Prelim Bits 01-02-2019

Corruption Perception Index

● India has improved its ranking by three positions in the Global

Corruption Index 2018.
● The index was released by released by the Transparency International.
● India was ranked 81st in 2017, is ranked 78 in 2018/
● Denmark and New Zealand topped the 2018 index while Somalia, Syria
and South Sudan were at the bottom respectively.
● US has dropped out of top 20 countries for the first time since 2011.
● The CPI reveals that the continued failure of most countries to
significantly control corruption is contributing to a crisis of democracy
around the world.
● The CPI measures public sector corruption in 180 countries and
territories.
● It draws upon 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives
to give each country a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very
clean).
Project 75(I)
● The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved indigenous
construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of over Rs.
40,000 crores.
● This is the second project under the Ministry of Defence’s ambitious
Strategic Partnership (SP) model.
● The model aims at providing a significant fillip to the Government’s
‘Make in India’ program.
● Strategic Partnership model envisages indigenous manufacturing of
major defense platforms by an Indian Strategic Partner.
● Indian Strategic Partner will collaborate with foreign Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to set up production facilities in the
country.
 ● The model has a long term vision of promoting India as a manufacturing
hub for defense equipment through transfer of niche technologies and
higher Indigenous Content.
Samantha Express
● 'Samantha Express' is a special tourist train covering prominent places
associated with chief architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR
Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha.
● It will be run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
● It will embark on its maiden journey on April 14 from Nagpur.
● The train will cover Chaityabhoomi (Mumbai), Mhow (Indore),
Bodhgaya (Gaya), Sarnath (Varanasi), Lumbini (Nautanwa), Kushinagar
(Gorakhpur), Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur), all places linked with either
Lord Buddha or Ambedkar.
CAR-T
● An 11-year-old has become the first patient to receive CAR-T therapy
(immunotherapy) that uses the body's own cells to fight cancer.
● CAR-T is a personalized form of cancer treatment.
● CAR-T involves removing immune cells and modifying them in a
laboratory so they can recognize cancer cells.
● Immunotherapy is treatment that uses your body's own immune system
to help fight cancer
● First, the patient has blood removed and the white blood cells are
separated out, with the rest of the blood being returned to the patient.
● A harmless virus is used to insert genes into T-cells, a special type of
immune cell.
● These genes cause the T-cells to add a hook on to their surface, known
as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).
● These engineered CAR-T cells - programmed to recognize and destroy
the patient's cancer cells - are multiplied in huge numbers and then
infused back into the patient.
Phased Manufacturing Program

● Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP) is under implementation to

promote indigenous manufacturing of Cellular Mobile Handsets and
sub-assemblies/ components/ accessories.
● Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had notified PMP
in 2017 to encourage manufacturing of mobile components in the
country.
● It also aims to promote the indigenous manufacturing of populated
printed circuit boards, camera modules and connectors in 2018-19, and
display assembly, touch panels, vibrator motor and ringer in 2019-20.
● It is expected that India’s handset manufacturing industry to grow to
$500 billion (Rs 32, 50,000 crore) in five to seven years.
● The policy sets a time-bound framework for establishing the country as
a hub for mobile and component manufacturing.
 ● It would also help to meet the bulk of global handset needs over time,
besides creating 5.6 million jobs.
Amami rabbits
● Japan’s Environment ministry has started to catch feral cats on Amami
Oshima island to avoid them from preying on Amami rabbits.
● Ammai rabbits are endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan
● So it is also known as the Ryukyu rabbit.

● The Amami rabbit is a living remnant of ancient rabbits that once lived
on the Asian mainland and it is often called a living fossil.
● The rabbit is a primitive, dark-furred rabbit.
● IUCN has classified the rabbit as endangered.
● The Amami rabbit is also classified as a Japanese National Monument.

Source: PIB, The Hindu

02-02-2019
Swasthya Bharath Yatra
● Tamil Nadu has received the Swasth Bharat Yatra award under ‘The Best
Performing State’ category recently.
● 'Swasth Bharat Yatra' is a pan-India Cyclothon and a key element of the
‘Eat Right India’ movement and
● It was also organized in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary
of Mahatma Gandhi.
● Swasth Bharat Yatra would provide the trigger for cascading the
message of Eat Right India to every corner of the country.
● 'Eat Right India' movement has been launched by Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare.
● The 'Eat Right India' movement is a collective effort of key stakeholders
and citizens.
● It is aligned with Government's recent focus on public health through its
three key programmes, namely 'Ayushman Bharat', 'Swachh Bharat
Mission', and 'POSHAN Abhiyaan'.
Suraj Kund Mela
● The 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2019 is being organized
in Faridabad,Haryana.
● Surajkund Mela brings together artisans from all over the world and
India to the fair, especially from SAARC nations.
● The Mela is organised by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana
Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles,
Culture and External Affairs.
● Thailand is the Partner Nation Country for the Year 2019.
● For, the state of Maharashtra has been chosen to be the Theme State.
World Wetlands Day 2019
● World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.
 ● This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands
on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the
Caspian Sea.
● The theme for 2019 is ‘Wetlands and Climate Change’.
● India currently has 27 sites designated as Wetlands of International
Importance (Ramsar Sites).
● India has designated Sundarban Wetland as a Wetland of International
Importance.
● The latest added Sunderban is located within the largest mangrove
forest in the world.
● The Sundarbans encompasses hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers,
rivulets and creeks, in the delta of the Rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra
on the Bay of Bengal in India and Bangladesh.
GSAT-31
● Indian Space Research Organisation will launch its latest
communication satellite GSAT-31.
● The satellite is being launched on board Arianespace launch vehicle
from French Guiana.
● GSAT-31 is the country’s 40th communication satellite.
● This satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in
Geostationary Orbit.
● GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, Television uplinks,
Digital Satellite News Gathering, DTH-television services, cellular
backhaul connectivity and many such applications
● It also provides wide beam coverage to facilitate communication over
large oceanic region, comprising large parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of
Bengal and Indian Ocean, using a wide band transponder.
Accrual accounting
● Accrual accounting is an accounting method that measures the
performance and position of a company by recognizing economic events
regardless of when cash transactions occur.
 ● In other words: in accrual-based accounting, the revenue and
expenditure of an entity is recorded in the books when it is earned or
incurred irrespective of when cash is actually paid or received.
● But in the case of cash-based accounting, books are prepared wholly on
the basis of cash flows.
● The accrual based accounting method can be used by the government
instead of cash based accounting to get a clear picture of the fiscal
deficit.
● The Twelfth Finance Commission had noted that the cash-based system
of accounting creates room for ‘fiscal opportunism’.
● Fiscal opportunism is possible as tax revenues can be collected in excess
during a period and payments easily be deferred to future periods.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Line

03-02-2019
Operating Ratio
● The finance minister said that the operating ratio of the railways is
expected to improve from 98.4% in 2017-18 to 96.2% in 2018-19 and to
95% in 2019-20.
● The operating ratio shows the efficiency of an organization’s
management by comparing operating expense to net sales.
● The smaller the ratio, the greater the organization's ability to generate
profit if revenues decrease.
● The operating ratio of Indian Railways was under stress by December
2018.
● The main reason for the stress is that the expenditure is continuing to
far exceed earnings and thereby Indian Railways is facing a dismal
financial scenario.
● Higher operating ratio for railways simply means that the national
transporter does not have money for capital investments.
 ● The implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission has put a heavy
burden on the railways which contributed to the increase in its
expenditure.
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)
● A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that
harnesses the power of respiring microbes to convert organic substrates
directly into electrical energy.
● At its core, the MFC is a fuel cell, which transforms chemical energy into
electricity using oxidation reduction reactions.
● The bacteria are made to act upon the organic substrates or waste water.
● These bacteria are isolated from the very wastewater they are meant to
degrade.
● They feed on the organic material in the water and break it down under
anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in the
process.
● The electrons are collected at the anode which results in a current in the
circuit.
Surgery: ‘Neglected Step Child’
● According to a study published in a research letter to The Lancet journal
it is estimated that 4.2 million people around the world die every year
within 30 days after surgery.
● It is more than those who die from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria
combined.
● Also half of the post-operative deaths occur in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs).
● The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery identified that 313 million
surgical procedures are performed each year.
● However little is known about the quality of surgery globally, as robust
postoperative death rates are available for only 29 countries.
● Based on 4.2 million deaths, 7.7 per cent of all deaths globally occur
within 30 days of surgery.
 ● At present, around 4.8 billion people worldwide lack timely access to
safe and affordable surgery and it is estimated that there is an annual
unmet need for 143 million procedures in LMICs.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)
● America had withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces
Treaty recently.
● The Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their
Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles is commonly referred
to as the INF Treaty.
● The INF treaty resolved a crisis of the 1980s when the Soviet Union
deployed a missile in Europe called the SS-20, capable of carrying three
nuclear warheads.
● The United States responded with cruise and Pershing II missiles based
in Europe.
● The treaty prohibited land-based cruise or ballistic missiles with ranges
between 500 to 5000 kilometers.
● It did not cover air- or sea-launched weapons such as cruise missiles
fired from ships, submarines or airplanes, although those missiles fly
similar distances.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

04-02-2019
Black Soft shell Turtle
● The rare turtle species are being bred in the ponds of Assam’s shrines.
● India hosts 28 species of turtles, of which 20 are found in Assam.
● Recently black softshells hatchings were released into the Haduk Beel
(wetland) of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.
 ● The black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) figures in the
International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List as
“extinct in the wild”.
● It is a freshwater turtle that is found in India and Bangladesh.
● Consumption of turtle meat and eggs, silt mining, encroachment of
wetlands and change in flooding pattern have had a disastrous impact
on the State’s turtle population
POWERGRID
● The 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission
System construction was completed by POWERGRID.
● The transmission line would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh
round the year.
● POWERGRID is a Navratna Company of Government of India, under
Ministry of Power.
● POWERGRID is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility.
● In 1989 under the Companies Act, 1956, the National Power
Transmission Corporation Limited was formed, and assigned the
responsibility of planning, executing, owning, operating and
maintaining the high voltage transmission systems in the country.
● In October 1992, the National Power Transmission Corporations name
was changed to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
Soft –Landing on the moon
● Soviet’s Luna 9 was the first to achieve soft landing on the moon.
● Soft-landing denotes the landing of a space vehicle on a celestial body or
on Earth in such a way to prevent damage or destruction of the vehicle.
● In other words, it is a landing by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at
a sufficiently low velocity for the equipment or occupants to remain
unharmed.
● Only three countries have ever soft-landed on the moon— the United
States, the U.S.S.R. and China.
● The latest country to make the soft landing specifically in the far side of
the moon is China by its Chang’e 3.
National Statistical Commission (NSC)
● The Government of India through a resolution in 2005 set up the
National Statistical Commission (NSC).
● The setting up of the NSC followed the decision of the Cabinet to accept
the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission, which reviewed
the Indian Statistical System in 2001.
● The NSC was constituted with a mandate to evolve policies, priorities
and standards in statistical matters.
● NSC works under the Ministry of Statistics and Program
Implementation.
● The NSC has four Members besides a Chairperson, each having
specialization and experience in specified statistical fields.
● The Chief Statistician of India is the Secretary of the Commission
Arikamedu
● Arikamedu is the ancient Roman trade centre.
● It is situated in the south of Puducherry on the right bank of
Ariyankuppam River.
● The port town was inhabited by Romans, Cholas and French.
● The exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass
and shell bangles as wastage at the manufacturing site suggests.
● The Romans must have used the Red Sea to come to India as traces of
beads have been found in Alexandria and other Red Sea ports.
Know My India Program
● The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) organized a
special workshop for 42 Youth who have been victims of communal
violence in the past, under the Know My India Program.
● Know My India Program is a unique program initiated by the National
Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) to bring together
financially assisted children of the Foundation from different
States/Regions of the country.
● The initiative is to promote oneness, fraternity and national integration.
 ● The program is all about familiarization with the environment, family
life, social customs, etc. of the people living in different parts of the
country.
● It aids in developing an understanding of the common historical and
cultural heritage of the country.
National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH)
● The NFCH is an autonomous organization under the administrative
control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
● The main objective of the Foundation is to provide assistance to the
children, youth rendered orphan and destitute in communal, caste,
ethnic or terrorist violence for their rehabilitation.
● It also promotes communal harmony and national integration through
various activities.
● The NFCH conducts different activities for the promotion of communal
harmony and strengthening of national integration.
● The Foundation under Extension Activities viz. Reach, Interfaith
Interaction, Partnership and Cause Partnership takes up various
activities, either independently or through State Governments/
Administrations, NGOs, educational and other institutions etc. with a
view to promote communal harmony and National integration.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

05-02-2019
Price monitoring and research unit
● Kerala has become the first State to set up a price monitoring and
research unit (PMRU).
● It is to track violation of prices of essential drugs and medical devices
under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO).
 ● The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had proposed
such a system for the States and the Union Territories five years ago.
● The State Health Secretary would be the Chairman of the society and the
Drugs Controller would be its member secretary.
● Its members include a State government representative, representatives
of private pharmaceutical companies, and those from consumer rights
protection forum.
● The society would also have an executive committee headed by the
Drugs Controller.
● The new watchdog will
1. offer technical help to the State Drug Controllers and the NPPA to
monitor notified prices of medicines
2. detect violation of the provisions of the DPCO
3. look at price compliance
4. collect test samples of medicines
5. collect and compile market-based data of scheduled as well as
non-scheduled formulations.
Asian Infrastructure Finance Report 2019
● In AIIB’s Asian Infrastructure Finance 2019 report, Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank expects the cost of infrastructure financing in India to
increase over the next one year.
● The bank sees slowing global economy, higher borrowing costs and
geopolitical tensions leading to greater uncertainty among investors.
● India’s infrastructure transaction activity, after reaching $72.7 billion in
2014, dropped to $48.9 billion in 2015 and to $40.4 billion in 2016.
● While in 2017, it bounced back to $81.3 billion due to surge in
transaction in oil and gas segment, other sectors continued to see
decline.
● Infrastructure financing scenario in India has been dominated by public
spending, while significant breakthrough in the mobilization of private
capital for infrastructure is yet to be seen.
National Mission on Libraries
 ● National Mission on Libraries i.e High Level Committee has been set up
by Ministry of Culture, Government of India on 2012.
● It was in pursuance of National Knowledge Commission
recommendations for sustained attention for development of Libraries
and Information Science Sector.
● National Mission on Libraries set up four working groups and after
deliberating on the recommendations of the working groups formulated
the scheme "National Mission on Libraries (NML) - up gradation of
libraries providing service to the public".
● The scheme consists of four components.
1. Creation of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI)
2. Setting up of NML Model Libraries,
3. Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries
4. Capacity Building
● The purpose of National Virtual Library of India is to facilitate a
comprehensive database on digital resources on information about
India and on information generated in India, in an open access
environment.
● The Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries would be undertaken
to prepare a baseline data of libraries in India through a survey of 5000
Libraries.
● The Capacity Building would be undertaken to enhance the professional
competence of library personnel.
Promoting IPR culture in Defense sector
● Boosting Intellectual Property culture in Defense would enhance the
Intellectual Capital that is vital for the future endeavors
● The following are the steps taken to encourage in-house Research &
Development in Ordnance Factories and Defense PSUs
● An Intellectual Property Rights Facilitation (IPF) Cell has been
established under the Department of Defense Production.
● It is to promote self-reliance in Intellectual Property Rights in Defense
Sector.
 ● Department of Defense Production has also launched the “Mission
Raksha Gyan Shakti” .
● The mission aims to encourage Defense Public Sector Undertakings
(PSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board to boost “IPR culture” in their
respective organization to promote self-reliance in defense sector.
● The challenges faced by the Defense Public Sector Undertakings and
Ordnance Factory Board in pursuing Intellectual Property Rights in
defense sector are
1. lack of awareness
2. availability of trained manpower
3. The need to collectively appraise the challenges ahead with private
sector, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and end users.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
● Department of School Education and Literacy has launched an
Integrated Scheme for School Education called Samagra Shiksha.
● It subsumes three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
(RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
● The new integrated scheme envisages school education as a continuum
from pre-school to senior secondary level.
● The main objectives of the scheme are
1. provision of quality education and enhancing learning outcomes of
students
2. bridging social and gender gaps in school education
3. ensuring minimum standards in schooling provision
4. Support to states in the implementation of RTE Act, 2009 and
strengthening of teacher education institutions.
● The scheme also provides for support for up gradation of secondary
schools to senior secondary level and addition of new streams in existing
senior secondary schools.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

06-02-2019
EXERCISE RAHAT
● ‘EXERCISE RAHAT’ is Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief Exercise.
● Jaipur based Sapta Shakti Command will be conducting on behalf of
Indian Army
● The Joint exercise in coordination with NDMA is being conducted to
synergise efforts for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operations.
● Representatives from Armed Forces, National Disaster Management
Response Mechanism (NDMRM), SDMA Rajasthan will be participating
in the exercise.
Sentinelese Tribe
● The population of Sentinelese tribe is estimated to be 50 as per 2011
census.
● The Sentinelese are an uncontacted tribe living on North Sentinel
Island, one of the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean.
● The Sentinelese are still in isolation practicing primordial hunting and
gathering way of life.
● The tribe is an Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation

(NMDFC)
● The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
was incorporated as a company not for profit.
● It is a National Level Apex Body for the benefit of Minorities as defined
under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992.
● The prime mandate of NMDFC is to provide concessional finance to the
Minorities for self-employment/ income generation activities.
● The notified Minorities in India are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs,
Buddhists & Parsis and Jain.
 ● Under NMDFC program, preference is given to Artisans & Women.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

● UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body.
● It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
● UNCTAD headquarter is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
● UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat and United Nations Development
Group.
● UNCTAD reports to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and
Social Council.
● World Investment Report is released by UNCTAD annually.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

07-02-2019
Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
● Under the scheme, each MP of Lok Sabha has the choice to suggest to
the District Collector for works upto Rs.5 crores/annum to be taken up
in his/her constituency.
● The responsibility of implementation of MPLADS is taken care by the
Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division.
● The division is under the Ministry of Statistics and Program
Implementation, which has issued guidelines including implementation
and monitoring of the scheme.
● The ​Rajya Sabha MP can recommend works in one or more districts
in the ​State​ from where he/she has been elected.
● The ​Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may
select any one or more Districts from any one State in the Country for
implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.
Agri-Market infrastructure fund
 ● The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs gave its approval for the
creation of a corpus of Rs.2000 crore for Agri-Market Infrastructure
Fund (AMIF).
● The fund is to be created with National Bank for Agricultural and Rural
Development.
● The fund is for development and up-gradation of agricultural marketing
infrastructure in Gramin Agricultural Markets and Regulated Wholesale
Markets.
● States may also access AMIF for innovative, integrated marketing
infrastructure projects, including Hub and Spoke mode and in the
Public Private Partnership mode.
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog
● The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for establishment of
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for Conservation protection and
development of cows and their progeny.
● The scheme was announced in the Interim Budget 2019-20.
● It will provide the policy framework and direction for the cow
conservation and development programs in the country.
● It is for ensuring proper implementation of laws with respect to the
welfare of cows.
● It will result in increased growth of livestock sector, which is more
inclusive, benefitting women, and small and marginal farmers.
Indo-Saracenic Architecture
● It represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian materials
developed by British architects in India.
● The style was prevalent during the late 19​th​ and early 20​th​ centuries.
● The architecture style is characterized by a combined diverse
architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with cusped arches, domes,
spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass.
● Chepauk Palace in Chennai designed by Paul Benfield is said to be the
first Indo-Saracenic building in India.
 ● The other outstanding examples are Muir college in Allahabad, Napier
Museum in Thiruvananthapuram, Gateway of India in Mumbai, the
Palaces at Mysore and Bangalore.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
● The meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Cluster Group on
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) to strengthen cooperation in disaster
response concluded recently.
● It is an intergovernmental organization which was established on 1997.
● It is a dynamic organisation of 22 Member States and 9 Dialogue
Partners.
● All sovereign States of the Indian Ocean Rim are eligible for
membership of the Association.
● India is a member.
● IORA’s apex body is the Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) which
meets annually.
● The Republic of South Africa assumed the role of chair for 2017-2019.
World Economic Situation and Prospect 2019
● The report is a joint product of the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the 5 United
Nations regional commissions.
● According to the 2019 report, Global growth is expected to remain at 3%
in 2019 and 2020.
● However, the steady pace of expansion in the global economy masks an
increase in downside risks that could potentially exacerbate
development challenges in many parts of the world,.
● The global economy is facing a confluence of risks, which could severely
disrupt economic activity and inflict significant damage on longer-term
development prospects.
● These risks include
1. An escalation of trade disputes
2. An abrupt tightening of global financial conditions
 3. Intensifying climate risks
● India will continue to remain the world's fastest-growing large economy
in 2019 as well as in 2020.
● India's GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6% in 2019
● China, it said the growth is expected to moderate to 6.3% in 2019 from
6.6% in 2018.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, The Indian Express

08-02-2019
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
● Union government announced PMRVY scheme to provide Senior
Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age
related disability/infirmity Low vision, Hearing impairment, Loss of
teeth and Locomotor disability, with such assisted-living devices
which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming
the disability/infirmity manifested.
● This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central
Government.
● The expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from
the “Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund“.
● Under the scheme, free of cost distribution of the devices,
commensurate with the extent of disability/infirmity that is manifested
among the eligible senior citizens will take place.
● In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same
person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each
disability/impairment.
● Government ensures that about 30% of the beneficiaries in each
district shall be women.
PM Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana
● Union government has announced PMSYMY scheme for the
unorganized sector workers with monthly income upto Rs 15,000.
● This scheme shall provide an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000
from the age of 60 years on a monthly contribution of a small
affordable amount during their working age.
● An unorganized sector worker joining pension yojana at the age of 29
years will have to contribute only Rs 100 per month till the age of 60
years.
● A worker joining the pension yojana at 18 years, will have to
contribute as little as Rs 55 per month only.
● The Government will deposit equal matching share in the pension
account of the worker every month.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission
● Union government to conserve and develop indigenous bovine
breeds, has launched ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ (RGM) under the
National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development
(NPBBD).
● RGM aims to raise the quality of Indian cows and bulls to eventually
outdo Jerseys and Holsteins.
● The Mission will be implemented with the objectives to
1. Development and conservation of indigenous breeds
2. Undertake breed improvement program for indigenous cattle breeds
so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock.
3. Enhance milk production and productivity.
4. Upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir,
Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and
5. Distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.
● Rashtriya Gokul Mission will be implemented through the “State
Implementing Agency.
 ● State Gauseva Ayogs will be given the mandate to sponsor proposals
to the SIA’s (LDB’s) and monitor implementation of the sponsored
proposal.
● All Agencies having a role in indigenous cattle development will be
the “Participating Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities,
Colleges, NGO’s, Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best
germplasm.
Gokul Gram
● Funds under RGM scheme will be allocated for the establishment of
Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centres viz “Gokul Gram”.
● Gokul Grams will be established in the native breeding tracts and
near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle.
● Gokul Gram will act as Centers for development of Indigenous
Breeds and a dependable source for supply of high genetic breeding
stock to the farmers in the breeding tract.
● The Gokul Gram will be self-sustaining and will generate economic
resources from sale of A2 milk, organic manure, vermi-composting,
urine distillates, and production of electricity from bio gas for in house
consumption and sale of animal products.
Flamingo sanctuary
● During the colder times of the year, many of the Great Flamingos in
Asia migrate to warmer climates.
● Great Flamingos migrate to India between the months of December
to February, important flamingo migration hotspots in India are as
follows
1. Maharashtra -​ Sewri Mudflats, Thane Creek, Bhigwan.
2. Gujarat -​ Flamingo City, Thol Lake, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Nal
Sarovar Bird Sanctuary.
3. Rajasthan -​ Jawai Dam, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
4. Odisha -​ Chilika lake
5. Telangana -​ Osman sagar lake
 6. Andhra Pradesh -​ Pulicat Lake
● Maharashtra state forest department has declared Western side of
Thane creek as Flamingo sanctuary in 2012.
● The sanctuary aims to protect the flamingos and several other birds
that are threatened by pollution and habitat destruction in the
north-eastern Mumbai area.
● The sanctuary is a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which has
spread over three districts – Palgar, Thane and Mumbai Suburb.
Adtiya L-1
● IRSO will launch Aditya-L1 satellite during 2019 – 2020 timeframe by
PSLV-XL from Sriharikota.
● The satellite will be inserted in a halo orbit around the L1, which is 1.5
million km from the Earth.
● A Satellite placed in the halo orbit has the major advantage of
continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/ eclipses.
● Aditya-1 was meant to observe only the solar corona, the outer layers
of the Sun, extending to thousands of km above the disc
(photosphere) is termed as the corona.
XPoSat
● XPoSat is a 5-year Mission satellite of ISRO which will be used to
learn more about cosmic radiation.
● The satellite will measure polarization (degree and direction) of X-ray
photons from ~50 potential celestial sources of interest in the energy
band of 5-30 keV​.

Source: PIB, Down to Earth, the Hindu

09-02-2019
National Sports Development Fund
● National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established in 1998,
under Charitable Endowments Act 1890, vide Government of India
Notification dated 12th November 1998.
● The NSDF supports sportspersons to excel in the field by providing
opportunities to train under coaches of international repute.
● It also provides technical, scientific and psychological support and also
in getting exposure to international competitions.
● Financial assistance is also provided to specific projects for promotion of
sports and games sponsored by reputed Organizations/Institutes,
provided the facilities so created are made available to a sizeable
population of the area/region.
● The office of NSDF is located in Shastri Bhavan in the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports.
Small Grants Program
● Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program was
established in the year of the Rio Earth Summit 1992.
● It provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve and
restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and
livelihoods.
● It demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance
between human needs and environmental imperatives.
● UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC) in implementing the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and financed Small Grants Program (SGP) in India since
1997.
● The program provides grants of up to $50,000 directly to local
communities including indigenous people, community-based
organizations and other non-governmental group.
● The SGP has been working extensively in the areas of biodiversity
conservation, climate change and land degradation.
 ● SGP in India aims to support the vulnerable communities through
community led approaches towards environmental conservation and
livelihoods enhancement.
● Projects under the SGP are implemented through
1. National Host Institution – Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
2. NGO partners and stakeholders that has presence in different parts of
the country.
National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research
● The scheme of National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research
(NCSSR) aims to support high levelresearch, education and innovation
with respect to high performance of elite athletes.
● It was previously named as Indian Institute of Sports Sciences and
Research (IISSR).
● The scheme has two components:
1. Setting up of NCSSR and
2. Other is focused on creation of support to Sports Sciences Departments
in 6 Universities and Sports Medicine Departments in 6 Medical
Institutions.
● Some of the aims and objectives of NCSSR Scheme are as follows
1. Application of scientific principles to the promotion, maintenance and
enhancement of sporting performance.
2. Developing athletes to their maximum potential and to prolong their
competitive sporting career.
3. Management and rehabilitation of sports injuries
Guru Padbmasambhava
● Odisha Chief Minister unveiled a 19-foot-high statue of Guru
Padmasambhava at Gajapati district recently
● He is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
● He is also known as second Buddha
● Historians claim that Guru Padmasambhava was born and brought up
in Odisha before he left for Tibet.
 ● In Tibetan, Guru Padmasambhava is generally referred to as Guru
Rinpoche, which means “precious master.”
Ratoon Cropping
● Ratoon cropping is a form of cultivation in which a second crop is
allowed to grow from the remains of one already harvested.
● It is also called stubble cropping as the new plants grow from the
stubble of the harvested crop.
● Sugarcane, pineapple and banana are crops in which this method is
practiced.
● Ratooning cannot be used endlessly as the yield and quality decrease
after each cycle.
● In sugarcane, for example, two or three ratooning crops are possible,
after which fresh planting has to be done.
CUTLASS Exercise
● INS Trikand of the Indian Navy, participated in a multinational training
exercise ‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’.
● The aim of the exercise was to improve law enforcement capacity,
promote regional security and progress inter-operability between the
armed forces of the participating nations.
● The exercise was conducted for the purpose of interdicting illegal
maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean.
● During the exercise, Naval, Coast Guard and Marine Police personnel
from a number of East African countries were jointly trained by mentors
from USA, India, and Netherlands.
● It was conducted with support of international organizations like the
International Maritime Organization (IMO), Combined Maritime Force
(CMF) and European Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR).

Source: PIB, The Hindu

10-02-2019
DD Arun Prabha
● DD ‘Arun Prabha’ Channel was launched in Itanagar, Arunachal
Pradesh recently.
● It will be a 24x7 satellite television channel.
● It is Doordarshan’s second channel for the north-eastern region, after
DD North East.
● It is also the 24th satellite channel operated by Doordarshan.
● The channel will showcase the rich tradition and diversity of local
culture.
Sela Pass
● The foundation stone for Sela Tunnel Project was laid recently.
● The Sela Pass is called as Se La, as La means Pass.
● It is the high-altitude mountain pass located in Tawang District of
Arunachal Pradesh.
● It has an elevation of 4170 m (13,700 ft) connects the Buddhist city of
Tawang Town to Tezpur and Guwahati.
● It is the main road connecting Tawang with the rest of India.
● The Sela Lake also known as Paradise Lake is located near to the pass.
● It is usually open throughout the year unless landslides or snow require
the pass to be shut down temporarily.
Asiatic Lion Conservation Project
● A dedicated “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” was launched.
● The Asiatic Lion is endemic to Gir landscape of Gujarat.
● It is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Ministry
for taking up recovery programs.
● Asiatic Lion, being listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972, to be accorded the highest degree of protection.
● This project has “Species Conservation over a large landscape”
approach.
 ● Girnar, Pania and Mitiyala have been notified as sanctuaries to widen
the protected area network and home of lion Besides Gir National Park
& Sanctuary.
Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild
animals (CMS)
● The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the
conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS), will be hosted
by India.
● CMS is an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations
Environment Program.
● The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this
convention.
● Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to
another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as
food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc
● It is also referred to as the Bonn Convention.
● It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of
migratory animals and their habitats.
● Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are
listed on Appendix I.
● India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983.
● India is temporary home to several migratory animals and birds.
● The important among these include Amur Falcons, Bar headed Gheese,
Black necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpbacked Whales,
etc.
Tazkiras
● Tazkiras are genealogies and short biographies.
● It is essentially a collection of life stories or biographies put together on
a theme.
● The tazkira or “reminiscences” genre is a very old one in Persian
literature.
 ● The musicians’ tazkiras were a new thing in the late 18th century,
especially during the Mughal period in Medieval India.
● These tazkiras offers insights into the music, politics and society of the
dying Mughal Empire.
● The minutest details obtained from it are the information about new
cultural centers and patrons who supported the musicians.
Hydro seismicity
● The recent Palghar earthquake swarms may be due to a phenomenon
called “hydro-seismicity.”
● In “hydro-seismicity” water from heavy rainfall enters small fractures in
rocks, which raises the pressure.
● It is estimates that with every 10 meter rise in groundwater pore
pressure increases by 1 bar.
● The pressure built up due to the rise in ground water is released in
earthquake swarms.

Source: PIB, The Hindu

11-02-2019
Chandrayaan-2
● Chandrayaan-2 is scheduled to launch in April 2019 and will attempt
to soft land a lander and rover in a high plains of the moon.
● According to ISRO, this mission will use and test various new
technologies and conduct new experiments.
● The mission is planned to fly on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on
Sriharikota.
 ● The mission’s lander is known as Vikram, it will then perform a
comprehensive check of all its on-board systems before attempting to
land on the lunar surface.
● The mission's rover is called Pragyanwhich will operate on solar
power and perform on-site chemical analysis and send the data to the
orbiter above, which will relay it to the Earth station.
Small Grants Program (SGP)
● Small Grants Program (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of
the GEF (Global Environment Facility) partnership.
● SGP provides financial and technical support to communities and
Civil Society Organizations to meet the overall objective of global
environmental benefits secured through community-based initiatives
and actions.
● Through a decentralized, national-level delivery mechanism, SGP
finances community-led initiatives to address global environmental
issues.
● The Program is specifically designed to mobilize bottom-up actions by
empowering local civil society organizations, and poor and vulnerable
communities, including women and Indigenous Peoples.
Sangeet Natak Akademi
● Sangeet Natak Akademi is national academy for music, dance and
drama is the first National Academy of the arts set-up by the Republic
of India.
● It was created by a resolution of Government of India.
● The academy functions as the apex body of the performing arts in the
country to preserve and promote the vast cultural heritage of India
expressed in music, dance and drama.
● It also works with governments and art academies in states and
territories of the country.
 ● Each year the Academy awards SangeetNatakAkademi Fellowships,
Ratna Sadsya, to distinguished individuals for their contribution to
the field of arts, music, dance and theatre.
● UstadBismillah Khan Award is given to young artists for their talent
in the fields of music, dance and drama.
River Information System
● River Information System is a combination of modern tracking
equipment related hardware and software designed to optimize traffic
and transport processes in inland navigation.
● RIS is being implemented under the overall responsibility of Inland
Waterway Authority of India, a statutory body administered by the
Ministry of Shipping.
● The system enhances swift electronic data transfer between mobile
vessels and shore (Base stations) through advance and real-time
exchange of information.
Shark Bay
● Shark Bay is the World Heritage-listed marine ecosystem situated in
Australia.
● Since 2011 it has been devastated by extreme temperatures, when a
brutal marine heatwave struck off Western Australia.
● According to World Heritage Advisory Committee Shark Bay is
classifiedas the highest category of vulnerability to future climate
change.
● Shark Bay hosts the world’s most extensive population of
Stromatolites – stump-shaped colonies of microbes that date back
billions of years.
NATO
● Recently Balkan nation Macedonia has signed accession papers with
NATO.
 ● North Atlantic Treaty Organization or North Atlantic Alliance
(NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance.
● It constitutes a system of collective defense whereby its independent
member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by
any external party.

Source: The Hindu, Down to Earth, PIB

12-02-2019
Swachh Shakti
● It is a nationwide annual convention of women sarpanches which aims
to bring in to focus the leadership role played by rural women in Swachh
Bharat Mission.
● Women Swachha grahis and women champions from other walks of life
from across the country were recognized for their outstanding
contribution towards making a Swachh Bharat during the event.
● Swachh Shakti event was first held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the second
event was held at Lucknow, UPand the third event has been recently
held at Kurushetra, Haryana.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan
● It is centrally sponsored scheme which being implemented by Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports.
● The scheme aims to construct block level sports complexes and conduct
annual rural sports competitions.
● Following sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels
are conducted under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan:
1. Rural Sports Competitions
2. Sports Competitions exclusively for Women
3. North East Games
 4. Sports Competitions for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected
Areas
● For the development of sports infrastructure in the country the Urban
Sports Infrastructure Scheme is being implemented under the scheme.
● National Sports Development Fund has been setup by union sports
ministry with the objective of development and maintenance of sports
infrastructure.
HELINA Missile
● India recently test-fired its helicopter-launched version of NAG
anti-tank guided missile, HELINA.
● It is indigenously designed and built by DRDO.
● Helina has a hit range of 7-8 km can be launched from army chopper.
● It is guided by an infrared imaging seeker (IIR) operating in the lock-on
before-launch mode and helps in further strengthening the defense
capabilities of the country.
National Data Repository
● NDR has been created to provide explorers’ data on the country’s
repositories, allowing them to choose fields according to their
capabilities.
● Data received through the National Seismic Program (an in-depth study
of 26 sedimentary basins) are continuously being updated to the NDR.
Golden Langur
● The golden langur is found only in western Assam and along the
adjoining Indo-Bhutan border.
● The coat of the adult golden langur ranges from cream to golden, on its
flanks and chest the hairs are darker and often rust colored.
● It is one of the most endangered primate species of India
● The ‘Golden Langur Habitat Conservation’ has been taken up in Manas
National Park in Assam.
e-Cocoon App
● Ministry of Textiles has launched a mobile application for quality
certification in silkworm seed sector.
● The app will be used by the Seed Analysts and Seed Officers nominated
under Central Seed Act for system and product certification through real
time reporting.

Source: PIB, the Hindu, Down to Earth

13-02-2019
National Productivity Week
● National Productivity Council was established as autonomous,
multipartite, non-profit organization by the Ministry of Industry,
Government of India.
● National Productivity Council observed February 12, its foundation day
as Productivity Day.
● It also celebrates National Productivity Week from February 12-18.
 ● This year’s theme is “Circular Economy for Productivity &
Sustainability” which represents a unique opportunity for circular
business models for Make - Use - Return.
● It presents an opportunity for long term economic prospects and
regeneration of materials.
● Transitioning to an efficient circular economy will benefit industry and
all stakeholders now and in future.
● The circular economy follows the principle of preservation and
enhancement of natural capital by controlling finite stocks and
balancing renewable resource flows.
● Circular economy has the potential to increase productivity and create
jobs, whilst reducing carbon emissions and preserving valuable raw
materials.
1st Aqua Mega Food Park in Andhra Pradesh
● Union Minister for Food Processing commissioned Godavari Mega Aqua
Food Park at Tundurru Village in West Godavari District, Andhra
Pradesh.
● This is the 1st Mega Aqua Food Park operationalised exclusively
established for fish and marine products processing in the State of
Andhra Pradesh.
● The modern infrastructure for food processing created at Park will
benefit the farmers, growers, processors and consumers of Andhra
Pradesh.
● It will be a big boost to the growth of the food processing sector in the
State of Andhra Pradesh.
‘Crying’ Snake
● A new species of ‘crying’ snake has been discovered in Lepa-Rada
district of Arunachal Pradesh.
● It is a non-venomous crying keelback, whose zoological name is Hebius
lacrima.
● ‘Lacrima’ means tear in Latin.
 ● The name for this keelback was suggested because of a dark spot under
its eyes looking like black tear.

● The snake prefers to live near streams along paddy fields.

● It was found to feed on small fish, tadpole, frogs and geckos.
● The northeast is home to some 110 global snake species.

Pope Francis’ historic UAE visit

● Pope Francis undertook his first-ever visit to UAE following an
invitation by the Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
● The visit coincided with UAE’s celebration of the Year of Tolerance.
● Pope’s visit was compared to the St Francis of Assisi’s meeting with
Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt in the early 13th century.
● St.Francis’ meeting with the Sultan took place under completely
different circumstances.
● St Francis was no Pope and was an Italian Catholic Friar and preacher,
canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.
● In the 13th century, Christianity and Islam were fighting against each
other in the fifth crusade in an attempt by the former to reacquire
Jerusalem.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)
 ● Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a
Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprise.
● It is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities.
● It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises.
● Its objective is to benefit the persons with disability to the maximum
extent.
● The company makes it possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids
for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and
developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial
Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the
country.
● The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various
types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities
across the country.
Luira Phanit
● Luira Phanit is one of the most important festivals of the Tangkhuls
Naga.
● Tangkhuls are a major Naga ethnic group living in the Indo-Burma
border area occupying the Ukhrul district in Manipur.
● It is a traditional seed sowing festival which is famous for song ,dance
and food.
● It also remains the greatest agriculture festival celebrated by the
Tangkhuls.
● It is also called as ‘pork eating festival’ as a pig or cattle is killed during
the festival.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

14-02-2019
Mysticellus franki
● It is a mysterious narrow-mouthed frog that was spotted in the seasonal
roadside puddles in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
● It is a new species and belongs to a completely new genus, Mysticellus.
● Mysticellus is named after Latin ‘mysticus’, meaning mysterious; and
‘ellus’ meaning diminutive as the frog is just around 3 cm long.
● The species is named after evolutionary biologist Franky Bossuyt from
Brussel’s Vrije Universiteit.

● Adults have two black spots that look like eyes on their backs, a
defensive feature that probably helps startle predators.
● The frogs’ calls are extremely different as it resembles that of insects.
● Genetic studies further revealed that the frog is around 40 million years
old and its nearest relatives live more than 2,000 km away, in Southeast
Asia (including Indo-Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam).
● The genetic studies add strength to the theories that India and
Southeast Asia were connected in the past by land bridges.
National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK)
 ● The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for Extension of tenure of
the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK) for 3 years.
● The NCSK was established as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993.
● The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 lapsed with
effect from 2004.
● After that, the Commission is acting as a Non-Statutory body of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment whose tenure is extended
from time to time through Government Resolutions.
● The major beneficiaries are the Safai Karamcharis and persons engaged
in manual scavenging in the country since the NCSK will work for their
welfare and upliftment.
● As per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual
Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, the NCSK has been assigned
the work to monitor the implementation of the Act.
● It also tenders advice for the act’s effective implementation to the Centre
and State Governments and enquire into complaints regarding
contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act.

e-AUSHADHI
● The e-AUSHADHI portal was launched for online licensing of Ayurveda,
Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters.
● This new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and
Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
● It is intended for increased transparency, improved information
management facility, improved data usability and increased
accountability.
● It will provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and
their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the
concerned authority for specific grievances.
Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP)
 ● The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation in collaboration
with Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) held a one-day workshop on the
emerging concept Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP).
● GDKP provides a fundamental measure of growth by including a wide
range of factors that involve the creation and accumulation of
knowledge.
● GDKP creates a comparable measure of the production of individual
wealth based on knowledge.
● GDKP creates a optimal capital investment measure for private
companies in knowledge rather then in other forms of capital
investments.
● GDKP is based on four basic pillars
1. Knowledge items (Ki)
2. Country’s Knowledge Producing Matrix (CKPM)
3. Country’s Knowledge User Matrix (CKUM)
4. Cost of Individual Learning, compared to the Cost of Living
Guidelines for audio devices
● World Health Organization and International Telecommunications
Union issued a non-binding international standard for the manufacture
and use of audio devices.
● WHO considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100
decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.
● The safe listening devices and systems standard calls for“sound
allowance” software to be included in all audio devices.
● It will track the volume level and duration of a user’s exposure to sound,
and to evaluate the risk posed to their hearing.
Nord Stream 2
● Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline project.
● Its purpose is to bring Russian gas under the Baltic Sea direct to
Germany.
● The decision to build Nord Steam 2 was based on the successful
experience in building and operating the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
 ● So it is an expansion of the Russia’s existing Nord Stream gas pipeline.
● It will also ensure a highly reliable supply of Russian gas to Europe.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

15-02-2019
Battle of Sinhagad
● The Battle of Sinhagad took place on the fort of Sinhagad near the city of
Pune, Maharashtra, India.
 ● The battle was fought between Tanaji Malusare commander of Maratha
ruler Shivaji and Udaybhan Rathod, fort keeper under Jai Singh I who
was a Mughal Army Chief.
● Tanaji Malusare lost his life but the Kondana fort was captured.
● The Sinhagad Fort was initially known as "Kondhana" after the sage
Kaundinya.
● Shivaji renamed the fort from Kondhana fort to Sinhagad to honour the
Commander Tanaji Malusare
Kattaikuthu
● It is a Tamil-language based, physical and vocal form of rural, open-air
ensemble theatre.
● It is widespread in the northern and central parts of the state of Tamil
Nadu in South India.
● Kattaikkuttu uses different kinds of song, music, articulated prose,
acting, movement, make-up and elaborate costumes.
● It produces all-night narrative events most of which are based on the
pan-Indian epic, the Mahabharata.
● The performers – by tradition only men - sing, act and dance and the
musicians accompany them on the harmonium, the mridangam and the
mukavinai.
● It uses a wide range of media that require multiple skills, including a
strong voice, versatile acting and movement skills and a talent for
spontaneous comedy.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)
● PM-SYM will be rolled out by the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
● The scheme was announced in the Interim Budget for the well being of
the unorganized sector.
● The eligibility to join the scheme are as follows
1. The unorganized sector worker whose monthly income is Rs 15,000/ per
month or less.
2. Should belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years are eligible for the
scheme.
 3. Should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’
State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident
Fund Organisation (EPFO).
4. should not be an income tax payee.
● The salient Features of PM-SYM are
1. Minimum Assured Pension​: Each subscriber under the PM-SYM,
shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after
attaining the age of 60 years.
2. Family Pension: During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies,
the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the
pension received by the beneficiary as family pension. Family pension is
applicable only to spouse.
● PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50
basis between the subscriber and Central Government.
● It will be a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labor
and Employment.
● It will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India and
Community Service Centers
Islamic revolution (Iranian Revolution of 1978-79)
● The 40th anniversary of the Iran’s Islamic Revolution that took place in
1978-79 was observed.
● The protests during the 1978-79 upended the Pahlavi dynasty and
brought the theocratic regime.
● The reason for the revolution was to stop the oppression under the
western secular policies of the authoritarian Shah of Iran.
● This movement against the United States-backed monarchy was
supported by various leftist and Islamist organizations and student
movements.
● After 1988 Iran was officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran.
● The Islamic Revolution impacted other Muslim majority countries by
showing how to fight against oppression, westernization and
secularization of society.
 ● Iran’s crude oil production, which makes up for 70% of the country’s
export, saw a major fall following the Islamic revolution in 1979.
● United States of America imposed sanctions upon Iran following the
revolution.
Brownian motion
● Brownian motion is the continuous random movement of microscopic
solid particles when suspended in liquid or gas.
● The zig-zagging movement of the particles was first observed by the
British botanist Robert Brown.
● It was observed by him in 1827 while studying pollen grains in water
and is named after him.
● Brownian movement occurs because of collisions of the particles with
the continually moving molecules of the liquid or gas.
● The molecules cannot be seen but their effect on the particles
demonstrates their existence.
● The phenomenon accounts for the gradual dispersal of smells in the air.
Shift in Phenology
● Phenology is the time of flowering, fruiting, and arrival of leaves.
● Across the world, scientists have recorded a shift in phenology in several
tree species with the rising air temperatures.
● In Germany an examination of data from 1961 to 2000 showed that the
phenology of fruit trees and field crops had clearly advanced as air
temperatures had drastically changed since the late 1980s.
● Another study across Europe revealed that a warming in early spring
(February to April) by 1 degree Celsius caused an advance in the
beginning of the growing season by seven days.
● In India, Kani Kona flowers in Kerala blossomed two months ahead of
Vishu.
● Vishu is the Malayalam New Year celebrated during the Mid-April.
● The ‘kani konna’ or the Indian laburnum is the state flower of Kerala.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

16-02-2019
Kawal Tiger Reserve
● Kawal tiger reserve is situated in Northern part of the Telegana state.
● The wildlife sanctuary in Kawal is the catchment area of river Godavari
and Kadam.
● The indiactor species of the sanctuary are Tiger and Nilgai.
● The reserve forms the southern end of the central Indian Tiger Reserve
Landscpe.
● It is also linked to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharastra to it
north and Indrvathi Tiger reerve to its east
● The forest area found here is the southern tropical mixed dry deciduous
forest and dry teak forest.
Waste to Energy (WTE) Plants
● Waste to Energy (WTE), is a term that is used to describe various
technologies that convert non-recyclable waste into usable forms of
energy including heat, fuels and electricity.
● WTE can occur through a number of processes such as incineration,
gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas recovery.
● As per the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, MSW
generation will reach 4.5 lakh TPD by 2031 and 11.9 lakh TPD by 2050.
● Nearly half of India’s waste-to-energy (WTE) plants, meant to convert
non-biodegradable waste, are defunct.
● The key reasons for closure are
1. The plants’ inability to handle mixed solid waste
2. The high cost of electricity generated by them that renders it
unattractive to power companies.
● The fundamental reason for the inefficiency of WTE plants is the quality
and composition of waste.
 ● MSW (municipal solid waste) in India has low calorific value and high
moisture content.
Kelp forest
● Climate change could lead to declines of underwater kelp forests
through impacts on their micro biome.
● It was predicted that ocean warming and acidification can change
microbes on the kelp surface, leading to disease and potentially putting
fisheries at risk.
● Kelp Forests are underwater ecosystems formed in shallow water by the
dense growth of several different species known as kelps.
● Kelps are actually extremely large brown algae, although they look like
plants.
● They thrive in cold, nutrient-rich waters.
● Kelp attaches to the seafloor and eventually grows to the water’s surface
and relies on sunlight to generate food and energy.
● Kelps live further from the tropics than coral reefs, mangrove forests,
and warm-water seagrass beds, so kelp forests do not overlap with those
systems.
Unicode Consortium
● Unicode Consortium These is planning to release a new emojis list.
● Emoji are pictographs (pictorial symbols) that are typically presented in
a colorful form and used inline in text.
● They represent things such as faces, weather, vehicles and buildings,
food and drink, animals and plants, or icons that represent emotions,
feelings, or activities.
● The Unicode Consortium is a non-profit corporation.
● It is devoted to developing, maintaining, and promoting software
internationalization standards and data.
● It deals particularly with the Unicode Standard, which specifies the
representation of text in all modern software products and standards.
Corps of Signal
 ● The Indian army Corps of Signals celebrated its 108th Anniversary
recently.
● It is an arm of Indian army and was raised in 1911.
● It is well poised to exploit the state-of-art modern communication
techniques for meeting the requirements of the Indian Army in the 21st
century.
● Generally a signal corps is a military branch, responsible for military
communications (signals).
● Military communication usually consists of radio, telephone, and digital
communications.
● It works closely with Defense Research and Development Organization
(DRDO).
● It has developed command and control software, notably Samyukta
Electronic Warfare System.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

18-02-2019
660 km Boundary
● Usually p & s waves of earthquake are used to study the earth’s inner
layers.
● Earthquakes that are of magnitude 7.0 or higher send out shockwaves in
all directions that can travel through the core to the other side of the
planet.
● Just as light waves can reflect off a mirror or refract when passing
through a prism, earthquake waves travel straight through homogenous
rocks but reflect or refract when they encounter any boundary or
roughness.
● Thus the scattering waves carry the information about the inner layer's
roughness.
● Scientists used such data from a magnitude 8.2 earthquake that
happened in Bolivia to find mountains and other topography that
separates the upper and lower mantle around 660 km straight down.

● Lacking a formal name it is simply called “the 660-km boundary” for

now.
● The layer is found to be rougher than the surface layer that we all live on
i.e stronger topography than the Rocky/Appalachians is present at the
660-km boundary.
● These mountains could also be bigger than anything on the surface of
the Earth.
● Also, just like the presence of both the smooth ocean floors and massive
mountains in the crust, the 660-km boundary has rough areas and
smooth patches.
● The boundary will have significant implications on our understanding of
how our planet was formed and evolved.
LADIS Portal
● Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched a new portal
called Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS).
● It was designed to facilitate the day to day operations of inland vessels
plying on National Waterways and to avoid any hindrance in service and
operation.
● It will enhance credibility and efficiency of information sharing to
achieve seamless operations on National Waterways, besides
pre-empting problems that may occur during movement of vessels.
● Vessel operators/ cargo owners will prepare their sailing plans strictly as
per applicable waterways related information (Hydrographic survey
reports, River Notices etc.) .
National Security Act
● National Security Act (NSA) empowers the Centre or a State government
to detain a person to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial
to national security.
● As per the National Security Act, the grounds for preventive detention of
a person include:
a. Acting in any manner prejudicial to the defense of India, the relations of
India with foreign powers, or the security of India.
b. Regulating the continued presence of any foreigner in India or with a
view to making arrangements for his expulsion from India.
c. Preventing them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of
the State or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of
public order or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the
maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community it is
necessary so to do.
● The maximum period for which one may be detained is 12 months, but
the term can be extended if the government finds fresh evidence.
● In the normal course, if a person is arrested, he or she is guaranteed
certain basic rights, these include the right to be informed of the reason
for the arrest, right to bail, and arrested person has to be produced
before a court within 24 hours of arrest.
 ● Additionally, Article 22(1) of the Constitution says an arrested person
cannot be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal
practitioner of his choice.
● But none of these rights are available to a person detained under the
NSA.
● The proceedings of the NSA related cases are handled by an advisory
board constituted by the government.
Appointment of Election Commissioner
● Under article 324 Election commission (EC) consist of Chief election
commissioner and such number of other election commissioners (fixed
by president time to time), as of now the EC consist of one CEC and 2
Election commissioners.
● Chief Election commissioner and other election commissioners are
appointed by the President of India.
● Chief Election commissioner is the chairman of election commissions,
the CEC and other Election Commissioners have equal powers and
receive equal salary and other emoluments similar to those of a
Supreme Court judge.
● The Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner shall
hold officefor a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65,
whichever is earlier.
● Recently Supreme Court directed that the appointment process of
Central Information Commissioner (CIC) is on the "same terms" of
appointment of Chief Election commissioner.

Source: PIB, The Hindu

19-02-2019
Guru Ravidas
● He is a 14th century saint and reformer of the Bhakti movement in
North India.
 ● He was from Varanasi.
● He was the son of a cobbler who gained prominence due to his belief in
one God and his unbiased religious poems.
● His devotional songs made an instant impact on the Bhakti Movement.
● Around 41 of his poems were included in ‘Adi Granth’ or ‘Guru Granth
Sahib’, the religious text of the Sikhs.
● Ravidas dedicated his whole life for the abolition of the caste system and
openly despised the notion of a Brahminical society.
Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony
● It was instituted by the Government of India to recognize the
contributions made by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to humanity.
● It is awarded annually and carries an amount of Rs 1 Crore, a citation in
a Scroll, a Plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft or
handloom item.
● Exponent of Manipuri dance Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was given the
award for the year 2014.
● Chhayanaut, a cultural organization of Bangladesh was given the award
for 2015 for its role in the promotion of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's
works and Bangla arts.
● Renowned sculptor and scholar Ram Vanji Sutar was given the award
for 2016.
National Cyber Forensic Lab
● Union Home Minister inaugurated the National Cyber Forensic Lab and
Cyber Prevention, Awareness & Detection Centre (CyPAD) of Delhi
Police recently.
● NFCL is inaugurated under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre
(i-4C).
● i-4C deals with cyber crimes such as financial frauds, circulation of
communal and pornographic contents.
● NFCL will have equipment’s to deal with memory forensics, image
enhancement, crypto currencyforensics, recovery of damaged hard drive
and advanced mobile forensics.
 ● The lab will also function as an all-India base to deal and coordinate
with cyber threats, where nation- wide information will be generated
and stored at the National Cyber Reporting Portal.
● State police units will have access to the facilities and can get their
forensic samples analyzed.
Global Go To Think Tank Index Report
● Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has been named the highest
ranked Indian think tank in the "2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index
Report".
● Globally the US-based Brookings Institution is the highest ranked think
tank, followed by the French Institute of International Relations and the
Carnegie Endowment.
● The report is published by Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, The
Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania.
● The largest number of think tanks in 2018 are from the US (1,871)
followed by India (509) and China (507).
● Japan and South Korea have 128 and 60 think tanks respectively.
● The ranking was based on several parameters such as
1. quality and reputation of research and analysis produced
2. academic performance and reputation
3. quality, number, and reach of publications
4. impact of research on policy makers
SPHEREx
● NASA will launch a new space telescope in 2023 called SPHEREx.
● It would provide a glimpse of the first moments in the history of the
universe, and explore how common are the ingredients for life in our
galaxy’s planetary system.
● SPHEREx is the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe,
Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer.
● NASA plans it as a two-year mission.
● It will survey the sky in optical as well as near-infrared light which
serves as a powerful tool for answering cosmic questions.
Recession
● Economics Nobel winner Paul Krugman had warned that the US could
possibly be heading for a recession.
● A recession is a significant decline in economic activity that goes on for
more than a few months.
● It is visible in industrial production, employment, real income and
wholesale-retail trade.
● Further, if the recession is prolonged over a longer period it is said to be
Depression.
● Depression is commonly defined as an extreme recession that lasts two
or more years.
● A depression is a severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity.
● The Great Depression of 1929 is considered to be an example of
depression in economic history.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard

20-02-2019
International Intellectual Property Index
● The index was prepared by the US Chamber of Commerce's ​Global
Innovation Policy Center (GIPC).
● It ranks countries based on 45 indicators that are critical to an
innovation-led economy supported by robust patent, trademark,
copyright, and trade secrets protection.
● The Index analyses the IP climate in 50 global economies.
● The US, the UK, Sweden, France and Germany remained the top five
economies on the intellectual property index in 2019.
● India ranks 36 in the IP Index
● India's has jumped from 44th position in 2018.
● According to the index report, the key problems in India include
 1. barriers to licensing and technology transfer
2. strict registration requirements
3. limited framework for the protection of bio-pharmaceutical IP right
4. patentability requirements outside international standards

Samadhan
● The Union government has launched Samadhan portal to help workers
and employers raise industrial disputes online.
● Samadhan stands for Software Application for Monitoring and Disposal,
Handling of Industrial Disputes.
● It is a dedicated web portal to bring all stakeholders - government,
industry, and labor - involved in industrial disputes on a single
integrated platform.
● The bodies which help in resolving the disputes – office of chief labor
commissioner (central), industrial relations division, and central
government industrial tribunal (CGIT)– will be able to get the requests
and send updates to workers and employers on this portal.
● It has been launched on a pilot basis for workers belonging to five states
– Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
● Under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, an industrial dispute is defined
as any dispute or difference between employers and employees or
amongst a group of workers or employers related to employment,
termination, and condition of work, among others.
● The web portal will make the process of settling industrial disputes is
simplified, standardized and streamlined.
Emergency Response Support Sysytem(ERSS)
● The Women Safety initiative of Emergency Response Support System
(ERSS) was launched in 16 States/UTs and Mumbai city.
● Under ERSS ​a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number
112 was made operationalised.
● On the emergency number ‘112’ immediate assistance can be sought by
anyone in distress.
 ● The single emergency services number 112 will combine Police, Fire,
Health and other help-lines through an Emergency Response Centre in
the State.

Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO)

● Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe
City Implementation Monitoring Portal was also launched.
● It is meant for the law enforcement agencies in the country.
● The system is an online module available to law enforcement agencies at
all levels - national, state, district and police station.
● It allows the state to undertake real-time monitoring and management
for completion of investigation in rape cases.
● It would also strengthen the ability of states for analytics and prognosis
for timely investigation and prosecution in rape cases.
Bramble Cay melomys
● Australia officially declared a Great Barrier Reef rodent called Bramble
Cay melomys extinct recently.
● A Cay is a low-lying island on a coral reef.
 ● It became the first mammal believed to have been killed off by
human-induced climate change.
● The rodent lived solely on a tiny sand island in the Torres Strait, near
the coast of Papua New Guinea.

● The species has not been seen since 2009.

● A key factor in its disappearance was repeated ocean inundation of the
cay over the last decade, which had resulted in dramatic habitat loss.
● The Melomys rubicola is considered the Great Barrier Reef’s only
endemic mammal species.
● It was first discovered on the cay in 1845 by Europeans who shot the
large rat for sport.
● According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
Australia has one of world'shighest rates of animal extinction.
Great White Shark
● A major study decoded Great White Shark entire genome and found that
it could hold new clues to the fight against cancer.
● The great white shark is also known as the great white, white shark or
white pointer.
 ● It is one of the most powerful and dangerous predatory sharks in the
world.
● They are a large shark and grow up to at least 20 feet long, or 6.1 meters.
● They are frequently centered in highly productive ​temperate coastal
waters.
● It the only known surviving species of its genus Carcharodon.
● According to IUCN, the species is classified as ​vulnerable.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard

21-02-2019
NICRA
● National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is a
network project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
launched in, 2011.
● The project aims to enhance resilience of Indian agriculture to climate
change and climate vulnerability through strategic research and
technology demonstration.
● The research on adaptation and mitigation covers crops, livestock,
fisheries and natural resource management.
● The project consists of four components viz.
1. Strategic Research.
2. Technology Demonstration.
3. Capacity Building.
4. Sponsored/Competitive Grants.
India’s Trillion-Dollar Digital Economy Report
● India’s Trillion-Dollar Digital economy is a new report released by
Ministry for Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY).
 ● The report finds that India can create up to $1 trillion of economic value
from the digital economy in 2025, with about half of the opportunity
originating in new digital ecosystems that can spring up in diverse
sectors of the economy.
● Currently, India’s digital economy generates about $200 billion of
economic value.
HOPE portal
● National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare
Organizations (NABH) has introduced an online portal called HOPE.
● HOPE - Healthcare Organizations’ Platform for
Entry-Level-Certification aims to promote quality at nascent stages by
enrolling a wide range of hospitals across the country including
Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) and Small Healthcare Organizations
(SHCOs).
● It tries to create a momentum for HCOs and SHCOs that want to avail
benefits associated with Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India (IRDAI) and Ayushman Bharat by getting themselves
NABH certified.
● The IRDAI has mandated hospitals to ensure a quality healthcare
ecosystem through NABH Entry-Level Certification Process.
NABH
● NABH, a constituent body of QCI, has been working to ensure
reliability, efficiency and global accreditation in Indian healthcare sector
using contemporary methodologies and tools, standards of patient
safety and infection control.
● NABH accreditation provides assurance of quality and care in hospitals
at par with international benchmarks.
● NABH has designed an exhaustive healthcare standard for hospitals and
healthcare providers that have been accredited by ISQUA the apex
international accreditation body.
Quality Council of India
 ● Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous organization under the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, established in 1997.
● It is the Quality Apex and National Accreditation Body for accreditation
and quality promotion in India.
● The Council was established to provide a credible, reliable mechanism
for third party assessment of products, services and processes which is
accepted and recognized globally.
Mycetoma
● Recently group of experts from WHO called for a combined action to
address Mycetoma disease.
● Mycetoma is a disease characterized by disabling deformities and
associated with severe morbidity.
● It is an inflammatory disease of the skin, connective tissue, muscle and
bone, results from infection caused by more than 70 bacterial or fungal
microorganisms.
● The tropical disease is known to affect rural populations, particularly
those who walk barefoot, like agricultural laborers and herdsmen.
● If not detected and managed early, this disease can cause limb deformity
and, in advanced cases, lead to amputation and death.

Source: PIB, Down to Earth

22-02-2019
Bio Diversity Hotspot
● British environmentalist and conservationist Norman Myers coined the
term “biodiversity hotspot”.
● It refers to an area with a vast array of life-forms found nowhere else in
the world and is threatened by various factors.
● To classify a region as a biodiversity hotspot two criteria must be met:
 1. It should have a minimum of 1,500 species of vascular plants found
solely in that region
2. It should have lost at least 70 % of its native vegetation.
● Around the world, 36 areas qualify as hotspots and they represent just
2.4% of Earth’s land surface.

● India is one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries.

● It has biodiversity hotspots in the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
● Focusing on biodiversity hotspots is the way to save the most species
with the least use of time, money and effort.
SWAYATT
● It is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
● It is to promote ​S​tart-ups, ​W​omen ​a​nd ​Y​outh ​A​dvantage ​T​hrough
e-​t​ransactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM).
● This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian
entrepreneurial ecosystem to GeM.
 ● GeM Start-up Runway, an initiative of GeM in association with Start -up
India, was also launched.
● It is to facilitate Start-ups registered with Start -up India.
● It will be an aid to access the public procurement market and sell
innovative products and services to government buyers.
● Both these initiatives will reach out and empower the diverse groups in
our country.
Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu
● Tele-Law (mobile application and dashboard) and Nyaya Bandhu
(mobile application) were launched recently by Department of Justice
(DoJ), Ministry of Law and Justice.
● Tele-Law is about mainstreaming Legal Aid through Common Service
Centers while Nyaya Bandhu is about Pro Bono Legal Services (Free
Legal Services).
● The tele-law services across the country provide every litigant access to
free legal aid services.
● The Nyaya bandhu app service was developed to accelerate and facilitate
practicing advocates to register and connect with the registered eligible
beneficiaries.
● Both the programs are aimed at fulfilling the State's constitutional
obligation of providing "free legal aid" for all (Article 39A).
Operation Digital Board (ODB)
● It was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
● It has been launched on the lines of Operation Blackboard to provide
better digital education in schools.
● It aims to set up one digital and interactive board per classroom in
government and government-aided schools
● 7 lakh classrooms of 9​th​, 10​th and 11​th standards and 2 lakh classrooms
of colleges and Universities will be covered in the next 3 years.
● University Grants Commission will be the implementing agency for
ODB in Higher Education Institutions.
Graveyard Orbits
● It is a higher orbit where the satellites are transferred to, after they
reach the end of their mission.
● It is mostly used for the disposal of geostationary satellites that orbit
directly above Earth’s equator at a height of 35,786 kilometers.
● It usually lies 300km above the geostationary orbit.
● This is done to prevent collisions with other operational satellites and
also to make space for new satellites in the geostationary orbit.
All India Citizens Survey of Police Services
● Ministry of Home Affairs has commissioned the ​Bureau of Police
Research and Development to conduct a pan-India survey called
“All India Citizens Survey of Police Services”.
● The survey will be conducted through the ​National Council of
Applied Economic Research, New Delhi​.
● The survey is aimed
1. To understand public perceptions about Police
2. To gauge the level of non-reporting of crimes or incidents to Police
3. To assess the position on ground relating to crime reporting &
recording, timeliness and quality of police response and action,
4. To assess citizens' perception and experience about women and
children’s safety

Source: PIB, The Hindu

23-02-2019
Fernandina Giant Tortoise
● It is a rare Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus).
● It was feared to be extinct but has been found in a remote part of the
Galapagos island of Fernandina recently.
 ● The IUCN listed it as ​critically endangered & possibly extinct​.
● Its habitat is largely dry brush land at lower elevations, but much of that
habitat has been destroyed by extensive lava flows.
● Fernandina is the third largest Galapagos Island and features the La
Cumbre volcano, one of the most active in the world.
Aerobics 150
● Physical inactivity is identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global
mortality.
● It leads to prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the
general health of the population.
● It is also estimated to be the main cause for approximately 21%-25% of
breast and colon cancers and 27% of diabetes.
● So, WHO has prescribed 150 minutes of weekly physical activity to
reduce the risk of hypertension, improve bone and functional health.
Padayani
● It is a ritual art and folk dance form performed at Bhadrakali temples in
the state of Kerala.
● The word ‘Padai-ani’ means line-up or formation of the soldiers.
● The story behind Padaiyani is the re-enactment of the killing of Demon
Darika and calming the Goddess Kali after it.
● The following are the essential parts of Padaiyani.
1. Kolams - Folk deities drawn on green areca leaf sheaths with
natural colours.
2. Kolappattu - Songs in admiration of Bhagavathi,
3. Kolam thullal - Rhythmic footsteps and dance.
4. Vinodam - Satire, protesting social evils.
5. Velichappadu - a comedy character, and
6. Paradeshi - a character that bring news from around the world
● The dance is to appease the Goddess so that there is eradication of
social evils and there is rain, good crop and prosperity.
States’ ranking on Startup initiatives
 ● Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has
released the 2​nd​ edition of Startup Ranking framework for 2019.
● The framework aims to rank the States/UTs for establishing a robust
ecosystem for supporting Startups.
● It also encourages States and UTs to identify, learn and replicate good
practices from each other.
● It comprises of 7 pillars that evaluates States’/UTs efforts across
1. institutional support
2. simplifying regulations
3. easing public procurement
4. incubation support
5. seed funding support
6. venture funding support
7. awareness and outreach related activities.
● The States and Union Territories will be evaluated based on the reforms
submitted based on these accounts and ranking will be released soon.
Cervical Cancer in India
● A global analysis in The Lancet Oncology report estimated that India
can eliminate cervical cancer by 2079.
● It is a ​cancer that develops in a woman's cervix i.e the lower part
of the uterus in the human female reproductive system.
● It is nearly always caused by infection with human papillomavirus
(HPV).
● It is the second most common cancer among women, after ​breast
cancer​.
● In India, according to 2012 estimates 1,22,844 women/year are
diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die from the disease.
● So, India has planned to introduce human papilloma virus (HPV)
vaccine in the government program by 2020.
● Also India has started screening for cervical cancer in health and
wellness centers under the Ayushman Bharat program.
 ● The Lancet estimates suggest that combining the vaccine and screening
in all countries from 2020 onwards could prevent up to 13.4 million
cases of cervical cancer within 50 years.

Source: PIB,The Hindu, The Indian Express

25-02-2019
Wallace’s giant bee (Megachile pluto)
● It is the world’s largest bee that was rediscovered in a remote part of
Indonesia.
● Wallace’s giant bee was discovered in the 19th century by British
naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.
● The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the bee as “vulnerable”.
● It was nicknamed the “flying bulldog as it is nearly four times bigger
than the European bee.
● It lives in the Indonesian island region of North Moluccas and makes its
nest in termite mounds
Gita Govinda
● Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata has put on display a handwritten
18th-century copy of Gita Govinda to mark the International Mother
Language Day.
● It is written in Sanskrit by Jayadeva.
● It an important text of the Bhakti Movement and dates back to the 12​th
century.
● It depicts the relationship between Lord Krishna and Radha.
● It was also the inspiration for many beautiful miniature paintings of the
Rajasthani and Pahari schools in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Civilian deaths in Afghanistan
 ● The report from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
stated that a record number of Afghan civilians were killed last year due
to stepped up aerial attacks by U.S-led forces and more suicide
bombings.
● The conflict in Afghanistan claimed 3,804 civilian lives that included
927 children leading to an 11% spike in civilian deaths versus 2017.
● Suicide attacks and aerial operations each caused the most civilian
casualties ever recorded by UNAMA.
● Ground engagements, mainly between pro-government forces and
anti-government groups remained the second leading cause of civilian
casualties.
● The mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority has been heavily targeted by attacks
claimed by the local affiliate of Islamic State.
Hayabusa 2 and Ryugu asteroid
● Hayabusa 2 is a Japanese probe sent to collect samples from an asteroid
for clues about the origin of life and the solar system.
● It fired a bullet into the surface of the Ryugu asteroid.
● The Ryugu asteroid is thought to contain relatively large amounts of
organic matter and water from some 4.6 billion years ago when the solar
system was born.
● It was launched in December 2014 and is scheduled to return to the
Earth with its samples in 2020.
● The probe will observe the surface of the asteroid with its camera and
sensing equipment.
National Action Plan – Viral Hepatitis
● It was launched by Union Ministry Health & Family Welfare.
● In India, it is estimated that there are 4 crore people suffering from
Hepatitis B and 0.6-1.2 crore people suffering from Hepatitis C.
● It provides a strategic framework, based on which National Viral
Hepatitis Control Program was framed and launched under National
Health Mission.
● The aim of the program is to
 1. combat hepatitis and achieve countrywide elimination of Hepatitis C by
2030
2. achieve significant reduction in the infected population, morbidity and
mortality associated with Hepatitis B, C, A and E.
● In India, Hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in the Universal
Immunization Program a decade ago.
Flamingo Count
● It is the counting of flamingos that will be taken up across the country
for the first time.
● It is undertaken by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in
collaboration with NGOs and local birdwatchers across the country.
● In India there are two species of flamingos — Greater Flamingo -
Phoenicopterus rosues and Lesser Flamingo - Phoeniconaias minor.
● The taller of the two species is the greater flamingo.
● Lesser flamingos are more pink in colour and their legs are sorter.
● Greater flamingos have light pink beaks with a dark tip which are
widespread in India
● It will migrate to South India during winter and spend their time in
large reservoirs and mud flats.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

26-02-2019
Rail Drishti Dashboard
● It was launched by Ministry of Railways
● It encompasses all the digitization efforts in Indian Railways and
promotes transparency and accountability.
● It consists of 6 services, namely, PNR enquiry, ODC application enquiry,
Complaint Enquiry, Tender Enquiry, Shramik Enquiry and Freight
related enquiries.
 ● SUGAM – The Freight App is one of the services provided by the
dashboard.
● The App gives access to Indian Railways freight business information.
● It helps customers keep track of their consignment.

Mirage 2000 Fighter Jet

● Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighters were used to destroy the
Jaish-e-Mohammad camps at Balakot along the Line of Control.
● It is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation fighter jet.
● It is manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
● It gained prominence after their remarkable success rate in the 1999
Kargil war.
● It has a maximum climbing speed of 60,000 feet per minute and is
designed for all weather penetration at low altitude.
National War Memorial
● The National War Memorial was inaugurated at New Delhi adjoining
the India Gate recently.
● It commemorates those personnel who participated in and lost their
lives in peace-keeping missions and counter-insurgency operations.
● It pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives during India-China
war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace
Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999.
● The layout of the structure comprises four concentric circles, named the
Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra and Rakshak Chakra.
● It also includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals
depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy in a
covered gallery (Veerta Chakra).
● The busts of 21 awardees of the Param Veer Chakra are installed at the
Param Yoddha Sthal.
● The memorial has been molded as a national centre for civilian
engagement and reverence for the forces.
Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
 ● The National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
found that 2.06% of the population use opioids.
● Opiods is used in any one of the following form
1. opium
2. heroin
3. pharmaceutical opioids (which includes a variety of medications)
● The most commonly used is heroin is (1.14%), followed by
pharmaceutical opioids (0.96%) and opium (0.52%).
● Of an estimated 77 lakh problem opioid users (dependent or harmful
use), more than half are concentrated in just a few states.

5G Living Labs
● Infosys has launched new 5G living labs.
● It aims to help enterprises imagine and create new business models
● It helps Communication Service Providers (CSPs) accelerate and
monetize their 5G network deployment.
● 5G will transform network capabilities bringing in opportunities for
network virtualization, AI and automation.
● More importantly, 5G will enable enterprises usher in innovation, create
new experiences and improve operational efficiency.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express

27-02-2019
Angkor
● According to a study Angkor has suffered a gradual decline rather than a
catastrophic collapse.
● It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cambodia’s
northern province of Siem Reap, South-East Asia.
● It is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.
● Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the
different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
● They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom,
the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.
Phen Wildlife Sanctuary
● It is a popular buffer zone of Kanha national park, Madhya Pradesh.
● It lies in Southern region of Kanha tiger reserve, close to Madhya
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh state borders.
 ● It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in year 1983 by Government of
Madhya Pradesh.
● The Fauna at this sanctuary mainly consists of the Tiger, Leopard, Wild
boar, Cheetal, Sambar etc
Drug residue in fresh water
● Concentrations of pharmaceuticals have increased in freshwater sources
all over the world over the past 20 years.
● The environmental risks of Carbamazepine and ciprofloxacin were
found to be 10 to 20 times higher in 2015 than in 1995.
● Carbamazepine is an anti-epileptic drug and ciprofloxacin is an
antibiotic.
● The concentrations of these antibiotics can be harmful for bacteria in
the water.
● These bacteria found in the fresh water in turn play an important role in
various nutrient cycles.
● It provides an insight into the environmental risks posed by
pharmaceuticals all over the world.
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM)
 ● The indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missile
(QRSAM) was successfully test fired from ITR Chandipur, off the Odisha
Coast.
● It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) for the India Army
● It has a strike range of 30 km and is capable of engaging multiple
targets.
● It uses solid fuel propellant.
● It is an all-weather weapon system that is capable of tracking and firing
with precision.
● It is also an all-terrain missile with electronic counter measures against
jamming by aircraft radars.

Disappearance of Marine Clouds

● Marine clouds could break up and vanish if CO2 in the atmosphere
triples.
● It protects us from hothouse Earth conditions by reflecting sunlight
back into space.
● It is the stratocumulus clouds that cover about 20 % of subtropical
oceans, mostly near western seaboards such as the coasts of California,
Mexico and Peru.
● These clouds cool and shade the earth as they reflect the sunlight that
reflects them back into space.
● Due to the rise in Carbon Dioxide it may become unstable and
disappear.
● The consequence will trigger a spike in global warming.
Sampriti - 2019
● It is an India-Bangladesh joint Military exercise conducted in
Bangladesh.
● It is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between
India and Bangladesh.
 ● It will be the 8​th edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by
both countries.
● It is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and
cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh Armies.
● It will involve tactical level operations in a counter insurgency and
counter terrorism environment under the UN mandate.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard

28-02-2019
Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills
● It was launched by the Minister of Human Resource and Development.
● It is to provide industry apprenticeship opportunities to graduates in
non-technical fields, passing out from the National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
● The objective is to enhance the employability of Indian youth by
providing ‘on-job work exposure’ and stipend.
● It is a program basket comprising the initiatives of three Central
Ministries,
1. Ministry of Human Resource Development- introduction of
BA/BSc/BCom (Professional) courses in the higher educational
institutions
2. Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship - National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
3. Ministry of Labor& Employment- National Career Service (NCS)
● The primary scheme will be operated in conjunction with National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
● The scheme will be implemented by the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs).
● The SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions to log in and
provide their respective demand and supply of apprenticeship.
Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation
(SATAT)
● It is an initiative aimed at providing a Sustainable Alternative towards
Affordable Transportation.
● It is a developmental effort that would benefit vehicle-users as well as
farmers and entrepreneurs.
● Compressed Bio-Gas production plants are set up under the initiative by
inviting Expression of Interest from potential entrepreneurs.
● It has a four-pronged agenda of
1. utilising more than 62 million metric tonnes of waste generated every
year in India
2. cutting down import dependence
3. supplementing job creation in the country
4. reducing vehicular emissions and pollution from burning of agricultural
/ organic waste.
● Bio-gas is produced naturally through a process of anaerobic
decomposition from waste / bio-masssources.
● The wastes are agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud,
municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc.
Tree cover and Forest Cover
● The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change defines ‘forest
cover’ in India as “all lands, more than one hectare in area with a tree
canopy density of more than 10%​”
● Similarly ‘tree cover’ is defined as “tree patches outside recorded forest
areas ​exclusive of forest cover and ​less than the minimum
mappable area of 1 hectare​”.
● There is a third measure known as Tree outside forest (TOF).
● The ‘India State of Forest Report 2017’ defines TOF as “trees existing
outside the recorded forest area in the form of block, linear &
scattered size of patches”.
 ● Since tree cover measures only non-forest patches that are less than 1
hectare, it is only a part of TOF.
Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework
● Reserve Bank of India took 3 more commercial banks out of the prompt
corrective action (PCA) framework.
● It is a framework under which banks with weak financial metrics are put
under watch by the RBI.
● Banks are monitored under the three parameters
1. capital ratios
2. asset quality
3. profitability
● It has three risk threshold levels (1 being the lowest and 3 the highest)
based on where a bank stands on these ratios.
● It is intended to help alert the regulator as well as investors and
depositors if a bank is heading for trouble.
Arabian Desert
● The Arabian Desert is the largest desert of Asia and covers a major
portion of Arabian Peninsula.
● The largest part of the desert lies in Saudi Arabia.
● It also covers neighboring countries such as Yemen, Oman, United Arab
Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq and Jordan
● Rub’al-Khali​, which makes up the most part of this desert, is the
largest continuous area of sand in the world.
● Numerous desert insects, including mosquitoes, fleas, ants, termites,
beetles, locusts, spiders, butterflies and caterpillars dominate the
landscape.
Feni
● It is popular local traditional brew (liquor) distilled from the cashew
fruit.
● Cashew feni was given the Geographical Indication tag as manufactured
goods.
 ● The name feni is derived from Sanskrit word ‘phena’ meaning froth or
foam.
● It is also distilled from fermented toddy from coconut palm.
● It is prepared in a typical Portuguese way that does not entail the use of
electricity in the process.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard