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Current Affairs
July – December 2017

Dear readers,

Recently, in many SSC & Railways examinations a change in trend is seen when it comes to current affairs. All
these examinations are now laying more stress on current affairs by increasing the volume of questions.
Not only this, questions were also asked from events held last year. Many of you have requested us for the PDF
of last year's current affairs.
As per the request, we are providing you with the Current Affairs PDF which covers all news events from the
month July to December 2017.

Govt. Schemes & Policy

1. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana extend till 2019- Here SPARSH means - Scholarship for Promotion of
20 – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby.
has extended the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Key points –
(RKVY) as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- • Under the scheme, it is proposed to award
Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied annual scholarships to children of Standard
Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for three VI to IX having good academic record and
years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20. also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a
Objective of RKVY-RAFTAAR - To make farming competitive selection process in all postal
remunerative economic activity by strengthening circles.
farmer’s effort, risk mitigation and promoting • Every Postal Circle will select a maximum of
agri-business entrepreneurship. The financial 40 scholarships representing 10 students
allocation of scheme is Rs. 15,722 crore. each from Standard VI, VII, VIII & IX.
Note: • The amount of Scholarship will be Rs.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is launched in 2007 as 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month.
a part of the 11th Five Year Plan by the Government About Philately
of India. It is a State Plan Scheme of Additional • Philately is the hobby of collection and study
Central Assistance launched under the aegis of the of Postage stamps.
National Development Council, it seeks to achieve • It also entails the collection, appreciation
4% annual growth in agriculture through and research activities on stamps and other
development of Agriculture and its allied sectors. related philatelic products.
2. Kerala govt. launched ‘She Pad’ Scheme for • Philately is called the king of hobbies
School Girls – The Kerala because Stamp collection as a hobby has lot
government launched “She Pad,’’ a scheme to of educational benefits - it teaches a lot
distribute free sanitary napkins to girl students from about the socio economic political reality of
classes VI to XII in government and aided private the period in which the stamp is issued or
schools affiliated to the state school board. Kerala the theme on which it is issued.
became the first state to launch such schemes. 4. 'Grahak Sadak Koyla Vitaran' App - Union
3. Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana - Union Minister of Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal has
Communications Manoj Sinha has launched the launched the ‘Grahak Sadak Koyla Vitaran App’
Deen Dayal SPARSH yojana which aims to increase which aims to benefit customers of Coal India
the reach of Philately.

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Limited (CIL) lifting coal through road mode. The

app is launched in Kolkata.
Key points –
• The main benefits of the App for the
customers include easy accessibility of the
information at the click of the button. 6. 'Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana’ (BBY) launched in
• The app will monitor whether the dispatches MP – The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj
are made on the fair principle of ‘First in Singh Chouhan launched the 'Bhavantar Bhugtan
First Out’ basis. Yojna' for the farmers of the state and to provide
• It will keep a track on all the activities from financial support in case of losses in crops.
issuance of Sale Order to physical delivery of Key points
coal by road. ➢ The scheme is also called the ‘Price Deficit
5. ‘Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana’ – Financing Scheme’.
Communications Minister Manoj Sinha has launched ➢ At first, the scheme will cover 8 crops which
the Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana in New includes oil seeds and some pulses etc.
Delhi. Soybean, Groundnut, Til, Ramtil. Maize,
Key points - Moong, Urad, Tuar Daal.
• It is an initiative for expansion of client base ➢ The farmers are supposed to register
of Postal Life Insurance. themselves with mandis to leverage the
• To provide affordable life insurance services benefits of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana.
to people living in rural areas of the country. ➢ The aim of the scheme is to encourage the
• All villages under the Saansad Adarsh Gram farmers to cultivate more oil seeds and
Yojana will be brought under its ambit. pulses products in the state.
• At least one village (having a minimum of 7. 'Prerna' project for Women Farmers launched in
100 households) will be identified in each of Odisha - Mahindra & Mahindra has launched a
the revenue districts of the country, wherein ‘Prerna’ programme to empower women working
endeavour will be made to cover all in the agriculture sector by promoting efficient and
households of that identified village with a ergonomic farm tools and equipment.
minimum of one RPLI (Rural Postal Life Key points
Insurance) policy each. ➢ The project is launched in the state of Odisha,
Note: with the intention to positively impact the lives
➢ Postal Life Insurance (PLI), introduced of over 1,500 families across 30-plus villages.
in 1884, is one of the oldest life insurance 8. Union Ministries of Power & Textiles Jointly
schemes for benefit of Government and launched 'SAATHI' Initiative - The Union
semi-Government employees. Ministries of Power and Textiles have jointly
➢ Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI), launched an initiative 'SAATHI'.
introduced on March 24, 1995 on SAATHI stands for - Sustainable and Accelerated
recommendations of Malhotra Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to Help
Committee, provides insurance cover to small Industries.
people residing in rural areas, especially Key points –
weaker sections and women living in ➢ Under this initiative, Energy Efficiency Services
rural areas. Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under the
➢ Low Premium and High Bonus is the administrative control of Ministry of Power,
unique feature of PLI and RPLI schemes. would procure energy efficient Powerlooms,
➢ As on March 31, 2017, there were 46.8 motors and Rapier kits in bulk and provide
lakh PLI and 146.8 lakh RPLI policies them to the small and medium Powerloom units
across the country. at no upfront cost.

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➢ The SAATHI initiative of the Government will be ➢ The campaign aims to highlight the various
jointly implemented by EESL and the office of aspects of women standing 'by' and 'for'
the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis. women.
➢ To kick start the implementation, cluster wise ➢ Ministry of WCD has urged people to shun
demonstration projects and workshops will be stereotypes associated with women harming
organized in key clusters such as Erode, Surat, other women.
Ichalkaranji, etc. ➢ Twitter and Facebook users have been
9. Ministry WCD launches campaign on 'women for encouraged to tag and share stories of women
women': #IamThatWoman - In an attempt to end helping women with a photograph and post
Gender bias in women against women, the Ministry online with the hashtag #IamThatWoman.
of Women and Child Development is undertaking an
online campaign #IamThatWoman.
Key points –
Schemes under Ministry of Finance

1. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)- • The lending priority will be given to SC/ST
• For the senior citizens aged 60 years and above enterprises.
• The Scheme provides an assured return of 8% p.a. • MUDRA Bank has launched three loan instruments:
payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30% p.a. (i) Shishu- loans up to Rs 50,000 (ii) Kishor- loans
effective) for 10 years. above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs. 5 lakhs
• The scheme will be operated by LIC. (iii) Tarun- loans above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 10
2. Jan Suraksha Yojana- lakh
(i) PRADHAN MANTRI JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA- 4. Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana-
• PMJJBY is a one-year life insurance scheme. • To provide social security to the persons who are
• Renewable from year to year, offering coverage for above or equal to 60 years.
death due to any reason and is available to people • Implemented through LIC.
in the age group of 18 to 50 years • It will provide an assured pension based on a rate
• Premium of Rs.330/- per annum per member of return of 8% per annum for ten years.
• life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs Schemes under Ministry of Women and Child
(ii) PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHA BIMA YOJANA- Development –
• Premium of Rs.12 per year 1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)-
• Age group 18 to 70 years • Launched by the PM on January 22, 2015 at
• Under it, risk coverage available will be Rs.2 lakh Panipat, Haryana.
for accidental death and permanent total disability • Objective- Improve Child Sex Ratio, Protection and
and Rs. 1 lakh for permanent partial disability education of girl child.
(iii) Atal Pension Yojana- • Current brand ambassador-Olympic Bronze
• Launched in 2015 medallist Sakshi Malik.
• Focussed on all citizens in the unorganised sector 2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana-
• Age- min 18 years, Max- 40 years • Launched by the Prime Minister on January 21,
• The Union Govt. would also co-contribute 50% of 2015.
the subscriber’s contribution or Rs. 1000 per • Under Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Women
annum, whichever is lower. and Child Development.
• Subscribers would receive the fixed pension at the • It is a part of BBBP (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao).
age of 60 years, depending on their contributions. • Only for girls whose age are equal or below 10
3. PRADHAN MANTRI MUDRA YOJANA (PMMY)- years.
• Launched in 2015 • Tenure- 21 years from the date of opening or girl’s
• In this scheme, Mudra (Micro Units Development marriage
and Refinance Agency) bank has been opened to • Current interest rate- 8.3 Percent.
fund all MFI (Micro Financial institutions) which • Account can be opened via post offices or
provide loans to the MSMEs. commercial banks.

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3. POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) • Initially the project has been implemented in 17
e-Box- districts in Jharkhand.
• Online complaint management system • Tejaswini Socio-Economic Empowerment of
• Action against the offenders under the POCSO Act, Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW)
2012. Project.
• Any human being up to the age of 18 years is • Project is financed by World Bank.
recognised as a child under the POCSO Act. 7. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
4. SHe-box’ (sexual harassment electronic box) portal- • Launched in October 2, 1975.
• Launched in July 2017. • Provides food, education, and primary healthcare
• Online platform to enable women employees of the to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
central govt. to file complaints related to sexual • Anyone can visit to the Aanganwadi centre and
harassment at the workplace. enroll these services.
5. ‘SABLA’ Scheme- 8. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana-
• Launched in 2010, also known as Rajiv Gandhi • Provide financial aid of Rs 6,000 to pregnant
Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls. women who undergo institutional delivery for
• Development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by hospital admission.
making them ‘self-reliant’. • The scheme provided cash transfer to pregnant
• Focus areas- Nutrition, Skill development and women above the age of 18 years for up to two live
Health. births.
6. Tejaswini Project-

Other programs and schemes-

1. ‘Saubhagya’ (Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) Scheme-

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Power
for all' scheme today to mark the birth anniversary 4. Udaan
of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. • Udaan provides exposure to the youth of J&K to
• The scheme will be named ‘Saubhagya’ and will the best of corporate India and corporate India to
provide subsidy on equipment like transformers, the rich talent pool available in the State.
meters and wires. • The scheme not only provides skill enhancement
2. Mission Indradhanush and job opportunity but also connects these
• It was launched by Union Health Minister J. P. bright youths from the J&K with the vibrant
Nadda on 25 December 2014. corporate sector of India.
• It aims to immunize all children under the age of 2 5. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)
years, as well as all pregnant women, against seven • is a regional airport development and "Regional
vaccine preventable diseases. Connectivity Scheme (RCS)"
• The diseases being targeted are diphtheria, 6. UJALA Scheme-
whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, • Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi on
tuberculosis, measles and Hepatitis B. January 5, 2015 had launched the world's largest
• Later Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus and most extensive LED distribution programme,
influenzae type B, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis, UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for
Injectable Polio Vaccine Bivalent and Rotavirus All).
also added. • Recently UJALA scheme launched in Melaka,
3. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) Malaysia.
• Prime Minister Modi launched the Intensified 7. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Mission Indradhanush (IMI) at Vadnagar in • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by
Gujarat on October 8, 2017. Prime Minister on May 1st, 2016 in Ballia, Uttar
• Through this programme, Government of India Pradesh.
aims to reach each and every child under two • It is an ambitious social welfare scheme which
years of age and all those pregnant women who aims to provide free LPG connections to BPL
have been left uncovered under the routine households in the country.
immunisation programme. 8. Sagarmala project

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• Sagar Mala project is a strategic and customer- 9. ‘Himayat’ Programme

oriented initiative of the Government of India to • It is a training-cum-placement programme for
modernize India's Ports so that port-led unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
development can be augmented and coastlines can 10. DIKSHA Portal
be developed to contribute in India's growth. • For teacher training by HRD Ministry

Books & Authors

1. Novel ‘Two’ authored by - Gulzar (Veteran lyricist) 14. Book titled “I am HIV positive, so what?” authored by
2. Book 'Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The – Jayanta Kalita (The book is based on the life of an
Stars!, launched by the Amitabh Bachchan international bodybuilding champion Khundrakpam
The book is co-authored by S.M.M. Ausaja, Karan Pradipkumar Singh hailing from Manipur, who was
Bali, Rajesh Devraj and Tanul Thakur. diagnosed HIV-positive.)
3. Book titled “The Coalition Years” authored by – 15. Book titled “Cryptocurrency for Beginners” authored
Pranab Mukherjee (Former President of India) by – Amit Bhardwaj.
4. Book titled “The Golden House” authored by – Salman 16. Book titled “Making of a legend” authored by –
Rushdie. Bindeshawr Pathak.
5. Book titled “India 2017 Yearbook” authored by – Rajiv 17. Book titled “Dalhousie Through My Eyes” authored by
Mehrishi – Kiran Chadha.
6. Book titled “I Do What I Do” authored by – Raghuram 18. Book titled “Playing With Fire” authored by – Katie
Rajan (former RBI Governor) Price.
7. Book titled “Immortal India” authored by – Amish 19. Book titled “Future of Indian Universities:
Tripathi. Comparative and International Perspectives” authored
8. Book titled “A Horse Walks into a Bar” authored by - by – C. Raj Kumar.
David Grossman (Winner - Man Booker International 20. Book titled “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness”
Prize 2017) authored by – Arundhati Roy.
9. Book titled “How India Sees the World” – Shyam 21. Book titled “The Crisis Within” authored by – Ganesh
Saran. Devy.
10. Book titled “Hit Refresh” – Satya Nadella. 22. Book titled “Indira Gandhi – A life in Nature” authored
11. Book titled “Unstoppable: My Life So far” authored by by – Jairam Ramesh.
– Maria Sharapova. 23. Book titled “Beren And Luthien” authored by – J.R.R.
12. Book titled “The Shershah of Kargil” authored by - Tolkien.
Deepak Surana (Biography of Kargil war hero – Late 24. Book titled “Yug Purush, Bharat Ratna, Atal Ji”
Captain Vikram Batra) authored by – Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”.
13. Book titled “Kadve Vachan” authored by – Tarun Sagar 25. Book titled “Matoshree” authored by - Lok Sabha
Maharaj. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan

Honors & Awards

National Awards

1. Mamta Kalia Selected for Vyas Samman 2017 - • The novel 'Dukkham Sukkham' depicts the
Eminent Hindi litterateur & playwright Mamta Kalia story of grandmother Vidhyawati and
has been selected for ‘Vyas Samman-2017’ for her granddaughter Manisha's relation.
novel ‘Dukkham Sukkham’. • The book, 'Dukkham Sukkham' was published
Note: in 2010.

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• Currently, she is the editor of Mahatma Gandhi 6. Lifetime Achievement Award – Atom Egoyan
International Hindi University's quarterly 7. Best Debut Film of a Director Award – Kiro Russo,
magazine ‘Hindi’. Dark Skull
• Vyas Samman was instituted in 1991 by the KK 8. ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal - Marathi Film Kshitij-
Birla Foundation and carries a cash award of A Horizon, directed by Manoj Kadam.
Rs 3.50 lakh, a citation, and a logo.
• She is also known for her works in Hindi and 9. 53rd Jnanpith award 2017- Krishna Sobti (eminent
English including "Beghar", "Janch Abhi Jaari Hindi writer).
Hai", "Nirmohi", and "Bolne Wali Aurat". Note:
• She was born in Vrindavan, Mathura. ➢ She was born in 1925 in Gujrat, in Pakistan’s
2. 3rd Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Punjab Province.
Distinguished Indologist Award for the year 2017 - ➢ Some of her popular works include Daar se
Professor Hiroshi Marui of Japan. Bichhudi, Dil-o-Danish, Badalom ke Ghere,
Yaaron Ke Yaar, Mitron Marjani, and
Note: He spent over 40 years working on Indian
Zindaginama.
philosophy and Buddhist Studies. ➢ She is most known for her 1966 novel Mitro
3. Ruskin Bond conferred with Lifetime Achievement Marajani, an unapologetic portrayal of a
Award by the Chandigarh Literary Society.
married woman's sexuality.
4. 2017 Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award 10. UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2017 - The Sri
- Girish Karnad (Actor-playwright) Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam in Tamil Nadu
5. Most Visited Place of the World’ - Golden Temple
won UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2017 for
(Amritsar). The award is presented by ‘World Book of cultural heritage conservation programme.
Records’ (WBR), a London-based organisation. Note: It is the first temple from Tamil Nadu to win the
6. Big Little Book Award for year 2017 - Nabaneeta
prize from the UN body.
Dev Sen (Sahitya Akademi awardee Bengali writer).
11. Best Urban Transport Practices’ of the Union
Note: The award, given out by Parag initiative of Tata Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs awards -
Trusts to recognise and honour authors and illustrators of i. Best City Bus Services Award 2017 - Surat
children's literature. Municipal Corporation awarded with the ‘Best City Bus
7. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize - Manmohan Singh Services Award’ by the Union Ministry of Housing and
(Former PM of India) will receive the Indira Gandhi Urban Affairs for attracting 87 per cent of the private
Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development this vehicle and auto rickshaw users to use city buses.
year for his leadership of the country between 2004 ii. ‘Best Non-Motorised Transport’ Award - Mysuru’s
and 2014. Public Bicycle Sharing won the Best Non-Motorised
8. International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Awards – Transport’ Award.
The 48th International Film Festival of India held this iii. ‘Best Urban Transport Initiative’ Award - Kochi
year in Goa. (Kerala) was chosen for the for completing its Metro
Here is the list of winners at IFFI 2017 – Rail Project in a quick time.
1. Best Film Award at IFFI 2017 - 120 Beats Per iv. Best Intelligent Transport Project’ - The H-TRIMS
Minute (A French film on fight against indifference of Hyderabad, the Traffic Integraged Management
towards AIDS) initiative was awarded with the award. .
Note: The film is directed by - Robin Campillo 12. Vishnudas Bhave award - Mohan Joshi (Veteran
2. Indian film personality of the year award - Amitabh actor)
Bachchan Note: The award is conferred in memory of Vishnudas
3. Best Female Actress Award – Parvathy Thiruvoth Bhave, the founder of Marathi theatre.
Kottuvatta for the film ‘Take Off’ 13. Tata Literature Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
Note: The film is directed by - Mahesh Narayanan - Girish Karnad (Veteran actor).
4. Best Male Actor Award – Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, 14. 2017 Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award - Javed Akhtar
Beats Per Minute (Veteran writer-lyricist).
5. Best Director Award – Vivian Qu, Angels Wear 15. ‘General Insurance Company of the Year’ - Apollo
White Munich Health Insurance.

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16. Green Platinum Award - The Govardhan Eco Village, the Mathrubhumi Literary Award for 2016 in
set up by the International Society for Krishna recognition of his rich contribution to the Malayalam
Consciousness (ISKCON) in Palghar district won the literature.
‘Green Platinum Award’ by Indian Green Building 24. Asia Game Changers Award- 2017--Dev Patel.
Council (IGBC) of Confederation of Indian Industry 25. First Kesari Media Award - T J S George. (Veteran
(CII). journalist)
17. Indira Gandhi National Integration award for 26. Prem Nazir Award 2017 – Sharada (Veteran actress)
2015-16- T M Krishna (Carnatic music vocalist). He is 27. East Bengal football club’s highest honour 'Bharat
being awarded for his services in promoting and Gaurav' - Dhanraj Pillay
preserving national integration in the country. 28. 2018 Times Higher Education (THE) World university
18. Cleartrip Named 'Best Mobile App for Travel' at ranking, Indian university has been names the top
Mobexx Awards. university in India -- IISc-Bangalore.
19. Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2017 - K Satchidanandan 29. First lifetime achievement award for his contribution to
(Noted Malayalam Poet and literary critic) has been Badminton -- Prakash Padukone.
selected for Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2017. This is 30. Bollywood star has received the ‘Global Diversity
Kerala government's highest literary honour. Award’ at Britain’s House of Commons - Salman Khan
20. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage 31. Best film award at 18th IIFA Awards 2017-- Neerja.
Conservation - Mumbai’s The Royal Opera House. 32. JD(U) leader has also received the Lifetime
21. Lifetime Achievement Award - Sharmila Tagore Achievement Award as a Rajya Sabha MP -- Sharad
(Veteran actress) Yadav.
Note: She was bestowed with the recognition by the 33. Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his
for her contribution in the field of cinema. contributions as a Lok Sabha member -- LK Advani.
22. Golden Peacock Award - N Chandrababu Naidu 34. Indian city has been declared as a World Heritage City
(WHC) by UNESCO -- Ahmedabad.
(Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) has received the
35. Indian film Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars
Golden Peacock Award under the category 'Global
2018 -- Newton.
Leadership in Public Service and Economic
Transformation' at a convention in London at 17th Note: Newton is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language black
London Global Convention. comedy film directed by Amit V Masurkar and Produced
23. Mathrubhumi Literary Award - Eminent critic, by Drishyam Films.
biographer and orator M K Sanu has been chosen for

International Awards

1. The Silence Breakers' named Time’s Person of the • The #MeToo movement which has seen many
Year for 2017 – Time magazine has named 'the people come forward with allegations of
silence breakers' its Person of the Year for 2017 harassment and abuse.
mentioning to those women and men who have raise a • The runner-up for this year’s Person of the
voice to sexual assault and harassment by powerful Year was US President Donald Trump, who
public figures in America. was Time’s Person of the Year in 2016.
Note: 2. Children's Peace Prize 2017 – Mohamad Al Jounde
• The women featured on the cover include Mohamad Al Jounde (16 years old) from Syria was
actress Ashley Judd, singer Taylor Swift, awarded the International Children's Peace Prize for
former Uber engineer Susan Fowler, Visa his efforts to ensure the rights of Syrian refugee
lobbyist Adama Iwu, Mexican agricultural children.
worker Isabel Pascual. Note:

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• He set up a school with the help of his family in 12. 2017 Man Booker Prize - George Saunders (US
a Lebanese refugee camp which provides author).
education to the 200 children. Note:
• He received the prize from Malala Yousafzai, ➢ He won the award for fiction for his first full-
who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her length novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo.
work for children's rights. ➢ With this, Saunders became second American
3. Miss Universe 2017 - Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Miss writer to win the award. In 2016, Paul Beatty
South Africa). The event was held at the AXIS theatre at became the first American to win the award for
Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, US. his novel The Sellout.
4. Miss World 2017 - Manushi Chhillar (Miss India). The ➢ Lincoln in the Bardo is an extended national
event was held in Sanya City Arena in China. ghost story. It chronicles the death of Abraham
Note: She was born in Rohtak, Haryana. Lincoln’s 11-year-old son Willie using the
5. European Golden Shoe Award - Lionel Messi accounts of hundreds of narrators. The book
6. 2017 Cervantes Prize - Sergio Ramirez Mercado. It is describes the night President Lincoln visited
the Spanish-speaking world's highest literary honor. his son’s body in a Washington graveyard.
7. Miss International 2017 - Kevin Lilliana (Indonesia) 13. US Award For AIDS Research - Professors Salim
8. Abu Dhabi Award - The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim received
Development Corporation (APMDC) has bagged an the award from the Institute for Human Virology (IHV)
international award from Abu Dhabi. in Baltimore, US.
9. Mother Teresa Award 2017 - United Nations High Note: Indian-origin South African researchers were
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been named honored with a prestigious award for their exceptional
as the recipient of the Mother Teresa Memorial Award contributions in the field of HIV/AIDS.
for Social Justice, 2017. 14. 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist
Note: The Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Challenge - Indian-American Gitanjali Rao won the
Justice was instituted by Harmony Foundation. 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist
10. Jewish Nobel Prize - Natalie Portman (actress) has Challenge for inventing a quick, low-cost test to detect
been awarded Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize in lead-contaminated water.
recognition of her commitment to social causes and 15. 2017 Blue Planet Prize - Prof Hans Joachim
deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli roots. Schellnhuber from Germany won 2017 Blue Planet
Note: 2018 Genesis Prize is a $1 million award, known Prize, world’s most prestigious award for pioneers in
as “the Jewish Nobel Prize. environmental science.
11. Best Short Film Award - Indian short film ‘The Note: He was awarded for establishing new field of
School Bag’ won the ‘Best Short Film Award' at the science ‘Earth System Analysis’ and introducing most
South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM). It tells influential concepts including the notion of tipping
a story based in Pakistan.
elements in the climate system in Tokyo.
Note: The movie is directed by Dheeraj Jindal.

List of Nobel Prize 2017 – ● Winner - Kazuo Ishiguro.

