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December 2019 | Brief Note on NEO IAS Current Affairs
BRIEF NOTE ON NEO IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS DIGEST
Team NEO IAS brings you a unique and reliable current affairs digest to streamline your prelims
preparation. With its exclusive and exhaustive focus on Prelims, the digest is your trustworthy companion
to score well in UPSC CSE Prelims 2019.
The digest is a compiled, organized and improvised version of NEO TPS 2019 daily current affairs series.
Under it, detailed videos on daily current affairs are uploaded on a regular basis on our YouTube channel.
Hence, it is a tutorial backed current affairs material – the first of its kind.
Digest
The document is unique method of content preparation– Locate, Extend, Explore and Explain (L3E)
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One can distinguish the normal current affairs material and NEO IAS Current Affairs Digest as follows:
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No. of Prelims relevant
180- 230 70-80
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Prelims specific content
Yes No
arrangement
Relevant past years
Yes No
questions on the topic
Wide use of photographs and
Yes No
tables for smart learning
Revision quiz challenge to
Yes No
check learning
Index of Keywords Yes No
For promising result, you are required to read the digest three to four times along with your standard
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Happy Learning!

INSIDE THE DIGEST
Brief Note on NEO IAS Current Affairs Digest ..................................................................................................... 3
December 2019 | Inside the digest

Inside the digest ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Current Affairs Grandmaster Challenge ............................................................................................................... 8
1 Environment ....................................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 OPERATION ‘CLEAN ART’ .............................................................................................................. 10
1.2 THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN) .................................................... 10
1.3 NATIONAL AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME ......................................................................................... 10
1.4 HOUBARA BUSTARDS ................................................................................................................... 11
1.5 CARBON DOTS ............................................................................................................................ 11
1.6 BAR-HEADED GOOSE ................................................................................................................... 12
1.7 FLAMINGO FESTIVAL .................................................................................................................... 12
1.8 BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................................... 13
1.9 TIGER CORRIDOR ........................................................................................................................ 13
1.10 GLOBAL CARBON PROJECT (GCP) .................................................................................................. 14
Environment Capsules ...................................................................................................................................... 14
1.11 PAPIKONDA NATIONAL PARK .......................................................................................................... 14
1.12 PEREGRINE FALCON ..................................................................................................................... 14
1.13 RATAPANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY .................................................................................................... 15
1.14 RED SAND BOA SNAKE ................................................................................................................ 15
1.15 BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE .................................................................................................... 15
2 Geography ........................................................................................................................................... 15
2.1 WESTERN DISTURBANCES ............................................................................................................ 15
2.2 BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND ................................................................................................................. 16
2.3 INDO-BANGLADESH JOINT RIVER COMMISSION (JRC) ........................................................................ 16
2.4 CHABAHAR PORT ........................................................................................................................ 17
2.5 ROHTANG TUNNEL....................................................................................................................... 17
2.6 MOUNTAIN RAILWAYS OF INDIA ...................................................................................................... 18
2.7 MAHADAYI RIVER DISPUTE ........................................................................................................... 18
2.8 DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR CORPORATION OF INDIA ................................................................... 19
2.9 VICTORIA FALLS.......................................................................................................................... 19
2.10 DRAKE PASSAGE ......................................................................................................................... 19
Geography Capsules .......................................................................................................................................... 20
2.11 INDIA’S COLD-WAVE REGIONS ........................................................................................................ 20
2.12 MACAU ..................................................................................................................................... 20
2.13 BALIMELA RESERVOIR ................................................................................................................. 21
2.14 TYPHOON PHANFONE ................................................................................................................... 21
2.15 SAMJIYON.................................................................................................................................. 21
2.16 CYCLONE SARAI .......................................................................................................................... 21
2.17 NATIONAL AQUIFER MAPPING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME ............................................................ 21
3 World Affairs ....................................................................................................................................... 21
3.1 INSTRUMENT IN SUPPORT OF TRADE EXCHANGES (INSTEX) .................................................. 21
3.2 WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) .......................................................................................... 21
3.3 GLOBAL REFUGEE FORUM ............................................................................................................ 22
3.4 ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC) ............................................................................... 23
3.5 WTO’S APPELLATE BODY ............................................................................................................. 23
3.6 EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION (EAEU) ............................................................................................. 23
3.7 ORGANIZATION OF THE PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) ................................................... 24
World Affairs Capsules....................................................................................................................................... 25
3.8 CRYSTAL AWARD ......................................................................................................................... 25
4 Security .............................................................................................................................................. 25

4.1 BRAHMOS MISSILE ...................................................................................................................... 25
4.2 PINAKA MISSILE SYSTEM .............................................................................................................. 25
4.3 QUICK REACTION SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE (QRSAM) ...................................................................... 26
4.4 SMART FENCING - BOLD-QIT....................................................................................................... 26
4.5 CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF ........................................................................................................... 26

4.6 AVANGARD MISSILE ..................................................................................................................... 27
Security Capsules.............................................................................................................................................. 27
4.7 JOINT PATROL MISSION ................................................................................................................ 27
4.8 IRON UNION 12 .......................................................................................................................... 27
4.9 LANDING CRAFT UTILITY (LCU) ..................................................................................................... 28
4.10 EXERCISE ‘APHARAN’ ................................................................................................................... 28
4.11 MITRA SHAKTI ............................................................................................................................ 28
4.12 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019' ............................................................................................................. 28
4.13 BSF – BGB TALKS...................................................................................................................... 28
4.14 METEOR MISSILE ........................................................................................................................ 28
5 Science and Technology...................................................................................................................... 29
5.1 HIV/AIDS ................................................................................................................................ 29
5.2 RISAT-2BR1 AND FIFTIETH FLIGHT OF PSLV .................................................................................. 29
5.3 NAVIC AND ALLIED SYSTEM OF USA .............................................................................................. 30
5.4 RARE EARTH ELEMENTS............................................................................................................... 30
5.5 GENE THERAPY .......................................................................................................................... 30
5.6 CANCER .................................................................................................................................... 31
5.7 HYDROGEN FUEL CELL................................................................................................................. 32
5.8 POSTPARTUM BLEEDING OR POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE (PPH)........................................................... 33
5.9 BIBHA & SANTAMASA................................................................................................................... 33
5.10 5G (THE FIFTH GENERATION OF WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY) NETWORK ..................................................... 34
5.11 INDIAN PHARMACOPOEIA (IP) ................................................................................................. 34
5.12 EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD) ........................................................................................................ 35
5.13 POLIOMYELITIS (POLIO) ................................................................................................................. 35
5.14 GERANIUM - (CSIR) .................................................................................................................... 36
5.15 GAGANYAAN MISSION .................................................................................................................. 37
5.16 ADITYA L1 MISSION ..................................................................................................................... 37
5.17 SNOWEX ................................................................................................................................... 38
5.18 SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY (SOHO) ........................................................................... 38
5.19 NANO FERTILIZER ........................................................................................................................ 38
5.20 NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) ........................................................................................ 39
5.21 EXTRA NEUTRAL ALCOHOL (ENA) .................................................................................................. 39
5.22 HEAD ON GENERATION TRAINS ...................................................................................................... 40
5.23 TYPBAR TCV .............................................................................................................................. 40
5.24 MEASLES .................................................................................................................................. 41
5.25 WATER BIRTHING ........................................................................................................................ 41
5.26 INDIA-BASED NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY........................................................................................... 41
Science and Technology Capsules ..................................................................................................................... 43
5.27 TRAKEA ..................................................................................................................................... 43
5.28 STRAND HOGG ........................................................................................................................... 43
5.29 ECHO NETWORK ........................................................................................................................ 43
5.30 BUDAPEST CONVENTION............................................................................................................... 43
5.31 SPACE TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION CENTRE (S-TIC) ........................................................................... 43
5.32 HYDROGEN FUEL CELL BASED CAR ................................................................................................ 43
5.33 LONG MARCH-5.......................................................................................................................... 43
6 Government Interventions – Social Sector .......................................................................................... 43
6.1 VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS (TRAIN 18) ...................................................................................... 43
6.2 NATIONAL RABIES CONTROL PROGRAMME (NRCP) ................................................................. 44
6.3 AIM-SIRIUS PROGRAMME ........................................................................................................... 45
6.4 SKILLS BUILD PLATFORM .............................................................................................................. 45
6.5 JAGA MISSION ............................................................................................................................ 46
6.6 ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN ....................................................................................................... 46
6.7 NATIONAL RURAL DRINKING WATER PROGRAMME ............................................................................. 46
6.8 NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY (NPPA) .................................................................. 47
6.9 MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE ......................................................................................................... 48
6.10 NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE COASTAL MANAGEMENT ............................................................ 48

6.11 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NUTRITION (NIN)........................................................................................ 48
6.12 NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION (NBM) .......................................................................................... 49
6.13 NATIONAL SEISMIC PROGRAMME (NSP) ........................................................................................... 49
6.14 PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA - PHASE III ......................................................................... 49
6.15 RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE ............................................................................................ 50
6.16 MICRODOT IDENTIFIERS ............................................................................................................... 50
6.17 SWACHH BHARAT MISSION-URBAN................................................................................................. 51
6.18 NATIONAL GREEN CORPS (NGC)-ECO CLUB PROGRAMME................................................................... 51
6.19 ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA ................................................................................................................. 52
6.20 NATIONAL STREET FOOD FESTIVAL................................................................................................. 53
6.21 RUN THROUGH FILES- CENTRALIZED FILE MOVEMENT AND TRACKING INFORMATION SYSTEM (CFMS) ....... 53
6.22 HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ................................................................. 54
6.23 EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS (EMRSS) .......................................................................... 54
Government Interventions – Economy .............................................................................................................. 55
6.24 FASTAG ................................................................................................................................... 55
6.25 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (INVIT) ................................................................................ 56
6.26 NATIONAL ECONOMIC CENSUS....................................................................................................... 56
6.27 GEM SAMVAAD .......................................................................................................................... 56
6.28 NATIONAL MISSION ON ELECTRIC MOBILITY ..................................................................................... 57
6.29 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND (FIDF) .............................................................. 57
6.30 COTTON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME ................................................................................. 58
6.31 PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS REGULATORY BOARD (PNGRB) ............................................................. 58
6.32 NATIONAL OIL SPILL DISASTER CONTINGENCY PLAN (NOSDCP) .......................................................... 59
6.33 PRADHAN MANTRI ANNADATA AAY SANRAKSHAN ABHIYAN (PM-AASHA) ............................................... 59
6.34 NORTH EAST AGRI-HORTICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ........................................ 60
6.35 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI ......................................................................................... 60
6.36 NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY ......................................................................................................... 61
6.37 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY APPELLATE BOARD (IPAB) ......................................................................... 61
6.38 ANTI-DUMPING DUTY................................................................................................................... 61
Government Interventions: Capsules ................................................................................................................ 62
6.39 GANDHI ENCYCLOPEDIA ............................................................................................................... 62
6.40 INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS (IGC) ................................................................................ 62
6.41 WI-FI CALLING ........................................................................................................................... 62
6.42 GOVERNMENT INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM (GIMS) ............................................................. 62
6.43 COMMUNITY MENTORS CALLED BUSINESS SAKHIS ............................................................................. 62
6.44 E-SKILL INDIA PLATFORM ............................................................................................................. 62
6.45 NEW SIGNALLING SYSTEM IN RAILWAY .............................................................................................. 62
6.46 INDIA’S FIRST TRANSGENDER UNIVERSITY........................................................................................ 63
6.47 SPANDANA ................................................................................................................................. 63
6.48 INTEGRATED ROAD ACCIDENT DATABASE (IRAD) .............................................................................. 63
6.49 SECOND PRIVATELY OPERATED TRAIN ............................................................................................. 63
6.50 SANTUSHT ................................................................................................................................. 63
6.51 E-URVARAK DASHBOARD .............................................................................................................. 63
6.52 GOING ONLINE AS LEADERS .......................................................................................................... 63
6.53 AYUSH GRID ............................................................................................................................ 63
7 Economy ............................................................................................................................................. 64
7.1 COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP) ............................................................................................................. 64
7.2 IREDA AND GREEN WINDOW ........................................................................................................ 64
7.3 PARTIAL CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME ............................................................................................ 65
7.4 GROSS BUDGETARY SUPPORT ....................................................................................................... 65
7.5 NATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING AUTHORITY (NFRA) ........................................................................ 65

7.6 NATIONAL ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER (NEFT) .............................................................................. 66
7.7 OPERATION TWIST ....................................................................................................................... 66
7.8 GOODS & SERVICES TAX COUNCIL ................................................................................................. 67
7.9 QUALITY COUNCIL OF INDIA (QCI) .................................................................................................. 67
7.10 EBक्रय ...................................................................................................................................... 68

7.11 FOLLOW ON PUBLIC OFFER (FPO) ................................................................................................... 68
7.12 BOND PRICE .............................................................................................................................. 68
7.13 TAXATION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019 ..................................................................................... 69
7.14 BHARAT BOND EXCHANGE TRADED FUND ....................................................................................... 69
7.15 PAYMENTS BANK ......................................................................................................................... 70
7.16 FUGITIVE ECONOMIC OFFENDERS ACT ............................................................................................ 71
7.17 GOLD HALLMARKING .................................................................................................................... 71
7.18 INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRES (IFSC) ...................................................................... 71
Economy Capsules ............................................................................................................................................ 72
7.19 INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR’S DATABANK ............................................................................................ 72
8 Polity and Governance ........................................................................................................................ 72
8.1 ANTI-MARITIME BILL .................................................................................................................... 72
8.2 LAND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (LBA) .............................................................................................. 73
8.3 CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL .................................................................................................... 73
8.4 WHAT CONNECTS NPR, NRIC AND CENSUS? .................................................................................... 74
8.5 NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT, 1985 ......................................................... 75
8.6 CABINET COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT AND GROWTH (CCIG) .............................................................. 75
8.7 PVTGS ..................................................................................................................................... 76
8.8 DETENTION OF MINORS ................................................................................................................ 76
8.9 REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES .............................................................................................. 77
8.10 DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU (MERGER OF UNION TERRITORIES) BILL ....................... 77
8.11 LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTAS ACT, 2013 ............................................................................................. 78
8.12 ARMS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019 ................................................................................................... 78
9 History and Culture ............................................................................................................................ 79
9.1 GOLCONDA FORT ........................................................................................................................ 79
9.2 SUBRAMANIA BHARATHI ............................................................................................................... 79
9.3 UNESCO LIST OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ........................................................................ 80
9.4 ELLORA & AJANTA CAVES ............................................................................................................ 80
9.5 SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDS .......................................................................................................... 81
9.6 MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA ............................................................................................................ 81
9.7 SOUTH INDIA’S EARLIEST SANSKRIT INSCRIPTION .............................................................................. 82
9.8 HORNBILL FESTIVAL (FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS) ................................................................................. 82
9.9 BELUM CAVES FESTIVAL .............................................................................................................. 83
History and Culture Capsules ............................................................................................................................ 83
9.10 INDIAN CULTURE PORTAL ............................................................................................................. 84
9.11 TAJ TRAPEZIUM ZONE .................................................................................................................. 84
9.12 KONDA REDDY TRIBES ................................................................................................................. 84
9.13 NATIONAL TRIBAL DANCE FESTIVAL ................................................................................................ 84
9.14 DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD ........................................................................................................ 84
10 Reports and indices ............................................................................................................................ 84
10.1 INDIA CORRUPTION SURVEY 2019 .................................................................................................. 84
10.2 INDIA SKILLS REPORT 2020 .......................................................................................................... 85
10.3 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX 2019............................................................................................... 85
10.4 CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX (CCPI) ............................................................................... 86
10.5 DATA ON DRUG ABUSE ................................................................................................................ 87
10.6 GENDER GAP INDEX .................................................................................................................... 87
10.7 THE 2019 POLLUTION AND HEALTH METRICS: GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND COUNTRY ANALYSIS REPORT.......... 88
10.8 GOOD GOVERNANCE INDEX (GGI).................................................................................................. 89
10.9 GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2020 ............................................................................................... 89
10.10 STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SIPRI) REPORT ..................................... 90
December 2019 | Current Affairs Grandmaster Challenge
10.11 INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT 2019 ..................................................................................... 90
10.12 NITI AAYOG’S SDG INDEX ...................................................................................................... 91
Index of Keywords ............................................................................................................................................. 94
Grandmaster Challenge - Answers ..................................................................................................................... 95
Current Affairs Plus ........................................................................................................................................... 97
CURRENT AFFAIRS GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

Given below are 50 statements on October 2019 Current Affairs. Shoot down at least 45
correctly and be a Current Affairs Grandmaster for October 2019!!
Statements
1 Operation Clean Art was conceived by World Wide Fund for Nature.
2 IUCN is the world’s first global environmental organization.
3 Flamingo Festival sometimes seen in news held every year at Chilika Lake.
4 Blue Flag Certification is issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education

(FEE).
5 Papikonda National Park is located in Nagaland.
6 Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh.
7 Feni River flows through India only.
8 Chabahar port is developed by India to increase trade with African countries.
9 Rohtang Tunnel reduces the distance between Leh and Manali.
10 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
11 Golden Quadrilateral is a network of highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and

Kolkata.
12 The Drake Passage is located between Cape Horn at the tip of South America and the
Antarctic Peninsula.
13 Balimela Reservoir sometimes seen in news is located in Gujarat.
14 Samjiyon a city, recently seen in news is located in Iran.
15 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
16 The first Global Refugee Forum held in New York, US.
17 Republic of Armenia is a Member-State of Eurasian Economic Union.
18 Venezuela is one of the founding members of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries.
19 Crystal Award is given by World Economic Forum.
20 India is a member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
21 BrahMos missile is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.
22 Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range

December 2019 | Current Affairs Grandmaster Challenge
of 100 km.
23 The Joint Patrol mission recently seen in news with reference to India and Japan.
24 'Iron Union 12' is a joint military exercise between China and Pakistan.
25 Mitra Shakti is a joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka.
26 Antiretroviral drugs are used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.
27 RISAT-2BR1 is radar imaging earth observation satellite.
28 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) produces large quantities of greenhouse gases.
29 Bibha recently seen in news is an exo-planet.
30 South Korea and the U.S. became the first countries to commercially launch 5G
services.
31 Ebola virus spreads through sexual transmission.
32 Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease.
33 The chairman of CSIR is Minister of Science and Technology.
34 As per the NITI Aayog’s SDG Index Bihar tops among states in progress towards UN
Sustainable Development Goals.
35 As per the recently released India State of Forest Report Madhya Pradesh had the
largest forest cover in the country.
36 Global Climate Risk Index is annually published by environmental think tank

Germanwatch.
37 Global Gender Gap Index is released by World Bank.
38 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema.
39 Belum Caves is located in Meghalaya.
40 Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland.
41 Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of Banaras Hindu University.
42 The Ellora Caves is located in Madhya Pradesh.
43 In India 75 groups have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

(PVTGs).
44 Nachiket Mor Committee recommended creation of Payment Banks.
45 Bharat Bond ETF would be the first corporate Bond ETF in the country.
46 A maximum of Rs 2 lakh per day can be transferred via NEFT.
47 Only corporates are eligible to issue commercial paper.
48 Atal Jal Yojana aimed at improving groundwater level in all states.
49 Train 18 is India's first engine-less semi-high speed train.
50 ISRO's GSLV Mk III will be used to launch Gaganyaan.
(Answers are hidden in the following pages of this digest. For a quick check, turn over to the last
page for the answer key.)

1 ENVIRONMENT
1.1 OPERATION ‘CLEAN ART’
Why in news?
Mongoose hair used for brushes: Smugglers, makers under radar.
December 2019 | Environment

Operation ‘Clean Art’:
 “Operation Clean Art was the first pan India operation to crack down on the smuggling of mongoose
hair in the country.
 Operation Clean Art was conceived by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
 The mongoose is listed in Schedule II Part 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
 “Mongoose hair is in high demand among artists worldwide because of the quality of brushes they help
create, which define lines clearly and hold paint properly.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):

 Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government
of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the
country.
 The Bureau has it’s headquarter in New Delhi.
 It assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as
per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.
1.2 THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN)

Why in news?
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature added 1,840 new species to its catalogue of plants
and animals that risk extinction.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

 It is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil
society organisations.
 IUCN was founded in October 1948 as the International Union for the
Protection of Nature (or IUPN) following an international conference in
Fontainebleau, France.
 It was renamed as International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources in 1956 with the acronym IUCN.
 IUCN is the world’s first global environmental organization.
 The HQ is located in Gland, in Switzerland.
 IUCN is the only international observer organization in the UN General Assembly with expertise in
issues concerning the environment, specifically biodiversity, nature conservation and sustainable
natural resource use.
 It has an Official Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly.
 IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
1.3 NATIONAL AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME

Why in news?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is implementing
plantation/afforestation schemes in the forest areas with participatory approach.
More about:
 The conservation and development of forest primarily involves three strategies – afforestation through
natural/artificial regeneration, protection and management.
 The ministry is implementing three major schemes for development of forest areas i.e. National
Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme, National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and Forest Fire
Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM).
o NAP is being implemented for afforestation of degraded forest lands.

o GIM aims at improving the quality of forest and increase in forest cover besides cross sectoral
activities on landscape basis.
o The FFPM takes care of forest fire prevention and management measures.
National Afforestation Programme:

 The overall objective of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme is ecological restoration

of degraded forests and to develop the forest resources with peoples’ participation.
 The scheme is implemented by three tier institutional setup through the State Forest Development
Agency (SFDA) at the state level, Forest Development Agency (FDA) at the forest division level and
Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMCs) at village level.
 The major components of the scheme includes afforestation under Seven plantation models,
maintenance of previous years plantations and Ancillary Activities like soil and moisture conservation
activities (SMC), fencing, overheads, micro-planning, awareness raising, Entry Point Activities (EPA)
etc.
 NAP is a centrally sponsored scheme which is implemented with the fund sharing pattern of 60: 40
percent between Centre and States wherein the sharing pattern for North-eastern and hilly States is
90:10.
1.4 HOUBARA BUSTARDS

Why in news?
Pakistan has issued special permits to Emir of Qatar and nine other members of the royal family to hunt
endangered bird species houbara bustard.
Houbara bustards:
 The houbara bustard, which lives in arid climates, comes in two distinct species as recognized by
the International Union for Conservation of Nature,
residing in:
o North Africa (Chlamydotis undulate)
o Asia (Chlamydotis macqueenii).
 The population of the Asian houbara bustards extends from
northeast Asia, across central Asia, the Middle East, and
the Arabian Peninsula to reach the Sinai desert.
 Some Asian houbara bustards live and breed in the southern
part of their ranges including parts of Iran, Pakistan and
Turkmenistan.
 The main reasons for the houbara’s decline are poaching, unregulated hunting, along with
degradation of its natural habitat.
 IUCN status: critically endangered
1.5 CARBON DOTS

Why in news?
Researchers from Assam have used the commonly found invasive plant water hyacinth to produce carbon
nanoparticles.
More about:
 These extremely tiny (less than 10 nanometre) particles can be used for detecting a commonly used
herbicide — pretilachlor.
 The nanoparticles were found to be selective and sensitive for the detection of the herbicide.
 Water hyacinth leaves after removing chlorophyll, dried and powdered, then it converts to carbon dots
 When a nanoparticle is less than 10 nanometre we call it a dot or nanodot.
 Carbon dots were able to give a green fluorescence under UV light.
 The extremely small oxygen functional groups on the surface of the dot are responsible for the
fluorescence.
 Electron transfer happens between the dot and the herbicide which enables the fluorescence
enhancement.

 This will be a commercially viable option when compared with the sensors currently available in the
market, as the raw material for the construction of the sensor — the water hyacinth — is readily
available and is practically a waste material.
1.6 BAR-HEADED GOOSE

Why in news?
Bar-headed goose spotted near Pandalam-kerala.
More about the news:

 Pathanamthitta Birders has spotted the Bar-headed goose (Anser Indicus) in the wetlands of Karingali
Puncha, near Pandalam, Kerala.
 The Puncha is a major birding spot in the district which reported the highest bird count in the Asian
Waterfowl Census of 2015.
Bar-headed goose:
 Bar-headed geese are found in central China and Mangolia and
they breed there.
 They start migration to the Indian sub-continent during the winter
and stay here till the end of the season.
 They are one of the birds which can fly even at very high altitude.
 They come to India and return to their homes by crossing the
Himalayan ranges.
 Their ability to sustain the high oxygen demands of flight in air that
is exceedingly oxygen-thin is exceptional.
 The capacity of bar-headed geese to transport and consume oxygen at high rates in hypoxia
distinguishes this species from similar lowland waterfowl.
Note: Hypoxia is a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen
supply at the tissue level.
1.7 FLAMINGO FESTIVAL

Why in news?
Winged visitors flock to Pulicat, with birdwatchers in tow.
Flamingo Festival:
 It is held every year to promote tourism in Pulicat and Nellapattu.
 Flamingo Festival is being organized for the past 12 years.
 Migratory birds from Siberia have been visiting this place for breeding
and the colorful birds are a treat to the eye of bird watchers.
 The conducive atmosphere for these seasonal avian guests is being
conserved at Nellapattu bird sanctuary.
Pulicat Lake:
 Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India.
 The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.
 The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal.
 The Satish Dhawan Space Centre is situated on this island.
 Major part of the lake comes under Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
 Two rivers which feed the lagoon are the Arani River at the southern tip and the Kalangi River from
the northwest, in addition to some smaller streams.
 The migratory bird species of the lake include greater flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers, herons,
painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.
Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary:

 Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the biggest habitats for some hundreds of pelicans and other birds.
 It is located about 20 km north of the Pulicat Lake, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.

1.8 BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION
Why in news?
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has embarked upon a programme for ‘Blue Flag’
Certification for select beaches in the country.

Blue Flag Certification:
 Blue Flag is an international award presented to well manage
beaches with excellent water quality and environmental
education programmes.
 The certification is issued by the Foundation for Environmental
Education (FEE).
 Blue Flag criteria include standards for water quality, safety,
environmental education and information, the provision of services
and general environmental management criteria.
 The Award is given to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators as an indication
of their high environmental and quality standards.
 Awards are issued on an annual basis to FEE member countries.
Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE):

 The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation
promoting sustainable development through environmental education.
 FEE conducts mainly five programmes such as
o Blue Flag,
o Eco-Schools,
o Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)
o Learning about Forests (LEAF) and
o Green Key
 FEE has member organisations in 77 countries worldwide.
 It was established in 1981.
 It’s headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Note - 13 pilot beaches have been identified for the certification from India.
1.9 TIGER CORRIDOR

Why in news?
The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided the details of tiger corridor mapping in
Rajya Sabha.
Tiger corridor:
 A tiger corridor is a stretch of land linking tiger habitats, allowing
movement of tigers, prey and other wildlife.
 Without corridors tiger habitat can become fragmented and tiger
populations isolated leaving the tigers vulnerable to localised
extinction.
 The corridors are operated under Tiger Conservation Plan.
 The plan is protected and implemented under section 38V of the
Wildlife (Protection) act, 1972.
The list of important tiger corridors in India:

Sl.
Landscape Corridor States/ Country
No.
Rajaji-Corbett Uttarakhand
Shivalik Hills &
1. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,
Gangetic Plains Corbett-Dudhwa
Nepal

Ranthambhore-Kuno-Madhav Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh,
Bandhavgarh-Achanakmar
Chhattisgarh
December 2019 | Environment Capsules

Central India & Madhya Pradesh,
2. Kanha-Navegaon Nagzira-Tadoba-
Eastern Ghats Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh,
Indravati
Andhra Pradesh
Nagarjunasagar-Sri Venkateshwara
Andhra Pradesh
National Park
Sahyadri-Radhanagari-Goa Maharashtra, Goa
Dandeli Anshi-Shravathi Valley Karnataka

3. Western Ghats Nagarahole-Bandipur-Mudumalai- Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Wayanad Nadu
Kalakad Mundanthurai-Periyar Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Kaziranga-Itanagar WLS Assam, Arunachal Pradesh

4. North East
Manas-Buxa Assam, West Bengal, Bhutan
1.10 GLOBAL CARBON PROJECT (GCP)

Why in news?
India’s carbon dioxide emissions this year was likely to be considerably lower than in the last few years.
From the news:

 India’s emissions in 2019 (2.6 billion tonnes or gigatonnes) was likely to be only 1.8 per cent higher
than in 2018.
 It is significantly lower than the 8% growth that India showed last year and the more-than-5% average
growth over the last ten years.
Global Carbon Project (GCP):

 The GCP is a Global Research Project of Future Earth and a research partner of
the World Climate Research Programme.
 Formed in 2001, to work with the international science community.
o to establish a common and mutually agreed knowledge base
o to support policy debate and action,
o to slow down and ultimately stop the increase of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
 Its projects include global budgets for three dominant greenhouse gases —
carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — and complementary efforts in
urban, regional, cumulative, and negative emissions.
ENVIRONMENT CAPSULES
1.11 PAPIKONDA NATIONAL PARK
 Location - Andhra Pradesh
 Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978 and was upgraded to a national park in 2008.
1.12 PEREGRINE FALCON

 The peregrine falcon, one of the world’s most common predatory birds, has the fastest vision in the
animal kingdom and can register nearly 130 frames per second, according to a study published in the
Journal of Experimental Biology.
 In comparison, humans see up to a maximum of 50 to 60 blinks per second.

1.13 RATAPANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
 It is located in Madhya Pradesh, in Vindhya Range in central India.
 The sanctuary runs parallel on the northern side of Narmada River and Kolar River forms the
western boundary of the Sanctuary.
 The Sanctuary has Bhimbetka "a group of rock shelters and rock paintings" which is one of the World
December 2019 | Geography

Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.
1.14 RED SAND BOA SNAKE

 It is a rare non-poisonous snake that is used for making certain medicines, cosmetics and in black
magic, and is in huge demand in the international market.
 It is found in whole of India excluding North-east states after North-Bengal; also not found in
Indian islands.
 The species is listed under Schedule 4 of the Act. Also, it is listed in CITES Appendix II.
1.15 BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE

 It is a national park and Tiger Reserve in the extreme north eastern border of Madhya Pradesh.
To know more about - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/indian-polity-

prelims-2020.html
2 GEOGRAPHY
2.1 WESTERN DISTURBANCES
Why in news?
Under the influence of western disturbance, the Capital is likely to receive rain between December 11 and
13.
Western Disturbances:
 It is an extra tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain
to the north-western parts of the Indian sub-continent.
 Extra tropical storms are a global phenomenon with moisture usually carried in the upper
atmosphere, unlike their tropical counterparts where the moisture is carried in the lower atmosphere.
 It is a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by the westerlies.
 In the case of the Indian subcontinent, moisture is sometimes shed as rain when the storm system
encounters the Himalayas.
Note: The westerlies are prevailing winds from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30
and 60 degrees latitude.
Origin:
 Western Disturbance originates in the Mediterranean Sea as extra-

tropical cyclones.
 A high-pressure area over Ukraine and neighborhood consolidates,
causing the intrusion of cold air from Polar Regions towards an
area of relatively warmer air with high moisture.
 This generates favorable conditions for cyclogenesis in the upper
atmosphere, which promotes the formation of an eastward-moving
extra tropical depression.
 They gradually travel across the middle-east from Iran,
Afghanistan and Pakistan to enter the Indian sub-continent.
Impact on Indian subcontinent:

 Plays important role in bringing moderate to heavy rain in low-lying areas and heavy snow to
mountainous areas of the Indian Subcontinent.
 This disturbance is usually associated with cloudy sky, higher night temperatures and unusual
rain.
 This precipitation has great importance in agriculture, particularly for the Rabi crops.
 Wheat among them is one of the most important crops, which helps to meet India’s food security.
 Excessive precipitation due to this disturbance can cause crop damage, landslides, floods and
avalanches.
2.2 BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND

Why in news?
Bougainville overwhelmingly votes for independence from Papua New
Guinea.
Bougainville Island:
 Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of
Bougainville of Papua New Guinea.
 Bougainville Island is the largest of the Solomon Islands
archipelago.
 The island has the world’s largest copper deposits.
 Bougainvilleans are mostly Melanesian and the local language is Tok
Pisin.
 Bougainville Island was named after French navigator Louis Antoine
de Bougainville.
2.3 INDO-BANGLADESH JOINT RIVER COMMISSION (JRC)

Why in news?
Bangladesh has not sent a delegation for the Joint River Commission (JRC) meeting with India that was
scheduled to be held in December.

 The JRC was expected to draft the framework agreement of the interim sharing of the Feni River’s
waters with Tripura.
 The Feni River forms part of the India-Bangladesh border. It originates in the South Tripura district
and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.
o Bangladesh had agreed to let India withdraw 1.82 cusecs from the river to supply the border town
of Sabroom in the northeastern State.
 Meeting cancellation is also expected to delay the preparation of draft framework for the Interim
Sharing Agreements regarding the Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gomati, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers.

India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission:
 It is a bilateral working group established by India and Bangladesh in the Indo-Bangla Treaty of
Friendship, Cooperation and Peace that was signed in 1972.
 As per the treaty, the two nations established the commission to work for the common interests and
sharing of water resources, irrigation, floods and cyclones control.

 It was established to ensure the most effective joint efforts in maximizing the benefits of common river
systems. India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers.
 The JRC is headed by Water Resources Ministers of both the countries.
2.4 CHABAHAR PORT

Why in news?
India, Afghanistan, Iran meet to monitor implementation of Chabahar pact.
First overseas venture:

 The Chabahar port project will be the first overseas venture for Indian state-owned ports such as
JNPT and the Deendayal Port Trust.
 Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan Province on Iran’s South-eastern coast (outside the Persian Gulf).
 The Chabahar port is of great strategic importance for the development of regional maritime transit
traffic to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
More on Chabahar port:

 Chabahar port is a seaport in Chabahar in South-Eastern Iran.
 Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman.
 It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean.
 The port gives access to the energy-rich Persian Gulf
nations’ southern coast.
Strategic importance of Chabahar Port:

 The port provides access to the resources and markets
of landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia by passing
Pakistan.
 Being located less than 150km west of Pakistani port of
Gwadar, being developed by China, the Chabahar port will
help in countering Chinese presence in Arabian Sea or
keeping track of Chinese or Pakistani military activity
based out of Gwadar.
 Chabahar port will be linked to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), thus serve as
India’s outreach in region to Afghanistan and beyond to Russia, Eastern Europe.
 With Chabahar port becoming functional, there will be a significant boost in the import of iron ore,
sugar, and rice to India.
2.5 ROHTANG TUNNEL

Why in news?
Cabinet approves Strategic Tunnel under Rohtang Pass to be renamed after
former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
From the news:

 Rohtang Tunnel, connecting Manali, Himachal Pradesh with Leh,
Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir, will now be known as Atal Tunnel.
 It will help in promoting tourism in the region.
About the Tunnel:

 The tunnel is the world’s longest tunnel (8.8 km) at an altitude of
3,000 metres.
 The tunnel reduces the distance between Leh and Manali by 46

kilometres.
 It is built under Pir Pinjal range.
 It is a 10.5-metre wide single tube bi-lane tunnel with a fire proof emergency egress tunnel built into
the main tunnel itself.
Rohtang pass:

 It is a high mountain pass which connects the Kulu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of
Himachal Pradesh.
 It is located on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas.
 The pass is traversed by the Leh-Manali Highway.
 The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 metres above sea level.
 The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins.
2.6 MOUNTAIN RAILWAYS OF INDIA

Why in news?
Indian Railways start 7-coach glass-enclosed vista dome train on Kalka-Shimla route.
Mountain railways of India:

 Opened between 1881 and 1908 they applied bold and ingenious
engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail
link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty.
 They are still fully operational as living examples of the engineering
enterprise of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
 It includes three railways
 The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
o Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal.
 Nilgiri Mountain Railway
o Located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.
 The Kalka Shimla Railway
o located in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh
 These three are collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Mountain
Railways of India.
 The fourth railway, the Matheran Hill Railway, is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites.
o It connects Neral to Matheran in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
 The basis of UNESCO's designation of the Mountain Railways of India as a World Heritage Site is
‘outstanding examples of bold, ingenious engineering solutions for the problem of establishing
an effective rail link through rugged, mountainous terrain’.
 The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway received the honor first in 1999 by UNESCO followed by the Nilgiri
Mountain Railway in 2005. The Kalka–Shimla Railway received the designation in 2008.
2.7 MAHADAYI RIVER DISPUTE

Why in news?
Mahadayi river dispute: if need be, will go against Union ministry, says CM.
Mahadayi River Dispute:
History:
 The dispute over Mahadayi River began in the 80s and grew stronger in
the subsequent decades.
 The trigger was Karnataka’s move to design a number of dams, canals
and barrages to route the Mahadayi river water to the Malaprabha
basin.
 The state claimed that channeling the river water into the basin of
Malaprabha, a tributary of the Krishna, would meet the requirements of
water-scarce districts of Bagalkot, Gadag, Dharwad and Belagavi.

 After sustained efforts by the Goa government, the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was set up on
November 16, 2010.
 Goa contends that its population is dependent on the river’s natural path and any move to divert it
would affect its fragile ecosystem.
 It claimed that the ingress of saltwater in the river, which is dependent on monsoons, will ultimately
end up killing the state’s mangroves and green belt, disturb the relationship between the people and

the land, as well as the ecological balance.
To know more - https://neoiascap.com/2019/11/03/mahadayi-river/geography/landmarks/rivers/
2.8 DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR CORPORATION OF INDIA

Why in news?
The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL) opened the more than 300-km section
between Rewari, Haryana to Madar, Rajasthan, for commercial trial runs.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India:

 It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) corporation run by government of India's Ministry of Railways
to undertake planning, development, and mobilization of financial resources and construction,
maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors.
 The DFCCIL was registered as a company under the Companies Act 1956 in 2006.
 It is both enabler and beneficiary of other key Government of India schemes, such as and Industrial
corridor, Make in India, Startup India, Standup India, Sagarmala, Bharatmala, UDAN-RCS,
Digital India, BharatNet.
Dedicated Freight Corridors:

 These are freight-only railway lines to move goods between industrial heartlands in the North and
ports on the Eastern and Western coasts.
 The dedicated freight-only lines are being built along the four key transportation routes – known as the
Golden Quadrilateral and connecting Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Howrah and its two diagonals
(Delhi – Chennai and Mumbai – Howrah).
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) under

implementation:
 Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, 1,468 km from
Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in
Mumbai.
 Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, (Ludhiana,
1,760 km from Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal.
2.9 VICTORIA FALLS

Why in news?
The flow of Victoria Falls, with a width of 1.7 km and a height of roughly 108 metres, has been reduced to
a trickle due to the severe droughts in the southern African region since October 2018.
Victoria Falls:
 Victoria Falls is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the
border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
 The falls are also referred to as “The Smoke that Thunders” and is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 The falls are fed by the Zambezi River and define the boundary between
Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa.
2.10 DRAKE PASSAGE

Why in news?

6 men become first to cross perilous Drake Passage unassisted.
Drake Passage:
 The Passage is located between Cape Horn at the
December 2019 | Geography Capsules

tip of South America and the Antarctic
Peninsula.
 It connects the south-western part of the Atlantic
Ocean (Scotia Sea) with the south-eastern part of
the Pacific Ocean and extends into the Southern
Ocean.
 It is named after Sir Francis Drake, who was the
first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
 Drake Passage is the narrowest stretch of water
in the Southern Ocean, spanning approximately
800 km (500 miles) between the southern tip of
South America and the northern tip of the West
Why is it considered so treacherous?

 It is considered one of the roughest waterways in the world because here, layers of cold seawater from
the south and warm seawater from the north collide to form powerful eddies, which when combined
with strong winds and storms can be treacherous for those attempting to navigate it.
To know more about - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/our-courses-neo-

ias/prelims-cum-mains.html
GEOGRAPHY CAPSULES
2.11 INDIA’S COLD-WAVE REGIONS
 India’s cold-wave zone covers the north Indian states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and also other states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and
Bihar.
2.12 MACAU

 The Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is an integral part of China and example of China’s
"one country, two systems" model.
 It does not practice China's socialist economic system. Also, it enjoys a high degree of autonomy in all
matters except foreign and defense affairs.
 It is situated on the south-east coast of China near the mouth of the Pearl River.
 Macau consists of the Macau peninsula and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane.
December 2019 | World Affairs

2.13 BALIMELA RESERVOIR
 The Balimela Reservoir is on the river Sileru which is situated in the Maikangiri District of Odisha
State.
 The Sileru (also known as the Machkund River) rises in the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh state
and flows northward into Jalaput Reservoir on the border with Odisha state.
 The Sileru empties into the Sabari River in Chhattisgarh. Sabari River is a tributary of Godavari.
2.14 TYPHOON PHANFONE

 The Philippines was hit by typhoon Phanfone on 25th December 2019.
 Typhoon Phanfone is known as Ursula in the local language in the Philippines.
 It is the second typhoon after typhoon Kammuri which hit the Philippines recently.
2.15 SAMJIYON
 North Korea inaugurated a new city named Samjiyon near a sacred mountain.
 North Korea is projecting Samjiyon as a ‘socialist utopia’ with the latest amenities.
2.16 CYCLONE SARAI

 Tropical Cyclone Sarai batters Fiji with strong rain.
 On its present track, the cyclone is forecast to pass adjacent to Fiji’s main island Viti Levu before
heading towards Tonga.
2.17 NATIONAL AQUIFER MAPPING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

 The NAQUIM is an initiative of the Ministry of Water Resources for mapping and managing the entire
aquifer systems in the country.
 It maintains the Hydrological Map of India.
 It aims to identify and map aquifers at the micro level, to quantify the available groundwater resources
etc.
3 WORLD AFFAIRS
3.1 INSTRUMENT IN SUPPORT OF TRADE EXCHANGES (INSTEX)
Why in news?
As founding shareholders of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), France, Germany
and the U.K. welcome six new European countries to the mechanism.
Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX):

 It is designed to circumvent U.S. sanctions against trade with Iran by avoiding use of the dollar.
 France, Germany and the U.K are the founder members of this mechanism.
 Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have taken
decision to join INSTEX as shareholders.
 The Paris based INSTEX functions as a clearing house allowing Iran to continue to sell oil and import
other products or services in exchange.
 The system has not yet enabled any transactions.
3.2 WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA)

Why in news?

World Anti-Doping Agency imposes 4-year ban on Russia.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):

 WADA is a foundation initiated by the International Olympic
Committee to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight
against drugs in sports.

 It was established in 1999 as an international independent
agency.
 It was founded with the aim of bringing consistency to anti-
doping policies and regulations within sport organizations and
government’s right across the world.
 It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
 Its key activities include:
o Scientific research, education, development of anti-
doping capacities, and
o Monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document harmonizing anti-doping
policies in all sports and all countries.
Related Information Plus:

About National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA):
 It is the national organisation responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping
control program in sports in all its forms in India.
 It was formed by the Union Government under the Societies Registration Act.
 NADA adopts and implements anti-doping rules and policies which conform to the World Anti-Doping
agency (WADA).
 NADA includes scientists and representatives from the Indian Olympic Association.
3.3 GLOBAL REFUGEE FORUM

Why in news?
Imran peddled falsehoods at World Refugee Forum: MEA
Global Refugee Forum:

 The first ever Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva, Switzerland.
 It is being jointly hosted by United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with Government of
Switzerland.
 At GRF the international community will showcase and exchange good practices at national, regional
or global levels.
 The forum is the practical implementation of the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees (GCR).
 GRF will be convened at the ministerial level and participants will gather to address current refugee
situation.
 It will be a high-level gathering of states and other stakeholders including UN member states, together
with private businesses, non-profits and nongovernmental organisations.
Global Compact on Refugees (GCR)-2018:

 It is a framework that represents political will and ambition of international community as a whole for
strengthened cooperation and solidarity with refugees as well as affected host countries.
 GCR seeks to improve world’s response to refugee situations by ensuring that refugees and nations
hosting them receive the support they need.
Objectives of GCR:
 Share responsibilities more equitably
 Enhance refugee self-reliance
 Expand access to third-country solutions (i.e., permanent resettlement or other opportunities such as
scholarships or work permits)
 Support conditions in countries of origin for safe, voluntary, dignified repatriation

3.4 ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC)
Why in news?
The 57-member Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement of “concern”, criticising the
government over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the Babri Masjid verdict of the Supreme
Court.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international
organization founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states.
 It is the second largest inter-governmental organization after
the United Nations.
 The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world.
 It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim
world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony
among various people of the world.
 The OIC has permanent delegations to the United Nations
and the European Union.
 The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English, and French.
 Head Quarters-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
 Islamic Summits are organized by OIC.
 A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, sit as Observer
States, while others, such as India and Ethiopia, are not members.
3.5 WTO’S APPELLATE BODY

Why in news?
With the retirement of two of the remaining three members of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) Appellate Body on December 10, and a veto by the United States on fresh appointments,
WTO Appellate Tribunal has become dysfunctional.
WTO’s Appellate Body:

 The Appellate Body of the WTO was set up in 1995 and is a standing committee of 7 members.
 It presides over appeals against judgments passed in trade-related disputes brought by WTO members.
How does it work?

 Countries involved in a dispute can approach the Appellate body if they feel the report of the panel set
up to examine the issue needs to be reviewed on points of law.
 The Appellate Body can uphold, modify, or reverse the legal findings of the panel that heard the
dispute.
 Countries on either or both sides of the dispute can appeal.
 The WTO’s dispute settlement procedure is vital to ensuring smooth international trade flows.
 The reports, once adopted by the WTO’s disputes settlement body, are final and binding on the
parties.
 New appointments to the Appellate Body are usually made by a consensus of WTO members.
 But there is also a provision for voting where a consensus is not possible.
World Trade Organization:

 The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the
rules of trade between nations.
3.6 EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION (EAEU)

Why in news?
Russia hopeful of India’s free trade pact with EAEU.
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU):

 The Eurasian Economic Union is an international organization for regional economic integration.

 It has international legal personality and is established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic
Union.
 The Member-States of the Eurasian Economic Union are :
o Republic of Armenia
o Republic of Belarus
o Republic of Kazakhstan

o Kyrgyz Republic
o Russian Federation.
 The EAEU provides for free movement of
goods, services, capital and labor, pursues
coordinated, harmonized and single policy
in the sectors determined by the Treaty and
international agreements within the Union.
 The Union is being created to
comprehensively upgrade, raise the competitiveness of and cooperation between the national
economies, and to promote stable development in order to raise the living standards of the nations of
the Member-States.
Governance:
 The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council-the Supreme Council is the Union's supreme authority.
The Heads of the Member-States form the Supreme Council.
 The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council-the Intergovernmental Council is a Union's body
consisting of the Heads of the Member-States Governments.
 Eurasian Economic Commission-it is a permanent supranational regulatory body of the Union.
 Court of the Eurasian Economic Union-it is the court of justice of the Eurasian Economic Union,
which ensures the uniform application of the EAEU Treaty.
3.7 ORGANIZATION OF THE PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC)

Why in news?
 The OPEC oil-producing countries and ally Russia said they have agreed to cut crude production,
prompting a surge in global crude prices that they hope to sustain into next year.
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC):

 OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental Organization
that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its
Member Countries.
 Created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960, by Iran,
Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
 The five Founding Members were later joined by ten other
Members.
Headquarters:
 OPEC had its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in the first five years of its existence.
 This was moved to Vienna, Austria, on September 1, 1965.
OPEC's objective:
 To co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and
stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to
consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.
Member Countries:
 Founding Members - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
 The countries joined : Qatar (1961), Libya (1962), the United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969),
Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975), Angola (2007), Equatorial Guinea (2017) and Congo
(2018).
 Qatar terminated its membership on 1 January 2019.

Note – Ecuador will leave the 14-nation bloc from January 1 2020 due to fiscal problems.
December 2019 | World Affairs Capsules

WORLD AFFAIRS CAPSULES
3.8 CRYSTAL AWARD
 Awarded by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
 The Award recognizes as well as celebrates the achievements of leading artists and cultural figures
whose leadership inspires inclusive and sustainable change.
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/economy-mains-

2020.html
4 SECURITY
4.1 BRAHMOS MISSILE
Why in news?
 The land-attack version of the BrahMos missile was test-fired from a mobile autonomous launcher at
Launch Complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
BrahMos missile:
 BrahMos missile is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.
 It is a joint venture of the DRDO of India and the NPOM of Russia.
 It operates on fire and forget principal.
 It is two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant.
To know more about BrahMos missile- https://neoiascap.com/2019/12/18/brahmos-missile/security
4.2 PINAKA MISSILE SYSTEM

Why in news?
Pinaka Missile System developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was
successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
Pinaka Missile:
 The Pinaka is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75
kilometers with high precision.

 The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with
the Navigation, Control and Guidance System to improve the end
accuracy and enhance the range.
 The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian
Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
 The mission achieved all the objectives including enhancing the
range, accuracy and sub-system functionality.
December 2019 | Security

 The missile system has been jointly developed by various DRDO Laboratories viz. Armament Research
& Development Establishment (ARDE), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) etc.
4.3 QUICK REACTION SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE (QRSAM)

Why in news?
DRDO's quick-reaction missile test successful.
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile:

 The state-of-the-art missile has been developed by the Defence
Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the India
Army.
 QRSAM uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range of 25-30
km.
 It is a sophisticated all-weather and all-terrain missile.
 It can be mounted on a truck and stored in a canister.
 It is equipped with electronic counter measures against jamming
by aircraft radars.
 The first trial of the QSRAM was conducted on June 4, 2017.
 The system is being developed for the Army with search and track on move capability with very short
reaction time.
 The systems are equipped with indigenously developed phased array radar, inertial navigation system,
data link and radio frequency seeker.
4.4 SMART FENCING - BOLD-QIT

Why in news?
Year-end review of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Smart Fencing:
 Union Home Minister launched BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception
Technique) under Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) on Indo-Bangladesh
border in Dhubri district of Assam.
 It acts as an effective deterrence against illegal infiltration.
 Two pilot projects covering about 71 Kms on Indo-Pakistan Border (10 Kms) and Indo-Bangladesh
Border (61 Kms) of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) have been
completed.
 The project aims to install technical systems which enable BSF to equip Indo-Bangla borders
with different kind of sensors in unfenced riverine area of Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
 It helps to overcome the problem where it is not possible to erect Border Fence due to the geographical
barriers.
 The entire span of River Brahmaputra has been covered with data network generated by Microwave
communication, OFC Cables, DMR Communication, day and night surveillance Cameras and
intrusion detection system.
 In Jan, 2018, Information and Technology Wing of Border Security Force undertook the project BOLD-
QIT.
4.5 CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

Why in news?

Year-end review – Union Ministry of defence, Government has approved to create the post of Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS).
Chief of Defence Staff:

 The CDS is a single-point military advisor to the government.
December 2019 | Security Capsules

 It coordinates long-term planning, procurements, training and logistics of the three services.
 The CDS will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to be created within the Ministry of
Defence and function as its Secretary.
 The decision will lead to improved coordination between the Armed Forces.
Conditions:
 The post is in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief.
 Not eligible to hold any Government office after demitting the office of CDS.
 No private employment without prior approval for a period of five years after demitting the office of
CDS.
Background:
 The proposal for a CDS has been there for two decades.
 It was first made by the K. Subrahmanyam committee appointed after the Kargil conflict of 1999 to
recommend higher military reforms.
 The CDS is also one of the recommendations made by the Lt General D.B. Shekatkar Committee.
Current status:
 In the absence of a CDS, the senior most of the three Chiefs functions as the Chairman of Chief of
Staff Committee.
 It is an additional role and the tenures have been very short.
4.6 AVANGARD MISSILE

Why in news?
Russia Avangard missile will have US worried.
More about:
 It is Russia’s first Avangard hypersonic intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM).
 Avangard hypersonic missile system that can fly 27 times the
speed of sound.
 The Avangard missiles have a range of over 6,000 km, weigh
approximately 2,000 kg and can withstand temperatures of over
2000 degree Celsius.
 The Avangard is one of the six new Russian strategic weapons
unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 March 2018.
 Previously referred to as Project 4202, the Avangard hypersonic missile system is a reentry body
carried atop an existing ballistic missile, which has the capability to manoeuvre.
 Its maneuvering capability makes it difficult to predict its trajectory and gives it the ability to protect
itself from the air and ballistic missile defenses by delivering nuclear warheads to targets.
SECURITY CAPSULES
4.7 JOINT PATROL MISSION
 India and France are to launch joint naval patrolling mission.
 The Joint Patrol mission is to start in 2020.
 The navies will operate joint patrols with Indian Navy deploying P8I maritime surveillance and the
French Navy operating from Reunion Islands.
4.8 IRON UNION 12

 A joint military exercise between ground forces of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States.
4.9 LANDING CRAFT UTILITY (LCU)
 LCU is an amphibious ship that can transport and deploy main battle tanks, armoured vehicles,
troops and equipment from ship to shore.
December 2019 | Security Capsules

4.10 EXERCISE ‘APHARAN’
 The exercise was organized by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, Cochin
Port Trust and all other concerned stakeholders, conducted a large-scale anti-hijacking exercise.
 It was aimed at streamlining the response mechanism/ preparedness to thwart any attempt to hijack a
merchant vessel or attempt forced entry of a rogue/commandeered merchant vessel into the Kochi
harbour.
4.11 MITRA SHAKTI

 The Mitra Shakti exercise was started in 2013 and is conducted annually as a part of military
diplomacy and interaction between the armies of India and Sri Lanka.
4.12 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019'

 The 8th India-China joint training exercise 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019' with the theme counter terrorism
under United Nations mandate is scheduled to be conduct at Umroi, Meghalaya.
 The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct of counter terrorist operations in semi
urban terrain.
4.13 BSF – BGB TALKS

 49th border co-ordination conference between Director Generals of BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh
(BGB) held in New Delhi.
 DG level talks are held twice every year – once in India and once in Bangladesh. The talks follow the
methodology of border level coordination conferences.
4.14 METEOR MISSILE

 They are beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
 Have a range of 150 km and no escape zone of 60 km.
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/economy-prelims-2020-

speed-economy.html

5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
5.1 HIV/AIDS
December 2019 | Science and Technology

Why in news?
Braille booklet in Odia to create awareness about HIV, AIDS.
HIV:
 The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects cells of the
immune system, destroying or impairing their function.
 Infection with the virus results in progressive deterioration of
the immune system, leading to “immune deficiency”.
 The immune system is considered deficient when it can no
longer fulfil its role of fighting infection and disease.
AIDS:
 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a term
which applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection.
 It is defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or HIV-related cancers.
HIV transmission:
 HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal), and oral sex with an
infected person; transfusion of contaminated blood; and the sharing of contaminated needles,
syringes, surgical equipment or other sharp instruments.
 It may also be transmitted between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and
breastfeeding.
Diagnosis:
 Serological tests, such as RDTs or enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), detect the presence or absence of
antibodies to HIV-1/2 and/or HIV p24 antigen.
 No single HIV test can provide an HIV-positive diagnosis.
All HIV testing services must follow the 5 Cs principles recommended by WHO:
 Informed Consent
 Confidentiality
 Counselling
 Correct test results
 Connection (linkage to care, treatment and other services).
Antiretroviral drugs:
 Antiretroviral drugs are used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.
 They fight HIV by stopping or interfering with the reproduction of the virus in the body, reducing the
amount of virus in the body.
5.2 RISAT-2BR1 AND FIFTIETH FLIGHT OF PSLV

Why in news?
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its fiftieth flight (PSLV-C48), successfully launched RISAT-2BR1
along with nine commercial satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
More about:
 RISAT-2BR1 was successfully injected into an orbit of 576 km by PSLV-C48.
 Subsequently, nine commercial satellites were injected into their intended orbits.
 This was the 50th mission of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
 PSLV-C48 is the 2nd flight of PSLV in 'QL' configuration (with 4 solid strap-on motors).
RISAT-2BR1:
 RISAT-2BR1 is radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 628 kg.

 The satellite will provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management.
 It is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that can take pictures of the earth both during
the day and night, irrespective of the cloud conditions.

 The mission life of RISAT-2BR1 is 5 years.
 The nine customer satellites of Israel, Italy, Japan and USA were injected into their designated orbits.
 These satellites were launched under a commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL).
To know more about PSLV - https://neoiascap.com/2019/10/24/polar-satellite-launch-vehicle-

pslv/uncategorized/
5.3 NAVIC AND ALLIED SYSTEM OF USA

Why in news?
US Congress consents to designate India's NAVIC as allied system.
More about:
 The US Congress has consented to designate India's Navigation in Indian Constellation (NavIC) as
its ‘allied’ navigational satellite system along with the Galileo of the European Union and QZSS of
Japan.
 The tag of the allied navigational satellite system allows US satellite navigation system to co-operate
or to exchange data with these satellite navigation systems.
 This tag is designated as part of the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) 2020.
 The designation of India's NavIC as an allied system is part of the American effort to develop a
prototype program for multi-global navigation satellite system.
 Also USA has designated Russia' GLONASS and Chinese Beidou as a ‘non-allied system’.
5.4 RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

Why in news?
US Army will fund rare earths plant for weapons development.

 The decision comes after China threatened to stop exporting Rare Earth materials to the US amid the
ongoing trade war between the countries.
 At present, China refines approximately 80%-90% of the world’s Rare Earths, thereby having
substantial control over their supply.
Rare Earth Elements:

 The rare earth elements (REE) are a set of seventeen metallic elements. These include the fifteen
lanthanides on the periodic table plus scandium and yttrium.
 Scandium and yttrium are considered rare earth elements since they tend to occur in the same ore
deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties.
Applications:
 The military uses night-vision goggles, precision-guided weapons, communications equipment, GPS
equipment, batteries, and other defense electronics.
 Rare earth metals are key ingredients for making the very hard alloys used in armored vehicles and
projectiles that shatter upon impact.
 They have distinctive electrical, metallurgical, catalytic, nuclear, magnetic and luminescent properties.
 Its usage range from daily use (e.g., lighter flints, glass polishing mediums, car alternators) to high-end
technology (lasers, magnets, batteries, fiber-optic telecommunication cables).
 Due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties, they help in technologies
perform with reduced weight, reduced emissions, and energy consumption; therefore give them greater
efficiency, performance, miniaturization, speed, durability, and thermal stability.
5.5 GENE THERAPY

Why in news?
ICMR comes up with guidelines for gene therapy product development, clinical trials.

Gene Therapy:
 Gene therapy is a technique in which genes are inserted into an
individual’s cells and tissues to treat or prevent disease.
 The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a 4-year old girl
with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.
Types of Gene Therapy:

Gene therapy classified into two types:
Somatic cell gene therapy (SCGT):

 In SCGT the therapeutic genes are transferred into any cell other than a gamete, germ
cell, gametocyte, or undifferentiated stem cell.
 Any such modifications affect the individual patient only, and are not inherited by offspring.
 Somatic gene therapy represents mainstream basic and clinical research, in which therapeutic DNA is
used to treat disease.
 This technique is considered as the best and safest method of gene therapy.
Germ line gene therapy (GGT):

 In GGT germ cells (sperm or egg cells) are modified by the introduction of functional genes into their
genomes.
 Modifying a germ cell causes all the organism's cells to contain the modified gene.
 Germ line gene therapy is not legal in many places as the risks outweigh the rewards.
 The change is therefore heritable and passed on to later generations.
Applications of Gene Therapy:

 It is used in the replacement of genes that cause medical ill-health
 The method generally destroys the problem causing genes
 It helps the body to fight against diseases by adding genes to the human body
 This method is employed to treat diseases such as cancer, ADA deficiency, cystic fibrosis, etc.
5.6 CANCER
Why in news?
Modicare data shows rise in cancer cases.
Cancer:
 Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells.
 The uncontrolled cell division leading to the formation of a mass of cells called as tumors.
Tumors types:
Benign tumors:
 Benign tumors normally remain confined to their original location and do not spread to other parts of
the body and cause little damage.
Malignant tumors:
 They are a mass of proliferating cells called neoplastic or tumor cells.
 These cells grow very rapidly, invading and damaging the surrounding normal tissues.
Causes of cancer:
 Transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells may be induced by physical, chemical or
biological agents called as carcinogens.
 Physical carcinogens- ionizing radiation like X-rays, gamma rays and non-ionizing radiations like UV
radiation of sun.

 Chemical carcinogens- tobacco smoke and some other chemicals.
 Biological carcinogens-
o Cancer causing viruses are called oncogenic viruses have genes called viral oncogenes.

o Cellular oncogenes or proto-oncogenes in normal cells, when get activated lead to oncogenic
transformation of normal cells.
Cancer detection:
 Cancer detection is based on biopsy and histopathological studies of the tissue and blood and bone
marrow tests for increased cell counts in the case of leukemias.
 Techniques like radiography (use of X-rays), CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) are very useful to detect cancers of the internal organs.
5.7 HYDROGEN FUEL CELL

Why in news?
Supreme Court has asked government to look into the feasibility of hydrogen-based tech to deal with
vehicular air pollution in capital.

 Research is ongoing at the International Research Center for Hydrogen Energy at Kyushu University,
Japan on fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) based on hydrogen cell technology, also known as 'fuel
cells'.
 It is being studied closely by the Indian government as it readies a hydrogen-fuelled blueprint.
Fuel cells:
 Fuel cells and batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy and are very useful forms of
galvanic cell.
o A galvanic or voltaic cell is an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical
energy through the redox reactions that occur within the cell.
 Galvanic cells that are designed to convert the energy of combustion of fuels like hydrogen, methane,
methanol, etc. directly into electrical energy are called fuel cells.
 One of the most successful fuel cells uses the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen to form water.
How does the hydrogen fuel cell work?

 Fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electric current, water being the only byproduct.
 From a long-term viability perspective, FCEVs are billed as vehicles of the future, given that hydrogen
is the most abundant resource in the universe.
 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) engines are similar to the conventional internal combustion
engines because they also rely on a constant supply of fuel (hydrogen) and oxygen.
 Stationary fuel cells are the largest and most powerful fuel cells. These are being designed to provide
a cleaner, reliable source of on-site power to hospitals, banks, airports and homes.
 The successful development of the technology would provide energy for transportation and electric
power.
Advantages Disadvantages
o FCEVs produce much smaller quantities of o The process of making hydrogen needs
greenhouse gases and none of the air energy, often from fossil fuel sources,
pollutants that cause health problems. which raises questions over hydrogen’s
green credentials.
o Fuel cells emit only heat and water as a o Handling of hydrogen is a safety concern
byproduct and are far more energy-efficient because it is more explosive than petrol.
than traditional combustion technologies.

o FCEVs do not need to be plugged in for o These vehicles are expensive and fuel
charging, like battery-powered EVs. dispensing pumps are scarce.

o There is a wide availability of resources
for producing hydrogen.
Status in India:
 In India, so far, the definition of Electric Vehicles only covers Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
 BEVs have no internal combustion engine or fuel tank and run on a fully electric drivetrain powered by
rechargeable batteries.
 The Government of India has launched FAME India Scheme with the objective to support
hybrid/electric vehicles market development and manufacturing ecosystem.
 It also covers Hybrid & Electric technologies like Mild Hybrid, Strong Hybrid, and Plug in Hybrid &
BEVs.
5.8 POSTPARTUM BLEEDING OR POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE (PPH)

Why in news?
Advisory for Gujarat model kicks up a row.
From the news:

 Kerala managed to bring down the PPH numbers drastically when in 2013 it developed and
implemented the Quality Standards in Obstetric Care, in association with the NICE International.
 One of the key principles adopted is the WHO recommended strategy of “active management of third
stage of labour” (AMTSL).
Postpartum Hemorrhage:

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is defined as a blood loss of 500 ml or more within 24 hours after
birth.

PPH is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low-income countries, and the primary cause of
nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths globally.
 Most deaths resulting from PPH occur during the first 24 hours after birth; the majority of these could
be avoided through the use of prophylactic uterotonics during the third stage of labour and by timely
and appropriate management.
 Oxytocin is typically used right after the delivery of the baby to prevent PPH.
What causes postpartum hemorrhage?

Postpartum hemorrhage may be caused by:
 Tear in the cervix or tissues of the vagina
 Tear in a blood vessel in the uterus
 Bleeding into a hidden tissue area or space in the pelvis. This mass of blood is called a hematoma. It
is usually in the vulva or vagina.
 Blood clotting disorders
 Placenta problems
5.9 BIBHA & SANTAMASA

Why in news?
A star and its planet get Indian names after a global contest.

 A white yellow star in Sextans constellation and its Jupiter-like exo-planets, which were hitherto
named HD 86081 and 86081b, will now have Indian names.
 The star would be called Bibha and the planet would be known as ‘Santamasa’.

 The star has been named in honour of a pioneering Indian woman scientist Bibha Choudhury, who
discovered subatomic particle, pi-meson.
 The planet has been named Santamasa’ to reflect the cloudy nature of its atmosphere. ‘Santamasa’

is the Sanskrit term for ‘clouded’.
 Bibha is an ageing star, 6.210 billion years old. ‘Santamasa’, which is its only planet, is estimated to
have a mass of 1.5 times that of Jupiter, going around the central star in a nearly circular orbit just in
2.1375 days.
Pi Meson:
 Pi meson or pion is a subatomic particle.
 They are unstable and existing with positive, negative and neutral charges. It means that they are
present in proton, neutron and electron of an atom.
5.10 5G (THE FIFTH GENERATION OF WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY) NETWORK

Why in news?
5G trials to start in January-March quarter this fiscal says DoT official.
5G network:
 South Korea and the U.S. became the first countries to commercially launch 5G services.
 India is yet to begin trial as the government is targeting 2020 as the launch year for 5G in the country.
Note - The 5G trials are expected to begin in the last quarter of the current fiscal, and the government has
neither approved nor rejected any applicant so far.
What is 5G?
 It is the next generation cellular technology that will provide faster
and more reliable communication with ultra low latency.
 Latency is the amount of time data takes to travel between its source
and destination.
 A government panel report points out that with 5G, the peak
network data speeds are expected to be in the range of 2-20
Gigabit per second (Gbps).
 This is in contrast to 4G link speeds in averaging 6-7 Megabit per
second (Mbps) in India as compared to 25 Mbps in advanced
countries.
Who does it benefit?

 5G is expected to form the backbone of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things
(IoT) and machine to machine communications, thereby supporting a much larger range of
applications and services, including driverless vehicles, tele-surgery and real time data analytics.
What will be the economic impact?

 5G is expected to create a cumulative economic impact of $1 trillion in India by 2035, according
to a report by a government-appointed panel.
 Additionally, global telecom industry GSMA has forecast that India will have about 70 million 5G
connections by 2025.
5.11 INDIAN PHARMACOPOEIA (IP)

Why in news?
Afghanistan has become the first country to recognize Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) pursuant to the efforts of
Department of Commerce and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
More about:
 The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) has been recognised formally by the National Department of Regulation
of Medicines, Afghanistan.

 It will also be used based on the requirement as reputable pharmacopoeia in the laboratory of
medicines and health products quality.
 IP is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules

1945 there under.
 The IP specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their
identity, purity and strength.
 The quality, efficacy and safety of the medicines are important
from healthcare perspective.
 In order to ensure the quality of medicinal products, the legal
and scientific standards are provided by Indian Pharmacopoeia
Commission (IPC) in the form of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
 As per, the Second Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, IP
is designated as the official book of standards for drugs
imported and/or manufactured for sale, stock or exhibition for
sale or distribution in India.
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC):

 The IP Commission’s mission is to promote public and animal health in India by bringing out
authoritative and officially accepted standards for quality of drugs including active pharmaceutical
ingredients used by health professionals, patients and consumers.
 This is achieved by developing the standards for medicines and supporting their implementation.
 In addition, IPC also develops IP Reference Substances (IPRS) that act as fingerprint for identification
of an article under test and its purity as prescribed in the IP monographs.
5.12 EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD)

Why in news?
Ebola emerges again in Congo, 11 new cases confirmed.
Ebola virus disease:

 Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare but severe, often
fatal illness in humans.
 It was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Transmission:
 The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through
human-to-human transmission.
 Ebola spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or
mucous membranes) with:
o Blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola
o Objects that have been contaminated with body fluids (like blood, feces, vomit) from a person sick
with Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola.
 Fruit bats are natural host of this virus. It spreads through contact with body fluids of inflected
persons such as blood, urine and saliva.
 It also spreads through sexual transmission.
Symptoms: Fever, Fatigue, Muscle pain, Headache, Sore throat.
Prevention:
 Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.
 Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management,
infection prevention and control practices, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service,
safe and dignified burials and social mobilization.
5.13 POLIOMYELITIS (POLIO)

Why in news?
Pakistan to import polio markers from India.

From the news:
 Pakistan is one of the three countries, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where polio is still endemic.

Poliomyelitis (polio):
 Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which
mainly affects young children under 5 years of age.
 The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause
irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours.
 Transmission: The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread
mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a
common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food) and multiplies in
the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.
 Prevention: There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented by immunization.
There are six different vaccines to stop polio transmission:

 Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV), bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV)
and monovalent oral polio vaccines (mOPV1, mOPV2 and mOPV3).
Global Polio Eradication Initiative:

 WHO is a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the largest private-public partnership
for health, which has reduced polio by 99%.
 The Initiative's goal is to reach every last child with polio vaccine and ensure a polio-free world for
future generations.
 In 1995, India launched Global Polio Eradication initiative of WHO that aims at 100% coverage.
Note - The last case of Polio was reported in 2011 in India.
5.14 GERANIUM - (CSIR)

Why in news?
CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) has developed a new low-cost technology to produce
Geranium saplings.
From the news:

 Geranium plant has huge medicinal value and its essential oil works as an anti-
inflammatory and anti-septic agent.
 The production of Geranium has got boost under the Aroma mission.
About the Technology:

 The geranium cultivation is being done in aerated glass house
currently.
 With the help of the new technology, geranium can be cultivated at
farms just like every other crop.
 By this technology we can lower down the cost of the sapling
production by 2 rupees per sapling which earlier used to be 35
rupees.
Geranium:
 The plant is originally from South Africa and is predominantly used in manufacturing essential oils.
 In India, the plant is cultivated in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and North
Eastern Regions.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research:

 CSIR is an autonomous body and the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India.
 Established in 1942.
 It is mainly funded by Ministry of Science and Technology.

 It is an autonomous body registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
 Chairman: Prime Minister of India.
 CSIR’s R&D activities include aerospace engineering, ocean sciences, structural engineering,

metallurgy, life sciences, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment.
Aroma Mission:
 CSIR’s Aroma Mission aims to increase the income of the farmers through cultivation of high value and
high demand aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/ha/year.
o It includes rosemary, lavender and lemon grass.
 Under the mission the crops are to be promoted in unproductive and waste lands.
 It also includes lands that are affected by drought, salinity, water scarcity and floods.
5.15 GAGANYAAN MISSION

Why in news?
ISRO will be launching over ten satellites, Aditya L1 (sun) mission by mid-2020 and the first unmanned
test-flight of Gaganyaan mission in December 2020.
Gaganyaan Mission:
 Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft that is intended to send 3 astronauts to space for
a minimum of seven days by 2022, as part of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.
 The programme will make India the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission.
So far, only the USA, Russia and China have launched human spaceflight missions.
 It consists of a service module and a crew module, collectively known as the Orbital Module.
 ISRO's GSLV Mk III, the three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan.
 The spacecraft will be placed in a low earth orbit of 300-400km.
Objectives of the Mission:

 Enhancement of science and technology levels in the country
 A national project involving several institutes, academia and industry
 Improvement of industrial growth
 Inspiring youth
 Development of technology for social benefits
 Improving international collaboration
5.16 ADITYA L1 MISSION

Why in news?
Isro’s 2020 target: Sun mission, Gaganyaan test, 10 satellite
launches.
From the news:

 ISRO is targeting to launch over 10 satellite missions next year.
 They include advanced communication satellites Gisat1 and
Gisat-12R and earth observation satellites Risat-2BR2 and
Microsat (for surveillance).
Aditya L1 mission:
 The Aditya L1 mission will be the country’s first solar mission
that will help scientists study the solar corona.
 “A PSLV will be used to carry the spacecraft, work on which is
going on.”
 The 400 kg class satellite, which will carry six scientific
payloads.
 It will be inserted in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1
(L1), which is 1.5 million km from the Earth, so that there is a
major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any

eclipse.
Note - The outer layers of the Sun, extending to thousands of km above the disc (photosphere) is termed

as the corona.
o It has a temperature of more than a million degree Kelvin which is much higher than the solar disc
temperature of around 6000K.
5.17 SNOWEX
Why in news?
NASA has launched a seasonal campaign — part of a five-year programme called SnowEx, initiated in
2016-17.
SnowEx:
 SnowEx is a five year program initiated and funded by NASA to address the most important gaps in
snow remote sensing knowledge.
 It focuses on airborne campaigns and field work, and on comparing the various sensing technologies,
from the mature to the more experimental, in globally-representative types of snow.
Geographical focus:
 The geographical focus of SnowEx is proposed as North America, which contains the six broad snow
climate categories identified; tundra (alpine or Arctic), taiga (Boreal forest), warm (temperate) forest,
maritime, prairie, and ephemeral.
 NASA’s overall target is optimal strategies for mapping global snow water equivalent (SWE) with
remote sensing and models leading to a Decadal Survey “Earth System Explorer” mission.
5.18 SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY (SOHO)

Why in news?
Solar physicists from Centre for Excellence in Space Sciences (CESSI), IISER Kolkata, have succeeded in
predicting the shape of Sun’s corona at the time of the annular eclipse on December 25.
More about:
 The corona is the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere.
 This is the second successful prediction, counting the last solar
eclipse that was viewed from South America on July 2 this year.
 Corona was imaged by NASA and European Space Agency’s space
based Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) using the LASCO
instrument.
Space based Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO):

 The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory was designed to study the internal structure of the sun, its
extensive outer atmosphere and the origin of the solar wind.
 SOHO was launched on December 2, 1995.
 NASA was responsible for the launch and mission operations.
 Large radio dishes around the world which form NASA's Deep Space Network are used to track the
spacecraft beyond the Earth's orbit.
 SOHO was meant to operate until 1998, but it was so successful that ESA and NASA decided to
prolong its life several times and endorsed several mission extensions.
5.19 NANO FERTILIZER

Why in news?
Union Minister of Chemical and fertilizers mentioned about the efforts of IFFCO in taking initiative to
develop a newer form of fertilizers like ‘nano fertilizer’.
What is Nanotechnology?

 Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. By and large
nanotechnology deals with structures in the size range between 1 to 100 nm and involves developing
materials or devices within that size.

What are nano fertilizers?
 Nano fertilizers are the important tools in agriculture to improve
crop growth, yield and quality parameters with increase nutrient use
efficiency, reduce wastage of fertilizers and cost of cultivation.
 Hence, nanotechnology has a high potential for achieving sustainable
agriculture, especially in developing countries.
Background:
 World agricultural cropping systems intensively using large amount of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides
to achieve more production per unit area.
 But the over usage of these chemicals and fertilizers leads to several problems like environment
pollution (soil, water, air pollution), low input use efficiency, decrease quality of food material etc.
 For solving these problems in crop production nano-fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides may
effective tools in agriculture for better pest and nutrient management.
 Nano-materials having more penetration capacity, surface area and use efficiency which avoid
residues in environment.
 Nano-fertilizers will also help in reducing subsidy burden of the Governments.
5.20 NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR)

Why in news?
CSIR-IICT Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test facility gets US FDA certification.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):

 The NMR spectroscopy is an important technique for structural
characterization of pharmaceutical and other chemical molecules.
 It is used to infer basic structure of unknown compounds.
 It helps to determine phase changes, solubility, conformational
exchange and diffusion.
 The technique is used to observe the local magnetic fields around
atomic nuclei.
 Biochemists use NMR technique to identify proteins and other
complex molecules.
5.21 EXTRA NEUTRAL ALCOHOL (ENA)

Why in news?
Alcohol manufacturers have written to NITI Aayog asking for reduction in import duty.
Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA):

 Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) is the primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages.
 ENA is a by-product of the sugar industry, and is formed from molasses that are a residue of
sugarcane processing.
 It is a colourless food-grade alcohol that does not have any impurities.
 It has a neutral smell and taste, and typically contains over 95 per cent alcohol by volume.
What is ENA’s use, and how is it prepared?

 Used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as whisky, vodka, gin, cane, liqueurs, and alcoholic
fruit beverages.
 ENA also serves as an essential ingredient in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products
such as perfumes, toiletries, hair spray, etc.
 ENA finds industrial use and is utilised in the production of some lacquers, paints and ink for the
printing industry, as well as in pharmaceutical products such as antiseptics, drugs, syrups, medicated
sprays.

5.22 HEAD ON GENERATION TRAINS
Why in news?
Over 500 trains have been converted into HOG compliant trains in the last one year.

End-On-Generation Trains:
 Premium passenger trains fitted with Air-Conditioned coaches and running traditionally on the End-
on-Generation (EOG) system are contributing much towards air and noise pollution.
 These trains are using 2 diesel power cars for feeding power to air-conditioning and lighting load in
the passenger coaches which produce an unbearable noise of around 100dB.
 Further, these power cars guzzle on an average 3000 liters of diesel per trip per train contributing to
the pollution in the cities.
Head on Generation as an alternative:

 Indian Railways have come up with an energy efficient and environment friendly innovative
solution to address the issues of air & noise pollution and energy efficiency in running of passenger
trains.
 An improvised converter has been developed, which is fitted in Electric locomotives which can replace
these diesel generators.
 It uses power from overhead catenary to feed auxiliaries in the coaches hauled by Electric
locomotives.
 It saves up to 1 Million liters of diesel per train per annum.
 The major advantages of HOG system include:
o Reduction in noise- from 100dB noise to noise less,
o Significant reduction of CO2 (over 2500Ton) & NOX(over 10Ton) emissions till now,
o Reduced Diesel Consumption leading to huge savings in operational costs to the tune of over
Rs.1100 crores per annum,
o Economical- EOG Power Rs 22/unit, HOG Power Rs 6/unit.
5.23 TYPBAR TCV

Why in news?
A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) developed by the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech has shown 81.6%
efficacy in preventing typhoid fever at 12 months in a phase3 clinical trial.
More about:
 The Typbar TCV typhoid vaccine tested in Nepal is a conjugate vaccine.
 A conjugate vaccine is one in which the antigen (which is a polysaccharide in this case) is
chemically linked to a carrier protein.
 A single dose of the vaccine was found to be effective in preventing typhoid in children aged nine
months to 16 years.
 The vaccine confers protection two–three weeks after vaccination.
Background:
 The Typbar TCV vaccine was recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on
Immunization (WHOSAGE) in December 2017.
 The WHO prequalified the vaccine in January 2018.
Typhoid fever:
 Typhoid fever is caused by highly contagious Salmonella Typhi bacteria.
 Nearly 11 million fall sick due to typhoid and about 1,17,000 deaths are reported each year.
 The bacteria spread through contaminated food and water.
Key advantages over other vaccines:

 Efficacy of the conjugate vaccine is higher than other vaccines.
 The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, while the other vaccines cannot
be given to children below two years of age.
 A large proportion of severe typhoid fever cases occur in children aged below two years.

 Two other typhoid vaccines — polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and live, weakened typhoid vaccine —
are already used commercially.

5.24 MEASLES
Why in news?
Measles outbreaks continue unabated says WHO.
Measles:
 Measles is a highly contagious virus.
 It is also known as rubella.
 Measles is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.
 It spreads rapidly in unvaccinated children, causing symptoms from rash to blindness, pneumonia to
death.
 It is a respiratory infection caused by a virus which causes a rash all over the body.
 Rubella virus is the primary cause of congenital rubella syndrome leading to abortions and children
born with birth defects of heart, eye and brain.
 Both measles and rubella can be prevented by a highly effective Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine.
Preventive efforts:
 Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan, measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in five WHO
Regions by 2020.
 India, as part of the global initiative, has targeted elimination of measles and control of rubella by
2020.
 Rubella control is achieved when a country reduces the number of rubella cases by 95% as compared
to cases in 2008.
5.25 WATER BIRTHING

Why in news?
Bollywood Actress Kalki Koechlin is excited about bringing her first baby into the world through the water
birthing method.
What is water birthing?

 It is also referred to as hydrotherapy, where the baby is born through normal vaginal birth with no or
reduced use of medication such as epidurals or drugs to speed up contractions.
 When a woman starts getting labour pain, she gets into a bath tub or the inflated baby pool that has
warm water controlled at 36 to 37 degrees C (the normal body temperature).
 The mother remains in water till the child is born.
 It is recommended for women who are fit and have no high-risk factors such as hypertension
and diabetes and are not carrying twins.
 Water birthing as a technique is largely assisted by midwives, A few doctors in Mumbai, Delhi,
Chennai and Bengaluru are now encouraging the natural water birthing process.
 Water birthing is not uncommon over the world, but it has not picked up in India because a woman’s
journey of pregnancy is essentially governed by the entire family in our society.
Advantages of the method:

 Reduced use of medication such as drugs.
 The buoyancy in water is said to reduce the pain and length of labour, making it less traumatic and
more relaxing for the mother.
 The postpartum blood loss is less than a traditional delivery, and damage to the perineum is
minimised.
 It is considered a peaceful transit for the baby who’s been in amniotic fluid for nine months and so
there is no immediate shock of air.
5.26 INDIA-BASED NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY

Why in news?

The India based Neutrino Observatory is being planned in the Theni district in Tamil Nadu.
India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO):

 The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) Project is a multi-institutional effort aimed at building
a world-class underground laboratory to study neutrinos.
 Project jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science
and Technology (DST).
Objectives:
 Construction of an underground laboratory and associated
surface facilities at Pottipuram in Bodi West hills of Theni
District of Tamil Nadu.
 Construction of an Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector for
studying neutrinos.
 Setting up of National Centre for High Energy Physics at
Madurai, for the operation and maintenance of the
underground laboratory, human resource development and
detector R&D along with its applications.
What are neutrinos?

 It is the second most widely occurring particle in the
universe, only second to photons, the particle which makes up light.
 Neutrinos are so abundant among us that every second, there are more than 100 trillion of them
passing right through each of us — we never even notice them.
 Neutrinos occur in different types, or flavours.
 Neutrinos hold the key to several important and fundamental questions on the origin of the Universe
and the energy production in stars.
Why the laboratory is situated underground?

 Neutrinos are difficult to detect in a laboratory because of their extremely weak interaction with
matter.
 The background from cosmic rays and natural radioactivity will make it almost impossible to detect
them on the surface of the Earth.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAPSULES
December 2019 | Science and Technology Capsules

5.27 TRAKEA
 It is unique barcoding software adopted by Haryana Police for forensic reports.
 It aims to ensure that thousands of forensic reports that form the backbone of the criminal
investigation system and subsequent trials in the courts of law are not tampered with.
5.28 STRAND HOGG

 It is vulnerability in android which allows real-time malware applications to pose as genuine
applications and access user data of all kinds.
 This malware can then potentially listen to user’s conversations, make calls, record conversations,
access photo album, read or send messages, as well as get login credentials to various accounts.
5.29 ECHO NETWORK

 EChO Network would develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can
synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology,
and technology.
5.30 BUDAPEST CONVENTION

 The Budapest Convention was the first ever treaty on cyber-crime that addressed internet and
computer crimes.
 It was drawn by Council of Europe.
 At present, it is the only treaty of cybercrime under the United Nations.
 Countries like India and Brazil have not adopted the convention on the grounds that they did not
participate in its drafting.
5.31 SPACE TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION CENTRE (S-TIC)

 ISRO has set-up a Space Technology Incubation Centre (S-TIC) at National Institute of Technology
(NIT), Tiruchirappalli.
 The centre will work with ISRO on the technical problems at hand related to the future Space
programmes and shall provide solutions.
5.32 HYDROGEN FUEL CELL BASED CAR

 Hydrogen offers an eco-friendly & innovative solution for sustainable & green transport fuel.
 Only emission from the hydrogen car is water.
 Hydrogen can be produced from various sources including biomass, renewables, LNG etc. and
possesses high energy density and longtime storage.
 The manufacturing cost is higher.
5.33 LONG MARCH-5

 The rocket which is also known as CZ-5 is China’s heaviest and most advanced communications
satellite.
 It can carry a maximum payload of 25 tonnes into low Earth orbit (LEO) and 14 tonnes into
geosynchronous orbit.
6 GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS – SOCIAL SECTOR

6.1 VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS (TRAIN 18)
Why in news?
Probe sought into ‘sabotage’ of Vande Bharat Express.
Train 18:
 Train 18 is India's first engine-less semi-high speed train.
 It is the first 16-coach train set, designed and built with 80 per cent Indian component at the Indian
December 2019 | Government Interventions – Social

Railways Integral Coach Factory in Chennai under 'Make in India' program.
 It has been designed for a maximum operating speed of 160
kmph.
 The Vande Bharat Express will run on all days of the week
except Tuesday.
 The fully air-conditioned train, driven by a self-propulsion
module, has the potential to become the country's fastest
train provided the infrastructure was improved.
 The train has windows with a special provision to protect
against stone-pelting and a cattle guard in the front to
Sector
prevent damage to the train or derailment in case of cattle run.
 The train is equipped with Wi-Fi, bio vaccum toilets, GPS-based infotainment system and CCTV
surveillance.
Note - It runs between Delhi and Varanasi.

 Train 20 is a next generation aluminium-bodied sleeper class trains that will replace the Rajdhani
Express trains on the network and is expected to be rolled out by 2020.
6.2 NATIONAL RABIES CONTROL PROGRAMME (NRCP)

Why in news?
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), stated about the procurement of Anti- Rabies vaccine in
a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
More about:
 Under National Rabies Control programme (NRCP) funds are not provided for procurement of Anti-
Rabies vaccine (ARV).
 As rabies elimination drive by 2030 globally, there is significant demand of Anti Rabies Vaccine and
Serum from the neighboring courtiers like Myanmar, Malaysia and Philippines and these countries
are importing vaccine from India.
National Rabies Control programme (NRCP):

 Under the 12 five-year plan, National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) has been approved.
 Funds under NRCP are only provided for training, surveillance, laboratory strengthening and
advocacy etc.
 The NRCP has both human and animal health components.
Human Component - This is being implemented in all the states & UTs.
 National Centre for the Diseases control is the nodal agency for the Human Component of the
program.
 The strategies for the human component are:
o Training of health professionals
o Implementing use of intra-dermal route of inoculation of cell culture vaccines
o Strengthening surveillance of human rabies
o Information Education & Communication
o Laboratory strengthening
Animal Component- which is being pilot tested in the Haryana & Chennai.
 The Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests is the Nodal agency for the
Animal Component of the program.
 The strategies for the animal component are:
o Population survey of dogs
o Mass vaccination of dogs
o Dog population management
Rabies:

 Rabies is an acute viral disease that causes fatal encephalomyelitis in all the warm-blooded animals

including human.
 The virus is found in wild and some domestic animals, and is transmitted to other animals and to
humans through their saliva (following bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membrane).
6.3 AIM-SIRIUS PROGRAMME

Why in news?
The second phase of AIM-SIRIUS Deep Technology Learning, Innovation Programme in Sochi concludes.
SIRIUS:
 SIRIUS - Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station.
Sector
 It belongs to Russia.
Aim of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Russian Federation’s SIRIUS Educational
Foundation Cooperation:
 To promote innovative cooperation between students of India and Russia,
 To remove cultural and language barriers between students of Russia and India,
 To share best practices in the promotion of educational, scientific, innovative achievements, promote
innovative cooperation, and search,
 To develop talented youth of both countries fostering a knowledge-driven innovation ecosystem in both
the countries.
Note - The program has been co-created by both SIRIUS and AIM stimulating cross border collaboration
and innovations between the youth of both the countries.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):

 It is NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
 AIM also serves as a platform for promotion of world-class innovation Hubs, Grand challenge, Start-up
businesses and other self-employment activities in India, leveraging state of the art, advanced and
affordable emerging technologies.
 The Atal Innovation Mission has thus two core functions –
 Innovation promotion: to provide a platform where innovative ideas are generated.
 Entrepreneurship promotion: innovators would be supported and mentored to become successful
entrepreneurs at Incubation Centres.
6.4 SKILLS BUILD PLATFORM

Why in news?
India is the 4th country where this Skills Build platform has been launched on 4th Nov’19.
Skills Build Platform:

 It is a digital platform developed by IBM enabling holistic learning and aligning it with Skills India
initiative by Government of India.
 Launched by Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development
& Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
 As part of the programme, a two-year advanced diploma in IT, networking and cloud computing, co-
created and designed by IBM, will be offered at the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) & National Skill
Training Institutes (NSTIs).
Aims of the programme:

 It will provide a personal assessment of the cognitive capabilities and personality via MyInnerGenius to
the students.
 They will then learn foundational knowledge about digital technologies, as well as professional skills
such as resume-writing, problem solving and communication.
 Students will also receive recommendations on role-based education for specific jobs that include
technical and professional learning.

 This initiative is part of IBM’s global commitment to create a job-ready workforce and to build the next

generation of skills needed for new collar careers.
6.5 JAGA MISSION

Why in news?
Odisha bags World Habitat Award for Jaga Mission.
Jaga Mission:
 Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM) - JAGA is a society under the Housing & Urban Development
Department, Government of Odisha.
 It aims at transforming the slums into liveable habitat with all necessary civic infrastructure and
Sector
services at par with the better off areas within the same urban local body and to continuously improve
the standard of the infrastructure and services and access to livelihood opportunities.
 The slum land titling mission was being executed in collaboration with Tata Trusts and Norman
Foster Foundation.
 Odisha government rolled out this first of its kind project on May 7, 2018.
 The mission also awarded the 'India Geospatial Excellence Award' for technological innovation in
transforming the lives of urban poor.
6.6 ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN

Why in news?
Targets missed, Accessible India campaign’s deadline extended.
Accessible India Campaign:

 It is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
 It aims to make a barrier free and conducive environment
for Divyangjans all over the country.
 It has the following three important components :
 Built Environment accessibility
o Enhancing the proportion of accessible government
buildings.
 Transportation System Accessibility
o Enhancing proportion of accessible airports.
o Enhancing the proportion of accessible railway
stations.
o Enhancing the proportion of accessible Public
Transport.
 Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility
o Enhancing proportion of accessible and usable public documents and websites that meet
internationally recognized accessibility standards.
o Enhancing the pool of sign language interpreters.
o Enhancing the proportion of daily captioning and sign-language interpretation of public
television news programmes.
 Accessible India Campaign is in line with the Article 9 of UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities) to which India is a signatory since 2007.
 Incheon Strategy to ‘Make the Right Real ‘for PwDs in Asia and Pacific
 It provides the Asian and Pacific Region, and the world the first set of regionally agreed distinct –
inclusive development goals.
6.7 NATIONAL RURAL DRINKING WATER PROGRAMME

Why in news?
Three lakh rural habitations lack quality drinking water supply.

 Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam topped the list where the coverage is facing quality issues or seeing

diminished supply.
 The coverage was monitored in terms of habitations having provision of a minimum 40 lpcd with
sources at a reasonable distance.
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP):

 It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with major
emphasis on ensuring sustainability of water
availability in terms of potability, adequacy,
convenience, affordability and equity.
 It was launched in April 2009.
Sector
 Fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the
States/UTs for the programme is
o 100% for the Union Territories
o 90:10 for the Himalayan & the northeastern
States
o 50:50 for other States.
 NRDWP will be continued co-terminus with 14th Finance Commission cycle till March 2020.
Provisions under the programme:

 The NRDWP has special provisions to ensure coverage of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
population with potable water supply.
 22% and 10% of the funds are earmarked for the use in SC and ST dominated areas respectively.
 2% of allocation of funds is earmarked for 60 high priorities Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute
Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) affected district identified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project-Low Income States (RWSSP-LIS) is being implemented
since June 2014 with the support of World Bank to improve piped water supply in Assam, Bihar,
Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
 National Water Quality Sub-Mission had been launched on 22nd March, 2017 to provide safe
drinking water to about 28,000 arsenic / fluoride affected habitations over a span of 4 years.
 Swajal, a community demands driven, decentralized, single village, preferably solar powered, mini
PWS programme for aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog has been launched.
 A National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality registered under Societies
Registration Act, 1860 is set up at Kolkata as an autonomous Institution under the Ministry.
6.8 NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY (NPPA)

Why in news?
NPPA hikes cost of 12 essential first-line treatment drugs.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):

 It was established on 29th August 1997 as an independent body of experts under Department of
Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of chemicals and Fertilizers as per the decision taken by the
Cabinet committee in September 1994 while reviewing Drug Policy.
Functions are:
 To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995/2013 in
accordance with the powers delegated to it.
 To undertake and/or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/formulations.
 To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.
 To collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies,
profitability of companies etc. for bulk drugs and formulations.
 To render advice to the Central Government on changes/revisions in the drug policy.
Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO):

 The Drugs Prices Control Order, 1995 was an order issued by the Government of India under Sec. 3 of
Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the prices of drugs.

6.9 MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE

Why in news?
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) has given details of States/UTs who have achieved
National Health Policy target of MMR 100 per lakh live births well ahead of 2020.
Top Best performing states:
Sl. No India/States 2015-17

1 Kerala 42
2 Maharashtra 55
Sector
3 Tamil Nadu 63
4 Andhra Pradesh 74
5 Jharkhand 76
What is maternal mortality rate?

 The number of registered maternal deaths due to birth- or pregnancy-related complications per
100,000 registered live births.
 From 2000 to 2017, the global maternal mortality ratio declined by 38 per cent – from 342 deaths to
211 deaths per 100,000 live births.
 India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has seen a decline from 130 per 1 lakh live births in 2014-
2016 to 122 per 1 lakh live births in 2015-2017 (latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2015-2017
bulletin for MMR).
6.10 NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE COASTAL MANAGEMENT

Why in news?
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) is established under the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change to undertake studies and research in the area of Coastal Zone
Management including coastal resources and environment.
National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management:

 Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
 The aims and Objectives of the Centre are:
o Strive for being a World Class Knowledge Institution related to coastal zones, environment,
resources and processes,
o To promote integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in India for
the benefit and wellbeing of the traditional coastal and island communities, and
o Advice the Union and State Governments and other associated stakeholder(s) on policy, and
scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
 It has various research divisions including, Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing and Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), Coastal environmental impact assessment, Conservation of Coastal
& Marine Resources, etc.
 Survey of India and NCSCM has mapped the Hazard Line for the entire coast of India, which includes
vulnerability mapping of flood, erosion and sea-level rise.
 It also advices the Union and State Governments and other associated stakeholders on policy, and
scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
6.11 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NUTRITION (NIN)

Why in news?
Packaged foods breach safe limits of salt, fat: CSE study
National institute of Nutrition (NIN):

 It is an Indian Public health, Nutrition and Translational research center located in Hyderabad.
 The institute is one of the oldest research centers in India, and the largest center, under the Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

 It was founded by Sir Robert McCarrison in the year 1918 as ‘Beri-Beri’ Enquiry Unit in a single

room laboratory at the Pasteur Institute, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
 Within a short span of seven years, this unit blossomed into a “Deficiency Disease Enquiry” and later
in 1928, emerged as full-fledged “Nutrition Research Laboratories” (NRL) with Dr. McCarrison as its
first Director.
 It was later shifted to Hyderabad in 1958. In 1969, it was renamed as National Institute of Nutrition
(NIN).
Objectives:
o Periodic Assessment of Nutrient intakes, Health and Nutrition status of the population for optimal
health, and assist the Government and regulatory bodies in policy making.
Sector
o Identify various nutrition deficiency disorders prevalent among different segments of the population.
o Conduct operational research for planning and implementation of National Nutrition Programmes in
the country.
o Conduct innovative basic science Research on nutrient interactions, requirements, responses etc.
o Development of human resource in nutrition and also provide evidence-based nutrition knowledge to
the community.
6.12 NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION (NBM)

Why in news?
Minister for Communications, Law & Justice and Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ravi
Shankar Prasad has launched the National Broadband Mission (NBM).
National Broadband Mission:

 The vision of the NBM is to fast track growth of digital
communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide and
provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all.
 Some of the objectives of the Mission which is structured with
strong emphasis on the three principles of universality,
affordability and quality are:
o Broadband access to all villages by 2022
o Significantly improve quality of services for mobile and
internet
o Develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) to measure the availability of digital communications
infrastructure and conducive policy ecosystem within a State/UT.
o Creation of a digital fibre map of the Digital Communications network and infrastructure, including
Optical Fibre Cables and Towers, across the country.
6.13 NATIONAL SEISMIC PROGRAMME (NSP)

Why in news?
Year-end review report of Union Ministry of Petroleum and natural gas.
National Seismic Programme (NSP):

 The Union Government has launched National Seismic Programme (NSP) in the year 2016 to trace
hydrocarbon resources like oil and natural gas.
 NSP aims to undertake a fresh appraisal in all sedimentary basins across India in order to have better
understanding of the hydrocarbon potential of the country.
 Under this programme, high-resolution 2D seismic Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation
(API) survey will be conducted across India especially in the sedimentary basins.
 The survey conducts by state owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India
Limited (OIL).
6.14 PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA - PHASE III

Why in news?

Union Minister for Rural Development inaugurates Phase–III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to

further enhance connectivity of villages with hospitals, schools and agricultural markets.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - Phase III:

 The Phase-III of PMGSY aims at consolidation of 1, 25, 000 Kms through Routes and Major Rural
Links that connect habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools
and Hospitals.
 Phase III is planned for a period of 5 years from 2019-20 to 2024-25.
 The funding pattern for the PMGSY-III will be 60:40 between Centre and the States for States other
than NE & Himalayan States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States as applicable for Central
sponsored schemes.
Sector
 A road length of 36,063 Kms has been constructed using green technologies, a major portion of
which includes Waste plastic and cold mix technology.
6.15 RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE

Why in news?
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) unveiled a new study this week which showed that salt
and fat in an array of “junk food” was well above proposed regulatory thresholds.
Recommended Dietary Allowance:

 Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is a daily ceiling on the amount of salt, fat, carbohydrate
and transfat that we have to consume.
 The RDA is based on scientific consensus and has been agreed upon by expert bodies such as the
World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad (in India).
 It says that, ideally, an adult should consume not more than 5g of salt, 60g of fat, 300g
carbohydrate and 2.2 g of transfat every day.
 Further, the RDA from breakfast, lunch and dinner should not be more than 25% and that from
snacks (assumed to be those munched between meals), must be not more than 10%.
 Thus, a snack should ideally have not more than 0.5g of salt and 6g of fat.
6.16 MICRODOT IDENTIFIERS

Why in news?
To enhance vehicle safety, the government has notified rules for microdot identifiers on motor vehicles and
their parts.
More about:
 The ministry of road transport and highways has notified automotive industry standards in respect of
Microdot identifiers affixed on the motor vehicles and their parts, through amendment in the Central
Motor vehicles Rules 1989.
 As per a new notification, The Manufacturers who are affixing microdot identifiers in the motor
vehicles and their parts shall conform to Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)-155.
Microdot identification:
 A microdot is text or an image substantially reduced in size to prevent detection by unintended
recipients.
 Microdots are normally circular and around one millimetre in diameter but can be made into different
shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester or metal.
 The microdot technology involves spraying thousands of microscopic dots onto vehicles to form
a unique identification.
 Each microdot carries this identification which is registered to the owner, but is not visible to the
naked eye.
Advantages:
 The move is aimed at making India free from vehicle thefts.
 The move will ensure that consumers have a way of identifying original parts from fake ones and that
contributes to overall safety as well.

6.17 SWACHH BHARAT MISSION-URBAN

Why in news?
Urban India, except Bengal, declared open defecation-free, says Ministry.

 The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has achieved its target of creating urban India ODF.
 Urban areas of 35 States and Union Territories have become ODF.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban:

 The Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM-U) launched on 2nd
October 2014 aims at making urban India free from open defecation
Sector
and achieving 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste in
4,041 statutory towns in the country.
 The Mission has the following components:
 Household toilets, including conversion of insanitary latrines into
pour-flush latrines;
 Community toilets
 Public toilets
 Solid waste management
 IEC & Public Awareness
 Capacity building and Administrative & Office Expenses (A&OE)
Initiatives under SBM-U:

 ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ Protocol:
o ODF: No visible faeces shall found in the environment and every household, as well as
public/community institutions, should be using safe technology option for disposal of faeces.
o ODF+: Not a single person should be defecating and/or urinating in open. All community and
public toilets should be properly maintained and cleaned.
o ODF++: Proper treatment and management of faecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely managed
and treated. There should be no discharge or dumping of untreated faecal sludge/septage and
sewage in drains, water bodies or open areas.
 Water + Protocol: It is designed to ensure that no untreated wastewater is discharged into the open
environment or water bodies.
 Star rating protocol for Garbage free cities: It is based on 12 parameters which follow a SMART
framework – Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous verification mechanism and Targeted
towards outcomes.
o As on date, 4 cities namely, Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Navi Mumbai
(Maharashtra) and Mysore (Karnataka) have been certified as 5-star cities.
 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): MoHUA has also partnered with National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) to use the plastic waste for road construction.
 Swachh Surevkshan: It is an innovative survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban, to rank cities on various sanitation and
cleanliness parameters.
 The Swachhata hi Seva campaign of 2019
6.18 NATIONAL GREEN CORPS (NGC)-ECO CLUB PROGRAMME

Why in news?
First annual meeting of the State Nodal Agencies implementing the National Green Corps Eco club
programme was recently organized by the Environment Ministry’s Education Division in collaboration with
the GEER Foundation (Gujarat).

 The meeting acknowledged the contributions made by the State/UT Governments in implementing the
NGC Ecoclub programme and certificates of appreciation were given to agencies.
Environment Education, Awareness & Training (EEAT) Scheme:

 It is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Environment Forest And Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for

enhancing the understanding of people at all levels about the relationship between human beings and
the environment and to Develop capabilities/skills to improve and protect the environment.
 Launched in 1983-84 (during 6th FYP)
 It aims to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society and to mobilize people’s
participation for preservation and conservation of the environment.
 Programmes under the scheme:
o National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)
o National Green Corps(NGC)
o Seminars/Workshops
o National Nature Camping Programme
Sector
 Under these programmes financial assistance is provided to various organisations for undertaking
activities and awareness campaigns for protection of environment in the Country.
National Green Corps (NGC)- Eco club Programme:

 Under National Green Corps (NGC), the Eco club programme was initiated in 2001-2002.
 Environmental activity in schools is promoted through the National Green Corps Eco-club.
 Each NGC School Eco Club has 30 to 50 NGC Students or NGC Cadets who form the National Green
Corps.
 These NGC Students participate in activities related to Biodiversity Conservation, Water Conservation,
Energy Conservation, Waste Management and Land Use Planning and Resource Management.
Objectives:
 To impart knowledge to school children through hands on experience, about their immediate
environment, interactions within it and the problems therein.
 To inculcate compassion among people towards environment and sensitize children on issues related
to environment and development.
 To build young cadres of students and trigger their sensitivity towards environment protection and
conservation.
6.19 ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA

Why in news?
PM Launches Atal Bhujal Yojana.
Atal Jal Yojana:

 Atal Jal Yojana aimed at improving groundwater level in seven states.
 Nodal Agency: Department of Water Resources, River Development &
Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Objective:
 To promote Panchayat led ground water management and behavioural
change with primary focus on demand side management.
 The scheme will help in supplying water to every house hold by 2024.
 The scheme is aimed at contributing towards the goal of doubling farmers' incomes.
Who will be benefited?

 It’s a central sector scheme to be implemented over a period of five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
 It aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority
areas in seven states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
and Haryana.
Two major components of Atal Jal Yojana:

 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component- for strengthening institutional
arrangements for sustainable ground water management in States.

 Incentive Component for incentivising the States– for achievements in improved groundwater

management practices such as implementation of management interventions through convergence of
on-going schemes, adopting demand side management practices among others.
Funding:
 The total outlay of Rs.6000 crore, 50% shall be in form of World Bank loan (will be repaid by
Government of India) and remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary
support.
6.20 NATIONAL STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

Why in news?
Sector
The 11th edition of the National Street Food Festival began in the Capital.
More about the festival:

 It is organized by The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in collaboration with
the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NVSVI).
 The festival with a vibrant representation of tastes from across the country is organized at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
 The exhibition of stalls has been made according to four divisions- north, south, west, and east.
 Theme of the 11th edition - Healthier Diets
 The event is organized for bringing the street food vendors into the mainstream.
 The FSSAI will also be organizing its ‘National Eat Right Mela’ during the National Street Food
Festival to promote healthy foods for a healthier life.
 This will be the second edition of the National Eat Right Mela.
National Eat Right Mela:

 It is a mass-movement or Jan Andolan launched by FSSAI to coincide with celebrations of 150th
years of Mahatma Gandhi.
 The Movement is an effort to bring together other flagship programmes of the government, like Poshan
Abhiyan, Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and Anemia-Mukt Bharat.
 Eat Right India Movement has four key elements:
o ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’, a nationwide cycle relay
o ‘Eat Right Creativity Challenge’ for posters, wall art and digital creative
o ‘Eat Right Awards’ and ‘Eat Right Start-up Awards’ for industry, individuals and start-ups and
o ‘Eat Right Melas’ to engage, excite and enable citizens and food businesses towards safe and
healthy foods.
6.21 RUN THROUGH FILES- CENTRALIZED FILE MOVEMENT AND TRACKING INFORMATION
SYSTEM (CFMS)
Why in news?
Haryana devises scheme to clear files quickly.
More about:
 It is introduced by Haryana Government.
 It aims to ensure that important government matters don’t get delayed owing to conflicting hierarchical
and departmental priorities.
 A file shall be marked as Run Through Files (RTF) only by the Chief Minister in the CFMS.
 Every file marked as RTF has to be cleared on priority greater than that is currently being accorded to
the files marked top priority.
 At whichever level any contribution other than mere signing on the file is made, the same will also be
uploaded on CFMS portal.
 A system generated SMS and email will automatically be sent on each downward or upward movement
of the file.
 The movement of these files and time taken in clearing the file shall be personally reviewed by the
Chief Minister and only he will be able to mark and close the file as Run Through File.

6.22 HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

Why in news?
Union Human Resource Development Minister launched the 5 documents developed by UGC covering the
5 verticals of Quality Mandate in New Delhi.
More about:
 These five documents cover evaluation reforms, eco-friendly and sustainable university campuses,
human values & professional ethics, faculty induction and academic research integrity.
 University Grants Commission has adopted the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme to
improve the quality in Higher Educational Institutions.
 Student evaluation plays a crucial role in improving the quality of Higher Education in the country.
Sector
 SATAT- Framework for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Campus development in Higher Educational
Institutions encourages universities to adopt policies and practices to enhance the environmental
quality.
 Recognising the need to discuss the culture of human values and ethics in educational institutions,
UGC developed a policy framework- “MulyaPravah – Guidelines for Inculcation of Human values
and Professionals Ethics in Higher Educational Institutions”.
 Guru-Dakshta – A guide to Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) will fulfill its main objective to motivate
the faculty to adopt learner centred approaches.
6.23 EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS (EMRSS)

Why in news?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial assistance for upgradation/ modernisation of already
sanctioned Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs):

 Eklavya Model Residential School Scheme is an initiative to
provide quality middle and high level (class 6th to 12th)
education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas.
 It was started in 1998 and the first school was started in the
year 2000 in Maharashtra.
 EMRSs have been functioning as institutions of excellence for
tribal students.
 EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1)
of the Constitution of India.
 The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
 The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.
Objectives of EMRS:
 Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each and
every EMRS.
 Focus differentially on the educational support to be made available to those in Standards XI and XII
and those in standards VI to X, so that their distinctive needs can be met.
 Support the annual running expenses in a manner that offers reasonable remuneration to the staff
and upkeep of the facilities.
 Support the construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical environmental and
cultural needs of student life.

December 2019 | Government Interventions – Economy
ias/focus-prelims-2020.html
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS – ECONOMY

6.24 FASTAG
Why in news?
From December 15, 2019, FASTag, a prepaid rechargeable tag for toll payments, on national highways
will become mandatory for all vehicles.
What is FASTag?
 It is a prepaid radiofrequency identification-enabled tag that facilitates automatic deduction of toll
charges.
 The new system will now do away with a stopover of vehicles and cash transactions at toll plazas.
Implemented by:
 The FASTag electronic toll collection programme is being implemented by the Indian Highways
Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company incorporated by the National Highways Authority
of India (NHAI), and the National Payments Corporation of India in coordination with Toll Plaza
Concessionaires, tag issuing agencies and banks.
Validity:
 FASTag has a validity of five years.
What are the benefits?

 Apart from plugging revenue leakages and reducing the cost of delays and fuel consumption, which
is also likely to cut down the nation’s GDP loss, the tag helps remove bottlenecks, ensures
seamless movement of traffic and saves time.
 The centralised system provides authentic and real time data to government agencies for better
analysis and policy formulation.
 It also helps reduce air pollution and the use of paper besides cutting the cost of managing toll
plazas.
What lies ahead?

 The integration, which will become mandatory across the country from April 2020, will help revenue
authorities check whether goods vehicles are actually headed to the specified destination.

 Suppliers and transporters will also be able to keep track of their vehicles through SMS alerts
generated at each tag reader-enabled toll plaza.
 The Central government also plans to enable the use of FASTag for a range of other facilities such as
fuel payments and parking charges.
6.25 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (INVIT)

Why in news?
The Union Cabinet approved to the proposal of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, authorizing
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust(s) (InvIT) as per
InvIT Guidelines issued by SEBI.
Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT):

 This will enable NHAI to monetize completed National Highways that have a toll collection track
record of at least one year and NHAI reserves the right to levy toll on the identified highway.
 NHAI's InvIT will be a Trust established by NHAI under the Indian Trust Act, 1882 and Securities
and Exchange Board of India (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
 The InvIT Trust will be formed with an objective of investment primarily in infrastructure projects (as
defined by Ministry of Finance).
 InvIT may hold assets either directly or through an SPV or a holding.
6.26 NATIONAL ECONOMIC CENSUS

Why in news?
The Seventh Economic Census was launched in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
More about:
 It is conducted every five years and very crucial for framing of policies and planning for the
government and other organisations.
 The process of Economic Census was first held in 1977.
 This is the Seventh Census which will provide disaggregated information on various operational and
structural aspects of all establishments in the country.
 It is being carried out by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI) in
collaboration with Common Service Centre (CSC), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Ministry of
Electronics and IT.
 It will use an IT-based digital platform for data capture, validation, report generation and
dissemination for the first Time.
 The census will provide valuable insights into geographical spread/clusters of economic activities,
ownership pattern; persons engaged etc. of the establishments engaged in economic activity.
6.27 GEM SAMVAAD

Why in news?
Government e-commerce portal GeM launched a national outreach programme, GeM Samvaad, to bring
on-board more local sellers.
More about:
 The outreach programme will take place from Dec 2019 to Feb 2020 and will cover all States and
Union Territories (UTs) of the country.
 GeM Samvaad outreach programme will involve local sellers and stakeholders across the country to
facilitate on-boarding of local sellers on marketplace while catering to specific requirements as well as
procurement needs of buyers.
 Through GeM Samvaad, marketplace is looking forward to receive feedback from users which would be
used for making improvements and advancements in system.
Government e Marketplace (GeM):

 GeM is dynamic, self-sustaining and user friendly portal for regulating the procurement of goods
and services done by the Government Ministries and Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and
other apex autonomous bodies of the Central Government.
 DGS&D with technical support of National e Governance Division (Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology) has developed GeM portal.
 It is completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place.
 GeM eliminates human interface in vendor registration, order placement and payment processing, to
a great extent.
 Being an open platform, GeM offers no entry barriers to suppliers who wish to do business with the
Government.
6.28 NATIONAL MISSION ON ELECTRIC MOBILITY

Why in news?
Year-end review 2019 by Ministry of Heavy Industry.
More about:
 India is the largest manufacturer of 2 Wheeler and 3 Wheeler vehicles and 4th largest manufacturers
of passenger cars in the world.
 Total turnover of the Indian Automobile Industry during 2018-19 was about 118 Billion USD which
constitutes 7.1% of the country’s total GDP, 27% of Industrial GDP and 49% of Manufacturing GDP.
 This industry is one of the largest employers and provides about 37 million direct and indirect jobs.
Electric & Hybrid Mobility:

 Government of India approved the National Mission on Electric Mobility (NMEM) in 2011 and
subsequently National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 (NEMMP 2020) was unveiled in 2013 by
the Prime Minister.
 The NEMMP 2020 is a National Mission document providing the vision and the roadmap for the faster
adoption of electric vehicles and their manufacturing in the country.
 This plan has been designed to enhance national fuel security, to provide affordable and
environmentally friendly transportation and to enable the Indian automotive industry to achieve global
manufacturing leadership.
FAME India Scheme Phase II:

 Based on the outcome and experience of the FAME India Scheme, the second Phase of FAME Scheme
was finalised and notified on 8thMarch 2019 with the approval of Union Cabinet.
 This scheme has 3 components:
o Demand Incentives
o Charging Infrastructures
o Administrative Expenditure including Publicity, IEC Activities
Other initiatives to promote Electric Mobility:

 In addition to FAME India scheme Phase II, different wings of Government are working to promote
electric mobility in the country.
 Some of the major action in this regards are as given below:
o GST on EVs is reduced to 5% from the current rate of 12%.
o Government has extended an additional income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 Lakh on interest paid on
loans to the buyers of Electric Vehicle to buy EVs is provided.
o Ministry of Power has allowed sale of electricity as ‘service’ for charging of electric vehicles. This
would serve as an incentive to attract investments into charging infrastructure.
o MoRTH has issued a notification for Green Number plate for the use of Electric Vehicles.
To know more about - https://neoiascap.com/2019/07/03/national-electric-mobility-mission-

plan/economy/
6.29 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND (FIDF)

Why in news?

The first tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the department of Fisheries
Government of India, NARBARD and the Government of Tamil Nadu for the implementation of Fisheries
and Aquaculture Development Fund (FIDF).
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund (FIDF):

 Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund is a dedicated fund created with a total of Rs. 7522.48
crore to address the infrastructure requirement for fisheries sector.
 FIDF provides concessional finance to the eligible entities, cooperatives, individuals and entrepreneurs
for development of identified fisheries infrastructure.
 It promotes deep sea fishing, post harvesting, cage culture and exports.
 The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NARBARD), National Cooperatives
Development Corporation (NCDC) and all scheduled banks are Nodal Loaning entities (NLEs) to provide
concessional finance under the (FIDF).
 The Department of Fisheries, under the FIDF provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for
providing the concessional finance by the NLEs at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum.
6.30 COTTON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Why in news?
Year-end review – Union Ministry of Textiles.
Cotton Technical Assistance Programme:

 India implemented a Cotton Technical Assistance Programme
(Cotton TAP-I) of about USD 2.85 million for seven African
countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Uganda,
Malawi and Nigeria between 2011 and 2018.
 The technical assistance programme aims at improving the
competitiveness of the cotton and cotton-based textiles and
apparel industry in these countries.
 At the Partners Conference in Geneva, Textiles Minister
announced that India will launch the second phase of the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme
(TAP) for Africa.
 In the five year long second phase, the programme will be scaled up in size and coverage and will be
introduced in five additional countries, namely Mali, Ghana, Togo, Zambia and Tanzania.
 The Cotton TAP programme will now cover 11 African countries.
Integrated textile parks:

 The Government is implementing the Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) which provides
support for creation of world-class infrastructure facilities for setting up of textile units, with a
Government of India grant up to 40% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 40 crore.
 The grant is up to 90% of the project cost for North eastern and hilly states.
6.31 PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS REGULATORY BOARD (PNGRB)

Why in news?
As per information provided by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, approximately 18,646
MMSCM (Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres) of Natural gas has been produced domestically and
approximately 19,031 MMSCM of LNG has been imported in the country during the period April-October,
2019.
City Gas Distribution (CGD):

 Purpose for development of CGD networks is to increase the availability of cleaner cooking fuel (i.e.
Piped Natural Gas) and transportation fuel (i.e. Compressed Natural Gas) in the country.
 CGD will help in supporting governments various clean energy initiatives of the Union Government
like Ethanol Blending, Compressed Biogas plants, increased LPG coverage and introduction of
BS-6 fuels for automobiles.
 Natural Gas in the form of CNG is 60% cheaper as compared to petrol and 45% cheaper as compared
to diesel.

Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB):
 The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was
constituted under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board
Act, 2006.
 The board protects the interests of consumers and entities engaged in
specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural
gas and to promote competitive markets.
 Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to
grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas
Distribution (CGD) network.
 PNGRB identifies the GAs for the development of CGD network depending
on the natural gas pipeline connectivity/natural gas availability and techno-commercial
feasibility.
6.32 NATIONAL OIL SPILL DISASTER CONTINGENCY PLAN (NOSDCP)

Why in news?
In a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha the Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemicals &
Fertilizers, said that the Government has developed a standard operating procedure for all ports in the
country to deal with oil spills and other accidents that can damage the marine ecology surrounding the
ports.
More about:
 Under the Scheme 10 Major Ports and 8 Non Major Ports have been provided financial assistance so
far for procurement of Oil Spill Response (OSR) equipment as per specifications suggested in NOSDCP-
2015.
National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP):

 National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) delineates the role and responsibility of
various authorities including ports during an oil spill.
 Plan aims to develop appropriate and effective systems for the detection and reporting of spillage of oil.
 Annual calendar is published for conduct of different levels of exercises involving various stakeholders
for exercising their capabilities in mitigating risk of oil spills in their area of jurisdiction.
 As per NOSDCP, ports are required to be capable of handling tier-I level of oil spill within their
jurisdiction.
Oil Spillage:
 An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the
marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution.
6.33 PRADHAN MANTRI ANNADATA AAY SANRAKSHAN ABHIYAN (PM-AASHA)

Why in news?
Government procured just 3% of pulses, seeds targeted under PM-AASHA scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA):

 It is aimed towards ensuring remunerative prices to farmers for their produce.
 PM-AASHA will provide MSP assurance to farmers a reflection of Government’s commitment to the
“Annadata”.
Components:
The three components under the scheme aimed towards enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing
cost of cultivation which will enable boosting and securing farmer’s income in the long run.
 Price Support Scheme (PSS)
 Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)
 Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS)

Price Support Scheme (PSS):
 Under the scheme physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra will be done by Central Nodal
Agencies.
 Besides NAFED, Food Cooperation of India will also take up procurement of crops under PSS.
 The expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Centre.
Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS):

 Under PDPS, the Centre proposes to cover all oilseeds and pay the farmer directly into his bank
account the difference between the MSP and his actual selling/modal price.
 Farmers who sell their crops in recognised mandis within the notified period can benefit from it.
Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS):

 In the case of oilseeds, States will have the option to roll out PPSSs in select districts.
 Under this a private player can procure crops at MSP when market prices drop below MSP.
 The private player will then be compensated through a service charge that will be up to a maximum of
15 per cent of the MSP of the crop.
6.34 NORTH EAST AGRI-HORTICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Why in news?
The information regarding North East Agri-Horticulture and Economic Development Project was provided
by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) in
written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP):

 It is a World Bank aided project launched in 2012, was implemented by Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region (MDoNER)
 It aims to improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most
disadvantaged people by building community based organizations and developing partnership with
Government and other institutions for knowledge, skill, credit, insurance, and market.
 The project covered 1,645 villages of 4 states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
 The Project has concluded on 30.09.2019 and is running on an extended time upto 31.12.2019.
6.35 PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI

Why in news?
Odisha govt. scheme to merge with ‘PM-Kisan’ yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):

 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding
from Government of India.
 The Scheme is effective from 1.12.2018.
Objective:
 To provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers.
About the Fund and related matters:

 Under the Scheme an income support of Rs.6000/- per year is provided to all farmer families across
the country in three equal installments of Rs.2000/- each every four months.
 The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT
Governments.
 The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
To know more about - Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA)
scheme:https://neoiascap.com/2019/09/18/krushak-assistance-for-livelihood-and-income-
augmentation-kalia-scheme/schemes/agriculture-schemes/

6.36 NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY
Why in news?
The information about national logistics policy was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry in a
written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
More about:
 The vision of the proposed policy is to drive economic growth and business competitiveness of the
country through an integrated, seamless, efficient, reliable, green, sustainable and cost effective
logistics network leveraging the best in technology, processes and skilled manpower.
 While, there is no official estimation of logistics cost for India, some private institutions have estimated
the logistics cost to be 13 to 14 percent of the GDP.
 The proposed policy aims to reduce this to 9 -10 percent of the GDP.

SWIFT (Single Window Interface for Trade):
 SWIFT provides a single-point interface for clearance and is expected to reduce documentation and
costs.
 The single window will connect over 50 offices of six government agencies with the Indian customs
department.
6.37 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY APPELLATE BOARD (IPAB)

Why in news?
Union Minister clarified that there is no proposal to amend the provisions for filing SLP directly against
orders of IPAB.
Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB):

 Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) constituted the central
government in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2003.
 IPAB has its headquarters at Chennai and shall have sitting at
Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
 It was constituted to resolve the appeals against the decisions of
registrar under Indian Trademarks Act 1999.
 Each bench of IPAB consists of a judicial member as well as a
technical member.
 Appeal from the decision of the controller to IPAB must be made within three months.
Special Leave Petition (SLP):

 Under Article 136, the Constitution of India gives power to the Supreme Court to grant special
permission or leave to an aggrieved party to appeal against an order passed in any of the lower courts
or tribunals in India.
6.38 ANTI-DUMPING DUTY

Why in news?
Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) conducts anti-dumping investigations, under the Customs
Tariff Act, 1975 and the rules made there under, on the basis of a duly substantiated application filed by
the domestic industry alleging dumping of goods into the country causing injury to the domestic industry.
What is an Anti-Dumping Duty?

 An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign
imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.
 Dumping is a process where a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it
normally charges in its own home market.
 For protection, many countries impose stiff duties on products they believe are being dumped in their
national market, undercutting local businesses and markets.

WTO and dumping:
December 2019 | Government Interventions: Capsules

 The WTO does not regulate the actions of companies engaged in dumping.
 In general, the WTO agreement allows governments to "act against dumping where there is genuine
(material) injury to the competing domestic industry."
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS: CAPSULES

6.39 GANDHI ENCYCLOPEDIA
 It is the project of Ministry of Culture and undertaken by National Council of Science Museums,
Kolkata.
 It is for promotion of appropriate Gandhian philosophy and thoughts through social media platforms
in the eve of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
6.40 INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS (IGC)

 It is global geo-scientific events held once in four years and participated by around 5000-6000
geoscientists from all across the world.
 India is the only Asian country to host the event twice. In 1964, India had hosted it for the first time.
 Geological Survey of India is the nodal agency for organizing the event.
6.41 WI-FI CALLING

 It is launched by Bharti Airtel [Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi).
 It is aimed especially for areas where cellular networks are not strong.
 It uses high speed Internet connection, available via broadband, to make and receive high definition
(HD) voice calls.
6.42 GOVERNMENT INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM (GIMS)

 It is an Indian equivalent of popular messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, for secure
internal use.
 It is Designed and developed by the Kerala unit of National Informatics Centre (NIC).
 GIMS is being packaged for employees of Central and state government departments and
organizations for intra and inter organization communications.
 The platform is adaptable to both central and state government organizations, with iOS and android.
6.43 COMMUNITY MENTORS CALLED BUSINESS SAKHIS

 Programme aims at providing mentorship support services of both psycho-social and business
supports through a cadre of community mentors called Business Sakhis (Biz-Sakhis) mainly for
women.
 These mentors will provide backward (with financial institutions) and forward (with more lucrative
business ideas and market) linkages.
6.44 E-SKILL INDIA PLATFORM

 NSDC created an e-Skill India, a multilingual e-learning aggregator portal, providing e-skilling
opportunities to the Indian youth.
 eSkill India has on boarded organizations such as TCS, IBM etc. offering high-quality courses in
diverse sectors such as Agriculture, Healthcare, Telecom, Employability, Management etc.
 The courses are available in English, Hindi and 9 regional languages.
6.45 NEW SIGNALLING SYSTEM IN RAILWAY

 The Railways will roll out its new signalling system from April 2020 onwards.
 Technologies such as Automatic train protection system that helps in adhering to permissible speed
limits without driver intervention and 4G based mobile train radio communication system for
emergency communications etc are part of the new system.

6.46 INDIA’S FIRST TRANSGENDER UNIVERSITY
December 2019 | Government Interventions: Capsules

 India’s first university for transgender community will be opened in Kushinagar district in Uttar
Pradesh.
 It is the first of its kind University in country, where transgender community members will be able to
get education.
 The university will facilitate its members to study right from class 1 to Post Graduate (PG) and even
do research and get PhD degree.
6.47 SPANDANA
 It is an Andhra Pradesh Government initiative to make police stations more approachable for the
public, especially women.
 These centres mostly have a female receptionist and other staff members who are trained, briefed and
sensitised in handling women victims and complainants.
6.48 INTEGRATED ROAD ACCIDENT DATABASE (IRAD)

 The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to take up a project “Integrated Road
Accident Database (IRAD)” with funding from World Bank.
 The main objective of this project is on-site collection of accident data through app-based software
and analyse data for identification of black spots and other accident prone areas.
6.49 SECOND PRIVATELY OPERATED TRAIN

 The second privately operated IRCTC’s premium Tejas train, which will run between Ahmedabad and
Mumbai, will be launched on January 17.
 As with the first Tejas Express, which runs on the Delhi – Lucknow route, the Railway will
compensate the passengers if the train gets delayed.
6.50 SANTUSHT
 The Labour Ministry plans to launch a portal ‘Santusht’ for speedy redressal of worker as well as
employer grievances and ensuring implementation of labour laws at the grassroot level.
 Initially, it would monitor all services provided by retirement fund body EPFO, later, the portal would
cover other wings of the Ministry as well.
6.51 E-URVARAK DASHBOARD

 The dashboard is developed by Department of Fertilizers to facilitate easy monitoring by various
Stake holders viz. State Agriculture Departments, District Collectors and State Marketing Federations.
 The Dashboards provide various reports like frequent buyers, the retailers not selling fertilizer through
PoS devices, Stock Availability etc.
6.52 GOING ONLINE AS LEADERS

 GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) is a digitally-enabled mentorship initiative of Facebook for
empowering tribal youth to become leaders for tomorrow in the respective fields.
6.53 AYUSH GRID

 The AYUSH Grid is envisaged as a comprehensive IT backbone covering the different silos of the
AYUSH Sector.
 Ministry of AYUSH has also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology (MeitY) for technical help in AYUSH Grid Project.

December 2019 | Economy
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/new-year-offer-
2020.html
7 ECONOMY
7.1 COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP)
Why in news?
Aditya Birla Finance became the first company to list its commercial papers borrowing of Rs 100 crore on
the bourses.
Commercial Paper (CP):

 A Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured loan raised by firms in money markets through
instruments issued in the form of a promissory note.
 It was introduced in India in 1990.
Denominations and Maturity of Commercial Paper:

 CPs can be issued for maturities between a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of up to one year
from the date of issue.
 CPs can be issued in denominations of Rs 5 lakh or multiples thereof.
Who can issue CP?

 Corporates, primary dealers (PDs) and the All-India Financial Institutions (FIs) are eligible to issue CP.
Issuing and Paying Agent (IPA):

 Only a scheduled bank can act as an IPA for issuance of CP.
Who can invest in commercial paper?

 Individuals, banking companies, other corporate bodies (registered or incorporated in India) and
unincorporated bodies, non-resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign institutional investors (FIIs), etc can
invest in CPs.
 Investment by FIIs would be within the limits set for them by Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) from time-to-time.
7.2 IREDA AND GREEN WINDOW

Why in news?

Secretary for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) stated that the Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA) is planning to set up a dedicated “Green Window to serve the unserved
segments of renewable energy.”
What is a green window?

 A green window would lower the risk for traditional banks to finance green energy and tap into

international capital to help India power its cities and rural communities.
 Green windows, like green banks, are public entities created to work with the private sector to
increase investment in green energy and bring clean energy financing into the mainstream.
 They are innovative and new tools that have been successful in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan,
Malaysia and the United States.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA):

 IREDA is India’s leading financial institution dedicated to clean energy expansion.
 Since its founding under MNRE in 1987, IREDA has financed the largest share of renewable energy
projects in India.
7.3 PARTIAL CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME

Why in news?
Cabinet nod to partial credit guarantee scheme.
Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme:

 It allows for purchase of high-rated pooled assets from financially-sound non-banking financial
companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) by public sector banks (PSBs).
 The scheme would cover NBFCs and HFCs that might have slipped into “SMA-0” category during
the one-year period prior to August 1, 2018, and asset pools rated “BBB+” or higher.
 The window for one-time partial credit guarantee offered by the government would remain open till
June 30, 2020 or till such date by which Rs 1 lakh crore worth of assets get purchased by the banks,
whichever is earlier.
 The Finance Minister would have the power to extend the validity of the scheme by up to three months
by taking into account its progress.
7.4 GROSS BUDGETARY SUPPORT

Why in news?
During the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting of the North Eastern Region, the issue of
utilisation of 10% GBS in NER by Non-exempt Central Ministries/Departments was discussed in detail.
Gross Budgetary Support:

 The Government's support to the Central plan is called the Gross Budgetary Support.
 It includes sources of revenue raised by the Government and tax collection.
 The amount to be allocated to GBS is fixed by the Finance Commission.
 It collects the requirement of all the ministries and fixes the amount based on priority.
 Like other budget, GBS is also split into revenue and capital components.
7.5 NATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING AUTHORITY (NFRA)

Why in news?
Auditors get 90 days to file NFRA-2 form with NFRA.
National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA):

 It was constituted on 01st October, 2018 by the Government of India
under the Companies Act, 2013 for the establishment and enforcement
of accounting and auditing standards and oversight of the work of
auditors.
Functions and Duties:

 Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval
by the Central Government;
 Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
 Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such
standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
 Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary or incidental to the aforesaid functions

and duties.
Composition:
 It consists of one chairman, three full-time members and one secretary.
7.6 NATIONAL ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER (NEFT)

Why in news?
Starting from December 16, money can transfer online using the National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)
system at any time of the day, all through the year.
More about:
 Earlier, NEFT transactions could only be carried out between 8 am to 7 pm on weekdays plus first and
third Saturday - second and fourth Saturdays, plus Sundays were excluded.
What is the difference between NEFT and IMPS?
NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) IMPS (Immediate Payment Service)

NEFT transactions will only be credited to Transfers money in real time.
the beneficiary account in batches
NEFT transactions have been made free by Banks charge a certain amount depending
RBI from July 1, earlier this year. on the quantum of money being transferred
NEFT transaction can be done offline by Money can only be transacted online
visiting a bank branch.
There's no limit on the amount of money A maximum of Rs 2 lakh per day can be
that may be transferred via NEFT transferred.
To know more about RTGS - https://neoiascap.com/2019/07/01/rtgs-neft-2/economy/
7.7 OPERATION TWIST

Why in news?
RBI has conducted a special open market operation (OMO) similar to the 'Operation Twist' carried out in
the United States near the start of the decade.
More about:
 RBI will conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market
Operations (OMO) for ₹10,000 crore each.
 It will purchase the longer-term maturities (i.e. government bonds maturing in 2029), and
simultaneously sell the shorter duration ones (i.e. short-term bonds maturing in 2020).
 The eligible participants can bid or submit offers in electronic format on RBI’s Core Banking Solution
(E-Kuber).
Operation Twist:
 Operation Twist is when the central bank uses the proceeds from the sale of short-term securities
to buy long-term government debt papers, leading to easing of interest rates on the long term
papers.
 Operation Twist first appeared in 1961 as a way to strengthen the U.S. dollar and stimulate cash flow
into the economy.
 In June 2012, Operation Twist was so effective that the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury dropped to
a 200-year low.
Open Market Operations (OMO):
 It is one of the quantitative i.e. to regulate or control the total volume of money, monetary policy tools
which is employed by the central bank of a country to control the money supply in the economy.
 OMOs are conducted by the RBI by way of sale or purchase of government securities to adjust money
supply conditions.

 The central bank sells government securities to remove liquidity from the system and buys back
government securities to infuse liquidity into the system.
 These operations are often conducted on a day-to-day basis in a manner that balances inflation while
helping banks continue to lend.
 RBI carries out the OMO through commercial banks and does not directly deal with the public.
 The RBI uses OMO along with other monetary policy tools such as repo rate, cash reserve ratio and
statutory liquidity ratio to adjust the quantum and price of money in the system.
7.8 GOODS & SERVICES TAX COUNCIL

Why in news?
GST Council puts proposal to vote for first time, fixes 28% tax for lottery across India.
About GST Council:

 Goods & Services Tax Council is a constitutional body for making
recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related
to Goods and Service Tax.
 The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment)
Bill, 2016, for introduction of Goods and Services tax in the country
was introduced in the Parliament and passed by Rajya Sabha on 3rd
August, 2016 and by Lok Sabha on 8th August, 2016.
 The President of India accorded assent on 8th September, 2016, and
the same was notified as the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
 As per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council has to be constituted by the
President within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A.
 As per Article 279A (4), the Council will make recommendations to the Union and the States on
important issues related to GST.
Members:
 As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council which will be a joint forum of the
Centre and the States, shall consist of the following members: –
o The Union Finance Minister (Chairperson)
o The Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance
o The Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State
Government.
7.9 QUALITY COUNCIL OF INDIA (QCI)

Why in news?
Nearly 67 pc of imported toys are dangerous for kids say QCI survey.
Quality Council of India (QCI):

 Established in 1997 Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous organization under the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
 It was setup jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three
premier industry associations i.e.
o Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
o Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and
o Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
 It aims to establish and operate national accreditation structure and promote quality through
National Quality Campaign.

 It is the Quality Apex and National Accreditation Body for accreditation and quality promotion in the
country.
 The Council was established to provide a credible, reliable mechanism for third party assessment of
products, services and processes which is accepted and recognized globally.
 Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the
government.

7.10 EBक्रय
Why in news?
Finance Minister launches eBक्रय for online auction of assets attached by banks.
More about:
 eBक्रय is a common e-auction platform launched to enable online auction of attached assets by
banks, transparently for improved realisation of value.
 The platform is equipped with property search features and navigational links to all PSB e-auction
sites.
 It provides single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction as well as facility
for comparison of similar properties.
 It also contains photographs and videos of uploaded properties.
Note - As on 27.12.2019, a total of 35,000 properties had been uploaded on the platform by PSBs.
7.11 FOLLOW ON PUBLIC OFFER (FPO)

Why in news?
Public sector ITI Ltd. is scheduled to float a follow on public offer (FPO) to list an additional 18 crore equity
shares in the third or fourth week of January.
Follow on public offer (FPO):

 A follow-on public offering (FPO) is the issuance of shares to investors
by a company listed on a stock exchange.
 A follow-on offering is an issuance of additional shares made by a
company after an initial public offering (IPO).
 Companies usually announce FPOs to raise equity or reduce debt.
 The two main types of FPOs are dilutive—meaning new shares are
added—and non-dilutive—meaning existing private shares are sold
publicly.
At-the-Market Offering (ATM):

 If the company is not satisfied with the available price of shares on a given day, it can refrain from
offering shares.
 At-the-Market Offering is a type of FPO by which a company can offer secondary public shares on any
given day, usually depending on the prevailing market price, to raise capital.
7.12 BOND PRICE

Why in news?
Definition of 'Bond Price'.
Bonds:
 Bonds and equities are two important instruments issued by corporate
to mobilize funds.
 Bonds are debt, whereas stocks are equity. By purchasing equity (stock),
an investor becomes an owner in the issuing entity.
 By purchasing a debt instrument like bond, an investor becomes a
creditor to the corporation (or government).

 The primary advantage of being a creditor (by purchasing bonds) is that he has a higher claim on
assets than shareholders do.
 In the case of bankruptcy, a bondholder will get his money back before a shareholder.
Terms related to bonds:

 Face Value of Bond: In bond investing, face value, or par value, is commonly referred to the

amount paid to a bondholder at the maturity date, given the issuer doesn’t default. The face value
is also known as the repayment amount.
 Coupon: A coupon payment on a bond is a periodic interest payment that the bondholder receives
during the time between when the bond is issued and when it matures.
 Maturity Date: Maturity date is the date when the principal (face value) is paid back. The final
coupon and the face value of a debt security are repaid to the investor on the maturity date.
Bond Price:
 Bond price is the present discounted value of future cash stream generated by a bond.
 It refers to the sum of the present values of all likely coupon payments plus the present value of the
par value at maturity.
 To calculate the bond price, one has to simply discount the known future cash flows.
 The price of a bond and its yield-to-maturity are negatively correlated to each other.
 When the yield-to-maturity is higher than the coupon rate, the price of a bond is less than the face
value and vice-versa.
 Usually bonds are issued at coupon rates close to the prevailing interest rate, so that they can be sold
close to their face values.
Note: The yield to maturity (YTM) is the estimated annual rate of return for a bond assuming that the
investor holds the asset until its maturity date.
The coupon rate is the earnings an investor can expect to receive from holding a particular bond.
7.13 TAXATION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019

Why in news?
Lok Sabha passes Bill to effect corporate tax reduction.
Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019:

 Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, will amend the Income Tax Act 1961 and the Finance Act
2019.
 The main aim of the bill is to promote growth and investment in domestic manufacturing sector.
 The bill provides an option for the domestic companies to pay taxes at the rate of 22%.
o This can be availed only if the companies are not claiming deductions under the Income Tax act.
 The Bill provides that a domestic manufacturing company set up on or after October 1, 2019, and
which commences manufacturing by March 31, 2023, may opt to pay tax at 15 per cent plus
surcharge at 10 per cent and cess at 4 per cent if it does not claim any deduction.
 The companies opting for the new tax rates need not pay Minimum Alternate Taxes (MAT).
7.14 BHARAT BOND EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

Why in news?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for creation and launch of Bharat Bond
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF).
More about:
 It creates an additional source of funding for Central Public Sector
Undertakings (CPSUs) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs),
Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government
organizations.
 Bharat Bond ETF would be the first corporate Bond ETF in the
country.

Bharat Bond ETF Structure:
 Each ETF will have a fixed maturity date.
 The ETF will track the underlying Index on risk replication basis, i.e. matching Credit Quality and
Average Maturity of the Index
 As of now, it will have 2 maturity series - 3 and 10 years. Each series will have a separate index of the
same maturity series.

Benefits of Bharat Bond ETF to investors:
 Bond ETF will provide safety (underlying bonds are issued by CPSEs and other Government owned
entities), liquidity (tradability on exchange) and predictable tax efficient returns (target maturity
structure).
 It will also provide access to retail investors to invest in bonds with smaller amount (as low as Rs.
1,000) thereby providing easy and low-cost access to bond markets.
 This will increase participation of retail investors who are currently not participating in bond markets
due to liquidity and accessibility constraints.
Bharat Bond ETF Benefits for CPSEs:

 Bond ETF would offer CPSEs, CPSUs, CPFIs and other Government organizations an additional
source of meeting their borrowing requirements apart from bank financing.
 It will expand their investor base through retail participation which can increase demand for their
bonds.
 Further, Bond ETF trading on the exchange will help in better price discovery of the underlying bonds.
Developmental impact on Bond Markets:

 This is expected to eventually increase the size of bond ETFs in India leading to achieving key
objectives at a larger scale - deepening bond markets, enhancing retail participation and reducing
borrowing costs.
What is an ETF?
 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are essentially index funds that are listed and traded on exchanges
like stocks.
 They track indexes like the nifty, sensex or banking index.
7.15 PAYMENTS BANK

Why in news?
Payments banks can apply for conversion into small finance banks (SFBs) after five years of operation.
Payments Bank:
 Payments Banks are a new set of differentiated banks introduced
by the Reserve Bank of India with the aim of extending deposit
and payments services to millions of unbanked and underbanked
Indians.
 It cannot offer all the services that a commercial bank offers.
 Committee recommended creation of Payment Banks – Nachiket
Mor (in 2013 by RBI).
Features:
 It can take deposits upto 1 lakh per account.
 They can issue ATM debit cards but not credit cards.
 It cannot lend.
 It has to maintain Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).
Objectives:
The objectives of setting up of payments banks will be to further financial inclusion by providing:
(i) small savings accounts and

(ii) payments/remittance services to migrant labour workforce, low income households, small
businesses, other unorganised sector entities and other users.
Other functions payments bank can undertake:

 A payments bank can work as a business correspondent (BC) of another bank.
 They can distribute non-risk sharing simple financial products like mutual fund units and

insurance products.
Note - Bharti Airtel launched India's first live payments bank.

India Post Payments Bank:
 India Post Payments Bank has been set up under the Department of Posts, Ministry of
Communication.
 100% equity owned by Government of India.
 India Post Payments Bank is the third entity to receive payments bank permit after Airtel and
Paytm.
7.16 FUGITIVE ECONOMIC OFFENDERS ACT

Why in news?
Absconding businessman Nirav Modi has been declared a Fugitive Economic Offender under Fugitive
Economic Offenders act.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Act:

 It allows for declaring a person as an offender after an arrest warrant has been issued against the
individual and the value of offences exceeds 100 crore.
 Another condition for declaring a person a fugitive economic offender (FEO) is when the individual
refuses to return to the country to face prosecution in the specified cases.
 As per the law, a special FEOA court can order the confiscation of a FEO’s properties, including
those which are benami, and the proceeds of crime in and outside India.
 Once properties are confiscated, the Union government has the right over them, and it can
dispose them after 90 days.
7.17 GOLD HALLMARKING

Why in news?
It has been decided that notification in respect of Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts would be
issued on 15th January, 2020 and it would become mandatory in the country w.e.f. 15th January, 2021.
More about:
 Gold hallmarking is a purity certification of the metal.
 It is voluntary in nature at present. The BIS is already running a
hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery since April 2000.
 The Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated standards for hallmarking
gold jewellery in 3 grades: 14 carat, 18 carat and 22 carat as per IS
1417:2016.
 The Assaying and Hallmarking centres are setup by private entrepreneurs
and is a market driven activity where decision to open a Centre is taken by
the entrepreneur based on commercial viability.
7.18 INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRES (IFSC)

Why in news?
The Bill to set up a unified Authority to regulate financial products.
International Financial Services Centres (IFSC):

 An IFSC caters to customers outside the jurisdiction of the domestic economy.

 Such centres deal with flows of finance, financial products and services across borders.
 London, New York and Singapore can be counted as global financial centres.
 It would provide corporates easier access to global financial markets.
 The first IFSC in India has been set up at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in
Gandhinagar.
December 2019 | Economy Capsules

 In India the SEZ Act 2005 allows setting up an IFSC in an SEZ or as an SEZ after approval from the
central government.
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/target-prelims-2020-

prelims-test-series.html
ECONOMY CAPSULES
7.19 INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR’S DATABANK
 Launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
 It is aimed at providing access and navigate platform for the registration of existing independent
directors as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.
Applications:
• It provides for a wide array of e-learning courses on various topics including the Companies Act,
securities laws, basic accountancy, board practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.
• Provide an easy to access & navigate platform for the registration of existing Independent Directors as
well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.
8 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

8.1 ANTI-MARITIME BILL
Why in news?
External Affairs Minister introduced the Anti-Maritime bill in parliament.
More about the bill:

 The bill is framed in accordance with the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
 It provides punishment of death penalty to those involved in piracy at sea.
 Section 3 of the bill mentions that persons involved in the act of piracy shall be punished with
imprisonment and death penalty.

Need For the Bill:
 India does not have a separate domestic legislation on piracy.
 The provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to armed robbery and the Admiralty jurisdiction of
certain courts have been invoked in the past to prosecute pirates apprehended by the Indian Navy and
December 2019 | Polity and Governance

the Coast Guard.
 Piracy has been growing in the Indian Ocean region since 2008.
 It is especially more in the Gulf of Aden, which is used by more than 2,000 ships a day, the Gulf has
seen several attacks from Somalia.
 The region is important as it is the busiest trade route between Europe, Asia and East Coast of Africa.
 This is because; several countries jointly and individually are increasing their security in the Gulf of
Aden region to protect their ships.
 This has forced the pirates to shift their operation eastwards and southwards. This affects India greatly
and a strict legislation is required.
8.2 LAND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (LBA)

Why in news?
More than four years after the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh, a report
released by civil rights organizations on the situation in erstwhile enclaves’ states that protest and
resistance have become an essential part of their survival in India.
Land Boundary Agreement:

 Under the Land Boundary Agreement, the
Bangladeshi enclaves in India and Indian enclaves
in Bangladesh were transferred on July 31, 2015.
 The agreement involved handing over 17,000 acres
of land to Bangladesh in return for 7,000 acres in
162 enclaves in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura
and Meghalaya.
 100th constitutional amendment act (2015) was
enacted to give effect to the acquiring of certain
territories by India and transfer of certain other
territories to Bangladesh.
8.3 CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL

Why in news?
Parliament passes the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019.
More about the bill:

 Bill seeks to grant Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and
Christian communities on ground of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
 It basically intends to make it easier for non-Muslim immigrants from India’s three Muslim-majority
neighbours to become citizens of India.
 Grant of citizenship will be from the date and year of the entry into India and all the cases and legal
proceedings against them would be closed, besides protecting their business and trade interests on an
equal footing.
 Even if the passports and visas of these minorities had expired, they would not be treated as illegal.
 The provisions of the amendments to the Act would not apply to tribal area of Assam, Meghalaya,
Mizoram or Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule and the area covered under ‘The Inner Line’
notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
 The Bill also seeks to amend the Third Schedule to the Act to make applicants belonging to the said
communities from the aforesaid countries eligible for citizenship by naturalisation if they can establish
their residency in India for five years instead of the existing eleven years.
 Bill also provides Additional Ground for Cancelling Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Registration i.e.
violation of any law notified by the central government.

8.4 WHAT CONNECTS NPR, NRIC AND CENSUS?
Why in news?
As protests spread all across the country against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 and the

proposed National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC), West Bengal and Kerala suspended work related to
the preparation and update of the National Population Register in their respective States.
What is National Population Register?

 The NPR is a database containing a list of all usual
residents of the country with demographic and
biometric details, was supposed to be prepared between
April 2020 and September 2020 ahead of the Census
slated for 2021.
How it is generated?
 It is generated through house to house enumeration
during the “house listing” phase of the census, which is
held once in 10 years.
 A usual resident for the purposes of NPR is a person who has resided in a place for six months or
more, and intends to reside there for another six months or more.
What is the legal basis for the NPR?

 While the census is legally backed by the Census Act, 1948, the NPR is a mechanism outlined in a set
of rules framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
 Section 14A was inserted in the Citizenship Act, 1955, in 2004, providing for the compulsory
registration of every citizen of India and the issue of a “national identity card” to him or her.
 It also said the Central government may maintain a “National Register of Indian Citizens”.
 The Registrar General India shall act as the “National Registration Authority” (and will function
as the Registrar General of Citizen Registration).
Is there any link between the NPR and Aadhaar?

 Both databases of NPR and Aadhaar will exist with different objectives, and that each will use the
other’s biometric data.
 Those already enrolled for Aadhaar need not give their biometric details again during NPR.
 In case of discrepancy between Aadhaar and NPR data, the latter would prevail.
What will happen after the NPR is compiled?

 National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) is a subset of the NPR; since NPR consist of all residents in
the country.
 NRIC will be prepared at the local, sub district, district and State levels after verifying the citizenship
status of the residents.
 Details of those “whose citizenship is doubtful” will be given an opportunity of being heard by the Sub
district or Taluk Registrar of Citizen Registration before a final decision is made on excluding them
from the NRIC.
 The decision should be made within 90 days.
 Any person aggrieved by an exclusion order can appeal to the District Registrar within 30 days.
 In case, the appeal succeeds, the names of those concerned would be added to the NRIC.
What are the documents that would help establish citizenship?

 It has not yet prescribed rules for the sort of documentary proof that would be required to prove
citizenship.
 The government says any document that shows date of birth or place of birth, or both, will be
Sufficient and those unable to produce documents may produce witnesses or other proof
supported by members of the community.
Many State governments have said the NPR would not be implemented. Is this possible?

 As the house to house enumeration is a part of the Census operation, it is unlikely that the NPR
process can go ahead without support of State governments.
 The legal position is that while the Centre is in charge of the census, the State governments are
expected to provide staff whenever required.

What is the relationship between the NPR and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act?
 There is no direct link, but CAA may help non-Muslims (Religiously persecuted minorities other than
Muslims) take the CAA route to apply for citizenship.
8.5 NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT, 1985

Why in news?
The Coast Guard apprehended six people from Myanmar with banned contraband worth approximately
150 crore, about 125 nautical miles east of Little Andaman.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985:

 The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is an Act of
the Parliament of India that prohibits a person to
produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase,
transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or
psychotropic substance.
 As per the NDPS Act, narcotic drugs include coca leaf, cannabis
(hemp), opium and poppy straw.
 Psychotropic substance means any natural or synthetic
material or any salt or preparation covered under the 1971
convention on Psychotropic substances.
 The following conventions various forms of control to limit the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances
o The UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961
o The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971
o The Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988
 India is a signatory to all these three.
 Since then act was amended thrice (1988, 2001 and 2014).
 NDPS Act has made stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
 As per the NDPS Act, the minimum sentence for dealing with drugs is 10 years rigorous
imprisonment coupled with a fine of Rs. 1 lakh.
 No bail is granted for those persons booked under this act.
 In addition, no relief can be obtained by the drug convicts through suspension, remission and
commutation of sentences passed.
 Even worse, NDPS Act prescribes capital punishment for repeat offenders of drug trafficking even
though the offence cannot be called as a heinous crime.
8.6 CABINET COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT AND GROWTH (CCIG)

Why in news?
The newly-formed Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth (CCIG) held its first meeting as the
government looks to boost spending to bring back a sputtering economy on track.

 The panel has five members –Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Highways and MSME
Minister, Union Finance Minister and Union Commerce & Railways Minister.
 CCIG was set up in June along with a Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development in
response to growth slowing down and a rise in unemployment.
Cabinet Committees:
 They are extra constitutional (i.e. not mentioned in constitution) and established as per Rules of
Business of Government of India.

 These committees are of two types
o Standing cabinet committee- they are of a permanent nature.
o Ad hoc cabinet committee - they are of a temporary nature.
 They are set up by Prime Minister according to exigencies of time and requirements of situation.

To know more - https://neoiascap.com/2019/06/07/cabinet-committees/polity/
8.7 PVTGS
Why in news?
There are certain tribal communities who have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-
agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

 These groups are among the most vulnerable section of our society as they are few in numbers, have
not attained any significant level of social and economic development.
 75 groups have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
 In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who
are less developed among the tribal groups.
 In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
 PVTGs have some basic characteristics -they are mostly homogenous, with a small population,
relatively physically isolated, social institutes cast in a simple mould, absence of written
language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc
Development of PVTGs:
 Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the scheme of “Development of PVTGs” which covers these
75 PVTGs for the activities like education, housing, land distribution, agricultural development and
construction of link roads, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive
socio-economic development of PVTGs.
 Under the scheme, State Governments submits Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) Plans on
the basis of their requirement.
 100% grants-in-aid are made available to States as per the provisions of the scheme.
8.8 DETENTION OF MINORS

Why in news?
The Uttar Pradesh police detained at least five minors regarding the protests against the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act, 2019, between the ages of 13 and 17 and allegedly tortured them over a period of 48
hours before releasing them.
What does the Juvenile Justice Act say about detention of minors?
 The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has specific procedures and rules
in relation to children found to be in conflict with the law.
 Under Section 10, it says that as soon as a child alleged to be in conflict with law is apprehended by
the police, the child shall be placed under the charge of the special
juvenile police unit or the designated child welfare police officer.
 That officer in turn, should produce the child before the Juvenile
Justice Board within a period of 24 hours excluding the time
necessary for the journey from the place where the child was picked
up.
 In no case, it clearly states, should a child alleged to be in conflict
with the law be placed in a police lockup or lodged in a jail.
What are the statutory bodies responsible for protecting the rights of children in India?
 The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body set up in 2007
under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

 The objective of the commission is to protect, promote and defend child rights in India including the
rights adopted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 —with an
accession by India in 1992.
 The convention defines a child as a human being under 18.

 It can present a report annually for the implementation of these measures.
 NCPCR has the powers of a civil court.
8.9 REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Why in news?
The Election Commission of India has reviewed the system and process of registration of political parties.
More about:
 The new guidelines will be effective from 1st January, 2020.
 Accordingly the “Political Parties Registration Tracking
Management System” (PPRTMS) will be implemented
through an online portal.
 It facilitates tracking of status of application by applicants.
Background:
 The Registration of Political Parties is governed by the
provisions of section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
 A party seeking registration under the said section with the Commission has to submit an application
to the Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation in prescribed
format.
 Basic particulars about the party such as name, address, membership details of various units, names
of office bearers, etc, are required.
8.10 DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU (MERGER OF UNION
TERRITORIES) BILL
Why in news?
Parliament passed the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill.
More about:
 The bill has been brought to provide for merger of union territories of Dadra and
Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, in view of
o fruitful utilization of manpower
o improve administrative efficiency
o reduce administrative expenditure
o improve service delivery and
o facilitate better monitoring of schemes.
 The new entity would be called the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman
and Diu.
 It would be governed under the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court.
Union territories in India (After the merger of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
Daman and Diu):
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Lakshadweep
3. Puducherry
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
5. National Capital Territory of Delhi
6. Chandigarh
7. Jammu and Kashmir
8. Ladakh

8.11 LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTAS ACT, 2013
Why in news?
Almost six years after the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, were signed into law, several key provisions

needed for the anticorruption ombudsman to function have still not been operationalised.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013:

 The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and
Lokayukta for States.
 They perform the function of an "ombudsman” and inquire into allegations of corruption against
certain public functionaries and for related matters.
Structure of Lokpal:
 Lokpal is a multi-member body that consists of one chairperson
and a maximum of 8 members.
 Chairperson of the Lokpal should be either the former Chief
Justice of India or the former Judge of Supreme Court or an
eminent person having special knowledge and expertise of
minimum 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption
policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including
insurance and banking, law and management.
 Out of the maximum eight members, half will be judicial
members and minimum 50% of the Members will be from SC/ ST/ OBC/ Minorities and women.
 The judicial member of the Lokpal either a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a former Chief
Justice of a High Court.
 The term of office for Lokpal Chairman and Members is 5 years or till the age of 70 years.
 The members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of a Selection Committee.
 The selection committee is composed of the Prime Minister who is the Chairperson; Speaker of Lok
Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by
him/her and One eminent jurist.
8.12 ARMS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019

Why in news?
Lok Sabha today passed the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
More About:
 The Bill seeks to enhance the punishment for existing offences like illegal manufacture, sale, transfer,
illegal possessing of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition.
 It also proposes to define new offences and prescribing punishment
for them, such as for taking away firearms from police or armed
forces, involvement in organized crime syndicate, illicit trafficking
including smuggled firearms etc.
 Further, the Bill seeks to enhance the period of arms license from
three years to five years and also to issue arms license in its
electronic form to prevent forgery.
 Provisions related to ownership of arms by retired and serving
personnel of armed forces remains unaffected by the
Amendment.

December 2019 | History and Culture
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/target-prelims-2020-
prelims-test-series.html
9 HISTORY AND CULTURE

9.1 GOLCONDA FORT
Why in news?
A large part of the 500 year old Golconda Fort’s moat has been pulverised by the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for laying a pipeline.
Golconda Fort:
 Location – Hyderabad, Telangana.
 It was originally known as Mankal, and built on a hilltop in
the year 1143.
 The fort was built by the Kakatiya dynasty.
 India's one of the most outstanding citadels, the Golconda
fort epitomises the sumptuous 'Nawabi' culture of the time.
 The Golconda fort came into the possession of the Bahmani
dynasty.
 Later, the Qutub Shahi dynasty took over and made
Golconda its capital.
9.2 SUBRAMANIA BHARATHI

Why in news?
PM Modi pays tributes to ‘Mahakavi’ Bharathiar on his birth anniversary.
Subramaniya Bharathi:
 He was born in 1882, Tamil Nadu.
 He was a poet, freedom fighter and social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
 He was known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar.
 His poems are: Kannan Pattu, Nilavum Vanminum Katrum, Panchali Sabatam and Kuyil Pattu and
Sudesa Geethangal.
 In order to proclaim its revolutionary ardour, Bharathi had the weekly newspaper named ‘India’
printed in red paper.
 It was the first paper in Tamil Nadu to publish political cartoons.
 He also published and edited a few other journals like ‘Vijaya’.

 He attended the annual sessions of Indian National Congress and discussed national issues with
extremist leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, B.G. Tilak and V.V.S. Iyer.
 He had participated in Benaras Session (1905) and Surat Session (1907) of the Indian National
Congress.

9.3 UNESCO LIST OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Why in news?
UNESCO, the United Nations agency for education, culture and science has recognized the “Nuad” Thai
massage as part of its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Nuad Thai massage:

 The Nuad massage teachings focus on directing blood circulation around problem areas that help in
solving muscle aches.
 Vis-à-vis traditional massages, in Nuad massages the therapists may use their forearms and knees to
apply pressure.
UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage:

 The list was established in 2008 when Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
came into effect.
 UNESCO maintains three lists under its Intangible Cultural Heritage banner:
o The list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
o The list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
o Register of good safeguarding practices.
 The UNESCO Committee meets annually to evaluate nominations that are proposed by the States
themselves.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages from India:

S.No. ICH Element Year of Inscription
1. Tradition of Vedic chanting 2008
Ramlila, the traditional performance of the
2. 2008
Ramayana
3. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre 2008
Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the
4. 2009
Garhwal Himalayas, India
Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of
5. 2010
Kerala
6. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan 2010
7. Chhau dance 2010
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred
8. Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh 2012
region, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing
9. 2013
of Manipur
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making
10. among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, 2014
India
11. Yoga 2016
12. Nawrouz 2016
13. Kumbh Mela 2017
9.4 ELLORA & AJANTA CAVES

Why in news?
Visitor centres at Ajanta, Ellora shut due to pending dues.

Ellora Caves:
 Location - Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
 Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the

civilization of ancient India to life.
 The 34 "caves" are actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.
 These caves are dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism and
Jainism religions.
 The Ellora Caves were designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1983.
 Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut
architecture.
 Cave 16 - the Kailasha temple
o The largest single monolithic rock excavation in the
world.
o A chariot shaped monument dedicated to Shiva.
Ajanta Caves:
 Location: Near Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
 Constructed between 2nd Century BC to 6th Century AD.
 It consists of 30 caves with one incomplete so sometimes considered 29.
 The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a
considerable artistic influence.
 Patronage: Satavahanas, Vakatakas and Chalukyas
 Chronology of Construction:
 2nd-1st Century BC – Hinayana Phase
 5th – 6th Century AD – Mahayana Phase
 The Ajanta Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
9.5 SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDS

Why in news?
Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages.
Sahitya Akademi Awards:

 Sahitya Akademi award established in 1954 and is a literary honour that is conferred annually by
Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of letters.
 Award is presented to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 23 major
Indian languages recognized by the Akademi (including English).
 Sahitya Akademi award is the second-highest literary honour by the Government of India, after
Jananpith award:
 Criteria:
o The author must be of Indian Nationality.
o Book/work eligible for the award must be an outstanding contribution to the language and
literature to which it belongs.
o When equal merit for books of two or more are found, certain criteria like total literary
contribution and standing of authors shall be taken into consideration for declaring award.
The Jnanpith award:

 It is the highest literary award in India and can only be conferred upon an Indian citizen. English
language was added to the list of languages for consideration after the 49th Jnanpith Award.
 The recipients of the award are given a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation plaque and a bronze replica
of Goddess Saraswati.
 In 1965, famous Malayalam writer G Sankara Kurup became the first winner of the Jnanpith Award.
9.6 MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA

Why in news?
PM paid tributes to Madan Mohan Malaviya on his 158th birth anniversary.
Madan Mohan Malaviya:

 Madan Mohan Malaviya was an Indian educationist, freedom
fighter and the four time president of Indian National Congress.
 He was respectfully addressed as 'Mahamana'.
 He was the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at
Varanasi in 1916.
 He also founded a highly influential English-newspaper, “The
Leader” which was published from Allahabad.
 Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was posthumously conferred with
Bharat Ratna in 2014.
 He attended the Round Table Conference in 1931.
 He helped to establish the Hindu Mahasabha (“Great Society of Hindus”) in 1906, which brought
diverse local Hindu nationalist movements together.
9.7 SOUTH INDIA’S EARLIEST SANSKRIT INSCRIPTION

Why in news?
The Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India has discovered the earliest epigraphic
evidence so far for the Saptamatrika cult.

 It is also the earliest Sanskrit inscription to have been discovered in South India as on date.
 The inscription is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters and was issued by Satavahanas king Vijaya in
207 A.D.
 So far the Nagarjunakonda inscription of Ikshavaku King Ehavala Chantamula issued in his 11th
regnal year corresponding to the 4th century A.D. was considered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in
South India.
 The inscription records construction of a prasada (temple), a mandapa (a pavilion for public rituals)
and consecration of images on southern side of temple by a person named Kartika for merit of king at
temple of Bhagavathi (Goddess) Saktimatruka (Saptamatrika) at Tambrape (which is the ancient
name of Chebrolou).
Saptamatrikas:
 They are a group of seven female deities worshipped in Hinduism as personifying the energy of their
respective consorts.
 There are references of Saptamatrika worship in early Kadamba copper plates as well as early
Chalukyas and Eastern Chalukya copper plates.
 But this new discovery predates them by almost 200 years.
9.8 HORNBILL FESTIVAL (FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS)

Why in news?
20th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland.
Hornbill Festival:
 Hornbill Festival was established on 1st December 1963, but the first
festival was held in 2000.
 Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland.
 Duration: It is annually held from 1 - 10 December.
 Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of the
Government of Nagaland.
 The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland
and display its extravaganza and traditions.
About Great Indian Hornbill:

 It is one of the larger members of the hornbill family, distributed along Indian Subcontinent and
Southeast Asia.
December 2019 | History and Culture Capsules

 It is the state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.
Conservation Status and Threats:

 It is evaluated as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
 It is listed in Appendix I of CITES.
 Habitat loss and hunting are major threats.
9.9 BELUM CAVES FESTIVAL

Why in news?
Belum Caves Festival postponed.
Belum Caves:
 Belum Caves, also known as Belum Guhalu in Andhra Pradesh.
 The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns
with fresh water and siphons.
 This cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands
of years by the constant flow of underground water from the now-
disappeared river Chitravathi.
 It is the second largest caves on the Indian Subcontinent after
the Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya.
 It is one of the centrally protected Monuments of National Importance.
 These caves are renowned for their speleothem structures.
 The caves were occupied by Jain and Buddhist monks many centuries ago.
Speleothems:
 Speleothems are secondary mineral deposits formed in caves (like stalactite, stalagmite) by flowing,
dripping, or seeping water.
 The most commonly occurring minerals are calcite, aragonite, and gypsum although many other
minerals have been found in speleothems.
To know more - https://www.neoias.com/index.php/ecoffairs-2020.html
HISTORY AND CULTURE CAPSULES

9.10 INDIAN CULTURE PORTAL
 It is the first government authorized portal where knowledge and cultural resources of various
organizations of Ministry of Culture are now available in public domain on a single platform.
 It was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay while the curation of the data
December 2019 | Reports and indices

has been done by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
9.11 TAJ TRAPEZIUM ZONE

 It is a defined area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution.
 It comprises monuments including three World Heritage Sites the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and
Fatehpur Sikri.
 The geographical limits of the Taj Trapezium Zone include Agra Division of the State of Uttar Pradesh
and in the Bharatpur Division of the State of Rajasthan.
9.12 KONDA REDDY TRIBES

 It is one of the most backward tribal groups in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
 They inhabit on both the banks of the Godavari River (East and West Godavari districts), in the hilly-
forest region of Khammam (Telangana) and Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh)..
 Konda Reddis have also been recognized as Primitive Tribal Group (now Particularly Vulnerable
Tribal Groups).
9.13 NATIONAL TRIBAL DANCE FESTIVAL

 It is an annual festival celebrated by aborigines and tribal of India.
 The festival is used to mark and celebrate the dances of Adivasi and tribal people in India as well as
their indigenous tribal dance culture.
 This Tribal Dance Festival is held annually during the month of December and is organised by Union
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with respective state government where the fest will be held.
9.14 DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD

 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema.
 The award, named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke who is revered as the Father of Indian cinema, was
instituted in 1969.
 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a
cash prize of ₹10, 00,000.
10 REPORTS AND INDICES

10.1 INDIA CORRUPTION SURVEY 2019
Why in news?
Corruption in India fell 10% in 2019, reveals survey.
About the Survey:

 The survey was conducted by LocalCircles and Transparency International India, a non-
governmental organisation.
 Odisha has been ranked among the least corrupt states in India as per the survey.
o Followed by Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala and Goa.
 Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Punjab had
higher occurrences.
Note - As compared to 2018, India’s overall ranking in Corruption Perception Index has raised 3 places to
78 out of 180 countries.

To know more…https://www.neoias.com/index.php/international-relations-prelims-
2020.html
10.2 INDIA SKILLS REPORT 2020

Why in news?
The 2020 India Skills Report was released.
About the report:

 Jointly released by the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), AICTE (All India Council for
Technical Education), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and AIU (Association of
Indian University).
From the Report:

 Maharashtra tops the list of states with highest employable talent followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar
Pradesh.
 Mumbai followed by Hyderabad came up as the highest employable cities.
Findings:
 About 46 per cent Indian students are employable or ready to take up jobs.
 Of these, the most employable candidates are MBA students with 54 per cent.
 Male and female participants underwent a role reversal in terms of employability scores (from 48% and
46% respectively in 2018 to 46% and 47% respectively in 2019), according to the report.
 There is an improvement in the availability of employable talent at around 47% in 2019 up from 33.9%
in 2014.
10.3 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX 2019

Why in news?
India ranks 129 out of 189 countries on the 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) -up one slot from the
130th position last year.

 India improved its human development index score to
0.647 to 0.643 and continues as a country with medium
human development.
 Norway, Switzerland, Ireland occupied the top three

positions in that order.
India’s HDI performance:

 India’s ranking improved mainly because of the decline in
poverty, improvement in education and health sectors.
 At the same time, India’s performance continues to be poor
with respect to inequality. Group based inequalities are
still high in India especially related to women and children.
 According to the report, South Asia is the region witnessing fastest improvement in HDI
understandably because of its past low HDI attainments.
 For inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), India’s position drops by one position to 130, losing nearly half the
progress (.647 to .477) made in the past 30 years.
 South Asia witnessed 46 per cent growth during 1990-2018, followed by East Asia and the Pacific at
43 per cent.
Human Development Index (HDI):

 It is developed by the UNDP to measure the human welfare and its various aspects; using the
variables- life expectancy, literacy and per capita income.
10.4 CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX (CCPI)

Why in news?
India among top 10 countries with higher climate performance as per the recently released Climate
Change Performance Index.
Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI):

 The CCPI is an independent monitoring tool of countries climate protection performance.
 It aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables the comparability of
climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.
 The index is published by Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the Climate Action
Network.
 The ranking results are defined by a country’s aggregated performance in 14 indicators within the four
categories:
o GHG Emissions,
o Renewable Energy,
o Energy Use,
o Climate Policy, in a globally unique policy section of the index.

About India:
 India for the first time ranks among the top 10 ranked 9th as per the index.
 The ranking was to the “high category”, where the countries have ambitious 2030 targets.
 The report noted that India received medium rating in the renewable energy category.
 Also, the 2030 target set by India was rated high for its well-below 2-degree Celsius compatibility.
Note - The report also says that India is yet to develop a road map to phase-out fossil fuel subsidies in
order to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Global Scenario:
 The first three places of the ranking remain unoccupied as none of the countries assessed is already
on a path compatible with the Paris climate targets, Sweden ranked 4th.
 China, the largest global emitter slightly improves its ranking in the index to 30th place ("medium").
 Only two G20 countries, the UK (7th) and India (9th), are ranked in the "high" category.
 As per the report out of 31 of the 57 high emitting countries assessed, collectively responsible for 90
per cent of emissions.
10.5 DATA ON DRUG ABUSE

Why in news?
The National Crime Record Bureau has informed that a total number of 874, 750 and 778 people have
died during 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively due to drug overdose in the country.

 A national survey was conducted to generate estimates for eight categories of psychoactive substances:
Alcohol, Cannabis, Opioids, Cocaine, Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), Sedatives, Inhalants and
Hallucinogens.
Survey findings:
 India is home to six crore alcohol addicts.
 In India only less than 3% of the people with drinking problem get any treatment.
 More than 3.1 crore Indians (2.8%) have reported using cannabis products, Bhang, Ganja, Charas,
Heroin and Opium.
 Country liquor accounts for 30% of the total liquor consumption, and Indian made foreign liquor also
account for the same amount.
Government Interventions:
 Constituted Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) and revived the scheme of Financial Assistance to
States for Narcotics Control.
 Narcotics Control Bureau has been provided funds for developing a new software i.e. Seizure
Information Management System (SIMS) which will create a complete online database of drug offences
and offenders.
 National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse: to meet the expenditure incurred in connection with
combating illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs; rehabilitating addicts, and educating public against drug
abuse, etc.
 National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025 by Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment.
10.6 GENDER GAP INDEX

Why in news?
India is 112th in WEF rankings on gender gap.
Gender Gap Index:

 The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality in the major and
emerging economies.
 Released annually by World Economic Forum.
 WEF had published its first gender gap report in 2006, when India was ranked relatively higher at

98th place.
 The Global Gender Gap Report benchmarks four thematic dimensions:
 Economic Participation and Opportunity,
 Educational Attainment,
 Health and Survival and
 Political Empowerment.
Global Findings:
 Iceland remains the world’s most gender-neutral country.
 Yemen is ranked the worst (153rd), while Iraq is 152nd and Pakistan 151st.
 China ranked 106th, Bangladesh - 50th, Brazil - 92nd, Nepal - 101st, Indonesia - 85th and Sri Lanka
– 102nd.
About India:
 India slips to 112th rank.
 India has moved down the ladder from its 108th position last year.
 As per the report India was ranked in bottom-five in terms of survival and economic participation.
 India slipped to 150th rank in health and survival, 149th in economic participation, 112th in
educational attainment. India improved to 18th place in terms of political empowerment.
10.7 THE 2019 POLLUTION AND HEALTH METRICS: GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND COUNTRY
ANALYSIS REPORT
Why in news?
India had most deaths caused by pollution in 2017: new report.
More about the report:

 Report was published Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and
updates findings from The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health.
 It provides a ranking of pollution deaths on global, regional and country levels.
 The report uses the most recent Global Burden of Disease data from the
Institute of Health Metrics Evaluation.
 In 2017, pollution was responsible for 15% of all deaths globally and 275
million Disability-Adjusted Life Years.
 The report includes three lists on pollution-induced deaths.
 India is the only country that features in the top 10 in all three lists.
 The top 10 countries with the most pollution deaths include both the world’s
largest and wealthiest nations and some of the poorer ones.
 Air pollution, both ambient and indoor, is one of the largest and most obvious
types of pollution affecting global health.
Global Alliance on Health and Pollution:

 It is a collaborative body made up of more than 60 members and dozens of
observers.
 Few prominent members are Pure Earth (non-profit organization), World
Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Asian Development Bank
(ADB), the European Commission, the Ministries of Environment and
Health of many low and middle-income countries etc.
 Its goal is to reduce death and illness caused by all forms of toxic pollution,
including air, water, soil and chemical wastes especially in low and middle-
income countries.

10.8 GOOD GOVERNANCE INDEX (GGI)
Why in news?
A good governance index (GGI) was launched by the government to assess the state of governance in the
country.

Note: The Good Governance Day is observed on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal
Bihari Vajpayee. (December 25)
Findings from the index:

 The States and Union Territories were divided into 3 groups’ namely big states, North East and hill
states and union territories.
 Tamil Nadu topped in Good Governance Index in the “Big States” category.
o It was followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
 The report also said that among the big states the poor performers were Odisha, Bihar, Goa and Uttar
Pradesh.
 Jharkhand was ranked the last in good governance index.
 In the North East and hill states category, Himachal Pradesh ranked first.
o It was followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim.
 The bad performers of the category include Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and
Arunachal Pradesh.
 In Agricultural and allied ranking, the best performing states were Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and
Daman and Diu.
 Under the category of commerce and industries, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand were the top
performers.
Good Governance Index:

 The Good Governance Index is a uniform tool across States to assess the Status of Governance and
impact of various interventions taken up by the State Government and UTs.
 It has been launched by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
Objectives:
 To provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and UTs.
 Enable states and UTs to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and
Shift to result oriented approaches and administration.
 It takes into consideration of 10 sectors: Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Commerce & Industries,
Human Resource Development, Public Health, Public Infrastructure & Utilities, Economic Governance,
Social Welfare & Development, Judicial & Public Security, Environment, Citizen-Centric Governance.
 These 10 governance sectors are further measured on a total of 50 indicators.
 These indicators are given different weightage under one governance sector to calculate the value.
10.9 GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2020

Why in news?
India ranks 5th in Global Climate Risk Index.
Global Climate Risk Index:

 Annually published by environmental think tank Germanwatch.
 Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and
environmental organisation which works for sustainable global development.
 The 2020 index assessed 181 countries and quantified impacts of climate change through economic
losses, losses to GDP (Gross domestic product) and fatalities to arrive at a ranking.
About India:
 India is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change.
 India’s rank has worsened from the 14th spot in 2017 to 5th in 2018 in the global vulnerability
ladder.

 India has also recorded the highest number of fatalities due to climate change and the second highest
monetary losses from its impact in 2018.
 India’s high rank is due to severe rainfalls, followed by heavy flooding and landslide.

10.10 STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SIPRI) REPORT
Why in news?
Arms sales worldwide up nearly 5%, says new report from Swedish institute.
From the report:

 Amongst arms manufacturers, US manufacturers alone accounted for 59 per cent of the market.
 Russia was second in the rankings for arms production, with 8.6 per cent of the market, just ahead of
the United Kingdom on 8.4 per cent and France on 5.5 per cent.
Note – Since 2009, the world's largest arms maker remains the US firm Lockheed Martin.
SIPRI:
 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an
international institute based in Sweden, dedicated to research
into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
 The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database contains information on all
international transfers of major weapons (including sales, gifts
and production licences) to states, international organizations and
armed non-state groups from 1950.
 SIPRI data reflects the volume of deliveries of arms, not the
financial value of the deals.
10.11 INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT 2019

Why in news?
India’s forest cover goes up by nearly 3% this decade; but all is not well.
About the report:

 The total tree and forest cover in the country increased
by 5,188 square kilometer in the last two years
 There is an increase of 42.6 million tonnes in the
carbon stock of the country as compared to the last
assessment of 2017.
 Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh are the states having largest forest cover
in the country (Area wise).
 The mangrove cover in the country has increased by 54
sq km (1.10 per cent).
 Karnataka (1,025 sq km) tops the country in growing
the maximum amount of forest and is followed by
Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
 There is an increase of 3,229 sq km in bamboo bearing
area as compared to the previous estimate.
The Northeast:
 The forest cover of six states, excluding Assam, has decreased by
nearly 18 per cent between 2011 and 2019.
 The loss of forests was one of the causes behind rainfall deficit in the
North East this monsoon.
Note - India State of Forest Report is released every two years.

10.12 NITI AAYOG’S SDG INDEX
Why in news?
NITI Aayog’s SDG Index, released.

About the Index:
 Kerala tops states in progress towards UN Sustainable
Development Goals.
 Bihar, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh are the worst
performing states in this year’s Index for Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
 Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim have joined all the southern
states in the top tier of front runners who scored more than 65
points, out of a possible 100.
 Ending hunger and achieving gender equality are the areas
where most states fall far short.
 Niti Aayog has given India an overall score of 60 points, driven
mostly by progress in clean energy and sanitation (88); peace,
justice and strong institutions (72); and affordable and clean
energy (70).
Note -The SDGs are a set of 17 broad-based global goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
in 2015, and intended to be achieved by 2030.
 The UN has developed 232 indicators to measure compliance on the part of member nations.
 Niti Aayog has adapted its monitoring approach to the Indian context, with a set of 100 indicators of
its own for the purposes of this Index.
More about:
 The second SDG – zero hunger – shows sharp divergence in the performance of states.
 On the fifth SDG – gender equality – almost all states fare poorly. Only Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh and Kerala have managed to cross 50 points.
 The Swachh Bharat Mission has contributed largely to the high scores on the sixth SDG – clean water
and sanitation.
Background:
 The SDG India Index is developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI), United Nations in India, and Global Green Growth Institute.
 Classification criteria based on SDG India Index score is as follows:
o Aspirant: 0–49
o Performer: 50–64
o Front Runner: 65–99
o Achiever: 100

ias/current-affairs-plus-cap-2020.html

To Know More…https://neoiascap.com/2019/08/05/current-affairs-test-series-
2020/uncategorized/

INDEX OF KEYWORDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, 25 IREDA, 60
adenosine deaminase, 27 IRNSS, 22
Anti- Rabies vaccine, 40 Iron Calorimeter, 38
December 2019 | Index of Keywords

Asian Waterfowl Census, 10 Japanese Encephalitis, 43
Avangard hypersonic missile, 24 Kailasha temple, 75
Baghdad Conference, 21 Kakatiya dynasty, 73
Bahmani dynasty., 73 Mahakavi Bharathiyar, 73
Banaras Hindu University, 76 Mediterranean, 13
Battery Electric Vehicles, 29 NAP scheme, 8
brackish water lagoon, 10 Narco-Coordination Centre, 80
Broadband Readiness Index, 45 National Defense Authorization Act, 26
Cash Reserve Ratio, 65 National Mission for a Green India, 8
Charanandri hills, 75 Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary, 10
Chenab and Beas basins, 15 NHAI, 51
CIBMS, 23 Overseas Citizen of India, 68
CITES, 13 Papua New Guinea, 14
Companies Act, 2013, 60 Pir Pinjal range, 15
Copenhagen, 11 Project 4202, 24
critically endangered, 9 promissory note, 59
Darjeeling, 16 Pulicat Lake, 10
Dhebar Commission, 70 Rajdhani Express, 40
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, 78 River Sileru, 18
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 31 rubella, 37
Essential Commodities Act, 1955, 44 Sabari River, 18
FAME India Scheme, 29 Salmonella Typhi, 37
Feni River, 14 Scheme for Integrated Textile Park, 54
Foundation for Environmental Education, 11 Shekatkar Committee, 24
FSSAI, 49 Sistan-Baluchistan Province, 14
fuel cell electric vehicles, 28 snow water equivalent, 34
G Sankara Kurup, 76 Societies Registration Act, 1860, 33
Geographic Information Systems, 44 solid-fuel propellant, 23
Germanwatch, 80 Subrahmanyam committee, 24
Gland, 8 supersonic cruise missile, 22
Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, 81 Synthetic Aperture Radar, 26
Global Compact on Refugees, 19 UNCRPD, 42
Golden Quadrilateral, 17 UNESCO World Heritage Site, 16
Gulf of Oman, 15 United Nations Refugee Agency, 19
hemorrhagic fever, 31 Vindhya Range, 13
India Post Payments Bank, 66 Wildlife (Protection) act, 1972, 11
Indian Human Spaceflight Programme, 33 World Anti-Doping Code, 19
Integral Coach Factory, 40 World Economic Forum, 22
intercontinental ballistic missile, 24 Zambezi River, 17
International Union for Conservation of Nature, 9

December 2019 | Grandmaster Challenge - Answers
GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE - ANSWERS
Statements
1 Operation Clean Art was conceived by World Wide Fund for Nature
2 IUCN is the world’s first global environmental organization.
3 Flamingo Festival sometimes seen in news held every year at Chilika Lake.
4 Blue Flag Certification is issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education

(FEE).
5 Papikonda National Park is located in Nagaland.
6 Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh.
7 Feni River flows through India only.
8 Chabahar port is developed by India to increase trade with African countries.
9 Rohtang Tunnel reduces the distance between Leh and Manali.
10 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
11 Golden Quadrilateral is a network of highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and

Kolkata.
12 The Drake Passage is located between Cape Horn at the tip of South America and the
13 Balimela Reservoir sometimes seen in news is located in Gujarat.
14 Samjiyon a city, recently seen in news is located in Iran.
15 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
16 The first Global Refugee Forum held in New York, US.
17 Republic of Armenia is a Member-State of Eurasian Economic Union.
18 Venezuela is one of the founding members of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries.
19 Crystal Award is given by World Economic Forum.
20 India is a member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
21 BrahMos missile is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.
22 Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range
of 100 km.
23 The Joint Patrol mission recently seen in news with reference to India and Japan.
24 'Iron Union 12' is a joint military exercise between China and Pakistan.
25 Mitra Shakti is a joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka.
26 Antiretroviral drugs are used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection.
27 RISAT-2BR1 is radar imaging earth observation satellite.

28 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) produces large quantities of greenhouse gases.
December 2019 | Grandmaster Challenge - Answers

29 Bibha recently seen in news is an exo-planet.
30 South Korea and the U.S. became the first countries to commercially launch 5G
services.
31 Ebola virus spreads through sexual transmission.
32 Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease.
33 The chairman of CSIR is Minister of Science and Technology.
34 As per the NITI Aayog’s SDG Index Bihar tops among states in progress towards UN
Sustainable Development Goals.
35 As per the recently released India State of Forest Report Madhya Pradesh had the
largest forest cover in the country.
36 Global Climate Risk Index is annually published by environmental think tank

Germanwatch.
37 Global Gender Gap Index is released by World Bank.
38 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema.
39 Belum Caves is located in Meghalaya.
40 Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland.
41 Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of Banaras Hindu University.
42 The Ellora Caves is located in Madhya Pradesh.
43 In India 75 groups have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

(PVTGs).
44 Nachiket Mor Committee recommended creation of Payment Banks.
45 Bharat Bond ETF would be the first corporate Bond ETF in the country.
46 A maximum of Rs 2 lakh per day can be transferred via NEFT.
47 Only corporates are eligible to issue commercial paper.
48 Atal Jal Yojana aimed at improving groundwater level in all states,
49 Train 18 is India's first engine-less semi-high speed train.
50 ISRO's GSLV Mk III will be used to launch Gaganyaan.
NEO IAS monthly digests are prepared by a proficient team. But we are also hungry to improve
ourselves in terms of content, style and presentation to suit your study methods. Feel free to
contact us with you suggestions at: neoiascurrentaffairs@gmail.com

CURRENT AFFAIRS PLUS
December 2019 | Current Affairs Plus


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December 2019 | Inside the digest

Current Affairs Grandmaster Challenge ............................................................................................................... 8

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December 2019 | Inside the digest

December 2019 | Inside the digest

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December 2019 | Inside the digest

Grandmaster Challenge - Answers ..................................................................................................................... 95

Current Affairs Plus ........................................................................................................................................... 97

CURRENT AFFAIRS GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

2 IUCN is the world’s first global environmental organization.

4 Blue Flag Certification is issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education

5 Papikonda National Park is located in Nagaland.

6 Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh.

7 Feni River flows through India only.

8 Chabahar port is developed by India to increase trade with African countries.

9 Rohtang Tunnel reduces the distance between Leh and Manali.

10 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

11 Golden Quadrilateral is a network of highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and

13 Balimela Reservoir sometimes seen in news is located in Gujarat.

14 Samjiyon a city, recently seen in news is located in Iran.

15 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

16 The first Global Refugee Forum held in New York, US.

17 Republic of Armenia is a Member-State of Eurasian Economic Union.

18 Venezuela is one of the founding members of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting

19 Crystal Award is given by World Economic Forum.

20 India is a member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

21 BrahMos missile is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.

© Neo IAS  0484-4030104 | 9446331522 | 9446334122 | www.neoias.com 8

25 Mitra Shakti is a joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka.

27 RISAT-2BR1 is radar imaging earth observation satellite.

29 Bibha recently seen in news is an exo-planet.

31 Ebola virus spreads through sexual transmission.

32 Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease.

33 The chairman of CSIR is Minister of Science and Technology.

36 Global Climate Risk Index is annually published by environmental think tank

37 Global Gender Gap Index is released by World Bank.

38 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema.

39 Belum Caves is located in Meghalaya.

40 Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland.

41 Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of Banaras Hindu University.

42 The Ellora Caves is located in Madhya Pradesh.

43 In India 75 groups have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

44 Nachiket Mor Committee recommended creation of Payment Banks.

46 A maximum of Rs 2 lakh per day can be transferred via NEFT.

47 Only corporates are eligible to issue commercial paper.

48 Atal Jal Yojana aimed at improving groundwater level in all states.

49 Train 18 is India's first engine-less semi-high speed train.

50 ISRO's GSLV Mk III will be used to launch Gaganyaan.

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December 2019 | Environment

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):

1.2 THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

1.3 NATIONAL AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME