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1.1 Govt forms ‘Jal Shakti’ Ministry by merging Water Resources and Drinking Water Ministries
[Indian Political System]
• Ministries of Water Resources and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation have been
merged and a new ministry Jal Shakti has been formed by the newly formed Govt. in the month
of June 2019
1.3 Due to Jio, India is home to world's 2nd largest internet user base: Report
[Human Development]
• India accounts for about 12% of the internet users , retaining its second position worldwide
according to an annual report on internet trends by venture capitalist Mary Meeker
• China has the largest base, accounting for 21% of all internet users globally, and the US comes
third at 8%
1.5 Start-up Rivigo launched ‘National Freight Index’ for live freight rates
[Employment Generation in India]
• Gurgaon-based tech-enabled logistics start-up Rivigo has launched National Freight Index (NFI)
that will provide live freight rates for different lanes and vehicles across the country.
• The purpose is to bring transparency in the road-freight marketplace.
1.8 Swachh Bharat has led to reduced ground water contamination: Study by UNICEF
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• According to a study by UNICEF , The 'Swachh Bharat' initiative has led to a reduction in the
contamination of groundwater
• A WHO study conducted in 2018 had estimated that the Swachh Bharat mission will save over
three lakh lives by the time India is Open Defecation Free.
• According to independent third-party studies conducted on the Swachh Bharat
Mission (Grameen), the initiative will continue to positively impact people's lives for a long time
to come.
1.9 ‘2nd Global Disability Summit’ at Buenos Aires from 6-8 June 2019
[Social Sectors - Health]
• 2nd Global Disability Summit has taken place at Buenos Aires, Argentina during 6-8 June 2019.
• It was hosted by UK Department for International Development (UK DFID), along with the co-
hosts International Disability Alliance (IDA) and Government of Kenya.
• The objective of the summit is to deliberate on issues across the world concerning
empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and to work out a mechanism
for enabling them to live an independent and dignified life.
• The summit was attended by global leaders from more than 40 countries (including India), who
committed to work in direction of economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Key Points
• Union Health Minister felicitated seven leading States/UTs based on the ranking for the year
2018-2019 for their impressive performance
• These were Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
• FSSAI has developed the first State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure the performance of
States on five parameters of food safety
• The categories included Human Resources and Institutional Arrangements, Compliance, Food
Testing- Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and Capacity Building and Consumer
Empowerment
1.11 Rajasthan Health Dept. bags WHO Award for Tobacco Control
[Social Sectors -Health]
• The World Health Organization has selected the Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health
Department for its award this year in recognition of its achievements in the field of tobacco
control.
• The Health Department of Rajasthan is the only government body in the country which will be
awarded for its tobacco-free initiatives.
• WHO has selected five organizations from the South-East Asian region for the prestigious
award from India, Thailand and Indonesia
• The two institutes selected from India (in SEA region) includes Vallabhbhai Patel Chest
Institute (in New Delhi) and Rajasthan’s Health Department
Background
• The fund is administered by an Executive Committee with the Prime Minister as the
Chairperson and the Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as Members.
• Under National Defence Fund major scheme of ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)’
is being implemented to encourage technical and post-graduate education for the widows
and wards of the deceased/ex-service personnel of Armed Forces and Para Military Forces
and Railway Protection Force
• Scholarships are available for education at technical institutions (medical, dental, veterinary,
engineering, MBA, MCA and other equivalent technical professions with suitable AICTE/UGC
approval)
• Under the PMSS, every year new scholarships are given for 5500 wards of armed forces
controlled by Ministry of Defence, for 2000 wards of paramilitary forces controlled by Ministry
of Home Affairs and for 150 wards of forces controlled by Ministry of Railways.
1.14 On the eve of World environment Day, Union Environment Minister launches
#selfiewithsapling campaign
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar has launched a people’s campaign #Selfie
with Sapling urging all to join and plant a sapling and post the selfie with the sapling on social
media
• World Environment Day 2019 on June 5 will be hosted by China with a theme of “Air Pollution”
About Index
• The Sustainable Development Goals Gender Index has been developed by UK-based Equal
Measures 2030.
• It is a joint effort of regional and global organisations including African Women’s Development
and Communication Network, Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, and International Women’s Health Coalition.
1.17 RBI Monetary Policy : RBI cuts interest rate to 9-year low; 10 key takeaways
[Monetary and Fiscal Policy]
• The six-member RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) has cut the repo rate to 9-year low.
• The committee has cut repo rate by 25 bps to 5.75 per cent and also changed policy stance to
accommodative from neutral
• The reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 5.50 per cent, and the marginal
standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.0 per cent
• In April, the MPC had cut repo rate by 25 basis points to 6 per cent
About ICAT
1.22 Health Ministry proposes to convert 75 district hospitals into medical colleges
[Social Sector - Health]
• The Health Ministry has proposed to convert 75 district hospitals into medical colleges in the
third phase of a scheme which aims at boosting availability of human resource for the health
sector
• The proposal is a part of the Centre-sponsored program “Human Resources for Health and
Medical Education” , which was launched for the establishment of new medical colleges by
upgrading district or referral hospitals preferably in underserved districts of the country.
• In the first phase, the Centre had approved converting 58 district hospitals into medical colleges
while in the second phase, 24 hospitals were selected. Out of these 39 hospitals have become
functional while the remaining are still under construction.
• According to the draft proposal of the plan , the upgradation of each of the 75 district hospitals
into medical colleges would cost around ₹325 crore.
1.23 Govt to ask RBI to remove priority lending limit for renewable energy sector
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• The Ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has said that it would try to impress upon
the Reserve Bank of India for removal of the priority sector lending limit for the renewable
energy sector
Background
• India is running the world’s largest renewable energy programme and plans to achieve 175
gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2022 as part of its climate commitments
• India has the ambitious target of 175GW of clean energy capacity by March 2022, the
government’s strategy is to complete the bid process by March 2020 so that developers have
the time need to construct these projects.
• Out of the targeted 175GW of clean energy capacity by 2022, 100GW has to come from solar
projects. Of this, 60GW will be from ground-mounted, grid-connected projects, and 40GW is
to come from solar rooftop projects
• Wind power projects are to contribute 60 GW.
1.25 Microsoft launches AI digital labs in India, to train 1.5 lakh students
[Employment Generation in India]
• Tech giant Microsoft is going to launch AI digital labs in India in collaboration with 10 higher
educational institutions
• It is going to be a three year programme and under it , Microsoft will support the select
institutions with infrastructure, curriculum and content, access to cloud and Artificial
Intelligence (AI) services as well as developer support
1.27 Cabinet approves “The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Bill,
2019"
[Social Issues – Education]
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the introduction of a Bill namely "The Central
Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Bill, 2019".
• The Cabinet decision will address the long standing demands of persons belonging to
SCs/STs/SEBCs and ensure their rights envisaged under the Constitution
• It will also ensure providing of 10% reservation to EWS.
Impact
• This decision will allow filling up of more than 7000 existing vacancies by direct recruitment
in Teachers' Cadre with 200 point roster. It will ensure compliance of the Constitutional
Provisions of Articles 14, 16 and 21.
• It will ensure full representation of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Socially and
Educationally Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections in direct recruitment in
teachers' cadres.
• It is also expected to improve the teaching standards in the higher educational institutions by
attracting all eligible talented candidates belonging to SCs/STs/SEBCs/EWS.
Background
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in
2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed
to eliminate it.
• 2019 also marks 20 years since the adoption of the ILO's Worst Forms of Child Labour
Convention, 1999 (No. 182).
1.31 India extends Rs 1.6 bn aid to Nepal for rebuilding earthquake-hit houses
[Human Development]
• India has extended a financial aid of 1.6 billion Nepalese rupees to Nepal to help 50,000
people in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts rebuild their houses damaged in the devastating
earthquake in 2015.
• India has so far granted Nepal a total of Rs 4.5 billion Nepalese rupees under the housing
reconstruction projects
• India is partnering with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations
Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for providing socio-technical facilitation to the house
owners to ensure that they rebuild their homes as per Nepal government’s earthquake resilient
norms.
1.32 Government sets target of providing clean drinking water to all by 2024
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• The Central government has decided to increase coverage of piped water to households from
current 18 per cent to 100 per cent by 2024
• The Government is formulating a plan to provide clean drinking water to nearly 14 crore
households
• According to the Government , Sikkim had 99 per cent coverage of piped water to households,
while some states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand had below five per cent.
About UNEP
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global
environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda
• It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and has 6 regional offices and various country offices
• It was founded by Maurice Strong, first director of UNEP and was established as a result of
United Nations Conference on Human Environment (or the Stockholm Conference) on 5 June
1972
Bonn Challenge
• Ahead of the COP-14, Union Environment minister has launched a flagship project to enhance
India’s capacity for forest landscape restoration (FLR).
• This project has been launched as part of a larger international initiative called the Bonn
Challenge
• It will be implemented during a pilot phase of three-and-a-half years in Haryana, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Karnataka
• The project will aim to develop and adapt the best practices and monitoring protocols for
the country and build capacity within the five pilot States.
• The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested
and degraded land under restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
3. People in the poorest countries still live 7 years less than the global average
• Life expectancy at birth for the world is expected to increase to 77.1 years in 2050
• While considerable progress has been made in closing the longevity differential between
countries, large gaps remain. In 2019, life expectancy at birth in the least developed
countries lags 7.4 years behind the global average
4. The world’s population is growing older, with the age group of 65 and over growing the
fastest
• By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16%), up from one in 11 in 2019
(9%).
• By 2050, one in four persons living in Europe and Northern America could be aged 65 or
over. In 2018, for the first time in history, persons aged 65 or above outnumbered children
under five years of age globally
About FATF
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by
the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions
• The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of
legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist
financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• The FATF is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to
bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
About NHRC
• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993
• It has been established under the statute Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
• It is in conformity with the Paris Principles , that were adopted at the first international
workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in
Paris in October 1991
1.43 WHO launches tool for safer use of antibiotics, curb resistance
[Social Sectors -Health]
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global campaign that urges countries to
adopt its new online tool called as “AWaRe” , that is aimed at guiding policy-makers and health
workers to use antibiotics safely and more effectively
• Another objective of the tool is to limit drugs that are at risk of resistance
• With the emergence of infections that are untreatable by all classes of antibiotics, antimicrobial
resistance has become "an invisible pandemic"
• The tool, known as ‘AWaRe’, classifies antibiotics into three groups:
1. Access — antibiotics used to treat the most common and serious infections
2. Watch — antibiotics available at all times in the healthcare system
3. Reserve — antibiotics to be used sparingly or preserved and used only as a last resort
1.49 Saudi Arabia becomes 1st Arab country to get FATF membership
[International Economic Institutions]
• Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to be granted full membership of the
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) following the group's annual general meeting in the US
• FATF has celebrated the 30th anniversary of its first meeting held in Paris in 1989.
Key Findings
• Among larger states, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have emerged as the top
ranking states based on historical performance across health indicators
• Among larger states, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand were the top three states in terms of
incremental performances.
• Among the smaller states, Mizoram ranked first in overall performance, while Tripura and
Manipur were the top two states in terms of incremental performance.
• Sikkim and Arunchal Pradesh had the biggest decrease in overall health index scores.
• Among the UTs, Chandigarh ranked first in overall performance, while Dadra and Nagar Haveli
improved the most.
1.54 All panchayats to be connected with broadband under BharatNet by March 2020
[Human Development]
• Government has announced that all panchayats will be provided high speed broadband
connections under BharatNet project by March 2020.
• The Phase II of the project is under implementation, and a total of 2 lakh GPs (gram
panchayats) are targeted to be completed by March 2020.
• The government has connected 1 lakh gram panchayats under phase 1 of BharatNet project.
Background
• Project BharatNet seeks to provide affordable last mile high speed broadband connectivity to
2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the country.
• The objective of the Project is to facilitate delivery of e-governance, e-education, e-health, e-
banking, Internet and other services to rural India.
• It is being funded by Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF) and is being implemented by
the Ministry of Communication.
• The Union Cabinet on July 19, 2017 has approved a modified strategy for implementing
BharatNet under which, the remaining 1,50,000 (approximately) GPs in the country are to be
provided broadband connectivity in Phase-II of the project.
Fortification of Rice
• The Food & PD department will be implementing a new Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme for
“Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System” which was given
administrative approval on 14-Feb-2019
• The Pilot Scheme has been approved with a total budget outlay of Rs.147.61 crores for a period
of 3 years beginning 2019-20.
• The Pilot Scheme would be funded by Government of India in the ratio of 90:10 in respect of
North Eastern, Hilly and Island States and 75:25 in respect of the rest of the States.
About TRIFED
• TRIFED joins the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi by introducing
Khadi Kurtas and Jackets to its products range in association with “I Am Khadi” foundation.
• TRIFED is an organization under Ministry of Tribal Affairs and is engaged in marketing
development of tribal products including tribal art and craft under the brand name “TRIBES
INDIA”
• The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the
country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals
depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income
Following ten areas have been covered by the Experts while preparing the plan
a) strategies for expanding access
b) towards global best teaching/learning process
c) promoting excellence
d) governance reforms
e) assessment
f) accreditation and ranking systems
g) promotion of research and innovation
h) employability and entrepreneurship
i) using technology for better reach and internationalisation
j) financing higher education
HRD Ministry has given the following suggestions to transform the higher education sector
• recommendations to double the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education
• position at least 50 Indian institutions among the top-1000 global universities
• introduce governance reforms in higher education for well-administered campuses
• promote research and innovation ecosystems for positioning India in the top three countries in
the world
• It also offers suggestions to double the employability of students passing out of higher
education
• harness education technology for expanding the reach and improving pedagogy
• promote India as a global study destination
• achieve a quantum increase in investment in higher education
1.59 Rajya Sabha passes bill to amend Special Economic Zones law
[Employment generation in India]
• The Rajya Sabha on June 27th has cleared the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019,
that seeks to allow trusts to set up units in special economic zones
• The Bill will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, promulgated
in March
• The amendment seeks to provide flexibility to the central government to include ‘trusts' in
the definition of a 'person' in a bid to facilitate investments in these zones
Its Relevance
• The Bill will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, which was
promulgated in March. The ordinance had paved the way for trusts to set up units in these
zones
• The present provisions of the SEZs Act, 2005, do not permit ‘trusts’ to set up units in SEZs
• The amendment will enable trusts to be considered for grant of permission to set up units in
SEZs
• The amendments will also provide flexibility to the central government to include in this
definition of a person or any entity that the central government may notify from time to time.
This will facilitate investments in SEZs
Background
• The international Day of the Tropics was designated to raise awareness to the specific
challenges faced by tropical areas, the far-reaching implications of the issues affecting the
world’s tropical zone.
1.63 India abstains from voting on UNGA resolution on goods used for capital punishment, torture
[Human Development]
• India has abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution , aimed at examining
options to end trade in goods used for capital punishment and torture
• According to India it is unacceptable to place death penalty on par with torture.
• The 193-member UN General Assembly has adopted the resolution ‘Towards torture-free
trade: examining the feasibility, scope and parameters for possible common international
standards’ by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 20 against, with 44 abstentions
• Through this voting , views of the member states were sought to establish common
international standards for the import, export and transfer of goods used for "capital
punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
India’s claims
• India had claimed that the “domestic content requirements and subsidies instituted by the
governments of the states of Washington, California, Montana, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Michigan, Delaware and Minnesota in the energy sector" violated several provisions of the
Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) Agreement and Subsidies and Countervailing
Measures Agreement
• The Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) are rules that are applicable
to the domestic regulations a country applies to foreign investors, often as part of an industrial
policy
• The agreement was negotiated under the WTO's predecessor, the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and came into force in 1995.
Background
• The WTO panel was set up last year to examine whether renewable energy programmes in the
US states constituted prohibited subsidies and violated national treatment provisions
• The panel has urged the US to bring the eight states in conformity with US obligations under
Article III:4 of “national treatment"
• Under the national treatment provision, foreign producers must be treated on a par with
domestic producers.
• India also argued that some of the renewable energy programmes administered by the
American states violated core provisions in the TRIMs agreement by insisting on mandatory
domestic content requirements.
1.68 All lanes at toll plazas to be ‘FASTag lanes’ from December 1,2019
[Human Development]
• Government has decided to declare all lanes at toll fee plaza on national highways as ‘FASTag
lanes’ from December 1,2019 after which non-FASTag users will be charged double the fee if
they pass through FASTag-only lanes
• However, among all lanes, one ‘hybrid lane’ will be allowed at every toll plaza to facilitate and
monitor over-dimensional or oversized vehicles, where FASTag and other modes of payment
will be accepted.
1.71 Mobile Library Buses under the “Ghar-Ghar Dastak Ghar-Ghar Pustak” Scheme
[Human Development]
• The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism has launched the Mobile Library Buses
procured under C.S.R assistance from Airports Authority of India.
• Mobile Library Buses have been launched under the “Ghar-Ghar Dastak Ghar-Ghar Pustak”
Scheme of the Delhi Public Library.
• Aim: to provide books to the citizens of Delhi, especially, the residents of slums, resettlement
colonies and rural areas.
1.74 Lok Sabha has cleared 10% quota in jobs for EWS in central institutes
[Positive Discrimination in the favor of the underprivileged]
• The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre)
Bill, 2019.
Its Relevance
• The SDG dashboard is a unique, searchable platform, which provides data and insights on how
the country is progressing on the SDGs
• The dashboard will be India's official data repository of the National Indicator Framework on
SDGs, which is the country's largest monitoring framework
• It has been developed in partnership with the UN in India, DFID India and data intelligence firm
Social Cops
• The dashboard is a first of its kind national platform that pulls together reliable data from over
100 different data sets, portals and sectors.
• India has been closely monitoring its progress on the SDGs through its National Indicator
Framework and the India SDG Index released in 2018
STRIDE Objectives:
• To identify young talent, strengthen research culture, build capacity, promote innovation and
support trans-disciplinary research for India’s developing economy and national development.
• To fund multi institutional network high-impact research projects in humanities and human
sciences.
More about the Scheme
• The scheme has three components:
1.80 India pledges to contribute USD 5 million in 2019 to UN Palestine refugee agency
[Urbanization and Migration]
• India has pledged to contribute USD 5 million in 2019 to the UN Palestine refugee agency
• Government of India has increased its annual financial contribution fourfold to the UNRWA core
budget, from USD 1.25 million in 2016 to USD 5 million in 2018
• The agency is going through a difficult financial situation due to voluntary contributions from a
limited donor base and India has called for ensuring sustained fiscal support for its work
1.82 27% of children with disabilities have never been to school: UNESCO
[Human development]
• A report by UNESCO and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences has recommended structural,
funding and attitudinal changes to ensure that no child is left out of the right to education.
• City University of Hong Kong and Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres) complete the top five
list in the global young university league table
• Academic reputation, citations per faculty, student-faculty ratio, international faculty and
international students are the factors which are taken into consideration while selecting the
institutes
1.84 Economic Survey lays out blueprint for growth to make India a $ 5 trillion economy
[Measurement of Growth]
• The Economic Survey 2019 presented by Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Krishnamurthy
Subramanian focusses on moving to a “virtuous cycle” of savings, investments and exports to
transform India into a $5 trillion economy in the next 5 years.
• According to the survey, India’s GDP is forecast to expand by 7% in fiscal 2019-20, slightly higher
than the 6.8% in 2018-19.
Key Highlights
• According to Economic Survey , India needs to cut real interest rates, ease labour rules, reduce
capital gains tax on startup investments and encourage infant firms to grow at a sustained 8% rate
to reach the GDP target by 2024-25.
• Chief Economic Adviser Dr. Subramanian highlighted the fact that private investment was a key
driver for demand, capacity, labour productivity, new technology adoption, and for job creation.
• Moving the economy into a virtuous cycle would require the adoption of certain practices and
norms on data, legal reforms and policy certainty, and some micro-economic aspects such as
boosting MSMEs and reducing the cost of capital.
1.91 IMF Chief Christine Lagarde will head European Central Bank
[IMF]
• IMF Chief Christine Lagarde announced to step down "temporarily" from the global crisis
lender after being nominated to lead the European Central Bank (ECB).
• Lagarde will succeed ECB chief Mario Draghi, whose term will end on November 2019.
• Lagarde will become first women to head European Central Bank.
1.92 Government infused over Rs 3.15 trillion into PSBs between FY09 and FY19
[Fiscal Policy]
• The government has infused over Rs3.15 trillion into public sector banks (PSBs) in the last 10
years between FY09 to FY19.
• As per RBI guidelines, banks in India are required to maintain a minimum capital to risk-
weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of 9% and as on 31 March 2019, all 18 PSBs meet this minimum
CRAR requirement.
• During the period from the FY09 to FY19, PSBs have mobilized Rs2,81,616 crore of capital
through sources other than government, and have posted a net profit of ₹98,373 crore, of
which a sizeable proportion has contributed to internal capital generation.
1.93 Government aims to raise Rs 15,000 crore by cutting stakes in 18 PSUs to 75%
[Monetary and Fiscal Policy]
• According to the Finance Ministry, Indian government aims to raise up to Rs 15,000 crore ($2.18
billion) by reducing its stake in 18 state firms to 75%.
Background
Background
• PMGSY was launched in December, 2000 with an objective to provide single all-weather road
connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size of more than
500 in plain areas and 250 in north-east, hill, tribal and desert areas as per census of 2001.
• According to the Government , Ninety-seven per cent, of all the eligible and feasible habitations
have already been connected by all-weather roads under this scheme
1.105 India’s current account balance deficit grew to $68 billion in 2018-19: IMF
[IMF]
• India's current account (CA) balance deficit grew to $68 billion in 2018-19 from $49 billion the
previous year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• The External Sector Report of the IMF released by Chief Economist Gita Gopinath also found
that India's Net International Investment position had slightly improved with the deficit
coming down from $438 billion in 2017-18 to $431 billion in 2018-19.
• India's overall international reserves, though stood at $411.9 billion at the end of March this
year, down from March last year by $12.5 billion.
• The IMF said that India has to attract more stable sources of financing to reduce vulnerabilities.
• The report said that the "yearly capital inflows are relatively small, but given the modest scale
of FDI, flows of portfolio and other investments are critical to finance the current account.
1.109 Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways Piyush Goyal to launch the Global
Innovation Index (GII)
[Human Development]
• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Piyush Goyal has launched the Global
Innovation Index (GII) on 24th July, 2019 in New Delhi.
• The launch of GII has revealed the innovation rankings of economies and the findings for this
year.
• Switzerland remains number one is the GII index followed by Sweden, the United States of
America, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Germany and
Israel.
Theme 2019
• The GII operates with a theme every year to track global innovation. This year’s theme is
“Evaluating the Medical Innovation Scenario of the Next Decade”.
• It aims to highlight the role and dynamics of medical innovation in order to understand how it
can form the future of healthcare and the potential impact this may have on economic growth.
Indicators
• Three indices are calculated during the framework of Global Innovation Index: the overall GII,
the Innovation Input Sub-Index and the Innovation Output Sub-Index.
• The overall GII score is the average of the Input and Output Sub-Index scores.
• The Innovation Input Sub-Index is comprised of five pillars that capture elements of the
national economy that enable innovative activities:
➢ Institutions,
➢ Human capital and research,
➢ Infrastructure,
➢ Market sophistication, and
➢ Business sophistication.
• The Innovation Output Sub-Index provides information about outputs that are the result of
innovative activities within economies. There are two output pillars:
I. Knowledge and technology outputs and
II. Creative outputs.
• Each pillar is divided into three sub-pillars and each sub-pillar is composed of individual
indicators, which makes a total of 80 the year 2019.
Use of index
The Global Innovation Index has been a charter for assessing the innovation capabilities of
national economies worldwide
Top ranking: Switzerland has topped the ranking followed by Sweden, followed by USA
1.110 WEF Centre announces “Medicine from the sky” to be launched in Telangana
[Social Sector - Health]
• The World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network has
announced that it will embark on an innovative drone-delivery project called ''Medicine from
the Sky'' in Telangana.
1.111 Union HRD Minister releases Deeksharambh - A Guide to Student Induction Programme
[Social Sectors - Education]
• Union HRD Minister has released “Deeksharambh” , a guide to Student Induction Programme.
• It has been launched by University Grants Commission (UGC).
Relevance of scheme
• This programme is to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment,
inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution, help them build bonds with other
students and faculty members, and expose them to a sense of larger purpose and self-
exploration.
1.112 The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019 passed by the Parliament
[Social Sectors - Education]
• The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Mr. Ramesh
Pokhriyal Nishank, Minister of Human Resource Development on July 8, 2019.
• The Bill seeks to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009, which establishes universities for
teaching and research in various states.
Background
• All India Council for Technical Education seeks to establish 20 hubs where the industry and
academia can meet for customized curricula, joint research, sponsored projects, industry
funding and incubation centres
1.115 Andhra Pradesh to reserve 50% seats in nominated posts for SC/ST and other backward
classes
[Social Justice]
• The Andhra Pradesh cabinet has decided that 50% reservations will be given to Backward
Classes (BC), SC, ST and communities classes in government nominated contracts, service
contracts, nominated posts and state corporations, boards, societies, trusts and agricultural
market yards.
• In the cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, it has also been
decided to reserve 50% of seats for women in government nominated posts.
• Andhra Pradesh cabinet has also taken the decision to have government tenders examined in
the presence of a sitting or retired High Court judge , in tune with election promises made by
Reddy to review and have transparent government tenders
• Tenders worth more than ₹100 crore in infrastructure projects will also be examined by a judge
of the same level
1.116 LIC offers ₹1.25 tn line of credit by 2024 to fund Bharatmala Project
[Employment Generation in India]
• Life Insurance Corporation of India has agreed to offer ₹1.25 lakh crore line of credit by 2024,
to fund highway projects as part of innovative modes of financing to meet India's infrastructure
needs
• This line of credit will be used to fund the ambitious Bharatmala project
• LIC has offered Rs 25,000 crore in a year and Rs 1.25 lakh crore in five years to the Ministry of
Road Transport and Highways
Bharatmala Project
• The project is an umbrella programme undertaken to construct 34,800 km of highways at a cost
of ₹8.41 lakh crore (latest outlay of the scheme)
• The scheme is to be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and its
implementing agencies over a period of 5 years (2017-2022)
• It is the second largest highways construction project in the country since NHDP, under which
almost 50,000 km of highway roads were targeted across the country.