● He is a British author and best known for his novel
1. Nobel Prize in Peace “The Remains of the Day”.
● Winner - International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear ● He was born in Nagasaki, Japan.
Weapons (ICAN) 3. Nobel Prize in Economics
● Field - ICAN for its work to draw attention to the ● Winner - Richard Thaler
catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use ● Field – for his work in behavioral economics.
of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking ● Richard Thaler born in New Jersey, United States.
efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such He is a professor of behavioural sciences and
weapons. economics at University of Chicago.
● ICAN headquarter at – Geneva, Switzerland. 4. Nobel Prize in Medicine
● ICAN Executive Director - Beatrice Fihn ● Winner - Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and
2. Nobel Prize in Literature Michael W. Young

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● Field - for their discoveries on how plants, animals ● Barry C. Barish born in Nebraska, U.S. He is a
and humans adapt their biological rhythm so that professor at California Institute of Technology.
it is synchronized with the Earth's revolutions. ● Kip S. Thorne born in Utah, U.S. He is a professor
● Jeffrey C. Hall – He is from New York, US and at California Institute of Technology.
currently Professor at Brandeis University. 6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry
● Michael Rosbash – He is from Missouri, US and
● Winner - Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and
currently Professor at Brandeis University.
● Michael W. Young – He is from Miami, Florida, US Richard Henderson.
and Professor at Rockefeller University, University ● Field - They developed cryo-electron microscopy
of Texas at Austin, Stanford University School of for the high-resolution structure determination of
Medicine. biomolecules in solution. It’s a method of
5. Nobel Prize in Physics simplifying and improving the imaging of
● Winner - Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. biomolecules.
Thorne. ● Jacques Dubochet born in Aigle, Switzerland. He
● Field - Their decisive contributions to the LIGO is a professor at University of Lausanne.
(Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave
● Joachim Frank born in Siegen, Germany. He is a
Observatory) detector and the observation of
gravitational waves. professor at Columbia University.
● Rainer Weiss born in Berlin, Germany. He is a ● Richard Henderson born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Professor at Massachusetts Institute of He is a professor at Laboratory of Molecular
Technology. Biology.

concise

Summits & Conference 2017

• The main objective of the conference is
1. First SAICON 2017 held in –New Delhi. to explore holistic solutions for
Note: adaptation to change in the Hindu Kush
• The theme of the conference was ‘Scoring Himalaya region.
Goals in Sports with Science and • President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari
Technology’. has inaugurated the event.
• The first International Conference on Sports 6. 6th International Tourism Mart 2017 held in -
Medicine & Sports Sciences “SAICON 2017” Guwahati, Assam.
was held in New Delhi. Note:
• It was inaugurated by the Minister of State • The International Tourism Mart is
(I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Col. inaugurated by the Jagdish Mukhi,
Rajyavardhan Rathore. Governor of Assam.
2. Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers Meet held • The main objective of the mart is to
in Delhi –Foreign Ministers of Russia, India, and highlight the tourism potential of the
China (RIC) trilateral meeting held in New Delhi. region in the domestic and international
3. Asean-India Connectivity Summit – New Delhi. markets.
• Theme "Powering Digital and Physical 7. The 3rd edition of the Dialogue between the
Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century". NITI Aayog and the Development Research
Council of China was held in Beijing, China.
4. 11th Ministerial conference of the World Note:
Trade Organization (WTO) – Buenos Aires, • The meeting was co-chaired by Vice
Argentina. Chairman NITI Aayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar,
5. International Conference on Climate change and Mr Li Wei, President (Minister), DRC.
held in - Nepal • The MoU was signed during the visit of
Note: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to
China in May 2015.

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• The 2nd Dialogue was held in New Delhi • The theme of the Conference was ‘Their
in November 2016. Future is Our Future - Sustainable
• The next 4th NITI Aayog - DRC Dialogue Development for Wildlife and People’.
will be held in India in 2018. • CMS COP is held once in three years.
8. 16th Meeting of the SCO Heads of Government 13. World Youth Forum - Egypt.
Council held in Sochi, Russia. Note: The Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Note: Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore
• In 2018, the next SCO Council of Heads of attend the meeting
Government Meeting will be held 14. 38th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing – New
in Tajikistan. Delhi.
9. The first International Exhibition and • The main theme of the conference is Space
Conference on AYUSH and Wellness sector- Applications: Touching Human Lives.
AROGYA 2017 held in New Delhi. 15. 21st World Congress of Mental Health - New Delhi.
Note: 16. Global Clubfoot Conference – New Delhi.
• The conference was inaugurated by the MoS Note:
(Independent charge), Ministry of Ayush • President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Global
Shripad Naik. Clubfoot Conference organised by CURE India in
• The theme of the conference is ‘Enhancing the partnership with Union Ministry of Health and
global potential of Ayush’. Family Welfare in New Delhi.
• About Clubfoot - It is one of the most common
• AYUSH is the acronym of - Ayurveda, Yoga
orthopaedic birth defects where one or both feet
and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
are rotated inwards and downwards. It
Homoeopathy.
describes range of foot abnormalities usually
10. World Food India 2017 - New Delhi.
present at birth in which your baby’s foot is
• The theme of WFI 2017 is ‘Transforming the Food
twisted out of shape or position. In clubfoot,
Economy’.
tissues connecting muscles to the bone
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated (tendons) are shorter than usual.
World Food India 2017 (WFI) at the India Gate 17. 11th India-US Trade Policy Forum Meeting -
Lawns in New Delhi. Washington D.C
• Germany, Japan and Denmark are partner Note: The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for
countries to World Food India. Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu and US Trade
• This is first time India is hosting such an event for Representative Robert Lighthizer.
the Food processing sector. 18. First International Conference on Consumer
11. 'India Disaster Response Summit' – New Delhi. Protection - New Delhi
Note: • The theme of the conference was
• Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the ‘India Disaster “Empowering Consumers in New Markets”.
Response Summit’ in New Delhi. • It was inaugurated by Prime Minister
• The summit was organised jointly by the Narendra Modi.
National Disaster Management Authority 19. First BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine
(NDMA) and Facebook. meeting - New Delhi.
12. India to host UN wildlife summit CMS COP13 in Note:
2020 - United Nations Environment Programme • The first-ever meeting of BIMSTEC Task Force
(UNEP) announced that India will host the next CMS on Traditional Medicine (BITFM) was held at
Conference of the Parties 13 (CMS COP13) in the year Parvasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi.
2020. • It was organized by Union Ministry of AYUSH.
Note: 20. India-UAE Partnership Summit 2017 – Dubai.
• CMS COP is a global wildlife conference. • The theme of the summit was - Investment
• UN wildlife summit CMS COP13 in 217 held Implementation.
in Manila, Philippines.

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• The objective of India-UAE Partnership 20. 19th UN Climate Change Summit 2017- Bonn,
Summit is to accelerate bilateral trade and Germany.
investment between the two countries. ● Note: The United Nations Climate Change
12. 3rd International Conference on Yoga 2017 – New Conferences are yearly conferences held in the
Delhi, India. framework of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
● Theme of the conference is – “Yoga for Wellness”.
● 18th UN Climate Change Summit 2016 - Marrakech,
● Conference was organised by – Ministry of Ayush.
Morocco.
● Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 21. 9th BRICS Summit 2017 - Xiamen, China.
conference. ● Theme of the Summit - “BRICS: Stronger
13. 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space 2017 – New Partnership for a Brighter Future”.
Delhi, India. ● The Summit was attended by –
● Theme of the conference – ‘Cyber4All: An Inclusive, ● President of Brazil – Michel Temer
Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure ● President of Russia – Vladimir Putin
Cyberspace’ ● Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi
● The 4th GCCS conference held in The Hague, ● President of China – Xi, Jinping
Netherlands. ● President of South Africa – Jacob Zuma
14. India – ASEAN Youth Summit 2017 – Bhopal, Madhya ● Note: BRICS comprises 5-member countries:
Pradesh Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
● Venue of 10th BRICS Summit 2018-
Theme of the summit - “Shared Values, Common
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Destiny” ● Venue of 8th BRICS Summit 2016- Goa, India.
15. First ASEAN – India Music Festival held in New Delhi, 22. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
India. 2017 – Astana, Kazakhstan.
● Note: Theme – ‘Shared Values, Common Destiny’. ● Note:
16. 14th India - European Union (EU) 2017 Summit – ● SCO General Secretary – Rashid Alimov.
New Delhi, India. ● SCO Headquarter - Beijing, China.
● President of European Union (EU) – Donald Tusk. ● Official Language – Chinese, Russian.
● Member countries – 28 ● SCO comprises 8-member countries: China,
● European Union (EU) headquarter - Brussels, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Belgium. Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.
● The 15th India-EU Summit will be held in Brussels, ● India and Pakistan became full members of
Belgium. the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
● The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels, on 9 June 2017.
Belgium. ● Venue of SCO Summit 2018- China.
17. 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 - ● Venue of SCO Summit 2016- Tashkent,
Hyderabad, India. Uzbekistan.
● Theme of the Summit – ‘Women First, Prosperity
23. ASEAN (30th & 31st) 2017 Summit – Manila,
for All’. Philippines.
● 7th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2016 –
● Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Silicon Valley, USA. organisation comprising 10 South east Asian
18. 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF) 2017 countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
– Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,
● The 2nd IISF held in New Delhi in 2016. Thailand and Vietnam.
● The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of
● Its motto is - “One Vision, One Identity, One
Technology (IIT) New Delhi in 2015.
Community.
19. India Mobile Congress 2017 - New Delhi.
● Note: This is the first time India is all set to host its ● Note: ASEAN Summit held twice a year.
own mobile mega show. The Indian telecom market ● Secretary General – Le Luong Minh.
is the second-largest in the world after China. India ● Chairman - Philippines Rodrigo Duterte
has a total subscriber base of over 1.18 billion ● ASEAN headquarter – Jakarta, Indonesia.
subscribers.

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● Venue of ASEAN (32nd & 33rd) 2018 Summit - 27. 43rd G-7 Summit 2017 - Sicily, Italy.
Singapore. ● Theme of the summit - “Building the foundations of
● Venue of 28-29th ASEAN Summit 2016 – renewed trust.”
Vientiane, Laos ● The G-7 comprises 7 countries – Canada, France,
24. 29 APEC 2017 Summit – Danang, Vietnam
th Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United
● Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation States.
(APEC)organisation comprising 21 members ● Venue of 42nd G-7 2016 Summit – Shima,
countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan
Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, ● Venue of 44th G-7 2018 Summit – Canada
Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, 28. NATO Summit 2017 – Brussels, Belgium.
Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The ● Note:
Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei,
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Thailand, United States, Vietnam.
comprises 29 countries – Albania, Belgium,
● Chairman - Trần Đại Quang
Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
● Executive Director - Alan Bollard
Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
● APEC headquarter – Singapore
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherland,
● Venue of 30th APEC 2018 Summit - Port Moresby, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Papua New Guinea.
Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United
● Venue of 28th APEC Summit 2016 – Peru, Lima
States.
25. 4th BIMSTEC 2017 Summit – Kathmandu, Nepal
● NATO headquarter - Brussels, Belgium.
● Note:
● NATO Secretary General - Jens Stoltenberg
● Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
● NATO 2018 Summit – Brussels, Belgium.
Technical and Economic Cooperation
● NATO 2016 Summit -Warsaw, Poland
(BIMSTEC)organisation comprising 7 members
● Note: Turkey’s offer to host the 2018 NATO summit
countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar,
is rejected by Canada and 18 European NATO
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
members. Hence, 2018 NATO Summit will be held in
● Chairmanship – Nepal (since 2014)
Brussels, Belgium.
● BIMSTEC headquarter – Dhaka, Bangladesh
29. 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2017 –
● Venue of 3rd BIMSTEC Summit 2014 - Nay Pyi
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Taw, Myanmar.
● Theme of 2017 PBS is “Redefined Engagement
26. G-20 Summit 2017 – Hamburg, Germany.
With Indian Diaspora”.
● Theme of the summit – “Shaping an Inter-
● Note:
connected World”
● Chief Guest at 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017
● The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the
is - H.E. Dr. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of the
European Union. These countries are Argentina, Republic of Portugal.
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, ● The PBS convention is held on January 9th each year
India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi
Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the from South Africa in 1915. It is celebrated to mark
United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of the contribution of the overseas Indian community
America (USA). to the development of the country.
● Meeting of G20 Labour Ministers 2017 – Bad ● Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2016 was cancelled.
Neuenahr, Germany. ● 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2015 –
● Meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Central Bank Governors 2017 – Baden, ● Singapore to Host Regional Pravasi Bharatiya
Germany. Divas in 2018.
● Venue of G-20 2018 Summit - Buenos Aires, 30. 104th Indian Science Congress 2017 – SV University,
Argentina Tirupati.
● Venue of G-20 2016 Summit – Hangzhou, ● Focal theme - Science & Technology for National
China Development.

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● 105th Indian Science Congress 2018 to be hosted ● Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held
by Osmania University, Hyderabad. after a gap of every two years.
● Focal Theme - Reaching the Unreached Through ● Total member countries – 52.
Science & Technology ● Headquarter – London, United Kingdom.
31. 25th CHOGM 2018 Summit– The next 25th meeting of ● CHOGM 2015 Summit – Malta.
the heads of government of the Commonwealth of 32. 3rd World Conference on Environment 2017 – New
Nations will be held in the London, United Kingdom. Delhi, India.
● Note: In 2017, Vanuatu was selected to host 25th ● It was organized by the National Green Tribunal
CHOGM Summit but due to the damage done by (NGT) and inaugurated by the President Pranab
Cyclone Pam, it was decided to be held in United Mukherjee.
Kingdom in 2018.

National Affairs

1. UNESCO names Kumbh Mela in list of Intangible Delhi as part of celebrations of 20th Anniversary of
Cultural Heritage – The Intergovernmental BIMSTEC. The Festival was inaugurated by Minister of
Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural State (IC) for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma.
Heritage under UNESCO has inscribed ´KumbhMela´ 5. India’s first mobile food testing lab unveiled in Goa
on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural – India’s ‘first’ mobile food testing laboratory enabling
Heritage of Humanity. on-the-spot food safety tests was launched in Goa. It
Note: was launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
• The inscription of Kumbh Mela in list was Note:
undertaken following recommendation by • This is the first ever ‘Food Safety on Wheel’
expert body which examines nominations mobile laboratory in the country.
submitted by member countries of UNESCO • The vehicle is equipped to conduct on-the-
during its 12th session of Committee held at spot tests to check food quality and curb
Jeju, South Korea. adulteration.
• KumbhMela is the 14th intangible cultural • It will also check hygiene level of water
heritage from India to be listed in UNESCO’s and the results can be received within 15
list. minutes.
2. Uttar Pradesh first State to approve Centre’s triple 6. Mt Hope new tallest mountain in British Antarctic
talaq draft bill – Uttar Pradesh became first state to Territory – As per new discovery from cartographers
approve Union Government’s draft law — Muslim surveying Antarctica, Mt Hope is the tallest mountain
Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act that in the British Antarctic Territory (BAT). Its height is
makes practice of instant “triple talaq” or talaq-e- measured at 3,239 meters above sea level.
biddat. a cognisable and non-bailable criminal offence. Note: Earlier, maps showed Mt Jackson with the
The draft law was endorsed by the state cabinet height 3,184 meters as the tallest mountain in the
meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. territory according to researchers at British
Background Antarctic Survey (BAS).
3. India and Israel open centre for floriculture in 7. Uttarakhand government makes LED bulbs
Tamil Nadu – India and Israel have jointly set up a compulsory in all government offices – The state
centre for excellence in floriculture at Thally in government of Uttarakhand has taken a new initiative
Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. It is first agro- for energy conservation by making it compulsory for
technology development centre to be set up with all government offices to install LED bulbs.
Israel’s assistance in Tamil Nadu. 8. Kerala’s Alappuzha in top UN clean city list - The
4. Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist waste management system was being implemented in
Heritage held in New Delhi – India hosted “Bodhi Kerala’s coast town of Alappuzha has been recognised
Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage” at New by the United Nations Environment Programme
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(UNEP) as one of the five models across the world for • The Dam is named after the Banasura, the son
fighting the pollution menace. of Mahabali who was a very respected king of
Note: Kerala.
• Alappuzha called “the Venice of East” has 15. Core sector grows 4.7% in October 2017 - The
been listed in the UNEP environment growth of Core sector has grown till 4.7% in the
report. month of October 2017. The data is shared by the of
• PM Narendra Modi Swachh Bharat eight core industries released by Ministry of
Abhiyan ranked Alappuzha at 380 among
Commerce and Industry.
the 500 cities in the country in the Swachh
Survekshan Survey 2017. Note:
9. Farmer engagement app ‘Jai Kisaan’ launched in • This is the highest core sector growth since
Goa – The Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar March 2017.
launched a farmer engagement app named ‘Jai Kisaan’ • The eight core sectors include - coal,
which aims to fulfil the needs of the farmer's natural gas, crude oil, refinery products,
community in India. cement, fertilizers, steel, and electricity.
10. PM Narendra Modi launches UMANG App – Prime 16. National Nutrition Mission approved by Union
Minister Narendra Modi launched the UMANG App Cabinet - The Union Cabinet has approved the setting
(Unified Mobile Application), a platform that brings of National Nutrition Mission (NNM) with an outlay of
more than100 government services on a single mobile 9046.17 crore rupees for three years. It will be rolled
app. out in three phases from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
11. PM Modi inaugurated Dr. Ambedkar International Note:
• The function of NNM is to monitor various
Centre in New Delhi - Prime Minister Narendra
schemes contributing towards addressing
Modi inaugurated the B.R Ambedkar International malnutrition.
Centre in the New Delhi.
• More than 10 crore people will be
12. Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh has been included
benefitted by this programme.
in the National Capital Region (NCR). Now there are
• All the States and districts will be covered
total 23 districts which come under the National
in a phased manner i.e. 315 districts in
Capital Region.
2017-18, 235 districts in 2018-19 and
13. Kacheguda becomes first energy-efficient rail
remaining districts in 2019-20.
station – Kacheguda railway station (South Central
• It is an apex body under Ministry of
Railway) has earned the unique distinction of being
Women and Child Development.
the First Energy Efficient ‘A1 Category’ Railway
17. Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium held in
Station on Indian Railways. The station has achieved
New Delhi - The 22nd meeting of the Small Farmers’
100% energy efficiency replacing 1,312 conventional
Agri-Business Consortium held in New Delhi. The
lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.
meeting was chaired by Union Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
14. India’s largest floating Solar Power Plant opened in
About Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium
Kerala by the State power minister MM Mani in Kerala.
• The Small Farmers Agribusiness
The total budget for the project is Rs. 9.25 crore. The
Consortium (SFAC) is an autonomous
plant is built at Banasura Sagar dam Kerala.
society established in 1994 and is
About Banasura Sagar Dam
registered under Societies Registration Act
• The Banasura Sagar Dam is located in
1860.
Wayanad District of Kerala in the Western
• It is promoted by Union Ministry of
Ghats. It is built over Kabini River.
Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers’
• It is the largest earthen dam in India and the
Welfare.
second largest in Asia.

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• SFAC is also registered as Non-Banking 21. Cyclone Ockhi strikes in the Tamil Nadu & Kerala - The
Financial Institution (NBFC) by Reserve cyclone Ockhi strikes in the southern districts of Tamil
Bank of India (RBI). Nadu and some parts of Kerala state.
18. 'Kathakar - International Storytellers Festival’ 22. PM Narendra Modi launches Hyderabad Metro Rail
held in New Delhi - The 7th edition of the Kathakar - Project – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
International Storytellers Festival’ held at the Indira the first phase of the 72-km elevated Hyderabad Metro
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts ( IGNCA), New Rail project.
Delhi. Moreover, PM Modi also launched the mobile app
Note: named 'T Savari' for Metro passengers. The first
• The festival was inaugurated by the phase of Hyderabad Metro Rail project has 24
Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri stations in 30-km stretch between Miyapur and
Kiren Rijiju. Nagole.
• The festival was started under the aegis of 23. ‘Project Saksham’ launched by Railways Ministry -
UNESCO in 2010. ‘Project Saksham’ is a complete training programme,
• It is the only oral storytelling festival in which aims to train all employees of Indian Railways
India and is a part of Ghummakkad Narain- with a view to upgrade their skill and knowledge. It
the Travelling Literature Festival. was launched by Union Minister of Railways & Coal
• The festival this year will be hosted in the Piyush Goyal.
cities of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and
24. 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space held in New
Mumbai.
Delhi.
19. BSF celebrated 52nd formation - The Border
Note: The theme of the conference is Cyber for all,
Security Force is celebrating its 52nd formation day on
a secure and inclusive cyberspace for sustainable
1st December 2017.
Development.
Note:
25. India re-elected member of UNESCO’s executive
• India's Border Security Force was formed on
board - India was re-elected as member of executive
December 1 in 1965 after the Indo-Pak and
board of United Nations educational, scientific and
India-China wars.
cultural organization (UNESCO).
• The KF Rustamji, from the Indian police
Note: Executive board is UNESCO’s top decision-
service, was the first Director General of BSF.
making body. The election was held at 39th session of
• Krishan Kumar Sharma is the
General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, France.
present Director General of BSF.
26. Facebook launches Disaster Maps in India - The
• BSF headquartered in New Delhi.
social networking giant Facebook Inc. has rolled out
20. One Rupee note turns 100 - The one rupee note turns
Disaster Maps for India in a bid to help communities
100 years old on 30th November 2017.
recover and rebuild faster in aftermath of natural
Note:
disasters. It was launched at Facebook’s first Disaster
• The first one-rupee note was introduced Response Summit in India along with National Disaster
on November 30, 1917, with the photo of
Management Authority (NDMA) to improve disaster
King George V.
response and disaster management in India.
• In 1926, the RBI discontinued issuance of
one-rupee note but it got reintroduced in Note: Government has claimed that India will be the
1940. In 1994 again, the note get first country to partner with Facebook on disaster
discontinued which got back reintroduced response.
in 2015. 27. India’s second Technology & Innovation Support
• The One Rupee note is issued by Ministry Centre established at Centre for Intellectual Property
of Finance and it bears the signatures of Rights (CIPR), Anna University, Chennai.
Finance Secretary. Note:
• The objective of TISC is to stimulate dynamic,
vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights

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(IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and 30. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
innovation. approved implementation of Special Banking
• It will thereby help to promote entrepreneurship Arrangement (SBA) for Rs. 10,000 crore for
and enhancing social, economic and cultural payment of outstanding claims on account of fertilizer
development by establishing network of TISCs in subsidy in year 2016-17.
India. 31. Railways launch main arch on world's highest
28. Supreme Court refuses to ban Kambala - The bridge on Chenab - The Indian Railways has
Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order to commenced the main arch of the world's highest
stay Ordinance allowing kambala, the traditional bridge on the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir's
buffalo slush track race in Karnataka. People for Reasi district.
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non- 32. BRO builds world's highest motorable road in
governmental organisation, had challenged the Ladakh - The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has
Ordinance. constructed the world's highest motorable road in
Note: Kambala is traditional slush track buffalo race Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, passing
that is held annually in coastal districts of Karnataka through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.
to entertain rural people of the area. The sports season The feat was achieved under 'Project Himank' of the
generally starts in November and lasts till March. organisation.
29. Govt. to provide financial assistance of Rs 2302.05 33. Govt. launched Food Regulatory & Nivesh Bandhu
crore for Sagarmala projects - The Union Ministry of portal - Union Minister of Food Processing Industries
Shipping undertook projects worth Rs 2302 crore for Harsimrat Kaur Badal announced the launch of the
financial assistance under the Coastal Berth Scheme of Food Regulatory Portal and Investor Facilitation
the Sagarmala Programme. The Ministry also extended Portal “Nivesh Bandhu”.
the period of the scheme for three years up to 31 About Nivesh Bandhu Portal –
March 2020 and expanded its scope to cover capital ➢ “Nivesh Bandhu” portal will assist investors to
dredging at Major Ports and preparation of DPR for make informed investment decisions.
coastal berth project. ➢ It will provide information on Central and State
Key points- Governments’ investor friendly policies, agro-
➢ The 47 projects under Coastal Berth Scheme are producing clusters, infrastructure, and potential
distributed over eight states with the highest areas of investment in the food processing sector.
number of projects in Maharashtra (12 projects), 34. India sends first wheat shipment to Afghanistan
Andhra Pradesh & Goa (10 projects), Karnataka (6 via Chabahar port - India has flagged off shipment of
projects), Kerala and Tamil Nadu (3 projects), wheat for Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar port.
Gujarat (2 projects) and West Bengal (1 project). Note: Chabahar port is strategically located in Sistan-
➢ The most recent beneficiaries of the scheme were Balochistan province on energy-rich Iran’s southern
Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and coast in Gulf of Oman near its border with Pakistan
Karnataka Government respectively for and can be easily accessed from India’s western coast.
developing coastal infrastructure at Jawahar Lal 35. Govt. launched MSME Samadhaan Portal - The
Nehru Port, Karwar Port and Old Manglore Port. Union Government has launched MSME (Micro, Small
About Coastal Berth Scheme of Sagarmala and Medium Enterprise) delayed payment portal
Programme 'MSME Samadhaan'.
➢ The Coastal Berth Scheme aims to provide Key points –
financial support to ports or state governments ➢ The portal will give information about the
for creation of infrastructure for movement of pending payments of MSEs with individual
cargo and passenger by sea or national CPSEs, Central Ministries, State Governments,
waterways. etc.
➢ The total financial assistance from Central ➢ The portal will help in monitoring the delayed
Government is 50 per cent of the total cost of the payments in a more effective manner.
project subject.
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➢ It will also empower the MSEs to access the first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) for
portal and monitor their cases. Skilling in Smart Cities in New Delhi. The main aim
36. Indian Railways to get its first set of solar plants - behind the development is to bring momentum in
Indian Railways’ first set of solar plants having a total skilling through collaborative efforts.
capacity of 5 megawatt peak (MWp). The plants built Note: The PMKK Centre for Smart Cities will provide
on the roof tops of Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, skill training for unemployed youth through its short-
Anand Vihar and Delhi railway stations would be term training (STT) module and contribute to capacity
generating 76.5 lakh units of solar power cumulatively building of municipal employees through Recognition of
every year and are expected to meet about 30 per cent Prior Learning (RPL) program.
of the energy requirement of these stations. 39. PM Modi launches 'Ro-Ro' ferry service in Gujarat -
37. BharatMala Pariyojana: The Union Government has The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Phase 1
approved mega highway projects to build 83677 km of of the RO RO (Roll on, Roll off) ferry service between
highways over the next five years at a cost of Rs 7 lakh Ghogha in Saurashtra and Dahej in south Gujarat. This
crore. is the first of its kind project not only in India but also
Note: in South-East Asia,”
➢ These highway projects include the ambitious About RO RO Ferry Service
Bharatmala project which is the second-largest ➢ The term ro-ro is generally taken for large
highway project after National Highways ocean-going vessels. This is in opposite to the lo-
Development Project (NHDP) that saw lo (lift-on and lift-off) vessels, which apply a
development of about 50000 km of roads. crane to load and unload cargo.
➢ The Bharatmala Pariyojana or Project will ➢ This is a first of its kind of services in India. The
subsume all the existing highway projects, RO RO ferry service will be able to bear up to
including the flagship National Highways hundred of vehicles (cars, bus, truck etc.) and
Development Project (NHDP). 250 passengers linking the two ports.
➢ Bharatmala project is an umbrella programme for ➢ The ro-ro ferry services will take wheeled cargo
roads under which 34800 km of highways will be on and off the ferry on their own wheels or
constructed at a cost of Rs 5.35 lakh crore. using a platform vehicle. The wheeled cargo
➢ Bharatmala Project will include 9000 km of includes, cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks,
economic corridors, 6000 km of inter- trailers, and railroad cars.
corridor and feeder routes, 5000 km of national 40. Jaipur & Srinagar Airport ranked first and second
corridors efficiency improvement, 2000 km of in ACI-ASQ Survey - The Jaipur and Srinagar Airport
border road connectivity, 800 km of were ranked first and second respectively in ACI
expressways and 10000 km of balance (Airports Council International)-ASQ (Airport Service
NHDP projects. Quality) Survey in the category of 2-5 million
➢ A study under the Bharatmala project by global passengers.
consultancy firm AT Kearney identified 44 41. Times Higher Education Rankings: IISC & IIT
economic corridors for development. The Bombay among world’s top 200 for engineering -
corridors included Mumbai-Cochin-Kanyakumari, The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and
Bengaluru-Mangaluru, Hyderabad-Panaji and Indian Instituted of Technology (IIT) Bombay were
Sambalpur-Ranchi among others. ranked among world’s top 200 institutions for
➢ The government has assigned NHAI, National engineering and computer science in Times Higher
Highway and Industrial Development Corporation Education subject-wise rankings.
(NHIDCL) and state Public Work Departments Note: IISc was placed at the 89th spot, while IIT
(PWDs) for the Bharatmala Project. Bombay was placed in the 126 spot.
38. India’s first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for 42. JP Nadda has launched 15 medical outlets of ‘AMRIT
Skilling in Smart Cities Inaugurated - Union Home Deendayal’ in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab
Minister Rajnath Singh along with Skill Development through Video Conference from Shimla.
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India's
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43. PM dedicated first All India Institute of Ayurveda ➢ The first ever All India Institute of Ayurveda
to nation - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on (AIIA)is an apex institute under Ministry of
dedicated first All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in AYUSH.
New Delhi to the nation on the occasion of National ➢ It aims to bring synergy between the traditional
Ayurveda Day. wisdom of Ayurveda and modern diagnostic tools
Note: and technology. It has been set up on lines of
AIIMS
44. India’s first micro forest being built in Chhattisgarh. 47. Country’s first ‘Videsh Bhavan’ launched in Bandra Kurla
45. The union minister Harsh Vardhan has launched SECURE Complex (BKC), Mumbai by External Affairs Minister
Himalaya project in association with UNDP at the Global ‘Sushma Swaraj’.
Wildlife Programme (GWP) conference in New Delhi. 48. India’s first Hyperloop project will come up in Andhra
46. The National Highways Authority of India has launched a Pradesh.
mobile app for smooth functioning of electronic toll 49. The ‘Kandla Port’ has been renamed as -- Deendayal Port.
collection --MyFASTag. Note: Kandla Port is the largest sea port of India (by
volume of cargo handled) located in Kutch District of
Gujarat.

States News
1. Konark festival held in Odisha – The 31st edition Note:
of the Konark festival held in Odisha. The festival • The key economic activity of the state is
held every year from 1st to 5th December. The Agriculture and the main crops include –
objective of the festival is to promote the diverse rice, corn, millets, pulses, oilseeds, etc.
Indian dance heritage as well as the popularity of • The state shares its borders with the
Konark Temple and Odisha as a tourist destination. state of Assam to the west, Arunachal
2. Death for rape of girls aged 12 or less: MP - The Pradesh to the North, Manipur to the
Assembly of Madhya Pradesh has passed a bill South and Burma to the east.
awarding death to those found guilty of raping girls • The capital of Nagaland is Kohima.
aged 12 and below. Dimapur is the largest city in Nagaland.
Note: • TR Zeliang is the present Chief Minister
• The Bill will now be sent to the President of the state.
for his assent, after which it will become • Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya is the
a law. Governor of the Nagaland.
• If President approved the bill, then 4. Hornbill festival held in Nagaland - The 18th
Madhya Pradesh will become the first Hornbill festival held in Nagaland. The festival is
state where those convicted of such celebrated from 1-10 December every year in
rapes will face the death penalty. Nagaland. It is also called the 'Festival of Festivals'.
• The bill introduced a section--376 (A) 5. Telangana Govt: Urdu as Second Official
(A)--to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Language - Telangana Chief Minister K
under which a person convicted of Chandrashekar Rao declared Urdu as the state's
raping a girl aged 12 years or below may second official language. Every office in the state will
be awarded death penalty, life now have an Urdu speaking officer. First official
imprisonment or a minimum language is Telugu.
imprisonment of 14 years with a fine. 6. PM lays Foundation Stone for Infrastructure
3. Nagaland celebrated 54th formation Day – Projects in Bihar - The Prime Minister Narendra
Nagaland state celebrated its 54th formation day. On Modi has laid the foundation stone for four
1 December 1963, Nagaland became the 16th state sewerage projects under the Namami Gange
of India. programme; and four National Highway projects, at

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Mokama in Bihar. The total outlay of these projects index was prepared by Child development NGO Plan
is over Rs. 3700 crore. India. Kerala and Mizoram secured second & third
The projects include - The four sewerage projects rank respectively.
include Sewage Treatment Plant at Beur, Sewerage Bihar ranked at the bottom which is followed by
System with Sewer Network at Beur, Sewage Uttar Pradesh. Delhi was placed near bottom at the
Treatment Plant at Karmalichak and STP and Sewer 24th place
Network at Saidpur. 13. Lifetime pensions for 'Hindi Satyagrahis':
7. Aerospace Park to be set up in Tamil Nadu – The Haryana Govt. - The state government of Haryana
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edapaddi K Palaniswami, announced the lifetime monthly pension of Rs
laid the foundation stone for an aerospace park at 10,000 for 'Hindi Satyagrahis' and those from the
Kanchipuram district to be set up by the State state who were jailed during the Emergency.
Government in 245 acres and at an estimated cost of 14. Vrindavan, Barsana declared as Sacred Sites -
Rs 198 crore. The Uttar Pradesh government issued an order
8. Maharashtra to build 210m World’s Tallest notifying Vrindavan and Barsana towns in Mathura
statue of Shivaji – Maharashtra government has district as 'sacred pilgrimage sites' ('pavitra teerth
decided to build the 210-metre-high statue of sthals'). With this, Vrindavan and Barsana became
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea off the the first two places to be notified as teerth sthal in
Mumbai coast. government records. No meat and liquor shops will
Currently, the Spring Temple Buddha statue, which be allowed in these towns anymore.
stands at 208 metres in China, is the world’s tallest 15. Madras HC bans photographs of living persons
statue. on sign-boards and banners - The Madras High
9. Allahabad to get India’s First Black Buck Court banned the use of photographs or pictures of
Conservation Reserve - Uttar Pradesh cabinet living persons on banners, flex boards and sign-
decided to make India's first conservation reserve boards across the state of Tamil Nadu.
for blackbuck in Allahabad's Meja. The decision 16. Meghalaya Election department to feature in Limca
taken for the protection of black deer will also help Book of Records - The Election department of
in wooing tourists. Meghalaya state has won an entry in the Limca Book
10. Haryana became the first State in India to treat of Records for forming a human logo with newly-
Hepatitis-C Patients with Oral Medicine - Haryana enrolled young voters of Meghalaya on 1 July 2017.
has emerged as the first state in the country to treat The information was shared by Limca official
Hepatitis-C patients through oral medicine. This Garima Manon with the office of Meghalaya Chief
medicine would be provided free of cost to Electoral Officer on 24 October 2017.
permanent residents of all categories at district 17. Assam to host Global Investors Summit in 2018 -
level. Assam would be hosting its first Global Investors
11. Goa to host Nobel Prize Event in February 2018 - Summit in Guwahati from 3- 4 February 2018.
The state government of Goa signed a trilateral 18. The state government of Chhattisgarh has reduced
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the the rate of interest on loan given to women and their
Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of self-help groups under Saksham Yojna. The rate of
Science and Technology and Nobel Media, Sweden to interest on loans has been cut from 6.5 per cent to 5
host the Nobel Prize Series - India event during 1-28 per cent to benefit more women and their SHGs
February 2018. under the Yojna.
The event will be jointly organized by Department of 19. India’s first-ever Industrial Training Institute for the
Bio-Technology, Union Ministry of Science and Divyangans will come up in the state-- Assam.
Technology in collaboration with Department of Note: The foundation stone for the institute was laid at
Science and Technology and Nobel Media AB, Dibrugarh ITI Complex at Borboruah in Assam.
20. Prime Minister ‘Narander Modi’ laid the foundation
Sweden. stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
12. Goa tops Gender Vulnerability Index – Goa has at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
topped the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI). The
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21. Uttar Pradesh state govt. has launched a mass of women against their husbands and in-laws and find
marriage scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah an amicable solution.
Yojana’ for BPL families. 28. Jammu & Kashmir government has inaugurated the
22. Karnataka. state govt has launched 'Vision-2025' second International Yoga Festival and International
project across the state. Yoga Sports Championship 2017.
Note: The project aimed at evolving a draft policy for 29. India’s first-ever railways disaster management centre
development of the state for the year 2025 by will come up near Bengaluru, Karnataka by 2018.
seeking the opinion of the general public. 30. India’s first-ever aviation university Rajiv Gandhi
23. Odisha state Govt. has launched a Sampurna Yojna National Aviation University (RGNAU) will come up in
scheme for pregnant women. Fursatganj in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
24. The Union Minister Dr. Harshvardhan has launched 'Pt 31. The 2017 Aadi Perukku festival is celebrated in Tamil
Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Nadu.
Pariyojana' in Uttarakhand. 32. India’s biggest Global Skill Park will be set up in the
25. Himachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
launch electric bus service. 33. India’s first automatic coastal warning for disasters
26. Jharkhand state government has launched Shaheed will set up in Odisha.
Gram Vikas Yojana to provide houses to freedom 34. India’s first freight village will be developed by the
fighters. Inland waterways authority of India (IWAI) in --
27. Tripura became the first Indian state to set up family Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
welfare district committees to examine the complaints

