive debate on current

and future security challenges.

INDIA – RUSSIA AGRICULTURE BUSINESS SUMMIT HELD IN NEW DELHI

India–Russia Agriculture Business Summit

2018 was held in New Delhi

The two countries discussed trade relations

in the agriculture sector.

The summit was organised by Ministry of

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Note:

The Munich Security Conference is an annual conference on

the international security policy that has taken place since 1963.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 63

J P NADDA ADDRESSES GLOBAL DIGITAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT

“Information and Communication Technology (ICT)” has great potential

towards improvement of delivery of healthcare services. This was stated by

Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare during his

address at Global Digital Health Partnership Summit, at Canberra, Australia.

India is committed to reforms in health service delivery using ICT under Digital

India Program of Government of India.”

The Union Health Minister spoke on the topic: Making Digital Health Services a

Priority in Healthcare Reform.

21ST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON E-GOVERNANCE TO BEGIN IN

HYDERABAD

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG),

Government of India, along with the Ministry of Electronics & Information

Technology, Government of India in association with Government of Telangana

is organizing the 21st National Conference on e-Governance on February 26- 27,

2018 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Union Minister of State for science & Technology and Earth sciences, Shri

Y.S. Chowdary will preside over the inaugural session of the conference.

The theme of the Conference this year is, „Technology for accelerating

Development‟.

The Inaugural Session will be followed by 3 Plenary Sessions on Day1 based on

themes: Building User Experience, Universalization and Replication and

Governing e-Governance while on Day 2 the two Plenary Sessions will be based

on e-Governance Good/ Best Practices, Emerging Technologies.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS HELD IN

NEW DELHI

A two- day International Conference on Sustainable Biofuels held in New

Delhi.

The conference was organized by Department of Biotechnology on behalf

of Mission Innovation and Biofuture Platform.

Union Minister for science and technology Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated

the Conference.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 64

The main of the conference is to provide a common platform to

Government policy makers, industry, investors and research community

to exchange experiences and challenges related to development and

scaling of advanced bio fuels

SECOND INDIA-KOREA BUSINESS SUMMIT HELD

Second India-Korea Business Summit organized by the Department of

Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in

partnership with ChosunILbo, KOTRA, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

and Invest India, was held in New Delhi.

Aim of the summit is to strengthen the economic relationship, boost trade

relations and increase investments between India and Republic of Korea.

The roundtable included delegates from both Governments and 25 CEOs from

leading Korean companies with an estimated revenue of USD 575 billion.

Name : Indian Heritage Walk Festival

Organiser : UNESCO Chair in Culture, habitat and sustainable

Development India and SristhiInstitute of Art

and Design and Culture.

Place : Bengaluru from Feb. 16 to 19

Agenda : Rich Cultural Heritage of Karnataka and India.

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS ANTI-NARCOTICS SCHEME FOR 3 MORE YEARS

SCHEMES

The union government has extended the anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years

to combat illicit trafficking in drug and psychotropic substance.

It will be provided to all the anti-narcotise agencies for strengthening their

enforcement capabilities combat illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs &

psychotropic substances.

The assistance for narcotics control has been extended, with an estimated

budget of 21crore rupee.

The most common drugs of aduse are ganja, hashish, opium, and heroin.

ANTI-NARCOTIES SCHEME

Lauched-24th October 2004


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 65

PM NARENDRA MODI TO INAUGURATE CONFERNCE AT WORLD

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT

Prime minster Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the world sustainable

development summit 2018 in New Delhi Vigyam Bhawan.

Organised by the energy and resources institute (TERI).

The three day summit will see participation from over 41 countries.

Union ministry for environment, forest and climate change, Dr.Harsh Vardhan

will also attend the event.

CHINA TO HOST 2018 SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION

SUMMIT AT QINGDAO IN JUNE

China will host 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at

Qingdao eastern Shandong province in June 2018.