1.117 ECI Flagship IT Program - Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS)
[Indian Political System]
• Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) has emerged as a milestone recorded
by Election Commission of India , in the General Elections of 2019
• For the first time ,the service voters were sent postal ballots electronically one way to save
processing time, resources and avoid human errors.
• It was enabled through the dedicated portal https://www.servicevoter.eci.nic.in online
registration
1.118 Parliament Passes the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 unanimously
[Human Development]
• The Rajya Sabha has passed the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on 22nd July
2019
Draft Policy
• This policy addresses six broad areas of the e-commerce ecosystem viz. data, infrastructure
development, e-commerce marketplaces, regulatory issues, stimulating domestic digital
economy and export promotion through e-commerce.
• The Policy takes into account interests of all stakeholders, like investors, manufacturers, MSMEs,
traders, retailers, startups and consumers.
• According to the draft policy , the framework would be created to provide the basis for imposing
restrictions on cross-border data flow from specified sources including data collected by IoT
devices installed in public space, and data generated by users in India by various sources,
including e-commerce platforms, social media, search engines.
• A business entity that collects or processes any sensitive data in India and stores it abroad, shall
be required to adhere to the certain conditions, according to the policy draft.
• The conditions state that all such data stored abroad shall not be made available to other
business entities outside India, for any purpose, even with the customer consent.
• Further, the data shall also not be made available to a third party for any purpose and it would
also not be shared with a foreign government, without the prior permission of Indian authorities,
the draft said.
• The policy laid out strategies to protect misuse of data while maintaining the spirit of existing
regulations.
Background
• As regards e-Commerce, the Government of India in the Department of Commerce established a
Think Tank on “Framework for National Policy on E-commerce” and a Task Force under it, which
deliberated on the challenges confronting India in the arena of the digital economy and e-
commerce.
• The Think Tank was further divided into various sub-groups, comprising representation from
technical experts in the Government and from industry members with domain knowledge.
1.123 Andhra Pradesh passes law to reserve 75% jobs for locals in industries
[Employment Generation in India]
• Andhra Pradesh government has made it mandatory for existing and upcoming industries in the
state to reserve 75 per cent jobs for locals.
• This has been done through the passage of a new law called the Andhra Pradesh Employment of
Local candidates in the Industries/Factories Bill, 2019.
1.124 National Data Quality Forum: ICMR launches platform to boost health data quality in India
[Social Sector - Health]
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s National Institute for Medical Statistics (ICMR-
NIMS) has launched the National Data Quality Forum (NDQF), in partnership with a global non-
profit organization Population Council.
Its Objective
• NDQF will integrate learnings from scientific and evidence-based initiatives and guide actions
through periodic workshops and conferences.
1.125 IIT Kharagpur team develops app CARE4U for elderly people
[Social Sector - Health]
• Students of IIT Kharagpur have built an app which will inform the caregiver when the elderly
person falls down with the exact location
• The app has been named ‘CARE4U’ , it is the android-based app that will connect the caregiver to
the elderly person
Who has built this App?
• The app has been built by an interdisciplinary team of the second year B-Tech students of the
institute
Features of the App
• The network-based fall detection algorithm in the app installed on the phone of the elderly can
detect whether the elderly has fallen down.
• If there is a fall, it automatically calls the caregiver and emergency services along with the exact
location of the elderly person.
• CARE4U can also detect emotions and whenever the elderly opens the app, the phone takes his
picture and a mood index is calculated.
• The caregiver can check what mood the senior citizen has been through in the day.
• It has a ‘Medicine Reminder’ feature to remind both the elderly as well as the caregiver that it is
time for the former to take medicine.
• It can also do a plethora of other day-to-day activities like make a call, send a text, book a cab and
so on.
1.126 Govt sets target for installation of Solar projects of 40,000 MW by 2022
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• The government has set a target for the installation of Rooftop Solar projects of forty thousand
MegaWatt by 2022 in the country.
• The projects include installation of solar panels on the rooftop of houses
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Grid Connected Rooftop Solar
programme
• On an average it is estimated that 1.5 million units per MegaWatt per year are generated from
solar rooftop plants.
Its Objective
• The partnership between National Health Authority (NHA) and the Healthcare Federation of
India (NATHEALTH) aims to streamline all innovations ensuring that it increases the efficacy of
service delivery of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
1.133 ₹5 trillion needed for Har Ghar Jal- Ministry of Jal Shakti
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti has sought Rs 3.6 trillion from the Centre and states to provide Har
Ghar Jal — piped water to all households — by 2024.
• The cost of building infrastructure for piped water supply over the next five years has been
estimated at Rs 5 trillion, which includes an equal contribution of Rs 1.8 trillion each from states
and the Centre.
• The remaining amount to be used for “source sustainability” is expected to come through
convergence of various government schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Key findings
• The tiger population in India has grown from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2019.
• India has achieved the target of doubling tiger population four years before the deadline
(2022).
• In 2010, India along with other countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand and Vietnam) agreed to
put in efforts to double the tiger population — in sum — by 2022.
• Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of tigers at 526, closely followed by Karnataka with
524 and Uttarakhand with 442 tigers.
• Chhattisgarh and Mizoram saw a decline in their tiger numbers while tiger numbers in Odisha
remained constant. All other states witnessed a positive trend.
Technique used
• A mobile application named M- STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection
and Ecological Status) has been used to estimate the tiger population.
• This mobile app records the track and geotags the sightings of tigers and even other animals
or signs which helps in the estimation
• Along with this report, an evaluation of 50 tiger sanctuaries has also been released, in which
Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Sanctuary and Kerala’s Periyar Sanctuary has emerged as the best
managed tiger reserves in the country.
1.141 NCRB will collect gender disaggregated data on sexual assaults against children
[Gender Issues]
• The government has informed that the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) will for the first
time collect gender disaggregated data on sexual assaults against children.
• Purpose: To ensure boys or transgender children open up about sexual abuse.
Need:
• A nationwide study and the study on child abuse in 2007, showed that the number of boys
who were victims of sexual abuse was slightly more than those of girls.
• Up to the age of 13-14 years, boys and girls are equally vulnerable and maybe boys are more
vulnerable because of the myth that they are not abused.
• The Study on Child Abuse in 2007, surveyed 12,447 children in 13 States and found that
53.22% of them had faced one or more forms of sexual abuse. Of these, 52.94% were boys
and 47.06% were girls.
1.142 IDFC Institute’s Report: Indian cities need urgent reform to unlock their potential
[Urbanization]
• Recently, IDFC Institute has released a report on ‘Reforming Urban India’.
Key Findings
• Indian cities need urgent reform in order to unlock their economic potential and transform
quality of life.
• Indian cities are more urban than recognised and contribute between 59% and 70% of India’s
gross domestic product.
• Existing cities suffer from neglect due to unacknowledged development. The local bodies
entrusted to govern cities do not have sufficient finances, expertise, or personnel to plan for
and address these challenges.
• Indian cities fall behind international peers on the staff-to population ratio.
• Census 2011 estimates that 31% of India is urban. However, the report says that alternative
definitions peg India’s urbanization rate to be anywhere between 47% and 65%.
1.147 Delhi cabinet approves 7 new destinations for the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana
[Positive Discrimination in favour of under privileged]
• Delhi cabinet has approved the Department of Revenue’s proposal for the addition of seven
routes in the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana.
About Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana
• Launched by: Delhi Government on December 5, 2018.
• Objective: Offers free travel packages for senior citizens from Delhi to religious circuits.
• Beneficiary: A Delhi resident above 60 years will be eligible to take free pilgrimage along with
his or her spouse.
• Selection of pilgrims: The selection of pilgrims will be done through draw of lots and respective
area MLAs will certify whether the intended beneficiaries belong to Delhi or not.
• Travel Partner: IRCTC and Ministry of Railways (as journey will be performed through Indian
Railways).
Key Features
• 1100 senior citizens from each Assembly Constituency would undertake free pilgrimage
every year, the expenses for which will be borne by the government.
• A total of 77000 pilgrims will be able to avail this facility every year.
• The pilgrimage duration will be of 3 days and 2 nights.
• The package offers accommodation, meals and insurance for all participating senior citizens.
• All trains will leave from Safdarjung railway station.
1.148 Rajasthan assembly passes bills against honour killing & mob lynching
[Social Justice- Positive Discrimination in favour of the under privileged]
• The Rajasthan Assembly has passed two separate Bills against mob lynching and honour killing.
Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019.
• Rajasthan has become the first state to pass legislation against the honour killing.
Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances in the Name of Honour and
Tradition Bill, 2019
• The Bill has laid down death penalty or life sentence and a fine up to ₹5 lakh for killing a
couple or either of them on case-to-case basis.
• It also proposed a jail term of not less than 10 years in case of death, which may extend to
imprisonment for life.
1.150 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launches Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC) Program
[Human Development]
1.151 Indian tourists exempted from visa fees by Sri Lankan government
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• Recently, Sri Lankan govt. has exempted 48 countries including India from visa fees for
tourism purposes.
• Visa fees, which ranged from 20 to 40 US dollars, will not be charged for grant of one month
visa for tourism.
Significance of decision
• In Sri Lanka, Indian tourist constitute the maximum number with around one fourth of total
tourist arrivals.
• Sri Lanka is aiming to attract at least 1.9 million to 2 million tourists by the end of year.
1.153 Cabinet approves Extension of term of the commission constituted under Article 340
[Indian Political System]
1.156 RBI names Kanungo to run monetary policy portfolio after Viral Acharya quits
[Monetary and Fiscal Policy]
• Reserve Bank of India has reshuffled the portfolios of three deputy governors and has given
the important monetary policy and forecasting department to B P Kanungo
• Kanungo would become the sixth member of the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee, which will
next convene on 5-7 August , 2019
• The monetary policy department, including forecasting and modelling unit, was earlier looked
after by Viral Acharya, who has resigned
• Now RBI has three deputy governors - N S Vishwanathan, B P Kanungo and M K Jain
1.164 India to conduct 1st National Time Release Study to enable faster movement of cargo across
borders to benefit traders
[Globalization – Opening up of Indian Economy]
• Ministry of Finance is conducting India’s first national Time Release Study (TRS) between 1st –
7th August , 2019
What is TRS?
• The TRS is an internationally recognized tool advocated by World Customs Organization to
measure the efficiency and effectiveness of international trade flows.
Its Objective
• This is an initiative for accountable governance and will measure rule based and procedural
bottlenecks (including physical touchpoints) in the clearance of goods, from the time of arrival
until the physical release of cargo
• The aim is to identify and address bottlenecks in the trade flow process and take the
corresponding policy and operational measures required to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of border procedures, without compromising efficient trade control
• Expected beneficiaries of this initiative will be export oriented industries and MSMEs, who will
enjoy greater standardization of Indian processes with comparable international standards.
Features of KABIL
• The KABIL would carry out identification, acquisition, exploration, development, mining and
processing of strategic minerals overseas for commercial use and meeting country’s
requirement of these minerals.
• The sourcing of these minerals or metals is to be done by creating trading opportunities, G2G
collaborations with the producing countries or strategic acquisitions or investments in the
exploration and mining assets of these minerals in the source countries.
• It will help in building partnerships with other mineral rich countries like Australia and those in
Africa and South America, where Indian expertise in exploration and mineral processing will be
mutually beneficial bringing about new economic opportunities.
1.166 Health Ministry invites all for a stakeholders’ consultation to contribute to National Digital
Health Blueprint report
[Social Sectors - Health]
• The Committee constituted by the Health Ministry to create an implementation framework for
the National Health Stack (NHS), has come up with the National Digital Health Blueprint after
surveying the global best practices in adoption of digital technologies holistically.
• This has been done in order to fulfil the vision of National Health Policy 2017.
1.167 India-UK initiative ‘Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA)’ to launch unique air quality measurement
system
[Sustainable development and Environmental Issues]
• A joint initiative by India-UK– Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA) has been launched in Bengaluru for
a period of two years
• It is aimed at providing unique air quality measurement system by integrating satellite and
sensor data and support India’s transition to Electric Vehicles
1.168 Flipkart launches ‘Samarth’ to empower Indian artisans, weavers and craftsmen
[Employment Generation in India]
• India’s leading e-commerce marketplace Flipkart has launched ‘Flipkart Samarth’ , a
breakthrough initiative aimed at bringing India’s artisans, weavers, and handicrafts producers
onto e-commerce
Features of Samarth
• Flipkart Samarth has been designed to support the e-commerce journey for artisans from on-
boarding until they reach familiarity with the process of selling online.
• The host of initiatives and benefits under Flipkart Samarth include dedicated support for
onboarding, cataloguing, account management, business insights, dedicated seller support,
reduced commission where eligible, and warehousing support.
• It will leverage increasing internet penetration in rural India to boost entrepreneurship
1.170 SANKALP Scheme to focus on district-level skilling ecosystem through convergence and
coordination
[Employment Generation in India]
In order to strengthen the District Skilling ecosystem, following initiatives have been taken under
the SANKALP programme:
• Grants have been released to 9 States (namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu
& Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh).
• State grants of Rs 10 lakh each also released to 117 aspirational districts under Aspirational
Skilling Abhiyaan.
• A robust IT system namely “Skill India Portal” has also been developed under SANKALP to
capture and converge skill data.
What is TechEx?
• TechEx was organized to demonstrate products and prototypes developed under the two
flagship schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) :
1. IMPacting Research, INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT)
2. Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY).
1.179 Bill mandating death penalty for ‘honour killing’ passed in Rajasthan Assembly
[Social Justice]
• A bill was passed in the Rajasthan Assembly to curb incidents of ‘honour killing’ in the State
with the provision of punishment of death penalty or life imprisonment for murdering couples
in the name of family honour.
1.181 Parliament approves Resolution to repeal Article 370; paves way to truly integrate J&K with
Indian Union
[Indian Political System]
• Recently, Parliament has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill that seeks to scrap
Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, while also bifurcating the state into union
territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Objective
• The Bill lays the ground for the stalemate in Kashmir to be resolved after 70 years, with the
Centre now gaining greater legislative control in the region
Mission Shaurya
• This mission is an initiative of the Adivasi Vikas Vibhag of the Maharashtra State Government.
• Under Mission Shaurya expedition,10 tribal students from “ashram shalas” (residential schools)
in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra conquered Everest.
• Of the 10, five could climb the final peak of the Everest, whereas, five students had to return
midway for various reasons, including health and inability to withstand rough weather
conditions.
1.184 ‘22nd National Conference on e-Governance 2019’ held at Shillong on August 8-9, 2019
[Social Justice]
• 22nd National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) 2019 has taken place on 8th and 9th August,
2019 at Shillong, Meghalaya
• This is the first time the event is being organized in North-Eastern region of the country
1.185 WCD Minister to Felicitate States and Districts under BBBP Scheme in New Delhi
[Gender Issues]
• The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development is going to organize a felicitation and
award function for those Districts and States which have successfully implemented the Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)scheme in the country.
• The function will be held on 7th August, 2019 in New Delhi.
About HMIS
• HMIS portal is real-time and enables use of all applicable eGovernment standards, including
standardized facility listing, geographic and entity names, geographic boundaries (up to the
level of villages), population data and other relevant information including GIS based layers
which are currently used in Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
• HMIS will support linkages with IHIP and support API (application programme interface) to
ensure direct linkages with other programmes.
Relevance of HMIS
75 | P a g e W W W . E D U T A P . C O . I N QUERY? HELLO@EDUTAP.CO.IN /8146207241
• It will be a gateway to wealth of information regarding the health indicators of India.
• The portal will provide periodic reports on the status of the health services performance and
human resources and infrastructure facilities available.
• HMIS data is specifically designed to support planning, management, and decision making
based on grading of facilities, various indicators at block, district at state and national level.
BBBP Scheme
• The BBBP scheme launched on 22 nd January, 2015 has been implemented in phases. Currently,
it is being implemented in 640 districts (as per census 2011).
• All 640 districts are covered through advocacy and media campaign. Moreover, out of these
640 districts, 405 districts are covered under Multi- Sectoral Intervention in which 100%
Centrally Sponsored Schemes grant is provided directly to DM/DC for BBBP.
• The latest reports on State/UT-wise Sex Ratio at Birth data for the period 2014-15 and 2018-
19, reveal that SRB increased from 918 to 931 showing improving trends at the national level.
Key Features
• Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): Under the Bill, there is provision for central
government to set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
• It will be empowered to-
(i) Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute Complaints /Prosecution
(ii) Order recall of unsafe goods and services
(iii) Order discontinuance of Unfair Trade Practices and Misleading Advertisements
(iv) Impose penalties on Manufactures /Endorsers /Publishers of Misleading Advertisements
• Rights of consumers: Six consumer rights have been defined in the Bill, including the right to:
(i) Be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property
(ii) Be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services
(iii) Be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices
(iv) Seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices
• Penalties for misleading advertisement: The CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufacturer or
an endorser of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment for up to two years for a false or misleading
advertisement.
• Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs)
will be set up at the district, state, and national levels. A consumer can file a complaint with
CDRCs.
• Jurisdiction of CDRCs: The District CDRC will entertain complaints where value of goods and
services does not exceed Rs one crore. The State CDRC will entertain complaints when the value
3. Right of residence:
• Every transgender person shall have a right to reside and be included in his household.
• If the immediate family is unable to care for the transgender person, the person may be placed
in a rehabilitation centre, on the orders of a competent court
4. Employment:
• No government or private entity can discriminate against a transgender person in employment
matters, including recruitment, and promotion.
• Every establishment is required to designate a person to be a complaint officer to deal with
complaints in relation to the Act
5. Education:
• Educational institutions funded or recognised by the relevant government shall provide inclusive
education, sports and recreational facilities for transgender persons, without discrimination.
6. Health care:
• The government must take steps to provide health facilities to transgender persons including
separate HIV surveillance centres, and sex reassignment surgeries.
• The government shall review medical curriculum to address health issues of transgender
persons, and provide comprehensive medical insurance schemes for them.
7. Certificate of identity for a transgender person:
• A transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of
identity, indicating the gender as ‘transgender’
• A revised certificate may be obtained only if the individual undergoes surgery to change their
gender either as a male or a female
1.191 Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous languages in the world
[Human Development]
• The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous
languages in the world with 840 languages.
• Living languages are the languages that are still being used and spoken by people.
1.192 UNIDO and National Institute of Solar Energy to partner for skill development program
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, an agreement was signed between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and
the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Objective
To initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar
thermal
energy sector.
1.193 Centre unveils plan for coastal zone management : Environmental and Social Management
Framework (ESMF)
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• The Environment Ministry has unveiled a draft plan that will dictate how prospective
infrastructure projects situated along the coast ought to be assessed before they can apply
for clearance.
• The draft is called as Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and it is part
of a World Bank-funded project.
Eligibility:
1. The nominee must be under the age of 40 years
2. They must be first-generation entrepreneurs
3. The nominee (entrepreneur) must hold 51% or more equity and ownership of the business;
and women entrants must individually or collectively own 75% or more of the enterprise.
1.195 State-run oil marketing companies to buy biodiesel made from used cooking oil
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Recently, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the state-
run oil marketing companies would procure the entire supply of biodiesel produced from
used cooking oil for a three-year period.
• Objective: This has been done in a bid to encourage the biofuel sector.
Key features of the scheme:
• Biodiesel plants using used cooking oil as their raw material will be assured that their entire
production will be procured by the oil marketing companies to be blended with normal
diesel.
• The scheme is being launched in 100 cities across the country.
• Under the scheme, the OMCs — Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum — will
pay biodiesel producers ₹51 per litre in the first year, ₹52.7 per litre in the second, and ₹54.5
per litre in the third year.
• The oil companies will also bear the cost of transportation and GST for the first year.
• Application: A ‘Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)’ sticker and a phone app to enable the
collection of used cooking oil has also been launched. Restaurants and hotels interested in
supplying used cooking oil can affix the sticker to show availability.
1.199 PISA 2021: India all set to participate in OECD's global education test
[Social Sectors- Education]
• India is all set to participate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development’s (OECD’s) programme for international student assessment (PISA) after a
gap of over a decade.
• India’s Participation: India had participated in PISA in 2009 when it came 72nd among 73
countries.
What is PISA?
• It is a Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), introduced in the year 2000
by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD).
• PISA is a competency-based test. It tests the learning levels of 15-year-old students in
reading, mathematics and science.
• The test is carried out once in every three years.
• As on date, there are 80 countries participating in PISA.
1.200 Northeast crowds list of states with most dense tree, forest cover
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has shared the data in
Parliament that- a quarter of India’s geographical area (24.49 per cent) is under forest and
tree cover.
• These assessments are done by the Forest Survey of India, whose findings are published in
the India State of Forest Report (ISFR). The last report was published in 2017.
Key findings:
• The lowest forest and tree cover in the country is in Haryana, at 6.79 per cent of its
geographical area. Punjab follows with 6.87 per cent. Rajasthan’s forest and tree cover is
over 7.26 per cent of its geographical area while Madhya Pradesh’s is 27.73 per cent.
• At 97 per cent, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep is on top – its geographical area is only
30 square km.
• Among the six states with the highest forest and tree cover, four are in the Northeast –
Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
• Goa and Kerala are two other states with more than 50 per cent of their geographical area
under forest and tree cover.
• In terms of geographical area, the highest tree and forest cover is in Madhya Pradesh, with
85,487 sq km.
1.202 Bar Council of India imposes 3-year moratorium on opening new law colleges
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Bar Council of India (BCI) has imposed a three-year moratorium on opening of new law
institutions.
• The council has also requested state governments and universities to stop unfair means and
to fill up vacancies of law teachers in all colleges and universities within a period of four
months.
Exception
• The restriction, however, will not apply to National Law University, if proposed by a
government in a State where there is no such varsity.
Objective
• It would lay stress on the improvement of standard of existing institutions and that the
ones without any proper infrastructure or faculty would be closed down in the next three
years.
About FAME
• As part of the NEMMP 2020, Department of Heavy Industry formulated a Scheme viz. Faster
Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in the
year 2015
• It was launched to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to
ensure sustainable growth of the same
1.205 NITI Aayog launches Fourth Edition of Women Transforming India Awards; invites
nominations for the Awards
[Gender Issues]
• NITI Aayog , under its Women Entrepreneurship Platform(WEP) has launched the Fourth
Edition of Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards, in collaboration with the United Nations,
in New Delhi
1.206 Union HRD Minister and Union Minister for Jal Shakti launch ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’
Drive for School Students
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Union HRD Minister Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister for Jal Shakti Sh.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , have launched ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive in New Delhi
Its Objectives
1. To educate Students learn about conservation of water
2. To sensitize Students about the impact of scarcity of water
3. To empower Students to learn to protect the natural sources of water
4. To help every Student to save at least one litre of water per day
5. To encourage Students towards judicious use and minimum wastage of water at home and
school level
Its Target
• This mega drive targets to connect more than 10 crore students with this programme.
1. One Student - One Day - To Save One Litre of Water.
2. One Student - One Year - To Save 365 Litres of Water.
3. One Student - 10 Years - To Save 3650 Litres of Water.
1.207 KVIC distributes 50 leather kits, 350 bee-boxes on world Tribal day in Rajasthan
[Social Justice]
• Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC) has distributed 50 leather kits and 350 Bee-Boxes
with live bee colonies in tribal-dominated village in Sirohi district of Rajasthan
• This has been done on World Tribal Day, celebrated on August 9th 2019
Its Theme
• The 2019 theme is ‘Indigenous Languages’.
• To safeguard the loss of these indigenous languages, the United Nations (UN) has designated
2019 to be the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
1.211 Vice President Naidu launches state DBT scheme for farmers in Jharkhand
[Social Sectors in India]
• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has launched the Jharkhand government's scheme 'Mukhya
Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana'.
• Under this scheme, money would be directly transferred into the bank accounts of farmers in
the state.
1.212 Hardeep Puri launches Swachh Survekshan 2020 – to be conducted in Jan 2020
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing & Urban
Affairs has launched the Swachh Survekshan 2020 (SS 2020).
• It will be the fifth edition of the annual cleanliness survey conducted by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Alongside, the Swachh Survekshan 2020 Toolkit, SBM Water PLUS Protocol and Toolkit,
Swachh Nagar – an integrated waste management app and AI enabled mSBM App were
also launched.
• The event also saw the release of a special Swachh Survekhan theme song featuring
Kangana Ranaut, singers Kailash Kher and Monali Thakur.
Water PLUS protocol
• It aims to provide a guideline for cities and towns to ensure that no untreated wastewater
is released into the environment thereby enabling sustainability of the sanitation value
chain.
• This is in line with the Government’s focus on water conversation and reuse under the Jal
Shakti Abhiyan and also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and
sanitation.
The Swachh Survekshan 2020 Toolkit
• It contains the detailed survey methodology and component indicators with scores to help
cities to prepare themselves for the survey.
Swachh Nagar Mobile App
• This app, with features such as tracking of waste collection by ULBs through route and
vehicle monitoring, notification to citizens, online collection of user fee for waste collection
and an effective grievance redressal mechanism, will be the answer to several issues that
hinder effective waste management such as lack of monitoring, collection of segregated
waste, and tracking the movement of waste vehicles and waste pickers, amongst others.
AI enabled mSBM App:
• It is a mobile app developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) that helps detect the
beneficiary face and toilet seat in the photo uploaded using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
model at the backend.
1.213 High Level Committee on CSR recommends CSR expenditure to be made tax deductible
expenditure
[Social Justice]
• The High Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has recommended
making CSR expenditure tax deductible and that compliance violations be treated as a civil
offence that attracts penalties.
Key recommendations of the committee
• Allow the carry-forward of unspent balance for a period of 3-5 years.