International Affairs

1. Saudi Arabia lifts 35 years ban on cinemas, movie determined it no longer meets international safety
theaters. standards.
2. Taj Mahal named second-best UNESCO world 4. Donald Trump recognise Jerusalem as Israel's
heritage site – According to a survey, the Taj Mahal capital – Donald Trump has announced that the U.S.
of Agra, India is the second-best UNESCO world will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
heritage site in the world. 5. Wassenaar Arrangement decides to admit India
Note: as its new member – The elite export control
• Angkor Wat of Cambodia named as the regime Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) has decided
Best UNESCO World Heritage Site. to admit India as its new member at the two-day
• Angkor is one of the most important plenary meeting of the grouping in Vienna.
archaeological sites in South-East Asia. It would enhance its credentials in the field of
• The survey was conducted by the non-proliferation despite not being a signatory
world’s largest travel portal TripAdvisor to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
which lists the UNESCO Cultural and The Wassenaar Arrangement plays a significant
Natural heritage sites which are rated by role in promoting transparency and greater
travellers around the globe. responsibility in transfers of conventional arms
• Taj Mahal is followed by Great Wall, and dual-use goods and technologies.
China; Machu Picchu, Peru; Iguazu Falls, Note:
Argentina/Brazil; Sassi of Materia, Italy; India will become the Arrangement's 42nd
Auschwitz, Poland; Old City of Jerusalem, participating state as soon as the necessary
Israel; Historic areas of Istanbul, Turkey; procedural arrangements for joining the WA are
and Historic Krakow, Poland. completed.
3. Venezuela Airlines banned from European Union The Wassenaar Arrangement participating
skies - The Airline of Venezuela Avior has been states reviewed the progress of the number of
barred from European Union skies after a committee

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current membership applications and agreed at inaugurated the port. The Shahid Beheshti Port of
the plenary meeting to admit India. Chabahar is now the only and largest port in Iran on
6. ISA become Treaty-based International the Indian Ocean and will significantly help in
Intergovernmental organization –The regional development with the rest of world
International Solar Alliance (ISA) has become the countries.
treaty-based international intergovernmental 9. US withdraws from UN Migrant & Refugee pact. –
organization one month after Guinea became the The United States has withdrawn itself from a
15th country to ratify it. United Nations Migrant & Refugee pact. to improve
Note: the handling of migrant and refugee situations.
• Till now, 46 countries have signed and 10. Venezuela to launch new cryptocurrency ‘Petro’
19 ratified Framework Agreement of - According to the Venezuelan President Nicolas
International Solar Alliance (ISA). Maduro, the country is set to launch a digital
• It is the first treaty-based international currency called the “petro” to combat US -led
government organisation to be based in financial "blockade,".
India. The ‘Petro’ a cryptocurrency will be backed by
• Its headquarter is located on the campus Venezuela’s oil, mineral and gold reserves. It
of National Institute of Solar Energy would help Venezuela to make financial
(NISE), Gwalpahari, Gurgaon, Haryana. transactions and overcome the financial
About ISA blockade.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is 11. India re-elected to International Maritime
jointly launched by the Prime Minister Organisation Council. YK Sinha, India’s
Narendra Modi and French President ambassador to the UK, represented India at the
Francois Hollande on the sidelines of assembly in London. India joined the International
COP-21 of UN Climate Conference in Maritime Organisation Council as a member in 1959.
Paris in November 2015. Note:
• The ISA is an alliance of more than 121 • The International Maritime Organization
countries. The institutional structure of (IMO) is the agency of United Nation which
ISA consists of an Assembly, a Council plays an important role in relation to the
and a Secretariat. global shipping industry.
• The alliance is also called International • It was established in 1959.
Agency for Solar Policy and Application • The IMO has 172 Member States and three
(IASPA). Associate Members.
7. PM Modi emerges as most tweeted about world • Headquarter of IMO – London, United
leader after Trump - According to the Kingdom
microblogging site Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra • Head - Kitack Lim
Modi has emerged as the most tweeted about world 12. Bank of China Begins Operations in Pakistan - Bank
leader after US President Donald Trump this year. of China has formally launched its operations in
Note: Pakistan, with its first branch inaugurated in Karachi.
• With 44.1 million followers, Donald 13. Priti Patel resigned from UK Cabinet - Priti
Trump top the “most tweeted about Patel, Britain’s first Indian-origin Cabinet Minister
world leaders” for the year 2017. resigned as International Development Secretary.
Note: This was the second Cabinet resignation within a
• Narendra Modi ranked on the second
week. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has also
spot with 37.5 million followers about
resigned recently over sexual harassment allegations.
the world leader, after Donald Trump.
14. EU Launches Election Observation Mission for
8. Iran President opened the first phase of Nepal Polls - The European Union Election
Chabahar port which is known as the Shahid Observation Mission was officially launched to monitor
Beheshti port. Iran President Hassan Rouhani

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the general and provincial polls in Nepal which are ➢ The alliance was conceived as a coalition of solar
scheduled for November 26 and December 7. resource rich countries to collaborate on meeting
15. Hong Kong, World's Top City for International their energy needs through a common and agreed
visits - Hong Kong remains the world's most visited approach.
city by international travellers in spite of strained ➢ The alliance will become a legal entity once at least
relations with neighbouring China. The report is 15 countries ratify and deposit the framework
published by Euromonitor International. agreement.
Top 3 Countries in the list are - Hong Kong, Bangkok & 19. Saudi Arabia to allow women into sports stadiums
London. from 2018 - Turki Al-Asheikh, Chairman of the
16. India to contribute USD 100 million to UN General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia announced
partnership fund - India has pledged an additional that Saudi women will now be able to attend sports
amount of USD 100 million towards the UN events in stadiums starting from 2018. The move is
partnership fund, scaling up its support to sustainable aimed at empowering and engaging women in the
development projects across the developing world. society as an integral part of the development process.
17. ICIJ releases Paradise papers - The International 20. WHO removes Robert Mugabe as Goodwill
Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has Ambassador for NCDs in Africa- The World Health
released ‘The Paradise Papers’, a global investigation Organisation (WHO) cancelled the appointment of
that reveals the offshore activities of some of the Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's appointment as
world’s most powerful people and companies. its Goodwill Ambassador for Non-Communicable
Note: Among 180 countries represented in the data, Diseases (NCDs) in Africa.
India ranks 19th in terms of number of names. In all 21. Nicaragua signs Paris Climate Agreement - Central
names of 714 Indians have figured in this largest ever American country Nicaragua signed the Paris
black money data leak. Agreement on climate change, leaving the United
International Consortium of Investigative States and Syria as the only two countries holing out to
Journalists (ICIJ) - The ICIJ is global network of more sign this global climate pact.
than 200 investigative journalists in 70 countries who Note: As per Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega,
collaborate on in-depth investigative stories. It was the Paris Agreement is the only international
founded in 1997 by respected American journalist mechanism that offers the conditions to face global
Chuck Lewis. It is headquartered in Washington DC, warming and its effects.
US. Earlier in 2016, it had released Panama Papers. ➢ US withdrawal from Paris agreement -
18. Guinea ratifies International Solar Alliance President Donald Trump on 1 June 2017
Framework Agreement - The Republic of Guinea withdrew the United States from the landmark
ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) 2015 Paris agreement to fight climate change.
Framework Agreement. The instrument of ratification Trump stated that the Paris accord will
was handed over to External Affairs Minister Sushma undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, weaken
Swaraj by Guinea’s Foreign Minister Mamady Toure, American national sovereignty and put the
who was on his 4 day visit to India from 3-6 November country at a permanent disadvantage to the other
2017. countries of the world.
Note: 22. 14th SAARCLAW Conference held in Colombo, Sri
➢ With this, Guinea became the 15th country to Lanka - The 14th South Asian Association for Regional
ratify the agreement. Co-operation in Law (SAARCLAW) Conference was
➢ With the ratification of ISA pact by 15 held in Colombo, capital city of Sri Lanka along with
countries, ISA will now be an international 11th SAARC Chief Justices Conference.
legal body. 23. China Unveils Asia's Largest Island-Building Vessel
About International Solar Alliance Pact - China unveiled Asia's largest artificial island-building
➢ The International Solar Alliance was launched ship. The 140-metre-long vessel, which has been
jointly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed as"magic island maker", is capable of digging
and French President Francois Hollande on the 6,000 cubic metres an hour, which is equivalent to
first day of the COP-21 summit at Paris in 2015. three standard swimming pools. The boat named Tian
➢ The ISA headquartered in India.
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Kun Hao is equivalent of three standard swimming ➢ Chile was the only South American country to earn
pools. the top spot on the list.
24. World’s Third Largest Book Fair Opens in Sharjah - ➢ Top 3 Countries in the list are – Chile, South Korea
With more than 1.5 million book titles and 1,650 & Portugal
publishing houses from 60 countries, Sharjah 29. Gina Miller Named UK’s Most Influential Black
International Book Fair (SIBF) opened its doors to Person of the Year - Indian origin campaigner Gina
public and trade visitors. It is the third largest book fair Miller was named UK’s most influential black person of
in the world. the year. She won a legal challenge seeking
Note: Parliamentary approval for triggering Brexit.
➢ The book fair was held under the theme ‘A Note: Gina Miller (52-year-old) ranked on top in the
World in My Book’. The event has been 2018 'Powerlist' of 100 people of African and
organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). African Caribbean inheritance published in London
➢ United Nations Educational, Scientific and by Powerful Media.
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently 30. Saudi Arabia lift its ban on internet calling
announced Sharjahas as the ‘World Book applications, easing restrictions online as the
Capital 2019’. conservative kingdom faces new criticism over
25. World’s First Hydrogen Tram Begins Operation in censorship.
China - The world’s first hybrid electric tram powered 31. The world’s highest sandcastle has built in the
by hydrogen fuel cells has started running in China, Germany.
marking a big step in the application of green energy in Note: According to the Guinness World Records, the
public transport. world's highest sandcastle is now standing 16.68
26. Burundi, first Nation to leave International meters tall in the German city of Duisburg.
Criminal Court - Burundi became the first nation ever 28. Two-day Indian Ocean Conference 2017 being
organized by India Foundation in Temple Trees in --
to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), set up
Colombo.
15 years ago to prosecute those behind the world’s
Note: The theme of this year’s conference is Peace,
worst atrocities. Progress and Prosperity and will involve participants
Note: from more than 35 countries. This will be second IOC
➢ Bujumbura is the capital of Burundi and conference (first edition-Sep16 in Singapore).
Burundian franc is its currency. 28. Kenya imposed the world's toughest law against plastic
➢ International Criminal Court established in bags in the country to reduce plastic pollution.
2002. Its head office is located in the Hague, 29. Google has launched the latest version of its mobile
the Netherlands. operating system -- Android Oreo.
27. Peru approves medicinal use of marijuana - The 30. British scientists developed the world’s smallest
Peru government = has approved a bill to authorises surgical robot named -Versius, which could transform
the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis daily operations for tens of thousands of patients.
(marijuana) in the country. 32. China launched its first cyber court specializing in
Note: With this Peru became sixth country in Latin handling Internet-related cases in the e-commerce hub
America to legalise cannabis. Uruguay was first in of Hangzhou.
2013, allowing sales of cannabis any purpose. It was 33. Montenegro Officially joined North Atlantic Treaty
followed by Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. Organization (NATO) and become the 29th member
country.
28. Chile named Best Country to Visit in 2018 - The
travel guide company Lonely Planet has ranked Chile 34. The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has
as the number one country to visit in 2018 in its Best opened in Switzerland.
in Travel 2018 list. 35. Peggy Whitson (an Astronaut) returned to Earth,
wrapping up a record-breaking flight that catapulted
Note:
her to first place for U.S. space endurance.
➢ The guide has published the 13th edition of its Note: Whitson’s 665 days off the planet 288 days on this
annual list of the top 10 countries every traveller mission alone exceeds that of any other American and
should have on their bucket list for 2018. any other woman worldwide.

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Sports News

1. Hockey World League winner – Australia beat • The decision was announced by the IOC
Argentina by 2-1 in the final to retain their Hockey president Thomas Bach and his board
World League title. The final was played in members on the findings and
Bhubaneswar, Odisha. recommendations of a 17-month investigation
Note: India defeated Germany by 2-1 to grab the on the state-sponsored doping at the 2014
bronze medal at the event. Games hosted by Russia in Sochi.
2. FIFA Lifts Kuwait Football Ban – The international • The 2018 Winter Olympics Games will be held
football federation, FIFA, has lifted a two-year in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
suspension against Kuwait’s football association that 9. India win first-ever South Asian Regional Badminton
has prevented the country from participating in Team Championship - India defeated Nepal by 3-0 to
international tournaments. win the first-ever South Asian Regional Badminton
3. Kanchanmala Pande wins India’s 1st World Para Team Championship.
Swimming Championship Gold – Kanchanmala The final match was played at Tarun Ram Phookan
Pande of Nagpur has created history as she became the Indoor Stadium in Guwahati.
first Indian to secure pole position at the World Para- 10. Jason Holder, captain of West Indies suspended for
Swimming Championship in Mexico. 2nd test –
Note: She won the gold in the 200-meter medley event The Captain of the West Indies team Jason Holder has
in the S-11 category and was also the only Indian to been suspended for the 2nd test against New Zealand
qualify for the women’s category. because of his team's slow over-rate in the opening
4. Mujeeb Zadran From Afghanistan Becomes First fixture.
Cricketer Born in 21st Century - Mujeeb-ur-Rehman According to the International Cricket Council (ICC),
Zadran, the 16-year-old off-spinner, became the the sentence was forced after the West Indies were
youngest ever from Afghanistan to play International ruled to be three overs short of their target in the
cricket and overall, he is the 9th youngest to make Wellington Test, which they lost by an innings and 67
debut in ODI cricket. runs.
5. Gurdeep creates three national records in IWF 11. Virat Kohli became the first captain to hit six
C'ships – Lifter Gurdeep Singh has created three new double centuries in Test cricket. He scored his
senior national records in +105 Kilogram weight record sixth Test double hundred in 238 balls on the
category in IWF World Weightlifting Championships at second day of the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka
Anaheim in USA. at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
6. Sushil Kumar quits as National Sports Observer for Note: Also, Virat Kohli became the second Indian
wrestling –The Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar has cricketer to score back-to-back double hundreds after
resigned from the post of a National Sports Observer Vinod Kambli.
for wrestling. Earlier, Boxing Champion Mary Kom had 12. Prithvi Shaw to lead in 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket
resigned as the national observer for boxing. World Cup – The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will be
7. Cristiano Ronaldo wins fifth Ballon d'Or award – held in New Zealand from 13th January to 3rd
The Real Madrid forward ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ (32-year) February 2018.
has won the Ballon d'Or for a fifth time to move level 13. Deepika Kumari of India has won the bronze medal at
with rival Lionel Messi at a ceremony in Paris. Ronaldo the Indoor Archery World Cup which was concluded in
previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and Bangkok.
2016. 14. Mirabai Chanu becomes the second Indian to win the
8. IOC banned Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics Gold medal in World Weightlifting Championships at
Games - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Anaheim, USA.
has banned Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics Note:
Games. • She won the Gold medal in the women’s 48kg
Note: category.
• She became the second Indian after Karnam
Malleswari to achieve the feat.
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• Karnam Malleswari won the Gold medal in ➢ Best Player Award - Phil Foden of England has
World Weightlifting Championships in 1995 in been adjudged tournament’s best player and has
China. been awarded ‘Golden Ball’.
• Chanu belongs from Manipur state. ➢ Golden Glove’ Award - Gabriel Brazao the
15. Gopi Thonakal became the first Indian man to win goalkeeper of Brazil’s national football team has
Asian Marathon Championship held at Dongguan in won the ‘Golden Glove’.
China. He belongs from Kerala state. ➢ Brazil has won the Fair Play Award.
16. Ankushita wins 'Best Boxer' title in World Youth ➢ Jeakson Singh (Manipur) creates history by
Women's Boxing Championship scoring India’s first ever goal in FIFA U-17
World Cup against Colombia.
• Ankushita Boro, of Assam, has won the Best Boxer' title in ➢ FIFA U-17 WC in India becomes most attended
World Youth Women's Boxing Championship held in in event’s history for the first time.
Guwahati. ➢ USA-Based Namit Deshpande becomes the
• She clinched the fifth gold for India after defeating Russia’s First NRI to Play for India’s U17 World Cup
Ekaterina Dynnik in the 64kg final. Team.
• She belongs from Megaai Gairrani village in Assam and
➢ Esther Staubli (Switzerland) became the first
began boxing in 2012.
17. Pankaj Advani wins World Snooker Championship female football referee to officiate a match.
➢ The official Mascot for the FIFA U-17 World
- Pankaj Advani defeated Amir Sarkhosh of Iran 8-2 to Cup 2017 was clouded leopard named ‘Kheleo’.
win the 15-frame IBSF World Snooker Championship ➢ The official ball for Under-17 football World Cup
in Doha is called ‘Krasava’.
It was the Indian star’s 18th world title. ➢ The final match of the event was held in Salt
Advani had won his 17th world title at the same venue Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
when he won the IBSF World Billiards Championship 20. Asian Boxing Championship 2017: Indian boxer MC
defeating Mike Russell of England. Mary Kom won Gold in 48 kg category. She defeated
18. AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship North Korea’s Hyang Mi Kim by 5-0. The tournament
2017 - India's first youth world boxing championship held in Vietnam.
will be held from 19 to 26 November 2017 in 21. Badminton Men’s National Champion – H.S.
Guwahati, Assam. Prannoy. He defeated Kidambi Srikanth at 82nd
• The official mascot, named - Guppy, is a Senior National Championship, in Nagpur,
female version of Assam's one-horned rhino. Maharashtra.
• The logo infuses two key elements-- the 22. Badminton Women’s National Champion – Saina
strength of an Indian woman in the form of a Nehwal. She defeated P.V. Sindhu at 82nd Senior
female boxer and the culture of Assam National Championship, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
through the 'gamosa', a hand-woven piece of Note: World Senior Badminton Championship held in
cloth in the state. Kochi.
• The World Championship's official anthem 23. Jasprit Bumrah (bowler) ranked at top spot in ICC
is 'Make Some Noise'. It is composed by Shaan T20 Rankings.
and rendered by renowned singer Sunidhi 24. Puducherry becomes an Associate Member of BCCI
Chauhan. - The Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP) was
chosen by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) as
• Mary Kom named ambassador of the AIBA
an associate member of the Board of Control for
Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship.
19. FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 – For the first time, India Cricket in India (BCCI). Now Puducherry will be
allowed to play the Ranji Trophy in 2018.
hosted the 17th edition of FIFA U-17 World. Nicolai
25. International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup
Adam is the coach of Indian team. Amarjit Singh Kiyam
2017 (ISSF) – Host country – India. Heena Sidhu and
(Manipur) is the captain of U-17 FIFA Indian team.
Jeetu Rai won the Gold medal at 10m Air Pistol event.
Key Facts – Note:
➢ Winner – England won the title by defeating
• The ISSF headquarters is located in Munich,
Spain by 5-2 in the final.
Germany. Olegario Vazquez Rana has been serving
as the President of the organisation since 1980.

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26. Heena Sidhu wins Gold at 10m Air Pistol event in 37. Women’s Asia Cup Hockey 2017 - Indian women's
Commonwealth Shooting Championships held in hockey team defeated China by 5-4 to win the Asia Cup
Brisbane, Australia. 2017 title. The final was held in Kakamigahara city in
27. Roger Federer wins ATP World Tour 8th Basel Title by southern Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the final. Note:
28. Yonex French Open Badminton 2017: The ➢ With the victory, Team India has secured a
tournament was held in Paris, France. berth for itself at the 2018 Hockey World Cup.
List of Winners – This is the second time that India has claimed
• Men’s Singles - Kidambi Srikanth (India) beat the top spot in the history of the tournament.
Kenta Nishimoto (Japan). ➢ The first time was 13 years ago in the year
• Women’s Singles - Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei) 2004.
beat Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) 38. Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2017 - India beat Malaysia in
Note: the final to clinch Asia Cup 2017 title. The final was
➢ Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth became the played in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
first Indian to win the men’s singles title at Note: It last clinched the trophy in 2003 and 2007 in
French Open badminton tournament. Kuala Lumpur and Chennai respectively.
29. Scott Fleming joined National Basketball Association 39. Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth achieves career-
(NBA) India as Head of Basketball Operations. best World No 2 ranking. He won back-to-back titles
30. Amjyot Singh becomes third Indian in National at Indonesia and Australia and then at Denmark and
Basketball Association (NBA) league. Amjyot France.
Singh became the third Indian after Satnam Singh and Note:
Palpreet Singh Brar to walk into the National ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in
Basketball Association (NBA) league. French Open. He defeated Japan's Kenta
31. Gokul Natesan, second Indian-Origin Player to be Nishimoto in the final.
Signed by NBA G-League side. He was picked by Canton ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in
Charge, a minor league affiliate team of Cleveland Denmark Open. He defeated Hong Kong's
Cavaliers. Wong Wing Ki Vincent in the final.
32. Patna Pirates beats Gujarat Fortunegiants to clinched ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in
Third Pro Kabaddi Successive Title. Indonesia Open. He defeated Japan's
33. 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup Hockey: The tournament Kazumasa Sakai in the final.
was held in Malaysia. ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in
Key points Australia Open. He defeated China’s Chen
➢ Australia won the title by defeating Great Britain Long in the final.
in the final. 40. Virat Kohli & Mithali Raj top the ICC ODI Rankings -
➢ Indian won the Bronze medal by defeating Indian cricket team captains Virat Kohli and Mithali Raj
Malaysia. became number one at ICC ODI rankings for batsman
34. Martina Hingis announces retirement from Pro and batswomen.
Tennis. Key points –
Key facts – ➢ Indian captain Virat Kohli reclaimed the top
➢ Martina Hingis is from Switzerland. spot of the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen with
➢ She is the youngest Grand Slam champion in 889 rating points.
history, having won the Wimbledon doubles ➢ Mithali Raj was ranked number with 753
title when she was just 15 yrs. old. rating points.
➢ Hingis was inducted into the International 41. Virat Kohli becomes fastest batsman to score 9000-
Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. run mark - Indian skipper Virat Kohli became the
➢ She also won the Women’s Doubles and Mixed sixth Indian and fastest to complete 9000 ODI runs
doubles of US Open 2017. during India’s third and final one-day international
35. Aditi Ashok (golfer) won third Ladies European Tour against New Zealand in Kanpur. Kohli has played his
title in Abu Dhabi. 202nd innings, has become the 19th batsman to break
36. Shiv Kapur (golfer) won the Panasonic Open Title.

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the 9000-run mark, making him the fastest to get ➢ He made his international debut in a Test
there. match against Sri Lanka in Colombo in
42. Delhi Olympic Games to be held in December - The February 1999.
Delhi State Olympic Association has announced to ➢ He has taken 44 Test wickets, besides 157 ODI
organise Delhi Olympic Games in the capital city. The and 34 T20.
sporting events will be held from 9 December 2017- 18 46. FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation -
December 2017. The announcement to conduct a The Fédération Internationale de Football Association
sporting event of Olympic level came in order to (FIFA) has decided to suspend the Pakistan Football
promote Olympics and also the spirit of sports and Federation (PFF) with immediate effect in accordance
sportsmen in Delhi. with the verdict of the Bureau of the FIFA Council on
Note: Olympic wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt was 10 October 2017 on account of undue third-party
confirmed as the brand ambassador of Delhi Olympic interference. Following its decision to suspend the PFF,
Games 2017. the Pakistan Football Federation loses all its
43. Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Best FIFA Men's Player membership rights as per FIFA Statutes.
Award - Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo won the 47. Iceland makes history to Qualifies for FIFA 2018
Best FIFA Men's Player Award for the second year in World Cup - Iceland created history by qualifying for
London. the 2018 World Cup. This is the first time that Iceland
Note: qualified for the World Cup.
➢ Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Note:
forward Neymar were runners up for the ➢ Iceland became the smallest country to clinch a
award. position at the 21st FIFA World Cup.
➢ Ronaldo got 43.16 per cent of the total votes, ➢ The previous smallest country to have reached
while Lionel Messi and Neymar fetched 19.25 the World Cup was Trinidad & Tobago which
and 6.97 per cent votes respectively. had a population of 1.3 million.
➢ Best FIFA Men's Coach - Zinedine Zidane ➢ The 21st edition of FIFA World Cup 2018 will
➢ Best FIFA Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon be held in Russia.
➢ Best FIFA Women's Player - Lieke Martens ➢ This is the first time when Iceland and Panama
➢ Best Women's Coach - Sarina Wiegman will be participants.
➢ FIFA Fan Award - Celtic 48. Gaganjeet Bhullar Clinches Macao Open Golf Title
44. Kavita Devi becomes first Indian Woman to sign 2017 – With this win Gaganjeet Bhullar has lifted
with World Wrestling Entertainment - Kavita Devi his eighth Asian Tour title at the Macau Open.
became the first Indian woman to tie-up with the 49. India to host Junior Asian Wrestling Championship
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). (JAWC) 2018.
Note: 50. Sivalingam Sathish Kumar and Ragala Venkat Rahul
➢ Shadia Bseiso became the first Arab woman qualified for next year’s Commonwealth Games after
from the Middle East to sign a WWE winning a gold medal each in their respective weight
developmental contract. divisions at the Commonwealth Senior (men & women)
➢ Kavita Devi hails from Haryana and was an Weightlifting Championships in Gold Coast, Australia.
accomplished kabaddi player in high school. 51. India's Pooja Kadian has won the first ever gold medal
at Wushu World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
➢ In 2016, she won gold in the 75kg weightlifting
Note: Pooja defeated Evgeniya Stepanova in the final.
division at the South Asian Games.
52. Maharashtra won the Chief Minister's cup with 45
➢ She is the first Indian woman to compete in a
gold medals at the National kickboxing championship
WWE ring.
held in Raipur.
45. Ashish Nehra retired from all format of Cricket –
53. India has lost the World Group Play-off tie of Davis
Ashish Nehra has announced his retirement from all
Cup Tennis Tournament to the host Canada 2-3.
formats of Cricket during the third T-20 match against
54. India finishes 5th in medals tally with one gold and two
India and New Zealand in Delhi. silver medals at Moscow Shotgun World
Note: Championships.
➢ Ashish Nehra made his cricket debut in 1999 Note: Italy topped the tally with nine gold medals for a
under Mohammed Azharuddin in India. total of 17 medals in all and USA (12 medals) -2nd.
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55. India will host the 2019 edition of the Commonwealth 66. Boxer Sachin Siwach wins gold at Commonwealth
(Youth, Junior and Senior) Weightlifting Youth Games held in Bahamas.
Championships. 67. Real Madrid won the 2017 UEFA Champions League
56. Ankur Mittal has won silver in senior men’s double trophy by defeating Manchester United in the final.
trap at 2017 ISSF World Shotgun Championship in 68. Los Angeles (USA) will host the 2028 Olympics and
Moscow. Paris will host 2024 Olympic Games.
57. Star India has won the coveted Indian Premier League 69. US Open Title 2017 – List of Winners –
(IPL) media rights for 2018-23. • Men’s single – Rafal Nadal (Spain) defeated Kevin
58. Para Athlete & Hockey player have been selected for Anderson (South African)
this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award_-- Sardar • Women’s single - Sloane Stephens (American)
Singh & Devendra. defatted Madison Keys (American)
59. Lakshya Sen (shuttler) clinched the Bulgaria Open 70. Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Italian Formula One
International Series title in Sofia, Bulgaria Grand Prix tournament.
60. PV Sindhu won the 2017 BWF Korean Open Super 71. Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix of
Series Women’s Singles title. Formula.
61. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has 72. Australian fast bowler retired from Test Match and
nominated Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Padma ODIs --John Hastings.
Bhushan award for his contribution to the game.
73. Usain Bolt (legendary sprinter) retires from the
62. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first
Athletics world.
wicketkeeper in world cricket to effect 100 stumpings
74. FIBA Asia Championship (Asia’s biggest basketball
in One Day Internationals(ODI).
tournament) 2017 held in Lebanon.
Note: Mr. Dhoni achieved the feat in his 301st ODI in
Colombo (Sri Lanka), when he whipped off the bails to 75. Rafael Nadal won 6th ATP title of 2017 – Rafael
remove batsman Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lankan) off leg- Nadal beats Nick Kyrgios of Australia in straight sets of
spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling. 6-2, 6-1 in the China Open final to win his sixth ATP
63. ICC has chosen captain of the ICC Women’s World Cup title of 2017.
2017 team -- Mithali Raj. Note: In the women’s event, France’s Caroline Garcia
64. India will host the Men's World Boxing Championship defeated world no.1 Simona Halep (Romania) in
for the first time in 2021. straight sets of 6-4, 7-6 (3) to clinch the China Open.
65. Rahul Yadav Chittaboina (shuttler) has won the
men’s singles Lagos International 2017

List of Upcoming Sports Venue

1. Asian Games - The Asian Games, also known as Asiad ● Venue of CWG Games 2014 – Glasgow, Scotland.
is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four ● Venue of CWG Games 2018 – Gold Coast,
years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games Australia.
were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF). ● Venue of CWG Games 2022 – Birmingham,
Note: First Asian games were held in New Delhi, India England.
in 1951. Note: The 2022 Commonwealth Games will no
● Venue of Asian Games 2014 – Incheon, South longer take place in Durban, South Africa as the
Korea. South African government failed to give financial
● Venue of Asian Games 2018 - Jakarta-Palembang, guarantees for the event.
Indonesia. 3. Olympics Games - The Olympic Games are held every
● Venue of Asian Games 2022 – Hangzhou, China. four years, with the Summer and Winter Games
● Venue of Asian Games 2026 – Nagoya, Japan. alternating by occurring every four years but two
2. Commonwealth Games (CWG) - The Commonwealth years apart.
Games is an international multi-sport event involving Note:
athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations held every ● The first modern Olympics games were held in
four years. Athens, Greece, in 1896.
Note: The first Commonwealth Games held in 1911 in ● International Olympic Committee (IOC)
London, England. headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland.
● Venue of CWG Games 2010 – New Delhi, India. ● IOC President - Thomas Bach

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Summer Olympic - ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia.

● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2016 – Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil 6. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – The ICC Women's
● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2020 – Tokyo, Cricket World Cup is the oldest and most prestigious
Japan international women's cricket tournament.
● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2024 – Paris, Note:
France The first Women’s World Cup was held in England in
Winter Olympic – 1973, two years before the inaugural men's
● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2014 – Sochi, tournament. England won the title by defeating
Russia. Australia in the final.
● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2018 – Australia has been the most successful team in the
Pyeongchang, South Korea. Women’s World Cup, with 6 titles and 3 runners up.
● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2022 – Beijing, England won the Women’s World Cup in 2017 by
China. defeating India in the final.
4. ICC World Cup Cricket - The ICC Cricket World Cup is ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2013 –
the international championship of One Day India.
International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2017 –
the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four England.
years. ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2021 –
Note: The first World Cup was held in England in June New Zealand.
1975. West Indies won the title by defeating Australia 7. ICC Women’s World Cup T20 - The ICC Women’s
in the final. World Twenty20 is the international championship for
Australia has been the most successful team in the Women’s Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the
World Cup, with 5 titles and 2 runners up. International Cricket Council (ICC).
India won the first World Cup title in 1983 by Note:
defeating West Indies in the final. ● The first Women’s T20 World Cup was held in
Australia won the World Cup title in 2015 after England in 2009.
defeating New Zealand in the final. ● England won the first T20 world cup title after
● International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarter - defeating New Zealand in the final.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ● Australia has been the most successful team in the
● President of ICC – Zaheer Abbas. Women’s World Cup, with 3 titles and 1 runners
● Chairman of ICC – Shashank Manohar. up.
● CEO – David Richardson. ● West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating
● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – India, Sri Australia in the final.
Lanka, Bangladesh. ● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh.
● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – Australia & ● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India.
New Zealand. ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia.
● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – England, 8. Hockey Men’s World Cup – The Hockey World Cup is
Wales. an international field hockey competition organised by
● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – India. the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It is held
5. ICC World Cup T20 – The ICC World Twenty20 is the every four years, bridging the four years between the
international championship of Twenty20 cricket. It is Summer Olympics.
organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Note: The first Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in
Note: 1971 Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan won the title after
● The first T20 World Cup was held in Johannesburg, defeating Spain in the final.
South Africa in 2007. Pakistan has been the most successful team in the
● India won the first T20 world cup title after World Cup, with 4 titles from 6 appearances in the
defeating Pakistan in the final. final.
● West Indies won the T20 World Cup title two Australia won the title in 2014 after defeating
times. Netherlands in the final.
West Indies wont the title in 2016 after defeating Note:
England in the final. ● International Hockey Federation (IHF)
● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland.
● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. ● President of IHF - Narinder Batra.
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● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – New ● Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Delhi, India. (FIFA) headquarter - Zürich, Switzerland.
● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The ● President of FIFA - Gianni Infantino.
Hague, Netherlands. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Brazil.
● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia.
Bhubaneswar, India. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar.
9. Hockey Women’s World Cup - The Women’s Hockey
11. FIFA Women's World Cup – The FIFA Women's
World Cup is an international field hockey competition
World Cup is an international football competition
organised by the International Hockey Federation
(FIH). It is held every four years, bridging the four contested by the senior women's national teams of the
years between the Summer Olympics. members of Fédération Internationale de Football
Note: The first Women’s Hockey World Cup was held Association (FIFA). It is held every four years.
in 1974 in Mandelieu, France. Netherlands won the Note: The first FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in
title after defeating Argentina in the final. 1991 in China. United States won the title after
Netherlands has been the most successful team in the defeating Norway in the final.
World Cup, with 7 titles from 11 appearances in the USA is the most successful nation in the tournament's
final.
history, with 3 titles and 1 runners up.
Netherlands won the title in 2014 after defeating
USA won the title in 2015 after defeating Japan in the
Australia in the final.
final.
● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – Rosario,
● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2015 – Canada.
Argentina.
● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2019 – France.
● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The
12. FIFA (U-17) World Cup – The FIFA U-17 World Cup,
Hague, Netherlands.
founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later
● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – London,
changed to its current name in 2007, is the world
England.
championship of association football for male players
10. FIFA (Football) World Cup – The FIFA World Cup is
under the age of 17 organized by Fédération
an international association football competition
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is held
contested by the senior men's national teams of the
every two years.
members of Fédération Internationale de Football
Note: The first FIFA (U-17) World Cup was held in
Association (FIFA). It is held every four years.
Note: The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in 1991 in Italy. Ghana won the title after defeating Spain
Uruguay. Uruguay won the title after defeating in the final.
Argentina in the final. Nigeria is the most successful nation in the
Brazil has been the most successful team in the World tournament's history, with five titles and three runners
Cup, with 5 titles from 7 appearances in the final. up.
Germany won the title in 2014 after defeating Nigeria won the title in 2015 after defeating Mali in the
Argentina in the final. final.
Note: ● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2015 – Chile.
● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2017 – India.

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Science & Defense

Military Exercise -

1. 'Ajeya Warrior- Indo-UK military exercise 2017' held with an aim to boost their operational coordination
in Bikaner, Rajasthan conducted at Vladivostok in Russia.
2. ‘Vigilant Ace’ - Largest Air exercise between United 6. 'Sampriti' 2017 – India & Bangladesh Joint Military
States & South Korea held in Seoul, South Korea. Combat Exercise held in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
3. “Flag4” - UAE Armed Forces along with the UK, US 7. 'MITRA SHAKTI 2017' – India & Sri Lanka Joint
Training Exercise conducted at Aundh Military Station,
and French armies conducted a joint exercise in Abu
Pune.
Dhabi.
8. ‘Blue Flag-17’ – India & Israel bi-annual multilateral
4. PRABAL DOSTYK 2017: India & Kazakhstan Joint
exercise held at Uvda Air Force Base in Israel.
Exercise held at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
9. CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) – The bilateral exercise
5. Indra-2017 – India & Russia. First mega tri-services
between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy
war game involving their armies, navies and air forces
conducted at Belawan Indonesia.

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