4th JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. MOD approves construction of 17 New Baffle Firing Ranges

 

Ministry of Defence has given a go ahead sanction for construction of 17 new baffle firing ranges in Military Stations/Cantonments/Training Establishments at an approximate cost of Rs. 238 crores. 

• This will add seven ranges to the Southern Command, Three to the Eastern Command, Two to the Northern Command, one each to the South Western and Central Commands. The one at Central Command is proposed for the Officers Training Academy, Gaya.
• These 17 will be in addition to the 60 similar firing ranges existing all over the country. The proposed baffle shooting ranges can facilitate firing from 300 to 500 meters.  
• Baffle firing ranges are covered shooting practice areas which prevent possible accidents due to stray bullet injuries.

2. Indian Army Motorcycle Expedition to Commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas

A motorcycle expedition comprising of ‘SHWET ASHW’ the elite Motorcycle Display Team of the Corps of Military Police, was flagged off’ on 02 July 2018 to commemorate the victory of Indian Army in Operation Vijay 1999.

• The expedition will traverse a distance of more than 3250 Kms from Bangalore to Dras, Jammu and Kashmir over a period of 24 days across eight states of the country, reaching Kargil War Memorial, Dras on 26 July 2018. 
• The ‘SHWET ASHW’ was raised in the year 1952 at CMP Centre & School, Faizabad. Since its raising the team has performed at various National and International events and holds Three Guinness Book World Records in its name. 

3. Election Commission of India launches Mobile App “cVIGIL”

The Chief Election Commissioner Shri. O.P. Rawat, along with the Election Commissioners Shri Sunil Arora and Shri Ashok  Lavasa launched a mobile app, called ‘Cvigil,’ on July 3, 2018, for citizens to report any violation of the model code of conduct during elections.

• “cVIGIL" is a user-friendly and easy to operate Android application. It will be operational only where elections are announced.
• However, the beta version of the app will be made available for the public and election staff to download so that they can acquaint themselves with its features and also try sending dummy data.
• Upon successful completion of the trial that is underway, the application will be made available for general use by all, right from the forthcoming Assembly elections in the States of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan.
• The practical use of the app during the four-state Assembly polls will also serve as a pilot initiative before it is put to extensive use during the next Lok Sabha General Elections.

4. Jharkhand to set up country's first Khadi mall

The first 'Khadi Mall' of the country will be opened in Ranchi soon, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced.

• Land in the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) campus will be made available to the Khadi Board to develop the country's first Khadi mall.

5. DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh attends "Behdienkhlam" festival at Jowai, Meghalaya

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh​ attended the famous 4-day Meghalaya Annual Cultural Festival, "Behdienkhlam", held every year at the small peripheral town of Jowai, Meghalaya.

• On the concluding day of the festival, Dr Jitendra Singh spent time with the visitors from across the region who had come to attend the festival. He also showed interest in the religious rituals associated with the event.

6. NITI Aayog to organise India’s First Global Mobility Summit

Steeply falling technology costs and business – model innovation are driving the world’s transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles. 

• Against this background, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with various ministries and industry partners, is organising ‘MOVE: Global Mobility Summit’ in New Delhi on 7th and 8th September, 2018.
• This Summit will help drive Government’s goals for vehicle electrification,  renewable energy integration and job growth and also speed up India’s transition to a clean energy economy.
• MOVE Summit aims to bring together and engage with key stakeholders within the rapidly transforming global mobility landscape and to evolve a public interest framework for a shared, connected, zero emission and inclusive mobility agenda for the future.
• The Summit will constitute three designated components – The Conclave, the Expo and the Featured Events.

7. Rajat Sharma elected as DDCA president

Senior journalist Rajat Sharma beat the World Cup winning Indian cricketer Madan Lal by 517 votes to become the new president of the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association.

• Sharma’s group swept the elections, winning all 12 seats.
• Sharma got a total of 1,531 votes while former Test cricketer Lal could only poll 1,004 votes.

8. Saraswati Prasad assumes charge as SAIL CMD

Senior bureaucrat Saraswati Prasad has taken over the additional charge as chairman and managing director of steel PSU SAIL.

• Prasad succeeds P K Singh who retired on June 30.
• The government headhunter PESB had earlier recommended the name of Anil Kumar Chaudhary for the top post of SAIL.

9. Former Navy chief J.G. Nadkarni passes away

Former Indian Navy chief, Admiral Jayant Ganpat Nadkarni passed away. He was 86.

• Nadkarni, the 14th Chief of Naval Staff (December 1987 – November 1990), breathed his last at the naval hospital INHS Asvini.
• He was an avid maritime historian and was a founding member of the Maritime History Society.

26th JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. UN MSME Day to be celebrated on 27th June 2018

The Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), will organizea National Conclave (Udyam Sangam) on 27th June 2018 on the occasion of UN MSME Day.

• The purpose of the Conclave is to encourage dialogue and partnership among various stakeholders of the MSME ecosystem and for promoting innovation and knowledge sharing on MSME related issues.

2. Government to set up regulator for skills training

The government is to set up an independent regulator for skills training in the country, as skill development and entrepreneurship ministry failed in its efforts to improve the quality of skills imparted by various bodies and institutions.

• The skill development and entrepreneurship ministry will act as the administrative ministry for the regulator.
• Skills training in India is governed by different bodies and regulations such as the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA).

3. India and Seychelles agree on naval base at Assumption Island

India and Seychelles has agreed to work together on a project to develop a naval base at the Assumption Island keeping each other's concerns in mind after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Danny Faure.

• India also announced a USD 100-million credit to Seychelles for augmenting its defence capabilities.
• With this credit Seychelles will be able to buy defence equipments from India to build its maritime capacity.

4. Group of Eminent Personalities to study the SEZ Policy holds its first meeting

The group of eminent personalities constituted by the Government of India to study the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Policy of India held its first meeting on 22nd June under the aegis of Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu.

• Baba Kalyani, Chairman Bharat Forge, who is Chairman of this group, pointed out that biggest challenge today was creation of jobs and the focus of the group would be to address this issue.
• The group will make suggestion for shift from fiscal incentives to employment based incentives, reframe the boundaries and introduce grandfathering clause for existing provisions.

5. Suresh Prabhu chairs India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission

Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation of India, Suresh Prabhu co-chaired the 15th Session of the India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission with the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, in Canberra.

• Both Ministers emphasized the need forgrowth in two-way trade and investment.
• They discussed about how mutual strengths could contribute to economic modernization.

6. 51 Lakh Houses Sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in Three Years

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) conducted its 35th Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) meeting of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – Urban on 25.06.2018 where a total of 3,18,900 houses from 6 States/UTs were approved.  

• With this, the PMAY (U) has approved more than 51 Lakhs dwelling units against the estimated demand of 1 crore.
• As the scheme is   completing its 3rd year of implementation today, a significant milestone of more than 51 lakh houses approved has been achieved.
• This is a huge jump in comparison to old housing scheme where 12.4 Lakh houses were approved in around 9 years of its implementation.
• Such unprecedented performance is due to innovative architecture of the scheme where flexibility has been given to the States/UTs to approve the projects. 
• Further, rather than a rigid approach, beneficiaries are free to choose from 4 verticals of the Mission as per their preference.
• The State of Maharashtra has taken a big stride in achieving its target of providing houses to slum dwellers by getting 2.48 lakh houses approved in 35thCSMC.

7. Report on ‘Women in Prisons’ launched

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has come up with its report titled ‘Women in Prisons’ which aims to build an understanding of the various entitlements of women in prisons, the various issues faced by them and possible methods for resolution of the same.

The report contains a comprehensive list of 134 recommendations for improving the lives of women under incarceration.

Main Features of the report are:

• The report proposes that bail should be granted to those under-trial women who have spent one-third of their maximum possible sentence in detention, by making necessary changes in Section 436A of the CrPC which provides for release after half of the maximum sentence has been served.
• Considering the needs of women in their post-natal stages, the report recommends a separate accommodation for mothers in post-natal stage to maintain hygiene and protect the infant from contagion, for at least a year after childbirth.
• To make legal aid more effective, the report suggests that legal consultations must be conducted in confidentiality and without censorship
• Re-integration of women in society is a grave problem, due to the stigma attached to incarceration. In the study conducted by MWCD, it was found that in many cases, women were abandoned by their families and were left to fend for themselves after their release.

8. Government proposes to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras

The Government proposes to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 SHGs across the country under the Van Dhan Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

• In a new game changing initiative, the Prime Minister launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED on 14th April, 2018 during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur Chattisgarh. 
• Emphasizing the important role of value addition in increasing tribal incomes, the Prime Minister stated that Van Dhan, Jandhan and Goverdhan Schemes had the potential to change the tribal-rural economic system.

9. National Seminar on Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is organizing a National Seminar on “Conservation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Way Forward” on 27th and 28th June, 2018 at Kamaladevi Multipurpose Hall, India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. 

• About 44 Ministries/Departments have been invited by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to present their strategies and approach towards PVTGs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• This Seminar is being organized in collaboration with Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Directors of 18 Tribal Research Institutes in different States have also been invited to deliberate on critical issues of tribal groups who are at the verge of extinction. 
• Vice Chancellors of six Universities including Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak will provide academic inputs on PVTGs. 

