1.

[pib] Know more about Clean Energy Cess Carbon Tax of India

1. Clean Energy Cess (now renamed as Clean Environment Cess) is levied on coal, lignite
and peat

2. Clean Environment Cess also acts as green tax, on the lines of polluter pays principle

3. In many countries carbon taxes are levied also on other fossil fuels like petroleum,
natural gas etc. However, in India this is applied only on coal and its variants lignite
and peat.

Back2basics:

1. The fund raised through the cess is being used for the National Clean Energy Fund for
funding research and innovative projects in clean energy technologies or renewable
energy sources

Types of Coal in India:

1. The value of coal depends on the concentration of carbon in its composition.

2. The varieties of Coal that are generally found in India are Anthracite, Bituminous,
Lignite, and Peat.

3. Anthracite Coal ranks highest amongst the coals.

4. Bituminous Coal is commercial coal. It is used as steam coal, household coal, coking
coal, gas coal, etc. It is to be washed in a washery in order to reduce the sulphur and ash
contents.

5. Lignite is also inferior in calorific value.

6. Peat has got no fuel value practically. It has the least combustible matter. It is the first
stage in the development of coal.

Note4students:

Make note of point 3 for Prelims on Carbon Tax.

2. [pib] Initiatives taken by the India through the NTCA to protect and conserve
tiger and other wildlife

This one is going to be a long but important newscard.

Legal steps:
 1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 to provide enabling
provisions for constituting the National Tiger Conservation Authority

2. Enhancement of punishment for offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve

Administrative steps:

1. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) + constituting State

level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment
of Tiger Conservation Foundation.

2. In-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for
creation of new tiger reserves (quite a few of them actually)

3. Constitution of a multi-disciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control

Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau)

4. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and
assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed

Financial steps:

1. Financial and technical help is provided to the State Governments under various
Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as Project Tiger and Integrated Development of
Wildlife Habitats

International Cooperation:

1. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade
in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.

2. A protocol has been signed in September, 2011 with Bangladesh for conservation of the
Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban.

3. A sub-group on tiger and leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with
the Russian Federation.

4. India is the founder member of the Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries for
addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.

5. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference (3 AMC) was organized in New Delhi from 12-14
April 2016. India went with the statement- conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an
imperative

6. Tiger Range Countries resolved to ensure the conservation of tigers in the wild and their
habitats by 2022
Others:

1. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): The Special Tiger Protection Force
(STPF) has been made operational in the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha

2. In collaboration with TRAFFIC-INDIA, an online tiger crime data base has been
launched

3. Launching Monitoring system for Tigers Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-
STrIPES) for effective field patrolling and monitoring.

4. Tiger re-introduction programs: The successful reintroduction of wild tigers in Sariska

is a unique exercise and is the first of its kind in the world.

Back2basics:

Note4students:

Take a deep breath and go through this card again. There is so much more to the theme of tiger
conservation in India than what we gave here (we kept the most important stuff). Make a note of
Tiger reserves and its various realms. The intl. cooperation part is important for Mains.

3. [pib] Rivers Under National River Conservation Programme. Whats that?

1. The Water Resources Information System (WRIS) database developed by Central

Water Commission along with Indian Space Research Organisation includes 15,615
numbers of identified rivers/streams in the country.

2. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with the State Pollution Control
Boards is monitoring the water quality of rivers
 3. Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level in rivers is a key indicator of organic
pollution.

4. Programs for river conservation are being implemented under National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP) and NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin Authority)

5. The PIB article mentions that there is no proposal of this Ministry to bring all rivers
under the ambit of NRCP. That means only selected few rivers of India would be
entertained

Back2basics:

What is BOD?

1. Biochemical oxygen demand is a measure of the quantity of oxygen used by

microorganisms (e.g., aerobic bacteria) in the oxidation of organic matter.

2. Initial DO Final DO = BOD | DO = Dissolved Oxygen

3. Natural sources of organic matter include plant decay and leaf fall.

4. The bacteria then begins the process of breaking down this waste.

5. When this happens, much of the available dissolved oxygen is consumed by aerobic
bacteria, robbing other aquatic organisms of the oxygen they need to live.

Brief history of river conservation in India

1. 1985: The river conservation programme in the country was initiated with the launching
of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP)

2. 1995: The Ganga Action Plan was expanded to cover other rivers under National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP)

3. NRCP, excluding the GAP-I, GAP-II and National Ganga River Basin Authority
(NGRBA) programme presently covers polluted stretches of 40 rivers in 121 towns
spread over 19 States

4. 2014: The work relating to Ganga and its tributaries had been allotted to Ministry of
Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD&GR).

5. NRCP is under Ministry of Enviro

Various Sources of Pollution in Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

 1. 75% from Domestic sources and 25% from Industrial effluents.

2. Point sources: These are organized sources of pollution where the pollution load can be
measured, e.g. surface drains carrying municipal sewage or industrial effluents

3. Non-point sources: These are non-measurable sources of pollution such as run-off from
agricultural fields carrying chemicals and fertilizers, run-off from solid waste dumps

Note4students:

Prelims worthy. Make notes of the stakeholders involved in these progs. Note the diff between 2
kinds of sources. Now that you know about BOD, whats COD?

4. [pib] Scorpene Submarine Data Leak. What is a scorpene class submarine?

 1. It was reported in an Australian newspaper The Australian that certain data relating to
the Scorpene class Submarines was leaked.

2. A Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Defence to enquire into the reported leak
of documents and it has submitted a report on it.

3. But what is this scorpene class? How many class of submarine are there?

Back2basics:

What is a Scorpene?

1. Scorpene is a conventional powered submarine weighing 1,500 tonnes and can go up to

depths of 300m. It is built by DCNS of France.

2. In October 2005, India had signed a USD 3.75 bn deal for six of submarines to be built
by Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai with transfer of technology.

3. After repeated delays over four years, the first submarine has been commissioned in the
navy

4. INS Kalvari is Indian Navys first Scorpene submarine under Project 75

Indias history with submarines

1. India joined the exclusive group of submarine constructing nations on February 7,

1992, with the commissioning of the first Indian built submarine INS Shalki.

2. Mazagon Dock then went on to commission another submarine, INS Shankul, on May
28, 1994.

3. In 1999, the Indian Navy drew a Submarine Acquisition Plan, a 30 year roadmap that had
envisaged 12 submarines by 2012 and the number was expected to double by 2029.

4. But of course, the project took a huge hit due to delays!

Current state of submarine force in India

1. The current state of the Navys underwater fleet is, for lack of a better word, worrisome.

2. India currently has 9 Sindhughosh class (Soviet Kilo class) and 4 Shishumar-class
(German HDW Type 209) diesel electric subs and 2 nuclear powered submarine INS
Chakra (Akula II class) sub & INS Arihant

3. Note that INS Chakra is on lease from Russia and INS Arihant is indigenously developed

4. For a country with a coastline that measures more than 7,500 km, a fleet of 15
submarines is just not enough!

5. In comparison, China has a total of 67 submarines in its Navy.

Whats so special about INS Kalavari?