• Align Schedule 7 of the Companies Act (which outlines the kinds of activities that qualify as
CSR) with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Companies having CSR-prescribed amount below ₹50 lakh may be exempted from
constituting a CSR Committee.
• Violation of CSR compliance may be made a civil offence and shifted to the penalty regime.
1.215 16 State Governments Sign MoU with Textiles Ministry to Impart Skill Training to Workers
[Employment Generation in India]
• Sixteen State Governments signed MoU with Ministry of Textiles at a function in New Delhi to
take Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS) forward.
About Samarth
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval for a new skill development scheme,
titled “Samarth” -Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS)" from 2017-18 to
2019-20.
• It has been approved for the entire value chain of textile except Spinning and Weaving in the
organized sector.
• It is being implemented by Ministry of Textile.
Its objectives
1) To Provide demand driven, placement oriented NSQF (National Skills Qualification Framework)
Compliant skilling programme to incentivize organized textile and related sectors excluding
Spinning and Weaving.
2) To Promote skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts,
sericulture and jute.
3) To Provide Sustainable livelihood to all sections of the society across the country.
About NEDL
• The NEDL has recommended that at least 159 tests should be made available for patients in
even primary government health facilities.
• The diagnostics list mentions 105 general laboratory tests for a broad range of common
conditions.
• It also mentions 30 disease-specific tests such as for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and 24 imaging
tests including X-rays, CT and MRI scans and ultrasound sonography.
• NEDL builds upon the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative and other diagnostics initiatives of the
Health Ministry to provide an expanded basket of tests at different levels of the public health
system.
• Free Diagnostics Service Initiative was launched in July 2015 , under which National Health
Mission (NHM) is supporting all states to provide essential diagnostics – laboratory and
radiology at their public health facilities, free of cost.
1.219 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to double reservation for OBCs
[Social Justice]
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced an increase in reservations for OBCs
and Scheduled Castes in state government jobs and education.
1.220 9-Day National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” ready for A Colourful Start at Leh-Ladakh on
17th August, 2019
[Social Justice]
[Employment Generation]
• National Tribal Festival called as Aadi Mahotsav is going to take place from 17 th August, 2019 in
Leh-Ladakh.
• The festival is a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal
Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• TRIFED essentially is to play the role of a ‘Service provider’ & ‘Market Developer.’
1.222 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister has announced formation of Lemru Elephant Reserve
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Chief Minister of Chattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel announced the formation of 'Lemru Elephant
Reserve' in Chattisgarh.
• It was announced in his address at the 73rd Independence Day celebration in Raipur.
1.225 NCPCR and IIT Kanpur develop kit to spread sexual-abuse awareness
[Social Justice]
[Gender Issues]
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with the IIT
Kanpur has developed a kit to spread awareness about sexual abuse among children.
• It uses interactive means to teach them about personal safety, respecting their body and
overcoming guilt.
About the kit
• The kit is a set of cards, posters, short animation clips and games, which can be used by
teachers or an NGO to conduct an interactive workshop for children about sexual-abuse
awareness.
1.226 NISHTHA Programme: "World's biggest project" for teacher training launched
[Social Sectors -Education]
• Recently, The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched the "world's
biggest project" for teacher training.
Aim
• To train over 42 lakh teachers across the country
• It is the world's biggest project for teacher training called NISHTHA (National Initiative on
School Teachers Head Holistic Advancement).
About NISHTHA programme
• NISHTHA - National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement is an
initiative to build capacities of teachers and school principals at the elementary stage.
• The initiative is an Integrated Teacher Training Programme of the Department of School
Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD as part of its National Mission to improve learning
outcomes at the Elementary level under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha
during 2019-20.
Scope of Coverage
• It aims to build the capacities of participants covering all teachers and Heads of Schools at
the elementary level in-
I. all Government schools
II. faculty members of State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)
III. District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs)
IV. Block Resource Coordinators and Cluster Resource Coordinators in all States and UT.
Implementation
• The training will be conducted directly by 33120 Key Resource Persons (KRPs) and State
Resource Persons (SRP) identified by the State and UTs, who will in turn be trained by 120
National Resource Persons.
• A Mobile App and Learning Management System (LMS) based developed by NCERT -
https://nishtha.ncert.gov.in/ will be used for registration of Resource Persons and Teachers,
dissemination of resources, training gap and impact analysis, monitoring, mentoring and
measuring the progress online.
Background
• Ambikapur is the second cleanest in the country after Indore according to the Swachh
Survekshan 2019.
• First spot was taken by Indore in Swachh Survekshan 2019.
1.231 Punjab rolls out Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, to cover 76% population
[Human Development]
• State government of Punjab has launched its flagship universal health insurance scheme —
Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
• This scheme is expected to benefit nearly 46 lakh families , covering 76% of the state’s population
• With this scheme, Punjab has become the first state in the country to offer medical insurance
cover to the maximum number of its people
1.232 Power Minister launches SARAL - 'State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index'
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
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• Recently, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship, launched the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index-
SARAL.
• It is the first of its kind index to provide a comprehensive overview of state-level measures
adopted to facilitate rooftop solar deployment.
Objective
• To encourage each state to assess the initiatives taken so far, and what it can do to improve its
solar rooftop ecosystem. This will help states to channelize investments that can eventually
help the sector grow.
Developed by
• It has been designed collaboratively by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE),
Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry
of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & Young (EY).
Indicators
• SARAL currently captures five key aspects –
I. Robustness of policy framework
II. Implementation environment
III. Investment climate
IV. Consumer experience
V. Business ecosystem
Key findings of the Index
• State of Karnataka gets first rank in the Index.
• Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have got 2nd, 3rd and 4th rank respectively.
• The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked last.
Relevance
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of 175 GW of renewable
energy capacity by 2022, of which 100 GW solar power is to be operational by March 2022, of
which 40 GW is expected to come from grid connected solar rooftops.
1.233 IIT Delhi startup Sanfe launches reusable sanitary pads made from banana fibers
[Social Sectors - Health]
• An IIT Delhi-incubated startup , SANFE has launched the first-of-its-kind reusable sanitary pads,
made with composite banana fiber.
• SANFE is known for designing and developing products for improving female health and hygiene.
1.235 Government to make FASTag mandatory for all vehicles from Dec 2019
[Social Justice]
• Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that FASTags will become
mandatory for all vehicles from December this year.
• FASTag enabled vehicles can cruise through the dedicated FASTag lane without stopping at toll
plazas on National Highways.
Key Points
• A total of over 52 lakh FASTags have been issued till date.
• FASTags are being issued by 22 certified banks through various channels such as Point-of-Sale
at NH toll plazas and selected bank branches.
About FASTag
• It is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway Authority of
India (NHAI).
• It employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly
from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly toll owner.
• The system was initially set up as a pilot project in 2014 on the stretch of the Golden
Quadrilateral between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
1.236 Bharti AXA Life ties up with Akshaya Patra to support mid-day meal programme
[Human Development]
• Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has partnered with Akshaya Patra Foundation
to support and contribute to the mid-day meal programme for government school children.
• Akshaya Patra serves nutritious mid-day meals free of cost to children studying in government-
run schools.
• At present, it feeds 1.76 million children every day in 15,000 schools across 12 states in the
country.
About Mid-day Meal Programme
• Mid-day meal (MDM) is a wholesome freshly-cooked lunch served to children in government
and government-aided schools in India.
• It aims to:
I. avoid classroom hunger
II. increase school enrolment
III. increase school attendance
IV. improve socialisation among castes
V. address malnutrition
VI. empower women through employment
1.238 ‘San-Sadhan’ hackathon- for Divyangjan accessible toilets will be held in New Delhi
[Social Justice]
• Recently, government called for applications for its latest initiative under the Swachh Bharat
Mission, called the ‘San-Sadhan’ Hackathon.
• It is an initiative to ease lives of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) by making toilets
smarter, more accessible, and easier to use.
Objective
• The government will look for smart, scalable and innovative solutions for economical toilets for
individual and community use in rural and urban contexts.
Organised by
• It will be organized jointly by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Department of Empowerment
of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, and 91springboard.
Date & Venue
• It will be held on 14th & 15th September, 2019 at New Delhi.
1.239 Union Textiles Minister launches Project SU.RE on Sustainable Fashion Day at Lakme Fashion
Week
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Recently, Project SU.RE has been launched, which is a move towards sustainable fashion, at
Lakme Fashion Winter/Festive 2019, in Mumbai.
Launched by
• It has been launched by the textile minister, along with Clothing Manufacturers Association of
India (CMAI), United Nations in India and IMG Reliance, the organizers of Lakme Fashion Week.
What is SU.RE project?
• It is a commitment by India’s apparel industry to set a sustainable pathway for the Indian
fashion industry.
• SU.RE stands for ‘Sustainable Resolution’ - a firm commitment from the textile industry to move
towards fashion that contributes to a clean environment.
Five-points of Sustainable Resolution
• Develop a complete understanding of the environmental impact of the garments being
currently produced by our brand.
• Develop a sustainable sourcing policy for consistently prioritizing and utilizing certified raw
materials that have a positive impact on the environment.
• Make the right decisions about how, where, and what we source across the value chain by
selecting sustainable and renewable materials and processes and ensuring their traceability.
1.241 India Gears Up for 'Plastic Free Railways’ from October 2, 2019
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, Ministry of Railways directed all regional offices to ensure complete removal of
single-use plastics from all railways stations effective from 2nd October 2019.
1.248 Fifteenth Finance Commission discussed the Health Sector with Dr. Harsh Vardhan
[Indian Political system]
• Recently, the 15th Finance Commission headed by Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh held a meeting
with the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and other senior officials
from his Ministry.
• The High Level Group presented the recommendations of their Report on the Health Sector
on the aspects of –
I. Regulatory Framework of the Health Sector.
II. Human Resource for Health
III. Public Health expenditure
IV. Strengthening Public Healthcare Delivery System
V. AYUSH –Integrative approach
‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme
• In the year 2018 , Tamil Nadu Government launched the Kudimaramathu scheme.
• It is designed to involve communities in managing local lakes and waterbodies.
• Under the scheme, the government contributes 90% of the cost of the repair work while local
farmers are required to bear the remaining 10%, either in the form of cash, material or labour.
Salient features
• Educational materials are available for users ranging from primary to post-graduate levels.
• NDL has been designed to benefit all kinds of users like students (of all levels), teachers,
researchers, librarians, library users, professionals, differently abled users and all other
lifelong learners.
• Information can be personalized based on the education level, choice of language, difficulty
level, media of content and such other factors. This is thus like a ‘customised service’ provided
in a 24x7 integrated environment where learners can find out the right resource with least
effort and in minimum time.
• Repository hosts contents from multiple subject domains like Technology, Science,
Humanities, Agriculture and others.
• More than 60 types of learning resources are available - books, articles, manuscripts, video
lectures, thesis, etc.
• Items are available in more than 70 languages.
• Repository integrates contents from different Indian Institutional Repositories.
• It has been integrated with UMANG App and users can register through www.ndl.gov.in or
through the mobile app.
1.256 Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers has launched a mobile application “Janaushadhi
Sugam”
[Social Sectors- Health]
• Recently, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched
a mobile application “Janaushadhi Sugam”.
• He also announced that “Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” will now
be available at only One Rupee per pad.
1.258 Cabinet approves proposal for Review of FDI policy on various sectors
[Monetary and Fiscal Policy]
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal
for Review of Foreign Direct Investment on various sectors.
• Following changes have been approved by the Cabinet :
1. 100% FDI under automatic route in coal mining and associated infrastructure has been allowed
2. 100% FDI in contract manufacturing under automatic route has been allowed
3. FDI rules for single brand retail; expands definition of 30% domestic sourcing have been relaxed
4. Online retailing under single-brand retail has been allowed and rule of mandatory brick-and-
mortar store have also been relaxed
5. 26% FDI in digital media has been approved
Coal Mining
• As per the present FDI policy, 100% FDI under automatic route is allowed for coal & lignite
mining for captive consumption by power projects, iron & steel and cement units and other
eligible activities permitted under and subject to applicable laws and regulations.
• It has been decided to permit 100% FDI under automatic route for sale of coal, for coal mining
activities including associated processing infrastructure subject to provisions of Coal Mines
(special provisions) Act, 2015 and the Mines and Minerals (development and regulation) Act,
1957 as amended from time to time, and other relevant acts on the subject.
• "Associated Processing Infrastructure" would include coal washery, crushing, coal handling, and
separation (magnetic and non-magnetic)
Contract Manufacturing
• The extant FDI policy provides for 100% FDI under automatic route in manufacturing sector.
There is no specific provision for Contract Manufacturing in the Policy.
• In order to provide clarity on contract manufacturing, it has been decided to allow 100% FDI
under automatic route in contract manufacturing in India as well.
Digital Media
• The extant FDI policy provides for 49% FDI under approval route in Up-linking of
'News &Current Affairs' TV Channels.
• It has been decided to permit 26% FDI under government route for uploading/ streaming of
News & Current Affairs through Digital Media, on the lines of print media.
1.259 Child Well Being Index of India : Kerala , Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu at the top
[Social Justice]
• Recently, NGO World Vision India and research institute IFMR LEAD , have together released a
Report to measure and tracks children’s well-being comprehensively.
• The report includes Child Well Being Index , which is being considered as an attempt to look at
how India fairs on child well-being.
• Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry have topped the charts in the child well-
being index while Meghalaya, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have featured at the bottom.
1.262 Status of Policing in India Report 2019: Police Adequacy and Working Conditions’ has been
released
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, Status of Policing in India Report 2019: Police Adequacy and Working Conditions’ has
been released.
1.263 National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), Conferred the Prestigious SKOCH
Governance Gold Award
[Human Development]
• Deendayan Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), has been
conferred the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award for its Portal for Affordable Credit
and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA).
About DAY-NULM
• National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Poverty Alleviation (MHUPA), on 24th September, 2013.
• It replaced the existing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).
• The NULM focuses on organizing urban poor in their strong grassroots level institutions,
creating opportunities for skill development leading to market-based employment and helping
them to set up self-employment venture by ensuring easy access to credit.
1.264 North East Rural Livelihood Project(NERLP) improves livelihoods of 300,000 households in 11
districts
[Human Development]
• The North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) has empowered rural poor and improved
livelihoods of about 300,000 rural households in the four states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
and Sikkim.
About NERLP
• NERLP is Central Sector Scheme in four North East States, namely Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim
and Tripura , launched in the year 2012.
• It is under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
• NERLP is an externally aided poverty eradication project funded by the World Bank
incorporating SHG model, and Community Based Resource Management Model with focus on
livelihood initiatives.
• The project has been implemented in 11 districts of 4 North Eastern states mentioned above.
1.265 NGT panel suggests unique ID numbers for water bodies to prevent encroachments in Delhi
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• A monitoring committee has informed the National Green Tribunal that land owning agencies
must ensure prevention of encroachments of water bodies in the city and unique ID numbers
should be given to them for identification.
About Angikaar
• It has been launched for social behaviour change for beneficiaries of completed houses under
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-U), through community mobilization.
• It focuses on issues such as water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree
plantation, sanitation and hygiene.
1.267 India-UK workshop on Science for Disaster and Emergency Risk Management
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• A two days India-UK workshop on Science for Disaster and Emergency Risk Management has
been inaugurated in New Delhi.
1.272 ADB cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.5% for FY20
[Measurement of Growth]
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sharply cut India’s growth forecast to 6.5 per cent
for the current fiscal, weighed down by the GDP growth rate dipping to a six-year low in the
first quarter.
1.277 National Centre for Clean Coal Research & Development inaugurated at Bengaluru
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development was inaugurated at
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bengaluru.
• National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development (NCCCR&D) is a national level
consortium on clean coal R&D, led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bengaluru.
• The primary goal is to address several critical R&D challenges towards the development of
clean coal technologies, in tandem with developing supercritical power plant technologies,
both at the materials and system level.
1.281 PM Modi announces $150 mn line of credit to Pacific island nations for climate-related
projects
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a $150 million line of credit to the group of
Pacific island nations for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate related projects
based on their requirement.
• Apart from that, a total allocation of $12 million was also announced to the member states
who attended the India-Pacific Islands Developing States towards implementation of high-
impact developmental project in the area of their choice.
1.282 IATA starts campaign to advance gender diversity in airline industry by 2025
[Gender Issues]
• Recently, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the
25by2025Campaign — an initiative to advance gender diversity in the airline industry by
2025.
• It is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines.
• It aims to raise the number of women in senior positions by either 25% against currently
reported metrics or to minimum representation of 25% by 2025.
1.284 PIO cards to continue as valid travel document till March 2020
[Globalization]
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards along with valid foreign passport will be considered for
exit/entry into India till 31st of March 2020.
• The latest Government of India advisory has notified that Bureau of Immigration (BoI) will now
accept PIO cards as valid travel document till 31st of March next year along with valid foreign
passport.
• Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit/entry into
India till 31st of March next year.
1.285 Andhra Pradesh Government seeks ₹25,000 crore loan from New Development Bank
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• The Andhra Pradesh government has proposed a loan deal of ₹25,000 crore for development
of schools, hospitals, road infrastructure, drinking water and other things in the State with
the New Development Bank (NDB).
• It is in addition to the ₹6,000 crore loan which is awaiting approval of the bank’s board.
1.287 Election Commission of India Launches a One Stop Solution to Verify & Authenticate Voter
Details
[Indian Political System]
• The Election Commission's has launched Electors Verification Programme (EVP), which seeks to
update electoral rolls through crowd sourcing.
1.288 ECI to host the 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies at Bengaluru
[Indian Political System]
• The Election Commission of India is scheduled to host the 4th General Assembly of Association
of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru on 3rd September 2019.
• India will take over as A-WEB’s Chair for the 2019-21 term.
• An International Conference on “Initiatives and Challenges of Social Media and Information
Technology in Elections” will also be held on 04th September, 2019.
About A-WEB
• The Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) is the largest association of Election
Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.
• A-WEB was established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea and its permanent
secretariat is located at Seoul.
• A-WEB’s vision is to foster efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and
participative elections worldwide.
• Its activities are guided by its mission to identify latest trends, challenges and developments in
democratic electoral management and electoral processes and to facilitate appropriate
exchange of experience and expertise among members with the objective of strengthening
electoral democracy worldwide.
1.289 Commerce Minister reviewed the Status of ‘Special Economic Zone’ of Maharashtra
[Employment Generation in India]
• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal has reviewed the status of Special
Economic Zones in Maharashtra
1. To include a trust.
2. To enable the setting up of a unit in a Special Economic Zone by a trust.
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3. To provide flexibility to the Central Government to include in this definition of a person, any
entity that the Central Government may notify from time to time.
• The amendment will enable a trust to be considered for grant of permission to set up a unit in
SEZs.
• The amendment will also provide flexibility to the Central Government to include in this
definition of a person, any entity that the Central Government may notify from time to time.
This will facilitate investments in Special Economic Zones.
Background
• Currently , the Non Resident Indian(NRIs) can apply for Aadhaar card only if he or she has stayed
in India for at least 182 days in the last 12 months.
1.291 NRC Assam: UN refugee chief urges India to ensure no one left stateless
[Social Justice]
• The top U.N. refugee official has urged India to ensure that no one is left stateless by
the exclusion of over 19 lakh people from a citizenship list in Assam.
• This request has come in the wake of publishing of NRC , wherein out of 3.3 crore applicants,
over 19 lakh people were excluded.
NRC Inclusion
• Inclusion in the NRC is based on ‘application’ rather than ‘house to house enumeration’.
1.292 CGHS services to be made available in 100 cities by 2022: Union health minister
[Social Sector - Health]
• Union Health Minister has announced that Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) services
will be made available in 100 cities by 2022.
• The Union minister also launched the annual health check-up scheme for CGHS beneficiaries,
who are pensioners of the age of 75 years and above.
CGHS Scheme
• CGHS services was started in the year 1954 from Gol Market in Delhi but it has reached only 25
cities till 2014.
• In the last five years of the NDA government, services under the scheme have been extended
to as many as 71 cities.
• It aims at providing comprehensive medical care to the Central Government employees and
pensioners enrolled under the scheme.
• It caters to the healthcare needs of eligible beneficiaries covering all four pillars of democratic
set up in India namely Legislature, Judiciary, Executive and Press.
• CGHS is the model Health care facility provider for Central Government employees &
Pensioners and is unique of its kind due to the large volume of beneficiary base, and open
ended generous approach of providing health care.
• CGHS provides health care through following systems of Medicine
1. Allopathic
2. Homoeopathic
3. Indian system of medicine – Ayurveda , Unani , Siddha and Yoga
1.293 World Bank to fund pro-poor tourism development projects worth $57 mn
[World Bank]
• World Bank will fund ‘pro-poor tourism’ (PPT) development projects worth more than $57
million in top tourist hotspots of Agra and Braj-Mathura regions in Uttar Pradesh.
• While the World Bank will incur 70% of the project cost, the remaining 30% will be borne by
the UP government.
• World Bank and the union finance ministry have already signed loan and project agreements
for the proposed PPT projects.
What is Pro-poor tourism?
• Pro-poor tourism is a holistic tourism concept aimed at poverty alleviation in the periphery
of selected tourism hubs through interventions pertaining to the economic, social and cultural
aspects of the area.
1.294 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
held at Greater Noida
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• The 12-day 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) was held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
• It was acknowledged that in a global campaign to save productive land, countries like Brazil,
China, India, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa, which are among the largest and most
populous nations on Earth, “have agreed to make the Sustainable Development Goal of
achieving land degradation neutrality a national target.”
• An estimated 7,200 participants that include ministers and representatives of governments,
non-government and intergovernmental organizations, scientists, women and youth from
the 197 Parties were involved in the conference.
• The conference ended with 196 countries and the European Union adopting the “New Delhi
Declaration".
1.295 Haryana govt waives ₹4,750 crore interest, penalty on crop loans
[Social Justice]
• The BJP-led Haryana government has announced ₹4,750-crore interest and penalty waiver
on crop loans taken from cooperative banks, thus benefiting around 10 lakh farmers in the
state.
• According to the government, with this move, around 10 lakh farmers -- who had borrowed
from Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS), District Cooperative Central Banks
(DCCB) and Land Mortgage Bank (LMB) -- would be benefitted.
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• Out of 13 lakh farmers, who had borrowed from PACS, accounts of 8.25 lakh farmers had
turned non-performing assets (NPAs).
• It has also been announced that 5 per cent penalty, which was imposed on farmers who
failed to repay loans taken from PACS, will now be completely waived. But, farmers will
have to pay 50 per cent of simple interest and rest will be borne by the state government.
• Farmers would pay 2 per cent interest for loans less than ₹5 lakh, 5 per cent for loan between
₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh and 10 per cent interest on loans in excess of ₹10 lakh.
1.296 ESIC Signs an Agreement with SBI for Payments To ESIC Beneficiaries on Real Time Basis
[Social Justice]
• A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between the Employees’ State Insurance
Corporation (ESIC) and State Bank of India(SBI).
• In accordance with this, SBI would provide e-payment services directly to the bank accounts of
all ESIC beneficiaries and payees without any manual intervention as an integrated and
automated process.
1.297 India announces contribution of 22 mn USD to GFTAM for 6th replenishment cycle
[Social Sectors- Health]
• India has announced a contribution of 22 million US Dollars to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and
Malaria (GFTAM) for the 6th replenishment cycle (2020-22).
• This comes as an increase of 10% over the amount contributed by India in the 5th cycle.
Background
• India was the first implementing country to host a replenishment milestone of the Global Fund.
• It has now become the first among G20, BRICS and implementer countries to announce the
pledge for the 6th Replenishment Conference, setting precedent for other donors to contribute
generously for the cause.
• India shares a sustained partnership with the Global Fund since 2002 both as recipient and as a
donor.
• Global Fund support with investment of US $ 2.0 billion so far has made significant contribution
in attaining targets related to HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria reduction and escalating our fight against
these three diseases.
About GFTAM
• The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and
malaria as epidemics.
• As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion
a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries.
Background
• Government has been implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme wherein OMCs
sell petrol blended with ethanol up to 10%.
• This programme has been extended to whole of India except Union Territories of Andaman
Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands with effect from 01st April, 2019 to promote the use of
alternative and environment friendly fuels.
• This intervention also seeks to reduce import dependence for energy requirements and give
boost to agriculture sector.
1.301 PM Modi announces $1 bn line of credit for development of Russia's Far East
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• Addressing the plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), India has announced
an "unprecedented" $1 billion line of credit for the development of Russia's Far East.
• It has been done to help Russia in its quest for the development of the resource-rich Far East
region.
1.303 Joint India- NDB Workshop on Enhancing New Development Bank (NDB) Engagement with the
Indian Private and Public Sector
[Employment generation in India]
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• A one-day Joint India- New Development Bank workshop on Enhancing NDB’s engagement with
the India private and public sector has recently taken place.
1.304 Governors, Chief Ministers, State Ministers Launch Poshan Maah in Different States
[Social Sector - Health]
• September 2019 is being celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah or National Nutrition Month
across country to address the malnutritional challenges.
• Poshan Maah aims at making people aware of the importance of nutrition and giving individual
access to government services to support supplement nutrition for their children and pregnant
women/lactating mothers.
Nodal Ministry
• Women & Child Development Ministry is the nodal ministry for the celebration of this month.
Its Relevance
• 6.10 lakh farmers in the state have taken electricity connection for the tubewells.
• Out of this, about 2.44 lakh connections have become defaulters and an amount of ₹147 crore
is outstanding towards them.
• If such farmers want to pay their electricity bills, then they have to pay surcharge and the
maximum surcharge amount has reached 20-25 %.
• Connections of farmers, which have been discontinued for less than two years for turning
defaulters, would be restored.
1.308 Ahead of polls, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal extends ambit of 'Jai Bhim Scheme’
[Social Justice]
• Delhi government has announced the extension of benefits under its 'Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri
Yojana', now OBC and poor sections can also benefit from ‘Jai Bhim scheme’.
• The financial assistance under the scheme has been raised from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Background
• The scheme was launched in 2018 to provide financial assistance to SC students.
• Under the scheme, the AAP government will also finance coaching of the students.
• The amount will be transferred directly through the government’s panel of coaching institutes.
• For students who go to institutes not on government panel, the amount will be transferred to
the student directly.
• So far, nearly 5,900 students have availed the scheme and got admission in IITs and medical
colleges.
1.309 Disaster Response Teams for Disaster Risk Reduction to be prepared by Nehru Yuva Kendra
Sangathan (NYKS) in collaboration with NDRF
[Social Justice]
• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under Department of Youth Affairs of Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports has taken up an initiative on preparing Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of
NYKS Youth Volunteers for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in collaboration with National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
• It is proposed to establish institutional mechanism for organized and structured engagement of
NYKS by creating Block Level Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of volunteers as first responders
in NDRF selected hazard prone districts.
• It is also proposed to cover such districts in India in a phased manner in collaboration with NDRF,
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authorities
(DDMA).
1.313 Rs 125 crore allocated to IIT Kharagpur for Centre’s SATHI initiative
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, IIT Kharagpur has been selected for setting up a Sophisticated Analytical and
Technical Help Institute (SATHI), a Department of Science and Technology initiative of the
Centre.
• An amount of Rs 125 crore has been earmarked for the centre which will be given during a
period of three financial years, starting from 2019-20.
• As per DST mandate, SATHI centre will run 24*7 round the year.
• At least 70 per cent of instrument (SATHI) use time will be reserved for external users from
other academic institutes, national laboratories, start-ups, entrepreneurs and the industry.
Objective
• The primary objective will be to extend help to the academic institutes in the neighbouring
regions.
• Research establishments and industries, particularly start-ups and manufacturing units, will
also be able to use the sophisticated instruments in a few select areas.
1.314 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) was held
[Social Justice]
• Recently, 31st meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) was held
in New Delhi.
• It was organised by the Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW), Ministry
of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
Key discussions of the meeting
• Emphasis on maximum digitization of the documentation process dealing with pensioners
cases.
• Department of Pensions has already digitalized the process of providing the life certificate by
pensioners and other documents.
• Department has also started-
• Pension Adalats through video conferencing
• Pensioners’ Portal where one can easily check the PPO status, thus optimizing the use of
technology for the welfare of the pensioners.
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• On the demand of the SCOVA members, it was also agreed to hold its meeting bi-annually
instead of once a year.
1.315 SCIENCE EXPLORER: Leh's first mobile science exhibition van flagged off
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, a mobile science exhibition van (SCIENCE EXPLORER) in Leh was flagged off.
• It is the first such vehicle in the region, which will hold lectures and sky observation sessions
for school students, among other programmes.
• The van will have science exhibits and hold exhibitions throughout the year at schools in rural
areas, except during vacations.
1.316 UP to create Rs 200 crore venture capital fund for MSME start-ups
[Employment Generation in India]
• Uttar Pradesh government will set up a Rs 200 crore venture capital fund to promote micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) startups, especially pertaining to traditional
industries in the state.
• The government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in this regard.
• The venture capital corpus will be managed by SIDBI.
• The fund would give preference to such MSMEs, which are involved in manufacturing of
traditional products and crafts under the aegis of state’s flagship One District, One Product
(ODOP) scheme.
Funding
• While, 25% or Rs 50 crore would be provided by the Yogi Adityanath government, the larger
share of 75% or Rs 150 crore would be contributed by SIDBI for creating the venture capital
fund to handhold and finance startups and enterprises.
What else is being done by UP government?
• UP government had already tied up with commercial banks for providing loans totaling Rs
5,000 crore to MSMEs under ODOP scheme. These loans will be disbursed to entrepreneurs
on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2019.
About One District, One Product (ODOP) Scheme:
• It was launched in January 2018.
• It is aimed at scaling up traditional industries associated with each of the 75 districts in UP.
1.317 Health Minister launched the Eat Right India Movement of FSSAI
[Social Sectors- Health]
• Recently, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the Eat Right India Movement of FSSAI.
• It is a new healthy eating approach which places citizens at the centre of a Health Revolution
through food and fitness.
• The campaign ‘Eat Right India’ with its new logo and tagline ‘Sahi Bhojan, Behtar Jeevan’ were
released at an event of 5-day ‘72nd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East
Asia’.
1.318 National workshop to discuss the issue of delayed payments to MSMEs was held
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, national workshop to discuss the issue of delayed payments to MSMEs and ways
to deal with it was held.
• It was organised by the Ministry of MSME.
• At the event, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has suggested some
ways and steps that can be taken to tackle the problem of delayed payments:
• He appealed all the stakeholders to use MSME Samadhan Portal so that sufficient data could
be gathered about wilful defaulters, register themselves on stock exchanges.
• He also announced that the ministry will soon launch a marketing portal ‘Bharat Craft’ for
the marketing of their products.
• Ministry of MSME also notified that all companies who get supplies of goods or services from
Micro and Small Enterprises and whose payments to suppliers exceeds 45 days from the date
of acceptance of the goods or services, shall submit a half yearly return of the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs stating the amount of payments due and reason of the delay.
1.320 WCD Minister felicitated states and districts under BBBP Scheme
[Gender Issues]
[Social Sectors- Education]
• The Union Minister of Women and Child Development and Textiles felicitated districts and
states which have successfully implemented the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme.
• The felicitation and award function will be held in New Delhi.
Objective
• The objective of the programme is to felicitate states and districts which are performing well
in improving Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) as per Health Management Information System (HMIS)
of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data and excellent performance in awareness
generation and outreach.
Awards
• Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were felicitated for improvement
in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB).
• Ten districts selected for improvement in SRB were also felicitated during the programme.
• The ten districts are: East Kameng (Arunachal Pradesh), Mahendragarh and Bhiwani
(Haryana), Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), Namakkal (Tamil Nadu), Jalgaon (Maharashtra)
Etawah (Uttar Pradesh), Raigarh (Chhattisgarh), Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) and Jodhpur
(Rajasthan).
• In addition, ten districts selected for good work in awareness generation and outreach
activities under BBBP were also felicitated by the Minister.
• These districts are: Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur
(Himachal Pradesh) Kishtwar (J&K), Gadag (Karnataka), Wokha (Nagaland), Farrukhabad (Uttar
Pradesh), and Nagaur (Rajasthan).
Special Mentions
• Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh which has registered a sharp improvement in SRB from
807 in 2014-15 to 1039 in 2018-19.
• Mahendragarh district of Haryana where the SRB has risen to 916 from below 800 mark in
2001.
• Tiruvallur of Tamil Nadu for recording impressive increase of 38 points in SRB from 925 to 963
in the last one year.
1.325 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia held in New Delhi
[Social Sectors- Health]
• Recently, 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia was organised
in Delhi and a resolution to eliminate the diseases was adopted.
Key discussions of the meeting
• Member-countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region have
resolved to eliminate highly infectious childhood killer diseases measles and rubella by 2023.
• The new target to eliminate both the diseases will leverage the existing momentum and a
strong political commitment.
1.328 IIT-Madras, Delhi University and other three get Institution of Eminence status
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, The Human Resource Development Ministry has awarded the status of Institute of
Eminence to the IIT-Madras, the IIT-Kharagpur, Delhi University, Benares Hindu University
and the University of Hyderabad.
• Each university will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry,
laying out its plan to achieve the objective of becoming a world-class institution.
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• The public institutions on the list will then be eligible for a government grant of ₹1,000 crore.
Letter of Intent
• Four private universities — the Vellore Institute of Technology, Amrita Vishwa
Vidyapeetham, Jamia Hamdard University and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
— were issued Letters of Intent to grant them the status.
• The new Greenfield Bharti Institute, a project of Airtel’s Satya Bharti Foundation, has also been
issued the letter.
• These institutes require the State governments to act before they can be awarded the status.
Benefits of getting IoE status
• These institutions will not be subject to UGC inspections.
• These are free to set their own courses and curriculum, fee structure and merit-based
admission systems.
• They will have complete academic, administrative and financial autonomy.
• The public institutions will also receive a government grant of ₹1,000 crore, while the private
institutions will not get any funding under the scheme.
1.329 Travel and Tourism Competitive Report, 2019 released by World Economic forum
[International Economic Institutions]
• Recently, ‘Travel and Tourism Competitive Report’ has been released by the World Economic
Forum (WEF).
• It ranks the travel & tourism competitiveness of 140 economies.
Key findings of the report
• India has made the greatest improvement since 2017 among the top 25 per cent of the
countries that were previously ranked.
• India showed the greatest percentage improvement to its overall Travel & Tourism
Competitiveness Index (TTCI) score, which has helped it become the only lower-middle income
country in the top 35.
• India is ranked 34, up six places from 2017.
• India’s highest improvement was in enabling environment, by 10 places to 98.
• The least improvement is in infrastructure as well as in natural and cultural rankings, by just
three places each.
Top Rankers
• Spain has been held on to the top spot in latest Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
(TTCR).
• Spain has been followed by France, Germany and Japan, with the United States replacing the
UK in the top five.
• Others in the top 10 list include the United Kingdom at the 6th place, Australia (7th), Italy (8th),
Canada (9th) and Switzerland (10th).
• Japan remains Asia's most competitive travel and tourism economy, ranking 4th globally,
while China is by far the largest travel and tourism economy in Asia-Pacific and 13th most
competitive globally.
• Pakistan (121st) remains the least competitive country in South Asia.
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1.330 ‘Swachh Mahotsava 2019’ held at New Delhi
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Recently, Swachh Mahotsava 2019 was held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
• It was organised by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• On the occasion, the President presented the Swachh Bharat Awards in various categories.
• A book named Swachh Bharat Mission’s Book on Behaviour Change Communication was also
released.
About Swachh Bharat Awards 2019
• Best Swachh Iconic Place was awarded to Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in Jammu and Kashmir
and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), Mumbai.
• Swachh Award in Swachhta Action Plan category was awarded to the Ministry of Railways.
• Award for Open Defecation Free (ODF) and Behaviour Change were given to Gujarat and
Sikkim.
About Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a cleanliness campaign initiated by Govt. of India in 2014.
• It seeks to achieve a Clean India by 2019 as a tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi.
• It has two sub-missions- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission
(Urban).
1.331 NGT asks for plan for protection of the Great Indian Bustard
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre to prepare a time-bound
action plan within two months for protection of the birds (Great Indian Bustard).
• Reason: High mortality rate of the Great Indian Bustard in recent times
• A joint committee has been also formed comprising officials of the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• The committee has been asked to prepare an action plan for the implementation of
suggestions put forth by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
About Great Indian Bustard
• The great Indian bustard or Indian bustard is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent.
• This bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
• It is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of India.
• IUCN Status: Critically endangered
1.333 Gadag bags ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ award once again
[Human Development]
• The Gadag district (Karnataka) administration has received the national award for effective
implementation of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme for the second consecutive year.
• Gadag Deputy Commissioner M.G. Hiremath has received the award for ‘Effective Community
Engagement’ under the programme from Union Minister for Women and Child Development
Smriti Irani.
• In 2018-19 too, the Gadag district administration had bagged the same award.
1.334 1st conference of Military Medicine for SCO Member States to be held in New Delhi on 12 –
13 September, 2019
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• The first conference of Military Medicine for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Member
States is going to take place on 12 – 13 September 2019.
• The conference will be conducted by the Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters
Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
• It has been organized with the aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build
capacities and overcome common challenges.
• The conference will be the first Military co-operation event hosted by India, under the SCO
Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020, after becoming a member state of SCO in the year 2019.
• During the conference, the Indian Armed Forces will also demonstrate the Rapid Action Medical
Team and organise a visit for the delegates to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.
About SCO
1.335 Panel set up to identify infra projects for ₹100 lakh-crore investment
[Urbanization and Migration]
• Ministry of Finance has constituted a high-level task force to identify infrastructure projects for
₹100 lakh-crore worth investment to be made by 2024-25 as India aims to become a $5-trillion
economy.
• Task Force under the chairmanship of Secretary (DEA) has been constituted by Union Finance
Minister to draw up a National Infrastructure Pipeline for each of the years from FY 2019-20 to
FY 2024-25
• The Task Force will submit its Report on the pipeline for FY 2019-20 by 31st October, 2019 and
on the indicative pipeline for FY 2021-25 by 31st December 2019.
1.336 Local and Regional Governments Day observed on Day 6 of the COP14
[Social Justice]
• The 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) is being hosted by India from 2nd to 13th September 2019.
• Theme of the Conference for this year is “Restore land, Sustain future”.
• On Day 6 of the Conference, “Local and Regional Governments Day” has been observed
providing a platform for key stakeholders to interact with global peers on matters concerning
land degradation.
1.337 Project 'Bal Basera' for the welfare of Children of Construction Workers deployed at AIIMS
Rishikesh
[Social Justice]
• Bal Basera or a creche , has been deployed at AIIMS Rishikesh as part of a project for the welfare
of Children of Construction Workers.
• It has been developed with the support of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) , which shall
also execute this project.
• Bal Basera shall accommodate about 35 Children and shall be run by the CPWD Officer’s Wives
Association.
1.338 Gujarat govt launches biometric online attendance system at 40,000 schools
[Social Justice]
• Gujarat government has launched a facial recognition-based biometric online attendance
system across 40,000 primary schools , on September 5th (Teachers’ Day)
• In a bid to curb absenteeism at government schools.
• To implement the system, the State Education Department will distribute tablets equipped
with geo-tagging and biometrics software to all schools in the next two months
1.341 Health Minister announces plans of Genomic Grid for India-specific cancer research
[Social Sectors- Health]
• Recently, the government has announced the setup of a National Genomic Grid, which will
study genomic data of cancer patients from India.
• It is being done in a move to take cancer research to the next level and make treatment viable
for people of different economic classes.
About National Genomic Grid (NGG)
• NGG will collect samples from cancer patients, through a network of pan-India collection
centers by bringing all cancer treatment institutions on board.
• The grid to be formed will be in line with the National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) set up
at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
• The grid will have four parts corresponding to eastern, western, northern and southern parts
of India.
1.345 Nilgiri Tahr’s population has increased by 27% in three years in Tamil Nadu
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, it has been found that Nilgiri tahr’s population has increased by 27% in last three
years in Tamil Nadu.
Key Findings
• The sightings of Nilgiri tahr in the Mukurthi National Park have risen from 568 in 2018 to 612
this year.
• It is the second consecutive year that an increase in the population of the animal had been
recorded in the park.
• There is almost 8% increase in the population of the iconic animal in 2019 follows a similarly
significant increase in its population in 2018.
Background
1.352 DPIIT to Launch Plastic Waste Management Campaign for Swachhta Hi Sewa 2019
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• As part of Prime Minister’s call to action for Plastic Waste Management, the theme of this year’s
Swachhta hi Sewa is “Plastic Waste Management”.
• Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce &
Industry, is playing a critical two-fold role for the success of the campaign as mandated by
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
1.353 IIT Madras to collaborate with CII to promote innovative green startups
[Employment Generation in India]
• The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has announced to collaborate with the
Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) to nurture and promote innovative green start-ups
across the country.
1.355 India & ADB sign $200 million loan to improve rural connectivity in Maharashtra
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $200 million
loan.
Technical Assistance
• The loan will be accompanied by the technical assistance grant of $1 million for institutional
strengthening of the Maharashtra Rural Road Development Association (MRRDA) in areas such
as road asset management, road safety, climate-resilient design and construction and web-
based real-time project monitoring.
Background
• Nearly 3000 people on average commit suicide daily, according to WHO.
• For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. About one
million people die by suicide each year.
• Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social,
cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses
that address these main risk factors.
• There is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention can reduce suicide rates.
Background
• SED was set up between erstwhile Planning Commission and the National Development and
Reform Commission (NDRC), China in the year 2010.
• Since then SED has served as an effective mechanism for enhancing bilateral practical
cooperation.
• Under the aegis of the SED, senior representatives from both sides come together to
constructively deliberate on and share individual best practices and successfully identify sector-
specific challenges and opportunities for enabling ease of doing business and facilitating bilateral
trade and investment flows.
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1.359 22nd Session of UN Committee on Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at
Geneva
[Social Justice]
• The UN Committee on CRPD in its 22nd Session has taken up India’s First Country Report for
consideration during 2nd & 3rd September 2019 at UNHRC, Geneva.
Background
• India is a signatory of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(UNCRPD).
• It ratified this Convention on 01-10-2007 in pursuance of Article 35 of the Convention.
• India submitted its First Country Report on Status of Disability in India in November 2015.
About CRPD
• The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol
(A/RES/61/106) was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New
York.
• It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights
convention to be open for signature by regional integration organizations.
• The Convention entered into force on 3 May 2008.
• The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) is the body of
independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by the States Parties.
1.360 Life expectancy up slightly in India during 2013-17: Sample Registration survey
[Human Development]
• Sample Registration Survey has been recently released by the Registrar General of India in the
month of September
• Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir have not been considered for the analysis due to unavailability of
coherent data.
• Findings of the Survey:
Life Expectancy at birth
• Life expectancy at birth in India has risen marginally to 69 years during 2013-17 from 68.7
during 2012-16.
• Life expectancy at birth is defined as how long, on average, a newborn can expect to live, if
current death rates do not change.
1.361 ‘Indian Urban Data Exchange’ for smart cities would be expanded
[Urbanization]
• Recently, it has been announced that ‘India Urban Data Exchange’ set up by the Ministry of
housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for Smart Cities would be expanded.
• The open data platform (IUDX) for the 100 cities would be expanded to cover 500 cities by
2022 and all urban centres in the country by 2024.
• The government is planning to make a wide range of data — from health, education, finances
to social aspects — of all 4,041 urban local bodies public by 2024 and eventually monetising
it.
What government is planning?
• So far, the open data platform has 2,783 data catalogs from 99 Smart Cities, and by 2020, all
data sets for the Smart Cities would be available.
• The government is planning to make a wide range of data — from health, education, finances
to social aspects — of all 4,041 urban local bodies public by 2024 and eventually monetising
it.
• All cities would have data officers and data coordinators by 2024.
About IUDX
• IUDX is a research project under smart cities mission being implemented by Union Ministry
of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science (IISc),
Bengaluru.
• It will be an open source software platform for cities, industry and researchers to share Smart
City data with each other that could be monetised in the future, similar to the UPI for bank
accounts and digital payments.
• It will facilitate secure, authenticated and managed exchange of data amongst various data
platforms, third-party authenticated and authorized applications and other data sources, data
1.362 World Health Organization report shows that close to 8 lakh people die due to suicide every
year
[Social Sectors- Health]
• A report released by the World Health Organization shows that close to 8 lakh people die
due to suicide every year.
• In other words, suicides account for one death every 40 seconds.
Key findings of the report
• It ranks India next to some of the other countries most comparable to it such as Indonesia,
Brazil and China.
• Russia’s data stands out for being over four times the global average.
Background
• The work visa was revoked in 2012 by the then government, affecting the international student
admissions as they had to leave just four months after completing their course.
• The move comes after intense debate and demand by the universities in the U.K. that feared
losing talent to other countries.
1.368 Union HRD Minister launches several initiatives of MIC and AICTE to boost research and
innovation in the country
[Social Sector- Education]
• Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has attended
the First Annual Innovation Festival of the MHRD’s Innovation Cell (MIC).
• MIC organized the first Annual Innovation Festival in coordination with AICTE.
• Smart India Hackathon 2020, Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)
2020, and Institution’s Innovation Council 2.0 have been launched at the event.
• The event also witnessed the release of the Start-Up Policy Document and SIH Report, launch
of Technical Teacher’s Training Module, ATAL Academies, Protsahan Mudra Scheme,
Vishwakarma Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Meet on the Student Induction Programme.
1.369 Prime Minister launches National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons
[Social Sector in India]
• The Prime Minister of India has launched the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self
Employed Persons, a pension scheme for the Vyaparis (shopkeepers/retail traders and self-
employed persons) with annual turnover not exceeding Rs 1.5 crore.
1.371 Tata Group to invest over ₹500 cr to establish two Indian Institutes of Skill
[Employment Generation in India]
• The Tata Group will invest over ₹500 crore to establish two Indian Institutes of Skills (IISs) - one
in Mumbai and another in Ahmedabad in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
About IIS
• IIS will be developed on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode with land coming from
government and capital from the Tata Group.
• It is inspired by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) model of education.
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• The IIS will be modelled after IITs and IIMs and expected to emerge as the tertiary level institute
in the skills eco system and cater to the demand of industry 4.O. and offer courses in areas like
deep technology, aerospace, etc.
Relevance of IIS
• India will build three IIS - one fully funded by the government and two in PPP model with Tata
Group as it’s partner.
• Government would provide access to its land through a 25 year long licence.
• Once the institutes are operational, government expects at least 5000 students to pass out of
each of these institutes from the fifth years of operation with a placement record of at least
70%.
1.372 Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal) designed by University Grants Commission (UGC)
[Social sector - Education]
[Employment Generation in India]
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the launch of a “life skills” (Jeevan
Kaushal) programme in the curriculum for under-graduate courses across the country.
1.373 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019
[Social sectors in India]
• The Prime Minister has launched Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019, a massive countrywide
awareness and mobilization campaign on Swachhata.
• This year’s campaign will be focused on Plastic Waste Management, given the detrimental effect
of uncollected plastic waste on human beings, animals and the environment at large.
• From 3rd October till 27th October (Diwali), the collected plastic waste will then be effectively
recycled and disposed.
1.374 India joins the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub
[Social sectors- Health]
• India has joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D)
Hub as a new member.
• It has been announced by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology
in New Delhi.
Its members
• Global AMR R&D has now 16 countries, the European Commission, two philanthropic
foundations as members and four international organizations as observers.
1.376 India fails to feature in the top 300 World University Rankings 2020 list
[Social sector - Education]
• India has not been able feature in the top 300 World University Rankings 2020 list by Times
Higher Education (THE).
• In the past few years, India had been the fifth most-represented nation and this is the first time
since 2012 that India dropped out of the top 300 list.
1.378 Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the Month of July,
2019 (BASE 2011-12=100)
[Measurement of Growth]
• The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 for the month of
July 2019 stands at 131.1.
• It is 4.3 percent higher as compared to the level in the month of July 2018.
• The cumulative growth for the period April-July 2019 over the corresponding period of the
previous year stands at 3.3 percent.
1. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for
the month of July 2019 stand at 100.2, 132.9 and 169.7 respectively, with the corresponding
growth rates of 4.9 percent, 4.2 percent and 4.8 percent as compared to July 2018.
1.379 Consumer Price Index Numbers on Base 2012=100 for Rural, Urban and combined for the
month of August 2019
[Measurement of Growth]
• The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has
released CPI (Rural, Urban, Combined) on Base 2012=100 for the month of August 2019.
• In addition to this, Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for all India Rural, Urban and Combined
have also been released for August 2019.
• All India Inflation rates based on General Indices and CFPIs are given as follows:
• These are on point to point basis i.e. current month over same month of last year, i.e.,
August 2019 over August 2018.
1.381 Shri Arjun Munda Launches Biggest Tribal Movement to promote tribal enterprise through
Bamboonomics at ‘COP 14 UNCCD : TRIFED-GIZ’
[Social Justice]
• Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda has launched the Biggest Tribal movement
to promote tribal enterprise through Bamboonomics in the country.
• The movement has been launched for combating desertification and the climate change at “The
Indian Perspective through Bamboonomics” session at ‘COP 14 UNCCD : TRIFED-GIZ’.
4P1000 initiative
• The 4P1000 Initiative: The international initiative “4per1000” was launched by France on 1
December 2015 at the COP 21.
• It consists of federating all voluntary stakeholders of the public and private sectors.
• TRIFED DELHI Declaration on 4P1000 Initiative: A Tribal Perspective through
Bamboonomics has also been signed in the event.
• TRIFED’s message to UNCCD is that the 4P1000 Initiative with the tribal perspective through
Bamboonomics is the best answer for combating desertification and rehabilitation of degraded
wastelands.
Its Relevance
• Malaria is a top killer in many African countries.
• According to the World Health Organization, the region accounted for 92% of the cases and 93%
of malaria deaths in 2017.
• The parasitic disease kills about 435,000 people every year, most of them children under 5 in
Africa.
• Although the malaria vaccine only protects about one-third of children who are immunised,
those who get the shots are likely to have less severe cases of malaria.
1.383 India’s GDP growth rate ‘much weaker’ than expected: IMF
[Measurement of Growth]
• According to the IMF , India’s economic growth is “much weaker” than expected.
• It has been attributed to the corporate and environmental regulatory uncertainty and lingering
weaknesses in some non-bank financial companies.
• According to the latest official data , India’s GDP growth rate has slipped to 5% in the first quarter
of 2019-20, which is the lowest in over six years.
Background
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July projected a slower growth rate for India in 2019
and 2020 with the growth rate of 7% and 7.2%.
• It reflects a weaker-than expected outlook for domestic demand.
• According to the National Statistical Office , The GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q1 of 2019-
20 is estimated at ₹35.85 lakh crore, as against ₹34.14 lakh crore in Q1 of 2018-19, showing a
growth rate of 5%.
1.385 15th Finance Commission meets with the Ministry of Women and Child Development
[Gender Issues]
• Recently, the 15th Finance Commission headed by Shri N.K. Singh and including Members
and senior officials of the Commission held a meeting with the Union Minister for Women
& Child Development and her team of senior officials of the Ministry of WCD.
• During the meeting, Ministry proposed many recommendations for the consideration of the
Commission.
Recommendations
• The Ministry of WCD has requested the 15th Finance Commission to include gender budgeting
in its fiscal devolution formula.
• In the Commission’s Vertical Devolution the Ministry has requested for prioritizing gender
concerns within schemes/ programmes – with a minimum compulsory allocation of 25% to
40%.
• In its horizontal devolution the Commission has been requested to incorporate gender criteria
(Child Sex Ratio and Female Labour Force Participation) as a criteria for horizontal devolution
of funds between States.
• The Commission has also been asked to provide for basic and performance grants under
which additional activities could be added to current activities of Local Bodies for promoting
gender equality.