Chine had taken over rotating chair of SCO after 17th SCO summit concluded

in Astana capital of Kazakhastan in June 2017.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

SCO is a Eurasian Economic, Political & Security Organisation

Headquarter – Beijing, China

Founded - 2001

Members Observer states

1. China 1. Afghanistan

2. Russia 2. Iran

3. Kazakhastan 3. Mongolia

4. Uzbekistan 4. Belarus

5. Tajikistan

6. Kyrgyzstan

7. India

8. Pakistan

WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

PM Modi attended the 6th World Government

Summit at Dubai. On Feb – 11. Modi gave

speech on Theme “Technology for

development”.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 66

PM MODI TO INAUGURATE FIRST EVER TB INDIA SUMMIT

The government of India is all set to

organise a mega India TB summit from

March 13-16.

All chief ministers will be invited and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will

inaugurate the first of its kind event.

The event is aimed at generating sufficient momentum for his vision of a TB

free India by 2025.

During the summit, PM Modi is also expected to formally launch the National

Strategic Plan for TB Elimination 2017-25.

World Government Summit

Aannual event held in Dubai from 2013

It brings together leaders in government for a global

dialogue about government proless and policies with the

focus on issues of futurism, technology and innovation.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 67

SCHEMES

WEST BENGAL BECOME FIRST STATE TO OPT OUT OF ―MODICARE‖

Claiming that the Bengal government

had already enrolled 50 lakh

people under its own SwansthyaSathi

Programme, Chief Minister Mamata

Banerjee has announced the decision

to opt out of centre‟s ―Modicare‖

Scheme.

RBI LAUNCHES OMBUDSMAN SCHEME FOR NBFCS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched Ombudsman scheme for non-

banking financial companies (NBFCs) for redressal of complaints against

NBFCs registered with RBI under section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934.

The scheme will provide cost-free and expeditious complaint redressal

mechanism relating to deficiency in services by non-banking financial

companies covered under the Scheme....

PARIVARTAN SCHEME LAUNCHED IN HARYANA

The Haryana Chief Minister ManoharLalKhattar has launched

„Parivartan‟ scheme in 46 developmental blocks of the state.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 68

The scheme has been designed to address 10 issues include facilitation of

financing, making agriculture profitable and sustainable, improving

health services, implementing Swachh Bharat, decongesting market areas,

engaging the youth, checking air pollution, ensuring availability of

identity-related services, effective policing, and ensuring road order and

conduct.

Each of 46 top most IAS, IPS and IFS officers have been allocated one

block in which they will undertake works in 10 selected common

fieldsand one field of their choice.

GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH GOBAR-DHANYOJANA

The Union Government is going to roll out

Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan

(GOBAR-DHAN) scheme.

It was first announced by Finance Minister

ArunJaitley during his 2018-19 budget speech.

The scheme focuses on managing and converting

cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful

compost, biogas and bio-CNG.

It will also help in keeping the village clean while increasing income of farmers

and cattle herders.

INCREASED TARGET FOR PM UJJWALAYOJANA

Union Govt. has approved to enhance the target base of PMUV from 5 Crore to

8 Crore to be achieved by 2020 with an additional allocation of 4800 crore.

PMUV

1. Launched May 2016 by PM. Modi

2. Tagline: SwaachIndhaanBehtarJeevan

3. To provide free of cost LPG Cooking gas connection to BPL women

Households.

4. Cash assistance is given to beneficiaries to get deposit free – new

connection

5. 1st Social welfare scheme implemented by Ministry of Petroleum and

Natural gas.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 69

STATE AFFAIRS

TAMILNADU FOREST AND TREE COVER RAISED MARGINALLY BETWEEN

2015 AND 2017 – ISFR

Tamilnadu is green cover has increased only around 100 km2 between 2015 and

2017, the lowest among Southern States.

Details

Total Forest Cover - 26281 km2

Total Tree Cover - 4671 km2

Total Green (Forest + Tree) cover - 30952 km2

Forest Cover Percentage – 20-21% of TN total geographical area.

Total green cover percentage – 23.80% of the TN total geographical

TN share to India area green cover – 3.86%.

TAMILNADU‘S SHARE OF CAUVERY WATER REDUCED

Supreme Court on Feb-16 Quarded Karnataka 14.75 TMC of water from

Tamilnadu share by citing that Karnataka has historically suffered limited

access to and use of the water.

