5th Feb 7 Files Merged

Current News Analysis
05-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
1. Defiant Iran to carry out missile exercise
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Defiant-Iran-to-carry-out-missile-
exercise/article17195507.ece
Category: International Relations
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on Indias
interests
Key Points:
Relations between U.S. and Iran have deteriorated sharply since Donald Trump
took office last month promising a tough line on what he sees as Iranian
belligerency towards U.S. interests and allies.
The new sanctions which the U.S. has imposed on Iran are a response to Irans
recent test launch of a medium-range ballistic missile as well as its support for
Yemeni rebels who attacked a Saudi frigate earlier this week.
C.GS3 Related
1. Central Pollution Control Board assessing oil spill
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Central-Pollution-Control-Board-assessing-
oil-spill/article17195818.ece
Category: Environment and Ecology
Topic: Conservation
Key Points:
In an important development, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is
analysing samples from the oil spill resulting from a collision between two ships
off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
Clean-up operations are being coordinated by the Coast Guard and involve
several disparate organisations;
However the Union Environment Ministry is expected to present a status report
on the damage done by Wednesday (8th Feb, 2017)
It is important to note that About 2,000 persons are involved in the clean up
operations and 54 tonnes of sludge (mixture of oil, water, ocean material etc) was
removed till February 2, according to the Press Information Bureau.
The PIB further went on to note that Over 90% of the work has been completed
and most of the residual work is expected to be over in a couple of days,
2. What is Northwest Africa 7635?

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/Demystifying-Science-%E2%80%94-February-5-
2017/article17194910.ece
Category: Science and Technology, Geography
Topic: Developments; Meteorites
Key Points:
The Northwest Africa 7635, is a 6.9-ounce (about 200gm) meteorite, discovered in Algeria,
Africa, in 2012, that has given scientists unprecedented insight into volcanic activity on
Mars.
It is on Mars that the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, is found.
Recently it has been learnt that Mars had a single volcano that continuously erupted for 2
billion years.
Further, it is important to note that Martian volcanoes can grow to such enormous
proportions because Mars, unlike Earth, doesnt have plate tectonics that constantly shuffle
the surface.
So a volcano, like the one that birthed NWA 7635, can plume the process by which hot
magma from the earth surfaces upward for billions of years.
3. Butterfly find enriches Indian faunal diversity

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Butterfly-find-enriches-Indian-faunal-
diversity/article17195992.ece
Topic: Biodiversity
Key Points:
In an important development that marks an important addition to Indias rich wildlife,
researchers have described Limenitis rileyi , a butterfly spotted in Arunachal Pradesh three
decades ago as the first record of the species in the country.
A single male species was discovered in July 1987 from Upper Dibang Valley in Arunachal
Pradesh.
D. GS4 Related
E. Important Editorials
The Hindu
1. A difficult pitch
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/A-difficult-pitch/article17194954.ece
Category: Indian Economy
Topic: Government Policy
Key Points:
It is important to note that in the recent budget that was presented, The Health Ministry, had
to accept a very modest increase in allocation.
On critical evaluation, it becomes evident that despite the huge mandate to improve Indias
lagging health indicators, in the face of multiple public health challenges, the health budget
continues to be disappointingly low.
The expectation that the National Urban Health Mission component of NHM would be soon
launched to scale is belied by the meagre increase in NHMs finances.
It is important to note that the Maternity Benefit Programme needs to be universal rather
than conditional if it has to reach the most vulnerable sections and skilled health
professionals will be needed to assure safety of the mother and the newborn.
Raising standards of care in sub-centres, primary health centres and community health
centres will need more human and financial resources.
Crucially, it was also announced that kalazar and filariasis will be eliminated in 2017, leprosy
by 2018, measles by 2020 and tuberculosis by 2025.
While such optimism can energise the health system, it is prudent to be aware of technical
factors that influence these targets leprosy has an incubation period of 3-5 years and we
will have to wait at least till 2022 to know if we have finally overcome the problem.
Tuberculosis will pose many stiff challenges health systems across the country and both
public and private care providers will have to markedly improve their practice patterns in
diagnosis and treatment.
PIB
1. Tripartite meeting held between UNC, Govt. of Manipur and
Govt. of India
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=158059
Category: Polity and Governance
Topic: Federalism, Center-State Relations
Key Points:
The issue of creation of 7 new districts and the ongoing economic blockade was discussed in a
tripartite meeting at New Delhi between UNC, Govt. of Manipur and Govt. of India.
There was substantial progress on the issue in the talks. A few points needed further
discussions at their organisation level.
Next tripartite meeting is expected on 7th Feb., 2017 on the issues.
2. DG Shipping has Instituted an inquiry in the Collision of two

ships off Kamrajar Harbour
Category: Disaster Management
Topic: Oil Spills
Key Points:
Two vessels namely, M.T. BW MAPLE and M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM
while crossing each other collided at 03.45AM on 28th January, 2017 outside the
Kamrajar harbour. The Oil Tanker, M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM, which was
carrying 32813 Tonnes of POL, suffered a rupture which led to engine oil spill
(and not the POL being carried as cargo). There was no casualty or injury to the
crew members.
The situation was closely monitored by top officials of the Port from the time of
accident and the required assistance was rendered to both vessels.
It is important to note that The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan
provides that while the port is responsible for responding to an oil spill within the
port area, the Coast Guard is responsible for acting as the Central Coordinating
Agency for combating oil pollution in the maritime zone and the State
Governments are responsible for shore line response. Equipment required to
handle Tier-1 Oil Spill Response was available with the Kamarajar Port and was
also deployed.
The Coast Guard ship and helicopters are carrying out regular sorties for
continuous monitoring of oil slick.
If oil spillage accumulation is spotted anywhere, manpower and material under
the overall supervision of Coast Guard will be deployed.
Directorate General of Shipping has instituted a statutory inquiry under the
Merchant Shipping Act to ascertain the causes and contributory factors that led to
the accident. Both the ships have been restrained from leaving the Port.
D.G. Shipping is also holding discussions with the owners of the ships and the
mechanism of distribution of compensation and payment of claims by the insurers
will be shortly in place.
3. Budget 2017-18 focuses on educational empowerment and skill

development of the Minorities: Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Key Points:
Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that the Union Budget (General) 2017-18 will
be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities.
The Central Governments focus is on educational and skill development of
Minorities. Maximum part of the Budget 2017-18 would go for educational
empowerment and skill development of the Minorities.
The Minister of Minority Affairs further stated that more than Rs 2600 crore have
been provided for various scholarships and skill development schemes such as
Seekho aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roushni, Usttad, Garib Nawaz
Skill Development Centre and Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for Girls.
F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn:

1. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
2. BILLS/ACTS/SCHEMES/ORGS IN NEWS
BILLS/ACTS/SCHEMES/ORGANISATIONS Links to Refer
IN NEWS
India Innovation Index: A joint http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157941
initiative of NITI Aayog, DIPP

and CII
3. Tags
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Practice Questions
Date: 5th February, 2017

Category: Geography
Topic: Solar System
Source: The Hindu
Difficulty level: Medium
Type: Factual
1] Consider the following statements,

1] The largest volcano in the solar system is Olympus Mons.
2] Martian volcanoes can grow to enormous proportions because Mars, unlike Earth, doesnt have
plate tectonics that constantly shuffle the surface.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Topic: Government Initiatives
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is a sub-mission of National Health Mission (NHM).
2] NUHM envisages to meet health care needs of the urban population with the focus on urban poor,
by making available to them essential primary health care services and reducing their out of pocket
expenses for treatment.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)

Topic: Biodiversity
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
3] Limenitis rileyi was recently in the news. What is it?
a) A Butterfly
b) A species of Dolphin
c) A new species of plant
d) A new species of whale
Ans a)

Category: Geography
Topic: Various Parts of the World
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
4] The Strait of Hormuz is located in which of the following regions?
a) Middle East
b) South East Asia
c) Latin America
d) Scandinavia
Ans a)