• Incentivizing performance: States with better performance in Women Education/ Health
Outcomes/ LFPR/ Nutritional Outcomes may be considered for incentive grants.
• Fiscal Equalization: Gap funding for States to reach normative levels of social sector spending.
• Enhanced Funding: up from 1% to 1.5% of the Union Budget for WCD.
• Development of CDI/ GDI based on International Practice.
• Revamped indicator for women participation in workforce.
• Increased allocation for Health and Education.
• Reservation of certain percentage of funds for Women centric development works by local
bodies.
• Increased funding for capacity building of elected women representatives.
1.388 Special Training Programme for Maldivian Civil Servants to be conducted in India
[Globalization]
• The Special Training Program for Maldivian Civil Servants under the India-Maldives MoU on
Training and Capacity Building Programme will be conducted at Mussoorie and Delhi.
• India is the largest development partner for capacity building of Civil Servants of Maldives.
1.393 Indian B-schools gain ground in QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings 2020
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released Global Full-Time MBA Rankings for the year
2020.
• It seeks to evaluate how successfully business schools are performing relative to their key
missions, whilst accounting for what matters most for prospective students.
• The core metrics that are weighted as part of the methodology include:
1. Employability (40 per cent)
2. Entrepreneurship and Alumni outcomes (15 per cent)
3. Return on investment (20 per cent)
4. Thought leadership (15 per cent)
5. Class and faculty diversity (10 per cent)
Key Findings of the Rankings
• IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) continued to be the top ranked Indian B-school climbing eight spots
to stand at 40th rank, up from 48 last year for its MBA program for executives.
• IIM Bangalore registered the highest jump among Indian B-schools from 71st place last year
to 44 this year, followed by Indian School of Business (ISB) at 98 as against 100 last year.
1.394 India has second-largest population of monthly active internet users: Report
[Human Development]
• Recently, a report named ‘India Internet 2019’ was released by IAMAI (Internet and Mobile
Association of India) in collaboration with Nielsen Holdings.
• This is their first ever report on the internet users in India, which tracks the monthly active
internet users, and not the overall internet users in India.
Key Findings
• India has 451 million monthly active internet users, which is second only to China’s 800
million+ user base.
• Out of the 451 million users, 385 million belong to the age group of 12 years and above, while
66 million are aged between 5 and 11 years, suggesting that a significant number of India’s
demographic on internet are actually school children.
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Gender Difference
• The report shows that total number of female internet users in India is surprisingly half of
the 258 million male Internet users. In rural areas, the gap gets bigger with only 28% female
users getting accessing to internet.
• ‘Incredible India Mobile App’ and the “Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification”
programme were also launched on the occasion.
• Also, Union Minister for Tourism (IC), Shri. K.J. Alphons, presented the National Tourism
Awards 2016-17) on the World Tourism Day in New Delhi.
• Some of the important awards are given below:
Award Winner state
Best State/ UT : Comprehensive Development of Andhra Pradesh
Tourism
Best State / Union Territory: Comprehensive Sikkim
Development of Tourism (Jammu & Kashmir and
North East including Sikkim)
Best Tourist Friendly Railway Station Secunderabad
Best Airport (Class X cities) Sardar Vallabhai Patel-International Airport,
Ahmedabad
Best Airport (Rest of India) Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore
Best Heritage City Ahmedabad & Mandu
Swachhta Award Indore, Madhya Pradesh
1.396 Regional Workshop on “SDG11 Monitoring, Opportunities and Challenges and how
City/Urban and Rural definitions can be harmonized” held
[Sustainable Development]
• Recently, workshop on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Make cities and human
settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), 2019 was held in New Delhi.
• It was hosted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation along with UN-Habitat.
Key Highlights
• The Workshop focused on evolving a standardized definition of Rural and Urban
habitations and sensitizing the participants on the developments taking place globally so
that the member countries can adapt these definitions to suit the national requirements.
• The participants were being briefed about the new metric i.e. Degree of Urbanization
(DEGURBA).
1.400 Home Ministry to release nearly 600 prisoners on Gandhi Jayanthi under special remission
scheme
[Social Justice]
• To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi , several hundred prisoners, convicted
of offences other than murder, rape and corruption, will be released from jails across India on
October 2nd 2019.
• The release of prisoners is done under the Scheme for special remission
• Prisoners had been released on October 2, 2018 and April 6, 2019 and this shall be the third
phase of this release.
Eligible categories
• The following categories of prisoners are eligible for special remission:
1. Women convicts of 55 years of age and above, who have completed half of their actual sentence
period,
2. Transgender convicts aged 55 and above, who have served half of their actual sentence period
3. Male convicts aged 60 and above, who have completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence
period.
4. Physically challenged or disabled convicts with 70 per cent disability and more who have
completed 50 per cent of their actual sentence period
5. Terminally-ill convicts
6. Convicted prisoners who have completed two-third (66 per cent) of their actual sentence period
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1.401 Saudi Arabia to invest $100 billion in India
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• Saudi Arabia has recently announced that it is looking at investing $100 billion in India in areas
of petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining etc.
• Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil giant Aramco’s has proposed partnership with Reliance Industries Ltd
reflected the strategic nature of the growing energy ties between the two countries.
1.402 Proposed policy seeks to de-incentivise pre-2005 vehicles under new emission norms
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• The vehicle scrappage policy is likely to see stringent registration and fitness norms for pre-2005
manufactured vehicle.
• The policy has gone for a Cabinet approval.
Background
• As per estimates, there are about 2 crore pre-2005 built vehicles that are plying on Indian roads.
• This proposed policy is aimed at de-incentivising such vehicles in view of about 10 to 25 times
higher pollution emission by them under the new emission norms.
• Indian vehicle market has grown exponentially. If old pollution norms are compared with new
emission regulations, pre-2005 vehicles are polluting 10 to 25 times more under the new norms.
• Even if those old vehicles are maintained properly, they will be polluting more with more
emissions and will prove to be a hazard for road safety.
1.406 Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to organise Global Student Solar Assembly
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is organizing the Global Student Solar Assembly on
2nd October 2019 , in association with IIT Bombay.
• The Assembly is going to take place in New Delhi.
1.407 National e Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY) signed an MoU with The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
[Social sector - Health]
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• This MoU has been signed to implement an ‘Online Capacity Building Programme on Cyber Law,
Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics’ through NeGD Learning Management System (LMS).
• A Cyber Forensics Lab shall be setup in the premises of National Law University (NLU) Delhi for
facilitating this course.
• Other law schools/ universities like National Law School of India University (Bangalore), Rajiv
Gandhi National University of Law (Patiala), etc. will also be involved in the programme in future.
1.408 Meeting of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III begins in
New Delhi
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• India is hosting Meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working
Group III Sixth Assessment Report at New Delhi in the first week of October 2019.
• The IPCC Panel is due to consider the Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Sixth
Assessment Report at a plenary session on 12 to 16 July 2021.
Sixth Assessment Report
• The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) will examine topics such as the link between consumption
and behaviour and greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of innovation and technology.
• The report will assess the connection between short to medium-term actions and their
compatibility with the long-term temperature goal in the Paris Agreement.
• It will assess mitigation options in sectors such as energy, agriculture, forestry and land use,
buildings, transport and industry.
1.409 Government sanctions ₹7.87 crore as out-of-pocket allowance for Khelo India athletes
[Social Justice]
• The sports ministry has sanctioned ₹7.87 crore as out-of-pocket allowance for 2,625 Khelo India
athletes undergoing training in 99 Khelo India academies and other centres across the country.
• The sanction is for the period between October and December this year and will be paid to each
athlete as a sum of ₹10,000 per month.
• These athletes have been selected to train in various sporting disciplines under the Khelo India
Talent Development Scheme, a grassroot-level talent identification and nurturing endeavour
of the government.
Background
1.410 DIPAM, NITI Aayog aim to cut government stake in select CPSEs to below 51%
[Employment Generation in India]
• Government will start consultations soon with NITI Aayog and Energy and Petroleum Ministries
to bring down its equity holding below 51%, including change of norms and modes of doing the
stake dilution in very few select PSUs to begin with.
Its Relevance
• Privatisation, startegic sales, minority sales of CPSEs have been activated to press the
disinvestment button in the wake of the corporate tax cuts, which will trim government revenue
by ₹1.45 lakh crore in the ongoing financial year.
• This also raises questions of whether India will be able to achieve its fiscal deficit target for 2019-
20.
1.411 Centre to introduce rating system for SMEs to help them get loans easily
[Employment Generation in India]
• Centre Government is considering a proposal to introduce a rating system for small and
medium enterprises to help them get credit easily.
• Government is in the process of introducing a national portal for the Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) to market their products easily.
• This is being done to reduce finance costs and power price to the industry.
• Government has fixed a target of generating five crore more jobs in the MSME sector in the next
five year.
1.412 India achieved one-crore LED street light mark under the Streetlight replacement programme
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• As part of India’s strategy to combat climate change, 1 crore smart LED (light-emitting diode)
streetlights have been commissioned across the country, thereby helping avoid 1,119.40
megawatt (MW) of peak electricity demand.
• These lights are being installed under the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) which
was launched with the objective to replace 1.34 crore conventional street lights with smart
and energy efficient LED street lights by March 2019.
• Now the target for replacing these street lights has been fixed for March 2020.
About Streetlight Replacement Programme
• The Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in January 2015, aiming to replace 1.34 crore conventional street lights by March, 2019.
• It is being implemented by state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).
Relevance
• India is now the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after the US and China, and is among
countries most vulnerable to climate change.
• India plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 33-35% from its 2005 levels by 2030, as part of
its commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted by
195 countries in Paris in 2015.
1.414 Ministry of Tourism launches Audio Guide facility App "Audio Odigos" for 12 sites of India
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, the Audio Guide facility app ‘Audio Odigos’ was launched for 12 sites of India
(including Iconic Sites).
• This map offers Government of India verified content, with visuals & voice over support. It
also contains an inbuilt map of the site for a smooth navigation during the tour.
• The audio can be chosen in their preferred language & version of the history.
1.417 Union Minister of Consumer Affairs launched app for registering consumer grievances
[Social Justice]
• Recently, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Ramvilas Paswan launched a ‘consumer app’
that would help consumers across the nation to register their grievances online and give
suggestions on several consumer-related issues.
• Consumer will get all kinds of facilities including detailed access to all consumer-related issues
and information. This is a bold step taken towards achieving the objective of digital India.
• This app has been developed by National Informatics Centre.
• Any consumer can file a complaint via this app which will be further referred to respective
companies. The consumers will be informed after their issues are resolved and the case will
be closed only if they are satisfied.
• It has been claimed that consumer complaints will be redressed at least within 20 days and a
maximum of 60 days.
1.419 J&K Governor gives assent to Jammu and Kashmir National Law University Bill, 2019
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has given assent to a bill for
establishing a National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir.
• It will bring the state at par with other states where national law universities have been
established.
1.421 Single window online system for licensing of eating houses/lodging houses launched
[Social Justice]
• Recently, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has launched a single window online
system for licensing of eating houses/lodging houses, in New Delhi.
• This unique initiative is a joint effort of various agencies involved in the process of licensing in
the NCT of Delhi for facilitating ease of doing business.
• This single window clearance system has been developed under Digital India programme to
facilitate people to obtain licenses to open their eatery/lodging businesses in Delhi.
• Aim: It aims at simplifying and rationalizing the regulatory processes (registration &
inspection), infusion of transparency and avoids procedural delays in getting statutory
clearances from various authorities and real time receipt of application by all agencies
simultaneously.
1.422 WTO cuts global trade growth forecasts for 2019 to 1.2% amid slowdown
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• Recently, WTO has sharply cut global trade growth forecasts for 2019 to 1.2 per cent from
the earlier 2.6 per cent, mainly due to trade tensions and sluggish global economy.
About WTO (World Trade Organisation)
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Head: Pascal Lamy
1.423 Country's top three cleanest railway stations are from Rajasthan: Railway Cleanliness Survey
2019
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, a report named ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat 2019’ was released by Ministry of
Railways.
• For this report, 720 stations were taken into consideration.
• These stations are divided into three categories — non-suburban, suburban and halt
stations, on the basis of footfalls and earnings.
• There are 3 components (each having weightage of 33.33%) on the basis of which these
rankings are given:
1. Process Evaluation
2. Direct Observation
• North Western Railway followed by South East Central Railway and East Central Railway are
the top three railway zones.
1.429 Government launches portal for improving coal supply coordination to power plants
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, government launched the portal, namely 'PRAKASH', which stands for 'Power Rail
Koyla Availability through Supply Harmony'.
• It has been developed by NTPC and sources data from different stakeholders such as the CEA,
the Centre for Railway Information System and coal companies.
• It has been launched for transparency and better coordination among stakeholders,
including Coal India Ltd, Indian Railways, power utilities and, ministries of coal and power,
for coal supplies to power plants.
• The portal also makes available valuable information on a single platform, which will help
coal companies track stocks and coal requirement at power stations for effective production
planning.
1.431 India can become global hotspot for electric mobility: EV Ready India Report
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• According to ‘EV Ready India’ report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the
Ola Mobility Institute, India has the potential to become one of the largest electric vehicle
(EV) markets in the world following a push from its government.
• The analysis focuses on 10 Indian states that have a notified EV policy or a draft policy
published: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Telangana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• While the approaches vary amongst these states and territories, the report highlighted three
emerging trends:
1. Most states aspire to be manufacturing hubs for EV and EV components.
2. The second trend is around infrastructure development.
For instance- UP is targeting 2 lakh charging stations by 2024, while Andhra Pradesh is
targeting 100% electrification of buses by 2029.
3. The third trend is an emphasis on the services of the EV value chain can be provided through
public awareness.
1.432 AIM, NITI Aayog, UNDP India Jointly Launch Youth Co:Lab
[Human Development]
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Recently, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) India launched Youth Co:Lab recently to recognize young people as
critical drivers of sustainable development.
• It aims at accelerating social entrepreneurship and innovation in young India.
• The first phase of Youth Co:Lab will focus on six SDGs:
1. SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
2. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
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3. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
4. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
5. SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production)
6. SDG 13 (Climate Action)
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
• AIM including Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) is Government of India’s
endeavour to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Its objective is to serve as a platform for the promotion of world-class innovation hubs,
grand challenges, start-up businesses and other self-employment activities, particularly in
technology driven areas.
1.436 ADB, India sign $190 million loan for improving road connectivity in Rajasthan
[International Economic Institutions]
• Recently, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $190
million loan to upgrade 754 kilometres of Rajasthan’s highways and major district roads
(MDRs).
• It will benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts of Rajasthan.
1.441 IFS officer Ramesh Pandey selected for Asia Environmental Enforcement Award by UNEP
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• Indian Forest Service officer Ramesh Pandey has been selected for the prestigious Asia
Environmental Enforcement Award by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Ramesh Pandey is known for his investigation and intelligence gathering on poachers.
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1.442 E-Portal of CCRT ‘Digital Bharat Digital Sanskriti’ launched
[Human Development]
• Recently, Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel launched
the E-Portal of CCRT ‘Digital Bharat Digital Sanskriti' and CCRT YouTube Channel.
• The CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training) is autonomous organisation under
Ministry of Culture of Government of India.
1.443 United Nations WFP launches 'Feed Our Future' cinema ad campaign
[Human Development]
• Recently, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a cinema
advertisement campaign 'Feed Our Future' to raise awareness and take steps against hunger
and malnutrition in India.
• It has been launched by WFP in collaboration with UFO Movie and SAWA (Screen Advertising
World Association).
1.444 Delhi becomes first Asian city to get public transport feature from Uber
[Human Development]
• Recently, ‘Uber’ has launched its public transport service in Delhi, the ninth city globally and
the first in Asia to have the feature.
• With this feature, Uber users in Delhi would be able to use the public transport option that will
appear on the app.
• Once the users use this option, Uber will show the best three routes for using a metro or bus
in the city.
1.446 House Building Advance Interest Rate Reduced from 8.5% to 7.9% for a Period of one year
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, the rate of interest on House Building Advance [HBA] has been reduced from
existing 8.5% to 7.9% for a period of one year, irrespective of the loan amount of HBA.
• HBA is admissible to permanent employees and all those temporary employees also who
have rendered 05 years of continuous service.
1.447 World Cotton Day being observed from 7th October to 11th October 2019 in Geneva
[WTO]
• Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani will represent India at World Cotton Day which is being
observed from 7th-11th October, 2019 in Geneva.
• It is being organised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in collaboration with the
Secretariats of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United
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Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre
(ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
• WTO is also hosting the event at the request of the Cotton – 4 countries, Benin, Burkina
Faso, Chad and Mali to celebrate their official application for the recognition of 7th
October as World Cotton Day by the United Nations.
1.449 India to shift to BS VI vehicular emission norms by April next year: Union Environment
Minister
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Environment Minister has informed that India will shift to BS VI vehicular emission norms from
BS IV by April 2020.
• Bharat Stage Six (BS VI) is being considered as a revolutionary step in the transformation of fuels.
• There has been 80% reduction in Particulate Matter emissions and 30% reduction in Nitrogen
Oxides emissions in BS IV heavy duty diesel vehicles compared with BS III norms.
1.451 India announces Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) for 5 African Countries on World
Cotton Day
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• India has announced the launch of the second phase of the Cotton Technical Assistance
Programme (TAP) for Africa at the Partners Conference in Geneva on 6th October 2019.
• India implemented a Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) for cotton from 2012 to 2018 in 6
African countries, namely – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda.
1.453 India gets first tranche of Swiss account details under “automatic exchange framework”
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• India has received first tranche of details about financial accounts of its residents in Swiss banks.
• These details have been received under a new automatic exchange of information framework
between India and Switzerland.
• The next exchange would take place in September 2020.
1.456 Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023
[Social Sector - Health]
• Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched ‘The WHO India
Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition’ on 9th October 2019.
• The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) provides a strategic roadmap for WHO to work with the
Government of India towards achieving its health sector goals, in improving the health of its
population and bringing in transformative changes in the health sector.
• Four areas identified for strategic cooperation of WHO with the country encompass:
1. To accelerate progress on UHC
2. To promote health and wellness by addressing determinants of health
3. To protect the population better against health emergencies
4. To enhance India’s global leadership in health.
More about CCS
• The India CCS is one of the first that fully aligns itself with the newly adopted WHO 13th General
Programme of Work and its 'triple billion' targets, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and WHO South-East Asia Region’s eight Flagship Priorities.
• It captures the work of the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for 2018–
2022.
• It outlines how WHO can support the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other allied
Ministries to drive impact at the country level.
1.458 Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launches Mahatma Gandhi National
Fellowship Programme with IIM Bangalore
[Employment Generation in India]
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a contract with the
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore for introducing a two-year fellowship
programme Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme.
• This has been done to boost skill development at the district level.
About MGNF
• It has been designed under Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion
(SANKALP) and aims to address the challenge of non-availability of personnel for implementation
of various programmes at national, state and district levels.
• It has been launched on a pilot basis in 75 districts across Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, eligible fellows for the programme have to be in
21-30 years age-group, have a graduation degree from a recognized university and be citizens
of India.
• Proficiency in official language of state of fieldwork will be mandatory.
About SANKALP
• SANKALP is a World Bank loan assisted project and has been launched by the Government in
January 2018.
1.459 PMJAY completes first year: 90,000 cancer claims, Tamil Nadu tops list
[Social sector - Health]
• According to data available with the Union Health Ministry, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PMJAY) has funded the treatment of 90,000 cancer patients through 1.8 lakh hospital
admissions.
• The data shows that every year there are 11.57 lakh new cancer patients in India and 7.84 lakh
cancer deaths.
• Also at any given point, there are 22.5 lakh Indians living with cancer.
• The top states where the most cancer patients have availed treatment under PMJAY :
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Chhattisgarh
5. Gujarat
1.463 India to work with China, Pakistan to gauge impact of climate change
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is going to collaborate with meteorological
agencies in China and Pakistan to provide climate forecast services to countries in the region.
• This has been announced by IMD to better gauge the impact of climate change on the Hindu
Kush Mountains, which includes the Himalayas.
1.466 World Sight Day 2019: Andhra to launch 'YSR Kanti Velugu' health scheme
[Social sector - Health]
• The Andhra Pradesh government has announced the launch of a health scheme, 'YSR Kanti
Velugu' on World Sight Day (10th October 2019) to provide comprehensive eye care and rectify
vision defects among the State's over five crore population.
More about the Scheme
1.469 POSHAN atlas to map local crops, food grains for tackling malnutrition
[Social Justice]
• Recently, government has announced that it is developing an ‘POSHAN Atlas’ to map the
crops and food grains grown in different regions of the country so that nutritious protein
rich food in local areas can be promoted.
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• It is being developed under POSHAN Abhiyan by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development (WCD) in association with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Deendayal
Research Institute.
About POSHAN Atlas
• The POSHAN atlas will map the crops and food grains grown in different regions of the
country because the solution to tackling malnutrition lies in promoting regional cropping
patterns and embracing local food that are rich in protein.
About POSHAN (PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyan
• POSHAN Abhiyaan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure
attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022.
• The objective of POSHAN Abhiyaan to reduce stunting in identified Districts of India with the
highest malnutrition burden by improving utilization of key Anganwadi Services and
improving the quality of Anganwadi Services delivery.
• Its aim is to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women,
mothers and children.
Relevance
• According to the World Bank Global Nutrition Report – 2018, malnutrition costs India at least
$10 billion annually in terms of lost productivity, illness and death.
1.472 Bangladesh, Nepal to grow faster than India: World Bank report
[World Bank]
• Recently, a report named 'South Asia Economic Focus: Making (De) Centralization Work'
has been released by World Bank, according to which Bangladesh has become the second
fastest growing economy in south Asia after Bhutan.
Key findings of the report
• Bangladesh and Nepal are estimated to grow faster than India in 2019.
• Growth in South Asia is projected to fall to 5.9% in 2019, casting uncertainty about a rebound
in the short term.
• Imports have declined severely across South Asia, contracting between 15 and 20% in
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• In India, domestic demand has slipped, with private consumption growing 3.1% in the last
quarter from 7.3% a year ago, while manufacturing growth plummeted to below 1% in the
second quarter of 2019 compared to over 10 per cent a year ago.
• In India, growth is projected to fall to 6.0% this fiscal year. Growth is then expected to
gradually recover to 6.9% in fiscal year 2021 and to 7.2 per cent in the following year.
1.474 Government to launch ‘Vigyan Jyoti’ programme to promote STEM education among girl
students
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Central Government is planning to launch ‘Vigyan Jyoti’ programme to promote STEM
Education among girl students, following reports of poor gender diversity in the Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
• Aim: Vigyan Jyoti Programme aims to help girl students pick science and allied subjects for
their academics in school and higher education level.
Key Features of the Programme
• The government plans to pick 100 girl students from over 550 districts from 2020 to 2025
to pursue higher education in STEM and allied subjects.
• The girl students selected for the programme will be selected on the basis of their percentile
score.
• The programme will cover girl students from grade 9 to 12.
• As part of the programme, the Department will hold science camps for girl students in and
around premier technology institutes such as IITs and NITs.
• Such science camps are expected to give a hands-on experience about the being on a campus
of a premiere institute in terms of culture, motivation, interaction with scientists.
Relevance
• Acc. to the data shared by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), females
comprised 24 per cent of the total pas-out students in STEM subjects in engineering, 22 per
cent at the post graduate level, 28 per cent at M Phil and 35 per cent at the PhD level.
• Also, there are only 10 per cent of girls in the IITs and the number has remained static over
the years.
1.475 Government to come up with Water Quality Rankings for preventing water borne diseases
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
[Social Sectors- Health]
• On the event of World Standards Day (14 October), Union Minister of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution announced that government will soon come out with Water
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Quality Rankings, in a bid to ensure clean drinking water for keeping water borne diseases
at bay.
• Under Water Quality Rankings, The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will rank state capitals
and 100 smart cities in the next three months for quality tap water.
Key points
• The BIS will also test quality of tap water at district level in the next six months.
• BIS standards will be made mandatory on drinking water. At present, the BIS standards for
drinking water are voluntary.
About BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)
• BIS is the national body that frames quality norms for products and services and works under
the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Relevance
• According to the latest union health ministry data available, at least 10,738 deaths were
caused due to water-borne diseases--cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid and viral hepatitis over
five years to 2017.
1.479 India Ministerial Dialogue held at 3rd India Energy Forum by CERAWeek
[Sustainable Development and Environmental issues]
• Recently, The India Ministerial Dialogue was held at 3rd India Energy Forum by CERAWeek
in New Delhi.
Key Discussions
• Indian railways has set target to have 100% electrification done by 2023 and also plans to
become ‘net zero’ emitter of carbon by 2030.
• India is expected to get $58 billion investment in the exploration and production sector by
2023 and an estimated investment of $60 billion is underway for augmenting gas
infrastructure.
• The government is pushing to achieve 10% blending percentage of ethanol in petrol by 2022,
which in turn will boost farm economy.
• Indian Government has also set target to set up a 450GW of renewable energy capacity by
2030.
1.481 CBIC launches scheme to attract investment and support Make in India programme
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has launched a revamped and
streamlined programme to attract investments into India and strengthen Make in India
through manufacture and other operations under bond scheme, under Customs Act, 1962.
• The scheme has been modernized with clear and transparent procedures, simplified
compliance requirements ICT-based documentation and account keeping.
• The scheme is expected to play a critical role in promoting investments in India and in
enhancing ease of doing business.
Changes introduced in revamped scheme
• A single application cum approval form prescribed for uniformity of practice.
• The jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs will function as a single point of approval to
set up and oversee the operations of such units.
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• No geographical limitation on where such units can be set up.
• The unit can import goods (both inputs and capital goods) under a customs duty deferment
program. The duties are fully remitted if the processed goods are exported.
• There will be no interest liability and units will benefit through improved liquidity.
• GST compliant goods can be procured from the domestic market for use in manufacture
and other operations in a section 65 unit.
• A single digital account has been prescribed for ease of doing business and easy
compliance.
• The scheme would also enable efficient capacity utilization, as there is no limit on quantum
of clearances that can be exported or cleared to the domestic market.
1.482 Shri Arjun Munda launches Van Dhan Internship Programme of TRIFED
[Social Justice]
• Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda has launched the “Van Dhan Internship
Programme” organised by TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
About the Internship Programme
• 18 interns have been selected for the participation in the “Van Dhan Internship Programme”.
• They will support the TRIFED activities on livelihood promotion.
TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
• It is a national-level apex organization for fixing the prize of the goods produced by the Tribal
People.
• It was established in the year 1987 and functions under the administrative control of Ministry of
Tribal Affairs.
1.483 Central Government launched Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme on World Food Day
[Social sector - Health]
• World Food Day 2019 is observed every year on 16th October 2019.
• Theme for 2019: ‘Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger World’.
• On this occasion, Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ scheme, ‘Eat
Right Jacket’, and ‘Eat Right Jhola’ to strengthen food safety administration and scale up the
‘Eat Right India’ movement.
Food Safety Mitra Scheme
• It will support small and medium scale food businesses to comply with the food safety laws
and facilitate licensing and registration, hygiene ratings and training.
• This scheme would also create new employment opportunities for youth, particularly with food
and nutrition background.
• The Food Safety Mitras would undergo training and certification by FSSAI to do their work and
get paid by food businesses for their services.
Eat Right Jacket
• The ‘Eat Right Jacket’ will be used by the field staff.
• This jacket has a smart design to hold tech devices like tablets/smart phone, a QR code and RFID
tag for identification and tracking.
1.484 Facebook launches second phase of digital literacy project for tribal girls
[Employment generation in India]
• Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has announced the second phase of GOAL (Going Online as
Leaders).
About GOAL (Going Online as Leaders)
• It is a program aimed at inspiring, guiding and encouraging tribal girls from across India to
become village-level digital young leaders for their communities.
• It was launched by Facebook in March 2019
• It aims to connect underprivileged young women from tribal areas with senior expert mentors
in the areas of business, fashion and arts to learn digital and life skills.
Second Phase of the Programme
• In the second phase of the programme, 5000 young women in India’s tribal dominated districts
will be digitally mentored, by Facebook and Ministry of Tribal Affairs jointly.
1.486 Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying releases 20th Livestock Census
[Employment Generation in India]
• 20th Livestock Census report has been recently released by The Department of Animal
Husbandry & Dairying under The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Findings of the Census
Category Population in Millions Increase (in Percentage) in
population
Total Livestock Population 537.78 4.6%
Total Bovine Population 302.79 1%
Total Cattle Population 192.49 0.8%
Total Female Cattle (Cows) 145.12 18%
Investments decline
• Downturns in global trade are related to reduced investment spending.
• Global investment did slow down in line with reduced imports.
Trade woes
• Production slowdown led to a standstill in trade.
• In the first half of 2019, global trade volume was just 1% above its value a year ago, the slowest
pace for a 6-month period since 2012.
1.489 Centre Launches 'Made In India' Diagnostic Kits for Encephalitis, Bluetongue Virus With Export
Potential
[Social Sector- Health]
• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying have jointly released diagnostic kits which can prevent the spread of Japanese
Encephalitis and the Bluetongue virus in animals.
• This will help in predicting their outbreak in humans under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• Name of the Kits - Bluetongue sandwich ELISA and the Japanese Encephalitis 1gM ELISA
• Developed by - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Veterinary Research
Institute (IVRI) jointly
• NCRB, for the first time, collected data on circulation of “false/fake news and rumours.”
• Under the category, maximum incidents were reported from Madhya Pradesh (138), Uttar
Pradesh (32) and Kerala (18).
Rape cases
• According to the report, as many as 32,559 rapes were reported in India in 2017 and accused
were known to the victims in 93.1% of the cases.
1.501 CBSE, NCERT to launch 'Tamanna' aptitude test for Class 9, 10 students
[Social Sectors- Education]
• Recently, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and National Council for Educational
Research and Training (NCERT) have launched an online aptitude test called as ‘Tamanna’
(Try and Measure Aptitude and Natural Abilities), in a bid to help students make the right
career choices.
What is Tamanna?
• Tamanna is an aptitude test that aims at helping students of Class 9 and 10 make a better
choice of subjects, eventually helping them in making an informed decision while choosing
subjects in Class 11 and 12.
• CBSE (Know your aptitude) KYA exam will assess a student's weaknesses and strengths in
academics.
• This exam should be taken voluntarily by interested students and must not be used to impose
any subject, courses of study and/or vocations etc. on the students.
1.502 Government sets up panel to resolve MeitY and Niti fight over AI
[Employment Generation in India]
• Recently, the government has formed a committee to resolve differences between the Niti
Aayog and the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) over who will implement its
ambitious artificial intelligence mission.
• The committee, will be headed by principal scientific advisor ‘K Vijay Raghavan’.
• The panel has been formed to resolve the overlaps between Niti Aayog’s and Meity’s plans for
AI.
1.506 World Bank inks agreement project to support smallholder farmers in Odisha
[World Bank]
• Recently, the Central Government, Odisha government and the World Bank have signed a
loan agreement worth $165 million to support smallholder farmers in the state.
• The loan from the World Bank, has a 6-year grace period, and a maturity of 24 years.
• The project "The Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture" will
be implemented in Odisha's rural areas which are vulnerable to droughts and largely
dependent on rainfed agriculture.
• It will benefit about 125,000 smallholder farmer households from 15 districts of Odisha
managing 128,000 hectares of agricultural land.
1.507 New Development Bank approves two projects with loans aggregating to $800mn
[International Economic Institutions]
• Recently, the Board of Directors of the New Development Bank (NDB) have approved two
projects namely ‘Fundo Clima – Brazil National Climate Fund Project’ and ‘Renewable Energy
Sector Development Project’ worth $800mn.
• Now, the Bank's portfolio stands at 44 projects with loans aggregating to USD 12.4 billion.
• Fundo Clima – Brazil National Climate Fund Project: NDB will provide a sovereign loan of
$500mn for this project which is aimed at capitalizing Fundo Clima to expand its on-lending
operations to sub-projects contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Renewable Energy Sector Development Project, India: NDB will provide a loan of USD 300
million to this project which is aimed at improving the energy mix in India by providing funds
for the construction and commissioning of renewable energy sub-projects.
About NDB
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• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Founders: BRICS countries
• President: K. V. Kamath
1.511 Uttar Pradesh Government launches Rs 1,200 crore financial assistance scheme for girls
[Social Sector – Health]
• Uttar Pradesh government has launched a scheme called as the ‘Kanya Sumangala Yojana’.
• The scheme aims to provide financial assistance of Rs.15, 000 to the girl child at different key
stages of life, from birth to graduation.
More about the Scheme
• The scheme’s broad objectives are to stop female foeticide and nurture a positive and
constructive approach to girls in a state that fares poorly on gender indicators.
• The six-stage plan gives cash incentives at various significant stages in the cycle of a girl child’s
life starting from Rs. 2000 at the time of birth , then Rs.1000 on completion of vaccination in a
year.
• Rs. 2000 upon admission to class one and class six and Rs. 3000 upon admission to class 9th.
• Admission to two-year diploma courses or graduation after completion of class 10 or 12 will
make them eligible for receiving Rs 5,000.
Eligibility
• Eligibility conditions for the scheme include permanent residence of the state and annual
family income of less than Rs 3 lakh.
• The benefits can only be availed by a family of two children and will be available only to two
daughters in a family.
1.512 Odisha Government inks LoU for 'drink from tap mission' with UNICEF
[Social Sector – Health]
• Odisha Government has inked a Letter of Understanding (LoU) on "drink from tap mission"
with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• This has been done to provide quality drinking water to every urban household in the state of
Odisha.
More about the Mission
• According to the Housing and Urban Development Department, UNICEF will provide technical
cooperation to the government of Odisha for implementation of the "drink from tap" program.
• It aims at providing piped quality drinking water supply to each household on a 24-hour basis,
in first phase 1.20 lakh people are going to benefit.
1.513 Dr. Harsh Vardhan releases the 14th National Health Profile, 2019
[Social sector – Health]
• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan has recently released the 14th
National Health Profile (NHP) 2019 & its e-book (digital version).
• It has been launched in continuation of the publication since 2005.
Who has prepared it?
• The NHP is prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI).
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What does it cover?
• It covers comprehensive information on demographic, socio-economic health status, health
finance indicators, health infrastructure and health of human resources in the country.
About NHP
• The NHP highlights substantial health information under major indicators :
1. Demographic indicators (population and vital statistics)
2. Socio-economic indicators (education, employment, housing and amenities, drinking water
and sanitation)
3. Health status indicators (incidence and prevalence of common communicable and non-
communicable diseases and RCH) etc.
1.514 MNRE Hosts 2nd Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 31 October In New Delhi
[Social sector – Health]
• Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy hosted the second Assembly of
International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• It has taken place in New Delhi.
About ISA
• The ISA is an initiative by India and launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President
of France on 30 November 2015 at Paris, France(COP-21)
• It was launched with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the
tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.
• The objective of the ISA is to collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up
of solar energy in ISA member countries.
More about the Assembly
• The Assembly is the supreme decision making body of the International Solar Alliance
• It gives directions on various administrative, financial and programme related issue.
1.517 India’s marine exports to China heading for USD 1 billion mark
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
• As per the data released by China’s customs authority recently, India’s exports of marine
products to China has tripled.
• It has touched almost USD 800 million, in the first nine months of 2019.
• India’s marine exports are expected to cross USD 1 billion mark by the end of this year.
1.522 Financial Times's global ranking : IIM Calcutta gets 17th rank
[Social Sector- Education]
• Indian Institute of Management Calcutta has secured the 17th rank globally in the 'Financial
Times Masters in Management Rankings 2019'. The institute has got the ranking for its 2-Year
Masters in Business Administration (formerly Post Graduate Programme in Management).
• University of St. Gallen from Switzerland has received the top spot in the ranking.
Ranking if Indian Institutes
• Until 2018, only three IIMs were part of the FT MIM ranking - IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and
Calcutta.
• In 2019, IIM Calcutta has been ranked 17th
• IIM Ahmedabad has been ranked 21st
• IIM Bangalore has been ranked 44th
• IIM Udaipur has been ranked 76th
• IIM Indore has been ranked 81st
1.523 Central Government sets up panel to examine the problems face by Telecom Operators
[Indian Political System]
• The Central Government has set up a panel to examine the problems faced by telecom
operators and suggest ways to revive their financial health.
• A committee of secretaries (CoS) has been setup by the Government , which will be headed by
the cabinet secretary(presently Rajiv Gauba)
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1.524 India signs MoU with Saudi Arabia to launch RuPay card in Gulf Kingdom
[Indian Political System]
• India has recently signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to launch the RuPay card in the
country.
• India has already launched the RuPay card in the UAE, Bahrain, Singapore and Bhutan.
About RuPay Card
• The RuPay card is a first-of-its-kind Indian domestic Debit and Credit Card payment network,
with acceptance at ATMs, POS devices and e-commerce websites.
• It was launched in 2012.
• It was launched to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India's vision to have a domestic, open and
multilateral system of payments.
1.528 India launched the first National Protocol to enumerate Snow Leopard Population
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
• On the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day, which was observed on 23 October,
2019, India launched the first national protocol to enumerate snow leopard population.
• It has been developed by scientific experts in association with the Snow Leopard States/UTs
namely, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh.
1.529 Brazil announced visa-free entry for Indians and Chinese tourists
[Globalization]
• Recently, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has announced that Chinese and Indian tourists
would be exempted from visas to enter Brazil for tourism or business purposes.
• Earlier this year, the Brazilian government ended visa requirements for tourists and
businesspeople from the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia.
1.531 Vigilance Awareness Week to be observed from 28th October to 2nd November
[Social Justice]
• The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will observe the Vigilance Awareness Week from
28th October to 2nd November, 2019.
• Every year, it is observed during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(31st October) falls.
• Theme (2019): “Integrity- A way of life”
2.3 N.S. Vishwanathan reappointed RBI deputy governor for one year
[Recent Developments in Financial Sector]
• The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension of N.S Vishwanathan as
deputy governor of RBI
• This extension has come for one year with effect from 4 July 2019
2.5 RBI's deputy governor Viral Acharya quits six months before his term ends
[Recent Developments in Financial Sector]
• Viral Acharya has quit six months before the scheduled end of his term as the deputy
governor of RBI
• Acharya had joined the RBI on January 23, 2017 and was RBI's youngest deputy governor post
economic liberalization.
Background
• RBI had introduced the large borrower framework three years ago to reduce concentration
risk in a banking industry laden with bad loans
• The guidelines had capped every bank’s exposure to a group of connected firms at 25% of its
core capital, and to an individual company at 20%
Background
• SEBI, in November 2018, had laid down the broad guidelines for operationalising the
interoperability framework among clearing corporations
• It was originally scheduled to be operationalised by June 1 but was postponed to July 1 on
requests from exchanges and clearing corporations for preparing themselves for a smooth
transaction.
What is Interoperability?
• Interoperability is a mechanism that allows market participants to choose any clearing
corporation to settle their trades, irrespective of the exchange where they executed their
trades
• Currently, trades executed on the NSE are cleared and settled only through its subsidiary —
NSE Clearing. Transactions on the BSE are settled through its subsidiary — Indian Clearing
Corporation Ltd (ICCL) — and those on Metropolitan Stock Exchange through Metropolitan
Clearing Corporation of India.
• Thus, participants who trade on multiple exchanges had to necessarily arrange for margin and
capital separately at each of the three stock exchanges and their respective clearing
corporations
Its Relevance
• The MoU will facilitate the sharing of data and information between SEBI and MCA on an
automatic and regular basis
• It will enable sharing of specific information such as details of suspended companies, delisted
companies, shareholding pattern from SEBI and financial statements filed with the Registrar by
corporates, returns of allotment of shares, audit reports relating to corporates
• The MoU will ensure that both MCA and SEBI have seamless linkage for regulatory purposes
• In addition to regular exchange of data, SEBI and MCA will also exchange with each other, on
request, any information available in their respective databases, for the purpose of carrying out
scrutiny, inspection, investigation and prosecution
Background
• The Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) is meant for large-value instantaneous fund
transfers while the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) System is used for fund
transfers up to Rs 2 lakh
• Country's largest bank State Bank of India charges between Re 1 and Rs 5 for transactions
through NEFT and between Rs 5 and Rs 50 for RTGS route
• In order to provide an impetus to digital funds movement, it has been decided to do away with
the charges levied by the RBI for transactions processed in the RTGS and NEFT systems
• Banks will be required to pass these benefits to their customers
2.14 Allow basic savings account holders to make at least 4 withdrawals a month: RBI to banks
[RBI Functions]
• According to The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) , commercial banks need to offer holders of basic
savings bank deposit (BSBD) accounts, a minimum of four withdrawals in a month, including
automatic teller machine (ATM) withdrawals
• The rules will come into force from 1 July 2019
• In its earlier direction on 10 August 2012, RBI had said while there will be no limit on the number
of deposits that can be made in a BSBD account each month, account holders will be allowed
up to four withdrawals in a month, including ATM withdrawals.
• There is no need for a minimum balance even at the time of opening the account and a
customer is provided with an ATM-cum-debit card without any fees
• Deposit and withdrawal services are free of cost. Also, the bank cannot levy charges for non-
operation or activation of an inoperative account.
2.15 TCS to implement RBI's information and management system for 310 crore
[RBI Functions]
• IT major Tata Consultancy Services will implement Reserve Bank's a centralised information
and management system (CIMS) for seamless data collection and validations at a cost
of ₹310.52 crore.
• The project has to be completed within a year of the commencement of the contract with the
RBI.
Background
• The committee was appointed in December 2018 to review the Economic Capital Framework
(ECF) for the Reserve Bank after the Finance Ministry advised the central bank to transfer
surplus funds to the government.
• The RBI has over Rs 9.6 lakh crore surplus capital.
• The ECF panel was mandated to submit its report to the RBI within 90 days of its first meeting
which took place on January 8. Following this, the panel was given a three-month extension
• The panel is headed by Bimal Jalan and other key members of the panel include Rakesh
Mohan, former deputy governor of RBI as the vice-chairman, finance secretary Subhash
Chandra Garg, RBI deputy governor N S Vishwanathan, and two RBI central board members
-- Bharat Doshi and Sudhir Mankad.
• The panel has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the best practices followed by central
banks worldwide in making assessment and provisions for risks.
• The panel was set up after a controversy between the Reserve Bank of India and the
government erupted over how much of the profit made from central bank’s trading in bonds
and currencies should be transferred to the government, and how much should be retained to
build up reserves.
2.17 RBI asks banks to grout ATMs to wall, pill or floor to enhance security
[RBI Functions]
• The Reserve Bank has asked banks to ensure their ATMs are grouted to a wall, pillar, or floor
by September 2019, except those installed in high secured premises such as airports, to
enhance security of the cash vending machines.
• The new measures to be adopted by banks are in addition to the existing instructions,
practices and guidance issued by the RBI and law enforcement agencies.
Background
• In 2016, the RBI had set up a Committee on Currency Movement (CCM) to review the entire
gamut of security of treasure in transit.
• Based on the recommendations of the panel, the central bank has now issued instructions
aimed at mitigating risks in ATM operations and enhancing security.
Background
• A recent study jointly conducted by Association of National Exchanges Members of India
(ANMI) and consultancy firm Ernst & Young (EY) , has highlighted the fact that trading in
derivatives in India costs much more when compared with most of the other leading markets
due to a variety of margins that are imposed on the traders
2.20 RBI falls short of meeting Basel III requirements : Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS)
report
[RBI Functions]
• According to a report by the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS) , Reserve Bank of
India has fallen short of meeting tougher requirements set by the Basel III norms
• The semi-annual report has been brought out by the BCBS, a committee under the Bank For
International Settlements
• The report has looked at adoption status of Basel III standards by 30 global systemically
important banks (G-Sibs) as of end-May 2019
• India’s G-sibs include State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank
• This committee of banking supervisory authorities aims to enhance understanding of key
supervisory issues and also improve the quality of banking supervision worldwide.
2.23 SEBI panel proposes cut in liquid funds’ exposure to NBFCs, HFCs
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• The Mutual Fund Advisory Committee (MFAC) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) has proposed that the exposure limits of liquid funds to non-banking finance companies
(NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) be reduced in a phased manner
• Currently, liquid funds can have an aggregate 40% exposure to these lenders, including 25%
to NBFCs and 15% to housing finance companies.
• The committee has proposed to initially reduce NBFC and HFC exposure to 22.5% and 12.5%,
respectively, and finally to 20% and 10%.
• The committee further proposed that all papers held by liquid funds should be marked to
market. Currently, paper above 30 days’ maturity is required to be marked to market
• The committee has also suggested a code of conduct for rating agencies for better valuation of
thinly traded securities
2.27 Government Constitutes Working Group For Revision Of Current Series Of Wholesale Price
Index
[Inflation - WPI]
• The Government of India has decided to constitute a Working Group for the revision of the
current series of Wholesale Price Index (Base 2011-12)
• The 187 member group has been formed under Chairmanship of Ramesh Chand, Member,
NITI Aayog. The other members are from National Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance,
Department of Agriculture, RBI and Department of Consumer Affairs.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade will be the nodal office for the
group and will process its report/recommendation for further necessary action.
Clarification by RBI
• The entire payment data shall be stored in systems located only in India
• The data should be deleted from the systems abroad and brought back to India not later than
one business day or 24 hours from the payment processing, whichever is earlier
2.31 RBI relaxes leverage ratio for banks to boost their lending capacity
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India , in its recent notification has relaxed the leverage ratio (LR) for banks
to help them boost their lending activities.
• The leverage ratio has been reduced to 4 per cent for Domestic Systemically Important Banks
(DSIBs) and 3.5 per cent for other banks effective from the quarter commencing October 1,
2019
About leverage ratio
• As defined under Basel-III norms, The leverage ratio is Tier-I capital as a percentage of the
bank's exposures
• A leverage ratio is any kind of financial ratio that indicates the level of debt incurred by a
business entity against several other accounts in its balance sheet, income statement,
or cash flow statement.
• These ratios provide an indication of how the company’s assets and business operations are
financed (using debt or equity).
• Earlier RBI had said it has decided to harmonise LR in line with Basel III standards keeping in
mind financial stability of financial firms.
• In order to mitigate risks of excessive leverage, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
(BCBS) designed the Basel III Leverage Ratio as a simple, transparent, and non-risk-based
measure to supplement existing risk-based capital adequacy requirements.
2.33 RBI releases Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019
[Regulators of Bank and Financial Institutions]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released norms for rupee interest rate derivatives (IRD) in
a view to consolidating, rationalizing and simplifying all previous regulations issued for such
contracts
• This directive is based on feedback received from the market participants to the draft
guidelines that RBI had released on April 3, 2019 for public comments
2.34 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Public Statement dated June 21, 2019
[Recent developments in the financial sector]
• FATF plenary releases a public statement and a document titled ‘Improving Global AML/CFT
Compliance: On-going Process’ with respect to jurisdictions that have strategic AML/CFT
deficiencies as a part of the ongoing efforts to identify and work with jurisdictions with strategic
Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT) deficiencies
2.36 Internal Working Group setup by RBI to Review Liquidity Management Framework
[RBI Functions]
• RBI has decided to constitute an Internal Working Group to review comprehensively the
existing liquidity management framework and suggest measures, among others, to:
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(i) simplify the current liquidity management framework
(ii) clearly communicate the objectives, quantitative measures and toolkit of liquidity
management by the Reserve Bank. The Group is expected to submit its report by mid-July 2019.
• The Reserve Bank’s liquidity management framework was last reviewed in 2014.
• While on the whole the current liquidity management framework has worked well, it has also
become somewhat complex.
• An assessment of liquidity position by different market participants has varied markedly and is
not always in sync with the actual systemic liquidity position in the economy.
2.39 RBI sets up working group to review regulatory norms for core investment companies
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a working group to review the regulatory and supervisory
framework for core investment companies (CICs)
• The six-member committee will be headed by Tapan Ray, non-executive Chairman, Central
Bank of India and former Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs
2.41 SBI board approves raising ₹7,000 crore through AT1 bonds
[Recent developments in the financial sector]
• State Bank of India (SBI) has approved raising ₹7,000 crore in additional tier 1 (AT 1) capital.
AT-1 Bonds
• In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the Basel-III accord introduced a new instrument,
the Additional Tier-1 (AT1) bond, to protect depositors of a bank on a “going concern” basis
• The essential element of this instrument is the imposition of losses on its holders without the
bank being liquidated, if the Common Equity Tier-1 (CET 1) ratio falls below a threshold level
• The bonds are also known as perpetuals as they do not have a redemption date, and carry the
following features
• First, the issuing bank has the discretion to skip coupon payment. Under normal circumstances
it can pay from profits or revenue reserves in case of losses for the period when the interest
needs to be paid
• Second, the bank has to maintain a common equity tier I ratio of 5.5%, failing which the bonds
can get written down. In some cases there could be a clause to convert into equity as well.
Given these characteristics, AT1 bonds are also referred to as quasi-equity.
2.46 NBFC crisis one of the reasons for growth slowdown: Government
[Recent Development in the Financial Sector]
• According to the Economic Survey 2019, the crisis in the Non-Banking Financial Institutions
(NBFC) sector has been one of the reasons for the growth slowdown in the financial year 2019.
2.53 Basel finds some RBI large exposures rules stricter than required
[Reserve Bank of India – Functions]
• The Reserve Bank of India’s norms on large exposures for banks are not only compliant with
the Basel requirements, they are stricter in some areas as well, according to the findings of
the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS).
• The assessment was conducted by the Regulatory Consistency Assessment Programme
(RCAP), part of the Basel committee, and focused on the completeness and consistency of the
domestic regulations in force on 7 June 2019.
• The RCAP assessment team was led by Vasily Pozdyshev, deputy governor of the Central Bank
of the Russian Federation. It comprised four technical experts, from Belgium, Brazil,
Denmark and the Basel Committee Secretariat.
• The Basel large exposures framework requires banks to identify third parties that may
constitute an additional risk factor inherent in the structure itself rather than in underlying
assets.
• The report of the committee also found that while Basel large exposures framework limits
the sum of all exposures of a bank to a single counterparty to 25% of Tier 1 capital, Indian
regulations establish the large exposure limit at 20% and in exceptional cases, banks’ boards
may allow an additional 5% exposure of the bank’s available eligible capital base.
2.55 State Bank of India waives IMPS, NEFT and RTGS charges
[Banking system in India]
• Country's largest public sector bank State Bank of India has announced that it will not levy
transaction charges through RTGS and NEFT for YONO (SBI app), internet banking and mobile
banking customers from 1 July.
• SBI will also waive IMPS (immediate payment service) charges for these customers from 1
August 2019
• Before 1 July, SBI used to charge between Re 1 and Rs.5 for transactions through National
Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and ₹5-50 for real-time gross settlement (RTGS) route.
• SBI has also reduced NEFT and RTGS charges through branch banking by 20%.
• There will also be a waiver on IMPS charges for fund transfer up to ₹1,000 through branch
banking.
2.57 SEBI provides standardize format for code of conduct violations reporting under Insider
Trading norms
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• SEBI has come out with standardized format for reporting violations of code of conduct,
formulated under Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT) norms.
• Under PIT norms, all listed firms, intermediaries and fiduciaries are required to formulate a code
of conduct for designated persons as well as for their relatives and inform the regulator about
any such violation.
2.58 Govt. Issues strict direction to deal with fugitive economic offenders
[Issues of corruption and inefficiency in the government sector]
• The Government has issued directions to deal with wilful bank loan defaulters or fugitive
economic offenders.
• For this a Look Out Circular (LOC) can be opened by the Bureau of Immigration in respect of
Indian citizens and foreigners on the request of an authorized originator
2.59 Inter-Ministerial Committee on Virtual Currencies submits its Report along with Draft Bill
‘Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019’
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• The Government had constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on 2.11.2017 to study
the issues related to virtual currencies and propose specific action to be taken in this matter.