Key Take Aways

Google centres in India – 4 Places – Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru

FEB-16 Judgement Allocation

Tamilnadu - 404.25

Karnataka - 284.75

Kerala - 30

Puduchery - 7

Environmental Protection - 10

Inevitable ESCapages into see - 4

_________

Total 740 TMC

_________


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 70

Negative Aspects

Tamilnadu reduced in quantity of water by 14-75TMC.

Positive Aspects

Centre to frame scheme within 6 weeks to implement SC judgment including

setting up of Cauvery management board. To supervise reservoir operations

and regulated releases.

Supreme Court‟s unambiguous message with regards to the schedule monthly

release of water.

Final determination of “irrigated area“ arrived at by the tribunal in 2007 for

Tamilnadu cannot be declared incorrect.

Timeline Of Issue

1892 and 1924 agreement allocation

Kerala-5 TMC

Karnataka-177 TMC

TN&puducherry-556TMC

1924-1974 agreement expires

1990 MAY-SC direct centre to constitute Cauvery water dispute tribunal

(CWDT)

1990 JUNE 2 –centre notified (CWDT)

1991-CWDT interim award

1998 Aug-Cauvery river authority formed to implement interim award

2007 Feb- CWDI final award

Karnataka-270

Tamilnadu-419

Kerala-30

Pudhuchery -7

2007 April- all state moved SC against CWDT final order.

2013-CWDT final award published in government gazette.

2017- final hearing on SC started

2018 Feb. 16- SC final judgement

Other Points

Allocation of water under SC judgement to be valid for next 15 years.

SC stressed that waters of an inter-state river passing through the corridors of

the riparian states constitute national asset and cannot be said to be located in

anyone state.

JUDGES OF THE BENCH

1. CJI Dipak Mishra

2. Justices amiteveroy

3. justices A.M Khenwilkar


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 71

GOVERNMENT TO SET UP NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE FOR PORTS,

WATERWAYS AND COASTS AT IIT CHENNAI

The Ministry of Shipping has laid foundation stone for setting up of a National

Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Chennai

to give technological support to ports and maritime sector.

It will be set up under Shipping Ministry‟s flagship Sagarmala programme.

MOBILE BOOK EXHIBITION WAS INAUGRATED BY TAMILNADU SCHOOL

EDCUATION MINISTER SENGOTTAIYAN

Mobile Book Exhibition initiative was inaugurated by Tamilnaduschool

Education Minister Sengottaiyan at a Government school in Kodambakkam.

The initiative was planned to reach nearly 40 lakh students in nearly 13000

Government schools across Tamilnadu.

TN GOVT REQUEST TO GOOGLE

TN Govt. requested Google to set up a Google centre in the State and also

requested for establishing “Project loon” – (a high altitude balloon facility that

provides internet connection) in Chennai.

GOOGLE AND TATA TRUSTS LAUNCHED THE ―INTERNET SAATHI‖

PROGRAMME IN THE TN COVERING 4000 VILLAGES ON 7TH FEB.

As part of this scheme, Women will be trained to use internet. Initially the

programme will cover 6 villages : 1. Pooriyampakkam, 2. Sankarapuram

3.Chinnasalem, 4. T. Kallupatti, 5. Iyyanapuram and 6. Kannarapettai

“Internet Saathi” – launched on July 2015 under Google‟s” Helping Women get

online” campaign as pilot project in Rajasthan

To Create awareness about the benefits of internet among women in rural India


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 72

STAR 2.0 (SIMPLIFIED AND TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATION OF

REGISTRATION) PORTAL LAUNCHED

As a e-governance initiative CM. Edapadi launched an integrated system for

registration for registration Department named STAR 2.0 on Feb – 12

He also launched upgraded website www.tnreginet.gov.in

Uses

To reduce number of visits to offices of registration dept.

Submission of documents for verification can be made online.

Reducing the working hurdles for both buyers and sellers.

Toll free number 1800 102 5174 was also launched for Queries.

