Content

INDEX
September 2016 (Current Affairs for 2017)
1. SOCIAL ISSUES 6-19

1.1 National Policy Of Women, 2016
1.2 National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme 3
1.3 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)

1.4 Higher Education Financing Agency
1.5 The Civil Aspects Of International Child Abduction Bill, 2016
1.6 BRICS Conference on Negation of Drug Abuses

1.7 Mission Parivar Vikas
1.8 Maratha Reservation Protest
1.9 Swachh Survekshan Gramin 2016

1.10 Lancet Report on Maternal Health
2. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 20-34

2.1 Advancing The Budget
2.2 Merger of Plan and Non-Plan classification in Budget and Accounts
2.3 Triple Talaq and Need for Judicial Intervention

2.4 Introducing Totaliser Machine In election
2.5 Municipal Bonds in India
2.6 The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

2.7 Fresh Guidelines for Flexi-Fund for Centrally Sponsored Scheme
2.8 Schemes Need Prior Approval of Finance Ministry
2.9 NITI Ayogas Plan for 50 Medals in 2024 Olympics

2.10 National Party Status to Trinamool Congress
Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 1

3. ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE 35-48
3.1 Flexi Fare Method of Railway
3.2 New Guidelines to Regulate Indian Direct Selling Industry
3.3 Appointment of Part-time Chairman of UIDAI
3.4 Excess Capacity Issue In Steel Industry
3.5 World Manufacturing Production Report

3.6 Controversy Surrounding Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
3.7 Stressed Loans
3.8 Micro Finance Sector

3.9 Buffer Stocks Limits Of Pulses Increased
3.10 e-Nivaran
3.11 NIIF to Manage $2-bn Green Energy Fund
3.12 Andhra Becomes Second State To Achieve 100% Access To Electricity
4. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 49-54

4.1 World Land Bridge
4.2 Bratislava Declaration
4.3 Chemical Weapons Used In Iraq

4.4 Impediments To Chinas Silk Road
5. INDIA AND WORLD 55-77

5.1 India-Japan Relations
5.2 PM Modis Visit To Vietnam
5.3 Egyptian President Visit To India

5.4 President Ghanis Visit To India
5.5 PM Prachanda Visits To India
5.6 Vice President Hamid Ansari Visit To Nigeria

5.7 India France Rafale Deal
5.8 Oman's Sohar Port
6. SUMMITS AND ORGANISATION 78-89

6.1 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit, Laos
6.2 11th East Asia Summit
6.3 G-20 Summit
6.4 17th NAM Summit
7. DEFENCE AND SECURITY 90-98

7.1 Chinese Transgression In Indian Borders
7.2 Scorpene Data Leak Issue
7.3 Uri Attack And The Follow Up Surgical Strike
7.4 Army Design Bureau
7.5 INS TRIKAND
8. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 99-113
8.1 Zika Spread In Singapore

8.2 Dengue Menace
8.3 Chikungunya Spread
8.4 Sri Lanka Has Been Declared Malaria Free
8.5 Dark Matter
8.6 Stratellite Communication
8.7 GSLV-F05 Rocket Put INSAT-3DR In The Orbit

8.8 Magnetar 1E 1613 :
8.9 Sarathi
8.10 TIHAYU

8.11 Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
8.12 Biodegradable Energy Harvester - From Raw Fish Scales
8.13 Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award
8.14 India Declares itself Free from Avian Influenza (H5N1)
8.15 Tiangong-2
8.16 Synchronising Computers to Indian Standard Time

8.17 Hydrogen-bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs)
8.18 Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
8.19 Avoiding Excessive Use Of Pesticides

8.20 Development Of Cheap Solution By IIT Madras To Make Brackish Water Potable
8.21 Aperture Spherical Telescope
8.22 PSLV Puts 8 Satellite Into Orbit
8.23 Rosetta Mission
8.24 Europa
8.25 Mars Orbiter Mission/ Chandrayaan
8.26 A New Handheld Device To Detect Melamine In Milk
8.27 Scrub Typhus
9. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT 114-131

9.1 U.S. And China Ratified Paris Climate Agreement
9.2 Majuli: Worlds Largest River Island
9.3 IUCN and 25th World Conservation Congress
9.4 Environmental Governance At Odds With The Good Governance
9.5 G20 Countries Score Poorly In Climate Goals Report

9.6 Himachal Pradesh Pulls Petition Blocking Tribal Challenge To Power Project
9.7 Anthropocene: Human Induced But Possibly Destructive Epoch
9.8 Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon For Use In Batteries

9.9 Wildlife Panel Clears First Phase Of Ken-Betwa Project
9.10 BRICS To Set Up Joint Working Group For Environment Issues
9.11 Government Declares BS-VI Rollout From 2020
9.12 Environment Ministry To Allow Hydropower Projects In Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive
Zone
9.13 Quarrying Destroys Laggar Falcon Habitat In Madurai
9.14 In Rwanda, India To Seek Just Deal On Phasing Out Of HFCs

1. SOCIAL ISSUES
1.1 National Policy Of Women 2016

Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) has unveiled a draft National Policy
for Women 2016, which will replace the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women,
2001. Apart from the safety issues, the draft also seeks to address the emerging
challenges confronting Indian women. The policy is based on Pam Rajput Committee
report set up by the MWCD in 2012.
Salient Features Of The New Policy
To create a society with women working as equal partners in all spheres of life.
To develop a framework to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women.
The draft has proposed to "improve access to pre-primary education, enrolment and
retention of adolescent girls."
To provide suitable benefits related to maternity and child care services.
To improve child sex ratio (CSR).
To carry out skill development and provide equal employment opportunities.
The draft plans to increase women's participation in the political, administration, civil
services and corporate boardrooms arena.
To address all forms of violence against women.
To make cyber space a safe place for women.
It seeks to review the criminalisation of marital rape keeping women's rights in

mind.
To prevent trafficking at source, transit and destination areas for effective monitoring
of the networks
Review of personal and customary laws in accordance with the Constitutional
provisions and many more.
Operational Strategies
To enable safety and security of women with the help of "One Stop Centres,
Women Helpline, Mahila Police Volunteers, Reservation of women in police force,
Panic buttons in mobiles, Surveillance mechanisms in public places."

To create eco-systems to encourage entrepreneurship amongst women. This has
been proposed to be done through podiums like Mahila E-Haat etc.
Aiding women in workplace through "flexi timings, increased maternity leave,
provision of child care/creches at workplace, life cycle health care facilities."
In Favour Of Policy
Identifying contemporary issues like the changing nature of gender roles in the
new millennium, and the dynamics of a rapidly changing global and national
scenario is laudable.
Some of the measures like emphasis on collection of gender disaggregated data and
redistribution of gender roles in the household as well as the workplace will help in
combating the mentioned problem. This information will be useful for making policies
that would have a positive effect on redistribution of traditionally compartmentalised
gender roles.
Criticism
The National Policy for Women falls short of being truly a rights-based approach
for policymaking. It continues to posit that women need to be protected and provided
for.
The objectives of the National Policy for Empowerment of Women 2001 and National
Policy for Women 2016 are entirely similar. All of the nine objectives outlined in the
2001 policy form a part of the 2016 policy, almost identically worded. There are only
two additional policy objectives in the 2016 document: one is logistical, concerned
with monitoring evaluation and audit systems and the second is welfare-based,
dealing with development and empowerment of women belonging to vulnerable and
marginalised groups.
The policy is progressive for recognising single women as a separate category
requiring special attention. But it has to be seen how the MWCD perceives these
single women. Will it restrict itself to catering to widows, deserted or separated
women or will it recognise the aspirations of the new-age single woman who is
career-oriented? It can only be hoped that the MWCD moves away from its stance
where children are woven into the identity of single women and recognises this new
category of independent working females.
Most of the policy goals mentioned need inter-ministerial collaboration. Six of its
seven priority areas are dependent on collaboration with other ministrieshealth,

agriculture, environment, human resource and development, finance, labour, skill
and development, information and broadcasting. For example, lack of cooperation
from the finance ministry in making it mandatory for companies to reveal whether
they have put in place an Internal Complaints Committee to inquire into sexual
harassment complaints of women employees, was a major impediment in the
successful implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act,
2013 . For this ambitious policy to work, the MWCD needs to garner support from
other ministries.
The toughest challenge in policymaking, however, does not end in identifying

pertinent issues, but in the implementation of the policy.
Conclusion
The concept of women empowerment has seen changes and in this context this policy
document has rightly aimed at re-scripting womens empowerment by following a
socially inclusive rights-based approach.
However, the need of the hour is not a one-dimensional solution, but a multi-
dimensional one encompassing every aspect of women empowerment. We should keep
in mind that the distance from welfare to a rights-based model cannot be covered only
by outlining contemporary issues. The undercurrents of perception towards women of
the government, society and law also need to be changed.
1.2 National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

Government has notified National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. It is for the first
time a scheme has been notified to offer financial incentives to employers.
Apprenticeship Training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop

skilled manpower for the country. It provides for an industry led, practice oriented,
effective and efficient mode of formal training.
Scheme will be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the aegis
of Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
Under the scheme, 25% of the prescribed stipend payable to an apprentice would be
reimbursed to the employers directly by the government of India.
The scheme also supports basic training, which is an essential component of
apprenticeship training by sharing of basic training cost with basic training providers

in respect of apprentices who come directly to apprenticeship without any formal
trade training (fresher apprentices).
Online portal for ease of administering. All transactions including registration by
employers, apprentices, registration of contract and payment to employers will be
made as online mode.
1.3 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)

The Central Government launched the biggest Leprosy case detection campaign in
the country.
The districts, having a prevalence rate of more than one case per 10,000
population in the last three years, have been included in the campaign.
The objective is to detect the disease early so that those affected can be saved from
physical deformity. A total of 32 crore people, across 19 states and union territories,
will be screened under the campaign.
The Leprosy Case Detection Campaign is a unique initiative of its kind in the
world where each and every member of the targeted population will be examined by
the search team constituted of one male and one female volunteer at household
level. House to house visits will be done by the search team as per the micro plan
prepared for the local area to detect hidden and undetected leprosy cases.
Some Facts:
India alone, contributes about 58.8% and 81.2% of the newly detected cases of
leprosy globally and in the South East Asian region respectively.
Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae.
Bacteria multiply very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about
five years.
Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted during close and frequent
contacts with untreated cases. Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and
permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
Early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) remain the key
elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
National Leprosy Eradication Programme was launched in 1983. Since then,
remarkable progress has been achieved in reducing the disease burden. India

achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem, defined as
less than 1 case per 10,000 population, at the National level in the month of
December 2005 as set by the National Health Policy, 2002.
But it has been quoted that as many as 209 districts still record more than 10
cases per 10,000 which is tremendously high. These districts are mainly in Bihar,
Chhattisgarh and Dadar & Nagar Haveli.
Delayed detection could be a major cause of this shift from Paucibacillary to
Multibacillary. In proportion to every case detected there is a large burden of
undetected cases, which are the most important source of infection to the
vulnerable in the community. Hence government has launched the scheme on
such a large scale.
1.4 Higher Education Financing Agency

The Union cabinet cleared a proposal to set up a Higher Education Financing
Agency (HEFA) that will raise Rs 20,000 crore from loans and bond sales to fund
research oriented infrastructure for premiere institutions like IITs, NITs and IIMs.
Creation of a HEFA to finance educational institutions was announced in the Union
Budget 2016-17 to ensure that 20 such places of learning emerge as world class.
The agency will be a special purpose vehicle (SPV) within a PSU Bank/
Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter). The SPV will be a quasi-sovereign agency,
which will borrow funds at close to the 10-year gilt rate, which is around 8% at
present. It will lend to institutions at a slightly higher rate.
HEFA will finance institutions through a 10-year loan. The principal portion of the
loan will be repaid through the internal accruals earned through fee receipts,
research earnings, etc. The central government will service the interest portion
through the regular plan assistance.
The HEFA would also mobilise CSR funds from PSUs and Corporates, which would
in turn be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on
grant basis
Implications Of HEFA
It is expected to ease pressure on the government, which currently is the sole funder
of such institutions.

The move may mark the beginning of a market-linked fee structure in central
government-funded educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of
Technology (IITs), National Institute of Technology (NITs) and central universities.
Since the institutions will borrow money and return it, they have to be revenue-
surplus, which may make a fee hike the first possibility.
HEFA will instill accountability in higher educational institutions since hike in fee
structure is possible only if better facility and infrastructure is made available.
Also, the institution would like to increase its internal accruals through different
means other than fee hike. Since research earnings form a major part of internal
accruals, this move will force universities to improve the R&D ecosystem.
1.5 The Civil Aspects Of International Child Abduction Bill, 2016

The Union Ministry Of Women And Child Development (WCD) has drafted the Civil
Aspects of International Child Abduction Bill, 2016, that once approved will facilitate
prompt return of any child under 16 who has been wrongfully removed to or retained in
other state which is not his/her habitual residence.
Why Is The Need Of Such Bill
A large number of Indians live and work abroad. In addition to this, large numbers of
foreign nationals have been arriving to work and live in India, and a number of Indian
nationals who had previously settled abroad are also returning to resume their
residence in India.
The problem arises when one spouse decides to return to India with their child
without permission of other parent. In such cases, it is seen that the welfare of the
child suffers as he is often forcibly uprooted from his habitual residence and made to
take up residence in new and often alien country.
The international community acted to solve such crisis by enacting The Hague
Convention on The Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. India is not a
signatory to the Hague Convention. A country has to have a domestic law in place
before it can become a signatory.
The Law Commission in its 218th report recommended that India should frame a
domestic law and sign the Hague Convention.

Verdict of the Supreme Court in Surya Vadanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (2015) laid
down principles to be followed by courts and tried to evolve a consistent approach in
multi-jurisdictional child custody disputes. However, in absence of legal codes no
uniform policy has been followed by courts. In such cases ultimate sufferer is the
child.
About Hague Abduction Convention
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by
the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) that provides an
expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one
member country to another.
The Convention was concluded 25 October 1980 and entered into force between the
signatories on 1 December 1983. As of March 2016, 94 states are party to the
convention.
The objects of convention are-
To secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in
any Contracting State; and
To ensure that rights of custody and of access under the law of one
Contracting State are effectively respected in other Contracting State.
Hague convention applies to cases in which
The Child must be under 16 years of age;
The child must have been habitually resident in a convention country
immediately before any breach of custody or access rights.
1.6 BRICS Conference on Negation of Drug Abuses

The second Anti-Drug Working Group meeting of heads of anti-narcotics agencies of
BRICS countries was held in New Delhi to discuss issues related to narco-terrorism and
money laundering.
Key Facts
The meeting was organised in accordance with the eThekwani Declaration

adopted during the BRICS summit in March 2013 at Durban, South Africa.

The international trade in drugs is estimated to be about $500 billion to more than a
$1 trillion.
The aim of the meeting is to evaluate the drug abuse situation in the member
countries and analyze the legislations of BRICS member states as well as devise
modalities to share the best practices of enforcement and demand reduction being
followed in the member countries.
There has been a multipronged effort to contain narcotics problem. If the BRICS
countries try to coordinate their position, then with a greater voice they can speak in
other international forum like United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna
and try to set the agenda and make them take steps which we feel would curb this
menace.
Issue of Drug Abuse in India

India is caught in the vicious circle of drug abuse, and the numbers of drug
addicts are increasing day by day. According to a UN report, One million heroin
addicts are registered in India, and unofficially there are as many as five million.
In India persons addicted to opiates are shifting their drug of choice from opium
to heroin. The intravenous injections of analgesics like dextropropoxphene etc.
are also reported from many states, as it is easily available at 1/10th the cost of
heroin. The codeine-based cough syrups continue to be diverted from the
domestic market for abuse.
Reasons For Widespread Drug Abuse In India

To escape from hard realities of life - The disintegration of the old joint family
system, absence of parental love and care in modern families where both
parents are working, decline of old religious and moral values etc lead to a rise
in the number of drug addicts who take drugs to escape hard realities of life.
Loosening of the traditional methods of social control - The processes of
industrialization, urbanization and migration have led to loosening of the
traditional methods of social control rendering an individual vulnerable to the
stresses and strains of modern life.
Cultural acceptance in some part of the country- In states like Punjab, Haryana
or North eastern States like Manipur use of opium has been widely accepted.
Not only that in many states of India, Bhang(Hemp) is distributed during
some festivals like Holi, Janmashtami, Shivratri, and consuming bhang at such

occasions is common.
Peers pressure Many youths start using drug under the pressure from their
friends, seniors at educational institutions, or by members of their informal
groupings.
Easy Availability - India is situated in the sense that on its west is the Golden
Crescent and on east is the Golden Triangle. The usage of drugs in India is
increasing, particularly in the border areas due to their porous nature.
Economic prosperity The agricultural reforms and other industrial activity has
led to increase in income in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra etc.
Increase in disposable money and easy availability of drugs has led to increase
in its use.
Impacts
Increase in the crime rate - Addicts resort to crime to pay for their drugs. Drugs
remove inhibition and impair judgment egging one on to commit offences.
Incidence of eve- teasing, group clashes, assault and impulsive murders
increase with drug abuse.
Loss in terms of human potential - With most drug users being in the productive
age group of 18-35 years, the loss in terms of human potential is incalculable.
The damage to the physical, psychological, moral and intellectual growth of the
youth is very high.
Rise in disease burden - The introduction of synthetic drugs and intravenous
drug use leading to HIV/AIDS has added a new dimension to the problem,
especially in the Northeast states. Increase in incidences of HIV, hepatitis B and
C and tuberculosis due to addiction adds to the reservoir of infection in the
community burdening the health care system further.
Increase in suicide rates The data provided by NCRB tells that India sees 10
suicides related to drug abuse every day.
Impact on women - Women in India face greater problems from drug abuse. The
consequences include domestic violence and infection with HIV, as well as the
financial burden.
Money laundering and terrorism - Today the drug business generates the
highest illegal fund flows and leads to Narco-Terrorism, which poses a serious
threat to global security and endangers peace, health and stability across

regions. Recently, in Pathankot attack, there were allegations that it was mixed
up with drug trade and drug mafia and that is how they could enter India.
Need of the Hour
Social welfare and rehabilitation: To vain people away, drug rehabilitation and
Society awareness programmers are very important. It includes rehabilitation of
drug addicts as most of them are very poor and bringing them back into society.
Intelligence sharing: Usually the last point peddlers get into police net. The real
movers or illegal traders get away. If any drug carriers and masterminds have
been caught, we should find out what are his/her travel links. This information
can be shared.
Cooperation among countries to increase information exchange on synthetic
drugs, money laundering, banking channel, etc. Synthetic drugs have become a
problem for India, South Africa and Russia. Money laundering channels should
be targeted. Huge amount of money is getting transferred across borders and
somehow it is getting done through banking channels. Hawala money is also
there. Wherever there are tax havens, they need to be plugged.
1.7 Mission Parivar Vikas

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will soon launch Mission Parivar Vikas in
145 high focus districts having the highest total fertility rates (TFR) in the country.
These 145 districts are in the seven high focus, high TFR states of UP, Bihar,
Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam that constitute 44% of the
countrys population. Recent data suggests that these 145 districts have TFR of
more than/equal to 3.0.
These districts also have a substantial impact on maternal and child health indicators
as about 25-30% of maternal deaths and 50% of infant deaths occur in these
districts.
The main objective of mission will be to reach the replacement level fertility goals
of 2.1 by 2025 in these districts by accelerating access to high quality family
planning choices based on information, reliable services and supplies within a rights-
based framework.
The key strategic focus of this initiative will be on improving access to

contraceptives through delivering assured services, dovetailing with new

promotional schemes, ensuring commodity security, building capacity (service
providers), creating an enabling environment along with close monitoring and
implementation.
1.8 Maratha Reservation Protest

Recently the Maratha community, a dominant force in Maharashtra politics, has been
silently protesting in the state.
The Marathas feel that the present scenario tilts the balance a little too much in
favour of Dalits and the protests are to highlight three major demands reservation
for Marathas, modification of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes
(ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and punishment for the Kopardi rape
accused.
Who Are Marathas And Why Are They Demanding Reservation?
Marathas form nearly 32-40% of the state population. They traditionally belong to the
warrior caste but also include members of the kunbis or the peasant class (Kunbis
have reservations within the OBC block).
The community has been politically and socially influential 13 of the 18 chief
ministers of the state were Marathas and have controlled the rural economy by
holding co-operative bodies including banks and sugar co-ops under their command.
But the fruits of development have not seeped through the community. There is a
class differentiation within the community which is highly visible. On one hand
there are sugar barons and wealthy farmers exporting their produce while on the
other, there are also lakhs of farmers holding small land holdings hit by the ongoing
agrarian crisis.
While OBCs and other castes have made progress in education, the Maratha
community has not found edge here. They attribute this to lack of special reservation.
Nature And Possible Impact Of This Protest
So far these protests have been non-violent, although large people especially
youths are participating in the protests.
It has an anti-Dalit overtone and many Bramhin and Muslim organization have also
lent their support to this protest. It could damage the social fabric of the state to an
irreparable extent with two of the most populous communities at loggerheads with
each other.

It is faceless and leaderless. It is similar to a Kumbh Mela where people across age
groups though it is dominated by youngsters include men and women and cuts
across all ideologies, progressive and radical within the Marathas are participating.
This is creating difficulty for the government as it remains undecided with whom it
should talk and negotiate.
There is possibility that the political leaders could hijack the agitation and use the
cadres for the next assembly elections which would lead to divisive politics rather
than an effort to find a solution.
Although the demand of reservation stems from the widespread poverty and
unemployment among Marathas due to repeated agrarian crisis, this protest also
reflects the undercurrent of a conflict simmering within the community, which
has revived its demand for reservations. As it will alter the existing quota of OBCs, it
can bring these communities at loggerhead.
Also, it can spread to other parts of the country and many more dominant castes
would start demanding reservation for their community.
Conclusion
The Patel agitation witnessed in Gujarat or the Jat agitation of Haryana is eerily
similar to the one bubbling in Maharashtra in terms of their demand for reservation.
Although these agitations (Patel, Jat, Maratha agitations) have caste overtone, the
root cause is the economic one. Entangling these agitations with caste and identity
issues will divert the attention and could create political storm.
Agrarian reforms along with other economic steps like employment generation and
equal distribution of resources have potential to address the issue.
Q) Quotas and reservations no longer embody a search for justice, but an interest
group politics. Do you agree? Substantiate.
1.9 Swachh Survekshan Gramin 2016

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Panchayati
Raj has recently released the Swachh Survekshan for rural India.
A total of 22 hill districts and 53 plain areas were assessed under the Gramin
Swachh Survekshan launched in May 2016. Mandi was judged as the cleanest

district in Hills category and Sindhudurg as the cleanest in the Plains category,
with districts of Sikkim, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Nadia (West Bengal) and Satara
(Maharashtra) featuring at the top of the index.
The Ministry had commissioned Quality Council of India (QCI) to carry out the
assessment. Each district has been judged on four distinct parameters, which
include-
(i) Households having access to safe toilets and using them (toilet usage,
water accessibility, safe disposal of waste) (40%)
(ii) Households having no litter around (30%)

(iii) Public places with no litter in the surrounding (10%)
(iv) Households having no stagnant wastewater around (20%)
Sikkim, the small north eastern hill state, is the cleanest in India, with Kerala coming
in a close second on the condition of sanitation in rural areas of 26 states. Sikkim
scored 98.2 % on a scale of 100 in the ranking given on the basis of percentage of
households having sanitary toilets.
Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand was placed last in the survey. Chhattisgarh has
21.2% of households having sanitary toilet while Jharkhand has only 18.8%.
Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Haryana were among the well
performing states, while Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and
Rajasthan were among the states that did not fare well.
Chief Minister of Assam in a statement said the State government has made
mandatory for all "gram sabhas" to give "top priority" to sanitation in their
agenda. The Panchayati Raj Act has been amended, making it mandatory for the
members of the Panchayati Raj institutions to construct toilets in their households,
failing which, the nominations of the members for the Panchayat elections are
rejected.
Sikkim is the only state which has achieved open defecation free status in the
country so far Sikkim was the first Nirmal Rajya in the country, to have achieved 100
% physical coverage in rural Households, schools, anganwadis, institutional and
community toilets.

1.10 Lancet Report on Maternal Health
What Does Report Say
Nearly one quarter of babies worldwide are still delivered in the absence of a skilled
birth attendant.
One-third of the total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India, where 45,000
mothers died during pregnancy or childbirth while Nigeria shouldered the maximum
burden of 58,000 maternal deaths.
Regional differences: According to the report, while progress has been made in
reducing maternal mortality globally, differences remain at international and national
levels. For instance, in the U.S., the maternal mortality ratio is 14 per 1,00,000 live
births compared to 4 per 1,00,000 in Sweden. The sub-Saharan African region
accounted for an estimated 66% (2,01,000) of global maternal deaths, followed by
southern Asia at 22% (66,000 deaths).
Burden on Women: The burden of maternal mortality falls disproportionately on the
most vulnerable groups of women and this presents a challenge to the rapid catch-
up required to achieve the underlying aim of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why Landscape Of Poor Maternal Health Care
The absence of timely access to quality care.
Over-medicalisation of normal and postnatal care: This problem of over-
medicalisation has historically been associated with high-income countries, but it is
rapidly becoming more common in low and middle-income countries, increasing
health costs and the risk of harm. For instance, 40.5% of all births are now by
caesarean section in Latin America and the Caribbean
Basic facility lacking: According to the report, many birth facilities lack basic
resources such as water, sanitation and electricity.
Lack of trained health personnel in rural ares.
Way Forward
Improved surveillance is needed to understand the causes of maternal deaths when
they do occur.
Awareness campaign citing the benefits of hygiene and sanitation.
Need to use the channel of ASHA and ANMs by providing them proper incentives
and training.

2. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
2.1 Advancing The Budget

Government has cleared the proposal for early budget presentation to be held in first
week of February. Advancing the budget would mean getting the presidential nod a day
before the new financial year (2017-18) begins.
Current Practice
While the Constitution does not mandate any specific date for presentation of
the Budget, it is usually presented on last working day of February and the two-stage
process of Parliamentary approval takes it to mid-May.
Both Houses of Parliament clear the appropriation bill only in the second half of the
budget session, forcing the government to seek Parliaments approval through a
vote on account in March to withdraw money from the consolidated fund of India for
two to three months to meet regular expenditure.
Idea Behind This Move
A January budget will open up more time for Parliaments focussed attention on non-
budget related lawmaking and debates and discussions as the current
procedures consume a considerable amount of time on the passage of the budget,
leaving fewer hours available for other legislative and reforms businesses.
If the process is initiated earlier, there would be no need for getting a Vote on
Account and a full budget can be approved in one stage process before March 31.
The idea is to present the Budget in last week of January and ramp up the entire
process by March 31.
It will help initiate revenue mobilization and capital expenditure measures right
from the beginning of the fiscal year. Departments will start spending the money
allocated to them right from the beginning of the fiscal year.
It will give individuals and companies more time to firm up savings and tax payout
plans.
Other Changes On Anvil
The annual financial document for 2017-18 is likely to see another major overhaul
with the abolition of Plan and non-plan expenditure and replacing it with capital
and revenue expenditure.

Also with the roll out of the GST the need for the Union Government to legislate
changes in the excise duties, service tax and cesses will cease to exist as they
would all be subsumed in the new national sales tax.
The 92-year-old practice of presenting a separate Rail Budget is set to come to an
end from the next fiscal, as the government proposes to merge it with the General
Budget.
Conclusion
Advancing the date of budget presentation is a good step. However, the date of
presentation of the budget may see another change if the Shankar Acharya
committee, tasked to examine the desirability and feasibility of having a new fiscal
year, recommends for the adoption of new fiscal year in its report.
2.2 Merger of Plan and Non-Plan classification in Budget and Accounts

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to do away with the Plan and Non-Plan
expenditure classification from 2017-18 and replace with capital and receipt. The
relevance of plan and non-plan expenditure was lost after the abolition of the Planning
Commission. However Budget will continue earmarking funds for Scheduled Castes
Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan and similarly, the allocations for North Eastern States.
Major Issues Relating To Plan And Non Plan Distinction
The distinction between plan and non-plan expenditure in budgetary system was
brought in when the country adopted a plan model of economic growth. Now that
Planning Commission is gone, its relevance is a big question mark.
The government control and micro-management of the plan model has led to
excessive focus on plan expenditure with an equivalent neglect of items such as
maintenance which is classified as non-plan. The impression that more plan
expenditure means more development and wellbeing for the public has turned out to
be a misplaced assumption.
The plan process normally should lead either to creation of capital assets or the
posts to aid such creation. Once the plan is over, the posts are shifted to the non
plan side of budget assets created in earlier. As a result, this distinction has created
schools without teachers, institutions without employees.
Maintenance is under non-plan expenditure. Hence the assets created under plan
expenditure get deteriorated in absence of funds for maintenance.

The state resented the tied nature of funds made available by Planning Commission.
In the context of fiscal federalism, this distinction was an obstacle for achieving the
goals of co-operative federalism.
The Ministry of Finance felt that the Planning Commission had been demanding a
larger and larger share of resources in the form of Gross Budgetary Support, thus,
putting pressures on the management of fiscal position.
The ARC report has also pointed out that, the Plan and Non-Plan divide runs too
deep to give a comprehensive idea about resource availability to the departments at
an early stage of budget development.
While the Ministry of Finance is charged with the responsibility of maintaining
aggregate fiscal discipline, the allocation of resources was in accordance with
strategic priorities determined largely by the erstwhile Planning Commission and the
line departments were held accountable for the efficient and effective use of
resources. Hence funds allocated did not match policy priorities and often the
spending does not produce the intended results.
Conclusion
The policy regarding what should get classified as plan expenditure and what should
get classified as Non-Plan expenditure has lost clarity. Besides a notion has widely
gained ground among the policy makers at all levels that Plan expenditure is good
and Non- Plan expenditure is bad.
Also, with fragmented distinction, it became difficult not only to ascertain cost of
delivering a service but also to link outlays to outcomes. Outcomes and outputs of
programmes depend on total expenditure, Plan and Non-Plan put together.
Hence doing away with the distinction was a much needed step.
Background:
Plan expenditure, originally meant as development expenditure, is spent on

government programmes and flagship schemes.
Non-Plan expenditure includes spending on defence, subsidies and devolution to
states.
In 1998-99, the then finance minister had advocated the elimination of Plan and
non-Plan distinction.

The Rangarajan committee also recommended the same in 2011
2.3 Triple Talaq and Need for Judicial Intervention

Why In News
A PIL has been filed by Muslim woman, who has challenged the validity of
instantaneous and unilateral pronouncement of triple talaq, apart from a ban on
polygamy. Supreme Court is hearing the case and has asked opinions from All India
Muslim Personal Law Board as well as from Centre.
Over a period of time Supreme Court has intervened in religious and cultural matters. In
this case also the process of talaq is guided by Muslim Personal Laws. Hence, question
is being asked about the need of judicial intervention in such matters.
Arguments Opposing The Need Of Judicial Intervention
Principles of marriage, talaq and polygamy are interwoven with religious and cultural
rights of Muslims. State intervention would be the violation of fundamental right
(Article 25, 26, 29).
Personal laws of a community cannot be rewritten in the name of social reform
as the guiding authority is the religious scriptures. Also, courts cannot supplant its
own interpretation over the text scripture.
It is a matter of legislative policy (enforcement of universal civil code) and
intervention by court would amount to judicial activism.
Religious traditions often respond to top-down reforms by growing more
conservative and hence resist reforms. Universal Civil Code after Shah Bano case
became the ground for communal politics, forcing the then government to nullify the
verdict.
Arguments In Favour Of Intervention
Essential Religious Practices Doctrine, propounded by SC in Durga Committee vs

Syed Hussain Ali Case 1961, had set the outer limit of what could be the sole
domain of religion. The Court held that if the practices, though religious, may have
sprung from merely superstitious beliefs and in that sense be extraneous and
unessential accretions to religion itself, interference by Supreme Court becomes
necessary. Issue of triple talaq, polygamy etc. are not the sole domain of religion as

it has wider social impact. Hence state intervention would not amount to violation of
fundamental right.
Personal laws of a community came into existence by interpretation of various
religious scriptures. The interpretation can change with the changing values and
norms of a society.
Intervention would not amount to judicial activism as legislatures have failed to
intervene due to vote bank politics.
It is not a top-down reform as more than 50,000 Muslim women and men have
signed the petition to abolish these practices. Also, there has been demand from
within the community to change these practices.
The Supreme Court, in Shabnam Hashmi Vs UoI 2014 Case ruled that Muslim
personal law or any other religious code could not prohibit adoption by childless
couples. This was widely accepted by the community.
These practices violate the notion of gender justice and the constitutional right
of equality. Hence it is a case of violation of fundamental rights of women and
Supreme Court is right in intervening.
Conclusion
The issue is not whether a religious community has the right to live by its personal laws
but whether any community has the right to live by rules that subvert the rights
guaranteed to every citizen in the Constitution. Hence, to ensure the gender justice and
too uphold the basic tenets of our constitution, judicial intervention is justified.
However, the goal of judicial intervention should be as much to call for enactment of
modern civil laws as it would be to ensure justice and fair play in personal laws.
2.4 Introducing Totaliser Machine In Election

Why in News
Recently Supreme Court has given a directive to the government to take a final
decision on introducing totaliser machines for mixing votes from various booths
before counting.
Totaliser is a machine, connected to the control unit of electronic voting machines

(EVM) after polling, that gives out an overall, not booth-wise result.

Also, Law Commission in its 255th report reiterated and endorsed the ECIs
suggestion for introducing a totaliser for the counting of votes recorded in electronic
voting machines.
Prior to the introduction of EVMs, ballot papers could be mixed under Rule 59A of
the Election Rules, although this was not permitted for EVMs.
Merits
Elimination of voter harassment: Booth-level results have been often used by
losing candidates to harass voters of specific villages or castes/communities which
voted against the candidate. In fact, even in the assembly elections in Bengal earlier
this year there were reports of families in East Midnapore who were unable to vote
due to the fear of post-poll reprisal.
Avoid Caste based politics: Parties have fair sense of the social, caste & religion
composition of voters of specific booths because of information collected by local
party workers.
Strengthen principle of secrecy of votes: It would avoid detailed sense of which
caste or community largely voted for or against them booth wise.
No effect on booth management strategy of parties: The mixing of votes of
different polling booths, per se, should not hamper political parties from devising
booth-level mobilisation strategies. Parties and candidates contesting elections
anyway have a fair sense of the social composition of voters of specific booths
because of information collected by local party workers. The efficiency of the booth-
level strategy is a function of the financial and human resources at a partys disposal
but in theory, the information available is equal.
Demerits
Affect partys strategies: Party work on booth-wise performance based strategies
which is important for parties to win elections. It helps in planning strategy at the
booth level for the next electoral battle.
Result in low voting percentage: Campaigns which encourage voters to cast vote
based at booth level would be affected which may result in low voting.
Conclusion
Given the social diversity of Indian voters and the frequency of elections at various
levels, there is no harm in revising the rules of conduct of elections if the need arises.
The introduction of the totaliser would be a move forward.

Some parties may have reservations about its use initially, but in due course of time they
would realise the importance of this new, simple but immensely useful technology. After
all when EVMs were introduced, there were many sceptics; their utility for such a vast
country as India is now beyond dispute.
2.5 Municipal Bonds in India

Why In News
A credit rating of cities was launched by Ministry Of Urban Development to effectively
utilize the municipal bonds by the local municipal bodies.
To begin with, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and New Delhi Municipal Council
have been rated as A. In all, 85 cities would be given credit rating by March 2017.
Municipal bond, a term commonly used in the US, is meant to finance public projects
such as roads, schools, airports and infrastructure. Oxford defines it as a security
issued by or on behalf of a local authority.
SEBI has announced regulatory norms for issuance of municipal bonds in July 2015
but this is yet to take off In India.
Why Is It Needed
Conventional source of revenue such as local taxes, funds/grants from Central and
State etc are not sufficient to finance local level requirements. Resource constraints
at the local level push to find alternate avenue for resource generation.
Further, constraints in revenue generation especially when Octroi will go away after
GST comes into implementation.
To meet the infrastructural need such as smart cities.
Ensure better compliance and accountability in the system

Ensure effectiveness of the accounting and fund management in the local bodies.
Problems Of Municipal Bonds In India
Lack of incentives for municipal bodies to tap debt market.

Conservative approach of insurance and pension firms to invest in Municipal bonds.
Lack of a secondary market for the trading of such bonds is another hindrance
Preponderance of institutional finance.

Limited credit enhancements for municipal bonds.
Absence of any particular requisites to issue bonds.
In many ULBs, the accounting is done through a single entry system, instead of the
standard practice of accrual-based double entry accounting.
The account books of many of these ULBs are not very transparent, whereas to
issue the bonds, the bodies will have to do full disclosure of finances, management,
projects etc.
The Way Forward
Rating agency CARE estimates that large municipalities in India could raise Rs.1,000 to
Rs.1,500 crore every year through municipal bond issues. However, careful efforts need
to take care-
Incentivizing municipal corporations for bond issuance

o Incentivize by way of additional grant
o Grants should be provided on the basis of credit rating of municipalities.
o Link the borrowings of the municipal corporations from financial institutions
such as HUDCO etc. to the bond market.
Incentivizing investors to invest in Municipal Bonds
o Minimum tenure of the bond should be increased to 5 years from the current 3
years.
o All bonds issued by Municipals should be made tax-free.
o The ceiling of 8% on interest rate should be withdrawn for such bonds
o Banks should be mandated to lend to ULBs as a part of the priority sector.
o Alternatively, bank holdings of municipal bonds should also be given space in
the SLR requirements provided they are of certain specified category
GS3
Municipal bonds in India have been introduced in 2015 yet it is not very popular among the
municipal authorities of the country. In view of this discuss the problems before it. What
suggestion you would like to offer to popularize these bonds.
2.6 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 has been passed in the Lok
Sabha. The Supreme Court in NALSA vs. Union of India Judgement 2014 gave, for
the first time, transgender persons the right to self-determine their identity. The current
bill comes on the back of this judgement with an aim to evolve a mechanism for their
social, economic and educational empowerment.
Highlights Of The Bill
Definition of a transgender person: The bill clearly defines the transgender leaving
behind any ambiguities.
Prohibition against discrimination: The Bill prohibits the discrimination against a

transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment in relation to
different services such as education, employment, healthcare and other services.
Right of residence: It provides transgender person a right to reside and be included
in his household. If the immediate family is unable to care for the transgender
person, the person may be placed in a rehabilitation centre, on the orders of a
competent court.
Employment: Besides prohibiting discrimination in employment, the bill requires
entity having more than 100 persons to designate a person to be a complaint officer
to deal with complaints in relation to the Act.
Healthcare: It aims to provide health facilities to transgender persons including
separate HIV surveillance centres, sex reassignment surgeries, etc. The
government shall review medical curriculum to address health issues of transgender
persons, and provide comprehensive medical insurance schemes for them.
Certificate of identity for a transgender person: It enables the District Magistrate
to issue a certificate of identity, indicating the gender as transgender based on the
recommendations of a District Screening Committee.
Welfare measures by the government: The bill aims to take steps for their rescue
and rehabilitation, vocational training and self-employment, create schemes that are
transgender sensitive, and promote their participation in cultural activities.
Offences and Penalties: The bill clearly defines the offences made against
transgender person and stipulates harsher punishment.
National Council for Transgender persons (NCT): The bill seeks to create NCT
whose composition will be widely representative. It will include ministers from various
ministries, representatives from state governments, National Human Right

Commission, NITI Ayoga and National commission for women. The Council will also
consist of five members from the transgender community and five experts from non-
governmental organisations. The Council will advise the central government on the
formulation and monitoring of policies, legislation and projects with respect to
transgender persons.
Comparison of Transgender Bill 2016 (TG Bill) with Draft Bill of 2015
It is being argued that the TG Bill 2016 is a watered down version of the draft bill of
2015.
No right to self-determination of identity: The current bill gives no right to self

determine ones own identity as it has clearly defined who all will be transgender
person. Hence, gone is the recognition that the transgender community in India is not
homogenous, and comprises a range of socio-cultural identities and lifestyles.
The Draft Bill of 2015 recognised that a persons gender is assigned to them by
others at birth, and that a transgender persons intrinsic sense of self need not be
based on this compulsory assigning. Thus it allowed every transgender person an
absolute right and control over their bodies, their selves.
No way to seek justice: Current bill fails to acknowledge that caste divisions within
the transgender community further victimises an already vulnerable set of people.
Also it fails to find specific ways for transgender persons to seek justice in the case
of discrimination, violence, abuse and a denial of rights.
There is an 'Offenses and Penalties' section, but that leaves one in doubt about what
exactly the course of action is. There is no mention of approaching competent
authorities (the Police, an Executive Magistrate, as outlined in earlier bill) or any
guidelines to the authorities on how to provide assistance to a transgender person
facing discrimination.
Family gets custody of a transgender person: It confers sweeping rights upon
family to retain custody of a transgender person. In many instances, it is the family
that is the seat of violence, abuse and a denial of identity for a young transgender
person. There is no mention of adoptive families, families by choice as was the case
in earlier bill
Definition of discrimination: Current bill fails to provide a definition of
discrimination, although it prohibits discrimination. The former draft of the Bill did in
fact have such a definition. It understood discrimination as a distinction, exclusion or
restriction on the basis of gender identity, which had the purpose or effect of

impairing or nullifying the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms on
an equal basis with others, and also included denial of reasonable accommodation.
There are a number of other omissions the provision of reservations for
transgender persons which were promised by NALSA and appeared in the
former draft of the Bill, but have been included in current bill.
Conclusion
According to Census 2011, India has 6 lakh people belonging to the transgender
community. The bill is aimed to empower this community. However, the terms, phrasing
and wording of the bill are things to worry about, and may create an obstacle for
empowerment of transgender community.
2.7 Fresh Guidelines for Flexi-Fund for Centrally Sponsored Scheme
The government has issued fresh flexi-fund guidelines for the Centrally Sponsored
Schemes (CSS). New guidelines, based on the instructions issued by NITI Ayoga, will
give States more freedom in spending money under the CSS to meet local
developmental requirements pilot innovation to improve efficiency.
The Guidelines
Flexi-funds in each CSS have been increased from the current 10% to 25% for
States and 30% for Union Territories.
This means that States, if they so desire, can set aside 25% of any CSS as flexi-fund
to be spent on any sub-scheme or innovation or component that is in line with the
overall aim and objective of the approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
States can use the fund to satisfy local requirements in areas affected by internal
security disturbances or to undertake mitigation or restoration activities in case of
natural calamities.
State governments will have to constitute a state-level sanctioning committee (SLSC)
to avail of the flexi-fund facility. This facility is not for CSS which emanate from
legislation, like MNREGA.
Background:
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) are special purpose grants (or loans)
extended by the Central Government to States to encourage and motivate State
governments to plan and implement programmes that help attain national goals
and objectives. CSS are extended by the Union Government to States under

Article 282 of the Constitution
Normally as per the constitutional dispensation, all activities in Government are
categorised as those falling in: Central List, State List and Concurrent List. While
there is no ambiguity with regard to the Central List, activities which fall under
the State and Concurrent List are often subject to over-lapping jurisdiction
between the Government of India and the State Governments. Health and
Education are two most important social sector programmes which figure in
these two lists. While the State Governments have the primary responsibility to
provide better quality of health and education to the people, it is the overall
responsibility of the Government of India to achieve certain monitorable national
goals in terms of health care and levels of education.
Thus, CSS ordinarily covers such subjects which are enumerated in

State/concurrent list and are crucial for realising national development
goals. CSS are different from Central Sector Schemes in the sense that Central
Sector Schemes are implemented by Centre directly while CSS are implemented
by states.
After the recommendation of B K Chaturvedi committee the number of Centrally
Sponsored Schemes was reduced to 66. Also, flexibility in implementation was
introduced. States got flexibility to use 10% of allocation.
After the recommendation of 14th Finance commission, the numbers of CSS
were further reduced.
Q) The Central Government frequently complains on the poor performance of the

State Governments in eradicating suffering of the vulnerable sections of the
society. Restructuring of centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for
ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of population aims at providing
flexibility to the states in better implementation. Critically evaluate. (CSE 2013)
2.8 Schemes Need Prior Approval of Finance Ministry

The Context
The Finance Ministry has asked various ministries and departments to seek prior
approval from it before initiating any new scheme.

It has directed to all administrative ministries that for all new schemes a concept
paper should be prepared while seeking in-principle approval, holding stakeholder
consultations, conducting pilot studies etc.
Further, it suggested that schemes involving cost up to Rs 100, 100-500, 500-1000
and above 1000 Crore has to seek prior approval from Secretary of the
administrative department, Minister in the administrative department, the Finance
Minister, and the Cabinet, respectively.
Why Needed?
To rationalize the scheme- especially when central schemes have been brought
down to 300 and CSS to 30.
To enhance efficiency and improve economies of scale in the execution of
government programmes by avoiding multiple and redundant schemes.
To ensure efficient management of public expenditure at all times.
To improve execution- quality of scheme or project formulation is the key
bottleneck leading to poor execution.
To ensure Output-outcome framework for each schemes with Niti Aayog; every
scheme should have a sunset date and an outcome review
Conclusion
Such a robust system will ensure better, effective and objective evaluation of the
schemes. Continuation of schemes will dependent upon performance. This, in turn, will
bring improvement in the administrative machineries, project formulation and
implementation.
Further, in a run up to the abolition of Plan and non-Plan expenditure
differentiation from Budget 2017-18, it is imperative that a plan, non-plan neutral
appraisal and approval system is put into place.
GS3
In what ways Finance ministry as central approval system of schemes going to enhance
efficiency in the system. Discuss
2.9 NITI Ayogas Plan for 50 Medals in 2024 Olympics

After disappointing performance in 2016 Rio Olympics, NITI Ayoga has devised a short-
term and medium-to-long term action plan to help India achieve 50 medals in 2024
summer Olympics.
Short-term Plan (4-8 years)
It envisages targeting a group of priority sports, organising sportspersons into three
groups for each priority sport.
It seeks to harness the potential of regional and indigenous sports, selecting world-
class coaches as well as a grading system for coaches.
It will also focus on a strengthening and scaling up of existing Sports Authority Of
India (SAI) training centres, sports injury insurance scheme, facilitating creation of
sports academies for individual sports. Under it, a digital database for sports will
be created. Besides national sports code and sports Bill will be promoted.
Medium-to-long term Plan (8-15 years)
It will focus on identifying talent at a young age, a dedicated training programme for
coaches, having sports curriculum in schools.
It will encourage development of sports infrastructure through PPP or private mode
and developing a psychological and health support division.
It will stress on the consistent funding of contracts, promoting a culture of sports in
the country and hosting international events in priority sports.
After each Olympics, a fixed 4-year contract will be signed between SAI and Group A
sportspersons, keeping in mind their funding requirement for the next Olympics and
other international events in between.
Conclusion
Efforts need to be undertaken at each level, from family and communities to schools,
regional academies, states and national level. These efforts need to be aimed at
radically increasing the level of sporting activities, filling the gaps in the system and
monitoring for lags. In this context, there is an urgent need to revamp the sports
governance in India besides addressing the issues raised by NITI Ayoga.
2.10 National Party Status to Trinamool Congress

The Election Commission of India has granted national party status to All India
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Party.