Category: Geography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
5] Chabahar Port often seen in the news is located where?
a) Iran
b) Pakistan
c) Saudi Arabia
d) U.A.E
Ans a)
06-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
India has to de ise its o n strategy on H-1B ur s
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/%E2%80%98India-has-to-devise-its-own-
strategy-on-H-1B-curbs%E2%80%99/article17198377.ece
Category: India-world
Topic: Indian diaspora
Key Points:
Amid growing unease in India and the United States over legislation in the U.S.
Congress advocating an increase in salaries of H-1B visa holders to discourage
American firms from hiring them, and an anticipated executive order from
President Donald Trump, BJP general secretary Muralidhar Rao says India
should devise its own strategy rather than try to put pressure on the U.S.
government.
Mr. Rao, told that India had limited influence on the Trump or any other
U.S. administration, which would always frame policy looking at its own
interests. The United States is not framing any India-specific laws, and we
may be able to influence it to a certain extent but not enough for the U.S. to
change a certain course it has decided on, he said.
The High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017 introduced by California
Congressman Zoe Lofgren is the latest in a series of Bills that aim to restrict
the number of H-1B visa holders.
The Bill advocates market-based allocation of visas to those companies
willing to pay more than double the $60,000 fixed as minimum annual wage
for H-1B holders in 1989, which has remained unchanged since.
Impact:
These moves by the U.S. are a reflection of what has been happening in the global
economy in the past few years. Globalization has been seeing a downward
journey for some time. The economies of the U.S. and European countries are
facing a downturn. The growth that we want to register using their markets is not
possible now.
Mr. Trumps actions could be seen as a catalyst in the situation, and not as an
initiator of protectionist moves.
Concluding Remarks:
Wherever immigrants fill the American skill gap, they may still be unaffected, but, wherever
there can an American substitute, it will be different, We need to respond to this by devising our
own strategy, and orient our industries to create more sustainable profits.
2. Trump to meet NATO leaders in May: White House

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Trump-to-meet-NATO-leaders-in-May-
White-House/article17200842.ece
Category: International organization
Topic: NATO
Key Points:
Donald Trump will meet fellow NATO leaders in May, the White House said
after the Preside ts all ith the allia es e retar Ge eral Je s
tolte erg. Mr. Tru p e pressed stro g support for NATO ut alled o
European members to pitch in more, the White House said in a statement on
u da , addi g that Mr. Tru p agreed to joi i a meeting of NATO leaders
i Europe i late Ma .
The United States provides significant funding to NATO, and Mr. Trump has
previously urged other member nations to step up their contributions.The
leaders discussed how to encourage all NATO allies to meet their defense
spending commitments.
Europea leaders are o er ed a out Mr. Tru ps irule t riti is of

NATO he has du ed the tra satla ti ilitar allia e o solete
at a ti e he it sta ds as the ai defe se agai st Russias Preside t
Vladimir Putin. According to the White House statement the parties also
dis ussed the pote tial for a pea eful resolutio of the o fli t alo g the
Ukrai ia order.
Kiev and the West have accused Russia of supporting eastern Ukrainian
rebels and deploying troops across the border, claims that Moscow refutes.
Mr. Tru ps frie dl sta e to ard Mr. Puti has ee u der s ruti si e
he won the US election in November.
Mr. Trump took office with USRussian ties at new lows amid accusations by
American intelligence agencies that the Kremlin hacked Democratic Party
emails as part of a pro Trump campaign
C.GS3 Related
1.Tribe offers clues to hidden wonders of medicinal plant
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/Tribe-offers-clues-to-hidden-wonders-of-medicinal-
plant/article17195140.ece
Category: Science &technology
Topic: Indigenous technology
Key Points:
A medicinal plant endemic to the southern parts of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka could offer
scientists the key to new herbal formulations and modern drugs for the treatment of cancer and
wounds and burns. Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research
Institute (JNTBGRI) here have confirmed the multiple therapeutic properties ofNeurocalyx
calycinus used by the Cholanaickan tribe, one of the particularly vulnerable groups in Kerala, to treat
inflammations and wounds.
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
Targeting old scourges

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Targeting-old-
scourges/article17198147.ece?homepage=true
Category: Economic development
Topic: Government Policies on health
Key Points:
Union Budgets new elimination targets for some major communicable
diseases barely hints at the enormous burden carried by millions in India
with tuberculosis, kala-azar (leishmaniasis), filariasis, leprosy and measles.
It would appear incongruous that an emerging economy with no universal
health coverage and a lack of political will to loosen its purse strings for
higher government expenditure has set ambitious deadlines to rid itself of
deadly scourges.
Last year it was revealed that India has a higher burden of new patients with
TB than estimated earlier 2.8 million in 2015 compared to 2.2 million in
the previous year, a quarter of the worlds cases
Having set goals, the Centre must now demonstrate its seriousness by moving
away from the flawed policies of the past. The promise of a well-funded five-
year scheme to meet the TB challenge beginning in 2017 is welcome, although
steady progress towards the new elimination deadline of 2025 will also
depend on improved capabilities in the health system to meet the daily drugs
requirement and a feeling of ownership at the State level.
The World Health Organisation has been pointing to the lack of integration of
private practitioners with the national mission on tuberculosis for guaranteed
access to drugs, and lack of continuous monitoring of such patients.
Indias campaign on leprosy is in reality a post-elimination struggle
resulting from complacency, since it announced at the end of 2005 that it had
eliminated it as a public health problem, based on a rate of less than one
person in 10,000 having it.
Such self-congratulatory moments weakened both policy focus and funding
in some pockets in eastern India, where it exceeded the accepted prevalence
rate. Health Minister J.P. Naddas admission in the Rajya Sabha that there
were 1,02,178 leprosy cases on record as of September 2016, and districts of
high endemism, shows the battle was never truly won.
Detecting new cases early and preventing them from progressing to
disability-inducing grade two level is crucial, although complete removal by
2018 as envisaged in the Budget may prove difficult.
Rehabilitation of patients is also a weak spot. Kala-azar, though
underreported and mainly confined to Bihar and Jharkhand, is a promising
candidate for elimination in the current year.
few thousand cases are caused by a protozoal parasite with no animal
reservoir; control of the vector, the sand fly, holds the key. If good medical
protocol is pursued, pockets of filariasis in many States can be removed.
Rehabilitation programmes for these diseases require more resources and
policy support.
PIB
Sports Minister Vijay Goel lays the Foundation Stone at
Gandhinagar, Gujarat for the first ever training center
dedicated for Para Athletes
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=158069
Category: Social justice
Topic: Issues related to differently abled people
Key Points:
Para athletes have won 4 medals at RIO Olympics for India in 2016and brought
glory for the country in International Sports Arena. Prime Minister after meeting
with Para Athlete Shri Devender Jhajharia Gold Medalist of RIO Olympic Games
2016 desired that a World Class Para athletic Center be opened in India. Minister
of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Vijay Goel took the initiative and
approved a Center of Excellence for Differently Abled Sportspersons at SAI
Gandhinagar,the first ever training centre dedicated for Para athletes in the
country. Today shri Vijay Goel laid the foundation stone of Boundary wall for the
Center of Excellence Para Center at Sector 25 Gandhinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that sportspersons can approach him in case
they face any professional problem. He said, a Talent Search Portal is being
launched soon to spot the budding sports persons in the country. He said the
Center of Excellence for Differently Abled Sportspersons for which he laid the
foundation today will help Para Athletes to showcase their skills and talent
further both at national and international level.
The center is proposed for an estimated budget of over Rs. 50 crores. It will have
the World Class facilities where Para athletes will be trained for various
International Competitions including Asian Games, Common Wealth Games and
Olympic Games and will also here Classification center. The center will also hold
Seminars, Educational Programmes and Workshops throughout the year with the
help of International Paralympic Committee.

H1-B visa
NATO
Practice Questions
Date: 6thFebruary, 2017
Category:social justice
Topic: differently abled people
Source: The Hindu
Difficulty level: easy
Type: Factual
1.Where is the Para athletes training stadium located?.
a) Gandhi nagar
b) Delhi
c) Mumbai
d) Banglore
Ans a)

Category:International Relations
Topic:International organisation
Source: The Hindu
Difficulty level: Easy
Type: Factual
2] Consider the following statements about NATO,

1] NATO is a intergovernmental military organisation
2]Maximun funding to is done by US.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Category: Science & Technology
Topic: Indigenous technologies
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Neurocalyx calycinus is the medicinal plant found in westernghats
2]It has been in use to treat Alzheimers.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans A)
Category:Science & technology
Topic: Indegeneous technology
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
4]What is Neurocalyx calycinus which was recently in news?
a) Tribe in western ghats

b) Medicinal plant in western ghats
c) Tribe in eastern himalayas
d) Medicinal plant in eastern himalayas
Ans b)

Category: polity-governance
Topic: public policy
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
5] which of the following disease is not part of Targeted elimination of communicable

Diseases plan by government?
a) AIDS
b) Leprosy
c) Measles
d) Tuberculosis
Ans a)
07-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
B. GS2 Related
1. SC clears plan to verify mobile phone users
through Aadhaar
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/SC-clears-plan-to-verify-mobile-phone-users-
through-Aadhaar/article17205615.ece
Category: Governance
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
Key Points:
The Supreme Court on Monday approved the governments plan to record the
identification details of mobile subscribers through an e-KYC (Know Your
Customer) mechanism linked to Aadhaar in a bid to enhance national security
and prevent fake users.
The court was considering a petition by NGO Lokniti Foundation, which had
contended that fake SIM cards were a major threat to national security.
The mechanism would cover at least 100 crore mobile phone subscribers, 90% of
whom use pre-paid cards.
Aadhar:
Aadhaar is a 12 digit individual identification number which will serve as a
proof of identity and address, anywhere in India.
Aadhaar-platform is aimed at providing social security benefits / subsidies
based on eligibility through direct benefit transfer.
2. Favouritism in selection bid: Dronacharya awardee

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/Favouritism-in-selection-bid-Dronacharya-
awardee/article17206036.ece
Category: Awards
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Key Points:
The Delhi High Court on Monday called for the documents pertaining to the
grant of a cricket coaching contract at NDMCs Talkatora cricket ground, over
allegations of favouritism in granting the bid to a firm, promoted by an Indian
cricketer.
DRONACHARYA AWARDS: The Dronacharya Award, instituted in 1985, honours
eminent Coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and enabled them
to achieve outstanding results in international competitions.
3.Tech giants at the forefront of legal resistance

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Tech-giants-at-the-forefront-of-legal-
resistance/article17201274.ece

interests
Key Points:
Ninety-seven technology companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Google have
joined the legal battle against the Donald Trump administrations ban on
travellers and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Thousands of people from these countries with valid U.S. visas are trying to reach
the country even as the the suspension of the travel ban is in effect
These companies submitted that the American innovation and economic
growth are intimately tied to immigration and the executive order harms the
competitiveness of U.S. companies.
Mr. Trump on Sunday accused the Washington judge of opening the country to
terrorists, mounting a public campaign against the judiciary.
The travel ban imposed on the seven muslim nations has polarised the American
electorate and at least 2,50,000 Muslims are estimated to be working in the
Silicon Valley tech and many of them are from the seven countries directly
affected by the travel ban.
4. Chinas new ballistic missile has India in range

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/China%E2%80%99s-new-
ballistic-missile-has-India-in-range/article17206806.ece

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Key Points:
Chinas newly-formed Rocket Force has conducted an exercise with advanced
DF-16 medium-range ballistic missile that has a range of over 1,000 km and
could target a number countries in the neighbourhood, including India.
Ballistic Missiles
They are launched from land or sea.
The missile follows a trajectory with the objective of delivering one or more
warheads to a predetermined target and are only guided during relatively
brief periods of flight, and most of its trajectory is unpowered and governed
by gravity
They are further classified into-
a.Long range intercontinental ballistic missiles
b.Shorter range ballistic missiles
Examples of ballistic missiles include Agni Missiles, Prithvi Missiles,etc
5.Rohingya refugees to be relocated on remote

island
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Rohingya-refugees-to-be-relocated-on-
remote-island/article17205798.ece

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Key Points:
Bangladeshi authorities have decided to relocate thousands of Myanmar refugees
to a thinly populated island in the Bay of Bengal to avoid adverse
socioeconomic impacts in the mainland.
Rohingyas are currently living in different camps spread across the country.
Several Western diplomats have reportedly suggested that the refugees should
not be moved against their will and that the place chosen for relocation was
uninhabitable and prone to floods.
The government however has claimed that the relocation would be a temporary
arrangement and has requested the international community to take
meaningful measures for repatriation of the refugee population in Myanmar
C.GS3 Related
1. Late night quake jolts North India
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Late-night-quake-jolts-North-
India/article17207265.ece
Category: Disaster management
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Key Points:
North India was jolted late on Monday night following an earthquake measuring
5.8 on the Richter scale with its epicentre at Baron Basti in Rudraprayag district
in Uttarakhand.
Epicentre:The epicenter is the point on the surface of the Earth directly above the
hypocenter of an earthquake.
Hypocenter:The hypocenter is the place where the rupture of the plate boundary that led to
the earthquake first happened.
2.Not a drop of the Ganga has been cleaned: NGT

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/Not-a-drop-of-the-Ganga-has-been-
cleaned-NGT/article17205902.ece
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution
Key Points:
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked government agencies to
work together for the cause.
The tribunal also asked the government agencies about how they were executing Prime
Minister Narendra Modis ambitious Namami Gange project, adding that it did not want the
drama regarding complaints between the Centre and Uttar Pradesh to go on.
Namami Gange Programme:
Namami Gange programme was launched to achieve the target of cleaning river Ganga in an
effective manner with the involvement of all stakeholders, especially five major Ganga
basin States Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.
3.I ple e t WTOs Nairobi Mi isterial decisions: India

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/Implement-WTO%E2%80%99s-
Nairobi-Ministerial-decisions-India/article17206767.ece
Category: Food Security
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support
prices; Public Distribution System
Key Points:
Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said she would soon take up the
outstanding issues with World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Roberto
Azevedo
Outstanding issues include the one on food security of the WTOs Doha Round
negotiations
The reluctance of developed countries to agree to continue the Doha Development
Agenda post-Nairobi, India negotiated and secured a re-affirmative Ministerial Decision
on public stockholding for food security purposes
The Minister also said India was very clear on its stand that new issues including e-
commerce and investment cannot be brought into the formal agenda of the WTO-level
negotiations
4.Ministries, sectoral regulators to screen FDI proposals

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/Ministries-sectoral-regulators-to-screen-
FDI-proposals/article17205267.ece
Topic: Mobilization of resources
Background:
The Centre had proposed to abolish the FIPB in its Budget for 2017-18
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), housed in the Department of Economic
Affairs, Ministry of Finance, is an inter-ministerial body, responsible for processing
of FDI proposals and making recommendations for Government approval.
Key Points:
The applications on foreign direct investment (FDI) in India in sectors under the
approval route will soon be taken up by the concerned ministries and sectoral regulators.
More than 92% of the FDI inflows were through the automatic route. For the rest of the FDI
(about 8% of the total FDI inflows), every department concerned has a framework or
a regulator for it.
The decision is seen in line with the governments policy of maximum governance and
minimum government as now that majority of the investments coming in are through the
automatic route, a superfluous or an additional layer in the form of FIPB is not any
longer required.
On the proposal by tech giant Apple for establishing a manufacturing unit in India for
products, including iPhones and iPads, the Centre said it had so far not taken the final call. It
said whenever a policy decision is taken on the matter it will be applicable to the entire
sector and not just one company.
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
1. Perilous U-turn on Iran
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Perilous-U-turn-on-
Iran/article17205276.ece
Category:International Relations
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's
interests, Indian diaspora.
Background:
Bilateral relations were particularly hostile during the presidency of George W. Bush, who
had threatened military action over Irans nuclear programme.
Barack Obama took a different line based on political realism
The U.S. and other world powers took years to find a common ground with Iran, which
prevented the country from acquiring nuclear weapons in return for removal of international
sanctions.
The deal,opposed by Israel, allowed Iran to mend ties with European countries, boost its oil
production and trade with other countries.
Concerns over the new US adminstration:
A set of new sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States over a missile test
The U.S. and Iran cooperated on the battleground in Iraq against the Islamic State. This
progress stands threatened by President Donald Trumps hostility towards Iran.
Mr. Trump may not repeal the nuclear deal as it is a multilateral agreement.
By putting immigration curbs on Iranian citizens, imposing new sanctions on Iran and
branding the country as the greatest state sponsor of terrorism, the Trump
administration has clearly announced that the deal is dead
Mr. Trump appears determined to pursue the agenda of restoring the bipolar balance
between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the U.S.s strongest allies in West Asia
Way forward:
Any meaningful effort to stabilize West Asia calls for Irans cooperation, not hostility
The world, including the U.S., needs Irans cooperation to fight the Islamic State, particularly
in Iraq, where Iranian-controlled Shia militias played a key role in liberating cities. If Mr.
Trump ignores these realities, he runs the risk of making West Asia even more chaotic than it
is.
2. Rewiring the WTO

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Rewiring-the-WTO/article17205325.ece
Category: Important International institutions
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
Background:
The visit of Roberto Azevdo, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to
India, from February 8, comes at a juncture when the framework of global trade rules is
undergoing a shake-up.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been dealt a death blow by the Trump presidency.
United States orchestrated the move to make the WTO virtually irrelevant during the 10th
Ministerial Conference of the organisation, in Nairobi in 2015 which ended without a
decision on the most important area of work of WTO members the Doha Round
negotiations.
Concerns over the current structure of WTO:

The developing world has largely been questioning the relevance of the WTO ,when the
richer nations gained the upper hand in setting the priorities for the organisation
Efforts of the developing countries to amend several important agreements and to make
them more responsive to their development needs have been seriously undermined.
The least developed countries, especially their inability to increase their presence
in the global markets, have also been put on the backburner.
The skewed rules in the areas of agriculture and intellectual property rights
In agriculture, WTO rules have been loaded in favour of the developed countries, while the
interests of small farmers have almost been completely ignored and India flagged the
important issue of food security and its subsidised Public Distribution System(PDS)
An understanding was reached where even if India breached agricultural subsidies
disciplines to meet its food security needs, no penal action would be taken against it through
what is commonly called a peace clause, but with no permanent solution to the issue.
Trade facilitation was not exactly an area that excited the developing countries for their
shares in global trade are at very low levels.
the major economies are preparing the ground for another exercise at cherry picking the
issues of their interest at Buenos Aires namely, electronic commerce and investment.
The issue of including investment in the WTO has been a deeply divisive, almost right
since the inception of the organisation.
Way Forward:
The inclusion of e-commerce and investment in the WTO would further drive the wedge
between the rich and the poor nations.
The growing disenchantment with the existing model of globalisation has provided a historic
opportunity to frame new rules that give equal opportunities to all countries and their
citizens in the global marketplace
PIB
1. India and Austria Sign a Protocol amending the India-Austria
Double Taxation Avoidance Convention
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx
Category: Agreements
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India's interests
Key Points:
The Protocol will broaden the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related
information which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries
and will also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes.
A DTAA, also referred to as a Tax Treaty, is a bilateral economic agreement
between two nations that aims to avoid or eliminate double taxation of the
same income in two countries.
2.50 lacs Universal Account Number (UAN) allotted to Construction

Workers
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx
Category: mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies
Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of
these vulnerable sections
Key Points:
The Government has enacted the Building and Other Construction Workers
(Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building
and other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 to regulate the employment and
conditions of service of building and other construction workers and to provide for their
safety, health and welfare measures.
The State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards of the respective states
have formulated welfare schemes to provide benefits to building and other construction
workers as mandated under Section 22 of the Act. Section 22 of the Act stipulates following
benefits:
(a)provide immediate assistance to a beneficiary in case of accident
(b)make payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed the age of sixty years
(c)sanction loans and advances to a beneficiary for construction of a house not exceeding such
amount and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed
(d)pay such amount in connection with premia for Group Insurance Scheme of the
beneficiaries as it may deem fit
(e)give such financial assistance for the education of children of the beneficiaries as may be
prescribed
(f)meet such medical expenses for treatment of major ailments of a beneficiary or, such
dependent, as may be prescribed
(g)make payment of maternity benefit to the female beneficiaries
(h)make provisions and improvement of such other welfare measures and facilities as may be
prescribed.
Namami Gange Programme
National Green Tribunal
WTO Doha Round Negotiations
IN NEWS
The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-aadhaar-

Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits
and Services) Act, 2016 targeted-delivery-of-financial-and-other-subsidies-
benefits-and-services-bill-2016-4202/
3. Tags
WTO
Namami Gange
NGT
Practice Questions
Category: Geography
Topic: Indian Rivers
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Which of the following are the tributaries of river Ganga?

1. Alaknanda.
2. Gomti
3. Son
4. Yamuna
a) 3 and 4 Only
b) 4 Only
c) 1,2 and 4 only
d) All of the above
Ans d)

Category: International Institutions
Topic: WTO
Source: The Hindu
Difficulty level: Easy
Type: Factual
2] The World Trade Organisation[WTO] is headqaurtered in?

a) Paris,France.
b) Geneva, Switzerland
c) Doha ,Qatar
d) Bali, Indonesia
Ans d)

Topic: Welfare measure
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
3] Which of the following are the objectives of PDS?

1.To protect the low income groups by guaranteeing the supply of certain minimum quantities of food grains
at affordable price.
2.Ensuring equitable distribution.
3.Controlling the price rise of Essential Commodities in the open market.
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of the above
Ans d)

Category: Geography
Topic: Map Based Question
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
4] Which of the following countries do not border the Mediterranean sea?

a)Turkey
b)Egypt
c)Bulgaria
d)Greece
Ans c)
Category: Governance
Topic: laws and acts
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
5] The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act,
2016 allows individual information to revealed in which of the following scenarios?
1. In the interest of national security, a Joint Secretary in the central government may issue a
direction for revealing
2. On the directions of Governor of a state
3. On the order of a court
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of the above
Ans b)
08-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
1. Cauve y pa t a u e ual a gai
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/%E2%80%981892-Cauvery-pact-an-unequal-
bargain%E2%80%99/article17243050.ece
Topic: Center-State Relations, Tribunals
Key Points:
It is important to note that in 1892 there was an agreement signed between the
erstwhile Mysore and Madras Governments to share the Cauvery river water.
In reference to the above, recently, the Karnataka counsel has told the Supreme
Court that the agreement can claim no validity after birth of Indian Constitution.
In fact, the Karnataka counsel has called this agreement an unconscionable
bargain to share the Cauvery river water.
Karnataka counsel and senior advocate Fali Nariman, said that both the 1892 and
1924 pacts between the then princely State of Mysore and the Madras
government reflected an inequality of bargaining power which was without
conscience and which could claim no validity after the birth of the Indian
Constitution.
2. Trump should not address British Parliament, says Speaker

Bercow
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Trump-should-not-address-British-
Parliament-says-Speaker-Bercow/article17243453.ece
interests
Key Points:
In a landmark development, the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, said
he would oppose U.S. President Donald Trump addressing the Parliament during his
planned state visit.
It is important to note that the British Parliament, has to date, been more outspoken in
its criticism of Mr. Trump than the government.
After the travel ban on nationals of seven mainly-Muslim states, the House of Commons
held an emergency debate, and unanimously passed a motion describing the move as
divisive, and counterproductive.
3. Japan eases permanent visa norms to draw global talent

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/Japan-eases-permanent-visa-norms-
to-draw-global-talent/article17244215.ece
interests
Key Points:
In a recent development, Japan is wooing foreign direct investment through a slew of
measures such as an easier visa regime and lower corporate taxes.
In a bid to attract global talent, from India and other nations, Japan has said it will soon
introduce a new Green Card programme billed as the fastest such system in the world
and expedite the granting of permanent residency to highly skilled foreign
professionals.
C.GS3 Related
1. India to frame policy on synthetic biology
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/India-to-frame-policy-on-synthetic-
biology/article17244262.ece
Category: Science and Technology
Topic: Developments
Key Points:
India is taking its first steps to evolve a policy on synthetic biology.
What is synthetic biology?

Synthetic biology is an emerging science through which new life forms can potentially be
made in labs and existing life forms, such as bacteria and other microbes, tweaked to produce
specific proteins or chemically useful products.
What promise does it hold?

Synthetic biology in microbial systems holds promise for production of drugs,
vaccines, fuel components and other chemicals.
A popular example is the production of artemisinin, a powerful anti-malarial drug, in
yeast, at a commercial level.
Microorganisms have also been constructed to act as sensors that can detect a
toxin in vitro (outside a living organism) or in vivo (inside a living organism).
Gove e t s Positio
The Environment Ministry will be convening a group of experts on biodiversity and
biotechnology, to assess synthetic biology work pursued in Indian labs, potential benefits and
risks, and the implications of the trans-boundary movement of such life forms.
Significantly, it is important to note that India, so far, has no policy on synthetic biology.
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
1. Testing times on NEET

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Testing-times-on-
NEET/article17242913.ece
Topic: Government Policy, Government Interventions
Key Points:
What is (NEET)?
NEET refers to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which is a uniform
examination that will decide admission to medical courses all over the country.
Recently, the state of Tamil Nadu, has taken the legislative route to grant itself exemption
from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
Action taken by the State

Recently, the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, passed two Bills, in an effort to retain its present
admission system for under-graduate and post-graduate medical courses based on marks
obtained by students in their higher secondary school examination.
The Supreme Court insists that the NEET marks be the sole basis for admission. Thus, the
two bills passed by the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, are likely to displease the Supreme
Court.
Position Taken by Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu argues that NEET would be traumatic for both parents and children, as it would
be based on a syllabus different from the one taught in schools under the board for higher
secondary education.
The fear is that NEET would be insurmountable for students from rural areas and under-
privileged backgrounds and those who cannot afford coaching centres.
Its concern that urban students, especially those from streams such as the CBSE, would
dominate admissions under NEET cannot be dismissed easily.
Concluding Remarks
There is now an inevitable conflict between the need for a fair and transparent admission
system to curb rampant commercialisation of medical education and the socio-economic
goals of the State, which is worried about producing enough committed doctors ready to
serve in rural areas. Both objectives are indeed laudable.
However, a moot question is whether uniformity should be thrust on a country that has wide
regional, economic and linguistic disparities.
Normally it is the political leadership, and not the courts, that should harmonise such
differences and evolve a viable admission policy.
At the same time, States cannot remain forever insulated from the need to upgrade
educational standards.
It may be easy to advise the courts to keep out of the policy domain, but a more difficult task
is for institutions in the government and the private sector to maintain standards and pass
the courts triple test of fairness, transparency and freedom from exploitation.
Economic Times
1. To fill the vacuum after scrapping FIPB
http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-editorials/to-fill-the-vacuum-after-scrapping-
fipb/
Key Points:
It has been suggested that the government has done well to announce the decision to abolish
the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2017-18.
It is important to note that more than 90% of the foreign direct investment, in any case,
comes through the automatic route and sectoral regulation has also become far more robust,
obviating the need for the board that was set up in early 1990s.
Advanced countries, by and large, welcome all foreign investment, but have institutional
mechanisms to block any foreign investment proposal that hurts national interest and
security. India must also have such institutional safeguards. The RBI is best placed to play
the nodal agency for review; after all, all foreign investment into the country has to comply
with its foreign exchange reporting requirements.
It has been suggested that the government should enact a law to give the RBI powers that go
beyond collection of information to refer proposals for vetting for possible security
implications to relevant ministries of the Union government.
The executive government can then decide on whether to prohibit or suspend a transaction.
That decision and the factors that guided the decision must be placed before a committee of
the legislature, for the sake of transparency.
In concludion, India needs not just a robust arrangement but also stringent timelines to
conclude an RBI-initiated review and report to Parliament.
PIB
1. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) signs four more
unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs)
Topic: Taxation
Key Points:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has
entered into four more unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs)
The four APAs signed pertain to the Manufacturing, Financial and Information Technology
sectors of the economy. The international transactions covered in these agreements include
Contract Manufacturing, IT Enabled Services and Software Development Services.
With this, the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT has reached 130. This includes
8 bilateral APAs and 122 Unilateral APAs.
In the current financial year, a total of 66 APAs (5 bilateral APAs and 61 unilateral APAs)
have already been entered into. The CBDT expects more APAs to be concluded and signed
before the end of the current fiscal.
The APA Scheme was introduced in the Income-tax Act in 2012 and the Rollback
provisions were introduced in 2014.
The scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by
specifying the methods of pricing and determining the prices of international transactions in
advance.
Since its inception, the APA scheme has evinced a lot of interest from taxpayers and that has
resulted in more than 700 applications (both unilateral and bilateral) being filed so far in
about five years.
The progress of the APA Scheme strengthens the Governments resolve of fostering a non-
adversarial tax regime.
The Indian APA program has been appreciated nationally and internationally for being able
to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner.
2. S a t ity develop e t ot elitist; it s a t igge fo i lusive a d

comprehensive urban development, says Shri Venkaiah Naidu
Topic: Infrastructure, Urban Development
Key Points:
Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venakaiah Naidu has asserted that smart city
development is not elitist and on the other hand it has triggered inclusive and comprehensive
urban planning and development addressing the inherited deficit in urban governance.
Addressing a Business Conclave at Shri Ram College of Commerce, the Minister said that
Smart City Mission has brought about a paradigm shift by enabling the mission cities
approach the challenges differently rather than doing different things.
Shri Venkaiah Naidu explained that the Smart City Mission has been so designed to promote
inclusive development benefitting all sections of people besides promoting sustainable urban
development practices and actions in the context of urban citizens being starved of breathing
and living spaces. He said that this mission is a behavioral change initiative requiring all
stakeholders including elected and executive leadership and citizens to change their attitudes
and approaches towards urban planning and execution. Smart leaders and smart citizens are
crucial for the success of the mission, he said.
Referring to the growing spirit of competition among cities and towns to do better than
others, Shri Naidu said that moving away from archaic ways of urban governance, cities are
now vying for credit ratings for mobilization of resources through municipal bonds, reflecting
on their keenness to think and act differently. He informed that of the 97 smart cities, 89
have initiated this process of which 70 have completed it and 26 of them have already been
given credit rating. Eight cities viz., Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Jaipur, Kakinada, Pune,
Rajkot and Visakhapatnam have already appointed Transactional Advisors for issuing
municipal bonds. Total of 44 cities including 25 AMRUT cities have so far got credit ratings,
Shri Naidu informed.

AMRUT
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
IN NEWS

and CII
3. Tags
AMRUT
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
Practice Questions

Topic: Developments
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual

1] Synthetic biology is an emerging science through which new life forms can potentially be made in
labs and existing life forms, such as bacteria and other microbes, tweaked to produce specific
proteins or chemically useful products.
2] Synthetic biology in microbial systems holds promise for production of drugs, vaccines, fuel
components and other chemicals.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Category: Geography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] The four main islands in Japan are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
2] Honshu is the largest of the four, followed in size by Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)

Topic: Developments
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
3] Artemisinin, was recently in the news. What is it?

a) A powerful anti-malarial drug
b) A new species of Dolphin
c) A new plant species
d) A new species of Butterfly
Ans a)

Category: Geography
Topic: Ocean Currents
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] The Gulf Stream starts in the Gulf of Mexico.
2] The Labrador Current is a cold current in the North Atlantic Ocean which flows from the
Arctic Ocean south along the coast of Labrador and passes around Newfoundland.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)

Category: Geography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
5] Baffin Island is located in which of the following countries?
a) Canada
b) U.S.A
c) Argentina
d) U.K.
Ans a)
09-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
1. Trump-backed Bill seeks to cut legal immigrants by half
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Trump-backed-Bill-seeks-to-cut-legal-
immigrants-by-half/article17264195.ece
interests
Key Points:
In a recent development, two top U.S. Senators have proposed legislation to cut
the number of legal immigrants to the U.S. by half within a decade.
It is believed that this move could adversely hit those aspiring to get a green card
or permanent residency in the U.S., including a large number of Indians.
The legislation is called the Reforming American Immigration for Strong
Employment, or Raise Act.
This was introduced by Republican Senator Tom Cotton and David Perdue from
the Republican party.
This legislation is believed to alter the U.S. immigration system to significantly
reduce the number of foreigners admitted to the country without a skills-based
visa.
C.GS3 Related
1. Digital payment costs are a hindrance: TRAI
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/Digital-payment-costs-are-a-hindrance-
TRAI/article17264295.ece
Topic: Money and Banking
Key Points:
The chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has recently said
that the surge in digital payments in the country, driven largely by short-term
incentives, will become sustainable if the costs of making such payments are
addressed.
The TRAI chief has said that Digital financial transactions are not sustainable
unless you address the issues of cost, convenience and confidence,
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
1. Growing insecurity in Afghanistan

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Growing-insecurity-in-
Afghanistan/article17264076.ece
Topic: India and its Neighbourhood- Relations
Key Points:
Recently, there was a blast near the Supreme Court premises in Kabul. This blast left at least
20 people dead and underscores the growing insecurity in Afghanistan. In the past the
Taliban have targeted the court and even the Parliament building.
Afgha Gover e ts Strategy

Kabuls anti-terror strategy has hardly been effective.
Insurgents have made inroads in the recent years.
After most foreign troops withdrew in 2014, the Taliban have steadily stepped up attacks,
expanding the civil war into residential areas.
According to a UN report, 2016 was the bloodiest year for Afghan civilians since the U.S.-led
invasion began in 2001.
The Talibans territorial control has grown in strength.
Concluding Remarks
For Afghanistan, the threat is multiplying.
The Islamic State has established some presence in the country and declared a province of
the Caliphate in eastern Afghanistan Wilayat Khorasan.
It has been suggested that to turn its fortunes around in the 15-year-old civil war,
Afghanistan needs to strengthen the administration.
Mr. Ghani should initiate the administrative reforms he had promised and put up a stronger,
united fight against terrorist groups.
Kabul should seek more help and a higher level of commitment from other countries,
including the U.S., in combating terror.
A weakening of the civilian government and its capacity to ensure security is not in the
interest of any global power.
2. Getting back home, safely
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Getting-back-home-
safely/article17263964.ece
Category: International Relations, Disaster Management
Topic: Indian Diaspora, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Key Points:
In 2015, the Indian government successfully conducted Operation Raahat to evacuate almost
5,000 Indians and nearly 1,000 citizens from 41 other countries.
In this operation, besides Air India aircraft, the Indian Navy deployed vessels, and the Indian
Air Force C-17 Globemasters for strategic airlift.
Such unprecedented efforts and resources reflect New Delhis new drive to protect the lives
and assets of its citizens abroad in times of crisis.
Changing Dynamics
In India, the increasing size and complexity of the diaspora requires the government to
expand capacity and improve procedures.
More than 11 million Indians now reside abroad and 20 million travel internationally every
year.
It is important to note that as political instability rattles the West Asian region, which hosts
more than seven million Indians, the government can no longer rely on heroic efforts by
individual officials or quick-fix solutions.
The Way Forward- Suggested Reforms

It has been suggested that the Government build on its rich experience in conducting
more than 30 evacuation operations since the 1950s, and that by supporting policy-
oriented research at universities and think tanks to document the memory of senior
officials, the government would also facilitate the transmission of their expertise to
younger officials.
It has also been suggested that an inter-ministerial committee should prepare a
manual with guidelines that establish a clear chain of command and division of
competencies; identify regional support bases, assembly points and routes for
evacuation; develop country-specific warden systems to communicate with
expatriates; and establish evacuation priority and embarkation criteria.
Further, Indias diplomatic cadre must be given specific training to operate in hostile
environments.
In order to achieve this objective, the government could instruct the police or army to
train Indian Foreign Service probationers to operate in war zones; conduct frequent
evacuation simulations and emergency drills; and create rapid reaction teams of
Indian security personnel to be deployed to protect diplomatic staff and installations
abroad.
It has also been suggested that India will have to invest in cooperative frameworks
that facilitate coordination among countries that have large expatriate populations in
West Asia, in particular Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and among leading powers
with evacuation capacity in the Indian Ocean region.
Further, it has been suggested that the government will have to assign a greater role
to its armed forces. It has been suggested for example, that the Government direct
the military to develop a non-combatant evacuation (NEO) doctrine, designate the
Integrated Defence Staff as the nodal organisation to improve inter-services and civil-
military coordination, direct the services to conduct more multilateral NEO exercises,
and adapt military modernisation plans to increase capacity for out-of-area
deployment and evacuation.
Further, to avoid cost inflation and delays, the government must establish a
permanent civil reserve air fleet that pools aircraft from all Indian airlines based on
pre-established requisition and reimbursement procedures.
It has also been suggested that the government will have to invest in new
technologies to better monitor the diasporas profile and mobility.
In conclusion, it has been suggested that the government must expand efforts to
manage public opinion and be able to conduct a quiet diplomacy that is crucial to
safely extricate Overseas Indians from conflict zones.
Economic Times
1. Oil spills call for legal, technical fix
http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-editorials/oil-spills-call-for-legal-technical-fix/
Key Points:
The recent oil spill off the Chennai coast has exposed the lack of preparedness and
accountability on the part of Indian agencies.
In fact, the slow and ineffective response also reveals a lack of appreciation of the
environmental and public health fallout of accidents/incidents of this nature and of
organisational preparedness.
Government Intervention:
It is important to note that since the mid-1990s, India has a National Oil Spill Disaster
Contingency Plan.
The plan is clear in setting out the responsibilities of the Coast Guard, state and central
governments and local authorities.
The Coast Guard is the nodal agency for the security of territorial waters and the exclusive
economic zone, including of the coastal environment.
It not enough to have a contingency plan, the Coast Guard needs to have the competence to
respond to devastating emergencies such as oil spills.
The Way Forward:
The focus needs to be on monitoring movement, augmenting information collection, proper
training and ensuring that the Coast Guard is well-equipped to handle such situations.
To this end, the Coast Guard must be supported through appropriate statutory backing and
proper funding.
Parliament must pass the amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act to ensure compliance
to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001.
PIB
1. Shri Piyush Goyal to launch TAMRA Portal and Mobile
Application to ensure transparent award of Statutory
Clearances for Mining Operations
Key Points:
With an objective to enhance transparency and accountability as a part of the Ease of Doing
Business in the Mining sector, Shri Piyush Goyal will launch TAMRA (Transparency, Auction
Monitoring and Resource Augmentation) portal and Mobile Application.
The Ministry of Mines has developed the TAMRA Portal and Mobile Application which is a
step to speed up mining activity in India and facilitate all the stakeholders to track the status
of the statutory clearances associated with mining blocks for getting mines to reach till
operationalisation for the same.
TAMRA will be an interactive platform for all the stakeholders to compress the timelines for
statutory and other clearances as it would help minimize the gestation period for
commencing production.
TAMRA covers block-wise, state-wise and mineral-wise information of the blocks to be
auctioned, monitors various statutory clearances, and also highlights the additional
resources generated through e-Auction.
In case of delay in obtaining any clearances, TAMRA will send triggers to the concerned
authority so that the remedial steps can be taken immediately by those responsible.
The Ministry of Mines will also receive triggers generated by TAMRA and will facilitate in
expediting clearances. This portal also enables successful bidder to give suggestions/inputs.
2. Cabinet approves 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta

A hiya for overi g 6 rore rural households
Key Points:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved 'Pradhan
Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) to make 6 crore rural households digitally
literate. The outlay for this project is Rs.2,351.38 crore to usher in digital literacy in rural India by
March,.2019. This is in line with the announcement made by Finance Minister in the Union
Budget 2016-17.
PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. Under
the scheme, 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17; 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18;
and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19. To ensure equitable geographical reach, each of the 250,000
Gram Panchayats would be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates.
Digitally literate persons would be able to operate computers/digital access devices (like tablets,
smart phones, etc.), send and receive emails, browse internet, access Government Services,
search for information, undertaking cashless transactions, etc. and hence use IT to actively
participate in the process of nation building.
The implementation of the Scheme would be carried out under the overall supervision of
Ministry of Electronics and IT in active collaboration with States/UTs through their designated
State Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.
Background:
As per the 71st NSSO Survey on Education 2014, only 6% of rural households have a computer.
This highlights that more than 15 crore rural households (@ 94% of 16.85 crore households) do
not have computers and a significant number of these households are likely to be digitally
illiterate. The PMGDISHA being initiated under Digital India Programme would cover 6 crore
households in rural areas to make them digitally literate. This would empower the citizens by
providing them access to information, knowledge and skills for operating computers / digital
access devices.
As the thrust of the Government is on cashless transactions through mobile phones, the course
content would also have emphasis on Digital Wallets, Mobile Banking, Unified Payments
Interface (UPI), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and Aadhaar Enabled Payment
System (AEPS), etc.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan'
TAMRA (Transparency, Auction Monitoring and Resource Augmentation) portal and Mobile
Application
IN NEWS

and CII
3. Tags
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan'
TAMRA (Transparency, Auction Monitoring and Resource Augmentation) portal and Mobile
Application
Practice Questions
Category: Internal Security
Topic: Coastal Security
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual

1] The Coast Guard is the nodal agency for the security of territorial waters and the exclusive
economic zone, including of the coastal environment.
2] At the apex level the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security
(NCSMCS), headed by the Cabinet Secretary, coordinates all matters related to Maritime and Coastal
Security.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Category: Disaster Management
Topic: Disaster Relief
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
2] Operation Raahat was in the news. What is it?
a) An HADR operation undertaken by Government of India
b) A joint military exercise
c) A scientific research initiative
d) A poverty alleviation measure
Ans a)

Topic: Government Schemes
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) is a digital literacy

programme.
2] The implementation of the Scheme would be carried out under the overall supervision of
Ministry of Electronics and IT in active collaboration with States/UTs through their designated
State Implementing Agencies, District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Topic: Conservation
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Bioremediation consists of using naturally occurring or laboratory cultivated micro-organisms

to reduce or eliminate toxic pollutants.
2] Using bioremediation techniques, TERI has developed a mixture of bacteria called 'oilzapper'
which degrades the pollutants of oil-contaminated sites, leaving behind no harmful residues. This
technique is not only environment friendly, but also highly cost-effective.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)
Topic: Significant Provisions
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual

1] According to Article 320 of the Indian Constitution, it shall be the duty of the Union and the
State Public Service Commission to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the
Union and the services of the State respectively.
2] Article 262 of the Constitution of India, relates to adjudication of disputes relating to waters of
inter State rivers or river valleys.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)
10-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
1. Parrikar, Mattis agree to boost defence partnership
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Parrikar-Mattis-agree-to-boost-defence-
partnership/article17280033.ece
interests
Key Points:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his U.S. counterpart, James Mattis,
recently agreed to expand cooperation.
The two discussed cooperation under the Defence Technology Trade Initiative
(DTTI) and the Major Defence Partner status, and agreed to take forward the
joint development of defence platforms.
However, there is no meeting on the agenda anytime soon.
C.GS3 Related
1. Nilambur teak set to enter elite club of products with GI
tag
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Nilambur-teak-set-to-enter-elite-club-of-
products-with-GI-tag/article17280134.ece
Topic: IPR, GI Tags
Key Points:
Nilambur teak, which is internationally known for its superior quality and
elegant appearance, will soon be added to the list of Kerala produces with the
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Background:
It was the Britishers who identified the superior quality of teak from
Nilambur plantations and forests.
Later, the region became the major supplier of quality teak in the world.
Other Produces with GI Tag
GI registration of Pokkali rice, one of the first Kerala produces to get the GI
tag, meanwhile, has been renewed.
Other Kerala products with GI registration include Vazhakulam Pineapple,
Wayanadan rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala, Tirur Betel vine,
Central Travancore Jaggery and Chengalikodan Nendran, a banana variety.
2. Aadhaar number mandatory for subsidies: Centre

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Aadhaar-number-mandatory-for-
subsidies-Centre/article17280574.ece
Topic: Government Policy, Subsidies
Key Points:
The Consumer Affairs and Food Ministry issued a notification recently
declaring that proof of possession of Aadhaar number will be mandatory to
avail oneself of the subsidised food grains or cash transfer of food subsidy
under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The notification under the Aadhaar Act requires individual beneficiaries
having ration cards to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or
undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies.
This condition will also be applicable for all new beneficiaries.
3. Centre to send experts to expedite talks at WTO

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/Centre-to-send-experts-to-
expedite-talks-at-WTO/article17280434.ece
Topic: International Trade
Key Points:
The Centre will send an expert team to the World Trade Organisation
headquarters in Geneva next month.
This would be done to ensure that negotiations on food security issues and
the proposed global services pact are expedited.
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
1. Bowing down to patriarchy

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Bowing-down-to-
patriarchy/article17278836.ece
Topic: Center-State Relations
Key Points:
It is unfortunate that the Nagaland government, after initial steadfastness to
hold the long-delayed urban local body polls on February 1, declared the
elections as null and void after some tribal bodies, opposed to reservations
for women, sought to disrupt the process.
The fact that a substantial number of towns participated in the elections
despite a bandh called by the tribal bodies reflects public support for
affirmative action as mandated by the 74th Amendment to the Constitution.
Constitutional Position
Article 371A of the Constitution secures a special status for Nagaland.
But, importantly, as civil society groups striving for reservation have argued, it is important
to note that urban local bodies are not part of traditional Naga society, and ULBs are
constitutional bodies to which customary Naga laws cannot be applied.
In conclusion, civil society and womens groups now have their work cut out in realising their
just demand for electoral representation.
Economic Times
1. Budgets welcome boost for real estate
http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-editorials/budgets-welcome-boost-for-real-
estate/
Key Points:
It is a welcome move that the Budget proposes several measures to rationalise tax and boost
transparency in the policy-challenged real estate sector.
It is important to note that abroad, in the mature markets, real estate accounts for almost half the
GDP growth; the like figure for real estate activity here is far smaller.
Thus, clearly, there is much potential for growth in the sector.
Specific Observations
The Budget seeks to shift the indexation base year from 1981 to 2001for the levy of capital gains
tax on land and real estate. It has been suggested that this was long overdue.
Additionally, infrastructure status for affordable housing and its broader categorisation are both
moves in the right direction of reform.
Furthermore, removal of the tax on notional rental income for one year, from the date of issue of
completion certificate, would allow real estate developers to liquidate inventory and avoid
additional tax burden.
Concluding Remarks
The way ahead is to frame concrete rules under the Real Estate Act, 2016, and also revamp
regulatory oversight across jurisdictions.
We do need to systematically shore up resource allocation for housing and real estate nationally.
PIB
1. India-UK Deal to Allow More Flights to Boost Tourism and
Trade for Global India & Britain
Topic: Bilateral Agreements
Key Points:
India and the UK signed a MoU to ease restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between
the two countries, following successful talks in India this week. Limits on flights from key Indian
cities including Chennai and Kolkata have been scrapped, allowing for a greater range of flights
for passengers while providing a boost to trade and tourism for the UK and India. Building new
li ks ith i porta t tradi g part ers is a key part of the go er e ts pla s for a Global Britai ,
opening up new export markets and creating jobs and economic growth. The agreement also
opened all destinations in the UK for Indian carriers for code share flights, and reciprocally the
UK carriers can also operate code share flights to any International Airport in India, through
domestic code share arrangements.
Tourism from India makes an important contribution to the UK economy. In 2015, there were
422,000 visits from India to the UK, bringing more than 433 million to the economy.
India is a rapidly expanding and important market for aviation and the agreement signed today
will allow airlines to develop new services and air routes. The final decision on additional flights
between the UK and India is a commercial one for airlines.

Article 371A
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI)
IN NEWS

and CII
3. Tags
Article 371A
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI)
Practice Questions

Topic: Significant Provisions
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual

1] Article 371A of the Constitution secures a special status for Nagaland.
2] The 74th Amendment of the Constitution of India, gives constitutional status to the municipalities
and has brought them under the purview of judicial review.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Topic: IPR, GI Tags
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Vazhakulam Pineapple is a product from Kerala with GI registration.
2] Nilambur teak, which is internationally known for its superior quality and elegant appearance,
will soon be added to the list of Kerala produces with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Category: Geography
Topic: World Physiography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater system on the Earth.
2] The names of the five Great Lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie
and Lake Ontario.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c)

Category: Geography
Topic: World Climatology
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Chinook is a warm, dry, gusty, westerly wind.

2] The Chinook wind is referred to as the "Snow Eater" for its ability to erase a blanket of winter
snow in a matter of days.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d)

Topic: National Income
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
5] The average income of the country is which among the following?
a. Per capita income

b. Disposable income
c. Inflation rate
d. Real national income
Ans a)
11-02-2017
A. GS1 Related
1. GS2 Related
1. Chi a uoya t after Tru ps U-turn
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/China-buoyant-after-
Trump%E2%80%99s-U-turn/article17286138.ece
interests
Key Points:
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed the one-China policy
during a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
This development has cleared the air for a substantive dialogue between
Washington and Beijing .
It is important to note that China had been angered by earlier remarks by Mr.
Trump, questioning Beijings sovereignty over Taiwan under the one-China
principle.
What is the 'One China' policy?

It is the diplomatic acknowledgement of China's position that there is only
one Chinese government.
Under the policy, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather
than the island of Taiwan.
2. Judiciary keeps U.S. President on a tight leash

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/Judiciary-keeps-U.S.-President-on-a-
tight-leash/article17286149.ece
interests
Key Points:
While asserting the judicial power to review decisions made by the executive on
national security matters, a U.S. appeals court upheld a nation-wide stay on the
travel ban imposed by the Trump administration on people from seven Muslim-
majority countries.
Mr. Trump tweeted in full capitals, in response to the order: See you in court.
Background:
Trump's original order, which he called a national security measure, barred
people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering
for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days, except refugees from Syria, who were
banned indefinitely.
The abrupt implementation of the order plunged the immigration system into
chaos.
It also sparked a wave of criticism from targeted countries, Western allies and
some of America's leading corporations, especially technology firms.
3. India in talks with U.S. on H-1B issue, says Prasad

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/India-in-talks-with-U.S.-on-H-1B-issue-
says-Prasad/article17286096.ece
interests
Key Points:
In an important development, Electronics and Information Technology
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday said the government is in talks with
the Trump administration on the H-1B visa issue and is hopeful of finding a
solution soon.
Indian Context
India's information technology sector is valued at $150 billion.
This sector is led by Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Ltd and Wipro Ltd,
who use the H-1B visas to fly engineers and developers to service clients in
the US, their biggest market, but opponents say they are using the visas to
replace US workers.
C.GS3 Related
1. A shot in the arm for defence acquisition
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/A-shot-in-the-arm-for-defence-
acquisition/article17285478.ece
Topic: Defence
Key Points:
The government plans to set up a Defence Procurement Organisation (DPO).
This effort by the government is seen as an initiative to integrate and
streamline the long and arduous process of defence acquisitions.
It has been suggested that the aim of this initiative is not to create another
bureaucracy.
The DPO will be a vertical under the Defence Ministry and the philosophy is
to integrate the processes.
Increased Financial Powers:

In an effort to shorten the procurement cycle, the Cabinet Committee on
Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, has recently increased the
financial powers of the Defence Minister.
In the past, the Defence Minister was entitled to clear deals up to Rs. 500
crore, which has now gone up to Rs. 2,000 crore.
Jointly, the Finance Minister, the Defence Minister can approve projects up
to Rs. 3,000 crore, up from the earlier Rs. 1,000 crore.
The Defence Secretary too has now been given financial powers upto Rs. 500
crore to clear deals.
Impact of this decision

This ensures that a major chunk of the procurements are approved within the
Ministries.
About 70% of the deals by number are below Rs. 3,000 crore.
So now only deals of Rs. 3,000 crore and above would go to the CCS for
approval.
D. GS4 Related
The Hindu
1. Israels o ti ui g la d gra
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/Israel%E2%80%99s-continuing-land-
grab/article17284852.ece
interests
Key Points:
Recently, Israel has passed the controversial Regularization Law, which will
allow the forced and retroactive expropriation of Palestinian private lands in the
West Bank on which Jewish settlements were established.
It has been alleged that this legislation flies in the face of international law and
norms.
The legislation allows the Israeli government to expropriate private Palestinian
land if the land-owners are unknown. If known, they will be compensated in cash
or kind.
Role of Judiciary
This legislation, can be overturned by the judiciary.
Israels Attorney-General has said he wouldnt defend the bill in the high court as
it is unconstitutional and violates international law.
However, this is unlikely to stop the ideology-driven settler movement and the
government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from taking more
Palestinian land.
Despite frequent international criticism, successive governments have thrown
their weight behind the settlement lobby.
Concluding Remarks
Although, Israel still says it is committed to the two-state solution, how

will the two-state solution stay relevant if it continues to grab Palestinian
land where an independent Palestinian state is supposed to come up?
Economic Times
1. Food revolution: Indian packaged food has a global potential
http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-editorials/food-revolution-indian-packaged-
food-has-a-global-potential/
Key Points:
Indias traditional snacks, are making huge inroads and even poised to overtake western
ones, in the countrys packaged foods market.
The Market Context

Ready-to-cook foods are gaining ground in urban India, as double-income families look for
quality and convenience.
The likes of ITC and Amul have the muscle and the entrepreneurial energy to brand them
and market them around the world, even as a large number of smaller companies cater to the
demand from the desi diaspora.
Indian food remains relatively untapped terrain for startups. Globally present Indian food
would not just add to Indias soft power but also enrich the Indian farmer and grow a vast
food-processing industry.
Concluding Remarks
Indias diverse agro-climatic conditions permit diverse crops, to each of which considerable
value can be added, with a step-up in technology, as compared to traditional method of
processing.
With support from the food regulator to ensure quality and traceability, continuous power
supply to run cold storages and food processing plants in rural areas, and good roads for
transporting rural produce fast to urban markets and ports for exports, there is no reason
why Indias food processing industry should not produce a global champion.
PIB
1. Harnessing Solar Energy is crucial, says President
Topic: Renewable Energy
Key Points:
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first phase of a Solarization
Project in the Presidents Estate, under which 670 KW of solar power will be generated
through rooftop solar panels installed on seven buildings in the Presidents Estate.
Depletion of energy resources poses a serious challenge particularly for future generations.
He stated that India has signed the Paris Climate Change Agreement and has committed that
by 2030, at least 40% of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources.
He said that harnessing solar energy is crucial in this context.
India has a target of reaching upto 100 GW of solar power generation by the year 2022.
Thus, enhancing the capacity of solar power generation in the country becomes even more
important to fulfill this commitment. He was happy that the Presidents Secretariat has taken
efforts in this direction.
2. The Union Minister For Science & Technology And Earth

Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan released Braille Atlas for Visually
Impaired
Topic: Developments
Key Points:
The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan
released the Special Edition of Atlas for Visually Impaired (India) in English Braille in New
Delhi. This Braille Atlas has been prepared by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping
Organisation (NATMO) under Department of Science & Technology.
The Minister expressed happiness at the production of these Atlases. He said these atlases
will be distributed to various schools across the country for educating the students with
visual challenges.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that all departments of Government will work to implement this.
Efforts are being made to make these atlases more cost effective than the current price of
Rs.600/- per atlas with 20 maps now. Silk screen printing used to prepare these atlases is
unique to India, he added.
In the Braille Atlas, maps are raised and embossed with simple lines and point symbols to
facilitate its users to realize the location and area coverage easily distinguishable in terms of
shapes and textures. The legend and reference is placed on the map in Braille script to
navigate the map. About 20 maps on different themes of physical, socio-economic and
cultural aspects such as river system, natural vegetation, Metropolitan cities, Roads and
Railways, Food crops and cash crops have been incorporated in the atlas with write-ups on
every map as ready reference. This Atlas has been bestowed with National award for S&T
intervention in empowering the physically challenged by the Prime Minister on 3rd January,
2017 in Indian Science Congress held in Tirupati.
NATMO has recently walked ahead to prepare Braille atlases for visually impaired persons.
NATMOs long effort from metallic tactile maps to silk-screen printing technology to prepare
a full volume of atlas is perhaps unique in the World. NATMOs aim is to transmit scientific
information in the form of maps and atlases in a cost-effective manner, as more than 50 lakh
visually challenged citizens of our country are mainly from low-income group. Till date their
knowledge is constrained within books and literatures. Enriched with this experience, they
will be able to understand the Indian geographical contours and will be empowered with
wealth of knowledge.
National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) is the premier agency of
applied Geo-Spatial technology and pioneer in Thematic Mapping and Atlas Cartography
under Department of Science & Technology(Ministry of Science & Technology) engaged in
preparing different thematic maps and atlases and other documents on national, state,
district, block level and many other monograms. The contribution made by NATMO in
developing the thematic maps/ data is being regularly used by the decision makers in the
entire country at districts and sub-divisions levels for implementing the developmental
schemes as well as by the researchers, students and common people.

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO)
Regularization Law
Defence Procurement Organisation (DPO)
IN NEWS

and CII
3. Tags
National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO)
Regularization Law
Defence Procurement Organisation (DPO)

Practice Questions

Topic: Developments
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Consider the following statements regarding Braille Atlas which was recently in the news.
1] Braille Atlas has been prepared by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO)
under Department of Science & Technology.
2] In the Braille Atlas, maps are raised and embossed with simple lines and point symbols to
facilitate its users to realize the location and area coverage easily distinguishable in terms of shapes
and textures.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c) Both the statements are correct.
Braille Atlas has been prepared by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO)
under Department of Science & Technology. In the atlas, maps are raised and embossed with simple
lines and point symbols to facilitate its users to realize the location and area coverage.

Topic: Developments
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) is the premier agency of applied
Geo-Spatial technology and pioneer in Thematic Mapping and Atlas Cartography under Department
of Science & Technology(Ministry of Science & Technology)
2] This organization is engaged in preparing different thematic maps and atlases and other
documents on national, state, district, block level and many other monograms.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans c) Both the statements are correct.

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) is the premier agency of applied Geo-
Spatial technology. This organization is engaged in preparing different thematic maps and atlases
and other documents on national, state, district, block level and many other monograms.

Category: Geography
Topic: World Geography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] Taiwan sits on the most volcanically active part of the world, the Rim of Fire, so earthquakes occur
frequently.
2] Taiwan is surrounded by the East China Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean (Philippine Sea) to the
east, South China Sea to the south and the Taiwan Strait to the west.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d) The Rim of Fire is the most volcanically active part of the world. Taiwan sits on the Rim of
Fire. Taiwan is surrounded by the East China Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean (Philippine Sea) to
the east, South China Sea to the south and the Taiwan Strait to the west.

Category: Geography
Topic: World Geography
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
4] Gaza Strip occurs frequently in the news. Where is this place located?
a) Middle East
b) South-East Asia
c) Central Asia
d) Western Europe
Ans a) The Gaza Strip or simply Gaza, is a small Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the
Mediterranean Sea.

Category: History
Topic: Modern Indian History
Source: The Hindu
Type: Factual
1] The Fairy Queen, is the oldest surviving functional steam engine in the world.
2] The first commercial passenger train in India was from Bombay to Thane.
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d) Both the statements are correct.
The Fairy Queen, is the oldest surviving functional steam engine in the world. This train, is a
great attraction among steam engine lovers across the globe. The first commercial passenger
train in India was from Bombay to Thane.

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Current News Analysis

2. What is Northwest Africa 7635?

3. Butterfly find enriches Indian faunal diversity

2. DG Shipping has Instituted an inquiry in the Collision of two

3. Budget 2017-18 focuses on educational empowerment and skill

F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn:

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

India Innovation Index: A joint http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157941

initiative of NITI Aayog, DIPP

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Date: 5th February, 2017

1] Consider the following statements,

Date: 5th February, 2017

2] Consider the following statements,

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

Date: 5th February, 2017

3] Limenitis rileyi was recently in the news. What is it?

Date: 5th February, 2017

4] The Strait of Hormuz is located in which of the following regions?

Date: 5th February, 2017

5] Chabahar Port often seen in the news is located where?

2. Trump to meet NATO leaders in May: White House

Europea leaders are o er ed a out Mr. Tru ps irule t riti is of

Targeting old scourges

F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn:

1.Where is the Para athletes training stadium located?.

Date: 6th February, 2017

2] Consider the following statements about NATO,

2]Maximun funding to is done by US.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Date: 6th February, 2017

3] Consider the following statements,

1] Neurocalyx calycinus is the medicinal plant found in westernghats

2]It has been in use to treat Alzheimers.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

4]What is Neurocalyx calycinus which was recently in news?

a) Tribe in western ghats

Date: 6th February, 2017

5] which of the following disease is not part of Targeted elimination of communicable

2. Favouritism in selection bid: Dronacharya awardee

3.Tech giants at the forefront of legal resistance

Category: International Relations

4. Chinas new ballistic missile has India in range

Category: International Relations

5.Rohingya refugees to be relocated on remote

Category: International Relations

2.Not a drop of the Ganga has been cleaned: NGT

3.I ple e t WTOs Nairobi Mi isterial decisions: India

4.Ministries, sectoral regulators to screen FDI proposals

2. Rewiring the WTO

Concerns over the current structure of WTO:

2.50 lacs Universal Account Number (UAN) allotted to Construction

The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-aadhaar-

1] Which of the following are the tributaries of river Ganga?

Date: 7th February, 2017

2] The World Trade Organisation[WTO] is headqaurtered in?

Date: 7th February, 2017

3] Which of the following are the objectives of PDS?

Date: 7th February, 2017

4] Which of the following countries do not border the Mediterranean sea?

2. Trump should not address British Parliament, says Speaker

3. Japan eases permanent visa norms to draw global talent

What is synthetic biology?

What promise does it hold?