Portrait of former CM Jayalalitha opened in TN State legislative assembly on

Feb – 12

Portrait drawn by painters Mathialegen

Portrait may have lifespan of Coo years

BOOKS Name : Laid to Rest Author : Ashish Roy About : Mysteries on death of

NetajiSubash Chandra Bose. Realised : New Delhi


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 73

ECONOMY

INDIA TO REVIEW ITS ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON CHINESE STEEL WHEEL

IMPORTS

On the backdrop of widening trade deficit with China ($51.1 billion in FY17),

The Director General of Anti-dumping and allied duties intimated the review of

India‟s anti dumping duty on Chinese Steel Wheel Imports. In 2013, India

imposed duty upto $613 per tonne on the imports for 5 years.

Dumping : As per WTO, if a company exports a product at a price lower than

the price it normally charges on its own home market, it is said to be dumping

the product.

DGAD : Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied duties.

1. Formed in 1998

2. Under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

3. Role is to ensure level playing field to the domestic industry against the

unfair trade practises like dumping, and actionable subsidies from any

exporting country.

CENTRE IS PLANNING TO TARGET INDUSTRIES FOR POWER SAVING

Centre, via its company energy efficiency service limited planning to save 6000

Mw of power by creating market for energy efficient motors, to be supplied to

industries.

EESL – ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICE LIMITED

Formed in 2009

On energy service company of GOI

World largest public energy service company

Associated with U JALA LED and FAN schemes.

KEY POINT India industrial sector consumers nearly 30-34% total energy

consumption. Within these 30 – 34% energy, nearly 70% is from electrical energy.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 74

TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS IN JANUARY THROUGH THE RATE OF EXPORT

INCREASED BY 9%

Indian goods trade deficit widened to $16.30 billion in January 2018. Against

the $9.9 billion in January 2017. As reported by Union Commerce Ministry.

Total exports : $24.38 billion

Total imports : $40.68 billion

GOOGLE WAS FINED BY COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCI)

CCI imposed Rs 136 Crore fine on Google for unfair business practises in Indian

market for online search

GOOGLE TIES UP WITH SBI FOR MOBILE PAYMENTS APP TEZ

Internet giant Google has tied up with

State Bank of India (SBI) for its mobile

payments app Tez.

Through this partnership, Google Tez

will allow users to create an SBI UPI

Id - @oksbi and get access to exclusive

offers for SBI customers.

The partnership will focus on building

unique propositions for users and merchants, including specially curated offers.

Trade deficit

The amount by which the cost of a country‟s imports exceeds the value of the

exports.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 75

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO TO LAUNCH CHANDRAYAAN –II MISSION IN APRIL

Minister of state atomic energy and space Dr.Jitendra Singh announced

that chandrayaan –II mission will be launched in April.

SPACEX‘S FALCON HEAVY SUCCESSFULLY TAKES OFF, LAUNCHES ELON

MUSK‘S ROADSTER IN SPACE

The world‟s most powerful rocket,

SpaceX‟s Falcon Heavy, roared into space

through clear blue skies in its debut test

flight on Tuesday from a Florida.

The 23-story-tall jumbo rocket, carrying a

cherry red Tesla Roadster from the

assembly line of Musk‟s electric car

company.

At least 2,000 spectators cheered the blastoff from a campground near Cocoa

Beach, 8 km from the space centre.

Within three minutes, the Falcon Heavy‟s two side boosters separated from the

central rocket in one of the most critical points of the flight.

Chandrayaan –II

1. Mission to moon

2. Budget : 800 crore

3. Includes orbiter, Lander and rover

4. Mission type: lunar orbiter

Chandrayaan-I

1. India‟s first lunar mission

2. Launched on 2008

3. DiSCovered water in the moon

4. Rocket:PSLV-XL-C11


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 76

INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES AGNI-II BALLISTIC MISSILE

India‟s Agni-II ballistic missile (Surface-to-surface) test-fired successfully

from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

The Strategic Forces Command with logistics support from Defence

Research Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the test.

The Agni-II missile (21-meter long & weigh17 tonnes) can carry the nuclear

payload of 1000 kilograms with a strike range of 2000 Kilometers.

Agni missile series being developed by DRDO as a deterrent against

nuclear-armed neighbours are among India‟s most sophisticated weapons.