1. INS Kalvari is Indian Navys first Scorpene submarine under Project 75

2. It has superior stealth, and can reportedly attack the enemy using precision-guided
weapons

3. INS Kalvari and the rest of its scorpene class are said to be made from special steel and
have the ability to withstand high-yield stress and high hydrostatic force

4. The Scorpene Submarine is designed to operate in all theatres including the Tropics.

5. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other
components of a Naval Task Force.

6. It can undertake Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering,

Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.
Note4students:

This is a very comprehensive newscard and we hope it establishes your understanding in Indian
submarine inventory and technical aspects of the scorpene class. You should be now Prelims
Shock Proof!

5. [pib] Indian Council for Fertilizer and Nutrient Research set up

1. ICFNR: An Institution exclusively devoted to promotion of research in fertilizer sector

under the Department of fertilizers

What are the important terms of reference?

1. To undertake and promote research in bio fertilizer and its derivatives with suitable
coating or blending so as to protect and increase the soil fertility.

2. To play a supportive role for identifying and formulation long range technology plans

3. To promote dissemination of information on latest developments in fertilizer sector

4. The centre will work in close collaboration with research institutions centres/ institutes

Note4students:

Prelims worthy news. Keep an eye if it ends up developing some innovative material or
technology.

6. [pib] 2 new drugs from AYUSH

1. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has developed an
anti-diabetic drug AYUSH-82.

2. License has been granted to eight firms through National Research Development
Corporation (NRDC) for commercialization.

3. CCRAS has developed a coded formulation AYUSH-QOL-2C to minimize side effects of

Chemo and radiotherapy

4. The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) has undertaken study to
assess usefulness of Homoeopathic medicine in cancer patients having side effects from
Chemotherapy.

Note4students:
Note this gradual rise in experimentation of alternate forms of medicine and the activity in
department of AYUSH. Is there any particular scheme or policy for active promotion of AYUSH?
Do you remember the National AYUSH Mission?

7. [pib] Extension of Mining Surveillance System

1. Mining Surveillance System (MSS) = Ministry of Mines + Ministry of Electronics and

Information Technology (MeitY) + Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and
Geo-informatics (BISAG)

2. MSS is a satellite-based monitoring system which aims to establish a regime of

responsive mineral administration, through public participation, by facilitating State
Governments in curbing instances of illegal mining.

3. The MSS also includes user-friendly mobile-app for use of mining officials which will
receive alerts, do field verification and submit inspection reports.

4. This mobile app also aims to establish a participative monitoring system where the
citizens also can use this app and report unusual mining activity which will be generated
as a trigger.

Note4students:

The participatory feature is quite laudable. Remember this as nifty innovations in sarkar setup
which you can use in your essay and answers.

8. [pib] Introduction of District Mineral Foundation Levy

1. The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957)
was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015.

2. Imp Amendment: Establishment of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in any district

affected by mining related operations.

3. The objective of the DMF is to work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas
affected by mining related operations.

4. The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) has been launched
by the Government which will be implemented through funds collected under DMF.

5. Objective of PMKKY: To implement various developmental and welfare

projects/programs in mining affected areas.

6. To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment,
health and socio-economics of people in mining districts.
 7. To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.

Note4students:

There was a question on DMF in 2016 around its utility. They might just ask about the objectives
of PMKKY in next year or so. Keep an eye on new amendments & bodies created out of them.

9. [pib] What is SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism & Sports)?

1. SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism & Sports), the Government agency
of Union Territory of Lakshadweep, employs tribals for running tourism

2. Andaman & Nicobar Administration has formulated a Tourism Policy in the year 2010
for development of tourism.

3. Similarly, Lakshadweep Administration has notified Lakshadweep Tourism Policy-2016,

which envisages for holistic development of tourism in the entire UT of Lakshadweep
Islands.

10. [pib] Implementation of National Career Service

1. The Government is implementing the National Career Service (NCS) Project for
transformation of the National Employment Service to provide a variety of employment
related services

2. The NCS services are accessible from multiple delivery channels like NCS Portal,
Employment Exchanges including Model Career Centres, Common Service Centre etc.

3. The NCS portal provides for registration of employers, job seekers, placement
organisations and training providers to offer employment related services online.

11. [pib] What are the schemes and measures to increase Indias share in global
trade?

1. The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) was introduced in the Foreign
Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20

2. The Government is implementing the Niryat Bandhu Scheme with an objective to reach
out to the new and potential exporters

3. Interest Equalization Scheme on pre & post shipment credit launched to provide cheaper
credit to exporters.

4. By way of trade facilitation and enhancing the ease of doing business, Government
reduced the number of mandatory documents required for exports and imports
12. [pib] United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
completes 50 years

1. India is only one of eight countries that has been a member of UNCITRAL from its
inception, and has recently been re-elected for a term of six years.

2. UNCITRAL was established in 1966 with a recognition that international trade

cooperation among States is an important factor

3. One of the most successful conventions ever adopted by the United Nations is the United
Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards, 1958 (also
known as the New York Convention)

4. The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules are a set of procedural rules covering all aspects of
the arbitration process, which parties may agree to in part or in whole in order to help
resolve their international disputes.

5. The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules provide, among other things: A model arbitration
clause for contracts

6. UNCITRALs seminal model law on international commercial arbitration 1985 has

formed the bedrock of Indias Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

Note4students:

UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade,
investment, and development issues. Keep an eye on such institutions which complete 10x years
of their existence.

13. [pib] What is Min of Commerce doing for Plantation crops?

1. Department of Commerce has recently approved the Revenue Insurance Scheme for
Plantation Crops (RISPC)

2. Aim: Protecting growers of tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and tobacco from the twin
risks of weather and price arising from yield loss due to adverse weather parameters, pest
attacks etc.

3. Scheme is to be implemented on pilot basis in eight districts in the States of West

Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu

4. It will be implemented by the Commodity Boards through selected insurance companies.

14. [pib] Brush your facts regarding National Health Mission (NHM)
 1. National Health Mission (NHM): has 2 Sub-Missions, viz. the National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

2. While NRHM was launched in April 2005, launch of NUHM was approved by the
Cabinet on 1st May 2013

3. 3 main programmatic components: Health System Strengthening in rural and urban

areas, (RMNCH+A) interventions and control of Communicable and Non-Communicable
Diseases.

4. RMNCH+A: Reproductive-Maternal-Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health

15. [pib] What is Family Planning 2020?

1. Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) is a global partnership that supports the rights of
women and girls to decide, freely, and for themselves, whether, when, and how many
children they want to have.

2. FP2020 is an outcome of the 2012 London Summit on Family Planning

3. India is a signatory to FP2020

4. FP2020 is based on the principle that all women, no matter where they live should have
access to lifesaving contraceptives

5. What are the steps taken by India?

6. Introducing New Contraceptive Choices: The current basket of choice has been
expanded to include new contraceptives viz. Injectable contraceptive, Centchroman and
Progrsterone Only Pills (POP)

7. Refurbishing Contraceptive Packaging: The packaging for Condoms, OCPs and ECPs
has now been improved and redesigned so as to increase the demand for these
commodities.

Note: These schemes and international commitments can be used as healthy points to
differentiate your answers in Mains. FP2020s focus is on family planning and these are unique
initiatives by GOI around contraceptives and its promotion

16. [pib] Adarsh Station Scheme of Indian Railways Updates

1. Development/modernization of stations is presently taken up under Adarsh Station

Scheme.

2. The expenditure on development of stations under Adarsh Station Scheme is generally

funded under Plan Head Passenger Amenities.
 3. Adarsh stations will have facilities such as toilets, drinking water, catering services and
waiting rooms

4. Note: There are many Adarsh yojnas which aim to achieve an idealistic state of affairs
wrt. some existing infrastructure Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY),
Adarsh Smarak Yojnas etc.

17. [pib] Yatri Mitra Sewa at Railway Stations. Whats that?

1. Yatri Mitra Sewa is being provided at major railway stations for enabling passengers viz.
differently-abled, ailing and old aged persons to book wheel chair services cum porter
services.

2. Responsibility of providing Yatri Mitra Sewa has been entrusted to Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)

3. Note: Dont need to mug up all these schemes but make a mnemonic to link them up in
your head. Yatri Mitra Sewa might be confused with some friendly passenger scheme but
its not!

18. [pib] Maneka Gandhi gives a quick catch up on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Campaign

1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign (BBBP) was launched by Prime Minister on 22nd
January, 2015 at Panipat, Haryana.

2. BBBP addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women
empowerment over a life-cycle continuum.

3. It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health &

Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.

4. The key elements of the scheme include nation-wide awareness and advocacy campaign
and multi-sectoral action in selected 161 districts at present

5. In the first phase 100 districts were taken up and in the Second phase, 61 more districts
are covered under the scheme.

6. The Scheme is at a nascent stage of implementation and it is too early to assess its impact
at this stage.

19. [pib] Shri Radha Mohan Singh launches e-pashuhaat portal. Whats that?

1. What? For the first time in the world under the scheme National Mission on Bovine
Productivity e-pashuhaat portal has been developed for connecting breeders and
farmers regarding availability of bovine germplasm.
 2. Through the portal breeders/farmers can sell and purchase breeding stock, information on
all forms of germplasm including semen, embryos and live animals with all the agencies
and stake holders in the country has been uploaded on the portal.

3. India has the largest bovine population in the world. But most of the indigenous have low
genetic potential for milk production and are suited for draught animal power.

4. Current Shortcomings in Animals Trade Market: No authentic organised market &

Difficult to get quality- disease free high genetic merit germ plasm.

20. [pib] Get your facts straight about the Central Administrative Tribunal
(CAT)

1. CAT are final appellate authorities in respect of orders inflicting the major
punishments of dismissal, removal from service and reduction in rank

2. Article 323A of the Constitution provides for the setting up of administrative tribunals
for adjudication of disputes in matters pertaining to recruitment and conditions of
services of persons employed in public services.

3. CAT benches have disposed off more than six lakh cases, which amounts to disposal of
94% cases brought before it.

4. The fact that 77% of such judgements have been upheld by the High Courts is a pointer
to the success of the CAT as an institution in Service matters!

5. CAT enjoys the status and power of High Court. In disposing of cases, it follows the
principles and norms of natural justice.

6. Appeals against its orders lie only with the Supreme Court of India.

7. Note to Students: Such PIB News facts are important to brush up your static subjects
from Prelims perspective.

21. [pib] Know about Pehchan identity cards from the GoI

1. Scheme under Ministry of Textile (Remember Smriti Irani)

2. PAHCHAN identity cards were first given to artisans of 5 clusters of Gujarat,

Jamnagar, Naroda, Surendranagar, Amreli and Kalol

3. The cards will give national identity to the artisans who will be covered under a national
database

4. The artisans can avail of benefit of any government scheme through these cards.
 5. Artisans belonging to minority communities, Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and
BPL families will be provided free tool kits as per their art.

6. The camp for PAHCHAN was launched on October 7 nationwide to ensure a unique
identity to the handicraft artisans.

22. [pib] Whats a Passive solar building design?

1. The Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan will be a state-of- the art, Net-Zero-Energy Green
Building designed on the concept of Solar Passive Architecture. Whats that?

2. In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store,
and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the
summer

3. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does
not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices

4. Passive solar design techniques can be applied most easily to new buildings, but existing
buildings can be adapted or retrofitted.

23. [pib] Whats the fuss with Mannavaram Power Projects?

1. Mannavaram Power Projects: A mega power equipment production plant NTPC BHEL
Power Projects Private Limited

2. NBPPL is a join venture of NTPC and BHEL

3. The equipment manufacturing facility at Mannavaram, near Tirupati, was said to be one
of the most prestigious projects in the state
 4. But since 2010, there has not been much progress on the project

5. The issue has come into focus again when new govt. re-assessing the business
environment and progress updates

24. [pib] Know more about Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM)

1. Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) has been created as a professional
body under the aegis of DIPP

2. Objective: To take forward the implementation of the National IPR Policy that was
approved by the Government in May 2016

3. CIPAM is working towards creating public awareness about IPRs in the country,

4. Promoting the filing of IPRs through facilitation,

5. Providing inventors with a platform to commercialize their IP assets

25. [pib] Learn more about Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India

1. We recently launched the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India
(STCI) in association with Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI)

2. The STCI follow the guidelines set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC)

3. These guidelines have been evolved under the guidance of the United Nations agencies
viz. UNEP and UNWTO

4. STCI had been developed for the accommodation, tour operators and beaches,
backwaters and lakes sectors of the tourism industry

26. [pib] What is a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) Plant?

1. A newly built, state-of-the-art Plant for extraction, formulation, packaging of medicinal

plant based phytopharmaceutical drugs under internationally accepted GMP
guidelines was inaugurated in Jammu

2. GMP Guidelines = Good Manufacturing Practices

3. The CGMP facility would provide a high level world-class infrastructure for the
manufacture of botanical/phytopharmaceutical in a way to ensure their safety, efficacy
and quality

27. [pib] Know more about National Common Mobility Card

 1. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006 envisages that various urban Public
Transport Systems are well integrated and offer a seamless system to the users.