• The Committee has submitted its report, along with a draft bill “Banning of Cryptocurrency &
Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019"
2.60 Launch of Utkarsh 2022 – Reserve Bank of India’s Medium-term Strategy Framework
[RBI Functions]
• Governor of RBI Shri Shaktikanta Das has launched the Reserve Bank of India’s Medium-term
Strategy Framework, ‘Utkarsh 2022’.
2.61 IBBI amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for
Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
(Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016
[Risk Management in banking sector]
• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has notified the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons)
(Amendment) Regulations, 2019 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
(Liquidation Process) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 on 26th July 2019
• The salient amendments affected by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency
Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 are:
a) The amendments specify the process for withdrawal of applications before constitution of
committee of creditors (CoC), after constitution of CoC but before issue of invitation for
expression of interest, and after issue of invitation for expression of interest.
b) The amendments require that while approving a resolution plan or deciding to liquidate the
corporate debtor, the CoC may:
I. approve a plan providing for contribution for meeting the liquidation costs,
II. recommend sale of the corporate debtor or sale of business of the corporate debtor as a going
concern, and
III. fix, in consultation with the RP, the fee payable to the liquidator, if an order for liquidation is
passed by the Adjudicating Authority.
• The salient amendments affected by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation
Process) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 are:
a) The amendments specify the process for:
(i) sale of corporate debtor as going concern
(ii) sale of business of corporate debtor as going concern under liquidation
These also provide that where a corporate debtor is sold as a going concern, the liquidation
process shall be closed without dissolution of the corporate debtor.
2.62 'PSB Loans in 59 minutes': Banks extend in-principle approval of loan upto ₹5 crore
[Banking system in India]
• Five public sector banks have decided to extend in-principle approval of loan up to ₹5 crore
under the "PSB Loans in 59 Minutes" scheme, so as to meet the growing need of micro and
small enterprises
• The loans will be approved by State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Oriental Bank of
Commerce, Corporation Bank, and Andhra Bank on the portal “psbloansin59minutes.com”
Key Features
• Issue of dematerialized shares: Under the 2013 Act, certain classes of public companies can
issue shares only in Demat form. The Bill states this may be prescribed for other classes of
unlisted companies as well.
• Re-categorisation of Offences: Under the 2013 Act, there are 81 compoundable offences that
carry punishments of a fine and/or prison terms. These offences are heard by courts. The Bill
2.64 RBI eases end-use norms for external commercial borrowings by corporates, NBFCs
[Changing Landscapes of Banking Sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed norms for end-use of money raised through
external commercial borrowings (ECBs).
Following are the changes which has been done by RBI
• ECBs with a minimum average maturity period of 10 years can be used for working capital
purposes and general corporate purposes and borrowing by NBFCs for the above maturity
for on lending for the above purposes is also permitted.
• ECBs with a minimum average maturity period of seven years can be availed for repayment
of rupee loans availed domestically for capital expenditure as also by NBFCs for on-lending
for the same purpose.
• It has been decided to permit eligible corporate borrowers to avail ECB for repayment of
rupee loans availed domestically for capital expenditure in manufacturing and
infrastructure sector if classified as SMA-2 or NPA, under any one time settlement with
lenders.
2.65 RBI allows Bank of China to offer regular banking services in India
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed Bank of China to offer regular banking services in
the country.
2.66 RBI tightens norms for appointing directors on board of PSU banks
[RBI Functions]
• As per the Reserve Bank of India (‘Fit and Proper’ Criteria for Elected Directors on the Boards
of PSBs) Directions, 2019, all the banks are required to constitute a Nomination and
Remuneration Committee (NRC).
• This NRC needs to consist of a minimum of three non-executive directors from amongst the
board of directors.
2.67 RBI to cover all repetitive bill payments under ‘Bharat Bill Payments System’
[RBI Functions]
• RBI has decided to permit all categories of billers (except prepaid recharges) who provide for
recurring bill payments to participate in BBPS on a voluntary basis
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• So far, it is used to make five types of bills - direct-to-home (DTH), electricity, gas, telecom and
water bills.
2.68 RBI gives priority sector tag for specified bank loans to NBFCs
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given priority sector tag to bank loans extended to registered
non-bank lenders for financing agriculture, small businesses and home buyers within specified
limits.
• In the statement on “developmental and regulatory policies” , RBI has accorded priority sector
status to bank loans to registered non-banking finance companies or NBFCs for on-lending to
finance agriculture activities upto ₹1 million
• The same tag will be available to bank lending to NBFCs for on-lending to micro, small and small
enterprises for upto ₹2 million and to home buyers for upto ₹2 million.
Relevance
• Ponzi schemes induce unsuspecting depositors with promises of huge returns, invest heavily in
marketing operations to build an ever expanding chain of investors and pay off some investors
from the deposits of new participants than from any return on genuine investments.
• Such schemes lead to a large number of people losing money.
2.72 Sabka Vishwas - Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme to be operationalized from 1st September
2019
[Recent Developments in Financial Sector]
• In the Union Budget 2019-20, Finance Minister announced the Sabka Vishwas-Legacy Dispute
Resolution Scheme, 2019.
• The Scheme has now been notified and will be operationalized from 1st September 2019. The
Scheme would continue till 31st December 2019.
Objective of the Scheme
• To free as large a segment of the taxpayers from the legacy taxes as possible.
• The Scheme is especially tailored to free the large number of small taxpayers of their pending
disputes with the tax administration.
• This Scheme will be availed by large number of taxpayers for closing their pending disputes
relating to legacy Service Tax and Central Excise cases that are now subsumed under GST so
they can focus on GST.
What is legacy tax?
• A legacy tax is a tax imposed by some states on a deceased person's estate when it is passed
to beneficiaries through a will or intestate succession. This type of tax is also referred to as
collateral inheritance tax.
Key Features of the scheme
• The two main components of the Scheme are dispute resolution and amnesty.
• The dispute resolution component is aimed at liquidating the legacy cases of Central Excise and
Service Tax that are subsumed in GST and are pending in litigation at various forums.
• The amnesty component of the Scheme offers an opportunity to the taxpayers to pay the
outstanding tax and be free of any other consequence under the law.
• The most attractive aspect of the Scheme is that it provides substantial relief in the tax dues for
all categories of cases as well as full waiver of interest, fine and penalty.
• The person discharged under the scheme shall also not be liable for prosecution.
• Amount declared under the Scheme is to be only paid in cash.
• No input tax credit can be utilised towards such a payment.
• Amount thus paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
• Amount paid under the Scheme shall also not be entitled as input tax credit.
• For all the cases pending in adjudication or appeal – in any forum - this Scheme offers a relief of
70% from the duty demand if it is Rs.50 lakhs or less and 50% if it is more than Rs. 50 lakhs.
2.73 India Post Payments Bank to be converted into small finance bank
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• The postal department has decided to convert the India Post Payments Bank into a small
finance bank
• This has been decided to enable it to offer small loans to customers.
• The department is also aiming to open one crore accounts for IPPB in 100 days.
• India Post will partner with Common Service Centre to provide a suite of citizen centric services
such as banking, remittance, insurance, DBT, bill and tax payments etc at post offices
3. Co-origination of loans
• In the review, banks also committed to leverage co-origination of loans jointly by banks and
NBFCs under RBI’s co-origination policy.
• This will combine the advantages of lower cost funds and large financing capacity of banks with
the doorstep reach of the NBFC sector, to the benefit of both.
5. MSME sector
• Banks would redouble efforts to extend cheaper, hassle-free and cash-flow based credit to
MSMEs by leveraging GST, digital payments and alternate data.
• Banks would also expedite restructuring of viable MSME units facing stress, under the special
MSME restructuring dispensation available till March 2020.
• The recommendations of the U. K. Sinha committee would be taken forward. The committee
had highlighted the need to meet working capital requirements of India’s growing MSME
service. In the review, banks agreed to come out with specific working capital products for
service sector MSME units
6. Digitalisation
• As a result of Government’s thrust on digitalization, digital transactions have grown to 769% of
GDP by March 2019, up from 726% a year ago.
• The recent amendments mandating that business establishments with over Rs. 50 crore
turnover accept digital payments and waiver of charges on NEFT and RTGS will give a fillip to
further digitalisation.
2.75 Monetary limits for filing of appeals by Income Tax Department further enhanced by Central
Board of Direct Taxation(CBDT)
[Changing Landscape of Banking sector]
• To effectively reduce taxpayer grievances/litigation and help the Department focus on
litigation involving complex legal issues and high tax effect, the monetary limits for filing of
appeals by the Department has been revised.
2.77 Aadhaar-enabled payment system cross 200 million transaction in July, says NPCI
[Banking System in India]
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has informed that transactions through
the Aadhaar-enabled payment system (AePS) have crossed 200 million in July.
• AePS crossing 200 million transactions mark is a significant achievement for NPCI, benefiting
financial inclusion in India.
2.80 Government issues guidelines for Rs 1 trillion partial guarantee scheme for NBFCs
[Recent Developments in the Financial Sector]
• The Centre has issued guidelines on operationalising Rs 1 trillion partial guarantee scheme
under which public-sector banks can purchase high-rated pooled assets of financially sound
non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).
Name of the Scheme
• 'Partial Credit Guarantee offered by Government of India (GoI) to Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
for purchasing high-rated pooled assets from financially sound Non-Banking Financial
Companies (NBFCs)/Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)’.
Objective
• This is being done to help the sector come out of the stress and to support for fundamentally
sound NBFCs in getting continued funding from banks.
Background
• NBFCs, including housing finance companies (HFCs), came under stress following series of
defaults by the group companies of IL&FS in September last year.
Validity of the scheme
• The window for one-time partial credit guarantee offered by GoI will open from the date of
issuance of the Scheme by the Government for a period of six months, or till such date by
which Rupees One lakh crore assets get purchased by banks, whichever is earlier.
Eligibility
• NBFCs registered with RBI HFCs registered with National Housing Bank (NHB) under the
National Housing Bank can take benefit under the window.
• The CRAR of NBFCs/CAR of HFCs should not be below the regulatory minimum of 15 per cent
for NBFCs and 12 per cent for HFCs and net Non-Performing Asset should not be more than 6
per cent as on March 31, 2019.
2.81 RBI finalises regulatory sandbox framework for innovation in fintech firms
[Recent Developments in the Financial Sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the final ‘enabling framework for regulatory
sandbox,’ taking into account inputs received after a consultation process.
• It will be a positive step for financial technology start-ups and companies looking to innovate
in the fast changing and highly regulated sector.
• The regulatory sandbox allows live testing of new products or services in a controlled or test
regulatory environment.
When this framework will be applied?
• If a fintech company’s business model requires interface with a core banking system, a real-
time and scaleable model of it will be made available to the testing teams.
• This will be done for them to simulate whether the data flow and transaction flow follows
the regulatory guidelines. All this in a secure environment.
Disadvantages of the framework
• The disadvantages to this are the fact that innovators can lose some flexibility in testing their
products as well as the fact that it can actually take some time to get complete authorisation
to use a sandbox.
• Also, post testing, the innovators may still require regulatory approvals to launch the
product.
Background
• The digital healthcare market is on a tremendous uptake in India and is expected to reach $372
billion by 2022.
Background
• In 2017, SEBI allowed alternative investment funds operating in IFSC to invest in securities listed
in such centres.
• It also permitted them to invest in securities issued by companies incorporated in IFSC.
Background
• The government has set a fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of the gross domestic product
(GDP) for the current fiscal.
• It was revised downward from 3.4 per cent in the Union Budget for 2019-20.
• As per various estimates, the RBI has over ₹9 lakh crore of surplus capital with it.
• The surplus capital transfer would help the government meet its fiscal deficit target as it will
come as a windfall to the exchequer.
• Besides surplus capital transfer, the government is expecting ₹90,000 crore dividend from the
RBI in the current financial year as against ₹68,000 crore received last fiscal.
• In the past, the issue of the ideal size of the Reserve Bank of India reserves was examined by
three committees -V Subrahmanyam in 1997, Usha Thorat in 2004 and Y H Malegam in 2013.
2.86 All communication from tax department to carry Document Identification Number (DIN)
[Direct and indirect taxes]
• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has completely barred the use of any kind of paper-based
communication by income tax officials to communicate with tax payers.
• All the documents used for any communication with Income Tax department will carry a unique
computer-generated identification number (DIN) to maintain a proper paper trail.
2.87 Report of the Competition Law Review Committee submitted to Union Finance and Corporate
Affairs Minister
[Recent developments in the financial sector]
• Shri Injeti Srinivas, Secretary to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has presented the Report of
the Competition Law Review Committee to the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs,
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
The key recommendations of the Competition Law Review Committee
a) Introduction of a ‘Green Channel’ for combination notifications to enable fast-paced regulatory
approvals for vast majority of mergers and acquisitions that may have no major concerns
regarding appreciable adverse effects on competition.
• The aim is to move towards disclosure based regime with strict consequences for not providing
accurate or complete information.
b) Combinations arising out of the insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code will also be eligible for “Green Channel” approvals.
c) Introducing a dedicated bench in NCLAT for hearing appeals under the Competition Act.
d) Introduction of express provisions to identify ‘hub and spoke’ agreements as well as agreements
that do not fit within typical horizontal or vertical anti-competitive structures to cover
agreements related to business structures and models synonymous with new age markets.
e) Additional enforcement mechanism of ‘Settlement & Commitments” in the interests of speedier
resolution of cases of anti-competitive conduct.
f) Enabling provisions to prescribe necessary thresholds, inter alia, deal-value threshold for merger
notifications.
g) Competition Commission of India (CCI) to issue guidelines on imposition of penalty to ensure
more transparency and faster decision making which will encourage compliance by businesses.
h) Strengthening the governance structure of CCI with the introduction of a Governing Board to
oversee advocacy and quasi-legislative functions, leaving adjudicatory functions to the Whole-
time Members.
i) It has also suggested the merging Director General’s (DG’s) Office with CCI as an ‘Investigation
Division’ but protection of its functional autonomy has been suggested.
• DG’s office aids CCI in discharging an inquisitorial rather than adversarial mandate.
j) Opening of CCI offices at regional level to carry out non-adjudicatory functions such as research,
advocacy etc. and interaction with State Governments and State regulators.
Notification by RBI
• According to the circular passed by RBI on 14 th August 2019 , Use of ATMs for balance enquiry
and fund transfers too should be not part of the free transactions’ facility given to a customer.
• Non-cash withdrawal transactions (such as balance enquiry, cheque book request, payment of
taxes, funds transfer), which constitute ‘on-us’ transactions (when a card is used at an ATM of the
bank which has issued the card) shall also not be part of the number of free ATM transactions.
• Invalid PIN/validations etc, which result in failed ATM transactions, will also be not counted as
valid ATM transactions.
• Transactions which fail on account of technical reasons like hardware, software, and
communication issues shall not be counted as valid ATM transactions for the customer.
2.89 Task force on direct tax code submits report to FM Nirmala Sitharaman
[Direct and Indirect Taxes]
• A government-appointed task force to draft the new Direct Tax Law , has submitted its report.
• The report has been submitted by Akhilesh Ranjan, who is the convener of the Task force.
• The government will release the report of the panel in the public domain for consultations after
examining the recommendations.
2.90 Indian Government raises limit for raising funds without diluting voting rights
[Changing Landscape of Banking Sector]
• Recently, the Union government has liberalized rules that would allow Indian companies to
raise share capital without diluting the voting rights of all existing shareholders.
Objective
• It is expected to help promoters retain control when they raise capital from new investors.
• These changes are expected to benefit India, particularly startups, which will be able to attract
more capital, but without ceding control.
2.91 Government removes Debenture Redemption Reserve requirement for Listed Companies,
NBFCs and HFCs
[Financial Market]
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has amended the Companies (Share Capital & Debentures)
Rules by removing Debenture Redemption Reserve requirement for Listed Companies, NCFCs
and HFCs.
2.93 SEBI eases rules for ‘muni bonds’ to help smart cities raise funds
[Financial markets]
• SEBI has announced relaxation in norms for 'Muni Bonds' to help smart cities and other
registered entities working in areas of city planning and urban development work like
municipalities to raise funds through issuance and listing of their debt securities.
• SEBI has also decided to allow this route for a larger number of entities, including special purpose
vehicles set up under the central government's ambitious 'Smart Cities Mission'.
Background
• Nearly five years ago, SEBI had come out with the Issue and Listing of Debt Securities by
Municipalites (ILDM) Regulations and since then seven municipalities have raised nearly Rs1,400
crore by issuing their debt securities, which are commonly known as 'Muni Bonds'.
• Under the current regulations, this fund-raising route is only available to the issuers defined as a
municipality under the relevant articles of the Constitution of India or the corporate municipal
entities set up as a subsidiary of a municipality for the purpose of raising funds for a specific
municipality or a group of those.
New norms
• The regulator has now decided to amend the regulations to provide a greater flexibility in raising
funds and for strengthening protection for investors.
• Under the new norms, SEBI would do away with requirements like appointment of a monitoring
agency, filing of viability certificate or Detailed Project Appraisal Report, setting up of a separate
project implementation cell, maintenance of 100% asset cover with specification of resources
and mandatory backing of state or central government.
2.94 SEBI reverses previous decision prohibiting debt MFs to invest in unlisted NCDs
[Financial market]
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reversed a decision taken previously in June to
prohibit debt mutual funds from investing in unlisted non- convertible debentures ( NCDs).
• SEBI has also decided to give flexibility to mutual funds to invest in unlisted non-convertible
debentures (NCDs) up to a maximum of 10 per cent of the debt portfolio of the scheme.
• This would be subject to such investments in unlisted NCDs having simple structures, being rated,
secured and with monthly coupons.
2.95 RTGS system to open at 7 AM from August 26 as RBI extends operating hours
[Banking system in India]
• In order to promote digital transactions, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the
customer transactions timing for Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system by an hour.
• Now, funds can be transferred through the RTGS system from 7 am instead of 8 am from 26
August, 2019.
About Real-time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
• Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) is another payment system in which the money is credited
in the beneficiary’s account in real time and on gross basis.
• The RTGS system is primarily meant for large value transactions that require and receive
immediate clearing. The minimum amount to be remitted through RTGS is ₹2 lakh with no
maximum limit.
• At present, RTGS system is available for customer transactions from 8 am to 6 pm and for inter-
bank transactions from 8 am to 7.45 pm.
2.97 CBDT issues clarification on eligibility of small Start-ups to avail tax holiday
[Changing landscape of banking sector]
• Recently, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued some rules related to eligibility of
small Start-ups to avail tax holiday. They are as follows:
• Small start-ups with turnover upto Rs. 25 crore will continue to get the promised tax holiday
as specified in Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961
• It provides deduction for 100 per cent of income of an eligible start-up for 3 years out of 7 years
from the year of its incorporation.
• Also, all the start-ups recognised by DPIIT, did not automatically become eligible for deduction
under Section 80-IAC of the Act.
A start-up has to fulfil the conditions specified in Section 80-IAC for claiming this deduction.
2.98 22nd Round of Quarterly Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS)
[RBI- functions and conduct of monetary policy]
• The 22nd round of the Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS) seeks an assessment
of the business situation for the quarter (Q2:2019-20, i.e., July - September 2019) from selected
companies in the services and infrastructure sectors in India, and their outlook for the ensuing
quarter (Q3:2019-20, i.e., October-December 2019).
• M/S Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd. has been authorised to conduct the survey for July-
September 2019 quarter on behalf of the Reserve Bank.
About Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS)
• The Reserve Bank has been conducting the Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS)
since 2014-15.
• The Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS) seeks an assessment of the business
situation quarterly from selected companies in the services and infrastructure sectors in India.
2.101 Standard Chartered Bank to issue credit cards for Bandhan customers
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• Bandhan Bank is planning to enter the credit card business through a tie-up with Standard
Chartered Bank (SCB) India
• This is the first such partnership for SCB , under which they will issue credit cards to Bandhan
Bank’s customers.
2.102 CVC sets up panel to probe bank fraud over Rs.50 crore
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has constituted an Advisory Board for Banking Frauds
(ABBF) , to examine bank fraud of over ₹50 crore and recommend action.
• It is going to be headed by former Vigilance Commissioner T.M. Bhasin.
Background
• Earlier , such a board with the name the Advisory Board on Bank, Commercial and Financial
Frauds was also set up.
ABBF
2.104 Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank launch repo rate-linked retail loans
[Banking system in India]
• Public sector banks Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Allahabad Bank have launched retail loan
products that are linked to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) repo rate.
• This Linking of loans with the repo rate will make them cheaper.
• Under the Punjab National Bank’s PNB Advantage scheme, (which is effective from 27th August
2019) , the interest rate will be 0.25% less than the existing rates based on MCLR (marginal
cost of funds-based lending rate).
2.106 RBI issues guidelines on interest subvention scheme for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry
farmers
[RBI- functions]
• Recently, the government has extended KCC facility to animal husbandry farmers and
fisheries as announced in the Interim Budget 2019-20 for their working capital requirements
providing the benefits of Interest Subvention at 2% and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) at
3%.
2.107 CBDT constitutes Start-up Cell for redressal of grievances related to Start-ups
[Direct and Indirect Taxes]
• In order to redress grievances and address various tax related issues in the cases of Start-ups, a
Start-up Cell has been constituted by CBDT on 30.08.2019
• Ex-officio members of the Cell are :
2.108 RBI extends deadline for PPIs to become full KYC complaint
[Recent developments in the financial sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the timeline for the conversion of minimum detail
Prepaid Payment Instruments to KYC-compliant PPIs from 18 months to 24 months.
• The RBI has also made it clear that there will be no further extension in the timeline.
• This means that those who have withdrawn ₹one crore or more in cash from banks or post
offices upto 31 August will be liable to a 2% tax deducted at source (TDS) on further cash
withdrawals from 1 September 2019 , as a new provision in tax law kicks in from next month.
Background
• The government has been taking various steps to discourage use of cash and to promote digital
payments to establish a trail of transactions in the economy and to check generation of
unaccounted wealth.
• The 2% TDS is one such step.
2.111 HDFC Bank to organise 1,000 grameen loan melas in next 6 months
• HDFC Bank has planned to organise 1,000 grameen loan melas over the next six months in
a bid to expand its retail portfolio.
• These grameen loan melas (or village loan fairs) will be held across more than 300 districts
and cover around 6,000 villages across India.
Background
• The task force is headed by Canara Bank Chairman T N Manoharan.
• It was formed in May 2019 to review the existing state of the market for loans in India and to
make recommendations for the development of a secondary market for corporate loans.
• The recommendations are aimed at developing India's credit markets and come at a time when
the country is facing a liquidity crisis among its shadow banks after the collapse of IL&FS.
2.113 RBI asks banks to link retail and MSME loans to external benchmark from 1 Oct
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to link their lending rates on floating rate loans
to retail, personal and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) borrowers to an external
benchmark from 1 October 2019.
• This step has been taken in order to improve transmission of interest rates.
2.114 RBI selects daffodil software pvt ltd for developing mobile app for visually impaired
[Financial Inclusion- use of technology]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has selected Daffodil Software Pvt Ltd to develop a mobile
application for visually impaired people to identify currency notes.
• RBI also informed the Bombay High Court that an internet connection would not be required
for its proposed mobile application.
• The app will also generate "audio notification" intimating the currency note denomination
to the user if image is captured correctly, else intimating the user to try again in case of
image is not readable.
• Identification of banknote denomination is key to successful completion of cash-based
transactions by visually impaired persons.
• There are about 80 lakh blind or visually impaired people in the country, who are likely to
benefit from the initiative of the central bank.
Background
• The six-member panel was set up on 29th May under the chairmanship of Mr. Harsh Vardhan has
submitted its report to RBI governor Shaktikanta Das.
• The panel was tasked with reviewing the existing state of housing finance securitization and
suggest measures to make the market more attractive.
2.116 Reserve Bank increases banks' loan exposure limit to single NBFC
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India through its recent circular , has increased loan exposure limit of banks to
a single NBFC (excluding gold loan companies) from 15 per cent to 20 per cent of its capital
base.
RBI Circular
• According to the RBI’s circular on 'Large Exposures Framework (LEF)', banks' exposure to a single
non-banking financial company (NBFC) is restricted to 15 per cent of their available eligible
capital base, while general single counter-party exposure limit is 20 per cent, which can be
extended to 25 per cent by banks' boards under exceptional circumstances.
Background
• The government on its part has been taking steps to increase liquidity in the NBFC sector, which
was hit after default by IL&FS Group.
• The liquidity crunch in the NBFC sector has hit the retail loan segment in the country leading to
slowdown in key consumer sector lending.
Background
• Risk weight refers to the capital banks keep aside as provisioning to cover any loan defaults.
• Currently, the risk weight requirement for consumer loans is 125 per cent.
• The relaxed requirement would not be applicable to credit cards.
• This reduction in risk weight comes at a time when the consumers’ perception of the general
economic situation and the employment scenario has softened, according to the RBI’s Consumer
Confidence Survey in July.
2.120 RBI places Lakshmi Vilas Bank under Prompt Corrective Action
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India has placed the private bank under its prompt corrective action (PCA)
framework.
Reason given by RBI
• This action has been taken owing to high level of bad loans, insufficient capital adequacy ratio,
negative return on assets (RoA) for two consecutive years and high leverage.
• For FY19, the Lakshmi Vilas bank’s net Non Performing Asset (NPA) stood at 7.49%, capital
adequacy ratio was at 7.72% and its RoA was -2.32%.
2.122 Developments in India’s Balance of Payments during the First Quarter (April-June) of 2019-
20
[Trends]
• Key Features of India’s BoP in Q1 of 2019-20 are as follows :
1. India’s current account deficit (CAD) at US$ 14.3 billion (2.0 per cent of GDP) in Q1 of 2019-20
narrowed from US$ 15.8 billion (2.3 per cent of GDP) in Q1 of 2018-19 but was higher than US$
4.6 billion (0.7 per cent of GDP) in the preceding quarter.
2. CAD - contracted on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis (primarily on account of higher invisible receipts
at US$ 31.9 billion as compared with US$ 29.9 billion a year ago)
3. Net services receipts - increased by 7.3 per cent on a y-o-y basis (mainly on the back of a rise in
net earnings from travel, financial services and telecommunications, computer and information
services)
4. Private transfer receipt - risen to US$ 19.9 billion, increasing by 6.2 per cent from their level a
year ago.
2.123 WMA Limit for Government of India for the second half of the Financial Year 2019-20
(October 2019 to March 2020)
[Trends]
• RBI has recently announced that limits for Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for the second
half of the financial year 2019-20 (October 2019 to March 2020) will be ₹ 35,000 crore.
• The Reserve Bank may trigger fresh floatation of market loans when the Government of India
utilises 75 per cent of the WMA limit.
• The interest rate on WMA/overdraft will be:
1. WMA: Repo Rate
2. Overdraft: Two percent above the Repo Rate
2.124 RBI announces “Payment and Settlement Systems Innovation Contest and Payment and
Settlement Systems Innovative Ideas Competition”
[RBI Functions]
• With a view to providing a platform to encourage, recognise and promote innovations and
ideas in the payment and settlement systems arena, the Reserve Bank of India will organise
the following contests:
(i) ‘Payment and Settlement Systems Innovation Contest’ for individuals, groups, entrepreneurs,
companies, start-ups and similar entities;
(ii) ‘Payment and Settlement Systems Innovative Ideas Competition’ for students of recognised
institutions at the undergraduate or above levels.
2.129 Government may seek ₹30,000 crore interim dividend from RBI
[RBI Functions]
• The government may seek an interim dividend of about ₹30,000 crore from the RBI towards the
end of the financial year to meet its fiscal deficit target of 3.3% of GDP for 2019-20.
2.130 Steering Committee on Fintech related issues submits its Final Report to Finance Minister
[Recent Development is the Financial Sector]
• Recently, The Steering Committee on Fintech related issues constituted by the Ministry of
Finance submitted its Final Report to Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt.
Nirmala Sitharaman.
Chairman of the Report
• Chairman of the committee is Subhash Chandra Garg and Convenor of the committee is K
Rajaraman.
Recommendations
• The Committee has recommended that the RBI may consider development of-
I. Cash-flow based financing for MSMEs
II. Development of an open-API MSME stack based on TReDS data validated by GSTN
III. Standardised and trusted e-invoice infrastructure designed around TREDS-GSTN
integration.
• Encourage the use of drone and remote sensing technologies: It has also recommended that
Insurance companies and lending agencies to be encouraged to use drone and remote sensing
technology for crop area, damage and location assessments to support risk reduction in
insurance/lending business.
• Work with PSU banks: Committee recommends Department of Financial Services (DFS) to
work with PSU banks to bring in more efficiency to their work and reduce fraud and security
risks.
• Adoption of Regulation technology: It has also recommended adoption of Regulation
technology (or RegTech) by all financial sector regulators to develop standards and facilitate
adoption by financial sector service providers to adopt use-cases making compliance with
regulations easier, quicker and effective.
• Creation of a Credit registry: Committee has recommended NABARD to take immediate steps
to create a credit registry for farmers with special thrust for use of fintech along with core
banking solutions (CBS) by agri-financial institutions, included Cooperative societies.
2.134 Fintech panel bats for virtual banks, easing KYC norms
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• The Steering Committee on Fintech has recommended improving debt financing in India by
developing a marketplace model by reforming the current peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms.
Background
• The committee was formed in March 2018 under the chairmanship of the Economic Affairs
Secretary to consider various issues relating to the development of the fintech sector in India,
and how fintech can be used to enhance the financial inclusion of micro, small and medium
enterprises.
2.135 CBDT enters into 26 APAs during the current Financial Year (2019-20)
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 26 Advance Pricing Agreements
(APAs) in the first 5 months of the current financial year (April to August, 2019).
• Out of these 26 APAs, 1 is a BAPA entered into with the United Kingdom and the remaining 25
are Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (UAPAs).
• With the signing of these APAs, the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT as of now
stand at 297.
What is an APA?
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• An APA is a contract between a taxpayer and at least one tax authority specifying the pricing
method that the taxpayer will apply to its related-company transactions.
• These programmes are designed to help taxpayers voluntarily resolve actual or potential transfer
pricing disputes in a proactive, cooperative manner, as an alternative to the traditional
examination process.
2.136 Rupee closes at more than 9-month low, stoking fears of further equity outflows
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• On September 3rd 2019 , Rupee has dropped sharply by 97 paise to a more than nine-month
low of 72.39 against the U.S. dollar.
• The rupee has come under pressure after the official data released by the Government has
shown that India’s GDP growth fell to an over six-year low of 5% in the June quarter.
2.138 Punjab National Bank board approves amalgamation with OBC, United Bank
[Banking system in India]
• The board of Punjab National Bank (PNB) has given in-principle approval for amalgamation
of Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India with PNB, as finance ministry
recently asked the three banks to consider the proposal of amalgamation.
• The Extra General Meeting (EGM) in this regard will be held on October 22 for obtaining
approval of shareholders.
• Recently, government announced infusion of Rs 16,000 crore in PNB for a smooth and
seamless amalgamation.
2.140 NHAI seeks to raise ₹85,000 crore via asset monetization by FY25
[Alternate source of finance]
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to raise more than ₹85,000 crore by
fiscal year 2025 through the toll-operate-transfer (ToT) model and infrastructure investment
trusts (InvITs).
• Under the ToT model, long-term concessions for collecting toll revenues are auctioned to the
highest bidder.
• While InvITs are investment schemes similar to a mutual fund that allow investment from
individuals and institutional investors in infrastructure projects to earn a portion of the income
as return.
• These models are more attractive for investors as they don’t have to build an infrastructure
project from scratch.
2.141 Exim Bank's Government of India supported Line of Credit of USD 800 million to the
Government of the Republic of Maldives
[Financial Institutions]
• Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has entered into an agreement with the Government
of the Republic of Maldives.
• Under this agreement, Government of India supported Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 800 million
will be provided for the purpose of financing development projects in the Republic of
Maldives.
2.145 Biggest ever pan-India against fraudulently claiming refund of IGST by exporters
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• In the biggest ever joint operation by Directorate General of GST Intelligence, DGGI and
Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence, DRI - pan-India searches were carried out at 336
different locations across the country against exporters who were claiming a refund of IGST
fraudulently.
2.146 For the first time in FY20, RBI becomes net seller of dollars in July
[RBI Functions]
• The Reserve Bank of India has turned a net seller of dollars for the first time this fiscal in July.
• According to the latest data by the Government , It has sold $93 million in the month on a net
basis in the spot market.
• During the reporting month, the RBI had purchased $1.592 billion but sold $1.685 billion in the
spot market.
2.148 Bank of Baroda plans to raise capital up to Rs 3,000 cr via tier-II bonds
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced its plan to raise capital up to Rs 3,000 crore through tier-
II bonds for meeting capital adequacy norms for the merged entity of Bank of Baroda.
• The merged has been formed by the integration of Vijaya and Dena Bank with BoB.
2.152 Nirmala Sitharaman announces Rs. 50,000 crore package to boost exports
[Export- Import Policy]
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a new scheme — Remission of Duties
or Taxes on Export Product (RoDTEP) — to incentivise exporters at an estimated cost of
₹50,000 crore to the exchequer.
• The announcement comes in the backdrop of India's merchandise exports declining by 6.05
per cent to $26.13 billion in August compared to the year-ago month.
2.153 Finance Minister announced ₹20,000 crore affordable housing package to benefit around 3.5
lakh home owners
[Public Private Partnership]
• Recently, Finance Minister has announced a last mile ₹20,000 crore affordable housing
package to benefit around 3.5 lakh home owners.
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• This has been done to set up a special financing window to help revive stalled housing projects.
Funding
• Under this package, union government will contribute around ₹10,000 crore to this fund on
the lines of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), while the other investors such
as the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), private capital, sovereign wealth funds and
development finance institution (DFI) among others will contribute the balance ₹10,000 crore.
How it will help?
• This window will provide the much needed last mile funding for housing projects which are
non-NPA and non-NCLT projects.
• Around 8.5 lakh flats are stuck across the country. In such a scenario, the package will help
extricate more than a third of such distressed home owners.
• They will also need to be net worth positive and in affordable and middle income category to
get the promised support.
2.155 SEBI levied a total fine of over Rs 19 lakh on two entities for executing fraudulent trade
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• SEBI has levied a total fine of over Rs 19 lakh on two entities for executing fraudulent trade
in the illiquid stock option segment on the BSE.
• The entities facing penalty are - Akashganga Agencies Pvt Ltd and Ajeit PS Rajbans HUF.
• Entities violated provisions of Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trading Practices (PFUTP)
norms.
2.159 State Bank of India drafts Tech Mitras in Andhra Pradesh to create awareness on digital
transactions
[Recent Developments in the Financial Sector]
• The State Bank of India has appointed Tech Mitras in Vizianagaram district , Andhra Pradesh.
• This has been done to create awareness among customers on the benefits of digital
transactions.
• As part of its digitisation process, SBI has provided special training for select staff at its Regional
Training Centre to act as Tech Mitras, who would guide other staff and assist customers.
2.160 Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 : Sale of Electoral Bonds at Authorised Branches of State Bank
of India (SBI)
[Recent Developments in the Financial Sector]
• Government of India launched the Electoral Bond scheme in January 2018.
What is an Electoral Bond?
• It is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated
in India from select branches of State Bank of India.
• The citizen can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice.
About Electoral Bond Scheme
• Only the Political Parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act,
1951 which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election
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to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, shall be eligible to receive
the Electoral Bonds.
• The Electoral Bonds shall be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account
with the Authorized Bank.
• Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue and no payment
shall be made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of the
validity period.
2.161 Foreign investors pour in ₹7,714 crore into capital markets in September 2019
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• After remaining net sellers for the past two months, foreign investors have infused a net ₹7,714
crore into the domestic capital markets in the month of September 2019.
• Prior to this, foreign investors had pulled out a net ₹5,920.02 crore in August and ₹2,985.88
crore in July from the domestic capital markets (both equity and debt).
2.162 SBI becomes first Indian bank to have office in Australia's Victoria
[Recent developments in Financial sector]
• The State Bank of India(SBI) has become the first Indian bank to have a branch in the Australian
state of Victoria.
• The office in Melbourne will assist the growing trade and investment relations between Victoria
and India.
• It is the outcome of the state's 10-year India Strategy – our shared future, according to a press
release.
2.163 SEBI relaxes buyback rules for listed companies with housing finance, NBFC arms
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• SEBI has eased its norms for buyback of shares by listed companies, especially those having
subsidiaries in housing finance and NBFC segments.
Notification by SEBI
• It has decided to continue with the current approach of allowing buybacks resulting in post-
buyback debt-to-equity ratio of up to 2:1, except for companies for which a higher ratio has
been notified under the Companies Act, based on both standalone and consolidated basis.
• However, if the debt to equity ratio on standalone basis does not exceed 2:1, but exceeds this
threshold on consolidated basis, buybacks would still be allowed if the consolidated ratio is up
to 2:1 after excluding the subsidiaries that are NBFCs and housing finance companies regulated
by RBI or National Housing Bank.
2.166Government exempts cash payments above Rs 1 crore via APMC from 2% TDS
[Public Sector Reforms]
• The government has given boost to liquidity in the farm sector ahead of the kharif harvesting
season.
• It has decided not to levy the 2 per cent tax deducted at source (TDS) on cash payments above
Rs 1 crore made through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).
• It has been done in order to promote immediate payments to farmers for their produce.
• For all other purposes, cash payments over Rs 1 crore will continue to attract a TDS of 2 per
cent, which was announced in the 2019-20 Union Budget by Finance Minister as a measure to
promote a less-cash economy.
2.169 Survey of Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Mutual Fund Companies, 2018-19
[Financial Markets]
• Recently, the Reserve Bank released the results of the 2018-19 round of the Survey of Foreign
Liabilities and Assets of the Mutual Fund (MF) Companies on its website.
• The survey covers 44 Indian MF companies and their Asset Management Companies (AMCs),
which held/acquired foreign assets and/or liabilities during 2018-19 and/or in the preceding
year.
Key Highlights of the survey
• Foreign liabilities of MF companies (US $ 13.5 billion) in the form of non- residents’
investments in the units substantially exceeded their foreign assets in the form of overseas
equity investments (US $ 0.7 billion) in March 2019 with both foreign liabilities and foreign
assets recording increases during 2018-19.
• The UAE, the UK and the USA were the largest investors together accounting for one-third
of the MF units held by non-residents.
• MF units held by non-residents in Mauritius and Singapore declined after the amendment of
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), effective April 2017.
• The USA (44.6 per cent share in total foreign assets) and Luxembourg (41.1 per cent)
remained the preferred investment destinations for MF companies.
• Foreign liabilities of AMCs (US $ 3.3 billion) exceeded foreign assets (US $ 0.1 billion)
substantially in March 2019.
• Net foreign liabilities of AMCs increased by 68 per cent during the year, mainly on account of
equity valuation gains after stock exchange listing.
• Non-residents in the UK held over half of the foreign liabilities of AMCs in March 2019.
2.171 Govt. waives three-year lock-in period on investments made by NRIs in IDFs
[Financial Markets]
• The government has waived the three-year lock-in period on investments made by non-
residents in infrastructure debt funds (IDFs), to promote funding in the infrastructure sector.
• A notification has been issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
What are Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs)?
• These are investment vehicles for channelizing investment into the infrastructure sector.
• They are sponsored by commercial banks and NBFCs in India in which domestic/offshore
institutional investors, specially insurance and pension funds can invest through units and
bonds issued by the IDFs.
2.173 RBI plans to structure loan rates of NBFCs, housing finance companies
[RBI- Functions]
2.174 Government constitutes Company Law Committee for examining issues pertaining to
implementation of the Companies Act
[Changing Landscape of Banking sector]
• Recently, Government has decided to constitute a ‘Company Law Committee’ for examining
and making recommendations to the Government on various provisions and issues
pertaining to implementation of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Limited Liability
Partnership Act, 2008.
2.175 DSCI, MeitY and Google India join hands for 'Digital Payment Abhiyan'
[Changing Landscape of Banking sector]
• Nasscom's Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has collaborated with the electronics and IT
ministry (MeitY) and Google India to launch a nationwide awareness campaign 'Digital
Payment Abhiyan'.
• The campaign was launched at the Google for India event.
2.177 RBI caps term for banks' concurrent auditor at three years
[RBI Functions]
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently revised the guidelines on concurrent audit system.
• The guidelines have been released by following the recommendations by an expert committee
under Y.H. Malegam.
Concurrent Audit System
• Concurrent audit aims at shortening the interval between a transaction and its independent
examination.
• It is regarded as part of a bank's early warning system to ensure timely detection of serious
errors and irregularities, which also helps in averting fraudulent transactions and preventive
vigilance in banks.
2.180 SBI may soon roll out co-lending model NBFCs in line with RBI guidelines
[Changing Landscape of Banking sector]
• State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to launch a co-lending business model soon with 4-5
medium to large-sized NBFCs which will be in line with the RBI guidelines.
• The model of co-lending will be completely automated without manual intervention from on-
boarding of customers to loan disbursement and monitoring.
• Under the co-lending model, the bank will have an exposure between 70 and 80 per cent
while the rest will be borne by the NBFCs but this arrangement will be "only" for the priority
sector lending.
2.181 SBI to use repo rate as benchmark to price MSME, retail loans from Oct 1
[Changing Landscape of Banking sector]
• State Bank of India (SBI) will use repo rate as the external benchmark to price all new floating
rate loans for Micro and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), housing and retail loans
and medium-size enterprises from October 1, 2019.
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• This decision follows the Reserve Bank of India notification to link all new floating rate,
personal or retail loans (housing, auto, etc.) and floating rate loans to Micro and Small
Enterprises, to external benchmarks.
• SBI had introduced floating rate home loans effective July 1, 2019. A few modifications have
been made in the scheme effective 1st October 2019 to comply with the latest regulatory
guidelines.
• RBI’s Internal Study Group (ISG) had examined various aspects of the marginal cost of funds-
based lending rate (MCLR) system.
• ISG had observed that internal benchmarks such as the base rate/MCLR have not delivered
effective transmission of monetary policy. The Study Group had, therefore, recommended a
switchover to an external benchmark in a time-bound manner.
2.183 RBI turns down SEBI plan for credit rating agencies' access to defaults
[Risk Management]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expressed disagreement over the Securities and
Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) proposed framework enabling credit rating agencies (CRAs)
to legally access borrower database, helping them in timely recognition of default.
What is the issue?
• Recently, a panel of financial regulators, discussed a proposal to give CRAs limited access to
the RBI’s Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
• CRILC: The CRILC is a borrower-level data set focusing on systemically important credit
exposures. Banks report to the CRILC credit information on all their borrowers having
aggregate fund-based and non-fund-based exposure of Rs 50 million and above.
• Currently, the rating agencies can access the CIC that is an independent, third-party institution
collecting financial data regarding loans, credit cards, and more about individuals and shares
it with its members.
2.185 SEBI imposes Rs 22.7 crore fine on Aurobindo Pharma for insider trading
[Financial Institutions- SEBI]
• The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed penalties of Rs 22.7 crore on
Aurobindo Pharma, its related entities and promoters.
• It is being done to punish for violating insider trading rules with respect to a licensing deal it
had entered with Pfizer in 2009.
• The penalties were imposed under Section 15G and Section 15HB read with Section 15J of the
SEBI Act.
2.186 No cashback for credit card users at petrol pumps from October
[Banking system in India]
• From October 1, banks will discontinue the cashback credit card users get at petrol pumps
after an advisory by public sector fuel retail companies.
• The three state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) --Indian Oil Corp. Ltd, Bharat Petroleum
Corp. Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd -- give a cashback equivalent to 0.75% of the
value of fuel purchased using credit and debit cards and e-wallets.
• The discount is credited to the buyer’s account within three days of the transaction.
• Cashback on fuel purchases was introduced by the government to promote digital payments
due to a widespread cash crunch after demonetisation in late 2016.
2.188 Reserve Bank of India imposed penalty on United Overseas Bank Limited
[RBI- functions]
• Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1 crore on
United Overseas Bank Limited (the bank) for its failure to comply with the provisions of
section 10B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the Act).
• This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI, taking into account the
failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid provisions of the Act.
• This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to
pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank.
2.189 RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis points, slashes GDP growth estimates
[RBI- conduct of monetary policy]
• Recently, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut its benchmark interest rates (repo rate) for the
fifth time this year to boost economic growth.
• Repo Rate: 5.15% (cut by 25 basis points)
• Reverse Repo Rate: 4.90%
• The RBI also cut its GDP growth estimates to 6.1%, from earlier estimate of 6.9%.
• While, Consumer price inflation forecast for the second half of the fiscal year 2019-2020 as
expected at 3.5%-3.7% has been retained.
2.191 RBI to provide liquidity support to banks for smooth NEFT transactions
[Banking system in India]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will provide liquidity support to banks to facilitate smooth
settlement of transactions under the proposed 24x7 National Electronic Funds Transfer
(NEFT) system.
• The RBI will extend the collateralized liquidity support round the clock on NEFT, which is
currently available till 7.45 pm on working days.
• As an extension of it, the RBI has decided to institutionalise an internal ombudsman scheme
at large non-bank prepaid payment instrument (PPI) issuers. These are entities that have
more than 10 million pre-paid payment instruments outstanding.
• The internal ombudsman is intended to facilitate a swift and cost-effective complaint redressal
mechanism within the entity and provide an additional tier for grievance redressal.
• RBI will disseminate more granular information on payment data covering the payment
systems. This is in line with the recommendations of the ‘Committee on Deepening of Digital
Payments’ headed by Nandan Nilekani.
• Also, there is a need to ensure growth of acceptance infrastructure in Tier III to Tier VI centres.
An ‘Acceptance Development Fund’ (ADF) will be created in consultation with the stakeholders
to increase digitisation in these areas.
• Apart from that, for expanding and deepening the digital payments ecosystem, the RBI said
state/union territory level bankers committees (SLBCs/ UTLBCs) will identify one district on
a pilot basis in consultation with banks and stakeholders.
• The identified district may be allocated to a bank with significant footprint. This will enable the
district to become 100 per cent digitally enabled.
2.196 RBI rejects Indiabulls Housing, Lakshmi Vilas Bank merger deal
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected the merger proposal of Indiabulls Housing
Finance and Lakshmi Vilas bank (LVB).
• The merger was important for Indiabulls housing finance company as would have given it
access to low cost funds.
• It is required as the non-banking financial sector is facing a crisis of confidence with banks
choking lending to the sector.
2.197 Deposit insurance coverage in India among the lowest in world: SBI report
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• Recently, a report by state run State Bank of India (SBI) has announced that the deposit
insurance coverage in India is one of the lowest in the world.
What is deposit insurance coverage?
• A deposit insurance coverage ensures that the depositor gets a certain amount, before the
bank pays other parties at the time of liquidation.
Findings of the Report
• Data on Cross Country Deposit insurance Coverage limit shows that deposit insurance
coverage in India is one of the lowest at ₹1 lakh / $1508 / 0.9 times India's per capital income,
• Another diverging trend that appeared pertained to the number of accounts - over 60% of the
total accounts are less than ₹1 lakh, while around 70% are less than ₹2 lakh, and 98.2% are
less than ₹15 lakh.
2.198 RBI okays proposal to merge district co-operative banks to form ‘Kerala Bank’
[Recent developments in financial sector]
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given the nod to the Kerala Government to amalgamate
13 district cooperative banks (DCBs) with the Kerala State Cooperative Bank for forming the
proposed Kerala Bank.
• The merger approval would be contingent upon the order of the High Court on a case
challenging the amendment to Section 14(A) of the Kerala State Cooperative Societies Act.
2.199 Fintech start-up Shubh Loans gets NBFC licence from RBI
[RBI Functions]
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• Fintech start-up Shubh Loans has received a license from the Reserve Bank of India to set up
a non-banking financial company.
• The license has been received through the subsidiary – Ekagrata, of its parent company
Datasigns Technologies.
• Shubh Loans is fast changing the way loans are disbursed and making credit accessibility
easier.
2.200 BSE joins hands with FICCI to enhance MSME and start-up environment
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in association with FICCI has organized a brainstorming session
to identify gaps in the existing policies and make suggestions for robust policies.
• This has been done to enhance MSME and startup environment.
• The session also promoted Udyam Saathi and Udyam Sakhi initiatives to foster the micro, small
and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
2.204 CIBIL to give real time alerts on changes in customers credit profile
[Recent Developments in Financial sector]
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• Recently, Credit Information Bureau of India Limited (CIBIL) has launched a new feature
called ‘CIBIL Alert’ through which customers can get real-time notifications about key
changes in their CIBIL score and report.
• CIBIL alerts are for- New inquiry added, new account added, Change in Utilisation,
Delinquency change, Phone Number added, New Address added and change in CIBIL score.
2.208 RBI has issued guidelines on ‘on tap' authorisation of payment systems
[RBI- Functions]
• Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines on 'on tap' authorisation of
payment systems.
• RBI has decided to offer on-tap authorisation for-
1. Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU)
2. Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS)
3. White Label ATMs (WLAs)
Minimum net-worth criteria:
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• For entities desirous to function, operate, or provide platforms for BBPOU, they should
have a 100 crore rupees net worth and should be maintained at all times.
• In case of TReDS, the minimum paid up equity capital should be 25 crore rupees.
• The minimum net worth for entities desirous of entering the WLA segment should be 100
crore rupees.
• The KYC requirements for retail payment systems shall be as per the Master Directions on
Know Your Customer (KYC) issued by the Department of Banking Regulation (DBR), RBI.
2.212 GeM Partners with Federal Bank for payment related services
[Recent developments in the Financial Sector]
• Recently, The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Federal Bank.
2.214 Indian Overseas Bank unveils health insurance policy with Universal Sompo
[Banking system in India]
• Recently, Indian Overseas Bank has unveiled a healthcare insurance policy in association
with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Ltd.
• It is a co- branded insurance scheme exclusively designed for IOB customers with a sum insured
starting from ₹50,000 and going up to ₹15 lakh.
• It is a one-of-its-kind family floater facility where the premium is charged as per the age of
the proposer with no medical check-up up to the age of 50.
2.218 SEBI asks banks to disclose bad loan divergences within a day of RBI report
[Primary and Secondary Market]
• SEBI has recently asked publicly traded banks to disclose bad loan divergences with
the Reserve Bank of India’s assessment within a day of receiving a final report from RBI.
• This step has been taken to tighten the norms for asset quality disclosures.
SEBI Notification
• According to the notification recently released by SEBI, the listed banks shall make disclosures
of divergences and provisioning beyond specified threshold not later than 24 hours upon
receipt of the Reserve Bank’s Final Risk Assessment Report.
• The banks have been advised to not wait for publishing them as part of annual financial
statements.
2.220 ICICI Bank introduces new fixed deposit scheme 'FD Health'
[Banking System in India]
• ICICI Bank has launched a new Fixed Deposit (FD) scheme – ‘FD Health’.
• The scheme offers FD with a health benefit through a critical illness coverage. Customers will
be offered a complimentary insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh.
2.221 India Post launches mobile banking facility for savings accounts
[Banking System in India]
• Recently, The Department of Post has announced that it has launched mobile banking app
named ‘India Post Mobile Banking’ for its savings account customers.
• The facility has been started from 15 October for all the post office savings account holders
of the CBS (core banking solutions) post offices.
2.224 People with orthopaedic disability to pay lower 18% GST on some vehicles
[GST]
• Recently, it has been announced by the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) that, people with
orthopaedic physical disability will pay a lower Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% on
vehicles up to 4 metre in size.
• The GST rate otherwise on vehicles is 28%. Patients with disability equal to or higher than 40%
will get the benefit after submitting the necessary documents to DHI.
Note : The news related to RBI are most important for RBI Gr B 2019 – Phase 2 out of
all the news covered above.