IISCSCIENTISTS DEVELOP FIRST SUPER CRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

(S-CO2) BRAYTON TEST LOOP FACILITY

Scientists from Indian Institute of science (IISC), Bengaluru have indigenously

developed country‟s first super critical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) Brayto Test

Loop facility.

The facility was inaugurated at the IISC campus. It is first test loop technology

coupled with solar heat source in world that will generate clean energy from

power plants, including solar thermal.

INDIAN SCIENTISTS DEVELOP NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGY LOOP

TO GENERATE CLEAN ENERGY

Indian Scientists have developed a super

critical carbon dioxide Brayton test loop

facility that would help generate clean

energy from future power plantsincluding

solar thermal.

This next generation technology loop was

developed indigenously by Indian Institute

of science, Bangalore.

This is India‟s first test-bed for next generation, efficient, compact, waterless

super critical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle test loop for power generation.

The technology is perhaps the first test loop coupled with solar heat source in

the world.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 77

DRYPETESKALAMII : NEW PLANT SPECIES FROM WEST BENGAL

Scientists from Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified new plant species

named Drypeteskalamii from Buxa and Jaldapara National Parks in West

Bengal.

It has been named after former President of India, Dr APJ Kalam.

The new species is close relative of medicinal plant known in Sanskrit as

Putrajivah.

MINISTER‘S RENDEZVOUS WITH MITRA

TN IT Minister M.Manikandan interacted with “MITRA” – a Humanoid robot

at CII conference in Madurai

Mitra

India‟s first Humanoid robot

Developed by Bengaluru Company “Invento Robotics”

Unveiled in 2017 Global Entrepreneurs ship summit, Hyderabad in which PM

Modi and Ivanka Trumpwere greeted by MITRA

Drypeteskalamii...

Drypeteskalamii is small shrub found to be shorter version of its close

relative Drypetesellisii.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 78

3 NEW ―EEL‖ SPECIES FOUND IN BAY OF BENGAL

Names :

GymnothorexVisakhaensis

Enchelycorepropinque

Gymnothorexpseudotile

Scientist behind this discovery is Mr.Anil Malhatro, Who belonged to

zoological survey of India.

FOREST COVER IN INDIA RAISED MARGINALLY

Forest cover in India raised 0.21% b/w 2015 and 2017 – India State of forest

report – 2017

Dates

India‟s forest coverage : 708 273 K

Percentage : 21.53 %

Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala topped the states that posted an increase in forest

cover.

Non – forest area – 77.05%

Moderately dense – 9. 38%

Open forest – 9.18%

Very dense – 2.99%

Scrub – 1.4%

Green Cover in India

Tree and forest coverage combined is 24.39% of the total geographical area,

which is around 802088 K

Zoological Survey of India

1. Founded 1916

2. Role : Animal Taxonomy and consequetion

3. Premier organisation in Zoological research and studies to

promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in

India

4. Hir : Kolkata


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 79

Significance

India is ranked in the world with 24.39% of land under forest and tree cover,

though India accounts 2.4% of world surface and sustain the needs of 17% of

human and 18% livestock population

State with largest forest cover by ―Area‖

Madhya Pradesh 774/4 K

Arunachal Pradesh 66964 K

Chhattisgarh 55547 K

State with largest forest by ―Percentage‖ of its geographical area

Lakshadweep (90.33%)

Mizoram 86.27%

Andaman & Nicobar island 81.73%

5 States forest cover 5 States forest Cover

Increased decreased Most

1. Andhra 1. Mizoram

2. Karnataka 2. Nagaland

3. Kerala 3. Arunachal Pradesh

4. Odhisha 4. Tripura

5. Telangana 5. Meghalaya

ASH TRACK MOBILE APP

Union Ministry of power launched ASH TRACK mobile App.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 80

PERSONALITY

KUNWARBAI : 106-YEAR-OLD ICON FOR SWACHH BHARAT CAMPAIGN

PASSES AWAY.

KunwarBai, a 106-year-old woman

from Chhattisgarh who was chosen

as mascot for `Swachh Bharat

Abhiyan‟, passed away after a

prolonged illness.

She had shot to fame in 2016 when

story of her selling goats to build

toilet at home had got nationwide publicity.

She was felicitated by Prime Minister NarendraModi at public meeting at

Kurrubhat village in Rajnandgaon district and later made a mascot for Swachh.

MEGHAPATIL LIKELY TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO HEAD CIVIC PANEL.

Meghapatil of the NCP is likely to become the first woman in the history of

Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) to head the standing committee.

Patil was the lone candidate to fill the nomination paper from the ruling

Congress-NCP alliance.

The alliance enjoys a majority in the standing committee, with eight votes on its

side.

Punjab National Bank clarified through a public notice that ViratKohli

continues to be its brand ambassador.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 81

INDEX

INDEX REALESED BY GLOBAL INNOVATION POLICY CENTER OF THE US

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. INDEX REALESED ON FEB – 08. INDEX IS BASED

ON 40 UNIQUE INDICATORS

Keyfects

6th edition of Index

Index scored 25% in the 5th edition

India scored 30% (12.03out of 40) in the 6thedition, represent the largest

percentage improvement of any country measures.

6th edition – 1st Rank : USA, 2nd Rank : Britain

INDIA RANKS 81ST IN GLOBAL CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX

In the latest ranking released by Transparency International, India has

been ranked 81st in the global corruption perception index for 2017.

The index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of

public sector corruption.

In 2016 India was in the 79th place among 176 countries.

The index uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is

very clean.

TOP 5 RANK SCORE

COUNTRY 2017 2016

1. NEWZEALAND 89 90

2. DENMARK 88 90

3. FINLAND 85 85

4. NORWAY 85 85

5. SWITZERLAND 85 86

Note:

Transparency International is an international non-governmental

organization which is based in Berlin, Germany, and was founded

in 1993.

Its non-profit purpose is to take action to combat global corruption

and prevent criminal activities arising from corruption.

It publishes the Global Corruption Barometer and the Corruption

Perceptions Index.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 82

INDIA RANKS 47TH ON INCLUSIVE INTERNET INDEX

India is ranked 47th out of 86 countries when it comes to inclusive Internet and

connectivity for all, a Facebook report said.

Facebook, which commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to create

a comprehensive “Inclusive Internet Index,” found India in the middle of Asian

countries (12th out of 23) when it comes to connectivity.”

Sweden took the first place, followed by Singapore and the US.


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 83

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE MEMBERS LEADERS

Public Account Committee 22-Members

15-Loksabha

7-Rajyasabha

Leader of opposing

party

Estimate Committee 30 member from Loksabha Leader of opposing

Party

Rules Committee 30 Member from Loksabha Speaker of loksabha

Business Advisory Committee 30 Member from Loksabha Speaker of Loksabha

Committee on Private

member‘s Bill and Resolution

30 Member from Loksabha Deputy Speaker of

Loksabha

CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE LEADERS

Rule of Procedure RajendraPrasad

National Flash RajendraPrasad

Finance & Staff Committee RajendraPrasad

Union Power Committee Nehru

State Committee Nehru

Order of Business K.M. Munshi

Minorities Sub Committee H.C. Mukerjee

Advisory Committee on Fundamental Fight SardarVallabai Patel

North East Frontier Committee GopinathBardoli

Credential Committee AlladiKrishnaswamyAyyar

Draft Committee Dr. B.R. Ambedkar


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 84

FEBRUARY MONTH GK QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following state government has launched “Zero Budget National

Farming Project “?

A.Himachal Pradesh B.Gujarat

C.Uttarakhand D.Haryana

2. ”Sammakka Saaralamma MahaJathra” tribal festival 2018 has been celebrated in

which of the following state of India?

A.Tamilnadu B.Andhra Pradesh

C.Odisha D.Telangana

3. Who among the following has been named as brand ambassador of all India

chess federation For Blind?

A.Viswanathan award B.sasikaran

C.P.Harikrishan D.Vidit Gujrathi

4. International Day of woman and girls in SCience has been celebrated every

yearAcross the world on

A.FEB-10 B.FEB-11 C.FEB-12 D.FEB-13

5. The union home minister Rajnath Singh has launched the “Mere Sapnoka Bharat

“book on best interview of which of the following former Prime Minister?