2. Ministry of Urban Development has taken initiatives for implementation of an

interoperable Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system

3. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been entrusted to prepare the
standards & specifications of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)

28. [pib] National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) project is yet to be made

operational

1. NATGRID is an ambitious counter terrorism programme, which will utilise technologies

like Big Data and analytics to study data from various intelligence agencies

2. NATGRIDs data sources include records related to immigration entry and exit, banking
and financial transactions and telecommunications.

3. The NATGRID framework is expected to be implemented by September 30, 2018

4. A post Mumbai 26/11 attack measure, NATGRID aims to mitigate a vital deficiency
lack of real time information

29. [pib] Indian Warship Shardul visits Port Victoria. Know more

1. INS Shardul, an amphibious ship of the Indian Navy

2. It is currently on a month long deployment in the Southern Indian Ocean in keeping with
the vision of SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region.

3. INS Sharduls visit is part of its mission to carry out surveillance in the Seychelles EEZ
with SCG personnel embarked onboard.

4. The current year has seen two such deployments, the first by the state-of-the-art, P8I
maritime reconnaissance aircraft in March 2016 and the second by Indian Naval Ship
Trikand in July 2016

5. An amphibious warfare ship (or amphib) is a warship employed to land and support
ground forces, such as marines, on enemy territory during an amphibious assault.

30. [pib] Remember FAME India scheme?

1. FAME India Scheme: [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric
Vehicles in India]
 2. Objective: Support hybrid/electric vehicles market development and Manufacturing eco-
system.

3. The scheme has 4 focus areas: Technology development, Demand Creation, Pilot
Projects and Charging Infrastructure.

4. During the Financial Year 2015-16, an amount of Rs. 75 Crore was allocated for this
scheme, which was almost fully utilised. Thats great!

5. Under this scheme, about 99000 hybrid/electric vehicles (xEVs) have been given direct
support by way of demand incentives

31. [pib] Challenges faced by SMEs

1. SMEs still face challenges in developing new products and processes due to inadequate
institutional mechanism, limited access to capital and low awareness and compliance
with international standards

2. So, what? That means there will be a scheme on all of these by Modiji!

3. It is impossible to remember all but we are listing down a few of them here. If these
schemes figure in news later on you will find more elaborations at CD

4. For now, know that all of them come under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME)

5. For Credit: Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), Credit Guarantee
Scheme, Financial Support to MSMEs in ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification
Scheme

6. For Awareness: National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP),

Technology Centres Systems Programme (TCSP),

32. [pib] How do we decide on the closures of Sick PSUs?

1. Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), as a nodal department issues guidelines for

closure of sick/ loss making CPSEs and disposal of movable and immovable assets

2. CPSE = Central Public Sector Enterprises

3. The concerned administrative Ministries /Departments are responsible for formulation

and implementation of closure plans

4. NITI Aayog carries out monitoring the implementation of the decision of closure.

5. Remember the roles of these 3 bodies just in case UPSC Prelims grills you on these!
33. [pib] What has RBI done on Cyber attack on ATM system of banks?

1. Independent investigation by a forensic auditor approved under Payment Card Industry

Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) framework is under process.

2. RBI has set up a Cyber Security and IT Examination (CSITE) Cell within its
Department of Banking Supervision in 2015.

3. Department of Banking Supervision also conducts cyber security preparedness testing

among banks on the basis of hypothetical scenarios with the help of CERT-In.

4. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the Government

organisation under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

5. It is a nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.

34. [pib] Comprehensive approach for Border Area Development Programme

1. The modified BADP guidelines given by MHA were put into motion in 2015. Lets
revisit them again

2. Coverage of BADP has been extended to cover all the villages which are located within
the 0-10 Km of the International Border

3. The list of schemes permissible under BADP has been expanded to include schemes/
activities relating to Swatchhta Aabhiyan; Skill Development programmes etc.

4. Provision for Third Party Inspection and Quality Control Mechanism under MHA for
random inspections of the BADP schemes

5. State Governments shall have the monitoring of the BADP schemes by the existing
District Level Monitoring

6. The funds under BADP are provided to the States as a 100% non-lapsable Special
Central Assistance.

7. BADP has been implemented through 17 States which constitute the International Land
Borders

35. [pib] How has Nirbhaya fund been used?

 1. In 2013, a Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the then UPA government as a corpus in the
Public Account in the Department of Economic Affairs

2. Each fiscal year since then Rs. 1000 crore have been allocated to the fund every year

3. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is now the nodal authority for
appraisal of schemes to be financed from the fund

4. Ina recent Q&A of Lok Sabha, we got to know that Rs. 190.68 crores have been given to
the States/UTs, for compensation to the women victims as per CVCF guidelines

5. CVCF: Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme

6. Other schemes which have been formed (for funds utilisation) are:

7. Creation of Investigative Units for Crime against Women (IUCAW) in all police districts

8. Universalisation of Women Helpline

9. One Stop Centre: To support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected
by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital
status.

36. [pib] Know more about Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology

 1. A study was conducted on the glacier basins by WIHG and the outcome has been the
glaciers in the basin are retreating

2. With PIB news like these, you get to know about important institutes in India

3. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is an autonomous research institute for the

study of Geology of the Himalaya under the Department of Science and Technology

4. It was established in 1968

37. [pib] CCEA gives in-principle nod for strategic disinvestment of PSUs. Know
more

1. CCEA = Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. What are the functions of CCEA?

2. Review economic trends on a continuous basis

3. CCEA also directs and coordinates all policies and activities in the economic field
including foreign investment

4. CCEA facilitates finalisation of factual reports on the accomplishments of the Ministries,

Agencies and Public Sector Undertakings

5. Matters regarding fixation of prices of agricultural products as well as reviewing progress

of activities related to rural development

38. [pib] Aloko Udapadi is a major milestone in Buddhist Timeline. Whats

that?

1. Sinhala film Aloko Udapadi meaning Light Arose depicts a major milestone in the
Buddhist timeline.

2. It is a story of human effort to preserve the spiritual heritage of Buddhisim for future
generations of mankind.

3. IFFI 2016 screened this film in the World Premiere Section

4. Sri Lanka was a major practitioner of Hinayana (or the Theravada Buddhism)

39. [pib] How are Armed Forces Tribunal different from other tribunals?

1. Functioning of the Armed Forces Tribunal is distinct as it exclusively handles the matters
of the Armed Forces of the Country arising out of specific Acts governing them

2. Armed Forces Tribunal has protection of Articles 227(4) and 136(2) of the Constitution
 3. Article 227: Every High Court shall have superintendence over all courts and tribunals
throughout the territories interrelation to which it exercises jurisdiction

4. But the clause 4 says, Nothing in this article shall be deemed to confer on a High Court
powers of superintendence over any court or tribunal constituted by or under any law
relating to the Armed Forces

5. Article 136 is regarding special leave and that also discounts Armed Force Tribunals

40. [pib] Quick pointers on Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD Schemes

1. Ministry of Tourisms schemes

2. Swadesh Darshan: Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist Circuits

3. Investment in tourism infrastructure for development of Buddhist Circuit in India under

its Swadesh Darshan Scheme

4. PRASAD: National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation

Drive.

5. Under PRASAD 12 cities have been identified for development initially, namely:
Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwaraka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram,
Vellankanni, Kedarnath and Guwahati.

41. [pib] Guided Missile Destroyer INS Chennai Joins the Indian Navy

1. INS Chennai, a P 15A Guided Missile Destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy

2. The event marks the formal induction into the Navy of the third and the last of the
three Kolkata class destroyers

3. The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS)

4. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare
conditions.

5. The Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers are the new stealth destroyers being built by
Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) for the Indian Navy, under Project 15A.

6. The class comprises 3 ships Kolkata, Kochi and Chennai

42. [pib] Did you know that 4 Indian universities are deemed under Min. Of
Culture?
 1. There are no institutions under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture named
as Cultural Universities

2. But, there are 4 teaching institutions declared as deemed to be Universities under

Ministry of Culture

3. These Universities are fully funded by the Ministry of Culture

4. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), Nalanda

5. Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, Ladakh, J&K

6. Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Sarnath, Varanasi, U.P

7. National Museum Institute, New Delhi

8. Mostly, the universities are known to be deemed only by UGC!

43. [pib] 4 Objectives of New Energy Policy & its difference from the old one

1. The 4 key objectives of the NEP are: Access at affordable prices,

2. Improved energy security and independence,

3. Greater sustainability and

4. Economic growth

5. Previous Policy = Integrated Energy Policy (IEP). Whats the difference?

6. NEP includes the issues related to sharp decline of crude oil prices, change in solar
energy technology, heightened concern of climate change issues, ambitious target of
Renewable energy and rural electrification agenda

7. The policy is being discussed by NITI Aayog with different stake holders

44. [pib] India becomes Associate Member of CERN

1. CERN = European Organization for Nuclear Research

2. CERN is the worlds largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory, where scientists and
engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the Universe

3. CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border

 4. CERN has 22 member states, 4 associate member states, and the observer status is
given to 4 states and 3 International Organizations.

5. India has become an associate member

6. Initiative #1: India is one of the leading partners in the ALICE experiment, which is on
a quest to unearth the physics of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and to get a glimpse of how
matter behaved within a few microseconds after the birth of our Universe

7. Initiative #2: India has made significant contributions to the construction of the Large
Hadron Collider (LHC)

45. [pib] CSIRs Initiatives for enabling the Indian Leather Industry

1. Whats new? Waterless chrome tanning technology is a first of its kind technology to
reduce chromium pollution load

2. Chromium is the most sought after tanning agent

3. CSIR CLRIs Waterless tanning technology is a game changer and it reduces the use
of water in tanning.

4. CSIR-CLRI is a recognised Centre for testing of restricted substances, finished leather

certification

5. Central Leather Research Institute: Technologies for bio-processing of leather, zero

waste water discharge, value added materials from leather and indigenous chemicals for
processing, are some of the highlighting features of this institute

46. [pib] Indias flagship biennial international oil and gas conference:
PETROTECH

1. Petrotech is Asias largest oil and gas event. The theme for this event is Hydrocarbons
to fuel the future Choices and Challenges

2. Petrotech will also include a BRICS Roundtable of Energy Ministers and a Roundtable
discussion involving select CELAC countries of Latin America

3. India will also host the International Energy Forum International Gas Union (IEF-
IGU) Ministerial Forum on December 6

4. Whats CELAC? The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States is a regional
bloc of Latin American and Caribbean states thought out on February 23, 2010

47. [pib] What is e-Kuber, CBS & INFINET?

 1. e-Kuber is the Core Banking Solution (CBS) of Reserve Bank of India

2. E-Kuber provides the provision of a single current account for each bank across the
country

3. Auction of Government securities is also done through e-kuber system

4. Core Banking Solutions (CBS): A solution that enables banks to offer a multitude of
customer-centric services on a 247 basis from a single location

5. Using CBS, customers can access their accounts from any branch, anywhere, irrespective
of where they have physically opened their accounts.

6. Almost all branches of commercial banks, including the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs),
are brought into the core-banking fold

7. The e-kuber system can be accessed either through INFINET or Internet. Whats
INFINET?

8. The INFINET is a Closed User Group Network for the exclusive use of member banks
and financial institutions and is the communication backbone for the National Payments
System

48. [pib] Four-Member Team for Conservation of Loktak Lake

 1. Loktak Lake: The largest freshwater lake in Northeast India (Manipur)

2. This lake is known for its circular floating swamps (called phumdis in the local
language)

3. The term phumdis refers to a collection of heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and
organic matter at various stages of decomposition

4. Sangai is the state animal of Manipur. Its hooves are adapted to walk on the phumdis

5. The lake is now endangered, with innumerable threats like pollution, decline in diversity
of avifauna and thinning of phumdis

6. The team will enumerate the steps required to be initiated for declaring Loktak Lake as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

49. [pib] Whats the funda of Progress Panchayat?

 1. There is no dearth of schemes and funds for development of Muslim and other Minority
communities

2. Progress Panchayat will proved to be an effective mission for this purpose

3. Progress Panchayat would educate people of the area about the governments efforts in
social, educational, health and infrastructure sectors and in creating job opportunities

4. Minority Schemes: Seekho aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Raushni, Ustaad, Nai
Udaan are guarantee of empowerment of poor belonging to Minority communities

5. Multi-purpose community centres Sadbhav Mandap will also be constructed on waqf

land which will be utilized for marriage ceremonies, exhibitions and also relief centres
during a calamity

50. [pib] What is IOWave16?

1. A recent, tsunami mock drill (IOWave16) was conducted by INCOIS to check

implementation of the plan to build tsunami resilient community

2. INCOIS: Indian National Centre for Oceanic Information Services

3. The main objective was to test the efficiency of communication links, exercising the
standard operating procedures of the emergency services and the evaluation of the
readiness to handle the emergency situations

51. [pib] PM released National Disaster Management Plan. Know more about it

1. NDMP: This is the first ever national plan prepared in the country

2. The plan is based on the 4 priority themes of the Sendai Framework

3. 4 Themes (PMRR): Prevention, Mitigation, Response and Recovery

4. Salient Features of the Plan: Provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all
the agencies and departments of the Government

5. Roles and responsibilities of all levels of Government right up to Panchayat and Urban
Local Body level in a matrix format

52. [pib] Know more about Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai
Framework

1. Focuses on the How to reduce disaster risk at national and local levels
 2. The SFDRR (2015-2030) was adopted by at the Third World Conference on DRRat
Sendai in Japan in March, 2015

3. Sendai Framework: Identifies targets and priority action areastowards reducing

disaster risk by reducing the damage caused by naturalhazards like earthquakes, floods,
droughts and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention

4. The conference also commemorated the first World Tsunami Awareness Day

53. [pib] PM Launches Housing for All in Rural Areas

1. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin): To provide an environmentally safe and

secure pucca house to every rural household by 2022

2. In its first phase the target is to complete one crore houses by March 2019

3. Selection process? Using the Socio Economic Census 2011 data and validating it
through the Gram Sabha

4. PMAY-G is a major step forward in bringing together Skill India, Digital India, Make In
India, IT/DBT Aadhaar platform and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). How?

5. The programme provides for skilling 5 lakh Rural Masons by 2019

6. Uses ICT and space technology to further confirm correct selection of beneficiaries and
progress of work

7. The entire payments are through IT/DBT mode with Aadhaar linked Bank accounts

54. [pib] Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of ECGC. Whats that?

1. ECGC: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited (founded in 1957)

2. ECGC is a company wholly owned by the Government of India based in Mumbai,

Maharashtra

3. Controlled by Ministry of Commerce

4. Function: It provides export credit insurance support to Indian exporters

5. Offers guarantees to banks and financial institutions to enable exporters to obtain better
facilities from them

6. Provides Overseas Investment Insurance to Indian companies investing in joint ventures

abroad
 7. Diamond Jubilee = 60 years of existence

55. [pib] School Education Quality Index and NITI Aayog

1. NITI Aayog and the MHRD conceptualised SEQI (School Education Quality Index)

2. The SEQI is a composite index that will report annual improvements of States on key
domains of education quality

3. SEQI is divided into 2 categories: 1) Outcomes, 2) Governance & Management

4. Outcomes: Learning, Access and Equity

5. Governance & Management: Governance Processes and Structural Reforms

6. SEQI has 34 indicators and 1000 points, with the highest weightage given to learning
outcomes (600 out of 1000 points)

7. The final report will be generated in June, 2017. So, watch out!

56. [pib] MSDE Announces Launch Of Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana

 1. Aim: PMYY will provide entrepreneurship education and training to over 7 lakh students
in 5 years through 3050 Institutes

2. Operating ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

3. The institutes under the PMs YUVA Yojana include 2200 Institutes of Higher
Learning, 300 schools, 500 ITIs and 50 Entrepreneurship Development Centres, through
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

4. Do you remember Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana? Flagship Scheme of MSDE

5. It is a Skill Certification Scheme is to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up

industry-relevant skill training

6. Another scheme under MSDE = National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

7. 25% of the prescribed stipend payable to an apprentice would be reimbursed to the

employers directly by the Government of India

8. Make note of all these 3 schemes!

57. [pib] CCI selected to host ICN 2018 Annual Conference. Whats ICN?

1. We know CCI = Competition Commission of India

2. ICN =International Competition Network

3. ICN provides competition authorities with a specialised yet informal platform for
addressing practical competition concerns

4. Its members are national competition authorities and NGA (Non-governmental

Advisers) which include reputed law firms, eminent persons, and think tanks of
international repute.

58. [pib] What are the mandates of Indian Council for Fertilizer and Nutrient
Research?

1. ICFNR has been set up under the administrative control of Department of Fertilizers
(DoF), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (MoCF)

2. Mandates: Promotion of research in area of fertilizer manufacturing technology,

3. Use of raw material and innovation in fertilizer products,

 4. Eco-friendly micro nutrients and pesticide coated slow release fertilizers, bio & organic
fertilisers

5. Stats: Indian fertilizer requirement is largely dependent on imports around 25% in case
of Urea, around 50% in case of Natural gas (feedstock), more than 50% in case of
phosphatic and around 100% for potassic fertilizers

6. India is also dependent on foreign players for sourcing of technology / licensing and
technological up-gradation!

7. Hence, the importance of ICFNRs mandates

59. [pib] 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress held in Delhi

1. Delhi Declaration on Agrobiodiversity Management was a grand success

2. The UN is urged to consider declaring soon a Year of Agrobiodiversity to draw

worldwide attention and to catalyze urgent action

3. Suggested developing and implementing an agrobiodiversity index to help monitor

conservation and use of agrobiodiversity
 4. The SDGs relating to poverty alleviation, food and nutritional security, good health,
gender equity and partnership will further enhance achieving agro biodiversity goals

60. [pib] What is Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar Dome (MSD)?

1. Micro Solar Dome (MSD) is a clear and green energy initiative of the Department of
Science and Technology

2. It has a transparent semi-spherical upper dome made of acrylic material which

captures the sunlight

3. The light passes through a sun-tube having a thin layer of highly reflective coating on the
inner wall of the passage

4. It is leak proof and works throughout the day and 4 hours continuously after sunset

5. Potential users: 10 million off-grid households in urban and rural spaces and several
folds more that do not have reliable access to electricity

6. Attempts are being made to integrate Surya Jyoti for subsidy in rural and urban housing
schemes, MP LAD Schemes and CSR activities of public sector enterprises

61. [pib] What is Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP)?

1. Under Bharatmala Pariyojana, LEEP is aimed to enhance the freight transportation in India

2. Whats being done? Critical examination of existing logistic infrastructure and destination of
freight movement in the country
 3. As a first step towards this task, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) is being
undertaken by NHAI

4. It has been decided to use latest technologies such as LiDAR, Satellite mapping and Ground
Penetration Radar (GPR) in preparation of DPRs.

5. Whats LiDAR? Stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses
light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth

62. [pib] Successful Maiden Flight of Rustom II. Know more

1. TAPAS 201 (RUSTOM II) is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV.

2. UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle by DRDO

3. Aim: Developed to carry out the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the
three Armed Forces with an endurance of 24 hours

4. What is Reconnaissance? Military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain

strategic features.
63. [pib] Social Security Coverage Scheme for Workers in Unorganised Sector

1. The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 stipulates formulation of suitable welfare
schemes for unorganised workers

2. Ambit of such schemes: Life and disability cover, Health and maternity benefits, Old age
protection & any other benefits etc.

3. 3 Schemes by Min. of Textile: Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, Handicraft

Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, Pension to Master Craft Persons

4. 2 Schemes by Min. of Rural Dev: Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, National
Family Benefit Scheme

5. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

6. Department of Financial Services: Aam Admi Bima Yojana

7. What are the schemes by Central govt. for the unorganised sector? Atal Pension Yojna, Pradhan
Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) & Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

8. Save this card for a revision in detail on all these schemes!

64. [pib] What is National Career Service(NCS)?

1. NCS: A National ICT based portal is developed primarily to connect the opportunities with the
aspirations of youth

2. This portal facilitates registration of job seekers, job providers, skill providers, career counsellors,
etc.

3. The services under NCS are accessible from multiple delivery channels like NCS Portal,
Employment Exchanges (Career Centres), Common Service Centre etc

4. Aim: To interlink all employment exchanges with the NCS Portal so that services can be delivered
online

65. [pib] TREAD to promote women entrepreneurs. How?

1. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is operating a scheme titled Trade
Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD)

2. Exclusively to promote women entrepreneurs

3. Under the scheme, there is a provision for Government of India grant up to 30% of the loan/
credit maximum up to Rs. 30.00 lakh as appraised by lending institutions/ banks
66. [pib] Modernization of Khadi Units via SFURTI. How?

1. SFURTI is a Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries

2. Ministry of MSME has launched this scheme in the year 2005 with the view to promote Cluster
development.

3. KVIC is the nodal Agency for promotion of Cluster development for Khadi as well as for V.I.
products.

4. The Revamped SFURTI Cluster will intensify the sustainability of the programme beyond the
project period through creation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

67. [pib] What is Mission Raftar?

1. Mission Raftar has been announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17

2. The mission envisages the target of doubling of average speed of freight trains and increasing
the average speed of all passenger trains by 25 kmph. Time Frame: 5 years

3. It is apart of the 7 mission mode activities under Avataran

4. Mission 25 Tonne: It aims to increase revenue by augmenting carrying capacity

5. Mission Zero Accident: Elimination of unmanned level crossings & TCAS (Train Collision
Avoidance System)

6. Mission PACE: Procurement and Consumption Efficiency

7. Mission Hundred: This mission will commission at least a hundred sidings in the next 2 years

8. Mission beyond book-keeping: It will establish an accounting system where outcomes can be
tracked to inputs

9. Mission Capacity Utilisation

68. [pib] Who funds the Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges
(RUBs) in Railways?

1. Funds for Road Safety Works (ROBs/RUBs/Subways/Level Crossings) come from Central Road
Funds (CRF)

2. CRF is maintained as a % of cess collected on Diesel and Petrol by Ministry of Finance

3. The revenue collected is initially credited to the Consolidated Fund of India

 4. The CRF is thereafter distributed amongst 3 Ministries i.e. Ministry of Rural Development,
Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

5. CFR is also used for maintaining National Highways, State roads & rural roads

69. [pib] Setting up of Industry Driven SRTMI. Whats that?

1. Ministry of Steel is facilitating an Industry driven institutional mechanism namely Steel Research
& Technology Mission of India

2. Aim: facilitate joint collaborative research projects in the iron & steel sector in India

3. Initial corpus for setting up of SRTMI is Rs. 200 crore of which 50% is to be provided by Ministry
of Steel and the balance by the participating steel companies.

4. SRTMI is an industry driven initiative which has been setup as a Registered Society and Ministry
of Steel is a facilitator.

5. Concern: The R&D investment of the leading steel companies in India in terms of percentage of
their turnover ranges from 0.05 to 0.5% vis--vis upto 1% in leading steel companies
internationally

70. [pib] What is Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for SC?

1. Aim: To promote entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Castes, by providing Credit

Enhancement Guarantee to Banks and Financial Institutions (FIs)

2. This is a scheme of Min of Social Justice & Empowerment

3. Under the Scheme, Companies, Partnerships, Societies & Proprietorship firms belonging to
Scheduled Castes are eligible for loans.

4. IFCI Ltd is the Nodal Agency under the Scheme, to issue the guarantee to the Banks & FIs.

5. Whats IFCI? It is an Indian government owned development bank to cater to the long-term
finance needs of the industrial sector

6. It was the first Development Financial Institution established by the Indian government after
independence

71. [pib] Takeaways from the International Conference on Brucellosis 2016

1. Brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria known as Brucella infecting various species of
Brucella cows, buffalos, sheep, goats, deer, pigs, dogs and other animals

2. It is endemic in India and that it could spread to humans

 3. Symptoms: Similar to the flu and may include fever, sweats, headache, back pain and physical
weakness

72. [pib] Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. is ISO 27001 certified. Whats
that?

1. ISO 27001 is a specification for an information security management system (ISMS)

2. ISO 27001 was developed to provide a model for establishing, implementing, operating,
monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving an information security management
system.

3. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) and Power System Operation Corporation Ltd.
(POSOCO) have been certified on the ISO-27001

4. This has been done so to safeguard national power grids from Cyber Attacks

5. Trivia: ISO 14001 has been shown to have a positive impact on environmental performance

6. ISO 9001 has been shown to improve sales, customer satisfaction, corporate image and market
share

73. [pib] Know more about the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN

1. 2 Aims: To promote regional air connectivity in the country including North Eastern region and
creating additional infrastructure by revival of unserved and underserved airports/airstrips

2. This scheme also includes Defence airports

3. How are we making air connectivity more affordable?

4. By providing concessions by Central & State Gov. and airport operators to reduce the cost of
airline operations on regional routes

5. A Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) has been created for Financial support (Viability Gap
Funding or VGF) to meet the gap

6. The Central Government has decided to impose a levy on the scheduled flights being operated
within India to fund the RCF

74. [pib] What is PM National Relief Fund?

1. PM announced monetary support to the affected people in the recent rail accident in Uttar
Pradesh from PMNRF. Whats this fund?
 2. The Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was established in 1948, with public
contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan

3. The resources of the PMNRF are now utilized primarily to render immediate relief to families of
those killed in natural calamities and to the victims of the major accidents and riots

4. The fund consists entirely of public contributions and does not get any budgetary support

5. The corpus of the fund is invested with PSU banks in various forms

6. Disbursements are made with the approval of the Prime Minister

7. PMNRF has not been constituted by the Parliament. It is recognised as a Trust under the IT Act

75. [pib] Bogibeel, Indias longest rail-cum-road bridge in Northeast!

1. Said to be Indias longest rail-cum-road bridge, the Bogibeel double-deck bridge is all set to be
fully operational by March 2018
 2. The bridge is being built over the Brahmaputra in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, connecting the
North and the South banks of the river

3. This is a 100% welded bridge and we are using technology from firms of Sweden and Denmark

4. The bridge, which is being built entirely by the Indian Railways (both rail and road parts), has
been under construction for several years now

76. [pib] Note these points about Bio-medical Waste Management Rules

1. These rules are under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and have been upgraded in 2016
again

2. CPCB has prepared the following guidelines relating to management of Bio-Medical Waste:

3. Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs)

4. Design & Construction of Bio-Medical Waste incinerators

5. Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste generated during Universal Immunization Programme

6. Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste generated from the
Health Care Facilities

7. As you can see, health sector has a good share of generation of this type of waste

77. [pib] What is India doing to reduce infant mortality rate as per our SDG
goals?

1. United Nations has recently set Sustainable Development Goals and Targets. The target for India
is to attain U5MR of 25/1000 live births by 2030

2. What is India doing under its National Health Mission (NHM) to achieve them?

3. Promotion of Institutional deliveries through cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)

4. Comprehensive and quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health
(RMNCH+A) Services

5. NOTE: India Newborn Action Plan (IANP) was launched in 2014 to make concerted efforts
towards attainment of the goals of Single Digit Neonatal Mortality Rate and Single Digit
Stillbirth Rate, by 2030

6. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young
Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are being promoted
 7. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is being supported to provide vaccination to children +
Mission Indradhanush has been launched to fully immunize children who are either
unvaccinated or partially vaccinated

8. Name-based tracking of mothers and children till two years of age (Mother and Child Tracking
System) is done

9. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for health screening, early detection of birth defects,
diseases, deficiencies, development delays

10. Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation for the prevention of anaemia among the vulnerable
age groups

78. [pib] What is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan?

1. Aim: To provide fixed-day assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all
pregnant women on the 9th of every month

2. A package of antenatal care services would be provided to pregnant women in their 2nd / 3rd
trimesters

3. Support from private sector doctors to supplement the efforts of the government

4. IMP: Identification and follow-up of high risk pregnancies and red stickers would be added on to
the Mother and Child Protection cards of women with high risk pregnancies

5. OBGY specialists / Radiologist/ Physicians working in the private sector are encouraged to
volunteer for the campaign. Just encouraged. No coercion.

79. [pib] Learn about Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)

1. This brand new scheme was announced in the Budget for 2016-17

2. Objective: To incentivize employers registered with the EPFO for job creation by the Government
paying the 8.33 per cent contribution of employers to the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)

3. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment

4. The PMRPY scheme is targeted for workers earning wages upto Rs. 15,000/- per month

5. It would be encouraging employers including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to
avail benefits.

80. [pib] What is an Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) Programme?

1. Context: India and UK Sign three Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements and now the total APAs
between us is 111
 2. Whats APA? APA was introduced by the Finance Act, 2012 with a view to provide a predictable
and non-adversarial tax regime and to reduce the litigation in the Indian transfer pricing arena.

3. An APA can be entered into for a maximum of 5 years at a time

4. Appreciation: The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally and internationally
for being able to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner

81. [pib] What is Swachh Iconic Places initiative?

1. Swachh Iconic Places is an initiative of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the
Swachh Bharat Mission

2. Aim: To achieve a distinctly higher level of sanitation / cleanliness at 10 special places

3. You cant remember all the names but still, heres the list:

4. Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, Tirupati temple in
Andhra Pradesh, Golden Temple in Punjab, Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan

5. Jagannath temple in Orissa, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Maharashtra, Manikarnika Ghat in

Uttar Pradesh, Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu and Kamakhya Temple in Assam.

6. Ministry is taking help of experts from World Bank to make this project successful.

82. [pib] Defence Minister Inducts Four Indigenous Naval Systems

1. ABHAY, HUMSA UG, NACS and AIDSS will boost underwater surveillance capability of the Indian
Navy

2. Over the last two years DRDO has inducted LCA Tejas, Varunastra Torpedo, Pinaka multi-barrel
rocket launcher, Rustom II UAV and some other missiles

3. Keep a tab on these names UPSC is seen to be asking questions on these!

4. ABHAY Compact Hull Mounted SONAR for Shallow Water Crafts

5. HUMSA UG Upgrade for the HUMSA SONAR System

6. NACS Near-field Acoustic Characterisation System, and

7. AIDSS Advanced Indigenous Distress SONAR System for submarines

8. Keep a tab on SONAR and its application you could have a fringe question asked on this!

83. [pib] CACP Recommendations on MSP for Pulses

 1. Government fixes Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the major agricultural produce including
pulses on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP)

2. NOTE: CACP can only recommend!

3. CACP assess the various factors and recommends a MSP (Minimum Support Price) to the
Ministry

4. Ministry may either agree or disagree with it and come up with a new price

5. That price then goes to CCEA (Chaired by the PM) and CCEA has the power to approve an MSP

84. [pib] National Institute of Sowa Rigpa being set up at Leh (J & K)

1. The Tibetan Medicine system is known as Sowa Rigpa (Amchi)

2. Sowa Rigpa has been recognized by Government of India by amending the Indian Medicine
Central Council (IMCC) Act, 2010

3. This system is practiced in Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh

85. [pib] What is Mission Madhumeha?

1. The Mission Madhumeha has been launched on 28th October, 2016 on the occasion of first
National Ayurveda Day

2. A protocol on Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda was released for
implementing the Mission Madhumeha

3. First Ayurveda day = more chances of some question from AYUSH in Prelims

4. The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been
developed

5. Nodal Agency: Ministry of AYUSH

6. How many types of diabetes are there?

86. [pib] What is Mission Madhumeha?

1. The Mission Madhumeha has been launched on 28th October, 2016 on the occasion of first
National Ayurveda Day

2. A protocol on Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda was released for
implementing the Mission Madhumeha
 3. First Ayurveda day = more chances of some question from AYUSH in Prelims

4. The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been
developed

5. Nodal Agency: Ministry of AYUSH

6. How many types of diabetes are there?

87. [pib] Learn about NIRF and Project Vishwajeet

1. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has been launched by Ministry of Human
Resource Development (MHRD)

2. This framework outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country

3. 5 Parameters covered:

4. Teaching Learning and Resources, Research Professional Practice & Collaborative Performance,
Graduation Outcome, Outreach & Inclusivity , Perception

5. The institutions are categorised into two major categories Focus on Research & Focus on
Teaching

6. Project Vishwajeet: Meant to push seven IITs to the top rung in global academic rankings

88. [pib] Learn about IMPRINT India initiative

1. Quote: Building institutions is not merely a brick and mortar activity. It represents a vision of
the future which we all want for our nation and the generations to come. The President said
innovation is the currency of the future.

2. IMPRINT is the first of its kind MHRD supported Pan-IIT + IISc joint initiative

3. This novel initiative with twofold mandate is aimed at:

4. Developing new engineering education policy

5. Creating a road map to pursue engineering challenges

89. [pib] Learn about Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Awards

1. The Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Awards was instituted by the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports

2. For recognition to outstanding work done under the National Service Scheme
3. National Service Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India

4. Aims at development of personality and character of students through voluntary community

service