GST Launch
On the Midnight of 1st July, the GST was rolled out.
This is only the fourth function held in the midnight, the other three being Independence day 1947, Silver Jubilee in 1972 and Golden Jubilee in 1997.
Innovate in India (i3) program launched To create a globally competitive biopharmaceutical industry.
To address the barriers to affordable Healthcare.
It is the program of the Dept of Biotechnology (DBT) under Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the World Bank.
This mission brings together industry and academia to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the biopharmacy sector.
It will be implemented by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a PSE set up by DBT.
Textile India Mega Fair
PM Inaugurated India's first ever Mega textiles trade fair at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Textile India 2017-the first Summit of its kind is organized by collaborative efforts of Export Promotion Councils under Ministry of Textiles and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
It is a three day Mega-fest showcasing India's strength in textile and apparel value chain.
Arena Project
PM inaugurated the TransStadia Arena, a state of the art stadium complex in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).
It is claimed to be the costliest irrigation project to be taken up by any State till date with an estimated cost of Rs 80,500 crore. It aims at providing irrigation facility to one crore acres of land under all projects.
It is an offshot of the original Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme taken up by the Congress government in 2007 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.
According to engineers, it is the longest tunnel to carry water in Asia, running up to 81 km.
UDAY
Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana is a scheme of the union government for the financial turnaround of debt ridden state power distribution companies. About 97% of the total out-standing debt has been covered under the scheme.
Selection of Election commissioners (ECs)
Article 324(2) of the constitution says that the appointment of the CEC and other ECs shall, subject to the provisions made by the Parliament.
There is a lack of a parliamentary law which transparently spells out the process of appointment of an election commissioner.
Review of e-NAM and Soil Health Card Scheme
E-NAM scheme provides an online portal to the farmers for electronic trading.
It gives farmers access to prices of different Mandis and to sell at the best price.
The quality of the farmer’s produce is checked before the electronic bidding. Each Mandi is provided assistance of Rs. 30 lakh for the purpose of preparing necessary infrastructure.
In this year’s budget the amount has been increased to Rs. 74 lakh.
Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme is a flagship scheme of the government to promote the use of fertilisers based on analysis of soil health.
It enables farmers to get maximum yields at lower costs with minimum damage to the ecosystem.
Comprehensive testing of soil samples on 12 parameters including the status of micro-nutrients is carried out.
So far 9 crore soil health cards have been distributed to farmers.
VVPAT Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) ensures accuracy of the voting system.
It is a paper slip that allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate.
Constitutional status to NCBC The Centre is likely to give constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes. It will take away powers from States to add or remove communities to the backward class category for the purpose of reservation.
Anti-hijacking Law The Centre has notified the anti-hijacking law It entails capital punishment in case of hijacking an aircraft leads to death of “any person”, including ground staff, flight crew, passengers and security personnel.
The Anti-hijacking Act, 2016 came into force from July 5.
Labour Ministry
Union Labour Ministry is working on consolidating 44 labour codes into four in order to simplify them.
The four codes pertain to labour, industrial relations, social security and welfare, and safety and working conditions
‘Jigyasa’ initiative
Jigyasa, a student-scientist connect programme was officially on 6th July.
CSIR has joined hands with KendriyaVidyalayaSangathan (KVK) to implement this programme.
The focus is on connecting school students and scientists so as to extend student’s classroom learning with that of a very well planned research laboratory based learning.
The Programme is expected to connect 1151 KendriyaVidyalayas with 38 National Laboratories of CSIR targeting 100,000 students and nearly 1000 teachers annually.
Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana (Gramin) Launched in November 2016.
51 lakh Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana (Gramin) homes will be completed by March, 2018.
Direct to home coaching for students
The Centre will formally launch SwayamPrabha – a project for telecasting “high quality educational programmes” through 32 DTH channels on 09.07.2017. The project envisages 24x7 access to educational content.
The content would also include IIT-PAL modules, aimed at helping students of Classes 11 and 12 prepare for the IITs by developing a strong conceptual understanding.
The project will also telecast teacher-training content.
WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity
The First edition of WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity was hosted in New Delhi on 7th July by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This event brought together the key stakeholders of the Aviation Sector such as States, Tourism Departments and Tour Operators as a Group representing airline consumers to facilitate interaction with various airlines, airport operators, cargo operators and other ecosystem players at a common forum.
6000 NGOs might lose their FCRA licences Nearly 6000 NGOs could lose their FCRA licences, as MHA has sent them show cause notices for not filing their annual returns for 5 consecutive years. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licence enables NGOs to receive foreign donations.
Minimum educational qualifications for contesting election to cooperative societies
Rajasthan becomes first state to have minimum educational qualifications for contesting election to cooperative societies. Cooperative Societies – In 2011, the Constitution was amended to include the words “Cooperative Societies” under the fundamental right of freedom to form associations or unions.
In Part IV, a new Article 43B was also inserted, which says “The state shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of the co-operative societies". A Part IXB was also inserted to lay down the procedure governing the cooperative societies.
A Constitution Bench for hearing Aadhaar plea
five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court will hear a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Aadhaar scheme.
It will primarily focus on whether there is a violation of the right to privacy. Constitution bench - The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench — comprising five or more judges — to hear substantial matters of constitutional law.
PM’s interaction through PRAGATI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 12th July chaired his twentieth interaction through PRAGATI.
PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) is an ICT-based, multi-modal platform.
It aids in monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
Cabinet approves SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program - Tranche 2
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur at a cost of Rs. 1630.29 crores. The project is being developed with ADB's loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program which aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) in order to improve the regional connectivity among BBIN nations. The project corridor is also a part of the Asian Highway No. 01 (AH01) and acts as India's Gateway to the East.
National Livestock Mission (NLM)
While addressing a meeting of the NLM Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that NLM has provided assistance to improve availability of quality feed and fodder, risk mitigation and extension, skill development and training for livestock sector. The National livestock Mission is organised into the following four sub-Missions:
- -Sub-Mission on Livestock Development
- -Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-eastern Region
- - Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development
- -Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension
DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.
The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation.
It will thereby promote entrepreneurship and enhance social, economic and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India. The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) is designated as the National Focal Point for the TISC national network.
Scheme for IPR Awareness – Creative India; Innovative India A ‘Scheme for IPR Awareness – Creative India; Innovative India’ has been launched by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the aegis of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. This step is in continuation of the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016.
The Scheme aims at raising IPR awareness amongst students, youth, authors, artists, budding inventors and professionals to inspire them to create, innovate and protect their creations and inventions.
The Scheme for IPR Awareness aims to conduct over 4000 IPR awareness workshops/seminars in academic institutions (schools and colleges) and the industry, including MSMEs and Startups, as also IP training and sensitization programmes for enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
Youth Parliament Competition, 2016-2017
The Youth Parliament Scheme aims at inculcating among the younger generations the spirit of self-discipline, tolerance of diverse opinion, righteous expression of views and other virtues of a democratic way of life. Besides, the scheme also acquaints the students with the practices and procedures of Parliament, techniques of discussion and debate and develops leadership skills. From a modest beginning in 1966 when the first Competition
was organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in 16 schools of the Delhi Administration, the Youth Parliament Scheme now covers 1200 schools in NCT of Delhi, 1200 KendriyaVidyalayas, 600 JawaharNavodayaVidayalayas and 300 Universities/Colleges all over country.
First DEMU Train with Solar powered Coaches
The first 1600 HP DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) train with Solar Powered Coaches with a unique facility of Battery Bank was dedicated to the nation on 14th July.
The entire electrical need of the coaches for Lighting, Fans and Information Display System will be met from the Solar Energy produced from the solar panels fitted in the roofs of coaches.
While this train has been manufactured by the Coach Factory of Indian Railways namely Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, its Solar panels and Solar systems have been developed and fitted by Indian Railways Organisation of Alternative Fuel (IROAF) Delhi.
Pradhan Mantri Namami Gange Kaushal Kendras
Union Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation will sign an MoU with Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the success of NamamiGange programme.
The MoU intends to develop skilled manpower for laying sewerage pipeline, plumbing works, construction of toilets, civil masonry works, waste collection and its disposal activities.
It will also develop skills for preparing products from pious waste materials like flowers, leaves, coconuts, hair and associate plastic bags and plastic bottles etc. and their proper packaging and promotion of such products.
The MoU will also help in developing skills for operation and maintenance of pumps and STPs.
The Skill Development Ministry will also mobilize resources for creation of Pradhan MantriNamamiGange Kaushal Kendras in 60 districts covered under NamamiGange Mission.
MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index)
A versatile tool developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) that looks at the dimensions of education, health and standard of living, giving them all equal weightage.
H1N1 medicines removed from Schedule X
Two drugs to treat Swine flu – Oseltamivir and Zanamivir – have been taken off the restrictive Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.
The two have been placed under Schedule H1 and therefore can now be stocked by all chemists.
Drugs under Schedule X require three copies of prescription for the doctor, patient and chemist, and can be sold by a chemist who holds a special Schedule X licence. Also, the chemist has to preserve the prescription copy for up to three years. In Schedule H1, only one copy of the prescription is required, and drugs in this category can be sold by all chemists.
What is H1N1?
Commonly known as swine flu, H1N1 is a respiratory disease caused by Type A influenza known as H1N1 (A). It is an airborne infection. Oseltamivir is the medicine used and is available under various brand names like Tamiflu and Antiflu.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
It is the National Public Procurement Portal for procurement of goods & services required by Central & State Government organizations. It has resulted in 20-30-% reduction in price. It is a completely paperless and cashless system and It is an initiative towards cashless economy It has also reduced the time involved in procurement process and increased efficiency and transparency. The portal was launched in August 2016 by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Madgaon leg of the Science Express
The 9th phase of train is being referred as ‘Science Express Climate Action Special (SECAS)’ highlighting the global challenge of climate change. Science Express is a flagship programme of the Dept. of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India.
It is an innovative mobile science exhibition mounted on a 16 coach AC train, traveling across India since October 2007. Science Express has become the largest, the longest running and the most visited mobile science exhibition and has twelve entries in the Limca Book of Records.
International issues
Germany legalises same-sex Marriage
The move brings Germany into line with many other European nations, including France, Britain and Spain
Helpline 999 In 1937, the first-ever emergency number system anywhere in the world came into being in London with the introduction of the 999 call — marking an unprecedented change in the way the public communicated with the Metropolitan Police.
PM Modi’s Israel visit Israel
Narendra Modi becomes first PM to visit Israel In October 2015, Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian President to visit Israel since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992. India-Israel
Israeli capital is Tel Aviv and its parliament is called Knesset
In 1947, India voted against partition of Palestine and induction of Israel’s in the UN as a member In 1950, India finally recognised Israel In 1992, full diplomatic ties were established
Jewish communities in India – Bene Israelis (Maharashtra), Cochini Jews (Kerala), Baghdadi Jews, B’nai Manache (Mizoram and Manipur)
List of Agreements signed during PM Modi’s Israel visit
MoU for setting up of India Israel Industrial Innovation Fund (I4F) – a joint fund for research and development
MoU on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India
MoU on State Water Utility Reform in India India-Israel Development Cooperation - Three Year Work Program in Agriculture 2018-2020 Plan of Cooperation in Atomic Clocks
MoU for cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link
MoU for cooperation in Electric Propulsion for Small Satellites
Delhi Dialogue IX
A platform of discussion between ASEAN and India
ASEAN seeks Indian support for freedom of navigation in South China Sea
India-Bhutan 2007 treaty
Bhutan has a 2007 treaty of friendship with India.
Article 2 of the treaty obligates the two countries to support each other to protect their national security.
In news in the context of Doklam plateau standoff with China.
G-20 Summit Is being organised in Hamburg, Germany from July 6-8.
It is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies.
Founded in 1999, the G20 aims to discuss policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.
Modi targets Pakistan at G20 Speaking at G20 summit at Hamburg, PM Modi sought deterrent action against nations using terror as a political tool.
He named Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Haqqani network.
PM presented an 11-point ‘Action Agenda’ which included suggestions for expediting extradition and concrete steps to choke funds and weapon supply.
Hamburg Action plan
G20 meeting culminated in a Hamburg Action Plan
It sets out the group’s strategy for achieving strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.
Shangri-La Dialogue
Brings together Defence Ministers and other high-level officials from 28 nations in the Asia-Pacific.
Launched in 2002.
Meetings are held in Singapore.
Raisina Dialogue
Indian initiative for discussions on geo-politics and geo-economics.
Held jointly by Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research Foundation. Launched in 2016
The Gateway of India Dialogue The Gateway of India Geo-economic Dialogue brings together members of the Indian and international diplomatic and business communities. It was launched in 2016
New GDP base year is tentatively 2017-18’ The base year of the new GDP series has been fixed at 2017-18, The current base year is 2011-12. It is necessary to review the base year every five years or so. The new tentative base year has been pegged at 2017-18
Debt funds While equity funds invest mostly in shares of listed companies, debt funds invest in instruments like government bonds, commercial papers, certificate of deposits and non-convertible debentures.
Debt funds can be classified on the basis of the tenure of the bonds or instruments in which they invest.
Liquid funds – a tenure of less than 90 days. Short-term funds – 3 to 6 months Corporate debt funds – up to 3 years.
Long-term funds – 3 to 5 years or more as in the case of G-secs
Dairying in India India ranks first among the world’s milk producing Nations since 1998. It also has the largest bovine population in the World.
Operation Clean Money
The Income Tax Department (ITD) has used information received under the Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT) to identify 5.56 lakh new persons in the second phase of “Operation Clean Money” (OCM). These are persons whose tax profiles were found to be inconsistent with the cash deposits made by them during the demonetization period.
Another 1.04 lakh persons who did not disclose all bank accounts during e-verification in the first phase of OCM have also been identified.
In the first phase, 17.92 Lakh persons had been identified for e-verification of large cash deposits, of which 9.72 Lakh people had submitted online response.
Doklam trijunction dispute The standoff between India and China, which began on 16th June, continues. Doklam or Doko La is a tri-junction in Sikkim between India, China and Bhutan. The Chinese had tried to construct a road in the Bhutanese territory at Doko La over the Zom Cheri ridge. Indian Army personnel present there intervened and stopped the Chinese team from advancing. China reacted sharply to this and charged that “Indian troops trespassed the recognised and delineated boundary” between the two countries. But India and Bhutan have an unique arrangement to provide Security to to Bhutan. If built the road will provide China further access to the Chumbi Valley, adding to the vulnerability of the “Chicken’s Neck” – a narrow corridor that links the north-east with the rest of India.
India-China boundary issue
Ladakh border – India sticks mostly to a boundary drawn by British civil servant W.H. Johnson in 1865, which showed Aksai Chin as part of J&K.
In northeast India, New Delhi sticks to the McMohan Line.
China disregards both the boundary lines claimed by India.
Malabar War Games underway
Malabar exercise 2017 kicked off with navies of India, Japan and USA participating.
It is its 21st edition.
It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and US. Japan joined it in 2015.
It is one of the largest joint exercises to be held in the region.
It will feature 95 aircrafts, 16 ships and 2 submarines.
The thrust of the exercises this year would be on aircraft carrier operations, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, visit board search and seizure, joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures.
Nirbhay Missile
The long-range sub-sonic cruise missile designed and developed by the DRDO failed in its fourth test due to use of faulty material.
Aerosols are Shrinking Indian Monsoon
A research team from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune thinks aerosols from vehicular exhaust, half-burnt crop residue, dust and chemical effluents may be weakening the life-giving rainy season even more than GHGs. It reveals that from 1986 to 2012, 124.418 sq. km. mangrove forest co Aerosols cause air pollution and smog and aggravate conditions such as asthma.
Saraswati, a supercluster of galaxies
Indian scientists have found a massive supercluster of galaxies, and have named it Saraswati. Galaxies are the building blocks of the universe with a huge number of stars, something like 100 billion at a count. Galaxy groups can have 3-20 galaxies, the richest systems are called clusters, with several hundred galaxies. Superclusters are clusters of clusters. Saraswati supercluster has 42 clusters. The first such supercluster discovered was the Shapley Supercluster.
Life Beyond 100
A study has shown there is no limit to how long a person can live. Earlier studies pinned this limit at 115 years, but recent work, analyses super centenarians in U.K., U.S., Japan and France since 1968, finding no limit and that tech, medical interventions and improved conditions can push up the age limit.
Climate-proofing
Climate-proofing” is primarily concerned with protecting development investments and outcomes from the impacts of climate change. It increases the sustainability of projects by: Analysing the risks that climate change poses to project activities, stakeholders and results. Development policies that consider the context of climate change are often called “climate proofing development”
Van Mahotsav begins
Van Mahotsav began in 1950, with a tree plantation drive, in which national leaders participated.
The festival of tree plantation was started by Dr. K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to create enthusiasm among masses for forest conservation and planting trees.
Van Mahotsav is usually observed in the first week of July every year and is celebrated on different days in different parts of India.
The objective behind celebrating Van Mahotsav is to keep local people involved in plantation drives and spread environmental awareness.
Culture related issues
Wari Warkari
Wari is the colourful annual padayatra to the Vithoba temple in Pandarharpur in Maharaashtra’s Solapur district. Warkari are the pilgrims The yatra tradition in more than 700 years old The journey takes 21 days.
UNESCO’s new world heritage sites Eritrea’s capital city Asmara (Cultural heritage site). Itis situated at the Horn of Africa. Hoh Xil nature reserve in China. (Natural heritage site). It is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Ahmedabad- India’s first World Heritage City
Ahmedabad- founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 15th century.
The walled city of Ahmedabad on the eastern banks of Sabarmati river presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period.
Notable monuments and sites are Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs, as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later period.
Jewish Chabad House
A Chabad House is a community centre for disseminating traditional Judaism by the Chabad movement. These houses are run by a Chabad Shaliach (emissary), his wife – a Shlucha – and his family.
KandheriJatra
KandheriJatra is a unique toy fair celebrated in Berhampur, Odisha. The festival is observed every year on full moon night of the Hindu month of Shravan, which is also celebrated as Guru Purnima. During the celebrations, the idol of lord Jagannath in the temple is decorated with earthen toys depicting mythological characters.
Persons in News ( Appointments, Awards , Deaths )
New ITBP Chief
R.K. Pachnanda, a 1983-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, took over as the 29th ITBP
Director General Bagan Ratna award Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya will get this year’s Mohun Bagan Ratna award.
VishwanathanAnand
Since 1992, Anand has been on the top-10 list at the start of every year
He stayed in top 5 for 16 straight years from July 1996-2012
He is the oldest no. 1 at 37 years and has been five time World Champion
ShrikanthKidambi
ShrikanthKidambi won the Australian Open Super Series and entered into top 10 rankings of men's singles.
Thomas Piketty Author of "Capital in 21st Century" The book is the most-widely discussed work of economics in recent history.
Liu Xiaobo dies Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, China’s most prominent political prisoner, has died. In 2009 Liu was jailed for participating in the Charter 8 movement.
He was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 while in jail.
Grand al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul This from where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared himself ‘caliph’ in July 2014. The capture by Iraqi forces of this mosque ends the ‘caliphate’ in Iraq.
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