A.AtalBiharivajpayee B.JawaharLal Nehru

C.LalBahadurShastri D.Rajiv Gandhi

6. Who among the following has been elected as the New President of

SahityaAkadami ?

A.Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari B.V C Kambara

C.Chandrashekharakambara D.AnandnathTiwari

7. The World Radio Day has been celebrated every year across the world on

A.January 30 B. January 31

C.February 3 D.February 13


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 85

8. Which of the following country has been hasting the 8th editing of “Theatre

Olympic 2018”

A.Singapore B.india

C.China D.South Korea

9. Which of the following country has been suspended from voting in United

Nations General Assembly due to unpaid dues to the world body?

A.Liberia B.Libya

C.Venezuela D.Both B&C

10. Who among the following has been suspended from winter Olympics Games

2018 for doping

A.Kei Saito B.TsangSeng

C.Kim Saito D.Tony Hawk

11. Which of the following India‟s App has Won the best”M-Government service

Award”In the accessible government category at world government summit 2018

in 2018?

A.UJJWALA APP B.UMANG APP

C.e-Ausandu D.e-Sanad

12. Which of the following state‟s team has won senior women‟s National Football

Champion ship for the first time at Cuttack Odisha?

A.Telangana B.Haryana

C.Tamilnadu D.PUunjab

13. Who has been Appointed as new President of South Africa?

A.BalekaRamaphosa B.JuliusMalema

C.GwedeMalema D.CyrilRamaphosa

14. Which of the following states unveiled the plan for setting up India first Institute

for Artificial Intelligence?

A.Maharastra B.Kerala

C.Andhra Pradesh D.Gujarat


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 86

15. Which of the following startup/enterprises has been conferred with the “Start

Up of The Year 2017”award at the 7th small Business Award function?

A.Repairpal B.Milkbasket

C.Bigbasket D.ELOCEN group

16. Indian Medical Device-2018 conference held in

A.New Delhi B.Bengalore

Hyderabad D.Mumbai

17. The main objective of the “Ekalavya Model Residential School” is to provide

quality middle and high –level education to the---

A. SCheduled Tribe (ST) Student in tribal areas

B. SCheduled Tribe (ST) Student in rural & urban area

C. Senior citizen in the rural area

D. Below poverty student across the country

18. As per the “healthy states”, progressive India report of NITI AAYOG which of

the following states recorded highest decline in the sex ratio at birth?

A. Haryana B. Gujarath

C. Punjab D. Rajasthan

19. A tropical cyclone “GITA” which recently hits the small island country

“TONGA”. Tonga is located in which of the following region of the world?

A. South Atlantic Region B. Southern Indian Ocean

C. North Pacific Region D. South Pacific Region

20. The 6th conference of “ commonwealth parliamentary association “ of India

Region was held in

A.New Delhi B.Jaipur

C.Bengalore D. Patna

21. Which of the following country has announced the world first public register

against money laundering?

A.USA B.China

United Kingdom D.India


9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 87

22. Who became the new chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research

(ICHR)?

A. Arvind P Jamkhedkar B.K SudershanRao

C.R S Sharma D.J S Garewal

23. Who among the following has received the “Legion of Honour 2018” the

highest French Civilian Award?

A.SoumitraChatterjee B.Satyajit Ray

C.SaintuMukhopadhya D.VictorBanejee

24. The „National Conference on e-governance 2018‟ was held in

A.Andhra Pradesh B.Telangana

C.New Delhi D.Maharashtra

25. Which country has become the world‟s largest steel producer in 2017, as per

latest report published by World Steel Association (WSA)?

A.South Korea B.Japan

C.India D.China

ANSWER KEY

1 2 3 4 5 A D D B A

6 7 8 9 10

C D B D A

11 12 13 14 15

B C D A B

16 17 18 19 20

B A B D D

21 22 23 24 25 C A A B D

Documents

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE...The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to e quip the aspirants with ... Draw the attention of all Concerned towards the