Trinamool Congress has satisfied one of the conditions mentioned in the Election
Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to be recognised as a national
party - having being recognised as a state party in at least four states- West Bengal,
Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
Now, India has seven recognised national parties - Congress, BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI-
M, NCP and All India Trinamool Congress.
Recognition as a national or a state party ensures that the election symbol of that
party is not used by any other political entity in polls across India. Other registered
but unrecognised political parties have to choose from a pool of "free symbols"
announced by the commission from time to time.
Besides, these parties get land or buildings from the government to set up their party
offices. They can have up to 40 'star campaigners' during electioneering. Others can
have up to 20 'star campaigners'.
The poll panel had on August 22 amended a rule whereby it will now review the
national and state party status of political parties every 10 years instead of the
five.
A political party becomes eligible to be recognised as a national party:

if it has won 2 per cent of seats in Lok Sabha from at least three different states in
the latest general election; Or
In a Lok Sabha or Assembly election it has polled 6 per cent of the total valid votes
in at least four states, in addition to winning four Lok Sabha seats; Or
It has been recognised as a state party in at least four states.

3 ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
3.1 Flexi Fare Method of Railway

Why In News
With an aim to boost its income, Railway has introduced flexi-fare method on its
premium trains namely Rajdhani, Shatabadi and Duronto. As a result, the
passengers will be paying different prices for the same seats and berths depending
upon when they book their tickets.
As per the new system, passengers will be shelling out between 10 and 50 % more
under the surge pricing system. While 10 % of the seats will be sold under the
normal fare, it will go on increasing by 10 % with every 10 % of berths sold with a
ceiling of 50 %.
Such surge pricing method is followed on the similar lines in taxi aggregator and
airlines. The pricing mechanism kicks in when demand outstrips supply. The taxi
company says that the increased fare acts as an incentive for taxi drivers to stay on
the roads and helps in balancing the demand with supply.
This is not an entirely new concept in Railways also. Such dynamic fares was
already implemented on Suvidha Trains, which helped it to fetch Rs 110 crore from
April to August 2016. Under flexi fares in Suvidha trains, fares increases by 20 %
after every 20 % seats are booked.
Why It Is Needed
Need to boost revenue from passenger segment- Only 25 % comes from this
segment whereas freight accounts for 65 %. Due to competition from road sector,
there is limitation to increase freight fares. Also freight business is already very
expensive in India as compared to other countries. Therefore, further increase in this
area is not feasible. Flexi fare model is expected to generate Rs 500 crore revenue.
Need to minimize the subsidy- Under the social obligations, for moving a passenger
one kilometer, Railways spends 73 paise and in return gets only 34 paise. Thus
the cost of service is almost double of what is being charged from the passengers.
This causes Railways loses around Rs. 33,000 crore on its passenger segment
every year. This benefit goes to all including those who are well off. So the current
move is in line with the philosophy of government to minimize the subsidy to well off.
What Are The Imapcts

The total number of passengers which travel per year on Indian Railways is around
840 crores. Out of this half of the passengers are sub-urban people which are only a
losing traffic. The non sub urban traffic is 380 crores. Out of this 230 crores are
exempted from flexi fares because they are ordinary second class. The upper class
is only 14 crores in total. So this concept is going to affect very few people at
present.
This system adopted by airlines as well takes care of yield management. It is
important to see what the occupancies are. As the occupancies shrink, fares go
up so that maximum yield per seat can be obtained on an average coach. This
method is quite successful in airlines. When trains are full all the time, there is no
question of yield management.
The trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi are mostly preferred by elite class. So, it will not
have a bearing on common man.
The Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis are premium trains, which are favoured by the
relatively better off. Those who plan their journeys later or in case of an
emergency will be at loss.
Conclusion
The initial response of the system is encouraging as around 50,000 tickets being
booked at higher fares in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains in the first 2 days.
Although the move may not significantly shore up the revenues, it will test the public
response to surge pricing that airlines already follow without any cap.
Railway is trying to address its financial deficiencies. To become a viable
organization it should also look at non-convention methods to earn revenues.
GS3
Do you think flexi fare model introduced by railway is a progressive step towards
improving its financial and operational performances. Give arguments in your
favour.
3.2 New Guidelines to Regulate Indian Direct Selling Industry

Why In News
The Direct Selling Guidelines 2016 framework has been released by the Food &
Consumer Affairs Minister and sent to the states and Union Territories for adoption.

Several scams have occurred in Indian direct selling industry in different parts of the
country.
Direct Selling And Their Benefits
Direct Selling means the marketing of consumer products/services directly to the
consumers generally in their homes or the homes of others, at their workplace and
other places away from permanent retail locations, usually through explanation or
demonstration of the products by a direct seller. The size of the sector is at present
8,000 crore and expected to reach 15,000 crore by 2019-20.
Benefits Of Direct Selling
Direct selling is a good way to own a business thus catering to gainful self
employment, women empowerment & point of purchase convenience to
consumers.
Direct selling offers flexible work schedules.
Direct selling is a good way to earn extra income.
Guidelines
The guidelines ban use of pyramid structure and money circulation scheme in any
direct selling company.
It clearly defines the pyramid structure/ponzy scheme.
Direct sellers cannot charge entry fee from agents or compel them to buy back
unsold shares.
A well defined remunerative system for agents has been laid down under guidelines.
Carrying of identity card has been made mandatory by sellers.
Sellers have been prohibited to visit customers place without prior appointment.
The firms need to constitute a grievance redressal committee to protect the interest
of consumers.
Prospective customers should be duly informed regarding the procedure for
cancellation of an order, refund of money and return of the product, etc.
A provision has been made under the guideline to appoint monitoring authority at the
central and state level.
Conclusion

Bringing it under regulatory framework will give better recognition to the sector and
hence will give much needed boost to it. This will help in increasing employment and
entrepreneurship opportunities in the sector. Not only it safeguards the interest but also
identifies and helps protect ethical direct selling companies. However, ensuring statutory
teeth to these guidelines is essential to bring more clarity for the sector.
GS3
Direct selling Industry has become a source of unethical practices of trading. Discuss
how far Direct Selling Guidelines 2016 framework will be able to curb such unethical
practices in the Industry.
3.3 Appointment of Part-time Chairman of UIDAI

The Context
Former IT Secretary J Satyanarayan Mishra has been appointed as part time
chairman of UIDAI. The part-time Chairman will have tenure of three years and will
hold power limited to provisions defined under the Aadhaar Act 2016.
It is to be noted that the UIDAI has generated 105.11 crore Aadhaar numbers as on
Sept 7 2016. It has already covered almost 98% of adult population and 82% of the
total population.
About 50 lakh people are accessing their biometrics on daily basis for various
purposes.
Highlights Of Aadhaar Act 2016
Eligibility: Every resident, who has resided in India for 182 days in the year
preceding the date of application for enrolment for Aadhaar, shall be entitled to
obtain an Aadhaar number.
Information to be submitted: To obtain an Aadhaar number, an individual has to
submit his, (i) biometric (photograph, finger print, iris scan) and (ii) demographic
(name, date of birth, address) information.
Use of Aadhaar number: To verify the identity of a person receiving a subsidy or a
service, the government may require them to have an Aadhaar number. If a person
does not have an Aadhaar number, government will require them to apply for it, and
in the meanwhile, provide an alternative means of identification. Any public or
private entity can accept the Aadhaar number as a proof of identity of the Aadhaar

number holder, for any purpose. Aadhaar number cannot be a proof of citizenship or
domicile.
Functions and composition of authority: The key functions of the UID authority
include, (i) specifying demographic and biometric information to be collected during
enrolment, (ii) assigning Aadhaar numbers to individuals, (iii) authenticating Aadhaar
numbers, and (iv) specifying the usage of Aadhaar numbers for delivery of subsidies
and services. The UID authority will consist of a chairperson, two part-time members
and a chief executive officer. The chairperson and members are required to have
experience of at least ten years in matters such as technology, governance, etc.
Authentication: The UID authority will authenticate the Aadhar number of an
individual, if an entity makes such a request. A requesting entity (an agency or
person that wants to authenticate information of a person) has to obtain the consent
of an individual before collecting his information. The agency can use the disclosed
information only for purposes for which the individual has given consent. However, it
is not permitted to share an individuals finger print, iris scan and other biological
attributes.
Protection of information: Biometric information such as an individuals finger print,
iris scan and other biological attributes (specified by regulations) will be used only for
Aadhaar enrolment and authentication, and for no other purpose. Such information
will not be shared with anyone, nor will it be displayed publicly, except for purposes
specified by regulations.
Cases when information may be revealed: In two cases, information may be
revealed:
a) In the interest of national security, a Joint Secretary in the central government

may issue a direction for revealing, (i) Aadhaar number, (ii) biometric
information (iris scan, finger print and other biological attributes specified by
regulations), (iii) demographic information, and (iv) photograph. Such a
decision will be reviewed by an Oversight Committee (comprising Cabinet
Secretary, Secretaries of Legal Affairs and Electronics and Information
Technology) and will be valid for six months.
b) On the order of a court, (i) an individuals Aadhaar number, (ii) photograph,
and (iii) demographic information, may be revealed.
Offences and penalties: A person may be punished with imprisonment upto three
years and minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh for unauthorised access to the centralized

data-base, including revealing any information stored in it. If a requesting entity and
an enrolling agency fail to comply with rules, they shall be punished with
imprisonment upto one year or a fine upto Rs 10,000 or Rs one lakh (in case of a
company), or with both.
Cognizance of offence: No court shall take cognizance of any offence except on a
complaint made by the UID authority or a person authorised by it.
Apprehensions On Aadhaar
1. Allowing private agencies to use Aadhaar contradicts statement of objects and
reasons of the Bill
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill states that identification of targeted
beneficiaries for delivery of various government subsidies and services has become a
challenge for the government. At the time of the introduction of the Bill, the government
stated that the Bill confines itself only to governmental expenditure. However, the
Bill also allows private persons to use Aadhaar as a proof of identity for any purpose.
2. Issues with sharing information collected under Aadhaar
The provisions in the Bill with regard to protection of identity information and
authentication records may be affected by an ongoing writ petition in the Supreme Court.
The petition claims that Aadhaar may be in violation of right to privacy. A five-judge
Bench of the court is examining whether right to privacy is a fundamental right.
3. Disclosure of information to intelligence or law enforcement agencies

The provisions regulating disclosure of private information under the Bill differ from
guidelines specified under another law the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The Bill differs
from the guidelines for phone tapping in two ways.
First, the Bill permits sharing in the interest of national security rather than for
public emergency or public safety.
Second, the order can be issued by an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary,
instead of a Home Secretary.
4. UID authoritys exclusive power to make complaints
A provision says, Courts cannot take cognizance of any offence punishable under the
Act, unless a complaint is made by the UID authority, or a person authorised by it. This
may present a conflict of interest as under the Bill the UID authority is responsible for the

security and confidentiality of identity information and authentication records. There may
be situations in which members or employees of the UID authority are responsible for a
security breach.
5. Discretionary powers of UIDAI
The Bill empowers the UID authority to specify demographic information that may
be collected. The only restriction imposed on the authority is that it shall not
record information pertaining to race, religion, caste, language, records of
entitlements, income or health of the individual. This power will allow the
authority to collect additional personal information, without prior approval from
Parliament.
The Bill specifies biometric information to include photograph, fingerprints, and
iris scans. Further it empowers the UID authority to specify other biological
information that may be collected. Therefore, the Bill does not prevent the UID
authority from requiring the collection of biometric information such as DNA.
The Bill does not specify the maximum duration for which authentication records
may be stored by the UID authority. Instead it allows the UID authority to specify
this through regulations. Maintaining authentication records over a long time
period may be misused for activities such as profiling an individuals behaviour.
Conclusion
The Aadhaar card is a revolutionary instrument for better targeting of service delivery.
However, the proper execution of statute, not only in letter but spirit also, is critical to its
success. It is more so important to have a democratic deliberations on the
apprehensions raised on the provisions of the statute and take into account the
suggested changes, if any.
3.4 Excess Capacity Issue In Steel Industry
What Is The Issue

The G20 Trade Ministers had in July 2016 recognised excess capacity, especially in
steel, as a global issue that needs collective responses. This was further
recognized in the recent G-20 Leaders meeting in China.
As a result Countries across the world including US have imposed heavy duties on
cheap imports of steel from major producer countries.

India too have imposed anti-dumping duty, safeguard duty and Minimum Import
Price on steel imports from China, Japan and South Korea.
The problem is caused in international markets due to
o excess steel capacity amidst softening of prices in international market.
o providing subsidies and other types of support from government causing
market distortions.
Impacts
Due to lower prices it hurts the domestic firms; imported steel becomes cheaper than
domestically produced steel. For example in India, sales and profits of domestic steel
producers and their liquidity has been affected badly
This, in turn, has affected manufacturers capacity to repay loans and meet interest
payment deadlines, having a cascading effect on the number of non- performing
assets (NPAs) with the banks. Steel sector in India accounts for the highest number
of NPAs with the banks.
The stagnation in steel sector has also led to increasing unemployment. The
workers lay off in Germany and Mexico is an evidence of such incidents.
The Way Forward
Need to discourage subsidies and other support and encourage fair play in the
market.
Need to enhance communication and cooperation and take effective steps to
address challenges so as to enhance market function and encourage adjustment as
it was reaffirmed by G-20 leaders at China.
Need to have Global Forum to share information on global capacity developments as
well as on governmental policies and support measures as it was suggested in
OECD meeting.
GS3
Identify the reasons of excess capacity issue in steel industry. How does it affect the
importing country like India and US?

3.5 World Manufacturing Production Report
Manufacturing Scenario At World Level
According a latest world manufacturing report published by UNIDO, world

manufacturing output will be increased by only 2.8 % in 2016. Manufacturing
production is likely to rise by only 1.3 % in industrialised countries and by 4.7 % in
developing ones
Developing economies maintained higher growth in the production of textiles,
chemical products and fabricated metal products. Growth performance of
industrialized economies was higher in the pharmaceutical industry and in production
of motor vehicles.
Among Latin American economies, manufacturing output fell by 3.2 per cent in the
second quarter, amid a continuing production decline in the region. Manufacturing
output plunged by 6.7 per cent in Brazil, and by 4.2 per cent in Argentina.
In Europe, the uncertainty following the Brexit affected the growth rate performance
in manufacturing in the second quarter of 2016, and it went below 1 % for the first
time since 2013.
The report further noted that, based on estimates from the limited available,
manufacturing output rose by 2.5 per cent in Africa. South Africa, the continents
largest manufacturer, significantly improved its growth performance to 3.3 per cent in
the second quarter. Higher growth rates of 8.3 per cent and 7.6 per cent were
achieved in Cameron and Senegal.
The growth performance remained much higher in Asian economies at 6.5 % in the
second quarter of 2016.
According to report, China, the worlds largest manufacturer, is likely to see further
decline in manufacturing output from 7.1 % in 2015 to 6.5 % in 2016.
Russia and the US recorded marginal rises of 1 % and 0.3 %, respectively.
The Report mentions that low growth will pose a challenge for the implementation of
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 9) on promoting inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and fostering innovation.
India and Manufacturing
It states Indias manufacturing output, which achieved impressive growth rates in the
last quarters, experienced a second slight decline in a row but the prospects for

Indias manufacturing are conclusive, since India is on the path to becoming a pivot
for high-tech world manufacturing.
According to the latest GDP data released in India, the manufacturing sector grew
9.1 % during April-June 2016, a slight decline from the 9.3 % clocked in January to
March.
3.6 Controversy Surrounding Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
What Is The Issue
A number of countries, including the US, Canada, and the European Union (EU)
nations, have raised the issue of international arbitration against the Bilateral
Investment Treaty draft approved by cabinet.
Indias BIT mandates foreign companies and related aggrieved parties to seek
international arbitration, only if they have exhausted all domestic dispute redressal
mechanisms or legal options.
However, partner countries are demanding an unconditional access to international
arbitration. While India recognizes local and foreign investors on an equal footing, all
countries are expecting for special treatment for their investors.
Regarding BIT
The Draft Model BIT, cleared by Union Cabinet in Dec 2015, is expected to replace
the existing Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs)
that India has signed with 72 nations.
India has inked 83 Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT), including with several EU
member countries. The revised model BIT will be used for re-negotiation of existing
BITs and negotiation of future BITs and investment chapters in Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreements/ Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreements/FTAs, including the one with EU and US.
BIT keeps taxation out of its ambit.
The model BIT maintains that India or any other country cannot nationalize or
expropriate any asset of a foreign company unless the law is followed, is for the
public purpose and fair compensation paid
The BIT states that dispute-resolution tribunals, including foreign tribunals, can
question public purpose and re-examine a legal issue settled by Indian judicial
bodies.

3.7 Stressed Loans
The RBI has given permission to commercial Banks to sell their stressed loans to
other banks or to non-banking financial companies. Till now the banks were allowed
to sell their stressed loans to only Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
NPA alone doesnt tell the whole story of bad asset quality of loans given by banks.
Some of the loans are restructured by banks by giving a further opportunity to the
borrower if they default. This opportunity is in the form of an extended time period for
repayment and a reduced interest rate or such soft conditions. Hence a new
classification is made in the form of stressed assets that comprises restructured
loans and written off assets besides NPAs.
(Stressed assets = NPAs + Restructured loans + Written off assets)
This move is understood to increase competition and better price discovery of

stressed assets.
The banking regulator has advised banks to identify assets that could be sold, at
least annually, preferably at the start the year.
The apex Bank also directed that all doubtful assets above a threshold amount be
reviewed by the board periodically.
3.8 Micro Finance Sector

According to an estimate by ICRA, Microfinance sector in India will grow treble to
reach up to Rs 4.3 trillion over the next three years on account of expansion into
newer segments and enhanced average loan sizes
Indian microfinance institution (MFI) sector grew at 40 % in 2015-16 to Rs 1.4 trillion
(including the Bandhan Bank) as against a 38% growth in the previous fiscal, while
the average ticket sizes were Rs 20,000-25,000.
Facts About Microfinance
Microfinance refers to a movement that wants to provide low-income households a

wide range of financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance
and fund transfer.
Micro finance sector includes micro finance from SHGs, Microfinance institutions and
Banks.
The cap under microfinance loan is restricted to Rs 1 Lakh.
Such loan has been granted the status of priority sector lending by RBI.
Problems In This Sector
The key bottleneck is the shortage of strong institutions and managers. Interest rate
ceilings hurt poor people by preventing microfinance institutions from covering their
costs, which chokes off the supply of credit.
Asset quality
Limited coverage of SHG-bank linkage programme data
Issues related to multiple identity cards used by borrowers
Lack of interlinking of retail credit

Unsecured landing business
Political risks
Operational risks arising out of cash handling

What Needs To Be Done
Micro credit institutions should fund their loans through savings accounts that help
poor people manage their myriad risks.
Governments should provide an enabling legal and regulatory framework which
encourages the development of a range of institutions and allows MFI to operate as
recognized financial intermediaries. MFIs should be given freedom of setting interest
rates.
3.9 Buffer Stocks Limits Of Pulses Increased

In light of volatility in price of pulses over the last few months, government has
decided to raise buffer stock of pulses to 20 lakh tonnes from 8 lakh tones. Such
move is aimed at keeping the prices stable and encouraging farmers to grow pulses.
This will be done through domestic procurement and imports, each comprising 10
lakh tones.
Central agencies namely FCI, NAFED and SFAC have been designated to
undertake domestic procurement. In addition, state governments may also be
authorised, wherever possible, to undertake the procurement in a manner similar to
decentralised procurement of foodgrains.

The domestic procurement will be done at the prevailing market prices [if the
prevailing market prices are above Minimum Support Prices (MSP)], and at MSP, if
otherwise. Funds for this will be ensured through Price Stabilization Fund scheme
of Department of Consumer Affairs.
The import will be done through government-to-government contract and/or spot
purchase from the global market through designated public sector enterprise of
Department of Commerce.
Indias pulses production fell to 16.47 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year (July-June)
from 17.15 million tonnes in the previous year due to drought, resulting in spike of
retail rates.
However, production is expected to rise to 20 million tonnes in 2016-17 as farmers
have grown pulses in larger area this year following good monsoon, high market
prices and sharp increase in the minimum support price (MSP).
3.10 e-Nivaran
Central Board of Direct Taxes has launched the e-nivaran facility for online
redressal of taxpayers grievances related to refunds, ITRs, TDS and PAN among
others.
This is part of good governance initiative of the tax department aiming to reduce
instances of harassment of public regarding various tax issues.
It will be available on website of e-filling portal of I-T department. Once the complaint
is registered by the taxpayer by providing address, postal Pin code, mobile number
and email id, he/she will get a unique number (PIN) for further query or to track the
progress of complaint.
It will integrate all the online and physical grievances and keep track of it until it
reached its final conclusion.
In 20 Government departments, I-T Department is the one against whom maximum
grievances are registered on the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and
Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) - the central online public grievances resolution
portal.

3.11 NIIF to Manage $2-bn Green Energy Fund
National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF) will manage a $2-billion fund for
renewable energy.
Corpus
o The NIIF would contribute $490 million.
o The Indian Renewable Energy Development Authority will add $110 million.
o $1 billion will be sourced from sovereign funds and through financing
instruments.
The renewable energy fund was envisaged during the climate change discussions in
Paris in 2015 and it was then decided that it would be managed by a global
investment manager.
The fund is both for old projects looking for re-finance and new projects.
Solar power projects and wind projects will largely be benefitted from this Fund.
For details on NIIF, refer Economy Section (7.6) in Part 1 (May 2016) of Current
Affairs magazine.
3.12 Andhra Becomes Second State To Achieve 100% Access To Electricity
Andhra Pradesh has become the 2nd State in the country after Gujarat to achieve
100 % electrification of households.
Access to electricity is a key socio-economic development indicator.
100 % electrification In India is still an elusive dream as about 35 % rural households
in States like UP, MP, Bihar, Assam and Odisha lacked access to power supply.
In Budget 2016-17, the government has announced to achieve 100% village
electrification by 1st May, 2018.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
4.1 World Land Bridge

World Land Bridge is the extension to the Eurasian Land Bridge, the mega-
connectivity initiative to revive the ancient Silk Road in all its dimensions, including its
lost cultural and civilizational attributes.
World Land Bridge will link North America with the New Silk Road. Siberia in Russia
can be connected with Alaska, if we build an undersea tunnel across the Bering
Strait. That would lay the foundation for a World Land Bridge.
The Eurasian Land Bridge sometimes called the New Silk Road is the rail
transport route for moving freight and passengers overland between Pacific seaports
in the Russian Far East and China and seaports in Europe. The route,
a transcontinental railroad and rail land bridge, currently comprises the Trans-
Siberian Railway, which runs through Russia and is sometimes called the Northern
East-West Corridor, and the New Eurasian Land Bridge or Second Eurasian
Continental Bridge, running through China and Kazakhstan.
Chinese President Xi Jingping visited Kazakhstan on September 7, 2013 and he first
announced the adoption of a policy he called the New Silk Road Economic Belt
stretching
from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea.

4.2 Bratislava Declaration
Why In News
In the recent European Union 1 meeting at Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, the
discussions has been held regarding critical situation created after Britains exit from
the EU.
The Bratislava Summit of 27 Member States has been devoted to diagnose together
the present state of the European Union and discuss their common future.
The Bratislava Objectives
Determined to make a success of the EU at 27.
As a matter of priority, there is a need to tackle many common challenges ahead of
EU such as perceived lack of control and fears related to migration, terrorism, and
economic and social insecurity.
Need to be clear about what the EU can do, and what is for the Member States to
do, to make sure we can deliver on our promises.
Migration And External Borders Objectives
Ensure full control of our external borders and get back to Schengen, and bring down
number of irregular migrants.
Broaden EU consensus on long term migration policy and apply the principles of
responsibility and solidarity.
Before the end of the year, full capacity for rapid reaction of the European Border
and Coast Guard has to be achieved.
Migration compacts for cooperation and dialogue with third countries, to lead to
reduced flows of illegal migration and increased return rates, has to be assessed by
the December European Council meet.
Internal And External Security Objectives
Support Member States in ensuring internal security and fighting terrorism.
Intensified cooperation and information-exchange among security services of the

Member States.
Adoption of the necessary measures to ensure that all persons, including nationals
from EU Member States, crossing the Union's external borders will be checked
against the relevant databases, that must be interconnected.

Start to set up a Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to allow for
advance checks and, if necessary, deny entry of visa-exempt travelers.
In a challenging geopolitical environment, strengthen EU cooperation on external
security and defence.
December European Council meet to decide on a concrete implementation plan on
security and defence and on how to make better use of the options in the Treaties,
especially as regards capabilities.
Start implementing the joint declaration with NATO immediately.
Economic & Social Development, And Youth Objectives
Create a promising economic future for all, safeguard our way of life and provide
better opportunities for youth Concrete measures.
European Council to address how to ensure a robust trade policy that reaps the
benefits of open markets while taking into account concerns of citizens.
In December - decisions will be taken on EU support for Member States in fighting
youth unemployment and on enhanced EU programmes dedicated to youth.
Way Ahead
Deliver on promises: strengthen the mechanism for reviewing the implementation of
decisions taken. Loyal co-operation and communication of Member States and
institutions is required.
Bratislava is the beginning of a process. The coming formal European Council
meetings will allow for concrete follow up on the themes mentioned here.
The March 2017 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties will bring
together Heads in Rome and will be used to round off the process launched in
Bratislava, and set out orientations for our common future together.
4.3 Chemical Weapons Used In Iraq
Why In News
According to several US officials, ISIS is suspected of using chemical weapons in the
recent attack in Qayyara air base in Iraq where US and Iraqi troops are operating.
ISIS is suspected of firing a shell with mustard agent that landed at the Qayyara air
base, the substance is now being sent to a lab for further examination.

Mustard gas or mustard agent is a poisonous gas that falls in the group of lethal
gases which led to the disablement or death, along with even more lethal chemical
agents such as chlorine gas and sarin.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

It is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their
destruction within a specified period of time. The treaty is of unlimited duration
and is far more comprehensive than the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which outlaws
the use but not the possession of chemical weapons.
CWC negotiations started in 1980 in the UN Conference on Disarmament. The

convention was opened for signature on January 13, 1993, and entered into force
on April 29, 1997.
The CWC is open to all nations and currently has 192 states-parties. Israel has
signed but has yet to ratify the convention.
The CWC is implemented by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW), which is headquartered in the Hague. The OPCW receives
States-parties declarations detailing chemical weapons-related activities or
materials and relevant industrial activities. After receiving declarations, the OPCW
inspects and monitors states-parties facilities and activities that are relevant to
the convention, to ensure compliance.
The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits:
o developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical

weapons.
o direct or indirect transfer of chemical weapons.
o chemical weapons use or military preparation for use.
o assisting, encouraging, or inducing other states to engage in CWC-
prohibited activity.
o the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare.
Penalties for Noncompliance: If states-parties are found to have engaged in
prohibited actions that could result in serious damage to the convention, the
OPCW could recommend collective punitive measures to other states-parties. In
cases of particular gravity, the OPCW could bring the issue before the UN
Security Council and General Assembly. States-parties must take measures to
address questions raised about their compliance with the CWC. If they do not, the
OPCW may, inter alia, restrict or suspend their CWC-related rights and privileges

(such as voting and trade rights).
4.4 Impediments To Chinas Silk Road

Why In News
China has raised concerns about the growing tensions between India and Pakistan
amidst Uri attack & Baluchistan issue and has taken Kashmir Issue as an
impediment to its One Belt One Road Initiative (For Details on OBOR Initiative,
please refer section 2.8 in Part 4, i.e., August CA magazine) especially for the China
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During the April 2015 visit to Islamabad, President Xi Jinping oversaw the signing of
an agreement with Pakistan to invest $46 billion in infrastructure and energy projects,
the largest economic investment of China in any other country till date.
The CPEC, initially announced in May 2013, has been called a flagship project of
One Belt One Road initiative.
Chinese experts characterize CPEC as an effort to increase Pakistans economic
resilience and encourage stability, as well as a way to reduce Chinas dependence
on petroleum passing through the Malacca Straits from the Middle East to China.
But, there remain significant doubts about Pakistans capacity to handle investments
on the scale that China has proposed, along with concerns that Pakistans political
system could easily become overwhelmed.

However, there is a broadly held view that even if China only delivers on a small
portion of what it is proposing, the potential benefit to Pakistan could be great.

Baluchistan And CPEC
The CPEC announcement has already generated conflict, with the provinces of
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan claiming that the Punjab-dominated
government of PM Nawaz Sharif is attempting to prioritize routes through
Punjab.
Some international observers have argued that China underestimates the hurdles it
will face in Pakistan. Much of the infrastructure investment is slated to run through
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, two of Pakistans most insecure and
politically unstable provinces.
Baluchistan, where the Gwadar Port is located, poses particularly significant
challenges. The province has seen local opposition to Chinese investments from
separatist movements and popular resentment, including the targeting of Chinese
workers.
India has also raised Pakistans alleged human rights violations in the Province at
the international level a policy shift that was underscored by New Delhis
assertions on the Baloch issue at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
To address these concerns, Pakistan has announced it will deploy a 12,000-strong
security force specifically to protect Chinese workers.
Uighurs Unrest And CPEC
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Uighur militant group identified as
being responsible for a series of attacks on Chinese territory, is also a cause of concern
for Chinas CPEC project. China has also long worked with Pakistan to isolate Uighur
militant groups in the region and dissuade other extremist groups from providing them
support.
Conclusion
Chinese officials opined that if India and Pakistan can resolve the Kashmir problem,
CPEC would not be an obstacle among China, India and Pakistan. Though the CPEC is
a link between the land corridor of the Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Route (MSR), its
emergence is more important to Pakistan than to China.

INDIA AND WORLD
5.1 India-Japan Relations

Why In News
Recently at India-ASEAN summit in Laos Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his
Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe discussed the strengthening and diversification of
bilateral relations.
The leaders pledged to strengthen ties in the key areas of counter-terrorism, civil
nuclear cooperation, trade and investment
India-Japan Relations
Background
The friendship between India and Japan has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity
and strong cultural and civilizational ties.
Throughout the various phases of history since contacts between India and Japan
began some 1400 years ago, the two countries have never been adversaries.
The Japan-India Association was set up in 1903, and is today the oldest international
friendship body in Japan.
The modern nation States have carried on the positive legacy of the old association
which has been strengthened by shared values of belief in democracy, individual
freedom and the rule of law.
Political relations
In the first decade after diplomatic ties were established, several high level
exchanges took place, the momentum of bilateral ties, however, was not quite
sustained in the following decades.
The beginning of the 21st century witnessed a dramatic transformation in bilateral
ties. During Prime Minister Moris path-breaking visit to India in 2000, the Japan-
India Global Partnership in the 21st century was launched.
PM Shinzo Abe visited India for the 10th annual summit with PM Modi in Dec 2015.
Both agreed to expand bilateral cooperation to a wide range of areas including in the
fields of civil nuclear energy, high-speed rail (bullet train) network, defense
equipment & technology, taxation, science & technology, education, disaster relief
and people-to-people exchanges.

In a special gesture, India also announced visa on arrival scheme for all
Japanese travelers, including for business purposes, from March 1, 2016. (This has
since been implemented).
The two countries have several institutional dialogue mechanisms, which are held
regularly, at senior official and functional levels to exchange views on bilateral issues
as well as international cooperation. There is foreign office consultation at the level of
Foreign Secretary / Vice Foreign Minister as well as a 2+2 Dialogue at the level of
Foreign and Defense Secretaries.
Under the Parliamentary exchanges programme between India and Japan, the
Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII), has been organizing the visit of Members of Parliament since 2004.
The India-Japan Forum of Parliamentarians (IJFP) was established by FICCI in
2005. Under this programme, two Parliamentary delegations have visited Japan so
far between 2005 and 2011.
Economic relations
In the economic sphere, the complementarities between the two countries are
particularly striking. (i) Japans ageing population (23% above 65 years) and Indias
youthful dynamism (over 50% below 25 years); (ii) Indias rich natural and human
resources and Japans advanced technology; (iii) Indias prowess in services and
Japans excellence in manufacturing; and (iv) Japans surplus capital for investments
and Indias large and growing markets and the middle class.
A test of the reliability of Japan as a friend was witnessed in 1991, when Japan was
among the few countries that bailed India out of the balance of payment crisis.
A transformational development in the economic history of India was Suzuki Motor

Corporations path breaking investment in India in the early 1980s that revolutionized
the automobile sector, bringing in advanced technology and management ethics to
India.
The India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that
came into force in Aug 2011 is the most comprehensive of all such agreements
concluded by India and covers not only trade in goods but also Services, Movement
of Natural Persons, Investments, Intellectual Property Rights, Custom Procedures
etc. The CEPA envisages abolition of tariffs over 94% of items traded between India
and Japan over a period of 10 years.

PM Modi visited Japan in Sept 2014 for the 9th Annual Summit Meeting with PM
Shinzo Abe. During the visit, the two sides upgraded the relationship to a Special
Strategic and Global Partnership and also agreed to establish the India-Japan
Investment Promotion Partnership.
Development aid (Japanese ODA)
Japan has been extending bilateral loan and grant assistance to India since 1958,
and is the largest bilateral donor for India.
Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) supports Indias efforts for
accelerated economic development particularly in priority areas like power,
transportation, environmental projects and projects related to basic human
needs.
The Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor
(DFC), the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor with twelve new industrial townships, the
Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) are all mega projects on the anvil
which will transform India in the next decade. Delhi Metro Project has also been
realized with Japanese assistance.
Indian Diaspora in Japan
The arrival of Indians in Japan for business and commercial interests began in the
1870s at the two major open ports of Yokohama and Kobe. More Indians entered
Japan during World War I when Japanese products were sought to fill gaps in
demand that war-torn Europe could not meet.
The old Indian community in Japan focused on trading in textiles, commodities and
electronics. A newer segment of the community is engaged in gems and jewelry.
In recent years, there has been a change in the profile of the Indian community with
the arrival of a large number of professionals, including IT professionals and
engineers working for Indian and Japanese firms as well as professionals in
management, finance, education, and S&T research. The Nishikasai area in Tokyo is
emerging as a mini-India.
Make in India in Defence sector and Japan
Indias Act East policy and PM Modis Make in India drive coincide with the shifts in
the Japanese post-war security policy and the April 2014 easing of the self-imposed
arms export ban.

The Agreement concerning transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology
Cooperation signed during the latest visit of PM Shinzo Abe in Dec 2015 unveils a
new chapter in India-Japan defence cooperation by making available defence
equipment and technology needed to carry out joint research, development and/or
production projects.
Indias defence modernisation presents enormous opportunities for the Japanese
defence industry, which until recently concentrated exclusively on the domestic
market in order to demonstrate Japans commitment to peace.
India plans to obtain 12 US-2 aircraft for use in patrolling the Andaman and Nicobar
islands and conducting search and rescue operations in the Indian Ocean
Q. India and Japan bilateral ties have witnessed proximity and synergy like never
before in past few years. Attributing reasons for the same explain the
importance of Japan for India.
5.2 PM Modis Visit To Vietnam

The Context
Indian PM Narendra Modi visited Vietnam and laid significant
importance on strengthening links with Southeast Asian countries through his Act
East Policy.
The visit will mark the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Vietnam in the last 15
years and will celebrate 25 years of bilateral diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic
partnership between these two nations.
India-Vietnam partnership is of strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific century in

between the changing regional and global political relations.
Agenda and Outcome Of Meet
This trip is particularly critical as it comes in the wake of the final award by the
Permanent Court of Arbitration disqualifying Chinas historic rights to the South
China Sea and Beijings escalating militarization in this body of water, where Vietnam
is also a major claimant.
India also, for its part, is seeing a deteriorating bilateral relationship with China over
an unsettled border, Beijings endorsement of Pakistan on issues relating to terrorism
and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Chinas move to block Indias bid to secure

membership in the NSG, Chinas rising footprint in the Indian Ocean Region, and
(most importantly) Beijings escalating military ties with the nations in South Asia.
So, the PM Modi's visit to Vietnam ahead of G20 summit was aimed at jointly piling
pressure on China and to raise their "bargaining chips" with the country.
Given the South China Sea issue, Beijing-Hanoi relations have not been smooth
over the past years. Negative emotions toward Beijing among the Vietnamese
people have also been rising. Vietnam decided to upgrade the strategic partnership
between both the countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership; earlier
Vietnam had comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and China only.
To provide fillip in defense cooperation, PM announced $500 million line of credit
for Vietnam.
And 12 Agreements covering the sectors of defense, space, IT, health, and cyber
security were signed, as well as an MoU on cooperation between the Vietnamese
Academy of Social Science and Indian Council of World Affairs were signed.
India Vietnam Relations
Background
India-Vietnam relations have been exceptionally friendly and cordial since their
foundations were laid by Prime Minister Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh more than
50 years ago.
The traditionally close and cordial relations have their historical roots in the common
struggle for liberation from foreign rule and the national struggle for independence.
In recent times, political contacts have strengthened as reflected in several high level
visits by leaders from both sides. Trade and economic linkages continue to grow.
India's thrust under the 'Look East' policy combined with Vietnam's growing
engagement within the region and with India has paid rich dividends.
Diplomatic Relations
Vietnam is an important regional partner in South East Asia. India and Vietnam closely
cooperate in various regional forums such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong
Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) besides UN and WTO.
Economic Relations

With respect to trade and investment, Vietnam secured Most Favored Nation status
from India way back in 1975 and India at present ranks among the top ten trading
partners of Vietnam.
With Vietnams membership in the ASEAN Economic Community and the country
being a signatory of various free trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific
Partnership, Vietnam has evolved to be an even more attractive investment
destination for Indian companies.
The Vietnam-India strategic partnership has greatly facilitated commercial ties
between the two countries. Bilateral trade has sharply increased from $500 million in
2008 to $7.8 billion in Aug 2016. Bilateral trade has seen continuous growth over the
past few years.
Vietnam continues to be an attractive investment destination for Indian companies.
Indian companies are investing in oil and gas exploration, mineral exploration and
processing, sugar manufacturing, agro-chemicals, IT, and agricultural processing.
Defence Cooperation
The Indian Armed Forces have been engaged in capacity building of the Vietnamese
Armed Forces particularly the Navy. The areas of focus have been training, repairs
and maintenance support, exchanges between think tanks, study tour and ship visits.
India and Vietnam would be co-chairing the Expert Working Group on Humanitarian
Mine Actions in the ADMM+ forum.
Four India Naval ships which included the indigenously built stealth frigate INS
SATPURA and fleet tanker INS SHAKTI with a complement of around 1200 officers
and sailors visited Da Nang from 6-10 June 2013.
International Issues Of Common Concern

South China Sea issue: Both India and Vietnam support freedom of navigation,
overflight and unimpeded commerce in the disputed South China sea region, based
on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Mekong-Ganga Cooperation: India and Vietnam need to address issues like
infrastructure, facilitation of trade, expansion of the trilateral highway (currently
including only India, Myanmar, and Thailand), reduction of transaction costs,
interconnectivity of goods and labor markets, and improving funding. These steps,
among others, can increase the robust connectivity between the corridors.

Transnational Security Concern: There are a number of transnational security
concerns in todays globalised world ranging from piracy and drug & human
trafficking to global warming and climate change. Such threats cannot be faced by
countries on their own. In this regard, a Joint Action Plan to tackle common threats
will go a long way in not only addressing the problems but finding out solutions to
eradicate these issues.
5.3 Egyptian President Visit To India

The Context
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently visited India and asked for joint
efforts to counter global challenges of extremism and terrorism through building a
robust defence and security cooperation between Egypt and India.
Earlier Egyptian president visited India to participate in the India-Africa Forum
Summit of October 2015 when the government had invited him for a bilateral visit.
The visits have been interpreted by experts as a sign of Egypts interest to re-invent
its friendly ties with India of the days of non-alignment and bonhomie between Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Agenda Of Visit
The talks covered a host of issues of mutual concern, topped by the Middle East
issue and anti-terror efforts.
President Sisis talks focus on promoting bilateral relations in the fields of economy,
investment and development, increasing the volume of trade that reached $4 bn per
year in 2016, enhancing Indian companies partaking in Egypts national projects, and
discussing a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
MoU were also signed on cooperation in the field of maritime navigation.
Bilateral Relations
Historic Ties
India and Egypt, two of the worlds oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of
close contact from ancient times. Even prior to the Common Era, Ashokas edicts
refer to his relations with Egypt under Ptolemy-II.
In modern times, Mahatma Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul shared common goals on the
independence of their countries, a relationship that was to blossom into an
exceptionally close friendship between Gamal Abdel Nasser and Jawaharlal Nehru,
leading to a Friendship Treaty between the two countries in 1955. The Non-Aligned
Movement was a natural concomitant of this relationship.
Political Relations
India and Egypt share close political understanding based on long history of contacts
and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The popular protests against President Hosni Mubarak and his subsequent removal
from power in 2011 drove Egypt into deep political instability. Protesters demanded a
liberal and democratic political system by replacing the authoritarian rule
consolidated by the Mubarak regime.
Presidential elections held in 2012 saw the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood
coming to power and Mohammed Morsi becoming the President of Egypt. Morsis
rule was short-lived, but his visit to India reflected his desire to rebuild ties with India.
Throughout the political turmoil in Egypt, India has consistently expressed solidarity
with the people of Egypt appealing to the leadership to see the winds of change and
address the aspirations of the youth.
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi continues to restore peace and order in his country, he has
shown substantial interest in reviving India-Egypt relationship. India has invited the
president for the Third India-Africa Forum Summit to be held in New Delhi in October
2016.
Cultural Relations
The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) was set up in Cairo in 1992 to
promote cultural cooperation between the two countries, through the implementation
of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP).
The India by the Nile (IBN) annual cultural festival has emerged as the largest
foreign festival in Egypt. Similar to IBN, a new festival Egypt by the Ganga will
soon be started.
In its outreach activities, the Indian Cultural Centre also organizes India Day(s) in
Egyptian governorates and universities.
Yoga has gained popularity in Egypt with 14 schools in Cairo, besides centres in
other cities. The International Day of Yoga was celebrated with enthusiasm.
There is also a growing interest in traditional medicine.

Trade and Investments
Egypt has traditionally been one of India's most important trading partners in the
African continent. The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation
since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favoured Nation clause.
India is the sixth largest trading partner of Egypt the third largest export destination
and tenth largest import source for Egypt. The last five years have witnessed a
remarkable development of trade and investment between Egypt and India, where
the trade volume increased to $3.3 bn in 2010/2011 and $4.76 bn in 2014/2015.
Indian companies are present in apparel, agriculture, chemicals, energy,
automobiles, retail and others. Indian companies also execute projects in railway
signalling, pollution control, water treatment, irrigation, anti-collision devices etc.
Indian Pharmaceutical major Hetero Drugs Ltd launched a JV in May 2015 to
produce a drug used in the treatment Hepatitis-C which was highly appreciated by
the Egyptian government.
Technical cooperation and assistance has been a major part of our bilateral
relationship. In 2014-15, 124 Egyptians were selected to undergo various training
programmes in India under ITEC and other programmes. In the field of scientific
cooperation, ICAR and the Agricultural Research Center of Egypt are working in the
field of agricultural research, and Science & Technology cooperation is
implemented through biennial Executive Programmes.
Suez Canal Upgrade

On the August 6, 2015, a project upgrading the existing Suez Canal by adding a
parallel waterway, which took a year to complete, was opened by the Egyptian
president.
Deepening of Suez Canal allows bigger tankers and container vessels to travel in
different directions simultaneously. It is planned to deepen the canal further. It is the
third time since its original build that the waterway has been widened to allow for
two-way parallel canal traffic.
The advantage of the Suez Canal is that ships save as much as 10 nautical days at
sea instead of sailing around Africa, and is today the fastest link between Asia and
Europe accounting for almost 7% of global seaborne trade.
For a country like India which does not have overland access to markets of Europe
and North Africa, the Suez Canal is its lifeline.

5.4 President Ghanis Visit To India
Why In News
The President of Afghanistan Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has visited to India on 14 &
15 September 2016. During the visit, he held discussions with Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi to enhance defence cooperation.
Agenda and Outcome Of Visit
The visit took place in the backdrop of two back to back tours by PM Modi to
Kabul, the first in Dec 2015 to inaugurate the Parliament building, constructed
by India as a gift to Afghanistan, and again in June 2016 to inaugurate the
Afghanistan-India Friendship dam at Salma.
Ghani harboured a false illusion that Pakistan will help it to restore peace and
normalcy in Afghanistan. It did not take long for his hope that Pakistan will be
able to deliver Taliban to the negotiating table to come to a modus vivendi to
ensure security and stability in the country to be shattered. Also dashed to the
ground was his expectation that Pakistan will ensure that Taliban does not
launch attacks on Afghanistan.
Matters have come to such a pass that Ghani has been forced to severely
condemn and criticise Pakistan on several occasions for sheltering terrorist
groups like Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Haqqani network who carry out attacks
against Afghanistan, resulting in huge loss of life and destruction of economic
assets.
One of the critical issues discussed during the visit was the imperative need to
jointly and commonly confront the challenge of terrorism emanating from
Pakistan. One of the primary objectives of Ghanis visit was to get more arms
from India, including small weapons, spares, more attack helicopters, transport
helicopters, tanks, artillery and ammunition to deal with the growing insurgency
and attacks by Taliban operating from Pakistani soil.
The Afghan president promised personal intervention to facilitate significant Indian
investment in Afghanistan, provided that Indian businesses consider moving in
with major investment plans. In a proactive step to facilitate Indian investment in
Afghanistan, Ghani has ordered the opening of a new consulate, either in Kolkata or
Hyderabad.

Also, appreciating Indias efforts to expand regional connectivity, Ghani invited India
to join the PATTA (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan Trade and Transit Agreement),
an invitation currently under review. If agreement is reached, it would go a long way
to enabling Afghanistan to play its natural role as a land-bridge connecting South
and Central Asia.
Connectivity between India and Afghanistan was another issue that garnered
huge attention during the visit. The fact that Afghanistan is not able to trade
directly with India through the overland route via Pakistan has been a source of
considerable exasperation and pique to it. Pakistan permits Afghanistans
products to travel by sea from Karachi and allows only fresh fruits through the
Wagah-Attari border to India. Even at the Wagah border, sack loads of fresh
fruits have to be off-loaded, carried manually across the border and reloaded
on different vehicles on the Indian side. This leads to unnecessary delays,
damage to the produce and high transportation costs.
President Ghani expressed deep gratitude for Indias assistance of more than
US$ 2 billion, the highest by any of Afghanistans neighbours. India offered to
extend an additional financial aid of USD 1 billion to further enhance and
upgrade Afghanistans capacity and skill levels.
India offered to supply world quality medicines at competitive rates and to
support Afghanistan to develop its solar energy potential.
Three Agreements were signed between the two governments viz Extradition
Treaty for repatriation of criminals and militants, on peaceful uses of outer
space, and on cooperation in civil and commercial matters. These will go a
long way in enhancing confidence and strengthening bilateral ties.
Bilateral Relations
Background
India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural
links. Since time immemorial, the peoples of Afghanistan and India have interacted
with each other through trade and commerce, peacefully coexisting on the basis of
their shared cultural values and commonalities. This history has become the
foundation of deep mutual trust.
It was ancient focal point of the Silk Road and migration. It is an important
geostrategic location, connecting East and West Asia or the Middle East.

As Afghanistan was undergoing three simultaneous political, security and economic
transitions in 2015, India had allayed its fears about its future by making a long-term
commitment to the security and development of Afghanistan.
Strategic Partnership Agreement
Indo-Afghan relations have been further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership
Agreement signed between the two countries in 2011.
The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the two sides, inter alia,
provides for assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure and institutions,
education and technical assistance to re-build indigenous Afghan capacity in
different areas, encouraging investment in Afghanistan's natural resources, providing
duty free access to the Indian market for Afghanistan's exports support for an
Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and
reconciliation, and advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to
Afghanistan by the international community.
Economic And Commercial Relation
India fully recognizes the pre-eminence of Afghanistan as a junction of trade routes
between central, south and west Asia. Considering the immense possibilities of trade
between India and Afghanistan, the bilateral trade figure of US$ 683 million (US$
474 million exports and US$ 209 million imports by India) for the year 2013-14 is a
rather modest figure.
India has undertaken a series of measures to achieve the full potential of trade
development between the two countries. A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)
was signed with Afghanistan in March 2003, under which India allowed substantial
duty concessions [ranging from 50% to 100%] to 38 dry fruit products. In November
2011, India removed basic customs duties for all Afghan products [except alcohol
and tobacco products], giving those duty free access to the Indian market.
With the operation of Chabahar port in Iran, Afghan exports would receive a major
boost, as a new transit route would be available for the country to trade with India
and the rest of the world.
A Public-Private consortium of Indian iron ore mining and steel companies

(AFISCO), led by Steel Authority of India, secured a tender for the Hajigak iron ore
reserves, with plans to construct a 1.2 MTPA steel plant, including a 90 MW
capacity power plant.
Cultural Relation

Since 2001, more than 10,000 Afghan students have studied in India on ICCR
scholarships, with some 7,000 returning home armed with an education and
technical skills, which they are using to drive Afghanistans stabilization and
development.
Meanwhile, many mid-career officers in the Afghan government have benefited from
the technical capacity building programs of ITEC and the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, while some 8,000 Afghan students are pursuing self-financed
degrees in different fields across India.
Moreover, in an effort to further solidify ties between Afghans and Indians, the
Afghan Embassy in Delhi has initiated the creation of sister-city relations between
major Indian cities and states and their Afghan counterparts. To date, the embassy
has proposed the creation of relations between Delhi and Kabul, Mumbai and
Kandahar, Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan) and Herat, Hyderabad and Jalalabad,
Ahmadabad (Gujrat) and Asadabad (Kunar), as well as the State of Assam and the
Province of Helmand.
As soon as these proposals are procedurally processed by both sides, the major
cities of Afghanistan and India will be connected through tourism, student and faculty
exchange programs, as well as private sector investment, which the embassy has
been promoting through its vigorous economic and cultural diplomacy outreach
throughout India.
Developmental Projects in Afghanistan

India has played a significant role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of
Afghanistan. India's extensive developmental assistance programme, which now
stands at around US 2 billion, is a strong signal of its abiding commitment to peace,
stability and prosperity in Afghanistan during this critical period of security and
governance transition.
Indias well-targeted aid programs include infrastructure development, institutional

capacity building, small development projects, as well as food security assistance in
the form of ongoing deliveries of wheat to Afghanistan.
The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, was revently
inaugurated. It is built on Hari River in Chishti Sharif District of Herat Province
neighbouring Iran and is earth and rock fill dam. It is a multipurpose project built to
generate 42 MW of power, irrigate 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other
benefits to the people of Afghanistan.

Other major Indian projects in Afghanistan include new Afghan Parliament building,
Doshi & Charikar substations, Restoration of Stor Palace.
India has also committed to contribute substantially in improving transportation
system in Kabul and has decided to donate 1000 buses to Afghanistan.
A significant addition to India's development portfolio in Afghanistan is the Small
Development Projects (SDP) scheme, in the fields of agriculture, rural
development, education, health, vocational training, etc. Government of India also
grants ICCR scholarships to 1000 Afghans every year to pursue under graduate
courses in various Indian universities in major cities across India.
Security Concerns For India
Afghanistan has been passing though turmoil and chaos and this is affecting India.
Terrorism has become a very complex issue.
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 but Taliban leaders escaped into Pakistani
tribal areas in the FATA and NWFP along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The
Swat valley is now under the control of Taliban and in all likelihood this area will be
entirely lost from Pakistan.
As far as Pashtuns are concerned, the Durand Line is non-existent since the
Pashtuns are settled on both sides of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The presence of ISIS has direct security implications on India.
Being a part of Golden crescent (The Golden Crescent is a mountainous area of
Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan where opium has been grown for hundreds of years)
,Drug trafficking is a major issue in Afghanistan and has severe implication on India.
Drugs are generating the income that is fuelling terrorism. Afghanistan needs an
alternative source of income.
Drug trafficking in Afghanistan is bothering India due to its trade in India also.
Various states of India like Punjab have been affected by drugs addiction mostly in
young generation.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Relationship And Its Implication For Regional Politics
Afghanistans peaceful future depends to a great extent on an auspicious regional
environment, with Pakistan at its core. Conversely, an unstable Afghanistan
threatens Pakistan, complicating the latters ability to refurbish its weak state and
economy and suppress dangerous internal militancy.

But in the absence of dramatically improved relations with India, Pakistan is likely to
prefer an unstable Afghanistan to a strong Afghanistan closely aligned with India.
Pakistan thus retains an interest in not liquidating its long-term relationship with the
Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, a policy that exacerbates Afghan
instability.
Although the outreach to Pakistan by Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has warmed
relations between the two countries, Pakistans geostrategic outlook and the
limitations of its selective counterterrorism policies have not resolutely changed.
Pakistans policies toward both militant groups and Afghanistan are determined as
much by incompetence, inertia, and a lack of capacity as by calibrated duplicitous
manipulation.
Crucially, Pakistans willingness to accommodate Afghanistan-oriented militant
groups is motivated by a fear of provoking militants to incite violence in Punjab and
threaten the core of the Pakistani State instead of focusing externally. This
paralyzing fear persists despite Pakistans desire to defeat the Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan.
Chinas increasing activity in Afghanistan might eventually motivate Beijing to put
pressure on Pakistan in a way that it has previously been unwilling to do. Pakistan
may thus face more united international pressure regarding its policies in
Afghanistan and accommodation of militants than ever before.
Nonetheless, an expectation of radical change in Pakistans strategic outlook and

behavior toward militant groups will likely produce disappointmentin Afghanistan,
India, and the United States. Yet all three countries would be wise not to sacrifice
whatever limited collaboration with Pakistan is at times possible for the still-elusive
hope of cajoling Pakistan into a full-scale and lasting counterterrorism partnership.
Heart of Asia conference
The Heart of Asia conference is a part of Istanbul Process. Istanbul Process

presents a new vision of cooperation and confidence building for the Asian
region with Afghanistan at its centre.
The Istanbul Process was established on 2 November 2011 to provide a platform

to discuss regional issues, particularly showing respect for each others
sovereignty and territorial integrity, encouraging security, political and economic
cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The first HoA ministerial conference was held on 2 November 2011 in Istanbul,
Turkey. The fifth HoA ministerial conference was held on 9 December 2015 in
Islamabad, Pakistan.
The 14 participating countries in HoA process are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,

China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and UAE.
5.5 PM Prachanda Visits To India

Why In News
Nepals newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda visited India
in his first abroad bilateral visit .
After months of stalemate over the new constitution charter, earlier Prime Minister
K.P. Oli stepped down and then Nepal get a new Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal
Dahal Prachanda.
Agenda and Outcome Of The Meet
Given the history of the India-Nepal relationship, it is unlikely that any deal between
Nepal's agitating forces will be resolved without Indian blessings (explicit or
otherwise). For Nepal, the continuance of the constitutional crisis is a major
stumbling block to peace and development and resolution of this crisis is necessary
for the implementation of the Constitution which sees Nepal as a federal democratic
republic.
Nepal's ethnic Madhesi groups in the southern plains, bordering India, launched a
general strike late 2015 in protest at the country's new constitution. The Madhesi
groups were demanding better representation in the new constitution. The people of
Terai region share close cultural and family ties with people across the border in
India. India has always believed that only an inclusive Constitution with the widest
possible consensus by taking on board all stakeholders would result in durable
peace and stability in Nepal, and thus has urged the Government of Nepal to resolve
all issues through a credible political dialogue.
In this backdrop, the significance of Prachanda's first foreign visit should be
examined to check whether both nations can steer the relationship into a positive
framework to ensure that the interests and concerns of both nations can be
addressed equitably.

The visit was more focused on creating an environment of trust with a good intention
and effectively implementing the projects for Nepal's benefits at the earliest as
agreed earlier rather than raising many issues. They agreed to set up a mechanism
to oversee the progress of projects on a regular basis and take necessary steps to
expedite their implementation.
The two Prime Ministers directed the officials to closely monitor progress of the
ongoing projects under bilateral economic and development cooperation, address
any bottlenecks, and to complete them expeditiously in a time bound manner.
They had also discussed the issues of bilateral importance including the framework
of SAARC and BIMSTEC in their meeting.
Acknowledging the role of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) in the
post-reconstruction works, Indian PM Modi shared that his government would be
willing to share its experience and human resources to Nepal. In addition, the Indian
government said that it would provide Rs 100,000 to 50,000 earthquake-hit
households.
The duo also discussed the importance of open border in the Nepal-India trade and
economic relations.
Expressing satisfaction on the use of existing Lines of Credit, the two PMs also
welcomed new establishment of additional LoC. Both countries signed a Line of
Credit for 750 million USD which would cover a lot of development projects in Nepal.
Indian PM also expressed the willingness of additional allocation for infrastructures of

roadways along with the integrated check posts (ICPs).
Other issues like irrigation, inundation, flood etc would be discussed in the next
meeting of the Joint Committee on Water Resources at the Secretary level.
For the development of tourism and health care sector, they also signed MoUs on
cooperation in Traditional Medicine and on Tourism Cooperation, including
development of Buddhist and Hindu pilgrim circuits.
India-Nepal relations
Historical ties
India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation as close
neighbours, characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people-to-people
contacts of kinship and culture. There has been a long tradition of free movement of
people across the borders.

Signed in 1950 the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship forms the bedrock of
the special relations that exist between India and Nepal. Under the provisions of this
Treaty, the Nepalese citizens have enjoyed unparalleled advantages in India,
availing facilities and opportunities at par with Indian citizens. Nearly 6 million Nepali
citizens live and work in India.
Developmental Cooperation
Government of India provides substantial financial and technical development
assistance to Nepal, under which various projects have been implemented in the
areas of infrastructure, health, water resources, education and rural & community
development.
In recent years, India has been assisting Nepal in development of border
infrastructure through upgradation of roads in the Terai areas; development of cross-
border rail links at JogbaniBiratnagar, Jaynagar-Bardibas, Nepalgunj Road-
Nepalgunj, Nautanwa-Bhairhawa, and New Jalpaigudi-Kakarbhitta; and
establishment of Integrated Check Posts at Raxaul-Birgunj, Sunauli-Bhairhawa,
Jogbani-Biratnagar, and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj.
Large projects such as Pancheshwar hydro power project, construction of a National
Police Academy at Panauti, Nepal Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharmashala at Tilganga,
a Polytechnic College at Hetauda, and the National Trauma Centre at Kathmandu
are at various stages of implementation.
Government of Indias Small Development Projects (SDPs) programme in Nepal

extends assistance for the implementation of projects costing less than NRs 5 crore
in critical sectors such as health, education & community infrastructure development.
Major Drawback Of India Policy Towards Nepal And Way forward
Earlier political establishments in Nepal had often raised concerns about Indias
intervention in Nepals domestic politics. The recent difference has occurred on the
question of constitution and democratic representation of politics (Madhesis issue).
A peaceful and stable Nepal has a bearing on India as well because of the long and
open border shared between India and Nepal. So there are no questions over the
intentions of India but its actions are sometime perceived to its Big Brother
attitude and hence felt as dominating and interfering.
Another issue is on the question of Chinese ingression into Nepal politics. India
and China both are vying for influence in Nepal.

o India is likely to offer better access to its ports to Nepal, on the other side
China had gained a foothold by rapidly building roads and railway links (Tibet
to Nepal rail link).
o China completed laying an optical fiber to Kathmandu, creating a direct link to
Hong Kong Data Centre which is one of the two biggest global data centres in
Asia.
o China also just inaugurated the first transport service to Nepal, a rail-bus, 10-
day journey from Lanzhou to Kathmandu. And a joint Nepal-China researcher
team has begun hydrocarbon (petroleum and natural gas) exploration in
Nepal.
At the time of blockade, Nepal has improved its relation with China, the only other
country besides India with which Nepal shares a border. There is a feeling in
Kathmandu that if Nepal does not diversify its trade away from Indiawith which it
now does 70 % of its businessit could again be made a victim of Indias high-
handedness in the future. This explains Nepals tilting toward China to balance
Indias influence.
But both India and Nepal should strive for balanced foreign relations with neighbours.
India should realize that one day or the other Nepal will establish relationship with
China. So, India should shed its apprehensions about Nepal moving into the grip of
China and act diplomatically in dealing with the issue.
Question
Indo-Nepal bonhomie has suffered cracks and jolts in the recent past. Suggesting
innovative diplomatic and policy measures, explain the ways to reinvigorate Indo-Nepal
relations.
5.6 Vice President Hamid Ansari Visit To Nigeria

Agenda Of The Visit
Recently the Vice President of India Mr. Hamid Ansari has visited Nigeria and held
talks with Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari to move both counties economies
forward.
The vice presidents visit (to Nigeria) intends to further strengthen the strategic
partnership between the two countries, expand and diversify bilateral economic

engagement and explore new avenues of partnerships on a wide range of issues of
shared common interest.
The discussed issues include India's ever expanding energy requirements,
engineering products, IT sector, pharmaceuticals, health sector.
One MoUs on Standards and four letters of intent on health, customs, transfer of
prisoners, and renewable energies were signed.
Bilateral Relations
Background
Relations between Nigeria and India have traditionally been warm and friendly,
without any contentious issues. India established a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in
1958, even before Nigeria became independent in 1960.
Commonalities of our colonial past, a large multi-ethnic, multi-religious and
developing societies with a large percentage of youth have brought the two countries
even closer. We both share common perspectives on international political, social
and development issues as manifested in various meetings at the United Nations,
World Trade Ogranisation, etc.
India and Nigeria relations have traditionally been and friendly and the bilateral
partnership was elevated to strategic partnership in 2007.
Economic Relations
India is Nigerias largest global trading partner and Nigeria is Indias largest trading
partner in Africa with the bilateral trade amounting to US $ 12.6 billion in 2015-16.
Nigeria is highly important for our energy security. India is the largest buyer of crude
oil from Nigeria (8 - 12% of our crude oil requirements are met through imports from
Nigeria). In recent times, India has become the largest importer of Nigerian crude oil.
Indian companies have large presence in Nigeria and Nigeria hosts the largest
Indian community in the West Africa. Indian owned companies employ largest
number of employees in Nigeria after the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Defence partnership
Defence cooperation between India and Nigeria is symbolized by institutions such as the
Nigerian Defence Academy at Kaduna; the Naval College at Port Harcourt and other
elite military training establishments in Nigeria and many illustrious Nigerian officers
have been the flag bearers of our bilateral cooperation.

Indian Diaspora
The people-to-people ties between Nigeria and India are vibrant and growing. The
main reasons for visiting India are medical treatment and business. Number of
Nigerian students going to Indian tertiary institutions is also on rise. Many Indian
football clubs have Nigerian professional players. Indian films are popular in Kano,
Kaduna and other Northern States and local channels regularly telecast Indian films.
There is a CBSE affiliated Indian Language School in Lagos with 2,500 students. It
also has two temples in Lagos and a number of cultural and ethnic associations,
most prominent of which is Indian Cultural Association.
5.7 India France Rafale Deal

Why In News
India and France had finally agreed upon the terms and conditions for the purchase
of 36 Rafale multi-role fighter jets by the former from the latter. Dassault, the French
aviation company that manufactures the Rafale, had won the tender in January 2012
but had been locked in negotiations with the Indian government over the technical
details ever since.
The deal was signed between Union Defence Minister and his French counterpart in
New Delhi on 23 Sept 2016. This is the first fighter aircraft deal signed by India with
other country since the purchase of Sukhoi aircrafts from Russia in the late 1990s.
Although the deal was originally envisaged to be for 126 aircraft with an option of 74
more, the final agreement has settled around 36 jets. Projected to cost $12 billion in
2012, that figure has also come down to $7.88 billion.
The defence deal includes the aircraft in fly-away condition, simulators, weapons,
spares, maintenance, and Performance Based Logistics support for five years.
These aircrafts is capable of carrying out all combat missions such as interception,
air defence, in-depth strikes, ground support, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and
nuclear deterrence.
They will come with various India- specific modifications including Israeli helmet
mounted displays, low band jammers, radar warning receivers, infra-red search and
tracking, 10 hour flight data recording, towed decoy systems among others.

The weapons package of deal includes Meteor radar guided Beyond Visual Range
(BVR) missile which is considered the best in the class with range of over 150 kms. It
also includes Scalp long range air to ground missiles. Meteor missile has a superior
BVR than any of its competitor in the South Asia region.
Integration of the Brahmos-NG, a smaller version of the Brahmos supersonic missile,
will make the Rafale a lethal platform by land or sea.
Bilateral Relations
Background
Relations between India and France have traditionally been close and friendly. With
the establishment of Strategic Partnership in 1998, there has been a significant
progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation through regular high-level exchanges at
the Head of State levels and growing cooperation and exchanges including in
strategic areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, nuclear energy and space.
France has consistently supported Indias increasing role in international fora,
including Indias permanent membership of the UNSC.
France was the first country with which India entered into an agreement on civil
nuclear cooperation following the waiver given by the Nuclear Suppliers Group,
enabling India to resume full civil nuclear cooperation with the international
community.
There is also a growing and wide-ranging cooperation in other areas such as trade
and investment, culture, science & technology and education.
France will be helping India turn Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry into smart
cities.
Trade and Investments

Indo-French bilateral trade has been growing though it has still not reached the 12
billion target set by both the Governments during the visit of the French President to
India in January 2008. Bilateral trade between the two countries has been
languishing at $8 billion.
France is the 9th largest foreign investor in India with the investment which
represents 2% of total FDI equity inflows into India during the period April 2000 to
June 2012.
Space Cooperation

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its French counterpart Centre
National de Etudes Spatiales (CNES) have a rich history of cooperation and
collaboration spanning about four decades.
Arianespace based at France has been the major provider of launch services to
Indian Geo-Stationary satellites. Subsequent to the launch of APPLE satellite on a
co-operative mode, 14 Geo-Stationary satellites of India have been launched by
Ariane on a commercial basis.
ISRO and CNES (French National Space Agency) have an umbrella agreement,
operating successfully since 1993, under which joint missions like:
Megha-Tropiques and SARAL have been taken up.
A Statement of Intent for Long-Term Co-operation in Space between ISRO
and CNES was signed in 2013.
Under a commercial Launch Service Agreement between Antrix Corporation
Limited (ANTRIX), the commercial arm of ISRO and ASTRIUM SAS, France,
an advanced Remote Sensing satellite - SPOT -6 built by ASTRIUM SAS
was successfully launched on-board ISRO's PSLV C21 in 2012.
Defence
Under Project 75 (Submarine Scorpene project) India will purchase 6 next generation
diesel submarines with Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP) technology for the
Indian Navy by 2022 and the French company DCNS provides design and technology to
public sector Mazagon Docks to make six Scorpene submarines.
5.8 Oman's Sohar Port
Sohar port of Oman provides a key gateway to the Gulf and central Asia.
It is a deep-sea port and free zone situated midway between Dubai and Muscat and
lies at the centre of the global trade routes between Europe and Asia.
As India is jointly developing Chhabar port in Iran, Oman is looking to develop Sohar
port as a logistic hub. For this, it has invited India to invest in the port. In the
meanwhile, Indian organizations like Jindal Group and L&T have already a presence
in Sohar Port.
With good political relations between Iran and Oman, India is trying to establish a link
between Chabahar port of Iran and an another port Dugm in Oman to boost
connectivity in the region.

SUMMITS AND ORGANISATION
6.1 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit, Laos

Highlights Of The Summit
The Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in
Vientiane, Lao PDR on 6-8 September for ASEAN Summit. This is the first ASEAN
Summit following the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community on 31
December 2015.
The theme of the summit was Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN
Community.
At these summits, the Leaders reviewed the progress of implementation of the
ASEAN Community Blueprints 2025 in their initial year. The ASEAN Community is
the realization of the ASEAN Leaders vision for the regional grouping to build and
achieve community status by 2025. Following the Communitys formal
establishment, the stakeholders will now expect to see concrete and meaningful
results from the regions community building agenda.
The other highlights in this Summit were the launch of Visit ASEAN@50 campaign
logo an initiative of the tourism sector, the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity
(MPAC) 2025 as well as the Third Work Plan of the Initiative for ASEAN
Integration (IAI Work Plan III). The MPAC 2025 and IAI Work Plan III are part of the
ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together to support the implementation of the three
Community Blueprints.
The ASEAN Leaders also issued the ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN, One
Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside
the Region. This declaration emphasises ASEANs commitment to respond to
disasters as a collective outfit.
An ASEAN Economic Community Symposium 2016 was also be held as part of

the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2016, with the theme of Global
Megatrends.
ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education for Out-of-school Children

and Youth (OOSCY) was also signed.
The leaders vowed to end AIDS epidemic by 2030, and for that ASEAN Declaration
of Commitment on HIV and AIDS was signed.

About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8
August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN
Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
The motto of ASEAN is One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
Members (10) : Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand,
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam
Aims And Purposes
1. To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the
region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to
strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast
Asian Nations;
2. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the
rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the
principles of the United Nations Charter;
3. To promote Southeast Asian studies; and To maintain close and beneficial
cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar aims
and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among
themselves.
Fundamental Principles
In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the
following fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976:
1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and
national identity of all nations;
2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion;
3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;

5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and

6. Effective cooperation among themselves.
14th India-ASEAN Summit And India-ASEAN Relations
On his visit to ASEAN Summit, the Prime Minister Modi also attended the 14th
ASEAN-India Summit at Vientiane, capital city of Laos from 7 September 2016 to 8
September 2016.
At the 14th ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister and ASEAN Leaders reviewed
ASEAN-India cooperation and discuss its future direction under each of the three
pillars of politico-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation.
2017 will mark 25 years of India's dialogue partnership with ASEAN, to celebrate
which a number of commemorative activities were also announced by Prime
Minister.
Indias focus on a strengthened and multi-faceted relationship with ASEAN is an
outcome of the significant changes in the worlds political and economic scenario
since the early 1990s and Indias own march towards economic liberalization.
Strategic Partnership
ASEAN is a strategic partner of India since 2012. In 2012, ASEAN and India
commemorated 20 years of dialogue partnership and 10 years of Summit level
partnership with ASEAN. The Leaders also adopted the 'ASEAN-India Vision
Statement', which charts the future of ASEAN-India cooperation. During the Summit,
the heads of the Government recommended establishment of ASEAN-India Centre
(AIC) to undertake policy research, advocacy and networking activities with
organizations and think-tanks in India and ASEAN, with the aim to promote the
ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership.
India and ASEAN have 30 dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a
Summit and 7 Ministerial meetings in Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Tourism,
Agriculture, Environment, Renewable Energy and Telecommunications.
India has an annual Track 1.5 event Delhi Dialogue, for discussing politico-security
and economic issues between ASEAN and India. Since 2009, India has had its eight
editions.
Trade and Investment

India-ASEAN trade and investment relations have been growing steadily, with
ASEAN being India's fourth largest trading partner. Investment flows are also
substantial both ways.

Indias search for economic space resulted in the Look East Policy. The Look East
Policy has today matured into a dynamic and action oriented Act East Policy.
ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was set up in March 2003 in Kuala Lumpur
as a forum to bring key private sector players from India and the ASEAN countries
on a single platform for business.
Trade between India and ASEAN stood at US$ 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and
comprises 10.12% of Indias total trade with the world. The ASEAN-India economic
integration process has got a fillip with the creation of the ASEAN-India Free Trade
Area in July 2015, following the entry into force of the ASEAN-India Trade in
Services and Investment Agreements.
Conclusion of a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement wills further boost our trade and investment ties with the region.
Security Cooperation
The main forum for ASEAN security dialogue is the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
India has been attending annual meetings of this forum since 1996 and has actively
participated in its various activities.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) is the highest defence consultative
and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN.
The ADMM+ brings together Defence Ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations plus
Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the
United States.
Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) is an avenue for track 1.5 diplomacy
focusing on cross cutting maritime issues of common concern. India participated in
the 4th EAMF.
Connectivity
ASEAN-India connectivity is a matter of strategic priority for India as also the ASEAN
countries. In 2013, India became the third dialogue partner of ASEAN to initiate an
ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee-India Meeting.
While India has made considerable progress in implementing the India-Myanmar-
Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Project, issues related
to increasing the maritime and air connectivity between ASEAN and India and
transforming the corridors of connectivity into economic corridors are under
discussion.

ASEAN-India Projects
India has been cooperating with ASEAN by way of implementation of various
projects in various fields.
Space Project envisaged establishment of a Tracking, Data Reception/Data
Processing Station in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and upgradation of Telemetry
Tracking and Command Station in Biak, Indonesia.
India has been supporting ASEAN under the Initiatives for ASEAN Integration,
which includes projects on Training of English Language for Law Enforcement
Officers and Training of professionals dealing with capital markets by National
Institute of Securities Management, Mumbai.
To boost People-to-people Interaction with ASEAN, India has been organising
various programme including Training Programme for ASEAN diplomats, Exchange
of Parliamentarians, Participation of ASEAN students in the National Childrens
Science Congress, ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks.
In the field of agriculture, India and ASEAN have projects such as Exchange of
Farmers, ASEAN-India Fellowships for Higher Agricultural Education in India and
ASEAN, Exchange of Agriculture Scientists, Empowerment of ASEAN-Indian
Women through Cooperatives etc.
In the S&T field, there are projects such as ASEAN-India Collaborative Project on
S&T for Combating Malaria, ASEAN-India Programme on Quality Systems in
Manufacturing, ASEAN-India Collaborative R&D Project on Mariculture, Bio-mining
and Bioremediation Technologies etc.
Q. SAARC is becoming a deadwood, India should look for greener pastures in

ASEAN. Do you agree with the statement? Support your answer with sound
reasoning and explanation citing example.
6.2 11th East Asia Summit

11th East Asia Summit was held at Vientiane, capital city of Laos, on 7-8 Sept
2016.

At the 11th East Asia Summit, leaders discussed matters of regional and
international interest and concerns including maritime security, terrorism, non
proliferation, and irregular migration.
The countries reaffirmed their support for the ASEAN Community building process
and reiterated the importance of ASEANs central role in the East Asia Summit and
the evolving rules-based regional architecture, through ASEAN-led processes.
They also reaffirmed that the East Asia Summit would continue to be an open,
inclusive, transparent, and outward-looking forum that will strengthen global norms
and universally recognized principles with ASEAN as the driving force, and working
in partnership with other participants of the East Asia Summit.
The Summit emphasized the importance of the rule of law in international relations.
About East Asia Summit
Established in 2005, East Asia Summit is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries
of the Asia-Pacific region, formed to deliberate upon the objectives of regional peace,
security and prosperity.
EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of
ASEAN.
The membership of EAS consists of ten ASEAN Member States plus Australia,
China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the
USA.
There are six priority areas of regional cooperation within the framework of the EAS.
These are Environment and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health Issues and
Pandemic Diseases, Natural Disaster Management, and ASEAN Connectivity. India
endorses regional collaboration in all six priority areas.
India And EAS
India has been a part of this process since its inception in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur and
the fact that Indian Prime Ministers have participated in all the Summits, stands
testimony to the importance India attaches to this process.
The relevance of East Asia Summit has been aptly summarised by our Prime
Minister, who in his speech at the 9th EAS, held in Myanmar in November 2014,
stated that "no other forum brings together such a large collective weight of global
population, youth, economy and military strength. Nor is any other forum is so critical
for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia-Pacific and the world. Over the last eight

Summits, we have made progress in a number of areas. We worked on important
issues. We have begun to establish a culture and habit of dialogue and cooperation.
"There's one country in our neighbourhood whose competitive advantage rests solely
in producing and exporting terrorism," said PM Modi in his address at the 11th East
Asia Summit, without naming Pakistan.
6.3 G-20 Summit

Why In News
Eleventh Meeting of group of 20 nation i.e. G-20 was held on 45 Sept 2016 in the
city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province of China.
The theme of 2016 G20 Summit: Towards an Innovative, Invigorated,
Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy is designed in light of the
development needs of all countries amid the current economic situation to promote
stable growth in short term by addressing the symptom and to drive growth in the
long term through tackling the root cause.
Key Priority Areas Of Summit
China has proposed four key priorities in the summit, which are:
1. To break a new path for growth, the focus is to advance reform and innovation
and to create and seize new opportunities to enhance the potential for medium-
to-long term growth in the world economy.
2. To improve global economic and financial governance is about increasing

the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries, and
making the world economy more risk-resilient.
3. To promote international trade and investment is aimed at fostering an open

world economy and reinvigorate global growth.
4. To improve inclusive and interconnected growth calls for implementation of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and will strengthen the
momentum of world economic growth.
Key Highlights
G-20 leaders have pledged to continue to work for a globally fair and modern
international tax system, foster growth and refrain from competitive devaluation of
currencies.
They will continue the work on addressing cross-border financial flows derived from
illicit activities, including deliberate trade mis-invoicing, which hampers the
mobilisation of domestic resources for development.
They vowed to go ahead on the ongoing co-operation on Base Erosion and Profit
Shifting (BEPS), exchange of tax information, tax capacity-building of developing
countries and tax policies to promote growth and tax certainty.
They also vowed to use all policy tools to achieve the goal of strong, sustainable,
balanced and inclusive growth.
They agreed at the summit that refugees are a global issue and the burden must be
shared. They called for strengthening humanitarian assistance for refugees.
About G-20
G20 is a forum of the Heads of Governments of the 19 major economies and the EU
for global cooperation on international economic and financial issues.
The forum has come into existence with the first summit of the Leaders of G20 held
in Washington D.C. in November 2008 in the wake of global financial crisis.
Subsequently, the forum met biannually in 2009 and 2010 and annually since 2011.
There are broadly two channels through which discussions are held and
recommendations are arrived at:
(i) The Finance Channel : The finance Channel comprises of the Finance Ministers and
Central Bank Governors and their Deputies.
(ii) Sherpas Channel: In the Sherpas channel, every member country of G20 has
nominated a Sherpa to lead the Development agenda discussions. The Sherpas
have been tasked by their Leaders to negotiate the Summits documents on their
behalf. Thus, Leaders Declarations are finalised by Sherpas.
G-20 India
As G20 emerged as the premier international forum of economic cooperation,
support structure in the Government of India has also been strengthened with the
establishment of a separate secretariat to provide secretarial and technical support
on all G20 matters.
The G20 India Secretariat is established in the Multilateral Relations Division of the
Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance to coordinate work on all the
G20 related matters in the Government of India.

G20 India Secretariat also receives inputs from external expertise on various issues
through Advisory Groups of eminent scholars and also through DEA Research
Programme on the G20 Issues currently undertaken with the National Institute of
Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).
6.4 17th NAM Summit

The 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Venezuela closed on Sept 18,
with NAM adopting the "Declaration of Margarita Island" which will guide the
development of the movement for the next three years.
Vice President Mr. Hamid Ansari visited Venezuela to attend 17th NAM Summit. This
is the first NAM summit that will not be attended by an Indian PM, except for 1979
when caretaker PM Charan Singh skipped the summit in Havana.
The key issues discussed in the summit were terrorism, UN reform, the situation in
West Asia, threats to peace and security along with UN peacekeeping operations,
climate change, sustainable development, economic governance, south-south
cooperation, refugees and migrants, and nuclear disarmament.
In her inaugural speech, Venezuelan foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez said,
Emancipation, anti-imperialism and peace are the flags that define the XVII NAM
Summit 2016.
With the slogan "United on the Path for Peace, the summit has ratified the defense
on the right of the people to fight for peace and sovereignty.
Among the first heads of state to speak during the summit, were the presidents of
Ecuador, Bolivia and Cuba, who defended the sovereignty of Venezuela during the
current economic crisis, reiterated their support for Palestine in the face of attacks
from Israel, and denounced the fact that the U.S. continues its economic blockade
against Cuba.
Cuban President Raul Castro demanded the end of the blockade in his speech, and
for the U.S. to return the territory it occupies at Guantanamo Bay.
At the summit, Singapore had insisted on adding contents which endorsed

Philippines' South China Sea arbitration case and attempted to strengthen the
contents on the South China Sea in the document. Singapore did not succeed due to
unequivocal opposition from many countries.

About NAM
Background
The creation and strengthening of the socialist block after the defeat of fascism in
World War II, the collapse of colonial empires, the emergence of a bipolar world and
the formation of two military blocks (NATO and the Warsaw Pact) brought about a
new international context that led to the necessity of multilateral coordination fora
between the countries of the South.
In this context, the underdeveloped countries, most of them in Asia and Africa, felt
the need to join efforts for the common defense of their interests, the strengthening
of their independence and sovereignty and the cultural and economic revival or
salvation of their peoples, and also to express a strong commitment with peace by
declaring themselves as "non-aligned" from either of the two nascent military blocks.
The Bandung Asian-African Conference is the most immediate antecedent to the
creation of the NAM. This Conference was held in Bandung in 1955 with the aim of
identifying and assessing world issues and pursuing out joint policies in international
relations.
The principles that would govern relations among large and small nations, known as
the "Ten Principles of Bandung", were proclaimed at that Conference. Such
principles were adopted later as the main goals and objectives of the policy of non-
alignment.
Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded on a
wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade, which was
held on September 1-6, 1961.
India is one of the founding members of the Non Aligned Movement and India hosted
the 7th NAM Summit in 1983 in New Delhi. The last NAM Summit was hosted by Iran
in 2012.
The membership of NAM today comprises 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26
from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan).
There are 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers at
NAM.
Objectives
To promote and reinforce multilateralism and, in this regard, strengthen the central
role that the United Nations must play. To condemn all manifestations of

unilateralism and attempts to exercise hegemonic domination in international
relations.
To defend international peace and security and settle all international disputes by
peaceful means in accordance with the principles and the purposes of the UN
Charter and International Law.
To continue pursuing universal and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament, as
well as a general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international
control.
To promote peaceful coexistence between nations, regardless of their political,
social or economic systems.
To serve as a forum of political coordination of the developing countries to
promote and defend their common interests in the system of international relations.
To encourage relations of friendship and cooperation between all nations based
on the principles of International Law, particularly those enshrined in the Charter of
the United Nations.
To promote concrete initiatives of South-South cooperation and strengthen the role
of NAM in coordination with G 77 and in the re-launching of North-South
cooperation, thus ensuring the fulfillment of the right to development of the people
of NAM countries through the enhancement of international solidarity.
To promote and encourage sustainable development through international
cooperation.
Relevance Of NAM In Post Cold War Era
Since the end of Cold war, NAM is trying to find a role for itself. Earlier it was fighting
against colonialism, racism, apartheid, developed countries and their imperialism on
developing countries. After the end of the Cold war the focus of the movement was
changed. It focused on economic cooperation so that the economic conditions of
the citizens of the developing countries could improve.
The G 77 which takes up the cause of the developing countries in international fora
on economic and development issues was complementary to NAM, hence raises the
question of relevance of NAM in contemporary situations.
Many of the countries that were at the forefront of the movement in its early days
soon drifted into one or the other camps, or disintegrated into separate entities as in

the case of Yugoslavia. To that extent, the concept of non-alignment is is questioned
today.
Also with the rise of other small groupings like BRICS, IBSA etc the relevance of a
big set up like NAM is questioned.
However, it provides a useful forum for the developing countries to meet, discuss
and evolve common positions on some of the problems faced by them, as also in
dealing with situations emerging from actions initiated by the developed countries
through a consensus of their own.
Significance of NAM for India

The NAM that evolved under the shadow of the Cold War has continued relevance in
the context of the prevailing global geo-strategic environment for India.
It continues to have significance in providing a forum for a group that represents
nations whose voice needs to be heard in the evolving global scenario.
Support of UN-NAM total strength compromises of 118 developing countries and
most of them being member of UN general assembly. It represents 2/3 members of
general assembly, hence NAM members act as important supporters of Indias
permanent membership in UN.
NAM is emerging as majority day by day, each year its strength increases which act
as a force and gives a strong platform to its members to put their point on
international issues. For example-NAM recently challenged the United Nation
Secretary Ban-ki-Moons decision to appoint a panel on Human rights violation issue
in Srilanka.

7. DEFENCE AND SECURITY
7.1 Chinese Transgression In Indian Borders
Why In News
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has raised concerns over Chinese
armys transgression in the border of Arunachal Pradesh.
First incident was reported from the Kibithu area in remote Anjaw district and
another at Thangsa in Tawang district.
India China Border Issue
The origins of the Himalayan border dispute stem from a combination of difficult
terrain, nascent survey technology, the absence of a functioning Tibetan state and
due to British Imperial map-making methodology.
In 1914, at the Anglo-Tibetan Simla Conference, the British colonial authorities drew
the McMahon Line (named after the chief negotiator Sir Henry McMahon), which
established the boundary between British India and Tibet.
Although Chinese representatives were present at Simla, they refused to sign or
recognize the accords on the basis that Tibet was under Chinese jurisdiction and
therefore Tibet did not have the power to conclude treaties.

After independence in 1947, India made the McMahon Line its official border with
Tibet. However, following the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet, India and China came
to share a border that had never been delimited by treaty, let alone between the
post-colonial regimes of the Republic of India and the Peoples Republic of China.
Consequently, China viewed the McMahon Line as an illegal, colonial and customary
borderline, while India considered the Line to be its international boundary.
Following a brief period of dtente (the easing of hostility or strained relations,
especially between countries) after Indias independence, the relationship between
India and China soured in the early 1950s under the respective leaderships of Prime
Minister Nehru and Chairman Mao.
On signing the1954 India-China Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between Tibet
Region of China and India, Nehru and his associates thought that the boundary was
no longer an issue and that the Chinese accepted the historical status quo;
effectively, Nehru imagined a trade-off between Tibet and the border.
However, from a Chinese perspective, there was no trade-off, real or imagined, and
the Chinese position has steadfastly remained that Indias recognition of Chinas
sovereignty over Tibet, and Chinas acceptance of the former colonial McMahon
Line, were not connected issues.
Armed conflict erupted between the two nations in 1962. During the month-long war,
Chinese forces advanced deep into Indian territory in Ladakh and Arunachal
Pradesh, before withdrawing back to their previous positions along the so-called Line
of Actual Control.
The 1962 war left India with a deep sense of embarrassing defeat and continues to
act as a traumatic moment for India.
Today, China maintains that the McMahon Line effectively sees India occupying
some 90,000 square kilometres of its territory in the Indian state of Arunachal
Pradesh. India, on the other hand, claims that China is occupying 38,000 square
kilometres of land in Aksai Chin in the North Eastern corner of Jammu and Kashmir
and a further 5180 square kilometres of land in Kashmir ceded to it by Pakistan in
1963.
In essence, Britains colonial legacy sowed the seeds of discord in the Sino-Indian
relationship. And, despite over 30 years of regular dialogues, Sino-Indian border
issues remain complicated and difficult.

China is quite sensitive to the Tibet Issue'. With the Dalai Lama and over 100,000
followers living in India, New Delhi needs constantly to renew its commitment on
curbing Tibetan separatist actions on its soil so as to mitigate suspicion that it might
intend to play the Tibet Card.
China also needs to understand that India does not want an autonomous Tibet.
Accepting Tibet as part of China is convenient for India or else an independent
Greater Tibet' brings to dispute the status of Sikkim, which has in the past, for
centuries, been a vassal-state of Tibet.
Soda Plain / Aksai Chin

Aksai Chin is a disputed region located in the northwestern region of the Tibetan
Plateau just below the western Kunlun Mountains. It is administered by China,
however, claimed by India as a part of its state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Aksai Chin is one of the two main border disputes between China and India, the
other being the dispute over Arunachal Pradesh, which is administered by India
and claimed by China as South Tibet.
The line that separates Indian-administered areas of Kashmir from the Aksai
Chin is known as the Line of Actual Control. Aksai Chin is a vast high-altitude
desert of salt that reaches heights up to 5,000 metres. Geographically part of the
Tibetan Plateau, Aksai Chin is referred to as the Soda Plain.
7.2 Scorpene Data Leak Issue

Why In News
Recently newspaper The Australian reported the data leak about submarine
Scorpene and posted information consisting of the technical manual related to the
Scorpenes underwater warfare sub-system and the operating instruction manual
related to the Combat Management System (CMS) .
The leaked report consists of 22,400 pages of the data on the combat and stealth
capabilities of the Scorpene submarine.
Six Scorpene submarines are being built at the India owned Mazagaon Dock Limited
with the collaboration of DCNS of France under Project 75 India.
About Scorpene Submarine

It is associated with Scorpene diesel-electric submarines and Exocet missiles
(French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface
vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft).
This submarine will join India's 13 diesel-electric submarines out of which only half of
them are available at any given time for operations.
The 66-metre submarine can dive up to a depth of 300 metres to elude enemy
detection.
The first submarine will be named INS Kalvari, while the second will be christened as
INS Khanderi.
Significance Of The Project For India
The navy is betting on the Scorpene project to sharpen its underwater attack
capabilities.
India operates 13 ageing conventional submarines and an Akula-II nuclear-powered
attack boat leased from Russia.
The Indian fleet consists of Russian Kilo-class and German HDW class 209
submarines. Limited serviceability is also an issue - not all these boats are battle
ready at any given point of time.
Indias sub-sea warfare capability pales in front of Chinas. The Communist
neighbour operates 53 diesel-electric attack submarines, five nuclear attack
submarines and four nuclear ballistic missile submarines.
Reasons For India Should Be Concerned About The Data Leak

The contents of the report will undermine Indias maritime security. The six
Scorpenes one which began sea trials in May 2016 and the five others still under
construction were supposed to provide a cutting-edge to Indias ageing submarine
fleet.
The information on the submarines navigation and sonar systems as well as its
acoustic profile, tell an enemy how both to avoid being found by and how to find a
Scorpene. And, in submarine warfare, the endgame begins with detection.
It will put a question on the countrys Indian Ocean strategy. Chinese submarine
activity in the Indian Ocean has increased dramatically in the past few years. The
Scorpene was supposed to be the Indian counter for the next two decades. This will
now be in question. India may be required to retrofit more advanced sonar and

navigation in the present hulls adding to an already expensive $3.5 billion
purchase.
The Scorpene incident should be just another reminder of Indias need to re-look at
its own cyber security and defence production norms.
Drawback in Indias Maritime Security Strategy
India continues to import much of its military needs including combat rifles and
specialised clothing. The multiplicity of players this introduces means the likelihood
of leaks and hacks increases hence enhances Indias vulnerability in national
security.
Despite the claims of the defence ministry and other government agencies, India
remains a laggard in terms of securing its more sensitive systems. Cyber security
remains a policy domain fragmented among over a dozen agencies.
It is an open secret that foreign intelligence agencies and defence firms are reluctant
to share sensitive technology with India because they believe the computer systems
of its State-owned defence companies are wholly compromised by the Chinese. It is
not as if India does not have world-class cyber security capabilities but these lie in
its private companies and largely ignored by New Delhi.
7.3 Uri Attack And The Follow Up Surgical Strike

Why In News
Four fidayeen terrorists of Jaish- e-Mohammed has attacked on army camp near line
of control in Uri area of Baramulla district of Srinagar.
Seventeen soldiers were killed and 23 more were injured in a militant attack and in
the counter action, four terrorists were killed by Indian army and several combing
operations has been done.
This is the second attack on military establishment after the Pathankot air base
attack this year. The needle of suspicion points to militant outfits from across the
border after the four suicide bombers were killed during the counter attack by the
Indian forces.
In response, Indian armed force carried out surgical strikes on terrorists camps in
Pakistans occupied Kashmir. The operation was planned in retaliation of the 18
September attack on the army base in Uri in Indian-administered Kashmir.

A surgical strike is a military attack which results in, or is claimed to have resulted
in only damage to the intended legitimate military target, and no or minimal collateral
damage to surrounding structures, vehicles, buildings, or the general public
infrastructure and utilities.
However, Pakistan denied that a cross-border strike had taken place, saying that
Indian troops had fired small arms across the Line of Control in which two soldiers
had been killed and nine injured.
The Issues Raised By The Attack (Drawbacks in Indian Security Strategy)
The perpetrators had very detailed information about the layout of the camp itself.
Perhaps, they had information about change of guard i.e. the fact that two units were
handing over and these groups of soldiers were the most vulnerable and therefore,
they used innovative tactics of setting the tents on fire later on using their ordinance
to kill them. This evidenced the chances of local collusion and showcased lacunas
in security strategy of Indian army.
There is an element of vulnerability when turnover takes place not only on the
base but also at the pickets because the soldiers deployed are new to the place for a
couple of days. The soldiers are housed in tents because there are a larger number
of people in the barracks than normal which should not be done.
Local intelligence agencies of the Indian side had provided some kind of indication
that there were 4-6 people in the region and were planning such kind of attack but
there was a lapse from the Indian side. The intelligence asymmetry and lack of
coordination worked in favour of the terrorists.
There have been shortcomings on the military leadership because somewhere
these repeated incidents of assaults are not being taken seriously. Pathankot
incident has shown that a military target is good for a terrorist attack as it
delegitimizes the army in front of its own people and enhances the profile of the
terrorists as they take up on the might of a country and succeed in it.
There are shortcomings on the political front because the rhetoric that has come
after each attack of taking strict action, using harsh words etc. proves our
unpreparedness in the efforts of handling such attacks when such attacks actually
happen time and again.
India still does not have a comprehensive national policy to deal with domestic
militancy and cross border terrorism.

The Pakistan Factor
The evidences gathered from the site regarding four terrorist who attacked army
camp suggested the role of Pakistan in the attack.
The Pakistani military may have a possible major role in this action because the
details of battalions are maintained by them as well and the attack at this crucial time
cannot be done without military inputs.
This attack is traditional to India-Pakistan tensions. The Pakistani intentions are to
bring India over to the negotiating table on Kashmir issue through talks.
Indian Prime Minister at every international forum has mentioned terrorism and his
concerns over it. In his 15th August speech of this year, he referred to Baluchistan
and PoK.
Though Pakistan has rejected its role in this attack and has criticized India for
blaming Pakistan even prior of conducting a proper investigation.
What Steps Should India Take
There is a urgent need of robust well documented national security doctrine and
sophisticated political response about which no political discussion has been
taken.
The policy makers have to formulate a well-defined security strategy to defeat
Pakistans proxy war strategy. Indias response ought to be at both strategic and
operational levels. The strategic dimensions have to be driven through politico-
diplomatic means, complemented by Comprehensive National Power, including both
hard and soft power to bring requisite pressure to bear on Islamabad to mend its
ways.
There is a need for coordination between various internal security agencies and the
armed forces to ensure seamless synergy. The roles of the two sets of forces need
to be clearly defined.
Right now military option is complicated to adopt because, there is a risk of triggering
off a bigger conflict which might eventually end in a nuclear war. Military action taken
on the Line of Control might not put enough pressure on Pakistanis. India has to
keep pressurizing Pakistan by making references in terms of Balochistan, Gilgit and
PoK, give moral and political support to leaders there and take this issue to
international forums as well. For an aggressive diplomacy, India first needs to

counter the two linchpins i.e. US and China of the Pakistani support system. Both of
them are equally difficult to tackle.
As far as isolating Pakistan is concerned, it is little difficult because there are many
other interests which come into play. What goes here in Indias favour is the fact that
US, UK, France in recent months have suffered acts of terror with direct links to
Pakistan. Indian government is preparing to take on Pakistan diplomatically at the
international level and expose it for supporting terrorism. Financial sanctions can be
imposed as a first step if India can convince these countries in UN or other
international forums such as G-20, SAARC etc.
7.4 Army Design Bureau

The Indian Army has set up Army Design Bureau to reduce its import dependence
and to promote indigenous procurement.
The Design Bureau has been established as a part of governments Make in India
programme and will integrate all stakeholders (government, industries, acad) to
enhance indigenization.
ADB will provide a better understanding of the Armys requirements to the academia,
research organisations and the industry for developing high tech defence products.
It will be the interface of the Indian Army for a single point contact for all stakeholders
which would help R&D fraternity in developing indigenous solutions.
It will help the Indian Army to be constantly involved at every stage from
conceptualisation to design to development trails and production to sustenance for
its modernisation needs.
ADB comes in the wake of rapid changes in technology and consequent changes in
war fighting techniques.
7.5 INS TRIKAND

Ins Trikand has been deployed on a goodwill visit to East Africa and Southern Indian
Ocean. The ship was at Antsiranana from 31 Aug to 03 Sep 2016 to further bilateral
ties with Madagascar.
The commissioning of INS Trikand in 2013 marks the culmination of a three ship
contract for Follow On Talwar Class ships built in Russia, and is therefore a
milestone in the Indo-Russian military-technological cooperation.

The other ships of the class viz, INS Teg and INS Tarkash were commissioned in
2015 and are now undertaking operations as part of the Western Fleet.
INS Trikand carries a state-of-the-art combat suite which includes the supersonic
BRAHMOS missile system, advanced Surface to Air missiles Shtil, upgraded A190
medium range gun, Electro-optical 30 mm Close-in Weapon System, Anti-Submarine
weapons such as torpedoes and rockets and an advanced Electronic Warfare
system.
The weapons and sensors are integrated through a Combat Management System
Trebovanie-M, which enables the ship to simultaneously neutralise multiple surface,
sub-surface and air threats.
The ship also incorporates innovative features to reduce radar, magnetic and
acoustic signatures, which have earned this class of ships the sobriquet of Stealth
frigates.
The ship is powered by four gas turbines and is capable of speeds in excess of 30
knots. The ship can carry an integrated Kamov 31 helicopter which is best suited for
airborne early warning roles.

8. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8.1 Zika Spread In Singapore

Why In News
In just one week, Zika cases in Singapore have gone from zero to 242 which has
raised concerns about a potential rapid surge in cases across Asia.
According to recent study roughly 2.6 billion people could be at risk of zika.
It is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is
also the carrier of dengue and chikungunya viruses.
Zika has mild effects for most people but doctors believe infection during pregnancy
can result in babies with small heads, which is known as microcephaly, and other
serious developmental disorders.
Why This Spread In Singapore
Singapore is known to suffer widely from dengue virus and Zika is very closely
related to dengue. It has all the genetic traits that would allow it to spread where
dengue thrives -- the virus can infect and spread through the same Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes that spread dengue virus.
In Singapore, many people live in densely packed apartment blocks so it's easy for
high numbers of people to get infected even if there are only a few mosquitoes flying
around
How To Control The Spread

One size fits to all wont work. It requires different measures in different countries.
To prevent Zika from becoming entrenched in local population of an area, all
confirmed cases must be admitted to a public hospital until they recover and test
negative for the virus. This will prevent further spread.
Pre-emptive approach could be undertaken by regular inspections at residential
and commercial premises to remove the breeding habitats of vectors and prevent the
transmission of diseases.
Community-level implementation of small interventions to prevent water
accumulation in coolers, manhole lids, tyres and water tanks along with general
cleanliness particularly in the urban areas are required.

The virus doesn't cause symptoms in most people and only mild symptoms, usually,
in those who do get sick, so people can be asked to voluntarily give blood or urine
samples to see if they've been infected.
In Miami's Wynwood neighbourhood, both aerial spraying for adults and use of
larvicides to kill baby mosquitoes worked well in helping control an outbreak of Zika.
This strategy can also be employed elsewhere.
8.2 Dengue Menace

Dengue is being reported in explosive proportions globally in recent decades, bringing
with it a substantial socioeconomic impact on individuals and society. Mortality from it
still prevails in developing countries, forming a formidable threat to public health.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical viral disease spread by several species
of mosquito of the Aedes type, principally A. aegypti. In a small proportion of cases, the
disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting
in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue
shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.
Case of India
India has reported an annual average of 20,474 dengue cases (2006-12).
It surged to 40,571 with 137 deaths in 2014. In 2015, there were 100,000 cases and
220 deaths.
Urban hubs like the national capital New Delhi, and State capitals like Kolkata and
Bengaluru are struggling to fight the endemic form of dengue.
India is bearing an estimated total annual economic cost of $1.11 billion due to
dengue, which includes direct medical costs of $548 million.

How To Minimise The Impact
Vector control takes centre stage to prevent spread of Dengue. It is observed that
dengue mosquitoes are found inside homes; hence impregnating indoor curtains with
insecticides such as Pyrethroid has proved efficacious
Use mosquito repellents. Almond oil with few drops of neem oil can be effective.
Beside this robust and accurate surveillance, modelling studies, heat maps of global
data and release of sterile mosquitoes can be seriously taken into consideration.
8.3 Chikungunya Spread

About Chikungunya
It is a fever caused by a Arbovirus that is transmitted between people by two types
of mosquitos: Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. They mainly bite during the day.
Arboviruses were originally present only in the forest areas infecting primarily
monkey species. Humans were just incidental hosts. But now due to the impact of
industrialisation and loss of forest cover, these viruses have made humans as their
permanent hosts.
The virus cannot spread from one human to another but can spread only by
mosquitoes which get infected while biting an infected individual, thereafter
transmitting the virus by biting an uninfected individual.
Female mosquitoes need proteins from mammalian blood for their eggs to develop,
which is why they bite humans and due to this they spread to humans as certain
viruses like the dengue and chikungunya viruses collectively called arboviruses
(ARthropodBOrne viruses) make use of this requirement of the mosquitoes to ensure
their own survival.
Like childhoods chicken pox, it happens only once in lifetime.
Challenges Of Chikungunya Control
At present there are no virus-specific detection methods and doctors have to

resort to employing antibody-specific testing which delays diagnosis by a great

extent. This is a primary concern with respect to chikungunya treatment and its
effective diagnosis.
A lack of sensitive virus-specific diagnostic tools, an absence of drugs/vaccine, poor
vector control measures and public awareness contribute tremendously in escalating
the problem in effectively managing chikungunya.
How To Manage This Crisis Of Chikungunya
Only effective method to control this hugely debilitating infection is intense vector
control and public health awareness programmes

Beside this robust and accurate surveillance, modelling studies, heat maps of global
data and release of sterile mosquitoes can be seriously taken into consideration
8.4 Sri Lanka Has Been Declared Malaria Free

After certifying that the life-threatening disease had been completely eliminated in
the island, WHO declared Sri Lanka Malaria-free.
Apart from Sri Lanka, only the Maldives and Singapore have been declared free of
the disease in the region (Asia).
It is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused
by parasitic protozoans (a group of single-celled microorganisms) belonging to
the Plasmodium type. The disease is most commonly transmitted by an infected
female Anopheles mosquito.
Malaria Worldwide
According to 2015 data of WHO, there were 214 million new cases of malaria and
438,000 deaths from the illness worldwide.
The African region accounted for most, or 88%, of new cases followed by the
Southeast Asia at 10%, and the eastern Mediterranean at 2%.
In Southeast Asia as many as 1.3 billion people are estimated to be at risk from the
disease.

Indian Scenario
Although the number of cases of malaria have come down from 2 million to
approximately 1,12,000 between 2000 and 2015, it continues to affect a large
section of population.
According to a WHO report, 80 % of malaria cases in India are reported in north and
north east India where only 20 % of the country's total population lives.
287 deaths were reported due to malaria in India in 2015 alone.
Lessons From Srilanka: Grassroots surveillance and early detection of the disease is
key to defeating the parasite.
Bicyclic Azetidine Series

It is newly discovered novel compound that shows great promise in the battle
against malaria.
It was found to cure the disease with just a single, low-dose treatment, provide
prophylaxis and prevent disease transmission both in the lab and in animals.
The compound was able to achieve extraordinary results in mice as it targets the
parasites protein translation machinery (phenylalanine tRNAsynthetase), which is
the very core of the parasites housekeeping function of synthesising about 5,000
proteins
Q. Why there is severe outbreak of Malaria in tropical countries? Does carrier of this
disease is linked any how to zika? What strategies would you suggest to effectively
fight against these type of diseases?
8.5 Dark Matter
Most of the mass of the universe is made up of material called dark matter which
scientists cannot directly observe but can only be detected from its gravitational effects.
It does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot.
Nature Of Dark Matter

Dark matter is called dark because it is invisible.
It accounts for almost a quarter of the universe; without which galaxies would fall
apart.

Dark matter is five times more abundant than regular matter- Stuff that makes star,
galaxies, planets, rocks.
Dark matter particles can pass through regular matter almost completely undetected
since they do not interact electrostatically.
Experiments To Trace Dark Matter
Most dark matter experiments are searching for a type of particles called WIMPs, or
weakly interacting massive particles.
Weakly interacting means that WIMPs barely ever talk to regular matter. They
dont often bump into other matter and also dont emit lightproperties that could
explain why researchers havent been able to detect them yet.
Created in the early universe, they would be heavy (massive) and slow-moving
enough to gravitationally clump together and form structures observed in todays
universe.
Scientists predict that dark matter is made of particles. But that assumption is based
on what they know about the nature of regular matter, which makes up only about 4
% of the universe.
WIMPs advanced in popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s when scientists
realized that particles that naturally pop out in models of Supersymmetry could
potentially explain the seemingly unrelated cosmic mystery of dark matter.
8.6 Stratellite Communication

Stratellite are high altitude airships which hover in the stratosphere, nearly 20 km above
the surface of the earth. Communication through these offers several advantages:
a) Fixed location: In this type of communication location of receiving antennas can be

fixed and would not have to be changed from time to time.
b) Minimum interference between signals: It will have minimal interference, unlike in
satellite communication which complicates the process of transmission.
c) Minimal distance at which the Stratellite is placed from the earths surface
guarantees clearer transmission and faster reception due to significantly less
interference.
d) Due to greater area coverage and better transmission it could replace the exceeding
number of satellites.
e) Cost of manufacturing is low and could be launched multiple times.
Difficulties Faced
Many models have been sent but all have failed. This is due to complex nature of
environment through which they have to enter i.e Jet stream where climate is
extremely violent.
Other problem is sustenance of helium inside it which must be expended to 10 times
what it is at ground level requiring extremely complex system to make it possible.
8.7 GSLV-F05 Rocket Put INSAT-3DR In The Orbit

INSAT-3DR is an advanced weather satellite.
Satellite has been transferred into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
GSLV-F05 has indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage as its fourth stage.
The INSAT-3DR carries a multi-spectral Imager, one of the four payloads. It will
generate images of the Earth from a geostationary altitude of 36,000 km every 26
minutes and provide information on parameters such as sea surface temperature,
snow cover, cloud motion winds, among others.
The major users of the service will be the Indian Coast Guards, Airports Authority of
India (AAI), Directorate General of Shipping, Defence Services and fishermen.
The Indian service region will cover a large part of the Indian Ocean and will also
include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania
for providing distress alert services.
8.8 Magnetar 1E 1613 :

NASAs Swift telescope has found a magnetar called 1E, located about 9,000 light
years from Earth.
This star possesses the most powerful magnetic fields in the universe trillions of
times that observed on the Sun and can erupt with enormous amounts of energy.
Magnetars are an extremely dense type of neutron star that can produce magnetic
fields trillions of times stronger than our suns. Neutron stars are formed when stars
more massive than our sun explode as supernovae.

8.9 Sarathi
Indigenously designed and built, it is Indian Coast Guard Ship- third ship in the series
of six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) commissioned recently.
The ship is designed to carry one twin engine Light Helicopter and five high speed
boats including two Quick Reaction Inflatable Boats for swift boarding operations,
search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.
The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill
at sea.
8.10 TIHAYU
It is Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC).
It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata
It is fitted with three water jet propulsion systems powered by marine diesel engines
generating 2720 KW of power.
8.11 Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

It is a public-private coalition, headquartered at the Norwegian Institute of Public
Health in Oslo, that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines.
India is a key member of it.
It grew out of the widespread conviction that vaccines languishing in R&D could have
prevented the recent Ebola epidemic
The coalition will not focus on diseases that already have sufficient attention, but will
be guided by WHOs R&D blueprint (2016), which lists eleven illnesses to focus on,
including Chikungunya, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Crimean-Congo
Haemorrhagic fever etc.
8.12 Biodegradable Energy Harvester - From Raw Fish Scales

Fish scales, a by-product that is usually thrown away, contain collagen fibres that
possess a piezoelectric property, which means that an electric charge is generated
in them in response to mechanical stress.

Researchers, at Jadavpur University, have synthesised flexible bio-piezoelectric
nanogenerator (BPNG) from this bio-waste.
This could be used in transparent electronics, biocompatible and biodegradable
electronics, edible electronics.
This could act as a sustainable green energy source for next generation self-
powered implantable medical devices.
Apart from above in self-powered implantable medical devices, surgeries, e-
healthcare monitoring, as well as in vitro and in vivo diagnostics, apart from its
myriad uses for portable electronics.
8.13 Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award

Dineshs research disproved a long-held assumption that it is not possible for a radio
to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the interference that
results.
His work culminated in making full-duplex radios a reality through the development
of effective self-interference cancellation technology. A full duplex radio is a radio
that can simultaneously transmit and receive on the same channel.
Prospect Area Of Applications
Building novel wireless imaging that can enable driverless cars move in severe
weather conditions and help blind people to navigate indoors.
Build relays which can listen to signals from a cellular tower, transmit them instantly
and extend the range across the country.
8.14 India Declares itself Free from Avian Influenza (H5N1)

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers welfare has declared India free from Avian Influenza (H5N1)
from 5th September, 2016
What is H5N1
Commonly called bird flu, it is an infectious viral disease of birds.
The A (H5N1) virus subtype, a highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus, first infected
humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong SAR, China.

The majority of human cases of A(H5N1) infection have been associated with direct
or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry.
Concern: H5N1 infection can cause severe disease and has a high mortality rate in
humans. If the H5N1 virus were to change and become easily transmissible from
person to person while retaining its capacity to cause severe disease, the
consequences for public health could be very serious.
8.15 Tiangong-2
It is a space lab of china which
was launched recently. Other facts:
It is part of an ambitious plan, Chinas first space station Tiangong 1
stretched along several phases, to was launched in 2011 and went out of
establish a manned space service earlier this year.
station around 2022.
Tainzhou-1: It is chinas first cargo ship
Uses: It will be used for "testing which will be docked with Tianwgong-2, in
systems and processes for mid- order to provide it with fuel and other
term space stays and refuelling," supplies. Tainzhou-1 will lift-off in April
and will house experiments in 2017
medicine and various space-
related technologies.
8.16 Synchronising Computers to Indian Standard Time
National Physical Laboratory(NPL), the organisation that defines the Indian Standard
Time (IST), has formally proposed to the Central government that all Indian
computers be legally required to synchronise their clocks to the IST.
Need of this synchronisation: Currently time displayed on laptops or smartphones
are derived from multiple American servers. Due to this it would be a few seconds off
from the actual Indian time. The frequent mismatches in the time stamps make it
harder for Indian cyber security experts to investigate Internet-perpetrated frauds.
8.17 Hydrogen-bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs)

Researchers from Punes Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
(IISER) and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) have synthesised two novel porous
and crystalline hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) that could potentially

be used as a proton exchange membrane in fuel cells which could make fuel cells
that are cheaper and more efficient.
They are hydrogen bonded complex compound which have the advantages of
solution process ability and characterization and easy purification.
Currently Nafion is used which has major drawbacks in terms of applicability at a
high temperature range or low humidity, high production costs and gas leakage
issues.
Other application of HoF:
The HOFs are promising materials for gas separation and storage applications.
These compound have the potential to remove greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide.
8.18 Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

It is newly introduced new star
ISEER is the ratio of the total annual amount
rating methodology for AC by
of heat that the equipment can remove from
Bureau of energy efficiency (BEE) the indoor air when operated for cooling in
which takes into account different
active mode to the total annual amount of
climatic zones in India.
energy consumed by the equipment during
It measures energy efficiency of the same period.
air-conditioners based on a
weighted average of performance at outside temperatures between 24 and 43C
based on Indian weather data.
It will help usher in higher energy efficiency of appliances and reduce energy
consumption under different Indian climatic conditions.
8.19 Avoiding Excessive Use Of Pesticides

Current spraying of pesticides has a retention problem. While only 2 % sticks to
plants, significant portion of pesticides bounces off the plants into agricultural lands,
and the runoff eventually pollutes our water sources.
Whats new Technique: Researchers from MIT as found a way which could allow
farmers to get the same effects by using just 1/10th of the pesticide.
How it works: A combination of two inexpensive additives is used in sprayeach
prepared with a different polymer substance. One gives the solution a negative
electric charge; the other results in a positive charge. When two of the oppositely-

charged droplets meet on a leaf surface, they form a hydrophilic (water attracting)
defect that sticks to the surface and increases the retention.
8.20 Development Of Cheap Solution By IIT Madras To Make Brackish Water
Potable
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has developed a technology that can
make it possible to convert brackish water into drinking water at about 12 paisa per
litre and that too at much ease at home.
The researchers used a stack of tissue paper and carbonised it at high temperature
to make graphene. Graphite electrodes were then coated with the graphene
produced in the lab. When a small potential is applied to the electrodes, the brackish
water gets deionised to become potable water.
To render the graphene porous, silica precursors were added to the graphene and
removed subsequently. The removal of silica makes the graphene porous while
retaining its structural integrity.
When the electrodes are dipped into brackish water and 1.8-volt potential is applied
to the electrodes, the sodium and chloride ions move towards respective electrodes
and get adsorbed. In about five minutes, the brackish water turns into potable water
with less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of sodium chloride, which is less than the
permissible limit for drinking water.
Graphene:
8.21 Aperture Spherical Telescope It is an allotrope of carbon, in
It is a largest single dish radio telescope in which Carbons are bonded
the world developed by China. together in a hexagonal
honeycomb lattice.
It is 500-meters in diameter and located in
southern Guizhou Province. It is about 100 times stronger
It will search for gravitational waves, detect than the strongest steel.
radio emissions from stars and galaxies and It conducts heat and electricity
listen for signs of intelligent extra-terrestrial life efficiently and is nearly
transparent.
8.22 PSLV Puts 8 Satellite Into Orbit

ISROs PSLV C-35 rocket has launched a total of eight satellites into two different
orbits. This launch is "the first mission of PSLV in which it had launched its payloads
into two different orbit.

Satellites that were placed into orbit:
o SCATSAT-1: A satellite for weather-related studies.
o PISAT and PRATHAM: Satellites from two educational institutions.
o ALSAT-1B, 2B and 1N: These three commercial payloads are from Algeria.
o Other Satellite each for Canada (NLS-19) and the United States (Pathfinder-1).
8.23 Rosetta Mission

Rosetta is set to complete its mission in a controlled descent to the comet
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenkos surface.
The Mission was launched in 2004 and arrived at Comet 67P/Churyumov-
Gerasimenko on August 6, 2014, after a 10-year journey through the Solar System.
Objective of Rosetta is to help understand the origin and evolution of the Solar
System.
Why comet was chosen for probe: Comets composition reflects the composition
of the pre-solar nebula out of which the Sun and the planets of the Solar System
formed, more than 4.6 billion years ago. Therefore, an in-depth analysis of comet
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by Rosetta and its lander will provide essential
information to understand how the Solar System formed.
It is the first mission to orbit and land on a comet. That makes Rosetta one of the
most complex and ambitious missions ever undertaken.
It will be the first spacecraft to witness, at close proximity, how a comet changes as it
approaches the increasing intensity of the Suns radiation.
8.24 Europa
It is one of more than 50 moons circling the Jupiter.
NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has found evidence of possible water plumes.
It is considered by NASA as a top candidate for life elsewhere in the solar system
because it is believed to possess a massive, salty, subsurface ocean that is twice the
size of Earths.
8.25 Mars Orbiter Mission/ Chandrayaan

On 24 Sept 2016, MOM completed its second birthday.
Originally designed to last just six months on its on-board fuel, the orbiter continues
to scan the red planet elliptically from a distance of around 400 km x 70,000 km.
India became the only nation to date to put a spacecraft around the planet in its very
first attempt.
India is fourth country after Russia, the U.S. and Europe to launch mission on red
planet i.e Mars.
This orbiter still sends interesting photos and information to Indian data keepers
across millions of kilometres.
8.26 A New Handheld Device To Detect Melamine In Milk
Through a handheld melamine detector developed by researchers at the Indian Institute

of Science (IISc), the presence of melamine in milk can be detected at room temperature
within a few seconds through a change in colour.
How Technology Works
Prior to melamine detection, the milk is processed to remove fat and proteins as they
tend to interfere with detection.
Silver nitrate and the leaf extract added in a particular ratio and at a particular pH is
used to detect the presence of melamine
If melamine is present, then it interferes with the synthesis and there is abrupt
formation of nanoparticles leading to colour change
The change in colour depends on the amount of melamine present and, therefore,
the extent of its interference with the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The colour
change can be directly observed by the naked eye and also recorded by spectral
change.
The silver nanoparticles are reddish yellow in the absence of melamine, while it
becomes nearly colourless when melamine is present.
Melamine Concern
Due to the presence of nitrogen, the addition of melamine to milk makes it look
protein-rich.

But, melamine content of more than 1 ppm in infant formula and more than 2.5 ppm
in other foods should be viewed with suspicion of adulteration.
In 2008, at least four babies in China died and around 100,000 became sick after
consuming powdered milk baby food laced with melamine.
8.27 Scrub Typhus
There has been rising number of cases and deaths due to Scrub Typhus in Himachal
Pradesh.
Scrub Typhus is an acute illness caused by a bacterium OrintiaTsutsugamushi,
which is transmitted by the bite of an infected mite larva present in the soil having
scrub vegetation.
Himachal is an endemic region as it has a large scrub vegetation.

9. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
9.1 U.S. And China Ratified Paris Climate Agreement

Why In News
As a major step towards the enactment of the Paris Climate agreement, the two biggest
emitters of green house gases U.S. & China ratified the agreement of global
greenhouse gas emission.
About Paris Climate Agreement
At COP 21 in Paris, Parties to the UNFCCC reached a landmark agreement to
combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments
needed for a sustainable low carbon future.
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and for the first time brings all
nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate
change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries
to do so.
The Paris Agreement requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through
nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in
the years ahead. This includes requirements that all Parties report regularly on their
emissions and on their implementation efforts.
To keep global temperatures "well below" 2.0C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times
and endeavor to limit them even more, to 1.5C.
To limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity to the same
levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally, beginning at some point
between 2050 and 2100.
To review each country's contribution to cutting emissions every five years so they
scale up to the challenge.
For rich countries to help poorer nations by providing "climate finance" to adapt to
climate change and switch to renewable energy. The teraget is $100bn a year in
climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further
finance in the future.
The Paris Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th day after the date on which at
least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55%
of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of

ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary. The first of these
thresholds was achieved on 22 September 2016.
Once the deal comes into force, countries that have ratified it have to wait for a
minimum of three years before they exit.
9.2 Majuli: Worlds Largest River Island

Why In News
Majuli Island, located amidst the river Brahmaputra in Assam, has recently been
declared the largest river island in the world. It toppled Marajo Island in Brazil,
according to Guinness World Records.
The river island covers an area of around 880 sq km.
Formation
The island is formed by the Brahmaputra in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an
anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri River in the north.
The island was formed due to course changes by the river Brahmaputra and its
tributaries, mainly the Lohit.
Cultural Attributes
Home to an estimated 160,000 people of different ethnic groups, the island is an

assembly constituency reserved for scheduled tribes.
The island is inhabited by Mising, Deori and Sonowal Kachri tribes speaking Mising,
Assamese and Deori language.
Majuli is the nerve centre of neo-Vaishnavite.
It has been included in the tentative list of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Ecological Importance
Majuli is the largest fresh Water mid-river deltaic island in the world. The island is a
bio-diversity hotspot and has rich ecology with rare breeds of flora and fauna.
Possess tremendous potential for Eco tourism.

The riverine topography especially the chars (strips of sand and silt deposition) add
to its magnificence.

Threats Faced By The Island
The island lost around one-third of its area in the last 30-40 years due to frequent
flooding of the river leading to erosion of its shoreline.
Not only the Brahmaputra, but also seismic activities have affected the geological,
ecological, and biological coordinates of Majuli.
Apart from its shrinking base and area many of its biological species are either
shifting or dying due to ongoing ecological changes.
Measures
Majuli Island Protection and Development Council, a non-government organization
promoted by the people of Majuli, to promote the conservation and development of
the Island.
The organization is to building up mass awareness about the perilous future of this
unique Island and its shrinking shoreline due to rapid erosion
9.3 IUCN and 25th World Conservation Congress

th
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is conducting its 25
World Conservation Congress in Hawaii. The last Congress was held in Jeju, South
Korea in 2012.
US is hosting the event for the first time.
Theme: The theme for this years IUCN Congress is Planet at the crossroads.
Objectives and Agenda

The Congress aims to improve management of natural environment for human,
social and economic development.
The IUCN Congress also focuses on creating good environmental governance,

engaging all parts of society to share both the responsibilities and the benefits of
conservation.
The main issues to be discussed at the Congress are wildlife trafficking, ocean
conservation, nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation,
and private investment in conservation.

The IUCN Congress is expected to set the course for using nature based solutions to
help move millions out of poverty, creating a more sustainable economy and
restoring a healthier relationship with our planet.
IUCN congresses have produced several key international environmental
agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the World Heritage
Convention, and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.
About IUCN
IUCN was founded in October 1948 as the International Union for the Protection of
Nature (or IUPN) following an international conference in Fontainebleau, France.
In 1956 it was renamed as International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources with the acronym IUCN.
IUCN is the worlds first global environmental organization. Today it is the largest
professional global conservation network, headquartered at Geneva.
IUCN provides governments and institutions at all levels with the impetus to achieve
universal goals, including on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable
development.
The IUCN Red List is set upon precise criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of
thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and
all regions of the world.
The aim is to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public and
policymakers, as well as help the international community to try to reduce species
extinction.
Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups, set through criteria
such as rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree
of population and distribution fragmentation.

9.4 Environmental Governance At Odds With The Good Governance
What Is The Issue
There is a concern from some quarters that Environmental Ministry is paying a lip
service to the forest conservation while rules to meet the demands of development in
process compromising Indias ecological security. Since 2011, it has consistently
ignored the Supreme Courts direction on the appointment of a national regulator for
enforcing environmental conditions and to impose penalties.
It is being alleged that the MoEF has turned into a virtual project-clearing house. In
March 2015 it operationalised the online single-window clearance system with rarely
any project getting rejected.
NBWL Loses Its Ground
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a crucial statutory committee consisting of
47 members chaired by the Prime Minister. Its mandate is to promote conservation
of wildlife and Protected Areas (PAs).
As per The Wildlife (Protection) Act the NBWL (not the government) has to constitute
a 10-member standing committee chaired by the Environment Minister.
The standing committee has assumed all powers of the NBWL and is operating
independently. This has serious consequences for wildlife. Committee is clearing
projects seeking entry into Protected Areas which are important to buffer impacts
and ensure landscape connectivity.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act unambiguously mandates that there shall be no

destruction or diversion of habitat unless it is for the improvement and better
management of wildlife. However the cleared projects run contrary to these
objectives.
Dilution of Laws
Ministry is also diluting regulations through a slew of circulars/guidelines. In the last
two years the guidelines on diversion of forest land for all linear projects such as new
roads, widening of highways, railway lines, etc. were simplified with an amendment
that Stage I clearance will also be a deemed working permission for commencement
of work and felling of trees.
These dilutions vary from sectors ranging from mining to power. Extension of Mining
Leases from 30 years to 50 years based upon the Mines and Minerals (Development
& Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2015.

These dilutions have greatly contributed to fast-track clearances of nearly 50,000
hectares of forest land between June 2014 and April 2016 which has affected the
tenets of environmental governance.
What Is The Challenge
The most crucial governance challenge for the Ministry is how to balance development
imperatives without compromising on ecological security. However, ensuring ease of
doing business appears to have become its main business, which is tantamount to
abdication of its constitutional and legal duty.
What Should Be Done
The Ministry needs to abandon outdated ideas like Compensatory Afforestation
which doesnt actually compensate the diversion of more natural forests. More
reliable approach would be knowledge-driven plans to resolve competing
demands.
The need of the hour is to consider the conservation as a means to achieve
development, rather than considering it to be anti-growth. Credible action in the
clearance process will not only result in good governance but also lead to
conservation of forests and wildlife.
9.5 G20 Countries Score Poorly In Climate Goals Report

What Is The News
Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of G20 countries are rising consistently,
according to the report of Climate Transparency, an open global consortium,
brought ahead of the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit to be held in China in September.
Climate Transparency was co-founded under the leadership of Peter Eigen, Founder
of Transparency International and Alvaro Umaa, former Minister of Environment
and Energy, Costa Rica in 2014.
What The Report Says

Between 1990 and 2013, the absolute carbon dioxide emissions of G20 countries,
which account for three-fourths of global CO2 emissions, went up by 56 per cent, the
report highlights.
Report analysed key indicators, including carbon intensity and share of coal in
total electricity produced, to assess the performance of these countries.

It found that half of G20 countries have taken inadequate measures to curb climate
change. This is despite energy intensity and the carbon intensity of the G20
economies decreasing as overall economic activity increased.
India received a medium rating with good scores for emissions, share of
renewables in total primary energy supply (TPES) and climate policy, but poor
scores in carbon intensity, share of coal in TPES and electricity emissions.
The worst overall performers were Australia, Argentina, Japan, Russia, Saudi
Arabia and South Africa.
The carbon intensity of the energy sector was found increasing, due to the strong
and continuing role that coal plays.
Most of the G20 countries rely heavily on coal in their primary energy supply due to
a large number of new coal-fired power plants(both operational and planned) which if
realised, would almost double coal capacity but would fail to keep the temperature
increase to below 2C, let alone 1.5C as mandated by the 2015 Paris climate
agreement.
Of all the G20 member-states, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United
States stand out with by far the highest per capita energy-related CO2 emissions.
Chinas per capita emissions were found to be above the G20 average: at 38%, with
China having the highest economic growth rate between 2008 and 2013.
The coal share of China, India, South Africa and Turkey will remain clearly above the
maximum 2C benchmark until 2030, the report notes.
Challenge Of Investment Gap
To keep temperatures below 2C rise by 2035, G20 countries face challenge of
raising the investment of almost $ 340 billion/year in the power sector.
G20 governments provided, on average, almost $ 70 billion in subsidies for fossil fuel
production between 2013 and 2014, thus shrinking the scope of green investments.
This was despite G20 leaders pledging to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies
in 2009. The report also points out that reducing fossil fuel subsidies could
theoretically create fiscal space for more international climate finance.

9.6 Himachal Pradesh Pulls Petition Blocking Tribal Challenge To Power Project
Himachal Pradesh has withdrawn a court petition challenging the right of indigenous
people to oppose a power plant on forest land. Earlier, Himachal had taken the stand
that indigenous people were unskilled and incapable of taking informed decisions on
technical matters.
What Is The Background
Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation, a state enterprise, had appealed in SC
against an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directing it to seek consent
from four village councils for the hydroelectric project, in accordance with the Forest
Rights Act.
India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 gives indigenous people and forest dwellers the
right to manage and govern their traditional forests and resources. Any infrastructure
or development project that requires forest land to be cleared needs the consent of
the gram sabha, or village council.
What Was The Threat Posed By The Project
The village councils in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh had raised the concerns
about the environmental damage from the power project. The area, known for
growing apples, is fragile and eco sensitive. The plant could ruin livelihoods by
destroying the apple orchids.
Long term threat lies in diversion of natural flows of Himalayan rivers, submersion of
large tracts of land thus destroying both ecology and wildlife.
Project would also lead to landslides and avalanches triggering potential
earthquakes thus increasing the risk of disasters in this geologically unstable region.
Why Such Conflicts Are Increasing
Conflicts over land in India have increased as one of the world's fastest growing
major economies expands, and land is sought for industrial use and development
projects.
While several laws have been introduced in the past decade to protect the rights of
farmers and indigenous people, some laws have been diluted in their implementation
and not always helped the vulnerable.

Way forward
Need for wider public consultations and involvement of all stakeholders in participative
approach along with proper implementation of laws made for the protection of different
vulnerable sections along with focus on developmental imperatives.
9.7 Anthropocene: Human Induced But Possibly Destructive Epoch

What Is The Context Of The Issue
In a recent meeting of geoscientists at Cape Town, South Africa, mankinds profound
impact on Mother Earth in recent years was deliberated.
According to them it is time to describe a new geological epoch in the history of
earth, calling it Anthropocene possibly starting in 1950 with the end of Holocene an
earlier epoch when the last Ice Age occurred.
At that time, most of the Ice Age animals - the woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed
tigers and giant bears - had died out, and by 11,000 years ago, humans had
occupied a significant part of the earth as hunter gatherers as well as settled
communities, inventing farming and agriculture.
Need Of Redefining The Epoch From A Natural One Into A Man-Induced One
Back 11,000 years ago, the carbon dioxide (or CO2) level in the atmosphere
surrounding the globe was about 220 parts per million (ppm); even 8,000 years ago,
it was about 260 ppm. But, when the industrial revolution started extensive use of
coal as the fuel for transport and industry along with carbon rich oil (petroleum) and
natural gas led to liberation of CO2.
Non-stop burning of fossil fuels for industry, transport and other uses over these
years has accumulated a large amount of CO2, which does not escape the earth
(thanks to the gravitational pull of the earth; lighter gases such as hydrogen or
helium gases escape, which is why they are not earthbound).
Thus, over time, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has shot up from 280 ppm at the
start of the Industrial Revolution to 413 ppm today.
What Is The Impact
CO2 being a Greenhouse gas lets sunlight in, but traps the heat radiation that the
earth and its oceans emit in return. (The same effect is utilised in greenhouses,

where plants and vegetables are grown in cold climate; hence the name greenhouse
effect).
Due to increase in level of CO2, the average surface temperature over these two
centuries has gone up by 1.5 degrees. This has also started melting glaciers and
raised the sea level by 3.2 mm every year.
Maldives, the island nation, is worried that some of its islands may be submerged in
the near future, and had actually asked Australia whether they could buy land and
move there.
Added to the warming of the oceans and landmass caused by the Greenhouse
gases (CO2, NO, Ozone, methane), are the plastics and their debris, dumped
across the world and its oceans. Plastic pollution is more recent phenomenon but
even dangerous.
In addition, increase in human population from 1.2 billion in 1850 to the current 7
billion, has led to massive destruction of forests and animals.
Green House Gas Catastrophe
These events are similar to Oxygen Catastrophe or the Great Oxygenation Event)
which occurred about 2.4 billion years ago when microbes called cyan bacteria,
during the process of photosynthesis, emitted oxygen gas (O2) as the waste material
on large scale.
Some of this was fixed by iron and organic matter of earth, but the rest soon led the
poisonous gas, oxygen, attain levels of about 20 per cent in the air. This burnt off
many living forms and it took a long time before oxygen- using life forms (aerobics)
started flourishing about 500 million years later.
What Should We Do
We have to drastically cut down the use of fossil fuels, plastics and all other material that
have led to climate change. Development of renewable energy and sustainable
development is the only way for us ahead.
9.8 Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon For Use In Batteries
Why In News
Researchers from Punes National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and Indian Institute of
Science Education and Research (IISER) have been successful in converting the

sugarcane bagasse into anode-grade porous, conducting, activated carbon material for
use in Li-ion batteries.
Key Features of The Process
The quality of carbon used for electrodes depends on the choice of precursors and
the process used for converting the precursors into carbon.
Anode-grade carbon is generally produced through decomposition at nearly 1000
degree Celsius.
The electrical energy input is reduced substantially. The initial carbonisation is
carried out by mixing bagasse with concentrated sulphuric acid.
Acid treatment helps to remove the inorganic impurities present in bagasse get. This
helps in graphitisation and formation of pores thus optimising conductivity.
Porosity is important as lithium ions come through liquid electrolyte and must reach
different parts of the carbon anode. Optimum porosity is needed for accessibility of
lithium ions.
What Are The Benefits
Currently making anode-grade carbon is very expensive and time-consuming, while
the new high-quality carbon was produced within minutes by using a low power
microwave system.
Superior quality of carbon is produced compared to the carbon made through other
complicated schemes and processes.
Enhances the battery performance and life.

Increased value of energy density and power density using the carbon anode
compared to the traditional carbon.
Higher performance in terms of stability for a large number of charging and
discharging cycles.
More environment friendly due to reduced emissions.

9.9 Wildlife Panel Clears First Phase Of Ken-Betwa Project
Why In News
Indias first interstate river interlinking project has been cleared by the National Board for
Wildlife (NBWL).This would be the first time that a river project will be located within a
tiger reserve.
Key Feature
230-km long canal and a series of barrages and dams connecting the Ken and
Betwa rivers that will irrigate 3.5 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 14,000
hectares of Uttar Pradesh, in Bundelkhand. The key projects are the Makodia and
Dhaudhan dams.
Ken-Betwa project will irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, both in Uttar
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Both sates will be benefited from assured irrigation
supply, domestic and industrial water supply and power.
Concerns Associated
A key point of contention is whether the height of the Dhaudhan dam could be
reduced to limit the water overflow and contain its subsequent impact. Dhaudhan
dam will submerge about 10 per cent of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya
Pradesh, feted as a model tiger-conservation reserve.
The Water Ministry had opposed as it would compromise the economic viability of
the project.
There were also concerns that vulture and gharial habitat in the region would be
affected.
Measures Suggested To Minimise The Impact Of Project
Government will be buying private land (agricultural) in lieu of the forest land
destroyed. This is to ensure that the tiger habitat doesnt get fragmented due to the
project.
No new mining leases would be allowed in the delineated tiger dispersal routes.
Existing mining leases to be extended only in case of concrete justification.
Proposed hydro-power project would be located outside the reserve.

9.10 BRICS To Set Up Joint Working Group For Environment Issues
What Is The Context
BRICS nations have recently announced setting up of a joint working group,
institutionalising their mutual cooperation on green issues. Memorandum of
understanding (MoU) was signed in this regard.
Where Lays The Scope Of Cooperation
BRICS has a major role to play in the global arena, particularly in areas like air
quality, water management, waste management.
Technology transfer is the key area because technological innovation and
breakthrough in climate mitigation and renewable energy will play a critical role in
mitigation of adverse impact of climate change.
Along with technology finance is the other major area where pooling of resources
through innovative measures like environmental cess and carbon tax will ensure the
sustainable funding on a wider scale.
What Is The Outcome
The BRICS countries have decided to set up a platform for innovations, knowledge
sharing and capacity building including a common website, network of technical
institutions and undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
It was decided to share the advances in specific technologies by transferring that
technology to other nations.
BRICS countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Principles of Rio Declaration on

Environment and Development, 1992, including equality and common but
differentiated responsibilities.
9.11 Government Declares BS-VI Rollout From 2020

Why In News
The Union transport ministry has decided to notify the introduction of BS-VI emission
norms for all vehicles from April 2020, overriding a demand from auto manufacturers
to push its rollout by five years.
Bharat VI is the sixth stage or level of emissions control standards an Indian
equivalent of Euro VI standards.

Introduced in 2000, the Bharat norms are emission control standards put in place by
the government to keep a check on air pollution. Based on the European regulations
(Euro norms), these standards prescribe specifications/limits for the release of air
pollutants from equipment using internal combustion engines, including vehicles.
Why Urgency To Introduce Them?
Implementation of the BS V standard was originally scheduled for 2019. This has
now been skipped. BS VI, originally proposed to come in by 2024, has now been
advanced to 2020 instead.
The urgency to maintain the deadline for the introduction of BS-VI, which is the
strictest yet limit on emissions in India, has been prompted by the rising concerns
over air pollution, particularly in large cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.
Emissions from vehicles account for at least 14% of the air pollution in cities. Courts
have imposed stringent restrictions on the sale of diesel vehicles in an effort to curb
pollution, while there have been calls for using cleaner fuels.
What Changes Bharat VI Norms Will Bring In Indian Vehicles?
Vehicles must be fitted with DPF (diesel particulate filter) for Particulate Matter (PM)
reduction.
Vehicles will also have to be equipped with an SCR (selective catalytic reduction)
module to reduce oxides of nitrogen.
To attain the specified super low emissions, all reactions have to be precise, and
controlled by microprocessors.
Manufacturers will also need to make petrol engines more fuel-efficient as CO
emission levels will also need to be controlled. This may lead to a shift
towards gasoline direct injection engines.
Hybrids will get more and more popular as they help to cut down on emissions,
maintain performance levels and boost fuel economy.
Cars will get more expensive as emission cutting equipment on cars is pricey. This
is particularly true in case of diesels, which need much more effort to stay clean.
Alternate fuels like electric cars, CNG, ethanol blends, LPG and petrol-electric and
diesel-electric hybrids will be in much more demand.

Why Indian Automobile Industry Is Opposing It?
Moving to Bharat VI will need a 1.5 lakh Crores worth upgrade in oil refining
infrastructure.
The biggest impediment to Bharat VI norms will be the availability of Bharat VI
compliant fuel, both petrol and diesel.
In India, where small cars are preferred, fitting DPF in the limited bonnet space
would involve major design and re-engineering work.
9.12 Environment Ministry To Allow Hydropower Projects In Bhagirathi ESZ

What is The Context
The environment ministry has decided to permit 10 hydroelectric power projects
(HEPs) of a total capacity of 82.3 MW in the area notified as the Bhagirathi eco-
sensitive zone (ESZ) in Uttarkashi region of Utterakhand.
According to norms, a 100 kilometre stretch of the river Bhagirathi from Gomukh to
Uttarkashi was declared as an eco-sensitive. The notification mentions that HEPs of
only upto 2 MW can be built in the notified area.
But, the State government has urged the Environment Ministry to increase the
amendments in the limit to include the HEPs of upto 25 MW capacity.
The ministry has asked the Uttarakhand government to conduct a Carrying
Capacity Study of a Bhagirathi River Basin to assess the feasibility of the projects. It
also called for Cumulative Impact Assessment Study for establishment of HEPs in
the Bhagirathi River Basin.
Eco Sensitive Zones And The Restrictions
ESZs are the restricted areas as per Environmental Protection Act in which any
industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes is
prohibited by the centre. If permitted, it has to be carried out with certain safeguards.
The prohibitions or restrictions are on the basis of considerations like the biological
diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an
area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas.
These also include Species Based (Endemism, Rarity etc), Ecosystem Based
(sacred groves, frontier forests etc) and Geomorphologic feature based (uninhabited
islands, origins of rivers etc).
9.13 Quarrying Destroys Laggar Falcon Habitat In Madurai
Why In News
Only two Laggar Falcons survive on the rock cliffs of Arittapatti near Melur in the
Madurai district. They are probably the only birds spotted in the entire south Indian
region in the last two years. There is no record of spotting Laggar Falcons on eBird,
a US-based web page for birders.
The Laggar falcon global population was estimated at 15,000 to 30,000 individual
birds. Madurai was once a paradise for 17 species of raptors, which could feed on
the then plentifully available reptiles.
The spread of agriculture and use of pesticides, trapping and capture for falconry
and habitat destruction are the main threats to the survival of these species of birds.
Reasons specific to Madurai Falcon

Due to sand quarrying, Madurai lost its Vaigai-based biodiversity, including hundreds
of Brahminy Kites, Black Kites and native fishes.
Stone especially granite quarrying destroyed the habitat and nesting spots of raptors
and other birds, including eagles, falcons and owls.
Cutting of palm trees, which is a nesting spot of many raptor species, is also one of
the reasons for the disappearance of the birds.
Who Are They
Laggar Falcons are an indigenous raptor species, which can hunt and fly at speeds
of up to 180 kmph. Apart from the Laggar Falcons, a few Peregrine Falcons who are
among the fastest flying falcons, also reside in this area.
These falcon species are distributed in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal,
Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and
listed these falcon species as "Near Threatened".
Birds are the greatest indicators of climate change, and of loss of habitat and
biodiversity. The species nest only on rock cliffs unreachable to humans.

9.14 In Rwanda, India To Seek Just Deal On Phasing Out Of HFCs
What Is The News
Nearly 200 countries are gearing up to meet in Kigali, Rwanda next month to discuss
amendment to 1987 Montreal Protocol.
The countries are expected to set a 'freezing year' to phase down the production and
consumption of the HFC which has huge global warming potential. The 'freezing
year' is the year when use of HFCs will peak before being rapidly scaled down and
finally phased out altogether.
There are indications that the countries may finally agree for 2025 or 2026 as
'freezing year', provided the developing countries including India are promised
adequate funding from multilateral fund.
Alternatively, the countries will agree for different 'freezing years' for developed and
developing countries, taking in view their consumption patterns of the climate-
damaging refrigerants.
What Is Indias Stand
India wants funding for research and development of low global warming potential
(GWP) alternatives and capacity building so that the technological transition can
be achieved.
Rich nations led by the US want an early 'freezing year' (2021), while India has been
insisting to use HFCs till 2031 before phasing them out.
India has proposed that in order to phase out the HFCs, the developed countries
must take the lead and begin the process immediately and then developing countries
could join the process when the former have already reduced the HFCs by 80 per
cent.
India would seek an equitable agreement that is in the best interests of the nation, its
people as well as the larger global community. The country would take any decision
that will protect the interests of its domestic industries and consumers.
What Are HFCs
HFCs (Hydro Fluro Carbons) are used as coolants in air-conditioners and refrigerators.
The chemicals were introduced to replace the ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons and
hydrochlorocarbons on a large scale. While HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, most
of them are potent greenhouse gases.

What Is Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol, on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to
the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an
international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production
of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on
in 1987, and entered into force in 1989.
The treaty is structured around several groups of halogenated hydrocarbons that
deplete stratospheric ozone. All of the ozone depleting substances controlled by the
Montreal Protocol contain either chlorine or bromine (substances containing
only fluorine do not harm the ozone layer).
Some ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) are not yet controlled by the Montreal
Protocol, including nitrous oxide (NOx).

Content

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Content

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

INDEX

September 2016 (Current Affairs for 2017)

1. SOCIAL ISSUES 6-19

1.3 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)

1.6 BRICS Conference on Negation of Drug Abuses

1.9 Swachh Survekshan Gramin 2016

2. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 20-34

2.3 Triple Talaq and Need for Judicial Intervention

2.6 The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

2.9 NITI Ayogas Plan for 50 Medals in 2024 Olympics

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 1

3.5 World Manufacturing Production Report

3.8 Micro Finance Sector

4. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 49-54

4.3 Chemical Weapons Used In Iraq

5. INDIA AND WORLD 55-77

5.3 Egyptian President Visit To India

5.6 Vice President Hamid Ansari Visit To Nigeria

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 2

6. SUMMITS AND ORGANISATION 78-89

7. DEFENCE AND SECURITY 90-98

8. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 99-113

8.1 Zika Spread In Singapore

8.7 GSLV-F05 Rocket Put INSAT-3DR In The Orbit

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 3

8.16 Synchronising Computers to Indian Standard Time

8.19 Avoiding Excessive Use Of Pesticides

9. ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT 114-131

9.5 G20 Countries Score Poorly In Climate Goals Report

9.8 Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon For Use In Batteries

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 4

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 5

1.1 National Policy Of Women 2016

It seeks to review the criminalisation of marital rape keeping women's rights in

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 6

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 7

The toughest challenge in policymaking, however, does not end in identifying

1.2 National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

Apprenticeship Training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 8

1.3 Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 9

1.4 Higher Education Financing Agency

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 10

1.5 The Civil Aspects Of International Child Abduction Bill, 2016

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 11

1.6 BRICS Conference on Negation of Drug Abuses

The meeting was organised in accordance with the eThekwani Declaration

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 12

Issue of Drug Abuse in India

Reasons For Widespread Drug Abuse In India

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 13

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 14

1.7 Mission Parivar Vikas

The key strategic focus of this initiative will be on improving access to

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 15

1.8 Maratha Reservation Protest

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 16

1.9 Swachh Survekshan Gramin 2016

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 17

(ii) Households having no litter around (30%)

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 18

Current Affairs For 2017- (September 2016) Page 19