10. Saudi ARAMCO and ADNOC sign MoU for participating in the Ratnagiri Refinery project

Saudi Aramco and ADNOC signed an MoU today to jointly develop and build an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. The project will be implemented by Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL). 

• Earlier, Saudi Aramco had joined the project by signing an MoU with the Indian consortium on 11th April 2018 on the sidelines of the16 International Energy Forum Ministerial.
• RRPCL which is promoted by a consortium of India PSUs consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCLwill now have Saudi Aramco & ADNOC as overseas strategic partners.
• The project will be set up as a 50:50 joint partnership (50:50) between the consortium from India and Saudi Aramco and ADNOC. This will be single largest overseas investment in the Indian refining sector.

11. Erdogan wins re-election as Turkish president

Turkey's long-standing leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won a new five-year term after securing outright victory in the first round of a presidential poll.

• Mr Erdogan got nearly 53% with almost all votes counted. His closest rival Muharrem Ince was on 31%.

27th May CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Columbia formally joins NATO

One year after reaching partnership deal through a peace agreement with South America, Columbia has has formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.

2. Prime Minister lays foundation stone for Patratu Super Thermal Power Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 2400MW first phase of NTPC's Patratu Super Thermal Power Project in Jharkhand.

• The project is a 74: 26 Joint Venture between Government of Jharkhand (GoJ) and Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. (PVUN), a subsidiary company of NTPC establishing a total capacity expansion of 4,000MW.
• Envisioning the brighter future for India's 19th State, NTPC’s PVUNL is set to develop the project in two phases: 2,400 MW (3x800MW) in Phase-I and 1,600 MW (2x800 MW) in Phase-II.

3. Ravi Shankar Prasad to inaugurates cloud enabled Data Centre at Bhubaneswar

National Informatics Centre has set up a new state-of-the-art cloud enabled National Data Centre at Bhubaneswar.

• The data center was inaugurated by Union Minister of Electronics & IT and Law & Justice, Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad in Bhubaneswar.
• It will offer 24*7 operations with secure hosting for e-Governance applications of the Government and its departments.

4. Manipur Becomes First State in Northeast to Have Solar Toilet

Manipur has become the first state in the Northeast and the third state in India to have solar toilets.

• The solar panel, connected to the toilets, absorb the heat to generate power and are also efficient to transform waste material.

5. HDFC Bank launches digital loans against mutual funds

In a first in India, HDFC Bank has launched its Digital Loan against Mutual Funds (LAMF).

• Customers can now pledge mutual fund assets online and get overdraft limit set in their account in under 3 minutes.
• Customers can now avail of this product through the HDFC Bank website in 3 easy steps.
• The bank has collaborated with CAMS, a transfer agent for mutual funds to create a seamless customer experience.

6. Yes Bank empaneled as ‘Settlement Bank’ by National Stock Exchange

Yes Bank, India’s fourth largest private sector bank, has received approval from National Stock Exchange (NSE), India’s largest stock exchange to be empaneled as ‘Settlement Bank’ for National Securities Clearing Corporation Limited (NSCCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NSE.

• Yes Bank will provide comprehensive settlement and clearing services suitable to the members by leveraging its technology platform.
• The services will include electronic funds transfer facilities and 'anywhere' banking.
• Yes Bank is already an empaneled ‘Clearing Bank’ for the BSE, NCDEX and MCX.

7. NITI Aayog signs on Sushant Singh Rajput to promote the WEP

NITI Aayog announced the signing of a Statement of Intent (SoI) with noted media personality and entrepreneur Shri Sushant Singh Rajput, to collaborate and support  NITI’s flagship initiative, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).

• The agreement was signed in the presence of Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog by Ms Anna Roy, Adviser (Industry), NITI Aayog and Shri Sushant Singh Rajput.
• He would also be supporting NITI Aayog in promoting the Women Transforming India Awards 2018, the theme for which is ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’ and whose nominations are currently ongoing. 

8. TRIFED elects new Board of Directors

The General Body meeting of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) was held on 25th May 2018 in which the 11th Board of Directors was reconstituted and the Office Bearers were elected unanimously.

• Shri Ramesh Chand Meena was elected as the Chairperson and Smt. Pratibha Brahma was elected as the Vice Chairperson of TRIFED.

18th May CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Guwahati now has India's first solar powered railway station

Guwahati now has India's first railway station run by solar power. The project of installing solar panels was commissioned last year in April 2017.

• Around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of generating 700 kwp has been set up over the roof of the Guwahati railway station. Solar panels have been installed at the roof-top solar power plant.
• The solar-powered station is aimed at reducing carbon-footprint as well as cut down power costs drastically.

2. Environment Ministry Forms 19 Teams for Cleaning of Beaches, River Fronts and Lakes

In the build-up to the World Environment Day 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has formed 19 teams to take up cleaning of beaches, river fronts and lakes in the country. 

• Cleaning up of around 24 beaches in nine (9) coastal states (list attached) and cleaning of river fronts in 24 identified polluted stretches in 19 states (list attached) will be undertaken.   
• Besides the listed rivers, a special cleanliness drives will be carried out at Yamuna riverfront in Delhi.  Certain lakes and water bodies have also been identified for cleaning. 
• An amount of Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked for each stretch of beach, river front and lake.

3. Creation of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in Department of Commerce

Department of Commerce formally issued notification for creation of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister Sh. Suresh Prabhu has given his approval for creation of DGTR in Department of Commerce, consequent upon amendment carried out by Government of India to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 on May 7, 2018 in this regard.
• DGTR will be the apex National Authority for administering all trade remedial measures including anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures.
• The DGTR will bring Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied duties (DGAD), Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) and Safeguards (QR) functions of DGFT into its fold by merging them into one single national entity.
• It will also provide trade defence support to our domestic industry and exporters in dealing with increasing instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries. 

4. Radha Mohan Singh addresses National Conference of Fisheries Ministers of Coastal states

During the last decade, India has attained first position with around 14% average annual growth in the export of fish & fishery products. Fish production in India has also grown by 27% in 2014-18 as compared to 2010-14.

• This was stated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh while addressing the Fisheries Ministers of Coastal states and Union Territories.
• Shri Singh further added that owing to low prospects of fisheries production along the coast, the government has decided to promote deep sea fishing and has introduced a sub-component 'Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing' under the Blue Revolution.
• Advanced and modern deep sea fishing vessels will be built in the country by indigenous technology.
• He informed that in the first year, central funds amounting to more than Rs 312 crore have been released for the implementation of this scheme benefitting fishermen from states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

5. Cabinet approves setting up of a new AIIMS in Deoghar, Jharkhand

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved setting up of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Deoghar, Jharkhand.

• A provision of funds worth Rs. 1103 crore has been approved for the project and the said AIIMS will be set up under the Pradhan MantriSwasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).   

6. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Suriname in the field of electoral management

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Suriname on cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration

• It includes exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical development of electoral process; support in exchanging information, institutional strengthening and capacity building, training of personnel, holding regular consultations etc.
• The MoU will promote bilateral cooperation, aimed at building technical assistance / capacity support for Suriname envisaging cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.

7. Cabinet approves Corpus for Micro Irrigation Fund with NABARD

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today has approved an initial Corpus of Rs.5,000 crore for setting up of a dedicated “Micro Irrigation Fund” (MIF) with NABARD under Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY). 

• The allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore and Rs. 3,000 crore will be utilised during 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
• NABARD will extend the loan to State Governments during this period.  B
• orrowings from NABARD shall be paid back in 7 years including the grace period of two years.
• The lending rate under MIF has been proposed at 3% lower than the cost of raising the fund by NABARD.

8. Yeddyurappa sworn in as Karnataka chief minister

BJP legislature party leader B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka.

• The 75-year-old Lingayat strongman was administered the oath of office and secrecy by governor Vajubhai Vala at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan.
• This is Yeddyurappa's second stint as chief minister of Karnataka.

9. Uttam Pacharne appointed regular Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi

The President of India has appointed Shri Uttam Pacharne, as regular Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi. Shri Pacharne is an eminent artist and sculptor.

• He is a widely respected person in the field of art and has held various important positions.
• Currently, he is Member of Advisory Committee, Kala Academy, Goa and Member of Advisory Committee, P.L. Deshpande State Lalit Kala Academy and Director, Janseva Sahakari Bank Borivali.
• He is the recipient of National Lalit Kala Award 1985, Maharashtra Gaurav Puraska 1985 from Government of Maharashtra, Junior National Award 1986 and Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar 2017 from Prafulla Dahanukar Foundation.
• Shri Pacharne will hold office for a term of three years from the date on which he assumes the charge of his office.
• Previously in March 2018, Shri M.L. Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Akademies), Ministry of Culture was appointed Protem Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi , pending appointment of a regular Chairman.

10. 'Raaya' becomes India's official entry for Cannes

 

A short film, 'Raaya', about an autistic girl has been chosen as India's official entry into the Cannes Film Festival 2018.

• The film is scheduled to exhibit at the 71st Cannes Festival on May 18, second to last day of the festival.
• 'Raaya' has already bagged the 'Special Festival Mention Award' at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2018. Also, it has been shortlisted for other International film festivals in Los Angeles and Romania.
• The film is produced by Rakesh Gupta and written by hypnotherapist Richa Agarwal.